Table of contents for 04 October 2023 in MCN

‘More athletic, more dynamic, more lightweight’ BMW’S DESIGN BOSS, EDGAR HEINRICH NEW BIKES Adventure bike shake-up for '24 This week sees a flurry of adventure bike activity – presumably an intentional tactic by several of the big players in an attempt to steal some attention away from the new R1300GS. Honda have given their two Africa Twins a useful smattering of upgrades and changes; Ducati have brought the much-anticipated DesertX Rally to market, and Triumph have updated their Scrambler 1200s, too. PAGES 6, 7 & 9 THE BIG TEST A large dose of sibling rivalry Sticking with the adventure theme, this trio of middleweights are trying to compete with one another by being fundamentally underpinned by the same components. KTM’s 890 Adventure and 790 Adventure meet their CFMoto 800MT half-brother to…

Honda’s adventure bike duo – the CRF1100L Africa Twin and more road-biased, touring Africa Twin Adventure Sports – are receiving significant makeovers for 2024. Both get an extensively redesigned front fairing, which now includes a five-way adjustable screen, plus engine tweaks which boost peak torque by a claimed 7%. Both will also be compatible with Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) semi-automatic transmission system. The Adventure Sport goes from a 21in to 19in front wheel with shorter suspension travel and is only available in DCT form, while the more off-road Africa Twin gets the option of Showa ‘EERA’ electronic suspension. Launched in 2015 as the CRF1000 Africa Twin, the first upgrade came in 2018 when the Adventure Sport, with an enlarged 24-litre tank and more rugged, off-road looks was added. The…

The number of younger motorists driving while under the influence of drugs has reached ‘epidemic levels’, according to safety body IAM RoadSmart amid calls for greater policing and better education about the dangers. A survey of 2028 drivers conducted by the road safety charity in March revealed that almost a third (28%) of 16-24 year-olds had driven under the influence of illegal drugs or been a passenger inside a vehicle where the driver had taken illegal drugs within the previous 24-hour period. “Our research clearly shows there’s a shocking level of illegal drug-driving among younger drivers which risks not only their lives but those of all road users,” Nicholas Lyes, Director of Policy and Standards at IAM RoadSmart, commented. “We need more police officers conducting roadside drug tests as well…

LeoVince X3 EVO £410 This lightweight stainless steel end can is designed to fit a whole range of off-road models from manufacturers such as Gas Gas, KTM, Husqvarna and Kawasaki. It comes with a carbon fibre end cap and all necessary fittings, plus a rubber bung to prevent water ingress during washing. The X3 EVO is rebuildable and has an integrated spark arrestor. www.leovince.com Alpinestars XT-8 Gore-Tex Boots £389.99 All-new adventure enduro boot offers breathability and waterproofing from its Gore-Tex membrane. Construction is synthetic microfibre and textile, with an off-road rubber sole. External TPU armour, reinforced toe and heel boxes, plus Alpinestars’ Transversal Protection Frame boost safety. www.oxfordproducts.com OptiMate Battery Monitor £26.90 Get an instant indication of battery status with this combined monitor and charging socket. It attaches directly to…

Q ‘Lawyer won’t help my son’ I was carrying my 16-year-old son on the back when a car pulled out of a side road into my path. I was able to swerve out of the way and there was nothing coming in the opposite direction but we both hit the ground and were slightly injured. My son hurt his ankle and wrist. I have been given a lawyer to represent me but they won’t act for my son. They told me it was not viable. Why is this? Geraint Owen, email A Acting for children in claims that involve minor injuries has become unprofitable in most cases because of the low fixed fees that these cases attract and because the court insists on “an infant settlement approval hearing” to approve…

Oliver’s Mount is mainland Britain’s only road racing course and it’s notoriously tough. Just over 2.4 miles of tight, twisty and technical tarmac that requires riders to have skill, bravery and tenacity in equal measure. Racer Chris Ganley has all those qualities and more besides. Two weeks ago, Chris took on Oliver’s challenging undulations at the Gold Cup meeting aboard his Suzuki SV650 minitwin alongside a grid full of brave and talented road racers, the only difference being that Chris only has one arm. Army veteran Chris had his left arm amputated following a bike accident in 2014, but since that day he’s achieved great things, not only becoming a prolific racer and, as far as he’s aware, the first disabled rider to race in the British Championship paddock, but…

