Table of contents for 9 November 2022 in MCN

‘My emotion is incredible. It wasn't easy…’ BAGNAIA ON WINNING THE TITLE MOTOGP Pecco does it for Ducati, at long last! It's been a long wait – but Ducati's painful 15-year MotoGP title drought is over as Pecco Bagnaia did exactly what was needed on Sunday to bring home the title. A whole host of previous champs couldn't pull it off, but Bagnaia turned his season on its head to effect the greatest comeback challenge ever as he fought to overhaul Fabio's heroic efforts on an underpowered Yamaha. P62 TOPSTORY Enter Suzuki's parallel universe It feels like Suzuki have been treading water in terms of new bikes for years now. The GSX-S1000 GT has been a big success, and everyone was happy to see the Hayabusa return – but the all-new bike…

If the Moto2 Edition is a little rich for your blood perhaps the new R or RS would fit the bill. The RS gets all the same engine and electronic updates as the Moto2 – including that extra power, switchable lean-sensitive ABS and traction control and up-and-down quickshifter – but with Showa forks and a less aggressive colourscheme. It is yours for £11,295. Or if that's still too much bling (and expense) for you, you could consider the new R model. That gets lower spec suspension – but still Showa up front and Öhlins at the rear – and a less snazzy dash that you might recognise from the popular Trident model. The R also makes slightly less power than its stablemates at 118.4bhp but is still incredibly well spec'd…

Tickets for the 2023 Goodwood Festival, of Speed are on sale now. The annual event is a petrolhead heaven, with the biggest two- and four-wheeled motorsport stars taking to the hill climb on the fastest, rarest, and loudest machinery to wow the thousands of spectators. Stars appearing have included Valentino Rossi, Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner and more. Next year's event will take place on July 13-16, with the Goodwood Revival on September 8-10. For more, visit goodwood.com KTM's Mitas touch Mitas Enduro Trail+ tyres will appear on the 2023 KTM 890 Adventure R. The semi-knobbly designs are balanced for 60% road use and 40% off-road use and join the company's Terra Force-R rubber used on the 1290 Super Adventure Sand the E-07s found on the smaller 690 Enduro R. For…

JEANS WORTH £169.99 What if your favourite single-layer jeans could pass the same CE protection standards as race leathers? AAA Original Approved jeans are the latest evolution of Oxford's groundbreaking Armourlite single-layer denim. They offer the comfort and convenience of regular jeans, with the added peace of mind that comes with the highest CE safety standard. The materials and construction have been developed to offer next-level protection, so there is no compromise required when kitting up for sericus riding. Features include ultra-secure belt loops, durable twill pocketing, triple needle stitching, knee and hip protectors included, plus slim and straight fits. Enter at www.motorcyclenews.com/winoxfordjeans TERMS AND CONDITIONS: 1. The prize draw closes at midnight on November 29 2022.2. This competition is open to UK residents aged 16 and over. 3. There…

Oxford Smart Fingers £14.99 Touchscreen-friendly fingertips are a feature of many modern gloves and pretty much a must if you want to keep your hands warm in winter. For those not so blessed, Oxford have come up with this six pack of stickon pads to keep you connected, without taking your gloves off. www.oxfordproducts.com Seiko Sports Honda Super Cub watch £340 Enthusiasts can show their appreciation for the world's most mass-produced motorcycle with this Seiko. Several, neat details echo the iconic Honda Super Cub's styling, plus it has an extra long NATO-style strap designed to be worn around a jacket sleeve. www.seikoboutique.co.uk ByCity The Rock helmet £165 Rocking the retro look, this new lid from ByCity could be just the thing for hitting the streets on a scrambler or custom…

1.1979 Honda CB125S My first bike – which cost me the princely sum of £350 and I still own! I hope that one day I can pass it on to my children. 2.1980 BMW R100S ‘Exklusiv Sport’ My first big bike! After the Honda expired I went straight to this BMW. It came from a great home and I used it extensively…. until I found out how rare it is (approx one of 50 made). I decided to ‘retire’ it. 3. 2012 BMW R1200GS Triple Black The bike that replaced the R100S. I bought when it was two months old – and it was immaculate, with full luggage and all possible extras. It's one of the last air-cooled models. 4. 2011 BMW R1200RT My late father's bike. On our last…

