Table of contents for March 14th 2018 in MCN

Slow down Twin Brembo monoblocs are the key indicator that this bike is designed to go fast. 21in front wheel points to the new Scrambler 1200’s off-road potential On guard Like all good off-road bikes, the Scrambler 1200 is awash with rugged features such a heavy-duty handguards Carry that weight USD Showa forks and Öhlins twin-shocks mean it should have plenty of suspension travel for when the going gets bumpy. Again hinting at off-road ability Bad boy We expect the new Scrambler to take the 1200cc water-cooled high torque engine from the Bobber, giving it loads of shove without being too revvy Back when the Bonnie was air-cooled, Triumph’s Scrambler 900 was arguably the coolest retro of the lot. It looked great, it could shift on the road and at…

When George Brough built his first SS100 in 1924 with the intention of creating the ‘Rolls Royce of motorcycles’, he cannot have imagined a world of catalytic converters or anti-lock brakes but these spy shots suggest that’s exactly where the company is now heading. Fat lot of good Brough needed to make their bikes Euro4 compliant after being allowed to sell a small number of non-complaint bikes in 2017. These spy shots show Brough testing a new Euro4- compliant SS100. And there are some big changes clearly on show. To meet tighter emissions regulations, the exhaust has got a little fatter to incorporate a new catalytic converter. The engine was new for the SS100 (designed by Akira who make Kawasaki’s WSB engines) and being both water-cooled and four-valve, it’s probably…

The Motorcycle Industry Association has written to the Government to express concern regarding the escalating threat of a trade war between the US and the EU. The President of the US, Donald Trump, has increased the tariff on imports of aluminium and steel. In return, the EU warned they may increase the tariffs on American goods, expressly naming Harley-Davidson motorcycles although we assume Indian would also be affected. The MCIA’s concern is that should the situation escalate, it could seriously damage the UK’s motorcycle industry. Harley-Davidson have generally steered well clear of American politics. However they said: “Import tariffs on steel and aluminum will drive up costs for all products made with these raw materials, regardless of their origin. Additionally, a punitive, retaliatory tariff on Harley-Davidson motorcycles in any market…

As ‘Firsts’ go, America’s first motorcycle company teaming up with America’s first distillery is a great one – even if ‘throttle and bottles don’t mix’. The result of Indian motorcycles’ link-up with Tennessee whiskey distillers Jack Daniel’s is this custom Scout Bobber. The special livery is inspired by the black and gold colours of fire trucks historically sponsored by Jack Daniel’s ‘Old No.7’ brand. Just 177 individually numbered examples are being built, complete with subtle 24-carat gold graphics on the tank and mudguards. Other details including a perforated leather seat, custom grips, pegs and shift lever and each example also comes with a custom-engraved fireman’s axe!. The bike is available to order now but only three are coming to the UK, priced at £14,449 with delivery in July.…

The Carole Nash MCN Festival is your chance to take part in the Ducati Multistrada Experience and the Diavel Experience. The Multistrada Experience takes place both on and off-road using the 950 and Enduro models. Off-road tuition is by ex-Dakar rider Beppe Gualini and showcases the Enduro’s ability over specially designed obstacles. Don’t worry if you’ve never ridden off road before, Beppe is a great teacher. The Diavel Experience also makes a comeback for 2018 and is your chance to sample one of these outrageous cruisers. The Diavel test rides were massively popular last year and certainly changed a few opinions about cruiser style bikes. V4 Panigale confirmed The ground-breaking V4 Panigale has just been confirmed as part of Ducati’s Festival test fleet. MCN recently crowned the Panigale V4 as…

It’s minus five and I’m getting kitted up in a cowshed – but I couldn’t be happier. I’m normally full of anxiety before a day’s enduro riding, but not today. I’m in the safe hands of the Yamaha’s off-road school in Wales about to test Yamaha’s unintimidating new WR250F. For 2018, the enduro has been given a slight makeover, comprising new head and piston, modified cams, new valve springs, shorter intake funnel and new ECU – all to improve the four-stroke single’s mid-range. Chassis wise, the frame’s stiffer, weight has been cut and suspension settings have been optimised. To more cut mass, Yamaha have removed the kick-start, so it’s push-button only. And immediately the WR’s ease of use shines through. At 118kg, it’s light and manageable and the reverse single…

It may seem obvious but the point is worth making nonetheless – you can’t just ride anywhere. Responsible trail riding is all about keeping to legal routes and knowing which they are. These legal rights of way are known as BOATs – ‘byways open to all traffic’ – although you’ll often find them referred to as green lanes. There are over 6000 miles of them in England and Wales, but the best place to start is by going back to school… The traditional way to learn to ride off-road was to keep falling off until you got the hang of it. But with a bike weighing 250kg or more that isn’t an option. Luckily there are training schools throughout the UK that specialise in adventure bike skills. Most offer a…

