Table of contents for 31st July 2019 in MCN

Harley-Davidson have announced further cuts in production after revealing a 6% fall in global sales. The US company have reduced the number of bikes they expect to ship this year to between 212,000 and 217,000 after previously planning to deliver between 217,000 and 222,000. Harley now hope their new electric Livewire (see page 12) and an all-new range of machines expected later this year – possibly including the adventure-styled Pan American (above) – can resuscitate their ailing fortunes.…

THIS WEEK WEDNESDAY 31TH Vic Bikers Pub Victoria Bikers Pub, Coalville, Leics Entry6pm-11pm Info01530-814718 or www.vicbikerspub.co.uk FRIDAY 2-4TH British Superbikes Thruxton, Hampshire. Entry Tickets start at £5. Children 12 & under go free Info www.britishsuperbike.com SATURDAY 3-4TH Llanbikefest The Llangollen Motorbike Show hosted by Steve Plater with special guest Ian Hutchinson, Royal International Pavillion, Llangollen, Denbighshire. Entry Prices start at £12 on the gate. Children 16 and under go free Info www.llanbikefest.co.uk SATURDAY 3RD Rufforth Autojumble Rufforth Park, Rufforth, Yorks Entry£2 Info 01904-738620 or www.rufforthautojumble.com SAT-SUN 3-4TH Donington Classic Motorcycle Festival Among Europe’s biggest biking festivals with bikes and racing from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s Donington Park, Castle Donington, Derbyshire. Entry£21 daily on gate (13-15s £13) Info01904-738620 or www.donington-park.co.uk YOUR HANDY EVENTSGUIDE Find more great things to do in…

None of us shut the garage door, jump on the bike and think: ‘There’s a big chance I’m going to crash today.’ That would be stupid. It would take all the fun out of riding. But, by the same measure, you’d have to be a complete idiot to assume that staying crash-free on two wheels is guaranteed, even if you’re not a ‘frequent flyer’. But during this latest bout of dizzying heatwaves and soaring temperatures you’d also be forgiven for thinking there are thousands of self-titled ‘immortals’ out there who reckon they have more chance of winning the lottery than taking an unplanned excursion through a hedge. I am, of course, referring to riding gear – or rather, the lack of it. I’ve seen everything from flip-flops on a Z1000…

There was an interesting thread on the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMC) Facebook page: someone had “come into a little money” and wanted to “invest” £15,000 in a couple of classic bikes. If you have to invest 15 grand, asking ‘some guys on the internet’ isn’t possibly the best start, but he was getting some sensible answers. The best was to leave all the established classics alone. They’ve already soared in value and prices are starting to plateau for some. Some sensible folk were advocating early FireBlades, Suzuki GSX-Rs and the like. “Anything two-stroke” was a wise call, although (again) the accepted bets like Suzuki and Kawasaki 750s and Yamaha 350LCs have also started to plateau a bit. I tend to look at what people are throwing money at and…

Almost twenty-two thousand pounds is a serious pile of cash. Given the most desirable element of the SE+ is still the glorious, warbling, fluttering, supercharged engine, you could go for the base H2 SX and get the same astounding dynamic for £5000 less. Festooning the blown sports-tourer with all the bells and whistles has created a bike with a unique medley of speed, quality, comfort and practicality. And, actually, if you can put £3k down on PCP then the SX SE+ is less than £2.50 a day more than a standard SX. In a world a flash motorcycles, they don’t get much flasher. Tech spec…

‘The adventure of a lifetime is on your doorstep’ Sorry to break the romance and mystique, but going off on an adventure can be a lot cheaper and easier than some people make out. It doesn’t require months of planning, a back-up crew in a Land Cruiser and more money than sense. I know because I did it. Earlier this year I took two weeks off work and experienced some of the best riding of my entire life, all for just over a grand. High road or low road The first bit about getting to Morocco on a budget is deciding how you’re going to get there. You can ride overland down through France and Spain, which feels like more of an adventure, but it’s not as cheap as you…

