Table of contents for 1 October 2025 in MCN

‘I tried to follow my instinct. To never give up’ MARC MARQUEZ WIN Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS simply by getting a quote at www.mcncompare.com BIG TEST The naked truth As the first middleweight naked from Chinese brand CFMoto, the £6499 675NK has caused more than its fair share of double takes. Attractive styling, decent spec and a 93bhp three-cylinder motor seem to tick all the boxes. Our previous big-value champion, Honda’s CB750 Hornet matches it in terms of outright engine performance, but costs £1000 extra. Which is the best bet? PAGE 33 NEW METAL Big Zed makes a comeback There’s not been a naturally aspirated super-naked in Kawasaki’s range since the Z1000 was dropped back in 2020. But now the big Zed’s making a comeback with a few extra cubes…

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFFERS Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer TOP STORY Indian automotive giants TVS Motor Company are continuing with plans to expand into the UK, having already begun selling bikes in mainland Europe. The multi-billion-pound firm, which only began building motorised two-wheelers in 1979, entered the Italian market in May 2024 – bringing in a host of models including the Apache 310 RR and RTR single-cylinder sportsbike and naked, plus small commuters such as the IQube electric scooter. “We see a lot of future prospects to offer a wide range of products in Europe,” Senior Vice President of TVS R&D, Babu Rengarajan told MCN. Having worked within the team for the past 38 years, he’s seen the rise of the company first-hand. “The current range of products…

SAVE £2200 £10,995 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 Pulling together the best bits of Triumph’s retro range, the Speed Twin is comfortable and easy to manage, while still offering enough power and agility to match the firm’s own Speed and Street Triple roadsters. It’s packing more horsepower than ever, too – which can’t be a bad thing – with extra refinement weaved in for good measure. www.lind.co.uk SAVE £1200 £13,699 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Electronic Suspension DCT Honda’s Africa Twin offers round the world capability, tonnes of tech and exceptional build quality to boot. staffordshirehonda.co.uk • Engine 1084cc • Power 100bhp • Weight 244kg • Seat height 850mm SAVE £1300 £5299 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 One of the best value bikes on sale today just got a little more affordable. Fit…

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFFERS Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer Two new budget bikes are ready to enter the hotly contested middleweight adventure touring market thanks to QJMotor – priced from a sensible-sounding £7499. Called the SRT 900 S and SRT 900 SX, the pair join the ranks of fellow Chinese offerings that have recently joined the fray. Both share the same 904cc parallel twin, chassis architecture, and electronics suite. What sets them apart are different wheels, equipment levels, and price, with the cheaper S model being the more road-focused of the duo. At the heart of both models is a Euro 5+ compliant eight-valve DOHC twin producing a claimed 95bhp at 9000rpm and 66.4lb.ft of torque at 6500rpm. Power is sent through a six-speed gearbox aided by an…

LOOKING FOR GREAT BIKE KIT DEALS? Rev’It! Shade H2O jacket £119.99 Kit yourself out for under £200 If your bank account is feeling frazzled after that scorching summer and all the extra two-wheeled fun it facilitated but you’re still in need of some fresh kit to get you through the coming season, we’ve got just the solution. This week, all of our bargains come in at under £200 – and there are plenty of options an awful lot cheaper than that, too. From big-ticket items such as jackets, trousers and helmets down to simple-but-crucial motorcycle security, nothing in the product selection exceeds the double tonne threshold. For example, there’s an enticing discount on this stylish Rev’It! textile jacket right now, making it an affordable way to beat the autumn chill.…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews ‘Community helped out’ Just read the article on Yogesh who was travelling around the world but had the misfortune to have his bike stolen. So sad, but isn’t it fantastic how the biking community came together to help? My friends and I were touring in 2023 and had the pleasure of meeting him in Switzerland. At the time he was on a Royal Enfield – what a lovely guy, we talked about our journeys, countries and bikes. You could tell he was enjoying his tour – he couldn’t stop smiling. Well done The Off-Road Centre in Mansfield for stepping in. Richard Coombs, email Continuing our partnership with Zerofit – King of Baselayers® – we are changing up the prize for the winner of the weekly star letter.…

‘Watching Scott celebrate was so good… there’s no better feeling’ How great was it to see Scott Redding celebrating and dancing round his garage after winning two races at Assen? What a showman. For me there is nothing wrong in enjoying what you’re doing, especially when I know that feeling and it’s the best thing in the world. There can’t be many things more exhilarating, so a bit of celebration and enjoyment has to be good. What I learned during my career is that racing is a double-edged sword – it’s a lonely place when you’re not doing as well as you or your team think you should be. Yes you can try harder, but racing is a real head game because your whole wellbeing depends on your decisions. The…

