Adventure Rally Rider - Issue 2

The Thrill Of The Chase
Our Publisher writes his editorial live from the
Tour of Portugal
The excitement is building as we head off for the
start of Day 3 on the Tour of Portugal Adventure
Rally, the riders have already ridden two days and
the top three are only minutes apart as we head to
the air arch for the final 3 - 2 -1 Goooo!
Tonight the results will be in and the trophies will
be presented at the final dinner.
The Tour of Portugal is a great introduction to
Adventure Rallying and that is what RallyMoto is all
about. Giving riders the chance to have a taste of
rallying, the roadbook navigation and the disciplines
of stages and speed zones. For some riders this is
preparation for bigger events abroad, for others it is
the chance to go rallying.
With this in mind, you may have noticed we have
changed the title of the magazine to Adventure
Rally Rider to appeal to our members and to include
partners abroad, particularly in Portugal, Croatia
and Spain. The magazine continues to be the
publication for RallyMoto members and all things
roadbook.
We are also attending the ABR Festival this year,
where we will have 60 units for hire, so you and
your friends can come along and have a go at
roadbook navigation and see what it is all about.
The Final day is about to start and we are off to
the group photo for the Tour of Portugal.
See you all soon
3 - 2 - 1 Goooo
Burt
Burt
03

Editor
Rick Kemp
06
ICE BREAKER
CHALLENGE 2023
Winterisfinallyover,markingtheend ofthe2023Ice
BreakerChallenge.Herewepreviewthecomingyear...
Editorial Production
Gabriella Linford
Jon Bentman
Design
Andy Riley
Publisher
Robert Hughes
robert@rallymoto.co.uk
Cover picture:
Actiongraphers
Contact Information:
t: 0770 392 4448
e: robert@rallymoto.co.uk
info@rallymoto.co.uk
Adventure Rally Rider magazine is
published quarterly by RallyMoto Ltd,
Suite 1a, 70 Copt Elm Road,
Cheltenham, Glos. GL53 8AW.
The views expressed by individual
members in RallyMoto are not
necessarily those of RallyMoto Ltd
20
JANE DANIELS
PROFILE
Weinterviewthetopfemalefinisher
atthisyear’sDakarRally
26 ADVENTURE
RALLY RAIDS
GettingstartedwithRallyRaidscan
beadauntingpropsectforthosenew
tothescene.Hereareafewtipsto
help getyoustarted...
04

12
2024 YAMAHA TÉNÉRÉ
700 EXTREME
ThisvastlyrevisedTénéréisallabout
extendingandrefiningit’soff-roadpotential
30
36
HELLAS AND DENARIC
RALLY RAIDS
Two eventsthathavequicklybecomebucket-listers
forroadbookrallyistseverywhere
ALPINESTARS TECH 7
ENDURO DRYSTAR
Discussingmotorcyclebootscanbemuchlike
tyrechoices.Askathousandriders,geta
thousanddifferentopinions...
38
COMING UP
IN 2024
AhandyguidetoalltheRallyMotoevents
coming upintheyearahead
40
THE BIG ONE–
ADVENTURE CAMP
DoyouhaveaBIGsenseofadventure,
aBIG passionforroadbook,andaBIGlove
ofridinginBIG wildernessareas?Ifso,
RallyMotohassomeBIGnewsforyou!
05

ICEBREAKER
Challenge2024
Winter is finally over, marking the end of the 2024 Ice Breaker Challenge,
the incredibly popular digital roadbook event
Words:GabriellaLinford Pics:JacobNurse,TimRedman&PhilOrr
“
C2C2C was an amazing experience,
routes were really scenic and the off-road
trails were long and winding, leading me to
hidden gem spots in the countryside. Looking
forward to trying out future routes!”
Jacob Nurse
”
06

Participants in this edition were absolutely
spoilt for choice, with nine roadbook routes
available to ride. Four of the routes were
joined together to make up the ‘Coast to Coast to
Coast’ (C2C2C) special segment – Lancaster to
Scarborough and back again, with a stop in the
middle. Riders had the months of January, February
and March in which to ride as many routes as they
were able and willing to, with different prizes
awarded for their accomplishments:
● Three routes completed meant ‘mission
accomplished’ for the challenge
● The four C2C2C routes completed earned an
award
● Five or more routes completed meant the rider
then gained the status of ‘Ice Man Yeti’ and won
a special edition hoodie
▲
07

