Tabla de contenidos para 9 April 2025 en MCN

‘Nobody could have foreseen this happening’ SHANE BYRNE, P62 SPORT BSB bombshell The BSB grid was thrown into disarray last week after the shock news that reigning champions, the OMG Racing Yamaha squad have withdrawn from the 2025 title fight. The bombshell comes just weeks before the season kicks off and leaves current BSB champion Kyle Ryde and his teammate, 2023 champion Brad Ray, in the nightmare position of being without rides. MCN sports team, Michael Guy and Josh Close have been talking with the BSB movers and shakers to discover the work going on behind the scenes to help ensure two of BSB’s biggest stars line up on the grid at Oulton on May 3. PAGE 62 FIRST RIDE Lightweight champion It just goes to prove, yet again, that…

Royal Enfield have clocked their highest-ever annual sales, surpassing the one million bike mark for the financial year ending March 31, 2025, with numbers this year already well above previous levels. The firm shifted 1,009,900 units worldwide, representing an 11% rise from the previous year, with roughly 90% of sales coming from the Indian market. The HNTR 350 was one of the biggest sellers. Bike sales getting back on track The motorcycle market is showing signs of resurgence, despite registrations being down by one third versus 2024. Motorcycle Industry Association CEO Tony Campbell said: “Optimism about the market is extremely positive.” New registrations remain down (as expected after late 2024’s pre-reg surge) but used sales are up, and components and accessories are performing well. Fancy an Indian? Indian are offering…

The annual Lightweight Adventurers Festival has been postponed for 2025. Last year, the event gathered hundreds of attendees to the Peak District to celebrate adventure travel on lightweight machines rather than the typical BMW GS Adventure brigade. No announcement has been made regarding the 2026 running of the festival. Have-a-go Harley Harley-Davidson have announced their first customer test ride event of 2025, giving attendees the chance to sample the firm’s latest models from April 12-13. The Open House Test Ride Event will feature the new Street Glide Ultra and Pan America 1250 ST, alongside six updated cruisers and a refreshed Sportster S. Also on show is the factory-custom CVO range. Visit harley-davidson.com to find your local dealer. New adventurers from just £7999 Morbidelli’s T1002V and T1002VX adventure bikes have landed,…

● Surtees and McIntyre go head-to-head ● TT gets marshals get two-way radios ● IoM race entries struggle… Nowadays, the use of radios and other technology is a given for marshals and race admin -especially where road racing is concerned. But back in 1956? Well, there a whole load of new tech that was just being introduced at the TT. Although the story had been bubbling away for weeks, it was only on this week in 1956 that everything was finalised and confirmed. Working with radio technicians at the time, the team at Triumph and their engineers kitted out five Thunderbirds for the travelling marshals, who have always played a pivotal role in IoM rider safety. Capable of a heady 100mph, these Thunderbirds were then fitted with a new kind…

Oxford Premium paddock stands £61.64 Essential gear for your garage One of the pleasures of owning a motorcycle is how hands-on you can get with it when not actually riding. Whether you’re into full engine rebuilds or draw the line at adjusting chain tension, toddling off to the shed can keep you busy if the weather’s not on side and give you a focus rather than aimlessly scrolling on your phone. This week our regular dive for bike-related deals on the web has revealed a bounty of tools and equipment, plus some cracking offers on tyres. A paddock stand is one of the most useful tools you can invest in, especially if your bike is only fitted with a kickstand, and equipping yourself with a full set can allow you…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews ‘Wheelies won’t help sell bikes…’ Just getting myself comfortable to read the latest Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS write up (MCN, March 19). And what do I see? It has wheelie control that helps you achieve a controlled lift. Really? I think I was looking for power, comfort and electronic rider aids. Certainly not wheelie control. When we are hearing about bike manufacturers going into administration, suffering financial difficulties and falling sales, is this really what will make us buy a new bike? Unless it helps us get over potholes… Graeme Martin, Gillingham, Kent Continuing our partnership with Zerofit – King of Baselayers® – we are changing up the prize for the winner of the weekly star letter. The Heatrub Move Baselayer (£40 RRP) is twice…