‘More than cosmetic’ Velocity Moto’s kits may appear to be little more than cosmetic enhancements, but the substantial improvement in kerb appeal genuinely changes how you feel about what are relatively ordinary production bikes in their original state – none more so than the fairly basic XSR, which feels like a different bike in this heavily accessorised, mechanically-enhanced state. The sticking point will be the price of the kit for some, given the XSR700 is aimed at the budget-conscious. But it’s still only the same price as a Z900RS, much more individual and more fun than the genteel Kawasaki, too. If you like the look and have the money to spend, you won’t be disappointed. THE FACTS £11,750 Velocity Moto Yamaha 700 YPXS…

‘An indispensable cornerstone of BMW’ In the run up to the unveiling of the new R1300GS, BMW Motorrad’s factory in Spandau, Berlin, saw the production of the one millionth boxer GS. On June 21 this year, a BMW R1250GS Triple Black came off the assembly line to signify the milestone and was celebrated during a works meeting at the German plant. Dr Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad, said at the time: “With the R80G/S and its unique combination of on-road and off-road suitability, everyday qualities and long-distance touring abilities, BMW Motorrad created the new genre of touring enduros in 1980. “The BMW GS with its boxer engine became an icon, which achieved global success in this segment. What is more, the GS became a legend and at the same…

Oxford MagniMate £8.99 Tested by Emma Franklin for six months Over the years, I’ve amassed hundreds of free sidestand pucks from goodie bags and there’s usually one knocking around in my rucksack. For the times I’ve been caught short I’ve resorted to supporting my bike’s weight on a rock or crushed drinks can. However, the trouble with regular ‘free’ pucks (or using random bits of litter) is that they can be tricky to get into position. This is the problem that the MagniMate addresses – the robust construction means that it provides a highly stable base on all terrains, meanwhile the strong magnet self-locates onto your sidestand, meaning no awkward moments trying to kick the puck into place. Quality Value oxfordproducts.com 6 months ON TEST…

Changing belts is a task any competent home mechanic can perform, even though it always seems a fairly in-depth and scary job to tackle. The steps outlined here give a general overview, so you should always refer to the exact procedure in a workshop manual before you start. One of the points that I don’t mention in this guide is that, when you’re doing this kind of maintenance, it’s always a good opportunity to give other parts of the bike some attention, too, particularly on older machines. So while fitting new belts on this Ducati 996 I also gave the fuel system a clean out and service – and I’m glad that I did because what I found lurking within was quite astonishing! Finally, a big thanks to the guys…

SPORT ROUND 11 PORTUGAL | WSB Bringing you the stories behind the superbike headlines Next year sees a monumental shake-up to the World Superbike grid. After nine years with Kawasaki, Jonathan Rea heads to Yamaha to fill the seat vacated by BMW-bound Toprak Razgatlioglu. Scott Redding jumps from one BMW team to another, while Axel Bassani trades in a customer Ducati for a factory Kawasaki. Iker Lecuona could move to MotoGP and be replaced at Honda by Michael Ruben Rinaldi, who could alternatively move to Puccetti which will swap Kawasaki for Ducati machinery. These are major times of change and adaptation. Putting one’s eggs in a single basket can work spectacularly, as proven by Marc Marquez and Honda plus Rea and Kawasaki. The same could be said, to a lesser extent,…

WSB CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS 1 BAUTISTA 566 Pts 2 RAZGATLIOGLU 506 Pts 3 REA 350 Pts Baz 57 Van Der Mark 48 Ray 19 Baldassarri 15 Sykes11 Syahrin 10 Haslam 2 Marino 1 Soomer 1 Rabat 1 Vinales 1 Lopes1 WSB POSITIONS RACE 1 16 Baldassarri +34.162 17 Ray +36.702 18 Baz +40.829 19 Rabat +46.446 20 Syahrin +52.185 21 Granado +53.598 22 Ruiu +53.916 23 Konig +1’10.052 DNF Rinaldi 8 laps DNF Viñales 5 laps WSB POSITIONS SP RACE 11 Bassani +11.362 12 Baz +12.751 13 Redding +12.806 14 Aegerter +13.053 15 Petrucci +13.609 16 Baldassarri +18.858 17 Ray +21.305 18 Rabat +21.363 19 Syahrin +23.818 20 Viñales +24.348 21 Ruiu +31.299 DNF Lowes 7 laps DNF Rea 1 laps WSB POSITIONS RACE 1 16 Rabat +42.685 17 Viñales +42.967 18 Ray…

