Innholdsfortegnelse for 13 November 2024 i MCN

‘The V3 is mainly in the pursuit of performance’ HONDA’S COSTANTINO PAOLACCI BIG TEST Heritage heroes You’ve got £12,000 to spend on a brand new bike (lucky you), and you want something that’ll give you that all-important nostalgic glow when you look at it, but with an air of modernity that’ll ensure a smooth and enjoyable ride. So what should you go for? The Triumph Scrambler 1200 X and Guzzi V85 TT both fit the bill on paper, but which has the right mix of heritage and usability? PAGE 27 NEWS BMW go big on small bikes As this year’s new bike sales figures have shown, there’s strong interest in the 126cc-500cc bracket, with many manufacturers having a range of A2-licence friendly, lightweight and affordable parallel-twin machines. Now BMW have…

Honda have continued their reveal of 2025 new metal with an updated CB750 Hornet and XL750 Transalp – both receiving tweaks to their front end looks, plus tech updates. Starting with the adventure-focused Transalp, the bike continues to produce a claimed 90.5bhp at 55.4lb.ft of torque – delivered via a suite of optional riding modes and looked after via interventions including traction and wheelie control. Although the styling tweaks are subtle, the headlight has been switched for a more powerful dual LED projector. This is paired with a new Durabio screen with a reprofiled surface intended to aid airflow around the rider. ‘Tech and style have received a subtle update’ Housed behind that screen is a fresh five-inch TFT dash with smartphone connectivity via Honda RoadSync. This is controlled via…

SAVE £5000 £33,995 Ducati Panigale V4R The V4R was built with one thing in mind, pushing the envelope of performance on track and dominating races at the highest level. As if the bike wasn’t quite bonkers enough in standard trim, the optional titanium Akrapovic high-level race pipe takes performance even further, pumping up the power from 215bhp to a monstrous 237 ponies. motorcycles.mandp.co.uk SAVE £3500 £14,995 Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro Triumph’s adventure flagship is a superbly plush milemuncher with exquisite handling, bags of torque and a mega saving too. www.fowlers.co.uk • Engine 1160cc • Power 148bhp • Weight 250kg • Seat height 875mm SAVE £1409 £8290 Suzuki V-Strom 800 RE Combining superb road manners with a silky-smooth engine and sorted ergonomics, Suzuki’s middleweight adventurer is ready to tour. www.bulldogsuzuki.com…

‘We were grinning from ear-to-ear’ I can’t tell you just how happy I am to read that Yamaha have finally taken the decision to upgrade their MT-07 for 2025. I adore this hysterical parallel twin but it was in desperate need of a bit of love as its conventional forks, non-radial brakes and lack of tech were really starting to count against it. Middleweights sell on kerb appeal and the MT was being left behind by the likes of the Honda Hornet or Suzuki GSX-8S on that front. I’ve been a fan of the MT-07 ever since I first rode one on its launch in 2014 in Lanzarote. I remember the event so well; no one was expecting this unassuming middleweight (which cost a bargain £5199) to be so brilliant…

Kawasaki are continuing their reveal of 2025 models with a revised four-cylinder Z900 naked range featuring more low-end torque, lean-sensitive electronics, an up/down quickshifter, and more. Next year’s 900s will consist of a standard and SE model as before – with both powered by a Euro5+ version of the 948cc inline four. Capacity remains the same, but the engine has been fitted with new electronic throttle valves, plus updated camshaft profiles, and new ECU settings. As a result, the 123.3bhp lump is set to have up to a 16% increase in fuel economy and pump out fewer carbon emissions compared with the previous model. Low-end torque has had a lift, with Kawasaki’s latest up/down quickshifter usable from 1500rpm. ‘Quickshifter works from just 1500rpm’ Further electronics include cruise control as standard,…

Q ‘Am I too late to claim?’ I had an accident in June 2021 caused by a hit and run driver and been left with psychological problems which I did not have before. I have discovered that I could’ve claimed compensation for the injuries caused by the accident, but when I recently called my insurer I was informed that I am too late to make a claim. This does not seem fair to me as I did not previously know that I could claim compensation. Mark Brown, email A The usual time limit to issue a claim at court for injuries and financial losses is three years. There are some exceptions, for example cases involving children. The three-year time limit also applies to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) for hit…

