Table of contents for 11 October 2023 in MCN

NEW MODEL Meet the £9499 Suzuki V-Strom 800 RE – a new lower, more streetorientated touring version of the V-Strom 800 DE that's on its way to the UK this month. Using the same parallel twin engine as the DE and naked GSX-8S roadster, the RE (standing for Road Explorer) gains smaller cast alloy wheels, road tyres, shorter travel suspension, a bigger touring screen, revised riding position and more. Now rolling on a 19in front and 17in rear rim for faster road handling, the RE will arrive in dealers from late October for £1200 less than the DE version. It joins the £10,699 DE and full luggage equipped £12,199 DE Tour. All three use the same motor, the RE shares the same steel frame, five-inch colour TFT dash, SIRS (Suzuki…

SAVE £3900 £18,995 Triumph Rocket 3 R First impressions might be dominated by the Rocket's vast proportions and the curiosity factor of cramming a motor larger than a typical family car between two wheels, but the big cruiser has surprisingly agile handling, meticulously managed power and sheer presence that rules the road. And now it has a giant saving to match. www.destinationtriumph.co.uk £13,999 KTM1290 Superduke R SAVE £3000 The Super Duke R is one of the best supernakeds you can buy with superbike-level performance. KTM dealers have £3000 off list price while stocks last. www.ktm.com ●Engine 1301cc ●Power 178bhp ●Weight 189kg ●Seat height 835mm £12,098 Honda NT1100 SAVE £1401 The NT1100 is a hugely competent tourer – soft, friendly, comfortable, well-built and generously equipped. This bike has the Voyage pack.…

THIS WEEK IAM RoadSmart, have announced five new trustees as part of a three-year strategy aimed at improving road safety. The charity say that in 2022 there were more than 1600 deaths on UK roads – a figure they are determined to see reduced. Antony Kildare, IAM RoadSmart CEO, said: “We have refocused by developing a three-year strategy to protect the future of road safety. It's an exciting time as we welcome five additional trustees to the board who bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and experience to drive our mission. The new trustees are Rupert Newman, an IAM RoadSmart member since 2021 and volunteer Blood Biker; Mark Powell, an IAM RoadSmart National Observer; Mark Armitage, a former RAC technical trainer; Angela Bell, a solicitor and IAM RoadSmart's Regional Groups…

THIS WEEK BMW Motorrad have marked their centenary with the star-studded opening of the new ‘BMW Motorrad Welt’ (BMW Motorcycle World) visitor centre in Berlin. Opened to coincide precisely with the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of their very first motorcycle, the R32, on September 28, 1923, the venue is set to form the ‘heart’ of the German motorcycle brand. “When we celebrate 100 years of BMW Motorrad today, we are of course celebrating 100 years of German industrial history, 100 years of development and innovation, 100 years of global competition,” said guest of honour, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. ‘Celebrating 100 years of industry’ “I am happy that with today's opening of the Motorrad Welt, BMW is also enabling many curious people to discover what is being created here in…

Q ‘Cops spotted my wheelie’ I have been sent court papers for not being in proper control of my motorcycle and driving without due care and attention. I was recorded pulling two wheelies on the same stretch of road by an unmarked police car. The summons refers to two counts of each offence, I guess one for each wheelie. Is there anything I can do to get off, or should I plead guilty? I don't deny I did it. James, email A It is lucky that you are only being charged with driving without due care and attention. A wheelie is a specific example of the offence of dangerous driving. This is a more serious offence and the consequences could have been more serious. An early guilty plea could reduce…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday October 11 BIKE MEETS ■ Sycamore Cafe, Great Billing, Northamptonshire www.facebook.com/SycamoreForestCatering ■ The King Billy Rock Bar, Northampton. 6.30pm. Facebook: The King Billy Rock Bar ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire. From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ Amici Coffee Biker Night, Sandy, Beds www.amicacoffee.co.uk ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Flints. 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 e ■ Seaways Bike Night, Fridaythorpe, East Yorks, 4pm8pm mike@seawayscafe.co.uk ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, West Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ Loomies Moto Cafe, West Meon, Hants. Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ Ryka's Cafe, Box Hill Surrey 5pm9pm www.rykas.co.uk ■ Brit Bike Night, Ace Cafe, London 6pm www.london.acecafe.com ■ The Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey. From 10.30am-1pm Facebook: Pathfinder Cafe TRACKDAY ■ Cadwell Park, Lincs from £159…

