Table of contents for 2 December 2020 in MCN

‘I’m massively disappointed, it’s a big part of my year’ PETER HICKMAN ON LOSING THE 2021 TT ROAD RACING Shock as 2021 IOMTT is cancelled Hope may spring eternal, but a big dose of it just got squashed as the Isle of Man TT organisers and government announced the shock news on Monday that the 2021 event has already been cancelled amid fears over Covid. It’s an exceptionally bitter blow for road racing fanatics and the local economy, while there’s a glimmer of hope that the confirmed 2022 races will take place. FULL STORY PAGE 70 TOP STORY Harry Dunn’s family fights on Justice shouldn’t be so elusive, but the long-suffering family of Harry Dunn have been dealt yet another painful blow in its pursuit this week. With the courts…

Kawasaki are exploring hybrid technology and bikes with artificial intelligence as they consider the future of motorcycling. Following on from their unveiling of an electric prototype this time last year, Kawasaki are now exploring the “possibilities of hybrid technology” by combining a small clean running petrol engine with an electric motor and battery power. “The new hybrid two-wheeler is still at an early stage but illustrates well the diversity of Kawasaki research into emerging vehicle systems,” says Masanori Inoue, General Manager of Marketing and Sales at the company. Although details are scarce, Kawasaki say the ability to switch from petrol to electric seamlessly would be good for “short to middle distance commuters”. To demonstrate this, Kawasaki have released a video that shows the bike running on a dyno, switching from…

TV star, writer, adventurer, shed-lover and lifelong motorcyclist Henry Cole has owned a huge array of motorcycles over his 42 years behind the bars. He has restored vintage bikes, builds his own bespoke Gladstone motorcycles and has ridden most modern machinery during his work on ITV4 and Discovery Network’s The Motorcycle Show. In fact, he still holds a land speed record for a pre-1955 motorcycle, set on a Brough Superior at Bonneville in 2013 when he recorded 99.78mph. So, armed with £4500, what would be the next bike to enter Henry’s garage to sit alongside his 38 others? “I would have a good sniff around for a GSX-R1100 H, the Slabside, as I owned five of them and every single one got stolen! Ideally it’d be in the dark blue…

It’s Britain’s toughest road test route. A fun but punishing mix of A- and B-roads, busy motorway, towns and villages. It’s all Britain’s road types compressed into one route. There are three sections and we combine the two that best test the bike’s character. On average we ride 450 miles per bike, per test. ROUTE 1 122.73 miles of fast-flowing A and B-roads ROUTE 2 126.94 miles of open A and B-roads and towns ROUTE 3 117.88 miles of big A roads and motorway…

DEPUTY EDITOR, MOTORCYCLING These two are not for the fainthearted. The look, power delivery, ride, handling, stance and even shifting around a garage forecourt all feel strange next to a ‘normal’ bike. This isn’t to say they’re better or worse, just different. There couldn’t be a better name than Challenger for the Indian, a bike clearly designed to steal Road Glide buyers. Looks, equipment, engine, dynamic and riding position all ape the H-D. But it has a more contemporary feel, a little more fizz in its engine and handling, a splash more tech. It’s amazingly close, but I think the Indian’s riding position is a tad more comfortable for my 6ft 2in frame as well. Bruce and I would go for the Harley, though. Sure, it’s not as fast or…

MCN CONTRIBUTOR To the list of things that shouldn’t work but do – like peanut butter and jam, or Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas – we can now add Ducati’s V4 engine mated with their Multistrada. The Multi V4 S is a towering achievement, blending awesome power with an engaging but civilised character, supreme comfort and handling, and a wealth of top-drawer tech. And with more miles between shorter service intervals, running costs are lower too. The hardest part of ownership will be deciding which spec to go for; the purely road-based Multistrada, or the enduro style with wire wheels and engine bars. Either way, you won’t be disappointed. It’s the best bike Ducati have built. THE FACTS £18,565 Ducati V4 S (as tested: £20,345) Engine 1158cc 16v 90° V4…

If you’ve been off the road for a while or, like me, have had a bit of a knock to your confidence, a one-to-one session is particularly useful and will improve your skills no end. The BMW 1-on-l Rider Training course costs £345, and for that I’ve had Ian’s undivided attention for the whole day. The centre has a fleet of brand new BMWs, everything from a G310S to an R1250RT, which can be hired for an extra £50. But you’re obviously welcome to use your own bike, regardless of the manufacturer. Get more info at: www.bmwridertraining.com…

