Table of contents for 18 February 2026 in MCN

TOP STORY Ducati have acted on their recent promise of fresh metal to mark their 100th birthday with this new Formula 73 retro twin, priced at £15,095. Limited to 873 units and available in dealerships from spring, it arrives just weeks after our exclusive interview with Ducati's UK Managing Director, Fabrizio Cazzoli who promised new bikes, and plenty of celebrations to mark the Bologna brand's centenary year. Anyone that knows Ducati's history will instantly recognise the Formula 73 as a tribute to the 750 Super Sport Desmo - the first production twin from the Italian brand to feature Desmodromic valve timing. Inspired by racing It was a road bike inspired by the one-two racing success of Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari in the 1972 200 Miglia di Imola in Italy…

‘The figures are a 16.1% increase on January 2025’ The UK motorcycle market is off to a positive start in 2026, with January figures showing a slight year-on-year improvement – though the market remains roughly one fifth down on recent highs. According to the latest Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) data, a total of 4878 new powered two-wheelers, consisting of motorcycles and mopeds, were registered in January 2026. That represents a 16.1% increase on January 2025's 4201 units, and a small but welcome step forward following a bruising 2025, which ended with the UK market down 19.3% at 93,922 registrations. Despite the uplift, January 2026 still marks the second slowest start to a year in the past five years. Only this time last year, which was heavily distorted by the previous…

A fundraiser and petition established in a bid to restore motorcycle access to Germany's iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife has passed 5300 signatures, with almost £1500 generated to fight the ban in court. The campaign aims to re-open the circuit to bikes during open Touristenfahrten sessions, following last year's decision to ban bikes from mixed traffic laps. Ralf Bollinger, the 30-year veteran of the Ring who started the campaign, argues that the wider ban breaches the principles of “non-discriminatory” access set out in so-called Nürburgring Law. Bollinger said: “Motorcycles and cars have shared the Nordschleife for decades. They sometimes get close, that's just the way it is.” The Change.org petition continues to grow alongside a GoFundMe campaign that aims to raise €10,000 (£8700) to fund a legal report and a formal challenge…

If you've ever wondered how to set the correct speed for every corner, or why group rides often seem slightly dicey, MCN has just launched a new series of videos that can help take your riding to the next level. Made in conjunction with the experts at Bikertek and Rapid Training, the videos are a perfect way to kick off your riding season, with each episode containing dozens of tips for experienced and novice riders alike. “The basics of great riding - superb vision, planning and machine control – are the same no matter how many years in the saddle you've had,” says Giles Lamb from Rapid Training, an ex-traffic cop who presents the series of videos. ‘Improve your safety… and enjoy it more’ “These videos let experienced riders brush…

‘Check those certificates’ News reached me earlier this year that heated gloves I have reported on in previous columns had finally been issued with certificates of conformity. The manufacturer had uploaded two documents to their website: a Declaration of Conformity (a statutory document they are required to share) for one style, and a copy of a certificate for a second style of heated glove. Both included certificate numbers. A third Declaration of Conformity also appeared for a textile jacket, claiming to meet EN 17092-4 ‘A’ classification, which sets the lowest performance requirements for abrasion resistance, tear strength, and seam strength. This document was deficient in several areas. It did not provide a certificate number, although it included details of the certification body and was without any evidence whatsoever that it…

This week, Bonhams is running an online spring sale, showcasing a compelling cross section of more than a century of motorcycle development. The spring sale brings together landmark machines, rare racing motorcycles, sought-after modern classics, projects, memorabilia and spares – and if you can make it down to our Milton Keynes motorcycle facility today (Wednesday, February 18) you can view the lots in person too (by appointment only). Highlights include a Gus Kuhn-supplied 1972 MV Agusta 750S, with 477 miles only, expected to make between £30,000-£50,000. We've also got a 1954/1960 Norton 350cc Manx ‘Outside-Flywheel’ racing motorcycle believed to be a Doug Hele (see p36) experimental machine, estimated to fetch £20,000-£30,000. Bidding closes sequentially at noon on Monday, February 23. So visit www.bonhams.com to view and bid. Best of luck.…

