Table of contents for 14 February 2024 in MCN

SEE NEW BIKES Bikes, glorious bikes, we’ll take a whole venue full. Yes, it’s time to look at new metal and sort your finances out… THIS WEEK BMW boss on the future of bikes You might think that manufacturers are all just blindly nodding along with the various governmental directives around the globe, and trotting out a tide of tedious EVs with little consideration for the alternatives. But the truth couldn’t be more different. This week, we grabbed the head of BMW Motorrad to find out what he thinks the future looks like for biking, and what BMW are doing to shape it. PAGE 4 FIRST RIDE Ducati’s addictive one-potwonder The single life is often derided as something less than ideal – but it doesn’t have to be a status…

SAVE £2001 £10,499 Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel In a market full off bonkers bhp adventurers, the V85’s transverse twin may appear slightly weedy, but outright performance is not what this bike is about. The retro tourer is equally at home cruising around Europe as it is outside your favourite coffee joint. This being the Travel model is has panniers, a tall screen, centrestand and more. www.via-moto.co.uk SAVE £1800 £9999 Kawasaki Z900RS Kawasaki’s retro-roadster is more than just a pretty face. The RS mixes performance with excellent attention to detail and 1970s Z1 charm. motorcyclesdirect.co.uk • Engine 948cc •Power 109bhp •Weight 215kg •Seat height 835mm SAVE £1705 £7995 Aprilia Tuono 660 Combining sweet handling with plenty of go, the middleweight Tuono is more than enough for almost any scenario. wheelsmotorcycles.co.uk…

‘It pays to keep things simple’ I was testing the new Enfield Bullet 350 alongside a few classic Bullets recently and a worrying thought struck me. The new Bullet is very much in the same vein as its predecessor – air-cooled, single cylinder, decidedly understated and, above all, cheap and fairly basic. It’s a bike that reminds you of the simple pleasures of two-wheeled life and that, in my opinion, is exactly the ethos that has seen Enfield’s fortunes change of late. Bikes such as the 650 twins, 350 singles and the Scram 411 all encapsulate happy riding with a refreshing lack of fuss or technology. So why was I worried? I started to think about the all-new liquid-cooled Himalayan 450. I’ve noticed over the last few years that no…

Top-notch kit for women… There’s a big difference between the cut of kit for women and men, and although women’s gear is a smaller segment of the market, it’s one that’s growing fast. It wasn’t that long ago that manufacturers’ only concession to designing gear for the female form was to shrink it and pink it, but these days there’s a lot more thought going in to accommodating different body shapes. This week our trawl of the web has found top offers on jackets and gloves designed for specifically for women, however we couldn’t ignore this deal on REV’IT!’s Xena one-piece leather race suit. Construction is cowhide leather with 3D stretch panels for full freedom of movement, and internal armour includes CE Level 1 shoulder, elbow, knee and hip. External…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews ‘Just do it!’ I particularly enjoyed your article about Rachel Lepley visiting 48 States in 48 days on her Royal Enfield (MCN, February 7). Rachel implores others to “Do it” and that is reminiscent of my attitude during my European trip in 2006. I was in my 40th biking year and decided to visit all 40 countries in Europe in one year (yes, I know that number is a bit fluid depending on counting places like Scotland & Wales and others, but it’s near enough!). I started in May and got as far north as Finland and as far east as Turkey and racked up 41 countries by October. I agree with Rachel: “Do it!” John Murphy, email STAR LETTER Test system is unfair I am…

So many to choose from… If you want a scooter with more power than a 125, there are several options. Alongside the XMAX 300, Yamaha sell the XMAX 300 Tech MAX, which adds a bit of bling to the XMAX 300’s platform in the shape of a TFT dash that can act as a GPS screen as well as some extra bolt-on parts. It costs £500 more than the basic XMAX 300 at £6705. There is also the three-wheeled (two at the front) Tricity 300, which is £8410. BMW’s sporty C400X starts from £6560, while the more luxurious C400GT begins at £7340. Honda are quite strong in the midi-scooter market with the £5849 Forza 350, adventurestyled £5849 ADV350 and more basic £5449 SH350i while Piaggio have the £5100 Beverly 300,…

