RiDE

RiDE helps you get more from your motorcycle. Put together by a team of enthusiastic experts, with help from thousands of committed readers, every issue of RiDE is full of recommendations on bikes, kit, routes, destinations and technique. We speak directly to our readers about their biking lives & use our expertise to steer them towards the good-value option in bikes, trips and kits. We’re famed for our regular Product Tests and eery month provide a comprehensive used-bike buying guide, helping potential owners find the right bike at the right price. Finally... every issue features touring guides and riding advice to help readers explore the world on their bike.

Welcome…

YOUR RIDES • Been somewhere inspirational? Ridden an amazing road? Email yourrides@ride.co.uk to tell us about your trip and your bike

IS IT EVER GOING TO BE EASIER TO GET YOUR LICENCE? • Last October, we questioned whether the current system for new riders is fit for purpose. Now it seems the government think the same, too. So, what happens next?

TAKING IT FURTHER

Petrol bikes they're not dead yet • New lower 2035 emissions targets – and bikes could benefit

Electric problems almost solved

Iconic Scots biker hotel up for grabs

Honda's Spanish off-road tours

Bike sales down, but more bargains

LETTERS

RiDE

ASK THE LAWYER • With Andrew ‘Chef’ Prendergast, White Dalton Solicitors

ASK THE RIDING COACH • With Rapid Training Coach Dave Hewson

Scrambler gets a sharper suit • Triumph’s funky retro scrambler gets even broader appeal thanks to a 2026 makeover

BEYOND THE HYPE • The bits that actually make a difference

Light and fun • Triumph’s baby scrambler gains a stack of off-road goodies but loses none of the easy-going nature

5 things you need to know about… • Voge’s high-spec parallel-twin is decent, but has room for improvement

Q Does the Z1100 mean super-nakeds are irrelevant? • Kawasaki’s big Zed is back – bigger and cleverer than ever

Q Does it have enough power?

Q Are the SE goodies worth it?

Q Does it come with enough tech?

Q Is it as much fun as a super-naked?

Q How well made is it?

Q What are the best options and add-ons

Q What will it cost to run?

Q How easy is it to work on?

Q What power does it make?

Q Is it a good bike for riding as a pillion? • Jimmy Doherty takes a ride – and finds it’s not that bad…

Q What are its rivals?

THE BIG RIDE The Cairn o' Mount loop • Coastal views, hilltop vistas, verdant farmland and heather moors all wrapped up in an epic Scottish ride

Feed me, feed me, feed me…

Three great places to visit

THIS MONTH'S BIG RIDE ROUTE

BIKE BUYING SPECIAL 2026 • Brilliant deals and superb bik get the biggest bang from your buck

USED BIKE OF THE YEAR • THe faults, the fixes and what you really need to know about 2026’s best used bargains

BRITAIN'S BEST DISCOUNTED BIKES: THE ROAD TEST VERDICT

WELCOME TO THE CHEAP SEATS • Some great new bikes are available for less than £5000. We reveal the wonderstuff…

'Great for any adventure' • Dual-use boots get thumbs up from our forest-dwelling editor

'It's still got years left in it' • After four years and more than 3000 miles, the Falcon 2 sporty textile jacket is still Simon H’s three-season go-to

THE RIDE PRODUCT TEST Sub-£1500 Gore-Tex suits • Stay warm and dry with a sub-£1500 laminate Gore-Tex jacket and trousers combo. But which is worth your time and money?

– SUB-£1500 GORE-TEX SUITS – THE RIDE VERDICT • All prove it really is worth paying a bit more

THE YEAR'S BEST...