‘Next Pit Stop?’ GEORGE STEVENS Six of us headed out to the Classic Motor Hub on Saturday. It was a lovely day, a little cold but dry. ‘Still a winter staple’ DAVE LOUBSTER I ride 12 months of the year, just not in snow and ice of course. Here is my V-Strom at Loomies a couple of days ago. ‘Time for a good wash’ NEIL BULLOCK No, it's not been off-roading at all, but I've been riding through the winter months! ‘Big winter mileage’ MICK TUCKER 980 miles so far this year after a bad start, two rides left this week so I should smash the 1000 miles for the month, got to go a bit to beat last year though when I was just 11 miles short of 17,500.…

FIRST RIDE Indian's new £18,995 Chief Vintage, available in dealers now, is the latest model to join the American firm's 2026 Chief line-up. It shares the same chassis, air-cooled 1890cc pushrod Thunderstroke 116 V-twin engine, and modern TFT display as the rest of the range, but it's styled to emulate the original 1940s Indian Chief, complete with ‘valanced fenders’, footboards, a narrow rear wheel, and a single seat. It's a fitting way to celebrate Indian's 125th anniversary and their recent move to autonomy, having split from parent firm, Polaris. We're at the bike's European launch in Spain to find out if the Chief Vintage rides as well as it looks. 1 Old but gold Indian's air-cooled, pushrod, two-valve Thunderstroke 116 six-speed V-twin might be old-school, but it has a smooth, modern…

APRILIA DUCATI TRIUMPH…

It's almost impossible to overstate Doug Hele's importance to post-war motorcycling. The man was an engineering dynamo – for three decades he was either picking up others’ designs and making them world-class or creating extraordinary bikes from scratch. Think of almost any star Triumph of the 60s and 70s – either racer or production – and you'll find Hele's fingerprints all over it. Though most famous for Triumphs – including the T120 and all-conquering racing triples – Hele (pronounced ‘heel’) started out at Douglas, then moved to Norton where he helped develop world championship-winning Manxs. But even more importantly, he worked for engineer Bert Hopwood, who instantly recognised Hele's talent. When Hopwood left Norton for BSA, he persuaded Hele to join him. In hindsight, Hele's first BSA project set the…

MCN's website has expert opinion and buying advice on hundreds of used bikes, regularly updated and packed with insight. Here are three of the latest – visit motorcyclenews.com for dozens more. 2020-2022 SUZUKI V-STROM 1050 XT Owner's rating The XT is the (slightly…) more rugged V-Strom model and has a higher spec than the stock bike. Owners praise its ride quality but say it feels a bit basic when compared to its rivals. 2016-2019 HONDA AFRICA TWIN Owner's rating The standard model had a rocky start due to a few issues (rusty spokes) but it has sold well. Unsurprisingly, build quality lets it down a bit but the engine has impressed most owners. 2021-2024 KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S Owner's rating The R is the hardcore Super Adventure model but…

For a manufacturer with so much history, it's interesting how Ducati prefer to stay ultra modern even when creating retros. Bologna's latest release, the limited-edition Formula 73 created as part of the firm's centenary celebrations, pays tribute to the 750 Super Sport – Ducati's first V-twin with desmodromics. Yet the Formula 73's sharp lines put it firmly in the neo-retro camp, rather than it being a straight-up modern-day replica of a classic, in the way Kawasaki's highly convincing Z1 tribute, the Z900RS, is. Perhaps Ducati are still smarting (if you'll excuse the pun) from turning up to the retro party a decade too early. Cast your mind back to 2006 when the SportClassic range came along – with the highlight being the Paul Smart replica. Trouble was, despite their undoubted…

Ducati's latest retro has been built to honour the Super Sport 750 Desmo – the first road-going twin from the Bologna brand to feature their signature Desmodromic valve timing. The bike was first seen at the Milan Motorcycle Show in November 1973 and acted as a forerunner to what we know today as Ducati's modern superbike design. Traits included a raised exhaust for sufficient ground clearance at lean, and following on from the earlier racing success of Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari in 1972 that inspired the road bike, the 750 also won Franco Uncini an Italian championship in 1975, plus Cook Neilson the Daytona 200 crown in 1977. Uncini went on to become 500cc Grand Prix world champion with Suzuki in 1982.…

