Table of contents for 20 September 2023 in MCN

THIS WEEK BRUSH UP YOUR SKILLS So you’ve got the bike and the riding kit. Now you just need the confidence and skills. Time to start learning. NEW BIKES Going the distance on all roads Ducati’s Multistrada V4S was already a phenomenally impressive bike, but the announcement yesterday that they’re releasing a Grand Tour edition boasting pretty much everything you could want on a bike for continent-shrinking duties takes it to another level. And not only do we have the low-down the new bike’s specs, we jetted to Italy last week to ride it, too. And it ain’t half good... PAGE 4 & 36 THE BIG TEST High-bar mile-munching heroes The travel theme continues this week as we grab KTM’s new 890 SMT and pitch it against the 2023 Yamaha Tracer…

TOP STORY Ducati's Multistrada V4 family is now complete with this week's launch of the fourth and - according to Ducati final variant: the V4S Grand Tour. Keen to prove the model's prowess as a road tourer, the Italian firm have thrown everything but the kitchen sink at this new edition in order to make it, what they're claiming to be, the ‘most complete Multistrada ever'. Based upon the V4S platform and using its 19in front wheel and 22-litre fuel tank, the new £23,595 Grand Tour uses the same 168bhp 1158cc V4 Granturismo engine and electronics package, along with Skyhook semi-active suspension system, then adds on a host of ride enhancing extras as standard, including hard luggage, front and rear radar (for adaptive cruise control and blind spot detection), heated…

Moto Guzzi have added the new £9050 Corsa café racer model to their V7 Stone retro range, following a surprise reveal at their Mandello Del Lario HQ earlier this month. Building on the existing £8200 V7 Stone, the bike arrived during the Moto Guzzi Open House 2023 event, which ran from September 7-10 and welcomed fans from across the world to celebrate the brand famed for their transverse V-twins. Sporting its own unique grey and red two-tone paint scheme, the jazzy new Corsa is distinguished from the V7 Stone, Special, and Special Edition thanks to a minimalist bikini fairing which wraps around the signature circular headlamp. A colour-matched rear seat cover is available as an optional, extra, with bar end mirrors and a billet black anodised aluminium fuel, cap as…

Axxis Draken Star £79.99 Spanish helrnet manufacturer Axxis are new to the UK market and kick off their range with the entry-level Draken Star. Certified to ECE 22.06, this thermoplastic shelled lid comes in three exclusive colourways-blue, yellowand red-and is backed up by a five-year guarantee. Features include a micrometric buckle and Pinlock-prepared visor. bickers-online.co.uk Rebelhorn Fighter Leather Jacket £349.95 The Fighter jacket is AAA CE-certified and features a perforated cowhide leather construction with a soft mesh lining and removable wind and waterproof softshell liner. Level 2 armour is included for shoulder and elbow and it comes with details in a choice of colours. Matching trousers are also available at £299.95. rebelhorn.com Oxford Barkston Jacket £229.99 This CE AA-rated textile is aimed at urban riders. The shell is 60% recycled…

'Is it about to go down the Pan?' Next year is set to be a very exciting one if you are into adventure bikes. BMW will be releasing a new R1300GS and with the Multistrada V4 shifting like hotcakes (it is Ducati's best-selling model) I'm left wondering what the future holds for the adventure bike also-rans. And one bike in particular, the Harley-Davidson Pan America. I was one of the first to ride the Pan and while it's an undeniably good first stab at an adventure bike, even when new it felt a few generations behind established offerings. Having witnessed the Buell debacle first hand (how Harley expected its cruiser-biased dealerships to sell a sportsbike is a mystery), I can't help but think history is repeating itself. Harley are doing…

1 September 22-24 Weston Beach Race Weston-super-Mare will be transformed for the 40th anniversary of the Weston Beach Race. Grab some chips and revel in the action. rhlactivities.com 2 September 23-24 Squire's Annual Show Complete with autojumble, funfair and stunt show, the Yorkshire biking destination has it all going on this weekend. www.squires-cafe.co.uk 3 September 23-24 Pistons and Props With racers, hot rods, motorcycles, classic planes and vintage music, it's a chance to take a step back in time at Sywell Aerodrome. www.sywellclassic.co.uk 4 Saturday 23 South Midlands Autojumble For just £4 admission, you could find the bargain of a lifetime at the Ross-on-Wye Livestock Centre (HR9 7QQ) From 9am. www.southmidlandsautojumble.com…

