Table of contents for October 3rd 2018 in MCN

Some weeks it’s hard to know which page to look at first. Do you immerse yourself in the undisputed genius of Jonathan Rea’s fourth world title and incredible win tally, or get ridiculously excited (like most of us at MCN Towers) about Scott Redding’s new deal to come home and race in the British Superbike championship next year? Or, do you doff your hat to history-making Ana Carrasco’s first world title – which is also the first for a female rider – or just lose yourself in the first wave of stunning 2019 new bikes to be unveiled as you contrive new ways to afford a new bike next year? Regardless of what matters most in your biking world, there are clear signs that 2019 is shaping up to be…

Suzuki may not have been particularly prolific with new bikes over recent years, but this new Katana goes a long way to making up for it. Cynics might say it’s ‘just’ a dressed up GSX-S1000, but let’s not forget the GSX-S is actually a good bike that just isn’t bold enough to stand out. You can’t accuse the new Katana of such coyness. More homage than replica or reinvention it’s nevertheless anything but bland. The nods to its ancestor’s chiselled nose, square headlamp and hunched flanks are all clear to see. And the fact Suzuki have used the 37-year-old font for the tank logo is a lovely touch, too. More sporty street bike than faired superbike, it looks to be a comfortable everyday bike and weekend bruiser that hasn’t been…

The first major update for Kawasaki’s fearsome, supercharged H2 sees a 30bhp power boost but also added refinement by borrowing tech from the SX version. Air filter, intake chamber, spark plugs and ECU all now come from the silky-smooth SX and Kawasaki say this sharing of parts means the H2 delivers the same mpg as before, despite a serious output hike. More oomph demands better brakes, hence the latest Brembo Stylema calipers, which boast a super-rigid body construction. There’s also a new TFT dash from the SX but updated to support smartphone connectivity via Kawasaki’s Rideology app which displays battery condition, fuel level, riding logs and service information. But if you’ve any sense, you’ll be out riding, not staring at stats on your mobile. FAST FACTS • Engine 998cc supercharged…

The MT-07 has been almost as revolutionary as the MT-09, bringing mid-capacity fun to the budget-conscious end of the market. Last year saw the practicality ramped up as the 07 mimicked the 09’s evolution to Tracer form, adding a bigger cowl and revised ergonomics. For 2019 the game of evolutionary kiss-chase has moved on again, with the Tracer 700 now getting the GT upgrade the 900 pioneered in 2018. Improved wind protection comes courtesy of the adjustable touring screen, while the plush seat offers decent range comfort and the 17-litre tank delivers a very useable range – but the headline is the addition of a pair of 20-litre colour-matched panniers. Better still, thanks to the position of the exhaust, there’s no awkward cut-out to rob the right hand pannier of…

Each of the GSX-R1000s get some useful upgrades for 2019. The R gets braided steel brake hoses and now also boasts an adjustable swingarm pivot allowing track addicts another dimension to their set-up. Meanwhile the base version gets the R’s quickshifter/auto-blipper system as standard fit. Both also now wear Bridgestone’s new RS11s, and get black exhausts with new heatshields. FAST FACTS • Engine 999cc inline-four• Performance 199bhp / 86lbft• Weight 202/203kg (kerb)• Seat height 825mm• Price £13,699 / £16,299 (R)…

Colour-changes only for 2019 with the RR now ‘Rivazza’ grey and ‘Arrabbiata’ black with red wheels while the RF gets a minor rehash of the Superpole graphic favoured in recent years. Oddly, considering the Tuono Factory gets Öhlins’ semi-active suspension, the RSV4 has to make do with top-spec mechanical Öhlins while most competitors go electronic. FAST FACTS • Engine 999cc 65-degree V4• Performance 198bhp / 85ftlb• Weight 204kg (kerb)• Seat height 845mm• Price £TBC…