This year, many prizes are being sent out, as the
number of routes completed was impressive to say
the least!
In the three-month winter period, 146 riders rode
a total of 560 routes:
● 91 riders completed the challenge by riding
three or more routes
● 54 riders completed the C2C2C segment
● Astonishingly, there are 47 ‘Ice Man Yetis’!
● And an incredible 14 riders committed
wholeheartedly to the challenge and rode all
nine roadbooks
The Ice Breaker Challenge has grown year-onyear
to become a staple diet for those looking to
satisfy their roadbooking appetite during the down
season. It offers not only an adventure to occupy
the winter months, but also a great way to practice,
or even learn, roadbook navigation in one’s own
▲
08

ICEBREAKER
Challenge2024
“What a day! The final day for us on this
year’s Ice Breaker Challenge. We left the
hotel at 07.30 and five hours later arrived at
Hest Bank on Lancashire’s west coast. The
trails were on a par with the Welsh tracks but
the speed was epic. The return leg meant I
had completed all nine challenges, seven of
them being this week.
Tim Redman
”
09

“I set out with the goal of achieving zero
nav or speeding points across all nine
roadbooks in this series. I succeeded. I’m
spent after two 365km days, and the speed
this afternoon has been relentless, but so
much fun. We still have the small matter of
another 475km over Saturday and Sunday at
Kielder Forest. Rally life is mega!
Tim Redman
”
ICEBREAKER
Challenge2024
10
time. Many first timers take part in the Challenge to
get the hang of the navigation before signing up to
one of the bigger RallyMoto events. It was the IBC
that really pushed the development of the roadbook
app, which has created many more opportunities
for beginners who would like to get a taste of
rallying without a big financial layout. Many riders
stick with the digital format for the bigger events,
and some use it as a stepping stone to invest in a
proper paper roadbook set up.
The Ice Breaker Challenge will return in the
winter of 2025, but with increasing expressions
of interest for more digital roadbook challenges
throughout the year, the wait might not be quite
so long... ■

BIKE TEST
14

RAISING
The Bar
Yamaha has vastly revised its Ténéré offer for 2024, with no less than
five variants now available. This one, the Extreme, is all about extending
and refining its off-road potential…
Words:JonBentman Images:TooFastMedia
15
Idon’t often start with the tech for a new
model, but given the brevity of the changes
made to this one, it’s kicking off this test.
And for good reason. As you’ll soon see.
So straight in, this is what the Extreme
formula comprises. Starting point: the Ténéré 700
(standard). Now swap out the suspension and
replace with the exact units the World Raid uses.
Add the WR’s swingarm linkage, which is needed
given that this shock is very different to the old one.
Then add the taller accessory ‘rally’ seat. Some
bigger footrests. Plus an aluminium radiator guard
and ally chain guide. Finish with the higher front
mudguard from the in-house accessory list, LED
indicators and tail light, and finally season with a
unique graphics set.
Now that is a quite a short list. But let’s take
a second look. The suspension offers not just
an added 20mm of travel front and back (front:
230mm, rear 220mm), but brings a much higher
spec. Kashima coating on the fork sliders is the
visible difference, looks trick, but more to the
point brings a level of friction that makes for
super-smooth fork action. Also, both the forks
and shock are fully adjustable for preload,
compression and rebound damping. In all, it’s
a spec way above the standard units. Longer
suspension means more ground clearance too,
now 20mm higher at 260mm.
The rider gets a new perch with the higher,
one-piece Rally saddle, and with wider, longer
2024 yamaha ténéré 700 extreme
▲

(and lighter) Titanium footpegs there’s a more
secure standing platform as well. Knowing that
the 910mm seat height might limit potential sales,
there’s the option to fit a standard seat, or the
accessory low seat, and you could even add the
accessory lowering links to drop the seat height
still further.
The finishing touches are neat. Aside from the
ally guards, the high front mudguard makes any
prospect of a mud-jammed mudguard a thing of
the past. Full LED lighting is a quality addition.
As is the TFT instrument screen that’s now fitted
across the range. This has led to new handlebar
switch blocks, too.
By the way, the Extreme is a unique Europeanmarket
model. You’ll not find it offered to the
American or Australasian markets. It’s impressive
that it was developed here in Europe by Europeans,
to suit our conditions. It was in some senses just a
matter of cherry-picking from the accessory
catalogue, but the final spec and the balance of the
build was nonetheless specifically tailored to us.
And that’s kind of cool – I can imagine some
jealous Ozzies and Yanks checking out ‘our’ bike.
16
First Impressions
I have to say the Extreme is a good-looking
machine, more so in the flesh than in the brochure.
It’s also gazelle-like given the long legs, and the
ground clearance now looks vast. Yamaha has a
good handle on making quality finishes. The
signature blue paint is an attractive deep hue and
the bodywork and plastics hold a lustrous shine.
The gold rims and dark gold (Kashima-coated) fork
legs sit as a pleasing contrast to the blue, while
the paint on the engine casings speaks of quality
finishing. And now, when you turn on the ignition
and watch the TFT screen launch into its high-def
display, there’s a sense that this completes the
feeling of high-end spec and finishing.
While it’s indeed taller, it doesn’t feel (for me,
at 6ft) unduly lofty. I’ve set up my own Ténéré 700
with a stack of preload plus a rally seat, and the
Extreme feels no taller than that. Curiously it feels
more spacious in the cockpit (so to speak), as if
the bars are higher and the footrests lower, but
there are no differences in the spec, so it’s just
imagination working overtime. As before, despite
being super quiet the exhaust nonetheless emits
a pleasing bark that foretells an engaging ride.
The new switchgear works well and with the
thumbwheel on the right switch block it’s very
easy to toggle between modes and settings. The
three ‘themes’ for the TFT screen – street, explorer
and rally raid – are very neat, while it took just
seconds to find the ABS settings (and of course
switch them off!). Beware, for health and safety
reasons, if you turn off the ignition: the ABS will be
reactive for the next ride.
▲