Valentino Rossi has celebrated a second successive podium in the Bathurst 12-Hour car endurance race at Australia's Mount Panorama. The nine-time Grand Prix world champion on two wheels had already finished on the Bathurst rostrum last year with second, meaning last weekend's third position makes him even more of a Bathurst fan. This year, the Italian was again piloting the number 46 BMW M4 GT3 Evo and it marks a positive start to a new three-year contract with BMW. Rossi is sharing the car with Raffaele Marciello and Augusto Farfus, Le Mans and touring car stars. It was a great start to the campaign for #46, running third at half distance and keeping it until the chequered flag. Earlier, the trio enjoyed leading after starting seventh. Others were badly affected…

Owners of Suzuki's big-selling GSX-8R middleweight can dial up the attitude with this GSX-R inspired sticker kit that's available now through official dealers. The bold design has been produced by GP Grafix and is available for £225 – plus additional fitting costs should you not feel confident enough to install the sticker kit at home. Finished in a traditional GSX-R blend of white and blues with a subtle strip of red across the bellypan, the design is reminiscent of the GSX-R1000R superbike, which re-joins the UK model line-up after an emissions-induced hiatus. The graphics stand out from the six-strong line of official Suzuki colour options, consisting of a mixture of blues, whites, grey, and black. A slightly more expensive ‘Kiiro’ version is also available finished in yellow and black, priced…

QJMotor have revealed the latest in their UK range expansion with the new SRK 921, which is set to land in UK dealerships from next month. Priced at £8699 (plus a £300 on-the-road charge), the new four-cylinder machine is pegged as the spiciest offering in the firm's line-up of sporty nakeds – above the existing SRK 800 and SRK 900. The 921, unsurprisingly, makes use of a 921cc inline-four that's good for a claimed 127.4bhp at 10,000rpm, alongside 68.6lb.ft of torque at 8000rpm - the same value as its faired SRK 921 RR sibling. Those numbers are enough to see off most other middleweight nakeds apart from pricey alternatives from the likes of MV Agusta. Power is fed via a six-speed gearbox, with an up/down quickshifter and slipper clutch to…

WHAT'S NEW IN TECH Motorcycle airbags may have been around for years but they've only recently gained mainstream popularity with road riders. Now, one of the biggest players have revealed their latest creation, and they say its their lightest, most comfortable, and most advanced self-inflated lifesaver to date. Engineered by Alpinestars, the new Tech-Air 5 Plasma brings more than two decades of development to the table, offering what the Italian brand say is ‘next level’ safety. Six-sensor system Priced at a not-insignificant £699.99 and available in XS-4XL, the Tech-Air 5 Plasma supersedes the old Tech-Air 5 in the range, offering changes to the sensing hardware, software updates, and a decent weight saving too. At the heart of the system lies a six-sensor set-up, consisting of tri-axial accelerometers and a tri-axial…

Send your bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com My dad Howard sitting on his Moto Guzzi Le Mans Mk 2, with a Crossbow fairing and aftermarket pipes. Paul Hynam Me 1973 aged 18 with my Ford Zodiac (straight six) and new Bonnie (PGU 114L – where are you now?). George Hatcher My 2020 Tiger 900 Rally Pro with all the electronics and comforts, and my 1996 ZZ-R1100 rocketship. Stephen Dalziel Me and my wife Sonya with our 2020 Indian Challenger. We love the bike. Tony Dunford Here is my 2005 Sportster Custom which still has only 1700 miles on the clock. Steve Clark CBR900RRW. Served me flawlessly on and off track for years. Lots of sensible upgrades. Miss that bike. Steve Suwali My nephew's Arai was as big as his body! Richard…

THE DETAILS Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-4pm, open late for bike nights Find out more: chequeredflagcafe.co.uk Plymouth Road (A38), Liskeard, Cornwall PL14 5GD Opened in 2015 by Rob and Karen Partington, the Chequered Flag Café on the A38 is a must-visit destination on your next Cornish adventure. Karen and Rob wanted to make Chequered Flag more than just a café, and that's exactly what they've done. Alongside the food, drink and friendly atmosphere, there's also a used-bike showroom and even a workshop next door which is open for all to use. “On the same night you can have all the scooter boys turn up, and the red chiefs from the Hells Angels - they all sit together, this is neutral ground,” says co-owner Rob. Previously an old surfing shop, The Chequered Flag…