‘Race rep… but roomy’ It may have a bigger new engine and more power, but that’s not the story here. Yes, it’s faster, but it was rapid to begin with, but it’s evolved to be friendlier and easier to ride. That’s not to say it’s a pussycat, far from it. Five sessions around Almeria gets every muscle in your body burning from hanging on and if you want to dutch up a wheelie in fourth gear it will happily oblige. But the refinements add up to create a super-naked that grunts off corners in tall gears, steers accurately with Little effort and stops like a race bike. I’’s far roomier than a race rep, too, which will be music to the ears of bigger riders and even bigger bonus to…

It’s hard to say goodbye to any bike, never mind one as fun and as exhilarating to ride as the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R. Although I only managed to rack up 5500 miles I feel like I got to know the bike, because unlike other years when I’ve done more mileage, the time spent on the KTM has been ‘good’ miles which means I haven’t just been on a motorway commuting. The machine has given me some fantastic moments over the last eight months, but also a level of frustration following a mechanical breakdown as I got off the ferry for the TT. 1 Unapologetic performance In a worLd where there seem to be more and more restrictions, the big KTM is a breath of fresh air. With nearly 160bhp…

Ready, check, ride Make these quick and easy checks part of your pre-ride ritual BRUCE’S TIPS It helps to have a friend sit on the bike as you look at the chain tension 1 How tight is your chain? Before every ride, you should give your chain tension some attention. You’re looking for how much up and down movement the chain has at a specific point in its run, as detailed in your owner’s manual or a sticker on the swingarm. If it’s looking a bit loose, or indeed a bit tight, you need to set it correctly before you hit the road. Here’s how… 2 Free the adjusters First, loosen the rear wheel spindle nut, then put the bike on its main or paddock stand. Using a spanner, undo the lock…

As far as I’m aware, at PBM it’s all hands to the pump and everything’s looking good. I’ll be shocked if it isn’t. And if it isn’t, it’s going to be a big loss - a big hole in the sport. PBM’s been part of British Superbikes since 1996, I was Paul’s first rider, and they’ve gone on to win nine titles since, so surely they want to go for the tenth? I know the kids, Frank Jnr and Jordan, definitely do. Plus, I’m sure Stuart Higgs won’t want them to not be on the grid and I know the team won’t want not to be on the grid - it’s such a strong team. It’s delicate, isn’t it? Because Paul’s gone and I know all the guys well, but…

TOP STORY It’s time to believe the hype. He may not have topped the first official test of 2024, but Pedro Acosta amazed the watching world in Malaysia, breaking the previous lap record and demonstrating he will surely be a force in his rookie MotoGP season. Acosta’s performances across the three days - and in his dealings with the media soon afterward were befitting of a 35-year-old veteran, rather a 19-year-old in just his third visit to the Sepang International Circuit. It was hard to know what aspect of the test was most impressive. Was it the fact he ended it ninth, 0.058s off Brad Binder, the fastest KTM? Or perhaps it was how he lowered his personal best time of 1:59.385 on the first day of the three-day Shakedown…

TIMETABLE Friday 9:30 Peter Hickman and John McGuinness discuss the 2024 TT 10:00 Tommy Bridewell on becoming a BSB champion 10:30 The best used bike buys of 2024 with Team MCN 11:30 MCN Rider of the Year 2023 - Live presentation ceremony 11:45 MotoGP’s Jorge Martin and Alpinestars Supertech R10 helmet launch 12:15 Tommy Bridewell on becoming a BSB champ 12:45 Peter Hickman and John McGuinness talk through a flying lap of the TT 1:15 Interview with BT Sports commentator, Michael Laverty 1:30 Talking bike kit with MCN’s products gurus 2:30 The hottest new bikes of 2024 with Team MCN 3:00 Two Wheels for Life charity launch with Yamaha 3:15 Buying a bike at auction with Iconic Auctions’ Mark Bryan Saturday 9:30 The best used bike buys of 2024 with…

MCN also spoke to BMW Head of Product Management, Christian Pingitzer, about how the brand is making electric motorcycle production cleaner. This is because while there are no emissions at the tailpipe (because it hasn’t got one) there are still pollutants generated in the production phase. “Well, we have a sustainability division at BMW Group that looks at the whole equation for cars and motorcycles,” he said. “We’re looking at where to source from, and how the batteries are produced. The batteries in their base principle are taken from our car batteries, so we try to not come up with a new production system that is causing us more problems and probably higher emissions and stuff like that. “We’re really putting a lot of effort into reduced emissions, battery production,…

