Table of contents for 9 February 2022 in MCN

‘The concept is scalable... the unit is capable of 670bhp’ ANDREW CROSS AT INTEGRAL POWERTRAIN TOP STORY Triumph’s big step into an EV future How great does this look? Triumph first revealed details of their electric powertrain project nearly a year ago, and it’s surging ahead, with the firm now ready to start real-world testing on this incredible looking prototype. Anyone who feared electric bikes would forever look a bit weird and would lack the specs to really excite our adrenal glands need only look at the TE-1 prototype. The future looks good... PAGE 4 NEW BIKES CCM’s titanium tribute special CCM blew us away when they released their first Spitfire model, and sales flooded in. Why? Because the Bolton firm had struck that elusive balance between performance, handling, aesthetics…

Anyone planning to attend this year’s Isle of Man TT shouldn’t face tough or expensive Covid restrictions. From March 31 there will be no testing requirements or isolation for anyone visiting the Island, regardless of vaccination status. Only visitors from ‘red list’ countries face restrictions. Plans are in place for the TT to make a spectacular return with a packed programme from May 29-June 10. Electrifying London BMW are bringing the funky and futuristic CE 02 concept electric bike and Vision AMBY to the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show. It will be the first time UK bikers will be able to see the madcap machines when the show opens on Friday (the show runs from February 11-13). The CE 02 concept is 120kg and aimed at zipping around city…

In a bid to simplify communications while riding, helmet manufacturer Ruroc have developed a new app, which is set to go live on February 18. Called Chain, the app will allow riders to participate in group chats using their phones’ data connection, without range issues and limits on numbers associated with Bluetooth connections. The app can be downloaded onto smartphones and is compatible with any type of comms system which you may have already. Currently, as the app is in Beta development, there is not the ability to use music or satnav alongside the comms connection, but Ruroc say that these features will be coming to the app quickly.…

ASSISTANT EDITOR, MOTORCYCLING Aprolific burglar who used motorbikes to target 17 premises and stole a brand-new KTM has been jailed for more than nine years. Jacob Winnett from Rochester targeted properties in Gillingham, Higham, Gravesend, Shorne and Rochester mostly in daylight hours. CCTV led police to search Winnett’s property in November 2019 where they found and seized many items linking him to the crimes including two motorcycle helmets, four balaclavas, a black bag containing two crowbars, gloves, multiple pairs of trainers, black tracksuits and a KTM, which was in the back of a van belonging to Winnett. After being questioned, Winnett was released pending further investigation. Unbelievably, he was then captured on CCTV stealing the bike back from a vehicle recovery yard in Higham. Winnett would go on to use…

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) and Royal Enfield’s ‘Big Raffle’ has already raised thousands but there’s still time for you to get a ticket and stand a chance of winning some great prizes – all while supporting a very good cause. The top prize is a Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 with a custom one-of-a-kind paint job. The parallel twin has sold strongly since being introduced two years ago, and the winner will see the no-nonsense roadster delivered to their door. The goal of the CALM project is to develop long-term cultural changes to get more people talking about mental health issues within the motorcycling world and beyond. Other prizes include a Highland Scramble Experience, a Belstaff gift package and lots more besides. The raffle ends on March 31, 2022…

After a long winter lay-off, UK trackdays will return to a number of favourite circuits this month. The first dates are being run by well-established firm No Limits Trackdays, who will kick the season off at Oulton Park on Saturday, February 19 for £109 per person. Although the firm have also run more exotic European events across the colder months, this first date is already proving popular with only Lower Group spaces available without a waiting list at the time of writing. After Oulton Park, there are also No Limits dates available to book at Mallory Park, Donington Park, Cadwell Park, and Brands Hatch Indy. And that’s all before we get to March, by which time other firm’s like MSV Trackdays will also be running events. The MSVT schedule kicks…

