Table of contents for 27th November 2019 in MCN

I nearly had a very uncomfortable moment of unwanted intimacy with a Transit van back in 1997. I was riding with my mate Chris on the Eynsford to Otford road in Kent when the driver of said white box looked us squarely in the eye and just pulled out into our path. I went to the right of it, Chris to the left – and the look of surprise in each other’s eyes as we both emerged the other side intact will stay with me forever. But the thing that sticks even more keenly in my memory was the tortured inline triple pipe music emanating from Chris’ first-gen Speed Triple as we scythed along that glorious road, through the tight S-bend under the railway bridge, and up the long drag…

Kawasaki have been busy building supercharged nakeds, buying shares in Italian superbike firms and tweaking almost every other bike in their range, but there’s been a fair bit of brainpower dedicated to creating an electric machine, too. The EV Project uses a chain for final drive and has a traditional four-speed gearbox. Possessing the equivalent of 20kW for acceleration and a cruising output akin to 10kW, it has been tested extensively at the Kawasaki-owned Autopolis track in Japan as well as on the roads. A compact machine with a size similar to a Ninja 650, the EV uses familiar Kawasaki road bike suspension and brakes plus the same trellis type chassis as seen on the Ninja and Z family. At the core of the 219kg vehicle is a battery pack,…

The new CBR1000RR-R earns its extra ‘R’ with performance levels that put it ahead of every direct rival on power. Yet Honda have achieved this without revolutionary ideas. Instead they have honed the very best of traditional tech to make the Blade the sharpest it’s ever been. Although experienced with ideas such as variable valve timing, Honda didn’t feel the need to go to those lengths to create a bike that’s faster than ever before while simultaneously meeting new emissions rules. Project leader Yuzuki Ishikawa said: “It’s really about not being distracted. The fundamentals are to get emissions as low as possible so combustion has to be as efficient as possible. We start on maximising combustion efficiency and the merit of that is you pass tests without being distracted by…

YAMAHA RD80LC Me getting my Yamaha RD80LC on the back wheel in 1983. They were good times! Dave Dowdeswell BSA SPITFIRE Here I am on my 1967 BSA Spitfire which I got when I was 17 years old back in 1972. Hans Jørgen Kordovsky BROUGH SUPERIOR SS100 Not my first bike but my first go on a friend’s 1928 Brough Superior SS100. What an experience! Davis Maclannan ITALJET 50 My dad, Nick Redfearn, on his first ever bike, a 50cc Italjet when he was five years old. He turned 50 on November 11. Annie Redfearn BSA BANTAM Me on my BSA Bantam in 1984! I now own an Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Piaggio and Vespa dealership. Dawn Dawson YAMAHA RD200DX Me aged 17 on my 1978 Yamaha RD200DX. I…

You could look down on the Suzuki and Yamaha for being ‘small’ bikes. They’re not exactly loaded with tech or easy-life extras either. Cruise control, electric screens and semi-active suspension? Yeah, right. The breezy thrum east from the edge of Cirencester highlights that these bikes aren’t lacking mile-swallowing abilities, though. Both twins whirr effortlessly at 60mph or so, barely sipping fuel yet with enough torque to fire out lazy car-hopping overtakes. Suspension absorbs typical B-road lumps at typical B-road speeds, while giving a good connection to the ride. Screens stream occasional drizzle off visors, comfortable riding positions and easy ergonomics are kind and wide-bar control gives swift corner-carving. Sure, 1200cc and 160bhp is more exciting. But the V-Strom and Ténéré both feel like they could keep going like this forever.…

The key difference between R and GT models is riding position. The roadster R has a sportier streetfighter stance, with its taller seat, flat handlebar, and height-adjustable mid-mounted footpegs. It’s a more engaging riding position, with a sense of being set up over the front of the bike to help boss it about through turns. If you’d prefer a relaxed stance to crunch straight-line miles, the GT is a better bet, with more legroom from its forward-set pegs (adjustable through three positions), plus a lower seat and a pull-back handlebar that stretches five inches further over the tank. The trade-off is front-end feel at full lean – with the grand tourer on its ear and your heels scuffing the road, the front tyre feels more remote than the R. The…

