Table of contents for 21 August 2024 in MCN

GET YOUR FIRST SIX ISSUES FOR JUST £5! Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer An 86-year-old has become possibly the oldest rider in the UK to pass a full bike test. Tony Norton had enjoyed an adventurous life pursuing motor racing and sailing, but harboured a lifelong desire to pass his bike test. Confronted with the death of his wife of 58 years in 2019, Norton set about achieving this goal, determined that he would 'get busy living'. “I spent 16 months figuring out how to look after myself without my wife doing everything for me,” Norton told MCN. “Then I thought, what now, do I sit in an armchair with a blanket around my knees watching daytime telly? No way. “Occasionally people ask what's on my bucket list. I…

Eleveit Stratos boots £159.99 Multi-purpose motorcycle footwear is becoming ever more popular, and Italian bootmaker Eleveit's Stratos is the latest offering with the versatility to explore on foot as well as by bike. Combining a ripstop upper with a waterproof membrane and ultra-lightweight sole, it promises day-long comfort and CE protection for any urban adventurer. eleveit.it SW Motech Adventure handguards £148 Available to fit a range of adventure bikes, including the R1250GS, Africa Twin and DesertX, these heavy-duty polypropylene handguards mount to a full width wraparound aluminium bracket to protect against brush, impacts and weather. Replacement shells can be purchased separately if required (£41.99), as can extension kits and crash pads at £23.99 each. sw-motech.co.uk ARMR Eyoshi 3.0 WP gloves £39.99 Smart-looking waterproof touring gloves with all the spec you…

Q 'Caught out by diesel spill' Yesterday, I was involved in an accident that I believe was caused by a spillage. Shortly into my journey, I lost traction on a roundabout and ended up with a wrist fracture. A passerby helped me get up and took photos of what looked and smelled like diesel. I'm a self-employed electrician and will likely be off work for the next few months. How can I recover my losses? Daniel, Manchester A Motorcyclists are sadly disproportionately affected by spills. You could claim via the Motor Insurers' Bureau (“MIB”) which compensates victims of untraced and uninsured drivers (a small amount of your premium goes to fund the MIB each year). To succeed you need to prove on the balance of probabilities that the spillage was…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader Iain Lax The ride Speyside to the NordKapp via Holland, Germany and Denmark When to do it Mid-June onwards How many miles? 5500 How long do you need? 23 nights including three overnight ferry crossings Don't miss this… Where do you start? Round every corner there was a 'wow' moment as yet another vista opened up. Photos alone cannot do Norway justice. I spent three nights in Sortland, which allowed a bit more time to explore Lofoten, and also to go on a whale watching trip from Adenes, which was brilliant. It's not an adventure to rush, as you'll encounter so many technically challenging roads, numerous internal ferries and literally hundreds of photo opportunities but at this time of year there are lots of…

The National Motorcycle Museum The chance to wander through the British bikes of yesteryear topped with a cool café and workshop inside. Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ The Piston Club Housed in the Stag Pub, automotive fans are invited to the garden, in the pub and along for their weekend breakfast bike meets. Alcester Rd, Stratford-upon-Avon B49 6NQ Long Itch Diner A staple to the travelling biker, the Long Itch Diner has been revered for its great breakfasts. Long Itchington, Southam CV47 9QZ…

UK'S TOUGHEST TEST £11,200 Moto Guzzi V85 Strada • 853cc air-cooled V-twin 4v • 78.9bhp @ 7750rpm • 226kg (wet) Choosing which new bike to buy is an increasingly tough decision (which is actually a good thing). As modern bikes are so adept, picking a duff one is unlikely and often a decision boils down to whether you have a particular affinity to a brand, loyalty to a local dealership or even just prefer the look of one model over another. But there's always the option of going for a bike from a brand that is a bit less mainstream. One such marque is Moto Guzzi. £9699 Suzuki V-Strom 800RE • 776cc liquid-cooled parallel twin DOHC 8v • 83.1bhp @ 8500rpm • 223kg (wet) Describing a manufacturer that has been…

£11,200 Moto Guzzi V85 Strada £9699 Suzuki V-Strom 800RE…

'Check with an expert before you begin' When you are working on your bike getting the right parts for the job should always be high on the agenda, especially when it comes to critical systems such as the fuel pump. Never be tempted by 'bargains' you may have spotted online. That's just asking for mechanical breakdowns further down the line. The parts I sourced for this 2003 Ducati 999S came from Ducati specialists Moto Rapido (www.motorapido.co.uk) and as it's a job I had never done before on this particular model I'd like to thank the parts guy Luke, who advised me on the correct items required – fuel filter, O-ring and two new clips. If in doubt, always ask for an expert's advice to ensure you have everything you need.…

