Table of contents for 13 January 2021 in MCN

‘You can go on the piss anytime, you can’t always race’McGUINNESS TALKS RACING MOTIVATION COVER STORY McGuinness: From brickie to an MBE Last week we revealed the news of McPint’s Royal recognition, and this week we grabbed the man himself for an exclusive in-depth nose into his extraordinary life story. From borrowed race bikes to shock success, avoiding acid house parties and delivering chickens to pay his racing debts, the highs of TT dominance and the lows of lost friends ― it’s a riveting read. MBE CELEBRATION PAGE 34 HEAD-TO-HEAD It’s a lighter route to adventure Adventure bikes continue to get bigger and more powerful in the quest for total world dominance ― but there’s now also an undercurrent of smaller capacity bikes getting their feet dirty. This week we’ve…

Michael Neeves, Chief Road Tester Aprilia got it bang on with the RS660. It has the power to get the blood pumping... but not too much and it’s big enough for normal-sized riders to fit on properly. It handles like a mini-RSV4, has superbike-rivalling electronics and even has cruise control – all for just over 10 grand. The Tuono 660 promises to be even better, thanks to its roomier riding position, shorter gearing and tastier price tag. Let’s face it, Aprilia know how to make a naked, as they’ve proved with the V4 1100 – if the Tuono 660 is even half as good it’ll be epic.…

£7999 Ducati Scrambler 1100 It’s Italian exotica for a bargain basement price with this Scrambler 1100 from On Yer Bike near Aylesbury. This yellow example is pre-registered on a 19-plate, but only has four miles on the clock. The 1100s pack the same levels of charm as the smaller Scramblers but have that bit of extra presence and performance. ● www.ducatiaylesbury.co.uk SAVE £1900 £6499 Kawasaki W800 Street The Street differs from the Café version with more upright bars, no nose fairing, a different seat and silver wheels. ● preston-motorcycles.co.uk ● Engine 773cc ● Power 47bhp ● Weight 223kg ● Seat height 790mm SAVE £1500 £7499 KTM 790 Duke The 790’s LC8c engine is a peach, the chassis predictably balanced and it’s all topped off with superbike-spec electronics. ● www.ams4ktm.co.uk ●…

Motorcycle customisers Hookie Co have turned their attentions to the Desert Sled creating the ‘Scorpion’ and if you like what they’ve done, you’ll be able to buy a kit to get the look very soon. This isn’t the first customising kit Hookie have created – they’ve done them for the Triumph Bobber and BMW R nineT – but it is their first Ducati. Hookie chose the Desert Sled as they wanted to create a bike that was comfortable in any situation, be that commuting, riding in the mountains or sunny rips through the countryside. They wanted a solid and purposeful feel – a not unlike the perfect pair of trainers – so that’s the aesthetic they went for. The bulk of the changes come from adding new sidepanels with integrated…

THURSDAY January 14 3.30pm, BTS2, MotoGP 2020 Season Review FRIDAY January 15 10.35pm, EUR1, The Dakar Rally: Highlights from Stage 12 SATURDAY 16 January 5pm, EUR1, World Superbikes: Season Review TUESDAY January 19 11.30am, ITV4, The Motorbike Show with Henry Cole 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…

Performance mini-bike maestros Ohvale have unveiled a new larger bike for full-size folk who want to practice on kart tracks/muck about on mini-bikes. Originally designed as performance bikes for youth racers, the 20bhp mini-bikes have been favourites among superbike racers for practising on small tracks. The new GP-2 is aimed at those people, being bigger in every dimension while also sporting 12in wheels for wider tyre options. Imported by TT star Peter Hickman, the new GP-2 will cost £6179 when it arrives in March. More learner woes Thanks to the latest lockdown in England, learners have one again been scuppered by the closure of riding schools and the cessation of testing (with the exception of key workers). Some learners are reporting being stuck in limbo with cancelled and rescheduled tests…

I’ve been watching Dakar with a lot of interest and it’s been brutal. For me the first thing that comes to my mind is the fact that David Knight is racing in it for the first time. He’s getting good media coverage and in every interview I’m hanging off every word he says because it’s pure gold. He’s obviously a big TT fan and has grown up watching it. He’s made a lot of comparisons but when he spoke about how being passed by Carlos Sainz in the car was more spectacular than watching the TT – it blew me away. For Knighter to be that impressed it must be special. ‘You know every bump around the TT course’ Knighter has won everything: five-time world champion, GNCC, Erzberg, Last Man…

