Table of contents for 08 March 2023 in MCN

‘The whole bike has extra substance and style’ NEW HORNET GOES HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH THE MT-07 THE BIG TEST Hornet meets its apex MT predator The naked class is rammed full of cheeky options that will pander to almost any budget – but the budget king of the middleweight class has long been Yamaha's brilliant MT-07, a bike that combines a sweet chassis with an entertaining and pokey parallel-twin engine that's as happy commuting as it is pinging off the limiter down a sinuous B-road. So what can Honda's new CB750 Hornet do to compete against such a dominant contender? It brings more power and less cost to the table, but is that enough to depose the endearing Yamaha? Read on… PAGE 31 WIN A Moto2 PISTON! LAST CHANCE TO WIN…

Moto Guzzi have announced the dates for their 2023 Experiences tour in the United States. Customers get the chance to ride Montana's Beartooth Highway, the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway in Wyoming, and the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. The events kick off in Yellowstone on June 28, with both the Guzzi V85TT and V100 Mandello available, Visit motoguzzi.com/us_EN/mg-exp-2023/ Just add water… Despite being in a famously land-locked country, BMW Austria are attempting to attract younger riders with a special version of their CE04 electric scooter, complete with new colours and racking for a surfboard. The BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept was created by the Vagabund Moto custom house and gets a white, green, beige, and black livery, with a small luggage box on the back of the bench seat. Club…

As the world championship race season gets underway, many of us dream of blasting across to the continent to soak up the action at historic European circuits. But why not do it in style? An Italian tour company is offering the opportunity to arrive on 1970s machines. Ride 70s was set up a decade ago by Pietro Pirazzoli and Fabio Affuso, passionate riders both born and raised in Imola, and their stable of 16 modern classics is nothing short of a dream garage. “It takes a Lot of work to keep the bikes and show the people how to ride them,” said Affuso. “The gears are on the wrong side, and younger people, are not used to that.” The race-inspired tour is one of 12 tours the pair host throughout…

HJCCS-15 helmet £69.99 The best deals under the ton For this week's delve into web-based deals we set a budget of £100 per item, and filled our virtual shopping bag with a variety of offers. Top of the list is this helmet from HJC, which offers great value even before the discount, but with the saving leaves enough change for a tank of fuel. The CS-15 boasts a polycarbonate composite shell that earns it a four-star SHARP rating, and features HJC's channelling system that directs air though the EPS layer via switchable vents on the crown. In order to maintain that ‘new lid freshness’, the Nylax comfort liner is fully removable and washable, and has a glasses groove to eliminate discomfort at the temples. The visor is prepared for a…

OUT AND ABOUT THE UK'S HOTTEST RIDES MCN staff and readers share their favourite routes ‘There's more to Scotland than the NC500’ The North Coast 500 has redefined the way we look at Scotland, as if the far north and west is the only place to go – but there's great riding all over the country. This route heads to the coast from Grantown on Spey setting off on the A939 to Nairn then, when the road forks, going straight ahead as the road becomes the A940 to Forres. Briefly join the A96 then pick up the B9011 out to Findhorn for a seaside coffee stop. Backtrack into Forres and pick up the B9010 to Rafford. Don't miss the right turn about a mile outside Rafford for the minor road to…

Laminate fabrics are widely used in premium rainwear and are becoming increasingly popular for motorcycle kit. They are made using a special process that bonds a waterproof and breathable membrane to the outer textile layer. Most textile motorcycle jackets and trousers are still made with a waterproof and breathable liner sandwiched between the outer shell and the inside lining. This is a reasonably efficient system, but after riding in rain for a prolonged time, the outer fabric becomes waterlogged. Not only does this make it much heavier (and takes ages to dry), but eventually the liner can start to let water through, because it becomes overwhelmed. Since laminated fabrics create a waterproof shell, they can't get waterlogged, so are highly effective at keeping moisture on the outside. This makes it…

£6999 Honda CB750 Hornet 5in TFT is packed with info (including four modes), easy to read, customisable through three displays and classy – especially for a sub-£7k machine Left-hand block is big, clunky, poorly laid out and uncomfortable to use All-new twin is smooth, free-revving and refined with a meaty midrange £7200 Yamaha MT-07 (2022 model) This 2022 model has the old LCD dash which looks old and basic compared to the Honda's. For 2023 the Yamaha is getting a Sin colour TFT Our test bike also featured heated grips which are a £197 extra 689cc twin is as lively but seems a little dated compared to the Honda…

