Table of contents for 16 June 2021 in MCN

‘If you’re a TT fan, it will blow your mind’PAUL PHILLIPS, ISLE OF MAN TT ISLE OF MAN TT Legendary TT gets a big shake-up Two years without the Isle of Man TT races has felt more like a decade – but the races will be back in 2022, and they’re coming back bigger and better. And every single lap will be broadcast live! Then, in 2023 the second stage of the IOMTT fight-back will be enacted, with significant changes to the races run, and when. It’s the biggest shake-up in the event’s history and it sounds brilliant. PAGE 70 TOP STORY Langen-ring-ding-ding-baaaa Ah, the sweet smell of two-stroke in the morning... While many of us will be flooded with sensory recollections of a time long passed whenever someone mentions…

Steve Parrish is hoping to assemble the biggest ever gathering of Barry Sheene replicas at the televised Barry Sheene Classic at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough (June 26-27). Parrish said: “We are looking to get the largest ever collection in one place and let them parade for a lap or two.” Replica owners are being asked to contact Hayley via: Office@oliversmount.com Diavel’s new look Ducati have unveiled the Diavel 1260 S Black and Steel. The bike follows in the footsteps of the special Lamborghini Diavel launched last November and, like that machine, features new colours and finishes. It gets glossy grey and matt black paint with new, asymmetrical graphics and sporty touches in bright yellow. The new Black and Steel joins Ducati’s standard Diavel S, available in red or black both with…

West Midlands Police have been using tyre-bursting stingers to stop gangs of anti-social riders. A video of one such deployment was posted onto the force’s Twitter account (@Trafficwmp) with the statement: “This is one of several stinger deployments used on a group of nuisance bikers after they had been seen riding in an antisocial manner endangering themselves and others on public roads and pavements. Several arrests were made and vehicles were seized throughout the day.”…

‘Doubling-up on bikes is a win-win’ A man does not need three Ducatis. It could be argued, justifiably, that a man does not need one ST2 but it looks as if I may have a couple. Why? Well, for bikes that I intend to keep or do up, I’ve found it’s often simpler and cheaper to buy a second one and then combine the best bits of both. In my collection, I have a 1976 Honda CB400 Four and a 1981 CD200 Benly and these are keepers. Both are in lovely original condition because I have transferred parts from identical models when those parts were better than what I’ve already got. And then I just sell the ‘donor’ bike on. Not long ago I bought a CD200 that was almost…

CALM CEO and avid rider, Simon Gunning, on how it is vital to really mean it when we ask if someone’s OK ‘Hope is the commodity we try to provide’ The societal pressures, challenges and stresses that each of us face are different – whether you’re a student navigating uni, a parent juggling work and childcare, or an NHS nurse on the frontline who lives alone and are struggling with isolation. But what particularly worries me is that the notion of hope, which is the commodity we try to provide on the CALM helpline every day, is very different. For a 45-year-old hope can be about this evening, or tomorrow, for an 18 to 30-year-old it’s about something that stretches out further into the future – and for many, that…

Q ‘Help! I am going to court’ I was flashed by a static speed camera at 8am on a sunny Saturday. The speed was 84mph in a 60mph zone and the road was a bit damp. However, the stretch of road was very quiet at that time of the morning with no hazards, obstructions or junctions. When responding to the Notice of Intent to Prosecute I confirmed I was the rider and then got a reply saying that due to the speed it will go to court. Could you give me some advice on where I may stand and any action I can take to minimise any penalties. I have a clean licence and have enrolled in a training course run by the police. RP, email A The court will…

Readers Triumph Owners’ Club Milton Keynes Branch The Ride Tour of Cornwall from Milton Keynes When to do it We went in May How many miles Each bike averaged around 900 miles Tell us about the trip The MK branch is very active with over 200 members, and 17 of us had booked for the tour, so we knew the limit of six people being able to meet indoors would affect our café stops and after-ride meet ups, but we decided we could make it work. With our hotel base in Truro we were able to plan ahead a number of small group rideouts for each day, and as the days counted down, the excitement of finally getting our much anticipated trip started was palpable. Great riding, great scenery, great…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday June 16 BIKE MEETS ■ Squires Cafe Newthorpe, Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ The Blue Anchor Southport Merseyside 7pm Facebook: Southport Carousel Bike Meet ■ The Plough Cadsden, Bucks www.plough-at-cadsden.co.uk ■ Ryka’s Cafe Box Hill, Surrey www.rykas.co.uk ■ Loomies Moto Cafe West Meon Hants Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ Paignton Seafront Devon www.bmad.co.uk ■ The Old Stores Pontblyddyn, Flints 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 RIDING SCHOOL ■ California Superbike School Cadwell Park, Lincs £480 www.superbikeschool.co.uk SPEEDWAY ■ Birmingham Brummies www.birmingham-speedway.com ■ Leicester Lions Leics www.leicesterspeedway.com TRIALS ■ Scarborough & DMC Low North Park, Scarborough www.scarboroughdmc.co.uk ■ Sidcup & DMCC Ltd Canada Heights, Kent www.sidcupmotorcycleclub.co.uk ■ Waterlooville MCC Ham Lane Pitts Farm, Langrish Hants www.waterlooville-mcc.co.uk Thursday 17 June BIKE…

