Table of contents for 25 August 2021 in MCN

‘It’s been a lifelong goal to make it into MotoGP’JAKE DIXON ON HIS GOLDEN CHANCE TOP STORY ‘Tiger could be big overnight hit’ Triumph’s brilliant Trident 660 is one of sweetest and happiest motorcycles you could hope to welcome into your life. But it’s pretty short on practicality. How much more versatile and pleasing would it be with a decent little fairing and screen, a more lofty riding perch and some decent panniers? Well, it looks like we’re about to find now that Triumph have officially confirmed a new Tiger Sport 660 is on the way... SEE PAGE 4 MCN250 TEST Everyday thrill-seekers Super-nakeds are a strange breed. Full-on heart-straining superbike performance mixed with an upright seating position and little in the way of wind protection. It’s a bonkers idea…

An Essex biker has received a Chief Constable’s Commendation for helping two police officers he spotted struggling with three violent individuals in Colchester in 2019. Steven Hodder was riding his motorbike when he noticed a police car and a commotion. Mr Hodder said: “I didn’t think twice about getting involved because police officers were getting attacked. I would do it again. Those people attacking them were bullies and I don’t like bullies.” Another Rossi is on the way! Valentino Rossi has announced that he is expecting his first child with partner Francesca Sofia Novello. The 42-year-old made the revelation via social media with a photo that had us all thinking we’d popped back to the 1990s. As well as the FHM-esque photoshoot, Rossi also confirmed the news with a short…

The deposition of Anne Sacoolas, the woman charged with causing the death of teenage biker Harry Dunn, has been postponed just days before it was due to take place. The 19-year-old was killed near RAF Croughton in August 2019, when he was struck by a car that was being driven on the wrong side of the road. American Anne Sacoolas has admitted being behind the wheel of the car at the time. Shortly after Dunn’s death, Sacoolas claimed diplomatic immunity and fled to the United States where she remains to this time. Because of her refusal to return to the UK, the Dunn family had no option but to file a claim in the American courts. The Dunn family have already given their evidence in the case, with Sacoolas and…

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced additional funding for the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scrappage scheme ahead of its expansion in October. ULEZ was introduced in 2019 in a bid to improve air quality in London. The zone operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and entering with a non-compliant bike incurs a daily charge of £12.50. Any bike manufactured after 2007, the point Euro3 came into force, is compliant, however some earlier bikes are also exempt. From October, the zone will extend to the North and South Circular roads. Concerns have been raised about low income families or workers who rely on older vehicles. To combat this, the Mayor has announced an additional £5 million for the scrappage scheme, which gives Londoners £1000 towards…

Specialist biking insurance broker Devitt are celebrating 85 years in business by giving away 85 different prizes in a giant giveaway. Devitt were founded in 1936 with a pioneering scheme that saw motorcyclists able to get insurance directly through their dealers. The idea was an instant hit, spurring the company on to 85 years in business, helping hundreds of thousands of bikers get insurance for their machines. Along the way, Devitt have been big supporters of the motorcycling community with sponsorship of individual racers, teams and events. They supported Barry Sheene at the 1971 Isle of Man TT, as well as Ivan Lintin in the 2016 Lightweight TT. Even now they support everything from a grassroots domestic flat track racing team to Synetiq BMW in BSB. To give even more…

BMW Experience the thrills of the new BMW S1000R DUCATI Put the new Monster to the test at the Festival KAWASAKI Kawasaki are bringing their flagship superbike TRIUMPH Go for a spin on the latest Speed Triple 1200RS BMW F900R SE Sport, F900XR, F900XR (Comfort Seat), G310R, R1250R Motorsport, R1250RS Black, R1250RT, R1250RT Blue, R18 Classic, R nineT, R nineT Pure, S1000R, R18, S1000XR, F850 GS, F850GS Adventure, G310GS, R 1250 GS, R 1250 GS Low Suspension Exclusive, R1250GS Rallye, R1250GS Adventure Low Suspension, R 1250 GS Adventure Rallye, R nineT Scrambler, R nineT Urban G/S, F750GS TE, F850GS Adventure TE, R1250GS Adventure, F850GS Low Suspension, F750GS Low Suspension, G310GS DUCATI Monster (15 bikes), Multistrada V4 (15 bikes), Scrambler PLUS Ducati’s electric mountain bikes HONDA CRF1100L Africa Twin, CRF1100L Africa…

Alpinestars have revealed a new Stella Kira v2 Air jacket. Priced at £199.99, it features an abrasionresistant poly-fabric main shell, plus air vents and large mesh panels on the chest, back, and arms for cooling. Shoulder and elbow armour come as standard, with an optional chest and back protector also available. It can be worn either with or without the Tech-Air 5 airbag system. Owning GP history The Bike Specialists in Sheffield are selling a brand new old stock 1982 Yamaha TZ500 two-stroke Grand Prix race bike. Still wearing its original tyres for crate-only use, it also comes with the factory original paddock stand. An extremely rare machine, it’s said to weigh a smidge over 130kg and produce a claimed 115bhp. And the price? £69,980. More details at www.thebikespecialists.com Wunderlich…

