Table of contents for 14th August 2019 in MCN

Peter Hickman has cemented himself as one of the most devastatingly impressive road racers of his generation with his incredible Ulster GP exploits. Equalling McCallen’s five-in-a-day record is impressive enough, totalling seven wins – and a new outright lap record as well – is astounding. As much as I feel truly delighted for the hugely likeable roads and BSB ace, I can’t help feeling ever so slightly sorry for Dean Harrison. But if anyone can give him a glimmer of hope, then I’d point him in the direction of Andrea Dovizioso. As the MotoGP train plunged up to the savage right-hand turn 3 at the Red Bull Ring on lap one, I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Dovi was scrapping. He looked aggressive. He looked hungry. He looked…

‘New engine and frame will transform Tiger’ ‘Expecta wholenewsuite of electronics’ Triumph are planning a whole host of hot new models and special editions, including an all-new Tiger 800 set to target KTM and BMW. MCN’s exclusive photographs reveal some of the British firm’s hottest new models undergoing secret tests recently in Spain. Engineering step-change The current Tiger 800 has a pretty peppy engine but the triple configuration means it lacks the low-end drive of some rivals, so it’s highly likely to have crept up in capacity for this new model. If you take the existing Tiger 800’s bottom-end and bolt on the bigger (78mm) bore top-end from a Street Triple 765 you’d get an 887cc capacity. A new ‘900’ triple would make as much bottom end as its big…

It’s 30 years since Harley wheeled out a prototype version of their first Fat Boy at Daytona’s Bike Week. But ever since, the retro-cruiser FLSTF has been a big hit with all the right bits in all the right places, from the classic, big Milwaukee V-twin to the solid disc wheels. And with five different engine designs over the years and tons of detail changes there are now all sorts of Fat Boys available to suit all kinds budgets as well! 2019 FAT BOY What is it? In 2018 the Fat Boy and all H-D’s ‘Softails’ get a complete makeover with new monoshock chassis, 107 or 114 cubic inch motors, fatter wheels and more. MCN says “Not the most versatile or comfortable of Hogs, but almost certainly the best…

One in every 46 registered motorcycles was stolen last year, according to new figures gained by a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the Motorcycle Action Group. The figures show the number of bike thefts in 36 UK police force areas and were obtained as a result of a large-scale FOI submission by MAG who have released the results as part of their campaign to combat bike theft. The rate of theft was then calculated from the number of registered bikes in each area divided by the number of thefts. Unsurprisingly, the highest rate were to be found in the Metropolitan and City of London, where one in every 12 bikes was reported stolen in 2018. This figure actually signals a modest 3.98% improvement over the 2017 figure. By comparison,…

This week our gastronomic odyssey leads to the lowlands of Lincolnshire and Market Deeping, where we make a return to one of 2018’s top contenders: the Iron Horse Ranch House. Our route in is across the fens via the B1166 from Wisbech, but there are plenty of back roads to explore, making the Iron Horse well placed for a rideout destination. It’s usually possible to park either right outside or on the hardstanding around the back, although on our visit the High Street was closed, so we ended up in the car park across the road. Given that road closures were in place we expected the Iron Horse to be quiet, but it’s a testament to its popularity that we arrive to find the place bustling with bikers. The staff…

‘I’D JUST RACED ROSSI BUT THIS OLD GUY SAID HE KNEW BETTER’ There are plenty of people out there who reckon they know the secret of going fast on the track but a lot of them are talking rubbish. My advice is to build up trust with someone who really knows what they are talking about rather than someone who just tells you what you want to hear. The best people will tell you when you are doing it all wrong and warn you that if you keep making the same mistakes you’ll end up sliding down the road. But some people don’t like listening to sound advice, do they? Back in 2000 I was an instructor at the Ron Haslam race school just after I’d finished 13th in the…

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 The signs were there Having fuelled up in Oundle, after just nine miles of riding to the MCN250 start point, the Moto Morini’s engine management light comes on. Turning the bike on and off again won’t make it disappear. Although showing no signs of malfunction and still riding well, it plays on our…

