Table of contents for 22 October 2025 in MCN

FIRST RIDE Ready to ride The reborn supersport segment gets yet another addition with the arrival of the long-awaited KTM 990 RC R. The full specs were finally revealed last week, shortly before MCN’s Chief Road Tester Michael Neeves answered the call to experience it on road and track in Spain. Looking every inch the sharp, angular MotoGP bike, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the 128bhp parallel-twin would be more suitable for hardcore circuit slicing than road-based fun, but as Neevesy found out, the new RC R has a few strings to its bright orange bow, and could really shake up the supersport competition. Here’s our verdict… PAGE 28 ‘As a road-focused sportsbike, it will to be hard to beat’ NEW KTM 990 RC R, P28 TOP STORY Thoroughly modern…

Yamaha have given their all-terrain Ténéré 700 World Raid a revamp for 2026, installing a six-axis IMU for lean-sensitive electronics, altering the seat, and suspending the whole lot with brand-new fully adjustable KYB springs. Expected to arrive in dealers from March 2026 in a choice of ‘Redline White’ or ‘Midnight Black’, we’re told that pricing will be revealed at this November’s MCL show at the Birmingham NEC. It is expected to come in at a fraction more than the current Raid’s £13,220. The beating heart of the bike remains Yamaha’s tried and tested 689cc CP2 parallel twin, producing a claimed 72.4bhp at 9000rpm and 50.2lb.ft of torque at 6500rpm. It’s now paired with a ride-by-wire throttle - unlocking two power modes, as well as cruise control and a speed limiter…

SAVE £7150 £18,499 Kawasaki H2 SX SE Kawasaki’s big blown super cruiser mixes effortless grunt with all-day comfort. Despite its weight, the pannier-equipped H2 is also hugely capable through the twisties – and this being the bells and whistles electronically suspended SE version, those unflappable handling qualities are only amplified further. www.thepotteries.co.uk SAVE £4000 £15,499 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 Tour Suzuki’s long-standing V-Strom is a superb real-world tourer. This one comes loaded with thousands of pounds worth of extras. bikes.fowlers.co.uk/offers • Engine 1037cc • Power 106bhp • Weight 236kg • Seat height 855mm SAVE £2100 £16,499 Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa It’s getting a little long in the tooth now, but the cult classic Busa is still among the best in the business for churning out big miles at eye-watering speeds. www.daytonamc.co.uk •…

'Don't fall for social media' Last week’s column covered junk jackets. This week, it’s questionable cargos. The same pair of motorcycle trousers started popping up all over social media. Three different sellers, same product, almost identical sales pitches. The presenter in one slick video gushed that they were ‘an absolute winner for motorcycling’. The sellers -supposedly based in Wyoming (USA), Serbia, and London – variously claimed ‘Cordura knee protection for abrasion resistance’ and CE/UKCA approval to EN 17092-3 ‘AA’. At first glance, competition among suppliers looked healthy, with prices falling from around £90 to £46, £39, and even £29. A bargain? Hardly. Things quickly unravelled. Street View revealed the London address to be a nondescript backstreet building. The phone number listed didn’t exist. Searching the Serbian outfit revealed Trustpilot complaints…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews Can we hit Multi-reverse? While I applaud all of the new tech on the latest Multistrada Rally from Ducati, what I would really like, due probably to my age, is a reverse gear so that I do not have to struggle so much to get in and out of my garage. I realise that I should buy a lighter bike, but I like the big bike’s stable feel on the road. I think Honda fitted a reverse gear on their Gold Wing which operated from the starter motor and do not know how much extra weight that would entail but for me and others of my age, the majority it seems of bikers in this country, this would assist in manoeuvring in and out of the…

THE DETAILS Monday-Friday 9am-4pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm Find out more / www.baffleculture.com/bafflehaus The Cedars, Abergavenny Rd, Penperlleni, Pontypool, NP4 0AD With the recent launch of Baffle Haus’ second location, The Old Post, the brand is going from strength to strength. But don’t forget that their original site, The Cedars, is still going strong. Right on the gateway to the Brecon Beacons, it’s the ideal place to stop off, warm up, and even bag some new kit and great coffee. It’s a one-stop shop and it’s proven to be very popular with bikers. “On one of our top days we had over 400 orders!” says co-owner and founder Andrew ‘Salts’ Salter. “That’s why we felt it was right to open to a second location. “I suppose the best way to…