All four bikes were fitted with Dunlop's all new 50/50 adventure tyre the TrailMax Raid. Despite the knobbly tread pattern, they offer seriously impressive grip on the road meaning some satisfying lean angles as well as excellent stability under braking, despite the weight of these bikes – it is all down to the stiff construction and sidewall. Off-road and having to deal with a lot of power and weight they performed well, giving good feedback they also showed only minimal wear despite hard riding. With a high silica content they also work well in the wet. The only criticism of the tyre is the associated road noise – especially on the BMW and Ducati, which run the smaller and wider front tyre.…

‘Ducati have brought superbike speed to the adventure world, but therein lies the problem’ Put simply these bikes are meant to be big, Tonka Toy tourers. They must be entertaining on the road and packed with tech, but crucially have big fuel tanks, relaxed engines and comfort to spare for long days in the saddle. The BMW and Triumph hit that big adventure brief perfectly, while the Ducati and KTM are altogether more hardcore. So, bringing up the rear on the road is the 1290 Super Adventure R. It was always going to excel in the dirt at the expense of on-road refinement, but it's a trade-off worth having if you're a serious off-roader. That said the V-twin is lot less angry than you'd expect for a KTM ‘R’ model…

ICONS ‘I told people this new bike would change sportsbike design’ THE FACTS It's the bike that put Honda back on the sportsbike map and, by revolutionising design with its emphasis on light weight and manageability, set the template for all superbikes which followed. Impressive given that it was created by an inexperienced project leader with little formal training. Tadao Baba joined Honda in 1962, worked as a machinist then test rider before moving into product development. Then, in 1987, he took over the new sportsbike project, a key sector dominated by Yamaha's FZR1000 and Suzuki's GSX-R1100. “Of course, I was nervous – it was my first project,” Baba recalled. “But I was also confident, too. I love riding sportsbikes and the feeling of satisfaction when I can control it…

Rukka Ladies Comforina jacket £689.99 As an all-weather rider, I know how important it is to have the correct kit, and this Rukka Comforina jacket definitely ticks all of the boxes. Suited to cooler temperatures, it keeps you warm and dry, but if the weather were to suddenly change, simply take out the thermal lining and open the vents and you'll be comfortable in the spring too. I'm not usually a massive fan of textiles, but for this jacket I've made an exception. The non-fussy black fabric is great for an all-round jacket and the reflective piping has been placed in a nondisruptive but effective way. I also quite like the reflective detailing on the arms. Of course, you still have a few logos dotted around the jacket (GoreTex, D30,…

Although manufacturers do try to create attractive standard exhausts (honestly, they do) – the size and style is ultimately dictated by noise and emissions regulations, as well as cost considerations. Which is why discerning owners are often keen to fit an aftermarket replacement. Doing so brings numerous benefits, far beyond just improved looks. The materials and construction may be higher quality than standard, stainless steel or perhaps even titanium, so will remain looking good for ages. And it doesn't stop there. As well as being 3.2kg lighter than stock, fitting a full system like this Racing Line Akrapovic, will improve the performance of the bike, too, with claims of an increase in both horsepower and torque – in this case the system frees an extra 6hp at the top end,…

Reporting direct from the heart of the BSB paddock Danny Buchan will jump back onboard Kawasaki machinery in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship next season after agreeing a deal with DAO Racing. Buchan last rode the ZX-10RR in 2020 with FS-3 Racing, having taken his career-best season finish of fourth with the team the previous year. Buchan won twice with Kawasaki, with victories at Knockhill and Cadwell in 2019. Since 2021, the two-time Superstock champion has claimed victories and podiums with SYNETIQ BMW but has endured a rough 2023. Multiple crashes and concussions have ended his campaign early, with Buchan unable to ride until mid-November as a result of knocks to the head. Tough times “It's been the roughest season ever, and it's so hard because deep down I know…

