MCN -julkaisun 23 November 2022 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

‘It would nudge 210mph in the right conditions’BRUCE DUNN ON THE SUPERBUSA EXCLUSIVE TEST SuperBusa in ballistic showdown A stock Suzuki Hayabusa says a nervous hello to the 370bhp TTS SuperBusa. The clue to this limited-edition Brit special's incredible performance is its name. Firstly it comes from the home of big-power, TTS, while the ‘Super’ moniker refers to an atmosphere-swallowing supercharger that transforms it from hyperbike to a horizon-compressing missile that can still bimble to the shops, P29 TOP STORY Ducati to target the big spenders Just a month ago, Ducati boss Claudio Domenicali revealed to MCN that the firm was moving away from entry-level bikes to concentrate on the most premium segment of the market – and now design boss, Andrea Ferraresi, has revealed what those changes will look…

Bimota have shown a new BX450 enduro model, based on the Kawasaki KX450X. Made possible by the Japanese brand owning a 49.9% stake in the Rimini business, the BX will join the range for 2023 alongside the Ninja 1000SX-powered KB4 and KB4 RC – plus the Tesi H2 hyperbike, complete with the supercharged four from the Ninja H2. The white, red, and green offroader is based heavily on the £8499 Kawasaki and features a 449cc DOHC liquid-cooled, single-cylinder four-stroke. This then sits within the same aluminium perimeter frame as the Kawasaki, with an electronic engine management system, complete with multiple maps and traction control, on hand to keep the 110.2kg machine in check. Alongside new colours, the BX distinguishes itself from the Kawasaki with a new front headlight and handguards…

Suzuki are adding to their accident assistance scheme with a new ‘Tyre Support Program’ that offers owners access to top tyre brands. Suzuki hope to encourage riders to return to their dealerships for tyres, rather than third-party vendors, as they do for servicing or repairs. Competitive prices are available on brands such as Michelin, Pirelli and Bridgestone. Visit bikes.suzuki.co.uk for more details. Flipping idiot Blackpool rider Liam Brown has had his bikes crushed after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice after racing past speed cameras on false number plates. He was arrested after posting an image of himself with the falsely plated motorcycle on social media. He followed up by riding two other machines past speed cameras with false plates but was recognised by his distinct helmet. Super…

Almost 6000 motorcycles took to the M60 around Stockport on Remembrance Sunday to create the Ring of Red, with bikers paying their respects to members of the Armed Forces both past and present. The event was one of dozens around the country with the Ring of Red M60 choosing Greater Manchester's Veterans into Logistics as their charity of the year, with donations and merchandise sales going towards training and mentoring veterans into new careers as HGV drivers. Veterans into Logistics founder Darren Wright led the mass procession in a truck dedicated to his friend and former soldier Jamie Doyle, who served 22 years in the Royal Artillery but was found dead at home, having been sadly unable to cope less than 12 months after leaving the British Army. Jamie's mum,…

Forcite MK1S Helmet £799 Currently at this price for the first 500 units (RRP is £929), the Forcite MK1S has an integrated 1080p action camera and multifunctional LED peripheral display for traffic and navigation alerts. The carbon shell has built in comms and an eight-port ventilation system. www.forcitehelmets.com Garibaldi Sottozero split heated gloves £275 These have a heating system that warms two switchable zones, on the back of the hand and the palm. They have s a goatskin/polyester shell and a weatherproof membrane. www.saltflatsclothing.com Pyramid Plastics Z650 RS Belly Pan and Hugger from £110 Enhance the classic form of Kawasaki's mid-size retro with these high quality functional add-ons. Made in the UK, they're available in green, brown, white or black and come with all the fixings needed for fitment. pyramid-plastics.co.uk…

‘Imagining the Italian good life…’ A small part of me is considering chopping in my 1998 R1 and buying something a touch more relaxed. I only took the R1 out twice last year – once to get an MoT and the other time for a few laps of Donington. And to be honest, I didn't enjoy the track time much as I was worried about crashing it. What could replace the R1 in my garage? Possibly a Guzzi. I've never owned a Guzzi but something about the brand appeals as it's pleasingly old-school. I went to the factory in Mandello del Lario a few years ago and it felt (and smelled…) like a place where bikes were built by humans and not robots. I have no interest in Guzzi's big…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews Take time to kick up the dust Just reading an excellent MCN… Pecco winning MotoGP, Suzuki's budget MT-07 challenger and a brilliant adventure piece ‘Kicking up the dust’ (MCN, November 9) the only trouble is it was just too short! Having explored Spain at least once a year for the last 15 years, it's a brilliant place and people don't bat an eyelid when you rock up for some lunch in off-road gear. There are also brilliant companies that will take the load off planning a trip – some are geared to lads/lasses being loud, but search for the tourers if it's a quieter experience you want. The temperature is still in the 20s all through the next few months… you won't regret it! Ken Davidson, email…

