Table of contents for 26 July 2023 in MCN

TOP STORY Key changes to streamline motorcycle licence laws that were agreed by the Government a full six years ago must be implemented without further delay, major players in the British industry are demanding. The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), the National Motorcyclists Council and rider organisations are urging ministers to implement improvements to the Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) that were first agreed in 2017. Twelve changes to the CBT were approved by the Department for Transport after a 2016 consultation. These include the introduction of a training course to upgrade motorcycle licence entitlements without having to re-do the same tests previously taken on a smaller bike and the introduction of a theory test as part of, or prior to, CBT and to condense the five elements of CBT into four.…

The Big Bike Sunday held at Skipton Auction Mart on the last weekend in June raised thousands of pounds for an amputee support charity. Started in 2002, the event was originally organised by The Girder Fork and Classic Motorcycle Club, who in 2022 were renamed The Aire Valley Classic Motorcycle Club. It moved to Skipton in 2013. Since its inception the event has supported two principal charities – Sue Ryder and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance – and chooses a third recipient each year – this year Out on a Limb, a West Yorkshire amputee support group. Chairman Mick Steele said: “Big Bike Sunday was again well supported by exhibitors and more than 1000 visitors, despite a poor weather forecast. “We were able to raise £4127, for our three charities. This…

THIS WEEK Vespa have updated their 300cc single-cylinder GTV model for 2023, promising a sportier stance than ever before. Much like last year's twist-and-go option, the latest £6750 design remains powered by the firm's 300HPE High Performance Engine, which features liquid-cooling, four valves, and a claimed power output of 23.5bhp – ample for cutting through congested city streets. First launched in 2006, the GTV now has full LED lighting alongside a new circular instrument panel that sits behind a subtle front cowling. Unlike before, it's now a fully digital two-colour LCD and can be paired with a smartphone, thanks to the Vespa MIA accessory system. ‘The single seat gives the GTV a sporty image’ Rolling on new five-spoked rims and finished with an orange stripe, regardless of the base colour,…

WHAT'S NEW IN TECH? Since the introduction of Euro5 emissions limits in 2020, we've seen an exodus of much-loved bikes from the market as their makers struggle to justify the investment needed to develop and comply with regs. High-revving four-cylinder sportsbikes have been the biggest casualties, but as heroes like the Honda CBR600RR and Yamaha R6 disappeared from sale, Kawasaki have leapt in with a new screaming 400cc inline four in the form of the ZX-4RR which is set to arrive in the UK in September at £8699. So how has Kawasaki managed to launch an emissions-compliant 16,000rpm four in the teeth of legislation that seems tailormade to target exactly such designs? Euro5 is bad news for screamers thanks to limits on hydrocarbon emissions. They were slashed from 170mg/km under…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com My X7 bought after seeing an ad in MCN in 1978 when I was 17. I have owned a bike ever since and am still riding. Paul Nield My then 18-month-old sister, Marion, on her Dominator in 1960. Well, she thought it was hers, anyway! Dan Hicks Tripping through Europe back in 1985 on my Kawasaki GPZ900. Malachy Breslin My first big bike – a GPZ900 – wearing the obligatory white socks and jeans. I think it's 1982 or 1983. Dennis Leak Me and my wife Paula in 1981 on my Super Dream. We are off to Spain on our BMW R1250RT in September. Sean Gilliam Back in 1975 on a Motobecane Mobylette. I only kept it four months, then got a Fizzy…

July 29-30 Grand National race weekend Castle Combe will be alive with action from NG Road Racing and displays in the paddock. Tickets are £35 for the weekend. castlecombecircuit.co.uk July 31-Aug 1 Rallymoto The Adventure Spec Wales 500 kicks off soon and is perfect for big bikes ready for a navigational adventure. Enter online. rallymoto.co.uk/wales-500 July 30 Summer Show and Bikejumble The South of England Showground in Ardingly is playing host to a massive indoor show and jumble this Sunday. £7 for entry from 10am. www.elkpromotions.co.uk July 29 Calne Bike Meet This small town in Wiltshire will be taken over by motorcycles this Saturday, along with bands, raffle, and group rideout. www.calnebikemeet.com…