STAN METCALFE I first rode at Sweet Lamb on a rideout with the TRF so I saw what an incredible venue it was. I’ve subsequently been back and had a number of days one-to-one training with Moly and it’s been the best money I’ve ever spent. Moly was able to identify areas I needed to improve and I’ve learned a lot about body position, momentum and weighting the pegs. He can be a hard taskmaster and won’t stop drilling it into you until you’ve got it, but if you’re serious about improving your riding I can’t recommend it enough because they get results. As a venue Sweet Lamb has got everything you could want, so much space to ride and you can either stay in a local, hotel and have…

GRAHAM CHADWICK, DRIVING INSTRUCTOR “I’ve been riding 40 years on road, ever since my FS1-E days in 1978 I’ve never been without a bike. When your man on the Interceptor 650 launch in California said it ‘rides just like a Triumph but it’s £3000 cheaper’, that was it, I had to have one. It’s a really rounded package. It really handles. I’ve had it right on the edge of the tyres. It’s an honest, proper motorbike. The frame is very good, but the suspension is lacking. Preload spacers make it much better. The standard seat isn’t nice to sit on and I don’t like its looks so I changed it to the one from the Continental GT.”…

As a daily rider it’s pretty much the same as any other bike, except for the fact that you have to plan for where you want to charge. It’s quite surprising how much I have been able to use it without resorting to the petrol bike and I really didn’t expect that I would do the mileage I have – it’s exceeded all my expectations by some margin. Maintenance costs have been considerably lower and over 10,000 miles I’ve saved at least £1000 in fuel. HOW GOOD IS THE RUBBER? OE Pirelli MT-60 I have no intention of going off road. The blocky tread pattern knocks a bit off the range and they made an absolute racket on certain roads. Also consider Bridgestone Battlax BT45 £172.90 An older tyre, but…

TCX Baja WP boots £259.99 ‘Do-it-all adventure boots that deliver’ Tested by Richard Newland for six months, 2000 miles These Baja WP boots have replaced my old Baja GTX boots (which use a Gore-Tex lining and cost another £40) that I'd worn for over 25,000 miles. Chunky and rugged enough to pass as a reasonably serious do-it-all adventure boot, they’re also supple and flexible enough that you can wear them on a normal road bike without feeling like you’re wearing ski-boots. They deliver trainer-like all-day comfort on and off the bike, and they’re not overly heavy. They’re also slim enough to fit under my riding jeans and textiles with ease. The upper is pre-distressed full grain leather (also available in black) with suede panels, they’ve proved 100% waterproof so far,…

These days, the range of aftermarket auxiliary lighting is vast and so too is the quality range. It transcends both ends of the spectrum, from absolute rubbish costing as little as £12 that will last five minutes, right up to super high-quality stuff that is both stylish and robustly engineered (as well as pretty pricey). As tempting as the price is, you should definitely avoid fitting the cheap stuff, because it won’t last and there’s a real risk you’ll cause an electrical issue. You also need to make the right choice for what you need; daytime running lights that will also create a beam to enhance your existing headlight/s will probably appeal to most riders, so be careful not to choose something like a fog light, as these will only…

Toby Price After splitting his rear tyre on stage seven with no option to change it as it was part of the Marathon stage where riders bivouac for a night, Price taped and cable tied his tyre in a bid to get to the end of the stage. Not only did the tyre hold together but he finished the stage second fastest just 1m 05s adrift! Kevin Benevedas The factory Honda rider holds fourth despite a heavy crash in the closing KM of stage five. The Argentinian still won the stage despite the impact of the crash breaking his nose and his helmet when he slammed into the GPS tracker on the front of his bike. Ricky Brabec Reigning Dakar champion Ricky Brabec has a lot to do if he…

R1: April 23–25 Assen (Netherlands) R2: May 7–9 Estoril (Portugal)** R3: May 21–23 Aragon (Spain) R4: June 11–13 Misano (San Marino) R5: July 2–4 Donington Park (UK) R6: September 3–5 Magny-Cours (France) R7: September 17–19 Barcelona (Catalunya) R8: September 24–26 Jerez (Spain) R9: October 1–3 Portimao (Portugal) R10: October 15–17 San Juan Villicum (Argentina) R11: November 12–14 Mankalika (Indonesia)* R12: TBC Phillip Island (Australia)** R13: TBC SUBJECT TO HOMOLOGATION ** SUBJECT TO CONTRACT NOTE – CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS…

