Table of contents for 4 March 2026 in MCN

TOP STORY Ducati's second-generation DesertX adventure bike has finally arrived, featuring the brand's latest 890cc V2 twin-cylinder engine platform, and initially priced at £14,995 for machines ordered by June 30, 2026. Due to arrive in dealers from next month, it follows months of teasers that began with a prototype model reveal at last November's EICMA show in Milan. It's now confirmed as featuring bespoke chassis components, complex leansensitive electronics, and an optional auxiliary fuel tank in the tail to carry an extra eight litres of range-extending fuel. It's the final model to officially migrate away from Ducati's 937cc Testastretta V-twin engine, now joining a Monster, Hypermotard, Panigale, Streetfighter, and Multistrada in all sharing the same propulsion. The engine features four valves per-cylinder, plus variable timing, with an A2 licence restriction…

As the Government moves closer to tightening restrictions on nicotine products through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill currently progressing through Parliament, questions about how and where these products are marketed are being brought to the fore. The debate has now reached motorcycling, after leading UK clothing and accessories brand Oxford Products announced it would be reviewing its involvement within the British Superbike paddock over ethical concerns with the series’ new title sponsor, ZYN. Part of the wider Philip Morris International group, ZYN produce nicotine pouches that are tobacco free. Although it is stated that they contain no tobacco leaf, the nicotine within the product is derived from the tobacco plant. ZYN entered a partnership with BSB back in June 2025, initially sponsoring highlights packages last season. For 2026, the championship…

A stripped-back trackonly version of KTM's resident supersport is inbound, with the new 990 RC R Track set to arrive later this month. Priced at £15,599, the new 990 RC R Track is a circuit-only spin-off of the RC R, positioned as a ready-to-run package for racing hopefuls competing in KTM's 990 RC R Cup series, which kicks off in Almería, Spain, in late April. Unsurprisingly, the entire UK allocation has already been snapped up, with interested riders now being directed to dealer waiting lists. Luckily for those wanting a slice of the pie, the circuit-only machine is remarkably similar to its road-going counterpart – albeit with much of the excess stripped away. Lights, mirrors, sidestand, and all other road-going hardware have been binned, while a revised electrical system does…

MV Agusta have confirmed that every bike in their 2026 line-up will roll out of the factory with their full bells and whistles electronic package fitted as standard, with no activation fees down the line, or additional hardware required. The package includes a six-axis IMU, cornering ABS, up-anddown quickshifter, traction control with eight levels (plus off), front lift (wheelie) control, cruise control, and three riding modes plus a fully customisable option. This custom riding mode allows riders to upload personalised engine maps directly from a smartphone, adjusting engine response, engine braking behaviour and power delivery and – on models fitted with electronic suspension – chassis settings, too. Maps can be named, stored and fine-tuned on the fly. Luca Martin, MV Agusta CEO said: “This commitment is what allows us to…

‘Rules are for everyone…’ A reader contacted me after reading my November 26 column in which I explained that FIM racing suit requirements for MotoGP sit above the AA classification, but below AAA overall. They had purchased a suit and asked whether it was certified, because the manufacturer described it as ‘compliant to MotoGP 2024 regulations’. I was already familiar with the brand, having seen its EU type-examination certificate for a specific model of suit meeting the EN 17092 AAA classification. Here's the issue. The suit purchased by the reader was a different model and used different impact protectors to the suit named on the certificate I had seen. In regulatory terms, that makes it a different product. As such, it is not covered by that certificate, even if it…

WHAT'S NEW IN TECH? Changing gear using a clutch and lever is starting to feel a bit old-school with more and more brands getting in on the act with automated systems that promise slick changes with no loss of control for the rider. BMW's new Easy Ride Clutch (ERC) – debuting in this year's F450GS adventure bike – adds another to the fray. While automated transmissions like Honda's DCT, Yamaha's Y-AMT, and BMW's own ASA system are spreading fast, partially automated setups are also on the rise - including Honda's electronic E-Clutch, and MV Agusta's centrifugal Smart Clutch System (SCS), which is based on the aftermarket Rekluse clutch originally developed for motocross. These halfway-house systems keep a foot shift and bar-mounted lever, but the clutch operation is automated unless you…

