Table of contents for 22 March 2023 in MCN

THE RIDERS From confident champions to committed challengers, we delve into the incredibly deep 2023 rider talent pool. THE BIG TEST Mandello meets the competition Forget cute Minis, Michael Caine and a catchy theme tune – the arrival of Moto Guzzi’s new V100 Mandello on UK shores is the real ‘Italian Job’. Boasting Moto Guzzi’s first water-cooled engine, the bike market’s debut of push-button aerodynamics, and enough character to keep those big-mile marathons emotionally rewarding, can the new model see off the best from Kawasaki and BMW? PAGE 27 FIRST RIDE New Norden 901 is the real deal The adventure market is littered with so many different models, capacities and options that you need a doctorate in ‘spot the difference’ to work out which one is right for you. But…

SAVE £1800 £22,895 Ducati Streetfighter V4S Tempted by the idea of a full-blooded Ducati superbike but with straight bars? Ducati have made it easier to splash the cash on a Streetfighter until April 30 with Ducati Performance Vouchers to the value of £1500 for the V4; £1800 for the V4S, and £2100 for the V4 SP to spend on Ducati bits or kit. www.ducati.com SAVE £2500 £15,999 Kawasaki ZX-10R Performance Thinking of making this year a season of trackdays? You could do worse than consider this Akrapovic-howling track weapon. www.shirlaws.com • Engine 998cc • Power 200bhp • Weight 207kg • Seat height 835mm SAVE £1800 £9995 Kawasaki Z900RS Kawasaki’s retro take on the Z900 formula comes with excellent build quality and brilliant detailing. www.seastarsuperbikes.co.uk • Engine 948cc • Power…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews ‘They’ve got it wrong’ Well done to North Yorkshire police for getting it so incredibly wrong once again… I can only assume that there are two reasons for their ‘undercover’ operation using the ‘unmarked’ Kwak H2… and that’s to catch the unwitting motorcyclist straying briefly over the speed limit as they pull out of Hawes, or tagging those who have decided to adorn their bike with a number plate ‘slightly smaller’ than the legal limit (all easy pickings for the boys in blue – or should I now say green and black?). I can’t imagine that ‘stealthily’ mixing with real bikers or attending public events will endear them with the biking community. What absolute ‘clownage’ by the thin blue line. Rob Chesman, email Write something that…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday March 22 BIKE MEETS ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, West Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Flints 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 ■ Loomies, West Meon, Hants www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ The Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey. From 10.30am-lpm Facebook: Pathfinder Cafe TRACKDAY ■ Oulton Park, Cheshire from £149 www.MSVTrackdays.com Thursday March 23 BIKE MEETS ■ Vic Bikers Pub, Coalville, Leics www.vicbikerspub.co.uk ■ Ashfield Bike Meet, Bull & Butcher, Selston, Nottinghamshire From 5pm 01773-812657 ■ Iron Horse, Market Deeping, Lines 5pm-9pm 01778-346952 ■ Whistlestop Cafe, Whitby, North Yorks Facebook: Whistlestop Cafe ■ Zoom Zoom, South Cave, East Yorks 6pm 01430-424242 ■ The Flotterstone Inn, Penicuik, nr Edinburgh 7pm 01968-673717 ■ MAG, The Market, Elsecar, South Yorkshire. From 6pm 01226…

UK’S TOUGHEST TEST GET PROTECTED WITH MCN – AT MCNCOMPARE.COM THE MCN TEST • THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK £15,410* BMW R1250RS SE ● 1254cc air/liquid-cooled ShiftCam boxer twin DOHC 8v ● 134.1bhp @ 7750rpm ● 243kg kerb weight £12,505 ** Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX ● 1043cc liquid-cooled inline four DOHC 16v ● 140bhp @ 10,000rpm ● 235kg kerb weight £13,500 Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello ● 1042cc liquid-cooled transverse V-twin 8v ● 113.4bhp @ 8700rpm ● 233kg kerb weight Moto Guzzi aren’t the first name you think of when it comes to tech. True, in the past they demonstrated their prowess with the V8 GP bike but when they celebrated their centenary last year, their range was entirely powered by single overhead cam, two-valve, air-cooled motors. That all changed as they…