CLIVE SHEPHERD, MCN TWITTER FOLLOWER I had an Aprilia Tuono V4R for six years and was going to replace it with the new Factory until I saw the Streetfighter. Everything about it attracted me, from the engine to the electronics. My bike is stock apart from heated grips and a single-seat conversion. I’ve done about 1500 road miles and two Silverstone trackdays. It’s not all-day comfy but fantastic for Sunday morning blasts and mindblowing on track. The electronics are another level from the Aprilia and the build quality is great. For what I want it for it’s perfect, although it’s impossible to use its full potential on the road. I’m glad I made the change.…

‘Not every mechanic knows it all’ Getting a new bike is exciting. So if something goes amiss we’re understandably keen to get the bike back on the road as soon as possible. But it pays to entrust remedial work to the right people. Most owners have a mechanic or workshop they prefer. Might be you get on well with the boss, or they have a solid reputation, or attractive prices. However, with independent dealers especially, it could be they’ve never actually worked on your specific model before. Most bikes are built in similar ways, and with modern diagnostics and owner forums it should be easy to get to the root of a problem. But don’t take it for granted. We know a bloke whose recently-bought bike developed issues so he…

Round 1 April 23-25 Assen, Netherlands Round 2 May 7-9 Estoril, Portgal STC Round 3 May 21-23 Aragon, Spain Round 4 June 11-13 Misano, Italy Round 5 July 2-4 Donington, UK * Round 6 September 3-5 Magny Cours, France Round 7 September 17-19 Barcelona, Spain Round 8 September 24-25 Jerez, Spain Round 9 October 1-3 Portimao, Portugal Round 10 Oct 15-17 San Juan, Argentina * Round 11 November 12-14 Mandalika, Indonesia STH Round 12 Phillip Island, Australia STC Round 13 To be announced *Only WSB STH – Subject to homologation STC – Subject to contract…

Our circular route is just 50 miles but takes in twisty В-roads, a blast along some A-roads and a chance to explore the seaside town of Looe. The ride rolls west out of Bodmin via the A389 to create a swooping loop around some of Cornwall’s finest roads. Take the time to fuel up at the services on the edge of town and you’ll be good to go. Pick up the A391 at the bypass to snake down through Bugle, past the quarries around Cocksbarrow to St Austell, then turn left to head east on the A390 towards St Blazey. Take a right onto the B3359 after Middle Taphouse for some classic В-road action, twist and turn through the pretty country roads. It’s a left turn for the A387 to…

It’s hard not to feel utterly deflated by the shock news this week that the 2021 Isle of Man TT will be a casualty of Covid-19 again next year. We’ve already lost it once, we hoped not to lose it twice. But as unwelcome as the news is, it’s also great that the TT organisers and the Isle of Man government have taken this decision now so that riders, teams, race fans, and the thousands of people who spend all year gearing up to the delivery of the great spectacle know that it won’t be part of their 2021 calendar. It’s got to be better to take this supremely tough decision now and start planning for 2022 than to get weeks away from the races only to be forced to…

The Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group (MCRG) have urged bikers not to be complacent about theft despite positive stats released during lockdown. The Office for National Statistics reported a 35% drop in crime during lockdown back in August and Police National Computer figures suggest as much as a 45% drop in motorcycle theft against the same period last year. But MCRG members are advising caution because they say many thefts are not included in these stats. “Feedback from members suggests that the national figures do not give us the full picture on motorcycle theft,” the group said in a statement. “The national vehicle crime working group, which looks at all vehicles, report no reductions in overall vehicle theft. Figures from the PNC are known not to cover vehicles stolen and recovered…

Be a star of the silver screen Countless motorcyclists’ big-screen racing dreams could be about to come true for a few lucky readers. Director John Matthews (of The Man Who Conquered the TT fame) is filming his first drama about 1970s motorcycle racing in Northern Ireland and on the Isle of Man during May-June of 2021. To do this, he needs some bikers to help their stunt team recreate the racing sequences and fill in the background action. They are on the look out for riders or racers with period two-stroke racers, from the 1970-1977 era. The bikes can be any make or model but must be in running order. If you have a bike of that era and could get both you and it to the Isle of Man…

