Table of contents for 01 February 2023 in MCN

‘We don’t see battery electric as the only option’ HOWARD DALE, KAWASAKI MOTORS UK THIS WEEK Battery switch sparks industry eco debate The great and the good of the UK motorcycle industry, think tanks, and government representatives came together last week to debate the landscape of motorcycling in a more eco-friendly future. And there was plenty of division in evidence as manufacturers already on the path to decarbonisation made a case for needing more time in order to deliver greener machines both globally, and for the UK market – the only market to have legislated for zero-emission new models. PAGE 4 RAPID WIN £3477 OF TRAINING! BOOST YOUR SKILLS: BE A BIKEMASTER! SEE PAGE 20 THIS WEEK Adventure bikes on a budget With the UK’s most popular adventure bikes costing upwards…

One of the most evocative machines in motorcycle racing history has roared back to life as preparations for the opening of the TT Gallery at the Manx Museum gather pace. The Suzuki RG500, which was ridden to victory by Mike Hailwood, in the 1979 Senior TT, has now been faithfully restored. Racing engineer Anthony ‘SLick’ Bass was given the task of getting the bike backup and running. During the month-long overhaul. Slick was amazed to find the engine was as Hailwood had Left it, with little sign of corrosion. “We discovered the engine to be in near to original condition, which was an absolutely extraordinary resuLt,” said Slick. “Remarkably, coolant liquid had corroded a small hole in the water pump housing, with the liquid draining away, meaning that magnesium and…

Motoring trade bodies have launched a petition in an attempt to stop plans to extend the first MoT of a vehicle to four years. The Department for Transport announced the plans on last month and are consulting until the end of February. At the time of writing, the petition had gained just more than 2000 signatures, with 10,000 required for an official. Government response. Its creators say that extending the first test would be: “dangerous, expensive, damaging and unnecessary.” They continued: “The Government has considered extending the period before a new vehicle needs its first MoT several, times in recent years and abandoned plans every time after common-sense arguments from industry bodies and consumers alike.” Despite the consultation period dosing at the end of February, the petition will continue to…

Honda have released a range of e-bicycles called the Cub e, Dax e and Zoomer e, all based on low-capacity petrol offerings. They represent the first step in Honda’s long-term plan, which they enticingly called the ‘Briefing on Honda motorcycle businessrealising carbon neutrality with a primary focus on electrification’. At present they are only being sold into the Chinese market. The machines are halfway houses between motorcycles and bicycles aimed at Gen Z, so they’re motorbike shape but have pedals and have a top speed of just 15mph. Last year Honda stated that they want to continue to develop petrol powered motorcycles, but the reality is that they will need to offset that with electric vehicles if they are to hit their stated emissions target of becoming carbon neutral, by…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews ‘Don’t let Brands have all the fun’ Stuart Higgs gives a good account of the new BSB format, with perfectly understandable weighting of the final round (MCN, January 25). I follow the series with great interest every year, attending to watch the live action when it is within reach of my home in the Pennines but resorting to TV for the finale. I am left a little uncertain who will benefit most under the new points regime but one thing is certain: the greatest spectacle every year is reserved for those living in the south east. Brands Hatch is a pig to get to for those of us in the north, so how about sharing it out over the years? Tom Lonsdale, West Yorks STAR LETTER…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers Cyril Visovsky (BMW K1200GT), Grayson and Ann Cook Honda ST1300 and trailer) The Ride ‘The Master Traveler US National. Parks Tour’ which sees you visit at least 25 National Parks and document them with a stamp from the visitor centre How long do you need? It took us the summer of 2018 How many miles? 6000 Tell us about the trip Lifelong riding buddies are always up for an interesting ride. The plan was to complete the National Park / Master Traveler Tour. It would be a long tour, so we decided to camp as much as possible. There were so many amazing stops and one learns so much from every location. At the end of the day you are always looking forward to…

‘Time to try green laning’ DEREK AND GILL SOL I bought a Honda CRF250L to try my hand at green laning and then Gill said that she would like to try a bit herself. We invested in a little 2009 Yamaha XT125R and she loves it! ‘Afternoon in North Wales’ GARETH MAYFIELD I chanced my arm with an afternoon out in North Wales on my Super Duke GT. I even found a few dry roads to get on to the tyre edge. 273 miles to open the year’s account. ‘Visiting Maverick’s GPZ’ KAZUO SAKAI Going out to see Maverick’s bike (no, not an Aprilia…) at the Kawasaki Museum in Kobe, Japan. ‘Winter warmer Down Under’ LINDSAY HARRIS Great test ride and open day with some of our clients at a…