Donington Park in the Spring. There are few better places for early season racing: there’s BSB over the Easter weekend this year, Endurance Legends on May 12-13 and World Supers on May 26-27. But best of all – and certainly for those who live south and east of the East Midlands circuit – it’s also a brilliant ride there and back. Corby might not be the most glamourous of departure points, but it’s far better than it used to be. Thereafter it’s picturesque Uppingham, Oakham, Melton Mowbray and more all the way. Our ride starts proper on the north side of the former steel town before plummeting downhill into the pretty village of Rockingham. After that, the sweeping and swooping A6003 takes you first to Uppingham (you can pause for…

TOOLS • Engine oil• Spanners• Oil filter• Oil drain tray• Screwdriver• Sockets• Torque wrench• Hex keys 1 Use genuine parts Use original parts as much as humanly possible. The cost difference between the genuine and pattern parts is minimal and genuine parts will often help your engine last longer. For a basic oil change on most bikes, like this 2003 Honda VFR800, all that is required is the filter, oil and a new sump plug washer. Look in your manual for the type of oil and how much you’ll need. 2 Check your manual Refer to your workshop manual for the specific procedure relating to an oil and filter change. The steps are typically straightforward and usually only involve removal of lower fairing panels. You will need to gain access…

Suzuki V-Strom 1000 XT £9999 Fuel 20 litres @ 47mpg = 200-mile range Weight 233kg (kerb) Seat 850mm Power 99.2bhp Torque 74.5lbft RICHARD NEWLAND Riding addict with a love of big miles. Rides all year in all weathers. Height 5ft 11in Weight 111kg richard.newland@motorcyclenews.com “You’re an idiot.” That’s what people keep telling me, anyway. But I don’t ride bikes in the snow because I’ve got a death wish, it’s because I live out in the sticks, and when the weather gets bad my rear-wheel-drive diesel auto estate car is less than useless, while I can usually get about just fine on two wheels. But as February neatly segued into March under a blanket of the white stuff, I was beaten by the huge hills that surround my village. This is…

‘I’d have raced the bike bike next weekend if I could. It’s really promising’JASON O’HALLORAN  Twelve months ago, Dan Linfoot and Jason O’Halloran left Honda’s annual Monteblanco test deflated. The late arrival of the 2017 Fireblade had left the Louth-based Honda squad on the back foot and with just a matter of weeks before the opening round, they ran out of time to fix the issues before the start of the season. Fast forward to 2018 and the two riders are now brimming with confidence after lapping the Spanish circuit faster than they’ve ever done before, despite limited track time due to poor weather conditions that have battered Europe in recent weeks. Last year almost turned into a yearlong test for the Honda squad as they struggled with the…

Luke Mossey’s priority for winter testing was to re-build the confidence that was shattered for the young gun following his horrifying, high-speed crash at Thruxton last year. Mossey was thrown from his ZX-10RR after clipping the grass on the exit of the final turn at Thruxton, sustaining four broken vertebrae when he landed near turn one. Returning at Silverstone to try to secure a showdown space, he was a shadow of the rider who had stormed to his debut BSB race wins earlier that season, and who had even led the championship after four rounds. “The crash last year hit me hard, and to be honest I came back way too early,” says Mossey. “I certainly wasn’t myself, and I wasn’t enjoying riding the bike. “We’ve now had three tests…

‘I can do good things when I push; we have to find a way to do that without losing our way’ ‘We’re trying to improve everything, because we know we’re on the back foot’ MAVERICK VIÑALES STATS Maverick Viñales Nationality Spanish Age 23 First race Qatar 2012 Titles 1 Races 121 Wins 20 MotoGP wins 4 Podiums 51 Poles 16 Fastest laps 18 Four years into his MotoGP career, 2018 might not yet be a make-or-break year for Maverick Viñales – but it looks set to be a critical season as to whether he can live up to the hype and become world champion. Starting 2017 with blistering pace, Viñales dominated all three pre-season tests and went on to win the opening two races of the year in Qatar…

‘I’m always looking for the win – I turn up every weekend looking to win’ CAL CRUTCHLOW ‘My aim last year was to win a race and I didn’t, and I was disappointed in the season’ STATS Cal Crutchlow Nationality British Age 32 First race Qatar 2011 Titles 0 Races 123 MotoGP wins 2 Podiums 13 Poles 3 Fastest laps 4 With a contract direct with HRC, a factory bike identical to Marc Marquez’s and a key role in development of the RC213V, things have never looked better for Cal Crutchlow. And with this new level of support comes increased expectation as the UK’s most successful MotoGP racer for a generation bids to add his tally of Grand Prix wins. In 2016, Crutchlow became the first British racer to win…

