Download - RIDE
JUNE 2012 |
S U B S C R I B E T O R i D E
GET YOUR MAG EARLYClaim your Adventure Motorcycling
Routes book and get RiDE delivered
to your door every month. See page
28 for details of how to subscribe
I N T H I S I S S U E O N T H E C O V E R
W E L C O M E
ColiN ovErlaNd
EDitoR
Check out our great new back section, which packs a huge amount of useful info into just a few pages. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a
bike, choosing some new kit, planning a big adventure or wanting to brush up your DIY or riding skills, there’s a load of handy advice tucked away after the classified ads.
It replaces our hugely successful essential Motorcycle touring Guide, which occupied the back section through the winter and is now taking a rest. the idea is that we published those detailed routes at a time of year when you’d be planning your big trip for 2012 – and now’s
the time when you’re off enjoying that trip. the touring guide will be back later in
the year.the other stand-out feature in this issue
is our investigation into the complex challenges faced by any woman who rides a bike and wants to be properly kitted out. We’ve barely scratched the surface in this story – it’s a subject we’ll be returning to soon, with your help.
News + Views PLuS win a Nurburgring long weeked
4
Your Bikes 18
Letters 24
the riDe clinic 26
Subscribe to riDe 28
REAL-WoRLD ADVENtURE SPECiAL
Get your GS dirty 30
Six routes to the Millau Bridge 40
touring on a sportsbike 48
how to be ready for anything 52
Women bikers’ kit secrets 54
ce-approved textile suits 60
Mesh summer jackets 62
New riDer 68
Ducati SS used buying guide 70
Britain’s most satisfied owners 74
the riDe economy challenge 78
First ride: new Moto Guzzi V7 80
2012 BMW GS range 82
old vs new BMW S1000rr 84
First ride: BMW c600 Sport and c650 Gt
86
First ride: Aprilia SrV850 90
New Avon and Bridgestone tyres 92
New kit 99
essential Bikes 112
essential kit 117
essential riding Skills 124
essential Workshop 126
essential Adventure Biking 128
www.facebook.com/riDeMagazine
128
40
80
74
86 74Essential contactsWant to get in touch with us? riDe, Media house, Lynchwood, Peterborough Pe2 6eAtel: 01733 468 000 Fax: 01733 468 290Email: [email protected] to subscribe? call 0845 601 2672 or go to www.greatmagazines.co.uk/rideWant to advertise? call 01733 468892Got an editorial enquiry? call 01733 468081Can’t find RiDE in the shops? call 01733 555161Need a back issue? call 0845 601 1356 (uk) or 0044 1858 438828 (overseas)
6254
3
JUNE 2012 |
S U B S C R I B E T O R i D E
GET YOUR MAG EARLYClaim your Adventure Motorcycling
Routes book and get RiDE delivered
to your door every month. See page
28 for details of how to subscribe
I N T H I S I S S U E O N T H E C O V E R
W E L C O M E
ColiN ovErlaNd
EDitoR
Check out our great new back section, which packs a huge amount of useful info into just a few pages. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a
bike, choosing some new kit, planning a big adventure or wanting to brush up your DIY or riding skills, there’s a load of handy advice tucked away after the classified ads.
It replaces our hugely successful essential Motorcycle touring Guide, which occupied the back section through the winter and is now taking a rest. the idea is that we published those detailed routes at a time of year when you’d be planning your big trip for 2012 – and now’s
the time when you’re off enjoying that trip. the touring guide will be back later in
the year.the other stand-out feature in this issue
is our investigation into the complex challenges faced by any woman who rides a bike and wants to be properly kitted out. We’ve barely scratched the surface in this story – it’s a subject we’ll be returning to soon, with your help.