Nine-times World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb has just been announced as an ambassador for Indian Motorcycle. The 47-year-old finished second in the car class at the Dakar Rally, but has been a biker for many years. He said: “I love riding whenever I get the chance, whether on the track or on the road, and the FTR lets me have fun at any pace.” Dress to impress A reinvigorated MCN clothing range is available now with some old favourites brought back and a stack of new stuff included, too. A simple-yet-effective MCN T-shirt is £16.99 while a hoodie, bearing the MCN logo from the 60s and 70s costs £36.99. You can also grab an MCN mug (£10.99) and loads of other top-notch stuff. Visit www.shotdeadinthehead.com/mcn You could BeLucky! A £25k…

Ride further in 2022 with a little help from our one-stop event guide JUST BREW IT Ride out to Britain’s best biking cafés KOTI AUTOTALLI • Café with parking in the Cotswolds • Tuesday-Sunday from 9am-6pm • Find out more / kotiautotalli.com • Battlebrook Drive, GL55 6JX Koti Autotalli only opened their doors last June after delays caused by the pandemic. But Ben Hilton and Becci Arbuckle have worked tirelessly to create a hub for their local community as well as bikers from all over the region. “The idea was to create a space which ultimately will become part of that local community,” Ben explains. “But we’re not precious whether it’s cars, bikes, push bikes, whatever. But as you can tell, we’re pretty much focused around bikes.” Koti Autotalli is…

MCN staff and readers share their one-hour routes Starting in central Lincoln, this 40-mile blast is an absolute treat, taking in fast-flowing countryside corners and small single tracks through sleepy villages. Head south from the city and follow the signs for Washingborough. Passing directly through, enjoy the bends and fast open straights of the B1190 to Bardney. Taking the second left out of the village past the post office, you’ll meet an uncluttered spaghetti of tarmac taking you to Baumber. At the junction, take a right and instant left, before doing the same again just moments later. From here, it’s onto Hemingby. Continue straight through, following signs for Scamblesby, taking a right at the next junction. Then it’s left onto the A153 until you reach Cadwell Park. If racing isn’t…

In the market for an adventurous mid-size Triumph or Ducati but bamboozled by all the different models? Make sense of the swarm with our handy pocket guide… DUCATI Multistrada V2 £12,646 Same 937cc V-twin as the SuperSport and Hypermotard, making 111bhp. 19in front wheel, fully adjustable suspension, riding and power modes, cornering traction control and ABS, hill hold control, TFT dash, connectivity, two-way quickshifter… oh, and selfcancelling winkers. Multistrada V2 S £14,646 Adds even more bling with keyless ignition, cornering lights, tyre monitoring, cruise, and Ducati’s Skyhook semi-active suspension. TRIUMPH Tiger 660 Sport £8450 The excellent Trident naked in upright half-faired form. Fun and engaging yet practical and accessible, it’s a great tarmac-only middleweight all-rounder. Tiger 850 Sport £9400 889cc Tiger 900 in slightly detuned ‘entry-level’ form. 84bhp, 19in front…

The Robo S is £3299 with an 18,000-mile battery warranty New to UK market but no strangers to electric propulsion, Sunra have recently launched this Robo S. It is powered by a 3kW (4bhp) motor mounted in the rear wheel, which means that there’s zero maintenance other than checks of the tyres, brakes etc. The motor can propel the Robo S to a top speed of 50mph and has a theoretical maximum range of 84 miles, although 40-60 miles is more accurate, depending on use. There are three riding modes, a built-in alarm, an app to check charge status, keyless ignition and even a motor lock to stop thieves wheeling it away. Without an engine or petrol tank, there’s also room for 24 litres of storage under the seat –…

1 Daytona Roadstar GTX £409.99 Best boots ever! You buy one pair and never need another. And they come back like new if you send them off for servicing. Ewan Skinner, Shotts 2 BKS Cruiser Buckle WP £89.99 They fit well, tour well and have lasted me four years. I have experienced driving rain for four hours and my feet were bone dry. Mark Davis, Shifnal 3 Alpinestars Web Gore-Tex £199.99 Solid, water-tight and non-sweaty; they’ve even stood up to a slow speed off recently with barely a scuff. Karl Mariner, Devon 4 O’Neal Sierra Pro £189.99 I purchased these for an off-road trip through the Vietnamese mountains. For the price they’re absolutely cracking. Lewys Priehs, Norwich 5 Altberg Roadrunner £279.99 Totally waterproof, comfortable on and off the bike. They…