‘Want soul? Go Guzzi…’ Taking all the key factors (performance, handling, technology, comfort and price) into account, the Ninja 1000SX delivers the best value. It may lack the Guzzi’s flash adaptive aero panels and it’s not as impressive to ride as the BMW but just look at what you are getting for your money. Yet it does lack character. The ultra-smooth Kawasaki inline-four can’t replicate the thump and soul that Guzzi have managed to retain in their new liquid-cooled engine or the pleasing spark of attitude that comes with BMW’s boxer. Also the Ninja can feel a little small, which is why, if money were no object, we would pick the R1250RS for a sport touring holiday away. The RS is so accomplished it is hard to fault. The Mandello…

1500 miles ON TEST With warmer weather just around the corner, I’ve been dusting off my protective casual style kit, including this riding shirt from Oxford. Not only does it look the part when you’re bimbling around town or cruising to the pub, but it has more serious credentials than you might think hiding up its sleeves (Literally). The AA rating - thanks to an Armourlite construction and CE Level 2 protection at the elbows and shoulders is reassuring. As the shirt fits slightly more loosely than a ‘proper’ jacket, there are belt loops stitched to the inside to make sure it doesn’t ride up and leave you exposed in a slide up the road. The armour stays nicely in place, too. The fabric feels tough and strong, all the…

1800 miles ON TEST A highly versatile jacket that’s warm enough for winter rides, cool enough with the thermal Layer removed in summer, and has been fully waterproof on the occasions when I’ve taken a drenching. It’s only certified to CE’s A rating, and comes with Level 2 armour at the shoulders, elbows and back. There are enough pockets that you’ll never find your phone and keys again, it has reasonable venting, and an effective zip connection to matching trousers. The outer is Cordura ripstop, and there’s adjustment on the arms and waist. My only grumbles are that the arms are a little short, the cuffs a bit tight for gloves, and the thermal liner is a little short. It’s discontinued, but widely available online (with big discounts). Quality Value…

Although the Government is looking into changing the date of a vehicle’s first MoT from three years to four, as well as considering biennial tests, as of 2023 there has been no change in the regulations. So, if you have a bike that is approaching three years old, keep in mind that it’s the date of first registration on the V5 that sets the deadline for the bike’s first MoT visit-three years on from that date. It’s also important that your bike is in a fit overall state to be tested, as machines that are deemed too dirty may be refused a test. My local MoT centre, Stevelin Motorcycles in Ramsey, Cambs, were telling me just the other day that they had to exercise their right to refuse to test…

A revised system has been adopted which allocates concession points to the top five finishers (as opposed to the previous three) in order to capture a better balance of bike performances relative to one another. So-called concession points (not championship points) are totalled every three events; qualifying manufacturers (those with too few points) will be placed into a ‘Performance Calculator’. The results of this can enable manufacturers to either update their existing concession parts or to gain Super Concessions. The Super Concessions introduced for struggling manufacturers (BMW and Honda) last year (from Portimao onwards, as agreed) were chassis-based. By allowing a greater range of settings, they are better able to optimise their machines within a wider window for settings modifications. This system continues into this year’s championship.…

Riccardo Rossi may have claimed the fastest Moto3 time in a three-test on the Algarve, narrowly eclipsing the year-old lap record, but it was rookie Jose Antonio Rueda who demonstrated exactly why he is so highly rated, placing second, with a time that was also under the lap record. 17-year-old Rueda caught the eye of a number of his competitors on the final day after posting fearsome longer runs when alone on track. “I’m feeling so good,” said the reigning JuniorGP and Red Bull Rookies champion on Sunday. “I’m riding alone, which is good for working on strong lap times. I was too excited in Jerez; I’m feeling better with the bike here.” Scott Ogden capped a fantastic week by consistently placing among the top five in Portugal The 19-year-old…