OUT AND ABOUT ‘Cross-border A1 alternative’ Phil West's favourite way of getting in and out of Edinburgh Not so much a destination as a far better way in and out of Edinburgh. Do it and you'LL never ride the upper section of the A1 again. Heading north you can join the A68 in a variety of places but its besttojoin soon after Corbridge. From here the road gets steadily faster and the countryside more open with desolate moorland finally dropping down to Elishaw where you turn Left (but stay on the A68) towards Whitelee Moor. After skirting the picturesque Catcleugh Resevoir there's the climb up to the border at Carter Bar. Stop for a selfieand grab a bite at the burger van. Then it's dropping down again, first around some…

What's happening It's a big week for biking in Birmingham as Motorcycle Live is back at the NEC. Now halfway through, the 10-day event is packed full of new metal from the likes of BMW, BSA, Ducati, HarleyDavidson, Suzuki and so many more until the weekend. Plus, with other exhibitors that can get you on your next motorbike tour or can mould you a perfect set of earplugs and even find you the ideal helmet, you'll be spoiled for choice. Top that with the chance to go for test rides (both on road and off) and a fully fledged ‘dream garage’ from biking VIPs, there's definitely a lotto pack in. The essentials Don't worry, there's still plenty of time to get yourself to the NEC in Birmingham as Motorcycle Live…

THE MCN TEST • THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK £17,399 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa • 1340cc, l/c inline four, 16v • 182.2bhp @ 9500rpm • 264kg wet weight £49,000 TTS SuperBusa • Supercharged 1340cc • 370.9bhp @ 10,752rpm • 257kg wet weight Welcome to a parallel universe. An alternate motorcycling reality where the pursuit of power has continued unabated, and manufacturers are throwing resources behind hedonistic ultimates rather than frugal two-wheeled transportation. It's a reality in which Suzuki have decided to show their strength by creating the hyperbike to end all hyperbikes; a 370bhp, supercharged, biwinged Hayabusa, a bike that'll do almost triple the National Speed Limit in less time than it takes to put your gloves on. And remain road legal, too. Whilst part of this fantasy remains in…

The performance is breath-taking. The supercharger, internal, tuning and fuelling have been perfectly and thoughtfully combined to provide unlimited, stepless acceleration. It's a wonderfully weird sensation; there are Literally no dips in the power, anywhere. And it's this fact that makes it so easy to ride. Yes, it's Ludicrously powerful but it's predicable, so there's nothing to catch you out, plus there's still the safety net of the standard Suzuki riding assists, too. But the amazing thing is, aside from the inflated power, that it justfeels exactly Like a stock Hayabusa. It's an absolute tribute to Richard Albans, designer Kar Lee, and the rest of the TTS Performance team. They set out to build the Hayabusa that Suzuki should've built-and they've nailed it. If you love big power, are partial…

I've lost count of how many ‘fleecy’ neck tubes I've had before – but I'm certain none were as effective at banishing the cold as this Zerof it Heatrub Neckwarmer The barrier it creates between your neck and the elements is superb, providing a seemingly impenetrable defence from icy winds, while also managing to actively make you feel warmer. It's relatively thick, but no thicker than other fleece-based tubes I've used, and is pliable enough to tuck into other layers, and inside the rim of your lid without you really noticing it's there. From the moment it's on, your neck starts to feel warmer thanks to their clever ‘Heatrub’ material.. It's my new favourite winter go-to accessory. Quality Value www.zerofit.co.uk…

BUYING USED EXPERT GUIDE TO Mid-to-late 1990s bikes, such Suzuki's Bandit 600 and Honda's Hornet, both declothed sportsters, hinted at what was possible, but it took Triumph's first Street Triple in 2007 to fully reveal the delights of sporty nakeds. Today there's plenty of others, too, all offering punchy, real world performance, sporty but manageable ergonomics and, more than anything, fun. 2013-2020 Street Triple 675 Triumph's ‘naked Daytona’ is an absolute belter on road and track The original, 2007 Street Triple was basically a Daytona 675 with the fairing ripped off. The howling triple was lightly re-tuned to suit its new role along with sporty geometry, great ground clearance, decent brakes and suspension but with a more-upright riding position. This second-generation version saw more angular bodywork, new frame, ABS as…

