Table of contents for November 7th 2018 in MCN

Dark nights, cold mornings and no more Great British Bake Off. What is there left to live for? While much of Britain’s population head into some type of self-imposed deep depression, those of us who positively welcome a soggy bottom on a brisk early morning two-wheeled adventure, feel there is actually a lot to look forward to. This very issue of MCN is jam-packed with lovely new metal. And that’s enough to brighten any dank November morning. With more than 60 2019 bikes already revealed, there has never been such an amazing choice of amazing machines. And with new bike sales proving challenging this year, there are sure to be some red-hot deals on offer. And while bike racing winds down, there are already some mouthwatering prospects just around the…

BMW set three targets for their new S1000RR: it had to be one second faster on track, 10kg lighter, and easier to control. And even from a cursory glance at its spec sheet it looks like they’ve smashed those targets. If you thought the old bike was fast, think again. Like all the latest mind-blowing litre bikes, it begins with the engine. There’s a completely new powerhouse which now puts out 203.8bhp at 13,500rpm and 83.3ftlb at 11,000rpm. It also has the ShiftCam technology we’ve already seen in the new GS which alters the valve timing and lift. The result of this is there’s at least 73ftlb of torque available between 5500rpm and 14,500rpm, which BMW say makes it much easier to ride. Even with all these additions and a…

The worthy but unexciting-looking Honda CB650F is the latest bike to join Honda’s funky ‘Neo Sports Café’ family thanks to a complete restyle and revamp for 2019. Now with similar looks to this year’s CB125/300/1000R family, the new CB650R has lost weight, gained power and ditched the Plain Jane styling in favour of the Neo Sports Café look that, brings classic design cues together with more modern styling and tech. A new frame, fuel tank and other changes mean it’s now 6kg lighter, while a 1000rpm increase at the redline and some fuelling and mechanical tweaks give a 5% power boost. Honda also say its torque curve is smoother and stronger throughout the range. The 1.9kg lighter frame gets a stiffer headstock and more flexible side spars, while it gets…

Harking back to the 1981 XT500 trail bike, the new XTribute is an XSR700-based reworking of the 80s do-it-all. While it’s a long way from being a true descendant (the new Ténéré 700 is much closer), the new retro does at least boast some concessions to getting the wheels dirty. The rider gets a nice fat tapered handlebar, as well as chunky off-road style footpegs. The 10-spoke cast wheels also get Pirelli MT60RS rubber (120/70 R17 front and 180/505 R17 rear), and the fork gets old-school rubber gaiters and fork caps. And if you want the full scrambler look, there’s also a black high-level Akrapovic exhaust as an official accessory, which does transform the look of the bike. FAST FACTS Engine 689cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin Performance 74bhp / 50ftlb Weight 186kg…

If the H2 SX SE wasn’t advanced enough with its supercharger this and IMU that, Kawasaki have pushed the new H2 SX SE+ further still for 2019. The biggest change is the addition of semi-active electronic suspension developed from the Showa system used on the Ninja ZX-10R SE. With base characteristics linked to the riding modes, the suspension automatically adjusts the damping to suit road conditions, with reaction times of just one millisecond. Preload can also be adjusted via three modes (Rider Only, Rider with Luggage and Rider with Passenger and Luggage), with small adjustments either way. The SE+ builds on the standard SE in other ways too, including the addition of Brembo Stylema front calipers, smartphone connectivity and integrated riding modes, which link the traction control, power mode and…

Royal Enfield stunned with this Milan showstopper, their Concept KX bobber; a re-imagining of a 1930s model. The original KX was an air-cooled sidevalve V-twin with 1140cc displacement, while the new bike’s engine appears to be a little bit smaller if the ‘838’ engine badge is anything to go by. The girder fork with integrated headlight is supremely elegant, while the pancake style exhaust, single seat unit and flat tank also faithfully modernise the original, and Enfield’s job of hiding all the electronics is a masterstoke. In what is believed to be a first, the Concept KX is also has a single-sided swingarm softail rear-end. Enfield say that the KX is not destined for production but there are far too many resolved details for us to believe that’s really true.…

