Table of contents for 24 June 2020 in MCN

If your perfect biking holiday involves raucous enjoyment on a 1290 Super Duke R then you’ll be pleased to hear that luggage specialists Ventura have released a version of their Evo Bike Pack system for the orange monster. With the kit fitted you’ve got up to 60 litres of storage to play with and the whole lot can be whipped off in seconds if you fancy. A rack and fitting kit costs £205.19, while a 60-litre bag will set you back another £199 – more info at ventura-bike.co.uk.…

Richa Atlantic Gore-Tex Jacket £500 ‘Waterproof and versatile too’ With a 30% saving, this Gore-Tex lined, textile jacket is well worth a look. MCN put it through its paces on a year-long test and worn in all weather conditions it proved to be fully waterproof and versatile thanks to decent venting. On warm days, the large mesh chest vent, which is secured in place by magnets, allows a decent airflow. There’s a removable thermal liner well-placed and generously sized waterproof pockets while CE-approved armour dials up the protection. The only niggle is that it can be a little draughty around the cuffs in winter. This offer applies to the grey jacket (the black version is slightly more expensive at £585). w w w.xlmoto.co.uk HJC CS-15 Spiderman helmet £74.99…

HONDA CJ125 On my first bike in 1976, a Honda CJ125. Still riding my Honda CB750 I bought in 1981 and a Street Triple. George Munro YAMAHA YAS1 In 1971 aged 16 I was travelling by bus/train/foot so nagged my parents into letting me have a motorcycle. Alfonso Lygo BULTACO 350 This was dragged out of a hedge on the farm where I was living. It was perfect for going up and down the track to my house. Kathy Horniblow SUZUKI GT50 A proud 16-year-old in 1979 with my new Suzuki GT50. I now ride a Triumph Speed Triple which is white too! Trevor Gynn BSA My late father Terry and mum Janet on what I think is a BSA. It got an outfit bolted on when I arrived! Mark…

It’s been a long time coming for KTM’s smallest Adventure. Roughly six seconds after the addictively rorty, naughty 390 Duke was launched way back in 2013, imaginations started running wild. What if the Austrian dirt experts could take that same lightweight, approachable and addictively engaging recipe, but mix in several scoops of unmatched off-road expertise? The result could be everything from an everyman enduro, like a modern-day Suzuki DR-Z400S, to the starting point for a rugged rally replica, like a more affordable version of CCM’s GP450. Seven years, several spy shots and countless premature headlines later, the 390 Adventure has finally arrived. But in the meantime, someone else got on the scene first. Royal Enfield’s Himalayan landed on European shores in early 2018 and swiftly carved out a cult following…

‘What kind of adventure do you want?’ Judged as road bikes, KTM’s new 390 wins hands-down. The Adventure is so much faster, lighter, more sophisticated and, most of all, so much more fun. It might be a little more expensive than the Himalayan, but that £1100 difference is completely justified when you compare the spec of the two bikes, from the KTM’s superior-quality suspension to its 21st-century technology. With almost twice the power – not to mention brakes that can stop by 2020 standards – the 390 has a night-and-day dynamic edge. But when it comes to which is the better adventure bike, that’s where things get tougher. Because the one that’d make life easier when the off-roading got rougher and tougher, and the one that you might stand a…

1980 EARLY DAYS “I’d have given anything to be a motorcycle journo and then The Biker came along. I went to an interview and about three months later the phone rang and they said ‘We need you’.” 1982 JOINS BIKE “I was Road Test Editor at The Biker which I managed to do without cocking up too often. In 1982, Bike asked me to join and I thought I’d achieved my ambition. Life cannot get any better!” 1989 FIRST TV WORK “Eurosport asked me in to help out. At that time the commentators didn’t know anything about bikes, so I was handing notes saying things like ‘No, Palazzese is Venezuelan not Italian’.” 1993 WSB BIG TIME “Sky picked up this thing called WSB, threw the full panoply of modern TV…

