Table of contents for 12 March 2025 in MCN

Bike Shed Moto Co. are venturing into the Middle East, opening a 40,000sqft venue in central Dubai. The new site, which joins the brand's other locations in London and New York, is expected to be completed in early 2026 and is set to feature a restaurant, café, lounge, bar, private dining, retail emporium, multiple events spaces, barbershop, and a members’ club for motorcyclists. Desmo ready for the UK dirt Ducati's Desmo450 MX will appear in dealerships from June at £11,245. Ducati Cambridge, Ducati Leeds, Ducati Preston, Ducati North London, Chris Walker Motorcycles, GT Motorcycles, and Millsport Motorcycles are all set to distribute the MX bike following staff training. The 450 made its World Championship debut this year with Jeremy Seewer and Mattia Guadagnini. M&P's new owner M&P Direct, one of…

The future of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship (HEWC) hangs in the balance after series promoter WESS Promotion announced its withdrawal from the 2025 season due to financial difficulties. WESS have confirmed that despite extensive efforts to secure new partners, they have been unable to find the financial backing required to run the championship. The news follows the withdrawal of the series’ main sponsor KTM back in December 2024, in light of the Austrian manufacturer's ongoing major restructuring. “As the current promoter of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, we regret to inform that we will not be able to hold the 2025 Championship,” the announcement read. “Despite many promising discussions and negotiations, we have now reached our self-imposed deadline without securing the financial backing needed. Therefore, we have…

‘Get on the road to superbike glory’ It always feels like the good weather is around the corner when the World Superbike season kicks off, so it was with delight the other day that I sat down to enjoy Toprak and Co.'s antics. During one of the races a thought occurred to me – I wonder what BMW's first WSBK title will do to sales of the S1000RR – both new and used. BMW have always been in the position of being able to sell a steady number of their sportsbikes every year where the Japanese tended to go from boom to bust as a new model appeared, creating a spike in sales, before they tailed off as soon as it aged. That's why BMW are still making the RR…

Oxford Bar End Mirrors £69.99 Now available as either a square or circle, these funky billet aluminium bar end mirrors from Oxford feature a 360° rotation so that you can position them above or below the bar as your riding style dictates. Designed to fit most 22mm handlebars, they're finished in low-profile satin black and have anti-glare convex lenses. oxfordproducts.com Kriega Heavy Duty Reservoir £49 Designed specifically to fit all Kriega backpacks, this two-litre hydration pack is manufactured from tough abrasion resistant TPU with RF-welded seams to avoid leakage. It can be turned fully inside out for cleaning and drying, and includes a quick-release insulated drink tube with self-sealing bite valve. kriega.com NEXX X.Lifetour from £359.99 The latest modular kid on the block is Nexx's all new flip front, the…

Pirelli have launched a new Powercruiser line for 2025 – bringing the sporting wet and dry performance of the Diablo Rosso IV road tyre to the heavyweight category. Launched as part of Daytona Bike Week in Florida, it's been inspired by the sporty end of the cruiser segment – with events such as the King of the Baggers race series in America now rapidly growing in popularity. Pirelli themselves are no strangers to supporting racing and this expertise was called upon when developing a tyre for dynamic riding while still managing the heavy weight and instant torque of a performance cruiser from the likes of Indian and Harley-Davidson. Available later this year for 16in to 21in front wheels, plus 16, 17 and 18in rears, they feature the signature flash-shaped tread…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com My first proper bike after I passed my test (with my ex on the pillion). Picture taken around 1987. Anthony J Reay My first bike, a 1975 Ducati Senda TT 50. Engine's running, just need to finish it off, desperate to have a go! Archie Relph I now ride a H-D Iron 1200. For a kid in the ‘70s and early ‘80s, it was ‘CHiPs’ that turned me on to bikes! Dr Franklyn Gellnick My RD350LC YPVS with my nephew Daniel having a go. Mark Pettitt I saved up for it with a job at the local garage serving petrol. The Fizzy opened a world of adventures. Peter Allitt My first motocross bike was this Penton 125 Six Day. Randy Wessels 1979 paid…