CRF250-riding officers pursue perpetrators Police in the Manchester area are clamping down on illegally-ridden off-road bikes in a bid to reduce thefts, accidents and prevent criminal damage. In recent years, Manchester and its surrounding area have been inundated by riders on dirtbikes being illegally ridden both off and on-road. A high proportion of these don’t have an MoT or insurance and, in many cases, are stolen. But it’s not just inner-city Manchester which has been affected. In the last few years the problem has expanded into outlying areas and towns like Bolton and Bury, too. Now specialist local police forces are starting to crack down on these offenders in response to information received from the public. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) already have their own dedicated unit of Honda CRF250-riding officers…

Reader Clive and June Scriven The ride Evesham to Annecy in France When to do it September Miles 1600 Time required 14 days Don’t miss this “Traffic-free roads as June hadn't ridden for 15 years. Reims, Dole, Annecy and Chaumont were great and the people were friendly." PRETTY TOWNS This is the picturesque old town of Dole in glorious riding weather GREAT CHALET Where we stayed in Annecy. The chalet was so comfortable ANNECY French towns like Annecy are effortlessly cool but expensive MOUNTAINS This was 45 minutes from our site up some stunning twisty roads THE ROUTE…

SUZUKI GT250 This was my 1976 Suzuki GT250, faithful for many miles through all seasons, until the two-stroke oil pump failed. Andy Cooper CAN-AM 400 My best mate Gareth Edwards and I on a 1979 CAN-AM 400 in 1985. Keith Billington PUCH MOPED Me on my first bike in 1976. I now ride a Triumph Bonneville Bobber. Philip Milverton TRIUMPH TIGER 100 My earliest day in the saddle of my dad’s Triumph outfit. The picture was taken in 1958 when I was two. I now own and ride an R1200GS and a 1974 CB750 (which I’ve had since 1977). Chris Terry ZONTES PANTHER 125 I'm new to biking and this is me with my Zontes in 2016. Brian Easey HONDA DREAM My dad in 1982 on his Honda. He now…

News just in. Buying a new sportsbike doesn’t have to mean blowing the equivalent of your teenager’s university fund. Nor do you have to choose a 200bhp animal, a creature so fierce and removed from the normal world it can only be ridden with the help of clever electronics. No, there is another option: an old fashioned and almost forgotten class that continues to champion relative simplicity and manageable power. Step forward the sportsbike middleweights of the moment: Yamaha’s YZF-R6 and Ducati’s 959 Panigale. Launched in 2017 Yamaha’s new-ish R6 is the only Euro4 compliant supersport 600 on the UK market, albeit one with its wings clipped by the latest emissions regs. Unfortunately, the process of cleaning the rev-happy inline four reduced its peak power from 122bhp to 116bhp and…

We nipped the bikes to Brands Hatch Indy for an MSV trackday. I was expecting Yamaha’s track-focused R6 to shine on the track and show the Ducati a clean pair of heels, but it was the Ducati that had the edge. The 959 was easier to ride, had more torque/ power and could carry more corner speed, which resulted in a faster lap time. The R6 was hampered by comparatively poor Dunlop Sportmax D214s and that hard suspension, especially the rear, which lacked feel. The limit was vague on the Yamaha, meaning I didn’t have the confidence to carry corner speed or keep the revs buzzing. On track the Yamaha needs to be above 9000rpm everywhere. With track rubber and the correct set-up the R6 would have been able to…

