Table of contents for 6 December 2017 in MCN

With Christmas just around the corner (oh yes it is), what better way to into the festive spirit than by joining in with MCN’s Great Advent Giveaway? Santa has been busy and he’s got more than £4000 worth of goodies up for grabs from December 1 through to Christmas Eve, with prizes including Alpinestars riding gear, MSV Trackdays, a Honda Turbospoke kiddies bike and a pair of Dunlop tyres. There really is something for everyone and it couldn’t be easier to get involved. Follow MCN on Facebook or like us on Twitter to check out all the prizes. All the giveaways are free to enter and it’s just a couple of clicks to register at winit.motorcyclenews.com. Enter at winit.motorcyclenews.com…

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…

THE EXPERT Roy Cross, 61, founded All Year Biker eight years ago, after studying the art of motorcycle cleaning from an engineer’s perspective. All Year Biker is run as a co-operative, with 26 operations running across the UK, servicing around 4000 bikes a year for both individuals and dealerships. Have a washing regime “If you’ve prepared your bike with an anti-corrosion spray, then you can leave the bike for a few days. Generally speaking, the more often you can give it a rinse, the better. It’s not a case of going desperately in-depth, but a simple rinse-off with a hose or pressure washer for a few minutes will help rid the bike of contaminates. “Drying a bike off is just as important as rinsing it down. We get a lot…

‘It’s hard to imagine the B500 wasn’t designed with thrills in mind’ WINTER WONDER Should I soften my suspension in winter? Depends what you have, but as a rule, why not? You’re likely to be gentler in turns, carrying less braking and speed, and easier on the throttle on the way out. So your suspension doesn’t need as much slowing as in summer. Try backing off your dampers a few clicks to make it react faster and improve weight transfer. If you feel you’ve lost a bit of control you can always click back on again to find the right compromise. It sounds like madness to ride 500-odd miles to reach a stretch of tarmac just 25 miles short, so why would you? Just ask anyone who’s got the T-shirt……

THE EXPERT Darren Green Darren is the Honda UK Press Technician and has worked on motorcycles since the age of 17. He has gained a wealth of experience over the last 24 years. Darren’s time with Honda has seen him play the role of Lead Technician across all new bike launches over the last eight years, namely the latest Africa Twin, CB1100 and the CBR1000RR Fireblade. Honda first introduced their Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) systems on the VFR1200FD in 2010. The system was introduced to minimise the movement between the rider and the motorcycle when changing gear, helping the rider to make shock-free gear shifts, whether going up or down the gearbox. Since then, Honda have introduced the Africa Twin, NC range, and the X-ADV, all with the various descendants of…

A few years back, I was thinking long and hard about the resale prospects of the first-generation Kawasaki H2. I reckoned they would dip initially, but if Kawasaki ever made a future classic, it is this. And yes, I’ve got one. Kawasaki built a ground-breaking engine that decimates anything on the road, gave it eye-popping styling and presented it as a supercharged rocket – it was bound to sell (even if the thing is a bit compromised). Though still available in this guise, phase two of Kawasaki’s mission sees them producing a detuned version with updated suspension, brakes and the addition of panniers – the H2 SX. A decent used H2 Ninja is around £18,000 privately, though I’ve seen a crashed one make over £11k. Anyway, what Kawasaki have done…

‘You can have a new bike for less’ Personal Contract Purchase now finances 20%-30% of all new bikes sold in the UK, and it’s growing fast. But it might not be right for you, so make sure you understand what it is and how it works. You can have these new bikes for less than you might have ever imagined – and what’s more you can have another new one in three years’ time, probably without increasing your monthly outlay, or having to find a fresh deposit. This is how it works… • Work out what you can afford as a deposit and in monthly repayments for the duration of the contract. • You can get PCP on any amount from £1500 upwards. • Choose your new motorcycle (or a…

