Table of contents for 31 May 2023 in MCN

‘It's probably the best bike I've ever ridden’ MULTISTRADA V4 RALLY vs R1250GSA HEAD-TO-HEAD TEST Is BMW's R1250GS finally beaten? The rampant sales success of BMW's R1250GS Adventure (and its ancestors) is well deserved. It's been the very best adventure leviathan you can spend your money on. And every major manufacturer has had it in their sights for years, trying to replicate the magical balance that enables it to tour on tarmac, explore off-road, and soak up the day-to-day without breaking a sweat. None have quite managed it. Until now. This week we pitch the new Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally against the class king to see if it can depose the mighty German. PAGE 29 THIS WEEK Norton step up with naked V4CR Reborn Norton are going from strength-to-strength, re-engineering…

THIS WEEK Episode three of the The Nod podcast has just dropped, hot on the heels of episode one's romping good chat with special guest Mark Hawwa – the founder of worldwide charity ride sensation, the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride – and episode two's Hollywood guest star, Mark Sheppard (of Supernatural stardom). In the new episode, the Nod collective of Bowers and Boorman (Partridge was missing in action at the time of recording) are joined by biking addict and well-known radio DJ, Dr Fox. More radio listeners tuned into Foxy than any other DJ at his peak, and his Pepsi Chart Show on Capital back in the 1990s was must listen material for any pop fan. He's also a very longstanding serious bike nut – and rides daily, using a bike…

‘Bring back those classified ads…’ I was flicking through MCN (some of the columnists are truly excellent, you know) and as I neared the back I came across the Bikes for Sale pages. What a joy. In the modern age of internet sales, searching for a used bike has become far less of an engaging process. Yes, a quick click on mcnbikesforsale.com reveals around 10,500 temptations but is it as satisfying a process for the searcher as flicking through the paper and breathing in that inky smell? I'd say not. To me there is something simply wonderful about seeing lots of small pictures of bikes for sale on a newsprint page – although I now need a magnifying glass to read the descriptions! And I also love the way the…

June 4 Ride to Sammy's This weekend at Sammy Miller's museum in New Milton, Hants, is dedicated to Japanese metal with the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle club inviting you to ride in. It kicks off from 10am. www.sammymiller.co.uk June 3-4 Coventry Motofest Petrolhead heaven with stunt displays, concours shows and demonstrations, as well as Live music, food and entertainment. www.coventrymotofest.com June 3 Rufforth Autojumble This Saturday you could bag yourself a bargain at the monthly jumble in York. It's only £2 admission, and doors open at 8am. Get rummaging. www.rufforthautojumble.com June 2-5 Ireland Bikefest Killarney will reverberate to the low rumble of motorcycles this weekend with rideouts, great entertainment and hundreds of bikes to Look at. It's free to enter. www.irelandbikefest.com…

Since 2020, all helmets used for racing in MotoGP, Moto2, Mote3 and World Superbikes must be approved to a standard set by the FIM (the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme the governing body for international motorcycle sport). And, from last year, the Isle of Man TT also requires competitors to wear FIMapproved helmets on the famously demanding Mountain Course. To achieve the FIM rating, helmets must first meet the current ECE standard for road use. They also need to be full-face, with the chin bar made of the same material as the rest of the shell, and secured with D-rinq strap fasteners. Then the helmets are sent to a lab and subjected to a series of impact and penetration tests. These are tougher than required for ECE 22.05 and similar to…

‘Taking to the lanes’ LEWYSPRIEHS A shot from a bit of green laning along the Peddars Way in East Anglia on my Yamaha Ténéré 700. ‘Three weeks of biker heaven’ SALLY WEIGHILL I took this photo at Serra da Estrela Natural Park in Portugal, at an altitude of 1993m. It was seven degrees at the top and 27 degrees at the bottom! ‘Beautiful late spring’ CHRIS HOOD Sun's out, superb! Beautiful late spring smiles against a backdrop green and yellow, with Big Red the Honda making a great contrast! Does life get any better?! ‘Chilly trip to Scotland’ MICHAEL AND HELEN RENTELL Determined to sit on the balcony on our recent trip to Kenmore, in Scotland despite it only being 8 degrees. Just keep your bike gear on! ‘Picnic in…

