Steve Rose
BikeSocial Publisher
BikeSocial Publisher since January 2017. Riding for 40 years, writing about motorcycles professionally for 27 of them and has written for, edited or published most of the UK’s best known bike magazines. Ridden and reviewed pretty much every significant roadgoing motorcycle of the last 40 years, owned more than 100 bikes (currently has four in the garage), is addicted to motorcycle classifieds and appears to be a walking Glass’s Guide for motorcycle pricing. Cried when Bike Trader stopped publishing a weekly publication.
Strangely attracted to riding high miles in all weathers, Steve sees motorcycles as putting the fun into functional, finds track days ‘confusing’ and describes the secret to better riding as ‘being invincible’.
Recent Posts
- Honda
Honda NX500 (2024) - Review
Tweaked CB500X with useful updates
By Steve Rose06/06/2025 - News and views
Motorcyclists; can we be heroes, not victims
Enough now motorcycling. Let’s stop blaming car drivers and take control of our safety.
By Steve Rose09/05/2025 - Honda
Honda NC750X DCT (2025) - Review
Honda’s bargain all-rounder gets fifty per cent more braking, improved DCT gearbox, and adjustable screen option.
By Steve Rose02/05/2025 - Honda
Honda GB350S (2025) – Review
Honda GB350S - the retro-styled 350cc naked with a 20bhp, air-cooled, single hits the European market at last
By Steve Rose31/03/2025 - Motorcycle tyres
Dunlop Mutant tyres review
On-road, off-road and on-track test
By Steve Rose07/03/2025 - News and views
Better riding; practice (lots) makes perfect (kinda)
Great riders are made, not born. And practice makes perfect if you practice the right things.
By Steve Rose21/02/2025 - Heated kit
Keis G901 heated gloves review
£210 | Battery or hard-wired power | Level 1 KP
By Steve Rose19/12/2024 - Long-Term Test Bikes
BMW R 1300 GS (2024) - Long Term Review
Testing the R1300GS’s performance, comfort and handling on motorways, A-roads and twisty back roads.
By Steve Rose17/12/2024 - News and views
High tech motorcycles, low-skilled riders. How we redress the balance
Motorcycle technology advances but riders have the same crashes. Why?
By Steve Rose17/12/2024 - News and views
Motorcycling? It’s probably not for you
Let’s stop apologising and stand up for biking
By Steve Rose29/11/2024 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Oxford Rainseal Bright review
£69.99 | Waterproof over-jacket
By Steve Rose06/11/2024 - News and views
Who’s going to save motorcycling? We are. And here’s how
Rumours of the death of motorcycling are a little hysterical but that’s not to say we shouldn’t help out anyway
By Steve Rose29/10/2024 - Biking tips
What should you think about when riding a motorcycle?
What’s the secret of more confident riding? Using your brain
By Steve Rose17/10/2024 - Biking tips
The secrets of better motorcycle riding
Roadcraft, motorcycle control and mindset; how to be safer, smoother and better at motorcycle riding
By Steve Rose06/09/2024 - News and views
Election 2024, how we get motorcycling on the agenda
The two best ways to make your next MP consider motorcycling
By Steve Rose31/05/2024 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Oxford Mondial 2.0 jacket and trousers review
Oxford’s highly-rated £550 laminated riding suit gets many improvements, but is fiddly to use
By Steve Rose01/05/2024 - Long-Term Test Bikes
Honda XL750 Transalp (2023) - Long Term Review
Honda's 2023 Transalp versus a year of BikeSocial testing...
By Steve Rose12/04/2024 - Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special (2023) - Review
Half faired big-twin bagger completes Harley's touring line-up
By Steve Rose14/12/2023 - Boots
Altberg Roadrunner review | Waterproof motorcycle touring boots tested
£299.99 | Waterproof leather motorcycle touring boots tested
By Steve Rose06/12/2023 - Honda
Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP (2022) - Review
Improved road manners for Honda's 213bhp superbike. The Fireblade is back.