THE UK'S HOTTEST RIDES MCN staffers share their favourite short routes Starting in Ledbury, pick up the A449 and start swooping down towards Much Marcle, then continue plunging south into the Ross valley. You can skirt Ross and use the A40 to cut to Wyesham, but I prefer the wiggly route on the B4234 down Berry Hill, then hook a right onto the A4136 that delivers you to Wyesham. Take a left onto the A466 and plunge down to Tintern Abbey (Abaty Tyndryn). If you like castles and abbeys, this is a cracking route, and small detours will take you to Raglan, Goodrich, St Briavels, Monmouth and Chepstow castles, and Tintern Abbey. From Tintern, keep heading for Chepstow until you turn right onto the B4235, another wiggler that takes you…

JOIN THE MCN PIT STOP BREW CREW www.motorcyclenews.com/pit-stop 'New bike day' NICK BRAZIER Finally, after crashing a year and a half ago. I managed to purchase another bike. I missed riding so much. A new CRF1100 DCT Africa Twin. Thanks Farnham Honda! 'No burst fork seals' CHRIS HOOD Second time around and I made it to the Buccleuch Arms in Moffat! No burst fork seals this time! 'Perfect Pit Stop' PAUL WRIGHT Stopped off for a much-needed coffee and amazing sausage roll at Bridge House Farm Tearooms, Wray in Lancashire. 'Anyone home?' PAUL DRISCOLL All quiet at the White Monk in the Wye valley. An hour later there were dozens of bikes and riders there, so I'm guessing they had all chosen to have a lie in! 'Crossing continents' ROB…

‘The bike KTM should have made’ A good adventure bike needs to be able to deliver across a wide spectrum of scenarios. The four bikes on test vary considerably, from the truly off-road-focused Honda, to the punchy CFMoto or the friendly Royal Enfield. KTM had the advantage of studying the competition and have built the bike they should have brought to market three or more years ago. With power to rival the CFMoto, acceptable weight and a refined electronics package, it brings the best of all worlds to the class. On the road it finishes second, a smidge behind the CFMoto, and off-road it’s at least on par with the Honda. Not as user-friendly maybe, but more capable especially in the hands of a more experienced rider. Then there’s the…

RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor 5 months ON TEST Merlin Akashi Pro Laminate £399.99 jacket, £349.99 trousers 'A magic cloak for your adventures' Tested by Adam Oldfield for 3000 miles A new premium adventure and touring textile suit from Merlin, the Akashi Pro Laminate jacket and trouser combo delivers a wealth of practical features and all-weather protection for four-season riding. And our test suggests that if you demand dependability from your gear, the Merlin Akashi Pro will exceed your expectations. At the heart of its performance is a two-layer 15/12k laminate membrane bonded directly to the outer shell for excellent waterproofing and breathability. Unlike drop liner-style textiles, the outer shell never feels saturated – even during the extended downpours from Storm Amy weeks back. Up close, the Akashi…

Jack Miller was fourth in the Sprint and Alex Rins took seventh on Sunday but Fabio Quartararo was beset by a lack of grip in the main race. “Really strange,” he shrugged before admitting the recent run has worn him down. “Mentally, when you make results it's OK. But when the results are not coming, you just want to go home.” Agius is the Moto2 Aussie home hero Senna Agius executed his game plan to perfection to become the first Australian to win an intermediate class race at their home GP. A six-lap blitz was enough to see him edge clear of a wild battle for second. “Once I found my rhythm, I put together a fast six laps. It’s amazing. I just can’t believe I’ve won here!” Rueda a…

Honda’s riders arrived in Australia eyeing another podium fight. But they soon found the RC213V wasn’t as suited to the fast, open curves of Phillip Island as they’d hoped. The bike was a wild ride for most of the weekend and also struggled for rear grip. “It’s not only traction,” said Luca Marini. “It’s missing turning. But also the bike is very nervous in the rear.” Huge recent improvements saw both Marini and Joan Mir piece together podium challenges at Motegi. Phillip Island’s characteristics were less suited to the bike “On stop-and-go tracks we improved a lot, but on the flowing tracks with a lot of wind the bike is very unstable so I cannot take the profit from 100%,” said Mir. Even so, Marini rode to a solid sixth…

MAT OXLEY Former TT winner and MotoGP tech pundit Independent-team riders on the top two steps of a MotoGP podium doesn’t happen very often, so Sunday was a significant day. Sure, things might’ve been different if factory Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi hadn’t taken out Marc Marquez at Mandalika, mangling the champion’s right shoulder and giving himself a double long-lap penalty for Phillip Island. But the facts stand: Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez won the 2025 Aussie GP ahead of VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio. And, of course, the reigning world champion Jorge Martin (remember him?) won the 2024 title with an independent team, Pramac. So why are indie teams so strong now? Simple answer – more money and better motorcycles – but it’s not been an easy road. The process began almost a…

