Table of contents for 14 June 2017 in MCN

Multiple choice Yamaha have updated the colours on their A2-friendly YZF-R3 and MT-03. The YZF-R3 will be available in Race Blu and Power Black while the MT-03 will be available in Night Fluo and Yamaha Blue alongside the existing Power Black. Ryder power Harley-Davidson have set out to teach the entire population of Ryder, North Dakota, to ride, with the intention that they will all take their test and pass. Now Ryder does only have a popular of 85, which isn’t that many people really but we do have to commend their efforts. Star-studded Yamaha have announced the Star Venture – a new V-twin luxury cruiser to take on Harley-Davidson and Indian. The Star Venture marries an old-school 1845cc air-cooled engine with modern tech including parking assist. So far it’s…

When ‘King’ Kenny Roberts started the trend for dragging a knee, kneesliders were little more than bits of old rubber. Nowadays, however, you can get leather or plastic sliders in all shapes, sizes and designs. You can even specify extra-thick wet weather ones and different compounds to suit a track’s abrasiveness. Plastic kneesliders are made in a variety of ways, but the most common is injection moulding. Some manufacturers, if their logo is set into the slider, have it made in plastic beforehand to the height of the slider and placed in a slider-shaped mould. TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is then injected around this to form a solid puck. By creating the logo beforehand, manufacturers ensure their logo will still show when the slider is worn (like a stick of Blackpool…

 “The Trail Riders Fellowship was started in 1970 by a group of motorcyclists who shared a common interest in preserving and using the large network of unsurfaced roads that exists in England and Wales. ‘He was campaigning for the TRF just weeks before his death’ “It’s very hard for me to pick out one member as a hero of motorcycling, but the late Brian Thompson would have to be top of the list of nominees. A founder-member of the TRF, he was successful in lobbying for the preservation of vehicular rights on thousands of miles of green lanes by the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, and later got Byway Open to All Traffic status for 500 miles of green lanes in the country! “Brian was still campaigning for the…

‘Visors that cut light reception by more than 50% were due to be banned – but sunglasses were still allowed!’ The Tories were in again with a slightly reduced majority and there were a couple of Brits going strong in the 500GP championship. Ron Haslam finished fourth in the title chase behind Wayne Gardner, Randy Mamola and Eddie Lawson. And Niall Mackenzie wasn’t far behind him (fifth, in fact). The Brits were going great guns in the off-road world, too, with Kurt Nicoll taking second place in the Italian 500 motocross GP. It moved Nicoll to fourth in the title chase. He would go on to finish runner-up behind Belgian legend Georges Jobe. Nicoll never won a 500 motocross world title, but took the second spot in the series an…

As if motorcycling’s love for John McGuinness could get any greater… the big man took time out from his recovery to make a pilgrimage to the Isle of Man last weekend. The word legend just doesn’t do this man justice. He must have been gutted not to be able to race (not to mention the pain he must still be in from his NW200 accident) and yet he made the crossing and even travelled around chatting to folks on a trike. And the whole time he had a massive smile on his face . As for retirement, he is right to consider it and right not to rush into anything. Just like Ian Hutchinson a few years ago, he will face a big struggle to get back to full riding…

‘Off-road traction control allows some slip but intervenes if you get carried away’ HIGHLIGHTS • Fully adjustable WP suspension • Refined Euro4 1050cc V-twin now produces 125bhp • Three riding modes, plus one optional off-road setting • ABS with an optional off-road setting • Off-road biased 21in and 18in wheels with Continental TKC 80 rubber For riders who like the taste of dirt in their teeth, KTM’s 1090 Adventure R is one of the most anticipated bikes of 2017. Since the demise of the 990 Adventure in 2012, off-road fans have been craving a powerful but capable off-road adventure bike. Now the Austrian factory have answered their prayers with the all-new 1090 Adventure R, which delivers the all-round fun of the old 990 but with 20% more of everything plus…

2008/12 Honda DN-01 A bike born out of a designer’s imagination that should never have left his sketchbook, Honda called the DN-01 a ‘new breed of motorcycle’ – everyone else called it a disaster. Did Honda learn from their mistake? Nope, they then launched the Voltus… 2000/02 Triumph TT600 Hinckley’s first supersport bike was a disaster by managing to combine terribly outdated styling with horrific fuel injection, all of which sadly masked a great chassis. A change of clothes later, and a new injection system, and the Daytona 600 was born. 2005/09 Honda FMX650 Jumping on the supermoto bandwagon, Honda’s FMX650 Funmoto was about as much fun as scooping your eyes out with a spoon! It was a sanitised the ride to the point where you doubted the motor was…

