Table of contents for 9 December 2020 in MCN

‘Fruity acceleration meets incredible poise and accuracy’MICHAEL NEEVES, TRIDENT 660 LAUNCH WORLD FIRST TEST New budget Trident 660 delivers big At just a few hundred quid over the £7000 mark, the new Triumph Trident 660 has the middleweight naked sector firmly in the crosshairs. We already know that on paper it’s got all the right ingredients, but has its blends of sharp styling, punchy 80bhp triple, and high-quality cycle parts managed to deliver the ride we were hoping for? We hear to Tenerife to put it to the test. FULL REPORT P38 THE BIG TEST All-new Aprilia RS660 vs rivals Although we’re sometimes shocked, some bike tests can feel like a forgone conclusion before the MCN garage doors have even opened – and some are such an unknown that they’re…

Kymco are keen to stress they’ve not abandoned petrol power just yet and have revealed a fun new ‘adventure crossover’, the DT X360. Honda arguably pioneered this segment with the X-ADV, which used the innards from an NX750 to build an off-road capable scooter. Kymco have taken that formula and shrunk it down a little and while it’s not as off-road focused, it should at least cope well with the some of our less pristine road surfaces. Compared to a traditional maxiscoot it has wider bars and a more upright position for better control, as well as dual-sport rubber. Tech-wise it comes with keyless ignition, a colour LED dash as well as traction control. Again, there’s no word on price or when it will be available but signs are early…

MCN CONTRIBUTOR Always ready Kawasaki’s patents reveal four distinct modes for the hybrid: electric only, petrol only (which recharges the battery as you go), petrol and electric combined and a pure recharging mode, using the petrol engine to refill the battery in neutral. Cake and eat it The electric motor doubles as a generator and is connected directly to the input shaft of the transmission. It can add torque when you need more performance or use its generator function to top up the battery. Wireless riding Long-range batteries – the heaviest, bulkiest bit of an electric bike – are rendered unnecessary. The hybrid only needs a small, light, lithium-ion pack, and since it’s kept topped-up by the petrol engine there’s no need to plug in to charge. Still in charge…

“I work in Birmingham’s city centre but live around 10 miles away in the suburbs and the traffic can be horrific on my commute, even more so now the A34 is having major roadworks in preparation for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. I used to commute by diesel car but in September I bought a Super Soco CPx, which I ride on an L-plate after taking a CBT test, which was £120 and easy despite never having ridden a bike before. “The Soco is fantastic in traffic and has all the speed and power I need for the A-road sections of my commute, it will happily cruise at 50mph (60mph downhill) and has plenty of range in one battery. I can complete the 20-mile round trip and have enough left to…

…and I want to test ride the RS660’ Jay Blundell Age 42 Height 5ft 8in Current bike 2013 Ducati Diavel Strada Been riding 23 years First bike Kawasaki ZXR400 Dream bike Ducati Desmo RR “I’m serving in Afghanistan in the Military Police but as soon as I get home I’m going to book a test ride on the Aprilia RS660. My Diavel is a great bike but I want to get back into sportsbikes and have something fun for trackdays and the UK’s roads, which a litre bike isn’t as they are just too fast and also prone to getting caught on speed cameras! “The RS has 100bhp, which is more than enough, and the fact it has a full modern electronics package is a draw but mainly I’m interested…

Triumph’s Trident 660 motor isn’t the same as the triple powering the current, shorter-stoke 660cc Street Triple S. It’s actually a heavily reworked Daytona 675 lump with its stroke reduced from 52.3mm to 51.1mm, trimming capacity to 660cc. Power and revs are also dialled down from a track-tastic 123bhp @ 13,500rpm to a more road-friendly 80bhp @ 10,250rpm. The engine has 67 new components, including crank, pistons, gudgeon pins, cylinder liners, cylinder head, cams, crankcase castings, sump, cooling system, radiator, alternator rotor and stator, air intakes, exhaust and slip and assist clutch for a light lever action. Most usefully for a bike designed for everyday riding it has more grunt at lower revs than the Street Triple S with over 90% of its torque delivered from 3600rpm to 9750rpm. Its…