A rare 1958 Moto Morini 250cc Bialbero Grand Prix racer recently went under the hammer in a Paris auction, fetching a staggering €126,500 (approximately £108,384) including premium. It sold on at the Bonhams Paris auction at the start of February alongside 32 other two bikes, with Lots representing a range of vehicles, from a 1949 Benelli 250 to an 2002 Ducati 998 s Bostrom replica. The Morini carries an iconic history, with a later example coming within a whisker of claiming the 1963 250cc World Championship, only to be pipped by a four-cylinder Honda piloted by the legendary Jim Redman. This particular machine features a 1958 frame, and 1962 engine. “Built in 1957, Morini’s first effort in Grand Prix racing’s 250 class was based on the successful 175cc Rebello sports…

‘It’s been a long road, but a really fulfilling one’ Having first appeared as the Lucky Explorer 9.5 concept in 2021, MV Agusta’s long-anticipated LXP Orioli adventure machine will finally be ready for the roads this year. The bike will debut as a 500-run Limited Edition featuring a 931cc triple, complete with a backwardsspinning crank, and a price expected in the region of €30,000. Although retaining the same luxury approach to motorcycling as the rest of the MV Agusta range, the LXP represents a radical departure for the firm, who have previously been known for their high performance sportsbike, naked, and touring machinery. “It’s been a long road, but at the same time, a really fulfilling one because it’s the first all-new MV since the F3 675 back in 2011,”…

Ducati closed 2023 with their third best year of sales to date. The firm delivered 58,224 units, the most popular of which being the Multistrada V4 model with 10,480 sales across all versions. Italy remained the biggest market, followed by the USA, and Germany, which took second and third place respectively. Whilst 2023 was strong, the year actually saw a 5% decrease in sales over 2022. BMW lovers get ready to party BMW’s Motorrad Days weekender qulll return to GarmiscPartenkirchen, in Germany, for its 18th year. The JlLy 5-7 event gathers fans from around the lLobe for what the brand is promising to be a showcase of “unadulterated motorcylLe clLture, a party atmosphere and unique riding against an lLpine backdrop”" Visit bmw-motorrad.co.uk for more. More people are buying bikes again…

SAVE £££s - BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR THE mcnmotorcycleshow.com Ambitious plans have been announced to support the rapid rollout of public electric charging stations, including grants for schools and other public buildings, cash for councils and new targets for overall charge point numbers. Included in the Government scheme is a £381m Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund given to local, authorities across the country, as well as grants of up to £2500 per unit to state schools to support the construction of charging locations. The news comes with confirmation that over 53,000 charging stations have now been installed in the UK. Technology and Decarbonisation Minister, Anthony Browne, said: “This latest set of measures will mean EV owners everywhere will benefit. This Government has already spent over £2bn to ensure…

OptiMate 4 Quad Program £83.90 Battery maintenance gurus Optimate claim this to be their most advanced charger to date. It’ll charge any battery from 12V lead acid to LFP Lithium and features energy saving fit-and-forget tech. For charging CAN bus equipped BMWs via the accessory socket, a Premium version with the relevant lead is available for £95.90. ■ optimate.co.uk Oxford Kickback Air women’s boot £109.99 This casual hi-top style riding boot is CE-certified to Level 1 for abrasion and rigidity with a level 2 for resistance to cuts. Internal PU reinforcements for toe, heel, shank and ankle keep the design neat, and the perforated leather construction is designed to let the feet breathe freely. Available in either brown or black. oxfordproducts.com HJC i91 helmet £229.99 The latest addition to HJC’s…

Q ‘Driver won’t my bills’ I had an accident last summer when a delivery driver hit me and my shoulder was fractured. The insurer admitted blame and had been paying for my treatment. When I was in hospital for surgery the surgeon made a mistake, meaning a much longer procedure and due to this my recovery is going to take longer. The insurer’s solicitors are refusing to pay for the impact of the surgeon’s mistake and argue that any related loss is not for them to compensate. Tony M, Bristol A We have had quite a few cases where a person has an accident or medical incident during the course of a claim for a previous accident. It is quite a straightforward situation where alleged medical negligence is the second…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers Jim Heynderickx (right) and Duncan Sutcliffe (below) The ride A ride through the South Downs and New Forest When to do it Any day the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum is open Tell us about the trip We downloaded a route from Simon Weir (www.simonweir.co.uk) and then modified it to start from Motoline in Alton. From there, we rode south for breakfast at Loomies, and then west to do the New Forest loop with the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum near the end of the loop. The late January Friday was sunny and cool, but when we arrived at the museum the parking lot was empty and “closed signs” were posted. The courtyard was open, so we parked and spent some time peeking through the windows.…