Ali Silcox Bleak, beautiful and historical – 60 miles From the bustle of Glasgow to the calm of Inverness, the A82 is a blend of flowing bends, loch-nudging twisties, mountains and moorland. My favourite section goes from Crianlarich to Tyndrum then Rannoch Moor. Go through Glencoe, skirt Loch Eil to Fort William and to the commandos’ training ground and memorial to the troops who trained there. THE ROUTE • Single Road • Historical • Bleak and beautiful Dean Havers Suffolk Stunner– 68 miles Strike north from Lowestoft on the A47, then take the B1074 to St Olaves on a twisty road. Quick left through to Harleston on the A143, then left on the B1116 to Yoxford. Left again, north on the A12, amble through the pretty villages before the final…

•Twelve new bikes •Thousands of real-world test miles •What works, what doesn’t and what fails •How to get the most out of your new bike •The best mods, parts and accessories tried, tested and reviewed •No punches pulled •See the whole fleet story so far online at motorcyclenews.com 2593 MILES Suzuki Katana 3712 MILES Indian FTR1200S 4501 MILES Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE 7713 MILES Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 2511 MILES BMW S1000RR Sport 3296 MILES Triumph Speed Twin 5472 MILES Yamaha Niken GT 2348 MILES Ducati Diavel S…

I LIKE • It’s very manageable for a new rider, I feel secure on it • It looks sporty and doesn’t really feel like a small bike • The full Akrapovic system. It was an extra £1000 for the package (which includes a tinted screen and tail cowl) I DON'T • Lack of grip from the OE Dunlop Sportmax tyres 7 Front suspension is a bit too hard and it is non-adjustable • It’s impossible to clean under the screen without removing it QUICK SPECS •649cc •67 bhp •193 kg •790mm seat height PRICE NEW £7649 VALUE NOW £6000…

The vast majority of advenutre bikes spend their entire lives on the hard stuff, but there’s a small-but-significant number of riders who have been inspired by McGregor and Boorman’s exploits to tackle more challenging terrain. So you need to keep your wits about you when buying used in case they have been, shall we say, enjoyed to their full potential in the wide blue yonder. In theory there’s nothing wrong with this as these bikes are designed for that purpose, as long as you accept that their riders will have certainly slipped off more than once. So be extra-vigilant of bikes with very tidy original bodywork and luggage for the mileage. Take a good hard look at the frame for scratch marks or bent mounting points, especially dings in the…

Motorcycle brake discs are hellishly expensive. If you need to replace a pair on your Yamaha MT-10, for example, it’s going to set you back over £300. So it’s tempting when you see two fronts being advertised online for half that price – they’re just one click away from being shipped over from China direct to your door. But it’s a lottery… while the quality of some components from China is improving, taking a chance on a bargain pair of rotors isn’t worth the risk. At best you’ll end up replacing them after a matter of a few hundred miles as the inferior metal warps under the heat and conditions they’re subjected to on UK roads, or they’ll rust and look unsightly at the first hint of rain. At worse…

Steve ‘Wilf’ Moore is the boss at Oxford Ducati Racing and knows how to set-up a race bike at his local track. With the rear wheel travelling 20mph faster than the front “It’s all about tyres and controlling power,” he says. “With no electronics, we can’t control slide with anything other than the rider’s throttle hand, or we take some power out of each gear. At Thruxton we generally don’t use full power except down the back straight as it’s very hard to find how much power they need and Tommy isn’t renowned for self-control! If you give him more power, he’ll use all of it and then destroy the tyre. The only time we use full power is in qualifying. Otherwise, if it’s dry, we’ll be working on tyre…

‘Rhonda the Honda’ has just taken pride of place in the Beaulieu National Motorcycle Museum. The humble Honda CRF250L carried record-breaking adventure rider Steph Jeavons 74,000 miles around the world over four years and is now part of the museum’s Motorcycle Story display. Jeavons and the bike went through 54 countries with very few issues. Still bearing its battle scars, ‘Rhonda’ joins a variety of other bikes that tell the story of motorcycles from the day they were invented to the present time. Tickets are £25 on the day or £20 in advance.…

‘It’s a mind-blowing place to ride around’ Trackday riders got their first taste of the newly-resurfaced Silverstone last week, with everyone from circuit regulars to former MotoGP stars praising the track’s incredible smoothness and grip. The circuit underwent a full resurfacing back in June, following the cancellation of last year’s British MotoGP when the track flooded due to heavy rainfall. As well as addressing drainage issues, the new surface is now of a higher specification and has also been laid to a much greater accuracy than previously, resulting in a smoothness that circuit bosses say will be unrivalled on the MotoGP calendar – once a few imperfections have been ironed out. MCN lined up in pitlane alongside Silverstone Managing Director Stuart Pringle as he got his first two-wheeled taste of…