Josh Brookes made a welcome return to the podium after showcasing his wet weather prowess in Sunday’s final race. It was a turnaround in fortune after the Aussie faced a challenging start during practice and qualifying in the dry, with Brookes going on to secure his first podium in 16 races. “Absolutely thrilled,” he said. “I was starting to wonder if I’d ever meet the podium again. For the wet, we didn’t have much to do, the bike seemed to work well.” Brookes lapped up Sunday’s rain…

RACE RESULTS O’Halloran takes Race 3 glory BSB CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS 1 BRIDEWELL 368 Pts 2 IRWIN G 360.5 Pts 3 RYDE 333 Pts 16 Neave 71pts 17 Mossey 57pts 18 Irwin A 44pts 19 Perie 36pts 20 Bourne 30pts 21 Harrison 26pts 22 Buchan 25pts 23 BSB POSITIONS RACE 1 16 Iddon +1’02.397 17 O’Halloran +1’03.652 18 Todd +1’05.124 19 Elliott +1’05.587 20 Nesbitt +1’06.935 21 Dunlop +1’07.649 22 Olsen +1’20.148 23 Irwin +1 lap 24 Bridewell +1 lap DNF Irwin 9 laps, Canepa 9 laps BSB POSITIONS RACE 2 16 Scott +33.813 17 Elliott +1 lap DNF Irwin A 13 laps, Irwin G 11 laps, Bridewell 11 laps, Perie 11 laps, Stacey 5 laps, Valleley 5 laps, Dunlop 3 laps Mossey 3 laps DNS Bourne 0 laps BSB POSITIONS…

There will be an additional Superbike race at the NW200 races in 2024. In addition to the two six-lap Superbike races which take place on Saturday there will now be a new Superbike race added to the Thursday schedule, which will run alongside the Superstock and Supersport races. The event is scheduled to take place from May 6-11, 2024. Dates for the 2024 Isle of Man TT have also been confirmed with next year’s event running May 27 to June 8. It is expected that the prestigious two-week event will continue with a similar schedule to the one that was introduced this year, meaning there will be a total of 10 races on the 37.73-mile circuit.…

SAVE £1600 £19,799 Yamaha R1 Crescent Motorcycles have knocked off £500 and bundled up £1100 of Yamaha accessories in the shape of an Akrapovic end can, Yamaha tail tidy knee and tank pad kit and a colour-coded seat cowl to give this icon blue R1 a stunning look. With 197bhp on tap from its 998cc cross-plane engine, you’ll not be left wanting in any department. www.crescent-motorcycles.co.uk SAVE £5421 £16,999 BMW R18 Classic BMW’s premium cruiser in its mile-munching form is a classy alternative to a Harley-Davidson bagger. Perfect if you’re fond of deploying Autosol. www.dicklovett.co.uk • Engine 1802cc • Power 91bhp • Weight 365kg • Seat height 690mm SAVE £1600 £3599 KTM RC125 This is a proper-sized learner bike with a spacious, sporty riding position and plenty of room even…

THIS WEEK A Cheshire man has been sent to prison for a year after being caught on, and convicted of handling, a stolen motorcycle. Runcorn man Liam Lingham was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, September 13 – getting 12 months behind bars after earlier pleading guilty. “Lingham is an opportunist, and his actions demonstrate what little regard he held for the law, and I welcome the sentence,” PC Stuart Beswick told MCN. “We are all fully aware that being the victim of a motorbike theft is a deeply unpleasant experience. Anyone would be angry and upset to discover that their motorbike had been stolen, especially if they had taken the precaution of chaining it up.” The officer continued: “I hope this case deters others from handling stolen motorbikes…

The next generation of young British racing talent was treated to a media masterclass late last month, as the Ride to the FIM Awards series of events headed to the MXGP at Winchester’s Matterley Basin. Taking place ahead of this year’s FIM Awards ceremony in Liverpool, in December, riders aged 7-16 attended a workshop to learn from a panel of motocross industry experts, including British MXGP rider Ben Watson and former MCN editor Adam Duckworth, on how to present themselves to the media. ‘Express your personality in a positive way’ Topics discussed during the event on September 23 included managing emotional tension and what to post on social media, as well as the awareness of being ambassadors for their sport. Addressing the youngsters, FIM Motocross Commission Director Antonio Alia Portela…