With its lack of rider modes or traction control and with heavy doses of power accessible at all times, the Moto Morini Milano is arguably a far more genuine retro experience than the classically-styled, yet ultra-modern Triumph Speed Twin. But, although both machines offer an upright, twin-cylinder naked riding experience, the Triumph, complete with multiple modes, does so in a far better executed manner, for thousands of pounds less. With poor fuel economy and question marks raised over build quality and electrical reliability, the Morini is a bike for collectors, rather than high-mileage riders. That said, the low-down grunt of the big V-twin is far more engaging than the 1200cc lump found in the Triumph, which struggles to excite on spirited rides. Despite this, the Triumph worked with every turn…

Within moments I’m in second place. Whatever happens, no matter how much I cock up the next two corners, I am coming second. Unfortunately for me, this is a sprint race and there are no prizes for second place. Second place is last place. Might as well go for it then... A twist of the throttle and the 40-year-old boxer engine groans its way up the rev counter. I dive for the corner. The gap closes. Could this work? It hasn’t worked. I’m still diving, still diving, diving further. Wait – is that a hay bale? Lots of action For the uninitiated the Malle Mile is a weekend-long motorcycle festival that celebrates all that’s great about two-wheeled life. It happens once a year in the grounds of Kelvington Hall just…

MSV TRACKDAY WITH LEON HASLAM, DONINGTON PARK, LEICS. AUGUST 19 ‘Sharpen up with Haslam’ Brush up on your track riding skills with Leon Haslam at his second home, Donington Park. You’ll have the chance to chat and glean tips and hints, as the WSB contender spends the day around the paddock. The Route Chill out after your day on track with this riding route in the Peaks. Head out of the circuit towards Melbourne and pick your way through the lanes to the A50 and head west. At Hilton head towards Derby and at the turning for Sutton-on-the-Hill, turn left and on to Brailsford. The signs for Car sington Water see you ride through Mercaston, Knockerdown and Longcliffe. Turn right at the junction with the A5012, after a…

Sports-tourers are all about giving you the best of both worlds and if you are an all-seasons rider they really do make sense. A sports-tourer has got to be capable of comfortable two-up riding, offer a modicum of wind protection and give a relaxed ride when you are mile-munching. Here’s a selection across the spectrum from twins, triples and fours, Japanese and German to fit a budget of around £7000. £6695 KAWASAKI ZZR1400 1441cc |200bhp |800mm seat height • Dealer £4300-£13,000 • Private £3700-£10,000 • This one 2013, 20,000 miles The ZZR1400 may be a bike often defined by its headline 200bhp peak power, but what really makes the Kawasaki so enjoyable to ride is the 117ftlb of torque its inline four delivers. The grunty ZZR is an incredibly…

1 Stick then squirt Lights or indicators suddenly stopped working? Before you start chasing an electrical fault you should first consider a problem with the switchgear. Faulty buttons are quite common on older bikes and the problems often stem from corrosion on the small mechanical components inside. Often simply squirting WD40 into the switch will get you home. 2 Trace back wiring For a proper fix the switchgear will need to be removed and stripped down. Start by disconnecting the bike’s battery then trace the electrical lead from the swtichgear and disconnect it from the main loom. The connectors are usually located under the tank or inside the headlight assembly, so make a note of the steps to assist you with re-assembly. 3 Remove the housing Next…

Jubilation and turmoil enveloped KTM at their home race in Austria. The joy of Brad Binder’s superbly executed Moto2 race win was quickly blunted by the news that Johann Zarco, once touted as a premier class title contender, will end his two year deal early. And an embarrassing technical glitch with the ECU shutting down the engine ended Pol Espargaro’s bid for a top 10 MotoGP result after just one lap. Even the news that KTM have reinforced their MotoGP ambitions with an extended five year deal with Dorna until 2026 was blunted by confirmation they will cease to be a Moto2 chassis manufacturer. KTM’s exit from Moto2 comes after just three seasons. Zarco’s acrimonious exit after just a single season is a setback to KTM CEO Stefan Pierer, who…