‘New seat, more miles’ MARTIN PRENDERGAST So a good 145 miles trying out the new seat on Flipper (the Futura). Ma Bakers for breakfast then Llangollen. ‘Salty starts’ GRAHAM BELL A chilly day out. As there is still some of that awful salt on the roads, I made sure I gave the S1000R a good clean. ‘Racking up some Irish miles’ MICHAEL DINEEN Only my third ride out of 2024. The lovely Knockadoon in East Cork with views over Youghal Bay and Capel Island. ‘Land’s End and back again’ MATT LACEY I went from Exeter to Land’s End (twisty route on the way down) and then Exeter to Newbury and back yesterday. ‘Valencia vibes’ RUSSELL HAVEN After the disaster of last year, 2024 has started well. Another 300km clicked off…

‘Light, agile, addictive’ Ducati have put the work into their new 698 Mono, and you can certainly feel it. It’s light, it’s agile and that new Superquadro Mono engine offers a feisty amount of top end, with an addictive, growling soundtrack. With such an impressive motor in a glorious chassis it was always going to be a fun and exciting machine, yet the finishing touch comes in the form of its riding aids. By creating such a refined and comprehensive system of electronics that not only look after the rider but actually complement fast, hardcore riding, Ducati have genuinely moved the game on. THE FACTS £11,895 Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono RVE…

THE MCN TEST • THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK £7199 Suzuki Burgman 400 • 399cc l/c single DOHC 4v • 28.6bhp @ 7600rpm • 218kg (kerb) £5299 Kymco DTX360-320 • 321cc l/c single SOHC 4v • 28.2bhp @ 7500rpm • 207kg (kerb) £6205 Yamaha XMAX 300 • 292cc l/c single SOHC 4v • 27.6bhp @ 7250rpm • 183kg (kerb) There is a tendency to assume scooters are an unpopular choice of two-wheeled transport in the UK. While European cities seem packed full of scoots, with everyone from teenagers to glamorous ladies about town opting for them over public transport, when you look at sales stats and data, we aren’t actually that far behind the curve. Last year a total of 24,577 scooters of 125cc and above were sold in…

‘Take it to the XMAX!’ If you live 30 to 40 miles from a busy city and need to commute into its heart for work, midiscooters make absolute sense. In fact, they are probably the perfect commuting tool. Cheaper to own than a maxi-scooter and much more assured on faster roads than a 125cc option, midi-scooters deliver the best of both worlds. Huge underseat storage, traction control, ABS, connectivity (on the Yamaha), twist-and-go motors and comfortable riding positions all add up to machines that ensure your commute is as stress-free as possible. And cheap too, with 60mpg achievable and PCP payments of less than £100 a month. But which is our winner? As stylish and well-priced as the Kymco is, its handling and lack of weather protection let it down.…

TRIED & TESTED MCN STAFF RATE THEIR RIDING KIT 2200 miles ON TEST When it comes to helmets, I’m a bit of a creature of habit. I’m now onto my fourth MX-V; a trend that began nearly 20 years ago. I’ve tried a number of alternatives, but I always come back to the Arai. There are plenty of reasons for it, but the overwhelming one is the faultless fit and the sense of safety. Like all Arais the outer shell boasts smooth lines and is aligned with their long-term philosophy to improve ‘glancing-off’ performance and give optimal integral strength. This means there are no random shapes or bits sticking out that could catch on the ground, dig in or twist the rider’s head in the event of a crash. As…

A simple-but-effective little gizmo for helping to keep your bike where it should be during transportation. Made from tough, shaped plastic, one end of the Clamp-On push-fits over your throttle grip, then you pull the front brake all the way in and hook the smaller hooked end of the clamp over the lever. Once you let go of the lever, the device holds the front brake on – providing extra peace of mind when strapping a bike into a van, trailer or ferry, by preventing it from rolling forward or backward. I’ve used it mostly when transporting bikes in a van and found it to be a universal fit, with both standard and aftermarket levers. Quality Value oxfordproducts.com TWO years ON TEST…

