Table of contents for 18 October 2023 in MCN

CLASSIC ICONS The game-changing models from the past 50 years that no dream garage would be complete without EXCLUSIVE Scrambler 400 X ridden It’s still months away from being launched but we managed to get a sneaky ride on a pre-production version of Triumph’s cool new Scrambler 400 X. Stablemate to the Speed 400 in the firm’s TR-series model range, the retro off-roader boasts a few subtle differences to the roadster that make it a serious proposition as a daily ride or even a tourer. And at £5595, it’s going to be a big hit! PAGE 04 WIN A Suzuki GSX-8S with MCN COMPARE www.mcncompare.com THIS WEEK 231.389mph… with no fairing! Riding a naked bike can be a pain in the neck at motorway speeds, so imagine what it feels…

South of England dealership chain Destination Motorcycles, a well-known Triumph dealer with showrooms in Christchurch, Fareham and Worthing, are taking on a new KTM franchise. Alongside the Austrian firm’s orange bikes, there’ll also be models from sister brands GasGas and Husqvarna, along with MV Agusta and CFMoto – which now also fall under the KTM umbrella. It’s hoped it will be up and running early in 2024. Time to activate your new app TNT Sports, which broadcast live sports events previously carried by BT Sport (including MotoGP), have announced that the BT Sport app is now closed. TNT Sports customers who wish to continue streaming live sport are being encouraged to download the Discovery+ app. Those customers who have been watching via the BT Sport app can activate their Discovery+…

Husqvarna have unveiled their third electric off-roader for kids just in time for Christmas – and it’s their most entry-level bike so far. The £2399 EE 2 joins Husky’s larger EE 3 and EE 5 battery motocrossers and is suitable for children between 90-130cm in height with a maximum weight of 35kg (5.5 stone). The EE 2 is the company’s smallest and lowest-powered kids’ off-roader yet, and the only one to feature a rear hub-mounted electric motor instead of a frame-mounted motor and chain drive. It produces peak power of 1.8kW (2.4bhp). ‘Multi-function display allows easy switching’ The bike uses 10in wheels like the EE 3 (the EE 5 has a 12/10in combo) which are cast, not wire-spoked. It weighs just 29kg next to the EE 3 and 5’s 40kg,…

‘Endless trouble but I want one…’ I’m not sure what it says about me, but I tend to be attracted to bikes that I know will result in endless amounts of trouble. One such machine is the Benelli Tornado 900 Tre. Yes, I know, I know, it’s a crazy idea… Back in 2003 I was one of the first people outside the factory to ride the road-going standard model Tre. I emphasise ‘standard’ because by some weird quirk (it’s called being Italian in an Italian-organised series…) the Tornado had raced in WSB since 2001 (the homologation-special LE had, very belatedly, appeared in late 2002). The launch took place at the Paul Ricard circuit in France and my lasting memory of the event was of Benelli’s then owner Andrea Merloni (who…

A lap of the Isle of Thanet is more low-speed sight-seeing tour than a brain-out blast – it’s almost all 30mph and 40mph limits. This is a short and sweet ride but a very enjoyable route, with plenty of chances to stop off for an ice cream and a quick trip to the amusement arcades along the seafront. Start at Minnis Bay and wind clockwise, making sure that you keep the sea on your left, you follow the old 1970s and 80s open-top bus route. Next along is Birchington and into Margate, which is buzzing in the summer. It’s worth stopping off to explore and visit The Bus Café, it does great breakfasts and street food. If you’d prefer to head into the Old Town, it is bustling with cafes…

What’s happening? The ’Normous Newark Autojumble is back this Sunday so you can browse for all the things to help you tinker in the garage or find that bargain which could be the next full-on project. There will also be classic bikes and cars to peruse as well as a café. The essentials General admission starts at 10am and tickets are £7 per person, with under 16s free of charge. But if you want to get the first pick of the jumble, then grab an early bird ticket for £10 and you can enter from 8am. Buying in advance will save you a pound off the price, and if you arrive on a classic there’s a discount. Check out www.newarkautojumble.co.uk for more information.…

