Table of contents for 23 June 2021 in MCN

INSIDE YOUR 3-IN-1 SPECIAL Soak up the very best of the UK... There’s so much to be thankful for in the UK. Stunning scenery, epic roads, an incredible world-leading domestic racing series... and this week we’re celebrating all of that with these two special supplements. COVER STORY Marc Marquez - King of the Ring You could probably paddle up the Amazon and wander into a remote village and someone will mention Marc’s incredible win at the Sachsenring on Sunday. But the story simmering beneath his recovery, return, series of DNFs and a private meeting with Mick Doohan is just as interesting as Marc’s seemingly insane reaction to rain hitting his visor. While everyone else visibly backed off - Marc knew it was a sign: An invitation to win. P70 MCN250…

The Ardingly Summer Classic Show & Bikejumble will go ahead on Sunday, July 25, at the South of England Showground, in Ardingly. There are five halls of displays, plus an autojumble and efforts have been made to ensure the venue follows government guidelines. Tickets are available now for as little as £7. Visit www.elk-promotions.co.uk New air ambulance Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance charity are preparing to launch a second helicopter, which will be based on the Lincolnshire coast. The new craft will take over from their critical care car, which has been operating on the east coast since June 1 and has responded to over 30 emergency call outs so far. Fancy Harley filters Tuning gurus S&S Cycle have revealed a new Tuned Induction Air Cleaner for select 2008-on Harley-Davidson…

Actor and superbike hire company owner, Andrew Shim, is reportedly being held in a Spanish jail awaiting trial on suspicion of drugs trafficking offences. Shim is best known for his acting work, with credits including Shane Meadows films This is England and A Room for Romeo Brass. Shim has been a keen motorcyclist for some time and was running a superbike hire business, Trackside Hire, that allowed riders to rent the latest and greatest superbikes at tracks around Europe. According to The Mirror the 37-year-old was arrested in Marbella, Spain, in October last year and has been held on remand at Alhaurin de la Torre prison ever since. It’s not yet clear if the actor has been formally charged – in the Spanish criminal justice system charges are laid right…

FANTASY SHOPPING ON A REAL-WORLD BUDGET Every week we give a different rider a wodge of fictional cash and ask them to ‘buy’ the bike that sets their soul on fire. This is Stan’s pick... Two-stroke guru Stan Stephens has spent a lifetime perfecting the dark arts that make this fickle design of motor sing. From RD350LCs to RG500s and even a few special projects along the way, Stan has worked his magic under a haze of blue smoke since the 1970s and now even though semi-retired his skills are in high demand. So, what used bike would the man with two- stroke oil running through his veins buy? Well, it wouldn’t be a four-stroke, would it... “I remember in 1984 making a trip all the way to the Paris…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews Never stop riding… Much respect to Peter Villis still doing a trackday at 92 having started riding in 1945 (MCN, June 9). As mere youngster of 87, I started riding as a National Serviceman in 1952 and am still going, (not trackdays though).It is nice to know I may well have some more years to carry on enjoying two wheels. Just have to keep myself out of trouble! Paul Roberts, email Serving up memories I was interested to read your ‘Out and About’ article on Squires. Back in the mid-90s I was the local police sergeant for Sherburn in Elmet who had the job of policing Squires Milk Bar on a Wednesday night. It was a love/hate relationship as I loved motorcycles (I had a ZZR1200…

1 Romney Marsh Classic Autojumble All things bike bits! June 27 at Hamstreet near Ashford, Kent. 10am entry is a fiver, and early bird is a tenner. www.elk-promotions.co.uk 2 Adventure Bike Rider festival June 25-27 Ragley Hall. Sold out, but active waiting list for returns. www.adventurebikerider.com 3 Rotherham Riders charity ride In aid of Seth who has been diagnosed with leukaemia. £5. Down & Out M/Cs, 9am to Seth’s house. www.facebook.com/ rotherham.riders.1 4 Squire’s Autojumbles Squire’s café monthly autojumble on morning of June 26. If you’re a seller it’s £5 for a pitch. www.squires-cafe.co.uk…

FRIDAY June25 8am, BTS2, Live MotoGP, Assen: Free Pract 1. FP2 at 12.15pm 5.55pm, ITV4, The Motorbike Show SATURDAY June 26 8am, BTS2, Live MotoGP Assen: Free Practice 3. Qualifying at 11am. MotoE Qualifying at 3pm. SUNDAY June27 7.30am, BTS2, Live MotoGP Assen: Warm Ups. Moto3 at 9.15am, Moto2 at 11am and MotoGP at 12.30pm. 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 ITV DST - DISCOVERY TURBO SHED - DISCOVERY SHED INST - INSIGHT SS1 (2, 3 OR X) - SKY SPORTS 1 (2, 3 OR EXTRA)…

GUEST TESTER £3899 Benelli Imperiale 400 ● 373cc air-cooled single cylinder SOHC 4v ● 20.8bhp @ 5500rpm ● 200kg wet weight £6199 Honda CMX500 Rebel Special Edition ● 471cc parallel twin DOHC 8v ● 45.6bhp @ 8500rpm ● 191kg wet weight £3749 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 ● 349cc air-cooled single SOHC 2v ● 20.2bhp @ 6100rpm ● 191kg wet weight Royal Enfield are a company on a roll and the secret to the firm’s success is down to building bikes that while low on price, hit the mark in terms of the ride quality and fun factor. Unassuming but cool machines such as the Himalayan, Interceptor and Continental GT have really struck a chord with the buying public, providing the company with a rapidly-expanding new source of fans. And the…

