Table of contents for 2 March 2022 in MCN

Motorcyclists across Europe have been united in offering help for people displaced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Posting in the Trans Euro Trail (TET) Facebook group, hundreds of bikers from neighbouring countries have been offering to meet people at the border. The TET is a network of off-road trails that stretch from the UK and Spain at the Western end right across to Ukraine in the Eastern end. Garner on hold Stuart Garner’s sentencing has been postponed to March 30. Garner had admitted three breaches of the Employer Related Investment Rules while at Norton. Each carried a penalty of an unlimited fine and/or a two year custodial term. Garner was the sole trustee of the three pension schemes with the pensions ombudsman ruling he acted ‘dishonestly’. New ULEZ tests Transport…

Ducati have updated their Multistrada V4 range for 2022, adding a new ‘Iceberg White’ paint job and a range of electronic updates. The Bologna firm have sold almost 10,000 Multi V4s since its arrival in 2021 and plan to expand on this figure with updates to the electronic suspension, infotainment system, and accessories catalogue. The glossy new black and white colour scheme will be available for the S model only from this month. Elsewhere, the Ducati’s semi-active electronic suspension gets a new feature called ‘minimum preload.’ This allows you to reduce the bike’s ride height – making it easier to manage at slow speeds and around town. The rider-to-bike infotainment system has also been updated to become more functional. Both updates will come as standard for 2022 machines and will…

Held Phantom Pro gloves £317.74 This evolution of Held’s very best race gloves is made from a combination of kangaroo leather for supreme feel, titanium knuckle armour reinforced with memory foam for impact protection, and SuperFabric panels backed up with Aramid for abrasion resistance. They’re some of the best track-spec gloves you can buy – and they’re nigh-on indestructible (believe us, we’ve tried!) held.de Oxford Barrier Cable Lock £24.99 Designed as a lightweight, low-cost deterrent, this lock is a 1.4m length of braided steel cable with an armoured mid layer, covered in a coloured plastic outer. Although it might not be the ultimate in security (it’s not Sold Secure rated) its price and weight makes it a decent everyday solution. Combine it with additional security and it’ll slow down a…

May 14th-15th 2022 EAST OF ENGLAND ARENA Britain’s biggest and best outdoor bike show returns to Peterborough Arena on May 14 & 15 and is packed with everything you need to get the biking season started, including a massive Ducati test ride fleet. Star of the line-up is the latest 170bhp Multistrada V4 with no fewer than nine V4 S and three extra special V4 Pikes Peak models to try, the sportiest Multistrada Ducati have ever produced. The fleet also includes several Scrambler models to try out, including the gorgeous Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro, Urban Motard and Desert Sled*. Ducati test fleet in full Mutlistrada V4 S, Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak, Multistrada V2, Monster, Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro, Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro, Scrambler Urban Motard, Scrambler Icon, Scrambler Nightshift, Scrambler…

IAN SIMPSON Every week we give a different rider a wodge of fictional cash and ask them to ‘buy’ the bike that sets their soul on fire. This is Ian’s pick... ‘What I’d buy right now with’ £4000 2005 BMW R1200GS I an Simpson has been around bikes and race tracks all his life. As well as running a bike shop, his father, Bill, won a Production TT in 1976 and when a young Ian was asked about his future career choice by a teacher his reply of “I want to be a motorcycle racer” was predictable – if not well received by the school. He went on to win three Isle of Man TTs, five North West 200s and five British championships (including the British Superbike and Supersport titles…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews I can see clearly now… In reply to Shaun in last week’s letters page about glasses steaming up, I discovered Sparklebright at the MCN Show several years ago and it works a treat. A very small amount on your lens and smear over both sides and then polish off. Lasts for ages and works for visors and sunglasses, too. Happy riding. Roger Holden, email Bad vision can fog off In reply to Shaun’s misting problem (MCN Letters, February 23) the best solution I’ve found is Muc-Off Premium Anti Fog Treatment. Not the cheapest but the best and it goes a long way. I use it on my spectacles. Brilliant stuff. Tom Coomber, email How can I combat crime? I work in Leeds city centre with my…

