Table of contents for 30 October 2024 in MCN

TOP STORY Yamaha's parallel-twin MT-07 first hit the market back in 2014 – and for 2025 it enters its fourth generation with a new chassis, updated looks, electronics and riding position, and a weight reduction. Despite the myriad changes though, the main conversation among riders is likely to centre around the engine, which remains the same tried and tested 690cc parallel twin, but which now meets Euro5+ regulations. Peak power remains 72bhp at 8750rpm, which should mean it's the same engaging, wheelie-hungry middleweight it's always been. However, since the arrival of the Suzuki GSX-8S and Honda CB750 Hornet, some have criticised the MT-07's comparative lack of punch. ‘Diet should give it a little more spring in its step’ The engine comes paired with a ride-by-wire throttle for the first time,…

Yamaha's ever-popular R125 junior race rep will be continuing into 2025, benefiting from new colours and a tech update to unlock greater mobile connectivity from the TFT dash. The four-stroke single-cylinder sports machine has been with us since 2008 and got its last major update in 2023. Now in its fourth generation, there was no real need for a major overhaul this time around thanks to it already being Euro5+ compliant and styled in the same manner as the incoming R9 triple, R7 middleweight, and the recently revised R3 twin. Featuring a composed Deltabox chassis, and 41mm upside-down KYB forks, the 125 is now available in a choice of ‘Icon Blue’ or ‘Tech Black’, with prices starting from £5400. The five-inch full-colour TFT dashboard has been further enhanced to include…

Triumph chose this year's Motocross of Nations at Matterley Basin in Hampshire to launch their long-awaited four-stroke 450 MX bike. Called the TF 450 RC (RC for Ricky Carmichael) Edition, the £10,695 mud plugger was closely developed and critiqued by Carmichael himself, who also happens to be the most successful motocross racer of all time. The RC edition will be on sale from February 2025 and features a number of details and top-spec components chosen by Carmichael himself. MCN was on hand at the Matterley Basin gathering to find out how it all came about. “It is an ambitious project, but it just shows you the strength of the market and the state of where supercross and motocross racing are right now,” Carmichael said. “There's a lot of potential growth.”…

NEW MODEL NEWS Yamaha are continuing their wave of new model releases with the introduction of a revised three-cylinder Tracer 9 family that sees the addition of the firm's latest semi-automatic Y-AMT transmission system. The news follows the kit being added to both the MT-09 and MT-07 nakeds (see p4) – with the system removing the need for a clutch lever or foot shifter and instead replacing them with a pair of finger paddles on the lefthand switchgear. Not all of the Tracers will be fitted with the system however, with the family now consisting of the 212kg standard model, a GT, and a fully decked-out GT+. More than 70 official accessories will be available across the range. UK prices for all models should be made public at Birmingham's Motorcycle…

Brühl MD1900 Motorcycle Dryer £121.90 Give your bike some loving There's no greater feeling than knowing your bike inside and out, so this week we've been looking for some garage essentials anyone can benefit from. From basics like bike wash, to a cover, battery charger, and even a motorcycle dryer, here's some great best buys that deserve a place in your shed wherever you are on your fettling journey. Nobody thinks they need a motorcycle dryer until they try one, but once they do there's no going back. This 1800W unit from Brühl was awarded five stars on test by MCN Group Editor Rich Newland, and it's ideal for prepping your bike for storage or just getting it as dry as possible post-wash, to reduce the risk of corrosion forming.…

BOOK NOW AND SAVE Don't miss our advance ticket offers. Simply scan this QR code with your phone and follow the link Get ready for a city spectacular as the capital's favourite motorcycle event takes over London's ExCel for three days of celebrating the best of all things two wheeled. The 2025 Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show promises displays of the very latest models from the world's leading manufacturers, a live action extravaganza which will see racing heroes go head-to-head, three fantastic stages hosted by your favourite motorcycling celebrities, the latest premium kit and accessories at bargain prices, with much more still to be announced. Live flat-track fun A standout highlight every year at the London Show is the hugely entertaining and competitive live action spectacle, and for 2025,…

JUST BREW IT Ride out to Britain's best biking cafés THE DETAILS ● Winter: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, open late Wed; Sun 8am-4pm (later in summer) ● West Meon, Hants, GU32 1JX Slap-bang in the middle of the South Downs sits a proper old school café, renowned for its all-day breakfast and surrounding riding routes. Which makes for the perfect stop for bikers. “Back in the day, the entrepreneurial owners of the cottage started a little home café,” explains general manager Paul Fullick. “Little Chef came along and thought it'd be a great site – and it was until they shut down. “It lay abandoned until bikers who rode the local roads thought it'd make a good spot for a café. So, they started Loomies.” Loomies thrived and Paul became a regular…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday October 30 BIKE MEETS ■ Amici Coffee Biker Night, Girtford Bridge, Sandy, Bedfordshire www.amicicoffee.co.uk ■ The King Billy Rock Bar - Bike & Burger Night, Northampton, Northamptonshire. 6.30pm Facebook: The King Billy Rock Bar ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire. From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ Sycamore Cafe, The Causeway, Great Billing, Northamptonshire 4pm-9pm www.facebook.com/SycamoreForestCatering ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Mold, Flints. 6pm-9pm 07548224866 or Facebook: The Old Stores Motorbike cafe ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, near Sherburn in Elmet, West Yorks. 01977-684618 or www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ Loomies Moto Cafe, West Meon, Hants. Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ Ryka's Cafe, Box Hill, Surrey 5pm-9pm www.rykas.co.uk ■ The Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey. From 10.30am-1pm Facebook: Pathfinder Cafe RIDEOUT…