John McPhee hopes that his last corner surge into third-place in the Austrian GP will boost his chances of a promotion to Moto2 in 2019. McPhee brought his Petronas Sprinta Honda home just eight thousandths of second behind Tony Arbolino after a race long battle. “I would like to stay with Petronas, I feel part of that family now either in Moto3 or Moto2,” McPhee said. “I want make the progression to Moto2, that’s my aim but it’s a hard year to move up because there are not many seats available.” McPhee said he is in talks with Petronas which he hopes will progress when the Moto2 team places are confirmed for 2020, with team boss Johan Stigefelt revealing to MCN his plans to have two Moto2 grid slots next…

Marc Marquez failed to conquer the Red Bull Ring after suffering more late heartache at the hands of Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso. The Austrian track remains the only venue on the current MotoGP schedule where the five-times premier class champ has never won. He came tantalisingly close on Sunday after leading into the final corner but had no time to retaliate against Dovizioso’s decisive and perfectly executed divebomb. Marquez said: “I expected him to try the pass, and that’s why I went in so fast because he’d overtake me before the finish line with better grip and drive.” ‘I expected him to try the pass, and that’s why I went in to the turn so fast’ The Repsol Honda star counted himself fortunate to finish after contact from Dovizioso in the…

Yamaha XSR700 XTribute* 689cc | 188kg | 73bhp | 845mmCash price £7945Deposit £1634.96Mileage 4000paRate 6.9%APRRepresentative Fixed rate of interest PA 6.69%Opt final payment £3555 Paying homage to the 1970s XT500, the XTribute is basically an XSR700 with a bit of a restyle. With an XT-style flat seat, chunky footrests and off-road bars, not to mention some cool paint schemes, the XTribute is a serious head turner. Good looking, brilliant fun to ride and at £105 a month. Total amount repayable £8969.96. Honda Super Cub 125 125cc | 109kg | 9.9bhp | 780mm Cash price £3399Deposit £69Mileage 4000pa Rate 6.9% APROptional final payment £1251.02 Honda’s re-imagining of the iconic Cub is a real crowd pleaser – which is to be expected being based on the world’s best-selling bike! Aside from cool…

Registrations have opened for the 2019 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, with more than 22,000 riders signed up already. This year’s event, on Sunday, September 29, is expected to be the biggest so far, with 125,000-plus riders predicted to attend. Now in its eighth year, the DGR has raised around £15,240,000 for men’s health charities and aims to add £5,700,000 to that total in 2019. “We are in awe that The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride has become the biggest motorcycle fundraising event in the world,” said event founder Mark Hawwa. “This is thanks to our incredible ride hosts and fundraisers. “This year aims to be our biggest and most successful ride to date, so come and join us in whatever city, town or state you’re in. And ride dapper.” ‘This will be our…

This is the first time we’ve seen the new Daytona Moto2 765 Limited Edition being tested on the road. At its heart is the 765cc engine that started life in the Street Triple RS, before being developed as the control engine for the Moto2 race class. With the learnings from that we expect the triple to produce more than 130bhp in the new Daytona. Also visible on this road-going model is a titanium Arrow side-mounted exhaust. A new TFT dash will be controlled by a five-way switchcube and allow you to swap between the five rider modes including ‘track’. The fork appears to be a high-spec, fully adjustable Öhlins NIX30 unit, with Brembo’s Stylema radial calipers. The Öhlins TTX rear shock looks identical to the unit previously used on the…

Phil Ranson quite literally went to great lengths to close in on his annual 5000-mile target – by riding his humble Honda SS50 1300 miles to Bilboa in Spain. Departing Romford, Essex, in mid-July, the semi-retired removal firm owner built his bike out of two SS50 project bikes. And the MCN #ride5000miles group gave him plenty of encouragement on the Facebook page once he started to mention the idea of tackling such a mission on his 50cc moped. “I had two old SS50 wrecks that I’d owned for about 18 years,” Ranson told MCN. “I bought one for a fiver with no engine and I swapped the other with a friend for some speedway sprockets. “After reading a few motorcycle travel books, I came up with the idea of building…

Sshhhhh! The S&S Grand National exhausts have a stainless steel baffle core wrapped in fibreglass to help quieten down the rumble of an unimpeded V-twin Deep breath Located at the point where the headers get hot are a set of narrowband sensors that measure exhaust gases to calculate the air/fuel ratio Small limits The catalyser’s O2 sensors can only measure small amounts and make tiny adjustments, which is why a remap is often essential after a big change Hot stuff The high exhaust gas speed of the S&S pipes means a heat shield with a 6mm ceramic barrier is needed to keep your legs cool Expensive tastes Importers Parts Europe say this road-legal performance part will set you back around £2000, subject to exchange rate Building a performance exhaust used…