If you are looking for a bargain middleweight scrambler, there are plenty of options out there. Starting with Chinese-built bikes, Benelli also sell the 17in wheeled TRK 502 for £5999 or the retro-styled Leoncino 500 Trail for £5999. Both use the same liquid-cooled parallel twin engine. Moto Morini sell the X-Cape with spoke wheels for an extra £500 while a 17in wheeled version of the Zontes ZT350-T is £4499. Mash, who are a French company selling Chinese-built bikes, sell the X-Ride 650 with 17in wheels or with a 21in front and 18in rear (called the Trail) for £5599. Herald have the Maverick 250, an urban scrambler, for £3595 or there is the similar-styled Bluroc Hero 250 for £4399. Chinese company CFMoto sell the 650MT for £6299 or you can opt…

Amotocross force of nature, James ‘Bubba’ Stewart has left a lasting imprint on the sport, not only for his sheer dominance, being one of only two riders in history to win perfect championships, but also for his sensational all-or-nothing style, which earned him the title of ‘the Fastest Man on the Planet’, as well as pushing the limits of MX to levels previously thought unreachable. A child sensation, Bubba (a nickname he picked up racing in the junior championships) graduated to the American professional ranks in 2002, aged just 16 and already with 11 amateur titles under his belt. In his first pro season, he broke records by becoming both the youngest rider and the first rookie to win an AMA MX championship, as well as going down as the…

‘It’s eager to please’ The Ubbiali makeover is right on trend and only marginally more expensive than the standard HRS. That said, £4250 is a lot of money for something that barely tops the national speed limit. But if you do most of your riding in town, the lack of top end isn’t an issue. It’s eager enough up to 40mph and thanks to flat bars, an upright riding position and modest overall mass - brilliant at whipping in and out of traffic. Practicality is questionable; there’s no luggage provision or weather protection, the tank range is poor, and a few rides through winter salt would wipe the glamour off its overall appearance. It’s pretty though. THE FACTS £4249 Mondial HBS 125 Ubbiali…

These have been my go-to glove and when, after over 30,000 miles, the seam went on one finger, I liked them so much I kept using them. They are great, lightweight waterproof gloves that are also surprisingly warm. They are very supple, giving lots of feel, and are waterproof enough to resist all but extended periods of heavy rain. I like the fact the cuff is easy to tuck up inside a jacket, helping keep rain out, and the visor wipe does a great job of shifting water without scratching. Although I find the linked small and ring fingers annoying as if you wear a ring it can bunch up. TESTED FOR 30k MILES Quality Value www.alpinestars.com…

Although the Yamaha YZF125’s brake pistons looked horrendous, the brake was only dragging slightly and it would have been easy for the owner to ignore it. But this guy had done his homework and knew that his model was prone to seizing up, so when he dropped it off at Doncaster Motorcycles for a service and MoT he got owner Kev Hollingsworth to strip them too. Kev said: “He was wise to get us on the job when he did. Too many owners leave it and leave it until it’s dragging something rotten. Then you are looking at a new disc and probably new seals too because that dragging has generated loads of excessive heat.” Rather than get a pair of pliers and pull and twist on each caliper piston,…

I love that Ducati are running the No1 plate this year and it was great to see Bautista out on track rocking it on the front of his V4R at Jerez. If you win the title you should use the No1. It’s professional, it’s classy and they should be blowing their own trumpet. In my mind they might as well just have a middle finger on their front of the bike - it looks like a No1 - and it’s just to say ‘f**k you, I’m the champ!’ to everybody else on the grid! Looking at the times at the end of the WSB testing it was the same three guys: Toprak, Johnny and Bautista. And unlike in MotoGP, the form they show in testing tends to follow into the…

The latest from inside the garages at pre-season testing TOP STORY With the 2023 World Superbikes season kicking off at Phillip Island later this month, just 97 days after the chequered flag went down on the 2022 season, there’s a real sense of urgency as teams thrash it out In testing on the Iberian peninsula. This time last week, all of the top runners took to the track in Jerez, Spain while today marks the end of another two-day test at Portimao in Portugal. Amongst what is arguably the most competitive field ever is Danilo Petrucci, looking to go down in history by achieving something even reigning WSB champ Alvaro Bautista is unlikely to manage. Since the 500cc/MotoGP world championship began in 1949 and World Superbikes in 1988, just 17…

