Table of contents for 14 January 2026 in MCN

‘It flirts with your emotions… I want one’ KTM 990 RCR TEST, P31 THE BIG TEST KTM’s new dawn MCN test hundreds of motorcycles every year, yet there’s only a select few that receive unanimous adulation from all who ride them – which is why KTM’s new 990 RC R has caused a stir… Join MCN’s Chris Newbigging, Justin Hayzelden and Rich Newland as they subject KTM’s first large-capacity sportsbike in years to 700 miles of winter testing, from weekend jaunts to test track speed runs, dyno time, and run-of-the-mill commuting, all with the intent of answering the big question: Is this the return of a true KTM sportsbike and is it good enough to take on the established elite? PAGE 31 TOP STORY Big boost for biking Promising news…

TOP STORY Britain could be on the brink of the biggest shake-up to motorcycle training, testing and licensing in decades, with the Government launching a formal consultation considering changes to both CBT and full licence procedures as part of a wider road safety strategy. At the heart of the consultation is the possible introduction of progressive access training, which could remove the need for riders to retake tests when progressing to a larger-capacity licence. Currently, riders wishing to upgrade from A1 to A2, or from A2 to full A, must complete two practical tests, made up of an off-road Module One and on-road Module Two element on a higher-powered machine. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is now exploring whether riders could complete a structured training course to gain…

One of Scotland’s best-known biker hotels has been placed on the market, as long-time owner Dave Smith prepares to step back after more than two decades at the Buccleuch Arms in Moffat. The family-run venue, which has built a loyal following among UK riders, will continue operating as normal, with all bookings secure and forward reservations already running well into the year ahead. Smith’s decision comes as he looks to retire, however, he says the new owners will need to maintain the biker-friendly focus. ‘Putting out feelers for the right people’ “We are putting our feelers out to see if we can identify the right person or people to continue running the hotel with the same passion and ethos as we have. If we don’t find the right people, you…

‘The early bird catches the deal’ Whenever the new year arrives, my mind goes back to what new bikes emerged 36 months previously. Why? The bulk of new bike sales are now done on PCP and the standard term on these policies is three years, which means that a stack of great used bikes are about to hit showroom floors as owners look to trade-in rather than make the final payment. So what’s out there? In 2023 we saw the new BMW F900GS and GSA, the Ducati Diavel V4, Monster SP, Multistrada Rally and Streetfighter V4, the Honda CL500, Hornet 750 and Transalp, KTM’s 890 SMT, Suzuki’s V-Strom 800 DE, GSX-8S and V-Strom 1050 models, a new range of Street Triples and the 400s from Triumph and Yamaha’s tweaked CP2…

DXR Arion Carbon £199.99 New to the UK, this helmet offers incredible value for being fully carbon. It even has some high-end features such as an emergency cheek pad removal system, a no-nonsense double D-ring strap and a wide aperture visor. The vents and rear spoiler also look pretty natty and certainly belie its bargain price tag. www.sportsbikeshop.com Spada Trailhawk adventure helmet £199.99 Designed with a lightweight shell to keep your neck happy on long days in the saddle, this helmet comes with a quick-release chin strap, which can be a bit unnerving to use at first, but is assuredly as safe as a double D. The lining is removable and washable and the visor comes with a pinlock included. www.spadaclothing.com Sidi Stryda shoe £169.99 Built with comfort off the…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews THIS WEEK’S STAR LETTER Play fair when riding off-road I am a keen, ageing, sometime, off-road biker. Recently some smallholding friends of mine brought to my attention the behaviour of some green lane bikers. Could your readers spread the word? The countryside is not a race track and is shared with other vulnerable users such as children and animals. My friends live next to a short section of green lane. They have been disturbed by the apparent disrespect that some bikers have for the countryside and their disregard for the safety of others. Please ride with consideration, before someone gets seriously injured or killed. The behaviour of a few reckless individuals is adding to increasing anger amongst other countryside users. This will fuel calls to ban…

