Inhoudsopgave van 17 August 2016 - MCN

This is the new Indian FTR750 flat-track racer which the American company hope can continue the onslaught against Harley-Davidson as a home-grown rival on track. The bike was revealed at the 76th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in the Black Hills of South Dakota, USA. Until now, only the engine has been seen, so this is the first time the finished competition bike has been revealed ahead of its racing campaign in the hotly-contested AMA Pro flat track championship. The FTR750 features an all-new liquid-cooled, 750cc, V-twin with four-valve cylinder heads and has been slotted into a bespoke competition frame. Indian are making clear their intention to do the racing properly by recruiting multiple champion Jared Rees as the rider. The motorcycle was revealed with the #51 race number of Bill Tuman,…

FACT FILE Armstrong-CCM Born:1981 Highlight:1985 when they were British champions in both trails and road racing. Dissolved:1987 Armstrong? One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind… Not that Armstrong, but the American link is relevant. We are actually talking about Armstrong-CCM. CCM were – and still are – a small, off-road-focused, British manufacturer with strong military connections based in Bolton, Lancashire. Armstrong Industries, meanwhile, are a huge American industrial conglomerate, who owned a controlling stake in CCM between 1981 and 1987. So what was so special about it? The move created something of a mini golden era for British bikesport. Armstrong 250 and 350cc racers, most famously in the hands of Scots Donnie McLeod and a young Niall Mackenzie, introduced pioneering technology, dominated the British championship briefly and…

Compromise is always a dangerous game, as you can so easily end up failing to satisfy any part of the equation, but the Hyperstrada just manages to avoid this trap. If you don’t mind its slightly compact riding position it’s reasonably comfortable and the V-twin is nice and punchy. The Tracer is a far better tourer, but its soft suspension means when the pace ups it isn’t as composed as the Ducati. The Husky is too single minded to be anything other than a weekend toy, but it was never meant to be anything else. The Yamaha is the sensible and most affordable choice at just £8k, but the Ducati has a certain appeal and spirit that is hard to ignore. The head dictates that the Tracer wins, followed by…

Take your time and check everything It’s not a problem for adventure bikes to have high mileages, but make sure the bike you’re interested in has a full dealer service history. Most bikes will have aftermarket parts fitted. Are these genuine manufacturer accessories? Have they been fitted by a dealer? Are there spare keys to the panniers? Do the heated grips work? Three of our four test bikes would have benefited from fresh rubber. Squared-off tyres are common. Some adventure bikes will have been taken off-road, so look underneath for damage to sump and exhaust. A few off-road scars aren’t necessarily a problem but scuffs or dings should be reflected in the price.…

YAMAHA XSR900 £7849 FUEL 14 litres @ 45.3mpg = 139 miles WEIGHT 195kg SEAT 830mm POWER 115bhp TORQUE 64ftlb ANDY CALTON Former two-stroke junkie who has now developed a taste for funky roadsters HEIGHT 6ft WEIGHT 95kg ‘I’m now hunched over the front and it makes for a more involving ride’ Billet rearsets £489.99 These Gilles rearsets are works of art and are much lighter than the originals. They have 24 different footpeg positions, which are set by rotating adjustment, and the toe pieces on the brake and gear levers are also adjustable. Classy and the XSR logos are a great touch. Engine protectors £171.99 Chunky and easy to fit, these engine protectors feature the XSR logo. Seat cowl £269.99 Aluminium cowl comes in a few parts and has…

HUSQVARNA 701 SUPERMOTO £7999 FUEL 13 litres @ 51mpg = 146 miles WEIGHT 145kg SEAT 890mm POWER 65bhp TORQUE 50ftlb LIAM MARSDEN Commuter who rides in all weathers and is happy on any type of bike HEIGHT6ft 1in WEIGHT 75kg liam.marsden@motorcyclenews.com After 2500 miles on the OE Continental ContiAttack SM tyres it was time for a change. A lot of motorway riding meant the rear was starting to square. As I use the Husky every day, some good-in-all-weather tyres would have been the sensible choice, but the word ‘sensible’ isn’t in the supermoto dictionary so I went with a set of Metzeler Racetec RR K3s. They excelled instantly. I’d been worried I wouldn’t be able to get the tyres hot and keep them there, but a quick touch after my…

