Table of contents for January 17th 2018 in MCN

‘If mother nature fixes me up, I’d love to be on the TT start line again’JOHN MCGUINNESS For the first time since his potentially career-ending crash at last May’s North West 200, John McGuinness has revealed the extent of his injuries, the pain he’s endured and the fight he’s had to rid himself of painkiller dependency. McPint crashed during practice for the North West 200 on his factory Honda Fireblade when an ECU problem gave an unexpected throttle blip. The horrific crash resulted in broken ribs, four cracked vertebrae and a smashed tibia and fibula. His lower leg was so bad it needed rebuilding, pinning and plating and since that day he has been wearing an external fixator as his bones knit together. Despite the injuries and lengthy recovery process,…

YAMAHA FS1-E Me 1980 aged 16. I sprayed the bike myself and had a Harris Magnum exhaust. Paul Neilson YAMAHA XS500 On my Yamaha XS500 in 1978 cool or what? Karl Holmes YAMAHA RD125LC My two brothers on my Yamaha back in 1989. Nick Rymer SUZUKI ZR50S This was 1983 on my unrestricted Suzuki ZR50S. Genuine 60mph, well that what I said when I was 16 anyway! Geoff Butler BSA A65 LIGHTNING This is me in about 1968 on my BSA. Looked good but I had so many problems with big ends and main bearings. Mer v James HONDA CB100N Bought brand new in 1978. I’m now riding an MV Agusta Dragster – slight performance difference! Andy Burrows YAMAHA AEROX My daughter Molly on her Yamaha Aerox just after her…

‘The Husky flatters you’ It’s hard not to want the KTM and so easy to fall in love with its simple to maintain two-stroke motor, but at times I thought it was taking me for a ride. The Honda is a superb, quality machine with lovely suspension, but again will be too much for many. I’d settle with the Husky. It flatters the rider, is still quick and exciting, but when you’re tired and have muscle pump it’s easy to knock it back a level. EXPERT OPINION ‘The Honda is too much for novices’ MARTIN CRAVEN International extreme Enduro rider. 1984 Kickstart winnerr, British Trails Champion 1990. In the woods the Honda is far too much for a novice – it has too much power and torque, but it’s perfect…

MCN’s campaign to encourage as many readers as possible to cover 5000 miles in a year is all about getting the most enjoyment possible from your motorcycle. We realise life is full of pressures that stop you biking, but there’s always a way. How do I do it? Make a note of your mileage at the start of your biking year. Many members take a photo at the start of the term and at the end and share it on our Facebook page. Make a concerted effort to ride your bike more. Reap the benefits of increased machine control, a happier outlook on life and more friends and a wealth of tales to tell. What do I win? Nothing – but satisfaction, a greater love for bikes and biking, and…

 Price 10,999 Fuel 17 litres @ 43mpg = 160 miles Weight 190kg (dry) Seat height 850mm Power 88bhp Torque 47.38ftlb (with race exhaust) ‘You’re free of holiday traffic, the roads are empty, and we didn’t see one caravan all day. Bliss’ To some, the thought of riding for a full day in winter, on a sportsbike, is as appealing as sharing a bath with a professional darts player. I can see their argument. But I wanted to prove that with the correct kit, tyres and attitude it can still be fun and enjoyable. This is why just three days before Christmas I find myself in a roadside café opposite Clumber Park just off the A1, waiting for MCN photographer Joe Dick. My mates are stuck at work, but I’m bunking…

1 Why did injection take over? There were two main drivers – legislation and features. As fuel injection enables more accurate control of the air/ fuel ratio, it can significantly reduce nasty emissions, which became necessary with increasing emissions regulations. First there was the step from Euro2 to 3 in 2005 to 2006, which saw big changes to the likes of the Yamaha YZF-R6, Suzuki GSX-R600 and so on. Then, at the beginning of 2016, Euro4 (which forced even bigger changes) and in the future there will be Euro5. The other reason are features. Cold-starting old carbed bikes with a manual choke was tricky. But with fuel injection and accurate engine management you can have much better drivability and ‘start-ability’. What are the 2 basics? An engine runs on a…