WEDNESDAY July 26 10pm, QUEST, World's Greatest Motorcycle Rides: Ireland FRIDAY July 28 9.20am, EUR2, Live World Superbikes from the Czech Republic: Superbike Free Practice 1. 1.50pm Free Practice 2 5.30pm, EUR1, Live Speedway: World Cup – Wroclaw 6.15pm, EUR2, WSB – Crazy Finishes: Action from classic superbike races around the world SATURDAY July 29 7am, QUEST, BSB Highlights from Brands Hatch 8.30am, EUR2, Live WSB from Czech Republic: Supersport 300 Superpole. 9.15am Supersport Superpole. 10am Superbike Superpole. 11.15am Supersport 300 Race 1. 2pm Supersport Race 1. 7pm Day 1 Highlights 3.15pm, EUR2, Bennetts British Superbikes: Classic Silverstone Race 2 SUNDAY July 30 9.30am, Live World Superbikes from Czech Republic: Superbike Superpole. 11.15am Supersport Race2. 12.45pm Superbike Race 2. 2pm Supersport 300 Race 2. 7pm Day 2 Highlights 7pm, QUEST,…

BMW aren't the only manufacturer to offer their super naked bikes in two different guises. If you are considering the Yamaha MT-10 (£14,210) then the thought of the SP version (£16,510), which adds semi-active Öhlins suspension and the firm's Icon Performance paint scheme will certainly be tempting. And the same is true of the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 (£14,850) which can be upgraded to the Factory model (£17,200) or the Ducati Streetfighter V4 (£21,095) compared to the Streetfighter V4 S (£22,895) – again mainly through the addition of semiactive Öhlins suspension. But it doesn't stop there for Ducati fans, with the Streetfighter V4 you can opt for the V4 SP2 (£30,595), which comes with carbon bodywork, a brushed aluminium tank, dry clutch and carbon wheels. Kawasaki may have abandoned their…

BIKING LEGENDS People who have shaped our world Loris Capirossi was one of the big GP stars of the ‘90s and ‘00s, but his love for racing began when his father built him a minibike aged four. Until 14, Loris focused on motocross. “I had a track in my garden,” Capirossi says. “At 14 I'd already ridden a Yamaha 500cc motocross bike. When we spoke to the motorclub, they told me that at my age we had to start with the minibike cross. I said, ‘minibike? I've already used a 500!’.” A switch to road racing in the Honda Trophy 125 series came in 1987, followed by the Italian and European Championships. “At the start it was hard because my family is a normal one and we didn't have the…

THE BIRTH OF A STAR The 1970s ‘sixteener/sport ped’ era was a uniquely British affair. Up to December 15, 1971, 16-year-olds could ride 250s with L-plates but in a bid to improve safety, Ted Heath's Government introduced what became known as the Sixteener Law, restricting 16-year-olds to 50cc mopeds – or specifically “A machine not exceeding 50cc and equipped with pedals by means of which it is capable of being propelled”. Conspicuously there was no mention of speed and, clearly, too, there was a latent, untapped market for performance 50s with pedals. One of the first to respond was Yamaha. Its 49cc aircooled, two-stroke single was adapted from the Dutchmarket FS1, initially called the SS (for Sixteener Special), offered only in Candy Gold with no mirrors and other ancillaries to…

FAST BUT FRAGILE The problem with Steve Hislop lay in his temperament. He could be the fastest rider in the world on his day, but there were too many off days. “You pretty much knew on the Thursday night or Friday morning of a race weekend if you had a fast Hizzy, or if he had something on his mind,” Rob McElnea says. “The oddest things could affect his mood, like if his girlfriend had left dirty washing-up in the sink. He always had a lot of personal sh*t going on in his life, and he was just so fragile. Steve needed his bike to be right but, if he was up for it, he'd make it work, even if it wasn't how he liked it. If he wasn't up…

BUYING USED EXPERT GUIDE TO It's a rather sorry state of affairs that now, in 2023, Suzuki only have a single GSX-R model in the range – and it is a GSX-R125! But fear not – as the GSX-R name has been around since 1985 (yes, we know there was a Japanese-only GSX-R400 in 1984) so there are plenty of superb examples out there. Yep, from 125, 400, 600, 750, 1000 and even 1100cc, the used GSX-R world is your oyster. All you need to do is pick what style and capacity you fancy. To give you a helping hand, we have picked our top-five used GSX-Rs. Enjoy… £2000-£6000 ‘96-99 GSX-R750 WT SRAD This one-time hooligan machine has stood the test of time The GSX-R750 SRAD arrived in 1996 and instantly…

