Table of contents for 17 February 2021 in MCN

The Ferrari that multiple motorcycle speed record holder Don Vesco used to ‘commute’ in is up for auction. The 1977 Ferrari 308 GTB – the first V8 road car styled by Pininfarina – belonged to Vesco at a time when he regularly drove to the Bonneville salt flats where he set 18 speed records. The 308 could fetch £83,000 when it appears in Bonhams Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris on March 3. Might be hard to justify your ‘new commuter’ to the other half though. Live at the museum The National Motorcycle Museum’s Live open day will return this October. This will be the 7th running of the free event, which sees the museum fling its doors open for a host of activities. As well as the collection,…

An early day motion raising the issue of no CBTs for key workers has been submitted for debate in he House of Commons. The motion was raised by Independent MP Jonathan Edwards to highlight the issue that key workers could find heir CBT expiring, robbing them of either a way to get to work or a means with which to conduct their work. The motion suggests that the Government provide an extension to current certificates, while acknowledging that any road safety concerns should be offset by the fact that expiring certificate holders will have at least two years of riding experience. If the Government does not wish to extend certificates, Edwards suggests that instead free resits should be offered. The MP put forward the motion to point out that not…

SENIOR WRITER If you’ve ever lusted after a homologation special, or dreamed of owning a tidy two-stroke, time could be running out – with sellers of rare and collectable machines noting an increased appetite during the Covid-19 pandemic. With a series of lockdowns limiting some people’s expenditure and driving others into trawling the classifieds as a source of housebound entertainment, riders who once lusted after OW-01s, RC30s, RGVs, TZRs and more are now taking the plunge – seeing bikes of this era as a worthy investment opportunity. “A lot of guys sitting at home, getting paid with nothing to spend their money on and an awful lot of time to look at a computer definitely fuels the buying,” says Ciarán Perrin, who runs Extreme Trading and sells bikes of this…

Triumph have dropped a teaser video for the 2021 versions of the entire Bonneville model family. The clip doesn’t give away much, but it looks like we will get updated versions of the Street Twin, Speed Twin, Bonneville T100, Bonneville T120, Bobber and Speedmaster on February 23. A shot of what appears to be the Bobber features cruise control switchgear. See it on Triumph’s YouTube channel. Scootiful tour The Piaggio Museum in Pontedera has reopened after a period of forced closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic and you can now sign up for a virtual tour of the exhibits from the comfort of your living room for free. Bikes on display include racers from the likes of Rossi, Biaggi and Simoncelli and the 125 Vespa from film Roman Holiday. Details…

Spada Ladies Hydra waterproof textile jacket £79.99 Brilliant gear for women riders We’ve rounded up a special selection of kit this week, with all the on show aimed at female riders. And there are some cracking deals to be had. We’ve found this bargain-priced jacket on sale from internet shopping giant, SportsBikeShop, and it’s a steal at under £80. Made from hardwearing Cordura, it comes with CE-approved protectors at the elbow, shoulder and back. There’s a removable thermal lining, which makes it ideal for year-round riding, and it’s claimed waterproof. Adjustment at the waist should ensure a snug fit and there’s a short connecting zip, to match it up with co-ordinating trousers. The jacket comes in black or blue and both have reflective detailing to provide high visibility on night…

Thought the Kawasaki Ninja H2-powered Tesi H2 was the only funny- ront-ended new Bimota currently on sale? Think again. Three new Ducati-powered Bimota Tesi 3D Naked Edizione Finales have gone on sale at a Norwich used bike dealership at £31,995 a piece. Part of a special run of just 45 striking machines, complete with unconventional hub-steering, hey were acquired by Start It Up Motorcycle & Performance late last year and have just gone on sale. The Tesi 3D name has been around for over a decade – with MCN grabbing the first ride on one outside the factory back in 2007. These special versions are powered by a thumping 1078cc Ducati V-twin and finished in licks of glossy Bimota red and white. As you’d expect, there’s lashings of carbon, adjustable…