 Being at Jerez, where all of WSB’s manufacturers were testing their 2018 bikes, gave a first glimpse into what effect the new rules might have, if any. ‘Rea was quicker than ever at the Jerez test’ Speaking to most team bosses, especially outside the Kawasaki and Ducati squads, there is a positive attitude to the new rules, but most teams are unsure how changing rev limits across the year, either up or down, will play out. Worryingly, Kawasaki’s Rea and Sykes went faster than they ever have at Jerez, even quicker than they went with their 2017-spec bike which didn’t have the rev cap. There was a sense of: ‘Ah, these rules won’t change anything’ when people saw how fast Kawasaki were, but we won’t see their full effect until…

‘We got to drive an F3 car. I liked it a lot’MARC MARQUEZ Valentino Rossi wasn’t the only MotoGP racer to get a chance to swap two wheels for four at the weekend, with Repsol Honda duo Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa on track at Motegi for Honda Racing’s annual ‘Thanks Day’. Getting a chance to drive a Formula 3 car and lap on their MotoGP machines alongside Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato, world champion Marquez admitted afterwards that the event has become one of the highlights of his year. “I really enjoy Honda Racing Thanks Day because every year it gets more and more interesting and enjoyable for us. We get to try many different cars and bikes. This year, for instance, we had the chance to drive an…

‘BMW say new tech will give some vehicles a range of 430 miles’ BMW have announced their intention to invest €200 million over the next four years by building a new battery technology centre in Munich. The strangely named Battery Cell Competence Centre (were they incompetent before?), will focus on cell chemistry and cell design with a view to improving performance, lifespan, safety and charging while also reducing costs. At the moment, most manufacturers purchase batteries from big Far East suppliers such as Samsung but BMW say the move to bring the technology in-house will allow them to design batteries that are better suited to individual products, although the firm say they may still contract out the actual production. BMW also announced that they are working on their fifth generation…

‘Outside of London, it is considered a low-level crime’ The clampdown on bike theft seems to be working In London, but nationally it’s hard to say as the figures haven’t been released (at time of going to press). Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Met, said that in July to September this year there was a 25% reduction in thefts of motorcycles and during the same period there was a 24% decrease in scooter-enabled crime. Outside of London it’s a different matter, as motorcycle theft is considered a low-level crime. It’s expected that 30,000 motorcycles will be stolen without recovery this year, which is up from roughly 26,000 last year – although it’s a far cry from the horrendous peak of 132,000 per year in the early 1990s. But James Treadwell,…

How good is this? You can save cash on your favourite biking read – and get a set of riding jeans that’d cost you £107.99 in the shops! The SR4 Bull-it jeans are tough yet comfortable and look great both on and off the bike. • The traditional design gives you five pockets, including a coin pocket • The jeans are not just fashionable; they also include abrasion resistance coverage for up to four seconds! The side and rear have a triple seam construction for enhanced durability and abrasion resistance • They are made from water resistant material with a thermal barrier to keep you warm and have integrated pockets for CE hip and thigh protectors • They come in nine waist sizes (28-44) and three leg lengths (short 30/regular32/long…

It was the way he said it so matter-of-factly. Like it was normal, expected, just another thing to process. “So, let’s get this straight,” I stammered trying to get my head around the statement. “You had three bikes stolen from your workplace within two years and it didn’t put you off biking at all?” A shake of the head and a fairly short and sharp explanation. It will take more than horrible, thieving crooks to stop this bloke biking. The quality of locks may have got better and a tracker was soon in place, but the man I was talking to about his biking life had no intention of stopping. “Well, they’ve won then haven’t they,” he concluded. And he’s right. If we stopped doing stuff because mindless idiots might…

MATCHLESS G3L My first bike was a 250 Panther in 1954. This is my second bike in Hong Kong in 1957. Anthony Webster SUZUKI X5 With my proud mum on pillion after buying me my first bike to go to college on at 17. Martyn Cobb SUZUKI GT750 My first new bike, bought in late 1975. This picture was taken the following summer in Germany on a tour of Europe. John Albone TRIUMPH SPEED TWIN My dad on his Triumph in 1953 – before I was born! Bev Bliss YAMAHA PW50 This is me, aged five, practicing race starts on grandpa’s driveway. Now 28, I have a 1993 RGV250 VJ22, and a Yamaha YZ250. Matt Raper BSA BANTAM My dad, James Keeler, on his BSA Bantam 125 in 1968. He’s…

