Don’t believe him
Spoiled by the digital wizardry of the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT, the Digital Art Editor reverts to more analogue pleasures
YOU WON’T BELIEVE ME, but after four months of laying waste to UK and European tarmac on the astonishingly capable, state-of-the art KTM, riding my old Falco again for first time felt amazing. The two bikes obviously feel nothing like alike. My Aprilia boasts only digital clocks in its onboard widgetry, versus the GT’S mighty electronic arsenal. The suspension is basic, the brakes are progressive and strong enough, but in today’s terms lack bite and power. It doesn’t even have ABS. The riding position is even more terrible than I remember too. It’s neither old enough to be charming nor new enough to wow. But (unbelievably) it fired up first time after the lay-off. A breath of air in each tyre was all it required. I love the looks – especially the twin rail frame. The motor might be about 70bhp down on the KTM, but it’s strong and grunty with great big twin sensations. A summer spent putting more than 4000 miles on the latest and greatest machine is an absolutely brilliant thing. Feeling this good riding a very average 13-year-old bike that cost a tenth of the KTM, and knowing it’s mine though? That’s hard to beat.
The Great Insurance Renewal Swindle
With the Falco back on duty, the insurance renewal letter drops. £172 third party, fire and theft. £30 more than last year, and only £5 less than my first year. WTF? There’s a website I use called topcashback. co.uk. They have their own insurance comparison tool. My lowest quote? £101. And fully comp. And with my current insurer. I phone the renewal line to explain. They offer me a lower quote. No, I say. He ‘tries again’, and almost matches the price. So I cancel my policy and take out a new one with them as soon as I hang up. Stupid huh? There’s more. I got paid £20 for buying the policy through Top Cashback, so that’s a year’s fully comp cover for £80, saving me over £90 . And that’s why you never, ever renew without checking first.