RIDING EXPERT Michael Neeves MCN Chief Road Tester and Elite instructor at the Honda Ron Haslam Race School Traction control myth #1 One of the biggest myths is it makes you faster. In fact, the opposite is true. By its very nature TC cuts power when the rear wheel starts to slip, and that slows you down. It’s more a safety aid than a performance enhancer. Traction control myth #2 TC won’t stop you crashing. Give it too much throttle at full lean, especially in the wet, on a slippery track, or on cold tyres and you can still lowside or highside. The perfect TC setting Use the minimum amount of TC you can. The TC should only start working when you’ve started to lift the bike out of a…

 Price £11,332 ‘Once the bike is fully armour-plated, I am looking forward to having a play off-road’ Fuel 20 litres @ 48mpg = 210 miles Weight 205.7kg (dry) Seat height 840mm Power 113bhp Torque 71ftlb SIMON RELPH Forty-one years’ experience, on and off road. Passionate bike-builder. Height 6ft 1in Weight 98kg simon.relph@motorcyclenews.com Now if this bike hasn’t got the word ‘versatility’ written all over it, I don’t know what does. Not only that, it looks fast when parked, its styling just eggs me on to get on it and go for a ride. I rode its ugly older brother nearly 10 years ago – one of the early Multistrada 1100s models – and absolutely fell in love with the whole Multistrada concept. I can’t get enough of the big wide…

KAWASAKI NINJA 650 Price £6549 Fuel 15 litres @ 49mpg = 163 mile range Weight 193kg Seat 790mm Power 67bhp Torque 49ftlb JAMES ARCHIBALD Big miles rider who enjoys being on a bike whatever the weather/season Height 5ft 11in Weight 80kg Kawasaki’s new Ninja 650 certainly has the looks, but I wanted to find out just what it was like on track, so I rode it to Belgium’s Spa Francorchamps race circuit for some throttle-happy therapy. Spa is a fast track, and the 650 was easily the lowest powered modern machine on the day. Add in the fact that I’ve not done too much riding on track and I was realistic in my expectations of what both I and the Ninja would be able to do. It’s a wallet-friendly machine…

Knox Handroid £199 Daniel Storey Rides Triumph Tiger Used for Six years “Knox Handroids are the best gloves on the market. Stylish, comfortable with all the protection that is required. I had a spill in my first pair and the kangaroo leather held up really well and did what was required. The first pair were repaired free of charge by Knox after the wrist closure failed and I’m now on my second pair and wouldn’t go back to any other brand. I’ve done about 5000 miles in them.” MCN’s Matt Wildee also rates Handroids – it’s his pair in the picture here. Contact www.planet-knox.com Dainese Veloce £70 Lucy Lang Rides Yamaha YBR125 Used for Three years “I swear by my Dainese gloves. I’ve crashed three times in mine and the…

‘Admissions made in the aftermath of an accident are not binding’ Q Have I made a mistake by saying sorry? Two weeks ago, I was filtering through heavy traffic when a car emerged from a side road and I collided with the side of it. Although I was bruised and shaken up and my bike had some superficial damage, I apologised straight away as I thought it was my fault. But my friends have told me that in fact I can make a claim against the driver. However, if I have admitted liability, albeit mistakenly, does this mean I can’t now bring a claim against him for my injuries and bike damage? Ian Hewitt, email Admissions made in the A immediate aftermath of an accident are not binding. When someone…

‘Everything you thought you knew about superbikes has changed’ It’s reigned over the superbike class for almost eight years, now BMW’s mighty S1000RR looks set to dominate the used sportsbike market with breathtaking value-for-money. Launched in late 2009, the S1000RR rewrote the rulebook with its gargantuan power and full suite of sophisticated electronic rider assists. Never before had everyday road riders enjoyed access to race-hewn extras like switchable ABS and multilevel traction control. At the launch back in November 2009, MCN’s then Chief Road Tester Trevor Franklin enthused: “From now on the world is a different place. Having just climbed off the S1000RR after its first public test, I can confidently say that everything you thought you knew about superbikes has changed. It’s the first time I’ve seen a speedo…