Hot new offers from Triumph Triumph’s first deals for 2018 consist of finance offers, monetary contributions and complementary bolt-ons. Available from now until the end of March, deals include a Track Racer Kit for the Thruxton R, worth £1950. See the full range at w w w.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk Honda reveal what you’ll pay Honda have announced the prices for 2018 models including the CB1000R and Africa Twin Adventure Sports. The CB1000R starts from £11,229 and the CB300R £4429. The CB125R will start from £3949. The Africa Twin starts at £11,575 (£12,540 for DCT) and the Adventure Sports starts from £12,599 (£13,549 DCT). New Husky road bikes from £5599 Husqvarna have started 2018 with a bang by releasing the prices for their new models. The much -anticipated Vitpilen 701 is priced at…

 McGuinness has this weekend confirmed that he has split with Honda Racing and is looking at options to secure a superbike for the big bike races at this year’s TT should he be fit. ‘I’ve spoken to TAS BMW, Kawasaki, Norton. I may run something myself’ “At the minute I’m a 45-year-old ex-brickie with a manky leg, so I’m keeping my options open,” he said at a Joey Dunlop Foundation dinner. “I’ve shaken hands with Honda as of this week, the bosses came to my house to see me, and we have made an amicable agreement that it’s time for me to move on. “I’ve had so much success with Honda, it’s been amazing. We’ve had ups and downs, but that’s just part of the rollercoaster of racing. I need…

Tracer prices Yamaha have announced the prices for the new 2018 Tracer 900 and 900GT. The Tracer 900 starts from £9249 while the 900GT, which comes with extras such a luggage and heated grips, starts at £10,495. Look out! Met Police are trialling a new speed camera that can fit in the palm of the hand. The TruSpeed SE is about the same size as a pair of binoculars and has a lazer that can accurately measure and record your speed. The Fenix rises Smart helmet manufacturer Skully have promised to deliver their Fenix AR helmet this summer. Skully raised over £1.5 million via crowdfunding before collapsing suddenly last year. The new owners said they will ‘make it right’. Custom Racers BMW UK have announced a new Bespoke Build contest…

Brake fluid has one job in life – to transfer force through the brake line from the master cylinder to the brake caliper. It achieves this by being a non-compressible liquid and is generally glycol-ether based, however there are alternatives such as mineral oil and silicone-based fluids. Brake fluids are identified by their DOT rating, which stands for US Department of Transport. The DOT rating is calculated on the boiling point of the fluid; a DOT 2 will boil at 190°C while a DOT 5 boils at the far higher 260°C. This is why race bikes run DOT 5 while road bikes, where the brakes are less likely to suffer extreme heat cycles, run DOT 3 or 4. Technically, water would work as a brake fluid, however as it boils…

Hevik Rock Dark R £45.90 What’s good? Keep your hands toasty on winter rides with these new gloves from Hevik. The Rock Dark R is a reasonably priced long waterproof glove comprised of 35% leather, 40% polyester and 25% clarino synthetic leather. There is also a breathable waterproof membrane and thermal padding. What’s not? Not available in XS. www.hevik.co.uk Akrapovič pipes for Kawasaki Z900RS £726 What’s good? The Slip-On Line can has been designed to be in keeping with the bike’s classic lines and is finished in velvety black. What’s not? It’s a lot of cash for a slip-on can. www.performanceparts-ltd.com Wunderlich Heated Seat for BMW R1200GS £539 What’s good? Featuring a full-carbon element, capable of offering temps of 40°C it can deliver warmth to your backside. What’s not? Available…

 Q1 What are you riding? ‘Foggy’s whole life was about winning and I appreciate that’ A KTM 450SX-F motocross bike. Q2 Which living motorcyclist do you most admire? Carl Fogarty. I remember watching him when I was a kid and being amazed at just how much he wanted to win and how ruthless he was. His whole life was about winning and I really appreciate that. I actually met him the other day and he was just as much of a legend as I hoped he would be. Q3 What’s your worst habit when you’re riding? I’m pretty bad on a motocross bike’s clutch, I slip it in corners too much. Q4 If you could have one riding super skill, what would it be? Not to crash! Q5 What’s the…

