Chris Moss runs the rule over the CRF and editor Ross gives his verdict: I’d had to wait until the end of the first day to get on the Honda, but the timing turned out to be perfect. Darkening skies, with rain imminent, meant the prospect of riding the last 80-mile leg to the hotel wasn’t exactly thrilling. But from very early on, I warmed to the 300. Only having ridden the L version before had me appreciate the Rally’s bigger tank, and its fairing and screen felt heaven-sent. The most expensive bike of the four might have some minor shortcomings, but for this trip and most of the time I spent ..read more

Chris Moss gets to grips with the Fantic. Here’s what you need to know: An undoubted left-field addition to the test, the Fantic XEF 250 Trail needs to be fully understood to be appreciated. Obviously more focused on off-road performance, the Italian bike is distinctly short of creature comforts and tech, those issues likely defining how well it suits you. If you just want to use the 250 for the road, then it may not be your first choice. But if spending more time on the dirt is a preference, then it warrants more serious consideration. Not having ridden the Fantic before, I chose it first to ..read more

Here’s what Chris Moss has to say about his time spent with the Himalayan 411: The Himalayan has a healthy and loyal following and it’s easy to see why. Difficult to compare to most other bikes on the market, its uniqueness gives it a real advantage and distinct appeal. Solidly built, its robust, utilitarian style is unlike any other, and gives the impression you could chuck it out of a plane, with the only thing likely to be damaged being the ground! Not dissimilar to an army vehicle, the ‘fit-for-desert-war’ look is emphasised by the colour scheme of our test bike, labelled by Royal Enfield ..read more

The original Austrian wild child – KTM’s barking 990 Super Duke… Words: Jon Urry  Pics: Mortons Archive Nowadays it seems hard to comprehend, but the 990 Super Duke was launched at a time when KTM was a name that most road riders hadn’t really heard of, let alone considered owning one of its products. In the off-road world, the Austrian brand was an established force, but to your average tarmac rider, it was something of an anomaly as it had only just launched its first big-capacity road bike, the 950 Adventure. But with the Super Duke, KTM aimed to make a big impression – and fast… Hitt ..read more

MoreBikes caught up with Electric drive systems pioneers T&D in 2023 at Motorcycle Live and were impressed with their innovations. They’ve now been showcasing their most diverse range of sample electric motorcycles to date, in Shanghai at the 2024 edition of China Cycle. T&D is presenting six complete sample electric motorcycles at its booth at China Cycle, which is taking place in the Shanghai New International Expo Center until close of play May 8th. The models on show feature five distinct, complete powertrains across three different motorcycle categories – off-road, city and tourin ..read more

As always, our June edition of Fast Bikes magazine is packed with product guides, columns, and fantastic features. If you’d like to read Fast Bikes, then you can order yourself a print copy, save the trees and download the digital version, or better yet bag a saving and subscribe! Here’s what to expect this month… Honda CBR600RR It’s back and it’s better than ever, with a raft of contemporary updates. Kawasaki ZX-6R Following suit, Kawasaki’s also decided to reintroduce its much-loved six-hundred screamer. Triumph Daytona 660 For those wanting an entry-level, sub-100bhp sporty ..read more

Editor Ross gives us his thoughts on the A2 licence-friendly Adventure Bike… If there’s one contentious subject in motorcycling guaranteed to prompt a long and divisive debate, it’s Chinese-built bikes. I’ve had many a conversation with a variety of people on the subject, and though few rarely end in full agreement, almost everyone admits the Far-eastern Nation is getting better and better at producing more and more credible machines. Personally, I have little doubt about China becoming a big player in bike manufacture. It’s just a question of when. I’m old enough to remember the arrival of Ja ..read more

Riding a motorcycle is one of the best things you can do – we all know that. But if you have been riding a little while, you also know that it’s not always easy, and advancing your riding skills is essential to keep yourself safe. The clever way to take your first step towards advanced riding is to undergo an Enhanced Rider Scheme (ERS) training course. But before you sign up, here’s a little look behind the scenes with ERS trainer Ian Burchell from Phoenix Motorcycle Training, so you know what it will entail… The problem with advanced riding is that almost everyone has a slightly different i ..read more

Attention Paddock. Attention Paddock. There are less than 30 days until the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races. Once again, the TT+ Live Pass is the only place to watch all 11 days live. Offering tremendous value for money, fans can access over 40 hours of spine-tingling coverage including 5 days of qualifying and 6 days of racing from the world-famous TT Mountain Course.  Wherever you are in the world, stream every second straight to your Device, Smart TV, or Web Browser. Fans can also catch up on-demand with the ability to rewind and replay the live action for up to 12 months. Get yours for a o ..read more

Yorkshire is massive; and there’s no end of great riding contained within it. That’s why we’ve broken the usual format and will be delving a bit deeper into one specific part of God’s own country. This time we’re bringing you the best of the North York Moors. With its vast skies, heather-clad expanses, tree-lined lanes and salt-spattered coastal villages, it’s the perfect place for your next big ride. Gateway to the Moors The short ride up from Barton Hill is the best way to start any trip to the Moors (if you’re coming from the south); getting you off the main roads and into the Howardian Hil ..read more