Leading roads photojournalist reports from the Isle of Man For most of the leading road racers the Manx Grand Prix is a bit of fun, an event where they can race old bikes that they've dreamed of throwing a leg over around the Mountain Course. But for Lee Johnston, a North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster GP winner, the 2024 Manx is a significant marker as to how far he has come in his journey towards recovery as he makes his return to the roads following serious injury. The Huddersfield-based Ulsterman ended up in intensive care after a horrific crash during practice for the 2023 North West 200. On his way to recovery from a catalogue of injuries that included breaks to his right foot, leg, arm…

Should we hand him the trophy now? David Alonso demonstrated exactly why he's the Moto3 World Champion-in-waiting with a stunning comeback ride in Austria that ranked among his very finest performances to date. The Colombian had endured a relatively tough weekend before Sunday, qualifying sixth – dismal by his standards. And he was handed a long lap penalty for excessive slow riding in Q2. Yet his rapid fightback, in which he recovered a 3.5s deficit before defending from the front, proved yet again he is the class of the field. 'Today's an opportunity to make points' The 18-year-old showed typical maturity when addressing the first penalty he received all year, apologising to his team. “I got the penalty which I deserved,” he said. “I closed the gas too much in…

TOP STROY MICHAEL SCOTT INSIGHT At the heart of the GP paddock for more than 35 years At Silverstone, Pecco Bagnaia was all too human. The defending champion crashed on the Saturday, his fourth Sprint-race blunder; and on the Sunday he was only the third-best factory Ducati. A fortnight later in Austria, he was close to divine. On Friday, a new all-time record. On Saturday, another one, albeit edged at the end by pole qualifier Jorge Martin. Then a dominant Sprint win. On Sunday, more of the same, only better. As in the Sprint, he led every lap except the first, set a new race record, and perfectly controlled the pursuing Martin. The Spaniard had to settle for second. It wasn't surprising. The Austrian GP, with its deceptively complex circuit,…

Triumph's middleweight adventure range has always sold well, but its recent update split opinions. In 2020 the firm changed the firing order of their triple to a new 'T-plane', a move designed to give the bike a bit more spirit and also smoother torque characteristics. While improving performance, the T-plane also introduced an annoying vibration. For 2024 Triumph have addressed this and in doing so have allowed the Tiger 900 GT Pro to shine. Small changes pay off After listening to feedback, Triumph updated the T-plane engine for 2024 with more top-end and mid-range as well as better fuel economy. Now able to record 51mpg during a variety of riding conditions, equating to a fuel saving of around 9% when compared to the older generation, which soon adds up if…

It's not very often you can say that a man has changed countless lives all in the name of motorcycling – but with Roy Pratt MBE, it's true. Roy is founder of the Imps Motorcycle Display Team, a charity which has been running for 54 years and takes east-London children aged six to 16 and helps them to achieve great things. Their red coats are seen at events throughout the country and the riders are the envy of friends and motorcyclists alike as they perform complex tricks. These amazing displays are achieved because Roy and the team teach the importance of self-belief, discipline and teamwork – skills kids need to become the best they can be. Humble beginnings Roy left the Army to work in education and was tasked with…

GET MORE OF THE INSIDE LINE WITH A PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP members.motorcyclenews.com/membership Suzuki's new GSX-S1000GX grabbed the headlines when it was unveiled for 2024. It had the makings of being the perfect sports-tourer with its GSX-R1000-derived engine, tall riding position and useful electronic rider aids. It's an impressive bit of kit, but it has one problem: the Tracer 9 GT Plus. Move over Suzuki From its launch nine years ago (then badged as the MT-09 Tracer) until now it's been a hit, simply because it's an easy answer to most riders' questions. If you're looking for a fun, capable, upright and affordable all-rounder, look no further than the Yamaha. Despite its runaway success it hasn't always been perfect, though. Early models would get flighty at high speed, but after numerous updates,…