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 MENTAL MONKEY ● Monthly bike nights on the last Sunday of every month ● Mon-Wed 9am-5pm, Thurs-Sat 9am-10pm, Sun 9am-4pm ● Visit mentalmonkey.co.uk In the heart of Kettering is a coffee shop that’s a little different to the rest. Mental Monkey came on the scene as the latest venture in Natalie and Aarron Lambert’s brother-sister business portfolio, and bikers come for miles to attend monthly meets. “We started with the training centre which we have around the corner, and it was just something my brother thought would be quite good to add to our brand. We found a location, did it up to the spec, got a…

THE UK’S HOTTEST RIDES MCN staff and readers share their one-hour routes This 11-mile route is a 20-minute blast to be cherished, with open straights, rural surroundings, awesome switchbacks – and even a 12th-century abbey, which is free to visit for any passer-by. Starting in Bardney village – some nine miles east of Lincoln city centre – riders simply need to head straight through on the B1190, following signs for Bucknall just over three miles away. You will have already enjoyed some cracking corners and the option to stop in at Tupholme Abbey – a historic landmark, said to date back to the 1150s. From Bucknall, it’s an easy route and no map is required, follow the road, flick-flack from left to right on a string of turns until you…

If you’re local to Lincoln, then get yourself down to the Coach and Horses for a packed weekend. What’s happening? On Friday there is live music and a DJ to get the weekend started, with Saturday bringing in breakfast, trade stands, retail stands, the bike show and live music from 12pm-12am. On Sunday you’ll be treated to a DJ and the trophy presentations, topped off with a rideout on Monday morning. There is a beer festival for those that are planning to stay over, with more than 25 award-winning real ales to try all in one tent – so there’s plenty to keep you busy. The essential stuff With just a £4 entrance fee for adults, you’re free to camp for the whole weekend but get in touch with the…

Graham Bell Age 61 Height 5ft 8in Occupation Company secretary Current bike KTM Super Duke (and a BMW R nineT) Been riding for 45 years First bike Suzuki AP50 “I started riding at 13 around the fields of Cambridge and got on the road at 16. I’m RoSPA trained, became a CamRider Instructor in the early 1980s and am currently an IAM member. I’ve ridden the length and breadth of the UK, to Greece on my girlfriend’s 250 Honda (two-up), tried my hand at club racing, organise tours, have covered much of Europe and ridden in Australia, America and the Far East. “I’ve owned my Super Duke three years in September and it’s done about 10,000 miles – it would normally have done more by now but Covid has cancelled…

● The best time for this ride is on or around the longest day of the year, when you can take advantage of the maximum amount of daylight available… ● …having said that, it should be doable any time during BST, for example late September will still give you 12 hours from dawn to dusk. ● Motorways are obviously the quickest route, but whilst A- and B-roads may seem more fun, negotiating them can be far more taxing. ● Plan your stops in advance to make good use of the great cafés dotted along the route between here and there and be prepared to do double the distance, as you’ll also need to factor in the return journey from home.…

Need help with your riding skills? MCN expert can fix it THE STUDENT Wolf Piccoli, 50, London Bologna-born Wolf is a fully paid-up member of the Ducatisti and currently owns a Hypermotard 951. He started riding at six years old and got his licence at 14 (after no formal training or test – as was the norm in Italy at the time). The problem “I had a bit of a scary moment when overtaking. I got away with it, but only because everything was 100% right with regards my acceleration and gear.” THE TUTOR Ryan Decarteret, Rapid Training Pro Coach A former surveillance rider for the National Crime Agency, police-trained Ryan now teaches skills. Ryan’s action plan “I’m going to introduce Wolf to the concept of the Overtaking Triangle –…

1 Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex £329.99 They’re comfy, waterproof, and come with that reassuring squeak! I love them. Andrew Harrison, Telford 2 Altberg Hogg Microlite £239.99 Fully waterproof unless the water is deeper than the boot is tall and they have a great sole for walking in, too. Steve Staines, Marholm 3 TCX Drifter £269.99 These are fabulous from a protection, comfort and looks perspective, but I returned the first pair due to water ingress in fairly extreme conditions. Ryan Walker, Nottingham 4 Gaerne G.All Terrain Gore-Tex £283.49 This is more of a trials boot but offers better feel and flexibility than more rigid enduro and adventure options. Adam Mitchinson, Northants 5 Forma Adventure £209.99 If you’re going to spend long period of time off the bike, then these are…

MECHANIC Kevin Hollingsworth of Doncaster Motorcycles. Chassis adjustments are meant to be tiny tweaks but when someone takes a lump hammer to the headstock all bets are off. The owner of a recently-acquired Ducati 748 headed into Doncaster Motorcycles complaining the steering felt ‘odd’ and the steering lock wouldn’t engage. Those bikes have an eccentric hub in the headstock that allows you to alter the geometry by rotating the hub from a ‘road’ setting to a ‘race’ setting. The procedure is to loosen the steering head clamp bolts, unscrew a locking pin, then loosen and remove the top yoke which allows you access to a castellated nut which you rotate through 180 degrees. Doncaster Motorcycles’ owner Kevin Hollingsworth said: “When I saw how the castellated nut had been butchered I…