‘Who needs anything bigger?’ Why does it come as such a surprise that these two middleweight tall-roader tourers are just as capable as bigger-capacity models when it comes to day-to-day practicality, B-road thrills and long-distance mile-munching? It really shouldn’t. They both have strong motors, a smattering of tech and triedand-tested chassis but despite this, the Tiger and Versys left us genuinely impressed at just how capable they were. And also how easy they are to live with. Light, manoeuvrable and fun, the fact they lack bulk instantly makes them feel reassuring to ride and that sensation brings with it a real feeling of fun. They may run out of puff once you get up to over motorway speeds (especially the Versys) and a pillion would certainly start to highlight their…

Few brands stir the emotions quite like Norton. The firm dominated the Isle of Man TT right from the early days, led innovation with the Featherbed frame and rotary engines and ruled the world with the Dominator and Commando. But every good story needs its ups and downs, and the name – which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year – is no stranger to controversy. The passion that Norton generates is still as strong as ever – a fact proved by the turnout at London’s Ace Cafe as members of the Norton Owners Club gathered to celebrate a century and a quarter of British motorcycling heritage. Despite the threat of September drizzle, the Ace was alive with people and bikes for the meet. Some were a bit sluggish from…

MCN’s website has expert opinion and buying advice on hundreds of used bikes, regularly updated and packed with insight. Here are three of the latest – visit motorcyclenews.com for more great machines. 2006-2007 Suzuki GSX-R750 K6/7 Owners’ rating When you see 18 owners have reviewed the GSX-R750 on MCN’s website and it scores an average of 4.9 out of 5, you can’t help but be impressed. It may be lacking tech but it is very good! 2003-2006 Ducati 999 Owners’ rating Is it worth breaking the £5k budget on a Ducati 999? Ten owners have given it a mixed review on MCN’s website with lack of equipment and reliability letting it down. Electrical faults seem a common issue. 2003-2014 Benelli Tornado 1130 Owners’ rating The bigger-capacity model of Benelli’s triple…

When a 2012 Triumph Sprint ST rolled onto the Motorcycle Works forecourt in Peterborough, and the rider told owner Pete O’Dell, that it was ‘running a bit rough’, it was an understatement along the lines of ‘Houston, we have a problem’. Pete explained: “I put a wet finger on the exhaust downpipes and the centre one was cold, so that was a start. I normally take bikes for a test ride if they’ve been ridden in, so I grabbed my lid and set off – for about 300 yards – as the clattering was deafening.” The next step was a compression check and the reading from the centre pot was a big fat zero, which didn’t bode well, so Pete stuck a bore scope down the plug hole to be…

MOTOGP CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS 1 BAGNAIA 346 Pts 2 MARTIN 328 Pts 3 BEZZECCHI 283 Pts 16 Marquez M 64 17 Rins 54 18 Nakagami 50 19 Fernandez R 39 20 Bastianini 36 21Pedrosa 32 22 Mir 20 23 Espargaro 12 24 Savadori 9 FINAL POSITIONS MOTOGP 11 Nakagmi +30.823 12 Oliveira +36.639 13 Fernandez R +42.864 14 Morbidelli 4 laps DNF Zarco 14 laps DNF Martin 12 laps DNF Mir 11 laps DNF Fernandez A 11 laps DNF Marquez M 7 laps DNF Marini 4 laps DNF Espargaro 1 laps FINAL POSITIONS SP RACE 11 Nakagami +12.034 12 Zarco +14.015 13 Fernandez A +14.823 14 Fernandez R +15.699 15 Morbidelli +23.331 16 Mir +24.894 17 Espargaro P +27.169 18 Rins +28.98 19 Binder 43.09 DNF Espargaro A 7 laps DNF…

Whenever you hear someone – a mate down the pub, a commentator, whoever – say, “That was the crucial moment for the championship, right there!” don’t believe them. Every moment of a world championship season is crucial – from the first lap of testing to the chequered flag at the final race. because the 25 points you get for winning the first race are exactly the same as the 25 points you get for winning the last race. To underline this point, there were two so-called crucial championship moments over the Mandalika weekend, so each balanced out the other. On Saturday morning world champion and 2023 points leader Pecco Bagnaia made a hash of qualifying, ending up on the fifth row, because his factory Ducati doesn’t like soft rear tyres…

The 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship season will never be forgotten. Tommy Bridewell v Glenn Irwin was a rivalry for the ages, and it literally went down to wire. Both men put PBM back on top, but they weren’t alone. The season saw veterans return to their best and young guns take another step. It’s quite the story. Round One Silverstone RACE 1 1 Ryde 2 Bridewell 3 Brookes RACE 2 1 Brookes 2 Bridewell 3 G Irwin RACE 3 1 G Irwin 2 Brookes 3 Bridewell Josh Brookes bagged his first win since 2020 season’s finale. It had been a rough two years for the Aussie, but he was well and truly back to his best following his switch to FHO Racing BMW. PBM were also back at the…

