Table of contents for 26 June 2024 in MCN

With a general election taking place on Thursday, July 4 to determine the next UK government, MCN has been looking into the promises laid out by key political parties to see how each could impact motorcyclists. Political discussions surrounding bikes are nothing new, with the debate on the phase out of combustion engined two-wheelers already rumbling on for years and no officially sanctioned cut-off yet to be finally determined. Ahead of parliament being dissolved on May 30, we had also previously heard ministers from both Conservative and Labour camps showing support to a reform of the UK motorcycle licencing structure, but this is all now on the back burner as prospective politicians canvass for votes. According to the latest published polls, Labour look to be the party most likely to…

Police officers in Merseyside have recovered six motorbikes stolen from tourists travelling through Liverpool on their way to the annual Isle of Man TT races. In total, eight machines were taken during the two-week road racing festival, with around 7000 bikers from across Europe travelling through the city centre to catch the Steam Packet ferry over to the island in the Irish Sea. The races ran from May 27 to June 8, with victims arriving in the city from as far afield as France and Germany. “Liverpool city centre has welcomed several thousand motorcyclists over the past two weeks as they travelled to the TT,” Sergeant Craig Winstanley, of Merseyside Police, said. “Unfortunately, some groups have seen this as an opportunity to target motorcyclists staying within the city centre. We…

THIS WEEK Lightweight Swedish electric brand Cake Motorcycles are back in business, having previously filed for bankruptcy in February 2024. The brand and its intellectual property have been snapped up by Norwegian firm Brages Holding AS. “As a car retailer in Norway, we have witnessed how fast the electrification shift can go when people set their minds to it,” said Brages owner Espen Digernes. “We believe the transformation in the micro-mobility sector will accelerate as well. Not only for motorbikes, but also for scooters, mopeds and electric bikes.” Launching their first model in January 2018, Cake's model range includes the Kalk and Bukk small enduros, plus Makka and Ösa quirky commuters. 'Great potential in making Cake profitable' Leading the team developing new products will be Petra Färm, who was Chief…

Q 'Is poor road to blame for fall?' A couple of months back I was riding along a wet road and was going around a bend when my bike lost grip and I came off. I was not badly hurt, but when I inspected the road it looked like it had been recently repaired. The seal at the edge of the repair looked a lot wider than normal about 4in wide. I was off work for a bit and lost pay. I am wondering whether I can claim for my injuries and the damage to my bike and gear? Mike, Milton Keynes A Depending on the type of road, the local council or the Highway Authority are responsible for maintaining the surface and repairs. Authorities often contract this work out,…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader Matt Little How many miles? 4500 The ride Through Europe into Greece and back How long did you take? 27 days (including seven days off the bike when I stayed in an Airbnb in Greece with family) What bike? Moto Guzzi V85TT When to do it I went in May/June, going slightly later in the year would mean more of the mountain passes were free of snow. Tell us about the trip… The route took in countries including France, Italy, Croatia, Hungary, Germany and Austria. So many good bits but some highlights are Transalpina (Romania's highest road), the unspoilt natural beauty of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, and the Moto Guzzi Museum. Biggest disappointment? In 2008 I had a fabulous ride up the Croatian coast road…

A483 Newtown to Builth Wells 32 miles A ribbon of good-quality tarmac that's often oddly devoid of traffic. Lovely in both directions, but I prefer North-to-South. Caernarfon Loop 36 miles Start at Caernarfon Castle and head to Llanberis and Pen-y-Pass (A4086), then right on the A498 to Beddgelert, and right (A4085) back to the castle. Black Mountain Road 12 miles It's short, and has been slightly ruined by speed enforcement, but you still have to do the A4069 'Top Gear test road'.…

MOTO GUZZI STELVIO DEEP DIVE £14,700 Moto Guzzi Stelvio • 10 42cc transverse 90-degree V-twin DOHC 8v • 113.4bhp @ 8700rpm (99.8bhp @ 8900rpm tested) • 246kg (kerb, claimed) Last year Moto Guzzi turned a significant corner in their long and distinguished history. The launch of the V100 Mandello, unveiled in Guzzi's centenary year – and with it an all-new motor – marked a massive shift in the company's direction. It was the firm's first liquid-cooled model to feature double overhead cams rather than the old push-rod operated system. The new motor was described by the Italian firm as 'an epoch-technical breakthrough' and now they have followed up the Mandello with another all-new model powered by the V100 engine – the Stelvio. 'It's a bike that certainly brings a smile…