‘It's all about what you really want…’ I was reading the Mr Velcro column in last week's MCN, and while our dealer mole is right to voice caution about paying extra for mods you might not want, or which may devalue a bike – he's completely wrong to dissuade you from buying what you actually want. Let's take the bike he dismissed as a good example of why – while it might not have been right for him – it could be perfect for you. So you want a VFR750F? Great choice. They might be over 25 years old now, but on today's roads they feel as relevant as they ever did, and it's still one of the greatest road bikes ever built. If you can live without all the…

OUT AND ABOUT THE ROUTE ● 66-mile blast across the Borders ● 2 hours ‘Go for a Border blast’ Bruce Dunn takes in some dramatic Scottish scenery and roads From the bike-friendly Buccleuch Arms, this route takes you across amazing and remote scenery. Head north from Moffat on the A701 for about 14 miles, then take the next right turn, marked ‘Talla Fruid’ and after 4 ½ miles the single track road starts to climb steeply. As you carry on on this road you will arrive at a junction – the road is the A708, turn right and then after 1.7 miles turn left, this will take you to Crosslee on the B709. Ride through Crosslee and get on the B711 and once again you find you have the road…

MCN 250 MILE ROAD TEST • THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK £7495 Moto Morini X Cape • 649cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, 8v parallel-twin • 60bhp@8250rpm • 213kg (dry) £ 9900 Yamaha Ténéré 700 • 689cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, 8v parallel twin • 72.4bhp@9000rpm • 204kg (kerb) Yamaha's Ténéré 700 nailed the middleweight adventure sector back in 2019. An irresistible combination of punchy performance, engaging handling, fun and affordable pricing have helped this rally raid inspired twin shine. But the opposition is chipping away, and the latest protagonist has the credentials to mount a stiff challenge. Moto Morini's new X-Cape offers a similar package to its Japanese rival in terms of engine type and capacity (it's a DOHC, 8v paralleltwin, just like the Ténéré, packing 649cc to the Yamaha's 689cc) and is…

4 YEARS First up is the excellent fit. The jacket is well tailored, which means pre-curved sleeves and no excess material. It's a great combination of being lightweight yet substantial enough to use on the road – just not in the winter. There is ample airflow thanks to big vents on the sleeves, chest and back, plus if it gets really hot the sleeves can be removed completely and you can use it as a vest. There is even a large pocket on the lower back where you can stash the sleeves. At the other end of the temperature scale the high neck keeps draughts out. It has a waterproof pocket accessed from the outside for your phone, two big easy to access front pockets. You can fit a water…

I've worn these textiles through all weathers and they've always been up to the task. I've never felt water come through, even in heavy downpours, but with the removable wind- and waterproof linings in it's a pretty snug fit for me, feeling much tighter than other kit of the same size. However, it's not uncomfortable as such, and still does up fine. Take the lining out (the fabric on the popper tabs could be slightly more robust) and the jacket fits me far better, with loads of venting for warm summer days like the ones we had earlier this year. When it's warm it feels light and loose but doesn't flap around in the wind. There are two inside pockets alongside the two exterior ones, while there is provision for…

BRUCE DUNN MCN's expert technician Feeling the pressure… Check the health of your engine with this essential test 1 Check the values Checking the compression on an engine is an essential part of fault diagnosis. You are measuring the efficiency of the piston and rings, and bore and valves as they compress the airfuel mixture. Worn rings or a damaged piston willgive low readings. Check the workshop manual for the specific procedure and the correct compression values for your bike. BRUCE'S TIPS With a non-runner you can still test the compression with a cold engine 2 Get up to temperature Once you have checked the manual, warm the bike up to the normal operating temperature. This is necessary because the piston and rings, along with the wall of the cylinder, expand with the…