This is why no other series can compare with BSB. The racing at Brands was so close, the atmosphere so tense, and the end result so unpredictable. Given all that had happened in 2023, nobody could watch that final race calmly. Steve Day and James Whitham couldn’t hide their excitement or nerves, whilst hearts were pounding in the media room. For the title to come down to half-a-point shows that this new format has also been a success. Nobody deserved to lose this fight, but it was great to see Bridewell and Irwin embrace after what’s gone on previously. The 2023 season will never be forgotten.…

Mat Long, 48, R7 owner and member of the BeMoto insurance team ‘I was a World Superbikes fan back in the day and always went to watch at Brands Hatch. Although I can’t really remember the R7 standing out to me at that point, I must admit, as I was more of a Foggy/916 fan. “It was only many years later, I’d gone to watch a Bemsee club race and walked past a racer’s awning and did a doubletake at the bike inside. It was an R7 and I was just staggered by how beautiful it was. It was the first time I’d seen one in the flesh and I remember looking at it for a very long time. A few years later, one came up for sale at a…

A regular bike night organised by a small zoo in Cumbria has helped raise funds for a vital piece of lifesaving community equipment. The Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, south of Kendal, began hosting Tuesday evening bike nights in March to help raise money for local causes. And they’ve proved so popular that they have been able to buy a public-access defibrillator from the funds raised. The nights were the idea of business manager Ruth Cooper and health and safety officer Leon Cooper, both keen riders, with the support of Dan Eccles and LeaAnne Cooper. With the venue located on the edge of the Lake District, bikers were able to enjoy the café, conservatory and outdoor seating area – with burgers, bacon rolls, sandwiches, drinks, and even zoo tours on offer. All…

Boss security Who says that good-quality bike equipment needs to cost more than £100? Certainly not us! There are plenty of jackets, boots, gloves and even helmets available these days that will set you back less than a ton, but this week we’re specifically looking at great deals on gear that normally costs more. Take this lock and chain from Oxford, for example. We think the Boss disc lock and Monster chain are good value at full price, so it’s hard to ignore them with 50% off! The 14mm Cro-Mo Monster chain is zinc-coated to prevent corrosion and there’s a cloth cover to eliminate any risk of scratching your bodywork or wheels. Best of all, if you want to leave the hefty chain at home when you nip out to…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews STAR LETTER Marc’s giant leap Who can blame Marc Marquez for quitting Honda early and jumping ship to Ducati? He still has an insatiable hunger for victories and it would have been so easy for him to have just stayed and run around hunting for podiums with the satisfaction of being the fastest Honda rider on track. Instead, by going to Ducati he will be head-to-head with the cream of the crop of younger riders on equal machinery. Will he be able to cut it? Roll on next season. Jason Taylor, email Too much tech Reading about the ‘Visionary New Wing Screen’ (MCN, October 4) I can’t help thinking Honda are providing a solution to problem that doesn’t exist. I already have a fully adjustable screen…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday October 18 BIKE MEETS ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire. From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ King Billy Rock Bar, Northampton. 6.30pm Facebook: The King Billy Rock Bar ■ Amici Coffee Biker Night, Girtford Bridge, Sandy, Bedfordshire. 6pm9pm www.amicacoffee.co.uk ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, West Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Flints 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 ■ Seaways, Fridaythorpe, East Yorks 4pm-8pm mike@seawayscafe.co.uk ■ Loomies Moto Cafe, West Meon, Hants www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ The Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey. From 10.30am-1pm Facebook: Pathfinder Cafe ■ Ryka’s Cafe, Box Hill, Surrey 5pm-9pm www.rykas.co.uk Thursday October 19 BIKE MEETS ■ Vic Bikers Pub, Coalville, Leics www.vicbikerspub.co.uk ■ Ashfield Bike Meet, Bull & Butcher, Selston, Nottinghamshire. From 5pm 01773-812657 ■ Down and…