This 2019 SWM Ace of Spades came into the 2 Wheel Centre with what it’s owner had described as a ‘handling issue’ but when experienced mechanic and 2 Wheel Centre owner Nik Nomikos struggled to even move the bike into the workshop, it was obvious there was something seriously wrong with it. Nik said: “Whichever way you turned the handlebars they would stick in that position so I was thru’penny bitting from the forecourt to the workshop. It was fairly clear that the head races, which are the top and bottom bearings in the steering head, were wrecked.” Once Nik had stripped the front end down it was plain to see the bottom bearing was corroded far beyond any servicing limit and needed replacing and it made sense to do…

What a lucky bunch we are. The daylight hours are already getting noticeably longer, bike manufacturers and kit suppliers are flooding the market with some of the most impressive, innovative and affordable new tempters we’ve ever seen – and the Carole Nash MCN London Show is back! Ordinarily I’d be pretty grumpy about spending my entire weekend indoors at a show, but I’m genuinely excited to have the chance to spend more time with this year’s new metal – and to see all the bikes that didn’t make it to the NEC – or which make their UK debut in London this weekend. Whatever your bike tastes, kit needs, or auction-dabbling targets are, I hope you love the show. I’ll see you there...…

We may still be battling with icy mornings and chilling gales – but it’s going to be hot in the city this weekend as the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show blasts into town. It’s your biggest opportunity to see all the major new bikes on display in one place – with plenty of the key players that were missing from the NEC making their UK debut in London – and many more new launches, too. But it’s not only about new bikes – there’s a whole weekend of top-notch entertainment; elbow-bashing race action in the central area; armfuls of kit and accessory bargains; and a huge auction that’ll tempt even the most reluctant wallet from the darkest pocket. There’s also a stunning array of guest gurus presenting on a…

Stuart Garner, the former owner of Norton Motorcycles, has admitted to illegally investing an estimated £11m from the company’s pension scheme back into the business. Garner was the sole trustee of three contribution schemes (Dominator 2012, Commando 2012 and Donington MC) that invested in Norton. Between 2012 and 2013, 227 people invested in the scheme in return for preference shares. Under the employer-related investment (ERI) rules, no more than 5% of the total value of the schemes should have been invested that way, however each scheme was invested in Norton in full. Subject to certain exceptions, it is a criminal offence to invest more than 5% of the current market value of scheme resources in ERIs, so Garner’s actions were passed to the court by The Pensions Regulator (TPR). On…

£6999 Yamaha XSR700 Cashing in on the trend for retro machines, Yamaha’s retro-styled XSR700 is based on the excellent MT-07, with its 689cc parallel-twin engine and lightweight chassis. It looks refined and classy and handles superbly. That handy £801 saving will go nicely towards some riding kit to suit the style. • www.mottmotorcycles.co.uk £5799 Honda CBR500RA This white A-licence compliant CBR500R enjoys Fireblade styling and refined suspension. • www.hgbmotorcycles.co.uk • Engine 471cc • Power 47bhp • Weight 192kg • Seat height 785mm £8599 Yamaha MT-09 The MT-09 is fast, light, punchy and affordable. This 2021 model has a full suite of electronic aids. • bransonsmotorcycles.co.uk • Engine 889cc • Power 117bhp • Weight 189kg • Seat height 825mm £9999 Kawasaki Z900RS There’s both the Metallic Spark Black and the Ebony…

The world’s love of Harley-Davidson seems to know no bounds after research by coupon website DealA found them to be third most popular brand people have tattooed on their body. Only Disney and Nintendo came higher in the research, which looked at the number of appearances of the tattoos on social media. As well as being third most popular brand overall, H-D also topped the list of automotive brands, well clear of major players such as BMW and Mercedes. Let’s go racing Skidmarx are offering a race fairing, screen and seat unit for the NC30 for people who want to protect their original bodywork or go racing. The classic Honda is a popular machine with track enthusiasts thanks to its engaging V4 motor. The kit is made in the UK…

