Table of contents for 27 October 2021 in MCN

‘It was very emotional These are things I will always remember’VALENTINO ROSSI MOTOGP A Misano to remember Last weekend’s Misano MotoGP will be one that’ll be etched in our memory banks. Not only did we see France’s first premier class champ crowned, as Fabio Quartararo sealed the deal at his first opportunity, but we also saw the Doctor’s last GP in front of his home fans. And Italy certainly sent the GOAT off in style with a sea of yellow in the stands, special liveries on the VR46 squad bikes, fireworks, flypasts and awards. And he honoured his fans by dedicating his final Misano lid to them, then throwing it into the crowd after the race. Join the Misano celebrations with our picture special on PAGE 58 TOP STORY Can…

London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone has been extended to the North and South Circular roads – an expansion of roughly 18 times its previous size. The zone applies 24/7 and vehicles that enter must comply with regs or pay a £15 daily charge. For motorcycles, this means any vehicle that is not Euro 3 (pre-2007), will pay the levy unless it is exempt. Head to tfl.gov.uk and search for the ULEZ checker. Three’s company Just as the weather turns, heated kit experts Keis bring us the G301 – a waterproof heated glove that’s aimed at people that ride in all weathers. Designed for maximum warmth, the G301 is a three-finger glove that reduces airflow between the fingers for insulation. Powered by either the bike’s electrics or an optional battery, the…

South Yorkshire Police Off Road Team have a new weapon in the fight against bike theft and related crime. The force have added Yamaha Ténéré 700s to their existing fleet of WR250s to bridge the gap between the small scramblers and the BMW R1200RTs they use on the road. “The problem with the RTs is that riding on the housing estates, through the ginnels is fine but if the suspect rides onto the grass, following them just isn’t an option,” explained Sgt James Shirley from the team. “It would also be quite dangerous to start pursuing on the road with the WR as it doesn’t have the speed capability to keep up with some of the bikes we deal with. “These new bikes are part of our ongoing tactical approach…

A mobile food trailer stolen from On Yer Bike in Aylesbury has sparked an online fundraising campaign to help install a new static kiosk in its place. The unit was taken on the night of Thursday October 7, despite being secured with a hitch lock which was fixed into the ground with concrete. A plea was then posted on social media and has since been shared over 3000 times, alongside a GoFundMe page hoping to raise £15,000 for a new servery. Any extra cash generated will then be donated to the East Anglian Air Ambulance charity. Unit owner James Newman-Baronius has been serving food at the multi-franchise dealership for around 10 years. He said: “I couldn’t believe it. My first initial thoughts were how had they done it and why…

2014 Yamaha MT-07 Every week we give a different rider a wodge of fictional cash and ask them to ‘buy’ the bike that sets their soul on fire. This is Darren’s pick... Suspension tuning is something of a black art but if you want to get the best from your bike, it is the first area you should concentrate on. And few people in the UK know more about suspension than Darren Wnukoski. Having set up MCT Suspension in 2003, Darren has become one of the UK’s go-to men for riders wanting to fine-tune their bike’s handling and he deals with over 1500 customers a year. So what would the man with fork oil coursing through his veins buy in the used bike market? “A lot of modern bikes come…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews Banned for a reason Get real Mr Colin Brown of MAG fame (MCN, October 20). The fact of the matter is the only reason why mods are now being challenged is because lots of them are coming out of dodgy backstreet workshops. And the plastics do not crack they shatter and become projectiles. Plus it’s time the motorcycle buying public demanded that our bikes are emissions proof, after all you would not expect a brand new bike not to conform. Having spent a lot of time in Spain, I can tell you that you’d not get an MoT without having any parts approved by the Spanish dept of transport via EU testing. Wanna flog bike parts? Get them tested to see if they are fit for…