SPORT INTERVIEW | MOTOGP Reporting from the heart of British bike racing TOP STORY Rory Skinner's dream of becoming a Grand Prix rider will become a reality in 2023 with his move to American Racing in Moto2. It's a breakthrough moment for the young Scot, who, despite positive outings in the Red Bull Rookies, Junior World Championship and British Talent Cup, wasn't able to progress into Moto3 as a teen. We caught up with the 21-year-old as he prepares for his new challenge on the world stage. You have a two-year deal. How important was that for you? “The two-year contract its critical because Moto2 is such a hard class and you're racing against some of the best riders in the world, so you need to give yourself every opportunity that…

Sunday was John McPhee's farewell to the Moto3 class after 179 starts. The Scot scored four victories, 16 podiums and five poles in that time. “I enjoyed my last weekend,” he said. “It was nice to be competitive. It's definitely been a rollercoaster of a year. From starting so strong to then having some of the toughest moments of my career. That felt never-ending. But the last four rounds we've been fighting for the top five. I look forward to the next chapter. I'm a bit emotional now that it's come to an end.” On his plans for next year, McPhee is still awaiting a concrete deal. “I'm trying to make World Supersport happen,” he said. “I'd love to get a crack at a bigger bike, it suits me well.…

What it took to take a title challenge to the last round TOP STORY Fabio Quartararo conceded the MotoGP title in Valencia but not his towering reputation as a racer of rare resilience, speed and ambition. Quartararo went down swinging and can hold his head high. He had done something that seemed impossible on the outdated, gutless Yamaha M1 when the season started at Qatar in March. The Frenchman forced Italian starlet Pecco Bagnaia on the phenomenal Ducati Desmosedici to ride a nervous and unsettled final race of the season to clinch his first, but hugely deserved, MotoGP crown. Losing the title stung and was an emotional moment for the unashamedly ambitious Quartararo who finished fourth in a race when a miracle win was the only slim hope of salvation.…

Eight months ago Enea Bastianini and Aleix Espargaro were surprise title contenders. But in the end they fought for third, which Bastianini claimed without drama at Valencia, the showdown spoilt by Espargaro's DNF. Bastianini upgrades from Gresini to team-mate alongside world champion Pecco Bagnaia in Ducati's factory squad next year. It's a tantalising scenario. Presumably the ‘caution’ Bastianini showed towards Bagnaia's title campaign, under instruction from Ducati, will be gone in 2023. “Riding behind Pecco was a bit dangerous because I had my strengths somewhere else than him. I didn't want to do anything stupid,” said Bastianini, who salvaged eighth from a poor qualifying (13th). That result secured him third in the points table, seven ahead of Espargaro, with his tally bolstered by four superb race wins. And a generous…

Our man was trackside to witness history being made TOP STORY Not even Suzuki's fairytale goodbye to MotoGP could compete for attention with Sunday's headline story: Francesco Bagnaia's nervy ninth place was enough to become Italy's first MotoGP world champion since 2009, and end Ducati's premier class drought of 15 years. The Italian was rarely convincing over three intense days at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit packed with expectation and pressure. Yet coming to Valencia needing just a 14th place to secure his second world title, he didn't need to be. His real work was done in the nine races before, when he amassed 177 points from a possible 225, to overhaul long-time leader Fabio Quartararo. Thus, getting across the line took precedence. First and foremost, Bagnaia was intent on avoiding…

I went to Valencia, and what a sensational finale! MotoGP is a spectacle like no other. The noise, the speed… the bikes are just amazing pieces of kit to see, and when they ride them like they do it's incredible. I was chatting to Cal Crutchlow about what they are like to ride and he just said they are mental. You can ride a Fireblade or an R1 on the road and they are amazing, but these things are like spaceships. I got to get up close to a few this weekend and aside from all the wings, the tech, and all the buttons on the dash, you can't believe how small they are and how they get the engine to fit! At the start of the race Fabio looked…

