Table of contents for 29 May 2024 in MCN

ON TEST THIS WEEK Time to go Hyper this summer? Welcome to the ultimate singles boxing club. In the red corner is the all-new Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono RVE, the firm’s first single-cylinder bike since Michelangelo was a nipper. And in the orange corner is KTM’s venerable and well-developed 690 SMC R. Do these hyper-focused supermotos have any place on UK roads, or should they be confined to go-kart tracks and continental back roads? We head out on Britain’s B-roads and to a deserted airstrip to find out just how usable these singular-minded funsters really are. PAGE 29 ‘They look fast even at a standstill’ WELCOME TO THE FUN PATROL THIS WEEK Ducati drop Scrambler specials London’s Bike Shed show was the venue for Ducati to unveil the latest fruits of…

A new mental health organisation has been formed in Wales with the aim of training bikers to provide support within their communities, while also offering monthly ‘chat and check in’ style meet-ups for bikers to gather and have a natter. Despite it only having been up and running for six weeks, founder, Paul Sims says he hopes Make Your Mark will soon be able to offer accredited Mental Health First Aid qualifications and that the group is already gaining widespread support. The former Mental Health Motorbike Regional Coordinator says the latest project intends to raise money for food banks, homeless shelters and community organisations that support mental health through fundraising activities. This will include merchandise sales, but Paul also revealed that big plans are in the works for a ‘Round…

South Yorkshire Police Motorcycle and Rural Crime Team have once again been busy ridding their patch of stolen and nuisance motorcycles – including a scooter believed to have been taken from York in February last year. The dedicated team spotted the machine on Wednesday, May 8 when officers were out on patrol. Once officers had caught up, the bike was dumped, with the rider found in a nearby garden, and the passenger apprehended at the scene. A hammer was also discovered which had dropped out from under the seat.…

Thousands of riders around the world donned their finest threads to take part in this year’s annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR), raising more than £5.5 million for men’s mental health and prostate cancer charities. Roughly 111,000 riders from 958 cities globally participated in the event on May 19, which saw them take to the streets aboard retro styled and classic bikes, with funds raised supporting Movember – the event’s main charity since 2016. MCN spoke to DGR ambassador, Isle of Man TT commentator and BBC presenter, Grace Webb, about her first time joining the ride from London. “Being a part of the event really made me see the power it has – the mass groups riding dapper bikes through the streets made people turn their heads, switch their cameras on…

Caberg Drift Evo II from £259.99 Heading up Caberg’s 50th anniversary range is the new Drift Evo II, a lightweight sports-touring lid with an emergency location and identification system. The ‘SOS Medical ID’ stores the rider’s details, which can then be accessed by emergency services. It can also automatically notify personal contacts via SMS in an accident. cabergcares.co.uk Oxford Cypher 1.0 jacket £249.99 The Cypher range features this AAcertified leather jacket, along with matching pants, boots and gloves. Details include a durable 1.2mm leather construction, stretch textile panels for comfort and ventilation, plus the convenience of internal and external pockets. Available in three colourways, black, yellow or red. oxfordriderwear.com Optimate DIN USB Charger £32.90 Designed to work with the DIN type accessory points on Triumph, BMW and Ducati motorcycles, the…