• 2000 – Hodgson versus Walker A year-long grudge match ends in tears for Walker as his Suzuki goes pop with just four laps to go. • 2011 – Hill versus Hopkins An unbelievable winner-takes-all final lap sees Hill pip Hopkins to the line by 0.006s. • 2013 – Lowes versus Byrne Alex Lowes becomes the youngestever champion after a last lap duel in the wet with Shakey. • 2017 – Haslam versus Brookes versus Byrne A brake failure ends Haslam's dreams as Byrne picks up the pieces. The trio end the year separated by six points. • 2019 – Redding vs Brookes Brookes wins all three races but third place for Redding crowns him champion by five points. • 2020 – Brookes vs Irwin vs O'Halloran vs Iddon The…

Delving behind the 2023 BSB showdown headlines BSB NEWS The talking is over. After what has been a pulsating Bennetts British Superbike season, the title fight comes to a climax at the traditional end-of-season clash at Brands Hatch. After all the shenanigans of the last two rounds, the top six in the championship are separated by just 50.5 points, with a grand total of 105 up for grabs this weekend. The third scoring format of the year sees the podium finishers pick up 35, 30 and 27 points respectively, with fourth and fifth still taking home 24 and 22. With so many points available, the title cannot be decided on Saturday, and there's a great chance that it will come down to the final race of the year. Battle lines…

With confirmation that Marc Marquez will leave Honda after 11 years at the end of the season, MotoGP 2024 has become a mouth-watering proposition. MCN understands that he has signed a one-year contract with Gresini, but as we went to press on Monday there was still no official statement from Ducati or Gresini racing, with confirmation expected ahead of this weekend's Indonesian GP. Who better to speak to about his impending arrival to the manufacturer dominating MotoGP than Ducati's Racing General Manager, Gigi Dall'Igna? MCN: How difficult was it to steal Marquez from Honda? Dall'Igna: “The full credit goes to Gresini, they are the ones who took him, not Ducati.” MCN: When did the talks begin? Dall'Igna: “Not so long ago and I want to reiterate one thing, it's not…

Make no mistake about it, Marc Marquez moving to Gresini Ducati is the biggest thing to happen to MotoGP since Valentino Rossi defected from Honda to Yamaha in 2004. Bigger in fact, because the racing in the 990cc era was absolutely awesome, while the racing since Marquez got hurt at the start of 2020 has been mostly, well, a bit processional. There are technical reasons for this – downforce aero, ride-height devices, front-tyre pressure and so on – but there's also a human reason: Mr win-by-any-meansnecessary hasn't been there battling at the front. The one thing MotoGP needs right now more than anything is Marquez on a competitive bike, because the six-times MotoGP king is like Kevin Schwantz: every time he goes out on track you don't know what's going…

‘I don't like Ducati's monopoly’ Giacomo Agostini “This is a strange move and I am sure there is a lot that we don't know behind it. I am very perplexed, because Marc is leaving the biggest manufacturer in the world, if Honda wants to win, they win. Maybe he will win for Ducati and then go to KTM. There is no logic behind this. I would have moved immediately to KTM. I don't like Ducati's monopoly, but what will be interesting is the fight between Marc and all the other Ducati boys. We will understand many things.” ‘Being on a Ducati immediately makes him a contender’ Michael Laverty “It's a big shock, and visually it'll take some time to get used to not seeing him in the Repsol colours after…

Rider Andrea Dovizioso Year 2013 Left Tech 3 Yamaha to join Ducati Why? Having previously been a factory rider when he rode the Repsol Honda, Dovizioso wanted back in the factory fold after a year at Tech3 Yamaha What happened? It certainly wasn't a case of overnight success, but after four frustrating years things came good. The fastest bike on the straights and now able to turn, Dovi was the only rider on the grid that could keep Marquez honest, beating him in some significant battles and finishing championship runner up in both 2017 and ‘18.…

