Table of contents for 4 December 2024 in MCN

TOP STORY Hot on the heels of their near total domination of the 2024 MotoGP season, Ducati have pulled the covers off a new Streetfighter V4 – and it's just as potent as the new Panigale superbike from which it's derived, gaining sharper electronics, updated aero, a reworked chassis, and even more power. The connection to the Panigale V4 is now more pronounced than ever, with Ducati taking their seventh-generation flagship track weapon, undressing it and adding a set of high handlebars. The resulting machine comes in two flavours – the £21,295 standard variant, and the higher-spec, electronic-suspension-clad S model for £26,195. Further underscoring the superbike's influence, Ducati have opted to use the same 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale powerplant as the Panigale for their new hypernaked with practically no measures taken…

Boutique Italian brand Fantic Motor have launched an updated line of Caballero 500 retros for 2025, with a fresh engine developed in Bologna. The previous Caballero family used a 449cc single built by Zongshen in China, but this has been replaced with a Euro5+ 463cc alternative produced by Italian firm Motori Minarelli. Called the MM460, the fuel-injected DOHC single produces 44bhp at 8000rpm and 31lb.ft at 7000rpm. Each housed in a tubular steel frame, these figures are shared across all three flavours of Caballero 500, which now consist of the Rally, Scrambler, and Deluxe. Complementing the new motor is a redesigned intake and exhaust system by Arrow, new engine maps, and a ride-by-wire throttle. Lean-sensitive ABS is also available alongside traction control, with LED lighting front and rear. All three…

BMW are expanding their boxer twin R12 retro family for 2025 by launching a new S model, said to be inspired by the R90S of the 1970s. The R12S will be priced at £18,460 and is due to arrive in the UK in February. It's based on the R12 nineT roadster that arrived for 2024, rather than the laid-back R12 cruiser, and shares the same 108bhp 1170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin engine that can trace its roots back to the 2007 HP2 Sport. The S is set apart from the standard £14,420 R12 nineT by its standard-fitment bar-mounted cockpit fairing and tinted front windscreen. The striking metallic paint scheme is also done in tribute to the R90S Daytona Orange livery from 1975. This is further complemented by red double pinstriping, which…

Honda's NC750X is getting a refresh boasting extra tech and a revised look, while retaining practicality. The 745cc parallel twin will still deliver 58bhp at 6750rpm and 51lb.ft of torque at 4750rpm. Three levels of traction control and four rider modes remain, but the ‘Rain’ function has been given a tickle and a recalibrated Dual Clutch Transmission offers improved low-speed control. Dual 296mm front discs also debut on the NC. To counterbalance the extra weight, Honda have also introduced lighter wheels. Tech upgrades include a new 5in TFT dash with phone connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation, controlled via a backlit four-way toggle switch on the left handlebar. Refreshed bodywork introduces trimmed-down panels, a new LED headlight, and a revised seat cover. The 23-litre ‘frunk’ storage area remains, with options for a…

GoPro Hero 13 Black Bundle £349.99 Turn on, tune in and tech out! Where would we be without electronic gadgets and gizmos? No doubt many of us would be hopelessly lost, without the faintest clue as to how we got there and not so much as a humorous video clip to document our predicament for posterity. To help solve this issue we've trawled the net for deals on tech and found some great discounts on gear to make navigation a breeze and film-making easy, plus a few plug'n'play accessories to enhance your ride. This rugged little action camera can shoot in high definition 5K and has a full-colour 2.27in touchscreen so you can frame your shots and make adjustments with ease. It's fully waterproof, with multiple mounting options and even…

3D printing revolution Once a machine has been scanned, and products designed on the computer, they go to the onsite 3D printers to be prototyped. They can then be fitted to the motorcycle to check fitment and finishes. “We've got three 3D printers and they're critical to what we do now,” R&G's Dan Moth said. “We used to go into our machine shop and get on the lathe and get on the mill and used to make all these components ourselves – folding up radiator guards in person. “It was fun to do, but takes a long time, but if you can sit down and design something, and then send it to the 3D printer, you can hit print, and that means you can start designing the next thing.” He…