With its hidden streets, cobbled pathways and mixture of ancient and modern architecture, London holds legacies unlike any other city. But it also has a motorcycling legacy like no other - it's home to the oldest Harley-Davidson dealership in Europe. Warr's first opened its doors in 1924, and has since been passed from generation to generation, making them the unconfirmed World's Oldest Harley-Davidson dealership that has stayed within the same family. As a result, the King's Road store, dealership and workshop has nooks and crannies filled with historical biking memorabilia and more than a few great stories to tell ahead of its birthday celebrations on July 6, this year. A newly-found civilian The Warr's archive isn't found in a locked vault, or a dusty room which sunlight has forgotten. As…

MR VELCRO Adding new tech to a popular model is always a challenge for a manufacturer – as the VFR800 VTEC showed in the early 2000s. The amount of complaints that Honda dealers received from owners who'd traded in their VFR800 Fi only to be left bitterly disappointed by the jerky VTEC of the new bike was off the scale. But it's not only Honda dealers who've received tech-related flack… BMW was forced to delay production of the K1200S due to its awful FI system. And R1200RT owners had their bikes recalled thsns of issues with the Dynamic shock. As a Yamaha dealer, I had a hell of a job in 2006 persuading riders that a ride-by-wire throttle wasn't the work of the devil. In fact, I'm pretty sure that's…

A little bit of cleaning goes along way, but when your motorcycle is your main means of yourself around, it can be easy to become slack when it comes to breaking out the bucket and sponge. Unfortunately, this oversight can lead to unwanted trouble, and even machines as trusty as this Honda CBR1000RR can start to struggle when left to battle the elements too long. The bike in question put in a regular shift as a commuter. That is, until the temperature gauge started to climb way higher than it should do. “I got a call from a regular customer,” said Stephen Fryatt, owner of JAPS Motorcycles. “It was running at over 90 degrees and the fans kept cutting in even at motorway speeds. “When I checked it over, I…

EXPERT OPINION Les Pearson: Crew chief to Garrett Gerloff at Bonovo Action BMW says you are born the way you are and that there should be no weight limits whatsoever… “I don't agree with the rule. Bautista is born small – it's not his fault he's light – and he's got talent that goes with it. His weight combined with his talent makes him fast. Why penalise that? He's never 'ruined' the championship any more than Rea did, dominating for six years. Are you going to penalise people because they're talented? The organisers want to make a show but they're picking on Bautista!” says Pearson “If you're Yamaha, you agree. If you're Ducati, you don't. My opinion is: just let them race! If you do put weight on a rider…

Acosta: time is not on his side There are just two chances left for Pedro Acosto to knock Marc Marquez off the pedestal as youngest-ever premier-class GP winner – at Assen this weekend, and Germany the week after. This would be something special. The fast-rising Spaniard has already (in America) become the youngest podium finisher. But that's not winning. As a born-again Marquez fan, I'm not betting on Acosta doing it, especially in Germany, where Marquez is all but unbeatable. But Assen? Interesting. The youngster would have to buck the odds and exceed expectations, at a venue where the KTM/GasGas has never especially shone. But exceeding expectations is what he has done at every MotoGP race so far, so never mind that. Acosta's history at Assen is mixed. A best…

Alongside the motorcycle racing stars whizzing round Silverstone was nine-time Formula One race winner Mark Webber, experiencing his first two-wheeled trackday. Riding a track-spec R1 built by Crescent Yamaha (the dealership behind the Pata Prometeon Yamaha World Superbike team), he was joined in his garage by WSB riders Jonathan Rea and Andrea Locatelli, who were on hand to deliver their expert advice. “I once did a small amount of laps with Troy Bayliss a million years ago in Australia, but this is my first real trackday,” Webber told MCN. “At 48 I've lost my virginity on the track! “I've been to a lot of MotoGP races, superbike races, the TT, and speedway races. There's not much two-wheeled stuff I haven't been to. “I've always had a massive respect for the…

Alongside political parties pledging to make transport changes, a number of motorcycle industry groups have also released their own manifestos containing requests for the eventually elected government. This includes the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), who published their 'Powered Light Vehicle Manifesto' on May 30. The MCIA represents a large proportion of manufacturers in the UK and has worked with the Conservative government in a bid to obtain a more 'open source' solution to net zero policy, as well licence reforms. “The objective of the manifesto document is to set out all the things that we need a new government to consider,” MCIA CEO Tony Campbell told MCN. “It's to bring the new government up to speed on the progress the industry's made.” The 11-page document sets out five key points.…