THURSDAY September 21 11.40am, ITV4, The Motorbike Show 7.30pm, EUR2, Live British Speedway - Play-Off Semi-Final 2 4am, TNT2, Live MotoGP from India: Free Practice 1 FRIDAY 22 September 6am, MotoGPfrom India: FP 1 9.20am, EUR2, Live World Superbikes from Aragon Superbike: FP 1.1.50am FP 2 6am, TNT2, Live MotoGP from India: 5.45am Qualifying. SATURDAY September 23 7am, QUEST, BSB Highlights 8.30am, EUR2, Live WSB from Aragon: Supersport 300 Superpole. 9.15am Supersport Superpole. 10am Superbike Superpole. 11.15am SUNDAY September 24 6.30am, TNT2, Live MotoGP from India: Warm Up. 7.15am Moto3. 9.30am, EUR2, Live World Superbikes from Aragon: Superbike Superpole. 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…

ADVENTURE-SPORT TOURERS MCN COMPARE GET PROTECTED WITH MCN - AT MCNCOMPARE.COM MCN COMPARE GET PROTECTED WITH MCN - AT MCNCOMPARE.COM THE MCN TEST •THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK £14,910 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ • 890cc liquid-cooled inline triple DOHC 12v • 117.3bhp @ 10,000rpm • 223kg kerb weight £10,350* BMW F900XR • 895cc liquid-cooled parallel twin DOHC 8v • 103.5bhp @ 8500rpm • 219kg kerb weight £12,499** KTM 890 SMT • 899cc liquid-cooled parallel twin DOHC 8v • 103.5bhp @ 10,000rpm • 206kg kerb weight Without getting too Darwin on you, evolution isn't confined to the animal kingdom - motorcycles have to evolve to survive. Traditionally, sports-tourers were sporty bikes that could cover serious miles. Having had their existence threatened by adventure bikes, the more traditional take on a sports-tourer has…

MCN VERDICT If you are talking a pure sports-touring experience, the Tracer 9 GT+ is the clear winner Remarkable value when you consider its spec, the Tracer is not only comfortable, it has a great engine and very impressive handling. It is a bike you can easily cover straight line miles on and then enjoy when you reach an Alpine pass or twisty road. It's not perfect, the slightly odd feeling from the front end needs getting used to and the switchgear is cLuttered, but the tech the + brings over the stock GT makes the standard GT seem redundant. Both the SMT and XR are far more weekend solo short-hop tourers. less adept at milemunching than the Tracer, they are undeniably more fun when the corners call. The KTM…

RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor 2250 miles ON TEST Garibaldi Heritage 1972 Jacket £319 Tested by Simon Relph for seven months/2250 miles This waxed jacket may look like something my dad would have worn back in the 60s and 70s, but there are actually a stack of modern touches. Garibaldi have kept the classic look and brought it up to date with plenty of extra details and tech. And, despite its convincing appearance it is not even made from waxed cotton. It is, in fact, made from a modern waterproof Samtex material, so no more waxy marks left behind you. The jacket also boasts Powertector Hex shoulder and elbow pads (CE Level 1) which are very flexible and comfortable. Inside there is a removable tartan flannel thermal lining,…

HJCR-PHA 70 Helmet £379.99 Tested by Alison Silcox for six months Over the years I've found either my head has grown or HJC lids have shrunk as I've had to go up a size from small to medium! That said, with the correct size selected, the lid fits well with soft and snug padding. It took no time to break in and I have not suffered any rubbing or irritation whatsoever even on long days in the saddle. Operated by a slider on underside of the chin bar, the drop-down sun visor is easy to deploy and offers a decent amount of shade. The visor, which comes with an anti-fog Pinlock, locks with a dip, front and centre. It's easy to open, even with a gloved hand. 2000 miles ON…

When it comes to tightening the sump plug and filter, I can't overstate how important it is to follow the correct procedure particularly with reference to torque settings - because the potential for disaster is massive. Several years ago, I was riding on a supersport 600s group test for one of the magazines at Cadwell Park. The journalist running the test and I each chose a bike to do the first session on - he took the R6 that he'd been riding on the road for the previous few weeks, while I set out on the latest ZX-6R… Not long after the session started, it was red flagged. I made it back to the paddock… but my colleague didn't; he arrived a few minutes later in the recovery van alongside…