“Think about it, what is the single greatest safety feature on any bike? We all might think it’s the latest cornering ABS or traction control, but really it’s us! I passed my test over 30 years ago and always regarded myself as a very good, confident rider. However, last year I was knocked off my bike in a hit-and-run incident and it knocked my confidence a little. Wanting to get back some of that confidence, I’ve recently undergone advanced training for the first time, and now I’m of the opinion that it’s the most sound investment that you can make when it comes to motorcycling. “Any rider, regardless of experience, will take something away from an assessed ride or advanced course. No matter what your experience, ability, or how much…

2018-current Yamaha Tracer 900 GT For a £1400 premium, the GT gets colour-matched panniers, a full-colour dash, heated grips, cruise control and a quickshifter. And that’s on top of the two-stage traction control, ABS and three power modes. 2018-current Yamaha Tracer 900 Fully adjustable KYB suspension, two-stage traction control, ABS and switchable power modes. The seat and screen have been improved. Both rider and pillion riding positions also tweaked for more comfort. 2015-2017 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer Bikini fairing, two-way adjustable screen, larger tank, centrestand, plus fuelling and suspension tweaks were added to the MT-09 platform to create a genuinely genius sports tourer. 2014-present Yamaha MT-09 Triple cylinder naked designed to rival Triumph’s all-conquering Street Triple. The all-new 850cc motor was fun and flexible, if a little blighted by snatchy fuelling…

If you’ve not ridden for a while, make sure you check your bike over before that first ride. Check your lights, ensure your tyres are in good condition and correctly inflated, and that your suspension is leak-free and working as it should. Clean, lube and adjust your chain – or inspect your belt or shaft drive if you’re chain-free. Make sure your engine oil level is spot-on and give your engine, brakes and fuel system a proper once-over. Make sure your mind and body are ready, too. That first burst of acceleration or set of corners will be an assault on your senses after a few months sat on the sofa. Take it easy on that first ride out.…

Shoei Ryd £299.99 An enormously understated helmet whose plain colourschemes and simple round shell shape do little to shout about the quality, comfort and value beneath. Composite shell keeps weight down to a very impressive 1336g – though that’s also, in no small part, down to the fact that the Ryd doesn’t have a drop-down sun visor. But if you can live without one of those, this lid is fantastic. It feels a premium product inside and out, with an excellent quick-change visor system, a Pinlock in the box and a plush lining. Venting – two inlets on the forehead and one on the chin, plus two exhausts at the rear – are very effective. It’s delightfully quiet and scores a perfect five stars in Sharp’s safety tests, which is…

Pressure gauge Every biking home should have a trusted gauge; I still prefer the analogue type. Check the tyre pressure at the earliest opportunity when you’ve made a repair. Pliers Pliers are ideal for removing nails and screws – the usual suspects when it comes to punctures. A small set of pliers should form part of a basic biking toolkit that you always carry with you. The Oxford Toolkit Pro is ideal (£29.99). Aerosol sealant kit These are self-contained, fairly cheap (less than £10) and easy to use, but you will need to have a bit of extra capacity to carry with you all of the time. Plug kit This Grypp kit fits under a seat or the bottom of a rucksack. Expect to pay around £20. Kits for small…

While most new bikes that come to market are an evolution of the outgoing model, the 2020 Fireblade is completely new. “There are a few nuts and bolts that are the same!” smiles Beltran. “But everything is different swingarm, engine, linkage, airbox, fairing – so much of it is derived directly from the RCV. We had for previous model for nearly 10 years and we knew it inside out, where as this is brand-new and we have a lot to learn and a lot to understand.”…

The new era John McGuinness celebrates his first TT victory – after winning the Lightweight in 1999. He has since gone on to score 23 TT victories and there could be more to come when racing returns to the Island in summer 2021 Staying grounded James Hillier’s Quattro Plant Kawasaki scrapes its fairing as the suspension compresses over Ballaugh Bridge during the 2015 TT. The Hampshire-based rider has so far taken one TT victory with the 2013 Lightweight The DJ years Seen here during the 1999 TT, David Jefferies became the first rider to take three wins for three years in succession at the TT. A big man and a massive character, it’s no surprise that he was one of the sport’s most popular faces Taking stock 2003 Formula 1…

