Table of contents for 25 October 2017 in MCN

King of the Hogs Harley-Davidson have announced that their Battle of the Kings custom competition will return for a fourth year, this time themed around their 115th anniversary. This year the new Street Bob and Fat Bob have been added to the potential options. The Ace of trades Motorcycle Action Group have presented the Simon Millward Lifetime Achievement Award to Mark Wilsmore, owner of the Ace Café. MAG’s Vice Chair, Andy Carrott, said: “Mark’s passion for bringing back the Ace Café has turned it into a British icon known all over the world.” Mees on mission Jared Mees won the American Flat Track finals last week, claiming his 10th victory of the season and setting a new single-season podium record at the same time. Mees was aboard the Indian Scout…

While some helmet makers use carbon fibre, most stick with Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) when it comes to the construction of a helmet’s shell. Generally a thin shell outer shape of FRP is produced before this is placed in a mould and up to 40 individual FRP components are added to build strength into specific areas around the shell. A measured amount of resin is then added into the mould before it is closed and a bladder in the mould’s lid is inflated to squeeze it all into shape. The whole thing is then heated and pressurised for around 30 minutes. While some manufacturers mould openings for the visor and vents at this point, others use lasers or water jets to cut the required openings once the lid is out…

Ace Builds – the custom bike competition that culminates in the winner being announced at Motorcycle Live – has reached the next level of the competition, with a shortlist of 14 bikes now open to public voting. The only criteria for the special builds was that the bike had to be road legal, be built in the UK, be owned by the entrant, and a be a genuine one-off creation. Entries closed at the end of September, and the expert panel has whittled the entrants down to the final 14. Your votes will now decide the four most popular machines, which will go on display on the Black Horse Stage at the heart of Motorcycle Live 2017. The Ultimate Ace Build will be decided by Motorcycle Live visitors, and the…

‘I like affordable bikes. If I pick older Japanese machines a bit cheap, I can build a custom under £10k’ ‘I like to work on affordable bikes, the kind of working man’s bikes which means if I pick older Japanese machines a bit cheap, I can build a custom bike under £10k,” says Inglorious Motorcycles founder Sam Evans. “My favourite looking bikes are desert sleds. I’ve got a W650 that I’m going to do the high-pipe look to – like an old McQueen desert racer. I’d like to bore it out, fit different cams, carbs, open pipes. I think we’d maybe get 65-70bhp from it, but imagine if we really went to town on it.” The CB500T build here is a case in point – a handsome machine all done…

Amazing new 2018 bikes are starting to appear as we head towards the bike show season. MCN will be bringing stacks of behind-the-scenes detail and brilliant images of the bikes over the next few weeks. One such bike, that may get a little lost in all of the new-bike news in coming weeks is KTM’s new Freeride E-XC (see page 13). Ducati’s new V4, Kawasaki’s lovely Z900RS (see page 6) and others come with glitz, glamour and pulsating power figures. but KTM’s new electric Freeride hasn’t got much of that. But it could save motorcycling and... oh, the planet. It’s often said that electric bikes will never properly appeal until they are cheaper, lighter and can travel a reasonable distance before needing to be tethered to a power point for…

 Q1 What are you riding? ‘I’d move anyone into bikes to a warm country so we can share the passion’ A Kawasaki KX250 that has been converted into an enduro bike, and I have a Honda TLR 200 twin-shock classic trails bike. Luckily I can borrow bikes from Bournemouth Kawasaki – I’ve just had a Kawasaki Z1000SX for a few weeks, which was fun. I’ve also got a Honda C90 which I used on a charity ride. Q2 Which living motorcyclist do you most admire? Rossi. Sorry, I’m sure everyone says that but it has to be Rossi. Q3 What’s your worst habit? Going too fast on the road. And trials riding isn’t about being angry, it’s about being relaxed, but I get wound up and frustrated sometimes. Q4 If…

‘I don’t need people telling me I’ve crashed. I know I’ve crashed’  With 357k followers on Twitter it’s fair to say that Cal is popular. He’s has had a few heated exchanges with fans during his career, but now he maintains he’s in a place mentally where he’s able to rise above the abuse. “Four or five years ago on social media I used to just give it back to them, just for the crack. I thought it was good fun at the time. But if anything I was only doing it to wind people up. But it did cause quite a bit of grief at times. “I don’t need people telling me I’ve crashed. I know I’ve crashed - I’m the one that just jumped off the bike!…