BRUCE DUNN MCN's expert technician Winter warmers Fitting quality heated grips will help keep you riding for longer BRUCE'S TIPS First identify which heated grip is the throttle side 1 Get the right grips for you These days, there's no need to have cold hands while you ride, as there's a whole world of heated grips. Ideally, opt for a set with a remote off/on button and selectable heat settings. A low voltage cut-out feature, to prevent the battery discharging if you forget to turn them off, is also nice to have. First, unpack the contents of the kit and check it's a all there. BRUCE'S TIPS Make sure there is enough slack in the wires at full throttle and off positions 2 Start losing weight Remove the bar-end weights using…

An all new feature film covering TT 2022 goes live on TT+ at 19.30 today (Wednesday). As part of a new era for the TT, Tourist Trophy, by acclaimed documentary maker Adam Kaleta delivers an in-depth analysis of the spectacular race following the individual stories of some of the leading racers as well as giving an insight and unique viewpoint to the historic race. It makes for captivating viewing with unprecedented behind the scenes access as well as spectacular cinematography. It features serial, winner Peter Hickman, who joined an illustrious club of riders who have secured four TT victories in a week, alongside Phillip McCallen, Ian Hutchinson and Michael Dunlop. TT Legend John McGuinness features heavily, bringing his unique character to the film in a TT where he not only…

NIGEL SNOOK-FS-3 RACING TEAM BOSS “In such a competitive championship, the end of season Showdown involving a limited number of riders has seemed artificial. The new system will make things much closer during the main season and create a more open competition for championship standings. The big attraction is having all the teams and riders involved to the end which certainly makes for a more authentic championship in pure racing terms.” JASON O'HALLORAN “In general it looks pretty good. It's good to see the championship is evolving and there is more reward for putting a whole consistent year together – which is what I've done for the last three years. I'm looking forward to it.” TOMMY BRIDEWELL “I think it's good for the championship to mix it up and I…

Johnny Rea's win at Phillip Island last weekend shows that, despite the year he's had, he hasn't rolled over. During the course of the year he's been boxing, and he's had one in the stomach, one on the jaw but he's never stopped believing in himself and he's never stopped believing in his team. There's been a lot of talk about rider weights and top speeds of the bikes during the season, but he hasn't said anything, he's just kept his head down. So, maybe for 2023 it's time they gave Kawasaki a few of their revs back – him and Toprak both need a little something to get back on par with Bautista and Ducati so they can make it all a bit closer again. Looking ahead to next…

THIS WEEK Bimota have shed further light on a supercharged Tesi tourer, revealing a new front end and semi-active suspension at the Milan show. Now officially called the Tera, we first caught glimpse of the bike as a design sketch at the 2021 show, with a spokesperson for the Rimini firm confirming to MCN that it would be powered by the four-cylinder motor from Kawasaki's Ninja H2 SX range. “We call this new machine the Bimota Tera,” company COO, Pierluigi Marconi, said after revealing the chassis parts. “It combines unique Tesi design elements with the function and utility of a crossover bike, for a truly unique riding feeling.” The Bimota boss also confirmed they were now active in 14 countries, with plans to expand into 20 nations by the end…

Q ‘Conflict of interest?’ I was riding along the A48 with my girlfriend on the back and happily going along enjoying the ride. A car was waiting at a junction to our right, about 60 metres away and indicating to turn left. The driver pulled out on us giving me no time to react and there was an accident in which we were both hurt. My insurer appointed a solicitor to act for us both and so far it has been a smooth process. I have been acting as a litigation friend for my girlfriend due to the nature of her injuries, providing instructions on her behalf to our solicitor. The car driver's solicitor is now alleging that I was partly to blame for exceeding the speed limit, which I…

Readers Bruno Zago (CRF300 Rally) and Mauro Buraglio (Yamaha Tricity 125). The Ride Misano MotoGP without motorways (except the M25 and M20 down to the ports), visiting Verdun for the WW1 experience and stopping off in Lago Maggiore/Milan for a couple of days. How many miles? 2275 at an amazing 107mpg. How long did it take? We went for 15 nights in total.. Tell us about the trip We hatched a plan several, years ago to ride to Misano, but Covid put a stop to that so we decided it had to be this year. The bikes were superb and prove you don't need a larger machine to go touring (as long as you're not in a hurry!) we averaged about 200 miles per day. Highlights were going through the…

