Table of contents for 02 August 2023 in MCN

THIS WEEK GET MORE OF THE INSIDE LINE WITH A PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP members.motorcyclenews.com/membership TOP STORY Ducati are kicking off a roster of 2024 new model reveals by celebrating 30 years of the Monster – unveiling a 30° Anniversario special edition limited to 500 units and said to be the lightest machine to ever use the name. The bike's arrival kickstarts a chain of new releases, with another five covering a range of model types, due to appear between now and November. The Anniversario pays homage to a dynasty that began back in 1993 with the 904cc M900, with Ducati having now sold in excess of 350,000 Monsters across the world during that time. This latest £16,095 machine builds on the current 937cc Monster which appeared in 2021. That bike was the…

MotoGP at Silverstone kicks off on Friday and with it the chance for British fans to witness the incredible spectacle of man and machine at over 200mph in what's become the fastest-ever era of grand prix racing. Not only that, but with Lowes and Dixon capable of taking victory in Moto2, there's also the unmissable opportunity to witness a home grand prix win. Plus this year, all ticket holders will have access to a grandstand seat, as General Admission tickets also include roving access to certain grandstands. And that's not all: when the action on track ends the party begins with live performances from Chase & Status, Razorlight and the Kaiser Chiefs to keep you pumped throughout the evening – all included in the price of your British GP ticket.…

BEATING BIKE CRIME SAvE OUR BIKES! Abus are taking the fight to bike thieves with an updated range of Sold Secure approved locks and chains – including a Diamond rated cylindrical disc lock which meets the highest level of protection awarded. The Granit Victory 68 XPlus – which costs around £70 depending on the retailer – features a rounded construction that makes it difficult for thieves to hold, and hinders the use of both manual and power tools. The Sold Secure Diamond rating means it's approved to the highest standard for bike locks. “We are excited that we can now offer a full range of Made in Germany motorcycle and scooter locks featuring the highest UK insurance approved Sold Secure ratings,” said Roger Seal, ABUS UK Product and Marketing Manager.…

Dorset's DocBike run, which raises money for the injury prevention charity that places a trauma doctors and critical care paramedics on two wheels, is accepting registrations for their annual fundraiser. Last year's event raised more than £8000 and saw 400+ motorcyclists ride in the charity's only cash raising event in Dorset, with organisers hoping for a similar turnout this year. This year's gathering will take place on Sunday, September 24. Dr Ian Mew, co-founder and trustee of the charity, said: “This is our big event for DocBike each year and the support of the local motorcycling community means so much to us. “We're dedicated to being there for anyone who needs emergency critical care, but we're just as passionate about helping bikers to avoid being in a crash by giving…

Pro-Race Exhaust for Kawasaki from £109.99 Pro-Race have a range of slipons for Kawasakis including the ZX-10R and Z900 RS. Options go from a stainless slash-cut Shorty slip-on (£109.99) to a titanium Tri-Oval de-cat (£879.99). pro-race.co.uk Weise Condor jacket £199.99 Modern tech helps create this vintage look jacket with AA-certification. The brushed cotton outer shell is backed by a breathable, waterproof membrane, with a removable quilted liner and multiple vents. Includes Level 1 armour for elbow, shoulder and back. weiseclothing.com Laser Tool Electronic Screwdriver £94.22 One of those devices you never realise you needed until you try one, this screwdriver boasts a 3Nm electric motor. It's powered by a 3.6V USB charged battery and boasts an LED torch. lasertools.co.uk SW Motech Protection for Honda Transalp from £212.51 The steel crash…

After a weekend commentating at the Malle Mile Festival in less-thandesirable conditions, the Nod's Ben Bowers and Ant Partridge grabbed some time with mountain bikerturned charity campaigner Niels Peter Jenson for this week's episode. Proving that being exhausted and sodden is no excuse not to take time to have a chat and check in with a mate. This week's guest is best known for his prestigious mountain biking career which has seen him claim many titles and has taken him all over the world. It was during a visit to India in 2018 that Niels fell in love with the country – the energy and the madness – he but couldn't stop the niggling feeling in the back of his mind as he watched people riding motorcycles without any sort…