‘Just buy a 2022 model’ The RS is one of the unsung heroes in BMW's range and well worth checking out if you are after a sports-tourer but don't want a GS. That said, the issue with the 2023 ‘update’ is it's so tiny it's basically unnoticeable. The only thing you really gain that you can't have on a 2022 model is Eco mode, which is hardly worth shouting about. If you can find a low-mileage high-spec 2022 model (there are a few ex-demos out there), you are better off buying it over the 2023 model, then spending the saving on a touring holiday. THE FACTS £13,140 (£19,170 as tested) 2023 BMW R1250RS SE…

Loves to build bikes as much as he love to ride them, old or new Possibly the worst time of year for me is when it is time to switch the ignition off for the last time and pull the key out of the barrel (yes, the Z900RS still uses a proper key) in the knowledge that you're never going to put that key back in the ignition again. Some years are worse than others when handing back longterm test motorcycles, and this is one of the hardest as I'd grown very attached to the glorious Kawasaki Z900RS. I will definitely miss it. 1 Those good looks just keep giving Kawasaki have done a great job of sucking up the essence of the 1970s Z1, including the great colour scheme,…

Always judge a bike by its cover! They might say ‘don't judge a book by its cover’ but when it comes to bikes, DO judge it by its cover. Judge the bike's condition (obvs), owner, history, documentation, everything in fact – even (and perhaps surprisingly), by the quality of its accessories. Dealers often say that a clean, standard, ‘unmolested’ used bike appeals most. I'd add a caveat: one with upgraded, quality parts or accessories, especially if the originals are still available and the bike hasn't been damaged in their fitment, is even better. Luggage is a bonus, as long as it's a quality brand, fitted correctly. Exhausts another – but this is where things start to get complicated. A quality Akrapovic or Yoshimura appeals, more obscure brands less so, especially…

Honda's Transalp models have been around for over 35 years and have proven themselves as reliable work horses for thousands of riders. This 2011 bike had racked up 65,000 miles and was still going strong when it suddenly started to make a nasty scraping noise from the front sprocket, so the rider hightailed it over to the 2Wheel Centre in Harpenden. When 2Wheel Centre owner Nick Nomikos removed the front sprocket cover it was immediately apparent what the problem was. “The chain and sprockets looked like they had plenty of life left and the bike was probably on its fourth or fifth set by now. But the front sprocket tab washer looked as old as the bike and the internal tabs that mate with the drive shaft splines and hold…

Everything you need to know about domestic racing Andrew Irwin jumped back on his beloved Fireblade last week for the first time since re-joining Honda Racing UK, during a four-day test at Monteblanco, Spain. Irwin returns after spending two rollercoaster seasons away with SYNETIQ BMW, and will now look to make a return to winning ways in 2023. The Northern Irishman won three times on this current generation Fireblade back in its maiden campaign in 2020. Since then, the team's bike has continued to improve through development and track time each season, with brother Glenn finishing runner-up to Bradley Ray in 2022 with five victories and nine podiums. It was Glenn's departure to PBM Ducati which opened the door for Andrew to return to Honda. “The first two days were…

Dunlop tyres, the TT lap record holders and winners of all six solo races in 2022, have ended their official on-site support for road racing. Riders will still be able to buy and use Dunlop tyres, but there will no longer be the army of yellow clad Dunlop fitters and technicians assisting teams throughout the events – meaning they will have to get them fitted elsewhere. The official reason for the withdrawal has been cited as purely commercial, but there are other reasons which could have influenced the decision – namely the high-profile, high-speed tyre delaminations at last year's NW200 and Isle of Man TT, which led to the company withdrawing their slick tyre from use. They will continue to make road racing tyres and have introduced a new KR+…