£27,640 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally £21,498 BMW R1250GS Adventure…

There were a lot of Irish teams coming over and saying, ‘Aye, your man's crazy’ and we used to get that a lot, because nobody on the road racing scene had seen a bike with proper horsepower,” says former V&M Yamaha boss, Jack Valentine. “Even at the TT, David was coming out of corners leaving big black lines, just power spinning the tyres… they had never seen it. They said he was just crazy.” Valentine had signed David Jefferies to ride one of the new Yamaha YZF-R1s in 1999 and, like everyone else, he was stunned at the blinding pace Jefferies was able to set on what was just a modified road bike. In fact, the burly Yorkshireman was so fast, some felt he was out of control and a…

1000 miles ON TEST RST Pro Series Commander jacket £299.99 and trousers £249.99 RST's flagship textile jacket is completely waterproof thanks to its SinAqua Pro laminate technology – meaning you don't have to mess around with waterproof linings – and is packed with vents for when the weather is good, too. In its full winter mode with the thermal lining fitted the jacket feels a bit heavy and bulky and, while that's par for the course, 3.3kg does seem a little excessive. The thermal lining is really thick (the thickest I've had in a jacket) and it's smooth and cosy, too. I had no issues with staying warm wearing just a T-shirt underneath at close to freezing temperatures. All the zips, pockets, adjusters and press studs are chunky and strong-feeling…

Oxford waterproof Oxsocks £44.99 Wet and cold feet can go a long way to spoiling any ride and waterproof socks are a good way of preventing that from happening. I've used these on road where they've performed well, but it's off-road riding where I've really put them to the test. I've subjected them to water crossings that would have normally seen feet saturated, but instead they are essentially dry although they can feel a little damp. My only criticism is that they are shorter than I would like and be aware that the sizing comes up a little small. While £44.99 is a lot of money, can you put a price on having dry feet? Quality Value www.oxfordproducts.com…

We're all guilty of riding around problems and issues with our bikes, and lever adjustment is definitely one of those areas where the majority of us just learn to live with our bikes as they are. But if you've never sat and thought about the position of your brake, clutch and gear levers, it's really worth spending five minutes in the garage doing exactly that, especially if you've got a long trip coming up. It's astonishing just how many aches and pains can be avoided by just tweaking the positioning of your bars and levers slightly – just try it, you might find that it makes a whole world of difference. If you've already adjusted your controls but find that you still can't get the perfect position, fear not because…

Michael Laverty BSB race winner & MLav Academy owner “With his style, Ethan looks fantastic on the bike. He's a proper racer, he's tenacious and he just wants to fight and win. He hates losing, but he also always finds a way to win through his aggression. Watching him on the Ohvale, a small bike which doesn't give much feedback, he can spin the rear and steer it a little with the rear. It's so impressive to have that amount of feeling and confidence in the machine under him at such a young age. I look forward to getting him on a Moto3 bike sooner, rather than later, because he has a very bright future ahead of him.” Chas Mortimer Grand Prix & TT race winner “I took Ethan into…

Dorna's new promotions chief represents a major shift in policy and break with tradition for the MotoGP company. Firstly and unusually, new guy Dan Rossomondo is not a member of CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta's family. Secondly, he's not even Spanish. Dorna admirably endured the big bump of Covid, and after a tricky return to business last year, crowds dwindling especially in Italy after the departure of Rossi, are now trumpeting a bounce-back. Strong attendance at Jerez and a new record at Le Mans are reinforced by a 27 percent increase in TV figures, according to Dorna. Good job. They might boast that MotoGP is the world's most exciting motor sport, but we knew that already. The business lies in telling other people. Dorna's first (Chief Commercial Officer) was Manel Arroyo, working…