2024 yamaha ténéré 700 extreme
17
BIKE TEST

Instant Smooth
The suspension upgrade was
immediately apparent – it doesn’t
take a seasoned tester with
fine-tuned sensitivities to feel the
difference. We use the word
‘plush’ a lot in bike journalism to
describe quality suspension
action, and here it’s well-earned.
The set-up isn’t racer-stiff; in fact,
the standard set-up errs toward
soft. But this is ideal for the kind
of terrain we find in the UK, where
we have to deal with a lot of small
spiky stuff such as roots and
rocks as well as what I’d call
long-wave undulations. These are absorbed with
almost no unpleasant feedback to the rider.
Meanwhile the stroke of the suspension feels
smooth, well-aided by the damping. Early on in
the test we were making small jumps off the
water bars on a gravel farm road and on a
chopped-throttle noticed the rebound on the shock
was punching the rear high. With four clicks on the
rebound damping, this was entirely eradicated.
In fact we could probably have taken it back to
three clicks to leave a little more feel and spring in
the shock. But this was demonstration enough of
the range of adjustment available.
The engine felt livelier than in previous variants.
Of course it’s not; it’s the exact same motor and
tune as in all the Ténérés. But with the superior
suspension and with this being the lightest of all
at 205kg wet, it’s very easy to play more on the
throttle and generate a more punchy result, safe in
the knowledge you’re not going to overcome the
chassis set-up anytime soon.
This meant not only could you push hard on the
fire roads, but also on the stone-based single track
(an enduro loop) – still mightily whooped-out – you
could really push the Extreme on, knowing that the
suspension and the chassis would absorb the hits.
We were riding on Dunlop’s impressive Trailmax
Raid tyres (50:50) – which are fitted to all the
Yamaha Off Road Experience Ténéré fleet – and
combined with the suspension you could seriously
hustle the Extreme through the technical stuff, with
bags of feedback and a strong sense of security.
Note that the standard tyre fitment is Pirelli
Scorpion Rally STRs – more of a 70:30 (trail-road).
▲
18

