Table of contents for 13 September 2017 in MCN

Perfect partners America’s Confederate Motorcycles have announced a partnership with electric bike makers Zero. The partnership means the Combat Bomber will be Confederate’s last petrol powered bike. Confederate will also be rebranded as Curtiss after recent events in the US. Lewis’ MV deal British F1 driver, Lewis Hamilton, has signed a new contract with MV Agusta in a continuation of their current relationship. Hamilton ‘helped design’ the Dragster RR LH, so the new contract suggests that another bike is imminent and, as the picture above shows, MV President Giovanni Castiglioni and Hamilton are firm friends. Open house Ducati dealers are hosting an open weekend (September 16-17) dedicated to their Performance accessories and apparel with special deals on offer. There is also a competition at dealers to win £1000 worth of…

‘He runs a Sunday club for kids as young as six years-old’ Riding opportunities for London kids are few and far between, especially legal ones. Docklands Riders was set up to combat these issues, and has grown considerably under the tutelage of Chris Salt. Chris has been an ACU coach for 23 years and has over 26 years of enduro race experience. He runs weekly classes at the track for people of all ages and abilities and it’s regularly packed out as the track is the only off-road facility in London that offers both MX and Enduro training and practice. As well as teaching young adults to ride, Chris also runs a Sunday club for kids as young as six, giving them the chance to ride in a safe and…

“I started with a Moto Guzzi Le Mans engine and frame, everything else was sourced new or custom made for the bike,” says Nick Sharp from Bedfordshire, the man behind this understated Guzzi. “My inspiration comes from the Bike Shed shows I’ve attended and the bike was built over two years. I wanted to achieve a good-looking café racer with some modern refinements. The chassis has been modified to give a neater look. This means the front frame has to be modified and new engine mounts made, and new rear gearbox mounts made. “The engine has been fully rebuilt and blueprinted with a modern electronic ignition. “The aluminium bodywork – seat unit, front guard, engine breather box, rear guard are all designed by me, and handmade. The bike has turned…

“It took me a little while to get my head around the electronics and the way they work on the Honda – especially the torque control, which is a different way of working compared to traction control. “The Blade’s power and torque control settings are more tailored for the road, so on the track you have to plan them slightly differently. Once you figure that out, it’s really good. The power delivery and throttle control all become predictable and effective. “Tyre grip dictates suspension set-up. We’ve gone softer to suit the road-based tyres we use, which is more comfortable and forgiving than the harder standard settings. But for superbike level of tyres, like slicks, you can go stiffer. “For the new SP2 the wheels are the big one. They make…

‘Most of my miles on the bike are going round in circles’ Q1 What are you riding? A modified BMW F800R, which I use for my stunt shows all over the world. Q2 Which living motorcyclist do you most admire? That’s a tough one, but it would have to be Rossi. To achieve what he has in racing and still be hungry for more is amazing. Get well soon Valentino! Q3 What’s your worst habit? My insane addiction to wheelies. Q4 If you could have one riding super skill, what would it be? Trials. I grew up with it and still ride now, which helps me on my stunt bike, but I’d love to be the best at it. Q5 What’s the fastest you’ve ever gone on a bike? Most…

AN ITALIAN WSB RIVAL The RSV entered WSB in 1999, placing third with Troy Corser in 2000, fourth in 2001 and fourth again with Nori Haga in 2002. SEXY SUPERBIKES… The first RSV was good. The 1999 R with Öhlins and lightened parts was better while the limited-edition WSB SP, with a special short-stroke motor and just 150 built is true nirvana. …AND MAD SUPER-NAKEDS Most super-nakeds are detuned. Not the 2003 Tuono 1000, to this day one of the maddest, most wheelie-popping nakeds ever. … AND ONE OF THE WEIRDEST The RSV was meant to start a dynasty. Sadly, with offspring like the Falco, Caponord and Futura, that never happened.…