• Tickets are just £21.50 until midnight on November 24, 2024. So be quick! • Use code ‘EARLYB’ at the checkout to enjoy huge savings over on the door ticket prices. • Indoor motorcycle parking is FREE! • See the latest motorcycles, the biggest names in biking, live flat-track racing, kit and accessories bargains, with more to be announced! • Book your early bird tickets today at… Save cash by booking advance tickets now www.mcnmotorcycleshow.com…

JUST BREW IT Ride out to Britain’s best biking café THE DETAILS • Mon-Sat 8am-3pm, Sundays and bike nights during summer • Grumpy’s Café, The Old Mill, Church Rd, Earsham NR35 2TQ With the coast only a short ride away and plenty of lush riding routes nearby, Grumpy’s Café makes for the perfect stop on any East Anglian route. Located in the corner of the quiet village of Earsham with plenty of parking and a picturesque spot next to the river, it’s one where you can take a load off and enjoy some good grub too. “I’ve been a biker all my life,” says Paul Crudgington, aka Grumpy. “I don’t really know why I built the café, it just seemed like a good idea at the time!” Paul’s daughter Joanne…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday November 13 BIKE MEETS ■ Amici Coffee Biker Night, Girtford Bridge, Beds www.amicicoffee.co.uk ■ King Billy Rock Bar, Northampton 6.30pm ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leics. www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Mold, Flints 6pm-9pm ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, West Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ Loomies, West Meon, Hants. Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ Ryka’s Cafe, Box Hill, Surrey 5pm-9pm www.rykas.co.uk ■ The Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey. From 10.30am-1pm RIDEOUTS ■ Burgess Hill & DMC, Burgess Hill, Sussex 7pm burgesshillmc.com Thursday November 14 BIKE MEETS ■ Vic Bikers Pub, Coalville, Leics www.vicbikerspub.co.uk ■ MAG Bike Night, The Market, Elsecar, S Yorks. 6pm 01226 742240 ■ Zoom Zoom Tearoom, South Cave, East Yorks, 6pm 01430-424242 ■…

He may not have won a world title but Pierfrancesco ‘Frankie’ Chili remains one of the most loved World Superbike racers from the golden era. With film-star looks, sparkling blue eyes and a win-or-crash attitude, Frankie was the fans’ favourite in much the same way Kevin Schwantz was in 500GPs. Brits regarded Frankie as one of their own – even when he beat Foggy, or squared up to him while wearing a dressing gown! But few realise that before WSBK, Frankie was a top-level GP rider. “I won the European 125 title in 1985 and at the end of the season I heard the Galina HB Suzuki 500GP team were testing in Italy,” he remembers. “I asked for a go on the bike and was the fastest rider. The team…

1975-1979 Honda GL1000 999cc liquid-cooled flat-four, 78bhp, 273kg (dry) Although eventually becoming a long-distance tourer, the Wing was launched as a ‘naked’, prompting accessory manufacturers, particularly Vetter with its Windjammer fairing, to leap into the void. A big success in the US, where 13,000 GLs were sold in 1975. 1980-1983 Honda GL1100 1085cc liquid-cooled flat-four, 81bhp, 267kg (dry) Second generation Wing, as well as being 1084cc, was longer, heavier and, in March 1980, joined by the first Interstate with full-fairing, hard panniers and topbox. Success led to the even more luxurious Aspencade in 1982 with a larger seat, two-tone paint and extra features. 1984-1987 Honda GL1200 1182cc liquid-cooled flat-four, 94bhp, 330kg (dry) Enlarged in response to the likes of Yamaha’s new XVZ1200 Venture, the GL1200 pushed the four-cylinder boxer to…

MCN’s website has expert opinion and buying advice on hundreds of used bikes, regularly updated and packed with insight. Here are three of the latest – visit motorcyclenews.com for dozens more. 2012-2021 MV Agusta F3 675 Owners’ rating The smaller 675cc version of the F3 never really took off due to some early teething issues. While the ride quality scores 5/5, reliability is down to 4.4/5 with a few niggles reported by owners. 2004-2005 Suzuki GSX-R750 Owners’ rating A popular bike online, the engine gets a strong 4.9/5 but owners report a few false neutrals cropping up here and there, which is worth being aware of when buying used. 1996-2003 Kawasaki ZX-7R Owners’ rating Prices for Kawasaki’s WSBK replica have crept up. It scores a strong 4.6/5 overall with 3.7/5…

