The Rider's Digest

26/05/2024

Oh I don’t know though - ready to rock n roll!

26/05/2024

Looks like the unpredicted good luck I’ve had with the weather has run out - say la v!

24/05/2024

Bon ici n’est pas!

(For the sake of anyone who’s not au fait with Peckham French that translates to “Nice ‘ere innit.”)

14/05/2024

20/04/2024

A genuinely odd figure in American motorcycling.

In her 60s, she hit the open road on a hulking Harley-Davidson and found a new area of academic research: bikers, and in particular, women bikers.

03/03/2024

Interesting to hear that Dick Emery was a biker at heart.

While known for his outrageous comedic persona on stage and screen, Dick Emery harbored a genuine passion for motorcycles that went beyond just a casual hobby. Throughout his career, he found solace and freedom on two wheels, often escaping the pressures of show business on long motorcycle journeys.

He wasn't just a weekend rider either. Emery owned various motorcycles throughout his life, from British classics like Triumph Bonnevilles to Italian beauties like Moto Guzzis. He even participated in motorcycle rallies and gatherings, relishing the camaraderie and shared love for the open road with fellow enthusiasts.

Emery's love for motorcycles wasn't just about the thrill of the ride. He found it to be a form of liberation, a way to break away from the constraints of his public image and simply enjoy the freedom of the open road. This passion occasionally bled into his act, with his character sometimes referencing his love for motorcycles, adding another layer of authenticity to his comedic persona.

While his comedic legacy remains his defining contribution, Dick Emery's dedication to motorcycles serves as a reminder of the multifaceted nature of this beloved entertainer. It showcased a different side of the man, one that reveled in the simple joy and liberation of riding a motorcycle.

03/03/2024

Interesting to know that Dick Emery was a biker at heart.

While known for his outrageous comedic persona on stage and screen, Dick Emery harbored a genuine passion for motorcycles that went beyond just a casual hobby. Throughout his career, he found solace and freedom on two wheels, often escaping the pressures of show business on long motorcycle journeys.

He wasn't just a weekend rider either. Emery owned various motorcycles throughout his life, from British classics like Triumph Bonnevilles to Italian beauties like Moto Guzzis. He even participated in motorcycle rallies and gatherings, relishing the camaraderie and shared love for the open road with fellow enthusiasts.

Emery's love for motorcycles wasn't just about the thrill of the ride. He found it to be a form of liberation, a way to break away from the constraints of his public image and simply enjoy the freedom of the open road. This passion occasionally bled into his act, with his character sometimes referencing his love for motorcycles, adding another layer of authenticity to his comedic persona.

While his comedic legacy remains his defining contribution, Dick Emery's dedication to motorcycles serves as a reminder of the multifaceted nature of this beloved entertainer. It showcased a different side of the man, one that reveled in the simple joy and liberation of riding a motorcycle.

29/02/2024

We've moved Martin's Rider's Lives Special with the late great Dave Myers to our 'Live' site so that it's easier to find.

Since they burst onto our TV screens almost 10 years ago, The Hairy Bikers have ridden a variety of machines

29/02/2024

So very sad to hear about the passing of Dave Myers.
I had the great pleasure of chatting to him on the phone for a couple of hours a few years back for The Rider’s Digest.
He was so easy to talk to, and invited me round for a cuppa if I was in the area.
The trouble was he was in Cumbria in those days. Oh well.
Rest in peace mate, you’ll be sorely missed.

Since they burst onto our TV screens almost 10 years ago, The Hairy Bikers have ridden a variety of machines into our living rooms, prepared some very tasty looking meals in beautiful locations and then ridden off into the sunset. But the one thing they never seem to feature or talk about is the bik...

17/11/2023

While we're on the subject of elegance, H&H Classics auctioned this beautiful 1975 Norvin for a comparatively reasonable £37,000 - especially when you consider that this 1967 Vespa (Douglas) SS90 Super Sprint went for £33,350!

08/11/2023

So much more elegant that the CBX or the Z1300

The World’s First Six-Cylinder Motorcycle 1973 Benelli 750cm.

The Benelli 750 Sei was the first production motorcycle with a 6-cylinder engine and had two model releases. De Tomaso intended it to become Italy's premier sporting motorcycle and wanted it badged as a Moto Guzzi. On its launch, it received tremendous publicity overshadowing all other Italian bikes of that year.
It started the trend of angular designed motorcycles moving away from traditional round forms.

The Benelli Sei is a series of motorcycles that were produced by Italian manufacturer Benelli, and masterminded by automotive designer Alejandro de Tomaso, from 1973 to 1989. Two models were made, with 750 and 900 cc displacement.

28/10/2023

While we're on the subject of Commandos, here's Steve McQueen sitting on one of his.

27/10/2023

Martin Haskell reports on the Norton Commando.