THE DETAILS ● Monday-Friday 7am-3.30pm, Saturday 8am-2pm ● 10 Millbrook Square, Grove, Wantage OX12 7JZ Keen to stamp themselves as a biker friendly café, Munchies in Grove have been pushing the agenda over the past year or so to bring more biking folk into this hub of the local community. “We’re a community café,” says owner Ruth Beams. “But I wanted to draw in some other groups and bikers enjoy loads of rideouts, so why not? I’m also part of the Bike and Brew passport event this year.” Surrounded by lush roads in the Cotswolds and the North Wessex Downs, Munchies makes for the perfect stop during a day of riding. It’s located in a quaint village and is always welcoming, with art from the community adorning the walls. “I’m…

1 April 13 Squires egg run Squires Café (LS25 5LX) are gearing up for their annual egg run. Taking place this Sunday, it’ll follow an L-plate friendly route, and money raised will go to children’s charities. Registration is from 8am and fancy dress is encouraged. See their Facebook page for further updates. www.squires-cafe.co.uk 2 April 12 Run What Ya Brung Want the chance to take on the quarter-mile? You can this weekend at Santa Pod Raceway (NN29 7XA). You have to pre-book to race on the day, and it’s £45 to sign on. If you just want to watch, then it’s £21 for adult admission. santapod.co.uk 3 April 9 Speedway The Oxford Cheetahs are taking on Scunthorpe in the MAXiCab Knock Out Cup on April 9. Held at the Oxford…

What’s happening? All weekend – both Saturday and Sunday – the Three Counties Showground (WR13 6NW) will be inundated with custom metal. Traditionally just bikes, this year has custom cars and hotrods added to the show, so there’s plenty to keep you busy – after all, it spreads over three halls. Top that with stunt shows, fireups and camping if you fancy it, why not pop along? The essentials You can get tickets online which are £14.95 for one day. If you want to camp, then you’ll have to go to pitchup.com – it explains it all online. The show is open from 10am and shuts at 5.30pm on Saturday, and 4.30pm on Sunday, and kids under 12 are welcome for free. Head to www.kickbackshow.com for information.…

Mic’d up and monowheeling for the crowds, stunt rider Steve Colley has been a familiar face on the bike show circuit for 20 years. Whether you’ve been at the MCN Festival, Santa Pod or perhaps even an agricultural show, you will have no doubt marvelled at Steve’s skills and enjoyed his on-bike commentary. Yet perhaps you won’t realise that the Manxman has ridden against – and beaten – the very best in the world, taking wins at prestigious indoor trials, the Scottish Six Days Trial, as well as the Trial des Nations – and it all started thanks to a popular BBC kids’ TV show. “I fluked my way into the finals of Junior Kick Start, I don’t know how because I practically fell off everything in the first few…

Don’t be afraid of getting your hands dirty, because changing the oil and the filters is one of the few remaining tasks that can be done relatively easily at home, without needing too many expensive tools or too much experience and specialist knowledge. This task is essential as part of a regular servicing routine, and it’s important to remember that many owners tend to focus solely on the mileage quoted for these intervals, often overlooking the time period that should also be considered. For instance, the recommended mileage interval for an oil and filter change might be every 8000 miles or every two years. Therefore, if you haven’t ridden many miles, you still need to check the last date when the oil and filter were changed. It’s always better to…

Looking ahead to the next high-octane WSBK round 1 Get ready to go crazy It’s a bit of a purple patch for the locals and it’s sure to add a few thousand on the gate over the weekend. Michael van der Mark always goes well at home, the Rotterdam rider having finished on the podium on no fewer than seven occasions including his first pair of WSBK rostrums in his maiden season of 2015. If he wins, the reaction from the orange flag-waving, endlessly cheering, beer-swilling masses will blow the roof off. It doesn’t stop there… World Supersport and Supersport 300 both had Dutch winners in Portugal with Bo Bendsneyder and Jeffrey Buis, while Glenn van Straalen won at Assen last year. Loris Veneman and MotoGP TV pundit dad, Barry,…