‘The sound of 30 open-piped triples will be worth the ticket price alone’ ‘With that extra grunt there’ll be more wheelies and sliding’ EVERYDAY PRACTICAL Triumph have left the side stand fitted, just to make to easier to move around in the factory. It also has standard brake and clutch levers and even an ignition barrel in the rear subframe, so it isn’t ‘accidentally’ started when it’s on display. ROAD BIKE CHASSIS Standard 2013 Triumph Daytona 675 road bike frame and swingarm. K-Tech shock and fork cartridge kit. Stock Nissin brake calipers with HEL braided steel brake lines. Promach rearsets and GPR steering damper. MOTO2 POWER 2017 Triumph Street Triple RS 765cc three-cylinder development engine. Power up from 121bhp to 131bhp and rev limit raised 1350rpm to 14,000rpm. The…

The riders Adam Child Age 41 Height 5ft 6in CV MCN Senior Road Tester. 20 years experience. Off-road skill level Above average Bruce Dunn Age 51 Height 5ft 6in CV MCN’s resident speed tester. Off-road skill level Average Michael Guy Age 44 Height 5ft 10in CV MCN Sports Editor Competes in trials and enduro. Off-road skill level National HUSQVARNA FE350 £8099 • 48bhp •106.8kg The mid-capacity four-stroke single is Husky’s most popular bike in the UK. It has changeable power modes and two-way TC. Tarmac equivalent: Suzuki GSX-R750 HONDA CRF450RX £7533 • 53bhp • 110.6kg Based on Honda’s 450R crosser the 450RX is the most powerful enduro here. Three rider modes and an 8.5-litre tank. Tarmac equivalent: an angry BSB bike KTM 300 EXC TPI £7599 • 54 bhp • 103kg Yes it’s two-stroke! A…

‘I’ve been impressed with how well the V-Strom has held up to winter riding’ SUZUKI 650 V-STROM £7899 Fuel 18.5 litres @ 52.5mph = 208-mile range Weight 216kg Seat height 835mm Power 70bhp Torque 45.7ftlb I have covered just over 8000 miles on the V-Strom 650 XT since April and learnt a huge amount. And there’ve been plenty of people asking about the bike’s capabilities…so I opened things up on Facebook and invited questions. If there’s anything else you want to know, drop me an email. Which tyres would you recommend? Ian Sutherland I’ve just reluctantly parted ways with my trusty Metzeler Roadtec 01s after almost 4000 miles on the V-Strom. Even towards the end, when I’d well and truly squared them off with excessive motorway miles over the last…

TCX Street Ace Waterproof Boots £119.99 Just shy of £120, this urban leather boot from TCX has a waterproof lining and a wear-resistant rubber sole. There are toe and heel reinforcements, it does up with laces and the upper is made from full-grain leather. Sizes 6.5 to 13.5. Spada Icon WP Boots £69.99 These Spada short sports boots are waterproof and come with a single zip and Velcro fastening strap. There is a moulded gearchange panel and an anti-slip moulded sole. Available in sizes six to 14, there are also moulded action sections. DXR Hinckley Waterproof Leather Boots £119.99 An alternative styled casual boot, the DXR Hinckley is a breathable boot with soft ankle protection. Made from full-grain cowhide, they are double stitched in areas vulnerable to abrasion and there’s…

‘Category C & D write-offs can legally be returned to the road’ Q Can I keep my ‘writtenoff’ bike? Following an off my insurer appointed an engineer to examine my bike. He reported back to my insurer that the bike is a write-off and the insurer will not let me have the bike back. They say they will pay me and that the bike belongs to them. Is there any way I can have the bike back as I am sure I could use some parts and fix it myself? Will Francis, London A A write-off usually means that the vehicle will be retained by the insurance company instead of being repaired, with the owner receiving a cash payment of the value. Write-off means ‘beyond economical repair’. Insurance assessors use…

“Charging problems are quite common and I’ve had a few come in with issues relating to the regulator/ rectifier. There was a recall for it on the 600s, but the 750 didn’t get one for a long time. They are mounted at the front of the engine and they can get very hot. To avoid this, some people move them. Check for wiring problems and make sure it’s been put in a sensible place. Some companies do aluminium heat shields. “The 750 was recalled from the K4 to L4/L5 models (2004-2015) to have the brake master cylinder replaced because air was getting into the system and making them feel spongy. “A fault can also occur with a large rubber-booted connection on the left hand side under the fairing. This connects…