Well that has to be the best first day of practice we've ever had. Normally people are stressing because it's windy, misty or pissing down, but today it was like being on a little Greek Island! Having a Free Practice in the morning was really cool and everyone was that bit more relaxed. We had the right set-up and the speeds were insane. I went faster on day one than I did the whole meeting last year. Michael [Dunlop] broke the lap record on the Supertwin 122mph lap from a standing start on a 650cc shopping bike. Crazy. With the weather looking good all week, it's just ace because you've got time to do it. The island is buzzing. It's all positive, everyone seems happy, the camaraderie is good, we've…

THIS WEEK Maeving have released a limited run of their electric RM1 in collaboration with British shirt manufacturer, Thomas Pink. Designed by artist Joel Clark, the dual battery retro will be restricted to a production run of just three, priced at £7500, with 30% of proceeds going to the London Wildlife Trust. Clark designed the bespoke tank by hand – cutting individual strips of vinyl to create a motorcycle with a style he calls “a permanent ‘showroom’ look”. The bike was launched at Thomas Pink's store on Jermyn Street, London. Meaving co-founder, Seb InglisJones, said: “Thomas Pink were always the cut above in my mind – a quintessentially British shirt. “It was really nice for Maeving to be considered a brand worthy of such a high profile collaboration.” MotoFest returns!…

SW-Motech SysBag WP Luggage from £129.95 All-new waterproof SysBags from Luggage specialist SW-Motech feature a roll-top closure, separate inner bag and tough, ballistic nylon construction. They come in three sizes for mounting as tail packs or side bags, and can be used with bikespecific carriers or lashed to existina racks. sw-motech.co.uk HJC i20 Vanguard Call of Duty helmet £269.99 Inspired by the special, forces team Taskforce Vanguard’ from the game Call of Duty, this tie-in graphic is available on HJC's new i20 helmet. The i20 is ECE 22,06 approved and features a unique open-face design, with removable chin mask and integrated drop-down sun shield. oxfordproducts.com Ragged Edge: The brutal true story of the Isle of Man TT £22 This new book lifts the lid on the legendary road race, as…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews ‘Where will new riders get trained?’ We should all be alarmed at the insurance situation for riding schools in Northern Ireland (MCN, May 24). If training is compulsory but no one can provide it, then the bike world there will die as no younger/new riders will be able to take their test. If it can happen there, then it can happen here as well. I have often felt that by riding a motorcycle I am discriminated against as a road user; high insurance costs and little done to recover stolen machines just add to that feeling. The insurance companies’ answer that it isn't lucrative enough should not even be considered, they certainly make enough out of me! Ian Shakespeare, email STAR LETTER Write something that spikes…

THE UK'S HOTTEST RIDES MCN staff and readers share their one-hour routes ‘Ride one of the most scenic routes in the UK’ Starting and ending in Pickering, this Loop of the North York Moors is half fast A-road and half pottering B-road, with a stop off at beautiful Whitby and a diversion to Goathland, home to TV's Heartbeat From the market town of Pickering take the A169 Whitby Road north on a run over the moors that's been described as one of the most scenic in the UK. After dropping steeply down Saltergate Bank you skirt the radar base of Fylingdales. The enormous old ‘golf balls’ are now gone, but it's still striking. Shortly after there's the opportunity to turn Left, back on yourself into Goathland. It's worth a coffee…

WEDNESDAY May 31 9pm, ITV4 Isle of Man TT: Tourist Trophy THURSDAY June 1 9pm, ITV4 Isle of Man TT: Preview Show FRIDAY June 2 8pm, EUR2 World Superbikes from Misano: Free Practice 1&2. also at 11pm 9pm, ITV4 Isle of Man TT Qualifying Highlights, also at 12am SATURDAY June 3 10.05am, EUR2, Live World Superbikes from Misano: Superbike Superpole. 12.40pm Race 1.2pm Supersport Race 1.9.15pm Day 1 Highlights 5.30pm, EUR2, Live Speedway Grand Prix from Prague 9pm, ITV4, Isle of Man TT Supersport Race 1 SUNDAY June 4 10.05am EUR2, Live World Superbikes from Misano: Superbike Race 2.8pm Day 2 Hiqhliqhts 8pm, ITV4, Isle of Man TT: Hutchy TT Legend 9pm, ITV4 Isle of Man TT Sidecar Race 1 MONDAY June 5 9pm, ITV4, Isle of Man TT: Superbike…