OUT AND ABOUT Ride further in 2023 with a little help from our one-stop event guide JUST BREW IT Ride out to Britain's best biking cafés THE DETAILS ● 9.30am-5pm, then 6pm-10.30pm Fri, 6pm-11pm Sat, and 9.30am-4pm Sun ● Bournemouth BH7 6DY John Doddrell started The Old Boys Motorcycle Workshop and Café in Poole as a place for people to meet before heading off on rideouts. Now Old Boys hosts its own bike night on Friday evenings, and it's getting bigger every week. “I built a custom bike in the garage and joined some Facebook groups. We'd arrange to meet up for a coffee, but you didn't who you'd be talking to,” John explains. “So, I decided to create a place where you could meet up before going on to…

There is stacks of choice in the modern retro market. Yamaha have the XSR700 (£8260) or the XSR700 Legacy (£9910) which adds a few extra styling touches. Both are based around the successful MT-07 watercooled parallel twin. Honda offer the inline four CB650R (£7699), which is a more modern retro, or the watercooled parallel twin CB500based CL500 (£5999), which has the hint of an urban scrambler about it. Suzuki are still selling the SV650-based SV650X (£7499) but it is a lazy attempt at a retro. For Brit-style heritage you can buy a Royal Enfield Interceptor (£6599) or Continental GT (£6799), which are air-cooled parallel twins, or the water-cooled single cylinder BSA Gold Star (£6800). Triumph sell the more modern-styled Speed Twin 900 (£8795) or wonderfully retro Bonneville T100 (£9595), both…

BIKING LEGENDS People who have shaped our world Finishing the Dakar is an achievement in itself, winning it is career defining but taking the top spot five times is monumental. Enter Cyril Despres, without doubt one of the Dakar's greatest-ever riders. Despres took on the Dakar 14 times (not including the occasions he drove in cars and lightweight vehicles), between 2000 and 2014. Claiming five wins and five further podiums, he completed all but one of the races he entered – which is impressive considering the Dakar is possibly the most gruelling test of endurance in motorsport. His rise to two-wheeled glory wasn't a conventional one. In between working at his parents’ restaurant, he would often watch one of his neighbours training in the local forest. “His name was Pascal…

Get that race bike feel Aluminium clip-ons replace the standard RS's straight bars. They provide a racier feel, push more of the rider's weight over the front wheel and aren't too extreme. Uprated front end There's nothing wrong with the RS's Showa forks, but these Öhlins give the Triumph more accuracy and control. They're firm, but not too harsh. Steering geometry is sharper. Carbon extravaganza Carbon mudguard, bellypan, clock shroud, tank infill panels and exhaust end can etched with the Moto2 logo are standard. You don't even get those goodies on a top-spec Ducati.…

PLAN YOUR ANDALUSIAN ODYSSEY The easiest way to get to Andalusia is to fly into Malaga and hire a motorcycle. Alternatively, you can ride down… either from a Santander or Bilbao ferry (allow 10 days and budget for around £300 return ticket), or ride all the way from the UK (at least two weeks for a relaxed trip). The easiest way to get to Andalusia is to fly into Malaga and hire a motorcycle. Alternatively, you can ride down… either from a Santander or Bilbao ferry (allow 10 days and budget for around £300 return ticket), or ride all the way from the UK (at least two weeks for a relaxed trip). motorcycles, Toro Adventure specialises in boutique guided and self-guided tours aimed at showcasing the very best of Andalusia.…

ESSENTIAL KIT 15K miles ON TEST TRIED & TESTED MCN STAFF RATE THEIR RIDING KIT There is nothing more important than having a good crash helmet, and Shark's flagship Race-R Pro GP has held up incredibly well after years of abuse in near enough every scenario and climate, from wet endurance races to sweltering off-road adventure tests. Sure, I'm aware that everyone's head is shaped differently, and in the past I have struggled to truly feel comfortable in both Arai and Shoei, but for me the fit and feel from the Shark is perfect. This is not just down to the shape though, as the Alveotech inner padding works a treat to keep things comfortable and takes barely any time to bed in, while still being easy to remove and…