‘Totally bonkers (when it worked)’ Aprilia’s recent news that they are building a new lightweight twin made me think about another twin they made – although this one was far from the easy-going A2-legal machine the RS457 promises to be. Released in 2007 the SXV550 was an absolutely barking supermoto (and also an enduro) that was powered by a very spirited V-twin. In an age of single-cylinder supermotos, the SXV (which also came in 450 format) was seriously cutting-edge, made over 60bhp, weighed 125kg and was basically a supermoto race bike with lights. It was bonkers to ride but that twin-cylinder engine was also something of a grenade, as I discovered. I had to do some photographs on one and as it was a last minute job I ended up…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com This is where it all started with my Batman bike. I’m still riding today (but not the Batman bike). Richard Leonard My first big bike in 1966 – it was a 1961 350cc Velocete Viper before I moved on to a BSA Gold Star. Willy Taylor Aged 17, first big bike after my Fizzie. Gotta love the powdercoated engine and wheels. Yeah, the 80s. Paul Mason My first bike was this Yamaha 125 AS3 back in 1974. It was constantly breaking down! Peter Broadhurst My first proper bike Yamaha RD350 which I kept immaculate. I think this was taken in around 1974. Michael Appleton My freshly MoT’d Honda CG125. I was 16 years old and waiting for my 17th birthday. Paul Hanley I…

1 October 7 Rufforth Autojumble York’s Rufforth Autojumble returns this Saturday. Dubbed the north’s biggest autojumble, it’s definitely the place for a late-in-the-year bargain. www.rufforthautojumble.com 2 October 8 Classic Day Dedicated to Brit Vs (Vincent and Velocette) as well as classic bikes in their entirety, you’re sure to see some iconic metal at the Ace this week. london.acecafe.com 3 October 7 RWYB Run What Ya Brung is back at Northamptonshire’s Santa Pod on Saturday with sign-on from £62. Lovers of Japanese marques take note, it’s the Jap Show finale on Sunday too. santapod.co.uk 4 October 8 Notts Classic Car and Bike Show This Sunday at Thoresby Park in Nottingham is a classic car and bike show and jumble. Tickets are available online with discounts for kids. classicshows.org…

THURSDAY October 5 7.30pm, EUR2, Live British Speedway: Grand Final Leg 2 FRIDAY October 6 10.30am, TNT2, MotoE Highlights: Season Review SUNDAY October 8 12pm, EUR2, Live Motocross World Championship of Nations from Ernee, France: Race 1 MONDAY October 9 9.30am, EUR2, Motocross World Championship of Nations from Ernee, France: Race 2. 10.30am Race 3 5pm, EUR2, World Superbikes from Portugal: Highlights 6pm, EUR2, British Speedway Highlights: Grand Final KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT - DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC - DISCOVERY CHANNEL DHD - DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD EXS - EXTREME SPORTS CHANNEL EUR1 (2, HD) - EUROSPORT 1 (2, HD) MOT - MOTORSPORT.TV CH4 - CHANNEL 4 CH5 - CHANNEL FIVE BBC BBCI – BBC INTERACTIVE ESPN – ESPN CLASSIC CHANNEL ITV DST – DISCOVERY TURBO SHED -DISCOVERY SHED INST – INSIGHT…

THE MCN TEST ● THE HOTTEST BIKES ● EVERY WEEK £9999 KTM 790 Adventure ● 799cc parallel twin ● 94bhp/64.2lb.ft ● £74.35 per month PCP £9199 CFMoto 800MT Touring ● 799cc parallel twin ● 90bhp/64.2lb.ft ● £119 per month PCP £13,299 KTM 890 Adventure ● 889cc parallel twin ● 104bhp/73.7lb.ft ● £141.83 per month PCP Sharing a platform of components across a bundle of different bikes is nothing new – and it makes real sense, because instead of stretching budgets, manufacturers can direct their efforts into creating a package that works well, before moulding it across different styles of machinery. And the Pierer Mobility Group? Well, they don’t just do cross-platforming, they do it across brands, too. For years now, their KTM machinery has powered the likes of Husqvarna, GasGas…

FIRST RIDE Back in 2021 MCN tested the Silence S01 – a very promising Spanish-made electric scooter which combined 125-ish performance with the convenience of a portable battery pack-on-wheels. Two years later it’s still part of Silence’s UK line-up, (now named S01 Connected) but it’s no longer top of their range. Instead the flagship is this S01+ with the ‘Plus’ referring to Silence’s claims of more speed, better suspension and upgraded stopping power. However, it could also be a reference to the significantly meatier price. So, what’s different about this new Plus model and are the updates worth paying for? 1 Press to overtake Silence say the S01+ can do 68mph, 6mph faster than the S01. But it’s not that simple. In full-fat Sport mode, top speed remains an indicated…

RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor 3 months ON TEST Abus Granit Victory X-Plus £104.99 Tested by Ben Clarke for three months The Abus Victory 68 X-Plus disc lock is a Diamond-rated security product that you can easily carry around with you – so why wouldn’t you? In fact, Abus make this even easier to do by supplying a small carry pouch with Velcro straps to fix it to a bit of exposed frame should you wish. The lock itself feels really wellmade with a sturdy mechanism that is smooth to operate. The bolt is 14mm and made from hardened steel but the design of the unit means that it is near impossible to get to it with a cutting device anyway. The lock has a rubberised ring that…

Suomy SR-GP £613.99 Tested by Joseph Wright for six months The Suomy SR-GP helmet is a favourite among MotoGP and TT riders, but I wasn’t sure how versatile it would be for everyday road use. Although primarily designed for short race stints, this helmet defies assumptions about rider comfort. Instead of relying on soft foam and cushioning, it provides comfort through a sense of weightlessness. Weighing just 1.1kg with a low drag coefficient, it minimises fatigue during extended rides. The helmet's only firm contact point is where the cheek pads conform to your cheekbones, offering support while eliminating pressure on the head's top and sides. This grip on your cheeks proves invaluable on the track, allowing effortless head movement. 3000 miles ON TEST Its exceptional 210-degree peripheral vision challenges the…

That's cam-tastic Ducati timing belts due for replacement? Here’s how it’s done… BRUCE’S TIPS Always use OE spec belts and steer clear of ‘bargain’ parts for this job 1 Meet the cambelts A traditional feature of Ducati twins, cambelts use drive from the crank to turn the camshafts, which in turn activate the Desmodromic valves. With such a critical job to do, they need regular servicing; depending on the model, it’s roughly every two years on older bikes and five on newer ones – but check with the service manual for your bike. 2 Expose the engine Before you begin work you will need to remove any bodywork covering up the sides of the engine so that you can gain easy access – on some models you may also need to remove…

SPORT ROUND 11 PORTUGAL | WSB Bringing you the inside line on the Portimao WSB round TOP STORY As the crowds filtered out of the Portimao circuit on Sunday evening, they knew they’d just witnessed one of the all-time World Superbike classcs. Across 20 laps of Race 2, championship contenders Alvaro Bautista (Ducati) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) exchanged the top spot on no fewer than 38 occasions – an average of almost two lead changes per lap. In a health and safety world of precautions and warnings, what happened on the Algarve proved yet again that motorcycle racing is one of the few true gladiatorial sports the world has left to offer. The crowd were on their feet in the grandstands as the two rivals looked to achieve their goals: Bautista…

SPORT ROUND 10 DONINGTON | BSB Reporting direct from the 2023 BSB Showdown The drama between Tommy Bridewell and Glenn Irwin has left them vulnerable to an attack at Brands Hatch from multiple rivals. Six more riders still have a mathematical chance thanks to there being a total of 105 points up for grabs at the season finale, and four of the six are a little too close for comfort for PBM’s liking. Wins for Kyle Ryde and Jason O’Halloran, plus multiple podiums for Leon Haslam and further consistency from Lee Jackson have kept them within a reasonable gap to Bridewell with three races to go. Josh Brookes and Christian Iddon also have slim chances of success. Showdown ticket for Ryde Had it not been for the weather, there’s a good…

SPORT ROUND 10 DONINGTON | BSB Reporting direct from the 2023 BSB Showdown Whoever writes the script in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship deserves an Oscar… When the season reaches the business end, you simply do not know what’s going to happen next. Tensions rose dramatically at Donington Park in a remarkable weekend in which Glenn Irwin left with no points, whilst BeerMonster Ducati teammate Tommy Bridewell claimed just eight. The pair limped home at the back of Saturday’s wet race, before they came together in race two, whilst Irwin suffered a bike failure in the finale. Of course, the fire had already been lit at Oulton following the safety car controversy, but Donington threw petrol all over it. We’d seen close racing between Bridewell and Irwin throughout the year, we’d…

Twelve races into 2023, and the biggest dry winning margin in Moto3 stood at 0.45s. Now Jaume Masia has racked up convincing back-to-back victories (5.4s ahead in India, 1.5s in Japan) in a fortnight to assume control of the title fight, taking the lead off Dani Holgado for the first time all season. But after retiring from the Austrian GP due to a technical issue, which left him trailing by 52 points in the championship, Masia and his Leopard Honda team decided on a crucial strategy switch. As Christian Lundberg, the team’s Technical Director, revealed in Japan, “We changed our strategy. Mid-season we thought we must not keep Masia going slowly and saving crashes as we were only thinking about getting points. If he’s thinking too much about strategy, he’s…

