Table of contents for 17 December 2025 in MCN

3 XMAS WITH THE HASLAMS Join Ron, Leon and family for festive frolics Haslam style! This 28-page special is packed with advice, nostalgia and laughs. Plus kids bikes go head to head 4 2026 GLOSSY CALENDAR Adorn your wall with this selection of the best biking images from MCN’s award-winning photographer TOP STORY Internal combustion U-turn Internal combustion looks set to receive a reprieve as a top European politician confirmed that the EU are poised to water down the 2035 ban on the sale of petrol and diesel engines. Instead of demanding 100% CO2 reduction, the new proposals are said to be set at a 90%, a target which once again allows the use of combustion as part of the solution. PAGE 06 NEW METAL Thruxton reborn Triumph’s 400 family has swollen…

As MCN went to press, an announcement confirming a major policy shift in Brussels was widely expected – one that looks set to reshape Europe’s approach to internal combustion engines from 2035 onwards. Motorcyclists across Europe are set to feel the impact, after indications from senior EU lawmakers suggested the bloc will abandon its 2035 ban on new internal combustion engines. The change would replace the previously proposed 100% CO2 reduction target with a softer 90% requirement, easing immediate pressure on sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles, including bikes. This direction of travel was first hinted at by Manfred Weber, president of the European People’s Party, when speaking to German tabloid Bild. “For new registrations from 2035 onwards, a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions will now be mandatory for…

SAVE £3900 £15,099 KTM 1390 Super Duke GT KTM’s 1390 Super Duke GT combines superbike power with pin-sharp handling. But outright speed isn’t all that’s on offer here and the big Duke is exceptionally user-friendly and practical to boot. Its weather protection is good, the comfort is top-notch, and there’s no shortage of gizmos to play with either. A fantastic proposition at this price. www.premierbikes.com SAVE £3400 £20,995 Triumph Rocket 3 Storm GT Triumph’s Rocket 3 Storm GT offers monster torque yet is surprisingly user friendly, and with more than three grand off, this one is a bargain. www.carlrosner.co.uk ● Engine 2500cc ● Power 165bhp ● Weight 320kg ● Seat height 750mm SAVE £2901 £14,098 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 DE Great value adventure tourer, with heated grips, aluminium panniers/topbox, centrestand, tank…

‘Where’s the certificate?’ More information has emerged about the heated motorcycle gloves promoted by numerous YouTube reviewers and social-media influencers. I commented on the factory’s YouTube channel, and they replied: “Our gloves are CE certified, and we currently have the CE-approved report. The certificate will be ready in a few weeks. You can contact us by email and we will send you the documents.” I took them up on the offer, while noting the contradiction of claiming certification before a certificate exists, but the only document provided was a single test report on seam strength. Encouraging as that result was, one test alone does not make a safe or legally compliant glove. EN 13594 requires up to ten assessments before a glove can be considered fit for purpose and certified.…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews STAR LETTER IN ASSOCIATION WITH One cylinder’s good, but four cylinders are even better… It was nice to speak to Emma Franklin and the MCN team at Motorcycle Live where we chatted about Norton Commandos (one of the Bikes of the Eras machines) and my 1975 Honda CB750F. It was very interesting to see the new W230 from Kawasaki, plus the 350s from Royal Enfield, BSA, and Honda not forgetting Triumph’s 400 range. Clearly there is a market for a machine around 350 to 500 with a weight around 190kg, say 50bhp and a reasonable seat height that suits the average rider. Now imagine what if that was a four-cylinder bike instead of another single? Then I thought, ‘I’ve got something in the garage that fits…