Arc Vehicle have now begun delivering the first of their ultrapremium Vector machines to customers, with one being Hollywood A-list actor Ryan Reynolds. Mark Truman and other members of the Arc team recently went out to the USA to deliver the filmstar's bike and meet the man in person. “It was amazing and a real experience. He's such a nice guy and exactly what you would expect,” Truman commented. “His family were lovely, and his surroundings weren't ostentatious in any way and he's exactly what you would expect. “It's fantastic for the brand, and just so great to be involved. “I'd love him to come and see us in the UK. I think he may, and we'd obviously love to do more, but we obviously respect the way that he…

Bull-it Tactical Jeans £89.99 Biking's classic riding kit combo One-piece leathers are all well and good but if it's practicality you are seeking you can't go far wrong with the classic combination of jacket and jeans (riding jeans that is, not some old 501s). You'll be safe, comfortable, and look smart too. This week we've gathered together a bunch of deals on a broad selection of jackets, while this great offer from SportsBikeShop across the entire Bull-it jeans Tactical range should cover all the denim you desire. Bull-it's Tactical jeans come in a wide variety of styles, but they all share the same properties when it comes to protection: AA CErating for abrasion resistance, and removable CE Level 2 armour at both hip and knee. They're available in designs for…

October 15 Straightliners Round nine of the Straightliners championship is go this weekend at the UK's most famous quarter-mile – Santa Pod. Tickets start from £17. straightliners.events October 14-15 Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show Tickets are £18 on the gate at the Stafford venue, kids go free, and there's free parking. staffordclassicbikeshows.com October 17 Donington trackday Get on track and see what you can do at Donington Park on Tuesday. Choose from advanced, middle and lower experience groups. www.nolimitstrackdays.com October 13-15 British Superbikes Brands Hatch plays host to the last BSB round of the year – and the title is going right down to the wire! Will it be Glenn, Tommy… or someone else? www.britishsuperbike.com…

BMW The best dash on test mainly due to it being so clear and concise. The old school boxer twin engine delivers punchy power and is here to stay. DUCATI Ducati's V4 engine is a work of art in terms of performance and packaging. Switchgear is easy to use once you know how but the dash is a little cluttered. KTM The 1301cc V-twin motor oozes grunt which makes it a step above off-road. Dash is clear but the menu system is a little clunky to access. TRIUMPH Triumph's T-plane crank makes a notable difference at low revs. Styling is understated which matches its stealthy performance on and off-road.…

All four are capable of crashing out a 200-mile journey before you even think about needing a break. They have tremendous presence on the road, yet are happy rattling along a fire track at 70mph plus. As a result, the bike you choose is very much down to you as a rider and the type of riding you want to do. The Ducati is the newest, fastest and most exciting. If you're a former sportsbike lover and want some serious kicks combined with next level tech, it's the bike for you. It'll deal with the off-road, but it feels like Ducati haven't gone far enough with the design brief to be the ultimate adventure bike. With a 21in front wheel and top-end conventional suspension it'd be far closer to the…

Only one modern Japanese superbike has come close to replicating the significance of Honda's original FireBlade: Yamaha's 1998 R1. Arriving a full six years after the Honda, the Yamaha was project led by ex-GP engineer Kunihiko Miwa who admits being influenced by the Blade but this time took direct inspiration from Yamaha's compact and ultra-lightweight 500cc racers. Goals of even more power yet even lighter weight (150bhp and 177kg respectively) were set; a clever, stacked, gearbox helped and a new king was born. The R1 has been the Blade's closest rival ever since.…

MOTOGP CAREER 2 Only two riders (Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini) have won more premier class races than Marquez In the 136 MotoGP races he has finished, he's only missed the points in two (18th Termas and 16th Mugello in 2018) 3 Only three riders (Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa) have scored more premier class podiums than Marquez with his total of 101 MotoGP rostrums 4 Ever the fighter, Marquez has featured in four of the top 10 closest premier class podiums in history (Phillip Island 2022, Qatar and Mugello 2019 and Buriram 2018) 4 Marquez also features in four of the closest wins in premier class history (Mugello 2016, Qatar 2018 and 2019 and Silverstone 2019. He was second in all four 5 His 140th career podium in…