‘A two-year-old with a crayon couldn’t have drawn more twists and whirls’ The Black Forest is home to Germany’s most beautiful road –the B500. The national highway carves its way down the middle of the forest and wriggles up and over mountain passes with gorgeous scenery and roller-coaster turns making it a biker’s dream. The actual road itself is only 40 miles long and stretches from Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt. And yes, it is a fair old way for a 40-mile stint… but it’s so worth it. Make your base in Baden-Baden and spend the next few days riding the B500. As soon as you’ve ridden the ribbon, just turn around and have another go, as the road runs back down the mountain the sun warms the back of your neck,…

RIDING EXPERT Mark Edwards Retired police motorcyclist, now Class One certified instructor for Rapid Only fools rush in On the face of it negotiating a roundabout seems like pretty basic stuff – especially if you have been driving cars for years before starting out on bikes. But some riders make a much better fist of it than others and the fact you’ve been driving for years may have led to bad habits. Your approach speed will depend on the amount of view available: for example, the view could be obscured by trees and shrubs planted in the centre of the roundabout. Build in enough time to assess the roundabout properly and also allow other traffic time to see you and understand your intentions. What are the other road users up…

‘Its all-round ability was put to the test in the toughest of ways & it lapped it up’ ‘The riding position is not of super-tourer comfort, but it’s not a pain in the arse either’ Price £12,995 Fuel 16 litres @ 44.21 = 156-mile range Weight 210 kg (kerb) Power 113bhp Torque 71.3 ftlb at 6000rpm andy.calton@motorcyclenews.com Hairpin bends, sheer drops and wind-ravaged sweepers focus the mind like nothing else – even after 500 miles. The Ducati SuperSport S seemed to find a new lease of life after hours sat on a motorway at a constant speed and then the laborious A9 with average speed cameras glowering down hampering any mischief. But now, unleashed and north of Inverness, the V-twin leaps out of slow corners and sweeps through fast ones…

HONDA X-ADV £9599 Fuel 13.1 litres @ 69.78mpg = 200 miles Weight 238kg Seat 820mm Power 54.04bhp Torque 50.18ftlb alison.silcoxmotorcyclenews.com ‘What the hell is that?” It’s a question I’ve struggled to answer ever since I’ve been riding the Honda X-ADV. Nobody knows what it actually is and how it fits in with the normal expectations of a bike or scooter. My friend Keith, who commutes 30 miles into London daily and owns both a Yamaha Tracer 900 and Honda SH300 scooter, was curious about the X-ADV. I was interested to know if he thought Honda’s scooter-cum-adventure bike creation was good enough to replace both his scooter and his adventure bike – and the only way to find out was for him to take the X-ADV for a spin. Parked up…

Built for Speed by John McGuinness £20 This thrilling autobiography gets you into the head of the man who stares death in the face and doesn’t flinch – it’s also laugh-out-loud amusing. Enter until: September 30 Rossi Kiddimoto £212 If you win this Rossi liveried Kiddimoto balance bike, it could be the first steps to your toddler being the next MotoGP World Champ. Enter until: September 30 Optimate O105 Dual USB Charger £25 This socket plugs into your bike and allows you to fast-charge two mobile devices at the same time. Charge a combination of your phone, GPS, camera & tablet from your BMW, Triumph or Victory motorcycle so long as it’s fitted with a standard bike power socket. We have two to give away. Enter until: October 4…

‘You have to prove that the increased cost is attributable to the accident’ Q How do I get increased car costs covered? Ever since an accident two years ago I have been unable to drive a manual car due to the injuries to my lower leg. I have bought an automatic car but my opponent is refusing to cover the extra cost of running an automatic. Guillaume Gryon, email A The basis for a claim for financial losses due to an accident is to put you back into the position you would have been in, had the accident not happened. This is obviously difficult in terms of injuries but easier in terms of monetary loss. You say that as a result of the accident you can no longer drive a…

2004 Honda CB400SS, £2500 Seller says Off-road tyres, Renthal bars, smoked indicators. Neil says Grey import, and I wonder why Honda didn’t sell it officially. Better than an SR400. 2000 Kawasaki ZXR400, £2200 Seller says L9 model, 7300 miles, fsh, workshop manual, can be restricted for A2 licence. Neil says Absolutely one of my favourite sports 400s. 1978 Honda CB400 Four, £2500 Seller says F2 model, 34,500 miles, Dresda swingarm, Marshall exhaust, stainless spokes. Neil says I was outbid on this! Close to original condition. MCN BIKES FOR SALE 13,411 bargain bikes for sale right now!…

