Table of contents for 23 February 2022 in MCN

‘Running Super Unleaded gives a consistent lift’MCN FUEL DRINKER, EMMA FRANKLIN INVESTIGATION Is it time to go Super and save? Fuel has become an explosive subject of debate ever since we had E10 forced upon us as the new standard grade combustible. And like any conspiracy, theories abound over lower mpg figures, worse running and reduced power as a result. So what’s the truth? MCN took two identical bikes to the pumps, and onto the dyno, in search of the truth about fuel. SPECIAL INVESTIGATION P16 NEW BIKES All things Breitling and beautiful Once upon a not-all-that-long-ago, limited editions from major manufacturers nearly always meant homologation specials – glorious up-spec’d superbikes built to sate the racing gods. But now, they’re everywhere, as brands trade logos in search of mutual kudos...…

The producers of No Time To Die have released a digital animation of the Scrambler 1200 from the film as a Non-Fungible Token (NFT). An NFT is effectively a receipt on an online database that shows to the world you own a digital asset – in this case, an animation that also makes a noise. We’ll let you make your own decision as to whether such an item is worth owning but 9007 of said NFTs are being made, starting at £65 each. No Time To Waste The former CEO of the Jaguar Land Rover group, Sir Ralf Speth, is to take up a senior position at Norton’s new owners earlier than expected. Speth will have been appointed Chairman of TVS and will begin his new role in early April.…

US auctioneers RM Sotheby’s have just sold a 1971 Honda SL350 for a staggering $30,000 (around £22k). The sale price is largely down to a very famous former owner – the Duke himself, John Wayne. The bike, which is in pristine condition, comes with a Californian ownership transfer document showing Wayne’s purchase, which came shortly after he was photographed riding the same model on the set of 1971 movie Big Jake. More than a gazebo Machine Mart now stock super-sized self-assembly garage or workshop units from Clarke. The CIG1432 is probably the one bikers would be most interested in as a makeshift workshop or store and measures 9.7m x 4.3m. It’s made from tough, triple layer 305g/m², waterproof polyethylene fabric which is stretched tight using ratchet fasteners over a 1…

A new electric LiveWire model, following the original launched by Harley-Davidson in 2019, looks set to be unveiled earlier than expected, with the covers lifting off between April and June this year. As MCN reported last month, the new machine, codenamed ‘LiveWire S2’ after Harley spun its electric arm off as a separate brand last year, is based on an all-new, more middleweight electric platform. Called ‘Arrow’, the platform combines the battery pack, electronics and motor into one monocoque structure that also forms the spine of the bike. The result is lighter, simpler, cheaper to produce and easy to use in a likely range of modular ‘S2’ machines. It’s already known that the first S2 model will be called the ‘Del Mar’, after the Californian beach town of the same…

WORTH £159! We’ve got two pairs of Resurgence Gear Warrior jeans to give away thanks to Saltflats Clothing. The Warriors are a new and improved design with greater PEKEV Lite coverage and now feature D30 IP Ghost armour. Together, the PEKEV Lite lining and D3O armour secure the Warrior PEKEV jeans a CE Level AA safety rating. Available in black in men’s sizes 28-44in and length 30, 32 or 34, or high-waisted Indigo Blue women’s fit with built in stretch, in sizes 6-18 and lengths 30 and 32. Style, tailoring and comfort also play a big part in Resurgence Gear design – the slim fit leg together with the moisture wicking inner mesh lining ensures you can wear these jeans all day long, on or off the bike. ENTER FOR…

This CE AA-approved riding shirt has just been launched by Oxford. It’s made of single-layer Armourlite denim in blue or black and has Dynamic Level 2 protectors at the elbow and shoulder to make it light and comfortable. There’s also hidden structural stitching, extra overlays, YKK zipped ‘soft edge’ cuffs, an adjustable collar, two upper pockets and mesh internal pockets, and a storm flap. It costs £139.99. New Miller hall The brilliant Sammy Miller Museum in the New Forest has just completed its new Off Road Hall which opened when the museum returned to seven days a week opening on February 19. The new venue brings together Sammy’s impressive collection of off-roaders, including the Ariel GOV132 on which he won six British championships, the first Bultaco Sherpa, Gordon Jackson’s famous…

Q ‘Knocked off by opening door’ As I was filtering between two lines of stand-still traffic a passenger in a car in the outside lane opened the door to get out of the vehicle. I couldn’t avoid crashing into the door and flew off my bike. I have a fractured shoulder and wrist. I have a personal injury claim for compensation underway and want the police to prosecute the passenger for causing the accident but they refuse to do so, which is frustrating. Any ideas? Mark Matthews, email A Clearly the passenger was negligent in not looking to see that it was safe to get out of the car when they did. However, rather than the passenger it is actually the driver of the car that is responsible for the…