UK'S TOUGHEST TEST MCN 250 MILE ROAD TEST •THE HOTTEST BIKES •EVERY WEEK £23,590* Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally ● 1158cc DOHC V4 ● 170bhp @ 10,750rpm ● 260kg kerb weight £20,003** BMW R1250GSA Trophy ● 1254cc ‘ShiftCam’ boxer twin ● 134bhp @ 7750rpm ● 268kg kerb weight Ducati's new Rally version of the already astonishing Multistrada V4S adds a long-range 30-litre fuel tank, more off-road capability and extra features to what was already arguably the ultimate all-rounder. But that recipe is nothing new. BMW's big-tanked, more rugged Adventure version of the R1250GS has been the benchmark for years and remains a bestseller. What's more, as tested, both are fully loaded with every feature and gizmo – creating a package which takes their combined value to near £50,000. So, does Ducati's newer, more powerful, more…

‘Move over, R1250GSA’ BMW's evergreen R1250GS, and its more off-road, ‘adventure touring’ brother, the GSA, has reigned as all-round adventure bike kings for a decade. But on this evidence, its time is up. While we already knew the standard, road-biased Multistrada V4S was a phenomenally potent, sophisticated and capable machine, the added off-road element the Rally brings gives it credible ‘adventure all-rounder’ status without discernibly compromising its other abilities. That is the Rally's chief triumph. Its road performance remains compellingly supreme. The hard number of 170bhp along with effective electronics, sorted semi-active suspension and the best cycle parts money can buy all suggest superb dynamics but the refined reality, intuitive handling and sheer thrill of the V4's mid-range means it's even better than you imagine. Its practicality and comfort are…

FIRST RIDE Yamaha's Niken GT has had a magic wand waved over it to deliver a useful update. This unique take on sports touring is, its makers claim, now better-placed to take on the role of mile-muncher thanks to a series of engine, chassis, electronics and ergonomics updates. Customer take-up on this three-wheeler has been slow-to-steady since it first appeared in 2018. But Yamaha see the GT as the answer to owner feedback and the natural stepping stone for those already convinced by the Niken's benefits, as well as an introduction for those yet to sample its charms. But is it enough to coax more riders from two wheels to three? 1 More cubes, more torque The Niken GT is powered by the same 890cc CP3 triple as the Tracer…

‘Ride quality lets it down’ On the whole it's not a bad scooter. There are some nice details, it's plenty quick enough in town and feels cool to ride. For urban dwellers it's a dean and modern way to bimble around. Ride quality and rattles let the LX06 down if you head out onto country roads though. Storage is lacking, too. There's also the inconvenience of the charger being a little on the slow side, and the removable batteries aren't as helpful as expected (although I have the advantage of an outside plug at home). However, the Lexmoto turns heads regardless, especially with those smoking-hot whitewalls, and is a welcome alternative to the slightly same-same modern-Looking electric scooters. It's pretty well-priced too and could attract those with short hops in…

Tested by Michael Neeves for 10 years Michael Neeves THE MCN SHOWCASE WATERPROOF RIDING GEAR All-weather kit gets a lot of use in the UK – here are some MCN favourites 20k+ miles ON TEST ● Fit and comfort rated ● Design, construction and CE scores rated ● Waterproofing tested with allweather riding I've tried my fair share of waterproofs in my 37-year riding career. Back in the day they weren't much better than bin bags that would flap in the first breath of wind and rip in the next, but fortunately they've evolved. Made from 100% waterproof polymide fabric, this Astars jacket has a mesh lining (but not the trousers) with an inner pocket. Sizes range from XS to 4XL. They fit nice and snugly, without being too tight or restrictive.…