Husqvarna FE250 £8399 I admit I cheated. I needed a bike and lacking a mate’s knackered DR-Z400 to borrow Husqvarna came to the rescue with a loan of their four-stroke FE250. At 105kg it’s light and easy to manage. The small engine pulls from no rpm and it will even pull away in third gear. There are rider modes to tame the power when you’re tired and traction control to help pull me out of the deep mud when I was stuck. While an electric start also means it’s easy re-starting after an off. For four hours it didn’t miss a beat and stood up easily to tumbles. Perfect in fact, as it should be for the price. Back in the real world, though, I’ll be buying something tatty and…

Following on from the success of the CRF250L and the CRF250 Rally, Honda have released the long-anticipated CRF450L. Based on their flagship motocross bike, the CRF450R, the 450L has off-road pedigree, but that is not where its true calling lies. Designed as a trail bike rather than a full-on competition bike, it’s intended to be an off-roader for every occasion. More stability Although based on the MX model there are fundamental differences. Starting with the chassis, it has a longer swingarm, a more relaxed steering head angle and an 18mm longer wheelbase, which give increased stability. All torque Honda claim just 24.7bhp, which is practically the same as the 250L and around 20bhp less than you would expect from a modern 450cc single. But to increase service intervals and meet…

Suddenly the 790, the bike that helped make my long hot summer a scorcher to remember, is warming up on the drive with the tell-tale steam of a frigid early-winter morning belching from its aftermarket Akrapovic. Just like that, my visor has gone from black to clear and the once sensational grip between here and work has been downgraded to slimy. But still it tears the place up. It wiggles elegantly through the motorised anarchy outside school, cheekily takes a bit of pavement when the traffic completely gridlocks, then clears its throat and thunders off towards work, the happiest and most uncomplicated bundle of fun I’ve ridden for years. And that’s where I’d like to leave things – only I’ve missed out a few facts that are beginning to irritate.…

THE STUDENT Emma Franklin, Consumer Editor Emma has been riding for 15 years and is an experienced racer. She’s considering buying a litre bike for trackdays. Emma’s riding problem “I’ve never had the confidence to exploit 1000cc acceleration on corner exits so I’d like to see if the correct use of TC could help me.” 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. Neevesy’s action plan “Traction control isn’t a magic bullet, but used cleverly it will help Emma develop more of a feel for the rear tyre.” THE LESSON 1 Get your technique right first Traction control won’t save you if your corner entry/exit technique is wrong.…

The cost of a brand new luxury touring bike, dripping with journey-enhancing extras such as electronic screens, on-board computers, hard luggage, cruise control and in-ride entertainment, can be astronomical. But if you’re prepared to sit back and wait a few years, those very same fullyspecced bikes will be worth less than half their value by the time they hit the used market. £6650 TRIUMPH TROPHY 1215cc | 132bhp | 800mm seat height Dealer £5800-£9500 Private £5000-£7250 This one 2014 SE, 6500 miles Triumph’s BMW lookalike can be yours for less than a German machine of the same year, leaving more cash for touring holidays. The 1215cc inline triple is fabulous for touring, being both torque-filled and flexible, and the spacious chassis gives plenty of room for rider and pillion and…

Leon Haslam dominated the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike championship, but there was one man that kept him on his toes throughout. Jake Dixon finished on the rostrum just five times fewer than Haslam this year, beating the eventual champion on numerous occasions, which is all the more remarkable when you consider that he’s just 22. Against a man 13 years his senior with far more experience, Dixon’s achievements are already impressive; not least because 2018 was only his second full-time season on a superbike. In his short time in the class, Dixon has matured from someone known for being a bit of a crasher into the series’ youngest-ever Showdown contender in 2017 and then a genuine threat for the title just one year later. Had Dixon beaten Haslam to the…