Yamaha’s Pro-Am challenge was the maddest one-make race series ever. The concept was simple: 24 identical RD350LCs, with an invited mix of professional and amateur racers. Each rider picked a key out of a hat, so with no machinery advantage to be had, the result came down to the best rider on the day. The original series was held from 1981 to 1984 and was the brainchild of several people. Robert Jackson was at Mitsui Yamaha at the time and one of the men working for Robert was a young PR Executive named Lin Jarvis, who went on to become Managing Director for Yamaha Racing in MotoGP. Everybody you speak to can still remember how fantastic the series was, but rarely has anyone told what went on behind the scenes.…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers Graeme Smillie 58 (me) on my Honda CL500 Scrambler and my son Adam, 18, on his Yamaha XSR125 Legacy The ride 18 countries across Europe How many miles? 6219 miles in eight weeks Tell us about the trip So many highlights. Sharing a father and son trip such as this is one is something we will cherish. To complete this at 18 on his 125cc bike is something else. We spent a few nights staying with my cousin in Esbjerg and seeing the Tall Ships event. The roads in Norway had a breathtaking view around every corner while the Joey Dunlop Memorial in Estonia was poignant and allowed me to share memories of the great man’s achievements with my son. Adam had chance to…

JOIN THE MCN PIT STOP BREW CREW www.motorcyclenews.com/pit-stop Wednesday December 17 BIKE MEETS Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, West Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Flints 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 Loomies Moto Cafe, West Meon, Hants. www.loomiescafe.co.uk The Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey. From 10.30am-1pm Thursday December 18 BIKE MEETS Vic Bikers Pub, Coalville, Leics www.vicbikerspub.co.uk Nadee Bike Meet, Findern, Derbys. 6pm Facebook: Nadee Bike Meet Whistlestop Motorcycle Club, Rhyl, Denbighshire 5pm 07544-143494 Iron Bull Roadhouse, Basingstoke, Facebook: Iron Bull Roadhouse Vintage Metals, Coleford, Gloucs www.vintagemetals.co.uk Ryka’s Cafe, Box Hill, Surrey 5pm-9pm www.rykas.co.uk Friday December 19 BIKE MEETS Woodys, Holmrook, Cumbria 4pm-8pm Woodys.seascale@gmail.com Custom Cafe, Bexhill-on-Sea, 6pm www.thecustomcafe.co.uk Saturday December 20 BIKE MEETS Oasis Snack Bar, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire 01873-855375 TRIALS Camborne-Redruth & DMC, Redruth, www.camborneandredruthmotorclub.com Sunday December 21 BIKE MEETS Super Sausage, Potterspury, www.supersausagecafe.co.uk Wings…

‘Effortlessly powerful’ With its larger, grunt-focused engine, the Z1100 leaves most of its wild days behind and is instead smoother, with a bigger wodge of effortless, real-world power at road speeds… although it still doesn’t hang around and makes all the right noises when you push its buttons. It’s easy to ride, nicely balanced, and fun in the corners, although better tyres would let it shine even brighter. The SE’s Öhlins and Brembo add extra spice, but at a cost, which is a significant chunk more than its main rival: Honda’s Hornet 1000 SP. THE FACTS £12,699 Kawasaki Z1100 SE…

There is nothing like the feeling of freedom you get when the tarmac ends and the dirt begins. Responsible trail riding opens up a whole new dimension to our enjoyment of two wheels, allowing you to leave the hustle and bustle of traffic behind and get amongst the countryside to enjoy a slice of adventure whenever you fancy it. Getting muddy with a few mates is great fun, plus it’s good for fitness, as your core muscles are guaranteed a workout. If you haven’t tried it yet, then you most definitely should, and there are training schools around the country offering taster sessions where you can rent a bike and learn the basics. But once you’ve been bitten by the bug and splashed out on a suitable bike, it’s important…

Despite being one of Britain’s finest talents of the 21st century, Bradley Smith never had his sights set on short circuit racing. Yet, just 10 years after swinging a leg over an Aprilia RS125, he found himself standing alongside two of the best racers of all time – Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo - on the MotoGP podium. Motocross was the name of the game for young Bradley growing up. His dad, Allen, was an MX veteran and handily, the family farm had its own practice track. “Everything revolved around dirt bikes,” Smith told MCN. “My dad raced, both uncles raced, my brother and sister rode motocross, my cousins rode. We were dirt bikes through and through.” Smith’s trajectory seemed likely to see him rise to the heights of the…

