Table of contents for 15 February 2023 in MCN

‘This bike doesn’t have any negative points’ LUCA MARINI’S BOLD DUCATI APPRAISAL IN SPORT Ducati lead the way in Sepang Anyone who thought Ducati might lose the plot over winter and arrive at the important Sepang MotoGP test with a bike that looked like it was missing top gear will be sorely disappointed by their dominance. And with Marc Marquez saying the new Honda still needs to make a significant step forward. while Fabio Quartararo voices significant concerns over the new Yamaha’s ability to perform on new rubber and during 2023’s new Sprint racescould this be a whitewash year for the Italians? Our MotoGP insiders get the inside on the test fallout. PAGE 64 THE BIG TEST Counting the cost of commuting How do you save money, overcome the frustration…

US firm UM have six new, small capacity models. Sharing a 125cc, 14.7bhp Aprilia engine are two DSR models-the EX which features a 21in/18in, spoked wheels, while the SM is booted by two 17in super moto wheels and tyres. The EX is £3499, with the SM £100 more. The street-focused naked XStreet RS 125 is powered by a 12bhp engine and features upside-down forks and a 13l tank. It retails for £2899. The Renegade Vegas 125 is black with red accents and costs £3599. The Renegade Freedom 125 has the same 125 but runs through a six-speed box on 17in/15in sevenspoke wheels and is the same price as the Vegas 125. A 300cc Vegas completes the 2023 line-up equipped with a CFMoto single which produces 27.5bhp and retails for £4399.…

For fans of the Isle of Man TT who want to reminisce about the golden days of the island road race, a new book is available detailing the great tuners from the first 70 years of the event and the bikes they tweaked. Written by former TT racer Bill Southcombe, the 106-page colour book features race engineers from 1906 to 1974, it costs £20 with funds from the sales going toward the TT Riders Association (TTRA). “The idea of this book is to encourage enthusiasts to donate to the TTRA and create a better understanding of what the TTRA does to help ex-riders,” Southcombe said. “The hardback book tells the stories of some of the greatest racers and engineers to have supported Brooklands and the TT/Manx GP.” In total the…

WHAT’S NEW IN TECH Honda, in partnership with automotive giant General Motors, have announced the next steps in their research into hydrogen fuel cells- a further indication that battery power is not the only carbon friendly propulsion option for the future. Hydrogen is the most plentiful element in the universe and requires no harmful mining to access it, and importantly has almost three times the energy density of fossil fuels. When sourced by the electrolysis of water using renewable energy such as that from solar panels, it is completely carbon neutral only producing water as a by-product from combustion, in addition to plentiful electricity in a fuel cell. The move is the latest in the company’s goal to be carbon neutral in all its operations by 2050 and will see…

JON URRY ‘Amazing what’s hiding in the loft’ I’ve been up in my loft for the last few days attaching that silver foil bubble wrap insulation you can buy in a (fairly futile) attempt at stopping creepy crawlies pooing all over the stuff I’ve stuck up there out of the way. Honestly, it now looks like one of those cannabis farms you see on the news. While I was scrabbling around I came across a few boxes, which I had forgotten I’d stashed up there. Far from the ‘gentleman’s reading matter’ you may expect, these were much more interesting and contained two 1998 R1 exhausts. Why have I got two? I actually have three, one is on the bike! When I bought my R1 ten or so years ago I…

‘The Soco does the job’ We all know electric bikes don’t have the range of a petrol motorcycle, but in an urban environment and over a short B-road ride, did they impress enough to win Ali over and make her consider choosing one as her daily commuter? “For me the bike that is the best value, combined with its ease of use in both an urban and B-road environment, and also comfort levels is the Super Soco,” she concluded. “It doesn’t come without faults, though. The quality of components isn’t great, its switchgear is clunky, the finish a touch suspect and annoyingly the charger doesn’t fit in the tank space but, faults aside, it’s the best of the bunch. The Maeving is too city-biased and also a bit too much…