HONDA ADV350 URBAN PETROL BIKE OF THE YEAR 2024 Scooters are no longer simply tools of functionality and focused on providing daily transport for minimal running costs rather than riding satisfaction. And there's no better example of a big scoot that'll make you smile than the ADV350, which gets the gong for Urban Petrol for the third time. The ADV350 is practical as you'd expect, yet rides well enough to convert scooter-sceptics with its capable chassis that makes it fun to ride as well as comfortable at speed in a way step-thru, CVT machines traditionally struggled with. Motorcycle manners It's the ADV350's general road manners and performance that put it at the top of our shopping list; it'll quickly achieve motorway speeds and hold them in perfect comfort, and despite…

GET MORE OF THE INSIDE LINE WITH A PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP members.motorcyclenews.com/membership One of the newer Motorrad franchises, Reiten Motorrad only opened their doors in 2018 but in just a few short years this Suffolk-based dealership has made a sizeable impact on the local motorcycle community. With a reputation as being a dealer who puts their customers' needs first and foremost, Reiten Motorrad are extremely proactive at encouraging riders to get out and enjoy their bikes. Whether that be just to pop into the dealership for a coffee and chat, grab a bite at the weekly barbeque or take part in one of their monthly organised rideouts, the local two-wheeled community has benefitted enormously from this dealership arriving on the scene. Thanks to remaining a relatively small dealership, Reiten Motorrad ensure…

Gary Rothwell set the previous speed record of 156.3mph on April 18, 1999, aboard a normally aspirated Suzuki Hayabusa featuring an additional thumb throttle and kill switch at the rear. MCN spoke with the 55-year-old the day after his record was broken, having held for an impressive quarter of a century. “Records are there to be broken, and I'm surprised it's taken someone 25 years to even have a go,” he said. “It's a bit of a strange record to have in the first place, but it does get good publicity and it's still being shown on the TV. “I understand why he's had a go at doing it, and I was happy for him to have a go at it,” he continued. “I would've liked to have seen it.”…

SAVE £4255 £13,995 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR It's beautifully made, combining sensible ergonomics with performance and track-ready handling, all mixed in with a smattering of Triumph's inimitable style. If you want searing performance without the blustery ride of a super-naked or the need to fold yourself onto a superbike, the 1200RR could be for you. www.triumphworld.co.uk £14,299 Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory SAVE £3801 Endowed with superbike chassis componentry, excellent electronics and a howling V4, it is among the best there is for back road scratching. colchesterkawasaki.co.uk • Engine 1077cc • Power 175bhp • Weight 209kg • Seat height 825mm £23,999 Honda GL1800 Goldwing DCT SAVE £2454 Still the last word in luxury, it is leaps and bounds better than the old model with significantly improved handling, ease-of-use, and fun…

Rosettes at the ready for the return of the Romney Marsh Ride-in Show and Bike Jumble, on September 15. The classic bike celebration offers entrants the chance to win cash prizes for Best Classic (pre-1980) and Best Post-Classic machine. If you fancy your chances, entry is available at no additional charge, just pay the regular fee and park in the dedicated area. There's also a prize for the best club stand. The show typically attracts an eclectic mix of machinery, as demonstrated by the previous winners. These included a 1953 BSA C11, which took 'Best Classic' and had been loved by the same owner for the past 45 years. Taking first in the 'Best Post Classic' was a Honda CB100N. 'It'd been with the same owner for 45 years' There…

Harley-Davidson's European Bike Week will rumble into Austria from September 3-8, giving fans of the American brand the chance to meet like-minded enthusiasts in a festival-style setting. Now in its 26th year, the 2024 celebration will pay tribute to the lifetime's work of Willie G. Davidson – grandson of company co-founder William A. Davidson, and former head of design for the Milwaukee brand. Davidson will be honoured at the event through examples of his work, as well as mementos including a limited-edition clothing range. A number of classic Harleys he helped see through to production will be on display throughout the six-day event. 'Bikes Willie G. created will be on display' The festival takes place in Faak am See in the south of the country, within the massive 40,000m2 Harley…

'Final Edition? I'll pass on that' So, Ducati have drawn the curtain on their Superquadro V-twin superbikes and the Panigale V2 Final Edition will be the last of a breed that started with the 851 in 1987. Am I alone in feeling a lump developing in my throat? Not least as a result of them charging £23,500 for the FE model! That's £6305 more than the stocker. I've mentioned my scepticism regarding Ducati's latest crop of 'special edition' offerings before. Ducati say a new V-twin platform will emerge, but there are no details yet. So, I'm left wondering which of Ducati's sportsbikes I'd aim towards if I were looking at buying one right now. Personally, the boxy 851 style doesn't float my boat, but I do love the 916-silhouette. As…

