Table of contents for 10 November 2021 in MCN

‘I am determined to make Norton big and successful’NORTON CEO, ROBERT HENTSCHEL EXCLUSIVE ACCESS We go inside the all-new Norton HQ It’s been a tough five years for the Norton brand, as expectation and excitement turned to one of the most catastrophic collapses in recent biking history. But new Norton is not old Norton. Now owned by a parent company who know what success looks like, the new business is gearing up to do it properly. We got an exclusive look inside the new HQ this week and spoke to the man with a plan. FULL STORY P6, 7, 8 TOP STORY Yamaha unveil nutty new MT-10 Some bikes should lose the annoying tank warning stickers about fuel compatibility and wearing a helmet, and simply replace them with three words:…

Triumph have two new special editions of the monster Rocket 3 performance cruiser. The Rocket 3 R 221 roadster and Rocket 3 GT 221 tourer will be available for one year only, have been named after the bike’s world-leading peak torque figure of 221Nm (163lb.ft) and feature a unique red paintjob with 221 on the tank’s sides and a special graphic listing key performance data atop the fuel tank. The 221 R costs £21,100 and the 221 GT £21,800, both will be available from April. It’s an EC rider This is the new, EC1 limited edition version of Triumph’s entry-level retro roadster, the Street Twin. Inspired by East London’s vibrant custom motorcycle scene as epitomised by the Bike Shed, and named after the district’s postcode, the EC1 version of the…

DIRECTOR OF CONTENT With a spanking new factory comes a fresh start and expectations of spanking new bikes as the world’s attention turns to what will roll out of Norton’s high-tech new Solihull factory. CEO Robert Hentschel showed MCN around the facility stationed in the heart of the Midlands and revealed: “We are all about craftmanship and plan to build bikes that we and our customers can be proud of.” Norton’s forward-thinking boss proudly showed off the new assembly line as pre-production machines were being bolted expertly together. The new V4 SV, a re-engineered version of ‘old’ Norton’s V4 SS, is very close to going into production with a limited run of 200 planned. Owners of the original V4 have been offered the new machine at a ‘very special price’…

Ducati have unveiled their latest urban e-mobility offering, an electric scooter called the PRO-III. The scoot has a claimed 50km range and 515W power output (equivalent to about 0.7hp) and a variable top speed up to 15.5mph. The PRO-III also boasts 10in wheels with anti-puncture tyres, a lightweight magnesium frame, LED lights and NFC contactless start-up for security and even KERS tech in the brakes. ISDT at Sammy’s A Cheney Triumph that was Ken Heanes’ last International Six Days Trial bike has gone on display at the Sammy Miller Museum in Hampshire. The over-bored 504cc machine was built by Eric Cheney as number one of a batch for the British team in the 1970 event. Sammy intends to create a new zone for his existing ISDT collection and this latest…

Bike Shed and Royal Enfield have launched a one-off, co-branded clothing collection. Bike Shed took the creative lead and sought inspiration from the art and style of their East London district before attention was turned to the motorcycles themselves. Design inspiration was taken from a Interceptor 650 custom build with Royal Enfield. The result is a versatile collection including long-and short-sleeve T-shirts, a bomber jacket, a range of caps and a messenger bag. Become an MCN VIP Get a quote at MCNcompare.com and become a VIP member. We will be giving away a prize every month for a year to a rider, who has opted into the scheme. Once you’ve opted in you’ll be entered into our monthly prize draw to win up to £2000 worth of prizes. You will…

Ride further in 2021 with a little help from our one-stop event guide Ride out to Britain’s best biking cafés HARLEY COFFEE SHOP • Monday-Friday 7.30am-3pm, Saturday 9am-12pm, bike nights 6pm-late • Find out more / www.facebook.com/Harley-Coffee-Shop-106389044792857 • Forge Lane, Halesowen, B62 8EB Sandwiched into a tight gap in the middle of Birmingham is a hidden gem: Harley Coffee Shop. Once a forgotten space which was filled to the brim with junk, landlord Matt Round set to work and repaired the ceiling, walls, and floor with a vision for opening a biker coffee shop – something which mother and son team Marcia and Luke Attwell took in their stride. Luke explains: “We knew the landlord, and mum jokingly said if the other renters fell through, we’d come and have a…