3544 miles ON TEST Bering Lady Hercule Gore-Tex £109.99 If you're looking for a pair of three-season gloves that are lightweight, protective, and waterproof then you won't go far wrong with a pair of Hercules. On the warmest days the Gore-Tex membrane has meant that they're highly breathable as well as being totally waterproof, meaning that they're suitable for most riding conditions outside full-on winter. After 3000 miles, and taking on their fair share of rainstorms, sleet, and even a patch of sunshine every so often, they still look and perform like new. They feature reinforced palms and a knuckle protector and are bulky, without affecting the ability to use switches. Quality Value bikerheadz.co.uk…

Tea drinking, gin loving, cake baker. Owner of the adorable Ducati Monster 695 What an interesting week with the Zero DSR/X… Actually that's not quite right. Rather than interesting, it's been downright annoying. A couple of short trips have meant I've been mostly charging at home overnight and my first attempt to use public chargers is in the safety net of the office car park. A 15 minute commute and I use 20% charge, an ideal opportunity to test the charging units. Instructions on the chargers are easy to follow, the only bugbear is the rain, it's a damp job hooking up the cable and setting the charger going via the EV Charge website. Planning is a big part of running the electric bike, as chargers aren't as plentiful as…

MCN's website has expert opinion and buying advice on hundreds of used bikes, is regularly updated and packed with insight. Here are three of the latest – visit motorcyclenews.com for dozens more reviews. 2014-19 BMW R1200RT Owners’ rating Fully loaded and ready to take you and a pillion off on a touring holiday, owners love the R1200RT's comfort levels and ride quality but the high price of buying and occasional reliability issues see it drop points. 2019-20 KTM 790 Adventure Owners’ rating KTM's middleweight adventure bike may be more road-targeted than the R but it is still a capable off-road bike. Owners rate the Adventure but they wish KTM were more generous with the bike's equipment levels. 2008-12 Honda Transalp 700 Owners’ rating Inspired by the new Transalp but on…

Ethan Sparks isn't the only hotshot on the horizon… Johnny Garness 2022 British Talent Cup champion and European Talent Cup racer with the MLav Academy. Casey O'Gorman MLav Academy member currently racing in the European Talent Cup & Red Bull Rookies Carter Brown 2022 British Talent Cup runnerup currently racing in the FIM JuniorGP European Superstock 600 class. Harrison Crosby Junior Superstock racer who finished third in the 2022 British Talent Cup. Danny Buchan Academy member Evan Belford Current British Talent Cup championship leader and 2019 Fab Racing GP70 Champion.…

Alvaro Bautista and Jonathan Rea are already confirmed with Ducati and Kawasaki respectively, while Garrett Gerloff is under contract at Bonovo BMW. Last week, PATA Yamaha renewed Andrea Locatelli for 2024 and 2025. Who will be the Italian's teammate? GRT Yamaha's Dominique Aegerter is a prime candidate while Franco Morbidelli could move from MotoGP. Could Michael van der Mark go back? It seems more plausible Scott Redding could effectively swap with Toprak; some say the Brit has a July 15 contract cut-off to leave BMW but after that date he is locked in. Michael Rinaldi's future at Aruba Ducati depends on upcoming performances while Nicolo Bulega is allegedly guaranteed that seat if he wins the World Supersport title – or at Least a Ducati superbike seat of some sort. He…

Our expert reporting direct from the Isle of Man TT racing What a day of practice, it has been the Isle of Man at its very best!” That was the verdict of TT veteran John McGuinness after Monday's opening practice session of TT 2023. The sun shone throughout as the riders enjoyed perfect conditions around the 37.73-mile Mountain Course during a new-look TT qualifying. There was universal praise in the paddock for the switch from the established evening session to a whole day of practice and qualifying action for the sidecar and solo classes. “The sun was high in the sky and not in our faces and I went faster than I did during the whole of last year's TT,” McGuinness told MCN after the session. The Morecambe rider's fastest…