‘Spend the change on rubber’ Top-spec machines with their fancy suspension and electronic refinements make life, comfier, safer, grippier, more convenient and give you a warm glow inside. But the extra you pay for all these gizmos doesn’t actually add to performance and in fact the stock GSX-R1000 and MT-10 accelerate quicker and stop slightly faster than the exotica. There’s little between them on PCP, but if you’re paying cash, go for the cheaper versions and splash the change on a decent aftermarket shock, shifter and a couple of years’ worth of tyres.…

‘The rolling undulations make for a fantastic rollercoaster ride’ ‘The Harbour Café makes an ideal destination at the end of the ride’ Glorious countryside, no motorways and only one dual-carriageway… Suffolk can be frustrating on four wheels but it’s brilliant on two. There are some fabulous routes to be found off the beaten track – head out this way on a weekday and you’ll have a good chance of getting them all to yourself. This ride takes in a couple of the best B-roads and kicks off from Ipswich, at the junction of the A1214 and B1077. Fill up before heading out, as it’ll be 40 miles before the next opportunity – there’s fuel to be found within a couple of miles in either direction on the A1214. When you’re…

1 The Three Crowns, Southampton Rd, Whaddon, Alderbury, Salisbury, Wilts. Monday night meet, 8.30pm. 01722-710211 2 Bagby Inn, Thirsk, North Yorks. Tuesday night meet. 5.30pm onwards. 07541-059506 3 RWYB Public Track Day, Santa Pod Raceway, Podington, Beds. This Sunday. www.rwyb.com or www.santapod.com 4 Reading Harley-Davidson, Berks. Bike night this Saturday. 0118-344-300 5 Manor Farm Cafe, Bellerby, North Yorks. Facebook: @ manorfarmcafe.co.uk or twitter @ manorfarmcafe GET YOUR MEET ON THE MAP If you have a bike-friendly cafe aenue w and nt wan et yo get r mee you on tmeet monthe comap tact,ema sonl: mcn sam. @ williams motorcyclenews.co.uk@motorcyclenews.com…

OLI RUSHBY BSB reporter, long distance commuter seeking practicality, riding for five years. Height 5ft 7in Weight 85kg SUZUKI V-STROM £7899 Accessories £1158 Fuel 18.5l @ 52.5mpg = 208-mile range Weight 216kg Seat 835mm Power 70bhp Torque 45.7ftlb oli.rushby@motorcyclenews.com ‘The V-Strom is not a gas guzzler, it’s comfy and very capable’ Working as MCN’s British Superbike reporter takes me here, there and everywhere. Not only do I get to head out to 12 rural destinations in far-flung corners of the UK (and the Netherlands), I’m often out and about in the week visiting racers. This sort of riding covers most of my annual mileage, on top of my 136-mile round-trip commute to our Peterborough office. So, it’s simple; I need a workhorse, something that’ll chew up the miles, carry a…

RST Blade Sport II jacket and jeans £149.99/£109.99 Tester Oli Rushby Time used 4500 miles/ Five months What’s good? This RST two-piece is sporty, stylish and affordable. It’s perhaps the lightest and most comfortable suit I’ve owned and is perfect for summer. Often textile trousers, even with thermal linings removed, get you a bit hot and sweaty but these are perfect for warm weather given how breathable the material is. Both jacket and trousers offer decent protection, with strong padding in all the areas you’d expect. The jacket even comes with a removable CE-approved back protector, which is a nice added extra for a reasonably-priced bit of kit. There are two adjusters on each arm, as well as around the waist, to find your perfect fit and there’s no fiddly…

THE EXPERT Adam Freeman Head of Projects and Engineering at EBC Brakes. Adam has completed a four-year masters degree in engineering and has also worked with his father – who founded EBC brakes – and with the company’s current motorcycle brakes guru Jon Wright. Brake pad basics A brake pad comprises friction material attached to a back plate. Slotted into a brake caliper, the pads are squeezed against the brake disc to slow your bike. Different compounds and spec are used depending on what sort of bike you are riding (see below). THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW… What are the different pad materials? Brake pads for motorcycles split into two distinct groups, sintered and organic. Their methods of production are very different but despite market sentiment, organic pads have recently…