SAVE £3000 £13,999 Suzuki Hayabusa It may be a child of the 90s at heart, but even by today's standards the third-generation 2021 Suzuki Hayabusa still feels like a spaceship. Uniquely long and low with lots of bike in front and behind you, riding the Busa is like piloting a hyper-speed canoe. And this massive saving means speed has never been so attainable. www.boltonmotorcycles.co.uk SAVE £1291 £16,999 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S This 2022-model has the Tech Pack, luggage, Akrapovic can, riser kit and Ergo seats. www.phmotorcycles.co.uk • Engine 1301cc • Power 158bhp • Weight 220kg • Seat height 849mm SAVE £1850 £8199 KTM 890 Duke The 890 offers loads of fun and games on any road, while a significant saving bring si tin below rivals like the MT-09. www.thepotteries.co.uk…

Indian have announced range updates for 2023, including new FTR Sport and Challenger Elite models and a host of striking new colours. Starting with the Sport, it replaces the FTR S and sits below the flagship FTR R Carbon but above the base model. FTR and FTR Rally and has 19in frant/18in rear spoked wheels wrapped with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR knobby tyres. The Sport has been given a number of aesthetic tweaks, including a seat cowl, new tank panelling, and a chin fairing which wraps around the headlight and helps shroud the new round touchscreen 101mm TFT dash – something also featuring on the Carbon and Rally. The dash includes navigation and allows you to control, the bike's three riding modes. Lean sensitive ABS and traction control also feature.…

THIS WEEK Scan the QR code to read the full five-bike test online now Picking KTM's 690 Enduro R as the winner of our recent middleweight adventure test was just the start and I knew that there would be a whole load of fettling needed to fine tune it to my needs (MCN Nov, 2). So what's next? To see if what I'd done had worked I set off on a 500 mile round-trip to Wales. Taking in the Ml and M6 before heading onto fast-flowing A-roads, the Concept Seats seat and Rade Garage tower gave me all the comfort and wind protection I'd been hoping for. Fully loaded with two days’ worth of clothes, along with all my camping and cooking equipment, the new, improved ergonomics passed the test.…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews It's not all about little and large Just slipping in a comment on the World Superbike rider weight ‘debate’ sparked by Scott Redding and Alvaro Bautista (MCN, November 2). If the lighter rider is to reign supreme over his fellow competitors – based solely on his weight with seemingly little regard for talent and previous accomplishments then surely it follows that Dani Pedrosa (with all due respect) should have won 13 MotoGP championships between 2006 and 2018. Rick Barnes, Warks STAR LETTER Write something that spikes our interest, and you could get selected for the Star Letter slot. Each week one lucky reader will receive an MCN T-shirt in a variety of different designs Time to scrap Showdown In the October 19 issue, Bradley Ray is…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST WEDNESDAY November 9 BIKE MEETS ■ 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.toomiescafe.co.uk ■ Brit Bike Night, Ace Cafe, Stonebridge, London 6pm www.london.acecafe.com SHOW EICMA Motorcycle Show, Milan ltaly www.eicma.it TRACKDAY ■ MSV Open Pitlane Trackday, Oulton Park (International) Cheshire from £105 www.MSVTrackdays.com THURSDAY November 10 BIKE MEETS ■ Vic Bikers Pub, Coalville Leics www.vicbikerspub.co.uk ■ Iron Horse, Iron Horse Ranch House, Market Deeping, Lines 5pm9pm 01778-346952 or www.ironhorseranchhouse.co.uk ■MAG Bike Night, The Market, Elsecar, South Yorkshire. From 6pm 01226 742240 ■ Down and…

‘Exploring on my Duke’ R5K MEMBER JADE CLARKE Here I am parked up during a day out exploring in the Howardian Hills on my trusty little KTM 390 Duke. ‘First ride on my new Tuono’ R5K MEMBER STEPHEN RAWSON I had an early finish and so headed for my first ride out on my new Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory, grabbing this picture at Torside Reservoir in the northern Peak District. ‘Herne Bay in the October sunshine’ R5K MEMBER DARYL WILLIAMS A picture at Herne Bay, in Kent. I wish I'd taken another photo half an hour later; it was heaving! ‘A fantastic ride’ R5K MEMBER ALAN MOTYER LOWNDES A photo from our mid-October Scotland trip. We covered 630 miles and stopped off on the road from Moffat to Selkirk Road…