News + Views PLuS win a Nurburgring long weeked
4
Your Bikes 18
Letters 24
the riDe clinic 26
Subscribe to riDe 28
REAL-WoRLD ADVENtURE SPECiAL
Get your GS dirty 30
Six routes to the Millau Bridge 40
touring on a sportsbike 48
how to be ready for anything 52
Women bikers’ kit secrets 54
ce-approved textile suits 60
Mesh summer jackets 62
New riDer 68
Ducati SS used buying guide 70
Britain’s most satisfied owners 74
the riDe economy challenge 78
First ride: new Moto Guzzi V7 80
2012 BMW GS range 82
old vs new BMW S1000rr 84
First ride: BMW c600 Sport and c650 Gt
86
First ride: Aprilia SrV850 90
New Avon and Bridgestone tyres 92
New kit 99
essential Bikes 112
essential kit 117
essential riding Skills 124
essential Workshop 126
essential Adventure Biking 128
www.facebook.com/riDeMagazine
128
40
80
74
86 74Essential contactsWant to get in touch with us? riDe, Media house, Lynchwood, Peterborough Pe2 6eAtel: 01733 468 000 Fax: 01733 468 290Email: [email protected] to subscribe? call 0845 601 2672 or go to www.greatmagazines.co.uk/rideWant to advertise? call 01733 468892Got an editorial enquiry? call 01733 468081Can’t find RiDE in the shops? call 01733 555161Need a back issue? call 0845 601 1356 (uk) or 0044 1858 438828 (overseas)
6254
3
18 JUNE 2012 |
This bike was shown at the
NEC in 2006 and went into
storage for four years. I bought it last
year and I’ve done a bit to bling it up
– Gaz Hirst
My 1994 Honda CB500 fully
loaded in Jersey en route to
France for an awesome tour of
Western Europe – Nathan Sweeney
My 1997 Suzuki GSX-R750
SRAD at Silverstone where I
had just stopped for a breather on a
ride out – Redley
Me with my lovely new Yamaha
XJ6S Diversion having just
passed my Direct Access in Newport
on the Isle of Wight – Carrie Croft
Me and my mates Sully and
Silky out on a Sunday
afternoon ride-out on Captain 125s in
Kenya – Phil Rowland
My Suzuki RF900 cooling
down after ‘making progress’
from Coventry to Portland Bill in very
good time – Colin HarrisonMy Ducati ST3 at Goathland
which was used in the TV
series Heartbeat as the fictional
village of Aidensfield – Steve Gregan
My brand new 12-plate Suzuki
GSX1250FA ST ridden home
on March 1, ready for Europe in May
and August – Richard Ryan
Me on my Yamaha R1 and
my partner Sonje on her
Ducati Monster at Barmouth. This
was her first long ride out in nice
weather since passing her Direct
Access. We spent all day on the
fantastic North Wales roads, and
didn’t return home to Cheshire
until dark – Charlie Valentine
19
18 JUNE 2012 |
This bike was shown at the
NEC in 2006 and went into
storage for four years. I bought it last
year and I’ve done a bit to bling it up
– Gaz Hirst
My 1994 Honda CB500 fully
loaded in Jersey en route to
France for an awesome tour of
Western Europe – Nathan Sweeney
My 1997 Suzuki GSX-R750
SRAD at Silverstone where I
had just stopped for a breather on a
ride out – Redley
Me with my lovely new Yamaha
XJ6S Diversion having just
passed my Direct Access in Newport
on the Isle of Wight – Carrie Croft
Me and my mates Sully and
Silky out on a Sunday
afternoon ride-out on Captain 125s in
Kenya – Phil Rowland
My Suzuki RF900 cooling
down after ‘making progress’
from Coventry to Portland Bill in very
good time – Colin HarrisonMy Ducati ST3 at Goathland
which was used in the TV
series Heartbeat as the fictional
village of Aidensfield – Steve Gregan
My brand new 12-plate Suzuki
GSX1250FA ST ridden home
on March 1, ready for Europe in May
and August – Richard Ryan
Me on my Yamaha R1 and
my partner Sonje on her
Ducati Monster at Barmouth. This
was her first long ride out in nice
weather since passing her Direct
Access. We spent all day on the
fantastic North Wales roads, and
didn’t return home to Cheshire
until dark – Charlie Valentine
19
| JUNE 2012
R E A L W O R L D A D V E N T U R E S P E C I A L
The besT week off you’ve
ever hadWhat are your options if you’ve got a few days to
yourself: maybe a new route around France (p40)
or a blast through Spain (p48), or how about getting
your adventure bike dirty without leaving the UK?Words Rob Hoyles Pictures Mark Manning
JUNE 2012 |
| JUNE 2012
R E A L W O R L D A D V E N T U R E S P E C I A L
The besT week off you’ve
ever hadWhat are your options if you’ve got a few days to
yourself: maybe a new route around France (p40)
or a blast through Spain (p48), or how about getting
your adventure bike dirty without leaving the UK?Words Rob Hoyles Pictures Mark Manning
JUNE 2012 |
Ge
tty
DOWNLOAD OUR ROUTES
Visit the Routes page on
www.ride.co.uk to download our
routes. Each route is plotted both
to and from Calais, with
recommended hotels and
Millau viewpoints
marked
Ge
tty
DOWNLOAD OUR ROUTES
Visit the Routes page on
www.ride.co.uk to download our
routes. Each route is plotted both
to and from Calais, with
recommended hotels and
Millau viewpoints
marked
| JUNE 2012
T O T A L D I S T A N C E
1840 miles
MOJACAR
TERUEL
ZARAGOZA
TUDELA
MARIA
PUEBLA DE DON FADRIQUE
LA PUERTA DE SEGURA
PAMPLONA
ST-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT
AGEN
CAEN
PORTSMOUTH
ROCAMADOUR
R E A L W O R L D A D V E N T U R E S P E C I A L
‘‘Just keep the sun behind you’’
T o u r i n g o n a s p o r t s b i k e
While other journalists board a plane after riding the new BMW S1000RR at Almeria, RiDE’s man heads
north for a three-day ride homeWords Matt Hull Pictures Jason Critchell
48 JUNE 2012 |
Touring? More like riding with
tunnel vision. Wooden ‘safety’ barriers
on my left pretend to be of use should
things go wrong but the beige rock on
my right gives no such impression.
