Table of contents for 28 April 2021 in MCN

MCN250 TEST Move over, KTM coming though... It’s the battle that rages every year in an attempt to answer the oft-asked question: who will finally relegate BMW’s GS to second place? Some years the prospect of a serious challenge looks unlikely – but this year there’s a new KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, and it’s abundantly clear that it means business. Can this super-sharp and aggressive adventurer finally overtake the class benchmark? FULL TEST PAGE 29 ‘There really is nothing I can find fault with’JON URRY PICKING SIDES ON THE MCN250 TOP STORY Suzuki sharpen their naked bits Take the most well-balanced and sublime GSX-R1000 ever built (the K5) and remove the fairings to create the best naked inline- four ever built. It was a great idea, but the GSX-S1000…

Aprilia have revealed a new £2400 four-stroke SXR 50 scooter bearing more than a passing resemblance to their RSV4 superbike. Euro5 compliant and featuring LED headlights, there is Bluetooth smartphone connectivity and a flat footboard for practicality. There’s 20-litres of storage under the seat and a hefty luggage rack for more. Available in four colours, there’s also a USB port in the front glove box. Good in theory The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency say they are making considerable efforts to get on top of the theory test backlog caused by the pandemic and help get new riders on the road. From May 10 until June 30, opening hours at most test centres in England and Wales will be extended. The DVSA claims this will create an extra 300,000 slots…

Highways England (HE), working with the Department of Transport (DfT), have produced an action plan for ‘smart motorways’ that should significantly boost safety. In England there are two types of ‘smart motorway’: All Lane Running (ALR) motorways with no hard shoulder, such as the M25, and Dynamic Hard Shoulder (DHS) motorways where the hard shoulder comes in and out of use, like the M4. Both have received considerable attention in recent months but the DHS motorways have attracted more ire after a near 30% increase in deaths in 2019. The plan now is for all DHS motorways to be withdrawn and replaced with ALR motorways, which have a lower fatality rate than traditional motorways. Alongside the retirement of DHS motorways, HE has also unveiled a range of upgrades to ALR…

This turbine motorcycle streamliner has machined billet aluminium bulkheads and transfer cases, aircraft-grade steel tubing, riveted alloy sheet cockpit monocoque and a 1200bhp, 50-year-old Rolls-Royce helicopter engine at its core. Carbon-fibre body panels will be fitted later this summer. The streamliner has been designed and built over the past decade by team principal Alex Macfadzean, team manager Bernie Toleman (ex-endurance racer and BSB team owner), tech manager Dave Blundell, design engineer Alastair Smith and their small team, working from Alex’s Essex base. The next steps are rolling-road runs, wind tunnel testing and ‘low-speed’ (under 200mph) testing of all systems in the UK (on former RAF airfields) beginning in June 2021 with initial world record attempts planned for the Uyuni, Bolivia high salt desert in July, 2022. The absolute record today…

Alpinestars have released their Marc Marquez collection, a range of casual-style riding gear. Far from race rep clobber, the range includes waterproof jackets, trainer-style riding shoes, a choice of lightweight or more heavy-duty gloves and even a backpack. Marquez said: “I hope people can enjoy the opportunity to wear the best Alpinestars clothes with the MM93 design.” Visit www.alpinestars.com Booming good Ducati trackdays are back with not two but three venues on the calendar. The opener will take place at Donington’s full MotoGP circuit on Thursday, May 20, followed by Brands Hatch Indy on Wednesday, May 26 and finally Silverstone’s full MotoGP circuit on Wednesday, July 7. Visit www.ducati.com/gb/en/events-uk/2021-track-days to book your place. Minarelli on the up Italian engine builders Motori Minarelli have expansion plans in 2021. Their facility at…

Muc-Off Pressure Washer Bundle £139.99 ‘Zero excuse for a dirty bike now’ We’ve been scouring the web for the latest batch of bargains and have found some beauties. It’s an eclectic mix, with something for everyone, from a great value lock and chain, to bargain riding gear. We’ll start with this handy cleaning bundle from Muc-Off on offer at Welsh-based internet store M&P. Specifically designed for all things two-wheeled, the pressure washer has three special lances to ensure your bike won’t be damaged when you’re giving it a good clean. The bundle also includes cleaners, cloths and a large bag to stow all the gear tidily away in the garage. MCN recently put the kit to the test and were impressed, so much so we gave it a four out…

SENIOR WRITER ‘It’s great to get out and explore’R5K MEMBER DARREN STRINGER Members of MCN’s #ride5000miles campaign have been making the most of lockdown easing and started to meet up with biking buddies. Stepping away from the endless TV boxsets and tiresome Zoom quizzes, motorcyclists across England have hit the roads, taking advantage of the warming weather to finally see their biking friends and family (from a safe distance). “I’ve missed exploring more than anything,” said Darren Stringer from Market Weighton. “I like to go to places I haven’t been before and explore the roads somewhere new.” With the third national Covid-19 lockdown cutting Darren’s 2021 riding to date down to just three trips, the 33-year-old finally enjoyed a weekend jaunt with friend and BMW F900XR owner, Mike Watkins. Meeting…

