Table of contents for 7 December 2022 in MCN

‘The S1000RR is the easiest superbike to ride fast’ MICHAEL NEEVES TESTS BMW'S WINGED WONDER COVER STORY BMW's wing commander The story of the superbike over the last two decades has been dominated by ever-increasing power, electronics and aggression – and declining sales because they're just ‘too much’ for the average Joe. But BMW's S1000RR has always managed to deliver a stimulating blend of pent-up performance and effortless ease of use. Just as capable of coping with daily commuting duties as it is carving up a race track, it's just got even better, too. P36 TOP STORY Driverless vehicles hit UK roads Should we be petrified or pleased about the imminent trials that will see driverless vehicles let loose on UK roads in 2023? The bad news is that there's…

KTM will treat their 2023 Duke and RC range to new decals and colours for 2023. The fully-faired RC models receive the orange treatment; orange tank, frame and fairings with black wheels and exhaust in addition to a tinted screen. The Dukes receive a number of schemes including a blue-on-white KTM motif, a blue/grey and stealth black livery for the 390 and a black and white scheme on the 890. Four-year warranty Harley are offering buyers of bikes equipped with their Revolution Max engine a two-year extended warranty in addition to the existing two-year warranty and roadside assistance. The offer covers any new Pan America 1250, Pan America 1250 Special, Nightster975 or Sportster S bought before December 31. Enquire at your local dealership for details. LS2 get connected LS2 have…

A bumper season of road racing is set to go ahead at Scarborough in 2023, with four major events across the year. Racing kicks off at the Oliver's Mount circuit on April 15-16 with The Bob Smith Spring Cup, before the Cock O’ The North on July 1-2. Bikes are back on July 22-23 for the Barry Sheene Classic, with the RST Steve Henshaw Gold Cup pencilled in for September 23-24. Other events are to be confirmed. Get tickets at oliversmount.ticketco.events/uk/en or on 01723-333322.…

LOOKING FOR GREAT BIKE KIT DEALS? TomTom Rider 550 World Sat Nav £292.06 Let your TomTom be your guide Far from being just high-tech bling, the latest gizmos can prove a boon on any journey, from the commute to group rides or full-on adventuring. Our search for the best deals has brought up a bundle of navigation options, plus some essential workshop kit. TomTom's 550 Rider is one of the easiest satnavs to control, with an intuitive operating system and WiFi connectivity that allows you to design routes via app or desktop. Maps come with a lifetime update, which includes motorcycle dedicated places of interest and useful info such as speed cameras one particularly handy feature is that it automatically keeps track of average speed within temporary and permanently monitored…

A new injunction has been granted by the High Court, meaning anyone stepping foot on the M25 motorway without permission from National. Highways could face prison, an unlimited fine, a seizure of assets ora combination of all three. Designed to deter disruptive protesting from groups such as Just Stop Oil, the decision was made on Monday, November 28, by the Honourable Mr Justice Soole and will remain in place until midnight on November 15, 2023. In a statement, Transport Secretary Mark Harper MP said: “The reckless, selfish actions of a small group of protestors has stopped children getting to school, people getting to work, and emergency service workers from their critical work. “That's why, in my first week as Transport Secretary I instructed National. Highways to secure an injunction in…

‘Big Hornet gives FireBlade buzz’ So, Honda have revived the Hornet name for 2022 after discontinuing it in 2014 when their naked middleweight, which basically had the same engine as the Hornet, became the CB650F. Not a Hornet, definitely not a Hornetas I was told quite forcefully at its launch. I've tested a fair few middleweight Hornets and in truth I've never gelled with them. Faced with the likes of the Yamaha Fazer 6, Kawasaki Z750 or even the Suzuki SV650 or GSR600 (remember them?) I always found Honda's middleweight offering frustratingly buzzy and a bit gutless. There is another Hornet, however, that's a bit of an unsung hero. The Hornet 900 (look for twin underseat pipes) was launched in 2001 and uses a retuned FireBlade engine. Back in the…

OUT AND ABOUT South-western spectacular! Dan Sutherland goes for a romp around North Devon's hot spots Starting in Tiverton and ending up in the seaside settlements of Lynton and Lynmouth for chips and a cuppa, there are breath-taking coastal views, sudden drops and awesome tarmac. Leaving Tiverton on the A396, head towards Dulverton. Hugging the River Exe, stay on this road until you reach a roundabout outside the Exeter Inn Hotel. Take the first exit and continue to follow signs towards Dulverton, following the A396 until Dunster, With the blue of the Bristol Channel appearing in front of you, take a left out of the town on the A39 to Porlock. From here, it's more of the A39; climbing Porlock Hill. With the water now flanking your right-hand side, the…