Together they lead my eyes to the rapidly
changing vanishing point in front. Brake,
peel in late, search the exit and accelerate
out. Bit of a straight, try a quick grab of that
view, fail; look back in front, brake and
turn in. Again.
This section of road has been all second
and third gear, left corner after right. For
countless miles the A317 flings me like a
dog with a rag doll as it flows round the
side of the Sierra de Segura mountains. i’ve
never experienced anything like this on
road or the track. it’s taken 20 years of
riding but finally i’ve found motorcycle
nirvana. And it’s in Spain.
over the last 105 miles the route from
Puebla de Don Fadrique to la Puerta de
Segura has changed pace several times.
The southern section is tight as it winds up
the mountains, gaining height like a bird of
prey on a thermal. The generally good
surface still needs attention as every so
often i come across gravel or rocks strewn
liberally, not by cars or hoodlums but by
nature. And then there is the snow, sitting
at the side of the road, adding to my
scepticism about how much grip there is.
And boy it’s got cold quickly. The camber is
severe and works against you on left-
handers but hooks you in to right-handers;
just watch that snow.
into the small, remote town of Pontones i
get a feeling of being in the outback. This
town has to provide everything for its
people because it’s so far away from
anywhere. i buy a coffee from a grumpy
old woman who treats me like she hates
me and continue to Hornos where the road
flows more predictably. The S1000rr
could easily do the whole section in
second, while fourth easily has the torque
to deal with the mix of sweeping bends
and straights without scaring the natives,
of which there are very few. in fact i’ve
seen so few people for hours i’m starting to
realise just how far from home i am. i’m
not just a long way from home – i’m a long
way from civilisation.
The contrast with the most southern part
of the A317 is stark; Spain has so many
different personalities. From Maria i was
riding along dead straight roads as long as
the horizon would allow, heading north for
over 40 miles. The Sierra nevada
mountains topped by the winter Spanish
sun constantly stared at me in my mirrors.
But i’d started my journey in Mojacar, a
town typical of those Anglicised southern
Spanish seaside resorts, with a small stony
beach sandwiched in between the main
street and the rich blue Mediterranean Sea.
The day before had been spent
Sun, stunning scenery and loads of grip – Spain can be biking heaven
49
| JUNE 2012
T O T A L D I S T A N C E
1840 miles
MOJACAR
TERUEL
ZARAGOZA
TUDELA
MARIA
PUEBLA DE DON FADRIQUE
LA PUERTA DE SEGURA
PAMPLONA
ST-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT
AGEN
CAEN
PORTSMOUTH
ROCAMADOUR
R E A L W O R L D A D V E N T U R E S P E C I A L
‘‘Just keep the sun behind you’’
T o u r i n g o n a s p o r t s b i k e
While other journalists board a plane after riding the new BMW S1000RR at Almeria, RiDE’s man heads
north for a three-day ride homeWords Matt Hull Pictures Jason Critchell
48 JUNE 2012 |
Touring? More like riding with
tunnel vision. Wooden ‘safety’ barriers
on my left pretend to be of use should
things go wrong but the beige rock on
my right gives no such impression.
Together they lead my eyes to the rapidly
changing vanishing point in front. Brake,
peel in late, search the exit and accelerate
out. Bit of a straight, try a quick grab of that
view, fail; look back in front, brake and
turn in. Again.
This section of road has been all second
and third gear, left corner after right. For
countless miles the A317 flings me like a
dog with a rag doll as it flows round the
side of the Sierra de Segura mountains. i’ve
never experienced anything like this on
road or the track. it’s taken 20 years of
riding but finally i’ve found motorcycle
nirvana. And it’s in Spain.
over the last 105 miles the route from
Puebla de Don Fadrique to la Puerta de
Segura has changed pace several times.
The southern section is tight as it winds up
the mountains, gaining height like a bird of
prey on a thermal. The generally good
surface still needs attention as every so
often i come across gravel or rocks strewn
liberally, not by cars or hoodlums but by
nature. And then there is the snow, sitting
at the side of the road, adding to my
scepticism about how much grip there is.
And boy it’s got cold quickly. The camber is
severe and works against you on left-
handers but hooks you in to right-handers;
just watch that snow.
into the small, remote town of Pontones i
get a feeling of being in the outback. This
town has to provide everything for its
people because it’s so far away from
anywhere. i buy a coffee from a grumpy
old woman who treats me like she hates
me and continue to Hornos where the road
flows more predictably. The S1000rr
could easily do the whole section in
second, while fourth easily has the torque
to deal with the mix of sweeping bends
and straights without scaring the natives,
of which there are very few. in fact i’ve
seen so few people for hours i’m starting to
realise just how far from home i am. i’m
not just a long way from home – i’m a long
way from civilisation.