1 August 24-26 British Superbikes are heading to Cadwell Park this weekend, so expect jaw-dropping action on the UK's 'mini-Nürburgring'. Weekend tickets are £47 (£72 on the gate). www.britishsuperbike.com 2 August 25 Ripon Clubs and Classics Show Over 500 historic vehicles will descend on Ripon Racecourse this weekend along with trade stalls and an autojumble, too. greatbritishmotorshows.com 3 August 18-26 Manx GP It's your last chance to catch some Manx GP action with qualifying almost finished and the racing soon underway. Pick a great spot on the island or get a grandstand seat. manxgrandprix.co.uk 4 August 23-26 GB SuperMoto Round six of the British SuperMoto Championship is heading to Oliver's Mount and tickets are a tenner for the day or £15 for the weekend. oliversmount.com…

What's happening? Dunedin HOG are holding their annual Thunder in the Glens rally this weekend in Aviemore, Scotland. Thousands of bikes will descend on the small Scottish village for a fabulous weekend filled with live music (three stages of it) plenty of metal and the picturesque surroundings of the Cairngorms. The essentials Tickets are £70.11 online and can be bought from Eventbrite. Be aware that you need to specify if you want to camp although it is included in the price. For those who prefer to stay offsite, accommodation is plentiful in the surrounding areas. The mass rideout is on Saturday from 12pm and follows a new route with, of course, plenty of waving and smiling – no need to register. Head to www.dunedinhog.com for essential information.…

'Character or value…' Moto Guzzi have turned a corner in recent years and the new V85 Strada is a charming and relaxed foil to the firm's more serious and modern-feeling bikes such as the V100 Mandello or Stelvio. Powered by an engine that is still very much a traditional Guzzi product (right down to its gearbox!) at heart, the V85 has enough old-school soul to please purists but, crucially, it has a tech level and degree of refinement that makes it a genuine alternative. In many ways it puts bikes such as the V-Strom 800RE to shame. Yes, the Suzuki is more polished, but it feels less considered than the Guzzi with irritations such as its poor screen adjustment letting the side down. So which is the better buy? In…

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 – visit motorcyclenews.com for dozens more. 2021-2023 Yamaha MT-09 SP Owners' rating The updated SP features a bigger-capacity triple and owners rate it highly. The TFT and switchgear are criticised by one owner. This has since been upgraded by Yamaha. 2017-CURRENT Kawasaki Z900RS Owners' rating An impressive 27 owners have reviewed the RS. As you would expect from a Japanese bike, it scores solidly with its lack of equipment the only weak area – what no quickshifter? 2020-2022 Triumph Street Triple RS Owners' rating Scoring a near-perfect 4.9/5 owners adore its ride and engine and it does well on reliability but drops points when it comes…

When you're the proud owner of a big, beautiful BMW S1000XR, the last thing you expect your Bavarian dream machine to do is grind to a halt mid ride and leave you with a bill north of two grand. That was the reality for one unfortunate owner though, despite his best efforts to keep his superbike on stilts well maintained. “He was riding along as normal,” said Karen Neill, owner of Zenith Motorcycles. “When all of a sudden there was a terrible noise, he lost all power and then the bike wouldn't restart. “That's when he had it recovered to us. We managed to get it running for about 10 seconds and it sounded like someone had poured a bucket of bolts into the engine.” Realising they were dealing with…

'Electric is spot on for trials' These days, we all have our own thoughts about electric motorcycles. But, just put your preconceptions to one side for a minute as we enter the trials arena. Well, that truly is a place where electric thrives. The range and weight are spot on, and the ability to alter the characteristics of the motor means that the new Epure Factor-E can be tailored not only to the rider, but also to the terrain and conditions. The gearbox and clutch give all the positives of ICE, yet it's completely quiet, easy to control, impossible to stall and requires far less in terms of servicing too, where the motor is concerned. For someone of my level? I'd actually take this over a petrol alternative, which was…

JOHN McGUINNESS Old bikes at the Manx GP provide another opportunity to ride the TT course. Sniffing two-stroke, smelling a waft of Castrol R and riding that beautiful little Paton. Plus I've got a 350 K4 Honda from Jim Smith at Steadplan. I've never tested the Honda before. You have to have a bit of mechanical sympathy with these old girls. It is dead small and is hard to ride, but it brings the best out of you because you have to keep the cornerspeed up. You have to keep up the momentum because if you make a mistake it takes ages to build speed. When the old bikes run right, they are fun. They're very different to a superbike with 200bhp. Those things feel like they want to hurt…