Toprak Razgatlioglu's switch from Yamaha to BMW is one of the biggest stories of 2023. Talking with MCN over recent days, a key team member within the BMW family reckons he could do a lot better than most are anticipating. Before you think this is a big PR exercise the source, who wanted to remain anonymous, is a top engineering brain and not the type of person to make wild claims. When MCN suggested “Toprak could win races next year and challenge for the title in 2025,” the voice on the other end of the line replied, “I think he could even challenge for the title in 2024. The bike is far better than people think it is. It's just that the current riders aren't getting the most out of…

Josh Brookes was tipped as a possible contender at Brands but was left feeling annoyed with his situation after three tough races. The pace was there in practice and qualifying, but he struggled to 12th in the rainy race one, later suggesting it could have been down to a bad tyre. A ninth followed before he was caught out in the chaotic start to race three, ending up in the gravel at turn one. Peter Hickman had a best of eighth but retired in the final race with a brake problem.…

WELCOME Hands up, who owned a Fizzy? Fifty years ago this year, the little Yamaha took Britain by storm as more than 200,000 of the diddy 49cc peds made it into the mitts of excited 16 year olds. What an introduction to the world of two wheels that must've been, especially when you could do almost 50mph, too! As a child of the 1980s, my introduction to motorcycles in the mid 1990s wasn't so evocative: a 50cc scooter with a top speed of 30mph. But still, the shrill two-stroke buzz and unforgettable aroma got under my skin and stayed there, and the lessons it taught me proved invaluable for my future life as a biker. I learned about defensive riding after one too many lorries attempted to squeeze by me,…

Organisers of the upcoming Armchair Adventure Festival have set up a grant in memory of long-time supporter David Martin, helping riders pursue an adventure outside of their comfort zone, and live for the moment. Dave, who died last year, was an adventure biker who rode the length of the UK, across the USA, and up to Norway while fighting bowel cancer, coining the hashtag #GetOutDoStuff. Dave went through 100 rounds of chemotherapy and fought to add years to his life. He lived in a cycle of one week of chemo then one week of adventure and living life. Founders of the festival, Matt Bishop and Reece Gilkes, AKA The Sidecar Guys, described Dave as “a true inspiration”. Matt said: “In his memory we've set up this grant to help people…

A 1949 Harley-Davidson WLC will go under the hammer with no reserve at the Silverstone Auctions Shuttleworth Sale on July 30 to raise money for a cancer charity. The 750cc air-cooled twin has been put up for auction by Look Good Feel Better, who help people processing a cancer diagnosis to manage the physical and emotional side of treatment. It was donated by beauty firm Kiehl's, who displayed the bike in their London Regent Street store. The full hammer price will be donated to the charity, with almost 170 other bikes also up for grabs. All money raised will make a difference, with just £500 sponsoring support for 10 people living with the disease. Visit www.silverstoneauctions.com…

THIS WEEK UK pricing has been confirmed for the LiveWire One electric bike, with a base model beginning at £22,990. Formerly known as the HarleyDavidson LiveWire, the plug-in machine is said to be capable of 0-60mph in three seconds, with a combined range of 95 miles. It'll fill up with juice in an hour on a DC fast charger, and features lean-sensitive electronics. For more info, go to www.livewire.com. Top safety tech for a tantalising price CFMoto have announced yet another model to their 800MT range, called the Explore. Powered by the same 799cc parallel twin as before, the Explore weighs in 6kg lighter than its siblings the 800MT Touring and Sport and features a larger 8in TFT display with access to six riding modes. Tailored for both on- and…

Ducati have announced sales are up 5% for the first six months of 2023 compared with last year – with the Italian brand delivering 34,976 bikes. Last year, the firm enjoyed its best year ever, selling 61,562 bikes. Now 2023 looks set to eclipse that. “This first half-year was Ducati's best ever in terms of deliveries,” Vice President of Global Sales and After Sales Francesco Milicia said. “The supply bottlenecks experienced last year are now over but the global competition in the market is more intense in the post Covid-era also because of better product availability. “Our commitment to reinforce the satisfaction of our Ducatisti is stronger than ever.” Italy remains Ducati's biggest market, with 6639 bikes sold, a 10% growth over last year. The USA is second – up…