Cool new KTM clobber for 2018 KTM have launched their new PowerWear Casual and Accessories range for 2018. Catering for men, women and children, the range includes T-shirts, hats, hoodies, watches and wallets. www.ktm.com MIPS-equipped Bell helmets Helmet firm, Bell, are now using MIPS technology in such helmet models as the Star. Standing for Multi-directional Impact Protection System, it helps reduce rotational forces which can occur in certain crashes. The tech is often seen in cycling helmets. www.bellhelmets.com Go further on your Versys Kawasaki are offering a free tourer pack worth £650 when you purchase a new Versys 650 between now and the end of the year. The pack consists of 28-litre panniers along with interior bags, handguards and a tank pad. www.kawasaki.co.uk…

Bridgestone’s new R11 replaces the now old R10 and is aimed at racers and trackday addicts only – it isn’t road recommended. Bridgestone have used their experience and knowledge gained in MotoGP, which they left after Valencia at the end of 2015. In back-to-back testing against the R10, the R11 went 1.5 seconds faster around a two-minute track. The new construction is designed to improve feel to the rider. The new R11 has unique variable mono spiral belts. These allow a greater contact patch as the tyre can deform easier in a controlled manner. The R11 is available in two compounds; soft and medium. Bridgestone have also noted the increase in small-capacity bikes and now supply tyres for the World Supersport 300 race series. The R11 is also available in…

‘Go for ESA, go for heated grips and the luggage, ABS etc. It all adds to the appeal’ “The K1200 is very similar to the K1300S, which replaced it in 2009, in terms of ride and stuff like that. With the K13 there were a few upgrades but overall it’s a very similar ride, with a similar engine and drivetrain. “They made some mods to the gearbox when they upgraded from the 12 to the 13 and to the clutch assembly, camchain and things like that, mostly to make it smoother and more fuel efficient, but the 1200 is still a good all round sports-tourer. “There’s still plenty of accessories available, too, including panniers, tank bags and things like that for a bit of touring. It’s a good all-rounder. “Service…

Glenn Irwin enjoyed a triumphant homecoming at the weekend by taking his second victory in a row on the PBM/ Be Wiser Ducati in Northern Ireland’s most prestigious short circuit event, the Sunflower trophy race. The 27-year-old overcame the wet at Bishopscourt to beat Michael Laverty on the Tyco BMW by 0.5s with Carl Phillips third on the MD Racing Suzuki. “That was like a Supersport race on the first laps with Michael and Alastair Seeley banging into each other,” Irwin smiled after making his move to the front at half distance in the 10-lapper. “Conditions were treacherous with lots of standing water and we had to make a change with the rear tyre after we had problems spinning up in a straight line earlier on.” Laverty came back at…

Garcia’s strong point The all-new WorldSSP300 Championship was won by a single point at Jerez, with fourth enough to make Marc Garcia (Halcourier Racing Yamaha) the champion. He won two of the nine races. Supersport sewn up Lucas Mahias is the new World Supersport Champion for GRT Yamaha, barring a miracle recovery from Kenan Sofuoglu. He takes a 20-point lead into the final round and Sofuoglu is out with a broken pelvis. So unless Sofuoglu can somehow make it to the grid in Qatar, Mahias is the 2017 champion already. Rinaldi takes title The STK1000 championship was decided in favour of Italy’s Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Ducati) who finished sixth in Spain. He beat Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) by eight points, despite the Turkish rider getting on the podium…

Wildcard rider Sylvain Guintoli stormed to an eighth and a sixth after no testing, only two hours of practice, a shortened FP3 session, and one go at Superpole onboard the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing ZX-10RR. “I was only 11 seconds from Johnny at the end of the first race, despite starting a long way back and we have quite a lot less engine revs this year,” said Guintoli, who was 11th on the grid after a pretty torrid season with Suzuki in BSB. “The bike gave me confidence straight away and the right wrist is still working pretty well! The team is strong and the package is good.” At Donington Park earlier in the season wildcard Leon Haslam was 16.5 seconds away from the win, but finished second on the same…

‘An hour before the race, I didn’t know if I would be able to ride’CAL CRUTCHLOW  Cal Crutchlow rode a heroic race at Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix to take a top five finish after a crash in morning warm-up left him doubting whether he would be fit enough to race at all. Crutchlow, who won last year’s Phillip Island race, crashed heavily at turn six in the rain-struck warm-up session – highsiding before limping away from the LCR Honda. But, speaking to MCN after the race, he admitted that the damage he sustained was more serious than it looked on TV – and that for a while it looked serious enough to keep him out of action in the race. “It was a big crash, the worst that I’ve…

