Table of contents for 5th June 2019 in MCN

I genuinely can’t remember the last time a MotoGP race actually made my palms sweat and my heart thump louder against my ribs. But as Sunday’s MotoGP unfolded with all the close proximity tension of a Moto2 race, I was creeping ever closer to the edge of the sofa, chest thumping like a bass drum. Of all the scenarios I expected Sod’s Law to deliver, Petrucci actually crossing the line first was about fourth in the queue. And then there was that last lap three-into-one manoeuvre that saw Petrux slide through a gap that no-one other than him thought was there – least of all Dovizioso. That was very nearly scenario two enacted. But the line arrived, and Petrux crossed it first. It must have been very dusty in my…

The new Honda CB500X is the latest bike to pass through the Rally Raid workshop, receiving a whole new range of parts to help it live up to its increased adventure bike potential. First up it’s gained Rally Raid’s Level 2 suspension kit which consists of longer Tractive springs (eliminating the plastic spacer) and damper rods with built-in compression shim stack. Together these give a 20mm travel increase as well as much improved damping. If you don’t fancy the increased travel, the Level 1 Fork Kit is available on its own for £309. It also has a matching Level 2 Tractive rear shock which, as well as increasing rear wheel travel by 50mm. features a remote reservoir with fully adjustable damping controls. The Level 2 front and rear set up…

When Triumph ripped the fairings off a retuned a Daytona 675 in 2007 they created an instant icon. 12 years later and the breed is still breaking its rivals’ hearts with the Street Triple 795 RS winning our naked bike of the year award in 2018. Triumph have now added a couple of sweeteners in the shape of a £500 deposit contribution and a freee £400 quickshifter, meaning that right now it’s only £85 p/m on PCP. 2019 TRIPLE RS What is it? A naked sportsbike that has no flaws or built-down-to-a price compromises. From engine to tyres, every single component works in perfect harmony. MCN says “We’re happy to report this new 765 version is a very special motorcycle indeed.” Want to buy one? £10,300, £2301 deposit, £85…

‘People in the community need to come forward’DET CHIEF INSP MARK CRANWELL Hundreds of delivery riders have descended on Parliament to demand action after a colleague was killed during a botched theft in London. The victim, as yet unnamed, was attacked on Saturday, May 25, after police believed he attempted to intervene when he saw a gang of youths trying to steal his moped. He was taken to hospital with a severe head trauma but died later of his injuries. The location of the attack became notorious when Ian Tomlin was battered to death with a baseball bat after he challenged people dealing drugs near his house in Battersea, south London. After the news of his death emerged couriers and delivery riders decided to hold a rideout in his honour.…

Spyshots have emerged of Ducati testing a new V4-powered naked bike on track in Italy. Ducati boss, Claudio Domenicali, has previously said more models will be based on the Panigale V4 superbike platform but this is the first time we’ve seen anything in the flesh. Going by what we can see in this photo, the V4 engine appears unchanged. The cases seem the same as does the exhaust. Assuming Ducati put some different cams in and give it a remap for more midrange, we expect the 1103cc unit to put out around 185bhp and 90ftlb of torque. The bodywork, too, is pure Panigale V4, with the headlight matching the superbike’s aggressive-looking ‘face’. There’s no screen or half fairing, like on the Aprilia Tuono, but we believe that some trickery has…

Practice week may have been blighted by bad weather, but the sun shone on the Isle of Man for Mad Sunday, the mid-point of the TT when, among various events on the island, fans traditionally take the opportunity to ride the 37.73-mile course with the popular Mountain section from Ramsey to Douglas made one-way. Postponements and poor visibility meant this aspect couldn’t take place this year, but it did little to dampen spirits and Peel’s promenade gave the chance to soak up the festival atmosphere and bask in some much-needed sunshine. “It’s a nice family atmosphere,” said Detective Colin Eveden, on patrol with colleague Peter Goonkowski in iconic IOM Constabulary white helmets. “Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves and that’s all we really want.” Mandy Cumbor and Gary Hughes had…

There is a bit of a stigma attached to so-called ‘learner’ bikes such as these two A2 machines, which is totally unjustified. These are not learner bikes, they are smaller capacity machines that deliver a rewarding riding experience. Both the Z400 and CB500F’s parallel twins have more than enough grunt to allow riders to safely negotiate fast-moving commuting traffic while also providing ease of use thanks to their light weight and effortless clutch actions. Not only this, you also get economy figures of over 55mpg irrespective of how you ride them and all for no more than £85 a month. Overall, the Honda is the more complete package. Its motor isn’t as fast as the Zed’s and its handling is a touch slower, but it feels far more refined and…

