Table of contents for 13 May 2020 in MCN

“Team Rubicon is a disaster response organisation that takes military veterans and retrains them, so they can provide help in places the UN consider unreachable. “We’ve been working with the Government to help support their volunteering mission. We’ve also got our own response teams plugging critical gaps in the NHS and even helping prop up care homes that are lacking staff. We now have 6000 people signed up and helping in the community. “Paul, one of our trustees, is a member of the Bike Shed and knew they wanted to get out on their bikes to do good. We’re partnering with this project, so we can use bike couriers to quickly deliver PPE and medicines to the people who really need it.”…

THURSDAY 12pm, BTS2, Marc Marquez: 2017 Unseen FRIDAY 2pm, EUR2, Armoy Road Races from 2019 FRIDAY 8pm, EUR2, World Superbikes from Philip Island: Highlights from 2020 MONDAY 6.50am, TVL, World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides: Riding England 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 IT V 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 T VL – TRAVEL UK…

New bike sales fell by almost 84 per cent in April compared to the same month in 2019 as the full effects of Covid-19 and the lockdown take their toll on the motorcycle market. It could have been worse; new car sales fell by a devastating 97 per cent for the same period. But bike dealers have been rising to the Covid-19 challenge with many now operating an online sales service and delivering new bikes to customers while following all social distancing rules, so that’s maybe why the bike market has fared a little better than the car world. Some manufacturers are offering the service too, with Harley-Davidson and Royal Enfield both effectively launching ‘click and collect’ style arrangements. Of course, it’s also easier to deliver large numbers bikes than…

‘It’s the glove for all seasons’ Rukka Argosauraus gloves £114.22 Made from a combination of goat and cow hide, these gloves come with a breathable, windproof and waterproof membrane. There’s also wrist and knuckle protection along with a reinforced area around the thumb, an elasticated wrist and double Velcro closure for a secure fit. When MCN tested these for over two years and 8000 miles, we found them fully waterproof, windproof and breathable. The Gore-Tex membrane plus the vented fingers help make this a glove for all seasons, and the lining didn’t come out when the glove is removed… lovely! There’s also a visor wipe on the thumb for damp riding days. And at this price… get 'em while you can! w w w.louis-moto.co.uk ‘Perfect on the road or…

With you from the start I have been a reader of MCN since the first edition in 1955. My father was Malcolm Wilson, who was Chairman and Clerk of The Course for the Ulster Grand Prix in 1955. The editor of MCN at this time was Cyril Quantrill and it was through him that I read the first edition. The first and subsequent complementary editions of MCN were posted by Mr Quantrill to my father and I eagerly awaited the postman arriving each week with a copy. The editions were sent to my dad because, as I have said, he was Clerk of The Course and President of the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland, the Governing body of Motorcycle Sport in Ireland, from 1954 to 1956. I was a 15…

If you’re intent on buying an R1250GS it won’t matter what I write. I could say it’s a badly built, overpriced knacker with hideous flaws, attempt to convince you that buying one would be the social equivalent of defecating in the middle of your crowded local. You’d still get one. Partly because it would all clearly be garbage, and partly because if you fancy a GS nothing else can give the same sensations. There’s nowt like the BMW. But while nothing feels the same as the GS, that’s not to say that another bike can’t be as good. Honda’s Africa Twin tackles the adventure thing from a slightly different angle but it’s still compelling, and in CRF1100L form now has the bells and whistles to rival the highest-spec GS –…

FIRST ROAD RACE “My first road race was on dad’s old Velocette MOV 250 racer,” John remembers. “It blew up after my fourth meeting so dad loaned me the money to buy an RD350LC.” BRITISH CHAMPION Technically not called BSB at this point, John won the title on a Kawasaki ZXR750 in 1992. “Some people say I’m only a double-BSB champion but that title still counts in my book!” WSB RACE WINNER As a wildcard, John beat the best in the world on his Reve Ducati at Brands in 2000: “Standing at the top of a world championship podium was one of the best feelings in the world.” MAKING HISTORY John’s third and final BSB title in 2004 on the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R was the first for an inline-four litre…

