Table of contents for 25 September 2024 in MCN

INTERVIEW Rossi speaks out It’s been almost three years since the doctor hung up his helmet, and nine years since that clash with Marc Marquez at Sepang. Yet despite the passing of time and the move to a new form of motorsport, it seems Rossi has lost none of the animosity towards his old Spanish foe. MCN caught up with the nine-time world champion to get his take on the current state of affairs in MotoGP, and if he believes Marquez will get under the skin of Pecco Bagnaia when the pair become factory Ducati teammates in 2025, plus whether Ducati have made a massive mistake by ‘betraying’ young riders. PAGE 36 ‘It will be interesting to see how it goes’ ROSSI ON MARQUEZ/BAGNAIA MCN TEST Sumptuous superbikes Bonkers performance in…

Three-wheeled adventure duo, Matt Bishop and Reece Gilkes (better known as The Sidecar Guys) are hosting a giveaway of a 2024 Ural Gear Up Sahara Edition to raise funds to launch a sidecar themed bar and events centre. The pair are giving away the £28,000 prize as part of a competition which they hope will generate £100,000 to create their dream destination in the northeast of England. So far, £18,000 has been raised for the project. “Our unit is getting pretty full and we need to find a new sidecar home,” said Gilkes. “It will be a community hub for bikers and adventure travellers.” ‘It will be a community hub for bikers’ Bishop and Gilkes are best known for circumnavigating the world via scooter and sidecar between 2017-2019. The 34,000-mile…

'Is now time to bag a Bonnie?' I was chatting to a few people in the know the other day about Triumph’s new 400cc range and the impact it is having on dealerships. Despite being a huge success, the fact these models are such good value means there is less margin for a dealer when compared to a biggercapacity model – so it’s not all rosy. It’s simple percentages, if the dealer makes 20% on a bike sale (they don’t, you would be shocked how little they make), 20% of a £5195 Speed 400 is just £1039 where it is £3739 on a £18,695 Tiger 1200 GT Explorer, so big bike sales are much better news for cashflow. I can almost hear dealers laughing here because it is a tough…

A 22-year-old Swansea man has been sentenced to six months imprisonment for his part in the theft of a number of motorcycles. Rhys Kent pleaded guilty to four charges of handling stolen goods, after motorcycles with an estimated value of around £18,000 were found at a property in Blaen-Y-Maes, Wales. Sgt Elliott Griffin commented: “There is a zerotolerance approach to those found to be handling stolen goods in our area. We will pursue those involved in these illegal activities.”…

GET THREE MONTHS FOR JUST £35! Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer Ohio State University set four new speed records for electric motorcycles in late August with a machine built by its students. The RW-5, a joint project with manufacturer Voxan, set the records at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, achieving top speeds in both faired and unfaired form from flying starts over one-kilometre and one-mile distances. Rider Louis-Marie Blondel took the Voxan over the flying kilometre to a speed of 168.712mph unfaired, followed by a speed of 180.065mph with the fairing fitted. Over the one-mile distance the Frenchman used the lithium-ion, permanent magnet axial flux powered 107bhp, 132.7lb.ft machine to achieve 168.593mph minus fairing and 180.035mph with it on. “Four new records is a fantastic gift to mark…

Furygan Ultra Spark 3-in-1 Vented+ jacket £239.99 It may seem a bit late in the year for vented gear, but Furygan’s latest perforated jacket comes with a removable three-in-one lining system for adapting to changes in weather. The Humax membrane is breathable, wind-and waterproof, and can be worn either under or over the outer shell, plus there’s a thermal lining to keep you warm on colder days. furygan.com Touratech Compañero Rambler PRO suit £1190.13/£765.23 Boasting an impressive CE AAA certification, the highest achievable standard for motorcycle gear, Touratech’s latest textiles promise top weatherbeating performance thanks to a triple-layer Gore-Tex construction. Hips aside, armour is CE Level 2 throughout, and climate control is via generous ventilation panels and a removable thermal liner. touratech-uk.co.uk Ruroc Eox Photochromic Visor £89 The latest addition…

