I believe its mechanics have by no means encountered an EV, so I’m cautious after I flip onto the desert observe that results in the camp. Still, the Enyaq has four-wheel drive and it could be a disgrace to not use it. And whereas it’s completely not a devoted off-roader, it copes with the free gravel and shifting sand with ease.
With the solar low within the sky and the temperature dropping sooner than the cost within the Enyaq Coupé, I attain camp. It’s not as primary because it sounds: my tent has a correct mattress, rest room and electrical energy. Although, provided that the facility cuts out sufficient to make charging a laptop computer difficult, you realise the infrastructure is a way from with the ability to address EVs.
Our berber hosts serve up a tajine, supplemented by bread baked within the embers of the campfire. It’s an historical custom, though they use their telephone flashlights to test if the bread is cooked. Modern tech benefiting an historical way of life? There’s an EV metaphor in there someplace. But it has been an extended day and I need to stand up early for the desert dawn.
No EV charging past this level
The early begin is value it, each for the spectacular dawn and the looks of a prepare of camels introduced by the berbers. Camels are famously environment friendly: they’ll eat tons of of litres of water in minutes, then go greater than every week with out ingesting. Fast charging and unimaginable effectivity? There’s one other aspirational EV metaphor in there someplace.
I reached the Sahara with slightly below 50% cost left, however this isn’t a spot to push it. And why do this after I can go to the Sbai Palace n M’Hamid? It has a pool, glorious Moroccan tea, free wi-fi – and a pair of 22kW EV chargers.
Full disclosure: the chargers are right here due to Skoda UK, which put in them on the desert lodge to make this journey simpler. But credit score to the lodge’s proprietor for agreeing, anticipating that they may increase his Tripadvisor rating in future.
There could, although, not be a fast legislative repair. The Department for Transport has already been speaking to a United Nations professional group on car lighting – who knew? – however proposals to introduce automated beam alignment, which might decrease beams as vehicles go over hills and the like, gained’t come into play till 2027.
And even then? Well, I’ve pushed quite a lot of vehicles with probably the most superior ‘intelligent’ lighting on sale, which robotically aligns the beam or limits the areas lit by excessive beam, and nonetheless discovered oncoming drivers flashed me as a result of they have been being dazzled. As in lots of circumstances of legislated know-how, a few of it isn’t as much as the job.
No, what we may do with is an answer, and sharpish. Some vehicles retain a change to decrease the beams in case you’re carrying a load within the again, however it’s an more and more small variety of them. In the overwhelming majority of latest vehicles, there’s not lots you are able to do about your personal glare.
It’s not like you possibly can take aside a £1500 unit with 1200 LEDs, every with the ability of the solar, to exchange the bulbs both.
Fortunately, the French used to have the right resolution, which you’ll bear in mind in the event you took a vacation there earlier than the Nineties since you’ll have needed to decide up a bit pot of yellow paint to daub in your headlights to provide them an acceptable glow.
An article I discovered means that transferring from white gentle onto a extra yellowy a part of the spectrum has an extended wavelength, which is sort of good for seeing it, and it displays much less off of water.
But additionally, conveniently, that daubing your headlights with a bit yellow pot of paint would, naturally, scale back the brightness as certain as letting them grow to be ever extra filthy. Limited analysis means that as long as each side of the automobile have an identical hue, MOT testers would give it a nod.
Now, I haven’t absolutely investigated the scientific rigour of this characteristic and given it may imply new Alpine A110s operating round in French blue and with yellow headlights, and that after each third automobile wash we’ll be refreshing the yellow tint to make it really feel like setting off on a Eighties driving vacation, I’m not about to. But past the jokes, may there not be one thing in it?
I’m comfortable to announce that there’s a brand new member of the PR and Communications group, with Maya Perzanowska just lately becoming a member of us as PR and Communications Support Executive.
Maya joined us final month on a six-month secondment from our Customer Care group, the place she has spent the previous 4 years working – most just lately as a Social Media Specialist.
During her time with us, she will probably be serving to ship our upcoming media actions, so will little question be in contact with a few of you quickly.
