Table of contents for 1 May 2024 in MCN

FIRST TEST New XSR900 GP gets retrosexual The wildfire of interest that was sparked when Yamaha first unveiled their new XSR900 GP was a very pleasant shock, even to them. The wildly evocative Marlboro-aping paintjob, cute retro half-faired Imola-esque styling, all married to the now legendary CP3 inline triple felt like a recipe that could only result in a tasty cake. But what looks good in the flesh and on paper isn’t always so good once the starter button has been pressed, and you head out on the road. But while the past is littered with such fails, the XSR900 GP isn’t going to join them. PAGE 28 ‘Not just pretty, it’s a bike with a serious bark’ CARL STEVENS RIDES THE NEW XSR THIS WEEK Are we overpaying for insurance?…

Proof if it were needed that anyone can fall victim to the scourge of bike theft, one of MCN’s storage units was broken into last week resulting in the loss of three bikes. The incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, April 20, with the thieves cutting their way past locks to gain access, before making off with a grey Yamaha Ténéré 700 Explore (LF24 XKO), a Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro (KP24 CWY), and a Ducati Monster Plus (KV72 NVO). If you see the bikes, or have any information about the thefts, please get in touch with MCN, or report what you know directly to the police. Meet'N Street deals on new CFMoto range CFMoto are running a new offer from May 3-5, giving customers the chance to bag…

SAVE £2500 £14,999 Kawasaki ZX-10R Kawasaki’s ZX-10R is a bona fide racer for the road. Its 998cc inline four is mind-bendingly fast, the ’pegs are high, the clip-ons low and it’s altogether unashamedly track focused. Despite this, the Kwak still offers its fair share of civilities. There’s cruise control, a posh TFT dash and despite the raciness, it’s a genuinely brilliant real-world machine, too. www.shirlaws.com SAVE £2205 £11,995 Yamaha MT-10 Bonkers fast, with a sublime midrange delivered from its intoxicating cross-plane cranked motor, the Yamaha MT-10 is an absolute hoot to ride. racewaysmotorcycles.co.uk •Engine 998cc ●Power 164bhp ●Weight 212kg ●Seat height 835mm SAVE £1701 £12,999 Moto Guzzi Stelvio Characterful, comfortable and composed. In short, the Stelvio is very good indeed. If you fancy an adventure bike that goes against the…

GET YOUR FIRST FOUR ISSUES FOR JUST £2! Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer A survey of more than 2000 UK drivers has revealed that 22% aged between 17 and 34 think it’s okay to get behind the wheel of a car after taking Class A drugs. The shocking statistic comes from road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, who surveyed 2013 motorists as part of their ‘2023 Road Safety Culture Report’ published on April 26, 2024. “Whatever the cost of enforcement, the increasing prevalence and perceived acceptability among certain groups should encourage police forces to beef-up resources to stamp it out,” said IAM RoadSmart Policy, Public Affairs and Communications Manager, William Porter. “We call on Government to also do their part to ensure resources are deployed to prevent re-offending with the…

PART 1: CORE The stronger, fitter version of you can ride faster, for longer, and can pick up a fully fuelled bike when your enthusiasm and ability don’t match. Building a strong internal core is the first essential step as it’s the foundation of your stability and balance, supporting your body weight and protecting you from injury. Let’s begin by training the muscles that stabilise your spine. 'Drawing-in and Bracing' You can do these exercises standing upright, on all fours, or lying on your back. To ‘draw in’ pull your navel in towards your spine and hold it there. To ‘brace’, tense your abdominals as though you’re about to be punched in the stomach. Start off with a 10 second hold while maintaining the natural curvature of your spine. 'It's…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews 'Where's your sense of adventure?' A quick message to those against having the first round of BSB in Spain – where’s your sense of adventure? For those of you who can’t be bothered to ride further than your favourite café, you missed out on some of the incredible ‘Rutas de Moteros’ in Northern Spain. My pictures don't really do it justice, but this is an ideal place for motorcycle tours. Also, we rightly consider BSB to be the premier championship, second only to the world championships; we've had riders from all over the world and there is usually at least one race outside the UK. If we want to preserve BSB's reputation for premier talent then we should be broadening our horizons. Adrian Price, email STAR…