Smooth runnings Replace worn bearings to beat vibes and help your bike roll freely BRUCE’S TIPS A worn front bearing may produces a vibration through the steering 1 Check how it feels A wheel bearing’s lifespan depends entirely on how the bike is used. If your bike’s started feeling unstable or has developed poor handling, you should suspect a worn wheel bearing. With the wheel removed, try spinning the bearing with your fingers - a worn bearing will feel notchy. Also look for movement between the hub and wheel spacer. 2 Out with the spacer Remove any spacers and make a note of which side they go to make re-assembly more straightforward. While they’re out, give them a thorough inspection to check their condition, particularly the part that meets the bearing through…

A feather in the cap of both Aprilia and KTM is that it seems they will be able to count on at least one of their satellite riders to back up the factory boys. There were signs that RNF Aprilia could get among the top six in the early races, even if its riders are on year-old machinery, with Miguel Oliveira second fastest on day two. More notable was Raul Fernandez (11th) making a considerable step up on last year. The fact is his smooth riding style is more suited to the RS-GP’s characteristics. “I enjoyed myself on the bike, which I haven’t done since 2021,” he said ‘I’m starting to feel like a MotoGP rider’ Pol Espargaro was upbeat on his return to GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3, and KTM…

2 Riders dipped into the 1:57s… Marini (1:57.889) and Bagnaia (1:57.969) 1 Japanese bike inside the top 10 (Honda, M. Marquez) 155 Most laps (Viñales) 107 Fewest laps (A. Espargaro) 7 Ducati riders inside the top nine 0.415s How much quicker Alex Marquez’s best (1:58.385) was than his ’22 Sepang test best 2:00.3-2:00.6 2022 Sepang race pace 10 Longest lap run (Marini and Rins) 8 Laps of Marini’s 10-lap sprint below the best 2022 race lap (1:59.634) 1:58.288 Best average lap time (Bagnaia) 10 Number of Marini’s sprint laps between 1:59.1 and 1:59.7 1:59.446 Average lap time of Marini’s 10-lap Sprint Race simulation 1:59.144 Marini’s best lap time during his Sprint Race simulation…

I first heard the news about the Northern Irish racing being cancelled at 2am when I’d got up for an old man piss in the middle of the night and I couldn’t believe what I was reading. At the end of the day the NW200 is too big not to happen. It’s all down to insurance, which to be honest I struggle with anyway. In my opinion, if you ride or drive you should put a bond down instead. You put a chunk down and if you’re a good boy you get X amount back and if you’re an idiot you lose the lot. It’s not fair that people who are good at what they do get tarred with the same brush and end up being shafted. It’s like legal…

Weise Ladies Outlast Frontier £169.99 Textile jackets for women riders Last month we highlighted some great deals on men’s textile jackets, so this week we’ve been looking at offers on those specifically designed and tailored for women. The Weise Ladies Outlast Frontier is a four-season allweather touring jacket with a tough 600 Denier polyester outer, and waterproof/ windproof/breathable lining. To keep moisture out, the front closure has external and internal storm flaps, each with its own zip, and air vents at the cuff, chest, upper arm, shoulder and back are waterproof when zipped up. For warmth, there’s a removable thermal liner and collar. A full suite of armour is included, with Level 1 CE protectors at the shoulders, elbows and back. Matching trousers with a connecting zip are also available…

‘It’s our duty to reduce global emissions’ Speaking on behaLf of Kawasaki at. the recent MCIA conference General Manager of Kawasaki UK, Howard Dale said: “Yes, [alternative fuels are] expensive at the moment, but the technology is still in its infancy. “Our duty-as an engineering company-is to reduce global emissions and make the planet a more sustainable place for future generations.” “But we need a reasonable timescale in which to achieve it and to do that we need to work in partnership,” he continued. “And partnership generally involves two things. One is acceptance and the other is compromise,” he concluded.…