DXR TTR Waterproof CE Gloves £34.99 Hand protection and comfort during the summer can be a compromise, some favouring cooler but less protective gloves for warmer weather. The DXR TTR gloves deal with that dilemma well, blending comfort in warmer weather with CE-approved protection. Made from goatskin leather with a waterproof and breathable inner membrane, the gloves are supple and remained dry through summer showers. A visor wiper on the thumb is a nice touch. It has been my glove of choice this summer, especially when the weather doesn't play ball. Quality Value sportsbikeshop.co.uk 500 miles ON TEST…

Scott Ogden and Josh Whatley will hope that the home crowd can spur them on to a muchneeded positive weekend. The VisionTrack Racing Team paring haven't had it easy thus far in 2023. Ogden has finished outside the points in the last two races, that said he's just one point shy of matching his entire 2022 total. The highlight so far this season was a superb fifth in the wet in Argentina. That same weekend, Whatley recorded his first-ever Moto3 point with 15th. Year on year, both youngsters are gradually improving, but they'll hope to take a big leap forward at home.…

Jonathan Rea judged conditions to perfection to claim victory in Saturday's opener, his first at Most and his first win in 2023. The Northern Irishman's experience shone through as he put in ultra-strong opening laps on Intermediate tyres with a wet track to take a win that saw him back in front of Yamaha's Andrea Locatelli for third in the championship. Off the track, a tremendous amount of talk continues to link the Kawasaki rider with a switch to Yamaha in 2024. MCN was told in the paddock that Rea had visited Yamaha between the Imola and Most rounds. Although the six-time World Champion is on a two-year Kawasaki deal for this season and next, talk continues to link him with retirement or a Yamaha switch. Is this because he…

WELCOME It's British GP week, and it's a time when I'll over, over indulge in my favourite sport. Family in tow, I'll be there in the Silverstone grandstands, then we'll get home and watch it all again on the excellent TNTSports (formerly BT Sport) coverage. While there's no disputing that Suzi, Hodgson, Laverty, Gav, Sylvain and crew do an amazing job, there is a slight bone of contention in the Franklin household about paying for whole channel to watch one type of sport, but we always rationalise it because of how much we enjoy it. However, the real downside of pay-per-view MotoGP is that it limits the sport's exposure. Which is why it was so heartening to see the Dorna deal with ITV to simulcast two live rounds per year…

Triumph have released a sneak peek at their MX bike. In a fiveminute video uploaded to the firm's YouTube channel on Friday, key personnel reveal tantalising details about the bike's chassis. The video, which is the first of a series of tasters due to drop over the coming weeks, features the public faces of the factory's development team – dirt legends and project ambassadors Ricky Carmichael and Ivan Cervantes, along with Team Principal Bobby Hewitt, Lead Chassis Engineer Dave Arnold, test rider Ivan Tedesco, and Team Manager Stephen ‘Scuba’ Westfall – discussing the bike's chassis and why they've opted for an aluminium spine rather than steel. “Triumph could've had a bike out a long time ago,” Hewitt says in the video. “You only get one time to make a first…

An 82-year-old biker has fulfilled a long-held dream of riding his father's 350cc 1926 HRD motorcycle, having stored the bike in boxes of bits for 40 years, before undertaking a 15-year restoration just to get it running. Bill Morris is no ordinary rider, passing his test at the age of 69, when he says he was “a youngster” with the sole desire to ride his dad's beloved original HRD TT replica, which was purchased to ride 15 miles to and from his job in Newport, over 90 years ago. “He had an excuse to buy a motorcycle and bought this HRD,” Bill said: “He rode it throughout the 30s, but wore it out as he had no facilities for maintaining it. In fact, I don't know how he rode it…