Jack Miller went for it at his home race in Phillip Island, delivering one of the best rides of his Grand Prix career so far. Converting a strong qualifying performance to lead Sunday’s race, the Marc VDS Honda rider managed to round off the weekend with a respectable seventh place finish. With the result coming only 22 days after surgery to have a broken right leg repaired, the Aussie downplayed his training crash after the race, saying that in reality the one thing that didn’t hamper him during the race was his physical fitness. “I said on a radio interview this week that I wanted to be top five, and in the back of my mind I believe I could do it, but I haven’t had that many strong dry…

 Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo had a torrid time on their factory Ducatis at Phillip Island. The riders had feared the worst after a tough pre-season test at the track back in February, but both hoped for better and the disastrous results make it almost impossible for Dovi to take the 2017 title now. ‘The positive thing to do is to take all the information and use it’JORGE LORENZO Dovizioso ended up 13th while Lorenzo languished back in 15th. Lorenzo explained: “It was more or less what I expected. Maybe we thought that the rear tyre would drop off a little less, because it was very difficult to manage it in the last seven laps. But in terms of corner speed, I didn’t expect much better than what we got.”…

 Valentino Rossi says Sunday’s incredible MotoGP battle at Phillip Island is the kind of race that keeps him young. ‘You have to work hard when you have an injury, and it’s not easy’VALENTINO ROSSI The nine-time world champion was locked in a battle with a group of eight riders with an average age of only 25, compared to his 38 years, and came out on top of all but Marc Marquez after setting up a series of aggressive last lap overtakes. But despite the age gap, the Italian says that rather than make him feel old, battles like Sunday’s have the opposite effect. He said: “I think it’s all my fault that the gap between the youngest and the oldest today was so big – without me being in the…

GP bosses edge towards Donington Despite promises from series bosses Dorna that the home of the British Grand Prix would be confirmed by late September, there has still been no news on whether next year’s race will take place at either Silverstone or Donington, with the two tracks remaining in competition for the five-year deal on offer. MCN’s sources believe that Dorna favour a move to Donington Park (now under new ownership) – but that the stumbling block may be substantial safety and facility upgrades needed to bring the track up to Grand Prix standard. Wildcard racers face new limits New restrictions will be placed on wildcard riders in the future after impressive results from KTM test rider Mika Kallio highlighted the lack of regulations. From 2018, manufacturers will be…

 Speculation about the 2018 MotoGP grid line-up was reignited at Phillip Island as more details began to emerge about the debilitating illness that has struck down Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Jonas Folger, keeping him out of action for two weekends in a row and set to see him missing the remainder of the season. ‘Uncertainty over Folger’s recovery could affect next season’ Believed by doctors in Germany to be a recurrence of his Epstein-Barr disease (an energy-sapping virus that affects many top athletes), the uncertain nature of its recovery time has left some people in the paddock speculating that his illness could affect him well into next year’s season, potentially putting his seat at risk. He’ll be replaced this weekend at the Malaysian Grand Prix by Michael van der…

Maverick Viñales has come away from the Australian Grand Prix disappointed with his weekend’s efforts despite a Phillip Island podium finish, after watching any remaining chance of becoming the 2017 MotoGP champion ride away with Marc Marquez in Sunday’s race. Now trailing his fellow Spaniard by 50 points, and with one less victory than him this year, he knows that his chances of taking the title are over. It was a bitter pill for Viñales to swallow after he’d managed to turn around a difficult weekend and come home in third place on the Movistar Yamaha. The 22-year-old said: “The championship challenge is gone. This is not good news, but we already knew all season it was going to be difficult, especially during the second part. We have to try…

Not content with their current title-winning pace, rumours have begun to circulate that Honda will launch their own Europe-based testing team for next season in an attempt to replicate the advantages enjoyed by both KTM and Ducati in recent years with Mika Kallio and Michele Pirro. The Japanese company have relied on Japan-based test riders like former world champ Hiroshi Aoyama, running their MotoGP prototype bikes at tracks like the Honda-owned Twin Ring Motegi. But with their European rivals now employing fast riders in testing roles (and apparently offering some as much money as their satellite racers), speculation is increasing that HRC will now follow suit, with both former Moto2 champion Stefan Bradl and Dorna employee Alberto Puig linked to the team as test rider and manager respectively. The news…