‘My tip? Go for a Yamaha RXS100’ Remember what I said about prices of small two-strokes going crazy? Prices have shot up even faster than I anticipated. Last summer, I bought a lovely little Suzuki GP100: the rare ‘luxury’ version with alloy wheels and front disc brake, not the poverty spec normal model with wire wheels and drums. I had fun on it during the summer and sold it as autumn loomed. I was slightly disappointed at the money I got for it – £1350, which was what I’d paid for it. I had expected £1600-plus It sold on eBay last week for an absolutely staggering £2470. I got in touch with the guy I’d sold it to and he was gobsmacked as well. This doesn’t mean that all little…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews Take it easy out there I was out on the famous B645 between St Neots and Higham Ferrers at the weekend and was overtaken by three sportsbikes who proceeded to overtake two cars around a blind left-hand bend. I overtook the cars when it was safe to do so (about 20 seconds later) but never saw these bikes again, so no idea what speed they were doing. All I want to say is, come on lads, you are not indestructible, and if you continue to ride like that your luck will run out and I don’t want to be the first person on the scene when it all goes wrong. Stuart, Northants Battery life is the killer The proposed electric Triumph looks very promising with amazing…

GUEST TESTER FROM £14,999 (AS TESTED: £16,085.36) KTM 1290 Super Adventure S ● 1301cc V-twin DOHC 8v ● 157.7bhp @ 9000rpm ● 243kg (kerb) £16,945 (AS TESTED: £19,720) BMW R1250GS TE ● 1254cc ShiftCam boxer twin DOHC 8v ● 134.1bhp @ 7750rpm ● 249kg (kerb) Considering KTM’s offroad dominance, it is a bit of surprise that ever since they entered the big adventure market in 2003 with the 950 Adventure they have been soundly thumped by BMW. After all, BMW’s only real claim to fame with knobbly tyres is a scant few Dakar victories – which pales into insignificance compared to KTM’s record. But, of course, this also tells you a lot about just how much ‘adventuring’ most owners actually go in for. Now it seems KTM have taken notice…

SUPERTEENS CHAMP Rory becomes the youngest-ever Aprilia Superteens champ on his 13th birthday. He won 17 races and took 26 podiums in the 2014 season. RED BULL ROOKIES Rory is one of 12 riders, from an initial 3000 applicants, selected for the 2015 Red Bull Rookies race season. 2017 ROOKIES WIN Rory pips current Moto2 rider Ai Ogura to victory in the season opener at Jerez. Kazuki Masaki completes the podium. SUPERSPORT CHAMP On his return to the UK Rory dominates the Supersport class. The Yamaha rider wins 10 races, a further podium and six poles.…

DEPUTY EDITOR, MOTORCYCLING Is the CB1000R the thinking rider’s super-naked? It’s an easy case to make. Fast and fun but not overwhelming, light and accurate without sacrificing rideability, the Honda might not be as rowdy or focused as some of its sportier opposition but it delivers a polished and inspiring road ride. It’s also fabulously well- made and presented, and now has more than enough attention grabbing technology. I think the restyle has made it better looking, and it’s cheap next to a Ducati Streetfighter or Aprilia Tuono. The Black Edition does have a couple of issues, though. First, its capable chassis still deserves a better rear shock and the throttle is still too switchy. And second, you can buy Yamaha’s faster, growlier, equally usable MT-10 for £500 less. So…

● European Bike Week is in September and there are plenty of places to stay or camp if you want to experience the rally, or just go for a bit of peace and quiet. There’s loads of info on the local tourism website at: www.visitvillach.at. ● If you don’t want to make the near-2000-mile round trip on two wheels, there are plenty of options for local bike hire. You can fly into Austria from around £150 and book a tour with locals or simply rent a bike, including Harleys, to ensure you see the best bits of Austria. See www.edelweissbike.com for more. ● If Bike Week appeals keep an eye on Harley-davidson.com for updates during the ongoing pandemic.…

1 TCX RT-Race £199.99 Not waterproof at all, but there’s great ventilation and they’re super comfy with the inner sock lining. I’d recommend them if you don’t want to spend a fortune. Terry Fox, Thatcham 2 Dainese Torque 3 Out Boots £369.95 The way to get them on, with the zip at the rear, is fast and easy with no buckles. Fantastic boots! Mark Waters, Lincs 3 Alpinestars Supertech R £419.99 Because they’re wide at the top, they’d suit any brand of leathers. Luke Burnett, Lincoln 4 Daytona Evo Voltex £779.99 They offer by far the best protection from abrasion, impact and abnormal range of motion. David Wright, Suffolk 5 RST TracTech Evo III Short £109.99 They’re not bad value at all and my feet feel secure. They could make…

