Table of contents for 17 July 2024 in MCN

TOP STORY Expect more BMWs to be offered with the firm's new Automated Shift Assistant (ASA) semi-automatic gearbox system. The plan was confirmed to MCN by Reiner Fings, Product Manager for the BMW GS and GS Adventure. MCN sat down with the adventure bike boss at the July 5 launch of the new flagship R1300GS Adventure, which will start at £18,870 and stretch to £21,300 in TE spec, equipped with ASA. “We decided of course in the very early stages to have this [system on the R1300GS Adventure]. And you have to develop the whole engine so that it's prepared for that option,” Fings explained. Development on the 1300cc boxer engine began around five years ago and the ASA system allows the rider to make manual gearchanges without having to…

HIGHLIGHTS • Limited to 555 units • Available in October 2024 • Certificate of authenticity • £23,500 Ducati are ending production of their Superquadro V-twin engine, wrapping up with a special edition version of their Panigale V2 supersport bike, limited to 555 units. The news could mean an end to the traditional Ducati V-twin sportsbike, with the larger Panigales all powered by V4s. This special edition concludes more than 30 years of aggressive Ducati sportsbikes powered by a 90-degree V-twin engines with four desmodromic valves per cylinder. Engines of this kind have been found in the likes of the 748, 749, 848, 899, and 959 Panigale – with this new machine set to be available in October 2024, priced at a hefty £23,500. That's a pound more expensive than Honda's…

KTM have responded to allegations of camshaft defects on LC8c parallel-twins, following online pressure from owners. The allegations are of excessive wear and the problem is said to predominantly impact pre-2021 KTM 790 models. However, there are also complaints relating to some later 790 and 890s, as well as Husqvarna's Norden 901 range. The problem is believed to be caused by poor oil feed on pre-2020 models and overly narrow followers on pre-2021 bikes, issues which KTM state have been fixed. “The camshafts used on the LC8c platform have no inherent defect,” a spokesperson for KTM told MCN. “The affected components meet the technical specifications for their intended use. This applies both to the hardness of the camshafts and the width of the finger followers, as well as to the…

WHAT'S NEW IN TECH? While many are focusing efforts on electric as the clean, green future, one company is turning to compressed natural gas as a low-cost, low-emission fuel. That brand is Bajaj, one of India's largest bike companies and already a partner to both Triumph and KTM, cooperating on models including the Speed 400, Scrambler 400X, 390 Duke and 390 Adventure. They've just created the first mass-produced bike powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), in the form of the Freedom 125, with a focus on saving owners money just as much as saving the planet. Although not carbon neutral, CNG promises substantial improvements in terms of CO2 emissions and unlike alternatives such as electric or hydrogen it's relatively widely available, can be used with converted versions of normal petrol…

OUT AND ABOUT www.plopenduro.co.uk KEEP ON EXPLORING… Get off the bike and see what else Devil's Bridge has to offer If you're going to visit Two Hoots tearoom, make sure you take in the sights of Devil's Bridge itself. Not only have you got the fabulous riding routes that take you through the heart of the Cambrian mountains, and just a stone's throw from Aberystwyth, the place is home to plenty to get your tourist teeth stuck into. Devil's Bridge Falls, which have been attracting visitors since the 18th Century. Take a walk down the path for a cracking photo opportunity.…

Although four-time World Superbike champ Carl Fogarty is synonymous with the 916, that bike only happened because of the Ducati 888. In 1992, although successful, Foggy was something of a 'journeyman', riding an OW01 for Yamaha against Hislop's Norton in that year's 'greatest-ever' TT and a ZXR750 for Kawasaki France to take the World Endurance championship. But it also freed him up to buy a Ducati 888 Corse to ride in selected rounds of WSBK. After two low points-scoring finishes at the opening round in Spain, things went from bad to worse at his home round at Donington when he crashed out of the first race while leading. Despite that, Foggy went out for the second, claimed a dream win which led to further sponsorship allowing him to contest the…