ENGINE This motor is as powerful as ever and reportedly even faster for 2018. The Ducati engineers seem to have managed a magic trick this season by delivering that greater muscle without sacrificing any ease of use for Lorenzo and Dovi. FRAME Visually similar to last year’s, the frame has been tweaked slightly to improve turning. Still retaining the distinctive look of the bike, it seems like a small modification has made a big difference without reinventing the wheel. ELECTRONICS A Ducati strength due to their large number of bikes on the grid. With their Italian engineers spread across four teams and eight roughly similar machines, they’re in a position to quickly get the best out of the control electronics. AERO A major strength. This season’s most interesting aerodynamics update…

While you might still need a full factory bike to be a MotoGP title contender, the past few seasons have shown that satellite machines are more than capable of winning races. With the series more unpredictable than ever thanks to the control electronics and tyres levelling the playing field, you can make a legitimate case for half the grid being capable of coming first. MCN looks at the men who have nothing to lose and all to gain in 2018. 5 Johann Zarco Monster Yamaha Tech3 As the rookie revelation of 2017, the first-ever double Moto2 champion proved to be just as fast when he jumped on to a MotoGP machine for the first time 12 months ago. But no one expected Zarco to lead the first race of the…

FRAME Aprilia’s strong point, the RS-GP’s frame is said to be the most planted on the grid. It looks like it’s on rails in even in low-grip situations. Easy on rear tyres, too, it lets them come strong at the end of races ; that’ll suit Redding in particular. ENGINE A radical version of their RSV4 road engine, this suffered in 2017 from low power and reliability issues. Aprilia’s goal will be to make it last the distance – and then the bike’s strengths will more than make up for the expected horsepower deficit. ELECTRONICS Aprilia were one of the teams actually aided by the arrival of control systems. They have made impressive progress, with the engine’s lower power combining with dialled-in electronics to make for smooth delivery. AERO Aprilia…

Six world titles, 61 GP race wins… and he’s only 25 years old! The stats say it all – this man is special, very special. After a patchy start to 2018, Marquez complained of stress and hair loss. But his ear-to-ear smile soon returned as his team rallied round. Marquez rode the wheels off his hard-to-rde RC213V as he hunted down his main rivals. In the end he had to let it all hang out in a bid to stop Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso, but that’s what the supremely talented Spaniard does best. In the last race of the season Marquez nearly threw it all away in an epic moment, but somehow managed to save the day – and the MotoGP crown. He’s undoubtedly the man to beat in 2018. AND…

Brough unveiled the new Pendine model last year. The Pendine shares the same engine as the SS100 but it’s a more modern and aggressive restyling of the classic bike, so the tank has been ‘destrapped’. It’s also got a new seat unit, a cheeky nose cowl to duck behind when gunning it and of course, a pair of fabulous slash cut exhausts. The Pendine also has a new swingarm with a direct mount monoshock with a 19in front whell and an 18in rear, with Michelin Anakee off-road tyres. We’ll be attending the official launch of the Pendine shortly, with a first test planned this Spring. Brough are aiming to have the £58,000 Pendine on sale in September.…

‘I want them to be mechanically sound and handle well but be affordable’ Heaven, Nirvana, Arcadia or Shangri-la. Whatever you want to call it doesn’t matter but the biker’s paradise is not hidden in the foothills of the Himalaya or at the top of Mount Olympus – it’s in Dorset. Tucked away behind Poole’s ice cream parlours is one of the best (and hardest to find) hangouts we’ve ever visited. S-Bomb Vintage Workshop opened just over nine months ago. It’s part custom bike shop, part café, and simply one of the most welcoming places you can imagine. S-Bomb is the brainchild of Titch Cormack: born in Hull, raised in Grimsby, made in the military (except he got medically discharged after a series of motorcycle inflicted knee injuries). “I’ve always loved…

Make a weekend of it There is so much to see a do at the Carole Nash Festival of Motorcycling you’ll need more than a day to pack it all in. Campers get added benefits over day ticket holders including FREE entry to the Championship speedway round on Saturday night, FREE entry to the Yamaha Dark Side party PLUS campers are first in line for the manufacturer test rides each morning. 1 Hear some the world’s most exotic race bikes Standing next to a MotoGP machine as it fires up is one of the most memorable experiences on earth. In 2018 we’ve teamed up with the Brackley Festival of Motorcycling to pull together a collection of the UK’s finest race machinery. Everything from 500cc Grand Prix two-strokes to the fire-breathing…