It’s been an awful long time since the Bennetts British Superbike Championship riders have been able to ride their race bikes. In fact, since crossing the finishing line at Brands Hatch last October, most have had to wait an agonising 175 days before leaving pit-lane at Navarra last Sunday. That’s a long, long wait, especially for those switching teams. Thankfully the test ban is over. Riders have swapped test bikes and road bikes for full-blown BSB-spec monsters and it’s all systems go. Of course, leaderboards don’t count for much during testing, especially at Navarra given that it is the first outing of the year. It’s all about getting back into the groove, or if you’ve moved teams, getting accustomed to how they and your machine work. Still, there’s still something…

‘Opinions change with age’ Jason White, 62, Maidstone It definitely has a lot to do with age. When I was younger my thoughts were not the same as they are now. ‘Loud pipes save lives’ definitely has some truth behind it, but riding awareness saves more. Personally, I’m against them but it’s a bit hypocritical of me to say so as my views have changed as I’ve got older. ‘Manufacturers should have more freedom’ Gareth Mayfield, 56, Manchester If manufacturers were allowed to make exhausts that actually work instead of trying to work their way around emissions rules, we wouldn’t need to have loud exhausts. My Termignoni on my Multistrada is quieter than the standard exhaust, but it’s more efficient. ‘Loud pipes can be selfish’ Barry Hall, 60, St Ives, Cornwall…

SAVE £7150 £15,499 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX Kawasaki’s big, blown super cruiser seamlessly combines mind-blowing amounts of effortless grunt with all-day comfort. Despite its weight, the SX handles superbly. It may not have the poise or precision of a superbike, but pick a line round a bend and the big Kawasaki will plough through with uncanny stability. www.thepotteries.co.uk SAVE £4951 £6998 Kawasaki Z 7 Hybrid Ideally suited for commuters in low-emission zones, Kawasaki’s Z 7 Hybrid blends petrol and electric power to deliver an fuel economy of up to 76mpg. www.billsmithmotors.co.uk ● Engine 451cc ● Power 68bhp ● Weight 225kg ● Seat height 795mm SAVE £4000 £12,695 Indian FTR1200 Carbon Don’t be fooled by the flattrack inspired laid back looks, Indian’s FTR is a bona fide sporty naked competitor –…

Mitas Touring Force SP from £223 (pair) Recommended for fitment to lighter weight sports, naked and sports touring machines, this new tyre from Mitas features their Multi Compound Tread Technology. Designed to offer strong durability and handling, the tyre has a high silica content to ensure grip in both wet weather and low temperatures. mitas-moto.com Oxford Nomad Luggage from £24.99 Hot on the heels of the ATLAS range comes a whole new line in lightweight modular luggage from Oxford. The concept is based around a MOLLE compatible webbing grid system, with a universal harness providing the mounting foundation for a variety of pouches and bags. Tank and saddle options are available. oxfordluggage.com Merlin Torres Adv from £259.99 Brit firm Merlin have introduced a range of new helmets, including the full-face…

Q ‘Will I get 100% of the cash?’ I am pursuing a personal injury claim due to an accident where my bike was hit from behind by a car. You would think it would be straightforward, but my solicitor tells me that the man who crashed into me is holding me to blame. I was approaching a junction intending to turn left but as there were other cars on the main road, I had to stop. The car behind tried to stop but failed to do so in time and I was knocked to the ground. I had some injuries, although nothing too serious, but my bike was badly damaged. He says it looked like I was going to continue onto the road so he followed me but that I…