By Steve Rose06/10/2023 - Helmets
Tested: Shoei Transitions light/dark Photochromic visor review
Shoei's Transitions visor for night and day, sun and shade
By Steve Rose06/09/2023 - Long-Term Test Bikes
Honda NT1100 (2022) - Long term review
BikeSocial is living with a Honda NT1100 for 12 months. First impressions on UK roads are that we'll enjoy it... a lot.
By Steve Rose19/07/2023 - Advice
Expert motorcycle tyre fitting advice
Tyre fitting essentials explained
By Steve Rose01/06/2023 - BMW
BMW R1250RS (2019 & 2023) - Review, first ride, price and specs
BMW's 2019 R1250RS gets more power, more torque, more equipment and improved handling
By Steve Rose20/04/2023 - News and views
Motorcycling v Net Zero, what is the industry doing?
Dozens of senior people in the bike trade are fighting for your right to keep riding
By Steve Rose15/02/2023 - News and views
Hackney Council continue to ignore facts in motorcycle parking charge debacle
Hackney Council take a second opportunity to ignore facts in motorcycle parking charge debacle - why do councils instinctively rule against motorcycling?
By Steve Rose12/12/2022 - Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson Street Glide ST Performance (2022) - Review
BikeSocial's favourite Harley gets serious suspension updates
By Steve Rose28/11/2022 - Honda
Honda GL1800 Gold Wing (2022) - Review
Honda builds the best looking, best equipped loopy cruiser. Go get a test ride now
By Steve Rose07/11/2022 - Latest News
BikeSocial joins the National Motorcyclists Council
The national Motorcyclists Council is the UK's biggest rider's right group. BikeSocial just doubled its size
By Steve Rose24/10/2022 - News and views
Don't ban petrol - build better E-bikes instead
Hey Japan... build us an E-RC30 or E-LC and all resistance will crumble
By Steve Rose24/10/2022 - News and views
Phil Read MBE (1939 - 2022) - A tribute
Phil Read bridged the gap between racing eras. He could win on anything and usually did
By Steve Rose07/10/2022 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Halvarssons Naren jacket & Laggan trousers review | Waterproof laminated textiles
£479 (jacket) & £399 (trousers) | Laminated motorcycle textiles
By Steve Rose01/09/2022 - Boots
Pharao Trigon review | Waterproof motorcycle boots tested
£99 | Waterproof, easy to wear short bike boots
By Steve Rose22/08/2022 - News and views
Petrol is a bargain when you ride a bike. Here's how to get the most mpg for the least money
A pint of beer costs four times as much as petrol. Here's how to enjoy it for longer
By Steve Rose09/06/2022 - Sinnis
Sinnis Connect 125 (2022) - Review
Sinnis' affordable big-wheeled scooter gets an update for 2022
By Steve Rose07/06/2022 - Maintenance and Servicing
Oxford Oximiser 3X review | Motorcycle & car battery charger
£99.99 | Charger for lead acid and lithium
By Steve Rose31/05/2022 - Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield Scram 411 (2022) - Review
Royal Enfield's Scram 411 combines adventure bike and street scrambler DNA in an affordable A2 licence package
By Steve Rose20/05/2022 - News and views
Royal Enfield; 21st century motorcycles go back to the future
Royal Enfield's renaissance continues with the radical policy of 'listen to your customers and build what they want'
By Steve Rose16/05/2022 - Sinnis
Sinnis Hero-X (2022) - Review
Sinnis' 2022 Hero-X scooter is a step up in quality and still better value than its Japanese rivals
By Steve Rose14/04/2022 - News and views
The M25 - Britain's most challenging racetrack
Forget the rural twisties - the M25 motorway is the Britain's best kept biking secret
By Steve Rose14/04/2022 - Sinnis
Sinnis Akuma 125 (2022) - Review
Revised Sinnis 125 tiddler gets bigger wheels and styling tweaks
By Steve Rose06/04/2022 - Honda
Honda CBR500R (2022) - Road test review
Honda's 2022 CBR500R gets more brakes and better suspension
By Steve Rose18/02/2022 - Long-Term Test Bikes
Yamaha MT-09 (2021) - Long-term review
Living with Yamaha's 2021 MT-09. Tweaking the suspension to unlock even more of the MT-09's performance
By Steve Rose18/02/2022 - Latest News
Oxfordshire Council does a welcome about turn on motorcycling
Bikes go from zero to hero in 18 months
By Steve Rose20/10/2021 - News and views
Where have all the flies gone?
