Forget Christmas, this is my favourite time of the year; when manufacturers show their hands and tease the living daylights out of us with the goodness that’s coming our way. I’m writing this a few days before the EICMA show so all that you read in our rammed Upfront pages is embargoed material… and it’s been a nightmare keeping it secret (we’ve had to lock Frodo in a small room). Of course, when this mag hits your hands we’ll be free to natter loudly, so get in touch and tell us which new bike floats your boat most and why? Better still, come and find us on our stand at the NEC show and Boothy might even buy you a brew – don’t tell him I sent you. Yes, 2020 is set to be a corker and we already know of a few other models that are being showcased a little later than the majority, so keep your eyes peeled. Back to reality and what a month it’s been. You know you’re busy when the better half’s asking when you’re home next? We’ve had so many laughs, racing the final round in our endurance championship, testing loads of brilliant bikes on the roads and getting dirtier than a middle-aged MILF in preparation for next month’s Skegness beach race. The highlight was heading to Spain to test Triumph’s new Street Triple RS – if sporty nakeds are your thing, here’s a bike that won’t disappoint. But for all the testing we’ve been doing, we’ve also been doing a fair bit of listening. Boothy caught up with an S1000RR owner who told us all you could wish to know if you’re tempted by a Gen1 Beemer. I also got an education on craftsmanship from Uncle Clive who’s just finished building a bike he’s dubbed an NCV35. With the nights drawing in it’s no surprise people turn to the workshop to waste away the hours and keep the twowheeled dream alive. What’s in your garage and what are you building? We’re on the lookout for inspiration, so if there’s something you’re keen to shout about, we’re all ears. Enjoy the mag.