MOTOGP CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS 1 BAGNAIA 319 Pts 2 MARTIN 316 Pts 3 BEZZECCHI 265 Pts 16 Di Giannantonio 53pts 17 Rins 47pts 18 Nakagami 45pts 19 Fernandez R 36pts 20 Pedrosa 32pts 21 Bastianini 25pts 22 Mir 20pts 23 Espargaro P 12pts 24 Savadori 9pts 25 Folger 9pts 26 Bradl 8pts 27 Pirro 5pts 28 Petrucci 5pts 29 Crutchlow 3pts FINAL POSITIONS MOTOGP 11 Nakagami +14.714 12 Mir +14.924 13 Crutchlow +16.057 14 Bradl +17.253 15 Espargaro P +24.921 16 Pirro +33.962 17 Morbidelli +1’14.934 18 Oliveira +1 lap 19 Viñales +1 lap DNF Zarco 12 laps, Binder 5 laps FINAL POSITIONS SP RACE 11 Espargaro P +15.473 12 Fernandez A +15.592 13 Mir +17.052 14 Oliveira +18.092 15 Quartararo +19.333 16 Morbidelli +19.645 17 Nakagami +21.862 18 Crutchlow +26.026 19 Pirro…

BOSS TALK With factory and satellite Ducati riders battling for the title, it would be fair to assume Bagnaia’s factory status may give him preference. But sporting director Paolo Ciabatti insisted that isn’t the case. “Martin is a factory rider with a factory contract. He has the same bike as Pecco,” Ciabatti said. “If we had any worries he could win the championship, we would not be putting ourselves in that situation. “We said last year, Martin would have exactly the same material, the same treatment. The red team is supposed to get something better but there is no difference. The latest updates are on both bikes. It’s up to the riders to show who is the best.”…

Harley-Davidson have added an extra incentive to taking a test ride on their Pan America Special by offering the chance to win one complete with extras – plus a day out for two at Mick Extance’s H-D Adventure Centre in Wales. Riders who book and complete a PanAm test ride by December 1 will be entered into the prize draw. New-look NT1100 Honda’s NT1100 tourer will be available in two new colours for 2024. Aside from the existing grey metallic version, which has proved a big success with over 12,000 sold across Europe since 2022 (66% in DCT form) there will now be a new blue metallic and candy red option. The grey version also gets a new black rear carrier. Visit honda.co.uk/motorcycles to locate your nearest dealer. Shed &…

NEW MODELS Triumph are bidding to make their Scrambler 1200 range more appealing to a wider range of customers for 2024, introducing a new lower and cheaper X model to sit alongside a revamped, more rugged XE variant. Order books have now opened for both machines, which share the same trellis frame and 1200cc twin-cylinder engine, producing just shy of 90bhp. An update on the existing motor, it now features a revised 50mm single throttle body and exhaust headers – designed to improve flow as well as deliver a broader wedge of torque from 5000rpm upwards. Peak power of 89bhp now arrives slightly earlier – down by 250rpm to 7000 – with the 81lb.ft peak torque also appearing at just 4250rpm (that is also down by 250 revs). The Scrambler…

SAVE OVER 25% X-Lite X-803 Ultra Carbon RS - Iridium £369.99 Major savings on top-spec gear Big ticket items are this week’s hot topic, and we’ve landed a haul of high-value offers with welcome discounts. The X-Lite X-803 is a lightweight racing helmet that tips the scales at just 1310g, thanks to its carbon fibre outer shell. It’s packed with track ready tech, including a large aerodynamic spoiler at the rear with an interchangeable and adjustable wing for fine tuning stability at high speeds. Ventilation ports at the chin, brow and crown drive airflow through the interior for maximum cooling and the entire moisturewicking lining can be removed for refreshing, as well as being adjusted for a perfect fit. A double locking mechanism prevents visor lift at high speeds, and…

‘Men are involved in the most accidents’ A Government report into 2022 road casualties across Great Britain has found that fatal collisions involving distracted, speeding, or careless motorists are at their highest level across the past 10 years. Released at the end of September, the data shows that 458 road users died as a result of an impairment or distraction last year – that figure is up from 367 in 2021. On top of this, 335 motorists were killed in incidents relating to travelling in a careless or reckless manner, or ‘in a hurry.’ Yet another decade high came from excess speed, with 303 deaths – up from 253 the year before. The data also showed that men were the most at risk. “Confirmation that last year saw a rise…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews STAR LETTER Make ULEZ prove it John Stevens’ letter about having to pay to get his bike tested for ULEZ compliance got me thinking (MCN, September 27). If you know your bike or any other vehicle is compliant, surely it is up to Transport for London to prove otherwise before they can fine you. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Robert Eaton, email Write something that spikes our interest, and you could get selected for the Star Letter slot. Each week one lucky reader will receive an MCN T-shirt in a variety of different designs So what's the problem? Re Charles Lancaster’s letter (MCN, September 27) where he says Ducati’s dominance in racing is a problem. What is the problem? Does he easily forget Honda’s…

