Table of contents for 27 December 2023 in MCN

GROUP TEST Get supersporty The supersport class is bouncing back with a vengeance for 2024, and the first of the new breed to land is Kawasaki’s Ninja ZX-6R – returning from the wilderness of European exile. But how does it feel in the harsh reality of a cold and wintry UK? We grab its supersport rivals – Aprilia’s RS660 and the Triumph Street Triple RS – to see if an old-skool inline-four supersport screamer can still feel relevant for 2024. Will it feel too focused, too extreme, too cramped and too revvy – or does it feel like the ultimate antidote to modernity? There’s really only one way to find out… PAGE 27 ‘It’s the supersport bike of choice’ THREE DEGREES OF SUPERSPORT SEPARATION FIRST TEST Tiger, Tiger, burning ever…

Immerse yourself in the world of adventure, mind-blowing racing, buying advice and workshop tips with three new stages. • Journey into the realm of adventure with Charley Boorman’s Adventure Basecamp. Draw inspiration from Charley’s incredible journeys and discover how to embark on your own adventures. Gain valuable insights from the world’s top travellers and experts as they share their expert advice. • Be enthralled by a mix of talks, electrifying live demos, and ear-splitting fire-ups on the Henry Cole Ready to Ride Workshop Stage. Marvel at the exceptional creations of motorcycle enthusiasts Henry Cole, Allen Millyard, and Guy Willison. Witness a bike restoration live on stage, hear workshop tales and invaluable tips, plus learn how to service and look after your bike. • Delve into the latest news, reviews, and insights…

Goodwood’s 2023 motoring events have raised a total of £150,000 for charity. £101,475 was raised for the Greenpower Education Trust at the Festival of Speed in July. The charity inspires young people to excel in science, technology, engineering, and maths by challenging them to design, build and race an electric car. While the Goodwood Revival in September has raised almost £50,000 so far for the Chichester Boys’ Club, with donations still rolling in. Vespa tackle Aids Vespa scooter makers, Piaggio, have renewed their association with campaigning charity (RED) in the fight to end HIV/Aids and global pandemics. Co-founded by U2 singer Bono in 2006, the organisation aims to raise funds to fight disease by teaming up with big brands. To date, a number of special Vespas, including the first Primavera…

Oxford Brake Reservoirs from £39.99 Upgrade your brake reservoirs with these neat CNC machined billet aluminium parts from accessory experts Oxford. Available for front or rear applications, they’re designed for racing use, but can be fitted to almost any bike for a bit of bling. Kits include waterproof seal, diaphragm, fitting bracket and hose adaptors (where required). oxfordproducts.com LS2 X-Force from £299.99 The new X-Force from LS2 is the first helmet to be certified under FIM-2 homologation, the latest international standard for MX, Enduro, Speedway and Cross-Country competition, in addition to ECE 22.06 and ACU Gold approval. It features a carbon fibre shell, with a host of ventilation points, hydration kit and choice of adjustable peaks. ls2helmets.com GB Racing Multistrada V4 Engine Protection from £99.88 Available for all versions of…

‘You’ll really Fila the difference…’ So Ducati have done the ‘double-double’ – winning both World Superbike and MotoGP titles in the same year for a second time, which means one thing – a fresh release of limited-edition Panigales (see p7). Not all of the recent specials have hit the mark, although the latest crop of race-replica ‘special’ Panigales are far closer to the celebratory paint schemes used on the 916 and 999 ranges. A point more than proven by the ‘Panigale V4 SP2 30th Anniversary 916’, shown a few weeks ago. I mean, it’s just terrible. Where are the gold wheels, old-school logo, or anything that actually reminds you of the bike it is celebrating? Sorry, just had to get that off my chest. This week’s reveals– yellow Bagnaia replica…