‘This is a massive chance for Jake’ Having Jake and Cal on the grid this coming weekend is the perfect scenario for us all, and the British GP. It’s lined up perfectly and the powers that be from Dorna to IRTA have worked it all out nicely. And with it also being Rossi’s last year – the planets are aligned for a great race. It was three decades ago that I did my wildcard at the British 500GP, but the nerves and anticipation are all going to be the same. That day I lined up against Doohan and this year Jake will line up alongside Rossi. I scored points, but I also got lapped! It’s going to be tough for Jake, but there is no pressure or expectation on him.…

Getting the inside line on grand prix racing since 1996 Jake Dixon will be Valentino Rossi’s Yamaha MotoGP teammate in his home round at Silverstone. Yes, you read that correctly the first time. A scenario that would have seemed pure lunacy to contemplate even for a millisecond just a couple of weeks ago will become reality this weekend. Dixon has been parachuted into Petronas SRT, as Yamaha shuffle the pack after firing Maverick Viñales last week. Now the hugely likeable 25-year-old will be sharing a garage with Rossi and sharing Silverstone with MotoGP’s elite such as his great pal Fabio Quartararo and Marc Marquez. This is Roy of the Rovers stuff for Dixon and you get a sense of how much it means to him when hearing his reaction to…

‘You can never rule out Valentino’ Valentino Rossi is having his worstever season. Bad qualifying, lowly results, lucky to get in the points. Not much going on, really. You’d think he and his fans would be down in the dumps. Well, not exactly There’s no question he’s still the biggest draw on the grid. That doubled or trebled with his forthcoming retirement. This will be the last time to see him at Silverstone. Hordes of klaxon-wielding yellowclad VR46 clones will flock to take the chance. What chances of being rewarded with a final flourish? Realistically, for an old man standing braced against an unstoppable tide of youth, they are vanishingly small. Unless… the weather is on his side. Nobody has won more topclass British GPs than Rossi’s six – next,…

The addictive power of the up-to-the-second social media tsunami, combined with superb live coverage from BT Sport and Dorna, might make it hard to summon the enthusiasm to watch the British GP from anywhere other than the comfort of your sofa. It’s also a decent journey for all but the most local fans, then there’s the cost of tickets, fuel, burgers and beverages, and a team shirt you’ll probably never wear again. And don’t forget that you always forget to take sun cream, and how much a sunburnt forehead and ears make pulling a helmet on for the ride home decidedly ouchy. But this year, of all years, you have to make the pilgrimage. Buy a ticket, take a packed lunch to save a fortune, buy a team hat instead…

Harley-Davidson have confirmed their European Bike Week 2021 will take place on September 7-12 in Lake Faak, Carinthia, Austria. “After the disappointment of having to postpone the event in 2020, we are more determined than ever to have a strong presence at Faaker See this year,” said Kolja Rebstock, H-D’s Vice President of EMEA. Head to: events.harley-davidson.com for more info. Hinckley hurrah! Triumph have launched an all-new factory tour at their Hinckley Visitor Experience. It now includes a visit to the Centre of Excellence, home of Triumph’s prototype development and 3D printing, and the paint shop. A new assembly line that will build several thousand bikes a year can also be viewed from the tour. Tickets cost £20 at www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk. I say, hear, hear Bluetooth communication specialists, Sena have revamped…

Weise Outlast Frontier Jacket £179.79 ‘Spruce up your riding wardrobe’ We don’t like to admit it but the nights are drawing in and it won’t be long before autumn is upon us, so now’s the perfect time to start shopping for deals on textile kit. We’ve done the hard work for you and found some cracking bargains, including this great jacket from Bristol-based, Fowlers Motorcycles, who stock loads of gear in store and sell on-line, too. Available for both gents and ladies, it has an Advanced Outlast liner, which means it’ll keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. It’s also waterproof, windproof and breathable. There’s CE-approved armour at the shoulders, elbows and back. If your budget will allow, there’s also trousers for £177.59, which includes a discount of…

NEWS EDITOR Well before the 916, in 1992, Ducati created a racebike called the ‘Supermono’. Essentially an 888 with the rear cylinder removed the Supermono was an effective race bike that became the stuff of legend. Not only did it inspire elements of the 916’s design but it was also engineered, in part, by a young man called Claudio Domenicali, who stayed around long enough to become the current CEO. Now Swedish bike builders NCCR have taken the same idea to build a new engine which they think could be at home both on the track and in an adventure bike. The genius of the engine’s design is taking an existing V-twin motor and removing the rear cylinder but not just blanking it off. Instead on both the original Supermono…

‘Who cares who had it before?’ A few years ago I met a chap with a Triumph Daytona 675 whose previous owner was apparently Prince Harry. He had no record of this (the logbook didn’t list Duke of Sussex, Buckingham Palace...) so all he had was a convoluted story involving Triumph lending the bike to the royals. So how important is a famous former owner to a bike’s value? Much is down to the status of the celeb. I’m not sure the MT-07 that Yamaha have lent to Fred from First Dates has increased much in value and the same is true of various other attempted gossip page-catching loan examples. Richard Hammond has recently offloaded a few of his bikes (as has his colleague James May) but these sold for…