GUEST ROAD TESTER £12,202 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT • 890cc liquid-cooled inline triple DOHC 12v • 117.3bhp @ 10,000rpm • 220kg kerb weight £13,999 2022 Kawasaki Versys 1000 S Tourer • 1043cc liquid-cooled inline four DOHC 16v • 118.3bhp @ 9000rpm • 253kg kerb weight £11,999 (£12,999 WITH DCT) 2022 Honda NT1100 • 1084cc liquid-cooled parallel twin SOHC 8v • 100.6bhp @ 7500rpm • 238kg kerb weight MCN 250 MILE ROAD TEST • THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK Sometimes it is hard not to judge a book by its cover. Take the Honda NT1100 for example. “It already looks the oldest here,” is fellow tester Justin Hayzelden’s initial reaction on seeing the all-new for 2022 Honda. “It’s not exactly sexy, is it? You could never open your garage and…

T.Ur G-Zero gloves £106.55 ‘Nice design, but not as warm as I’d hoped’ Tested by Emma Franklin for three months/600 miles These winter gloves appealed to me for a number of reasons – foremost was their four-finger design, which puts your ring and little fingers together in one compartment. Having been a fan of Hein Gericke’s three-finger Pathan gloves from way back when, I know how much this concept can boost warmth. The T.Urs also boost a decent amount of protection, with hard armour across the knuckles, goatskin leather panels in high-impact areas, as well as wrist protection. The other appealing aspect was the separate five-finger inner gloves, made from soft Thermore fleece, which simply Velcro in and out. When worn together, the outer and inner glove are CE certified…

MECHANIC Nik Nomikos of the 2 Wheel Centre in Harpenden Keeping your bike looking neat and tidy is always a good idea, but bike ownership sometimes has to be more than skin deep. The owner of this 2007 Honda CBF1000 uses his bike regularly on Hertfordshire’s back lanes, sometimes as a Blood Biker, delivering plasma to hospitals, and looks after it well. To keep his bike looking sweet, he’d fitted aftermarket fairing lowers and a fender extender, but then he noticed an engine overheating warning light had come on. Nick Nomikos, boss of the 2 Wheel Centre in Harpenden, explains: “He immediately took a closer look at his bike and spotted that the rad was badly corroded. He knows his limits, so saved some money buying an aftermarket rad for…

With the exception of the relatively few times in recent history when dry filling stations have caused bikers particular stress – wafting along on fumes to the next one with the smallest throttle openings possible – fuel’s never been of more concern to us. Right now, we’re suffering a double-whammy of liquid misery. Not only are prices spiralling out of control at the same pace as they are in every other aspect of our daily purchasing needs – but we’ve got E10 to contend with at the pumps, too. So, what’s really going on, and what can we do to help ourselves navigate this explosive conundrum? This week, we’ve taken a look at what’s causing spiralling fuel prices and how bad it might get (p4), and set ourselves the goal…

A leading motorcycle kit safety expert says he would support heavier involvement from Trading Standards to stamp out sellers peddling substandard products at biking shows and other events. Paul Varnsverry is the Technical Director at PVA-PPE Group, who work in partnership with brands to ensure their riding products meet the latest safety certification, and believes more needs to be done to protect customers purchasing biking gear at shows and festivals. “These products are an unknown quantity,” Varnsverry told MCN. “To filter out any vendors who may be selling non-conforming products, I certainly think it would be advisable for show organisers to invite Trading Standards along to an event.” The proposed move comes after Newham Trading Standards were welcomed along to the recent Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show, discovering 11…

RST Pro Series Commander CE textile jacket £299.99 RST’s top-spec textile features a SinAqua Pro laminate construction for breathable waterproofing. There’s a range of vents and the 150g thermal lining is removable. Fully CE approved and rated as AA, there’s CE Level 2 armour at the shoulders and elbows. Matching jeans are available and the Commander also comes in black. www.rst-moto.com Oxford Kickback WP boots £99.99 Kick back in these cool-looking urban-inspired waterproof boots from Oxford. Although they look like casual high-top sneakers, they’re CE certified as riding boots and feature padded protection at the heel and ankles, as well as a shank-reinforced sole. Oxford’s Dry2Dry membrane will help keep the rain from soaking through. Made from suede-effect leather uppers, they’re available in black or brown. oxfordriderwear.com Oxford RainSeal Pro…