Many of you’ll be conscious that Rachel Granger left us in the direction of the tip of final 12 months to pursue an thrilling new profession at a advertising company. A everlasting alternative will probably be sought within the coming months.
Please be a part of me in giving Maya a heat welcome to the group.
The remainder of the group stays the identical, with all our particulars beneath:
I’m certain that anybody and everybody who’s into bikes would agree that superbikes are cool as hell. Powersports followers would additionally agree that quads are cool as hell. So what do you do should you by some means couldn’t resolve should you wished a superbike or a quad as your subsequent fancy toy?
Well, the parents at Exeet Quads simply may need precisely what you’re on the lookout for. You mix the 2.
We’ve seen a bunch of customized quads previously, however none fairly like what Exeet brings to the desk. The German specialist occupies a really area of interest area, and focuses on customizing superbikes into a number of the most badass quads on the planet.
A fast go to to Exeet’s official web site reveals a complete bunch of customized creations, all of which boasting insane efficiency and a exceptional match and end—discuss a effective consideration to element. I imply, simply take a look at the Blackbull H2, a wild quad primarily based on none apart from the Kawasaki Z H2.
Exeet Quads’ Blackbull H2 primarily based on a Kawasaki Z H2
At a look, this four-wheeler can simply be mistaken as a type of AI-generated artworks we see throughout social media. But this factor may be very a lot actual.
Exeet Quads took what is basically the craziest liter-class bare bike in manufacturing, and by some means made it even crazier. The firm reworked your entire suspension system, swapping out the entrance fork for a linkage steering system full with a pair of RockShox shock absorbers. Out again, the swingarm has been fitted with a beefy axle to face up to all 200 ponies and 101 pound-feet dished out by the supercharged engine.
Exeet Quad primarily based on a Kawasaki Z1000
Exeet’s builds embrace quads primarily based on bikes just like the Kawasaki Z H2 and BMW S 1000 RR
Exeet Quads – BMW S 1000 RR
Now, I do not know what it feels prefer to journey this factor. But having ridden bikes just like the Kawasaki Z H2, and I’ve little question that the Blackbull H2 superquad is nothing in need of an exciting expertise.
Perhaps essentially the most mind-boggling factor in regards to the Blackbull H2 is the truth that it’s road authorized—or not less than Exeet claims it to be road authorized, because the construct boasts LoF approval (the categorization of quads and ATVs for road use in Germany) on the corporate’s web site. Even crazier nonetheless, Exeet provides it with a two-year guarantee.
The Blackbull H2 is only one of many rad superbike quad conversions by Exeet Quads. And I’m certain that you just’ll find yourself scrolling by means of their Instagram web page ogling at their loopy builds that look completely insane. Among their different tasks embrace quad conversions of the Kawasaki Z H2, BMW S 1000 RR, and BMW F 900 R.
What do you consider Exeet’s wild superbike quads? Would you are taking them for a spin?
I’m indebted to (and slightly envious of) my colleague Richard Lane for his current go to to the Ansible Motion simulator.
I’ve spent a very good period of time in simulators over the previous decade – greater than my colleagues, to the purpose that I’ve felt like I’m our sim correspondent.
They do have extra visible influence in individual than they do in photographs for you, pricey reader. If we drive an actual prototype automobile, there might be pictures of it on ice, in a desert or at a monitor, because it throws up snow or sand or is chucked sideways by a heroic check driver.
See a prototype automobile throughout simulated improvement and, it doesn’t matter what it’s doing or the place it just about exists, it would at all times appear like an enormous display and a few thick cables in a darkened room. Make that look thrilling in the event you can. I suppose it’s like every driving.
Driving or racing is enjoyable to do, and watching it’s good too. But digital driving? I like racing video games, however they’re an acquired style, much less thrilling than the actual factor, so watching any person else taking part in one should be much more acquired.
If precise racing is like consuming wine, watching any person race a simulator isn’t even like watching another person consuming wine. It’s like watching them faux to.
But again to business sims. Horiba MIRA, the check centre that till lately hosted our efficiency automobile street checks (inconveniently for us, they’re constructing a photo voltaic array on our dealing with monitor) has a brand new one.