This year’s Ducati Scrambler 1100 saw the reintroduction of the big air-cooled Ducati motor after a four-year absence. Sidelined at the end of 2013 due to emissions regs, its reintroduction is welcome for those that love the clatter and boom and an old-school Duke. But at £11K and with 85bhp isn’t cheap or even that powerful. Luckily, there are lots of other options if you like your Ducati nakeds big, loud and simple. 2018 SCRAMBLER 1100 What is it? Big-bore leader of Ducati’s Scrambler family is more mature and capable than its smaller 800cc and 400cc cousins but is still fun, delivers big-bike performance and has great build quality. MCN says “The motor has that classic Ducati guttural raw when you work the light action twistgrip.” Want to buy one?…

Indian’s all-new FTR1200S was unveiled at the Cologne show on Monday, and while the boldly aggressive 1200 Concept of 12 months ago has inevitably been watered down for production, the FTR is still very much the real deal. As Senior International Product Manager, Ben Lindaman whipped the covers off one of the final-stage pre-production bikes at our private viewing of the new FTR last month at Indian’s Wyoming factory, he defined the difference between the FTR750 racer, 1200 Concept, and the production bike. “Born on the track, built for the road” was, he said, the mantra that underpinned the whole project, from the first FTR750 race bike through to the all-new road bike. So where does it fit in? Without direct flat-track inspired competition, it could be argued that the…

Weston-super-Mare, was flooded with hundreds of bikers celebrating the final Weston Bike Night of the season on Thursday and MCN was there to join in the fun. “We come along every week,” says Trevor Sherwood who rode down on his XJR1300 with daughter Lily Rose. “It’s great to walk around admiring all the bikes and meet new people. I’ve made loads of friends and we go on rides together - for me, that’s what it’s all about.” Bike Night is more than just a social event though. All attendees donate £1 on arrival in aid of the Royal British Legion. This year over £11,000 has been raised. The highlight of the event is usually the ‘Bike of the Night’ presentation, but as this was the last of the year all…

Great article about grass roots road racing and the challenges it faces (MCN, September 19). I’m a road racing fan, but I am guilty of not attending these smaller events. But that is something that will change next year as I'm looking to add other meetings to my Isle of Man TT trip. Road racing, in my view, is the people’s racing. More often than not, riders have time for the fans and are grounded humble fellas with real working class backgrounds, mirrored by the people who watch them race. Look at John McGuinness and Ian Hutchinson’s books (to name just two) and you get a feeling for their life and their passion for the sport. They poured every penny they had into going racing early on; not like people…

I was well chuffed to see Leon get that World Superbike ride. I actually think he’s one of few men who can fight with Jonathan Rea. He’ll go in with loads of confidence and we already know he’s got plenty of grit and balls. I spoke with Jonathan about it at Goodwood and he was saying just how hard Leon digs in; he doesn’t know any other way! His only problem is he never tucks the front and slides it up the road, he’s always over the bars having a f**king massive one! Fingers crossed he has an injury free start to the year and we’ll see how he does. ‘LEON’S NOT AFRAID OF BASHING A FEW FAIRINGS’ It’ll be difficult for him to have a go at Jonny. Jonathan…

I’d be an idiot to suggest anything other than the Pikes Peak is the best bike here. It has the best spec, performance, even mirrors and fuel economy. Trouble is, its brilliance on the MCN250 shines only very briefly, it lacks true versatility and also has a couple of glitches. In terms of flashness, though, they don’t get much flashier. It’s like an Overfinch Range Rover. A footballer’s bike. The humble V-Strom, though, just gets on with it. In fact, better than that, it exceeds expectations. Nor is it ‘just’ half the price. On finance it’s more like a third AND has a three-year warranty. I’ll have two. £20,795 DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1260 PIKES PEAK Engine 1262cc Desmodromic 90º V-twin Frame Tubularsteeltrellis Suspension 48mm Öhlins inverted forks, fully adjustable. Fully-adjustable Öhlins…