Royal Enfield offers various tours in the Himalayas. The Royal Enfield Himalayan Adventure Everest Base Camp is set to take place once a year in May and you can book online via royalenfield.com. The price for the 10-day tour (seven days of riding) including motorbike, accommodation and various meals is around £1730. Petrol and travel costs to/from Nepal are not included in the price. In 2026, the Base Camp expedition will probably follow a different route: the ‘Friendship Bridge’ at the Rasuwagadhi border crossing, which we used to travel to Tibet and back to Nepal, was completely destroyed and swept away by flash floods at the beginning of July and nobody knows when it will be fixed. The best Everest time for tours (motorcycle, trekking) is from April to June.…

RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor 12 months ON TEST Sena 60S Intercom £339 Communication sensation Tested by Justin Hayzelden for 9000 miles An intercom can quickly become an indispensable piece of tech, piping through playlists that can brighten damp, dreary commutes or turn-by-turn directions to help you keep your eyes on the road. The Sena 60S has proved to be an excellent conduit in providing this, as well as allowing me to make and take calls without removing my lid, and to stay in touch with other riders on a ride out. As a peer-to-peer intercom, it connects best with the QR code method. Each user has to have the app and a suitable headset, but once set up the connection is stable, and re-establishes as you go…

Electrical problems on a motorcycle can seem intimidating, but fuses are one of the simplest systems on the whole bike. They’re designed as sacrificial safety devices; small, inexpensive components designed to fail when a circuit is overloaded. When a fuse blows, it prevents wiring damage, switch failures, and even potential fires. So if something suddenly stops working, especially lights or indicators, a blown fuse is one of the first things to check. Replacing a fuse is quick, clean and requires almost no tools. That said, in this week’s How To we’ve used a multimeter (with continuity setting), spanners or sockets (optional), small flat-blade screwdriver (for removing the seat), needle-nose pliers or fuse puller, plus replacement fuses in correct amperage ratings. The key is knowing where your fusebox is, how to…

‘Champs have had to work…’ With Marquez, Toprak, Ryde and Dunlop it’s been the year of the champions, but it’s been a year of the champions working hard! The fairytale story of the year has been Marquez winning the title again – that’s proper Hollywood stuff. Winning the championship with five rounds to go isn’t really something that should happen. There’s also been a six-year gap between his titles and there have probably been over 100 crashes between them too. He’s got all the money in the world, he doesn’t need to be doing this, but he’s racing because he wants to and for the love of the job. Whatever it is, he’s special and somehow he’s been able to find another gear this year. And I don’t think he…

There’s more to consider than just buying a bike. First and foremost should be protective kit. Buy the best gear you can. It boggles the mind when I see little ones on the expensive (and fast) kiddy MX bikes, wearing £40 helmets… A great helmet and boots come first, then appropriate body armour and over-jersey/trousers. Gloves can be had in warm/cold weather thicknesses, and waterproofs are available too. Kit them out for both safety and comfort. Freddie’s MX-style gear is from Alpinestars: quality and protection have proven good in his first year, and the sizing chart is accurate – important when you might not be able to find kids kit locally in-store and have to order online. In terms of teaching them, patience is essential. Some children will take time…

It’s almost too easy to go a little over-the-top at Christmas. Whether that be feasting on festive wonders, drinking like a fish or just spending the time sitting in front of the telly watching the finest Christmas shows (or race re-runs) on offer, it’s far too easy to get back on the scales in January and be met with a bit of a shock. So, in order to kickstart your 2026 health regime, we’ve asked fitness junky, and BSB front-runner, Leon Haslam what his top tips are for staying in shape and being bike-fit over the festive period, and beyond… Boozing? “We all like a drink over Christmas but not only do the calories add up, it also impacts your body in a lot of negative ways. If you can,…

