Table of contents for 12 February 2020 in MCN

Don’t read too much into MotoGP testing, the cool-headed amongst us might say. Different fuel loads, data gathering and new parts, there are so many influencing factors at play that it’s usually pretty tough to make an early call on a favourite. However, the-boy-who-would-be-king Fabio Quartararo, with factory-spec metal beneath him for this season then a full-time spot with Lin Jarvis and co. next year, dominated all three days at last weekend’s Sepang test. Compare that to last year when Marquez, Vinales and Petrucci took turns at topping the daily timesheets. At the very least, it’s a strong statement of intent from the 20-year-old Frenchman. Yet, whoever it is that crosses the line first at Qatar in four weeks’ time, they’re certainly going to have a fight on their hands,…

With Norton Motorcycles in administration and a firm of experts sifting through the firm’s assets and records, more shocking stories have emerged from angered and out-of-pocket owners. MCN was contacted by Kenneth Lawrence, from Epsom in Surrey, who found out last week that his prized V4SS had been discovered completely stripped of its parts in Norton’s Donington Hall factory, after it was returned there in November to remedy pitted paintwork under warranty. In a phone call on January 21, just eight days before Norton was placed into administration, Norton assured Ken that the work to fix a problem with the £44,500 bike’s chrome paintwork and leaking fuel tank was progressing and his bike would be ready by late January or early February. However, the gut-wrenching truth was uncovered on January…

The carbon-clad Superleggera V4 is the lightest, most powerful production bike ever built by Ducati. Based on the 998cc V4 R it boasts a dry weight of just 152kg yet punches out 224bhp on the road rising to 235bhp with track-only Akrapovic exhaust. Just 500 will be made each costing an eye-watering €100,000 (£85,000). It’s also the first road bike with a full carbon-fibre frame and swingarm, saving 3.3kg over the V4 R’s alloy items. Its fairing is also carbon fibre, as is the base of the single-seat unit. Lead designer of Ducati’s V4 range Julien Clement, said: “With a bike like this you are really chasing the small grams, so each time you remove one screw, you’re improving the overall weight.” The Superleggera also gets topnotch suspension and brakes.…

BMW’s announcement that they’re fitting their 400cc+ bikes with a Datatool Stealth tracker as standard has re-awoken the debate on motorcycle security. The move lifts their bikes into the 4 Star category of the MCIA Secured anti-theft rating scheme which, they say, will also make insurance cheaper. But it also begs questions about the levels of security offered by other manufacturers. “We’re very pleased to announce the introduction of such innovative and capable tracking devices,” said BMW Marketing and PR Manager, Scott Grimsdall. “As well as helping to deter theft the devices also help reduce the cost of owners’ insurance.” But BMW aren’t the first manufacturer to offer trackers. Honda have been fitting Datatool TrakKINGs to new bikes since 2018. “We joined forces with Datatool, to improve theft-prevention,” said Honda’s…

Royal Enfield’s classic, air-cooled Bullet, which dates way back to 1931 as the longest running continuous production motorcycle in history, is finally being killed off and the Indian firm are paying tribute with this limited edition, built-to-order, ‘end of line’ special. The ‘Classic 500 Tribute Black’ is based on the fuel-injected, unit construction version of the single-cylinder engine introduced in 2007, which now fails to meet Euro5 so goes off-sale this year. But it’s going out with a bang. The Tribute’s based on the current £4699 Classic 500 complete with 27bhp motor and twin shock chassis beloved by classic fans, but gets an added dose of bling and exclusivity. The black livery is in a dual gloss/matt finish and set-off by hand-applied pin-striping. Each of the 1000 bikes being made…

Riding a stylised bike such as a cruiser should be an event that sticks in your mind, which is where the Diavel struggles and the Rocket 3 R excels. And it’s all down to that enormous motor. Every time you accelerate, the sheer grunt delivered by 2.5 litres of Hinckley muscle takes your breath away and when combined with the muscular riding position and overall feel of excess, it leaves a lasting impression. That’s not to say the Diavel isn’t a great bike – it’s a fantastic performance cruiser. But because its Testastretta V-twin is in other models it fails to be such an event. You can still have tremendous fun on the Diavel and its chassis is remarkably agile, but it doesn’t have the ‘Wow’ factor you get on…