‘One rather upset German cop…’ A little while ago MCN did a feature on cheap speed focused around the Hayabusa, which got me thinking. I do love a hyperbike but I could never own one due to my lack of throttle restraint and a real fear for my licence becoming more decorated than a war hero. But I have had some incredibly memorable rides on them, especially one that involved an Autobahn, a rolling roadblock and a slightly upset German police officer. Moving on, this all got me thinking about one hyperbike that is generally overlooked – the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R. I’ve never understood why the Kawasaki is so often forgotten about because it is an incredible machine that is easily a match for the Hayabusa, Blackbird or BMW K1200/1300S.…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews We’re all metric now I read the story about new Harleys being designed with European riders in mind (MCN, February 2) with a bit of a wry smile. Really? If H-D want to appeal to more of us over here then it is time to express capacity in cubic centimetres and not inches. We’re not rednecks and it’s a metric world. They might even sell more bikes if customers didn’t have to puzzle over 117 cubic inches. Jif Fairlamb, Berwick upon Tweed Help, I’ve steamed up My biggest gripe about winter riding is I’m a glasses wearer and no matter what I try, they steam up, so it’s riding with visor slightly open getting cold. I use Rainex on my visor for rain and have a…

1 No Limits Trackdays February 25-27 Want to get back on the tarmac? Now you can, because No Limits Trackdays have returned. Cheshire locals can nip to Oulton Park today (Wednesday, 23) for £95, or you can book Donington Park this Friday for £85. Weekend warriors can head to Mallory Park on Sunday, but you’ll need to be quick as the weekend events sell out fast. www.nolimitstrackdays.com 2 Run What Ya Brung February 27 Run What Ya Brung is back at Santa Pod, Northants, on Sunday February 27. Sign on fee is £45, admission for adults is £15 or £5 for children 5-15 years. You can also Drift What Ya Brung on Wednesday 23, but drifting vouchers need to be bought in advance at £110. www.rwyb.co.uk 3 Huddersfield Auto Retro…

SATURDAY February 26 7pm, DST, Twist the Throttle: Suzuki 10pm, DST, Twist the Throttle: Yamaha SUNDAY February 27 2am, EUR, World Superbikes: Race of 2021 – Race of the Season MONDAY February 28 2am, EUR2, Bennetts British Superbikes: Race of 2021-Race of the Season KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT – DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC – DISCOVERY CHANNEL DHD – DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD EXS – EXTREME SPORTS CHANNEL EUR1 (2, HD) – EUROSPORT 1 (2, HD) MOT – MOTORSPORT.TV CH4 – CHANNEL 4 CH5 – CHANNEL FIVE BBC BBCI – BBC INTERACTIVE ESPN – ESPN CLASSIC CHANNEL ITV DST – DISCOVERY TURBO SHED – DISCOVERY SHED INST – INSIGHT SS1 (2, 3 OR X) – SKY SPORTS 1 (2, 3 OR EXTRA) QUEST BTS1 – BT SPORT 1 BTS2 – BT SPORT 2…

It’s Britain’s toughest road test route. A fun but punishing mix of A- and B-roads, busy motorway, towns and villages. It’s all Britain’s road types compressed into one route. There are three sections and we combine the two that best test the bike’s character. On average we ride 450 miles per bike, per test. MCN 250 MILE ROAD TEST • THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK ROUTE 1 122.73 miles of fastflowing A and B-roads ROUTE 2 126.94 miles of open A and B-roads and towns ROUTE 3 117.88 miles of big A roads and motorway…

Before riding these three bikes I genuinely assumed that our preconceived impressions of the NT1100 would be proven wrong. Sadly, the NT falls short in a few critical areas and that spoils the whole package. It could have been one of those bikes that appears understated but once you venture out it reveals itself to be a real gem, like the NC750 models, but it isn’t. It’s great in a straight line, but not so much fun in other situations. Bewildering switchgear, a terrible screen mechanism, a lumpy engine and a clunky gearbox, not to mention drab looks, all conspire to make the NT somewhat underwhelming. Compared to the spirited and exciting Tracer and superb do-it-all Versys it struggles to stand out. So where would our money go this week?…

1 RST X Kevlar Heavy Duty Cargo textile jeans £149.99 My favourites. They are seriously comfortable and are hands down my favourite riding jeans. Steve Ozouf, Jersey 2 Bull-it Vintage 17SR6 slim fit £149.99 They look like regular jeans yet offer so much more. These single-layer skinny jeans are now my go-to riding troos. Graham Bell, Essex 3 MotoGirl Ellie £129 Come with knee and hip armour and are really comfortable. They cater for the larger rider and are reasonably priced. They come in different leg lengths too. Sally Brooks, Chittlehampton 4 Knox Richmond Denim Jeans Mk II £159.99 Knee and hip armour is included – and it’s all surprisingly flexible. You can wear the jeans all day in comfort (I often wear them to work). Nathan Skyrme, Sawnsea 5…