Honda’s CBR650F loses its F and gains an R as Honda aim to banish the old bike’s humdrum image and make it altogether a more sporty offering. All the mechanical upgrades are the same as the naked R and its riding position is more aggressive, too. Underpinnings aside, it’s clear Honda is attempting to plug the hole left by the CBR600RR with a bike that delivers that ‘baby Fireblade’ aesthetic with a decent slug of performance plus everyday practicality. If the original pre-RR CBR600F had been in continuous production, this, surely, is where it would have ended up. Chuck Honda’s optional quickshifter into the mix and this could be the surprise middleweight sportsbsbike package of 2019. FAST FACTS Engine 649cc inline-four Performance 94bhp / 47ftlb Weight 208kg (kerb) Seat height…

Honda are upping the adventure credentials of its new rider-friendly CB500X with longer-travel suspension (150mm front, 135mm rear) and a bigger 19in front rim (from 17in). There’s also new tapered handlebars, updated LCD dash, the same engine upgrades as the other two 500s (see page 7), plus a revised end can wit a fruitier exhaust note. FAST FACTS 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin Performance 47bhp / 32ftlb Weight 197kg (kerb) Seat height 830mm Price £TBC…

‘It’s what I want from a bike these days ’ Four-time WSB champ Carl Fogarty has joined forces with CCM to create this special Foggy Edition of the Spitfire roadster – of which just 300 examples will be built. Based on the Bolton firm’s tubular framed, 600cc single, the special edition is inspired by the Blackburn rider’s illustrious WSB career and was co-designed by the great man himself. “CCM’s director, Austin Clews, has been one of my best mates for the last 20 years,” Foggy told MCN. “I’ve been involved with them before and I’m excited to be working with them again. They’ve got a great product with the Spitfire and I’ll be a lot more hands on than previous things I’ve done over the last few years.” With its…

Kawasaki’s great-value Versys 1000 adventure-styled all-rounder gets a fistful of upgrades for 2019 and even a blinged-up SE version. There’s electronic cruise control, new radial calipers, a new adjustable screen and twin LED headlamps. But it’s the all-singing SE that steals the headlines with not only electronically-adjustable front and rear suspension but also a quick-shifter, LED cornering lights and full-colour TFT dash with Bluetooth connectivity. It also has heated grips, handguards, a larger screen plus a 40W generator. Plus, if you do scratch it its ‘semi-liquid’ paint even ‘heals’ itself. Magic. No word on price yet but we expect the standard model to start from £10,499 with the SE to start at £13,499. FAST FACTS Engine 1043cc inline four Performance 118.3bhp / 75.3lbft Weight 253kg (kerb) Seat height 840mm Price…

When we first tested the Niken we couldn’t help but think what a great tourer it would make and now it seems Yamaha have had the same realisation, and delivered with a new Niken GT. The GT adds all the usual comforts you would expect for a sports-tourer. Up front there’s a taller screen, heated grips, an extra power outlet plus a new comfort seat. There’s also a pair of 25-litre semi-soft panniers, the base of which has a set of integrated passenger handles. Finally, it comes with a centrestand. The GT will be available from January and given the price of a standard Niken, we’d expect it to cost around £15,000. FAST FACTS Engine 847cc triple Performance 113bhp / 64ftlb Weight TBC Seat height 820mm Price £15,000 (est)…

Seeing bike nut Danny John Jules on Strictly Come Dancing has made me think about whether I'd every do a reality TV show. You can take the piss all you want, but one of my favourite TV programmes is Dancing on Ice. I really like it! ‘I'D PROBABLY SAY THE WRONG THING AND GET ESCORTED OFF THE PREMISES ’ We think we've got it tough finding grip with the contact patch on a set of tyres but a professional skater has to work marvels with just a few millimetres of metal sliding along the ice. It's pretty special and very cool. That being said, I’m not sure I’d win or anything. I think my leg would hold me back. I’d be more like Mr Blobby on Ice! Maybe that would…