1 Designed in Britain All the different parts are designed at the Chorley HQ by Datatool’s eight-strong research and development team. Just one circuit board is made up of around 200 components. 2 Scratch built Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are made in plaques of eight on a Yamaha YCP10 solder-paste printer. 3 Robot assembly CPUs, GPS units etc, supplied on rolls of tape, are fitted by two Yamaha Z-LEX assembly machines. 4 It’s baking time! Once the circuit board has been assembled, it passes through an industrial oven set to 200°C – heating up the previously-inert solder and thus bonding all the components. 5 Downloading After checking, software is downloaded onto the PCB (depending on specification) before the unit’s final assembly. 6 Ready to go Products are packaged then distributed…

cause surface damage to headlights, painted surfaces and metals, and at worse cause a breakdown if your radiator gets holed by a stone. Luckily you can prevent the worst of this by spending Sunday afternoon in the workshop. 1 Prevention is better than cure It’s not just crashing that damages a bike; loose stone chippings, debris and heavy weather encountered during every-day riding 2 Puncture proof Your radiator, especially on a naked machine like this Suzuki SV650, is exposed to debris flung up from the front wheel, increasing the risk of a breakdown caused by a punctured rad. Fitting a guard, like this one from R&G, makes sense. Just remove three bolts on the standard radiator shroud, position the guard then replace the bolts. 3 Extending the mudguard Fitting an…

2019 Repsol Honda team-mates Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Marquez seem to have put their Aragon incident behind them, with Lorenzo backing down a little in his criticism of his fellow Spaniard after his high-profile and painful turn one highside at the last race. With Lorenzo initially pinning the blame firmly on Marquez despite no contact between them, it seems cooler heads have now prevailed. Lorenzo maintains that he believes that the aggressive overtake from Marquez was the cause of his fall after he was pushed out onto dirty track on the exit of the corner, but it’s a view that few in the paddock have rushed to support. However, he backed down a little on social media, with Marquez doing his bit to defuse tensions by calling the five-time world…

With Jonathan Rea’s fourth title sewn up, all attention turns to the fight for second. In the red corner you’ve got the battered Welshman, Chaz Davies and in the blue corner; the flying Dutchman, Michael van der Mark. Ducati’s Davies mustered up fifth and second places in France while Yamaha’s van der Mark delivered seventh and third. Davies’ advantage increased to 26, but with 100 points available from Argentina and Qatar it’s most definitely all to play for. Once again the pace and consistency of Rea combined with only sporadic success for his rivals has resulted in a one-sided season. “I had had a tough summer: breaking my collarbone, getting back on my feet and re-injuring the same collarbone,” recalls Davies, twice championship runner-up in the last three years. “Here…

The Bennetts BSB grid will get a hefty shake-up in 2019 with the arrival of Redding plus many of the top contenders switching seats, but one rider who could benefit is young gun Tarran Mackenzie who continued to show his front-running potential at Assen this weekend. The pint-sized son of former British champ Niall led 16 laps of Sunday’s opening race before just losing out in the closing stages to title contenders Leon Haslam and Jake Dixon and would have been up there in race two had he not crashed out early on. Mackenzie’s rostrum in race one is his third of the year as he becomes a regular BSB front runner, which places him in an ideal position to launch a title attack in 2019 in only his second…

• 61-point lead with 75 still available • ‘I want to sign off title with a victory’ Leon Haslam put one hand on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship trophy with a double win at Assen while title rival Jake Dixon suffered heartbreak. Haslam’s double and Dixon’s DNF (see left) leaves the JG Speedfit Kawasaki star with a 61-point lead going into Brands Hatch, with only 75 points available from the three races. So while it’s mathematically possible for him to be beaten – he’s closer than ever to being crowned 2018 BSB champion. The two Assen victories didn’t come easily for Haslam, who had to fight through to the front and to defend the lead in both outings. Haslam’s demeanour was noticeably different during the weekend, the 35-year-old was quiet…

The RT used to be seen as an ‘old man’s bike’ – a dependable high-miler that offered cosseting comfort and no surprises for the pipe-and-slippers brigade. But that’s really not the case any more. The RT has been MCN’s ‘Best Tourer’ for four straight years and with each incremental improvement, it rams home its advantage. Of course, it’s still an effortlessly comfortable and a dependable high-miler, but it’s now all packed into a remarkably dynamic package. From fast road riding in the Alps to devouring motorways, there’s very little that can truly rival the RT. And the very same major boost given to its dirty cousin (see right) has also been bestowed on the RT for 2019. That means it gets the same 1254cc engine complete with ShiftCam technology as…