 Nine stages into Dakar 2018 and both Lyndon Poskitt and Max Hunt continue to grind out the days, but it has not been easy! ‘However bad it is going for me – there is always someone worse off’LYNDON POSKITT For Poskitt, his dramas began before the race had even started when he was battling a chest infection and had to pay a $1200 bribe to get his rear shock released from customs. From a racing perspective, this is Poskitt’s third Dakar and he is both a proven rider and engineer, making him perfectly suited to the Malle Moto class where riders have to complete all their own maintenance. At the time of writing, Poskitt sits 41st overall and second in the Malle Moto class, but this only tells half the…

 Sam Sunderland’s dream of winning the Dakar for the second time is over. The 28-year-old Brit had to be helicoptered from the race on stage four after a huge impact left him with intense back pain and unable to feel his legs. ‘I was pretty scared. I wanted to be able to feel something, but I couldn’t feel anything’SAM SUNDERLAND Up until that point Sunderland was on brilliant form, having won two of the opening three stages and leading the race in the overall standings. But Dakar has a reputation for being the toughest race on the planet and its ability to bite the best of the best remains very much intact. It was en-route to the fourth checkpoint of stage four when Sunderland dropped into an unseen sand pocket…

“Without question, if John is fit, he’ll race. Last year was so frustrating for him. Not only because of the injury, but he could have won again. The conditions were perfect for him; a poor week of practice would have played into his hands. He’s quick out of the blocks, he doesn’t actually need a full week of practice in perfect conditions. If he’d been fit in 2017 and was allowed to ride his old 2016 Blade, I have no doubt he could have won it. “In September last year John had lost weight, you could see in his body language he was pissed off – carrying a 5kg cage on your leg and taking prescription drugs will do that to a man. However, he’s always had an exceptional family…

Customs on TV Goblin Works Garage is a new TV show which documents a workshop’s production of custom cars and bikes. They have built four custom bikes in six months. The series airs on Quest UK (Freeview 37, Sky 144) on Thursdays at 9pm. Brit sales update Demand for bigger bikes is up year-on-year, with 0.8% more people buying them in 2017 than 2016. However, it isn’t all rosy. Figures for 2017 show the year 13.8% down. Scooters were the biggest losers, down a whopping 32.5%. V4 hits UK shores Ducati’s new Panigale V4 has started to arrive in dealers up and down the land. The bikes appeared ahead of dealer nights on Friday, so if you missed it at the NEC it’s likely in a dealer near you now.…

If there’s any downside to Triumph’s brilliant Bonneville Bobber it’s that its very success (as the firm’s fastest-ever selling bike) means it no longer stands out in a crowd quite as much as owners would like. The Hinckley firm have addressed this by not only offering their largest range of accessories yet but also by recently unveiling two new variants, the Bobber Black and Speedmaster. If that’s still not enough, dealer Pure Triumph of Wellingborough, have gone the whole hog by offering this brand new, bespoke conversion complete with striking, Harley-style, ‘Springer’ front end. Conceived in response to a dealer customising competition and built by Pure’s head technician Martin Hale, the result is both beautifully crafted and tantalisingly accessible. Better still, if you want one, Pure will build a brand…

This week’s MCN is all about two British icons in John McGuinness and Triumph. McPint stands alone as Britain’s most universally-loved bike racer. With his effortless style and fearlessness on the bike, combined with his approachability, there is no-one like him in the paddock. Many times I’ve seen him give time to fans when he could’ve swaggered off like a rock star. He’s the genuine article. And the good news it is looking far more likely we’ll see him in the paddock again. Since his Fireblade’s ECU gave him more throttle than he wanted and he had that bone-crunching crash at the NW200, the bloke’s been through the mill. But he’s getting better with each day and brimming with optimism. The TT needs his personality, too. We’ve also been testing…

