July 2026 - Another sunny, hot, dry, fantastic motorcycling filled month....training, Examining, BikeSafe, FireBike and more....

July was another very hot month, as the UK enjoyed more of the sunny, hot weather. Here's what I got up to in a sweaty July.....read on....

Training.

Steve kicked off the month on his Harley Davidson. Steve is an experienced rider looking for a few pointers to improve his skillset. Cracking session, and he will be back soon for a second session.

Next up was Simon on his Triumph Scrambler. This was Simons third session as he gets 'back into biking' after a 20 year break. Another cracking session with further progress made

Martin followed on from Simon, on his R1200RS, which he has owned for 10 years and covered 68,000 miles. Martin is an experienced rider who has previously completed training through the IAM, BikeSafe and The BMW Club track days and decided it was time for another 'refresher' of his skills. Cracking session, with only a few tweaks here and there to add a little polish to his already competent skillset.

Paul came on his R1250RT. I've known Paul for a number of years, but we've not been out for a ride together for quite a while, so it was good to have a ride and a catch up, whilst at the same time casting a friendly eye over his riding as he looks to renew his RoSPA qualification.

Rich was on his Africa Twin. Rich passed his test 9 years ago, and since then hasn't had any further input, so decided it was time for a refresher. Rich was soon extending those obs, and making the most of the available road space. Cracking session, and just in time for his annual bike trip. This year he's going to Switzerland.... and he went the day after his session!

Craig first trained with me back 2018, and went on to pass his RoSPA advanced test. He now comes for regular refreshers on his R1200GS to ensure his skills remain tip top. Cracking session covering just over 100 miles.

Richard came for his second session as he works towards obtaining an advanced qualification. Cracking session concentrating mainly on positioning for bends, but also

included some urban riding and multi lane roads to ensure we covered all bases.

Training with Kev on his Tiger 800 proved eventful and nearly ended early when 2 deer did their best to knock us off, not once, but twice!  They ran out in front of us causing some heavy braking, but having successfully avoided them once, one them changed direction and came back into the carriageway for a second go! Running right between us! Scary! Other than that, a cracking session. 150 miles covered, and despite the deers best attempts to kill us, Kev even completed the ERS. Great result.

Ben has trained with me on and off for quite a few years, and as a result, has previously passed the Enhanced Rider Scheme, BMF Blue Riband Advanced Rider Award and the RoSPA advanced test. He now comes for regular refresher days and will soon be renewing his RoSPA qualification. The reason for the 'helmet on' photo was because we'd said our goodbyes and were about to go our separate ways, when I suddenly remembered I hadn't got a photo!

Biking mates Nigel (Aprilia 660) and Graham (900XR) finished off training for the month. Both are good riders, and do plenty of miles per year with tours in the UK and abroad. However, they believe in keeping their skills on point, so have been coming a couple of times a year for the last few years to maintain their skill levels.

RoSPA Examining.

I conducted just two RoSPA tests in August, and what a great contrast in experience. But both ending with great results. First up was Jane on her Z500. Jane is a relatively new rider, and the pressure was on, as her husband had recently passed his RoSPA test, gaining a Gold pass grade. Fortunately, Jane had nothing to worry about, and gave a great display of a smooth, safe, legal ride, with a great balance of progress and restraint. She was awarded a Gold. Great result.

Next up was Phill on his Ninja 1000SX. Phill is a vastly experienced motorcyclists, with thousands of miles under his belt. He is a DVSA CBT and DAS instructor as well as a RoSPA Advanced Tutor. This was Phills Advanced Tutor retest. Phills ride was to a Gold standard and his Tutoring skills spot on in the scenario 'role play', resulting in another successful pass.

RoSPA Group training.

I only managed one Saturday with my local RoSPA group, Advanced Riders North Yorkshire. It was another fantastic turnout, with 12 associates and Tutors, plus a few post test riders going for a social ride.

I was paired up with Will on his BMW 1200R and we enjoyed a session that was as much about the mental aspect of cornering as it was the actual riding aspect. Some good discussions were had, and Will moved his riding on another notch towards being test ready.

FireBike and BikeSafe.

On the 12th I collected a FireBike and headed to Melton, near Hull, to assist Humberside Police to deliver their latest BikeSafe event.

I joined fellow volunteer Observers from the IAM and RoSPA, as well as 4 police riders.

I was paired up with 1000SX riding Jim, an experienced rider, who was taking his first steps in to post test training.

It was great to see such an array of bikes, from a beautiful 1983 CB1100F, to the latest high tech sports bike from KTM, the 990RC

If you've never completed a BikeSafe day, you really should, you will get great advice from experienced Police riders or accredited Observers and the day is a great stepping stone to further post test training. For further information about BikeSafe, check out the link. https://bikesafe.co.uk/

BMW R1300RT demo ride.

On the 14th, I headed over to Barrie Robson BMW in York as I'd been invited to put some running in miles on their latest demonstrator, an R1300RT. The new 1300 has been heavily revised over the 'old' 1250. More power, restyled, lots of tech. The model I took out, was the ASA version, which stands for Automated Shift Assistant, and features a clutchless transmission that eliminates the traditional clutch lever while allowing you to choose between fully automatic ('D' mode) and manual ('M' mode) gear changes. It retails with a starting price of around £21,000 for the LE model.