Sales triumph for new 765 RS The new Bonneville Bobber and Street Triple 765 RS have topped the charts in sales figures released this week. According to data from the MCIA for the year to date, the Street Triple is the best selling machine in the 651-1000cc class while the Bobber rules the over 1000cc class. OK commuters… free insurance! Three major insurance providers have agreed to offer free commuter cover for customers who use their bikes during Ride to Work week between June 20 and 24. Carole Nash, Ageas and ERS are offering free commuter cover during national UK Ride to Work Week for the two-thirds of riders opting only for social and domestic coverage, this free cover will enable them to commute. www.ridetoworkweek.co.uk Dial-a-battery… The new intAct Battery…

‘It’s not perfect – I’m not sure it will be, but we’re close’JASON O’HALLORAN Jason O’Halloran took Honda back to the top of the timesheets at last week’s MCE British Superbike test at Snetterton, just in time for this weekend’s fourth round at Knockhill. The Aussie set a quickest time of 1m 48.297 to place ahead of Glenn Irwin and Jake Dixon to re-affirm the progress the Louth-based squad are making with the all-new Honda Fireblade CBR1000RR SP2. While their road racing counterparts were struggling with the bike on the Isle of Man and also in World Super-bikes, O’Halloran demonstrated the clear strides the BSB team have made with the machine after his podium at Oulton Park last time out and now believes the team’s first win of the season…

SCOTT REDDING Started: 11th Finished: 13th Suffering from severe tyre wear during the race, Redding was unable to accelerate due to excessive spin. Describing it as one of the worst races he’s ever been in, the Pramac Ducati rider is hoping for improvement. SAM LOWES Started: 21st Finished: 19th Lowes set a strong pace for much of Sunday’s race, getting involved in a battle with the factory Suzuki pairing of Iannone and Guintoli for much of the race. However, an electrical problem put paid to that in the closing stages. BRADLEY SMITH Started: 23rd Finished: DNS Smith sat out Sunday’s race after a particularly nasty finger injury sustained in free practice four. Busting open an old wound to his little finger on his left hand, the Red Bull KTM rider…

 Adding insult to injury for the factory Movistar Yamaha squad at the weekend was the satellite Monster Yamaha Tech 3 riders who finished in impressive positions, with Johann Zarco and Jonas Folger coming home in fifth and sixth. ‘There wasn’t much grip on the track, but this is not a big disaster for me’JOHANN ZARCO Dicing with Jorge Lorenzo, Danilo Petrucci and Alvaro Bautista during the race, they left both Rossi and Viñales for dust. And despite the complaints of the factory pair about grip, Zarco claimed after the race that while it had been tricky it was far from impossible to ride. “There wasn’t much grip on the track and the tyres dropped. However, this kind of situation is not a big disaster for me and when this happens,…

 While the headlines in the Ducati camp were squarely focused on Andrea Dovizioso, Jorge Lorenzo rode arguably his best ride for the Italian manufacturer since making the switch from Yamaha at the start of the season. ‘I’m satisfied with my race, because every week we want to learn something new’JORGE LORENZO Finishing fourth after leading in the early stages, dropping back and then regrouping to come home only nine seconds behind Dovi, the Spaniard was pleased after the race with a result every bit as tactically successful as his team-mate’s win. “I’m satisfied with my race, because every week we want to learn something new and I was able to lead Marquez by half-a-second in the opening laps. But I knew I couldn’t keep up that pace. I was able…

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Everyone was expecting TT 2017 to be the Hutchinson v Dunlop show after the intense rivalry that brewed between the two quickest men ever to lap the mountain course last year. But if anywhere is going to confound expectations, it’s the Isle of Man. In all of the races that ran last week, there was no Hutchy v Dunlop showdown. Hutchy took two races, as did Michael but in each race they won, the other wasn’t even in contention. While there are many reasons for this, including weather and machine problems, the other simple fact is that there were a couple of riders who upped the ante to take the fight to the dominant duo. And none more notable than Smiths BMW’s Peter Hickman, who didn’t just finish on the…

“I kept him off the roads as long as I possibly could, but he’d got it into his head he needed a new challenge. One night he took me and his mother out for dinner – which was a first so we knew something was up! ‘I’m going to the Isle of Man’ he said. ‘When?’ I asked. ‘Tomorrow’ he said! “We ended up with no choice in the matter and here he is proving a point. What he has achieved is beyond what any of us expected. We knew he was close to the podium, but five in a row on every machine he has ridden is exceptional. I’m so proud. “He’s still so relaxed about it all too, which I like to see. ‘I’m going to the Isle…