2024 yamaha ténéré 700 extreme
19
BIKE TEST

A Racer?
What came out of the test was the feeling was
here was a Ténéré that would suit a rally
competition environment. I know the World Raid
is meant to be that model, but in most of Europe
there are plenty of fuelling stations, and competition
stages are generally short enough to not
need the huge fuel tank that the World Raid
comes with. With the slimmer 16-litre tank, the
Extreme feels smaller and easier to ride aggressively.
Just add a stronger sump guard (we never
bashed it – but just in case), proper handguards
and a road book, and go. Equally, given we don’t
get to ‘race’ that much here on our adventure
bikes, the added prowess of this model will make
riding lanes at a modest pace a lot more enjoyable.
The Ténéré has been with us since 2019.
I remember that first Ténéré as something of a
‘one size fits all’. There was a certain appeal in
that, a simplicity; it was a kind of blank canvas
that encouraged owners to customise the
set-ups on their Ténérés to suit their individual
needs. I had something of a touring set-up on my
2021 Ténéré, to suit week-long rides along ACTs.
Others went for race-like set-ups with top
suspension, stripping off superfluous sub-assemblies
and such for extra lightness. Now it seems
Yamaha itself is interpreting these trends and
short-circuiting the route to the Ténéré we want.
20
From the touring-orientated Explore model at one
end of the spectrum to this, the Extreme, at the
other end. That’s cool. But, conversely, would you
want to be Yamaha UK’s product buyer, trying to
figure how many of each variant to order each
season?!
With the Extreme priced at £800 over the
standard model, it’s value for money. The cost
of the suspension, seat, pegs and all far exceeds
that price difference, and it’s all good stuff.
The Ténéré has always been a first-rate bike –
never with the top spec, but very attractive
all the same, with virtues like reliability, solid
capability and decent residuals to make it an
adventure sector favourite. Yamaha has been
rewarded with over 60,000 sales in Europe alone.
The Extreme seems to be taking the Ténéré story
to the next level – or perhaps updating it to meet
the wants and needs of 2024 – creating a super
active ride that really shows just how much fun
this model can be. But beware, it’s addictive and
may well bring out the Pol Tarres in you! ■
2024 YAMAHA TéNéRé
700 EXTREME
Engine:
Transmission:
Fuelling:
Frame:
Front suspension:
Rear suspension:
689cc, liquid-cooled,
twin-cylinder, DOHC
four-stroke
Six-speed,
wet multi-plate clutch
Fuel injection
Steel tube, double cradle,
steel tube backbone
KYB 43mm USD, fully
adjustable, 230mm travel
KYB monoshock, fully
adjustable, 220mm travel
Wheels: 21/18”, 90-90-21,
150/70-18 tubed tyres
Brakes:
Twin 282mm discs,
four-piston calipers, ABS,
Rear 245mm disc single
piston caliper, ABS
Wheelbase: 1490mm
Seat height: 910mm
Ground clearance: 260mm
Weight (wet): 205kg
Fuel capacity: 16 litres
RRP: £10,906
Contact:
www.yamaha-motor.eu
2024 yamaha ténéré 700 extreme

20

JANE Daniels
Profile
Not only has Jane Daniels been Women’s FIM World Enduro Champion four times,
led the Women’s Team GB to its first International Six DaysEnduro victory and been
the top female finisher at this year’s Dakar Rally, but also she has recently announced
another piece of good news – an anticipated new addition to the family.
As far as Jane is concerned, it doesn’t get any better
Jane Daniels may be distracted by current
events but that doesn’t mean that she will
be disappearing completely from the
international motorsport scene. “The support from
my team and sponsors has been fantastic. I am
overwhelmed by their positivity and this is enabling
me still to be very active within the industry,
fulfilling my PR and Brand Ambassador roles.
I’ll continue to attend British Enduro events
throughout the year and the Enduro GP in Wales,
but as a spectator on the opposite side of the tapes.
▲
21

To finish 2023 as British Champion and World
Champion, followed by the success we had in
Dakar 2024, and now this amazing news – my
partner Albert, my family and I could not be
more happy!”
So how did the two-wheel career of this
29-year-old from Wigan in north-west England
get off the ground? Well, as is often the case, she
comes from a biking
family. “My Dad’s
always been into
bikes – he’s ridden
Motocross, Sand
JANE Daniels
Profile
22

Racing, Supermoto, Road Racing, Enduro, you
name it. In the summer we all used to ride around
the fields together and then, when I was about ten,
my older brother Gary decided that he’d like to try
racing. Dad said that Enduro might be the better
way to go. A couple of years later I followed my
brother into the sport.
“Dad stuck me on an Enduro bike and I did my
first practice day. He followed me round to make
sure I was okay. I tried to ride every other weekend
and as I progressed this turned into every weekend.
After a few months of practice Dad entered me
into my first race – it was one of the flattest
venues he could find! From then on I raced as
often as I could.”
Thereafter Jane took to competing in national
Hare and Hounds events and followed her brother
Gary to more extreme events abroad. As she
recalls, because the van was going anyway all
she had to do was put her bike in the back.
“I didn’t have any expectations, I just wanted to
enjoy myself – which I did.
“I hadn’t even realised there was such an
event as a World Enduro Championship. A friend
completed the first two rounds, said it was really
good and suggested that I should give it a go.
So we drove out to Italy for the third round. This
was in 2012 and it was the hottest place I’d ever
experienced. It was 42 degrees C, and the heat
didn’t really agree with me, but I got third place
on the first day. Unfortunately, I then over-hydrated
and wasn’t well enough to start day two.”
▲
23