The British weather can be a bit unpredictable at the best of times, which is where this Hydra jacket from Weise comes in – and we’ve got one to give away to one lucky MCN reader. Made from top-quality 1.2mm-1.4mm Monaco Performance leather, the Hydra features a removable waterproof membrane – we have tested the jacket at MCN and found that it kept the rain out during some pretty grim weather conditions. Not only is it waterproof, the Hydra also has a removable 120g thermal quilted lining for chilly days and zipped venting to the chest, arms and lower back for sunnier rides. CE-approved and rated AA for safety, it is fitted with CE armour to shoulder, elbow and back as well and 3M Scotchlite reflective piping for added nighttime…

Ducati Horizon 2 touring helmet £529 If you don’t ride a Ducati this probably isn’t the helmet for you – but the latest Horizon has been created with touring in mind, combining comfort, practicality and safety. It’s a flip-up type and approved for use both flipped and closed – and designed to be opened with one hand. The helmet is ready to take comms kit and the visor offers a wide aperture, while aerodynamics keep everything stable at speed. shop.ducati.com Keis Heated Puffer Jacket £260 This is designed to be worn under riding kit with the high-tech thermal puffer filled with lightweight 3M Thinsulate insulation. And with a flick of a switch the Micro Carbon Fibre Technology provides instant warmth across the chest and back. There are three settings; low,…

‘Look to the future, buy from the past’ I admit that I’m not really into Harleys. I have nothing against them, but as well as being bamboozled by their alphabetti spaghetti model naming system (FLXRSTD...WTF?), ownership doesn’t really appeal. But as a financial investment, an air-cooled Harley looks safer than gold. Heavier and harder to store, maybe, but just as dependable. When the firm announced that after 64 years they were dropping the air-cooled Sportster range in 2021 I was genuinely surprised. BMW can make an air-cooled boxer pass Euro5, why couldn’t Harley do the same with their V-twin? For me air-cooling and pushrods are intrinsically linked to the brand and the Sportster has always been a huge seller. And I’m not alone because ever since the announcement, used Sportster…

Plugging in to the future of motorcycling It was design guru Miguel Galluzzi who said that all a motorcycle truly needs is a saddle, tank, engine, two wheels and handlebars. That doctrine might’ve set the style for Ducati’s Monster, but here in the electric era, it’s no longer strictly true… Bikes don’t need fuel tanks, they don’t even need a motor to be centrally mounted, so in theory, anything goes. Yet despite this freedom, most of today’s electric bikes still look like they could pass as petrol powered. But in 2021, the British-built White Motorcycle Concepts WMC250EV redefined what an electric could look like. Featuring a patented Venturi Duct running through the middle, the WMC250EV is claimed to have 70% less drag than a petrol equivalent. And less drag means…

Q ‘What are the Q key changes to the Highway Code?’ I have heard that the Highway Code is being updated but how will it affect us motorcyclists? Paul Stevens, Solihull A A revised edition of the Highway Code is effective from January 29, 2022 and introduces a hierarchy of road users. Rule H1 aims to put more responsibility on the drivers of larger vehicles to show greater care towards more vulnerable road users. At the top of the hierarchy are pedestrians. Pedestrians are followed by cyclists, who are placed above motorcyclists and horse riders; and then car/van drivers. The bottom of the hierarchy is large vehicles such as buses and HGVs. Motorcyclists owe pedestrians and cyclists a greater duty of care, whilst four-wheeled vehicles owe motorcyclists an enhanced responsibility…

1 McGuinness and Whitham on tour February 10 Want to spend an evening listening to TT-legend John McGuinness? How about topping it off with a special guest? You can have all that and more on February 10 in Huddersfield as McGuinness and Whitham are back on tour. bikesandbanter.co.uk 2 Rideout to the London Show February 13 This Sunday join a rideout to the Carole Nash MCN London Show. The ride starts at 9.30am from the café and ends at ExCeL. See this week’s supplement for full show details. london.acecafe.com 3 Tralee Car and Bike Show February 13 The Kerry Motor Club is hosting a show to raise funds for a member who suffered a brain haemorrhage. The show takes place at Brandon Car Park in Tralee, Ireland. www.facebook.com/kerrymotorclub…

