Table of contents for 7 September 2022 in MCN

Meet the Ducati Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini: A carbon-clad, limitedrun version of Bologna’s bonkers 1103cc four-cylinder super-naked, and the firm’s second collaboration with their Italian supercar sister company. Limited to 630 numbered units, plus a further 63 extraspecial versions exclusively for Lamborghini customers, the V4 S pays tribute to the 631bhp Huracán STO and features lashings of carbon fibre, subtle bodywork tweaks to reflect the car’s styling, and a striking paintjob that’s certain to divide opinion. The new bike is built on the technical base of the 2023 Panigale V4 S superbike, which has been updated with engine braking control changes, plus greater quickshifter and traction control refinement. Set to be delivered to customers in April 2023, the £55,995 Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini has a number of styling changes over the standard…

McAMS Yamaha duo Taz Mackenzie and Jason O’Halloran dropped in at accessories manufacturer Evotech Performance in Lincolnshire last week as part of a new YouTube video series called Racer to Maker. The two were the first racers to visit Evotech’s new factory where they saw first-hand how accessories such as rad guards and lever protectors are made. They even had a go at making some themselves… Watch it now on the Evotech Performance YouTube channel. Grab that track time With August now behind us, No Limits Track Days have confirmed there are just 17 events remaining in the UK this year, with only 56 days to go until the final stint of 2022, which will take place at Oulton Park. For availability at tracks including Snetterton, Donington, and Mallory Park,…

GasGas have revealed a new limited edition rally race bike in celebration of Brit Sam Sunderland’s 2022 Dakar Rally win. Called the RX 450F Replica, it’s powered a 449.9cc four-stroke single-cylinder derived from their MC 450F motocross bike. It gets a strengthened clutch and gearbox, a reworked SOHC cylinder head, and a Pankl conrod and piston, as well as a lightweight carbon fibre navigation tower, as well as fully adjustable long-travel WP Xplor Pro suspension to tackle long stages over a variety of tough terrains. Adding the signature brapping soundtrack is an Akrapovič exhaust, while it also gets a hefty 300mm front disc and Brembo caliper to deliver big stopping power at speed. Providing the grip is a set of knobbly Continental TKC 80 tyres, which wrap around black anodised…

Suzuki’s SV650 family, including the V-Strom 650, is one of the most successful and long-lived of modern middleweights, dating way back to 1999, but these spy shots reveal an allnew successor is coming. Spotted undergoing testing in mainland Europe, the shots reveal two models: a naked, SV-type roadster and V-Strom adventure bike; both using the same all-new engine platform. The much-loved old 645cc V-twin of the current SV and V-Strom has finally bitten the dust and has been replaced by an all-new twin – but now not in a ‘V’ configuration but in the parallel twin layout which now dominates the category with the Yamaha MT-07 family, KTM’s 790 and 890 Duke and Adventures, and even Honda’s expected new 750 Transalp. Exact capacity of the new engine is not yet…

When it comes to performance cruisers, there are quite a few options out there. If you want Harley kudos, you could opt for the more naked bike liquid-cooled Sportster S (£14,595) which has stacks of modern tech, or the air-cooled Sport Glide (£17,295) or Low Rider S (£18,495), which has the bigger 117 Milwaukee-Eight motor, where the Low Rider has the 107. Indian offer a range of Scouts including the Bobber (£12,995) and Twenty (£13,695) with the main differences from the Rogue being handlebars, wheels and styling as they are all based around the same Scout platform, although the Rogue gets a small fairing which the others don’t. If you want an air-cooled Indian, there is the ThunderStroke-powered Chief Dark Horse (£16,195) or the Chief Bobber Dark Horse (£18,095). Moving…

If you’re into motorbikes, then you’ve seen Don Morley’s work. He’s been photographing them professionally since the 1950s and is responsible for some of the most famous bike racing photographs in history. He’s the only man to have shot the TT in colour in the 1950s (and took the only colour pics of Bob McIntyre setting the first 100mph lap of the TT course), he was responsible for many of the lavish pictures in Motocourse from the 1970s to the 1990s, and he’s worked for many top teams, including Honda’s GP squad. But Don Morley has photographed an awful lot more than just bikes. He has worked in Formula 1, has shot world cup finals (yes, he covered the 1966 final), the Olympic Games, Wimbledon finals, world championship boxing matches,…