1 No dinosaurs are harmed… Amazingly, there is no crude oil in fully-synthetic oil. Its base is Polyalphaolefin (PAO), which is a clear man-made liquid produced from ethylene gas. Rock Oil can store 1.5m litres of PAO on-site. 2 Get cooking PAO is transferred into a ‘cooker’ ready for mixing. Rock Oil have four 50-tonne, a 90, 10, 12 and two 2-tonne cookers. 3 Adding additives These can be viscosity modifiers, anti-wear additives, anti-corrosion additives and more. 4 Heating it up The PAO and additive mixture is heated for around 40 minutes at 50-60 degrees Celcius while also being stirred and recirculated around to ensure an even mix. 5 Testing lab Thousands of samples are tested every year with each batch being checked for its…

With nearly every manufacturer looking to capitalise on the growing trend of retro off-road bikes by harking back to their own historic offerings, Yamaha have now jumped firmly onto the scrambler band wagon. Calling on rich off-road heritage that saw ground-breaking bikes like the XT500 rule the roost back in the 1970s, they’ve launched a remodelled and re-packaged XSR700 called the XTribute in homage to the silver-tanked 1981 XT500. Strong pedigree At heart it’s essentially the fun, frugal and highly-engaging MT-07 which was ‘retro-ed’ into the XSR700 before being given the additional styling twist of the XTribute. Like those it’s powered by a 689cc parallel twin with 75bhp and 50ftlb and has the perfect character to complement this style of bike, with good throttle response and easy-to-use power without ever…

1. PLANNING Observation and planning are key. You don’t want to be startled into making sudden dabbs at the bike’s brakes. 2. PILLION  PEEK Encourage your pillion to take a look over your shoulder so they can anticipate when you are going to slow down. 3. GENTLY DOES IT Be smooth and progressive on the brakes. Use more rear than usual to stop the front of the bike diving. 4. INTO POSITION Angle the bike so you have a smooth route as you turn through the junction. Put both feet down if you need to stop. 5. PULLING AWAY Using more revs and some clutch slip with a little back brake will aid balance and control as you pull out from the junction. BRACE, BRACE Encourage your pillion to put…

•‘The team are getting used to all the systems, we’re findingourway’ Poor weather seems to follow World Superbikes at the moment. After the snow of Assen and rain of Imola, both of which caused race cancellations, more rain affected proceedings as Ducati organised a test attended by most teams at Misano in Italy last week. But it didn’t go according to plan, with Alvaro Bautista suffering an accident. As this was not an Official Test organised by Dorna, no lap times were declared, and conditions were so changeable across Wednesday and Thursday that even the unofficial times are of little comparative use. Bautista appeared to walk away unharmed from his high-speed off at Turn 13, the last of the rapid right-handers leading to the Carro hairpin, this being the first…

Bosses have been explaining why the TT is so vulnerable to bad weather – there is racing in the wet on closed roads in other parts of the world but not at the TT. The main race day of this year’s North West 200 was hit by heavy rain but four of the five races, all involving teams taking part in the TT, were completed using wet weather tyres. “We have rain tyres that have been proven at the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix that we would be happy to bring to the TT,” said Metzeler’s Jason Griffiths. “The NW200 full wet tyre lasts for a race distance of six to seven laps, which is the equivalent of two laps around the TT course, with no issue,” explained…

Manxman Conor Cummins’ third place finish on the Milenco Padgett’s Honda, 9.345-seconds behind race winner Peter Hickman in the Superbike race, followed his second place in last year’s Superbike race and a third in the Senior. It was also Cummins’ ninth TT podium finish without a victory. “I just tried to be consistent and pick up where I left off last year with my lines and corner speed,” the Ramsey man explained. “My first board said P4, so I just dug in and am really happy to be third.” Cummins raced across the mountain with Harrison after the Kawasaki rider caught him at Ramsey on the second lap. “Being bigger helped me in certain places,” he said. “There were a few corners on the mountain where Dean seemed to struggle…