1 McGuinness and Whitham on tour March 3 The pair are in action again this Thursday at the Clapham Grand Theatre, plus they’ve got a surprise guest joining them. You won’t want to miss it. Tickets are £25.99-£79.99 and doors open at 6pm. bikesandbanter.co.uk 2 Project Auto Biker’s Brunch March 5 Project Auto are hosting their monthly Biker’s Brunch this Saturday at their HQ in Waterlip, Somerset, from 11am until 3pm. Admission is £1 if you book in advance, or £2 on the day. project-auto.co.uk 3 Mighty big bike March 6 A five-tonne sculpture of a Harley Fat Boy is to be unveiled at the Surrey Sculpture Park, Farnham, after a nine-year tour across the USA and UK. www.thesculpturepark.com 5 Bike Stop rideout March 6 This Sunday join Bike Stop…

FRIDAY March 4 7.10am, QUEST, World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides: Scotland 9am, BTS2, Live MotoGP: Qatar Opening Day SATURDAY March 5 8.15am, BTS2, Live MotoGP: Free Practice. Qualifying at 12pm. SUNDAY March 6 10am, BTS2, Live MotoGP: Warm Ups. Moto3 11.15am, Moto2 1pm and MotoGP 2.30pm. Chequered Flag 4pm KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT – DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC – DISCOVERY CHANNEL DHD – DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD EXS – EXTREME SPORTS CHANNEL EUR1 (2, HD) – EUROSPORT 1 (2, HD) MOT – MOTORSPORT.TV CH4 – CHANNEL 4 CH5 – CHANNEL FIVE BBC BBCI – BBC INTERACTIVE ESPN – ESPN CLASSIC CHANNEL ITV DST – DISCOVERY TURBO SHED – DISCOVERY SHED INST – INSIGHT SS1 (2, 3 OR X) – SKY SPORTS 1 (2, 3 OR EXTRA) QUEST BTS1 – BT SPORT 1 BTS2…

Fiona Hu Age 40 Height 5ft 8in Current bikes 2017 Ducati SuperSport S, 2021 KTM 690 Enduro We invited MCN reader Fiona to try the Tiger Sport after our trip: “I’m surprised how light it feels. It turns with no effort and is faster steering than my Ducati, which is a shock. I instantly felt assured, especially at low speed, where its low seat, narrow tank, comfortable riding position and light weight gave me confidence. “I like how it visually stands out in a crowded middleweight adventure market. I’ve also ridden an NC750, which was dull, and the Versys 650 looks too odd. “It sounds like my boyfriend’s Daytona 675 and has the same low-down power and character, but it feels castrated by comparison. I like its delivery, though; it’s…

The original Mutt The first Mutt sits proudly on the top floor of the HQ and has been the bike on which three people have learned to ride. “When parts manager Sam wanted a bike, I passed it on to him,” says Benny. “And the deal was he could have it as long as he never washed it. We wanted it to stay looking like a barn find. But it’s a really good fun bike, it still goes like the clappers.” A Hardy learner In order to star in Venom, Hollywood star Tom Hardy had to learn to ride a motorcycle, and now, his learner bike has pride of place in the Mutt HQ. Hardy was papped numerous times on the Blackest Sabbath 125 which The Sun misdescribed as a…

If gender stereotypes are to be believed, men aren’t known for their love of reading a manual before building flatpack furniture or getting to grips with a new gadget. But if there’s one manual that you should get to grips with, it’s the one under your bike’s seat. Skip past all the weights and spec and there are some real gems of insight in there; everything you need to know about keeping your bike in tip-top condition. But of all the manuals I’ve ever seen, there’s none so comprehensive as the one that came with the 2012 Yamaha YBR125 we used in this guide. There is more service info in this little book than you’d get in most superbike manuals! It describes obvious safety things like tyre pressures, chain tension,…

‘British chances? Not a sausage…’ This isn’t the place to pore over the merits or otherwise of Brexit. Except when we talk about racing. Bike racing’s Brexit happened decades ago. And the split is deeper than ever. How so? The season is barely a week away, and it is set to be a thriller. Any chance of a British winner in the premier class? Not a sausage – even a proper British sausage. With no starters, not even a finisher… unless Yamaha tester Cal Crutchlow has a wild-card. Things are a mite brighter in the middle class, where Sam Lowes is a confirmed race winner. But, at 31, Sam is on the wrong side of the learning curve, second-oldest on the grid (Simone Corsi is 34). And in trouble already,…

‘Everyone was afraid of Marquez’ Welcome to MCN’s MotoGP season preview 2022. With just a few days to go, the big question surrounds Marc Marquez. Previously everyone was afraid of Marc, but as yet he’s been not the same rider as before his injury. Also, we cannot forget that his rivals have improved – as have their bikes. Ducati, for example, are already at a high level and they have a roster of strong riders with Bagnaia, Miller and also Martin. Fabio Quartararo is the world champion and the most consistent but there is a question mark over the Yamaha’s engine; he has already complained about it. There are many questions still to be answered – and this will only happen at the end of race one. Right now if…