No-one knows more about working with the Honda Racing team than John McGuinness. The 23-times TT winner has ridden for the squad since 2006 and was destined to be Guy Martin’s mentor as they developed the new 2017 Fireblade. “We thought this new bike would be the step forward, but we haven’t had the time to develop it. “It was the dream team for Honda really. They had the most experienced rider out there, the bloke with the most wins and then Guy, who hasn’t won a TT but is very popular! It could have been mint, we could have worked off each other but he’s ended up on his own developing the bike.” ‘We never really found a base setting and I’m sure that’s got his confidence down’ McGuinness…

‘I started to run out of fuel. I made it to the line but was going slower and slower’ 2nd Peter Hickman Fastest lap: 131.103 (lap 6) Peter Hickman has been knocking on the door of TT success ever since he became the quickest newcomer in history as he made his mountain course debut in 2014, and a sublime ride in Sunday’s opening Superbike race showed the 29-year-old is ready to become one of the TT’s elite. ‘My goal was a podium but I am a little bit gutted after coming so close to the win’ Despite a poor start, Hickman put together a consistently strong race to chip away at the leaders before finding himself in second place in the final stages. But that wasn’t enough for the Smiths…

The Padgett’s Honda squad’s miserable 2017 TT continued with both Bruce Anstey and Conor Cummins retiring after just one lap of the Superstock race. Cummins is still struggling with he hand injury he picked up in a crash at Donington BSB. James Hillier’s first-lap retirement at Quaterbridge with brake issues on his JG Speedfit Kawasaki broke a sequence of 36 successive TT finishes in what was his 50th TT race. His last DNF came in the 2010 Senior.…

1st Ben /Tom Birchall Ben and Tom Birchall are the new kings of TT sidecar racing. The Mansfield brothers have won six three-wheeler TTs after their dominant double in 2017. Having made their Mountain course debut in 2009 they underlined their supremacy by becoming the first crew to lap the 37.73-mile circuit at over 117mph on their way to winning the first Sidecar TT this year. Ben said: “I didn’t realise we had broken the 117mph barrier. I saw people waving at Quarterbridge but it wasn’t until we got to Ballacraine and I saw a board that had 117 on it that I realised we had done it.” The duo knew they had the pace to break the record after coming close to equalling their existing record during…

Guy Martin’s much vaunted return to the TT on the 2017 Honda Racing Fireblade ended in disaster with the Lincolnshire ace crashing out of the opening Superbike race at Doran’s Bend. The 35-year-old was never in contention after lapping 7mph slower during practice than Michael Dunlop’s fastest time on the Bennetts Suzuki and the hand injury he suffered in the crash saw him sit out the Supersport race on Wilson Craig’s CBR600RR. Clearly struggling with the errant new Honda superbike that had already been responsible for John McGuinness’ non-appearance at this year’s TT festival, Guy became immersed in a week of bitter rancour with his Honda bosses. The road racing television star eventually withdrew from Friday’s Senior race.…

You raise me up Alta Motors, American manufacturers of electric motorcycles, have raised $27 million (around £21 million) to help boost production of their current range. Alta say they will use the funds to increase distribution and production of the Redshift machine. Expensive habit Research by The Bike Insurer revealed London is the most expensive place in the UK for bike insurance. London takes all five top spots, with West London top of the list at £691. Manchester is next with an average of £509. See MCNcompare.com for the best deals. Dish the dirt on motocross days From the end of June to August this year, KTM Off Road Days offer the opportunity to ride the latest MX bikes at tracks across the UK. Aimed at experienced motocross riders, you’ll…

‘If I ruled the world I would get rid of the helmet law’ QUICKFIRE ROUND • Fast,intermediateornovice group?Novice – I need to speed up • Mudortarmac? Tarmac • Four-strokeortwo-stroke? Two-stroke • Darkvisororclear?Dark • Glovesinorglovesout? Out • GPSormap? Map – I find GPS distracting • Dealerserviceordoit yourself? Dealer but a good local independent Q1 What are you riding? A 1989 Kawasaki GPz550 that’s great round town because it’s the width of an old 250 and has more performance than you’d ever need in an urban area. It’s a bit of a rat bike and not very desirable for thieves. I also have a Honda VFR750 that has a lovely engine and thankfully doesn’t have the dodgy 16in front wheel. Q2 Who do you most admire? Kenny Roberts. When I first got…