‘Making the most of the warm weather’ R5K MEMBER SIMON HUNT It was 18 degrees in the North Yorkshire Dales, so we had to get a ride on the bikes. The warmth was great and worrying at the same time! ‘New Zealand adventure’ R5K MEMBER BRIAN ECCLES A photo in Kaikoura, New Zealand during our current ride from Christchurch to Auckland. What an incredible place to be visting on two wheels. ‘Devil's in the detail’ R5K MEMBER ANDY POYNER A touch of the ‘devils’ to celebrate a warm November day. The old devil rode to the Honey Cafe in Brecon for brunch. ‘Black and gold colours’ R5K MEMBER DANIEL TETLEY Getting arty with the autumn colours enhancing the black and gold colour scheme on my BMW RnineT Racer. ‘Off to…

One of the Hayabusa's virtues is, for all its performance, it remains utterly smooth and user-friendly on the road. And amazingly, despite its audacity, the SuperBusa retains all the standard Busa's friendliness, despite being double the horsepower. Although the modified clutch feels a little heavier than the standard bike's, at low speed and even at normal B-road riding pace, the SuperBusa remains as composed and stable as the stocker. Although, I'm not making as much use of the gearbox; just stick it in top and it'll do the rest. My only concern is the beautiful yet delicate-looking Rotobox Bullet forged carbon wheels with their impossibly skinny spokes. The thought of them had entered my head while travelling near flat-out down the runway earlier, and now on these pothole infested roads…

‘It's a decent track tool’ The Bimota KB4 is a brilliant road bike and pretty decent track tool, too. The predictable handling and accessible performance are easy to exploit straight away. No, it's not a hardened track animal. If you do all or most your riding on track, the BMW M1000RR or various Panigale V4s available around the £30k asking price will be a better bet. But for predominantly road use and maybe the odd road-bike-only trackday, the Bimota KB4 is a strong alternative with performance to satisfy all but highly-skilled trackdayers. THE FACTS £29,999 Bimota KB4…

ESSENTIAL KIT TRIED & TESTED MCN STAFF RATE THEIR RIDING KIT 10,000 MILES This high-end Alpinestars jacket comes with a price to match – but it in terms of spec it's definitely ‘fully loaded’. Highlights include Gore-Tex Pro material, Armacor rein for cements, CE armour, pre-curved arms, airbag ready design and quality venting. I've used the jacket for more than three years, in which time it's become my go-to gear from Autumn through to Spring. I tend not to use it in the hottest months – despite the venting it's a bit much for warm weather as it really is a heavy-duty cold-weather-focused item. Saying that, there is no actual zip-out insulation layer in the jacket, it's instead essentially a hard core outer layer that is billed as waterproof while…

‘And the last will be first…’ Classic types often put great store (and value) in the first, original version of any bike. For any given condition or mileage, a first year 1980, W-reg Yamaha RD350LC, for example, in white with blue or red stripes, is always more desirable (and thus expensive) than a final year 1983, Y-reg-er in metallic blue or black. The same is true of the Rl, Blade, in fact any ‘modern classic’… But if you're NOT after a ‘classic’, if you want a bike to ride and enjoy, be reliable, have a great spec and be decent value, the opposite is the case. In this scenario, the word from the wise is to avoid first year models to side-step early glitches or recalls. Early K1300 BMs, for…

When an eight-year-old Triumph Speed Triple came in for an MoT it looked pretty clean. But as soon as Stourbridge Motorcycle Centre boss John Birchill took a closer look, he realised there was no way it would pass. John explains: “There are three designs of link to join two ends of a drive chain; small capacity bikes have a split link with a clip, then there are two types of riveted links for higher-performance bikes, with either solid, or hollow pins, also known as ‘hard’ and ‘soft’.” Most chains use the hard link design where the ends of the pins are peened over to resemble a mushroom top and hold the sideplate in place. Ideally you would use a chain riveting tool, although you can get away with gentle strikes…