I wonder why bike manufacturers are not finding ways to build locking wheels into their machines? They are working on the tech, but trackers wouldn’t be needed if your pride and joy couldn’t be wheeled away. You can’t always stop a determined gang with a van, but it your motorcycle won’t move then surely you have won most of the battles? Surely, anti- theft devices that lock wheels would be easy to create and build into machines cheaply and effectively. There would be no need to carry chains and disc locks and perhaps we could really get more of a hold on the epidemic that seems to be blighting the streets of Britain. Mark Powlett, email…

Although the MCN250 takes in some superbly challenging corners, the highlight of our ride came on the dead-straight A4095 on the run into Bicester, just before Middleton Stoney. Lined with gorgeous golden fields and plenty of visibility to make some serious progress, both bikes produce a lazy rumble from their twin-cylinder engines, chugging harmoniously past lines of four-wheeled traffic. I’m following the Triumph Speed Twin, which twinkles majestically in the mid afternoon sun, its Vance & Hines end cans booming directly into my helmet. With both bikes offering next to no wind protection, there is little desire to ride at silly speeds and it makes more sense to flick into top gear, rest a hand on the tank and admire the delightful scenery, using the thick dollops of torque for…

‘The 47-year-old was determined to prove doubters wrong’ This week marks the 20th anniversary of one of the greatest road races of all time, when the reigning King of the Roads Joey Dunlop went head-to-head with young pretender David Jefferies at Dundrod’s Ulster Grand Prix Two decades Dunlop’s junior, Jefferies was a phenomenon who had taken road racing by storm during the 1999 season. Victories at the North West 200 were followed by a Formula One, Senior and Production 1000cc TT hat-trick, the first of a still unmatched consecutive trio of TT trebles. Jefferies was one half of a brilliant combination that brought Honda’s 17 years of TT superbike domination to an end. Stung after being dropped by Honda from managing the company’s race squad, V&M team bosses Jack Valentine…

We’ve banged on a lot about how refined the new S1000RR is as a road bike. It’s so grunty you barely need to change gear once in top and heated grips, cruise control and a huge colour dash make day-to-day ownership that bit sweeter. But these are mere side dishes to the BMW’s main reason for existing: to be the ultimate trackday bike, club racer, superstock weapon, TT winner and WSB champion. I’ve ridden the RR lots on MCN tests, but never spent quality time with it at a circuit, pushing its electronic buttons and fiddling with its suspension, until now. Race-ready… ish Running my Beemer in standard trim at the Nürburgring (Green Hell weekend) and Donington (for Bike Magazine’s Bike of the Year feature – it’s in their top…

THE STUDENT Nick Jones, 51, Norfolk Has been riding since he was 17, on every thing from Fizzies to Hayabusas. Now enjoys long rides on a VFR1200X. Nick’s riding problem ‘I was scared by an unexpected patch of gravel in the road. I didn’t crash but it spooked me. How can I be ready for anything?’ THE TUTOR Mark Edwards, Rapid Training A Met police motorcyclist for 18 years, Mark has been training people to be faster and safer on the road for more than 20 years. Mark’s action plan ‘Good hazard perception can help you anticipate and prepare for problems. Reacting to clues will help prevent the worst happening.’ THE LESSON 1 More than vision Recognising potential hazards is only one part of staying safe; it’s how you…

‘I took it off road on a trail in Finland’ They say time’s a great healer and for MCN reader Tim Barnacle that’s particularly true, returning to Triumph after falling foul of reliability issues in the past. “When I was at the end of my time at university I owned a 1972 T120R,” says Tim. “It was shocking, the exhaust fell off on the A3 and the valve guides smashed in just as I was on the way to a service.” Having avoided the brand for the next few decades, Tim tested one of the new ‘Hinckley’ models and his love for Triumph was rekindled. “I sampled a used T595 and it was awesome, so much better handling than the GSX1100F I owned, which opened my eyes to modern Triumphs,”…