Forget all about your Bonnevilles, Thruxtons and Bobbers, the humble Street Twin is actually Triumph’s biggest selling modern classic – and after a raft of updates we’d expect those sales to accelerate again. Both the standard Street Twin and the more evocatively-styled Scrambler benefit from a decent performance hike for 2019. The lack of gusto from the 900cc parallel twin was one of the main complaints from those tempted over to the Street range, while new riders or those looking for a more genteel plodder flocked to it in their droves. But the breathed-on twin gets a healthy 18% boost in peak power, which is almost 10bhp on top of its existing 54, while the torque remains at 59ftlb. The engine also now spins a little higher before bumping into…

Moto Guzzi have become best known for their V7 and V9 ranges and now, sitting right between them, is this V85 Tutto Terreno (meaning all-terrain). The V85 is largely a new engine. There’s a new crankshaft mated to new, stiffer conrods and shorter piston skirts resulting in a 30% drop in rotating mass. It has a semi-dry sump, titanium intake valves (which allow a more aggressive cam) an endearingly old-school two valves per cylinder head design and a new 52mm throttle body. All this conspires to a decent 78bhp – more than enough for B-road blasts and light greenlaning. The chassis and suspension deliver decent ground clearance for light off-road action and the 19in/17in rim sizes allow a diverse range of tyre options to suit pretty much any riding taste.…

Uprated ‘Sport’ version of Guzzi’s retro gets: Öhlins shocks; lowered single seat; flatter ‘drag’ bars and road-legal slip-on end cans in matt black. The front mudguard has also been chopped back, its gained fork gaiters, and its colour palette is now contrasted with a swathe of matt black and aluminium. FAST FACTS • 853cc 90-degree V-twin• Performance 60bhp / 46lbft• Weight 199kg (wet no fuel)• Seat height 808mm• Price £TBC…

• ‘I managed to get the missus on the back and ride to Almeria’ MCN’s #ride5000miles Facebook page has been inundated with members completing their 5000-mile target, with more than 200 of you ticking off that achievement in the last month. Members have been making the most of the warm late-summer climate to clock up the miles with rideouts, trips abroad and the odd late-season road trip. It’s been a brilliant year so for R5K’s members, with many using the 5000-mile target as a way to increase their usual mile count and getting more out of biking as a result. Steven Smyth is typical: “I have now completed 5000 miles on my R1200GS Adventure and my Triumph Thunderbird. The big difference it has made is to get me to achieve…

Reader Callum Houston The ride France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg When to do it Spring to autumn Miles 2166 Time required Six days Don’t miss this “Lake Garda was stunning. Also, I used Mont Blanc Tunnel into Italy and it opened into an amazing valley." TUNNEL VISION The Mont Blanc Tunnel fires you out into stunning scenery LAKE GARDA My arrival to Limone took me 25 or so miles up the side of the lake SWITZERLAND The Gottenhard mountain road in Switzerland was twisty and fun AMAZING VIEWS The views alone made this solo trip worthwhile, and there was no rain THE TRIP SEND US YOUR TRIP PICS EMAIL YOURPICS@MOTORCYCLENEWS. COM…

KAWASAKI AR125 This Kawasaki was my first road bike in 1985, I can still remember the number plate. Nick Moult YAMAHA YZ80 My son, John Parry in 1976 aged ten at Christmas on his first bike, a YZ80. He later went on to race at Brands Hatch! Vicky Parry YAMAHA RD350 YPVS What a bike, I didn’t know how lucky I was at the time. Simon Akker HONDA H100A Me on my brand new Honda H100A in June 1982 when I was 17. It got nicked 12 months later. David Hardy KAWASAKI KX60 My eldest son Ciaran having some fun off-road on his Kawasaki KX60. I Lewis HONDA SS50 This Honda was my first bike, it took two years to pay it off. Andy Winter BSA ROCKET GOLD STAR My…

