Table of contents for 29 November 2023 in MCN

TOP STORY KTM are marking 30 years of their naked Duke range in the only way they know how: by launching a brand-new 187.4bhp 1390 Super Duke R range powered by a monstrous 1350cc motor. Available from January in a standard and Evo guise (with semi active electronic suspension), the duo will take over from the 1301cc 1290 Super Duke selection, which first appeared 11 years ago as a prototype and then later as three generations of super naked. Although sporting a side profile similar to the old 1290, the new bikes get a revised LED headlight design similar to the recently revealed 990 Duke. There are also subtle winglets that droop below the shoulders of the larger 17.5-litre fuel tank, and a set of new Michelin Power GP-shod 17in…

Kawasaki used the first day of this year's annual Motorcycle Live show in Birmingham to unveil three special retro colour schemes for their 2024 Ninja ZX-10RR superbike. On sale now as limited editions, the designs are reminiscent of the early 1990s ZXR750 and were created to mark the 40th anniversary of the Ninja. The very first GPz900R Ninja debuted in 1984, with these latest variants being offered as special, UK-only limited machines. “The retro theme has become very popular over the past couple of years, and we thought it would be great to further celebrate 40 years of Ninja with these special liveries,” Kawasaki UK Sales and Marketing Manager, Craig Watson said. “We are sure they are going to be very popular, so it's key that you speak to your…

THIS WEEK TVS Motor Company, the Indian conglomerate behind the resurrection of Norton, have announced an expansion into Europe with a range of their own low-capacity machines. The Chennai firm, who also produce BMW's G310 series and the electric CE 02, made the announcement on November 16 and will partner with wellestablished European distributor Emil Frey, who have been in business for 100 years. “This strategic alliance with Emil Frey is a crucial step in our global expansion strategy,” TVS Managing Director, Sudarshan Venu said. “Europe will be a key market for us, and through this partnership, we aim to bring our cutting-edge products closer to European customers. “Together, we are excited to serve customers and two-wheeler aficionados in Europe and look forward to a successful partnership.” ‘A crucial step…

THIS WEEK RoyaL EnfieLd have confirmed pricing for their incoming secondgeneration HimaLayan singLe, tested by MCN's MichaeL Guy in the mountains that gave the bike its name (MCN, November 15). The 452cc machine, which is the first EnfieLd ever to feature Liquid cooLing, wiLL start at £5750 and wiLL be avaiLabLe in three variants and six coLours. The most expensive modeL wiLL be £6300-making it a direct rivaL to Triumph's ScrambLer 400 X which starts at £5595. Suzuki dip into 2024 paintbox Suzuki have revealed new colours for the GSX-8S, GSX-S1000, GSX-S1000GT and Address 125. The GSX-8S gains matt grey while the metallic black version sports blue details. The GSX-S1000GT and GSX-S1000GT+ now also come in all-red or black. There are new silver and blue/silver versions of the GSX-S1000 naked,…

THIS WEEK The 2024 Goodwood Revival, meeting will be run using sustainable fuels, with both the historic cars and motorcycles havina to make the switch. Next year's event, which runs from September 6-8, will stipulate that all racing vehicles must use a fuel containing “a minimum of 70% advanced sustainable components, in accordance with the FIA's current requirements for sustainable fuel.” According to organisers, no modification is required to use these fuels, with a 1925 Bentley Speed Model using sustainable alternatives taking victory in 2023's Rudge-Whitworth Cup. “Goodwood has an illustrious motorsport history and one which we are delighted to continue with the announcement that at next year's Revival, all of our races will run on sustainable fuel,” Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival founder, the Duke of Richmond said.…

WHAT'S NEW IN TECH Shark are entering a new realm of aerodynamic stability with their new Aeron GP race helmet – said to be the first in the world to adapt to its wearer's riding position and prevailing conditions via movable flaps to improve aerodynamics. Dubbed the ‘Adaptive Aero System’, or ‘A2S’, and developed with French MotoGP rider Johann Zarco, the patented system works by having two moveable ‘flaps’ on the rear of the helmet, one on each side of a lengthy spoiler. These channel the airflow through and around the helmet – adapting according to the airflow and pressure in any given circumstance. So, for example, when the rider is in the fully tucked position when going down a straight, the flaps extend outwards to deflect the airflow around…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Back in 1994 giving a friend a ride on my Fatboy! All these years later, I now own a Sportster S 1250. Richard Atkinson 2005, moments before I set off to Paris. It was nicked in Dover on the way home, joy ridden and written off! Tom Hiney My first bike but I can't remember the model. (It's an AP50 – Ed). Dave Swinburn My first bike was this Honda CB250 in 1975. These days I ride a Harley-Davidson Sport Glide. Kim Johnson Christmas 1982 on my first bike. I now have Ducati Sport 1000S and a Velocity Moto XSR ‘900 LC’. Greg Classon I've now just bought my fourth bike and am learning bike mechanics properly to join the trade! Jade Cluett…