THIS WEEK Yamaha are marking 25 years of the R1 with a 25th Anniversary track-only edition of their R1 GYTR Pro superbike – the closest thing customers can buy to Toprak Razgatlioglu's race-winning World Superbike. Standing for Genuine Yamaha Technology Racing (GYTR), Pro parts for the limited-edition anniversary R1 include a stronger lightweight carbon rear subframe designed to accommodate both a modified fuel tank with a lower centre of gravity and the Magneti Marelli ECU. You'll also find an underslung swingarm, developed specifically for Yamaha's WSB race bikes – to increase lean angle and rear grip, plus Brembo brakes all round. Carbon fibre bodywork covers everything up, with the latest in electronics – developed by the likes of Toprak, Andrea Locatelli, and test rider Niccolò Canepa keeping things under control.…

The UK winners of this year's BMW International Customising Championship have been revealed with the two highly modded BMW R18s now heading to the European semis, for a chance to go to the Berlin grand finals later this year. Voted first by custom fans is the Night Dragon built by Pier City Customs in Henfield, Brighton. The Night Dragon features copper accents on the end of the exhaust can and on the spokes while the rear mudguard and pillion seat subframe have been shortened by 70mm. Other custom features include 21in/18in spoked front and rear wheels with vintage valanced rims, headlight with copper accents, and different rear lights. The UK runner up is the Cotswold Cruiser, built by Cheltenham's Cotswold Motorrad, which draws inspiration from the classic California cruising scene.…

THIS WEEK Parliament's Work and Pensions Committee has launched an inquiry into the collapse of pension schemes run by former Norton Motorcycles owner Stuart Garner with the aim of better protecting and supporting members of failed pensions schemes in the future. “The collapse of the Norton pension schemes has caused a huge amount of worry and financial hardship for the members, who fear they have lost their pensions and have been left in limbo when it comes to whether they will receive any compensation at all,” committee chair, Stephen Timms MP said. An estimated £11m was invested into the Norton business across three pension contribution schemes – Dominator 2012, Commando 2012 and Donington MC – of which Garner was the sole trustee. These investments were made between 2012 and 2013,…

Kawasaki are nurturing the talent of tomorrow by resurrecting the British Superteen series for 2024, with riders aged between 15 and 20 competing on specially modified ZX-4RR four-cylinder screamers alongside the British Superbike championship. “It is 32 years since the British circuit promoters launched the first ‘Superteen’ Championship, and within the entry list was James Haydon, David Jefferies, John McGuinness, and Michael Rutter,” BSB Series Director Stuart Hi gas said. “We are excited to bring the Superteen name back to British Championship status. Together with our partner Kawasaki UK we are recalibrating this most important entry-level class with a new motorcycle that will benefit team and rider development, and importantly be constrained to tight budget and regulations parameters.” Based on the incoming 399cc DOHC inline four, set to arrive in…

Every competitor needs a rival to keep them sharp and push them to new highs… and for Cyril Despres that man was Marc Coma. For a decade Despres and Spain's Coma were locked in a fierce battle for rally raid supremacy. And to crank things up further still, both were riding for KTM. From 2005 to 2015 they were the only two winning the Dakar, scoring five wins apiece. “In Spain there's a big passion for motorsport, so he had a lot of support, a big team with Repsol around him, more or less like what Marquez had in MotoGP,” says Despres looking back. “It was tough for many years. It was a big challenge, it was a big fight,” explains Despres, comparing it to another famous rivalry. “Ayrton Senna…

FIRST RIDE Few things will drive a spike in Harley-Davidson sales faster than a new Grand American Touring model – and while the brand's model evolution is often best described as glacial, this new CVO 121 Road Glide does feel like a quantum leap forward in almost every way. From engine refinement to a dramatic revolution in electronic hardware and rider aids, to a tangible step in design sharpness and modernity, the new Road Glide may be instantly recognisable as the latest in a very long line of shark-nosed touring models, but the similarities are only skin deep. Get beneath the surface and 70% of the bike is brand-new. 1 A shark in our midst The Road Glide's predatory fairing has long been its most recognisable trademark – and it's…