However, Jane didn’t let that put her off. Her first
full season of World Enduro was in 2013 and since
then, as we’ve said, she has gone on to take four
world titles including those for 2022 and 2023, and
is now perhaps the best known female rider in
World Enduro. When Jane became a Fantic Factory
Racing rider she was able to give up the day job
and it was Fantic that facilitated her shift from
Enduro to Rally, a move that isn’t as straightforward
as you might think, particularly at world-class level.
Her first excursion into the realms of Roadbook
Rallying was at the Swank Rally in Tunisia in April
last year and within months she had become the
top placed woman rider in the Dakar.
“It was an amazing experience – the amount of
riding you do in a day, the kilometres covered, the
scenery around you, not that you get much time to
take it all in. It’s all about trying to find the happy
medium between reading the Roadbook correctly
and riding at a fast pace.”
It wasn’t all plain sailing though. “I had a big
crash on the non-stop 48-hour stage after some
150km. I did a couple of cartwheels and reshaped
a number of bike parts but we managed to bend
the vital bits back into working order. I had a few
bruises and possible mild concussion but it was all
JANE Daniels
Profile
24

earable. The airbag definitely saved my Rally, so I
am really glad that they are now compulsory –
when you crash it inflates before you hit the floor.”
Jane Daniel’s outstanding accomplishments in
the world of motorsport have solidified her status
as a role model in the industry. Even though she
may not be competing for the rest of 2024, she
will continue to represent Fantic at events such as
the Adventure Bike Rider Festival, committed to her
responsibilities as Brand Ambassador, fulfilling her
PR duties and representing her sponsors with
enthusiasm and dedication. As she recalls with a
chuckle, a lot has happened since those early
days of travelling with her bike in the back of her
Dad’s van … ■
25

ADVENTURE
RALLYRaids
Getting started with Adventure Rallying can be a daunting prospect for those new
on the scene. Not only does one have to decipher the language of roadbook to navigate
the course, but also what about mounting the roadbook? Preparing the bike? What
kind of people come to these events and how supported will one be as a newcomer?
The Adventure Rally Raids (previously known
as Adventure Cannonballs) cater for people
with such questions and curiosities. With as
little as a bike plus a set of 50/50s and a smart
phone or tablet, riders can show up to these events
with zero rally experience and finish the day with
enough know-how to confidently enter the bigger
Adventure Rally events.
So, what exactly is an Adventure Rally Raid?
An ARR is essentially an Adventure Rally without
scoring, and therefore there’s no pressure. The
courses are roughly 150km in length, consisting
of byways, minor lanes and scenic roads, and are
aimed at Adventure bike riders, or those who may
26
have little off-road experience. (‘Extreme’ versions
of the ARRs follow the same format but include
more challenging terrain for the more
accomplished dirt rider.)
The locations vary from event to event, with
areas such as the Peak District, Salisbury Plain and
the Cotswolds proving popular. The aim of ARRs
(and for RallyMoto in general) is to provide an
affordable, accessible and ‘no stress’ way to get
into rallying. As mentioned earlier, no serious
preparation is required, with options such as
running a digital roadbook on a rider’s own tablet,
or using a paper roadbook loaded into a hired
holder (affectionately known as ‘the lunchbox’),
▲

“
I’ve done a few RallyMoto events, maybe
three or four. For the navigation I use the ‘lunch
box’, which they provide. It’s really easy to use.
There is a little [phone] mount on the side,
so you can see your distance as you’re going
along. It means you can just rock up to the
rally event with your phone and be set up,
all ready to go.
”
Perry, Cotwolds Adventure Rally Raid,
23 December 2023
27

“
Just finished my first Rally Raid. It was
really good fun, some great off-road sections.
A bit of mixed stuff... I went through a nice ford,
I was really excited about that as I’ve not done
that before on this bike... Looking forward to
the next one, can’t wait!
”
Michael (Project Moto Adv), Cotwolds
Adventure Rally Raid, 23 December 2023
ADVENTURE
RALLYRaids
28

which is provided for free by RallyMoto. Trackers
are fitted to each bike, so that organisers can keep
a watchful eye on riders while on the course, round
up those who stray too far off the route and initiate
recoveries in the case of a breakdown.
The day itself is simple and straightforward.
Riders meet at a predetermined start point, sign on,
collect their GPS tracker, roadbook and hire unit if
required. Once it’s all mounted onto their bikes,
they head out on the course. The organisers on
the day are available to provide a short training
session beforehand for those completely new to
the navigation. However, with the friendly and
supportive crowd that RallyMoto draws, there is
always someone willing to offer advice, lend a
hand, or buddy up for the ride.
RallyMoto aims to host roughly six Adventure
Rally Raids a year, with numbers capped at around
40 riders to limit the traffic on the trails. To find out
more, head to www.rallymoto.co.uk/adventure-rally-raid.
■
29

