‘Footrest atomizing cornering’

Sunny afternoons spent razzing about on a Honda Monkey bike should be available on prescription. There’s no better way of wasting time than zooming(?) along at 58.4mph (rising to 61.3mph down hills) enjoying the countryside. No modes, no TFT screen, no power and no worries. Well, except possibly the gutter seeking wobble induced by the draft of a Mercedes Sprinter van passing inches away from your elbow at 85mph. Simple entertainment is part of the attraction of Royal Enfield’s new 650 twins too. No modes and no TFT screen, but analogue instruments, gleaming chrome and enough power to stay well ahead of that pesky Mercedes Sprinter. Enfield’s ambition for their new bikes is massive, and for the first time in recent history they’ve got a machine that can compete in the mainstream. If it’s priced aggressively, and apparently it will be, then it could shake up the whole market. Here’s hoping. Monkey bike on page 70 (with a Brough-superior?) and Enfield twins on page 32. Meanwhile the Yamaha Niken, which provoked a bile filled inbox after the launch, has also been entertaining us on UK roads. Given the hostility its launch provoked we asked TT racer Gary Johnson and cynical Mark Edwards to have a go. Gary’s stand-up wheelies and footrest atomizing cornering entertained Bike readers at our Rockingham trackday. He was impressed. I’m not sure we changed Mark’s mind though. Niken over on page 54. There’s more silly stuff in this issue in the form of our crazy Catalan friends exploring Albania (page 82) and 1000bhp drag racers on mud (page 63). Now that really is a good thing. More sensible stuff too, like John Westlake’s first test of the new BMW R1250GS (page 46). Enjoy the issue, and keep the mail coming. eVEN if it’s about Nikens.