When you own a premium touring bike, the last thing you expect is for engine internals to give you grief, especially when your pride and joy has done 12,000 miles. Owner of York Motorbikes, David Jeffrey recalls one such case, where an otherwise tidy 2018 BMW S1000XR came in with a mysteriously noisy motor. “The customer complained of engine rattling,” said Jeffrey. “He’d been on the forums and every man and his dog had told him it was the camchain tensioner. With that in mind, he’d fitted a manual tensioner, but it was still rattling. The issue turned out to be the cams. One of the lobes was chewed to bits. “We priced up new cams before pulling the bike apart, but they were £900 each plus VAT, then another…

Harry Payne and passenger Kevin Rousseau have been crowned 2024 World Sidecar champions following their double win at in Estoril last weekend. The duo entered the final round seven points behind their main title rivals Marcus Schlosser and Luca Schmidt, but overcame the deficit in style to secure victory and the world title by just 0.053 seconds. It’s been an incredible journey for the 32-year-old who is competing in only his third full season of the world championship. Speaking to MCN during his long drive home back from Portugal to the UK he said: “We were seven points behind going into the meeting, so it was a long shot to win it as our rivals had the pace on us in the long races all year. It was an uphill…

No one knows the strengths and weaknesses of a rider quite like their crew chief. And with the MotoGP Championship set to go down to the final race, MCN caught up with the chief engineers who make the two challengers tick. Daniele Romagnoli has been working at Pramac Ducati with Jorge Martin since the Spaniard stepped up to the premier class in 2021. Romagnoli has overseen Martin’s transition from a fast but erratic rider to the grid’s most considered, consistent performer. On the other side, Cristian Gabarrini is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most talented technicians and has been partly responsible for Pecco Bagnaia’s numerous turnarounds over a single race weekend in the past few seasons. This is how they view the title fight with a round to…

Going behind the headlines on the roads and in BSB TOP STORY Davey Todd will ride for FHO Racing BMW next season in a sensational move which puts the 2024 Senior TT winner in the same garage as 14-time Isle of Man TT race winner Peter Hickman. It’s a road racing dream team, and one that also gives Todd another crack at the Bennetts British Superbike Championship following his five-round campaign with Padgett’s Honda in 2023. The deal may come as a surprise to some given that Todd claimed his maiden TT wins (times two), three North West 200 victories, three Armoy victories and the Pirelli National Superstock title with TAS Racing this year. MCN spoke to Todd to find out more about his move. Why leave TAS Racing after…

The big stars all line up in Hall 4 James Whitham and Matt Crowhurst will bring the Festival Zone alive each day on the revamped Black Horse Stage, with some very special guests. It’s the place to be to meet your racing heroes and get those selfies. Matt will be talking you through the crazy stunts of the Arenacross FMX team, so if you don’t know your whips from your flips you soon will! Hear from the FMX riders, stunt rider Jonny Davies, and the Moto Trials riders as they lift the lid on their skills and talk you through what it takes to be a pro! Don’t miss the Black Horse Big Quiz at 14.10. Fancy testing your biking knowledge? Pick a team (from our very special guests) and…

Fast as Lightning This year’s Heritage Zone has a theme of ‘First and Last’-and the National Motorcycle Museum will be bringing a raft of exceptional classics - including the ten models you see here from Ariel, BSA, Norton, Royal Enfield, and Triumph. One of the sweetest is this BSA A70 Lightning. The A70 was the last in a long line of oil-in-frame models that led to the A70 Lightning in 1972 as a 750cc homologation special. It’s somewhat of a rarity that sits atop the model’s family tree. The 750cc A70 models were produced for the US market, to homologate it for flat-track racing following the AMA’s rule changes that allowed 750cc ohv machines to compete on equal terms with Harley-Davidson’s previously dominant 750cc side-valvers. The collection Experts will be…

Following Toprak Razgatlıoğlu’s World Superbike championship victory aboard the BMW M1000RR, the German brand used their platform at EICMA to launch a special version. Called the BMW M RR WSBK Champions Edition 2024, the machine is based on the M1000RR ridden during this year’s racing season. But don’t hang about because it is limited to just 54 units – a homage to Toprak’s racing number. All are decorated with the design and sponsor logos of the official factory race bike, with a number of exotic Ilmberger carbon components thrown in for good measure. This includes covers for the tank, frame, swingarm, wiring harness, and clutch cover, as well as fairing parts, and an exhaust heat shield. Buyers will also be receive a voucher for a Akrapovič Evolution Line titanium exhaust…