It's Britain's toughest road test route. A fun but punishing mix of A- and B-roads, busy motorway, towns and villages. It's all Britain's road types compressed into one route. There are three sections and we combine the two that best test the bike's character. On average we ride 450 miles per bike, per test. MCN 250 MILE ROAD TEST •THE HOTTEST BIKES •EVERY WEEK WEATHER WATCH…

‘It's the Yam, for now…’ Three years after its Launch, the Ténéré 700 is still a brilliant bike. ALL the ingredients are there – nimble chassis, great feedback, punchy engine, affordable price – but other marques are hard on its heels. Morini's X-Cape is a remarkable effort; a decent bike in many ways, particularly price. But no amount of saving can disguise how badly Morini have dropped the ball in terms of the engine. More work could easily transform the X-Cape into a great middleweight adventure tool, especially if Morini keep the price as keen as it is now. Having seen the rapid progress parent company Zhongneng have made with CFMoto it's dear that Morini can bridge the gap and potentially bloody Yamaha's nose in the not-too-distant future. But for…

Engine not running smoothly? As we have seen on this spread, checking the compression on the cylinders is easy enough, the difficulty and expense comes when you discover a low cylinder reading. But it is worth checking out a few more things before you start stripping the top end and ordering up new valves, piston rings and gaskets. First up, I would check the head gasket for signs of oil or coolant leakage – the area to focus on is where the top of the cylinder meets the bottom of the cylinder head. Valve clearances are another potential source of trouble since they often get overlooked or neglected. Left unchecked the valve clearances close up, so much so that the valve gets held back from the valve seat and fails…

Ducati may have something else to celebrate this weekend as Alvaro Bautista heads to the penultimate World Superbike round in Indonesia with a chance of becoming champion. Seven days after Pecco Bagnaia sealed Ducati's first MotoGP title in 15 years (p62), Bautista can clinch the Bologna factory's first WSB crown in 11 years – Carlos Checa being the last Ducati rider to do so, in 2011. Bautista holds an 82-point lead over reigning champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, and a 98-point advantage over six-time champion, Jonathan Rea. It looks like the writing is on the wall for the Spaniard's rivals, with only 62 points still available after this weekend. Toprak and Rea are going to have to pray for a miracle if they're to keep the championship fight alive. Still, the Mandalika…

The most respected voice in the MotoGP paddock TOP STORY Back in 2007, Ducati were riding high. In the first year of 800cc MotoGP, clever Magneti Marelli electronics dealing with new fuel restrictions and almost exclusive use of Bridgestone tyres gave them an edge. The genius of Casey Stoner did the rest. Five years after joining the new MotoGP class, they swept to the team, constructor and rider championships. What could possibly go wrong that it would take another 15 years to repeat the feat? As it turned out, plenty. Over the next three years not only did Stoner suffer health problems, but also Ducati's other advantages were whittled away. In 2008 Rossi, among others, switched to the superior Bridgestones, and won the title. The next year they became universal…

British Electric motorcycle company Maeving have chosen Lloyds Banking Group as their finance partner. Co-founder Will Stirrup said: “As a new UK manufacturer, Maeving is delighted to be working with the UK market leader for vehicle finance. We were able to integrate Blackhorse's quote-and-apply journey directly onto our direct-to-consumer website.” The Coventry firm currently produce the RM1 – a battery-powered retro making 125-equivalent performance. Visit maeving.com for more. Motorcycle Jenga A woman riding a Honda NC750X was stopped by Wiltshire Police on the M4 Last month for having what appeared to be an industrial vacuum cleaner and a bicycle strapped to the back. The police later commented that “they hadn't seen a motorcycle loaded like this before”. It was discovered that in addition to lugging the unsafe load, the rider…

