FINDING THE IDEAL ADVENTURE BIKE: Moto Guzzi V85TT, Suzuki V-Strom 1050 XT, Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro
BMW R 18 Just when you thought that Bavarian boxers couldn’t get any bigger…
þ Massive capacity of 1800cc ight) þ 345kg (and that’s just dry we r ever þ The most torquey BMW boxe
GET INTO TRIALS
(and electric bikes too)
TRIUMPH STORY
30 years at Hinckley
YAMAHA TRACER 700
From hooligan to tourer
December 2020 Issue 273
Contents
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22 NEWS & OPINION: 7
12
18
20
30
Subscription offer
32
Maynard Hershon
48
Kit guide
News
Lots of new bikes for 2021. Some pretty cool ones, too.
Legal Eagle
Our resident lawyer on two wheels takes questions.
Products
Your chance to save £££ and get the magazine before it's in the shops.
There have been many bikes in Maynard’s life. This one got away....
This time our guide is all about leather gloves.
Ten products that are definitely worth having a closer look at.
TOURING & ADVENTURE
Your letters
51
Touring news
52
Day ride
56
Mid ride
This is where you can have your say about anything motorcycle related.
60
66
78
68
4 Motorcycle Sport & Leisure – established 1962
14
International Motorcyclists Touring Club emerges from lockdown.
Isle of Wight makes for a great riding holiday
Maja took her Ducati Supersport S all the way to Slovenia and back.
Long ride
What goes up, must come down – even in Australia.
Richard Millington
It’s been a strange year. What about the next one?
Making progress in Nepal
IAM RoadSmart has been spending time in an unusual place to train riders.
ROAD TESTS 10
Benelli TNT 125
14
Yamaha Tracer 700
22
BMW R 18
36
Little-big adventurers
This lean, mean, green machine is an urban hit.
Built on the naked MT-07, this is a tourer with a difference.
This is the Bavarians’ big, bold opening move in the cruiser game.
Suzuki V-Strom 1050XT, Moto Guzzi V85TT, Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro.
TEST FLEET 90
December 2020
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
Mikko is defending the Interceptor against doubters.
91
Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX Tourer
Stu has been very kind about the Kawasaki, so we try to intervene.
76 KNOWLEDGE 75
76
78
86
92
How do you know if you have found the one? This is how.
93
Knowledge
Euro 5 emissions regs are coming. Are you ready?
Yamaha TMAX
85
BMW F900XR
Triumph history
Ups and downs of 30 years in Hinckley.
96
Inch Perfect Trials
If you have not tried trials you are missing out.
100 Tried & tested
We have tested jackets, trousers, helmets, and the rest....
106 Kevin Cameron
How crankshaft design has changed over time.
Honda Africa Twin
It doesn’t matter how big the bike is – you can always over-pack.
94
Ana Carrasco
Quick chat with the fastest woman in road racing.
Triumph Street Scrambler
Scarecrows don’t frighten Roger and the TMAX.
Mike is going all out with gizmos on the BMW.
Suzuki V-Strom 1050XT
The big Suzuki has never been this clean.
97
98
Moto Guzzi V85TT
It’s time to say goodbye to the Guzzi.
Yamaha Ténéré 700
We have a new rider on the Ténéré, and it’s getting dirty already.
36
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