I was smiling smugly as I read your latest article on the NC 500 (MCN, MCN February 21). I got my first bike, a Honda 250, when I was 17 and have been a biker ever since. I used to get on my bike around 5 or 6am and go for a serious blast round what has now become widely known as The North Coast 500. On the odd occasion I would throw in a quick squirt round Skye as well. I was the only biker in Tongue at that time, so I went everywhere by myself. I’m now almost 65 years young and have just taken delivery of a BMW R1200 RT. If anyone planning a trip would like to have me give them a free of charge conducted…

‘On a rainy day a KTM will get to Wales and back – and you’ll giggle all the way’ ‘Riding that fast? I can’t be bothered any more’ ‘I’m a convert...’ Former editor of Performance Bikes magazine, Rupert Paul, has ridden sportsbikes all his life. But even he admits that the time for adventure bikes is now. “I’ve been into sportsbikes since the late Seventies, when you had to buy ordinary bikes then modify them. When the first factory sports bike arrived (the 1985 GSX-R750) I and tens of thousands of others knew this was where it was at: speed, acceleration and sticking it to The Man. The two-and-a-half-decade frenzy that followed defined all of our biking careers. Then came traffic congestion, smartphones, the stepped licence system and the…

Keep it up There’s no getting away from it – adventure bikes are big and heavy. On average they weigh up to three times the amount of the rider! So when you’re manoeuvring, take your time. Keep the bike as upright as possible and your body close. Don’t be afraid to put the bike on its stand before you get on it. Use your body Unlike a light, sharp-steering sportster which requires minimal body ‘English’ to go around corners – you need everything at your disposal to ride an adventure bike hard. The big, wide bars give great leverage and because of the seating and foot peg position, your legs are perfectly placed to put pressure through the pegs to help turn the bike. And don’t be fooled – these…

SUZUKI SV650X £5999 • 75bhp • 198kg The X is effectively a mildly restyled SV650 with added screen and clip-on bars. At under £6000 it’s tempting value and the forks now have pre-load adjustment. DUCATI SCRAMBLER MACH 2.0 £9195 • 72bhp • 186kg Latest version of Ducati’s benchmark retro twin has styling tweaks by Californian customiser Roland Sands and paintjob inspired by a classic, ’70s Bell crash helmet. YAMAHA XSR700 £6849 • 74bhp • 186kg Launched 2015, the XSR, like the X, is a restyled version of an existing roadster – Yamaha’s excellent MT-07 – but to a more thorough degree. Have Suzuki done enough? The riders Adam Child Age 41 Height 5ft 6in CV Testing bikes for 20 years and one of first to ride the original Ducati Scrambler. Bruce Dunn Age 51 Height 5ft…

Cumbrian Ring Scenery  •••• Roads •••• This is a popular bike route on the edge of the Lake District and in the heart of Cumbria. Join the A686 as it climbs from Penrith to Alston, a favourite with local bikers. It’s littered with blind bends so take care. At Alston take the A689 which leads to Carlisle. Head south on the A6 – it’s a straight road that runs parallel with the M6. Highland Fling  Scenery ••• Roads ••• This route passes through stunning Scottish scenery. At Invergarry go west on the A87, a flowing road that hugs the shores of three lochs. When you reach Auchtertyre, Eilan Donan Castle awaits. Pick up the A890 towards Strathcarron before making a turn towards Lochcarron. Short and Sweet  Scenery…

BEARING OUT Some bearings are retained by circlips. To remove them, place the wheel on an old tyre and tap around the bearing until it drops out. The spacer will follow. Do the same on both sides. CHECK THE SIZE Check the size of the new bearings against the old using a vernier. They will also have matching numbers. Clean the housing with contact cleaner. Place the bearing into the top of the housing squarely. DRIFT IT IN Use an impact socket slightly smaller than the bearing’s outer diameter and drift the bearing in squarely. Tap it in on the outer casing, listening for the change in sound as it slots into position. FLIP IT OVER Flip the wheel and insert the spacer. Drift in the second bearing as before…

Q Have I bent my bike? I’m a new rider and have been on the road just over two months. In that time, I have clocked up over 2000 miles and have loved every one of them. I’ve been very careful and forward thinking while riding and happy with how I’ve done. That was until I had my first off, which was a low-speed front-end collision into the back of a van. It was totally my fault; I just took my eyes off what was in front of me for a moment in slow-moving traffic. The hit was at about 10mph with the front tyre/wheel taking all of the force. Then there was a slow fall to the side. I pulled over and checked for damage and then again when…