1 Adaptive Cruise Control + Stop & Go This helps keep the rider at a safe distance behind the vehicle in front. If you’re on the motorway at 70mph and you approach a lorry at 56mph, the bike will slow gradually in order to match that speed in front. Once out the way, you can increase back up to the original desired speed. It can also bring the new KTM to a complete stop if needed. It can then pull away with the traffic, once the rider has given approval. Bosch say this function will only work with clutchless semi-auto systems, to prevent bikes from stalling. 2 Group Ride Assist Based on adaptive cruise control, this is designed for when riding in a group with other bikes. Rather than focusing…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com GET THREE MONTHS FOR JUST £35! Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer My first new bike, a Suzuki Katana 550. Absolutely loved the colourscheme and bike. Alan Thornton Me and my daughter Esmae with her first electric bike – she's already bike mad at two years old. Ben Taylor This was my first bike last year and I loved it! I have now moved onto the Scrambler 1200. Gareth Chew 1976 on my KTM Comet Cross. Still biking all these years later. Latest purchase was a 1994 Ducati 888. Chris Birks Riding to prom in 1990. In the UK and Europe you probably know the model as a Honda Bros. Henry Abel 1975 and my Puch M50 Sport moped. Stronger looking than a…

I’ve got a Yamaha YZR500 build on my bench at the moment. It’s not actually mine and I don’t normally do commissions as I like to do my own stuff, but I made an exception with this one. It’s obviously not the type of rebuild where you can just go to your local dealer to pick up new parts – it’s all about making parts, having them made, getting gaskets laser cut. It’s been a real can of worms but very interesting and enjoyable now that it’s starting to come together. I thought it was going to take a few months but I’ve been working on it for over a year now – I’m not sure if the owner thinks I’ve stolen it or not! And when it’s done, it’s…

1 September 28 50 years of the CB400F Four David Silver (IP16 4JD) is honouring the CB400F. There will be music, bike show, quiz, autojumble and more. www.davidsilverhondacollection.co.uk 2 September 29 Hudderfield Jumble If you’re looking for a bargain, get yourself down to the Huddersfield Auto Retro Jumble (HD1 1RG). phoenixfairs.jimdofree.com 3 September 28 Run What Ya Brung Take a blast down the strip at Santa Pod Raceway this weekend (NN29 7XA). It’s prebooking only, sign on fee is £45 and admission is £18. santapod.co.uk 4 September 28 Norton Day The National Motorcycle Museum (B92 0EJ) is playing host to Nortons of all shapes, sizes and eras this Saturday. www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk…

Café 53 at Bridge Motorcycles Marsh Barton, Exeter EX2 8RG Monday-Saturday 8.30am-5pm Buy a coffee or buy a new bike. Or maybe do both…. Legends Café at GT Motorcycles Plymouth PL9 8AJ Monday-Saturday 9am-5.30pm Great snacks and plenty of great metal to check out too. Union Road Moto Velo Crediton EX17 3AL If you’re looking for not only good eats but a place to stay which is biker friendly, then head to Union Road. It’s closed on Mondays.…

THE MCN TEST ● THE HOTTEST BIKES ● EVERY WEEK £22,580 (plus £5100 M Competition Package) BMW M1000XR ● 999cc l iquid - cool ed inline four DOHC 16v ● 199bhp/8 3l b.f t ● 223kg kerb weight ● £229.23 a month on PCP £26,595 Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak ● 1158cc liquid-cooled V4 DOHC 16v ● 16 8bhp/92l b.f t ● 227kg wet weight (no fuel) ● £295.92 a month on PCP Before we begin, it’s important to place where these two excess feats of motorcycle engineering fit in the world. They boast superbike-inspired engines and electronics, brakes, wings and fancy suspension, but don’t be under any illusions – the 223kg (kerb) BMW M1000XR and 227kg (wet, no fuel) Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak are no lightweights. Far from…

'Expensive but worth it' Both the are at the top of their game when it comes to delivering searing performance, genuine touring comfort and practicality. But while they look like they do a similar job, they are actually very different. The BMW is every inch a comfortable superbike that’s tougher and more focused than its S1000XR sister, so much that it feels more like an M1000R super-naked with a bigger fairing. It delivers seamless, eye-watering power, but its grip, poise, accuracy, stability and braking are even more impressive. But its lack of hard luggage may put people off and it doesn’t ooze the kind of quality it should for the money. The Ducati isn’t as sharp in the bends or as brutal on the throttle, but it’s never far off.…

Bike Triumph Bonneville 59 Club member Despite suffering a heart attack which meant he couldn’t attend last year, Victor made it to this year’s Reunion to show his support as part of the 59 Club. “I think it’s fantastic. There are at least six people here I used to drink tea and coffee with a long time ago. You never know who is going to turn up! Yesterday at the rideout to the 59 Club as part of the Reunion weekend we had people from Normandy, Holland, Germany… it was just like one big party which was really nice. I didn’t know any of them, but we all chatted away and put the world to rights. “Yesterday gave me such a lift. My partner says I’m a different person around…