Happy New Year! We’ve had loads of snow up here and I really want to get my enduro bike out, but all the tracks are closed. But this is like the off-season for us in the UK for racing, so it’s dead exciting that the Dakar is on to keep us busy. It’s part of the holiday season. We have Christmas, New Year and then you know Dakar is starting – which is ace! I don’t envy the people getting ready for it, but it’s perfect for us watching at home. But with all that prep, it must be absolutely gutting for James Hillier to go out so soon. It’s so dangerous, and like he said, it was only a small crash, it was just the way he landed on…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers Steve and Duncan (aka The Happy Bikers) The ride On August 25 we set off from Peterborough to Norway. Target destination: Nordkapp. Reason: Prep ride to test equipment for our RTW next year How far? 17 days, 5350 miles Tell us about the trip… Leaving work Friday evening, we headed to Harwich for the overnight ferry to the Netherlands, being woken by the traditional anthem of Don’t worry be happy which took a couple of days to get out of our heads. The sun was shining as we disembarked, next stop was Germany. We arrived at a campsite just in time to check in. Saturday evening we were on the ferry at Hirtshals, Denmark, arriving in Kristiansand in the early hours of Sunday. There…

‘Riding one is pure joy’ Updates to the 2026 Bonneville T120 don’t fundamentally change the way it rides, and aside from new colours, it looks the same. Lighter wheel rims no doubt improve handling, but without riding it back-to-back with the old one, it’s hard to say by how much. But no matter, because just having the excuse to ride the T120 again is a pure joy. It’s a feel-good retro that seduces you with its old-school style, beautiful finishes, and attention to detail. It’s also a great machine to ride, thanks to excellent handling and an engine that rumbles in all the right places. THE FACTS £12,195 Triumph Bonneville T120…

ON THE DYNO A true 117bhp is plenty respectable for the road, but the strong peak torque delivered in the midrange and held most of the way to the top end tells a bigger story. It’s more than enough to make a light (195kg on the scales) bike feel spunky and responsive. It’s stronger than any standard 600, even before advancing Euro regs, as well as the latest next-gen supersports. As it should be, with 947cc – but in a bike that’s still packaged like a 600, it’s incredibly effective. PERFORMANCE DATA FUNCTIONALITY AND FEATURES OPTIONS AND EXTRAS Tech Pack £895 The full suite of electronics should really be standard: who wants a potent modern supersport bike without a quickshifter, or the full scope of its systems? They make a…

‘A brand new wardrobe’ There’s no point trying to ignore the elephant in the room. There haven’t been a whole stack of changes compared to the bog standard Himalayan 450, but what has been done has made the bike easier on the eye and geared it up for a more off-road focused adventure without needing to raid the parts catalogue. No, it’s not reinventing the wheel, but it’s giving customers options for a more bespoke appearance. Although the handguards, matt black elements and black rally mudguard are welcome, you may find yourself a little less comfortable on long rides with the firmer seat. But, if you’re planning on being on the pegs that little bit more, the tubeless wheels are a welcome addition to the impressive motor, Showa suspension and…

RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor Two months ON TEST Richa Orion GTX jacket £550 It’s shrugged off winter Tested by Ben Clarke for two months/300 miles I’ve only worn this new textile jacket for a couple of months and a few hundred miles but given that it’s just come out and the miles I’ve covered have been quite extreme weather-wise, I wanted to give my first impressions. What drew me to the jacket in the first place is that it doesn’t look like typical adventure gear. There’s a tendency for this kind of kit to make you look like you’re heading off around Morocco or a RTW trip. A colleague describes this aesthetic as “pockety”, which I think sums it up rather well. It’s all very well if…

Going behind the scenes in the 2026 MotoGP paddock Simon Crafar was warned he was taking on the most difficult job in the MotoGP paddock when he took over from former world champ Freddie Spencer in 2025. Here, the Chairman of the FIM Stewards, tells MCN how he’s been getting on… How did you enjoy your first year in the new role? “Everyone looked at it as the most difficult job. I also got warned when I signed up to do it. The IRTA [International Racing Teams Association] guys didn’t want me to come to them six months in and say, ‘This job’s horrible!’ But I had already made the decision. Like everything I’ve ever done which was worth it, it’s scary going in. And this was no different.” Has…