Yamaha have updated the Ténéré 700 with some of the tech from the World Raid model released last year. For 2023, the standard model, gets the same 5in TFT dash as the World Raid – in place of the more utilitarian LCD unit on previous generations. The new dash means that you can now hook up your smartphone for the first time on the standard Tén. That means call, text and email, notifications on the bike and a range of information including ride data and fault alerts through your phone. Also making its way from the WR to the standard bike is the three-mode switchable ABS replacing the on/off version from before. Riders can now choose between front and rear ABS, just front, or none at all. The bike comes…

LOOKING FOR GREAT BIKE DEALS? Yamaha are rolling out the red carpet for their newlook R125 sportsbike in 2023, with an R7mimicking nose, TFT display, and traction control. The R125 has been entertaining tearaway teens since 2008 and got its last major refresh in 2019 to receive a new steel Deltabox chassis with revised geometry, plus a SOHC 4v single featuring variable valve timing. Both these elements remain for 2023, however the styling has changed from an R6 lookalike to an R7 wannabe sharing the same central LED headlight with symmetrical strips flanking on both sides. The aerodynamic design also sees the bike gain new vented tank covers – just like its more powerful siblings. Nestled behind the screen sits a new 5in colour TFT. As well as being nicer…

Q ‘I just want my claim settled’ I have an ongoing personal, injury claim which my solicitors have been dealing with for four years. Court proceedings were started in 2020 but the case keeps getting placed on pause. I understand this is because the main fracture in my Left leg has still not healed properly. I am now fed up with the stress and would Like it concluded but my solicitors say they cannot do so because of my ongoing problems. Surely I am allowed to settle my own case? Lee Chesterton, email A The court can agree to a stay (pause) in proceedings when a case is not ready for settlement. I imagine that your solicitors are concerned about the non-union of the bone in your Leg and possible…

Readers Sally and Dave Ley The trip From Farnborough to get the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander Spain, then travelling South, returning via Santander How many miles? 1360 How long do you need? 14 days in total with 10 days riding in Spain Best time to go To avoid the peak holiday period for the ferry, we decided to go in June. Tell us about the trip… As it was Sally's first motorcycle trip abroad, we chose a bespoke group tour with Duncan Gough, which was an excellent decision. The journey took us from Santander down to Burgos, around several. Lakes and up through spectacular mountain passes, with eagles and vultures overhead, stopping overnight at wonderful small hotels. We continued the journey south down to the 11th century town of…

WEDNESDAY November 9 9pm, ITV4, NEW: The Motorbike Show THURSDAY November 10 lpm, EUR2, WSB: Catalunya Weekend Highlights 4pm, EUR2, Bennetts BSB: Cadwell Park Weekend Highlights FRIDAY November 11 2am, EUR2, Live World Superbikes from Indonesia: Day 1. Also at 3.45am SATURDAY November 12 5pm, BTS2, MotoGP Rewind: Highlights from Valencia 2am, EUR2, Live World Superbikes from Indonesia: Day 2. Also at 3.45am SUNDAY November 13 8.15am, ITV4, MotoGP Highlights from Valencia 6pm, EUR2, British Speedway Highlights: 2022 Final 11pm, EUR2, World Superbikes from Indonesia: Day 2 Highlights KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT - DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC - DISCOVERY CHANNEL DHD - DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD EXS - EXTREME SPORTS CHANNEL EUR1 (2, HD) - EUROSPORT1 (2,HD) MOT - MOTORSPORT.TV CH4 - CHANNEL 4 CH5 - CHANNEL FIVE BBC BBCI – BBC…

Many of us ride from spring through to autumn and then hibernate our bikes through winter until spring returns again. That's a shame, because even in winter, there are clear and dry days offering an opportunity to enjoy brilliant motorcycle rides. Preparation is key to a great winter ride. Remember, there are fewer hours of daylight, and the temperature drops when the sun goes down, so you'll have less time to play with. That means you won't be able to cover the same distance as you might in summer. Think about stopping points en route. Will there be somewhere warm to sit, serving hot food and drinks? You don't want to be shivering at a picnic table in a layby when you take a break. Road conditions can vary dramatically…