Neil Tuxworth – Honda Racing Team Manager I was working with Joey in the workshop the night before the race. He wasn’t a great talker but I remember him working on his 125 and 250 late into the night. Joey had a really good relationship with Bob McMillan who was General Manager at Honda UK and he put in an official request to HRC to get some assistance and we then got the go ahead to supply a factory World Superbike engine, swingarm and suspension parts. Before he was on kit stuff, but this was full factory. I was race team manager so with Colin Edwards in WSB we’d ironed out all the problems with the bike, he won WSB that year, so we were able to use a lot…

HUTCHINSON’S DOUBLE RACE WINS The number of times Ian Hutchinson has won the same two races (Supersport 1 and Superstock) on the same day (2009, 2010, 2015 and 2016) NEWCOMERS OVER 125MPH LAP The number of newcomers to the TT that have now lapped at more than 125mph. The first was Steve Plater during the 2007 Senior race. Only four more newcomers have achieved this feat – Peter Hickman, Davey Todd, Josh Brookes and the late Simon Andrews TOP TEN FASTEST LAPS TOP TEN FASTEST RACES MOUNTAIN COURSE WINS BY NATIONALITY (1995-2020) FASTEST LAPS RECORDED The number of fastest laps recorded by John McGuinness since 1995. This is the record, followed by Michael Dunlop with 17 NON-ENGLISH SPE AKING Since 1995, just one non-English speaking rider has stood on…

Michael Dunlop 19 wins in the last 25 years Still only 31 Michael Dunlop has been winning at the TT for a decade. As part of the Dunlop dynasty, Michael has carved his own path but like his father Robert and uncle Joey has consistently delivered. His meteoric rise saw him debut in 2007, bag his first win in 2009 and by 2013 he was a full factory rider with the world at his feet. He claimed four wins that year and it was only a remarkable performance by teammate John McGuinness in the Senior that stopped him from matching Ian Hutchinson’s five in a week. Since then his path has been rocky with team changes, bike changes and the tragic death of his elder brother William. But throughout, Michael…

While there have been cause for plenty of celebration and jubilation at the TT there has also been tragedy with 50 riders having been killed at the TT in the last 25 years. Below is a list of the riders who’ve paid the ultimate price. 199 5 • Paul Fargher (Sidecar passenger, Sulby Straight – Race 1) 1996 • Aaron Kennedy (Sidecar passenger, Crosby – practice) • Robert Holden (916cc Ducati, Glen Helen – practice) • Mick Lofthouse (250cc Yamaha, Milntown – practice) • Steve Tannock (750cc Honda, Churchtown – Formula One race) 1997 • Russell Waring (125cc Yamaha, Union Mills – practice) • Colin Gable (750cc Honda, Ballagarey – practice) 1998 • Mike Casey (250cc Honda, Ballagarey – practice) • Jack Trustham (Sidecar driver, Douglas Road Corner – TT…

Although refusing to be drawn on the firm’s new road-going model plans, interim CEO John Russell suggested that Norton would return to racing in some capacity, thanks to the brand’s rich motorsport history at events like the Isle of Man TT. “We won the first TT – the oldest motorsport event in the world – and it’s so much part of Norton’s DNA,” he said. “Back again to my first childhood memories: Norton and TT were two brands that went together and were indivisible. We will have a racing thread to what we do and it will be an integral part of the business. What we do on the racetrack will inspire what we do on the road bikes and vice versa. “What form that takes, how we get there,…