JUST BREW IT Ride out to Britain's best biking cafés THE DETAILS ● Mon-Thurs 9am-2pm; Fri-Sun 7am-2pm (closed Dec 23-Jan 17) ● Worksop Rd, Ollerton Rd, Ollerton NG22 9DR On the edge of Sherwood Forest sits an unassuming café that has drawn visitors to the area for more than 90 years. Located on the Worksop Road, it's on a proper thoroughfare, but is surrounded by fabulous riding routes. Kitchen manager Bev Browett has been at the Hut for 31 years, working through changes in ownership, extensions, and the addition of the Giovani ice cream and coffee hut. “I just love cooking,” she says. “Bikes have been coming for years – more so in the last five. When bikers turn up it's a really good atmosphere. All the laybys are full.…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday December 4 BIKE MEETS ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire. From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ Amici Coffee Biker Night, Amici Coffee Cafe & Grill, Girtford Bridge, Sandy, Bedfordshire www.amicicoffee.co.uk ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, near Sherburn in Elmet, West Yorks 01977-684618 or www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Mold, Flints 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 or Facebook: The Old Stores Motorbike cafe ■ 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 ■ Ryka's Cafe, Box Hill, Surrey 5pm-9pm www.rykas.co.uk RIDEOUTS ■ Burgess Hill & DMC, Station Road Car Park, Burgess Hill, Sussex 7pm7.30pm burgesshillmc.com Thursday December 5 BIKE MEETS ■ Vic Bikers Pub, Coalville, Leics…

VOGE BMW…

‘It did an 11.55s quarter-mile’ The CBX1000 came about in order to take Honda right to the very top of the global standings where performance was concerned – and the six did just that against some serious rivals at the time, including the Kawasaki Z1-R, Yamaha's XS1100 and Suzuki's GS1000. This means that perhaps one of its most seminal moments came before it even saw the floor of a showroom, where a select group of US journalists were able to sample a pre-production model of the CBX1000 at Willow Springs in America, before its general release to the public. Here, they had a chance to sample its sheer power and torque and in doing so achieved an 11.55 second quarter-mile time – which was two tenths quicker than any other…

MEET JOHAN Age 40 (but look 29). Nationality Swedish Ski photographer and travel journalist turning to motorcycles. Enjoying the snowy mountains during winter and the winding roads during the summer. ‘A mix of high passes and tropical rivieras’ The Swiss canton of Ticino is one of those destinations which is worth the ride, no matter how long it takes to get there. With more snowy mountain passes and winding roads through deep valleys than one can explore in a lifetime, Ticino offers more diverse experiences in its small area than the Las Vegas Strip. You get a mix of a high alpine mountain landscapes resembling Norwegian fjords with deep plunging water, tropical rivieras, and medieval castles. Ticino is the epitome of an alpine romance with its Mediterranean lover. Swiss sensation…

2600 miles ON TEST Oxford Calgary 2.0 gloves £59.99 Winter gloves are a staple in any biker's wardrobe, and the Oxford Calgarys have been my garment of choice over this year's colder months. Once sized correctly (I needed to go up one size from usual), they've proven to be dependable cold-weather mitts. While some bulk is to be expected, they're a bit too thick for me to be comfortable for more than half an hour in the saddle. Their warmth is reasonable though, staving off numb fingers for that same half-hour even in bitter cold weather. The CE Level 1 KP rating is good to see; some rival gloves meet the higher CE ratings but you can't quibble too much when they are under £60. The affordable price made me…

With the unpredictable UK weather, I've learned to grasp opportunities to get out on my bike when I can and often at short notice. And while I don't mind riding in the wet and cold, a bit of sunshine definitely goes a long way. To ensure I'm always ready for a mini adventure I have a packing list saved on my phone. But being a middle-aged man it's not just one list, I have multiples depending on days away, where I'm staying, whether I'll be camping, cooking, expected weather, etc. It means that within an hour or so of seeing a window of opportunity I can be rolling off my drive heading somewhere fun. With my window identified, and weather looking good across vast swathes of the UK, I was…