‘WE ALL HAVE ZERO POINTS RIGHT NOW. LAST YEAR’S CHAMPIONSHIP IS JUST A MEMORY’ 73 ALEX MARQUEZ LCR HONDA CASTROL Time to step up Last year was painful for Alex Marquez. After the highs of his maiden year on the Repsol bike, he was brought back down to earth following the move to LCR Honda. Crashes were the main problem, with several during testing hampering development. Six DNFs followed, but fourth place at Portimao gave hope of a brighter future. Indeed, this year’s RC213V looks to be much stronger and could provide the springboard for Marquez to become a regular top 6-8 finisher. After all, HRC building a bike that all Honda riders can ride without the fear of crashing every corner has always been their riders’ dream. Fewer accidents…

42 ALEX RINS TEAM SUZUKI ECSTAR No more errors Alex Rins is one of the more frustrating riders on the grid. A rider full of talent that could easily be a genuine title challenger, but one that spends a lot of time picking his Suzuki up out of the gravel trap. 2021 was extremely difficult. He crashed six times, broke his wrist in a cycling accident on the Thursday of the Catalan GP, hitting a van whilst distracted on his mobile, and recorded just one podium. In one year, he’d gone from third overall to 13th. This can’t happen again, it’s his sixth year with Suzuki and patience could wear thin. Can Rins turn things around? Well, it looks like Suzuki have taken a step forward with the GSX-RR. The…

Former BSB engineer Frankie Carchedi has worked with Joan Mir since he graduated to MotoGP in 2019, so he knows exactly what it takes to win the world championship… and to lose it. Suzuki’s biggest focus during winter testing has been improving qualifying and top speed. Suzuki have struggled with qualifying for years, so that Alex Rins and Joan Mir often start from the third or fourth rows, leaving them an insurmountable challenge. “In qualifying you need to really exploit the rear tyre and finish it in two or three laps,” explains Carchedi. “Our problem is that when we do use the tyre more aggressively, we do exactly the same lap time, so we’re not exploiting the extra grip.” ‘We hope our increase in top power will help’ Suzuki’s qualifying…

KTM had a bizarre 2021. They were nobbled by a change of front-tyre allocation, so they revised the frame and were winning again by mid-season. Then Miguel Oliveira got hurt and they were lost again. That’s modern-day MotoGP - it’s not only the riders that exist on a knife edge, it’s the bikes too. During the second part of the year KTM threw all manner of parts at the bike, without success. So the off-season plan was to calm down and analyse in detail. “What happened with the front tyre pushed us into a situation where we started to doubt things,” says project manager Sebastian Risse. “You have to reinvent yourself, so the results dipped down, then you start getting some better results, the bike goes up step by step…

Ex-racer, TT-winner, author and veteran MotoGP pundit writes for MCN 1 RS-GP: podium regular? Aprilia’s first V4 MotoGP bike used its RSV4 superbike engine and it wasn’t until 2016 that the factory got serious with a full prototype. That narrow-angle vee engine made the bike shorter but taller, so only when Aprilia switched to a 90-degree V4 in 2020 did they find the right way forward. After two years perfecting that design they now have a chance of competing for podiums, and even race wins, with Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales. 2 All about downforce Aprilia introduced their radical split front wing last year, significantly increasing downforce, which gave them much more acceleration, because in MotoGP the limit to acceleration in the first three gears is wheelies, not horsepower. The…

51 PEDRO ACOSTA RED BULL KTM AJO Is Pedro an unstoppable force? In case you weren’t already aware, Pedro Acosta may be the next MotoGP superstar. The 17-year-old broke multiple records last year to become Moto3 World Champion at the first attempt. He outshone everybody that came before him in the class, including Marc Marquez. He even won from a pitlane start! He moves straight into Aki Ajo’s all-conquering Moto2 team, but surely this will be a harder challenge? Think again. Based on pre-season testing, it looks like Acosta will do just fine. The young Spaniard was fast at a private Jerez test, but then went and broke the lap record at Portimao during the official test. Acosta posted a 1:41.552 to put himself +0.154s ahead of the chasing pack.…