MCN 250 MILE ROAD TEST • THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK DEPUTY EDITOR, MOTORCYCLING £14,646 ON THE ROAD DUCATI MULTISTRADA V2 S • 937cc desmo 8v V-twin • 111bhp @ 9000rpm • 202kg (dry, claimed) £13,200 ON THE ROAD TRIUMPH TIGER 900 GT PRO • 889cc DOHC 12v inline triple • 94bhp @ 8750rpm • 192kg (dry, claimed) There’s warmth in the wind. Shoots are breaking the soil’s surface, the sun is no longer tethered to the horizon, and I’m pretty sure I’ve just spotted a lamb frolicking. Spring might not yet be in full flourish, but its presence can certainly be felt. The perfect excuse for a ride, in other words. And the ideal machine for such an early-season outing is surely a high-tech middleweight adventurer-tourer. Like this…

BMW’s updated K1600GT is cool, comfortable, beautifully made and covers huge swathes of ground as gracefully as it constantly surprises you with its unwavering appetite for corners. The changes for 2022 aren’t ground-breaking, but the engine’s extra midrange grunt is welcome and the new colour dash adds a further touch of class; self-levelling suspension ensures you enjoy the perfect ride, regardless of the load, and clever lights will add a dash of safety to night riding. Its price will be out of reach for many, but for the ultimate in touring decadence with a sporty twist it is hard to beat. THE FACTS £20,395 BMW K1600GT…

Following your heart and ignoring your head is all well and good. But running something a little bit special will be a costly pain in the arse, won’t it? Well, maybe not... Some models obviously have parts that are hard to find, but when you’re buying an iconic bike there’s always vast knowledge about known fixes and cures. And even the cunning use of shared or cheaper parts. Servicing needn’t be expensive either. As older machines they’re less complicated and easier (and more satisfying) to work on than today’s bikes, and not beyond home spannering. But insurance is the real win with special bikes. Go on a comparison website and get a quote for a 19-year-old bike; then tweak the details so it’s a 20-year-old example instead and see the…

Saving you money on essential bike maintenance BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician 1 What’s the damage, mate? Scratched a carbon fibre panel, mudguard or hugger? Fear not – it can be repaired simply at home. This sort of damage is usually caused by stones flung up from the tyre, and the careless use of a C-spanner when the rear shock has been adjusted and can take the shine off an otherwise immaculate looking and well-loved motorcycle. 2 Get your hands on the part Remove the part from the bike. Usually, non-structural carbon-fibre bits are held on with a minimal number of fasteners, so carefully remove them and store them safely. If you’re repairing a hugger make sure you note the routing of the rear brake cable. Scratches can also be…

In 2021, Toprak delivered Yamaha their second WSB title, and the first since Ben Spies in 2009. For 2022, he’ll carry the prestigious No1 plate on an R1 for the first time. He always wanted to win in honour of late stunt-riding father, and he’s declined a MotoGP satellite ride in the past; it’s full factory or nothing. Manager Kenan Sofuoglu knows the GP paddock can destroy careers if the pieces don’t fall into place, but MCN understands June 2022 is the date, and Aragon the venue, for Toprak’s first MotoGP test. His potential 2023 move to the GP world will also depend on how he fares in 2022 against Jonathan Rea, Alvaro Bautista et al. If and when Razgatlioglu goes, the smart money would be on Andrea Locatelli to…

Say it quietly, but there’s growing optimism that perennial underdogs Aprilia could finally pose a consistent race winning threat in MotoGP this year. A second radical overhaul of the RS-GP in two years reaped instant reward in the first shakedown of 2022, with Aleix Espargaro only a whisker away from topping the timesheets on both days of testing at Sepang. A slimmer version of the RS-GP appears to be a key tweak that’s accelerating performance of a machine which only scored Aprilia’s first podium in the four-stroke MotoGP era at Silverstone last year. The improved agility was lauded by Espargaro. After finishing P1 on day one he said: “From lap one it helped me a lot, especially when it came to carrying speed in the fast corners. “I feel I…