Stunt rider Jonny Davies has enjoyed a successful first shakedown run aboard a Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX as he prepares to break the world record for 'Fastest speed being dragged behind a motorcycle.' The accolade currently belongs to Liverpool's Gary Rothwell, who achieved 156.3mph from the back of a Suzuki Hayabusa on April 18, 1999. Two time Guinness World Record Holder Davies (also known as JD Stunts) now intends to beat that speed, using a supercharged sports tourer supplied by Kawasaki UK – jumping from the back onto special titanium plated boots. “It felt really good, so natural,” Davies told MCN the day after the session. “The bike is perfect for the job. On the top speed runs I was letting go of the bars to see what the stability…

Dainese Hekla Abshell Pro 20K Jacket £524.79 Get set for your next adventure… for less Adventure touring is more popular than ever, and if you aspire to mix it up with some off-road action then choosing the right kit can make the difference between keeping cool and comfortable or ending up hot and bothered. This week our deep dive into digital deals has uncovered top offers on dual-sport jackets and boots with adventure biking in mind. The Hekla is iconic Italian kit manufacturer Dainese's flagship textile touring jacket and designed for on and off-road riding. Climate control is achieved by laminating the outer shell with a breathable and waterproof membrane, then combining that with a removable windproof and thermal layer that doubles up as a destination jacket. Multiple vents –…

PART 9 – NUTRITION Imagine how your bike would perform if you brimmed it full of the very finest petrol. If you 'feed' your bike the fuel it needs to function properly, shouldn't you give your body the same courtesy? At least on a weekday? Paying attention to your nutritional intake can improve how you function physically and mentally, help you squeeze a few extra drops of fun from the tank (yours and your bike's), and may help keep you rubber side down. Before you jump on a diet that your mate once did, or a regime a social media algorithm fed you, know this… We're all individuals What works for me may not work for you. I'm not about to suggest that what and when I eat will help…

'A Scrambled design message' Last week I was reading about some customised Ducati Scramblers when a line in the article made me stop and think. Ducati confirmed that the Scrambler 1100 was going to be withdrawn at the end of the year as they weren't going to make it Euro5+ compliant. What surprised me was that it has taken them so long to sack off a model that, let's be honest, has been a total flop since it was launched in 2018. I've never been a fan of the Scrambler 1100. In my opinion, it lacks the simplistic charms of smaller-capacity Scramblers, looks cluttered, and has a price tag that isn't justifiable. If I was after an air-cooled naked Ducati, I'd go for the older Monster 1100 – which was…

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1 June 30 Woodrow's Show and Shine If you've got a bike you want to show off, then head down to Swansea. The café is hosting a show and shine where you could even bag yourself a prize! www.woodrowsmc.com 2 June 29 Bike Bonanza Held at the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb (WR6 6RP) experience a fantastic racing event with classic, modern classics and road-going classics. www.shelsleywalsh.com 3 June 29-30 Wheels Festival Great Yarmouth's seafront will be transformed into a hubbub of bikes, cars, and whatever wheels turn up! Free entry. www.facebook.com/gywheelsfestival 4 June 29-30 Summer Nationals The National Drag Racing Championships are back at Santa Pod. Bike classes include top fuel and pro stock. £51 weekend, £26 day ticket. santapod.co.uk…

1. The screen adjusts electronically, over a 70mm range, and is designed to avoid the creation of rear air vortices. However, it won't alter its height when riding at above 90mph. 2. Final drive is reinforced to allow for off-road use and is housed in an aluminium single-sided swingarm. The bevel gear is set at 84-degrees to allow for a 170/60 rear tyre. 3 The 21L tank extends below the Stelvio's seat to lower its centre of gravity. Non-adsjustable seat height of only 830mm feels nice and low. 4. Luggage mounts are inbuilt. Not only does this make luggage fitment cheaper, it also makes the bike look less cluttered, with no ugly frames. 5. The spoked wheels are tubeless, with the front a 19in and the rear 17in. Cornering ABS…