Electric bikes are the future, but they have to be better than petrol first
By Steve Rose17/08/2021 - Honda
Honda Forza 350 (2021) - Review
Honda's already-brilliant mid-sized maxi-scooter gets more power and torque, cleaner emissions, taller screen, updated styling and voice-activated smartphone control
By Steve Rose03/08/2021 - News and views
Personal responsibility? Hold my latte... as riders we've been doing it for years
The UK Government wants us to take 'personal responsibility' for our Covid safety. As motorcyclists, that's what we do every day
By Steve Rose27/07/2021 - Yamaha
Yamaha YZF-R7 - Modern Classic Buying Guide
Yamaha's 1999 YZF-R7 was the last of the money-no-object homologation specials built to win superbike races.
By Steve Rose25/06/2021 - Sinnis
Sinnis Terrain 125 (2021) - Review
Sinnis revamp their full-size learner-legal adventure bike with lots of kit for a very tempting price
By Steve Rose17/06/2021 - Buying & Selling Bikes
Selling the motorcycle you inherited from a loved one
Smart advice for difficult circumstances
By Steve Rose26/05/2021 - Long-Term Test Bikes
BMW R1250RT (2021) - Review, inc. second option
BMW's R1250RT tourer strengthens its case for 'best all-round motorcycle on the planet' with new connectivity, enormous TFT screen and active cruise control
By Steve Rose24/05/2021 - Long-Term Test Bikes
Yamaha Tracer 700 (2020) - Long term review
Eight months with Yamaha's 2020 Tracer 700 shows that functional and useful bikes can also be fun (but you knew that already)
By Steve Rose07/04/2021 - Sinnis
Sinnis Terrain 380 (2021) - Review
Full-size adventure biking for full-size A2 licence holders; including full luggage for less than £5k
By Steve Rose29/03/2021 - Yamaha
Yamaha MT-07 (2021) - Review
Yamaha's third-generation MT-07 gets fresh styling, bigger brakes, better tyres and cleaner emissions.
By Steve Rose18/03/2021 - New Riders & Training
Ten simple tips to survive your first month on a bike
Let our top tips ease you into biking
By Steve Rose02/03/2021 - Buying & Selling Bikes
Is it better to part-exchange my motorcycle or sell it privately?
The hassle of selling privately or the poverty of part-exchanges - which should you choose?
By Steve Rose26/02/2021 - News and views
Biking is booming, and the authorities are terrified
There is no logic in the Government's response to rider's needs under lockdown. What is going on?
By Steve Rose02/02/2021 - Honda
Honda VFR800 (2001) - Very, very long-term test
Just how good is a 20-year-old, 94,000-mile Honda VFR800 costing £500? Only one way to find out...
