There's a lot riding on the new Triumph Explorer 1200 triple

The new model is a big brother to the relatively inexpensive Tiger 800 and will feature more gadgets for long distance touring riders. The big 1200 will have switchable traction control, with two settings once activated. There’s also switchable ABS braking.

Like most modern motorcycles the Explorer has fly-by-wire throttle, with a magic computer chip controlling just about every function on the bike, including cruise control. Yep, we did say cruise control.

Is that something you feel you’ve been lacking during the last ten years of adventure touring? Hmmm, maybe it is, maybe not.

One thing that’s obvious is that the new Triumph is a direct competitor to the big R1200 GS BMW, which you could never say about the Tiger 1050. The Explorer has shaft drive, all the electronic gizmos and a hefty price tag once kitted up with all the hard luggage, sat nav, light guards etc that you need for a trip to Norway, Italy and maybe a detour via Budapest.

One thing MCi Tours has noticed is that the Explorer has cast alloy wheels, not spoked wheels. That tends to suggest that a genuine `off-road’ version of the bike may still be in the pipeline for next year. BMW have done very well making two versions of essentially the same bike and Yamaha have followed suit with their XT1200Z Super Tenere – will Triumph do the same?

Originally available in red/white or blue, the `98 R1 is a modern classic

When the R1 was launched back in 1998 it absolutely trounced the sportbike opposition of the era, including the then top bike, Honda’s Fireblade, plus machines like the Triumph T595, Aprilia Mille and Ducati 916. The secret was simple; Yamaha built the R1 with more power and less weight than the rival manufacturers.

How light was the original R1? Well, the engine alone was 9.5Kgs lighter than the Thunderace, which was the existing flagship sportbike at the time in Yamaha’s range. Not only was the first generation R1 light, it carried that weight nice and low – you get on the 90s R1 and it still feels incredibly compact, almost like a 600cc class sportbike.

If you’re looking to buy a classic R1, then finding something that is still in close to original factory condition could be difficult. Features like original exhaust systems, screen, indicators or other easily damaged parts are worth checking thoroughly. Naturally you want a bike with a full service history that hasn’t done too many miles.

The first R1 models had a factory recall on the clutch and in general, the R1 can suffer from slippy clutches. So it’s worth asking the owner some questions on that score. The `98 R1 could also suffer from a dodgy 2nd gear, which caused the bike to jump out of 2nd when accelerating hard through the gears. From 2000 onwards the gearchange linkage was modified, which suggests that the original R1 might have had a less than perfect linkage. Again, worth checking.

The R1 engine is a really, really tight fit inside the curvy bodywork, so if the bike isn’t running totally smoothly, reckon on a day’s work dismantling bodywork and messing about trying to get at the carbs to set them up. Yes, the bike has carburettors – old school! Check the chain and sprockets carefully, as they can suffer a hard life on the R1.

The first R1 made a claimed 150bhp or so, which was enough to power the R1 to a top speed of around 170mph. The brakes were outstanding for the time and should still provide good stopping power today. If you test ride the bike don’t be put off by its somewhat nervous, twitchy handling. It is a bike which easily lifts its front end and it demands real skill from the rider – no traction control, no ABS braking on this one.

The 1998-99 R1 was a truly great bike and makes a smart modern classic buy. A clean `98 R1 can be bought from around £2000 upwards, depending on condition. A mint, original example is probably worth about £3000-£3500 and it’s the kind of bike which will still put a big smile on your face today.

Ride safe, see you on the road

£500 off the Vivacity 125. Handy little commuter gets cheaper.

More bikers and car drivers than ever are looking at using a scooter to get to work, as public transport is unreliable and over-crowded and driving a car to work can easily cost £100 per week when you add up fuel, parking charges, servicing, insurance and tax.

So the Vivacity 125 was £2099 and is now on sale for £1599 whilst existing stocks last, available in red or ivory and the 4-stroke, single cylinder engine should be good for at least 70mpg, even if you like to ride it flat-out through traffic. Top speed should be around 65mph.

This is a basic scooter, made in China like most commuter bikes these days, but wearing the Peugeot badge and it comes with a two year warranty. Worth a look if you need to get to work on a tight budget we reckon.