1997 Honda VTR1000 Firestorm Colours Red, silver, black, yellow, blue Dealer £2000 Private good £1800 Private average £1600 This one Dealer sale with 19,421 miles. Comes with a few extras, £1995. 1998 Honda VTR1000 Firestorm Colours Red, silver, black, yellow, blue Dealer £2100 Private good £1900 Private average £1700 This one For sale at a Surrey dealership and has done just shy of 45,500 miles. £2499. 1999 Honda VTR1000 Firestorm Colours Red, silver, black, yellow, blue Dealer £2200 Private good £2000 Private average £1800 This one This Lancashire dealer sale has done 29,328 miles. Viper cans, £1995. 2000 Honda VTR1000 Firestorm Colours Red, silver, black, yellow, blue Dealer £2300 Private good £2100 Private average £1900 This one Private sale, 15,000 miles. Fresh tyres and extras, £2095. Insurance MCN COMPARE…

The British Superbike series hadn’t seen a fully wet race in 2017 and it showed with many riders and teams way out with their settings at Silverstone. Two out of the three races were held in inclement conditions causing a major headache for race bosses. There was controversy over Saturday’s opening race with half of the 3.6-mile circuit sodden after a storm and the other half practically dry. Some riders asked race boss Stuart Higgs to delay the start to see if it would dry. However, with most riders wanting to race, the action went ahead, much to the displeasure of five-time British Champion Shane Byrne who blasted race direction afterwards. Sunday’s final race also proved contentious with the wet track so slippery that just seven riders (out of the…

Luthi reignites Moto2 title fight Swiss rider Thomas Luthi closed the gap to Franco Morbidelli in the battle for the Moto2 crown to a mere nine points after taking a calculated podium finish behind Dominique Aegerter in torrential conditions at Misano. Morbidelli was one of 20 fallers during Sunday’s race. Fenati’s masterclas Romano Fenati delivered a wet-weather masterclass at Misano to take a 30-second victory in Moto3. But he admitted that the 61-point lead that Mir enjoys after finishing second still looks unassailable in the final five rounds. “It was a very long race, but my feeling with the bike was incredible,” he said. Lowes heads for Moto2 with KTM Sam Lowes will be KTM-mounted in 2018 when he returns to Moto2, after the announcement at the weekend that his…

BRADLEY SMITH Started: 22nd Bradley Smith made the most out of a difficult weekend, beating teammate Pol Espargaró for the first time in a straight fight, and admitting after the race that the result couldn’t have come at a better time. “I had an OK feeling throughout the race, and it was good to do our first full wet race.” TARRAN MACKENZIE Started: 31st Mackenzie struggled all weekend after a crash on Friday. Already on the back foot, he then crashed out of the race, too. “I nearly crashed on the out lap, nearly crashed on the warm-up lap – then went into turn four, opened the throttle, and went straight over the bars,” he said. SAM LOWES Started: 23rd Despite crashing out of what would have been a career-best…

Five-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo has admitted that carelessness ended his best hope yet of taking his maiden Ducati victory at Misano, after he crashed out of a controlling lead during Sunday’s race. Lorenzo cleared off at the front of the field despite the treacherous conditions (dispelling any lingering doubts about his confidence in the rain in the process). But the Spaniard admitted that it was a stupid mistake that ended his charge with a spectacular highside. “I’m still understanding everything about the Ducati and I tried to change the engine map a little bit. That took some of my concentration for a few corners, and I made the change of direction a little quicker with the rear brake backed off a bit. “The conditions were so critical that that…

Next year’s British Grand Prix could make a sensational return to Donington Park, with a deal possibly even already signed at the weekend’s San Marino Grand Prix. Representatives from both circuits (including new Donington Park owner Jonathan Palmer) were spotted in the Misano paddock at the weekend, and are believed to be bidding between themselves to host the race in the future. The opportunity comes after the collapse of the Circuit of Wales earlier this year and MotoGP bosses Dorna’s decision to put the deal up for tender again, allowing Donington’s new owners to bid for the race. It is believed that Dorna’s preference is to return the race to Donington Park, with CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta concerned by Silverstone’s falling attendance this year – 17,000 fewer fans turned up in…

