Table of contents for 26 February 2025 in MCN

MOTOGP 2025 IS GO! Get set for the new season! • Exclusive: Martin on 2025 • Marc vs Pecco: the rivalry • Mat Oxley talks GP tech WIN A Suzuki GSX-8R simply by getting a quote at www.mcncompare.com DEEP DIVE Buzz or bluster? Honda's kept us on tenterhooks since revealing their new CB1000 Hornet SP in late 2024. The intrigue was upped when they finally announced the price… £9999 for the Öhlins-clad, 155bhp supernaked. The bike impressed on its world launch in sunny Spain… but, how does it fare on the wet, potholed roads of the UK? We put it to the test on dyno and drag strip to bring you the definitive verdict. PAGE 33 FIRST RIDE Supersport steal! Supersport sportsbikes are well and truly back, and there's now…

Triumph's single-cylinder Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X have proved massively popular since their first official reveal in mid 2023. An accessible blend of thudding character, heritage looks, and a sub-£6000 price, they have been consistent sellers for the Hinckley brand and are built in partnership with Indian firm Bajaj Auto. Now it looks as if two more machines are coming to market, again powered by the firm's A2-friendly 398cc single-cylinder engine – with these spyshots appearing to show both a café racer and more rugged retro variant. Despite their heritage appeal, both models were photographed being ridden on a racetrack in warmer climes – spinning laps as part of their ongoing development process. This is not the first time we've seen a glimpse of the café racer model either,…

Akrapovič have launched a new two-into-one road-legal full exhaust system for the Suzuki GSX-8S naked, and GSX-8R sportsbike. Both models use the firm's 776cc parallel twin, producing a claimed 82bhp as standard. The new exhaust is available to pre-order through Performance Parts Limited and will cost a hefty £1310. For that money, the unit is said to be plug and play without need for mapping, with a claimed power increase of 2.5bhp at 9500rpm, and an extra 1.03lb.ft of torque at 5500rpm. Weight is also down by 2.2kg. Sub-£3k scoots Piaggio have confirmed that the recently updated Liberty range is ready to hit dealers, with prices starting at £2665. Available as a four-stroke 50 or 125, updates include a five-inch colour display, LED headlight, and new handlebar layout to increase…

Trials rider Alice Minta has been awarded the prestigious Pinhard Trophy for 2024, following an outstanding year of national and international success. The 21-year-old from Telford has been riding since the age of four and has steadily worked her way to the top of the trials scene. Her standout achievements include helping Team GB secure victory at the Trial des Nations for the second consecutive year, finishing 30 marks ahead of their second-place Italian rivals. She is also the reigning Ladies Trial Champion and was the highest-placed female rider in the gruelling Scott One-Day Trial. “I am truly honoured to receive this award,” said Minta. “To not only represent Great Britain but win the Trial des Nations for two years in a row is a very special achievement.” 'Past winners…

THIS WEEK'S HOT DEALS Arai Quantic Space £419.99 Go on, why not treat yourself? Not only does a motorcycle helmet protect your brainbox in the event of an accident, it also makes travelling at speed a far more enjoyable experience, providing you with a cosseted control room from which to focus on your ride. It's something you should think about replacing on a regular basis, because from the moment you take a lid out of the box it begins to degrade, with sweat, road grime and UV rays all conspiring to reduce its lifespan. Keeping your head both comfortable and safe is the ideal combo, so to help you stay on your game we've bagged a flurry of deals on full-face helmets. Arai's Quantic was one of the first certified…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Here's my first bike. It's taken me on lots of adventures around Wales and up into Yorkshire. Paul Nightingale…

The Pan European's been for its MoT. I gave it its pre-test check over and a good clean, because I think it's rude taking a dirty bike for an MoT. It passed. I've been going to the same MoT station, Des Helyer Motorcycles in Tadley, since 1977! In fact, the current tester was a child when I first went in there, and he's now grown up and taken over the business. I don't think I've ever had a bike fail – my dad used to say there's no excuse for failing an MoT as your bike should be in good condition at all times, otherwise it's not safe to ride. If I see a bit of rust on one of the brake nipples, I'll clean it off before an MoT…

1 March 1-3 Crunchy Sleeping Bag Rally The BMF (British Motorcycle Federation) are hosting their annual 'back to basics' rally at The Heneage Arms in Lincolnshire (LN8 6LX). More like a traditional rally, there's food, a bar, music and toilets – but no showers. Tickets can be bought in advance, £20 for members, or £23 for non-members. www.bmf.co.uk 2 March 2 Santa Pod Run What Ya Brung The famous quarter-mile is back in operation after its winter hiatus. This Sunday it's back with a Run What Ya Brung so you can test to see what your two-wheeler can do. Prebooking is a must, and it only costs £66 all in. santapod.co.uk 3 March 1 Rufforth Autojumble It's the first Saturday of the month and spring is just around the corner…

The 675SR-R is powered by a 675cc inline triple. It's CFMoto's first three-cylinder engine – and it fits neatly in a sportsbike line-up that includes the single-cylinder 250SR and 300SR, parallel twin 450SR, and a funky inline four-cylinder 500 called the Voom, which we don't get here but looks like an MV Agusta Super Veloce. They also unveiled a 1000cc V4 superbike engine at last year's EICMA show, but details as to what it'll go in have not been announced. Also used in the 675NK naked, the SR-R's inline triple makes 87bhp at 11,000rpm and 50lb.ft @ 8250rpm in Euro5+ trim. Non-Euro versions that don't need to adhere to such tight emission controls benefit from juicier engine mapping and make slightly more power and torque (93bhp and 52lb.ft). CFMoto claim…