Engine capacity Now 1000cc, four cylinders, maximum bore 81mm 2027 850cc, four cylinders, maximum bore 75mm Engine allocation Now Seven (up to 20 GPs), eight (over 20 GPs) 2027 Six (up to 20 GPs), seven (over 20 GPs) Minimum weight Now 157kq 2027 153kg Ride-height devices Now Ride-height and holeshot devices permitted 2027 No ride-height and holeshot devices permitted Fuel capacity Now 22 litres, 12 for Sprints 2027 20 litres, 11 for Sprints Aero body Now Fairing mustn’t be further forward than 150mm behind the front tyre’s front edge 2027 Fairing mustn’t be further forward than 200mm behind the front tyre’s front edge Now Maximum width of upper aero body must not exceed 600mm 2027 Maximum width of upper aero body must not exceed 550mm Now Maximum rear-end height cannot…

Away from those learning to ride, the proposed changes are also set to have an impact on those looking to teach, too – hopefully solving some ongoing issues. The consultation looks to streamline motorcycle instructor qualifications by combining CBT and DAS assessments into a single course. Currently, instructors must take a separate DAS assessment to train learners on bigger machines, whereas the new combined assessment would allow instructors to teach across all categories. If the change comes to fruition, it could offer much-needed relief in light of nationwide instructor shortages, according to the industry, with Phoenix Training boss Mark Jaffe previously describing the situation as “a real hindrance in getting more people on two wheels.”…

Zero have confirmed details of their 2026 DSR/X electric adventure bike, which arrives with a new paint job. The £21,165 model otherwise goes unchanged, continuing with Zero’s Z-Force 75-10X motor. Riders who want the full package can opt for the range-topping Black Forest, which comes with premium touring kit. This model year also includes a 6kW Rapid Charger. Kawasaki Akra freebie for Z900 Kawasaki are offering buyers of their 2025 Z900 a free Akrapovič carbon slip-on exhaust. Available through official UK dealers until March 31, the exhaust usually costs £1007.95. Akrapovič claim a slight boost in performance, quoting a 2.8bhp increase in power, while torque jumps 1.3lb.ft, all saving 2.1kg versus the standard can. The optional carbon heat shield is not included. Bennetts pull out of BSB deal Motorcycle insurance…

SAVE £10,641 £13,999 Zero DSR/X It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Zero’s electric tourer is an impressive package – so long as you don’t intend churning out big distances without stopping to plug in and top up the battery. It’s quick, well-equipped – even coming with reverse – and this one could be yours with more than 10 grand knocked off! www.wheelsmotorcycles.co.uk SAVE £3900 £15,099 KTM 1390 Super Duke GT Combines superbike power with pin-sharp handling. It’s superbly practical, offering great weather protection and comfort – and no shortage of gizmos. www.thepotteries.co.uk ● Engine 1301cc ● Power 175bhp ● Weight 209kg ● Seat height 835mm SAVE £2000 £30,999 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing Tour DCT Still the last word in luxury, Honda’s Gold Wing is among the most…

‘Certification creates trust’ A rider on a social media group recently asked whether a range of impact protectors was legitimately CE marked, sharing the manufacturer’s advert. I contacted the company through its social media channels. No reply. A reminder a few days later was also ignored. Only after I posted a negative review on the main Facebook page did anyone respond. What arrived was a ‘certificate’ issued by a private business that does not appear on any official database for CE or UKCA conformity assessment. Its registered office is a serviced workspace in Covent Garden, its sole director resides in India, and it lists no phone number – only an email address. In short, the document was worthless, and it did not grant the right to apply the CE mark.…

WHAT’S NEW IN TECH? Automatic or semi-automatic transmissions have been part of the motorcycling landscape for decades but until recently they’ve been set aside for scooters and oddball big bikes – struggling to break into the mainstream despite concerted efforts from big brands. From the Hondamatic models of the 1970s to the same company’s hydraulically powered Human Friendly Transmission used in the DN-01 from 2008-2010, and Aprilia’s continuously variable transmission in the 2007-2011 Mana 850 plus the Yamaha Chip-Controlled Shift of the 2006-on FJR1300AS, self-shifting or semi-auto bikes have struggled at the fringes in the past. That’s all changing now. Honda’s perseverance with the complex but smooth DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) has seen it become a popular option, and rivals have sprinted to build their own push-button shifters. BMW, KTM,…