THE EXPERT Si Martin has a TEC Diploma in motorcycle Engineering from Merton College and 30 years experience building, modifying and repairing motorcycles from Supermonos to CBX1000 café racers. MotoGP kicks off in Qatar next weekend and rarely has fairing design been so crucial to success with teams developing cunning ways to incorporate aerodynamic winglets. It’s a similar story in road bikes where fairing design is about a whole lot more than styling and making a bike look good. Here’s the inside line on bodywork. THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW… Cutting through A properly thrashed, 30bhp 250 will nudge 100mph, but the magic double ton is still out of reach to your ‘average’ 180bhp superbike. Although there are other frictional losses from the tyres, brakes and drive train, the vast…

The Red Bull Honda World Superbike team rolled out their new Magneti Marelli electronics system for the first time at Monteblanco this week. The team were expected to switch to the Italian system from the Cosworth electronics they have run in recent years ahead of the 2018 season, but a delay in parts meant Leon Camier and Jake Gagne were unable to test it ahead of the first round at Philip Island. While the poor weather restricted the team in how many laps they could complete, team boss Kervin Bos says they were able to get through at least some of their programme. “We have been able to do a roll-out test with the Magneti Marelli system and get a general feeling and get used to it and the various…

‘We’ve lost count of the number of chassis Yamaha have tested’ ENGINE One of the M1’s strong points, this has proven fast and usable – so few changes are expected. However, there’s speculation that it is in fact the engine that could be causing some of the grip issues. If so, Yamaha will have to hone their set-up. FRAME Where all the issues reportedly lie with the 2017 bike; we’ve lost count of how many different versions of the machine they’ve tested. The switch back to the 2016 bike that Tech 3 rider Johann Zarco excelled on could bring an end to that. ELECTRONICS Given just how good the old Yamaha electronics were, switching to control systems two seasons ago was a big challenge for the team. They’ve adapted well,…

‘This year’s new spec reportedly delivers much more controlled power’ RIDING POSITION Very much built for small riders such as Pedrosa and Marquez, the RC213V is by far the most compact bike on the grid. That might be a struggle this year for the slightly larger rookie joining the Honda fold, Franco Morbidelli. ENGINE A troubled area for Honda in recent years. The new motor is promised to fix all that ails the team – but that’s something we’ve heard before! The 2018 spec looks to be more an evolution than revolution following two years of big changes. CHASSIS Honda have a good chassis, and this remains largely untouched as they work to fix the engine specification. The latest evolution is still basically a version of the chassis that Cal…

22 Sam Lowes Swiss Innovative Investors KTM Twelve months ago, Sam Lowes looked set on the road to MotoGP stardom. The Lincolnshire rider was preparing to step up to the premier class, as not only a rookie but as a factory rider with Aprilia. But after a tough season with the squad, he returns to Moto2 in 2018 more hungry than ever before, and with a year of invaluable experience under his belt. “I know everyone says ‘Lowes is fast but he crashes too much’, but I learned a lot last year, and now I feel ready to win the title. I’m in my best position in years because I’ve got a fantastic team and bike; I’m fully fit; and I’ve got that bit more experience. Age is one thing,…

‘The engine feels nice and the chassis is really good even if it is different’ ‘KTM are bringing more things all the time and it seems like a really strong package’ This will be a very different season for Scottish racer John McPhee as he makes the move from a factory-supported Honda and the British Talent Team built around him to the French-based CIP Moto squad running KTM machinery. But with a strong package under him McPhee believes he has the potential for Moto3 success. Left high and dry at the end of last season when series organisers Dorna pulled the British Talent team from under him with no notice, his switch to KTM is undoubtedly a big change. Last year in Moto3, Honda dominated, but KTM hate to…

After two wins in 2016, we were expecting more from Britain’s best top-flight GP racer since Barry Sheene! And so was Cal. He admitted to being disappointed in 2017 – a season that saw just one podium finish. He was ninth in the title table and struggling to get the best out of his Honda. But this season is already looking positive for Cal. He’s been given a factory contract and has access to many of the same parts as the Repsol Honda riders. And he’s been right at the front in testing and looks much happier on the reworked RC213V. Expect more podiums from the brilliant Brit in 2018. AND THEN THERE’S … Bradley Smith and Scott Redding are also flying the flag and have a lot to prove…

The quiet, calm and calculated Italian shocked the world by pushing Marc Marquez all the way in 2017. With his Ducati working well beneath him, Dovi was able to use its power at the open circuits while using its new-found cornering ability to mix it at the front in most races. Dovi also used his brain a lot and he won six races during a glittering season. It was really only a dismal 13th at Phillip Island that saw him lose out. He’s been going well in testing and should be in with a real shout of championship glory in 2018. AND THEN THERE’S… Dovi’s superstar teammate Jorge Lorenzo showed flashes of brilliance in 2017 as he acclimatized to his new Desmosedici after nine seasons with Yamaha. Testing’s been a…