Frank Mühlsteffen, Vehicle Concept Engineer for BMW R1300GS and R1300GS Adventure talks us through the new bike… “The Adventure is a miracle – for some customers, even when they're small, they need that spirit of it being big. The hardest thing was to make it easy, but to also make it precise on the road. It's a heavy bike; with a few options it's 300kg, but the journey to get here was an adventure and every part was tough: the balance, the engine, the suspension, the tech… everything was incredibly difficult to manage to get to this point.” The fact that it's does have that stature makes the Adventure feel vastly different to the R1300GS – and as Frank explains, that was done purposefully. “We wanted the two bikes to…

‘You can get an RR for £12,500’ The Speed Triple 1200 RR was launched in 2022 with a price of £18,200 (in red), something that has only increased by £50 in two years, whereas the naked RS has gone up by £295. But this is very much an optimistic price and when you look online, the amounts dealers are asking for the RR for tell a different story. Triumph dealers are openly advertising brand-new RRs for considerably less than the £18,250 recommended tag. There are lots of zero-mile RRs up for sale at £15,000 with a few listed for £13,995 and even one or two for £12,500. “We get a lot of riders interested in the RR as it looks stunning,” one anonymous Triumph dealer told us, “but after a…

When it comes to racing, pioneers can be easily overlooked and their accomplishments lost to the annals of history, some even evaporating from living memory – and that can be even more the case if the pioneer in question happens to be a woman. This almost happened to US rider Mary McGee, but thankfully a friend reached out to the International Women and Motorcycling Conference in 2012 and now her groundbreaking motorcycling story is cemented in the history books, and more recently, a movie with ESPN Films. But what's her story? Born in Juneau, Alaska on December 12, 1936, Mary moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1944 due to the threat of Japanese attack in World War II. She met her husband Don in 1956, a mechanic who worked on race…

THE MCN SHOWCASE SECURITY BIKE LOCKS MCN staffers put the latest security to the test in all conditions Oxford Loop Lock15 £21.99 15,000 miles ON TEST • Design, construction and Sold Secure scores rated ● Each lock used for over nine months in all conditions I'll always use the biggest, chunkiest lock I can get my hands on for locking my bike in the garage, but when I'm out and about, I don't really want to lug something heavy and unwieldy. It's a difficult choice to make. Do you take a lock that weighs as much as a small pillion, or something lighter that makes the journey more enjoyable, but run the risk of making your bike easier to pinch? I always choose the latter and make sure I take…

Oxford Products Hardcore XC13 £99.99 This chain and lock are heavy, solid-feeling and best of all, simple to use. The 13mm Ni-Cro-Mo alloy links provide most of the weight, while the 11mm shackle and the lock body are constructed from hardened steel. The rubberised lock case is shock-proof and has a dust-proof sliding keyhole cover. This earns it a Gold Sold Secure rating and a four-star ART certification. The fabric sleeve protects your wheels and bodywork, plus you get three keys and a choice of lengths: 1.2, 1.5 and 2.0 metres – with pricing going up in £10 increments respectively. It's been a reliable and simple solution. 18 months ON TEST Quality Value oxfordproducts.com…

Earlier this year, I decided to take the BMW R12 nineT home to the Motorrad Days festival in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. I've done a big feature on the journey (MCN September 4), but I thought I'd use this space to take a closer look at how the bike handled the trip. Of course, I've mentioned the electrical gremlins that I encountered along the way in a previous update (MCN August 7), so I won't revisit them here. But anyway, this is the journey to Germany despite the warning lights… and it was a corker. My trip to and from the BMW event took a week, with two days spent enjoying the rally itself. But I wanted to go via Switzerland to take on as many passes as I could and see how…

£8000-£12,000 (1994-1998) Can the 916 really be 30 years old? Well it is, and it shows no signs of slowing down – and neither does the escalation of its price. Sadly, owning a 916 is starting to get beyond the means of many, but if you are prepared to pay for a good one, your money is safe. Uncomfortable to ride and requiring careful looking after, on sunny days there are few better experiences than riding a 916. BUYER BEWARE ● Check the frame number. It should be made from a raised series of dots. If they are hard to read, the frame has been repainted – ask why. ● As with any used Ducati, look for a good service history. Check when the ‘desmo’ service was last completed and…