HELLAS and
dinaric
Rally Raids
Words:GabriellaLinford Pics:Actiongraphers&GabriellaLinford
The Hellas and Dinaric Rallies. Two events that have fast become bucket
listers for roadbook rallyists
30

In the grand world of motorsports, roadbook
rallying occupies just a small section of the
community. The Dakar Rally takes the lead on
the global stage by a long way, followed by the
likes of Rallye du Maroc, Africa Eco Race and other
long distance, gruelling desert races, which only
the fittest and fastest riders have any chance of
completing successfully.
But let’s get out of the dunes and into the
mountains of Europe, where a range of roadbook
rallies run throughout the year, open to both
beginners and professionals alike. The fact that
they range from four to seven days in length,
▲
31

HELLAS and
dinaric
Rally Raids
and often have options to enter in non-competitive
classes geared more towards bigger bikes, makes
them appealing to the novice roadbook navigator,
who wants a taste of what rally racing is all about.
The Hellas and the Dinaric Rallies are two such
events and have over the years grown to become
32
bucket-list ambitions for the amateur roadbook
enthusiast. Many RallyMoto members, who get
bitten seriously by the rally bug, go on to attend
these Rally Raids as their navigation skills naturally
progress.
In 2023, the RallyMoto crew decided to see what

all the fuss was about and headed to Greece with a
small team of riders to take part in the Hellas Rally
Raid. The seven-day Rally alternates its
locations every year, and for this edition the bivouac
was based in the mountainous region of
mid-Greece, as opposed to the previous year’s
33
location on the coast.
The team was hit with all the trials and
tribulations associated with rallying over long
distances in varied mountainous terrain, in
unpredictable weather: breakdowns, injuries,
drowned bikes, navigation equipment failures,
▲

HELLAS and
dinaric
Rally Raids
wrong turns, freezing temperatures, heat
exhaustion, mud fests, night-riding and sleep
deprivation. (Head to the RallyMoto Youtube channel
for more on this!) Endurance, stamina and good
bike preparation were some of the key takeaways
from this experience, and although the team came
34
back a little battered, they were full of inspiration
and the enthusiasm required to create a seamless
and supported pathway for RallyMoto members
to enjoy the same experience.
For 2024, RallyMoto has decided to return not
only to Hellas, but also to the Dinaric Rally in

Croatia, offering a transport-and-light-support
package to members who want to take part in
either event. For many riders, competing in events
at this level will be as far as they go in their rallying
career, and it’s certainly a big achievement in itself
to even get to the start line, let alone the finish.
35
But for the few, they offer yet another step towards
their dreams of racing in the dunes.
If you want to be part of team RallyMoto at
either Hellas or Dinaric, head to
www.rallymoto.co.uk/international-rallyraids.
■

PRODUCT
Review
36

ALPINESTARS TECH 7 ENDURO DRYSTAR
RRP: £469.99
Discussions about motorcycle boots are much like discussions about tyre choices –
you can canvas a thousand riders and get a thousand different opinions.
Say you love something, someone else will hate it. Nonetheless, here goes…
The Alpinestars Tech 7 has been a solid
staple in dirt boots for many years. It’s been
updated a few times but essentially is still
the middle-to-top offering it has always been –
kind of a replacement and middle ground between
the Tech 6 (enduro-ish) and Tech 8 (mx) boots that
preceded it. Importantly, it was part of the drive by
A-stars to transition from the hand-stitched soles
of the predecessors to the machine-moulded soles
you now see across the range.
So the Tech 7 sits below the bomb-proof top-ofthe-line
Tech 10s. I have a pair of Tech 10s and for
the me they’re an out-and-out motocross boot.
Stiff, solidly built and painful to walk in – and with
almost zero ‘feel’. The Tech 7s are a softer option
and without the tricky inner bootie they’re vastly
more comfortable and easier to put on / take off
quickly. The latest buckles (x 4) add to the ease of
use. Yes, for protection they’re indeed a step lower
than the 10s, but the offset is they have more feel
and I can wear them all day.
The Tech 7s are, then, a great all-rounder: I use
them for both enduro and adventure riding. And
when I say ‘adventure’ riding, I’m talking about
those occasions when I’ll be riding heavy bikes in
testing conditions. At other (more gentle) times,
I’ll often revert to A-star’s dedicated adventure
boot, the Corozal.
I got the latest Enduro Drystar version because
the one area where Tech 7s have always let me
down has been their (lack of) water resistance.
Even the lightest splash would result in wet socks.
Proper rain or river crossings and my feet would be
swimming. So a waterproof boot with this level of
protection felt like Utopia.
Only we’re not quite there. I’d call the Drystars
water-resistant, not waterproof. They do now resist
the water splashes, and even light rain, but downpours
and water crossings will still result in soggy
socks. The recent test of the Ténéré Extreme saw
37
plenty of puddles and I finished the day with moist
toes, not saturated but not dry either. That might
seem damning, but actually I’m reconciled to this.
If I’m feeling at all the need for total weather
protection I’ll wear my so-called waterproof socks
underneath – or reach for the 100% waterproof
Corozals. As it is, this level of performance is
adequate for my needs. I should mention that
some people have Drystars that truly have been
waterproof. Maybe it’s the luck of the draw.
Overall I like them. For dynamic performance
they’re a 9/10, for comfort 8/10, for durability 8/10
(they clean up well) and for water-resistance
probably a 6/10 for this pair. Oh, and by the way,
unless you spray the ankle articulation with a
ubricant (regularly) they squeak quite loudly.
It’s a funny thing. They’re not perfect, they don’t
even fulfill the ‘waterproof’ billing, yet I like them
and they’re often my first choice. Sometimes
people can be too uptight about these things, but
adventure is a place where the concept of the
sure thing has no place. We compensate, adapt.
This boot isn’t perfect. I’m not perfect.
We rub along nicely. ■
JB