JUST BREW IT Ride out to Britain's best biking cafés THE DETAILS • Open seven days a week 8.30am-4.45pm • www.ski-glenshee.co.uk • Glenshee Ski Centre, Old Military Rd, Ballater AB35 5XU With spring just around the corner, you might be planning to ride through some of the most beautiful parts of the UK. Scotland is perfect for this, and if you're heading through the Cairngorms, then make sure you stop off at the Glenshee Ski Centre. Although it's a hub for skiers during the winter, when the snow melts, bikers take over and have done for the past 10 years, much to the delight of the owners. “The best thing for the bikers is the facilities,” says MD, David Farquharson. “We've got a huge car park, and we try to…

Yamaha have been developing the R9 for the past three-to-four years. It's powered by their 117bhp, 890cc liquid-cooled, 12v, inline three-cylinder engine, virtually untouched from the MT-09, bar a few tweaks. Power delivery and throttle response are more direct thanks to revised ignition timing and mapping, and longer gearing (from 16/45 to 16/43) boosts top speed by 15%. Most of their work has gone into the chassis to make the R9 a razor-sharp track tool. Its dedicated frame is 10% lighter than the MT-09's (at 9.7kg) and it's more rigid longitudinally (up 37%), torsionally (18%) and laterally (16%), but it still has flex for rider feel and comfort. The steering angle is 2° steeper than the MT-09's (and the R6's) with 9% more front-bias and perfect 50/50 front-to-rear balance. It…

#1 Reading the road The better we are at reading the road, the faster and safer we can be. This video explains how to use visual limit points to improve your cornering, how to scan without getting overwhelmed by information and how to use peripheral vision. #2 Braking We go to an airfield to prove how much more effective your front brake is compared to the rear, then head onto the road to explore how braking interacts with steering, when to use the back brake and why expert riders use their brakes more, not less. #3 Overtaking Light, fast and slim, motorcycles are overtaking weapons. But they can get us into trouble. We highlight the main overtaking risks, and explain the key techniques that could revolutionise your overtaking, making overtakes…

BMW With a bigger bore, shorter stroke and a giddying 9000rpm redline, this is BMW's most powerful, lightest and compact production twin. 6.5in TFT now has a new ‘sports’ display mode. With its new steel shell chassis the GS is a good deal smaller than before. DUCATI Sensors feeding the IMU now create a virtual picture of the forces acting on the Ducati. Lowering device winds the shock's rear preload off by up to 30mm. New ABS mode offers linked braking. It works but sometimes applies too much front when you drag the rear. KTM 1290's 158bhp V-twin is still a feisty devil with 102lb.ft of torque, a crisp power delivery and slick gearbox. Switchgear is backlit, small and can be tricky to use with thick gloves. Brembos ooze power,…

‘Link the feelings with the data’ “At the beginning, I was only riding because I was fast, but not so sensitive – and not so involved in the development like I am now. I tested the bike by just riding and aiming for lap times to compare different components, and then the lap timer would give you the results. Now it's different because I work on the development of the software and new strategies – for example, on the Panigale V4 we have this strategy for the rear brake that is made for race tracks, and so on. “This was my idea because there's a big gap between an amateur rider and professional on track, and one part of that comes from the use of the rear brake. So, I…

One month ON TEST Klim Outlander GTX £320 I've not worn these boots for long yet, but the miles I've covered have truly put them top the test – particularly the Gore-Tex waterproof membrane. I covered 63 of the 500 miles I've ridden in them through a relentless downpour so heavy that I genuinely considered pulling over on safety grounds. The spray from other vehicles was so thick, I could barely see, and even when the road ahead was clear of traffic, the raindrops were so big and heavy that they hurt a little through several layers of clothing. I couldn't believe it when I got to my destination with bone dry socks! They're CE certified as protective footwear and also pass the optional waterproofing tests, too (WR WAD), so…

Six months ON TEST Oxford Oximiser Pro 5000 £119.99 I've been using this trickle charger to keep a variety of batteries topped up and it's been simplicity itself to use, but it's also feature-rich and built well. Ultrasonic sealing means it's IP65 weather resistant, the cable is winter grade, and there's a removable hanger for wall-mounting and rubber feet to prevent scratches on paintwork while providing ventilation for heat to escape. Just tell it what type of battery you're charging using the Mode button, and then hit start. The device will cycle through an eight-stage charging programme with details on the clear LCD screen, and it'll bring damaged batteries back to life, too. Quality Value www.oxfordproducts.com…