GUEST TESTER Once again, Royal Enfield have proved that power isn’t the be-all and end-all. By arming the Meteor with an impressive chassis that has a wonderfully reassuring feel to it, Enfield have created a bike that is fun, entertaining and far from intimidating to ride. And all for under £4k. Yes, it could certainly do with a bit more power to assist with 60mph overtakes, but is this what its target audience will be wanting? I suspect not, they would probably rather just chill-out at 60mph and enjoy the ride - which isn’t something you can do on the other two bikes tested here. The Benelli is a perfect example of a bike that has been ruined by being built to a budget. Its chassis and suspension feel left…

MCN’s datalogger expert compares all three Fireblades BRUCE DUNN ON TRACK ‘The Superbike has 25bhp more and weighs 25kg less’ How we did it We asked Honda BSB rider Glenn Irwin to set a fast lap around Oulton Park on each bike – road, Superstock and Superbike. We then used data recording equipment and software to compare GPS ground speed (mph), braking forces (inline g), and peak lean angle, as well as outright laptimes. TURN 15 Stability is key All three offer ways to dialin stability, via ride height, suspension settings, even steering angle and swingarm settings on the Superbike. The road bike provides a spooky amount of stability – as does the Superbike, which is incredible when you think it’s got 25bhp more and weighs a good 25kg less.…

1 Oxford Protex Stretch £99.99 I have two and they are great - even with the sea spray near my coastal home and hot exhausts from the bikes. One is more grey than black now, but it’s five years old. Alan Rumfitt, Jersey 2 Favoto Waterproof Cover £14.65 From Amazon. I use it indoors so can’t comment on waterproofing. Jason Dorey, Alford 3 Oxford Dormex indoor cover £24.99 It’s got a stretch bottom, so it hugs the bike. It’s breathable and not bulky. Arthur Loaf, Lancaster 4 Dustoff indoor bike cover £34.95 -£40.18 I had one on my Triumph Street Triple for five years and had no problems. Bob Wilson, Sandbach 5 R&G Adventure Bike Outdoor Cover £49.16 It hasn’t leaked and the only wear is a peeling reflective strip.…

At first sight this home-brewed café racer was a pretty tidy proposition. Using a 1986 BMW R100RT tourer as the donor bike, its barn door fairing and Krauser panniers had been replaced by clipons, a single seat and straight-through pipe. Trick Motogadget electronics meant it had a keyless ignition system and LED lighting under the tank, while the float bowls and carb tops had a tasteful olive drab ceramic coating. The last touch was a pair of bellmouths clamped to the Bing carbs and it was ready to go - only it wouldn’t! Paul Knight, boss of A55 Motorcycles in Penmaenmawr, north Wales, told us: “The owner couldn’t get it running properly. It was popping and banging and wouldn’t pull the skin off a rice pudding. “I initially assumed the…

MICHAEL SCOTT UNDER THE SKIN Veteran MotoGP correspondent shares his unique racing insight ‘Oliveira credits test rider Dani Pedrosa’s input’ MICHAEL SCOTT In modern MotoGP, dumb- down tech rules and control tyres/electronics have made the difference between hero and zero very small. Nothing illustrates this more clearly than the progress of KTM, in this year alone. Fresh from their breakthrough triple-win 2020 season, factory teamsters Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder between them only once managed to get into the top ten in the first five rounds. The euphoria of last year was replaced with puzzled looks. Then came some new parts - most importantly a new chassis. For the next three races, Oliveira’s been twice second and once first, Binder snapping at his heels, with a fourth and a fifth.…

I loved seeing Marquez win at the weekend. It was a fairytale ending to what has been a disastrous time for him. But he’s a strong-minded bastard, isn’t he? He’s been out for a long time, the sport has moved on, but he had none of that is in his head. He knew he was going to win again. Watching his post-race interview I was just hanging off every word and you could see how much that victory mattered to him. When he said that he went faster the moment he saw the rain starting to fall, that’s just him tightening the screw on his rivals. Unbelievable. He has just got super-human confidence in himself and when the rain came he knew the track temp was 50 degrees and he…

After what feels like an absolute age, the Bennetts British Superbike Championship is back! By the time the bikes leave pit-lane on day one at Oulton Park it’ll have been 250 days since the 2020 finale. Josh Brookes heads into 2021 as the favourite. Now a two-time champion, he’s the target man for the likes of teammate Christian Iddon, Yamaha’s Jason O’Halloran and Tarran Mackenzie, and Honda’s Glenn Irwin. Iddon and O’Halloran have never been in better form, and this could be the year for them to strike. Whilst the experienced heads remain, it truly feels like we’re heading into a new era. The BMW teams look to be in good shape with the new M1000RR and it’ll be fantastic for BSB if they’re able to challenge for wins and…

gets under the skin of the bikes doing battle in the world’s best domestic series FS-3 Racing will line-up with the brand-new Kawasaki ZX-10RR this year as they target a return to the front with Lee Jackson and newcomer Rory Skinner. The machine has already enjoyed success in World Superbikes, with Jonathan Rea winning four of the opening nine races and Alex Lowes collecting three podiums. MCN went under the skin of FS-3 Racing’s ZX-10RR… 1 Suspension The ZX-10RR will be fitted with the latest spec K-tech through-rod damping system, with KTR- 5 TRDS forks and RCU TRDS rear shock. The team helped to develop the British manufacturer’s original system two years ago and have a dedicated K-tech technician in the pit box at each round. 2 Fuel tank The…