“The Hornet's tail is small and thin, making getting on the back simple because there are no panniers to negotiate. It also feels pleasingly low so there is no need to stand on the pillion peg – you can just swing a leg over and climb on, much like a sportsbike. And that's not the only similarity to a sportsbike. “On the back the pegs are high and the seat tiny and very firm, it's 100% a sportsbike's pillion seat and not very comfortable at all. Despite the seat strap, there is basically nothing to hold onto so you are cuddling the rider and that can put extra strain on their arms and back as well as your thighs. It's good because you are very connected to the rider but…

What's the secret to becoming the world's most successful motocross rider? Passion, says Dutchman Jeffrey Herlings. “I really like my job, I enjoy it, I want to win. I think that helps, when you have a lot of passion” – but it's not just purely about that, as lot of skill and effort goes into it too. Herlings holds the record for the most motocross Grand Prix wins in MXGP history, which is currently standing at 107. He also has five world championship titles. The previous record holder, the legendary Stefan Everts held the record at 101 wins. Herlings has beaten that by six, and is almost certain to increase that gap. “I've got all the records. He [Stefan Everts] retired at 34 and I had already broken the record…

WIN A Suzuki GSX-8R simply by getting a quote at www.mcncompare.com And just like that, the Scrambler 400 X has gone back to Triumph and I'm left scratching my head, trying to make sense of the last year. There have been ups and downs during my time with the baby Trumpet, but my opinion has generally swayed depending on the kind of riding I did last. By the end of the test, commuting to the office was starting to feel like a real drag. The 33bhp (tested) single just isn't up to an hour plus of 60/70mph riding in a straight line. I only have to make the trip once a week but a daily commute would have left me dreading the sound of my alarm. This kind of use…

'High time for new gaskets' As it turned out the valve clearances on this 1998 Honda CBR600 were all within spec. Had they been out of spec, I would've had to order in the correct-sized shims and fit them to bring the clearances back into spec, and this process involves removing and refitting the cams – it can be quite a job. Anyway, fortunately our Honda's were all good – however, its cam cover gaskets and seals needed to be changed, as there were early signs of oil starting to weep out. In all fairness the gaskets were probably the originals, so after countless heat cycles over 28 years it was time for new ones to be fitted. As mentioned in the steps, it is critical to make sure the…

GREG HAINES INSIGHT Reporting direct from the opening WSBK round of 2025 'God Save the King' proudly played out over Phillip Island on Sunday as Tom Booth-Amos broke his duck on his 63rd attempt in the World Supersport Championship. The glorious victory, following a front row qualifying position and second place in Race 1, signals the maiden victory for the Triumph Street Triple 765 RS and a return to the top for PTR Triumph Factory Racing, which last won with Stefano Manzi in 2022. The Supersport races in Australia were nothing short of mayhem as multiple riders contested the wins on a selection of different bikes. There were some frightening accidents en route, not least as 2023 Moto2 World Champion Jaume Masia (Orelac Ducati) ran up the back of Valentin…

STOP PRESS Martin to miss opening round Reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Martin will miss the opening round in Thailand this weekend after suffering a training accident. His withdrawal was officially confirmed as MCN went to press on Monday evening. It's another bitter blow to his title defence, having already missed the majority of testing after crashing in Sepang earlier this month damaging both his foot and hand. FASTEST PRE-SEASON LAP: ALEX MARQUEZ 1:56.493 Sepang three-day test February 2025 FASTEST PRE-SEASON LAP: MARC MARQUEZ 1:28.855 Buriram two-day test February 2025…

It's been lauded as MotoGP's dream team – and with good reason. Going off preseason, Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia will surely be the fight that decides this year's title. With Ducati showing few signs of relinquishing their stranglehold on the series during the off-season, it's easy to see why. Only the Valentino Rossi-Jorge Lorenzo (2013-'16) and Marquez-Lorenzo pairings (2019) had more combined titles in the four-stroke era than this one. And with 11 world titles and 126 GP victories residing in one garage, this could be one of the fights of the century. MCN analyses where each rider may gain an advantage over the other. Pecco Bagnaia has faced a few challenges in his time. Overturning a 91-point deficit in 2022 to claim the crown was one. Fending off…

It's still hard to believe that Pecco Bagnaia won 11 GPs last year but didn't take the title. As has often been the case throughout all of Bagnaia's competitive years, the Italian simply made too many mistakes. Eight of them to be precise. Ironically enough, one of those came very early in the year when he wiped out 2025 teammate Marc Marquez at Portimao. It's Marquez's arrival that's the biggest talking point for Bagnaia's upcoming season. Can Bagnaia fend off Marquez and keep his position at the head of the table at Ducati Corse? It's perhaps a little unfair that so many are putting Bagnaia on the losing side in the upcoming factory squad duel. This is the man who has truly dominated in the red of Ducati. He's made…