There are two core specifications: the basic KLE500 (£5999, short screen, LCD dash) and the SE, (£6599) which has a TFT screen and a 106mm higher screen, plus metal-framed handguards, a proper sump guard, LED indicators and better colour options (white or grey with green graphics – base model is more subdued in dark green or black options). From there, there are three accessory-based packs to choose from. Rally adds the Akrapovic exhaust (makes zero difference to power or sound, but the more upswept design suits the bike much better), a USB-C port, a radiator guard and a lower, flatter rear pillion seat. Adventure Tourer adds a set of hard panniers and a tough crash bar set to the SE, for £7699; the base model with the package also gets…

DUCATI KAWASAKI TRIUMPH…

Although you may not know much about Lesotho we can tell you that it's an incredible country in southern Africa, that is as impressive and beautiful as it is friendly and inviting. We travelled through it during the African leg of our round-the-world adventure to discover why it's an undiscovered gem for two-wheel touring… Morning commute Wrapped in a blanket and armed with a flip-flop for an ice scraper, I shuffle towards our motorcycles. Snow blanketed them overnight and the film of ice on the seat takes a few whacks to crack. This could be a chilly start on my old M4 commute. But no – we're in Lesotho. Who knew it snowed in Africa? I scurry back inside, where Alissa's tugging on two pairs of socks. We snuff out…

QBag waterproof magnetic roll bag 40L £29.99 Six months ON TEST The QBag 40-litre roll bag is a fantastic choice for anyone needing soft luggage. Great access is provided thanks to the magnetic opening, while the air extraction valve is incredibly handy, reducing the bag's size and allowing it to be cinched up tightly with the straps. Attaching it to the bike is simple, and its robust build ensures it lasts. The bag is highly waterproof, even through heavy storms, and the reflective details offer great visibility. It's impressive value for money, and the only downside is the fact that it makes you question why you would need to spend more elsewhere. MCN rating www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk…

The first few months of the year are always pretty miserable. Grey skies, wet weather and roads that are greasier than a Rocker's hair don't provide much inspiration for enjoying a ride. So why not head for somewhere drier and warmer – and do so as fast as possible! This week we have picked out five great used bikes that are designed to hit the high speedo numbers (when you are legally allowed to, naturally) and transport you to a dry road as quickly as possible. YOUR EXPERT Jon Urry is MCN's used bike guru. He loves a fast bike, although did once end up being the cause of a police rolling roadblock in Germany while riding a Hayabusa… £8999-£15,500 (2021-current) Suzuki Hayabusa Third time not quite so lucky for…

YOUR EXPERT BOB TEAHAN Bob is Director of The Machine Shop, Hinckley – a workshop that operates like a gym and offers its members access to tools, workbenches, knowledge and help. Bob's been engineering, racing and welding for over 15 years, and he's as comfortable chasing records as he is teaching in The Machine Shop workshop. When he's not fabricating or racing, Bob's passion is passing on hard-won skills to the next generation of welders and riders. • www.the-machine-shop.co.uk Tune your throttle Twistgrip not picking up as it should? Here's how to get it spot on… 1 Check your play Assuming your throttle is cable-operated you should start the process by checking the existing free play in the system. The recommended amount is usually 2-3mm of rotation at the twistgrip's edge.…

Nigel Snook AJN Steelstock Bimota Team Owner “I'm sat here now looking at one of the bikes half-built on the stands and I just think, do you know what, that was worth all the trouble! Somebody asked me what the bikes look like, so I said it's like putting Swiss watches together, they're race bikes and they're beautiful, there's no other way of looking at it. “These people know what they're doing. They've been building specialist chassis for goodness knows how many years and they're proud engineers. “The use of the big aluminium sideplates attaching the swingarm, with the way somebody has done extremely clever calculations about the rigidity of the whole setup. “The attention to detail is incredible. Where the rear shock locates at the top, it locates acentric…