‘Dovi’s biggest mistake was sticking with the medium rear’CHRIS VERMEULEN Silverstone and Phillip Island are the two tracks on the calendar that make for the best racing, and the reason is the same at both of them – fast corners. It gives you a chance to draft people and you can make up time and lose time very easily. When there’s a lot of hard braking and stop-and-go corners, it’s easy to outbrake someone and the race can open up. It doesn’t allow for slipstreaming, great moves and overtaking like Phillip Island does, which is why it so often serves up a classic battle. Dovi made a mistake at turn one, but his biggest mistake was sticking with the medium rear tyre and not going with the soft like everyone…

Stop. Carry on… There’s no hint of a lock-out system or handbrake visible on the front-end, or bars, suggesting that the Niken will fall over and/ or roll away if riders just get off it. There is a sidestand and leaving it in gear will work as a brake. Lean times Niken leans like a motorcycle, meaning that it will handle, steer and corner like a normal bike, although it will be slightly more resistant to inputs, thanks to the two contact patches. But it won’t be as alien to ride as it is to look at. Forking hell Each front wheel is suspended inside a double fork. Preload, rebound and compression damping adjusters are visible on the rearward of each pair of forks, revealing that the set-up is fully…

Honda have sold 100 million Super Cubs. Let that sink in for a moment. 100 million. That’s one cub for every 74 of us on earth right now. It’s enough Cubs placed end to end to stretch around the equator five times or halfway to the moon and if you lay them on their sides, they’d cover the whole of England! To celebrate this momentous occasion, Honda held a special commemorative ceremony at their Kumamoto Factory in Japan, where the Super Cub is produced. Although there have been advances in technology, the simple four-stroke engine and basic design have endured to the extent that the 2014 model was the first vehicle to obtain a three-dimensional trademark in Japan. But what does this mean for the future? Our sources in Japan…

KTM look east KTM have signed a deal with CFMoto to set up a joint venture business. The deal was signed to improve KTM’s access in China with an eye on manufacturing bikes using KTM technology. The deal was signed last week but awaits approval from Chinese authorities. Harley struggle Harley recorded poor sales in the third quarter of 2017 (July-September). Sales of bikes and accessories fell by 11.9%, while their operating profit suffered a 45.8% plunge. Whether this will affect their target to introduce millions of new riders to the brand is yet to be seen. Electric future The Transport Minister John Hayes has announced plans that will require motorway services and large petrol stations to install charging points. The Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill will increase access, while…

‘The package is superbly effective and it feels refined on and off road’ Whatever your preconceptions are about BMW’s ubiquitous R1200GS, there’s really only one reason for its success: it’s devastatingly effective at doing its job. And the Adventure model just got even better. Following a year behind the standard GS and Rallye models, the newfor-2018 Adventure is available in five model variations, from the stock model (£13,400), up to the heavily spec’d Rallye TE (£17,670), which ticks most of the obvious must-have optional extra boxes. Already treated to a half-upgrade for 2017, when it adopted the current GS drivetrain modifications for smoother final drive and gearbox operation, the 2018 model also gets a revised exhaust system and engine mapping to make it Euro4 compliant – while maintaining identical performance…

Get out on a 2018 machine The Carole Nash MCN Festival of Motorcycling boasts the biggest test fleet in the UK with hundreds of test ride slots over the weekend. With all the major bike manufacturers already confirming huge fleets of machines there’s no better (or easier) way of test riding loads of different models in one place. All the road rides take place down some of Cambridgeshire’s gloriously twisty A and B roads. There’s no pre-booking forms to fill in, just turn up with your lid and licence and ride (terms and conditions apply)! Bag some bargain kit The Festival is the ideal place to buy your new bike gear. With all the major retailers bringing huge stocks of both clearance kit and new 2018 gear the choice is…

‘The views are incredible as the route runs ever higher’ On the northwest edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park lies the market town of Llandovery, a popular meeting place for local riders and a great base from which to explore some truly amazing roads; from twisty mountain passes to unpaved forest fire trails, there’s something different in every direction. Fuel stops will be few and far between so top up before heading off at the only petrol station in town; Morris Isaac’s by the level crossing. Depart via the A483 towards Builth Wells. The first section rises steadily through fast flowing, shallow bends towards the technical compound curves at its mid point and a lazy drift down to Llanwrtyd Wells. As with anywhere that is susceptible to harsh winters…