Join the group Women riders can join the WRWR at their Facebook group, which will give a greater understanding on how the group works. Pick a leg The WRWR have covered over 80 countries and the website shows the routes covered and where the relay will be next. It’s not a race! It’s not all about speed, but the WRWR baton has to reach the end on time and the group can’t stop for a broken down bike. Ride the route During the route the baton is shared from rider to rider (with more than 3500 taking part) so that everyone can carry it on their bike at some point Tell everyone about it “There is such a thing post-WRWR withdrawal symptoms,” says Hayley, “because the ride can be so…

Renaming the Z1000SX the Ninja 1000SX makes a lot of sense. Zs are Kawasaki’s nakeds, while Ninjas are their sporty faired bikes – and it’s clear which side of the divide the 1000SX falls. If anything, it makes you wonder why it’s taken nine years and three updates since the original Z1000SX for it to switch families. But this isn’t just about a new sticker on the plastic. The Ninja 1000SX has also been updated both inside and out, from its exhaust to its electronics, from its screen to its seats and from its rubber to its rev counter. As Britain’s most popular Kawasaki for a decade and Europe’s overall biggest-selling sports-tourer, this is an update they simply couldn’t afford to get wrong... 1 Sitting comfortably The Ninja 1000SX comes…

This time of year depresses me: days are grey, nights are long and winter feels like it’s never going to end. There’s one ray of sunshine, though, my daily commute on the Yamaha XMAX 400 which brightens the gloom and never fails to bring a smile to my face. For the last couple of winters I’ve got to grips with the joys of owning a maxi-scoot as it’s a practical and cheap way to travel to work. Day-to-day it’s great: the under-seat storage eliminates the need to carry a rucksack and there’s enough space to hold gym kit, lunch and laptop. I’m also something of a prolific baker so can report there’s even space to fit a Victoria Sandwich, should the need arise… My commute is a mix of busy…

For some people it can take months of meticulous research to find the perfect machine, while for others it can simply be an impulse decision. MCN reader Laura Gavrila explains which method led her to become the proud owner of her current ride, a Benelli TRK 502. “Both my parents had bikes,” she says, “my father had a BMW outfit and my mother a Jawa, but it wasn’t until I moved to the UK from Romania that I decided to follow in their footsteps.” After completing her CBT she bought a Honda CBF125, which she owned until passing her full test six months later. “The person I sold my 125 to didn’t have a licence, so I rode it to them,” she continues. “My partner gave me a lift home…

It’s true that the current used market is chock full of bargains, but little matches the amazing value of a big, powerful and laugh-out-loud fast hyperbike. So much performance, engineering prowess and status, and yet with prices that make you rub your eyes in disbelief. These big bikes aren’t all about turning your brain to scrambled egg with crazy speed, either – the flexibility, ride quality and pillion-hauling capabilities mean they reward on every ride. £2000 KAWASAKI ZX-12R 1199cc |241kg |178bhp |843mm seat height • Dealer up to £6000 • Private up to £4000 • This one 2001, 38,000 miles First came the ZZ-R1100, then the Super Blackbird, followed by the Hayabusa. All hyperbikes designed to go bloody fast. Kawasaki took a different path with the ZX-12R, with a…

1 Arm yourself with the knowledge Cleaning or replacing your bike’s air filter is part of routine servicing and should happen at regular intervals as detailed in your owner’s manual. It’s a relatively simple job on most models, but be sure to check with a manual before you get started. Ensure that you understand the steps, have the right tools and are confident you can complete the task. 2 Pop off any bodywork The airbox containing the filter is often located under the bike’s petrol tank so you’ll need to remove this to gain access to the filter. On a lot of bikes it is often necessary to remove the seat first, as well as any sidepanels that extend along the length of the tank. Remove the rider’s seat pad…

It looks like KTM will be much nearer the front in 2020. Pol Espargaro ended up seventh overall, while test rider Dani Pedrosa set his quickest-ever lap of Sepang to be ninth. The team worked on several key areas including a new swingarm and chassis and the KTM was also one of the fastest bikes, posting 204.5mph on Day 3. “We feel ready, we’ve never been so ready as we are now,” said Espargaro. “We have been super competitive, and the bike feels good. Honestly, I’m impressed.”…