Honda Gold Wing Large Project Leader Yutaka Nakanishi set out on a mission to make the latest version lighter, faster and cleverer. “If you look at the current Gold Wing, we believe that it had got too big, too heavy – too much in all aspects. And it started to spoil the emotional aspects of riding. There was no wind, there was no noise – it was sometimes more like sitting in a living room than riding. But you have to be careful if you start making it too extreme – there is a certain line where it stops becoming a Gold Wing any more. We defined the line and didn’t go below it. “But we wanted the customer to enjoy riding their motorcycle, so we made it more engaging…

MIKE HODGSKIN 1 Check out sailing kit for thermal wind/ waterproof layers. There’s much more choice and it comes in more sizes for men and women. RICHARD BROOKES 2 I haven’t found a neck tube that works, so just grow a beard... a big one! JOHN IRELAND 3 Adapt your riding for smoother acceleration and braking and don’t forget about your riding lines to avoid leaves and mud. LIZ CURRIE 4 Primark velvet leggings make your legs feel like they’re being hugged by teddy bears! OWEN LEWIS 5 Spend some cash on quality gear; heated clothing is now more affordable and less cumbersome than ever before. RFW 6 If you get really cold just get off and push your bike for 20 feet. I can guarantee you’ll be sweltering after…

Keis J501 heated jacket What makes it so good? This breathable J501 is lighter and thinner than previous models. This means it will sit comfortably under more close-fitting jackets, running off your bike’s 12v battery as a source of power. Contact www.keisapparel.co.uk EDZ Mens Undersuit What makes it so good? Available in sizes S-XXXL, this base layer will keep you either warm or cool, depending on conditions. The suit is made of fast drying, easy- wash material and is designed to stop your skin sticking to outer layers. Contact www.edzlayering.com Tucano Urbano Tetris gloves What makes them so good? The Tetris offers a five-finger inner and four-finger outer glove. With a water-resistant outer membrane, which is removable for drying, the Tetris has a goat leather palm and a pocket for…

HONDA CBR1000RR FIREBLADE SP £19,125 Fuel 16 litres @ 49mpg = 172-mile range Weight 195kg (kerb) Seat 820mm Power 176bhp @13,000rpm Torque 79.6ftlb @ 11,000rpm (both measured) THE RIDER Tim Thompson. Rode the first Blade into the uk in 1992 and had his mullet blown off in the process. Height 5ft 7in Weight 71kg tim.thompson@motorcyclenews.com Was it really a year ago that I loitered on the Honda stand at the NEC, watching eager show goers try the beautiful new Honda Fireblade SP for size? Twelve months later I’m in my garage and essentially reduced to doing the same. With the salt down, I am loath to wreck this sumptuous, 19-grand HRC Honda on the daily commute. So I’m on weather watch: waiting for bone dry days with enough time to…

2012 Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 £4600 Seller says 47,000 miles, dealer trade sale, full service history. Neil says A good road bike, but nobody really wanted it, which is why it depreciated so quickly. This looks like a decent buy. 2011 Triumph Tiger 800XC £4600 Seller says 22,500 miles, full service history, lots of accessories, recent tyres. Neil says Probably a better bet than a BMW F800GS. Shame there’s no luggage kit. 1973 Triumph Tiger 750 £4000 Seller says Very clean, new ignition, pulls very strongly. Neil says A better first retro Triumph than a 750 Bonneville, and hardly slower. This could be a good investment. 14,485 bargain bikes for sale right now!…

JON ASHLEY 2007/2008 YAMAHA YZF-R1 ‘I’ve never had a Yamaha, so I’d probably go for one of them. I’ve had quite a few brands, but with four grand and a monkey to play with, a 2007-2008 Yamaha R1 would be on the cards. Buying privately gets more bang for the buck and possibly some lower mileages. This would get me all the style I could want, some good old-fashioned high revving power in a sweet chassis and uberreliability - what’s not to like?’ CHRIS HOOD HONDA ST1300 PAN EUROPEAN ‘I’ve contemplated this question before and having had everything from sports 600s to a BMW K1600, the one bike I would have if I could have no other bike would be the Honda ST1300 Pan European. They’re comfy, reliable, have plenty…