Last year, out of all the bikes, the KTM's performance was probably the most compromised due to Michelin's new and much grippier rear tyre. From the moment the new tyre lost its initial edge grip it started to misbehave, causing the rear of the bike to bounce and chatter when there was only minimal load on it. The issue was at its worst when going into fast corners on a closed throttle with very little or no brakes. The character of the tyre, combined with the KTM's weight distribution, lack of a mass damper and crude engine brake strategy made their riders suffer badly last year. Acosta simply changed his lines, from round to sharp Vs and decided to always use either throttle or brake. Miller struggled the most but…

71 It is 71 races going back to Catalunya 2021 since KTM won a dry Grand Prix with Miguel Oliveira 3981 The 22 riders on the MotoGP grid this season have made a combined total of 3981 GP starts between them 9 Nine riders… Jorge Martin, Marc Marquez, Pedro Acosta, Marco Bezzecchi, Maverick Viñales, Enea Bastianini, Jack Miller, Miguel Oliveira and Franco Morbidelli have changed teams for 2025 1 Somkiat Chantra will be the first Thai rider in history to race in MotoGP 122 Luca Marini, Raul Fernandez, Somkiat Chantra, Pedro Acosta, Fermin Aldeguer, Alex Marquez and Ai Ogura are bidding to be the 122nd rider to win in the premier class 28 Pedro Acosta crashed more times than any other rider in MotoGP last season with 28 13 Ai Ogura…

'Laying down the foundations' Yamaha's biggest issue in 2024 was failing to get a fast lap time in qualifying. Not starting in Q2 is a huge problem and even more so on the M1 because the bike is fast through the corners but down on top speed. It makes battling a field of fast V4s a mountain that not even Quartararo can climb. Their quest for more top speed in 2024 made the bike harder to use. It lost its user friendly smoothness, which in turn made riders more prone to mistakes. Small errors had big consequences for the lap time. With Pramac now switching from Ducati to Yamaha, the Japanese manufacturer not only have four bikes on the grid, but also a team that know how to become champions.…

Much like Pedro Acosta in 2022, all eyes will be on young gun David Alonso in Moto2 following his unbelievable, record-breaking Moto3 campaign last season. Alonso made Acosta's Moto3 campaign look average. With 14 victories, the Colombian beat the previous single-season record of 11, set by the GOAT himself Valentino Rossi in his 1997 125cc title-winning campaign. By the end of the year Alonso was unstoppable, winning the final seven races. The star remains with the Aspar team having first joined their ranks aged 11, going on to become a Spanish 85GP, European Talent Cup and Red Bull Rookies champion. The natural talent is there for all to see. Alonso topped multiple practice sessions throughout 2024 and was extremely difficult to beat over a single lap in qualifying. His race…

Spring is very much on the way now (hopefully!) – and all the best manufacturers are battling to get their hands on your money. That means they're making it as easy as possible for you to have a new bike in your life. We've unearthed 82 of the hottest tempters on the market. So what's the deal? The overall outlay is less with PCP, just as long as you don't pay the final settlement figure. Equally, if you want to change machine during the contract period that's easy, too. It's a surprisingly affordable route to ownership. Just look at the likes of the MT-07 on p9. It could be in your garage for £89 per month. Or how about the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT for an amazing £85 per month (p22)? With…

Well, there's one thing I can cross off the bucket list – and not in a good way. With the news this week (page 5) that motorcycles are now banned from the Nürburgring's famous Touristenfahrten sessions, it's a sad day for anyone who's not yet had the chance to experience the 12.9 miles of 'Green Hell' for themselves, as well for those who make an annual pilgrimage as part of a touring trip. The days of turning up to the legendary circuit, buying a ticket, and enjoying the freedom of a lap are now consigned to the history books. The circuit operators say bikes have been banned for safety reasons and I can swallow this reason given that every story I've heard from riders who've ridden the 'Ring involves some…

Indian's flattrack-inspired FTR range has come to an end, with the focus now revolving around the tourer, bagger, and cruiser markets. Launched for 2019 with a 19in front and 18in rear tyre, before moving to road-friendly 17in rims as of 2021, the 1203cc FTR family has seen multiple variants come and go – with the bike bridging the gap between a retro and a muscley roadster. “The FTR was an important step in our brand's history,” Indian Vice President, Aaron Jax told MCN. In late January, the firm announced an expansion of their water-cooled PowerPlus family, upping its capacity to 1834cc, and moving both the Chieftain and Roadmaster over from their air-cooled 1890cc Thunderstroke platform. Indian have also upped their commitment to King of the Baggers racing for 2025, drafting…

'Brand-new boxed Blade bought' I read with disbelief about a crated zero-mile 2005 CBR1000RR Fireblade in Repsol paint that was in the auction at the Devitt Insurance MCN London Show. It had a guide price of £10,000 to £15,000, which, in my book, is utter madness. I simply don't understand why anyone would want to buy this bike – or any zero-mile bike for that matter. You can't do anything with it aside from sit there and look at it, in which case you may as well buy a used one and disconnect the battery so no one can read its odometer. As soon as you start a zero-mile bike you have destroyed its value – and even if you do fire it up, the chances are its engine will…