Bikes and bits of every shape and size have been bought and sold over the last 30 years at Kempton Park Autojumble and this great book is a beautiful record of some of the best bargains. The book, by Mauro Carraro, showcases the bikes and projects offered for sale, as well as the people who frequent the sale. The bikes are in various states, some fully restored, others in need of serious care and attention and then there are the truly rare specimens. The paperback version costs £25 with a limited edition run of 200 hard back copies at £40 each. They are on sale at amazon.co.uk…

An off-duty officer who was stabbed in the leg while intervening in an attempted moped robbery has been given a prestigious award for his bravery. Detective Constable Joby Reeve was with his partner when he became aware of men on mopeds attacking another man and attempting to steal his moped. Despite losing a lot of blood, Reeve checked the victim for injuries before bandaging his own. John Apter, National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales said: “Detective Constable Reeve demonstrated outstanding courage putting the lives of others before his own.”…

Sound as a pound Harley have a huge sound room where they develop all their bikes’ acoustics. This is where the LiveWire’s soundtrack was born Wide awake: The LiveWire has a ‘pulse’ at a standstill to give it character and remind you it’s on so you don’t absentmindedly blip the throttle and launch it through a shop window Special treatment Energica use a similar noise-making technique in their electric bikes, but with straight cut gears. The Harley’s bevel shaping makes more noise Keeping it slim The motor runs in line with the frame, rather than across it like most electric bikes, which helps keep the LiveWire slim (but does add to the length) Tunable delivery You can set how motor releases its power, as well as tuning the amount of…

Road racing returned to Scarborough in sensational style last weekend as an estimated 15,000 fans descended on Oliver’s Mount for the Barry Sheene Classic. The atmosphere along the famous banking was charged with excitement throughout the day, fuelled by spectators eager to inhale the aroma of Castrol R and immerse themselves in the ear-splitting symphony of screaming two strokes and thundering superbikes. ‘We’ve had 12 months of really hard work’ Famous names in attendance read like a who’s who of road racing legends past and present – from John McGuinness, Dean Harrison and Lee Johnston to Jamie Whitham and Carl Fogarty to name but a few – all of whom took to the track for some thoroughly crowd-pleasing parade laps. Perhaps most significant among them was one of the sport’s…

Do you know a stunning biker café that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves? Head online to MCN’s #ride5000miles Facebook page and nominate your favourite nosh-pit, or drop your recommendation on an email to mcn.letters@ motorcyclenews.com. Entice us with pictures of floury bacon baps and sizzling big breakfasts, and we’ll consider it for inclusion in this year’s hunt. We’ll be visiting one café each week and as Autumn creeps into our bones, we’ll reveal the top ten best ranking cafés on tour, and open them up to a public vote to pick the 2019 winner of MCN’s Golden Sausage Award.…

Q What’s the best way to fund my claim? I have been looking into ways that legal claims are funded, but am a little confused. What is the difference between conditional fee agreements and contingency fee agreements? Gary Balfrey, email A When a solicitor acts for a client there needs to be a funding agreement between the solicitor and the client. Both the agreements you mention are no-win, no-fee agreements, meaning if the claim fails you pay nothing. Contingency fee agreements are based on a contingency being met; the contingency being winning the case whereupon a percentage of compensation is paid to the solicitor in costs. These agreements tend to be used in claims against the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority or the Motor Insurers Bureau where those bodies only pay…

‘…and I can’t fault it” MARK HUCKE Age 43 Height 6ft How long have you been riding? 26 years Current bike 2014 BMW R1200GS First bike 1972 Yamaha LS2 Dream bike I’d surrender my superbike virginity to an S1000RR! “My dad, a German, rode boxers in the ’50s and ’60s. Later he ran one of New Zealand’s first bike touring companies, with a fleet of BMWs. “My first ‘proper’ bike was an F700GS. That bike saw me through a very difficult time. “My first R1200GS, a used 2013 model, was rotten… the worst bike I’ve owned. Paint falling off, corrosion all over, baggy and rattly. But the 2014 R1200GS I replaced it with is brilliant – flawless. “I don’t like the off-road marketing guff BMW uses – it’s a quarter-ton…