KIM BONE, FALKLAND ISLANDS “Having ridden off road as a youngster, I returned to biking in 2018 and bought a BMW S1000R. The roads here between Stanley and Mount Pleasant Airport now have tarmac, however the remaining 700 miles of Falklands routes consist mainly of gravel tracks and aren’t the easiest (or safest) to ride on. I loved my Beemer but it’s no good on gravel, so I decided that I was going to buy an adventure-type bike to ride the rough stuff for personal pleasure. Knowing that ‘offs’ would be in my future, I figured it would be wise to get a small dirt bike. I shipped a 2016 Kawasaki KX250F from England and jumped on. What a great decision! I rediscovered my love for off-roading after more than…

As a general rule, the coolant inside your bike should be changed every two or three years, or between 15,000 or 20,000 miles. The reason is that, over time, the solution suffers a slow deterioration of its cooling and anti-freeze properties. Degradation in cooling performance isn’t ever going to be that much of a problem here in the UK but if coolant freezes you are in big trouble. The results include cracked water pumps and damage to cylinders – all very expensive and totally avoidable for the sake of a few quid spend changing the coolant. Always use a dedicated bike coolant, these products are premixed and have the correct anticorrosion properties to protect aluminium engine components. Last of all, read the manual for your bike to check the detail…

Romano Fenati 2015 Moto3 Argentina GP The modern era’s resident bad boy is never too far from controversy. Romano Fenati clashed with Niklas Ajo twice during the warm-up in Argentina. Fenati, then a VR46 Academy rider, was an animated figure, raising his arms to Ajo. The former didn’t respond so Fenati decided to kick his rival. Afterwards, with riders practising their starts, Fenati pulled up alongside Ajo, reached over and switched Ajo’s bike off. He received three penalty points, added to the point he already had, and was put to the back of the grid. 2018 Moto2 San Marino GP Fenati was at it again, making headlines on a global scale in 2018 by pulling the brake lever of Stefano Manzi’s Moto2 bike at 140mph. The duo had battled hard…

Whatever your tastes, manufacturer allegiance, riding needs or depth-of-pocket restrictions, there has always been something to suit every buyer in the new – and thus, eventually, used – market. But there’s been a strong impression in recent years that new bikes are becoming more complex (and therefore expensive) just because they must follow the technological zeitgeist. You could argue that this has caused the tail to wag the dog and driven certain sectors to decline as bikes move beyond the needs or pocket of the average buyer. But is a new movement emerging? Sure, it’s not a revolution, but it feels like there are signs of a new chasm between the charge towards the ‘pinnacle of everything’ and a simpler life. And it’s bikes like the new Trident 660 that…

£13,499 Suzuki GSX-R1000R When you buy a new bike it will normally be registered for the first time with your name on the V5. Bikes that are ‘pre-registered’, like this black GSX-R from Youles Motorcycles in Blackburn, are put on a plate before they are sold. So it means it’s already had an ‘owner’ but it may not have turned a wheel. ● www.youlesmotorcycles.com SAVE £2200 £8499 Suzuki GSX-S1000 The change from Euro 4 to 5 means there are deals to be had like this black GSX-S1000 from Arnolds in Leicester. • arnoldsmotorcycles-suzuki.com • Engine 999cc • Power 148bhp • Weight 207kg • Seat height 810mm SAVE £1396 £11,195 Yamaha Tracer 900GT Any Tracer fan will love the more refined GT, as well as the saving on this pre-reg example.…