“It’s young guys’ hunger and desire to be No1 which works both for and against them in the title fight. They’ll go all out to win the race at turn one, when you can’t win it until the last corner or the chequered flag. “Winning a championship takes an incredible amount of consistency and it’s difficult when you have a young guy and all they want to do is win. It’s difficult explain to them that if you had 20 third places, chances are you’d be champion at the end of the year, whereas if you have two wins, throw it down the road in five and then have a couple of top fives, that’s never going to add up to a championship campaign. “I’d be working on making sure…

Your helmet is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment you wear, and it’s always with you during your travel experiences. But the more miles helmets do and the longer they are worn they become loose and are less effective at protecting you to their initial full potential. Ducati UK dealers are offering you a new opportunity to ride your bike with particular attention to safety, style, and performance. Now you can get a deal on a brand-new helmet to ensure you are safe as you ride. All you need to do is bring your old full-face helmet to your local Ducati Dealer and you can choose a Ducati by Arai full face helmet with £100 off the retail price. Plus, it doesn’t matter if your current helmet…

Your helmet is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment you wear, and it’s always with you during your travel experiences. But the more miles helmets do and the longer they are worn they become loose and are less effective at protecting you to their initial full potential. Ducati UK dealers are offering you a new opportunity to ride your bike with particular attention to safety, style, and performance. Now you can get a deal on a brand-new helmet to ensure you are safe as you ride. All you need to do is bring your old full-face helmet to your local Ducati Dealer and you can choose a Ducati by Arai full face helmet with £100 off the retail price. Plus, it doesn’t matter if your current helmet…

Your helmet is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment you wear, and it’s always with you during your travel experiences. But the more miles helmets do and the longer they are worn they become loose and are less effective at protecting you to their initial full potential. Ducati UK dealers are offering you a new opportunity to ride your bike with particular attention to safety, style, and performance. Now you can get a deal on a brand-new helmet to ensure you are safe as you ride. All you need to do is bring your old full-face helmet to your local Ducati Dealer and you can choose a Ducati by Arai full face helmet with £100 off the retail price. Plus, it doesn’t matter if your current helmet…

The FJR has been around since 2001 and although there was an update in 2006, a serious revamp in 2013 brought about a big improvement to the handling. The 2016 model gained a six-speed gearbox, and in 2017 more tech was added with USD forks, a slipper clutch and cornering lights. A year later, electronic suspension was added to the mix with the introduction of the ES model. Compared to many of its touring competitors, the FJR1300 is a touch sportier and, from 2006 onwards, came complete with hard panniers as part of the package. It’s worth noting that there is also a semi-auto clutchless version, which is less-popular so can be bagged at a bargain price. When it comes to reliability, the F JR is pretty much bulletproof, particularly…

The naysayers said he’d never do it this year - even at his beloved Sachsenring. His die-hard fans said he could - but that the Honda would make it close to impossible as it continues to work against him and confound the other RCV pilots. But as we know, Marc Marquez did do it - and in imperious style, too What stood out for me more than the win, impressive and astounding as it was, was the extraordinary way in which he won. When rain started spotting visors and white flags began to wave, it seemed like there was a momentary mass surrender in reaction. The field held its breath - but Marquez gritted his teeth and pushed harder. Bravery, pig-headed stubbornness, or stupidity? No, just the scalpel-like mental sharpness…

Designer Ashley Watson has created a new wax jacket that meets the latest stringent CE testing with a triple-A rating. You might imagine this sort of work would involve vast sums of money from international conglomerates but like all good British businesses, most of the work was done by a single person in a shed. Watson’s latest jacket is the Eversholt MkII, a new version of the Eversholt, which he tested on a multiple thousand mile trip across Europe. As well as some improvements to the jacket generally, he was keen that it should be certified to the highest protection rating, while still maintaining its classic construction. “Waxed cotton has been used since the 1930s,” says Watson. “In motorcycle clothing, the alternative to waxed cotton is a laminated waterproof fabric.…

£9399 KTM 790 Adventure As an overall package the 790 Adventure feels classy, substantial and confidence-inspiring. On the Wheel, based down in Brighton, have got three 2020 models on offer. A black pre-reg for £8499 and two unregistered machines, one black and one white, for £9399. ● www.onthewheel.co.uk £4499 Benelli Leoncino 500 The funky roadster is built down to a price, but it’s also stylish, well made, fun and different. • prestonmotorcycles.co.uk ● Engine 500cc ● Power 47bhp ● Weight 186kg ● Seat height 785mm £9700 Aprilia Tuono 660 Aprilia are offering a ‘flash’ deal until June 30 for an IMU upgrade, that improves the cornering ABS. • www.aprilia.com/gb_EN ● Engine 659cc ● Power 94bhp ● Weight 183kg ● Seat height 820mm £3850 Aprilia SX125 Aprilia are offering 0% finance…

