Table of contents for 22 July 2020 in MCN

After trips across Norway and South Africa, Honda have announced their ‘Adventure Roads’ riding holiday package will return next year with a trip to Iceland. Honda will be offering 30 people the chance to spend 11 days riding across Iceland (with some HRC rally pros, no less) on the latest version of the Africa Twin Adventure Sports. No prices yet but previous trips have cost around £6600 – for more info or to register your interest head to www.hondaadventureroads.com.…

THURSDAY 9.30am, EUR2, Superbikes: Time for a bit of Whit & Friends FRIDAY 8am, BTS2, Live MotoGP: GP of Andalucia FP1. FP2 at 12pm SATURDAY 10pm, QUEST, World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides: Germany SUNDAY 9.30am, Moto2 at 11am and MotoGP at 12.30pm. Chequered Flag at 2pm 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 IT V DST – DISCOVERY TURBO SHED – DISCOVERY SHED INST – INSIGHT SS1 (2, 3 OR X) - SKY SPORTS 1 (2, 3 OR EXTRA) QUEST BTS1 – BT SPORT 1 BTS2 –…

The National Motorcycle Museum has issued an urgent appeal to help raise £500,000 to reopen, following closure due to coronavirus. In a new scheme launched last Friday, patrons are being invited to either donate via the museum’s website or take part in a raffle to win one of a number of classic British bikes – the top prize being a new/old stock 1977 Norton Commando 850. The Solihull-based venue, which normally relies on visitors to the exhibition as well as the onsite conference centre and two hotels that are also part of the business to provide the necessary income, has been badly hit by the pandemic. “Without the income from our three sister businesses, there is little likelihood of the museum opening, and then remaining open, until they return to…

We’ve got together with Spada to give away £500 worth of clothing vouchers to one lucky biker. The Spada collection was created to be practical, feel comfortable – both on and off the machine – and all at a price that helps you put more fuel in the tank and more miles on the clock. With a huge range of products, the Spada Collection spans textile and leather jackets, trousers, suits and gloves for both men and women. There’s a range of sports, touring and urban styled boots plus full-face, open-face and flip-front helmets. And if it’s accessories you’re after there’s everything from luggage to body armour and bike covers, just take your pick! How to enter Simply visit motorcyclenews.com/ winspadaclothing and submit your details to be in with a…

I don’t know what it is, but the strange disparity between prices of oldish air-cooled fours and ditto water-cooled sports 600s is still there. A couple of months ago I noted that a late 1990s Honda CB750 (naked air-cooled thing) fetched a better price than an equivalent age CBR600, and an identical case popped up this week. I watched a 1995 Honda CB750 with 65,000 miles on it make nearly £1500 and a 1996 CBR600 with just over 20,000 on the clock made just £1160. Both in lovely condition. I suppose the CB750 is worth £1.5k – high miles, but these are tough bikes. But under £1200 for the CBR is just ludicrously cheap. But that’s the way a section of the market is going. People “of a certain age”…

Pyramid Flyscreen for Kawasaki Z900 RS £145 This head-turning flyscreen will help make Kawasaki’s popular retro even more attractive – and add a layer of extra practicality, too. Made in Britain from acrylic, these screens have been painted by pro-spray shop Dream Machine for that factory-custom look. Available in Candytone Green and Candytone Orange/brown. www.pyramid-plastics.co.uk Richbrook Perfect Fit indoor motorcycle covers £40 Slinky, Lycra-based covers designed to protect your pride and joy from getting scratched or dusty while it’s in the garage. The stretchy-but-strong material hugs the bike’s contours, plus there’s no excess material trailing on the floor. Washable and they come complete with a storage pouch. www.richbrook.co.uk Clarke 44-piece screwdriver set £32.39 Housed in a brilliant, easy-to-access storage stand, this quality set of 17 screwdrivers also…