• Jason O'Halloran will stay with McAMS Yamaha for a fifth straight year, extending a partnership which has seen the pairing celebrate 21 race wins and 47 podiums – more than any other rider-team combination during the last four years. • Ryan Vickers will also be on a Yamaha with OMG Racing, whilst Danny Buchan has signed a new contract with SYNETIQ BMW, keeping him onboard the M1000 RR for a third campaign. Buchan won twice at Cadwell Park but missed out on a Showdown spot. • Bradley Perie has been handed his Superbike debut by Lee Hardy Racing. Perie ended his Supersport season second overall to Jack Kennedy, securing seven victories – one more than 2021 – and 14 podiums. He'll jump onboard a Kawasaki ZX-10RR as he looks…

Eugene Laverty was helicoptered to Melbourne's Albert Hospital with a broken pelvis following a shocking crash in his 248th and final WSB race. Caught out by drops of rain at Turn 1, the Bonovo BMW rider lost control and was struck by Xavi Fores’ Barni Ducati. “It was impossible to avoid him,” Spaniard Fores told MCN. “It's really shaken me up. Poor Eugene; I feel so bad his career has ended like this.” Montella's maiden Supersport win Yari Montella has become the third new winner in World Supersport this year. His Kawasaki victory meant four of the five manufacturers have won in 2022, with only Ducati missing out. Montella was Moto2 European champion in 2020. Dominique Aegerter ended the weekend with his 17th win of 2022, with Can Oncu third…

Analysis from MCN's man in the World Superbike paddock TOP STORY World Superbikes made a much-awaited return to Phillip Island last weekend with the Australian venue bringing the curtain down on a memorable 2022 campaign. It couldn't have been much more dramatic as, fresh from winning the title a week earlier, Alvaro Bautista wrapped up the final two victories of the year each in a very different fashion. There was a reflective mood around the paddock as a somewhat jetlagged WSB community arrived at the world-famous island located just over a two-hour drive from Melbourne. The arrival brought some closure on a crazy period in everyone's lives, as the previous visit to Phillip Island had come at the end of February 2020 to open that year's season before the world…

Honda are taking steps towards an aim of carbon neutrality in their biking division by the 2040s with a new EM1 e-scooter-their first battery-powered bike for European customers. Spearheading a plan to introduce 10 more electric bikes by 2035, the EM1 is designed to be an easy city run-around, with a 40km range from a single charge. The battery can be removed and charged in your home, and the bike is expected to join the range by summer 2023. Winners are grinners The National. Motorcycle Museum have announced the winners of their Summer Raffle. Christopher Hughes from Surrey took the top prize of a 1959 BSA Gold Star DBD34 Clubman 500cc. The draw took place at National Motorcycle Museum Live on October 30, with the second prize being a £1500…

SAVE £1901 £9199 Aprilia Tuareg 660 Spun off from the sporty RS660, Aprilia's rugged Tuareg 660 can cut it on both road and down gravel tracks and now it's yours with a decent saving. There's 2.9% finance on this bike. The 660 powertrain was originally derived from the front half of the 1100cc RSV4 powertrain. Offer ends November 30. www.motorcyclesdirect.co.uk SAVE £500 £10,995 Triumph Speed Twin Takes the best bits from the raciest of Triumph's retros and roadstersto make it a fast, fun, all-day-comfy ride. www.carlrosner.co.uk • Engine 1200cc • Power 99bhp • Weight 216kg • Seat height 809mm SAVE £1001 £9299 Aprilia RS660 The perfect step up the sportsbike ladder for newer riders, and the rest of us who still want the thrill of a sportsbike without the aches.…

LOOKING FOR GREAT BIKE KIT DEALS? Ruroc Atlas 4.0 helmet, from just £247.50 Get ready to Roc! Black Friday is traditionally the mother lode for thrifty online shoppers, when retailers slash their prices to clear stock in readiness for the new season. This year's bargain bonanza takes place this Friday and the internet will be awash with deals. We've flagged up some of the best bargains, but be sure to check out www.products.motorcyclenews.com for the latest info as new deals drop. UK helmet brand Ruroc are offering big discounts in selected styles of their rangetopping 4.0, such as the Día de los Muertos inspired ‘El Cobre’ and DC comics Superman. Built to exceed ECE 22.06, these aggressively styled helmets feature a unique protective inner layer using Rheon, a super-polymer that solidifies on impact…

BUNDLE WORTH £500! Cold weather can wreck the nicest of rides, but help is at hand and we've teamed up with Keis Apparel to give away a bundle of heated gear worth £500! The Keis J505RP Extreme Heated Jacket incorporates the very Latest design in micro carbon-fibre heat generation, with a super-warm 78Watt heat capacity-creating impressive Levels of heat across the chest, down each arm and the back area, and around the collar. Some 25% more powerful, than the standard J501RP Keis Heated Jacket, this Extreme Heated Jacket comes with a free £36 Keis power controller and has been designed to be powered directly from your motorcycle's battery. The breathable Lightweight soft-shell fabric, with stylish elasticated side panels provide a perfect fit for men and women, Also included in the…