There was another public outburst by Scott Redding as the Englishman, stung by a wasp inside his leathers and with a stone in his radiator, pulled into the pits at Mandalika on Saturday. Ninth in the Sprint Race and tenth in Race 2, the irony was that the MotoGP star turned BSB champion actually expressed some positivity on Sunday. “Warm-up and the Sprint Race were pretty good,” said Redding. “Race 2 was also good but I crashed out from eighth and had to take the restart after the red flag from 14th on the grid. That really makes a difference with the field being so tight.” ‘The wasp in my leathers gave me adrenaline’ Asked about his fury on Saturday, Redding replied: “It's been hard. Really hard. The wasp in…

Husqvarna, GasGas and KTM are offering customers in the UK and Republic of Ireland 12 months of free breakdown, vandalism, fire, and theft support across Europe, every time they have their road bikes serviced by an authorised dealership. The offer, known as the Lifetime Mobility Scheme, comes alongside a two-year warranty for new motorcycles – with some used machines also eligible for the Lifetime protection offer. Each time the bike is then serviced at an official franchised dealership, the cover is extended for another year – until no longer eligible. Singles will be looked after for eight years, or 60,000km – whatever comes sooner. Twins will also be covered for the same time frame, or up to 80,000km. The scheme looks after riders and passengers and also includes roadside repairs,…

BMW are offering more than £75,000 worth of prizes for riders in the inaugural season of F900R Cup British Superbike support series, including an S1000RR superbike for the eventual champion. Taking over from the longestablished Ducati Tri-Options Cup, the one-make BMW challenge will see £56,000 in cash up for grabs across the nine-round championship – with money awarded to riders in the heat races, the R&G Last Chance Qualifier, and the main final. The overall winner will then receive a brand-new 999cc S1000RR superbike, which should lend the champ a helping hand to progress to the National Superstock championship – should they want to step up another level. “This is a significant prize fund for what promises to be an extremely competitive championship,” said BMW Head of Marketing and PR,…

Dane Nimbus 2 Gore-Tex Pro Jacket £940.83 Billed as the ‘ultimate motorcycle jacket’, the Nimbus 2 is Dane's flagship product. It's wind and waterproof thanks to a breathable three-layer Gore-Tex laminate and comes with CE level 2 armour for the elbow, shoulder and back. www.dot4distribution.com Pyramid Extenda Fenda EXTRA for BMW R1250GS £65 Protect the headers and lower engine casings of your R1200/1250GS by giving the front mudguard an additional 265mm. It's manufactured in the UK from high quality ABS. www.pyramid-plastics.co.uk Oxford Cool Seat £29.99 Designed to improve comfort by allowing airt to flow between the rider and seat on long journeys, this mesh cushion is available in three different sizes to suit a range of different machines, including street and sports, touring and adventure, and those carrying pillions. www.oxfordproducts.com…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews ‘Time to sort security’ When I take the ignition key out of my car, the steering lock is automatically engaged and the alarm (that was included in the price of the car) is automatically switched on. But when I take the key out of my bike, I go through a little ritual to engage the steering lock and turn on the (optional extra) alarm – neither of which are particularly ‘state of the art’ security systems. Isn't it about time that bike manufacturers took security seriously and put some effort into providing it as standard equipment? Dave Sibert, email STAR LETTER Write something that spikes our interest, and you could get selected for the Star Letter slot. Each week one lucky reader will receive an MCN…

March 11-12 Celebration of Speedway The National Speedway Museum is hosting a weekend of special events. On Saturday, you can grab yourself a bargain at the Speedway Spares and Parts Boot Sale with the Celebration of Speedway kicking off on Sunday. Tickets are £15 and give you access to the adjoining zoo, too. www.pwpark.com/events March 12 Ace classic bike day The well-known biker hotspot in the heart of London is hosting its classic bike day this Sunday. Be prepared to see icons from times past ride into the car park and take part in a good chinwag over breakfast and cuppa. The fun kicks off from 9am. london.acecafe.com March 11-12 Bemsee round one Brands Hatch is playing host to the first round of the Bemsee championships this weekend. Testing kicks…