MAT OXLEY We must wait until 2027 for holeshot devices and other nonsense new technologies to be banned from MotoGP. Will there be anyone watching TV by then? Whatever you think of Marc Marquez, he always brings excitement, because you never know what he will do. He's the 21st century Kevin Schwantz. In Austria he qualified on the front row for the first time since April's Spanish GP and would've been in the podium fight… Except a damaged front-tyre valve forced a wheel change on the grid, so when he started the warm-up lap the tyre wasn't up to temperature, so he kept hammering the front brake trying to heat the tyre. Marquez finally grabbed the front brake hard enough to engage the holeshot device and when he grabbed the…

TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE RS PERFORMANCE NAKED OF THE YEAR 2024 Seventeen years after Triumph graced their showrooms with the first Street Triple, it still pushes the boundaries of what a naked machine can do, taking the top step in class for the second year in a row. Motoring on And for good reason too, as the RS is essentially a supersport bike in a usable, comfortable package, and it only takes a few miles for its qualities to come to the fore, starting with its gorgeous triple. All 128 of those horses are just itching to be set free, wherever the tacho finds itself in the rev range. Yet the RS is at its happiest when it's revving hard – something made even sweeter and more addictive by the glorious…

James Whitham has done it all. The now 57-year-old enjoyed an incredibly successful racing career, a stint that started from pure passion and saw him become one of the most successful and best liked racers of the'80s, '90s and 2000s. His list of achievements on track speaks for itself. A two-time British Superbike champion, top Isle of Man TT competitor as well as racing and winning in World Superbikes at a time of full factory machines and fierce competition from the sport's biggest names. And not content with that, he also had a shot at 500GPs with Kenny Roberts' Proton team before racing with the factory Belgarda Yamaha team in World Supersport where he not only won races, but fought for the title. Since retiring in 2002 he's gone on…

Two become one The electric motor drives direct through the transmission input shaft, while the automated clutch actuation means the ECU can introduce or disconnect petrol power as required. The future of personal transport as net-zero deadlines loom is very much up for grabs, and as such no single path away from oil-burning internal-combustion engines really stands up – yet. But while the four-wheeled world has been embracing solutions from hydrogen to electric, the motorcycle world has largely been slow off the mark. That is, apart from Kawasaki. The Japanese firm are working on just about every possible option: electric bikes (with the Z E1 on sale), synthetic fuels to sustain ICEs, a hydrogen-burning prototype (that ran demo laps at Suzuka) and a hybrid production bike – the Ninja 7…

BMW R1250RT TOURER OF THE YEAR 2024 BMW set the bar when they created their RT tourer back in 10,000BC and it's remained on top ever since. It's the R1250RT's (and previous 1200 version) ninth MCN award in the last decade. Why is it so good? Well, it'll waft you hundreds of motorway miles in luxury and spoil you with goodies, like many tourers, but it also does sporty remarkably well. It's so versatile that no other machine can hold a candle to its long list of talents. Classy performer It's blessed with a riding position that's comfier than a full-blown tourer and even BMW's own K1600, but it still places you in a slightly sporty stance, allowing you to leap into action whenever the mood takes you. It's surprisingly…

Chichester-based CCM specialists Mono Motorcycles are hosting a breakfast club get-together this Sunday (August 25). Held between 9am and midday, there will be several CCM models available for test rides and ample food and drink on hand, all provided by a local catering service. Owners Daniel Morris and Katy Mason say the event is open to everyone - not just CCM riders. Visit monomotorcycles.co.uk for more. Load up for free with Suzuki deal Suzuki customers can make use of a free aluminium pannier set which will be included with the sale of each new V-Strom 800RE. The road focused tourer will be fitted with a set of 37-litre (per side) boxes, which represents a £980 saving versus getting the parts as a standalone purchase. To sweeten the deal further, the…

THIS WEEK WIN A Yamaha MT-09 simply by getting a quote at www.mcncompare.com Discontent regarding the state of the UK road network is at an all-time high, as more people than ever express concern with the shoddy state of repair across local and major routes. Data published by the RAC suggests that 56% of people surveyed said the level of road maintenance carried out is among their top motoring concerns, higher than any other factor. This figure is up 7% from last year. The RAC said that 86% of motorists surveyed also perceive potholes to be the road defect that poses the greatest risk. Lack of drainage and faded road signage also made-up a significant proportion of complaints. This discontent is echoed by other bodies, too. MCN spoke with IAM…