•‘I cannot do 20 laps so I must suffer now to be ready to race’ Marc Marquez and the Honda RC213V sent a clear signal at Sepang: despite rivals grabbing the headlines they remain the most feared combination in MotoGP. The eight-times world champion’s focus at the test was on his long and painful rehab from the shoulder surgery undertaken in December. Now, just a month before the season opener in Qatar, Marquez admitted to still having only “60% strength in the deltoid muscle” of his right shoulder. That, along with a lack of feel from the Honda’s front-end, which remains a vexing issue for Honda engineers, continues to mask the Spaniard’s true level. But those handicaps were comprehensively overcome in the heat and humidity of Sepang on the final…

Fabio Quartararo delivered a fast and flawless show to justify his upgrade to factory status at Sepang. And it was perfect timing after Yamaha’s ‘no-brainer’ deal to lockup Quartararo’s future by signing him to race a factory spec M1 in 2020 for his satellite Petronas SRT squad before a move to the official factory team for 2021 and 2022 alongside Maverick Viñales. Quartararo’s superiority across the three-day test was, quite simply, unstoppable as he made the transition to the 2020 factory Yamaha YZR-M1 look easy. But the 20-year-old Frenchman has a finely-tuned race brain and readily admitted afterwards that a focus solely on lap times will not deliver race wins. His adaptation to the faster factory engine, electronics set-up, braking and acceleration balance plus improved grip of the latest Michelin…

‘Get ready to have your head torn from your shoulders’ Rip the fairing off a sports bike missile, maybe dial down the power a tad (or not) and get ready to have your head torn from your shoulders. There are some very serious contenders for the super-naked heavyweight title in 2020. Ducati looked to have it all wrapped with the ridiculous Panigale V4 Streetfighter then along came Kawasaki with the supercharged Z H2. And there are plenty more where that came from. Prepare to be amazed… KEY FACTS • 1103cc V4• 208bhp @ 12,750rpm• 90.4ftlb @ 11,500rpm• 176kg (dry)• From £17,595…

“I know,” someone high up in KTM said in a meeting once. “The bike known as The Beast needs a bit more power!” The 2020 1290 Super Duke R has 177bhp on tap (up from 174), while the 189kg dry weight is 6kg lighter than last year’s model. The tank is smaller with capacity down from 18 to 16 litres. Hold on tight! STAND M1 KEY FACTS • 1301cc• 177bhp @ 9750rpm• 103ftlb @ 8000rpm• 189kg (dry)• £15,699…

Venue details The Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show ExCeL London, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL Show times Ticket prices You can purchase your tickets on arrival at ExCeL, or online at www.mcnmotorcycleshow.com – allowing you to beat the box office queues on the day. Ticket prices available online and on the door… Paddock Passes Paddock Pass holders should make their way to the Paddock area 30 mins prior to the Michelin Thunderdrome performance selected at point of purchase. The Paddock is an extension to the Michelin Thunderdrome, situated at the centre of the show. Paddock passes allow access to the paddock area for 30 minutes after the Michelin Thunderdrome show, they are non-transferable, only valid for the day/time stated on the ticket and should be…

With usable power and manageable proportions, mid-sized nakeds are, for many, a viable alternative to a sportsbike. And this year sees some tempting tools: there’s Triumph’s all-new Street Triple RS with a raft of updates using lessons learnt in Moto2; KTM have enlarged their Duke to 890 while Kawasaki have given their Z900 a tickle, too. What’s more, the price tags on many are incredibly competitive. KEY FACTS • 765cc• 121bhp @ 11,750rpm• 58ftlb @ 9350rpm• 166kg (dry)• £10,300…

Multiple world travel record-holder, Nick Sanders MBE, is currently heading through the Americas on his ‘Moments’ global circumnavigation, his 10th – but this time with a difference. Unlike previous trips which involved speed or big distances, Sanders is this time doing more off-road riding, meeting more people and is exploring the abilities of the new Yamaha Ténéré 700 as he goes. “This photo was in Death Valley and an area I think I wasn’t supposed to go down so I did,” Sanders said this week by way of an example. “It was a dirt road and what I’ve learnt about the Ténéré is it can go anywhere. I didn’t know what I was doing properly, because my head wasn’t into the travel zone at that point so I just got…

