Table of contents for 6th March 2019 in MCN

“If you’ve got a ten pence head, wear a ten pence helmet,” my dad would state as I rummaged through the latest bargain bucket offerings at a local dealer back in the day. “That’s all very well,” my teenage brain would snarl in response, “but if you’ve only got ten pence... there’s not a lot of choice.” Only, these days there seems to be a great deal of choice. In those days there was not much middle ground when it came to good but affordable helmets. Whereas these days, that middle ground seems full of top quality products that look and perform well without requiring a bank loan. MCN’s special investigation this week (see page 32), pulls no punches and reveals there is still work to be done in the…

Warr’s simple but effective take on the chopper has netted them the top spot of the public vote once again in Harley-Davidson’s Battle of the Kings custom competition. Fighting off some extremely impressive builds from across the UK, ‘The Crook’ will now head into round two along with Bowker’s Centenary Sportster and Sycamore’s Forty-Eight Chop. “I didn’t compete last year and really missed being a part of it,” Charlie Stockwell, Head of Custom at Warr’s Harley told MCN. “This year, I just had to do it.” After years of incredible show bikes including café racers and flat-trackers, the most popular bikes this year have a much more low-key aesthetic, something that can be very difficult to pull off. “Simple can come across as boring, so I had to make something…

Ducati’s new-for-2019 Hypermotard 950 features a bunch of subtle updates to reduce weight and give it a more integrated look with underseat exhausts and 916-inspired pipe routing as well as Panigale V4 Slide by Brake tech. Hypermotards have always been hard to classify. They are not that practical and the looks don’t appeal to everyone, but all are crazy fun to ride. 2019 950 What is it? Ducati have tried to boost the 950’s edgy DNA, while enhancing its everyday useability. MCN says “It has enough in its armoury to please pretty much every rider on the planet, assuming you can live with the outlandish aesthetics.” Want to buy one? £2195 deposit, 5000 miles p/a, £127 per month over 36 months. 2017 939 What is it? More cubes for extra…

‘World class stunt acts will thrill the fans’ With recent weather giving us an early taste of summer and the roads reverberating with the sound of bikes stirring from hibernation, the excitement is already building for the Devitt MCN Festival of Motorcycling on May 18-19. As well as a packed programme of races, huge club zone and unrivalled opportunities to test ride the latest new bikes in the Black Horse Finance Manufacturer Zone and bag yourself fantastic bargains, it boasts the biggest number of stunt shows ever. No fewer than five world class stunt acts will thrill the crowds with everything from Steve Colley’s trials show to the fast paced and high-flying Arenacross FMX crew. The action includes… Arenacross FMX See pro MX riders jumping 40ft in the air across…

MCN has teamed up with Yamaha to give you the chance to win a brilliant, brand new, Yamaha Tracer 700GT. The GT has good wind protection, a plush seat and 17-litre fuel tank; while the addition of 20-litre, colour-matched panniers means even more practicality. Thanks to the underslung exhaust, there’s no awkward cut-out robbing the right-hand pannier of space, meaning there’s a full 40-litre carrying capacity to make the daily commutes a bit more comfortable and weekend jaunts even more effortless. For your chance to win, just visit motorcyclenews.com/winayamaha before May 31, 2019. • Full terms and conditions are available on the entry page.…

HONDA FIREBLADE This is my daughter with my CBR900RT, the bunny still rides with me on my 2018 S1000RR. Cliff Armstrong VELOCETTE VENOM This was taken in 1961 with my mate Terry on the pillion. These days I ride a Street Triple 765. Gordon Genis BSA BANTAM I love this picture of my Dad and Mum on his BSA Bantam. No helmets or gear necessary. Pete Thomas HONDA XR75 Some of my happiest days were riding my 1977 Honda XR75 across the beautiful fields of the Lincolnshire Wolds in the early 80s. Philip Underwood YAMAHA TY50 My wife Linda Hubbard on her Yamaha TY50 circa 1981 at her dad’s factory. Mark Gill YAMAHA TY175 A picture of me stuck in a bog but still having a great time on my…