Location Dankaur, Uttar Pradesh (25 miles from New Delhi) Length 3.08 miles Corners 14(9 right, 5 Left) Longest straight 0.62 miles Total width 12 metres Race length MotoGP 24 Laps (73.92 miles) Moto2 19 Laps (58.52 miles) Moto3 17 Laps (52.36 miles) History The Buddh circuit hosted the 2011 Formula One Indian Grand Prix, but only appeared on the F1 calendar for two more years. All three races were won by Sebastian Vettel. The circuit was dropped due to financial reasons and a taxation dispute with the local government, and as a result has only hosted smaller, local championships and trackdays ever since. Did you know? The Buddh International Circuit was set to host WSB for four seasons beginning in 2013, but the races were cancelled due to operational changes…

Leon Haslam remained in podium contention, succeeding in race one before bagging a pair of fourths on Sunday. The veteran has always gone well at Oulton, but said that he was finding it difficult to get into a committed overtaking position on the brakes. Haslam was still top BMW rider and could yet claim a top-three championship finish. More struggles for O'Halloran Jason O'Halloran's woes continued as he fell 84 points behind series leader Glenn Irwin. The Aussie was off the pace for much of the weekend, taking a best of eighth (x2) onboard the McAMS Yamaha. He said: “It's not ideal but I did the best I could - we've been lacking something. No matter what we did, we couLdn't improve feeling.“ Pathway to the top for new stars…

TOP STORY JOSH CLOSE INSIGHT It was always going to be this way, wasn't it? Two top riders in the most successful team on the best package… Eventually the pleasantries and smiles would disappear, and title rivals Glenn Irwin and Tommy Bridewell would be friends no more. Oulton Park, as always, was the trigger point for Showdown pressure, controversy, and fallout. Bridewell's mistake at Hizzys on Saturday dropped him from second to fourth as Irwin won, before chaos ensued on Sunday. Bridewell was handed a long lap penalty for “unsafe conduct” during the safety car restart process in race two. He accelerated out of Druids before slowing right down again at Lodge - causing the riders behind to almost collide. Bridewell thought he'd won as he crossed the line. After being…

DISHING THE DIRT Your one stop shop for the late off-road news Like many facets of motorcycling, the use of bikes on UK green lanes (off-road rural routes legal to travel on) is under constant threat thanks to external pressures and - sadly - nuisance riders. “Our presence on the green roads has never been without challenge,” Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) CEO Graeme Collins told our sister title RiDE earlier this year. “It's why the TRF came into existence in 1970.” The 8000-strong membership of the TRF is split across 40 local groups. They provide invaluable riding and route information to their members, as well as delivering a legal defence of trail riding access, and holding central and local government to account. “Successive legislation has further eroded public access to…

SILENT FUN Off-road experience centres are nothing new, but electric motorcycle firm Surron are now offering something a little different - a day out on their range of lightweight plug-ins. Partnering with Wheeldon Farm Off Road Centre in Devon, Surron Experience Days will allow riders to test their own ability on a wide range of challenging tracks. Supported by Volt MX, who offer electric off-road training at Wheeldon, the events will also use the indoor supercross track and outdoor motocross track with instructors on hand. “For us, the future is definitely electric and the move to a greener future is inevitable,” said Andrew Savery, Wheeldon Off Road Centre owner. “We're excited to partner with Surron and Volt to offer the chance to discover the excitement of these electric bikes in…

It's easy to get sucked into needing the latest, greatest bike to venture off-road but don't get bogged down in the details. People have crossed the Sahara on a Honda C90 or ridden around the world on and off-road on a Yamaha R1. So where there is a will, there is a way. But saying that there is nothing like having the right tool for the job. Enduro Lightweight and powerful, they're designed for off-road competition. Pros are their ability to go off-road and their light weight. Cons are lack of comfort (especially on road) and service intervals measured in hours of use rather than miles. Example bikes Yamaha WR250/450, KTM 500EXC Trail Along the same lines as an enduro, but less highly strung. Ultimately not as capable as an…

MCN DIRT SKILL #1 STANDING UP Difficulty We've all seen those confident off-roaders who seamlessly segue from seated to standing as the terrain gets interesting. But many road riders feel a little unsettled by standing up off-road for the first time. The result is often a wooden posture, mated to tentative throttle inputs and looking at the ground rather than the route ahead. Being tense means the bike will also be reacting horribly beneath you, but by learning how to relax, you can quickly become comfortable out of the seat. At first, you might feel all at sea, and especially on big adventure bikes where standing on the pegs means your head is suddenly a long way above the ground. At first you might feel like a passenger, but you'll…