CHRIS WALKER Every week we give a different rider a wodge of fictional cash and ask them to ‘buy’ the bike that sets their soul on fire. This is Stalker’s pick... After taking to two-wheels on an Italjet 50 at the age of three, Chris Walker has always been surrounded by bikes. A lifelong motocross fan, the former BSB championship runner-up, 250 and 500GP rider, WSB race winner and sidecar racer now runs his own Kawasaki and Indian dealership in Grantham. So, armed with a budget of £5500, what would he buy? “I’d be very tempted by a few, but I’d probably go down the modern classic route as that might even earn me a few quid,” says Chris. “The ZX-7R is tremendous value and I love the ZRX1100 or…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews Inspirational women Further to Simon Greaves’ letter (MCN, February 10) about Elspeth Beard’s book, I heartily recommend Home by Seven by Steph Jeavons. What an inspirational read! After overcoming personal demons in her earlier life she followed her dreams and rode a 250 Honda solo around the world, on all seven continents. It’s a book you can hardly put down. Pat Sturman, Devon Just a scare story? I was interested to read that the elements and UV light will weaken a crash helmet over time. I own a carbon fibre lid and I would be very surprised if the shell would weaken as suggested. Aircraft have many external parts, such as the wings, made from carbon fibre and they are designed to last for 30 years…

MCN CONTRIBUTOR £16,999 Suzuki GSX-R1000R M1 • 999.8cc 16v inline four • 186.58bhp/82.95lb.ft • £166.17 per month PCP £1500-£4000 Suzuki GSX-R1000 K1 • 988cc 16v inline four • 143.1bhp/76.2lb.ft • PCP N/A Most machines that reach the 20-year milestone look and feel like creatures from another time when compared to showroom-fresh descendants. That’s not to knock them, but the incremental advances in technology accumulate to a significant difference. Even an early R1 – hardly a lazy old bus, now feels a touch less lairy than our recollections might suggest next to the 60bhp more powerful, no heavier current model. But not the K1, to my surprise. Suzuki’s speciality has always been big cube sportsbikes. The GS, GSX and GSX-R dynasties have all been at their best with the bigger motors dishing…

YAMAHA TD1C In 1970 Charlie went to his first Manx with a Yamaha TD1C from his local dealer Dugdales Motors. He was fastest newcomer and came fifth in the race. HONDA 125 Charlie raced the Honda 125 Championship in 1977, winning the opening round at Oulton Park against star-studded opposition. YAMAHA TZ350 The machine Charlie won his last TT on in 1980. He used the Yamaha TZ350 successfully in GP classes too (winning at the Isle of Man in 1975). HONDA RCB This is Charlie on his way to victory in the Barcelona 24-hour race in 1976. He also won world endurance races at Spa, the Nürburgring and Britain’s very own Brands Hatch.…

ADAM WHEELER GUEST TESTER The 1290 Super Adventure S packs a thrilling heart – thanks to its Super Duke-derived LC8 V-twin firepower – and playful versatility deep in its soul. The standard model is competitively priced at a pound shy of £15,000 but many true adventurers will be tempted by the huge choice of impressive add-ons, such as the Quickshifter+, although these tempting goodies obviously start to push up the price. KTM have taken a significant stride in this competitive section of the market and will certainly give the Ducati Multistrada V4 and the omnipresent BMW R1250 GS a run for their (not inconsiderable) money. And while the KTM itself is hardly cheap, it does come with a lot of power, poise and gizmos as standard; not least the radar-enabled…

R5K READERS' SGX 50 Litre Direct Drive Air Compressor £119.99 About six months ago my old compressor died, so I bought this one. It may not be huge but it makes jobs a lot easier. Steve Slater, Chepstow Facom T Handle Hex Key Set £68.95 They make access easy and the long handle applies lots of torque for seized bolts or budging thread lock. Lee Harrison, Manchester Display 4 Top Variable Speed Dryer £47.99 Dries the bike perfectly. The pet-branded ones are cheaper too! Richard Bentham, Bristol Tecmate Optimate 4 £69.99 I bought this to replace my original Optimate. Nifty piece of kit. Nigel Maplethorpe, Grantham ABBA Superbike Stand & Motoglide £102.95 & £109.90 The Motoglide makes the world of difference for moving the bike around. Rob Bellingham, Redditch REVIEW…

Many of us have our bikes locked away in the garage hooked up to a battery conditioner for winter so when the weather is suitable, the bike will start on the button immediately. Plenty of owners as part of their winter storage routine will start their bike/s once every couple of weeks. This is fine and not necessarily a bad thing to do, in fact you could say in these times it’s a positive thing to do for your mental wellbeing. I’m not a psychologist, so won’t try and explain why starting your bike up makes you feel better, but it does and if it raises a smile then crack on. The only word of caution is that you need to warm the bike up properly, starting it up for…