MCN staff and readers share their one-hour routes This two-hour A- and B-road, clockwise circuit starts and ends in the famous market town of Pateley Bridge in the heart of Nidderdale and takes in some of the best roads (and iconic names) of the Yorkshire Dales. Starting west on the fast, dry stone wall-lined B6265 you’ll soon get to Hebden Bridge where the Old School Tea Room is worth a stop. Continuing on this road, after 20 minutes you get to Grassington before turning onto the B6160 at Threshfield for a fast, sweeping road north for the next 20 miles. After merging onto the fast, open A684 east to Leyburn, you then turn south east, but staying on the A684, before turning south on the A6108 towards Middleham then another…

SATURDAY October 30 8.25am, ITV4, MotoGP highlights from Misano, Italy SUNDAY October 31 11am, EUR2, Live Motocros: Race 1 of MX2. 12pm Race 2 of MXGP. 2pm Race 2 of MX2. 3pm Race 2 of MXGP TUESDAY November 2 3pm, EUR2, World Superbikes from Donington Park: Highlights 4pm, EUR2, WSB Assen: Highlights 5pm, EUR2, WSB Czech: Highlights KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT - DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC - DISCOVERY CHANNEL DHD - DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD EXS - EXTREME SPORTS CHANNEL EUR1 (2, HD) - EUROSPORT 1 (2, HD) MOT - MOTORSPORT.TV CH4 - CHANNEL 4 CH5 - CHANNEL FIVE BBC BBCI - BBC INTERACTIVE ESPN - ESPN CLASSIC CHANNEL ITV DST - DISCOVERY TURBO SHED - DISCOVERY SHED INST - INSIGHT SS1 (2, 3 OR X) - SKY SPORTS 1 (2, 3…

If recent times have demonstrated one thing it is that petrol supplies can be volatile. So is now the time to switch to electric? It’s certainly coming, but how fast? If these two are anything to go by, at lightning speed because here we have a pair of machines that (with a little planning...) should complete the MCN250 without fuss. The key to making electric vehicles viable is charging and both the Harley-Davidson LiveWire and Energica Eva Ribelle RS run the option of DC Fast Charging (CCS). In simple terms, where Level 1 charging (domestic plug) is like filling your tank through a straw, CCS fires it in via a hose. That means the most we will need to wait to fully charge each bike is one hour – probably…

‘Great fun, but they’re still let down’ Taking these two electric bikes on the MCN250 was an eye-opening experience, not only due to the volume of coffee we drank while waiting for them to charge but also in terms of their performance and how far the electric support network has evolved. And also how much further it needs to develop for it to suit our needs. Looking at the pure riding experience, they are very hard to criticise as the performance of their electric motors was astounding and their handling, considering the bulk they are forced to lug around due to the heavy battery, equally impressive. The infrastructure was the biggest challenge and one that held them back on the MCN250. Electric vehicle owners will soon become used to the…

‘It feels like you’re flying’ Heather Collins, 48, Milton Keynes “It was brilliant! I usually ride an SV650, but am on my husband’s Zero S because he’s driving one of the support vehicles. All the horns tooting and people waving was fantastic, we set off as one long procession through London. I left on 97% charge and finished on 49%, so roughly half the range and enough to get me back again. I didn’t really have to manage my economy up to the halfway checkpoint as the convoy was doing it for me, but after that I just rode as normal. The highlight was when we hit the national speed limit along the country lanes – on an electric motorcycle you just feel like you’re flying. I’d trade in my…

The appearance of the Fat Boy in Terminator 2 is the stuff of legend. Less well known is how this lumbering, heavy Harley was made to jump 30ft from an overpass and survive unscathed. Ridden by stuntman Peter Kent, the jump was accomplished by supporting the bike on inch-thick cables, which were designed to take the weight of the bike and rider as it hit the ground. The cables were then digitally removed in post-production. Two cranes were placed by stunt coordinator Joel Kramer to the left and right, out of shot, 600 feet apart with the cable tethered between them. This was then attached with an eight foot ‘spreader bar’ in its centre and the Fat Boy, complete with Kent on board, hung from it. A further cable was attached…