ALLAN McKEE, 63, NORTHANTS Ex-road racer Allan now gets his kicks on the road rather than the track. “After nearly 12,000 trouble-free miles, I sold my R1250 GS Adventure Rallye TE back in January – but I loved every minute I spent riding it. I initially traded in my old RS against it, then I added luggage and inner bags, HP sprung footrests, headlight guard and a Service Pack taking the total to £20,800. I originally bought it on PCP with monthly payments of £100, but I settled it after 18 months. “My first big trip on it was 3000 miles through Spain following the old Roman road. I’d been rerouted from Bilbao to Cherbourg, so ended up with a ride though France, too. Comfort was great. Heated grips in…

Saving you money on essential bike maintenance 1 Bag yourself a kit Your bike’s front master cylinder is a basic hydraulic pump with a very important job to do. Although generally maintenance free, over a long period of time the internals can become worn or start to perish. But luckily it can be refreshed with a repair kit, which is usually available as a original equipment service item from your dealer. 2 Disconnect hose, lever and leads First you’ll need to remove the master cylinder. Undo the banjo bolt to remove the hose, then disconnect the brake light switch connectors. The lever needs to be taken off, so undo the bolt then place the lever to one side. There are usually two bolts which secure the master cylinder to the…

SPORTS DESK The Bennetts British Superbike Championship fires back into life this week for pre-season testing at Silverstone. The biggest surprise is that Andrew Irwin, Danny Buchan and Kyle Ryde are now BMW riders, while Bradley Ray sticks with BMW in Rich Energy OMG Racing colours. Irwin and Buchan have joined SYNETIQ, Ryde links-up with Ray at OMG. BMW were nowhere to be seen last year, but they do have a trick up their sleeve: the new M1000RR. The firm have built a pure-bred race bike… and it also has wings. Peter Hickman and Xavi Fores are also on M1000RRs, so BMW definitely have strength in numbers. The FS-3 team has the new Kawasaki ZX-10RR, which features integrated winglets. Lee Jackson remains, but he should be wary of his new…

The lockdown relaxations have come at the right time. The sun is shining, Suzuki dealerships are open, and the new Hayabusa is waiting in showrooms for demos to be booked. Get a Busa boost With the launch of the Hayabusa inspiring a tide of interest and debate all over world over the past few months, now is your chance to get up close and personal with the eagerly anticipated tune-up of this hyperbike legend. MCN tested the Hayabusa earlier this month and found that even by today’s standards the 2021 machine feels like a spaceship. Its low-slung riding position is like nothing else on two wheels, as is its sumptuous ride and the kind of effortless grunt that only a normally aspirated 1340cc inline four can deliver. And there’s no…

The star of Triumph’s new Bonneville range in 2016, the Street Twin was a big step from the old 865cc models. The handsome motor pulls willingly from low down, suspension is longer-travel, handling is superior and it’s better made. Easy to ride, friendly, yet capable when pushed, the Street also has a just-so mix of modernity (TC and a USB socket) with convincing classic touches (old-style plug caps, spin-off filler cap). You’ll need to haggle hard to get one for £4k... but it’s worth it. So what should you look out for? It’s made in Thailand, not Hinckley – which is a good thing. It helps keep the price down, and quality control is suitably tight; they can’t risk a ‘cheap Eastern’ tag. Owners rave about finish and reliability. The…

Helite e-Turtle 2 Airvest £625 The e-Turtle 2 is very similar to the hugely popular Helite Turtle 2 – the big difference being this one does away with the need to clip yourself to the bike. Instead, it can sense a crash and triggers automatically. You can add the optional £100 fork sensor to detect low-speed and static impacts faster as well. You wear the e-Turtle over your riding kit. It’s light, simple, comfortable and even incorporates a Level 2 back protector. Best of all, resetting it is simple: just unscrew the old air cylinder and screw in a new one. In other words, it’s the tried-and- trusted CE rated Helite, with no strings attached. Brilliant. www.heliteuk.co.uk i FIT AND CHARGE Electronic airbag systems need to be kept charged. All…

It’s an eclectic mix of riders made up of big names, forgotten names and a long list of riders that have gone on to even greater things after notching up their first win. Shane Byrne tops the standings with an incredible 85 victories and an unprecedented six BSB crowns. He’s followed by reigning BSB champion Josh Brookes who sits on 54 wins, four ahead of Japanese sensation Ryuichi Kiyonari who has 50. Leon Haslam isn’t far behind on 46 and throretically one day could add to both his race win and title tally. In terms of growing talent Troy Bayliss, Jonathan Rea, Tom Sykes and Sylvain Guintoli all went on to win the WSB crown, while Bayliss and Crutchlow won in MotoGP. It’s no wonder they call it the most…