HIGHLIGHTS • Euro5+ 890cc V-twin engine • 118.4bhp @ 10,750rpm • 68.9lb.ft @ 8250rpm • Lightest-ever Panigale and Streetfighter V2 • £14,995 Panigale V2 and £13,990 Streetfighter V2 Ducati took to the stage at EICMA 2024 to launch a new Panigale V2 sportsbike and Streetfighter V2 naked, both powered by a smaller and lighter 890cc V-twin engine. The duo will replace the outgoing 955cc DOHC Superquadro family of V2s that produced in the region of 153bhp – promising weight cuts and easier ergonomics to attract more customers to the sporty segment. Both will be available in restricted A2 licence versions, too. The new engine gets twin underseat exhausts and weighs 54.5kg (a claimed 9.4kg less than the outgoing lump), making it the lightest-ever V-twin ever built by the Bologna brand.…

Merlin Borderlands jacket £299.99 Newly added to the Merlin’s Explorer range is this CE AA Borderlands jacket. Designed to be lightweight and durable, it boasts a laminated, moisture-wicking shell with multiple ventilation ports, a removable thermal liner and D3O armour for shoulder and elbow. Matching in-boot trousers are available, retailing at £229.99. merlinbikegear.com R&G Stands from £58.33 Give your bike a raise with this all-new range of paddock stands from Brit firm R&G. There are four on offer, covering single- and dual-sided swingarms at the rear and options for fork leg or headstock mounted at the front. Each powder coated stand features an extended handle and oversized wheels for a safe and easy lift. rg-racing.com Fox Defend ADV boots £274.99 Due to hit retailers this winter, Fox’s all-new Adventure boot…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com This is me on my very first bike – Puch Maxi 49cc in 1975 (I was 16). I thought I was so cool – oh my! Ian Skinner My son Reuben Hills aged five, on his PW50. He got the biking bug, he’s 15 now and onto his sixth enduro bike! Julie Burns This is one of my Yamaha XJ650 in 1985. Robert Cowley My first ‘big bike’ in 1970. I had a Triumph Tina and Vespa 90 first. Still riding today on a Honda CB500X! Phil Windross Proud dad Rick Smith with son Jason on his Triumph Bonneville. Helen Smith Here’s one of my mum’s first bike, be great if you could print it. Paul Kinsey My dad checking out my first…

MCN COMPARE GET PROTECTED WITH MCN – AT MCNCOMPARE.COM It was 1983 when I started to think that I didn’t want to be a mechanic all my life. By now I was 28 and already married to my first wife, so I decided to try my hand at sales and managed to get a job working as Sales Manager at Mead & Tomkinson in Hereford. As someone who’s a doer, I struggled with standing in the massive showroom full of every make of motorcycle (not to mention, Reliants and Skodas) in my smart suit and tie, really missing my warm overalls and beloved toolbox. Although I was determined to prove that I could become a success at selling and through hard work and long hours, I became General Manager of…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers David and Simon The ride France and Northern Spain (didn’t go quite to plan) Tell us about the trip… Taking the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry, we arrived refreshed and rode to La Rochelle – easily one of the best locations I’ve visited in France. Day two was to Arcachon just a few hours south along the coast, an excellent stop off for lovely food and drink. Day three we hit Biarritz – the surfers were out in force and we felt very much on holiday. Day four the weather was baking and we found the non-toll road route very busy. Day five arrived and we packed up ready to head towards Burgos however, upon pressing the ignition switch nothing happened. The Multistrada had…

SIGN UP AND GET A DISC LOCK WORTH £79.99! Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer ‘It’s not too cold yet’ DEANO RAY LEITH Only a couple of Himalayans in Whitby last night - a lovely moonlit evening. The end of the season is nigh but it hasn’t stopped my regular Friday night ride for fish and chips. ‘Sun soaked’ JOHN JESS We travelled 3245 miles, taking in the Picos before heading down through Portugal then across to Mijas for a few days. ‘Highland hunter’ DARREN STRINGER Day three of the Scottish Highlands tour and 247 miles around the Cairngorms. 901 miles over the past three days. ‘Riding the tide’ ANDREW MILTON This was taken on the Lindisfarne causeway. This was only a short ride but it was during a lovely…