Ruroc Eox Cyberstrike £459 One of four new colourways for the range-topping EOX helmet, this über-bright design is typical of Ruroc's unique approach to standing out from the crowd. An array of mirrored visors is also available to complement or contrast the bold look. ruroc.com Sidi Orion GTX £299.99 A triple-layer Gore-Tex membrane gives this all-new touring boot the highest level of waterproofing and breathability, so your feet should stay dry come rain or shine. Upper construction is microfibre, with extensive reinforcements for protection. sidiselect.co.uk Zerofit IceSkin Baselayer £59.95 Engineered to keep you cool and comfortable in up to 40°C heat, the IceSkin baselayer is the latest in Zerofit's range of body temperature regulating gear. The technical fabric absorbs and disperses moisture to create a cooling effect. zerofit.co.uk ASV Levers…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews 'Do meet your heroes! They always say never meet your heroes… This pic goes back to TT 2024 when I bought this plate with '26 wins' on it. Always remember sitting with my wife, looking at it, and saying to her: “He's going to smash the record and I'm going to get him to correct the wins and sign it.” We were sitting at a café overlooking the bay and the nosey guy on the next table butted in: “Yeah, 'course you are mate.” Well, he can eat his words because I bumped into Michael Dunlop at Billown and he was more than happy to strike a line through '26 wins' and put '29'. Top bloke. Andy Tomlinson, email MCN has teamed up with Zerofit –…

THE FACTS 'Corner speed makes it a real smile machine' Just weeks after one lucky MCN winner picked up the keys to their brand new motorcycle, we're about to make dreams come true once again. This time you've got the chance to win our reigning Sportsbike of the Year, the Suzuki GSX-8R, simply by ticking a box when you get a bike insurance quote with us. It's as simple as that – just head to MCNCompare.com to be in with a shot. Not only will you be smug in the knowledge you've found a great deal on your insurance, but you'll also enjoy the tantalising prospect of potentially becoming the owner of this sensational parallel-twin performance bike. A worthy winner Want to know why we named the GSX-8R our Sportsbike…

'London calling' DAVID NEALE A little jaunt into London, along with other military veterans and their supporters. This was on February 5 for Op-Endex 2. 'Up the mount' IAN SPEIGHT Four of us rode up to Oliver's Mount cafe, Scarborough the other day. It was cold but dry and thoroughly enjoyable. 'Asian adventure' MARK MCGUINNESS Riding in Rajasthan and this was taken in Nawalgarh as we headed west towards Pakistan. 'Taming the dragon' CHRIS HILL Started the year with a new engine in my C90 and attending the Dragon Rally. It's all about the journey and the company! 'Scoot over' ALISON SILCOX 2025 has been made up of commutes and a trip to London. I wrapped up and swapped the car for the Forza. 'Anyone home?' STEPHEN LEE Shortish 100…

The 675 SR-R is an exciting, fully loaded, hugely capable supersports weapon that costs peanuts compared to its rivals. Riding it will change your view of Chinese-made bikes. Handling is its strong point, with front-end feel that any mainstream sportsbike would be proud of. It may not have huge power, but it makes all the right noises, spins up quickly and grunts cleanly. It has more than enough power to put a smile on your face, whether you're an experienced rider or stepping up from an A2 licence. It's forgiving, easy to ride and never feels lost on a big circuit like Portimao but will shine on UK tracks and the road. It has a few quirks, but none are enough to spoil your day. THE FACTS £6699 CFMoto 675SR-R…

£9999 Honda CB1000 Hornet SP ON THE DYNO Producing a genuine 144.6bhp with 74.7lb.ft of torque, the Hornet certainly has the minerals when it comes to road riding. It is interesting to see the effect of the Revolutionary Controlled (RC) exhaust valve, which produces a noticeable kick at 5700rpm. You can also see how strong the Hornet's torque is when you let it rev, with a stack of grunt between 7500rpm and 10,000rpm but it is also impressively torque-laden low-down between 3000rpm and 5000rpm. PERFORMANCE DATA FUNCTIONALITY AND FEATURES OPTIONS AND EXTRAS Pillion seat cowl £175 The pillion provisions on the Hornet aren't great (see boxout, left) so why not just forget about passengers and instead spend £175 on a colour-matched pillion seat cover to tidy up the rear end.…

Despite braking being the skill that's most likely to save us if things go wrong, it gets remarkably little attention. That's understandable – we ride to go places not to stop – but our brakes are crucial, not just for pulling up before we hit a car bonnet, but also in creating grip and generating confidence. MCN's second video in our new series on better biking – made in conjunction with Rapid Training and BikerTek – gives you all the information you need to improve your braking. It starts with a fascinating test that demonstrates how your front brake will pull you up over twice as quickly as the rear in an emergency stop. It also shows how crude some ABS systems are. “No matter what bike you ride, the…

Have you ever had a niggling feeling that something isn't quite right, but you just can't figure out the culprit? One Yamaha XSR700 owner went through just that when his new-to-him retro roadster was handling with all the grace of an overloaded dumper truck – especially when tasked with carrying a passenger. As it turns out, the previous owner had sent the Yamaha through a particularly nasty pothole, causing remarkable damage. Then, for whatever reason, they'd failed to fix the issue and left it to someone else to figure out. Luckily, Karen Neill, owner of Zenith Motorcycles, London, was on hand to put an end to the conundrum. “The client had owned the bike for about six months and in that time, they'd always felt that something wasn't right, and…

