Table of contents for 11st September 2019 in MCN

Preaching about road safety is quite close to the top of the list of ‘Dull things to discuss over a pint’ in my opinion. But before every training school in the UK gets their poisoned ink out, let me explain. There’s always someone faster than your are, someone safer, someone more dangerous, and someone painfully slower. Most of us can even put names to these people, because we ride with them often and wish their extremes were, well – less so. And if you can’t name the dangerous one, it’s the equivalent of being unable to recall the name of the most unpopular kid at your school... But the truth that underlines everyone’s riding ability is that we can all be better at it. Take Peter Hickman: fastest roads rider…

This stunning, special-edition Brutale 800 RR America has just landed in the UK with a host of updates and a price tag a whopping £3600 more than the base model. The America is a celebration of the Italian firm’s glorious history. Back in 1968, on the back of their GP domination, MV took their 600cc, four-cylinder 4C roadster, bored it out to 743cc, strapped on some massive carbs and gave the world the 750S. Then, in 1975, at the request of US importers (hence the name) for an even more powerful, exclusive version, MV bored it out again to 789cc, producing 75bhp, and wrapped it up in a glorious red, white and blue paintjob. The result was a 135mph top speed, a massive price tag and the fastest, most exclusive…

Since Hinckley Triumph’s first in 2005, we’ve had five generations of the sweet-handling and lovely-looking Daytona supersport and now, to celebrate the deal to supply Daytona-derived engines to the Moto2, Triumph are building a road-going replica of their prototype track bike. But if nearly £16K is too steep there are plenty of used Daytonas available and good used ones can now be snapped up for as little as £1700. 2019 TRIUMPH DAYTONA 756 MOTO2 LIMITED EDITION What is it? Hinckley Triumph’s most advanced sportsbike ever, born out of the firm’s Moto2 development machine. MCN says “If you want the fastest, lightest most powerful Triumph Daytona ever, you’d better get on the phone right now.” Want one? £15,765, www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk 2013 675 What is it? Gets a complete makeover with…

South Yorkshire Police have been celebrating the success of their off-road bike unit, which has been in operation for two years and recovered 204 stolen bikes. Not only do they have a great record in stolen bike recovery, they’ve also issued 303 warnings to riders using their bike in an anti-social manner, seized 140 bikes for being used antisocially or without insurance and made 38 arrests. “Over the past two years, the off-road bike team have disrupted criminal behaviour and tackled issues that matter most to the public,” said Inspector Craig Clifton from the South Yorkshire Police Operational Support Unit. “The purpose of the off-road bike teams is to enable officers to engage with and educate off-road bikers who are riding illegally and encourage them to correct their behaviour, but…

Ducati will release a new Multistrada later this year but, for the time being at least, it will not be a V4. Instead the new model, dubbed the 1260GT, will be a high-specification tourer that will sit at the top of the Multistrada tree as the pinnacle of touring excellence. ‘We’re pushing hard to be the first with radar’ The existence of the bike has been confirmed by the American Environmental Protection Agency. The figures given say the bike will be as near as makes no difference the same weight and dimensions as a current Multi, suggesting the GT will be an accessorised version of an existing model. As well as the usual touring kit we also expect the 1260GT to debut tech including radar-controlled cruise control. Ducati have previously…

Reader Ed Marston The ride Solo sprint to catch the Tour de France When to do it Summer Miles 1700 Time required Five days Don't miss this “St Jean de Maurienne was a brilliant base. Cracking little town, great atmosphere as several French riders were doing really well.” LETOUR I booked everything when the full route was published in January. GREAT ROADS The passes put you in awe of what the Tour riders can contend with. SAVOIE REGION Riding the Col du Galibier via Valloire was amazing experience. THE BIKE My Africa Twin AS – I love it and it was perfect for the Le Tour trip. THE ROUTE SEND US YOUR TRIP PICS EMAIL YOURPICS@ MOTORCYCLENEWS.COM…