Exotica overload… as rapid and capable in the corners as a superbike, it delivers an even sharper sense of speed on the road and it won’t leave your body in tatters after a long ride. Clever mechanical and electronic wizardry keeps its front wheel on the ground before anti-wheelie is ever needed, too. It has what it takes to challenge Aprilia’s Tuono V4 1100 Factory, but then the new KTM 1290 Super Duke R and Kawasaki Z H2 aren’t going to take it lying down, either.…

“In March last year I decided to take off for a little holiday on my own to Mallorca for some winter sun. It seemed like an ideal time to go. Warm sunny days, cheap flights and accommodation, and no holiday crowds yet. I rented a Vespa GTS300 in the capital Palma. “From Palma I rode up the highway to Alcudia where I based myself. The road from there (Ma-10) is a stunning ride down to Port de Soller. Spectacular views as you rise into the mountains, and then lots more stunning ones overlooking the beautiful blue waters of the Mediterranean. The road itself is an enjoyable ride, lots of twists and turns snaking through the alpine-like scenery and many sections hugging the coast. There are plenty of places to pull…

What we said then The Tuono V4 Factory is one of the few motorcycles on this planet to combine such a glittering level of performance and technology, mixed with lashings of practicality. It has the obligatory fully adjustable Öhlins shock, fork and steering damper and comes painted in Aprilia Racing ‘Superpole’ colours. Engine, chassis, brakes and electronics are all the same as the RR base model. It’s hard to believe how a production road bike can cover ground so quickly, with such little effort. The steering is light and accurate, the traction control cossets but never holds you back, the quickshifter is the best in the business and there’s huge amounts of feel and grip. And with its Swedish suspension keeping everything in check, the Factory tempts you to hold…

The owner of a 2011 Yamaha Super Ténéré dodged disaster when he took it into JDL Motorcycles in Nottingham complaining of an intermittent misfire, but declaring: “If you thrash it, it’s fine.” ‘He was lucky that they hadn’t rotted too much…’ The bike was in good condition, and there was nothing wrong with it at tickover, but as the needle passed 3000rpm it began popping and running roughly. So workshop owner Jason McCullum went through his normal fault-finding routine, lifting the tank to see if the air filter was clear, and found his first issue; a mix of oil and water pooling in one corner. Jason added: “There’s a drain that had got bunged up but what I wasn’t expecting was the state of the plugs, they were shocking, really…

In normal times, “an agreement to present a proposal” wouldn’t sound very exciting. In corona-times, it feels like a lifeline. Especially if it is the sort of “agreement to present a proposal” of a posh bloke asking his prospective father-in-law if he can ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage, when he already knows the answer will be “yes”. The case in point is more of a threesome. Dorna Sports, the Regional Government of Andalusia and the City Council of Jerez de la Frontera have agreed to present a proposal to the Spanish government. And if the analogy holds good, they already know the answer will be “yes”. The plan is to fire up at the end of July. And if there really is a governmental yes, then hooray. We…

We just need more people to get involvedANTHONY ‘DUTCH’ VAN SOMMEREN The Bike Shed have launched a volunteer programme that enables bikers to make important deliveries and help those in need. Called Bike Shed Community Response, the project has seen over 500 bikers sign up to be volunteers, moving parcels all across the country, and MCN have signed up too. Small beginnings The idea came about a few weeks ago after Bike Shed founder Vikki van Sommeren had a friend in need. Realising the power of the motorcycle community, the Bike Shed went in search of partners, ultimately joining forces with Gophr – an existing courier app. Gophr worked hard to adapt their app for volunteers and in just a matter of weeks, people were already out there making deliveries.…

In April we teamed up with Saint to give away a pair of their latest Unbreakable denim jeans. To win all you had to do was send in what your plan was for your first ride AC (After Coronavirus). We were inundated with your ideas, which included everything from simple things such as riding to see friends and family, to great big plans to tour the UK. After sifting through them all, one particular entry really touched us, from David Stephenson, an intensive care doctor in County Down. David told us that he wanted to thank his colleagues and the wider public for their ‘unbreakable spirit’ and that riding his ‘humble NC750S’ 120 miles a day to work and back was his interpretation of unbreakable. We thoroughly agree. Hearing the…