BRUCE DUNN MCN's expert technician System upgrade Turn up the style and the performance with a slick new exhaust BRUCE'S TIPS If you're not OK with the process of removal, hand over to an expert 1 Arm yourself with knowledge Before you start, unpack the new exhaust and cross-reference all the parts against the part list in the instructions. Then, make yourself a brew and take a few minutes to read the instructions to make sure you're aware of what's involved with both the removal of the stock system and the fitting of the new one. Gather all the tools you need. 2 Unbolt from frame Start removing parts to gain access to the exhaust – in most cases the fairings will need to be taken off, but be aware that some…

It was a completely different story in 1996 when Mackenzie raced alongside Whitham. Whitham returned after undergoing successful treatment for cancer during the winter – his 1995 campaign ending in August after his diagnosis. “On track we were really aware of each other, and we raced hard, but really clean,” Whitham remembers. “I was desperate to win, but I always felt that if I couldn't win it, I wanted Niall to. “It was a weird thing. At no point did we fall out, we went out for a beer that night; I was really devastated not to win it, but that was my fault, not his. I was enjoying racing for what it was, I was just so happy to be racing again.” The pair were level on points heading…

KYLE RYDE The man closest to the PBM riders in the championship fight. The LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha man sits just 35 points (one victory at Brands Hatch) behind Bridewell. Ryde is yet to finish on the podium at Brands in BSB but is on a decent run of form having taken one victory, four podiums and six top six results in the last nine races. He has confidence too after a difficult mid-season, and doesn't have to worry about 2024 as he already has a deal to stay at OMG. On his day, Ryde can be unbeatable, so he'll be ready and waiting to pounce on those Ducatis. LEE JACKSON A man out to prove a point after losing his spot at Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki next season. After initially…

THIS WEEK Following a string of deals on twins, KTM are offering big discounts on some of their single-cylinder models. The 690 SMCR is now being offered with a full £1000 off its usual price while the current, learner legal, KTM 125 Duke has a £800 saving. A range of Power Parts and clothing can also be found with money off. Visit ktm.com for further details. New Triumph 400s to start at £4995 Triumph are showing that they mean business in the smallcapacity singles market, by revealing a seriously competitive new price for their incoming Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X machine. The Speed 400 roadster will cost £4995 in the UK, with the Scrambler 400 X starting from a more premium £5595. Zero slash prices Zero are zapping their…

‘Where's my birthday cake?’ One of the dangers of wearing an Alpinestars T-shirt is that it identifies you as a motorcyclist, a factor I'm becoming more and more aware of. As the owner of a four-year-old, I'm spending an increasing amount of time at parties watching small people load up on sugary treats and inevitably you strike up conversations with other (equally distressed) parents. And when you are in an A-Stars shirt, it attracts those into bikes. The other day one such conversation started and the parent said he was thinking about getting back into bikes. I was expecting him to say he fancied a Fireblade or super-naked or something but refreshingly he said he loved the look of Triumph's new Speed 400. So often those returning to bikes assume…

R&G Protection for 2023 on Triumph Street Triple from £22.46 Owners of Triumph's latest Street Triple can now add some extra ‘insurance’ to their ride, courtesy of R&G's range of rugged crash protection. The firm's distinctive Aero protectors are available in black or white and come with all the necessary fittings. Other bespoke products include a radiator guard, tail tidy, engine covers and bar ends. rg-racing.com Adventure Spec Singletrack Pant £399 Intended for adventure and trail riding when the weather is cold and wet, the Singletrack trousers from Adventure Spec are designed to go over your protective gear as a breathable and highly waterproof top layer. Construction includes additional Kevlar reinforcements at the hip and knee, and a generous cut to allow for knee braces and motocross boots. adventurespec.com Macna…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews 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 Too many gadgets? Congratulations to BMW for developing gadgetry on the new R1300GS to levels beyond the needs of any half-competent rider – lane-change warning? Give me strength! I am no longer in the market for a new BMW; having owned 13 of them, I found the later models are just not durable in a northern winter but if I were, I would struggle with selection of worthwhile extras. Conventional wisdom suggests going for the TE model, but then I'd be paying for gadgetry I would not use, but still have to…