I never lavish praise cheaply, nor am usually a fan of KTMs, being put off by their garishness and off-road DNA, but the new GT is so good I reckon it’s (probably) the best road bike you can get. Punchy performance, poise, cultured handling, adjustable comfort, easy, effective electronics; I can’t criticise any. All the updates are welcome, effective and good value, particularly the TFT screen and, with a R1250GS and Multistrada 1260 S both costing more, nor is it as expensive as feared. On paper it’s perfect, if only it had the Ducati’s looks, kudos and class or the BMW’s reputation, residuals and dealer experience… KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT…

1 Engines start with raw castings Molnar buy in batches of 25 aluminium raw, cast Manx heads a year which, like all components, comes from UK suppliers. This takes two days of machining to turn into a finished head. 2 Getting a head This takes place on one of Molnar’s two 5-axis CNC milling machines with the machining of the combustion. 3 Valves fitted Valve seats/guides are fitted by hand before heads, cylinders (cast or billet) go upstairs for engine assembly. 4 Making sure the valves sit pretty Engines are then assembled upstairs in the assembly area. Andy’s son Richard runs the machines, helps build engines and does CAD design. Here he is cutting the valve seats. 5 Engine assembly A 95-bore 500 Manx engine nears completion. Molnar build 6-7…

Looking at a photograph of Freddie Spencer on the way to winning his first world championship in 1983 (below), you can see a lot has changed in the last 30-odd years. His helmet, however, doesn’t look a million miles away from what we have now. In fact, it isn’t. Helmets still follow the same formula as they did back then: hard shell, EPS liner, comfort padding. For all of our great leaps forward in safety with traction control, ABS and airbag suits, helmets have remained strangely static. But why, and what’s being done about it? Well to answer that, we have to go to Sweden. Disappointing results In the mid-90s Hans von Holst, a Swedish neurosurgeon noticed a lot of motorcyclists on his operating table. They had all been wearing…

1. LOOK Keep your vision up and take a good look at the approaching hairpin or series of hairpins. Try to ascertain how tight they are. 2. TIMING Look further up or down the road to check for oncoming traffic: cars, buses, cyclists or other motorcycles. 3. SLOW IN On uphill bends, roll off the throttle to set an appropriate speed for the severity of the corner. Select the right gear. 4. GET ON LINE Try to stay as far to the outside of your lane as you can and then pick up the throttle to maintain constant drive as you climb. 5. EXIT STRATEGY Turn your head and look at the exit point. This will keep your bike on target. Stay wide then turn as you see the corner…

Former BSB front runner and Moto2 rookie Jake Dixon left the Qatar test unhappy with his progress after failing to improve on his time from day one. Still battling the chatter issues that plagued him on the Angel Nieto KTM in his first test last year in Jerez, the Brit says the team needs to get to the bottom of the issue before they can be as competitive as he wants to be. “I’m not really happy because the feeling with the bike still isn’t how I want it to be,” he told MCN. “I can do the same time every lap but it feels like we’ve found a limit and the bike won’t let me go any faster.”…

From 1975 to 2015 Yamaha were nearly always in with a shout of winning the title. They did it with Roberts, Lawson and Rainey on 500cc two-strokes and they did it with Rossi and Lorenzo on 990, 800 and 1000cc four-strokes. However, everything changed in 2016 when MotoGP switched to unified software and Michelin tyres. Honda and Ducati adjusted to these challenges much better and Yamaha have won just 11 races over the past three seasons, the same number they won in 2015 alone! Pressure from media and fans got so bad last year that Yamaha made a public apology to its riders for the YZR-M1’s lack of performance. This year is a make-or-break season for the factory. ‘We have some doubts, we’ve seen the value of our bike but…

‘He’s the man to beat if you want to be world champion’ When you look at reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez’s past form on paper, it’s really quite difficult to see how to beat the Repsol Honda rider in the title race. Defeated only one season out of the six he’s spent in the premier class, he seems to be the closest thing there is to a sure bet. But circumstances are different in 2019. First up he’s got a new teammate, Jorge Lorenzo, who is the only man ever to beat him to a MotoGP title. He’s also starting the year not at full fitmess following shoulder surgery and in terms of machinery his Honda team face intense competition to remain competitive. So if ever there’s a time…