Triumph first introduced the Tiger name way back in 1936 to signify their off-road competition models, but more recently it has become synonymous with the company's adventure range. With the current line up including the big-capacity Tiger 1200 machines as well as the Tiger 900 range and Tiger Sport 800 and 660, there is a great deal of affection for the Tiger brand and a wide range of used Tiger options if your budget won't stretch to a new machine. Here are five excellent big-value examples… YOUR EXPERT Jon Urry is MCN's used bike guru. Although he loves a Tiger, Jon has stopped short of growing a mullet and moustache and calling himself the Triumph Tiger King. For now anyway……

£1000-£3500 (2002-2006) A big, solid, and sturdy-feeling adventure bike, the Tiger 955i is pretty basic in its design and engineering but that works in its favour in the used market as it makes it quite robust. Extremely comfortable thanks to a huge seat and upright riding position, the Tiger is a good mile-muncher but its lack of ABS and skinny 19in front can make it a bit treacherous in the wet. BUYER BEWARE • In 2006 the Tiger gained cast instead of spoke wheels as well as panniers, heated grips and a centrestand as standard. This is the best buy as older bikes can suffer from rusty/damaged spokes. • Reg/recs tend to fail on older models, so check the voltage across the battery using a multi-meter. Before you swap it,…

Going behind the headlines in the 2025 championship TOP STORY After the opening round of the World Superbike Championship in Australia last month, where he scored just 20 of a possible 62 points, we've witnessed a side to Toprak Razgatlioglu we've never seen before. Instead of the charming, smiley and humble character we've had the pleasure to get to know – the 28-year-old Turk was none of those things as he lambasted his results and Ducati's dominance. So what's going on? Ducati demolition job rocks rivals After Ducati's domination at Phillip Island and Nicolo Bulega walking away with all three races, Razgatlioglu coasted in furiously and smashed the BMW's screen with his fist. Refusing media interviews, the Turk was coaxed back and proceeded to label the series a ‘Ducati Cup’.…

‘We'll be ready for double the work in 2027!’ Examining the implications of MotoGP's new tyre deal MotoGP was already planning on a paradigm shift for 2027 with a drastic shake up of its technical regulations. Now there is a chance racing's premier class will be turned on its head, as it was confirmed Pirelli will become sole tyre supplier from the 2027 season. The Italian company fought with current supplier Michelin for the contract, with the French firm desperate to stay in MotoGP. But series organiser Dorna Sports felt it was time that all three GP classes, plus MotoE (also supplied by Michelin), had the same supplier. By that point Pirelli were in pole position after they took over from Dunlop in the Moto2 and Moto3 classes, as well…

For those of us who spent our youth carving through corners on a race rep, the new Yamaha R9 represents more than just another bike – it's a sign that manufacturers have listened to our pleas (and creaky knees!) and given us a sportsbike that sounds like it'll work in the real world, not just on track. After years of ever more extreme and expensive superbikes, the R9 feels like a throwback to when performance didn't just mean raw power, but handling, precision, and accessibility. I believe this new wave of sportsbikes may even help snare the next generation of motorcyclist too; I know I was entranced by fully faired machines long before I ever held a licence to ride one… Talking of the next generation, Yamaha have also been…

The first Langen to reach the UK market was the £29,400-on (+VAT) Two Stroke. Launched in 2022, it blends retro roadster chic with 249.5cc two-stroke V-twin engine supplied by Italian concern Vins. Assembled in Wigan, over 80 of the 100 available units have now been reserved, with the revenue generated by the model so far said to stand at £2.7 million. Now, Langen founder Christofer Ratcliffe has told MCN that no more will be produced. “We will never make more of the 250 Two Stroke,” Ratcliffe said. “We are limiting it to the 100. We want Langens to retain value over time and be not only fantastic bikes to ride, but collectable as well.” Despite being sold in the UK through Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) two machines have now…