REVVI 12 Here is my son Edward age two on his first bike, an electric Revvi 12. He loves being on two wheels. Matt Gospel YAMAHA FAZER FZ1 Me with my Fazer FZ1 after passing my direct access. Gordon Bell HONDA CBR125 My husband Martin aged 50 on his first bike a Honda CBR125, he has now upgraded to a Kawasaki Ninja 650. Marie Cave HONDA 550/FOUR Raised in Canada... (me and my bike!) made journeys to Georgia for Uni (via the BlueRidge Parkway) and Florida for Spring Break. Doug Ramsay HONDA 250 Here’s a cheeky old and rare photograph of me on my first bike way back in the 1970s hence the front registration plate which was phased out in the 1980s due to health and safety. Mark Dabbs…

When it comes to building a new motorcycle it is a case of tried and tested techniques ensuring that you get the basics right. But injecting that ‘X-factor’, the spark that makes a bike stand out from its competition is far harder. The engine is a great place to start, which is exactly what Yamaha did with the MT-09. Bosses turned to the engineers and said ‘design an exciting new engine’ which they did and the CP3 triple was born. The result was a range of bikes that, alongside the new parallel twin CP2 (in the MT-07 family), has gone on to transform Yamaha’s fortunes. The stonking motor is the first thing you notice when you ride the MT-09 and the fabulous CP3 triple becomes the excuse to forgive any…

The Yamaha’s switchgear is a basic LCD that does little to excite. You get speed, revs, gear, time, traction control level and a fuel gauge as well as a trips, temp and mpg. In contrast, the Shiver’s 4.3in TFT colour dash is from the firm’s V4s and with its white background and black lettering is very clear to read. Able to be linked to your smartphone, it also displays gear, speed, power mode, traction control level, time and temperature while you can scroll through a variety of data. It does, however, lack a fuel gauge! YAMAHA YAMAHA SWITCHGEAR The MT-09’s traction control can be altered while on the go via the left-hand switchgear while power modes can be change on the right-hand unit. FUNCTIONALITY APRILIA APRILIA SWITCHGEAR The Aprilia’s controls…

Using a 445cc, air-cooled single producing just 30bhp, the SWM Outlaw is a refreshing change within the twin-biased retro market. The SWM’s heart is a Chinese-built motor from Shineray, based on the Honda XBR500 and capable of returning a respectable 62.29mpg. Performing best below 6000rpm, the A2-friendly unit delivers a distinctive chug as you short-shift through the gears, complemented by the shotgun-style twin pea-shooter pipes just below the pillion seat. An easily-managed introduction to retro motorcycling, the engine feels surprisingly revvy for a single, but struggles at higher motorway speeds, producing noticeable vibes through the pegs and bars at around 7000rpm in top gear, which in turn distorts your view through the mirrors and rattles the brake lever. Stopping power SWM have treated the Outlaw to a four-piston radially-mounted Brembo…

‘Look further ahead’ “Looking through the corners and not using a racing line. What Ryan said made sense and I started hanging out wider for longer until I could see through the corner then dropping the bike in. Doing it wasn’t difficult but it meant I could see a lot more, especially on right handers. It definitely keeps you safer – I just have to think about it more because I see corners in a different way to Ryan. My natural instinct is to go through on the fastest line possible.” ‘Stay away from traffic’ “I need to stay further away from oncoming traffic. I learned that it’s not the lead car or lorry that’s going to get you because they will have seen you – probably – instead it’ll…

SPORTS BIKE SHOP BIKE NIGHT, HEREWARD CLOSE, KIRTON, PE20 1QS SEPTEMBER 17 ‘Swoop in on the sweepers’ Monthly bike meets are a firm fixture on the Sports Bike Shop calendar and there’s always a massive turnout. It’s great for a spot of wheel-kicking plus there’s a Bike of the Night competition, live music and a massive kit showroom to drool over. The route Leave the bustle of the bike night behind and head out for a quick blast to bracing Skegness, Lincolnshire’s Las Vegas. From Kirton, take the long and straight B1192 through to Coningsby. Sweep along the A153 to Horncastle. In the town centre, turn right at the lights and head to Skegness on the A158; you’re nudging the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, with rolling hills…