‘Misty business’ SIMON LONG Look! The Humber bridge! Well, it is there somewhere. I still got out for a good run and it did clear a bit eventually. ‘On track at Oulton Park’ DAVE WILLIAMS I went on a trackday at Oulton Park on the Aprilia – here I am getting ready to go out! ‘Tip of Scotland’ IAN BENNETT We rode to John O’Groats from Land’s End then back down to Brighton for a festival. Three of us riding Triple Blacks. ‘Lights, camera, action…’ JOHN ALBONE I was out on Blood Running duties delivering breast milk and had a chance to call into Pinewood Studios. ‘Abandoned trip…’ CHRIS INSTONE This was an abandoned trip to Wales. It started in Cannock, Staffordshire, getting as far as Knighton in Wales. ‘Taking…

‘I took the Tiger to Berlin’ MCN’s Office Manager, Alison Silcox, has just ridden a Tiger Sport 660 around Europe. “I’ve toured Europe before on big-capacity bikes such as the Tracer 9 and NT1100 but this year I’ve rediscovered middleweights… so I took a Tiger Sport 660 to Berlin. “On the way I picked the scenic route, going via France and Germany and taking in the area around the Nürburgring and Ardennes. I’m 5ft 10in so was initially a bit concerned about the Tiger’s size but it instantly felt comfortable and roomy. On the twisty roads the Tiger was brilliant, so light and manoeuvrable and just great on sweeping, wide, bends. It was an absolute joy at 60mph, and as the triple is so flexible I just left it in…

Born and raised on a council estate on the outskirts of Grimsby in North-east Lincolnshire, Roger Marshall first saw a bike race at Cadwell Park in 1960 as a nine-year-old. From that moment on, all he wanted to do was race motorbikes. At 15 (the legal age to ride on UK roads at the time) Marshall had saved up enough of his apprentice electrician’s wages to buy a 250cc BSA C10, but his first ride didn’t go exactly to plan. “My dad watched me as I rode off down our street and disappeared from sight,” recalls Marshall. “But less than a mile from my house, at the very first corner I came to, I didn’t even know to shut the throttle and I went over a kerb, through a hedge,…

CHRIS DAVIS 72 Bike 2018 Norton Commando 961 • 961cc • 80bhp •65lb.ft • parallel twin After being part of the club for 20 years, which includes time spent on the National Committee and as chair of the Bristol Branch, Chris Davis says the group keeps him young. “I had a Norton Jubilee in 1967, that’s the little 250,” he recalls. “Then in my mid 30s I was walking along with my partner and her children and was thinking there was something missing. Then I heard this noise rattling along and thought ‘that’s a Norton’. I knew I wanted one of those again to make my life truly fulfilled.” Chris now has seven Nortons in the garage, and today he’s brought along his latest model – a 2018 Commando 961…

TRIED & TESTED MCN STAFF RATE THEIR RIDING KIT 2000 MILES ON TEST WIN A Suzuki GSX-8S MCN COMPARE with www.mcncompare.com I’ve been wearing Rev’it kit for years: the Dutch-based company’s clothing seems to fit my frame perfectly. I’m 5ft 10in with a 33in inside leg, and having the availability of different-length trousers is fantastic because I often end up with trouser legs floating around my calves when riding. Not with these. From first wear this suit has been totally comfortable. There’s lots of adjustment on the sleeves, at the waist and at the calves. Sleeves are long and gloves can be worn under or over the jacket, depending on personal preference. I hate it when jackets are too high at the neck because I find it claustrophobic, but the…

This gives peace of mind when leaving a bike out in a public place. Essentially, it’s a sturdy CNC-machined holder with an aluminium frame and clamp, designed to take an Apple AirTag (sold separately for about £29). After pairing to an iPhone (sorry, Android phone users…), the tag is secured with Torx screws then attached to the bike via a lockable clamp. I then just use my phone’s ‘Find my’ app to reveal a real-time position. However, the clamp itself is very small, so you may struggle to find an attachment point small enough to secure it; I had to attach it to the outside of one particular bike. A larger loop, with more rubber inserts, would give more customers a greater chance of mounting it securely. Quality Value muc-off.com…

The Ducati used for this week’s guide is in regular use and wasn’t suffering any running issues, so the idea was to replace and service the fuel delivery components before they got so old as to cause any problems. So I was amazed when I removed the fuel pump from the upturned petrol tank and discovered a significant amount of water inside. The likely cause of this is modern day fuels that are mixed with varying amounts of ethanol, and it’s the hygroscopic properties of ethanol that cause the fuel to absorb water and create a build up over time. Using a premium/super unleaded with reduced ethanol (Esso Super Unleaded is ethanol free), will in theory reduce the problem of water collecting at the bottom of the tank. I’ve also…

