Steve Rose
BikeSocial Publisher
BikeSocial Publisher since January 2017. Riding for 42 years, writing about motorcycles professionally for 30 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 50 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
- Kawasaki
Kawasaki Versys 1100 (2025) - Review
Bigger engine and substantial power increase for the 2025 model
By Steve Rose09/09/2025 - Kawasaki
Kawasaki Versys 650 (2025) - Review
£8075 | 66bhp | 219kg | Comfy, reliable adventure-styled tourer you can use every day
By Steve Rose05/08/2025 - Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson Street Glide Ultra (2025) - Review
Harley’s 1923cc tourer gets a pillion seat, top box and plenty of useful tech.
By Steve Rose01/07/2025 - Yamaha
Yamaha MT-07 (2025) – Review
Major update for Yamaha’s class-leading MT-07 includes new chassis, more tech, less weight
By Steve Rose19/06/2025 - 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
Motorcycling Matters: Get Involved in the Election and Protect Biking
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
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