1 January 1 The Hangover Meet As is tradition, the Ace Cafe in London is hosting its annual hangover meet on New Year’s Day. Afterall, the best way to start 2024 is on your motorcycle, so why not head into the capital, pull up to have a chinwag, and nurse that hangover with a cuppa and a good meal to sort you out. london.acecafe.com 2 January 1 New Year's Day Ride In The first day of 2024… what to do? What about heading down to the New Forest and joining Sammy Miller for his New Year’s Day ride in? You’re welcome to park up from 10am, and those wishing to stay after 1pm are welcome to ride into the courtyard itself. With refreshments and discounted admission to the museum for riders, it’s…

THE MCN TEST ● THE HOTTEST BIKES ● EVERY WEEK £10,599 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R ● 636cc inline four ● 115.7bhp/50.5lb.ft ● 197.2kg (kerb) £11,295 Triumph Street Triple 765 RS ● 765cc inline triple ● 117bhp/55.7b.ft ● 190.6kg (kerb) £9550 Aprilia RS660 ● 659cc parallel twin ● 90.76bhp/47.75lb.ft* ● 184.4kg (kerb)* There’s nothing quite like thrashing an old-school 600 to within an inch of its life. Here on a deserted airfield in Northamptonshire the new £10,599 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R wastes no time in reminding you just how rapid it is. Throttle to the stop, the air is filled with the shrill sound of four tiny pistons screaming for mercy, as it dishes out acceleration in violent bursts through the gears. Big-revving, highly strung supersport jewels like the ZX-6R need no introduction,…

THE FACTS ‘It became apparent the RCV would be extremely expensive’ In September 2012, during a seemingly innocuous company conference, Honda CEO, Takanobu Ito, made an announcement that took everyone by surprise - they were going to build a road-going version of their dominant MotoGP bike. This new bike would, he said, “deliver the same passion and excitement that the RC30 created when it was launched.” As you would imagine, his announcement created headlines. But, behind the scenes, all was not quite as simple and the RC213V-S’s journey from concept to final bike was a rocky road. Japanese companies place a lot of emphasis on honour, which is why Ito’s announcement came as such a surprise. As soon as he told the world that Honda were building a road-going RCV,…

FIRST RIDE Triumph’s Tiger 900 range has been a mighty force since they hit dealers back in 2020, selling more than 45,000 machines globally, alongside taking the coveted MCN Machine of the Year in its Rally Pro guise. For the 2024 model range Triumph have gone for evolution rather than revolution, tweaking the engine, ergonomics and tech to not only improve performance, but also with the aim of refining the riding experience. So, with the previous generation Tiger 900 GT Pro already being such an impressive mile-munching tool, have these subtle tweaks made enough of a difference? 1 Smooth sailing Although the T-Plane crank and uneven firing order offers a quirky riding experience, it has had a tendency to be vibey, especially through the bars. The ’24 model has some…

'A yee-haw from me!' What we have here is a quality cruiser for an affordable price. It’s not the fastest or nimblest 125, and it must be said that some manufacturing details, such as the wobbly edge on the rear mudguard, let it down. But these are compensated for by the multitude of pleasing details that make up the Renegade Freedom. It also does the cruiser thing without lots of chrome and spoke wheels – it’s got a bit more of a modern feel, and also it has the presence of a larger bike. Although I’m more than happy on my Sinnis Outlaw, if you’re looking for a first-time cruiser, I recommend trying the UM. It gets a yee-haw from me. THE FACTS £3599 UM Renegade Freedom 125…

Although the dreaded rattle doesn’t seem so prevalent these days, some models from the 90s and early 2000s seemed susceptible to tensioner problems. Honda and Suzuki models often suffered more than most, due to the fact that the design of the original tensioner wasn’t quite right. Some twincam Harleys had issues, too. With that in mind, it can often be better to fit a quality aftermarket part rather than replacing the failed component with the stock item which could be prone to failure again. A pal of mine is a GSX-R specialist, and reckons there are cam chain tensioners out there that are both much cheaper and better performing than the original. According to him, it’s best to opt for a manually adjusted unit. It’s always worth getting advice from…

