Fast Bikes UK – December 2018

I learned two very important things this month: instant BBQs aren’t all they’re made out to be, and to never drink downstream. Out of context, both of those references will mean absolutely nothing, but once you’ve indulged in this month’s three of a kind Beemer test you’ll get the gist. In essence, Carl, Boothy and I went on something of a road trip, armed with three very different S1000-powered BMWs and three very knackered tents. We had a right laugh, learned a lot about our steeds, and even managed to take in some truly epic UK roads.

We’ve plotted our route and would highly recommend you try it out for size the next time you’ve got a free weekend. The other thing I’d recommend you try is Ducati’s Desmosedici RR, which was arguably the highlight of the month. We pitched the iconic GP-spawned weapon against its contemporary, slightly cheaper equivalent; the Panigale V4 Speciale. That too proved a very special motorcycle, yet totally different to ride.

If you’ve got some serious wonga burning a hole in a back pocket you can either pass it my way or invest it in one of these two-wheeled wonders. At the polar opposite end of the monetary scale we sent Ben pit bike racing, which proved both very cheap and very cheerful. So if you’re after an affordable new hobby this winter, look no further. He had a right hoot, which pretty much sums up our other big test this month. Big skids, big wheelies and big smiles was the nature of our motard shootout between Ducati’s Hypermotard and KTM’s Duke 790. Albeit similar in style, the riding experience couldn’t be any more different…