December 2 Rufforth Autojumble Dubbed the north's biggest autojumble, it's the place for a late-in-the-year bargain, especially as it's only £2 to get in with free parking, too. www.rufforthautojumble.com December 2 Kempton Park Autojumble With 250 stalls there's plenty to rifle through. From 8am for £9 in advance (£10 on the gate) or 9.30am for £6 (£7 OTG). kemptonautojumble.co.uk December 2 Santas on a Bike Hitting Bristol and Plymouth on December 2, Devon on the 9th and the midlands on the 10th, it's the perfect time to support your local children's hospice. www.santasonabike.org.uk December 1 McPint's 100 TT starts Cheltenham is the latest place to host John McGuinness and James Whitham. Tickets start from £28.50 or it's £33.50 for a photo upgrade. bikesandbanter.co.uk…

FIRST RIDE Riding Suzuki's new £14,499 GSX-S1000GX here at its world launch in Portugal is a joy. It's sporty, superbikefast, easy to ride, comfortable and every inch a ‘tall rounder’, in the same vein as BMW's fiery S1000XR and Yamaha's popular Tracer 9 GT+. Based on the GSX-S1000GT, the GX has longer travel suspension, a thicker seat, higher bars and a riding position somewhere between a sports-tourer and an adventure bike. It's relatively roomy for a six-footer, but not so tall that smaller riders will struggle to get their feet on the ground. Stepping it up Not only is the GX a relaxing place to sit, it's also Suzuki's most advanced road bike. Like the now discontinued (for Europe) GSX-R1000R, it has a new Bosch six-axis IMU that controls cornering…

Who are Andy and Alissa? Former MCN writer Andy and his wife Alissa packed up, sold everything and left the UK on January 1, 2018, to motorcycle round the world indefinitely. You can follow their adventures on madornomad.com ‘We're soaking, panting and only minutes into the Rainbow Road’ The frothing river looks deep, which makes the GS feel twice as heavy the second it dips its toe in the water. Alissa decides to wade across and recce any deep spots for the as-big-as-a-house BMW. Our boots had only just dried from last night's rain, so Alissa takes hers off to walk through. Ten steps in and the water is above her knees, a slight slip and in she goes… along with her boots. She catches and clings to one like…

3000 miles ON TEST Alpinestars AMT-10 AIR HDRY gloves £194.99 Given that you control so much of a motorcycle with your hands, having the right feel and the right gloves is vital. I ride a lot of off-road and adventure bikes and these latest offerings from Alpinestars have become indispensable. They are lightweight enough to give excellent control and feel, whilst being tough enough to protect your hands and withstand a fall. The gloves form part of Alpinestars’ new AMT range and are designed for everyday riding from anything from hot humid conditions through to wet weather thanks to the separate laminate over-glove that packs away neatly and is easily put on when the rain comes. Since getting these gloves at the start of the year I've used them on…

Road, off-road and adventure rider who loves to get out in the wilds The fact that winter is upon us is now indisputable, making the opportunities for long, meaningful rides harder with every day that passes. I'd been keeping an eye on the weather and when a break in the rain appeared I grabbed at the chance for a short-but-sweet solo adventure. My destination was Thetford Forest, mainly because of its wealth of off-road tracks, which are rideable pretty much all year round because they are quite sandy and drain well. Given that I was on the big 1290 and riding solo, that was an important consideration as picking up a 220+kg adventure bike in the mud was not high on the day's to-do-list. Loaded up with camping gear using…

Going behind the headlines at the final round of 2023 Not even a late penalty for incorrect tyre pressure could dent Fabio Di Giannantonio's end-ofseason high, as the Italian showcased his talents once again in Valencia, before announcing a last-minute lifeline with VR46 Ducati that will see him remain in MotoGP for 2024. For the second weekend in succession, the 25-year old was essential viewing as he rose through from eleventh on the grid to harry eventual champion Pecco Bagnaia for the win until the season's last turn. A three-second penalty for a second front tyre pressure penalty may have relegated him from second to fourth in the official results. But Di Giannantonio scored more points than any other rider in the season's final seven races (115 points), with the…