Welcome to MCN’s Sport Review of the Year and what a year it’s been! In MotoGP we witnessed one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history as Marc Marquez secured his seventh crown in emphatic fashion. It came after reversing what had seemed to be career-ending injuries. His season ended four rounds early and with him injured yet again, but he’d already done enough to cement his name in the history books ahead of his brother – securing the first ever family one-two finish. Both BSB and WSBK saw the reigning champions double down on their success with Kyle Ryde and Toprak Razgatlioglu taking the honours. For 2026 Ryde will be looking to make history by winning a third title, but with a different manufacturer having switched to Ducati, while…

4 Number of riders who have won three or more WSBK crowns Nothing more to prove Toprak Razgatlioglu propelled himself into an elite band of men who have won the Superbike world title on three occasions. Only Carl Fogarty, Troy Bayliss and Jonathan Rea had done such a thing in the past. Rea has double the number of Toprak’s titles with his record of six although, in many ways, Toprak has nothing left to prove in World Superbikes having already shown the world on countless occasions that he’s the best in the modern era. Despite so many people saying it couldn’t be done and that the R1 wouldn’t suit his style, he went from a Kawasaki Ninja to Yamaha and won. He then moved to BMW and they muttered the…

CHLOE JONES Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship Chloe Jones did the UK proud this season as she powered her way to third overall in the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR). After impressing as a wildcard at the end 2024 at Jerez with two sixths, GR Motosport owner Brent Gladwin signed Jones for a full campaign following his team’s departure from the British Superbikes. Jones then switched to world championship status after finishing fourth overall in the Kawasaki British Superteen Championship with Leon Haslam’s ROKiT Rookies team in 2024. Jones’ preparations for her debut WorldWCR campaign were hampered after she broke her arm just a week-and-a-half before the first test, and only two-and-a-half weeks before the season opener at Assen. However, Jones made it back in time for the…

Both of these models can be ordered through the brand’s new ‘Reserve My Triumph’ platform. The online tool, announced on December 9, allows customers to choose their next bike in their preferred colour, before paying a fully refundable deposit through a chosen dealership. From here, the bike is then allocated by the factory, with those customers using the system prioritised for earlier delivery. Reservation fees start at £250 for standard models, and raise to £500 for limited editions. It’s also open to Triumph’s TXP electric off-roaders, with a £150 payment.…

In Moto Ltd, trading as Ducati Croydon, has closed after 26 years of serving riders across South London and Surrey. The family-run dealership cited difficult trading conditions as the reason for shutting its doors. Founded in 1999 by Gaudenzio Ingignoli, the business was later run alongside Cristian and Roberta. Its sister site, Ducati London in Vauxhall, remains unaffected by the closure. Round the world in 16 days, 23 hours YouTube stars Ryan Kluftinger and Connor Bondlow from the Fortnine channel have set a new world record, completing a round-the-world ride in 16 days and 23 hours. The team used Ducati Multistrada V4 Rallys supplied on each continent and covered 21,059km. Filmmaker Edwin El Bainou rode pillion to shoot a feature documentary, Yalla Habibi! with global streaming via Vimeo. Snake Pass…

‘Snuggling a pre-loved Monster’ Ducati’s roll-out of their new middleweight V2 motor has continued and after the Streetfighter, Panigale and Multistrada received it in 2025, the Monster has now been armed with the all-new engine for 2026 and so has the DesertX. And this worries me slightly. Yes, it is all very clever with its variable intake timing and I’m impressed just how light it is (54.4kg if you are interested) and by its extended service intervals, but for me it was left lacking in soul and spirit. I’m not fussed it hasn’t got a desmo head, what left me non-plussed was its flat power delivery, a trait that made both the Streetfighter and Panigale feel somewhat lacklustre. That said, it did suit the more relaxed Multistrada. So why do…

Route One Ladies Macy Waterproof Jean £79.99 Deals to keep you and your bike dry As the old adage goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing. Most if not all of us can recall numerous occasions when we’ve swung a leg over a bike, thinking our waterproof kit had us covered, only to become a damp, shivery mess ten miles down the road. At that point, it really is time to admit defeat and invest in some new, decent wet-weather kit. If you’ve found yourself less than dry after a ride and are looking for an affordable way to rectify the issue, then you might just be in luck. This week we’ve rounded up a broad range of biking goodies that are designed to keep you…