FIRST RIDE Electric Motion (or EM as they like to be known) are a stalwart of electric mobility. For over 10 years now they they've been building machinery not just for fun, but also for national and international competitions in the trials world where they've seen huge success, tackling internal combustion head on. With their new Escape range, EM are looking to enter the enduro sector, so just how good is their new Escape XR and is it a viable petrol alternative? Some serious metal The Escape XR certainly does appear to be a serious bit of kit, rather than a cost-saving hybrid that blurs the line between pushbike and a motorbike. It's a proper thing; quality suspension, chunky brakes and a chassis that looks the part. It needs to…

SPORT PREVIEW | BSB JOSH CLOSE INSIGHT Going behind the headlines in the 2024 BSB series After the opening five rounds, the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship battle is in full swing. Glenn Irwin and reigning champion Tommy Bridewell are separated by just four points as the paddock heads to Brands Hatch, while Christian Iddon is within striking distance in third. Here's what to watch out for at the Kent circuit this weekend… Irwin vs Bridewell The final race of the weekend last time at Snetterton saw Irwin and Bridewell glued to one another in a fight for victory. Try as he might, Bridewell didn't have an answer for Irwin, who defended brilliantly onboard the Hager PBM Ducati. It was a respectful game of chess between the fiercest of rivals and right…

GREG HAINES INSIGHT Going behind the headlines in the superbikes paddock 'If you don't attack, they attack you' No wonder former rider turned crew chief Pere Riba was smiling as he left Donington Park on Sunday. He is thoroughly enjoying his partnership with Alex Lowes, the duo having amassed 41 points during the British event, just one less than Ducati's Nicolo Bulega for 'best of the rest' slot behind the dominant Toprak Razgatlioglu. The last few seasons have been tough for Lowes, who lives barely ten minutes from the Leicestershire venue. They've been plagued by injures, and at times his team were lost in terms of bike setup. No so in 2024, as the man with 300 race starts to his name displayed superb maturity and consistency, having switched to the…

DONINGTON PARK | WSBK Reigning World Champions Ducati are doing everything in their power to prevent Toprak Razgatlioglu and BMW from stealing their World Superbike crown this season. However, as both Alvaro Bautista and Nicolo Bulega know only too well, fighting Toprak is somewhat difficult. Italy's Bulega is the future for Ducati, not least because of his nationality. He remains second in the series but 41 points behind despite three podiums at the weekend. Bautista, third, is 55 points adrift of Toprak, meaning he'd lead the championship by only seven points even if he dominated Most with Toprak watching at home. If two things were apparent for Bautista at Donington, it's the fact that a) Qualifying remains the most important few minutes of the weekend and b) This year's rules…

NEXT-LEVEL TECH Yamaha are also busy looking into both electric and hydrogen combustion. Back in March, the factory announced they are now working with Lola Cars to develop electric powertrains for the Formula E world championship – a move which could cause a trickle-down effect to motorcycles. Last year, the Japanese brand entered a consortium alongside Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Toyota called the HySE (Hydrogen Small mobility & Engine technology) to look into the viability of the fuel source for the motorcycle industry. Back in November 2023 at the EICMA trade show in Milan, Yamaha's then European President Eric de Seynes spoke with MCN about the project, saying: “Hydrogen is obviously a next-generation technology, but it requires a lot of energy [to produce]. “So, until the world is producing more…

Leaving the road behind we headed to the dyno to assess the effects of Sustain Super 80 on our Suzuki's power output. Using the same bike we conducted two full power runs, first using a small amount of E10, before flushing it through and repeating the test with an amount of Sustain Super 80 sustainable fuel. The dyno runs confirmed what our testers had felt on the road; the test using standard unleaded yielded peak power of 139.5bhp @ 10,900rpm and maximum torque of 74.4lb.ft @ 9100rpm. Meanwhile Sustain Super 80 produced near identical figures of 139.6bhp and 74.3lb.ft. Andy Cartlidge at BSD Performance in Peterborough, who conducted the dyno tests for us, said: “The fuelling was spot on, it didn't change between the two different types of fuel. The…