FIRST RIDE No retro captures the spirit of 1970s UK street biking better than Kawasaki's Z900RS. Introduced in 2018, it took styling cues and colour schemes from the iconic Z1 to transform a thoroughly modern machine into something that you'd almost have to double take at a classic meet, such was the level of detail. The addition of the Öhlins and Brembo came in 2022 with the SE model, but since then, the spec sheet has remained almost entirely unchanged. But for 2026, the Z900RS SE has been treated to a series of technical upgrades, and whether driven by Euro 5+ emission standards or not, it's given Kawasaki the opportunity to tweak the sweet looking Zed's engine and treat it to some new electronics in the process. 1 Four-pot charmer…

@justingetsabout Mile-munching shed dweller with a definite penchant for the road less travelled. The long-expected email from Honda regarding a recall for oil consumption has finally dropped into my inbox, and even though I'm merely the custodian of the CB1000 Hornet SP, a year of living with the bike has given me the opportunity to put myself in the position of an owner and imagine how I might be feeling at this stage. If you're not familiar with the oil consumption issue associated with the Hornet, there have been reports floating around for months about the 1000cc inline four's excessive thirst for the black stuff and it became apparent that our machine was affected back in July - by which time it was getting through approximately 400ml of lubricant every…

Nicolo Bulega topped the timesheets as the World Superbike Phillip Island test got underway on Monday. Thankfully, transportation issues with tyres appeared to be nothing more than a storm in a teacup. Even the Aussie wildlife limited its appearances, with only one red flag due to birds on track. Conditions were breezy but hot – blessed relief after the Jerez and Portimao January washout – with the wind typically changing direction. All Ducati riders were somewhat cautious due to a shortage of spare parts for the new bike, while Bulega was fastest with 1:29.345: six tenths slower than this time last year. 1.29.345 Bulega was fastest with 1:29.345: that's six tenths slower than this time last year. “We got here last year with two or three days of testing done,…

Cast your mind back. It's November 2, 2008 and Ducati's Troy Bayliss has just won the final two races of the season at Portimao; clinching his third World Superbike crown in the process. The end-of-season party is massive, Bayliss likes a beer, especially given that it marks his retirement and brings the curtain down on one of the greatest Superbike careers in history. Two days later and WSBK bursts back into life as the first test for the 2009 season gets underway. Bayliss has gone, replaced by Noriyuki Haga on the Xerox Ducati but there are bigger changes afoot. Yamaha have an all-new R1, Aprilia are back with their stunning RSV4 but even bigger news that is that German manufacturing giant BMW have arrived and they are going all in.…

World Supersport could be fantastic with eight manufacturers doing battle! Tom Booth-Amos won in Australia last year to co-lead the championship. He continues with PTR Triumph. There's a second full-time Brit with Josh Whatley racing an Orelac Ducati alongside Jaume Masia. Also watch out for Kawasaki's Jeremy Alcoba, joined by former double World Champion Dominique Aegerter. QJ are no longer the only Chinese manufacturer… enter ZXMoto, run by the Evan Bros team with experienced riders Valentin Debise and Federico Caricasulo. ‘Booth-Amos won in Oz last year’ Keep an eye out Lucas Mahias, Roberto Garcia and Riccardo Rossi, while former Moto3 World Champion Alberto Arenas joins Aldi Mahendra on an AS Racing Yamaha. Perhaps the title favourite is Kenan Sofuoglu protégée Can Oncu, switching to Ten Kate Yamaha who won last…

TV star and shed dweller Henry Cole has confirmed dates for his third UK theatre tour, running from April to November 2026. The 19-date run stretches from Worcester to Eastbourne and includes a TT Week special at the Gaiety Theatre on the Isle of Man. Cole will again be joined on stage by Steve Parrish. Tickets are available direct from venues. Head to henrycole.tv for full details. New date for the Intermot show One of Europe's biggest motorcycle shows, Intermot, has been postponed until February 12-14, 2027. The move takes the Cologne event away from its usual December slot, avoiding clashes with EICMA and Motorcycle Live. Head of Motorcycles at Honda in Germany, Albert Erlacher, described the move as a “chance to bring the industry together to show what motorcycling…