If the second half of 2022 or winter testing results are anything to go by, the factory Ducati team are perfectly placed to dominate MotoGP again throughout 2023. Pecco Bagnaia became the rider to finally take the Italian manufacturer back to the top of MotoGP last year, becoming Ducati’s first champion since Casey Stoner way back in 2007. Pecco was practically invincible in the second half of last season. There was no stopping him, and there’s no reason he won’t continue his stunning form into 2023. The Desmocedici continues to thrive and improve where necessary, and the factory has learnt from the mistakes of 12 months ago - Bagnaia and Jack Miller reverted to a hybrid 20212022 engine after the new one caused problems. Bagnaia knows what he needs to…

Honda’s best news is Marc Marquez’s health, after three horrible years that followed a serous arm injury in 2020. “On the physical side I feel really good and for me this is the most important thing,” says the six-times MotoGP champion. “I feel more potential in the 2023 bike, but at the moment we are still far away. The bike in testing wasn’t a bike that can win the championship. “Now I need another step from the bike but it’s important that we are finding a direction and having one clear base. “What I’m really looking for is better throttle connection exiting corners, because this is where the Ducati makes the difference. Our engine is powerful, but we don’t have traction. “And if we can improve our rear grip we…

High-performance tyres have a narrow operating window. Inside that window, they are very good; outside it, their performance drops exponentially. If you consider air and track temperature, the type and abrasiveness of the asphalt, along with the physical nature and layout of the circuit, there’s a mass of factors to consider. Stop-and-go circuits like the Red Bull Ring and Motegi are very different from the flowing tracks like Phillip Island and Assen. In Motegi, braking and acceleration is mainly upright and the short right-angled bends also ensure that the side of the tyre is used for less time. At Assen there is much less hard and long braking, but there are more long corners, meaning more time is spent on the side of the tyre. From 2023 there will only…

“Everything is looking much, much better than last year” says the 23-year-old Frenchman. “We have made a massive improvement, because from 2020 to 2022 we only made tiny improvements. In 2022 we had no engine, the same as the previous years, but the new engine is very promising. Our top speed is good but we have less downforce aero, so we need to find more power to use more downforce. “The new [diffuser] fairing gives a bit more turning in the slow corners, but our top speed is better with the other fairing, which has less drag. “We made a great step on the last day of testing, using last year’s aero package and some old settings. I feel at one with the bike, so we’re in a better position…

“Our 2023 bike is better everywhere - the engineers have done a super-good job,” says the 33-year-old, MotoGP’s oldest rider. “The aerodynamics are better, the chassis is lighter and turns better, thanks to the new aero, and the engine is slightly faster. The bike is also a bit narrower, which allows me to be more aggressive in changes of direction. And the rider cooling is better - last year I got burned in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. “But I’m not sure it will be enough. Ducati have two things: they still have the best engine and it’s crazy how well they can stop the bike. It feels like I’m stopping our bike only with the front tyre, whereas it looks like when they brake both the front and rear suspension…

Coming into pre-season testing fresh from “the best off-season of my life”, expectations were high for Jake Dixon, a rider who scored six podium finishes in 2022. But outings at Jerez and Portimao over the past two weeks were a wake-up for the 27-year-oLd, who struggled to geL I with Kalex’s refined 2023 chassis and crashed five times in three days. Dixon had plans to work on some of his weaknesses of Last year, namely his difficulty in extracting the maximum from his package in the early Laps of a race with a full tank of fuel and new tyres. But a Lack of front-end feel put paid to that, and he and his Aspar team engineers switched back and forth between this and Last year's chassis and Öhlins forks.…

