Table of contents for 13 September 2023 in MCN

TOP STORY BMW's R1300GS isn't the only new adventure bike coming from the German brand in 2024, with a radically different F900GS, distancemunching F900GS Adventure, and A2-friendly F800GS also arriving to replace the current F850 and 750. Ready to take on an onslaught of middleweight competition from the likes of Triumph, KTM, Husqvarna, Ducati, Yamaha and more, all three machines will feature an 895cc eight-valve parallel twin using a 270-degree firing order, with differing states of tune and twin balance shafts to cut down vibes. There are dozens of bolt-ons and extras, but in base spec the bikes come in at £9995 for the F800GS, £11,995 for the F900GS and £12,350 for the F900GS Adventure. HIGHLIGHTS •Power: 103.3bhp @ 8500rpm •Torque: 68.6lb.ft @ 6500rpm •Engine: 895cc 8v parallel twin •Weight:…

This UK-registered 1938 Brough Superior SS100 is expected to fetch £240,000-£260,000 when it goes under the hammer at the NEC Classic Motor Show this coming November. The historic machine is being offered by Iconic Auctioneers (formerly known as Silverstone Auctions) and will be up for grabs on Sunday, November 12 at the Birmingham venue. The special bike, offered in fantastic condition with a V5 present, comes with plenty of history – including photos of it being tested by former racer Ron Storey and past Brough employee Barry Robinson back in 1954 at the Brough Superior Works in Nottingham. There are also images from a Brough Rally in 1962 fitted with a sidecar, copies of old RF60 log books, and even details of its restoration in 2010. You'll also find two…

Norton have issued a statement of intent toward their future electric models by revealing an initial battery concept developed in partnership with Cosworth. The 40-cell immersion cooled design was brought to public attention at this month's Cenex-LCV show at Millbrook Proving Ground and marks the latest step in a 30-month project known as ZEN (Zero Emission Norton). “We're not looking to make an electric motorcycle, we're looking to make a completely new experience with electric transportation,” Norton's Chief Commercial Officer Christian Gladwell told MCN last year, when asked about the cancellation of the Atlas parallel twin range. “It was tough but if we wanted to invest in that little 650 twin, that would mean diverting resource, money, time, and people onto that, whereas the writing's on the wall [for combustion].”…

TRIUMPH DUCATI FANTIC…

ICONS THE FACTS ‘This bike pushed its attitude, its Britishness’ No model is more significant in the success of modern Triumph than the Speed Triple. The café racer-cumsuper naked is the bike Triumph admit gave the Hinckley marque their mojo. The bold, individual, ‘retro-mod’ style set the British marque apart – the real-world blend of road performance and triple character creating a template for a family of Speed Triples which lives on to this day and, with nearly 100,000 now sold, provided the financial foundations for Triumph's enduring growth. Which is why it's a surprise to learn that the original Speed Triple, launched in 1994 on something of a whim, was effectively a ‘parts-bin special’ built for just three years with only 1421 actually made. Bruno Tagliaferri was Triumph's UK…

FIRST RIDE Dual-sport machines are popular in the UK, and for good reason. Machines like Honda's CRF300 Rally are in a real sweet spot. Not only are they cheaper than a middleweight adventure bike, but they're also easier to manage off-road, while still retaining an element of tarmac ability. And that is exactly where the Voge Rally 300 sits. Voge are part of Chinese manufacturer, Loncin, who produce millions of bikes a year. With more than 30 dealers nationwide and a two-year warranty, you get useful peace of mind. But how does it perform? It's better from a distance With its tall, Dakar-esque stance, the Rally 300 is by no means a bad-looker but a closer inspection reveals just how ‘budget’ it truly is. The paint is thin, the wiring…