You’ll often hear the British Superbike Championship described as ‘the best domestic racing series in the world’. Ordinarily that sort of description might be seen as an apologetic claim – but not in the case of BSB. It really is a world-beating defining light. Celebrating its quarter-century this year (in its current form – see our 20-page celebration in this issue), the series has unearthed, nurtured, made – and broken – some of the biggest names in racing. Many have gone on to rule the world in superbike and grand prix racing, others to rule the roads. Many who have lost momentum in their careers have used it to sharpen their focus, hone their hunger and be propelled back into the spotlight – while others have erroneously thought that an…

Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner has stepped back from calling on the Government to consider fitting trackers to all bikes. As reported in April 14’s MCN, PCC Kim McGuinness was urging the Policing Minister, Kit Malthouse, to consider fitting trackers to all motorbikes in an effort to curb anti-social and illegal riding. She hoped the trackers would be accessible by the police so they could see the speeds and locations of motorcycles at all times. Now, following public pressure, she has thankfully backtracked on the proposal. “These proposals caused concern to some law-abiding bikers,” she said in a statement on the Northumbria PCC website. “We’d like to make clear that we are now working with motorcycle groups to look at more acceptable proposals. The Commissioner is pleased that this has…

Husqvarna are the latest to join the electric bike race with a new concept called the E-Pilen. The bike has a 125-rivalling 10.7bhp and a range of 62 miles, putting it in the same urban mobility category as machines like the Super Soco TC Max. Looks-wise, the E-Pilen would sit comfortably beside its petrol stablemates, the Svartpilen and Vitpilen with the same angular ‘tank’, five-spoke wheels, and retro styling cues like the single round headlight and chopped rear end. Husqvarna say they are keeping an open mind about constantly-evolving battery tech and as such the E-Pilen features a swappable battery that can be replaced with a fully charged item when needed. That would make sense given that parent company KTM have announced their commitment to a battery standardisation consortium with…

THURSDAY April 29 5pm, EUR2, Le Mans 24 Hours: The best of the 2020 running FRIDAY April 30 8am, BTS2, Live MotoGP from Jerez, Spain: FP 1. FP 2 at 12.15pm. SUNDAY May 2 7.15am, BTS2, MotoGP: Warm Ups. Moto3 9.30am, Moto2 11am, MotoGP 12.30pm. Chequered Flag at 2pm 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…

Run out of racing films to binge watch during lockdowns? A documentary detailing the life and on-track success of 1987 500 Grand Prix world champion, Wayne Gardner will be available to stream this coming May. Wayne: The Wayne Gardner Story premiered a few years ago, but will be available online as of Monday, May 24 on a number of streaming platforms. Exploring the Wollongong rider’s life, from going halves on his first motorcycle for $5, through to becoming Australia’s first-ever premier class racing champion, the picture features anecdotes from Gardner himself, plus appearances from the likes of former racer and TV pundit Steve Parrish and commentary ace, Nick Harris. There is also the inclusion of archive footage from both Gardner’s racing and personal lives, plus insight from long-term girlfriend Donna…

FANTASY SHOPPING ON A REAL-WORLD BUDGET 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 Ciarán’s pick… As owner of Extreme Trading, Ciarán Perrin has his finger on the pulse when it comes to buying and selling exotic motorcycles. His company has a stock of over 700 bikes ranging from R model Ducatis to 1980s Japanese classics such as the Yamaha RD500LC and Honda RC30. So what catches his eye? “The collectable bike market is going bonkers but demand for bikes such as the Yamaha RD350LC has slowed down. What people now want are two-stroke race-reps like the Honda NSR250, Suzuki RGV250 or Yamaha TZR250. But that’s not where I’d put my…

So it’s 25 years of BSB this year and the supplement in this week’s MCN has brought back some memories. I can remember BSB back in 1996. There were great riders – Mackenzie, Emmett, Rymer, Hizzy, Reynolds, Walker and some pretty big sponsors, too. Back then I was in the championship racing a 250. It was my first big break, riding for Paul Bird. The deal was that I had to find £10k, which I agreed to, but I didn’t even know how to spell ten grand never mind earn it. I told Birdy I couldn’t find the cash. He said we’d work it out and I ended up delivering chickens to work off the money! It was the year where I cut my teeth, got on the podium and…

It’s Britain’s toughest road test route. A fun but punishing mix of A- and B-roads, busy motorway, towns and villages. It’s all Britain’s road types compressed into one route. There are three sections and we combine the two that best test the bike’s character. On average we ride 450 miles per bike, per test. ROUTE 1 122.73 miles of fast-flowing A and B-roads ROUTE 2 126.94 miles of open A and B-roads and towns ROUTE 3 117.88 miles of big A roads and motorway WEATHER WATCH Dry but cloudy 6-degrees 5mph south wind…

GUEST TESTER When I read the spec list of the 1290 Super Adventure S I really thought that it would run the R1250GS TE very close and possibly even beat it. Semi-active suspension, a great engine boasting more refinement, radar cruise control that the GS lacks and even more road-targeted tyres – but the reality is that the GS remains one step ahead. KTMs always have a certain attitude to them – and that is reflected in the S. KTM bill it as ‘the ultimate high-performance adventure bike’ but I question if this market actually exists as if I wanted a performance-orientated tall bar bike I’d look towards the likes of the BMW XR, Multistrada V4 or even the Super Duke GT or MT-10. And anyway, while performance is all…