1994-1997 Speed Triple 900 (T309) ● 885cc ● 98bhp ● 60ftlb ● 209kg dry Basic 98bhp triple, spine frame and tank gained Daytona adjustable suspension, uprated brakes, clip-ons, clocks and rear bodywork plus an identity and name all its own. 1997-1998 Speed Triple (T509) ● 885cc ● 108bhp ● 62ftlb ● 196kg dry All-new bike based on new T595 Daytona complete with new, fuel-injected engine. Upright bars and ‘bug eye’ lights intended to mimic streetfighters of day, early models had polished frames. 1999-2002 Speed Triple 955 ● 955cc ● 118bhp ● 72ftlb ● 196kg dry Updates into 955 form included a slightly bigger bore taking capacity to 955cc which in turn boosted both power and torque. There was also a larger silencer and the frame was now painted. 2002-2005 Speed…

RATINGS POOR ★ AVERAGE ★★ GOOD ★★★ VERY GOOD ★★★★ EXCEPTIONAL ★★★★★ MT Targo £59.99 Tested by Dan Sutherland for 1500 miles At £59.99 without the Max Vision Pinlock insert (a further £29.99), this MT Targo is the cheapest helmet I have ever used and – I have been impressed. With a glossy finish, sturdy visor mechanism and reassuringly snug, yet soft, cheek pads, the Targo offers a level of quality you would expect on a helmet costing three figures. This is reinforced by the inclusion of an integrated nose guard, which gives the helmet a sporty feel. There’s also a three-star SHARP rating (same as some premium lids), a removable and washable liner and vents at the chin and forehead. A chin curtain helps reduce wind noise. There are…

Marc Marquez is playing the long game to make Honda an impenetrable fortress for 2020. Marquez’s sole focus at the Valencia test was to evaluate the 2020 prototype RC213V leaving others to saviour the glory of attacking fast laps. The Spaniard was unconcerned to be seventh fastest and 0.2s behind the best Honda time, which was set by Cal Crutchlow in fourth. The reigning world champion then confirmed the character of the new bike is “similar” to the 2019 version that only he ever truly mastered. “I just concentrated on the prototype engine, chassis and aero because I believe it has potential,” he said afterwards. “We still need to modify a few things because in some corners it was not the best feeling.” Crutchlow, meanwhile, added that the 2020 Honda…

The Holy Grail for Ducati is fixing the age-old issue of mid-corner turning – finishing off the corner and setting the bike up earlier for the brute horsepower of Desmosedici V4. The latest Ducati frame featured small, taped-over sections reportedly to enable flex variations. Lead rider Andrea Dovizioso said he felt “some difference in mid-corner” with further work required. A calmer power delivery to be easier on the rear tyre was part of the engine programme without losing Ducati’s famed top end excellence. The definitive GP20 will not appear until the Qatar test early in 2020.…

It’s been a busy new bike season for Ducati with the announcement of both the Streetfighter V4 and Panigale V2, not to mention revisions to the Panigale V4 and a Multistrada 1260GT. But it sounds like there’s even more to come in the near future. “We now have the Panigale V2 that makes 155bhp and puts you in the range where you can experience exciting sport riding without being extreme,” Ducati CEO, Claudio Domenicali, announced this week. “And we would like to have naked bikes in different categories, too. The Streetfighter V4 will remain at the top and then have other motorcycles where you get the same sports feeling with less extreme performance. “We are thinking of a very interesting new naked model that will come sooner rather than later.”…

How do you find out if a new motorcycle will sell without spending a fortune on R&D? Easy. You bring out a concept, put it on your stand at one of the major bike shows, and pretend it’s never intended for production. An army of concept machines has just broken cover as major manufacturers search for the next big thing with Honda pulling the covers off a CB4X, which could provide a new direction for the CB650 inline four engine and grabbed a fair deal of attention at the EICMA show in Milan. The hunt for a sharp and stylish sports-tourer look was spearheaded by Honda designer Valerio Aiello, who was responsible for the NC750X and CBR600 as well as the impressive CB1000R concept. The headlight, with integrated daytime running…