LS2 Ladies Endurance Textile Jacket £187.49 Girls only gear Demand for women's kit is growing fast, and it's an area that clothing manufacturers are increasingly catering for and taking seriously with pukka products – so this week we've reeled in great deals on gear specifically designed for women bikers. The LS2 Endurance is a textile jacket aimed at touring and adventure riders, and boasts a suite of technical features intended to give it full four-season performance. The outer shell is constructed from durable 450D polyester and comes with Level 1 shoulder and elbow armour to earn it CE AA certification. The arms and waist are adjustable for a tailored fit, and it has ventilation panels at the chest, cuff and back to enhance airflow in warmer weather. For weather protection…

OUT AND ABOUT Ride further in 2023 with a little help from our one-stop event guide JUST BREW IT Ride out to Britain's best biking cafés THE DETAILS • 8.15am-2.30pm WednesdayMonday. Bike night from 5pm Wednesday •Dark Lane, Morpeth NE61 1SU When Hayley Greer and Susan Hudson decided to take on the café inside Morpeth Motorcycles in February 2022, they threw caution to the wind and quit their steady jobs, set up and opened within three weeks – all on a whim. But they had faith in the café that sits inside the shop, and now bikers, locals and even walking groups can be found inside. “We had to build it back up and put our stamp on it – which we did. It's like a little dream that you've…

What's happening Beginning as a tribute to the ‘Armoy Armada’ – Northern Ireland's original road racing legends, Joey and Jim Dunlop, Mervyn Robinson, Frank Kennedy – the Armoy Road Races began in July 2009 and are still going strong today. But it's not just about the racing. Complete with rideout and BBQ on the 23rd, a classic car display on the 26th and classic bikes on the 27th there is a whole bunch of stuff in the run up to the racing itself. The essentials Just a stone's throw from Joey's Bar in Ballymoney, the racing is kicking off at the weekend with Friday reserved for qualifying and race day on Saturday. Watch the action with a race programme package for £30, which you can book in advance and then…

Capirossi was Ducati's first-ever polesitter, podium finisher and race winner in 2003. “The first time I touched the bike was at the Valencia test in 2002. It was the first time on a four-stroke, so my first impression was ‘wow, this is easy’, because the power delivery was so good. But later, I understood that the bike was a f***ing animal!! “At the first test, we changed the chassis four times just for the straights because it was all over the place! Stiffer, stiffer, stiffer… because the bike was always shaking! And the heat! I burnt my leg two or three times a race.” When he won in Barcelona, he did so by toppling the almighty paring of Rossi and Repsol Honda, taking his first win since 2000. “For sure,…

FIRST RIDE If displacement floats your canoe, the new CVO 121's 1977cc is likely to have you salivating already. But if you're hungry for a brutal V-twin punch in the kidneys, there's potential cause for disappointment, because the new 121 is supremely refined from the moment your throttle hand lifts the revs off idle, to the point where you surge into the limiter (rather quickly in the lower gears) at 5500rpm, having gracefully swept through peak torque at 3000rpm and peak power at 4500rpm on a creamy tide of drive. The 121 develops a claimed 8% more torque and 9.5% more peak power than the 117. It's a superrefined and seamless delivery, with the new Variable Valve Timing (VVT) actuating with glitch-free stepless smoothness – simply helping to create drive…

Twenty years ago this week, the Robinson R44 helicopter being piloted by Steve Hislop came down on a remote hillside in the Scottish Borders. Hislop's death shocked the racing world, and he is still greatly missed by friends, family, and bike fans everywhere. His close friend, Andrew Brodie, still mows the grass at the crash site memorial every week, despite its remote location. Every week for 20 years. That's the kind of devotion Hizzy inspired. But he was a complex character, and many who worked with him, or raced against him, believe he could have achieved even greater things if he had a mentor or manager to guide him. Hislop was close to genius on a racing motorcycle, but not so good at dealing with all other aspects of racing,…

ESSENTIAL KIT THE MCN SHOWCASE PROTECTIVE RIDING JEANS Casual-looking gear that combines comfort with peace of mind On Oxford Products’ website it states these AAA-rated single layer items are ‘jeans you want to wear’, and I'd agree. They've become my go-to for hopping on the bike on a daily basis. At first glance you might wince at the price, but in fact they're slightly cheaper than their AAA-rated rivals (as well as being cheaper than the A-rated Alpinestars jeans on the opposite page) but it's fair to say you can spend a lot less on a pair of jeans with a lower, but still acceptable, AA rating. They're seriously comfortable, too. With a fitment based on Marks and Spencer's sizing, they're a little larger than some other brands and fit…