The last time Ian Hutchinson and Michael Dunlop shared a TT press conference together, it was... shall we say, awkward. So the scene was set for more of the same in 2017. Although, it never really happened. Of course, they were both still the men to beat but a straight head-to-head never materialised. The real stories of this year’s event were just beneath the surface. There was Peter Hickman seriously looking like a contender – in every race he rode. James Hillier was a faulty fuel filler away from winning the Superbike TT and old stager Michael Rutter was sniffing around the podium like a dog who could smell bacon. And in the Lightweight he looked like a dog who had found the bacon – and eaten it all –…

A NEW HOPE FOR HINCKLEY Before the Speed Triple, Hinckley Triumphs were worthy and a bit dull. With this bike the reborn firm found their mojo and they haven't looked back. NAKEDS Nakeds, ie de-fairinged sportsbikes, didn’t really exist before the Speedie. Hinckley’s handsomest changed all that. THE SPEED TRIPLE CUP One of the better one-make racing series did Speedie sales no harm. And, yes, that is Ron Haslam (number 19). TRIUMPH’S STREET TRIPLE The success of the big Speedie led a smaller version: first the TT600-based Speed Four before finally the 675 Street Triple.…

Bert’s tea hut is a popular meeting spot buried deep in Epping Forest and the first port of call for those escaping the big smoke to ride the picturesque Essex countryside. Fuel up with a buttie and a brew then follow the signs for Epping – there’s a filling station at the second roundabout so you can top up your bike’s tank, too. After Epping High Street take the B181 to pass through North Weald and join the A414, where the fun really begins. Head east towards Ongar and you’ll find a wide two-lane blacktop that climbs rapidly to crest with a left/right S before swooping through a series of sweepers to the roundabout at the Four Wantz. Take a left here for the B184, a sinuous ribbon of kerbless…

• R&G Fork protectors £34.99 Easy to fit and a lot cheaper than replacing the bottom of a fork leg should the worst happen. • R&G boot guard kit £25.99 Frame plug £15.49 Muddy boots have a tendency to wear through paintwork, so these stick-on guards are a neat option. Frame plugs keep the mud out! • R&G Cotton Reels £20.49 These are an absolute must, from chain care to wheel removal, they make life a lot easier. • Scottoiler VSystem kit for Ducati Multistrada £99.95 I love shaft-driven bikes for the very fact you don’t have to mess around with lubricating and adjusting chains. The Scottoiler VSystem takes care of your chain and prolongs its life.…

1. Work on one caliper at a time. Push out the brake pistons by removing the pads and pumping the brake lever, holding back the looser pistons with your fingers. Only push the pistons out so you can see the ‘tide line’ of brake dust, don’t go any further or the pistons may come out of the bores altogether. 2. Put on some nitrile gloves and using brake cleaner (and only brake cleaner) spray the pistons well and agitate with an old toothbrush. More stubborn debris can be removed with light use of a green scourer. 3. With all brake dust removed check the condition of the pistons for any serious pitting. 4. With a small brush thinly smear on red rubber grease around each piston. You can buy red…

THE EXPERT Ray Stringer Successful club and national racer in the 80s and 90s who turned to tuning in 1992. He now builds the Bennetts Suzuki engines and acts as Crew Chief for Sylvian Guintoli. The Yamaha FZ750 was the first bike to have a five-valve head when it was launched in 1984. It was a big deal for Yamaha as it was its first supersport bike so the budget for engine development was substantial, giving the bike inclined cylinders, downdraught carbs and those 20 valves. The five-valve head became part of Yamaha’s high-performance brand, used in their V8, V10 and V12 Formula One engines, as well as the YZ250F and YZ450F motocross bikes, so they continued to be developed and were used in the FZR-series bikes with the EXUP…

2010 BMW S1000RR £6950 Ad says 22,500 miles, Sport model. Serviced 200 miles ago, two owners, limited service history. We say It’s approaching another major service interval, but this is a hell of a bike for under £7000. 2012 BMW S1000RR £7695 Ad says 15,800 miles, great condition. Full service history last serviced in February. We say Updated 2012 model has more grunt, better suspension and quicker steering. 2017 BMW S1000RR £14,930 or £179 p/m New Euro4 compliant bike has traction control as standard, as well as Riding Modes Pro – which includes a pitlane limiter, launch control, ABS Pro and Slick mode – available as an optional extra.…

