Table of contents for 01 November 2023 in MCN

TOP STORY Ten years after the launch of the original, game-changing MT-09 triple, Yamaha have revealed the third generation – treating the popular naked triple to a new face, revised riding position and updated electronics. Although the heart of the bike is unchanged (its characteristic 117bhp ‘CP3’ three-cylinder engine received a makeover in 2021 when it also gained a cast aluminium Deltabox frame) the rest of the 2024 MT-09 is virtually all-new. Most obvious is the bodywork and styling, with new LED lights, a sportier riding position, sharper steering geometry, uprated brakes, a new dash and switchgear, and extra tech including cruise control. HIGHLIGHTS •Styling inspired by MX bikes • Engine and chassis retained from previous model •New five-inch TFT dash and advanced electronics • Latest Bridgestone S23 tyres When…

‘Cafés have definitely seen a drop off in trade’ IAN MARQUIS The blanket 20mph speed limit across Wales has not only sparked an opposition petition with over 463,000 signatories, but it's also now damaging biking businesses and causing confusion and irritation, according to locals. New legislation came into force on September 17 which reduced the maximum speed on restricted roads from 30 to 20mph. Restricted roads are classed as ‘roads with streetlights spaced no more than 200 yards apart, usually located in residential and built-up areas.’ Initially, eight pilot areas were chosen to trial the limit in St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire; Llanelli North, Carmarthenshire; St Brides Major, Vale of Glamorgan; Central North, Cardiff; Cilfrew Village, Neath Port Talbot; Abergavenny, Monmouthshire; Severnside, Monmouthshire and Buckley, Flintshire. The intention, according to the Welsh…

THIS WEEK Police in the West Country have arrested eight men as part of an investigation into a suspected Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) points ‘farm’. ‘NIP farms’ are a fairly recent development where criminal gangs are paid by motorists to supply fake driver or rider details to the police in order to avoid prosecution for traffic offences. They are typically used by those at risk of losing their licence through an accumulation of points. NIP farms advertise on social media offering to ‘take’ the points for a fee and then use the cloned identities of blameless victims whose information has been sold on the dark web. ‘They stole my ID then I lost my driving licence’ There has been a rise in these cases recently and in one, 48-year-old…

Remember the original Kawasaki ZXR750H1 of 1989 and its striking green, white and blue paintjob? Or the racing ‘Team Green’ ZXRs of John Reynolds and Brian Morrison that dominated British Superbikes in 1992? Well now you can buy your own, official, modern incarnation. For 2024, Kawasaki are releasing a family of Ninja 40th Anniversary models as part of their celebration of four decades of performance machinery – with the original Ninja, the GPz900R, launched back in 1984. To commemorate the anniversary, their three current Ninja sportsbikes, the ZX-10R four-cylinder superbike, recently revived ZX-6R supersport, and just-released ZX-4RR screamer (see p29) are all being made available in the special liveries. As seen in the photos, all three will be available in the historic green, blue and white livery with a bold…

Merlin Sierra D30 WP Boots £229.99 Part of the Brit firm's Explorer Collection, this premium brushed leather boot features a vulcanised Vibram sole with an an aggressive tread pattern for grip both on and off the bike. It uses a waterproof and breathable Hipora membrane to keep your feet dry and an innovative ratchet system for closure. merlinbikegear.shop Stylmartin Iron WP Bronze £199.99 The Italian bootmaker's popular urban sneaker gets a new look for 2024 with this unique antique bronze effect. They're waterproof and breathable, with internal PU ankle protection and a reinforced gear shift pad. Insoles are anatomically designed, and the outers are non-slip rubber. Comes with two sets of interchangeable laces. dot4distribution.com Vanucci VXP-2 Protection Vest £156 Available exclusively from German kit outlet Louis Moto, the Vanucci VXP-2…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader Andrew Hobbs The ride Melksham, Wiltshire – Dover-Calais ferry – Reimes – Colmar– Magny-Cours – Paris – Calais and back How many miles? 1600 How long? Eight days Tell us about the trip… A quick blast across the Channel then on to Reimes through the beautiful French countryside on roads that seem a world away from the pothole-infested ones we left only a few hours ago. Next, a short ride to the American war memorial in Ardennes, which is the most beautiful and sad place. Onwards to Colmar through the Champagne vineyards and some incredible twisting roads. Colmar (known as the Little Venice) is what I imagine heaven to be like and the food is even better. Day three is again hot and exhausting…