Chalk and cheese. The V-Strom has a slightly old-school analogue tacho combined with a digital LCD panel while the Multi has the latest colour TFT screen. As a result the V-Strom feels like it’s from 2003, the futuristic Ducati from 2023. That said, and although the Duke is laden with customisable electronic options, both display mostly the same info, including clock, fuel gauge, gear indicator, multiple trips, ambient temp etc DUCATI DUCATI SWITCHGEAR Bang-up-to-date with masses of options. Heated grips and cruise control are a bonus but it’s too easy to unwittingly reset the trip SUZUKI SUZUKI SWITCHGEAR Conventional, simple and a doddle to use. ‘Mode’ switch on left is purely to scroll through different displays at the top and bottom of the LCD panel FUNCTIONALITY…

This is why we make everything in the UK,” says Datatool’s MD Mark Downing, brandishing the intricate wires of an alarm’s wiring harness. “It’s all to do with quality – and if you make the things yourself you control the quality. There are two key things to create reliability in electrical components: the circuit board and the wiring harness. Get the quality right and the product will be reliable.” Datatool and life-long biker Mark are unsung heroes of British manufacturing. When Mark bought the business from a faceless PLC in 2009, the company were already the market leader but all their products were made in China. Mark soon fixed that by bringing manufacturing back to the UK and creating a host of new jobs. Now every Datatool product fitted to…

•‘The skies over the trenches were full of motorcycle racers’ The skies over the First World War’s muddy, bloody trenches were full of motorcycle racers. Many top riders from before and after the war were pilots with the Royal Flying Corps (the RAF from April 1918), because in those days the most challenging part of riding a bike or flying a plane was getting that newfangled contraption, the internal-combustion engine, to work at its best. If you knew how to adjust the fuel/air lever, the throttle lever, the advance/retard lever and various other levers to get the maximum out of a motorcycle, you’d almost certainly be able to do the same in a plane. A love of speed and danger also helped. Britain’s most famous bike-racing WW1 flying aces were…

‘On the road it’s a fun and engaging ride’ Most people’s preconception of Enfield owners is of someone getting on a bit and putt-putting around on a lazy, little 500cc single. Well, that’s now all in the past. Royal Enfield’s two all-new, 650cc twins are not just their biggest bikes in decades they’re also colourful, brash and aimed at the young ’uns – or so they say. But can a sub-£6000 twin cut it against an ever-deeper pool of high-class retro roadsters? Off to a good start Of the two new Enfield 650 twins launched last week (see p17 for the Continental GT), the Interceptor is easily the coolest. It’s styled on the original, American export Interceptor from the 1960s, which was a stripped-back scrambler designed to take on Triumph’s…

Harley is a brand that polarises opinions. You either love this slice of apple pie America, or you detest everything it stands for. Irrespective of your point if view, there are a few undeniable facts about owning a used Harley. The most impressive of which is the ticket price. Depreciation hardly exists in the world of Harley, these are bikes you can sample and very easily pass on if it’s not for you with minimal cost. £4900 2011 SPORTSTER 883 886cc | 265kg | 50bhp | 760mm seat height • Dealer price up to £8500 • Private up to £8000 • The one 2011, 5678 miles Launched in 1986, the Sportster XL883 was designed to attract fresh blood into the Harley-Davidson family and as such has always been viewed as…

• ‘The Triumph engine will suit my riding style’ • ‘By the end of year two I want to be a winner’ Bennetts British Superbike frontrunner Jake Dixon says he’s geared up to show just what he can do next season, when he heads to the Grand Prix racing paddock to join the Angel Nieto KTM team in Moto2. Joining the championship at the ideal time thanks to the switch to Triumph motors after a decade of Honda power, he isn’t just out to be a backmarker, either, with targets set high for the next two seasons. And while he’s already had a taste of both Moto2 thanks to his two wildcard appearances last year and of the Triumph engine thanks to his role in helping out with testing, he…