Manuel Gonzalez kept his cool after two red flags to take a first Moto2 win since June, 2025 while title favourite David Alonso was lucky to escape a terrifying collision without injury in a madcap afternoon for Moto2. Alonso tagged Senna Agius and was then hit by Filip Salac from behind. Despite a horrifying impact, the Colombian didn't suffer any fractures and was fit enough to fly home on Monday. “I felt the impact and when I was in the gravel I couldn't move,” he said. “I'm quite sore all over, especially my left foot, right leg and right shoulder, but I'm fine.” Gonzalez won the second restart after a tight fight with Izan Guevara, and was delighted to come through from seventh. “It was a really important day in…

There was plenty of optimism for Honda. Joan Mir's fight through the field didn't get the finish it deserved as he retired due to a rear tyre issue – or “problem with an external supplier” as he diplomatically put it. The Majorcan had been in gloomy form at the close of the previous week's test, as the RC123V's rear grip deficiencies were tough to overcome. But solid work to adapt to Michelin's stiffer rear tyre casing saw him finish a fine fifth in the Sprint before rising up from eighth to fifth on Sunday. But when Mir's rear tyre started degrading, his electronics couldn't cope. “With that amount of spin, they weren't working properly,” he said. Diogo Moreira was top rookie in 13th, less than five seconds off teammate Johann…

After feeling energised by the sunshine last week, I've been deflated ever so slightly by the terrible state of the roads right now. This week it seems like everyone I've spoken to has been at the receiving end of potholerelated angst (fortunately nothing serious). Even MCN columnist Allen Millyard has felt the nasty effects of our crumbling roads, admitting in his column this week that he hit a pothole so deep that he joked he could've changed gear at the bottom and ridden back up the other side. It's not just exaggeration or back luck, there are some real headline-making reasons why Britain's roads are looking more and more like a moonscape with every passing day. After years of under-investment in road maintenance, councils are trying to juggle rising repair…

The original DesertX was Ducati's first modern machine to come equipped with a 21in front wheel, and an 18in rear wheel. Over time, the bike spawned a number of derivatives – which could potentially make a return with this new V2-powered model. Arriving to the market in 2024 was a rugged DesertX Rally, featuring longer travel suspension, and more ground clearance – plus a more durable exterior and lighter, stronger spoked wheels front and rear. During that same year, the DesertX Discovery also appeared – arriving in dealers from the July as a heavily accessorised version of the standard machine, designed for long-distance touring adventures.…

Shoei are welcoming customers to their first UK ‘Gallery’ store in Longbridge, Birmingham, bringing the helmet manufacturer's complete line-up of models, colours, and sizes together under one roof. Operated by Feridax – Shoei's main UK importer – the venue joins an exclusive roster of Gallery sites worldwide, including those in Paris, Barcelona, and Tokyo. The Japanese firm marked the opening with a VIP launch night, drawing big names from the racing paddock such as Storm Stacey, Dean Harrison, and Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne. As well as serving as the central UK hub for all things Shoei, the Gallery offers the brand's personal fitting service – allowing owners to fine-tune the padding of their lid. The service costs £50 but is free for customers who buy direct from the store. A £25…

‘Machines of this importance rarely hit the market’ The actual Suzuki RG500 Grand Prix bike ridden to the 1977 world title by Barry Sheene will go up for auction with Bonhams in late April. The works XR14 hasn't been seen on the open market for nearly 40 years and has been in the possession of the current owner since 1987. It will go under the gavel at the International Classic Motorcycle Show at Staffordshire Showground on April 26. “The sale of Barry Sheene's 1977 world championship-winning works Suzuki RG500 is a once-ina-generation opportunity for the most discerning collector,” said International Department Director of Bonhams Collectors’ Motorcycles, Ben Walker. “This is the first time in nearly 40 years that this historic motorcycle has re-emerged into public view,” he continued. “It represents…

