Table of contents for 22 March 2017 in MCN

‘The TFT dash makes the old bike’s clocks look like a Casio wristwatch’ We’ve spent a few full-on days testing Honda’s new Fireblade SP against the bike it has replaced. New for this year, the Blade SP was unveiled with claims of a 10bhp gain and a 15kg weight reduction. This was allied to what Honda claimed to be a class-leading electronics package. To see how these changes measure up, we’ve ridden both bikes on the road and test track and strapped them to the dyno. We’ve speed-tested them in microscopic detail and can come to the conclusion that the new Blade is a huge leap in performance and usability. Ease of use Both are good sportsbikes with a broad spread of power but the torque the new bike makes…

Honda have pulled off a masterstroke with the new bike – it’s a huge improvement and you feel it every time you ride it. The empirical evidence backs this up – it is lighter, accelerates faster, turns fast, stops faster too. While we’re a little disappointed in the top-end power, Honda have boosted the midrange. If you can stomach the price increase, there a lot to love here – this one of the highest-quality, most advanced motorcycles to come from Japan.…

A ray of hope Three graduates from the University of Nairobi have built a bike that runs entirely on solar power as it uses batteries charged at a solar station. Although the engineers admit the bike is lacking in performance, it has a range of around 40 miles and they think it could revolutionise transport in rural communities. Great cover story Insurance brokers Carole Nash are continuing their support of the Manchester Blood Bikes in 2017. Carole Nash are providing full insurance to the fleet of five bikes that operate in the region. They have previously donated £30,000 to the charity for new bikes. Bike sales slow The Motor Cycle Industry Association has released the UK sales figures for February and they show a 21.6% drop compared with the same…

 Q1. What are you riding? ‘I had to keep the speedo at 300kmh for 14 miles’ A Triumph Scrambler. I love it. I think it’s something really special. Q2. Which living motorcyclist do you most admire? I wasn’t a big fan of Rossi at the beginning of his career when everybody liked him, but now I really appreciate what he is doing. I am really surprised and I love what he is proving at his age. Q3. What’s your worst habit? Maybe I ride faster than I should. We spend our days riding at high speed on the track. Going back to the normal road and maintaining the limit, if you’re not concentrating, can be difficult. Q4. If you could have one riding super skill, what would it be? I…

So the great John Surtees has died without ever receiving the knighthood he so richly deserved. This only goes to show, if not suspected already, that the honours system is not fit for purpose. The system is slanted towards political toadies, civil service pen pushers and heads of business who donate to the political party most likely to reward them. John was seven times World Motorcycle Champion, World F1 Champion and ran his own F1 team. These achievements took place in an era when a life was on the line every time a helmet was donned. The fact that John Surtees did not receive a knighthood is nothing short of a national disgrace. Paul Whitfield, Alicante, Spain MCN Star letter If you’re looking to insure a bike, visit MCNcompare.com and…

Tilting three-wheel scooters have been around for a decade now – stroll through Paris or along the French Riviera, and you’ll see loads of them. You can drive them on a car licence (the law doesn’t even require a CBT) and the twin front wheels promise more grip and stability than any two-wheeler, while keeping the fun of leaning round corners. Peugeot’s Metropolis is challenging the market-leading Piaggio MP3 with a new engine for 2017, plus uprated brakes, suspension and plenty more under-the-skin changes. The PowerMotion 400cc four-valve single musters 35.6bhp and claims a boost in low-speed torque. The Metropolis has always had ABS, but now there’s two-mode traction control as well, plus bigger discs and a two-pot rear caliper. Bigger 13in front wheels lighten the steering, with revised spring…