ROUND 12 JEREZ 16 Rea 83pts 17 Redding 76pts 18 Montella 74pts 19 Mackenzie 45pts 20 Vickers 45pts 21 Sofuoglu 26pts 22 Rinaldi 10pts 23 Rabat 9pts 24 Garcia 6pts 25 Nagashima 2pts 26 Zaidi 1pt WSB POSITIONS RACE 1 16 Sofuoglu +32.317 17 Tulovic +34.119 18 Rabat +40.272 19 Spinelli +40.448 20 Rinaldi +51.073 21 Fong +52.092 22 Zaidi +1’08.437 DNF Delbianco 17 laps, Rea 18 laps WSB POSITIONS SP RACE 11 Montella +12.581 12 Vickers +13.794 13 Sofuoglu +15.653 14 Delbianco +16.127 15 Spinelli +17.854 16 Tulovic +18.723 17 Gerloff+19.789 18 Rabat +21.653 19 Fong +22.135 20 Rinaldi +22.798 21 Zaidi +42.995 DNF Razgatlioglu 10 laps, Gardner 10 laps, Rea 10 laps WSB POSITIONS RACE 2 16 Rabat +33.447 17 Delbianco +33.57 18 Spinelli +33.642 19 Fong +42.398…

Tarran Mackenzie proved just how good he is by ending the campaign with top ten finishes in all three Jerez races. He qualified the MGM Bonovo Ducati in tenth position before racing to results of ninthseventh-eighth. This leaves him on the same number of championship points as Motocorsa Ducati’s Ryan Vickers, despite Mackenzie having only joined from MIE Honda for the concluding five rounds. Alex Lowes ended the season sixth overall for Bimota-Kawasaki, out-scoring brother Sam (Marc VDS Ducati) as he was once again ruled out with bruised ribs following a training accident. Several paddock insiders have named Sam as a dark horse for the 2026 title as he moves into his second season. Elsewhere, the national superbike Champions of Italy and Germany competed in Spain as Alessandro Delbianco and…

ROUND 11 BRANDS Jackson 99pts McPhee 67pts McConnell 63pts Swann 49.5pts Hedger 35pts Van Sikkelerus 13pts Hickman 9.5pts Harrison 9pts Todd 6pts Talbot 4pts Tessels 2pts Kerr1.5pts BSB POSITIONS RACE 1 16 Swann +32.462 17 McPhee +32.604 18 McConnell +41.223 19 Todd +1’00.843 DNF Hedger 4 laps, Iddon 6 lap, Van Sikkelerus 9 laps, Kerr 13 laps, Bridewell 14 laps, Davies 19 laps BSB POSITIONS RACE 2 16 Hickman 13.216 17 Harrison 13.399 18 McConnell 18.814 19 Van Sikkelerus 28.579 20 Davis 29.292 21 Baker 38.236 DNF Kerr 4 laps, Skinner 7 laps, Haslam 9 laps, Todd 10 laps, Iddon 11 laps BSB POSITIONS RACE 3 DNF Baker 2 laps, Nesbitt 3 laps, Skinner 8 laps, Kerr 9 laps, Rogers 10 laps, Hedger 16 laps, Harrison 17 laps, Hickman, Swann,…

Inspiring scenes at Brands Hatch on Sunday as Kyle Ryde secured his second BSB title by keeping a cool head in challenging conditions. Meanwhile life-long rival Brad Ray went all in – doing what he needed to do in the event Ryde was struck by some random ill fortune. But it wasn’t to be, and Brad Ray took defeat squarely on the chin, being one of the first to congratulate Ryde. In fact, more inspiring than Brad and Kyle’s tremendous control over their bikes and minds was the display of sportsmanship and the absolute respect they both have for one another. And what struck me most was how their dads both wished each other well before the race too. Here were two families from geographically different parts of the world…

Triumph have also given their most off-road-focused retro some love, tweaking the Scrambler 1200 XE with improved suspension and fresh paint options. For 2026 the model reverts to its roots, with Showa big piston forks returning up front paired with twin Öhlins remote reservoir shocks out back. They replace the current bike’s Marzocchi units and offer 250mm of travel at both ends – more than any other non-competition model in Triumph’s stable, including the Tiger 900 Rally Pro. Buyers get a choice of three colour schemes: matt khaki green and white, silver and black, or all-black. To register interest ahead of showroom release, visit triumphmotorcycles.co.uk to access the company’s “Reserve My Triumph” system.…