Motorcycles are so much more than just a way of getting from A to B and many #ride5000miles members say bikes have helped tackle mental health issues. “I found going out on the bike really relaxing,” #ride5000miles member, Andrew Steadman, 53, told MCN. “You have to concentrate on what you are doing.” It seems that riding a bike offers escapism and a chance to challenge your mental and physical ability; the ideal tool for leaving behind stress. “You have to clear your mind,” Andrew continued. “If I’ve had a long day, I will actually make my commute home on the bike longer, in order to decompress.” Such claims were substantiated by a 2018 study conducted by researchers from UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, in California, in conjunction…

YAMAHA FIZZY My FS1-E SS in candy gold. Pictured in 1979, Hastings. It was bought for £120 the previous year. Jonathan Rudd 1980 YAMAHA RD400E No pictures of me and my Suzuki AP50 (first bike), but hopefully this photo of me and my 1980 RD400E will do. Ian Hughes KAWASAKI KH200 At 17 I upgraded from my first road bike – a nifty Suzuki AP50 – to the mighty Kawasaki KH250 two-stroke you see here. Simon SUZUKI GS750 And here is my brother Steve, pictured with his slighty bigger Suzuki GS750. Jonathan Rudd YAMAHA PW50 Baz and Rob at Cadwell Park in 1985 on their PW50 – great fun. They’ve both got their full licences now. Cliff Briggs HONDA C70 My field bike with its JPS colourscheme. From left: Me,…

• 250-MILE ROAD TEST • THE BEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK If there’s one bike which continues to set the benchmark for the performance cruiser it’s surely the Ducati Diavel. Once the very thought of Ducati making a cruiser seemed as likely as Ferrari building a people carrier, but the Diavel is a performance cruiser with the emphasis firmly on performance. It’s full of the company’s racing DNA. But this year it faces some stiff competition in the shape of the all- new Triumph Rocket 3 R. Taking the gloriously excessive Rocket III as a base, for 2020 Triumph have completely re-imagined their monster cruiser making it lighter, sharper and with even more power. But can a 2.5-litre bike ever hope to match Ducati’s nimble Diavel? Time for the MCN250…

Diavel’s TFT dash as it is a ‘mini-me’ of the usual Ducati one. It’s fairly clear with gear indicator, revs and speed taking prominence and the fuel gauge nice and bold, however it is set quite low, although a separate display of ‘idiot lights’ are helpfully higher set. The Rocket has a large dash with its display dominated by a digital tacho needle. Gear indicator and speed are central and easy to read, although the fuel gauge etc that’s around the side of it is a little small and tricky to read while on the go. TRIUMPH TRIUMPH SWITCHGEAR Like other Triumphs, Rocket has big, clear buttons with joystick access to the menu on the dash alongside a mode button and cruise control. DUCATI DUCATI SWITCHGEAR The Diavel uses Ducati’s…

•‘I really wanted to travel on my bike with other female riders’ In less than four weeks, 28-year-old Hayley Bell managed to create a global community of over 10,000 women riders spanning 80 countries. Based on the ethos that female riders can be strong role models to promote courage, unity and passion for biking, through her work setting up the 2019 Women Riders World Relay (WRWR) she has been inspiring women the world over to stand up and be counted. The impact of the WRWR and its instant success in attracting a huge community has demonstrated to the motorcycle industry as a whole that the female motorcycle market is a force to be reckoned with. In recognition of her work, Hayley has just been named the AMA Motorcyclist of the…

For many, Triumph’s Tiger 800 was the ideal adventure bike; lighter and more manageable than larger-capacity models, but still capable of big distances, daily commuting or light trail duties. Since the 800’s launch in 2010 Triumph have made 85,000 of them. It was significantly revamped in 2014 and 2018, but this time round they started from scratch. The new 900 is a completely fresh motorcycle. The design brief meant it needed to be more agile, but more stable too. More powerful, but lighter. Better on and off-road, more comfortable, with longer range, reduced servicing costs, better equipment and a wider range of accessories. That’s quite a wish list. There are five models in the new range; the basic version (£9500), the GT (£11,100) and the GT Pro (£12,800) have cast…