WEDNESDAY November 1 8pm, ITV4, World Superbikes Highlights from Jerez, Spain THURSDAY November 2 11am, EUR2, British Speedway Highlights: Grand Final 3am, TNT2, MotoGP Films: Unlimited – a look behind the scenes at Marc Marquez's 2019 season FRIDAY November 3 11am, EUR2, Bennetts British Superbikes: Brands Hatch Extra SUNDAY November 5 9.45am, TNT2, Live FIM JuniorGP Championship from Valencia, Spain TUESDAY November 7 9pm, QUEST, NEW: Shed and Buried 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 –…

COMPETITION PLUS 10 runner-up prizes of tickets to champions’ autograph session! It's the glitziest event in bike sport, the prestigious FIM Awards is coming to the UK for the very first time – and you could be there too! Set to be the biggest gathering of world champions this country has ever seen, 47 winners from across all disciplines – MotoGP and WSB, Trials, Enduro, MX, Speedway and more – will be presented with their crowns in an exclusive ceremony and black-tie gala dinner at Liverpool's ACC Arena on Saturday, December 2. MCN has a pair of money-can'tbuy tickets for one lucky reader and their guest to see the best riders in the world get presented with the title that they've battled all season to earn. This incredible prize will…

BMW's new £15,990 R1300GS, out in dealers now, is the lightest, punchiest, most compact and powerful GS there's ever been. It has a higher level of standard equipment, a new face and a bewildering array of extras, including an electronic ride height device, semi-active suspension with variable spring rates and a collision warning system that'll dab the brakes for you in an emergency. That's on top of a selection of front and rear seats, screens, levers, new luggage options, longer travel off-road suspension… the list goes on. No stone left unturned It's no surprise BMW have gone to such lengths to polish the jewel in the crown that's been so instrumental to their success. The new breed of big adventure bikes, such as the £16,995 Ducati Multistrada V4, £14,995 Triumph…

RATINGS Exceptional★★★★★ Very good ★★★★ Good★★★ Average ★★ Poor★ 600 miles ON TEST Dunlop D606 £230 pair Designed with a 10% road and 90% off-road bias, the D606s are essentially a street legal enduro tyre with a deep, chunky block pattern and serious off-road capabilities. On the road, they're surprisingly quiet with little rolling noise and have easily enough grip and performance for me to ride my Honda CRF250L at proper road speeds. Initially run at 20psi they felt hard and like riding over cobbles. Dropping the pressures to 16psi for the dirt improved comfort, feel and traction on the road too. On trails they're impressive in all conditions and most surfaces – only slightly struggling to hold a line in deep sand. They are hugely expensive compared to my…

Reporting direct from the heart of the WSB paddock ROUND 1 PHILLIP ISLAND, AUSTRALIA RACE 1 Bautista, Rea, Razgatlioglu SPRINT Bautista, Rinaldi, Razgatlioglu RACE 2 Bautista, Rinaldi, Locatelli Alvaro Bautista kicked off in style by repeating his 2019 Phillip Island treble, winning all races – rain or shine. On Sunday, Michael Ruben Rinaldi completed a pair of Ducati 1-2 finishes. Bautista took a series lead which turned out never to be relinquished. He was challenged in Race 1 by Jonathan Rea but the Northern Irishman was denied by a quickshifter problem. In Race 2, Toprak suffered a costly non-finish as Alex Lowes crashed in his path. ROUND 2 MANDALIKA, INDONESIA RACE 1 Bautista, Razgatlioglu, Locatelli SPRINT Razgatlioglu, Locatelli, Lowes RACE 2 Bautista, Razgatlioglu, Vierge Mandalika brought Bautista's first DNF of…