THE UK’S HOTTEST RIDES MCN staff and readers share their favourite routes Our journey begins in Stamford, head north through to Corby Glen on the B1176 until you reach the junction with the A151. Turn left and pass through the village, on the outskirts hang right towards Grantham. Take the first exit at the roundabout with the A52 and head south, follow signs to Colsterworth. From here the B676 twists and turns to Buckminster, where you turn towards Sproxton and Stonesby. On the outskirts of Eastwell turn left through to Old Dalby before heading into Ashfordby. Follow signs to Melton Mowbray before taking the B6047. It’s mile after mile of glorious, undulating tarmac that crosses the A47 before arriving at the A6. A short hop to Great Bowden and the…

‘790 is such good value’ Funnily enough, the outcome of this test completely went against my expectations. Considering each machine and their spec sheets, I thought that the CFMoto would be a mighty tool for motorway stints. And, while I knew the 790 would be impressive, I thought the 890 Adventure would outclass them both with its riding dynamics. But that wasn’t the case. Although it is the cheapest and packed with the most goodies, the CF’s ability on the road really does let it down, especially if big mileage is your thing. And yes, the 890 Adventure is a mightily impressive machine both on and off-road that justifies the additional cost, but it was the 790 Adventure that surprised me the most. Considering the hefty price difference on PCP,…

1980-1986 R80G/S Engine 797 .5cc, air-cooled, four-stroke, boxer twin, SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder Power 50bhp @ 6500rpm Mass 167kg (dry) Original G/S was essentially an R80 boxer in a modified R65/45 frame with added Monolever suspension and bespoke bodywork and tyres. The first big-bore ‘touring enduro’ was born. 1984 R80G/S Paris-Dakar Engine 797 .5cc, air-cooled, four-stroke, boxer twin, SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder Power 50bhp @ 6500rpm Mass 167kg (dry) The G/S proved particularly suited to the new Paris-Dakar Rally, BMW entered a works team in 1981 and won with Hubert Auriol and again in 1983, inspiring this replica, with 32-litre tank and solo seat. 1987-1990 R80GS (& R100GS) Engine 797 .5cc (980cc), air-cooled, four-stroke, boxer twin, SOHC, 2 valve p/c Power 50bhp @ 6500rpm (R100GS: 60bhp @ 6500rpm)…

‘Great but not cheap’ The S01+ offers an incremental improvement over the S01. The additional 6mph only comes in 30-second bursts, and given the scooter isn’t cut out for slogging along A-roads at speed, the benefit is limited. Similarly, ABS would be a more useful braking upgrade than a wavy disc. And while damping adjustment is better to have than not, the ride quality is no magic carpet. Instead, the S01+ is one of the best electric commuters thanks to the fundamentals from the regular S01 – huge storage, a decent range at city speeds, and a portable battery pack. But, as with so many electrics, while the running costs may be minimal the price is not. THE FACTS £7475 Silence S01+…

MCN’s website has expert opinion and buying advice on hundreds of used machines, regularly updated and packed with insight. Here are three of the latest reviews– visit motorcyclenews.com for more and to rate your bike. 2023-CURRENT Ducati Monster SP Owners’ rating A perfect five out of five? Well, to be fair only one owner has reviewed it so far (thanks Paul…) but he is delighted with it. And rightly so, the SP oozes quality and handles brilliantly. 2021-CURRENT Yamaha MT-09 SP Owners’ rating Despite scoring it five out of five, one of the owners who have reviewed the latest MT-09 SP is left frustrated by the bike’s cluttered switchgear and very small TFT dash. 2020-2022 Triumph Street Triple 765 RS Owners’ rating Owners rave about the secondgeneration RS. With the…