ROUND 18 THAILAND | MOTOGP He may not have been the fastest in the 2024 Moto2 championship, but Ai Ogura proved to be the smartest as he sealed his maiden world title in Thailand with a typically welljudged ride to second place. The 23-year old admitted he isn't “the most talented rider” in the grand prix paddock on Sunday. “But he's the most complete,” according to crew chief Norman Rank. Ogura has only won three races, taken two poles and led 20 laps. But he's repeatedly out-thought his rivals, and showed the consistency needed to win the crown. Rank attributes this to the right working technique, whereby Japan's first champion since Hiroshi Aoyama in 2009 had calculated exactly what was needed to end the season on top. “At the beginning…

WE'VE RIDDEN TWO! MCN's Sports Editor Michael Guy has ridden both the race and road FP1s. Here are his memories of the experience… “I rode the FP1 race bike at a private trackday at Assen, which was a pretty incredible experience. I had Assen to myself, an FP1 and two mechanics – and then later in the day Foggy turned up and rode around with me! I remember going out in the first session and after about five laps I pulled in and the team just looked at me – they were expecting me to be riding around all day, they didn't care what I did with the bike. That never happens with a normal WSBK machine! “The FP1 racer was such a beautiful bike to ride – but hot,…

Who wouldn't want a MotoGP bike in their dream garage? And, better still, one with lights, a starter motor and a numberplate! If you have the cash, which is now in the region of £200,000, you can thanks to Honda and their incredible RC213V-S. Teased in 2012 during a rather innocuous company conference, the road-going version of Honda's four-stroke MotoGP bike eventually arrived in 2015. And what a bike it turned out to be, maybe not in specs alone but in mystique, exclusivity and the fact it genuinely is a MotoGP bike with lights. For the 2014 MotoGP season, Honda had introduced a ‘customer’ version of the RC213V. Lining up alongside the factory bikes, the RCV1000R was meant to allow privateer teams to compete in the Open class of MotoGP,…

The Le Mans name comes from, unsurprisingly, the race track and more specifically, Guzzi's involvement in the 1971 Bol d'Or 24-hour race, which was held at the French circuit. This year saw Guzzi debut the all-new 844cc ‘Telaio Rosso’ (red frame) race bikes, which were ridden by Guido Mandracci and Vittorio Brambilla in one team alongside Raimondo Riva and Abbondio Sciaresa in another squad and were effectively highly modified V7 Sport prototypes. The teams acquitted themselves well with Mandracci and Brambilla leading after ten hours before a broken engine component, crash and finally a puncture saw them demoted to third with Riva and Sciaresa behind in sixth. This track success, and impressive results in later endurance events (they never won but scored a best of second at Vallelunga), saw the…

Show us your collection! Do you have a collection of bikes you'd love to see featured in the pages of Motor Cycle News? Drop us a line and tell us about it: mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com Of all the places to discover a fantastic garage, an ice cream factory doesn't come high on the list. But as MCN reader Chris Coughlan has been in the frozen confectionary business for most of his life, it only seemed fitting. Aged 69, Chris has now given up the ice cream dream and is setting his sights on making up the miles with his extensive motorcycle collection, which has been constantly changing over the years, leading to him owning dozens of bikes in the course of his lifetime. This love of motorcycles started on an exchange holiday…

500GP PEDIGREE Spencer. Gardner. Lawson. Doohan. Criville. Rossi. Has any other race bike taken such a stacked list of legends to the greatest crown in motorcycling? We'd have to say no, and all during an era that will forever be looked upon with rose-tinted spectacles thanks to both the bulging personalities and the incredible bikes – including, of course, Honda's NSR500. Making its debut in 1984 to replace the NS500 triple, the NSR500 saw success in only its second year, snatching the 1985 crown with Freddie Spencer at the helm. The NSR managed another title in 1987 before a hefty redesign in 1988, which included a stiffer chassis setup and some sizeable engine tweaks, making it seriously peaky and hard to master. Although it took a bit of time to…

WELCOME This issue's packed with exciting new bikes, with headline stars being the new BMW R1300GS Adventure – the gargantuan continent crosser with 300+ mile range and comfort to match. Then there's Ducati's updated Multistrada V4 S, now with clever self-lowering tech and low-speed cylinder shutdown system. Yet all this new bike excitement is tempered by the sad news that yet another dealership has been placed into administration, this time it's Pidcocks who have had to close showroom doors with 18 jobs lost. It's concerning times, with the cost of living, high prices, and the looming budget all making us think twice when it comes to big purchases. Yet I wonder if there are other issues at play here, whether we're already starting to feel the effects of uncertainty over…