MCN road race reporter and photographer Stephen Davison has spent his career photographing racing at the Isle of Man TT, North West 200, Ulster Grand Prix and Macau. Although he’s covered thousands of road racing events over the last 30 years, he’s been a no-show on the MotoGP scene. In fact the last GP he photographed was at Donington in 2000 where a 21-year-old Valentino Rossi won his first 500 race. In 2006 he went to Le Mans as a spectator, but having got so used to the thrilling in-your-face experience of events like the TT, he was left completely underwhelmed by the huge distance he was away from the action. And he hasn’t been back to a GP since... until now. It’s more than 40 years since the Isle…

SORT ME OUT PLEASE! Have you got a hole in your riding skills? MCN provides the expert help to fix it HOW TO SMOOTHLY NEGOTIATE A T-JUNCTION 1. MIRROR Before committing to any manoeuvre, check mirrors. The movement of your head may also alert fellow motorists. 2. SIGNAL Use your indicators. It can take at least three flashes for drivers to notice, so give them plenty of warning. 3. ANGLE IN Adjust your position for when you reach the give way line, angled slightly left or right depending which way you want to go. 4. IN CONTROL Balance the clutch, throttle and rear brake, so that you’re ready to pull out or stop as the situation dictates. 5. LOOK RIGHT Immediate danger is always to the right, so check that…

Aleix Espargaro dared to dream of the podium potential of the new and impressively fast Aprilia RS-GP at the Sepang test. The Spaniard could not hide his excitement after completing a highly competitive race simulation on the totally redesigned bike just two weeks after it was built. “If the Sepang race was now I think I could fight for the podium based on this competitive race simulation,” he told MCN. “Maybe I’m too motivated but to do fast laps at a circuit that is difficult for us is a great feeling. I did the strongest race simulation of 12 laps, better than the Ducatis and Quartararo (Yamaha), even though we lose two to three tenths in the fourth sector. “But we now need to try the bike at another track…

A cursory look at the time sheets may suggest that Maverick Viñales had a shocker at the MotoGP test at Sepang this week but the truth is quite the opposite. Yamaha’s new No.1 languished way down in 16th place, albeit only half a second off the pace. But closer analysis reveals that the 25-year-old Spaniard will actually be departing Malaysia as one of the most satisfied riders on the MotoGP grid due to his benchmark-setting race pace and consistency. On the final, third day Viñales completed an astonishing 83 laps. While his total over the test was 201 – more than anyone else. •‘He completed the longest race run of all, lapping in the 1min 59s’ He also completed the longest race run of all (17 laps), consistently lapping in…

Ducati’s super-naked stunner is powered by the same engine as the superbike Panigale V4 range and produces a monster 208hp alongside a punchy 90.4ftlb of torque. When fitted with a full Akrapovic racing exhaust system (track only) it’s capable of producing around 217bhp against a dry weight of 170kg. The Streetfighter also features biplane wings, producing 28kg of downforce at 270kph (168mph). If you opt for the standard version, you get fully adjustable 43mm Showa Big Piston Forks and a fully adjustable Sachs rear shock but both stock and S versions are fitted with Ducati’s latest electronics package, meaning a 6-axis IMU, cornering ABS, traction, slide, wheelie, launch and engine braking control plus the latest up-and-down quickshifter. Instead, the differences between the two can be found in their different suspension…

‘Parrish and Ogbourne will share their insights into Barry’s career’ In a special tribute to one of the greatest and best-loved bike racers of all time MCN have teamed up with Michelin, the Sheene family and Suzuki GB to bring you the greatest display of Barry Sheene machines the UK has ever seen. This unique collection includes nine genuine ex-Sheene GP bikes including two world championship bikes and Barry’s very first GP racer, an exquisite 1967 125cc Suzuki twin. The collection also includes three of Barry’s Yamaha grand prix machines from the early eighties. These machines are exclusive to the Carole Nash MCN London show so make sure you don’t miss your chance to see them. Alongside this jaw-dropping collection of Sheene bikes, we’re also inviting along two motorcycling greats…

BMW’s new ‘middleweight XR’ is aimed directly at Yamaha’s popular Tracer 900 but has the new, F800-derived twin what it takes to topple the best-selling triple? Capacity is up to 895cc pushing peak power to 105bhp. There’s all the electronics we expect from BMW including two riding modes and a 4.3in full colour TFT dash and there’s also the option for BMW’s latest ESA, cornering ABS, keyless ignition and more. STAND M11 KEY FACTS • 895cc parallel twin• 105bhp @ 8500rpm• 68ftlb @ 6500rpm• 219kg (kerb)• £9825…