DEPUTY EDITOR, MOTORCYCLING If you were raised on TZR250s and VFR400s then modern small-capacity sportsbikes feel more like toys. The days of premium parts and big bike worrying performance are long gone – there isn’t the market for such investment, so performance is modest, handling sufficient, quality adequate. It’s true of most A2-legal race reps, but particularly the 300SR. Don’t dismiss CFMoto, though. They have the largest European market share of all Chinese firms, are Europe’s best-selling quad manufacturer, and the 300SR is closer to pricier rivals than you’d think. And while it isn’t perfect, it’s so much cheaper that you’d learn to tolerate its foibles. That said, I’d still buy a two- year-old Yamaha R3 for the same price as the showroom-fresh SR: it’d have nicer ride quality, go…

Back in the day, when everyone was obsessed with sportsbikes, mods, wheelies and other childish pursuits, CBR600RR and Blade riders (and come to think of it, some R6, R1 and ZX-6R/10R riders, too) used to save all-important grams by opting for the ‘HRC mod’ on their rear brake master cylinder. This ‘performance enhancing’ upgrade had been spotted by eagle-eyed fans on HRC’s GP machines and was instantly copied on streetbikes. This ‘fullfactory’ mod was basically a piece of green plastic tube fitted to the rear brake master cylinder in lieu of the traditional reservoir. You could buy this HRC part direct from Honda but it came at a price much too salty for most; after all, it was only just a little piece of green tube. Only thing was, as…

The star of Triumph’s new Bonneville range in 2016, the Street Twin was a big step from the old 865cc models. The handsome motor pulls willingly from low down, suspension is longer-travel, handling is superior and it’s better made. Easy to ride, friendly, yet capable when pushed, the Street also has a just-so mix of modernity (TC and a USB socket) with convincing classic touches (old-style plug caps, spin-off filler cap). You’ll need to haggle hard to get one for £4k... but it’s worth it. So what should you look out for? It’s made in Thailand, not Hinckley – which is a good thing. It helps keep the price down, and quality control is suitably tight; they can’t risk a ‘cheap Eastern’ tag. Owners rave about finish and reliability. The…

The lockdown relaxations have come at the right time. The sun is shining, Suzuki dealerships are open, and the new Hayabusa is waiting in showrooms for demos to be booked. Get a Busa boost With the launch of the Hayabusa inspiring a tide of interest and debate all over world over the past few months, now is your chance to get up close and personal with the eagerly anticipated tune-up of this hyperbike legend. MCN tested the Hayabusa earlier this month and found that even by today’s standards the 2021 machine feels like a spaceship. Its low-slung riding position is like nothing else on two wheels, as is its sumptuous ride and the kind of effortless grunt that only a normally aspirated 1340cc inline four can deliver. And there’s no…

i WATCH YOUR BACK Not every jacket will come with a back protector as standard, as some firms assume you’ll have one and move it from jacket to jacket, or ear a separate one. Either do his, or check that your budget will allow you to buy a back protector for your new jacket. Dainese Super Speed 3 Perforated £659.95 The combination of racing development and Italian tailoring makes the Super Speed 3 a top-end contender anyway, but the Perforated model is the king of summer jackets. The breathable stretch panels that ensure a good fit and the perforated panels on the specially treated, supple 1.1-1.3mm cowhide really let the airflow keep you cool. It’s also an ergonomically cut jacket packed with safety features: CE Level 2 shoulder and elbow…

Resurgance 2020 Café Racer £245 Riding jeans need style and protection, which is what these CE AAA-rated Selvedge-denim jeans deliver. For jeans connoisseurs, the authenticity of a good grade (12oz) Selvedge denim is as important as the quality of the tailoring: these look as sharp as the best boutique strides. From the protection point of view, 80% of the denim is backed by PEKEV (an aramid similar to Kevlar) for the maximum abrasion-resistance rating, with a mesh liner for comfort. The Café Racers come with D3O Ghost armour in the hips and knees: it’s CE Level 1 rated but just 5mm thick for comfort without bulk. www.resurgancegear.net i LINED OR SINGLE LAYER? The toughest riding jeans have a full aramid lining (Kevlar is a brand of aramid) but they can…

NEWS EDITOR CFMoto have revealed their biggest bike yet, the first fruit of a deal with KTM which sees the Chinese brand use a variety of the Austrian firm’s motors. Called the 800MT, the new bike uses the 799cc parallel twin from KTM’s outgoing 790 Adventure and looks set to offer a modestly priced, road-focused alternative to KTM’s ‘ready to race’ machines. Power and torque are the same as the KTM, at 92bhp and 65lb. ft and it also hasn’t lost any of its sister bike’s tech, including slipper clutch, cornering ABS, ride-by-wire throttle, quickshifter and multiple riding modes. There’s a high level of ‘comfort tech’ too, some of which wasn’t on the 790, including cruise control, TFT dash with navigation, keyless ignition, automatic LED lights, fog lights, heated grips…