£3500-£5500 (2008-2016) Yamaha reintroduced the Ténéré name in 2008 on the go-anywhere single-cylinder XTZ660Z. Powered by the XT's famously reliable SOHC single, the Z model has an all-new chassis, long-travel suspension and a big 22-litre tank. An excellent adventurer that can have luggage added, its tall seat height can be an issue for smaller riders. BUYER BEWARE ● If money is tight, the XT660R is a great alternative. It's not as hardcore as the Ténéré but it is incredibly rugged and reliable. ● Check the subframe for damage, especially if panniers are fitted. It can get bent if the bike is dropped. ● Feel for worn cush drive rubbers, a common issue on all XT models. Fitting heavy duty rubbers is a good idea to prolong their life. ● Rust…

It's time to cast your vote for MCN Rider of the Year – and with so many landmark performances you'll be spoilt for choice. Will you go for new MotoGP king Jorge Martin for winning the sport's biggest prize in an unofficial team? Or Toprak Razgatlioglu for doing the impossible and dominating WSBK on the BMW? Maybe your allegiances will stay closer to home and the breathtaking British Superbike title fight between Tommy Bridewell and Kyle Ryde. And who can forget this year's Isle of Man TT where Michael Dunlop became the greatest ever TT racer and Davey Todd won big with victory in both Superstock and the blue riband Senior TT race? Here is the 2024 shortlist chosen by the MCN sport team: • Jorge Martin MotoGP world champion…

Delivering the inside line from the heart of the paddock TOP STORY There's no dressing it up: 2024 was a slog for Honda, MotoGP's most successful manufacturer. The firm finished fifth in the Constructors’ Championship while Johann Zarco, their highest placed rider, ended the year 17th overall. But changes are on the horizon. As well as expanding the test team to three riders, HRC signed Romano Albesiano, formerly of Aprilia, as their new Technical Director for 2025. MCN sat down with Honda Factory Team Manager Alberto Puig to find out more. How would you assess the 2024 season? “We cannot deny that's it's been really, really bad. The only thing a company like Honda can do when this situation happens is to keep on trying. And this is what we're…

Alex Lowes and his new Bimota World Superbike squad concluded the final test of the year in top spot. The Brit went even quicker than the previous test with a 1:38.355 lap with teammate Axel Bassani just four thousandths behind. The mood is up, even though the factory Ducati and BMW squads were not present so everything has to taken with a pinch of salt. The likes of Razgatlioglu, van der Mark, Bulega and Bautista won't be out until January. “I need to understand how to ride it in a better way,” Lowes said of the KB998. Bimota's parent company is Kawasaki and this is their way of trying to build a bike hitting the €44,000 cap. It is a new concept, half of the machine sporting a steel frame.…

Last week, we reported on the news the Government had rejected a move to allow motorcyclists to use all bus lanes across the UK by default, despite overwhelming support, and instead leaving access as it is currently, on a locally defined level. Although the announcement came as a kick in the teeth for city riders, it was a phrase used within the release that came from Whitehall that was perhaps more alarming: “No policy to encourage greater use of motorcycles.” This is in spite of all the hard work by biking groups such as the MCIA, NMC and MAG to get motorcycling discussed in the corridors of power, and improve areas such as licensing, safety and regulations. While it'd be easy to get disheartened to hear that the Government currently…

A motorcyclist from Essex has proved you don't need a big adventure bike to complete an epic riding trip – travelling to Istanbul aboard an air-cooled Honda SS50 moped. Phil Ranson set off from his home in Romford on Tuesday, August 20 and arrived at his destination on Saturday, September 28 – covering multiple mountain ranges, 14 countries and around 2800 miles without a single breakdown. “I had to mess about with the carburation when I was crossing the Alps, but I was about 1700 metres above sea level at the time,” Ranson told MCN. “I just checked my oil every day, and checked the basic things, but it was faultless. I was almost a bit disappointed – I thought I'd have some kind of challenge to face!” Although his…

Yamaha have given their retro naked XSR900 triple a smattering of subtle technological changes for 2025. The 117bhp CP3 engine has been tickled to meet Euro5+ homologation and makes a claimed 69lb.ft of torque. It also gets a 5in colour TFT dash replacing the smaller 3.5in display on the outgoing machine, and a new JPS-style black and gold paint job. Besides that, it remains the same tried and tested formula that arrived for 2022. Seat height comes in at a manageable 810mm, with a claimed wet weight of 193kg. Next year's pricing is yet to be announced. Visit yamaha-motor.eu for more details.…