SATURDAY March 11 10pm, EUR2, World Superbikes from Indonesia: Highlights SUNDAY March 12 4pm, QUEST, Shed and Buried: The Need for Speed 1am, QUEST, World's Greatest Motorcycle Rides: South Africa – Kuruman to Loeriesfontein MONDAY March 13 7.30am, EUR2, Motocross World Championship from Argentina: MXGP Race 1. MX2 Race 2 at 9.30am. MXGP Race 2 at 10.30am 4am, BTS2, MotoGP Classics: Brno 2004 5am, BTS2, MotoGP Classics: Laguna Seca 2005 KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT – DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC – DISCOVERY CHANNEL DHD – DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD EXS – EXTREME SPORTS CHANNEL EUR1 (2, HD) – EUROSPORT 1 (2, HD) MOT – MOTORSPORT.TV CH4 – CHANNEL 4 CH5 – CHANNEL FIVE BBC BBCI – BBC INTERACTIVE ESPN – ESPN CLASSIC CHANNEL ITV DST – DISCOVERY TURBO SHED - DISCOVERY SHED…

UK'S TOUGHEST TEST MCN 250 MILE ROAD TEST • THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK £7200 Yamaha MT-07 (MY22) • 689cc DOHC parallel twin • 72bhp @ 8750rpm • 184kg kerb weight £6999 Honda CB750 Hornet • 755cc DOHC parallel twin • 91bhp @ 9500rpm • 190kg kerb weight Yamaha's 74bhp, £7k MT-07 has been one of the most tempting buys of the last decade, but times could be changing. Triumph's 80bhp, £7200 Trident 660 brought a threecylinder alternative in 2021, while 2023 sees the imminent arrival of Suzuki's 83bhp, £7999 GSX-S8. And the biggest threat of all to the MT-07 is already here. Honda's all-new, 755cc twin-cylinder Hornet not only boasts more power than the MT, but also a higher spec and, at £6999, an even cheaper price. So…

‘Honda has extra sting’ It had to happen: Yamaha's MT-07 has been so dominant for so long as THE affordable middleweight roadster twin it couldn't stay on top forever. With the all-new Hornet 750 that day has finally come. What's always impressed most about the MT-07 was basically two things: its punchy, grunty performance and its affordable £7k price. The fact that it handled entertainingly and had sporty cycle parts was the cherry on top. The Hornet's recipe is the same – but improved in every area. The engine's a similar twin but more powerful, more refined and with extra modes – it's even more economical; the chassis/handling is similar, but with extra Honda sheen and higher spec brakes/suspension. And the whole bike has extra substance and style. Those factors…

FIRST RIDE Triumph have updated their Street Triple range for 2023. At the top of the tree is the track-focused £11,295 Street Triple 765 RS and a new £13,975 RS-based Moto2 Limited Edition, which has sold out already. More interestingly for road riders is this: the entry level £9595 Street Triple 765 R, available in dealers now. Like previous R models, it's the more affordable, everyday Street Triple, but still packed with all the real-world performance, enjoyment and rasping attitude of its sportier sister. For 2023 the Triumph gets more power, new looks, refined electronics, sharper handling and a smaller fuel tank. 1 Road rocket Both R and RS Street Triple 765s share the same Moto2-derived engine mods, shorter gear ratios and new single-cat’ exhaust for 2023, designed to boost…

HJC C70 helmet £159.99 My first helmet was an old Caberg, which seemed fine as I didn't know any better as a pea-green 16-year-old. I replaced it with a secondhand HJC I70 which was lighter, more comfortable and plusher, but it was knocking on so was replaced with this C70. It's a step on again. At 1450g it's only 50g lighter than the I70 but it feels more, the vents are better (I like the big easy-to-press one on the chin) and the central catch on the visor close is easy. The control for the sun visor is on top, which is fiddly, but you get used to it. And I like that it has a three-year warranty – it reinforces that it's a good value helmet. 1000 miles ON…

BRUCE DUNN MCN's expert technician Make it A2 legal Restricting a carb'd bike for a new rider is easier than you'd think 1 Meet the hardware Restrictor kits allow a higher powered bike to be A2 licence compliant by mechanically reducing its power output to 35kW/47bhp. This particular restrictor plate kit is designed for a bike with carbs and is model specific. Before you start, check the fitting instructions and inspect the parts in the kit to get a feel for the installation process. BRUCE'S TIPS Other types of restrictor kit work by limiting throttle movement 2 Lift the tank This type of kit works by limiting airflow into the engine via the fitment of restrictions in between the carbs and inlet rubbers. To gain access to this area, make sure the…