ALTERNATIVE VIEW The MCIA panel did not just consist of petrol-heavy manufacturers, with Coventry-based low capacity electric firm Maeving offering an alternative take on the future. Co-founder Seb Inglis-Jones said: “I think in our industry, we’ve generally been among the most ardent of petrol heads. And just as a disclaimer, I’m no different. Despite founding an electric motorcycle brand, I am passionate about my 40-year-old CBX, and I came here in a Mazda MX5. I’m someone who loves noise, vibration, smell. “So, there’s lots of things that I’ll miss as we move into this new electric era for sure. But it pales in significance versus the benefits of addressing climate change. I’m sure we all agree on that. “It’s more a question of phasing and I think the reality is…

CFMoto are offering big savings on limited stock of new models, with savings of up to £700 available on some machines. Now being distributed in the UK by Austrian brand KTM, the Chinese firm’s entire nine-strong range has money off. Those interested in taking advantage should head to their Local dealer now, with highlights including the 300SR dropping from £4199 to £3499 and the 700CL-X Heritage price dropping all the way from £6599 to £5899.…

Oxford Brush & Scrub Set £9.95 Best offers for the big clean Riding through winter can be rewarding but there are times when you end up getting home looking like you’ve taken part in an off-road enduro rather than just ridden to work. That corrosive cocktail of road salt and nasty grime can seriously take its toll on your bike and kit, so this week we’re digging up deals on cleaning potions and products to help you and your ride survive the season unscathed. A good set of brushes can help no end in shifting filth, especially from hard-to-reach areas, and with a decent saving on offer Oxford’s Brush and Scrub set contains four different tools for getting the job done properly. The Big Softie, Wheely Clean, Double Stubble and…

Q ‘Out of pocket after physio’ I was involved in an accident in 2020 where a car did not stop at a junction and knocked me off my bike. The car driver admitted responsibility. I was injured and my medical expert recommended that I attend physiotherapy. The sessions were in the late afternoon which meant that I had to take time off work and I was not paid as a result. My legal team (instructed by my broker) tells me I cannot recover my lost income, which I find hard to believe. Is this correct? James Wright, email A I don’t see a reason why you can’t recover your loss of earnings for attending physiotherapy which has been medically recommended as a direct result of the accident. The aim of…

Rowan Elliott had just two years experience when he did the Bikemaster course. “By the end, my riding had changed completely,” he told MCN. “I was Looking miles further ahead, so I was going faster but I felt more in control, and I was far more confident in my ability to cope with any corner. I actually went out for a ride with one of my mates recently and he was gobsmacked - he couldn’t believe how much better I was riding.”…

THURSDAY February 2 5pm, EUR1, Rally Raid Dakar Saudi Arabia - Review FRIDAY February 3 1.35pm, ITV4, The Motorbike Show. Also at 5.50pm SATURDAY February 4 7am, EUR2, World SuperbikesIndonesia Weekend Highlights SUNDAY February 5 1am, EUR2, World Superbikes2022 Race of the Season MONDAY February 6 2pm, EUR2, Bennetts British Superbikes - 2022 Race of the Season 3pm, EUR2, Bennetts British Superbikes — 2022 Support Race of the Season 9pm, EUR2, Speedway of Nations -Final, Denmark KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT- DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC-DISCOVERY CHANNEL DHD- DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD EXS- EXTREME SPORTS CHANNEL EUR1 (2,HD)-EU ROSPORT1 (2,HD)MOT- MOTORSPORT.TV CH4 CHANNEL 4 CH5- CHANNEL FIVE BBC BBCI BBC INTERACTIVE ESPN- ESPNCLASSIC CHANNEL ITVDST-DISCOVERY TURBO SHEDDISCOVERY SHED INST- INSIGHT SS1 (2,30RX}-SKYSPORTS1 (2,30R EXTRA) QUEST BTS1- BTSPORT1 BTS2- BT SPORT2TVL TRAVELUK…

THE BIG TEST GET PROTECTED WITH MCN - AT MCNCOMPARE.COM THE MCN TEST • THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK £6299 Benelli TRK 502 X ● 500cc parallel twin 8v ● 46.9bhp @ 8500rpm ● 213kg wet weight £4999 Zontes Z350-T ● 348cc liquid-cooled single cylinder DOHC 4v ● 38.9bhp @ 9500rpm ● 196kg wet weight £6999 Moto Morini X-Cape 650 ● 649cc liquid-cooled parallel twin DOHC 8v ● 59.1bhp @ 8250rpm ● 231kg wet weight Everyone loves a bargain but it has to be said, bargains are starting to get few and far between in the motorcycle world. Prices are on the up and in the current financial climate, the golden age of cheap finance looks to be over with PCP plans beginning to see their APRs climbing. So…