The Festival fires into action next weekend (Sept 4-5) at the East of England Arena in Peterborough. It’s the biggest biking weekend of the year and you’d be mad to miss it. Here’s why... DTRA The Dirt Track Riders Association will be showcasing some thrilling racing at the Festival, including the Pro, Hooligan and new for 2021 the Electric bike class. The Hooligan rounds feature 750cc+ machines with stock frames and road-legal tyres. As you can imagine, it’s jaw-dropping racing and not for the faint hearted, head to the Live Action Arena – sponsored by Indian Motorcycle for the action. Autojumble From garage clearouts to non-running project bikes, the jumble is the ideal place to pick up that final piece for your resto or start a new project. You can…

YOU’RE NEVER RIDING ALONE I grew up on Anglesey, and me and my brother couldn’t afford bikes, but we got a quad bike between us. It was an absolute shed, so we restored it with my dad. After a while we sold the quad and then – when our mum was away one weekend – we bought our first field bike. When she came home. we were rattling around the fields on it, which didn’t go down the best! Soon after that I got a rugby scholarship, so I had to stop riding for a few years. The focus paid off for my rugby, and within six months of finishing my last A-level exam I was playing for Wales. My contract said I couldn’t ride motorcycles or do extreme sports,…

Q ‘Taken out by overbanding’ I was riding along a wet country road outside Newport and was going around a bend when my bike lost traction and I ended up in a hedge. I was able to pick myself up and went to look at the road when I saw that it had been repaired recently. The seal at the edge of the repair looked much wider than normal – about 3 or 4 inches wide. I have been off work and losing pay so I was wondering if I can claim compensation. Rhiannon, Caerphilly A Depending on the type of road, the local council or the Highway Authority are responsible for maintaining the road surface and all repairs. Authorities often contract this work out, but the contractors have a…

Readers Rob Williams and Debbie Austin The trip Camping in the Lake District and exploring two-up on an electric BMW C Evolution How many miles? 190 (+250 miles behind the camper) Time required Three days Best things about the ride… Filling your bike with ‘fuel’ for free every night, throwing away the ear plugs and slowing down so you don’t miss anything. We silently climbed one of the steepest roads in England, the Hardknott Pass between Eskdale and the Duddon Valley, at the top we were rewarded with what must be one of the most breathtaking views in the UK. Definitely not a trip to rush, at no time did we feel that we were an unwanted visitor or the need to go fast. We stopped by the side of…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday August 25 BIKE MEETS ■ Squires Cafe Newthorpe, West Yorks 01977-684618 or www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ Gawsworth of Jesters Bike Meet The Harrington Arms, Gawsworth, Cheshire 7pm 07843-223593 or www.gawsworthjesters.org.uk ■ The Blue Anchor Southport, Merseyside 7pm. Facebook: Southport Carousel Bike Meet ■ Seaways Fridaythorpe East Yorks 4pm-8pm mike@seawayscafe.co.uk ■ The Old Stores Pontblyddyn, Flints 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 ■ The Plough Cadsden, Bucks www.plough-at-cadsden.co.uk ■ Paignton Seafront Devon www.bmad.co.uk ■ Loomies Moto Cafe West Meon, Hants, Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ Ryka’s Cafe Box Hill, Surrey www.rykas.co.uk SPEEDWAY ■ Birmingham www.birmingham-speedway.com ■ Poole Pirates Dorset www.poolepirates.co/ TRIAL ■ Stanley TC Butsfield Quarry, Stanley, Co Durham stanleytrialsclub@gmail.com Thursday August 26 BIKE MEETS ■ Krazy Horse Bury St…

‘In search of windmills’ R5K MEMBER TRACY PORTER I stopped at the North Leverton Windmill during an 80-mile loop from my home. Despite doing the ride before, this was the first time I’d spotted it and it was just nice to be back out, getting myself bike fit. I’ll be back out again very soon! ‘First two-up adventure’ R5K MEMBERS BILL HALLEY AND GAVIN HALLEY This was my first time taking a pillion and my son Gavin’s first time going on the back! I think I’d built it up in my head that it would be difficult, but he was a great passenger. We went for a 350-mile ride for his second time on the back! ‘Waterside wild camping’ R5K MEMBERS PAUL ROBSON AND ANDREW HUDDLESTON We took in four…

THE INSPIRATION Losing his brother Robert was one of the most difficult moments in Simon’s life but was also the reason for him kickstarting Volunteer Riders UK. FIRST DELIVERY The first successful delivery by Volunteer Riders UK was a huge achievement as Simon didn’t think it would ever actually happen. MAJOR MILESTONE The group released a special video on their Facebook site to mark their 500,000th mile with an incredible three million pieces of personal protective equipment delivered in just eight weeks of the pandemic. SCRUBBING UP ‘Originally, we sourced all the materials, were getting the materials out to teams of machinists, we sourced the teams and everything else,’ Simon said. Staff in Luton were happy with their rainbow scrubs.…