1. The line with the biggest jump “Hold left for as long as possible, cut it tight on the apex of the right-hander and drive up the right-hand side of the track – the steepest part of the Mountain – that will give you the biggest air.” 2. The more conventional racing line “Come up the middle of the track, hold left a bit longer, but not as long as the Brookes line. You square off the inside of the apex and go up the middle of the track, keeping the bike quite straight.” 3. And finally “Higher speed through the right; don’t keep left for as long, then go through the turn with more apex speed. Maintain that speed over the face of the Mountain keeping lean angle over…

Dean Harrison said it was “back to the drawing board” after finishing behind Peter Hickman in all three Ulster GP superbike races and losing his outright lap record to the flying Smith’s BMW rider. The Senior TT winner put up his strongest fight in the feature superbike event on Saturday, setting the fastest lap of the race on the Silicone Kawasaki before Hickman surged ahead for the win. “Peter is riding really well and was really strong on the wet bits,” observed Harrison. “His bike is really well settled in the turns. We have been trying a few new bits and pieces to try and make the job go forward.” ‘Peter is riding really well and was really strong on the wet bits’ Harrison was able to get the holeshot…

Silverstone is incredibly excited to be hosting the British round of the MotoGP™ world championship in what is shaping up to be an incredible 2019 season. To help you share this excitement, the circuit is offering MCN readers an exclusive 15% off ANY ticket – meaning you can now bag yourself general admission for Saturday qualifying for just £25.50, all the race-day action for £59.50, or a full weekend’s worth of world-class racing for just £76.50. The discount applies to grandstand tickets, too. To get the saving, simply use code MCN15 when buying your tickets online at www.silverstone.co.uk. As it’s August Bank Holiday, there are plenty of reasons to stay and make a weekend of it, with loads of family-friendly entertainment available throughout. There’s going to be a funfair, Segways,…

Valentino Rossi arrested a mid-season form slump with a robust fourth place finish in Austria, his best result since second place eight races ago in Texas. Rossi applauded the recent gains by Yamaha engineers with electronic development to improve acceleration and rear grip. “After some negative results we started the second half of the season better with a step in electronics,” Rossi said. “I was in a position to fight for the podium but the guys in front, especially Dovi and Marquez and also Fabio, were stronger than me. “Fabio did a fantastic job using the soft rear tyre and I couldn’t go with him.”…

Cal Crutchlow said he had only himself to blame after an early exit from the Austrian Grand Prix. A third row qualifying was further compromised by a sluggish start, dropping Crutchlow into heavy traffic and a frantic fight for track space. It all went pear-shaped on lap two at turn three for the LCR Honda star with his third DNF in 11 races. “Pol Espargaro’s bike stopped and I hit the back of Tito Rabat but it serves me right for making such a bad start,” Crutchlow said. “I feel I could have made a challenge for a good result but it was a racing incident, no-one’s fault.”…

While we used to save up for years, or take out a personal loan or straight finance, the greatest number of financed new bikes are now bought on PCP. Why? MCN readers who’ve done it mainly cite one of two reasons: cost, or ease. The overall outlay is certainly less with PCP; as long as you don’t pay that final balloon figure (which means you never actually own the bike). Equally, if you want to change bikes during the contract period or even swap brands during the process, that’s pretty easy, too. This flexibility and low monthly outlay makes PCP about as close to a win-win situation as you’re ever likely to get where motorcycles and bank balances are involved. But it might not be right for you, so make…

Honda Gold Wing Tour ABS 1833cc | 383kg | 124bhp | 745mm Cash price £30,699Deposit £8619.64Mileage 4000pa Rate 6.9% APROptional final payment £17,740.15 Ticking every single box, the Gold Wing Tour ABS DCT and Airbag is the highest specification Wing you can buy. As well as DCT, you also get Honda’s airbag system for added safety as well as full luggage comprising of panniers and a topbox. At over £30k it isn’t cheap, but at £235 a month on PCP, it’s a little less daunting. Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE 1043cc | 257kg | 118bhp | 840mm Cash price £14,545Deposit £2125.87Mileage 4000pa Rate 6.3% APROptional final payment £7507 The Versys 1000 is a great adventure-tourer with a creamy 1043cc inline four that now boasts electronic throttle valves, which means Kawasaki have…