‘I ran out of fuel while going 'quite fast' according to the police’MCN READER SIMON WITCHARD RD80LC FACT FILE 1982 to 1984 79cc liquid-cooled, two-stroke single, 70mph, 78kg Contacts www.rdlccrazy.co.uk, www.lcclub.co.uk Want one? £800 (basket case) to £4000 (immaculate resto) Often, your very first road bike, the one on which the teenage you gains that initial taste of adult life, of freedom and of adventure, leaves a massive impression. And when that bike is the dream machine for a generation, the one all spotty Herberts of a certain age lust after as much as they did Farrah Fawcett or Debbie Harry, that impression lasts a lifetime. In the mid-'70s that machine was Yamaha’s legendary FS1-E ‘Fizzie’. In the early '80s it was the RD80LC. It’s something Prodigy frontman, bike…

The best bike here is the Ducati XDiavel S; just opt for the conventional pegs. The Duke wins hands down, it’s in a different league to the others, as it should be when you’re paying close to £20,000. Triumph’s Bobber comes second, but at £9500 cheaper than the Ducati and with so much to offer, it will prove a lot more tempting to many. The British bike’s weak points are the small tank range and poor brakes. However, if you want to cover serious miles, the Harley is arguably as desirable and has a better tank range. I’d even go so far as to suggest that it’s the coolest bike on test. The Indian is a bit behind the others in most areas, but don’t be fooled – it’s by…

Wurth High Performance £4.49 Based on a wax formula, this dry Wurth lube promises not to fling off, or attract dirt and grit from the road surface, which helps increase chain life. Buyers agree, with reviewers commending it for its no mess, no fuss properties. Castrol Racing chain lube £9.49 This fully synthetic lube features a unique chemical composition to help combat corrosion, as well as helping to prevent the lube being washed away in wet conditions. It’s suitable for all chain types, and dries to a colourless finish. SDoc100 White Chain Lube £13.98 Helps to prolong chain life by coating your bike’s links in a protective white, lubricating membrane. SDoc have formulated this lube to give excellent penetration properties with absolutely no fling-off. Motul C4 Factory Line chain lube…

Q Can I pursue a pedestrian who ran into road? I was returning from work when a pedestrian ran across the road into the path of my Yamaha R6. I woke up in hospital, my bike and gear written off. The lady who ran into my path was also injured. A police investigation cleared me of all blame and I now have a damaged left knee and walk with a limp. My solicitors have now informed me that 35% blame is on pedestrian, even though she ignored a crossing point on the road and showed a lack of attention! Why isn’t there a scheme similar to the MIB, for innocent victims of an accident through un-insured pedestrians? Mr JP, email ‘A lady ran into my path, but she is only…

2008 GSX-R1000 K7 £4899 Under 15,000 miles – low for the year – this unmolested K7 represents a real bargain, especially as it’s just had its major service. 2001 GSX-R1000 K1 £3275 This example appears to be really clean and has just 14,000 miles on the clock. One to buy and enjoy, or keep then sell on. A great price for a very capable machine. 2016 Suzuki GSX-R1000 £9799 One of the last few preregistered 2016 models remaining and it’s at the lowest price in our classifieds, this MotoGP replica edition is showing just three delivery miles.…

Custom-made and ready to race Members of the Austrian orange army can now show their KTM brand loyalty with a made-to-measure leather suit. The KTM online configurator (www.ktm.com/ customleathers) allows riders to spec materials and designs on either a one-piece or two-piece Gimoto suit. The service is the same price as an off-the-peg KTM suit of identical spec – £1013 for a one-piece. Cold comfort Tyre firm Anlas have launched what they’re calling the world’s first winter tyre for motorcycles. The treaded Winter Grip Plus uses a compound with a high silica compound, plus a specially designed tread pattern to make it work well on cold, wet days. They’re available in a range of sizes for most popular adventure, naked and touring bikes.www.anlas-tyres.co.uk Michelin £49 track days This summer you…

 “You would expect me to say this, but you really are better off buying a used BMW from a BMW dealer. When you buy from an authorised BMW dealership, used bikes of up to eight years old come with a free two-year warranty and European breakdown cover. They may be a bit cheaper in non-BMW dealerships, but you won’t get this reassuring backup. ‘Search for one with the Sport pack fitted as it adds a lot to the bike’ “If I was looking to buy an S1000R I’d search for one with the Sport pack fitted as it adds a lot to the bike, although standard bikes are quite noticeably cheaper. You can retro fit a few items such as cruise control, heated grips, the extra power modes and the…