Thanks to a huge public vote, Michael Dunlop has claimed his second consecutive MCN Rider of the Year Award at the Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show. 2024 was an historic year for Dunlop as he became the most successful Isle of Man TT rider of all-time, securing four victories to take him to a grand total of 29. That's three more than former record holder, Dunlop's uncle, Joey Dunlop. “Joey's record has been a massive thing, so to break that is probably the big reason behind this award,” Dunlop told MCN on stage in London. “It's something very special for me to keep the record in the family. “It was there to be broken, I was there to break it. When I matched Joey's record on the Saturday, I…

Riding the distinctive yellow GoEleven Ducati, Andrea Iannone put in a strong opening weekend to manage two podiums and a sixth place to go third in the series, one point behind Aruba's Alvaro Bautista. Like championship leader, Nicolo Bulega, Iannone was lucky not to be struck by the wayward BMW of Razgatlioglu on the opening lap of Sunday. “We are small and strong,” Iannone says of his private team, lamenting a Race 1 issue which MCN has learned was a clutch problem. “Thanks to Ducati for helping us, it's been a great weekend. The start of the Superpole Race was scary; fortunately, nothing happened. I lacked some grip so for Race 2 we adjusted the setup. Yes, Phillip Island is a Ducati track, but the Ducati riders bring a good…

'The writing is on the wall…' Well after a weekend like that we need three columns to get everything I want to say in, but unfortunately we've only got one! Starting with Tom Booth-Amos, his ride was just epic. He lost a bit of time in the pits, but he was clever and didn't make any mistakes, unlike a few of the rookies. They all got ahead of him but he was super patient and then he out-rode them at the end. So it was a British rider on a British bike winning one and then the new Yamaha R9 making its debut winning the other. In WSBK, Ducati completely dominated and the way Bulega rode was a joke. There were parts of the track where he didn't even look…

Michael Guy, MCN Sports Editor 1 Pecco Bagnaia 2 Marc Marquez 3 Jorge Martin Standout Marco Bezzecchi Josh Close, MCN Sports Reporter 1 Marc Marquez 2 Pecco Bagnaia 3 Pedro Acosta Standout Fabio Quartararo Neil Hodgson, 2003 World Champion 1 Marc Marquez 2 Pecco Bagnaia 3 Jorge Martin Standout Fermin Aldegeur Colin Young, Paddock veteran 1 Marc Marquez 2 Pecco Bagnaia 3 Jorge Martin Standout Fermin Aldegeur Michael Scott, Paddock veteran 1 Marc Marquez 2 Pedro Acosta 3 Pecco Bagnaia Standout Alex Marquez Neil Morrison, Paddock insider 1 Marc Marquez 2 Pecco Bagnaia 3 Pedro Acosta Standout Alex Marquez…

Just as everybody had hoped and predicted, Pedro Acosta was a breath of fresh air in MotoGP last season. Exciting to watch, Acosta wasn't scared of anybody, whether that be Marc Marquez, Pecco Bagnaia, or his fellow KTM riders. He pushed the RC16 to the limit from day one. Off the track, Acosta was open, honest and fun. He wasn't scared to ruffle feathers and openly admitted that he wants to bring some fire to MotoGP and give the fans something to be excited about. At the end of the day, we all love rivalries. He's quite the character too, one that even spends time in the media room chatting away to journalists and photographers. Despite his personality, Acosta was brutal with his own assessment of his debut campaign, giving…

Will Acosta win a full-length race for KTM in 2025? Yes. He came agonisingly close in his rookie year, which was some feat. From the results in testing, KTM still seem a fair way off Ducati. But there have been small improvements. And with a season of MotoGP experience under his belt, Acosta should be a more complete racer. He's been working on weaknesses – qualifying, riding with a full fuel tank – all through winter. His speed and hunger are without question. If Marc and Pecco slip up in any way, expect Pedro to take full advantage.…

'Martin can breathe a sigh of relief' Aprilia's RS GP has shown it can be a winner, but history shows that it lacks consistency. Whether that is the bike or the rider is something we'll find out this year. In addition to more consistent performance, the aims for Aprilia engineers are for it be much faster at the starts and have more horsepower. And of course, without ruining the current character of the bike and its sublime feeling from the front. At Sepang, Aprilia had 12 different engine configurations ready for their #1 rider Jorge Martin. Unfortunately, his impatience caused him to crash twice within 13 laps and to withdraw injured from the tests. The comparison and evaluation of the new Aprilia and all possible adjustments fell on the shoulders…

YAMAHA TEAMS Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team Fabio Quartararo Alex Rins Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Jack Miller Miguel Oliveira 2025 TESTING Sepang 3rd Quartararo . . . . . +0 .231 10th Rins . . . . . . . . . . +0 .858 12th Miller . . . . . . . . . +0 .959 17th Oliveira . . . . . . . +1 .467 Buriram 8th Quartararo . . . . . +0 .731 10th Miller . . . . . . . . . +0 .762 17th Rins . . . . . . . . . . +1 .207 19th Oliveira . . . . . . . +1 .234…

Can Yamaha win races in 2025? I'd love to say yes to this, but in reality it has to be a no. Quartararo remains one of the very best riders in the world and his pace in testing has been a revelation - especially on the high-grip Sepang circuit. But being the only inline four on the grid means they have to ride differently making it hard to fight over a full race distance. And with Ducati's mind-blowing line-up to beat plus Acosta on the KTM and the world champion on the Aprilia I think a win is just a step to far. I'd be happy to be proved wrong though……