MT-07 available lever-free Like the larger MT-09 triple before it, the 2025 Yamaha MT-07 will be available with the Japanese firm's Y-AMT semi-automatic gearbox. This has been made possible thanks to the inclusion of a ride-by-wire throttle connection. An addition that has divided opinion among MCN readers since its first announcement in the summer, the system deletes the need for a clutch lever and peg shifter for your left foot. Instead, you get a pair of small paddles on the left switchgear cluster, with the rider able to choose between two fully automatic modes or a semi-auto configuration. On top of this, the Y-AMT gets cruise control as standard to make things easier on long journeys, with the overall weight of the bike climbing to 186kg compared with the standard…

We're on the hunt for someone to join our rapidly expanding online team here at MCN and it could be you. If you're a friendly, reliable motorcycling expert, with a grasp of online SEO best practice, then we want you to sign up as our new Digital Reviews Writer. If your application is successful, you'll be working alongside the passionate MCN team to deliver comprehensive, quality content for motorcyclenews.com – uploading new and regularly updating existing motorcycle reviews on the website. If you think you have what it takes, visit jobs.bauermedia.com for more info. The closing date is Sunday, November 3. We offer competitive salary and associated benefits.…

KTM have launched yet another version of their 2025 1390 Super Adventure S, this time with a manual gearbox. The new Super Adventure S follows on just days after the reveal of the Super Adventure S Evo – a machine that shares many of the same features along with KTM's semi-automatic AMT gearbox. Like the Evo, the manual S model will replace the outgoing £17,499 1290 Super Adventure S – enjoying a capacity increase from 1301 to 1350cc to help it pass more stringent Euro5+ emissions regulations. It sits at the more road-focused end of the adventure segment and as such benefits from 19in front and 17in rear cast wheels – a combination that KTM say will still offer composure on trails. The engine is paired with a traditional six-speed…

Yamaha Tracer 9 Colours Redline and Midnight Black The standard Tracer model is anything but basic, with a new 7in colour TFT dash and revised switchgear allowing you to cycle through your modes. There is a manually adjustable screen, with 10 steps working across a 50mm range, plus manually adjustable KYB suspension. A storage compartment includes a USB charging port, with cornering lights up front. Under braking, the hazards will kick in if you squeeze on particularly hard. Accessories include three-piece luggage, a quickshifter, tyre pressure monitoring, and more. Yamaha Tracer 9 GT & GT Y-AMT Colours Ceramic Ice and Tech Black The GT builds on the standard machine with a quickshifter and self-cancelling indicators as standard. The bike comes available in a choice of traditional manual or semi-automatic Y-AMT…

Twenty-three-time Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness has got back on the tools – building a wall at his Morecambe home as part of a YouTube video alongside internet personality, Alfie Odd Job. The film sees the pair discuss John's journey to road racing, life as a bricklayer, and his excitement at grabbing a copy of MCN every week as a youngster. Alfie also tries speedway in John's garden. Ducati donation Specialist bank DF Capital have donated a Ducati Multistrada V2 to the Greater Manchester Blood Bikes charity plus £1500 towards its first year of running costs. The bike will be used by volunteers to deliver blood, plasma, platelets, vaccines and more. DF Capital Chief Executive, Carl D'Ammassa said: “We've been thrilled to work with The Milk Bank at…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers David Rudgley and friends (Malcolm Holmes, Jason Clayton, Steve Wharton, Richard Bye, Dan Benson and James Percival). The ride Belgium & Luxembourg, three stunning routes over three days. Day one: Belgium Spa Loop, Day two: Luxembourg. Day three: Belgium/France/Ardennes. When to do it Mid-September, not too hot, still a good chance of decent weather. The itinerary was determined by the weather although we didn't need to worry as everywhere in the region was warm and dry during our stay. How long do you need? Six days. We travelled down from Norfolk/Midlands to stay overnight near the Channel Tunnel for an early crossing, two days there and back. Staying at a single base in the middle of the routes meant that we never had to…

‘She just thought it was fun’ Despite only achieving her road licence in 2011 at the age of 75, it's the last of many accolades that make up Mary's life in motorcycling. Still riding into her 80s, she continues to be an active speaker and role model for women's motorcycling, travelling to events all over the world and sharing her story where she can, which helped her gain the title of FIM Woman Legend in 2012. In 2014 she was inducted into the Californian Trailblazers Hall of Fame, then won the Extreme Sports Award. American Vintage Dirt Racers association created the McGee Cup (which is awarded to riders achieving the highest points in any class), and in 2016 Mary received the Dirt Illustrated Lifetime Achievement award. Finally, the American Motorcycle…

We're huddled in a circle with a bunch of Mexican bikers on the ferry from Baja to mainland Mexico, where in broken Spanish we ask about a remote route we want to take shortly after landing. They shake their heads and after a few minutes reach their conclusion: “Very bad road. Big problem. Don't go.” Our faces light up. We have been in Baja for the last few weeks; it's like a soft introduction to Mexico with lots of American tourists in the main towns, but now we want to get stuck into the real thing – mainland Mexico. We roll down the ramp on our Honda CRFs and head straight for the ‘Devil's Backbone’. Cowboys Apparently, the Devil's Backbone is one of the world's most dangerous roads but a…