Q 'Lawyers say I can’t claim’ I had an accient when a car entering a roundabout I was on did not stop and knocked me off my bike. The car driver admitted the crash was his fault. I was injured and my orthopaedic surgeon recommended a series of physiotherapy sessions. I had to go to these first thing in the morning, which required me to take time off work for which I was not paid. My solicitors who were given to me by my insurer are telling me that I won’t be able to claim for loss of earnings, which seems odd to me. Are they right? John Taylor, email A You can recover your loss of earnings for going to physio – something which has been medically recommended as…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers John (Honda NC750X) and Ken (Enfield Classic 350) The ride Peebles to Arran and a tour of the island When to do it Spring onwards How long? Three-day trip Tell us about the trip… We set off from Peebles and headed to Troon for our ferry. Using Google maps set to ‘no motorways’, we travelled to Lanarkshire and then Ayrshire to Troon. Once on the island we found a campsite, set up our pitch and then got back on the bikes. Time for a tour. Heading clockwise it was continuous winding rounds and stunning views of the coastline and an amazingly blue sea. Day two on the island saw us being proper tourists. We found a road from Blackwaterfoot that crossed over the island…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday May 29 BIKE MEETS ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire. From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ The King Billy Rock Bar, Northampton 6.30pm Facebook: The King Billy Rock Bar ■ Amici Coffee Biker Night, Girtford Bridge, Bedfordshire www.amicicoffee.co.uk ■ Sycamore Cafe, Great Billing, Northants 4pm-9pm /www.facebook.com/SycamoreForestCatering ■ Seaways, Fridaythorpe, East Yorks 4pm-8pm mike@seawayscafe.co.uk ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, West Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ Bike Night, Paignton, Devon suggested donation £2, 6pm ■ Loomies Moto Cafe, West Meon, Hants www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ Ryka's Cafe, Box Hill, Surrey 5pm-9pm www.rykas.co.uk ■ Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey 10.30am-1pm Facebook: Pathfinder Cafe MOTOCROSS ■ Rhayader MC Evening Motocross, Cwmythig Hill, Rhayader Powys info@etjames-sons.co.uk ROAD RACING ■ IoM TT, Isle of Man www.iomttraces.com (all…

'A Welsh wonder' BARRY THOMPSON 346 miles in Wales today, early start and took full advantage of the glorious weather. I think everyone else had same idea, there were bikes everywhere! 'A gem uncovered' VICTOR GIBSON I found some hidden gems while out on my Suzuki V-Strom today…Good weather too. 'A Scottish skirmish' MARK FIELD I did a little 900-mile trip as part of the Numb Bum Challenge, raising money for local Blood Bike groups. I did Wanlockhead, Glencoe, Fort William and the NC500. 'Ride it like you loaned it' LEE WARREN Quick run to the cost on the BMW F900R loan bike I was borrowing. Rude not to get some use out of it. 'Fan-flipping-tastic' ROBERT SANDERS Fantastic ride today, Oxford to Abergavenny over Brecon then back through the…

'Old-school or refined?' The KTM is the original gangster of the supermoto world and brings that old-school, original vibe to the road. It offers huge amounts of torque from its LC4 motor, it’s happier being sideways than it is being in a straight line and it has a chassis that is just gagging to be absolutely razzed to the limit, egged on by an electronics package which is about as basic as they come. Then there’s the Ducati, which feels more refined in nearly every way. The engine is far smoother, the chassis a little more road bike-esque in its set-up and it feels a little more nimble, which will be a blessing for road riders looking to make the transition or have their first taste of supermoto. For experienced…

'Pricey but good value' At £23,495 the CVO Pan Am is £7500 more than the standard model, but tot up the cost of all the extras and it starts to look like decent value. The luggage alone is worth over £2300, then there’s the ’shifter, protection parts, trick suspension, spoked wheels and paint job (to name but a few), which when listed separately far exceed the difference. It’s capable of covering big distances, and has the performance, handling and character to generate grins aplenty along the way. As an adventure touring machine it has a rugged, utilitarian feel, with off-tarmac prowess, but doesn’t scrimp on comfort. THE FACTS £23,495 Harley-Davidson CVO Pan America…

MCN’s website has expert opinion and buying advice on hundreds of used bikes, regularly updated and packed with insight. Here are three of the latest, but you can visit motorcyclenews.com for more of every style and shape. 2014-2020 BMW R nineT Owners’ rating BMW’s first R nineT model has attracted 22 reviews online. Most are very positive about the air-cooled retro but the quality of the paint on the frame is called into question. 2022-current Yamaha XSR900 Owners’ rating A handsome machine, the XSR is based on Yamaha’s current MT-09 platform. The bike is highly rated but loses out slightly on comfort and value against its rivals. 2017-2021 Honda CB1100RS Owners’ rating Owners love them. The 13 that have reviewed it online give it a very high 4.9/5 with its lack…