#37 Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex wins and 5 podiums in 2022 It could be argued the 2021 Moto3 champ would've contested last year’s title, but fora mid-season leg break. Instead, he had to make do with three wins, fifth over all and the Rookie of the Year award - not bad considering he visited seven tracks for the first time in 2022, Pre-season performances suggest he’s the clear favourite. And he’s still just 18. #79 Ai Ogura Honda Team Asia Kalex 3 wins and 7 podiums in 2022 Had it not been for a scaphoid fracture in his left wrist, sustained in a motocross accident in early March, Ogura would be Acosta’s biggest threat. As it is, he’s already on the back foot. A shame, as a…

By their own admission, the end of 2022 was a slog for the Vision Track Racing Team. Riders Scott Ogden and Josh Whatley picked up just one point between them from the final eight races in the team’s first year at world championship level, with all the early season optimism well and truly gone. Yet a winter reset proved just the tonic for their struggles. And after a largely positive off-season, the team isn’t ruling out the occasional podium finish in 2023. That comes off the back of a stellar testing campaign for Ogden. The 19-year-old set the fastest time in a two-day outing at Jerez, and was consistently among the five fastest riders over three days in Portimao, while until the final day in Portugal Whatley was considerably closer…

“Last year I’d never managed a team before and the riders were new to the championship. A year on, the team’s in a much better place, not just on track but in terms of everything off it. 2022 was a really difficult year. The results didn’t come, we had a few crashes and it was a tough end of the year. But we all went away over the winter and pressed reset, looked back on the season and analysed where we could improve. “This year we’ve come out swinging. Scott was fastest at Jerez and was inside the top five for most of the Portimao test. Josh was only a second off for most of day two. I think Scott should be consistently finishing inside the top ten if everything…

Q 'Dog ran out in front of me’ I was recently involved in an accident on my way to work. I rode out of my street when a dog ran across my path, causing me to come off. LuckiLy I wasn’t going fast so had no injuries, but my brand new motorcycle was damaged. The dog owner refuses to pay for the repairs and told me that I should have been able to stop in time. Can you help? Richard, email A The owner had a duty to keep control, of his dog. The Highway Code states that owners must not let a dog out on a road on its own. If the dog was off its lead and ran into your path you are likeLy to have a good…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader Andy Coe. All alone, but not for long, Croatian, Slovak and Italian bikers are extremely sociable, it turns out. (No English tourists seen for six days.) The ride I took a flight to Zagreb then rented a Suzuki V-strom 650 from Rocker Motorcycles, Zagreb. Rocker are a truly outstanding outfit. I rode from Zagreb to Plitvic, then to Rab Island, on to Rovinj in Istria, then to the Dinaric Alps and back to Zagreb for the flight back home again. How many miles Around 800 When to do it Early June was good. Later in the summer, it is far too hot to ride a motorcycle on the Adriatic Coast.) Don’t miss this… Plitvic Lakes are stunning. Rab town: I swam here every morning…

‘Just add a stabiliser’ ANDY GOWER Want to have fun in winter? Just add a stabiliser! A couple of days of cold and snow means playtime. ‘Welsh wandering’ CHRIS INSTONE A day with the Black Country & Severn Valley Royal Enfield Group to Lake Vyrnwy and Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall. ‘A few bikes at The H Cafe’ HAMZA LAOUZAI A good 140-mile ride today in 13-degree weather, which was much warmer than it was a few days before. ‘Out after the snow’ PAUL LOW A selfie out in the sun after the snow cleared. This picture was taken heading around Ampleforth, in North Yorkshire. ‘Learning together’ MARK CHARLTON We’ve now clocked up 700 miles each this year - learning and riding together with my youngest boy. ‘Nice to get out’ MICHAEL…