1 TomTom Rider 550, £499.99 I did use a Garmin 345 but switched to the TomTom when they developed the ability to plan a route on your phone and send it to the satnav without plugging it in. It does its own updates via Wi-Fi and has live traffic as well. Lee Harrison, Manchester 2 BMW Motorrad Connected app, FREE TO USE* I like it how it handles voice instructions in conjunction with music. Jan Willem Helmers, Netherlands 3 Garmin Zumo XT, £429.99 I upgraded to this satnav this year and couldn’t recommend it enough! Damian McAfee, Hillsborough 4 Beeline Moto, £149 Very minimalist, it takes time to get used to – especially when two junctions are close. Ivor McCullagh, Banbury 5 BMW GPS Navigator 6, £747.71 Offers the best…

MECHANIC Phil ‘Doc’ Hacker of the FJ Owners Club Once bikes like the Yamaha FJ-series get to a certain age, if they are still on the road they tend to be looked after by enthusiasts. So, when Phil ‘Doc’ Hacker at the FJ Owners Club in Bristol was contacted by a rider who had a 30-year-old FJ1200 with a mere 32,000 miles on the clock, he wasn’t expecting the suspension linkage to look like a shipwreck. Doc said: “It had been raised as an MoT advisory, but the tester had obviously taken the bloke to one side and told him it needed sorting.” The bolts had seized solid at both ends of the shock and they needed drilling out, so Doc had to remove the subframe to get access with…

Darryn Binder will make the jump from Moto3 to MotoGP next season after signing for the RNF Yamaha team to ride alongside Andrea Dovizioso. The newly branded RNF Racing squad, formally Petronas Yamaha (Sepang Racing Team), has signed a one-year deal for the supply of YZR-M1 bikes in 2022, with the option of extending into 2023 and 2023. The South African will become the first rider since Jack Miller to make the leap from the lightweight class straight into the premier class. Binder’s signing ends any hope that Britain’s Jake Dixon would be promoted full time to MotoGP after his two appearances with the Petronas Yamaha team at both Silverstone and Aragon.…

MICHAEL LAVERTY THE INSIDER BT Sport’s technical guru unmasks secrets at the sharp end of MotoGP 1 Cornering 10kph faster Yamaha have always designed a bike targeting superior handling with their chassis, engine character and weight distribution providing a user-friendly package. When you combine that with a rider with a natural inclination to release the front brake early and attack the apex you have an ideal pairing. When Fabio has grip from a new set of tyres in timeattack mode, he carves his way around the circuit some 10kph faster midcorner than the best in the world, which keeps him out of reach of the faster V4s for quite a way down the straights. Meanwhile, his long torso allows him to spread his weight across the machine, getting his head…

● Quartararo was just four when his father Etienne – a former French 125cc champion – gave him a Yamaha PW50. ● His racing career started to blossom when he won the 50cc, 70cc and 80cc Catalan Championship and he took the pre-Moto3 title in the Mediterranean championship. ● He won the Spanish Moto3 title in 2013 and 2014 ahead of a world stage switch in 2015 with a Honda team run by Marquez’s mentor Emilio Alzamora. ● Seventh on his debut in Qatar, he was on the podium in just his second Grand Prix in Austin and again in Assen before his progress was blunted by a broken ankle in Misano. ● Leopard Racing were reigning Moto3 champions in 2016 and Quartararo rode a KTM with last year’s MotoGP…

Simplicity in an off roader is something to be revered, and the CRF is the definition of simplicity. With 24bhp, you don’t need to think too hard about how to put the power down either, but the main thing to remember is that this bike can handle the dirt with the best of them. With hardly any weight to the chassis, it’s a doddle to manage whether you’re trying to find your way through town or on a rutted track. And if you were looking for something to take out every weekend, it’s worth mentioning that it is happy to take some abuse. The single is easy to use and is good quality compared to other small-capacity adventurers. You’ll find that non-Rally 250s are cheaper with less plastic to break…