A prolific adventurer What Laplagne doesn’t know about the roads and sights of Corsica, simply isn’t worth knowing. He’s been living and riding here for the last 22 years and his company provides not only motorbike tours and motorbike hire, but also walking, cycling and camper van tours, meaning he knows every inch of the beautiful Island. An experienced adventurer, he has recced and led trips around the globe including the majority of Europe, India, Nepal, USA, South Africa, Namibia, U.A.E, Peru and Alaska. He also led a ride to the IoM TT in 2022.…

‘We stay true to the old mantra: ‘Known and recommended everywhere’’ Plenty of brands these days aim to capitalise on nostalgia for the heyday of British biking. You can buy brand-new, retro-inspired models from BSA, Royal Enfield, Norton, Brough Superior and Triumph – none of which are under original ownership – and even relative newcomers like Mutt and Herald are taking design cues from the bikes of yesteryear. If you were around in the scene back in the 1950s through to the 1980s, you’ll probably remember another British brand, Goldtop, whose leather jackets, boots and gloves were worn by bikers all over the country. Now, the brand are back, but they’re not trying to pull the wool (or maybe sheepskin) over anyone’s eyes. “We’re not pretending to be the same…

★★★★★ Arai Tour X4 helmet £599.99 ‘This is my go-to helmet’ Tested by Michael Guy for five years / 8400 miles Billed by Arai as one of the ‘most versatile helmets ever’ the Tour X4 has been my go-to helmet for a significant chunk of riding I’ve completed over the last five years. While Arai claim it works as a grand tourer, adventure helmet and for use on naked bikes with the peak removed, the vast majority of my riding has been using it for off-road and adventure. From events in Italy, to riding the Trans Euro Trail in Northern Spain and most recently a trip to Iceland, it’s been my helmet of choice for when I need something I can trust and rely on. After all, a helmet is…

JOSH CLOSE INSIGHT Our man with a finger on the pulse of BSB Confirmed for the Showdown Bradley Ray 1st – 4 Wins – 16 Podiums – 46 Podium Credits Cadwell Park was pivotal for Bradley Ray. After finishing behind Jason O’Halloran in seven consecutive races, Ray returned to winning ways. Two more podiums followed whilst O’Halloran failed to score a single podium credit. Suddenly, there’s only two podium credits between the pair and Ray knows he has a chance of improving that further this weekend. Jason O’Halloran 2nd – 7 Wins – 12 Podiums – 48 Podium Credits Cadwell aside, it’s been difficult for either Ray or O’Halloran to leave a race weekend with a massive podium credit advantage. That looks set to continue given that Yamaha won all…

Weekends don’t get much better than the one Dennis Foggia just experienced. The Italian triumphed in his home GP, becoming the first Moto3 rider in history to win three races at the same track, a day after confirming his promotion to the Moto2 class next year with the Italtrans team. Amongst a horde of KTM and GasGas machines, Foggia flew the flag for Honda up front. He was smartest of all in a last-lap fight with Jaume Masia, Izan Guevara and Deniz Oncu, edging clear while the others fought among themselves. “Guevara was so fast early on, but I knew there was a chance if I could get to the front,” he said. After appearing out of the title fight in Austria, where he trailed the leader by 49 points,…

It’s daunting stepping out from a giant’s shadow, but Valentino Rossi’s half-brother Luca Marini is increasingly making it look easy. Fourth place at Misano was his second podium near miss in a row, and achieved (as a fortnight before) by keeping cool under fierce pressure. In Austria it was Zarco half a second behind the 25-year-old as he took his career-best fourth. At Misano, it was the even more redoubtable defending champion, Fabio Quartararo. With ten laps left the Yamaha was more than two seconds behind, but then closed dramatically. Over the last four laps Fabio was breathing down his neck, finishing half a second behind. Marini kept his pace and held his nerve. ‘Marini kept his cool under fierce pressure’ Brotherly influence may have secured Marini a MotoGP ride…