The Isle of Man TT races will celebrate its 110th birthday this summer. In the early 20th century English law limited speeds to 20mph and banned road closures so the sport’s governing body established their new motorcycle race on the Isle of Man. The original circuit was just 15.8 miles long, running from St John’s through Kirk Michael to Peel and had just two classes for singles and multis. The race took place on May 28 over 10 laps with the winner of the single class being presented with the wonderfully named Marquis de Mouzilly St Mars trophy, the same one that is still awarded to the winner of today’s Senior race. The winner also received the princely sum of £25! Charlie Collier won the Singles event on a Matchless…

‘Lorenzo heads into the season opener as the darkest of dark horses’ Winter testing has been an intriguing affair. While Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez have enjoyed elation and despair in equal measure, Maverick Viñales has made an unprecedented start to his new Yamaha career; topping every one of the four winter tests onboard his M1. His pace has been ominous and has certainly given his rivals plenty of sleepness nights. But this is MotoGP and as we saw from 2016 it’s never predictable. Viñales may look unstoppable right now but he’s only ever won one MotoGP race and his rivals will be doing everything they can to bring the young Spaniard down to earth. New Ducati signing, Jorge Lorenzo heads into the season opener as the darkest of dark…

All but three of the last 24 premier-class titles have been battled out by Honda and Yamaha. And 2017 will most likely be dominated by MotoGP’s oldest enemies. Yamaha have contested the premier class every year since 1975, while Honda have been there since 1982. It’s not easy for rival manufacturers to beat that kind of experience. Honda have high hopes for their new engine configuration, meanwhile Yamaha say they’ve learned from 2016. ‘The new front tyre will be easier for other riders to understand’MARC MARQUEZ Repsol Honda RC213V MARC MARQUEZ & DANI PEDROSA Honda have made the biggest change for 2017, replacing their screamer engine, winner of four of the last six MotoGP titles, with a big bang motor. Even-firing screamer engines made perfect sense before last year’s rule…

KALEX The German chassis brand is the undoubted dominant force in Moto2, having won the title in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 and last season. Kalex flood the grid again with 22 machines and they start as favourites. KTM The Austrian firm is entering with a full factory chassis project for the first time. It is sticking with its tried and tested steel trellis frame and has two entries with Miguel Oliveira and last year’s Moto3 champ Brad Binder. MISTRAL 610 The Mistral 610 is developed in-house by Herve Poncharal’s Tech 3 MotoGP squad in the south of France. There are only two entries and there’s been no podiums since Bradley Smith was third in Mugello in 2011. SUTER The Swiss chassis was once the dominant force in Moto2 when Marc…

HIGHLIGHTS First fuel-injected KTM two-stroke More power and torque Lower fuel consumption Cleaner emissions means Euro4 Transfer Port Injection system NEW The only official image released by KTM is this outline drawing of the new TPI two-stroke engine OLD This is the current engine, complete with dirty, polluting (and almost unbreakably reliable) carb Every two-stroke fan on Earth got a serious shot of adrenaline direct to their excitement gland this week as KTM confirmed that they will imminently release a new range of fuel injected two-stroke enduro bikes. While the enduro part might not be massively alluring to most road riders, the knock-on effect of their release could have a huge impact – and that’s what’s got us all so hot under the collar. The knowledge that major manufacturers are…

Inside the electric motor is a central core shaft with permanent magnets attached to it. This core is located in a circular housing and surrounding it, but not touching it, are circles of copper wire called coils. When a current is put through these coils they create a magnetic field, repelling the core’s magnets. The coils work in opposite pairs, so when one coil is activated the other coil 180-degrees away from it is also magnetised. This causes the shaft to spin and once one pair of coils are turned on and off the next pair are also turned on and off, keeping up the momentum of the central shaft at around 7000rpm. This primary drive is then converted through a gearbox to an output shaft for final drive.…