2001-2006 Honda XL125V Varadero Colours Orange/silver, red/ black or silver Dealer £2800 Private good £2600 Private average £2350 This one 2006 model with heated grips and tank pad. 11,000 miles, £2690. 2007-2008 Honda XL125V Varadero Colours Black, silver or blue/black Dealer £2950 Private good £2750 Private average £2500 This one 2008 model in standard condition showing just 8000 miles, £2950. 2009-2012 Honda XL125V Varadero Colours Red/black, white/ black or black Dealer £3200 Private good £3000 Private average £2750 This one Our test bike with top box, tall screen and just 11,600 miles, £2995. 2013-2017 Honda XL125V Varadero Colours Red/black, white/ black or black Dealer £4999 (new) Private good £3999 Private average £3750 This one Unregistered new old stock example. 0 miles, £4999. Insurance MCN COMPARE Premiums for £3000 used learner…

DUCATI Ducati Corse Superbike Director Ernesto Marinelli “For manufacturers who are investing the most in the championship, it is not something you can swallow very easily.” KAWASAKI KRT Head Engineer Ichiro Yoda “My understanding is that Kawasaki are a bit too strong, which Dorna does not want. We are doing a good job, but also have very good riders, and the result is coming from the package. The rev limit may affect our results a little, but not so much.” YAMAHA Road Racing Project Manager Andrea Dosoli “If the level of the championship increases, everyone benefits. The best rider will always succeed, but these rules will tighten the competition. It seems the right step.” HONDA Red Bull Honda boss Ronald Ten Kate “We will only find out how much effect…

 After another year of total domination, Jonathan Rea is fast becoming the Valentino Rossi of WSB. Winning three WSB crowns in a row had never been done before – not even by former greats Carl Fogarty and Troy Bayliss. And with his future confirmed in WSB, Rea is exploring the limits of what is possible within his chosen category - just like a certain Mr V. Rossi did in the previous decade of MotoGP. ‘I break my balls every weekend; I’m not twiddling my thumbs’JONATHAN REA And to top off an epic season for the 30-year-old, Rea had to interrupt a recent test in Jerez to collect his MBE from Prince William and is still soaking up the news that he has been shortlisted for BBC Sports Personality of the…

 Dunlop will remain as the sole supplier of tyres to the Moto2 and Moto3 classes for a further three years, extending their deal until at least the end of the 2020 season. ‘Dunlop are upping development in Moto2 and Moto3’ The only firm to supply tyres to the classes since their respective introductions in 2010 and 2012, they’re also upping their development game in the two series, with the introduction of a number of new prototype tyres towards the end of the 2017 season. US-owned since their takeover by tyre manufacturing giant Goodyear two decades ago, the Dunlop motorsports team servicing Grand Prix racing still remain a resolutely British affair, with the majority of their crew hailing from the UK.…

 Marquez brothers Marc and Alex will sit out this year’s Superprestigio indoor flat track race in Barcelona at the end of this month, after admitting that a demanding 2017 season had taken its toll on them. ‘There are rumours Honda are unhappy with the risks’ With the pair taking a break from competitive riding for the winter, there are also rumours that pressure from Honda, unhappy with the risks taken by the new world champion in pushing for victory at the event, had also played a part in the decision. However, the pair will have an equally feisty replacement in the shape of MotoGP rookie sensation Johann Zarco who will headline a star-studded grid. The double Moto2 world champion will go out against six other tarmac world champions in a…

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 been a real success story in 2017 and we’re planning to make it bigger and better in 2018. So join our Facebook…

‘The KTM is perfect, with very useable torque’ We’ve taken a KTM300 for this trip, along with last year’s model (in Husqvarna guise) and a Beta 300 XTrainer by way of a comparison. The KTM is the perfect tool for the job, and has very useable torque from very low revs in a beautifully balanced chassis. The 2018 model runs twin port injection which also negates the need to pre-mix the fuel. An oil tank sits between the headstock and the fuel tank and can just be topped up with normal two-stroke. The oil tank and injectors do add a bit of weight, around 2kg compared to last year’s bike (which is otherwise identical) but you cannot feel this weight on the move at all. In fact, due to how…