RATINGS Exceptional ★★★★★ Very good ★★★★ Good★★★ Average ★★ Poor ★ 5000 miles ON TEST Shoei Hornet ADV Sovereign TC10 £569.99 This is my first Shoei, ever – and it's made me regret not picking one up sooner. The quality, fit and features are all superb and more than on-par with the Arai Tour-X 4 I've worn for the previous 40,000+ mile to this. The Hornet ADV is an ECE 22.05 helmet, meaning it's not the latest standard (ECE 22.06), and will need to be replaced in the line-up soon. But if you need an adventure helmet right now, this is still a great option. Available in four shell sizes to deliver the best fit possible, the Hornet's shell is organic fibre composite, with a multiple density EPS. The peak…

Alpinestars Ladies J-6 WP Boots £179.99 When the sun comes out, so do my shortie boots. Made from leather and suede with a waterproof membrane, they are showing few signs of wear so far. Approved to CE Level 2, they offer an element of protection at the ankle and heel plus a reinforced mid-sole. There's padding at the rear of the ankle, which makes them comfortable both on and off the bike. Unlike other shortie boots I've tried which often feature a zip on the inner ankle, they're lace-up only. And, while I love the grey colour, one thing that irks me is the pink piping; just because I'm female, I don't need pink piping on my shoes, I'm not three! 2500 miles ON TEST Quality Value www.alpinestars.com…

Prefers performance to plodders, rides all year in all weathers You may recall that the DesX has been suffering with a sporadic electronics issue, resulting in a loss of ABS and Traction Control, and a few other dash functions – the most recent being the odometer wiping itself before simply representing all data as a row of dashes. So, unsurprisingly, Ducati were rather keen to get their hands on it to find out what was going on. So, the stealthy black ‘RR22’ DesX vanished, to be replaced by a startling Star White Silk version. The difference is, erm, night and day. And, crucially, the white one knows how far it's been, and gets places without impromptu warning light discos. A couple of other quick observations also surfaced, too. Firstly, I've…

SPORT SILVVERSTONE | MOTOGP Sam Lowes enters his final Moto2 Grand Prix at Silverstone dreaming of standing on the top step in front of the British fans before he quits the Grand Prix paddock at the end of the year. Lowes will return to the World Superbike paddock next year onboard a Marc VDS Ducati, but has unfinished business to deal with before that. Last year's homecoming race ruined Lowes’ season, with a huge crash in FP1 causing a troublesome shoulder injury. Not only that, but despite securing pole on two occasions, Lowes has never made it on to the podium at the Northants track, with fourth being his best result in 2021. Arguably his finest chance would have been in 2020 when he was challenging for the title, but Covid-19…

Remy Gardner has been put in the shade thus far by GRT teammate Dominique Aegerter. However, as the Swiss rider suffered more arm pump at Most, the Australian raised his game with a maiden front row in qualifying and two sixth places on Sunday to equal his earlier season best from Assen. Moto2 is known as one of the most competitive categories in bike racing. The fact the 2021 World Champion has taken some time to get to grips with World Superbikes, with its different circuits and Pirelli tyres, shows how difficult things are. “I finally got to see the head of the race, which was cool!” said the 25-year-old. “It was definitely a confidence booster. It took five years to get onto the Moto2 podium. I'm confident Yamaha want…

MCE Insurance have been placed into administration by directors due to the company's financial position, but they have issued assurances that existing policies will remain in place. In a statement on their website the insurer said: “The Company will not be writing any new policies. The Joint Administrators are working closely with Sabre (Insurance Group – underwriters) to find a resolution that minimises any disruption to existing policyholders and ensures they are treated fairly. “All customers’ existing policies remain in place; they will continue to have cover and are not impacted by the appointment of the Joint Administrators. There is, therefore, no action customers need to take. Sabre is not affected by this administration and will continue to meet valid claims made under existing policies.” The statement added: “The Company…

THIS WEEK Expansion of London's Ultra Low Emission Zone will go ahead as planned after a High Court challenge claiming Mayor Sadiq Khan exceeded his power was rejected. The challenge to the extension, due to be implemented at the end of August, was brought by four London boroughs: Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon, along with Surrey County Council. A triumphant Mayor Khan commented: “This landmark decision is good news as it means we can now can proceed with cleaning up the air in outer London on 29 August. ‘Non-compliant bikes will be charged £12.50’ “The decision to extend ULEZ was very difficult and not something I took lightly and I continue to do everything possible to address any concerns Londoners may have.” He added: “This unambiguous decision today in the…