Bosch’s Geoff Liersch believes increased inter-motorcycle communication could have a benefit to group riding. The firm have already engineered a Group Ride Assist function as part of their latest adaptive cruise control functionality that measures the distance to the closest bike in the pack and adjust speeds accordingly to prevent large gaps in the convoy. Liersch says more can be done though. “If I’ve actually got connected bikes, before I brake I could tell the bike behind me, ‘we’re going to brake now.’ “There will be zero reaction time; we can shorten distances and all do all sorts of fun things where we’ve got additional data from bikes around us to improve the overall situation. “Eventually we’ll get to a vehicle-to-vehicle connection, so not through the cloud, just direct connect,…

Q ‘No memory of the accident’ I had an accident while filtering. The driver who hit me says I was speeding and that he was indicating and turning right. I don’t remember the accident but there were witnesses. My lawyer wants to drop my claim due to the lack of evidence. Is my lack of memory a barrier to the claim? Mathieu, Greenwich A The fact you have no memory doesn’t automatically block you from claiming compensation. Bike accidents frequently involve a sudden impact, shock and sometimes loss of consciousness. Combine that with the stress of the aftermath and it’s no surprise riders find their recollection patchy at best. Thankfully, the claims process doesn’t rely solely on your memory. What matters is whether the evidence can establish who was at…

The series was an incredible concept, as it provided some of the closest cut-and-thrust racing ever seen on the UK circuits, and at the time it was televised as well. The fact that the amateur riders got to mix it with professionals on equal machinery meant the Pro-Am series was responsible for making stars out of the likes of Niall Mackenzie, Alan Carter and Rob McElnea, and offering a stepping stone for successful racing careers. It was completely different to a regular series, as the ACU would pick ten established racers for the series, and then Yamaha would pick ten hot prospects who were competing at club level. They’d then have an equal shot at glory. An interesting fact about the Pro-Am series is that it was even contested by…

THE MCN TEST THE HOTTEST BIKES EVERY WEEK £5699 KTM 390 Enduro R 399cc liquid-cooled single DOHC 4v 44bhp @ 8500rpm 165kg (wet) £5899 Honda CRF300L 286cc liquid-cooled single DOHC 4v 27bhp @ 8500rpm 142kg (kerb) £7999 Suzuki DR-Z4S 398cc liquid-cooled single DOHC 4v 38bhp @ 8000rpm 151kg (kerb) Getting off the beaten track and onto the network of green lanes and legal trails is one of the most refreshing experiences there is. But while adventure bikes and road-legal enduros are more than capable, it’s a lot less fuss on a lightweight, dual-sport trailie. We took the Honda CRF300L, KTM 390 Enduro R and Suzuki DR-Z4S around the highways and byways of Northants to see which made the best case for an easy going entry-level off roader – but not…

‘It’s big grins all round’ Spend a day pottering about on green lanes on any one of these bikes, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to ride home with a big grin on your face – we certainly did. And while they’re all novice-friendly and can be ridden on an A2 licence, an experienced road rider looking to get into trail riding won’t be disappointed with the performance. That’s really as far as the lightweight, lower powered Honda goes though, in standard trim at least, and that’s predominantly down to the soft suspension. An upgrade would transform it into something you could grow with, but then again, that would likely affect the six-year warranty. The KTM fares better, offering adjustability, TC and connectivity, not to mention 48% extra thump from its…

‘Easy and fun to ride’ Triumph’s Scrambler 400 XC is light, easy, and fun. But with a price that puts it the wrong side of six-grand, it moves slightly away from the bargain-basement cost of the 400 X and Speed 400. The XC is well equipped, though, and its extra scrambler-inspired features still make it excellent value – costing less than £80/month on PCP. The power delivery, gearbox, brakes, and performance aren’t as sparkling as they could be, which is no surprise for a budget machine, but everything works reliably as it should, and the Triumph still performs well in all situations, although the single-cylinder engine strains at sustained motorway speeds. THE FACTS £6545 Triumph Scrambler 400 XC…