1 October 4 Ride to the Wall The annual pilgrimage to the National Memorial Arboretum is happening this weekend. There are plenty of rides to join (you can find them all online), otherwise head to the arboretum, pay your respects and join in with a great cause. www.rttw.org 2 October 1-3 Henry Cole Henry Cole is taking to the stage three times this week along with Steve Parrish. He starts with a date with the Wimborne Tivoli Theatre on Wednesday, the Redditch Palace Theatre on Thursday and the Stamford Corn Exchange on Friday. Tickets start from £31.50. henrycole.tv/theatre-tour 3 October 5 Pioneer Run Veteran machines will take the treacherous cruise from Tattenham Corner to Brighton this weekend. Pre-1915 metal will hit the streets in age order before finishing at Brighton City Airport with…

GET PROTECTED WITH MCN – AT MCNCOMPARE.COM THE HOTTEST BIKES EVERY WEEK £6499 CFMoto 675NK 675cc l iquid - cool ed DOHC 12V inline triple 9 3.8bhp @11,000rpm 189kg kerb weight £7449 Honda CB750 Hornet 755cc l iquid - cool ed SOHC 8v parallel twin 90.5bhp @ 9500rpm 192kg kerb weight Few motorcycling niches blend performance, practicality and value for money so succinctly as middleweight roadsters. Honda reset all expectations for the sector back in 2023 with the launch of the CB750 Hornet, undercutting existing rivals on price by a minimum of five-hundred quid while also delivering the most powerful motor in class. Since then, the Hornet has undergone a minor facelift, tackled head-on the arrival of Suzuki’s midrange-rich GSX-8S and a heavily updated MT-07, as well as a levelling…

£6499 CFMoto 675NK £7449 Honda CB750 Hornet…

The 2025 Italjet Dragster 700 is an amazing piece of work – but it makes very little sense as a daily ride. At nearly £14k in the top spec, it’s not cheap, and there are none of the usual scooter benefits like a clean maintenance-free final drive, auto transmission, underseat storage, or decent weather protection. And on the other hand, it’s also not got the full performance you’d get from a ‘normal’ £13k sportsbike, while a £1500 CBR600F would be a more sensible trackday bike (paired with a Burgman 650 for your commute). But none of that is the point for Italjet. It’s a firm that doesn’t go with the flow, preferring to make gorgeous, eccentric, fun machinery. And the Italjet Dragster 700 LE, with its Gresini MotoGP paint, Öhlins…

THE FACTS ‘Designers dubbed the whole package the ‘Genesis’ concept’ The 1985 FZ750 was all about pioneering tech… with five-valve heads, an inclined cylinder block to make way for down-draught carbs, and the revolutionary ‘Genesis’ concept. Genesis referred to fully integrated chassis and engine development, set the template for a five-valve four, thereafter adopted Deltabox aluminium twin-beam frames, and paved the way for a succession of superbikes which put Yamaha on the four-stroke map. Simply, without the 1985 FZ750, the 1987 FZR1000R, 1989 EXUP and OW01, 1993 YZF and 1998’s first R1, might never have existed. Which makes it all the more surprising that the FZ was not only Yamaha’s first truly modern, liquid-cooled, large-capacity four-stroke four but, in truth, it wasn’t the huge sales or racing success Yamaha were…

READ OUR LATEST IN-DEPTH KIT REVIEWS Go online now: www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-kit RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor 15 months ON TEST Ease of use rated Design, construction and durability rated Each system put through its paces for months ‘Following the simple route’ Tested by Ben Clarke for 15 months 3000 miles I reviewed the Beeline Moto in these pages a couple of years ago, having piled on a swift 500 miles with a pre-production unit. Since then, I’ve used the Beeline for thousands more miles across several test bikes and, if anything, I’ve grown to like it even more. Beeline moved the game on a long way with this second generation of their motorcycle unit and made it closer than ever to being a proper satnav replacement. It still isn’t…

Gaskets don't last forever. Even on the most well-maintained machines, the constant temperature changes, environmental corrosion, combined with age will wear them down eventually. So what is a gasket? In simple terms, a gasket is a malleable seal placed between engine parts to tightly secure the internal fluids, preventing the leakage of oil and coolant and the escape of combustion gases. It does this while also adapting to imperfections in the metal surfaces; it keeps the good stuff inside and the bad stuff outside. Some gaskets are easy to access and can be changed in a matter of minutes, but in the interest of being thorough in our example, we are guiding you through a full gasket replacement by removing the engine. The only specific engine gasket not covered in…