Ducati have been showcasing the performance pack available for their Panigale V4 S by laying down a serious marker at the 1000 Open category of the MotoEstate 2021 Trophy. Using a selection of parts from the Ducati performance catalogue on an otherwise stock V4 S. Barni Racing Team rider, Luca Salvadori, was able to take pole position with a new lap record and then win the race, too. The upgrades included Pirelli slick tyres and an Akrapovic racing exhaust. A Victory for Venhill British motorcycle control specialists Venhill have added parts to fit all key Victory models to their catalogue. Owners of almost all models made after 2005 can now cruise in comfort with Venhill’s Featherlight cables. The cables feature a PTFE liner for minimum friction and a lighter action.…

Oxford Mondial Advanced Textile Jacket £189.99 Great saving on versatile gear We’ve been busy, scouring the web for a mixed bag of deals this week and found some corkers. From lids to locks, loud alarms to leathers, there’s a deal for everyone. Take this versatile jacket from Oxford Products, it’s one of Sportsbikeshop.com’s biggest sellers and carries the RiDE Recommended tag. It has a tough nylon shell and a laminated, waterproof, membrane plus a removable thermal lining. There’s CE-approved armour at the shoulders and elbows, along with a pocket for a back protector. Well-placed ventilation zips make it great for year-round riding and it’s fitted with a connecting zip to attach to compatible trousers. Sizes go from small to 5XL and this is a attractive price is for the green…

LS2 have updated their FF902 Scope flip-front helmet with two new colour schemes. Costing £129.99 in the new designs the lid is now available in both a white and titanium or matt, titanium, and pink ‘Arch’ graphic. Offered in three shell sizes and weighing a claimed 1650 grams, it’s also sold in solid colours for £119.99. Sammy’s autojumbles The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum played host to its first autojumble of the year on Sunday, June 13 to a record number of visitors and vendors. There was hot food and drink and homemade cakes served all day, alongside jazz music from a local DJ. If you fancy heading to the next one, it’s on Sunday, August 29. For more, see www.sammymiller.co.uk. R18 goes the distance Wunderlich have devised a small cowl…

MCN staff and readers share their favourite routes As I live not far from this route’s starting point, this is my favourite way to begin and end a midsummer trackday at Cadwell. From Market Deeping take the A15 north to Bourne after which the road becomes fast and flowing, undulating and thrilling. A particular favourite corner is the tight left hander just after Osbournby – it’s cambered and satisfying to get right, leading on to a faster right hander with good visibility. At Sleaford, briefly join the A17 then peel off for the A153 to Horncastle. Watch your speed through the 50 limits then wind through Horncastle towards the rollercoaster section than leads to Cadwell. By the time you arrive, you’ll be warmed up and ready for action. For the…

The HOC are back with their annual classic show, but this year, to celebrate their 60th, the plan is to go bigger than ever. What’s happening? Classic Hondas will fill up the yard, and if you arrive before 11, you can enter your Honda into the prize giving event – club member or not! Winners will be announced by special guest judge Sammy Miller, and there’s also the museum and craft shops to enjoy. Sammy will also fire up a few of his museum’s bikes plus, there’ll be refreshments available all day. The essential stuff The show takes place at the legendary Sammy Miller Museum in New Milton, Hampshire and is free to enter. The show starts at 10am on Sunday June 27 and finishes at 3pm. All Hondas are…

NIGEL HOBSON Age 48 Height 5ft 6in Current bike SV650X, Rebel 500 Been riding 27 years First bike Yamaha RXS100 Dream bike TZR250 ‘I’ve had all sorts of bikes, from Honda CB250s to Suzuki GSX-R600s and even a Yamaha FZR1000, but the little Royal Enfield Meteor really appeals to me. I’ve got a Suzuki SV650X at the moment and my wife rides a Honda CMX500 Rebel, so the Meteor would be perfect to head out with her on. ‘I bought my SV around two-and-a-half years ago and have done around 5000 miles on it riding in the Yorkshire Dales, Lincolnshire Wolds and along the East Coast. I wanted a sporty bike with an engine I could use without losing my licence! ‘However, the Meteor appeals because of its simplicity. It’s…

WATCH NEW VIDEO SERIES AT BIKERTEKSHOP.CO.UK There are lots of things that are brilliant about biking, but unless you’ve got your head in the right place all sorts of things can go wrong. That’s what MCN Chief Road Tester Michael Neeves will be looking at in the second video in the new More Secrets of a Road Tester series. And he should know what it takes to get your motorcycling mind right; he’s been road testing for over 20 years and racing for about the same amount of time. The latest instalment is live now on Bikertekshop.co.uk – where Neeves looks in depth at a rider’s state of mind. Still the most important subject overall, especially for a new or nervous rider, we’ll be able to see the rider’s state…

FIRST LUGGAGE Malle’s first piece was a motorcycle pannier that was designed to be as at home on the bike as it was in the office. Made from traditional materials, it was built for the 9-5 as well as the weekend escape. LINE EXPANDS After the success of the first pannier, Malle expands into producing backpacks and duffels. Soon after they expand into clothing, with classically-styled leather and wax jackets. DEATH VALLEY After an epic trip through North America, Malle release their Moto collection, which includes panniers, tailpacks and tankbags with a common mounting system. ADVENTURE AWAIT In late 2020 Malle released the Terrain collection which, just like their first bag, is guaranteed for life.…