Honda's MotoGP project is in a dark place, and it has been for a number of years now. Put bluntly the 2024 bike had poor traction under acceleration as well as being seriously down on power; an area where once HRC were the kings of the class. They were also backmarkers in the aero arms race, seemingly years behind pioneers Ducati and Aprilia. Communication and speed of developing new parts is another area where Honda have struggled. The relationship between Japanese and European engineers has also had an impact, meaning decision making is slower than it should be, which in turn has seen them fall further behind their rivals. This situation came to a head in 2024 and the big 'H' took the unprecedented step of poaching Romano Albesiano from…

Suzuki GSX-8S £7499 | 776cc | 202kg (kerb) | 81.7bhp | 810mm seat height In the competitive naked middleweight class, Suzuki's GSX-8S manages to do enough to allow it to stand out from its rivals. In fact, MCN were so impressed with it that it scooped the 2023 MCN Award for Naked Bike of the Year, which is massive when you look what it was up against. So what makes it special? A big factor in what makes the GSX-8S so appealing is its engine. The 776cc parallel-twin has a lovely feel and sound about it as well as more mid-range punch than most of its rivals. This extra drive makes the Suzuki wonderfully easy-going and also means gearchanges are reduced, not that this is much of an issue as…

A stolen blood bike has been recovered in just one day after an appeal by SERV OBN Blood Bikes. The charity, who operate across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Northants, reported the theft of the BMW R1250RT, named 'Margo McCaffery', on February 19 via Facebook. The post was shared over 13,000 times and the bike was tracked down after public help. Catch Henry live across the UK Henry Cole's 2025 Theatre Tour kicks off in Swindon on March 8, before heading to Southend on the 11th and Newark on the 13th, wrapping up in Chatham on November 18. Hosted by Steve Parrish, each show explores Cole's passion for all things two- and four-wheeled. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, unseen photos and post show meet-and-greets. Visit henrycole.tv for tickets. KTM double warranty period KTM…

It's a real shame that bikes can't access the public sessions, because that was the magic of the Nürburgring: you got the freedom to experience one of the best tracks in the world whenever you wanted. But this was always going to happen – they've cut down on bikes before, particularly when it was very busy. Anytime a bike crashes they have to stop the session to clear the bike up, whereas cars are a lot easier to sort out. I've got a lot of good memories there; I went there first in 2000 and I've done a pilgrimage every Easter with my friends, and my final lap was last year with my girlfriend as pillion. So that bookends my Nürburgring career.…

SAVE £12,001 £31,999 Norton V4SV Norton's high-end V4SV isn't the sharpest superbike available, but anything it lacks in outright performance, it more than makes up for in terms of sheer bling factor and exclusivity. This one isn't quite brand spankers, having covered a very modest 250 miles, but with more than 12 grand off, it's got to be worth considering. motorcycles.juddracing.com SAVE £3900 £14,495 Kawasaki H2 SX Kawasaki's blown hyper tourer mixes effortless grunt, all-day comfort and unflappable stability to create an incredible mile-muncher. www.cobbandjagger.co.uk • Engine 998cc • Power 197bhp • Weight 260kg • Seat height 835mm SAVE £2200 £9899 Kawasaki Z900RS Kawasaki's retro-roadster is more than just a pretty face. The RS mixes competitive performance with excellent attention to detail. www.shirlaws.com • Engine 948cc • Power 109bhp •…

The Metropolitan Police are battling vehicle cloning while urging motorcyclists to be aware of the threat when buying used. Cloning occurs when a legitimate number plate is used on another vehicle to hide the fact that it's not road legal, stolen, or to misrepresent its engine size. To highlight the issue, the Met took a cloned Vespa scooter to the recent Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show. Small to mid-sized bikes and scooters are prime targets due to often having shared components across capacity brackets. This allows criminals to pass off higher-powered machines as 50-125cc models able to be ridden on L-plates, while actually operating machines beyond their qualification – simply by swapping in a different plate. “It's mainly inexperienced people riding these on provisional licences – someone who doesn't…

Just how do you test kit? The testing process is a mystery to many riders – and that includes not only consumers, but some manufactures too! So, what is actually involved? First, the manufacturer must decide which of the 35 approved testing and certification bodies they wish to work with, based on costs and lead times. Next, they submit samples for assessment. This will be at least one complete garment, one pair in each size of gloves, and three different sizes of boots. In addition, representative samples (swatches) of materials and constructions are submitted, and it is these that are physically tested. Chemical innocuousness test evidence is also required, to ensure compounds that can be harmful to health are absent. Nickel, which can be found in metal components, can cause…

Q 'Lawyer needs to U-turn' Back in October I was riding to work outside Newport. I approached a queue of slow-moving traffic, so decided to filter past on the right. I was riding at about 30mph and the limit for the road was 60mph. There were no junctions at the collision point. After I passed some cars one pulled across my path to do a U-turn in front of me with no indication, causing a collision. My lawyer tells me I should accept a 50/50 liability offer. Is this right? Ryan Evans, Cardiff A Each case turns on its own facts and I would need to see the police report, any witness statements and any video/cctv footage to give you meaningful advice. However, your case is aligned to the situation…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers Maka Jerycho / Alchemoto / Cheshire adventure / Leon / Butcher The ride Attempted winter camp Glen Lyon How many miles? 850 Tell us about the trip… A winter camp would have seen us head to the Moffat area and camp around St Mary's Loch on Friday evening, then on to Glen Lyon valley on Saturday wild camping along the enclosed Glen area. However, on the morning of the trip Storm Eowyn hit with 100mph winds. We had booked time off work, prepped our bikes and readied our camping equipment, so decided we would brave the storm but slowly follow its path from the tail, rather than ride directly into it. As we got to the England/Scotland border we came across the devastation the…