MATTHEW BIRT INSIGHT Getting the inside line on grand prix racing since 1996 Who can stop Pecco Bagnaia? That’s the question everybody in MotoGP is currently posing after his historic winning streak continued in Ducati’s backyard at the weekend. A nail-biting win by just 0.034s at the end of a last lap thriller against Enea Bastianini means Bagnaia has taken a maximum 100 points from his last four appearances. That’s 21 points more than series leader Fabio Quartararo and Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro have collected combined in the same period. It’s been an astonishing turnaround for the former Moto2 World Champion. He seemed to have blown his hopes of winning Ducati’s first MotoGP title since Casey Stoner in 2008 before we’d even reached the halfway stage of the season. He’d amassed…

You don’t need to be a genius to understand why Fabio Quartararo is getting increasingly nervy about Pecco Bagnaia’s burst of wins. Four races ago, Quartararo arrived in Assen with a 91-point lead over Bagnaia after the Italian failed to finish in four of the first ten races. Bagnaia’s title hopes appeared dead and buried. But four consecutive wins have injected new life into his challenge and Quartararo is beginning to feel the heat. In the last four races, the 23-year-old has been powerless to prevent Bagnaia shrinking his advantage to 30 points. Six races still remain and worryingly for the factory Yamaha rider, he has to front up Ducati’s army of rocket ship Desmosedicis at Motorland Aragon in the next round. Aragon features a back straight nearly 1000m in…

New-bike silly season is always laced with almost unbearable anticipation, followed by inevitable bike lust (or pained disappointment) when the fruits of each firm’s R&D department’s labours is revealed. And this week feels like the start of a deluge that will build to a tidal wave when the huge European shows open their floodgates. With Intermot (Germany) kicking off in early October, and EICMA (Italy) in November – followed by Motorcycle Live later that month – it feels like shows are back to normal after years of disruption. Then, to kick the 2023 season off in style with all of the new metal in one place, comes the Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show from February 17-19. I can’t wait. To whet your appetite, some manufacturers are already revealing their…

Back in mid-July MCN sat down with Suzuki GB’s Director of Motorcycles, Paul de Lusignan, to discuss the future of the brand’s involvement in biking, given their split from both MotoGP and World Endurance racing. At the time, it was suggested that we would see new platforms arriving from the brand to meet changing market demands. “I can talk in general terms, but I can’t talk about future models that might come specifically, de Lusignan said. “What I would say is we’re aware of the changes in the market, of course. “And the move away from sportsbikes to adventure bikes and then to the popularity of middleweight bikes – we’ve seen that happening and we’re aware of that and we will be developing models that are going to appeal to…

A full weekend of two-wheeled action returns to central Coventry, as MotoFest takes over the city centre on September 10 and 11. A two-day festival dedicated to Coventry’s motoring heritage on both two and four wheels, it kicks off with a 7.30am mass ride-in from Draycote Water reservoir in Rugby to the venue’s main Sprint Circuit – with organisers hoping for around 500 machines. Meanwhile, the main event will feature displays from an array of ex-competition and sportsbikes on the unique City Centre Sprint Circuit. This year will also see the inclusion of electric bikes for the first time – including the likes of local company Maeving. There will also be a dedicated Motorcycle Village in Greyfriars Green with static displays and club stands, plus the MotoFest Classic and Custom…

Northamptonshire Police have taken charge of a fleet of new hybrid three-wheelers, based on the Yamaha Tricity scooter. The machines have been produced by UK firm White Motorcycle Concepts, who burst onto the scene last year with their WMC250EV electric land speed record bike – a carbon fibre creation featuring a large central duct to create a design claimed to be 70% more aerodynamic than a Suzuki Hayabusa. But the company’s first production model is a very different proposition: a Yamaha Tricity-based three-wheeler with a hybrid powertrain and WMC250EV-inspired aero, called the WMC300FR. Shown as a prototype and revealed in MCN in 2021, the first examples are being delivered to Northamptonshire Police and due to enter service next month. Northants Police have been involved with the development, helping the machine…