DREAM RIDE Discover Corsica The contrast between the orange tinged cliffs and the deep blue sky is stark. Ahead of me the road twists, turns and undulates as we slice through a mountain pass. It's hard to comprehend just how beautifully surfaced the pristine tarmac is, or fathom the ambitious achievement of the genius that not only designed, but actually engineered and produced this dream road. We're in Corsica crossing from the west of the island into the centre. We stop for a short break, not because we want to stop, we just want to pause and soak in the truly breath-taking scenery. Corsica may only be 114 miles long and 52 miles wide, but it feels so much bigger with huge skies, rock formations that give Flintstones vibes and a…

3 months ON TEST Oxford Hardcore XC13 1.5m chain lock £99.99 If, like me, you appreciate a reassuring heft to your security products, you'll love this chain and lock. It's heavy, solid-feeling and best of all, simple to use. The 13mm Ni-Cro-Mo alloy links are what provide most of the weight, while the 11mm shackle and the lock body are constructed from hardened steel. The rubberised case is shock-proof and has a sliding keyhole cover to keep dust out. All of these features equate to a Gold Sold Secure rating and a four-star ART certification. Furthermore, the protective sleeve protects your wheels and bodywork from damage, and the lock comes with three keys and a choice of lengths: 1.2, 1.5 and 2.0 metres – with pricing going up in £10…

Loves aiming a peppy tourer at a distant horizon I've never met a Tracer I didn't like. In 2015 I rode the then-new 900 off the Yamaha stand at the MCN Festival and piled on a year's worth of mileage in three months, including two-up touring in Scotland and France. When I spent two days riding the Tracer 9 in Wales in 2021 it blew me away with its huge mile-smashing and grininducing ability. So, with its bestinclass tech, is the new GT+ version much of an improvement? Having put a decent chunk of miles on the Ténéré 700 World Raid over the last few months, the Tracer feels so different, comparison is almost pointless. Significantly lower, I can get both feet flat on the floor and the first few…

MCN's website has expert opinion and buying advice on hundreds of used bikes, regularly updated and packed with insight. Here are three of the latest – visit motorcyclenews.com/bikesforsale/ for more. 2021-CURRENT Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Owners’ rating★★★★★ Owners love the current ZX-10R. This is the first Ninja to receive an aero package with built-in winglets as well as a new TFT dash, cruise control and the option of heated grips. 2003-2004 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Owners’ rating★★★★★ The first of a new wave of brash-styled models started in 2003 with the B1H. A great supersport machine with a punchy 636cc motor. Looks and reliability are praised. 2020-CURRENT Kawasaki Ninja 650 Owners’ rating★★★★★ The A2-legal Ninja 650 uses a parallel twin and has proven a reliable and cheap-to-run lightweight sportsbike. It is a…

Australia will be the only ‘flyaway’ next year. Indonesia haven't paid up, while Argentina's new government has gone in another direction. Germany's Hockenheim and Hungary's Hungaroring have been mooted as possibilities, while a Dorna insider didn't rule out Belgium's Spa when asked by MCN earlier this year. Puccetti talk to BMW and Ducati Not impressed with Kawasaki's lack of performance, team owner Manuel Puccetti is discussing options with BMW and Ducati. “It could be BMW, Ducati or we stay with Kawasaki and we have to make a decision before September is out,” Puccetti said. In World Supersport, Can Oncu is staying with Pucetti for 2024. Ercolani: the first title is decided Eighteen-year-old Italian Emiliano Ercolani is the 2023 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Champion after a dramatic Magny-Cours finale in which…

Garrett Gerloff seized his maiden pole position at Magny-Cours and went down in history as the 70th different WSB pole man. Staggeringly, the Bonovo BMW rider was the first American to claim top spot on the grid since John Hopkins grabbed pole as a Samsung Crescent Racing wildcard at Silverstone in 2011. It was a very strong weekend for Gerloff despite a crash in the Sprint Race. Fourth in Race 1 saw the Texan miss a podium by just one and a half seconds, while his Race 2 fight from tenth on the grid to fifth was a mature performance and seemed to signal a mental breakthrough. However, his Sprint Race performance was still somewhat hesitant when in traffic, including the moment which saw him run wide at 180 Corner…