As Ken discovered in Skegness, learning to ride the wall is fundamental, but the performance is key. “You have to learn to thrill the audience, not frighten them, otherwise they won’t come back again.” Up to that point Ken had spent all his life in Skegness, so leaving for Africa and the world beyond with Peter Catchpoole was an incredible adventure. “I over complicated the design by trying to break it down into smaller pieces so that it was easier to manhandle, but in the end there were too many attachment points to be practical. It was the first new wall for 50 years.” Ken married his partner Julie at the Dorset Steam Fair. Their sons Luke and Alex are now performers in their own right and Ken’s immensely proud…

I already rated the Z H2. I’ll take proper engineering over gizmos any day and its supercharged engine is a marvel. In SE form it’s better still. With improved suspension quality and handling when pushed, Kawasaki have fixed the only real flaw with Z H2. What it isn’t is a ‘pure’ supernaked like a Ducati Streetfighter or Aprilia Tuono; it isn’t based on a superbike, doesn’t have a hard focus and still hasn’t their outright handling potential. And that’s fine. The way the SE delivers smooth, comfy progress punctuated by hilarious spurts of acceleration is of far more use than chassis feel around Misano. And when I do want to crack on, it has as much handling as I’ll ever use on the road. Get a test ride. THE FACTS…

THE BUCKET LIST MOTORCYCLING JMUST – DOS ‘Soon my pace got faster, and the grin got even larger’ Flattracking newbie. Will give everything a go once. Take everything you know about riding a motorcycle on the road and throw it in the bin. That’s the easiest way to describe what it feels like to have a go at flattrack. Hugely popular in the US, it sees riders thundering around ovals with no front brake in a series of mudslinging sprint races on surfaces with ever-changing levels of grip. It’s now worming its way into British biking culture, attracting riders as young as seven to compete at events set up by the DTRA (Dirt Track Riders Association). Keen to sing the virtues of the sport, Royal Enfield have established a new…

• Royal Enfield Slide School Learn the flattrack essentials from Gary and his team aboard a fleet of Himalayans. Priced at £160, dates are still available for 2021, with experiences run across the country. www.dirtcraft.co.uk/slide-school • Champions Flat Track School Learn to ride on Honda CRF100s and CRF125s with 2009 British and European flattrack champion, Peter Boast. All events take place at a track in Glentham, Lincolnshire and are priced between £130-£140. www.flattrackschool.co.uk • Ride & Skid It Try flattrack or speedway at this Buxton circuit. Training is on Honda CRF125s, with instructors including five-time British champion, Aidan Collins. £95. www.rideandskidit.com…

★★★★★ Oxford XA14 alarmed disc lock £79.99 ‘Small, loud and super-tough’ Tested by Richard Newland, five months If you want something that looks like you’ve got a wheel clamp attached to your disc, then this probably isn’t for you – but if you want a highly portable tough and noisy disc lock that’s Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold standard certified, then read on. The XA14 is certainly compact, but it’s got the minerals to slow a thief down and if the light-fingered scumbag decides to have a good go at removing it, they’ll also have the 110dB siren to contend with. The lock feels solid and well-made, is attractively bold in bright yellow (black also available), comes with three very sturdy keys (and a key code in case you lose them…

Of course, you never know when you’re going to get a puncture (although Sod’s Law dictates it’s usually just as you’ve fitted new tyres) and likewise, you’ll never know just what sort of puncture it will be. The Gryyp kit (£24.99) used here is suited to the type of neat round hole that a screw or nail has caused. If the puncture is caused by a slash type cut this will require another type of repair kit, such as the Oxford CO2 repair kit (£19.99) which has a slug of rubber that can be inserted and glued with a special applicator. So to have both scenarios covered, you will need to carry both types of kit. It must be stressed that these are only temporary repairs, don’t just fix and…

Who’s going to finish second? That’s normally the question when MotoGP tackles the tight and twisty Sachsenring. To say Marc Marquez loves the German track is the understatement of the century. The Spaniard’s record is phenomenal and he’s won 10 races in a row in 125s, Moto2 and MotoGP. Ordinarily, you could stake your mortgage, your car and your life savings on Marquez winning at the Sachsenring. But these are not ordinary times for Marquez or HRC – his beleaguered paymasters who incredibly haven’t had a podium finish in the last 11 races. For the first time in his career, Marquez has crashed out of three races in a row. And he’s returned from a career-threatening right arm injury to find an RC213V that has a confidencesapping lack of front-end…

