Table of contents for 19 April 2023 in MCN

ON TEST When less gives you more value It’s all too easy to get sucked into thinking that you must buy the flagship version of any model the best in breed. But is more always better, or could less be, well, more? We grabbed the keys to four base models in the middleweight nakeds class - all of which have hotter siblings to see just how much you sacrifice by saving yourself a few quid on the ticket price. And the truth might surprise you. Time to challenge the received wisdom as Triumph’s new Street Triple R goes up against the Ducati Monster, KTM 890 Duke and Yamaha MT-09. PAGE 31 ‘Is there any need to go for a super-naked?’ NAKED MIDDLEWEIGHTS, PAGE 31 THIS WEEK Smart motorways given the…

The Department for Transport have announced new regulations to inspect road repairs carried out by utility companies. Kicking off on April 1, 2023, the new ‘street works regime’ will look to improve on current inspection figures which see only around one third of the work carried out by firms checked. Transport Secretary, Mark Harper said: “The move will focus on telecom companies in particular, which is the worst performing sector - responsible for nearly 13% of poor street work repairs. “The measures will ensure these companies are checked more regularly until they can bring about noticeable improvements and leave roads in the condition that all road users deserve.” The scheme comes as the Government are investing more than £5.5billion between 2020 and 2025 into highway maintenance, A £200million pledge to…

Traditionally, parallel twins had either 360-degree cranks, where both pistons rise and fall as one, or 180-degree cranks where one piston is at the top of its travel while the other is at the bottom, The 360-degree twins have evenly spaced firing intervals, one for every full rotation of the crankshaft, but terrible ‘primary’ balance because the pistons go up and down together. 180-degree twins have perfect primary balance, because the upward movement of one piston counteracts the downward travel of the other, but an uneven firing interval with a short 180-degree gap between combustions followed by a long 540-degree wait. They also suffer from a ‘rocking couple’ as the movement of the pistons makes the engine rock. These designs also suffer secondary balance problems as both pistons are simultaneously…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews ‘Keep up the miles, smiles & ice cream’ As a member of your #ride5000miles group it was great to see a selfie of Chris Hood and his ice cream at Thornton Dale in the April 12 MCN. If ever there was an advert for biking improving your mental health and happiness, it’s got to be Chris’ selfies (and I don’t even know the guy!). A happier looking chap you are never likely to find… and can you blame him? Motorcycling has to be one of the best things ever for mind and spirit, whether you are pootling around the dales, tearing around a track or out with a group of like-minded people, it’s a joy to be a part of. Keep up the smiles! Rob Chesman,…

1 April 20-23 Race the Waves Bridlington is taking a step back in time with the vintage festival. There is stuff from Thursday, but Saturday and Sunday brings the beach racing. www. backfirepromotions.com 2 April 22-23 International Classic Bike Show The Stafford County Showground will be a haven for classics this weekend, with plenty of vintage metal. Advance ticket £15.50, gate ticket £18. www.classicbikeshows.com 3 April 22 Squires Autojumble The renowned Yorkshire biker spot has its monthly autojumble this weekend. You could grab yourself a bargain, or if you’re selling, then pitches are a fiver. www.squires-cafe.co.uk 4 April 23 Bike 4Life festival One of the biggest charity rideouts in the UK is back this weekend. Book online, rideout and festival tickets are £15, festival only at RAF Cosford is £5…

WEDNESDAY April 19 2pm, BTS2 FIMX-Trial World Championship Highlights FRIDAY April 21 9.20am, EUR2 Live World Superbikes from Assen, The Netherlands: Free Practice 1. Also a look back at Free Practice 1&2 at 6pm SATURDAY April 22 8am, EUR2 Live World Superbikes from Assen, The Netherlands: Supersport 300 Superpole. 9.20am Supersport Superpole. 10am Superbike Superpole. 11.15am Supersport 300 Race 1.12.15pm Superbike Race 1. 9pm Highlights SUNDAY April 23 9.30am, EUR2 Live World Superbikes from Assen, The Netherlands: Superbike Superpole Race. 10.45am Race 1.11.15am Supersport Race 2.12.15pm Superbike Race 2.5.45pm Highlights 2am, QUEST World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides: Wales MONDAY April 24 10am, EUR2 Motocross World Championship from Trentino, Italy: MX2 Race 1.11am MX2 Race 2 KEYTO CHANNELS: DRT - DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC - DISCOVERY CHANNEL DHD - DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD…