All-American cruiser brand Indian Motorcycle are getting new owners after Polaris announced that they will be selling a majority stake in the company to US private equity firm, Carolwood LP. Polaris were responsible for the return of Indian, having purchased the heritage name in 2011. Fast-forward to the present day, and the cruiser specialists contributed around $478 million (or 7%) of Polaris’ total revenues for the past 12 months, ending on June 30, 2025. They will now hand over a majority share of the operation to Carolwood (who are headquartered in Los Angeles, California) with the transaction expected to be completed during the first three months of 2026. Polaris will retain a small stake, however exact percentages have not been disclosed. “With its current product portfolio, global dealer network, category…

Sussex dealer JW Groombridge is set to re-open as PK Powersports. Paul Blair, who also owns Oakley Motorcycles, purchased the Heathfield site following its closure last year, after over seven decades in business. The new multi-franchise hub will launch with brands including CFMOTO, Voge, BSA and Morbidelli. It will offer servicing and has a café planned for 2026. KTM supersport series launched Following the release of KTM’s 990 RC R (see p28), the firm will launch the 990 RC R Cup across Europe in 2026, giving up-andcoming riders a stepping stone into racing. The series will accept both the street-homologated 990 RC R and the track-only version, with factory KTM racers attending each round to mentor entrants. More details and registration info can be found at ktm.com now. Rebel cruiser…

‘Homologation’s special ones’ Ducati may be dominating MotoGP, but the Italians don’t like to settle for second place and the World Superbike team must be under enormous pressure to bring home the silverware. To be fair you can understand their frustrations, the Panigale V4 R is head and shoulders above the field in terms of its engineering but the one thing they can’t match is Toprak’s mercurial talent. Bulega is good but he’s no ‘alien’ on a bike. So, what have they done? Made the Panigale V4 R even more of a race bike with lights for 2026 to ensure that, with Toprak out of the picture, they can stamp their authority on the series once again. I was happy to see the new Panigale V4 R carries some fresh…

GET 12 ISSUES FOR JUST £19.99 Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer The Bristol Biking Girls riding group have launched their 2026 charity calendar – and they’re hoping it will top last year’s £7000 fundraising total for Air Ambulances UK. Featuring 12 pages of members and their motorcycles, the calendar also includes a special September entry marking a decade of the Bristol-based group. Buyers will also bag a discount code from women’s kit specialists MotoGirl, alongside words from mindset coach Claire Jones, who specialises in helping new and nervous riders build confidence. Pictured models inside are all members of the group, with photography dealt with by volunteers who donated their time to the project. Available online now and in-store at Helmet City in Somerset, every penny of profit goes directly…

Oxford Boss Alarmed Disc Lock and 14mm Monster Chain from £104.99 Lock it up for less If there’s a fear that unites bikers above all else, it’s the thought of opening the garage door or heading out of work to discover an empty space where our motorcycle should be. Theft, or the prevention of it, is an inescapable part of bike ownership. The winter period is a time when many owners lock their bikes up until spring, meaning thieves have less choice of machinery parked in public places – not the time to give them an easy target. These deals, then, are perfectly timed for adding a layer of security to your setup or upgrading what you already have. This alarmed version of Oxford’s famous Boss disc lock adds a…

Q 'Is my case in trouble?’ I have a compensation claim for injuries I received in an accident just over three years ago. My lawyer has written to me to say there may be a problem. The issue is to do with a recent court case which decided legal executives cannot deal with litigation… and she is a legal exec. I must admit I thought she was a solicitor, but she is saying because she signed the forms in my claim the other side may make an application to the court to strike out the case. She says a solicitor will now be dealing with my matter. Should I be worried? John G, email A In the recent case of Mazur v Charles Russell Speechleys, the judge held that the…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers Craig Donaldson The ride The Four Cardinals -Ness Point (east), Lizard Point (south), Ardnamurchan Point (west) and Dunnet Head (north) When to do it Spring/summer How many miles? 2500 spread over nine days Tell us about the trip… This is something that I’ve wanted to do for a while now – doing the Four Cardinals on my Suzuki 650 V-Strom and proving that you don’t need a big touring machine to get out and do big miles around the UK. The route took in some of the landmarks of the UK along the way including the Tyne Bridge, Humber Bridge, Tower Bridge and Clifton Suspension Bridge and even Buckingham Palace in London. In total it was 2500 miles over nine days taking some of…