I can’t overstate the transformative effect of replacing your clutch cable. If you’ve got a bike that’s a fair few years old, it will immediately make the clutch action feel like new. But if your machine is fitted with a hydraulically actuated clutch and it’s lacking feel, then you’ll need to use a different procedure. The first thing to look at is the fluid level; just like a front brake reservoir, the fluid should be between the level markers. If the clutch lever is stiff you need to work out if it’s the master cylinder or the actuating mechanism on the side of the engine. I usually go straight to where the actuator is, often located behind the area near the front sprocket cover, and inspect what is happening inside…

Devles into the Endurance World Championship Dan Linfoot came close to hanging up his helmet midway through 2022 until he was thrown a Pirelli National Superstock lifeline. He duly won the title in 2023, only to see it taken away again due to a technical infringement. Fast-forward to September 2024 and the Yorkshireman is celebrating after becoming a world champion, alongside Gregg Black and Étienne Masson, with the Yoshimura SERT Suzuki EWC team. Victory at the Bol d’Or in France sealed the title in Linfoot’s first full-time campaign and MCN caught up with the Brit to learn how he turned things around. Becoming a world champion is the ultimate dream. How does it feel? “I recall conversations as a kid where people would ask me what I was going to…

Reporting direct from the heart of the WSBK paddock ‘Only 186 points remain up for grabs for wins’ Even before the flag came down on Sunday’s Race 2 at Cremona, people across the paddock were already packing things up. As soon as they could, the team trucks departed en route for MotorLand Aragon in north-eastern Spain: a 14-hour drive of 800 miles at a crucial point of the championship. With just Estoril and Jerez after this, only 186 points remain up for grabs for race wins. Is this where Toprak comes back to take control, or is Nicolo Bulega about to storm in front? Toprak: Ready to ride? That will depend entirely on medical results and what BMW decide. The Turk wanted to return in Italy but the team said…

What a result for Petrucci. That showed he’s still got a lot of belief in himself, the bike and the team. Has he got a point to prove? Maybe. I know that when I got injured in 2015, people said I was finished and it motivates you. I’m sure Petrucci has been in that dark pace thinking it is all over – I know I have and it’s horrible. Everyone will have an opinion, but only he would have known if he was able to ride again so to serve it up to everyone in WSBK is unreal. You had Bulega on a factory bike fighting for the championship and he couldn’t lay a glove on Petrucci. And I just like him, I’ve met him a couple of times and…

After numerous tests in all sorts of places over recent weeks, Honda are finally getting there thanks to modified electronics and suspension. Xavi Vierge and teammate Iker Lecuona qualified seventh and eighth. This time, Lecuona was ahead in all three races with fourth-fifth-sixth while Vierge went sixth-eightheighth. There was even a great fight with Alvaro Bautista in Race 1 as fellow Spaniard Lecuona missed out on a podium by just one second. Under the new leadership of Jose Escamez and with both riders fully fit, things are finally coming together for the Fireblade. In the paddock, there is a talk of a test team run by Honda UK for the 2025 season.…

Going behind the headlines from the 2024 series TOP STORY The current MotoGP standings don’t make pleasant reading for Yamaha aficionados: neither of their two riders are in the championship top ten, while the Iwata factory finds itself fourth out of five manufacturers in the Constructor’s Championship. Yet there are clear signs Yamaha are serious about their MotoGP recovery. As well as aggressively hiring key personnel from at the start of the year, Yamaha have acquired Pramac as a second team for 2025, where riders Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller will aim to speed up development. They have also moved to reinforce the test team, with Augusto Fernandez expected to sign while Andrea Dovizioso is filling in for the injured Cal Crutchlow. And no one can accuse Yamaha of sitting…

Customers seeking an even more refined racing or trackday package can opt for the ‘dripping in bling’ spec Genuine Yamaha Technology Racing (GYTR) R1. Power and chassis remain the same as the standard model, but alongside the new features bestowed upon the R1 Race, the R1 GYTR is festooned with race-developed goodies, all of which make the bike more adjustable, lighter and faster. About the R1 GYTR, Yamaha say: “Offering optimised and balanced performance, each R1 GYTR is built and delivered by one of Yamaha’s specialist GYTR Pro Shops to meet FIM Superstock 1000 regulations. “Designed to offer the essential base for racing, the R1 GYTR can be further customised to meet each individual rider’s needs as they strive for the next level of superbike performance.” Gearing is lower with…