OUT AND ABOUT THE UK’S HOTTEST RIDES MCN staffers share their favourite riding routes I love nothing more than solo adventures and when I get the chance to disappear to the continent for a few days, what better way to spend them than exploring new routes? This is a section of the 900-mile route to Berlin, ride off the Eurotunnel, click the satnav to avoid tolls and motorways and some glorious roads come into view. From Maubeuge travel east on the D936 to Beaumont and pick up the N40. Cut through some stunning scenery towards Givet. Dip across country that borders France and Belgium with plenty of pretty villages to break up the ride. You’ll not be short of the opportunity to have a coffee and croissant stop. In La Roche…

What's happening? Members of the MCN team are hosting a gathering for female motorcyclists at the Super Sausage (NN12 7QD) in Towcester this Saturday. We’d love to see as many female riders as possible (but of course, men are more than welcome too!) There will be plenty of chat, great vibes, and may even be a bit of cake too. The essentials We’ll be ready to welcome you to the Super Sausage from 10am until 2.30pm. This is a day for everyone, so regardless of whether you’re a rider, a pillion, a learner or someone who’s even just a bike fan, come on down to the Super Sausage (NN12 7QD) this Saturday. We’d love to see as many of you there as possible for top chat, great vibes, and may…

'They will love it – as long as they hang on!' Alison Silcox MCN Office Manager, 5ft 10in “The M XR is one of the most fun and engaging motorcycles I have ever been on the back of. And it is comfortable, too! “The M XR has better pillion provision than many so-called touring bikes I’ve tried. The pillion pegs have a lovely grippy rubber insert (M passenger pegs, £206 or included with the M Billet pack) that really helps when you are getting on and off the bike and the seat itself is well padded. While the pillion grabrail is a bit small, I’d probably not use the rail and instead get the rider to wear something like a pillion grab handle belt. As the M XR’s acceleration is…

AGV have been at the vanguard since 1947, protecting legends such as Agostini, Sheene, Roberts and Rossi, so it may come as some surprise to learn that the brand was borne out of one man’s desire to produce leather cycling helmets – and that man was Gino Amisano. A trained accountant, Amisano hailed from Valenza in Piedmont, Italy a prominent shoe making and leather working district. Following the war, he noticed an emerging passion for cycling, then also motorcycles and scooters, so decided to start a business making light leather helmets and seat covers. He duly founded AGV in 1947 (with the name deriving from Amisano, Gino and Valenza). Inspired by British Cromwell helmets, the first AGV motorcycle helmet was leather and cloth shaped over a wooden mould, then dried,…

MCN STAFF RATE THEIR RIDING KIT 13,050 miles ON TEST Adventure Spec Magadan Panniers £329 'Fit to face the long way down' Tested by Nye Davis for four months These are all about minimal mass and max practicality. They’re designed to be robust and ready for anything, which is why I used a set for a 12,000-mile trip down the West Coast of Africa. Storage space is accessed by unclipping two rugged clips per side, before unfurling the rolltop closure to expose a suitably cavernous 32 litres per bag. I found this to be just right, keeping the frontal profile compact, but still allowing plenty of stowing capacity. While Adventure Spec don’t claim the Magadans to be waterproof, rain rarely made its way inside during anything short of truly torrential…

As you can see from the pictures, the internals of this Suzuki GSX-R600 K3 master cylinder had seen better days. Even though the component is likely to be the original, 21-year-old item that was fitted by the factory, the state of this bike’s master cylinder isn’t typical and the build up of corrosion was most likely due to years of being left outside. Luckily the main internal part of the bore where the brake fluid is being pressurised by the plunger and seals was relatively OK, and all it needed was a little bit of a clean up with a Dremmel and nylon brush. Then we installed the £50 OE rebuild kit and the bike was yet again braking as good as new. If the corrosion had been too bad…

Going behind the headlines in the BSB racing paddock When Glenn Irwin rolled out of pitlane in Navarra for the opening round of the British Superbike championship it was a landmark moment for Hager PBM Ducati. Following the death of Paul Bird last September the PBM team went on to take an unprecedented ninth BSB crown courtesy of Tommy Bridewell, with Irwin securing second place. Bird’s children Jordan and Frank, aged just 24, oversaw the incredible success and also stated their desire to continue running the team. Time to move on The expectation from the outside world was that everything would stay the same, the riders would stay, the Ducati partnership would remain, but most importantly the lion’s share of the team’s financing that came from the Bird family business…

