Motorcycle Sport & Leisure

Firstly, in my first editorial column for MSL, I’d like to make a personal thank you to Mikko for all his hard work as editor of this periodical over the six years he was in the driving seat, and wish him the best of luck in his new position – he’s still in the industry, and don’t be surprised if you see him appear in occasional issues in the future. Now, this issue is a landmark issue for a couple of reasons, one of which is personal to me, the other something of an impressive point for the magazine itself. The former is the fact that I am now the editor, and the other point is that this is issue 750. Now, there aren’t many monthly periodicals that can boast…

Alan Cathcart Alan Cathcart 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. Ross Mowbray Ross works across several motorcycling magazines. That means he gets to ride all manner of two-wheelers, from Monkey bikes to trikes. Don’t let his youthful appearance fool you, he’s a seasoned petrol-head, respected test rider and a handy off-roader, too. 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 he’s the…

NEWNeed to know ◆ Your letters ◆ First rides 100 not out for BMW Motorrad 2023 is, of course, the 100th anniversary of BMW motorcycles. It was back in the autumn of 1923 at the Paris Motor Show that the fledgling bike firm showed off the R32, a 494cc air-cooled Boxer flat twin, complete with shaft drive. BMW’s main business – aircraft engines – had been shut down by the Treaty of Versailles after the Great War, and motorcycles offered the company a way forward. In the 10 decades since, the firm has seen some amazing highs and depressing lows, but it’s fair to say it’s in very good health as it heads into its second century. We’re expecting a lot of special machines to celebrate the centenary (including the…

Top marks to the Bologna massive at Ducati Corse – the firm cornered the market in blue riband world titles last year, snapping up both the 2022 MotoGP and WSBK championships with Pecco Bagnaia and Álvaro Bautista respectively. The firm also won the constructors’ title in both classes which is a pretty impressive feat all round. And it’s a feat which deserves some special machinery to celebrate, in the form of a pair of limited-edition Panigale V4S specials. The bikes come with the appropriate replica paint scheme – Lenovo MotoGP factory team or Aruba.it WSBK as you prefer. You get a Bagnaia or Bautista autograph on the fuel tank cover, all lacquered over so you don’t wear it off with the zip on your old Frank Thomas Gore-Tex winter jacket.…

Honda’s UK racing division was hot out of the blocks straight after New Year, announcing its international road racing rider line-up for 2023. The big H has signed up John McGuinness again to race on the CBR1000 RR Fireblade – and he’ll be joined by Manxman Nathan Harrison. Both riders are confirmed for the 2023 TT and NW200 events, but the bikes and livery haven’t been released yet. Both riders are, of course, very excited about the upcoming season. John McGuinness said: “Riding a Fireblade again at the TT last year was something special so it only felt right to continue for another year. I couldn’t feel more at home with the Honda team so I need to say a massive thank you to Harv (Beltran) and Neil (Fletcher). Celebrating…

NEWNeed to know ◆ Your letters ◆ First ridesTop Stories On the face of it, a European startup firm specialising in building motocross machines should have very little to offer the Indian Royal Enfield firm. The crossover between full-on dirt race bikes and sensible retro-roadsters is minimal to say the least. So what’s behind the deal signed by the Stark MX firm and Eicher, Enfield’s parent company? The answer is electric technology, of course. Stark has just launched the VARG, a hardcore battery-powered motocross weapon, and it seems that the Indian giant is interested in potential technology crossovers between dirt and road. Eicher has invested €10 million in Stark, taking on just over 10 per cent of the firm, and taking a seat on the Stark board of directors. With…