What better way to prep for an action-packed year of motorcycling than spending a bit of time with MCN’s Chief Road Tester Michael Neeves as he shares some wise words in a whole new special series of Bootcamp videos? Whether you’ve been battling through Britain’s wet and windy winter or tucked up indoors awaiting warmer weather, you are guaranteed to find plenty of essential riding tips in this new video series to help make your Spring rides the best ever. A total of six videos will be released via MCN’s YouTube channel from Wednesday, February 21, with the first episode covering speed management. Neevesy is joined by MCN reader Gavin Freeman as they ride the challenging roads that often feature in MCN road tests. BMW S1000RR owner Gavin has been…

Work is well underway at Navarra as the Spanish circuit prepares to host round one of the 2024 British Superbike season. The circuit, located in northern Spain, was purchased by BSB organisers MSV in 2022, with an official test held there ahead of the 2023 season. Navarra has since taken Silverstone’s spot on the calendar, and a two-stage, multi-million pound development is now underway at the circuit. Phase one, to be completed mid-March, will see extensive resurfacing with removal of bumps, namely at the start/finish line and on the approach to turn five. The run-off area at turn 13 will be extended, and safety barriers will be realigned. ‘Phase one will see extensive resurfacing’ Turn six will be re-profiled from a slow left-hander to a faster corner which is effectively…

1 DUCATI Nothing succeeds like excess, and no one succeeds in MotoGP like Ducati: the most bikes, the most top riders, the most horsepower, the most engineers, the most data and so on. That’s why MotoGP is so deeply in the Ducati era right now, just as once it was in the Honda era and MV Agusta era. The fastest four bikes at Sepang were all GP24s and GP23s and there were a total, of six Desmosedicis in the top ten. In other words, not much has changed since 2023. The GP24 is a subtle development of the bike that won the 2022 and 2023 MotoGP riders’ titles and the 20202023 constructors’ crowns. Despite that remarkable run of success, Ducati have been supercareful this year because the GP22 and GP23 had…

Not for the first time, Aleix Espargaro made a lone stand on track for Aprilia with an imposing performance as the first non-Ducati rider at the Sepang test. Off track the headlines were just as impressive with the poaching of acclaimed team principal. Davide Brivio as the new boss of the ambitious American funded Trackhouse team. While Brivio’s return to MotoGP after a stint with Alpine F1 is with the satellite squad, it would not be a surprise if his political nous and management skills are also tapped by Aprilia bosses. His world championship roles at Yamaha and Suzuki are an enviable CV and will bring clarity to the Trackhouse and Aprilia project as they fall behind KTM as both factories see to tackle Ducati supremacy. Strategy and rider line-ups…

The UK’s top enduro riders will be tearing up the show in the heartpounding Extreme Enduro, powered by discovery+. Making its debut at the London show, it sees racers defy gravity on a punishing obstacle course, conquering steep drops, soaring jumps, and gnarly technical sections designed to push both rider and machine to their absolute limits. Expect gasps, cheers, and the raw adrenaline of this test of skill and courage. Don’t miss this edge-ofyour-seat spectacle - it’s sure to be the highlight of the show. The Extreme Enduro riders 1. Charlie Frost Competes in British Extreme Enduro Championship and WorLd Hard Enduro Championship 2. Richard Moorhouse Competes in the under-23 WorLd Enduro Championship 3. James Jackson Competes in the European Super Enduro Championship 4. Steven Beddows Competes in the Hard…

Get ready to embark on a journey through motorcycle history at the Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show. This year, a special Celebration of Innovation exhibit marks the 40th anniversary of the National Motorcycle Museum, showcasing 60 machines that span eras and tell the thrilling stories of their riders. From pioneering beginnings to British brilliance The display delves into the early days of motorcycling with marvels like the 1902 Singer ‘Wonder wheel’, one of the first production motorcycles ever built. Witness a rare piece of history with the 1913 Matchless V-Twin works racer, of which only one example survives. For fans of 1980s British motorcycling, a 1982 Hesketh stands as a symbol of the era’s fight against Japanese dominance. Iconic race bikes Beyond classic roadsters, the display also highlights British…