Readers Neville Daytona (Speed Twin) & Jason Doel (Yamaha XSR900) The Ride Swindon to Swanage Miles 180 Time required One day When to do it When the weather looks good / out of school holidays Don’t miss 'Riding the Studland to Corfe Castle road – great views and some good bends and undulations' WEATHER We saw a break in the weather and went for it. It looked sunny on the coast and was spot on. THE BIKES My Speed Twin and Jason's XSR900 are perfect for the undulating roads along the route. GREAT VIEWS On the Studland to Corfe road. We had planned to stop on the way to Corfe but the road was clear. ALL ABOARD The chain ferry had re-opened after the Covid-19 break so this is a…

WAYNE MARRISON Age 52 Height 6ft Current bike 2017 BMW S1000RR Been riding for 24 years First bike Kawasaki ZZR600 Dream bike Ducati Streetfighter V4 “I own a 2017 model (my second RR – I’ve also had a ’15), which I got the day before I got married in September that year. I’ve done about 15,000 miles on it and was averaging 6000 a year before it got mothballed when CV-19 took over. I’ve ridden it through France, Germany, Austria and Italy. It’s got an Arrow can, HP levers, satnav, Ventura luggage rack, tank bag and a taller screen. “I’d read a billion reviews and the one that always came out on top was the Beemer. I’d never even sat on one until it was delivered at my house, after…

1972 THREE CAPITALS RUN “London to Cardiff to Edinburgh and back - with Martin Harrison on BMW R75s with huge Read Titan fuel tanks. I did it again with Hugo Wilson on R1200GSs. It took longer and we had to ride through terrible rain.” 1978 TACKLING THE TWO-DAY “Doing the Welsh Two-Day enduro on a Suzuki PE175. I’d only ever ridden four or five hours, not two days, and I wasn’t young and fit: I was young and stupid.” 1983 MEETING SPRINGSTEEN “I interviewed Jay Springsteen at the 1983 Daytona BoT which he won on H-D’s Lucifer’s Hammer: the first time H-D had won a major race in modern times.” 2018 CUSTOM CREATION “The first custom I’d built myself from a Honda 400 Super Dream. It was a steep learning…

I’m a big fan of Indian Scouts. Well-made, with impressive handling and performance, they’re proof that you can have cruiser/bobber/whatever style with a machine that still functions as a modern motorcycle. The only real problem is the Bobber Twenty has the Harley Street Bob and Triumph Bonneville Bobber as rivals. The Harley feels more authentic and will never lose money, though is a tad less refined and comes with the whole H-D ‘thing’ but the Triumph is almost as classy, has a greater feeling of grunt and costs two grand less. Tech spec What it costs £ 12 ,699 On the road cash price…

1975GL1000 999ccflatfour 80bhp@7500rpm 63lb.ft@5500rpm 273kgdry Original Gold Wing revolutionises motorcycling with liquid-cooled flat-four and previously unheard-of size and performance 1980 GL1100 Interstate 1085ccflatfour 81bhp@7000rpm 65lb.ft@5500rpm 310kgdry Second generation introduces ‘fulldresser’ Interstate option and is an immediate huge success 1988GL1500 1520ccflatsix 100bhp@5200rpm 111lb.ft@4000rpm 360kgdry All-new 1500 sees return of original prototype’s six-cylinder layout and delivers unrivalled smoothness and luxury. Remains in production for 13 years 1984GL1200 Aspencade 1182ccflatfour 94bhp@7000rpm 77lb.ft@5500rpm 330kgdry Third generation built in response to growing competition from Japanese rivals. Aspencade continues as top spec version 2001GL1800 1832ccflatsix 118bhp@5500rpm 121lb.ft@4000rpm 362kgdry Enlarged, updated 1500 benefits most from all-new, lightweight, superbike-style aluminium twin beam frame and single-sided swingarm 2018GL1800 1833ccflatsix 125bhp@5500rpm 125lb.ft@4500rpm 379kg(kerb) All-new Wing once again raises the tourer bar with class-leading electronics, luxury, handling and even a semi-automatic…