Poppy Day Parade Although the Ace Cafe is buzzing most days of the week, this Sunday, there is a special Poppy Day Parade and service as well as a Military Meet to mark Remembrance Sunday. The event starts at 9am and is expected to finish at 5pm. london.acecafe.com Pit Stop bike night The Pit Stop Diner hosts bike nights every Tuesday all year round from 5pm until 9pm. Located just off the A66 in Stockton on Tees, it’s an ideal meeting spot. www.thepitstopdiner.co.uk Vic Biker’s pub meet Thursdays are home to bike night at the Victoria Biker’s Pub in Coalville, Leicestershire. There are bands on regularly too with all the info on their Facebook page and on the pub website. www.vicbikerspub.co.uk…

DEPUTY EDITOR, MOTORCYCLING THE MCN TEST • THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK £3879 (£4039 AS TESTED) Royal Enfield Meteor • 349cc 2v single • 20bhp/20lb.ft • £60.46 per month HP (as tested) £6039 (£6239 AS TESTED) Royal Enfield Interceptor • 648cc 8v parallel twin • 47bhp/39lb.ft • £112.83 per month HP (as tested) £4699 (£4799 AS TESTED) Royal Enfield Himalayan • 411cc 2v single • 24bhp/24lb.ft • £78.56 per month HP (as tested) It’s no longer Royal Oilfield. For yonks the Indian firm churned out bum-basic motorcycles based on pre-historic British plodders, at times with sketchy reliability and using materials that made metallurgists shudder. But Enfield are now reborn, with a glistening R&D facility in the UK and a bevy of new models. And to say they’ve caught the…

Gordon had loved bikes ever since he listened to local lads’ motorcycling stories as a boy. Born in 1924, he first rode a bike at 12 – a 1920 Radco – and was hooked instantly. At 16, he joined the Home Guard (after lying about his age) and became their despatch rider. “I’d just got my first motorbike, a 1927 KTT Velocette for £10!” he tells MCN. Gordon was soon issued with a pre-war Douglas and sidecar but joined up once he turned 18. “On November 5, 1942, I went with my little suitcase to Derbyshire and did six weeks infantry training.” Gordon rode all over the UK on a GCL Matchless. And although he suffered a crash, he joined the war effort in Europe and landed on Juno beach…

‘I found more confidence’ “I noticed a big change in my riding on my journey back home after the clinic and found I had a lot more confidence to really start to ride the bike deeper into corners to extend my view. “I was worried before I went to the session that I would be too slow and hold the group up but I never felt like my riding was a problem, I just felt encouraged which was great. “Overall, I really enjoyed the time I spent at the MCN rider clinic. I found it really beneficial to be out practising using the system on unfamiliar roads. Ryan’s encouragement, as well as the environment, helped my confidence to gradually push my position further left.” THAT’S BETTER! Ryan says… “Jade’s got…

Nolan N70-2GT £229.99 ‘Flip up, flip down. It’s a proper do-it-all lid’ Tested by Ali Silcox for 3500 miles / seven months This dual-homologated helmet, with a polycarbonate shell, looks a little unusual. With a huge visor that comes down over the removable chin bar, it has a futuristic vibe but it makes for spectacular visibility. It can be worn in six different ways but I’ve only used three of the configurations. As a traditional full-face lid, it’s comfortable and took no breaking in, the lining is plush and well-padded and there’s space to fit an intercom. The drop-down sun visor is dark enough for bright sunny rides but isn’t the easiest to operate. It has a small slider to drop down and button to retract, both of which are…