Fabio Quartararo had a disappointing end to his weekend on the Petronas Yamaha at Mugello, after suffering throughout Sunday’s race with an overheating front tyre which left him unable to convert a front row start into better than tenth. Still learning every weekend in only his sixth race, he was keen to chalk the experience down as a further part of his MotoGP education. And, still coming home as the fastest of the rookies, he had a better weekend than team-mate Franco Morbidelli, who crashed out while battling for a top ten spot.…

A motorcyclist who’s life was saved by emergency roadside heart surgery has personally thanked the doctor concerned in a special commendation ceremony in Cheshire. Warrington biker John O’Brien suffered life-threatening injuries following a collision in October 2018 which was attended by numerous emergency services including Cheshire Fire and Rescue Medical Director Dr Mark Forrest. ‘They did everything to save my life’BIKER JOHN OÕBRIEN Just prior to being loaded into an air ambulance, O’Brien went into cardiac arrest and Forrest, unable to revive him, decided the only option was to perform a procedure rarely attempted outside of the operating theatre. Forrest cut open O’Brien’s chest allowing him to treat the internal bleeding and manually massage his heart back to life. Fortunately, the procedure was a complete success and, within minutes, O’Brien’s…

Goodwood have announced that a raft of big-name TT riders will compete in the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy at the Revival on September 13-15. These include: 23-time TT winner and MCN columnist John McGuinness and TT race-winner Dean Harrison, who will both compete on Matchless G50s; current 135mph TT lap record-holder Peter Hickman along with 18-time winner Michael Dunlop, five-time winner Michael Rutter, two-time winner Gary Johnson, race winner James Hillier and Conor Cummins, all riding Manx Nortons; while roads and BSB star Lee Johnston will also compete aboard an MV Agusta. Track action is scheduled every day of the three-day event, with qualifying Friday and a two-part race held Saturday and Sunday. Timings have yet to be confirmed, but expect it to be around late morning – similar to…

Octogenarian Derek Patterson has spent the last nine years rekindling his passion for two wheels after having had a break of more than 50 years. Bikes played a big part in his early life. As a teenager in the 1950s he served in the RAF and spent weekends participating in trials. Once married and with a family, two wheels made way for four and over the years that followed, with wife Marjorie, a passion for classic cars grew. A few years after Marjorie passed away, and with a friend’s advice of ‘do it while you can’ ringing in his ears, he took the plunge to return to a life on two wheels. “Biking has always been in my DNA and, having lost my wife, who was a true petrolhead, I…

TRITON This is my son Paul on my Triton back in the mid 1980s, it led to him having numerous bikes, from KR1s to ZX-9Rs. John Silverman TRIUMPH TWENTY ONE Me and college friend on long weekend in Blackpool. They don’t make fairings like that anymore. John Barker MOTO GUZZI ZIGOLO My first bike when I was 16, (I am now 67) was this Moto Guzzi Zigolo 110cc rotary valve two-stroke making 4.8 bhp! This photo was taken in 1967. I saw one at Mallory Park last year and couldn’t believe how small it looked. David Everett YAMAHA DRAGSTAR 1100 My granddaughter Holly just before her first pillion ride on my Dragstar 1100. She is a biking convert now. David Maclannan HONDA VFR800 My granddaughter Molly having her first ride…

The Kawasaki’s LCD dash is modern in its styling with a gear indicator, fuel gauge, digital rev counter and large mph display. You get two trips, a clock, average mpg, live mpg and range, but the whole thing is let down by a nasty carbon (which looks fake to me) surround. It’s clear to read, but does seem a bit cheap. In contrast the Honda’s dash is the same classy unit as found on other CB models. It also has a fuel gauge, gear indicator, digital rev counter and mph display as well as an array of trips, mpg displays and a clock. HONDA SWITCHGEAR Chunky but very functional. The only irritation is the fact Honda have transposed the traditional position of the horn and indicator. KAWASAKI SWITCHGEAR  it is…

‘There is no greater challenge for a lubricant than a motorcycle engine,” says Greg Hewitt, Managing Director of British oil firm Rock Oil. “A bike might rev to over 16,000rpm with a clutch and gearbox that share the same oil. It is a harsh environment and racing pushes these limits even further.” Formed in 1928 in Warrington by Fred Malone, Rock Oil have always remained within the town and from humble beginnings have grown to become one of the world’s leading brands, making a staggering 25 million litres of oil products a year. “Fred was in weights and measures,” explains Greg, “but worked out he could repackage the products himself and so he formed a company to take advantage of the demand for oil, which was booming due to the…