07 DENNIS FOGGIA LEOPARD RACING The title favourite Dennis Foggia’s form towards the end of 2021 was outstanding. He changed the title fight from a one-man stroll to a heated two-rider battle. Acosta vs Foggia included mind games and an on-circuit clash. Foggia took three wins, and a total of six podiums, in the final eight races but lost the title at Portimao after being wiped out of the lead by Darryn Binder on the final lap. With Acosta graduating to Moto2, Foggia naturally becomes the title favourite, and things already look promising for the Leopard Racing rider. The Italian set a new lap record at the official Portimao test in February, posting a 1:46.990 on the final day. He was the only rider to dip into the 1:46s. Foggia…

It feels almost thoughtlessly frivolous to be getting excited about motorcycle racing at a time when such extraordinary and unimaginable global events are dominating the news – but beacons of light and normality also become even more important when the world appears to be losing its mind around us. This weekend will see the greatest racers on Earth line up under the floodlights in Qatar to kick off what is promising to be one of the hardest-fought seasons in memory. Yes, Valentino Rossi is absent for the first time in 26 years, but just look at the incredible talent filling the grids in MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3. Whether it’s rookies who look set to upset the status quo; teammates who have been trading blows as the preseason rhetoric rises; manufacturers…

SAVE £4200 £10,495 Yamaha Niken GT The GT comes with two 25-litre semi-soft panniers, heated grips, a taller screen, comfort seat, an extra 12v socket, centrestand and a dedicated finish to add to the Niken’s base of an LCD dash, traction control, quickshifter, cruise control, slipper clutch and fully-adjustable shock. And an extra wheel and set of forks… • www.wiganyamaha.co.uk SAVE £1300 £14,199 Aprilia Tuono V4 The Tuono V4 is more road-friendly than the 1100 Factory with roomier ergonomics, taller fairing and extra pillion provision • arnoldsmotorcycles.com • Engine 1077cc • Power 173bhp • Weight 209kg • Seat height 825mm SAVE £1000 £7299 Suzuki V-Strom 650XT The 650XT is a real workhorse and makes a fabulous commuter as it just gets on with the job. • www.jwg.co.uk • Engine 645cc…

ASSISTANT EDITOR, MOTORCYCLING Aman has been jailed for his part in a moped-enabled smash and grab robbery in London’s Regent Street in 2018. Wayne Russell, 23, of no fixed address, was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery at Southwark Crown Court. He was also sentenced to 16 months for possession of an offensive weapon, to run concurrently. Russell and five other men arrived at a top-end watch shop, Watches of Switzerland, on three mopeds and a motorcycle before using one of the mopeds to block the front doors of the shop. Three of the men then rushed in armed with sledgehammers and attacked five display cases. In total, they stole 35 Rolex watches worth a combined £440,000. Russell waited outside armed with…

Shark D-Skwal Helmet £99.99 Great kit for less than 100 quid! It’s amazing what deals you can find on the web. We’ve set ourselves a budget of £100 to get some new riding gear and found some corking kit. From lids to jackets, boots to gloves, there’s something for everyone. Take this eye-catching Shark lid on sale at helmet specialists, Helmet City. It has a thermoplastic shell and comes in three colour options. There’s a fully removeable and washable lining, it’s prepped to fit a Sharktooth intercom system and there’s even room to accommodate the arms of your specs or sunnies. For really sunny days, the integral drop-down sunvisor is a great addition and for extra sun protection, there’s a free dark smoke visor. A Pinlock anti-mist visor is included.…

Forget gorging on chocolate Eggs, the Ashford Classic Motorcycle and Autojumble is the best way to spend a cracking East Monday! The show will be packed with classic goodness and autojumble bargains and will even feature a special Weslake display. The, now defunct, firm has many connections to Ashford and is best known for its speedway and grass track engine-building prowess. Exhibits at the show will include a cutaway speedway engine and even some secret parts that were made for the firm’s ill-fated 500cc Grand Prix racing engine. Taking centre stage is the 1959 1000cc Norlake Cafe Racer, which is powered by a Weslake V-twin pushrod 8-valve engine. Doors open from 10am on April 18, tickets cost £6. MotoGP Duke? KTM have pulled the covers off a new MotoGP-inspired colourscheme…

MCN staff and readers share their favourite routes Begin at Rufus Stone Services on the A31. From here you drop south to the outskirts of Lyndhurst before peeling right and navigating around the New Forest National Park. Following the road to Ringwood, take a right and link up with the Forest Road, heading north through Nomansland before picking up the B3079 and, shortly after, the Furzeley Road into Newbridge. Head to Winsor and then join the A336 at Bartley, aiming at Netley Marsh. When you get there, pick up the A326 Marchwood Bypass. The Twiggs lane turning will lead you to Beaulieu Road, which leads to Beaulieu and of course the National Motor Museum. After this, follow the B3055 until you pick up the A337 at Balmer Lawn and follow…