Breaking the biggest stories from the racing world Tom Birchall, the most successful sidecar passenger in Isle of Man TT history is retiring with immediate effect after a career which has seen him dominate the sport alongside older brother Ben. The record-breaking pairing have been peerless around the Mountain Course for the past decade, setting records and breaking down barriers thanks to their partnership and speed, combined with engineering prowess and development skills. The scores on the doors at the end of the 37-year-old’s remarkable career are 14 TT wins – including the duo winning every single race that they finished since 2013, with only three DNFs blotting a near-perfect run of results. Tom is also a British sidecar champion and a four-time World sidecar champion. Not only have the…

Reporting from inside the heart of British Superbikes A super-consistent maiden Bennetts British Superbike campaign from Max Cook saw him crowned the Rookies Cup winner in October. Cook, whilst behind Charlie Nesbitt in the overall standings, enjoyed a strong year – completing 27 of the 30 races he started. In the Rookies Cup the highest-placed rookie in each race receives the same number of points as the race winner, with the points format matching that of the overall championship. Cook’s consistency and 100-point haul at Brands Hatch, with Nesbitt crashing out of race one, saw him overhaul a 23-point deficit. MCN caught up with Cook to discuss his rookie season and his hopes for the future. What would you rate your rookie season of out 10? “I would give it…

SAVE £6156 £17,994 Zero DS RX This price makes the electric Zero comparable to conventional adventure machines. Canyon mode is comically fast, you can say farewell to almost anything in a straight line. Twist the throttle and go – no engine noise, no gears, just instant and rapid acceleration. Not what you’d expect from a 247kg adventure bike. www.fowlersused.co.uk SAVE £2350 £9999 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX Colchester Kawasaki are confident their offer is the best in the country, saving £2350 on the Sovereign Red model and £2150 off the green version. colchesterkawasaki.co.uk Engine 1043cc ●Power 140bhp ●Weight 235kg ●Seat height 835mm SAVE £1805 £8435 Aprilia RS660 The RS660 ticks all the sportsbike boxes by being fast, exciting and feeling like a mini RSV4 superbike in the corners. www.wheelsmotorcycles.co.uk Engine 659cc ●…

Aprilia are set to reveal a trackonly Trofeo version of their A2 licence friendly RS457 sportsbike, with official plans for a one-make race series in 2025. The finished machines will not be sold as a complete race bike, but instead a kit will be available to convert the standard road bike. Although only revealing the standard parallel twin RS457 in September 2023, the brand included a prototype track-focused machine on their stand at the EICMA show in Milan last month. Aprilia say that the race series is designed to offer an entry point to motorsport whilst keeping the costs of racing to a minimum. ‘Race bodywork and SC Project full system’ As such, the bikes will feature basic changes from standard including race-ready bodywork, an SC Project exhaust system, and…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews Best of British boots I have just read Steve Cook's letter regarding finding boots that fit him. I bought a pair of Alt-Bergs three years (and 18,000 miles) ago, they still fit perfectly and are still totally waterproof. Living not far from their Richmond, North Yorkshire, factory outlet I was also able to take advantage of their fitting service and meet the person who would be making them. So, it could be worth Steve and others with the same problem giving them a call. And yes, it's good to be able to sing the praises of a quality product made in this country. Tommy Syms, email STAR LETTER Write something that spikes our interest, and you could get selected for the Star Letter slot. Each week…

The only bike that could ever rival the RCV is Ducati’s Desmosedici RR. The world’s first MotoGP replica, the Desmo RR was released in 2007 and was based around the firm’s GP6 MotoGP bike which Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau used in the final year of the 990cc era. Sharing the same 989cc capacity as the GP6, the RR’s V4 engine also has the same 82mm bore and 42.56mm stroke as the GP bike, not to mention the twin-pulse firing order and desmo drive system with gear-driven cams. Costing £40,000 when new, Ducati made a total of 1500 Desmo RRs and although far from rare, they now change hands for in the region of £55,000-75,000.…

'Tiger takes a big step' Although the changes might seem small, the result is a step forward, on an already wellrounded machine. With that extra punch from the 888cc triple engine, the Tiger has the essence of a high-capacity adventure bike, impressivly backed up with comfort and tech. Current owners will be glad to hear that it’s still comfortable and relaxed at slower, touring speeds, yet when it’s let loose, it still retains a sporty, spicy character. And most importantly? Vibrations have been fixed and servicing costs have been reduced. The old Tiger 900 GT Pro was impressive, now it’s even better. THE FACTS £13,895 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro…

BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician Stop that rattle… Engine noisy? Your cam chain tensioner could well be knackered 1 Heard a rattle? The cam chain tensioner (CCT) is a component inside your bike’s engine that ensures the chain runs smoothly at all times. Most tensioners are automatic and operate without fault for tens of thousands of miles. But there are a few models where it’s a bit of a known weakspot, and the warning is a rattle from the top end. Luckily it’s easy to fix. 2 Locate the tensioner On this Suzuki GSX-R600, the cam chain tensioner is located behind the cylinder block on the right-hand side. To gain access to the tensioner retaining bolts, you may need to remove the fuel tank and a fairing panel. Check a workshop manual…

Well, it’s big news Tom Birchall is retiring. He’s bowing out while he’s at the very top and I have nothing but respect. He’s the youngest world champion, most successful TT passenger with 14 wins and they’ve all been with his brother. And 14 sidecar TT wins is even more impressive given that you only get two goes a year at it. The TT does sometimes need new blood, but it feels a shame given that Tom is part of the most successful ever pairing with his brother Ben. They did everything together and it was like they were joined by the same umbilical cord. It’s going to be hard for Ben to adapt to a new passenger, but he is the ultimate professional. I’m also sure Tom is going…

Former Road Test Editor, occasional racer and long-time staffer, Chris ‘Dabbsy’ Dabbs is leaving MCN at the end of the year after almost 37 years. Dabbsy joined MCN after a job as a London motorcycle courier morphed into being a magazine photo-session rider. He then became a staff writer on Which Bike? magazine, which later became Motorcycle International. After accepting the role of MCN Road Test Editor in September 1987 from the late editor Jim Lindsay, Chris broke a leg at Brands Hatch’s Paddock Hill bend the very next morning – leading to him spending his first day at MCN four months later having his plaster cast removed. Chris’ 10-year testing career included icons like the RD500LC and RG500, as well riding through the era of 16-inch front wheels, and…

Norton CEO Dr Robert Hentschel has confirmed to MCN that new combustion engine models are on the way – as well as acknowledging delays for the £41,999 V4CR. “Our business plan was built around fix phase, build phase, fly phase,” Hentschel told MCN during an exclusive interview. “We fixed the old motorcycles that was the first step, to re-engineer the old bikes. “We are now in the build phase we built the UK dealer network and this was the focus for this year so we can sell bikes,” he continued “In parallel, after re-engineering the old bikes, we started to develop a new product family. If you develop a motorcycle, it takes something between 24 and 40 months.” A bespoke Norton dealership opened at the Bike Shed in central London…

The 2024 Devitt Insurance MCN London Show will be better than ever, with a host of fresh features, including three new stages, the latest bikes and kit from top manufacturers, plus a fantastic range of bike displays and live action. There really is something for everyone at the show, so don’t miss out! Find your next bike… See the latest new machines from brands big and small. BMW, Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, Kymco, Triumph and Yamaha will have all their 2024 models on display – with many more top factories confirming in the next few weeks. Motorcycling legends The show will feature a starstudded lineup including TT icons John McGuinness and Peter Hickman, Eurosport commentator James Whitham, Long Way Round adventurer Charley Boorman, TV star Henry Cole and engineering genius Allen Millyard.…

Don’t buy the first thing you see, look around to find comparable offers. If a deal appears too good to be true then it probably is, and if it’s really cheap, then it’ll be cheap for a reason. This could be as simple as it being very old stock, but it could also be counterfeit or not do what it’s supposed to. In other words, if it hasn’t been tested to the correct standard, it may not give the rider the kind of protection expected from it. Any article of motorcycle PPE should have a sewn-in label with an image of a rider on it, which will show the CE standard to which it’s been certified, and info on the tests it has passed. For example, gloves will have EN…