Traditional cultural modesty compounded by the often impersonal nature of large multinationals means that Japanese motorcycle designers are rarely as celebrated as their European counterparts. But there are exceptions. Honda founder Soichiro Honda, followed by Shoichiro Irimajiri, the genius behind Hailwood’s 1960s six-cylinder racer, not to mention Norimasa ‘Ken’ Tada, the driving force behind Kawasaki’s 1973 Z1… But in the modern era, second only to ‘Mr FireBlade’ Tadao Baba, is Yamaha’s Kunihiko Miwa who, as project leader of the 1998 R1, reinvented the superbike and went on to revolutionise supersports with the first R6 in 1999. In 2012 he spearheaded an all-new family of triples and twins led by the MT-09 and MT-07 which revitalised Yamaha, became best-sellers and spawned a whole range of bikes. Simply, without Miwa, modern Yamaha…

’Real world adventures’ Through the suspension and electronic tech upgrades Husky have made a nigh-on class-leading adventure bike in terms of off-road ability. Plus there is the breakthrough in wind protection, comprehensive engine protection and real world creature comforts with heated grips and seat, plus luggage all as standard. The price is good too - yes it’s proper money at £13,599 but it’s a premium product that is quick and comfortable on the road and very accomplished off it. Husky are definitely onto something with the new Norden. Could this be the real world, ready to go adventure bike the world has been waiting for? THE FACTS £13,599 Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition…

The first thing that struck me when I donned the jacket was the fit. Narrow at the waist, enough room across the chest that doesn’t restrict movement and a matt black outer made from 100% organic cotton ripstop that looks stylish. Add to that lower arm zips that keep the sleeves snug and a Velcro strap just above the zip, it is one of the most comfortable jackets I have worn. It is only CE A-rated (the lower standard), comes with D30 protection that includes a back protector, shoulder/elbow pads and zip pockets for chest protectors plus a waterproof coating that kept me dry throughout the winter. It will be my jacket of choice for a Long time to come. Quality Value sportsbikeshop.co.uk 1200 miles ON TEST…

BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician Getting MoT ready Pass the test first time and drama free with this 10-step guide BRUCE’S TIPS If you’ve got a fancy ‘show’ plate, keep your standard one for MoT time 1 Plate expectations Although not a safety related part of the test, the size and type of number plate lettering needs to meet the standards laid out by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. The original plate fitted from new will comply with these regs. There also needs to be a red rear reflector, usually to be fitted either above or below the number plate. 2 Get illuminated All the lights need to function; if fitted the indicators must work and must flash at the correct frequency (sometimes aftermarket LED type bulbs will cause them to…

‘A real indication…’ There’s no doubt that Spanish testing has been beneficial both for bike development and rider fitness. However, the UK tests - and, no doubt, weather - will give everybody a real indication of the form guide heading into the new season. It’s going to be interesting to see how the performances in Spain translate to the British circuits. Ryde is strong at both Donington and Silverstone, so he’ll likely continue to shine, but who else will impress? It’s as yet unknown but it’ll be exciting to see just how good the new Ducati is, and how much Irwin will be rewarded for his efforts in Spain. It’s go time!…

So, it’s here. MotoGP kicks off this weekend and I can’t wait. New colours, new bikes, riders on different bikes, and now it’s time to race. How do you call it? I’ve no idea! The safe money is on the Ducatis - but you never know. You’ve got Marquez. Fabio and the four Aprilias. And, though he’s not on the factory bike, you can’t rule out Oliveira because he’s a Portimao specialist. He won there on the satellite KTM a few years ago. Totally smoked them. Portimao is a fantastic place to have the first race. Wheelies, hills, loads of passing opportunities… a real racers’ track, down the hill on the brakes and a few cheeky corners where you can stuff it up the inside. It’s a physical track, too,…

2023 MOTOGP PREVIEW/PREDICTIONS 1 Can Marquez win again? Time waits for no man; but genius will not be denied. The big question is whether Marc, 30 this year, can find the motivation to resist the same tide of youth that eventually did for Rossi. My guess is ‘yes’. Part two: Will the heavily revised Honda be good enough to make it possible? See question three… 2 Will Joan Mir be the teammate to challenge the master? Dominant in Moto3, impressive in Moto2, champion in MotoGP. That was in 2020, the year Marquez crashed. But Mir won only one race that year, and none since-outshone by Suzuki teammate Alex Rins. Repsol Honda team guru Alberto Puig chose Mir over Rins for the factory team, though, betting on his consistency. Quick to…