The end of 2024 will mark the end of an era in World Superbikes as Kawasaki withdraws its factory team. From the start of 2025, the new ‘Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team’ will be launched. Seven titles between 2013 and 2020 – courtesy of Tom Sykes and Jonathan Rea – now seem a distant memory at Kawasaki thanks to Ducati turning up with the Panigale V4 R which costs €44,000 to buy and incorporates MotoGP technology. With this in mind, the Kawasaki parent company is to race its hand-built Bimota, the Japanese corporation having purchased the Italian firm in 2019. The bikes are made in Rimini, Italy although Spain’s Provec team, who currently run the Kawasaki team are expected to stay involved with two bikes. Expect Bimota chassis with Kawasaki…

Paddock veteran delivers his verdict on the Jerez MotoGP Sunday at Jerez witnessed an audacious performance that reinforced just what a fast and fit Marc Marquez, on a competitive bike, means to MotoGP. And just how scary for his rivals is the resurgence of the six-time champion? OK, Marquez finished second in the Spanish GP but given the hell - physical and mental - that he has endured over the past four years this is hugely significant. Even more so since this was the track which, back in 2020, saw his career nearly come to an end in a crash which smashed his right arm and resulted in a series of painful surgeries including a bone rotation. “Sometimes mental injuries weigh more than physical ones,” Marquez observed. “Physically, I had…

Alex Marquez is undeservingly an almost invisible part of the Marquez double act at Gresini Ducati. No surprise, nor shame, to be overshadowed when your older brother Marc remains an incomparable force in MotoGP. But a strong ride into fourth at the Spanish GP, which mirrored his qualifying slot, was a just reward for an impressively competitive weekend performance. The younger Marquez, 28, was ahead of factory riders Enea Bastianini (Ducati) and Brad Binder (KTM) after a neatly executed race, his best of the season so far. It was a confidence boosting result even if the Ducati GP23 is a perfect bike for Jerez as he held off the race long attentions of Binder and Bastianini.…

“Getting a good deal these days involves a bit of preparation, planning, and then finding various quotes to make it worthwhile – and never auto-renew until you have looked around for a good price,” says MoneySavingExpert’s Anthony Forchione. “It’s worthwhile making sure you’re on the electoral roll, as if not the insurers fraud system may think it’s not a legitimate enquiry and quote a higher price or may not provide a quote at all. “If you’re unable to store your motorbike in a garage overnight, look at getting an insurer approved tracking system and lock as then it should make the profile more attractive and could get you a possible discount,” the expert continued. “Other ways to try to cut the cost is to ask your home or car insurer…

Bonhams have amassed a massive £3 million in sales with this year’s Spring Stafford Sale, making it the highest grossing UK motorcycle auction of the year so far. Over the course of the late April weekend, 365 lots were offered attracting bidders from more than 38 countries and achieving a 95% sell-through rate. Day one saw £600,000-plus changing hands but it was the Sunday that really stole the show, with £2.19m worth of bikes selling. Among them was a 1949 Vincent Black Lightning Series-C selling for £150,000, a 1938 Vincent-HRD Rapide Series-A going for £228,850, and the Whitelock 48-cylinder Tinker Toy at £92k.…

IAM RoadSmart have launched a campaign targeting 16-24-yearolds. The ‘Road Champions’ scheme offers 12 months free riding tips and advice and a discount on IAM RoadSmart’s Rider Courses. IAM Director of Marketing and Communications Kat Hyde said: “We are investing in education and up-skilling for new and inexperienced drivers and riders with our free 12-month Road Champion offer; this is a completely new initiative for us and it’s an exciting step forward.” New design glory Yamaha and Honda have both won prestigious Red Dot design awards. Honda’s electric EM1E scooter and Yamaha’s MT-09 and XMax 300 range have been highlighted in the annual judging that recognises innovation and bold design. Young, gifted and warm Duchinni have released an AA-rated, retro jacket for six-16 year-olds. The £139.99 jacket offers decent protection…

Honda are competing in this year’s E-Explorer FIM World Cup, fielding a battery powered factory motocrosser called the CR Electric Proto. The bike is being ridden in an official two-rider Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) squad, with the next round taking place this weekend in Oslo on May 4. The international series is open solely to electric competition, with teams made up of one male and one female rider. Fellow bikes competing include Caofen FX, and Stark Varg – with brands such as Sur-Ron also in the mix. The bike currently leads the series – having made its competitive debut last October in Saitama, Japan. “By taking on the challenge of a new electric motorcycle racing series, HRC will hone its technology in a real-world setting, accumulate know-how and knowledge, and…