BRUCE'S TIPS If you don't have an exhaust plug, use a cloth folded into shape 1 Keep water out You'll spend almost as much time cleaning your dirt bike as you will riding it, and a pressure washer is the number one tool for the job. Before you give it a blast you need to make sure water doesn't get in the wrong places, so block off the exhaust with a bung, and cover the air filter with a jacket to prevent water contamination in the carburettor. 2 Clearing its lungs Off-road bikes need their air filters cleaning regularly, especially during the summer when dry conditions cause a lot of dust. The air is passed through a foam filter that has oil in it to help remove small particles. As off-road engines…

Aprilia are ceLebrating MotoGP successes with a special edition SR GT scooter. The machine features a paintjob inspired by the RS-GP raced in the premier class by Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales. Featuring black rims, red and purple graphics, and a bold Aprilia logo down the sides just like the race bike, the SR GT comes in a choice of 125 or 200cc capacities. Air Ambulance event flies high £25,000 has been raised for Essex and Herts Air Ambulance following their Motorcycle Run and Harwich Fun Day. Taking place on September 10, the event attracted around 4000 people, with more than 2000 bikes joining in on a motorcycle run in aid of the charity. The ride began at North Weald Airfield, with motorcyclists escorted by Essex Police around a 60-mile…

No wonder the roads aren't getting any better… a new report published by the RAC has found a 29% reduction in the number of miles resurfaced in England in the last year, when compared with figures collated in 2017/2018. “While the Government has made more money available to authorities to fill potholes, it's the general, reduction in road improvement work that's causing potholes to appear in the first place,“ RAC head of policy Simon Williams said. A £200 million fund was set aside in 2023 to combat the hazardous craters in the UK road network, announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt. ‘Some roads have fallen into a bad condition' “Resurfacing is expensive but for some roads this will be the only course of action as they have fallen…

WHAT'S NEW IN TECH The idea of mounting an airbag on a motorcycle is nothing new but the technology has never really caught on. Now that could be about to change as one of the world's leading makers of automotive safety systems brings a simple, cost-effective ‘bag-on-bike' airbag to the mass market for 2025. Autoliv might not be a household name but they are the world's leading player in automotive safety systems, supplying kit like seatbelts and airbags to every major car manufacturer, and after years of development the company's on-bike airbag system is approaching mass production. Autoliv reckon their products currently save 35,000 lives every year but want to increase that figure to 100,000 by 2030. Motorcycle airbags could be the answer, and particularly ones that are cost-efficient enough…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews 'Rea's in the Fabio trap' So Jonathan Rea is going to Yamaha in World Superbikes. Is the Yamaha definitively that much better than the Kawasaki in WSB? Not really. Are Yamaha about to produce game-changing developments to the R1 for 2024? Toprak's decision to leave suggests not, and he has the inside view of Yamaha Racing. So, surely we have to conclude that Kwak are on the verge of quitting WSB, and JR was stuck with choosing no ride at all or the ‘Fabio Quartararo Trap' a talented man fighting yesterday's bike. But I'd love to be wrong on all counts! Toby Varney, email STAR LETTER Heads-up on weight loss I note your comment in the pros and cons section of your test on the new Shoei…

THE UK'S HOTTEST RIDES MCN staff and readers share their favouriteroutes Head north out of Glasgow on the A81 on a delightful smooth flowing A-road. Consider a stop at Glengoyne, one of Scotland's finest distilleries at the foot of Dumgoyne. Follow the A81 until you see the signs for Aberfoyle (A821), then follow the A821 up the hill out of Aberfoyle over the Duke's Pass. What follows is quite simply some of the best riding in the UK with an Alpine style pass, complete with peg-dragging hairpin turns and stunning views over Loch Achray. Follow the A821 to Kilmahog, turn right to take the A84, which skirts along the banks of the Loch Lubnaig before it reaches Lochearnhead. From here loop Left on the the A85 to Crianlarich, in the…

What's happening? Backed by the reborn BSA operation, the new Classic Bike Fest will be making waves in Coventry this weekend. As well as masses of classic bikes from all eras on display, there'll be the chance to test ride the new BSAs, live music and retail stalls topped with food, drink, and competitions hosted by the legend that is Steve Parrish. Oh, and if you purchase a digital raffle ticket, you could be in with the chance of winning a BSA Gold Star, too! The essentials The new event is taking place at the BSA's UK headquarters (Lukas Distribution, CV3 4FD). The best part? Tickets are completely free! You still need to book online, particularly if you're looking to test ride one of the new BSAs because the slots…