Behind the stories that matter from the WSB paddock The biggest fear I have is the fear of losing,” Jonathan Rea once said, knowing full well that his World Superbike domination would have to end one day. Sure enough, following title wins for Yamaha's Toprak Razgatlioglu in 2021 and Ducati's Alvaro Bautista in 2022, Kawasaki's glory days are now firmly in the past. After six races, six-times world champion Rea is just sixth in the standings, following more massive tyre struggles in sweltering Indonesia. Since last year especially it has been very apparent that the green bike is no long the best on the grid. Relying solely on the riding prowess of superstar Rea just isn't enough. In a desperate bid to close the gap, they've had to go radical…

NEW MODELS Husqvarna have unveiled a new Expedition version of their Norden 901 adventure bike fitted with a selection of upgrades to make it more practical and comfortable over distance. The Norden 901 Expedition gets upgraded suspension, pre-fitted luggage, a taller and more protective windscreen, plus fancy new paint, and a centrestand all fitted as standard. The original Norden 901 was first unveiled all the way back in 2019 as a retro-infused adventurer based on the KTM 890 Adventure. But it would take until 2022 before we actually got our hands on one. We liked the bike's all-round capability and its relaxed approach to adventuring when compared to the more serious KTMs. Now this new and updated version aims to up the ante with more practicality and comfort and –…

SAVE £2655 £15,500 Suzuki Hayabusa It may be a child of the 90s at heart, but even by today's standards the third-generation Hayabusa feels like a spaceship. The richness of its power is what makes the Suzuki so special on the road. It gives you a magic carpet ride and now has even more midrange grunt. www.mo-tech.co.uk SAVE £6204 £7995 Yamaha Niken There's a huge saving on this 2021 three-wheeler. The MT-09-engined Niken has incredible stability and certainly stands out. www.appleyardmotorcycles.co.uk • Engine 847cc • Power 113bhp • Weight 263kg • Seat height 820mm SAVE £1300 £6995 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone The retro roadster V7 range has been such a success that, like the British Bonneville, it has evolved into a whole family of machines. www.wheelsmotorcycles.co.uk • Engine 744cc •…

THIS WEEK Riders and other motorists are putting themselves at risk of being side-swiped by lorries because not enough of them are aware of HGV blind spots. According to a survey by National Highways, only 36% of road users have the right knowledge, but a new campaign is aiming to help. The survey also found that nearLy 75% of people take extra care when overtaking an HGV, and 36% admitted feeling nervous when passing trucks. In the campaign video, supported by the Road Haulage Association, Logistics UK and others, drivers are being urged to ‘know the zones’ where HGV drivers have limited visibility. The four areas of limited visibility, located at the front, rear and each side of HGVs are more than large enough to hide even the biggest motorcycle…

‘Check that the numbers add up’ I've been doing a bit of trawling of the finance deals of late and one thing has struck me – it is even more critical than ever to do your research. A while ago I predicted that interest rates would rise and sure enough, they have. I'm not going to pretend I have a crystal ball, it was obviously going to happen. Due to this rise, most manufacturer-backed PCP and HP finance package interest rates (APRs) are now up at 9.9%. But not all. A few are running cut-price deals, which drops the interest to a lower percentage with the manufacturer subsidising the cost. Suzuki have a 4.9% APR deal on selected bikes, Kawasaki are running 7.9% across the board and Triumph are doing…

Q ‘Can I claim for dodgy repair?’ I was riding along a wet country road outside Swansea last month and as I rounded a bend my bike lost traction and I ended up in a hedge. I was able to pick myself up and went back to look at the road – which had recently been repaired. The seal at the edge of the repair looked much wider than normal – about 75 to 100mm in total. Can I claim for my injury and damage to the bike? Steve, Swansea, email A Depending on the type of road, the local council or the Highway Authority are responsible for maintaining the road surface and all repairs. Authorities often contract this work out, but the contractors have a duty to make sure…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers Saffron, partner Kieron, father John and brother Glen The ride Euro adventure over the Alps and through to Austria How many miles 2413 Don't miss this The Simplon Pass. We found it on a whim while looking at a map navigating our way over the Alps into Italy, but the route boasts amazing switchbacks, stunning views and you'll climb over 2000m. Along the way are tight bends through tall trees, a few places to stop for a coffee (and even a spa break) and never-ending tunnels. It'll be hard to pinpoint when you pass into Italy, but as the road begins to descend, you can spot the beautiful. Italian houses before you're back on flat ground and heading through the country of amazing food…