THE UK'S HOTTEST RIDES MCN readers share their favourite one-hour routes WIN A Suzuki GSX-8S with MCN COMPARE www.mcncompare.com If you love exploring on two wheels, you can't go far wrong in Wales. This short loop begins and ends in Dolgellau and takes in challenging twisty roads, coastal views and quaint villages along the way. Head west from Dolgellau on the A470 and then take the A493. The views of the sea along this stretch are incredible, so make sure you keep an eye on the road! The A493 eventually cuts inland with views of the mountains in the distance and sweeping bends to keep you busy. I'd recommend an ice cream in Aberdyfi and there's plenty of parking here, too. The next stretch has some slightly dodgy road surfaces…

Not only did James Hillier complete our 1000-mile journey we also got him to use his Dakar skills to push the bikes to their limits by completing a pre-set lap back-to-back on all four bikes on test. James practised the course on each bike before posting a fast time and the order in which we tested the bikes was pulled out of a hat. He says: BMW Lap time – 1m 45.148s (4th) I had high expectations for the GS, but I was left a little disappointed. It's the original big adventure bike but it feels like it's fallen behind. All of these bikes are heavy and there is a limit to how well they can handle that, but the GS doesn't support its own weight very well. Through big…

‘A surprise winner’ The Triumph was the surprise winner of the test. It's not the fastest or most sophisticated but the result was based on how it handled our 1000-mile trip which included two days of off-road. We judged it on each bike's ability to be an ‘Adventure’ bike which by its very nature is to be a jack-of-all-trades machine, able to cope with the ever-changing and unknown. The Triumph ate up road miles with overwhelming ease. It meant reduced rider fatigue which as the joint most economical, it could cover massive distances between stops due to its 30-litre tank. However, off-road was where it really surprised. Benefiting massively from that 21in front wheel, its performance was stealth like and in our ‘Special test’ conducted by James Hillier it came…

‘A genuine alternative’ Officially the E300SE costs £4499, but a £500 OLEV grant cuts it to £3999. That's a few hundred quid more than Honda's PCX125 or Yamaha's NMax 125, but with free road tax, minimal servicing and a cost-per-mile roughly half that of petrol, you'd easily make the difference back. As far as further comparisons go, an E300SE weighs the same as a PCX or NMax, offers comparable storage, is faster off the line and boasts a longer list of features including cruise control, reverse gear, and that extensive phone app. Clearly, the Segway has downsides. There are only 20 dealers in the UK, while both its residual value and battery durability remain to be proven. But, on the basis of our two-week taster, the E300SE seems a legitimate…

TRIED & TESTED MCN STAFF RATE THEIR RIDING KIT 2600 miles ON TEST WIN Suzuki GSX-8S with MCN COMPARE www.mcncompare.com A bag is a bag, right? And so at first glance, the £180 price tag attached to Kriega's latest mid-capacity rucksack seems extortionate. An almost anonymous black lump, with a single, large, main compartment, a slim outer pocket on the front and that's it. Just get a black bag for £20 off the high street and be done with it. Right? Well, no. Firstly, Kriega's luggage is designed by bikers, for bikers. This is my third of their back packs over the last 20 years and I've never had one break. Even tumbling down the road in a 50mph crash, my ageing R35 escaped with a single scuff. They are…

UMUVKIU 20-piece carbide milling cutter set £17.99 Odd brand name, but great kit. Broken bolts, I hate them! When I reach the point of no return, having tried everything from penetrating oil, heat, easy-outs, drilling, hammering, and banging, there is only one thing left. This 20-piece carbide burr rotary tool bit set fit into Dremel tools and come in a range of shapes and sizes. I had a pinch bolt sheer off in the bottom of a set of forks, after trying every removal procedure, I drilled a hole right through, then using different sized bits, I was able to remove the unwanted metal of the broken bolt to a point that the remaining thread wrapped around the bit and came out like a coiled spring. Quality Value www.amazon.co.uk 4…

With 50,000 miles on the clock this Honda Fireblade is an occasional visitor at Doncaster Motorcycles for running repairs, but this time it needed picking up. Kevin Hollingsworth Of Doncaster Motorcycles “As the owner's daily commuter and weekend warrior, this bike is in use every day and it's not been meticulously looked after. Fireblades have got a good reputation for reliability, and I think he's been relying on that. I told him it was getting long in the tooth the other day, and then he rang me,” Doncaster's boss Kevin Hollingsworth told us. There was no way of riding around this problem as the rear suspension had collapsed. The rider heard a ‘click’ then it sat down on the mudguard. Luckily, he was riding in a straight line and close…