THURSDAY December 8 3am, EUR2, WSB: Portugal 4am, EUR2, Word Superbikes: Argentina Weekend Highlights SATURDAY December 10 3am, EUR2, World Superbikes; Indonesia Weekend Highlights SUNDAY December 11 7.50am, ITV4, World Superbikes season review KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT – DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC – DISCOVERY CHANNEL DHD – DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD EXS – EXTREME SPORTS CHANNEL EUR1 (2, HD) – EUROSPORT 1 (2, HD) MOT – MOTORSPORT.TV CH4 – CHANNEL 4 CH5 – CHANNEL FIVE BBC BBCI – BBC INTERACTIVE ESPN – ESPN CLASSIC CHANNEL ITV DST – DISCOVERY TURBO SHED – DISCOVERY SHED INST – INSIGHT SS1 (2, 3 OR X) – SKY SPORTS 1 (2, 3 OR EXTRA) QUEST BTS1 – BT SPORT 1 BTS2 – BT SPORT 2 TVL – TRAVEL UK…

‘A strangely warm outing’ R5K MEMBER LEE HARRISON I had a great ride out round Derbyshire on a recent weekend. Strangely warm for this time of year. It was awesome to get out for the day. ‘Combe Laval in France for a busman's holiday’ R5K MEMBER KEITH BOUSFIELD I run Haggis Motorcycle Tours & Hire but wanted to go somewhere I don't go on tours… Combe Laval was one of those areas. I did day trips out from there as far as Col de la Bonnette and back in a day. This is a must road for anyone. ‘Memorable NC500 tour’ R5K MEMBER ADRIAN JONES Scotland on the NC500 and beyond. It turned into a memorable tour as I proposed to Sam on a stunning beach called Achmelvich on the…

‘Ridiculously easy to ride’ It only takes a handful of laps at Almeria to know the new S1000RR's level is way beyond what most of us could ever hope to exploit, and to use its electrical wizardry to the full will take some serious talent. But thanks to its upgrades it's not only a brutally quick superbike, but one with an even bigger safety margin on the road and track, especially if you are riding on worn tyres. It's hard to say if it's dynamically better than the old model, but the engine, ride and electronics are all smoother, making it the easiest of all the superbikes to ride fast. Ridiculously fast! THE FACTS £18,610 (£23,995 as tested) BMW S1000RR PCP finance deals:Not available yet…

‘It ticks all the boxes’ This is an impressive upgrade from KTM-the breadth and level, of the 890's abilities are much improved and make it a compelling motorcycle. Its off-road ability is excellent (to the point where you'd question buying the R model) while there is more than enough power and cornering prowess to make it an engaging road bike, too. Combined with excellent touring ability, the new bike ticks all the boxes and offers good value for money. There isn't a rival that can do as much – and do it as well. THE FACTS £11,999 KTM 890 Adventure…

13 months AvaiLabLe in 150cm and 125cm options, I've been using the 150cm version of the Core Mato in Blaze Orange (aLso available in red or black). Rated Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold standard, ART LeveL 3, and Secured by Design – it offers plenty of protection peace of mind, all wrapped in a washable neoprene skin to prevent scratching. At its core is the firm's Boaflexicore Plus, which is a multi-strand weave of plant-based polymer, steeland a high-tensile core-mated to a hardened steel lock. In operation, it's exceptionally simple to use, and when not in use, it can be coiled to make it smaller. So far, all very good indeed. But here's the frustration: It's exceptionally rigid, which depending on your bike and locking location – can make ittricky to…

BRUCE DUNN MCN's expert technician Shrug off the salt Prepare your bike for winter with a coat of DIY anti-rust treatment 1 Don't go in dirty First things first-give your bike a proper clean. Your aim is to remove all the road dirt to reveal the bare surfaces of the engine chassis and components. Depending on what type of bike you have, be prepared to remove bodywork panels and fairings to gain access to the hidden parts of the machine's engine and running gear. 2 Assess the muck With the fairing panels removed you will be able to clean all the parts of the bika. If you don't usually remove your fairings when washing the bike, be prepared for there to be a considerable build-up of road grime and dust under there.…