Milenco Dundrod U-lock & chain £197.99 4 years ON TEST This combo is a favourite because it gives you options. Mostly, it's used in the garage in conjunction with a ground anchor, because the 1.4m-long fabric-clad chain is plenty long enough to easily slip between swingarms and spokes. Likewise, if I'm heading out to a city, at 3.8kg it's just about light enough to be portable – while also providing decent peace of mind, too – especially as the lock and chain are both approved to Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold. Then, the 14mm rubberised-shackle U-lock can be used alone as a disc lock – although there's no reminder cable to help you remember to remove it before riding away. After four years of regular use, the lock still turns smoothly…

Recording an off-road special for MCN's YouTube channel presented a unique challenge: capturing two seasoned riders on focused KTM 690 Enduros tackling a slimy and flooded Salisbury Plain landscape. With a ‘film car’ out of the question, I had to think outside the box. I decided to repurpose my Himalayan 450, transforming it into a rugged off-road filming rig capable of handling the tough terrain ahead. The first major change? Swapping the road tyres for something with more grip. However, with the relentless rain we've experienced in the UK, and Salisbury Plain's particularly low-grip slimy-when-wet terrain, standard 50/50 tyres weren't going to be up to the task. After exploring my options, I stumbled upon the new Mitas Trail Enduro XT+ Dakar – an 80/20 tyre off-road/road offering, and the most…

£3000-£5000 (2014-2020) Ten years ago Yamaha blew the doors off the middleweight class with the fantastic MT-07. On the face of it this all-new parallel twin was an unassuming budget naked, but it quickly revealed itself as an incredibly spirited bike with bags of charm, a great engine and agile chassis. And in need of better suspension. One of Yamaha's best-selling bikes and a brilliant used buy. BUYER BEWARE ● In 2018 Yamaha gave the MT-07 suspension upgrades and styling tweaks. An older model with uprated suspension is just as good. ● ABS was initially an optional extra. Check the spec of early bikes. ● Check the exhaust for leaks. It's a one-piece unit so you'll need to change it all if there are any. Usually they occur on collector…

£3000-£5500 (1999-2007) When you look at its incredible stats, there is no way you'd guess the Hayabusa has just turned 25. Remarkably fast with a staggering grunt-laden motor, the original hyperbike will still melt your brain with its acceleration – and at £3000, it's a bargain. If you want a rapid sports tourer, the ‘Busa will get you to your destination in record (and speed-limit-breaking…) time. BUYER BEWARE ● Check all gears engage smoothy. A few older bikes developed issues. ● The six-piston brakes are a weak point – check for warped discs and seized pistons. They can be swapped for four-piston Tokico alternatives. ● While rare, inspect the mounting points and welds on older models’ subframes. In 2002 a stronger unit was fitted as standard. ● Valve clearance checks…

Few things are more popular in sport than the success of a local hero – and for many, seeing a Manx rider take victory at the Isle of Man TT would be a dream come true. Conor Cummins has been trying to achieve that goal for the past 18 years. The 38-year-old has competed in 73 TT races, stood on the rostrum a dozen times and ranks sixth fastest around the 37.73-mile Mountain Course with a speed of 133.116mph. But victory has so far eluded the ‘Ramsey Rocket’. Following his withdrawal from Clive Padgett's Honda team at this year's TT, Cummins has now announced he will continue his quest for home glory with the Northern Ireland-based Burrows Engineering by RK Racing BMW team. Cummins’ new team has fielded quality riders…

Another week another country for Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia, as the paddock heads straight to Sepang. With a 17-point advantage, Martin can afford to finish second to Bagnaia in all four remaining races, but it's not going to be that simple. Super-tense title fight The game of chess that is this year's title fight heads into its penultimate round. Bagnaia knows he cannot afford to finish behind Martin again, otherwise his hopes of a third title will quickly disappear. Martin's up for the fight, that was clear with his move on Bagnaia during the Thai Sprint race. Actual on-track duels have been limited between the pair but that could change this weekend. Crashing the party Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini will continue to be thorns in the title fighters’…

All hail the king. David Alonso was the most successful Moto3 rider of all time coming to Thailand. But this was the cherry on the top, as he broke Valentino Rossi's 27-year old record for the most wins in a single lightweight class season thanks to a typically well-judged late attack on Ivan Ortola. Now he's up to 12. Alonso's numbers are astonishing. He's the first to win five consecutive races in the lightweight class since Marc Marquez in 2010 and could still beat the record for most points in a single lightweight campaign. The 18-year old's race craft was unbeatable. But the weekend also showcased a prickly side, when he engaged in an on-track feud with Angel Piqueras on Saturday. Scott Ogden enjoyed his best result of the year,…