Honda have form for bikes that shock you with their simplistic brilliance. The 1990s parallel twin CB500s spring to mind. The 1100 is a genuine giggle. As nonchalantly non-plussed by bimbling along a seafront basking in its bassy tones and admiring glances, as it is capable of blitzing a mountain road with the sort of composure plenty of naked bikes lack. Don’t dump its talents in the ‘cruiser’ pool and think that its remit is the limit of its skill set. There’s no escaping the styling or cruisery riding position - but the chassis is a peach, the engine your peppy partner in crime, the riding experience oddly juxtaposed to its intent and, so long as you can cope with a numb bum, you won’t stop grinning until long after…

Applecross to Shieldaig is 20 miles of paradise. It has more twists and turns than a Midsummer Murders plot, more blind summits than Blackpool’s ‘Big Dipper’ and is so close to the coast you smell seaweed in the air. I raced through this bit to meet a friend, but I’d go back in a heartbeat. As a quick ride, given it was such a varied challenge, I almost stopped breathing it was that good. This route is among the best short distance roads I’ve ridden in my life. 10 out of 10 for simply being brilliant.…

ROSS MULDER “We’ve owned a 2016 S1000R for five years and love it. It’s done nearly 40,000 miles and for three years my wife commuted on it every day. I’m looking forward to checking out the new one, but we’re in no rush to upgrade. I know they weren’t to everyone’s taste, but I’ll miss the asymmetrical headlights. It’s been bomb-proof apart from a breakdown caused by an aftermarket radiator ‘protector’. Ironically it wore a hole through the radiator, dumped the coolant and forced my wife over to the side of the M11. It also had a mystery electrical issue after it was knocked over at a roundabout.”…

“As a package it’s hard to beat as there’s no need to layout extra cash on luggage and so on. It’s got great rideability, the seating position is good and it’ll pretty much do anything I want - day rides, touring and traffic are all a doddle, so when it comes to versatility the Versys ticks every box. I’m planning on hitting the Peak District again this summer and next year I’m going to ride the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland for my 50th.” HOW GOOD IS THE RUBBER? Bridgestone T31 They work very well. They’ve got plenty of grip in the dry and I’ve had no issues at all with them when it’s wet, or on cold winter rides. Handling is excellent, although they are just starting to square…

Saving you money on essential bike maintenance 1 Think, access and clean Every polishing job is unique due to condition, location, shape etc, so first you need to plan how to tackle it - can the part be left in place or will you have to remove it and other parts near to it? With the component/ area now accessible, give it an initial wipe over then thoroughly clean using a degreaser or contact cleaner to completely remove any road dirt or grease. BRUCE’S TIPS Mask off your working area to prevent dust from getting everywhere 2 Take your coat off Prior to polishing alloy you need to be sure that the part is free from lacquer. To remove any clear coatings apply a removal agent such as Nitromors with…

GREG HAINES INSIGHT Reporting from inside the World Superbike paddock Last September, Ana Carrasco prematurely ended her Supersport 300 season following potentially life-changing back injuries which damaged her T3, T4 and T6 vertebrae and resulted in extensive surgery. Just over a week ago, she stormed back to the top of the podium at Misano. It’s all come full circle for the Spaniard whose background, and potentially her future, lies in the Moto3 World Championship. Forgetting Covid masks for a second, it’s rare you’ll see Carrasco without a smile on her face. Jovial, upbeat and intelligent, the 24-year-old from Murcia in south-eastern Spain who won the championship in 2019, has garnered a reputation as one of the smartest racers in a category which requires quick adaptation, forward-thinking and especially rapid reaction…

MICHAEL LAVERTY THE INSIDER BT Sport’s technical guru unmasks secrets at the sharp end of MotoGP 1 Attack or be attacked Marc Marquez is special, of that there is no doubt. Again, displaying an ability only matched by his aggression in the opening lap to position his Honda RCV in just the right place, in a turn one melee that both keeps him safe and moves him forward. He is the epitome of the adage ‘attack or be attacked’ which he can execute with incredible precision. Marc has incredible spatial awareness and can thread a needle at speed without making contact with his rivals. 2 Mind over matter Uniquely Marquez pushes when he sees spots of rain on his visor whilst relying on slick tyres, his belief that he will…

MATTHEW BIRT INSIGHT Getting the inside line on grand prix racing since 1996 There have always been striking similarities between Marc Marquez and Mick Doohan. The most obvious is their fundamental role in making Repsol Honda a feared powerhouse in premier class racing for over a quarter-of-a-century. But it’s their transcendent talent, bloody-minded determination and uncompromising will to win that’s cast them from the same champion’s mould. The two standout riders of their generation and two of the fastest and most ruthless racers in history now have something else in common. They’ve both won the biggest race of their lives – the race to beat career-threatening injuries to return to the top step of the premier class podium. Eleven months after a fractured right humerus bone stopped Marquez’s glittering career…

Peter Hickman Peter Hickman enters 2021 in the best shape of his career and with 339 starts he’s the most experienced rider on the grid. Armed with the new M1000RR, he’ll be gunning for a return to the podium and beyond. Xavi Fores WSB podium finisher Xavi Fores is back and shouldn’t be underestimated. The FHO Racing rider clinched four podiums in 2019 and has raced at a high level for several years. Gino Rea Gino Rea is a rider to keep an eye on after a promising 2020. He’s had good pace during pre-season and is capable of springing a surprise. The Showdown is a realistic target. Lee Jackson Becomes the natural number one at the FS-3 squad. Expectations are high, but if Jackson can continue his impressive form…