It’s not from Ansible, reasonably VI-Grade, however the entire set-up, together with a much less superior supplementary sim, has nonetheless value it £4 million and incorporates the very useful capability to place an engine or drivetrain in a separate room and make it reply to actual human inputs.
Dear Mr. Know-It-All, My 2024 KTM 300XC-W has been a superb machine up to now. The solely situation I’m pissed off with is that I not too long ago seen that the bulb and grommet for the oil-indicator mild retains vibrating unfastened and falling behind the headlight. Kind of harmful since, if it falls out, you’ll not see the sunshine activate in case your oil is low. Is there a repair for this? by way of [email protected]
Despite the unimaginable know-how stamped into the DNA of at the moment’s machines, there are trivial points which can be merely head-scratchers. This has been an itch for years, and as ridiculously easy because the remedy is, it has contaminated even my shut entourage of riders. One of our guys did not peruse the cockpit of this 300 TPI (I at all times reset my odo and verify the oil mild), left for a giant experience, ran it out of injector oil and seized his steed.
In my humble opinion, the 2 greatest strategies to counter that is to get within the behavior of simply topping off your oil earlier than you experience. The different is to place a dollop of silicone on the grommet and push it up into the sunshine housing so it is going to then keep in place. It’s frequent sense, which sadly is just a slogan for many of my comrades.
If you don’t thoughts displaying your ignorance for the world to see, who’re we to disclaim the chance? Send proof of your failures. e mail:[email protected] mail:Dirt Bike Mr. Know-It-All 25233 Anza Dr. Valencia, CA 91355
It’s 4.15am and I’m in my kitchen ready for the kettle to boil whereas flicking between the Google Maps and Waze apps on my telephone.
I’ve to be at a lay-by in Teesdale between 9.30am and 10am in a automobile that’s fuelled sufficient for the day, and I want to select up a videographer from Leeds on the best way.
My telephone says Leeds is 1hr 30min from our vacation spot, so I ought to get to the videographer by 8am. And he’s 2hr 50min from my gaff close to Bicester, so I might go away virtually an hour later than now, at 5.10am.
But that – and also you’ll have recognized this as you learn it – could be a mistake. Because by the point I get to Leeds for 8am, there will likely be a great deal of folks attending to Leeds for 8am. So the kettle boils, I fill a mug and off I’m going.
Initially it seems like I’ll be daftly early: 7.20am. But I’ll need extra tea and a bun on the best way, and if I gas the automobile close to Leeds, it should final the day. My estimated arrival time creeps onwards.
After a relaxed gas cease, I arrive at 7.55am. Spot on.
The second part of the journey is extra predictable. We’re the one folks attempting to get to a lay-by in Teesdale by 10am, so site visitors is expectedly mild and we’re there by 9.35am.
It couldn’t be less complicated. Or might it? There are variables and choices to go round if it goes awry, which I learn about solely by expertise. Different leaving occasions give completely different outcomes. But a close to fixed, no less than, is how a lot it should value.
A number of weeks in the past, I took a practice to Birmingham. As with the automobile, I stood in my kitchen figuring out journey occasions. Being naive, I might have gone to the station and purchased a ticket.
Is ‘restomod fatigue’ a factor? I’m unsure, however whether it is, then I’ve definitely been affected by one thing prefer it over the previous yr or so.
The early exponents of this updating artwork have been pretty easy of their strategy, serving up a sharper driving expertise whereas retaining the donor automobile’s retro appears to be like and character.
Yet just lately the scene seems to have modified, the emphasis shifting to outlandish money-no-object initiatives that seemingly obliterate the unique machine’s character in pursuit of the coffee-run (ugh!) bragging rights of a well-heeled few.
However, the Tolman 205 GTi proved that it doesn’t must be this fashion.
For starters, it truly appears to be like just like the automobile it’s primarily based on, to the purpose that even eager lion lovers will most likely dismiss it as a inventory instance, albeit a fantastically saved one.
And whereas the period-perfect exterior and inside disguise some closely modded mechanicals, not one of the many modifications dilutes the quick French hatch’s core enchantment.