‘For most, the BM is better’ Two years ago, KTM’s 1290 Super Adventure S stood head and shoulders above the R1200GS when it came to sheer performance. But that isn’t the case with the new 1250. In  fact, most of the time, it’s now the BMW that packs the bigger punch, with more torque and instant grunt than the KTM right through the range. On top of that, the BMW remains more comfortable, forgiving, flexible and practical – all traits that help a bike shine on the MCN250. If outright speed and thrills take ultimate priority for you, then the KTM remains the one to go for. But for most, the BMW is the better-balanced adventure bike.…

The bike I rode was my own KTM that started life as a 2008 690 Enduro. I bought it a few years back with just 600 miles on the clock. Since then I’ve converted it into a rally bike, with KTM Factory Rally parts from Kit690. The kit will fit any 690 from 2008 – 2018 (there’s a Husky 701 version too) and will turn a peppy enduro bike into pretty much the ultimate adventure machine. The result is a bike with good wind protection and a 350+ mile fuel range that weighs just 180kg. I’ve also fitted an air intake from the clever folks at Rottweiler, which keeps out the desert dust and helps boost power at the back wheel to a dizzying 64bhp. The key to trips like…

It would probably have made more sense to fit crash protection to the CBR before I took it to knee down school and my first trackday, but I kept it shiny side up both days so there’s no harm done. Although the CBR is essentially new for 2019, aftermaket parts and accessories are starting to become available and these engine bars (£175), fork bobbins (£40.99) and radiator guard (£69.98) from EvoTech Performance looked too good to pass up. The firm also make a tail tidy (£109.99) to get rid of the extended stock number plate hanger which improves the look of the rear end considerably. Squeeze them on I’d already fitted GB Racing engine covers, which I was able to squeeze on without having to remove the fairing (loosening the…

“That was a great day. I’ve learned so much more, and the school’s various drills have made me much more aware of how hard I can steer the bike – I now have more confidence in the front and leaving my turn-in later. My usual road riding is to not take a late turn-in; it’s to start drifting slightly first, and then start steering into the turn. And that means I have to slow down because I’m making more of an arc of the corner. And it also means when I reach the point I initiate the turn, I’m already drifting in and my visibility around the corner is reduced. The idea of picking a later turning point is different to what I’m used to; I’ve always countersteered, but putting…

1. RST Tractech Evo 2 jacket £199.98 It’s actually a men’s jacket as I struggle to find women’s gear that fits me. It’s quite thick leather and I like the retro look, plus it has a removable lining and a built-in back protector. 2. RST Tractech Evo R jeans £229.99 These are men’s jeans too, but in fact they fit really nicely. I like the armour in the trousers and I think they look quite stylish. The perforated vents work well to keep you cool on the move. 3. AGV K5-S Guy Martin replica helmet £299.99 I really love the paint scheme and hawkish shape. It’s not too noisy and is quite budget friendly. 4. Furygan FIT-R2 gloves £129.99 These have good palm protection and decent…

Aerosol brake cleaner As well as giving your calipers the once over, you’ll need a dedicated brake cleaner to remove the greasy anti-corrosion compound that’s applied to your new discs. New brake discs OE brake discs are expensive but they provide your best guarantee against premature warping or damage. Don’t be tempted to buy pattern parts from lesser-known brands online because you need full confidence in your stoppers. Torque wrench Given the critical job they have to perform, it’s vitally important than your caliper bolts and disc mounting bolts are torque up to the correct spec as per your workshop manual and for this task you will need a torque wrench. 3/8 sockets & ratchet Exactly what you need for loosening off spindle bolts, caliper bolts and other fasteners. You…

Dunlop’s Armoy performance not only thrilled his hordes of fans who thronged the hedgerows in support, it was reminiscent of similar brave rides by his late father, Robert and uncle Joey. His double win will also be a huge boost as he prepares to battle Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison at next week’s Ulster Grand Prix. The ‘Double H’ duo have claimed Dunlop’s ‘King of the Roads’ crown and will offer a much sterner test than the Armoy opposition. “I need a break, a week off to rest before the Ulster,” Dunlop said. “Then we will keep at it and see what happens.”…