RACING IN THE GENES In 1975, Giacomo Agostini announced the arrival of the Japanese two-strokes onto the world scene by taking the 500GP title. Not only was this Yamaha, and Japan's, first 500cc world title, but it broke MV Agusta's 17-year winning streak with its four-stroke racer and heralded a new era of twostroke 500GP motorcycles. Although Suzuki took the next two titles with Barry Sheene on the RG500, in 1978 Kenny Roberts wrestled the YZR500 to the first of three consecutive titles and riders all over the world started to dream about owning a 500cc twostroke. Dreams that became even more vivid after Yamaha released the seminal RD250LC and RD350LC in 1980, two bikes which went on to define carefree motorcycling (and grazed knees) for a generation. In 1984,…

Everything has to start somewhere and the 1985 Suzuki GSX-R750F was the big-bang that gave birth to the modern sportsbike. While this may sound rather dramatic, and some will point out that the Yamaha FZ750 and Kawasaki GPz600R were also released in the same year, the fact of the matter is that when you trace your sportsbike's ancestry, it will lead right back to the founding principles that the GSX-R set. If you want a bike that changed the modern two-wheeled world in you dream garage, you need a 1985 Suzuki GSX-R750F – ideally in blue and white, naturally. The GSX-R arrived on the scene and blew the competition out of the water in much the same way the Honda FireBlade would do seven years later. When it came to…

WHAT'S IN A NAME? First Confederate, then Curtiss, then Confederate again and now Combat Motorcycles – what exactly has been going on? Well, the original Confederate Motorcycles brand was launched by Matt Chambers in 1991, before producing their first bike in 1994. In August 2017, however, Chambers announced at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering that the name would be changed to Curtiss and the company would switch to radical electric motorcycles in partnership with electric bike maker, Zero. The first new model would be a high-powered cruiser called the Hercules, made in Zero's California facility, not the Birmingham, Alabama Confederate Motorcycle factory. At the time, Chambers said that the Civil War connotations of the Confederate name had cost the company business, and they had “missed out on branding opportunities” because of…

Racers are in the enviable position of having access to almost unlimited exotica; from insanely expensive, near-prototype supertwins laden with engineering brilliance, exquisite rev-hungry supersports, right up to full-on superbike titans encrusted with the most expensive go-faster trinkets money can buy. So it says a lot about a bike when a decorated, TT-winning national champion chooses to put one in his own dream garage. That bike is the grand prix racing jewel that is the Honda RS250 NXA, and the rider is none other than roads and British Supersport regular, Lee Johnston. Very little in the road racing world comes close to the perfection of a 250GP bike. The rules of the formula – no more than 250cc, six gears, and two cylinders – meant that two-strokes were the bangfor-buck…

The 2025 Manx Grand Prix will take place from August 17-25. Six days of practice will be followed by more racing than ever. In a change to the format, classic racing has been removed from the schedule and instead will run once again as the standalone Classic TT event alongside the Manx. “The revised programme and modern racing focus will offer competitors and fans a competitive and thrilling spectacle,” said Manx Motor Cycle Club Chairman, John McBride. “We are pleased to be able to give our riders better value for money with two races per class, as well as increased practice time.” More reasons to go to Motorcycle Live Organisers of the Motorcycle Live show at Birmingham's NEC have confirmed more famous names will be in attendance from across the…

‘Peak torque of 72.3lb.ft is achieved at just 4750rpm’ HIGHLIGHTS ● 1048cc liquid-cooled parallel twin ● 87.2bhp @ 7250rpm ● 72.3lb.ft @ 4750rpm ● 226kg kerb weight (base model) ● 710mm seat height Honda have expanded their laid-back CMX1100 Rebel cruiser line-up for 2025 – taking the range from two to three with the inclusion of a new factory custom SE derivative. Building on the existing model range, which has been in production since 2021, the 1048cc parallel twins will be available in the UK as either a stripped-back standard model with manual transmission, or as a CMX1100T (for Touring) with a DCT semi-automatic gearbox, plus a new SE flavour, again equipped with DCT. This new variant gains bar-end mirrors, plus a colour-matched nose cowl, bespoke fork gaiters and a…

Triumph are once again dipping into their heritage for a range of new special editions – this time launching a seven-strong line up of classics sporting the firm's 1907 logo. The Modern Classic Icon Editions range will be available in dealers from December 2024 and will be compatible across the Bonneville T100 and T120, Scrambler 900, 1200X, and 1200XE, plus the Bobber and Speedmaster. The 1200s will see prices increase by £800 for these versions, with the 900s jumping up by £600. “Triumph Modern Classics have an enduring reputation for original style, high quality, premium finish and modern performance,” Chief Commercial Officer Paul Stroud said. “It is this authenticity, coupled with the heritage and passion encapsulated in the 1907 logo, that will have broad appeal with both younger and older…