If you’ve pushed a 205 beforehand, then a blast within the Tolman will convey joyful reminiscences, and in case you haven’t, then you definately’ll quickly perceive what the fuss was about.
Yes, it’s sooner than the outdated automobile (a bespoke 200bhp twin-cam 16-valve 1.9-litre motor sees to that) however the razor-sharp throttle response and traditional hot hatch big-engine-in-a-small-car vibe stay intact.
And whereas there’s a welcome injection of precision, management and braking energy, the Tolman handles with the identical old-school Gallic aptitude as the unique, its acrobatic agility, fluid journey and limitless throttle adjustability serving up engagement and leisure no matter pace or circumstance.
I’m a giant fan of small-displacement, performance-oriented bikes, not simply because they’re reasonably priced, but additionally as a result of they decrease the boundaries to entry in relation to taking over the game of motorcycling. For instance, approachable sportbikes just like the Kawasaki Ninja 400 enable novice riders to sharpen their driving expertise each on the road and the observe.
On the journey aspect of the equation, bikes like KTM’s 390 Adventure, not solely function a wonderful first-foray into the ADV scene, but additionally show that large adventures don’t necessitate a giant bike. The KTM 390 Adventure relies on Team Orange’s tried and examined 390 platform that first hit the scene in 2013 within the Duke bare streetfighter configuration. KTM then slapped on some long-travel suspension, burly tires, and an even bigger fuel tank, and launched the 390 Adventure for the 2020 model-year.
Back when it launched, the 390 Adventure set a brand new commonplace within the entry-level ADV market, providing options beforehand discovered on costlier, larger displacement equipment. Even right now, the 390 Adventure remains to be extra technologically superior than its counterparts within the sub-400cc ADV phase. Nevertheless, KTM is displaying no indicators of slowing down in relation to enhancing the tech and efficiency of its bikes, because the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure is properly underway, and is about to carry some fairly large updates to the desk.
A revised 399cc engine
At the guts of any motorbike is undoubtedly its engine, and the upcoming KTM 390 Adventure definitely has fairly the guts. Just like the most recent 390 Duke, the 2025 390 Adventure will likely be rocking the up to date model of Team Orange’s single-cylinder mill, a 399cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine that’s been tuned to pump out 45.3 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 39 Nm (29 pound-feet) of torque at 6,500 rpm.
This brappy single will then be paired to a six-speed gearbox with a quickshifter as commonplace, in addition to an assist-slipper clutch for extra forgiving shifts in various terrain. Other premium options embrace ride-by-wire that gives a number of experience modes, in addition to different digital doodads we’ll get into extra element with a bit later.
A design aligned with KTM’s nex-get bikes
At EICMA 2023, KTM unveiled the brand new 990 Duke, and never lengthy after, the 1390 Super Duke R. Across the board, KTM appears to be adopting a brand new LED headlight design, departing from the insectoid cut up LED headlight, to a fair wilder, extra alien-looking unit. Even the brand new 390 Duke has a wilder headlight design, and this styling cue is anticipated to hold over to the brand new 390 Adventure, as properly. We can see it within the spy pictures of the brand new bike, which has been noticed testing round Europe lately (an article by Cycle World showcased all of the spy pictures of the upcoming bike, so be at liberty to test it out).
Apart from the brand new headlight design, the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure additionally appears to have a extra off-road targeted aesthetic, as evidenced by minimalist bodywork impressed by rally racing machines. This is well seen by the semi-fairing up entrance, which makes the bike appear like it’s able to sort out the following stage of the Dakar Rally. Additionally, the brand new bike appears to be like a lot slimmer than the earlier mannequin, with a important trellis body and compact subframe making up the bike’s underpinnings.
Groundbreaking know-how
Across all of KTM’s fashions, know-how has all the time been its important level of focus. It was the primary to supply a full-color TFT show within the entry-level phase again in 2017 with its 390 Duke, and it was additionally the primary to include cornering ABS, a quickshifter, and traction management within the beginner-friendly market additionally with its 390 sequence. This time round, the 2025 390 Adventure is anticipated to lift the bar even additional.