The Sussex and Surrey Police forces are set to trial a new motorcycle accident prevention scheme this spring, offering free rider training to those previously injured in a collision. Dubbed the Rider Resilience Programme, the Road Safety Trust backed enterprise will run throughout March and April, targeting locals who have been involved in a crash within the past two years, before potentially being expanded nationwide by 2027, if it proves successful. Delivery will be handled by Phoenix Motorcycle Training coaches and is set to address common errors leading to accidents, with the aim being to help riders understand the factors behind their original incident and reduce the risk of a repeat. Participants will attend a four-hour practical riding session at DVSA Burgess Hill, alongside completing online learning modules and pre-…

Weights inside an expandable plate are pushed outwards by centrifugal force as revs rise, and back towards the centre by return springs at low rpm. Those weights have steel balls mounted in them, running in channels in the two halves of the expandable plate. One channel is ramped, so the gap between them tapers towards the edge. As the weight is pushed into that tapering gap, it pushes the two halves apart, expanding the plate so it presses against the other pressure plates to engage the clutch. At low revs, the weight returns and the clutch disengages again.…

Another thing I did recently was tidy my shed. I've got a shed where I store all my stuff and I thought, ‘I haven't got a clue what's in it’. So I decided to pull it all out and have a look. I found loads of things I didn't know I had, including loads of parts for the Velocette build that I've got on the backburner at the moment. I found a gearbox, clutch bits, special nuts and bolts and some brackets… So that's my bottom shed all nice and tidy now. I actually enjoy tidying up because it makes you feel good – throwing out all your old rubbish and making space, as well as finding hidden treasures. It happens all the time at Henry's – we'll be doing…

‘Winter? What winter?’ DAVID BLEVINGS Out yesterday for my usual run to Portaferry for coffee on my ‘winter’ bike… Baltic but fine if well wrapped up. ‘Shifting gear’ GRAHAM KEMP Heading home after a night shift on the Blood Bike, making the most of the quiet roads ‘Ignore that thermometer’ HELEN WARD I keep riding unless I feel poorly, really. This was possibly my coldest ride so far. My other bikes don't tell me the temperature! ‘Fresh with added windmills’ GRAHAM BELL A lovely few hours out and about at the weekend. It was a tad fresh. Although with heated gloves on I was quite happy.…

Whooshing along at speed in a cocoon of calm and quietness is an experience like no other. It isn't better than a machine with an internal combustion engine, but it isn't worse either – it's just different. The £12,999 WN7, available in dealers in June, is also Honda's first ever big electric, but it's arrived at a time when riders aren't exactly falling over themselves to go battery power. So, the big question is why? Honda have been making electric mopeds and 125cc equivalent scooters for years, as well as cars. They see electric vehicles (EVs) as very much a part of their future, although not exclusively. There's still an appetite to make Fireblades, Africa Twins, Gold Wings and everything in between, but they want to expand their electric range,…

Book your place! Head over www.moto-fest.co.uk to book your tickets, and we'll see you in Anglesey! Moto Fest Anglesey is shaping up to be the highlight of the summer so now's the time to lock the date in your diary because tickets are on sale! Taking over the spectacular Trac Môn Circuit from July 24-26, Moto Fest Anglesey is a motorcycle festival for everyone, whatever you ride and however you ride – bringing together test rides on road and track, world-class trials competition, expert advice, live entertainment, top brands and unforgettable moments – all included in the price of your ticket. With ticket options to suit all schedules and budgets, you can enjoy all the action of Moto Fest for as little as £15 for one-day entry, which includes access…