Fitted with rider aids for the first time in its history, the 2017 Blade was the safest ever on road, but its electronics could be unpredictable on track, chiming in when you didn’t want them and letting off when you did. The only way for a fast time was to switch them off when a light, rapid, sweet-handling super-bike was revealed. Refined for 2019, we put the Blade SP’s new electronics to the test at Jerez and on road in the UK to see if they change the way it behaves. 1 Separate anti-wheelie Torque and wheelie control were linked together on the previous Fireblade, but now they can be adjusted separately. The anti-wheelie has three levels but can’t be switched off. On track, the electronics are better at taking…

SHANE BYRNE 15 YEARS 11 MONTHS 18 DAYS between his first win (Donington Park 2002) and his most recent win (Brands Hatch 2018) 13 RIDERS have won the BSB title in the modern era (1996 onwards) 6 YEARS Since the last first-time winner became a champion (Lowes) OLDEST FIRST-TIME WINNER STEVE HISLOP 36 YEARS3MONTHS15DAYS Oulton Park – 1998 DID YOU KNOW? More rider first wins have come on Ducati bikes than any other brand: 13 More rider first wins have come at Oulton Park than at any other circuit: 10 YOUNGEST FIRST-TIME WINNER JONATHAN REA 20 YEARS4MONTHS15DAYS Mondello Park – 2007 DID YOU KNOW? There have been 9 one-hit wonders (riders who have only won a single race): • Iain MacPherson • Ian Simpson • Matt Llewellyn •…

DAVENTRY MOTORCYCLE FESTIVAL & RIDE-IN, DAVENTRY JUNE 8 ‘Ride-in to Daventry bike-fest’ Starting the annual, free to enter, Daventry Motorcycle Festival is a mass ride-in that forms up at 9am at Daventry Football Club and then parades through the town. It’s led by the local Blood Bikes group and raises funds for their cause. The Route Once you’ve had your fill of fun at the festival why not blast round the pretty Northamptonshire lanes? From Daventry town centre head north east on the B5385 and wend you way towards the M1, avoid the motorway and head into Watford. Meander towards West Haddon and on to Cold Ashby, where you follow signs for Naseby. Go over the A14 to the pretty town of Market Harborough. Stop to explore the…

With around 4500 miles under my belt since March, the big Versys has proved to be extremely reliable, with no faults, and minimal wear to the drive chain. Unfortunately, this streak of good fortune was thwarted when a stone, flung up from another machine, pierced the radiator. I only realised there was an issue when my right foot slipped off the peg whilst trying to dab the rear brake. Looking down, I realised the lower half of my leg as well as both wheels and tyres, the front mudguard and all of the right-hand engine cases was covered in a sticky resin that smelt strongly of maple syrup,. Had I attempted to peel through the right-hand bend ahead, I am certain it would have resulted in a crash. Bringing the…

Daley Mathison died after crashing his Wepol/Penz13.com BMW at Snugborough on the third lap of Monday’s Superbike TT race. He had been lying 13th in the race. The 27-year-old Stockton on Tees rider had served his road racing apprenticeship on the Irish roads before making his Mountain Course debut in the 2013 Manx Grand Prix. He stepped up to the TT in 2014, and went on to compete in 20 races – finishing in 14 – during a career that saw him set a fastest lap of 128.054mph in last year’s Superstock race on a Stobart BMW. He was the 34th fastest TT rider of all time. •‘The 27-year-old served his apprenticeship on the Irish roads’ Mathison’s best TT results came in the TT Zero electric bike races aboard a…

Lee Johnston enjoyed an emotional – and slightly confusing – first TT win in a shortened Supersport race on Monday evening. Johnston was leading by just seconds as the race reached the end of the second lap when the organisers put out the red flags after rain began to fall in the Kirkmichael area. There had been no warning before the riders approached the Glencrutchery road and some, like Dean Harrison, entered Gasoline alley instead of crossing the finish line. Race winner Johnston, meanwhile, admitted he wasn’t sure he had won. “There was just a chequered flag and a red light and I wasn’t sure whether I should pit or go over the line,” smiled Johnston. “I had to stop and ask someone if I had won but he was…