Yamaha have unveiled a new TMAX model that comes with more bells and whistles than a shop selling bells and whistles. The only problem is we can’t have it. The TMAX has been a huge sales success for Yamaha since it was first launched 17 yeas ago – more than 250,000 have been sold in Europe alone. Last year they unveiled the DX and SX and now they’ve unveiled an even sportier SX Sport Edition. So the SX SE gets the TMAX’s punchy 530cc parallel twin as well as ABS, traction control, rider modes, TFT dash and keyless ignition. On top of that you get a new custom Akrapovic exhaust, smaller sporty screen and a neater number plate holder. The SE doesn’t lose any of the practicalities either, so there’s…

Forget BSB, WSB and MotoGP – the race the big four really want to win is the Suzuka 8 Hours. For 2018, Honda are throwing everything they’ve got at the race and their weapon of choice is this brand new, proper, factory special Fireblade. In the early days of Suzuka, the Japanese teams sent their very best factory riders but the real stars of MotoGP have been absent in recent years. After three Yamaha wins on the run, Honda want the win badly and don’t tell us you wouldn’t love to see Marquez or Crutchlow dicing it on this thing?…

Just phone a friend In reply to Dave Ashcroft’s reply to my earlier letter regarding bike thefts, the idea of self-puncturing one or two tyres was to be used in extreme circumstances and was offered as an idea to provide the technology to enable it. In direct answer to his question of how would you get home? My reply would be: public transport, taxi, call a friend… All the above would also be required should you allow your bike to be stolen, I see it as a minor inconvenience to replace a tyre rather that replace your bike. You could always carry a tyre plug kit? Also, most of us have recovery included in our insurance, or AA cover. Gary Loveday, Essex My CB500 is first class I found Neil…

HIGHLIGHTS • Claimed lightest in class • Big bike look and feel • Near 300-mile range • 13.1bhp 125cc single • Upside-down forks The sporty, stylish, naked roadster has become the most competitive 125cc class of all in recent years. Bikes such as KTM’s 125 Duke and Yamaha’s MT-125 have proved big hits due to their blend of novice-friendly roadster practicality, sporty fun and good looks, so it’s no surprise Honda are trying to get a slice of that cake. This all-new CB125R is the result. It’s the first of Honda’s ‘Neo-Sports’ Yamaha MT-rivalling naked family (a CB300R and CB1000R are imminent) and aims to deliver exactly that but with an added dash of Honda sophistication and sheen. It also has big bike looks and proportions, what Honda claim is…

USED 2004-current Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Price From £2500 Engine 645cc, l/c, V-twin Power 60bhp Weight 189kg Seat height 820mm It may have fallen out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down (the updated 2012 bike is better looking), but get past the V-Strom’s looks and it’s a fantastic commuter. Powered by the SV650’s sublime V-twin and boasting a wonderfully roomy riding position, tall screen and loads of luggage options, the V-Strom is a massively underrated bike for those looking to venture into town if not really off-road. USED 2008-2017 BMW F800GS Price From £4500 Engine 798cc, l/c, parallel twin Power 85bhp Weight 185kg Seat height 880mm BMW’s first generation parallel twin middleweight adventure bike offers a great blend of genuine off-road ability and the kind…

2018 YAMAHA YZF-R1 £16,199 • 197bhp • 200kg Three decades after the Genesis, Yamaha’s latest superbike bristles with electronic rider aids 1991 YAMAHA FZR1000RU EXUP £6794 • 145bhp • 236 kg Yamaha’s first real game-changer was the 1987 FZR1000 Genesis which evolved into the EXUP. This mint, second generation version is as good an example as you’ll find The riders Paul Berryman Age 48 Height 5ft 10in CV MCN Guest Tester. V2 Sponge inventor, former racer and Yamaha hoarder. Bob Stockley Age 51 Height 5ft 7in CV MCN Guest Tester. Ex-car and bike racer, Ducati nut and 1299 Panigale R FE owner. You’d expect big differences between any bikes separated by 30 years: performance, sophistication, electronics and suchlike… But you might be surprised by the one that hits you first…