For the Rule Breakers. Reigning British and World Superbike Champions JOSH CLOSE INSIGHT Looking ahead to the next Showdown round 1 Can Ryde keep it up? It’s simple, really. Kyle Ryde just needs to carry on doing what he has been doing all year, and that’s to remain consistent and upright. It’s this strategy that not only won him the title last year, but has also allowed him to overturn a 56-point deficit to Bradley Ray in this year’s championship fight. Heading into Oulton Park, Ryde is 31 points clear. Ryde is on a run of 54 point-scoring finishes and there’s no sign of that ending anytime soon, not due to a crash or mistake on his part anyway. Ryde remains cool, calm and collected, and will play it smart at…

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFFERS Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer GREG HAINES INSIGHT TOP STORY Going behind the headlines in the WSBK paddock Nicolo Bulega celebrated a superb double victory at MotorLand Aragon last Sunday. Ordinarily, that plus a very close second to Toprak Razgatlioglu in Race 1 would signal a great weekend but, considering the strength of Ducati on the Spanish circuit and the fact there are five points between 25 for winning and 20 for second, how pleased should Bulega be heading to Estoril next week? Before Aragon, Razgatlioglu’s lead was 39 points. That’s come down by three, to 36, but with only two rounds and a maximum 124 points remaining. Had Bulega beaten the BMW in Saturday’s Race 1, in which the Ducati rider set fastest lap,…

ROUND 17 JAPAN 16 Viñales 72pts 17 Ogura 70pts 18 Miller 58pts 19 Rins 45pts 20 Martin 34pts 21 Oliveira 26pts 22 Espargaro P 16pts 23 Nakagami 10pts 24 Savadori 8pts 25 Fernandez A 8pts 26 Chantra 3pts FINAL POSITIONS MOTOGP 11 Bastianini +23.616 12 Binder +23.882 13 Di Giannantonio +29.359 14 Oliveira +30.788 15 Chantra +30.99 16 Viñales +31.712 17 Acosta +34.157 18 Rins +34.792 DNF Miller 3 laps, Nakagami 5 laps, Marini 22 laps FINAL POSITIONS SP RACE 11 Aldeguer +13.492 12 Binder +13.823 13 Di Giannantonio +15.425 14 Nakagami +16.352 15 Oliveira +18.211 16 Viñales +20.706 17 Chantra +21.883 18 Rins +43.428 DNF Miller 1 lap, Zarco 3 laps, Bastianini 6 laps, Bezzecchi 12 laps, Martin 12 laps FINAL POSITIONS MOTO2 11 Lopez +15.006 12 Ramirez +15.125…

NEIL MORRISON INSIGHT Reflecting on motorsport’s greatest ever comeback TOP STORY He may not have won the race on Sunday but Marc Marquez wrapped up his ninth world championship and seventh premier class title “in the perfect way” and “closed the circle” by lifting the trophy at the same event where he’d decided to leave Honda just two years previously. Even if the coronation was almost a formality, there was plenty of emotion in the celebrations. Little wonder, considering the magnitude of this achievement. The complete package As early as Aragon in June, there was only one rider winning this year’s MotoGP crown. Aside from mistakes in Austin and Jerez, the 32-year old has been devastatingly consistent, taking eight pole positions, 11 race wins and 14 Sprints. He’s already scored more…

Another week, another new manufacturer. This time it’s QJMotor who are next to arrive in UK showrooms with their new budget adventurer pairing (see page 10). QJ join Voge (their new tech-laden DS625X you can read about on page 30), and CFMoto (whose impressive range now includes the new 675NK, tested on page 33). With new manufacturers and models coming thick and fast, you’d be forgiven for struggling to keep up! With each new brand that enters the UK market, a thought pops into my head: how many bike manufacturers can the UK sustain, and is this vast amount of choice really good for biking as a whole? Will these new brands steal sales from the traditional manufacturers and cause them to shake up their offerings and strategies to reassert…

Remember Anthony Hopkins’ acclaimed portrayal of 1960s motorcycle speed record breaker Burt Munro in the movie The World’s Fastest Indian? Well, the revived American brand have now set a brand-new speed record in exactly the same place. Indian factory racer and two-time King of the Baggers champion Tyler O’Hara has set a new motorcycle speed record aboard a specially prepared Indian Challenger – achieving 194.384mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats, in Utah, USA. The record was set in the AMA 2000cc APS-AG category for twin-cylinder machinery up to two litres in capacity, and was achieved using a modified version of Indian’s Challenger race bike – complete with King of the Baggers panniers and fairing, naturally. The previous record was set back in 1972 when J. Angerer posted 169.828mph on a…