Ryan Vickers will race for Lee Hardy Racing in RAF Regular & Reserve colours for the third consecutive season in BSB. Vickers joined the team in 2019 after clinching the 2018 Junior Superstock title and enjoyed a best result of fifth last season - his best BSB result to date. Race winner Lewis Rollo will also join the team to compete Pirelli National Superstock 1000 championship. Brit-heavy WSB British riders are the predominant nationality on the 24-strong 2021 WSB grid. The six Brits, who are all race winners, are Jonathan Rea, Scott Redding, Tom Sykes, Alex Lowes, Chaz Davies and Leon Haslam. In World Supersport, Danny Webb is the lone Brit while there are two British riders in the SSP300 category: Tom Booth Amos and Indy Offer.…

WELCOME Jon Urry, MCN’s PCP guru The way we buy new bikes has changed dramatically over recent years, with PCP fast becoming one of the most popular ways to get that new metal into your garage. The overall outlay is less with PCP; as long as you don’t pay the final balloon figure (which means you never actually own the bike). Equally, if you want to change machine during the contract period, or even swap brands during the process, that’s pretty easy, too. This flexibility and lower monthly outlay make PCP about as close to a win-win situation as you’re likely to get. It means that you can ride these new bikes for less than you might have imagined. And what’s more, you can have another new one in three…

Triumph Thruxton RS £13,000 | 1200cc | 197kg (dry) | 103bhp | 810mm The Thruxton RS is a Triumph Thruxton on steroids and as well as further enhancing the modern café racer’s styling, the RS version ups the performance as well as the handling abilities. It is a worthy homage to the legendary Triumph Thruxton name that has inspired riders for generations. Taking the Thruxton model as a base, the RS is powered by an enhanced version of the HP (High Power) parallel twin engine. Within the motor, which is the most powerful Thruxton lump to date, are high compression pistons, revised ports and cam profile as well as low inertia components to ensure that as well as 8bhp more, it feels far sprightlier and quicker-revving to ride. And not…

1 Who does it work best for? Riders who want to change their new bike every two or three years, want low monthly repayments and aren’t bothered about owning the bike outright. 2 Who is it not suited to? Riders who want to keep their bike until it wears out and those who want to own their motorcycle. 3 Are there mileage limits? Yes, usually around 5000 per year, though these are often adjustable up to 24,000 miles. If you go over the agreed mileage you might incur additional charges. 4 Can I ride it like I stole it? Yes, provided you maintain it like you own it. Usual wear and tear is allowed, but nothing that could constitute abuse or neglect. We have heard no tales of dealers being…

Love the idea or hate it, electric motorcycles are not only the future, they’re right here, right now. US firm Zero Motorcycles have been at the forefront since the beginning. They made their first road bikes in 2009 and are frequently compared to their Californian neighbours Tesla. And while the idea of riding an electric motorcycle fills some with horror, for others it’s something they can’t wait to try. Zero know that making the change to electric takes a big commitment for riders so ‘try before you buy’ is very much the company’s policy. Take the plunge Zero have ensured all their dealers have at least two demo bikes for customers to try out in recent years, and this summer the company plan to introduce an ‘Experience Electric’ tour to…

Love the idea or hate it, electric motorcycles are not only the future, they’re right here, right now. US firm Zero Motorcycles have been at the forefront since the beginning. They made their first road bikes in 2009 and are frequently compared to their Californian neighbours Tesla. And while the idea of riding an electric motorcycle fills some with horror, for others it’s something they can’t wait to try. Zero know that making the change to electric takes a big commitment for riders so ‘try before you buy’ is very much the company’s policy. Take the plunge Zero have ensured all their dealers have at least two demo bikes for customers to try out in recent years, and this summer the company plan to introduce an ‘Experience Electric’ tour to…

Triumph’s 1050cc motor finally delivered what their signature triples had always promised… grunty low down, surging midrange and exciting up top… at last had the torque of a twin and the rush of an inline four. It’s at its most enjoyable in the Speed Triple, the original super-naked and Triumph’s defining model. Butch and imposing yet flexible and usable, every ride on a Speed Trip’ is laden with two-wheel sensations. Five grand gets the updated (lighter, more powerful, easier to ride) ‘Dame Edna’ model from 2011. Triumph had got their arse in gear by 2011, and finish and quality is better than on earlier bikes (2005-on Speeds can suffer saggy suspenders and a bit of oil use). Make sure the suspension linkages have been stripped and regreased in line with…