Peter Hickman clinched his third TT victory on the Smith’s BMW in the Superbike TT. In a race postponed to Monday from Saturday and shortened to four laps because of the bad weather during TT 2019’s opening week, Hickman claimed victory after he had renewed his 2018 Senior TT rivalry with Dean Harrison on the Silicone Kawasaki. On the first dry roads the riders had seen for almost a week, fast-starting Harrison led from the drop of the Manx flag. The Bradford man built a four second lead on his Silicone Kawasaki ZX-10RR before Peter Hickman eventually closed him down and moved into the lead as they pitted at the end of the second circuit. As the leaders went through Glen Helen on the third lap with Hickey leading by…

Andrea Iannone looks to be secure in his seat at Aprilia for 2020 despite a run of form that had seen him complete only six laps in two races up until Mugello. Coming home in the points in 15th, four places behind veteran team-mate Aleix Espargaro, the Italian’s future has been in jeopardy due to a seeming lack of motivation. But even though Aprilia are no strangers to terminating deals early, new boss Massimo Rivola told MCN after Sunday’s race that they are keen to give Iannone more time to learn the RS-GP machine and to help Espargaro develop the package further after a standstill year in 2018.…

Alex Rins managed to pull a surprise fourth place out of the bag at Mugello to hold onto his hopes in the MotoGP championship race, after launching himself from nowhere on the grid to the fight for the win in only a few laps. Once again defeated by his qualifying demons, this time after losing out on the chance to set a fast lap and progress to Q2 while playing a low-speed battle of wits with Valentino Rossi, he started Sunday’s race from a challenging 13th place. •‘I thought I had the pace to win today, we have to be happy’ With a result like that most riders would look at the weekend and conclude that they need to work on their qualifying so that they can challenge for podiums…

•‘I’m so sorry I cost Dovi points, but I really wanted to win!’ Danilo Petrucci took an historic victory in front of an ecstatic home crowd at the Italian Grand Prix, finally taking the premier class win that has eluded him for his entire career and his first trip to the top step of the podium since he won a Superstock 1000 race in Portimão nearly eight years ago. Despite achieving what he admitted before the weekend’s action was the greatest dream of his life, he was quick to point out afterwards that now it is time to get on with the real work for the remainder of the season: helping team-mate and friend Andrea Dovizioso win the world championship from Marc Marquez and Honda. Growing ever-closer to Dovi as…

Retro British motorcycle specialists Royal Enfield have just unveiled this latest blast from the past in the shape of this new Bullet Trials Works Replica. The newcomer is designed as a tribute to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1949 Bullet Trials machine which was ridden to victory, twice, in the International Six Days Trial by factory rider Johnny Brittain who sadly died earlier this year. This new version uses the firm’s latest fuel-injected 500cc single cylinder motor, which produces a modest 27bhp, but in a rolling chassis complete with period details ranging from a mesh headlamp guard to chrome tank and rubber fork gaiters which authentically recreates the style of the original. Mark Wells, who is the now Indian-owned company’s head of product strategy and industrial design and who…

Bike tyres have never been better but that still hasn’t stopped Dunlop pushing the envelope with their very latest sports rubber. At opposite ends of the spectrum: track day tyres now have all the performance of race rubber of a few years ago but last all day and don’t need tyre warmers; then there are sports touring tyres that act like racing wets in the rain yet grip like barnacles on a hot summer’s day. And then there’s ones in the middle: sports tyres. With one foot on the track and the other in your morning commute, sports rubber offers the biggest bang for your buck. Dunlop’s new Sportsmart Mk3 is the latest and is designed for just about every road riding condition for mid-to-large-capacity machines which use 17in wheels.…

I have to disagree with TMF’s blog last week. Much like a footballer bouncing a ball on their head, and playing keepy-uppies, getting a knee down is all about gaining control. No footballer is going to demonstrate these skills on a pitch but having the skills allows them to have more control of the ball. I was on the same knee-down day as MCN reporter Ben and the tuition given by Sean at Circuit Based Training was excellent. Do I want to get my knee down at every opportunity? No. Do I want to improve control, movement around the bike and gain confidence at lean angles? Yes. In fact, it’s called a knee-down course but it’s really all about control. The same goes for wheelie schools, trackdays and additional training…