Q ‘Should I have been at work?’ I was knocked off my bike in summer 2024 when a car pulled out into my path and wasn’t able to work for three months. I had to see a medical expert instructed by the third party insurer, and he has written in his report that it was not reasonable for me to be off work for more than a month. This is unfair as my GP signed me off for the full three months. My employers want me to repay them for the three months of sick pay. Can they do this? Helen D, email A Your employment contract clearly has what we call a ‘subrogated claim clause’. This allows your employer to recover sick pay paid to you from the compensation…

“Whenever I’m out on the trails I always wear knee braces. I twisted my knee when flat tracking and ever since I have worn them. When you’re off road, you always stick your foot out when cornering. It’s so easy to catch your boot on a rock or a bit of sand and twist the knee, so I 100% recommend those. “I also always wear padded shorts. When you’re doing wheelie practice and fall on your bum, they’re a must! There’s nothing worse than landing on your arse. “Plus, I wear a long back protector that covers my coccyx. I have full body armour but always swap out the back protector as they’re usually too short. Then I also wear a chest protector as I’ve previously got a bit cocky…

Biker Bistro Situated over a dealer, it dishes out breakfasts, burgers and a whole lot more. Aspinall Place, Merseyside WA9 5PE www.mmcbikes.co.uk Recharge Café There are all the staples for breakfast and lunch. Unit 2, Owen House, Ashburton, Newton Abbot, TQ13 7FF www.rainbowmoto.co.uk Harry’s Café This café at Fowlers has been a biking magnet for years and is still going strong. 2-12 Bath Road, Avon, Bristol BS4 3DR bikes.fowlers.co.uk…

JOIN THE MCN PIT STOP BREW CREW www.motorcyclenews.com/pit-stop Wednesday January 14 BIKE MEETS The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Mold, Flints. 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 or Facebook: The Old Stores Motorbike cafe Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, near Sherburn in Elmet, West Yorks 01977-684618 or www.squires-cafe.co.uk Loomies Moto Cafe, West Meon, Hants. Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk The Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey. From 10.30am-1pm Facebook: Pathfinder Cafe OFF-ROAD Dakar Rally, Saudi Arabia www.dakar.com Thursday January 15 BIKE MEETS Nadee Bike Meet, Lagon Bar & Grill, Findern, Derbyshire 6pm Facebook: Nadee Bike Meet Vic Bikers Pub, Coalville, Leics www.vicbikerspub.co.uk The Whistlestop Motorcycle Club, Rhyl Rugby Sports & Social Club, Rhyl, Denbighshire. From 5pm 07544-143494 Vintage Metals, Coleford, Gloucestershire. 6pm-10pm www.vintagemetals.co.uk Iron Bull Roadhouse, Basingstoke, Hampshire. Facebook: Iron Bull Roadhouse Ryka’s Cafe, Box Hill Surrey 5pm-9pm www.rykas.co.uk OFF-ROAD Dakar…

THE MCN TEST THE HOTTEST BIKES EVERY WEEK £13,499 (£14,395 as tested) KTM 990 RC R 947cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin, DOHC 8v 117.4bhp @ 9000rpm (tested) 195kg (kerb, measured) The 990 RC R, is finally here a year later than intended. KTM’s financial strife stopped production in Mattighofen and delayed numerous models. But workers returned to the line in the last few months of 2025, and the new supersport contender is the first to land in UK dealers. It promises an exciting fight with the Yamaha R9 and the Ducati Panigale V2 for honours as top of the class in next-gen supersport, but now it’s also the torch-carrier for the firm after Bajaj’s huge cash injection saved the day. It’s carrying the weight of the company on its shoulders as the…

‘It compels you to ride it’ Three riders in different scenarios came back from testing the RC R for over 711 miles with only one big complaint: having to hand it back. The 990 RC R is a rare bike that does more than merely impress with competence: it compels you to ride it more by feeling totally thought-out, complete and the finished article in a way KTMs often don’t manage until the second generation. They’ve built on the foundations of both the Duke family, and the track-only RC8c, to return to large capacity sportsbikes with a bike that moves mid-price sportsbikes forward in the most convincing way yet. It blends the guts of a superbike from a few years back with the nimble, thrashable feel of a supersport bike,…