THE MCN TEST • THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK £10,699 KTM 890 Duke GP ● 889cc liquid-cooled parallel twin DOHC 8v ● 113.4bhp @ 9000rpm ● 183kg kerb weight £11,451 Ducati Monster • 937cc liquid-cooled V-twin DOHC 8v • 109.4bhp @ 9250rpm • 188kg kerb weight £9800 Yamaha MT-09 ● 889cc inline triple DOHC 12v ● 117.3bhp @ 10,000rpm ● 189kg kerb weight £9595 Triumph Street Triple R ● 765cc inline triple DOHC 12v ● 118.4bhp @ 11,500rpm ● 189kg kerb weight More often than not, buying a bike is a decision made with the heart rather than the head. Whatever the deciding factor, bigger is generally viewed as better - but that’s not always the case. Do you actually need a 200bhp sportsbike? Is a 268kg GS Adventure…

You’ll struggle to find an individual more genuine than Barry Nutley. From discovering he was adopted at the age of 15 to still commentating at 78, the flame burns as brightly as ever - and the voice is just as loud. If it’s noisy, moves quickly and has wheels - actually, it doesn’t even need wheels - you can guarantee Barry has broadcast on it. Motorcycles, cars, powerboats, jet skis, planes… the list is endless. And he’s not finished, either, having just signed a fresh five-year deal to commentate on World Sidecar Motocross to accompany his British Sidecar Championship commentaries for Eurosport. His TV career began in 1984, which makes 2023 his 40th season of broadcasting. Accustomed to live television, where the next surprise is always just around the corner,…

Ideal for newbies and stylish commuters, it turns, stops, and goes just as you would expect seating you in a comfortable position that affords you the space to become animated when you want to Lean on the Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tyres. Taller - and broader than the CMX500 Rebel cruiser, the CL will make much more sense on congested roads. The Rebel’s stumpy 690mm perch sits you in line with the wheel nuts of some trucks and you can’t help but feel vulnerable as you slither past slower traffic. The CL, by contrast, is more comfortable over distance and the rear suspension is far more capable of soaking up bumps. THE FACTS £5999 Honda CL500…

FIRST RIDE Harleys are never exactly subtle and if you want the most badass, fastest, most drag-strip-inspired lump of US metal of all, you want the Breakout. Originally introduced in 2013 with the then ‘Twin Cam' 103ci (l690cc) version of the firm’s traditional 45-degree, air-cooled, pushrod V-twin, it proved popular in the UK. The bike received a significant makeover in 2018 with the new single-shock Softail frame and Milwaukee Eight 107ci (l746cc) engine (with the then biggest 114ci/1868cc version also available as an option) and now Harley have made it bigger and brighter again. But is it better? We found out in California… 1 More, more, more… The big news is the newenginecurrently Harley’s largest, ‘117’ refers to its capacity in cubic inches, which equates to a bulging 1923cc. Other…

Tested by Michael Guy for 10 months Finding the right kit for adventure and off-road riding isn’t always easy. Being in the UK, having something warm and waterproof sits pretty high up on the list of priorities but so is comfort, ventilation and fit. The Component H20 pants are part of REV’IT!’s Dirt series and were my choice for two significant adventure rides, starting with a trip to Iceland with Honda Adventure Roads in July and a more recent Husqvarna Norden Expedition launch in South Africa. First up is the fit, with adjustable waist and well tailored design they give space to wear proper knee protectors or knee braces but don’t have excess material flapping around or rucking up when you ride. They come with a removable thermal layer, but…

Sometimes it pays to stand out: if you’re applying for a job, for instance. But when it comes to trying to sell a used bike, it most definitely doesn’t. It’s all about living up to expectations. Predictable, comfortable expectations. When a buyer is looking for a new bike, at some point in the process they’ll have a particular model in mind: almost certainly in their preferred factory colour; probably completely standard or, if not, with a popular accessory or two that’s common among owners. There’s nothing unusual about a Ducati with Termis fitted. Or a GSX-R750 with a Yoshimura. The trick is not conflicting with those expectations too much, otherwise you may well put potential buyers off. Years ago, I had a bog-stock white Yamaha FZ1 on which I’d rashly…