Triumph have taken their Thruxton café racer to a whole new level for 2020 with the new, rip-snorting RS. It may be 13 grand, but check it out at the show and you’ll realise that it’s a true thing of beauty while, riding-wise, it seriously impressed MCN Chief Road Tester Michael Neeves at its recent launch. And if £13K is a little steamy, check out the latest CCM Spitfire Stealth or even Honda’s brilliantly affordable Rebel 500 which both go to show that retros and customs aren’t all about ‘show’ – they’ve got some impressive ‘go’, too. STAND M25 KEY FACTS • 1200cc• 103bhp @ 7500rpm• 83ftlb @ 4850rpm• 200kg (dry)• £13,000…

•‘Back on top of the sportsbike pile after years in the wilderness’ Honda have really upped the ante in 2020 by bringing out a radically-improved new Fireblade. But big updates to the Yamaha R1 and the Ducati Panigale V4 as well means Big H won’t get everything its own way. And if you like your sportsbikes with a few less cc, the Panigale V2 also gets a fettle, while MV’s Superveloce offers something with a bit more style that may suit those looking for something with a retro twang! In fact, there’s plenty of high performance hardware at the London show to get your juices flowing! KEY FACTS • 999.9cc• 215bhp @ 14,500rpm• 83.3ftlb @ 12,500rpm• 201kg (kerb)• £19,999 (SP: £23,499)…

This retro-styled MV blends power and style in a stunning-looking package. The Superveloce has an F3 engine retuned for more mid-range plus there’s eight-way traction control, riding modes and an up-and-down quickshifter to ensure seamless progress. There’s also a ‘Serie Oro’ version available (for around £24,000) with a triple-exit race exhaust boosting power to 151bhp. Just 300 will be made. The trellis frame is also from the F3, both models get a 5in TFT screen while the Serie Oro also gets an anti-theft tracking function as well. STAND M33 KEY FACTS • 798cc• 145bhp @ 13,000rpm• 85ftlb @ 10,600rpm• 173kg (dry)• £17,250…

• 321cc • twin cylinder • 41.4bhp @ 10,750rpm • 21.8ftlb @ 9000rpm • 168kg (kerb) • £5197 Yamaha have given the MT-03 its first major update since its launch in 2016, so is well worth a look. Based on the fully-faired YZF-R3 sportster (updated in 2019), the 2020 MT-03 gets the same dash and suspension but with the tubular steel frame and 321cc twin carried over from the original. There’s new LED lights and a slightly more aggressive riding position, so it’s definitely worth checking out. STAND M7…

After predicting its arrival last week, we can now fully reveal Triumph’s significantly updated 2020 Street Triple R. The ‘mid-spec’ version of its hugely-popular 765cc streetfighter is now better-looking, has improved performance and is cheaper, too – by a welcome £400! Having launched updated versions of the entry-level Street Triple S and top-spec Street Triple RS late last year, a matching new R had long been anticipated. Like those previous iterations, the new R gets a more distinctive face for 2020, thanks to revised LED headlights, sportier bodywork, a revised stubby silencer complete with Triumph badge plus restyled mirrors, new paint and graphics. Two colours will be available: gloss sapphire black or matt ‘silver ice’ grey, both with the R’s characteristic contrasting red subframe. Also like the S and RS,…

After reading about Stewart Campbell in last week’s issue, who paid the full £44,500 asking price up front for a V4SS he never received, MCN reader John Phillips, 52 from Bedfordshire, got in touch to say he is in the same position. He said: “I’ve lost the full amount after being asked for final payment in December 2018, upon the assurance that my bike would be ready in January 2019.” John describes the buying process as like being taken on a journey, as he was regularly given exciting updates and tempting offers to keep him engaged. He said: “From the moment you put your deposit down there’d be little updates and emails about the next step. It was so exciting, not just for me but the whole family too. This…

A new, special-edition Fat Boy to calebrate 30 years of Harley’s fat-tyred cruiser, plus a fully-blinged up version of the Road Glide bagger have been announced as mid-year additions to H-D’s 2020 model line-up. There will be just 2500 Fat Boy 30th Anniversary models made to mark the birth of the bike which went on to become one of the best-known Harleys of all – not least due to its role in Terminator 2 when Arnold Schwarzenegger rode it in some style! With its signature solid disc, fat-tyred wheels (now with a whopping 240-section hoop on the rear) plus beefy Milwaukee Eight 114 cubic inch V-twin, the Fat Boy is famous for being the fattest and brashest of Harley’s cruisers and this Anniversary edition also features a special black livery,…