Few made-to-measure leathers brands have such a fond following as Crowtree – and a display of classic kit from the now closed brand has raised more than £2000 for the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance charity. The display, at Cadwell Park over the bank holiday BSB weekend, was organised by the Remembering Crowtree Leathers Facebook group and featured suits loaned by British champ, TT winners and kit worn by late, great Performance Bikes road tester Ronnie Smith (that’s Ronnie’s son Fred Driver-Smith in the photo). “The interest was very good,” organiser John Doughty told MCN. “Crowtree were massive for a long time, but you wouldn’t believe how many people came over and said: ‘I had a set of them’,” he continued. “It was just one of those companies that would…

Electric motorcycles may have the upper hand over the internal combustion engine by producing no emissions at the tailpipe, but there is still a sizable amount of pollution created in the production process – be that in the assembly, the mining of raw materials, or the process of battery production itself. Lightweight Swedish electric bike firm Cake are acutely aware of this, and have now announced a new partnership with European energy company Vattenfall in an attempt to build the first truly fossil-free electric motorbike by 2025. “We would never pound our chests and say: ‘Hey, look at us, we’re sustainable because we’re electric.’ There’s so much more to sustainability,” Cake founder Stefan Ytterborn told MCN. “It’s wonderful to team up with such a chunky organisation and share that perspective.…

I don’t agree with blanket speed reductions on rural roads, as I think each route has to be taken on its own merits (MCN, August 31). How many accidents are caused by impatient drivers stuck for miles behind a typical myopic ‘Sunday driver’ doing 20mph everywhere yet STILL slowing down for bends? These so-called trials of speed restrictions need some serious public consultation, and I would urge all bikers if they’re not already members, to join MAG to fight these proposals. MAG are working hard for our rights. Colin Humphries, Hampshire Write something that spikes our interest, and you could get selected for the Star Letter slot. Each week one lucky reader will receive an MCN T-shirt in a variety of different designs…

Readers Andy ‘Moose’ Muse and six mates – The Magnificent Seven! The trip We took the long ferry to Bilbao, then seven nights in northern Spain and Portugal before the long ferry ride back home. How many miles? 1448, plus circa-200 to / from Portsmouth. Best time to go We went in July and several days we 40+°C. It stayed nice and dry. Don’t miss… The ‘Henry Cole’ route east from Coimbra was great, and the MCN recommended roads through the mountain foothills along the border between Portugal and Spain were brilliant too, but the highlight was the BU-530 from Trespaderne to Rivabellosa – a spectacular road following a beautiful river valley. Some of the food was spectacular as well, especially the fish, and the €4 jugs of red seemed…

FRIDAY September 9 9.20am, EUR2, Live World Superbikes from Mangy Cours, France: Free Practice 1. Free Practice 2 at 1.50pm SATURDAY September 10 8.30am, EUR2, Live World Superbikes from Magny Cours, France: Day 1. Also at 11.15am. 3pm, EUR2, Live Bennetts British Superbikes from Snetterton: Day 1. Also at 10.15pm 5.30pm, EUR2, Live Speedway Grand Prix from Vojens, Denmark SUNDAY September 11 7.30am, ITV4, MotoGP highlights from San Marino 9.30am, EUR2, Live World Superbikes from Magny Cours, France: Day 2. Also at 11.15am 3.15pm, EUR2, Live Bennetts British Superbikes from Snetterton: Day 2. Also at 9.30pm 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 –…

£13,277* Harley-Davidson Nightster (*PLUS £375 FOR GREY OR RED) £13,295* Indian Scout Rogue (*PLUS £200 FOR GREY OR GREEN)…

Bike racing, as everyone knows, is dangerous – and not just for the riders taking part. Photographers can often be seen positioning themselves in apparently suicidal spots, just to get that one special shot to thrill race fans, and Don Morley is no exception. One of his most famous pictures is of TT and GP winner Dennis Ireland performing a wheelie on an RG500 Suzuki beyond the point of no return. Don takes up the story. “I had my leg in plaster following an enduro accident and couldn’t really move if anything went wrong. Dennis had asked me to get some shots of him for his sponsors, but as he pulled a wheelie his throttle stuck open, he was flipped off the bike, and it came straight towards me. I…