SIGN UP FOR THE LATEST OFFERS Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer Round-the-world rider Yogesh Alekari has resumed his global expedition after taking ownership of a donated KTM 790 Adventure, just weeks after his original machine was stolen in Nottingham. The Indian traveller, who had clocked up 15,000 miles across 17 countries on his 390 Adventure, was left stranded when thieves struck at Wollaton Park on August 28. The bike is yet to be located. With his plans in jeopardy, Mansfield Woodhouse dealership The Off-Road Centre stepped in – gifting him a one-owner-from-new 2020 790 Adventure. The bike was formally handed over on September 19 as part of a relaunch event, with Yogesh then visiting two nearby Hindu temples before resuming his intercontinental journey. Following a brief return to India…

Oxford Tracker 3.0 boot £119.99 The latest version of Oxford’s bestselling unisex touring boot features a waterproof-but-breathable Dry2Dry membrane, accordion stretch panels, PU toe/heel/ankle protectors, 3D mesh lining, microfibre upper, and anti-slip rubber sole. It’s CE certified to the superior Level 2 standard for abrasion resistance and crush protection. www.oxfordproducts.com Caberg Soho £129.99 A new ECE 22.06 jet-style helmet from Caberg, the Soho is aimed at inner-city riders and commuters who may stray out onto the occasional ring-road or motorway. You get the practicality of an open-face with improved safety, but without the added weight of a flip-front. The Soho also features a dropdown sun visor and is ready for an intercom. www.cabergcares.co.uk Alpinestars Corozal V2 Adventure boots £329.99 These boots represent the latest offering for road-biased adventure riders and…

‘Checking out the forgotten Zed’ I’ve just tested the 2025 Kawasaki Z900 SE, which was an eye-opener because the Zed is a bike that having initially fallen in love with, over the years I’ve tended to overlook. When the Z750 first emerged in 2004 it was a revelation. Not only did it look cool (Kawasaki’s fresh and angular look was still in its infancy), the fact it had a 748cc inline-four rather than the established class-benchmark 599cc gave it real attitude. It was head-and-shoulders above the Hornet, GSR600 and FZ6 in its power delivery and was also great handling. I even loved its colour schemes, which probably have a special name but I always call ‘Lego paint’ as it looks just like the plastic blocks. The Zed was the pick…

Q ‘Is my black visor legal?’ I have returned to biking after a few years and bought some new kit, including a cool-looking tinted visor. An army friend told me he thinks it could be illegal as it is very dark. I bought it from a well-known website and surely they don’t sell illegal visors? Am I safe to use it, or is it too risky? James, Aldershot A A visor must either meet a British Standard and display a BSI Kitemark or meet a European standard offering at least the same safety and protection as the British Standard and carry a mark equivalent to the BSI Kitemark. During the daytime, a tint of up to 50% is acceptable according to Government guidance. Legal tinted visors will state ‘daylight use…

THE DETAILS Open daily from 11am 15 Seymour Street, Ballymoney BT53 6JR Joey Dunlop doesn’t need any introduction, and aside from his racing legacy, he left another one in his hometown of Ballymoney: Joey’s Bar. Purchased by Joey after he and his wife had made it their local, the pub is still run by the family 40 years later. Today, Joey’s daughter, Joanne McCammond, is behind the bar and keeping the story alive. “Our customers are fantastic. We still have people drinking in this bar that drank in it 40 years ago. The bar was daddy’s pride and joy, he loved it. So mummy kept it on, and the whole family has worked in it at some point in time.” In the bar there are bikes on show (two are…

JOIN THE MCN PIT STOP BREW CREW www.motorcyclenews.com/pit-stop ‘Hold on to your hats’ MICK TURNER At the Ponderosa in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It’s the highest pub in Ireland apparently. Decent food, but it's windy up there… ‘Coming together’ DAVID NEALE Spent the weekend of August 30-31 camping at MAFF (March Armed Forces Fair) with some of the Rolling Thunder crew. ‘Time for tea’ STEPHEN OVERINGTON A quick run around the backstreets of Essex on my my 1970 Bonneville. The tea room staff were were great and the local countryside was picturesque. ‘Saddle sore’ PHILIP WESTON At the Spain/Portugal border while riding the Medusa 1000. A 1000-mile day organised by Iron Butt Spain. The 11-day trip was 4200 miles overall. ‘Biking in Ffestiniog’ TRACY ATKINSON This was taken on a rideout…