Both Andrea Dovizioso and Marc Marquez were in agreement about one thing come the end of Sunday’s race – that the old notion of certain circuits suiting certain machines is now well and truly dead in the water. That opinion comes after a series of unexpected results so far this season with bikes performing well at tracks not believed to suit their engine and handling characteristics. Speaking after the race, Marquez says that while he’s traditionally stronger at some of the circuits still to come – like Aragon and Phillip Island – the topsy-turvy 2017 season means that it’s all still to play for. “Honestly in Austria I expected to finish ten seconds behind Dovi, and Misano was also a difficult circuit. At Silverstone I thought he would finish behind…

Dynos, or dynamometers, are fairly simply pieces of equipment – the clever part is interpreting the data they generate. While you do get engine dynos that measure the power of a static motor, most of us will only ever encounter a rolling-road dyno, which is used to test the power of a complete motorcycle. A dyno consists of a static platform, which is used to support the motorcycle and stop it breaking free, and a large drum under the rear wheel. This drum weighs in the region of 200kg and is very accurately machined to ensure it is perfectly balanced, as any imbalance would cause data errors. The surface of the drum is knurled so that the bike’s tyre can grip, not slip. Generally a dyno will measure what is…

MCN’s campaign to encourage as many readers as possible to cover 5000 miles in a year is all about getting the most enjoyment possible from your motorcycle. We realise life is full of pressures that stop you biking, but there’s always a way. So #ride5000miles is all about finding time on a Sunday to go for a blast, or doing that tour or trip you’ve always wanted to do. It can even be about just riding your bike to work more often. There’s a great network set up to help you achieve this – and thousands of bikers have already signed up to our #ride5000miles Facebook group. It’s a wonderful place full of friendly faces who are happy to share routes, experiences and tips. Even if you’re not going to…

Every sensible bone in my body says don’t buy the Yamaha R6. It’s hard and harsh on the road. The seat and riding position aren’t as comfortable as the Suzuki GSX-R, the mirrors near useless, there’s no mode button to scroll through the clocks and pillions will have to be brave or stupid. You’d have to be crazy to want one on the road, but I do. When you’re in the mood for some fun nothing else will do, and on track it offers highs other bikes can only dream of. If you’re sensible and clever opt for the cheaper Suzuki; if you want to feel 25 again, try the R6. But just make sure you have your chiropractor on speed dial. • Thanks to: Pirelli for supplying excellent Pirelli…

SCREEN Short trips are better with the screen in its lowest position with wind on the chest. Long trips are better with the screen up with wind off the shoulders although the head gets a little bit of buffeting. TANK It will easily do 150 miles to a tankful and more with steady stints. Don’t overfill it – I did and got a pool of petrol under the bellypan! CLOCKS Once in Touring mode, the MPG creeps up to around the 50 mark. Trip two kept me in tune with petrol stops and trip one showed me my running total – 1297 miles in all. Plenty of easy-to-access information. SEAT Comfort seat meant aches and pains stayed away until about 300 miles… and the reach to the bars is sensible…

DUCATI MULTISTRADA 950 £10,995 Fuel20 litres @ 48mpg = 210 miles Weight 205.7KG (DRY) Seatheight 840mm Power 113bhp Torque 71ftlb THE RIDER Simon Relph Senior Designer Forty-one years of experience, both on and off road. Passionate bike-builder Height 6ft 1in Weight 98kg simon.relph@motorcyclenews.com Some people don’t like pillions, but I’ve never really minded, provided they don’t headbutt you every time you hit the brakes, or lean the opposite way the moment you lean over into a bend. So far everyone who has been on the back of the Multistrada has had no complaints, including my wife. She liked the big grab handles either side of the rear of the saddle, which ‘give a real feeling of security’. She also appreciated the addition of the SW Motech Trax topbox, as at…