Surely he can't… can he? Rookie David Alonso hauled himself into title contention with another perfectly executed last lap to win out in a thrilling three-rider fight – his third triumph in four races. The 17-year old Colombian has shown race craft more befitting of a 30-year-old in recent weeks. And Sunday's performance couldn't have come at a better time as championship leader Dani Holgado toiled, finishing 16th, the top five title contenders concertinaed together, and are now separated by 21 points. “I was clever in the last corners, I ducked inside and won this amazing race,” said Alonso. Jaume Masia and Deniz Oncu, who joined Alonso on Sunday's podium, both counted him as a main contender for the title. “He's winning a lot now, and he knows how to…

SPORT Paddock veteran delivers the inside line on MotoGP 2023 Deep into a four year world championship losing streak Marc Marquez remains a powerful playmaker. Honda's talisman rider and six-time champion continues to dominate the headlines without winning. His dalliance with a departure from Honda and proposed link to a satellite Gresini Ducati gig has overtaken the on-track supremacy of Ducati and their squadron of fast, talented riders. Marquez's game plan was to arrest the outmoded working methods and arrogance at Honda and replicate the aggressive innovation of European teams. A revival of the RC213V was urgent. Or he'd seek other options. After his first outing on the 2024 bike on Monday, it seems the die could already be cast with Marquez saying: “I tried the new chassis and geometry…

Monday's MotoGP test was a huge day for Yamaha as it aimed to show Fabio Quartararo it's on the right track. The Frenchman used the test to try a new engine, and aerodynamics after another humbling weekend, when he finished 15s off the victory. Quartararo had spelled out the challenge facing Yamaha on Saturday as it attempts to keep pace with Ducati: “The pole time of Martin was 0.7s faster than last year. And I improved just two tenths…” After some original electrical issues with the new engine, he put it through its paces when housed within the current chassis, and was immediately down to a strong rhythm in the high-mid 1m 31s. But the 2021 MotoGP champion said the pace was fake given the huge amount of grip at…

WELCOME The last time MCN pulled a big feature together with Mike Trimby – back in March this year, to celebrate him being awarded the Torrens Trophy – he said that he would keep fighting the battle for rider safety and rights until he could no longer stand. And that's exactly what he did. As founder, driving force and figurehead of IRTA, Mike really did make a huge difference. The organisation was born in an era when racers were just considered to be performers for the show – not quite disposable, but also seemingly not worth an abundance of safety care, nor the sort of financial support one would expect considering the risks taken, and the cash flowing into circuit owner and organisers’ pockets. Mike was instrumental in redressing the…

F800GS Alongside the roster of F900GSs comes a new F800GS to replace the F750. No relation to the last F800GS that left the party in 2018, the new machine shares the same engine as the new 900s but produces a claimed 85.8bhp at 6750rpm – meaning it can be restricted for A2 licence holders. The smaller sibling shares much of the same kit as its bigger brothers including the Rain and Road riding modes as standard, plus lean sensitive ABS, and traction control. Sporting cast 19in front and 17in rear wheels, the 800 can be equipped with the Ride modes Pro option to unlock greater throttle maps, plus the engine drag torque control to prevent unwanted lockups at the back end – a handy feature for newer riders likely to…

Ducati are getting ready to reveal their fresh metal for 2024 – keeping up their now favoured tradition of drip-feeding new models across the autumnal period. Having already showcased a 500-unit-only Monster 30° Anniversario at the end of July, the Italian team will reveal their next bike on September 19. This is then followed by October 3, October 19, November 2, and then finally November 7. Announcements will include the Multistrada family – with further hints suggesting a tougher version of the DesertX and potentially an XDiavel. V4, too. For now, a brief 0:42 preview video can be found on Ducati's YouTube channel.…