“The Big One” Rallymoto
Adventure Camp
Sept 13th – 15th
Kielder Castle, Northumberland
Join us for an all new, special three-day event in
the heart of the Kielder Forest, where we will
celebrate all things adventure rallying and roadbook!
Discover the thrill of roadbook navigation and
give adventure rallying a go using Rallymoto’s very
own roadbook app – no experience required!
Multiple routes available to ride throughout the
incredible wilderness of Kielder Forest
Light off-road routes 100% suitable for big
bikes and adventure riders
Experience a real rally bivouac at the famous
Kielder Castle
COMING in 2024
Hellas Rally (FIM)
May 24 – June 1
https://hellasrally.org/
Europe’s most popular Rally Raid, with multiple
classes available. Seven days of roadbooking
through Greece. Definitely one for any rally rider’s
bucket list!
Dinaric Rally
Sept 8 – Sept 14
dinaricrally.com
A challenging Cross-Country Rally Raid through the
most spectacular outback of the Dinaric Alps.
The Wales 500
27th – 28th July
The epic Welsh Adventure Rally in mid Wales which
takes you through some of best forestry areas in
the Cambrian mountains.
The Wales 500 2024 is NOW FULLY BOOKED
but there is still time to register for possible
cancellations.
Get ready for two days of roadbook navigation
through the most remote and beautiful parts of
Wales.
With a high percentage of off-road and trail
riding, which is 100% suited to the “big” adventure
bikes, you will be able to ride in areas of Wales
Ice Beaker Challenge 2025
The New Year brings with it the opening of the Ice
Open
Entries 2024 December 2
of nine roadbook routes to navigate in three
program
rewarding and tough a Challenge, Breaker
riders as they will have to tough it out through the
for challenge biggest the sees year This months.
There are the normal routes of Cotswolds,
conditions.
riding and weather winter
combined with a super Coast 2 Coast 2 Coast
Borders
Welsh and Essex Salisbury, Peaks,
looking to complete the C2C2C route in one 24
are riders Some riders. hardy the for challenge
on the league table and let’s see who can do it!
eye an keep – rallying adventure true – period hour
RallyMoto Cup 2024
The UK’s only roadbook rally series over three
Series Rally Roadbook UK
final round being the Dark Skies Rally. All riders
the and 500 Wales the 500, Kielder the events,
RallyMoto Cup.
are automatically signed up for the
class Rally in
league table and the rider with the least points
a in logged are round each from points The
the RallyMoto Cup. ■
crowned the winner of
is rounds three all after
which are only made available for this event.
It is a remote area and just what your adventure
bike was made for.
The event is a two-day roadbook navigation
event for “Adventure Style” motorcycles, smaller
bikers can enter but only in Rally Class.
The roadbook has been especially created for the
event and is the same format and style as the
“Adventure Rally Raids”.
Riders will be expected to navigate the course
using the roadbook which will be available both in
paper and digital format.
Each day comprises of a course which is in
excess of 250km with a large percentage of the
going being hard base gravel tracks and fire roads
within the Welsh Forestry.
A level of self-sufficiency is required as this is a
remote part of the UK. Riders will be expected to
carry tools and spares along with water and food
for the day. There will be places for fuel and food
marked on the roadbook.
waypoints on all of the routes?
the of all hit you Can yourself! Challenge
Dark Skies Rally 2024
October 26-27
Kielder Forest, this event is like the Kielder 500 with
close to the Kielder Observatory. The night stage is
area skies’ ‘dark the in place takes it as Rally Skies
night sky can be a fantastic spectacle.
dark and the
very very, is it as challenge, real a
The rally consists of two stages on the
For 2024 the event will have a Rally and
morning.
next the
making the rally more competitive. The Dark Skies
system
scoring new a with Class Adventure
is also the final round of the RallyMoto Cup.
a 200km night stage. The rally is named the Dark
Centred around the wilderness of the enormous
a night stage, followed by another 200km stage
as one with long, 200km around each Saturday,
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39