There was no time to rest as 2024 testing got underway at Jerez yesterday (Tuesday) – but not with Toprak, as Yamaha didn't allow him to jump straight to BMW due to contractual reasons. As MCN went to press on Monday night, Rea (who is out of his Kawasaki contract) was due to debut for Yamaha, with former MotoGP rider Andrea Iannone there with GoEleven Ducati and Bautista set to get his first impression of the added weight. Toprak's BMW debut will come at Portimao in December. HRC's changes include Team Principal Leon Camier and crew chief Pete Jennings departing, while Bradley Ray was due to test with GMT94 Yamaha and Taz Mackenzie on the MIE Honda.…

Just one week on from dislocating his right shoulder in a painful Phillip Island crash, Jake Dixon faced further agony after crashing out of a promising position in Sunday's Moto2 race. The 27-year-old was surprised by his early speed and had moved forward from 11th to seventh in four laps. But a mistake when attempting a pass on Celestino Vietti at Turn Three led to the pair colliding, and Dixon crashing out. “Unfortunately, when I braked, I didn't leave enough room for Vietti ahead and I crashed,” he said. “I thought I could brake earlier, but everything happened very quickly. I would like to apologise to him and his team.” Dixon underwent a CAT scan and MRI after, which thankfully ruled out further injury. It was also a tough weekend…

‘Fighting with the motto – ‘win or nothing” BRAD BINDER Paddock veteran delivers his verdict on Thai round KTM's main man Brad Binder is out of world championship contention – but could the South African speedster yet prove a MotoGP kingmaker? That was a key takeaway from the dynamic race performance that made Binder an imposing force in a pulsating Thai MotoGP on Sunday. And while his brave fight against the might of Ducati couldn't put him on the top step, he could hold a key influence in the title outcome. Aboard the innovative carbonframed RC16 Binder is increasingly the only non-Ducati rider who can consistently destabilise the podium domination of Ducati protagonists Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin. With his swashbuckling style and optimisation of the RC16's improved drive grip acceleration,…

Brad Binder was burgled again on Sunday. For a third time this year, he was robbed of a rightful place – second in Thailand; third and fourth back at Assen. Demoted by a rule that does more to spoil racing than improve it. Stray over track limits on the last lap and you automatically lose one position. The rule was introduced to prevent anyone taking a cynical short-cut after Augusto Fernandez did exactly that in Moto2 at Misano. But not every time. The race stewards do have the discretion to waive the penalty if the offender was forced off track by another rider, as can happen in a fierce last-lap battle. ‘Why can't the stewards use discretion?’ So too what happened to Binder. He attacked for the lead, only to…

WELCOME Not all that long ago, BMW's biggest GS was the only really worthy purchase if you wanted a range-topping adventure bike. But it then became an ever-increasing victim of its own success, as market might meant rival manufacturers concentrated more and more R&D cash on the pursuit of beating it at its own game. Depending on your predilections or needs, you could argue that several have managed it, too. Want a true adventure superbike? Get a Multi V4S. Want a massive enduro bike you can do miles on? Buy KTM's 1290 Super Adventure R. Want an adventurous road tourer? Get a Tiger 1200. Want your crown back? Build an all-new GS. And as you're already well aware – that's exactly what BMW have done. They might not have ripped…

White Motorcycle Concepts, the British company behind the three-wheeled petrol-electric hybrid motorcycles first adopted by Northamptonshire Police, have revealed a production version, and it is available to order now. Based around a Yamaha Tricity 300, and recently trialled by Greater Manchester Police in its law enforcement guise, the machine uses drag-reducing ‘V-Duct’ aerodynamics, allowing air to pass through having entered between the front wheels. Called the WMC300AE (Aero Electric) the latest build is the first product to be sold to the public by White Motorcycle Concepts, with just 10 scheduled to be made. Prices are available on request. “This is the first application of our duct technology available to the public and offers a limited number of individuals the chance to purchase this very special motorcycle,” said company CEO Rob…