BIG READ Ténéré hits 40 In 1983 Yamaha poured high-octane fuel on the adventure fire when they created the XT600 Ténéré. Looking every inch like their Paris-Dakar Rally racers of the era it sparked a craze, that became a movement, which led eventually to the adventure market as we know it. In all its guises it has been an inspiration for adventure riders, whether their focus is on rally racing or world travel. The Ténéré was one of the first ‘big trailies’ (we shouldn’t forget the BMW R80 G/S first appeared in 1980, of course) and besides its own bloodline it triggered the birth of countless competitors, be they Honda XL-LMFs, Africa Twins or Suzuki DRs and DR Bigs. A brief history of time The Ténéré’s ancestry is surprisingly international. We…

RATINGS Exceptional Verygood Good Average Poor TESTED FOR FOUR MONTHS Possibly one of the most frustrating things, when working on a motorcycle engine is when you can’t get something off because you don’t have the right tool for the job. I had exactly that problem when teaching my nine-year-old son howto strip an engine before rebuilding it and getting it running. It is only a little Mobylette, so it’s nice and simple to learn on… or it should have been. I just couldn’t get the flywheel off. I had exhausted my small collection of flywheel pullers, so I decided to bite the bullet and bought a Sealey 10-piece Motorcycle Flywheel puller set. The set comes in a robust storage case, with individually labelled recesses for each of the well-made pullers…

German motorcycle clothing manufacturer, Pharao, have a goal we can all get behind - to provide quality protective clothing at a reasonable price, and they may be well on their way. For the past nine weeks, through the worst of the winter weather, I have been wearing Pharao’s Robson Waterproof Textile Boots. TESTED FOR 750 MILES First impressions are that the boots, at just £69.99, have the look and feel of gear that retails at double the cost. The matt black finish is complemented with a textured rubberised toe guard on both the left and right boots with an additional, protective patch on the outside edge of the boots. Articulated padding adorns the front portion, while the boot is finished off with a Velcro ankle strap and more padding at…

A worn cush drive doesn’t only create an unpleasant riding experience, from all the offthrottle snatchiness you’ll feel at low engine speeds (which will progressively get worse as the rubbers wear more), but it also causes stress and premature wear to the other parts of the drivetrain, particularly the chain and sprockets. So if you can, time it so that you replace the cush drive rubbers at the same time as you fit a new chain and sprocket set. The difference will be dramatic. You’ll basically transform the feel of the bike as it will have that lovely, smooth ‘as new’ feel. Although I’m aware of how much I always stress the importance of fitting OE parts, but when it comes to replacing the cush drive, I’m prepared to make…

Former racer and MotoGP paddock veteran Ducati utterly dominated the 2022 MotoGP world championship, celebrating the Desmosedeci’s 20th season by winning 12 of 20 races, taking the riders, constructors and team titles for the first time and putting five riders in the top ten. There’s no doubt that rival manufacturers face a huge challenge in knocking the Desmosedici from the top step in 2023. But of course that’s exactly what they are trying to do, spending many millions trying to match Ducati’s engine, chassis and aerodynamics performance. This week we look at how Ducati intend to improve and what Aprilia and KTM are working on and next week we’ll look at the developments Honda and Yamaha are making for the forthcoming season. Aprilia RS-GP Needs more power and better engine-braking…

At the time of going to press, 2021 and 2022 BSB champions Tarran Mackenzie and Bradley Ray were due to make their WSB debuts in Portimao, Mackenzie will get to grips with the MIE World Supersport Honda, while Ray-who will only contest European rounds - is on the MotoX Yamaha superbike despite a delay in the arrival of new parts. McPhee's positive Supersport debut Four-times Moto3 Grand Prix winner John McPhee has completed his first World Supersport test aboard a Kawasaki ZX-6R. The Scot is riding for the private Vince64 team in collaboration with Puccetti. “I’m really, really happy,” he stated. “I’ve got a big smile on my face. There’s work to be done but it’s such a nice bunch of people.” Bulega tops Supersport times Niccolo Bulega set the…

Ural are marking the move of their production facility to Kazakhstan by issuing a special badge on their 2023 models. The company, who specialise in flat-twin outfits, made the move to the central Asian country – which is a former Soviet republic – in November last year. The new Ural badge features the words ‘Never Give Up –Since 1941’ and is in the colour of the Kazakhstan national flag. The factory’s 2023 range of models are arriving in showrooms now. Top-spec gear for Harley’s PanAm German accessory specialists Wunderlich have a range of aftermarket parts for Harley-Davidson Pan American models. Available through Nippy Normans (www.nippynormans.com) the range features 36 upgrades and add-ons from plush seats to more specialist items such as screen stabilisers. Prices range from £35 for a fold-out…