On face value the RS costs £1250 more yet all you get extra is an ‘RS’ sticker, a cover, paddock stand and USB. Plus a significantly upgraded powertrain. A quick first ride can’t confirm the claimed 10% better range, faster charging and reduced maintenance. What is undeniable is that the RS delivers breathtaking acceleration, impressive handling, has genuine ‘Italian exotica’ style, wants for nothing in terms of electronics and cycle parts (with more available), is far and away the best electric roadster available and, Ego sportsbike aside, is Energica’s new range-topper. Yes, £26K+ is steep but that’s always the case with ‘ultimates’. THE FACTS £26,440 Energica Eva Ribelle RS Engine Oil-cooled, permanent magnet AC Frame Tubular steel trellis Suspension (F) Inverted Marzocchi 43mm forks, fully adjustable (R) Bitubo single shock,…

MOTORCYCLING MUST – DOS ‘Within a few minutes the sun made its entrance’ BY JUSTIN HAYZELDEN MCN’s roving reporter has covered most of the UK’s best biking roads As I thundered across Bodmin Moor, the clouds closed ranks to block out the sun and my heart started to sink a little. Surely after coming all this way it wasn’t just going to fade into night? There were still 66 miles to go and according to my satnav I was on schedule to arrive at Land’s End with a good hour to spare, but it seemed the chance of a decent sunset was disappearing fast. My day had begun just over 13 hours and 370 miles ago on the North Sea coast, in the seaside town of Lowestoft in Suffolk. The…

ALI SILCOX OFFICE MANAGER Owns a Monster and XMAX scooter, adores touring on two wheels. It’s been a fun-filled few weeks with trips to the coast, jaunts to race tracks and a weekly commute to the office (beats working from home!). Miles are racking up on the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT and with every ride I learn something new. I’ve also taken the time to dust off my toolkit to make a few minor alterations, some have made an improvement to my riding comfort – but one, disappointingly, hasn’t. Tanking along 1 It’s not ben easy to find a tank bag – the tank has plastic shrouds, which makes it impossible to fit a magnetic bag. But SW Motech make a Yamaha branded bag, which fits to a bracket that’s…

It’s funny, I’ve done a lot of advanced training since coming to the UK (it’s non-existent in Italy, so it was a big shock for me initially because I thought I knew everything!). But sometimes all it takes is for an instructor to phrase something in a certain way for it to become easier to implement. I found that today when Ryan explained the concept of the overtaking triangle, and it has really helped. Before I found I was often rushing up to the vehicle ahead – I wasn’t planning before I reached the vehicle, so it was always a bit stop-start, plus it’s never ideal to be closely following a vehicle for any length of time so I guess my safety might’ve been compromised. THAT’S BETTER! Ryan says: Wolf’s…

Saving you money on essential bike maintenance BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician 1 What’s your type? Not just for racing or track bikes, a steering damper will help keep any relatively short wheelbase bike feeling stable. When it comes to fitting one, either as an accessory or replacement, make an informed decision as to which type you need. There are different types of mounting and differing stroke lengths, so ask an expert which is best for your specific bike. 2 Centrally mounted This fitting kit and damper are fitted above and in between the top yoke and front of the petrol tank. In some cases they are fitted under the bottom yoke. A centrally mounted kit generally requires a small amount of stroke compared to a side-mounted kit. One of…

Our man with the inside line from the World Superbike paddock Scott Redding has admitted he was too hard on himself and that emotions got in the way of his riding earlier this season. Now with a refreshed mindset, the Englishman has slashed an 81-point deficit to just 38 thanks to two wins and a second at Navarra, launching himself back into World Superbike title contention just days after the announcement that he will switch from Ducati to BMW for 2022. Nothing in life stays the same for long. That can certainly be said in motorsport; whenever a rider and team sign a contract, the divorce papers are placed alongside. It might be a year or a decade down the line, but they will be signed at some stage. Motorcycle…

World Supersport leader Dominique Aegerter will miss two races this season, the rider and his team have confirmed to MCN. The Swiss rider signed his MotoE deal with Dynavolt Intact before his Ten Kate Supersport contract, meaning he will miss the Barcelona races which clash with the electric racing at Misano. “Yes, I will ride MotoE,” Aegerter confirmed. “We’ve known this for some time, so we are building up as big a lead as we possibly can,” Ten Kate’s team manager Kervin Bos added. “We’re looking at substitute options while trying to secure Domi full-time for 2022.” Following another double at Navarra, Aegerter leads South Africa’s Steven Odendaal by 47 points at the halfway point of the season. With two races per weekend, a maximum 50 points are available at…

A week after telling MCN he now expects podiums and wins in every race, Tommy Bridewell delivered at Cadwell by taking a trio of thirds. Bridewell has four consecutive podiums, a run started with victory in race three at Donington Park. The Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider is in contention for a top two finish, with 16 podium credits to his name. That’s only four less than Tarran Mackenzie and seven behind Christian Iddon. Bridewell’s result could have been even better had it not been for his sluggish race starts, which he suggested to MCN could be because of a change to a pull lever rear brake, rather than a thumb-operated unit. “Running the thumb brakes allows me to have much better movement with the clutch because I don’t have…