“Chloe called me three weeks ago saying that her current team, GR Motorsport, whom she had signed for, had decided to stop. She had no ride and asked if I could help. So I spoke to a number of people and she’s now in the factory Yamaha team run by Crescent as teammate to Beatriz Neila, who finished second this year, with Monster sponsorship,” explained James Toseland. “I’ve not managed anyone before, but I’m in a position where I feel I could help her become a world champion. With the amount of money that is required it wasn’t a hard sell speaking to teams and sponsors because we’re giving them a genuine opportunity to support a future world champion. “She’s a very independent person and she’s shown initiative to ring…

Our man gets the inside line from the BSB champ Kyle Ryde’s 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship campaign once again proved that consistency is key. After managing a Bradley Ray rampage as best as he could early on, Ryde would go on to turn a 56-point deficit into a 20-point lead come the final chequered flag of the year. MCN caught up with the champion to discuss another sublime season. Brad was touted as the favourite, and then he dominated. How frustrating was this for you? “My plan was to show Brad that we were much faster and better now compared to when he left BSB. I knew he’d be quick, especially coming from WorldSBK. “I just tried to keep up with him the best I could and beat him…

THE MCN TEST THE HOTTEST BIKES EVERY WEEK £3195 Triumph TXP-20 1200W brushless DC electric motor 4kW/5.36bhp 42.2kg (kerb) £1695 RFN Warrior SX-E5 Permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor 5kW/6.7bhp 48kg £3250 Yamaha TT-R110 110cc, SOHC 2v air-cooled single 7bhp (est) 72kg (kerb) Chris… but mainly Freddie Newbigging Weighing up the moral responsibilities of introducing your offspring to two-wheels is only the start. Once you’ve decided that the benefits outweigh the risks, your options for a first bike are broader than ever – from basic, gentle electric offerings that are only one step more serious than a toy, to full-on motocross weapons capable of outperforming adults in tiny, but skilled, hands. Assuming that you’re here for something more than a pseudo-moto to potter around the garden, but not ready to push your…

‘Freddie enjoyed each for different reasons’ These three machines clearly suit different use-cases, and there’s something to recommend all three. Freddie enjoyed each for different reasons, and for youngsters with no experience at all they’ll all be exciting. The RFN was a surprise – for the money it’s hard to beat. Cheaper, Chinese-built dirt bikes can be a minefield, but this is well-specced and appears respectably produced. Your nipper can progress through ride modes with experience until they’re roosting dirt at your local track. The Triumph offers a simpler kind of riding entertainment, but it has great potential for teaching fine control, and the ability to get good use from it without a circuit counts in its favour. It’d be an easy jump from a bicycle, too. Then there is…

Ron Haslam needs no introduction; not only are his racing exploits legendary, but his experience and knowledge in teaching riders to be faster and more confident is second to none. Here, the man himself shares his words of wisdom for mastering the art of cornering. ENTRY “This is where you can make or break your corner! And funnily enough, one of the biggest mistakes I see is people going in too fast and rushing the entry. Everything here needs to be super smooth, so don’t be too aggressive like you’re Marc Marquez on a qualifying lap, as you’ll lose the correct line, get out of shape and you’ll get yourself in a mess. If you’re on a smaller capacity bike, you need to carry corner speed. So, brake a little…

With so much history, it can be easy to forget all the titles and trophies accrued by the Haslam family over the years. But at the behest of Ann (wife to Ron, mother to Leon) a museum was created in the Haslam family home, so the memories are available for the family, and the world, to see. The piles of kit and trophies were saved from the depths of a damp basement and arranged in a way that resembles a bike kit shop of the highest order. Every piece holds a story and thankfully the memories which have been made over five decades haven’t been left to the pages of history, instead becoming an inviting homage to the Haslams’ careers. From Ron’s first forays onto two wheels right through to…

