Table of contents for 23 April 2025 in MCN

‘Presented to the most standout rider’ MCN RIDER OF THE YEAR BIG READ 70 years of racing legends Over the past 70 years of MCN, we’ve been blessed with witnessing some of the most incredible personalities in motorsport, achieve the mightiest of heights – and hit the lowest of lows. To celebrate our 70th anniversary, we’re launching a public vote to find the all-time greatest legend of that time. Kicking off with John Surtees and closing off 2024 with Michael Dunlop, there are 42 incredible individuals who’ve bagged the ‘MCN Rider of the Year’ award at least once – but now, we’re going to whittle it down to one single legend. The choice is all yours… PAGE 38 MAIN TEST Laid-back legends fight it out Topping the class of old-school, middleweight…

Ducati have a brand-new off-road initiative going live in July, giving riders the opportunity to get behind the bars of the firm’s competitionbred Desmo450 MX motocrosser at four venues across England. Day-long Ducati MX Experience events are open to riders aged 17 and over, with no motorcycle licence required – although people do need some basic riding skills. Priced at £220, the sessions include expert tuition, premium hospitality, and the chance to ride the firm’s first-ever motocross machine on dedicated off-road tracks. “The Desmo450 MX bikes are incredible, and we have the venues, instructors and the support services to guarantee a fantastic experience for our guests,” said Barry Johnson, the former top international MX racer, turned coach heading up the days. Sessions will run at Golding Barn in West Sussex,…

Electric bikes have been banned from freestyle motocross at the 2025 X Games, with only petrolpowered machines allowed to compete. A statement from the organisers reads: “Our current competition formats are designed around gas-powered bikes. [Our] focus is on maintaining a level playing field and delivering the best experience for both our athletes and fans.” Battery powered machines may return in the future, but for 2025, the event will be run on petrol alone. TT 2025 merch available now The official 2025 Isle of Man TT merchandise collection is now live, with over 80 new styles available across the Signature and Mountain lines. From retro-styled tees to course map-inspired gear, plus backpacks, snoods, and socks, there’s plenty to pick from for any TT fan. Order online for worldwide delivery or…

'Can I get it up to 200,000 miles?' In a recent moment of boredom I decided to see what the highest mileage bike currently for sale in the UK was. A few boxes selected on an online sales website and my curiosity was answered – a 2012 Suzuki Bandit GSX1250FA with an impressive 115,292 miles proudly shown on its clocks. Fair play, that’s a damn good effort. Intrigued I dived a bit deeper. Listed as a Cat N machine, which is a bike that has been written-off but is not structurally damaged and therefore can be repaired, this Bandit has certainly led an eventful life but also one that has seen it seemingly well cared for (aside from when it was written-off). According to the advert it starts and runs…

GET FIVE ISSUES FOR JUST £5 Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer Verge have set a new Guinness World Record for the ‘longest journey by an electric motorbike on a single charge’ – clocking up 193 miles around suburban London with their £31,980 TS Pro. The feat took place on March 22 and saw a relay of riders spend just over 16 hours in the saddle. Which puts the average speed at a somewhat restrained 12mph (to be fair, it was in London where 20mph limits and congestion are rife). After completing the feat, the bike still retained around 7% charge, with Verge opting to call time early to ensure the data gathered remained reliable. The journey was tracked via a professional telematics system provided by Webfleet, with additional support…

Schuberth C5 £439.99 Hot helmet deals that'll flip your lid Whether you call them flip-front, modular or dual-homologated, there’s no denying the convenience of a helmet with a hinged chin bar. For professional riders, it means not having to repeatedly take your lid off in the line of duty, and the rest of us can pay for petrol, eat and drink, or just engage with our fellow humans without the faff of breaking the seal when buttoned up for bad weather. Then when things turn warmer you have the option of instantly switching from full to open face for extra ventilation – ideal if you’re touring Europe, for example, where conditions can change dramatically during your journey. Schuberth’s C5 was developed in the wind tunnel to enhance aerodynamic efficiency and…