SAVE £1830 £12,600 Triumph Speed Triple 1050 RS Triumph are offering a package of savings on the ‘original hooligan’ Speed Triple 1050 range until June 30. It includes a £1000 ‘personalisation contribution’ which you can use for official accessories or to bring the price down, plus a free quickshifter worth £330 and a £500 clothing voucher. • triumphmotorcycles.co.uk SAVE£1500 £9999 Honda VFR1200X The Crosstourer is underrated and as it’s phased out due to not meeting Euro5 rules, there are bargains to be had. • hgbmotorcycles.co.uk • Engine 1237cc • Power 127bhp • Weight 275kg • Seat height 850mm SAVE £1300 £6999 Yamaha Tricity 300 A convenient commuting option that doesn’t require going through the cost and hassle of the baffling bike licence maze. • bridgemotorcycles.com • Engine 292cc • Power…

We’ve got together with Furygan to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a Furygan Apalaches jacket and trouser set worth £429.98 Perfect for riders looking for all-season textiles, the Apalaches is the result of intensive development by the Furygan team to design a versatile textile suit for all-year-round use, making them great for touring. The waterproof and breathable jacket features D3O protection at the elbow and shoulder areas, Furygan’s Air Flow System (AFS) and comes Airbag Connect ready. The jacket is equipped with pockets compatible with Furygan’s D3O back and chest protection and a useful nine pockets to hold all your daily essentials. The CE-approved Apalaches trousers are the perfect partner for the Apalaches jacket, featuring a connecting zip, abrasion-resistant textile, D30 hip and knee protection plus a…

The Devitt MCN Festival of Motorcycling is returning to the East of England Arena on September 4-5 with a huge line-up of entertainment, bargains, live music, test rides, live action and so much more. Moped Mayhem The madcap endurance race that was the highlight of the old BMF shows in the 1980s and 90s is making its long-awaited comeback at the Festival. Known for its wild racing, huge grid, eclectic machines and raucous atmosphere, you won’t want to miss it. Classic two-stroke display Yamaha’s RD LC was 40 in 2020 and we’re creating a belated birthday party with a two-stroke display, fire ups and stage talks. Plus, if you turn up on a two-stroke over 125cc you’ll be able to park in the VIP bike park, Elsie’s Shed. Autojumble Looking…

Weise have released a new mesh jacket called the Scout just in time for summer. The jacket has been built with large mesh panels at the front and back plus more on each arm to deliver maximum airflow. Despite this the jacket has still gained AA protection rating and comes with CE approved armour at the shoulder, elbow and back. The jacket is available now in sizes S-5XL for £129.99. Hang tough! Hanging a set of heavy leathers on an everyday coat hanger rarely ends well, so this new ‘Hang-Lite’ hanging system, made from titanium tube and hand welded here in the UK, should end that frustration. At £74.95, it may not be cheap but then neither are your leathers. To order one go to @sevenT7 Fabrications on Facebook. Design…

THE PLAN A 2000+ mile adventure on the Burgman starting with a crossing from via Rotterdam and taking in beauty spots such as the Dolomites. • Readers George Webb • The ride European adventure on my Suzuki Burgman • Miles More than 2000 • Don’t miss this The road from Slovenia into Italy was stunning. An overnight stop in Cavalese, before another day of beautiful mountain roads brought us back over to Austria. • Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com THE ROUTE THE GROUP The trip we made was with White Rose Tours if anyone fancies giving it a shot. They were really good. GOING UNDERGROUND We stopped to see the amazing caves of Postojna before beginning the return leg of our adventure.…

Q ‘Will I get all my compensation?’ I had an accident when a car pulled out of a junction. I couldn’t swerve as there was a car coming the other way so we collided and I went over the bonnet. My claims company sent me a cheque as an ‘interim payment’ from the third party’s insurer. But the way the covering letter is worded means I’m worried that it will be seen as full payment, or I may have to repay it. The letter says: “This is an interim payment issued without prejudice. Because of this we reserve the right to claim this payment back if we find further evidence that changes our understanding of this claim.” Amber, email A This is a partial payment paid on an interim basis,…

Graham French Age 68 Height 6ft Current bike BMW R1250GSA TE Been riding 52 years First bike CB200 Dream bike Triumph Street Scrambler (and the GS, of course) “I bought an Africa Twin new in 2016, so I had experienced adventure bikes before but this was my first GS. Although I’d had a BMW before, an R1150R, I wasn’t happy with how the dealership dealt with an issue and so I switched to Honda for the next 14 years. “As I was planning on touring Europe and America in 2020 (that obviously didn’t happen...) initially I also tried an R1250RT out for size but I preferred the more relaxed riding position of the GS as my knees ached a bit on the RT. I’m so glad I made that decision,…