MCN attended the Women in Moto show at Uttoxeter Race Course last weekend with the event celebrating its biggest attendance since it began in 2021. Created by Lindsay Atkinson, the event welcomes all genders but centres on supporting women. Atkinson said: “This is all about bringing the community together and giving a safe space for people to try new things – the wheelie machine, Motogymkhana, the Honda CBT refresher. It's just giving people that extra space.” 'Bringing the community together' MCN reader Joanne Watkins, 31, attended the event for the first time this year after recently completing her CBT. She said: “I love it. I went somewhere the other day on my bike and this woman said I was the first female biker she had ever seen. I think there…

Pharao Cedar waterproof textile jacket £99.99 Get kitted out for under a ton Having £100 in your pocket doesn't get you far these days, especially when it comes to bike kit, but we've scoured the corners of the web to find some rather tasty deals. How about £99 for a CE AA certified textile jacket with Level 2 shoulder and elbow armour? That's the offer on the Pharao Cedar. And we know it's a cracking bit of kit as we've tested it (MCN, April 2023). Constructed from genuine Cordura in a 100% recycled polyester weave, the outer shell is both durable and comfortable, with multiple adjustment points to tailor the fit and generous vents for airflow. A waterproof inner liner keeps you warm and dry, and it even has a…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews STAR LETTER Green but at what price? Your article on Suzuki's commitment to internal combustion engines (MCN, August 21) was insightful, but only tells half the story, although the section quashing hopes of a new GSX-R1000 hint at this – emissions and cost. Moving away from fossil fuels can eliminate tailpipe CO2 but the more challenging issue for automotive has always been NOx emissions which, if anything, tend to be higher with such engines as they usually run leaner and hotter. Then there is the cost, not only of the technology itself, which Suzuki appear to accept is the issue for the GSX-R1000, but also the fuel, which will cost significantly more than gasoline due to the high cost of production. Your typical top end Porsche…

OUT AND ABOUT THE UK'S HOTTEST RIDES MCN staffers share their favourite riding routes You are never more than a stone's throw away from a narrow road scaling a mountainside in the Brecons. For that hit of mountain air, start from the Baffle Haus, along the A4042 near Pontypool. Coffee fuelled and ready, head right out of the gates following the road up to Llanellen. Take the B4269 following it as it turns into the B4246. Chase the lanes taking a left at the Spar following Church Road running parallel to the A4047. Keeping right at St Elis Church, you will climb the mountain on a single track. Take care on the tight turns as you wind towards the Coach and Horses Inn. Leave the Inn heading towards Talybont, crossing the…

GET YOUR FIRST SIX ISSUES FOR JUST £5! Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer 04260 'Father and son rideout' PHIL YARNALL Chris and Phil setting off on a father and son adventure to the French Alps. Mileage this year on the Guzzi is 4260 since January. Chris on his Aprilia Tuareg is 2790. 03500 'Enjoy the silence' ANDY JONES This picture was taken during a lovely ride from South Lincolnshire to Derbyshire. I enjoyed super weather and blisfully quiet roads. 'First time for everything' CHARLES AINSLIE I broke my Europe and LeShuttle virginity last week. Rode to northern Luxembourg on day one; from Calais to Nürburgring day two, then Vianden Castle and Luxembourg. 07000 12000 'Mountain adventure' CHRIS SMITH Just back from Switzerland. It was 36-degree weather and I rode…

Big-value options If you are in the market for a middleweight adventure bike but want something a bit less mainstream, there are lots of alternatives. And some of them are very well priced. Starting in Italy with Guzzi, the Strada (£11,200) is the base V85 model with the TT (£12,000) adding spoke wheels, off-road ABS and a luggage rack with pillion grabrails. The V85 TT Travel (£13,300) is a V85 TT with hard panniers fitted. Staying in Italy, the Ducati DesertX (£14,995) looks retro but is thoroughly modern underneath and comes in hardcore Rally (£18,995) or ready-to-explore Discovery (£17,295) flavours. Moto Morini make the X-Cape (£5695) or more urban scrambler Seiemmezzo STR (£5999) or SCR (£6999), all of which are powered by a 649cc parallel twin. Deals can be had…