‘We’re fighting for the win. I feel great in my riding’ Maverick Viñales came within three tenths of second of MotoGP history at Mandalika. But in coming so close to becoming the first rider to win grand prix races with three manufacturers (previously with Suzuki and Yamaha) the Aprilia ace added to one of MotoGP’s enduring puzzles. Just when will this fast and sublimely talented Spaniard add to his win tally and nab his first victory on the Aprilia RS-GP? He has been second three times this season - Portugal, Catalunya, Indonesia - and tantalisingly close to adding to his nine MotoGP wins from 155 starts. While his record outshines teammate Aleix Espargaro (three wins from 232 starts) it is Espargaro who has won twice this season. Viñales was part…

Toprak Razgatlioglu is frustrated about a longer wait than expected to test the BMW superbike ahead of 2024. The majority of the WSB field will test for two days after the closing round in Jerez, but the Turk will have to wait longer. Jonathan Rea has negotiated his way out of Kawasaki to join Yamaha immediately. Despite lengthy discussions between Yamaha and Kenan Sofuoglu, Razgatlioglu’s manager, Toprak – whose Yamaha contract runs to the end of November – was not given the option to join BMW at the post-race test. ‘I’m saddened. There’s nothing I can do now’ “I’m very angry,” Razgatlioglu has told MCN. “Everyone in the paddock respects each other and behaves in a sporting manner. After all of the success we’ve had, I’m surprised and saddened by…

There’s never a good time to crash. But Jorge Martin could not have picked a worse moment to throw his Pramac Ducati into the gravel than at turn 11 on an unlucky lap 13 in Indonesia. Just 24 hours earlier a dominant fourth straight Sprint win moved the Spaniard to the top of the MotoGP rankings for the first time. That was an ‘amazing dream’ he told reporters. But one that instantly turned into a nightmare. It seemed there was no stopping a marauding Martin from completing a fourth dream double win of 2023 when he streaked into a three-second lead over Maverick Viñales in Sunday’s feature GP race. Martin then stopped himself. Tucking the front of his Ducati GP in the third gear turn 11, he gift-wrapped the initiative…

Another impressive weekend for Max Cook saw him leapfrog Charlie Nesbitt in the fight to become Rookies Cup winner. Seventh in race two was the highlight of the weekend for the Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki man, who beat Nesbitt in both of Sunday’s races, whilst his nearest rival for the Rookie title crashed out of Saturday’s opener. As a result, Cook pips Nesbitt in the Rookie Cup standings by 12 points. In the overall standings, however, Cook ends his first campaign onboard the Superbike in 15th overall, whilst Nesbitt sits in 11th with three podiums. ‘Cook pipped his rookie rival by 12 points’ Elsewhere, Dan Linfoot secured his maiden British title at the age of 35 after lifting the National Superstock Championship trophy. The Yorkshireman did it in style on Sunday…

BSB CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS 1 BRIDEWELL 455 pts 2 IRWIN 454.5 Pts 3 RYDE 422 Pts Mossey 67pts Irwin A 50pts Perie 42pts Bourne 16pts Scott 10pts Owens 9.5pts Canepa 9pts Barbera 9pts Todd 8pts Valleley 6pts Olsen 1pts Elliott 0pts Winfield 0pts Rogers 0pts Booth-Amos 0pts BSB POSITIONS RACE 1 16 Irwin +22.905 17 Rogers +23.397 18 Scott +30.177 19 Todd +30.294 20 Booth-Amos +35.871 21 Elliott +42.196 22 Winfield +44.518 DNF Nesbitt 10 laps DNF Haslam 8 laps DNF Canepa 8 laps DNF Bourne 5 laps DNF Olsen 1 lap DNF Valleley 0 laps BSB POSITIONS RACE 2 16 Canepa +14.983 17 Perie +15.706 18 Bourne +19.716 19 Oslen +24.996 20 Elliott +29.13 DNF Valleley 13 laps DNF O’Halloran 10 laps DNF Iddon 7 laps DNF Scott 6 laps…