Hybrid cars cost around the same as combustion-only equivalents, but combine EV economy and ease-of-use with a petrol engine to make high-speed driving realistic, without range anxiety or the hassle of waiting for a battery to recharge. Kawasaki's Ninja 7 HEV aims to translate that success to bikes, and it's not simply the Eliminator 500 lump with an EV tacked on – it shares cylinders, the cylinder head casting and basic architecture, but it has unique crankcases to integrate the liquid-cooled electric motor, an ISG unit that both starts the bike and generates power for the 48v and 12v systems instead of typical separate starter/generator components, and automated transmission, as well as many other detail changes. Yes, automated transmission. No clutch or gear lever. The electric motor drives the gearbox…

'Dodge traffic with a smile on your face' GET PROTECTED WITH MCN – AT MCNCOMPARE.COM Owning a small electric bike for the city makes perfect sense, and Maeving's new £7495 RM1S embodies all that's good about battery power. It's a 125cc equivalent with twin batteries you can either charge in situ or remove to plug in at home or the office. The fact it's only meant for short trips and simple to charge gets rid of electric anxieties at a stroke. After that the Maeving is a 'normal' motorcycle, but one that's easy to ride, smooth and silent. It wafts like a two-wheeled tube train and unlike Maeving's original RM1 that only did 45mph, the RM1S does 70mph and keeps up with traffic. Best of all is the way it's…

The E300SE is driven by Segway's own hub-mounted electric motor. Peak power is 13bhp (10kW), while torque is an absurd-sounding 148lb. ft (200Nm). Plenty of electrics claim epic torque, but most of the time the resulting acceleration is nothing special. Surprisingly the Segway actually feels pretty brisk, at least in its sportiest setting. There are three modes. Mode 1 is 'Eco', with leisurely acceleration and a top speed of around 60mph. Mode 2 is 'Coast', which drives faster but also cuts all regen on a shut throttle, so it runs on like a two-stroke. Mode 3 is 'Furious'. Stop laughing at the back. 'Furious' actually proves impressively tetchy. Our GPS datalogger shows it sprints from 0-30mph in just 3s, and goes on to a tested top speed of 67.9mph –…

Our visit to MAHLE went so well that we overran on time and ended up sitting in on a call with Neil Wright, the founder and MD of Vepro. The Coalville-based engineering firm have a partnership with MAHLE and offer independent engineering services on light vehicles, with a focus on motorcycles. The team work with brands to help with design, analysis, homologation issues, and more. Wright himself worked on Triumph's powertrain development from 1988 to 1998. During the meeting, we discussed potential future propulsion methods for motorcycling, with Wright believing we will see more hybrids. “As independents you end up making a judgement based on what level of interest you get from people. What you're asked to do is the acid test of what's going to happen,” Wright commented. Speaking…

£13,000-£18,500 (2019-2020) The LiveWire is not only fully-electric, it is also very good. With a DC fast-charging system, the LiveWire can fully-recharge in under an hour and features angle-responsive ABS and TC as well as connectivity, inverted forks and Brembo brakes. Neatly, Harley have actually engineered 'noise' into the drive train via a bevel gear so it sounds cool when it accelerates. BUYER BEWARE ⚡ In 2021, Harley released the LiveWire One. Basically the same bike as the original LiveWire minus Harley branding but with a lower price. That's not been great for used values of the LiveWire… You can get a new LiveWire One for £22,990 with a two-year warranty on the bike and five on the battery. ⚡ Owners report the small 12v battery can be quite fragile,…