Peter Hickman, Dan Kneen and Conor Cummins made their mark in the final international road race of the season. Manxman Cummins steered the Valvoline Padgett’s Honda CBR600RR to a podium finish in the opening Supersport race and Hickman performed a similar feat in the second event on the Trooper Beer ZX-6R with Kneen taking a Superstock podium. In the final superbike race Cummins was lapping at over 133mph to close in on the leading trio on the last lap before finishing fourth on his Honda CBR1000RR. “We’ve been competitive all day,” the Ramsey man reflected. “The Padgetts team put together a great bike, and the 600 was phenomenal as I was right with the group all the time but I just didn’t get the opportunity to make the move! “The…

South African Brad Binder has put one hand on the 2016 Moto3 crown after yet another strong weekend. The KTM star took second place behind Joan Mir, the first pole-to-flag winner the class has seen in 14 races. Binder was able to capitalise on a fall for title rival Jorge Navarro and the suspension of Romano Fenati to now hold a massive 67-point title lead. “I was close to throwing everything away because I went wide a couple of times on the final laps, but I was able to regain contact with the group quickly. To finish second here is amazing. Regardless of what others do, I always try to win. I think I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”…

‘I was fighting, being really aggressive, but... that style meant I was 50/50 to finish the race’MARC MARQUEZ ‘The good news is that in the end Ducati won and finished second’MARC MARQUEZ A massive crash in practice and a badly behaving Honda could have seen Marc Marquez walk away from the Austrian MotoGP round with only a handful of points, but the super-cool Spaniard battled his way to fifth and kept his title charge on track. A lack of testing at the new-to-MotoGP circuit meant Marquez was always worried about this round of the championship and things looked even bleaker after a terrible crash on Saturday in free practice three. He was rushed to hospital for CT scans to a dislocated shoulder and potential concussion – but returned to…

 Just seconds before the field screeched off on the warm-up lap Andrea Iannone decided to change tyres. He switched from the medium fronts and hard rear Michelins used by almost the entire grid, to a soft front and medium rear. It was a huge risk, but it paid off as the Italian was able to stay with the leaders in the early stages of the race and then power away from his team-mate Andrea Dovizioso for a conclusive win in the closing laps. ‘It’s a very beautiful moment – magical. Not just for me, but for Ducati too’ANDREA IANNONE It was Ducati’s first MotoGP victory in six years – and only their third one-two result in their GP history. Iannone admitted after the race that he had ignored the advice…

While motorcycles have never been better value than they are right now, we’ve also never had more things fighting for our money. But PCP is about as close to a win:win situation you’ll ever get where motorcycles and bank balances are involved. Personal Contract Purchase has gone from being a rare oddity in our world to taking 20-30% of the new bike finance market, and it’s growing fast. If we follow the trend of the car market, over 90% of financed new bike purchases could be by PCP in five years. But it might not be right for you, so make sure you fully understand what it is and how it works. The figures look crazy for some makes and models – but it’s not as mad as it might…

There is no other motorcycle race like the Suzuka 8-Hour. Like the Isle of Man TT, the Bol d’Or and the Daytona 200 it is one of bike racing’s classics, a standout event that has a flavour and an atmosphere all of its own. The bikes are more special than anything you’ve ever seen, wherever you’ve been. The Japanese factories put more effort into this one race than they put into any other single race, even a MotoGP round. This is the one event they want to win more than any other, not only because it has a major impact on Japanese bike sales but because it’s a huge matter of pride. Win Suzuka and you’ve made the other factories look silly. Consider the case of this year’s winner. Yamaha’s…

‘Our focus has been on producing a machine with exceptional engine performance’ Honda have completely reworked the CRF450R and CRF450RX models in what the firm says is a ‘ground-up redesign’ for their dirt bike range. The motocross CRF450R gets an 11% power boost at the top end along with stronger torque figures across the rev range and there’s a new frame with a lower centre of gravity and electric start now available as an option. The RX enduro model gets a larger fuel tank, 18in rear wheel, sidestand, electric start, revised suspension and modified engine mapping more suited to the enduro focus of this bike. Honda say changes to the CRF450R include: “An 11% top-end power boost is provided by a revised cylinder head with greater valve lift, higher compression…

Scrap Ducati's BSB advantage Now is the time to limit BSB to 1000cc (MCN, August 10). Let’s get rid of the Ducati advantage. Let’s see Byrne when he does not have the extra CCs. No doubt age will be cited when he stops winning. Andy Chetwood, email Ed: Don’t forget Shakey has also won BSB races with plenty of other machines Mind your own business It’s people like Adam Johnson (MCN Letters, August 10) that feed the fire of the wrap-people-up-in-cotton wool brigade. What has what the R1200GS man wears on his bike got to do with you? Nothing! Mind your own business and get on with your life, and let others get on with theirs. Pat Keenan, email Honda could flick my switch Having read the review of the…

