I tried a used Skyhook Multi before eventually getting a KTM 1190. Apart from long-term reliability questions and service costs, I found the seat too restrictive. It cradles you completely and there is no scope to stretch and wriggle. Also the centre stand fouled my heel and I found myself constant...

I do think the OP should test ride both a sports tourer and an adventure bike, ideally comparable ones, like a BMW 1200 GS against a 1200 RS. Personally I greatly prefer the adventure format. I'm 6 feet tall so have no issue with seat height and I like the commanding view, the leg room and the relax...

I should add as Gimlet mentioned the suspension on the Aprilia that the age of Multistrada you are looking at can come with the Ducati Skyhook semi active suspension which smooths out the ride considerably and is noticeable especially on rolling roads where the suspension works to keep the bike fla...

Just noticed that too. Typical MCN cock-up. They do state in the text that it's a V-twin Dorosudro engine.

Ignore the V4 bit @porter_jamie it is a V-twin.

Here's another review from Bennets:
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/r ... rally-2015

More left field and probably the most comfortable adventure bike ever, is the Aprilia Caponord. Performance is about the same as a GS, so not manic, but the magic carpet ride is exceptional, the engine is under-stressed and there are no reliability problems. there is a 1200 - is that a v4? No it's ...

The Adventure format is the obvious choice for versatility and therefore I'd say a KTM 1290 or 1190 Adv, because I've got one and love it. They are tall though and pillion comfort is OK but not brilliant. 1200 GS is the unimaginative but highly effective option but consider the Triumph 1200 Explorer...

They had one last year at Moto Corsa. I kind of liked it. Immensely comfortable seat. I think it's a very good looking engine and I like the nickel plated frame. You can imagine it looking the absolute dog's as a pared back special with modern styling. Don't know that I'd buy one though. Shouldn't t...

Weeksy, open a subforum, call it, say, The Bear Pit. Make it an "Anything goes" unmoderated forum and (if possible) remove the report post facility. Wash your hands of it and let people get on with their bitchfest. That's got to be less work than dealing with people reporting posts (serio...

Good decision. Too many forums ruined by tribal politics shit. And once someone sniffs out a political allegiance they can't stand the resentment spills over into every thread the other posts on and the trolling imp is out of the bottle and never goes back in. If you can't have a dispassionate debat...

Fuck, that's gay.

Looks ok, but the ridiculous seat kills it. Yep. I like it all except for that seat unit. It's too small and out of proportion with the rest of the bike and it makes your arse ache just looking at it. Cafe racer seat/tail units always look like a rushed after-thought. Why can't people who build the...

I think it's a great effort. There are a few things that don't sit perfectly but overall it's a bit of a belter and I imagine it rides awesome. The standard 1190 is absolutely no slouch and regularly embarrasses bikes that it really shouldn't, so if they've got that chassis and the tuning right it s...

I'm sure you're right. But I doubt it's made it into a KTM 690-beater. Personally, I think I rather have an original XT500.

Looks like an Airfix kit toy. And why would you power a supermoto with a heavy engine that barely makes 40 bhp?

Never use them. My bikes are five and six years old. Both on their original batteries. I use a conventional charger on trickle until they show fully charged every six weeks or so. Sometimes longer. As long as the batteries are never allowed to completely discharge they should stay strong for ages. T...

If you're going to supersize for an extra 50p, then you've got to go MGX-21. I'm not keen on the MGX. Too much of an American bagger. No doubt more practical but overloaded for me and I don't get the red cam covers and calipers. I like the glossiness and brute simplicity of the 1400 custom. Shame t...

I've always fancied one of these. Don't know why, I just like them:

50 bhp. Up there now with a mighty Honda CB 500 commuter bike... Wow..!

Ha, not quite. I cheated. I had a holiday cottage in Glen Moriston so I did the NC in two halves. First clockwise down the epic A 87 which was right on the doorstep, along to the Kyle of Lochalsh so that I went up the Applecross pass and not down it. Also meant I could hit the base of the pass at 7:...

Driest part of Scotland. Coldest winters too though. Windy, which can flatter your top speed. Didn't help when I rode the NC500 two years ago. Going up the east coast there was a howling gale blowing in from the north sea all the way from the Firth of Cromarty right up to John O' Groats. In fact it...