JOSH CLOSE INSIGHT Bringing you the inside line from the heart of BSB 1 All change at FHO? In BSB, there’s an old saying which goes; never, ever rule out Josh Brookes. And this proved to be seemingly correct after Silverstone. After two barren years, Brookes is back to his very best and is leading the championship after his first round onboard the BMW M1000RR. However, Peter Hickman, who has been the lead rider at FHO - and its former guise Smiths Racing for a few years suffered a tough weekend. Eleventh in Race One was followed by a crash in warm up and technical DNF in Race Two, before Hicky stormed through from 24th to 12th. It’s only one round, but it sets the stage for an intriguing year.…

De Giannantonio F 13pts Nakagami T 7pts Marquez M 7pts FINAL POSITIONS MOTOGP 11 Pirro +32.37 12 Folger+1’08.065 13 Binder+1’23.012 DNF Bradl 18 laps DNF Nakagami 11 laps DNF Mir 8 laps DNF Bagnaia 7 laps DNF Miller 6 laps DNF Fernandez R 6 laps DNF Marquez A 0 laps DNF Espargaro A 0 laps DNF Martin 0 laps FINAL POSITIONS SP RACE 11 Zarco +14.251 12 Mir+14.988 13 Nakagami +15.592 14 Morbidelli +16.534 15 Fernandez R +19.29 16 Fernandez A +23.128 17 Di Giannantonio +25.626 18 Bradl +25.787 19 Quartararo +27.169 20 Folger+46.973 FINAL POSITIONS MOTO2 11 Chantra +13.607 12 Arenas +14.001 13 Lowes +20.054 14 Foggia +22.99 15 Ogura +28.82 16 Roberts +31.893 17 VD Goorbergh +34.735 18 Kelly +34.934 19 Skinner +42.54 20 Gomez +49.973 21 Guevara…

CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association, Tony Campbell said: “Research shows that in the main, the cost of new motorcycles in today’s market has not changed with all things considered (inflation and exchange rates etc). “Whilst we appreciate motorcycling can be an expensive hobby, it must be noted that costs have significantly increased for manufacturers, these include increases in development costs to meet the latest safety and emissions standards, the introduction of many new technologies that are found on new bikes and of course the increase in cost throughout the supply chain. “Manufacturers have worked hard at supporting buyers by offering innovative finance packages that suit today’s customer. “We must also not lose sight of the strong residual values of used bikes, meaning that the actual cost of ownership is…

Offenders illegally using bikes in rural hotspots have been tracked down in a drone operation run by Northumbria Police and the British Transport Police. In a matter of hours on Sunday, March 26, Morpeth Neighbourhood Policing Team were able to identify and seize four bikes a quad being ridden illegally in an area between Craster and Amble. The riders involved have been charged with a range of offences including having no insurance. “I know how motorbike disorder, caused by a small minority, can cause upset and concern amongst local communities and I hope this success shows how Northumbria Police is committed to working with others to explore new ways to clampdown on those involved,” said Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness (who previously drew scorn for saying all bikes…

Richa Airsummer jacket £139.99 Get set for warmer weather with this highly ventilated jacket from Richa. Constructed from abrasion-resistant textile, it features mesh panels at key areas for maximum airflow, with a soft Lining and neoprene trimmed collar. www.nevis.uk.com SW-Motech Protection for Ducati DesertX from £54.95 The latest range includes a CNC machined sidestand foot (£54.95), tough, powder coated crash bars (pictured, £198.72) and a substantial aluminium engine guard (£293.76). www.sw-motech.co.uk Oxford Courier Muffs £54.99 Muffs are the ultimate solution for keeping your hands cosy. This latest version from Oxford boasts a tough neoprene construction with fully waterproof bonded seams, and a unique ‘Clic Grip ready’ system for attaching them to the company’s Courier HotGrips. www.oxfordproducts.com Touratech Storm Rain Suit £176.85 Dedicated rain suits can often leave you just as…

Q ‘I went over the bonnet’ I was involved in a nasty crash a couple of years ago when a Mini driver turned across my path and sent me flying over the bonnet. I was in hospital, for three weeks and still feel the effects to this day. I was provided with solicitors by my insurance company and they were fine at first. But the person dealing with my case has changed four times and I struggle to get hold of them. It feels like my case isn’t going anywhere. Leo, email A It’s not unreasonable to expect to be kept updated with developments or to be able to get in touch with the person dealing with the case. You have two options - you can make a complaint to…