There are just over four weeks until the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show kicks off – and the list of new 2018 models on display keeps growing! Aprilia, BMW, Brough, CCM, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Herald, Honda, Husqvarna, Indian, Kawasaki, KTM, Llexeter, MP3, Mutt Motorcycles, Norton, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Vespa, Yamaha and Zero Motorcycles have all signed up with the range of bikes on show set to include Ducati’s Panigale V4 S, Kawasaki’s Ninja H2 SX and Yamaha’s innovative and groundbreaking Niken three-wheeler. With more metal and the Michelin Thunderdrome, the brand new live action show that takes place right in the middle of the main hall, there’s never been a better time to go to the show. Tickets are on sale now! To find out more about the 2018 Carole…

W Where are you at a with the p project? It’s been going for about a year n now. We’ve had e engines on the rrig for that long a and track tested in the bike for six months. We’re still continuing with development and durability work and at the end of the year the teams are scheduled to get the actual race engines to build into their chassis, but they already have production engines, so they can start their projects. Who decided on how much power there should be? We’ve worked together with Dorna and Moto2 riders who have actually tried the bike. We wanted to make sure it’s all they want it to be and have the capability of setting that power figure. At the moment it’s around…

‘The Yamaha just edges it’ The Yamaha is the sportier of our two scooters, has a higher level of finish, neater clocks, keyless ignition and lockable storage compartments. It’s slightly easier around town, turns a little quicker, but the seat is high and firm for short riders and it doesn’t have the roomy comfort of the Suzuki. The Burgman 400 is a little more basic, has a lower seat, but there’s more storage up front and matches the Yamaha for style. The majority of riders will prefer the Yamaha, but the Suzuki is right on its heels and over distance I prefer it.…

‘Senna signed my Senna!’ “My bike is endorsed by the man himself. When I picked it up I rode it straight to Silverstone to attend an F1 testing day. Michael Schumacher came and chatted and admired the bike. It is an absolutely amazing bike to ride.” Andrew Porter ‘It gave someone a heart attack’ “My 888SP4 was really loud. My brother and I swapped bikes one day and when I caught up with him the exhaust note had set off two car alarms and caused an old boy to keel over.” Wynkin de Worde ‘I use mine as a tourer’ “My 1199S did 3500 miles to Italy and back the week I got it, and another 6000 miles of track days every month and road trips around the UK and…

Can I ride them on tarmac? All three bikes are fully road legal, but none will enjoy high speed for prolong periods. But remember your enduro bike must have insurance, tax and a MOT, if you intend to ‘pop’ onto the public road from time to time. What kit do I need? Good boots, helmet and goggles are essential. After that it’s a case of how you ride and where. Underneath MX pants and you’d be advised to wear as much armour as possible, which includes: knee armour, full upper body armour vest, including back and chest protector plus protective shorts. You can go one stage further with neck brace. Can I service it myself? Yes all three bikes can be serviced at home, even KTM’s two-stroke, but this will…

‘I was hanging off like a goon and the bike started to feel right at home ’ TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE RS £10,100 Fuel 17.4 litres @ 49mpg = 187 miles Weight 166kg Power 121bhp Torque 57ftlb Seat height 825mm Before the weather turned, I had the opportunity to try the Street Triple at Rockingham. I’d spent the year enjoying the abilities of the RS on the road, but I just couldn’t pass on the opportunity to try it on the track. My fear leading up to the day wasn’t the weather, or other riders, nor the risk of a spill or embarrassing blunder which happens from time to time, but it was that I was somehow going to be left underwhelmed by the RS after being spoilt by the latest…

THE EXPERT Henning Heikes  is a Project Manager responsible for motorcycle engine management systems at Bosch AG in Germany, who supply BMW, KTM and Ducati. For 90% of history, motorcycles gulped fuel via carburettors – pleasingly tactile mechanisms that blend petrol vapour and air. Now, to the disdain of many classic buffs and home mechanics, nearly all machines use computer-metered and electric-powered fuel injection. Here’s why and how.…