Following huge demand, National Motorcycle Museum LIVE returns on October 30-31 as a two-day event. Everyone can visit for free (car parking is £10 – bikes park for free!) and enjoy a host of attractions. Indoor trade area Inside will be a massive trade area full of stands which will feature many well-known names including Central Wheel Components Ltd, Triumph Motorcycles, Sealey Tools and Norton Motorcycles. The museum shop will be open with a huge range of books, clothing, and memorabilia. ‘Meet the Experts’ presented in association with Central Wheel Components Ltd Chat with some of the museum’s specialist suppliers and craftsmen (including the restoration team) as well as other classic motorcycling personalities. Don’t miss the live wheel building demos by Central Wheel Components Ltd. ‘Henry Cole and friends’ live…

I remember the first time I heard the name Fabio Quartararo. Keith Huewen was excitedly talking about the kid who they’d changed the rules for. Having taken back-to-back titles in CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship, Fabio was allowed to race Grand Prix as a 15 year old, rather than having to wait until he reached the minimum age of 16. “This kid’s a sensation” said Huewen, as FQ took a podium in his second GP. But things fizzled out and it took Fabio until 2018 to get his first win... Was he simply too young before then to handle the pressure? Perhaps. There’s much talk over the stress youngsters are under simply doing their school exams at that age, let alone competing in a professional sport. So there’s something of…

BMW have unveiled an official police-spec version of their CE 04 electric scooter at the Milipol exhibition in Paris. The scooter, which has been created in collaboration with police in the Netherlands, has been designed as a sustainable option for police in urban areas. As well as the police livery, the CE 04 gets a siren, LED flashing lights and beacon and a set of luggage which are all added by BMW before the bike is delivered. Underneath is the same electric scooter unveiled in July with 41.4bhp, 75mph top speed and 80-mile range.…

Weise Nomad winter gloves £59.99 The Nomads feature a Hipora membrane to keep wind-chill at bay, block out the rain and allow your hands to breathe naturally. Meanwhile, a two-layer storm cuff with an elasticated inner and hook-and-eye-secured outer layer forms a seal around the wrists to stop rain trickling in. www.weiseclothing.com Richa Toulon 2 jacket £189.99 Richa’s Toulon 2 leather jacket line-up has been bolstered for this year with the addition of new colours for both men and women. The Toulon 2 is made from full-grain leather and features D3O armour at the shoulders, elbows and back as standard. There is also a soft neoprene collar with a press stud closure, the waist is adjustable. www.nevis.uk.com…

Q ‘Kid on e-scoot pulled out’ I was riding along at a leisurely pace when a lad on an e-scooter pulled out of a junction into my path. I narrowly managed to avoid clattering into him but ended up losing control and coming off. Unbelievably, the lad didn’t stop - instead, he carried on like nothing had happened before casually taking the scooter up onto the pavement and out of sight. I wasn’t hurt too badly - just some bruised ribs which were sore for about a month or so. My main concern was the cosmetic damage to my bike, which was TPFT. Is there any prospect of getting the repair costs back? And is it relevant that Cardiff doesn’t have an e-scooter trial running right now? Rory, Cardiff A…

Ride further in 2021 with a little help from our one-stop event guide JUST BREW IT Ride out to Britain’s best biking cafés If you’re looking for a great meeting point in Essex or maybe a new bike entirely, then Café Torque is worth checking out. Part of Cannon Motorcycles, the café is nestled in the corner of the BMW and Zero dealership and has plenty to offer. Scott Fogharty of Cannon told MCN: “It’s a great place to be at, the café. It’s a great meeting place for our customer base. A lot of regulars come back and sit and have a tea or a cup of coffee, bacon roll, whatever the case may be.” It’s a handy start/finish spot for the dealership’s regular rideouts too. “We try and…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday October 27 BIKE MEETS ■ Squires Cafe Newthorpe near Sherburn in Elmet, West Yorks, 01977-684618 or www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ The Old Stores Pontblyddyn, Mold, Flints, 6pm-9pm 07548224866 or Facebook: The Old Stores Motorbike cafe ■ Seaways Bike Night, Seaways, Fridaythorpe, East Yorks, 4pm- 8pm mike@seawayscafe.co.uk ■ The Plough Cadsden Road, Cadsden, Nr Princess Risborough, Bucks www.plough-at-cadsden.co.uk ■ Loomies Moto Cafe West Meon, Hants. Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk Thursday October 28 BIKE MEETS ■ Iron Horse bike Night Iron Horse Ranch House, Market Deeping, Lincs 6pm-9pm 01778-346952 or www.ironhorseranchouse.co.uk ■ Vic Bikers Pub Coalville, Leics 01530-814718 or www.vicbikerspub.co.uk ■ Manor Farm Diner Bellerby, North Yorks, 01969 624705 ■ Zoom Zoom Tearoom Sand Lane, South Cave,…