2017 Ryde is the first champion to successfully defend his crown since Shane Byrne. The consistency king How can anyone possibly beat a rider like Kyle Ryde? That’s what the rest of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship grid will be asking themselves right now after another flawless campaign from the two-time champion. Ryde became the first back-to-back champion since Shane Byrne’s successful title defence in 2017, while he’s the first champion running the number one plate to retain his crown since Ryuichi Kiyonari in 2007. And Ryde did it in typical Ryde style. He weathered the storm unleashed by Bradley Ray in the opening 12 races, collecting crucial second places and top-five finishes when he was unable to threaten his former teammate for the win. When Ray finally made a…

Comeback complete Whether you love him or hate him, you cannot deny the sheer quality of Marc Marquez’s 2025 season, or ignore the blood, sweat and tears that he’s gone through to scratch and claw his way back to the top of the mountain after a torrid first part of the decade. It’s the comeback which has taken MotoGP into mainstream sports media and discussion; is this the greatest comeback of all time? Since first breaking his humerus at Jerez in 2020, Marquez has undergone four operations to try to fix his right arm. The fourth operation in 2022 saw his humerus rotated by 30 degrees back into its original position. Alongside his arm woes, Marquez also had two cases of double vision (diplopia), a broken bone in his hand,…

Doing it for Brazil B razil has a new motorsport hero to cheer for following Diogo Moreira’s 2025 Moto2 triumph for Italtrans Racing. Moreira was locked in a season-long battle with Manuel Gonzalez, with the latter appearing to have things under control after the opening six rounds. Moreira began to gain some momentum from that point with back-to-back podiums at Silverstone and Aragon, fourth at Mugello and a first win of the year at Assen. Gonzalez wasn’t going down without a fight and looked in prime position once more when Moreira suffered back-to-back DNFs at the Sachsenring and Brno (putting him 60 points behind), only for Gonzalez to retire at the Red Bull Ring. Perhaps the decisive moment came in Indonesia when Gonzalez was disqualified from second place for using…

Kawasaki UK’s Tour for Free offer is coming to an end on December 31 – with customers currently able to cash in on free accessories when they purchase either a Ninja 1100SX, or Versys 1100. Those purchasing the Ninja will gain a set of panniers with inner bags, plus a tank bag and tall screen. The Versys comes with a similar level of trim – plus hand guards. Visit kawasaki.co.uk for more. Notts cops seize hammered pit bike Mansfield North police have seized an off-road motorcycle after reports of illegal activity at Manor Sports Complex playing fields. Arriving under the cover of darkness, police detained the rider and a friend, discovering cannabis on one. The pit bike was discovered to be totally unroadworthy, to the point that its fuel cap…

The biking review of the year First group test with the S1000RR We list the world’s top 100 bikes Triumph legend Norman Hyde is well known for his cracking creations, and in 2009, MCN had the privilege of giving the Hyde Harrier Jubilee its world first test. Based on a Bonneville, the big bore engine gave a claimed 64% more power than the standard machine and was tuned to cough up 82bhp. It had been 21 years since the original 1988 Hyde Harrier was created, and this latest version had a chassis and swingarm created by Harris Performance with suspension by Öhlins. Where’s my licence? MCN were battling for riders’ rights after a string of incidents where people sent their licences off for renewal or a change of address only…

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

“We faced challenges together, celebrated victories, and built a bond that only the mountains can forge,” writes Soumya Chatterjee, one of the participants, in the tour’s WhatsApp group. “This riding experience will stay with me for the rest of my life,” adds Manish Phillips. “We built a brotherhood along the way in this raw, unforgiving terrain – it’s these bonds that I’m taking back with me. “This trip has given me unforgettable memories, new friendships and a great sense of achievement. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.” The participants’ brand loyalty is high: Girish, nicknamed ‘The Old Monk’, set off shortly after the expedition with Royal Enfield on the ‘Himalayan Odyssey’, an 18-day tour of the mountains.…