Richa Original 2 Slim Jeans £199.99 Not only do they not look like bike gear, but they're also comfortable enough that I want to wear them all day, thanks to a generous amount of stretch built into the single-layer cotton and Cordura denim. The ‘washed-and-worn’ look works particularly well, and the fact that they don't appear new from the get-go appeals to me greatly. CE certification is AA, meaning they should have good abrasion resistance, and low-profile Level 1 D3O ghost armour at the knee and hip gives peace of mind. In terms of price they sit roughly mid pack, which does pitch them against AAA-rated rivals, but they still strike a balance between looks, comfort and safety. Quality Value nevis.uk.com 1340 miles ON TEST…

THE FACTS £9499otr Bike Honda XL750 Transalp PREVIOUS UPDATE JUNE 21 Engineering enthusiast and digital publishing nerd who's ready for adventure One of the things I initially found most interesting about the Honda Transalp XL750 was the fact that it has a range of distinct personalities that you can flip between using its mode switch. Located handily next to your left thumb, your options are Gravel, Sport, Standard and Rain – and to start with, I found myself doing this rather a lot. Sport is better for those spirited rides, with the full 91bhp on tap (along with a more pleasing engine note), traction control on its lowest setting and engine braking down to a minimum. However, a trip to the Peak District and back on a beautiful sunny day…

If you prefer unfaired models to sportsbikes, why not opt for one of Suzuki's GSX-Rpowered nakeds? Here are just three from the many hundreds of expert and owner reviews on our website: motorcyclenews.com. 2021-CURRENT Suzuki GSX-S1000 Owners’ rating The second generation of GSX-S is powered by an inline four derived from the GSX-R1000 K5 and seems to have really hit the right note with owners, scoring a hugely impressive 4.8 out of 5. 2017-2021 Suzuki GSX-S750 Owners’ rating Powered by a motor derived from the K5, the GSX-S750 never really recorded much in terms of sales success but owners really rate Suzuki's middleweight naked. 2006-2010 Suzuki GSR600 Owners’ rating Powered by a version of the K4 engine, owners reckon the GSR600 is an unsung hero. Physically big and cool-looking with…

Off the back of his sensational sixth place at Imola, MotoX Racing's Bradley Ray will be absent from Most after a shoulder operation in the UK and will be replaced by Roberto Tamburini. “It was going to be done in the summer break but Andrea [Dosoli, head of Yamaha Motor Europe] suggested fixing him sooner rather than later,” Shane Byrne, 6-time BSB Champion turned Ray's manager, said. “It's a small op to improve feeling in his right hand when he rides too tense; it will stop him losing feeling and power in his hand. It's just an intermittent thing.” Michael van der Mark is back at BMW for the first time since his leg-breaking Assen crash. In World Supersport, Evan Bros has parted company with Andrea Mantovani, replacing him with…

The highest-profile riders suffering over the past two years are Marc Marquez and Fabio Quartararo – obliged to over-ride uncompetitive bikes to underwhelming results. For eight-times champion Marquez, whose last win (number 85) was in October 2021, the cost has been physical. He has started only three of eight full-length races this year, but has racked up 14 increasingly painful crashes. Marc's disdain for his bike's handling has been plain to see; his willingness to risk all trying to make it up under braking has been seriously undermined. His contract runs until the end of next year, but speculation is growing that he might quit. Honda has always favoured engineering over riders. That's why Rossi switched to Yamaha in 2004. He felt undervalued, and his departure triggered a slump only…

Dates have been announced for the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, with racing stars of two and four wheels taking to the iconic hill climb from July 11-14, 2024. General admission tickets are on sale from 9am on Monday, November 6, and members of the Goodwood Road Racing Club Fellowship get early access and 10% off: goodwood.com. Croatian adventure Off-road adventure advocates ACT (Adventure Country Tracks) have released their seventh challenging route – this time encouraging riders to explore Croatia. Riders are able to subscribe to ACT on a tiered membership scheme, with the group providing GPS tracks, advice, photo/video archives of routes, and more. This latest trip is based on a 1000-kilometre route. Visit adventurecountrytracks.com Electric records Italian electric bike firm Energica have set a new lap record for…