November 27, Squires Toy Run Join this toy run from Squires to the Pontefract Community Kitchen. The ride Leaves at 11am and asks for a £5 donation or an unwrapped toy. www.facebook.com/squirestoyrun November 27, Huddersfield Autojumble Going for 25 years, the Huddersfield Auto Retro Jumble has a Long heritage of bargain buys. Located in a fabulous Victorian market building right in the middle of Huddersfield, you've not only got a great day to find what you need, you can do it in an amazing venue too. Stalls are welcome from 7am, and customers from 10am. phoenixfairs.jimdofree.com November 24, Iron Horse Bike Night The weather might be a Little colder than your usual bike night, but the folk at Iron Horse Ranch House in Peterborough are still throwing their weekly bike…

THURSDAY November 24 11am, EUR2, World Superbikes: Highlights from Indonesia FRIDAY November 25 11am, EUR2, Bennetts British Superbikes: 2022 Season Review SATURDAY November 26 7.30am, EUR2, World Superbike Highlights from Phillip Island, Australia KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT-DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC-DISCOVERY CHANNEL DHD-DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD EXS-EXTREME SPORTS CHANNEL EUR1 (2, HD)-EUROSPORT1 (2, HD) MOT MOTORSPORT.TV CH4-CHANNEL 4 CH5-CHANNEL FIVE BBC BBCI–BBC INTERACTIVE ESPN–ESPN CLASSIC CHANNEL ITV DST–DISCOVERY TURBO SHED–DISCOVERY SHEO INST-INSIGHT SS1 (2,3ORX)-SKY SPORTS 1 (2,3 OR EXTRA) QUEST BTS1–BT SPORT 1 BTS2–BT SPORT 2 TVL–TRAVEL UK…

Have you ever been so cold that it feels like your insides are shivering? If you have, the chances are you were experiencing a drop in your core body temperature. When you get very cold your body's survival mode kicks in and it redirects blood flow away from your extremities and towards vital organs; that's why hands and feet often feel the chill first. Leave that unchecked and you're at risk of your core temperature dropping, which can have dangerous results. A decrease of just 1 to 2°C can affect your concentration, coordination and cause drowsiness – potentially lethal when in charge of a motorcycle. We often feel the cold at our extremities first, but maintaining core temperature should be a priority when considering howto keep yourself consistently warm. A…

2000 MILES Made from a stretchy, satin finish polyester outer with a breathable, waterproof inner membrane and sealed seams, these have a quality feel about them. They're slightly fitted, so don't flap excessively in the wind and mine are large and fit comfortably over medium-size jackets and trousers. They're also long enough to reach the end of a 34in inside leg. The retina-busting lumo yellow jacket also has reflective panels to help you be seen day or night and does up with a Velcro flap and a sturdy zip with a cord-mounted tab for easy use with thick gloves. It has a high Velcro-fastened neck section for warmth, elasticated cuffs and lots of straps and drawstrings to stop the rain getting in. There's a handy waterproof inside pocket and big…

Believe it or not, heated grips have been in existence since the early 1980s, but back then they were clumpy and a bit ineffective. But not any more… we are in a golden age of kit, and aftermarket heated grips are almost indistinguishable from normal grips, plus boast a range of features to fit your needs and styles to suit your bike. Most manufacturers offer heated grips as part of their accessories list, which will, of course, fit perfectly. However, these often come at a gobsmacking price – we're talking a couple of hundred quid or more, especially if you get the dealer to fit them. But heated grips market-leaders, Oxford Products, offer a whole range of Hot Grips to suit different styles of machines, costing from around just £60.…

The inside line from the heart of domestic racing The Bennetts British Superbike Championship will undergo its biggest format change since 2010 next season with the introduction of a new points system and Showdown. Pay attention – this is going to take some explaining… The points system will change three times throughout the season, with the gap between each position lessened to keep more riders in the title hunt as the season progresses. At the Brands Hatch finale, there will be 105 points up for grabs with winner picking up 35 points for a win, 30 for second and 27 for third! In fact, eighth place will bag the rider the same as third would have this year (16). The original Showdown – a response to Leon Camier winning the…