See Yamaha’s new 2022 WR250F on the adventure stage The Adventure Stage, sponsored by Spada, is always packed with inspirational talks and invaluable advice from the people who’ve been there, done it and got the T-shirt, washed it in a river, then lost it somewhere in the jungle… This year’s speakers range from the world’s youngest adventurers to the most experienced on the planet, solo female riders and even a homebuilt sidecar. You’ll be leaving with a head full of ideas. For times of each talk see page 15. • Bruce Smart YouTube legend (TeapotOne), Bruce Smart will be sharing experiences from his epic global adventure on a Suzuki GSX-R1000, facing adversity in Africa and how some things don’t always go to plan. • Ben King Ben left the UK…

US-based electric bike manufacturer Lightning Motorcycles have teamed up with materials experts CBMM to create a technological leap forward that could help them break another speed record. Lightning previously set a speed record at Bonneville in 2012, achieving a top speed of 218.96 on one run (which is where the name for their LS-218 came from) but now they’re hoping to exceed 250mph. So what’s the big idea? Brazilian company CBMM are specialists in the use of a metal called niobium. What makes niobium special is that when just 0.1% of it is mixed with another metal, it forms a super alloy that is not only highly stable at different temperatures but also very strong. It’s most often found in jet engines and as a superconductor in hospital MRI machines.…

Nolan N87 N-Com from£139.99 Proper protection that won’t break the bank You can spend an absolute fortune on a helmet and find something truly special, but the fact is you don’t have to. We have set a budget of £200 or less and gone hunting out the best deals of the week. We’ll start off with this affordable buy from SportsBikeShop. The ECE 22.05-approved polycarbonate lid from Nolan is a previous MCN Award winner and features a fully removable and washable lining, drop-down sun visor, an anti-fog Pinlock insert and plentiful vents. There’s also a quick-release fastener plus a quick-release visor. One unique feature is that the helmet comes ready to accommodate Nolan’s N-Com intercom system. It’s currently on offer, too, at SportsBikeShop with a 20% reduction (£223.98). www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk Scorpion…

RICHARD ‘LOUIGI’ LLEWELLIN Every week we give a different rider a wodge of fictional cash and ask them to ‘buy’ the bike that sets their soul on fire. This is Richard’s pick... Richard ‘Louigi’ Llewellin set up Bristol-based Ducati-specialist Louigi Moto in 2002. Louigi and his team know everything there is to know about Ducatis and as well as servicing, general maintenance and diagnostic work, have prepared bikes to race at the Classic TT (with podium success) and won countless club races and titles. So what would the man whose nickname reflects his love of Italian bikes buy? “Being rather biased I’m going to pick a Ducati,” says Louigi, “but as I already have a fairly big collection, picking exactly which one is a bit tricky. There is one that…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews This made me smile… Loved the quote from councillor Graham Timms in the article about speed limits who said that MCN’s reporting resulted in ‘many objections being received’ (MCN, January 26). Keep up the good work! Mark Rowlands, email Bare-knuckled cheek I’m not a cruiser fan but I appreciate the skill that goes in to creating something like the Bare Knuckle Boxer (MCN, January 26). Looking at the face on Giuseppe Roncen who commissioned the bike I don’t think he’s a fan either! That or someone stole the elastic from his knickers. Gareth Vance, Dublin Tormented by goats That was good advice on winter riding in last week’s paper. In 1980 I rode a hardtail Bonneville chop to Israel and hit foul sleety windy weather in…