It’s taken time (quite a lot of it), money (a very lot of it) and hard work (tons of it)... but Ducati have battled back from MotoGP flop to top of the crop. When Valentino Rossi walked away from Ducati after a disastrous two years in 2012, many thought the Bologna firm was done and dusted in the premier class. But major changes and an incredible commitment to the cause have finally paid off. And the work that’s got them back to the pinnacle of the sport, should bear them in good stead for the near future. Wholesale changes to the company’s racing set-up in 2013, masterminded by new Team Manager Gigi Dall’Igna, have made a massive difference as has Audi’s ownership – and resources. Ducati now has eight machines…

KTM 950 Adventure While BMW’s new 1200GS was winning comparative group tests, the 990 was right on its heels. In fact, the KTM is more accomplished off-road, while its liquid-cooled V-twin delivers more fun. Early 2003 models can be picked up for less than £4000. Honda XL1000V Varadero Honda’s 19in front wheel Varadero is big, spacious, comfortable and bulletproof. The thirsty V-twin lacks a bit of zip and you’d never describe it as a deeply desirable motorcycle – but their owners love them. You can find a reasonable one for just £2000. Kawasaki Versys 650 Launched in 2006, then uprated in 2009, and again in 2015, the Versys offers more smiles than Suzuki’s V-Strom, but lacks its comfort. Original models start at £2000 while 2009 bikes can be had for…

1998-1999 Yamaha YZF-R1 Colours White/red, blue Dealer £3900 Private good £3500 Private average £2750 This one 28,000 miles, one owner for the last 14 years with standard exhaust. Nonstandard paint. £2500 1999-2000 YamahaYZF-R1 ColoursWhite/red, blue Dealer £3600 Private good £3200 Private average £2400 This oneAlmost completely standard apart from indicators. Not as desirable as red. 25,492 miles, £2995 2000-2001 Yamaha YZF-R1 Colours Red, blue Dealer £3600 Private good £3000 Private average £2500 This one One owner, standard with full service history. Perfect for collectors. 15,432 miles, £3495 2001-2002 Yamaha YZF-R1 Colours Red, blue Dealer £3500 Private good £3000 Private average £2500 This one Plenty of extras on this including exhaust, paint and brake lines. 35,000 miles, £2995 Insurance Sample MCNCompare.com quotes for £3500 litre bikes, from cheapest to costliest, and…

KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT £15,999 FUEL 23 litres @ 44.55mpg = 225 miles range WEIGHT 205kg (dry) SEAT 835mm POWER 173bhp THE RIDER Richard Newland. Sportsbike addict, loves road riding in all weathers. HEIGHT 5ft 11in WEIGHT 117kg richard.newland@motorcyclenews.com The GT is hardly lacking in spec as standard, but I’ve never managed to have any bike for more than a few weeks without failing to resist the urge to change something. I knew I wanted panniers with the GT from the very start, so spec’d them from day one, adding £648.35 to the bill. They’re worth it though. The versatility of having them justifies the outlay, and they’re nicely made, have one of the most integrated and unobtrusive fitting systems I’ve ever used on any bike, and they look…

‘If you end up in court there is always the risk of the wrong result’ Q Why can’t I get full compo? In my compensation claim my solicitor has said I need to take account of ‘litigation risk’ and is suggesting I accept a 25% lower valuation than his full valuation of my injuries and financial loss because of it. Why should I? Andrew Evans, Birmingham Litigation is the process of taking a case to court so that the judge can reach a decision on the outstanding issues. Most injury claims never reach court. However, because bike accidents involve more serious injuries than other accident claims more is at stake to the paying party so they are contested more often. The ‘litigation risk’ your solicitor has mentioned is a way…

Dundrod has not been a happy hunting ground for Michael Dunlop in recent years with his name failing to appear on the winner’s list since 2013. His record-breaking victories in the Superbike and Senior TTs, as well as his success at the North West 200, Southern 100 and Armoy, created an air of expectation around the Ballymoney man. But his roads racing domination came to an abrupt end. Despite being in the mix in both Superbike races and in the stocker event on his own MD Racing BMW he couldn’t quite match the pace of Hutchinson or Anstey. “It was a great race but they just had better pace,” the bitterly disappointed 27-year-old said after failing to provide his huge legion of local fans who lined the Dundrod hedges with…