BEATING BIKE CRIME SAVE OUR BIKES! Humberside Police's Op Yellowfin taskforce have made arrests in Scunthorpe, detaining a 20-year-old man, and seizing a firearm during an operation in partnership with the National Police Air Service. “We continue to work hard to tackle motorcycle related crime and remain committed to making our communities safer,” Detective Inspector Simon Archer said. “Operation Yellowfin provides us with information and intelligence that helps us bring offenders to justice. We do not take these crimes lightly.” The arrest of the man took place on Monday, October 16, after officers responded to reports of two people acting suspiciously on a motorcycle. Using back-up from the air service team, the force searched the area – locating and arresting the man and a 12-year-old boy. A gun was seized…

THIS WEEK Royal Enfield have opened a new dealership in Chelsea, which will sell their full range, alongside servicing, and customisation. The shop, on London's New Kings Road, will be called Royal Enfield Chelsea and ties in with established clothing experts Urban Rider. To mark the opening, a competition is being run to win £2000 worth of customisation. Go to urbanrider.co.uk/royal-enfield/custom-competition to enter. Ducati Experience gets even better Ducati have expanded their ‘Borgo Panigale Experience.’ Visits to the brand's home in Bologna, Italy, currently include entry to the Ducati Museum and a tour of the factory, but from now it adds the new Finitura e Delibera Estetica. This is a building where visitors will be able to observe the last phase of the production process, which consists of the final…

EXCLUSIVE ACCESS Ducati have gone back to their roots by introducing an all-new single-cylinder engine, the factory's first thumper in 30 years. The 659cc Superquadro Mono is claimed to be the highest-revving and most powerful road-going single-cylinder unit ever produced, kicking out a claimed 76.4bhp in standard spec and an impressive 83.4bhp in track-ready form. It's also capable of engine speeds previously unimaginable for a non-race mono, revving up to 10,250rpm – courtesy of a desmodromic top end. With the biggest cylinder bore of any production single, the Superquadro Mono uses the same giant 116mm piston from the 1285c V-twin Superquadro of the 1299 Panigale and combines it with a stroke just 1.6mm longer than the superbike's, at 62.4mm. This gives it the rev-inducing, massively oversquare dimensions (hence the name…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com 19 and it was my dad's old bike. The photo was taken in my backyard 32 years ago – I still have the bike. Kevin Hamley 1986 on my TY50P – 30mph flat out but not bad at wheelies. Less hair now but bigger machines these days. Paul Creed My girlfriend/wife on my 500cc Gold Star. The picture was taken in 1967. Rob Day Lucas with his Guy Martin boilersuit. When asked what he wanted from Santa, he said: “Ramps!” Robert Waddell My Honda 125 twin cost me the princely sum of £65 back in 1969 when I was 16 years old. Tony Knight My first bike at 15. Got chased by local farmers every weekend but it started my love affair with…

What's happening? John McGuinness and James Whitham are joining forces again to take you through over 100 TT starts. With no frills, lots of laughter and plenty of banter between the two, you're in for a night to remember. Beginning with an interview with McGuinness, then a lap of the TT with onboard commentary as well as a Q&A session, it's a jam-packed night for all racing fans. The essentials On November 3, the pair will be presenting at the Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden from 7pm until 10.30pm. Tickets are £25 for the show, but if you want to include a picture with John and James that'll be printed on the night then it's £30. Don't worry if you can't make it to Harpenden, there are other dates in the…

People who have shaped our world At the time of his death in 1981, Mike Hailwood was acknowledged as the greatest motorcycle racer of all time. The stats alone leave little room for doubt: when he retired from the sport, he had amassed 76 Grand Prix wins, 112 podiums, nine world championships, 11 British championships, and more TT race wins than any competitor in history at that point (14). He also enjoyed success on four wheels, lifting the European Formula 2 championship before graduating to Formula 1, racing for his old rival John Surtees – the only man to ever win world titles on two wheels and four. Hailwood might have matched Surtees’ feat had his career not been cut short due to serious injuries sustained in 1974. One year…

Weight is down, power is up The new 1300cc air/liquid-cooled motor is BMW's most powerful production twin, but more importantly for road riders there's more torque right the way through the revs, especially between 3600rpm and 7800rpm, despite its new oversquare layout. Bore is increased from 102.5mm to 106.5mm and stroke down from 76mm to 73mm. Peak power is up from the 1250's 134bhp to 143bhp at the same 7750rpm and torque rises 4lb.ft to 110lb.ft at 6500rpm (250rpm higher than before). The redline is at a giddyfora-boxer 9000rpm. The engine still uses the variable ‘ShiftCam’ valve timing system debuted in the GS in 2019. Its inlet cams run on mild lobes under 4000rpm, for lowdown grunt and fuel economy and high-performance lobes above, or when you ask for a…