‘Well worth the wait’ KTM’s 990 RC R may be the perfect ‘next-gen’ supersport weapon. It’s real-world roomy, exciting on the road, and comes loaded with creature comforts, thoughtful details, and MotoGP-inspired styling. It impresses on track too, with its easy speed, poise, stability and voracious appetite for corners. It’s a class act out of the crate, although the mirrors aren’t the best, which is to be expected from a sportsbike, and KTM will still charge extra to restore the more advanced electronics you want once ‘Demo Mode’ runs out. There’s no hiding from the fact it will take time for KTM to regain people’s trust, but four years’ free warranty, free roadside assistance, and longer valve check intervals are solid steps in the right direction. It’s been a long…

‘It’s a real race replica’ Yes, it’s £48,495 (or £41,495 with standard paint). That’s the price usually reserved for race replicas like Ducati’s Panigale V4 R and yet… the Hot Lap is a race rep, does (up to a point) justify it with the quality of its upgrades and does deliver the exhilaration of a race replica. If I was being sensible, I’d say ‘Go for the standard Road Glide and save £14K’ but a lot of the joy of motorcycling is not being sensible at all and if you want the ultimate Harley, this is it. THE FACTS £48,495 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST Hot Lap…

Growing up in Stoke Golding, just 15 minutes from Leicestershire’s Mallory Park circuit, it was natural that motorcycles were right up there on the menu for Ray Stringer. “Nigel Bosworth lived 200 yards away, in fact when we went club racing there were six of us from the village. Commentator Chris Carter called it ‘Road Race City’ because there were so many of us. “The noise dragged us to Mallory to watch the racing. We had field bikes, and we had friendly farmers, or mates who were farmer’s sons, so we could always get into the fields to ride. We lived on motorbikes. We’d go to school, come back, and whether it was dry or wet, if it was still daylight, we’d siphon a gallon of petrol from somebody’s car…

MCN’s website has expert opinion and buying advice on hundreds of used bikes, regularly updated and packed with insight. Here are three of the latest – visit motorcyclenews.com for dozens more. 2017-2021 DUCATI SUPERSPORT 950 Owner’s rating Billed as an easy-going sportsbike, the SuperSport has proved popular but it has its annoyances – namely terrible mirrors. The 19 owners who reviewed it online seem to forgive most faults, scoring it 4.6/5 overall. 2022-2024 KAWASAKI VERSYS 650 Owner’s rating A perfect 5/5 overall? It seems that the owners who reviewed Kawasaki’s 17in-wheeled do-it-all machine are delighted with their purchase. Armed with luggage it makes a good middleweight tourer with a tempting price. 2021-2024 TRIUMPH TIGER 850 SPORT Owner’s rating Generally underrated, the 850 Sport is a great do-it-all that has sadly now…

A 2000 Honda Fireblade recently rolled through the doors of Essex-based Japs Motorcycles after spending the best part of the past decade collecting dust and unsurprisingly, it didn’t take long for the age-related gremlins to show themselves. “It’d been sitting for quite a while and needed a fair bit of work doing,” says workshop boss Stephen Fryatt. “Both the tyre valves had totally perished; one had gone by itself and the other just came straight off in my hands. “The bike looked mint, but anything rubber perishes through the years, hence the fork seals were leaking, too.” Fortunately, the 929’s owner had the foresight to get the bike properly addressed before it re-entered the world proper – perhaps in part, because, with eight-year-old fuel in its tank, the old Blade…

MICHAEL SCOTT INSIGHT At the heart of the MotoGP paddock for over 35 years Ducati’s weekend started disastrously – the first ever Sprint race with no Ducati Desmosedici on the podium. With new champion Marc Marquez out injured and factory teammate Pecco Bagnaia still deep in the doldrums, Sunday’s Australian GP threatened to provide the same low water mark. In fact, it could’ve been the first feature race since the British GP in 2021 without a single Ducati in the top three, until satellite-team rider Fabio Di Giannantonio got his mojo working. The VR46 rider had been in the top three in practice, but feared his podium chances at a favourite track of his were scuppered after dropping to tenth in qualifying, blaming grip issues “that were out of our control”.…