 Ian Hutchinson attempted to heal the rift that has divided him and arch rival Michael Dunlop since their spat at this year’s TT. The pair had a long chat on the podium after the final race of this year’s Ulster GP. ‘We’ve never been best mates but we’ve never been enemies either’IAN HUTCHINSON “When I’ve seen Michael in the past at shows we have always got on and chatted,” Hutchy explained. “We have never been best mates but we’ve never been enemies either.” In a more magnanimous mood after his Ulster victories than he had been in the Senior TT press conference, Hutchy admitted comments made at the TT had inflamed the situation. “I think it all got a bit out of hand at the TT,” he said. “We both…

KTM might be coming into MotoGP for the first time with their own full factory programme, but that doesn’t mean that it’s the manufacturer’s first foray into on-road racing – or even into MotoGP! 2004 KTM decide to make their debut in the 125GP class for the 2003 season, and are rewarded with their first win by one Casey Stoner at the 2004 Malaysian Grand Prix. 2005 The team expand into the 250GP class – and Anthony West takes second place at Donington Park at the team’s very first wildcard race appearance. They also supply engines to Kenny Roberts’ Team KR, with Shane Byrne taking a single point from nine races until the two companies unexpectedly split on the eve of the Czech Grand Prix. 2005 KTM take their first…

If there was one thing proven by Sam Lowes’ second crash on Sunday, it’s that MotoGP needs to look at implementing the BSB championship’s rules on riders not restarting a race after a crash. Lowes was lucky to escape the high-speed tumble at turn nine with only friction burns, after an already-damaged handlebar snapped off cleanly under braking, jamming the lever, locking his front wheel and catapulting him over the front of the machine. Yes, it would deny people like Marc Marquez the chance to rejoin after a low-speed tumble, like he did earlier this year at Le Mans to take what could end up being three valuable points. But in a championship with such a heavy focus on safety, it is an unacceptable risk to allow riders desperate to…

 Dani Pedrosa’s woes on the second Repsol Honda continued with seemingly no light at the end of the tunnel. ‘We went better in the race compared to the practice sessions’DANI PEDROSA Once again struggling with the same issues that have plagued him all season – a lack of rear grip he contributes in part to his ultra-light weight of only 51kg - the vastly experienced Spaniard qualified in a lowly 12th. He eventually finished the race in seventh position. “We went better in the race compared to the practice sessions, as we were putting in similar times to the riders at the front. We had been a little farther away from them before this weekend, but today we took a step forward and that’s a positive. Now we must carry…

Andrea Dovizioso may have been part of a historic Ducati one-two on Sunday, but he left Austria disappointed and frustrated. Looking able to match teammate Iannone’s pace for much of the weekend – and confident after both qualifying and a long run in Saturday’s free practice three, the Italian believed he had made the right choice with the harder tyres – something he quickly regretted. “I was disappointed at the end, because the feeling with the bike this weekend was special. In the braking areas I was faster than Iannone and it was important to keep something for the end of the race. We both ran a good strategy, neither of us wanted to take risks with fuel or tyre consumption, and we both took it easy at the start.…

Seen something you like? Now you need to ride it to make sure it really is your perfect two-wheeled partner. Many of the manufacturers have travelling test ride roadshows where you can ride several bikes in a day, while others have centralised online booking systems that will direct you to the nearest dealer who can supply a test ride. Most official dealers will be able to offer demonstrator bikes. SEE YOUR LOCAL DEALER AND DEMO RIDE OPTIONS: Aprilia uk.aprilia.com BMW www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk Ducati www.ducatiuk.com/dealer_demo_ride.do Harley-Davidson testrides.harley-davidson.co.uk Honda www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/test-ride Indian www.indianmotorcycle.co.uk/test-ride/ Kawasaki www.kawasakitestride.co.uk KTM www.ktm.com/dealer Suzuki www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/motorcycles/test-rides/ Triumph uk.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/motorcycles/test-ride Victory victorymotorcycles.co.uk/test-ride Yamaha www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk/experience/ get-out-there/test-rides…

Who does it work best for? Riders who want to change their new bike every two or three years, want low monthly repayments and aren’t bothered about owning the bike outright. Who is it not suited to? Riders who want to keep their bike until it wears out, and those who want to truly own their motorcycle. Are there mileage limits? Yes, usually around 5000 per year, though these are often adjustable up to 24,000 miles. If you go over the agreed mileage you will incur additional charges. Can I ride it like I stole it? Yes, provided you maintain it like you own it. Usual wear and tear is allowed, but nothing that could constitute abuse or neglect. We have heard no tales of dealers being unreasonable, which isn’t…