Entry is free. Just visit www.rapidtraining.co.uk/mcn-rapid-competition Terms & Conditions: This prize draw is promoted by Rapid Training and is open to UK residents aged 18 and over, holding a minimum of a valid UK A2 class motorcycle licence or international equivalent. The prize consists of one place on a the Bikemaster course with members of the Rapid Pro Coach team. The winner will need to provide their own appropriate safety clothing, equipment, and motorcycle. Full details of what will be required will be provided in advance of the course. The winner may wish to consider purchasing additional individual Personal Accident Insurance before attending the course at their own cost. The winner and subsequent runners up will be based on the first name(s) drawn at random from all valid entries and…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews ‘Brilliant return to 90s madness…’ Yes! A budget steel, rather than aluminium, framed 400cc sportsbike such as the new Kawasaki ZX-4R (MCN, February 8) makes perfect sense because there's always a market for riders that cannot afford all of those £18,000+ models out now! Put simply, the new 400 might seem like a return to 1990s madness but it's a marketing department’s dream catch! Phil, Devon STAR LETTER Guilt by association Regarding the Multistrada stolen en route to the Isle of Man (MCN, February 8). Surely all the judge had to do was find them all ‘guilty by association’ of driving the getaway van when none of the thieves had the backbone to put their hands up to it and none would turn King’s evidence on…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday February 15 BIKE MEETS ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Flints 6pm-9pm 07548-22486 ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, West Yorks 01977-684618 ■ Loomies, West Meon, Hants www.loomiescafe.co.uk EVENT ■ Street Triple 765 Tour, Webbs of Lincoln www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk Thursday February 16 BIKE MEETS ■ Vic Bikers Pub, Coalville, Leics www.vicbikerspub.co.uk ■ Iron Horse, Market Deeping, Lines 5pm-9pm 01778-346952 ■ Whistlestop Cafe, Whitby, North Yorks 4.30pm-8.30pm ■ The Flotterstone Inn, Penicuik, Edinburgh 7pm 01968-673717 ■ Zoom Zoom Tearoom, South Cave East Yorks 01430-424242 ■ MAG, The Market, Elsecar, South Yorkshire 01226 742240 ■ Down and Out M/C, Rotherham, www.downandoutcustoms.co.uk ■ Chopper’s Cafe, Burbage, Wilts 4.30pm-8pm ■ Ace Cafe, London 6pm www.london.acecafe.com EVENT ■ Street Triple 765 Tour,…

THE MCN TEST THE HOTTEST BIKES EVERY WEEK £6990* Maeving RM1 (dual battery as tested £5995 single battery) • Bosch hub electric motor (5.8bhp) • 124kg (dual batteries) • £171.81 per month on HP £5200 Yamaha XSR125 Legacy • 125cc liquid-cooled single SOHC 4v(14.8bhp) • 140kg wet weight • £66.21 per month on PCP, £121.68 per month on HP £4399 Super Soco TC Max (£4499 with spoked wheels) • Bosch electric motor (6.7bhp) • 101kg • £66.38 per month on PCP finance, £113.55 on HP The past three years have had a dramatic effect on how we work. Since Covid, the traditional nine-to-five, five-day week has mutated into a far more fluid affair with many still working predominantly from home with the odd day of hot desking. But on those…

Ducati’s chief designer for 30 years, from when the Bologna-firm first moved into bikes right up to the day it produced the 851, Fabio Taglioni was the father of Ducati’s desmo V-twin and the driving force behind legendary race successes. Born into a biking family, he studied engineering before joining Mondial in 1952, then the most successful Italian racing brand, but two years later he fell out with the company-owning Boselli brothers when not invited to a dinner to mark victory in the Moto Giro. “The next day, without explanation, I left,” Taglioni later said. “It was undoubtedly, in all the euphoria, a distraction for Boselli – but I’m from Romagna, and with that I said it all.” Keen to stay in racing, Taglioni accepted an offer from the fledgling…

Unquestionably niche and unapologetically expensive, the new Diavel V4 won’t be for everyone, but it’s more than just a shiny red cruiser. It demolishes 60mph in less than three seconds, stops with the ferocity of a racer and flows through corners like a supersport bike. Its new engine is as happy plodding along on two cylinders as it is delivering brutal acceleration in full V4 mode. The bike is beautifully equipped and well finished, but best of all, thanks to clever use of technology and substantial weight Loss, it’s nimbler, sportier and a whole lot more fun than it has any right to be. THE FACTS £23,585 Ducati Diavel V4…