THE INSIDER BT Sport’s technical guru unmasks secrets at the sharp end of racing Point of no return Turn 1 in Misano is tricky, decelerating all the way through the apex. When the front tucked Rea was already close to maximum lean angle, at that point usually the front doesn’t come back. Finding grip Rea had almost completed a neat 180° semi circle. Getting his body on the inside, he managed to balance his weight there, steering into the front slide, when suddenly up it popped. Luck plays a part As Rea said himself, he couldn’t do it again if he tried. When his boot got caught under the seat it allowed him to counter balance his body weight. Core strength also played a huge part in the balancing act.…

GREG HAINES INSIGHT On the inside of the World Superbike paddock Michael Ruben Rinaldi silenced his critics and cemented his place as a top-level World Superbike rider by claiming a double victory at Misano last weekend. With Toprak Razgatlioglu winning the third race while Jonathan Rea and Scott Redding both missed out on victories, it was a firm reminder that nothing is set in stone. That is the case with the series as a whole, too. Although the news is yet to be made official, it is already known that the Argentinean and Indonesian Rounds will not happen this season due to the pandemic. This means the campaign will finish in Portimao on October 3 and that consequently a quarter of the races are already complete, despite the season having…

“When TT 2020 and 2021 were cancelled there was a lot of frustration, but I think we will look back at that period in five years’ time and think it’s the best thing that could have happened. We were tiptoeing down some dark alleyways with the TT, making some mistakes and running the risk of being in a situation in certain areas that we would be unable to come back from. The time away has allowed for a complete review to take place and challenge what we were doing, admit mistakes and give us a stronger future. “Having worked on the TT for 15 years I have seen more support politically in recent months than I ever have and I’ve been given access to resources I’ve never had. Not only…

After everything the last 18 months has brought, we could all do with a bit of adventure right now. Although, if the thought of wrestling with a traditional, heavyweight, big capacity adventure model leaves you cold, Yamaha have the answer in the form of the game-changing Ténéré 700. A smaller adventurer The Ténéré 700 proves that Yamaha have a different take on adventure from other firms. Instead of going down the road of ever-increasing capacity, power, weight and electronic complexity, the Ténéré boasts 74bhp, 187kg (dry) and – beyond ABS – no electronics. Priced at £9502, it’s also half the price of its more expensive, fully loaded rivals. Powered by the same 689cc 270º crossplane-mimicking motor used to great effect in the MT-07, it feels responsive and free-revving thanks to…

The V7 is an immensely popular model and has propped Guzzi up for over a decade. The air-cooled V-twin had updates for the second generation (2014-2016) and with that you get a six-speed gearbox, updated engine, and tweaked chassis. It’s beautifully built with classy detailing and an authentic, charming character. It’s cheap to run and being a shaftie means there’s no chain and sprockets to care for, either. Moto Guzzi haven’t historically been famed for reliability, but the V7 got a lot of things right. Valve clearances need checking every 6000 miles, but fortunately servicing is a doddle: after all, we’re talking about a pushrod engine, two valve heads and clearances that can be set in minutes. Aside from that, throttle position sensors require regular setting, and if you have…

Evolving a time-honoured event like the Isle of Man TT races takes cast iron determination and not an insignificant dose of bravery. Get it right and everyone will love you – but get it wrong and millions of die-hard fans will find it hard to forgive you for messing with their annual addiction. But while it takes a lot of balls to change the TT races, the manifesto set out by the TT’s top brass for the future of the event – kicking in over the next two years – sounds genuinely superb (p70). While any normal year would see the team trying to make incremental improvements, the misery of the enforced Covid break has given them an unprecedented (in recent times) opportunity to really sit back and interrogate the…

A new Guinness world record for a no hands motorcycle wheelie has been finally awarded to an Indian freestyling stunt rider. Rohitesh Upadhyay covered a record-breaking 567 metres on one wheel aboard his specially adapted Yamaha FZ6 in Gujarat, India, last October. The previous record had been set by Brazilian stunt rider AC Farias 17 years previously. Covid and other complications had prevented ratification until now. The 26-year-old said he’d been practising for the record since 2015. “The physics behind it is like doing gymnastics on a motorcycle,” he said. “It demands complete control over the body as well as command of your centre of gravity.” Rohitesh’s father died from Covid before the record was awarded and the rider has dedicated it to “the Superheroes fighting the pandemic”. Can’t stop…

A foreign riding holiday may not be on the cards quite yet, but once we are allowed back to Spain there is a new road sign to look out for. The orange warning signs have been popping up across the country and show a car, lorry and motorbike with a radar device icon and there is a distance in km below. The sign means that the following section of road (for the distance displayed) has had a lot of accidents and there may be a mobile radar in use. Worth keeping in mind. Best garage hunt Halfords have launched a competition to find the UK’s best home garage with prizes including £5000 cash and a Halfords Ultimate Garage Bundle. Research from Halfords found that 40% of respondents spent more time…