It’s been a cracking couple of weekends for our R5K members. With a brilliantly unseasonably warm end to October (and just little bit of wind and rain) everyone has been piling on the miles, heading to the coast or just looking for any excuse to get out on their bikes and ride. Member Dave Franklin sums up the R5K spirit the best and we also salute him for cracking his 5000-mile target. Dave told us: “The sun was out yesterday, so I had to pop out for coffee and cake and came back – 188 miles later! “My route was Ipswich to Cromer via Norwich, return via Fakenham, Swaffham, Thetford, Bury St Edmunds – a great day. I took another short trip this afternoon for another coffee; no cake this…

MICHAEL NEEVES Sportsbike loverand has raced in Thundersport GP1, Island Classic and Endurance Legends this year. Height 6ft Weight 72kg SUZUKI GSX-R1000R £16,099 Fuel 16 litres @ 47mpg = 165-mile range Weight 204kg (measured, full of fuel) Seat 825mm Power 188bhp Torque 87ftlb michael.neeves@motorcyclenews.com ‘The GSX-R was so good at covering big miles, I’m now taking it to Spain’ Suzuki’s new GSX-R1000R is an unashamed track bike, but despite its appetite for tarmac-demolishing speed and full-lean lunacy, most will be ridden on the road, with the odd cross-continental summer tour thrown-in for good measure. So what’s it like on the long haul? To find out, I rode to see the most spectacular supermoto street race in the world. The annual Superbiker at Mettet is a celebration of barely-believable backing-it-in and…

‘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…

James Ellison has said 2018 will be his final assault on the British Superbike Championship after announcing a deal with the Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha team. The 37-year-old Cumbrian has been a front-runner in the series since 2008, apart from a few years when he was in MotoGP and World Supersport. His best season saw him finish second with Airwaves Yamaha in 2009, but he also finished third twice with GBmoto Kawasaki in 2014 and 2015. Next year, he’ll have one last crack at the title by moving to the Anvil Hire Yamaha team, which came of age this year with Josh Brookes, missing out on the title by three points. The 2017 season proved tough for Ellison. Signed for the McAMS Yamaha team, his pace was evident from the…

Six-time Sunflower winner Michael Laverty couldn’t claim a seventh win at Bishopscourt but was delighted with his reunion ride on the Tyco BMW. “We had a dry setting on the suspension and it was too stiff with so much water on the track at the start of the race. It took four or five laps for the rear to come strong on grip and by then it was too late. But I got the fastest lap of the race and the bike felt strong.” The Northern Irishman has rejoined the Moneymore based team for a third time to partner Christian Iddon in next season’s BSB championship challenge. “I wanted to get back on a BMW because I was faster on it in 2016 than I had been on the Yamaha…

Tom Sykes left Jerez level on points for second place with Chaz Davies with one round and two races remaining. And it looks unlikely that team-mate Rea will help him keep the Ducati rival at bay, A lack of rear grip was his main problem in a second Jerez race that saw him finish fifth to Davies’ third. Last season Sykes was also in a cliff-hanger for second with Davies, eventually having to rely on help from his team-mate Rea at the final round, much to the disgust of Davies. This time around help may not be forthcoming. Rea said simply: “My feeling is that Tom should fight for second in the series himself. Last year I gave him huge help and this year it is not my place to…

Alex Lowes continued his impressive progress for Yamaha this year with two strong fourth places at Jerez. He was just 3.6 seconds off the win in race one, and 4.6s off in race two. Fifth in the championship, and moving 16 points ahead of his team-mate Michael van der Mark with just one round to go, Lowes said of his Spanish weekend: “I tried to work on my pace for the second half of the race, as I knew the new surface would come into play, so I have tried hard all weekend to make sure I was strong and tried to snatch a podium spot that way.”…

Iannone on pace Andrea Iannone has finally found some form in his difficult first season on the Suzuki GSX-RR, coming home two places ahead of rookie team-mate Alex Rins at Phillip Island in sixth place. He was able to not only score a strong result but to dice with the leaders. KTM’s best day yet Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaró enjoyed their best ever day in the premier class as Red Bull KTM riders. The duo both finished in the top 10 at Phillip Island. Smith said: “The last lap was a huge battle with Pol but this is a great result for me and for all the guys who are working on this project.” McPhee team fears John McPhee has been left uncertain about his future in Moto3 after…