'Is it the shape of the future for biking?' There are two emerging themes within motorcycling that feel like they could – or will – become pivotal over the next decade in shaping the future of biking, and both are featured in this edition of MCN in a fairly big way. The first is the most obvious – and revolves around the seemingly muddier-than-ever subject of alternative fuels, zero emissions, hybrids and electrification, and myriad other variations on the theme. Clearly, the decisions that successive governments will force into legislation will continue to drive the agenda, and result in multiple U-turns, blind alleys, and desperate frustration for manufacturers as they try to react. So, what on Earth is going on right now? We plunge into the status quo, look at…

A former club racer from Staffordshire has returned to Mallory Park to complete a lap, 13 years on from a horror accident at Gerard's Bend that left him unable to walk. Having defied the odds to regain his mobility, Mark Sewell, 58, from Cheadle lapped the circuit on Saturday, July 6 during the Leicestershire circuit's Mallory Bike Bonanza weekend – using the same Honda CB500 he was racing on the day of the 2011 crash. “When I arrived it brought back a hell of a lot of emotions and we just occupied ourselves by getting the bikes out and taking them down to scrutineering,” Mark told MCN after his ride, wearing the same number 13 and the same leathers he'd worn during his racing career. The accident left Mark unable…

The Isle of Man TT took centre stage at last weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed, with thousands of onlookers treated to a 'balcony moment' celebrating the record-breaking achievements of Michael Dunlop. The Northern Irish rider has the most wins around the 37.73-mile Mountain Course, having taken his tally to 29 this year. He appeared on the balcony of Goodwood House during the Saturday of the four-day motorsport event, answering a series of questions in front of an applauding crowd before being joined for photos by 23-time winner John McGuinness, and 14-time victor Peter Hickman. “This is an honour,” Dunlop said. “What they've done today, it's obviously something that will stick in my memory forever and I'm just so grateful to the Goodwood people for everything they've done. “To be the…

Great Wall Souo Motorcycle has been created by China's Great Wall Motor, a car maker that already owns five four-wheeled brands – Ora, Wey, Haval, Tank and Great Wall. Ora recently entered the UK's electric car market with the £31,995 Ora 03, with Great Wall also manufacturing BMW's latest electric Mini Cooper via a joint venture. Souo's monstrous S2000 is their first motorcycle and it's aimed squarely at out-doing the Honda GL1800 Gold Wing on being the biggest and best tourer available on the market. Like the established Gold Wing family, the S2000 has been launched in two forms; the S2000ST has side cases but no topbox, while the S2000GL is the full-dress variant with a top case and armchair-style pillion accommodation. Both share the same mechanical underpinnings, dominated by…

Oxford Auxiliary Lights £172.49 Treat yourself to some tech We've long come to accept electronic gadgets as part of everyday life, with all kinds of clever devices and gizmos designed to bring convenience and enhancement to everything we do. Among the hits and misses are hi-tech toys for hooking up to your bike, so this week we've been scouring the web for offers on must-have powered accessories and upgrades. Even in summer a desire for improved lighting is something that many of us can relate to, both from the point of seeing further in the dark and being seen by other road users. These auxiliary lights from Oxford come with everything you need to run them as separate system from your headlights, with the option of a trigger from your…

Yamaha are stepping up exploration of hydrogen power – but not as an alternative energy source for future motorcycles but as a greener fuel in their long-term bid to be carbon neutral by 2050. The firm are to build a new 'verification testing facility' equipped with a melting furnace and heat treatment furnace using hydrogen at their factory at Morimachi, Japan. From 2025, this is set to explore techniques for melting aluminium using hydrogen gas in place of natural gas and fossil fuels. The plan is that, by the end of 2026, Yamaha will have completed tech development and then gradually implement the new techniques at domestic and international casting factories from 2027 onwards. The plan is part of Yamaha Motor's overall efforts to minimise 'Scope 1 CO2 emissions' (direct…