Triumph’s Scrambler connection Triumph didn’t actually use the name ‘scrambler’ until the 2006 Scrambler, which was based around the 865cc Bonneville but with a 19in front and off-road styling with high-level pipes. But that’s not to say scrambling isn’t in their heritage. Scrambling was a very popular sport in the 1950s and 1960s with events such as the International Six Day Trial (ISDT) attracting teams from all over the world. Triumph riders rode a Tiger Cub, TR5, TR6SC, T100 and 350 Tiger to success (a gold medal) and Hollywood legend Steve McQueen represented America in the competition in 1964 riding a Triumph TR6 (the same model of bike that did the famous jump in The Great Escape with Bud Ekins riding in 1962). Triumph won four ISDT gold medals in…

‘The Bear needs teeth’ Enfield’s first twin-cylinder scrambler does what you’d hope and expect – it’d make a decent traffic-buster for commuting, handles some back-lane fun well enough and has just enough general usability that you’d take it on some medium-distance road trips, and maybe venture off the road (not too far, mind). But like the rest of the 650 range, it feels like it has untapped potential thanks to the modest power output. It’s not bad on flat roads, unloaded, at low altitude – but our ride took in steep climbs to over 5000ft, where it really felt like it needed more torque. A pillion and/or luggage would have the same effect. Giving the Interceptor a scrambler makeover was perhaps long overdue, but so is giving it a motor…

BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician Get slick signals Integrate indicators into your mirrors for a cleaner appearance 1 Pick the perfect mirrors Many modern bikes come equipped with indicators incorporated into the design of the mirrors, which is handy as it does away with the need to have them on stalks. But if your machine doesn’t, you can now pick up sets that can be retro fitted to almost any bike with traditional handlebar-mounted mirrors, such as this offering from Oxford Products. 2 Unbox and inspect Lay out the new parts and check that everything is there. Plus, it sounds daft but make sure you know which side goes on the left and which goes on the right. Also check out the dimensions of the new mirrors, as they will need to…

Checking out rider signings and moves for 2025 Jason O’Halloran will jump back on his beloved Yamaha R1 next year after signing a factory contract with the YART Endurance World Championship team. O’Halloran also becomes an official test rider for Yamaha Europe, working on the World Superbike-spec R1. And it will be a welcome move since the Aussie was hugely successful on the R1 in BSB racing for Steve Rodgers’ McAMS team and becoming the Japanese firm’s most successful rider in terms of race wins. Saying goodbye to BSB O’Halloran has been a frontrunner in the British series since 2020, when he finished runner-up to fellow Aussie Josh Brookes. In the two years that followed O’Halloran’s title dream came to an abrupt end at the opening round of the Showdown…

Breathless, emotional, conclusive. That’s what to expect at Barcelona when MotoGP 2024 reaches its climax over one Sprint and one GP. Weather permitting. It’s been quite the ride over 19 races, the advantage see-sawing between Bagnaia and Martin. Bagnaia with two titles in his pocket and a reputation to uphold; Martin with a grudge after being overlooked by the factory team. It’s marginal, but Martin has had most of the advantage. Bagnaia has only led on points three times – after winning the main race at the opening round in Qatar; after round nine in Germany, having taken maximum points at the previous two; then in Austria, but he promptly lost it next time out at a disastrous Aragon where he only scored one point. In comparison, Martin’s worst weekends…

The first head-to-head FHO battle will take place at the Macau Grand Prix this weekend. Hickman won in 2023, with Todd finishing second on the Burrows Engineering BMW. “It’s a totally different prospect, even with regards to road racing. It’s nothing like the TT or NW200, it’s unique. There’s no other circuit like it with those black and yellow Armco barriers all the way around. “That’s all you can see and everything you learn to do as a racer, be that looking through corners, which you can’t do much at the TT, but you can in a bunch of places, you can’t anywhere around Macau. You only see three feet in front of you when you go through the corner. “It’s such a weird style to ride around there, but…