This has to be the most powerful bike I have ever looked forward to living with, producing 197bhp with a 101lb.ft of torque. I couldn’t wait to experience the re-worked H2 engine for myself – especially after my colleague Michael Neeves, who rode one at the launch in Vegas, told me how much he thought I’d enjoy the bike. Unfortunately, I was going to have to delay getting my hands on the Z H2. The bike was ready to be collected, but due to the Covid-19 lockdown, I just had to pretend that the Kawasaki did not exist, not easy when I had seen photos and watched clips of this magnificent beast in action. I was just going to have to wait. Then the Government finally lifted some of the…

Yamaha’s XV1900 Midnight Star is a mighty 329kg V-twin with 115lb.ft peak torque at just 2500rpm and an appetite for tyres but the owner of this particular bike seemed determined to keep burning rubber. ‘When he came in it was clear he had carried on riding’ M&M Motorcycles’ Workshop Manager Sam Harris picks up the story: “When the owner rang to book it in for a new rear tyre he asked if it would be OK to keep riding it in the meantime, despite cord showing through! I told him ‘absolutely no’ of course, and he said ‘What if I don’t go above 50mph’. The answer was still no! “We had to order in the 190/60 x 17 rear so it was about a week before we were ready. When…

A double long lap penalty from a jump start ruined Jake Dixon’s chances of scoring a decent haul of points at Jerez. Dixon was able to fight his way up to 18th in the searing heat, however points were originally on the cards. “It felt a bit unfair to be penalised, I thought it was just a really good start,” Dixon said. “We still need to make improvements with the bike, but at the moment we can still race within the points. When we get the bike right, I think you’ll see me make a big step. “We need to make a plan to improve next weekend.”…

Jack Miller salvaged fourth place and crucial points as the MotoGP championship burst wide open at a chaotic Jerez race. While numbing pain in his right hand cost him a late race podium chance, Miller feels he has laid the foundations for a strong season. And he was even happier that he avoided being tangled up in Marc Marquez’s race ending, arm breaking high-side at turn three. “Marc’s crash was massive, his bike was fully sideways in front of me, I was hoping it wasn’t going to come towards me,” Miller said. “That was a mentally and physically draining race. When you see 12 laps to go and your hand is numb that is depressing. “My body was absolutely cooking. My hands and feet were boiling but I wasn’t out…

KTM have arrived at the front of MotoGP. That’s the impression given from Pol Espargaro after sixth at Jerez and a strong performance over one-lap and race distance. “I promise you, we’re faster on brakes, faster on corner entry and through the corner, it’s just the top speed,” Espargaro said. “Dovi was slower than us today, I’m not saying that to look good, but it’s the truth. I tried to overtake him because I felt faster, but he just overtook me back on the straight. “All four KTMs on the grid this season are powerful and strong. We’re in the game now!”…

Kawasaki have a very definite focus when it comes to their Ninja ZX-10R. This is a bike designed to dominate on track with road manners playing second fiddle. Track focused scalpel Updated in 2019, the motor now has rocker arms instead of a bucket and shim valve train (signified by a red cam cover that is impossible to see behind the fairing), a quickshifter and autoblipper as standard, and the paint is new. The new Ninja is firmly aimed at giving Jonathan Rea the weapons he needs to see off the competition. But despite looking like an angry bull, at low revs the Kawasaki is smooth and docile and I potter along at 60mph, using the excellent quickshifter to short-shift through the gears and keep the revs down. Lulled into…

Start your ride from the world-famous Donington Park, turning right from the paddock entrance and through the small village of King’s Newton. Take the B587, cross over the River Trent before to the A5132 at Swarkestone. Run parallel with the A50 until the village of Willington and cross the A50 to head north on the A38 for a quick blast around Derby. At the roundabout with the A6 leave the dual carriageway behind and head towards Duffield. Take the tree-lined B5023 and deviate slightly from the route to head back onto the A6 to Matlock Bath. Return to our loop and follow the B5035, skirt by Carsington Water and on, through the rolling Derbyshire countryside to Ashbourne. Join the fast flowing A515 for a 10-mile run to the A50 for…