SamLowes ‘Iwillfightforthetitle’ The year is a big season for Moto2 rider Sam Lowes, as he reunites with the Gresini Kalex squad he mounted a title challenge with in 2016. Returning after two tough seasons there’s a lot riding on his results this season. But while a tough year like 2018 might have knocked the wind out of the sails of many riders, Lowes has bounced back and is raring to take on the challenge. One of the fastest in testing on one-lap pace and almost untouchable on race pace, he’s found himself at home again with Gresini and says he’s confident he can mount a title challenge. “I’m going to be faster than I was before and I’m going to fight for the title. The team is great, the bike…

While it feels like Yamaha have been promising us this bike for years, the Japanese firm have only now finally confirmed the price and arrival date of their new Ténéré 700 adventure bike. The first bikes will arrive in the UK in July and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Pre-ordering will open 1pm March 27, when Yamaha will offer the T7 for a special introductory price of £8399 (plus OTR). That price is exclusive to online orders and will run until the system closes on July 31. After that the price will revert to the usual RRP of £8699 (plus OTR), with the second batch of bikes arriving in September. The Ténéré 700 is an interesting prospect for Yamaha. Unlike other manufacturers who have taken a high-tech but…

Indian have unveiled an ‘ultrapremium’ version of their grand tourer called the Roadmaster Elite but you’ll have to be quick because there are only two coming to the UK. Based on the standard Roadmaster, itself a gargantuan monument to excess, the Elite takes things a step further with fancy trinkets such as billet aluminium footboards, leather armrests and a handpainted candy red paintscheme with 24-carat gold leaf. If ever there was a bike fit for a king, it’s this. As well as all the fancy accessories, the Roadmaster Elite has some neat additions including an upgraded 600-watt Powerband Audio Plus system. With speakers in the fairing, topbox and panniers, the system is a whopping 50% louder than the standard Roadmaster. The system also features a nine-band dynamic equalizer that helps…

One of the UK’s largest salvage auctioneers will no longer make cash payments for written off vehicles. Starting from March 31, customers will be paid by bank transfer. It’s hoped that by insisting on a more rigorous payment method, it will deter criminals from attempting to sell bikes through salvage auctions. Salvage specialists Synetiq have taken this step after consulting with insurance companies and the West Midlands Police who launched a campaign last year for tougher standards on the re-sale of damaged vehicles. WMP had concerns that the ease of selling salvaged vehicles for cash was fuelling a growth in vehicle theft. “I’m delighted we’re leading the industry with compliance and transparency,” says Richard Martin, Group MD of Synetiq. “We have worked closely with our clients and the authorities and…

Santa Cruz-based electric motorcycle firm, Zero, pulled the covers off their new SR/F naked streetfighter last week, a bike that produces a stonking 140ftlb of torque from zero rpm. But the SR/F makes use of the firm’s Direct Drive system, meaning a direct connection from motor to rear wheel. How do they do that? No interference The lack of an intermediate gearbox between the electric motor and the rear wheel allows the SR/F’s motor to propel you forwards with as much gusto as the rear tyre can handle. Minimising frictional losses by removing the need for a clutch and gears, this system also helps improve the bikes’ effective range, thanks to it using all its expended energy for propulsion, and reaping the extra benefit of the reduced mass of the…

Evidently tired of competing in MotoGPs, dominating the Dakar (and pretty much any other off-road race going), KTM have turned their eyes to the hypercompetitive world of e-scooters. Don’t check the date, it’s not April yet, and before you get your pitchforks out, it’s got a numberplate so yes it’s a motorbike. The simple truth is that urban mobility will soon tip in favour of small electric vehicles and KTM fancy a slice of what will be a rather large pie. The design is reasonably simple, with a steel frame consisting of one downtube. It’s likely the finished machine would be faired in (a bit like a Vespa) to keep the wind off your legs and presumably provide somewhere to put your umbrella. The standing area is clearly where KTM…

A rider scoring a dominant triple victory in World Superbikes wouldn't normally be that promising, but it's something to cheer about when that bike is a Ducati ridden by a MotoGP refugee who's looking fast and ready to take the fight to Kawasaki and the masterful Johnny Rea. Johnny is an unquestioned champion with huge skill and mental strength but I'm sure that even he doesn't want to have everything all his own way; it must take some of the fun out for him. A race victory, when it comes, will be all the sweeter after a proper tussle on track. And how good was that Superpole sprint race? Brilliant idea, let's have some more of that. Now we just need Rossi, Viñales, Rins and even fast rookie Quartararo mixing…