£9999 Honda CB1000 Hornet SP • 1000cc l/c DOHC 16v inline-four • 155bhp @ 11,000rpm (144.6bhp @ 11,100rpm tested) • 79lb.ft @ 9000rpm (74.7lb.ft @ 8600rpm tested) • 212kg wet (214kg tested) Honda seem to have struggled when it comes to building a successful big-capacity naked. When they entered the class in 2001 with the CB900F Hornet, they left buyers cold. Upping the game, the quirkily styled 2008 CB1000R should have fared better, but its overly-smooth engine didn't appeal to those wanting a naked bike thrill. And even when the CB1000R received a café racer look in 2018, sales never took off. But the signs are much more promising for 2025. The all-new CB1000 Hornet has just landed in the UK, alongside its higher-spec sibling, the CB1000 Hornet SP. On…

Looking at the Hornet SP's price, I was expecting it to feel like it had a few corners cut – but nothing could be further from the truth. The SP responds, drives and handles like a bike costing considerably more than the £9999 Honda are asking. And it does so with finesse and a wonderfully assured nature that again, belies it wallet-friendly status. Naturally there are a few compromises but once you have sorted the most obvious (that horrible can…), it's easy to live with the lower-spec electronics package. Unless you provoke them, the safety assists are perfectly acceptable in their response for 99% of road-riding situations. And that's the key to the Hornet SP, it's a road bike and not a track bike. Honda have created a road-going super-naked…

ESSENTIAL KIT RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor THE MCN SHOWCASE ALL-WEATHER TEXTILE GEAR Big on practicality and protection but which kit is the best for you? 10 months ON TEST • Fit and comfort rated • Design, construction and CE scores rated • Waterproofing tested in real world riding Tested by Saffron Wilson for 2331 miles I have to say, it's lovely to have kit that fits, especially when it's all-weather gear that can sometimes make you feel like Bibendum. I usually go up a size in my textiles so I can pop jeans or extra jumpers on underneath, and the same goes for this suit. But I've always found Alpinestars kit to be on the smaller end of the rail, and this kit is no exception –…

Saving you money on essential bike maintenance BRUCE DUNN MCN's expert technician 1 Time to check clearances Valve clearances need checking to maintain an engine's efficiency, and the mileage at which they need checking will be detailed in a manual. Familiarise yourself with the procedure and make sure you are confident to carry out the task. With the bike cold, remove all panels needed to gain access to the engine cam cover, then remove the spark plugs. BRUCE'S TIPS Clearances are usually checked around 16,000 miles 2 Lifting the lid Undo the bolts that secure the cam cover and move them safely to one side. Gently lift the cover away and keep an eye on the rubber gasket that seals the perimeter. This needs to either remain on the engine or come…

NEIL MORRISON INSIGHT Reporting from the final round of pre-season testing 'We'll only get stronger, there's no point rushing' As a number of riders pushed to show their hand at Moto2's final preseason test, Jake Dixon was taking another approach. The Englishman remained calm through the three days in Andalusia, played down expectations and set modest targets for the opening races of the year. The 29-year old ended the test in ninth place, 0.6s off pace setter Aron Canet as he and new team Marc VDS continued their adaptation to the Boscoscuro chassis. And unlike the past two pre-seasons, Dixon wasn't pushing for fast times and called for patience as he understands his new package. “It's nice to be with the Marc VDS Team,” he told MCN. “Everything's working well.…

Ryan Vickers made the step up from BSB with three finishes and points in both long races. Despite a high-speed crash in practice, the Motocorsa Ducati rider finished 13th in Race 1 and 15th in Race 2 for four points in total. Fellow rookies impressed too, Bahattin Sofuoglu (Motox Yamaha) scoring on his debut. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Ducati) was even better, with top nine Sunday results. Disappointing start for Gerloff Garrett Gerloff's emotions are like a yo-yo, the American having come off a pre-season high when he praised the Kawasaki's front-end feeling and engine torque. A testing crash at Phillip Island's high-speed Hay Shed section shattered his confidence, while being harpooned by Tetsuta Nagashima's Honda in the Superpole Race didn't help. The Texan ended the weekend with three points…

GREG HAINES INSIGHT Going behind the headlines at the opening round of 2025 TOP STORY Sport needs characters and the fact Scott Redding has returned to the sharp end is nothing but great news for the World Superbike Championship. After losing six kilograms (almost a stone) in weight over the winter, the Englishman is revelling in his new role as team motivator in a single-rider Bonovo squad. He's paying for his ride while hoping to regain factory status in the future, starting off in great style with results of 5th-4th-4th in the Phillip Island season-opener. It's hard to forget the scenes in the opening round of the 2022 season at Aragon in Spain, Redding furiously beating the tank of his BMW in a truly miserable start to his three-year tenure…