‘Having a super time’ R5K MEMBER SCOTT BRAILEY I stopped in Weston-super-Mare to take a picture with Birnbeck Pier in the background. I love the history of this pier and couldn’t resist getting a photo with the Triumph in front of it. Nice weather too! ‘Can’t beat the rugged scenery’ R5K MEMBER GARETH BURNINGHAM This was taken a couple of weeks ago heading to Durness from Skye. You can’t beat the rugged Scottish scenery and a good pose! ‘Lincolnshire’s Tuscany’ R5K MEMBER CHRIS LAYLEY I had to stop when riding back from Mablethorpe beach along Bluestone Heath Road in the Lincolnshire Wolds. It’s like a smaller version of Tuscany. ‘A happy coincidence’ R5K MEMBER DARAIUS MASTER I spotted this sign on my satnav just after leaving Loomies Moto Café and…

‘My eyes have been opened to electricity’ Charley Boorman Age 55 Height 5ft 8in Rode a Harley LiveWire for the Long Way Up series with Ewan McGregor “Before Long Way Up I hadn’t really considered electric bikes as a viable option, as like so many people I didn’t fully understand the technology and assumed you couldn’t go anywhere on them. Yet since doing that trip my eyes have been opened. I’ve been running a Harley LiveWire for about six months now and I absolutely love it. “I ride the LiveWire all the time and if I have to pop into London that’s what I take as it is so convenient. And it is also fun to ride, I love the engagement with the road and environment you get as it…

It goes without saying that in order to take part you’ll need to have an electric vehicle. That said, anyone who does own one should seriously consider signing up as it’s a great way to meet like-minded folk and spread the word about the benefits of EVs, not to mention the wider effect of zero emission technology and renewable energy. Wheels are already in motion for the 2022 rally, which is set to take place on July 9. Full details at www.londontobrightonelectricvehiclerally.com…

Need help with your riding skills? MCN expert can fix it THE STUDENT Keith Edwards, 45, Glossop Keith was bitten by the biking bug during lockdown and decided to return to two wheels following a 17-year break. With any training a distant memory, he’s keen to brush up on his skills. The problem ‘No matter how much I focus on finding the right position for a bend I end up on the wrong line for the next one and that makes me a nervous rider.’ THE TUTOR Mark Furnival, Rapid Training Mark trained as a Class 1 Police rider and has ridden both on and off-road in the line of duty. He’s been a coaching for three years. Mark’s action plan ‘I’ll show Keith how to take a straighter line…

“Over the years I’ve noticed an ever-increasing range of cleaners. Long gone are the days when there was just one bike cleaning fluid available. One of my favourites is Muc-Off who are known for their bright pink cleaner and associated products. I’ve now got a treasured and still-growing collection of specialist cleaning brushes and once I’ve cleaned a bike, I’m then looking for a product to clean the brushes! “Another quality provider is Autoglym. I use their stuff all the time and their resin polish is up there as one of the best. It’s easy to apply and requires minimal effort to remove once dry to reveal a super-polished finish. Autoglym’s range has also increased massively over the years and a particular recent addition raised a smile when it first…