HOME ON THE FARM Tommy and wife Stacey purchased land to build their home, and you'll now find the fields filled with sheep and geese, to go with the family dogs and cat. “This is what I've always dreamed of,” admits Tommy. “It takes plenty of upkeep, cutting the grass and all of it, but I wouldn't change any of it because the complete opposite for me is racing a motorbike in a highly tense environment with big corporate sponsors and money involved. To be able to come back here and switch off from it all is a big factor. “I just love this place, I love mooching around, I love the countryside, and going out walking with my dogs.” Stacey goes to all the races but admits she never…

1500 miles ON TEST Oxford Calgary 2.0 gloves £59.99 These winter gloves have been designed to maximise warmth without bulk. With 60% leather construction, there's zoned use of windblocking soft shell down the sides of the fingers and back of hand, as well as leather across the knuckles and front of the fingers. The result of this is that they're both comfortable and warm – without making your hands feel restricted. As there's leather across the palms too, they allow warmth from heated grips to penetrate as well as giving you that peace of mind that they'd protect in a spill. If you don't have heated grips, the fleecy thermal lining does a grand job on its own, and instantly feels welcoming. I love the structured feel of these gloves…

Year-round rider, B-road blaster, and performance bike fan Back in the day, when I was a 20-year-old racing wannabe, I'd opt for the shortest, loudest exhausts for my bikes. I thought I was the best thing since sliced bread, but on reflection I probably just looked like I was compensating for something… As I've got older, my lust for loud pipes has died down. I love them on race bikes and a tasteful aftermarket end can is totally fine on the road, but I've begun to enjoy slipping under the radar now – taking on my favourite country roads without causing offence to wildlife and locals, nor causing lay-by dwelling law enforcement operatives to drop their doughnuts. However, one thing I have struggled with on the Suzuki GSX-8S this year…

Reporting direct from the heart of the WSB paddock ‘Minimum weight regs are designed to slow Bautista down’ FINAL ROUND In Jerez on Sunday evening, 700 members of the public had the privilege of following the ‘Titanic Trio’ of Alvaro Bautista, Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea in a parade of motorcycles just hours after the chequered flag had fallen on a quite remarkable final World Superbike race of the season. On Tuesday, winter testing brought one of the biggest shake-ups for years. It's the end of an era. As one door closes, another opens. The changes from 2023 to 2024 are vast, ranging from numerous riders switching to new manufacturers and teams to the tech regs being modified in a bid to make the series more unpredictable. However, before any…

SPORT There was a time that MotoGP was overwhelmingly Spanish. Valentino Rossi was almost a lone warrior for Italy, while Lorenzo, Pedrosa, Gibernau and latterly Marquez ran riot. It was even more like that in the smaller classes. Now, rather suddenly, it's the other way round. Jorge Martin's championship charge has relatively distant support from fading stars Espargaro, Viñales and the brothers Marquez. Bagnaia is just one of several thrusting Italian stallions – including the youthful Bezzecchi, Marini and (when not injured) Bastianini. Racers do it for themselves, not their countries. It's an individual sport but that doesn't rule out national pride, and we're seeing it in action. By no coincidence, Rossi – retirement notwithstanding – is playing a leading role. Back in his active years he resolved to reverse…

Thailand saw the year's big Moto3 contenders fall short in a dramatic 19-lap dash, allowing David Alonso to snatch a fourth win of an impressive rookie campaign, and keeping him within reach of scoring a shock championship win. First, Ayumu Sasaki crashed out, after hitting David Muñoz's KTM, which had encountered gearbox issues on the second lap. Then Dani Holgado had to take avoiding action, dropping him from ninth to 27th. But the Spaniard rallied, recovering to sixth to maintain his title hopes. Finally, series leader Jaume Masia misjudged his braking into the final turn, dropping him from second to fourth. Brits Scott Ogden and Josh Whatley were 20th and 23rd.…

