Author Archives: Jean Le Motard

Travel test: BMW F 900 XR

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When BMW announced the brand-new F 900 XR at the end of last year – at the same time as the updated S 1000 XR – several questions immediately popped up for me. Will the 900 be an adrenaline bomb like the 1000? Or will it be a kind of entry-level variant? Or a watered-down version?

The previous S 1000 XR was my favourite test motorcycle of the year in 2015. I loved that combination of performance and comfort. I have not tried the new 1000 yet and it is still at the top of my test wish list, but I did get the opportunity to try out the 900 in the meantime.

The original plan was to take it on a road trip to the Alps, but corona forced us to change our plans. We stayed home and toured around Belgium for a week, with little outings to the Eifel and northern France. Not always, but often with luggage on the back. We clocked some 2,500 km; that should suffice for an informed opinion.

Visually, the BMW F 900 XR has a lot in common with its big brother. The close family ties are clearly recognisable, so much so that the untrained eye might even mistake them for two identical bikes. The biggest give-away is possibly the rear end, which is cut off kind of clumsily right behind the seat. On the 1000 XR, the rear end has a more solid look, which is more pleasing to the eye. My test motorcycle, however, was equipped with a luggage rack, which turned out to be Continue reading →

Review: Cardo Packtalk Bold

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This one’s a guest contribution from Shih. Because when one of your biker buddies happens to be a techie and gadget freak, and you’ve both spent a long time riding together with an intercom system, you just ask him to write a review on that, right? Here we go.

Last year I went on a tour in the Pyrenees with Jean. A full week on the road with tent, sleeping bag and a bunch of luggage. Since it was my first bike trip ever… needless to say I had a bunch of questions.

One of which was: how the heck would we communicate while riding? Was I supposed to perform a drive-by, start signaling or waving my arms? I had a better idea: how about a bluetooth intercom system?

My helmet already had one installed, so if Jean would get one too, we’d be good to go. But my BMW Motorrad Communication System wasn’t up to par. Sure, it’s a great system when you ride alone and want to listen to music or answer phone calls. You can even have a talk with your pillion, if he or she sports the same system of course. But chat with the rider in front or behind you, let alone a whole group of riders? Forget it.

Which brought us to the Cardo Packtalk Bold. On paper one of the top systems for rider-to-rider communication, partly because of its DMC technology Continue reading →

Off to the Alps

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Corona is forcing us to stay home, so what else can you do than finish those plans for when we can go ride again? Together with biker buddy Shih, I’m prepping a trip to the Alps. Based on the Route des Grandes Alpes we plotted a week’s trip, that currently looks like this:

(Click here to check it in detail on Google Maps)

On a Saturday – we’re hoping for June – we’ll take the highway from Belgium to just below Lake Geneva. The fun part starts on Sunday. The next Saturday around noon, we’ll say goodbye to the Alps, then ride up to Basel where we’ll spend the night, and ride back home on Sunday.

If you think we’re missing essential roads or you know great campings, good restaurants or must-see spots, drop a line in the comments below or reply to our Facebook post.

Photo special: Mostra Scambio Vespa 2020

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Yesterday, C-Mine Genk welcomed the fifth edition of Mostra Scambio Vespa. What originally started as a Vespa show, has grown to an event where custom builders like Deep Creek Cycleworks and Schepers Motor Design can display their work too. This year The Old Garage’s striking Ducati drag racer (nickname: The Dwarf) caught our attention, and it’ll certainly turn heads at this year’s Glemseck too.

Enjoy photographer Michele Micoli‘s photo series:

Continue reading →

2019: Jean’s year in review

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28.186 km ridden (14.724 km with my BMW F 800 GS, 13.462 km with test bikes)

84 days of moto-commuting

8 motorcycles tested: BMW R 1250 R, BMW R 1250 RT, Ducati Diavel 1260, Harley-Davidson Iron 1200, Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports, Moto Guzzi V85 TT, Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE and Yamaha Tracer 700 GT

3 falls with no harm done (2 times during a pitbike afternoon, 1 time during an enduro ride)

2 trips done (Pyrenees and Black Forest)

2 organized ride-outs done (Magic 12 Belgium Rally 2019 and an enduro day)

2 motorcycle shows attended (Brussels Motor Show 2019 and Matchlight Motorcycle Show 2019)

2 maintenances done (90.000 and 100.000 km, both at Peter Motor Works)

1 motorcycle training attended (at Grondpadman)

1 afternoon on a pitbike

0 tire changes (but it’s almost time to put the Pirelli Michelin combo six feet under)

0 track days 😦

0 accidents 🙂

Review: Ducati Diavel 1260

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Without a doubt, the Ducati Diavel 1260 is the most polarizing motorcycle that I ever rode. Never before I got so many reactions to the design of a test bike. “Ugliest Ducati ever,” I heard. But the haters were easily outnumbered by the fans. I saw a lot of love for the Diavel. One driver even payed more attention to my bike than to the road.

The Diavel’s distinct design is a real eye-catcher. A long and low body, with a muscular front and a striking rear: no fender, just a license plate holder which fortunately prevents a wet back during rain rides. Thanks to the single-sided swing arm on the left and the short exhaust, you have a good view of the impressive rear wheel.

On photo the Diavel couldn’t really convince me, but in real life its design won my heart easily. The finish is outstanding. Even if its looks aren’t for you, you can’t deny that the designers from Bologna put a lot of love into them. Just look at fine details such as the panels in brushed steel, the beautiful indicator lights on the front or the backlit buttons on the handlebars (just a pity that Continue reading →