The man most responsible for the majority of H2R sales in this country, racing hero and bike dealer Chris ‘Stalker’ Walker, is probably the model’s biggest advocate. Having opened up his Kawasaki dealership in Grantham in April 2015, coincidentally the same year the H2R went on sale, the WSB race winner made a feature of the bike in his showroom by having a large viewing window to the dyno room and regularly strapping his own H2R onto the rollers so that potential buyers could see and hear the bike in all its full-throttle, ear-splitting, header pipe-melting glory. He then took the bike to shows and events, revving it up for the crowds at every chance he could get. “It’s the biggest, fastest thing Kawasaki have ever made,” Stalker says. “Fastest…

“Those balustrades are made from my old C70, we welded it all up ourselves over many drunken hours after forming the Bollitree Drunken Gentleman’s Welding Society. I got Hadrian next door to bandsaw the frame in half, and then he made the frames and - whilst drinking heavily - we sat around arguing about which bits should go where, and then we welded it all up and got it powercoated. I sometimes look at it after a few beers and think ‘I reckon I could put that all back together again…’.”…

Aprilia are playing on their Dakar heritage with their 2024 Tuareg 660 colours. All options for the mid-size adventure bike will now come with a red trellis frame. On top of the standard schemes, customers will be able to select a new ‘Dakar Podium’ design paying tribute to the firm’s third place finish in 2010 – taking three stage wins with a special RXV 4.5 ridden by Francisco Lopez. On top of this, Aprilia have expanded the extras catalogue to include a new air filter for off-road use – designed to prevent damage to the engine caused by dust entering the intake. Go to aprilia.com for more. MV go back in time MV Agusta are paying tribute to their first-ever motorcycle engine with a special burgundy version of their beautiful…

Triumph will call time on the Thruxton café racer at the end of 2024 and will mark the departure with a special Final Edition model available for one year only. The £15,095 FE will come finished in a glossy British racing green complete with hand painted gold lining on the petrol tank, and rear seat cowl. Each bike will be sold with its own commemorative plaque for authenticity and will be available with or without a subtle front fairing that can also be bolted on to the pre-existing £14,195 RS. ‘Triumph are calling time on the Thruxton’ Outside of this, the Final Edition is essentially the same spec as the current RS – featuring the same golden 43mm Showa upside-down big piston forks, and Öhlins twin shocks, plus a blacked-out…

SAVE £6435 £18,300 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE OK, so it’s a (new) 2022-model, but with a six grand saving, the blown sports-tourer and its unique medley of speed, quality, comfort and practicality is excellent value. The SX isn’t the last word in spaciousness and comfort for a taller rider, but you’ll get to your destination so fast your wrists, knees and neck won’t have time to ache. www.motorcycles.mandp.co.uk SAVE £3170 £13,965 HarleyDavidson Street Bob Street Bobs are all about minimalist styling and this bike minimises its price with a chunk of cash lopped off. swanseaharley-davidson.com •Engine 1745cc •Power 67bhp •Weight 288kg •Seat height 655mm SAVE £900 £7899 Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT The XT has always been the economical option in middleweight adv market and with its softer suspension it…

Q ‘Report is intrusive!’ I was knocked off my Triumph Tiger a year-and-a-half ago and my compensation claim is ongoing. I was in the army for 10 years and was getting promoted regularly. Due to my accident I was discharged and I have started working in IT. I will now lose quite a bit of my army pension The insurance company on the other side is asking for a life expectancy report. Why should I agree to this? Ralph, email A When we calculate future financial loss such as a claim for loss of pension we need to work out how long the Claimant is likely to survive. This is normally done by reference to a book of tables called the Ogden tables. This is a book that uses statistical…

THURSDAY October 19 11pm, TNT2, Live MotoGP from Phillip Island, Australia: Free Practice 1. 3.15am Free Practice 2 FRIDAY October 20 11.45pm, TNT2, Live MotoGP from Phillip Island: Qualifying. 2.30am Moto 2/3 Qualifying. 4.30am Sprint Race SATURDAY October 21 6am, TNT2, MotoGP Classics: Australia 2000 9am, EUR2, WSB: Highlights 11.30pm, TNT2, Live MotoGP from Phillip Island, Australia: Warm Up. 12.15am Moto3. 2pm Moto2. 3.30am MotoGP.5.15am Chequered Flag SUNDAY October 22 9pm, EUR2, Speedway Highlights 12pm, TNT2, MotoGP race from Phillip Island, Australia. 1pm Chequered Flag MONDAY October 23 10pm, EUR2, Supercross World Championship: Great Britain Review 8pm, ITV4, MotoGP Highlights 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)…