This weekend will see a number of racing motorcycles from both the British Superbike and MotoGP paddocks go up for sale at Stoneleigh Park in Coventry. Bikes on offer include an Aprilia RS-GP 20 MotoGP bike owned by former factory rider, Aleix Espargaro, plus BSB machinery previously ridden by Troy Bayliss and John Reynolds. The sale is being run by Iconic Auctioneers, with viewing available from 9am on Friday, February 20. Bidding will begin from 11am on Sunday, February 22, with the lots forming part of a wider Race Retro show taking place at the venue. Unsurprisingly, it's the Aprilia MotoGP bike that is expected to fetch the biggest money, with a guide price of £300,000 to £400,000. It has come straight from Espargaro's private collection, having been given to…

Kawasaki are gearing up for a new Experience Tour, giving riders the chance to sample the Japanese brand's 2026 range across multiple dealerships between March and July. Kicking off at Phillip McCallen Motorcycles in Northern Ireland on March 28, the new model roadshow will then snake its way across the UK before ending at Kawasaki Chelmsford on July 11. Bikes available to sample include the new KLE500, ZX-10R, Z900RS, and Z1100, with test rides bookable via kawasakiexperiencetour.co.uk. Some models will be open to A2 licences, providing the entitlement has been held for over a year.…

Tickets are now available for this year's InSpire charity ride-in at Lincoln's International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC). The event, which first took place in 2018, will be held on Sunday, May 24 and celebrates 90 years since the creation of Bomber Command in 1936 – serving as the linchpin of strategy and organisation during the war. Like in previous years, there are planned ride-ins from the north and south that are free to take part in. The northern trip comes in from Barton-upon-Humber services, and from the south, there's a ride from Woody's Bar at Woodland Waters, in Ancaster. The action orchestrated by Bomber Command played an instrumental part in the eventual outcome of the war and will be celebrated at the IBCC between 10am and 4pm. Last year, over…

‘Cruisers producing in excess of 200bhp’ Bagger racing hits the world stage next month, as the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup kicks off alongside the MotoGP championship. Six rounds will run as a support class to the grand prix series, with riders competing on highly modified Road Glide cruisers producing in excess of 200bhp thanks to their beefed up Milwaukee-Eight 131R engines. Unlike the standard Road Glide, which starts at £27,745, uses a 1923cc Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin, and weighs a claimed 380kg ready to ride, the racing versions use a bespoke chassis, suspension, and electronics - raising the ground clearance and altering the geometry for bigger lean angles and eagerness to turn. The standard 19in front and 18in rear rim have been swapped for a set of 17s, with the power…

RST Tractech Evo D30 £329.99 This jacket has been around in some iteration or another for a long time. This newest generation features D30 shoulder and elbow armour and a redesigned hump. It has been made more ergonomic than its predecessors and comes in a cool, all-black colour, moving away slightly from RST's bolder design language of late. www.rst-moto.co.uk Givi Easy03 Tanklock tankbag £102.60 Designed for use with Givi's Tanklock fixing system, this bag can be affixed in two positions. It is 12 litres as standard but can be unzipped to a maximum of 16 litres. It has an outer pocket for easy access, a large main compartment and a slim inner pocket for documents and maps. It includes a rain cover. www.givi.co.uk Laser tools spanner to pry bar tool…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader Ian Speight The ride Hull to Switzerland How many miles? 2200 Tell us about the trip… We set off from Hull for a 10-day tour to Switzerland. I was riding my R1250GSA, and was joined by Dave A (K1600), Simon (1300GSA), John (K1600), Bev (KTM 890), Phil (Africa Twin), Daren (X-ADV750) and Dave T (Multistrada). After docking in Rotterdam, we headed to Cochem for two nights, then Baden Baden for a night, Interlarken for two nights, Colmar one night and a final night in Bastogne before heading to Holland for the ferry. We visited the Nürburgring, where John, Bev and Phil had a lap in a ‘Ring Taxi! Apparently it was fantastic and scary in equal measures! We also visited Spa where we somehow…