Motorcycle Action Group stalwart, Neil Liversedge, is bidding to return to biking’s political frontline by declaring himself a candidate to be the campaign group’s new chairman. Liversedge, 57, was MAG chairman from 1989 to 2002 and also on its board from 2013 before retiring in 2016 to concentrate on his financial advice business. But he says he’s now being forced to return by what he calls “MAG’s Ultimate Challenge – a fight for the survival of motorcycling against those who want to make all personal transport electric-powered, four-wheeled and driverless.” “I am back because I believe in this,” he added. “I am back because I have been asked to return by a vast number of MAG members and hereby offer myself for election if the members desire it.” The ONE…

The Devitt MCN Festival of Motorcycling is returning to the East of England Arena this September 4-5 with a huge line-up of entertainment, bargains, live music, test rides, live action, club displays and so much more. It’s the best outdoor bike show the UK has to offer, so save the date and get your tickets now for a weekend to remember. 2021 test rides The festival is the only place in the country where you can ride the latest 2021 bikes from all the major manufacturers all in the same place. There are hundreds of test ride slots all up for grabs – from cruisers to sportsbikes to learner-friendly machines, you can even get a ride on an electric mountain bike! Booking a test ride is dead easy, just turn…

‘What I’d buy right now with’ £6000 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 If you are talking about grinding out the hard miles, few can match double Endurance world champion Terry Rymer. Twice a WSB race winner (and the first Brit to top the podium) as well as a former factory 500GP rider, BSB champion and runner up at the Suzuka 8-Hour, he is no stranger to digging deep. So what would he buy with his own cash? Not what you would necessarily expect... “I really like quite an unusual bike,” says Terry, “which not many people would imagine I’d go for – the Suzuki V-Strom 1000. I owned one for six years and covered over 15,000 miles, mainly bobbing in and out of London but also I’d put my wife Donna…

Stay calm, buy a bike It is a roasting June evening and I am astride a motorcycle for the first time in two decades. This period includes one appalling family reversal, followed by ten years which somehow got behind me. A small amount of providence or maybe even serendipity may have been at play in bringing all this about. Agreed, I have been the orchestrator, but without the resource to bring it all about it would not have happened. That resource has been MCN. Roughly six weeks back, after spending most of this year trawling “bikes for sale” I found what I’m after. Oddly, that same week MCN featured the CBR1100XX in the expert guide. Odder still, in the same issue John Lee’s Higham Ferrers bike shop also gets featured.…

1 Motofest 21 – Father’s Day June 20 at The Shuttleworth Collection in Biggleswade. £12.50 for show bike tickets. £15 for spectators. www.petrolheadonism.club/motofest21 2 Kempton Park Autojumble This is a motorcycle jumble, so everything is for two-wheelers. June 19, early bird £10, £7 adults. kemptonautojumble.co.uk 3 Classic car and motor show Hosted at Castle Howard you can enjoy the display plus trade and auto stalls. Pre-booking is needed. www.castlehoward.co.uk 4 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway in Northamptonshire gives you a chance to test your bike to the max. Entrance and sign on costs from £45. www.santapod.co.uk…

FRIDAY June 18 7.45am, BTS2, Live MotoGP from Germany: Free Practice 1&2 SATURDAY June 19 8am, BTS2, Live MotoGP from Germany: Free Practice 3. MotoGP Northern Talent Cup SUNDAY June 20 7.30am, BTS2, Live MotoGP from Germany: Warm Up. Moto3 at 9.15am, Moto2 at 11am, MotoGP at 12.30pm. 11am, EUR2, WSB from Misano, Italy: Highlights. Support Races at 12pm KEY TO 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 ITV DST – DISCOVERY TURBO SHED – DISCOVERY SHED INST – INSIGHT SS1 (2, 3 OR X) – SKY SPORTS 1…

Two years ago the midsize adventure bike class was transformed. KTM brought their expertise to the category with the 790 Adventure, a punchy but manageable middleweight derived from the 790 Duke roadster. But although boasting 95bhp, the KTM’s thunder was stolen by Yamaha’s Ténéré 700. Derived from the MT-07, this, too, was a punchy parallel twin and, although just 72bhp and with no electronics and a far more basic spec, the Yamaha’s easy versatility and a bargain price almost £2500 less than the KTM helped make it a big hit. For 2021 KTM have upped the ante. The new 890 Adventure is better performing, more refined and, at £10,999 while the Yamaha has risen to £9502, closer in price, too. But which is best? Although both bikes are credible off-roaders…