South Yorkshire Police’s Off Road Team were picked from a list of police support units to receive the Problem Solving Award after their efforts to fight illegal and antisocial riding resulted in 11 arrests, 49 recovered vehicles, 12 people reported on summons and 102 warnings issued. “The team worked incredibly hard to achieve some amazing results,” said Operational Support Unit Superintendent Paul McCurry. “They have continued to take action against those who abuse our roads, beauty spots, and ruin people’s livelihoods and land through their reckless riding.”…

Shark Race-R Pro Carbon Zarco £389.99 ‘Lids don’t get much tricker than this!’ Made from carbon/aramid fibres, this top-spec helmet from Shark has been reduced by 40%, representing a saving of £260 on the normal price. The Race-R Pro Carbon is used by riders in highest levels of bike racing and features a removable lining, loads of vents, spoiler and even provision for glasses to fit underneath comfortably. Carbon construction ensures it is suitably light, tipping the scales at just 1250g, which helps reduce neck strain. Not only that, the carbon weave looks fantastic as it peeks through the clear lacquered areas of the shell. This particular style was used by Johann Zarco in the French GP in 2019 and is one of three Race-R Pro Carbon designs substantially reduced…

THURSDAY December 10 9pm, ITV4, NEW: The Motorbike Show SATURDAY December 12 11.30am, ITV4, British Superbike Championship Review MONDAY December 14 1pm, EUR2, Motorcycling: Barry Sheene Classic MONDAY December 14 2pm 2.30pm, BTS2, MotoGP 2020 Season Review KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT – DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC – DISCOVERY CHANNEL DHD – DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD EXS – EXTREME SPORTS CHANNEL EUR1 (2, HD) – EUROSPORT 1 (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 SHED INST – INSIGHT SS1 (2, 3 OR X) – SKY SPORTS 1 (2, 3 OR EXTRA) QUEST BTS1 – BT SPORT 1 BTS2 – BT SPORT 2 TVL – TRAVEL UK…

‘There’s always some nutter…’ Three-wheel motorcycles… Piaggio and Gilera sell trikes. PCSOs (‘Plod Lite) use them in London. The MP3 is reasonably popular, and the Gilera Fuoco is available as a 500. And there’s Yamaha’s new Niken. Smaller bikes? In the early 1980s, Honda offered the 50cc Stream, whose concept was based on the Ariel 3 and which bombed because the original design called for torsion bars on the twin rear wheels to allow the thing to remain upright, rider’s feet on the pegs, at a standstill, but Honda decided not to fit them. There’s one sure-fire winner available as a learner-legal 50, and that’s the Piaggio Ape. The little mini van that thousands of Italian farmers use to take their tomatoes to market and thousands of hipsters buy coffee…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews Finding the champs of the future Reading about Peter Hickman and his Ohvale Racing plan for nurturing the next generation of UK racing stars (MCN, November 25) reminded me of some years ago when I was at Kinsham Raceway kart track and Ron Haslam turned up with a very young Leon who started racing a minimoto and looked like a future champion! Peter Hickman is spot on with what he says and I think this picture that I took of Leon on his minimoto proves starting kids on small bikes at a young age does create the racing stars of the future. Stuart Maxey, email STAR LETTER MCN STAR LETTER Write something that spikes our interest, and you could get selected for the Star Letter slot.…

Q ‘Knocked off by French driver’ I was on a riding holiday with friends in France in September 2019 when I was involved in an accident. I was riding at the rear of the group. A car was waiting to come out onto the road to my right. My friends all went past but he obviously didn’t see me and pulled out in front of me. I had no time to avoid the crash and went flying over his bonnet before landing on the road. I spent four weeks in hospital in France and have been concentrating on my recovery since. Can I claim against the French driver? Luke James, email A Yes, you will be able to claim compensation but you will need advice on the correct jurisdiction for…