Yamaha XMAX 300* 292cc | 179kg | 27.5bhp | 795mmCash price £5397Deposit £1137.18Mileage 4000paRate 6.9%APRRepresentive Fixed rate of interest PA 6.69%Opt final payment £2475 Venture into any European city and you’ll almost certainly see an XMAX 300 being ridden by an enthusiastic commuter as they beat the rush hour traffic. But in the UK we’ve been slow to catch on to the middleweight scooter. Quite why is a mystery, especially as you can pick up an XMAX 300 for just £69 a month, a fraction of the cost of a train ticket. The XMAX 300 is an A2-legal middleweight that has traction control and ABS plus an enormous 45-litre underseat compartment that’ll take two full-face lids. Add to this keyless ignition, two glove boxes (one lockable with a 12v supply…

‘Justperfect forback-road blasting’ ‘Top-quality parts like Arrow pipes’ Not content with their two-model range of fun-loving singles, Fantic have added a third: the Caballero Rally. Effectively a rugged Caballero Scrambler 500 on stilts, the Rally has 50mm more suspension travel, adjustable forks, remote rear compression damping, cross-braced handlebars, sump bash plate, radiator guard, headlight grille and an aluminium swingarm, replacing the steel item. Michelin Anakee Wild tyres and an army-green plastic fuel tank complete the more serious off-road look and all for just £600 more than the base Scrambler. The Italian-built machine uses a Chinese-made 43bhp, 449cc single-cylinder engine and is loaded with quality kit: Arrow pipes, a carbon-fibre exhaust guard, spoked wheels, radial Bybre caliper, wavy disc and Brembo master cylinder. Yokes and bottom frame sections are CNC machined…

Our man in Spain also spotted Triumph testing a higher-spec Thruxton R, which appears to be a ‘Black’ model. This could be Triumph’s second Black model – after the Bobber Black – as the changes seem to follow a similar path. The bike now boasts a lot of black finishes; from the engine cases, to the tail tidy, the wheel rims and even the fork stanchions. Some subtle highlights remain to show off the bike’s shape but we’d be surprised if the bright yellow Öhlins shocks make it to the production bike as they jar somewhat with the black theme. The lighting appears mostly unchanged, bar clear indicator lenses, but just like the Bobber we’d expect the Thruxton to pick up Triumph’s three-touch cruise control. It’s possible that Triumph may…

This funky, Finnish-built, new electric bike is undergoing final tests before going on sale early in 2020. The RMK E2 has a unique hubless rear wheel with the motor instead driving the rim. Power is fed to the back wheel by three cables, which has helped the firm keep the weight down to a sensible 200kg. It’s also claimed to produce 67bhp and be capable of hitting 100mph. While the company also claims that its new bike will cover 120-150 miles on just one charge and that an 80% re-charge will take just two hours. The hubless rear wheel also offers regenerative braking which helps recharge the battery while riding. The left hand lever operates the back brake, while the right lever activates a conventional twin-disc stopper on the front…

Honda are working on a new version of the cool looking Super Cub, called the Hunter Cub. The small-but-perfectly-formed hardcore dual-sport machine takes over from the original CT110 Hunter Cub which has been produced from 1980 right through to the present day. Just like the standard Cub, the original CT110 has a four-speed gearbox mated to a centrifugal clutch, but it also has a 2:1 gear reduction box. Flick a lever under the transmission and suddenly it can climb incredibly steep terrain. This has made the bike hugely popular in mountainous countries with poor roads but it’s also had considerable success in Australia where it’s best known as the ‘Postie Bike’. The new version will take what everyone loves about the old Honda CT110 and bring it bang up to…

More than 1700 dirt track fans braved the gales at Arlington Stadium in East Sussex over the weekend for DirtQuake 2019, an annual festival of motorsport mayhem which gives anyone with a passion for flat tracking the opportunity to test their mettle in a series of races around a 275m dirt oval. The emphasis is on having a good time and this was reflected in the unusual classes including Scooter, Chopper, Street Tracker and the thoroughly entertaining Inappropriate Road Bike. DirtQuake also featured a round of the Dirt Track Riders Association (DTRA) Hooligan series, so that the crowd can watch in awe as the pro riders demonstrate exactly how it should be done on proper bikes. ‘On a GS500 with road tyres in the Inappropriate class ’ Reuben Rhodes-Leader from…