To get 50p off next week’s paper, simply cut out this voucher and take it into your newsagent who will then let you have the March 29 issue of MCN for just £1.90. How to use the voucher To the consumer: Hand this coupon over to your newsagent to get 50p off your copy of Motorcycle News. This voucher is valid for the issue on sale March 29, 2017-April 4, 2017, while stocks last. This coupon cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and is not valid on digital editions. Only one coupon per transaction and it is not redeemable for cash. To the Retailer: Bauer Media will redeem this coupon at its face value provided that it has been taken in part payment for the issue of…

1 Make a note of your mileage Make a note of your odometer’s figure and write it down or take a picture and post it on the #ride5000mile’s Facebook group. Join the campaign and thousands of like-minded bikers. 2 Ride to some great places Take that trip you’ve always planned, visit that race meet you’ve always hoped to attend or forget the lawn and head out for a blast. Get weekly updates in the paper. 3 Tell people about it all Log onto www.facebook.com/groups/ride5000miles to share stories and routes. You can add your biking friends too. It’s private so we can keep it free of spammers. OUR PARTNERS BENNETTS The dedicated insurance company Bennetts are right behind this new initiative. www.bennetts.co.uk METZELER Metzeler have a wide range of tyres capable…

AETHER RALLY JACKET $650 (APPROX £535) A fully seam-sealed, waterproof workwear style jacket is the latest addition to Aether’s growing motorcycle range. The Rally also comes with CE-certified D30 armour at the elbow, shoulder and back. It comes with a lifetime warranty. www.aetherapparel.com HELD CANVAS PANNIERS £147.99 Coming from one of the most respected clothing manufacturers, the Held Canvas panniers have a lot of promise. The canvas material is tough and water-repellent thanks to its roll top closure, while the Velcro strap attachment means it should fit most bikes. www.held-uk.co.uk BUILT MAGAZINE £4.99 Built is the new magazine all about handcrafted, customised motorcycles and the lifestyle that surrounds them. It’s for riders who like being different. Issue 4 is out now, order yours at: www.builtmag.co.uk…

MALAGUTI MONTE Me aged 16 in 1977. Been reading your paper since those days keep up the good work. Martin Spivey SUZUKI TS50ER My first bike – 1983 Suzuki TS50ER with fresco expansion exhaust and ported. Very fast. Jay Wallace HONDA XR75 This is me aged 12 in 1977. It led to years of motocross. Dave Wratten GILERA 50 My first bike, aged 16 pulling a wheelie up the woods back in 1975, photographed by my dear old Dad. Graham Saunders BSA BANTAM 1966 on my 18th birthday with my sister and brother. £12 of my own cash bought a very useable bike. Alan Gleadall NORTON DOMINATOR 99 Back in 1972 at the age of 16 on my 1957 Norton – wish I still had it. Will Biswell send pics…

Kazama’s incredible achievements 1980 Sets new elevation records for riding up Mount Fuji and Mount Kilimanjaro 1982 First Japanese rider to take part in the Paris-Dakar Rally 1984 Wins the Paris-Dakar 500cc class 1985 Sets a new elevation world record by riding 19,701 feet up Mount Everest 1987 Becomes the first man to reach the North Pole on a motorcycle and also wins the Rallye des Pharaons (250cc class) in the same year 1993 Reaches the South Pole and becomes the only man in history to reach both the north and south Poles by motorcycle – a record he holds to this day 2004 Left leg completely mangled when he was struck by a truck during the Paris-Dakar Rally. Needs 12 surgeries and 13 months in hospital to save the…