The RAC attended more than 8100 pothole-induced breakdowns between April and June 2023 – the highest number of incidents during a quarter for five years. In addition, since the start of the year, the RAC have been to 18,250 call-outs for damaged shocks, broken suspension springs, and distorted wheels – most likely caused by poor road surfaces. This year's Q2 figures are the worst the RAC have seen since the ‘Beast from the East’ cold snap back in 2018. Head of Roads Policy Nicholas Lyes said: “It's important to note that last winter wasn't particularly harsh, which demonstrates very clearly just how fragile our local roads really are.”…

THIS WEEK Small bike firm WK have reduced the prices on two of their most popular models – taking £100 off the four-stroke Scrambler 50, and £300 off the Scrambler 125. The cuts take the figures down to £1949 and £1999 respectively, with both eligible to be ridden on a CBT. In dealers now, they come with a two-year warranty. For more, go to wkbikes.com Last chance saloon Hackney Council have commenced the final consultation on their proposed introduction of bike parking charges – with pressure group Save London Motorcycling urging everyone to respond by emailing their objection and alternative suggestions to streetscene.consultations@hackney.gov.uk before Friday, August 4. The charge would be £10 per day or £2300 per year for a commuter riding in five days per week. Time to take…

HJC R-PHA 70 Reple Carbon Black £329.98 Top-spec deals This week we've filled our virtual shopping bag with a bunch of deals on big ticket items, such as the HJC R-PHA 70 helmet, currently on offer at SportsBikeShop. This carbon fibre composite lid combines race-proven tech from the track-focused R-PHA 11 with a host of creature comforts, to create a fully loaded ultra-light weight touring helmet. The aerodynamically designed shell has been developed for enhanced shock-resistance, and features a controllable ventilation system, with a large, glove-friendly intake on the crown, a chin vent and two exhausts at the rear. Advanced anti-bacterial fabric is used for the ‘multi-cool’ interior, which has moisture wicking properties for quick-drying comfort. The cheek pads have EQRS (Emergency Quick Release System) to assist paramedics in the…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com My mate Steve Ridley on his GT550 in 1985. He returned to biking in 2020 with a Triumph Speedmaster. Paul Roberts My daughter on my Honda CD175 in 1970. Today I have an NC750 and she has a VFR750. Les Jones My third bike, a BSA B31. This was the old way of loading the TT ferry. My current bike is a Burgman 400. Brian Galloway My first bike, Honda MTX125 around 1989 back in the days when I used to ride in jeans and trainers. Tom Brookes During uni in Vancouver my friend and I bought identical GSXAOOEs and have great memories to this day! Karl Schlicht My dad's first road bike with me on the back. His name is David and…

August 5-6 Festival of Wheels Ipswich's Trinity Park will see live action shows, stunts, music and plenty more, this is a festival for all the family. On the gate is £30 for adults, £25 for kids 7-15. www.motorshowevents.com August 3-6 Calstock Bike Show This show takes over the village of Calstock in Cornwall. Camping tickets are £28 (£35 on the gate), and day tickets cost just £10. calstockbikeshow.co.uk August 3 Day of Champions Get the British GP kicked off in style, as big name riders auction off memorabilia in aid of Two Wheels for Life. There's also a ride-in, and more. Entry £25. www.twowheelsforlife.org August 5 Rufforth Autojumble Grab yourself a bargain in York this Saturday. The Rufforth Autojumble gets underway from 8am. £2 admission. Pitches start from £17. www.rufforthautojumble.com…