‘You’re still in one piece then?’ I got my MBE last week from Princess Anne at Windsor Castle. I went up the red carpet and the first thing she said to me was: “You’re still in one piece then?” which surprised me a bit! I told her that I’d had a few bumps and scrapes along the way and a bit of metalwork here and there and then I told her that I’d never ride a horse. I’m not sure how that went down! We talked about how fast the bikes were and how I was going back this year. We chatted a bit more about when Willian came to the TT and that was my minute done – she gives you a bow and that’s your cue to do…

SAVE £3446 £20,999 Indian Chieftain Limited The Indian Chieftain sits at the top of the Chief range as the fully-specced touring model. The V-twin is smooth and pleasing while three switchable riding modes – Tour, Standard and Sport – allow the rider to tailor power maps to suit conditions and the type of riding required. And it’s even better with £3446 off! • www.thunderroad.co.uk SAVE £2129 £11,049 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin As well as Honda UK’s package of first three services and more there is a dealer contribution. • www.johnbanks.co.uk • Engine 1084cc • Power 100bhp • Weight 226kg • Seat height 850mm SAVE £1800 £15,699 KTM 1290 Super Duke R For an extra £199, Kestrel will throw in an Akrapovic system plus a KTM Tech Pack. • www.kestrelktm.co.uk •…

Spidi Sport Warrior Perforated Pro One-Piece Leather Suit £579.99 Giant savings on big brands We’re all suckers for a bit of bling and when you can get some topbranded goods with big savings, what’s not to love? We’ve scoured the web and found some cracking deals, including this Spidi one-piece at BikeStop, which has been reduced by an impressive £250. It is made from 1.2-1.3mm cowhide with perforated panels to aid airflow. There’s CE approved armour at the shoulders, hips, knees and elbows, along with space for a back and chest protector. Neoprene inserts at the neck and wrist add an extra element of comfort. For use on hot summer rides, there’s space to fit the Spidi Hydroback system, which is sold separately. Plus there are external shoulder, elbow and…

NEWS EDITOR Yamaha have unveiled a V8 hydrogen powered car engine that sets the stage for a two-wheeled version. The prototype is based on the 5 litre engine from the Lexus RC F with Yamaha modifying the injectors, cylinder heads, intake manifold and more to create an engine that delivers over 400bhp while firing out little more than water as emissions. “Hydrogen engines have the potential to be carbon-neutral while keeping our passion for internal combustion alive,” says Yamaha President Hidaka. “Teaming up with companies with different areas of expertise as well as growing the number of partners is how we want to lead the way.” Late last year Yamaha announced that together with Kawasaki they were exploring ways to develop a hydrogen engine for two-wheeled applications. Now that Yamaha…

TIM COOPER “My 2017 Honda CB500X seems to have lost several MPG since ‘sweetcorn juice’ was added to regular E10 fuel. About 10-15mpg. I used to get around 75mpg, then it dropped to 60, and has crept back up to 67 over the last month of riding (2500 miles). I thought it might be valve shims, so as a test, this week I filled up a full tank with super unleaded and the mpg went up to 79!” JASON WHITE “I always run my 1200GS on super unleaded. During the recent supply issues, I was forced to use E10 and the bike was a bit more erratic on tickover and wasn’t as clean higher up in the revs. Fuel consumption was as much as 10% less. If I’d used the…

GERAINT JONES Every week we give a different rider a wodge of fictional cash and ask them to ‘buy’ the bike that sets their soul on fire. This is Geraint’s pick... ‘What I’d buy right now with’ £8000 2020 Yamaha Ténéré 700 Multiple British Enduro Champion Geraint Jones has been teaching riders to tackle the rough stuff since the mid-1980s. In 1994 he set up the Yamaha Offroad Experience in Llanidloes, mid-Wales, and now, alongside his sons Rowan and Dylan, he coaches hundreds of riders every year. What would the man who has access to his own 300-acre farm as well as ten thousand acres of Hafren Forest and the Sweet Lamb motorsport complex choose to explore on? “To be honest, I don’t think I have ever owned a proper…