The Stelvio is never going to threaten the GS's reign as top adventure bike, but what it does offer is a genuine alternative to those looking for a modern adventure bike, which also has some old-school soul and an historic name on the tank. Fun to ride and assured in bends, the Stelvio will please both traditional Guzzi fans and riders looking for a laid-back adventure bike with spirit. But it's not perfect. The clunky gearbox is a frustration and the suspension could definitely be better, but the more you ride the Stelvio the better it becomes. Not only that, there is a certain charm to owning a Guzzi. The Stelvio never hides the fact it's from the Mandello del Lario factory. And that's a good thing. The Stelvio is…

ON TRACK Despite being a bike dealership, Warr's has long been heavily involved in racing. John Warr himself began racing 250cc Yamahas at the age of 17, inspired by American Harley-Davidson racer, Cal Rayborn. Legend Rayborn came over for the Anglo-American Match Race Series in 1972. For the series, the H-D factory rider used Warr's workshops to prepare his motorcycle. On track, Rayborn won half of the six races in the series. John went further with his own racing career. When legendary H-D racing manager Dick O'Brien came up with the XR1000, based on the 750 flat tracker, John took to the big brute with relish, kitting it out for the track. He rode Harley XRs and the first Buells with great success throughout the '80s. In 1987, at Croix en…

BRUCE DUNN MCN's expert technician 1 Safety and frustration The sidestand switch that is fitted to most motorcycles (like this one from a '98 R1) is a safety system to prevent the bike being started in gear, or being ridden away with the sidestand in the down position. If there are any issues with the starter motor not working, or the engine cutting out when the side stand is up, it could potentially be the sidestand switch playing up. 2 Dirty rotten scoundrel In most cases the switch is located at the top of the sidestand near to where the stand pivots on the frame. The action of the stand moving actuates the switch, but due to its location on the underside of the bike it is possible for the switch to…

EXPERT OPINION Leon Camier: 2009 BSB Champion, 9-time WorldSBK podium finisher and Marc VDS rider coach “The goal was to take out anomalies like Alvaro, people with a distinct advantage. Weight makes a big difference and we even see that amongst the Ducatis with things like tyre life. Weight affects it massively. Acceleration is also better if you're light, especially when there is grip with new tyres. Light riders have an advantage for sure, without question. “There is a limit to it, of course. You can't go and stick 20kg on Alvaro's bike, that wouldn't be fair on him, but the amount the weight has changed isn't that much and isn't making much difference to Alvaro or people like him, in my opinion. 'A couple of kilos makes no difference'…

JOHN McGUINNESS I did the Monster trackday at Silverstone last week and it's hard to know where to start. I was sharing a garage with Michael Dunlop, Hicky was there, and more and more bikes started to arrive. Monster Yamaha for Quartararo, all the VR46 academy riders plus Bautista and Bulega – the list goes on and on… I had a bit of a craic with all the riders; well everyone apart from Bautista, he was grumpy. He was riding a road bike, while I was on my Superstock bike so I nailed him up the inside into turn one – served him a portion! The weather was beautiful and Rossi was there on his Superbike R1. And do you know what was really cool? I watched Rossi get off…

Suzuki have expanded their dealer network with the appointment of M&M Motorcycles near Cambridge and Fins Motorcycles in Surrey. Head of Suzuki Motorcycles GB, Jonathan Martin, said: “We've been actively looking to expand our network, but it was always very important to us to bring the right people on board that share the same values and principles, and I believe we've achieved that with both M&M and Fins Motorcycles.” Keeping it custom Honda's annual customs contest is back for its fifth year. Sixteen bikes from nine countries will showcase various takes on the Honda CL500 (and in one case, the CL250). The bikes were displayed at the annual Wheels and Waves festival in Biarritz and can be viewed online at hondacustoms.com throughout the summer, where visitors can vote for their…

• Valentino Rossi, nine-time Grand Prix world champion • Pecco Bagnaia, double MotoGP world champion • Franco Morbidelli, MotoGP rider, 2017 Moto2 champion • Marco Bezzecchi, three-time MotoGP race winner • Fabio Di Giannantonio, MotoGP race winner • Alvaro Bautista, double World Superbike champion • Nicolo Bulega, World Superbike rider, 2023 World Supersport champion • Adrian Huertas, World Supersport rider, 2021 Supersport 300 champion • Fabio Quartararo, 2021 MotoGP world champion • Alex Rins, MotoGP race winner • Cal Crutchlow, three-time MotoGP race winner, 2009 World Supersport champion • Jonathan Rea, Six-time World Superbike champion • Andrea Locatelli, World Superbike rider, 2020 World Supersport champion • Ana Carrasco, WorldWCR rider, 2018 Supersport 300 champion • John McGuinness, 23-time Isle of Man TT winner • Michael Dunlop, 29-time Isle of Man…