With new metal, custom bikes and even a celebration of championship-winning Rossi bikes, the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show is your one-stop destination for a fun-packed weekend of biking brilliance. What’s happening? ExCeL is set to be buzzing with the latest bikes – some of which, like Ducati’s Desert X, are getting their UK show debut, custom creations, oodles of kit, an adventure zone as well as a classic auction and ‘King of the Roads’ live-action show starring John McGuinness and Peter Hickman plus a whole host of British racing talent. Get your hands on a Paddock Pass which will not only get you into the show, but will also bag you an exclusive pre-race track chat with the stars, a grandstand seat to watch the action, a chance…

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

Triumph’s Tiger 900 GT Pro is a good motorcycle. Its three-cylinder motor is stuffed with grunt, the secure chassis gives confidence, and the ergonomics and comfort levels are great. Being the Pro model means it’s festooned with genuinely desirable trinkets and baubles too. If you’re a Triumph devotee then wade in, you won’t be disappointed (though I’d get the Rally version for its plusher ride). The Ducati, however, is exceptional. In every situation it either matches the Triumph or outperforms it, from fuel economy and motorway comfort to back-lane agility, rider excitement and engine stomp. OK, apart from screen noise. And while it’s more expensive you sense where the extra cash goes; not just in the bits it has that the Tiger doesn’t (keyless ignition, cornering lights, semi-active ride) but…

Despite those lean times a few years ago when there was a world-wide shortage of ‘motorsport’s favourite composite’ due to Airbus buying it all up to build their A350 XWB liner, carbon fibre is no longer the preserve of the ultraexotic. It graces the flanks of superbikes and not so super bikes, although it is still fairly pricey to purchase. So, with that in mind, it’s understandably gutting when you damage a bit of carbon-fibre on your bike, but hopefully as this guide proves, it’s easy to do something about it. Although, I just want to put a rather large caveat against that statement: this technique should only be used on non-structural components. Things like carbon fibre wheels and swingarms are structural and would need specific advice from the manufacturer…

After almost two years of a near-complete road racing famine, between the hedges action will return in style in 2022. During the past week the Isle of Man government announced a major lifting of restrictions that should allow normal travel to the island to resume by March with the TT scheduled for May 29-June 10. John McGuinness, who will celebrate his 50th birthday in 2022, will be reunited with Honda for his 100th TT start in a celebration of the Fireblade’s 30th anniversary. Alongside the old master will be Mountain course novice, Glenn Irwin, the TT’s highest profile newcomer since Peter Hickman in 2014. Hickman, who will campaign FHO Racing BMWs on the roads and in BSB during 2022, topped the time sheets during January testing at Cartagena on his…

I was waiting outside the gym at six this morning waiting for it to open – I bet you didn’t think you’d ever hear me say that. To be fair, I’ve been on it since the start of the year. I woke up on New Year’s Day after all the festivities and I struggled to bend over to tie my own shoe laces – so I knew something had to be done. I basically try to do something everyday whether that’s in the gym, cycling or out on my motocross bike. I was out three times on the crosser last week and that’s a proper workout. When I started I couldn’t do the popper up on my MX trousers, but I can now – so that’s a bit of progress!…

SAVE £££S BOOK DISCOUNTED TICKETS ONLINE (OFFER ENDS 09.02.22) PLUS! KIDS GO FREE WITH PAYING ADULT LIVE ACTION MCN King of the Roads live action starring John McGuinness and Peter Hickman Friday 11:00, 13:30, 15:30 Saturday 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 Sunday 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30 + ARAI TT HELMET LAUNCH WITH MICHAEL DUNLOP Friday 12:00, live action arena BIKE FIRE-UPS FRIDAY 10:45 Krazy Horse Indian Scout MCN stand 12:15 Barry Sheene’s 1976 RG500 Suzuki stand 12:30 Peter Hickman’s BMW M1000R, Peter Hickman stand 14.15 Barry Sheene’s 1976 RG500 Suzuki stand 14:30 Honda RC213V-S Peter Hickman stand 16:00 Krazy Horse Indian Scout MCN stand SATURDAY 10:45 Krazy Horse Indian Scout MCN stand 11:00 Peter Hickman’s BMW M1000RR Peter Hickman stand 11:15 Barry Sheene’s 1976 RG500 Suzuki stand 13:00 Honda RC213V-S Peter Hickman…