KIERON DILLEY “I went to Faak Am See in the height of summer because even without over 10,000 bikers there it’s still a beautiful place for a ride. The roads were awesome, the weather was amazing, and you can just chill out and take your time. “I remember riding into the town and can vividly picture the roundabout that had a huge metal motorcycle with two people on it. You can tell the place is used for the motorcycle rally and it probably attracts most of their tourism. “I would still want to go back to experience European Bike Week as I haven’t had the chance. I’d want to spend a few days at the rally, maybe on a tour where I’d start or finish at Faak Am See and…

Richa Nomad Evo Long boots £99.99 ‘Not flashy, just great value’ Tested by Martin Fitz-Gibbons for two months, 1000 miles Unpretentious touring boots that slip under the crucial £100 threshold. The Nomad Evo, like Richa’s highly-rated Nomad before it, is made with a genuine leather outer. A pair of zips (one on each side of the boot) opens them up really wide, so it’s never a struggle getting feet in. Waterproofing is provided by a Hipora membrane, which might not breathe quite as well as Gore-Tex but hasn’t let a drop of rain in yet. CE scores are strong given the price, with a higher Level 2 pass for both abrasion and impact cut tests, though just the basic Level 1 pass for rigidity. That said, the shin protection seems…

2021 BMW R1250 GS Adventure ShiftCam meant few changes were made to make the R1250 GS Euro5 and as such both power and torque output remain the same. New six-axis IMU adds Integral ABS Pro and the option of Hill Start Control Pro. Eco riding mode added for boosting fuel economy. 2019-2020 BMW R1250GS Adventure Adventure follows the standard model and gains a 84cc increase, ShiftCam to help boost power and torque, full-colour TFT dash, and new Hayes calipers. The chassis, attitude and that huge 30-litre tank remain unchanged. 2018-2019 BMW R1200GS Adventure Now Euro4 courtesy of a modified exhaust, the 2018 Adventure is smoother and more refined, and benefits from improvements to the optional Dynamic ESA and the Connectivity dash. 2014-2017 BMW R1200GS Adventure Now with liquid cooling, the…

‘Think what you’ll do with it yourself...’ There’s nowt like the feeling of nailing corners on a bike. And as race tracks have lots of corners it’s obviously very tempting to take a sportsbike on a trackday. Any buying guides you’ve read will probably say how to spot a bike that’s been on track, and tell you to walk as it’ll have been constantly abused. Which is nonsense. Most track addicts look after their bikes – they service routinely, keep the chassis in fine order, and keep on top of brake pads, chains and tyres. Sure, they ride them hard – but they’re also only using the bike as intended. Your engine has a rev limiter so it can’t be screamed in a way that causes damage. And it’s load…

Delivery riders can earn up to £900 a week if they are willing to flog their bikes into the ground. Lucky for them, mechanic Rob Singleton at B&C Motorcycles in central Manchester is keeping local riders going with regular engine oil changes and running repairs as they can rack up over a thousand miles a week, although it’s an uphill struggle with some. Rob said: “One lad dresses like a North Sea fisherman whatever the weather. He’s got a 2017 Honda 125 and it looks more like it was made in 1917 because he keeps falling off. All the levers are bent, but we keep him and others like him legal and safe. A motorcycle or scooter is just a tool to them. “He goes through a chain and sprockets…

Rookies’ delight, or is racing just too easy? What’s the most important weapon in a modern grand prix rider’s kit? It’s inexperience. Weirdly, that’s sometimes how it seems. Increasingly, greenhorns are achieving precocious success. Often at the expense of the seasoned experts in the class. This year’s statistics are revealing. We’re only three races in, but so far in MotoGP we’ve had rookie Jorge Martin on pole and the podium on his satellite Ducati, after leading Qatar 2. Reminiscent of 2019 rookie Quartararo’s seven podiums and six poles. In Moto2, rookie Raul Fernandez added a fine fighting win in Portugal to his prior podium, to move into a challenging second overall. And in Moto3 it’s even more striking. Pedro Acosta, fresh from teenage daydreams in the Red Bull Rookies, has…

The lockdown relaxations have come at the right time. The sun is shining, Suzuki dealerships are open, and the new Hayabusa is waiting in showrooms for demos to be booked. Get a Busa boost With the launch of the Hayabusa inspiring a tide of interest and debate all over world over the past few months, now is your chance to get up close and personal with the eagerly anticipated tune-up of this hyperbike legend. MCN tested the Hayabusa earlier this month and found that even by today’s standards the 2021 machine feels like a spaceship. Its low-slung riding position is like nothing else on two wheels, as is its sumptuous ride and the kind of effortless grunt that only a normally aspirated 1340cc inline four can deliver. And there’s no…