Aston Martin and Brough Superior have started testing of the AMB 001 – an ultra-exclusive track-only motorcycle scheduled for first deliveries before the end of the year. Limited to 100 units worldwide, the AMB 001 wears Aston’s traditional prototype camouflage (see right) as it’s seen tearing around the Pau-Arnos circuit in France. “One of the key design features of the AMB 001 is an aluminium fin that runs along the full length of a carbon fibre tank, passing under the saddle and out onto the rear,” says Thierry Henriette, Brough Superior CEO. “The body holding the fin and supporting the saddle is one of the areas where we called on the unique knowledge of Mecano ID, who joined the project to apply specialist aerospace-quality carbon fibre skills to the AMB…

2001 Honda CBR600F •35,192 miles • KH Motorcycles, Leics This bike comes with a fully documented service history, both keys, crash protectors, braided lines, grab rail, tank pad and a carbon rear hugger. It has an MoT until April 2021. A great all-rounder at a very tempting price. w w w.khmotorcycles.co.uk 2007 Suzuki GSX-R1000 •30,957 miles • Robinsons of Rochdale Some say the K7 is the best of the big Gixers. This model has some decent extras and will be fully prepped with an oil and filter service. Part exchange deals will be considered. w w w.robinsonsrochdale.co.uk 2017 Triumph Street Triple 765 RS •11,755 miles • Premier Bikes, Oxfordshire Has a full dealer service history and comes with tank protection, Öhlins rear shock, heated grips, rear seat hump and pillion…

Q ‘Help! Cops saw me pulling two wheelies’ I have just received papers telling me I must appear in court for not being in proper control and driving without due care and attention. I was seen by a police officer performing two wheelies on the same stretch of road. I was not stopped and reported at the time and I did I know he was there. The summons refers to two counts of each offence, presumably one for each wheelie. Is there anything I can do to get off this or if not, as I suspect, to reduce the penalty? Jacob, email A You are lucky to only be charged with driving without due care and attention, otherwise known as careless driving. Within the Crown Prosecutors’ manual a wheelie is…

Antarctica, home to the geographic South Pole, is the Earth’s southernmost continent and is surrounded by the Southern Ocean. Most of it is a polar desert and covered in an ice blanket 1.2 miles thick. You can visit Antarctica, usually on a cruise ship. If you really want to explore though, it’s worth going with a specialist small yacht service like Rusarc so you can reach the many hidden coves and inlets. It’s also probably worth taking a jumper as temperatures can reach -89.6C.…

• Name Aldo Drudi • Age 62 • Claim to fame The man behind Rossi’s helmet designs! • Other projects “I have worked on helmet designs with Kevin Schwantz, Mick Doohan, Nori Haga, Max Biaggi, Fausto Gresini , Marco Simoncelli, Loris Capirossi, Randy Mamola, Luca Cadalora, Kenny Roberts and many, many more riders…” • Missed opportunity “We did come up with one idea for Rossi’s lid that we decided not to use. It was going to be a white helmet with a brown shit design around the bottom – up to his neck in it! We did not use this as it would have been a bad message…”…

new bike just because of the instant “I had a Yamaha Fazer 600 which I bought new back in 1999 and I loved it. Despite me having it for a few years, I always said I’d never buy another depreciation, but there was something about the Tracer 900 that tempted me back in. It just really appealed to me: it had that Fazer look but it was just more modern... and the test ride sealed the deal. I loved the triple, which was so different to my 599cc four-cylinder Fazer. Loads more grunt and character. Plus, the dealer threw in some extras like heated grips and a tail tidy which sweetened the deal. “The only other bike I considered before buying this was the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT, but…

‘I just wasn’t thinking right’ “My normal spirited corner entry doesn’t give me the time to react to anything mid-way through the bend, which could end in trouble. “Spending time with Mark has been an eye-opening experience and has made me look again at what I thought was wrong with my riding. I thought my bike handling skills were at fault and I wasn’t feeling comfortable any more, but it’s actually the way I think. I’m not giving myself time to assess what’s going on. Stretching out that time and getting everything done before cornering gives me more time and control. “I was generally a gear too high everywhere, which was making me run into corners too fast. Changing down has given me more control.” Mark adds “Building in time…