Givi Trekker Outback panniers £599.87 Load up to travel further in 2024 Nothing lifts the winter blues better than planning your biking adventures for the year ahead, and the post-Christmas gap is the perfect time to spread out some maps and start blocking out dates on your calendar. It’s also a great time to take advantage of ‘off-season’ sales on any gear you may need, so this week we’ve taken a deep dive into deals on luggage, with options to cater for long days out, weekends away or touring and beyond. This pair of aluminium panniers from luggage experts Givi provides a combined total of 74 litres carrying capacity in which to stash your necessities. Constructed from 1.5mm thick aluminium with techno-polymer reinforcements, each is rated to handle a 10kg…

Q ‘Was the fine out of time?’ I got caught by a speed camera on November 12 but the Notice of Intended Prosecution only arrived on December 4. I always thought that if you didn’t receive it within 14 days then they can’t enforce it. I recently moved house, which could be the reason for the late receipt but I don’t know whether this is the reason because it was forwarded. Claudia F, email A There is a time limit of 14 days for them to issue a notice of intended prosecution (NIP) if caught by a camera. If the date on the NIP is after 14 days then they are too late. If it is issued within 14 days of the alleged offence then it is valid. If you…

'Wistful thinking' IAN LEEDHAM Between Barnard Castle and Reeth in October. This is my last picture for 2023 as the bike got nicked overnight in Ilkley! Since been recovered but not yet seen it myself! 'Testing, testing' IAN SPEIGHT Out and about on a demo ride on the brand new BMW R1300GS – it was great! 'Welsh wonder' ANDREW HARRISON Having a blast on the mountain road between Machynlleth and Llanidloes. 'A dry dash' GRAHAM BELL Making the most of the good weather between the storms… dodging puddles and potholes in Essex! 'The brilliant Balkans' GARY TULL I love the Balkans… This picture is in Croatia as I was getting close to Bosnia and Herzegovina. 'Coastline cruise' MARC HEIGHTON My favourite site in Mid Wales – Cae Du Farm Holidays.…

'It's brilliant, but we've changed…' Traditional inline-four race reps, like the new ZX-6R are still as brilliant as they always were, but we’ve changed as riders. Someone like Carl with youth on his side loves the way the cramped, revvy Kawasaki goes about its business but it’s too single-minded for Chris and me. Disappointingly, the ZX-6R’s performance is more muted than before and although it has a new colour dash, its electronics are basic. If only it wasn’t so physically small it would have more mass appeal, because it never lacks excitement. Aprilia’s RS660 is friendlier, cleverer and easier to extract the most from, and while it lacks the Kawasaki’s intensity, it’s more fun for more of the time. But the Triumph has to be the supersport machine of choice…

MCN’s website has expert opinion and buying advice on hundreds of used machines, regularly updated and packed with insight. Here are three of the latest – visit motorcyclenews.com for more great reviews. 2008-2016 Yamaha YZF-R6 Owners’ rating Yamaha’s ground-breaking supersport bike is rated very highly by online. Reliability seems very good with flimsy plastics and sticking EXUP valves/servos the only blights. 2013-2020 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Owners’ rating With TC, power modes and ABS, the 2013-onwards Ninja is pretty similar to the new 2024 model but for about half the cost! Owners give it a perfect score for both reliability and value. 2012-2021 MV Agusta F3 675 Owners’ rating MV’s tech-heavy triple looks stunning and the owners who have reviewed it online love their F3s but there is talk about poor…

‘The oil filter was totally blocked with clutch debris’ The young rider had only owned his 2006 Honda CBR125R for about five months and it didn’t have a service history. So when it developed ‘clutch issues’ he contacted Warwickshire Motorcycle Services, and owner Dan Brown started digging. “We drained the oil and as it poured out into the tray you could see it was black and had a distinctive ‘burnt’ smell, so that told us it hadn’t been changed in a long time. “When we removed the oil filter/strainer it was totally blocked with clutch debris. The poor oil quality meant the clutch had started to overheat,” says Dan. As the friction plates began to disintegrate, the material got caught in the filter mesh. That further restricted the oil supply…