Are there any pitfalls to Personal Contract Plans? Yes, of course there are. But they’re very clearly defined. The key to doing the perfect deal is being completely clear about what the plan entails, and being utterly confident that it meets your needs. There are two key points worth noting: Negative/negligible equity Most riders who buy their bikes on PCP will roll their deal over to a new bike when the term comes to an end, hopefully using the equity in their deal as a deposit for the next bike. This is lovely in theory, but there is a growing trend amongst our four-wheeled friends for the Guaranteed Final Value (GFV) to be nigh-on identical to the value of the car. Bang goes your equity for a deposit – and…

‘It has an easy-to-read dash with an analogue speedo plus gear indicator and there’s even a compass!’ ANDY DAVIDSON STAFF WRITER andy.davidson@motorcyclenews.com The new Himalayan marks a new direction for Royal Enfield, and is symbolic of the Indian giant’s significant expansion. Not only is it RE’s first adventure bike, it’s also a first for the Indian market, which the firm hope will help kick-start their plan of becoming the world’s largest manufacturer of mid-capacity motorcycles. They’re well on the way to that goal, too. Production has already upped from 50,000 per year to almost 50,000 per month over the last five years. So to produce a bike that will appeal to their home nation, Enfield opted for a simple, easy-to-use adventure bike. “Motorcycles are becoming more and more extreme and…

Go wild in Skye The Isle of Skye is a fantastic place to spend a weekend exploring. While the main ring roads that circle the island are fairly busy, there are numerous smaller tracks that lead off into the middle of nowhere to investigate. If you want to get away from all the tourists, head up one of these tracks and you will soon be completely alone. In 2003 the Scottish government published the Land Reform Act, allowing wild camping under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. As long as you aren’t on private land and remove all traces of your being there, you can pitch a tent, build a fire and enjoy nature with only the stars to disturb you. And the midges… www.outdooraccess-scotland.com Join the search for Nessie The…

The result of the European referendum has had an effect on the pound’s value against other currencies, but you must remember something: just as every upswing is an opportunity, so too is every downswing. People make money in falling markets too. Ever seen the film The Big Short? You should. Last week, I outlined what machinery was going to be more expensive in 2017 – anything new and made outside the UK, effectively – except possibly some Asian-built Triumphs. And used bikes, because against the backdrop of expensive new stuff, they look cheap even if they’re 10-15% pricier than last year. I think we are going to be in for a period of austerity, and we’ve just come out of the last one. I’m no economic pundit, but I can’t…

 “The main faults are the stators – they pack up and the gearboxes are incredibly weak, but just first and second gear. Do not let anyone charge you more than £450 to do the entire job because it’s really easy. It can either be a sign of them being abused or ridden too slowly, if that makes sense. Changing gear too slowly is more likely to cause issues than them being abused. ‘I wouldn’t be put off at all by a ’98 R1 with gearbox problems’ “Check the wiring loom – it’s a white plug where the clocks and the main headlight plug into the main loom. The power feed there corrodes and all of a sudden you can lose power to the lights and the dash. “The EXUP valve…

£1695 Honda CBR600 12 months MoT, a service history and 43,325 miles on the clock. The 1998/99 model also comes with a Motad Venom exhaust and MRA double bubble screen. £2999 Ducati 750SS Clean example has done less than 10,000 miles in 20 years and still looks in great condition. It has the original exhaust can, a single seat cowl and appears in very impressive standard order. £6495 Kawasaki ZRX1200 For a bigger budget, this ZRX1200 has been beefed-up with a variety of aftermarket modifications. The engine has been worked on by PDQ Motorcycle Developments and now makes 176bhp at the rear wheel. £1995 Honda CG125 Learner-legal-125 comes with some service history and two keys. This 2007 model seems a tidy example and its three previous owners have covered only…

The tricky conditions of Wednesday and Thursday’s qualifying sessions at Dundrod caught out Lee Johnston and Australian David Johnson. Last year’s Ulster treble winner Johnston had opted to ride a 250cc Honda at the Ulster in preparation for the new Classic TT stroker event, but the Fermanagh rider will have to sit out the Manx festival after breaking his collarbone when he highsided on the exit from the hairpin. David Johnson, who has just signed a new deal to ride the Norton in 2017, was making a guest appearance on the Wilson Craig Hondas that his compatriot Cameron Donald raced at the TT when he crashed at Quarterlands, sustaining shoulder and leg injuries.…