Shark-wearing factory BMW World Endurance rider, Sylvain Guintoli talks us through the benefits of using an Aeron GP in racing. “For me, the first thing I noticed when I tried the Aeron GP, was the aero element. It has the flexible elements on the spoiler, so when you turn your head to the side in the fast corners, the flexible sides move around and adapt to the forces of the wind. “It just felt that little bit easier on the neck and for World Endurance it was really good. You can get the best speed in the straights, but you could also get a little bit of comfort when you were cornering -especially in the fast corners. “The ventilation was better as well and for endurance that’s really important, because…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com THE WORLD’S WARMEST BASELAYER® www.zerofit.co.uk Me and my cousin Carl on my 16th birthday in 1979 with our Suzuki AP50 and Yamaha Fizzie. Steve Siggins My dad on his Super Rocket 650cc. He’s now 77 and still happily riding! Jodie Brocco Me on my 1964 Bonneville in 1974. Still riding today only on a newer Bonny. Ian Cowley First bike? Not really, but my first bike since ‘semiretirement’. Planning to do lots more riding. Tony Roberts My second bike was a Suzuki TS250 (reg GGG666T), my first was a TS100 (reg UNS576R) also in yellow. John Duffy First bike after the Fizzie – 17 year old me on a Superdream. Still riding today on an old BMW R80RT. David Birkbeck My first new…

Alongside doing my usual stuff in terms of TV and bike work, I’m really excited to be taking part in the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride on May 18, doing the Bournemouth to Poole route. It’s a great idea, for a great cause and I’ll be riding my Kawasaki Z1 on the day. I’ve registered and set up a donation page, and I’ve just exceeded the £5000 mark for the charity which is great, as all the funds go towards prostate cancer and men’s mental health. It’s a worthy cause, and it’s always a good thing to help out if and when we can. In terms of raising money, for the Bournemouth to Poole ride I’m actually the second biggest fundraiser, and globally I’m 11th as the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a…

1 April 26 Cookstown 100 Road racing is back in Northern Ireland. Get ready for some heart-stopping action on the wild roads of the province, with key names to look out for including Derek McGee who is making his return to the Ulster event. You can buy race packages online beforehand or on the day, but they are cheaper in advance. www.cookstown100.org 2 April 27 Royal Enfield Club Day The Royal Enfield Club are descending on Sammy Miller’s Museum in New Milton, Hants. If you’re a member, you can turn up and say hello to the rest of the clan, but even if you’re not, everyone is welcome! You can park up from 10am for free and there is discounted entry to the museum for members. sammymiller.co.uk 3 April 26 Squires autojumble The…

If you’re not rocking over to The Rolling Scones (p20) then here are some other coastal options! Revved Up Plenty of parking out the front and every day is bike day. Facebook: Revved Up Tea Bar 133 High St, Walton on the Naze, CO14 8AT The Custom Café A mix of a diner, bar, and lounge which is biker themed. thecustomcafe.co.uk Barnhorn Road (A259), Bexhill-on-Sea TN39 4QR Castle Café Overlooking the sea, it’s a great spot for a cuppa. Facebook: Castle Café Withernsea 10 Pier Rd, Withernsea HU19 2JS…

FIRST RIDE BMW have updated the F900R for 2025. The 104bhp, 895cc parallel twin has been around since 2020 and has always been the leftfield choice compared to its sporty middleweight naked rivals. That all changed when the BMW F900R Cup BSB support series was introduced three years ago. It thrust the German machine into the limelight, and now the latest version gets a sportier twist with less mass, a sportier riding position, uprated suspension and more BMW goodies thrown in for the price. We’re riding it here at its world launch on the roads of southern Spain to see how it’s evolved. 1 Euro 5+ fresh Although now Euro 5+ friendly, the engine makes the same 104bhp and 69lb.ft as it did before. Of all the F900 models (R,…

Presented since 1958 and voted for by the MCN readership, MCN’s Rider of the Year award has been presented to the most standout motorcyclist of that season. Now it’s time for you to decide, out of the 42 individual previous winners, who you think is the greatest of them all… head to www.motorcyclenews.com/legends-of-motorcycling/ or just use your phone to scan the QR code at the top of the page to vote. 1958 & 1959 John Surtees, Grand Prix and F1 500cc World Champion (1956, 1958-60), TT World Champion (1958-60), Formula 1 World Champion (1964) The first-ever winner of the MCN Man of the Year, Surtees is the only person to have won premier class world championships on both two and four 1961, 1963, 1967 & 1978 Mike Hailwood, Grand Prix,…