In 1983, with support from Doncaster car dealer Norman Gillard, Phil Mellor was really getting into his stride as a racer and was ready to challenge for an Isle of Man TT win in what was his fourth year at the event, after so much success on the short circuits on a huge range of machinery. Unusually, there were two Junior races held at the 1983 TT – one for 250cc machines and one for 350s. While Irishman Con Law won the 250cc race, Mellor made the larger capacity class all his own, and took his maiden TT win on a Yamaha TZ350 from Trevor Nation and Chas Mortimer. Mez backed that up with third in the TT F2 race and tenth equal in the Senior Classic to round off…

Getting in Brits can visit Lesotho for up to 90 days without a visa which makes travelling quite stressfree, and all you need is your driving licence and passport to ride there. Make sure your travel insurance covers you to rent/ ride a motorcycle abroad and for the size of bike you'll be using as well, to avoid any issues further down the line. Riding there This is the way to do it, as bike rentals are tricky in Lesotho. For the easiest experience, your best bet is to fly to South Africa and either rent there or join an organised tour. Alternatively, fly your own motorcycle to Cape Town and ride into Lesotho. ‘Fly to South Africa, rent a bike and ride’ Rentals and tours If you're interested in…

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 dozens more. 1997-2005 HONDA CBR1100XX SUPER BLACKBIRD Owner's rating Honda's superb hyperbike has forged a reputation for reliability and effortless milemunching. A brilliant bike with few faults. 2010-2017 KAWASAKI 1400GTR Owner's rating Effectively a ZZR with a shaft drive, variable valve timing and a huge fairing, the GTR is overlooked by many. Far more comfortable than the ZZR yet almost as fast. 2007-2018 SUZUKI HAYABUSA Owner's rating The Gen-2 Hayabusa is loved by many as it remains quite an analogue hyperbike. A total of 49 owners have left online reviews and, unsurprisingly, the engine scores a perfect 5/5. Find your perfect…

It was a heartening start for Moto3's Irish and British contingent as both Casey O'Gorman and Scott Ogden finished in the points after being involved in a race-long scrap for seventh. Issues with front tyre wear held O'Gorman back in the closing laps of his full-time debut in the class. “That was definitely the hardest race I've ever done,” he said afterwards, referring to the extreme heat. “But it was a positive weekend overall. I wanted to be further up but the important thing is I took some points home. I couldn't do much more as I struggled a lot with the front tyre.” Ogden was also encouraged by his first race back since suffering a serious shoulder injury last November. “The strength isn't what it needs to be,” he…

Judging your corner speed is a skill that most riders learn by trial and error – and many still get it wrong. But it doesn't have to be that way. There are proven techniques you can use to get it right every time and in the third video of MCN and Bikertek's Better Riding series, Rapid Training coach Giles Lamb explains the tips and tricks for nailing the bends. Head over to bikertek.co.uk to watch the video. BMW target the South East BMW have expanded their presence in the south-east of England with a new Canterburybased dealership called Barretts BMW Motorrad. Opened earlier this week, the site is situated on Broad Oak Road as part of the existing Mini showroom. The facility covers BMW's full new motorcycle catalogue, as well…

A West Midlands custom motorcycle specialist has been hit by a ‘devastating’ fire, leaving the business facing hundreds of thousands of pounds in costs. The blaze started in the workshop of Second City Customs in Bromsgrove on February 5, after a new machine is suspected of igniting due to a battery fault. The machine was neither on charge nor being worked on at the time, and the exact cause remains unknown. Owner and founder Ian Cushing told MCN: “It's pretty devastating. It's not just a business – it's been my life for the last 35 years. “Currently we're out of action, but we're working towards getting back open in some capacity within the next four weeks. There is no solution that doesn't involve us going back better and stronger than…

Brit racer Bradley Smith is set to return for his second season in MotoAmerica's Mission King of the Baggers this year, continuing with the Harley-Davidson x DynoJet Factory Race Team aboard a race-prepared Road Glide. The former MotoGP and Endurance racer, who scored three podiums in 2025, says last year's seat time will put him in good stead for the season ahead, which kicks off at Daytona on March 5–7. “A year's worth of experience on the Road Glide and familiarity with all of the tracks should elevate my results,” said Smith. “There's no better team in this series and I expect we'll be the front-runners.”…