1998 XRV750 Africa Twin £5950 This dealer sale in Wales has done 54,608 miles and has engine bars, handguards, heated grips, a big screen and a main stand. 1998 XRV750 Africa Twin £4195 This is a clean example that remains fairly standard. First registered in the UK in July 2000, it has had three previous owners. The last owner had the bike for 13 years. 2000 XRV750 Africa Twin £4995 For sale at Stafford Motorcycles, this 28k-mile bike has a year’s MoT and a detailed service history. And there’s a centre stand, crash bars and braided hoses.…

Fireblade gets Akra treatment Exhaust-aces Akrapovic have released a new range of products for Honda’s new CBR1000RR Fireblade. At the top of the range lies the £2094 Evolution Line titanium system, which has been designed directly from that used by the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team. www.akrapovic.com Free goodies for the SV650 Suzuki are currently offering £400 of free fuel and a topbox when you buy a new Suzuki SV650. The £5699 V-twin naked is the ideal bike for commuting, as well as the occasional weekend blast. The bike is already reasonably priced and this latest offer helps sweeten the deal. www.bikes.suzuki.co.uk Great deals on Africa Twins Manchester-based Hunts Motorcycles are offering a choice of £500 off or a Honda luggage pack when you buy a new Africa Twin.…

‘The big service will cost £500-£600 and includes valve clearances’ “They are becoming quite a collector’s item and for that reason they are generally very well looked after. “They are strong bikes, but they are prone to a blown gasket where the rear downpipe joins to the rest of the exhaust. You need to take the exhaust system completely off and if the bolts are seized then it can be a big job. “We are starting to see a lot of older bikes having a lot of money spent on them, as their values are starting to rise. I can’t remember the last one I saw that wasn’t well looked after. “We do get a few of these bikes in, but not many. The Firestorm, SP-1 and SP-2 all have…

James Ellison was denied a stunning victory from dead last on the grid in the weekend’s only dry race as a red flag after 10 of 14 laps saw the win go to Josh Brookes. The two Yamahas and the Ducati of Shane Byrne looked set to duel it out over the final stages of the race. However, a blow-up for Shaun Winfield brought out the red flags with three laps left as there were fluids on the track. Ellison, who started at the back of the grid after his McAMS Yamaha team were penalised for changing his gear ratios – flew through the field. He said: “I’ve had strong pace all weekend. The bike felt great and I really felt I could have won that one if it had…

‘I don’t think I was ever not in contention for the title’JOSH BROOKES The 2017 MCE British Superbike title fight erupted at Silverstone this weekend with little now separating the top riders in the final three-round charge to the crown. The controversial system, which sees the top six given an extra 500 points and separated just by points accrued from podium finishes from the opening nine rounds, means all six have a mathematical chance to take the title. In previous years there have always been runaway favourites, like in 2016 when Leon Haslam and Shane Byrne went into the Showdown separated by just three points with Jason O’Halloran in third a further 30 points back. This year the top four, who have all won two or more races each, are…

Luke Mossey was able to look on the bright side after his return from injury this weekend – despite missing out on a place in the 2017 title fighters’ Showdown. The JG Speedfit Kawasaki star, who led the championship earlier this year, broke his back in four places in a horror crash at Thruxton last month and was forced to miss two rounds. While he was still very much in contention for a Showdown spot going into the weekend, the 24-year-old struggled with his back in the dry and crashed out in the wet to lose out on the final place to fellow young gun Jake Dixon (see left). “We’ve done everything right this year,” Mossey told MCN. “We’ve just missed out on the Showdown despite missing two rounds with…

‘There has been a big improvement with the latest engine’JULIAN SIMON DEVELOPMENT RIDER The Triumph Moto2 project has taken another step closer to fruition this week after the manufacturer completed a successful test at Motorland Aragon with the 765cc engine that will power Grand Prix racing’s middleweight class from 2019 onwards. Taking to the Spanish circuit where Moto2 engine preparers ExternPro are based with test rider and former 125GP champion Julian Simon onboard a Triumph Daytona machine modified to mount the new engine, the Spaniard says they’ve made a step forward since his last outing on the bike. “I am really happy to be here in Aragón testing the development of the 2019 Moto2 engines with Triumph. I can see there has been a big improvement with the latest engine,…