FIRST RIDE You'd be forgiven for thinking a ‘Moto2 Edition’ Street Triple 765 would look like, well… a Moto2 bike. Wishful thinking for those who still lament the demise of the Daytona 675. There is a strong Grand Prix connection, of course. Its 765cc inline triple also powers a gridful of sideways-slewing wannabe MotoGP racers. And why shouldn't Triumph shout about it? Their rasping, robust engine is a triumvirate of noise, grunt and just the right amount of power. The special one Think of the Moto2 Edition as a halfway house between the superb new Street Triple 765 RS and a race rep. Only 765 will be made in each of the two colours: white or yellow. And, sorry to say, they're all sold out. It might not have a…

Pondering a fork in a narrow dirt trail snaking across the badlands of Gorafe, I tried to reason with Google Maps. There weren't supposed to be any splits in the track here; in fact, for the last two days, none of the scenery around me seemed real. I felt like I'd been magically teleported to another continent altogether: the landscape of red and pink rock formations, deep canyons, dry riverbeds, and eroded sandstone giants looked like it belonged somewhere in Arizona, New Mexico, or the Atacama Desert, not in the heart of Europe. Yet there it was – the vast, otherworldly badlands of the Gorafe Desert, easily the most spectacular corner of Andalusia. Situated in the Granada province, the Gorafe (also known as Tabernas) Desert lies between the towns of…

200 miles ON TEST R&G Brake Lever Guard £42.79 Pretty much all trackdays these days require you to have a brake lever guard fitted to your bike. This one from R&G has been tested on our Suzuki GSX-8S, but it also fits the 2017-on GSX-R1000 range. Compliant with BSB regulations, it's made of a glossy black plastic, which colour matches perfectly with the GSX-8S, and is installed in a matter of moments – leaving plenty of room for brake lever movement with even the furthest level of span adjustment. Although no tools are included, you'll just need an Allen key and spanner from your toolbox, with the fitting instructions found online to save paper. That said, a quick glance at the five parts in the box, and it becomes obvious…

Has ridden just about everything in a 20-year MCN road testing career. Thanks to the magic of insurance, I have a replacement H2 SX, just five weeks after my original was stolen in Naples. It's good to be back. Back on my travels My first trip on ‘MkII’ was down to Brands Hatch to ride my 20bhpmore powerful, 100kg less S1000RR race bike. The BMW was like a toy in comparison and so light it felt like I could've lifted it up and put it under my arm. It's more raw, accelerates with extra venom, brakes harder and leans further, but after a nearly a year away it scrambled my brain. Getting back on the H2 SX for my two-hour ride home was like slipping into a warm bath. MkII…

BUYING USED EXPERT GUIDE TO In late 2007 a bike arrived that changed the whole middleweight naked bike class for good – Triumph's outstanding Street Triple. Borrowing heavily from their amazing inline triple Daytona 675 supersport bike, Triumph created a unique, lightweight naked against a sea of de-tuned 600cc inline-four rivals. The Street Triple went on to become the firm's best-selling bike for years and to this day remains extremely popular. Owing to this, there are some alluring bargains out there in the used market. £2500-£4500 2007-2012 Street Triple Triumph's original bug-eyed 675 ruled Europe's roads When the Street Triple arrived in 2007 it blew all of its rivals out of the water. Bigger in capacity and with much more mid-range punch than its inline four middleweight rivals such as…

The big news is that general admission tickets now include roving grandstand access which means great views all round, whilst there's a variety of live entertainment each evening on the new main stage plus a funfair and a whole lot more. THURSDAY AUGUST 3 ● 09:00-20:00 Two Wheels for Life Day (11:00-15:00 Paddock Visit & 14:15-15:00 Pit Lane Visit) ● 12:15-12:30 Two Wheels for Life: Ride-in On Track ● 12:45-14:00 Track Technical Test ● 14:00-14:30 British Talent Cup: Meet & Greet with MotoGP Riders (Starting Straight) FRIDAY AUGUST 4 ● 08:30-08:45 FIM ENEL MotoE World Championship Practice 1 ● 09:00-09:35 Moto3 Practice 1 ● 09:50-10:30 Moto2 Practice 1 ● 10:45-11:30 MotoGP Free Practice 1 ● 11:45-12:10 British Talent Cup Free Practice 1 ● 12:25-12:40 FIM ENEL MotoE World Championship Practice…