THE MCN TEST • THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK £8945* Triumph Tiger Sport 660 • 660cc liquidcooled triple DOHC 12v • 80bhp @ 10,250rpm • 206kg (kerb) £8295** Kawasaki Versys 650 • 649cc liquid-cooled parallel twin DOHC 8v • 66.1bhp @ 8500rpm • 217kg (kerb) How times change. It wasn’t that long ago the go-to sports tourer was Honda’s VFR800, a bike that forged an enviable reputation for its do-it-all ability which regularly saw it loaded up for adventures across Europe. Nowadays, however, if you talk about a bike with a similar (or slightly lower) capacity it’s viewed either as a ‘new rider’s bike’ or a ‘budget middleweight’ that the majority of experienced riders wouldn’t consider. But is this obsession with the biggest and best clouding our judgement? And…

£8945* Triumph Tiger Sport 660 £8295* Kawasaki Versys 650…

‘Nimble and joyful…’ There’s nothing quite like the undiluted joy of screaming a 400 to within an inch of its life. It’s fast without being intimidating and isn’t as gutless as you’d expect at low revs. The real fun comes from finding ways to eke out momentum through corners, which it’s brilliant at thanks to its nimble, balanced chassis and soft, but controlled, suspension. It’s small, but not as cramped as a ZX-10R or even the old ZXR400. For old crusties who fancy a slice of 90s nostalgia, or newer riders looking for their first step on the performance bike ladder, the ZX-4RR delivers. THE FACTS £8699 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR…

CHRIS & JENNY HARVEY, 61 & 63 Bike 1989 Norton Commander 588 ‘Light’ • 85bhp special Chris and Jenny have loved old bikes for years, but after a turbulent introduction to an owners’ club as a teenager, Chris never wanted to join one again. But after the husbandand-wife duo laid their hands on a rotary Norton, they realised parts were going to be difficult unless they joined, and membership has opened up a whole new world. “We’ve visited countries we’d never have gone to,” says Jenny. “It started with the Germany rally in 1996,” adds Chris. “We used to go to things in this country and somebody came up to us and asked if we were going to the international rally. I said I didn’t ride abroad, they asked why…

PAUL SMITH, 62 Bike 1974 Norton Ex-Police Interpol Mark II • Norton Atlas engine • Air-cooled • OHV parallel twin After being a director and then vice chair, Paul Smith took up the role of chairman six months ago. Part of the club since 2010, he has a real passion for the group and wants to see it keep thriving. “We’ve got 5500 members worldwide – 4500 of them in the UK,” he says. “We’ve got 29 branches in the UK run at local level and probably over a dozen different associations with Norton clubs and members all over the world. “The membership is at the heart of the club. There are lot of attributes to being a club member. You’ve got the bike ownership, maintenance and servicing, and you’ve…

I originally chose the Forma Hyper Drys as easy-on boots for short hops and commuting, but they’ve since taken me further afield and have performed every bit as well on a week-long 2000-mile tour as they have pushing a trolley around the supermarket. The fit is spot-on and there’s enough flex in the anti-shock sole to strut about for hours. On the bike they feel secure and there’s no pressure transmitted through the footpegs, even after long days in the saddle. The perforated insole keeps air circulating, but when the weather’s particularly warm they can suffer from internal heat build-up. The breathable membrane works well with technical wicking socks to help stop your feet getting sweaty, though. 3700 miles ON TEST The supple, full-grain leather upper feels suitably sumptuous to…

Fuel tank fix-up Fit new lines and filters to beat leaks and combat rough running 1 Drain the fuel Although it’s easily forgotten about, your bike’s fuel system has various parts that are serviceable – components including the filter, lines and couplings – some of which may be located inside the petrol tank. The first thing to do is drain as much fuel out as possible, here we are using a pump/syphon to drain it into a suitable container. No smoking! 2 Free the tank Undo the fasteners that secure the tank to the bike then carefully lift it up and undo the fuel lines. Remove the breather pipe/s then locate the electrical connector and unclip it. With the tank free, carefully place it upside down on a soft, protective surface –…