BMW M1000RR £32,850 Six additional brake horsepower have been extracted from the M1000RR’s 999cc four-cylinder motor, delivering a claimed 215bhp. There’s a host of aerodynamic and electrical changes, as well as altered frame stiffness to optimise handling characteristics. An ‘M short-stroke throttle’, which reduces the rotation angle by 14 degrees, also aids acceleration. Ducati Streetfighter V2 £13,995 The new Streetfighter V2 offers the same 118bhp at 10,750rpm and 68.8lb.ft of torque at 8250rpm as its fully faired sibling, while undergoing a significant 18kg mass reduction compared with its predecessor. The new 890cc 90-degree V-twin weighs just 54.4kg, and the new monocoque chassis just 4kg. Royal Enfield Bear 650 £6749 The Bear gets the same air/oil-cooled 648cc parallel twin engine as the rest of their 650 range, with 47.6bhp and 41.7lb.ft…

Vespa have given their GTS scooter the big bore treatment, rolling out a new GTS 310 with more cubes and more power than ever. Succeeding the old 278cc single-cylinder is a reworked unit with the displacement bumped up by 11.5% thanks to an increase in stroke from 63mm to 70mm. Although much of the architecture from the old block remains, Piaggio have changed almost three-quarters of the components, hiking the power from the 310cc water-cooled single cylinder up to 25bhp, while also improving peak torque. ‘Vespa have sold more than 19M scooters’ Among other components, the powertrain incorporates new injectors, a tilted cylinder, a new starting system, and a crankcase design that reduces mechanical and drive belt noise. The new engine meets Euro 5+ and is not only more powerful…

Italian firm Fantic took full advantage of their time at EICMA to launch a range of new machines, including a production-ready Stealth and Imola family which both feature a new Italian-built 460cc engine. Both names appeared as concepts at last year’s Milan event, with the pair now going into production as both a 125 and larger 460 single-cylinder option. All four will be available from 2025, with pricing and delivery dates to be confirmed. “It’s a good engine, it’s more powerful than our current one and it provides a constant drive through the revs,” Fantic CEO Maurizio Roman told MCN during the reveal. “I think this new engine will help a lot with growth. We will have to see what our competitors bring, but I am very confident that this…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews ‘What an inspiration!’ Congratulations Rob Scott (Your trip, November 6). What an inspiration, drawing a line in the sand, grabbing life and making a very brave step forward. Many of us have demons, drink, drugs mental health, whatever it might be. But after 30 years to jump back on a bike and go for a ride? And what a ride: 10,815 miles. No advanced arrangements, no timescale. How many of us think of just going for a ride, not sure whether to turn left or right, just ride. I often just go for a ride, not quite sure where to, I just ride, just not as far as Rob. Part of Rob’s ride was to visit the spectacular Dolomites after seeing a picture in an atlas…

It was interesting to see Honda’s new V3 concept revealed at EICMA (see page 12). As I’m still contracted to Honda R&D Japan as an advisor, I can’t comment too much about the concept itself, other than to say that you can never overlook the commitment and sheer passion that Honda have for exploring new technology, especially where the ‘V’ configuration is concerned. As far back as 2010 when I was appointed Head of Product Planning for Europe, we have been working on a common platform of models which range from touring to supersport, and possibly using the steel trellis concept would seem to be a good option. ‘V’ engines have always been my passion, from the VFRs to the RVFs, and RC213V-S which I was proud to have been…

1 November 16-24 Motorcycle Live The latest metal is coming to Birmingham this week. Motorcycle Live is back at the NEC with exhibitors, Arenacross, moto trials and much more in the new ‘festival style’ show. Tickets start from £23 for the day for adults, and £2.50 for 6-18 year olds while children 5 and under go free. You can even upgrade your ticket to include a Sealey tool. www.motorcyclelive.co.uk 2 November 15 Ace Cafe bike night Summer might be over, but there is still plenty going on at the Ace. On the 15th it’s bike night, but don’t miss other meets like the Ariel OC Founders Day and Brit Bike night – all happening this week in the capital. london.acecafe.com…

‘Bursting with soul’ The Triumph Scrambler 1200 X is very much a relaxed sunny day bike to be enjoyed on shorter jaunts before being parked up and admired once it reaches your desired destination. This location probably won’t be that far from where the ride started, and is unlikely to actually involve any scrambling, but the trip there will be relaxed and fun. And maybe even involve a pillion on the back, too. Owners of the Guzzi are more likely to be enjoying the fruits of their ride from further afield. The V85 TT may be powered by an old-school engine but it is much more of a contemporary adventure bike in design than the Scrambler and with its adjustable screen, cruise control and more spacious seating position can be…