I was stood on the huge banking overlooking Craner Curves back in 2008 when Scott Redding took that historic Grand Prix win aged just 15. I remember immediately getting far too excited about this ‘new Barry Sheene’ who was going to take Britain back to bike racing world domination – and by the time I’d walked back through the tunnel I’d already mapped out his whole glorious career. It’s fair to say history has proved that I got a few of the important details wrong, but that’s not to undermine what he has delivered for British race fans. His time in Moto2 gave us some epic highs – especially in 2013 – and he delivered plenty of flashes of brilliance in his time in MotoGP, too. The shift to BSB…

Ex-motorcross pro Carey Hart has customised the new Indian Chief to stunning effect, turning it from a mild-mannered cruiser into a wildeyed West Coast brawler. Although it looks far from a stock machine, the engine and frame are untouched, which demonstrates the ease of customisation of the new platform. Hart’s focus was on performance as well as style. Gone is the retro looking suspension, replaced with jacked-up Fox piggyback shocks as well as GP Suspension forks lengthened with Altered Industry extenders, which should give it a bit of extra ground clearance for carving up the twisties while exaggerating the laid-back stance. The standard brakes are replaced with Beringer calipers and master cylinders which clamp down on the Galfer discs. The bike now rolls on a set of custom San Diego…

CRC Fairings track bodywork set £569.99 Designed to suit the 2019 BMW S1000RR, these CRC track fairings are made using a fibre resin/polymer compound to make them strong but light. This set includes nose fairing, left and right side panels, belly pan, and seat unit – including the seat pad. All pieces come pre-drilled with Dzus fasteners included and are finished in black gel coat. www.reactiveparts.com Ultimateaddons Tough Case for iPhone 12 £36.99 Ultimateaddon’s Tough Case not only provides IPX5 waterproofing (enough to withstand prolonged low-pressure water spray) and shock proofing, it also allows for full functionality of the phone too. The design means that you can still operate the touchscreen. Combined with one of Ultimateaddons’ mounts, it will keep you connected on the move. www.ultimateaddons.com Pro Series Paragon 6…

THURSDAY February 18 6pm, ITV4, The Motorbike Show with Henry Cole FRIDAY February 19 12pm, BTS2, MotoGP 2020 Season Review MONDAY February 22 9pm, EUR2, Dakar Rally 2021 Review TUESDAY February 23 4pm, DST, Rise of the Machines: Superbike KEYTO CHANNELS: DRT – DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC – DISCOVERY CHANNEL DHD – DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD EXS – EXTREME SPORTS CHANNEL EUR1 (2, HD) – EUROSPORT 1 (2, HD) MOT – MOTORSPORT.TV CH4 – CHANNEL 4 CH5 – CHANNEL FIVE BBC BBCI-BBC INTERACTIVE ESPN- ESPN CLASSIC CHANNEL ITVDST- DISCOVERY TURBO SHED- DISCOVERY SHED INST- INSIGHT SS1 (2, 3 OR X) – SKY SPORTS 1 (2, 3 OR EXTRA) QUEST BTS1 – BT SPORT 1 BTS2 – BT SPORT 2TVL- TRAVEL UK…

With motorcycle and scooter sales booming in Europe, Piaggio are steaming ahead as people turn to two-wheelers in a bid to travel safely as Covid forces travel restrictions. There were 1,455,000 motorcycles and scooters registered in Europe during 2020, of which 207,000 were made by the Piaggio Group, an increase of 6% on 2019. Key machines were the firm’s Vespa scooters, the Moto Guzzi V85TT and the growth of the Aprilia as new models sparked huge interest. The company announced 11 new models for 2021 across their various portfolios (five scooters and six motorcycles) including the eagerly awaited new Moto Guzzi V7, the Aprilia Tuono 660 and the new Beverly scooter. A new Piaggio electric scooter will arrive on the market in June. The company are also ramping up efforts…

It’s been good to see all the MotoGP team launches but it’s all a bit different this year thanks to the development freeze on engines and aeros... but for me it has to be a good thing because the racing was so close last year. Why try to fix something that isn’t broken? When you’re in your armchair on a Sunday afternoon all you really want is good racing. There’s also a lot of people out there who don’t understand gearbox ratios and electronics strategies. They may be a Marquez fan so want Marquez to win, or a Rossi fan that wants him to win. Simple as that. ‘None of the new generation of riders will care about the freeze’ Tech isn’t always the be all and end all. Take…