Someone asked me the other day if I still had the V&M Blackbird, which was the first naturally aspirated road bike to do exactly 200mph, so I thought it might be a clever idea to tell you how it happened. It all started in late 1996 when the all-new Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird named after the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird spy plane (a hint to its speed and performance) was launched to the world’s press at the Circuit Paul Ricard. Having spent over three years developing the bike, we knew just how special it was and so we wanted to show its true potential. During testing in Japan, we had achieved speeds over 178mph and so Paul Ricard was chosen for its long Mistral straight. At the launch, my role as…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader John Young The ride From home to the Arctic Circle on a 50-year-old Triumph T160/Watsonian outfit How many miles? Around 3000 for the round trip When did you go? Winter Tell us about the trip… This is an adventure I’ve attempted twice before, with the first attempt finishing with my outfit in a ditch and me in a German hospital (see below). However, it continued to be an itch that I couldn’t scratch. So I decided to give it one last go and hope for the best. Ferries from Harwich to the Hook of Holland and then from Travemünde in Germany to Helsinki, removed a lot of the tedious ‘motorway stuff’ and made it more fun. The journey wasn’t without its problems, not mechanical…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday April 9 BIKE MEETS ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire. From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ Sycamore Cafe, The Causeway, Great Billing, Northamptonshire 4pm-9pm www.facebook.com/SycamoreForestCatering ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Mold, Flints. 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 ■ Wheels Cafe, The Old George Inn, Sykehouse, South Yorkshire. 5.30pm-8.30pm 01405-5785635 or enquiries@oldgeorgeinnsykehouse.co.uk ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, West Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ Loomies Moto Cafe, West Meon, Hants. Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ The Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey. From 10.30am-1pm Facebook: Pathfinder Cafe ■ Ryka’s Cafe, Box Hill, Surrey 5pm-9pm www.rykas.co.uk ■ Brit Bike Night Classic and Modern, Ace Cafe, London 6pm www.london.acecafe.com RIDEOUT ■ Burgess Hill & DMC, Station Road Car Park, Burgess Hill, Sussex 7pm-7.30pm burgesshillmc.com RACING ■ Andreas…

‘Midrange is the star’ The BMW is comfortable, well built, unflustered, has strong brakes and is less of a handful than a bigger tall-rounder. It’s physically small, making it manageable for smaller riders and while the riding position is spacious, it’ll be a squeeze when fully loaded up with a pillion and luggage. The bulging midrange is still the star of the show, but it lacks pizzazz and can leave you feeling detached from the riding experience. Despite the more aerodynamic nose, wind noise is from the accessory screen on our bike is intrusive, and this can take the shine off the BMW’s distance potential. THE FACTS £10,890 BMW F900XR…

More, more, more… Both bikes illustrate brilliantly that, if you want more you can have it… but at a price. With the Triumph, there are now two Speed Twin 1200s to choose from, starting at £12,495 with the up-specced RS here getting more sophisticated suspension, brakes and tyres, quickshifter, sportier still riding position and cosmetic tweaks, for £2000 extra. On top of that, there are an additional 54 official accessories available, ranging from seat cowls to bar-end mirrors. The R12 nineT’s options, meanwhile, are even more extensive, are more concerned with cosmetics or premium equipment than dynamic improvement – and our test bike had nearly all of them. So… while the base R12 nineT starts at £14,420, £75 less than the 1200 RS, the one here is a full £18,620,…

RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor 3100 miles ON TEST ‘I used them on a 500-mile jaunt to the Dragon’ Macna Rafino RTX Heated Gloves £219.99 ‘Real cold comforters’ Tested by Justin Hayzelden for four months Back in February I completed a 500-mile, 18-hour weekend jaunt to the Conwy Motorcycle Club’s notorious Dragon Rally on a Honda Dax 125. I was expecting it to be cold and miserable, but instead I felt snug as a bug all the way thanks to these Macna Rafino heated gloves. Although rechargeable battery packs are available (£119.99), I opted for the wire-to-bike system because I like the fail-safe backstop of not having to rely on battery life, plus you get a more effective 12V supply to fire up the heating elements, rather than…

BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician DIY made easy… …Basic servicing isn’t as tricky as you think. Just follow our tips 1 Get everything set Always aim to use high-quality parts when servicing a bike, no matter what sort of machine you ride. It’s worth noting that some manufacturers offer their own service kits, which can be competitively priced too. For a basic motorcycle service, you will need the correct grade of oil, a fresh sump plug washer, spark plugs, an oil filter, and an air filter. BRUCE’S TIPS Drain the oil out with the bike upright on a paddock stand 2 Release the oil If your engine is cold, run it for a short time to heat the oil and help it flow out faster. Then, locate the sump plug and carefully…

Looking ahead to this weekend’s MotoGP clash MotoGP heads to Qatar this weekend in a much better place than many expected. Marc Marquez’s big mistake at the Circuit of the Americas has blown the championship wide open, with 12 points covering Alex Marquez, Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia at the top. It’s game on once again and that’s great for the championship. Ducati riders tend to dominate at the Lusail International Circuit, and it’s hard to look beyond it being the same again this year. It’s fairly open between the other manufacturers for the remaining positions thanks to the resurgence of Honda, with Yamaha also pushing hard to make further improvements on the M1. Can Pecco strike again? Bagnaia finds himself just 11 points shy of Marc Marquez in the…

John McPhee enjoyed a hugely successful start of life in BSB after ending his maiden outing fourth overall at Navarra. The former Moto3 racer sets out on a whole new adventure this year after returning to the UK after 10+ years in Moto3, and two seasons in World Supersport. The Scot will be under no illusions about the challenge that lays ahead, but he’ll be buoyed by his performance in Spain. The MasterMac Honda rider posted a best lap-time of 1:45.302, which was 0.775s slower than Glenn Irwin, and only 0.310s slower than Bridewell. McPhee was third overall in the morning session on Monday. Of the other movers and shakers for 2025, Leon Haslam completed the top five on his return to Ducati machinery. Moving to the MotoRapido Racing team…

NOISY EXHAUST DEBATE TOP STORY The subject of noisy exhausts is once again in the spotlight, with European regulators introducing new anti-tampering rules to combat aftermarket systems deemed louder than standard pipes. The new measures come as an amendment to UN Regulation No.92 – a ruling that must be considered when outlining EU type approval frameworks for exhaust sound levels, and modifications. It aims to stop riders from bypassing limits with adjustable silencers, while also ensuring aftermarket brands sell products meeting legal levels. The UK must already meet EU noise standards for exhausts but the Department for Transport has told MCN that it will consult on whether to adopt new regs in the future. Tightening restrictions have seen an increase in homologation-friendly exhausts sold on the aftermarket, including a new…

There isn’t actually an official noise limit for bikes when it comes to the MoT. Providing the pipes themselves are intended for road use, it’s actually down to the discretion of the tester to decide whether or not they’re suitable. MCN contacted the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) about this, who said: “The MoT test includes a thorough inspection of the condition of the exhaust. Testers use their experience and judgement to make a subjective assessment of the noise levels. “We do not believe it is practical to make an absolute measurement of noise in an MoT station because of ambient and reflective noise.” Official government guidelines also state that where possible, a tester should rev the bike to half engine speed once warm and check “the noise emitted…

Bikes are rolling off the production line at KTM’s Austrian headquarters for the first time in months as the company begins to emerge from a period of financial instability. The brand entered a 90-day period of ‘self-administration’ on November 29, 2024 – leading to no new bikes being produced at their Mattighofen plant, as well as multiple job losses. Although production has only recently commenced, the news that it could resume came on February 25 with KTM required to repay €600m to creditors by May 23, 2025. This figure covers 30% of the total debts shared by three insolvencies, with a further €150m also needed by that date in continuation costs. Much of this money is likely to come from outside investors, recruited in partnership with Citigroup Global Markets Europe…

Former road racer and World Endurance star Steve Mercer has announced big plans to get back on a bike, after an accident at the 2018 Isle of Man TT left him without use of his right leg. The 42-year-old Maidstone rider was involved in a collision with a course car on the evening of May 30, while making his way back to the Grandstand following a red flag, and hasn’t ridden since. He’s now purchased a 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, with plans to tackle trackdays at his local Brands Hatch circuit and hopes to inspire others going through similar recovery journeys to follow his lead. “It’s going to be a challenge, there’s no doubt about that,” Mercer told MCN a day on from collecting the bike. “Over the last…