The contrast with the most southern part
of the A317 is stark; Spain has so many
different personalities. From Maria i was
riding along dead straight roads as long as
the horizon would allow, heading north for
over 40 miles. The Sierra nevada
mountains topped by the winter Spanish
sun constantly stared at me in my mirrors.
But i’d started my journey in Mojacar, a
town typical of those Anglicised southern
Spanish seaside resorts, with a small stony
beach sandwiched in between the main
street and the rich blue Mediterranean Sea.
The day before had been spent
Sun, stunning scenery and loads of grip – Spain can be biking heaven
49
| JUNE2012
THE RiDE READER PANEL
P R O D U C T I N V E S T I G A T I O N
Why’s it so difficult for women to get decent riding gear?
RiDE’s investigation reveals an astonishing level of dissatisfaction with the choice of kit available to female bikers
Words Kate Barratt and Colin Overland Pictures Jason Critchell and Mark Manning
CAROLINE BARRETT
2000 Yamaha R6
DEE MAJORDucati 916
HELEN TURNERBMW R1200R
SUSANNE MARSHALL
Suzuki SV650 K1
CLARE SKINNERSuzuki SV650s
ZOE LADBROOKEHonda Bros
(among others)
KATE MINCHINTriumph
Speedmaster
NAILA SCARGILLYamaha
Diversion 600
JANET VAUGHANExperienced pillion now learning to ride
ANGELA FREEMANYamaha MT-03
and XT660X
KAYLEIGH NICOLAOU
Honda Hornet CB600F
KATE BARRATTHonda CBF125
SARAH SMITHSuzuki
GSX-R600 K7
Three different women, three different shapes, lots of problems – and a few
solutions. They’re wearing (left to right) Ixon Nirvana, Stein STJ 405 and
Ixon Electra jackets
54
BOOTSFemales don’t necessarily have feet any
smaller than men’s, but they do tend to
have thinner ankles and wider calves.
Finding the right boots was a nightmare for
Kayleigh: “I tried several pairs but wasn’t
able to get them done up over my calves.
A female shop assistant told me women
struggle because our calves start lower
down than men, so she recommended a
couple of different options. I ended up with
my Sidi Vertigos. The fastening mechanism
means you can tailor them to your legs,
making them incredibly comfortable.”
Helen bought the same boots, describing
them as her “dream purchase”, sniffed out
among ladies’ boots that she says were
“downgraded with less features” than
men’s. She also loves her Daytona Lady
Star GTXs too: “They have an extra inch in
the back of the boot which helps the
vertically challenged (like me) touch the
floor, although if it was across the whole
boot it would help more. Daytona have
really thought about ladies and the extra
inch is an innovative idea.”
Kate M ended up with a good result but
had to battle against a shop assistant who
thought he knew best: “For some reason
the guy in the shop seemed to be trying to
steer me away from trying on some men’s
Alpinestars S-MX5, but I stood my ground.
They tick all the boxes.”
Kate B found her
TCX boots in a charity
shop for £20. “I spent
almost a year riding in
walking boots before
finding a pair that fitted.
My leather trousers are
tapered at the bottom,
with an inside zip. Could
I find boots to fit over
these comfortably? Of
course not. A lot of
ladies’ boots that
I’ve seen don’t even
have a reinforced
leather patch for
changing gear,
suggesting that
manufacturers think
FIT, COLOur, COMFOrT, price,
availability… every single thing that’s
important about motorcycle clothing is
a major problem for female riders,
according to our research. We’ve spoken to
riders, pillions, shops, manufacturers and
distributors to investigate the extent of the
problem and highlight some of the best kit
and best retailers.
This is just a start. Clearly there are many
thousands of female riders we haven’t
spoken to, and there must be plenty of
helpful shops who we don’t yet know
about. But this much is clear: women have
a much tougher time than most blokes
when it comes to finding bike gear that’s
safe, comfortable and stylish.
So this is our challenge to the British bike
business: prove us wrong.
Every single member of the panel we
assembled has had problems getting hold
of the right gear. In many cases, the
journey has been a long and painful one.
Our women say they want the right fit,
without it compromising on protection.
And feeling comfortable on a bike
improves your control and enjoyment.
Caroline says: “It’s obvious that the
majority of riders are male but there is a
big and ever growing population of female
riders. I went to my local Hein Gericke, in
January, and they had little to no women’s
clothing. They suggested I go back in
March. I went back, and they had a sale on
men’s clothing, but they didn’t even have a
full set of ladies’ leathers or textiles.”
Getting the right size can be a nightmare.
Clare’s a petite 5ft 2in yet trousers still
come up short in the leg: “They even look
Simon Cowell-ish in the waist. And jackets
that fit across the shoulders are too tight
across the bust.”
Zoe agrees: “The main issue with
trousers is leg length and with jackets it’s
baggy arms. Clothes don’t seem to be
scaled down all over – some bits fit and
some are huge.” But Zoe believes
motorcycle clothing has come a long way
in the past decade or so: “There is more
choice in cost, colour, style and material,
although overall there’s still a big gap
between provision for men and women.”