SUZUKI GSX250R £4399 Fuel 15 litres@77mpg = 254-mile range Weight 181kg (no fuel) Seat height 790mm Power 24.7bhp Torque 17.3ftlb DAN SUTHERLAND Sportsbike fan normally seen commuting from Lincoln on a ZX-6R Height 5ft 7in Weight 65kg dan.sutherland@motorcyclenews.com When I took delivery of Suzuki’s A2-compliant GSX250R last August, I was full of interest. This was the smallest capacity bike I’d ridden since the unreliable (but beautiful) Aprilia RS50 I had at 16. With a parallel twin engine producing just 24.7bhp and 17.3ftlb of torque, the GSX was worlds away from my own ZX-6R and I was curious to find out how capable it would be. First impressions count I quickly grew attached to the Suzuki. On the commute, the dry roads of the late English summer provided enough confidence to…

Furygan Arrow jacket and Duke trousers textile suit £359.98 (combined) Tester Dan Sutherland Time used 7000 miles/ four months What’s good? As someone who chooses to live in his leathers until it’s no longer bearable, I have never previously owned a full textile suit. I’ve used light textile jackets with riding jeans in the summertime, but that’s about it. However, after 7000 miles of commuting in all weathers, road tests and even a small 500-mile two-day tour of Wales, I am happy to admit... I’ve been converted. Despite consisting of multiple layers, the suit feels light and comfortable both on and off the bike and the inclusion of CE-approved D3O armour at the knees, hips, elbows and shoulders (the back protector comes extra) means I feel safe and secure. Alongside…

Q How do I cure my cold feet? I’ve really been feeling the cold of late. Are there such things such as heated motorcycle socks available? Dan Wright, Lowestoft A Answered by Keith Roissetter, Infinity motorcycles Surprisingly, there’s not a lot around to help solve this problem. In fact, the only motorcycle socks I know of are the well reviewed Gerbing 12V option (£84.99). A colleague has mentioned Therm-Ic PowerSocks Heat Uni (£165), but I have no personal experience of these. We have a lot of happy customers using the Keis Heated Inner Soles (£59.99) but other than these items there doesn’t seem to be a lot about to keep your feet warm. At least spring is here!…

For many of us, the advent of spring on March 20 marks the start of a new riding season and the chance to go on tour – covering big miles across multiple countries all in the name of fun. And you don’t need to spend a fortune on the latest electronic-laden machine with super-dependable bikes produced from the late 80s to early 2000s available for as little as £2000. These include Honda’s original ST1100 Pan European. Beginning life in 1989 and ceasing production in 2001, the bike packed a 1084cc 16v V4, capable of 44mpg and a 28-litre fuel tank, meaning a potential 270 miles between fuel stops. Slightly tatty Pans are around £2000 on private sales and for just £500 more, you could have a tidier, better looked-after example…

Condition Cosmetics are a giveaway. It’s hard to believe that our test bike is more than ten years old but always be sure to have a good look beneath the glossy plastics. Crash damage Check exposed parts like bar ends, panels and mirrors carefully for scuffs and dings. It’s a big and heavy bike and prone to the odd low-speed drop. Consumables ZZRs eat up things like tyres and chains so check there’s some life left in yours. They can also be heavy on brake pads and discs. Accessories Add-ons reveal personal taste. Loud pipe, black screen and gold screws anyone? Hard luggage might be a more useful addition. What we said then “The ZZR1400 is not only the fastest, most powerful motorcycle you can buy, it is also an…

‘It won’t take long before you’re looking at the top three’IRWIN BROTHERS’ DAD ALAN THE IRWIN DYNASTY Alan Irwin, 60 Raced 1977-1996 Winner of 23 Ulster and Irish championships. Raced in 3 500cc British GPs and 1 French GP. Four times NW200 podium finisher. Glenn Irwin, 27 Riding bikes since he was 3. Racing Irish motocross since 1996. Made short circuit debut in 2008, rode in British Supersport series 2012-2014, finished 4th in 2014 and 2015. Made roads debut at Ulster GP in 2014, winner of 2017 NW200 and Macau GP. Joined PBM/Be Wiser Ducati in BSB in 2016, 12th in debut year and won first race last season. Begins third season with Paul Bird in 2018. Andrew Irwin, 22 Began racing MX in 2001, first win in 2001. Ulster…

As Lee Johnston rolled out of pit lane in Monteblanco to make his debut as a factory Honda rider last week, teammate Ian Hutchinson watched from the sidelines as he continues to recover from the broken leg sustained after crashing out of last year’s Senior TT. However, the 16-time TT winner was in high spirits as he joined the team in Spain and even got his own first run on the Honda Fireblade he’ll campaign this year. Taking the CBR-1000RR SP2 for a short, slow-speed run in the paddock to give the team feedback on the right-hand gearshift they’d prepared, Hutchinson was overjoyed as it was the first time he’d ridden since the crash last June. Hutchinson had hoped to have the external fixator removed from his broken left leg…