KTM have tapped into their Dakar knowhow to deliver the most capable (and most expensive) 890 Adventure off-roader to date. Priced at a staggering L20,899, the 890 Adventure R Rally will be available for pre-order from Wednesday, September 20 and launches alongside an exclusive Ultimate KTM Desert Experience riding trip in Morocco open to just 34 Rally customers. Only 700 of the new machines will be built, with the bike boasting a look, colours and components comparable with the Dakarwinning factory 450 Rally race bike. Diving into the details, the 889cc parallel twin continues to produce 103.6bhp and 73.8lb.ft of torque as before, and is compliant with Euro5b regulations. The soundtrack is enhanced by an Akrapovič slip-on can but because the bike is road legal, it's unlikely to bark like…

The Sheene name was reunited with the iconic number seven last weekend as the Goodwood Revival welcomed a roster of world class motorcycle racers past and present for a celebration of classic racing. Not only did Freddie Sheene parade the bike on which his legendary father Barry won his final race just over 20 years ago, he also made his competitive Goodwood debut in the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy races, riding alongside his dad's former teammate, Steve Parrish, in a two-rider aggregate contest. “Seeing all the people that have come out and that the race is named after my father shows how much he meant to the racing world,” said Freddie. “I guess it is a bit emotional. It's also really nice to team up with Steve, since my father…

SW-Motech Drybags from £55.44 The latest version of SW-Motech's popular Drybag range features an allnew 500D fabric shell, with enhanced flexibility for easier loading, securing and storage. Claimed to be 100% waterproof, they're available in 18, 26, 35 and a cavernous 60-litre capacity. Four strapping points, plus additional D-rings, make for a stable mounting system. sw-motech.co.uk Pyramid Front Wing for Yamaha MT-10SP £63.99 This 3D printed nylon wing from Pyramid is designed to fill the gap below the headlights on the second-gen MT-10 SP, echoing the design cues of the original model. It comes in matt black and installs to existing mounting points in less than 15 minutes. pyramidmoto.co.uk ByCity Tokio gloves £43.50 These shorty gloves have a perforated leather and antiabrasion mesh across the back for ventilation. Aramid reinforcements…

Aprilia are muscling into the A2 compliant sportsbike space with their new RS457, revealed at last weekend's Italian MotoGP and aimed squarely at the younger end of the market. The DOHC parallel twin produces the class maximum 47bhp and was spotted out testing back in July alongside a returning Moto Guzzi Stelvio adventure bike. Now here as a fully-fledged production bike, the 457 looks reminiscent of the larger RS660, with the engine housed in an aluminium alloy frame as a stressed member. Although prices have yet to be confirmed, it will rival the £6599 Honda CBR500R, £6099 Kawasaki Ninja 400, and £6405 Yamaha R3. Piaggio Group CEO, Michele Colaninno said. “We are now ready to take another step towards the future with an astonishing bike developed entirely in Noale, capable…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers Tracy and Kevin Atkinson The ride Tracy and Kevin's Euro Trip to Mugello When to do it Early summer How many miles 3460 on two Ducatis – my Monster and Kevin's Panigale V2 Bayliss rep How long do you need? 17 days Tell us about the trip We did 3460 miles over 17 days, starting in Cheshire and getting as far as Mugello. The temperatures ranged from 17°C to a sweltering 38°C, even the breeze was hot. Highlights from the ride included some amazing passes, including the D1005 from Arbois to Gex, the Petit St Bernard pass and the San Marco pass. Plus there was the Futa Pass after visiting the excellent Ducati Factory where our bikes were built – it is a must…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday September 13 BIKE MEETS ■ MFN Bike night, The Seven Oaks Inn, Stanton By Dale, Derbyshire 5pm till late Facebook: MFN Bike nights ■ Triumph Bike Night Finale, Triumph Factory Visitor Experience, Hinkley, Leicestershire 6pm-8pm www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk ■ Sycamore Cafe, The Causeway, Great Billing, Northamptonshire 4pm www.facebook.com/SycamoreForestCatering ■ The King Billy Rock Bar – Bike & Burger Night, Northampton 6.30pm Facebook: The King Billy Rock Bar ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire. From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ Amici Coffee Biker Night, Amica Coffee Cafe & Grill, Girtford Bridge, Sandy, Bedfordshire 6pm-9pm www.amicacoffee.co.uk ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, near Sherburn in Elmet, West Yorks 01977-684618 or www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Mold, Flints. 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 or Facebook:…