‘Oil could have sprayed out over the back wheel’ While many keep their bikes tucked safely away in dry storage, others call upon their machines as a tool, a workhorse used to contest the darkest depths of winter and the corrosive weather that accompanies it. That said, modern motorcycles are hardly made of sugar and a bit of weather really shouldn’t hurt. That is, only if you’re prepared to keep up with cleaning and servicing. Having not seen the inside of a workshop for several years though, the little Suzuki SV650 featured here was looking decidedly worse for wear – particularly the bike’s heavily rusted oil filter. After the SV rolled onto his bench for some much overdue TLC, mechanic Kevin Hollingsworth was quick to point out just how drastic…

SPRINT 1 Bagnaia 2 Bezzecchi 3 Martin RACE 1 Bagnaia 2 Martin 3 Zarco Bagnaia quickly put the disappointment of Le Mans behind him with a dominant display in front of his home crowd. The collision with Viñales at Le Mans had seen Bagnaia’s championship lead drop to a single point, but by the end of the Italian round he was a healthy 21 points clear after claiming pole, victory in the sprint and main race success. It wasn’t only Pecco who was dominant. Ducati riders locked out the top five positions in the sprint, followed by the top four spots in the GP. Martin’s double podium 24 points adrift and only three behind Bezzecchi, who could only manage eighth in Sunday’s race. KTM were best of the rest with…

With his MotoGP career on the bubble Raul Fernandez delivered a breakthrough performance in Barcelona. The timing is crucial as the rider market will be mostly complete by the Dutch TT at the end of June. It was not lost on Fernandez, who declared after his sixth place: “I needed that!” The result came 24 hours after he’d squandered a chance for a maiden win when he crashed his Trackhouse Aprilia out of the lead of the Sprint. He was devastated to waste that opportunity. More so that it came after dazzling qualifying effort put him third, sharing the front row (his first) with Aprilia factory star Aleix Espargaro who was on pole. ‘I told Aprilia I need their help to suit my style’ His GP performance was an awesome…

After a difficult start to TT 2024 where severe weather and wind destroyed the paddock and team awnings, proceedings got under way on Monday afternoon. Starting over four hours later than planned due to overnight rain, qualifying kicked off just as MCN went to press on Monday evening. The main story lines ahead of this year’s TT surround the fitness of both Peter Hickman and Michael Dunlop. Between them they won all eight solo races in 2023 – taking four a piece, but both arrive on the Isle of Man nursing injuries. Dunlop was clearly in discomfort and was forced to change his riding style at the North West 200 due to a right wrist injury sustained when he highsided his MD Racing Triumph. Hickman suffered severe bruising in his…

Reporting direct from the Isle of Man as TT 2024 kicks off IOM TT EXCLUSIVE Filming for a Hollywoodbacked, big budget Formula 1: Drive to Survive style docuseries and feature film covering the Isle of Man TT has begun. The project is backed by Channing Tatum and Brad Pitt’s production companies, Free Association and Plan B, along with other Hollywood partners, and aims to deliver a high-end audiovisual production set to billed as The Greatest Race on Earth. Filming is being carried out by Box to Box films who have been behind some of the biggest sport docuseries including: Formula 1: Drive To Survive, Full Swing, Tour de France: Unchained and Six Nations: Full Contact. Box to Box have already been busy in the week leading up to the TT…

I’ve done a lot of MCN columns before, but I don’t think we’ve ever done one in the holding area of the TT after jumping off from doing two laps on the Superbike! I’m a bit rabbit in the headlights at the minute, but we’re certainly keeping it real! I’m a bit of a glutton for punishment because I go out on my Superbike straight away. If you don’t ride a Superbike hard enough, they don’t work. You’ve got to push them into the ground and make them work. On the first lap I missed a few gears because I have a tendency to rest my foot on the gear lever and it won’t change down properly. But the second lap was much better, I was hitting stuff hard, getting…