GUEST TESTER The Ténéré remains a brilliant bike: easy, invigorating and fun, simple and versatile. But at the end of our 250-mile day there’s no getting away from the KTM’s extra cubes and sophistication. That now 200cc difference gives the 890 Adventure 31bhp extra and although it doesn’t feel quite that much, there’s certainly a top-end advantage that can’t be ignored (even if the Yamaha mostly compensates with exceptional real world flexibility and a more ‘connected’ feel). Although not perfect the KTM also has far more sophistication, a better spec and a broader range of abilities for more people. It’s a true Swiss, sorry, Austrian Army Knife among bikes. But there’s one other factor here, too: price. Although co-tester Paul would have preferred the cheaper Yamaha and spent the saving…

1 Getting in You will need a visa to enter Turkey, but it’s straightforward and obtained at the border. It’s around £25 and last 90 days. 2 Insurance Turkey requires green card vehicle insurance. If your insurance provider won’t cover you for European and Asian Turkey and provide you with a green card, then you’ll need to either set it up in advance from a Turkish company or the other option is to buy the cover on the border. If buying on the border, we’ve found the Bulgarian/Turkish border is cheaper than the Greek/Turkish border. 3 Take your licence You will also need your driver’s licence, International Drivers Permit (available from the Post Office) and your bike’s V5. 4 Best time to go From March to June, and September to…

‘There are rusty motorcyclists... and even rustier car drivers’ MCN’s Chief Road Tester Michael Neeves is back again this year with a new video series that’s about to be launched on Bikertekshop.co.uk. The weekly video series has been produced in association with BikerTek. “Our range of performance parts for bikers goes hand in hand with a belief in promoting advanced rider techniques,” says BikerTek manager Mik Barton. “It’s been great to work with Michael and he’s put together a great series to cover both the thrill and the skill of riding.” There are five videos in the new More Secrets of a Road Tester series in total with the first: Cornering Better – going live this week, and more episodes will then be released weekly on Bikertekshop.co.uk. There’s also a…

So just what goes into making a Slide School bike and why use a Himalayan, when the firm’s own factory riders compete on 650 twins? Head of Royal Enfield’s Custom Programme, Adrian Sellers, explains… “First, we remove all of the road-going bits, including the lights and bypass the ABS – because you don’t need that out there! We put on a slip-on S&S silencer, which frees things up, but we haven’t measured any performance gains. It’s using the stock header. “Then there’s number boards and 19in rims with flattrack rubber – replacing the 21in front and 17in rear. We run a Slide School in India and there we use an 18in rim because we struggle to get 19in tyres. The tail section and number board bolt right onto the existing…

1 Techalogic DC-1 Dual £179.95 It’s fab, waterproof, has good battery life, and comes with a remote for your bars or wrist. It films both directions at once and is barely noticeable on the side of my lid. Janette Jolly, Suffolk 2 Samsung Gear 360 £60-£348* I use this on an extendable pole at the back of my bike so I can film front or back. Chris Smith, Edinburgh 3 Olympus Tough TG Tracker £180-£260* This rugged camera has inbuilt GPS. It was also cheaper than a GoPro. Dean Leith, Scarborough 4 Drift Ghost XL £149.99 Brilliant picture, but not a very good app. Massive battery life though and it lasts all day. Dave Webb, Scruton 5 GoPro Hero 8 £329.98 GoPros are not perfect for several reasons, but to…

The new owner of this 1998 Yamaha 650 Dragstar did the right thing when she brought it into The 2 Wheel Centre in Harpenden for a check-over. Nick Nomikos, 2 Wheel Centre’s owner, said: “She thought all it needed was a minor service, but when I rode it around the building to the workshop I thought ‘she’s lucky she got here in the first place’ as the front brake was appalling. “Instead of a smooth lever action, it was graunchy and the front end juddered horribly, which told me the caliper pin wasn’t allowing the caliper to slide so both sets of pads engaged correctly.” Once he got it on the bench he could see that it had been binding for some time as the inside pad was already worn…

Misano was one of Chaz Davies’ worst WSB weekends. Only tenth in qualifying, the Welshman crashed out of Race 1 alone and out of the Sprint when he clipped Lucas Mahias. With a suspected dislocated shoulder, the 32-time winner pulled out of the final encounter in agony. The Champagne remains on ice for a 100th podium. Bassani raises WSB eyebrows On just his third WSB weekend, Axel Bassani improved on his 11th places from Estoril with seventh in the long races and sixth in the Sprint. The 21-year-old is racing for Motocorsa Ducati, the team which helped develop the V4 project in 2018. On Sunday he enjoyed a race-long fight with experienced Alvaro Bautista, passing him at the 165mph Curvone. Ten Kate hat-trick After waiting for over five years for…

Never the twain shall meet… It’s a strange Superbike weekend without a Jonathan Rea win; the century achieved and all previous landmarks outdistanced. The giant of the production-based class long ago left behind that other question: How would he have fared in MotoGP? He had a brief chance: two races subbing for Stoner at Misano and Aragon in 2012 on the factory Honda. Eighth and seventh were respectable. With the first of six SBK titles still three years away, the same rate of progress in MotoGP would promise much. Hardly matters now. More interesting to wonder: how easy to go the other way? There’ve been a few ex-GP champions who prolonged their careers in Superbikes since Marco Lucchinelli won two races in 1988. Two won the title – Biaggi (twice)…