FIRST RIDE Suzuki’s V-Strom has been part of the motorcycling landscape for over two decades and is one of the Japanese manufacturer’s biggest sellers. But during that time the adventure bike class has erupted with a rush of options from practically every motorcycle manufacturer on the planet. The new-for-’ 23 V- Strom 1050 and off-road focused V-Strom 1050 DE have undergone plenty of changes, but have Suzuki done enough to stay in touch with their rivals? We went to the cold and snowy launch in Greece to find out… Electronics play catch up The most significant upgrade centres around electronics. An updated SIRS (Suzuki Intelligent Ride System) uses Bosch’s six-axis IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) and brings the package in line with key rivals. Three engine maps, three levels of ABS…

Tested by Steve Herbert-Mattick for 10 months This aggressive-looking adventure lid’s composite fibre shell is littered with aerodynamic wings and fins. With purposeful styling and classy graphics, a Pinlock-ready visor, sun-visor, removable peak for road and track use and reinforced chin strap with a metal buckle, the Explorer from LS2 has an awful lot going for it. The comfortable-if-firm padding has a tight collar, making it quiet and stable on the road. The vents work well although the tabs can be a little hard to locate with gloves on. The breath guard comes up quite high so checking the clocks sometimes needs conscious effort to look ‘over’ it and occasionally the strap gets caught if I’m wearing a high-collared jacket. The sun visor is effective but as the bottom edge…

Generally speaking, we all know that if a bike’s ‘bent’ you need to steer well clear (with ‘bent’, in this case meaning both nicked or knock-off or, more likely, damaged such that forks, wheels whatever, no longer have their intended shape). Except, of course, it’s not as simple as that. Focusing purely on the latter, ‘wonky’ definition, ‘bent’, if subtle enough, if fixable or cheaply replaced, can be a good bargaining point. ‘Been down the road, has it?’ asks potential buyer spotting a slightly skew-whiff rear brake pedal. ‘I’ll have to knock £100 off…’ The trick is knowing what you’re looking at, being utterly thorough. Inspect all angles: rear and front on, on all stands and off, spin the wheels. Look at the brake discs, too, exhaust, the bars, obviously,…

‘They’d just run the poor Yamaha into the ground’ A scored disc and rear pads down to the metal are fairly unremarkable MoT failures on a 125, but the back story is a prime example of the perils of buying privately when you are a new rider. When a recentlybought Yamaha MT125 went through an MoT at the Two Wheel Centre and failed on head races, a seized front brake, rear pads worn to the metal and a numberplate light missing, owner Nick Nomikos thought he’d quiz the rider on his bike knowledge. Nick said: “The interesting point to this one is that it passed in January 2022 with an advisory for the rear pads. Since then, the bike has covered 3922 miles without any visible servicing work. So, the…

SPORT ‘We still need to make a step’ MARC MARQUEZ Testing is one thing; racing another. This dictum will loom large at HRC, after a rather underwhelming performance at the first three days of action of 2023. Results from Sepang - Marc Marquez just scraping into the top ten and new team-mate Joan Mir two places further down - were not disastrous. Marc was just seven tenths off the top time, while he had also worked his way through four different iterations of the RC213V and a long tick-box programme of different items. Never one to dwell on the negatives, Marc reported solid I progress, but admitted: “We still need to make a step.” He started the test with four bikes. By the end of three days, he had narrowed it…

SPORT Switching from Honda to Ducati has been transformational for Marc Marquez’s little brother, Alex. Three years on the Japanese machine had marked steady backwards progress for the 2019 Moto2 champion. His first season on the RCV, straight into the factory team to replace the unexpectedly departed Jorge Lorenzo, had promised much, with two podiums. The second yielded a handful of top tens. But last year was most often a struggle even to make the lowest points, marked by frequent crashes. A tally of 21 for the season put him equal third in this unhappy list with Pol Espargaro. ‘Perhaps his brother should do the same’ Dropped from the LCR satellite team, he might have hit the doldrums, until solid financial backing secured a lifeline from the Gresini team. The…