‘X marks the spot for adventure’ Here’s a question for you. Do you know the only Kawasaki Versys model that doesn’t have matching sized 17in wheels? I bet you don’t. The answer is the Versys-X 300 – which is easily forgotten about because it arrived and departed in the blink of an eye. Launched in 2017, the Versys-X had all the right ingredients. Powered by the firm’s excellent 296cc parallel-twin (taken from the Ninja and Zed models), this lightweight adventurer came with an all-new frame and featured a 19in front wheel, long-travel suspension and high bars to lend it genuine (light) off-road abilities. Considering how successful Honda’s CRF250L is, you’d have assumed the Versys-X would have also been a hit – but it bombed, and two years later was dropped…

Are you in good hands? I’m asking for a helping hand about your gloves. Whether you are a manufacturer, importer, distributor, retailer, or end user, I’m keen to hear your thoughts. The European Standard for motorcyclists’ gloves - EN 13594:2015 – categorises hand protection as Level 1 (lowest level), Level 1 KP (Level 1, with optional impact protection to the knuckles), and Level 2 KP (highest performance level, with mandatory knuckle protection). Short, cuff length gloves (popular for urban riding) can only be marked Level 1 or Level 1 KP – even if they achieve Level 2 requirements – longer gloves can be Level 1, Level 1 KP or Level 2 KP. The difference between the minimum requirements for cuff length stipulated in the standard is minuscule – for Level…

WHAT’S NEW IN TECH Motorcycle safety tech is evolving fast, and Piaggio – parent company of Aprilia and Moto Guzzi – have joined the fray with what they call the industry’s first 4D radar-based collision prevention platform. With motorcyclists being 28 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than car drivers, the team at technology-focused Piaggio Fast Forward (PFF) aim to reduce risks with their new Rider Assistance Solution (RAS). The system uses high-resolution radar to detect hazards multiple times per second, running algorithms to assess risk and issue alerts to the rider. First introduced on the Piaggio MP3 with a rear-only sensor, RAS made its full debut on the Moto Guzzi Stelvio, where it now offers blind spot monitoring, lane change assist, forward-collision warnings, and adaptive…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com THE WORLD’S WARMEST BASELAYER® www.zerofit.co.uk My pal Simmo (Blade) and me on my first bike. Happy days! I’m trying to tempt him back into the saddle. Darren Smith This is me on my first big bike after passing my test last year. It’s a Triumph Trident 660. Kelly Clark My mate Chris Balazs. He’s just passed his A1 test at 55, got a nearly new V-Strom 650 and he’s loving it. Will Horsley 1980 and I had just collected the CB200. Jacket, helmet and gloves were all borrowed for the day! David May My second bike, a Kawasaki Z250A in 1981. Chris Bird An absolute turd of a GSX600F. Second gear dogs had gone so had to shift first to third but I…

Things are hotting up for the Bonhams Spring Motorcycle Auction to be held on April 2627 at the Stafford International Classic Motorcycle show. Starting off on the Saturday with the Dale Winfield Collection, which includes not one, but two ex-Carl Fogarty machines. There’s the 1988 and 1989 TT Formula 1 World Championship-winning Honda VFR750R RC30 purchased directly from Fogarty by the current owner in 1989. (£30,000-£40,000. No reserve.) Plus the 1989 Isle of Man Production TT-winning Honda VFR750R RC30 also, purchased directly from Foggy in 1989. (£25,000-£35,000. No reserve). I have fond memories of the above production bike, as it was first registered by Honda UK (Reg: F908 FLD) and I ran it in by using it every day to visit dealers, before it was delivered to Carl and became…