Mucking about with exhausts on new bikes has been an expensive act of diminishing returns for a decade now. Improved aesthetics apart, fitting an end can or even a full system, often results in such an intangible performance boost many of us have given up bothering. Last weekend excepted, I can’t recall the last time I replaced a full system. But after hearing other 1250GS owners tell they’d got a decent boost from a full transplant, I’ve done the same. And you know what? They’re right. I’d already ditched the OE can a few months back, but despite a slightly better soundtrack and improved looks, performance-wise, there was nothing significant to report. But whipping off the headers and catalytic converter in favour of a new set of Akrapovic stainless steel…

If the 2020 WSB ‘silly season’ wasn’t already in overdrive, it is now with the smart money being on Alex Lowes making a sensational move to Kawasaki to be Jonathan Rea’s team-mate. In another dramatic twist, Alvaro Bautista could yet abandon his long-mooted, big money move to Honda by exiting the WSB paddock altogether in favour of a MotoGP return with KTM. While MCN has also learned that that Lowes has additionally been offered a Yamaha deal with either the Ten Kate or GRT squads. Elsewhere, we understand Leon Haslam has been informed he will lose his current Kawasaki ride. The Spanish-run factory team were reportedly committed to signing a fast Spanish rider but with Tito Rabat and Xavi Vierge signed up in MotoGP and Moto2, respectively, it looks to…

Spain’s Manuel Gonzalez moved closer to the World Supersport 300 Championship at Portimao and, should he wrap it up at Magny-Cours, the 17-year-old would be 109 days younger than Loris Capirossi when the Italian clinched his first 125cc Grand Prix title in 1990, thus becoming the youngest-ever rider to clinch an FIM road racing world championship crown. Gonzalez’s only challengers are Portimao winner Scott Deroue and reigning champion Ana Carrasco. In World Supersport the title race is far from over following Federico Caricasulo’s victory in a shortened race ahead of team-mate Randy Krummenacher. Caricasulo now trails Krummenacher by just 10 points with three rounds and 75 points still up for grabs.…

Indian have unveiled the Scout Bobber Twenty and the Scout 100th Anniversary to celebrate the centenary of the seminal American cruiser. Alongside the announcement of the two new models, Indian also released a selection of touring accessories in case you have plans to venture outside the city centre. The first, and arguably most important, of the two models is the Bobber Twenty which pays homage to the original 1920 machine. It takes the same 1133cc 94bhp water-cooled V-twin as the standard Bobber, as well as the same low-down chassis, and combines it with a bit of retro style. That means it receives wire-spoked wheels, a ‘floating’ bobber seat, ape hanger bars and all the usual smatterings of chrome plating. There are three finishes: Black, Green and Red, with Red being…

It’s easy talking about doing a big-mile bike trip but doing it is another matter. Yet lots of #Ride5000miles members have been taking the plunge this year in the pursuit of high miles and big adventures. Chris Wright, 40, dreamt about a European blast for over 20 years and finally got it done this year. The Oldham-based biker headed to Portugal with six mates across five bikes. He said: “My friend does it every year and asks me to come. I could never afford it but this year I turned 40 so did.” Taking the ferry to Santander, northern Spain, he then took the twisty route to Portugal taking in the stunning Spanish mountains. “The roads were absolutely amazing. It was just twist after twist over the mountains. I wish…

Lock's heavy metal I reckon the £600 lock (MCN, September 4) is still no match for determined use of a diamond cutting disc, but the sheer weight of lock and chain would make heaving the bike into a van that bit more exhausting. Colin Gray, email Ed: See this week's poll, right Marc needs personality Regarding last week’s star letter, I think that the writer is missing the point, which is simply that most people LIKE Valentino Rossi. He is much more popular than other talented racers such as Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo and Max Biaggi, to name but a few. No one can deny that Marquez is currently the best racer out there, it is just that he is, to paraphrase a current hair shampoo advert, ‘an irritating personality…

There’s nothing like a warm welcome when you’re soaking wet and miles from home, and that’s exactly what we received when we sloshed through the doors of the next target on our list of the nation’s greatest biker cafés, The Filling Station in Keswick. Situated in the northern part of the beautiful Lake District, this small but perfectly formed eatery is at the heart of some great roads, with access to the both the North Pennines and Yorkshire Dales, as well has sitting at the head of the Lake District National Park. As the name suggests, the Filling Station used to be just that and the old forecourt provides perfect hard-standing for parking as well as a somewhere to eat al fresco, when the weather allows. The decor inside is…