PETER HICKMAN ‘It’ll make it more accessible’ “Finishing on a weekend is great. Which major sporting event in the world finishes on a Friday? This means fans can come not just for one weekend, but two weekends, or if they miss the first, they can make the last one. It’s going to open the TT up and make it more accessible, which is what we need!” BEN BIRCHALL ‘They’ve looked to the future’ “Instead of missing the racing and thinking life is crap without it, they’ve looked to the future which means when the TT does come back next year it’s going to be amazing.” CLIVE PADGETT ‘Best in the world’ “Paul Phillips and his team have turned the event around. More races from 2023 is fantastic but I still…

The V7 is an immensely popular model and has propped Guzzi up for over a decade. The air-cooled V-twin had updates for the second generation (20142016) and with that you get a six-speed gearbox, updated engine, and tweaked chassis. It’s beautifully built with classy detailing and an authentic, charming character. It’s cheap to run and being a shaftie means there’s no chain and sprockets to care for, either. Moto Guzzi haven’t historically been famed for reliability, but the V7 got a lot of things right. Valve clearances need checking every 6000 miles, but fortunately servicing is a doddle: after all, we’re talking about a pushrod engine, two valve heads and clearances that can be set in minutes. Aside from that, throttle position sensors require regular setting, and if you have…

After everything the last 18 months has brought, we could all do with a bit of adventure right now. Although, if the thought of wrestling with a traditional, heavyweight, big capacity adventure model leaves you cold, Yamaha have the answer in the form of the game-changing Ténéré 700. A smaller adventurer The Ténéré 700 proves that Yamaha have a different take on adventure from other firms. Instead of going down the road of ever-increasing capacity, power, weight and electronic complexity, the Ténéré boasts 74bhp, 187kg (dry) and – beyond ABS – no electronics. Priced at £9502, it’s also half the price of its more expensive, fully loaded rivals. Powered by the same 689cc 270° crossplane-mimicking motor used to great effect in the MT-07, it feels responsive and free-revving thanks to…

The V7 is an immensely popular model and has propped Guzzi up for over a decade. The air-cooled V-twin had updates for the second generation (2014-2016) and with that you get a six-speed gearbox, updated engine, and tweaked chassis. It’s beautifully built with classy detailing and an authentic, charming character. It’s cheap to run and being a shaftie means there’s no chain and sprockets to care for, either. Moto Guzzi haven’t historically been famed for reliability, but the V7 got a lot of things right. Valve clearances need checking every 6000 miles, but fortunately servicing is a doddle: after all, we’re talking about a pushrod engine, two valve heads and clearances that can be set in minutes. Aside from that, throttle position sensors require regular setting, and if you have…

Vemar Hurricane from £80 Big savings online This week sees a massive Bargain Hunter takeover with all the deals coming from one supplier: internet superstore, M&P. With more than 70,000 products in stock, the largest range of parts on offer in the UK and free shipping on orders over £25, you won’t be short on choice at the Welsh retailer. We’ve asked the team at M&P to come up with their best bargains of the week and with a saving of up to £160, this Vemar is a strong contender. Wind tunnel tested, to ensure it’s as aerodynamic as possible, this full-facer is made from a carbon, Kevlar and fibreglass mix. The wide aperture offers a generous field of vision and you can fit a Pinlock anti-fog insert to the…

Even in the temperate climes of the UK every rider’s wardrobe is filled to bursting point with riding gear to cope with the weather conditions we face. Whether you’re battling to stay warm in winter or keep cool in summer, it’s always a challenge to find just the right combination of layers to retain the perfect temperature without compromising safety. It was faced with this very problem that French firm Chill Ride developed a temperature-controlled riding vest that aims to give the same sort of climate controlled comfort that you might expect in a car. Designed to be worn under leathers, it’s intended to keep you cool in summer – allowing you to ride comfortably without skimping on protective gear – and warm in winter without piling on endless bulky…

French electric off-road specialists Electric Motion have come up with this new, limited-edition version of their 125cc-equivalent Epure trials bike. Dubbed the Epure Comp 2022, it’s based on EM’s existing Epure Sport trials bike but comes with an uprated motor producing a peak of 12kW, improved software including six different maps, new Galfer discs and black anodised rims. Tucano updates Tucano Urbano have introduced new colours on their most popular summer gloves. The £74.99 Gig Pro is now available in teal, is in 100% goat leather and has D30 armour on its knuckles and palm. In addition, the £37.99 suede/mesh Penna gloves are now available in military green with a women’s option in black/red. Finally, the sporty £62.99 MRK2 glove now comes in black/yellow. Eurojumble is go! One of the…