KEY TO THE AREA■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday March 8 BIKE MEETS ■ Sycamore Cafe, The Causeway, Great Billing, Northamptonshire, 4pm.www.facebook.com/SycamoreForestCatering ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, near Sherburn in Elmet, West Yorks 01977-684618 or www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Mold, Flints 6pm-9pm 07548224866 or Facebook: The OLd Stores Motorbike cafe ■ Loomies Moto Cafe, West Meon, Hants Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ Brit Bike Night with Triumph & Royal Enfield OC & WIMA & BMF, Ace Cafe, Stonebridge, London 6pm 020-8961-1000 or www.london.acecafe.com DEMO WEEKEND ■ Street Triple 765 Dealership Tour, Pidcock Motorcycles, Nottingham, Notts www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/motorcycles/roadsters/street-triple-765 ■ Street Triple 765 Dealership Tour, Triumph North WaLes, Abergere www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/motorcycles/roadsters/street-triple-765 FESTIVAL Daytona Bike Week, Florida USA www.daytonabikeweek.com Thursday March 9 BIKE MEETS ■ Iron Horse,…

One of the most exciting outcomes of this test is that Honda's new Hornet is likely to be just the beginning of a whole new twin-cylinder family. Where the roadster MT-07, as originally launched in 2014, proved such as success it soon spawned the sports-tourer Tracer 700 (in 2016) then the adventure Ténéré 700 (in 2019), all based around the same engine; similar plans are already afoot at Honda. The first Hornet spin-off is imminent – the XL750V Transalp. On the basis of this Hornet test, the Transalp promises to be better still, with the same, impressive parallel twin engine yet true adventurestyle comfort and versatility (including optional luggage) and even some genuine off-road ability. The Ténéré 700 looks set to have a serious rival at last. But nor do…

BIKING LEGENDS People who have shaped our world No man has had a bigger influence on four-cylinder superbike performance than Hideo ‘Pops’ Yoshimura. Japanese bom but US-based, Pops was an engine inning pioneer, inventor of the 4:1 pipe, and founder of a performance parts business that dominated the early years of AMA Superbike racing. Born in Fukuoka City, southwestern Japan, his early dream was to be a pilot, however a near-fatal crash during training clipped his wings and he set out instead to be a flight engineer. After the war he opened an engineering shop and began tuning bikes for American servicemen stationed nearby. Naturally, racing soon followed and he used the airbase as a track. In the late 1960s he was one of the first customers for Honda's new…

‘Big thrills, small price’ The new Street Triple 765 R offers all the thrills of the racier RS at road speeds, but for a useful £1700 less. It's just as grunty, dramatic, exciting and dances through corners with the same poise and easy precision. It might not be quite as powerful as the RS, or have its higher spec suspension and brakes, but the R's slightly softer set-up is often a plus in the real world and its more basic dash is easier to read than the RS's flashy TFT. Like all of Triumph's recent generation Street Triples, it sounds fantastic, is a cinch to ride and beautifully built. THE FACTS £9595 Triumph Street Triple 765 R…

FIRST RIDE The RS has been in BMW's range for over 40 years but in recent times has found itself overshadowed by the all-conquering GS. As the evolution of BMW's ubiquitous adventure bike has seen it turn ever-sportier, it's encroached on the RS's territory and is now viewed by many as the firm's de facto sports-touring option. Those who are prepared to give the RS a go, however, quickly discover this dedicated sports-tourer has its own unique set of charms and is superb for sure-footed sporty riding or serious touring. This year sees the RS receive a very light update. Will it be enough to tempt more riders? Or is the GS still better? 1 Going Green The RS gets an ‘Eco’ mode, which sits alongside the standard Rain and…

