July 2025
Adventure bikes have become the biggest-selling sector of the bike market in recent years and with good reason – they are great all-rounders and their rugged looks and long-legged abilities make them excellent for large tours. However, few adventure-bike riders use their abilities to the full, so the July issue of RiDE shows how to make the most of these on any journey with a 24-page pullout supplement celebrating the path less trodden.
We start by highlighting why an adventure is a great idea and how to set off on your first journey of discovery without stress or fear. Editor Matt goes soft-roading on Suzuki’s V-Strom on easy-going Suffolk trails and we highlight five of the best all-round adventure bikes you can buy today. We look at why lightweight off-roaders are the best bet for more serious trail riding and finally, we suggest four great rides you can do right now.
We also look at how you can get to – and enjoy – riding in Spain without breaking the bank, following Chris Moss as he heads to Malaga and back, across the stunning plains of Spain, with no rain in sight. Meanwhile, our Big Rides takes Jim Moore around four of the Peak District’s prettiest lakes.
We also pick what we reckon are five of the best events to ride to and enjoy this summer, both in the UK and abroad, with awesome roads to ride on the way or back as well.
Bike theft used to be the biggest concern of any rider but what is the state of play right now? Our security special looks at how things have changed in the world of bike theft and rounds-up the products we rate to protect your bike and your garage. We also look at ways to save money on your insurance in addition to keeping your bike safe.
There is also our usual blend of new bike tests, product testing and buying advice. It's a monster issue that you cannot afford to miss.
June 2025
If you like going farther and faster, then the chances are, a sports tourer is for you. This sector of the market covers so many bases; the ability to travel a long way in comfort and carry a passenger and/or luggage makes them great for tours. Combine this with the ability to ditch the panniers and enjoy fast and flowing roads when you get to your destination means they will paint a grin across your face whatever riding you are doing.
With this in mind, we take three of the latest crop – Kawasaki’s Ninja 1000SX, Honda’s NT1100 and Triumph’s latest addition, the Tiger Sport 800 to Wales for the day, to assess their distance and fun abilities. We also profile what we reckon are the four greatest sports tourers from the last decade and look at how the modern sports tourer has developed over the years. If far and fast are your thing, you can't afford to miss this.
Our Big Ride takes us round a B-road loop of Suffolk – a perfect opportunity to make the most of a sports tourer while we also have a close look at the Moto Guzzi V85TT, a nicely chilled-out ride. We also try the latest version of Yamaha’s Ténéré 700, it’s naked cousin the MT-07 and CFMoto’s sub-£7000 sportsbike, the 675SR-R.
Our product test looks at lightweight adventure luggage for off-road forays and we test the latest tent from giant Vango, said to reduce pack size and weight. Our buying guide tells you everything to look for if you are considering a KTM 390 Duke and we pit Honda’s CB1000 Hornet against Yamaha’s mighty MT-10.
April 2025
Finally, days are getting longer, the sun is out (though the mercury is still a little lower than we’d like) and it's time to dust off your ride and head for the hills – the new riding season is upon us. And to celebrate the fact, we have put together our new-season special.
We have 1000 miles of our favourite riding, split over ten great routes, from Scotland to Cornwall as well as five brilliant chippies to ride to – and how to get there. We have top tips from experts to help you get back up to speed – so to speak – as quickly and safely as possible after a winter off the bike and an explanation of why biking is good for you, from a physical and a mental-health point of view.
We test the latest version of Triumph’s Tiger Sport 800, Honda’s NT1100 mile-muncher and its XL750 Transalp while we also pit the Voge DS900X against the BMW F800GS, the bike it is based on. Our product test puts six ground anchors against each other – and a sledgehammer and angle grinder - and we try Rebelhorn’s CubbyV three-piece touring suit.
We also have our annual PCP guide, detailing 47 great deals that are available right now and how to spot a superb second-hand BMW S1000R.
May 2025
Every year sees a brace of stunning new bikes and 2025 is no different. From high-value machines built in China to state-of-the-art bikes from Europe, there is something for every rider and every budget nowadays. This month, we have chosen what we feel are ten of the most important bikes of the year and put them through their paces. From 3000 miles in Europe on BMW’s R1300GS flagship adventurer to roaming the British countryside on Honda’s endearing GB350S, there is something for everyone in 2025.
This issue also sees our annual Kit Showcase, highlighting some of the coolest new gear, from helmets to clothing and tech. Our product test looks at chain lube, assessing corrosion resistance, debris pick-up and fling to determine which works best for what sort of riding and we round-up 3000 miles with the diminutive Beeline Moto II sat nav.
Our Big Ride takes us through the delightful Wye Valley with the sun shining while our riding coach considers how many fingers you should use to brake. We also test Yamaha’s latest sportsbike, the R9 and BMW’s refined S1000R while we put Triumph’s glorious retro Speed Twin 1200RS through the UK’s most comprehensive road test.
March 2025
There is little better feeling than throwing a leg over your brand-new-to-you bike; the excitement, the anticipation and the thrill of undertaking a voyage of discovery is palpable and is one of the most exciting feelings when it comes to motorcycling and ownership. The March issue of RiDE embraces this with our bike-buying bible. We look at the best-value brand-new bikes in showrooms right now and highlight our favourite bikes for less than £3000… We also round up ten of the best pre-used bikes around as well as highlight ways to get the most value for your money. There is so much cool metal here.
Elsewhere, Jim takes us on a loop of the stunning New Forest in Hampshire, nestling against the UK’s south coast and wends his way between ancient trees and open moorland, all the while keeping an eye out for wandering equine locals. Our product test rates six sub-£500 textile suits for warmth, cooling ability and waterproofing while our buying guide shows you how to spot a brilliant used Triumph Thruxton 1200R.
We also test Honda’s CB1000 Hornet, the bigger brother of the CB750 that we ran as a long-term test bike in 2024 and Triumph’s Speed Twin 1200 with its retuned engine. We pit two of the biggest sports tourers – Kawasaki’s Ninja 1100SX SE and the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT - against each other to see which offers the best value for money and we have our usual collection of columns from lawyer Andrew Dalton and Rapid Training.
February 2025
February’s issue of RiDE is all about inspiration, with some of the best rides around for when the weather improves and the days get longer. Our Tour 25 section is filled with ideas and practical information to get the very best from what the UK and farther afield has to offer.
From Scotland’s North Coast 500 to a wonderful combination of tarmac and easy-going trails in Sicily; from the Scottish Borders to the far-flung corners of Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way; from Denmark to the south of France; you can find all the information you need right here. And not only that – as usual, you can download the routes from the RiDE website, either as Google Maps links or as GPX files, so you can go and ride these very routes yourself.
We also round up what we reckon are five of the best bikes to do a long tour on; from sportsbikes to road-going adventurers, there is something here for everyone. We also pull together the best touring kit we have tested in the magazine recently to make sure you stay protected, warm, dry and on track.
In this issue, we ride the latest Honda NT1100 DCT with revised electronic suspension and Royal Enfield’s great-looking Classic 650. Our product test creates a warm glow, pitting six pairs of battery-powered heated gloves against each other to see which offers the best combination of fit and comfort, battery life, heating and waterproofing.
In the garage, we put two clutch-lever-less bikes – the Yamaha MT-09 Y-AMT and the Honda CB650R E-Clutch - against each other to see how they work while there’s everything you need to know if you’re on the hunt for a used Aprilia RS660.