Peter Founds and Jevan Walmsley posted the quickest time in the opening Sidecar qualifying session on their FHO Racing Honda outfit. Twelve-time TT winners, Ben and Tom Birchall were 2.7 seconds slower on their Steadplan/Hager LCR Honda. Founds’ brother Alan and passenger, Jake Lowther, were third quickest as the pair returned to action on the Mountain Course after missing last year's races when Alan was seriously injured in a crash at Brands Hatch. Threewheeler TT lgends Dave Molyneux and Dan Sayle finished the session fourth fastest.…

THIS WEEK French custom builder FCR Original have unveiled their latest creation: a Triumph 1200 Bobber Yellow Edition. The bike features 17in wheels and an inverted fork. The FCR workshop also gave it shorter mudguards, as well as a bespoke, in-house exhaust. The rear underseat cowling was custom-made to match the bike's tank, and supports a nubuck seat. Affordable touring Suzuki have added the GSX-S1000GT to their 2.9% APR finance offer, which is available on either a three-year PCP or HP agreement, with just a £500 deposit. Other models included are the full-luggage version of the GT, which includes two 36 litre panniers as standard, the GSX-S1000, and the new V-Strom 1050 and off-road ready V-Strom 1050DE models launched in the spring. The offer runs until the end of June:…

Earlier this month MCN reported on a new tint testing device obtained by Cheshire Police's motorcycle unit to check visors are adhering to the current laws. Although the law has not changed, which means visors are still required to allow 50% of natural light to pass through to the rider's eyes, the announcement raised several questions. “In Cheshire, we have recorded a number of serious and fatal RTCs where the driver's vision has been a factor,” Roads Policing Constable PC James Shrimpton told MCN. “There is a long-standing issue with cars with excessively tinted windows. “For many years there has been a method of testing vehicle glass using tint testing devices,” the officer continued. “There has not really been an effective method of measuring motorcycle visors due to the different…

SAVE £3500 £20,495 Zero SR/S The SR/S is fast and capable, surfing a huge tide of instantly-available torque. In its racier modes it'll cannon from 40 to 80mph in a little over three seconds, which is quicker than… well, anything. But you'll have to be as fast on your phone if you want to take advantage of Zero's £3500 cash back offer as it ends today. www.electrobikes.life • Engine 1254cc • Power 134bhp • Weight 268kg • Seat height 890mm SAVE £790 £20,995 BMW R1250GS Adv TE This bike features heated seats, BMW's 719 styling pack and comes with a £500 clothing or accessories voucher. www.ardentunbridgewellsmotorrad.co.uk • Engine 2458cc • Power 165bhp • Weight 291kg • Seat height 773mm SAVE £1300 £21,995 Triumph Rocket 3 GT As well as £1300…

THIS WEEK Organisers of challenging triathlon events, Supbikerun have teamed up with BMW and begun using the F850GS Adventure to keep their competitors safe-employing the bike's nimble off-road prowess to deliver marshals and medical staff to remote Locations quickly and safely. The company's events combine stand-up paddle boarding (sup), cycling (bike), and trail running (run) and so required a bike capable of reaching challenging off-road, often mountainous locations. In previous years, they have struggled to get around in their 4x4s due to lane access difficulties and narrow pathways. This culminated in it taking over 30 minutes to reach an injured competitor last year, despite the casualty being no more than 3km from the organisers’ base. It's hoped that by using the BMW, the team can deploy a first responder far…