The new benchmark sports-tourer, revered for its stability and speed’ THE FACTS With BMW now known for high-tech missiles such as the M1000RR, it’s easy to forget that as recently as the mid-1970s the brand’s bikes were far more sober. The 1976 R100RS, which followed on from the 1973 R90S, changed all that. The RS was not only the first fully faired production bike (purists may contest that, citing the mid-1950s Vincent Black Prince and Ariel Leader), it was also the first sports-tourer (that new RS designation stood for ‘Reise Sport’, meaning ‘Travel Sport’). Its striking silver paint and optional ‘snowflake’ cast wheels made it a poster bike, while its monster price and 125mph top speed made it a Top Trumps winner and it was the bike of choice for…

@justingetsabout Mile-munching shed dweller with a definite penchant for the road less travelled. It’s almost a year since I was entrusted with stewardship of the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP, and in that time we’ve become something of unit. Averaging 1200 miles per month together, the black and gold beastie has pretty much gone wherever I have, in the normal course of things, from the back lanes of beyond to bustling city streets, tackling road and track without complaint and always leaving me with a smile on my face. But although I can’t park up and walk away without a lingering look over the shoulder, it’s not all plain sailing and there are compromises that need to be considered. 1 Peaky power Hornet happiness is all about keeping the engine spinning…

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. 2021-2024 TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 1200 RS Owner’s rating A full-on super-naked, the triple engine is rated a high 4.6/5 but a few owners have suffered from reliability issues. Happily, most were covered by Triumph’s warranty scheme. 2021-CURRENT HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTERS Owner’s rating Harley’s super-naked seems to have hit the right note. Scoring an impressive 4.8/5 overall, owners love the new 1252cc Revolution Max motor. 2021-CURRENT SUZUKI GSX-S1000 Owner’s rating The second generation of GSX-S is a far better bike than the original model and owners who left online reviews all rate it highly, especially its reliability and engine performance. Find your…

There’s getting your money’s worth and then there’s outright bodged to the point of danger. The Yamaha R3 that arrived at London-based Zenith Motorcycles fell firmly into the latter category, sporting not one, not two, but 11 ‘temporary’ puncture repairs in its rear tyre, plus an additional nail in there for good measure! “For some reason, they’d thought it was OK to just continuously repair the tyre instead of replacing it. “I don’t know where on earth he lived to get that many punctures,” said workshop owner Karen Neill. “He hadn’t changed the tyres since he had the bike. These were the original tyres and they were almost transparent because they were so worn.” Used as the owner’s everyday transport around London, the single-cylinder sportsbike had been hoovering up the…

As an ex-racer, Crafar knows the younger contingent occasionally need to be steered in the right direction. Does he feel a responsibility to do that? “I wouldn’t say it’s part of my job description but it does feel like that,” he says. “With the ones we speak to where it isn’t a penalty, but it was very close, I’ll add, ‘We don’t want to see it again and can you go and apologise to the rider.’ Then the other rider loses their anger and you don’t see it escalate. “I learnt it from having good crew chiefs because we didn’t have this system when I was racing. A good crew chief is like a father of the paddock to a young rider. They would teach you etiquette and say, ‘Hey,…

MCN Sports Editor and adventure riding expert ‘Every bump felt like an electric shock’ ROBBIE WALLACE Robbie Wallace remains in the Dakar and on schedule for a finish – despite suffering a heavy crash on stage seven of Dakar 2026. The 28-year-old Brit had been enjoying a brilliant campaign, regularly running in the top 40. At the end of stage six heading into the rest day, the XRaids Experience KTM rider held an impressive 36th place overall. Ready and set for the second week, Wallace was looking to maintain his pace and, with the inevitable withdrawals, could have been in contention for a spot in the top 30 by the end of the race. But unfortunately, a crash 100km into the stage thwarted his progress. He said: “I went over…

