British GQ - 04.2020

definitely do things differently. And I

love them for that. I just have to work

out how to get us there. Still, a decent

ride will help us build up an appetite.”

As regular readers of GQ will know,

the annual Car Awards isn’t just about

automobiles. In the past, the magazine

has celebrated planes, trucks, boats,

submarines and even a drone, but we

always feature a motorbike. Two serious

contenders this year were the BMW R

nineT Scrambler and the Indian Scout

Bobber, two very different rides but

with one thing in common: we fitted

them with MICHELIN tyres to help the

riding experience.

First, the BMW. Although it started

life as a concept, it entered production

in 2016 and quickly established itself as

a serious rival to the new breed of fash-

ionable, ultra-modern Scramblers along-

side versions by Triumph and Ducati. The

latest incarnation has only increased

its popularity among bikers who want

authentic looks alongside innovative

BMW R nineT

Scrambler

Engine

Flat Twin 1170cc,

110bhp

Performance

Top speed,

over 125mph

Price £11,060

Contact bmw.co.uk

Tyres MICHELIN

Anakee Wild

Indian Scout

Bobber

Engine

V-twin, 1133cc,

94bhp

Performance

Top speed, 120mph

Price £11,899

Contactindianmotorcyle.

co.uk

Tyres MICHELIN

Commander

Need

to

know

technology, especially the ones who

might actually take it off-road. Like 99

per cent of SUV drivers, most R nineT

riders won’t want to get dirty doing any-

thing dangerous, but as Ainsworth dis-

covered riding around Nottingham forest

this is a seriously capable bit of kit.

Especially when fitted with MICHELIN

Anakee Wild tyres from Michelin’s Trail

range. The innovative tread provides

excellent traction on- and off-road, and

easily handled the slippery forest trails.

The Indian Scout is a 21st century iter-

ation of the classic American “bobber”.

The earliest example of a “custom”

motorcycle, bob-jobs date back to the

late 1920s where bikes were stripped

back and the seats lowered in order

to save weight and personalise the

appearance. And Indian’s modern

version is a beauty.

Built around a powerful V-twin motor,

it is a big single seater with a build

quality that puts the likes of Harley-

Davidson and Moto Guzzi to shame. It’s

as heavy as it looks (255kg with a full

tank) and you will feel every bump, but

it is comfortable and can handle corners

far better than it should – like an elegant

sumo wrestler on a skateboard – and

that is hugely re-assuring. The handling

is helped out by the rigid, high-density

MICHELIN Commander tyres, which

are part of Michelin’s Cruiser range and

offer long-lasting performance without

compromising on grip.

Of course, Michelin’s reliability goes

beyond rubber. It extends to the strict

criteria its judges apply in their assess-

ment of the restaurants that appear in

its little red MICHELIN Guide. Every

place they visit is under the same scru-

tiny, regardless of where they are in

the world, and assessed on five key

criteria: product quality; preparation

and flavours, the chef’s personality as

expressed through their food; value

for money; and consistency over time.

This creates a universal rating system

and goes a long way to explaining

why the MICHELIN Guide is so objec-

tive and revered.

In the case of MICHELIN two-star

Restaurant Sat Bains, they are in no

doubt as to its merits: “The location

beneath a flyover might be a little incon-

gruous but don’t let that put you off, as

once at your table, the world outside will

be completely forgotten.”

A little later than planned and having

tested their motorbikes for at least an

hour longer than intended, the two Pauls

arrive at Sat’s restaurant to be warmly

welcomed by the man himself as the

noisy growl of the engines reverberate

around the courtyard.

“What kept you?” the chef asks, as

the slightly bedraggled bikers dismount.

“We were expecting you for lunch and

it’s nearly time for dinner service. Can I

just check what name is the reservation

under – Fonda or Hopper?”

GQ Car Awards 2020

The results of the British GQ Car Awards

2020, produced in association with

MICHELIN, featured in the March issue of

the magazine. To see all the winners, visit:

GQ.co.uk

Sat Bains, making

the magic happen

behind the pass

at his MICHELIN

two-star restaurant

GQ Partnership

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