LC DREAMS FULFILLED After the first air-cooled 1980 RD50/80MX, the 80LC was the first ‘proper’, liquid-cooled mini LC – complete with a radiator and everything! AN AR80 BEATER Until the LC, Kawasaki’s air-cooled AR ruled the 80cc roost. The RD’s water jacket and tuning potential soon changed all that. A RACING INTRODUCTION OK, so Rocket Ron Haslam, pictured here aboard an RD in 1982, didn’t actually start out on the little Yam. But plenty of other top racers did. THE PERFECT RESTO PROJECT Thirty years on 80LCs are in huge demand as restoration projects for their simplicity, significance and value.…

‘It’s less than an hour from Mount Snowdon and stunning riding routes through Snowdonia National Park’ Think of Anglesey and two things usually spring to mind; the circuit and the ferry to Ireland. But we’re talking about the largest island of Wales here. It’s a beautiful patch of earth off the north-west coast of Wales, surrounded by sea with its own gorgeous racing circuit. It should be more of a biking mecca than a pit stop to Ireland. Any weekend ride to Anglesey is going to be a good one; even the ride there is special. It’s less than an hour from Mount Snowdon, which offers stunning riding routes through Snowdonia National Park. Anglesey itself also offers up a great riding ring round its shore, which will keep you busy…

1 Squires Cafe, West Yorks Newthorpe, near Sherburn in Elmet, West Yorks. 01977-684618 or www.squires-cafe.co.uk 2 Ace Café Bike Night, London Stonebridge, London. Friday, 6pm 020-8961-1000 or www.ace-cafelondon.com 3 TT Pit Stop Super Sausage Café, Towcester, A5 Watling Street, Potterspury, Towcester. www.supersausagecafe.co.uk 4 The Pit Stop Diner, Cleveland Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham. Tuesday 5.00-9.00pm www.thepitstopdiner.co.uk 5 The Three Crowns, Wiltshire Southampton Rd, Whaddon, Alderbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire Monday, 8.30pm. 01722-710211 or thethreecrownswhaddon.co.uk GET YOUR MEET ON THE MAP If you have a bike-friendly venue and want to get your meet on the map, email: sam.williams@motorcyclenews.com…

THE EXPERT Richard Redmayne has worked for Dynojet since 2004, providing support at BSB rounds and the TT and developing the Power Commander range. He’s just stripping down a 2017 Honda Fireblade right now. Originally the airbox was just there to keep flying dirt and rain from directly hitting the air filter, but now its job involves so much more. Tightening regulations have focused manufacturers to concentrate on the roar of intake noise, caused by alternating low and normal air pressure pulses generated by the engine. These pulses are sound waves which need damping out, which is why we have seen vacuum-operated flaps in some bikes, such as the Honda SP1. Modern airboxes are also about enhancing the engine’s performance, helping to optimise gas flow in to and out of…

I’ve seen it written that used H2 Ninjas are already becoming sought-after and that used prices are starting to rise. As an owner, I wish this were so, but I don’t think it is, especially not for the H2R. I’ve just watched a 2015 R, never ridden (though occasionally started and run up) sell for £31,200. That means that somebody dropped 10 grand on it. Ouch. I’ve seen dealers advertising the road-legal H2, again 2015 models, that have been on their showroom floors for a couple of years. These haven’t been discounted, though. As the 2017 model is priced at three-and-a-half grand more than the original (that’s the Brexit Sterling devaluation for you, though the new model does have a few extra fol-de-rols), I don’t think the old model needs…

 It’s fair to say heads were turned when the Anvil Hire Yamaha team signed 2015 MCE British Superbike Champion Josh Brookes for the upcoming season. ‘Everybody is really proud of the bike and how it is prepared’JOSH BROOKES While Brookes’ BSB pedigree is unquestionable, the team’s on the other hand is up for debate. While the Derbyshire outfit enjoyed a couple of podium finishes with Richard Cooper on Kawasaki machinery in their debut year in 2015, they’ve also been plagued by poor results and technical problems – especially after their switch to Yamaha last year. The 2016 season saw the team score just three points with James Rispoli, but with a rider of Brookes’ calibre on board they’ve no choice but to up the game. After a torrid year in…