Motorcyclists riding in Spain could soon be permitted to use the hard shoulder at times of heavy traffic, with changes to the Spanish Highway Code expected to come into force early next year. While the practice is currently illegal and could land you a €200 fine, the Direccion General de Traffic (DGT) are considering implementing changes which would open up the congestionbusting potential of the emergency lane to motorcycle and scooter riders, but only when motorway traffic is at a standstill. If the plans go ahead as expected, motorcyclists using the lanes will be limited to a maximum speed of just 30kph (18mph) and must give way to cyclists, emergency vehicles and agricultural machines. McGuinness and Hillier get saucy Planning a TT feast? Together with chef Jon Labella, road racers…

No not Mont Blanc… Lincolnshire’s most famous mountain, the one at Cadwell Park, has a brand new hospitality centre ready to welcome BSB fans. Based within the collection area, beneath the circuit paddock, the ‘Mountain Pavilion Hospitality Centre’ replaces the old off-white cabin offices that had stood for many years and features two suites plus a covered outdoor area for watching the racing action. Cadwell Park are promising ‘high quality catering’ and a dedicated parking area for those using the building – with the outdoor balcony providing a view of the start/finish straight in the valley below. ‘Relaxed space at the heart of the action’ A Cadwell representative said: “With its traditional, but modern, aesthetic which fits in with the circuit’s naturally picturesque feel, the Mountain Pavilion has been designed…

'It's all about that creamy power' The other day I had a blast on a ZZR1400 – what a bike. With Kawasaki now banging the supercharger drum, it is easy to forget about this simply fantastic machine that proves without doubt that while forced induction is all very well and good for headline power figures, there really is no replacement for displacement. I remember testing a Ninja H2 SX against a ZZR1400 for MCN when the supercharged bike first arrived in 2018. Initially I was beguiled by the H2 SX as it did cool things like chirrup on the overrun as the supercharger dumped its pressure but quite quickly I started to become frustrated by its snatchy throttle. And then I rode it back-to-back with a ZZR1400, which blew the…

1 May 31-June 2 Ireland BikeFest Motorcycles will congregate at Killarney for BikeFest. With music, great roads, good craic and more. It’s free to attend, but register to get access. www.irelandbikefest.com 2 June 1 Rufforth autojumble For just £2, you can peruse up to 350 pitches for the bargain of a lifetime, or if you want to sell, pitches start from £17. rufforthautojumble.com 3 June 1-2 Coventry Motofest This celebration marks its 10th anniversary this weekend. Coventry’s streets will be full of displays, parades, music and more – so head on down! www.coventrymotofest.com 4 June 4 Ace Cafe MAD Sunday Sunday is Motorcycle Awareness Day (MAD) at the Ace. The cafe is teaming up with experts in road safety… and you can grab a cuppa too. london.acecafe.com…

The Isle of Man isn’t the only place where you can see road racing this year. Why not get yourself along to one of these real-roads events? • KOPCANY June 8-9, Slovakia • BARRY SHEENE CLASSIC June 15-16, Scarborough, UK • SOUTHERN 100 July 8-11, Isle of Man • IRRC CHIMAY July 27-28, Belgium • ABERDARE PARK 3-4 August, Wales, UK • OLIVER’S MOUNT HILL CLIMB August 17-18, Scarborough, UK • MANX GRAND PRIX August 18-26, Isle of Man • IRRC FROHBURG September 14-15, Germany…