SPORTS REPORTER The outcome of this season’s BSB season is beginning to look a little inevitable. Once again Jason O’Halloran took close to the maximum from a weekend in which he was unable to get the better of Peter Hickman on two occasions. Whilst wins are great, they’re not everything in a title fight and that’s where O’Halloran comes into his own. No matter which circuit the BSB paddock visits in 2022, he’s the main protagonist, bagging big points. In the opening 18 races O’Halloran has only finished outside of the top two on six occasions. With a stunning victory in race three, overtaking Hickman on the final lap, the Aussie has nine victories and 14 podiums – with his 40th BSB rostrum coming in race one. What makes his…

Glenn Irwin dug deep to secure a trio of top-sixes despite having to fight through the pain barrier after dislocating his left shoulder in a crash at Donington’s McLeans. Fantastic starts in all three races enabled Irwin to lead a combined total of 10 full laps over the weekend, but the physically demanding circuit put too much strain on his shoulder, and he lost places in the latter stages of the races. Still, it was a brave, hard-fought weekend for Irwin, and one that could prove very important in the Showdown fight. “I played down the shoulder throughout the weekend, but it does need surgery in November,” Irwin revealed. “There are a few tears in it. When I talk about it though, I don’t play it up, it’s worse than…

Fans hoping to see Cal Crutchlow race ex-Yamaha star Maverick Viñales’ factory YZR-M1 for the remainder of 2021 look set for disappointment. He had been expecting to race at Silverstone this weekend in place of injured Franco Morbidelli at Petronas SRT, but will now partner World Championship leader Fabio Quartararo in the Monster-backed factory squad. The 35-year-old could also take Viñales’ seat in Aragon next month. But beyond that Yamaha will pull him out of the firing line so he can concentrate on his primary role of developing the 2022 M1. Crutchlow has always been content with a maximum four-race deal to sub for injured Morbidelli when he stepped out of retirement to contest the recent Austrian double-header. Nothing has changed, and he’s more than happy to revert back to…

When the Tracer 900 first arrived back in 2015, it made a huge impact on the sports-touring segment. Now, six years down the line, the range has expanded and evolved to include the Tracer 9 GT and the Tracer 7 GT, meaning you’ll find something that suits your riding perfectly. Tracer 9 GT The chassis of the Tracer 9 GT has undergone an entire redesign, with the new CF diecast Deltabox frame designed to offer the best sports performance and excellent comfort. It’s lighter and more compact than before, which gives the bike better handling overall. Another important improvement for 2021 is the repositioning of the updated 890cc triple-cylinder ‘CP3’ engine, which is now mounted at a more upright angle of 52.3º – a five-degree increase compared to its predecessor.…

Compared to the sports-touring competition at the time, the VFR1200F was initially criticised when it was introduced in 2010 for its lack of tech and too-small (18.5-litre) tank, but one thing that couldn’t be faulted was the engineering. The V4 has a 76° vee to keep things compact with offset crank pins to avoid a balance shaft and help shrink the bike at the waist. But more than that, it is immensely grunty and flexible, with that characteristic V4 exhaust bark. You never need approach the 10,000rpm redline but if you do it (almost) howls like an RC30. Top it off with supreme build quality, effortless handling, and refinement, and you could get yourself a bargain. There’s not much to look out for on the 1200 as very little goes…

When the Tracer 900 first arrived back in 2015, it made a huge impact on the sports-touring segment. Now, six years down the line, the range has expanded and evolved to include the Tracer 9 GT and the Tracer 7 GT, meaning you’ll find something that suits your riding perfectly. Tracer 9 GT The chassis of the Tracer 9 GT has undergone an entire redesign, with the new CF diecast Deltabox frame designed to offer the best sports performance and excellent comfort. It’s lighter and more compact than before, which gives the bike better handling overall. Another important improvement for 2021 is the repositioning of the updated 890cc triple-cylinder ‘CP3’ engine, which is now mounted at a more upright angle of 52.3º – a five-degree increase compared to its predecessor.…

Compared to the sports-touring competition at the time, the VFR1200F was initially criticised when it was introduced in 2010 for its lack of tech and too-small (18.5-litre) tank, but one thing that couldn’t be faulted was the engineering. The V4 has a 76° vee to keep things compact with offset crank pins to avoid a balance shaft and help shrink the bike at the waist. But more than that, it is immensely grunty and flexible, with that characteristic V4 exhaust bark. You never need approach the 10,000rpm redline but if you do it (almost) howls like an RC30. Top it off with supreme build quality, effortless handling, and refinement, and you could get yourself a bargain. There’s not much to look out for on the 1200 as very little goes…

When the Tracer 900 first arrived back in 2015, it made a huge impact on the sports-touring segment. Now, six years down the line, the range has expanded and evolved to include the Tracer 9 GT and the Tracer 7 GT, meaning you’ll find something that suits your riding perfectly. Tracer 9 GT The chassis of the Tracer 9 GT has undergone an entire redesign, with the new CF diecast Deltabox frame designed to offer the best sports performance and excellent comfort. It’s lighter and more compact than before, which gives the bike better handling overall. Another important improvement for 2021 is the repositioning of the updated 890cc triple-cylinder ‘CP3’ engine, which is now mounted at a more upright angle of 52.3º – a five-degree increase compared to its predecessor.…