As well as MotoGP, KTM will make their debut on the Moto2 grid in 2017 with a new bike built in collaboration with their in-house suspension partners WP. Previously unable to offer riders any career progression beyond the Moto3 class since the end of their 250GP team, the new project means the Austrian firm can now bring riders from feeder series Red Bull Rookies all the way to the premier class. And the first rider in line to make the step up will be South African Brad Binder, who will join 2015 Moto3 runner-up Miguel Olivera on the Moto2 bike in 2017, after signing a deal to remain with the Ajo Motorsport team that currently run the Red Bull KTM Moto3 squad. KTM boss Stefan Pierer told MCN: “We’ve experienced…

Scott Redding Qualified 8th Finished 8th “I had to work hard with the maps to be able to get through the race with petrol left, but it was a good battle with Bradley (Smith) because I could take advantage on the straights even if he was recovering every time.” Bradley Smith Qualified 14th Finished 9th Smith was able to rally over the weekend to get one of his best results of the year after making some major improvements to the Tech 3 Yamaha. He said: “I have to be happy with the result as we really turned things around. Having said that, I am also a little bit disappointed because the top satellite position was the aim.” Cal Crutchlow Qualified 7th Finished 15th Crutchlow was caught out by a small…

• MotoGP’s German race will remain at the Sachsenring for the medium term, after organisers Dorna confirmed successful talks with hosts ADAC to see the race return to the circuit for a further five seasons. • The first weekend in 19 years at the Spielberg circuit appeared to be a massive success for circuit owners Red Bull, with crowd attendance a massive 95,000 on race day alone – with even the crowd for Friday’s practices matching the race day attendance at June’s Formula One race. • Avintia Ducati will retain the services of both Loris Baz and Hector Barbera for 2017, re-signing the pair over the weekend and leaving Eugene Laverty and Yonny Hernandez’s seats at Aspar Ducati the only remaining open tickets on the 2017 grid. Avintia will receive…

 While Andrea Iannone might have taken Ducati’s first victory in six years at the weekend, it was another Italian making the headlines on Saturday, after Valentino Rossi’s Team Sky KTM squad took the exceptional decision to sack Romano Fenati on the eve of Sunday’s race. ‘It’s a great shame. We’re not happy with Fenati, because it feels like we’ve lost a battle’VALENTINO ROSSI First announced as a suspension pending team discussions after the Grand Prix, Rossi went on the record after his own race on Sunday to admit that Fenati’s involvement with the VR46 Academy project is now at an end. “For us, it is a great shame. We’re not happy with Fenati, because it feels like we’ve lost a battle. He is a rider with a great talent, and…

 “This was a massive day for Ducati – it was a fantastic feeling to get our first win in six years, a great one-two by the Andreas, Iannone and Dovizioso. ‘Ducati swept the podium and Jorge is signed to be with us’CASEY STONER “There was a big focus on our engine performance, but the latest chassis is also a factor, with better rear grip and improved corner exit turning which is crucial towards the end of a race. “I’ve felt more part of this team as a test rider and part of the development and the direction more than I could ever imagined at Honda so it’s nice to be back with Ducati winning again. “I wasn’t nervous watching even when it was tight in the early laps because I…

Can’t see the bike of your dreams? Don’t worry, this is just a selection of what’s available down at your local dealer. For each manufacturer’s full range, head to their websites, where you’ll also find many now have PCP examples listed, while some even have a handy online calculator to help you tailor your finances before you’ve even set foot in your local dealer – which you can also locate via these websites. Aprilia uk.aprilia.com BMW www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk Ducati www.ducatiuk.com Harley-Davidson www.harley-davidson.co.uk Honda www.honda.co.uk Indian www.indianmotorcycle.co.uk Kawasaki www.kawasaki.co.uk KTM www.ktm.com/gb Suzuki www.suzuki-gb.co.uk Triumph www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk Victory www.victorymotorcycles.co.uk Yamaha www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk…

Can I swap manufacturers? Yes. The new dealer will pay off what’s outstanding on the bike (provided it’s in respectable condition) and roll you into a deal on one of theirs. Most of the major manufacturers issue plans through Black Horse, but some use other finance groups – such as KTM with Santander – so if you’re planning on jumping between manufacturers, double-check your options before you buy. Dealers and finance companies are both highly motivated to help make your purchases as easy as possible – so tell them what you want, and they’ll tell you what it’ll cost to do it. Simple. Can I get a PCP deal on a secondhand bike? Yes. Many dealers can offer this, and it’s all down to the choice of bike, and you,…