With the northern powerhouse of Squires Café hosting their annual egg run this weekend, we thought while you’re up there, you should check out a couple of other Pit Stops which might take your fancy. Seaways of Fridaythorpe A great old-school café complete with camping has been a must-stop for bikers for years. Fimber Road, Fridaythorpe, Driffield YO25 9RX www.seawayscafe.co.uk NY500 It can’t decide whether it’s a café or showroom, but that’s part of its charm. Go in and marvel at the delights, then fill your belly. NY500 @ HR Works, Malton Rd, Pickering YO18 8EA www.ny500.co.uk Zoom café bar Good eats, great venue and a proper local feel. Sand Lane, South Cave, Brough HU15 2JQ www.facebook.com/zoomcafebarsouthcave Get involved Join our Facebook group and post your top stops:…

You can lose a huge amount of power through a badly maintained and dirty chain. You should regularly adjust, clean and lube your chain to achieve maximum lifespan. It should be cleaned before each lubrication, as a combination of dirt and grit with chain lube can make a ‘grinding paste’, severely reducing life. Available in 500ml and now 750ml-sized cans, Mint Chain Cleaner is a powerful formulation that is extremely effective at dissolving and washing away contaminated chain lube and the build-up of oil and dirt on your chain, which has dried on over time. Its high-power delivery blasts grit and dirt out of the links, and slow-evaporating solvents remain on the surface for longer, to dissolve more dirt. The emulsifying formula allows the product to be washed off easily…

‘More fun, less serious’ In terms of a pure road riding experience, this is one of, if not the most fun and engaging road bikes that has ever rolled out of the gates of Bologna. Whereas before, both the V2 and V4 were relatively close in terms of performance, the new V2 is far less serious, and rides better for it. Sure, it makes less power than the previous, 955cc V2, but the new 890cc unit is far more playful. Fun, exciting, yet user friendly, with a soft clutch action and smooth response at low speeds. At just 178kg (without fuel) the new V2 is devastatingly nimble and accurate, and is one of the sharpest sub-litre nakeds money can buy. THE FACTS £15,990 Ducati Streetfighter V2 S…

THE MCN TEST ● THE HOTTEST BIKES ● EVERY WEEK £14,420 (£18,620 as tested) BMW R12 nineT ● 1170cc air/liquid-cooled boxer twin, 8v ● 109bhp @ 7000rpm ● 220kg (wet) £14,495 (£14,995 as tested) Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS ● 1200cc liquid-cooled parallel twin, DOHC 8v ● 103.5bhp @ 7750rpm ● 216kg (wet) The arrival of Triumph’s new Speed Twin 1200 has brought not just a new dimension to the ‘sporty retro’ category but also a new question - how much ‘sports’ do you want in your old-school biking mix? While the base 1200 has been updated, there’s also now this new RS version which heightens the ‘sports’ element further still with Brembo Stylemas, more adjustable suspension including Öhlins rear shocks, standard quickshifter and even pointier, semi-slick tyres. And while…

‘Do you need all the bling?’ Both bikes are now available in such a huge variety of specifications it raises the question ‘How much do you want from your sports retro?’ Although an R nineT fan, I’m less so of the style of the new one (I don’t like the more bulbous tank), especially fully loaded like this, preferring instead the affordability of the old R nineT Pure model. So, although the R12 nineT’s still a brilliant all-rounder, I’d stick with the £4k cheaper base model and add heated grips. As for the Triumph, there’s no doubt the new Speed Twin 1200 has enhanced sporting ability and, in this new, £2000 more expensive RS trim has the componentry and pedigree to take it into sportsbike territory, at least in chassis…

‘The bike was dubbed Firefault’ “I was at the launch of the XB9R at Valencia in 2002. Erik Buell was there to explain all the innovations (and play guitar) and the bike was impressive. But not everything went well, I remember several drive belts snapping. “A few months later I received an XB9R to run as a longterm test bike in MCN. The year we spent together was far from smooth – initially the gearbox suffered an issue, refusing to change out of top, then the bolt holding the shock to the swingarm failed, it sprung an oil leak and finally a drive belt snapped. And its replacement snapped. But I still look back fondly of the eight months and nearly 8000 miles I spent with the Firebolt. “The Buell…