BEN CLARKEASSISTANT EDITOR (MOTORCYCLING) Newbie to American bikes with a love of V-twins and singles One of my favourite things about the Indian FTR S is that it handles better than its looks lead you to expect. On paper, a long, low heavy American bike shouldn’t want to go around corners but the FTR – with its sporty riding position and 17in wheels – loves it. Admittedly, you do have to grab it by the scruff of the handlebars to make it change direction quickly, but that’s all part of the fun of riding an inappropriate machine at pace. But when I discovered that our sister publication Bike magazine had an FTR Carbon on their test fleet, I got straight on the phone to arrange a temporary swap. The carbon…

Fire up your DeLorean, pop back ten years and tell everyone Royal Enfield will top UK sales. They’ll think you’re potty. Yet here in 2022 their charming, laid-back bikes outsell… well, quite often everything. But while RE’s just-so balance of price and quality makes the current range oh-so-appealing, modern-era Enfields are staggeringly affordable if you go pre-loved. Here’s how to get in the RE groove for not a lot at all. YOUR EXPERT Mike Armitage has been a full-time tester and journalist for 21 years. The exengineer rides 20,000 miles a year and knows how to spot a hound. £2500-£4300 Royal Enfield Himalayan Robust, functional, usable, old-school dual-purpose trailie Obviously the omnipresent BMW R1250GS is the UK’s best-selling adventure bike. Except that on the odd occasion it’s been out-sold by…

GREG HAINES INSIGHT Reporting from the heart of the superbike paddock Almost everyone in the World Superbike paddock is hoping this year’s championship goes down to the wire at Phillip Island in November. However, this weekend the series visits Magny-Cours where no fewer than nine championships have been tied up over the years – ranging from Doug Polen clinching his first in 1991 to Jonathan Rea taking his fifth in 2019. For many a year, France was the traditional end-of-season event, so played host to striking celebrations; the only Brit other than JR to have clinched titles there is James Toseland, memorably and emotionally doing the honours in 2004, and then again in 2007. ‘Rea has won no fewer than nine races at the French track’ You’d be brave to…

Alarm bells are ringing for Aleix Espargaro and Aprilia as his fairytale charge to the MotoGP title was nudged off course with an uninspiring sixth place at Misano, the Noale factory’s home race. The result stung. Being beaten by title rivals Pecco Bagnaia (first) and Fabio Quartararo (fifth) was the least of it. Aprilia teammate Maverick Viñales was almost delirious with delight after finishing third as he celebrated what he saw as further vindication of his ugly Yamaha walk out a year ago. Espargaro’s slide has dropped him to third in the standings with Bagnaia now lead chaser. As much as the title outcome, the Misano result adds intrigue to who will be the next Aprilia race winner. And is a role reversal within Aprilia on the cards? Espargaro is…

It was fitting that Dovizioso should claim his best result this year at his final GP – the 346th race of a distinguished career. Not so fitting that it was only in 12th, after racking up one world title, five second places and 24 GP wins over 21 years. The statistics don’t do him justice. Dovi – intelligent, ultra-reliable and very fast – achieved his success always riding within himself: he never succumbed to the red mist, and never missed a start through injury.…

Suzuki have whipped the covers off their 2023 V-Strom 1050 adventure range, ditching the now two-year-old XT model in favour of a new DE with more promising off-road credentials. Available in dealers from early next year, the DE will sit alongside a standard 1050, with both receiving a 5in colour TFT dash to replace the current LCD unit. The dash appears to share a similar design to that on the firm’s GSX-S1000GT. Also included for both bikes is a two-way quickshifter, centrestand, handguards, plus USB and 12V sockets. Beyond that, the standard V-Strom remains largely unchanged – with both versions retaining the 1037cc liquid-cooled V-twin and beaky styling, inspired by the thumping DR Big single of the late 1980s. Most of the juicy stuff can be found on the DE,…

Harley-Davidson have revealed a new £25,495 Low Rider El Diablo cruiser, which builds on the existing Low Rider ST as a limited-run slice of candy red Americana. With just 1500 units being produced, the glossy livery has been applied by Colorado firm Gunslinger Custom Paint and includes a base layer of ‘El Diablo Bright Red’, before a second coat of ‘Bright Red Sunglo’. From there, special features also include bright red pinstriping on the lockable saddlebags, tank sides, fenders and fairing. An additional gold pinstripe is then hand applied to the panels as a finishing touch, which contrasts against the blackened 1923cc V-twin engine, front end, and exhaust. The cast aluminium 19in front and 16in rear rims are then finished in a mat bronze to boost the look further. Alongside…