A motorcycle thief who tried to evade police on a stolen moped has been jailed after being apprehended with the help of a police dog. Daniel Tolhurst, 23, was seen speeding through Maidstone town centre in Kent just after 5am on Monday, November 11 – with police initially responding to reports of suspicious activity involving two motorcycles. Tolhurst was seen riding along Calder Road at 5:23am, and ignored officers’ demands to stop – weaving through traffic as he went. The bike was then dumped on Gabriel's Hill and Tolhurst fled on foot. To track him down, Kent Police deployed a sniffer dog named Boss. He was quickly discovered, with a balaclava, hammers and wrench found dropped nearby. Chief Inspector Mark McLellan said: “Following a spate of motorcycle thefts over recent…

Moto Guzzi have given their V100 Mandello range a refresh for 2025, with their radar-guided rider safety system introduced to the top-of-the-range S version and a new special edition that celebrates the brand's innovative approach to aerodynamics. The 2024 Mandello S already came with a comprehensive smattering of tech and high-end goodies including Öhlins semi-active suspension, bi-directional quickshifter, heated grips, tyre pressure monitoring, and phone connectivity. Now though, Guzzi have incorporated their PFF Rider Assistance Solution into the bike's standard kit list, too. The tech is borrowed from the brand's Stelvio adventure bike, which entered the market earlier this year. It operates using 4D radar imaging and offers forward collision warning, blind spot warning and lane change assistance. Smaller updates include changes to the gearbox that mirror those already made…

Krämer Motorcycles have revealed a new naked track bike, set to arrive from Spring next year. The snappily named GP2-890 XX will cost a hefty €50,000 (including VAT) and is based on the firm's fully faired GP2-890R. As before, it's powered by the 889cc parallel twin from KTM's 890 Duke R – producing a claimed 136.1bhp at 10,100rpm and 73.8lb.ft of torque at 8200rpm. “The Krämer GP2-890 XX marks a bit of a departure for the brand as it is our first hyper naked model without fairings, and it is a bike that is aimed more at trackday riders than weekend racers,” CEO Markus Krämer said. The bike follows a run of 10 special build nakeds revealed in January of this year, inspired by the American Super Hooligan racing championship…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Getting the biking bug at an early age 65 years ago. Terry Dutton My first bike, bit of a bespoke version of the good old Fizzy in 1986. Darren Brown And this is my second bike after the Yamaha (see above), photo taken in 1988. Darren Brown Me on a Jianshe 80 this summer, first time on a bike. Got the bug now, no more pillion on hubby's Super Duke! Kim Okeeffe And I am still riding 65 years later (see top left) but on something rather larger. Terry Dutton My first big bike after learning on a Tiger Cub. Bought 1967 for £25, sold 1968 for £40.What a profit! Richard Whitham 1986, me and youngest brother Chris on my first bike, a…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader Curt Langan, age 63 The ride Round the coast How many miles? 5093 Tell us about the trip… I firmly believe for something to be an adventure, there has to be at least a 50% chance of failure. I reckoned this would be nearer 75% against success. I bought my Honda C90 on the last day of July and 35 days later set off clockwise from the Humber bridge. Using mainly B- and unclassified-roads, as long as it wasn't a dead end, I went down it. I estimated the route to be 5000 miles. It came in at 5093. The best time of the year to do this ride would be May/June or September, to miss the holiday traffic and the midges in Scotland…

‘Ninja tour’ CAROL HUTCHINS Bergwerk Bendisberg, Eifel region, Germany in midSeptember. We've been a couple of times this year, but this was the first time for the little Ninja 650. ‘Anyone home?’ MIKE TAYLOR Finding a long abandoned building with my Africa Twin. My mileage has been split with the Africa Twin including a tour of the Alps, but I visited Shetland on my Monkey Bike. ‘Euro-riding’ HUTCHIE MURA This was when we visited Spa on ride out from Nürburg, we were there for a week. We visited Cochem and rode along the Mosel – there is beautiful scenery along there. ‘Stay on your toes’ MICK TURNER Rideout last week through Aberfoyle and over the Duke's Pass towards Loch Katrine. Sunny weather but slippery roads this time of year. ‘Winter…