Last week would have seen Britain's last premier class champion celebrate his 73rd birthday. Instead, 2023 marks 20 years since we lost the great Barry Sheene - arguably this country's most legendary motorcycle racer. He won 23 Grand Prix races and two 500cc world championships, making him one of the greatest riders of his generation. But it was his character, flamboyancy and style that made him a true legend. And the spectacular crashes didn't do his reputation any harm either. Sheene came to global attention following his monumental smash at Daytona in 1975. By chance, a film crew was following him at the time and captured the moment the rear tyre blew out at 170mph, leaving him with a broken femur, wrist, forearm, collarbone, and six broken ribs. He also…

MCN VERDICT The Grand Tour is the Multi V4S with all the comfort-enhancing boxes ticked. It Looks classy and saves you £350 over speccing up a V4S to the same trim (with a paint job thrown in). But you can't help but feel Ducati have missed a trick by not basing it on the V4 Rally, with its bigger 30-litre tank, and low-speed rear cylinder deactivation which would help address two of the bike's only minor niggles: MPG and excess heat. Either way, it's an incredible bike. THE FACTS £23,595 Ducati Multistrada V4S Grand Tour…

MCN's website has thousands of bikes for sale as well as expert opinion and advice. Here are three bikes that would make a brilliant used buy - visit motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale to see top examples up for sale. 2016-2021 Yamaha MT-10 Owners' rating Owners rate the original. MT-10 highly, giving it 4.6 out of five. It only misses out on poor fuel injection and limited tank range, but the crossplane engine scores a near perfect 4.8. 2018-CURRENT Harley-Davidson Fat Bob Owners' rating Harley's post-apocalyptic cruiser is much like a modernday MT-01. Owners praise the ride quality and engine but its less than impressive build quality, lack of tech and high price are drawbacks. 2005-2016 Moto Guzzi Griso 1200 Owners' rating Strangely, the main complaint the owners who have reviewed the Griso online have…

A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing… and sometimes a little knowledge can also be a rather expensive thing as one of Doncaster Motorcycles' oldest customers discovered when he brought in a venerable 1985 Suzuki DR600 that was refusing to snick into first gear. Kev Hollingsworth, Doncaster M/C boss, said: “The owner was convinced it needed a new clutch, despite the fact that there was no problem using any of the other ratios, just first. I tried to explain it had to be a gearbox issue, but he wouldn't have it.” Of course the customer's always right, so Kev ordered up a full set of plates and swapped them out, which cost £200, and tried to get first. There was no change. Once the owner had tried it for…

Buddh in doubt over safety Two new countries joined the ever-expanding MotoGP calendar in 2023. One of them didn't survive the first half of the year: Kazakhstan's proposed race went the same way as the recently on-then-off Finnish GP, only partly because of the Ukraine war. Will India's first race, scheduled this weekend, go the same way? Probably not. But it's not certain. The Buddh circuit has not been homologated (passed fit for racing), an essential before riders even start their engines. After repeated assurances that walls in inconvenient places, too close to fast corners, would be moved, it was agreed that homologation could be deferred until the eve of practice. But there were still concerns that some walls were too close, especially at the very fast Turn Two, when…

Triumph have confirmed that their long anticipated motocross bikes will arrive before Christmas, ready for an assault on the 2024 FIM World Championship. The new bikes' ambassadors will be 12-time AMA Motocross and Supercross champ Ricky Carmichael, and five-time World Enduro Champion Ivan Cervantes. The latter has since gone on to set a Guinness World Record for the brand - achieving the greatest distance on a motorcycle in 24 hours with 2493.27 miles aboard a Tiger 1200 GT Explorer. MCN talked to Carmichael in May 2022 - the day after the first test of the mystery machines. He told us: “We gathered some great info that I feel has put us on the right track to be close to where we need to be. “I've been pleased with just how…

MCN DIRT STARS 1 Britain's first-ever Dakar winner Sam Sunderland, 34, two-time Dakarwinner In 2018, Sam Sunderland did what no other British rider had done before - took glory in the world's most arduous motorcycle race - the Dakar Rally. He then underlined his name in the record books by doing it again in 2022, his double win making him one of the modern sport's all-time greats. The Dakar Rally (formerly the Paris-Dakar) sees competitors race 5312 miles through Saudi Arabia over 12 timed stages, navigating their way through dunes, camel grass and rocky terrain at speeds of over 100mph. It truly is a proper test of man and machine. You wake up bloody early, most days it's between 3am and 3.30am,” Sam told MCN. “You then try and eat and…