ROUND 19 AUSTRALIA Ogura 73pts Viñales 72pts Miller 66pts Rins 60pts Oliveira 36pts Martin 34pts P Espargaro 23pts Nakagami 10pts Savadori 8pts Fernandez A 8pts Chantra 6pts FINAL POSITIONS MOTOGP 11 Quartararo 16.965 12 Oliveira 17.677 13 Ogura 17.928 14 Aldegeur 18.413 15 Morbidelli 27.881 16 Savadori 34.169 17 Chantra 50.043 18 Pirro 50.303 DNF Bagnaia 4 laps, Mir 18 laps, Miller 23 laps, Zarco 23 laps FINAL POSITIONS SP RACE 11 Mir 10.231 12 Zarco 12.104 13 Rins 12.132 14 Oliveira 17.494 15 Morbidelli 18.967 16 Savadori 25.185 17 Ogura 27.784 18 Chantra 28.945 19 Bagnaia 32.408 20 Pirro 35.523 DNF Aldeguer 3 laps, Binder 12 laps FINAL POSITIONS MOTO2 11 Huertas 11.727 12 Veijer 12.094 13 Roberts 12.466 14 Binder 12.927 15 Lopez 19.516 16 Guevara 19.545 17…

Delivers his verdict on the final WSBK round of 2025 There was a total sensation at Jerez on Sunday from which Toprak Razgatlioglu emerged as only the fourth triple World Superbike Champion, but only after a shock crash from the Superpole Race following contact with key rival Nicolo Bulega. This led to fears of a paddock riot from Toprak’s adoring fans. The title was decided in the final race, and thankfully a peaceful end to the rivals’ stint as the top two in the championship, but even so police had been called to the circuit just in case things got ugly. It all provided for true drama, some may say theatre, although this was a truly genuine safety concern. Razgatlioglu and Bulega have been superlative all season. From Australia in…

Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph) blamed inconsistency for finishing fourth in the World Supersport Championship, three points behind Jaume Masia as the Orelac Ducati rider celebrated a stunning win in the final race. Stefano Manzi won Race 1 as World Champion, his Ten Kate Yamaha adorned in numerous gold parts. The Italian was straight back to the track on Tuesday for his GRT Yamaha superbike test. Beñat Fernandez is WSS300 champ 17-year-old Beñat ‘Lock In’ Fernandez from San Sebastian claimed the ninth and final World Supersport 300 title for Kove and Team #109. In the 120th race for the class, to be replaced by World Sportbike in 2026, there was a photo finish with David Salvador (Prodina Kawasaki) who was later penalised, promoting Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) to second overall. World…

As you can see from the chart, the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship was fiercely contested with all protagonists digging deep. The results highlight another triumph for HEL Performance, whose brake line technology continues to drive success across the top of the grid. This year’s championship once again underlined the crucial role of braking performance in achieving race-winning results. Not only did Ryde trust HEL Performance products throughout his campaign, but the top three riders in the standings and many more across the paddock and beyond relied on the same proven brake line systems. From high-speed straights to tight technical sections, HEL’s proven reliability and precision have made it a trusted name among riders seeking confidence and control on the track. HEL’s presence is hard to miss, both on and…

Reporting direct from the BSB season finale TOP STORY It was never really in doubt, was it? Given Kyle Ryde’s sublime consistency, lack of mistakes and title fight experience, plus the insane reliability of the Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha R1, it was always going to be tough for Bradley Ray to dethrone him. And so Ryde cemented his status as the king of BSB, becoming the first back-to-back champion since Shane Byrne in 2017. He did so in the way we’ve been accustomed to in the last 18 months. Ryde was fast, tactical, and aggressive when he needed to be. After losing out to Ray in Race One, Ryde was more than determined to avoid a repeat in Race Two. He dealt a crucial blow to Ray’s title hopes by…

Whilst obviously disappointed to lose out on the crown, Ray was gracious in defeat, acknowledged what he may need to change for 2026 and thankful that he even had a bike to race this year following the original OMG Racing teams’ withdrawal mere weeks before round one. “I had no ride four weeks before the season, so if you’d have told me then that I’d be fighting for the title I’d have taken your hand off. It’s been unbelievable. It’s clear the level has stepped up, and the only person who could keep that level was Kyle, so fair play to him. “I know what bike racing is like; you have ups and downs, and there’s been a couple of races where unfortunately a few things have happened and the…

Honda have announced updated colour options for their CB650R and CBR650R four-cylinder middleweights. The CBR, which Honda say is Europe’s top-selling supersport machine, will be available in two colours for the new year – black with yellow accents, or red. The unfaired CB gets four new paint schemes – namely black, blue, orange, and red. Both bikes are otherwise unchanged for 2026. Shotgun 650 Icon shoots into Britain UK customers who purchased a Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Icon Edition have now taken delivery, with the final two bikes recently reaching riders at Drayton Croft Motorcycles in Hinckley, and Sycamore Motorcycles in Peterborough. Based on the standard Shotgun, only 100 were made globally. The UK got six, with 26 going to the rest of Europe. RS-GP rep sells out Aprilia have…