KAWASAKI AR50 This is me aged 16 in 1988 on my first bike, a Kawasaki AR50 in Kettering, Northants (MCN’s old home town!). Rik Ferguson CAGIVA BLUES 125 Me on my Cagiva Blues 125 in 1992! The little lad on the back was autistic and was really won over by the machine. Phil Bramhall YAMAHA RD200 My girlfriend on holiday in wales in 1977 on my RD200. Thirty-five years later we met up again and now we’re married! Paul Pickard KAWASAKI KMX125 On my Kawasaki KMX125, I loved that bike and went everywhere on it. Great fun. Shay Sullivan KAWASAKI ZX-6R My beautiful daughter who is now 15 with my second love… the Kawasaki Ninja, which I miss very much. Stuart Mayne TRIUMPH TWENTY ONE I’m looking pretty pleased with…

Following in the footsteps of the rest of their Modern Classic range, the Speed Twin’s clocks pay homage to Triumph’s heritage, offering a beautifully finished twin dial set-up, which matches the rest of the bike’s retro styling perfectly. Tucked in neatly behind the rounded singular headlight, it differs to the Morini’s colour set-up which, while far more modern, is much harder to operate. In bright sunshine, it becomes difficult to read at a glance and offers an ambitious top speed on the dial of 240mph. MOTO MORINI MOTO MORINI SWITCHGEAR A premium feel unsurpassed by the Triumph, but the dash buttons are fiddly, with simple adjustments not possible on the move. FUNCTIONALITY TRIUMPH TRIUMPH SWITCHGEAR Retro charm and modern functionality. It’s all logically placed, despite making room for (optional) heated…

•‘I’ve taken every opportunity that’s presented itself’ If you’ve attended a British Superbike meeting this year, you’ve probably seen Claire Lomas ride a lap of the track on her Ducati Supersport, but perhaps not realised the significance of what you’d witnessed. In 2007, Claire was seriously injured competing in a horse trial and paralysed from the chest down. Despite these life-changing injuries, Claire’s learned to ride a motorcycle and, through a series of extraordinary challenges, raised almost £750,000 for charity. Following on from finishing the London Marathon in a robotic suit, completing the Great North Run and handcycling 400 miles from Nottingham to London, the full-time motivational speaker and mum of two now has her focus fixed on completing a charity lap of the Isle of Man TT course on…

As manufacturers busy themselves developing every size, height, colour and flavour of adventure, naked and retro, it can feel like the once-beloved traditional sports-tourer is getting shortchanged. The recipe is as simple as it is compelling: a motor that’s grunty rather than revvy; a riding position that’s sporty not racy; and space for a grown adult instead of a grand-prix pixie. Bodywork needs to offer everyday wind and weather protection rather than 180mph aerodynamic optimisation and room for hard luggage and a passenger is welcome too. So does the new ShiftCam R1250RS fit the bill? 1 The eyes have it Restyled headlights give the RS a sportier, sleeker face and the similarities to BMW’s latest S1000RR are clear. Where the outgoing R1200RS used traditional halogen bulbs, the R1250RS has an…

Joey Dunlop’s victory in that epic 1999 Ulster Grand Prix superbike race was to prove a landmark moment in a way no-one could have imagined during the celebrations afterwards. A party was planned for later that evening in the great man’s Ballymoney bar but the tragic events of the final 250cc event intervened. Leading the race on his Aprilia, Owen McNally suffered a fatal crash at Dawson’s Bend. “That changed everything,” Joey’s son, Gary says. “Dad treated Owen like a son.” To mark the Ulster win, Honda presented Joey with the RC45 but he wasn’t happy with the new Fireblade that replaced it for the 2000 season. Race boss Bob McMillan instead persuaded Honda to provide the Ballymoney man with a SP-1 V-twin and an Aaron Slight WSB engine. The…