What to take Every kg you add to the bike negatively impacts the dynamics, so pack as light as possible. This may take a few attempts, so keep a note of what you packed on your first adventure. What didn't you use? Leave it behind next time. Aside from clothes and toiletries here are few things to consider. Tools - Heavy, expensive and easy to overdo. Your level of toolkit depends on where you're riding and how far away from civilisation you're heading. A mobile phone and your breakdown provider's number may be all you need. My approach is to think about common failures and combine this with my limited mechanical prowess. For example, do you want to be able to fix a puncture? If so, you need to carry…

Motorbikes are amazing, aren't they? Whether it's a weekend trip to the seaside, a necessity for getting to work, or gunning for lap times on track, there is just so much on offer. But one of the most thrilling experiences on two wheels (sometimes on one wheel, and occasionally on no wheels) comes in the form of off-roading. It may seem daunting, but getting down and dirty can be as easy and relaxed as rolling down a green lane, or as hardcore as taking on a full-blooded enduro event. The good news is, there is an environment and a discipline for everyone, regardless of their level of confidence and experience - and the same goes for machinery, too. There are three different styles of bikes that will look after you…

KEY SKILLS CARDS SKILL #2 ASCENTS Difficulty Are you being thrown by the random nature of off-road terrain and getting distracted by minor losses in traction? Well, don't be put off - getting you and your bike up that epic climb is not as hard as it first seems. Sort your body position and assessment skills, and you can attack ascents far more effectively - while also feeling less stressed, more relaxed, and far more confident. Many of us tend to analyse our riding to an almost obsessive degree. On the road you can have almost everything mapped out. but on the dirt you are thrown so many curve balls so quickly. This is where having a climb you can repeat over and over again can really help, so you…

MCN is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our much-loved Staff Writer, Stuart Prestidge, who died earlier this month aged 49, following a battle with mental health. Stuart joined the MCN team in September 2022, having trained as a journalist in 1997 and previously spent more than two decades covering stories for local newspapers across England, Scotland, and even Texas in the USA. Titles incLuded, The Siisbee See, The Shetland Times and the Banbury Guardian. More recently with MCN, Stuart reported on everything from new motorcycles to campaign battles, to interviewing company CEOs, and unearthing many heartwarming human interest tales. He wasn't afraid to hold central, and local, government to account and also championed numerous motorcycling charity causes. Stuart always had a notepad full of leads whenever called upon…

NEW MODEL Following a string of teasers and press conferences spanning more than a year, Kawasaki have finally released the details on their 125-rivalling electric range, which is set to hit in the UK next month. The line-up comprises the naked Z e-1 and Ninja e-1, which will sit alongside the firm's combustionengined £4699 Ninja 125 and £4299 Z125, with both new machines sharing the same brushless electric motor, producing a claimed peak power output of 12.1bhp and housed in a trellis frame. Like almost all electric twowheelers, the Ninja and Zed will be twist-and- go, with both a ‘Road' and ‘Eco' riding mode available - as well as a reverse gear to help with tight inner citY parking. The maximum power output can be accessed for short periods via…

SAVE £3000 £15,799 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Few can deny the all-round brilliance of the sportstouring version of the KTM Super Duke. As a result of the Austrian firm's new Powerdeals promotion, up to £3000 has now been sliced off many of their 2023 bikes across the dealer network including this one at Fowlers of Bristol. That spare cash will bag you a load of kit or some spectacular trips. www.fowlers.co.uk SAVE £1405 £16,695 Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory With 170+bhp, top notch electronics and cycle parts the Tuono Factory offers superbike performance in a usable, upright package. www.3dmoto.co.uk • Engine 1077cc • Power 173bhp • Weight 209kg • Seat height 837mm SAVE £1170 £8940 Yamaha Ténéré 700 Yeovil dealer Bransons are offering this brand new, 2022 MT-07derived Ténéré 700…

Q ‘Dan they load my premium?' Recently a car pulled out into my path. Fortunately, I was not injured other than bruising, but my bike and Leathers were damaged. The driver admitted fault and her insurers fixed my bike and paid towards new Leathers. I told my own insurers about it, but as I did not claim from them I thought no more of it. I recently tried to renew my bike insurance but they are charging much more than before because of the accident. What is going on? Clive S, email A Unfortunately this is a problem which frequently arises after a non-fault claim. It is a statistical fact that people who have had one accident are more likely to have a second, even if they were in no…