Police in Cumbria have launched a new operation in the Barrow and Furness area to tackle the illegal and often dangerous use of off-road motorcycles. Operation Leopard kicked off in late September, with Cumbria Constabulary now confirming that nine bikes have since been removed from the roads. Three riders have also been reported for offences surrounding licences and having no insurance. It's being led by the Barrow Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) and comes following growing public concerns and reports of bikes being ridden dangerously in the area. Additional support is being provided by the Roads Policing Unit, as well as police drones. ‘We will target those putting public in danger’ “Not only were there concerns around anti-social behaviour and the dangers to other motorists and pedestrians, but also the danger…

KTM parent company Pierer Mobility AG are cutting their executive board as they continue to tackle financial difficulties. Back in September, the group, which owns KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas, WP Suspension, and 50.1% of MV Agusta, announced that 200 employees would lose their jobs in the third quarter of the year following poor sales. Net debt was also placed at €1.469 billion, with these cuts following 373 earlier redundancies made since the start of the year. “The difficult macroeconomic conditions are lasting longer than expected,” a statement from Pierer read. “The European economy is stagnating, with the important German market in recession. In the USA, consumer purchasing power remains low due to the cost of living and the long period of expensive consumer credit.” ‘The important German market is in recession’…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Here is one of my first motorcycle – it made a great first bike! Richard Heasman Me on my first bike in 2014 – a 1991 GS125, known as Poppy. You can see my long curls sticking out. Connor Rudman At 16 with my pride and joy in 1976, my FS1-E. This was my introduction to the world of motorcycling. Martin Heath Me and my mate Mike Chivers (who now lives in Argentina) on a camping trip to Anglesey in 1981. Andrew Walton My brother and I at the NEC bike show late 80s, he is currently riding a BMW and I have a Ducati. Michael and David East After the Simson 50 and Suzuki RG125 featured last week I then moved on…

November 2 Rufforth Autojumble Whether you are looking for that winter project or that part you've needed for yonks, for £2 admission this York jumble is well worth a look. www.rufforthautojumble.com November 3 Mablethorpe sandracing The beach racing action is free to watch, so why not take the family and make a day of it? mablethorpesandracing.co.uk November 3 Bikes and banter Tommy Bridewell will be taking to the stage with Shane Byrne at the Lowther Pavillion, Lytham (FY8 5QQ). Tickets from £25, VIP tickets available. bikesandbanter.co.uk November 7-10 EICMA One of the biggest two-wheel exhibitions is go in Milan, Italy next week. It's not too late to book your plane tickets to see the latest metal, fantastic entertainment and more. www.eicma.it…

BMW have some big boots to fill, because no matter who you are, there's no denying that the current R1250GS Adventure is seriously special. It can eat through motorway mileage two-up with the same prowess as a comfortable car, yet it blends in a remarkable level of usability and agility, too. It can be ridden to the shops, on a trackday, down green lanes… the beauty of the big GS Adventure is that there really isn't anything it can't do. In fact, there are too many reasons to list why it constantly sits on or near the top of the bigcapacity best-sellers charts in the UK, but that's also what makes BMW's job of improving on such greatness so difficult. Last year, the German firm gave us the all-new R1300GS,…

YAMAHA TRIUMPH…

FIRST RIDE Ducati's Multistrada V4 is the Bologna firm's best-selling motorcycle and it's not hard to see why. It's practical, roomy, luxuriously built, goes like stink and is festooned with tech and designer labels. It's been around since 2021, when it took over from the old 1260 V-twin and this is its first proper update since. The detail changes are headed up by Euro 5+ engine tweaks, as per many new models in 2025, which benefit the Multistrada V4, the V4 S we're testing here at its launch in Italy and the V4 Pikes Peak, but not the other Multi V4s in the range. 1 Cleaner and more frugal Despite its new Euro5+ seal of approval, the V4 Grantursimo engine's output remains almost the same. Its claimed 167bhp is just…

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN Paperwork British nationals don't need a visa to enter Mexico. If you fancy riding your own bike there, we suggest shipping your bike over to the US, riding into Mexico and then shipping back home from the US after your trip. To get your bike into Mexico you will need a Temporary Import Permit (available at the border) and will need to leave a deposit of around £300 (you get this back when you leave). You also need to purchase Mexican motorcycle insurance (buy it online) and will need to take your vehicle registration document, driving licence and passport. Alternatively, you can simply fly in and rent a motorcycle. Safety There are some regions you need to be careful of in Mexico, the UK Gov website…

16 months ON TEST Gear Gremlin Nimrod Chain Lock 2.0m £59.99 Initially I began testing the Nimrod combo as I needed something fairly compact to stick in the pannier for overnight trips. Although it isn't the heftiest, I can definitely feel its weight while riding, and I probably should have opted for the 1.5m version rather than the 2m for ease of use and carrying it on the bike. Regardless, I was glad I had the security at the other end of each journey. The three keys included give you good peace of mind if you're prone to losing things, and the chain itself is covered in a protective sleeve to save damaging your paintwork. I have been using it mainly inside the garage, but over the past month it…