1 Two-hour consultation Brian measures-up customers. A huge range of styles, materials and colours are available resulting in a computer-generated design. Suits cost from £1800 to £5000 and require a £250 deposit. 2 CAD design Charlotte Ashby makes a pattern, then a cardboard template which can comprise of up to 200 individual components. 3 Leather cutting Head cutter Allen Cliffe cuts the leather using scissors, knife, mechanical cutter and laser. It takes a whole day. 4 Machining the leather ‘Splitter’ and ‘skiving’ machines alter the leather’s thickness. The splitter acts like a bacon slicer and reduces thickness for stretch panels while the skiver chamfers edges to reduce bunching up. 5 Suit building One of a four-strong team sews the suit from start to finish, which can take 30-50 hours. They…

Pedrosa has always been the quiet man of MotoGP. Until the last few years his awkwardness in the spotlight was close to Casey Stoner levels. That’s why people called him ‘Pedrobot’, because he was so stony-faced when the cameras were on him. Like Stoner, he loves racing motorcycles, everything else is an unwanted distraction. But Pedrosa isn’t convinced that some of the riders who play up to the cameras are being totally sincere. “Just because I don’t always smile doesn’t mean I’m not enjoying myself,” he said some years ago. “I think some racers just show another face when they are off the bike.” Pedrosa was born to a working-class family from a Barcelona suburb, but now he’s very rich. That’s what 13 years as a factory MotoGP rider does…

1. GET A FEEL Set your bike’s TC to a really intrusive level so you can get a feel for the sensation of it working as you ride normally. 2. SAFE LINES Reduce lean angle at the apex by taking a V-line. At the braking point, angle your bike towards the inside of the track. 3. OFF THROTTLE Coasting towards the apex using momentum will prevent you from getting on the gas too early and running wide. 4. OPEN WIDE As you stand the bike up, open the throttle wide in an attempt to trigger the TC. Only do this from half lean and above. 5. REDUCE TC Reduce the TC session by session. Aim to get to the point where you can feel gentle wheel slip (not spin) as…

‘We’ve had a brilliant 5600 miles together’ ‘’d never considered an I adventure bike before I rode a Tiger,” admits serial new bike owner Ian Irvine. “To my mind they were everything I didn’t want from a bike: agricultural, ill-handling and ungainly. So you can imagine my response when I was offered a Tiger 800 as a courtesy bike after dropping my Speed Triple in for a service with Webbs of Peterborough back in 2011.” After being told that it was either the Tiger or a taxi, Ian reluctantly took the British-built middleweight and within a few miles had completely changed his view. “Everything about it suited me: the riding position, the handling and the performance. I did a complete U-turn on my anti-adventure bike policy and bought one. I…

Jorge Martin showed why many in grand prix racing are tipping him as the next big thing after claiming the 2018 Moto3 title in dominant style at Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix. After looking strong all season despite injuries and bad luck, the Spaniard rode off into the distance at Sepang while rival Marco Bezzecchi scrapped for a distant top five place. Going into the weekend with just a 12-point lead over the Italian, the Del Conca Gresini rider had the confidence to do what he does best: riding cautiously in the early stages of a race before breaking through to the front with a handful of laps to go. Using the scorching single lap pace that’s taken him to 50% of pole positions this season and last, he was then…

Having won in Malaysia in torrentially wet conditions for the last two years, Andrea Dovizioso was expected to be the man to beat in Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang. However, a lack of dry track time caused surprise problems and the Italian factory Ducati rider slumped to a disappointing sixth place in the race. Instead, the real fireworks of this traditionally explosive weekend came as a result of Dovizioso’s on-going war of words with departing Ducati team-mate Jorge Lorenzo. The Honda-bound Spaniard missed the last two rounds of the championship in Japan and Australia due to injury sustained when his Ducati suffered a technical problem at the Thailand GP at Buriram a month ago, but was expected to return in Malaysia. But after riding in Friday’s free practice sessions…