If she could afford it, Naila would only
buy made-to-measure kit: “If you’re an
average height, they assume you’re fat. If
slim, they assume you’re short and have no
shape. If I want hips to fit, the waist is too
big. If the waist fits, it’s tight on the legs
and too short. If the legs fit OK, the waist
and hips end up massive.”
And even if it fits, sometimes the looks
are horribly misjudged. Pink stripes. Floral
embroidery. Butterfly emblems. Sound
familiar? Kayleigh says: “Not all female
bikers want to be plastered with something
that advertises the fact that they’re female
to all and sundry.”
Kayleigh has a biking mum with years of
wisdom to pass on, but not everyone is so
lucky: “The best thing to do is talk to other
bikers you know and don’t be afraid to ask
staff in your local bike shop for help – it’s
what they’re there for.”
Boots for women are sometimes more
suited to pillions than riders, lacking a
gearchange reinforcement
When choosing a crash helmet, the only thing that matters is that it fits. So get yourself measured
female bikers are all pillions. That’s why
I’m forced to wear men’s one-size-too-big
boots padded with an extra pair of socks.”
BUYING TIP Buy boots with a fastening
mechanism – not just a single zip – that allows
them to fit snugly around your legs.
| JUNE2012
THE RiDE READER PANEL
P R O D U C T I N V E S T I G A T I O N
Why’s it so difficult for women to get decent riding gear?
RiDE’s investigation reveals an astonishing level of dissatisfaction with the choice of kit available to female bikers
Words Kate Barratt and Colin Overland Pictures Jason Critchell and Mark Manning
CAROLINE BARRETT
2000 Yamaha R6
DEE MAJORDucati 916
HELEN TURNERBMW R1200R
SUSANNE MARSHALL
Suzuki SV650 K1
CLARE SKINNERSuzuki SV650s
ZOE LADBROOKEHonda Bros
(among others)
KATE MINCHINTriumph
Speedmaster
NAILA SCARGILLYamaha
Diversion 600
JANET VAUGHANExperienced pillion now learning to ride
ANGELA FREEMANYamaha MT-03
and XT660X
KAYLEIGH NICOLAOU
Honda Hornet CB600F
KATE BARRATTHonda CBF125
SARAH SMITHSuzuki
GSX-R600 K7
Three different women, three different shapes, lots of problems – and a few
solutions. They’re wearing (left to right) Ixon Nirvana, Stein STJ 405 and
Ixon Electra jackets
54
BOOTSFemales don’t necessarily have feet any
smaller than men’s, but they do tend to
have thinner ankles and wider calves.
Finding the right boots was a nightmare for
Kayleigh: “I tried several pairs but wasn’t
able to get them done up over my calves.
A female shop assistant told me women
struggle because our calves start lower
down than men, so she recommended a
couple of different options. I ended up with
my Sidi Vertigos. The fastening mechanism
means you can tailor them to your legs,
making them incredibly comfortable.”
Helen bought the same boots, describing
them as her “dream purchase”, sniffed out
among ladies’ boots that she says were
“downgraded with less features” than
men’s. She also loves her Daytona Lady
Star GTXs too: “They have an extra inch in
the back of the boot which helps the
vertically challenged (like me) touch the
floor, although if it was across the whole
boot it would help more. Daytona have
really thought about ladies and the extra
inch is an innovative idea.”
Kate M ended up with a good result but
had to battle against a shop assistant who
thought he knew best: “For some reason
the guy in the shop seemed to be trying to
steer me away from trying on some men’s
Alpinestars S-MX5, but I stood my ground.
They tick all the boxes.”
Kate B found her
TCX boots in a charity
shop for £20. “I spent
almost a year riding in
walking boots before
finding a pair that fitted.
My leather trousers are
tapered at the bottom,
with an inside zip. Could
I find boots to fit over
these comfortably? Of
course not. A lot of
ladies’ boots that
I’ve seen don’t even
have a reinforced
leather patch for
changing gear,
suggesting that
manufacturers think
FIT, COLOur, COMFOrT, price,
availability… every single thing that’s
important about motorcycle clothing is
a major problem for female riders,
according to our research. We’ve spoken to
riders, pillions, shops, manufacturers and
distributors to investigate the extent of the
problem and highlight some of the best kit
and best retailers.
This is just a start. Clearly there are many
thousands of female riders we haven’t
spoken to, and there must be plenty of
helpful shops who we don’t yet know
about. But this much is clear: women have
a much tougher time than most blokes
when it comes to finding bike gear that’s
safe, comfortable and stylish.
So this is our challenge to the British bike
business: prove us wrong.
Every single member of the panel we
assembled has had problems getting hold
of the right gear. In many cases, the
journey has been a long and painful one.
Our women say they want the right fit,
without it compromising on protection.
And feeling comfortable on a bike
improves your control and enjoyment.