By Steve Rose25/01/2021 - Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson Low Rider S (2020) - Review
Full review of the soft-tail cruiser from Milwaukee
By Steve Rose29/10/2020 - Yamaha
Yamaha Tricity 300 Review (2020) | Video
Yamaha's three-wheel scooter solution to Britain's commuters' problems
By Steve Rose23/09/2020 - BMW
BMW F 750 GS (2020) - Road Test Review
BMW's versatile road bike for those who prefer a bargain bungalow to a pricey top-floor penthouse
By Steve Rose22/09/2020 - Latest News
Triumph Trident prototype first look and details
Triumph reveal Trident prototype to take on Yamaha's MT-07
By Steve Rose25/08/2020 - News and views
Honda DCT; biking's biggest (and most misunderstood) step forward
If only they'd switched off the 'auto' mode
By Steve Rose12/08/2020 - News and views
Zen and the art of motorcycle momentum
Commuting by motorcycle uses the same skills as top-flight sportsmen. Sadly, the wages are lower
By Steve Rose15/07/2020 - Husqvarna
Husqvarna 701 SuperMoto (2020) - Review
Finally a Supermoto that lives up to the hype. Husqvarna's 701SM is a single-minded but credible alternative to sports bikes
By Steve Rose14/07/2020 - News and views
Motorcycling, our time has finally come
Commuting by motorcycle is the smartest choice that most workers can make right now. Our role is to shout from the rooftops or at least ride to work
By Steve Rose11/06/2020 - NIU
NIU UQi GT (2020) - Electric Scooter Review
Affordable, efficient and easy to use. NIU's UQi moped might well be a Yamaha Fizzie for Generation Z
By Steve Rose11/06/2020 - Long-Term Test Bikes
Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports (2020) - Long term review
Honda's updated Africa Twin has more power, improved electronics, electronic suspension and better handling. It's about to take on Storm Ciara
By Steve Rose10/06/2020 - News and views
Motorcycling offences should be treated like violent assault.' Oh no, what have we done now?
Everyone hates us, and we should care. Is a lack of imagination killing motorcycling?
By Steve Rose08/06/2020 - News and views
Over the top; Time for biking to stand up and be counted
The commuters of Britain are looking for a champion. Jeremy Vine need not apply
By Steve Rose19/05/2020 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Tested: Oxford Mondial jacket and trousers review
Oxford's laminate all year-round CE riding suit has a high spec for less than £500. Does it measure up?
By Steve Rose28/04/2020 - News and views
Oxfordshire's transport engagement survey is aggressively anti-biking. Help BikeSocial change it.
Oxfordshire's anti-biking bias uses data from the 1980s. Help BikeSocial change it...now...from your sofa
By Steve Rose23/04/2020 - News and views
Lockdown week 4 - how's everybody feeling out there?
Biking's strangest summer in living memory is challenging for all of us. How are you coping?
By Steve Rose17/04/2020 - News and views
Finally, someone builds the electric bike that actually makes sense.
This £3200 NIU N-GT scooter has the right mix of commuting performance battery range, ease-of use and price.
By Steve Rose16/04/2020 - News and views
Tony Rutter - the man who saved Ducati?
Seven-times TT winner, four-times world champion and all-round racing good guy remembered.
By Steve Rose25/03/2020 - News and views
Blog: To ride or not to ride?
Commuting by motorcycle is not only 'essential travel' it's your best chance of a clean backside this summer
By Steve Rose20/03/2020 - News and views
Don't fear the dashcam, see it as an opportunity
Could the spread of dashcams give riders the chance to shine?
By Steve Rose13/03/2020 - Sinnis
Sinnis Apache 125SM (2020) - Review
Sinnis' L-plate Supermoto has funky styling, perky performance and very high spec for just £2399
By Steve Rose09/03/2020 - Yamaha
Yamaha Tracer 700 (2020) - Review
Yamaha's brilliant middleweight all-rounder gets funky new styling, Euro 5 emissions and improved suspension to become even more brilliant
By Steve Rose02/03/2020 - News and views
Motorcycles, not motorways are the way to fix congestion and climate change
Smart motorways are yet another example of experts being failed by accountants. Meanwhile, the answer to congestion just filtered past
By Steve Rose18/02/2020 - Sinnis
Sinnis RSX125 review, road test, specs and price
Sinnis' L-plate streetfighter has funky styling, excellent handling and brakes all for £2199
By Steve Rose18/02/2020 - Latest News
Bennetts Insurance to be acquired by The Ardonagh Group
Contracts exchanged to buy Bennetts Motorcycle Services Ltd from its current owner Saga Services Ltd.