A fundraising ride will take place for Adventure Rider Centre (ARC) owner Barry Fleming after it was discovered that he had developed an inoperable brain tumour. ‘Ride4Baz’ aimed to raise £5000 for Fleming and his family after the decision was taken that they would have to close ARC, which is based near Malaga in Spain, in light of his deteriorating health. This figure has already been surpassed, so now the plan is to raise more. Graeme Thow – who devised the fundraiser – will depart the UK with the intention of riding to ARC in Spain tackling as much Trans Euro Trail as possible along the way, which he hopes will encourage people to donate to the cause. ‘This situation is difficult and heartbreaking’ Thow said: “They really are the…

The ninth BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy has drawn to a close, following six days of on- and off-road challenges aboard the firm’s latest R1300GS, decked out in ‘GS Trophy’ trim. Running from September 15-20, the event welcomed 16 men’s and six women’s teams to tackle a 1350km route through Namibia. In order to qualify, riders took part in national events, with the top three male riders and the top two female riders earning the right to represent their country. ‘It is all about teamwork, and riding skill’ Rather than a simple race from A to B, the GS Trophy is about teamwork, and riding skill – with competitors tackling sand dunes, mountain passes, riverbeds, and more. A number of special stages were also laid on, designed to test off-road…

EXCLUSIVE ACCESS Bosch are ready to launch a range of new radar-guided assistance systems that have the capability to bring a bike to a stop behind a vehicle, apply additional brake pressure to prevent accidents, warn other road users they are getting too close, and even get the bike to pull away from a stop following the car in front. The system is the second generation of Bosch’s radar-guided Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (known as ARAS) and will debut aboard an incoming KTM Super Adventure model using the firm’s AMT (Automatic Manual Transmission) semi-auto gearbox. “We’ve always had a good relationship with KTM with new technologies and safety,” President of Two-Wheeler and Powersports at Bosch, Geoff Liersch told MCN. “I think both companies have a clear understanding that we want…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews 'I'll stick to my Shoei' I regularly commute through Thame and often stop off on the way, so have got to know Mick McStay, a 90-year-old former TT and short circuit rider. Mick called me recently to say he had found his old racing helmet and did I want to stop off to see it – which of course I did. It was made of compressed fibre with leather strapping and was tiny (but still fitted). My Shoei is much bigger, covers the whole face and has an integral comms system. However, Mick said his old helmet did the job and had prevented head injuries when he crashed. While I’d bin my helmet if it had hit the ground, Mick showed me how he’d just painted…

JUST BREW IT Ride out to Britain's best biking cafés THE DETAILS ● 10am-5.30pm, later on bike nights ● The Mill, St Johns Lane, Bovey Tracey, TQ13 9FF Bikes and life-size models of the Flintstones? What else do you need for a bike night? Josie’s at the Jolly Roger is a café like no other. Housed on the edge of Dartmoor in Bovey Tracey, you’ve got a car park, plenty of bikes to look at (inside and out), and good eats. But that’s not all. The place is filled with hundreds of models. There is everything from The Terminator to the Rolling Stones as well as dinosaurs and farmyard animals… and of course Elvis Presley. The experience has made the spot a hit with both bikers and families alike. “Amusement…

OUT AND ABOUT THE UK’S HOTTEST RIDES MCN staffers share their favourite riding routes Start by booking yourself onto the Penderyn Distillery’s short tour, where you can pick out your preferred tipple for the evening. Then, heading south on the A4059 you leave Penderyn and start your assault on the mountain heading onto the Rhigos Road – A4061. Hustling your way through Treorchy, you exit the town for the A4107 Bwlch Mountain pass, a tight grouping of hairpins, carving into the mountain side. Cutting across Afan forest park you drop into Neath where you can find plenty of stops for fuel or a brew. The road less travelled is on the agenda for the return leg, leaving Neath, heading back towards the Brecons, taking the B4434 to Resolven, avoiding the easier…

THE FACTS ‘Faster than any BSA, and Honda, any anything!’ No motorcycle comes as close to the rock ‘n’ roll mantra of ‘live fast, die young’ as the Kawasaki H2 Mach IV. This 750cc two-stroke triple was the world’s fastest – and wildest – bike when it was launched and epitomized the era’s lust for performance, metal-flake and chrome. Then, just as quickly, it was killed off due to the fuel crisis, tightening US emissions regs and the rise of Kawasaki’s own Z1 four-stroke superbike. As its name suggests, the H2 owes its existence to the 1968 H1 500. By the late 1960s, Kawasaki, like their Japanese rivals, were looking to make a statement on the world motorcycling stage. With muscle cars dominating in the US, bigger, multi-cylinder, more powerful…