MCN CONTRIBUTOR Suzuki’s current GSX-R1000R is undoubtedly a good bike, but it’s no Longer what you’d consider a great bike. The technology hasn’t moved with the times quite enough in the Last decade, especially compared to the latest BMW, Ducati, Aprilia and Japanese inline fours. It’s high time it got a big update. The new Hayabusa shows Suzuki have the tech at hand and it’s time the GSX-R felt the benefits, too. That said, it still has that unique GSX-R character and something that says ‘let’s go do bad things’ from the moment you touch the throttle. It’s a partner in crime and your bad-influence friend convincing you that yes, that second-to-fourth gear wheelie is the right response to a clear stretch of tarmac ahead. The original GSX-R1000 may be…

JEFF HARRIS I did the Bronze course and at the end of the two days I left there a better rider – no question and what I mean by that is that I was more confident, more stable and more technical. Mark and his instructors are very observant and see when you’re doing well or not so well. There were times in our group where a rider would be struggling and they would be taken to one side to go over it again and get them back up to speed, which is fantastic – no one was left behind. It’s rare that you get such good riders that are also such good instructors, but that’s what they have achieved and over the two-day course they give you massive confidence in…

‘Write-offs may not be all that bad’ Most of us spend happy hours trawling classifieds, dreaming about what else will fit in the shed. So you’ll have seen bikes tagged as ‘Cat S’ and ‘Cat N’. These are bikes that have been damaged and the insurer has decided that they’re beyond economical repair. Yes, write-offs. But don’t immediately run a mile. These bikes can legally be repaired by a new owner, MoT’d and safely put back on the road. Category S (previously Cat C) means ‘structurally damaged but repairable’, and is for damage to the frame or running gear. Category N (previously Cat D) means ‘not structurally damaged but repairable’, and refers to stuff like body panels, controls or brake discs. Both categories are fine to go back on the…

MECHANIC Mike Russell de Clifford of Corsa Classics The owner of this Laverda 1000 was convinced his inability to get the bike going was battery related, but the problem turned out be much more serious than that. Mike Russell de Clifford, the boss of Corsa Classics in Salisbury, was called in to take a look. He said: “The bike had been ‘home butchered’ over the years so it took a while to get it fit for a start-up attempt. When I pressed the start button it just clanked a lot and occasionally turned the engine over, so there was a sprag clutch/starter motor issue and that was just the start.” Mike uncovered more bodgery as he started to strip the engine. The crank nut had been chiselled on and off…

Doctors treating eight-time world champion Marc Marquez say they are satisfied with his progress as he continues to recover from a broken right humerus sustained at the opening round of the 2020 season in Jerez. The Repsol Honda rider suffered a bone infection which slowed his recovery dramatically. It remains unclear if Marquez will be fit enough to race at the opening round of the championship in March. Ducati stars test All six Ducati MotoGP riders - Jack MiLLer, Pecco Bagnaia, Jorge Martinez, Johann Zarco, Luca Marini and Enea Bastianini - took to the track on Panigale V4Rs Last week at Jerez. Conditions weren’t perfect but the fastest time set was a 1’43.3 compared to test rider MicheLe Pirro who set a 1’41.1 on his MotoGP bike. Lowes injured Alex…

Pit Beirer KTM Motorsport Director “In a perfect world it will become a rivalry because that means they’re fighting for the top positions together,” KTM boss Pit Beirer told MCN. “They know each other very well and I think Aki Ajo has helped us to bring them on the right path. When we had them sitting together at a test last year that was when it clicked, myself and Mike Leitner both said that this is the team we should have in the future because they get on so well. “Ultimately, they want the same position. They both want to win but there’s only space for one guy in the top position, so that friction might appear one day, but they’re both smart and they’ve had strong fights together before.…

Can I get a PCP deal on a used bike? Yes. Many dealers offer this, and it’s down to the choice of bike, and you, as to whether this is better than the deal you could get on a new bike. Generally the bike has to be under three years old and must usually be under five years old at the end of the PCP term. But because of the lower retail price you might be able to afford the repayments on a straight loan, which could work out cheaper. The bonus with buying nearly new is that a chunk of depreciation has already gone. Can I swap manufacturers? Yes. The new dealer will pay off what’s outstanding on the bike (provided it’s in good condition) and roll you into…