It could be said that the Norton Motorcycles brand has had something of a chequered history over the past 125

27/10/2023

You might recall this review by Jacqui Furneaux from December 2020. Well if you'd like to show some love for Gigi Montrose you can vote for her in the 2024 Rider's Choice Awards.

https://ridereview.com/awards/2024/companies/gigi-montrose

I have been riding motorcycles since I first passed my test in 1976. In all these intervening years, I have

27/09/2023

Sad news from the folks at Overland.

It is with great sorrow that we share the news with you that Mary Sievier has passed away. She made a huge impact in her presentations at The Overland Event in 2021 and 2022, receiving standing ovations on both occasions.

Mary made a good many new friends through Overland and was much loved. We are delighted that she managed the landmark events she set herself when she learned a few months ago that she was terminally ill, to get to this year's Overland Event to see many of those friends, and to celebrate her 82nd birthday shortly afterwards.

She was an extraordinary woman and we shall miss her very much indeed. RIP Mary Motorcycle.

Photo Credits: Unknown & Craig Carey-Clinch

10/07/2023

How proud are we that Jacqui credits The Rider’s Digest with being first to publish her?

Check it out.

Following the breakdown of her marriage and at the age of 48 in 1998 Jacqui decides to leave her job in health visiting and set off on a years adventure, alone backpacking in South East Asia. This was to be the beginning of a journey that left conformity a distant memory. Finding herself bitten by t...

06/06/2023

Sometimes it just has to be black on black.

04/06/2023

Hi Dave, and hello to my British friends too, maybe you can speak out/write a line in the search for a british biker who saved a man's life in Spain near Ponga/Asturias on May 20th at about 13:00 h - the guy is safe and sound now, because this British biker (no clue who it might be) applied a tourniquet on the crashed biker's leg. The family hopes to find him to say "thank you". --- Best regards Guido

PLEASE SHARE (be sure to include Guido's message or an English explanation of what the post says).

10/05/2023

Well this video clip has prompted quite a bit of comment in the UK couriers group.

29/04/2023

If you’re riding to Hastings on Bank Holiday Monday, you really need to pop into St Andrews Mews (off Cornwallis Street) to visit Patti Webb’s excellent exhibition ‘Women Who Ride Motorcycles’ which is on until 6th May, the postcode is TN34 1SJ. Details at www.pjwebbphoto.com

24/04/2023

A rare sight indeed.

弊社量産車両、GSX1200Sカタナ
メンテナンスで同時3台がリフトに‼️
ちょっと珍しい光景です。

07/04/2023

We've just loaded this Good Friday blast from 21 years in the past onto the website.

A couple of weeks ago, after a particularly brain mangling day’s social work, I found myself passing the Project Bike

19/03/2023

It was a pleasure to meet Narran McClean at the Ace Cafe's Overland & Adventure Bike Day; especially as she plans to be the first black woman to ride around the world - and she rides an R6!

I can feel the next generation of R6 Girl coming on.

16/03/2023

Thinking of going to the Adventure Travel World at the Ace Cafe this Sunday? Be sure to drop in and say 'Hi!' to the ed.

THE REAL GRIT: Adventure stories at the Ace Café.
Want to know about serious long distance motorcycling? Come and chat to Jacqui Furneaux, Dave Gurman, Duncan Gough Nataliya Rastabarova and me, Derek Mansfield
We’ve a combined four hundred thousand miles of solo riding across Asia Pacific, Asia Minor, and East and Central Europe. Been there, done it, delighted to share the experience.
Adventure Travel World at the Ace Café on Sunday 19 March
https://london.acecafe.com/event/overland-adventure-bike-day/

05/03/2023

This is a public service announcement.

A couple of years ago I decided to treat myself to a new helmet and when I came across a carbon Caberg at a bargain price I decided I'd give it a whirl. Having always - as many of us do - associated security with weight, I was amazed to discover that it was over 400g lighter than the Arai I'd been using, which is the best part of a pound in old money and accounts for why it feels so incredibly light to wear.

I haven't actually seen one of these HJC lids, but they're a well established manufacturer so I'm assuming that they'll be up to scratch, in which case they really are something of a bargain at £249.

Dave Gurman

HJC F70 Carbon - Matt Black from the UK's leading online bike store. Free UK delivery over £25 and easy returns on our range of over 100,000 products.

23/02/2023

We've finally got around to publishing the contributions we received for the 25th anniversary printed edition that never was. First up Martin Haskell's report on the 2022 Distinguished Gentleman's Ride.

Covid has had an impact on many things across this planet; peoples’ lives, health, employment, public services and even available

14/12/2022

More Christmas book options.

BMW motorcycles 100 years, Alan Dowds, book review, Motorbooks

03/12/2022

Looking for biker books for Christmas?

Motorcycle book reviews, Sam Manicom, Steph Jeavons, Derek Mansfield, Lois Pryce, Graham Field, Jason Spafford, Geoff Hill, Geoff Keys,