Oxford Dirt Guard £9.99 Cleaning and lubing chains can be a messy business, with your rear wheel and brake disc particularly vulnerable to the fluids involved. This reusable device from Oxford is designed to sit behind the sprocket and prevent messy sprays and lubes from going where you don’t want them. oxfordproducts.com Richa Tasmania Waterproof gloves £99.99 These have a waterproof and breathable Aquashell PRO membrane to ensure hands stay dry. Ventilation includes perforated panels and air vents, plus they have a fleece lining. Thermoplastic rubber-injected armour with D3O inserts protect knuckle, fingers and inner palm. nevis.uk.com Bull-it Guardian jeans £174.99 Heading up Bull-It’s 2024 range is the CE AAA certified Guardian. Construction is Covec Oneskin, a lightweight and highly abrasion resistant denim, and protection includes CE Level 1 RE…

Q ‘Tractor just pulled out’ I was riding on a country road at around 50mph when a tractor and trailer came out from a road on the left just after a bend. It kept moving into the road, leaving me little room to avoid it. I thought the driver would see me and I didn’t think I could stop in time so I tried to go around the front of it. He continued to come out and the gap that I was heading for closed before I could get past. I tried to brake but was not able to stop in time and collided with the tractor. The police are blaming me for the accident despite him pulling out on me. I don’t think I was to blame as I…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader Dave Loubser The ride Solo tour of Wales When to do it Spring to Autumn for good riding weather Tell us about the trip… In August 2023 as a birthday treat, I embarked on a five-day solo trip to Wales on my new Suzuki 650 V-Strom. As I was travelling solo I stayed at the Bikers Campsite in south-western Wales and planned day trips out every day. The site (www.bikerscampsite.co.uk) has dedicated bike parking but also allows you to park your bike next to your tent if you prefer and there are some great biking roads nearby. There are plenty of facilities for drying kit if the weather is bad. Notable rides that I took in during my time in Wales included The Devil’s…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday May 1 BIKE MEETS ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire. From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ Sycamore Cafe, The Causeway, Great Billing, Northamptonshire 4pm-9pm www.facebook.com/SycamoreForestCatering ■ The King Billy Rock Bar, Northampton, 6.30pm Facebook: The King Billy Rock Bar ■ Amici Coffee Biker Night, Girtford Bridge, Sandy, Beds www.amicicoffee.co.uk ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Mold, Flints, 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 or Facebook: The Old Stores Motorbike cafe ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, near Sherburn in Elmet, West Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ Seaways Bike Night, Fridaythorpe, East Yorks, 4pm-8pm mike@seawayscafe.co.uk ■ Loomies Moto Cafe, West Meon, Hants. Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ English Riviera Bike Night, Eastern Esplanade, Paignton, Devon, suggested donation £2, 6pm Facebook: English Riviera Bike Night ■…

GET YOUR FIRST FOUR ISSUES FOR JUST £2! Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer 'Radical routes' RICHARD DENNIS The B1257 Stokesley to Helmsley Road in North Yorkshire. Taken at Clay Bank car park with Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook’s Monument in the background. 'SORN isn't for me' STEVE SWANN SORN for the winter? No way. I’m having way too much fun! All you have to do is wrap up warm and dry. 'Trackday trials' AIDAN TOUGH A lovely early morning blast over to Snetterton for a cheeky breakfast and watch a few trackday sessions before heading there in a few weeks to ride. 'Volunteering miles' JOHN ALBONE This was taken during another day volunteering for SERV Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Blood Bikes. 'Off-road adventures' SIMON HUNT This was taken when I…

'Seriously sporty cred' The XSR900 GP may be a nostalgic dream machine in terms of its appearance, but it also has some seriously sporty credentials to back up those gorgeous retro looks. The chassis and suspension changes have made it a more supportive and capable machine to ride hard, completed by the glorious CP3 motor which fits perfectly in a set of fairings, thanks to both its excitement and wide window of usage. It’s beautiful, capable and packed with tech; but bear in mind that the riding position is more aggressive than those high ’bars would lead you to believe, especially if you’re on the smaller end of the spectrum. THE FACTS £12,506 Yamaha XSR900 GP…