There are so many! The two-wheeled is full of middleweight scramblerstyle options, so if you are in the market for one, you are spoiled for choice. Starting with Italian-brands, Ducati sell the Icon (£9995), Full Throttle and Nightshift (£10,995) which are all based on the same aircooled 803cc platform. Moto Morini sell the (built in China…) Seiemmezzo SCR (£6999) while Benelli (also Chinese-built) offer either the Leoncino Trail 800 (£8199) or 500 (£6199). Fantic have the Caballero 700 as well as 500 range (starting at £6749), which consists of the Scrambler, Deluxe, Rally, Explorer and Anniversary. The UK has not only the Triumph Scrambler 900 (built in Thailand to be fair) but also CCM's range of Maverick (from £10,685 to £13,544) scramblers. India has Royal Enfield's (Scram 411 (£8449) while…

Because of the desirability of original Speed Triple and Triumph's then modular range it's relatively easy to build a ‘fake’ Speedie by stripping the fairing off a Daytona (or even Trophy) or up-speccing a Trident. For one year only, Triumph also built a short run of Speed Triple 750s for foreign markets, while we've even seen home-brewed, lookalike Triumph 1200 ‘Speed Quattros’ created from the four-cylinder 1200 Daytona. If originality matters do your homework and don't fall for them, unless, of course, you fancy a quirky take on the ‘Striple’ theme for a fraction of the cost……

Ready for dusty trails With a seat height of 920mm and ground clearance of 280mm, the Rally 300 oozes off road potential and is certainly capable of tackling trails and dusty tracks. OE rubber's not the best Although the OE fitment Timsun tyres let the Voge Rally 300 down, with 21in and 18in wheel sizes there's a huge choice of aftermarket tyres available which will improve matters. Decent level of equipment The Voge Rally 300 comes equipped with hand guards, sump guards and a bash plate as standard. Plus there is switchable ABS and a USB socket for your devices.…

RIDING CORSICA If riding on perfectly surfaced, undulating and twisty roads intertwined with everchanging scenery floats your boat then riding in Corsica should be high on your list. Being an island it's obviously not the simplest destination to get to, but there are plenty of options to arrive by ferry on your own bike from either France or Italy. Alternatively, you can easily arrange a fly/ride departing from pretty much anywhere in the UK. It's generally a case of having to make two flights – one to the South of France, Nice for example, before jumping on a small plane either to Bastia in the north of Corsica or Ajaccio further south. Once on the ground you can head to Europe Active (www.europeactive.co.uk) who offer a wide range of bikes…

ESSENTIAL KIT 2500 miles ON TEST TRIED* TESTED MCN STAFF RATE THEIR RIDING KIT HJC F70 ‘Spielberg’ £329.99 The F70 is a premium sportstouring lid with a drop-down internal sun visor all packaged in a slightly edgy-looking street-fighter style fibreglass shell. All-day comfy, the F70 is one of those fit-and-forget kind of helmets for me, as there are no discernible pressure points even after many hours of wear. The Supercool interior is plush and has retained its shape after six months’ use, remaining quite a snug, secure fit. For those who don't like their cheeks being squeezed so much, thinner pads are available at an extra cost. I also found the fabric of the interior padding itself is a little harsh against the skin, feeling a little more like that of…

Kriega Rollpack 20 £129 A lightweight luggage solution that's versatile, durable and easy to use. In essence, it's a tube of tough 500 denier Cordura, with a removable waterproof liner and roll top closure at either end. Measurements are 75cm x 36cm laid flat, which offers 20 litres of kit capacity. When loaded, the Rollpack 20 makes a neat pillow shaped bag that can be lashed to a seat, rack, or anywhere else you can loop the straps. Neat metal cam buckles ensure everything stays tensioned. I used this one on a tour of Ireland and even with torrential North Atlantic-driven downpours, not a drop of moisture made it inside. 3 months ON TEST Quality Value kriega.com…