Watsonian are offering free sidecar fitting throughout March 2026 as part of a UK promotion. Covering labour at their Cotswolds factory, the deal represents savings of around £995 per order. Watsonian Managing Director Ben Matthews commented: “We want to get as many riders as possible out on three wheels this spring with the peace of mind that comes from factory-standard fitting.” Stark address the speed-to-skill gap Stark have rolled out a new parental control mapping system across their VARG MX, EX and SM models, allowing owners to digitally cap power output via the Stark app. The system lets parents or rental centres password-lock power to suit user experience level, addressing what the brand refer to as the ‘speed-to-skill gap’. Through the software, output can be dialled down to as little…

We've relaunched our online MCN Bikes For Sale platform – making it now even easier to find your dream motorcycle! Launched on March 2, it's a huge step up from our previous layout, and follows months of development behind the scenes alongside retail technology specialist iVendi – bringing you a cleaner, more intuitive bike buying experience. “MCN Bikes For Sale has been around for a long time, and for many buyers, it's been a familiar, dependable marketplace to plan and purchase their next bike,” says MCN Editor, Emma Franklin. “We've now redesigned Bikes For Sale to better reflect how people buy bikes today.” Features include a natural language search tool, which lets you look for topics like ‘red adventure bike’ or ‘A2 bikes’ and it will return filtered results –…

World Endurance champion, and former factory British Superbike rider, Dan Linfoot is giving riders the chance to take part in a race track pillion experience like no other – running a number of dates across 2026 at three circuits in the UK. The Superpole PillionXperience will run in partnership with James Whitham Track Training Days, with three dates planned at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire, alongside another three more at Mallory Park. Additional dates are planned at Anglesey in North Wales, including at the MCN-backed Moto Fest weekender from July 24-26 with Linfoot taking passengers out during live circuit sessions (see p29). “I remember going on the back of Ron Haslam as a young racer, and I absolutely loved it,” he told MCN. “It's a memory that I'll take to…

Send your bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com On holiday in France on my J300 with my mates on a Triumph Tiger 1050 and an Enfield Super Meteor. Barry Hunter On the way to Spain around 1980 with matching BMW R100CS bikes with the RS conversion. Chris Woodbridge-Cox Trading in the XSR125 for my new Kawasaki Z650RS now that I have passed my full licence. Christopher Bell Parked up outside the JT Soar recording studio where the Sleaford Mods create their magic. Lee Garratt My wife Louise and our Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro on our way to Portsmouth for a week touring Brittany. Mark Hurmson My custom CX500. Was in the 2019 Bike Shed Show, built prior to my ownership by Naked Speed. Lovely bike. Mark Sankey My 955RS. Bought new…

Oxford have expanded their adventure touring line-up with the introduction of the Toronto 1.0 jacket – a lightweight, adaptable riding jacket engineered for changable conditions. Designed with a shorter torso length, the Toronto 1.0 reduces fabric bulk around the midsection, making it ideal for sportier riding positions without sacrificing protection. At its heart is Oxford's Dry2Dry waterproof membrane, delivering a 10,000mm waterproof rating and 20,000g/m²/24hr breathability. This means serious protection from heavy downpours while maintaining a sweat-free, comfortable ride. When temperatures rise, large fold-back chest vents can be zipped open and tucked inward, creating continuous airflow throughout the jacket. A removable thermal liner ensures warmth when conditions turn cooler, making this a true multi-season performer. The jacket is CE AA Certified (EN 17092-3:2020) and comes equipped with CE Level 1…