‘Pateley Bridge for a pie’ R5K MEMBERS DAVID BADCOCK AND STEVE TULLOCH Steve on the left and me on the right on our regular ride around Yorkshire. We went to Pateley Bridge for a pie and then Masham for tea. As advanced riders, we also critique each other’s riding, which can be illuminating! ‘Out with the crew in the Trough of Bowland’ R5K MEMBERS NIGEL PRICE, JEANETTE PRICE, ANDREW WADDINGTON AND NICK HEATON Here we are at the butty van in the Trough of Bowland. We were returning home to Oldham from our ride to Glasson Dock. It was great being out with everyone. ‘First ride on my resto TZR’ R5K MEMBER GLEN LODGE Here I am on my first ride on my restored TZR250 3MA, which took over 230…

SENIOR WRITER The Classic 350 is so much better than any £4500 single has any right to be. A delightful blend of modest power, build quality and quaint styling – it chugs cheerfully between backroads to a soundtrack that transports you to the set of Heartbeat. Novice friendly dimensions work in harmony with a sub-20bhp output and five-speed gearbox, providing a top speed just north of the national limit and an affordable introduction to the retro brigade. For all its good looks and chugging charm though, the Classic is slightly let down by lack of feel from the brakes. It could also benefit from a sixth gear and a slightly higher top speed, to make you feel that bit less vulnerable at motorway pace. THE FACTS £4439 Royal Enfield Classic…

RST X Kevlar Single Layer Jeans £159.99 ‘Great fit, but they’re not very stretchy’ Tested by Dan Sutherland for five months / 1000 miles These are a great blend of safety and looks, offering a slim fit alongside an AA CE rating and Level 1 hip and knee armour. They feature five external pockets and room for adjustment for the hard protectors. I’ve made countless journeys in these on a range of motorcycles and always been comfortable – with the protection remaining exactly where it needs to be at all times. This is thanks to RST’s ‘Infinite Adjustment Armour System’, which holds the knee armour in place with a set of hook and loop fasteners. They still look as good as the day they arrived and there’s been no fraying,…

‘Exotic name, wild looks… but familiar’ Have a proper good dig about and there are some really obscure JDM models that you’ll never have heard of, let alone ever seen. Except they’re not actually as exotic as you might think. In the 80s and 90s there was no-end of parts sharing, and short-lived models that were essentially a common bike in fancy dress. Take Yamaha’s Zeal. The rare four-cylinder naked 250 has unique looks and a crazy name, but is a parts-bin special: the engine is from the FZR250 (but doesn’t rev as high so is more reliable), wheels and brakes are shared with the TZR250 (among many others), electrical bits are similar to the far more common XJR400, forks and yokes are from the XJ600… and on and on.…

MECHANIC Mike Russell de Clifford, Corsa Classics A huge pool of oil underneath a bike is never a good sign, and this Moto Guzzi 850 T3 obviously needed some urgent attention. Corsa Classics owner Mike Russell de Clifford said: “The guy had run it for a little while, and although he was under no illusions about his abilities as a mechanic, he thought he could change the gearbox oil.” The T3 gearbox takes 750cc of oil, but the measuring jug was missing that day and a litre went in. The main clutch shaft from the gearbox to the dry clutch is hollow, with the clutch pushrod running through it, but it does have pushrod seals at both ends to hold back the excess oil. “That extra 250cc was not ideal,…

NEIL MORRISON Having grown up around road racing paddocks in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, Neil first gained access to the MotoGP paddock in 2015 and has since contributed to a range of publications, as well as forming part of series organiser Dorna’s TV coverage, commentating on the Moto2, Moto3 and MotoE classes. Q Is Mir a one Q hit wonder? A No. Joan Mir is already a double world champion at the age of 24 and achieved unlikely success with Suzuki, a factory that had won just two MotoGP races in the four-stroke era prior to his arrival. OK, his title defence was a touch underwhelming (he didn’t even manage to lead a single lap). But even as Suzuki’s bike development stood still, the Majorcan still finished…