SPORT The paddock veteran delivers his verdict on Valencia Brad Binder and Jack Miller were fast and furious at the Valencia MotoGP. But to the frustration of KTM the furious outweighed the fast with both factory men conspiring to deny the RC16 a GP win. Valencia had promised so much but descended into a horror show as Binder and Miller tore up the gift of a potential one-two finish. The consolation is that KTM and their innovative RC16 secured second for the Austrian squad in the Constructors’ Championship. That is no mean feat given that the Ducati Desmosedici is, by quite some margin, MotoGP's seemingly unstoppable force. And KTM were ahead of Aprilia, Yamaha and the last placed, currently rudderless Honda. But this is scant consolation for KTM's engineering boffins…

ROUND 20 VALENCIA | MOTOGP What a last dance for a legend. Not Sunday's looping crash, Marc's unenviable and class-leading 29th this year, but Saturday's Sprint podium… his 102nd on a Honda, achieved the only way he knew how: bucking the odds. “You know me,” Marquez smiled dangerously, after proving an uncompetitive bike on a narrow, oneline track to be no drawback. The Spaniard barged through from ninth on the grid to third by the end of the first lap. The “thank-you and goodbye” to Honda closed off 11 remarkable years. Six championships in the first seven, and then four years when the wheels gradually came off. It was the bike that failed him. His fateful 2020 crash came while trying, as usual, to exceed the possible. His worst mistake,…

WELCOME After the disappointment and frustration of the previous week's Moto2 title decider, when dirty tactics and a lack of sportsmanship played a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the championship, it was a genuine relief that MotoGP didn't follow suit. Yes, Jorge Martin may have lost his head while battling for the win. Yes, he may have caused a gut-wrenching accident that could have done Marc Marquez some nasty damage. Yes, he nearly torpedoed Bagnaia as forward motion overcame the available downforce and braking capabilities of his bike in the wake of Pecco's Ducati. But ultimately, it was a clean fight. And the best man won. With DiGi heading to VR46, Marquez jumping on a Ducati, Marini and Zarco heading to Honda, and some of the most serious…

Royal Enfield have teased fans in India with the first glimpse of a new Shotgun 650 cruiser, inspired by the SG650 concept seen at the EICMA show back in 2021. Although the full details are not known at this time, the laid back model is based on the existing 650 twin platform that already includes the Continental GT, Interceptor, and Super Meteor cruiser – meaning this one is likely to use the same 648cc air/oil-cooled parallel twin but in a calmer state of tune. The Shotgun was revealed at Royal Enfield's Motoverse festival in Goa, India as a special edition limited to 25 bikes in the livery shown in the images here. Only available to visitors of the event, we're told that the mass production version will be launched in…

Fantic UK have deals on their current range of Caballero 500 machines. All variants bought before December 31 will benefit from not only an £800 discount/finance contribution but also come with a free two-year extension to the warranty. This means that the Caballero Scrambler and Flat Track 500 models, both previously £6749 OTR, now cost £5949. Meanwhile, the Scrambler 500 Deluxe goes from £6949 to £6149, the Scrambler 500 50th Anniversary from £7099 to £6299, and the Rally 500 from £7399 to £6599. If you fancy an Explorer 500, that's gone from £7649 to £6849. Visit fantic.com for more.…

‘We're thrilled to see people share their passion’ Motorcycle Live Show at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre has concluded with just shy of 90,000 visitors across nine days. Offering enthusiasts the chance to clamber aboard the hottest new models of 2024, as well as meeting their racing heroes, and taking test rides both on – and off-road, the show began on Saturday, November 18 before concluding on Sunday, November 26 “The enthusiasm and passion of the motorcycle community have made Motorcycle Live a true celebration,” Managing Director of Motorcycle Live Finlay McAllan, said. “We are thrilled to see manufacturers, riders, and enthusiasts come together and share their love for motorcycles.” Across the event, event organisers laid on a number of themes, including the annual ‘BSB Day’ on Sunday, November 19. Having…