Hidden in the folds of Belgian border country lies an unassuming village called Bruly-de-Pesche. It was here in 1940 that Adolf Hitler resided during the final days of the Battle of France. It also was from here that he left to attend the Armistice with France, and here that he returned after his visit to Paris. Not a feel-good stop-off for your biking tour, but one worthy of your time as it forces you to reflect on some of the ugliest events in European history from the past 100 years. It’s a chilling experience. Address: Place Saint-Meen, 5660 Bruly-de-Pesche, Belgium Open February 18 to November 12, adults €6. Website: bdp1940.be…

Ups and downs Poor UK sales are not reflected across Europe. Sales of motorcycles in the UK so far are down 15% while scooters are down 20% but in France bikes are up 3% and scoots are up 8%, while in Spain bikes are down 8% but scoots are up 20%. Sales success While sales in the UK struggle, they’re accelerating quicker than expected in developing markets Suzuki India has increased sales by 37.1%, selling 49,535 bikes and virtually all of those into the domestic market. Honda also saw growth in India of 44%. Indian recall Indian have recalled their Chief (Classic, Dark Horse, Vintage Springfield and Dark Horse) and their Chieftain (Classic, Dark Horse, Limited and Elite) due some being fitted with incorrect headlight assemblies. Only bikes built in…

GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a network of satellites owned by the US Government and maintained by the US Air Force. Each satellite carries an incredibly precise atomic clock that syncs with other satellites and clocks on the ground. The satellites’ locations are also tracked with great precision. The satellites all broadcast radio waves that transmit their current position and time. A GPS receiver (the thing bolted to your bike) monitors these signals, solving equations based on the data it receives from the satellites, enabling it to compute its exact location. A GPS receiver must be ‘in sight’ of at least four satellites to calculate its position. GPS satellites have been in Earth’s orbit since the late 1970s, although civilians could not gain access to precise signals until 1998.…

Triple trouble Triumph have issued a recall for the Speed Triple R and S, made from September 2015 to August 2017, due a potential wiring fault. It’s possible for a bracket to wear through the wiring to the reg/rec, causing the engine to stall. American debts American company Motorsports Aftermarket Group have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with debt of over $300 million. MAG are the owners of numerous well-known brands including company Vance & Hines who are OE suppliers to Triumph and others. Waze to go Google-owned satnav app Waze has gained a new motorcycle mode, which has been tweaked for two-wheeled types in the UK. The update has improved arrival times that vary from cars and has added routing on certain roads where cars are not permitted. Best…

‘One customer was attacked twice with a hammer’Guy Konig, Sales Manager at Central Bikes ‘You can spend your whole life shivering but what’s the point?’David, daily commuter Although I live in London and have commuted through the centre for years, I’ve been fortunate enough never to have a bike stolen (perhaps because they’ve always been crap…)! With that in mind, I headed into the capital to meet people who ride and work with bikes, day-in day-out to see what it’s really like and whether things really are as bad as they seem. How long have you ridden in London? About ten years Have you had any bikes nicked? Yeah, twice. Each time I just got lazy. I buy really cheap bikes and then give it two or three years…

‘GP bikes take no prisoners, whereas a superbike will just wallow itself out of a massive moment’JAMES TOSELAND Back in the days when it snowed everywhere in the UK – it snowed everywhere as we hit December 2009, causing the usual roads chaos. And Terry Wogan presented his last Breakfast Show on Radio 2, which was a bit of relief (for him, obviously)! British biking was booming, too. Norton were back in the bike game after Stuart Garner had revived the brand. He even turned up at the NEC with the Commando 961 SE and Commando S café racer. Triumph were also flying high. Profits were up 16%, despite other manufacturers having a tough time. Sales of Bonnevilles in the UK had doubled in the previous 12 months, and more…