JOINING GSE Aged 23 and fresh out of university, Carchedi gets his big break to work for the GSE Ducati squad in BSB. Working with Mackenzie and Hodgson, he soon becomes a permanent fixture in the team. MEETING SUZUKI Carchedi moves to Crescent Suzuki in 2012 to work with Camier, where he meets future his MotoGP bosses Team Director Shinichi Sahara and Technical Manager Ken Kawauchi. ROSSI ENCOUNTER “I was working in WSB and Rossi tested our bike at Brno which is still one of my career highlights. To actually be able to say that I worked with the ‘great man’ is pretty special.” WINNING MOTOGP “To win any world title is the pinnacle, but to do it with Suzuki in MotoGP with a young lad that I get on…

Triumph have succeeded in producing a simple, affordable, characterful and grown-up feeling machine that’s as happy commuting as it is scratching. The Trident 660 is a piece of cake to manage at any speeds, making it the ideal first big bike for newly-qualified riders (or those on an A2 licence) and is way more capable in the corners than any of its rivals. It’s fast without being too in-your-face, or tricky to manage and is packed with low-down punch, but the triple lacks the playfulness of Yamaha’s twin-cylinder MT-07. Great build quality, generous detailing and cheap running costs with long service intervals are the icing on this middleweight naked cake. THE FACTS £7195 Triumph Trident 660…

THE BUCKET LIST MOTORCYCLING MUST – DOS ‘All of a sudden, I feel like a total novice again’ ‘Ride off-road,’ they said. ‘It’ll make you a better road rider.’ Nearly two decades in the saddle, that advice has pretty much gone in one ear and out of the other. To my mind, handling a bike at high speed on a circuit represented the very pinnacle of skill, not slithering around a field getting mud sprayed up my back… Oh how wrong can a person be? “I can’t believe you’ve never ridden a dirt bike,” says MCN’s expert rally-riding Sports Editor Michael Guy, who was bemused when I admitted this glaring hole in my experience. “We’ll have to change that. I can teach you so basics, if you like.” I wasn’t…

Oxford Premium Paddock Stands £69.99 (front), £69.99 (rear) ‘They’re rock-solid and feel totally secure’ Tested by Richard Newland for 10 months There have been three occasions in my life when I’ve watched bikes gracefully keel over and land like beached whales on their sides thanks to collapsing paddock stands. I don’t ever want to see it happen again. Thankfully, I’m confident it won’t happen with these front and rear paddock stands from Oxford. The allsteel construction is inspiringly beefy and while you do have to assemble them yourself, there’s no loss of rigidity (so long as you bolt them together properly!). The long handle section gives good leverage to hoik even the heaviest bikes off terra firma, and once lifted the bike feels rock-solid and secure. Crucially, they also use…

MCN READER I have had to fit a Klicktronic to allow me to change gear as I am a left below knee amputee. The job was fairly simple, the only problem was making a bracket to fit. After a week of grinding and shaping a bracket it was eventually fitted and I was able to give the bike a go. I was not disappointed, the speed of the bike is unbelievable. My last bike was a 2009 Fireblade and I could feel the difference in power immediately. I could also feel the weight difference, but it was not as bad as I thought after seeing the actual weight of the bike. The suspension setup was a bit soft but after getting it setup for myself the bike feels so much…

‘Look out for Arthur Daley dodginess...’ When you see a peachy KTM Super Duke for £3500 or a Ducati 1098 for a little over fi ve grand, it’s understandable why you’d buy a bike privately rather than from a dealer. There are a few things to keep in mind, however. Unlike buying at a dealership, you won’t get any sort of warranty. More worryingly, you have fewer rights and major parts of the Consumer Rights Act don’t apply in a private sale. The rules about misrepresentation are valid, so a seller must accurately describe the bike and not say things that aren’t true, but there’s not actually a legal requirement for the bike to be fit for purpose. You also need to be aware of small dealers posing as private…