SAVE £2404 £17,995 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Festooned with all the best tech at Honda's disposal, the Africa Twin will carry two people comfortably all day, shrug off cross continent tours and can hack the daily grind too. This DCT example comes with the plus pack – including a three-piece aluminium luggage set-up, tank bag, fog lights and engine bars. www.blademotorcycles.co.uk SAVE £1407 £19,845 BMW S1000RR Sport Superbly refined and capable of everything from track riding to sports touring action, the S1000RR Sport is a rocket ship with heated grips and cruise control. www.pidcock.com •Engine 999cc •Power 204bhp •Weight 197kg •Seat height 824mm SAVE £1025 £4940 BMW G310GS The baby GS is economical, easy to ride, and it'll even handle some light off-road duties. If you're an aspiring GS-er with…

THIS WEEK CFMoto have announced big savings across their model range, meaning 16 out of their 18 production models can now be had for under £7000, with prices for their lowest capacity bikes now costing under £3000. Five bikes in the line-up have had their prices temporarily slashed by over a grand, with as much as £1800 off of their 800MT Sport, while stocks last, and up to September 30. Summiting at Shelsley Walsh The iconic Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb is gearing up for the return of its Bike Bonanza event on June 29. The event will feature some of the UK's fastest hill climbing action, as well as classic two wheeled racers thundering their way up the track. Aside from the racing, attendees can also enjoy live music, paddock…

SUBSCRIBE TO MCN! Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer Italian scooter manufacturer Italjet are expanding their lineup this September with the introduction of several MotoGP inspired models. Built to celebrate its technical collaboration with the Gresini Racing MotoGP team, the Bologna brand recently announced they will be releasing four Dragster Gresini Racing MotoGP Replica versions, consisting of three 'standard' models, and a trick 300cc 'Limited Edition'. Adorned with a level of bling usually reserved for premium geared bikes, the Limited Edition model packs Öhlins suspension at both ends, an Akrapovič race pipe (in addition to the standard exhaust) and a hologram certificate of authenticity. That's not all though. As well as being limited to just 75 units worldwide, Italjet have specced the 300cc scooter with MotoGP style winglets in place…

LS2 Alba Mesh Jacket £119.99 There's nothing more liberating on a sunny summer ride-out than keeping cool with a mesh jacket, and LS2's Alba has massive panels at the front, rear and arms to let the breeze blow through. CE A certified, protection includes reinforced Ripstop layers at critical areas, plus level 1 armour for shoulders and elbows. Available in black or dark grey. ls2helmets.com NEXX X.R3R race helmet from £349.99 The Portuguese helmet manufacturer's latest race-ready lid is now ACU Gold approved for use on track in the UK. Among its key features are an anti-vibration EPS to reduce noise from turbulence, a spring-assisted visor mechanism closure, and race spoiler extension. Options include multi-composite (£349.99), pro-carbon (£469.99) or FIM (£579.99) versions. nexx-helmet.co.uk Pyramid Triumph 400 Tail Tidy £94.99 Give…

THIS WEEK Fancy a new bike for 2024? We're giving you the chance to win a brand-new Yamaha MT-09, a model which benefits form a raft of updates for this year. To be in with a chance of winning, you simply have to tick the box when getting an insurance quote with us. It really is that simple. No questions, no payment, no tricks – get an insurance quote, tick the box, and cross all your fingers and toes (not while riding) that you're the lucky winner. It's one of the best nakeds you can buy MCN's Carl Stevens rode the new MT-09 at its world launch earlier in the year, and to whet your appetite, this is what he had to say… “Yamaha have been back to the drawing…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews 'Still riding at 91 years' A few years ago you were kind enough to publish my letter about a tour with my lad, Patrick, on his first bike and my dad, Donald, then 85. You also sent us some very nice T-shirts. Well, time passed and, despite the quality, the Ts got a bit ragged. Dad agitated about needing a new one, so a new tour was decided. I took Patrick down to Yorkshire on my Tiger 800 to pick up a nearly-new BMW 310GS and we met up with Dad in Gomersal and his trusty CB500. We then met Kai in Newcastle, on his Bandit 600. After a night in Stirling, we headed to Kennacraig and the ferry to Islay. A few days seeing the…