Epic motorcycle adventure tour company, GlobeBusters are getting back into the swing of things after years of Covid difficulty, with a sell-out 22,000-mile adventure from Alaska to Patagonia. Founded in 2002 by double motorcycle Guinness World Record holders Kevin and Julia Sanders, the latest tour will last for 142 days and kicks off on Thursday, July 20. Priced at £37,995 per person, the ride will snake through 12 countries from the very top to the very bottom of the Americas. “We were able to run a shorter expedition in Africa in September and October 2022, but only just,” the pair told MCN. “The Trans Americas is by far the longest trip we operate, and we had to cancel it twice during the pandemic. There was so much pent up demand…

Spyshots intercepted by MCN appear to show a new small-capacity sportsbike from Aprilia which could bridge the gap between the 14.8bhp RS125 and the 99bhp RS660. Believed to be called the RS440, it was spotted out on a development ride alongside the returning Moto Guzzi Stelvio adventure bike. Although the Aprilia says ‘RS660’ down the fairing, it's easily distinguished from its £10,300 659cc sibling by the single front brake disc – missing out on the 660's twin 320mm rotor arrangement. Further differentiation comes from the TVS Eurogrip tyres, which are produced in India and unlikely to offer the same performance as the 660's Pirelli Rosso Corsa 2s. Other details include the swingarm, which differs from the 660's aluminium unit with a more basic design. The rough finish also suggests it…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader Neil Smailes The ride East Yorkshire to the Simmer Dim Rally in Shetland When to do it Midsummer How many miles 1300 How long do you need Six days Tell us about the trip… Inspired by feature in MCN a few years ago, I went to the Simmer Dim Rally in Shetland around midsummer in June. I packed my tent and covered a total of 1300 miles from East Yorkshire, taking the overnight ferry from Aberdeen and enjoying six days away. The roads were brilliant: very quiet, no potholes. While there I took the ferry to the island of Yell then another to get to Unst and enjoyed a quick ride of the most northerly roads in Britain. The rally featured great bands with…

BMW S1000R SPORT BMW M1000R…

Fifty years ago this year one of the most inspirational, significant – and smallest – bikes Britain has ever known was born: the Yamaha FS1-E. The ‘Fizzy’ is the most famous example of the 50cc ‘sports moped’ craze of the mid-1970s which also included Suzuki's AP50 and Honda's SS50, not to mention some glorious European exotica from the likes of Gilera and Puch. But, by arriving first in 1973, boasting big bike looks, a top speed over 50mph and priced well under £200, it was the little Yamaha which was the biggest hit. More than 200,000 were produced for the UK – where, due to the introduction of the ‘Sixteener Law’, the ‘sportped’ phenomenon was unique giving swarms of 16-year-old Brits their first taste of two-wheeled freedom. Buzzing the suburbs…

The cinematic orchestra Impressively huge 12.3in widescreen dash is absolutely superb, boasting three main display configurations, full connectivity, great clarity and a decent range of user customisation. It's time to Glide New Showa twin shocks at the rear deliver a whopping 50% more travel (76mm) than the standard Street Glide, great composure, and an easily accessible remote preload adjuster. A rather enjoyable 1-2-1 The heart of the new CVO is a 121ci (1977cc) pushrod V-twin with liquid cooling and Variable Valve Timing for optimum torque and power throughout the rev range. It's super-smooth, too.…

Roadskin Taranis £179.99 5500 miles ON TEST Apart from the armour, you'd think you were just wearing a pair of standard denim – but they carry a AAA CE rating. Since then, I've worn the Taranis for well over 5000 miles, including a 1500-mile round trip to Berlin and they have continued to be incredibly comfortable and great when the weather is hot (even when the temperature hit 38°C on the autobahn). All of the seams are rock solid and there's no wear or fraying to be found. The zip fly, button and belt loops are all still ‘as new’, too. The fabric is thin enough to keep you cool (a subtle mesh lining helps) but I also wore them in autumn and early spring with baselayers and felt plenty…