“The Big One” Rallymoto
Adventure Camp
Sept 13th – 15th
Kielder Castle, Northumberland
Join us for an all new, special three-day event in
the heart of the Kielder Forest, where we will
celebrate all things adventure rallying and roadbook!
Discover the thrill of roadbook navigation and
give adventure rallying a go using Rallymoto’s very
own roadbook app – no experience required!
Multiple routes available to ride throughout the
incredible wilderness of Kielder Forest
Light off-road routes 100% suitable for big
bikes and adventure riders
Experience a real rally bivouac at the famous
Kielder Castle
Challenge yourself! Can you hit all of the
waypoints on all of the routes?
Dark Skies Rally 2024
October 26-27
Centred around the wilderness of the enormous
Kielder Forest, this event is like the Kielder 500 with
a 200km night stage. The rally is named the Dark
Skies Rally as it takes place in the ‘dark skies’ area
close to the Kielder Observatory. The night stage is
a real challenge, as it is very, very dark and the
night sky can be a fantastic spectacle.
The rally consists of two stages on the
Saturday, each around 200km long, with one as
a night stage, followed by another 200km stage
the next morning.
For 2024 the event will have a Rally and
Adventure Class with a new scoring system
making the rally more competitive. The Dark Skies
is also the final round of the RallyMoto Cup.
Ice Beaker Challenge 2025
2 December 2024 Entries Open
The New Year brings with it the opening of the Ice
Breaker Challenge, a tough and rewarding program
of nine roadbook routes to navigate in three
months. This year sees the biggest challenge for
riders as they will have to tough it out through the
winter weather and riding conditions.
There are the normal routes of Cotswolds,
Peaks, Salisbury, Essex and Welsh Borders
combined with a super Coast 2 Coast 2 Coast
challenge for the hardy riders. Some riders are
looking to complete the C2C2C route in one 24
hour period – true adventure rallying – keep an eye
on the league table and let’s see who can do it!
RallyMoto Cup 2024
UK Roadbook Rally Series
The UK’s only roadbook rally series over three
events, the Kielder 500, the Wales 500 and the
final round being the Dark Skies Rally. All riders
in Rally class are automatically signed up for the
RallyMoto Cup.
The points from each round are logged in a
league table and the rider with the least points
after all three rounds is crowned the winner of
the RallyMoto Cup. ■
39

BIG
The
ONE
Do you have a BIG sense of adventure, a BIG passion for roadbook,
and a BIG love of riding in BIG wilderness areas? If so, RallyMoto has some
BIG news for you! Happening 13-14-15 September 2024
This autumn, for the first time ever, RallyMoto
brings you THE BIG ONE. This great northern
Adventure Rally camp is a three-day
gathering to celebrate all things Adventure Rally
and roadbook, based in the heart of Kielder Forest
with its abundance of outstanding forestry tracks
at your fingertips.
With multiple roadbook routes available via the
RallyMoto digital app, and hire units available for an
easy ‘plug and play’ set up, complete beginners can
turn up and enjoy navigating through the Kielder
wilderness on routes designed specifically for big
Adventure bikes.
▲
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The Location
For three days, Kielder Castle will be transformed
into a real Rally Bivouac, with vendors, food and
drink stalls, and areas to chill out between rides.
The campsite is a short walk away from the main
action, which is all based in the heart of Kielder
Forest in Northumberland.
The Challenge
Test yourself by riding every route accurately and
hitting every waypoint on the course. Riders’ tracks
will be monitored from the Rally HQ and displayed
on a big screen, so you can watch riders from the
comfort of the bivouac.

The Vibe
Ride all day along a variety of roadbook routes and
then enjoy the bivouac atmosphere all evening with
live speakers and entertainment. There will be food
and beverages available on site, so you can share
your rally adventures with friends over a cold beer
and a hot dinner.
Entries will open soon, so register your interest
now via www.rallymoto.co.uk. That way you can be
the first to hear about early bird entries. ■
BIGONE
The
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