Tim Neave has secured a dream move to McAMS Yamaha following the departure of Tarran Mackenzie. Neave will make his full-time BSB debut with Steve Rodgers’ squad after representing the team in the National Superstock Championship this season. Onboard the Edwards 1902-liveried Yamaha Rl, Neave secured the manufacturer's first superstock win in more than a decade at the opening round, winning both races at Silverstone. Another win at Donington Park saw Neave hold a 19-point lead in the standings after three rounds, but his title hopes all but ended when he sustained a broken pelvis during the Knockhill test, causing him to miss two rounds. Neave recorded one more podium before the end of the year, finishing 2022 seventh overall. “When I signed for the team last year, in the…

Reading between the lines about what Taz could be doing, I just want him to be happy. There are riders in BSB, riders like Tommy Bridewell, Danny Buchan, etc, who are great BSB riders and will be for another ten years. Then there are the others, like Taz, who want to be world champions. They want to ride all around the world – and fair play to him. Ultimately we need a Brit in MotoGP, but unlike the Italians or the Spanish we don't have riders queuing up. The question for now, though, is ‘should Taz be in Superbike or Supersport?’ A lot of good lads went the Supersport route: Rea, Crutchlow, Laverty, Davies… Taz could have a year to learn and get things lined up, and if he can…

FREE 125! £19,400 Triumph Tiger 1200 Here's a buy one get one free deal with a difference, if you've got a family member or friend who's keen to get into biking. JS Gedge in Sussex are offering a FREE white pre-reg Honda CB125F. Snap up one of their pre-reg Rally Explorers in either matt khaki or sapphire black to qualify for the deal. www.jsgedge.co.uk SAVE £350 £4699 KTM RC125 This is a proper-sized learner bike with a spacious, sporty riding position and plenty of room even for a six-footer. And now a chunk of cash off, too. www.shirlaws.com • Engine 124cc • Power 15bhp • Weight 135kg • Seat height 820mm SAVE £1106 £5995 Suzuki Burgman 400 If you fancy some urban transport with the ability to go roam further…

Piaggio, who own Aprilia and Mato Guzzi, have opened a new production facility in Jakarta, the capital, of Indonesia. The 55,000ft2 base is the group's eighth manufacturing plant around the world. Chief Executive Roberto Colaninno said: “The new plant sees the Piaggio Group take another stride forward in the international growth programme it began more than ten years ago.” Whit's new deal Yamaha UK have announced a partnership with James Whitham Motorcycle Track Training to supply R1s to the former racer's riding school. The events are run at tracks across the UK with a roster of past and present racers providing tuition. The bikes will be used by instructors at tracks including Anglesey Knockhill and Cadwell Park. Visit jameswhitham.com/track-training Plan a classic year Elk Promotions have released the 2023 dates…

Caberg Duke Evo Helmet £TBA Due to hit tie shelves in early 2023, the ECE 22.06 certified Duke Evo can be used open or flipped and has a host of new features aimed at the touring rider. A longer chin bar with adjustable vents enhances comfort, there's an integral sun visor and it comes comms-ready for Caberg's Pro Speak Evo. cabergcares.co.uk Falco Lady Nara Boots £149.99 The 2023 version sees a switch from leather to micro-synth for a vegan friendly product. A High-Tex membrane brings waterproofing to the perforated upper and PU plastic provides protection around the ankle. The dual-compound sole ensures stability and there is a reinforced gear change pad. bikerheadz.co.uk Talon Extended Swingarm for KTM SX50 £1095 Developed for junior motocrossers, this CNCmachined aluminium alloy extended swingarm improves…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews Dangerous route for Ducati With the greatest respect to Andrea Ferraresi (right) and his intentions to raise the bar of the Ducati brand, for him to state ‘You start with other brands, then buy a Ducati’ is maybe a little short sighted, even presumptuous (MCN, November 23). My concern is that Ducati will eventually lose sales by not making entrylevel motorcycles. I think it would make more sense for any manufacturer to plant the brand loyalty seed as soon as is possible. By making your premium motorcycle a pipedream, potential customers will shop elsewhere as there are plenty of alternatives. Pete Mortimer, Lincolnshire STAR LETTER Write something that spikes our interest, and you could get selected for the Star Letter slot. Each week one lucky reader…