'Finish, style and charm' The base model’s pricing puts it amongst the mid-capacity scramblers from Ducati, Triumph and Fantic: while it’s nowhere near as rounded as those mass-produced machines, it has the upper hand in finish, style and charm, if you’re prepared to live with a bike that’s quite raw and quirky. Everyday bike? Not really, unless you’re committed, or perhaps should be committed… But it has the same appeal as many of its mainstream rivals plus its own unique feel. THE FACTS £9995 (£11,495) CCM Street Moto (Street Moto R)…

BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician Get clutch control If your left lever’s lacking feel it could be time to fit a new cable 1 Identify the pinch point A clutch cable will normally function for years with minimal maintenance or adjustment. However, over time the cables can start to lose that light feel, either through the inner cable binding or one of the pivot points needing maintenance. Improper routing can also contribute to poor feel, so check in a workshop manual for the correct routing diagram. BRUCE’S TIPS Short aftermarket levers can also cause poor clutch feel 2 Free the cable If the clutch cable is routed correctly, next you need to check the condition of the cable itself. Release it from where it fits into the clutch lever by screwing the…

The man with his finger on the pulse of the Showdown The Bennetts British Superbike Championship returns to Donington Park this weekend for the penultimate round of the 2024 season. With six races remaining and 180 points up for grabs, we’re well and truly at the business end of the season both on and off the circuit. Six points separate 2023 champion Tommy Bridewell and Kyle Ryde heading into the latter’s local round, while Glenn Irwin is chasing the pair in third, 45 points behind Bridewell. None of the leading trio can afford any slip ups if they’re to keep their dreams alive. For the rest of the grid, it’s about showcasing their talent and ability in order to keep their spot on the grid. Bridewell holds station Bridewell’s crash…

There was a fantastic moment for British motorcycle racing on Sunday as Tom Booth-Amos and PTR Triumph sealed their first World Supersport podium together. It was a British rider on a British bike as the Union Flag flew proudly above the podium, bringing tears to the eyes of the rider and Team Principal Simon Buckmaster. It was a tricky start to the campaign for Triumph but the last couple of rounds have seen a major breakthrough. Not only is BoothAmos very much believing in himself but the British outfit is working well together and there’s been improved front fork internals from suspension supplier, Bitubo. There was fifth and eighth at Donington plus another top ten at Portimao, while the last three races at Magny-Cours at Cremona have seen fourth-fifth-third. On…

Reporting direct from the heart of the WSBK paddock TOP STORY The atmosphere could not have been better at Cremona as Danilo Petrucci received a rapturous reception after achieving a remarkable treble race victory on World Superbike’s first visit to the circuit in the north of Italy. It’s a truly remarkable story, with the 33-year-old, who came terrifyingly close to losing his life in a motocross accident back in April, dominated the weekend. After the images were released of a groggy ‘Petrux’ lying in a hospital bed in the spring, nobody imagined he would be a three-time race winner five months later. The crash came at the Cingoli track as Petrucci slammed into the face of a jump when his bike accelerated at an unwanted moment due to a loose…

Going behind the headlines in the MotoGP paddock ‘Martin and Pecco shared the victories’ You know we’re at the business end of the MotoGP season when the paddock packs up its freight and heads over to Asia. This weekend Indonesia hosts the first of five flyaway rounds, with Mandalika the destination. In a year full of twists and turns between Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin, last weekend saw the pendulum swing back in the latter’s favour thanks to a crash for the reigning champion. Martin, Aprilia-bound in 2025, heads to Mandalika 24 points clear. Title scrap Does anybody want to be crowned 2024 MotoGP World Champion? It’s been a year of mistakes for both Martin and Bagnaia, with the latter making a big blunder at Misano. That incident followed Martin…

Why are Yamaha parking the inline-four YZR-M1 and building a V4? Because it’s impossible for an inline-four to fight with the Ducati, Aprilia and KTM V4s. The two configurations have opposite dynamics: the V4 makes more power and uses v-style cornering lines, while the inline-four has less straight-line speed but more cornering speed. Yamaha’s big problem is that the M1 can’t use its corner-speed advantage because there’s nearly always a V4 or two in the way. Talk about a Yamaha V4 isn’t new. Back in 2019, when Ducati and Honda V4s were winning everything in sight, factory Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi said: “We have an inline-four, maybe this is the problem”. Yamaha already have a V4 on the dyno in Japan. What kind of vee will it be? It surely…