BEATING BIKE CRIME SAVE OUR BIKES! Police in Mansfield are calling on public support to cut down on dangerous, antisocial, and illegal use of off-road motorcycles. “Residents have been telling us how concerned they are about this issue, so now we're empowering them to help us to address it,” District Commander for Mansfield, Inspector Kylie Davies told MCN. “Put simply we want them to see it, report it and stop it. Every photo or piece of footage we receive will help us to build a bigger picture, identify offenders and keep people safe.” Nottinghamshire Police would like road users, as well as residents to report incidents they have witnessed – submitting evidence that could be used to bring criminal charges. Other riders may also face a Section 59 notice, meaning…

Muc-Off Ultimate Motorcycle Cleaning Kit £58.99 It's time to fight against the grime Keeping your bike clean in winter can feel like an eternal struggle. The roads seem to be permanently awash with a caustic combination of salt, mud and general filth, just waiting to plaster your ride every time you go out. Regularly soaping up your bike for a scrub down will help preserve its goods looks and provide an opportunity to stay on top of visual checks, so this week we've dug out deals on cleaning products and other useful potions to help both rider and machine survive until the springtime. Muc-Off are synonymous with motorcycle care and this all-inone kit is a fantastic introduction to their gear. It includes a litre of their high-performance bike wash in…

SEASONAL TICKET OFFER Save £££s by buying discounted tickets online now. Purchase 2 tickets or more for just £22 per person Offer ends midnight January 2, 2024 Blast off your biking year at the Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show with an action-packed multi-stage line-up featuring world-class experts, motorsport legends, and essential new product showcases. The show, taking place at ExCeL London from February 16-18 promises an unforgettable day out for riders of all ages and experience levels. All-new for 2024, the MCN World of Bikes stage promises to be one of the show highlights, boasting the biggest names in biking including top racers, expert mechanics, and gear specialists. Plus, the MCN team will be on hand to share their insights on everything from bike maintenance to choosing the right…

JUST BREW IT Ride out Britain's best biking cafés THE DETAILS ● Thursday-Tuesday 9am-1pm, 1.30pm on weekends ● Ramshackle Rosie, Par Moor Road, Par PL24 2SQ Just a stone's throw from the Cornish coast sits Ramshackle Rosie, a brekkie and brunch café with a rock and biker theme. Owner Helen Woodward took over the café after leaving her restaurant in Leicestershire and moving south for a quieter life – but it wasn't long before the chance came along to open another eatery. “The thing that caught my eye was the name – Ramshackle Rosie,” says Helen. “I had a best friend called Rosie, and she died just as I was setting up my restaurant in Leicestershire, so she never got to see it. I thought this has to be Rosie…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday November 29 BIKE MEETS ■ The King Billy Rock Bar, Bike & Burger Night, Northampton, Northamptonshire. 6.30pm Facebook: The King Billy Rock Bar ■ Amici Coffee Biker Night, Girtford Bridge, Sandy, Bedfordshire 6pm9pm www.amicicoffee.co.uk ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire. From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Mold, Flints. 6pm-9pm 07548224866 or Facebook: The Old Stores Motorbike cafe ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, near Sherburn in Elmet, West Yorks. 01977-684618 or www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ Loomies Moto Cafe, West Meon, Hants. Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ Ryka's Cafe, Box Hill, Surrey 5pm-9pm www.rykas.co.uk ■ The Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey. From 10.30am-1pm Facebook: Pathfinder Cafe Thursday November 30 BIKE MEETS ■ Ashfield Bike Meet, Bull &…

PATON PATON S1-R 60TH ANNIVERSARY APRILIA RS 660…

BIKING LEGENDS People who have shaped our world How many of us dream of travelling around the world on a motorcycle for a living? Well Kevin and Julia Sanders made that dream a reality. After bagging two world records – the fastest two-up ride around the globe and the fastest riding the Trans-America – they set up a company to take others on their own adventures of a lifetime. Kevin and Julia always shared a love of travel. They met in Ecuador in 1997 on separate backpacking excursions, eventually travelling together through Columbia, Venezuela, and Brazil. When they flew home, they dumped their respective partners, got together instead and married in Peru. Although Kevin's other love affair – motorcycling – began at a young age, Julia only started riding once…