Motorcycles are quite simple in their requirements, hence why the two basic variants of lead-acid batteries have endured. But the cost of replacement lithium-based batteries is coming down. The specific type of lithium battery that is suitable for bike use is the LiFeP04, this means lithium-iron phosphate, which is non-toxic and lends itself to most recycling criteria. Not to be confused with what is commonly fitted to most handheld devices which is Lithium-ion, LiCo02 or LiMn204, which use lithium cobalt dioxide and manganese oxide, and have specific end-of-life requirements. The Noco LiFeP04 battery (from £100) used here isn’t just a case of the cells wired to the terminals like a lead acid type, as these batteries do not work in the same way – the charging current that is fed…

In a career-defining moment Remy Gardner took control of the Moto2 world championship with a perfectly executed victory at Portimao. Only a reckless mistake can now rob Gardner of a place in the record book and he is on the brink of joining his father Wayne as a world champion. Gardner Snr took the 1987 500cc world championship crown. And with a 23-point lead going into the final race in Valencia, Remy could become only the second Aussie to win the Moto2/250cc championship. Kel Carruthers won the title in 1969. Gardner’s KTM teammate and star rookie Raul Fernandez has conceded the enormity of salvaging the championship after being out-raced and finishing second in Portimao. “Remy did an incredible job. I cannot fight him for the championship, the points gap is…

Aprilia have gone in search of answers after a disastrous Portimao outing that saw both Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales fail to score points. This was in stark contrast to the upswing of a double top ten at the previous race, at home in Misano. The RS-GP has flashes of speed but lacks consistency, something further exposed by the cooler race day temperatures in Portugal. Espargaro admitted to being too aggressive on the brakes after overtaking Franco Morbidelli for 15th and crashing out on lap eight. “It was my fault, but something hasn’t been working and we need to figure it out,” Espargaro said. “Maybe the RS-GP struggles with low temperatures, but it’s the same for everyone, so knowing how to adapt to the various conditions is important.” Still in…

PORTIMAO CIRCUIT 16 A Marquez 67 17 Morbidelli 42 18 Marini 41 19 Lecuona38 20 Rossi 38 21 Petrucci 37 22 Bradl 14 23 Pirro 12 FINAL POSITIONS MOTOGP FINAL POSITIONS MOTO 2 11 Di Giannantonio +14.614 12 Garzo +25.538 13 Manzi +26.51114 Ramirez+27.225 15 Bendsneyder +28.345 16 Aldeguer+28.412 17 Corsi +32.282 18 Syahrin +35.287 FINAL POSITIONS MOTO 3 11 Fernandez +6.940 12 Tatay +9.392 13 Holgado +9.930 14 Kelso +9.996 15 Surra +10.416 16 Nepa +11.650 17 Fellon +11.695 18 Rossi +11.736 19 Masia +13.616…

A late red flag helped Jack Miller set himself up for yet another end-of-season podium burst. The Aussie finished 2019 with two podiums in the final three races and concluded last season with top three results in the last two races. A badly needed first podium in 10 races came his way in Portimao when the action was stopped on the penultimate lap after Iker Lecuona clumsily clattered into Miguel Oliveira in the fight for 10th. At the time, Miller was engaged in a thrilling fight for the last podium spot with former Moto3 foe Alex Marquez. ‘I thought it was going to be a bit of a scrap’ Miller, who started from second on the grid for the fourth time in five races, said: “It’s a weird feeling in…

The inevitability of time passing leads to the equal inevitability of dominant riders reaching the end of their careers – and being forcibly ejected by the younger, always faster, generation squeezing them out of their contracts and into the history books. This year, more than any other recent one, feels like that changing of the guard has gone into overdrive in BSB, WSB and MotoGP. And while it’s tough to see the brutality of raw talent force its way through by natural osmosis – it’s also invigorating. TazMac’s first BSB title, Fabio’s first MotoGP title, and rookie sensation Pedro Acosta’s Moto3 title on Sunday have all thrilled in different ways – and another will be crowned this weekend in Valencia. But for all the thrill of the dominant new wave,…