The star of Triumph’s new Bonneville range in 2016, the Street Twin was a big step from the old 865cc models. The handsome motor pulls willingly from low down, suspension is longer-travel, handling is superior and it’s better made. Easy to ride, friendly, yet capable when pushed, the Street also has a just-so mix of modernity (TC and a USB socket) with convincing classic touches (old-style plug caps, spin-off filler cap). You’ll need to haggle hard to get one for £4k... but it’s worth it. So what should you look out for? It’s made in Thailand, not Hinckley – which is a good thing. It helps keep the price down, and quality control is suitably tight; they can’t risk a ‘cheap Eastern’ tag. Owners rave about finish and reliability. The…

Held Air n Dry £175.99 The traditional British summer isn’t relentlessly sunny, but that’s no problem for these two-chamber gloves. On hot days the vented chamber, with its perforated kangaroo-leather palm, keeps your hands cool. But when you’re hit with summer rain, it takes seconds to swap to the Gore-Tex area to keep your hands dry. Beyond that, these are ultratough gloves with a hard knuckle protector, wrist and cuff fastening, vented armour on the fingers and a padded scaphoid protector. They’re well made, last an extraordinarily long time and the dual-chamber construction makes them versatile enough for spring and autumn too. They could be the only gloves you ever need. www.held.de i KNUCKLE DOWN Hard knuckle armour gives gloves a sporty look but it’s important: a solid protector backed…

Back in the mid 90s I can remember we were so pissed off that British Touring Cars had all the manufacturer backing and were getting all the attention when we all knew it was BSB that had a better product. We had to get out of the cycle of politics that was ruling the day. I can remember the first round of 1996 where we had the Red Bull Ducati, the Old Spice Ducati and the Cadbury’s Boost Yamaha. It was a seismic change and I think since then, every year in some shape or form there has been advancement. Pioneering moments? We were the first championship to move from 750cc fours to 1000cc fours, which was symbolic back in 2002. The introduction of the controlled tyre, and taking the…

Superbike racing began in the UK in 1971 with John Cooper being crowned the first ever MCN Superbike Champion in 1973 onboard his BSA Rocket III. But after years of underwhelming crowd figures and old-school attitudes, the series was dramatically revamped with wide-reaching changes put forward late in 1994 before coming into effect for the start of the 1996 season – when British Superbikes as we know it today was officially born. Since then, the series has blossomed with epic seasons of racing with a veritable who’s who’s of talent from Mackenzie to Whitham, Hislop, Reynolds, Byrne, Kiyonari, Lavilla, Haslam, Redding and Brookes – to name just a select few. This is the story of the last glorious 25 years of BSB…. 1996 ● Rules fall inline with FIM Superbike…

8 The number of one-hit wonders (riders who have only won a single race in BSB) 5 Seasons with no new winners: 2000, 2001, 2006, 2013 & 2015 20 YEARS 4 MONTHS 15 DAYS Youngest first-time winner: Jonathan Rea 36 YEARS 3 MONTHS 15DAYS Oldest first time winner: Steve Hislop Oulton Park 1998 15 YEARS 11 MONTHS 18 DAYS Longest winning career: Shane Byrne between his first win (Donington Park 2002) and his most recent win (Brands Hatch 2018) 14 The number of riders who achieved their first win on a Ducati. That’s more than any other brand… 10 The number of riders whose first win came at Oulton Park…

CASEY STONER Two-time MotoGP champion Casey Stoner won the Aprilia Superteen Challenge in 2000 and finished runner-up the follow year. BRAD BINDER Moto3 world champion and MotoGP race winner Brad Binder competed in the Aprilia Superteen Challenge in 2008. CHAZ DAVIES 2011 World SSP champion and 32-time WSB race winner Chaz Davies finished second in the 2000 Aprilia Superteen Challenge series. EUGENE LAVERTY World SSP and WSB runner-up, and former MotoGP rider, Eugene Laverty previously competed in the British 125cc and Supersport championships. TROY BAYLISS Three-time WSB champion and MotoGP racer winner Troy Bayliss won the 2000 BSB title for GSE Racing Ducati. YUKIO KAGAYAMA WSB and Suzuka 8-Hour race winner Yukio Kagayama spent two years in BSB with Crescent Suzuki (2003-2004), securing seven wins and 18 podiums. CHRIS VERMEULEN…

● Yamaha are the most successful manufacturer in the British Supersport Championship with 132 wins followed by Honda (99), Triumph (59), Kawasaki (55), Suzuki (39), Ducati (16) and MV Agusta (4). ● Shane Byrne’s first British title win came in the Supersport 600cc class with victory at Snetterton in 1998. ● Sean Emmett took a British Supersport win at Croft in 2006 on a Ducati 749. ● Triumph’s first British Supersport Championship win came at Donington Park in 2004 with the late Craig Jones onboard. ● The highest number of British Supersport Championship titles is three with Karl Harris winning in 2001, 2003 and 2004. ● The most Supersport wins in a single season was taken by Jack Kennedy in 2019 with 20 victories. ● Josh Brookes contested two British…