Alex Rins showed just how potent he and his GSX-RR have become after taking Suzuki’s eighth podium of 2018 and moving into fifth in the championship in only his second season in the premier class. Coming just a day after reigning world champion Marc Marquez admitted the Suzuki is now a genuine title contender in the right hands, Rins’ improvement and his two podiums in the last three races means the youngest rider in MotoGP is fast becoming a 2019 dark horse. Proving the sense of MotoGP’s system of concessions, whereby mid-season updates were allowed after a disastrous 2017 campaign, Rins says this year’s bike is now one of the strongest on the grid. “Since the middle of the year we’ve made a very big step. Since Assen, when Suzuki…

Local hero Hafizh Syahrin delighted a biggest-ever crowd at a Malaysian grand prix by bringing his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine home inside the top ten for one of his best-ever MotoGP results. The Malaysian received a warm reception from the 104,000-strong crowd by coming home just behind Jack Miller and Danilo Petrucci. Visibly tense and looking to be carrying the expectations of the whole crowd on his shoulders before the race, Syahrin admitted that it had been difficult to manage his feelings but it was worth the extra stress to be able to reward his fans. ‘Thefans believed in me. I’m so happyI wasable torepaythem’ “On the grid, I was feeling a little emotional and even cried a bit before the race. When I saw my father on the…

‘It was my best race of the season and came at a difficult track’ MotoGP fans were denied the chance of an epic last lap showdown between Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez in Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix when Rossi crashed out of the lead and what looked set to be a thrilling final few laps. Seeming to be back to his imperious best by posting metronomic lap times as he led from the start to lap 17, Rossi was being hunted down by Marquez in the closing stages when disaster struck. The Italian’s crash was his first mistake of 2018 and incredibly the first time he’s crashed out of the lead of a race in the dry since the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello way back in 2000. This time…

Ducati have unveiled two new lighter, more powerful and restyled versions of its Hypermotard supermotos. The updated 937cc Testastretta motor has almost 4bhp extra with more torque on tap, too. The engine is also 1.5kg lighter; the tubular steel trellis frame 1kg lighter and the cast rims 800g lighter; all contributing to an overall 4kg weight loss. The styling is more aggressive, too, with a new DRL-enabled headlamp, seat, slimmer flanks, exposed subframe and wider bars. Gone is the large side-mounted silencer in favour of a pair of stubby, slash-cut underseat pipes. The electronics get a boost, too, with cornering ABS, slide control, traction control and anti-wheelie, plus the option of a bi-directional quickshifter all controlled via the full-colour 4.3in TFT dash. The SP version gets longer Öhlins suspension, lightweight…

The Diavel has always been a handsome devil, but its traits of superbike performance married to cruiser styling have always been slightly uneasy bedfellows. For 2019, though, this second generation version gets not only the 1262 variable valve-timing Testastretta powertrain but also some design changes intended to give a bit more ‘street-naked’ aggression. The result looks more upright, cleaner, and less cruiser-like while the new engine means there’s no more snaking exhausts up the bike’s right side which helps it look less fussy and more menacing. There’s also a slimmer frontal area, the mid-section is now more clearly dominated by that huge V-twin and new 14-spoke rims (10 on the S) help give a cleaner, classier aesthetic. The rear-end is still dominated by the stubby seat unit, complete with retractable…

Aprilia and Ducati are locking heads in the battle for the most advanced V4, and the result is this new RSV4 1100 Factory. While Ducati’s R variant is their halo superbike, Aprilia are making their range-topper the new bigger-capacity Factory, complete with obligatory GP-derived wings. The engine is actually 1078cc, with the 52.3mm stroke remaining the same, while the bore increases to 81mm (from 78mm). It also gets new intake timing, and longer fifth and sixth gear ratios. The redline kicks in at 13,600rpm, with the 214bhp peak at 13,200rpm. But the big benefit of those extra cubes is to the torque, which Aprilia say has increased by 10% across the range compared the RR’s 999.6cc engine, peaking at 90ftlb at 11,000rpm. The bike also gets a titanium Akrapovic. For…