SUBSCRIBE TO MCN! Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer 00720 'Something different' SPENCER BARTON-HOPE Only around 80 miles today, playing with a Streetfighter V2 while my Multistrada was getting serviced. Great fun and a silly grin when I handed it back. Thanks Ducati Preston. 01800 'Dodging rainclouds' PHIL BOYES Only went for a short ride today as the weather was forecast rain, but fortunately I managed to stay dry which made it all the better! 04300 'Adventure time' DAN WHITE I've ridden just over 1100 miles on my Suzuki SV1050XT in the last few weeks of owning it. Makes me wish that I'd gone adventure style years ago… 02014 'Touring 1200RS' GORDON WILKINS I've just got back from a 1497-mile European trip. We rode to Ardennes, Black Forest and Cochem……

Alison Silcox MCN Office Manager, 5ft 10in “I expected a lot from the Guzzi. Its styling hints at a relaxed ride quality, while the pillion seating is plush with reassuringly low pegs. There's lots of room on the back, the seat is flat so you don't slide about (helped by its textured surface, which is good for grip), and the grab rail is great – really big with lots of space for your hands, plus it extends a long way around the back of the bike. But then you hop on board and get going… “The clunky gearbox really upsets your balance as a pillion. The transition from first to second is so brutal you end up tensing your core to stop yourself being thrown forward (second to third isn't…

Amazing things can come from the most unassuming of places, Allen Millyard is proof of that. Over the last 30 years, he's produced some of the most jaw-dropping creations the world has ever seen, whether it's one of his factory-finish engine reconfigurations like the four-cylinder Kawasaki H2, or one of his brilliantly bonkers brainwaves like the aero-engined Flying Millyard, all from his single garage at home. You might think it's a nice way for a former mechanical engineer to spend his retirement, tinkering in the workshop… But Allen's life post-career is busier than ever. As well as his own builds, he's the director and producer of his own highly successful YouTube channel, and the star of TV's The Motorbike Show alongside Henry Cole, as well as sell-out live appearances at bike…

'A classy all-rounder' A thin sprinkling of updates hasn't changed the S1000XR's character but the higher seat may be an issue for some, so there's no need for owners to scramble to their local BMW dealer to upgrade. It's still a classy all-rounder that can dish out savage performance one minute and be happy cruising the next. It's a tourer for riders happy to sacrifice low-rpm oomph for superbike speed, and a slightly firm ride for cornering fun. It's spacious and comfy, but numb bum can set in after a few hours. It isn't cheap, but if you have deep pockets the TE is the one to go for – extra goodies and kudos when it's time to sell. THE FACTS £18,340 BMW S1000XR TE…

'Buying used parts is ok' Once bikes get past a certain age - usually around 15-20 years old - the supply of new spares begins to dwiddle, making them increasingly hard to get hold of. It was no surprise then that the sidestand switch for this 1998 Yamaha YZF-R1 was no longer available as a new genuine part, leaving me in the no-man's-land of what to do. The choice open to me were to either, a) get a new pattern one, which was the price of the original. Or, b) go for a secondhand part inn the hope that'd be in good enough fettle to go straight on. The decision was made when I gave a shout to my go-to breakers Ken Urwin Motorcycles in Thorne. They sorted me out…

GREG HAINES INSIGHT Delving deep into WSB's most controversial topic Getting teams and riders to agree is impossible, not least when it comes to new weight limits introduced at the start of the season to make World Superbikes more level and more unpredictable. Is it working? Does it actually make much difference? It seems the jury is still out. Now a third of the way through this season, it's incredible how varied paddock opinion is when it comes to the touchy subject of weight limits. It's something that has already been in place in Moto2, Moto3, World Supersport and Supersport 300 for numerous years, not to mention F1. The verdict is out as to whether it works or not because when you have a grid full of riders of varying…

JOSH CLOSE INSIGHT Who's in line for glory around Assen's flowing curves? If you thought things were heated between Jorge Martin, Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez before Italy, wait until you see what happens next. First, Martin. The Spaniard shook hands on a factory Ducati ride only to see it ripped away days later thanks to Marquez's negative public reaction. Scared to lose him, Ducati pulled a dramatic U-turn. A furious Martin swiftly joined Aprilia. Bagnaia won't be thrilled at sharing a garage with Marquez given everything he's done in red. Right now, Bagnaia is Ducati. Each has a point to prove. Martin wants to take that number one to Aprilia. Marquez wants to assert dominance. Bagnaia wants to stay on the Ducati throne. Time to get the popcorn out……