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 for sportsbike evaluation, and Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground and the dyno for hard and fast data when needed. You want answers? We’ve got ’em. 1 Not your average naked Ben is studying the Aprilia Shiver. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one of these in the flesh before,” he says. The Shiver is a relatively rare sight on the UK’s roads. Unlike the MT-09, which is pretty common! “What’s with the exhausts?” he continues. Believe it or not, Shiver…

While restricted to 50mph for the majority of its length, the snaking B422 through the Cotswolds is smooth enough to allow you to forget the shock on the MT-09 and instead focus on flowing through the bends and letting that superb triple power you along the straights. Every now and then a crest in the road’s surface pops the front wheel a few inches in the air before the traction control brings it back down again, something that always makes you smile, and with the sun out it doesn’t get much more enjoyable. This relatively small section of road highlighted the differences between the Yamaha and the Aprilia because where I was having a whale of a time on the MT-09, behind me Shiver-mounted Ben was having a different riding…

‘Afterthe 650 the RR is arocketship’ The CBR650R is practical, forgiving, comfortable and generates a modest 94bhp. It is a brilliant road bike and ideal for commuting or even touring but anyone serious about riding on track would be better off looking elsewhere. And because of this and the absence now of a true supersport in Honda’s range, one bike keeps cropping up wherever I go: the late, lamented CBR600RR, as killed off at the end of 2016. So, to find out what everyone was on about, I borrowed one for a weekend blast around the Yorkshire Dales. A very different animal Going straight from 650 to the 600 makes the differences between the two immediately clear – especially the sportier riding position. The 600 is still quite roomy but…

‘I’ve had no problems in 17,500 miles’ People have all sorts of reasons for getting back into bikes, more disposable income, increased leisure time or even just to prove a point to themselves, but for #R5k member Jim Heynderickx his return to riding was more about necessity than desire - at least to begin with. “My US licence expired a year after I moved to the UK,” says Jim, “however I had no call to renew it until around five years ago when a family member became dependent on regular visits. I needed to travel 30 miles each way, four times a week and mostly at night, and the fastest (and cheapest) way to achieve that was to do my CBT and buy a 125.” After two years and 25,000…

Some of WSB’s top riders paid the price for poor grid positions in Portugal. While Sunday’s final race might have revealed that Jonathan Rea can be beaten, for most, the race had been lost on Saturday morning. According to the three-race format that was introduced this year, grid positions for Saturday’s Race 1 and Sunday’s Superpole Race are determined by qualifying times whereas the grid for Sunday’s final race reflects the top nine finishers from the Superpole Race. The rest of that grid lines up according to qualifying times. Portimao saw Alvaro Bautista qualify sixth, Michael van der Mark 10th, Chaz Davies 12th and Toprak Razgatlioglu 13th, saying: “Qualifying was very bad for me. Very bad.” In these circumstances it’s no surprise to see Rea line up on pole, make…

Alvaro Bautista injected a glimmer of hope into the World Superbike fight as he clinched his first victory for three months in Portugal. But despite this welcome return to form for the Ducati rider, Jonathan Rea placed one hand on the crown for what would be a record fifth time after three exemplary rides including two dominant wins. 2019 is proving to be one of WSB’s best-ever seasons. Rookie Bautista dominated the first 11 races but Rea’s phenomenal consistency paid off when his adversary began to crash regularly. Notwithstanding the agony of the shoulder injury the Spaniard sustained in America, Bautista won Sunday’s Race 2 by one tenth of a second to make it the closest finish of the year. But with Rea’s points lead now up to 91 putting…

Once again, British Superbikes has delivered and it’s showing no signs of relenting as we reach the crescendo. The 2019 Showdown includes five teams, four manufacturers, three debutants and two new teams. That said, it’s difficult to see anything other than a Ducati claiming the crown given the Panigale V4R’s rampant speed and the fact that the three riders on board the Bologna bullets are at the top of their game – but there's always the chance of an upset. Here’s how we rate the 2019 BSB title fighters. Josh Brookes Be Wiser Ducati After a disastrous start to 2019, Brookes has shown why he was 2015 champion by notching seven wins and five podiums. Except for a few exchanges in the press, he's also remained level-headed despite having a…