ON THE DYNO Producing a genuine rear-wheel 190.2bhp with 84.6lb.ft of torque, the M XR is more than a match for most superbikes in terms of performance. The ShiftCam engine gives it more midrange (from 5000rpm to 12,000rpm) than the S XR while the extra kick of power at 11,000rpm arrives in the added 2000rpm that the M XR’s engine gains over the S XR’s and is due to its lighter valves and cam followers which allow the motor to spin up and make extra power. PERFORMANCE DATA FUNCTIONALITY AND FEATURES OPTIONS AND EXTRAS Get the M XR touring ready As there are no hard pannier options (or racks to mount them to), you are limited to a tail pack that attaches with bungees. BMW sell three styles of expandable…

'Something different…' Husqvarna’s Svartpilen 801 is a unique take on the middleweight naked. It has its own industrial, underground scrambler style and the way it rides is somewhere between a snappy, up-to-no-good KTM 790 Duke and a mild-mannered roadster. Power delivery is strong but never aggressive and its relaxed steering geometry endows the Husky with a sense of calmness. There are cheaper scramblers and more dynamic middleweight nakeds for the money, but the 801 offers something different with its style and performance. THE FACTS £10,499 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801…

'A superb machine' Indian’s new 101 Scout offers a sublime mix of performance, sharp handling, strong brakes and tech with American flair. It’ll lap up a spirited Sunday scratch, glide through town while you admire your reflection in shop windows and wow you with its glossy paintwork, attention to detail, tech and quality components. It isn’t cheap, but you’ll never feel short-changed. The remaining four models in the 2024 line-all impress in their own way, whether it’s the performance of the cheaper Sport, the simple lines of the Classic, the style of the Bobber or the sophistication and practicality of the Super. Indian have come a long way. THE FACTS £16,095 Indian 101 Scout…

Welcome to MCN’s Riding Masterclass, with Rapid Training. Over the next eight weeks, the experts at Rapid will show you how to develop skills that could significantly improve your speed, safety and enjoyment. Read all eight – and practise the tips in between – and you could end the summer riding better than you ever imagined. If you want to see these cornering techniques in action, just scan the QR code to watch a handy three-minute video version, too. Each session is based on Rapid’s hugely successful road and track coaching programme, which combines the knowledge of their British Superbike and TT riders with their team of elite policetrained coaches. This week we’re considering cornering lines, which obviously have a huge impact on your speed and safety. Beware the racing…

BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician Feel the full force Rebuild your brake master cylinder to restore power and feedback BRUCE’S TIPS Rebuild kits can usually be bought as OE from your dealer 1 Pump needs love The master cylinder is a basic hydraulic pump that turns pressure at the brake lever into stopping power at the calipers. Although generally maintenance free, over time the internals can become worn or start to perish, resulting in a spongy feel at the lever, inconsistent performance or even total failure. Luckily, it can be refreshed with a repair kit. BRUCE’S TIPS Be prepared to catch drips, then secure lines in an upright position 2 Free the part Remove the master cylinder and get it on the bench. Undo the banjo bolt to remove the hose, then…

Going behind the headlines at the Jerez MotoGP round ‘Vale gave me a lot of advice during this time’ Marco Bezzecchi showed crucial signs of revival in Jerez as he scored a first podium since last September as boss Valentino Rossi watched on from pit lane. Much of preseason, as well as the first three rounds of the year, had veered from the plan. Last year Bezzecchi made Bagnaia and Martin look ordinary on his day, but a switch from Ducati’s GP22 to GP23 had appeared an uneasy fit. The 25-year old struggled to make the bike turn in the early races, with a different braking style required. The mind immediately jumped to Enea Bastianini’s repeated complaints last year, as the fellow Italian was blunted by the same struggles. And…

Fermin Aldeguer gained the points. But Joe Roberts got the plaudits after the American pulled of a stirring comeback ride to claim a third straight Moto2 podium which puts him top of the championship. Had Roberts not qualified eleventh he would have been a match for Aldeguer, who hit the front on lap seven. But his ascendance from eleventh to second showcased a rider performing at levels never previously seen before. “I have the best team I’ve ever had,” he said post-race. “It’s an environment that’s always fun, never too serious.” Roberts immediately loved the feel of Pirelli’s front tyre, which allows him to stop the bike as he pleases. Meanwhile winner Aldeguer was emotional to win at a track where his father had first watched a Grand Prix in…