The 2023 Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show is undergoing a major revamp including an all-action drag strip running the entire length of the exhibition halls. With the date set for February 17-19, get ready to see and hear incredible machines in action, with everything from classics, to boxfresh 2023 models and even MotoGP bikes. “We’re thrilled to be involved,” said Devitt Marketing Manager Tom Warsop. “The Supersprint sounds mind-blowing and the London show is always a huge hit with many new bikes revealed live.” Other attractions include all the new 2023 bikes from the leading manufacturers, retail stands and the Silverstone Auction. • See mcnmotorcycleshow.com for more.…

An 18-year-old who stole a bike at knifepoint has been sentenced to nine years in a young offenders institution in South Wales. Luke Paterson, who is from Grangetown in the south of Cardiff, threatened a 17-year-old on the evening of Boxing Day last year, telling him that he would be stabbed if he did not hand over his motorbike. Paterson took the bike from the terrified teenager in the Roath area of the city. It was later recovered, but not before it had sustained damage. In an earlier offence, Paterson stole a bag from a man in his twenties, again threatening him with a knife. The court heard that this victim suffered a dislocated shoulder and substantial bruising to his face and eye, which continues to cause him pain. Paterson…

Aprilia are celebrating 30 years since their first World Championship title with a new 100-run version of their RSV4 Factory superbike. Called the RSV4 XTrenta, it follows the Noale firm’s 2019 RSV4 X and Tuono X, as a track-only missile boasting a claimed 230hp (226.9bhp), carbon bodywork, and a full titanium exhaust mimicking their RS-GP MotoGP bike on the way. Available online from September 6 at €50,000 (circa £43,245 + VAT), the special superbikes feature carbon fibre bodywork produced by Modena firm, PAN Compositi using what Aprilia claim to be the same processes as those used on their GP bikes. Painted in a replica of their 1992 125GP championship-winning livery, it was also recently teased by Lorenzo Savadori. There are also new front and rear wings – plus the firm’s…

The UK’s biggest bike show, Motorcycle Live, has teamed up with 10 industry personalities to decide the two-wheeled machines that make up their ‘Dream Garage’, and the top scoring performers will be displayed at Motorcycle Live between November 19-27 at the NEC, Birmingham. Each of the industry VIP’s will outline their 10 choices in MCN in the lead up to the show and share why they’ve made it into their ‘Dream Garage’. They may be bikes they have owned, lusted-after or raced. The only rules are that their chosen garage must be made up of motorcycles from the last 60 years, and they have to be roadgoing machines. Expect to see choices from 2021 British Superbike Champion Tarran Mackenzie, Isle of Man TT Outright Lap Record Holder Peter Hickman, ‘All-way-rounder’…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com WK SCRAMBLER 50 My lad Oli going out for his first ride after passing his CBT on the WK Scrambler 50, it really is a decent bit of kit. Gav Cherriman SIMPSON AND FIZZY Me (the blond one) and my best friend Robin on our first rides circa 1990. I’m on a Simpson MZ 50 he’s on his FS1-E. The best of carefree times and we still ride together now. Wayne Leno TRIUMPH TRIDENT My partner Tracy on her first bike since passing her test. Her learner and my Speed Triple are in the background. Eugene Cousin MZ TS125 My girlfriend, Miss Linda Harrison – who I am happy to say is now my wife – on my first bike, an MZ TS125.…

1 European Bike Week September 6-11 Faaker See in Austria will be transformed. There’s live music, plenty of Harleys and events spilling out into nearby towns too. www.bikeweek.at/en 2 Coventry Moto Fest September 10-11 Coventry will be a hive motoring madness. Free and great for the family, there’ll be motorsport, heritage displays, live entertainment as well as street food and more. www.coventrymotofest.com 3 Eurojumble September 9-10 You could bag yourself a bargain or grab the find of a lifetime this weekend in Netley Marsh. Running both Friday and Saturday, tickets are from £7 to £15 with tickets available on the gate too. netleymarsheurojumble.com 4 Romney Marsh Autojumble September 11 If you’re looking for a bikejumble teamed with a bikeshow for a fab day out, then get yourself down to the…