This Honda had been put to good use by its keyworker owner during lockdown, but had become more reluctant to start so the rider started to fear the worst and took it into Stourbridge Motorcycle Centre. ‘A kinked overflow pipe had let the water get in’ He’d already checked the plugs and they were the right colour and the airbox and filter all looked fine, so asked SMC mechanic John Birchill to investigate. John said: “I had a good idea of what it might be. Fuel and water don’t mix, but it’s pretty common to find some in a motorcycle fuel tank. If your bike isn’t picking up cleanly it is often because water in the fuel is tricking the various sensors, making the fuel-air mix jump up and down.…

Five time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea has quashed speculation regarding his future by signing a new multi-year deal to stay with Kawasaki in WSB. Rea’s current deal ends at the end of 2020, meaning his new deal announced last week will see him continue into 2021 and at least 2022. He said: “There were other options but I believe in the project. There was a time when I won my first championship and then my second that I thought about maybe leaving the sport while I was on top, but now I’m so excited about riding it makes me want to come every weekend and give 100%.”…

It’s proof, if it were needed it, that it takes more than lockdown to stop the inevitable – in place of any racing, the ‘who-goes-where’ silly season is in full spate. Who indeed, and where indeed, when the only indications of current rider form can be found in the equally unreal worlds of PlayStation play-racing, or in the imagination? Nonetheless, contracts have to be contracted; although most of the major players are already settled: Marc Marquez with Honda, Viñales and Quartararo with Yamaha, and the well-deserving Ducati-bound Jack Miller. And so on, all the way to Aleix Espargaro, who will have to dig deeper into his well of hope that Aprilia will step up their tech. ‘What’s the rider form? Best look on PlayStation’ Yet Aprilia seem to be quickening…

Having set the fastest lap in practice by more than 11 seconds, Michael Dunlop was very much the favourite for the opening Supersport race in 2018. Riding a Honda prepared by PTR, with whom he’d set a lap record of 128.667mph in 2013, he was expecting things to be a lot closer in the race though and so it was with Dean Harrison setting the early pace. That said, an opening lap of 128.265mph gave Dunlop a lead of 1.7s only for Harrison to reduce the gap on the run to Glen Helen, which forced the Ulsterman into responding. He did exactly that and, increasing his lead throughout the lap, he came into the pits for his solitary pit stop with a stunning new lap record of 129.197mph giving him…

‘Nearly 120mph lap on a 600cc sidecar is incredible’ Coming into 2018, Ben and Tom Birchall had won five of the last six Sidecar TT races, setting outright lap records in 2016 and 2017, and another new lap record of 118.694mph in the first race of 2018 helped them defeat John Holden/Lee Cain . Pre-race speculation before the second outing centred on whether they could lap in under 19 minutes for the first time and even break the 120mph barrier – propositions that, up until recently, were deemed impossible. The Nottinghamshire brothers had taken sidecar racing to new heights around the Mountain Course though so both were now realistic goals. An opening lap of 117.185mph gave them a slender 1.89s lead over Holden/ Cain and if they were to win…

Since 1995 a total of 38 different riders have won a solo TT. Just getting to the start line of the race is a tremendous accomplishment, fighting for a finishing medal takes huge skill and commitment and for the riders that reach the podium it’s an achievement the majority of us could only dream of. Plenty have tried to make it to the top step, some have dedicated their life to it, but failed (see page 24). But for the men that have won the big prize it’s a moment that has no doubt defined their life. With the help of official TT statistician Phil Wain, MCN has trawled the record books and over the next four pages you’ll no doubt be reminded of some of the stars of the…

‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again,” that was the view attibuted to Robert the Bruce as the Scottish king sought to regain his kingdom 700 years ago. The same advice might apply to any road racer who has Mountain Course ambitions, yet there is a long list of riders who have still failed to win a TT after giving their all. Guy Martin Starts 60 Best result 2 nd Fastest lap: 132 . 398mph The Lincolnshire ace is the leading bridesmaid who has never been the bride when it comes to the island. Guy stood on the TT rostrum 17 times without ever reaching the top step during 13 years of racing. So intense was Guy’s focus on “winning one of the bastards” that he…