Our man looks ahead to the tense BSB decider at Brands Having spent 1996 with James Whitham and the following year with Chris Walker, 1998 saw British Superbike champion Niall Mackenzie gain a new teammate in Steve Hislop. The two Scots didn't know each other that well, with Mackenzie only returning to the UK from the GP paddock in 1996. Hislop, meanwhile, was the 1995 champion and multiple Isle of Man TT winner. But it didn't take long for battle lines to be drawn between them. Anything you can do… Hislop's move on the final corner of the last lap at Oulton Park incensed Mackenzie, sparking fury in the Yamaha squad. Mackenzie returned the favour into the final chicane at Thruxton, the pair making contact as the former went by…

Glenn and Tommy are very different characters, but neither quite have the experience of wily old Leon Haslam who is only 41 points behind… and that's with five DNFs this year. If I was the team boss I'd put Tommy and Glenn in a room and tell them that unless they work together they're going to get their trousers pulled down. But given the egos and what's gone on, I don't think they're capable. It's also contract time, so now would be a good time to bury the hatchet. Yes one of them is going to be disappointed if they don't win, but they will also be able to hold their head up high and say ‘what a good season’. They are not thinking like that because if the team…

SPORT After the historic first Sprint in Portimao, just three points split Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin at the top of the MotoGP World Championship. Seven months, 13 Sprints and 14 GP races later, and still just three points split the duo with six rounds remaining. The title chase has not been closer after 14 rounds for 30 years and an intense run-in of six races in seven weeks kicks off with a second visit to the Mandalika track in Indonesia this weekend. The man on a roll is Martin who has seven successive podiums including three Sprint wins and two GP wins to his credit and is on the brink of history. No Independent Team rider has lifted the fourstroke MotoGP title. ‘It's the closest title chase for thirty…

‘We had some discussions’ In their desperate bid to keep Marc Marquez, HRC made the unprecedented step of trying to head-hunt Ducati's tech guru, Gigi Dall'Igna, to join their MotoGP project. Ever since Marquez became disillusioned with Honda, one of his unwavering requests was for the Japanese manufacturer to sign big name European engineers to revitalise the HRC project. In terms of pioneering engineers there is no one bigger than Dall'Igna, who has revolutionised Ducati's MotoGP fortunes. So what does Gigi have to say about it? MCN: Now that Marc has joined Ducati, can you confirm if Honda tried to hire you? Dall'Igna: “Let's say that it is probably a normal thing to happen in such a situation, we had some discussions.” MCN: Were you tempted? Dall'Igna: “I feel good…

Inside the MotoGP paddock for more than 35 years TOP STORY Marc Marquez jumping ship from Honda to Ducati is the biggest rider news since Valentino Rossi's multiple bed-hopping. It raises at least two burning questions. The first concerns the status quo. By joining the largest gang on the grid, is Marc risking becoming just another fast Ducati rider? Or is the ageing multi-champion's formidable combination of talent and willpower still strong enough to turn them into also-rans? He'll turn 31 next February. Time will of course tell, but don't bet against him humbling – and seriously upsetting – the current Ducati troops. Anyone who has studied Marquez's career can only be in awe. His run of championships from 2013 to 2019, missing only one year, is evidence enough of…

Although their bank balances probably tell a different story – leaving a Japanese manufacturer to join Ducati hasn't always been such a smart career move, turning serial winners into also-rans. Here are three of the most difficult transitions to life in the red corner…. Rider Valentino Rossi Year 2011 Left Fiat Yamaha to join Ducati Why? Having been the clear No.1 in the team, Jorge Lorenzo's rise to prominence altered the Yamaha team dynamic. With Rossi's last title coming in 2009 and Lorenzo winning the title in 2010, along with the bad blood between them, it was time to move on. What happened? Despite boldly stating he and his long time crew chief Jeremy Burgess would fix the difficult Desmosedici in a matter of hours, they never did. In what…