GasGas UK have confirmed Jack Price (27) and Jack Dance (20) as their factory trials and enduro riders. Price is a Scottish Six Days Trial winner, four times Scott Trial winner, Trial2 World Champion, twice British Adult Champion, and British Extreme Enduro Champion. He will compete in both enduro and trials. Dance, meanwhile, is a five-time Youth British Champion and Trial125 gold medalist. Services go the extra mile The UK’s biggest service station provider, Extra MSA, have announced a partnership with Air Ambulances UK – allowing them to provide further support to the UK’s 21 airborne Air Ambulance charities. The partnership aims to raise £250,000, with each helicopter mission costing £4165 on average. Extra customers will be encouraged to make donations during service station visits. Bushy’s stamps mark 40 years…

AJS have a new JS125-X single-cylinder naked priced at £3149 on the road, sharing more than a passing resemblance to Honda’s well-established CB125R. The machine, which is in showrooms now, produces a claimed 14.8bhp (the A1 licence maximum) courtesy of a Euro5+ four-valve SOHC water-cooled engine. It’s paired with a six-speed gearbox and is said to be capable of a claimed 97mpg – meaning a theoretical 213 miles from its 10-litre fuel tank. Seat height is a learner friendly 800mm, with ABS featuring at both ends to combat any nervy grabs on the front lever. Available in red, white, or blue, there’s full LED lighting plus upside-down front forks, and a monoshock at the rear. One of the most notable things about the JS125-X though is how closely its appearance…

Alpinestars G-Force Phantom suit £569.99 Time to beat the January blues January is a hard month for many, with almost half of us Brits admitting to having more fiscal trouble now than at any other time of the year. So this week we’ve dug particularly deep to bring you a list of the most heavily discounted items that we could find to save you from ticking over into the red this January. This week more than most, we’d say it’s worth having a proper browse at Bargain Hunter to check out the deals that are there, because there are some real stonkers here today. Take this Alpinestars G-Force Phantom one-piece leather suit, for example – which was originally £869 but is now on offer for just £569.99. It’s an AA-rated…

Send your bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com In the Algarve outback on my Honda CRF450 L. Forgot about the health and safety. Rob Brading Me and my son Paddy. Wouldn’t be on a bike if it wasn’t for him – came late, but these are the best times. Hugh Duncan My Norton 961 Commando at Cleehill. John Eaton Generations of bikers, with me at the front and my dad at the rear. Baz Lasikiewicz My AJS Sedona 250. A good choice of bike, I reckon! John Walton My XS1100 when I was a 21-year-old student… July 1981. And I still have it, must dig it out this year. Robert Gallop Touring Snowdonia in North Wales on an M1000RR. Who says you can’t tour on a sportsbike? David Ancill Out and about…

THE DETAILS Tues-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm, café shuts half an hour before closing krazyhorse.co.uk Bury St Edmunds IP32 6NU If you haven’t heard of Krazy Horse or stumbled across one of their stands at a bike show, then you’ve been missing out. But fear not, the showroom in Bury St Edmunds is not only filled with the latest bikes on sale, but also some of their renowned custom creations, and of course, a cracking café too. “In the café we’ve got everything from breakfasts to burgers, sandwiches, paninis and more,” says dealer principal Ben Godfrey. “But in the past few months, our new café manager, Chris, who has a background in Indian cuisine, has added an Indian twist to a couple of options on the menu. “We do a north…

FIRST RIDE Triumph’s new £12,195 1200cc Bonneville T120 has been updated for 2026. Like the rest of the Bonnie range, which also includes the 900cc T100, Scrambler, and the 1200cc Bobber and Speedmaster, the T120 enjoys a handful of electronic and mechanical changes. Introduced in 2016, the T120 draws its inspiration from the 1959 Bonneville, complete with replica fuel tank, rubber knee pads, metal Triumph logo, and a host of retro details. We’re at the launch of the latest Bonneville T120 in Southern California, where we also have the chance to swing a leg over the more affordable T100 version. 1 On Any Sunday… There are no changes to the riding position for 2026, but that’s fine with us because you can’t help but feel a sense of occasion when…

A few tumultuous years for KTM – a number of reliability scandals, most notably 790/890 LC8c camshaft failure – then declared insolvent, then saved by Indian motorcycle leviathan Bajaj stepping up their 49% stake to 75%. Along with other, unnamed investors, they’ve begun paying creditors and restarted production after it stopped in early 2025, preventing the RC R and other new models hitting showrooms as intended. There has been some overt cost-cutting: racing activities have been scaled back, Felt Bicycles was sold off from the Pierer Mobility parent group, and even press fleets have been pared back. For now, it’s a gradual return to business as usual, though the UK has suffered its own issues, and several KTM dealers have closed in the last 18 months for a combination of…