‘I would like Marc Marquez’s MotoGP bike. It’s just incredible’ Q1 What are you riding? Obviously my HRC CRF450 rally bike, but also a Honda CRF450 motocross bike for training purposes, and I have a CRF250 as well. Q2 Which living motorcyclist do you most admire? When I was a child I had some motocross idols, they were Jean-Michel Bayle the French motocross world champion, and Jeremy McGrath, the American motocross and supercross champion. They were the riders I wanted to be like. Q3 What’s your worst riding habit? Stopping the bike with the gear engaged. I do it all the time. Q4 If you could have one riding super skill, what would it be? Being a rally rider my super skill would be to ride without defects or faults.…

Both front wheels are independently suspended with a pair of fork legs each, which are mounted on parallel quadrilateral arms with a pivot along the centre line of the bike, allowing the machine to bank over with virtually no resistance like a ‘normal’ bike. It can lean over to 45°. The front wheels are steered using an Ackerman system, which uses clever geometry to account for the fact the inside wheel steers more to make up for it tracking a tighter radius curve. It was pioneered in horse-drawn carriages… Engine The CP3 engine will be similar to the Tracer/MT-09/XSR900 and has a ride-by-wire throttle traction control, ABS and a quickshifter. Power is still TBA. Ally-steel hybrid frame Ally front steering mechanism bolts to a steel frame, while at the rear…

1 Plum Pudding Meeting, Mallory Park Combining bikes, sidecars and cars makes for an enticing combination, there are some great roads in the area and Mallory’s café serves great fry-ups and hot, hot tea. 2 Mablethorpe beach racing, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire Proper grassroots bike sport and supported by Guy Martin, who occasionally races here. A huge amount of cafés and diners mean plenty of places for fuel to warm your insides. 3 Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show, ExCeL Arena Our own bike show has all the latest bikes on display, great customs and classic areas and loads of celebs and live action. Best of all, undercover parking is free if you ride there.…

Honda CG125 • 114kg (dry) • 11bhp Why? The CG is utterly indestructible. Pushrod valve actuation means fewer hassles if it’s run low on (or even out of) oil and, if you crash it, you can kick it back into shape. Road tax, insurance and parts are dirt cheap, it does 100mpg, and can be serviced by anyone who knows which end to hold a screwdriver. Early models have fully enclosed chains, too. What to look out for Look for twisted centrestands, weedy 6v electrics on early ones, learner abuse, rusted-through swingarms and crash damage. BMW K100RS • 249kg (wet) • 90bhp Why? One of the few bikes you can buy with 100,000 miles on it and know it’ll still run happily. It’s a shaft drive, tough, the…

When fellow bikers talk about there being a ‘riding season’, about wrapping their bikes up for winter, or even dodging rainy days in summer – I feel a little sad inside. Not because it reminds me of these riding no-go days when you pine at the rain-lashed window like a puppy whose owner has gone to work for the day, but because I know what they’re missing out on. I’m always learning Almost nothing affects your bike time like the weather. That road that’s more abrasive in the dry than Janet Street-Porter having a whinge might be like an ice rink in the wet. Or vice versa. And when the roads dry out, you’ll be a better rider. You learn more, and faster, in difficult conditions. Your inbuilt ability to…

‘Unlike anyone else at MCN, I am now an IAM advanced rider’ I’ve always thought I’m a competent rider but not complacent enough to think I can’t improve. So, when I met Blade-riding Alie Ball, an IAM tutor (or as they call it, an observer) on a French trackday a couple of years ago, I was keen to find what the IAM’s all about. I could have found a course closer to home but because Alie and I hit it off, I chose to join her group, the Thames Vale Advanced Motorcyclists. As she lives a hundred miles from me, we couldn’t meet up as much as I’d like, instead we met monthly and for a day’s ride. It’s an intensive way to learn but we covered numerous topics during…

Shark Spartan £299.99 Tester Alison Silcox Time used 3500 miles/ six months What’s good? This is my third or fourth Shark lid – I must have been bitten by the bug! And it doesn’t stray from the quality, comfort and fit I’ve come to expect from the brand. The Spartan took very little breaking in and even after a couple of hours riding there were no niggly aches or any discomfort. As I’d worn the lid throughout the warm summer months, I gave the removable lining a wash. To keep all the bits together while they were in my wash load, I placed them inside a pillowcase. With normal detergent and on a 30-degree cycle, I was pleased with the results and the lining hadn’t lost any shape and plumped-up…