BMW R18 £18,922 | 1802cc | 345kg | 90bhp | 690mm If you want a cruiser that will turn heads, BMW’s simply jaw-dropping R18 is a great option. Not only have the German firm’s styling department managed to strike a great balance between heritage and modern looks, the engineering bods have given it real soul thanks to a whopping 1802cc air-cooled boxer motor. Yes, air-cooled! Putting out an impressive 90bhp with a hairy-chested 117lb.ft of torque, the boxer motor not only looks and sounds fantastic, it also delivers some serious stomp through a beautifully- designed exposed shaft drive, which only adds to its kerb appeal. This is a bike built for cruising and if that sounds like what you are after, the ride won’t disappoint. But despite looking like a…

For those tempted by a switch to electric but worried about recharge times, right now Zero are offering a free upgrade of a 6kw Rapid Charger to purchasers of remaining 2020 model SR/Fs. When fitted to an SR/F Premium, the Rapid Charger (which normally costs £2735) gives the rider 12kw of charging capability, which allows for full recharges at motorway service style chargers in less than an hour. The rapid charger offer is available while supplies last on 2020 stock. To find your local Zero dealership, visit www.zeromotorcycles.com/uk…

NEWS EDITOR Owners who take their machines into Europe will require a carnet in certain circumstances now that Britain has left the EU. Free movement of goods previously meant that people who took bikes to Europe not under their own power (i.e. on a trailer or in the back of a van) could do so without any paperwork. Now that arrangement has changed, some owners will need to get a carnet to prove they are not intending to sell the bike on the continent. A carnet is a legal document that lists the value of goods you take into another country. An ATA carnet allows you to temporarily import goods for up to 12 months without incurring any duty. Costs for the carnet vary between £200-£350. On top of the…

SAVE £1500 £9999 Honda CB1000R The Honda CB1000R doesn’t chase super- naked glory or go full retro, but by nestling nicely in between Honda created a fast, slick, beautifully-crafted roadster that’s daringly different. Its price has put many off, but a £1500 saving from HGB Motorcycles in north London could tempt many. • www.hgbmotorcycles.co.uk SAVE £1300 £2999 Suzuki GSX250R If you want an easy-handling commuter this peppy twin-cylinder bike in black or GP blue is great value right now with £1300 off. • www.frasersmotorcycles.co.uk • Engine 248cc • Power 25bhp • Weight 181kg • Seat height 790mm SAVE £900 £9499 Kawasaki Z900RS As well as this metallic grey RS, there’s a black example with a handy £500 off at Motorcycles Direct in Watford. • www.motorcyclesdirect.co.uk • Engine 948cc • Power…

Security for TFTs Two weeks ago we reported on a trend for the theft of BMW TFT dash screens from parked bikes. There are several security firms selling devices to make the screen more secure, and now there’s a new one from aftermarket BMW specialists Nippy Normans. The TFT Screen Anti-Theft Brace is made from stainless steel and fits round the TFT then bolts in place. TFT Screen Kits start at £49 and are compatible with the F850, F900R/XR, S1000XR (2020-on) and the R1200/1250GS.…

Councils across England have finally been allocated their share of the £2.5bn pothole fund announced at the 2020 budget. The fund has been set up to distribute £500 million per year for the next five years, which at £50 a go is said to be enough to fix 10 million potholes. The biggest winners are riders in the South West, where councils have been awarded a combined £90 million, while in the North East councils have been handed just £28 million to get filling with. Big prizes on offer The Two Wheels for Life charity have teamed up with Royal Enfiled to offer a place at their riding school in Dorset, as well as a host of other prizes. Entry costs £5 and you can buy as many tickets as…

‘Screamin’ 600s will be fashionable again…’ Goodbye to the 600cc supersport. For a decade, this was the most hotly fought-over class. Every manufacturer tried to gain an edge: Kawasaki by making theirs a 636, Honda by splitting their CBR600 into two versions – ‘cooking’ and ‘red-hot’. Now the R6 has gone, except as a track-only machine. The question is: given that nobody’s interested in the highly tuned (a late R6 gave 200bhp per litre) 600 class, is a used R6 a sensible buy – in the financial sense, at least? As an investment, something you can count on getting your money back on, or close to, after a couple of years, probably. Long term – five years or more, almost certainly. So a bargain, then, if you’re buying and are…