Kyle Smith 2017 WorldSSP Thai Round Having been judged to have caused Chalermpol Polamai and Christian Gamarino to crash, Smith was instructed to give up three positions. He ignored it and was given a ride-through. He ignored that too and was black-flagged on the final lap, after clashing with Decha Kraisart. Smith came second but was told of his sanction after the race. He claimed not to have seen any penalty boards. Sylvain Guintoli 2010 WSB French Round Sylvain Guintoli wanted to cap an impressive debut year in WSB by standing on the podium for the first time. It wasn’t to be. He was battling inside the top four when he accidently cut the Nürburgring Chicane and failed to follow the correct route back. Guintoli was given a ride-through penalty.…

Marc Marquez faces another six months out of action after undergoing a third operation on his the broken humerus he sustained earlier this year. To make things worse, results from a biopsy taken from the fractured humerus revealed a previous infection in the bone – likely to be one of the reasons behind the slow healing process since his second operation. As a result, the former champion must remain in hospital for specific antibiotic treatment. Marquez’s latest operation, an eight-hour procedure undergone in Madrid, included having a new plate fitted to his humerus. He also underwent an iliac crest bone graft with bone taken from his pelvis and placed around the humerus. The six-time MotoGP champion’s recovery period, if all goes to plan, is expected to be a minimum of…

With several sections of Northern Ireland’s famous road race circuits along the way you’ll be spoilt for choice of where to ride. Our route heads out from Armoy, taking the B147 towards Ballintoy. Turn left when you reach the B67 and follow it all the way to the Coleraine bypass, where a short blast north to Portstewart and back will take in some of the NW200 circuit. Skirt Coleraine on the bypass then hang left onto the A29 for a run down to Cookstown. Continue along the A29 to Dungannon, before taking the left at the church and onto Killyman Road. Then it’s left towards Bush, after which you’ll want the right turn onto Tartlaghan Road – follow it down to the A45 and onto the M1 heading towards Belfast.…

Offering outstanding performance in terms of friendly power delivery and responsive chassis compliance, Kawasaki’s venerable water-cooled, cassette gearbox equipped 650 parallel twin engine once again powers new iterations for 2021. But these bikes aren’t just aimed at new riders, with more than enough poise, poke, spec and composure to keep even the most seasoned rider grinning like Cheshire’s happiest cat. Grab a new Versys 650 Equipped with distinctive long travel suspension, the new Versys 650 – available from February 2021 at £7549 – is ready to tackle the city, its suburbs and any distance demanded thanks to a confidence inspiring upright riding position and the ability to add clean-mount 56-litre panniers that utilise a single key operating the ignition, fuel cap and seat lock. The Versys 650 comes available as…

Getting out on your bike is all about finding a ride that helps you hit the reset button. And this coastal cruise in Dorset is packed with reasons to be cheerful. The coast road rises and falls and there are amazing views as you look down on Chesil Beach. The views across to Portland and Abbotsbury are breathtaking and you can stuff yourself to bursting point from West Bay’s many brilliant food stalls. There are always loads of bikers there, too. Then you can follow the route inland route back via Beaminster and Maiden Newton. The B-roads are brilliant with a mix of tight and sweeping bends that’ll keep you fully focused on the ride. We’re starting the loop on the coast, where we head south west out of Weymouth…

SENIOR WRITER Meet the 2021 Ducati Monster – the Bologna firm’s latest middleweight performance naked and the first model in the Monster family without a trellis frame since the range was born in 1993. Simply called the Monster, the new machine supersedes the existing 821 model and features new looks, more tech and a Panigale V4-inspired aluminium frame that uses the engine as a stressed member. Starting at £10,295, the bike aims to be all things to all riders, with just shy of 110bhp in standard trim from its 937cc Euro5-friendly desmodromic V-twin, a seat height of 820mm (lowerable to as little as 775mm) and an additional A2- compliant model also available. Weighing a claimed 166kg dry and presenting a thin stance, it could be the ideal introduction to the…