Kawasaki have a very definite focus when it comes to their Ninja ZX-10R. This is a bike designed to dominate on track with road manners playing second fiddle. Track focused scalpel Updated in 2019, the motor now has rocker arms instead of a bucket and shim valve train (signified by a red cam cover that is impossible to see behind the fairing), a quickshifter and autoblipper as standard, and the paint is new. The new Ninja is firmly aimed at giving Jonathan Rea the weapons he needs to see off the competition. But despite looking like an angry bull, at low revs the Kawasaki is smooth and docile and I potter along at 60mph, using the excellent quickshifter to short-shift through the gears and keep the revs down. Lulled into…

Barnard Castle has become famous and not necessarily for all the right reasons. Nestled in the picturesque North Pennines and with the Lake District and Cumbrian coast within easy reach, we’ve found a great route for you to enjoy. Leave Barnard Castle on the B6278 towards Egglestone and hang right to Stanhope, where the road meets the A689. There’s a few junctions to negotiate before you cross Killhope Summit and at the T-junction take the left towards Penrith, the A686. Hartside Pass will lead you over the M6 towards the A66 where you continue west, towards Keswick before hopping onto a short section of dual carriageway to Keswick. As you pass through Keswick, look for the B5292 to Braithwaite before heading to Cockermouth and onto minor roads, that lead to…

JAMES WHITHAM ‘Ron is without question a legend. His enthusiasm for bikes and bike people is endless. Ann has played a big part in it, too. Lovely people. End of an era!’ ALEX LOWES ‘Some awesome memories from the race school. I’ll be forever grateful for the lessons from Ron, Ann and Leon. Taught so much to so many.’ CAL CRUTCHLOW ‘Ron and Ann have done the most amazing things with the race school. It’s where I learnt to ride, playing around on bikes with Rocket and Leon. Wish them both all the best for the future and thank you for what you achieved with the school.’ SHANE BYRNE ‘I used the Ron Haslam Race School to learn Donington Park back in 1997 and have recommend them to anyone wanting…

“It’s a state of mind.” That’s how Michael Neeves sums up his secret for riding many thousands of miles on top bikes without a serious spill. He’s been an MCN road tester for almost 20 years and his video series ‘Secrets of a Road Tester’ is now available on the MCN YouTube channel. “Even before I was a part of it, the world of the professional motorcycle rider has always fascinated me,” he says. “How do they do all these miles a year and never really get into any trouble?” In the first episode Neeves talks first of the preparations you should make before any road test, trip or holiday. It can even start with nothing more than a cloth in your hand. He says that with even something as…

Schuberth C4 helmet £319.99 ‘Top quality at half the price’ With a massive 50% off the normal asking price, this flip-front helmet from German firm Schuberth is an absolute bargain, especially seeing as it took a maximum five stars for quality in MCN’s road test. Ideal for touring, well-placed vents feed a steady flow of air right through, plus there’s a drop-down sun visor as well as an anti-fog insert on the main visor. The C4 also comes with built-in Bluetooth-enabled speakers and microphone, so you can hook up to an intercom or use it to answer calls on your mobile. The plush lining is anti-bacterial and can be removed and washed – which is welcome news if you do much of your riding on warm summer days. The…

Honda’s Fireblade has always been the consummate superbike all-rounder, making it a hit for road riders, but on track the model has fallen ever further behind. In a bid to turn their racing fortunes around the Big H have created this new one and for the first time in the Blade’s history it’s a thinly veiled race bike with lights… and wings. The 2020 CBR1000RR-R is smaller, full of RCV-inspired engine and chassis bits, has a screaming 14,500rpm redline and a claimed 214bhp. They’ve even created an HRC WSB team to run it in and hired Alvaro Bautista and Leon Haslam to do the business. It’s not cheap, but fit, finish and attention to detail is Honda at their magnificent best and this SP version (which costs £3500 more than…