American electric bike specialists Zero have announced a new naked ‘SR’ model for 2022, plus more efficient batteries, and the ability to purchase official upgrades through an app on your smartphone. Starting with the latest SR, the £15,790 (government grant included) plug-in roadster shares the same look, ZF 75-10 motor and chassis components as the £19,490 SR/F naked, but produces a more modest peak power of 74bhp, combined with 122lb.ft of torque. Down from 140lb.ft and 90bhp on the F, the bike is rechargeable using public charging stations, thanks to its onboard ‘Type 2’ connector, with those wanting to plug it into a domestic wall socket needing to pay a little extra for an adapter. Although a new model is exciting, range anxiety remains a big stumbling block for many…

Lightweight motorcycle security specialists LiteLok have unveiled their latest product, the Core Moto. Rather than aiming to be impervious to attack, the LiteLok is intended to be as secure as possible while also being convenient to carry. The new Core Moto uses a Boaflexicore Plus strap with multiple layered protection, braided outer sleeve, plant-based polymer shock absorbent layer, hardened aerospace grade steel exoskeleton and high-tensile steel core. Bit of a mouthful but that means that it manages a Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold rating and meets the ‘Police Preferred Specification’ of Secured by Design. And if that’s not impressive enough, it also won a Red Dot Design Award 2021 for “perfectly meeting the requirements for a security lock that is simultaneously lightweight while offering the most effective protection possible against theft.”…

Bell Qualifier DLX helmet £129.99 Time for the late-season bargains Summer might be a fading memory but don’t despair because that means there are bargains to be had as dealers look to clear the shelves ready for 2022. We set ourselves a budget of around £150 and went shopping for hot deals. Internet-based SportsBikeShop have some useful reductions including lopping over a third off this classically styled full-faced helmet from Bell. The Qualifier DLX has a lightweight, polycarbonate shell and Mips (Multi-directional impact protection system) liner to protect against rotational forces. There’s a moisture-wicking, removable and washable lining, quick-release visor which has anti-fog, anti-scratch and UV protection plus a double D-ring strap. A full range of sizes are available and this deal is available on the black and blue design,…

‘Bit frustrated? Buy a track bike…’ I love sportsbikes but the consequences of stretching the legs on my 1998 Yamaha R1 on the road could see me out of work and I don’t like chancing my own bikes on track. A mate mentioned he had a Honda CBR600RR rolling(ish…) chassis that ‘only’ needed an engine and after a few quid changed hands I had a winter project that resulted in a cheap trackday bike. That CBR was one of the best used bikes I’ve ever bought. Going to a trackday on a bike that you don’t care too much about throwing at the scenery is so liberating. Armed with stupidly sticky tyres (I’ve gone full slicks…) you can get out there, ride hard and really enjoy hammering a sportsbike again.…

YOU’RE NEVER RIDING ALONE It’s entirely natural to see stories about suicide in the news, feel sorry for those involved, then move on with your life – rarely giving further thought to all the people affected by the tragedy. But for those touched by a suicide, the impact changes them forever. In February 2008, one of the photographers I worked with on a regular basis tragically took his own live. His name was Simon, he was 40 years old, ran his own photography business, had a dog he adored, was superbly talented with a camera in his hand, was funny, sincere, hardworking, great company, principled, and always demonstrated a real care for his craft and the people around him. While I really enjoyed working with Simon on shoots, we weren’t…

Q ‘Warning got me a fine…’ After I saw a police motorcycle parked up in a layby I flashed my lights at some oncoming bikers to warn them as I rode away. I don’t think they were actually speeding but I was then followed by another police motorcyclist. He stopped me and gave me a fixed penalty notice saying I had broken the law. I have looked into it but cannot find anything about using headlights to warn other drivers as being wrong. Can you confirm if he was right to issue a fine? Phil Jones, email ‘You need to find out if there was an actual camera’ A There is an offence of warning others about a speed trap but you need to seek some clarification from the police…