Starting on October 1, Henry Cole is back for another helping of Shed & Buried with Allen Millyard, Fuzz Townshend and Guy Willison. Over 10 episodes, the trio will return to rooting for treasure in the nation’s sheds and seeking out classic bikes among other interesting finds. Catch it on Quest (Freeview channel 12) or discovery+. KTM celebrate enduro success KTM have launched Champions Editions of their EXC enduro bikes to celebrate the brand’s dominance in the FIM Hard Enduro and EnduroGP series. The special editions – 250 and 300 two-stroke EXCs as well as 250, 350, 450 and 500 EXC-F four-strokes – boast extras including factory Red Bull graphics, a map switch, radiator fan, and semi-floating front disc. Can-Am can do at a dealer near you Can-Am’s UK motorcycle…

A selection of weird, wonderful, and downright amazing bikes will go under the hammer at the NEC Classic Motor Show this November as part of Iconic Auctioneers final sale of the year. The auction represents more than a century of motorcycling, with machines ranging from a 1920 Verus V1 Blackburne 350 single through to recently raced superbikes such as Michael Ruben Rinaldi’s Ducati Panigale R F18. The Ducati, which was raced by Rinaldi in the 2018 season, has a guide price of £50,000-£70,000 and comes with authentication. ‘Rinaldi’s bike has a guide of £50-£70,000’ Alongside this piece of Italian exotica sits a 1961 BSA DB32 Gold Star 350 which could be an ideal Brit bike project for someone looking to tinker. It comes with the original logbook and some history,…

SAVE £3091 £15,908 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT KTM’s 1290 Super Duke GT is astonishingly good at whatever task you throw its way. Performance, as expected, is excellent. But that’s not all, and despite packing thunderous power, the big Duke is exceptionally user-friendly and practical to boot. Weather protection is good, handling faultless, and there’s no shortage of gizmos to play with either. www.premierbikes.com SAVE £2000 £17,995 MV Agusta Enduro Veloce MV’s resident adventure bike is every bit as capable as it is exotic, with a wonderful triple-cylinder engine and supermoto-esque handling, too. destinationmotorcycles.co.uk • Engine 931cc • Power 122bhp • Weight 224kg • Seat height 870mm SAVE £1659 £8740 Husqvarna 701 Enduro With 74 ponies on tap from a hard punching single and just 145kg to shift, the 701…

Royal Enfield’s global ‘One Ride’ event returned last weekend, uniting fans of the brand around the world with rideouts in several countries including the UK. Dealers across the country got involved hosting rides. QB Motorcycles in Quarry Bank hosted the One Ride marquee, which started in Brierley Hill and ended at Arrow Valley Park in Redditch. The event featured food and drink, plus entertainment along with the unveiling of a Royal Enfield Bullet sculpture.…

Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex £314.99 Treat your feet in time for winter Cold, wet feet can be enough to put a dampener on your day, with comfort and concentration quickly succumbing to the miserable dankness as it wicks its way up your body. It’s bad enough if you get caught out with leaky boots in a summer storm, but as we head into the cooler months of the year it can become a serious safety issue. We’ve lined up a selection of boots that should not only see you through the winter but stand you in good stead regardless of the season. To kick things off, Sidi’s Adventure 2 have a tough microfibre construction, with a Gore-Tex membrane for moisture management and extensive external armour, earning them the higher CE…

Although the updated ARAS system will arrive on the next generation KTM Super Adventure, using a semi-automatic AMT gearbox, there is nothing to stop the Austrian firm adding the technology to more bikes. The Super Duke GT platform, for example, is expected to climb to a 1390 for 2025 and would be a suitable candidate. Elsewhere, Yamaha, and Honda already offer a clutchless option on conventional bikes, with Kawasaki’s hybrid duo also opting out of a left-hand lever. Ducati have also gone on record to say they are working on a system of their own. Bosch are hoping to see the uptake extend past the premium end of biking. “We would like to see this technology for $10 per bike and for every bike in the world. Then we could…

Q ‘They want to cut my payout’ In May this year I was knocked off my Triumph Tiger when a car pulled out in front of me. I did my best to brake but had no time to avoid the collision. The car driver’s insurer wants to deduct 25% of my compensation because my jacket did not have protective liners such as Kevlar. They say that my injuries would have been less serious with them. Are they right to do this? Ray, Reading A They are wrong. Bikers are legally required to wear helmets. There is no law requiring bikers to wear protective clothing such as gloves, boots, jackets or trousers. The Highway Code advises that ‘strong boots, gloves and suitable clothing may help to protect you if you are…