The battle between Marquez and Bagnaia is what we’ve been crying out for. Don’t get me wrong, the series has been brilliant because it’s been unpredictable, but having a rivalry like that takes it on even more. It brings out the best in riders, just look at Pecco’s penultimate lap – a 37.4, just 2/10th off the lap record when he’s fatigued and had the best out of his tyres. That was a cannon ball over Marquez’s bows. It was a real; ‘f*** you’ He was letting Marquez know that he’s the double champ, just in case he didn’t know! He’s not going to lie down. Marquez is one of the oldest riders in the class now, but what an animal. If you were going into battle, you’d want him…

At the heart of the MotoGP paddock for over 35 years TOP STORY Sunday was the race of Pecco Bagnaia’s life. The win was potentially worth much more than the points he claimed. It was a statement of a strength and maturity greater than any shown in his previous two championship years. A true champion’s ride. As such, it needs to signal the start of a new phase in his career. Now he must consolidate his strength, to prove he can make that statement stick. 1 Aggression and luck… There were three keys to Bagnaia’s win. First, was pressuring Jorge Martin – a seemingly faster rider – into a braking mistake. Second, saving strength and tyres to do his fastest lap – a new record – when it really mattered,…

That was exactly what MotoGP has been lacking: Marc Marquez back to full strength, fighting up front, forcing his rivals to dig deep. That’s what happened at Jerez on Sunday, when Bagnaia fended off the six-times MotoGP champion to win the fastest-ever Spanish GP. It was probably the best the 27-year-old has ever ridden. Not only was he blindingly fast – setting a new lap record two laps from the finish, when his tyres were well shot – but also bumping and barging with the king of bump and grind. And coming out on top! Marquez launched two attacks in the final few laps, both times using his superior speed through the Turn Seven and Eight lefthanders – because he’s always fastest when he’s turning left – to slingshot past…

The Midlands Air Ambulance Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival was postponed this weekend following one of the wettest winters on record. The charity took the decision to reschedule their largest fundraiser of the year due to ground conditions being too wet to accommodate the expected crowds. The charity are exploring their options and hope to announce news of a revised date soon. Henry Cole makes sixth S&B series Henry Cole and Fuzz Townshend will return to the nation’s small screens from June 11, with new episodes of Shed & Buried. Now in its sixth series, it brings together bike-mad Henry with fellow fanatic Fuzz and expert restorer Guy Willison, to do what they do best – unearth automotive antiquities buried in Britain's sheds and barns. Catch the action on Freeview…

Despite battling the long-term complications of a stroke that threatened to end his life 13 years ago, former MCN Road Tester Andy Ibbott recently completed the London Marathon in a time of nine hours and eleven seconds, raising an impressive £2865 for Brain Research UK. “It was really hard, especially for half a bloke,” Andy told MCN. “By the 20-mile point it was getting close to me quitting, but I pushed on and got through. “Three weeks before the race, donations were at £700, but during the marathon my phone just kept pinging with money coming in. People were recognising me and cheering me on. It was all quite incredible,” said Andy. Also a former Army Sergeant, and Managing Director of the California Superbike School, Andy now has limited mobility…

Aprilia have launched a special RSV4 Factory and Tuono V4 Factory paying tribute to their 2009 racing success in the World Superbike championship. Although a WSBK tribute act, the SE-09 SBK Special Editions were actually launched during the Circuit of the Americas MotoGP round in mid-April, with help from Aprilia GP racing stars Maverick Viñales and Aleix Espargaro. Based around the standard Factory versions of the 1099cc RSV4 and 1077cc Tuono, both yowling V4s are designed to honour the first win of the RSV4 in the WSBK championship, which took place on July 26, 2009 at Brno in the hands of two-time champion Max Biaggi. ‘Livery honours Biaggi’s first WSBK victory’ Since then, the RSV4 superbike has gone on to claim three rider and four manufacturer world championships, with 44…