Reader Andy Hyldon The trip Four points: Lowestoft (E), Dunnet Head (N), Ardnamurchan Point (W), Lizard Point (S), also John O’Groats and Land’s End, Lake District and the Welsh borders How many miles? 2500 How long do you need? 7 days Tell us about the trip… Incredible scenery and roads, all a bit of a blur! Picking a campsite by a beach in the far NW Highlands created a huge diversion, and when I got to Fort William and thought it was just short trip to Ardnamurchan it actually involved 50 miles of lanes. The ride was in memory of my dad and my best friend Mark – rasing money for the Alzheimer’s Society and British heart Foundation. www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andrew-hyldon2 www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andrew-hyldon3 • Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com THE ROUTE ‘Incredible scenery…

FRIDAY November 12 8am, BTS2, Live MotoGP from Valencia: Opening Day SATURDAY November 13 4pm, QUEST, The Hairy Bikers’ Food Tour of Britain. Also at 5pm SUNDAY November 14 7.30am, BTS, Live MotoGP from Valencia. Moto3 at 9.15am. Moto2 at 11am. MotoGP at 12.30pm. Chequered Flag at 2pm KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT – DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC – DISCOVERY CHANNEL DHD – DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD EXS – EXTREME SPORTS CHANNEL EUR1 (2, HD) – EUROSPORT 1 (2, HD) MOT – MOTORSPORT.TV CH4 – CHANNEL 4 CH5 – CHANNEL FIVE BBC BBCI – BBC INTERACTIVE ESPN – ESPN CLASSIC CHANNEL ITV DST – DISCOVERY TURBO SHED – DISCOVERY SHED INST – INSIGHT SS1 (2, 3 OR X) – SKY SPORTS 1 (2, 3 OR EXTRA) QUEST BTS1 – BT SPORT 1 BTS2…

Nigel Maguire Age 57 Riding Since I was 17 Occupation Retired NHS CEO and former nurse Current bike Triumph Trident 660, Royal Enfield Meteor 350 First bike 50cc Benelli scrambler “I run the Meteor 350 UK Owners Facebook Group with more than 500 members who have either bought or intend to buy a Meteor. We’re attracted to the Meteor because it has that certain ‘je ne sais quoi’. It delivers in bucket loads what it sets out to deliver – being a no-nonsense ultra-light cruiser that puts a smile on your face. It’s a very seductive feeling that I haven’t experienced quite to this extent before. “The Meteor has a broad appeal. It attracts returning riders in their 40s and 50s, people who want a second bike, and older bikers…

CHIEF ROAD TESTER ‘Not just an entry-level Multistrada’ Despite its minor upgrades the new Multistrada V2 S is essentially the same to ride as the old 950 S, but the power delivery and gearbox are slightly smoother and its lower seat will make life easier for shorter riders. It’s lighter, too, but you’d be hard pushed to notice that in isolation. Ducati are pitching it as the ‘entrylevel’ Multi, but it’s so much more than that. Not only is it cheaper than the V4, it’s lighter, more agile and more involving at road speeds, but it’s fast when you want it to be. A noisy screen, the blight of all tall-roaders, is its only vice. THE FACTS £14,495 Ducati Multistrada V2 Engine Liquid-cooled, 937cc, 8v, V-twin Frame Tubular steel trellis…

‘Who says that might is right?’ SENIOR WRITER The Tuareg is the latest offering to challenge the adventure bike norm that ‘might is right’. It’s the competition that Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 has been waiting for and boasts everything you need for touring beyond the tarmac. The handling is confident, engine competent and there’s no faff or fanfare surrounding this machine. Although, starting at £10,600 for the Acid Gold and Martian Red schemes (£11,100 for the Indaco Tagelmust), the Tuareg costs £1100 more than Yamaha’s Ténéré 700, which starts at £9502. While the Yam has more rally appeal, the Tuareg’s spec is higher and the riding aids mean it promises to be a whole lot more versatile for a broader range of riders, and its suspension and ride is more comfortable…