Friday 9:30 Machine Shop: DIY bike servicing made simple 10:30 Allen Millyard: The story of the RC374 six cylinder and LIVE FIRE UP! 11:30 Henry Cole: Weslake Triton bike restoration LIVE! 12:30 Machine Shop: DIY bike servicing made simple 1:15 Henry Cole: Weslake Triton bike restoration LIVE! 2:45 Machine Shop: DIY bike servicing made simple Saturday 9:30 Machine Shop: DIY bike servicing made simple 10:30 Henry Cole: Weslake Triton bike restoration LIVE! 11:30 Machine Shop: DIY bike servicing made simple 12:30 Allen Millyard: The story of the RC374 six cylinder and LIVE FIRE UP! 1:15 Machine Shop: DIY bike servicing made simple 2:30 Henry Cole: Weslake Triton bike restoration LIVE! 3:30 Machine Shop: DIY bike servicing made simple Sunday 9:30 Machine Shop: DIY bike servicing made simple 10:30 Henry Cole:…

Eight-time World Champion, the late John Surtees will be honoured at this year’s Goodwood Revival. The special. celebration will take place over the weekend of September 6-8 with tickets available from £72 if purchased before April 30. Surtees enjoyed a special, connection with the Goodwood venue, having stepped into the four-wheeled racing scene for the first time at the 39th Members Meeting in March 1960. In his honour, the weekend will feature a number of 250, 350 and 500cc motorcycles, as well as various sportscars and GTs. Surtees built an exceptional career and is famed for being the only person ever to achieve world titles on both two and four wheels. Starting his racing career aged just 17, ‘big John’ quickly made a name for himself. Five years after his…

GET MORE OF THE INSIDE LINE WITH A PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP members.motorcyclenews.com/membership The ever expanding mid-sized adventure segment has grown again, with Spanish brand Rieju unveiling their production Aventura 500 complete with an incredible 600-mile claimed range. At face value, a circa 47bhp parallel-twin all-rounder is nothing special, but the figure that draws attention here is not the power, but that range. Thanks to a twin-tank set up, there’s a total volume of 40 litres to play with, meaning the Aventura is built to cover more distance than any other production bike between stops. The bike’s 500cc engine is made by Loncin, a wellestablished manufacturer who have built small engines for BMW since 2007. It is a direct copy of Honda’s tried and tested 500cc parallel-twin used in the CB range,…

THIS WEEK Police in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are taking a no-nonsense approach to the illegal use of e-scooters and e-motorbikes, promising to crush machines used to commit crimes in the area. Part of the aptly named ‘Operation Crush’, the plan is to slash the number of illegal electric two-wheelers being used to commit further crimes, as well as those being ridden antisocially. “Given the difficulties there can be stopping these vehicles and identifying the riders, we have noticed them becoming really popular with those committing a variety of different crimes, including those involved in drugs gangs,” said Insp Andy Tester. ■ The force state they have seen an increase in vehicles like this being used in public places, in contravention of the law. Officers add that this…

Fancy winning a brand new Suzuki GSX-8S and full set of riding kit ahead of the 2024 season? All you need to do is get a bike insurance quote with MCN Compare. Alongside Suzuki’s 776cc parallel, twin, which was MCN’s Naked Bike of the Year in 2023, you could also win a £499 Furygan Raptor Evo 3 jacket, a £259.99£309.99 Shark Skwal i3 helmet plus a set of Furygan K12x jeans. Revealed at the back end of 2022, the GSX-8S has been impressive from the outset, with its usable midrange punch, good road holding, and easy comfort making it a great first big bike, while remaining engaging for experienced riders. ‘The Suzuki was MCN’s Naked Bike of the Year’ Alongside this, the Raptor Evo 3 jacket promises AAA protection, with…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com I added the Greer fairing after riding the bike 1100 miles in the first month (from San Francisco to Montana). Nicolas Solberg My father built it in the late 60s/early 70s. ¾hp B&S, rope pull start, scrub rear brake, lever throttle. Chris Blanchard This great looking Honda NSR was my first bike when I was 18 back in 1994. David Seifert Last of the ‘fast’ unrestricted Fizzies in 1976. 50mph on a good day, downhill with a tail wind… Nick Smith My first proper bike, a Suzuki X7. Geared up and ready for a two-up adventure with a pal to the south coast. Ty Jackson In the Jan 31 issue you featured my kids when they were just starting out, here is Albert…

1 February 16-18 Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show Roll up, roll up, it’s your last chance to get advance tickets to the London show. With the latest bikes, Moto Trainer bike simulator, Charley Boorman’s Adventure Base Camp, Henry Cole’s Ready to Ride Workshop plus loads more, it’s an event not to be missed! www.mcnmotorcycleshow.com 2 February 17-18 Cadwell Park/Mallory Park Who says winter has to stop you riding? No Limits are already back in full swing with a standard trackday on Saturday at Cadwell Park for £85, or if you want to take on Mallory Park, then there is a chance on Sunday for £95. But get booking - the spaces aren’t going to wait around! www.nolimitstrackdays.com 3 February 18 Normous Newark Autojumble Newark’s monthly autojumble is back this Sunday. If you’re one that loves…