December 10 ‘Normous Newark Taking place at the Newark Showground, brave the winter weather and bag yourself an autojumble bargain. Entry tickets are £7 which will get you in at 10am, or if you want to snaffle the bargains first, £10 will get you in at 8am, newarkautojumble.co.uk December 11 Paws n’ Claws Pet Food Run Leaving London's Ace Cafe, the ride will end at the Mayhew Animal Home. Gifts are welcomed and some recommendations are towels, blankets, pet food and treats. london.acecafe.com December 8 Iron Horse Bike Night Iron Horse Ranch House in Peterborough are still throwing their weekly Thursday bike night. Kicking off from 5pm, the Iron Horse offers a great range of belly-warming grub. ironhorseranchhouse.co.uk…

Riding on wet roads fills many riders with dread, but follow a few basic rules and you can quickly overcome the fear that your wheels are going to slip out from under you on every corner. The key to staying upright on wet roads is to lower your speed and to do everything smoothly: no hard acceleration or braking, and go easy on the clutch and brakes. Scrub your speed nice and early into the corners, turn in gently – and don't try getting your knee down! Take it steady on downshifts too, as abrupt inputs can cause the rear to lock. Also, leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front to give you more reaction time and reduce the need for heavy braking, and be aware…

Nearly new option: Royal Enfield Meteor 350 More custom in looks than the Hunter, but still pressing many of the same buttons. Lightly used Meteors can be had for £2500-£3000. Useful extras, like screens, panniers and protective engine bars are often included in the price. Used option: KTM Duke 390 Packs similar performance to the Herald despite the capacity deficit (recent examples make an A2-friendly 44bhp). Less than £2400 should turn up a tidy example with sub-10K on the clock. A full-service history is a must – they don't take kindly to poor maintenance. Going for the classic option: Yamaha SRX600 Thumping singles first appeared in 1986 and were updated for Japan's domestic market in the early 1990s. First generation features twin shocks and a kick-start only motor that can…

TRIED & TESTED MCN STAFF RATE THEIR RIDING KIT 4000 MILES Head to the NXR2 page on Shoei's website and you're greeted with a screenful, of Marc Marquez. It's cLear this is a lid aimed at sporty riding, which is exactly the reason I picked it. There are 19 designs on offer in the UK, including some MM93 tributes, but in Nocturne TC-4 colours I think it's a great Look, somehow managing to tread the fine Line between subtle and stylish, with an aerodynamic twist thanks to the spoiler. But as well as the looks, it's the aeros that make this among the quietest helmets I've worn when travelling at speed. I've been north of 120mph on race tracks and it's been brilliant. It's only ever really Loud when you…

Ridden just about everything in a 20-year MCN road testing career When it came to choosing which Tiger 1200 to run as an MCN long termer I went for the GT Explorer version. It's the more roadfocused model with a big tank and 19in front wheel. It's also fitted with Metzeler Tourance Next dual-purpose tyres that aren't too heavily treaded, so perfect for the road. But I've always wondered what the Rally Explorer version is like. Have I been missing out? More importantly, is it worth the extra £1000? To find out, I borrowed one for a few days. Being more off-road biased, the suspension travel is 20mm longer (220mm) and it has spoked instead of cast wheels. The front wheel is a 21-incher with blockier Metzeler Karoo Street tyres,…

PUp to now, we've have had pretty good weather for this time of year, certainly as far as cold temperatures are concerned. But, one thing's for sure: it won't be long before the overnight temperatures plummet and the gritters will be out doing their thing, which is why now is the perfect time to give your bike this anti-corrosion treatment. It's one of those jobs that, when done correctly, will help keep a bike in good condition, but you need to keep on top of it. I repeat the process as often as possible throughout the winter, and I use it as a chance to check the bike over for any issues, too. As well as the anti-corrosion treatment, my advice for anyone planning to ride through winter is to…

‘His versatility sets him apart’ Davey Todd has turned things on their head in British racing by converting his success on the roads into a BSB opportunity with the vastly experienced Padgett's Honda squad. Unlike so many modern racers, who rigidly plough a single furrow, Todd's versatility has seen him become a star on the roads and short circuits. In recent seasons he has claimed the IRRC title on the European circuits, made his mark at Macau and enjoyed success on the Irish National road racing courses, at Scarborough and around the Southern 100 alongside his NW200 and TT achievements. It will be fascinating to see how the 27-year-old progresses.…

Norton Motorcycles CEO, Dr Robert Hentschel has been talking to MCN about the production plan for the company's current range, pledging to deliver the next batch of machines to new customers within the next three to four months. The Solihull based firm, owned by Indian conglomerate TVS, have already fulfilled all 29 outstanding orders for the Commando 961 Classic left over from the Stuart Garner era, with new bikes purchased today set to be available for customers to ride in March. “The Commando is available now, it just needs to be SVA'd [single vehicle approval] and registered, so someone buying a bike today can ride it in spring,” Dr Hentschel said. Things are also coming together for the £44,000 V4SV superbike, with Hentschel adding: “We have had some final supply…