I’ve seen all the hoo-ha about police knocking bike thieves off the bikes they’re suspected of nicking. I’ve read a little bit about it and let’s be honest, something needed to be done didn’t it? That sort of behaviour can’t carry on, you need to be hard and brutal with these people. I’m a bit old-school, if someone deserves a slap they should get one. What other ways are there of dealing with it? Bike crime has got worse and worse in recent years and that’s why insurance is an absolute fortune these days. ‘BIKE CRIME HAS GOT WORSE AND WORSE IN RECENT YEARS’ Bike theft really gets me going, I don’t see why these people think they have a right to waltz up to someone else’s bike and just…

It’s Britain’s best road test route. A tough 250-mile mix of A and B- roads, a stretch of motorway, plus plenty of towns, villages, blind corners, ballistic straights, and a huge range of grippy to slippy tarmac. There are two cafés, an off-road section for adventure and trail bikes, track time at Silverstone for sportsbikes, and Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground and the dyno for hard and fast data when needed. You want answers? We’ve got ’em. 1 First impressions Initial ambivalence due to the GT’s new duckbill front end and my usual KTM scepticism quickly makes way for mild admiration. A spec which includes big TFT dash, 175bhp, electronic WP suspension, big Brembos, heated grips and when even I can suss the modes and electronics within a few minutes things bode…

Just outside Preston in Lancashire, just off an icy M6 and deep amidst farming countryside, lies one of British motorcycling’s true gems. A purpose-designed, two-storey unit built in the grounds of a stone farm house, is home to not just the seven-strong team of Molnar Precision Limited, the business set up 25 years ago by engineer and classic expert Andy Molnar but its impressive downstairs machine shop and upstairs assembly area and stores is also the modern home to one of the most iconic and successful British motorcycles of all, the Molnar Manx Norton. After setting up in a workshop behind his house, first making and selling fasteners before moving into parts for the likes of the Matchless G50 and AJS 7R and classic drum brakes, Molnar acquired the rights…

With its heady mix of comfort, practicality and performance, Ducati’s superbike-engined Multistrada teases riders away from their sports, adventure and touring bikes on a daily basis. But it’s not always the magic adventure-sports bike you’d imagine, that title goes to its smaller-capacity brother: the Multistrada 950, launched just two years ago. It has all the big bike’s good bits, but it’s even smoother, more agile and, best of all, cheaper. With its 19in front wheel it’ll even roll up its trouser legs and get its feet dirty, too. But there’s never been a bling-tastic ‘S’ version, until now. We’re at its world launch in Valencia to fiddle with its gadgets. 1 Big brother electronics Just like the Multistrada 1260 S and Enduro, the new 950 S comes with an embarrassment…

Think Honda CB500 and many conjure up visions of an old naked Honda; cheap cheerful, but not exactly thrilling (bonkers CB500 Cup racers excepted). But that all changed in 2013 when Honda brought out a new family of racy, naked and adventure-styled A2 licence-friendly CB500s with proper styling, exciting engines and easy handling. Honda polished them further in 2016 for even more appeal and they’ve sold over 70,000 since then. For this year the CB500 has come of age with a more flexible 47bhp engine and another step up in refinement and quality. We tested the new CBR500R and CB500X in last week’s MCN and now it’s the turn of the new CB500F. It costs £5559? Really? With its aggressive creases and sharp edges the CB500F’s new bodywork, drenched in…

There is nothing more intimidating than meeting one of your heroes face-to-face. You will have a sentence all planned out, one that will make you sound like a proper fan, but importantly not a stalker. However, when the time comes to put your finely crafted exchange into action, inevitably all that comes out is some awkward garbled words accompanied by a red face. But it needn’t be this way, especially if you can catch up with a motorcycling superstar in a relaxed situation over a pint of beer. Someone like TT legend John ‘McPint’ McGuinness McPint is a bona fide two-wheeled megastar. With his 23 TT wins securing his status as a legend in the racing world, John’s fanbase extends from your average Joe to other two-wheeled heroes. In fact,…