WEDNESDAY 2 December 6pm, EUR2, British Superbikes: Season Review SATURDAY 5 December 6am, EUR2, World Superbikes: Season Review SUNDAY 6 December 7.10am, ITV4, Superbikes – When Britain Ruled the World MONDAY 7 December 3pm, QUEST, Word’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides – Germany 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 – INSIGHT SS1 (2, 3 OR X) – SKY SPORTS 1 (2, 3 OR EXTRA) QUEST BTS1 – BT SPORT 1 BTS2 – BT SPORT 2 TVL – TRAVEL…

‘Electric suits my needs perfectly’ When looking for the perfect commuter, Paul Reeve discovered the Zero FX “I live in Norfolk and got a job in Norwich that was a 30-mile round trip. I tried it a few times in the van but as well as high parking costs it was totally soul-destroying. “I wanted a bog-stock hack, like the moped I owned when I was younger but a bit more fun. I tried loads of options from Husky 401s to Honda’s CB500 range, all the usual commuters that I could use every day whatever the weather and were cheap to finance, but I found them all bland. I hadn’t considered an electric bike until I stumbled across the English Electric Motor Company, spoke to Alec Sharp there and organised…

Q ‘Am I to blame for this crash?’ I was riding my Suzuki Hayabusa in May when I was involved in an accident. The police report finally arrived a month ago and my solicitors have said that the likely liability bracket is between 0% and 100%. This does not fill me with confidence that they know what they are doing. The circumstances were that I was following two cars for some time, then the road straightened so I went to overtake them both but just as I set off, the car in front of me also went for the overtake and I went into the back of it. How can this be my fault as I was already committed to the overtake? Dave G, email A Fault for this accident,…

Gary Morton Age 72 Height 5ft 9in How long have you been riding? First ride was 1961, age 13 Current bike 2019 Softail Deluxe First bike 1965 Honda 90, bought in summer ’64 I rode pillion on a Harley-Davidson in 1963, when I was 15. A young man across the street had a Harley and was happy to share his biking and mechanical knowledge, and glad to take me out for a quick blast. Once I’d experienced the H-D it’s what I wanted. The size, sound, torque – no other makes could compare. I started riding myself on a Honda 50 and had Suzukis and Kawasakis. Then about 12 years later I could afford a used Harley. It was an AMF model and it was horrible – easily the worst…

‘When you try first time the 500… ah f**k! The 500 is another world’ Legend, hero, icon, the Greatest Of All Time. They’re all such ubiquitous labels in the modern world – tainted by incessant over-use as social media junkies casually grasp for any phrase that can reduce an extraordinary life, character or career into a snappy one-liner. But you can’t tell the story of someone of Valentino Rossi’s calibre with one picture and the lowest word-count possible. Force yourself to zero in on the key stories, the untold revelations, and the moments that have defined his career, loves, losses and triumphs and you can just about squeeze it into 330 pages. And that’s exactly what ex-MCN journalist Stuart Barker has done in Valentino Rossi: The Definitive Biography, on sale…

“It’s a question I get asked a lot,” says instructor Ian “We are the most vulnerable motorised road users. Bumping your car into another at a junction is nothing more than annoying. When that happens on a motorcycle the risks are much, much higher. So, the answer to avoiding that is being a better road user – to identify risks and account for the actions of other road users before the situation develops is a real skill. Our approach to advanced training is simply to help anyone be better. There is a huge amount of information and guidance available to us all on this. The training is bespoke to the person attending and I have never taught two people the same skills in the same way.”…

Gerbing XR heated gloves £169.99 ‘The best, hands down’ Tested by Mike Armitage for one month, 200 miles These latest Gerbing mitts might not have done many miles yet, but I’ve been using their 12v heated clobber for almost two decades. During this time the gloves have gone from being rather like welding gauntlets to now being high quality, armoured, snug, comfortable, CE-approved and weatherproof. Proper winter wear – but with the added advantage of being heated. Previous Gerbings needed a heat controller between the wiring harness (attached to your bike battery) and the supply lead for the gloves. But this time last year Gerbing released an updated XR glove with a pushbutton control built in, giving three temperatures. Neat, but there were a few issues with the push-button. So,…