Norton lost control of finances What a shame Norton find themselves in such a position. They appear to have lost control of their finances and in my opinion have ignored the basic principles of business. These being: don’t run before you can walk and never use customers’ money as cash-flow until you are 100% certain their orders can be fulfilled. Add to this the debacle over pension funds and the shady characters who were active within it, and you can only guess that someone was willing to allow all of this to happen for their own benefit. Maybe Norton should have followed John Bloor’s lead with Triumph and slowly but surely built a manufacturing company that Britain can be proud of. Ty Jackson, email Dommie problems I have a Norton…

It’s been mega seeing all the new MotoGP bikes out in Sepang this week. I love it when testing starts because it means we’ve got over that rubbish bit of the weather, life is kicking in and everyone is going riding again. It’s the first time we get to see who’s doing what, who’s got what and who has left no stone unturned in their training and fitness preparations over the winter. ‘IT’S THE FIRST TIME WE GET TO SEE WHO’S DOING WHAT’ But saying all that, you can never read too much into the Sepang test because it’s the first test of the year and it’s a funny track. It’ll be cold in the morning and everyone goes like hell, then it’s red hot in the afternoon so they…

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 Making a statement Parked up at Oundle, there is no denying both cruisers turn heads with the massive Rocket 3 R dwarfing the sportier-looking and more compact Diavel. The R model Rocket 3 is £700 less than the more touring-targeted GT. The Diavel tested here is the S, which is £3000 more than…

Fish Hill, out of Broadway on the A44, perfectly demonstrates the differences between these two performance cruisers and gave me the biggest grin of the day. On the Diavel, I knew the sportier-handling and lighter Duke could out-brake and out-turn Bruce on the long, heavy Rocket 3. I also knew club racer Bruce wouldn’t give up easily. With this in mind I went around the outside on the tight 30mph dual carriageway corner that leads up Fish Hill and, sure enough, he took the bait, waiting until he had turned the Triumph and then using its huge torque as he easily out-dragged the Duke up the incline. At the next corner I showed him a front wheel again on the brakes and almost made it around the outside until he…

“Although I’ve spent a career photographing ‘between the hedges’ I’ve never lost interest in the exploits of Valentino Rossi and co. and occasionally I’ve witnessed the two worlds coming together when MotoGP world champions such as Rossi, Nicky Hayden and Jorge Lorenzo visited the TT. “But as an admirer of Marc Marquez, I wanted to watch him racing at his home event, the Aragon MotoGP. “It turned out to be a good weekend for Marquez who was 1.6 seconds faster than anyone else in FP1 and went on to win the race, but I couldn’t help thinking he wouldn’t last long at the TT with his totally committed approach! “It was obvious that the riders and machines competing at Aragon are at the cutting edge of motorcycle sport. “The MotoGP…

RATINGS POOR ★ AVERAGE ★★ GOOD ★★★ VERY GOOD ★★★★ EXCEPTIONAL ★★★★★ Cardo Packtalk Bold £319.99 Tested by Richard Newland for 8 months, 9500 miles I’ve never been keen on listening to music, talking on the phone, or being audio linked to a pillion or other riders – but this is the first unit to convince me of the merits. The Packtalk Bold is small enough to be unobtrusive, the battery life is excellent (and you can charge as you ride), and once you’ve come to terms with all the functionality it’s largely easy to use, too. The sound quality from the 40mm JBL speakers is excellent (if a little too quiet), and the voice command system (post upgrade to ‘English UK’) works very well. Connection (Cardo to bike and…

Ducati look to have some work to do to adapt to the new specification soft rear tyre from Michelin with both Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci struggling to understand the new compound at Sepang. Dovizioso ended the test in 15th overall and also suffered an uncharacteristic crash on Day 2, losing the front at turn six. The Italian’s fastest time came on the harder rear tyre and, despite some improvement on the last day, he said he still doesn’t feel comfortable on the new soft. “The confidence is not that good,” Dovizioso said. “The tyre is a bit strange so it’s going to take time. I have a big question mark with the drop of the tyres because when you do 2-4 runs and split them up into four or…