• 68 WSB wins top King Carl’s record • Retirement not an option any time soon • Criticism fails to rile the record-breaker At 31 years of age, Jonathan Rea has become the most successful World Superbike rider of all-time. The Northern Irishman claimed his 67th victory at Magny Cours on Saturday to equal Carl Fogarty with a quartet of titles. With at least two more seasons ahead of him, in his own words, ‘This is just the beginning’. Rea’s achievement was never in doubt last weekend, but that didn’t make it any less impressive when it actually happened. “I actually can’t believe it,” Rea told MCN “Winning the race is the perfect way to win the title and the difference is absolutely huge. I won my first title by…

Danny Kent will test the Movuno.com Halsall Suzuki next week as he looks to move into the Bennetts BSB paddock in 2019. The 2015 Moto3 world champion was dumped by his Speed Up Moto2 team last week and is without a ride for the rest of the year and 2019, so headed to Assen to see whether there were any options in BSB. “After being given my P45 during the week the plan was to come here and learn everything about the paddock and speak to a few teams,” Kent told MCN. “I think it’s been quite a successful visit, there are a few teams interested for next year so we will have to see what comes over the next few weeks.” Should Kent’s test next Wednesday go well, he…

Jake Dixon and the RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki team were left heartbroken after an engine failure ruled him out of not only race two, but potentially the title fight. While Dixon may have a slim mathematical possibility of beating Haslam over the three races at Brands Hatch, a 61-point deficit means that’s now highly unlikely. It’s a cruel blow that comes at a time where Dixon is riding the best he’s ever ridden, just 24 hours prior to breaking down and leaving his pit box in tears he’d set the quickest ever BSB lap of Assen on his way to pole and with Haslam showing signs of nerves, it looked likely this year’s title fight would go all the way. “I’m gutted,” said Dixon, holding back tears. “I genuinely…

BMW’s replacement for the hugely popular R1200GS – the R1250GS, is officially unveiled in Germany today. It’s more powerful, efficient and clever, too. Although the most obvious change is a capacity boost of 84cc to give the new 1250 and actual displacement of 1254cc, the biggest news is BMW’s addition of its new ‘ShiftCam’ technology, introducing a sliding camshaft that has two dramatically different cam profiles, transforming the engine’s power and torque delivery. The net result is a 9% boost in power to 134bhp, 14% boost in torque (to 92ftlb) and despite the performance hike, fuel consumption and emissions which are both actually improved. The 1250 can also now use poor-quality fuel more easily thanks to a new knock sensor, while riding modes are boosted by the addition of Automatic…

2019’s looking like a great year for 125 lovers and after a lengthy absence Kawasaki are among those offering some serious street kudos. This new duo share the same engine and chassis, but present the package in very different ways. The motor’s a new, liquid-cooled, single producing close to 15bhp and is cradled in a tubular steel trellis frame that apes bikes like the bigger Ninja 400 and Z650. That sense of big-bike class is carried through the proportions of each bike with a visual balance that could fool you into expecting more capacity within. Paintjobs and finishes further reinforce their classiness, taking both a long way from flat monotone tedium. Rock up at the pub or café on either of these, and you can pretty sure there’ll be no…

Ever since Yamaha launched their R-series styled entry-level sportsbike a decade ago it’s loitered menacingly at the top of the sales charts, and McDonalds drive-throughs. What has made it so popular is its blend of sharp big brother-aping style, roomy proportions, great handling and pleasing performance. But just look at this new one. The YZF-R125 has evolved, and it looks stunning. It might even be gorgeous enough to tempt fidgety 17-year-olds out of their shonky Fiestas. Beneath those sharp but sinuous fairings is an all-new liquid-cooled 125cc 4-valve single that now boasts Variable Valve Actuation (VVA), which optimises the inlet and outlet valve positions to improve power and torque across the rev range. In essence, it’s filling in the midrange without hurting top-end delivery. The 4-valve head is all-new with…