‘He ignored the advisory… and the wheel collapsed’ If you ignore warnings about your bike needing some TLC it can endanger your safety and cost you hundreds, as this Aprilia RS4 125 owner found out to his cost. Dan Brown, 29, owner of Warwickshire Motorcycle Services, told MCN: “It was a friend of mine, which makes it worse. He had an MoT advisory on the wheel bearing, didn’t do anything and two or three weeks later the back wheel collapsed because of the bearings. I had to go and recover him. “The rear wheel bearing collapsed and the bits damaged the spindle and shaved the inside of the wheel. When we turned up, the back wheel was wobbling all over the place – we could barely roll the bike around…

The son of a Dutch sheep farmer, 21-year-old Jeffrey Buis goes down in history as the first double world champion in Supersport 300, having won his maiden title three years ago. Both crowns have come for MTM Kawasaki, the team which tragically lost Victor Steeman in a Portimao accident last year. For 2024, Buis remains in Supersport 300 but with KTM, stepping up together to World Supersport in 2025. Rea fears no more Kawasaki wins Knowing Jerez is a tricky Kawasaki circuit, Jonathan Rea fears his last win in green may have already come at Most back in the summer. The six-time world champion took a stunning pole, but suffered incidents in all three races and endured a long lap penalty. He apologised to both Scott Redding and Xavi Vierge…

What a weekend. Absolutely epic racing in BSB, WSB and MotoGP and to top it all off Strictly Come Dancing is back… living the dream! In BSB, Vickers in the first race was absolutely brilliant in the wet and O’Halloran in the final race performed what you can only describe as a demolition ride. But the talking point was Bridewell and Irwin. The keyboard warriors are talking about riders brake checking each other. Let me tell you, nobody brake checks anyone on a 200mph motorbike. Tommy was that fast that it was a thrown-away opportunity. He got to the leaders so quickly and with hindsight he should have cooled his jets and then had a go. What both need to consider is that they could get their pockets picked for…

Christian Iddon was the only Ducati superbike rider with a smile on his face on Sunday night after bagging a pair of podiums. Third in Sunday’s tricky opener was followed by another impressive wet performance which saw him equal his season best result of second. Iddon later revealed he had some visibility issues during his battle with Leon Haslam, whilst he’d not yet run the full wet tyres all weekend. Iddon now has four podiums to his name in 2023, with Sunday’s results ending an unwanted run of six seventh place finishes in the previous seven outings. Iddon’s positive end to the year may yet continue. In the first meeting at Brands Hatch in July, he secured two podiums and a fourth onboard his Oxford Products Racing Ducati V4 R.…

The MotoGP calendar looks likely to swell to 22 races in 2024. The provisional calendar will see the new Sokol circuit in Kazakhstan added to the schedule. The season will start in early March in Qatar and conclude in mid November at Valencia. The British MotoGP round is expected take place at Silverstone on August 2-4. Round 1 Lusail, Qatar March 8-10 Round 2 Portimao, Portugal * March 22-4 Round 3 Termas, Argentina April 5-7 Round 4 COTA, USA April 12-14 Round 5 Jerez, Spain April 26-28 Round 6 Le Mans, France May 10-12 Round 7 Catalunya, Spain May 24-26 Round 8 Mugello, Italy May 31-June 2 Round 9 Sokol, Kazakhstan** June 14-16 Round 10 Assen, Netherlands June 28-30 Round 11 Sachsenring, Germany July 5-7 Round 12 Silverstone, Great Britain…

SPORT ROUND 14 JAPAN | MOTOGP Reporting direct from the Japanese MotoGP round TOP STORY Such was the head of steam Jorge Martin had built up by the Sprint at Motegi, chief contender Francesco Bagnaia would have been forgiven for praying for an act of God to halt the Spaniard’s charge. One certainly arrived on Sunday. But rather than knock Martin off his stride, MotoGP’s first flag-to-flag race since August 2021, the ultimate curveball, simply confirmed the 25-year-old isn’t going away. For in the Japanese rain, Martin displayed a tenacity and confidence when fighting back from a near crash at turn three to regain five positions in three laps before confidently leading from Bagnaia in worsening conditions that almost appeared designed to catch him out. His ice-cool composure even earned the…

People say rain is a great leveller in motorcycle racing. It can be, but much less so than it used to be. Today’s fastest MotoGP riders are so complete that they have no real weaknesses because the racing is too tight for that. Your chain is only as strong as its weakest link and that’s not going to win you a world championship. Thus the results of Sunday’s rain-lashed Japanese Grand Prix were pretty much the same as they would have been in the dry, with title fighters Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia out front, riding very nearly perfect races, and most of the usual front-runners in the top 10. There was one exception, of course: Marc Marquez. No one in MotoGP is prepared to risk it like the eight-time…