Kymco are forging ahead with their electric bike plans, delivering a new Lightweight electric scooter as well as revealing production plans for their electric supernaked: the RevoNex. First up is the F9 – the world’s first electric bike fitted with a two-speed automatic transmission. Why two-speed you might ask? Well, the linear delivery of electric bikes is often seen as a bit one dimensional, plus their zip tends to fade out at higher revs – just as you want things to get going. Kymco first looked at combining gears with electric motors in their SuperNex a couple of years ago, so the general idea has trickled down from there. Kymco also claim it’s more efficient, meaning they’ve been able to squeeze a 75-mile range out of a 40Ah battery, while…

Furygan Billy Evo gloves £54.99 Keep your hands at a comfortable temperature without losing feel for the controls. Made from goatskin and textile, they feature a new-generation metacarpal protector, leather palm reinforcement and a palm slider. They have a waterproof and breathable membrane, thermal lining and a special pad which means a phone can be used without ‘de-gloving’. Available in sizes S-3XL. www.furygan.com SW-Motech PRO Daypack tank bag £115.86 A real all-rounder with up to nine litres of storage space. Rugged construction protects your gear against shocks, wind and weather. The bag is secured by the firm’s patented PRO tank rings which attach to your bike’s fuel filler cap and allow the Daypack to be attached or removed using just one hand. Other sizes are available. www.sw-motech-shop.co.uk HJC RPHA 90S…

With Covid-19 and lockdowns causing all kinds of chaos, it would’ve been easy to write off this year’s #ride5000miles challenge in favour of a bigger, better 2021. However, despite the disruption, London-based Tomasz Kolodziej managed to purchase a new bike, take on his first trackday, enjoy regular weekend rides and smash the distance total – covering more miles in 2020 than he did during the past three years combined. “I didn’t expect to cover so many miles and I was surprised when I saw the clock,” Tomasz confessed. “It happened so naturally. I don’t have a car, so I use my bike for everything, including just having fun.” Previously working antisocial hours in the restaurant industry, before swapping to a role at Dainese London, Tomasz changed his Ducati Monster 821…

HARRY METCALFE Every week we give a different rider a wodge of fictional cash and ask them to ‘buy’ the bike that sets their soul on fire. This is Harry’s pick... Off-road bikes have been Harry Metcalfe’s passion since he first took to the mud on one when he was just 11. However, the man who founded Evo magazine, which specialises in performance cars, and now runs his own YouTube channel dedicated to his rather enviable collection – Harry’s Garage – has a huge love in life – road–going Dakar replicas. In fact, given £7000 that’s exactly where his money would be spent – which is what he has just done! “The ie is about as close as you can get to Cagiva’s Dakar race bike and as well as…

MCN CONTRIBUTOR Aprilia don’t always get the credit they deserve but the Noale factory has amassed 54 world titles, dominated 125 and 250GP racing to the point the organisers were forced to change the rules, built a V4 to enter into WSB where it took three world titles and are only a fraction off the pace in MotoGP. It’s fair to say that when Aprilia put their mind to something, the results can be spectacular. Will this be the case with the new RS660? Could it prove the catalyst that makes us fall in loves with supersport bikes all over again? Looking at the three bikes before us on this very damp MCN250 you have to say Aprilia have got the RS660’s positioning nicely in the middle ground. Honda’s CBR650R…

MCN CONTRIBUTOR Many riders have turned away from sportsbikes because the current crop are just too focused, but the RS660 could be the bike to change that. When you take into account the consequences of being caught speeding, the concentration required to ride litre bikes and the brutality of 200bhp, you can see why many have simply lost the love. Even Bruce, who races and has grown up on sportsbikes, freely admits that despite having access to a 2020 Fireblade this year he wasn’t tempted to take it out onroad due to its aggressive nature. By building a middleweight bike that can be viewed as a proper sportsbike thanks to the quality of its electronics and chassis and then arming it with a motor producing more than enough power for…

