My week of riding has begun, destination Northern Italy. Sitting in the sunshine at Folkstone waiting for my slot on the Chunnel makes me realise what biking is all about. This years seemly endless winter made me forget the appeal of the two wheeled lifestyle, it's ok now, I definitely remember. Only 450 more miles to go today, accompanied by ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 13 May 2013
As with all my motorcycle adventures, it started with poor timing and a torrential downpour. The panic to make the 8.15pm Brittany Ferries sailing from Portsmouth to St Malo meant I had to average more than 60mph over the 195-mile journey, which meant some swift progress on damp roads. This was the first truly wet journey on the bike which ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 13 October 2011
This year has flown by and with it 3000 miles have been covered on my Ducati Diavel long termer. Being a true Brit at heart I'd love to moan about it, pick holes and say grumpy things but I really can't, I haven't got a bad word to say, nothing that niggles enough to lay into anyway. Truth is, the Diavel has ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 16 September 2011
The Diavel is a strange machine to say the least. It goes very fast, stops just as quickly and is already pumping out huge figures (162bhp). This all left me wondering how to improve upon its already epic performance. I’ll be honest with you – I’ve little technical knowledge of what suspension really does in practice, how it does it ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 07 September 2011
The weather gods have been smiling upon us, which has meant that the Diavel has hardly stopped running over the last two months, whether it be commuting or a full-on 200-mile round trip to find some good corners and meet up with fellow Ducati riders and admirers. It's been a dream come true. I've a bold statement to make: I'm ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 29 July 2011
Shoei XR1000, £300Miles covered/time: 6500/three years What’s good: Comfy, quiet and looks cool in black. This Shoei XR1000 has been my everyday lid for a few years now, it’s super easy to keep clean as it has few vents or details to trap dirt and flies. An add-on whisper strip kit for £20 keeps the noise levels even lower which ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Helmets
- 04 July 2011
Alpinestars SPS Gloves, £69.95 Miles covered/time: 4000/three years What’s good: They’re comfy beyond belief, like wearing your finest slippers. There’s a real feel of quality plus these Alpinestars gloves look really cool when rocking the ‘euro style’ of jacket and jeans on a nice summer’s evening. They’re great to have if it’s just a nip to the shops as they are ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Gloves
- 14 June 2011
This weekend was Ducati Days at Silverstone and it would've been rude not to attend and take the Diavel around the GP circuit. The first session of the afternoon arrived and I headed out with Maria Costello MBE to get some idea of where I was going. Silverstone is so huge, I was truly lost, no idea when, where and at what speed to turn ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 23 May 2011
A slow three hour train journey from Kings Lynn to Coventry allowed just enough time for the nerves to build up. I say nerves I mean more apprehension about the 162 horses waiting to be unleashed. The Diavel was without doubt going to be the most powerful bike I'd ever ridden. Luckily it's got traction control to help me when I get a bit ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 12 May 2011
My excitement is mounting by the bucket load as after a few weeks of waiting I have finally been given the date for collection of my Ducati Diavel long termer for 2011. On Monday I'll be getting the train to Ducati Coventry for a 12 o'clock pickup then straight on to Road Angel at Silverstone to start the ball rolling ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 06 May 2011