Husqvarna are working on a larger and more powerful version of their Svartpilen, powered by the engine from KTM’s 890 Duke. The current 701 Svartpilen (powered by the 690 Duke unit) is a fun little bike, with its set up and style half way between scrambler and flat tracker – it’s basically a stylish single for urban riders. This new model appears to have grown up a bit and should offer broader appeal. Just like the 901 Norden adventure bike Husky have told us about before (which is hopefully still on the way), the 901 Svartpilen is powered by the 894cc parallel twin from the 890 Duke R. That machine makes a healthy 119bhp and 73lb.ft of torque, although it’s possible the motor will have a new tune for the…

TT fans can still tune into Manx Radio in June, despite the action being cancelled for 2020. Manx Radio is the sound of the TT and has been on air since 1964. With no live on-course action in 2020, Mountain Memories will be aiming to help fans around the world still get a TT fix with a week-long broadcast focusing on some historical racing moments from the island, plus fantastic interviews. Listeners will be able to tune in wherever they are in the world via the web at manxradio.com, from 8am on Friday 5th to 6pm Friday 12th June 2020. Crank it up!…

Q‘I’m having to give back my sick pay’ In September 2019 I was knocked off my bike by a car driver who pulled out of a junction and I was unable to work for three months. I have just been sent the medical report made by the doctor my opponent wanted me to see and it claims only one month off work was reasonable. Now I am facing having to repay my employer for three months’ sick pay, yet I am only going to get one month pay from my opponent. Any ideas? Anwar, Birmingham ‘You need your own expert to comment on the time off sick’ A Presumably your employment contract contains a subrogated claim clause, which allows your employer to recover sick pay paid to you from the…

If ‘best’ means greatest weather protection, fastest, fiercest brakes, lightest steering and most tech, the R1250GS Exclusive TE wins. More GSs are sold in Europe than any other bike and it shows why. £17k is a lot, but it’s an extraordinary bike. Don’t ignore the Honda though. It’s not as grunty and easy-steering, but the Africa Twin Adventure Sports is different; it has an enduro air and sense of refinement, plus a big dollop of Honda-ness. Switches and dash are infuriating, though. But me, I’d buy the Yamaha. It’s not as fast or luxurious but the dual-purpose Ténéré has refreshing honesty. Chassis, motor and riding position are great on trails, but it’s a refined, capable, frugal and engaging road bike too. £9k is great value. Want a bike for big…

THE OWNER Emma Franklin, Deputy Editor Age 39 Been riding 16 years First bike Yamaha DT125X Got any other bikes in the garage? 2004 Honda RS125 Dream bike Suter MMX500 Youngsters tend to do daft things - acting on impulse, not pausing to think - and they usually end up paying for their rash actions. It’s all part and parcel of growing up, the experience that teaches us vital lessons and helps us eventually develop as people. Buying this Kawasaki KR-1S in 2007 was one of those youthful misadventures. As a result, we’ve been through a lot of heartache and expense, but arguably both come out the other side much better for it. You could say that at 26 I was old enough to know better but, having just competed…

2019-current Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory Latest iteration of the ultimate super-naked sees it gain Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension. Other than the boingy bits, the bike’s the same as the previous model – utterly brilliant. 2017-2018 Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory Euro4-compliant model gets new Brembo Stylema calipers, tweaked Öhlins suspension, new TFT dash, two-way quickshifter, cruise control and a very handy pitlane limiter. 2015-2016 Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory Its launch coincided with the Tuono’s capacity increasing to 1077cc – which meant that you could have your Tuono either as the brilliant base model RR or this Öhlins-encrusted Factory version. 2006-2010 Aprilia Tuono 1000 R Factory The V-twin version was powered by a 997cc 133bhp Rotax engine, and was dripping in carbon-fibre trim,…