Sixth overall and a race winner in 2018, Bradley Ray was tipped by many to be a title challenger this season but has instead been a shadow of the rider he was. But at the last round at Cadwell Park he appeared to have turned the corner. The Buildbase Suzuki rider’s pace there wasn’t rewarded with results but at Oulton he ended the weekend with a brace of seconds as well as a fourth and was the only man to really mix it with the dominant Ducatis of Brookes, Redding and Bridewell. “The season hasn’t gone to plan at all and I haven’t been anywhere near as strong as what I wanted,” he said afterwards. “But we made a big step with the bike at Cadwell in terms of set-up…

A charity set-up to tackle kids using motorcycles anti-socially are preparing to host their largest-ever fundraising event, with live music, displays and a group rideout across the Yorkshire Dales. The Richmondshire Area Motorcycle Project (RAMP) was founded by former PCSO Kevin Mason in February 2006 following daily callouts to deal with young people riding motorcycles illegally on public land. “When we first started, we were getting called to an incident more or less every day,” Mason, 71, told MCN. “Within 12 months of starting RAMP, the number went down to zero.” Running around eight £40 courses a year, for four Saturdays of tuition, the project allows young people aged between 13 and 19 to ride either a Honda CRF125 or CRF110 semi-auto on private land, giving proper training and the…

Road racing lost one of its staunchest supporters with the sudden death of Wilson Craig. The businessman was a leading sponsor in the sport for over a decade, backing riders including Guy Martin, Keith Amor, Cameron Donald, William Dunlop, Jamie Hamilton, Derek McGee and David Johnson. Throughout his career, Craig was a loyal devotee of Honda machinery with ex-Honda Racing boss Neil Tuxworth leading the tributes. Tuxworth said: “We enjoyed a long association with Wilson. He was a lovely man and a good friend who did a tremendous amount for road racing, spending millions of his own money. Wilson’s death will be a massive loss.” The father of three came to prominence after joining forces with Gareth Robinson and Uel Duncan in 2005. Guy Martin, Cameron Donald and Keith Amor…

After a public vote the three Triumph Bobber Build-Off Challenge finalists have been announced as Laguna Ashford Triumph, Pure Triumph Wellingborough, Peterborough Triumph. Whittled down from 13, each bike has its own unique take bike. Laguna Ashford’s ‘The Drag Racer’ has a sculpted fairing to achieve a retro drag bike look complete with rearsets and slash-cut pipes. Pure Triumph Wellingborough decided to pay homage to the original 1938 Triumph 5T Speed Twin with their ‘A Pure Ed Turner’ design, including a front number plate mounted on the mudguard. Peterborough Triumph drew inspiration from their links to East Anglia for their bomber-themed Bob 01 design. The winner will be revealed at the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) in London on September 29. The judging panel consists of footballer and keen biker Ian…

Despite a last-minute downpour, major road closures and heavy traffic around 250 bikers turned out for Bike Night at M&P’s new multi-franchise bike and clothing superstore in Glynstell Park, Cardiff. The fledgling gathering has only been running for four months but is already proving a popular, attracting up to 500. Meriel East from Neath is a regular on her 1200 Sportster. “I belong to the Black Mountain HOG Chapter based at the Swansea branch and always try and support them. It’s a great opportunity to admire each other’s bikes and have a good time, plus it’s family-friendly – I have to toss a coin for which of my children comes as pillion.” •‘It’s a great opportunity to admire bikes’ With The Bay Rum Hounds playing and 6 Hub Barbers giving…

Over the years I’ve noticed more and more bikes from my youth being revived and I think it’s great. It’s a way of bringing back the heritage of a classic bike and it’s a way of re-living your youth. ‘TWO-STROKES CAN MEET THE REGS SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?’ Bikes like the Suzuki Katana are back. When I was a kid I couldn’t get enough of its freaky lines. Also things like the Norton Commando 961. I’ve actually got one of those in my collection and whenever I look at it I think how stylish it is. It’s been designed to make it look like it’s a pre-unit engine, it’s fuel injected, but it looks like it has carburettors. I like it. They are easy on the eye and they are…