1 Put your standard plate on Although it’s mostly about making sure your bike is safe to ride, the MoT also ensures that your machine conforms to any required legal standards, of which the numberplate is one. To pass an MoT, the size of the plate as well as the spacing and font of the lettering must be in accordance with the regulations. 2 Make sure your lights are right All your bike’s lights need to function correctly. Indicators, if fitted, must flash orange at the correct frequency. Check the brake light illuminates when both the front and rear levers are actuated, sometimes the rear switch may need adjusting. Check dip and high-beam operation, and ensure the heights are set correctly. STICK’S TIPS MoT changes mean aftermarket HID headlight bulbs…

Sam Lowes once again stunned the Moto2 paddock with blistering pace in the final preseason test of 2019 and will go into this weekend’s opening race in Qatar clear favourite after topping the three-day outing at Losail. Once again ending a test not only fastest but clearly the most consistent, the Briton acknowledged he was one of the middleweight class favourites after a difficult 2018. On Sunday, the final day of the test, Lowes put in a time good enough for fifth on combined standings on the final lap of his 22-lap race simulation. Being able to go even faster on new tyres while many of his opponents are unable to even match him on used rubber, means he goes into race weekend knowing he can win. “You’ve got to…

‘Three crashes in four races ended his title hopes in 2018’ Over the last three years, the world of MotoGP has witnessed an incredible transformation in Andrea Dovizioso, with the former 125cc world champion going from occasional podium challenger into the only man capable of taking the title fight to Marc Marqeuz over the last two seasons. And as he heads into 2019 he has all the ingredients in place to go one better. But while his intentions are clear, it remains to be seen whether it’s as simple as that for the Italian. Dramatically improved over the past few years, just like the Ducati Desmosedici he’s riding, there are still questions to be answered. How long can he out-fox Marquez? Part of the secret of beating Marc Marquez has…

‘I’ll give the maximum with what I have. I feel good’ It’s been a rollercoaster 12 months for Jorge Lorenzo. It started when he was effectively sacked by Ducati before embarking on a win streak shortly after. Next up was confirmation that he would be Marquez’s team-mate at Repsol Honda, but then he was sidelined for the end of the season and most of testing by injury. The Spaniard eventually managed to test at Qatar and is finally nearing full fitness. So with the season about to start and still with lots of questions to answer about just what’s going to happen as he embarks on this new challenge, MCN sat down with the five-time world champion to find out how he’s feeling on the eve of battle under the…

Road racing will return to Oliver’s Mount in 2019 thanks to the iconic Gold Cup venue getting the funding and support needed to overcome the safety issues which prevented racing in 2018. The team behind the comeback, Two Four Three Road Racing Association, have the full backing of Scarborough Borough Council and have confirmed to MCN that two race weekends are planned: the Barry Sheene Classic on July 27-28 and the return of the legendary Gold Cup on September 27-29. Both meetings have been given the go-ahead by the ACU, once again giving the green light to racing on the challenging and undulating 2.43-mile public road race track; something they say could never have been possible without the additional support of the 1946 Marshal Association and Shaun Dalton. Eddie Roberts,…

The Sammy Miller Museum has received planning permission for a 10,000sqft two-storey extension. The museum was able to gain the permission, itself difficult as the site is on greenbelt land, after they were able to demonstrate the extension would give the venue some much-needed space. The extension will allow the museum to add many more exhibits as well as increase the size of the library, archive and catalogue display facilities. Sammy himself was pleased with the news saying: “I am delighted that approval has been given for our extension, the museum continues to grow and flourish and the extra display and archive area will be such a great asset.” Visitors to the Stafford Show on April 27-28 will be able to see the plans, as well as a 1955 Norton…

We all ride for different reasons but there’s a common theme when it comes to our earliest memories of the world of two wheels. Seeing family and friends, in particular our parents, enjoy the thrills and spills of biking is a common cause for many to start their own adventure. Our #R5K members are no exception, we asked and their fond memories came flooding in, of time spent with family. Take Steve Loveday, his earliest biking memory dates back to being a four-year-old, who rode pillion with dad, Peter. They spent much of Steve’s childhood whizzing around Northern England on a variety of Japanese machines. “I always remember enjoying the scenery, the roads and awaiting Dad’s signals,” Steve fondly remembers. “A tap on my leg to let me know ‘Hang…