Q'I was blinded by the lights’ I was returning from my work night shift on a rural, road when a car came around a bend towards me. I think the driver must have had the main beam on because it blinded me, causing me to come off and hurt myself. I am still recovering. The driver realised what happened, as he stopped and called the police. His insurers insist he did nothing wrong and did not have his main beam on, but I think he did. What I can do? Niall, email A A lot will depend on the evidence you have to show that the other driver was negligent – i.e. that he drove towards you on full beam, it being reasonably foreseeable that the lights would dazzle you.…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader Gerry McCorriston The Ride Canterbury to Liverpool and the ferry crossing to Belfast then parts of the Wild Atlantic Highway and some time at the North West 200. How many miles? Around 2700 How long do you need? Anywhere between five to 14 days depending how far you want to travel, along the coast. Seven days is a good time frame with stopovers and some rest days. Best time to go April-October when the weather gives you a real feel for Ireland and the views in the summer from the coastal roads are unrivalled. Don't miss this… The coast road from Portrush to Bushmills and Ballycastle, taking in the Bushmills distillery (the oldest in the world) and the Giant's Causeway world heritage site. Joey's…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTHEAST Wednesday May 31 BIKE MEETS ■ The King Billy Rock Bar, Northampton. 6.30pm Facebook: The King Billy Rock Bar ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire. From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ MFN, The Seven Oaks Inn, Stanton By Dale, Derbyshire 5pm till Late Facebook: MFN Bike nights ■ Park Road Cafe, St Helens, Merseyside 01744-808440 ■Seaways, Fridaythorpe, East Yorks 4pm-8pm mike@seawayscafe.co.uk ■Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, West Yorks 01977-684618 or www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Flints. 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 ■ Paignton Seafront, Devon Facebook: English Riviera Bike Night ■ Hook Bike Night, Newton Road Hook Pembrokeshire 6pm hook.bike.night@gmail.com ■ Loomies, West Meon, Hants. Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ The Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey. From 10.30am-1pm Facebook: Pathfinder Cafe MOTOCROSS ■…

This isn't an off-road test of the Rally – that has already been done, and proven, by MCN's Michael Guy on the Ducati's launch back in March. But when a bike's key conceptual difference over a stablemate is its additional ability in the dirt, it'd have been remiss of us not to, however small… So we did. A bit. The Rally's credentials for the mud are just as competent as those of the more proven GSA. So, along with new 19/17in wire wheels that, like the BMW, can wear tubeless tyres, there's longer-travel suspension front and rear, extra protection and a new, dedicated off-road power mode which cuts performance to 115bhp. We'd be lying if we said we explored that dirt ability to the full – we didn't. But we'd…

BIKING LEGENDS People who have shaped our world Of all the innovators who tried to make a success of ‘feet-forward’ motorcycles, none was more significant than Malcolm Newell. Not only was he the chief designer behind the most famous ‘FF’ of all – the Quasar – but he also created the Phasar, promoted the breed via features in the mass media including Top Gear, while one of his Quasars took racing legend Phil Read to Buckingham Palace to collect his MBE (below). Ever since biking's beginnings as motorised bicycles there's been an alternate view that ‘feet-forward’ machines, which combine the advantages of cars and bikes usually via a low-slung, feet-forward riding position, long chassis with either hub-centre or leading link front suspension/steering and expansive bodywork, provided a better solution. There…

‘An absolute blast to ride’ There's no doubt that Yamaha have improved the Niken by updating the GT. It's easier and more rewarding to ride, better equipped to cover distance, more comfortable, and it rights the wrongs of the old model. It's an absolute blast to ride, too. But – and it's a big BUT – the Niken was and still is a niche machine. Getting past the looks is half the battle; for many that's a bridge too far. And at over £16,000 the GT is far from a cheap thrill. Current owners will approve. As for potential owners; try one. You might just like it… THE FACTS £16,210 Yamaha Niken GT…

RATINGS Exceptional★★★★★ Very good ★★★★ Good★★★ Average ★★ Poor★ 2000 miles on test RST Maverick Evo jacket £229.99 and trousers £179.99 A versatile and rugged touring suit at a competitive price. The Maverick Evo is made from robust MaxTex ballistic textile with reinforced areas on the shoulders and knees to give it AA-rated impact and abrasion resistance. This tough outer is backed up on the inside with the highest-rated CE Level 2 limb protectors as well as a Level 1 back protector. In terms of weather protection, the Maverick is definitely a jacket for all seasons. Although the tough MaxTex outer shell does have a natural water resistance meaning it'll happily shake off fairly heavy showers, it does eventually become saturated. That said, the SinAqua drop liner beneath is fully…