Oxford HotGrips Premium Touring £79.99 Theycre good at keeping my hands warm in winter, and I’d say they’re definitely good value but the glue can melt. Robin Doughty, Twyford Keis S102 Heated Boot Insoles £75 I run the cable up from my boots. My Keis vest plugs into the bike and provides the power for the insoles. Rob Goodwin, Wiltshire Furygan Blizzard heated gloves £259.99* I love the versatility of being able to use a battery or cable from bike. Ben Cordy, West Yorkshire Gerbing Premium Heated Jacket Liner £199.99 It’s top gear, plus super comfy and warm. I use the wireless controller with it too. Graham Bell, Essex Keis V106 Heated Vest £125 My commute is around 30 minutes and combined with my Oxford heated grips these are a…

MECHANIC Jason Atreides of M&M Motorcycles Any bike will go downhill fast if it’s neglected and Jason Atreides at M&M Motorcycles reckons this Kawasaki Z750, which came in for a much-needed service, had been particularly unloved. Jason knew the owner was a penny-pincher and made sure he gave it a good going over. “I don’t look at people’s shoes, I look at their bikes, and I knew this bloke wasn’t keen on spending any more money than he had to, as one chain adjuster was held in place with a wingnut,” he said. But when he looked at the master cylinder reservoir, he could see an easy win from a couple of seconds’ labour. “The brake line from the reservoir to the master cylinder and lever should be as straight…

Twelve months on from one of their finest moments, the Algarve GP was a humbling experience for KTM. Three of the Austrian firm’s four riders were wiped out by friendly fire with the sole KTM to finish, ridden by Brad Binder, a dispiriting 10th and a massive 14s behind Pecco Bagnaia’s winning Ducati. A year ago at Portimao home hero Miguel Oliveira had scored a superb win three seconds ahead of Ducati man Jack Miller. This year Oliveira finished in hospital for a precautionary checkup, escaping serious injury when taken out by Tech3 KTM’s Iker Lecuona in a nasty pile-up that red-flagged the race three laps early. Fastest KTM qualifier Lecuona accepted blame saying he “lost the front,” slamming into Oliveira who had qualified a slow 19th. Meanwhile Binder claimed…

MCN CONTRIBUTOR Falling off isn’t usually a good career move. Nor an effective race tactic. Fabio Quartararo may have turned that upside down at Portimao. Just two weeks after securing the title, France’s first premier-class world champion found himself in the gravel, his first non-finish this year while his greatest challenger Pecco Bagnaia powered away to take the win. Quartararo started the Algarve GP off the front row for only the third time this year. Only four tenths off Bagnaia’s pole, it was enough to put him on the third row. In the race, he remained mired in an unaccustomed seventh place, unable to improve. Then after 20 of 23 laps, marginally off line, he lost the front, and slid off. What’s good about that? Only that it demonstrated how…

As soon as I saw Casey Stoner in the paddock at Portimao last weekend I wondered what he was there for. I heard that both Bagnaia and Miller are very keen to get him to the track to be their rider coach, but I think they’ve got no chance. I just can’t see Casey being at every race stood by the side of the track watching those boys. That’s just not the sort of thing he’d do. I don’t think the whole spotting thing could really work in my world, to be honest. The trouble with the TT is that you go past so fast you wouldn’t really be able to learn anything, and then you have to wait getting on for 20 minutes before we’d come round again! It…

DIRECTOR OF CONTENT Norton are back in business with a state-of-the-art, multi-million pound production facility in the Midlands. Since Indian company TVS Motor bought Norton for £16m in April 2020, a serious amount of work has been going on to get the company back on its feet. After a rollercoaster ride under the ownership of Stuart Garner, stability seems to be returning with sustainable plans to build various models about to come to fruition. The first phase is to establish a production line and fulfil orders placed before the takeover. TVS have assessed all of the previous models in the range and the re-engineered V4 is now set to go into production. The Atlas is expected to follow once a full evaluation of the bike has been completed, with the…

Police in Stockport have seized three mopeds and a quad as part of a dedicated operation to tackle recent knifepoint robberies where mopeds have been used. A statement from the force said: “The action is part of Operation Luster and follows on from the five arrests made as part of the investigation so far. A potential firearm was also recovered during today’s dawn raid and officers are committed to carrying out further action to reduce these concerning incidents.”…