Welcome to MCN’s season preview supplement for 2017! Going by last year’s nine different winners in one season, we’re set to have another fantastic year. I think it’s going to be just as competitive at the front of the field and even more competitive at the back now that everyone is on a good bike and has a year’s experience with the new electronics and the Michelin tyres. It’s going to be an interesting year thanks to some really interesting rookies stepping up to the series as well. On a personal note, hopefully I can entertain just as much as I did last year, as riders and as teams, and as me individually too. I had some great highlights in 2016, and I’d like to think that I can repeat…

‘The Yamaha suits Qatar’s fast flowing corners, but you can’t rule out Marquez’ The track layout should work, but its not actually that much fun to ride around. Because it’s in the desert it’s flat and as a result of that it feels very front endy which means you spend a lot of time thinking you’re going to lose the front. It’s got a proper straight and the MotoGP bikes will be going nearly 220mph so you find yourself blinking to focus on where the corner is. It’s a great place for overtakes, but it’s also really easy to run wide. The track is wide, so turn two is also a good place to pass because if you take the racing line you leave the door wide open. Turn six…

Red Bull KTM RC16 BRADLEY SMITH & POL ESPARGARO KTM aren’t used to losing – they’ve won in pretty much every class they’ve contested, from motocross to Moto3 to the Dakar. Now they commence the biggest challenge of them all – stepping into the lion’s den of MotoGP. The Austrians are chiselling away at a deficit of around two seconds, but they have no illusions and are working on a long-term plan and aim to hire a title-winning rider for 2019. The KTM has a unique and very brave spec, with its tubular steel frame and screamer engine. This engine’s sharper power delivery makes the bike more demanding to ride, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially for Smith and Espargaro who spent ages taming their wild, Moto2-derived riding…

Bourbon bagger Indian have released a second Jack Daniels special edition. They’re only building 100 of them, and only one is coming to the UK with delivery to the lucky owner in August. Designed in collaboration with Klock Werks Kustom Cycles, it costs £33,799. Africa for less Honda have announced a superb new PCP deal on the 2017 Africa Twin. From April 1 (no fooling) you will be able to take an Africa Twin home for just £99 per month after a £2831 deposit (or DCT at £119pm after a £3014 deposit). It’s a three-year deal at 4.9% APR with a 4000-mile per year limit. Evoke-ative New electric bike brand Evoke are claiming to have made the first electric motorcycle aimed at learners. The Urban S has a 9kWh battery…

A look at the UK’s top 20 betting companies suggests that Marc Marquez is the favourite to win this year’s MotoGP crown. A couple have Maverick Viñales at the same odds, but none have him shorter. They all have Valentino Rossi next and then Lorenzo. The info these companies use to determine odds (so that they don’t lose money) comes from experts who analyse past results, testing performance and resources available. All worked out on top-spec computers. But racing, real racing happens on a wandering thread of tarmac and not on a computer. It happens in a place where things happen. Things a computer can’t predict. Things like nerves and rain and crashes and injuries and being nerfed off by another rider whose brakes have failed. A rider who deals…

HIGHLIGHTS • Base model is £9990 • Where’s the rev counter? • Lower-spec suspension • Lower-spec brakes • 108bhp flat twin ‘The Boxer twin is as lively as it is torquey and has a playful kick’ Pared-to-the-bone when it comes to equipment, but boasting great dynamics and a characterful engine, BMW’s R nineT Pure is a charming motorcycle. The base model of the R nineT family (which includes the half-faired Racer retro sportsbike, the Scrambler and Urban G/S off-road-style bikes and the top-of-the range R nineT with higher-spec running gear), the Pure has been designed as a blank canvas for modifiers and costs £9990. Compared to the big-money £12,220 R nineT, it has a 43mm non-adjustable right way-up fork rather than the S1000RR-derived Sachs inverted items of the more expensive…