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BIG READ JOHN REYNOLDS The 2004 British Superbike Championship provided not only an incredible spectacle but also cemented the reputation of Britain's domestic series as the most prestigious in the world. As well as a full-factory HRC team competing, it saw factory-supported Japanese riders, Dunlop and Michelin embroiled in a tyre war, high street names such as Rizla and Virgin Mobile sponsoring teams, brand-new litre bikes, an emerging pool of young riders desperate to shine and key protagonists – John Reynolds and Michael Rutter – immortalised in a BSB Scalextric set. Fair to say 2004 wasn't your average year. Reacquainted with his Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 for the first time in two decades, 2004 British Superbike champion John Reynolds looks back on a season that has come to define a golden era…

It's actually got a clutch Yes, you read that right. The Escape XR comes with a diaphragm clutch that is hydraulically controlled, allowing for a conventional action to build and release revs. Proper braking hardware EM haven't scrimped on componentry, equipping the Escape XR with Nissin braking systems with a four-piston caliper up front and a two piston caliper taking care of things at the rear. What's app'ening 'ere then? With the EM Connect app, the different maps can be altered to fine tune a host of settings, including power, throttle response, the TKO feature and even the ability to lock the machine.…

LONGTERM TESTS YAMAHA MT-09 1562 MILES CARL STEVENS ROAD TESTER Loves anything that's sporty, exciting or has a tendency to get dirty. I did worry that after a few months, the MT-09 might not be enough to keep me hooked. Is it sporty enough? Is there enough power to keep my itchy throttle hand happy? Is it comfortable enough to live with? These are difficult questions for one machine to answer, but the MT-09 has certainly delivered. I'm actually quite sad to be saying goodbye before the glorious XSR900 GP turns up for the second half of the year, but it's not all been perfect either. 1 Triple's just the ticket Yamaha's CP3 engine just keeps on getting better and better. There's enough torque to keep things fun, yet with a…

Only five rounds into the 12-event 2024 World Superbike calendar and there's plenty going on as teams and promoters start thinking ahead to the 2025 season. Calendar shake-up With F1 owner Liberty Media set to purchase Dorna, the commercial rights holder of MotoGP as well as World Superbike, sorting out the race calendar is a major priority. Following the loss of Argentina due to governmental changes and Indonesia because bills weren't being paid, a sole 'flyaway' event in Australia is alongside 11 other rounds all in Europe. For 2025 numerous new additions are being discussed, such as Hockenheim in Germany and Istanbul Park in Turkey. That's not to mention Shanghai in China, Losail in Qatar and a return to the United States with the Barber Motorsport Park in Birmingham, Alabama.…

Cortyon's UK Sales Director, Luke Goldsmith talks us though the process of how a second-generation biofuel is made. “Generally, you're looking at three types of of waste biomass: non-food crop like a switchgrass or something that grows very quickly on land which you can't use for food. Then also generically termed waste materials, like tall oil from paper production. Then there's agricultural residue – this one is particularly pertinent to Coryton and how we go about the manufacture of our sustainable fuel. “When you think of a wheat harvest, there's a lot of waste material that comes off that, such as chaff. So we take that, treat it with an enzyme to break down this complex carbohydrate into a simple one, then ferment it into ethanol. Now, humans have been…

'A lifestyle choice not an economic one' Starting out of town, in Sport mode the Z7 requires the rider to change gear via the bar-mounted buttons as (oddly) there is no automatic option in this mode. Do this and thanks to the extra assistance of the electric motor the Kawasaki is more than fast enough - but if you forget to select Automatic Launch Position Finder (ALPF), it is possible to stop while still in top gear, which is annoying. ALPF returns it to first and should be a default setting. Once you get used to the push-button gears the Z7 zips along merrily but the upwards gear changes aren't that smooth, especially when accelerating. On a constant throttle they are better but there is still a definite lurch as…