HELEN SMITH 55, West Sussex, previously owned a Kawasaki GPz500. “The Z650 is a bike whose looks certainly challenge people. I love the brash styling and my bike is even more unusual in its ‘covert green’ paint, which is a very Marmite colour that I absolutely love, but others don’t! “Styling aside, the Kawasaki is a lovely bike to ride and great fun. I’ve just topped 16,000 miles on my Zed as I use it all year round for my roughly 50-mile commute as well as just getting out on and having fun. It’s a great do-it-all that guarantees a smile on every ride. “As a short rider of 5ft 2in, the Zed’s low seat height and narrow waist allow me to get a foot flat on the floor, which…

1 Under-slung hero The suspension linkage is responsible for transmitting the movement of the swingarm to the shock and needs to be in good condition to function efficiently. Due to the location under the bike, weather and road salt can take its toll, so parts need to be well greased. First, familiarise yourself with the specific procedure for your bike in a workshop manual. 2 Make a stand To access and dismantle the linkage, you first need to support the motorcycle in a way which doesn’t involve the swingarm, which means a conventional rear paddock stand won’t do this time. A centrestand is ideal, but if your particular bike doesn’t have one, use an ABBA stand which supports the weight safely from the swingarm pivot points. 3 Get yourself some…

MCN SPORTS TEAM Triumph will be back on the grid in 2021 running an official team in the British Supersport Championship with plans already in place to take the factory project into the World Supersport championship in 2022. While Triumph have provided support in the Supersport class before, 2021 will see a full factory- supported effort and a partnership with Simon Buckmaster’s proven PTR Racing team. The bikes will be derived directly from the Street Triple RS and its 765cc engine, which is also used in Moto2. The fairing will be a replica of the Daytona 765 Limited Edition Moto2 model, with the bike having to look like a production machine. PTR will receive a package of performance parts for engine, the majority of which have been developed for Moto2.…

It’s not often we get a genuinely all-new model arriving in our showrooms – but the Trident is exactly that. It looks great, too. Using a 660cc inline triple at its heart, it’s a pure everyday roadster, laden with useful tech features and high-quality parts. And you can now pre-order one now from your local Triumph dealership (www. triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/dealers/ find-a-dealer) with the first wave of bikes expected to land in-store in early 2021. Triple treat At the heart of the new Trident is a 660cc inline triple delivering 80bhp @ 10,250rpm and 47lb.ft of torque at 6250rpm all meted out by a six-speed gearbox that boasts the de riguer ‘slip and assist’ clutch – meaning a super-light action clutch lever combined with progressive slip if you get a bit fruity…

£14,999 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT The KTM 1290 Super Duke GT is so astonishingly good, it could be the best road bike you can get. Punchy performance, poise, cultured handling, adjustable comfort and easy, effective electronics. And now you can save £2200 to put towards a great postlockdown adventure. • www.northamptonmoto.co.uk SAVE £1401 £10,999 Triumph Thruxton R This big twin comes in ‘Competition green’ with Öhlins shocks, Showa Big Piston Forks and Brembo brakes. • www.puretriumph.co.uk • Engine 1200cc • Power 96bhp • Weight 203kg • Seat height 810mm SAVE £1400 £9999 Kawasaki Versys 1000 There’s free delivery too if you live within 200 miles of Clay Cross’ base in Chesterfield. • claycrosskawasaki.co.uk • Engine 1043cc • Power 118bhp • Weight 237kg • Seat height 840mm SAVE £400 £5999…

• Park in a busy spot in the day• At night, if away from home, park in a well-lit area• Vary your parking place• Use a motorcycle parking bay with an anchor point• Use a ‘Secured Car Park’• Lock, chain and cover your bike when it is parked• Keep the lock and chain off the ground• Set an immobiliser and alarm• Keep it out of sight at home• Use an approved GPS/VHF/RF satellite tracking system…

LS2 Jet Gloves £44.99 These have a polyamide, polyester and polyurethane outer shell that is tough yet flexible, for dexterity and feel for the controls. Under that sits a tough knuckle guard which is CE Level-1 certified. A waterproof and breathable Hipora membrane keeps the rain out yet still allows perspiration to escape. They come in a variety of colours in men’s sizes S-2XL, as well as a women’s version in XS-L. www.ls2helmets.com Motorcycle Memories book £16.99 This book is a personal account of the golden years of the TT. Original photos from the TT archives capture the thrill of the races as author Bill Snelling shares his passion and experiences as a rider and Manx Grand Prix competitor, making it an entertaining autobiography from a lifelong enthusiast and historian.…