2023 Devitt devittinsurance.com MCN LONDON SHOW WELCOME London’s ExCeL will reverberate to the sounds (and smells) of some truly legendary bikes from Friday to Sunday this week - mixing great racing machines of yesteryear with some of the most exciting new metal to grace our roads during 2023. Enclosing the dramatic central Supersprint track will be huge new bike displays from major manufacturers plus clothing and accessory retailers. And if your wallet is feeling abused, simply sit back and listen to some of the world’s most experienced and interesting adventure riders as they spin yarns and share their knowledge on the adventure zone stage. Whatever form of two-wheeled addiction feeds your soul, it’s time to get ready to lose yourself in a world of biking, and celebrate the start of a whole…

2023 Devitt devittinsurance.com MCN LONDON SHOW In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the James Bond movie franchise, Triumph will be bringing along five extraspecial machines to the show. Two of the bikes on display, a Tiger 900 and Scrambler 1200XE, are the genuine machines used in the recent Bond film No Time to Die. What’s more, you’ll get to see both the bikes in action as the movie’s stunt riders, Martin Craven (stunt double for the baddie) and Paul Edmondson (stunt double for Bond) will be firing them down the Supersprint drag strip throughout the show. The special Bond display also features three special edition production Bond machines: the Tiger 900 Bond Edition, Scrambler 1200 Bond Edition and the stunning Speed Triple 1200 RR 60th Anniversary Bond Edition. Triumph Chrome…

2023 Devitt devittinsurance.com MCN LONDON SHOW For anyone heading to the Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show for some travel inspiration, we’ve got a great line-up of speakers, from the first British female rider to ride around the world, Elspeth Beard, travel veteran Sam Manicom, endurance riding icon Nick Sanders and the ‘Lightweight Adventurers’ who prove you don’t always need a bulging set of panniers. Sponsored by Caberg, this year’s Adventure Zone is hosted by ‘The Sidecar Guys’ who hold the Guinness world record for the longest journey completed by scooter and sidecar. Matt Bishop and Reece Gilkes, also known as: ‘The Sidecar Guys’ Matt and Reece travelled for 34,000 miles through 35 countries and five continents to successfully circumnavigate the globe by scooter and sidecar. They’re the perfect Adventure Zone…

2023 Devitt devittinsurance.com MCN LONDON SHOW Starting out as the Manx Amateur Road Races in 1923, the centennial Manx Grand Prix will play host to an additional series of special events, with details being revealed at the Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show. To celebrate the announcement, some of the event’s star names will be in attendance, including John McGuinness MBE, Lee Johnston, Dominic Herbertson, and 2022 Senior Manx Grand Prix winner, Stephen Smith. For a century, the Manx GP has been a proving ground for rising talent on the Isle of Man. Through changes and updates in regulations over the years it’s also been a truly exciting series for race machinery, and has borne witness to the reintroduction and development of some truly iconic bikes. To celebrate this centenary milestone,…

2023 Devitt devittinsurance.com MCN LONDON SHOWS The show will be rammed with a stunning array of brand-new models guaranteed to give you sleepless nights as you wrestle with the definition of what the word ‘need’ really means. So, we’ve picked the ten bikes we think you should stick on your ‘mustsee’ list. It’s an eclectic bunch that ranges from the daily hero to the sunny Sunday special, and spans a bewildering range of price points. Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114 Anniversary • Engine 1868cc • Power 93.8bhp • Torque 114.3lb.ft • Kerb weight 317kg • Seat height 675mm How hot? Making its exclusive UK debut at the Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show is HarleyDavidson’s impressive looking new Fat Boy 114 Anniversary model. One of six limited production 2023 models commemorating 120…

2023 Devitt devittinsurance.com MCN LONDON SHOWS Britain’s biggest and best outdoor bike show returns to Peterborough Arena on May 13-14 for one final fling before the East of England Showground is redeveloped for housing. With Europe’s largest test fleet, proper championship racing, thrilling stunt shows, and retailers selling everything from premier kit to end of line bargains, it’s going to be a belter of a final visit to the showground. Watch this space for news on the 2024 venue! Hurry, these early bird offers are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Book now to avoid disappointment! Great reasons to visit… • Huge test ride fleets from major manufacturers • Watch a full weekend of dirt track racing on the oval • Buy a bike at the massive Silverstone classic bike…