‘2021 SHOWCASED JUST HOW TALENTED MIR IS’ 41 ALEIX ESPARGARO APRILIA RACING Time to shine If anybody deserves to find themselves on the top step of the podium this season, it’s Aleix Espargaro. He’s worked hard over the years to get Aprilia to the front of MotoGP, and has reached several milestones in the last two seasons. This culminated in a podium at Silverstone, Aprilia’s first since 2000. It looks like the 2022 RS-GP has made more improvements too. It’s narrower, which makes it more agile and easier to handle. Aleix can really throw the bike into the corners. Reigning champ Quartararo commented that the turning potential of the Aprilia was “a lot”. That bodes well for Espargaro, whose RS-GP is also no slouch down the straights. Espargaro was already…

Aprilia have finished bottom in MotoGP’s last six constructors world championships, but the factory is no longer a pit-lane joke. Aprilia is owned by Piaggio which has realised it needs to spend serious money to fight at the front of MotoGP. In 2019 Ferrari’s F1 sporting director Massimo Rivola arrived at Aprilia, raising the level of the entire operation and allowing chief engineer Romano Albesiano to fully focus on development. The 2020 introduction of the 90° V4 - the format used by Ducati, Honda and KTM - changed everything. Even though the first iteration was hampered by development restrictions, imposed because of the pandemic, Aprilia had obviously found the right road. Last August, the bike scored its first podium at Silverstone. ‘Aerodynamics also help in the braking phase’ “The bike…

There are plenty of new riders to look out for this year and following Acosta’s 2021 exploits, who knows, one or more of them could upset the pecking order. One such rider is Daniel Holgado, who takes Acosta’s Aki Ajo seat despite initially being set for Tech3. Clearly, KTM see him as a future talent. Holgado is the reigning CEV Moto3 Junior world champion, and also made three stand-in appearances last season, taking a best result of 13th. Holgado’s closest rival in the Junior World Championship, Iván Ortolá, also joins the GP paddock after signing for Team MTA. Elsewhere, Red Bull Rookies runner-up David Muñoz and 2018 Supersport 300 world champion Ana Carrasco join forces at Boé SKX. Muñoz was third in the Junior World Championship last year. Valentino Rossi’s…

Triumph are massively ramping up their UK production in a move that will more than treble output from the Hinckley factory and create nearly 100 new jobs after a big rise in UK and European sales. This expansion comes two years after the company made cutbacks when production of the last two British-built bikes – the Speed Triple and Tiger 1200 – were moved to Thailand. At the time Triumph said they wanted to realign their UK focus to R&D and prototype/ bespoke models. Production was reduced from around 7000 machines per year to 4500, focusing on top end bikes from their TFC range. At the time Triumph confirmed that they were in consultation with up to 50 UK workers over the future of their jobs. Then in June 2020,…

The Doctor may have hung up his MotoGP leathers but that doesn’t mean the end of his 26-year partnership with Italian firm Dainese and their TCX and AGV brands. Up until the end of 2024 at least, Rossi will be wearing the brands in his motorcycle endeavours and when riding at the VR46 Ranch with the stars of the future – for which he’ll get a special suit and helmet each year. Tracer tweaks UK plastics specialists Pyramid have a new range of accessories for the Yamaha Tracer 9 and 9GT. The new range comprises a flyscreen, hugger, spray guard and engine plate for Yamaha’s three-cylinder sports tourer, which Pyramid say provides protection for both rider and bike, and gives a rugged appearance too. www.pyramid-plastics.co.uk. Be the MV of others…

Kawasaki Racing Team are auctioning two road-legal Ninja ZX-10RR superbikes, but you’re going to need deep pockets. The two track-focused machines boast special heritage liveries used by the firm’s WSB team at the Argentinian round of the 2021 World Superbike Championship. Jonathan Rea’s bike sported the ZXR750 tribute paintjob while Alex Lowes’ machine showcased the black and red of the iconic GPZ900R. The eBay auction for the bikes was set to last until Thursday, March 3, however the Rea replica met its reserve price within minutes – selling for a hefty €70,000. At the time of writing, the GPZ tribute remained on offer, with a lofty ‘buy it now’ price of €100,000. Both bikes are fresh out of the crate and were screwed together at the KRT workshop near Barcelona.…

You could be the lucky winner of one of Shoei’s new racing helmets. The X-Spirit III has been carefully designed, tested and tuned to create a helmet fit for the world’s race tracks. It’s designed to be comfortable and effective when the rider is bent forward in a racing position and the Shoei Adjustable Inner System means you can tune the angle you wear the X-Spirit III to match your riding position. An enlarged space around the mouth helps breathing, while the newly developed cheek pad ventilation system paired with the effectively located six air inlets and outlets, improves the ventilation, to remove hot air which would usually threaten to overheat the rider. The double shield locking mechanism, meanhile, stops the visor coming open in an accident. To be in…