Nobody can doubt that the Honda Racing Corporation have the ability to get themselves out of their dark place. But who will hold the torch? They need a fine rider to do that. In the wake of Marquez’s decision to walk, speculation has been rife. There are some notable possibilities. Zarco has a wealth of experience, and HRC could probably muscle his new LCR team into releasing him. Oliveira’s name keeps cropping up. Another rider combining racewinning skill, experience and a keen intelligence. And an urge to be back in a factory team. Iker Lecuona has the enthusiasm, and can at least rack up the miles to test the pieces. Pol Espargaro, dropped by KTM, is available. Though neither he nor the Repsol team will be keen to replay his…

‘That was my best weekend of racing yet. Roll on 2024’ Kyle Ryde was sensational at Brands Hatch. Sure, most plaudits will go to new champion Tommy Bridewell and the man he beat by half-apoint, Glenn Irwin, but Ryde deserves plenty of credit for his performances. The LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha man did everything he could to stay in the fight. He topped all three practice sessions and Sunday warm-up, whilst he stormed through from sixth on the grid to take victory on Saturday. That was his sixth win of 2023. On Sunday he continued to be a thorn in the side of PBM Ducati, using the strengths of the Yamaha R1 to his advantage through the long corners around the back end of the circuit. He would not let…

BSB was so exciting, two days of brilliant racing that absolutely went down to the wire. It was swinging around Glenn to Tommy and back again – wow. At the start of the year when they announced the new points system we were wondering what they were doing, but it’s worked and the title has been won by half a point. Glenn was super dignified at the end and it looked like they were both able to bury the hatchet. The pair of them have been super hard, super tough competitors. Tommy had stickers to Birdy and his brother on the front so it was great to see him get it. They finished 1-2 and secured Birdy’s ninth title. Glenn did everything he could, he needed to put a Yamaha…

TOP STORY ‘I’ve dedicated every day to my late brother Ollie and to becoming BSB champion, so for it to finally happen has made my life complete.” These are the emotion-filled words of Tommy Bridewell moments after capturing the Bennetts British Superbike Championship title on what was a nail-biting afternoon in the sunshine at Brands Hatch. This was BSB at it’s very best. Fans crammed into the circuit to see either Bridewell, Glenn Irwin or Kyle Ryde become champion - and what a spectacle it was. The championship positions swapped around eight times during a final race in which Bridewell needed to finish directly behind Irwin to take the title. At the start of the final lap, it was Irwin who would be champion, but Bridewell stormed down the inside…

Welcome to MCN’s Dream Garage: a 12-bike collection whittled down from a list of almost 100 machines that Team MCN nominated as the bikes we’d most like to own. We couldn’t do the whole list, not least because we’re going to turn this special supplement into a real display at this year’s Motorcycle Live show at Birmingham’s NEC from Nov 18-26. So, we decided to pick a number that could reasonably fit in a standard double garage, and that would allow their lucky theoretical owner the chance to ride a different bike for every month of the year. Dive in and enjoy reading about the 12 beautiful and eclectic bikes we’ve chosen, then come and see them all at the NEC!…

The Sportster isn’t Ben Hall’s first taste of customisation. As General Manager at Watsonian, he spends most of his day-to-day time alongside three wheels rather than two, but hasn’t lost the passion for creating. His taste for customisation came as soon as he started biking. “My first bike was an RD125LC. I tried to wheelie but fell off and smashed it up. So, the first customisation was out of necessity rather than choice.” The theme continued during the streetfighter era where Ben found himself crashing sportsbikes and being unable to afford new fairings. “By default, you were creating custom bikes, although we didn’t realise it at the time. It was the only available style with a lack of funds. Then somebody asked whether they could have one built, and before…

This GSX-R1100M is a beautiful, stirring, utterly bewitching and perfectly preserved chunk of awesome. The 1127cc oil/ air-cooled motor feels tectonically powerful, as if it could grab the planet’s crust and whip it off the molten mantle in a giant geological tablecloth trick. The inline-four booms smoothly up and down the rev range, delivering around 116-or-so bhp but with a volcanic 75lb.ft at 7500rpm (compared to 199bhp at 13,200 and 87lb.ft at 10,800rpm for the last-in-the-line GSX-R1000 superbike descendant). The 1100’s any-gear flexibility serves to remind of an ancient wisdom: midrange thrust, not top-end power, is what counts on the road. But the big Suzuki always had one major chink in its battleship-like armour: it doesn’t steer well. Once the big Suzuki is committed mid-corner, the slightest shift of body…