Compared to the sports-touring competition at the time, the VFR1200F was initially criticised when it was introduced in 2010 for its lack of tech and too-small (18.5-litre) tank, but one thing that couldn’t be faulted was the engineering. The V4 has a 76° vee to keep things compact with offset crank pins to avoid a balance shaft and help shrink the bike at the waist. But more than that, it is immensely grunty and flexible, with that characteristic V4 exhaust bark. You never need approach the 10,000rpm redline but if you do it (almost) howls like an RC30. Top it off with supreme build quality, effortless handling, and refinement, and you could get yourself a bargain. There’s not much to look out for on the 1200 as very little goes…

£18,088 Suzuki Hayabusa If you fancy an even bigger bang for your buck with a full Akrapovic system on your Suzuki Hayabusa, Cupar Motorcycles in Scotland have three 2021 models available with 50% off the cost of the exhaust system. The dealership have both black and silver models in stock with the special deal available. ● www.cupar.co.uk SAVE £1150 £13,999 Kawasaki Z H2 Bolton Motorcycles have a 2020 model of this supercharged 197bhp super naked up for grabs with more than a grand off the price. ● boltonmotorcycles.co.uk ● Engine 998cc ● Power 197bhp ● Weight 239kg ● Seat height 830mm SAVE £780 £3799 Honda CB300R A lovely bike for novices. Compared to basic ABS systems fKawasaki Z H2ound on 125cc bikes, the CB’s IMU-linked system is a step ahead.…

We’ve teamed up with Shoei to give one lucky MCN reader the chance to win a Shoei NXR2 helmet worth up to £539.99! The Shoei NXR2 is a premium, performance, full-face helmet developed to meet the latest ECE22/06 certification. All helmets require high safety performance – Shoei Premium helmets not only offer outstanding shock absorption, but also classleading aerodynamics, outstanding visibility, optimised ventilation, and soft comfort liner, all within a compact, lightweight shell. Here are the highlights... ● Lightweight ● Compact ● Optimised ventilation ● Improved quietness ● Quick-drying interior fabric ● Pinlock Evo lens How to enter Visit www.motorcyclenews.com/winShoeiNXR2 and submit your details to be in with a chance of winning. Good luck! TERMS AND CONDITIONS The prize draw closes at midnight on September 21, 2021. This competition is…

FANTASY SHOPPING ON A REAL-WORLD BUDGET PAUL BEAMISH 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 Paul’s pick... Owner of Krazy Horse, Paul Beamish, has been building custom bikes for years and is world-renowned for the machines his company produces. So what used bike would the man who has built everything from a Harley-Davidson Panhead special to Guy Martin’s Wall of Death motorcycle buy himself? “There are two bikes that I really want to own,” says Paul. “And the first may surprise some people, considering my background. In 1990 I went to the Isle of Man TT for the first time and the trip was a bit of a disaster. Originally…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews Good luck Valentino! The news of Rossi’s retirement is sad but not entirely unexpected – none of us can go on forever! Following on from letters featuring murals honouring Beryl Swain and John McGuinness, this is a picture of a mural in Tavullia, which I took when my wife and I took a fabulous trip to Europe in 2016. We travelled through France, Switzerland and Italy, taking in the MotoGP at Misano. What a fantastic time we had over a three-week period. Good luck to Vale in whatever he now chooses to do. Maurice Parker, email No thanks, Honda I can think of nothing more boring than riding an uncrashable bike (MCN, August 11). In racing and on the road the risk of a crash is…

1 Day of Champions Ride-in with celebs on Thurs, auctions, VIP experiences, raffles and the chance to bid on Rossi’s boots. August 26-28. www.twowheelsforlife.org 2 Ripon classic car and motorcycle show Sunday, August 29 at Ripon Racecourse. Includes an autojumble. 10am-4pm. Tickets £7.50 for adults, kids go free. www.markwoodwardclassicevents.com 3 Harry Dunn memorial Memorial ride around RAF Croughton. Friday, August 27. Meet at 5pm, Buckingham Road ind. estate in Brackley. www.facebook.com/events/476185296982236 4 Sammy Miller autojumble August 29. Small admission fee to courtyard but taken off ticket price for museum. Tearooms and the Shed will have food. sammymiller.co.uk…

FRIDAY August 27 8.45am, BTS2 Live MotoGP: Free Practice 1&2 SATURDAY August 28 4.20pm, CH4, Guy Martin’s World Speed Records SUNDAY August 29 9am, BTS2, Live MotoGP. Moto3 at 10.30am, MotoGP at 12.30pm and Moto2 at 2.15pm. 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 – BT SPORT 2 TVL – TRAVEL UK…