Honda’s new Blade is chipped off the same block as greats like the RC30 and RC213V-S. It oozes specialness, top-notch electronics and has a screamer of a 200bhp-plus motor, but it’s single-minded. Tall-gearing, peaky power and diminutive dimensions make it less of an all-rounder than the old model, making its big price tag hard to justify for the road. Ducati and BMW prove you can have big power and track handling mixed with real-world grunt, civility and a modicum of comfort. The new V4 S is more refined than before – fast and achingly beautiful, but it’s still a track bike that tolerates life on the road, rather than thriving on it. That leaves the do-it-all BMW, which not only costs less, it lets you have your superbike cake and…

•Ten new 2020 models •Thousands of real-world test miles •What works, what doesn’t and what fails •How to get the most out of your new bike •The best mods, parts and accessories tried, tested and reviewed •No punches pulled •See the whole fleet story so far online at motorcyclenews.com…

“With 10,500 miles on my V-Strom 1000, I am honestly still loving it. It does everything I need it to without any fuss – from a moped CBT ride to advanced tuition and touring, it does it all for me. I think my only gripe was the Bridgestone A40 dual-sport tyres it came with as standard which, being the hybrid road/trail tyre, weren’t good enough for me. I’ve since plumped for Michelin Road 5s and it has transformed the bike and given me much more confidence in the front-end, which I must admit I had been struggling with. Reliability has been faultless, with nothing that’s broken or needed replacement. Plus, servicing through our local Suzuki dealer – Johns of Romford – has been spot on and not too wallet damaging.…

BMWs have strong residuals. You’ll pay more for an R1200GS adventure bike than the equivalent Honda Crosstourer, for example, and there’s a premium for an R1200RT tourer next to a Yamaha FJR1300. Part of this is because they’re generally class-leading models. But part of it is because BMW is seen as a premium brand; people won’t admit it, but they want to own a Beemer for its status as much as how it rides. It’s why they sell more up-spec versions than base models, and why official accessories are preferred and add value – and also why owners pamper their bikes and get them serviced at the main dealer. It means that when you buy into the BMW thing you need to be willing to stump up during ownership, as…

Having something physically blocking your garage door is one of the best ways to protect what’s inside. Parking a car or van up close works up to a point – and that point being that as soon as your car’s not there not only is it a great big signal that there’s no-one home but it’s also left your garage less secure. If you look at most dealerships, garages and showrooms, their main goods entrance will be protected by a large lockable barrier. Barriers like the Guardsman (£599.99) used here, but also cheaper wall-mounted units available from just £70, have been inspired by professional workshop protection bars, yet are lighter weight so they’re easy to live with at home. Their height means that it would be difficult for thieves to…

•‘This podium was like a victory. It was so tough’ Andrea Dovizioso – who had to battle to fitness after a broken collarbone just two weeks ago – believes he remains a title contender. Refusing to be intimidated by the superior race pace advantage of the winning Yamahas, and the Honda ridden by the god-like Marc Marquez, Dovi is playing the long game. A faultless, mind-bending performance for third place produced a career first MotoGP podium at the Spanish circuit. Dovi’s cautious optimism comes after he again showed his class by finishing as top Ducati rider – an early message to Bologna bosses who are stalling on a 2021 contract offer. A crucial factor is the setback suffered by six-time world champion Marc Marquez who broke his right arm Jerez.…

Following online footage and photos of bikes testing on track, Bimota have confirmed to MCN that their supercharged Tesi H2 will go into production in September, complete with a new paintjob. Company spokesman Gianluca Galasso told us that: “For the finished bike, ready to be delivered to the customer, we need until September 2020.” Bimota had planned to launch the bike – which like previous Tesis features hub-centre steering – in June but complications with the supply of parts due to coronavirus, plus a month-long shutdown, delayed elements of the project. It is now expected that the first 20 machines will be built during late Summer and early Autumn of 2020. “For a registered bike, with the paint and all the production parts, we need until the beginning of August,”…