British riders have a lot of battles to fight to get on a podium – especially on the world stage where series are dominated by riders from other countries who have been nurtured by domestic feeder championships and serious financial investment. The place that this battle is felt most keenly is in MotoGP, where we face the prospect of having no Brits in the premier class this year unless Aprilia give Bradley Smith a ride (‘Come on Bradders!’). But it’s not all bad. Just look at our domestic talent in World Superbikes, with Jonathan Rea pushing ever-harder for yet another championship, his heels being constantly nipped at by Redding, Lowes, Davies and Haslam. Or look at Sam Lowes in Moto2 – a serious threat as a championship title contender again…

Yamaha have announced new-model prices for 2021. With nine new models, there’s plenty of new metal to choose from and it looks like the Brexit trade deal has not afffected prices too much. The MT-09, with a complete redesign and Euro5 engine now costs £8999, with the more premium MT-09 SP coming in at £10,199. The class-leading MT-07 has also been made Euro5 friendly and gets more powerful front brakes, a redesigned tank and all-new aesthetics and is priced at £6899. The upgraded Tracer 9 costs £10,199 and the Tracer9 GT, with electronically-controlled suspension and an up-and-down quickshifter comes in a £12,199. The new-for-2021 Tracer 7 GT comes with 20-litre side cases as well as a high screen and comfort seat as standard. The capable all-rounder costs a tempting £8999.…

Triumph lost £40m in the 2019-20 financial year but their sales have rebounded, meaning they expect to return to profit soon. In the 2018-2019 financial year Triumph sold just over 61,000 bikes, which netted them a healthy £9.5m profit. But the pandemic hit sales hard in the spring which, combined with a financial year ending in June before restrictions fully lifted, meant they have posted a £40m loss. “In a typical year we would expect to deliver 40-50% of our sales volume in that March-June period,” said Paul Stroud, Triumph’s Chief Financial Officer.“With dealerships closed for much of that, we finished the year 17% down on sales.” Thankfully for Triumph their sales have recovered strongly, especially outside of the UK. Their international sales in the latter half of 2020 were…

Moped Mayhem, the wild and wacky endurance race that was the highlight of the old BMF Show in the 1980s and 90s, is making its long-awaited comeback at the Devitt MCN Festival of Motorcycling on May 15-16. Known for its wild racing, huge grid, madcap machines and raucous atmosphere, racing doesn’t get more grass-roots than Moped Mayhem. The action doesn’t stop there: the festival is packed with new and used bikes and thrilling stunt displays. Not only that, but you can expect the very best live music with evening entertainment for people making a weekend of it. It’s the UK’s biggest outdoor biking event and not to be missed. There will also be a chance to ride the latest 2021 bikes from all the major manufacturers and all in the…

‘You won’t find better value…’ It’s time we started taking Chinese bikes seriously. Fantic, for example, are using a Chinese engine in their Caballero and the 500 has been well received. Some Chinese brands are becoming mainstream. The dealer networks are improving and with them the aftersales service and parts availability. So what are the used options? First, go for as recent a model as possible. A five-year-old Chinese 125 is not worth much, so don’t pay more than a few hundred. The improvement in quality has been remarkable in the last few years but these bikes still sell on price rather than reputation and that applies in spades to used bikes, so they have to be cheaper than Japanese ones. I’ve been looking at Lexmotos, mainly because someone in…

‘What’s really stopping you?’ There are lots of good reasons to go electric, so what are the stubborn barriers to change? As legislation banning fossil fuel powered vehicles continues to push us towards electric transport, it’s bound to be a difficult transition period for many bikers, something Zero Motorcycles are very aware of. “Most of our customers are younger than the average motorcyclist, in their 30s, and many work in highly qualified jobs such as engineering. They are attracted to the tech used on electric motorcycles,” says Umberto Uccelli, head of Zero Motorcycles Europe. “However, for those used to petrol engines there are three main hurdles to overcome: price, range and charge time.” So how will electrics overcome these obstacles? There is no denying electric motorcycles are expensive to buy…