Sure electric bikes are cheaper to run in terms of their energy source than a petrol-powered vehicle and one of the benefits of an electric motor over an internal combustion engine is the lack of maintenance. But will you get whacked by insurance costs? Using online insurance comparison site MCN Compare (www.mcncompare.com), we looked at the comparative costs of covering an electric bike and its equivalent fossil fuel-powered motorcycle in a variety of scenarios. The urban commuter Aged 25, the urban commuter has held a clean provisional licence for one year with one year’s NCB and lives in a suburban area (we picked Croydon, CR0). The ideal electric bike would be a Super Soco TXS, which has an RRP of £2999 and costs £655.26 fully comp or £400.89 TPFT to…

SUNSHINE! Parked up and chilling out at Porto Vecchio in Corsica. That is my Yamaha with my dad’s. Our route included Switzerland and Milan. • Reader Dean Jewell • The ride Corsican adventure • Miles 3500 • Time taken Nine days • Don’t miss this My brother wanted a trip to Corsica for his 30th. We not only had a great time with the weather and the landscapes but the roads once out of the cities were incredible. We were told September would be the best time of the year but any time bar winter would be fine. • Send your trips to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com THE ROUTE TUCK IN One of the many outstanding meals we had on the nine days away. French steaks are hard to beat in my book!…

Q ‘My lid came off in the crash…’ My opponent’s solicitor in my personal injury claim has queried whether I was wearing a helmet during the accident because I sustained facial fractures. They say that even if I was, then it cannot have been strapped-up properly as it came off, so I should accept some blame. I was wearing a helmet and have no idea how it came off as I always ensure it is properly secured. While I can prove that I was wearing the helmet, how am I supposed to prove it was properly done up at the time? Am I likely to get less compensation as a result? Name withheld, email A Perhaps surprisingly, a European study showed helmet loss in 12.9 per cent of motorcycle accidents.…

Martin Harrison Age 51 Height 5ft 11in Current bike Suzuki GSX-R1000 K2 Been riding 35 years First bike Honda MBX50 Dream bike Norton V4RR I’ve had my K2 for six years. I’d become a bit of a Suzuki nerd after owning an RG125, RG500 and RGV250. It seemed like a good first proper four-cylinder, four-stroke and I like that it’s got a lot of power without constantly worrying it’s going to seize. It had carbon wheels on when I bought it, but I’ve improved the six-pot brakes with a radial master cylinder and MCT refreshed the suspension, which has made a big difference. I’ve also got a GSX-R750 ‘Slabby’ and a BMW R1200GS – I’m getting old and I want to do the NC500. The Gixer would be hard work…

Head coach Mark Molineux and his team of ACU-certified trainers pride themselves on the fact that they are all road and off-road riders, meaning they know exactly what an inexperienced off-road rider is going through the moment they leave the tarmac behind. For riders who have no dirt experience at all there is a one-day ‘Introduction to off-road’ course which is priced at £325 but includes a £100 discount when you sign up to the Bronze course. The two-day Bronze course costs £530 and includes the use of the 890 Adventure R, two full days of training along with lunch and refreshments throughout the day. The two-day Silver and Orange courses are also priced at £530. For more details, visit: ktm.adventurerallybike.co.uk…

Spidi All Road CE jacket/trousers £499.99/£329.99 ‘Warm but should come with a back protector’ Tested for by Dan Sutherland for three months, 1200 miles Comes with all the adjustment, zips, pockets and liners you could hope for in a textile suit. The jacket and trousers are available separately, with the jacket standing out as the superior garment. Warm, well-made, genuinely all-day comfortable and waterproof, it’s the best-fitting textile jacket I have used. The storm flap around the neck keeps the weather out brilliantly, without causing irritation. Protection-wise, the spec is pretty high: both the jacket and trousers score a solid AA rating in CE tests, while higher-spec Level 2 armour is fitted at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. I would, however, like to see it come with a back…

I never thought I’d ride an adventure bike and although I bought this purely to commute, it does everything that I want. The only thing that’s lacking is a bit of power, so when you want to have a funny five minutes, it just hasn’t got it. I probably won’t keep it beyond the three years for that reason. Comfort wise, it’s perfect. I’m planning on doing the NC500 in May ― riding from the south means I’ll have done 700 odd miles before I even get there. HOW GOOD IS THE RUBBER? The OE Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A41 These are really good. I’ve ridden them in all weathers. The rear was squared off after 6000 miles of commuting so I changed them both, like for like. Also consider Metzeler…