The Shiver 900 is a grower of a motorcycle and where the MT-09 smacks you in the face with its amazing engine before leaving you frustrated by its poor suspension as you spend more time together, you steadily appreciate the Aprilia as the miles rack up. It is also great value with a smartphoneconnected colour dash, quality feel and excellent chassis; and all for £546 less than the MT-09. A lack of quickshifter is disappointing, the brakes need a bit more feel and where is the fuel gauge? Is it unfair to criticise the Aprilia’s V-twin for being too smooth? In truth it does make it feel a bit dull compared to the feisty Yamaha. And that’s the main problem with the Shiver; it’s a lovely bike, but a touch…

‘You take bends like you take them on the telly!’ ‘Riding on the road is very different to what I’m used to,” says Peter Hickman after a blast through the Lincolnshire Wolds near his home in Louth. “It feels very sedate – or at least that’s how it felt to me. I don’t know if it was…” No Peter, it wasn’t. We’ve pulled into a layby so Hicky can talk with Ryan Decarteret, a police-trained instructor with Rapid Training. The pair have been riding together all morning to discover if Ryan can help Hicky improve his road skills and it’s fascinating to see how much a blindingly-fast racer can learn from a hugely accomplished road rider – Ryan was a surveillance rider for the National Crime Agency for seven years.…

It could be that a mid-size naked offers all you need in a bike. Fuss-free nature gives grab-and-go, jacket ‘n’ jeans usability. Not having a fairing means the wind in your teeth, bugs in your hair feel that’s at the core of trad’ biking sensations. Low weight brings agility and corner-carving excitement, and they’re fast too – a Street Triple has a higher power-to-weight ratio than the original FireBlade. Best of all? They’re affordable... £3995 TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE 675cc |189kg |105bhp |805mm seat height • Dealer up to £5000 • Private up to £4500 • This one 2012, 13,000 miles We’re being specific, as you want a 2012 model. The original round-lamp Street Triple combined style and dynamic ability with the fun and enthusiasm of a Labrador puppy, and…

1 Go for quality parts Handlebar grips are one of the key interfaces between you and your bike. After a time, grips can degrade, show wear and even start to slip on the handlebar and so will need to be replaced. In choosing a replacement, you should opt to fit a standard original part or high-quality aftermarket alternative; cheap grips won’t last and will look shoddy too. 2 Take a weight off Remove the handlebar end weights, if your bike’s bars are fitted with them. These are usually fastened to the bar by means of an Allen bolt or crosshead screw. Undo them and make a note of how they located in the handlebar. Give them a quick clean and put them somewhere safe so that they’re ready for reassembly…

Resurgent French star Loris Baz says a shock rostrum is possible at his upcoming home round at Magny-Cours next month after narrowly missing out at Portimao. The former WSB race-winner for Kawasaki, now riding for the reformed Ten Kate Yamaha squad, overtook Pata Yamaha’s Michael van der Mark to grab sixth. It follows a test a fortnight ago when Yamaha experimented with a revised frame and updated suspension in an attempt to improve performance in hot, low grip conditions. ‘I’dlikeapodium. We’reshowingthe factoryteamswe’ll be there again’ “We were very strong in every session which doesn’t score points, unfortunately!” Baz smiled. “I still don’t have really good feeling with the qualifying tyre, so I crashed. I went from P4 to P15. I got to eighth in Race 1 but crashed again! The…

With a race win apiece, the Be Wiser Ducati pairing of Josh Brookes and Scott Redding again proved their championship credentials, with a spill for Brookes while leading the only downside to their weekend. The Australian won the first race at Oulton and, after being runner-up to his team-mate in the second, looked set to win the third as he started to edge away. However, he lost the front going into Shell Oils Corner on lap 10. ‘We are all riding hard and we are all pushing each other’ “Everything was going to plan until I unfortunately tipped off. It wasn’t the ideal way to end the weekend,” he recalled, bemused, afterwards. “We’ve looked at the data and I wasn’t doing anything different to the previous laps but we are…