Triumph’s parallel twin engine spied Lampkin ramps up his career Naked bikes taken literally In October 1994 MCN’s front cover proclaimed that the Triumph Bonneville would be back in dealers in just two short years. After hawk-eyes spied a new engine on a workbench at Triumph’s research and development department which was a DOHC parallel twin with liquid-cooling and four valves per cylinder, rumours were swirling of 650cc and 750cc versions. Stripped down engines from the Suzuki GS500 and Yamaha TDM850 motors were spotted in the factory and we assumed they were research material for the R&D department. “Observers say the engine shares no major components with Triumph’s current three and four cylinder range – marking a shift away from the firm’s existing policy for building ‘modular’ engines which save…

Termignoni Race Slip-on Ducati V4 from £2535 Italian exhaust specialists, Termignoni have released a dual slip-on racing system to fit the 2025 Ducati Panigale and Streetfighter V4 models. Finished in stainless steel and with full-body aluminium end caps and carbon heat shields, the cans are available in titanium and black titanium colour options. The price includes the remapping device and removable dB killers. motorcycleperformancestore.co.uk Pyramid Hornet Wings £74.99 As part of a wider accessories range, aftermarket accessories firm Pyramid have devised an aero package for the Honda CB1000 Hornet. The new plastic add-on sits just below the headlight and is available in black or can be colourmatched to your bike for an additional cost. There are plenty of other bits in the range to consider, too. pyramidmoto.co.uk R&G Tracer 7…

‘We had the go ahead to develop the next-generation of Africa Twin’ It’s easy to forget how big a deal the Paris-Dakar Rally was in the 1980s. The modern event is now just called the Dakar Rally, is held in Saudi Arabia and most riders are using 450 singles. But in the Dakar’s heyday 30 years ago it was a global sensation contested by ever more radical road bike derived machinery. Launched in 1979 by Frenchman Thierry Sabine, the Oasis Rally (as it was originally called) quickly became known as ‘the world’s toughest motor race’. Bikes, cars and later trucks would depart on Christmas Day and over three weeks cover up to 10,000 miles across the deserts of North Africa before finishing in Dakar. Some failed to finish and some…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com THE WORLD’S WARMEST BASELAYERR www.zerofit.co.uk…

1 October 26 Ardingly Classic It’s not too late to squeeze in a bike show and autojumble before the end of the year. Get yourself down to the South of England showground this Sunday (RH17 6TL) from 10am for £7 (or from 8am for £10) to grab a bargain and check out some alluring metal. www.elkpromotions.co.uk 2 October 25-26 Santa Pod This weekend is jam-packed at the world-famous dragstrip in Northamptonshire. On Saturday, it’s the actionpacked Flame and Thunder Show with drag racing, stunts, monster trucks and more. Tickets are £39 with the option to make it a weekend ticket for Run What Ya Brung on Sunday. santapod.co.uk 3 October 25 Kempton autojumble With the nights drawing in, that warm shed is looking all the more inviting. To get started…

THE MCN TEST THE HOTTEST BIKES EVERY WEEK £6699 KTM 390 Adventure R 398.7cc single cylinder 44bhp/28.7lb.ft 165kg (dry) £5699 CFMoto 450MT 449cc twin cylinder 44bhp/27.3lb.ft 175kg (dry) £6599 Honda CRF300 Rally 286cc single cylinder 27bhp/19.6lb.ft 153kg (kerb) £5750 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 452cc single cylinder 40bhp/29.5lb.ft 196kg kerb The weather’s drawing in, autumn leaves are falling on your favourite roads, but that doesn’t mean your riding days are numbered. In fact, with the right machine your biking year could’ve only just begun. Adventure bikes have exploded in popularity and are now arguably the most common bikes on the road. The sector is spearheaded by big-power, high-tech monsters from the likes of Triumph, BMW, KTM and Ducati, but if you want big fun, cheap kicks and back-to-basics biking then the…