Meriden Triumph legend, Percy Tait, has died aged 90. A genial character, popular with his workmates and the public alike, he was a Triumph factory test rider and one of Britain’s top road racers. He started work as an assembly worker at Meriden in 1950, after serving in the Royal Signals Display team, and his riding skills soon saw him promoted to be test rider. The job he did for 23 years entailed hammering around the MIRA test track near Nuneaton in all weathers – often at high speeds. If fellow workers saw him hop off a bike and disappear sharpish into the factory they knew the police wouldn’t be far behind! In 1971 he contributed to British triples blitzing the rising 750cc racing class. He was MCN Superbike Champion…

This custom flat-tracker based on Royal Enfield’s new 650 twin and built at the firm’s UK technical centre, plus the opening of a ‘flattrack’ school near the company HQ in India, could give an indication of future new Enfield production bike plans. The ‘Twin Tracker’ is a tuned, reframed, race version of the 650 with the engine reworked by S&S with a capacity boost, pod air-filters and custom exhaust. The frame, made in the UK by Enfield-owned Harris Performance, is brazed not Tig welded to give both an individual look and allow easy repair. Harris also made the swingarm, this time out of box-section aluminium and suspended by an Öhlins monoshock rather than the twin shocks of the production bike. While, like racing flat-trackers, it rolls on a set of…

Back in the 80s we all had our favourite brands, I was a Suzuki man, loved them, lots of different engines to suit all tastes. What's happened? The only new engine they have made is GSX-R1000 variable valve and a 125. What happened to the six-cylinder Stratosphere? The turbocharged middleweight? Nope, all they keep turning out is updates on the V-twins. Yamaha had the same problem but thanks to a tasty triple which has spawned a host of twins and investment in smaller engines they have turned it around. Suzuki brought out the GSX-R250 (yes please!) then fitted an ancient Inazuma engine (yawn). Needless to say, the last new Suzuki I bought was the first model Bandit 1200 and I can’t see me buying another Suzuki unless they show us…

I’ve had a look at the new Blade. I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but it looks like a BMW with wings thanks to the design of the subframe and seat unit. But it’s got its Honda touches and the iconic colours, so it looks good. ‘IT NEEDS TO BE ‘WOW’. THIS IS HONDA WE’RE TALKING ABOUT’ I’m still unsure how much difference the wings make. There was a GP recently where Alex Rins had a set knocked off and the commentators were saying that it was now going to steer better on the lefts than the rights, but it didn’t seem to make any difference to his pace. I reckon if you blindfolded a rider so they couldn’t see if their bike had wings on or not, they wouldn’t…

No, it doesn’t have much wow factor, but both Bruce and I have a soft spot for Suzuki’s established V-Strom 650. There’s nothing standout or remarkable about the engine, chassis or features, yet equally there’s not much to criticise either – especially for the current £6999* asking price. Motor, chassis and ergonomics are fuss-free and do their job. It’s an honest, stand-up motorcycle. Thing is, Yamaha’s new Ténéré 700 is just as smooth, comfortable, practical and ergonomically fine in everyday riding, but also brings genuine desirability. Its gutsy twin is more engaging, suspension is much greater quality, the ride is more inspiring. It looks better, feels classier and sounds fitter. You could take it on green lanes too. It’s tangibly more expensive – but worth every quid.…

Honda SS50Z I even remember the reg: RJU 303M! My classmates were all on FS1-Es, with the odd Fantic and Puch, so my four-stroke Honda was an oddity. Kawasaki Z550A2 I covered 15,000 miles in two years and used it for competing in the Northampton Motorcyclists Club on-road time trials. Yamaha RD350 LC YPVS I tried to get the registration number ‘A 350’, but that had gone so I had to settle for ‘A 349’. Yamaha FJ1200 Grunt aplenty! You could short shift into top and treat it almost like an automatic. I used to get up early on a Sunday morning to go and buy the papers – usually from a newsagents at least a hundred miles away! Triumph Trophy 900 I didn’t own this one, but Neil Young…

These days any bike more than about 15 years old is instantly tagged a modern classic and assumed to be worth a ‘great investment’. It’s a shame – not only does it put bikes that truly deserve to be revered out of the reach of most wallets, but also means mass-production everyman bikes carry daft price tags. Or most of them do. Luckily there are still 1990s gems that are not only affordable, but also superb to ride here in 2019. £3000 YAMAHA YZF750 749cc |223kg |125bhp |795mm seat height • Dealer up to £5000 • Private up to £4000 • This one 1995, 15,500 miles Damn that pesky FireBlade. Yamaha build the slickest 750cc race rep, a bike to mock the Suzuki GSX-R and Kawasaki ZXR, and the…