MCN CONTRIBUTOR A 13-race losing streak tested Sam Lowes’ patience but not his determination to dig deep and end the season as it started… on winning form. Lowes won his third race of the campaign from pole position, just as he did the Doha double in March. The Misano pole was a new Moto2 class record. It was a sweet moment for Lowes, who faced down a midrace challenge from world title hopeful Raul Fernandez and a late surge from Aron Canet “I’m really happy for this result. All season I feel like I’ve been really close to my potential but just didn’t get it done on Sunday,” Lowes said. “I dug deep and for me it’s really important to finish the year strongly and build momentum for next year.…

‘That was a wild end to the race’ That was one hell of a Grand Prix and what a celebration when Fabio won, it was like an epic crescendo of fireworks, DJs, big screen, burnouts and over heating bikes – even Rossi threw his helmet into the crowd! It was a wild end to the meeting, and a lot of relief for people. Pecco Bagnaia took it well. I think he’s already drawn a line under 2021 – now it’s all about 2022. He’s the new generation of MotoGP rider. He’s figured it out, he’s prepared to put it all on the line and he’s going to be strong. It was certainly a mature ride by Fabio to get he title wrapped up, Fabio in the past would have made…

MARC MARQUEZ ‘Fast and consistent’ Fabio was fast, but also very consistent, which is very difficult to achieve. You can be very fast in some parts of the season, but being consistent is the most important thing for a championship. JOHANN ZARCO ‘So good for France’ He has been very clever, and has shown that his mentality has improved so much from last year. Every race he was there, even when he had problems. It will bring some dreams to the young riders in France and it’s good for our country. JORGE LORENZO ‘It will be a huge weight off him’ I can imagine how he’s feeling because I felt the same. It’s a huge weight off your shoulders because it’s the first time you’re the world champion in the…

NEWS EDITOR Honda have brought touring back into focus with their new NT1100 – an Africa Twin based sports-tourer that has modern performance, old-school practicality and a sensible price. Honda say they have built the bike because there’s a large group of people out there who want the comfort, technology and performance of modern adventure bikes without the lofty seat height or associated cost. The truth too is that for most people, especially if you spend time just on road, they’re a better choice. As the NT1100 name suggests, the new bike is powered by the 1084cc parallel twin from the Africa Twin. It’s got new intakes and exhaust innards to fatten up the midrange, with a minor drop in peak torque, so it now produces 100.5bhp @ 7250rpm and…

£11,495 Kawasaki Z1000R Performance The higher-spec Z1000R Performance features a fully-adjustable Öhlins shock and Akrapovic pipes as standard. It uses the same Brembos seen on the Ninja H2R and has a yellow-green graphics package to complete the look. Deleted from the range this year, this is an unregistered 2020-model. www.seastarsuperbikes.co.uk SAVE £638 £4797 BMW G310GS This baby GS is a cost-effective route onto the BMW ladder and can cope with light green-laning. ● www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/cannon-witham ● Engine 313cc ● Power 34bhp ● Weight 169kg ● Seat height 835mm SAVE £501 £6748 Kawasaki Ninja 650 The sporty looking Kawasaki 650 is a fun and engaging middleweight, ideal for younger and less experienced riders. ● bransonsmotorcycles.co.uk ● Engine 649cc ● Power 67bhp ● Weight 193kg ● Seat height 790mm SAVE £701 £11,499 Yamaha…

The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) and the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) have announced a new partnership and become members of each other’s organisations. Craig Carey-Clinch, the NMC’s Executive Director, said: “There are several rider issues where the NMDA and NMC have common interests and the new partnership can only strengthen the cohesiveness and authority of motorcyclists voice to government.” Ducati sales keep on rising Ducati have announced that thanks to the strongest third quarter in their history, they have surpassed their 2020 total in the first nine months of 2021. The Italian firm sold a total of 48,042 bikes in 2020 but had already sold 49,693 in 2021 with three months still left to run. Francesco Milicia, Ducati VP Global Sales and After Sales, said: “The growth we are…

Keis B501W ladies heated bodywarmer £120 Let’s turn up the heat The clocks go back this weekend but that doesn’t mean the bike has to go into hibernation. A few tweaks and some changes to your motorcycling wardrobe will make all the difference and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. We’ve been checking out the web this week for the latest kit to warm the cockles of your wallet. Sportsbikeshop, for example, have a wide range of heated kit, including this female-specific body warmer from heated kit specialist Keis. Cut and tapered to fit, it’s made from a combination of polyester and stretchy Spandex. There are heated elements in the collar, front and back, the aim being to keep your core warm so that you feel comfortable and focused…