THIS WEEK Ducati UK Managing Director Fabrizio Cazzoli has confirmed to MCN that a new adventure experience is in the works, to allow customers to explore the off-road limits of the Multistrada and DesertX range. The British arm of the Bologna firm already host numerous trackday experiences at iconic tracks such as Silverstone, and now want to extend that expertise to their mud-plugging adventure offerings, too. “It will not happen full-scale in 2023, but we are absolutely considering what to do starting in 2023 as some little [steps] and then developing in the future,” Cazzoli said, during an interview at Motorcycle Live. “The Multistrada is our biggest segment and if you put that share of sales with the DesertX as well it becomes very important for us.” Ducati updated their…

Q ‘Blamed after car turned…’ I have received a summons for driving without due care and attention. I was on a 30mph road overtaking a Line of cars waiting for a red Light when a driver a few back from the Lights suddenly turned out in front of me and I hit the front of his car. There is a witness who said I was not speeding. The driver has admitted liability in the insurance claim. What can I do? Richard Smith, email A Driving without due care and attention, otherwise known as careless driving, is when the standard of driving is deemed to faLL beLow the standard expected of a reasonably prudent driver. You don't say what speed you were doing and that may be relevant, but the starting…

Reader Shaun Napier The Ride West coast of Scotland When to do it Spring to Autumn Tell us about the trip Everyone has their favourite place to ride. For me there is one clear cut choice, the west coast of Scotland! Man, is this a beautiful place. The sense of impending ‘awesomeness’ is overwhelming the moment you cross the border. Heading in a north-westerly direction leads you to ever more spectacular views. When you reach the stretch between Glen Coe and Fort William you are treated to a visual, feast of nothing but endless beauty. If you are doing it for the first time then you are in for a real, treat. I continued along the western coast round my ‘must stop’, Eilean Donan Castle, Applecross Pass and onto the…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday December 7 BIKE MEETS ■ Outkast Co, George Centre, North Parade, Matlock, Derbyshire 6-9pm www.facebook.com/outkastcompany ■ 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 Thursday December 8 BIKE MEETS ■ Iron Horse, Iron Horse Ranch House, Market Deeping, Lines 5pm9pm 01778-346952 or www.ironhorseranchhouse.co.uk ■ Vic Bikers Pub, Coalville, Leics www.vicbikerspub.co.uk ■ Zoom Zoom Tearoom, Sand Lane, South Cave, East Yorks. 6pm 01430-424242 ■ Whistlestop Cafe, Whitby, North Yorks. 4.30pm-8.30pm Facebook: Whistlestop Cafe ■ Down and Out Motorcycles, The Boiler House, Rotherham, S…

UK'S TOUGHEST TEST THE MCN TEST •THE HOTTEST BIKES •EVERY WEEK £3899 otr Royal Enfield Hunter 350 • 349cc, sohc, 2v single • 20.2bhp/19.9lb.ft • £112.20 per month on HP £7200 otr Herald Brute 500 • 449cc, sohc, 4v single • 42.9bhp/29.5lb.ft • £166.43 per month on PCP £3999 otr Mash Two-Fifty • 249cc, sohc, 2v single • 20bhp/14.4lb.ft • £74.16 per month on PCP There's a lot to be said for simple pleasures. Often, the least complicated ideas are the best. Why overburden things with layers of unnecessary technology, complex gadgetry and stylistic overkill, when what you really want is to enjoy something in its purest and most honest form? Rarely has this been so true as right now in motorcycling. Up-tothe-minute electronics and rider aids have taken the…

‘Rewarding and robust…’ The Mash's sub-£4000 price shines in a sector aimed at new riders. Its retro style is on-point too, but it's all downhill from there. The chassis weave is unforgivable, finish is poor, and residual values will be nowhere near those of the Enfield Hunter Cheap it may be, but value for money it most certainly is not. Neither is Herald's Brute. And that's a shame because it looks great-the styling's pin sharp and classily executed, plus it's equipped with quality componentry. Better still the Brute's a delight to ride-the characterful, motor and light, responsive chassis are the perfect mix for town and country smiles. But there's no hiding from that £7200 price tag. Enfield's Hunter does everything better than the Mash for less money. Plus, it offers…