The wrong part in the wrong place can end up creating a seriously dangerous motorcycle. And nothing spells trouble brewing quite like a well-meaning mate with a toolbox. In the latest example of this, a customer turned up at Newcastle-based Mo-tech, hoping to bag a clean MoT before being on their way, but a rather dangerous issue quickly became apparent. “It was immediately obvious it would not pass an MoT as the front brake lever came right back to the throttle grip with no pressure build-up,” said Fraser Doherty, who works in Sales and Servicing at the Suzuki dealership. Upon closer inspection, the team quickly spotted the issue – an aftermarket brake caliper had been fitted, apparently by a friend of the owner. “The banjo bolt had been fitted with…

Breaking the latest racing paddock news Chloe Jones’s 2026 FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) campaign has been saved after she signed a late deal with the Monster Energy Crescent Yamaha team. Jones finished third in the world this year with six podiums, but the 22-year-old was left without a ride following Brent Gladwin’s GR Motosport’s withdrawal. However, Jones now has a golden opportunity to progress further with her career. Not only is she joining the same outfit which runs the factory Yamaha WorldSBK team, but she’s also joined forces with two-time world champion James Toseland (see left) and is now an official Monster Energy athlete. Becoming an official blue “It’s unbelievable,” Jones told MCN. “If you think of Yamaha, you think of the official factory team that Paul…

Pour yourself a glass of something warming, put your feet up and join MCN and biking’s first family, the Haslams, for a proper festive get-together. The next 25 pages are packed with fun, laughs, advice and entertainment to help sprinkle a whole lot of biking goodness over Christmas. MCN’s Sports Editor Michael Guy gets around the dinner table with Ron, Leon and Ann Haslam to discover how they’ve dedicated their lives to racing, whilst also pushing hard to help the next generation of riding talent be as good as they can be via their inspirational RoKiT Rookies programme. You can also join super-fit Leon in the gym as he’ll show you how to burn off those Chrimbo calories and get in shape to go the distance on your bike in…

ROUND 1 HAVE WE GOT NEWS FOR YOU? MCN’s News Editor extraordinaire Dan Sutherland takes you on a path through the top new stories of 2025… 1 Which British motorcycle manufacturer came to market with a brand-new £44,400 V-twin muscle cruiser this year? a) 2 In January, we met a British engineer who had transformed a sportsbike into a working motorcycle penny farthing. Can you name the donor bike used in the project? a) 3 Honda’s Gold Wing family celebrated its 50th birthday this year. What was the original model’s name? a) 4 Which American motorcycle manufacturer officially returned to the UK after a 15-year absence? a) 5 In February, KTM sold their majority stake in MV Agusta back to the Sardarov family. How big was this percentage? a) 6…

Stuck for things to put on your Christmas list? Looking for inspiration for the biker in your life? Or just on the hunt for a gift for yourself? MCN’s product writer Charlotte King shares the standout products she’s spotted to stuff your stockings with… Bike It Braces (£10) Add retro garage style to any ride! These classic chequered elastic braces give off serious racer vibes and are built to last with heavy-duty clips and comfy, adjustable straps. Perfect for bikers who appreciate both fun and practical stocking fillers, especially at this price. sportsbikeshop.co.uk Yamaha Paddock Softshell Jacket (£109) For Yamaha fans wanting team-ready style, this fleece-lined hooded softshell is the answer. It’s smart and practical, with embroidered logos on the chest and sleeves plus a zip chest pocket – perfect…

‘Winning is what I do’ Michael Dunlop continued his assault on the TT winners’ leaderboard in 2025 securing victories number 30, 31, 32 and 33. It’s an incredible achievement that sets him head and shoulders ahead of his rivals. Comparing him to riders still competing, he now has 10 more wins than John McGuinness’ 23 with Ian Hutchinson on 16 and Peter Hickman coming in at 14. All of Dunlop’s latest victories have come in the smaller classes with dominant performances in both Supersport and Supertwin races. Onboard the factory Milwaukee Ducati Panigale, Dunlop began a new chapter in his Supersport career having previously been a serial winner on his trusted Yamaha R6. Dunlop didn’t need to break his previous Supersport lap record to win thanks to the speed of…