JON URRY ‘Time for a spot of showing off’ The theme of this week’s column is both childish and frivolous: wheelies! Yes, I know they are just showing off. Yes, I know they’re illegal. But give me an airfield and a suitable bike and I’ll happily pull monos until my arms drop off. Or I smash my nuts into the tank after a bad landing and go home sulking. My fascination with wheelies got me thinking... What used bike would I buy if I had access to a strip of private land? The obvious choice is a litre sportsbike. Pick any from the mid-2000s with their beautiful midrange, get to 50mph in second, flick the clutch and you are up, up and away. But by the time you land you…

What’s an EV tariff? And is it worth the move? With the cost of living going up and the worsening energy crisis putting us all on tenterhooks, it might be time to start looking at an EV tariff for your home to help cut costs – especially if you’ve made the move to electric. Put simply, you can change your home electricity to an EV tariff if you have an electric vehicle in your home, and therefore are likely to be charging it on the premises. At the moment, there are two types of EV tariff. A two-rate tariff offers cheaper electricity during the night which is when you’ll likely be charging your electric vehicle. A bonus is that the cheaper night tariff works for all your household electricity, so…

Q ‘Can I ride to my MoT garage?’ If my MoT has expired, how would that affect my insurance while riding to the MoT test station? My friend says that I would not be insured to ride to the test station because my MoT expired last month. But my brother who works in car insurance says I should be fine to do so. Which of them is correct here? I don’t want to run the risk of riding uninsured and getting prosecuted. Curtis, email A I believe that your brother is correct on this. Provided you are in possession of a valid insurance certificate, you can ride your motorcycle to a prearranged MoT inspection. You can also ride your motorcycle without road tax in these circumstances (en route to a…

The Café at the Sound sits a stone’s throw away from the southern tip of the Isle of Man with a fantastic view of the Calf of Man – as long as it isn’t foggy – and the café takes full advantage of its amazing view to the sea with a vast panoramic window, meaning you can watch the wildlife outside while you chow down in the clean and modern interior. With locally sourced ingredients and homemade cakes, the nosh is good quality and mouth-watering, too. Plus, there are cool events – such as the Dark Skies stargazing evenings – at different points in the year so keep an eye on their calendar. The route What do we need to tell you? The Isle of Man is the road racing…

CHIEF ROAD TESTER We tested Triumph’s new Tiger Sport 660 at its world launch in Portugal at the end of last year and came away impressed. In fact, we couldn’t think of much to criticise, apart from wishing it had cruise control – but then its key middleweight rivals don’t, either... Comfortable, easy and exciting, it’s also great value, especially on a PCP deal (just £74 a month with 25% down). But what’s it like when you’re not riding it for a single day under warm, sunny, southern European skies? How’s it going to handle UK roads, traffic and – importantly – weather? ‘Never once did I wish I was riding something bigger’ To find out we took it for a five-day, 1000-mile trip in the middle of February that…

CHIEF ROAD TESTER For our five-day, 1000-mile trip the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 has proved to be an all-rounder that’s so capable it belies its price, power and engine size. It’s a machine that would be as happy commuting and scratching as it would riding across Europe solo or two-up. You’d be able to take the kitchen sink, too, if you fitted Triumph’s optional integrated panniers and topbox Aside from going off-road there’s nothing it can’t do. It’s spacious, comfortable and has bodywork so slippery it laughs off high, turbulent winds. Its lightness, smooth controls, friendly power and slick gearbox make it easy to live with over big distances, but impressively it’s also stable, grippy and fun in corners, regardless of whether their surface is wet or dry. Being built…

1 Held Sambia 2 in 1 Gore-Tex, £179.99 I used these on a long Scotland tour last year. Perfect in a cold spring and autumnal weather and totally waterproof. The 2 in 1 function adds flexibility to the usual Held quality, too. Jon Ashley, Manchester 2 Goldtop Silk Lined Viceroy, £64.99 Super-soft leather and very tactile as a result; I can’t stand a thick glove. With heated grips they are perfect down to about 5°C. Mark Davis, Shropshire 3 Richa Arctic, £89.99 I’ve done 16,000 miles in these – including two crashes – and use them from October to spring. They’re comfy, have plenty of feel and are top value. Matt Sutherland, Sleaford 4 Rukka Mars 1.0 Gore-Tex, £149.99* I love these gloves. They’re now available as a 2.0 design,…