● Readers Lindsay Harris ● The Ride Queen Mary Falls, Queensland, Australia ● Miles 200 ● Tell us about your trip An easy local ride for us here in Queensland. All bitumen. The weather was fine with a slight breeze. We took as many back roads as possible. ● Send your trips to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com THE BIKE 2020 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sport (DCT). One of the best bike I have owned for touring. Definitely suitable for our conditions. THE ROUTE THE FALLS The falls are 40m high with a viewing platform. It’s worth walking and exploring FALLS CAFE Every bike ride demands a great café. That’s my mate’s Super Ténéré 1200 THE VIEWS With surroundings like these you just want to get on the bike and see more and more…

Q ‘The hospital messed it up’ I had an accident a year ago and my right leg had a couple of nasty fractures. The other driver’s insurer admitted fault early on and has been paying for treatment. The problem is that I was in for some treatment and the hospital messed up an operation and it looks like my recovery is now going to take longer as a result. The other side’s solicitors are saying they are not paying for the impact of the hospital’s mistake and say any ongoing loss is not for them to compensate. Can you give me some advice to pass on to my solicitor as he seems at a loss with how to deal with this? Ran, Southwark A Fairly frequently we have cases where…

BRETT HACKER Age 55 Height 5ft 11in Current bikes KTM 390 Adventure, Ducati 1299 Panigale S Been riding 43 years Occupation TV photographer First bike Honda 50 Dream bike BMW HP2 Sport “I had been looking for a little adventure bike for a while. The Honda CRF250 Rally seemed too limited on the road, while the bigger adventure bikes are just too large and expensive to take off road. The KTM 390 Adventure seemed to be good value with all the features you’d find on more expensive bikes. With its low price and low weight I was sold. “So far I’ve ridden 3500 miles since picking it up in June. It’ll keep up at 85-90mph on the highway, and I’ve been very impressed with how well the bike handles on…

MOVIE DISASTER Henry directed an admittedly terrible film called Mad Dogs and Englishmen staring Liz Hurley. Against Henry’s wishes, Ewan McGregor was turned down for the male lead role! RIDING ROUTE 66 “Riding Route 66 was a lifelong dream that paved the way for my whole motorcycle TV career and was a life-changing experience. I’ve ridden Route 66 four times so far.” RECORD BREAKER In 2013 Henry set the record for a pre-1955 bike on a Brough at Bonneville when he hit 99.78mph. “When you get close to potential death you gain an even greater appreciation for life…” BIKE BUILDER In 2013, Henry set up Gladstone Motorcycles with friend Guy Willison to build ‘bespoke handmade British motorcycles for the discerning hooligan’.…

While Moly excels off-road, he’s a lifelong motorcyclist as are all of his team of instructors. In his early life he used to go for early morning blasts with Tony Rutter and on the last count he’s owned 135 motorcycles and ridden over one million miles. It’s this experience on and off-road that he sees as his strength because he understands exactly where a road rider is coming from and what they have to go through when they begin their off-road adventure. For entry-level and group training the cost is £120 per person per day including drinks and lunch. That’s based on you riding your own bike. • Contact: moly.sweetlamb@gmail.com www.adventurerallybike.co.uk Accommodation: Two self-contained on-site pods (sleeps two)is £30 per person per night…

EDITOR Rides all year, in all weathers. Prefers performance to plodders. Tyres really do have a lot to cope with – especially those fitted to the latest crop of big adventure bikes. As consumers, we expect them to look attractively rugged, give effortless road performance in all weathers, wear like they’re made of diamonds but handle like they’re made of glue, and to still cost less than £250 per pair. Some tyres manage all that better than others, but these Dunlop Meridians manage it better than most. I’ve now covered 3021 miles on them and I’m hugely impressed. Let’s talk about wear first, because big adventure bikes (and the Africa Twin in particular) seem to eat back tyres. The OE Metzeler Karoo Streets were mullered after just 2500 miles, and…

LS2 Arrow Carbon Evo £289.99-£329.99 Has a huge visor aperture and the visors are easy to change. I’ve done around 20,000 miles and the lining hasn’t lost shape. Andy Taylor, Essex HJC RPHA 11 £329.99-£499.99 Dead light and comfortable. It’s let down by the visor lock though, I went through 7-8 visors. Mike Brown, Stoke Arai RX-7V £669.99-£875 I got this after an RX-7 GP and the venting has been significantly improved and it’s seriously plush. Phil Stevens, Plymouth AGV Corsa-R £599.99-£749.99 I’ve used this AGV for track and road riding and the best thing about it is the aerodynamics. Chris Edwards, Grimsby Bell Race Star Flex £369.99-£649.99 It’s not cheap, but the quality you get is absolutely brilliant. Patrick Collum, Watford REVIEW YOUR KIT IN MCN Got a product…