‘It may soon be the bike to beat’ For relative new arrivals CFMoto to produce a bike this good first time out is remarkable, especially for a class as fiercely fought as this. Just look at the competition: Yamaha’s MT-07, Triumph’s Trident 660, Suzuki’s GSX-8S and Honda’s CB750 Hornet. The 675NK isn’t good in only one or two areas either. It performs, handles, rides and stops well, is bedecked with quality suspension and an equal level of kit to its rivals. And it’s the best-looker in class, by far. While there are issues – throttle response, lack of midrange, and embryonic dealer network – we’ve learnt that the Chinese adapt and improve fast, so within a year or two the NK may well be the bike to beat. For now,…

SIGN UP FOR YOUR WELCOME GIFT Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer Marquez takes title, p70 ‘The thing is that Marc wants it more than anyone else’ From rivals and engineers to crew chiefs and team managers, medical professionals and former MotoGP champions, Mat Oxley has uncovered fascinating insights into the workings of MotoGP’s resurgent champion, Marc Marquez, from the people who know him best. In a new biography compiled from interviews with the nine-time champ as well as the people who have worked with and raced against him over the past two decades, Oxley takes fans behind closed pitbox doors to appreciate for the first time how Marquez works in the garage and how he rides on track. The 32-year-old Spaniard is often misunderstood because he rarely talks about…

CHECK OUT THE LATEST DEALS Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer Not many people can say that they’ve kept every bike they’ve ever owned, but Andy Oak can do just that. Coming to motorcycling a little later in life, he’s certainly made up for lost time and now has a staggering 45 bikes in the garage. But it’s not just about the collection because Andy’s also got hands-on after learning to restore each and every one. “I love riding the bikes, but I love stripping them down and rebuilding them from the ground up. I take photos of everything I do, especially when I have a new bike as I don’t know everything and I’ve got to learn as I go along. “If you see some of them and what…

CATCH UP WITH OUR LONGTERM TESTS Go online now: www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn-fleet @dan_sutherland Lover of 90s sportsbike and garish colour schemes, happiest at a racetrack. Oliver’s Mount is a special place. As England’s only road racing venue, it’s a unique little track overlooking the seaside town of Scarborough – no wider than your average country lane connecting two sleepy hamlets, and about as tricky as you’re likely to come across. There are undulations, tight hairpins, crazy elevation changes, and even the chance for a bit of acrobatics. It should be on everyone’s must-visit list – with plenty of choices for fish and chips on the seafront once you’re done. On top of their usual array of road racing festivals, the organisers open things up to the public to take part in hill…

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFFERS Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer Saving you money on essential bike maintenance with easy-to-follow tips YOUR EXPERT BOB TEAHAN Bob is Director of The Machine Shop, Hinckley – a workshop that operates like a gym and offers its members access to tools, workbenches, knowledge and help. Bob's been engineering, racing and welding for over 15 years, and he’s as comfortable chasing records as he is teaching in The Machine Shop workshop. When he’s not fabricating or racing, Bob’s passion is passing on hard-won skills to the next generation of welders and riders. • www.the-machine-shop.co.uk BOB’S TIPS Utilising a lift, if available, will simplify this process 1 Hang before extraction Changing your bike’s engine casing gaskets requires complete removal of the engine which, depending on the…

GET YOUR FREE WELCOME GIFT Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer ‘Every year we have the same tracks’ WIN Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS simply by getting a quote at www.mcncompare.com MotorLand Aragon was another great round for Toprak Razgatlioglu. Although chief rival Nicolo Bulega bounced back to winning ways, securing a Sunday double following no joy from the previous four rounds, BMW’s Toprak took his first Aragon win during Saturday’s Race 1. However, the Turk has spoken out about the state of the championship and its lack of ‘flyaway’ events. “I’m not here next year but this year and last year I’ve always been speaking with Dorna,” says a bewildered Toprak. “I’m really bored! Why do we have only 12 rounds? This is World Superbike: a very famous name…

MCN can reveal that ZXMoto, a new Chinese manufacturer assembled by the founder of Kove, will debut in World Supersport next season with several ex-Kove staff involved. The bike will be the ZXMoto 820RR, an 820cc triple. This bolsters the paddock to no fewer than four Chinese brands with Kove, QJMotor and CFMoto to appear in the new SportBike World Championship. Controversy and crashes at Aragon There was drama in Supersport 300’s second race, with four of the top five in the series crashing and series leader Beñat Fernandez finishing tenth after penalties; the wins went to Carter Thompson and Matteo Vanucci. In WSS, Yamaha were furious to be docked 800rpm for their success; Ducati mounted Valentin Debise secured his first win before Stefano Manzi saw off rival Can Oncu…

Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia remain on target to claim “best-of-rest” status in the 2025 championship after a tenacious fourth place finish in the Japanese MotoGP round. While noteworthy in an era of imperious Ducati dominance, the Noale squad continue to tease their capacity to be the primary 2026 title threat to the red team. Bezzecchi has emerged as Aprilia’s flagship rider – five GP podiums out of eight since Assen – with his fearless speed and incisive overtaking manoeuvres. But it has been a dreadful season for 2024 world champion Jorge Martin – one that spiralled further downwards at Motegi with his turn one friendly-fire brutally dumping him and Bezzecchi out of the Sprint. A physically banged up Bezzecchi, who qualified ninth, raced bravely but could do no better than…

MAT OXLEY INSIGHT MotoGP tech expert and former TT winner Pecco Bagnaia took pole and dominated both races at Motegi, after struggling all year with Ducati’s latest Desmosedici, so what the hell have Ducati done to fix his bike, and why did it take them so long? Ducati have refused to reveal the reasons for their twice world champion’s troubles and the secrets behind his transformation, causing a whirlwind of speculation, so now’s the perfect time to take a deep dive into what we do know about Bagnaia’s GP25. 1 Ride-height devices If Ducati aren’t allowed to change Bagnaia’s engine, how have they turned things around so spectacularly? We do know that one of the GP25’s biggest upgrades is its ride-height device, which drops the rear end lower than the GP24,…

“Marc did amazing things. He started in a fantastic way. He had two or three races when he needed to calm down a bit. But after that he was a machine for the rest of the season. Congratulations to him and thanks because I’ve learned a lot from him this season.” Pecco Bagnaia “More than an athlete, he’s a legend now. “He already was. From 2020 and the injury he had to changing teams in 2024, the domination he showed this year was amazing. I’m super happy for him because he had some tough times and he really deserves what he’s doing now.” Fabio Quartararo “It’s one of the greatest comebacks in the history of sport. “Coming from where I was, being champion, then getting injured, I hope his example can help…

Beachman are a Canadian start-up who are already producing a pedal ‘e-bike’ called the ‘64’ and have now received Canadian government approval to begin motorcycle manufacturing. The ’64 LM (Light Motorcycle) is a fully road-legal electric with a claimed top speed of 44mph, and which removes the pedals for a pure motorcycle experience. Beachman plan to expand into Europe in 2026. GB350 winner announced This ‘Hachimaan’ Japanese-Bobber style GB350S made by Italy’s MAAN Motocicil has been crowned 2025 Honda Customs winner. The bike took 31% of the 30,000 votes cast and is the customisers’ second victory. Nicola Manca of Motocicli Audaci said: “This is a confirmation that is always difficult to achieve and never to be taken for granted. It is a seal of approval that makes us realise we…

Norton have announced they are undertaking a “significant refit” at their Solihull HQ in readiness for the start of production of an all-new line of motorcycles due to be unveiled next month. The British brand, bought by Indian automotive giant TVS in 2020, opened a multi-million-pound facility in November 2021, initially to resume production of the re-developed 961 Commando and V4 families. But with production of those machines now ended and the unveiling of their all-new line due at the EICMA trade show in Milan on November 4, the company are updating and expanding Solihull in readiness to produce a new generation of bikes. ‘Foundations for long-term success’ When the firm relaunched in 2021 it was reported that TVS had invested £100million in reviving Norton. The company now says more…

MCN rides Walker’s race bike Hayabusa’s speed cut Foggy casts his vote for Joey Dunlop Riding a legend! The 2000 British Superbike championship will forever be remembered thanks to the titanic battle between Neil Hodgson and Chris Walker that went down to a nail-biting finale at Donington Park. And it all ended in tears as Walker’s Suzuki GSX-R750 suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure that saw his title hopes go up in smoke. In the week leading up to that fateful final round, MCN had the opportunity to ride the very machine that almost took Walker to that one and only BSB title. That’s right – his exact racing machine, not a second bike but the actual one. MCN’s tester at the time, Jim Yeardly, made it pretty evident just how…

‘I want to hear from you!’ The MCN letters pages have brought some very welcome support for this column from readers – for which I’m grateful – and some sharp questions. Two stand out this week. The first is why manufacturers aren’t more transparent about the standards their clothing has been tested to and passed. A few brands already publish full details, which could be seen as best practice, but the law doesn’t cover how PPE is promoted – only the statutory info that must be supplied when products go on sale. That package is threefold: marking (labels with the CE mark and black and white ISO 7000-2618 motorcyclist graphic specific to bike clothing); user information (instructions for selection, use, care and maintenance); and the manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity (printed…