SW MOTECH ProSport Tank Bag £185 Let's face it, there are very limited things you can actually do to improve the comfort on a 90s pocket-rocket like my Kawasaki ZXR400, but following some sound advice about how the addition of a tank bag could take the weight off my wrists while providing useful storage… I got this nifty bit of kit. The SW MOTECH PRO range offers a sporty and aerodynamic shape, with ballistic nylon material, looking well at home attached to bikes that are meant to go fast. The magnetic pro tank ring can be fitted to your fuel tank in under five minutes via the four screws. You can then helpfully reposition the bag on your bike using the upper ring guide rail, allowing for a flush fit.…

The restrictor kit we used in this week's workshop guide was made by specialist UK company, Kickstart Engineering and cost £64.95. Although the purchase was online (£64.95), I decided to give them a call just so I could double check a few aspects about the installation. Whenever you're fitting something to your bike, it's reassuring to know that there is someone on the other end of the phone if needed. Mechanical nitty gritty aside, let's talk legals. It's worth noting that some insurance companies do not accept home-fitted restrictors, so before you get your hands dirty, check with your insurer to see what the situation is – you may need to get the kit fitted by a recognised mechanic or dealer. The kit that we installed here is obviously for…

Davey Todd was in action in Spain onboard the Milenco by Padgett's Motorcycles Honda. Todd is making his British Superbike debut this season after clinching the Superstock crown with the same team last year. Alongside his short circuit efforts, Todd and the team will also be testing with one eye on the Isle of Man TT. The 27-year-old is being labelled as one of the TT's hot prospects having been on the podium in last year's Superstock race, and bagging fourth in the Senior and Supersport events. Fellow TT racer Dean Harrison was also in attendance for DAO Racing Kawasaki. The three-times TT race winner will be working hard in testing and throughout the BSB season in order to take the fight to Peter Hickman on the Isle of Man.…

Delivering the stories behind the racing headlines SPORT NEWS Josh Brookes will make a sensational return to the Isle of Man TT this year as he takes on the Superbike and Superstock events onboard the FHO Racing BMW M1000RR. Brookes lines-up alongside TT pace-setter Peter Hickman after joining the team for his 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship campaign. He last competed at the TT in 2018 when he clinched a stunning fifth in the Senior onboard the Norton SG6. Posting a personal, and manufacturer, best of 131.745mph, Brookes became the fastest-ever Australian at the TT. MCN caught up with him at the FHO Racing workshop to discuss his return to the island. Fastest newcomer Brookes made his TT debut in 2013, becoming the fastest-ever newcomer at that time with a…

Injuries and a bout of gastroenteritis hit the paddock in Indonesia, affecting a number of top riders. Tom Sykes puLLed into the pits in all three races while Yamaha man Remy Gardner worked wonders to race on Sunday after missing Saturday with a best finish of seventh. Garrett Gerloff was also under the weather while Jonathan Rea began the weekend with stomach probLems. Eric Granado missed both long races. WSS freshens up Kawasaki's Can Oncu celebrated his maiden World Supersport win and Althea's Federico Caricasulo enjoyed his first victory since 2019. Nicolo Bulega still leads the standings. John McPhee led the Brits with a best finish of 10th in race one and 11th in race two. Mackenzie secured two point scoring finishes with Harry Truelove's best result coming in race…

Well, apart from Bautista doing what he's doing, everyone's preseason WSB predictions are all over the place, aren't they? It's not happening for Johnny. He is a lot of points behind Bautista, which means there is already a big mountain to climb. Even if the two flyaway rounds are their bogey circuits, you've still got to be in touch. If you want to be a champion at the end of the year, you can't throw away 60 or 70 points at the start. But hey, he's done it before and fought his way back, but right now it's not looking so good. Now he has to keep positive and keep fighting. In some ways they are lucky Bautista crashed out. I know him and Johnny had big moments at the…

Behind the stories that matter from the WSB paddock TOP STORY Indonesia was nothing short of crazy as the Mandalika circuit hosted one of the most action-packed weekends in World Superbike history. Despite a hazardously dusty track, countless crashes and injuries for several riders, Alvaro Bautista maintained his championship lead, now with five wins from the first six races of the 2023 season. If Bautista can win in Indonesia like he won in Australia a week earlier, the rest of the field have good reason to be worried. Sure enough, the Ducati man triumphed in both long races on the island of Lombok despite having to fight from tenth on the grid in Race 2 following a Sprint Race crash when caught out behind wayward Jonathan Rea. There were two…