Fabio Quartararo was back in the mix in Thailand after a grim Australian Grand Prix, where Yamaha struggled, and he finished a distant 14th. The reason for the 2021 champion's fifth-place finish, only four seconds behind winner Jorge Martin, was simple: Michelin's stiffer rear-slick carcass, used at Buriram, Mandalika, Red Bull Ring and Buddh in India, to resist the massive heat build-up experienced at these tracks. It's therefore no coincidence that Quartararo scored podium finishes at Mandalika and Buddh. This tyre is less grippy, so the inline-four YZR-M1's more powerful V4 rivals – Aprilia, Ducati, KTM and Honda – can't put all their horsepower to the ground exiting corners, allowing the M1 to be more competitive on both acceleration and top speed. “We could see the different tyre helped us…

Honda have updated their popular SH scooter range with a wide variety of fresh colours for 2024. The urban-focused SH Mode 125, SH125i and larger SH350i have all had a glow-up, with each receiving a number of new combinations. For example, the A2-friendly 350 can be yours in a new Zefiro Blue Metallic and Matt Techno Silver Metallic; or you can opt for one of four striking mixed designs. The updates follow earlier announcements of new liveries for the Gold Wing tourer and Rebel cruiser families too. For the full list of available options, take a look at Honda.co.uk/motorcycles. Hot'cross fun from new KTMs KTM have revealed a new range of mini motocrossers for 2024, now featuring a multi-adjustable chassis to adapt as your youngsters grow. The 50 and 65…

THIS WEEK BMW have upped the performance of their S1000XR adventure sportsbike for 2024, taking it from a claimed 162.3bhp, to 167.6bhp at 11,000rpm. Retaining the same S1000RR-derived 999cc fourcylinder engine as before, the new bike now benefits from revised intake channel geometry and fresh mapping. Torque remains a very respectable 84.1lb.ft at 9250rpm. Available in three new colour options, the XR benefits from improved rider comfort thanks to revised ergonomics. Starting with the seat, BMW say it has been completely redesigned – offering an extra 10mm of height (bringing it to 850mm) and providing a little more room for your legs. There's also more space for your bum, with more of the seat's length and width available to the rider's cheeks. Three seat height options are available, and it's…

Nearly 250 bikes, including two belonging to TV's hed and Buried star Henry Cole, and one of the UK's biggest Ducati collections, will go under the hammer at a massive motorcycle auction at Birmingham's NEC later this month. Other eye-catching lots in the sale include a 1938 Brough Superior SS100, a limited-edition 2004 MV Agusta F4 1000 ‘Ago’ and a brand new 2023 Brabus 1300R. They're all part of the motorcycle sale being run by Iconic Auctioneers at the Classic Motor Show at the NEC on November 12. And, with a record entry of 245 lots valued at over £1.5 million, it's the auction house's biggest sale to date. The two Henry Cole bikes are a 1961 Dresda Triton 750cc, believed to have been used by Dresda's Dave Degens as…

OUT AND ABOUT Ride further in 2023 with a little help from our one-stop event guide JUST BREW IT Ride out to Britain's best biking catés THE DETAILS •Seven days a week • www.haynesmuseum.org •Haynes Motor Museum, Yeovil BA22 7LH Roll up, roll up! The Haynes Motor Museum in Yeovil officially unveiled its longawaited motorcycle exhibition on Saturday, so now you can visit the new mezzanine and sink into a rich history of British biking. A complete renovation of the previous motorcycle wing, there are fewer bikes to look at now, but it is a much more interactive experience. A particular favourite is the looming yellow circle in the corner complete with tyre and handlebars to demonstrate how motorcycles stay upright. Top that with a rumble seat, an AA phone…

KAWASAKI YAMAHA HONDA…

‘The scariest thrill of my life’ Forced out of Formula 1 by a leg injury in 1974 (when he was fourth in the championship), Mike Hailwood grew restless and bored without the adrenalin rush he got from racing, and by 1978 had hatched a plan to make a comeback at the Isle of Man TT after an 11-year absence. His resultant victory was truly the stuff of legend. “I still go cold when I think about that,” says Ted Macauley, who organised the comeback. “The honour that I still feel at having been involved in that is extraordinary. To sit in that grandstand while he went out to do what he did, at the speed he was doing it, and knowing the dangers of it (as I did) was the…