GRAB YOUR FREE WELCOME GIFT Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer WHAT’S NEW IN TECH Motorcycle theft continues to be a huge problem in the UK – especially in the off-road sector, where stolen motorcycles can be harder to trace once taken. With this threat in mind, Yamaha have come up with what they’re describing as an ‘industry-first’ anti-theft feature to protect their entire 2026 full-size four-stroke off-road catalogue. The system – standard on the manufacturer’s circuit-only YZ250F and YZ450F models, and road-legal enduro WR250F and WR450F machines – disables the engine at the touch of a smartphone button. The new device comes as standard, with no need to purchase any additional electronics. “The base technology that allows ECU lock is our existing CCU (communication control unit) that we have…

ZEROFIT – KING OF BASELAYERS® www.zerofit.co.uk Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers Darren Waite and Peter Mulrooney The ride/destination Through Europe for Royal Enfield rallies in Greece and Belgium How long do you need? It was a five-week trip on the bikes Tell us about the trip… We started by taking the Channel Tunnel to France before two days riding to the Mont Blanc tunnel then down the middle of Italy through national parks to Bari. We grabbed the ferry to Greece for the Greek Royal Enfield owners club rally in Pelion. That was a three-nighter, then it was Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg and then Belgium for another Royal Enfield rally. It was an adventure and the bikes ran fault-free. It shows you don't need big engines to tour – just a one tooth…

There is no nicer feeling than swinging your leg over an immaculately prepared bike. Sparklingly clean, with perfectly maintained components and a deep lustre to the paintwork. Mint Bike Wash – with a plethora of accolades and a RiDE Best Buy – tells you how good it is. The wash is a high-performance, biodegradable formulation and is ready to use in 1-litre and 5-litre bottles. The 1-litre bottle comes with a foaming trigger which enables good disbursement of the cleaner for easy and gentle removal of dirt and grime. The wash is now readily available in a concentrated solution. Just dilute with water to make the correct strength of Mint Bike Wash, minimising plastic waste and reducing the cost. It is safe on paintwork, metal surfaces, plastics, rubber, and carbon…

‘£2k less than a 650 V-Strom’ The £6199 price grabs attention. The spec deepens curiosity. And our 100-mile initial taste confirms that the DS625X is a sprightly, practical, road-focused adventurer. It’s not perfect – the brakes, electronics and seating position could benefit from some fine-tuning. But all things considered these are relatively minor, largely offset by the value: it’s £2200 cheaper than Suzuki’s V-Strom 650. It remains to be seen how the DS625X holds up though a two-year unlimited-mileage warranty, but the network of 60 UK Voge dealers and Loncin’s pedigree all give reassurance. THE FACTS £6199 Voge DS625X…

As well as the Hornet the new Chinese contender sizes up against Yamaha’s MT-07 – now available in six-speed manual or semi-auto spec; Triumph’s Trident 660; Kawasaki’s Z650 and Suzuki’s GSX-8S. Kawasaki’s Z650 is arguably the weakest link. Its twin is a generation behind, producing just 68bhp. And with prices starting at £6999 for the base model and £7999 for the Performance variant, the Zed faces an uphill battle against the more powerful 675NK. Suzuki’s GSX-8S arrived several months after the Hornet and while £1000 more expensive than the Honda, the GSX’s superior midrange performance was enough to bloody its rival’s nose. Suzuki are offering an £800 dealer contribution, making it no more expensive than the Hornet. Triumph’s Trident 660 is closet dynamically to the 675NK. Claimed performance (80bhp) is…

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFFERS Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer FIRST RIDE This is no normal scooter launch. We’re at the Imola F1 circuit near Bologna, and I’m pulling one-piece leathers and airbag out of my kit bag, rather than the usual textile jacket. But then the new Dragster 700 is no ordinary scooter. Italjet’s latest is an ‘urban superbike’ and the spec is like nothing else in the sector. OK, it has a step-through chassis and riding position, and some trick sport scooter-style bodywork. But everything else shouts ‘performance motorcycle’, from the steel trellis frame, USD forks and monoshock, to the 692cc parallel twin, complete with manual gearbox and chain final drive. Add in a neat braced cast aluminium swingarm, radial-mount front brakes and outlandish race-replica aerodynamic bodywork…