THE MCN TEST ● THE HOTTEST BIKES ● EVERY WEEK £11,895 Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono RVE ● 659cc l iquid - cool ed single cylinder ● 77.5bhp/46.4lb.ft ● 151kg (wet) £10,399 (£11,755.42 as tested) KTM 690 SMC R ● 690cc l iquid - cool ed single cylinder ● 74bhp/54.2lb.ft ● 150kg (wet) Look up the word ‘fun’ in a dictionary and (depending on what school you went to) there really should be a big fat picture of a supermoto staring back at you. Built to be raw, aggressive and minimal in terms of both componentry and weight, the very essence of a supermoto is to have something that’s easy to throw about and seriously playful too. It’s a formula that KTM have mastered with their 690 SMC R (alongside its…

Guy Martin could make a solid claim to be Britain’s most famous biker, and it’s no wonder, given what he’s achieved on two wheels. Not only was he a hugely successful road racer for many years, but his TV work has seen him racing at Pikes Peak in America, attempting land speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats, and rewriting the rules on the Wall of Death – he has even raced a bike against a Formula 1 car. Guy Martin truly has taken the joy of motorcycling to the masses. The only record Guy holds that he wishes he didn’t, is the one for the most TT podiums without scoring a win. But to focus on that is a disservice to him; Guy won just about everywhere else he…

'Pricey for a newcomer' Zeeho may be backed by KTM owners Pierer Mobility Group, but they are still a relatively unknown concern in the UK, with minimal dealer coverage. As such, you really have to want one to be willing to shell out the £4699 – not because it’s a bad bike, but because there are cheaper options from more established brands. These include Honda’s PCX125, which might still run on old fashioned petrol, but can return a tested 100.3mpg. This would be enough for 178.7 miles between stops at the pumps – far more than the Zeeho’s quoted 62-mile range. Price aside though, the build quality feels good – with neat touches including the mobile connectable TFT dash, riding modes, and Brembo stoppers giving a sense of class that…

Giving the switchgear a bit of attention like we have done here is the sort of task that just needs to be done at a slow pace, especially when you’re stripping the little switches down to their component parts. You can’t rush into it or else there will be tiny screws and springs everywhere, and believe me, you won’t remember where all the little bits go when it’s cleaned and ready to be rebuilt! In most cases there is very little info on how to take apart switchgear, even in a workshop manual. So take your time and be methodical with the parts as you lay them out during disassembly – and taking pictures with your smartphone is a really good idea. And, while I think about it, let’s celebrate…

Going behind the headlines in the British Superbike world Having signed for McAMS Racing Yamaha Danny Kent is firing on all cylinders in the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship – taking two podiums in the first round alone and forging himself a reputation as one of the most consistent riders on the grid. After a difficult few years, the former Moto3 champion is leading the Yamaha charge and is an ever-present in the fight for the podium, sitting second overall and just 13 points behind Glenn Irwin. MCN sat down with the 30-year-old to discuss his impressive form. It’s been a great start to life on the Yamaha… “I’m over the moon! It’s a long year, and I have to be honest, I have surprised myself with how well I’ve…

At the heart of the MotoGP paddock for over 35 years It took more than 300 races, 19 years and more than 10 teams, in every Grand Prix variation except Moto3, for Aleix Espargaro to achieve the full respect of fans and rivals. It had taken 284 starts before his first win, Argentina in 2022, from pole position. In 2023, a double Sprint and Sunday win in Catalunya, cemented his status. Ushering Aprilia to the top step of the podium, the older of two Spanish racing brothers was finally to be taken seriously. Why did it take so long? 1 Too many false starts An undistinguished start in 125s in 2005, aged 15, was followed by more of the same in 250. In 2009 it got worse: his new Campetella…

Going behind the headlines at round six of MotoGP TOP STORY Pecco Bagnaia’s superpowers of recovery came to his rescue once again in Barcelona as the World Champion went from zero to hero in a crazy 24 hours that started with the Italian dropping a Catalunya clanger in Saturday’s Sprint. Bagnaia’s tendency to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory bit him again when he crashed out of the lead with just nine corners remaining. Angry. Frustrated. You name it… Pecco was overwhelmed by just about every negative emotion going. Happily he also has the knack of being able to brilliantly bounce back when he’s rammed his own back against the wall. Catalunya was his third successive Sprint DNF this season. Yet on each occasion in Jerez, Le Mans and…