SAVE £7550 £20,480 BMW R18 B This Bagger in Galaxy Dust Metallic comes with a full suite of options from the Marshall Gold Series stereo to heated seats and includes the Active cruise control which is currently unavailable on new factory orders due to a global component shortage. www.lind.co.uk/bmwmotorrad/welwyn-garden-city SAVE £1300 £7499 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom XT The Suzuki is a great workhorse that makes a fabulous commuter with great range and comfy saddle. www.singletracker.co.uk • Engine 645cc • Power 71bhp • Weight 216kg • Seat height 830mm SAVE £400 £13,795 Triumph Thruxton RS The RS is 6kg lighter than the Thruxton R and the power is increased to 103bhp with top-spec components. blademotorcycles.co.uk • Engine 1200cc • Power 103 bhp • Weight 197kg • Seat height 810mm SAVE £656 £10,699…

‘MotoGP dreams vs actual reality’ The other day I spotted that Colin Edwards’ FTR MotoGP bike is up for sale in the auction at the Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show (pl6). I’m a bit of a fan of Colin and have shared a curry with him (he likes a chicken madras) and I have a sneaking suspicion I once wrote a feature on this actual bike. Would I be tempted to stick my hand up at the auction? Brushing over the fact I lack the £35-£40k, I have to say there is a lot to like. How often do you get the chance to own a machine (which actually runs, unlike so many ex-racers) that has finished in the top ten against the world’s best? But for me that’s…

With many bikes tucked away in garages, BikeTrac are urging owners to stay on top of security. “It’s all too easy for it to be a case of out of sight out of mind,” said the firm’s Bill Taylor. “But security at home is just as important. Our philosophy is to layer up, so select and use several forms of security. As well as locks and chains, consider using a ground anchor too.” As well as physical security, trackers like BikeTrac allow you to keep a virtual eye on your bike, as well as offering alerts for low battery voltage.…

‘They all impress on value alone’ Irrespective of where they are buiLt, the issue with these three is that none do anything to blow your socks off. That said, they’re impressive in their own way. Considering its level of technology as standard, the Zontes is remarkable value but it does have a hint of boasting tech for the sake of tech and that means a lot of things to potentially go wrong. If you are still within the bike’s two-year warranty period that’s fine but when that runs out you would be feeling nervous. Thanks to their physical size and known-brand name on the tank, both the Moto Morini and Benelli feel like proper ‘grown-up’ motorcycles. If you are after a ‘budget’ A2-legal GS, despite being heavy the TRK looks…

Yamaha’s first four-stroke. It boasted a 499cc, SOHC, 2-valve, air-cooled engine making 32hp. It weighed 140kg (dry), and had drum brakes, twin-shocks (travel: 195/160mm f/r). 595cc, SOHC, 4-valve, dual carb, air-cooled (oil cooler), 43hp, 163kg (wet), disc/drum brakes, 28-litre fuel tank, Monocross linkage suspension, (suspension travel 255/236mm f/r). 595cc, SOHC, 4V, dual carb, aircooled (oil cooler), electric start, 46hp, 175kg (wet), disc/drum brakes, 23-litre tank, Monocross linkage, (suspension travel 255/240mm f/r). 595cc, SOHC, 4-valve, dual carb, air-cooled (oil cooler), electric start, 46hp, 185kg (wet), disc/disc brakes, 23-litre fuel tank, frame mounted fairing, Monocross linkage. All new engine, 660cc, SOHC, 5V, dual carb, l/c, electric start, 48hp, 195kg (wet), disc/disc brakes, 20-litre tank, frame mounted fairing, Monocross, (suspension travel: 220/200mm f/r). Essentially a 1991 model, the 1994 bike only differed by…

BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician Smooth runnings Banish transmission snatch by replacing worn cush drive rubbers BRUCE’S TIPS Cover the sprocket with a rag when gripping it and always wear gloves 1 Give the sprocket a tug Hidden from view, the cush drive is part of the system that transmits a bike’s engine power to its rear wheel. Made of rubber and located within the hub, the cush drive can wear over time and cause the sensation of off-throttle snatchiness. You can also feel for wear by gripping the sprocket with your hands and attempting to pull/push it backward and forwards. BRUCE’S TIPS It’s much easier to crack the rear wheel nut while the bike is still on the ground 2 Wheel it away To make a thorough inspection of the rear…