Oxford Magnum U-Lock £49.99 2600 miles ON TEST Though it's not quite as bulletproof as its namesake, the Oxford Magnum offers a solid level of security for the price. You get a mounting bracket in the box, with an optional security cable available, and I really appreciate having three keys included. Oxford's Magnum achieves a Sold Secure Gold rating, and its 1.75kg weight makes it no problem to carry. The shell is plastic but otherwise it's pretty solid, with the rubber coating proving to be the only weak point. Quality Value www.oxfordproducts.com…

As you get older, time (and the rate of nose hair growth…) seems to inextricably speed up. How many times have you found yourself remembering an event with at mate that seemed to occur just a few years ago, only to discover it happened over a decade previous? It's the same with bikes – there are some fantastic machines out there that your brain will tell you are just a few years old but are actually celebrating some fairly significant anniversaries this year. Here are our pick of five old, but still gold, machines… YOUR EXPERT Jon Urry is MCN's used bike guru. He loves a modern classic bike as not only are they cheap to insure, they don't lose much cash in depreciation. In fact, most appreciate.…

£5000-£8500 (2009-2014) Yamaha introduced the ‘crossplane’ engine on the R1 15 years ago. Developed in MotoGP, its firing order produces a more manageable power delivery, sounds incredible and gives the R1 a unique spirit. It is a bit lardy compared to some rivals, but as a road sportsbike it has a real air of quality about it as well as stacks of performance and a good reliability record. BUYER BEWARE ● If you want traction control, it arrived on the 2012-onwards model. ● Yamaha didn't make a quickshifter for this R1 – and aftermarket units can cause premature gearbox wear. ● It runs hot in traffic, so owners remove the catalytic converter via a de-cat link pipe. It's also good to get the ECU re-mapped to lower the temperature the…

THE SPEED OF LIGHT Ducati's lighterthan-light 1199 The first Panigale Superleggera arrived in 2014 and was based around the V-twin 1199 Panigale R. Limited to 500, the Superleggera added a magnesium monocoque frame and forged Marchesini magnesium wheels to the R's base and then swapped its subframe for carbon with the fairing also made from carbon. To keep the weight down to a claimed 155kg (dry), the Superleggera featured a lightweight lithium-ion battery, titanium exhaust system with stainless headers, and titanium bolts and fasteners where possible throughout. The Öhlins suspension was upgraded to FL916 forks with machined bottoms and a TTX36 shock with a titanium spring and the brakes boosted through a Brembo MCS 19-21 master cylinder with a remote adjuster. Engine-wise, the Superleggera added titanium exhaust valves and two-ring…

The 1985 GSX-R750F was replaced in 1986 by the G model, which featured a 25mm longer swingarm and modified lower fairing. The G gave way to the H in 1987 with uprated suspension and revised wheel sizes. The second generation of GSX-R750 arrived in 1988 and is known as the ‘Slingshot’ due to its new design of carbs but is the GSX-R750J, or K which was the 1989 model. In 1990, big changes saw the L gain inverted forks, a revised ‘long-stroke’ motor and more, before the 1991 M tweaked the engine's head. In 1992 water-cooling arrived in the GSX-R750WM, which was an all-new GSX-R (with fairly brash graphics…), and in 1994 the R featured over 60 upgrades. In 1996 four letters – SRAD – announced the arrival of an…

To many riders, the Moto Guzzi Le Mans Mk1 is the ultimate expression of 1970s Italian sportsbike style. And when you consider that puts it ahead of the likes of the Laverda Jota and Ducati 900SS, two truly beautiful and game-changing sportsbikes, you can see why it is regarded as such a special motorcycle and that's why so many fancy one in their dream garage. So what makes the original Le Mans so unique and desirable? Unveiled in 1975 at the Milan Motorcycle Show, the Le Mans was far more than just a race-rep in name. At this time the British motorcycle industry was in free-fall and the Japanese were still getting their act together, so if you wanted to buy a race-rep you looked towards Italy. And the bike…

The original Brough Superiors were made by George Brough between 1919 and 1940 at his works in Haydn Road, Nottingham. His father, William E. Brough, had been making Brough motorcycles since 1908 and continued to do so until 1926. George, however, a designer and racer with a flair for showmanship and PR, was convinced he could improve on his father's designs and set about making ‘Superior’ machines focused on high performance and quality. Most were built to order, few had the same spec, each was assembled twice – having a ‘dry fit’ before everything was painted or plated then reassembled. They were famously dubbed the ‘RollsRoyce of motorcycles’ by H.D. Teague of The Motor Cycle, with RR choosing not to object. No wonder they cost between £100 and £185 when…