Shinji Kazama (66) is the only man to have ridden to both Poles and he also set a world record by riding higher up Everest than any motorcyclist had ever been. He was born in 1950 and first rode his brother’s motorcycle when he was 14. “I tried to ride it up to the top of a steep hill,” Kazama says. “I had gone 150m and couldn’t ride any further so started pushing it and when I reached the top I thought ‘What a view!’ I was fascinated by the view from the top of the hill and so I became obsessed with riding a motorcycle in nature.”…

With plenty of ups and downs, the A153 provides a great ride to one of the UK’s best spectator circuits – Cadwell Park. It’s a firm favourite, especially when BSB is in town, so why not link in this great ride with a trip to watch the action? Starting near Grantham, the A153 is generally a fairly quiet route but it does pass through several small villages so keep the speeds down in built-up areas. Once beyond Horncastle the best part of the A153 is the final run towards Cadwell as the road crosses the Lincolnshire Wolds. This rollercoaster section of road is brilliant fun with a good surface and you can really start to enjoy your bike as you sweep through the bends. Farm vehicles are common, as are…

LEARNING EXPERT Mark Edwards Leading instructor for top training outfit, Rapid Training CLUTCH CONTROL Quickshifters are becoming more common but using the clutch can put less strain on your gearbox. FEEL THE GEARS Don’t rush your changes. Make a positive movement and on down-changes try to feel for the next gear. Each time you go out on a decent ride you change gear hundreds of times, so it makes sense to do it as efficiently as possible. Changing up through the gearbox is a straight-forward affair. Some riders use the clutch for every shift while others only use it to keep things smooth through the lower gears and then go clutchless for 4th, 5th and 6th gears. I’m with the former group: mainly to ensure a smooth transition and because…

Forget the TT or the Dakar Rally – the MCN long-term test is the ultimate challenge for a motorcycle. MCN staff members, with experience levels that range from super-high mileage commuters, adventure riders, touring lovers, road racers, speed freaks and even raw novices, will put these 16 machines through seven months of two-wheeled torture. Of course, all the team will be taking up the #ride5000miles challenge, too, so expect four and five-figure mileages and non-stop European jaunts, as well as mountains of modifications, numerous tyre swaps, servicing info, and trackdays aplenty as they quest to discover what’s good and perhaps what’s not so good about the cream of 2017’s new bike crop. But they can’t do it alone so they need your help. If you’re lucky enough to have any…

2004 Honda XR400 £1800 Seller says New MoT, recent tyres, good C&S, just had oil and filter change Neil says Looks very tidy, and a better bet than a KLX250. 2016 Honda CB125F £1800 Seller says New shape, six months old, 2000 miles, light damage repair under insurance. Neil says Excellent purchase. Basically a barely run-in bike for a huge discount. 2005 Ducati Multistrada 1000DS £1752 Seller says 19,500 miles, fsh, double bubble screen, top box. Neil says Ugly , but still a very capable bike and much cheaper to run than a modern Multistrada.…

2014 BMW S1000R Colours White, black, red, blue Dealer £7999 Private good £7600 Private average £7200 This one This lacks the Sport package, but it has lots of extras and has covered less than 10,000 miles. £7999. 2015 BMW S1000R Colours White, black, red Dealer £9495 Private good £9200 Private average £8700 This one With just 3051 miles on its clocks, this Sport edition is in perfect condition for £9495. It even has a few tasteful extras. 2016 BMW S1000R Colours White, black, red, blue Dealer £10,995 Private good £10,200 Private average £9800 This one Another Sport edition, but this is a 2016 model that has only just gone over 1000 miles and is £10,995! 2017 S1000R Colours Grey, white/blue/ red, red/black This one The 2017 S1000R starts at £10,705,…

‘He’s either got a great poker face or he’s actually impressed’ A rider with as big a name as Josh joining a team as unproven as Anvil Hire Yamaha is rare in BSB. Predictions have ranged from him not even making the first round to fighting for the title. Neither would be a complete surprise. Even sources close to the team were surprised at the bold move to hire Brookes for 2017, knowing just how much pressure the presence of the former British Champion would bring to the small family-run outfit. Brookes’ initial reaction to riding the bike has been more positive than I’d anticipated. It’s hard to tell if a rider is going to have a good year from their first test, but you can tell if they’ve a…