Oxford Products have just launched their new ‘Ravine’ boot – a bold new footwear option designed for riders who don't want to have to choose between serious riding protection and all-day walking comfort. Built to bridge the gap between high-spec riding boots and rugged outdoor footwear, the Ravine blends the toughness of a motorcycle boot with the versatility of a high-top trainer and the grip of a trail shoe. Engineered for real-world riding and everyday adventure, the Ravine features a durable ripstop and suede upper paired with a high-traction rubber sole built for all-terrain confidence. Ideal whether you're navigating wet city streets or exploring backroads on foot. Protection is at the core of the design. The Ravine is CE Certified Level 2/2/1/2 (EN 13634:2017), offering reinforced ankle, heel, and toe…

The problem with Triumph's twins at the time was that as their capacity went above 650cc, the vibrations became increasingly unpleasant. So, when Triumph needed a 750cc engine for the American market, Hele suggested building an inline triple with a 120-degree crankshaft to smooth things out and take the machines to the next level. The results were the T150T Trident and BSA Rocket 3 road bikes, plus some world-beating racers as well. In 1971, Hele's three-cylinder motor proved an incredible success, and took the top three places in the Daytona 200. On top of that feat, a Rocket 3 ridden by John Cooper famously beat Agostini and his GP bike at Mallory Park in the Race of the Year, and the triples dominated British superbike racing. The triples remained a…

Time for some Zing cleaning One month ON TEST Zing cleaning brush set £8.99 I'm not one for washing my bike, as my three years unwashed Royal Enfield Himalayan can attest. So I thought it high time I gave my bike some love. For under a tenner, this four-piece set is a champion choice. The bigger supersoft brush made easy work of larger surfaces without me worrying about scratching anything, and the angled scrubbing brush diligently flexed and manoeuvred to my every command when things got tight and fiddly. The rubberised handles are comfortable and grippy, belying the budget price. I might have liked a smaller, stiffer brush to attack stubborn spots, but have I mentioned the price? MCN rating www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk…

Adventure bikes are not only great tarmac-tourers, they also have the potential to allow riders to venture off the beaten track and head into slightly more challenging terrains. Obviously this side to their abilities isn't for everyone, but if you have the confidence even the largest of adventure bikes can motor their way through some seriously deep mud or up a rocky incline. Here are five great used adventure machines that are more than happy to roll up their sleeves and take you off on a trip to remember. YOUR EXPERT Jon Urry is MCN's used bike guru. He's ridden all of these bikes both on and off-road with varying degrees of competency. Either way, he knows a bargain when he sees one £3500-£8500 (2010-2021) Yamaha XT1200Z The Super Ténéré is…

YOUR EXPERT BOB TEAHAN Bob is Director of The Machine Shop, Hinckley – a workshop that operates like a gym and offers its members access to tools, workbenches, knowledge and help. Bob's been engineering, racing and welding for over 15 years, and he's as comfortable chasing records as he is teaching in The Machine Shop workshop. When he's not fabricating or racing, Bob's passion is passing on hard-won skills to the next generation of welders and riders. • www.the-machine-shop.co.uk Airway to heaven Clean and oil your bike's air filter the right way in ten simple steps 1 Prepare for tank removal Undo the bolts securing the fuel tank. This job is far easier with an empty or near-empty tank, that's because petrol adds significant weight to the process. Take your time…

Welcome to MCN's World Superbike season preview. Some are worried about WSBK this season, with Toprak Razgatlioglu having gone to MotoGP. That concern is understandable; the humble Turk had been in the WSBK paddock since 2014, developing as a rider and as a person on a remarkable journey that saw him dominate Superstock 600 before moving into the top category and ticking off the achievements one-by-one, culminating in his third world title. Only Valentino Rossi or Marc Marquez can match his charisma and confidence. Toprak is gone but motorsport has a funny way of throwing up drama just when you least expect it. The landscape is forever changing and the next surprise just around the corner. Is this a walk in the park for Nicolo Bulega? On paper, perhaps yes,…