Tours for fun and has garage full of eclectic motorcycles. Six months down the line, how am I adapting to my planetfriendly life on an electric? It's quiet… Earplugs have always been a vital part of my kit and still are. Even though there's no engine noise from the battery-powered Zero DSR/X, it's a surprise how much wind noise there is and the noise of rubber on tarmac is disconcerting. But being able to hear birds in the trees, on slower country rides, and surrounding traffic, makes your senses feel more heightened and alert. …or is it too quite? While the quiet life can be nice, there's also a serious negative – people don't hear me coming. My Ducati Monster, has a set of Termis that give off a lovely…

Delivering the stories behind the superbike headlines In one of the most incredible set of rider moves since World Superbike started back in 1988, everything dramatically changes next year. It all started when Toprak Razgatlioglu announced he would depart Yamaha for BMW, triggering a sequence of events culminating in Jonathan Rea joining Yamaha for 2024 and 2025 after nine years with Kawasaki. By the time the shuffling finishes, it's possible all factory teams will have had rider changes. MCN has learned that the Rea-to-Yamaha talks started just before Imola in July, after which the Northern Irishman went to Yamaha in Italy for talks and to sit on the bike. Following the usual etiquette, it is believed Yamaha insisted that Rea must negotiate his way out of his remaining year of…

Reporting from the heart of the World Superbike paddock Toprak Razgatlioglu sent out a reminder that Alvaro Bautista and Ducati cannot rest on their laurels as the Yamaha rider emphatically won two World Superbike races at Magny-Cours last weekend. And he backed that up with second place in the third and final encounter. Although it's fair to say that it's Ducati who keep handing Yamaha lifelines courtesy of errors or technical problems, it's further proof that the championship leader cannot afford to relax as his chief rival continues to be flawless. A 74-point lead at the start of the event was reduced by 17 to 57, while a maximum 186 remain up for grabs. What the happenings of Magny-Cours also confirm is that Spaniard Bautista cannot mathematically win his second…

Pedro Acosta had a point to prove at Misano. Surprisingly beaten into second by Celestino Vietti at the end of the Austrian GP, where his KTM bosses watched on, he was determined to seek revenge on his rival's home soil. After leading every lap, and coming home 6.3s clear, the 19-year old posted his most dominant weekend to date. “Tough sh*t,” was his playful jibe to his rival, who had missed out on a home win. “The weekends we're doing now are quite good overall. I was worried Celestino would do something like Austria,” said Acosta, who stretched his championship advantage over Tony Arbolino out to 34 points. Jake Dixon encountered his worst Sunday feeling of the year, as he struggled for feel throughout. A crash in qualifying meant he…

THIS WEEK MV Agusta have launched a range-topping, limited-edition version of their Brutale 1000RR to celebrate their Assen racing glories. MV have clinched 35 world championship victories at the ‘Cathedral of Speed’, including an epic 350 GP win for Giacomo Agostini in 1976. The Italian firm announced the limited-edition machine at the Classic GP event at the Dutch track last weekend. Just 300 of the Brutale 1000RR Assens will go on sale worldwide. ‘MV have taken 35 wins at the Assen circuit’ The bike is heavily based on the Brutale 1000RR and uses the same 208bhp, 998cc, inline four motor. It will also share the base bike's chassis and tips the scales at 197kg (kerb). The blue, silver and gold paint is striking, while the carbon-fibre wheels and heat shields…

THIS WEEK Figures published by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) have shown that bike sales are down by 7.1% compared to this time last year. The latest numbers to be released, which run until the end of August, also show that year to date registrations lagging behind by 4%. Tony Campbell, CEO of the MCIA, believes that unregulated low capacity battery bikes could be at least partly to blame. He said: “It is concerning to see last mile delivery fleets, and in particular gig economy riders using unregulated, often illegal, high powered e-bikes to do the same job as regulated and legal, low powered, small capacity scooters and mopeds.” Some sectors are in the green – including 751-1000cc petrol bikes which are up 31.2% compared with August last year. They…