Leon Haslam was brimming with confidence after leaving last week’s Monteblanco test 0.3 seconds quicker than any of his rivals. Using the package that took him to a 33-point lead over eventual champion Shane Byrne ahead of the final round, the JG Speedfit Kawasaki squad have made significant improvements over their winter testing programme to eradicate some of the issues Haslam felt held him back last year. His time of 1’36.3 placed him 0.3 seconds quicker than second-placed Glenn Irwin and 0.7 seconds quicker than the man who beat him to the 2018 title, Shane Byrne. “We made a number of changes to the bike for our first winter test at Jerez in November and we were back at Jerez in January,” Haslam explained. “Those tests were really positive and…

‘Last season, Rossi’s lack of grip neutered his advantages at Europe’s grand old race tracks’ ‘Goal is to win the title; to be more competitive than 2017, with more points and more podiums’ VALENTINO ROSSI ‘Rossi’s confident he can fix issues with set-up, not radical frame changes’ ‘He believes the team will start the season on par with Ducati and Honda’ STATS Valentino Rossi Nationality Italian Age 39 First race Malaysia 1996 Titles 9 Races 365 Wins 115 MotoGP wins 89 Podiums 227 Poles 64 Fastest laps 95 The year is 2007, and after two years of finishing runner-up in the MotoGP world championship, seven-time world champ Valentino Rossi begins to flirt with a move to Formula One. He’s already completed a series of successful tests for the…

With the culmination of a decade of development, the factory Ducati team line up for the 2018 season with true title challenging aspirations for the first time since Casey Stoner deserted them for Honda a decade ago. And while they might have two very different characters and type of rider on their factory machines, both Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso will kick-start their season in Qatar as genuine title contenders. ‘It’s easy to go from being the fastest one day to having a lot of difficulties the next’ ‘I still don’t feel the Ducati is natural even though we’ve made a step forward’ 99 Jorge Lorenzo DUCATI CORSE After an up and down testing programme that saw him set the outright lap record at Sepang and then struggle to be…

‘No reason why we won’t see Suzuki leap back to their race-winning form’ ENGINE Never the most powerful or reliable of bikes, they’ve recently been closing the gap on rivals. In 2017 they admitted to sealing the wrong design, but a return of concessions and a lifting of the engine-development freeze will let them address that. HANDLING The GSX-RR’s strength is that its riders say it feels like a very powerful 250. As bhp continues to climb in the MotoGP class, Suzuki will want to compete on speed while maintaining their trademark nimbleness. ELECTRONICS Suzuki struggled the most to get to grips with control electronics in 2016, and were further handicapped by having only two bikes. It looks like a stronger testing program and more track time has helped them…

‘They haven’t showed their cards just yet in testing’ FRAME Unorthodox steel trellis that many insiders hinted would be the first thing they scrapped. Instead, the chassis has become a strength; the engineers can make quick alterations simply by replacing a tube in key locations to alter stiffness. ENGINE Free from any development ban, KTM have been quick to modify this, even copying Honda mid-season in switching to big-bang firing order from screamer. They’ve delivered a more rideable unit while still retaining impressive power. TYRES KTM have an advantage here, timing their arrival alongside Michelin’s return as control, and meaning they’ve got the only bike specifically designed for the tyres. They can tailor it especially to the rubber’s strengths and weaknesses. ELECTRONICS Helped out by a big Red Bull budget,…

While McPhee might be out to repeat his successes of last year and go one better for a race win, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy for him, with a whole host of talented riders lining up looking to best him every race of the 19-round season. 10 Dennis Foggia The Team Sky VR46 KTM wunderkind, this Spanish champion has been hotly tipped as the next big thing to come from Valentino Rossi’s academy programme. A rookie this year in Moto3, he nonetheless knows the bike and some of the tracks and could pull off some surprises when the season kicks off. 16 Andrea Migno Moving from Rossi’s team to the Aspar squad and their new KTM bikes, Migno proved last year that he can win races, and…

The Doctor has come oh-so-close to winning that elusive tenth title since returning to Yamaha in 2013. He’s been world title runner-up three times and a training injury ended his hopes last season. But he’s shown strongly in testing and with Yamaha working hard to fix the M1’s issues, Rossi cannot be counted out. The wily 39-year-old may be talking about signing a new contract to keep racing, but he knows time is running out. Could 2018 be his year? AND THEN THERE’SÉ  Rossi’s hugely talented team-mate Maverick Viñales was hotly tipped as world champion this time last year after a stunning season with Suzuki. He had also dominated preseason tests and looked the man to beat. Things unravelled as the season progressed and he’s never really regained that calm…