A London-based motorcycle clothing retailer has been hit with a fine in excess of £10,000 after selling motorcycle helmets that failed to meet UK safety standards. London-based Bikers Lifestyle Ltd were found guilty of seven separate offences at Willesden Magistrates Court on January 20. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency's Market Surveillance Unit carried out tests on four helmets available through the retailer, using an independent lab specialising in motorcycle helmet testing. Three failed safety checks catastrophically, with one of these also indicating a 100% risk of a fatality in a collision. One of the four helmets passed the impact test, but it was not marked and labelled in a way that made it legal for UK sale. Eye protection failed to meet the required UK standards, too. “Sub-standard helmets…

Ducati have announced dates ahead of their 2025 demo tour, which will offer the chance to get to grips with the brand's full line-up. The tour kicks off at Ducati Bournemouth on April 5-6, before moving to Plymouth's GT Motorcycles the following weekend. In total, it will make its way across the length and breadth of the nation via 16 locations. Suzuki update naked staple Suzuki have given their GSX-S1000 a light refresh with a new colour TFT, while also offering the 150bhp naked from just £69 on a PCP deal, thanks to 0% finance and a £1000 dealer contribution. As well as the small tech change, Suzuki have upped the colour choices, adding a new silver option with blue accents and blue wheels. Yamaha go green with bike paint…

Motorcycles spanning more than 100 years of production will be available to purchase in an auction at Somerset's Haynes Motor Museum tomorrow (Thursday, March 13). Taking place from 11am, the event known as the ‘Classic & Vintage Motorcycle Auction’ will offer more than 150 bikes and is being run by Charterhouse Auctioneers & Valuers. Bids can be made both in person at the venue and online on the day. “The market for motorcycles remains strong and we have bikes entered into the auction from across England,” Head of Classic Bikes at Charterhouse, George Beale told MCN. “We have been at Haynes for several years now and whilst there is plenty of live internet bidding, we always have a great turnout there for the auction.” A wide variety of four- and…

THE FACTS ‘Corner speed makes it a real smile machine’ Just weeks after one lucky MCN winner picked up the keys to their brand new motorcycle, we're about to make dreams come true once again. This time you've got the chance to win our reigning Sportsbike of the Year, the Suzuki GSX-8R, simply by ticking a box when you get a bike insurance quote with us. It's as simple as that – just head to MCNCompare.com to be in with a shot. Not only will you be smug in the knowledge you've found a great deal on your insurance, but you'll also enjoy the tantalising prospect of potentially becoming the owner of this sensational parallel-twin performance bike. A worthy winner Want to know why we named the GSX-8R our Sportsbike…

WHAT'S NEW IN TECH Yamaha have developed an innovative petrol-electric hybrid powertrain which could be heading for production in the near future. The system uses a combustion engine as well as two electric motors, allowing for multiple modes ranging from full electric running at low speeds, to all three power sources driving together for max straight-line propulsion. Known as a ‘series-parallel’ hybrid, it's the first time such a system has been seen on a bike. Yamaha say their SPHEV system is being designed for “a mid-class scooter”, and have built a working prototype based on a heavily modified XMax. However, they've also dropped a hint it could be applied to the 890cc CP3 platform which powers the MT-09 and more. Two motors, one engine While no exact details about engine…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers Russ Heaven The ride Last-minute trip to Portugal How many miles? 1200 Tell us about the trip Just got back from a last-minute trip to Albufeira in Portugal. Went to surprise a family member who was on holiday there. I thought about it on Tuesday, booked it on Wednesday and left on Friday morning at 5am from my home here in Spain and arrived nine hours later. Spent a couple of days looking around and went on a boat trip. Left Monday morning after breakfast around 8.30am, and 11 hours later arrived home. The bike returned a little over 55mpg and never missed a beat in nearly 2000km. I just wish they would fix part of the Autopista del Sur near Cordoba – it's…