My dad was a lifelong biker, he never raced, but he always had bikes around. So from the ’70s onwards from when I was about eight I can remember him taking me to the odd meeting. My dad didn’t necessarily buy MCN every week, instead he’d wait for something that he wanted to read about. So I have memories of it, but the first time I really remember him reading it and then doing something about it was when it was on the front page about Mike Hailwood making his TT comeback in 1978. It must have been at the end of 1977 when it was announced and my Dad immediately said to me “right, that’s it, me and you, we’re going to the Isle of Man”. Back then there…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers Dan and Kelly The ride Australian adventure How far was it? About 13,000km, with 3000km off-road When to do it May-September. This is the Australian winter, so expect some rain and cold weather, especially at night. The alternative is hot (often very hot) and the Outback is unforgiving (and deadly) in the heat. Tell us about the trip… Our ride took in landmark locations including The Great Central Road, The Oodnadatta Track and The Flinders Range. The Nullarbor (or The Eyre Highway) links the east of Australia with Perth in Western Australia. In South Australia it has the Bunda cliffs on one side and the expanse of the Nullarbor on the other – a vast area of arid/semi-arid limestone bedrock, home to thousands of…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST GET THREE MONTHS FOR JUST £35! Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer Wednesday September 25 BIKE MEETS ■ Sycamore Cafe, The Causeway, Great Billing, Northamptonshire 4pm-9pm /www.facebook.com/SycamoreForestCatering ■ The King Billy Rock Bar - Bike & Burger Night, Northampton, Northamptonshire 6.30pm Facebook: The King Billy Rock Bar ■ Amici Coffee Biker Night, Girtford Bridge, Sandy, Bedfordshire www.amicicoffee.co.uk ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire. From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.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: The Old Stores Motorbike cafe ■ Seaways - Bike Night, Seaways, Fridaythorpe, East Yorks 4pm-8pm mike@seawayscafe.co.uk ■ English Riviera Bike Night - Paignton Seafront,…

'Upgraded to keep up with new tech' Ben Neeves, MCN reader Age 45 Height 5ft 7in I’ve always owned and toured on sportsbikes, but I bought a V-twin Multistrada Pikes Peak in 2017 for long trips. It’s more comfortable than a race rep, you can carry more luggage, the fuel range is better and it’s still fun. I did over 20,000 miles on it all around France, Spain, Italy, Croatia and even the Nürburgring. I upgraded to the V4 Pikes Peak last year to keep up with technology and the satnav is handy, although it’s a two-app system that’s often unreliable, I like the radar cruise, too. It’s a nice thing to have although I don’t rely on it because it often slows you down when you don’t want it…

There is no bigger indication of the significance of the original H2 to Kawasaki than the Japanese giant’s revival of the name for the 21st century equivalents – the 2015 Ninja H2 and H2R models. But where the 1971 bike claimed its then world-leading power and performance figures via a 738cc two-stroke triple, its latter day ‘homage’ follows a very different route. Both the H2 and H2R (plus subsequent Ninja H2 SX and Z H2 range) are powered by a pioneering supercharged 998cc liquid-cooled inline four. In non-road-legal H2R trim, this engine makes a claimed 326bhp, making it good for nearly 250mph….…

Bike Kawasaki H2SX, Project Director at INTERMOT Martin Grein rode from Germany as a tour guide taking a group to the Ace Cafe reunion. Previously a bike racer taking part in events across the UK and Ireland, he knows these isles well and enjoys riding here, with this his sixth time at the Reunion. “I still love to be here,” he says. “I love the area and when the Ace Cafe rides to Brighton… it’s something you must do. “I think it’s about 20 years since the first time I went to Sturgis. We stopped at a petrol station and there was heavy rain and thunder. There was a rider from Washington and I asked, ‘why are you here?’ He said, ‘I don’t know’. Now I realise for me it’s…

Having ditched the hard standard Dunlops after around 1500 miles, I fitted a set of Continental ContiSportAttack 2s, which I used for around 2000 miles and saw off a trackday with ease. Although they had plenty of meat left, they had started to square – making the bike feel lazy on tip-in into a corner – but they were exceptional in the dry when you up the ante. These have now been swapped for a set of Pirelli Diablo Rosso IVs, which still sit at the sportier end of the spectrum, with more tread for a little more grip in the cooling, often damp autumnal conditions. Early impressions are good, with decent front-end feel, and quick warm up.…