‘Project bike? Oh, go on then…’ I already have a project bike in my lock-up: a 1979 Honda CB125T, the 17bhp 80mph twin. It’s been there a year, but it’ll be great when it’s finished. That’s the mantra for all projects but it’s taken a while to collect the parts and I’ve been busy with other things. But if ever there was a time for a project bike it’s during the pandemic, so, more fool me, I’ve been looking for another. Basic rules: you’re never going to be told the whole truth, don’t choose something that was never officially sold here, accept that your estimates of time and expense will both be out by 100% at least (I’m now into my CB125T for a grand on top of the £1100…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews If you know, you know... In response to the letter from Leigh Attwood (MCN Letters, November 4) regarding the lack of coverage on the news about motorcycle racing. It’s something that happens to a lot of sports. ‘Minority’ sports are some of the best in the world. Take rugby league, a player or team could break every record but the news wouldn’t bat an eyelid, yet if a footballer or F1 driver did something similar they would be all over our screens. I’m at peace with not being mainstream, I wouldn’t want every Tom, Dick and Harry sitting next to me on the hill at Oliver’s Mount. If you know, you know, and just enjoy the racing! Chris Burnell, Leeds Single-handed hero Regarding your MCN Law…

DEPUTY EDITOR, MOTORCYCLING £22,995 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special ● 1868cc pushrod 8v V-twin ● 89bhp @ 5020rpm ● 387kg (wet, claimed) £25,299 Indian Challenger Dark Horse ● 1768cc sohc 8v V-twin ● 122bhp @ 5560rpm ● 377kg (wet, claimed) Forget that race for supremacy between shouty US politicians. There’s another skirmish to be the leading American and it’s one that’s far more interesting. Harley-Davidson and Indian have been banging heads since the days of lethal boardtrack racing over 100 years ago. Both as American as drive-thru burger joints, the brands battled on road and track throughout the first half of the 20th century. And today the tussle is as fierce as ever. After first bloodying Harley’s nose in dirt track, Indian are going for the jugular by putting their new…

2013 NON-STOP “I left Chirk at 8am with a top box full of Red Bull and apples, and rolled into Aberystwyth 24 hours later. That bit was fine, but from then on it was only the jarring from potholes that kept me awake.” 2015 THE KNIEVELS Dressing up as Evel made a massive difference to the reaction: “Everywhere we went people treated us as celebrities. We actually dropped a few numbers that year, but raised even more money – that’s what told me I’d got it right.” 2018 UKRAINE RIDE Jason rode 4200 miles in eight days, raising £1600 for a terminally ill school friend. “I came up with the idea on a Tuesday and set off Thursday morning with kit stuffed in my panniers.” RECORD BREAKERS In 2019 they…

Back in black and white days, designers who wanted to coax big power at high revs from their two-valve air-cooled engines needed to shift a lot of gas, quickly. That meant using lumpy cam profiles to accelerate the big valves open at a high rate, get to maximum lift, and snap shut again pronto at peak power, ready for the next cycle. The problem with this was it meant using heavy, stiff springs – light springs couldn’t control the valves at high rpm and would self-oscillate, leaving the valve effectively floating free of contact and happy to do its own thing. By using stiffer valve springs, valve float could be overcome but it meant the engine was, among other things, having to work harder to get the valves open at…

Whether you’re a casual race fan, or a Rossi addict, Valentino Rossi: The Definitive Biography by Stuart Barker (published by John Blake in hardback, eBook and audio) is compelling reading. No other biography has managed to capture the depth or breadth of this new book, for which Barker has mined every contact, source and commentator for their insight and invaluable stories. Buy yours now or stick it on your Christmas stockingfiller list – it’s a superb antidote for boring postturkey family conversations about what the neighbours have done with their Christmas lights, or what Sharon in accounts did with Derek in purchasing on the office Zoom party. If getting to a bookstore is not possible for you right now, it’s readily available on Amazon and from other online retailers. Who…