Pocket-sized motorcycle satnav people Beeline have announced today (Wednesday, May 29) that their Moto II bar-mounted navigation device is now available on general sale, starting at £179.99. The outer circular shape may look similar to the previous product, but the company are promising improved durability and ergonomics – plus a new range of mounts to allow it to suit a wider range of motorcycles. The revised unit offers turn-byturn navigation, with a mini map and key junction instructions. It also works on roads across the world from the get go, with the ability to customise routes and highlight preferences such as avoiding motorways. There’s a 14hr battery life and it’s now charged via a USB-C port. MCN got to test one of the very first units in the country ahead…

SAVE £2000 £16,999 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT KTM’s 1290 Super Duke GT is simply astonishingly good at whatever task you throw at it. Performance, as expected, is excellent, but that’s not all and despite packing thunderous power, the big Duke is exceptionally user-friendly and practical to boot. Weather protection is good, handling faultless and there’s no shortage of gizmos to play with. juddracing.com SAVE £1100 £6299 Suzuki SV650A The humble SV650, with a characterful V-twin and sweet handling, is everything you could ever really need from commuting to club racing. yorksuzuki.com • Engine 645cc • Power 75bhp • Weight 197kg • Seat height 785mm SAVE £1000 £8999 Triumph Street Triple 765R Now even more refined, intuitive and sharp-handling than ever before, Triumph’s latest Street Triple R is nigh-on impeccable…

Finland’s Verge Motorcycles are moving into the UK market with their striking range of electrics featuring a hub-less back end where the rear wheel itself forms part of the motor. Verge are claiming a range of up to 233 miles and prices range from £26,900 to £44,900 depending on the precise model and spec. The company opened a pop-up store at the Westfield London shopping centre on May 28, with test ride appointments due to be available within a few weeks of the opening. Verge CEO Tuomo Lehtimäki, said: “This exciting expansion marks a significant milestone. Our British fans have been waiting for this moment.”…

Shark Ridill 1.2 helmet £99.99 So what can I get for under £100? This week we decided to limit our spending to £100 and set off on a virtual shopping spree to see what deals can be had without breaking the bank. With offers on everything from garage gear to clothing, this is our pick from across the board. The Shark Ridill 1.2 has always been a consistent performer as a budget option, and at a penny under our threshold still offers great value for money. The cost is kept down largely thanks to a thermoplastic shell, which is cheaper to produce than a complex hand laid laminate, yet meets the same safety criteria under the testing standard of ECE 22.05. Features include a fully removable and washable interior, so…

PART 5: BACK Back pain can be completely debilitating. More than half of us are affected by poor back strength and mobility at some point during our lives. Healthy backs keep us upright, injury-free and in the saddle for longer with less fatigue. So here are a few essential exercises that can help you stay fit to ride. The cobra Lay face down with your legs straight behind you and your arms outstretched at 45 degrees from your torso, palms on the floor. Lift your upper body gently from the floor on a count of two, pointing your thumbs towards the ceiling as you do so. This exo-rotation of your shoulders encourages your shoulder blades to come together, counteracting the hunched position most of us have when riding or working…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews 'Quick potter across the Kalahari' I recently spotted a feature on ‘Biking’s New Hero Middleweights’ featuring a bunch of sub-400cc naked bikes, rather than the 900cc behemoths that the term usually refers to. As someone old enough to have ridden an XT500 a few thousand miles around southern Africa (1983) and more recently a CB500X all the way to Slovenia and back, it makes me happy to see the middleweight title being reclaimed by sensibly sized bikes. Bikes that actually suit the purpose they were bought for… a bit of commuting, a trip to the shops or an occasional potter across the Kalahari desert. Mike Bell, Frome STAR LETTER Write something that spikes our interest, and you could get selected for the Star Letter slot. Each…