‘Claims are much harder to prove now due to the brightness of modern headlamps’ QCan I claim for being dazzled at night? I am having difficulty with my claim, which I am pursuing following a bike accident at night this summer. I was returning from my night shift at the pub restaurant I work at and coming towards me was a 4x4, which I think had its main beams on and blinded me, causing me to come off and hurt myself quite badly. The driver realised what happened as he saw me swerve off the road and the police got his details and so on. His insurers say he did nothing wrong and did not have his main beam on, but I think he did. Is there anything I can…

A grand plan for AGV Rossi lid AGV have produced a special design of their premium Pista GP R helmet, celebrating 20 years since Valentino Rossi’s first world title in the 125cc class in 1997. Available in sizes XS-XXL, production is limited to 2500 lids and will be available from February 2018 for £999.99 (yes, £999.99!). www.agv.com Bonnie prize is just the ticket The National Motorcycle Museum has announced the prizes for its winter raffle, with the lucky first place winner taking home a 2018 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster. Winners will be drawn on Sunday April 22, 2018 at the International Classic Motorcycle Show. Tickets for the raffle can be obtained at w w w.thenmm.co.uk Brum’s rush Britain’s premier biking event, Motorcycle Live, drew in 107,072 enthusiasts across its nine-day stint…

Quick. Name a large-capacity, air-cooled four still in production. Erm… the Honda CB1100, and that’s it, isn’t it? Not quite. There’s the Yamaha XJR1300. A bike whose engine first saw the light of day in 1984 with the Yamaha FJ1100 is still with us, more than three decades later! Back then it produced about 125bhp, even more than Kawasaki’s seminal GPZ900R. The current, all-show no-go model, makes just 97bhp, however – 8bhp down on the older XJR. But the older XJR is a glorious, comfy muscle bike. It has a big fat seat, light controls, oodles of low-down torque and is as smooth as Baileys. Most of the time you’ll be at 80mph and below as the raised bars put you in the windblast. It’s also a big old-fashioned bugger…

‘Nothing ever goes wrong with the engine. I’ve yet to see one blown up’ “They’re really good. When we get them in for servicing nothing ever goes wrong with the engine. Ever. I’ve yet to see one blown up. Normally with a little 125, young kids forget to put oil in it or something. But with these, we’ve never had one that’s gone pop. “It’s a really good option, especially now with the fashion for adventure bikes. You get that big bike look, they’re not that slow and they sound nice, too. “They’re well equipped and the brakes are really good. You can use it around town, on dual carriageways, everything… “They’re not just solid because they tend to be well looked after – I’ve seen ones where no-one’s looked…

 Valentino Rossi says he and Movistar Yamaha team-mate Maverick Viñales have made significant progress in a private test at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit. The duo headed to their final test of the year under big pressure after a failed 2017 campaign – but, speaking to MCN at last weekend’s Monza Rally (see page four), the nine-time world champion says they’re finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. ‘Viñales was going fast, and I thought maybe it’s me, maybe I am tired’VALENTINO ROSSI During the 2017 season the factory team struggled to get the best out of their M1, especially on hotter tracks or in wet conditions; conditions where Rossi has historically been at his strongest. And their plans were thrown further into disarray last month at…

‘Make 2018 the year of the big bike trip’ Riding a motorcycle is the best form of transport. Fact! It’s faster than walking, more engaging than driving a car, cheaper than flying and quieter and more reliable than taking a train. Oh, and safer than riding a bicycle... probably! So any time you fire up the bike and head out, you’re winning. A ride to the shops, to work or to your local haunt is a gratifying and pleasant experience because it’s better than all of the above. But going beyond the norm, takes motorcycling to a whole new level. Spending a lot of time on your motorcycle in unfamiliar surroundings requires effort, concentration and, often, a significant investment – in time and money. Often, the more you put into…