Alex Rins displayed the strengths of the 2020 Suzuki over both a single lap and full race distance in Sepang. The two-time MotoGP winner was third overall with a personal best lap-time of the circuit and also completed two seven-lap runs, with every lap in the 1:59s. He also completed 58 sub two-minute laps, the third highest of the entire test. Teammate Joan Mir was equally as impressive in race simulations and ended 11th overall. Both also tested new parts including chassis and aero updates while working on their setups with the brand-new Michelin rear tyre.…

It’s an image we never thought we’d see: Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo working together to improve the Yamaha M1. This was the scene at Sepang, with Lorenzo advising Rossi in the Yamaha garage. “He actually acted as an extra coach for me,” Rossi said. “He gave me advice and showed me certain trajectories. Having Jorge in the garage and on the track is important. It’s strange seeing him in street clothes while I’m in a race suit, but it’s cool and I can see he’s really focused on what he’s doing.” Rossi ended the test fifth overall, with his first-ever 1:58 lap at Sepang.…

The live action show has been thrilling showgoers with wheel-to-wheel and shoulder-to-shoulder racing for the past three years and for 2020 we’re taking the action up a couple of notches with a new course and some blisteringly fast road racers signed up. After a couple of years away from the Michelin Thunderdrome, John McGuinness is back in the action. The 23-time TT winner has never ridden the banked Thunderdrome and is looking forward to rubbing elbows with road racing rivals Michael Rutter, Peter Hickman and James Hillier. He told MCN: “I’m so looking forward to it. That berm looks mental and the new course should make the racing even closer.” Inspired by the spectacular all-wooden board track race circuits of the early 1900s, the Michelin Thunderdrome features steep wooden banking…

Triumph’s new Tiger 900, in all five forms, gets its first public outing at the London Show. Though based on the old Tiger 800 it’s been completely redesigned and has its sights firmly set on being king of the jungle in 2020. The now 900 triple (actually 888cc) sees peak torque rise to 64ftlb from 58ftlb. Power remains at 94bhp but is delivered lower in the rev range, giving a more meaningful mid-range punch. There’s also a new firing order which adds character and is also claimed to aid traction on and off-road. ‘It has its sights firmly set on being the king of the jungle in 2020’ The bikes’ new modular frame and bolt-on rear subframe are lighter than that of the previous 800, giving a total weight-saving of…

While the Triumph Thruxton R was good, the new 2020 Thruxton RS is even better. Adding 32-spoke wheels, sleek exhausts and a significant chassis upgrade to the already brilliant R, the RS just got seriously tempting. Now fully Euro5 compliant, the 1200cc parallel twin has been fettled to produce an extra 7.9bhp (now 103.5bhp). It weighs 6kg less than the R and gets higher-spec Brembo M50 radial monobloc calipers complete with 320mm floating discs. While styling tweaks include new black, powder-coated engine, cam and sprocket covers plus black anodised wheels. It looks the nuts in the flesh – so go and see for yourself!…

The 2020 Classic TT will be holding its official launch at the show with special guests, race bike displays and daily chat shows. Star guests include John McGuinness, Michael Rutter, James Hillier and Jamie Coward (who will be appearing in the Michelin Thunderdrome, see p7) and as a special guest on Friday, 2019 TT Supersport winner Lee Johnston. The Classic TT is a celebration of the very best riders in the sport on exotic machinery, riding one of the world’s most challenging road circuits. This is a chance to hear from the riders why the event is so special to them and what to expect from the racing this summer. The launch will be race fans’ first opportunity to purchase Official Classic TT Event and Experience tickets as well as…

• 650cc • 60bhp@9000rpm • 43ftlb @7000rpm • 225kg (kerb) • £5799 With backlit switchgear, colour dash and LED lights all for under £6k, the Chinese-built CFMoto 650GT has proved it can cut it compared to more expensive Japanese rivals. The GT has two power modes, petal front discs and manually-adjustable screen. It’s 30kg heavier than a Tracer 700 and 33kg more than a Ninja 650 and you feel most of the bulk moving it around at walking pace. But it’s manageable around town and it doesn’t adversely affect its handling. Check it out before dismissing it as cheap and nasty Chinese-built bike. It’s far from nasty! STAND M30…