The FJR has been around since 2001 and although there was an update in 2006, a serious revamp in 2013 brought about a big improvement to the handling. The 2016 model gained a six-speed gearbox, and in 2017 more tech was added with USD forks, a slipper clutch and cornering lights. A year later, electronic suspension was added to the mix with the introduction of the ES model. Compared to many of its touring competitors, the FJR1300 is a touch sportier and, from 2006 onwards, came complete with hard panniers as part of the package. It’s worth noting that there is also a semi-auto clutchless version, which is less-popular so can be bagged at a bargain price. When it comes to reliability, the FJR is pretty much bulletproof, particularly given…

The FJR has been around since 2001 and although there was an update in 2006, a serious revamp in 2013 brought about a big improvement to the handling. The 2016 model gained a six-speed gearbox, and in 2017 more tech was added with USD forks, a slipper clutch and cornering lights. A year later, electronic suspension was added to the mix with the introduction of the ES model. Compared to many of its touring competitors, the FJR1300 is a touch sportier and, from 2006 onwards, came complete with hard panniers as part of the package. It’s worth noting that there is also a semi-auto clutchless version, which is less-popular so can be bagged at a bargain price. When it comes to reliability, the FJR is pretty much bulletproof, particularly given…

We’re very lucky to live in the UK. While many of us might dream of global travel adventures, the stunning diversity that’s available within our own fair isles is almost inexhaustible - and no less incredible than you’ll find abroad. You just need to know where to go. So we’ve pulled together some inspiration for you, drawing on our own massive mileage banks within MCN, but also tapping into the expertise of some of the most travelled riders on Earth. The result is a guide to the four biggest set loops in Great Britain; a host of brilliant other destination rides, self-governed riding missions and challenges; invaluable advice from one of the UK’s most prolific globe-trotters, Nick Sanders; and our top travel kit recommendations. Don’t lament our recent lost freedoms,…

When you’ve ridden between the glistening rock walls lining the A894 near Kylesku and suddenly emerged to be wowed by an unearthly light falling across Loch a’ Chairn Bhain onto the slopes of Sail Gharbh beyond, you’ll want to see it over and over again. The 500-mile loop from Inverness is now the default Scotland riding experience, but there’s no right or wrong way to ride the NC500. There’s no start line, no penalties for cutting it in half or prizes for finishing. Some do it in a mad 13-hour dash; others take a week. Some make use of the many campsites, some stay in B&Bs, some opt for hotels. However you do it, there’s an important rule before you set off: respect the environment. Park sensitively, ride politely, leave…

‘WIGGLE pAND meander THROUGH SOFT VALLEYS’ There’s a six-mile lie going on here. The relatively new Snowdonia 360 is actually a 364-mile loop, and one that’s less crowded with bikers and motorhomes than the sometimes oversubscribed NC500 can be. You can start wherever you fancy, but I’m starting from home: Machynlleth, the ancient capital of Wales. Coffee supped, map out, sat-nav plugged in, the route can be completed in a day, but two is better. The road to Aberdyfi skims along the broadening Dyfi estuary. From here you follow the route to the ‘kiss-me-quick’ seaside town of Barmouth where hard- pressed against this western shore, there are uninterrupted views of the Llyn Peninsula. From Pembrokeshire in the south, shimmering in the shadows of a late summer warmth, the sea spreads…

Transit 3 Aerostich leather jacket, £949 Aerostich claim this is the first-ever use of Hi-Viz in an armoured leather jacket. The jacket uses Corium waterproof/ breathable leather plus an seam- sealed construction which should offer comfort and performance in all riding situations. The Hi-Viz yellow design is supplemented by a large panel of powerful 3M Scotchlite Reflective across the upper back - so you will definitely stand out! www.aerostich.com Oxford Anchor14 Ground & Wall Anchor kit, £59.99 This beast is made from hardened steel and provides a safe anchor point when fitted to suitable floors or walls. Now Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold approved, the Anchor 14 accepts all Oxford chains and can qualify for insurance discounts too. www.oxfordproducts.com Ventura Evo Luggage for Indian FTR, from £364.62 The Evo System for…

‘Holiday refund? Guzzi V50 inbound’ Our holiday (a cruise round the Galapagos on a four-masted barquentine!) blew out last year, was rescheduled for this year, and has now been rescheduled for 2022. We booked the flights separately and BA has just refunded me something north of £3000. What do you do when three grand drops into your lap? Yes, me too. Air tickets can wait. I’ll tell you what I’ve got in my eBay Watch List and why… A BMW R80ST (the rare road version of the original R80GS) with every mod you can think of: uprated brakes, twin plugged, sump extension, higher fifth gear and a 1000cc kit. A superb throw-it-about naked. I think the asking price is about £500 too high, though. A 1994 Yamaha XJ900F, the pre-Diversion…

In 1994, I nearly took my own life. Why? Because a series of disasters had left me in a mental health hospital, with my head in my hands and my life over, so there seemed little point in going on. First, I split up with my girlfriend of eight years. Then my sister died of cancer, my grandmother died of Too Many Birthdays, the house renovations went over budget and the volleyball team I played for and coached was broken up by someone I’d considered a friend. I could have coped with one of them, but not all, and before long I was only sleeping for a couple of hours a night, and the thought of even getting out of bed or leaving the house filled me with terror. If…