▶ Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader Rob Tiffen. New rider and my first ever bike road trip (passed my CBT Easter 2022 and my full licence mid-September 2022). The ride Bologna and back, via Switzerland and the French Riviera How many miles? 2550 Best time to go Late spring to early autumn. I went in late March and the passes in the Alps were still closed, so had to go through the Great Saint Bernard tunnel. I got caught in heavy rain in Switzerland that turned to snow. Don’t miss this… The views around Lausanne as the motorway winds around the city, and you can see the lake and the Alps. The Ducati museum in Bologna was Ducatisti fan boy heaven! The road from Bologna to Vergato in the…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday April 19 BIKE MEETS ■ Charity Bike Meet, Toolstation, Whitchurch, Shropshire 4pm-8pm 07425-603308 ■ The King Billy Rock Bar, Bike & Burger Night, Northampton, Northamptonshire. 6.30pm Facebook: The King Billy Rock Bar ■ MFN, Bike night, The Seven Oaks Inn, Stanton By Dale, Derbys. 5pm till Late Facebook: MFN Bike nights ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire, From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, near Sherburn in Elmet, West Yorks 01977-684618 or www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ Park Road Cafe, St Helens, Merseyside 01744-808440 ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Mold, Flints 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 or Facebook: The Old Stores Motorbike cafe ■ Hook Bike Night, Newton Road, Hook, Pembrokeshire. 6pm hook.bike.night@gmail.com ■ Loomies Moto Cafe, West Meon,…

‘Much better comfort’ Although the Breakout was never the best ‘riding’ Harley, thanks to its brutish, long and lean lines and beast of a back tyre, no Hog had a more powerful visual impact. For many that was enough. That’s unchanged, in fact, thanks to the extra chrome, smart new wheels and vivid colours, it’s actually enhanced. The bigger 117ci engine is a bonus, too. Although, in reality, performance is not dramatically different, its bragging rights most certainly are. The biggest improvement is comfort. With the old Breakout you tolerated its awkwardness. Now it’s a bike you can tackle big miles on - in style. THE FACTS £24,917otr 2023 H-D Breakout 117…

Much prefers performance to plodders, rides in all weathers, all year round Say hello to my new partner in crime. I’ll spend the next couple of months on the DesertX, then swap it for Ducati’s new Multistrada V4 Rally to see just how much extra globe-trotting mumbo your additional nearly £10k gets you. So, what are the standout observations from our first two weeks, and nearly 2000 miles, together? 1 The power to move you The 937cc L-twin Testastretta is not a new lump - but it feels superbly at home in the DesertX. Part of it feeling so alive and fresh is due to the short gearing, the downside being that motorway miles are a bit revvy (but smooth), with 83mph on the dash arriving at 6000rpm. The positive…

Definitive old-school-style, twin-shock inline-four bruiser The first of the new wave of Japanese, retro-style, big bore, old-school fours were definitive exampLes of the breed thanks to Yamaha’s use of the oLd, aircooled FJ1200 engine, classic styling, decent brakes and more. First arriving as a carbed 1200 in 1994 it grew to 1300cc in 1999 then switched from carbs to fuel injection in 2007. Spec varies and quality may not be Honda level, but it’s bulletproof, arguably the most engaging ride and great value. BUYER BEWARE • It might be solidly built but the XJR’s finish is flimsy, so watch for worn coatings, corrosion, and chipped or flaking paint, especially on bikes that have seen winter use. • On any bike with an immobiliser (2004-onwards) ensure you get the red ‘master’…

I usually associate Optimate with battery chargers, but their line of premium products includes USB charging ports. Their USB chargers incorporate that allimportant battery protection feature I mentioned so won’t leave you stranded. Also if you already have an Optimate charging lead fitted to your bike, then the SAE type of connectors are the same and this means you could use the same lead to hook up to the battery. This would minimise the fitting time, and keep the wiring to a minimum. When it comes to selecting phone holders, there are a ton of accessories to choose from - for a simple and effective solution, you can’t beat the Quadlock system, in my opinion. But for the rider who’s doing big miles through all weather, then you definitely need…

GREG HAINES INSIGHT Behind the scenes of the World Superbike paddock This weekend marks the third round of the World Superbike championship, following a break of six weekends since the back-to-back openers of Australia and Indonesia. On a completely different circuit and in much cooler conditions than last time out, will Assen be a chance for Alvaro Bautista’s rivals to close in? Here’s our pick of what to look out for as the series arrives at the ‘Cathedral of Speed’… ‘If it ain't broke…!’ Those were the words of 99-times podium finisher, and Ducati coach, Chaz Davies at the recent test in Barcelona. The Welshman was referring to Alvaro Bautista, runaway championship leader and winner in five out of six races so far. The Spaniard hardly changed a thing on…