This 14-year-old Suzuki 125 Marauder looked in good condition and was expected to sail through its MoT at Double O Motorcycles in Bedford. But as workshop owner Sean Taylor wheeled it into the bay there was a metallic rubbing noise from the rear wheel and that started the alarm bells ringing. Sean said: “The MoT test must be carried out without ‘dismantling’ the bike. But I was confident the fault wouldn’t reduce the braking power, so we put it through and it passed the brake roller test. “We advised the customer that we suspected there was a brake issue and it needed further investigation to confirm the cause of the noise.” The bike’s drum rear brake needed closer inspection and once up on the bench with the rear wheel out…

As Dakar 2021 nears its conclusion, Brit factory Red Bull KTM rider Sam Sunderland remains in contention for top honours in what is shaping up to be one of the closest and hardest-fought races in Dakar history. As MCN went to press on Monday, Sunderland held third place in the overall standings at the end of stage eight, 5m 57s off the overall lead. The 31-year-old became the first British rider ever to win Dakar when he triumphed in 2017. He was third in 2019, but was forced to abandon the 2020 race when he broke his back on stage five. Sunderland has won seven stages during his Dakar career and is regarded as one of the fastest dune riders in the world, but he has also suffered more than…

Fausto Gresini is conscious and in a more stable, yet still serious, condition according to his team’s latest update (January 9). Gresini continues to battle Covid-19 in intensive care and remains on mechanical ventilation and under some sedation. “He is a fighter and very collaborative and this helps clinicians. Apart from the breathing, all other organs are functional,” Dr Nicola Cillon said. Farmer hunting Four-time British champion Keith Farmer has been left without a ride following the unexpected withdrawal of Morello Racing from the 2021 Superstock 1000 season. Farmer had agreed terms with the team just before Christmas, however unforeseen circumstances within team boss Steve Buckenham’s business has led to the team’s departure from the series. Farmer won the Superstock 1000 title in 2012 and 2018.…

Davide Brivio has left Suzuki in a move which will see him become CEO at Renault’s rebranded Alpine F1 team. Brivio has led Suzuki’s MotoGP project since the manufacturer’s return at the end of 2013, culminating in their first premier class title for 20 years with Joan Mir. “A new professional challenge and opportunity suddenly came to me and in the end I decided to take it,” Brivio admitted. “Achieving a MotoGP title is something that will remain in the Suzuki history books and it will always have a special place in my memory. “I would like to thank every single member of our MotoGP group in Japan and at the track, all the Suzuki network, and all the riders who rode for the team in this period, especially Joan…

January is a great time to buy a brand-new bike, especially if you’re not fussed about it being last year’s model. Yes, you might have to park it somewhere warm and secure for a couple of months until the weather – or the pandemic – enable your usual riding rituals, but that doesn’t matter if you’re going to save a huge wad of cash in the process. And right now, you can save up to £2400 on selected KTMs. That’s well worth further investigation. There are nine models included in the deal, which runs until the end of January, with savings ranging from £500 on a 125 or 390 Duke, up to a really rather attractive £2400 off a 1290 Adventure S or R. Why the big savings? Well, there…

The scooter for bikers, with 85% of a small car’s practicality but 90% of a ‘proper’ bike’s performance and feel. Handling is sporty, the frame is die-cast aluminium and the 530cc twin is solidly fixed to it, rather than the swingarm, like most scoots. It’ll sit at 85mph and hit 100mph. £6k gets the revised 2015 model, with USD forks, keyless ride, radial brakes etc. It sounds pricey, but is about half what the latest one costs new. Yamaha have sold over 250,000 of these and know what they’re doing. It’s quality. Build quality and finish are as good as any ‘proper’ Yamaha bike, and reliability is excellent – you don’t sell over a quarter of a million examples of something if it’s crappy. Engines should be smooth and purr…