Ride further in 2022 with a little help from our one-stop event guide JUST BREW IT Ride out to Britain’s best biking cafés WILLY WOODS KIOSK • Open 7 days a week 9-4pm; Apr to Sep – Mon, Tues, Thurs 9am-4pm, Wed 9am-8pm, Fri-Sun 9am-6pm • Postcode: LN8 3RQ • www.willinghamwoods.com If you’ve ever been along the A361, chances are that: One, you’ve had a fantastic time riding the roads of the Lincolnshire Wolds, and two, you’ve ridden past Willy Woods Kiosk. On weekends it’s impossible to miss with the layby brimming with two-wheelers (if the sun is shining), and from April bike nights are back on with late opening on Wednesday and over the weekend. But if you’re planning a rideout a bit earlier or later than their opening…

MCN staff and readers share their favourite routes Meet up outside biker-friendly Greedy Piglet in Oundle. Then head out on the A427, carving through the countryside as you approach Lower Benefield, followed by the Benefield Bends, and then into Upper Benefield, where you hang a right at the junction on the entrance to the village. Follow the road through Glapthorn, over two crossroads, and then through Cotterstock, over the River Nene before turning left towards Fotheringhay. Stop for a break at the Norman castle site. Turn right at the next junction and head over the Nene again, through Nassington and Yarwell before heading right and crossing the Nene again, then out towards Elton, turning left briefly onto Oundle road and then right onto Bullock Road. Follow this road for just…

‘Retracing my youth’ R5K MEMBER RICHARD CRAVEN Retracing my first ever ride from when I was 16. Modern thermals and heated grips made it a more pleasant experience than the PVC gloves, parka and Levis from 1970! I do this short route every year on my birthday. As you might expect, there have been some grim trips in the past! ‘Taking the high road’ R5K MEMBER MIKE TAYLOR Stopping for a bite to eat at the top of the Cairnwell Pass, Scotland’s highest road. It was a brilliant ride with some stunning scenery and highly recommended. ‘Beautiful Bristol sunshine’ R5K MEMBER ANNA LAMBOURNE I went from Bristol via Monmouth to Rhayader and the Elan Valley. I then went back to Bristol – enjoying beautiful sunshine, through to fog and ice,…

The Versys comes in standard, S and SE versions. The stock bike (£10,499) lacks a TFT dash with connectivity, only has two power modes instead of four (non-integrated) and doesn’t have cornering lights or an up/ down quickshifter (a £260.95 accessory) or heated grips (a £246.95 accessory). It does have angle-responsive electronics and cruise control. The S model (£13,199) is identical to the SE (£15,099) aside from the SE adding Showa Skyhook semiactive suspension. Each model comes with the option of Tourer or Grand Tourer with Tourer adding panniers and pannier bags while the GT includes a topbox, topbox bag, GPS mount, frame sliders and accessory lights. Ticking Tourer adds £800 to the price, while the GT is £1700 more than stock. The NT can be bought with a £766.50…

‘Don’t be afraid to use your bike’ Our showroom shifts more top-end bikes than cooking versions. Like high-priced TE examples of BMW’s R1200GS. So I understand why owners don’t want to ride day in, day out and risk damage and/or depreciation. Which is where big-value daily riders like the ones on these pages come in. However, the rest of us with our ‘normal’ bikes shouldn’t be afraid of riding the damn things. We should be commuting, popping to the shops and going everywhere on two wheels – because bikes are designed to be ridden, not pampered. We see folk panic at 20,000 miles on a tacho, but it’s nowt. Modern motors are so reliable that you shouldn’t be scared of adding miles; it’ll have done hundreds of thousands in development.…

Saving you money on essential bike maintenance 1 Look at what you’ve got Check the contents of the satnav fitting kit – make sure it’s all there and that the satnav power mount is compatible. Lay out the power cable and run it along the outside of the bike, taking the logical route needed to connect to the battery. Here you’re checking to see that the cable is long enough to reach. Read the instructions that relate to safe fitting and use. 2 Remove the clutch bracket Most kits provide you with various options for fitting the bracket. Typically there will be a universal clutch clamp, which will give the best aesthetic look and makes for a tidy installation. To secure it you need to remove the bike’s standard clutch…

‘Why it’s not just about the riders’ To most fans, it’s the riders that matter most. Back in the boardrooms, there’s another factor. The rider is only part of the deal. In spite of Rossi’s assertion, back when he switched from Honda to Yamaha in 2004, the bike does also makes a difference. Hence the constructors’ championship. Which between 1974 and 2020, with just one exception, has been in the stranglehold of Japan. That exception came in 2007, first year of 800cc bikes, when Stoner’s riding, and Ducati’s electronic tactics in saving newly restricted fuel, stole it for once. While Ducati are undeniable contenders, another factor is the growing strength of KTM. The other emerged only in February this year, in pre-season testing – a quite unexpected pre-eminence of Aprilia.…