3 x Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6Rs 2 x Aprilia RSV Mille Rs 2 x Yamaha YZF-R1s 2 x Suzuki GSX-R1000s 5 x Honda Fireblades 2 x Honda CBR600s Honda XL600 KTM 400 EXC 2 x Kawasaki ZX-9Rs 6 x Kawasaki ZX-7Rs 5 x Suzuki GSX-R400s Yamaha TW125 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Yamaha YZF-R6 Suzuki GSX-R750 SRAD 2 x Suzuki RGV250s Suzuki RG125 Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 Ducati 999 Yamaha T80 Kawasaki ZZR400 Kawasaki ZX7/9R project ‘Three bikes stripped in the loft, but I can’t remember what!’ 2 x minimotos (yes, he can ride them despite being 6ft 6in)…

Fork oil replacement is one of the most overlooked elements of regular servicing, and when a 2014 Suzuki Bandit 1250 rolled into Zenith Motorcycles, workshop boss Karen Neill quickly discovered that its front end hadn’t seen love in over a decade – with familiar (and smelly) consequences. “They’d had the same oil in for 11 years, which isn’t uncommon. It had clearly never been changed,” Neill explained. “The oil was contaminated, and with contamination comes a very bad odour – that lovely fishy smell we get the benefit of.” Aside from the whiff, leaving old fluid inside forks is far from harmless. “It can block up valves and reduce damping properties,” she warned. “It also contributes to the breakdown of fork seals and increases wear in the fork bushes. Because…

ROUND 10 ARAGON 16 Gerloff 75pts 17 Montella 68pts 18 Rea 66pts 19 Vickers 33pts 20 Mackenzie 25pts 21 Sofuoglu 23pts 22 Rinaldi 10pts 23 Garcia 6pts 24 Rabat 6pts 25 Nagashima 2pts 26 Zaidi 1pts WSBK POSITIONS RACE 1 16 Sofuoglu +36.199 17 Rabat +36.291 18 Rinaldi +43.343 19 Bridewell +49.944 20 Zaidi +1’08.673 DNF Gardner 2 laps, Bautista 6 laps, Mackenzie 15 laps WSBK POSITIONS SP RACE 11 Bassani +7.522 12 Locatelli +7.754 13 Mackenzie +9.601 14 Vickers +12.676 15 Gerloff +13.62 16 Gardner +13.825 17 Sofuoglu +20.437 18 Bridewell +26.28 19 Zaidi +33.654 20 Aegerter +1’20.678 DNF Rinaldi 1 lap, Rabat 9 laps, Montella 10 laps WSBK POSITIONS RACE 2 16 Montella +25.2 17 Rabat +43.902 18 Bridewell +51.404 19 Lowes S +1’12.395 20 Rinaldi +2 laps…

MICHAEL SCOTT INSIGHT At the heart of the GP paddock for more than 35 years ‘I knew it could be a long time without results’ In fairy stories, sleeping giants wake in an instant, spitting fury and seeking vengeance. In MotoGP, it takes a bit longer. More than six years, in fact, in a process that for Honda has really only just begun. The racing giant that is HRC fell asleep after 2019, the last year they won the constructors’ title, ending eight years of global domination. Since 2022 they have finished last every single year. But Joan Mir’s dry-weather podium at Honda’s home circuit – after qualifying second, less than a tenth off pole – has lifted them past Yamaha and towards KTM. Boosted by Zarco’s unexpected wet Le Mans…

Britain’s Jake Dixon was highly critical of himself after finishing second to Dani Holgado at Motegi. “Once I got to second and in clear air, I was able to close the gap. But it was too little, too late. It was embarrassing how slow I was in Misano. Here, we were so much better off. Today the bike was good enough to win, but I just didn’t finish the job off,” he said. Rueda maintains Moto3 control The championship race was as good as done come the end of Moto3, as Jose Antonio Rueda produced a brilliant late rally to capitalise on Angel Piqueras’ crash. The title leader eased off when a light rain shower arrived mid-race, but expertly fought back from tenth to second, behind winner David Muñoz. Rueda’s…

JOHN McGUINNESS TT Legend John McGuinness MBE in MCN every week So Japan turned into the Marquez and Pecco show. For Marc the stats just keep coming; he’s just relentless isn’t he? He hasn’t made many mistakes and he’s got it done with five rounds to go, which is incredible. He’s broken everyone, but after this weekend I’m also left wondering what could have been if Ducati had listened to Pecco and sorted things earlier. I find the whole situation bizarre. For Pecco to go from where he was finishing to the full gentleman’s set of pole, fastest laps and two race wins is unreal. He looked like his old self. The TV doesn’t do the two downhill right handers at Motegi justice, but he was just backing it into…