January is a great time to buy a brand-new bike, especially if you’re not fussed about it being last year’s model. Yes, you might have to park it somewhere warm and secure for a couple of months until the weather – or the pandemic – enable your usual riding rituals, but that doesn’t matter if you’re going to save a huge wad of cash in the process. And right now, you can save up to £2400 on selected KTMs. That’s well worth further investigation. There are nine models included in the deal, which runs until the end of January, with savings ranging from £500 on a 125 or 390 Duke, up to a really rather attractive £2400 off a 1290 Adventure S or R. Why the big savings? Well, there…

Bullit Motorcycles have announced a new 250cc version of their scrambler-styled Hero. The Hero 250 has all the cool styling of its 125cc little brother but more than double the power output, producing around 25.8bhp. That extra power should mean a more engaging ride for those who aren’t limited by an A1 licence, especially considering the 250 weighs in at just 148kg. You also get upside-down forks, a Fastec rear shock – designed specifically for this bike – and single front and rear disc brakes equipped with ABS. The new model is available in three colours: this black and gold version, white, or titanium grey. It is available in dealers now costing £3999.…

Cambridgeshire County Council is trialling a scheme that could allow motorbikes to use bus lanes. The council said: “Motorcycles are more fuel-efficient and use less road space than cars, so the council wishes to encourage greater use of them. Allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes is an additional incentive for people to purchase and use powered two wheelers in preference to private cars.” The trial began on December 14, 2020 on Elizabeth Way in Cambridge. If successful, it will be extended to more of the county’s road network. Hats off to Yuasa Bike battery makers GS Yuasa have joined the fight against testicular cancer by donating £5000 to the cause and Launching limited-edition GS and Yuasa OddBalls bobble hats. Following the success of the firm’s ‘Always Check the Battery’ campaign,…

TCX Clima Surround GTX boots £178.95 ‘Clever vents work their magic’ These textile boots have a clever ventilation system that allows air to circulate around the sole for sweat-free comfort. As they are also breathable, warm and have a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, they are suitable for year-round riding. MCN put a pair to the test and covered more than 2000 miles to score them a four-out-of-five rating. We rode in all conditions, and were impressed, whatever the weather. They are lightweight and come to the mid-calf, so fit under most riding jeans and textile kit, while the zip and adjustable Velcro closure, means they can accommodate leathers too. Stretch panels ensure a comfortable fit, both on and off the bike. For peace of mind there’s protection at the heel, toe…

Honda are looking to F1 to address the demand for ever-cleaner engines – with a patent revealing a superbike engine featuring the sort of prechamber combustion that’s universal in F1. While the turbocharged, hybrid V6 in F1 might seem a far cry from bike engines, the demands for efficiency, power and high revs mean there are clear parallels. The concept splits the combustion chamber into two areas. On each intake stroke the main section gets filled with a very lean fuel/air mixture, while the much smaller prechamber – where the sparkplug sits – gets a richer mixture. The idea is that the plug can easily ignite the rich mixture in the prechamber, which then allows jets of flame into the main chamber to make sure the lean mixture there burns…

Despite England’s recent Covid-19 lockdown announcement, 2021 could still be full of biking adventure, with many event operators releasing dates for later in the year. From trackdays to off-road taster sessions, there is something out there for everyone and an abundance of bookable events running well into the tail end of the riding season. If speed and adrenaline are your idea of fun, why not consider a blast around the Silverstone GP circuit? Dates start from the beginning of April and run to the middle of October, priced at £259. International layout trackdays cost £199. If knee-downs don’t tickle your pickle, then you could instead opt for some mud-clogged action in Wales, with both BMW Off Road Skills and the Sweet Lamb KTM Adventure Bike Experience, in Powys, now also…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews Well-played McGuinness YES! Now there’s a man who really deserves an MBE. I’m really pleased for John McGuinness, for his family, for all his fans, for the Isle of Man, for the sport of Road Racing and for every other motorcyclist who has a shared appreciation of the talent required to do what he does. Well done John. Absolutely deserved. Adam Gell, email Ed: See page 34 for our celebration Why no Rea honours? How many times do we bikers get ignored by everyone? I’m talking about yet another snub by the honours panel. Congrats to McG but why, oh why, did Jonathan Rea not get recognised for his six World Championships? Greg Elsom, Scottish Borders Ed: Don’t forget that Jonathan already has an MBE –…