This week we head for the heart of the picturesque Yorkshire Dales to drop in at one of the region’s most popular pit stops, the Penny Garth Café, in Hawes. Just plotting a route to the Penny Garth is guaranteed to make your make your mouth water. You could visit every day for a week and take a different road in (and out, for that matter) on each occasion – the Dales are a veritable biker’s paradise. We took a leisurely bimble down from Kirkby Stephen on the B6270 to arrive via the glorious Buttertubs Pass. There’s no dedicated parking at the Penny Garth, but we’re lucky enough to bag a spot opposite. Hawes can be busy on high days and holidays, but the turnaround is usually pretty quick and…

I’ve just done a run of about ten chat shows and the average age in the crowd is 45, 50, 55 – there are no kids. If Joey Dunlop had come to Lancaster when I was a kid I would have been camped outside the door waiting for him! Right now there is no leg up for anyone. When I was at school I wanted to be a racer and the teachers didn’t have a clue what to do with me. I was just a curve ball because I didn’t want to be a sparky, a wagon driver or a cop; I wanted to be a bike racer. ‘THE TEACHERS DIDN’T HAVE A CLUE WHAT TO DO WITH ME’ And at the other end of the scale I can’t insure…

It’s Britain’s best road test route. A tough 250-mile mix of A and B- roads, a stretch of motorway, plus plenty of towns, villages, blind corners, ballistic straights, and a huge range of grippy to slippy tarmac. There are two cafés, an off-road section for adventure and trail bikes, track time at Silverstone for sportsbikes, and Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground and the dyno for hard and fast data when needed. You want answers? We’ve got ’em. 1 Oh to be young again Justin and I are more than a little envious of A2-licence holders. My first big bike was a crap Kawasaki Z250 with cams made of chocolate while Justin had “a Z400J that was appalling and I only made worse.” These two modern equivalents are incredibly appealing and the…

After a slow moving vehicle and double-white lines ruined the usually excellent run into Cirencester on the A435, it wasn’t until we reached the A4425 that leads to Burford that we could really open up these two middleweights on a fast and smooth and traffic-free A-roads. But it was worth the wait. As well as being relatively smooth, the A4425 is also nice and wide and these two facts really played into the hands of the Zed and CB. With throttles pinned it was a case of conserving momentum as much as possible and using all the road’s width to maintain corner speed. People may look down their noses at A2-legal bikes that are restricted on power, but given the right road there is just as much fun to be…

‘Gently, gently! The back wheel isn’t on the log,” I attempt to shout over the straining R1250GS bouncing off the rev limiter; peppering me with mud and fragments of rock. Gaining traction with a juddering thud, the GS is propelled forward and onto its side – sending my team-mate cartwheeling. Hoisting the bike back onto its wheels, there’s just time to cancel the onboard SOS before getting back on the gas. “Less throttle,” I croak through muffled splutters, “use the clutch.” Finding grip on the sodden woodwork, the bike again lurches forwards, catapulting me backwards into the mud and out of the course to a flurry of laughs. Dusting myself off, I return to the back of the bike, just in time to get roosted by more shrapnel pinging out…

A spot of off-roading on the Triumph Scrambler 1200XE is something I have been promising myself for a while now. When I saw the launch pictures with MCN’s Michael Neeves at the helm, roosting his way through the countryside leaving the mud behind him hanging in the trees – I just had to have a go myself. There wasn’t a lot to do to the bike to get it ready for off-road riding, as it comes with a sump guard, hand guards and fork protectors, just to mention a few of the concessions. The only thing it was really lacking in was some grip, which is where a set of Pirelli Rally STRs come in. Where better to head too than the Lake District, renowned for its glorious scenery, fantastic…

THE STUDENTS Mark Bonnes and Julie Cooke Mark’s been on two wheels for 18 years, but has only recently started to take partner Julie out for weekends away. The problem… ‘We’re fine once we’re rolling, but low-speed work like junctions feel awkward. What can we do to make them feel easier?’ THE TUTOR Mark Edwards, Rapid Training Formerpolicemotorcyclist,Mark’sbeen teachingpeopletobesafer,better,faster riders on the road for the last 20 years. Mark’s action plan ‘Low-speed riding with a pillion always feels awkward, but I can give both Mark and Julie some tips that will help make it easier.’ THE LESSON 1 It’s all in the planning Riding with a pillion means you need even more time to assess an upcoming hazard such a junction. A slow approach also means you won’t make any…