2000 miles ON TEST Kriega R25 £219 ‘Strong stability and comfort’ Tested by Dan Sutherland for two months I’ve been using Kriega rucksacks as part of my daily riding for around a decade. I purchased a larger 30-litre Kriega R30 back in late 2015 and I’ve been a fan ever since. For my latest test, I’ve switched to the smaller R25 which – as you might have guessed – features a 25-litre capacity. Space inside the bag is split between a 20-litre central compartment with a roll-top fastening and inner dry sack, plus a zip-up five litre front pouch, which I’ve used for essentials like keys, wallet, and a small Oxford disc lock. Reflective straps on the front and rear add a nice additional layer of visibility and there’s a…

As this guide demonstrates, fitting these indicator mirrors is a fairly straightforward DIY task – and one that it is made easier by some of the additional products that are available from brands such as Oxford Products. In particular, the range of thread adaptors that cater for different mirror thread sizes can be really helpful, with sizes M10 to M8 on offer that also includes a reverse thread for under £10. Also, because each manufacturer uses different connectors for their indicators, the final connection always used to be a job that involved removing the original connectors, and recrimping with old-school bullet types. But not now, Oxford’s £7.99 indicator leads are a perfect plug and play solution that simply plug into the originals, keeping the original IP rating (how well something…

It’s exciting to see Davey Todd join FHO Racing and I wish him the absolute best. Without being cheesy or clichéd, I’d like to see him settle down with a team for two or three years and try to carve out a plan. The team has been built around Hicky, but it’s in his own interests for the team to have kudos and be really high quality. They had a tough year this year, but going forward they’ve got more support from BMW, so 2025 needs to be a good one. The thing is with Davey if there was a race around some cones in Tesco’s car park, he’d be there. If the edge of the track was molten lava, he’d still race, because he just loves riding bikes– plus,…

Counting down to crunch time in MotoGP 2024 By the end of this weekend it’ll all be done and dusted. Jorge Martin will be celebrating his maiden MotoGP crown… or Pecco Bagnaia will be a triple champ. Martin holds a 24-point lead over his rival and would be crowned champion should he win Saturday’s Sprint race. Given his love of the shorter races, you wouldn’t put it past him. So what are the key factors to watch for? THE CIRCUIT Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Length – 2.89 miles Width – 12m Longest straight – 1047m Corners – 14 (8 right, 6 left) Lap record – 1:38.190 (A Espargaro, 2024) Best race lap – 1:39.664 (Acosta, 2024) 2024 Pole – 1:38.190 (A Espargaro) Top speed – 221.45mph (Morbidelli, 2014) The Sunday sensation…

MCN MOTORCYCLE LIVE 2024 ‘All of biking under one roof!’ Call your biking mates, book those tickets and all head on over to Birmingham’s NEC for the annual pilgrimage to Motorcycle Live. This year the show promises to be more action-packed and interactive than ever with test rides, indoor off-road experiences, electric demos, trials, kids’ bikes and more. Even those who don’t have a licence yet can get involved, meaning there really is something for everyone. Not only that, but you’ll also be able to see – and sit on – the newly revealed 2025 models for the very first time in the UK. I’m looking forward to swinging a leg over the new Triumph Tiger Sport 800 and Yamaha R9, but you’ll also be able to check out the…

Great live music and bike action… Brand-new for 2024, as part of the Festival Zone, the Black Horse Stage will host Rick Parfitt Junior and the RPJ Band, and DJ Rosie at the Saturday night festival — all sponsored by Indian Motorcycle. Whether you’re looking to extend your show visit into the evening, or you’re planning to go just for the Festival-you’ll have a fantastic night on Saturday, November 23! See the RPJ Band + DJ Rosie, plus: • LIVE: Freestyle Motocross shows from The Arenacross Tour • LIVE: Moto-Trials Shows • LIVE: Street Bike stunt shows from the incredible JD Stunts • LIVE: Fuel Girl Performances • BARS: We’re wheeling in more! • STREET FOOD: For every taste Tickets cost £25, doors open at 5.30pm, entry to Motorcycle Live…