I’m very slowly modifying my opinion of Chinese bikes. There are still some horrible things out there, but if you go for some of the better-known brands, you can buy a decent machine for not much dosh. A girl at work has commuted in for the last three years on a Lexmoto Vienna 125 scooter. This is, to all intents and purposes, a complete Vespa clone. However, the build quality seems fine, the finish has stood up well (she does look after it, mind) and absolutely nothing has gone wrong. That said, residuals of Chinese bikes are still dire, so if you’re worried about resale value, then don’t buy a new one. But if you’re willing to go the ‘bangernomics’ route and regard a used one as completely disposable, then…

2001 Suzuki GSX-R750 Colours Blue/white, red/ silver or black/yellow Dealer £2800 Private good £2600 Private average £2400 This one £2850 buys this 2001 dealer sale with 17,000 miles on the clock. It’s in great condition. 2004 Suzuki GSX-R750 Colours Blue/white, red/ silver or black/yellow Dealer £3800 Private good £3600 Private average £3400 This one This K4 is in distinctive Rizla racing colours and has done 26,345 miles. Dealer sale, £3895. 2006 Suzuki GSX-R750 Colours Black, blue/white Dealer £4400 Private good £4200 Private average £4000 This one £4650 buys you our test bike. With 17,843 miles on the clock, modifications include a black screen and tail tidy. 2008 Suzuki GSX-R750  Colours Black, Blue/white,Black/orange Dealer £4500 Private good £4300 Private average £4100 This one £4491 for this 2008 example. It’s done 13,700…

‘You can’t make mistakes’ There have been stages where it has been so slippery and if you fall you can break the bike, beast yourself, get water in the bike and get everything covered in mud, which can take ages to sort out. I still try to go fast, but at times it has been like riding through a bog. ‘I haven’t actually done any navigation since the last Dakar!’ In the dunes the nav is more technical so I find myself really taking my time to make sure I’ve got it right. You have nothing to go by, but when you’re on tracks, you have junctions, junctions are positive decisions you have to make and this makes it easier. ‘You have to have good base fitness’ The only thing…

 Ducati duo Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo have got the 2018 MotoGP season underway by revealing the machine that they’ll campaign when the championship kicks off proper in six weeks’ time at the opening round in Qatar. ‘Now is the time for evolution not revolution, we’re already quite close’GIGI DALLÕIGNA But, with three official tests and the earliest ever beginning of contract silly season set to play out between now and then, the team’s senior management has admitted to MCN that they’re set for a frenetic few weeks between now and the opening race at the Losail circuit at the end of March. Revealing a machine that’s more of a change visually than mechanically, with the old red and white paintscheme replaced with a more aggressive red and grey design,…

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Great sporting events in 2018 FIM FREESTYLE MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Jan 27 Basel, Switzerland Feb 16-17 Berlin, Germany April 21 Munich, Germany May 5 Mannheim, Germany Oct 6 Cologne, Germany MAXXIS ACU BRITISH MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP March 11 Culham, Oxford April 1 Lyng, Norfolk April 22 Canada Heights, Kent May 6 Hawkstone Park, Shropshire June 24 Desertmartin, Northern Ireland July 29 Blaxhall Circuit, Woodbridge, Suffolk August 26 Preston Docks, Preston August 23 Foxhill, Swindon Reserve date October 14 JUDD RACING BRITISH YOUTH NATIONALS MOTOCROSS March 30-31 Culham, Oxford April 14-15 Brampton, Cumbria May 12-13 Crookwood, Devizes, Wiltshire June 9-10 Fraddon, Cornwall July 14-15 Duns, Scotland September 15-16 Buttercup, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire ENDURO MAXXIS FIM SUPERENDURO WORLD CUP December 9 2016 Krakow, Poland January 6 Riesa, Germany February 17…

Welcome to 2018 and MCN’s pull-out guide to a cracking biking year. It may be cold and dark outside but that doesn’t mean you have to put your biking fun on the back burner. Here at MCN we are organising a series of must-see shows and festivals. It all kicks off with the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show in February, followed by the Carole Nash MCN Scottish Show in March. Next up it is the return of the MCN Festival of Motorcycling in May. Then in July we head north for the new MCN Scottish Festival. And finally there’s our all-new Show and Supersprint at Ally Pally in September! JA N UA RY JANUARY 14-28 The North American International Auto Show, Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan, USA www.naias.com JANUARY 14-16…