Denis McCann, rides a 2010 BMWR 1200RT “I started riding five years ago and took my Direct Access course with Ian and the team and found out how much fun their training was. As soon as I’d bought my RTI booked myself on a three-day course, where I spent the time on a 1:1 basis, developing my riding skills and I went from a freshly passed learner to an accomplished rider. “Ian’s superb instruction helped build my understanding of riding but also maintained a fun element throughout so it was both enjoyable and educational. I didn’t just learn what to do but understood why I was doing it. He helped develop me holistically as a rider, in a way that is truly fun, bespoke and focused entirely on my needs.…

‘R5K READERS’ Barry Sheene Biography £11.99 I really rate this, as Stuart Barker takes the reader back to the early era of British domination in GPs. It’s an immersive story of a British racing legend. Jon Ashley, Manchester Lone Rider by Elspeth Beard £9.99 Un-put-downable. This lady is real-deal, global adventurer. Jase Lewis, Coedpoeth Distant Suns by Sam Manicom £13.99 Sam sold everything and set off, he reached South Africa and just carried on. Philip Weston, Bristol A Biker’s Life by Henry Cole £9.99 Henry had a tough life, and worked hard to carve out the success he’s had. It’s a thoroughly good read. Scott Beasley, Crowland Leanings by Peter Egan £12.99 This is a collection of columns for US mags. It’s like hearing stories from your best friend. Timothy…

This dirty 2020 KTM 790 Adventure R was dropped off at a dealer because it was reluctant to start after a minor collision, but it was the state of the rear end that was the real a disaster waiting to happen. Nick Nomikos, a director at The Two Wheel Centre in Harpenden was shocked by the condition of the chain and tyre and there was worse to come. He said: “I always do a safety check on any machine we’re going to work on, although I could see that the rear tyre was bald from the other side of the workshop. When I had a closer look, the chain was as dry as a bone and the rear pads were on the metal as well. But the owner didn’t mention…

Bradley Ray will remain on BMW machinery next season, but he’ll now be in the black and gold colours of Rich Energy OMG Racing. 2020 was a difficult year for all of the BMW teams, with Ray racing for the German manufacturer’s official team, SYNETIQ BMW, and taking a best result of two fifth places. “I think the bike has a lot of potential, otherwise I wouldn’t be staying on it,” Ray told MCN. “We didn’t get the full potential out of the package last year, but the bike feels strong. It’s only in its second year of development so there’s a lot more to gain, and with the new M1000 RR [BMW’s new top-end race-ready Superbike], that will allow us to take another step forward. “BMW are putting everything…

PETER HICKMAN “I’m massively disappointed. It’s a big part of my year and also, of course, my career. When you’re winning as well, it makes things even worse. When you’re at the front and able to win, you don’t know how many years you’re going to be able to do that for, so to have it taken away for one year is bad enough, but to have it taken away for two years is really bad.” CLIVE PADGETT “The TT had some important decisions to make and they have to balance everything against the wellbeing of the Island – health wise and commercially. It’s a massive decision and they didn’t take it lightly. Right now we’re having to deal with it ourselves because there was no plan for there not…

We live in a diverse and beautiful land and this route gives you the chance to eat crabs in Cromer and sample Welsh Cakes in Cardigan Bay. From Lowestoft we start on the road round the Suffolk and North Norfolk coast until we near Hunstanton. Strike inland to King’s Lynn and head east on the A17 to Spalding. Flat Fen roads lead to Pode Hole, where you pick up signs for Bourne. The A151 is a firm favourite of the MCN team and forms part of our test routes. Sweep through to the Al, to continue into Melton Mowbray. Take the B6047 through Great Dalby and drop down to the A6, at Kibworth Harcourt, turn left. A short hop to Market Harborough and follow signs for the A14 and onto…

It’s not often we get a genuinely all-new model arriving in our showrooms – but the Trident is exactly that. It looks great, too. Using a 660cc inline triple at its heart, it’s a pure everyday roadster, laden with useful tech features and high-quality parts. And you can low pre-order one now from your local Triumph dealership (www.riumphmotorcycles.co.uk/dealers/find-a-dealer) with the first wave of bikes expected to land in-store in early 2021. Triple treat At the heart of the new Trident is a 660cc inline triple delivering 80bhp @ 10,250rpm and 47lb.ft of torque at 6250rpm all meted out by a six-speed gearbox that boasts the de riguer ‘slip and assist’ clutch – meaning a super-light action clutch lever combined with progressive slip if you get a bit fruity with your…