2006-2008 Yamaha YZF-R6 Colours White/red, blue or black Dealer £5795 Private good £5300 Private average £5100 This one Our 2006 test bike in mint condition with quality extras. 7900 miles, £5995 2008-2010 Yamaha YZF-R6 Colours White/red, blue or black. Mild updates to frame, suspension, injection and bodywork. Dealer £6300 Private good £6000 Private average £5750 This one 2009 with Akrapovic. 20K miles, £5999 2010-2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 Colours White, blue or black. Longer exhaust, some slight engine revisions. Dealer £6600 Private good £6200 Private average £6000 This one 2010 with tail tidy, double bubble screen. 5600 miles, £6795 2012-2016 Yamaha YZF-R6 Colours White, Race blu or black. 50th anniversary edition in 2012. Dealer £8000 Private good £7600 Private average £7250 This one 2014 model with tail tidy and titanium exhaust. 3263…

 The Repsol Honda duo of Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa kept their 2017 MotoGP world championship chances alive by salvaging a pair of podium positions from a difficult weekend at their home race in Barcelona. ‘My style is to keep pushing so I started the race with victory as my target’MARC MARQUEZ ‘I realised it was better to stay on the bike and get some good points’DANI PEDROSA The weekend was especially tough for Marquez, who suffered a staggering five crashes as he struggled with a lack of grip at the slippery Montmelò circuit – and the reigning world champion admitted after his second-placed finish that he was lucky to escape the weekend unscathed, never mind on the podium. “I’m really happy with how this weekend ended because the situation…

 Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales slumped to their worst results of 2017 with the Yamaha duo hit by acute rear grip issues leaving them unable to either qualify or race anywhere close to what was expected. ‘We are sad about the weekend because it’s one of my favourite tracks’VALENTINO ROSSI Speaking to MCN after the race, Rossi, who won the race last year, but eventually took the chequered flag in a distant eighth place this time round, admitted that the rear grip issues combined with other problems with the new specification machine means that the weekend turned into a lost cause. “For me the main problem is that the bike has more understeer, and that the problem became very big for the rear tyre. In the end that is the…

 Once again Michelin have come under fire after a difficult weekend that saw most of the grid complain about a lack of grip from the Montmelò circuit – and many lay the blame firmly at the door of the French tyre firm. ‘A hellish mix of abrasiveness and slipperiness’ However, while Michelin have shown a propensity for changing tyres from weekend to weekend – something previous contract holders Bridgestone weren’t keen to do, it’s not technically correct to lay too much of the blame at their door. That honour instead goes to the Circuit Catalunya itself, and the state of the asphalt. One of the oldest surfaces in the championship, its combination of well-polished large-diameter stones and high heat means that by it’s very nature it’s a hellish combination of…

Guy Martin’s dream of winning a TT race on a Honda turned into a nightmare on the Isle of Man last week when Honda withdrew from the Senior TT amidst a barrage of accusation and acrimony. A difficult practice week saw the 35-year-old languishing in 26th place on the timesheets, 7mph slower than pole-setter Michael Dunlop. Guy’s chances of winning the Superbike TT race disappeared completely when he crashed the troubled Fireblade at Doran’s Bend on the opening lap of the Superbike race. “I was going out of Ballaspur down the hill into Ballig Bridge and back a gear, the bike selected a gear and then jumped into neutral and I had nowhere to go and had to half berm the bank, berm the wall and the next was a…

Just a few years ago, people would have laughed if you’d told them Norton’s latest TT bikes would finish in the top 10. Finishing a six-lap race was almost impossible for the Norton squad as they attempted to develop their V4, but this year history was made with not one but two SG6 V4-RRs crossing the line in Sunday’s Superbike race to take two top 10 finishes. And while Aussie David Johnson might not have lapped as fast as he did last year, the gap to the winner was much less – proving the progress made by the squad. He told MCN: “I could have gone better. I was far too nervous at the start; we didn’t have many laps in practice, I felt so under-prepared. I didn’t feel like…

Dutch racer Jochem van den Hoek passed away after an incident during the Superstock TT. Jochem, from Werkendam in Holland, fell from his TC Racing Honda at the 11th Milestone on the first lap of the race and was treated at the scene, but later succumbed to his injuries. The 28-year-old made his TT debut last year, finishing 44th in his debut race, the Superbike TT. In 2017, after a strong NW200 he secured 27th in the Superbike race to pick up his first bronze replica.…