It's had a nose job The top fairing shields the rider from windblast and the screen remains quiet at motorway speeds. It can be bolted in three positions to give a 43mm height difference. Classy dash design The 6.5in colour TFT is clear and crisp. Rider aid functions, from power modes to TC and suspension support, are simple to use and controlled via the left switchgear buttons. Clever suspension Showa shock has semi-active damping. Electronic preload can be set in auto (selflevelling) mode or static presets for rider, rider/luggage, rider/pillion.…

New Zealand is by far one of the best places in the world to ride a motorcycle. The only problem for Brits is it's on the other side of the globe. Flights from London to Auckland take around 24 hours, so you'll need to allocate plenty of time to travel around the country considering just getting there soaks up so much of it. There are plenty of rental and tour companies to choose from. You'll need to take out insurance with them and get your personal travel insurance from home first. Take your driving licence and an International Driving Permit. Brits need to apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority. It takes five minutes on a mobile app, costs around £25 and allows you to stay for up to…

ESSENTIAL KIT TRIED & TESTED MCN STAFF RATE THEIR RIDING KIT 1500 miles NO TEST They're listed on TCX's website as road/racing boots but I tend to think of them more like a set of very stylish touring boots. Plenty of sportsbike boots are squeaky when you put them on, but these were so loud that they drew the attention of the whole floor at MCN Towers as I ambled through in the morning. In fact, I returned from lunch to discover a can of WD-40 had been left on my desk. On the bike, the sole is rigid enough to be comfortable and feel safe but flexible enough to allow plenty of feel for the pegs and controls. This is a balancing act I think TCX are particularly good…

Dream Machine Fairing Repair Service £330 After a week of futile searches for replacement panels following a spill on my ZXR400, I turned to Dream Machine, a recommended paintwork specialist. Despite my initial scepticism and a nerve-wracking three-month wait, the results are truly remarkable. The repaired panel seamlessly matches the original. The repair was not straightforward and involved multiple colours, stickers and text but somehow it looks as good as new. Although the job cost me over £300, the impeccable outcome reflects the investment. For anyone seeking top-notch motorcycle restoration, I highly recommend Dream Machine for their excellent quality and craftsmanship. Quality Value dream-machine.co.uk 3 months ON TEST…

Hoping to find the perfect blend of performance and road bike comfort. Just because the BMW M1000R is essentially a fire-breathing superbike in the buff, doesn't mean you won't fancy taking it further afield or on a summer tour. I've been using it to commute, and for longer trips to Wales and Berlin, for example, and you could easily ride it to a trackday before spinning laps all day and then riding home again (hopefully, all being well). This presents a slight problem due to the M's svelte and sporty rear end. As standard, you don't get pillion pegs, seat or grab handles and just a flash of tubular sub-frame is visible underneath the rider's seat, so there's almost nothing to secure any luggage to. I'm a fairly committed rucksack…

SPORT Fermin Aldeguer made Valencia a non-event, streaking to a fourth straight victory, becoming the first rider to achieve such a feat in the class since 2010. The secret? A tyre technician told MCN the stiffer Boscoscuro chassis, complete with carbon fibre swingarm, is able to load the hard Dunlop rear tyre better than this year's Kalex frame, which generates better rear grip. Aldeguer's win pushed Jake Dixon from third to fourth in the standings. But the Englishman was more frustrated with the performance of his rear tyre on Sunday. “Congrats to Fermin, he's been riding mega and deserved third overall. Now I'm excited to start a new chapter with Pirelli, which'll be good for me.” And Sam Lowes bowed out of the Moto2 class after 155 races with a…

Johann Zarco waited 120 races for his first MotoGP win. He came so close to another on Sunday. These were highlights in the French double-Moto2 champion's most successful premier-class season. Fifth overall equals his 2021 position, his second of four Ducati years; but six podiums are his best yet. Not enough to keep his job. Zarco cedes his Pramac bike to Morbidelli next year, in spite of Franco's poor results on the fading Yamaha. Age is the biggest reason. Morbidelli is 28, offering (relatively) youthful enthusiasm. At 33, Zarco's greatest gift to a team is experience. He's been valuable to Ducati, testing new solutions, supporting Bagnaia's and now Martin's title bids, and adding depth to his status. Far from a fade-out for a former star, he brings exactly the right…