Meet the RGNT (that's pronounced “re-gent”) Scrambler SE – which falls within the 125cc-equivalent A1 licence category, but in its perkiest setting delivers 28bhp and tops 75mph. Hand-built in Sweden, beneath the old-school silhouette lie some thoroughly modern features, such as a touchscreen TFT display, keyless ignition and the ability to update its software over the air. The Scrambler is slim, low and agile, weighs a shade over 167kg, has a manageable 810mm seat height, with decent legroom between leather saddle and retro rubber pegs. The 'tank' feels slim between your knees, while the braced handlebar sets hands in a comfortable upright stance. The Scrambler steers sweetly on its slim Avon Trailrider tyres, changing direction easily and turning with a predictable, linear rate. Walking-speed U-turns are a breeze thanks to…

BMW's CE 02, with its thin, 750mm bench seat, 14in rims with oversized balloon tyres, a single-sided swingarm, and comfortable flat bars, is a styling departure from the BMW norm – a deliberate move in an attempt to snag a new segment, uninterested in combustion. It may produce an A1-capped 14.8bhp, but there's 40.6lb.ft of torque on tap – allowing you to blast away from the lights. Being electric, you get a twist-and-go transmission, with dual 'Flow' and 'Surf' riding modes as standard (a third is available as the optional £880 'Highline' package). Flash is the sportiest, most direct of the three options. Surf is the easiest mode to use around town, with the lack of resistance off the throttle making for a smooth ride. Producing no vibes through the…

The £4699 Zeeho AE8 S+ is one of three new battery powered electrics coming to the UK in 2024. Chances are you won't have heard of the brand before, and that's because they were only set up in 2020 as a sub brand of CFMoto. The top-of-the-range model features two removable batteries and a mid-mounted electric motor, capable of propelling the bike to around 62mph. You also get a TFT dash with mobile connectivity, a Brembo brake caliper up front, room for a passenger and even a bit of storage space under the seat. Suspended by simple conventional front forks, and a preload adjustable rear shock, the Zeeho's ride is adequate for the price. It's convenience transport, for those that want to step away from taking the bus or train,…

On top of conventional motorcycles, MAHLE began developing battery technology last October for a new all electric three-wheeler, based around Yamaha's Tricity 300. Called the WMC300E+, it's part of a collaboration with UK firm White Motorcycle Concepts – who previously successfully converted the Tricity into a petrol-electric hybrid to be used by British police forces. These bikes are known as the WMC300FRs and also feature a central venturi duct system, which directs airflow between the two front wheels and into a chamber running through the bike. This helps reduce drag -which means enhanced range and top speed performance. This duct will remain on the electric version, with MAHLE having to design the power pack around the patented system. This is the first powertrain manufactured for a machine with aerodynamics at the…

Indian have teamed up with Roland Sands Design (RSD) to create an aggressive one-off Indian Scout twin for Joshua Dun, the drummer from US band Twenty One Pilots. Part of a new YouTube build series, the one-off is based around the latest 1250cc Scout, which was released for 2024 in a range of five different models. This bike is based on the £13,395 Sport Scout and combines a range of bespoke parts, as well as elements from the more aggressive Indian FTR range. “What makes an RSD bike is taking a machine and elevating it,” said Sands. “We've always taken cruisers and made them into sportsbikes. This bike has that RSD silhouette, but the cool thing was how easy it was to make the Scout fit the RSD mould.” Sands…

JUST BREW IT Ride out to Britain's best biking cafés THE DETAILS • Open 7 days 9am-6pm • Find out more on Facebook • Station Yard, Pontarfynach, Aberystwyth, SY23 3JL The middle of Wales is a must for any biker, surrounded as it is by brilliant riding routes, beautiful scenery and an abundance of bike-welcoming spots. And Two Hoots in Devil's Bridge is one of the very best. The location is known for its three bridges, waterfalls and start of the Vale of Rheidol railway but Two Hoots Tearoom has become as popular as the bridges themselves, and owner Shan Jenkins has been at the helm for more than 33 years. “Henry Cole called a few years ago,” he says. “We were on the Motorbike Show which has been on…