It could be the understatement of the century when Steve Holcombe says: “It's been a good run so far.” The 30-year-old has nine world championship titles in the highly competitive arena of Enduro GP… and he's still at it. Raised in Barnstaple, the Devon-based rider was on two wheels before he'd even begun school. “I started riding when I was three-and-a-half on a little PW50 and started racing at six,” he says. Although his first introduction to racing was motocross, it was enduro that really captivated him. “As a family we spent a lot of weekends in Wales and travelling around the UK, that's what appealed. It was a much more, I don't want to say challenging, but compared to motocross it kind of is. We just preferred that kind…

BRUCE DUNN MCN's expert technician Drinking problem? Give your bike's fuel filter a fettle to keep it running at its best 1 Syphon out any fuel On most bikes the fuel pump and filter are located inside the bottom of the fuel tank. The first thing to do is drain out as much fuel as possible. This Draper Tools syphon is perfect for the job, a couple of squeezes of the actuator and the fuel starts to flow into the can. Always make sure the can is lower than the level of bike's tank and is suitable for holding petrol. 2 Unhook the connectors Loosen any fasteners that secure the tank and then check in a workshop manual for how to disconnect the fuel lines, breathers and electrical connectors. This Ducati 999S…

Paddock insider delves behind the MotoGP headlines One of the year's more surprising stories is Trackhouse Aprilia's decision sign Ai Ogura in MotoGP for the next two years, over American Joe Roberts. Here, MCN assess the pros and cons of the US-based team's surprise choice for 2025. PROS He's tenacious At his best, Ogura is a must-watch. Some of his best performances in 2024 have come from moments of peril, when overcoming early jeopardy or poor qualifying. Whether it was his rise from 17th to second at Le Mans, or tenth to first in Barcelona, the Japanese rider has shown his best potential when backed against a wall. “We appreciate what Ai is doing in his championship,” said Trackhouse Team Principle Davide Brivio “He has a kind of resilience: he…

Paddock veteran delivers his verdict on Austrian GP KTM's home race at the Red Bull Ring ended in the now familiar outcome that stops well short of their openly ambitious goals - they were best of the rest. Again. The hard-riding Brad Binder delivered a mid-season rejuvenation, of sorts, with fifth place on the RC16. Importantly, he finished ahead of star rookie Pedro Acosta, a small step in reinforcing his status as KTM's senior man. Binder was the first non-Ducati in the Austrian GP. No shame given Ducati's extreme dominance of MotoGP led by benchmark riders Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin. But was it enough? Especially given a pile of testing on their home circuit and the huge investment in technology and engineering. For the moment, no. But it appears…

AWARDS 2024 WELCOME After thousands of road test miles and hours of deliberation, we can finally reveal this year's MCN Award winners. These are the models that represent the best of their breed, and the ones that you should consider first when spending your hard-earned cash on a new bike. The MCN Awards judging panel is partly comprised of our highly experienced road test team, who are in the unique position of having ridden and rated each and every new bike of the year, and who use this vast knowledge to bring you the definitive verdict on which models outshine the rest. The MCN Awards recognise the brilliance of bikers, too. Alongside gongs for Lifetime Achievement, Dealer of the Year and Young Rider of the Year, we also recognise the Best…

It's not often that Whitham is lost for words, but when he was presented with the MCN Lifetime Achievement Award he was taken aback. He may have seen and done it all, but he appeared humbled for his decades in the sport to be recognised in front of the motorcycle industry. “The two MCN Man of the Year awards I already had mean a lot and this is the same,” he said. “I don't have many trophies in my house, they are all piled up in the garage, but the ones I do have are my Silver and Bronze replicas from the Isle of Man, because all of them were hard won and my two MCN Man of the Years… and now this one will be joining them. “The MCN…

It's hard to argue against battery power for short commutes. Just plug in at home, or the office and you won't need to worry about finding a charger out-and-about. And with 20mph speed limits quickly becoming the norm, performance doesn't need to be high on the agenda, neither do things like engine character or gear changes. Now with more oomph Maeving's new RM1S will make your ride to work, or local coffee shop a joy. It's ultra-smooth, quiet and won't cook you in traffic like an ICE can in the summer. Unlike their original 45mph RM1, the new machine, which comes with two removable batteries will do 70mph, making it handy for any dual carriageways you'll encounter on the way to work. The power delivery is velvety smooth and it'll…