Welcome to the graveyard shift… When I started at MCN one of my jobs was the ‘graveyard shift’, which involved seeing which models were discontinued as the new ranges were announced (I’m still haunted by the groans when I announced the Aprilia RS250 was dead...). Aside from morbid curiosity, this passing of the old is a great way to sniff out bargains and snap up a bike that may well go up in value, so it pays to keep an eye open. A couple of examples that spring to mind are the Suzuki B-King and Yamaha MT-01. When I first saw the B-King I predicted its premature demise, simply because Suzuki had so under delivered on what the prototype promised - namely a supercharger! The MT-01 was also destined to…

‘Part of the best club in the world’ Double WSB champ, James Toseland, says everyone should experience the sheer joy of motorcycling It’s important to be around people who care for you. Humans are gregarious creatures and motorcycling is an escape from normal life. I always knew I adored riding bikes. Going out riding with friends, then stopping to have a coffee and being around people who care for you and with whom you can talk, means you are part of the best club in the world. Riding is not something on which to vent your anger – that can be very dangerous. However, what you can do is put your helmet on and go on a ride with somebody special to you. Feel the breeze around you, ride to…

Readers Josh Yildirim, Koray Yildirim and Christian Hay The trip West coast of France, northern Spain and UK, taking in some idyllic French towns, with three days in the stunning Picos de Europa in northern Spain, and finally back for a meandering return to Glasgow via the Cotswolds and Yorkshire Dales. How many miles? 2500 How long do you need? Two weeks Best time to go Early September Don’t miss… The mountain passes. Leaving our base in Potes to Fuenta De Mountains with its magnificent views of the Picos and then down to Riano via the San Glorio Pass (N-621). This route is often listed as a ‘must do’ for the Picos and I can see why – it’s glorious, twisty, sweeping, fast, technical, brooding and quite simply unforgettable! Send…

This year the National Motorcycle Museum Live events is over a whole weekend – and it’s packed full of star speakers, experts and bikes. What’s happening? As well as food, a bar, trade stands and suppliers, there are talks and bike start-ups throughout the weekend. Henry Cole will be live on stage with Steve Plater, Allen Millyard, Guy Willison and John McGuinness on both days and, in the Britannia Suite, Plater will be firing up some old classics. There’s a chance to enter the raffle to win a brand-new Norton 961, and you can meet John “Mooneyes” Cooper at his book signing. Top that with experts from the world of motorcycling and a guided museum tour and you get a jam-packed weekend. Where and when? Just off the M42 near…

‘Just so crisp and direct’ KTM’s 1290 Super Duke RR neatly demonstrates how top-quality suspension, lightweight wheels, sticky tyres, perfect ergonomics and set-up can dramatically improve an already fine handling motorcycle. It might have the same engine and chassis layout as the standard R model, but the RR is so crisp it somehow feels smaller and more direct – more like an 890 Duke R than a 1.3-ltre super naked. None of its goodness comes cheap, but no built-to-a- price machine can ever feel as plush, grip so hard or load you with so much confidence and with all RRs already snapped up, exclusivity is already guaranteed. THE FACTS £21,499 KTM 1290 Super Duke RR Engine 1301cc 8v V-twin Frame Steel trellis Front suspension WP 48mm forks, fully adjustable Rear…

‘I’m happy to say the first rally has been a success’ Tom Druitt, Founder of The Big Lemon and Co-founder of the London to Brighton EV Rally “I was discussing a London to Brighton bus rally with my friend Bill Murray to launch the Big Lemon’s new electric buses, but one thing led to another and we decided to open it up to all EVs as a way of celebrating both the vehicle technology and that of renewable energy. We’ve got 11 different categories from public transport to e-bikes and low-cost commuter scooters to luxury SUVs. The most important thing is that everybody has a good time and judging by the smiles I’m happy to say it’s been a success.”…