Indian are giving you the chance to win a special. FTR model, designed by World Rally driver Sébastien Loeb. Just register online and go for a test ride on any model, in the FTR line-up from a dealership before May 15. The only other special FTR ‘Loeb’, to be built by French builder Tank Machine, will be given to the ninetimes World Rally champion himself. Visit indianmotorcycle.co.uk/ftr-loeb-form to sign up now. Honda CL500 is £6k Honda has confirmed its new A2-compliant CL500 will cost £5999 on the road and is expected to arrive in dealers in April 2023. The CL uses the same 471cc parallel twin as the CBR500R,CB500X, CB500F and CMX500 Rebel. The easy-going upright retro will produce a claimed 46bhp at 8500rpm and 32lb.ft at 6250rpm, with revised…

THIS WEEK It’s the hottest bike on the market.Period’ Buell have teamed up with custom legend Roland Sands to create a new raked-out Super Cruiser, claimed to produce more power than a Ducati Diavel V4. Launched at Daytona Bike Week in the USA last week, the blacked-out brawler is powered by Buell’s 1190cc liquid-cooled V-twin also found in the Hammerhead 1190 superbike, 1190 SX super naked, and Baja Dune Racer. Capable of up to a claimed 182.5bhp @ 10.6000rpm in some other applications, the twin is housed in a minimalist trellis. The SC Project full exhaust system featuring on this launch model should get the most from the twin-pot soundtrack, but don’t expect it to pass Euro regulations any time soon. Speaking about the build, Buell CEO Bill Melvin said:…

SAVE £2300 KOOftfel*™ 'ally Explorer' Weighing 25kg less than the previous models, the latest Tigers are great handling adventure bikes with a comprehensive suite of rider assists and creature comforts from heated seats to cornering ABS. Thanks to its clever tank design, the 30-litre capacity Explorer isn’t at all intimidating to ride either. www.bulldogtriumph.com SAVE £1450 £17,495 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1 X This 2022 Pan America Special in Vivid Black has adaptive ride height and full soft luggage. www.southamptonharleydavidson.co.uk • Engine 1252cc • Power 150bhp • Weight 258kg • Seat height 895mm SAVE £650 £8084 Yamaha R7 5-Ways have a saving on both the Icon Blue and Yamaha Black versions of the sporty, corner-hungry, but friendly parallel twin sportsbike. www.5-ways.co.uk • Engine 689cc • Power 72bhp • Weight 188kg •…

Q ‘Just whose fault was it?’ I was injured in an accident when the driver in front of me suddenly slammed on their brakes when a traffic light went amber. I would like to make a claim for injuries and my lost earnings against their insurer as I am now out of hospital and it will be a few weeks until I am able to work again. My wife thinks the accident was my fault because I went into the back of his car but I disagree as I think he performed a dangerous manoeuvre. Should I pursue this or am I wasting my time? Nigel Smith, email A You shouLd always leave sufficient space between you and the vehicle in front to allow you to safely stop should the…

WEDNESDAY February 15 1.35pm, ITV4 The Motorbike Show. Also at 5.55pm SUNDAY February 19 5pm, QUEST Shed and Buried 1am, QUEST World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides: Russia, Part 1. Part 2 at 2am MONDAY February 20 8am, EUR2 World Superbikes Netherlands Weekend Highlights 9am, EUR2 World Superbikes Estoril Weekend Highlights 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 ITVDST - DISCOVERY TURBO SHED DISCOVERY SHED INST - INSIGHT SS1 (2,3 ORX) - SKY SPORTS 1 (2, 3 OR EXTRA) QUEST BTS1 - BT SPORT 1 BTS2 - BT SPORT…

‘Nice, but no wow factor’ If you’re in the market for an essentially, old-school, reliable, unintimidating but engaging bike then the V-Strom is worth consideration. The electronics and excellent fuss-free TFT dash have dragged the latest V-Strom 1050 into the 2020s, but it’s not really innovative or ground-breaking in anyway. With its muted styling and excessive weight, you can’t help thinking Suzuki would have been better off forgetting about the DE version and instead used the budget to make the standard model, more powerful, lighter and better looking. There’s also the price. At £13,666 the DE model, is more expensive than a Honda Africa Twin, KTM 890 Adventure R, and Triumph Tiger 900 GT or Rally. And that’s hard to justify. THE FACTS £12,999 (DE model £13,666) Suzuki V-Strom 1050…