This technique should only be used to repair superficial scratches on non-structural components, such as trim panels or protectors. Never attempt any DIY restoration on carbon wheels, swingarms or chassis parts – leave this to the professionals. Carbon composites are immensely strong for their weight, but not immune to irreparable damage, so don’t ever be tempted to bodge crash damage by effectively spraying fresh lacquer over it in a vain attempt to glue it back together. Carbon fibre can be repaired by specialist companies like Reverie.ltd.uk, but you’ll have to be prepared to dig deep in your pockets. Sometimes some parts are just beyond economical repair so will need chucking in the bin and replacing, no matter how painfully expensive they are!…

You’d be astounded just how many dubious bikes get brought into our showroom. They’re not brought in by thick-skinned thieves and bike ringers with too much bottle. Instead, these bikes tend to be in the hands of genuine owners who have brought them in for servicing or want to part-ex against something in stock. Given the look of horror and dismay when we point out the bike isn’t legitimate, I truly believe most don’t know their pride and joy has a dodgy background and is probably made from nicked bits – or is a complete stolen bike. I reckon we see a dodgy bike each month. Faking engine and chassis numbers isn’t as easy as it used to be in the bad old days, but switched-on scammers can still pull…

ó Opening two rounds of 2020 MotoGP set to take place at Jerez in July ó Limited personnel from each team means paddock will consist of 1300 people ó Riders and team members tested before they travel and during the race weekend ó Procedures and protocol will have to be accepted by national governments for additional races in different countries ó Dorna still confident of 12 to 16 races within Europe and beyond ó Ongoing discussions with Czech and Austrian authorities about holding races in their countries…

Öhlins have released a version of the TTX GP rear monoshock for the new Ducati Panigale V2. Öhlins say their new shock enables riders to adjust it to suit both their riding style and conditions because of its wide range of adjustments including preload, compression damping and rebound. They also say the 36mm piston helps improve traction and control, because of its more stable weight transfer – but they would wouldn’t they? The price isn’t fixed yet, but based on similar shocks expect to pay around £1200.…

“I first found out about this on Facebook and I’ve now done three drops,” says volunteer rider Carl. “So far it’s all been PPE prototypes, with one going from the Royal College of Dentristy to Whittington Hospital, so they can trial them. Another came from a school, where they’ve been using their 3D printers. I’m moving things around on a 1978 Honda CD185. I’m still working full time at the British Library, but they’ve been great supporting staff to do volunteering.”…

The SMRL Facebook page lists some favourite moments from the last 12 months and they include: Bike thieves contacting them, angry about the fact they’d taken “their” bikes away from them Hitting an estate in Hackney last summer looking for one bike and meeting locals who helped round up a number of high value bikes including two belonging to French tourists Meeting said French tourists when they came to pick up their bikes Visit www.stolen motorcyclerecovery london.org for more info.…

It’s impossible to miss the bi-plane wings jutting out the sides of Ducati’s new Streetfighter V4 (see page 34). These new aerodynamic adornments are essential to make the super-naked stable, but such thinking isn’t new. In fact, designers have been using aero for decades in order to make bikes behave themselves in a straight line – and also to help us go around corners. Trundle down the road and the air hitting the front of your bike creates high pressure. This air accelerates as it’s pushed over and around the bike, reducing the pressure, and the flow swirls as it’s broken up by the rider which reduces it even more. The difference between the high pressure at the front and low pressure at the back causes drag – it attempts…

It’s not cheap getting on the road as a 17-year-old on a 125. For the skint, I’m going to recommend one bike above all others. In the mid-1970s, Honda had their excellent OHC 125 single but in the developing world, routine maintenance was, er, lacking and the CB125 needed, like all OHC Hondas, regular and frequent oil changes to survive. Two Honda staff, Takeshi Inagaki and Einosuke Miyachi, recommended Honda develop as simple and abuse-proof a 125 as anyone could conceive and engineer Tadashi Kume came up with a pushrod rather than OHC engine design. These things don’t break. They really, really don’t. Run it out of oil? Let it cool off, put some fresh oil in, and it’ll run again. It’ll rattle and smoke, but it’ll still go. They’re…