ROAD TESTER £14,510* BMW S1000R Sport ● 999cc transverse four 16v ● 165bhp @ 11,000rpm ● 199kg kerb weight £15,500 Aprilia Tuono V4 ● 1077cc V4 16v ● 175bhp @ 11,350rpm ● 209kg kerb weight A prilia’s V4 Tuono has been the benchmark super-naked ever since the original was spun out of the RSV4 in 2011. Brutally fast and fine-handling with class-leading electronics, it delivered true superbike performance. And with a relatively roomy, upright riding position and even (whisper this) a small fairing the Tuono was comparatively practical, too. Updated since, growing to 1100cc and 175bhp in 2016, for 2021 the Tuono’s received its biggest makeover so far. But is it enough to keep it ahead of rivals such as BMW’s new S1000R? In search of answers, I take the…

BMW’s new S1000R brings even more civility, refinement and class to a category traditionally defined by lairy lunacy. Although ‘only’ 165bhp, it’s not remotely slow – there’s too much midrange for that – nor is it slightly flabby and breathless like Honda’s CB1000R. The S1000R’s slick quickshifter, sheer composure and easy manners also help make it truly versatile while it’s also a BMW with all the extras that can bring. But the R also only truly excites when extra modes, ESA and, maybe, an Akra is bolted on and even then it’s arguably too slick and sensible to elicit a genuine super-naked buzz. The Tuono, meanwhile, even in this ‘base’, practical form, starkly reminds what a true super-naked can be. The class-leading performance and handling are unchanged, despite the tweak…

Phil Blake, 54, Somerset I heard about riding coast to coast the longest day through the Bridgwater HOG chapter as they were organising a rideout, stopping off at four Harley dealers along the way to earn a pin and a patch. I went along because it involved beer, bikes and having a laugh. I had a Dyna Wide Glide at the time which was basically a stripped down chopper. We left Ness Point at dawn (around 4.30am) on the nearest Saturday to the longest day and rolled in to Land’s End around 6pm. I think the best way to enjoy it is to give yourself an extra day at either end – we rode up from Somerset then started our journey the day after. I’ve actually ridden it twice, missing…

• Fit and comfort rated • Design, construction and durability rated • Each one used on a bike for 1000 miles plus RATINGS Exceptional ★★★★★ Very good ★★★★ Good ★★★ Average ★★ Poor ★ Givi Gravel-T rucksack £85.99 ‘For something completely waterproof, this is your bag’ Tested by Michael Neeves for one year If you’re after something completely waterproof to carry your stuff around in, this is your bag. It might be on the expensive side and doesn’t have any internal compartments or pockets (although there’s an external mesh pocket for a water bottle), but I’ll always use this roll-top rucksack if I know it’s going to pee it down while I’m out riding… which has been quite often over the past year. It’s comfortable to wear, even fully loaded,…

It was only the other day whilst riding my Fireblade that I was reminded about the silent but important job of a steering damper. I had overtaken a car whilst accelerating hard in third gear when the road surface decayed rapidly. As the front end passed over this uneven tarmac the bars gave a muted tankslapper then recovered. The combination of steep steering head angle and optimised wheelbase helps promote agility. But the trade-off is the bike is inclined to become twitchy, especially when hitting bumps or uneven parts of the road under acceleration. And, like most components, steering dampers don’t last forever. A mate recently complained he was finding his 2010 Yamaha R1 scary. It was fitted with good tyres set at the right pressure and in excellent all-round…

16 Nozane 30 17 Viñales 19 18 Folger 14 19 Laverty 14 20 Ponsson 11 21 Mercado 8 22 Fritz 6 23 Cresson 3 WSB POSITIONS RACE 1 WSB POSITIONS SP RACE 11 Nozane +16.791 12 Bassani +17.321 13 Rinaldi +17.353 14 Haslam +18.531 15 Mahias +18.578 16 Folger +20.506 17 Ponsson +23.206 18 Mercado +23.308 19 Uramoto +28.254 WSB POSITIONS RACE 2 11 Rabat +31.834 12 Folger +40.104 13 Ponsson +49.695 14 Mahias +1’12.388 15 Mercado+1.14.472 16 Uribe +1’25.210 17 Cresson +1’30.578…

The Mountain at Cadwell Park is one of motorsport’s most iconic pieces of tarmac, up there with Laguna Seca’s Corkscrew or the start/finish straight kink at Mugello. Fans flock to Lincolnshire in their thousands each year to watch their heroes get airborne on their 200BHP+ monsters. Josh Brookes is one of the most skilled, spectacular and most photographed, riders at the Mountain. He gave MCN an in-depth guide to mastering it. 1 Turning left (T11) 62.1mph The run to the Mountain begins at the left-handed, 62mph, second gear, turn 11. Whilst not critical to the jump, it’s vital not to make any mistakes and ruin the entry to the important right-turn at the bottom of the hill. Instead of running out towards the right like a traditional single corner exit,…

Tim and Tom Neave ensured that the Lincolnshire faithful had more than just the success of Hickman and O’Halloran to celebrate. Tim made his Superbike debut at Buildbase Suzuki, replacing the injured Danny Kent, and rode superbly to score points in each race – taking a weekend-best of 11th. He set a personal best lap-time in race three but was hampered slightly by the physicality of the Superbike compared to the Superstock machine. ‘Tim Neave set a personal best lap in race three’ Meanwhile, Tom now leads the Superstock class after chasing down and overtaking closest rival Alex Olsen to take his second win in seven days. Tom holds a five-point lead over Olsen after 10 races.…