Ride further in 2021 with a little help from our one-stop event guide JUST BREW IT Ride to Britain’s best biking cafe’s THE FACTS ● Open every day from 9am-5pm. Bike night Wednesday, until 9pm ● Sit amongst an extensive 30-year motorcycle collection ● Pontblyddyn, Wales / www.facebook.com/theoldstorescafe The Old Stores Motorcycle Café was opened two years ago by bikers, for bikers. With easy parking and a café stuffed full of memorabilia, it makes for the perfect stop before exploring North Wales. “The road we’re on is the Gateway to Wales, that’s what the bikers call it. We’re about 500 yards in so we’re the first stop,” says Jack Ledward, the 23-year-old at the helm. But Jack is only part of the story. The café is a family affair with…

MCN staff and readers share their favourite routes This is a perfect Sunday morning jaunt but best enjoyed as a mid-week treat, when roads are quieter and you get to enjoy the picturesque ride. The route cuts through the Kent Downs and ends at Rye Harbour. Our starting point is near Minster, from here we immediately dive through the twisty narrow backroads to Wingham. This is where the road opens up and winds its way through to Aylesham. As you cross over the A2 and head towards Barham, take the A260 to briefly run parallel to the busy trunk road, before sweeping right to Denton. Tree-lined roads lead down to the port of Folkestone. If you fancy, you could hug the coast through to Hythe, which is a slow and…

Struggling what to get dad for Father’s Day? Now you needn’t worry. Haynes International Motor Museum are inviting dads to visit the museum for free on June 20. What’s there? The Haynes International Motor Museum is the biggest motor museum in the UK and is packed full of cars and motorcycles from all over the world. The fully functioning workshop is always a hit, and you can grab a bite to eat at the café too. The details Book ahead as it’s sure to be popular. You’ll need to buy a ticket (which is £16 for an adult and £9.50 for children over four) to add on the free one for your dad. These tickets are subject to discounts and group rates too so check out the website. But make…

Age 49 Height 5ft 10in Occupation CNC miller in the aerospace industry Current bike KTM 790 Adventure and Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 Been riding for 22 years First bike Honda NS125F Dream bike KTM 1290 SDR “The KTM has the ideal power to weight for my every day usage and a bit of character. I’ve fitted a KTM Ergo heated front seat, KTM auxiliary lights, Givi topbox, Wings slip-on, bar mounted Keis controller, Oxford heated grips, Touratech headlight protector, Innov K2 cameras, KTM alarm and a Pyramid Plastics fender extender. “Virtually all of my riding is to work (35 miles each way) as it suits motorways and is agile enough for filtering. I don’t think my lifestyle would have room for pleasure rides! “I’ve had it since December 2019 and have…

This is surely what a retro should be: a famous old model reimagined, with plenty of character but served with modern quality, civility and rideability. This was already the case, of course, and the increase in output now it’s an 850 doesn’t really change the bike’s positioning. The V7 is still classier, nicer made and gruntier than a Royal Enfield Interceptor, but three-grand more; and it’s still less punchy than a Triumph Street Twin and slower than a Yamaha XSR900, yet more authentic than both. Kawasaki’s underrated W800 outclasses the V7 on period appeal but falls short in one vital area… it doesn’t say Moto Guzzi on the tank. THE FACTS £8600 Moto Guzzi V7 Special 850…

“It quite literally was a breath of fresh air to be out filming with Michael Neeves and meeting face to face with the BikerTek team, instead of on a video call. And we’re not the only ones to taste the delights of being back on the road, that’s for sure. “In the meantime, do check out bikertekshop.co.uk for the story behind our performance parts for bikers. “Whatever we might wish for, this summer is still not going to be normal. With continuing uncertainty over foreign travel, we can expect more holiday traffic on the roads. Congestion, frustration, tiredness all lead to mistakes – and that’s just the car drivers! “Neevesy has some great tips for all kinds of riding situations.” MIK BARTON, BIKERTEK CAMPAIGN MANAGER…

“I did around five Dirt Quakes in the chopper class, which was a laugh and if I was 40 years younger, I’d love to take up flattrack properly. I’d been to another school before this one, but it was on off-road pit bikes and indoors, so it wasn’t really the same, but still great fun. “This was an opportunity to ride proper bikes on a proper circuit. I knew Gary anyway, but it turns out he’s a good teacher. The big takeaway for me was corner entry and when you get it right, it’s a great feeling. It was such a good day, and we did so many laps. “It was also a chance to ride at Greenfield, which I wanted to do and might not have got the opportunity…

Saving you money on essential bike maintenance 1 It’ll get you moving again Whether your rides are long or local, carrying a puncture repair kit with you is a wise move that cuts out the need to wait for a recovery truck. Used as a temporary roadside fix, a tubeless repair kit will get you going again very quickly. First, familarise yourself with the instructions, with regard to the size of the repair and recommended speeds and distances thereafter. BRUCE’S TIPS You can often store a kit under your bike’s seat or tucked into our rucksack 2 Know your kit There are basically two types of temporary repair. The first is the aerosol that inflates the tyre with a combination of gas and sealing liquid that dries as it is…