By the way, what’s the longest journey you have ever accomplished on a scooter? Our MCi Tours blogger once rode from London to Chester, then over to Croft circuit on an Aprilia Leonardo 125 – that was quite a tour! Tell us your epic journeys, post a comment below )

Low rate finance deal on the big Yamaha Super Tenere

Would you trade your BMW GS, Triumph Tiger, Honda Varadero or KTM 990 in for the Yamaha XT1200Z?

Let MCi Tours know if the big Yam is on your wish list for this biking season and if you fancy a long ride to somewhere warm and sunny this summer, we’ll be glad to help out.

See you on the road.

Scottoiler have tweaked the fittings on their kit for 2012

MCi Tours has seen many bikers complete a holiday across Europe using a Scottoiler or similar gadget, which saves carrying cans of spray lube, or faffing about with your chain when you’d rather be relaxing in the hotel bar in the evening.

For 2012 Scottoiler have redesigned the reservoir cage on the vSystem, which in a nutshell makes it easier to attach to the frame of your motorcycle. The previous method of gluing the oil delivery tube into position has been replaced with a self-adhesive clips.

The Scottoiler is a handy accessory for anyone with a big chain-drive Triumph Trophy, Tiger 1050, Honda Blackbird, Kawasaki ZZR1400 or Hayabusa perhaps. All these big bikes make comfortable touring machines, but they have chain drive, so it pays to look after them on a big trip to the South of France, Norway or Eastern Europe.

If you want more info on a dream motorcycle holiday in 2012, give us a shout – we are happy to help with any tips and advice

The original 1992 Honda Fireblade

This year Honda UK are celebrating 20 years of the Fireblade – yes really, it’s been two decades since this amazing sportbike first appeared. An example of each model, from the start of the series back in 1992 to the present day will be lined up to take you back down biking lane.

MCi Tours loves the original red/white/blue Fireblade, which was one of those ground-breaking machines from the 90s, along with the FZR1000 EXUP and the Ducati 916. Great days, fabulous bikes.

For us, the other landmark Fireblades were the Urban Tiger, the 2000 model which sharpened the bike up against the R1 and the 2004 1000cc model, which was the first real 21st century `Blade, a truly versatile, effortless sportbike.

Which is your favourite Fireblade? Post your comments below or come see us at the MCN London Show and talk bikes with us, or ask us our advice on motorcycle touring – you’ll be very welcome. See you there

Great looking motorcycle, but a bit on the tall side

Bit more off-road in its styling, but would you risk off-roading aboard the big Yam? Tell us what you think at the MCN London Motorcycle Show – MCi Tours will be there

The Judge is coming - what's your verdict?

The new model features the usual 106 cubic inch engine and chassis as seen on the Hammer, but with a steeper fork angle, plus some new cast wheels, which have a real 70s retro feel. The Judge also has a narrower rear wheel than the Hammer model.

There’s plenty of black-painted bodywork and cycle parts to please those who like their cruiser bikes to have the same sort of style as the Harley Night Rod, or Triumph Speedmaster.

There are flat handlebars at the front and a low seat height of just 26 inches. That’s useful for riders which short inside leg measurements, plus the Judge weighs in a 660lbs, so it’s always useful to keep that weight as low as possible. There’s no word on UK prices as yet, or delivery times, but MCi Tours reckons it should be here for Spring and Victory are keen on having riders demo their machines.

What do you think – is the Victory Judge a worthy rival to the Triumph Speedmaster or Harley Night Rod, which would you choose?

The deal applies to existing 2012 models and older models from 2011 and 2010, which we think you may find knocking about some showrooms. The FZ8 is a hefty 8K OTR, but a 0% deal with £99 deposit sweetens the pill for cash-strapped UK bikers.

Now with 0% finance over 3 years, can't be bad.

MCi Tours hasn’t a chance to test ride the FZ8, but these sporty middleweights are great weekend fun bikes. We remember the old Fazer 600 as being a handy little thing in the twisty stuff, with excellent brakes and that nose fairing was actually quite useful on longer rides.

Moving back to the 21st century, the standard 2012 FZ8 is a bit too ‘naked’ for us but with the addition of the optional half fairing we’d happily tour down to the South of France, Spain or even Portugal on this little number. We’re liking the retro style paintwork too.

For more info on our 2012 motorcycle tours visit www.mcitours.com by the way, see you on the road