On June 12 1992 Carl Fogarty and his Yamaha OW01 set a new TT lap record while vainly chasing Steve Hislop’s Norton rotary in the Senior. Foggy’s 123.61mph outright lap record stood until 1999, since when it has been broken a further 12 times, most recently by Peter Hickman and his BMW S1000RR. The record now stands at a dizzying 135.452mph. But just how have record men Jim Moodie, David Jefferies, John McGuinness, Bruce Anstey, Michael Dunlop and Hickman been able to keep pushing harder and harder around the Mountain Course? The circuit The circuit has been getting better and better ever since the inaugural 1907 event when much of the course was a cart track. In the last 15 years, several major changes have had a significant impact: the…

FRIDAY 26 June, 2.30pm, BTS1, MotoGP eSport: British GP SATURDAY 27 June, 8pm, EUR2, Live Superbikes: MotoAmerica from Wisconsin SUNDAY 28 June, 8.30pm, EUR2, Superbikes: Scott Redding Special MONDAY 29 June, 6.30am, BTS2, MotoGP from Le Mans France 2019: Moto3. 7.30am Moto2 and 8.30am MotoGP KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT - DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC - DISCOVERY CHANNEL DHD - DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD EXS - EXTREME SPORTS CHANNEL EUR1 (2, HD) - EUROSPORT 1 (2, HD) MOT - MOTORSPORT.TV CH4 - CHANNEL 4 CH5 - CHANNEL FIVE BBC BBCI – BBC INTERACTIVE ESPN – ESPN CLASSIC CHANNEL IT V DST – DISCOVERY TURBO SHED – DISCOVERY SHED INST – INSIGHT SS1 (2, 3 OR X) - SKY SPORTS 1 (2, 3 OR EXTRA) QUEST BTS1 – BT SPORT 1 BTS2 –…

Milenco are offering MCN readers a free Milenco Padgett’s heritage T-shirt that celebrates their TT team with every Snaefell lock purchased. The Snaefell is Milenco’s most hardcore piece of bike security and has been awarded the Sold Secure Diamond rating. The chain is made from 22mm links, while the lock has a 35mm steel core that clamps it together. To claim your free T-shirt all you need to do is send a copy of your proof of purchase to sales@ milenco.com along with your address and chosen size.…

•‘It would hold the bike upright at a standstill’ The seemingly gravity-defying ability of gyroscopes has long been a favourite when it comes getting kids interested in physics and now Harley-Davidson are looking to harness that phenomenon to help create self-balancing bikes. Although gyros are already a key element of the inertial measurement units used by many modern bikes to measure their pitch, yaw and roll, those aren’t the spinning-mass gyroscopes you might have played with in school science classes. Instead they’re micro-electronic machines – tiny computer-chip-mounted vibrating masses that can measure movement but are far too small to influence it. Harley’s idea however is to use a heavy, flywheel-based gyroscope that uses a spinning mass to help physically control the bike. The new patent reveals a bolt-on gyro, mounted…

I was going to keep the GPz750 for a while but my neighbour, a fan of old air-cooled Kawasakis (he had a Z900 and his wife a GT750) saw it, drooled, and waved money. I reckoned it could fetch £1700-£1900, depending on the wind. Mates’ rates meant it changed hands at the lower figure, ensuring him of a profit should he want to sell it. I’m happy, as it stood me in at £1235. I’m trying to pinpoint the next class to start shooting up in price. Small two-strokes: already happening. I saw a Yamaha RD125 twin make over £2500 recently. I think Kawasakis are still worth a look. They have a loyal (some would say fanatical) following and as the sports 600 market is not one the Japanese are…