GREG HAINES INSIGHT Reporting direct from the opening WSBK round of 2025 Toprak Razgatlioglu was a shadow of his usual self as the new World Superbike season kicked off in Australia last weekend. The Turkish superstar suffered a series of crashes and further near-misses as he scored just 20 points from a possible 62 and departed Phillip Island eighth in the championship. It was obvious things were going to kick off this year, with new regulations threatening to give Ducati a serious advantage, and the bad feeling and negativity amongst rivals has already come to the fore. It culminated in Razgatlioglu refusing to give interviews on Sunday afternoon, eventually being grabbed back to face the press and television cameras. “All of the Ducatis are at the front and this is…

When Marc Marquez lines up on the grid for the opening race in Thailand we'll be witnessing the best rider on the planet on the best bike in the world. It's a mouth watering proposition for MotoGP fans and for the first time since his Repsol Honda glory days, the 32-year-old has all he needs to secure title number nine. But while it's unquestionably a match made in heaven it's not going to be easy. His biggest threat comes from within. Ducati's golden child Pecco Bagnaia, a two-time MotoGP champion himself, is at his peak and in a position where he can cement himself as a great – but only if he can find a way to beat Marquez! By all accounts Marquez has already disrupted the Bologna status quo,…

Ducati could send their entire development department on holiday for a year and they would still be leading the way, that's how far ahead they seem to be. Races are won on excellent motorcycles, but titles are won on well-balanced packages. In the opening test of 2025 at Sepang came the expected new engines, chassis and aero advancements along with updates to the ride height systems and starting devices. But not everything that's new is better, and that's what we saw happen with Ducati's new 2025 engine and chassis. Interestingly, the '25 engine was indeed smoother and stronger, but it was still rejected. Why? Because it 'cooperates' less well during braking. And although it was tested extensively, this disadvantage could not be remedied and so the choice fell on the…

Who said life gets easier when you become MotoGP World Champion? Jorge Martin, Aprilia's new captain and leader, has quickly found out everyone wants a piece of you when your star is rising. Add in the painful start to testing in Malaysia, and it's fair to say the new number one is immediately on the back foot having missed nearly all of this year's testing to date. Not that it's dulled his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. As MCN found out when speaking to the Spaniard in late January, Martin is more motivated than ever to make a success of this new chapter. On his current feeling compared to pre-season in 2024 when he suffered a massive crisis of confidence… “It's very different compared to one year ago. One year…

APRILIA TEAMS Aprilia Racing Jorge Martin Marco Bezzecchi Trackhouse Aprilia Raul Fernandez Ai Ogura 2025 TESTING Sepang 9th Bezzecchi . . . . . . +0 .835 14th Ogura . . . . . . . . . +1 .261 22nd Savadori . . . . . . +2 .676 Out – Martin Out – Fernandez Buriram 3rd Bezzecchi . . . . . . +0 .205 11th Ogura . . . . . . . . . +0 .781 13th Fernandez . . . . . +0 .877 21st Savadori . . . . . . +2 .352 Out - Martin…

Can Jorge Martin make the difference at Aprilia? Only with the right help. He has the talent and determination. But he can't do it alone… and here's the rub. Teammate Bezzecchi is new to Aprilia, likewise (obviously) satellite-team rookie Ogura, though Raul Fernandez does have one year's experience. Tech guru Romano Albesiano and key rider Aleix Espargaro, who steered Aprilia's development, have gone to Honda. New engineer Fabiano Sterlacchini has extensive Ducati and KTM experience. But, like Martin, he's also a learner at Aprilia.…

Have HRC really made a step? A race weekend is completely different to testing, but all signs point to HRC riders being able to challenge higher up the grid this year. Mir and Marini are happy with the upgrades, quick over a single fast lap and on-par with Yamaha in Sprint race simulations. “This is the best Honda I've ever ridden,” Mir said in Thailand. Admittedly, the bar is set low on that front, but the mood is a positive one. The arrival of Albesiano and Espargaro to the project is also key. Top speed and grip remain issues to fix.…

ROUND 1 Chang International Thailand February 28-March 2 • Length 2.83 miles • Width 12m • Longest straight 1000m • Corners 7 right/5 left ROUND 2 Termas Rio Hondo Argentina March 14-16 • Length 2.99 miles • Width 16m • Longest straight 1076m • Corners 9 right/5 left ROUND 3 Circuit of the Americas USA March 28-30 • Length 3.43 miles • Width 15m • Longest straight 1200m • Corners 9 right/11 left ROUND 4 Lusail International Qatar April 11-13 • Length 3.34 miles • Width 12m • Longest straight 1068m • Corners 10 right/6 left ROUND 5 Circuit de Jerez Spain April 25-27 • Length 2.75 miles • Width 11m • Longest straight 607m • Corners 8 right/5 left ROUND 6 Le Mans France May 9-11 • Length 2.6…

Hot pick The Carbon Edition Fireblade SP (£26,749) not only has selected fairing panels and its mudguards made from carbon, it looks knock-out in all-black – with only limited stock available. HOT DEAL Make use of Honda's exclusive track package MY 24 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP £23,499 | 1000cc | 201kg (kerb) | 214.6bhp | 830mm seat height Honda's range-topping sportsbike was upgraded last year and is the most technologically advanced Fireblade ever built, especially the range-topping SP. While the Blade uses the same basic design of inline four as before, the semi-cam gear motor received a new tune for 2024 to deliver even stronger mid-range acceleration as well as a wallop of extra top-end power, taking it to a claimed 214.6bhp which is barked out of an Akrapovic exhaust.…