1 Give it a bath before bed Leaving your motorcycle dirty for any length of time is a sure-fire way to degrade its finish, so give it a thorough wash before you stash it away in the garage for winter. Using a dedicated motorcycle cleaner and brush, get into all the awkward places, and also give the bodywork a once-over with a clean sponge. Rinse thoroughly to remove any residue. 2 Drive out the damp To prevent corrosion eating into your bike while it sleeps, make sure it’s completely dry. An airline or bike drier is the ideal way to blast out hidden pockets of water from nooks and crannies or, failing that, diligent use of a soft drying towel or cloth will do the trick. Any dampness…

•‘More power arrived but it’s not enough’ Maverick Viñales opened the winter testing season with a performance that served only to confirm the steps needed for Yamaha to be 2020 MotoGP title contenders. Despite fast times on an all-new YZR-M1 with the biggest engine upgrade in two years, the Spaniard still called for more power. Viñales led a trio of Yamahas at the top of the time sheets, ahead of Petronas SRT teammates Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli. However, using the ‘third development edition’ of Yamaha’s 2020 power-boosted, inline four motor he was still only 0.16s faster than Quartararo who was riding the B-spec M1 used this season. “A little bit more power arrived but it’s not enough, our competitors are still far away, there is a five mph difference,”…

Teenage thief Tyreece Ancel has been sentenced to seven years in prison after admitting a total of 33 offences including burglary and theft of a motor vehicle. Ancel took a significant number of motorbikes and cars across Bristol between 2016 and 2019, often filming himself in the process. He was arrested in June on suspicion of the theft of a motorbike before police also found video evidence which showed him committing a number of the offences he was charged with. A representative from Stolen Motorcycle Recovery Bristol, a volunteer organisation who work to help the victims of bike crime in the area, told MCN that Ancel’s imprisonment is likely to lead to a drop in bike crime in the area. “We know 100% that he’s a massive part of the…

All the key 2020 machines All the major firms will be bringing their new ranges to London. Already confirmed are displays from BMW, CCM, CF Moto, Ducati, Honda, Indian, Kawasaki, KTM, MV, Mutt, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph, Yamaha and Zero. See the fantastic new ranges, sit on your dream bike and even book a test ride. Unseen Sheene collection This unique collection includes nine genuine Sheene Grand Prix machines including two world championship bikes plus his first GP machine, an exquisite 1967 125cc Suzuki twin on which he rode to victory at the Mallory Park Post TT in 1970. The collection also includes three Yamaha Grand Prix machines from the early eighties. These motorcycles are exclusive to the Carole Nash MCN London show. The McGuinness Bar The McGuinness bar will…

Reader Mark Leitch The Ride Going to the Irish Open Golf by bike When to do it August Miles 1200 Don’t miss this “The road down to Baltimore is great fun. I felt like Barry Sheene! And don't forget Guinness and Murphy's at the end of each day.” THE PLAN From home in Gloucester it was Pembroke then over to Ireland with stops including Cork and Bantry. BLUE SKIES People say it rains a lot but there was amazing weather for all but one day of the trip. What a result! GREAT VIEWS There are amazing landscapes and I took time out to watch Jon Rahm win the open golf trophy. JOB DONE! Found plenty of great roads and the Irish kindly move over for bikes to pass everywhere I…

Yamaha’s tall display is supposed to give the sense of a rally bike’s roadbook. It sort-of works, and thanks to letter styles shared with the MT range (and other Yamahas) it feels familiar despite the unusual shape. There’s ample data, with speed, revs, gear, two trips, fuel level and time, plus a button to deactivate the ABS for dirt tomfoolery. Suzuki’s display has more data available at any one time, including traction control level (no TC on the Yam), but the display is cluttered and harder to read at a glance. YAMAHA TÉNÉRÉ 700 SWITCHGEAR Looks basic, and the only dash control is to reset the trip (right-hand side). However, the clusters feel a bit more robust than the ones on the V-Strom. FUNCTIONALITY SUZUKI V-STROM 650XT SWITCHGEAR Slightly mushy…