Compact, potent, bristling with electronics and utterly focused, Aprilia’s RSV4 and R are the more affordable versions of the all-singing, all-dancing RSV4 Factory which won the WSB crown for Max Biaggi in 2012 then again in the hands of Sylvain Guintoli in 2014. The V4 was basically the same, without some of the Factory’s advanced electronics, and the chassis parts were slightly lower-spec, but it’s still a beautifully balanced technology-packed Italian missile. It’s monstrously fast, gives you loads of confidence in the corners, has superb ride quality, looks great and sounds even better. BUYER BEWARE • There was an issue with conrods (outside suppLier) on very early bikes, so if it’s a 2010 model, make sure that it’s been checked. • Top ends are quite noisy but listen carefully for…

Being able to extract a bearing or bully a new one into place is an essential skill that you’ll use for a variety of jobs on a bike. As with most things, experience counts massively as you’ll develop a bit of a knack over time. That said, there are plenty of ways to make the job easier and there are dedicated pullers you can buy that can help with removal, as well as drivers that’ll aid installation. Aside from specialist tools, you can deploy a bit of science. If you encounter a bearing that refuses to budge, heat it up. A DIY heat gun will easily generate enough heat to encourage a stubborn bearing to shift. And for ease of installation stick the bearings in the freezer for half an…

SPORT BRITISH SUPERBIKES | TEAM LAUNCH JOSH CLOSE INSIGHT The latest moves and news from the BSB paddock Hawk Racing has a fresh new look this season after undergoing a raft of key changes to their rider, manufacturer and sponsorship line-ups over the winter break. Riders Charlie Nesbitt and Josh Owens were confirmed last week after several weeks of speculation linking them to the rides, with Nesbitt having made his BSB debut for the team at the final two rounds of 2022. Those two rounds turned out to be the final races for the team as Suzuki’s official Bennetts British Superbike championship squad. This year, Nesbitt and Owens will race Honda Fireblades after the six-season Suzuki partnership came to an end. The departure from BSB as an official factory entry follows…

The 2023 season kicked off last week with three days of testing at Sepang in Malaysia. Here’s a taster of the new tech that was on show… DUCATI YAMAHA HONDA APRILIA KTM…

KTM were the big unknown of the three days. And if the timesheets were the only thing to be considered, it could be assumed the Austrian factory are in a world of trouble. Pol Espargaro was 13th, Brad Binder 14th and new signing Jack Miller 18th. But none were overly fazed on the opening two days and pointed to the substantial testing work that was completed as reason to be positive. ALL three riders worked their way through a number of items, including two engines as well as two aero packages, across the three days. While testing such fundamental parts, fine-tuning little details was still some way off. “It was purely trying things to get as much information as possible,” said Binder. “We’re now getting it narrowed down to what…

MOTOGP | SEPANG TEST MAT OXLEY INSIGHT Paddock veteran and ex-racer writes for MCN TOP STORY Ducati destroyed everyone in the 2022 MotoGP championship, taking the rider, constructor and team titles, winning 12 of the 20 races and putting three riders in the top five of the points table. So, can they do even better in 2023? Yes, I think they can. Ducati are stronger now and none of their rivals have made big enough a step to catch them. It’s like the earliest days of MotoGP, when Honda’s RC211V was pretty much unbeatable. The Desmosedici has more of everything: more horsepower, more top speed, more downforce aerodynamics, more riders, so more data to create better computer modelling and simulations to further improve all-round performance. How can you beat that?…

EXPERT OPINION The current crisis in Irish racing has been compounded by the recent descent into chaos of the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland, Ulster Centre, the sport’s governing body in Northern Ireland. Rocked by financial scandals and internecine strife, it can no longer fill some of its vital posts. That collapse has left race bosses like the North West 200’s Mervyn Whyte to their own devices as they battle the insurance crisis. Whyte will tweak his finances and try to find cheaper insurance as he emphasises the danger of losing an event that plays such a vital role in the local economy. The NW200 attracts tens of thousands of spectators and millions of pounds of revenue to businesses in the seaside towns along Northern Ireland’s north coast. Local politicians…