Other than being Honda's first electric ‘big bike’, there's nothing too groundbreaking about the WN7's tech, or anything we haven't seen before from the likes of LiveWire, Zero and the sadly defunct Energica. It uses a liquid-cooled electric motor to push it along, which makes a maximum of 67bhp, or 24bhp ‘continuous’, which is the amount of power it can happily make all day without doing itself a mischief. A1 licence versions will make 15bhp. Giving the motor its juice is an air-cooled Lithium-ion 349.44V battery housed inside a cast aluminium case that doubles up as the Honda's monocoque chassis. There are three ways to charge the battery: at home with a normal three-pin plug, which will take around 5.5 hours from zero to full, or with a dedicated wall-mounted…

Simple, affordable and manageable adventure is becoming bigger business by the year, yet until now the only Japanese offering that delivers true on/off-road travel capability has been Honda's CRF300 Rally. Now Kawasaki are rejoining the party with their all-new, thirdgeneration KLE500 to compete with the predominantly Chinese and Indian-built options crowding this particular motorcycling niche. The 451cc engine is from the Ninja/Z500, unchanged barring mapping tweaks, but the rest is a new production: they didn't just add off-roady running gear to a road bike frame, as some have done in the past. Purpose-built, if basic, KYB suspension, a 21in front wheel and 17in rear hang from steel trellis built for the KLE. Performance figures are 44bhp/31lb.ft/195kg, while practicality numbers are 16l fuel capacity, and an 870mm seat (sounds high –…

What next for the Australian Grand Prix? The MotoGP round will move from the Phillip Island circuit to a new ‘purpose-built’ street circuit in Adelaide next year. A six-year agreement has been put into place between MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (the new name for Dorna), the South Australian Government and the City of Adelaide, with the first GP taking place in November 2027. ‘Stoner's lap was four tenths quicker than the old record’ Phillip Island is without doubt one of the best tracks on the planet. The layout, the spectacle, the unpredictable climate… everything about the circuit created a recipe that resulted in some of the finest races of all time. And as the Australian GP will be moving home for 2027, we thought it fitting to take a trip…

Phil Mellor was a proper working racer. There were no multi-million pound motorhomes or factory rides; despite riding for factory-supported teams like Durex Suzuki in his later years, ‘Mez’ spent most of his career punching above his weight on privateer machinery. “He was incredibly versatile,” says former team boss Clive Padgett. “He could ride anything fast - from 125s to 500s and big superbikes. Phil was particularly good at switching bikes. He was a great short circuit rider, but I think if you asked him, he preferred the NW200, Ulster GP, and the TT. He loved the roads.” Born in Shelley near Huddersfield in 1954, Mellor began club racing in 1975 at the age of 21 and made an instant impact - not because of his results, but because of…

@neevesy MCN's Chief Road Tester for the past 23 years. Getting creakier by the day. For the three months and 6495 miles I ran my Ducati during the tail end of last summer, it always felt special - which is one of the things you pay your £18,195 for. It's also practical, fun, and wafted my girlfriend and me to the toe of Italy on a two-week 3800-mile tour. It started on the button every day and never let me down - but then neither should it. Mine was the Multistrada V2 S Travel model with standard cruise control, heated grips and panniers, plus an optional topbox (£611.39 including rack), but no centrestand. It has a lower-spec colour dash than the Multi V4, which feels a bit mean for the…

Yamaha riders were tight-lipped after their new V4-powered M1 suffered a humiliating debut at the Thailand GP. The surprise media shutdown highlighted that the downward spiral of Yamaha's once glorious GP squad will continue deep into 2026; potentially even to 2027 with new 850cc rules. Yamaha's V4 adventure is proving staggeringly uncompetitive, a technical nightmare despite the huge investment to replace the ageing inline four that won the 2021 championship, primarily because of Fabio Quartararo's special talent. Quartararo observed there appeared to be “no clear direction” with the V4 and that an upgrade was unlikely before the French GP. In January 2024 Yamaha trumpeted the hiring of Ducati engineer Max Bartolini, a senior aide to tech guru Gigi Dall'Igna on the title-winning Desmosedici V4 project. But two years after Bartolini's…