 Marc Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso say everything is still to play for in the battle for the 2017 MotoGP crown, despite Marquez easing ahead in the standings after winning a frantic race at Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix. ‘I’ve taken a lot of risks, now it’s time to take things carefully’MARC MARQUEZ Finally able to break away from the chasing pack with four laps to go and win by nearly two seconds in a race that has to be regarded as a modern classic, it was the perfect result for the Honda-mounted Spaniard. But while Marquez was celebrating the perfect result it was an absolute disaster for his main title rival Dovizioso who slumped to 13th place, meaning that the gap between the two men is now a huge 33 points…

Scott Redding has revealed that he ignored team orders from his Pramac Ducati squad when he became locked in a battle with fellow Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso. The Brit said: “I was battling with Pedrosa as well as Dovi, and I wasn’t going to sacrifice everything when it was only for a few points. I’ve had a s**t few weeks, and the least I could do was give myself some confidence. It’s not like it was for a podium, and what else can you do when you’re catching someone? People doubt me in the paddock every day, so when I get a chance to show my ability I need to take it. Message on the dash “I had a message to say ‘let Dovi through’ which I did – I…

 Tony Scott, the Lancashire-based tuner whose engines won 30 TTs, has died after a long illness. ‘HRC’s boss came to Tony’s factory and couldn’t believe it’ Originally a car mechanic, Tony was unable to work after a bike crash in 1982 left him with a shoulder injury. A chance meeting that year led to him helping a local racer, Keith Nichols, and when Keith started winning, Tony became sought after as an engine builder. His first big-name riders were Kenny Irons, Terry Rymer and Carl Fogarty. He went on to work for Honda Britain, Steve Hislop, Joey and Robert Dunlop, Phil McCallen, Roger Burnett, Mike Edwards, Ian Simpson, Jim Moodie, Phil Borley, Ian Hutchinson and Clive Padgett. Tony was particularly successful with Honda’s RC30, finding a way to get more…

Ducati Multistrada 1200 £13,795 It has the same 152bhp DVT engine, chassis and brakes as the £16,595 Mutistrada 1200 S, but no electronic suspension and fewer goodies. The base machine still boasts traction, wheelie and cruise control, riding modes, hill-hold, keyless ignition and cornering ABS. Triumph Thruxton £10,800 Triumph’s sultry retro shares the £12,200 R’s 96bhp parallel twin, frame, swingarm, wheels and electronics, but does without top model’s Brembos, Öhlins shock, Showa Big Piston Forks, stickier tyres, single seat and cosmetics. Honda CB1100 EX £10,765 Both the retro EX and the £11,139 CB1100 RS use the same 89bhp inline four-cylinder motor, but the range-topper has higher-spec suspension, wheels, a sportier riding position and styling mods. BMW R nineT £12,300 It’s now been joined by a whole stable of retros from…

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…

ALISON SILCOX Office Manager Been riding for 13 years and over 20 as pillion. Height 5ft 10in Weight 72kg Price £9599 Fuel 13.1 litres @ 67.83mpg = 200 miles Weight 238kg Seat 820mm Power 54.04bhp Torque 50.18ftlb alison.silcox@motorcyclenews.com ‘I’ve got a very silly idea to go off road to test the Honda X-ADV’s adventure claims’ ‘Darren, Honda’s mechanic, filled two workbenches with the parts’ I’ve pimped my ride! It’s a phrase that I never thought I’d be saying in connection with the X-ADV, but there’s a huge amount of aftermarket bits available for the adventure/scoot hybrid so I thought it would be interesting to see what works and what doesn’t. I’ve joined a couple of groups on Facebook and Google+ to see what other owners are doing and loads are…

TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE RS £10,100 Fuel 17.4 litres @ 49mpg = 187-mile range Weight 1166kg Seat 825mm Power 121bhp Torque 57ftlb THE RIDER Joe Dick. MCN’s photographer loves to focus on fast road rides and enjoys trackday action, too. Height 5ft 5in Weight 68kg joe.dick@motorcyclenews.com I’ve taken the plunge and gone for an aftermarket exhaust on the Street Triple RS. At £615 it’s pricey, but the design is perfect as you’d expect from Arrow. And by using the Triumph Approved accessory, the warranty is not affected. Fitting was straightforward and in less than 30 minutes I’d gone from big dull standard pipe to shiny aftermarket goodness. However, if it’s aftermarket burble and noise you are looking for, then I’d suggest looking at alternatives as the Arrow system makes minimal changes…