Caroline says: “It’s obvious that the
majority of riders are male but there is a
big and ever growing population of female
riders. I went to my local Hein Gericke, in
January, and they had little to no women’s
clothing. They suggested I go back in
March. I went back, and they had a sale on
men’s clothing, but they didn’t even have a
full set of ladies’ leathers or textiles.”
Getting the right size can be a nightmare.
Clare’s a petite 5ft 2in yet trousers still
come up short in the leg: “They even look
Simon Cowell-ish in the waist. And jackets
that fit across the shoulders are too tight
across the bust.”
Zoe agrees: “The main issue with
trousers is leg length and with jackets it’s
baggy arms. Clothes don’t seem to be
scaled down all over – some bits fit and
some are huge.” But Zoe believes
motorcycle clothing has come a long way
in the past decade or so: “There is more
choice in cost, colour, style and material,
although overall there’s still a big gap
between provision for men and women.”
If she could afford it, Naila would only
buy made-to-measure kit: “If you’re an
average height, they assume you’re fat. If
slim, they assume you’re short and have no
shape. If I want hips to fit, the waist is too
big. If the waist fits, it’s tight on the legs
and too short. If the legs fit OK, the waist
and hips end up massive.”
And even if it fits, sometimes the looks
are horribly misjudged. Pink stripes. Floral
embroidery. Butterfly emblems. Sound
familiar? Kayleigh says: “Not all female
bikers want to be plastered with something
that advertises the fact that they’re female
to all and sundry.”
Kayleigh has a biking mum with years of
wisdom to pass on, but not everyone is so
lucky: “The best thing to do is talk to other
bikers you know and don’t be afraid to ask
staff in your local bike shop for help – it’s
what they’re there for.”
Boots for women are sometimes more
suited to pillions than riders, lacking a
gearchange reinforcement
When choosing a crash helmet, the only thing that matters is that it fits. So get yourself measured
female bikers are all pillions. That’s why
I’m forced to wear men’s one-size-too-big
boots padded with an extra pair of socks.”
BUYING TIP Buy boots with a fastening
mechanism – not just a single zip – that allows
them to fit snugly around your legs.
78 JUNE 2012 |
Rider’s notes: Stellar engine –
cliche-smooth and vastly powerful,
up to speed instantly on dual
carriageway (though I keep trying
to find a sixth gear which isn’t
there). It feels utterly planted when
settled in long sweepers, but on
A-roads and tighter roads is notably
reluctant to turn in. It feels awful on
bumpy roads as the under-damped
suspension boings backwards and
forwards. Placid and easy to control
through town, with perfect balance
and superb low-speed manners.
Very comfy, with the screen giving
decent wind protection.
KTM 990 Adventure> £8965 > 999cc V-twin > 106bhp > 130mph
TRIP DIsTance 40.2 miles
TIMe TaKen 65 minutes
aVeRage sPeeD 37.1mph
FUeL cOnsUMPTIOn 44.03mpg
Rider’s notes: Big, tall bike with
comfy riding position and
commanding view. The V-twin
burps its way rapidly up to speed
on dual carriageways, and that
small screen’s effective. Engine
braking is good, front brakes are
poor – they’re plagued by a
heartstopping pause before power
builds. Feels like it leans a long way,
though aware of tyre knobbles
rumbling over tarmac. Throttle is a
bit snatchy in town traffic if in too
high a gear (chain slaps too). Lovely
flow on open road and is agile
enough on the tighter sections –
wide bars help. The soft suspension
swallows any imperfections so the
ride is plush but not wallowy. Loses
time waiting at level crossings.
KTM 990 adventure is a hoot to ride on flowing roads, but snatchy throttle makes riding in town hard work
Bumpy roads leave both the XJ6 and FJR1300 feeling unsettled and vague
How frugal is your bike? Get in touch
and let us know [email protected]
NEXT MONTHsuzuki’s gsR750 and V-strom 650 and Honda’s nc700 face the RiDe TT
79
78 JUNE 2012 |
Rider’s notes: Stellar engine –
cliche-smooth and vastly powerful,
up to speed instantly on dual
carriageway (though I keep trying
to find a sixth gear which isn’t
there). It feels utterly planted when
settled in long sweepers, but on
A-roads and tighter roads is notably
reluctant to turn in. It feels awful on
bumpy roads as the under-damped
suspension boings backwards and
forwards. Placid and easy to control
through town, with perfect balance
and superb low-speed manners.
Very comfy, with the screen giving
decent wind protection.