OUT AND ABOUT OUR FAVOURITE RIDES MCN staff share their routes in the UK and beyond WIN A Yamaha MT-09 simply by getting a quote at www.mcncompare.com An Instagram-friendly route around Lake Como on the SP67 is pure bliss but if you're keen to get into the Alps and tackle the passes, then jump on the SS36 and head north. The motorway soon melts into a road cutting through the countryside, and before long you'll be at the first of the two passes for the day – the Maloja Pass. Get there early in the day to avoid tourist traffic and have fun playing on the switchbacks all the way up. Keep following Route 3 alongside lush lakes before turning right onto Route 29, and left onto Route 27, then…

FIRST RIDE WHAT'S NEW AND HAS IT WORKED? FIRST RIDE Racy monikers are thrown around the bike world like confetti: SP, RS, SE, RR, R models… they're everywhere. But they're often a mild affront to tags that would once adorn the best performance machines the factories could offer, and the MT-09 SP has been one of the models that didn't quite justify its lofty title, despite some nice paint and updated suspension. The latest one is trying harder however, sporting unique electronic features and the highest-spec brakes on any Yamaha model. Does it finally warrant the Sport Production branding? 1 Stopping power The four-piston radial ADVICS calipers on just about every large capacity Yamaha in the last decade are commonly criticised for a lack of feel, power and ABS that interferes…

HEROES REUNITED REYNOLDS ON THE GSX-R At Suzuki Live earlier this month, John Reynolds was reunited with his 2004 title-winning GSX-R1000 and managed to grab a few laps of Cadwell on it, the first time he has ridden it in 20 years. “I get really emotional seeing this bike nowadays and even more so riding it, it means so much to me and holds so many memories. I had a tear in my eye after my first laps on it,” says a wistful Reynolds. “Riding it again was an absolutely amazing experience and far from a let-down, it still feels beautiful to ride and has so much power. Everything still fitted (including my leathers, just) and it felt like my bike – which it is! You just look at an apex and…

The future of motorcycle propulsion has never seemed more uncertain. Environmental pressures mean it's no longer just about making the loudest, fastest, combustion engines – with net zero targets, tightening emissions regulations, noise cameras, and increased clean air zones all forcing manufacturers to think differently. Moving towards a greener planet is something we should of course be doing in all aspects of life; however motorcycles face an uphill struggle when it comes to ditching the combustion engine. It's also important to note that conventional petrol powered light vehicles, including motorcycles, contribute just 0.46% of the UK's domestic transport emissions. Unlike passenger cars, where there tends to be lots of floor space to mount batteries and hybrid systems, the smaller physical size of a motorbike limits what can be carried as…

With MotoGP now using 40% sustainable fuels before going to 100% by 2027, there's a lot of talk about alternatives to fossil fuels. But it's no longer just for motorsport. Last year, UK-based advanced fuel manufacturer Coryton launched the Sustain range of sustainable drop-in biofuel, the first to be available to the public. Sustain is made from a blend of second-generation biofuel (aka 'advanced biofuel' which is made from agricultural waste such as chaff – not food crops, see p13) and regular fossil fuel, which means it can be used by any type of bike in place of traditional petrol without any modification to the fuelling. Sustain is available in a range of blends from 33% to 80% sustainable fuel, and promises to reduce up to 65% of greenhouse gases…

It's impossible to start talking about the Kawasaki's riding experience without first mentioning the price. £7799 (or £7299 after the Government grant) is considerably more expensive than a comparable electric rival in the Super Soco TC Max which costs £4499 after the same grant, while the petrol Z125, starts at just £4299 – that's not far off half the price. In terms of the ride quality, the non-adjustable suspension does a decent enough job on most surfaces during city riding but it does still sit on the sportier side of set-ups, feeling stiff over big bumps and potholes - especially on the rear shock, although it does have preload adjustment. But this bike is made to be a commuter and it fulfils that role admirably. Forget the stereotype of electrics…