THIS WEEK British brand Maeving are celebrating selling an impressive 100 of their RM1S on the very day the upgraded retro was announced. The battery-powered machine is a faster, more powerful version of the CBT-friendly RM1 first seen in 2021 and is now capable of a 65mph top speed with an 80-mile range providing some added versatility. “The RM1S is the bike we have been asked over and over to build by those riders who want a zero-emissions motorcycle that looks like an RM1 but is capable of highway speeds,” Maeving's Will Stirrup told MCN. “The original RM1 has been a huge success for us and, for many riders who stay within inner city limits, it will remain the perfect motorcycle. Adding the RM1S to the collection provides an electric…

WHAT'S NEW IN TECH Suzuki's R&D department have filed a flurry of patent applications showing a variable valve timing system specifically aimed at the Hayabusa – suggesting that even as the Busa hits its 25th anniversary the firm are looking to extend its life while adding even more performance. Although it won't be the first Suzuki bike to get VVT, that honour goes to the GSX-R1000, which gained an oddball, all-mechanical valve-phasing system in 2017, the new patents specifically relate to the Hayabusa and show a more adaptable, electronicallycontrolled, hydraulic means to alter the intake cam timing. It's a system that should be able to reduce the Hayabusa's emissions and improve its economy, while simultaneously clawing back the power that was sacrificed when the bike was last revamped and brought…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Tori passed her A2 test in the morning and bought herself a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 that afternoon! Tristan Kemp Me and my Grandma on my first bike, a Honda Cub. The picture was taken back in the 70s and I was 13-14. Scott Buscomb This is my husband Bryan's first bike, bought in the early 1980s in South Africa to travel to college. Celia Cassingham Me and my sister on my mum's CG125 in 1983. Technically not my first bike, but first time in the saddle! Philip Ratcliffe Not my very first bike (that was a ratty Ariel Arrow in 1966) but my first bike after 20-plus years away. Andrew Robson My first bikes was this Kawasaki AP50 back when I was…

‘People wanted to be part of it’ In July 1994, a few months after the new Speed Triple's launch, the first Triumph-backed, one-make, ‘Speed Triple Challenge’ race took place, backed by Shell as a support race at the British Grand Prix at Donington – and UK bikers hadn't seen anything like it since the Yamaha RD350LC ProAm series of the early ‘80s. That one-off race used bikes with a technical specification set by Ron Haslam allowing a different exhaust, rear shock, fork springs etc, had a prize fund of £10,000, attracted a grid of 37 bikes from dealer teams and riders including John Reynolds, James Hayden, Ron himself and was won by Mike ‘Spike’ Edwards. The success of that race led to a full nine-round series backed this time by…

The racing world has lost one of its most pioneering and influential characters following the sudden passing of Mike Trimby – the man widely credited for laying the foundations of the modern MotoGP paddock. Trimby started working in the Grand Prix paddock in 1982 before establishing IRTA (International Race Teams Association) in 1986. He died on Friday evening where he was working at the Misano MotoGP round. He was 74 years old. Top-level racer Trimby got the biking bug from his dad, who took him on the pillion of his 197cc James to watch scrambles, trials and road races. He started racing an Aermacchi in the late 1960s, helped by famed tuner Syd Lawton, before moving to Yamaha TD and TZ twins and a TZ750. He contested events from the…

RATINGS Exceptional ★★★★★ Very good ★★★★ Good ★★★ Average ★★ Poor ★ Weise Dakar gloves £27.99 Last year, when I was running an Aprilia Tuareg as a long-term test bike, I rode off road a fair bit. As a result, these gloves have had to endure some pretty tough conditions, including a rally in the middle of Wales, and they've held up a treat. Being lightweight, breathable MX-style gloves they aren't waterproof (as you'd expect), but they are ideal for most conditions (as long as it's not freezing cold), and are comfortable thanks to the stretch mesh and Lycra construction. 155 miles ON TEST Silicon printed fingertips help with grip as does the suede-style palm overlay which is very effective in the wet. The only downside is that, after a…