Ducati changed the retro scene when they thudded into view with their air-cooled 803cc Scrambler family back in 2015. The mix of peppy-but-flexible engine, attractive-but-quirky styling and undeniably Italian flair conspired to make it an instant winner – perhaps with the exception of the Urban Enduro, which faltered rather than flew. The Desert Sled that replaced it has been a rampant success though. For 2019 the family – comprising Icon, Full Throttle, Café Racer and Desert Sled – gets a host of shared updates. The most obvious is the new DRL headlight which looks sharper, cleaner – and which Ducati claim works better for daytime visibility, too. The new LED indicators are now auto-off, preventing that all-too common signalling faux pas, and the switchgear has been redesigned to work better…

After teasing the world with a concept bike for over a year, the production version of Indian’s dirt-track inspired FTR1200 is finally here – and looks better than ever. It’s the first, the American firm says, of a new breed of European-focused, non-cruiser offerings and looks set to seriously upset the retro/naked status quo. Packing a claimed 120bhp from its 1203cc V-twin (and no, it’s not just a Scout engine), the FTR comes in two guises: a sporty and heavily spec’d ‘S’ model, and a cheaper, base model that slashes the list of performance parts, but gets the exact same engine, chassis, and arresting looks. But there’s no doubt that the headline act is the S model. Available in three different colours, it benefits from having fully-adjustable 43mm inverted forks…

There’s no doubt Aprilia’s Tuono V4 is one of the most potent and sophisticated of all super nakeds with an overwhelming suite of electronic rider aids. And for 2019, the list of brain-mashing electronics gets a little longer as the top-spec Factory gains Öhlins’ semi-active suspension. There are two main modes: Semi-active, where the bike sorts everything out, and Manual, which lets you pick your own settings and disable any electronic meddling. Switching between the two is via a simple button. Semi-active constantly evaluates feedback from the front and rear suspension, rider inputs to throttle and brakes and delivers an ever-changing combination of micro responses aimed at making the rider feel the suspension is doing nothing other than offer perfect support. Manual mode comes with three pre-set parameters and disables…

Aprilia’s attractive middleweight Shiver has had some lovely detail changes for 2019, with the lead amongst them being a new exhaust aimed at venting its gasses more effectively and new colour schemes dubbed Challenging Red and Innovation Dark. The Shiver squeezes out 94bhp which means it can also be restricted to 47bhp for A2 licence-holders, effectively giving A2 buyers their first and second bikes if they upgrade their licence and get it derestricted. There’s no cornering ABS, but it does get basic two-channel Bosch tech, plus three rider modes, a 4.3in TFT dash and multimedia connectivity for calls, music and navigation. FAST FACTS • Engine 896cc liquid-cooled V-twin• Performance 94bhp / 66ftlb• Weight 218kg (kerb)• Seat height 810mm• Price £TBC…

•‘We are confident this will lead to more convictions’SUPERINTENDENT BARRY JOISCE Police in Sunderland and South Tyneside are to carry canisters containing an invisible UV spray as part of a crackdown on illegally-ridden off-road bikes and scooter-based crime – and if it proves successful it could end up being rolled out to more forces nationwide. On-the-beat police are to be equipped with cans of SelectDNA, a pressurised canister of water-based spray that will mark equipment, clothing or skin with a uniquely-coded but invisible dye that can provide forensic evidence to link individuals or items to a specific crime. Almost impossible to remove, but detectable with a UV light, it will be used to ‘tag’ offenders at crime scenes such as a moped mugging or an attempted bike theft. The spray…

It’s Britain’s best road test route. A tough 250-mile mix of A and B-roads, a stretch of busy motorway, plus plenty of towns, villages, blind corners, ballistic straights, and a huge range of grippy to slippy tarmac. There are two cafés, an off-road section for adventure and trail bikes, track time for sportsbikes, and Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground and the dyno for hard and fast data when needed. You want answers? We’ve got ’em. 1 The same but different Although they’re similar, in the metal the differences are stark. The Ducati, laden with Öhlins, Brembos, Marchesini wheels, carbon, TFT and more, is true exotica where the V-Strom is more utility. That said, with its adjustable suspension and remote preload, it’s better than you’d expect. 2 A familiar friend I take the…