Alpinestars Stella T-Kira V2 waterproof textile jacket £239.99 This sporty women’s cut jacket promises to see you through all seasons. The Stella T-Kira V2 is ideal for city riding as its durable outer, with areas of tougher fabric in key areas, helps it achieve the ‘A’ rating in the CE abrasion tests. Keeping things dry is Alpinestars’ own waterproof/breathable membrane. Comes with CE-approved armour. www.alpinestars.com Richa Sleeve Lock gloves £139.99 A mix of leather and polyamide, these Sleeve Lock gloves feature a YKK waterproof zip to open the cuff nice and wide for easy fitting inside or outside of your jacket sleeve. They have reflective details, abrasion protection on the fingers and a visor wipe. There’s also an elasticated wrist and a double wrist closure to improve the level of…

We’ve got together with www.bigbikebook.com to offer MCN readers the chance to get an extra 25% off Caberg’s Drift and Drift Evo helmets – saving you over £100 on some helmets. The Caberg Drift Evo has a pleasingly unique fighter pilot look that sets it aside from more traditional helmet styles. Equipped with a Pinlock as standard, as well as an integrated sun visor and removable chin curtain, the Drift Evo is ready for an intercom and features aerodynamic spoilers. The fit is snug and the vents and visor mechanism easily accessed. The visor aperture itself offers a wide field of vision. Visit www.bigbikebook.com and enter MCN25 at the checkout to get your discount Terms & conditions This offer is open to UK residents aged 16 and over. Orders must…

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 Keith’s pick… Motor-mouth commentator Keith Huewen’s voice is instantly recognisable to fans of racing. While part of the BT Sport team, Keith commentated on MotoGP for seven years and recently helped James Whitham talk through the nail-biting last three rounds of British Superbikes for Eurosport. A former racer who has won British titles, North West 200 races, stood on the podium at a GP and spent four years racing in 500GPs, Keith can walk-the-walk as well as talk-the-talk. So what would be on his used bike buying list? “When I was 11 I used to hang around a bike dealer in Northampton and…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews In tears over the GOAT After watching Rossi’s final home GP last Sunday my eight-year-old son Dylan was brought to tears by the thought that the GOAT will never race Misano again. After spending the majority of his young life watching all sorts of competitive motorcycle racing, he has never been so passionate about any other rider. Brought a tear to my eye, too. John Evans, Bridgend Makes bikes seem cheap! Had to laugh the other day. I was in my local cycle shop with one of my Lycra mates looking at the latest e-bikes. There was one in particular that caught our eye. A top-of-the-range electric Specialized. It looked the business until I turned over the price tag: £13,500! And that didn’t include pedals! I’ll…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com TRIUMPH STREET TWIN This is my wife Sarah, looking very proud to be astride her first big bike – a Triumph Street Twin. Paul Ainsworth YAMAHA PW50 My daughter Lianne with her first bike, a PW50 Yamaha. Steve Parry TRIUMPH TIGER CUB I am the one with L-plates on a Triumph Cub. Along side is my brother Donald with his girlfriend (now wife) Susan on his 1967 Velocette Venom MK2 Clubman. Keith Stephen MATCHLESS This myself and my big brother Barry back in the day with his first motorbike – a 500cc Matchless. Trevor Dale NSU PRETIS MAXI 175 Thought you might like this one from a long, long time ago. Major Zoltan KAWASAKI GPZ550H1 Here I am on my first ‘big’ bike,…

MCN staff and readers share their one-hour routes A short ride not to be missed. This 15-mile route will set you a challenge, it’s packed with awesome corners, punctuated by sleepy towns and farmland, it’s a chance to have some fun on your bike with the promise of fish and chips on the seafront and maybe even an ice cream if you want to push the boat out… With the run being so short, you can then turn around and do it all over again, or head off somewhere else along the coast. We start in the Lincolnshire Wolds, in the pretty town of Louth, head along the B1200 out of the town towards Mablethorpe – stopping at the Esso garage for fuel, if needed, before reaching a roundabout that…