“Loose bolts lose lives,” so says Doncaster Motorcycles owner Kevin Hollingsworth. When you’re talking about hardware that happens to be holding together an entire motorcycle, there’s plenty of truth in that. The Doncaster mechanic recently came across a particularly tired 2002 Honda CBR600 that had limped in for an MoT. “It had a string of issues, but the linkage in particular was super-dangerous,” said Hollingsworth. “If it had collapsed while riding, there’s no good outcome. “I told him that he shouldn’t be using it at all, but he still rode it away. I genuinely think he’d just bought the bike and didn’t realise how unsafe it was. There was quite a list.” Among the list of failures was a shock bolt that was so loose that daylight could be seen…

Qatar hosted the opening round last year and it saw Jorge Martin pick up where he left off in the Sprint with a comfortable victory on Saturday evening. He led all 11 laps after starting from pole with an all-new lap record around the Lusail International Circuit. Pecco Bagnaia then recovered from fifth in the Sprint to take a dominating victory in the full Grand Prix, giving him an early championship lead as a result. Perhaps a little surprisingly, Martin and Bagnaia’s closest rival in each respective race was Brad Binder on the Red Bull KTM. Finishing second in both races, it was a promising start to the year, with Binder a mere 1.329s behind Bagnaia in the main race. Martin completed the podium. Aleix Espargaro took third step on…

You must have heard commentators saying that the only person who can beat Marc Marquez is himself. Tortured cliché (another one!), but logical. And at round three in the USA, absolutely true. The words of the two main protagonists confirm it. Bagnaia won, he gleefully admitted, “only because Marc crashed”. Marc was equally cheerful, after his third successive Sprint win was followed by a zero-points Sunday. He had sacrificed, he grinned, “an easy race”. Both seemed delighted. Pecco by the win. Marquez because he had again proved his superiority. Now they line up for round four in Qatar, and we all wait to see if we really are in for a duel. Or will it be a one-horse race, with Pecco waiting for Marc to fall off again? Pecco’s fans…

MCN sportsdesk on the news that rocked BSB TOP STORY It couldn’t have come at a worse time. On April 1 of all days, it was announced that reigning Bennetts British Superbike Champions OMG Racing were pulling out of the championship. Nobody could believe what they were reading, after all, it was April Fool’s Day. Of course, the jokes are supposed to end at midday, but the statement released at 4:30pm still had people questioning its validity. Further statements from Yamaha Racing UK – OMG were the official supported team in BSB – and OMG themselves still didn’t convince some fans, who were clearly in denial at what they were reading. Suddenly, a mere five days before the team was supposed to roll down pit-lane in Navarra for the first…

‘None of us have stopped trying’ Paul Curran, OMG Team Principal One suggestion was that former OMG Team Manager Paul Curran could pick up the pieces and continue using his PCR Performance business, perhaps running a one-man team with Kyle Ryde. “On April 4 we had a letter of termination from BSB for the 2025 season,” Curran told MCN. “OMG Racing has no confirmed entry or contract with MSVR, so today’s job is for me to terminate any contracts the team has with any of our employees, because what was laid out in those contracts is no longer possible. “I haven’t even looked at that as a possibility of PCR running the team as I haven’t got the wherewithal to jump in a rescue everything as it stood. As it…

It’s hard to know where to start with the news from last week about OMG Racing. There’s certainly lots of rumours going round the paddock here in Navarra, which is where I am doing some testing. I’ve heard everything from PBM running two bikes, OMG running a one-man team for Kyle through to Bradley Ray coming to Honda. My mate James Hillier is out in the cold, but no matter who you are it doesn’t sound great, does it? And it’s not just the riders it’s everyone else in the team who won’t be getting their wages. It’s certainly late to pull the plug on the team. From a personal point of view we’ve done a lot of testing. Four days in Monteblanco and then two days in Navarra. The…