10000 'Roaming Romania' KEVIN VALLEY This was taken on the Transfăgărășan Pass, Romania. We had great weather, great roads and saw lots of bears too. 04200 'Perfect pasty spot' JOHN FRANKLIN This is us on a trip to Cornwall for a few days with friends. Always a good excuse to stop for a pasty. ‘Homemade TT' JON ASHLEY This is Mountain Mile overlooking Ramsey on the Isle of Man during our annual summer pilgrimage to the island. 07000 03050 ‘A Scottish scuttle' SIMON BOYLE Out round Loch Lomond. Me on the Honda NT1100, two BMW GSs, a Triumph 955 and a KTM 1290 Adventure. 01150 'Over to the Orkneys' RICHARD SELWAY Here is a picture of me taken this evening on Flotta in the Orkney Islands with my Himalayan. Having…

Sporty 17in-wheeLed adventure bikes come in all shapes and sizes and even if you don't hoLd a full licence, you can still enjoy their charms. In the middleweight class (which can all be made A2-Legal if required), Kawasaki sell the Versys 650 (£8129), which comes with TC and connectivity as standard and the option of adding luggage through the Tourer (£8929) or Grand Tourer (£10,529) variants with the GT adding a topbox to the Tourer's panniers. Yamaha's MT-07-based Tracer 7 (£8810) Lacks TC but has connectivity whiLe its GT sibling (£9710) adds hard panniers and a few extra touring-targeted accessories. Honda have the NC750X (£7849 or £8679 with DCT), which is a big seller for the firm and has a full accessories list that includes Luggage, although not a dedicated…

TRIED & TESTED MCn STAFF RATE THEIR RIDING KIT 3000 miles ON TEST Tested by Dan Sutherland for six months This is the best sporty helmet I have ever used. I've ridden in FIM-approved Shoeis and HJCs, but the Suomy trumps the lot. Weighing in at around 1230g and available in two shell sizes, it offers better visibility, ventilation, and comfort than I've experienced from any track product-with a build quality that's up there with most premium kit. Used for daily commutes, a week of touring, and multiple trackdays in England and Spain, it has remained comfortable for thousands of miLes and required minimal, breaking in at the start. Out on track, the four frontal, vents and a large opening at the chin keep your head nice and cool and,…

Oxford Zero-G Workshop Mat £69.99 Tested by Richard Newland for two years Bare concrete isn't the best thing to park your bike on - but if you don't want to (or can't) put matting down throughout your garage, you can at least give your bike a bed to sleep on. This Zero-G mat from Oxford measures 250 x 100cm, making it big enough to park even the largest bikes atop, and is made from a 5mm deep polyester pile carpet on a fluid-resistant TPR rubber backing. As well as reducing the amount of concrete dust, it helps keep tyres healthier as they are insulated from the cold concrete, prevents floor staining from wet bikes, and if you use a centrestand, it stops you gouging your floor. I park my daily…

HANDS ON WORKSHOP Saving you money on essential bike maintenance BRUCE DUNN MCN's expert technician 1 Gather your parts One of the easiest service tasks that you can do. Before you start make sure you have a high quality replacement filter and sump plug washer - original, spec is always best - as well as access to a manual with torque figures and detailed instructions specific to your bike. The best time to do it is when the bike is still warm, as this helps the oil drain out completely. BRUCE'S TIPS Always wear workshop gloves when working with used engine oil 3 Tools to remove There are various tools to aid oil filter removal; they're all very simple to use and work on the basic principle of gripping the outer…

JOSH CLOSE INSIGHT 1 Will it actually happen? Remarkably, there is still a chance that the Indian Grand Prix won't run. As MCN went to press, the circuit had not yet gone through the final homologation process, which can be done as late as this Thursday (September 21). There is concern amongst riders regarding the lack of information they're receiving about safety improvements and updates being made. This is despite them asking multiple times to see the work being carried out. The safety commission first visited the circuit Last November, with FIM Safety Officer Tome Alfonso (inset) recently telling MotoGP.com that they requested less asphalt and more gravel run-offs at multiple corners, and to maximise the run-off areas on safety grounds. Kerbs which were more suited to car racing also needed…

‘Half a point… it's totally nuts' Where do you start with Glenn and Tommy? It's certainly simmering away, but at some point there's going to be a hand grenade thrown in. Something has to give. They certainly dominated and to be fair it was wheel-to-wheel combat. I think there is still respect between them, but for there to be half a point between them is nuts. It's just perfectly poised for a massive carry on when we get to the final round. I think there is a bit of bravado going and they're both puffing their chests out. They are two very different personalities from two different parts of the world. But the bottom line is that on track they are both very experienced and they're both riding like champions.…