The electric race gave organisers a headache with many of the bikes entered simply not ready for practice. Only the Mugen of Bruce Anstey and MCN’s own Adam Child, riding a road-going Energica loaned to MCN by MotoCorsa, completed all four laps of practice. Half of the machines which started the race hadn’t completed a single lap of practice with at one stage just five bikes making it on to the entry list for the race. This increased to eight by the time Friday’s race got underway, and remarkably all eight finished, but there was no real competition for the Mugen once again. “I know the folk sat in the hedges are like ‘oh electric bikes’ and I would have been a couple of years ago, but this is the…

BELL BULLITT CARBON HELMET £499.99 The Bullitt has been around for a while and has cemented its position as the ultimate retro lid. This high-spec carbon version comes in a limited-edition paintscheme and Bell say when they’re gone, they’re gone. www.bellhelmets.co.uk REV’IT FARGO JACKET £370 Rev’it have become masters in retro gear of late and the Fargo jacket is another hit. Made from a mixture of goatskin, Cordura denim and soft, supple leather, it’s sure to stand out if nothing else. www.revitsport.com KNOX SCARLETT SKINNY JEANS £159.99 Knox Scarlett jeans are made from 10oz Cordura denim that has been woven with Coolmax and given a water repellent finish, so you can wear the jeans on the bike, whatever the weather and in relative safety. www.planet-knox.com BUILT ISSUE 4 £4.99 If…

send pics to: yourpics@ motorcyclenews.com BSA C15 Fond memories of my first bike – a BSA C15 which I got in 1966. Paul Witcombe PUCH MAGNUM A very young me with my first bike Jamie Morris (MCN freelance snapper) ARIEL GOLDEN ARROW Mike Priddle (my dad) circa 1953 Ariel Golden Arrow – fastest bike on the Isle of Wight! Wayne Priddle BSA GOLD STAR My dad, John Green riding with his younger brother Norman on the pillion on the Island. Mark Green SUZUKI ZR50 Drop the clutch and bam! Kind of, anyway. Had to love my 1980s ZR50. Johnny Hancock BSA BANTAM Fun on the farm with my brother Alan. I inherited the bike from my father when I was 16 in 1967. Andrew Fern…

The Ducati is the only machine that doesn’t have any kind of flaw. Combining superb handling with brilliant build quality, it also has a commanding, but comfortable riding position – a rarity for a bike like this. It is pricey, but doesn’t have the ergonomic problems of the BMW, is far better built than the Yamaha, and makes the Triumph look heavy, long and slow (which it is). The Café Racer is a bike you could live with on a day-to-day basis and not get tired of its quirks, or bored with its performance. It’s more than just a Sunday toy and easily the most well-rounded bike here.…

An early start will make the most of this epic route, but be sure to down a full Scottish before setting off – you’ll need it. Head northwest from Crianlarich on the A82 and enjoy the first of many grin-inducing sections as you chase a glorious ribbon of tarmac across open moorland to ride the spectacular Glen Coe pass. Push on to Invergarry, via Fort William and Spean Bridge. Take the A87 from Invergarry and surf the curves between loch and glen, beckoned onward by a flowing road set against a truly breathtaking backdrop. From here on, the roads get narrower (for a while at least) and down to a single-track in places. The going may be slower, but the incredible landscape doesn’t let up. Follow the A896 for nine…

KTM DUKE 125 £4099 FUEL 13.4 litres @ 75mpg = 217.5 miles POWER 15bhp TORQUE 9ftlb WEIGHT 137kg SEAT HEIGHT 810mm THE RIDER Maria Vallahis Enjoying riding her 124.7cc bike but lusting for a bit more power HEIGHT 5ft 3in WEIGHT 53kg maria.vallahis@motorcyclenews.com I wonder, as I’m making my 31-mile journey back home just for lunch, does everyone rush to get to 600 miles for their first bike service? Because that’s what I’ve been doing. You have to book services a good few weeks in advance in order to get a slot when you want one. If you don’t, before you know it you’ve hit 701 miles and your bike still hasn’t been serviced. So I booked my service for two weeks after collecting the Duke, only to realise a…