Q ‘I’m told I can’t Q claim for my physio time off’ I was involved in an accident where a car did not stop at a stop sign and hit me. The driver admitted liability. I was injured and my medical expert recommended that I attend physiotherapy. Those physio sessions were in the late afternoon which meant that I had to take unpaid time off work. My legal adviser (instructed by my insurance intermediary) tells me that I cannot recover my lost income, which I find amazing. Is this correct? Mr JH, email A I don’t see a reason why A you can’t recover your loss of earnings for attending physio which has been medically recommended as a direct result of the accident. The aim of the claim is to…

Reader Blazej ‘Jed’ Jedryka The Ride Around West & North of Scotland plus Isles of Skye & Mull When to do it I went in May Time required It took me 10 unforgettable days. Nine out of the 10 days were dry and sunny! Tell us about the adventure This was my first long tour. Having only passed my full test in October, I’d been counting the days. We headed to Loch Lomond area, where we’ve spent two nights. Next stage of the trip was to ride up and take a ferry to Skye where we wild camped in truly breathtaking scenery, that’s what I love about Scotland the most, you can just pitch your tent wherever you want. We were unlucky with roadworks in Mull but it was beautiful.…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday 23 June BIKE MEETS ■ Squires Cafe Sherburn in Elmet, West Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ The Blue Anchor Southport 7pm Facebook: Southport Carousel ■ The Plough Cadsden, Bucks www.plough-at-cadsden.co.uk ■ Ryka’s Cafe Box Hill Surrey www.rykas.co.uk ■ Loomies Moto Cafe West Meon, Hants www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ Paignton Seafront Devon www.bmad.co.uk ■ The Old Stores Pontblyddyn, Mold, Flints 6pm-9pm Facebook: The Old Stores Motorbike cafe SPEEDWAY ■ Poole Pirates Dorset www.poolepirates.co TRACKDAYS ■ MSV track evening Donington from £95 www.MSVTrackdays.com TRIALS ■ Eboracum MCC Whin Hill, Hutton-le-Hole, North Yorks www.eboracumtrials.co.uk ■ Huddersfield Falcon MCC Horn Hill, New Mill, West Yorks www.falconmcc.co.uk Thursday 24 June BIKE MEETS ■ Bike Night Iron Horse Ranch House, Market Deeping, Lincs…

It’s been great for our team to get out filming with Michael Neeves. Then we had some real summer weather to enjoy on the road last week. And now, with another welcome nod to the gradual return of normality, we’re planning to take our BikerTek stand to the Devitt MCN Festival of Motorcycling (September 4-5 at the East of England Arena, Peterborough) and hopefully other events, too. See you there! In the meantime, while we can’t meet face to face with the pop-up shop, do visit bikertekshop.co.uk to get the story behind our performance parts for bikers. You’ll find all of the Michael Neeves videos there too. MIK BARTON, BIKERTEK CAMPAIGN MANAGER…

DEPUTY EDITOR, MOTORCYCLING The refresh has made a great bike that bit greater. No, it hasn’t got power in reserve, won’t playfully leap off jumps and would be lost on a trackday. No TFT, heated bits or self-tweaking suspension either. And I don’t care. The Honda is a genuine UJM; the sort of bike you’ll use for everything from commuting and running errands, to two-up weekends away and rides just for the hell of it. Yes, it’s still more workhorse than passionate purchase, but is so usable you’ll ride more than ever. Still great value too. The original was £5850 in 2012, which is around £7100 in today’s money - meaning the latest bike complete with modes, TC, more power, better suspension and more is brilliant value. THE FACTS £7495…

Three more legs to go… NEXT WEEK Durness to Hull Via the top Scottish route through Tongue and Bettyhill to John O’Groats then down to Wick, the A9 to Inverness, A96 to Aberdeen, east coast small roads to Edinburgh, Northumberland tiny roads via Newcastle, Middlesbrough, the A171 to Bridlington and down to Hull. Part 3 Hull to Brighton Take the coast road to Grimsby then Boston and Kings Lynn via Mablethorpe and Skegness. Then Hunstanton, Blakeney and North Walsham, the A12 to Ipswich, a bit of London then Whitstable, Dover, small coast roads to Pevensey and Brighton. Part 4 The English Riviera, Cornwall, Devon, then back up through Wales Go through the New Forest to Beaulieu, around Southampton on the M27, Bournemouth to Swanage via the Studland Ferry, Weymouth, Torquay,…

Beeline Moto (inc clamps) £199 (£29 for bar clamp) ‘This is a little stroke of genius’ Tested by Richard Newland for three months / 2061 miles There’s a lot to be said for pure, simple, effortless usability - and Beeline’s Moto delivers all that. But it’s not just functional - it’s brilliant. The metal-cased unit is attractively tiny (50mm diameter), and that expands its options for mounting on your bike. It’s so versatile that three different mounts mean I use it on my Multistrada (bar mount), VFR800F (sticky modular mount) and SP-2 (universal elastic strap mount) all with equal simplicity. The mount stays on the bike, the Moto hops between them. There’s no wiring, it’s a fully IP67 waterproof and shockproof totally self-contained unit that links to a nav app…