Sportsbike lover who enjoys trackdays, Sunday blasts and club races There are a whole host of updates to the 2023 Triumph Street Triple family – masses of enhancements to the 765cc triple to liberate more power, chassis tweaks to make it even better handling, as well as subtle styling refinements to keep it looking modern, yet distinctively ‘Street Triple’. Yet one of the changes for this year that caused me to raise a quizzical brow was the reduction in tank size. Gone is the 17.4-litre fuel tank that the model has had since it was launched (as a 675cc) in 2007, and in its place is a lower-profile 15-litre tank. Triumph say this reduction brings it more into line with its competitors, KTM's 790 Duke, Yamaha's MT-09 and Ducati's Monster…

If you're considering checking your bike's engine compression then you're most likely doing so because you're experiencing running problems. It could that the bike is running unevenly or that you feel the engine is lacking response, in which case, checking the compression is a powerful and effective diagnostic tool; it's also pretty easy to do. The difficulty and expense comes when you discover a low cylinder reading. When you do so, don't automatically assume that the problem is big and profound – it is worth checking out a few more things before you start striping down the top end and ordering valves, piston rings and gaskets. One common problem is the valve clearances, these often get overlooked or neglected. Left unchecked the clearances diminish, so much so that the valve…

Delivering the inside line from the world superbike paddock Nicolo Bulega is the chosen one, selected by Ducati as Alvaro Bautista's 2024 World Superbike teammate with an official announcement imminent. The World Supersport leader will replace Michael Ruben Rinaldi, with the latest ‘silly season’ update answering one question but leaving so many others open. With Bautista having dominated WSB, Bulega has done a similar thing for the Aruba Ducati squad in WSS with eight victories and a further four podiums from 14 races. It's the perfect storm for Rinaldi, who languishes sixth in the WSB standings and, even worse than being beaten by Bautista, is lying 50 points in arrears of Axel Bassani who races a similar but less advanced Ducati for the Motocorsa team. Ducati has insisted to MCN…

Give Richard Cooper a motorcycle and chances are he'll end up on the top step of the podium. Cooper continued his domination of the BMW F900R Cup at Brands Hatch, but also jumped on his Yamaha R6 Supersport machine. Remarkably, Cooper blitzed the field in the wet race, winning by five seconds, before losing out on a podium on the final lap of race two. Seeley ends Honda's streak Saturday's rainy conditions proved to be the perfect leveller in the Superstock class, with Alastair Seeley ending Honda's domination. Honda riders had won all seven races in 2023, but Seeley got the better of Joe Talbot to win for SYNETIQ BMW. Seeley was third on Sunday, with normal Honda service resumed in front thanks to Dan Linfoot. New support classes for…

Jason O'Halloran couldn't hide his frustration at the end of Sunday after being unable to stay in the hunt for Brands podiums aboard his McAMS Yamaha. The Aussie secured two fifths and a sixth, but wasn't able to challenge the Ducati riders, Danny Kent on the Honda or Ryan Vickers on the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha. It's a similar story to Snetterton, when O'Halloran gave it all he had to try and stay with Bridewell, Irwin and co. The consistency is there, but it's not enough for a rider of O'Halloran's calibre, one who's used to winning and being a title contender. “It's getting frustrating,” O'Halloran said. “We need to get our head down now for Thruxton and see if we can improve and make it easier for me in…

SPORT Max Cook enjoyed his best BSB weekend yet by securing a pair of 10th places onboard the Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki. The reigning Junior Superstock Champion has been making great progress all season as he continues to learn and adapt to the superbike, and his performances at the weekend showed just why there's so much praise and hype being placed on him. In his first-ever wet race, Cook not only bagged a top 10, but also came home ahead of experienced teammate Lee Jackson (13th), as well as Josh Brookes and Kyle Ryde. He then repeated his position in the finale after fighting his way through from 18th on the grid. ‘It's wicked and this result has been my goal’ Cook's growth on and off the circuit is clear to…

It's been brewing. Christian Iddon has been flirting with a return to the podium at the last three rounds after becoming more comfortable onboard the Ducati V4 R. For one reason or another, prior to Brands Hatch, Iddon wasn't able to stay with the top three, instead having to settle for five fifths in the previous nine races before last weekend. Now, Iddon has lift off. Iddon was quick in the wet and quick in the dry, bagging podiums in the opening two races of the weekend before coming home in fourth in the finale. It's Iddon's first podium success since the 2021 season finale at the Kent circuit, when he was also on the V4 R, albeit in PBM Ducati colours. Iddon was comfortable from the get-go, putting together…