Adventure bikes are the Swiss army knives of the two-wheeled world – do-anything machines that'll make light work of everything from commuting and touring to exploring trails and tackling mammoth two-up trips. And thanks to a range of extras, both Ténéré and X-Cape can be further honed to excel at whatever discipline you favour. Morini's extras package includes an all-aluminium pannier and topbox set, with mounting rails, for £1070, a tinted a taller touring screen for £134 and hand guards for £116 all perfect for making the X-Cape touring ready. If off-road is on your to-do list, a sturdy aluminium engine bash plate adds £178 and bodywork/engine protecting crash bars are £197. There's also a lower 820mm seat option at £179. Yamaha's options are even broader if you factor in…

‘Better than extra bling’ There is a very valid argument to say that on a bike costing just shy of £30k the stock suspension should be spot on, so you shouldn't have to spend £2402 uprating it. But this is the world of Harley and things are never ‘normal’ and to be fair, many touring model riders favour straight Line comfort over handling. If, however, you want to enjoy your touring at a faster pace, uprating the suspension is a far better direction to aim your cash than items such as Loud pipes or bling as it makes such a dramatic transformation to ride quality and stability in bends. Not only that, it also Looks Like you have two mini NOS bottles attached to the rear. THE FACTS £29,277* Harley-Davidson…

A Honda VFR800 rider had been trawling YouTube for advice on bleeding brakes, but even though he was pumping fluid out of the bleed nipple the level in the reservoir refused to budge. Flummoxed, he called Stourbridge Motorcycle Centre's John Birchill and booked his bike in. John explained: “The reservoir for the rear brake is behind the right side panel and you could see it looked empty from the outside. Then we took the cap off… and fell about laughing because the owner hadn't removed the dust seal and there was an egg-cup's worth of clean brake fluid sitting there. “Everybody is strapped for cash, and a brake service is about £60 a caliper, so I do get it, but if you're not sure, brakes aren't really the place for…

SPORT In a year when Honda failed to win a single race, when Yamaha had to rely on superhuman riding to compete, when KTM struggled to consolidate its gains and when Aprilia blazed bright only to slip back out of the limelight, Suzuki closed the season on a high. Two wins in the last three races showed a bike and a team finding superb form. The much-admired GSX-RR, finely balanced and well-rounded, outraced even the dominant Ducatis. All the more shocking that this was its swansong. Suzuki are quitting… while they're ahead. Suzuki played a blinder when the Hamamatsu top brass decided this year that the game of MotoGP wasn't worth the candle (or any other flammable fuel). Citing difficult economic times and the need to concentrate on alternative power…

Marc Marquez crashed out of fourth on Sunday due to a technical issue that forced him to brake harder and later. According to Marquez, the bike is difficult to stop in a straight line, meaning he has to brake much harder, therefore increasing the risk. The former champ says engine improvements are needed as he's losing too much ground in fifth and sixth gear. Martin ends 2022 on a high Jorge Martin secured a much-needed podium to end the year on a high. It's his fourth podium of what has turned out to be a difficult campaign, one which saw him lose out on a 2023 factory rider to Enea Bastianini. His end of season form suggests he could be back to his best next year; Martin started the final…

ALESSIO ‘UCCIO’ SALUCCI, SPORTING DIRECTOR OF VR46 “He's a clever rider, always focused” “Sometimes Pecco is too optimistic. When he first rode the '22 bike at Jerez last November, he came to me and said, ‘Wow, it's the best bike I've ever ridden!’ He started speaking to newspapers. I told him, ‘Pecco, no! I don't like this. Keep a low profile.’ Then, when we arrived at the Malaysia test in February, he tried the new bike and said, ‘In November it was the best bike, now it's shit!’ In this moment, he realised the first five races would be tough. But Pecco always remained focused. He's a clever rider.” CRISTIAN GABARRINI, CREW CHIEF “He pushed like crazy to reach this target” “It's been a long journey. I started working with…