I never expected the V-Strom to hold a candle to the Ducati in any measurable sense and, in pure pounds-feet and performance terms, it doesn’t. Every element and component of the Ducati is better, more sophisticated, more potent. Hell, even its mirrors and mpg are better than the Suzuki’s. But, although I’m truly in awe of the Italian, as the day wore on its uncompromising edginess began to wear and foibles began to surface. So much so that, for the final brief fling back from Oundle, I take the V-Strom and am reminded once again why it’s such a pleasing, adept, labrador of a bike. Intuitive, flexible and balanced it easily gobbled up the A605 before, despite its big front wheel and less secure steering, it makes a decent fist…

Kyrgyzstan? Just remind me… It’s a small, landlocked country in Central Asia bordering China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. It was once part of the USSR and became fully independent in 1991. It’s one of the least known about countries in the world and many of its people still live a nomadic way of life, living in yurts in the high mountain pastures during summer and the plains in winter. What about paperwork? Kyrgyzstan is the easiest ‘Stan’ country to visit and Brits get 60 days visa-free travel. Buy your own insurance in the UK. Your route Head north from Osh up to Song Kol. You’ll find a real nomadic experience here. After, take the south east road to Bishkek for the mountain passes. Head to Issyk Kul lake and then…

THE STUDENT David Horwood, 48 Leeds Street Triple rider David has recently got into trackdays. This year he’s done events atCadwellandRockingham. David’s riding problem ‘I’m getting my body in a tangle on left-right direction changes. I feel I’m using too much energy and it’s ruining my enjoyment.’ THE TUTOR Michael Neeves, Chief Road Tester Neeves has been testing bikes at MCN for over 15 years, instructs at the Ron Haslam Race School and races a BMW S1000RR. Neevsey’s action plan ‘I’ll show David where he should be positioning himself on the bike and exactly when he should be moving for a more enjoyable lap.’ HOW BODY POSITION HELPS ON TRACK 1. GET DOWN Your torso is heavy so positioning it low and to the inside of the corner helps the…

Some things are just meant to be, which is what MCN reader Paul Smith discovered when he became the owner of a Honda VFR800X Crossrunner last summer. “I had my eye on a BMW R1200GS Rallye at Bob Minion Honda in Derby but it had been sold by the time I got there,” says Paul. “I was disappointed but the salesman then directed me to the Crossrunner. I’ve got fairly short arms and long legs, a stiff neck and I wear varifocals so I like an upright position, and when I tried the Crossrunner it felt like a revelation. “I test rode one and was blown away with the flexibility of the motor. The V4 has so much usability and character. There’s a sweetspot just below where the VTEC kicks…

Scott Redding will move to the Bennetts British Superbike championship with the Be Wiser Ducati squad in 2019. Rumours of the MotoGP star’s BSB move have circulated since early summer, but the deal was finally signed at Assen. Team owner Paul Bird’s coup is BSB’s highest profile signing since John Hopkins joined the series with Samsung Suzuki in 2011 and Redding is adamant he can make a success of the move as he looks to start another chapter of his career. Redding said: “Obviously my first goal was to try and stay in MotoGP, but it turned out not to be possible. Then we looked at Moto2, but that was also difficult. I had offers, but I wasn’t going to settle for any old team. For me, at this point…

Dan Linfoot escaped injury after a horrific accident during Sunday’s second Bennetts BSB race. Linfoot smashed into the back of Leon Haslam, who had to slow to avoid another rider, on the exit of the Gert Timmer chicane on the first lap, causing him to fall into the path of the chasing pack. Glenn Irwin slammed into a stricken Linfoot, while Tommy Bridewell tangled with his bike, which then burst into flames. Linfoot was taken to hospital with suspected pelvic injuries, only to later confirm he’d escaped without injury. He said. “Thanks to all medics at Assen, great service as always. Sorry to Tommy and all others inolved. I got away lightly but I’ll be sore for a few days.”…