THE FACTS ‘The six was ready for secret testing after just 18 months’ Nothing has come close, before or since, to the seismic impact of Honda's astonishing CBX1000 in 1978. Motorcycling's first genuine mass production ‘six’ (Benelli's 750 Sei preceded it by four years but was effectively a CB500/4 with two extra cylinders), the CBX was inspired by Honda's famous 1960s GP racer. In 1978, it became the world's most powerful and the fastest accelerating street machine almost overnight and was created with just one goal: to put Honda back on top of the performance pile. It did just that, and, although flawed (it was too big and heavy to win on track, too expensive to be a commercial success and dropped after just four years of production) the CBX…

FIRST RIDE Triumph's new £14,495 Speed Twin 1200 RS may wear retro threads and a name inspired by the 1937 original, but show it a funky piece of road and it's every bit a modern performance bike. At the world launch in Mallorca, the RS scorches accurately through curves and has more braking power than you know what to do with on the road. Triumph's twin-cylinder engine thrives on low-down oomph to hurl itself out of corners, while it serenades you with a bass-heavy soundtrack on the throttle and the crackle of a race pipe off it. The special one This kind of sprightliness shouldn't come as a surprise, of course. This is the first time Triumph have built an RS version of the Speed Twin 1200 and it comes…

Overview Ticino is small, yet so fully packed that it's almost like the landscape equivalent of a naked bike. This made it possible to experience the high-altitude roads in the north, the deep valleys around Locarno, and the Mediterranean biome in the south over just a few days. For this memorable trip I managed to cover a good chunk of the canton in only 460 kilometres (286 miles). Top tips • On Ticino.ch, you can search for motorcycle-friendly hotels and navigate through all the attractions you could wish for. ‘Experience high roads and deep valleys’ • Make sure to have legal pipes on your motorcycle. The police here are very strict on dB levels, and if stopped, you'll land a fine. • Visit Isole di Brissago and the botanical garden.…

Best laid plans… having just enjoyed the challenge of seeing whether Kawasaki's eye-opening marketing claims were true, the firm whipped the rug out from under me with a recall. The official letter states: “On units of 2024 Ninja 7 Hybrid (CX500AR) and Z7 Hybrid (CR500AR) models, there is the potential for the motorcycle to shift to neutral when the operator attempts to shift from 1st to 2nd gear due to improper programming of the shift control system. This can cause the motorcycle to lose drive.” It follows with the ominously bolded: “It is important that you do not use the motorcycle until the repair is completed.” I'm told this is a software fault: the shift control system in the automated manual gearbox needs reprogramming. Now, this didn't come as an…

£2000-£4000 (2001-2009) Suzuki's mud-plugger has been reborn for 2025 but the old model still makes for a fabulous dual-purpose bike. Although its single-cylinder engine isn't that great for long-distance work, the DR-Z is a solid commuter that is light and easy to manage when off-road. If you are after a cheap, reliable, A2-legal entry point into the world of green lane riding, it's a sound option. BUYER BEWARE ● The original 2000 DR-Z400 is a kickstart-only enduro and while the E model added an electric boot, it is far less refined than the S. ● Check all of the electrics work (you will need an MoT for green lane riding) as the wiring loom can start to fail on older bikes. ● Ensure that the steering lock works because a…

£2000-£4000 (2018-2024) If you are after a dual-purpose bargain, look no further than the Himalayan. Armed with just £2500 you can bag a bike that is less than three years old and will even have panniers! It's far from the most high-tech machine but the Enfield will keep plodding on and is just as happy on tarmac as it is a green lane. It's designed to survive the terrain in India, so the UK is a breeze. BUYER BEWARE ● Bikes built from 2021 come with a Tripper navigation unit, which is handy but not a deal-breaker. ● Oddly, the Himalayan requires its valve clearances checking every 3000 miles but an oil change every 6000 miles. Most owners do both jobs at 3000 miles. Adjusting the valves is cheap and…