Scott Redding was left with mixed emotions after Sunday’s race, pleased to have come home in seventh and as best of the GP16 Ducatis – but unhappy to have been limited by his usual bugbear, rear grip. Struggling especially at the Misano’s six left hand corners, he says that seventh was the best he could do on the day at a track where he scored his first premier class podium back in 2015. “I was happy with the result, but I expected a bit more – I just had no grip on the left side. I struggled a lot at the beginning and it was hard to just stay on the bike, and to keep that rhythm – you can see in my times that it was hard for me…

‘I took a lot of risks, but that’s my style and I might need those five points’MARC MARQUEZ Three riders will fight to the bitter end in one of the closest finishes to a championship race in MotoGP history, after Marc Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso left Sunday’s San Marino Grand Prix on equal points after 13 action-packed races. And with Maverick Viñales only another 16 points behind, it looks set to be a spectacular and unpredictable end to what has been a thrilling season with only five rounds to go. In fact, so close is the championship battle that Marquez admitted after the race that his desperate need for points is forcing him to take risks whenever the opportunity presents itself. Playing it safe does not seem to be an…

‘It is aimed at taking away people’s reservations about electric bikes’ The BMW C Evolution is many things: good for the city, cheap to run and forward thinking. It is not especially cool, cheap and, until now, we wouldn’t have said it was the perfect base for a custom bike either. The times are a changin’ however and with more pressure on manufacturers to pursue electric bikes it was only a matter of time. The E-Lisabad from Krautmotors is the first manufacturer-sanctioned electric custom we’ve seen and it represents a line in the sand. It represents the moment that electric bikes are as interesting as their petrol powered brethren. Maybe. “It’s about taking away people’s reservations about electronic vehicles,” says Rolf Reick, the man behind Kraut Motors. “I’m showing them…

To finish first, first you have to finish. This year’s MotoGP and BSB title contenders could maybe do with a timely reminder that points do, indeed, make prizes. Strength in depth in both series has made for thrilling title fights, but many riders must be kicking themselves for throwing points away. Leon Haslam and Shane Byrne have both failed to finish SEVEN races in 2017, while Marc Marquez has been pointless on three occasions. Consistent finishers Andrea Dovizioso (one DNF) and Peter Hickman (one DNF) have shown that a serious title assault can be built upon the foundation of many decent finishes. Of course, there is always a time when only balls-to-the-wall will do. With five MotoGP and seven BSB races left, conservative riding in every remaining contest will not…

‘It’s agile but stable and has more than a hint of RCV DNA coursing through its veins’ HIGHLIGHTS • Homologation special – only 500 being made • Based on Blade SP • Top-end engine mods for future tuning • Lightweight Marchesini wheels Honda’s Fireblade has been the lifeblood of Ron Haslam’s race school since it started in 1996. During those 21 years the school has used every Blade evolution but here we are on the latest addition to Honda’s superbike family: the SP2. It costs £22,225 and only 500 have been produced to satisfy WSB homologation rules. Customers were expecting it to arrive earlier in the year… so better late then never. Today I’m riding one of just 39 SP2s to be brought into the UK, to spend the day…

‘It’s not just a bike. It has soul. I’ll never sell it’IAN JAMES, MCN READER AND APRILIA RSV1000 OWNER It’s rare indeed when an all-new superbike, from a manufacturer completely new to the category, proves so good it shakes up the established order. But Aprilia’s first 1000, the RSV1000 Mille, was just such a machine. It hit the nail on the head with plenty of buyers, too. Reader Eduardo Cabreira is one of them. “I have to say Aprilia really nailed it with its 998cc big twin,” the Portuguese national, who owns both a ’99 RSV and ’03 Tuono, told MCN. “It’s a bike full of character and with a stunning design. I use the Tuono on the road and the Mille on the track...the best of both worlds!” Another…