A Texas podium for Fabio Quartararo was equal parts sublime skill and luck. But the boost in motivation and confidence failed to mask the reality that Yamaha and their 2021 world champion are at loggerheads when it conies to M1 performance development. Quartararo, with justification, covets the speed, acceleration and downforce-heavy aero delivered by a V4 motor and has grown increasingly irritable over the risk free straight line overtaking enjoyed by Ducati, Aprilia, KTM and Honda riders. The trouble is that a V4 is at odds with Yamaha’s successful DNA of inline engines that have powered the M1 to eight world championships in two decades of four-stroke MotoGR Any switch as fundamental as the one to a Yamaha V4 is off the agenda before 2027 (and likely to never to…

Sunday gave crowds the first glimpse of what may well be the championship fight as Moto2 preseason favourites Pedro Acosta and Tony Arbolino went head-to-head in a thrilling race long duel. Acosta shrugged off an early mistake when he hit a false neutral, entering turn 12 to stalk Arbolino from the fifth lap on. His decisive late move at Turn 12 was enough for his second victory of the year, and showcased the calm authority that is a hallmark of the Spaniard’s riding. ‘I saw Tony was fast,’ said the victor. “When I made the mistake with the neutral, I said, OK, this is the guy I need to follow. I tried to battle until the end and it was a nice last lap. Now people can’t say Moto2 is…

EXPERT OPINION “The first time he rode the bike, his throttle management was something special for us, even compared to other riders we work with. We could feel he was a bit disappointed with the performance of the bike, as we are. When you saw him riding the Suzuki, with high corner speed, you thought it would take him a long time to adapt. But the funny thing is, when he rode the Honda in Valencia for the first time he was not that worried about the turning or the handling. He was more focused on traction, rear grip, power delivery. He carries corner speed. But his throttle trace, it looks like he’s able to extract more from the bike on the gas. When the rear starts spinning, he’s managing…

Luxury motoring event, Salon Privé, will take place in the grounds of Royal Hospital Chelsea and will see motorcycle manufacturers mixing with supercar brands. Krazy Horse London will be representing Indian Motorcycle and CCM will present their range, alongside Norton. Further British bike interest will see Thornton Hundred Motorcycles display several of their custom-built Triumphs. The show takes place from Thursday, April 20 to Saturday, April 22. Touch the LiveWire The electric LiveWire One (formerly known as the Harley-Davidson LiveWire) is now available in the UK with deliveries from later this month. The bike has a claimed range of 95 miles and can recharge from empty to 100% via a DC fast charger in one hour. Producing a claimed 100bhp, LiveWire One features ABS and traction control. It comes in…

SAVE £1000 £13,995 Triumph Tiger 1200GT This new-generation Tiger more than lives up to its promise and in terms of performance, handling and technology is on a par with the GS. Trimming 25kg off has transformed its dynamics, making it a very impressive-handling adventure bike with a high level of cleverly integrated electronics that work faultlessly. www.shirlaws.com SAVE £1485 £14,250 Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114 This 2022 model is the Lightest Softail and comes with the classic ‘Nol’ graphic on the tank. www.warrs.com • Engine 1860cc • Power 94bhp • Weight 286kg • Seat height 655mm SAVE £901 £8299 Yamaha R7 World GP 60th Anniversary A fast, fun and friendly bike that looks like a mini MotoGP racer, especially with the 60th Anniversary paint scheme. www.mottmotorcycles.co.uk • Engine 689cc • Power…

A rare 1936 Indian Four has fetched £65,550, smashing its top estimate of £58,000. The bike was auctioned by H&H at the National. Motorcycle Museum where other Lots included a Vincent Black Shadow (£33,350), an ex-Stuart Easton Ducati 749R race bike (£18,400) and a Norton F1 rotary that went for £36,800. The sale’s most valuable scooter was a 1971 Lambretta DL200 Electronic, which sold for £21,275. It’s the Mitas touch Mitas are Launching a new adventure tyre with a 70% bias towards road riding. The Enduro Trail-Adv will be available from May and will start in just two sizes - a 120/70x19 front and 170/60x17 rear. The tyres use multiple compounds and are said to provide impressive range and cornering grip - including in wet weather, thanks to a high…