Kawasaki’s W800 makes a return for 2019 in two forms: the W800 Street and W800 Café. The air-cooled twin died a Euro 4 death, but Kawasaki have now revived the bevel drive wonder. It’s is no low-effort rehash either; over 90% of the components are new. The engine has been reborn in an emissions-friendly manner with power capped at 47bhp to keep it A2 compliant. The frame is also all-new as are the brakes (now including a rear disc). It also comes with ABS and LED lights. FAST FACTS Engine 773cc parallel twin Performance 47bhp Weight TBC Seat height TBC Price £TBC…

Ducati have updated the Multistrada 950 with a host of new safety aids. The biggest change is a six-axis Bosch IMU, which brings with it Cornering ABS and Vehicle Hold Control (for hill starts) and self-cancelling indicators. The engine now comes with a self-servo hydraulic slipper clutch, lightening the lever action. The styling has had a small update while the swingarm and wheels have been lightened. The extra £1600 for the new S-model gets you Skyhook electronic suspension plus a bidirectional quickshifter, cornering lights, LED headlight, TFT dash, cruise control and backlit switchgear. Rider modes comprise Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro. There’s also now a spoked rim version, too. FAST FACTS Engine 937cc v-twin Performance 111bhp / 70.8ftlb Weight 227kg (S: 230kg) (kerb) Seat height 840mm Price £11,755 (Multistrada 950…

‘This year is special as it’s the 100th anniversary of WW1 ending’ Thousands are set to participate in a rideout to commemorate fallen soldiers this Remembrance Sunday. The Ring of Red is one of the biggest remembrance rideouts in the UK, with routes planned on the M25 around London and the M60 around Manchester where riders attempt to recreate a poppy by encircling the cities. Riders are encouraged to wear red as a mark of respect and to help to create the ring of red as they lap the motorway. You can join the run at nine points along the way on the M25. The M60 run meets at Birch Services. Last year saw a swathe of patriotic members attending. “I did it last year,” said Honda VFR750 rider Mike…

Nothing beats biking for smiles What a great picture of Allen on his Honda Monkey CZ100 outfit flying the chair in your First Bikes slot (MCN, October 24). You can tell this was the 1980s as today health and safety would be on his father Harry's case. "Tsk… no helmets? We can't have kids having fun." I ride an outfit regularly. It was purchased using my late mother's legacy for my youngest son Jake who is autistic and has learning difficulties. He loves it, especially when I take tight left-handers and fly the chair. I can hear him giggling over the exhaust. Jake has a seat belt but doesn't wear a helmet and I've already had input from 'concerned', parties over this? I explain the law and the joy each…

The large analogue rev counter with its 16,500rpm redline dominates the Yamaha view. Digital speedo to the right, with a small gear position indictor. It’s all neat and tidy, but there’s no remote mode switch, which means you have to ride one-handed to change the clocks. The Ducati’s full digital clocks are more informative, easier to read, clearly showing rider modes and aids. Everything can be changed on the fly from the mode button on the left bar. FUNCTIONALITY…

British bespoke leather manufacturer BKS’s origins are down to an unlikely source: pop star Adam Ant! Inspired by punk fashion in the early 1980s, BKS founder Brian Keith Sansom began making his own clothing in a similar style and with a love of fashion developing was soon a familiar face at the local college in Exeter until one day he was given the chance to turn his love of tailoring into a business. “With the idea of becoming a fashion designer, I was making pocket-money creating clothes for friends and was a familiar face at the leather department in the college,” Brian remembers. “They had contracts making small leather goods such as handcuff pockets and belts for the police and one day the guy who ran the department said: ‘How…