2023 Devitt devittinsurance.com MCN LONDON SHOW With more than 30 motorcycles ready to charge down the world’s only indoor drag strip, the all-new Supersprint is the live action show you won’t want to miss. From Peter Hickman’s current BSB-spec BMW M1000RR to a 1914 Harley-Davidson Model 10C ‘Silent Grey Fellow’ we’ve got every type of bike imaginable taking to the strip, including Barry Sheene’s world championship winning bikes from 1976 and 1977. New this year, the Supersprint runs right through the middle of the exhibition hall in London, creating an atmosphere unlike any other bike show in the UK. The Supersprint will blast off three times on Friday and four times on Saturday and Sunday (see timings, above) so there’s plenty of chances to see the bikes in action. Supersprint bikes…

British clothing brand Spada will be revealing its 2023 collection exclusively at the London show including casually styled quilted jackets (Joe and Tinto) plus the Lambert leather jacket, all with latest levels of CE certification. For the adventure bike rider, Spada has updated the Tucson adventure suit, introduced new tan and olive colour options for the RiDE Recommended Ascent range, and continues with the adaptable multi-layered Alberta. 2023 will also see the first of the brand’s helmets, along with new improved variants in their bestselling Pilgrim Grande and Strider boot range. Whatever you ride, Spada claims to have a product that fits that need, all designed, tested, and developed to the high standards expected by the riding community - and backed up by a two-year warranty.…

FRIDAY 10:45 Welcome from The Sidecar Guys 11:00 Lightweight Adventurers: ‘What a pair of lightweights’… Does size matter? 11:30 Simon and Lisa Thomas: ‘500,000 miles around the world’ 12:00 Sam Manicom: ‘Travel, it’s a people thing’ 12:30 The Sidecar Guys: ‘Around the world by scooter and sidecar’ 13:45 Tiffany Coates: ‘Wild camping, the dirty truth’ 14:15 Austin Vince: ‘The Spanish Pyrenees, Europe’s greatest adventure secret’ 14:45 Chris Donaldson: ‘Going the wrong way’ 15:15 Tour Secure: Tips for protecting your motorcycle when travelling (all Tour Secure presentations on this timetable include a chance to win an Abus lock) SATURDAY 10:30 Welcome from The Sidecar Guys 10:45 Heather Sinclair: ‘How I learned to stop worrying and love to wrench’ 12:00 Nick Sanders: ‘A life in adventure’ 12:30 The Sidecar Guys 13:30 Tour…

2023 Devitt devittinsurance.com MCN LONDON SHOW Venue details The Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show ExCeL London, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL Show times Friday, February 17: 9am-5pm Saturday, February 18: 9am-6pm Sunday, February 19: 9am-5pm Buy tickets You can purchase your tickets on arrival at ExCeL, or online at www.mcnmotorcycleshow.com - allowing you to beat the box office queues on the day. Ticket prices on the door • Adult £25 • Senior citizen (Over-65s) £23 • Adult disabled £25 • Child (age 5 - 15) £5 • Disabled Child (age 5 - 15) £5 • Child age 4 and under (with fee paying adult) Free TRAVEL DETAILS Arriving by road When riding or driving to ExCeL, London, follow signs for Royal Docks, City Airport and ExCeL.…

2023 Devitt devittinsurance.com MCN LONDON SHOWS There are 150 fantastic reasons for classic bike fans to head to the Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show, with news that leading auction house Silverstone Auctions are bringing 150 very special auction lots to sell. With machines including barn finds, rare road bikes and sublime race machinery, there’s something for everyone, from a quirky Raleigh Wisp (with no reserve) to machines ridden by former MotoGP factory rider Colin Edwards and TT fans’ favourite Guy Martin. The sale takes place at 1.30pm on Saturday. February 18 with viewings available on Friday. Visit www.silverstoneauctions.com for a full up-to-date list, and get ready to face temptation! For now, here’s MCN’s pick of some of the best bikes up for grabs. 1967 Raleigh Wisp 70cc A great example…