‘I started to notice polar opposites in the performance of kit’ Jackets, suits, gloves and boots… all essential pieces of kit designed to keep you warm, dry and – crucially – safe. Since April 2018 all motorcycle clothing (with the exception of rain oversuits) must be tested as a whole garment to new Personal Protective Equipment standards. But it hasn’t always been like this; prior to 1994 there was no standard and riders were left clueless about whether or not their kit would perform. Which was why former leathers manufacturer-turned-PPE-consultant Paul Varnsverry was compelled to help set up the first safety standard for bike gear. “From an early age I knew I wanted to work with bikes,” says Paul. “I got my chance aged 19 when I got a job…

‘An appetite for corners the old bike couldn’t dream of’ Bigger isn’t always better. At least, not when it comes to tax bills, Earthbound asteroids or James Corden. So Triumph’s decision to upsize their already gargantuan Rocket III, holder of the ‘world’s largest production motorcycle engine’ record since 2004, has the potential to be a risky one. Surely inflating the Rocket even further will make it even more of a heavyweight handful? Can even more grunt be contained by a motorcycle chassis? Do bikes really need to go beyond 2.3 litres? That’s the challenge facing the all-new Rocket 3 (note the subtle change from ‘III’ to ‘3’). Or, rather, both Rocket 3s. There are two versions: roadster R, with a higher seat, flatter bars and mid-mounted footpegs; and grand touring…

MILES PERKINS Triumph’s head of brand management was inspired by the arrival of the original STUART WOOD Triumph’s head of engineering has been pivotal in the creation of all Speed Triples from the outset BRUNO TAGLIAFERRI Then UK sales and marketing manager helped come up with the name and approach If there is one Triumph motorcycle that has done more than any other to shape the success of the Hinckley marque it’s surely that first unleashed a quarter of a century ago this year – the iconic Speed Triple. Arriving three years after the brand was relaunched with the modular range of Trophies, Daytonas and Tridents, the first Speed Triple was the catalyst for a new, bolder breed of Triumph, where character and style were as important as reliability and…

THE STUDENT Andy Jackson, 37, Ruislip Honda CB650F rider Andy’s been on two wheels since he was 16 and now teaches others as a CBT and DAS instructor. Andy’s riding problem “Although I’m out with students in all weathers, I still lack confidence around corners in the wet. Are there any tips to help me?” THE TUTOR Mark Edwards, Rapid Training Advanced instructor Mark has been teaching riders to be smoother, faster and safer on road and track for over 20 years. Mark’s action plan “Not many feel completely at ease in the wet, but there are definitely techniques you can use to feel safer and more confident.” THE LESSON 1 Switch your vision on Making sure you’re aware what’s ahead is doubly important in the wet. Keep your…

•‘This time last year was s**t. Now I feel great’ •‘BSB was the best career move I’ve made’ At the end of 2018 Scott Redding hit rock bottom: 21st in MotoGP with no wins since his Moto2 days five years earlier. But 12 months later he’s BSB champion and aiming to be the first rider ever to claim back-to-back British and World Superbike titles having signed for the Ducati team – the most successful in WSB. Yet it’s also come as a result of serious introspection. After topping the WSB test in Aragon, the 26-year-old let it all out... Has winning BSB changed you? This time last year I wanted to quit racing. I was thinking: ‘I’m done risking my life for 15th or 19th.’ I had to have a…

A hybrid steel beam frame is the big step forward for the ambitious KTM factory as they enter their fourth season of MotoGP. Flat-sided oval sections formed out of lighter material have reportedly got the RC16 down to the MotoGP weight limit of 157kg. Key targets are improved mechanical grip for sharper mid-corner turning and being able to pick the bike up earlier for better exit grip and improved braking stability. The latest frame delivers the stiffness for this with lead rider Pol Espargaro claiming the team have made a step forward in all areas. KTM are still allowed unrestricted engine development and the 2020 programme will no doubt have more horsepower and smoother mid-range. The Valencia concept is ‘Version One’ for 2020 and far from the final bike expected…