‘Harthope Moss at 627m is the joint highest paved road in England’ The North Pennines is a stunning region of moorland with some of the best roads in England and two of the highest in the land. This ride makes an anti-clockwise loop from Barnard Castle to Bowes; fuel is available at the junction of the A688 and A67 to the east of town, and it’s worth topping up before leaving as it will be some distance before the next opportunity. Head out on the B6278 in the direction of Middleton-in-Teesdale. When the road swoops down to Eggleston be prepared to turn right as the B6278 branches off towards Stanhope – take care as the junction is on the entry to a left-hander. The moors soon open up beyond and…

1 Roadhouse Cafe, (A20) Lenham, Kent. Thursday night meet from 6.30pm till late, 07713-267470 2 Manor Farm Cafe, Bellerby, North Yorks. 9am-9pm. Great place to stop and under new management this year Facebook: @manorfarmcafe.co.uk 3 The Romping Cat, Old Woods, Bomere Heath, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. 01939-290273 4 The Old Red Lion, Tetsworth, Oxon. Monday night meet from 6pm. 01844-281274 or www.theoldredliontetsworth.co.uk 5 Ace Café, London. Bike night at London’s original venue from 6pm this Friday. It’s also a great breakfast stop. 020-8961-1000 or www.ace-cafe-london.com GET YOUR MEET ON THE MAP If you have a bike-friendly cafe aenue w and nt wan et yo get r mee you on tmeet monthe comap tact,ema sonl: mcn sam. @ williams motorcyclenews.co.uk@motorcyclenews.com…

‘I find myself looking for twistier ways home, even if it means adding 20 miles’ V-STROM 650 XT £7899 Fuel 18.5 litres @ 52.5mpg = 208 miles Weight 216kg Seat height 835mm Power 70bhp Torque 45.7ftlb oli.rushby@motorcyclenews.com I’m five months and almost 6000 miles into my year with the Suzuki V-Strom 650XT and ever since I took delivery of it, perhaps even before, I’ve had this one little niggle that won’t go away. In many ways, the V-Strom has exceeded expectations. I knew it would be a super-practical tourer/ commuter, but feared it might be a little on the dull side. However, it’s punchy enough to be enjoyable, while also nailing those less adventurous essentials. My commute is 68 miles of predominantly motorway riding, but more and more with this…

HJC R-PHA 11 helmet £319.99 (plain colour) Tester Tim Thompson Time tested Three months/3000 miles What’s good? I loved the smooth fit and aero stability of the R-PHA 10 sports lid, and this is more of the same, only better. It feels like a classy evolution. The 11 also gets welcome extra venting in the forehead and vastly improved top vent control wheels, which are now rubberised and less fiddly. The cheek pads have emergency quick release and the comfort lining is plusher and runs cooler. Best of all, the aperture has been enlarged. The view is now all road and almost zero helmet. This R-PHA 11 has been flawlessly painted by helmet artists Rich-Art Concepts (price: £550) to a design by MCN’s talented Senior Designer Lee Laughton (bottle of…

Q Which textile trousers go large? I’m a 46in waist and would like to get some textile overtrousers. I have a Spada jacket but I couldn’t find anything in their range that would work for me. Do you guys have any idea what I can look at? My budget is only about £100. Paul Horton, Norwich A Answered by Keith Roissetter, Infinity Motorcycles That translates into a 5XLor 6XL in the general clothing world and there’s not a lot out there. The Oxford Subway 3.0s go to a 5XL as do the similarly priced ARMR Moto Kano pants. The RST Blade 2 Sport go to that size in a regular and short leg and won’t break the bank at £109.99. The Buffalo Pacific trousers may also tick your boxes. The…

Steel Originally evolving from bicycles, motorcycle frames simply used bigger and stronger tubes as engine weight and power increased. For ease of manufacturing, complex elements such as headstocks, swingarm pivots and other frame elements were made from weighty steel castings, braised onto the frame tubes. As welding and production technology evolved, manufacturers were able to replace the heavy cast sections with lighter components, typically fabricated from steel pressings and more sophisticated cast and machined pieces. Steel quality also improved over time, producing stronger materials enabling the use of thinner, lighter tubing without compromising stiffness. Aluminium Because of the relatively high cost of aluminium, it is often regarded as being rather exotic, but it actually makes up around 8% of the earth’s crust. Unfortunately, it doesn’t turn up in handy lumps…