BUYING USED EXPERT GUIDE TO When it comes to sporting dynasties, one name is synonymous with performance – Ninja. First used by Kawasaki in 1984 on the GPz900R Ninja in the US market (the same year that Mirage Studios unveiled the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), it wasn't until a decade later that the name made it over to Europe on the side of the Ninja ZX-9R B1. Picking our top five was tricky but we have risen to the task and if you fancy giving a Ninja a workout, here are the best used models to go for. Cowabunga! £3999-£5000 2004-2005 Ninja ZX-10R Take a ride on the wild side with one of the best Ten's ever The 2004 Ninja ZX-10R was Kawasaki's no-holds-barred entry into the litre class. Boasting…

HRC was World Superbike MotoGP move disappointment of the weekend in France, sadly not for the first time this season. No wonder Marc Marquez is making demands for international engineers to join the fray in MotoGP; the careful, prudent, thorough Japanese philosophy just isn't working at present. The general state of confusion and lack of direction in WSB was underlined by the fact that Iker Lecuona raced the new Super Concession chassis and Xavi Vierge didn't. The state of bafflement was already evident in their pre-weekend press releases; Vierge anticipated a positive weekend with new parts while Lecuona cited all the reasons why it would be tough. With two riders having such different expectations, how can any common ground be found? Lecuona could be on a Repsol Honda in MotoGP…

Alvaro Bautista understands that in order to be successful he has to do things in the only way he knows how: his way. The Spaniard, one step closer to a second successive WSB title, overcame a stomach bug and bike problems to destroy his rivals in the third and final race at Magny-Cours. Although he cannot wrap up the title in Aragon next week, he could do at the following round in Portugal just a few days later. However, while fighting Toprak Razgatlioglu, Bautista certainly cannot ease off. From a personal results perspective, there is a strong argument that Razgatlioglu has had the stronger season, finishing every race he completes on the podium with only two retirements that were not his fault. Bautista, on the other hand, crashed out in…

Jack Miller's switch to KTM started so well. He brought Ducati know-how, and the bike came to meet him. With two podiums in round four at Jerez, the new marriage certainly had good omens, But the last five races have been a struggle. A pair of eighth places have been below expectations, marred by too many crashes – 12 this year. Can Jack reverse the slump? Will the team find the key to solve his complaints of fading rear grip race after race? They'd better, or Jack might become a candidate to sacrifice his seat to Pedro Acosta, in the interests of KTM's future.…

ROUND 12 MISANO | MOTOGP The slide from glory was complete for Aprilia captain Aleix Espargaro with an anonymous 12th in the Misano GP. Just seven days after his dazzling triumph at Barcelona, neither Espargaro nor the RS-GP were a match for Ducati at their home race. Despite the disappointing result, Espargaro believes that Aprilia can finish best of the rest before the season closes at Valencia in November. “I'm just 13 points behind Binder in fourth and that's the target now,” Espargaro said after the race. But just 12 GPs into a 20-round season and both Espargaro and Brad Binder (KTM) can forget any hope of winning the title as the high grip and convoluted stadium section at Misano showed the Aprilia is yet to match Ducati across all…

It's amazing how effective adrenaline can be as a painkiller. Pecco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi came into their home round in Misano battered, bruised and bandaged up after luckily escaping serious injury in a chaotic Catalunya first lap earlier this month. But with the agony also came the ecstasy as both showed they have the pain threshold to match their talent to secure courageous podiums in both the Sprint and Grand Prix. Severe bruising and swelling to his right knee meant just getting from A to B in Misano was a painful task for reigning World Champion Bagnaia. While it was a left hand injury that bothered Bezzecchi most in Misano's energy sapping direction changes. The excruciating pain came with big gains though. Two second places for Bezzecchi and two…