THIS WEEK Arai have unveiled their latest TT special helmet – the 2024 Arai RX-7V EVO Limited Edition Isle of Man TT. Based on the top-spec RX-7V EVO, it's been designed by Aldo Drudi and features the classic Isle of Man ‘Triskelion’. The helmet will be available to purchase exclusively from thevisorshop.com, from May/June 2024. NMM winner goes fully Commando… The National Motorcycle Museum have announced the winners of their summer 2023 raffle with the star prize of a 1974 Norton Commando 850 won by Nicola Rollaston of Kent. Star prize in the next raffle is a brand new/old stock Triumph TSX 750. Tickets cost £2 and can be purchased online via thenmm.co.uk now. Grab a hot deal on a new Mondial Mondial's stylish retro scrambler HPS125 ABS, along with…

Ten years on from the introduction of the first R nineT retro in 2013, BMW have pulled the covers off two new R12 models – marking the start of a new generation for the German heritage range. Consisting of a £14,420 R12 nineT roadster and £11,990 R12 cruiser, they made their UK public debut at the annual Motorcycle Live show at Birmingham's NEC (see p8) and feature a Euro5+ friendly version of the DOHC 1170cc boxer twin engine previously found in the nonShiftCam R1200GS. From the outside, the R12 nineT looks similar to the original R nineT, but there's a new frame, advanced electronics, and quality chassis components – meaning both new retro machines should stop and turn with typical BMW composure. Although both are powered by the same 1170cc…

Just a year ago, the traditional supersport 600 class was dead in the water. However, in the space of six months, we have seen the return of Kawasaki's ZX-6R and now the Honda CBR600RR – a bike missing from British dealers since 2017. With an aging target market unable to deal with the cramped riding position, and tightening emissions regulations making it harder to develop a rev-hungry 600 engine, we began 2023 with just Yamaha's £12,900 R6 Race on sale – itself sold as a non-homologation track-only special. Honda say they have reunited Brits with the CBR600RR for the pursuit of racing success – allowing Honda teams to begin using a 600 once again to help nurture new and younger rider development. With the new CBR now featuring a TFT…

The battle to save Peterborough Panthers speedway and, specifically, their East of England Showground track, has reached new heights with a protest rally in the heart of the city on Saturday, November 18. The Panthers have raced on the track for 53 years, however the owners of the 165-acre site are now attempting to sell it for development, prompting the venue's recent closure. A local consortium dedicated to saving Peterborough speedway has been set-up and says it has a verbal agreement to buy the Panthers from their current owner, who is retiring, but the venture won't be viable without a track to race around. Now, a rally in Peterborough attended by 350 fans and nearby residents and supported by local politicians, has cemented its resolve. The consortium hopes to persuade…

Triumph have finally spilled the beans on their 2024 TF 250-X mx racer, revealing further images and a full tech spec ahead of its 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship debut. “This bike is 100% Triumph, conceived, designed, developed, and manufactured by our world leading chassis and engine teams,” Chief Product Manager, Steve Sargent, said. “We started with a blank sheet and began an all-new design, including engine, chassis, and electronics.” It's been more than two years since the Hinckley brand first announced ambitious plans to enter motocross and enduro, signing accomplished ambassadors 12-time AMA Motocross and Supercross champion Ricky Carmichael and five-time world enduro champion Ivan Cervantes. Since then, we've seen countless static and riding teasers, with the firm now confirming a plan for 300 motocross and enduro outlets to…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader John Albone The ride St Albans to Mallorca and back via the ferry from Porstmouth The bike BMW R1250RS How long do you need? It took three days on the ride down and four on the ride home with as long as you want in Mallorca. The family all flew out there to join me on the island. Best time to go I went during April for the Easter holidays Tell us about the trip… The main ferries were from Portsmouth-Canne and then St Malo-Portsmouth coming back. I rode south down through France stopping off at Le Mans, Limoges Ax-les-Thermes and Andorra. Then it was the ferry from Barcelona to Palma for seven glorious days on Mallorca then another four days back home. Temperatures…

‘Turning dreams into a reality’ GlobeBusters is Kevin and Julia's expedition company, born out of their world record success and their urge to keep travelling by motorcycle as a lifestyle. “Following on from the world records, we had a lot of people asking us how to do these trips – this was back in the days before the blow up of the internet and GPS navigation. So we put a thing out at Motorcycle Live asking if anyone was interested in riding from Alaska to Patagonia – a lot of people put their name down and that's how we got started.” At that point, Julia had a choice to stay two-up or get her own bike. And after a talk from Kevin (as well as a secret plot to get…