Readers Ali Szwagrzak The Ride The Pembrokeshire Peninsula When to do it Spring to autumn Miles 450 Time required Long weekend Don’t miss this “The ride to the West End Cafe over central Gower through the pretty Cefn y Bryn from which height you can see both coasts." FIRST NIGHT Can't beat chips on the beach with a bottle or two of local beer SOLVA HARBOUR We stopped at the Harbour Inn and enjoyed our burgers in the sun PORT EYNON Stop for ice cream at Mumbles then continue to Port Eynon RIDING MATES Riding mate Peter and I stoppped off at the Llwyn-On reservoir THE TRIP SEND US YOUR TRIP PICS EMAIL YOURPICS@MOTORCYCLENEWS. COM…

What amazes overall about the updated GT is that it impresses everywhere. A-roads, B-roads, in town, on the motorway... the lot. But if I had to pick one it has to be the section beyond Stratford where the KTM truly stretches its legs for a sustained period for the first time. The B4632 begins as pseudo-sweeping A-road past Long Marston before shriveling to become ever-more nadgery B-road skirting the Cotswolds crossing the border into Gloucestershire and on these first dry roads of Spring everything comes together on the KTM: there’s the meaty yet instant potency of the big V-twin; instinctive, precise handling that flatters; a great, comfortable view from the upright riding position; intuitive, easily-switchable electronics and even heated grips, an adjustable screen and decent mirrors. If I want to…

Reflector deflectors How’s this for detail? Look closely at the back edge of the front mudguard: it’s lipped to deflect air over the Euro 4-compulsory reflectors. Get ready to rumble The aggressively angled new exhaust can features revised internals and twin-exit pipes. It gives the parallel twin cylinder engine a rumbling soundtrack. Modern clocks All 2019 CB500 models get the same new digital dash, but on the CB500F it also acts as your only defence from the wind and it doesn’t do a bad job.…

THE STUDENT Stuart Moore, 39, London TV producer Stuart uses his Triumph Tiger 800 for all kinds of riding, but tries to escape to the country as often as possible. Stuart’s riding problem ‘I love touring but I hate hairpins! I’m heading to Switzerland on a tour later this year and am dreading all of the switchbacks” THE TUTOR Mark Edwards, Rapid Training A police motorcyclist for 18 years, Mark has been training people to be faster, safer, better riders on the road for 20 years. Mark’s action plan ‘There’s a lot to think about when tackling a tight hairpin. I’ll give Stuart a system to use to help replace fear with fun.” THE LESSON 1 Assess on the approach Mark shows Stuart how to pick up clues on the…

‘It does 200 miles to a tankful every time’ When you work in the motorcycle trade, riding your own bikes can take a bit of a back seat. This is exactly what happened to MCN reader Nigel Cartwright, whose profession as a top technician for Yamaha dealership Alf England Motorcycles means he gets to take his pick of demonstrators. However, it was during one such demo ride that Nigel realised just what he’d been missing. “I’d given up riding on the road about five years ago,” says Nigel. “Due to modifications, my R1 was getting so track focused that it was frustrating to ride on the road. I knew I could borrow bikes if I wanted to ride, so it wasn’t a difficult decision to make. But early last year…

The Suzuki GSX-R750 was the original road-going race rep and pretty much dominated racing until the late 90s. But when WSB rule changes ushered in the modern 1000cc era in 2000, the GSX-R750 became overlooked. But the GSX-R750 is something of a connoisseur’s choice, with the ideal balance of power and handling. It’s a hidden gem and you can bag a belter for less than £5000. YOUR EXPERT Bruce Dunn, MCN road tester, racer and spanner-twirler, Bruce has first-hand experience of riding, buying and working on all evolutions of GSX-R. £4295 SUZUKI GSX-R750 K6 749cc | 163kg | 147.9bhp | 810mm seat height • Dealer £4750-£5500 • Private £4000-£4500 • This one £4295, 10,567 miles In 2006 the GSX-R750 was brought right up to date, benefitting directly from advances created…