FIRST RIDE A huge seller since its release in 2024, Royal Enfield’s Himalayan 450 is one of the friendliest A2 adventure bikes on the market, and now it’s available with a darker, moodier edge in the form of the new £6400 Mana Black. Naturally conservative when it comes to sculpting and releasing all-new models, Enfield’s formula clearly works as the 2024 Himalayan has become one of the most popular adventure bikes of any size; and the whole notion of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ comes to mind with the Mana Black; all the capability of the original but now with a little more rugged sex appeal. 1 Raiding the catalogue Although the foundations for the Himalayan 450 Mana Black are the same as the standard model, there are…

Moto Guzzi had long offered an Italian take on Bee-emm’s shaft-drive boxer twins with their own shaft-drive transverse V-twins, which arguably date back to the 1975 850 T3 California – the Plexiglass screen and panniered production bike spawned from Guzzi’s police-spec bikes. Following 1976’s R100RS, Guzzi came up with their own rival with the 1978 Spada, a 1000cc tourer twin but featuring a handlebar-mounted fairing. A reasonable success and similarly adopted by the Italian police, the Spada lived on through two incarnations before gaining a frame-mounted full fairing with the third, in 1989, then dropped in 1992 but was never as refined as the BMW.…

Adjusting your bike’s rear suspension is one of the most overlooked setup jobs on a motorcycle, yet it has a huge effect on comfort, grip and confidence when on the road. Too soft, and the bike wallows, squats under acceleration, and feels vague mid-corner. Too stiff, and it skips over bumps, loses traction, and beats you up on rough roads. The good news is that most road bikes allow at least basic rear suspension adjustment, usually in the form of preload, and sometimes rebound damping, too. Preload doesn’t alter how stiff the spring is, it changes how much the suspension compresses under the bike’s weight, and setting it correctly ensures the shock operates in the middle of its travel, where it can respond properly to bumps, braking and acceleration. Getting…

1 Bulega’s to lose? Looking at the data, Nicolo Bulega should win the title comfortably. Only he could get anywhere near Razgatlioglu in 2024 and 2025, and had it not been for some unfortunate bad luck, Bulega could have arguably won last year’s championship. The Italian was an impressive 266 points clear of third-placed rider Alvaro Bautista, the same rider whom Bulega essentially sent packing from the factory Ducati team. That’s a huge advantage over his series rivals. Better yet, the former Moto2 racer also has the brand-new Ducati V4 R beneath him, and early indications suggest that this bike is even better than the last. 2026 is a huge year for Bulega. Alongside his WorldSBK efforts, he’ll also be testing the 2027 Ducati MotoGP bike, with the dream of…

Former TT winner and MotoGP tech expert Computer design has played a massive part in racing for years but for 2027 it will play an even bigger role than ever with the new 850s designed largely via computer modelling. The sophistication and accuracy of computer simulations has improved exponentially, so engineers can design entire bikes and then test them by running so-called ‘digital twins’ of their machines around different ‘tracks’. “Simulation is playing a very important role, probably for the first time,” affirms HRC technical director Romano Albesiano. In addition, MotoGP regulations restrict factories in the amount of track testing they can do, hence the move into the virtual world. Aprilia, Ducati, Honda, KTM and Yamaha have only recently started testing their new 850s in the real world, but their…

‘We took a trip to Monster HQ’ I’ve just got back from America, which has been two weeks of dashing about with a bit of work and a bit of holiday. I went to see my helmet sponsor KYT, who’ve just launched my replica helmet. I was there with Toddy (Davey Todd) who also wears KYT. They are super motivated and the guy that’s the driving force just loves racing and is obsessed with the TT. We also went to Monster HQ in California. I had to buy an extra suitcase to get all the loot in! I’ve been to Monster in London but the American headquarters is something else. They’ve got a wall there which they get all their athletes to sign, so me and Davey did that, which…