PRIORITISE Deal with multiple hazards in order of importance: what it is, how close it is, road layout, whether it’s moving, your own speed... OBSERVE Use your near, far and peripheral vision to build a picture of what is happening around you. Is there anything unusual to give you any clues? REACT Reduce your speed and consider if you’ll need to brake, steer or perform an emergency manoeuvre. And how you can do this safely. IMAGINE Use your imagination to think about possible scenarios. Has that tractor you can see in the field sprayed mud all over the road? DANGER ZONE Being overly tired or particularly stressed can greatly affect your ability to judge and react to hazards USE YOUR SENSES Your senses of smell and hearing can help you…

Conor Cummins has become familiar with the rear end of Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison’s superbikes in 2019 after finishing behind the duo in the Superbike and Senior TTs in June. A trio of thirds at Dundrod plus another at the NW200 behind Glenn Irwin and James Hillier means that the Milenco Padgett’s Honda racer has stood on the rostrum at every international superbike race this season. “As I slotted into third behind Peter and Dean, I was just holding position,” Cummins said after Thursday’s UGP race. The Manxman was recorded at 202.8mph through the Flying Kilo speed trap, setting the fastest speed ever recorded at Dundrod.…

Crazy last corner lunges are not normally part of Andrea Dovizioso’s repertoire. Yet it was a last gasp daring raid up the inside of Marc Marquez that secured a delirious Dovizioso his most spectacular career victory to protect Ducati’s undefeated record at the Austrian Red Bull Ring. Dovizioso has been accused of lacking the killer instinct of arch rival Marquez and been criticised for being too conservative and risk-averse in close combat. Yet his ruthless move up the inside of the reigning World Champion was Marquez-esque in its clinical execution in what turned out to be another Spielberg blockbuster between the pair. Their confrontation raged from the first corner to the last and from lap six to 28 there was no more than 0.3s splitting them. Dovizioso said win number…

Yamaha MT-09* 847cc | 193kg | 113bhp | 820mmCash price £8545Deposit £1752.29Mileage 4000paRate 6.9%APRRepresentative Fixed rate of interest PA 6.69%Opt final payment £4387.50 A riot to ride thanks to its raucous inline triple, the MT-09 is just one of those bikes that just gets under your skin. Larger and roomier than the Street Triple, it comes with a quickshifter, ABS and traction control as well as a guarantee to make you grin! The total amount payable is £9703.79 and there is also an SP version. BMWG310R 313cc | 158.5kg | 33.5bhp | 785mm Cash price £4620 Deposit £1058.22 Mileage 5000pa Rate 0% APR Optional final payment £1846.78 The G310R is BMW’s first road motorcycle under 500cc for a generation. Aimed at the emerging small-capacity market, its single cylinder engine makes…

BMW G310GS 313cc | 169.5kg | 34bhp | 835mm Cash price £5275Deposit £1086.20Mileage 5000pa Rate 0% APROptional final payment £2123.80 The baby GS may be built in India instead of Germany, but that’s why it is so competitively priced. And at £59 a month on PCP, it’s hard to argue with BMW’s reasoning. The GS styling is unmistakable and the single cylinder motor thumps along with a decent 34bhp on tap. The suspension is soft, but that’s its only major downside. HOT OFFER BMW are currently offering a 0% finance deal on the G310GS. BMW F750GS 853cc | 204kg | 76bhp | 815mm Cash price £8225Deposit £1485.66Mileage 5000pa Rate 5.9% APROptional final payment £4478.44 The 750GS is a bit of a hidden star in BMW’s range. Despite its name, the…

Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 1868cc | 289kg | 91bhp | 720mm Cash price £19,855Deposit £4145.47Mileage 4000paRate 6.6%APR Opt final payment £11,250 Powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 114 motor, the FXDR arrived in 2019 with a bang and is the most powerful model in Harley’s Softail range. Billed as a ‘performance cruiser’ thanks to its all-new lightweight cast aluminium swingarm and sporty forks, it certainly lives up to the hype and when you ride one it is hard not to break out into a huge grin. Harley have trimmed 4.6kg off the Softail chassis in the FXDR and this, combined with a 19in front wheel, Showa Dual Bending Valve inverted forks and a further 3kg saved on the subframe, adds up to a surprisingly sporty ride. It may weigh 289kg, but the FXDR…