‘I have a little handicap, but there’s nothing I can do about it’ Dani Pedrosa has had it all: top teams preparing the Honda RS125 and RS250 that he rode to three world titles, followed by 13 years with the Repsol Honda MotoGP team. But having it all doesn’t mean you’ve got it all. Pedrosa is the size and weight of a 12-year-old boy. That worked in his favour when he was riding little two-strokes, but it has worked against him ever since he graduated to big four-strokes in 2006. When the 15-year-old former minimoto prodigy made his Grand Prix debut at Suzuka in 2001 he stood less than five feet tall. Now the 32-year-old Pedrosa stands five feet two inches tall and weighs eight stone. He fitted his RS125…

‘My hands are burning, my shoulders are in agony and I might be last – but I’m loving it’ When I entered my first enduro it seemed, as they say, a good idea at the time. This morning, however, as I unload my borrowed Husqvarna from my borrowed van at Weedon MX track in preparation for my first ever off-road race, I’m unsure. Massively. I’ve ridden bikes for over 25 years but never competed off-road. Like many in recent years I’ve developed a love of adventure and off-road riding – but only at a casual level, with no pressure and me learning (and messing up) in private. But we all know someone who does enduro, don’t we? And they say everyone should try it… So here I am in my…

1. Alpinestars C10 Dry-Star gloves £64.99 I’ve had these for three years and they’re really waterproof. Being short means I can comfortably get them under the cuffs of my jacket. They’ve had a lot of use and are holding up well. 2. Furygan WR-15 jacket £260 This is a good jacket with D30 soft armour and it’s really comfortable. It’s well-made but heavy with a thick thermal lining. Removing the lining and opening the vents means it’s OK for summer riding, but it’s not my go-to jacket in hot weather. 3. Lindstrand Lux pants £260 These are six years old, but they’re still waterproof. They still look good and the braces work well. 4. Arai QV Pro £350 My Shoei GT Air was noisy and let in water. This was…

1 Block off your bits A pressure washer is the only way to clean a well-used dirt bike, but you need to make sure water doesn’t get in the wrong places. Invest in exhaust bungs to stop water going back up the pipe and into the engine, as well an airbox cover to prevent water contamination in the carburettor. Don’t have these items? Folded cloth sealed with gaffa tape can work just as well. 2 Breathe freely Clear the air filter regularly. The engines in these bikes are tuned to make power at high rpm and this demands a lot of oxygen. The air is scrubbed by a foam type filter that has oil in it to help remove small dust particles. If it isn’t cleaned regularly the airflow will…

Leading British MotoGP contender Cal Crutchlow has successfully undergone a second operation on his broken right ankle in Australia, following his high-speed turn one crash at Phillip Island. After the procedure, to install two plates and 10 screws in place of the the external pins and rods fitted after his crash at the Australian Grand Prix, team boss Lucio Cecchinello told MCN that Crutchlow’s surgeons were delighted with how well the operation had gone. He said: “The surgery took less than two hours and was performed by Dr Matthias Russ, the same doctor who carried out the first operation – and he stated that he was very pleased with how it went. Cal has had two small plates inserted and he has been able to fly home because there were…

Yamaha star Maverick Viñales says there’s light at the end of the tunnel after another strong weekend for him and Valentino Rossi. Able to come fourth despite a poor 11th qualifying position and watching Rossi lead for most of the race, Viñales says the Valencia test in two weeks’ time should deliver the final missing piece of the puzzle. “The only item that needs changing is the engine. Our bike is really good now, we just need a little more grip at the rear and to improve the engine braking.” MCN understands Yamaha went the wrong way with the 2018 M1’s crank, but once the motor was sealed for the season, had to make the best of it .…

Johann Zarco dug deep to claim a podium place in Sunday’s race, repeating his 2017 success at Sepang. But he said it took every ounce of energy he had left to hold his top-three position. Looking strong in the early stages until a small mistake dropped him from the battle between Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi, the Frenchman was comfortable in third until Rins overtook him in the closing laps. Inheriting third after Rossi’s crash, Zarco wanted to strike back at the Suzuki star and claim second, but he could not make a move as he started to struggle with rear tyre grip; a common problem for Yamaha riders in 2018.…