FIRST RIDE Triumph's big-capacity Scramblers have been a huge success since their introduction in 2019. Combining retro style with premium parts meant that they had a genuine ability to not only excel on road, but also tackle serious off-roading as well. And for 2024, the Scrambler 1200 XE has been given an overhaul, including an updated motor, latest-gen Brembo Stylemas and a switch from a Showa/Öhlins suspension set-up to a fully adjustable offering from Marzocchi, which, among a few other tweaks, has made the XE cheaper than its predecessor. So, have they managed to pull off the trick of making the bike better for less money? 1 Powering ahead… Although the outgoing 1200s weren't lacking in mid-range, Triumph have tweaked the throttle body and exhaust headers to give a wider…

RATINGS Exceptional★★★★★ Very good ★★★★ Good★★★ Average ★★ Poor★ 5000 miles ON TEST Oxford Advanced Base Layer top £24.99 Part of Oxford's Advanced layering system, this base layer top is designed to be worn next to the skin and below a mid layer and outer garment to provide comfort all year round. Made from a polyamide/polyester mix, it's stretchy but isn't a tight compression fit. There are also comfort boosting details, such as flat-locked seams and printed-on care labels. This slightly more relaxed style boosts comfort under textiles, but can result in bunching under tight-fitting leathers. When worn as part of a layering system the top definitely helps keep you warm, but I wouldn't say it's as toasty as a dedicated winter base layer, so you'll need some sort of…

WIN A Suzuki GSX-8S simply by getting a quote at MCN COMPARE www.mcncompare.com EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Andrea Iannone smiles when he starts telling me how he felt in Jerez de la Frontera when he first sat on the Go Eleven Ducati Panigale V4R, the bike he will race with in the 2024 World Superbike Championship. “It is like the first laps I did when my brother was eight and started racing and I, who was six and too young, could only ride on Fridays. The enthusiasm back then is the same as today. In Jerez I just wanted to have fun. The first lap, the first run, the first day. Under my helmet I was laughing like a three-year-old child. And that's exactly what I was looking for.” And we're all…

Vindication for the Japanese rider After a year of near misses and what could have been moments, Ayumu Sasaki resisted a late David Alonso assault to finally claim his only victory of the year. The Japanese rider was left incensed after Qatar's title decider when Leopard Honda's teamsters resorted to rough and ready tactics to win the crown. But he held his nerve in a tight five-way fight to succeed where he had failed on seven previous occasions this year, when he led the last lap. “It's a huge relief,” he said. “This victory feels so good because the team and I fought right to the end.”…

Five years ago Pol Espargaro delivered KTM's first MotoGP podium with third place in the 2018 Valencia GP. And he made an emotional departure from a full time gig with 14th for Tech3 on Sunday as he embarks on a 2024 slot as test rider and KTM wildcard specialist. Espargaro's tenth season in MotoGP was a horror year of painful injuries that had him on the brink of retirement. “It has been an emotional day. It was not my last time on the grid but it was very special and emotions were high. I was feeling the atmosphere,” said the popular Spaniard.…

Last year, Aprilia was the bike to challenge Ducati's supremacy. Now, after a flawed season, strong speed undermined by sundry setbacks, they have lost that place to KTM. Valencia was a microcosm of the season. Another “might have been” weekend. Aleix Espargaro, still the RS-GP's only race winner, was nursing an injury. But teammate Maverick Viñales was on fire. Almost literally on Sunday morning, when a dense although harmless plume of smoke brought out the black-and-yellow flags. He was docked three grid positions for not stopping immediately. Unfair, perhaps, for Maverick was on pole at lap record speed. He'd capitalised on it on Saturday, leading the first six of 13 laps. Once again, though, the stopwatch flattered to deceive. He was caught by his rivals, then steadily pushed back to…

Jorge Martin did everything he possibly could in Valencia in his bid to bridge the points gap to eventual champion Pecco Bagnaia. From the mind games on Friday, to a stunning victory in Saturday's Sprint and great Launch in Sunday's Grand Prix, Martin put himself in a prime position to strike should the opportunity present itself. ALas, it wasn't to be. Martin was sucked into the ‘vacuum’ of Bagnaia's bike down the start-finish straight (see Mat OxLey, p59) and had to take drastic action to avoid a disastrous crash into turn one. That was reaListicaLLy game over and it became official when Martin crashed out attempting a move on Marc Marquez. Martin would have been a worthy champion, but on this occasion the smoothness and calm nature of Bagnaia's riding…