The way Marquez is marching towards his sixth MotoGP title in seven years is marvellous to watch. But not even he could have expected Ducati to help him along the primrose path. Grands Prix racing resumes with a double-header this weekend in Brno before heading to the RedBull ring, and it’ll be the pretty much the last chance for anyone to do anything about ‘Marc the Merciless’ and the mighty RC213V. ‘Anyone’, to be more specific, meaning Ducati. Yamaha have already missed the 2019 boat. Suzuki got on just as the gangplank was being raised and are still trying to steady their ship. Aprilia and KTM, meanwhile, are in steerage. But Ducati have a particular problem entirely of their own making. Their two factory riders have started taking chunks out…

Three manufacturers with nothing to choose between them, Suzuka showed just how competitive it has become in recent years. Only 20 seconds separated the top trio after three hours, but they all got there in different ways. Honda and Kawasaki used two riders compared to Yamaha’s trio. Kawasaki were quicker than Yamaha in the pits. Honda, once again proved the most frugal with the Blade enjoying a two-lap fuel advantage. And Suzuki weren’t far away either, having led the race during the opening hour to show that, with the right riders, they have potential to challenge their Japanese peers in the future.…

At just 24, an intrepid female FireBlade traveller and #ride5000miles member has just set off on her latest adventure – around-the-world! Roksana Kielkowska, who’s Polish but based in Glasgow, is expecting to cover up to 80,000 miles in 10-months on her 1999 Honda CBR900RR. But as a veteran of numerous solo long distance trips the software development worker is no stranger to big miles. From Scotland she plans to ride across Europe and Asia, then head towards Australia and New Zealand before shipping the bike to South America and heading north. “I’ve done quite a few trips around Europe over the past three years and I have visited most European countries already,” Roxy told MCN. “But it has always been for either a week or two at a time, as…

Geoff Fitchett, Shropshire Geoff has done countless trackdays and has ridden Silverstone 10 times previously. “For trackdays, I thought the old surface was fine – but then again I’m not pushing the absolute limit. However this new surface is unbelievably smooth – it’s a very weird sensation as your kneeslider goes down because there’s no lumps or bumps being transmitted through your knee. It’s as smooth as a kitchen floor – albeit a very grippy kitchen floor!”…

A new trailer for Top Gun: Maverick features a pair of Kawasaki Ninjas from either end of the 34 years since the original film was released. Tom Cruise’s character can be seen pulling the cover off a Kawasaki GPz900R (called a Ninja in other markets) just like the one he rode over three decades ago, before a second shot shows him riding the current supercharged Ninja H2, confirming the bike’s inclusion in the film. Top Gun: Maverick is set to arrive in cinemas in summer 2020.…

SAVE30% Resurgence Gear Denim riding shirt, £157.50 Casual-style denim shirt, reinforced at the front with abrasion-resistant PEKEV with space at shoulders, elbows and back for optional extra armour. Sizes M-3XL. www.motocorsa.co.uk SAVE£65 ONeal Rider MX boots, £59.99 Perfectly priced for riders who fancy a bit of trail riding every now and then, these MX boots are well armoured with cushioned support for extra protection and comfort. Only available in white/red, in sizes 7-13. www.mandp.co.uk SAVE£200 RichaFrancorchamps one-piece suit, £499 This fully CE-approved suit packs all the protection you need for summer trackdays. Made from 1.3mm thick full-grain cowhide, it also boasts soft armour from British protection firm D30 and is available in a choice of colours, in sizes 50-60. www.megamotorcyclestore.co.uk SAVE£45 DXR Skybolt CE leather jacket, £169.99 Sports-cut jacket made…

Reader Darren Wigington The Ride Essex to the Lizard in Cornwall When to do it April to October but avoid late July and August when it is really busy Miles 1050 on my 2018 BMW GS Adventure Time required Seven days (you could do it in four but it depends how much sightseeing you want to do) Don't miss this “A39 Atlantic Highway from Land's End, run it west to east so you are on the sea side for the best views.” PORTLAND Portland Bill has free bike parking at the lighthouse, a café selling ice creams and there are great views. HAYNES MUSEUM The manuals people have a brilliant museum packed with all manner of petrolhead treats. CAMPING If Carlsberg did campsites they'd be like Henry's at the Lizard.…