DEPUTY EDITOR, MOTORCYCLING Royal Enfield now mean so much more than just thudding Bullets. The Himalayan, Interceptor and Meteor retain the brand’s charm and appeal, yet offer strikingly different characters and abilities, and raise expectations for quality and value. They’re all A2-legal and have three-year warranties as well. Handsome, nicely finished, super-easy to ride and astoundingly cheap, the Meteor is the pick for light-hearted Sunday trundles or city centre transport. Personally, I’d buy the Himalayan. Despite being less refined, it’s got a wider operating range, superior distance ability and the potential to bounce down a byway or three, plus a purposeful air I find appealing. With heated grips and army-surplus throwovers it’d be affordable, efficient, capable year-round transport. But there’s no escaping the fact that the Interceptor is Enfield’s best…

GUEST ROAD TESTER ‘I can see it outselling the Z650’ Like the Z900RS (only now available in the UK in naked form as the café racer version has been shelved), Kawasaki have really nailed the Z650RS. Its styling is spot on and the parallel twin motor feels right at home in retro guise where as a modern naked it is a bit lacklustre and behind the game when compared to its rivals. Fun to ride, soulful and with a responsive chassis that certainly doesn’t feel old-school, there is little not to like about the bike and I can see the RS easily out-selling the Z650 in the firm’s middleweight range – and deservedly so, it’s a better bike. THE FACTS £7700 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS Engine 649cc 8V DOHC parallel twin…

SORT ME OUT PLEASE Need help with your riding skills? MCN expert can fix it THE STUDENT Jade Clarke, 25, Driffield After starting out on a 125, paramedic Jade passed her test last year and has already racked up plenty of miles on road and off onboard her KTM 390 Adventure. She enjoys solo rides and rides out with her partner. The problem “I once got caught out by some subsidence at the edge of the road which caused me to clip the verge and crash and ever since then it’s affected my ability to go round right-hand corners. I need some help to overcome it.” THE TUTOR Ryan Decarteret, Rapid Training Pro Coach A former surveillance motorcyclist for the National Crime Agency, Ryan is highly experienced. Ryan’s action plan…

Saving you money on essential bike maintenance BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician 1 Know your type of battery This is what a traditional lead-acid battery looks like. The opaque construction allows you to see the minimum and maximum electrolyte levels that need to be adhered to. This is done at service intervals by topping up with deionised water. The battery is vented to the atmosphere to allow the hydrogen gas by-product to be released safely. 2 Meet the common sealed version Sealed AGM batteries are similar to the old-school lead-acid type, but are more durable with a robust construction. The electrolyte is not free flowing and is suspended in an absorbent glass matt (AGM) sandwiched between the lead plates. The hydrogen gas is reabsorbed into the electrolyte, allowing the battery…

BT Sport’s technical guru unmasks secrets at the sharp end of MotoGP THE INSIDER Failing to win a single race is no way to defend your world title, making it a year to forget for 2020 world champions Joan Mir and his Suzuki squad. But for arguably the first time this season there were reasons to be cheerful in Portimao as Joan Mir secured his first ever MotoGP front row start before bagging second in the race and third overall. Here’s how Suzuki have saved their best until last and what they have planned for testing... 1 Engine and acceleration Suzuki have been working on their 2022 engine throughout this season, testing it in the 2021 pre-season schedule. With the engine development freeze deployed due to Covid it seemed clear…

Getting the inside line on grand prix racing since 1996 MATTHEW BIRT INSIGHT Ducati’s one and only MotoGP World Champion may well have witnessed an exhibition from the Bologna factory’s next premier class king at Portimao. Pecco Bagnaia’s dominant Portugal success was reminiscent of Aussie legend Casey Stoner in his prime. And as Stoner watched Bagnaia’s brilliance from trackside in Portimao, the 36-year-old could not have failed to be impressed with Ducati’s new superstar-in-waiting. It was apt that Stoner was in Portugal to see Bagnaia become the first Ducati rider to claim five successive poles since he himself did the same way back in 2008. Impeccable Pecco then set the fastest lap of the race, led every lap, and cruised to his third win in the last five races to…