James Hillier isn't the only Brit racing Dakar 2025, there is also 27-year-old Robbie Wallace from Northallerton. While it will be Wallace's first Dakar, he's no stranger to competition having raced enduro since the age of 10. Onboard his KTM 450 Rally he's competed throughout Europe, Africa and South America and while the goal is to finish, he's not just making up the numbers. Speaking to MCN, he said: “I know I've got the speed to be in the top 30. There are 20 pro riders in the race, so I want to be on the outskirts of them, but to do that I'll need a clean race. In Argentina over five days I was able to keep on their heels, but with it being a two-week race and all…

Honda's MotoGP contingent wasn't massively impressed by what they tested in Barcelona, two days after the season finale. Joan Mir even asked, “How can I not be angry?” after feeling let down by a lack of new parts in the factory garage. Yet Mir and teammate Luca Marini, as well as LCR's Johann Zarco and new test rider Aleix Espargaro were on track at Jerez in the final week of November, where they continued work on establishing a development direction for 2025. Marini and Espargaro rode on the Tuesday, while Mir and Zarco were on track the following day. While Honda were reluctant to give too many details away regarding the test, and the riders names didn't appear on the timing screens, it's believed Espargaro was the fastest of the…

Suzuki have announced a limited-time discount offer, knocking £1000 off seven bikes across their range until December 16. The V-Strom 650 can be had for £7399, with the larger V-Strom 1050DE dropping to £12,999. The Address 125 and Avenis 125 are £1999, with the Burgman 125EX £2199. Additionally, the GSX-S125 and GSX-R125 prices are reduced to £3999 and £4199, respectively. Lego build to beat the January blues Ducati have teamed up with Lego Technic to release a 1603-piece build-it-yourself model of their 2025 Panigale V4 S. Costing £169.99, it features a functioning gear pedal with three-speed gearbox as well as suspension and steering. The model machine will be available to purchase online from Lego.com or in stores from January 1, 2025. Cole's theatre tour back on the road The Motorbike…

‘It's about making company robust for the future’ KTM chief Stefan Pierer has announced the Austrian brand will undertake a 90-day ‘self-administration’ process in a bid to restructure the company and move towards the end of their financial difficulties. Speaking in a statement alongside newly appointed co-chief executive Gottfried Neumeister, Pierer said: “Over the past three decades, we have grown to become Europe's largest motorcycle manufacturer. We inspire millions of riders around the world with our products. “Now we are taking a pit stop for the future. The KTM brand is my life's work, and I will fight for it.” Like other manufacturers, KTM have excessive stock in the marketplace – with sales struggling in many regions including the UK due to issues including the cost of living, a general…

Royal Enfield have launched a new flattrack version of their Guerrilla 450 single-cylinder roadster, which could be making its way to the UK to be used in upcoming Slide School experience days in 2025. Slide School is a day of specialist training, designed to give Royal Enfield fans a first taste of sideways flattrack action. The school is run in conjunction with Dirt Craft UK (dirtcraft.co.uk), with instruction provided by multiple champion and RE factory rider, Gary Birtwistle. Up until now, the school has used a stripped back version of the Indian brand's 24bhp Scram 411 (known as the FT411), but the new bike will provide more power and carry less weight to appeal to a broader range of sideways fans. The new FT450 has been designed inhouse by Enfield's…

Norton have expanded their sales network to include Macpherson Motorcycles. Norton's full range of machines will be available at the Plymouth-based dealership, from their classically styled Commando 961 (pictured) to the sporty V4SV and V4CR. Servicing, repairs, and a wide selection of genuine parts and accessories – including Norton's branded apparel – will also be on display and available to buy. Rise in road safety The Government have released figures indicating a slight decline in fatalities among motorcyclists. According to the statistics, 319 motorcyclists lost their lives on Britain's roads in the 12-month period between June 2023 and June 2024, six fewer than the same time period from the previous year. While the figures indicate just a two per cent reduction, this rises to eight per cent compared to the…