Pre-season testing is over, so our man in the paddock looks ahead to round one at Oulton Park on June 25–27 TT RADICAL SHAKE-UP FOR THE TT ● Weekend finish and live TV coverage as the TT builds back stronger – p70 Silverstone Test April 28–29 The opening test of the year is all about getting back into the groove, meeting your new team, learning your new bike and new parts. Glenn Irwin topped the timesheets after being handed a “Santa’s sack full of parts” for the Fireblade having done the 2020 season on a mainly stock bike. That said, Jason O’Halloran topped all four sessions on day one and looked to be a threat. Danny Kent made an instant impact on a track that he and Suzuki know well,…

Suzuki squad clinch Le Mans 24-Hour victory The newly formed Yoshimura SERT team won the Le Mans 24-Hour race after dominating the endurance event. The factory Suzuki squad, comprising British rider Gregg Black, MotoGP test rider Sylvain Guintoli and former MotoGP man Xavier Simeon led 819 of the 855 laps, taking the chequered flag with an eight-lap advantage. Suzuki had been challenged by YART early on in the race, but the official Yamaha entry were forced to retire with a broken valve. ‘I’ve been chasing that win for years’GREGG BLACK, SERT RIDER “I’ve been chasing a win at Le Mans for years,” 2019 Bold’ Or winner, Black said. “Here it is at least, I’m really happy and I thank the whole team for their excellent work during the whole week.…

WSB REPORTER Toprak Razgatlioglu was stunning on Sunday to seize Yamaha’s much-deserved first victory of 2021. Despite a relentless challenge from Ducati’s Michael Ruben Rinaldi, Razgatlioglu made overtaking impossible thanks to the devilish late braking which has become his trademark and continues to confound his rivals. Even Pata Yamaha boss Paul Denning didn’t think the victory would happen at Misano as local favourite Rinaldi, who lives just minutes away from the circuit, was on scintillating form and had taken the first two wins. However, Razgatlioglu’s inch-perfect accuracy sees him work wonders, barely ever deviating two tenths outside his previous lap time and at points pirouetting his Yamaha into corners as though it were balanced on a sixpence, hitting the apex every time even though the rear wheel was often off…

The entertainment provided by Supersport 300 became very frightening on Sunday. The paddock was shaken by Race 2, which featured 15 retirements and numerous multiple collisions, some caused by riders darting from one side of the circuit to the other in front of large packs of bikes. Ton Kawakami was particularly fortunate to escape serious injury when he crashed entering the start/finish straight and was left stranded in the centre of the circuit. After breaking her back last year, Ana Carrasco won when race-long leader Tom Booth-Amos lost control at the last corner. The series is led by Saturday winner Adrian Huertas.…

SPORTS EDITOR Bringing you essential insight behind the sports headlines Three hundred and forty-seven days and counting. That is now the timeline to when TT 2022 starts in what promises to be the start of the biggest and most significant era of change and development ever undertaken at the event. While the lack of racing in 2020 and 2021 has been a body blow to riders, teams and fans alike, TT organisers have remained driven, utilising the opportunity of the two-year pandemic’s enforced sabbatical to ask difficult questions about the 114-year-old event. The extensive process to improve is set to deliver wide-reaching changes in a bid to develop all areas. For 2022 changes include a new Fan Park, revised technical regulations in the Sidecar and Lightweight classes – the latter…

TT Legend John McGuinness MBE in MCN every week More racing, better value for money and run over two weekends. The reason I like these ideas is because deep down I’m still just a fan. I’m a fan who can ride a motorbike. Basically the more time I can spend on the IoM, the better life gets. For 2022 they obviously need to tie up all the loose ends from previous bookings, boats, accommodation etc, which means they will start 2023 with a clean sheet of paper. The live television from 2022 will be amazing – absolutely brilliant. And anyone that has got an internet connection will have access to it and be able to watch every single session live. Imagine sitting out on track watching them come past and…

After everything the last 18 months has brought, we could all do with a bit of adventure right now. Although, if the thought of wrestling with a traditional, heavyweight, big capacity adventure model leaves you cold, Yamaha have the answer in the form of the game-changing Ténéré 700. A smaller adventurer The Ténéré 700 proves that Yamaha have a different take on adventure from other firms. Instead of going down the road of ever-increasing capacity, power, weight and electronic complexity, the Ténéré boasts 74bhp, 187kg (dry) and – beyond ABS – no electronics. Priced at £9502, it’s also half the price of its more expensive, fully loaded rivals. Powered by the same 689cc 270º crossplane-mimicking motor used to great effect in the MT-07, it feels responsive and free-revving thanks to…