You can buy all manner of roadworthy cars for under £500. It’s not so easy, if you’re a learner rider to find a 125 that’s actually roadworthy for that sort of money. Ignoring a load of ropey old scooters, which aren’t much use anyway if you want to pass your test on a geared bike, you’re looking at Chinese bikes with British-sounding names like Herald, AJS, Keeway, or fake Japanese names (Yamasaki is my personal favourite) and the rest. Avoid anything cheap and Chinese - it’s cheap for a reason. The Chinese are getting there with bikes, but they ain’t there yet. Forget so-called ‘project bikes’ as well. Do you want to be riding or shut in the garage trying to get the damn thing to work? Perennial favourites like…

NICK SANDERS - GLOBE-TROTTING SPEED DEMON BRAT STYLE YAMAHA SCR950 Big travel bikes were never about practicality but rather about elegance over expediency. I never packed much (toothbrush, credit card) so don’t need much. When I ride my bike I am defined by how it makes me feel, not what’s in my topbox. I’d go for Go Takamine who has built some Brat Style Yamaha SCR950s. I just love the look and the motor is decent, too. RHYS LAWREY - YOUNGEST GLOBAL ADENTURE RIDER HERALD RAMBLER WITH LOADS OF EXTRAS At just £3500, a brand new Herald Rambler 250 looks tempting. It’s a good-looking bike and simple to maintain. It’s a bike you could fix at the side of road easily. And I’d still be left with a whopping £6500…

 “2006 marked a significant upgrade for the R6 with a completely new engine management system featuring fly-by-wire for the first time. There was also the addition of a slipper clutch. ‘Mechanically they’re very good considering the flogging most get’ “Mechanically they’re very good considering the flogging most seem to get. If you’re looking at a used one, bear in mind that it will almost certainly have been ridden on track and while they’re capable of taking such abuse it's important the servicing is kept up. If you are doing trackdays then change the brake fluid regularly. “Oil changes are 6000 miles; oil, oil filter, air filter and spark plugs every 12,000. Use a top quality fully synthetic 10W40 oil. If you are trackdaying it change the oil as often as…

 Maverick Viñales was at a loss to explain why he could manage no more than a below-par tenth in Sunday’s Catalunya GP. ‘It’s a big drama because I go home not knowing what to fix’MAVERICK VIÑALES Struggling throughout the weekend – even more than Rossi – and running as low as 16th in the race, he admitted afterwards that he just didn’t understand the cause for their lack of pace. “In warm-up, I did a 1m 46.1s with 15-lap-old tyres, and in the race I did 1m 46.7s laps and felt like I was about to crash all the time. I don’t know what to say – our bike is good, was good at the start of the year, and this isn’t the problem.” But, complaining about the same issues…

New bosses to fix Suzuki chaos? Suzuki have brought on-board new bosses to try to fix what looks to be a failing MotoGP project, with former race director Shinichi Sahara (above) returning to run the project after successfully heading the development of the new GSX-R1000. Petrucci’s hopes end in heartbreak Danilo Petrucci’s hopes of replicating last weekend’s stunning Mugello podium finish ended in disaster during Sunday’s race in Barcelona when the Italian crashed out from the fight for a podium place on the penultimate lap. Flip-flop decision on last corner chicane MotoGP bosses faced a safety decision when riders deemed the new-for-2017 chicane to be unsafe due to the possibility of a crashed bike rejoining the circuit. They instead reverted back to the chicane introduced in 2016 following the tragic…

Well what an intense couple of weeks that was! With unpredictable weather wreaking havoc on the practice and race schedule it looked at one stage as if TT 2017 was going to be a washout. But thanks to the cool headedness of Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson and TT supremo Paul Phillips and a few lucky breaks in the weather, almost the full racing schedule took place with only the second Supersport race being abandoned. With the lack of practice there was an air of unpredictability every time the riders lined up on the Glencrutchery Road start line and as a result of the lack of track time, fans that braved the conditions were rewarded with some of the closest and most thrilling races in recent years. 2017 will…

Hutchy was very honest saying he wasn’t feeling it, he was four seconds down on the first lap and planned to use the rest of the race as a test session. He pushed on and that was enough to win the race. Every year the TT is different and you need a bit of luck sometimes, he still rode a faultless race even though he wasn’t quite happy. The boys have normally had 18 or so laps before the first race, this year they’ve had eight. This is helping the guys who are still coming through in being closer at the front. We’ve seen this with people like Hicky. He’s riding really well, but the conditions are stopping the front boys from using their alien powers. Hutchy is on new…