ICONS ‘Bordi’s solution was to create a double conrod set-up’ Ducati lay claim to some of motorcycling’s most desirable and exclusive models. Yet one sits above all else in terms of scarcity, mystique, and value: the 1993 Supermono. Small, stunning and saturated with exotic materials, the 549cc production racer was designed to showcase Ducati’s technical prowess in single-cylinder racing, and show how far modem materials and methods could evolve the most basic of four-stroke configurations. An instant winner, the Supermono took victory in its first year of competition, clinching the 1993 European Supermono championship in the hands of Italian Mauro Lucchiari. In 1995 it won at the Isle of Man TT, Kiwi Robert Holden giving Ducati their eighth and, to date, last TT victory. It was to be more than…

YAMAHA SUZUKI KYMCO…

1984-2003 GPz900R Ninja • 908cc liquid-cooled inline-four • 115bhp • 155mph Only branded ‘Ninja’ in the USA, the GPz was the fastest bike in the world, debuted the liquid-cooled inline-four engine yet managed to stop and turn corners properly. It laid the basic principles for today’s sportsbike. 1985-1997 GPZ/GPX600R • 592cc liquid-cooled inline-four • 75bhp • 140mph One year after the 900R, the GPZ600R created the supersport 600 class. Light weight, sharp handling and a screaming engine set a template for the class still used today. There was also a 400 version. 1994-2003 ZX-9R Ninja • 899cc liquid-cooled inline-four • 139bhp • 170mph Kawasaki were caught out by Honda’s FireBlade. They had sharp 750s, fast but heavy ZZ-Rs, but nothing to compete directly. The ZX-9R was the answer-the motor was…

A pair of CE-certified denim riding jeans can be a low-profile option for many people, a way of wearing motorcycle clothing without looking like you’re wearing bike clothing. It gives the wearer the ability to blend in when you get to wherever you’re going, be it work, shopping or to hang out with mates. But there are more advantages to denim jeans than just understated looks; top of the list are comfort and breathability and the Trilobite Parados score highly here. That’s not to say they don’t look good, in fact they have a cool technical style, more like textiles or leathers, which incorporates the practicality of stretch panels and adjustable ventilation ports. 4100 miles ON TEST In terms of protection the Parados are certified to CE standard prEN17092, earning…

Around Lincolnshire, we’ve a fair few RAF bases so it’s not uncommon to bump into a Typhoon pilot or two, enjoying a bit of downtime at the local bike meet. I got chatting to one once and he mentioned how he’d just enrolled for a biking refresher course. My mate found this quite amusing: “But you fly a fighter jet, skimming the landscape at Mach 1, surely riding a Honda Hornet around B-roads is a piece of cake?” The pilot then went on to tell us about how the airforce understands and mitigates proficiency loss after a holiday or time away from the cockpit. He explained how it’s widely recognised that your skills and reactions dull after a period of time away, and so aircrew always undergo refresher training before…

We’re delighted to support this series of riding features in MCN. With the days gradually getting longer and the tarmac getting warmer, we’re looking forward to a brilliant summer of riding ahead of us. BikerTek are all about enjoying two-wheeled life on the open road, and we’re planning to be at a series of events, rallies and motorcycling cafés during the coming season. Look out for us, as it won’t just be our pop-up shop attending events this year. We’ve got a new star of the show… a stunning custom-built motorcycle. The machine, built by Old Empire Motorcycles, shows off a range of BikerTek parts – come visit us while we are out on tour and see if you can spot them all. Check bikertekshop.co.uk for more information on BikerTek’s…

As we edge ever closer to the beginning of the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship season, one major team name is still missing from the official entry list - Paul Bird Motorsport. Speculation has been rife over the winter regarding the squad’s future following the passing of owner Paul Bird last September. Bird’s children, Jordan and Frank Jr took charge for the final three rounds, with Tommy Bridewell duly securing PBM’s first title since 2020. Since then, things have been quiet, at least publicly, with many rumours and much speculation being spread among fans and inside the BSB paddock. One day you’ll hear that the team is no more, the next that PBM will be running, but with only one rider. Fortunately, the latest is that an announcement isn’t too…