MotoGP This season MotoGP has moved one step closer to the use of fuel which is of 100% non-fossil origin. In 2024, teams must use fuel which is a minimum of 40% non-fossil origin, rising to 100% in 2027. By that point, the fuels used will either be created in a lab using ingredients sourced from a carbon capture scheme or from municipal waste or non-food biomass. For now, 40% of the total carbon content within the fuel used for MotoGP bikes should contain C-14, otherwise known as young carbon – carbon which has not been in place for millions of years like that found in fossil fuels. Fuel samples will be taken to ensure that the levels of C-14 are correct, but so far how it has been achieved…

Who are MAHLE? With offices around the world, MAHLE were founded in the late 1950s and focus on helping manufacturers develop future engine tech. MCN dropped in on their major UK facility which is based in Northampton. 'This is a fully certified vehicle development centre' Motorcycles face a unique challenge when it comes to life after petrol. With limited space onboard, the idea of simply swapping out an internal combustion engine, for an equivalent battery set-up simply doesn't wash – with technology still unable to meet the range, performance, and weight characteristics riders expect. And then there's the wide variety of uses motorcycles are put to across the planet. Where the UK bike market focuses heavily on the leisure sector, other societies use motorcycles like they would a family car,…

Once four-wheelers adopt a technology (fuel-injection, disc brakes, traction control, semi-active suspension, ride-by-wire…), it will inevitably filter down to bikes. While this is yet to happen properly with electric, there is no escaping the fact it is going to happen. So why not get ahead of the game and see if electric is for you? Just like buying a new iPhone, it is the early adopters that take the initial hit but in the used market, electric bikes are actually fairly reasonably priced. Here are five great options. YOUR EXPERT Jon Urry is MCN used bike guru. He has covered a lot of miles on electric motorcycles and was one of the first people to ride BMW's prototype C-evolution scooter in 2012.…

£13,990-£16,999 (2018-2022) Based in Modena, the heart of Italian motorsport, Energica are at the forefront of high-end electric bike design. As well as supplying the MotoE World Cup during its inaugural years (Ducati are now the sole supplier), the firm have always focused on fast-charging technology to allow their bikes to boast the quickest possible recharge (generally under an hour). BUYER BEWARE ⚡ Energica have a range of models with the Ego their sportsbike, the Experia an adventure machine and the Eva a naked option. ⚡ Energica offer a three-year (or 31,000-mile) battery warranty. This can be extended to five years (or 47,000 miles). ⚡ There are tempting ex-demo and new bike deals available. You can get up to £7700 off an EsseEsse 9+, £9000 off an Ego + and…

£1400-£4000 (2018-2020) Britain's most popular electric bike, Super Socos are very much aimed at urban commuters and while they have limited range (roughly 50 miles), they have handy features such as a fully-removable battery to assist with those who may lack a garage (although it weighs 22kg!). They can ridden on an AM-moped licence (which many car drivers have as a historic entitlement). BUYER BEWARE ⚡ There are two types of Soco -twin or single battery. Obviously, the twin-battery models have a greater range, but they are also more expensive and heavier. ⚡ Many owners buy a spare battery so that they can leave one on charge and still ride the bike. An additional battery will set you back around £1100 new. ⚡ There are two Soco batteries – a…

£5000-£7000 (2014-2020) Despite 47bhp and 53lb.ft of torque, and being able to out-accelerate the firm's C650 petrol-powered scooters, the C evolution is classed as a 125. It's all down to average power output but the important thing is that you can buy one and ride it on an A1-licence. With ABS, traction control, variable modes and a TFT dash, this electric is high-tech and classy-looking. BUYER BEWARE ⚡ There are lots of accessories available including a topbox and heated grips. ⚡ Always check when the ABS fluid was last changed. It should be done every two years. ⚡ BMW released a Long Range C evolution model 2016, which isn't A1-legal. It has an extra 11bhp and extended range with a claimed 99 miles, up from 62 before. ⚡ The belt…