It’s interesting to note that early Speed Triple prices have descended into Cheap Hack territory. I never thought I’d see that happen. There’s a sort of dead-zone and it’s the 955 Triumphs that are stranded in it. A 955 Speed has got to be something pretty special to fetch beyond £1500, which is pretty much Suzuki Bandit money. I’m looking at an ad for a 2001 model, with just 23,000 miles on it, that didn’t break through £1500.OK, so the colour was what Triumph call Nuclear Red and everybody else called ‘puked claret’, or just pink, and had at one time been a Cat C write off, but even so. The lime green colour puts some off too. Going by this, the older ones must be even cheaper, right? Wrong.…

ADAM CHILD Senior Road Tester DUCATI 888 “I’ve always wanted a Ducati 888. I get my speed kicks from road racing, so for the road I still want something quick, which handles, but I don’t need 200bhp. I want that wow factor every time I open the garage door and to me the 888 gives me that. It’s iconic, one of the most desirable bikes on the planet and shouldn’t deprecate.” TIM THOMPSON Head of Content DUCATI PANIGALE 1299 “This is easy. I’d make an offer on the 2015 Ducati 1299 Panigale that’s sitting in Peterborough Ducati, on sale for £13,690. It’s the non-S without the electronic suspension but in all other respects this is one of the great Ducatis. If you think it’s just an ultra-focused track weapon, think…

2004-2005 BMW K1200S Colours Black/yellow, blue/ white, grey or blue Dealer £3750 Private good £3650 Private average £3500 This one 2005 model showing 22,691 miles, £3795. 2006 BMW K1200S Colours Black/yellow, blue/ white or grey Dealer £4000 Private good £3850 Private average £3700 This one 2006 model showing 23,000 miles, £3999. 2007 BMW K1200S Colours Black/silver/blue,silver/yellow or black Dealer £4150 Private good £3950 Private average £3800 This one Our test bike: 2007 with extras and showing 23,325 miles, £3795. 2008 BMW K1200S Colours Black/silver/blue,silver/yellow or black Dealer £4500 Private good £4200 Private average £4000 This one 2008 model with ESA and heated grips and showing 16K miles, £4695. Insurance MCN COMPARE Sample MCNCompare.com quotes for £4000 used rapid sports-tourers…

Former McAMS Yamaha man, Michael Laverty (see story, right) will return to the Tyco BMW squad for the 2018 British Superbike Championship. The Ulsterman parted ways with the Neill family outfit at the end of the 2016 season, but after a disastrous year with the McAMS Yamaha team, he will return in 2018 alongside former teammate Christian Iddon. The move comes as big changes are expected at Tyco BMW as they look to rectify a troublesome couple of years after missing out on the BSB Showdown for two consecutive seasons. MCN understands the squad will make a switch to Öhlins suspension, with Laverty running the new kit for his return to the team at the Sunflower Trophy at Bishopscourt. And Iddon finished the season strongly with two seconds and a…

 Three-time WSB champ Jonathan Rea had two ambitions left to achieve in 2017 after wrapping up the title last time out in France - winning at each of the final two circuits Jerez and Losail - the only tracks on the calendar he has not been victorious at. ‘Tom should fight for second in the series himself. It’s not my place to help anyone’JONATHAN REA ‘Equalling Troy’s record makes me realise how far I have come’JONATHAN REA He took two big wins at Jerez, the first a gift after Marco Melandri’s Ducati quit on him and the second one was vintage Rea. Leading from lap one to the end, he smashed Melandri’s Saturday lap record at the resurfaced Jerez by almost 0.3 seconds, and wheelied his way to a 2.732-second…

Circuit: Jerez Laps: 19 Fastest Lap: Rea 1Õ40.640 RACE ONE 15. Jezek +34.201 16. Takahashi +1’16.011 17. Russo +2 laps DNF .Giugliano. Melandri. Schmitter. Badovini. De Rosa. RACE TWO 15. Takahashi+45.421 16. Russo+45.469 17. Giugliano+1lap 18 .Savadori +2laps DNF. Jezek.Laverty.Schmitter. WSS 15. Soomer+22.056 16. Bergman+24.168 17. Zanetti+24.473 18 .Stapleford+27.842 19 .Khairuddin+34.299 20. Pons+37.846 21. VanSikkelerus+38.809 22. Watanabe+40.105 23. Cardelus+40.237 24. Epis+58.998 25. Scarcella+1’13.659 DNF. Smith.Sebestyen.Scheib.Calero.Baldolini.Hill.…