Thousands of motorcyclists dressed up and donated money and time to worthwhile causes over the Easter weekend in a series of egg runs. One such event was the ride out for The Children’s Hospital Charity in Sheffield, which was led by double World Superbike champion James Toseland for the 20th time. Total donations are still being calculated, but more than 760 bikers took part. In the 20 years of Toseland’s involvement, the event has raised £70,000+ for The Children’s Hospital Charity, with this year’s figure generating funds for an arts programme which aims to improve well-being, emotional and mental health for patients, families, and staff. ‘The route is lined with people waving flags’ “We are so grateful, to everyone involved in the Egg Run this year,” Head of the Arts…

WHAT’S NEW IN TECH Suzuki’s 776cc GSX-8S, which impressed at its launch in last week’s MCN, is the latest in a string of parallel twins chasing a perfect blend of cost, size, and performance. It goes up against the Yamaha MT-07 and Honda CB750 Hornet, with all three using 270-degree twins complete with balancers to tackle vibrations - but the Suzuki adds an extra dimension. Today, 270-degree motors are fast becoming the norm because they hit a sweet spot between the more traditional 180- and 360-degree designs. There’s a 90-degree offset between the two pistons’ crankpins and the firing interval is more even than a 180-degree twin but less regular than a 360 -degree design: the crank turns 270 degrees between the first and second cylinders firing, followed by 450…

JON URRY ‘Man, those Zeds still look good…’ The other day I stumbled across an old press release. It was from 2021 and involved the passing of Shunji Tanaka at the age of 75. Many of you probably won’t have heard of Tanaka, but you will certainly know his work. Tanaka joined Kawasaki’s design department in the early 2000s (he was poached from Mazda where he had designed the MX-5) and was instrumental in making Kawasaki the brand it is today. Before Tanaka, Kawasaki’s models were dull and drab but he created the bold and brash angular look that was debuted on the 2003 Z1000 and ZX-6R and has been carried on to models ever since. He really was incredibly forward-thinking —and also a tiny bit bonkers! I got to…

Blue jeans have been popular with bikers since the 1950s, thanks to the sturdy nature of denim. Tough as denim is, it isn’t as abrasion resistant as leather or performance textiles, like Cordura. Jeans fell out of favour with many riders, who chose trousers designed specifically for motorcycling instead. Denim started to make a comeback when it was discovered that lining it with aramid fibres (such as Kevlar) created a layer that protected the wearer from road rash during a slide. Adding internal pockets for body armour meant riders could wear trousers that looked like regular jeans but performed as safety apparel. The only issue was that not everyone was convinced jeans could be as protective as leather or textile motorcycle wear. That all changed with the introduction of compulsory…

‘Heading to Devil’s Bridge’ DANIEL TETLEY A brilliant ride that was accompanied by a great sausage barm and a brew at Devil’s Bridge. Around 135 brilliant miles on my BMW. ‘Exploring on the Super Duke’ SALLY WEIGHILL A couple of days exploring Suffolk on my Super Duke GT. Great empty roads and interesting sights to see. ‘Banked another 650 miles’ JONASHLEY Great Easter weekend making the most of the weather, including a 340-mile raid on Wales via Shrewsbury then across to Rhayader, the amazing Elan Valley, Devil’s Bridge, and then back via Bala. I banked 610 miles in total, I think the new tyres are scrubbed in! ‘Sunny day at Loomies’ DAVE LOUBSER Took a sunny run down to Loomies - putting some bike miles in before my Germany trip…

‘Do you need any more?’ When you look at the performance they deliver and the level of spec, you are left questioning if there is any need to step-up a rung and buy their bigger-capacity siblings. Or, indeed, a super-naked at all – especially if you take into account value and the sheer fun you get from working a bike whose power is more than enough to thrill but never intimidate. So which is the best? As fun as the KTM and Yamaha are to ride, they still have a slight element of aggression that makes them more demanding than the Triumph or Ducati. While undeniably fun when in the mood, you can have just as much entertainment on the Triple or Monster and never suffer the downsides when wanting…