With no clutch leaver, but still with a gear lever, it was a weird feeling pulling away. Several times I thought it was going to stall, but of course it didn't, because it can't!

Once on the move, it was a great bike to ride. Very 'nimble' and 'chuckable' in the bends, with lots of low down grunt out of the bends. I would even say it was bordering on being 'sporty'! Which is amazing given its weight. The gearbox can be used in either manual or drive (automatic). In manual, you use the gearbox like a conventional bike. Changing gears with your foot on the gear lever. All changes were super smooth, either up or down, the quick shifter taking care of things, with a little 'blip' on the down changes.

In drive, the bike decides when to change gear, but it was too keen to get into higher gears, even getting in to 6th at 30mph. You can override it, with a 'manual' change, but it soon changes up again. I ended up just leaving it in manual and riding it like a 'normal' bike.

The mirrors gave an excellent view and remained clear at all speeds. The TFT is huge, with all the info you could ever need. Brakes were progressive and powerfull, but the seat to foot peg distance I found quite short, so I put the seat into the higher position which improved the 'knee bend' quite a bit. I didn't get chance to play around with suspension settings, but in all honesty, I never felt the need, even though most of the 75 minutes/60 miles I covered was on B roads.

I really enjoyed riding the RT, especially once I'd raised the seat height, and would have happily stayed out on it had I not needed to be back home.

Obviously, how 'good' a bikes looks and the ASA gearbox is a personal thing. I'm not a fan of all black bikes, so I'd buy a different colour. I'd also get the normal gearbox. However, if you love an all black bike and love the idea of an auto box, then get yourself into 'Robsons' and get yourself a cracking bike.

Tour route planning.

On the 21st I had a very productive evening with my mate Daren to put some routes together for a bike tour in September. Six of us are heading into Europe, so it was route planning time. We'll initially be heading east to St Avoid, then onto Interlaken to ride the passes in the area. Then heading south down the Route Des Grande Alps to Monaco for a couple of days, before turning north up the Route Napoleon to Digne, and onto Chamonix, and then the final few days heading west, staying in Colmar, and Bouilion, before getting the ferry back home. 12 days, and approximately 2500 miles. The routes were created using Basecamp, each colour representing a different day. I know Basecamp is not everyone's cup of tea, but Daren pretty much has every tour we've ever done over the last 20 years and can create routes in minutes by using, or altering a previously stored route.

Social rides x 2.

Had two cracking social rides in July, first up I joined fellow members of Advanced Riders North Yorkshire for a 90 minute meandering route led by Chris on his KTM. Lovely route ending at the bike night at The Old George Inn, Sykehouse. Excellent evening was had by all.

The next was with Dave A (1300GSA), Dave T (V4 Multistrada) and Phil (M1000XR). We met at McDonalds in York, because why not?

We then headed off on a 225 mile route leaving from York and heading through Boroughbridge, Ripon, Masham, T&P stop at The Manor Farm Cafe Bellerby.

It was then on to Tan Hill Inn - Highest Pub in Great Britain, Barnard Castle, Darlington, Stokesley, Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside, Malton, and final goodbyes at Seaways Cafe Fridaythorpe before returning home.

My GSA.

Not a great start to the month, when I discovered, not 1, but 2 punctures! Whilst we were away in Spain in June, my rear tyre (fitted just before we went away) was losing a bit of air. Not much, just a few psi over a couple of days. I checked the tyre, couldn't see anything, so just kept an eye on it, and topped the air up as and when and kept everything crossed that it would be OK for the duration of the holiday. Which, thankfully it was. Once back home, I had a 'better' look but still couldn't see anything obvious, so decided to have a proper look as the tyre. I got some soapy water, pumped the tyre up to 60psi and started soaking the tyre. Sure enough, the tiniest of tiny holes was oozing bubbles. Gotcha! Tyre deflated, repair kit out, rubber 'mushroom' fitted, job done. Pumped the tyre up to 42psi, douse with soapy water.... no bubbles....Well, no bubbles from the repair, but half inch to the right, an even tinier oozing of bubbles was visible...bugger, bugger and bugger again! Deflate tyre, repair kit out, hole plugged, pump tyre up.....still bubbles!! Repeat process....still bubbles....repeat again....still bubbles!!! Ring Leeds Bike Tyres, new tyre fitted the next day. I was gutted as I'd only done about 2500 miles on it. The joys (and expense!) of motorcycling.

Other than the tyre situation, the bike continues to just keep going and runs faultlessly, and I'm now passed the 52,000 mile mark.

Miles in July.

So here's my mileage figures for July.

01/07/26 - 50,638

31/7/26 - 52513

GSA mileage in July - 1,8755

FireBike mileage for July - 142

Total mileages for the year to date;

GSA - 12,150.

FireBike - 672.

Total - 12,792.

Training for everyone - will you be next?

As you have read, another great mix of people and bikes. Whoever you are and whatever you ride, please come along and have some training. You'll ride great roads while learning new skills and re-enforcing the old ones.

And that my friends rounds off July 26. Thanks for reading, until next month, ride safe.

Ian S.