No MCN Adventure Special would be complete without a hefty nod to the bike that turned British riders on to a whole new world. From the instant BMW’s big GS landed in 1200 form in 2004 it was an over-achiever, sneaking into top-10 sales charts when they were dominated by superbikes, and fuelling the single biggest shift in motorcyclists’ tastes over the following 15 years. From single-cam to twin-cam, from air-cooled to water-cooled and now from 1200 to 1250, the big GS has always managed to keep pace with the phenomenal explosion in the adventure world. And for 2019, its latest evolution is the R1250GS. Its 1254cc boxer twin boasts significantly more power and torque than the previous 1170cc motor. It’s cleaner, smoother and more fuel-efficient, too, in part thanks…

Ewan and Charley rode identical BMW R1150GS Adventures, lent to them by BMW UK. Ewan’s bike was sold for £87,000 in 2004 to Kim Keller in a Unicef charity auction while BMW UK still own Charley’s bike. BMW actually told Charley and Ewan: “We don’t know if you will make it, but the bikes will!” They were right… • Subframe“The only thing that broke on the bike was the subframe, which was down to us over-loading it! We weren’t meant to exceed 20kg but you could barely lift each pannier! In the middle of Mongolia we fixed one with two tyre levers and loads of cable ties made into a splint!” • Seat“I eventually used a towel on the seat as when you are sitting on plastic it makes your…

With a mix of fast flowing bends, tight twisties, pretty villages and stunning scenery, this is a route that has it all. It’s a firm favourite for BMW S1000XR rider, Clive and is his regular jaunt, when he fancies extending his daily commute for a few fun miles. “The B1223 between Ulleskelf and Cawood, along with the B1217, is a great stretch which allows you to get some wear out of more than just the centre strip of your tyres. This run allows me to squeeze some fun in a couple hours on weekends or evenings where a full day zig-zagging the country is not an option due to the necessities of domestic servitude.” GET INVOLVED AND RIDE MORE IN 2019 SIGN UP ONLINE NOW /groups/ride5000miles…

When a scooter came in for an MoT at Doncaster Motorcycles, it failed because of an intermittent high-beam. Spannerman Kev ‘Dr Tepi’ Hollingsworth’s first port of call was the switchgear where he discovered the cause pretty quickly – a ball of Blu Tack used as a quick fix. “The owner had run it for a few years and genuinely seemed to know nothing about it. Needless to say I soldered it back where it belonged and Robert’s your father’s brother. I didn’t charge him,” said Tepi. He also faced another switchgear conundrum when a mildly modified Honda CB900F Hornet came in sporting a set of flat Renthal bars. “It also came with its own ghost. It would randomly start and stop without warning or a key in sight. Apart from…

Ducati star Alvaro Bautista stunned the World Superbike paddock last week when the 14-time WSB race winner and former runaway series leader revealed he has been approached by HRC for a potential ride next year. At the same time, speaking to Spanish radio station Onda Cero, the former MotoGP star also said he is yet to accept a fresh two-year Ducati deal that is already on the table. ‘They talked about their 2020 Superbike plans’ “I never expected this opportunity with Honda, to be honest,” the 34-year-old explained. “Honda want to fight for the title in what is an ambitious and competitive project with a new bike. They approached me and talked about the 2020 Superbike project and their plans for it.” MCN understands Bautista was offered his new Ducati…

The BSB circus rolls into the Thruxton this weekend for a warp-speed dose of racing. Not only is the Hampshire circuit the fastest on the calendar with riders averaging 110mph, it’s utterly unique. Here’s why: First, us mere mortals can’t ride there (unlike other BSB circuits) as trackdays stopped years ago and even club racing is minimal, so there’s an element of intrigue. ‘Probably the ballsiest turn in UK racing’ Second, Thruxton’s surface is more like the M25 than a race track, is highly abrasive (almost like ShellGrip) and can cause serious road rash – although its wet lap times are far closer to dry times than any other circuit thanks to the grip. Then there’s the guarantee of close racing, slipstreaming, copious amounts of drifting, the fact spectators only…

Total race time 7h 55m 36.613s No. of laps 216 Best lap 2’06.805s Total miles 779.54 Fuel strategy – No. of laps between stops Honda 29 laps, Yamaha 28 laps, Kawasaki 27 laps Total time in pits Honda 4m58s, Kawasaki 5m09s, Yamaha 5m33s Longest time on bike Takumi Takahashi 137 laps (5 hours, 494.43miles) Weight loss per stint 2.5kg Time in cooling pool Typically 10 mins Fluids Hydration drinks with high salt concentration are used so that volume is kept to a minimum to avoid risk of over-hydration…