Milenco are offering MCN readers a free Milenco Padgett’s heritage T-shirt that celebrates their TT team with every Snaefell lock purchased. The Snaefell is Milenco’s most hardcore piece of bike security and has been awarded the Sold Secure Diamond rating. The chain is made from 22mm links, while the lock has a 35mm steel core that clamps it together. To claim your free T-shirt all you need to do is send a copy of your proof of purchase to sales@ milenco.com along with your address and chosen size.…

2004 Suzuki GSF600 Bandit •16,090 miles • Private seller, Beds This is a good runner and has just had work done to the carbs. There’s also a new battery, spark plugs, coils and leads plus Renthal handlebars and a Scorpion exhaust. 01387 427221 2002 Aprilia RSV-R Mille •8500 miles • Private seller • Kidderminster Very good condition with new chain and sprockets, recent service and rear suspension linkages greased. It has a new Datatool S4 C1 red alarm and is data tagged. Comes with original exhaust and other spares. 01387 427209 2010 Triumph Thruxton 900 •4554 miles • Private seller • Hertfordshire Summer mileage only. MoT until May 2021. Extras include fender extender, sump guard, oil cooler guard, centrestand, polished engine and rocker covers, chrome chain guard and chrome engine…

Q‘My son got hurt but we can’t find him a solicitor’ I had an accident a week ago. I was carrying my 16-year old son on the back when a driver pulled out of a side road without looking. Fortunately I swerved out of the way and there was nothing coming in the opposite direction. But I did hit the ground and we were both slightly injured. My son sprained his wrist and hurt his shoulder. I have found a solicitor to represent me but no-one will take my son’s case on. Why is this? James Matthews, email A Acting for children in personal injury claims that involve minor injuries has become pretty much economically unviable in most cases because of the low fixed fees that these cases attract and…

It’s been a long time coming due to lockdown, but 1100 miles into life with the all-new Tiger I know it’s going to be a great summer. Having not ridden since March, my first ride was always going to be feel pretty damn special but I didn’t truly appreciate just how special. Now I’ve got over the ‘kid at Christmas’ levels of excitement, it’s time to get dialled into what the Tiger has to offer. In terms of spec it’s bordering on being overwhelming. The TFT dash has a plethora of information displayed: rider modes, riding aids and connectivity features that I’m only just starting to get my head round. But parking all the electronic wizardry for a moment, the base bike appears strong. In terms of ride it feels…

2020 V-Strom 1050/XT Despite its name, the latest V-Strom still features the 1037cc V-twin, but the engine’s been reworked for efficiency. The big news is the top-spec rider aids powered by an IMU and DR800 styling. 2017-2019 DL1000 V-Strom 1000 XT Suzuki’s answer to pricey competition. The base ‘Strom gets ‘adventurised’ courtesy of spoke wheels, bashplate, tapered handlebars and handguards, as well as Bosch cornering ABS and two-stage switchable traction control. 2014-2016 DL1000 V-Strom 1000 Reborn after a five-year hiatus, the V-Strom received a big-bore 1037cc engine based, an all-new lighter-weight frame, a slick new look and also the first traction control system to grace a Suzuki motorcycle. 2002-2008 DL1000 V-Strom With the fire-breathing 996cc V-twin from the TL1000 reworked for more low-rpm shove, the original…

SDS Drill An SDS drill will make much easier work of drilling through a concrete floor. Hire from around £25 or purchase a reasonably good DIY one for £100. Kneeling pad Using a one of these will make life much more comfortable. SDS drill bits SDS drill bits or SDS Plus are compatible, a DIY set will cost around £25. Spirit level The traditional bubble level is fine for the task, but for a few more quid there are digital options that will drive you insane trying to get the digits perfect! •Tell us about your favourite at mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com…