Sena 5S Intercom £149 (single unit) £279 (twin units) Louder, clearer and packed with innovative features, the next generation of 5 Series intercoms from Sena deliver the latest comms tech. You can answer calls hands-free, stream music or listen to FM Radio and hear GPS prompts too. Functions can be selected using the glove-friendly jog dial or voice commands. w w w.sena.com Putoline N-Tech SPR+ 5W-50 oil (one litre) £14.99 Previously only available to pro race teams in 20-litre containers, now anyone can now snap up Putoline’s top-spec oil thanks to these new one-litre bottles. Developed with the help of top Dakar teams, the product is based on an advanced mix of the best base oils available on the market to ensure optimum clutch grip, better power and…

Reader Ash Hinge The Ride Solo from Nairobi to Cape Town Miles 7000 Time required Two months When to do it January Don’t miss “The highlight stop over for me was at the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and then the stunning wildlife on the roads in Botswana.” THE RIDE This is the Baviaanskloof World Heritage site in South Africa. The overall ride took in six countries. MISHAPS Had a slight off coming down a mountain. I got my foot stuck and it took over 10 mins to get free. W ILDLIFE When riding through the bush it was a little scary as you did not know what would jump out. THE BIKE I made it out of South Africa four days before they locked down and to this date my…

ALEX THORPE Age 32 Height 6ft 3in Current bike Royal Enfield Himalayan Been riding Three years First bike Triumph Thruxton Dream bike Royal Enfield Model K ‘I wanted a runabout – a bike that would be fine to ride to work, not care too much about, be simple and cheap to run, and okay on small lanes. The Himalayan looked easy to service at home and had very good reviews everywhere. It also came with a cheap full set of luggage. Essentially, it was bought as a workhorse rather than a toy. ‘I’ve painted mine because I didn’t like the standard decals or colours. I’ve also added a Scottoiler to make it a bit more practical. Other than that, I’ve got a set of handguards coming as I’ve started using…

‘Fun, but not for everyone’ As we’re talking about batteries, let’s split this into positives and negatives. The SR/S is huge fun – surreal, serene and startlingly speedy. Running costs are rock-bottom, it stays cool in traffic, and charging up overnight lets you start each day with a full tank. As a commuter, there’s loads to like. But clearly the key figures – range, recharge time and price – aren’t close to petrol figures yet. As the miles mount up it starts to make sense, but the limits of technology aren’t going to convince the average leisure or touring rider yet. Tech spec…

‘It’s just to get you home…’ It can’t be stressed enough that these tubeless tyre repairs are only a temporary fix to get you home and shouldn’t be ridden around on for any longer than is absolutely necessary. The only trouble with repair kits are is that they only work on one particular type of puncture. The Grypp kit used here is suited to the type of neat round hole a screw or nail has caused. If the puncture is caused by a slash-type cut this will require another type of repair kit, such as the Oxford CO repair 2 kit which has a slug of rubber that can be inserted and glued with a special applicator tool. So to have both scenarios covered, you ideally need to have both…

Runner-up for the last three seasons thanks to the often overlooked talents of Italian Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati are currently the best of the rest after Honda. As the heavily delayed and new look 13-round MotoGP season gets set to kick off at Jerez on July 17-19, Ducati face arguably their toughest year not just because of Honda and Marquez, but from the ever increasing threat of the other Japanese manufacturers Yamaha and Suzuki who, if testing was anything to go by, have most definitely got their mojo back. Ducati’s Desmosedici is ridiculously quick in a straight line – it was fastest at 15 of last year’s 19 races, reaching 221mph at Mugello – but the bike won’t go through corners fast enough. When Jorge Lorenzo rode for Ducati in 2018…

Michael Rutter – seven-time TT winner Ian Simpson crashed at Knockhill and broke his leg so they asked me to step in just before the NW200 to be DJ’s teammate. I won the three NW races so I was looking forward to the TT because I really got on with the bike but I couldn’t believe how hard the bike was to ride there. DJ just muscled it, he treated it like a 125, but I struggled. I can remember in practice, it was dry and I went off in front of Joey, but he passed me and as we came to Ramsey where the road was completely wet I could see the spray coming off his slicks and it went completely sideways, but he didn’t back off and in…