‘It’s so torquey, there’s always plenty of drive’ Being a good parent is all about helping your child grow up happy, healthy and well adjusted. In #Ride5000miles member Jemma Ward’s family, parenting is also about suggesting suitable motorcycles for your two-wheel-loving offspring to ride. “My dad actually suggested I take a look at the MT-09,” says Jemma as she describes how she became the owner of a 2018 model. “But I dismissed it at the time because I was fixated on getting a 1000cc bike.” With both parents into bikes, it was natural that Jemma followed suit. “Both my brother and I were given dirt bikes as kids - but he got put off after seeing me crash and cut myself. His bike went into the shed never to return,…

Sales of super-nakeds are on the up. By giving a sportsbike a set of flat bars, super-nakeds deliver a more relaxed riding experience without sacrificing any of their handling or performance. So, if you like the idea of a sportsbike that isn’t going to leave you sticking the chiropractor’s number on speed dial, here are a few great super naked options that all weigh in at less than £6000… £5790 APRILIATUONOV4R 999cc |183kg |165bhp |840mm seat height • Dealer price up to £6200• Private up to £7000• This one 2011, 15,553 miles Aprilia started the super-naked class back in 2002 with the Tuono (which translates from the Italian as ‘Thunder’) and the firm has remained true to its original ethos of stripping a fairing off a sportsbike and adding…

1 Wobbly sprocket? On bikes with a chain final drive, power is transmitted to the rear wheel via a large sprocket mounted to an assembly that locates inside the rear wheel hub sandwiched in between large rubber dampers. If your bike suddenly starts to feel snatchy when changing gear, or the sprocket can be moved in the hub by hand, there could be wear in this area. 2 Whip out the wheel To make a thorough inspection of the sprocket carrier assembly, the rear wheel needs to be removed. Crack the spindle nut but do not remove it, then place the bike on a paddock stand before completely removing the spindle nut. Take out the spindle then roll the wheel forward to unhook the chain from the sprocket. Make a…

Ryan and Callum Crowe, the sons of five-time TT Sidecar race winner and lap record holder, Nick Crowe, created history in Monday’s Sidecar race when they became the fastest newcomers to have lapped the Mountain Course on three wheels. The Manx pairing lapped at 113.529mph on their second lap, breaking Tim Reeves’ previous best mark of 112.031mph set in 2008. Using a 675cc Triumph engine, they finished the three-lap race in a brilliant fifth place.…

Ben and Tom Birchall delivered a record-breaking opening Sidecar TT on Monday. After just three laps of practice with a new LCR outfit, the Mansfield pair continued their domination of three-wheeler racing on the Mountain course by claiming their sixth victory in a row ahead of John Holden and Lee Cain (Silicone Engineering/Barnes Racing Honda) and Alan Founds and Jake Lowther (Team Founds Racing LCR Yamaha). The brothers were also on course to break the 120mph barrier on the second lap before being slowed by waved yellows at Waterworks. “It’s been a fraught practice week for everyone and we’ve had engines out, gearboxes out, but to win again is mega,” said Ben afterwards. •‘I’m not saying we’d have done 120mph but it was about winning’BEN BIRCHALL, SIDECAR TT WINNER “I…

Dean Harrison couldn’t hide his disappointment after losing yet another TT to Peter Hickman in Monday’s Superbike race. The Silicone Kawasaki rider had been the fastest man throughout practice week as he tried to assert his authority on the 37.73-mile TT course. But as in last year’s epic Senior race, it was the mountain section that proved his undoing in Monday’s encounter. “I’ve done some homework with the Mountain over the winter,” said Harrison. “But I was struggling a bit with the wind up there and it was buffeting me around a bit into the turns. I’m a bit of a weasel compared to Conor Cummins and Peter Hickman!” Harrison set off at number two, ten seconds behind Cummins and made his usual rapid start before hitting a problem on…

Valentino Rossi has told MCN that there’s no need to worry about his future in the premiere class just yet, despite suffering possibly the worst weekend of his 23-year career at his home race in Mugello on Sunday. Qualifying a distant 18th and then crashing out of last place after making contact with Joan Mir and ending up in the gravel, the nine-time world champion says that despite the disaster, it’s not anywhere near time to call it quits just yet. The Monster Energy Yamaha rider suffered disaster after disaster throughout the weekend, with a series of tactical mistakes and on-track errors that meant he was always playing ‘catchup’. But, despite being someone who says that his love of the sport is what keeps him racing at 40-years-old, Rossi was…