John McPhee held on to the positives after crashing out of a podium spot at the final corner in Moto3. The Scot had a strong race, showcasing an aggressive riding style throughout, but ultimately left with nothing. “I’m gutted and frustrated, but that’s racing,” McPhee said. “The good thing is that I felt strong all race. I know now that we can turn up at every race and it’s not a question of whether we can fight at the front, it’s knowing that we can be at the front and in that fight – some weeks we can try for the win and others, the podium. Today I was feeling that win, I was trying hard to get it.” Speaking about the slight lack of outright speed compared to his…

Suzuki were supposed to showcase the all-round quality of the GSX-RR at Jerez, through their riders challenging for victory and the MotoGP podium. Instead, they left with zero points and an injured rider. Alex Rins was diagnosed with a fracture and dislocation to his right shoulder on Saturday, whilst Joan Mir crashed out of the race on lap two. It’s unclear whether Rins will be fit for this weekend’s race at Jerez. Even if he is cleared, he’ll be at a massive disadvantage not only because of his shoulder, but because of the lack of race data compared to his rivals.…

MotoGP’s return after 245 days turned into a nightmare for HRC, who have little chance of defending the coveted triple crown of rider, team and constructor titles with talisman Marc Marquez now sidelined with injury. Without Marquez, Honda’s lack of strength in depth has been brutally exposed. The also-injured Cal Crutchlow is their only other podium contender while Alex Marquez struggles to adapt to the demanding RC213V. The Moto2 champion was almost half-a-minute behind race winner Fabio Quartararo in Jerez on his premier class debut. And Taka Nakagami is yet to establish himself as a consistent top 10 challenger while he toils on one-year-old machinery. The Japanese rider finished 10th on Sunday to register only his 11th top 10 in 35 appearances. It’s easy to see why HRC have signed…

Did we see the changing of the guard last Sunday? This ceremonial event was never meant to be quite so violent. Just portentous. The Spanish GP added more agony than was strictly necessary. The return of GP racing gladdened the soul, but also pained the heart. Not to mention several shoulders, arms and other body parts. It was a reminder of how wonderful racing can be, but also how cruel. Quartararo’s first win was a personal landmark, and a bellwether for the abbreviated season to follow. The championship is only one race old, but with the main rivals from Honda and Suzuki (Rins) already sidelined and likely to miss at the very least the first two or three races, and with fellow Yamaha riders Viñales, Rossi and Morbidelli soundly beaten,…

Yamaha’s No1? The first rider Yamaha signed for 2021 was Fabio Quartararo. Now you know why. A few more wins and Fabio will not need the bleached blond hair to be Yamaha’s golden boy. That’s if the controlled calmness of his classy Jerez win has not already made him Yamaha’s defacto No1. Factory teams gravitate towards winners, especially those who deliver championships. Self-assured and charmingly free of ego, the massive challenge of converting an early 25 point lead over Marc Marquez to what would be a fabulous world championship victory now lies ahead of him.…

Fancy a weekend ride which includes tea with the Queen of England at her weekend getaway - Windsor Castle? Well… we can’t promise you’ll actually have tea with her Majesty, or be anywhere near her - but we can guarantee a lovely afternoon ride. Leave the turrets behind and head into Old Windsor before having a blast through the long straight runway which cuts its way through Runnymede. The water-meadow is where King John sealed the Magna Carta in 1215. Aim for Virginia Water where a bunch of squiggly switchbacks and sharp corners await. The road will also take you past the Wentworth Estate, past some of the most expensive houses in the UK. Jump onto London Road and head for the B383 north. This little gem will take you…

Kawasaki have a very definite focus when it comes to their Ninja ZX-10R. This is a bike designed to dominate on track with road manners playing second fiddle. Track focused scalpel Updated in 2019, the motor now has rocker arms instead of a bucket and shim valve train (signified by a red cam cover that is impossible to see behind the fairing), a quickshifter and autoblipper as standard, and the paint is new. The new Ninja is firmly aimed at giving Jonathan Rea the weapons he needs to see off the competition. But despite looking like an angry bull, at low revs the Kawasaki is smooth and docile and I potter along at 60mph, using the excellent quickshifter to short-shift through the gears and keep the revs down. Lulled into…