Motorcycle Sport & Leisure

the end is nigh

The last month or so has been so full of big motorcycling news that it was difficult to fit them all in this issue. And they all have a common theme of things coming to an end… The big news on everyone’s lips was of course the Norton collapse. The iconic marque had been rumoured to be in trouble for a while, but now it looks like the curtains are firmly drawn if not for the brand, the current owners at least. To keep up with the times, we ask seven questions about the current situation (see p. 48). To remember the good old days of Norton too, we are also running a classic test of the Norton Dominator 650SS from 1962. The next announcement on non-continuation came from Royal Enfield (see…

motorcycle sport & leisure’s contributors...

Alan Cathcart Alan Cathcar t has been writing about bikes for more than 30 years, and riding them for even longer. He’s regularly given the keys to factory prototypes and being on first name terms with the bosses of bike companies around the world allows him to bag many scoops. Roland Brown A bike journalist for more than 30 years, Roland has contributed to countless publications worldwide and authored a dozen books on bikes. He has tested machines ranging from Rossi’s YZR-M1 to a 1923 Douglas but still can’t decide which type of bike he most enjoys riding. Chris Moss Mossy has made a living from bikes since 1985 – first as a motorcycle courier in London, and then as a journo from 1995. He’s raced, ridden and tinkered with hundreds of different bikes, but…

motorcycle sport & leisure

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ducati superleggera v4

The Superleggera V4 is the most powerful and technologically advanced production Ducati ever built, and will be produced as a limited edition of just 500 individually numbered motorcycles. It is the world's only street-legal motorcycle with the entire load-bearing structure of the chassis (frame, subframe, swingarm and wheels) made from composite material, achieving a 6.7kg reduction in weight, thanks to these components. Deliveries start in June 2020 at the rate of five bikes per day. To sweeten the deal, purchasers of the Superleggera V4 will be offered a track test on the factory Panigale V4 R competing in the Superbike World Championship and, for the first time ever, a unique opportunity to test the Desmosedici GP20 used by Dovizioso and Petrucci. If you’re wondering just how good the Superleggera V4 is, consider this.…

introduction to off-road by beta

Aimed at road riders, this new Yorkshire-based activity is backed by Beta UK and is fully equipped with a wide range of two and four-stroke, lightweight Beta enduro machinery. Designed as a fully guided ‘arrive and ride’ concept, Beta Experience Days supplies the bike, equipment (helmet, boots, goggles, clean clothing and body armour), fuel and refreshments. The events are managed by the experienced ‘Hard Enduro’ rider Wayne Braybrook and his RAW Enduro team, who have mapped out varied routes through the hills, moors and rivers. Wayne’s riding CV includes five ISDE Gold medals, wins at the gruelling Scott Trial and Hells Gate Extreme Enduro events, and he has successfully completed the brutal Erzberg Enduro. Wayne Braybrook explains the reasoning behind the new activity: “We believe there are many road riders who want to…

the ultimate man cave – open to everybody

The Machine Shop has launched a workshop filled with £25,000 worth of industrial working machinery and all accessible for a monthly fee less than the price of a dinner and movie per month. Founded by renowned motorcycle engineer Bob Teahan, The Machine Shop is based in Burbage, near Hinckley, Leicestershire, and provides a gym-style membership fee system for budding engineers to use the facilities of a fully kitted engineering and metal fabrication workshop. The Machine Shop is designed for keen amateur motorcycle and car mechanics and hobby bike builders to have access to factory-style facilities including work benches, welders, parts washers, guillotines, pipe benders and tyre balancers from just £40 per month. Prices go up to just £80 a month to get access to everything from a MIG welder and metal lathe. Owner Bob…