Riding off-road holds a special, place in my biking life story, because it's where I started, aged 11, having convinced my parents that if they bought me a motocross bike, I'd never ride on the road. I may have given them a slightly inaccurate view of my future intentions… And while I don't spend anywhere nearly as much time off-road as I'd like, every for ay away from tarmac, feeling tyres hunting for grip in dirt, and the smell of mud baking on a hot exhaust, takes me back to those early days like a time machine. Biking is freedom wherever you ride, but there's something truly liberating and almost illicit about being off-road. This first edition of MCN Dirt is for all those who are yet to feel those…

In an era of heavyweight emissions laws and incredibly tight standards on internal combustion engines, Pierer Mobility Group (the team behind KTM, Husqvarna and Gas Gas) are pledging further development in off-road two-stroke tech. Their latest off-road-only strokers have all seen updates to their engines, as well as changes to the chassis and electronics. “To us, two-strokes are very important. Thirty years ago, many people said we won't have two-strokes any more, but we've proved them wrong,” Pierer's Gabriel Strobl told MCN. The biggest change to the power units comes in the form of their throttle body injection (TBI) system, with a new 39mm Keihin throttle body that utilises electronic fuel injection. Essentially, this means that there's now an innovative electronic exhaust control system that has taken over from the…

GPS Global positioning system. A satellite based positioning system used for accurate navigation on and off-road. GPX file A text file which contains geographical information that will help you to follow a downloaded route. This information can be viewed on your computer or phone for precise navigation. Some systems use KPX files in the same manner. TRF The Trail Riders Fellowship. An organisation aimed at conserving Green Roads and off-road riding throughout England and Wales. It costs £52 to join for a year and you'll be able to benefit from joining Facebook groups where you'll be able to access routes and meet like-minded riders. TET Trans Euro Trail. A free resource where you can download GPX riding routes throughout the UK and Europe. The route covers 37 countries and tens…

If you want to get off the tarmac and onto the trails, you'll need to give some careful consideration to your riding clobber. Road kit is all very well for tarmac, but enjoying yourself on the dirt puts different demands on your body and gear. To get the best of both worlds, and ensure you're protected on the trails as well as on your way to them, dual-sport adventure touring kit is where it's at. We've put together a basic guide for what you' 11 need and why you need it, so you can arrive ready to tackle your first green lane. Nexx X.WED 2 from £359.99 Use your head Compared with a dedicated road lid, the main features of an adventure helmet are a Longer chin bar and the…

MCN VERDICT CARL STEVENS ROAD TESTER It's impossible to start without first mentioning the might of the KTM 300 EXC, It's in such a different League off-road that almost feels akin to having a full-blown superbike, compared to a couple of casual road bikes. This is not only down to its astonishing abilities, the sheer excitement that it induces and its incredible character, but also the extra attention it needs in terms of servicing and care. It's excessive for most of us and it's impossible to ride for any distance on the road, yet in its natural habitat, there's nothing Like it. If you're serious about sticking the bike on a trailer and going out to some proper enduro or doing hardcore lanes, then this is the route to go…

MCN DIRT SKILLS CARDS SKILL #3 OBSTACLES Difficulty If you approach an obstacle fast you might try to wheelie too early, and if you come up short that can get rather messy as the bike stops hard and you enter orbit like a rag doll fired from a catapult. But it doesn't have to be that way. Follow these tips and you'll find getting over obstacles is both safe and easy. Preparation is key. It's all about working out what's in front of you and what you need to do to get over it. And you can't do that when you're at full tilt - so slow down, evaluate what is ahead, then take action. Once you've got these steps firmly in your skillset, those obstacles that once looked daunting, and…

“After doing a few off-road schools I fancied going green lane riding but I didn't want a heavy adventure bike,” says MCN's Group Art Director Steve Herbert-Mattick. “I'm 5ft 9in and wasn't confident off-road with a big bike - I wanted a bike I could catch if it started to fall and pick up on my own if it hit the deck. “After looking at a KTM Freeride I realised it was too demanding in terms of servicing; and I needed a bike I could ride to a trail, not have to stick in a van. “So I explored dual-sport options. I was tempted by a DR-Z400 but they are old. So I bought a CRF250L - it was the obvious choice. “The CRF has huge service intervals and is…