Before heading off on her Spanish odyssey, Vanessa got to grips with the Tiger 900 at Triumph's Adventure Experience centre in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales. The centre offers packages to suit different skill levels, as well as one-to-one coaching, day-long experiences, and multi-day guided off-road tours, which will see you tackle a wide range of natural obstacles and terrain. As well as the Tiger 900, you can choose to ride the Tiger 1200 Rally Pro, or go retro on either a Bonneville Street Scrambler or a Scrambler 1200. Prices start from £310 for the experiences and from £525 for the training inclusive of bike hire, and kit is available to loan for an extra charge. See details at www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk or call 01639 844620.…

5 months The spec is impressive-from the refLective inserts for better visibility at night, to the Gore-Tex membrane, which keeps the wet out in even the harshest of conditions. Elsewhere, you get reinforcements on the shins, toes, heels, and ankle area – with the whole boot hugging your foot and lower leg to deliver a comfortable and secure fit. They're also easy to take on and off, with a simple zip and Velcro closure. That might not seem Like a big thing but wearing bulky winter textiles and underlayers can be uncomfortable – especially when kitting up on the daily commute-so having boots that are easy to put on is welcome. They look great, too. Touring boots can look quite dull, but the mix of dotted designs, diamond panelling, and…

17-year-old student, Sinnis Outlaw rider, 125 expert My biking journey started 18 months ago when I turned 16, passed my CBT and bought a WK Scrambler 50.I reached 17 earlier this year and have tested a variety of 125cc bikes for MCN, from modernday Monkey bike equivalents to KTM's latest RC125 sportsbike. I've also tested a couple of 125-equivalent electric bikes. Sales of smaller battery-powered machines are increasing, so it was interesting for someone brought up around petrol engines to sample electricity. I wasn't sure how I'd get on with plugging in over a longer period, though. Now I'm finding out, as I'm running a Niu MQi GT Evo. It'll get used in all weathers as daily transport to and from college. And it's a huge change from my own…

Delivery bike riders really put their machines through the mill and this 2016 Yamaha NMax 125 had certainly seen its fair share of the action. Mechanic Nick Nomikos, boss at The 2 Wheel Centre in Harpenden, was asked to take a look at this well-used machine tha had more than 93,000 miles on the clock. He said: “The scooter needed fork seals and front wheel bearings, but it was the graunching noise coming from the rear end that finally persuaded the rider to drop it into the workshop for a check. “Sure enough, the pads were back to the metal in places and were starting to chew up the disc. He was lucky that this caliper design, with the pads on a pin, stops them from dropping out. I've seen…

Having been beaten to the WSB title for the past two years, Kawasaki wasted no time in getting their preparations under way for 2023 with a scheduled two-day test at Jerez Last week. Wet weather meant reduced track time but it was Rea, who only tested on day two, who set the fastest Lap onboard the 2023 spec ZX-10RR. The six-times World champion completed 50 Laps in a bid to evaLuate, approve or discard a range of updated parts. He said: “We had to make decisions on some ‘hard’ parts for the offseason, so that we can start in a good way next year. We just had three or four of these important items to say yes or no to.” Rea's Kawasaki team-mate Alex Lowes also completed 50 laps and…

‘I see us as equals on the road’ Todd will also partner Conor Cummins between the hedges on Milenco Padgett Hondas next year. The Manxman, who has claimed 12 podium finishes at the TT without tasting victory, will start his seventh season with the team. Hampered by injuries sustained in a motocross training crash, the 36-year-old finished second in this year's Superstock race, where he posted the fastest ever Honda lap at 133.116mph. Cummins went on to finish third in the Senior to outshine his young teammate at the event. “Davey is the team's main focus on the circuits but I see us as equals on the roads,” Cummins says. “We get on really well but as they say in racing, the first thing you have to do is beat…

SPORT RIDER MOVES | BSB The inside line on the domestic racing scene's big moves TOP STORY The future of 2021 Bennetts British Superbike Championship winner Tarran Mackenzie is uncertain following his departure from McAMS Yamaha. It was confirmed last weekend that Mackenzie had left the team he first joined in the Supersport class in 2017, and as MCN went to press no announcement had been made regarding his next move. During his five BSB campaigns with McAMS Yamaha, Mackenzie secured 16 wins and 43 podiums, as well as the BSB title in 2021 25 years after dad Niall's maiden crown. However, his 2022 season was hampered by injuries. While MCN understands that no contract has yet been signed, Mackenzie has been heavily linked with a move to Midori Moriwaki's MIE…