1000 miles ON TEST Weise Siberian £79.98 Waterproofs aren't the most stylish of garments, but you are always glad when you have them with you and the skies open. The nylon fabric on this Weise suit looks and feels sturdy with the seams reliably strong, which means the Siberian has been completely waterproof so far. The only minor drawback is the lack of stretch, which can make you feel somewhat rigidly positioned while riding. For me, an ideal waterproof option is a quick and compact solution to sudden changes in weather. However, this particular item is quite bulky, occupying a significant amount of space in a backpack, sometimes compelling you to wear it in order to save room. If your priorities are decent weather protection at an affordable price, and…

Likes a big day out on a big adventure bike MCN COMPARE GET PROTECTED! What will it cost to get insurance? We ran an comprehensive MCN Compare quote based on an average risk UK rider to get an idea: Ténéré World Raid £172.24 The rarest of things; a whole day free. One ENTIRE day. Doing what all two-wheel junkies do best, I plotted to spend the time riding a long way for no particular reason. I've passed the entrance to Kielder Forest many times on the way to Scotland but never ridden it. I quickly threw a route together – just over 500 miles. I've ridden that far (and more) in a day before, and the T7WR seems to have the chops for it. After a couple of hours I'm…

BRUCE DUNN MCN's expert technician Get total control A few tweaks to your levers and bars can make a huge difference 1 Loosen the bars Even the most basic bikes offer a range of adjustment to better suit individual riders. First up, handlebars; check their position by sitting on the bike in the riding position and assessing your upper body position – is there too much of a reach to the bars? On flat-barred bikes like this Triumph, first loosen the handlebar clamp bolts evenly in a criss-cross pattern… BRUCE'S TIPS Put your regular bike kit on when assessing the bar position 2 Tweak and re-tighten When the bolts are loose enough, adjust the handlebars backwards or forwards to the position that feels comfortable. There should be enough slack in the cables…

Remember the name, Ethan Sparks. You may not have heard of the 12-year-old racer from Maidstone, but Sparks is already a four-time British Champion and is also now becoming a star in Europe. Sparks made history in May when he became the first British rider to win an ESBK Moto4 Championship race at Valencia, storming through from 22nd on the grid to take victory. It's not the first time Ethan's made history. In 2020 he became the youngest-ever winner of the GP50 class, a category previously won by Scott Redding, Danny Kent, Scott Ogden and Josh Whatley. Sparks is also the only rider to have won back-to-back FAB Racing GP70 titles. Sparks has all the potential to become a household name, and he has a superb support network around him.…

MotoGP introduced sprint races and fan parades this year to try to increase circuit attendances and TV viewers. So far, weekend TV audiences have grown by 27%, whilst Saturday numbers, on average, have increased 51%. On average across the first five races, the available data released by Dorna shows a 40% increase in fans attending the circuit too. However, Dorna know much more is required to take MotoGP to the next level- which is why former NBA Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships and Media, Dan Rossomondo has been hired to help lead this project. Working together Rossomondo worked across multiple areas whilst at the NBA, including global and domestic media distribution deals, sponsorship agreements and international business operations. But MotoGP is very different. “The opportunity is massive,” he told…

Reporting from the heart of the World Superbike paddock ‘H e's done it for the money. Forget future career I success. Another rider I taken in by BMW's huge promises.” That's what lots of people are saying in and around the World Superbike community after it was announced last week that Toprak Razgatlioglu's Yamaha tenure is to end after three years in favour of BMW. But would manager Kenan Sofuoglu, who views Toprak as a son more than a colleague, really allow his superstar to be lured into something for cash alone? History shows that BMW, whether it be in car racing or particularly bikes, have acquired a reputation of promising much but under delivering. The cynics say this is a continuation. A pay cheque of anything between one and…