Apart from the newly designed headlight, the 390 Adventure is anticipated to return with two wheel choices – alloy and spoked – catering to numerous driving types. Furthermore, the bike is anticipated to get an up and down quickshifter, in addition to cornering ABS and traction management. Of course, all of those digital rider aids may be switched off for full management over the bike’s efficiency in off-road situations. Suspension {hardware} will nearly definitely include premium WP parts with a wealth of adjustability.
Pricing and availability
While all these options are thrilling, and the spy pictures appear to recommend that the bike is production-ready, likelihood is we received’t be seeing this new mannequin within the metallic till the tailend of 2024. After all, KTM had lately introduced the 2024-model-year 390 Adventure for the US market, and that bike bears quite a lot of similarities with the outgoing spec. What we do know is that the KTM and Bajaj partnership will proceed to be accountable for producing its small-displacement fashions, and this can greater than seemingly embrace the next-gen 390 Adventure.
I’m a giant fan of off-road motorsports. Growing up watching WRC, Dakar Rally, and enduro, I’ve all the time imagined what it will be prefer to drive a thoroughbred rally automobile, or experience a top-tier enduro bike via a number of the world’s most grueling off-road programs. Needless to say, my model selections in the case of the automobiles in my storage are clearly influenced by these of motorsport, as I’ve owned a number of KTMs up to now.
Speaking of which, Toyota’s been making it fairly huge within the rally world lately, with the Hilux Rally Car proving to be a extremely profitable machine. The pickup truck-based rally racer received the FIA world cup in 2016, 2017, and 2021, in addition to the Dakar Rally in 2019, 2022, and 2023. This inevitably performed a job in my resolution in shopping for my most up-to-date every day driver, a 2023 Toyota Hilux. Yes, I do know, my pickup truck has nothing to do with the Hilux Dakar from a technical viewpoint, however hey, it’s additionally carrying a Toyota badge. I slapped on a set of aftermarket wheels resembling these of the Hilux Dakar, too, simply to provide it a contact of rally.
My private Toyota Hilux which I typically think about as a Dakar Rally automobile.
So sure, I’m a Toyota fanboy, and on the identical time, an off-road moto junkie. As such, I couldn’t assist however get all excited once I noticed this video of a Toyota Hilux Dakar going face to face in a hill climb race towards a Sherco laborious enduro bike. Posted by none apart from Red Bull Motorsports themselves, the video was set within the Sani Pass, located on the border of South Africa and Lesotho. The cross is in no way a stroll within the park, because it’s not paved in any means in any respect. That stated, it’s in terrain like this that the Hilux Dakar and the Sherco 300SE Factory each shine the brightest.
The Sherco 300 was piloted by seven-time Roof of Africa winner Wade Young, whereas the Toyota Hilux Rally Car was pushed by Dakar veteran Giniel De Villiers. The race was to be a time assault, with every of the automobiles rocketing up Sani Pass one after the other towards the clock. To elevate the stakes even additional, the loser must pay for a spherical of drinks, whereas ingesting a shoey from the winner’s boot. So, who was going to be topped the Victor? The Sherco or the Hilux?
The actual Hilux Dakar which is clearly a totally totally different automobile.
The Sherco was first to do the run, with Wade Young launching laborious from the place to begin. We’re handled to a cacophony of two-stroke goodness because the bike works its approach to the highest of the cross, tackling hairpins, unfastened gravel, numerous rocks, all whereas throwing a bunch of smoke in its wake. After the four-kilometer stretch was over, the Sherco clocked in a formidable time of 4 minutes and 4 seconds.
Up subsequent, the Hilux. Its twin-turbo V6 sang its tune all the way in which to the highest, accompanied by epic slides and plenty and many mud. The long-travel suspension soaked up all of the rocks and ruts, making it seem like the Hilux was driving on easy, paved roads. At the top of all of it, Giniel De Villiers made it to the highest in a blistering three minutes and 45 seconds.
After all was stated and performed, is it actually a shock that the Hilux took the win? After all, it has 356 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque, and to not point out chunky tires and four-wheel-drive at its disposal. If something, Wade Young’s spectacular four-minute run simply goes to point out how a lot talent the dude has, on condition that he’s packing a fraction of the ability and traction of the Hilux.
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