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Lost in France*
*I call it "exploring" or "research"… An open, empty French road and a Kawasaki H2 SX SE… with my reputation? I love riding in France....
Simon Weir
Aug 164 min read
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My five favourite roads in the North of England
Who said it's grim up North? Nobody who's ever ridden a road like this, that's for sure! In Whitby on the Chickenstrips tour of The North...
Simon Weir
Jul 246 min read
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Supercharger v The Pyrenees
Madly twisty roads and a 197bhp supercharged Kawasaki H2 SX SE? Bring it on! Pic: Bruce Smart A subtle clue to why the H2 is so good...
Simon Weir
Jun 275 min read
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Top tips for two-up touring
Two people, one bike, six days, 1500 miles – and zero complaints. Here's what we learnt Happy wife, happy life, etc… There is nothing...
Simon Weir
Jun 36 min read
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Six must-ride roads in the Picos
On the road again… leading the Chickenstrips Ultimate Picos tour New Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX SE on duty The year's first full tour is...
Simon Weir
May 107 min read
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The ten best biking roads in Scotland
It's spring and a young man's fancy turns to … well, okay, before you stop me… I may not be so young but anyway it's at this time of year...
Simon Weir
Apr 256 min read
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2025 Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX SE Tourer first ride
What will a Z1000SX owner make of the new Ninja 1100SX SE Tourer? Pics by Chippy Wood Handling is instantly familiar to an SX owner...
Simon Weir
Mar 254 min read
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The best biking roads you've never heard of
I'm making a list. I'm checking it twice. I'm making sure everything on it is nice. Forget about about Christmas, I'm focusing on next...
Simon Weir
Nov 25, 20244 min read
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What to see at this year's NEC
IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN – the annual pilgrimage to the NEC in Birmingham for the bike show (or Motorcycle Live, as I still struggle...
Simon Weir
Nov 16, 20243 min read
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The seven most-common mistakes when planning a tour
I know some people will only just have returned from this year’s tour and with everyone moaning that it’s too early to have Christmas...
Simon Weir
Oct 23, 20249 min read
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One month on the road
Mountains, forests, ferries, beaches and more amazing bends than the Olympic gymnastics in Paris… I've had a busy month in France. Now, I...
Simon Weir
Sep 19, 20244 min read
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Two tours with a Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally
Money no object, what bike would I have? It’s easy to fill a fantasy garage with exotica, a different ride for every occasion. But if it...
Simon Weir
Jul 4, 20247 min read
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Come to Spain, I said... It'll be lovely...
I love riding in southern Spain. I'm lucky enough that for a long time, it was part of the day job. My first launch for Bike magazine in...
Simon Weir
Apr 13, 20243 min read
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Come and experience a road test
The sun always shines in magazine land. It has to, so pictures can be taken of bikes looking lovely. And while the reality of riding...
Simon Weir
Mar 6, 20243 min read
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The best rides of 2023
With the NEC behind us, the evenings drawing in and temperatures dropping, it feels like winter is here and the riding season is well and...
Simon Weir
Nov 27, 20234 min read
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Ten bikes to sit on at the NEC - and one you can't...
Okay, two. Hello, my name is Simon and I'm a motorcycle addict... I must be. I've been coming to Birmingham pretty much every year for...
Simon Weir
Nov 18, 20236 min read
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My first trip to Morocco
I've just come back from Morocco. Riding there was an amazing experience. I was working as part of the Globebusters team leading a group...
Simon Weir
Oct 21, 20234 min read
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How to buy a top-end suit (and not waste lots of money)
Sorry for the click-bait title, but if you’re looking at the most-expensive riding gear on the planet, it’s a genuine concern. When a...
Simon Weir
Sep 21, 20238 min read
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Shirking on a sunny afternoon
A twisty road, a powerful motorcycle and a sunny day. That's my idea of heaven. Trouble is, there's been precious little of the last bit...
Simon Weir
Aug 11, 20233 min read
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My girlfriend's first European tour
I've just come back from a week away – well, two weeks actually. The first week was work, leading a tour of the Picos de Europa with...
Simon Weir
Jun 26, 20236 min read
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