“I was quite nervous coming along today as I haven’t done that many miles since I started riding again and I didn’t know what to expect. I’ve been trying to focus on the right line, but I think I’ve been concentrating too much on position rather than looking where I was going and getting it wrong as a result. Mark explained that by going wider on a lefthand bend I could get a much better view through it and take a smoother line with far less lean angle. It’s certainly clicked and I’m starting to put it into practice now. It’s a boost to my confidence, making me more relaxed and that has made my steering and throttle inputs smoother too.” THAT’S BETTER! Mark says ‘I can see that Keith’s…

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Bell Race Star DLX Flex £649.99 ‘Beautiful quality and smart design…’ Tested by Emma Franklin for 2000 miles/four months The modern-day evolution of the original full-face helmet from 1967, the Bell Race Star is a top-spec carbon-fibre lid that’s up there with the best and is packed with features. First and foremost is Bell’s Flex lining, which is a three-layer EPS that Bell claim will offer enhanced impact absorption at varied speeds, including protection from rotational forces. The outer-most petal-shaped layer also adds a level of adaptive fit, meaning Flex-equipped lids stand a better chance of suiting more head shapes, so say Bell. I have to agree, with the Race Star Flex being forget-you’re-wearing-it comfortable right from day one. The next stand-out feature is the…

Saving you money on essential bike maintenance MCN’s expert technician 1 Bonus biking time We’ve been blessed with an extended summer this year. A sunny, warm September and October have provided bonus biking time due to much better weather than normal. But that also means giving your bike an ‘end of season’ clean requires a little more effort as insects and road tar take some extra knowhow to get them shifted. 2 Moisten things up Prepare your bike by ensuring engine and exhausts are cold as any heat will evaporate water and cleaning compounds leaving a residue. Place the bike on front and rear stands if possible so both wheels are off the ground. Pre-rinse with a hose, directing the spray to loosen and remove any large clumps of dirt.…

MATTHEW BIRT INSIGHT Getting the inside line on grand prix racing since 1996 From teenage wonderboy in Moto3 to misfiring star in Moto2, Fabio Quartararo’s daunting journey to claim racing’s biggest prize reached an emotional conclusion in Misano. The first French rider to win the premier class title in its 72-year history, Quartararo was hyped as MotoGP’s next big global superstar before he’d even started a Grand Prix race back in 2015. He was so highly rated by the time he’d won a second domestic Moto3 series in Spain aged just 15, that MotoGP tweaked its minimum age limit, allowing Quartararo to start his GP career months before he reached the previous threshold of 16 years. Lavish praise came his way from MotoGP’s established elite, including Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez…

The MCN Awards 2021 have been announced, and BMW have topped three individual categories. Tourer of the year The BMW R1250RT has won MCN’s Best Tourer award for what seems like forever, and even now rivals aren’t coming close. But that doesn’t mean that BMW have kept the exact recipe, and with new ingredients this year we’ve got something to talk about. Over the years, the RT has managed to be a cross-continental armchair all whilst delivering surprising speed and grace when you need it. It’s quick, and not just for a big tourer, and has an elastic spread of power thanks to the engine’s clever ShiftCam system. We love the growl from its exhaust, and on the motorways, you get the reassurance of weighty stability all whilst being balanced…

As we enter the last quarter of 2021, Pidcock’s mission to provide quality motorcycles from BMW, Ducati, Triumph, and Zero for enthusiastic riders is still ongoing. With a vast range of models and finance options to take advantage of, they have a deal to suit every motorcycling enthusiast. Cruiser of the year Riding in comfort and style has never been easier thanks to some great offers for the BMW R18 – with both the Classic and First Editions available. There has never a better time to enjoy this stylish cruiser – which was named MCN’s Cruiser of the Year 2021. With specialist, passionate, and dedicated staff at all Pidcock branches, you can rely on the staff at Roy Pidcock BMW to find the solution that works best for you. Find…