Junctions are the number one location for motorcycle accidents (corners are a close second), so it makes sense they've covered in MCN's new video series on better riding, made in conjunction with BikerTek and Rapid Training. The video takes you through the main mistakes we make at junctions, how to avoid them, and how to increase the chances that car drivers will see us. “The start point is realising that, as motorcyclists, we generally over-estimate how conspicuous we are, under-estimate our speed, and over-estimate our ability to do anything about it if it all goes wrong,” says Giles Lamb, the Rapid Training coach presenting the videos. Our speed can be a particular issue at junctions because drivers waiting to pull out will look long enough to gauge distance, not speed.…

THE MCN TEST • THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK £17,499 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S ● 1301cc liquid-cooled V-twin DOHC 8v ● 158bhp/102lb.ft ● 220kg dry weight ● £222.14 a month on PCP £17,295 Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro ● 1160cc liquid-cooled inline triple DOHC 12v ● 148bhp/96lb.ft ● 246kg wet weight ● £178.21 a month on PCP £19,900 BMW R1300GS TE ASA ● 1300cc air/liquid-cooled flat twin DOHC 8v ● 143bhp/110lb.ft ● 237kg kerb weight ● £173.07 a month on PCP £21,495 Ducati Multistrada V4 S ● 1158cc liquid-cooled V4 DOHC 8v ● 167bhp/92lb.ft ● 232kg wet weight ● £165 a month on PCP ‘We're testing them on a two-day Sicilian road trip’ A side from a slightly restyled beak and tweaked colourways, the 2025 Multistrada V4 looks…

After growing up around motorcycles, Matt Little, 46, was sure to get the biking bug. His father was a motorcycle dealer, and Matt learned to ride at a young age, having to navigate around numerous sheds and fields. “He had about 100 bikes,” says Matt, “in the 1980s all my dad's bikes were British, and it was only in the ‘90s that he began to get some European bikes.” Now an acoustic engineer (and has been for the past 24 years) Matt still has a love of everything mechanical. And with his 15-strong garage ranging from trials bikes to British delicacies and niche names, it's a collection like no other… although Matt insists he's not a collector, but rather an enthusiast. Nimbus Model C 1954 • 756cc • 18bhp •…

Sporty rider turned adventure seeker with a growing love of off-road O miles First impressions Coming from sportsbikes, but eager to get my adventure on, I was buzzing for my year ahead with the Himalayan 450. I'm a massive fan of this class of motorcycle, and it didn't take long to understand why they're so popular. My first road ride was a pleasant surprise – the handling felt crisp, with a low centre of gravity and quality Showa suspension keeping things planted. The bike is almost impossible to tie in knots, remaining stable and composed, allowing you to squeeze every ounce of power from the Sherpa 452 engine. The single-cylinder unit strikes the perfect balance – punchy off the bottom, with a linear power delivery that riders can fully exploit…

£3500-£9000 (2013-2021) You could opt for the original Tiger 1050 (2007-2013), but as well as more tech, the Sport brings with it enhanced handling and a cooler look, making it the better buy. Launched as the Tiger 1050's replacement, the Sport is very much road-focused and sways towards being a big supermoto. Still retaining a high level of comfort, it is great fun to ride thanks to a sorted chassis. BUYER BEWARE • Updated 2016-onwards bikes have a ride-by-wire throttle with traction control, variable power modes and cruise control all standard. • Ensure the chain adjuster system moves freely. If not, walk away as it can be a nightmare to strip and regrease. • The Sport should have its valve-clearances checked and the suspension linkages re-greased every 12,000 miles. Inspect…

Last year's Argentine Grand Prix was cancelled due to spending cuts under the country's new president, Javier Milei. Marco Bezzecchi was the last Grand Prix winner at the circuit, claiming his maiden MotoGP victory after mastering the wet conditions. The Italian led from start-to-finish, and at one point held a lead of over six seconds. Bezzecchi's win was Valentino Rossi's VR46 Ducati team's first-ever premier class victory. Johann Zarco and Alex Marquez completed the podium, but Pecco Bagnaia had to settle for 16th after a crash earlier in the race. Brad Binder won the Sprint race in the dry ahead of Bezzecchi and Luca Marini, with eventual title fighters Bagnaia and Jorge Martin struggling down in sixth and eighth respectively.…