Restoring the surface of a tarnished metal part is very satisfying and with small parts takes hardly any time to do, so you get an almost instant hit of gratification. But be warned, polishing is addictive! I use www.thepolishingshop. co.uk for my polishing supplies. They offer complete kits from £13 but it’s best to give them a ring about what you’ve got in mind - you’ll find there’s a polishing kit for everything - alloy, silver, gold, glass, brass, copper, plastic... even an acrylic bath polishing kit! When it comes to bigger polishing jobs such as swingarms and frames, I have to say that I’m out of my personal comfort zone in terms of time and the mess it could possibly make - and not only that, I also haven’t…

The British Grand Prix landscape has been significantly changed with Jake Dixon being pushed closer to the promised land at John McPhee’s expense. Both have endured tough seasons, yet the Petronas/Sepang Racing Team chose to move McPhee’s renowned crew chief Mark Woodage into Dixon’s garage for the German GP. McPhee’s data technician Daniel Bonmati, despite no experience, had to step in as a result. It’s another nail in the coffin for McPhee’s already fragile rider-team relationship. “I’m disappointed in the management and the team for what they’ve done,” McPhee told BT Sport. “It’s the second time in 10 months I’ve been let down; the first one being that they didn’t honour my Moto2 contract last year. I’ve been left with the short end of the stick once again. It’s a…

Fans rejoice. MotoGP returns to Assen this weekend and it promises to be as unpredictable and wide open as always. Assen consistently produces exciting racing, but this year promises to be even more enthralling as the form book has been thrown out the window. We’ve seen Ducati winning at circuits which typically favour Yamaha and vice-versa, KTM go from also-rans to winners, Suzuki struggling and Marc Marquez winning for the first time since his return from injury. Assen is hard enough to predict without all of that. Nevertheless, you can expect Fabio Quartararo to be challenging for the victory once more. It won’t be as easy for Marquez with a high intensity lap, with 12 right-handers, but Ducati and KTM will be hopeful. Suzuki MUST improve to have any chance…

World champions Joan Mir and Suzuki need to start winning races to boost their faltering title defence. After eight races Mir and the GSX-RR have been absent from the top step with Yamaha (4), Ducati (2), KTM (1) and Honda (1) sharing the wins. And there is no better place to start than at Sunday’s Dutch TT according to Suzuki legend Kevin Schwantz. The good news for Mir and Alex Rins is that Suzuki tech upgrades are anticipated at Assen. “They’ve got to start winning races otherwise the title chase is going to start to slip away pretty quickly, lots of points to catch up,” said Schwantz. “Rivals have closed the gap on some of the advantages Suzuki had last year. And to be in the race now you need…

SACHSENRING CIRCUIT 16 A. Marquez 25 17 Martin 23 18 Petrucci 23 19 Rossi 17 20 Marini 14 21 Lecuona 13 22 Bradl 11 23 Savadori 4 FINAL POSITIONS MOTOGP FINAL POSITIONS MOTO 2 11 Bulega +26.732 12 Lopez +26.835 13 Bendsneyder +28.034 14 Baltus +28.984 15 Vietti +31.414 16 Arbolino +33.176 17 Syahrin +33.425 FINAL POSITIONS MOTO 3 11 McPhee +7.512 12 Bartolini +7.576 13 Fenati +20.902 14 Binder +37.855 15 Izdihar +38.297 16 Oncu +54.714 17 Kelso +58.423 18 Yamanaka +1’27.070 DNF Nepa…

#22 Jason O’Halloran This could be the Aussie’s big chance 2021 could very well be the year that we see a Yamaha back on top in BSB courtesy of Jason O’HaLLoran. After several years of bad Luck and injury, the Aussie was finally able to put together a full campaign in 2020 and in doing so, almost became champion. Three wins, 11 podiums, two poles and five fastest laps Led to a runner-up spot. Talk about a sense of relief and a load of weight being Lifted off your shoulders. It’s done him wonders during the winter and now pre-season testing. “ALL through the off-season I’ve focused on myself,” O’Halloran told MCN. ‘I ve been building on what I knew I needed to improve from Last year, I haven’t had…

#69 Rory Skinner It could be his stepping stone to Moto2 Many believe that the Scot should be in the GP paddock following his exploits in the Red Bull Rookies, Junior World Championship and British Talent Cup. Sadly, Skinner was left out in the cold by the powers that be. So the next stage of Rory Skinner’s journey back to the GP paddock is with FS-3 Racing. Skinner was ruthless in the Supersport class last year – winning 10 of 12 races – and is now fighting to follow in Jake Dixon’s footsteps by excelling in BSB and catching the eyes of Moto2 bosses. It’s not going to be easy; Skinner has plenty to learn in the top class. There’s the 1000cc engine, Motec ECU and Pirelli slicks. Still, history…

‘EXPLORE THIS ROUTE BEFORE EVERYONE ELSE DISCOVERS IT’ Do the South West Coastal 300 before everyone discovers how good it is. This challenging loop around Dumfries and Galloway, an often-overlooked region that is yet to draw the crowds, boasts stunning scenery and brilliant roads. This is a circular route, but Moffat is a superb place to start and exploring it counter-clockwise means you’ll generally have the sun behind you. The first leg north from Moffat is a great stretch to get into the groove. From the right turn onto the B7040 at Elvanfoot things start to get i nteresting and there’s a wonderful flowing single track down to Leadhills. Scotland’s highest village, Wanlockhead, lies not in the Highlands as you might expect, but just a short distance along the B797,…