£4594 (AS TESTED £4849) Sinnis Terrain 380 ● 378 cc parallel twin SOHC 8v ● 36bhp @ 9000rpm ● 240kg kerb weight (measured as tested) £5499 KTM 390 Adventure ● 373cc single DOHC 4v ● 43bhp @ 9000rpm ● 174kg kerb weight (measured as tested) Sinnis isn’t a name on the lips of most riders, but their new Terrain 380 could change that. This twin-cylinder adventure bike has an impressive spec list ― radial brakes, adjustable suspension, huge colour dash ― yet costs less than £4600 on the road. Better yet, bunging on the three-piece aluminium luggage you see here adds just £255. A brand-new bike, taxed and ready to go, boasting over 100 litres of storage, for less than five grand. Interested? Yeah, us too. So what better way…

In straight dynamic terms, the KTM creams the Sinnis. The 390 has a stronger motor, sharper brakes, superior suspension and a huge weight advantage. It pulls harder, goes faster and feels far more exciting. It can be chucked through corners with joyous abandon and fizzes furiously out of turns. The KTM might be 20% more expensive, but it’s easily 20% more capable, 20% quicker and 20% more fun. And yet, over a full day riding the MCN250, both Bruce and I prefer the easy life of the Sinnis. The Terrain’s slower, steadier and less sophisticated, but its extra girth, broad bodywork and wind protection make it a less tiring, more cosseting place to spend six or seven hours ticking off the miles. Road presence and wind protection aren’t flashy but…

GUEST TESTER A unique blend of innovative design, a cool image, quality manufacture with premium components, and flat-track inspiration, the Svartpilen is an excellent bike with a small engine, but a big heart. It also has the stature of a full-sized motorcycle that’ll be a key plus point in a category where appearances are everything. With the nextstep Husqvarna models already available in the 400cc and 700cc categories, Husqvarna have now provided the displacement ladder which they hope the brand’s younger customers and those in emerging markets will climb after getting hooked by the 125. THE FACTS £3799 (est) Husqvarna 125 Svartpilen…

‘It’s where bolt-on parts add value’ In most circumstances you can’t expect to get back the value of any accessories you adorn a bike with. Sure, official ex-factory options such as heated seats and cornering lights can add value to BMWs and Triumphs with lots of official goodies sell more easily. But you’re unlikely to ever recoup the full price of attaching your own fancy exhaust endcan or having the forks revalved. This means you shouldn’t be sucked into paying over the odds for a bike festooned with aftermarket trinkets. You expect a stock bike to perform to a certain standard, and mods to someone else’s taste may not have actually made it better. Dual-purpose bikes and off-roaders are the exception, though. When you’re looking at a preloved DR-Z400S or…

1 A bright idea Daytime running lights (DRLs) are now fitted as standard to many bikes. Luckily for owners of older machines, there are plenty of aftermarket kits available which will give that modern, high-vis look to help you show up on the road. When choosing a kit, always opt for a quality product recommended by your local bike shop or dealer. 2 Check the list Unpack the kit and cross-reference the supplied parts against the fitting instructions to make sure that everything is there before you begin work. This Denali kit comprises two auxiliary lights, a wiring harness and a fitting kit. Read the instructions carefully and make sure you understand the specific detail regarding wiring and fitment of brackets. 3 Pick the perfect place Decide on the best…

Hubert Auriol has died at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy that runs through the heart of the Dakar rally. Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the French national took part in the first-ever Paris Dakar in 1979. In 1980 he secured his first stage wins before going on to win the race for the first time in 1981 onboard a BMW France R80GS. He was forced to withdraw from the race in 1982 but in 1983 he won the race again for BMW, cementing his place in the German manufacturer’s history books. In 1985 he left BMW and signed to ride for Lieger Cagiva and the iconic Elefant model was born. Arguably Auriol’s most famous Dakar came in 1987 when, while leading on the Lucky Strike liveried Cagiva,…

The scooter for bikers, with 85% of a small car’s practicality but 90% of a ‘proper’ bike’s performance and feel. Handling is sporty, the frame is die-cast aluminium and the 530cc twin is solidly fixed to it, rather than the swingarm, like most scoots. It’ll sit at 85mph and hit 100mph. £6k gets the revised 2015 model, with USD forks, keyless ride, radial brakes etc. It sounds pricey, but is about half what the latest one costs new. Yamaha have sold over 250,000 of these and know what they’re doing. It’s quality. Build quality and finish are as good as any ‘proper’ Yamaha bike, and reliability is excellent – you don’t sell over a quarter of a million examples of something if it’s crappy. Engines should be smooth and purr…