It was a reader’s query that got me thinking. He was asking should he buy a trike? Specifically, a new Harley Freewheeler, reduced in price from about £23k to £20k. Trikes are very niche. There’s lot of ‘sidecar appeal’ about them, in that sometimes the reason for buying one is the same as the reason for buying a sidecar outfit - their owners/riders have suffered a motorcycle accident and lost the use of a limb, or only have partial use, or simply can’t risk damaging (for example) their legs again. Others buy them simply because they like the style, and the motorcycle controls. You also get the lunatic factor creeping in (I’ve yet to meet a sidecar fiend who isn’t deranged) and trikes are much harder to find than outfits.…

‘I felt I was ready to win, but I ended up mashed in hospital’GLENN IRWIN The unpredictable weather conditions at Silverstone paved the way for two debut winners from the weekend’s three races with both Ducati mounted Glenn Irwin and Honda’s Dan Linfoot taking their maiden BSB victories. Irwin came out on top in Saturday’s horrific half-wet, half-dry race, where parts of the circuit were saturated with standing water while other parts were bone dry. Having opted for wet tyres, the choice proved the best option by far with the top five all on full wets. Irwin proved to be in a class of his own as he charged through the pack to build a big enough gap to be able to wave at the crowd in the final turns.…

Hopkins hits back MotoRapido Ducati’s John Hopkins made a welcome return to the podium after a strong ride to third in the weekend’s opening race. The American went on to finish tenth in race two before crashing out of the final outing. Hot stock battle A stunning win for Bennetts Suzuki’s Richard Cooper threw the Superstock 1000 title fight wide open at Silverstone this weekend. With series leader Danny Buchan crossing the line fifth, Cooper slashed the gap to just 15 points. Supersport’s stay Despite the slow death of the 600cc sports bike, series bosses weekend pledged to continue the Supersport and Superstock 600 classes in their current form until at least 2019. An additional Moto2-style class is also being considered. Westy braves rain James Westmoreland took Gearlink Kawasaki’s best-ever…

Iddon devastated Christian Iddon looked set to secure the final Showdown place until he dramatically crashed out of Sunday’s final race. The Tyco BMW rider was on course for second when he high-sided on the exit of Club corner. Guintoli on the money at last Bennetts Suzuki made giant strides this weekend with Sylvain Guintoli on the pace for the first time this year. The 2014 World Superbike Champion finished fourth aboard the 2017 GSX-R1000 in the weekend’s only dry race, a season’s best for the team. Reid breaks leg in race two crash Tyco BMW’s Andy Reid broke his left femur after crashing out of race two. He had surgery on Monday on the leg which was already pinned after an accident earlier in his career and will miss…

Cal Crutchlow admitted that he was lucky to come away from the San Marino Grand Prix not only uninjured but with three championship points, after crashing out of the race only days after undergoing surgery on his left index finger. The British racer severed a tendon in his hand while cutting cheese prior to the weekend’s action, necessitating not only an operation to repair it but also a special splint to keep the finger straight for a month until the damaged tendon repairs. Yet despite that, and crashing out of the race then remounting to finish 13th, he says that he is just pleased to come away unscathed when it would have been very easy to have been injured further in Misano’s torrential rain. “I hit it on the floor…

‘I didn’t think Marc would attack as he’s fighting for the title. I was wrong!’DANILO PETRUCCI ‘Andrea can fight for the championship without my help’DANILO PETRUCCI Danilo Petrucci took a stunning second place at his home GP, but was gutted that he failed to seal the deal with a win after leading for most of the race. Despite matching his best ever MotoGP finish the down-beaten part time policeman admitted afterwards that he was ‘sad’ after Marc Marquez beat him with a typically gutsy last lap. Petrucci said: “I have mixed emotions! The race was very tough, and I set my rhythm but I knew Marc was behind me because there’s a big screen at every corner at Misano! I just tried to stay up, to see if…