Saving you money on essential bike maintenance BRUCE DUNN MCN’S expert technician 1 Old versus new A spark plug will last for thousands of miles but over that time its performance will decay. This is because, like most bike parts, spark plugs wear out; the gap between the electrodes becomes wider and the angular edges of the electrodes get rounded off. This means the plug needs more voltage to spark, and the overall efficiency of combustion can suffer. 2 How clean are your plugs? Spark plugs can become fouled (ie their electrode gets excessively oily or sooty) at this time of year when you’re perhaps regularly starting up your bike in lieu of riding it, meaning that the rich air/fuel mixture never gets a chance to burn off. Symptoms are…

Danilo Petrucci Danilo Petrucci joins Tech3 for his 10th MotoGP campaign after six seasons with Ducati. The two-time race winner has more premier class experience than his three KTM teammates combined. “I was the first to see and to believe in KTM and the upgrade they got at the end of 2019,” Petrucci says. “I saw the improvements and since the beginning of 2020 the bike has been very fast, so this is a big opportunity. I followed KTM riders last year and although they all had very different riding styles, they were all very fast. “The team is capable of winning races and fighting for the best positions in the championship and this is the target. Winning with KTM will mean that I’ve won with two manufacturers, which only…

Ducati Panigale V2 £15,143 | 955cc | 176kg | 152.8bhp | 840mm The Panigale V2 carries the V4 family styling but uses a V-twin motor. With 152bhp on tap the ‘baby’ Panigale is hardly lacking in terms of performance and its more relaxed nature appeals to those put off by the power-packed V4. The V2 is a brilliant road bike and is an absolute blast on bendy roads. It’s a great bike and in no way a ‘lesser’ Ducati sportsbike. £145 PER MONTH Kawasaki Ninja 650 £7397 | 649cc | 193kg | 67bhp | 790mm The Ninja 650 offers a cool blend of sporting Ninja looks and day-to-day practicality thanks to its friendly parallel twin motor. Last year it gained a TFT dash featuring connectivity and it can be made…

Ducati Multistrada V4 £15,643 | 1158cc | 217kg | 167.6bhp | 840-860mm Ducati’s all-new entry into the sporty adventure bike class may carry the Multistrada name, but this is a ground-up redesign featuring at its heart the firm’s V4 powerplant. Yes, a Bologna-built V4 adventure bike has landed and it’s really rather good. Although it is a little like bringing a nuclear weapon to a knife fight, Ducati have completely redesigned the V4 and instead of the firm’s traditional desmo valve system, the V4 Granturismo has more conventional valve springs. As well as increasing the Multi’s service intervals to an impressive 36,000 miles between valve clearance checks, alongside a 55cc capacity boost this delivers a lovely blend of V4 performance with a new smoothness and refinement that is ideal for…

Are there any pitfalls to Personal Contract Plans? Yes, of course there are. But they’re very clearly defined. The key to doing the perfect deal is being completely clear about what the plan entails, and being utterly confident that it meets your needs. There are two key points worth noting: Negative/negligible equity in the deal Most riders who buy their bikes on PCP will roll their deal over to a new bike when the term comes to an end, hopefully using the equity in their deal as a deposit for the next bike. This is lovely in theory, but there is a growing trend among our four-wheeled friends for the Guaranteed Final Value (GFV) to be nigh-on identical to the value of the car. Bang goes your equity for a…

Triumph’s 1050cc motor finally delivered what their signature triples had always promised… grunty low down, surging midrange and exciting up top… at last had the torque of a twin and the rush of an inline four. It’s at its most enjoyable in the Speed Triple, the original super-naked and Triumph’s defining model. Butch and imposing yet flexible and usable, every ride on a Speed Trip’ is laden with two- wheel sensations. Five grand gets the updated (lighter, more powerful, easier to ride) ‘Dame Edna’ model from 2011. Triumph had got their arse in gear by 2011, and finish and quality is better than on earlier bikes (2005-on Speeds can suffer saggy suspenders and a bit of oil use). Make sure the suspension linkages have been stripped and regreased in line…

For those tempted by a switch to electric but worried about recharge times, right now Zero are offering a free upgrade of a 6kw Rapid Charger to purchasers of remaining 2020 model SR/Fs. When fitted to an SR/F Premium, the Rapid Charger (which normally costs £2735) gives the rider 12kw of charging capability, which allows for full recharges at motorway service style chargers in less than an hour. The rapid charger offer is available while supplies last on 2020 stock. To find your local Zero dealership, visit www.zeromotorcycles.com/uk…