Readers Paul and Katie James from Bournemouth The Ride Perth, Western Australia to visit our son and daughter When to go January/February Time required Ten days Don’t miss “It's more a case of do miss this… On day three, miles from anywhere, we were pulled for speeding and that called a halt to proceedings. They are a bit strict out there!” ODD LOCALS Turns out it's not just the English who have an obsession with all things gnome-like. THE BIKES We used West Coast Motorcycle Hire for the second time. Good variety and sensibly priced. BAD NEWS Anything above 45kph over the limit is reckless driving and the bikes ended up impounded. BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME The plan was to ride south towards Albany. The bikes, weather, roads and accommodation…

JOE PURVOR Age 34 Height 6ft 4in Current bike 2019 BMW R1250GS Adventure Been riding 18 years First bike Yamaha Aerox 50 Dream bike Don’t really have one… ‘My first big bike was a Yamaha XT660X so I’ve got a bit of history with adventure type machines. I moved to super-nakeds and a Kawasaki Z1000, then onto sports-tourer with a Triumph Tiger Sport and two ZZR1400s. I took the plunge and bought my first BMW in 2017 with an R1200GS and my current 1250 shortly after its launch. ‘I’ve had it just over a year. It’s perfect. I cannot fault the bike at all; it does everything. I’ve had no issues and the two dealers I have used have been really helpful whenever I have needed them. ‘I was drawn…

“I was the looks that first drew me to the Tuono, so I went and took a test ride on one – but the performance put me off! I’d never ridden anything that accelerated so quickly! My heart was telling me yes but my head was saying no, so I walked away. But I couldn’t stop thinking about it and when I saw that my local Aprilia dealership had zero-mile, preregistered Tuonos available at a ridiculous price, I concluded that I was in charge of the throttle so I bought one. The dealer fitted it with an Akrapovic exhaust, tail tidy and radiator guard prior to collection, and I got change out of £15,000 which I was really happy about because it was a couple of grand saving on the…

Aerosol clear lacquer A clear lacquer will be the final stage in restoring the original finish. Opt for one with UV protection for long-lasting shine. Wet and dry paper You can buy wet and dry in packs with varying grades, for this job we need ‘240’ to ‘1000’ grade. Pack of tack cloths These sticky cloths remove all traces of dust and particle contamination prior to painting or lacquering. You can buy them from any auto factors. Bike cleaner Cleanliness plays a big part in getting a good result, so use good quality cleaner to give the part a thorough clean and de-grease. •Need parts to keep you fettling in lockdown? Try mandp.co.uk…

RATINGS POOR ★ AVERAGE ★★ GOOD ★★★ VERY GOOD ★★★★ EXCEPTIONAL ★★★★★ Rukka Coriace R suit £1869.99 Tested by Mike Armitage for 1000 miles Waterproof leather. As in proper, triple-laminated, storm-proof hide so you can wear leather whatever the weather. Corium+ laminate is bonded directly to the leather, like a posh textile suit, and deflects water the same way. A water-resistant coating stops the leather absorbing water, and delicate perforation helps dry out moisture that is absorbed. It also helps breathability of the waterproof, windproof layer. And it works. The Coriace R suit is a little heavier than normal leather but soon feels normal. Nothing gets through, and with cuffs large enough to fit over gloves and a (detachable) stretchy neck cover it’s as weatherproof as textile. With the thermal…

MCN’s search for the greatest TT races of the last 25 years continues and this week it’s the turn of the Lightweight class. With the current 650cc twins being introduced in 2012, we’re also including races before that meaning we get to delve into the archives of the iconic 250cc and 400cc races. Providing the shortlist is our panel of experts, made up of the greatest living TT racer John McGuinness, esteemed team boss Clive Padgett, TT Business Development Manager Paul Phillips, renowned TT photographer Stephen Davison, TT journalist Phil Wain and 2019 Senior TT winner Dean Harrison. Then it’s your turn to get involved as you’ll be able to vote on what you think is the greatest Lightweight TT of the last 25 years with the winning race being…