Saving you money on essential bike maintenance BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician 1 Query the fuel in the tank There’s nothing more frustrating than a bike that’s running a bit rough. Symptoms like cutting out on tickover or an erratic throttle response are foibles that can be extremely off-putting, not to mention dangerous. The first thing to look at is the fuel, so undo the tank then unclip the quick-release fuel line and electrical connector. BRUCE’S TIPS The tank will also have breather pipes that need to be taken off 2 Rinse and flush With the fuel tank off, undo the filler cap and carefully pour as much of the fuel out as you can. Do this outside or in a well-ventilated space using a suitable container and funnel. Don’t…

‘Awesome news for road racing’ I think the news that Michael Dunlop is going to ride the PBM Ducati is awesome for road racing, it’s awesome for the TT – and it’s great to have Birdy involved again. With me on the Honda, Dean on the Kawasaki, Hicky on the BMW and now Michael on the Ducati – well, we’ve got everything covered there, haven’t we? I rode the Panigale V4 at Macau in 2019 and I thought it was terrific. It’s a brilliant bike and I consistently went faster on it than any other bike I’ve ridden there before. Yes we had a little issue on the warm-up lap for the race, but I really enjoyed riding it. I didn’t know what to expect when I rode it at…

The depth of talent in this year’s Ducati line-up is mind-boggling. Pecco Bagnaia and Jack Miller in the factory team, then there’s three independent outfits: Pramac, Ducati’s official junior team, has Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco, Valentino Rossi’s VR46 squad has Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi, and Gresini Racing has Enea Bastianini and Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marco Bezzecchi. All eight ride 2021 or 2022 bikes, with little difference between the two. Bagnaia, Miller, Martin, Zarco and Marini have GP22s, while Bastianini, Di Giannantonio and Bezzecchi have GP21s. ‘Having eight bikes is important for collecting data’ “Having eight bikes on the grid is important from a technical point of view, because we can collect more data,” says Gigi Dall’Igna. “And it’s important for our new riders because we can start…

Just like last year, Yamaha won’t have the fastest bike on the grid. This means they must make sure that bike, rider, set-up and tyre choice are 100% perfect. Quartararo’s crew chief, Diego Gubellini, who has worked with the youngster since he graduated to MotoGP in 2019, is an electronics expert, so he knows how to create the best electronic strategies to get the most out of the tyres over full race distance. “Now in MotoGP you have to work mostly on the electronics and especially the tyres because they are the connection between the rider and the asphalt,” says Gubellini. “Of course it’s a combination of everything but mainly it’s electronics and tyres, because if you let the rider use the tyres the performance will come.” ‘Fabio uses his…

Honda’s lack of success in 2020 and 2021 was the catalyst for HRC’s biggest MotoGP redesign since the RC211V and it’s not hard to see why they’ve done what they have done. “When you are winning it’s hard to make a radical change, when you are losing it’s easier to make that change,” says HRC Technical Director, Takeo Yokoyama. HRC have transformed the RC213V from a front-end bike to a rear-end bike, because Michelin’s current rear slick is much better than its front slick. “What we want to achieve is to use the rear tyre more effectively,” adds Yokoyama. “Last season was the second year with this tyre and we started to understand the best way to use the tyre. The redesign is a bit of everything: weight distribution, pitching…

22 SAM LOWES ELF MARC VDS RACING About to embark on his eighth season in Moto2, Sam Lowes has seen it all. A perennial front-runner, he’s finished top-five in the world four times and, on his day, Lowes is unbeatable. Three back-to-back wins in 2020 and victory in the opening two rounds of 2021 are proof that despite now being 31, and the old guard of the class, his speed is beyond reproach. Lowes’ good days will take care of themselves, it’s the not so good days where the former World Superport champion needs to improve. “My biggest rival… is me. If you look at 2020, if at the end of the year I’d have accepted some different results, the championship could have been a lot different,” he explained to…

Cameron Beaubier, five-time AMA Superbike champion, now has a year under his belt and will be much stronger. Beaubier ended 2021 with two fifths in the final four races. Fellow American Joe Roberts will hope to return to the form that saw him finish seventh in 2020. Roberts’ 2021 season collapsed after the opening few rounds, and he ended the year with five DNFs. Elsewhere, Jorge Navarro has switched to the Pons Racing squad after a valiant effort on his Boscoscuro saw him end 2021 ninth overall. The Spaniard will be targeting a return to the podium on his new Kalex. Navarro’s departure allows Romano Fenati to make a return to the class. The controversial Italian has spent the last three years in Moto3 following his suspension and dismissal in…