OUT AND ABOUT THE UK’S HOTTEST RIDES MCN staffers share their favourite riding routes We start in Hunstanton overlooking the North Sea. Hundreds of bikers congregate on the front every weekend throughout the riding season, making it a must-stop with plenty of food opportunities, too. From here, this is a very easy route to follow – simply hugging the coastline until you reach Cromer. The ride begins on the A149, which runs from Hunstanton, through the picturesque hamlet of Millstream and then onto Wells-next-the-Sea. Peel off left and pick up the A149 again towards Cromer, wiggling through to Sheringham, West and East Runton and into Cromer. I like to stop here for a dressed crab for lunch, overlooking the pier. Once you’ve got this far, it would be rude not to…

What's happening? We’re all waiting with bated breath to see whether Michael Dunlop can take a 26th TT win to match – and then maybe pass – Joey’s tally. Race week begins on June 1 and the island will be buzzing with excited fans and the sound of motorcycles as as John McGuinness, Dean Harrison, Josh Brookes, and Peter Hickman, go head to head. Who’s going to win this year? The essentials If you’ve not yet booked your transport and accommodation on the island, you might find it difficult to get a place to stay at such short notice, but keep at it! As we all know, there’s nothing to match the buzz of watching the TT at the roadside – all totally free, too. There is a fee to…

Welcome to the fifth instalment of MCN’s Skills School series. This week, the experts at Rapid Training explain how to take your steering to the next level. A lot of this expertise comes from the professional racers on Rapid’s team, who broke down exactly what they did to steer a bike approximately four times faster than most road riders. And because you can’t increase your pace without steering fast, this has huge implications for road riders. Why steer fast? Firstly, it’s a safety tool, giving you the ability to avoid sudden hazards. Secondly, it lets you ride faster, with a greater safety margin. The logic here is that if you go from upright to the lean angle you need in a short space of time, that lean angle will be…

BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician Press for success Switchgear a bit sticky? Here’s how to restore slick operation BRUCE’S TIPS Use a rag or paper towel to prevent overspray 1 Give it a squirt Ever gone to prod your horn button or flick your indicator on only to encounter a button that’s stiff? It’s a common issue on older bikes and is usually caused by corrosion. Inside the housing are small mechanical components that can turn furry over time. Often a simple squirt WD40 or similar into the switch can be enough to fix it temporarily. 2 Disconnect the switches To fix the problem properly, the switchgear will need to be removed from the motorcycle and stripped down. First you should disconnect the bike’s battery, then trace back the electrical lead from…

Looking ahead to another action-packed MotoGP clash Bagnaia land, and some Ducati domination We’ve become accustomed to Ducati dominating in this era of MotoGP. After all, there’s eight Desmosedicis on the grid, and the Bologna giants have Pecco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez at their disposal. Mugello is a particular favourite for the Ducati racers. In 2023, they locked out the top five in the Sprint, and the top four in the GP. Bagnaia has stood on the top step at Mugello for the last two years, while Danilo Petrucci (2019), Jorge Lorenzo (2018) and Andrea Dovizioso (2017) all claimed wins for Ducati at Mugello. If there’s a place for Bagnaia to stamp his authority over Martin, Marquez, Bastianini and the rest, Mugello is the place. It’s hard to…

Two months ago the world fell in love with Pedro Acosta, when the teenage prodigy battled near the front of the season-opening Qatar MotoGP race, smoking his rear tyre and passing Marc Marquez, albeit not for long. “You just put your balls on and go!” said the 19-year-old, whose talk is as good as his walk. Then his first podium next time out in Portugal and a runner-up finish two weeks after that in the USA. Acosta’s first MotoGP victory surely wasn’t far away, which would make him the youngestever premier-class winner. Acosta’s blinding rookie speed was a wonder. And not only that. He wasn’t crashing, unlike Marquez when he stormed the championship in his rookie 2013 season. Acosta had his first race tumble at Le Mans earlier this month,…