‘A month after the crash I still couldn’t get out of bed’ ‘I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to ride again’ ‘On the bike I’m back to being 100% – I feel fit to go fast’ Last year’s British Grand Prix may have been a disaster for race fans and organisers when it became the first Grand Prix to be cancelled in 35 years, but the biggest casualty was Tito Rabat who was caught up in the series of crashes at Vale when bikes began aquaplaning into the gravel during free practice. After crashing he was struck by Franco Morbidelli’s flying Marc VDS Honda, causing his right leg to be fractured in three places, breaking all the major bones and leaving him at risk of losing the limb.…

‘The target is to continue pushing for the tenth title’ It hasn’t been a good couple of years for Valentino Rossi in MotoGP. After struggling with an uncompetitive bike, the nine-time world champion has scored only one win in two seasons. Now 40 years old, he’s still seeking title number 10 but is rapidly running out of time. A lot is at stake in 2019. But with the Monster Energy Yamaha now finally looking to have come good combined with Rossi’s seemingly insatiable desire to fight for that tenth championship win, the duo are in better shape than they’ve been in years. Following major restructuring inside the team (something Rossi has been calling for) plus the arrival of a new, improved M1, the Italian is far more upbeat than he…

Ducati have had the bike to win the MotoGP title for the past two seasons, but they’ve failed on both occasions, beaten by the genius of Marc Marquez. The Desmosedici is arguably the best bike on the grid, largely thanks to the wizard-like input of Gigi Dall’Igna, who thinks outside the box more than any other MotoGP engineer. Dall’Igna continually adds hi-tech gizmos to his bikes. It doesn’t hurt that the desmodromic-valve, 90-degree V4 has the most horsepower, aided and abetted by the best aerodynamics, which took the bike to 221mph at Mugello last June. And yet the Ducati is rider-friendly, which explains why rookie Pecco Bagnaia is already going so fast on his Desmosedici. ‘We must try to do better and to imporve more than we have in the…

Honda have won six of the last seven MotoGP titles, so it should be safe to assume the RC213V is the best bike on the grid. Yes and no. In five decades Honda have nearly always taken the same road to victory: engineer a bike that can outpace anything, but only if there’s a legend of a rider holding the handlebars. Think Hailwood, Doohan, Stoner and Marquez. So far only Stoner and Marquez have tamed Honda’s V4, because they ride with an aggression that brings out the best in the bike. This year will tell us if Lorenzo’s smoother technique works with the RCV. It probably will, because since the introduction of control electronics and Michelin, Honda have had to make the bike much friendlier. ‘I can only say that…

Suzuki ended last season with four podiums in a row, the first time the factory has done that since the legendary Texan rider Kevin Schwantz a quarter of a century ago! Apart from a bad decision in 2017, when too much crankshaft inertia made the GSX-RR difficult to turn, the bike has been steadily improving. The machine is user-friendly, allowing riders to push hard with confidence and is now ready to beat Honda and Ducati, when the conditions are right. Suzuki’s achievements are especially impressive considering that their race department is the smallest in MotoGP after Aprilia. Suzuki have a strong test team led by former Team Roberts engineer and electronics boffin Tom O’Kane and Anglo-French rider Sylvain Guintoli. ‘I’m quite happy with preparations, but in order to make a…

KTM go into their third season in the toughest class of them all this year and it’s easy to undervalue their achievements so far. Honda have been in the premier class since 1966 (with a ten-year break between 1968 and 1978) while Yamaha have been in the class since 1973. In other words, KTM have a lot of catching up to do. Nevertheless they should not be underestimated because they have yet to fail in any bike racing category and their project management skills are as good as their engineering prowess. For example, in signing Tech3 they added more than three decades of GP-racing knowhow. Johann Zarco’s arrival is their first star signing and designed to take them to the next step in their adventure. ‘It was tough to deliver…

MotoGP’s smallest factory operation is fighting to recover from a miserable 2018, when a chassis redesign took the RS-GP in the wrong direction: the front tyre ran too cool, which hurt turning, while the rear tyre ran too hot, which reduced traction. The lack of results rankled so much that the decision was taken to increase MotoGP investment by employing Bradley Smith to head up their new test team and allowing team boss Romano Albesiano to focus on engineering issues. Aprilia now have their strongest ever rider line-up, with Aleix Espargaro and Andrea Iannone. This year’s RS-GP is much better balanced, so if the team works well the memories of 2018 should be exorcised. ‘We’ve increased the engine performance and stability a lot over winter, things look good for us…