KTM 990 Adventure> £8965 > 999cc V-twin > 106bhp > 130mph
TRIP DIsTance 40.2 miles
TIMe TaKen 65 minutes
aVeRage sPeeD 37.1mph
FUeL cOnsUMPTIOn 44.03mpg
Rider’s notes: Big, tall bike with
comfy riding position and
commanding view. The V-twin
burps its way rapidly up to speed
on dual carriageways, and that
small screen’s effective. Engine
braking is good, front brakes are
poor – they’re plagued by a
heartstopping pause before power
builds. Feels like it leans a long way,
though aware of tyre knobbles
rumbling over tarmac. Throttle is a
bit snatchy in town traffic if in too
high a gear (chain slaps too). Lovely
flow on open road and is agile
enough on the tighter sections –
wide bars help. The soft suspension
swallows any imperfections so the
ride is plush but not wallowy. Loses
time waiting at level crossings.
KTM 990 adventure is a hoot to ride on flowing roads, but snatchy throttle makes riding in town hard work
Bumpy roads leave both the XJ6 and FJR1300 feeling unsettled and vague
How frugal is your bike? Get in touch
and let us know [email protected]
NEXT MONTHsuzuki’s gsR750 and V-strom 650 and Honda’s nc700 face the RiDe TT
79
| JUNE 2012
E S S E N T I A L R I D I N G S K I L L S
Are you sitting comfortably?Good control flows from how you’re sitting on the bike. Get that right and every aspect of your riding becomes easier and betterWords Simon Weir Pictures Paul Bryant
Welcome to RiDe’s
essential Riding skills.
over the next six issues
we’ll be looking at the core
disciplines of riding – the things
experienced riders know (but may have
forgotten) and new riders need to master.
they’re the skills that make the
difference between riding and riding well.
everything starts with you – with how
you sit on the bike. Riding is a physical
activity, so using your body and the bike’s
controls well is crucial. clumsy inputs
remove finesse from the ride, making
everything harder than it should be. By
contrast, the best riders look relaxed on
the bike, because they are – which gives
them great control.
that’s why, before we start looking at
such riding staples as cornering and
overtaking, we’re going to get back to
basics. Now, are you sitting comfortably?
bAckside, hips, kneesDon’t sit hard up against the tank
– give yourself a bit of room. You
should be able to get your glove
between yourself and the tank,
which will stop you sitting up too
straight. When you need to support
your weight, use your knees to grip
the tank and take the weight off
your arms.
You can use your hips and knees
to help you steer. Gently tilting
your hips, so your crotch is
pointing at the apex of a corner,
will make the outside knee apply
pressure to the tank, making
cornering feel easier. On track, a
more aggressive flip of the hips
from one side to the other can help
change direction through chicanes.
bAckDon’t sit ramrod straight as this
will mean the arms will be pulled
back and the head will be getting a
proper buffeting. So just lean
forwards at a relaxed angle. You
don’t want to lie flat on the tank
in a racing crouch, just tilt
forward a little.
FeetThis is one area where we disagree with
police manual Roadcraft, which
suggests keeping the instep on the
footpeg at all times. That’s fine and
relaxing on straights, but for cornering
you want your control surfaces in
contact with the bike’s control surfaces
– so that’s the balls of the feet on the
pegs. You’ll have greater feel and will be
able to apply pressure to the pegs with
greater precision. Pushing down on the
inside peg helps initiate the turn and
then keeps the bike on line through the
corner. If you’re concerned about
turning in too early, a little conscious
pressure on the outside peg will stop
the bike tipping in too soon. When you
decide it is time to turn, transferring
pressure from the outside peg to the
inside one (combined with a flick of the
hips) really helps the bike turn fast.
124 JUNE 2012 |
hAnds Your grip on the bars should be light
but secure, like holding a baby bird:
firm enough to prevent it escaping
but without gripping so hard you’d
hurt it. If you ever hold the bars with
white knuckles it shows that you’re
not in control and you’re scaring
yourself – and also that you’re
removing your control. A tight grip
limits feel (especially for the
throttle) and means you’re likely to
grab at brake and clutch levers,
rather than use them progressively
and sensitively.
If you want to use the bars for
steering (active, positive, counter…
pick your term, it’s all steering to us)
then a light grip is essential. There’s
lots of scope for people to
overcomplicate and confuse this but
it really is simple: a little light
pressure on the inside bar helps the
bike turn. So to turn left, just nudge
the left-hand bar with the palm of
your hand. To turn right, nudge the
right-hand bar – and if you have a
light grip, you can do this without
affecting the throttle.
Arms And shouldersNice and relaxed: you should be able to
flap your elbows like a bird at any point.
As you ride, the bars will want to move
ever so slightly from side to side, as
imperfections in the road surface
deflect the tyre – it self-corrects
instantly, but only if your elbows and
shoulders are relaxed.
Always keep your elbows nice and low
– so your forearms are more or less
parallel with the road surface. This will
stop you sitting too straight and makes
it impossible to lock the arms rigidly. It
also makes the most of any steering
you do with the bars, as your inputs will
be in line with the axis around which
the yokes pivot.
heAd And neckThis is really vital: keep your chin up.
On bikes which tilt you forwards a long
way, it’s very easy to end up staring as
little as 40 metres ahead – and good
riding comes from good vision. The bike
goes where you look, so the further you
look the easier it is to get smoothly
down the road.