@bennycclarke Long-time cruiser admirer looking to explore new riding experiences. One thing that’s made me wary of riding a cruiser is their association with certain riding groups and clubs. We’ve all seen big rideouts of grisly-looking, patch-wearing bikers –official chapters or just standalone owners’ groups -that always seemed cliquey and unapproachable, even intimidating. So, as I set off for the Indian Motorcycle UK National Rally in Cornwall, I felt a mild anxiety. With no connection to any owners’ group, just my long-term test bike and no patch on my back, I was sure I’d stick out like a sore thumb. Approaching the entrance, it was manned by a posse straight out of Sons of Anarchy - large, leatherclad, tattooed gents with bandanas, wallet chains, and waistcoats. But as I hit…

Your motorcycle will feel the effects of winter long before you do. Cold, damp air encourages condensation in fuel tanks, salty roads attack metalwork, and low temperatures drain batteries. When left unchecked over the winter months, these conditions can turn a well-loved machine into a rusty, reluctant starter. Therefore, winterising your bike isn’t just about tidiness; it’s about protection and prevention. Taking a little time will prevent many of the common problems that strike neglected machines. A careful wash, followed by protective treatments, will shield vulnerable surfaces from corrosion. Checking fluids and electrics keeps everything in working order, while correct storage ensures your bike wakes up as eager as you are when the sunshine returns. Winter preparation also gives you a chance to catch small issues before they become big…

SCAN THE QR CODE AND VOTE NOW! www.motorcyclenews.com/vote/ JOSH CLOSE INSIGHT Revealing our expert-picked awards shortlist Racing’s greatest names have been honoured with the MCN Rider of the Year title over the years and now it’s your turn to vote for the 2025 winner ahead of a reveal at MCL at the NEC from November 15-23. Scan the QR code (top right) to cast your vote. 1 Michael Dunlop: 33-time TT winner Dunlop’s first North West 200 wins in eight years were followed by four more successes at the TT. Doubles in the Supersport and Supertwin categories moved Dunlop onto 33 career wins. The Northern Irishman received an MBE before doing the double in his first Tandagree 100 appearance since 2013. 2 Dean Harrison: TT double winner Harrison secured Honda’s first…

COLIN YOUNG INSIGHT Paddock veteran delivers Phillip Island verdict TOP STORY Raul Fernandez knew only one thing would lift the nagging self-doubt and veil of anonymity that had descended over his unfulfilled potential in MotoGP. The tonic to cleanse his system would be a premier class GP victory. Fernandez delivered just that with a sublime display to satisfy a childhood dream by winning the Australian GP at Phillip Island, a gold standard test of rider and bike performance. An emotional victory that was a reward for the support of his team, family and especially his brother Adrian who was “the key player in helping me through the bad times. An incredible day.” And it deflated the critics who had written-off Fernandez after four fruitless seasons and no podiums in his previous…

Alvaro Bautista broke downs in tears live on television after securing third in the championship for the second year running. The tears were not as a result of his final 2025 ranking but after receiving heavy criticism over the past two seasons for being outspoken on an issue close to his heart: weight penalties. The Spaniard is pushing strongly for a lifting of said penalties for next year and spent a large amount of time during the Jerez weekend consulting other riders on the issue. “My life is racing bikes,” Bautista says. “Three podiums at Jerez, in front of my supporters, was the best way to finish the season.” In a season dominated by Ducati riders and BMW’s World Champion, Toprak Razgatlioglu, Andrea Locatelli had done a sublime job in…

TT Legend John McGuinness MBE in MCN every week BSB, WSBK, MotoGP and F1… we’ve been spoiled this weekend. Although I’m only just caught up on everything, as I was at Brands racing my trusty Superstock bike. It was a good weekend and there were loads of folks there, and a great atmosphere. I enjoyed riding, although I didn’t bother with the last race in the wet. Twenty years ago, I would’ve had a go, but if I’d hurt myself in those conditions when I wasn’t really feeling it, I’d never forgive myself. It’s better playing it safe, and I’ve had a cracking year on the short circuits. But it makes what Ryde did even more impressive. Not only has he had a proper rollercoaster of a year with all…

Rhys Irwin ended an enthralling British Supersport Championship season on top after finishing third in the final race of the year. Irwin kept his cool in treacherous conditions as multiple riders crashed around him to become a British champion for the very first time. Irwin ended his campaign four points clear of Ben Currie. In truth, the title-winning moment came in Race 1 at Brands. On the final lap, Currie went around the Irishman into Hawthorns, but Irwin snapped back immediately at Westfield with a tough, but fair, move. Currie lost out to Jack Kennedy as a result and fell 12 points behind Irwin, whereas he was one point clear just moments earlier. “I have to say such a massive thank you to everybody at Gearlink,” Irwin said. “At the…