'Just avoid any gravel tracks' Every now and then a new bike is launched that takes your breath away. Often this is for good reasons: staggering power, ground-breaking tech, jaw-dropping styling, etc. Occasionally, however, it is for bad reasons which brings me onto the Yamaha SCR950, a bike so ridiculously pointless it left me lost for words. For the uninitiated, let me explain. Taking their fairly decent XV950 cruiser, someone in Yamaha’s R&D (presumably with a beard and sleeve of tattoos…) decided it would form the perfect base for a scrambler (hence SCR). Yes, a scrambler, because obviously cruisers are known for their long-travel suspension, light weight and agile manoeuvrability. I was on the launch back in 2017 and remember thinking it was one of the most ludicrous bikes I’d…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com GET YOUR FIRST FOUR ISSUES FOR JUST £2! Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer You don’t see many of these! My first bike was this Cossack Voskhod 175cc back in 1976. Mikey Gregg My late father, Keith Archer messing about in the dunes at Saltfleet, Lincs, in the early 1970s. Bernard Archer Bought this bike in 1981 when it was advertised in MCN as a basket case, 43 years later it’s finally finished. Steve Fez I started with this awful Raleigh Runabout. Dog was called Rusty, loved him as much as I hated the Raleigh. Paul Healy Linda on her brand new Honda CB650R after passing her test in April 2021. Peter Green My wife Sara sat on my old Bullet, I loved…

1 May 6 May Day bike run The Hastings bike run is one of the largest in Europe. Heading down to the coast to take in the Hastings Jack in the Green which will have bands, dancing and loads for the whole family. www.maydaybikerun.uk 2 May 5 Sammy's jumble Sellers are welcome from 7am and buyers from 8.30am with admission £5 and children get in free – but remember it’s cash only. sammymiller.co.uk 3 May 3-4 Into the Valley Yorkshire MAG are hosting the Into the Valley rally. For £30 you’ve got a weekend of music, stages and bars as well as plenty of food, stalls and even a communal bonfire. mapevents.co.uk 4 May 3-4 Rockers Rumble Fancy some live music, great food and even a ride out to Scarborough? You’ll have that and…

The Despatch Rally May 3-6 The Despatch Rally is unlike any other motorcycle rally you would have been to before. In an effort to commemorate and honour the war-time despatch riders, the rally weekend will envelop you in early motorcycle culture and dish out despatch challenges, including navigation skills and, of course, military attire is encouraged to add to the fun. If you want to take part in the whole weekend, then it’s £150 – that’s Friday-Monday and includes camping. But if you want to take part in the events just on Saturday it’s £65, or the main event on Sunday is £85. If you want to soak up the action but don’t want to ride or take part in the challenges, then it’s just £60. www.despatchrally.co.uk Oulton Park BSB…

THE MCN TEST ● THE HOTTEST BIKES ● EVERY WEEK £27,897 (with M Competition package fitted) BMW M1000XR ● 999cc inline four ShiftCam DOHC 16v ● 190.2bhp @ 12,400rpm (tested) ● 227.4kg (kerb, tested) Three years ago BMW expanded their M-Series into the two-wheeled world with the M1000RR sportsbike. It was the first complete M-branded motorcycle and was joined a year later by the naked M1000R. This year the range has grown again with the introduction of the M1000XR – or M XR for short. Aiming to combine the best bits of the M RR and M R, the M XR is a crossover bike based around the S1000XR. Boasting the all-singing M motor with its headline-grabbing close to 200bhp, as well as an upgraded electronics package and sportier attitude,…

'You'll have so much fun' The M1000XR is a ‘long-wayhome bike’ – a machine where you pick a route with stacks of corners and a few straights to allow it off its leash. It may take you longer to get back, but you’ll be having so much fun. And that’s key to the M1000XR. Treat the M1000XR as a superbike with a much more comfortable riding position and you won’t be disappointed. In fact, you will be absolutely delighted. Few machines can deliver the same kind of thrills as a litre sportsbike but with the M XR you get all these good points in a bike with a comfortable riding position. Price aside, what’s not to love? But is it, as BMW claim, a long-distance machine? If you tour solo…

‘He made it 10 miles then the spark plug just detonated’ There’s nothing wrong with a spot of DIY-servicing, in fact, it’s a great way to save a few quid while keeping your bike in tip-top condition. However, scrimping on parts can have seriously detrimental consequences if you end up being stung by the scourge of fake goods that flood the parts market. Such was the fate that befell one young man, whose freshly serviced bike lasted just a few minutes before giving up the ghost -permanently. Paul Knight, owner of A55 Motorcycles, said: “The customer wanted to save a fiver by purchasing a spark plug online. He made it 10 miles then the plug detonated and wrecked his engine.” With a dodgy plug fitted, the little Lexmoto was doomed…