That also means
you don’t want
to just look ahead. Your head should be
almost constantly moving, as you turn it
to get a good look at every corner. If
you’re really craning your neck to look
into tighter corners, they’ll become
much easier as you’ll really see where
they go.
Don’t forget to look backwards as
well. If your neck and shoulders are
relaxed, it’ll be easier to make lifesaver
checks over your shoulder.
www.facebook.com/RiDEMagazine
125
| JUNE 2012
E S S E N T I A L R I D I N G S K I L L S
Are you sitting comfortably?Good control flows from how you’re sitting on the bike. Get that right and every aspect of your riding becomes easier and betterWords Simon Weir Pictures Paul Bryant
Welcome to RiDe’s
essential Riding skills.
over the next six issues
we’ll be looking at the core
disciplines of riding – the things
experienced riders know (but may have
forgotten) and new riders need to master.
they’re the skills that make the
difference between riding and riding well.
everything starts with you – with how
you sit on the bike. Riding is a physical
activity, so using your body and the bike’s
controls well is crucial. clumsy inputs
remove finesse from the ride, making
everything harder than it should be. By
contrast, the best riders look relaxed on
the bike, because they are – which gives
them great control.
that’s why, before we start looking at
such riding staples as cornering and
overtaking, we’re going to get back to
basics. Now, are you sitting comfortably?
bAckside, hips, kneesDon’t sit hard up against the tank
– give yourself a bit of room. You
should be able to get your glove
between yourself and the tank,
which will stop you sitting up too
straight. When you need to support
your weight, use your knees to grip
the tank and take the weight off
your arms.
You can use your hips and knees
to help you steer. Gently tilting
your hips, so your crotch is
pointing at the apex of a corner,
will make the outside knee apply
pressure to the tank, making
cornering feel easier. On track, a
more aggressive flip of the hips
from one side to the other can help
change direction through chicanes.
bAckDon’t sit ramrod straight as this
will mean the arms will be pulled
back and the head will be getting a
proper buffeting. So just lean
forwards at a relaxed angle. You
don’t want to lie flat on the tank
in a racing crouch, just tilt
forward a little.
FeetThis is one area where we disagree with
police manual Roadcraft, which
suggests keeping the instep on the
footpeg at all times. That’s fine and
relaxing on straights, but for cornering
you want your control surfaces in
contact with the bike’s control surfaces
– so that’s the balls of the feet on the
pegs. You’ll have greater feel and will be
able to apply pressure to the pegs with
greater precision. Pushing down on the
inside peg helps initiate the turn and
then keeps the bike on line through the
corner. If you’re concerned about
turning in too early, a little conscious
pressure on the outside peg will stop
the bike tipping in too soon. When you
decide it is time to turn, transferring
pressure from the outside peg to the
inside one (combined with a flick of the
hips) really helps the bike turn fast.
124 JUNE 2012 |
hAnds Your grip on the bars should be light
but secure, like holding a baby bird:
firm enough to prevent it escaping
but without gripping so hard you’d
hurt it. If you ever hold the bars with
white knuckles it shows that you’re
not in control and you’re scaring
yourself – and also that you’re
removing your control. A tight grip
limits feel (especially for the
throttle) and means you’re likely to
grab at brake and clutch levers,
rather than use them progressively
and sensitively.
If you want to use the bars for
steering (active, positive, counter…
pick your term, it’s all steering to us)
then a light grip is essential. There’s
lots of scope for people to
overcomplicate and confuse this but
it really is simple: a little light
pressure on the inside bar helps the
bike turn. So to turn left, just nudge
the left-hand bar with the palm of
your hand. To turn right, nudge the
right-hand bar – and if you have a
light grip, you can do this without
affecting the throttle.
Arms And shouldersNice and relaxed: you should be able to
flap your elbows like a bird at any point.
As you ride, the bars will want to move
ever so slightly from side to side, as
imperfections in the road surface
deflect the tyre – it self-corrects
instantly, but only if your elbows and
shoulders are relaxed.
Always keep your elbows nice and low
– so your forearms are more or less
parallel with the road surface. This will
stop you sitting too straight and makes
it impossible to lock the arms rigidly. It
also makes the most of any steering
you do with the bars, as your inputs will
be in line with the axis around which
the yokes pivot.
heAd And neckThis is really vital: keep your chin up.
On bikes which tilt you forwards a long
way, it’s very easy to end up staring as
little as 40 metres ahead – and good
riding comes from good vision. The bike
goes where you look, so the further you
look the easier it is to get smoothly
down the road.
That also means
you don’t want
to just look ahead. Your head should be
almost constantly moving, as you turn it
to get a good look at every corner. If
you’re really craning your neck to look
into tighter corners, they’ll become
much easier as you’ll really see where
they go.
Don’t forget to look backwards as
well. If your neck and shoulders are
relaxed, it’ll be easier to make lifesaver
checks over your shoulder.
www.facebook.com/RiDEMagazine
125