Motorcycle registrations fell during February when compared to last year, Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) figures show. Small capacity bikes saw the biggest drop off but industry bosses are confident that things will bounce back as Spring kicks in. Overall registrations over all capacities dropped by 7.6% during February compared to the same month last year and year-to-date sales saw an overall decline of 7.2%. The 50cc capacity suffered the largest drop in registrations with just 440 last month compared to 681 in 2022, a fall of 35.4% while the 51cc -125cc category dropping a 13.1%. Tony Campbell, CEO of the MCIA, said: “A reduction in registrations for the first part of Q1, whilst disappointing is not what we expect to continue as a trend as we move into the Spring…

HJC i100 flip-front helmet £299.99 This all-new modular design features a chin bar that rotates a full 180° to convert it from full face to jet. It has ECE 22.06 approval to be worn in both configurations and is fully compatible with HJC’s Smart Bluetooth systems. A Pinlock insert is included and the drop-down sun shade also benefits from anti-fog treatment. www.oxfordproducts.com REV’IT! Stratum GTX jacket £1199.99 Comprising two separate layers that can be worn separately or together, the Stratum offers a uniquely versatile take on adventure textiles. The mesh base layer is AA rated and ready fitted with Level 2 shoulder and elbow armour, a back protector and kidney belt, whilst the outer Gore-Tex shell provides weather protection. www.revitsport.com Oxford Bar Risers £29.99 Fine tuning your riding position can…

1 March 25 Kempton Park Autojumble Kempton Park Racecourse will once again be a perusing exercise this weekend as stallholders load the ground with potential treasurers and banging bargains. Earlybirds can enter from 8am for £10 or you can grab a ticket for £7 to enter at 9.30am. Children under 16 are also welcome for free. www.kempton autojumble.co.uk 2 March 26 Mablethorpe Sand Racing The last race for the winter season is taking place this weekend on Mablethorpe beach front. With everything to race for and nothing to lose, it promises to be a high-octane event on the shore, so plenty to keep the family entertained. mablethorpesandracing.co.uk 3 March 25 Squires' Autojumble The Yorkshire biking staple is opening its gates once again for its monthly autojumble. Whether you’re in the…

Spring is the start of the riding season for many motorcyclists. Although the days get longer and warmer, the weather can still be unpredictable and quite variable. The average mean temperature is below 8°C and more snow falls in March than December. Bulky winter gloves will feel hot and cumbersome on a sunny day, while summer gloves will let in the cold and damp when it’s cloudy or rainy. You could wear whatever gloves suit the weather, and bring along a spare pair in case it changes, but a simpler solution would be to find a pair of gloves that are versatile enough to work reasonably well in all conditions. You are almost certain to encounter rain at some point, so for starters it makes sense to look for waterproof gloves.…

If you are talking sports-tourers, the first port of call for many is the UK’s best-selling model – the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT. Not as tech-heavy as its rivals, the inline-four GT certainly hits the mark, helped by its £12,499 price. The Plus model adds panniers, and costs £13,599. Speaking of panniers, the parallel-twin Honda NT1100 comes with hard luggage as standard for £12,499 or £13,499 if you fancy the ease of a DCT gearbox but, like the GT, it is left a touch lacking in tech. Upping the tech level but not necessarily the price is Yamaha’s Tracer 9, which is £11,000 in standard trim, £13,100 for the GT with its semi-active suspension and hard panniers or £14,900 for the new GT Plus model, with radar-assisted cruise control added to the…

RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor 6000 miles ON TEST This is the second evolution of ALpinestars’ urban riding jacket. The V2 arrived in 2019 and features a softshell outer backed by Astars’ own waterproof/breathable membrane, as well as a removable standalone thermal inner jacket. Thanks to the stretchy softshell outer, the Stratos V2 feels more Like leisurewear than a traditional, Cordura textiLe jacket. The separate inner fleece jacket is super-soft too, and has retained that softness despite two years of wear. The soft theme continues with the unobtrusive armour at the shoulders and elbows, which manages to stay supple even in cold conditions. Other cosseting touches include a zip garage to protect your chin (at the top) and your bike’s tank (at the bottom). Being two jackets in…

2500 miles ON TEST Despite its sporty looks and moniker, this jacket is best suited to lighter duties and that comes down to the fact that it’s only CE A-rated. As a three-season jacket for zipping about town though, it’s remarkably good value for money, and boasts a full set of Level 1 CE armour (elbow, shoulder and back) plus full-length zip for connecting to any RST jeans. The thermal liner adds an effective layer in winter and I’ve stayed dry in the wet thanks to the waterproof Sinaqua membrane and twin zip front closure with storm flap. It has pockets a-plenty, fits well and the MaxTex fabric actually feels pretty robust, so it may well be the lack of double stitching that prevented a higher rating. Quality Value www.rst-moto.com…

This 2001 Suzuki Bandit 600 had been stored outside for a couple of years when Rastislav ‘Raz’ Hulvk, the owner of the Real Motorcycle Workshop in Rugby, picked it up with the challenge of getting it going again. Raz said: “I think that when the battery went flat, the owner lost interest in the machine. “The Bandit’s overall condition wasn’t too bad, but when I unscrewed the oil filler cap you could smell and see the fuel/oil mixture swilling around in the cases.” This didn’t bode well for the state of the carbs, and when Raz stripped them down it soon became apparent why the bike wouldn’t start. “The carb internals looked like they had been underwater for two years and the overflow pipe was blocked, which is why the…

Motorcycling events in Northern Ireland, including the North West 200, will go ahead as planned this year after the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland Ulster Centre (MCUI UC) agreed a new insurance deal. The future of motorcycle racing in the country was in serious doubt last month when it was announced that all events would be cancelled due to soaring public liability insurance costs associated with the events. Since then, the MCUI UC launched a GoFundMe page which has raised over £90,000, and it has now accepted a lower insurance quote for its 2023 road and short circuit races. This means that road racing, short circuit racing and trials can now take place in Northern Ireland. ‘We worked around the clock with our insurers’ The official statement from the MCUI…

It’s that time of the year. The time when you feel hungry to jump on your bike and start to do lap after lap racing on tracks all around the world. A time that this year is even more special to me. because on Saturday in Portimao, I will start in the first Sprint Race of the new MotoGP era with the Number 1 of the World Champion on my Ducati GP23. I have been dreaming all my life for a day like this, and I have been working hard to make it happen, 2022 was a magic season for me and all the Ducati people, we made history, we made a lot of fans proud of us. But that has only been the first step, and now it is…

Last year Pecco Bagnaia made history, fighting back from 91 points down to claim the title. “I feel great with the new bike and its potential is very high,” says the 26-year-old Italian. “We have more top speed with the new engine; something we don’t need but it’s always helpful. At first we struggled with power delivery - it was difficult to use full throttle because the bike was moving and sliding a lot, but since then we’ve made a huge step with the electronics, so I’m very happy. “We also made a really good step in the wet. Last year the bike was a nightmare in rain, but this one is at a really good level. One thing we need to make better is the handling. The handling of…

“We tried a lot of different things during testing,” says the 27-yearold South African. “Now we need to make sure that we take all the correct decisions as far as engine configuration and aerodynamics go, then put the package together and start working from there. “With the new engine we’ve been working on power, throttle response and engine braking. We’re looking for more power and traction on corner exits, because that’s where we get really hurt compared to our competitors. “We’re playing with the balance trying to make it more stable on the brakes and throttle, and that’s worked pretty well. The bike is lighter, so it should be easier at tracks where it’s hard to change direction. I’ve spent a lot of time with the new [diffuser] fairing but…