Modern dumb-down MotoGP regs had one main aim… to level the playing field. In this way, more manufacturers would be attracted. And it worked. (Except for Suzuki, obviously.) The plan failed to take account of another sporting cliché. The one about moving the goalposts. The Sepang tests were a textbook example. While all the others have been polishing their acts, quite impressively in some cases, Ducati have been busy with the heavy earth-moving equipment. It was a fast three days. All 23 runners were inside the race lap record; and the top 10 inside Bagnaia’s best-so-far pole last year of 1’57.491. The real elite were in the 1’56 bracket - four of them: Bagnaia, Martin, Bastianini and Alex Marquez. It will not escape your attention that all were on Ducatis,…

The biggest biking hot spot in the UK this coming weekend will be London’s Docklands-and the excitement kicks off in spectacular style on Friday with the arrival of special guest and star of MotoGP, Jorge Martin. Unless he’s a personal friend of yours, you’re unlikely to get another chance to get so close to MotoGP’s rising star. But, of course, Jorge is only one of many reasons to make the annual pilgrimage to ExCeL. You will also get the chance to get up close and personal with the legendary John McGuinness, Peter Hickman, Tommy Bridewell, Michael Laverty and James Whitham. And if you prefer your riders a bit slower, you can luxuriate in the restoration heaven of Henry Cole and Allen Millyard’s live stage, get adventurous with Charley Boorman, orsimply…

1902 Singer Wonder Wheel 1902 Triumph 2.25hp - the very first Triumph 1903 BSA Minerva the very first BSA 1903 Norton Energette 1904 Rex 411cc 1904 Ariel Model 2 1907 Norton Rem Fowler 1st TT winner 1908 Norton V-Twin Jap 1909 Brown 4.5hp 1911 Brough 3.75hp 1912 Pick 700cc 1912 Trump-Jap 1913 Matchless V-Twin Works Racer 1915 Royal Enfield 675cc three-cylinder prototype 1919 Wooler ‘Flying Banana’ 1921 Triumph Junior Lightweight 2.25hp 1921 BSA ‘Nightmare TT’ 1925 BSA Model B Round Tank 1925 Ner-A-Car 1927 Triumph TT Chrome Tank 1928 Coventry Eagle Flying 8 1928 Grindley Peerless Jap 1929 Ascot Pullin 1929 Chater-Lea Copper knob 1933 Ariel Square-Four Supercharged 1936 Triumph 2/1 250cc 1936 New Imperial V-Twin 1937 HRD Vincent Series A 1938 Triumph Speed Twin 500cc 1938 BSA Gold Star…

Venue details The Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show, ExCeL London. One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL Show times Friday, February 16: 9am-5pm Saturday, February 17: 9am-5pm Sunday, February 18: 9am-5pm Ticket prices Discounted tickets are available to purchase online now at www.mcnmotorcycleshow.com until 23:59 on February 15. You can purchase tickets on arrival at ExCeL, at the prices shown below: • Adult £30 • Senior citizen (Over-65s) £27 • Child (age 5-15) £7.50 • Disabled Child (age 5-15) £5 • Child age 4 and under free (with a paying adult) TRAVEL DETAILS Arriving by road When riding or driving to ExCeL, London, follow signs for Royal Docks, City Airport and ExCeL. There is easy access from the M25, M11, A406 and A13. Satnav users are advised…

Friday 9:45 Welcome from the Sidecar Guys 10:00 Youngest Pairto Circumnavigate the Globe by Motorcycle Lavi & Ollie 10:30 Masterclass in Photography Simon and Lisa Thomas 11:30 Ask The Experts: The Future of Adventure Biking - Lavi & Ollie, Tiffany Coates, Charley Boorman 12:15 Scooting through a Siberian Winter The Sidecar Guys 12:45 Small Bikes, Big Adventure Nathan Millward 1:15 Offroad riding tips Ducati Riding Experience Adventure Academy 1:30 MotoGPand Pramac Dorati rider Jorge Martin interview 2:30 Charley Boorman: My life in bikes and the 20th anniversary of Long Way Round 3:30 Seriously Southern Adventures: Riding Antarctica - Steph Jeavons Saturday 10:30 Howto Wild Camp on your adventure Tiffany Coates 11:00 Ask The Experts: Safety on the Road - Nathan Millward, Simon & Lisa Thomas, and Charley Boorman 12:30 Packing…