Ammo Aeroglide Ultra Polish £11.50 I'm not a fan of cleaning bikes so anything that makes the task easier is a big plus in my book. What I find is that even after you've cleaned the bike, it never looks new, no matter how hard you try but the Aeroglide Ultra polish has been a revelation. Brakes aside, you can spray it on any surface, which saves time, and by polishing it off with a microfibre cloth you enjoy seriously impressive ‘like new’ results. Whether it's the screen, metal tank or plastic it brings them back to life with minimal effort. The polish also stays on, meaning you don't have to re-apply after every wash. Even the bottle and spray pump are good – working consistently and ensuring you get…

Always in search of somewhere good for an ice cream I love the styling of the Low Rider ST but after living with it for six months so far, there are a few things I want to address – and it's all about the back end. The original plan was to install a rack and a sissy bar so I could take myself to the ends of the country with plenty of luggage capacity. But after adding the spacers behind the panniers to accommodate the sissy bar, it was quite clear the rack wasn't going to work, despite being listed as fitting the bike. Why? Well, it's up to you who gets the blame, but in essence, the UK number plate is too big, and the bikes and accessories have…

ROUND 12 JEREZ | WSB Dominique Aegerter claimed his first and second WSB podiums during a splendid weekend for GRT Yamaha. The double Supersport World Champion and MotoE title winner of last year qualified on the front row for the third time this year. Technical problems took him out of Race 1, while a major scare came in the form of an engine blow in the Sprint; however, oil was dropped and so he got a second chance as the race was restarted following a track clean-up. The fact the 33-year-old also claimed a rostrum in Sunday's long race was impressive, becoming the first rider from Switzerland to stand on the podium in WSB, that notwithstanding no fewer than three operations for arm pump this year. GRT Yamaha dedicated the…

Going behind the headlines from Round 17 of MotoGP ‘I didn't have time to manage the rear tyre’ Having done so well to hold back the march of Jorge Martin in Indonesia and Australia, Pecco Bagnaia was left to rue a poor qualifying of sixth, which invited early attacks from the Marquez brothers, in Thailand. While his fightback from a ropey early spell was admirable, the brutal truth was Bagnaia came up short in a head-to-head fight with his bitter rival. He was fortunate Brad Binder was demoted from second to third after exceeding track limits on the final lap. But even then, his 27-point lead has been hacked down to 13 over the course of two days. His expression in parc fermé conveyed the crushing disappointment he felt. Even…

Marc Marquez, invigorated by his impending Honda exit, showed that attack is the best form of defence. The former champ deployed his supreme race mentality to engage Pecco Bagnaia, Luca Marini and Aleix Espargaro in fearsome early battles before finishing sixth following a tyre pressure penalty for Espargaro. Marquez said: “Since everything is official, I feel liberated. I concentrate on riding and don't care about any rumours; no ifs or buts. I will use my energy to show this intensity in the last three rounds,” said Marquez, while dismissing speculation he could have stayed at Honda if Gigi Dall'Igna had been hired from Ducati. “I came out a warrior, if I didn't attack, they would all pass me.” While Marquez is seeing out his days with Honda – where Italian…

ROUND 17 THAILAND | MOTOGP Latest news and analysis from the MotoGP paddock TOP STORY If races in Indonesia and Australia had raised doubts, then Thailand dispelled them. Here, Jorge Martin proved his true title credentials in thrilling fashion, after prevailing in an epic three-way fight with Brad Binder and Francesco Bagnaia. Eight days on from a devastating last lap reversal at Phillip Island, there was not one aspect of Martin's performance that could be faulted in Thailand, as he righted the previous weekend's wrongs by conserving his rear tyre out front before going toe-to-toe with Binder in an absorbing finale, with the menacing Bagnaia looming behind. Martin admitted events of the previous fortnight had taken their toll in the lead up to Sunday. So focused was he on getting…