Michelin have put on a brave face on the decision that means they will no longer be the control tyre supplier in MotoGP. “This is life. In motorsport you always have cycles,” Piero Taramasso, Head of Two-wheel Motorsport, told MCN. But it's believed the French company were hugely upset to lose the MotoGP contract. “Surprised, and disappointed,” the Italian said. Chief among the reasons for the change was Michelin's unwillingness to design tyres for Moto2 and Moto3. “We've had discussions with Dorna for several months,” said Taramasso. “Then at one point they changed their strategy and said they wanted one tyre supplier for all classes. This was not what we wanted. “MotoGP is where you have the best bikes in the world, so it's the best place to innovate and…

Former rider and Yamaha World Superbike Rider Coach Eugene Laverty is well placed to comment on the switch. The former World Superbike runner up rode Pirellis through his time in the production-based series, and also spent a season on Michelins in MotoGP in 2016. “Moving from Pirelli to Bridgestone (as I did from 2014-'15) was easy. They're very different tyres but the way you ride them is quite similar. You're able to push the Pirelli front a lot. You can also spin the top of a Pirelli, like a Bridgestone. But the Michelins are completely different. The shake up from Michelin to Pirelli will require a different riding style and way of riding the bike. It's exciting and will be a huge change. There will be riders that will be…

TOP STORY UK brand Langen Motorcycles have gone live with a new crowdfunding scheme, hoping to raise £600,000 of investment to create tooling and meet homologation standards on the new Lightspeed muscle cruiser. Accessible online through europe.republic.com, the investment programme will allow people to become shareholders in Langen. A £300,000 minimum target has been outlined on the website, although it's hoped that this figure will be doubled. The Lightspeed concept was first seen November 2023, making its public debut during that year's Motorcycle Live show at Birmingham's NEC. The bike is powered by a Buell-derived 1190cc V-twin engine, backed up by Langen's own electronics package, harness, ride-by-wire throttle system and ECU. At the same time as going live with the crowdfunding, the firm announced the end of the current Two…

Triumph are giving fans of the Moto2 world championship the chance to win one of two Street Triples inspired by the British brand's involvement with the mid-size racing class. The bike is a special version of the £11,795 Street Triple 765 RS and features a racing-inspired black and lime green livery. Two bikes will be produced – one for the competition winner and another for the victorious Moto2 racer in this season's Triumph Triple Trophy challenge. “This will be the sixth year of this competition, which gives fans an incredible opportunity to feel a part of Moto2,” Triumph Chief Commercial Officer, Paul Stroud said. “Since adding the chance for fans to get involved last year, more than 800,000 votes have been cast.” On the Sunday of each Grand Prix weekend,…

Spanish racetrack, Circuito de Jerez has been damaged by flood water after storms battered Andalusia on the afternoon of Monday, March 3. The 2.75-mile circuit, which plays host to both the MotoGP and World Superbike series later this year, was the location for international launch of Yamaha's three-cylinder R9 sportsbike at the time. MCN's Chief Road Tester, Michael Neeves was on location when the weather front hit, saying: “The water has knocked over the tyre walls, dragged the gravel traps into the track, the garages have flooded, and a lot of the mechanics tools and photographer's camera equipment has been flooded.”…

‘It gives bikers an excuse to enjoy riding’ Mental wellbeing charity Make Your Mark have opened the sign-up to their treasure hunt-style Bike and Brew café challenge, with the chance to bag a £13,249 Kawasaki Z900RS SE, among other prizes. Set to start on May 1, the initiative will issue riders with a ‘passport’ containing the names of participating venues, which bikers are then tasked with visiting to acquire a stamp – given in exchange for purchasing a hot drink. For every 15 stamps collected, participants will receive one entry into a raffle, which will take place after the challenge closes on October 31. It's hoped that the scheme will support local businesses, and encourage riders to visit and explore new roads. The winner will take home the four-cylinder Kawasaki,…

The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) is calling for motorcycling to be fully considered in the Government's Integrated National Transport Strategy – a framework that will shape the UK's transport policies across the next decade. At the heart of the NMC's demands are four changes: full integration of motorcycling within national transport policy, better connectivity between motorcycles and other modes of transport, local policies to reduce rider vulnerability, and a refreshed Government Motorcycling Strategy. “Motorcycles are already contributing to a low-carbon future, and their wider use can accelerate progress towards this end,” said NMC Executive Director Craig Carey-Clinch. “Congestion and pollution can be cut at a stroke through a modal shift to commuter motorcycles right now.” The NMC is arguing for a greater emphasis on personal transport choice. It suggests that…