By Steve Rose17/02/2020 - News and views
Blog: The true cost of motorcycle fun; 0.83p
Putting the widest of smiles on your daft biking face costs less than a penny a mile. BikeSocial did the maths so you don't have to
By Steve Rose13/02/2020 - Kawasaki
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX (2020) - Review
Kawasaki's roadgoing sports bike inherits the Ninja title, gets a TFT display, improved traction control, ABS and comfort
By Steve Rose07/02/2020 - New Riders & Training
Riding advice: How to ride a motorbike in strong wind
Riding a motorcycle in strong winds and gales can be scary. Here's how to make it easier
By Steve Rose27/01/2020 - Features
Nine myths busted about riding in America
The roads aren't all straight, riding in cities is easy, the locals are friendly and many more reasons to ride in the USA
By Steve Rose22/01/2020 - Yamaha
Yamaha FJR1300AE (2019) - Review
Yamaha's flagship tourer covers distance with ease, has long-proven reliability, old-school features and superb build quality.
By Steve Rose20/01/2020 - Heated kit
Tested: Keis V501 heated vest review
Well made, smart design and strong performance from this easy-to-use heated vest
By Steve Rose20/01/2020 - Heated kit
Tested: Keis G601 heated glove review
Waterproof, heated, armoured gloves powered from the bike battery or their own portable units
By Steve Rose20/01/2020 - Long-Term Test Bikes
Honda X-ADV (2019) - Long Term Review
Honda’s enigmatic semi-automatic
By Steve Rose27/12/2019 - Gloves
Tested: Richa Nordic Gore-Tex glove review
Richa's 'lobster claw' Gore-Tex winter glove keeps your hands comfy, warm and dry too
By Steve Rose16/12/2019 - News and views
Could this charging innovation be the moment electric bikes become viable?
A new technique can put 200 miles of charge in a battery in just ten minutes. Interested?
By Steve Rose09/12/2019 - Bikes - Reviews
What do the words in classic bike adverts really mean
Classic bike owners love their bikes and so their adverts, when selling can be a bit rose-tinted. Here's BikeSocial's guide to decoding them
By Steve Rose03/12/2019 - News and views
Cheap bikes...great bikes...why not have both?
You'd have to be crazy to buy a 160mph motorcycle and then fits cheap and nasty parts to it.
By Steve Rose26/11/2019 - Bike Features
Vive le Streetfighter - We interview Ducati designer, Jeremy Fanaud
The designer of Ducati's V4 Streetfighter is young, French and goes by the name of Jeremy. We like him a lot
By Steve Rose26/11/2019 - Suzuki
Suzuki DL250 V-Strom (2019) - UK Review
Suzuki's smallest adventure bike makes a surprisingly practical, versatile and economical all-rounder too
By Steve Rose19/11/2019 - News and views
Blog: Bye bye Jorge, who'll be our villain now?
Jorge Lorenzo's retirement from MotoGP leaves a gap for the role of 'Official eccentric villain'. Who might fill the role?
By Steve Rose15/11/2019 - Yamaha
Yamaha TZR250R (1991) - Modern Classic Buying Guide
Yamaha said the 1991 V-twin TZR250R was the closest thing to an actual Grand Prix race bike they'd ever built.
By Steve Rose04/11/2019 - Bikes - Reviews
Top five classics to buy now while they are still affordable
Five great bikes that you can enjoy owning and riding while their value appreciates
By Steve Rose28/10/2019 - Gloves
Tested: Richa Street Touring Gore-tex glove review
Richa's sporty Gore-tex road glove offers comfort, crash protection and keeps your hands dry too
By Steve Rose22/10/2019