The sun is casting long shadows across the harbour; its intensity gone for another day. I’m daydreaming as to which of the immaculate yachts in front of me I’d ‘have’ pending my imaginary lottery win when the cold beers arrive. “It’s called Pietra. It’s the local beer,” explains Anthony. “It’s made with chestnuts, do you like it?” I’m no beer connoisseur but after a day of brilliant riding onboard a BMW R nineT in unrelenting sunshine I have to say it tastes just fine, I can even taste those chestnuts. I’m on the island of Corsica which is nestled 120 miles south east of Nice and is 52 miles wide, 114 miles long, with a population of 350,000 people. I have to admit to not knowing a great deal about…

Yamaha have been pushing their heritage side fairly hard of late with ‘Faster Sons’ being their retro-inspired clothing range that is linked to their Sport Heritage family, which is where the XSR models sit. Currently undergoing a revamp with the XSR125 introduced last year and the XSR700 and XSR900 updated for 2022, the range has just gained another member with the introduction of the XSR125 Legacy. At £400 more than the stock XSR125, what do you get for your money and is the Legacy model worth picking over the base bike? Gold rims, new boots The Legacy gets spoked wheels with gold rims where the stock XSR has cast wheels and these are shod in chunky Metzeler Karoo Street tyres as opposed to the slightly less blockpattern IRC TrailWinner D211s…

GARETH EVANS, ONLINE EDITOR Engineering geek, keen but green trackday enthusiast There’s been a small change of plan. After riding half of the BSB circuits, I sustained an unrelated injury and thus have spent a couple of weeks off the bike since my last update. But despite that, things have moved on, my recovery is going well and I’m still planning on riding the remaining four circuits if I can squeeze them into what is left of the trackday season. While on the mend, I’ve made a few changes to the R7. The OEM Bridgestone S22s have gone, replaced by Pirelli’s new Diablo Rosso IV Supersport rubber. These are the non—Corsa versions, suitable for fast road and track in all conditions, promising a reduced curvature on the shoulders that results…

The Great Britain squad have won the FIM International Six Days of Enduro team competition for the first time since 1953. Nathan Watson (Honda), Steve Holcombe (Beta), Jamie McCanney (Husqvarna) and Jed Etchells (Fantic) held a 4m 22s lead over Spain heading into the final day and kept their nerve with a trouble-free ride to clinch the title in France. “We’re massively proud of what we achieved today, Watson said. “It’s a real team effort both on and off the track to get this result. We prepared well, came with a strong team and got the job done.” Meanwhile, Team GB Women’s squad won the Women’s World Trophy competition for the first time since its introduction in 2007. Jane Daniels (Fantic), Nieve Holmes (Sherco) and Rosie Rowett (KTM) got the…

From a rider without a job, to being Moto2’s next hot ticket, Alonso Lopez capped a remarkable 21-month turnaround on Sunday. The 20-year-old led every lap of the race aboard the lesser-fancied Boscoscuro chassis, becoming the first non-Kalex chassis-backed rider to win a race since 2019. As well as leading every lap, Lopez expertly managed the gap to Aron Canet behind to win by 1.2s. This was no bolt from the blue, either. After replacing the sacked Romano Fenati ahead of the seventh round of the season, the rider from Madrid has finished in the top eight in every race bar one, as well as leading each of the previous three encounters. In December 2020, he feared his career may be over after losing his seat in the Max Racing…

‘Mir will have to revise his style for the Honda’ What is one of the worst fates to befall a rider? Funnily enough, it’s the same as one of the best. It’s joining the factory Honda team. For the past decade (and even before that), riding a Repsol Honda has offered one of two outcomes. You win the title – or your career hits the buffers. The last factory Honda rider other than Marc Marquez to win a GP was Dani Pedrosa in 2017. Nobody since. And by 2022, the usually dominant manufacturer appeared to have switched off the light at the end of the tunnel. Take Jorge Lorenzo – a triple-champion and a sublime rider, with 47 wins, all but three on a Yamaha, where his super-precise style meant…