‘Race textiles aren't new’ Is the textile suit Scott Redding has for WSBK a new and unique development, or has it all been done before? Turns out people have been using alternatives to leather for years! Multiple sidecar world champion, Rolf Biland, was behind the first Keprotec suits back in the ’80s. Having shocked the paddock with his futuristic Beo Imagine ‘three-wheeled F1 car’, he concluded that leathers which flapped in the airflow were a hindrance. Working with textile specialists, Schoeller, and skiwear manufacturer, Descente, Biland developed a skin-tight one-piece like that worn by downhill skiers, manufactured from a mix of Nylon, Kevlar and Lycra. For this to be accepted by the FIM, a report was required confirming that the properties were equivalent to racing grade cowhide. Darmstadt University was…

Yamaha's system is a ‘series-parallel’ hybrid. This means it brings together two different ways to design a hybrid powertrain. It is, effectively, a hybrid of hybrids. In a ‘series’ hybrid, the combustion engine doesn't ever drive the vehicle forward directly. Instead, it's only used to generate electricity, while the wheels are always turned by electric motors. In a ‘parallel’ hybrid, the combustion engine and electric motors can work independently, or together. Kawasaki's Ninja 7 and Z7 Hybrid bikes use a parallel design – they can run just on electric, or just on petrol, or both at once. Yamaha's prototype brings both of these ideas together. The petrol engine can effectively serve as just a bolt-on generator, or it can drive the rear wheel directly. This increased flexibility should allow it…

During the 1998 TT Honda celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Honda Motor Co. which Mr Honda attended. Along with many of the original Honda riders from the 1960s riding machines from that period, I was lucky enough to ride an NR750 in the parade laps which were held during race week. Many of them only rode as far as Crosby, then stopped for a pint, so after that I never really saw anyone else until Greeba Bridge when I spotted Bob Heath coming up behind me on my V&M Blackbird which I had lent him. Oh good, I thought, now I have someone that can show me the lines. No chance… he was past and gone into the distance. When I got back to Douglas, Eddie Nelson the then…

March 15-16 British Mini Bikes Want some high-octane action in a smaller package? Well, get yourself down to Rowrah Circuit in the Lake District (CA26 3XU). With a range of races taking place and plenty of areas from which to view, is there a better way to spend an early spring weekend? www.britishminibikes.com March 16 Classic car and bike autojumble The Three Counties Showground in Malvern (WR13 6NW) is hosting its drive-in classic car and motorcycle autojumble this weekend. The first of the season, tickets are cheaper in advance (£7) or £8 on the day with discounts for kids and families. classicshows.org March 16 Mablethorpe beach race The season is nearly over, but not just yet! You still have time to catch the action on Mablethorpe beach front as riders…

It was only a matter of time before Yamaha turned the MT-09 into a sportsbike. Granted it's taken 12 years but here at the world launch at the Sevilla Circuit in southern Spain, it's clear the new £12,250 R9 has been worth the wait. Supersports redefined With the R6 and R1 now only sold as track-ready ‘Race’, or ‘GYTR’ models, the R9 is Yamaha's sole big capacity, road-going supersports offering. It's powered by the same 890cc three-cylinder engine you get in the MT-09, and makes 117bhp. That's 2bhp shy of Honda's CBR600RR and one more than the last-generation R6, before it was axed in 2021. The R9 has a stiff new aluminium frame and is loaded with adjustable KYB suspension, Brembo Stylema calipers, adjustable footpegs, LEDs, cruise control, a USB-C…

FIRST RIDE Fresh from taking their third King of the Baggers title (if you don't know what we're talking about, YouTube it!), Indian have injected their Chieftain bagger with a serious boost – and we're not just talking about the power and torque which is considerably higher, by 27bhp and 14.8lb.ft. Now powered by the PowerPlus motor, the new Chieftain comes equipped with a stack of modern tech, alongside other tweaks, such as inverted forks and bigger brake discs. Indian are keen to market this as the bagger that can do it all in terms of comfort, practicality and performance… but can they back up their bold claim? 1 Size does matter Replacing the air-cooled 108, the water-cooled 112 motor has a 2mm bigger bore, new pistons and electronic alterations.…