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 for more brilliant deals. 2019-2020 KTM 790 Adventure Owners’ rating The original 790 Adventure was Austrian-built and is more road focused than the hardcore R. On MCN, reviewers rate it a solid 4.4/5 – however, recent stories of cam issues can be of concern. 1997-2009 Aprilia Pegaso 650 Owners’ rating Aprilia’s old-school single is cheap to buy and owners seem to like it. Snatchy fuel injection and vibrations at high revs are an irritation but it looks good and appears to be well built. 2005-2007 Ducati Multistrada 620 Owners’ rating Ducati’s mini Multistrada’s air-cooled engine is solid but the electrics surrounding it…

It can be all too tempting to disregard the slightly pricier parts stocked at your local bike shop, but purchasing cheap online can mean inadvertently fitting sub-par items. This budget buying can be a recipe for disaster, especially if you’re not mechanically minded enough to spot an emerging issue. Jon Clarke of Dave Clarke Motorcycles is all too familiar with such issues, and it was only thanks to his eagle-eyed attention to detail that he was able to prevent catastrophe from striking when a cut-price chain failed prematurely. This problem reared its head when a daily ridden Kawasaki ER-6n came in for an MoT. “People buy parts online or wherever and then ask us to fit them,” said Clarke. “That gets tricky because we haven’t supplied them. If our parts…

Race 1 Ryde, Bridewell, Haslam Race 2 G Irwin, Haslam, Bridewell Race 3 O’Halloran, Bridewell, Kent The 2024 season really exploded into life in race three when Jason O’Halloran, Tommy Bridewell, Danny Kent and Glenn Irwin rode into battle. They exchanged positions multiple times, with each rider/bike combo showcasing its strengths in different areas of the circuit. For example, O’Halloran was much stronger than Irwin down Craner Curves, almost running into the back of the Ducati. The race also provided fans with their first glimpse of Bridewell vs Irwin on different machinery, much to the delight of all involved. That epic race followed another home victory for Ryde, while fellow local hero Haslam celebrated a double podium in front of his loyal fans. Vickers crashed twice at the Melbourne Loop,…

BSB’s Ryan Vickers will join World Superbike with Motocorsa Ducati next season. The Norfolk rider will replace Michael Ruben Rinaldi, who is currently searching for a ride. Vickers is also set to wildcard alongside Kyle Ryde at Jerez this year as OMG ends its season in Spain. BSB leader Tommy Bridewell will also do Jerez for Honda UK, having completed two Cremona races in 18th and 21st. He withdrew from the last race with electrical problems. ● Hungary’s Balaton Park will host WSBK for the first time next July; MotoGP then visits in August. ‘Vickers will join Motocorsa Ducati in 2025’…

The KTM is fast but not fast enough. It’s the enduring and unpalatable truth behind the extended losing streak being endured by KTM with a zero points return in Sunday’s MotoGP. Pedro Acosta was the standout RC16 man perched in fourth place ahead of podium finisher Marc Marquez (Ducati GP23) before he binned it on lap nine. Converting qualifying pace and dragster style starts to race distance GP wins/podiums continues to elude both Acosta and factory lead Brad Binder. ‘Grip problems, the front was a bit too cold’ Monstering Ducati’s peerless Desmosedici is still a step too far although Acosta was best of the rest when he crashed out. And like Ducati’s Pecco Bagnaia he reported some tyre issues. "We had a problem with the grip, the front tyre was…

Team Director Massimo Meregalli revealed to MCN it is developing a V4 engine to understand what direction to take ahead of 2027, when MotoGP will undergo its biggest technical shake up since 2007. We wanted to have a Plan B to evaluate and see which could give us the best performance; not only in terms of power but to think about which engine could perform better as a total package for the bike.” On when the engine will be ready, he said: “The engine is on the dyno but so far, we haven’t even finished the running in. We’re just following procedure. It’s impossible to know when we’ll test the bike. It is not only about the engine. The bike will have a completely different weight distribution. We’ll have to…

At the heart of the MotoGP paddock for over 35 years TOP STORY Two weekends at Misano showed two very different sides to the man who leads the World Championship. At the first, a blunder cost Jorge Martin dear, and cut his advantage over defending champion Pecco Bagnaia to a mere seven points. At the second, two bold and mature rides to second place stretched that lead back out to 24 points. It was Bagnaia’s turn to make a costly error. Yet the missteps were quite different. First time around Martin made a tactical error, gambling that the rain would get heavier. Instead, it immediately stopped. But if he’d been right, he’d have won the race… and looked like a hero. Bagnaia’s mistake was simply that: gaining speed rather unexpectedly…