BMW's twin-cylinder F900R and F900XR have undergone a fettle ahead of the New Year, with both machines heading into 2025 with less weight, tweaked ergonomics, and upgraded suspension. Revealed during Motorcycle Live, the faired XR has also had subtle aerodynamic alterations to enhance touring potential. There are no mechanical engine changes to report aside from the jump to Euro5+, meaning the 895cc engine continues to produce a claimed 105bhp and 68lb.ft. In terms of electronics, however, both the XR and the R get tweaks to their ‘Dynamic’ riding mode which BMW say improves the riding experience at the spirited end of the spectrum. ‘Tweaks to Dynamic mode boost the fun’ Likewise, ‘ABS Pro’ brings cornering ABS as standard, and both now feature ‘drag torque control’ which maintains traction under heavy…

WHAT'S NEW IN TECH? We've been buying bolt-on extras for our motorcycles for decades, with many now opting for aftermarket crash protection in a bid to give their bike a little extra armour should it take a tumble. R&G know this all too well and have been building impact protectors since 1999. From humble beginnings, their products are now distributed and sold across the world – with everything designed and developed by a small team in the south of England. In order to ensure things are produced in a timely fashion, the Hampshire firm have now embraced a use of laser scanners and CAD software to work on and test new products in a virtual environment, without the need for the bike to be present. “Even if we only get…

A fifteen-strong selection of the most rare and exotic motorcycles ever produced will make their Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show debut at the ExCel this February 14-16. Owned and curated by legend of biking Sammy Miller MBE, the bikes are usually only displayed inside his dedicated museum in the New Forest. Now Sammy will be sharing this hand-selected fleet of special machines for the pleasure and delight of all London showgoers. Among the collection are iconic racing machines including the multi-cylinder 1957 500cc V8 Moto Guzzi racer, as well as the 1953 ex-factory Norton ‘Kneeler’, ridden by Ray Amm on the way to breaking more than 33 speed records, and an ex-works MZ 125cc GP bike raced by legends Mike Hailwood and three-times 125cc Grand Prix World Champion, Luigi…

Getting started with a trackday is straightforward. You'll need a motorcycle road licence, a well-maintained bike, and quality protective gear. Your kit must include a one-piece or zip-together leathers, a helmet, gloves, and boots. Ensure your bike has a front brake lever guard, and a quiet exhaust is beneficial as most tracks impose noise restrictions. The James Whitham trackdays offer one of the best experiences, especially for newcomers, with low group numbers and high value instruction and debriefs from British Champions (and I instruct there too!). Trackdays aren't about racing; they provide a controlled environment for riders of all skill levels to learn more about their bikes and themselves. Participants come from diverse backgrounds with varying abilities, making it easy to fit in and learn. Don't let misconceptions hold you…

December 7 Santa's on a bike This Saturday, Santas on a Bike are riding in Plymouth and Bristol and everyone is invited. Check out their website for routes and meeting points. All the festive charity rides are L-plate friendly and the most important thing is to bring your Santa suit! www.santasonabike.org.uk December 7 Kempton Park autojumble It's never too late to grab a bargain. The last Kempton Park (TW16 5AQ) autojumble of the year takes place this Saturday, destined to be filled with plenty of bits and bobs to make up your project. Tickets are £9 for earlybird entry, £6 for standard and prices go up by a quid on the gate. www.kemptonautojumble.co.uk December 7 Rufforth autojumble It's the first Saturday of the month, so Rufforth autojumble is back! For…

Perhaps the CBX1000's greatest failure wasn't its size, weight or its cornering abilities and shortcomings, but the fact that it failed to truly win the hearts (and sales) of riders at the time, evident in the fact that it had a production span of just four years. Although we've mentioned some of the reasons in terms of its price, performance and indeed its sheer weight, there's also another interesting factor which sits behind the lack of success. In 1978, the machine's first year on sale in the UK, just one insurance company was prepared to offer cover after rival firms were scared off by the outlandish power, which put many potential buyers off.…

FIRST RIDE It shouldn't work but it does; Honda's X-ADV 750 has been a sales success since its 2017 launch with more than 76,000 sold across Europe – although not so much in the UK, where its blend of 750cc maxi-scoot meets adventure has yet to break through in the same way it has in France, Spain and Italy. For 2024 the X-ADV adds practicality with a thicker seat, redesigned 5in TFT, smoother low-down DCT gear-shifting, cruise control, reshaped one-hand adjustable screen and tweaked styling, alongside redesigned LED headlights incorporating indicators. Is this enough to convert us to the maxi-adventure scoot cause? 1 Low-speed DCT control Honda's Dual Clutch Transmission is much refined since its 2009 debut. It still offers either fully auto with no clutch or gear lever, or…