1 Be on high alert Junctions are such a risk for motorcycles that it's worth being paranoid about them. If a junction is empty, keep an eye on it – that could change. If a car is waiting in a junction, check you're doing a speed they'll expect and maybe move laterally across your lane away from them to give you extra space and increase the chance of being seen. If in doubt, assume the worst and slow down. 2 Beware overtaking If a driver is turning left out of a junction, they'll often look over their right shoulder and, if it's clear, pull straight out. That could be a disaster if you happen to be overtaking something coming the other way. It's the same story with lay-bys – drivers…

We fitted Pirelli's new Scorpion Trail III rubber to each bike to create a level playing field. They may look like a dual-purpose, adventure-style tyre, but they have the grip, stability and easy-going nature of a sports-touring tyre. They could handle light off-road, too, but they're mainly for riders who'll never venture on to the dirt, which is the majority. Compared to the superb old Scorpion Trail II the new tyres have a sportier profile to help big beasts like these turn more sweetly and new silica compounds (dual at the rear, single up front) for more wet and dry grip. The new tread pattern has flashes of Pirelli's sporty Diablo carved into it. During our test on everything from hot, dry roads to icy wet ones, on smooth and…

Loves to travel and tour, and will happily ride for hours for a good ice cream In a way, I've already summed up my time with the BMW in my last update where I ticked off the hits and misses. But you can't shrink the bond between yourself and a bike to a clinical list of pros and cons. Once you've had a few adventures, it's more than a frame, bolts and brushed aluminium (which I still love). After all, this BMW boasts those trademark thumping opposed pistons, which make it more than a machine – it has a heart, too. That is something I'm going to miss. If there's anything you want to say about the nineT – regardless of whether it's the newest version or one from yesteryear…

£5999-£10,499 (2017-2021) The last of the ‘old-school’ Tiger 1200 models is a delightful road adventurer and you can select the slightly more rugged-looking XC without compromising its road manners as it is basically just a styling upgrade. With lots of clever tech and a relaxed attitude, it is a great mile-muncher that feels classy and refined to ride thanks to its beautiful triple motor. BUYER BEWARE • There is a wide variation in models. The XR runs cast wheels, the XC uses spokes. The XRX has semi-active suspension while the XRT has this and more tech including hill start. The XCA is the top-spec XC model. Check spec carefully. • Listen for grumbles and look for oil leaks from the rear hub, it is quite costly to rebuild. • Keep…

£3000-£5999 (2011-2014) Triumph entered the middleweight adventure market in 2011 with the Tiger 800 and its more rugged sibling, the XC. Using a new 799cc triple, these models hit the floor running and were huge sales successes. Light, agile and with a lovely dose of midrange thanks to their triple motor as well as a large 19-litre fuel tank, there is lots to love about the original Tiger 800. BUYER BEWARE • The rubber strips that protect the swingarm wear out. Look for any signs of damage to the swingarm. • Be wary of faulty immobilisers, the standard unit can fail with age. • Ensure the 12,000-mile service (or multiple of) has been completed as it includes valve-clearance checks and suspension linkage greasing. • ABS was an extra, so check…

Quite what went on over the winter can be interpreted in different ways. BMW insiders are aggrieved at the actions of the sport's governing body, the FIM. Rival manufacturers were peeved with BMW. Others say it's ‘German arrogance’. What on earth are we referring to? Super Concessions, that's what… A ‘concession part’ is a component which struggling manufacturers are allowed at certain points of the season, permitting them an upgrade as help. A ‘Super Concession’ is different: specific by manufacturer, nominated pre-season and allowed if their previous Manufacturers’ Championship position was lowly. The main difference between ‘Concession’ and ‘Super Concession’ is that the latter permits something ordinarily disallowed. One team press officer sums it up: “Super Concessions are legalised cheating.” It's not quite… but you can see what he means.…