‘Tandragee is often described as a ‘mini-TT’ course’ Guy Martin is set to make his return to road racing in 2017 with appearances at the Tandragee and Cookstown (Irish National) events in April. The 35-year-old will ride his superstock spec Honda Fireblade SP2 in the big bike races at both events. After his year out of racing in 2016, Martin now requires six signatures on his licence before he can race on the Mountain course at this year’s TT and the Lincolnshire man is opting for a return to the Irish events. The longest Irish National course in Ireland, Tandragee is often described as a ‘mini-TT’ but Guy has not competed at the Co Armagh event since 2005 when he was based in Ireland with the Robinson Concrete team. A…

John McPhee says he’s set to start this weekend’s opening round of the Moto3 world championship in his ‘strongest place ever’ after enjoying a successful final test on the British Talent Team factory-backed Honda. Making the most of the bike’s improved pace despite never getting the chance to really push after rain delayed much of the test, he says that things couldn’t be better for him going into the season. “I didn’t really attack for a time on the final day, so it’s difficult to assess it too much. But we’re in good shape, we’ve got a good base setting and we can do a good job. There’s one or two things I need to try, but if everything clicks I can comfortably run top five times. It’s the strongest…

‘We know that some of the guys just in front of us can’t put a race together to save their lives’ While much of the Brit focus for 2017 might well be on Cal Crutchlow after his amazing double win last season, there’s still a whole crop of other British riders wanting to make their mark on the premier class. With two of them on factory machines (KTM and Aprilia) and one of them on a race-winning bike (Ducati) from 2016 - anything could happen. There will be plenty to cheer about. 38 Bradley Smith Brad’s got a factory bike but can he make the KTM work? Many people will look at Bradley Smith’s testing form in despair with the KTM rider languishing at the bottom of the timesheets. And…

8 Hector Barbera DUCATI Hector Barbera surprised many by finishing tenth overall in 2016 thanks to consistency more than outright speed. But there’s no reason why he can’t repeat the feat again in 2017, thanks to an improved bike, as he jumps a step to move from a Ducati GP14 to a GP16 with the Reale Avintia team. 53 Tito Rabat HONDA Tito Rabat got a shock last year in his debut season in MotoGP. Faced with the task of jumping on to an aggressive and hard-to-ride RC213V, he finished only half of the season’s 18 rounds in the points. But with a more rider-friendly bike for 2017, he might be the biggest beneficiary of Honda’s switch to a big bang configuration. 76 Loris Baz DUCATI One of the unluckiest…

21 Franco Morbidelli Eg 0,0 Marc VDS It may seem strange that the Italian has been installed as pre-season favourite when you consider he’s not yet broken his victory duck in 53 attempts. That elusive first win is surely imminent after an outstanding conclusion to 2016 saw him finish on the podium in eight of the last 11 races, including a golden run of five in the last five. Ruthless and aggressive on track, his attacking style can see him run out of grip in the final laps, which is a weakness he’ll need to rectify. If he can add a bit more finesse then he’ll definitely be in the mix. 12 Thomas Luthi Carxpert Interwetten A stalwart of the Moto2 category since its inception back in 2010, last year…

While McPhee might be out for big things in 2017, there’s a whole host of others who want to spoil his party – headed by a veritable mafia of young and hungry Italian riders. Led by Valentino Rossi’s protégés, both in his team and his academy, McPhee will have his work cut out if he wants to get into the top five, never mind the top step of the podium. 23 Niccolò Antonelli Red Bull KTM Ajo One of the pre-season favourites for the second season in a row, 2016 Qatar GP winner Niccolò Antonelli sis on the bike that Brad Binder romped to title glory on in 2016. 8 Nicolò Bulega Sky Racing Team VR46 Valentino Rossi’s chosen one, the lanky 17-year-old seems to be dealing well with that…