“Fight the urge to look down at the front wheel. Lift your head and look at where you’re heading and where you ultimately want to be and the bike will follow. “Be prepared to get physical. Off-road bikes are lightweight and have huge suspension travel meaning that your body position and where you put your weight has a huge effect on how the bike behaves. “Try to relax. Gripping the ‘bars tight is a natural response when everything is moving beneath you, but try to stay loose. Let the bike do the hard work while you use your feet to weight the foot pegs and your legs to grip the bike to improve stability.”…

Aerostich Roadcrafter Classic 2 £559 I’ve had it for 18 years, covering about 100,000 miles in all weather conditions. It’s unlined but there is room to layer up or use electric kit to keep cosy. Richard Allies, Stoke on Trent Furygan Cold Master £379.99 The warmest I’ve worn, the only downside is water gets in around the cuffs and neck in heavy rain. Richard Palmer, Ipswich Richa Arc £639.99 In heavy rain this Gore-Tex kit kept me warm and comfortable all day, and most importantly dry. Andrew Pattenden, Barnsley Halvarssons Walkyr £499 I toured Scotland for a week and it rained every day, but I stayed dry the whole time. Tony Hubbard, Melton Mowbray Dane Torben Gore-Tex Pro £699 I’ve owned it for three years and it’s never let any water in.…

SPORTS EDITOR Experienced road, track and off-road rider with a passion for adventure bike riding. With the current lockdown at an end, I’ve begun hatching plans to get out and at least do some riding before saying good riddance to 2020. The bike having sat idle in the garage for the last month of restrictions, I took the time to give the handsome looking Tiger 900 a once-over. The voltmeter showed a healthy 12.69v but for the sake of a couple of minutes I hooked up my Optimate charger just to ensure the battery was in good health, especially given how electrically loaded the Triumph is. With heated grips and heated rider and pillion seats to power plus some heated riding kit, the last thing you want to do is…

When I think back to the places we’ve been together and the weather we’ve ridden through it never ceases to amaze me. Sometimes I wonder whether I’ve been particularly lucky or if it’s typical of the standard of bikes that Triumph produce – either way it’s a keeper and I honestly wouldn’t swap it for anything. Next year we’re going up through Sweden to cross the Arctic Circle, then back down through Finland and on to Red Square. HOW GOOD IS THE RUBBER? The OE PirellI Phantom tyres are shockingly bad. The front has no feel at all. I swapped the front for Roadtec at 2000 miles and the rear at just over 10k. The Roadtec front lasted 14,000 miles. Also consider Metzeler Roadtec 01 (£227.28) All weather grip, sharp handling…

MCN’S expert technician 1 Time to make a change There’s so much more than cooling being taken care of by the liquid inside your bike’s radiator. It’s also responsible for anti-corrosion, lubrication and preventing damage caused by low temperatures. For it to work at its best, it needs to be changed every two years. First, remove any panels required to gain access to the radiator cap, draining bolts and expansion tank. 2 Pop your cap The bike must be cold before it is safe for you to start work. Carefully remove the radiator cap and place to one side. Do a visual check on the condition of the coolant pipes and wipe away any dust or dirt so that they are clean. Check the condition of the jubilee clips –…

Offering outstanding performance in terms of friendly power delivery and responsive chassis compliance, Kawasaki’s venerable water-cooled, cassette gearbox equipped 650 parallel twin engine once again powers new iterations for 2021. But these bikes aren’t just aimed at new riders, with more than enough poise, poke, spec and composure to keep even the most seasoned rider grinning like Cheshire’s happiest cat. Grab a new Versys 650 Equipped with distinctive long travel suspension, the new Versys 650 – available from February 2021 at £7549 – is ready to tackle the city, its suburbs and any distance demanded thanks to a confidence inspiring upright riding position and the ability to add clean-mount 56-litre panniers that utilise a single key operating the ignition, fuel cap and seat lock. The Versys 650 comes available as…