TRIED & TESTED MCN STAFF RATE THEIR RIDING KIT Tested by Emma Franklin for 1100 miles All-new for 2023, the C10 is HJC’s entry-level model, and replaces the CS-15. It is the first sub £100 helmet to meet the latest safety standard (ECE 22.06), which all new helmets sold after January 2024 must meet. It’s also ACU Gold approved for trackday use. As entry-level lids go, the C10’s a classy performer with excellent build quality, inoffensive styling, and ease of use. In terms of comfort, it’s fit-and-forget - providing all-day comfort with nothing to cause any grumbles. Internally, the C10 feels simi;arto an Arai in that it’s fairly rounded and neutral, and, for me at least, there aren’t any pinch points on the brow. The cheek pads are plump and…

Tested by Michael Neeves for seven months Excessive wind noise is a pain, literally, so I always wear earplugs. I’ve tried custom fit, but they don’t expand to make a seal when you push them in and they’re expensive to lose. Cheap disposable foam plugs work best for me. I’ve settled on Howard Leight Max foam earplugs for nearly 20 years and swear by the little orange fellas. But, by chance I’ve found something even better from the same company: the Max Lite. I originally bought them for my girlfriend but discovered their smaller shape is quieter and more comfortable for me, too. Our ear canals are all different, so it’s worth trying lots of different earplugs to get the right fit. Quality Value sps.honeywell.com 10K miles ON TEST…

Stay connected Wire in a USB port and phone cradle for navigation and more BRUCE’S TIPS If the rated output isn’t labelled on the port, then check on the packaging 1 Know your rating Installing a USB port is straightforward, but take care to choose one that has the correct output. A USB is always 5 volts, this does not vary but the output in terms of amps does. To charge a phone and run it as a satnav without losing charge you need to have a USB out put of at least 1.5 amps or 1500mA. This Optimate USB kit has an output of 3300mA. 2 Do your homework Do some research and buy a quality product. It’s easy to go cheap but the unit will almost certainly fail at some…

As buiLd-up for TT 2023 gathers pace, an all new behind-the-scenes documentary series No Room For Error goes live next week. It promises to be a hard-hitting, never-seenbefore-look under the skin of the TT. Featuring candid interviews with key protagonists, it shows a side of the TT not normally in the public eye, from the intense rivalries for race wins through to the private battles and adversity the entire paddock has to endure during the event. ‘It sees riders weighing up risk versus reward’ This unique insight gives a taste of what the riders experience and how they constantly weigh up the dilemma of risk versus reward, which is all played out against the backdrop of the tragic loss with six riders losing their lives at TT 2022. No Room…

SPORT ‘When everything is perfect, I can fight for the victory’ The VR46 team left Austin still in control of the MotoGP championship, crucially demonstrating that Marco Bezzecchi isn’t the only man capable of success as Luca Marini finally broke his podium duck in the premier class. It’s been a solid turnaround tor the 25-year-old. After a near exemplary pre-season, the lanky Italian crashed out in both races at round one, and was powerless to react as Bezzecchi claimed the team’s maiden MotoGP triumph in wet conditions in Argentina. Austin, however, provided confirmation that he is a MotoGP force. Getting caught out on the bumps on the entry to the first turn was his undoing in Saturday’s Sprint, as he dropped from third to 14th on lap one. But the…

A winter of nut-and-bolt renewal and a rider reshuffle has seen KTM come out fighting. Plentiful pace and a wellspring of willpower have earned one Sprint race victory already for established rider Brad Binder, and a restored reputation for newcomer Jack Miller. But slips from the gung-ho post-colonial pairing, from South Africa and Australia, have undermined the consistency that KTM needs. Binder’s Sunday reputation for exceeding qualifying form is wellknown. It’s earned him two full-race wins and an epic Sprint victory in Argentina … from 15th on the grid. But he has fallen in the past two races, remounting both times and even taking three points in the USA. ‘Do they regret losing the steady hand of Oliveira?’ Miller, dropped by Ducati, brought a damaged ego and a wealth of…

We sit down to watch MotoGP every week, and each time it’s like, ‘where did that come from?’ Rins wins the race. It’s interesting because there are two ex-Suzuki teammates now both on Hondas, and Rins is making Mir-who is a MotoGP champion-look very, very average. The Bagnaia crash was unreal, but it many ways it was, ‘oh he’s crashed again’. I don’t think he did anything wrong, other than being on the absolute edge. But why didn’t he run to the bike to try and get it going again? It was brake lever, not gear lever, side. You don’t know what sort of personality he is. Does he respond to a bollocking from the team, or does he need mollycoddling? But if he went in 5kph faster than he…