5000 miles ON TEST Moto Detail rucksack £58.45 I needed a waterproof rucksack for carrying my work laptop to the office without the fear of ruining it in a rain shower. The Moto Detail backpack fits the bill with the roll-down top and plenty of space for everything I need to take with me for a day in the office, including a change of clothes and shoes. The smaller external pocket is ideal for smaller bits like my disc lock and keycard. The straps are highly adjustable with chest and waist straps to help take the weight from your shoulders and the back has comfort mesh padding. The only thing that is missing from this bag for me, is an internal pocket to divide my laptop from the rest of…

Winter is a time when you can't help but question the logic in taking a bike out of your garage. The roads are so full of grime that you spend as much time cleaning your bike as you do enjoying it! So how about swapping road tyres for something chunkier… Plugging your way up a muddy green lane is not only great exercise but will also teach you better bike control. And who cares if a dual-purpose bike gets muddy – that's what they are designed for, after all. Tempted? Check out these five for some filthy fun. YOUR EXPERT Jon Urry is MCN's used bike guru. He's been out with for a ride with the TRF but prefers his paths to be tarmac'd. More a glamper than a camper…

£3500-£4500 (2017-2020) The Rally takes Honda's bulletproof CRF250L and adds not only longer travel suspension but also a larger 10.1-litre tank (up 2.4 litres) and more weather protection. A light and peppy off-roader, it's better than the L when it comes to road miles (and will cover nearly 200 miles on a tank while recording 80mpg). It looks great, is competent off-road and used prices are remarkably stable. BUYER BEWARE ● If you want a bit more punch, you can swap the 14/40 sprockets to 14/42 or even 13/40. Just remember it will make it revvier at high speed and the speedo will misread. ● A lot of owners do home maintenance, so check for leaks from the oil filter cover (right-hand side of the motor) and cracks around the…

Shane Byrne has won his High Court claim against Motorsport Vision Racing, Motorsport Vision and the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board. Byrne sued for damages following his career-ending crash during a test at Snetterton on May 17, 2018. The former champion sustained multiple injuries when he hit a tyre wall, also known as a Type D safety barrier, and needed to have his skull fixed to his body via a metal cage for months. Byrne claimed the barrier was insufficient, with his barrister, Kiril Waite stating that a Type A barrier, an air-filled device which acts as a shock absorber, should have been in place as it was the “appropriate form of protection”. ‘A foreseeable type of racing incident’ In response, the defendants’ barrister Malcolm Duthie said that Byrne's riding…

Reporting direct from World Superbike winter testing The final World Superbike test of the year in Jerez last week marked the next key stage of six-time champion Jonathan Rea's bid to return to title-winning form in the series. The run-up to Christmas is a perfect time to reflect on the 12 months gone and ponder the best way to go for the year ahead. In the case of Jonathan Rea, as he and PATA Yamaha have acknowledged on numerous occasions, 2024 was nothing short of a disaster. Having paid his way out of the final season of his Kawasaki contract, the Northern Irishman failed to win a single race in his debut Yamaha season and was a humbling 13th in the championship. As Rea jumped on Toprak Razgatlioglu's old bike…

The Europe team won last weekend's inaugural FIM Intercontinental Games in Jerez. The event, to run every two years, is like an Olympic Games for motorcycles. From 2026 onwards, off-road disciplines will also be introduced. For 2024, there were Supersport and Supersport 300 categories; each had two races, with each team sporting four riders in every race. The overall winner was decided by accumulating all riders’ points over the event. Six ‘Intercontinental Unions’ were represented: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania. All teams had a mixture of experienced and younger riders, with one woman in each squad. The bikes were Yamaha R3 and R7 models. In their blue livery, Europe celebrated victory with team captains Elia Bartolini and Alex di Persio now the custodians of the trophy…