I would always recommend checking the workshop manual for your specific motorcycle when it comes to changing a clutch because the way the system is designed and works can vary depending on the manufacturer and engine configuration. Generally, the main difference lies in how the clutch is actuated. This ZXR400 uses a cable and an actuator arm that engages directly onto the pressure plate, however it's quite common to see configurations where the cable and arm are positioned on the opposite side (often near the front sprocket) with a pushrod connecting to the clutch. And the clutch system itself could contain separate springs or a single diaphragm spring. Another common setup is the hydraulic clutch, where pressure from the lever is transmitted via brake fluid to a piston that then…

Going behind the scenes in the 2025 WSBK paddock World Superbike’s newest winner was previously forever the bridesmaid, so often finishing fourth as Rea, Razgatlioglu and Bautista ruled the roost. Not anymore. Following that breakthrough victory at Assen in his 154th race start, calm but determined Italian Andrea Locatelli is talking with a selection of factories for 2026 and beyond. He spared half an hour of his time for this exclusive chat. How did it all begin? “Many people think I’m related to Roberto Locatelli [2000 125cc World Champion], but I’m not. In fact, ‘Locatelli’ is a common surname in my part of Italy, like ‘Smith’ in the UK. I’m from Bergamo. My family is a family of bakers, from a place in the mountains called Selvino. “There’s a famous…

'Time to revolt over tyre rule' If Viñales’s Qatar ride – second, then dropped to 14th! – proved one thing, it’s that a 16s penalty for a tyre pressure is unsporting, distasteful and ridiculous. In fact, it proved a great deal more: 1 That the rule, intended to save riders from straying into danger, is absurd. Viñales was clearly not in peril. Riders should be able to make up their own minds. 2 That the KTM is actually fully competitive, when not hamstrung by vibration triggered by unsuitable tyre pressures. 3 That Michelin’s inability (or unwillingness) to build a front tyre capable of sustaining the demands of modern aero is a blot on their reputation. 4 That the acceptance of Michelin’s insistence on this punitive rule by Dorna, IRTA and…

Looking ahead to the start of the 2025 season 1 Glenn looks strong Glenn Irwin has enjoyed the pre-season so far. After topping the Navarra Test, the Hager PBM Ducati man went out and smashed the BSB lap record at Donington Park on two occasions. Irwin’s 1:27.015 was 0.181s quicker than the previous record set by Jason O’Halloran onboard the McAMS Yamaha during qualifying in 2023 (1:27.196), and 0.007s quicker than his own record set on day one of this year’s test (1.27.022). “Taking the lap-times out of it, just having items, a structure and schedule of what you want to work through, that’s been the most pleasing thing,” Irwin told MCN. “We have tried many things we wanted to, and explored in directions we’ve never gone as far in.…

Who is your ultimate motorcycling legend of the past 70 years? It’s been a nagging question of mine for the past week, and with every passing day my mind changes from one rider to the next. As a 29-year-old sports nut, my outlook might be a little different to yours – which is what makes the public voting system so interesting. If I asked my dad, I’m sure he’d say Mike Hailwood, and for good reason. If you’d asked me 20 years ago, I would’ve said Foggy – I mean, it’s only right after stealing his first name. Ten years ago, I would’ve gone straight with Marco Simoncelli, as a huge fan of his exciting riding style at the time. But now? Well, I’m struggling to look past John Surtees,…

A military veteran and his mechanic mate are gearing up to undertake a gloriously unhinged but nonetheless deeply worthwhile charitable trek up and down the length of Britain aboard what could be the least appropriate bikes imaginable. Setting off in late May, Nobby Clarke and Paul Starkey plan to ride from their Isle of Wight homes to John O’Groats, before turning wheels southward to travel roughly 1000 miles to Cornwall’s Land’s End – potentially then hopping back on the road to ride another 340 miles home – and they’ll be using a pair of extremely temperamental bicyclebased mopeds from the 1960s. Called Clark Scamps, their steeds of choice were built on the IoW more than six decades ago. They pack tiny 49cc singlecylinder motors which are just capable of cracking…

• Austrian motocross GP snowed off • Sportsbike heavyweights tested • Paso for Vic Reeves Speedway punch-up The April 24, 1991, issue of MCN was a cracker, with plenty of shocks from the world of sport, plus celebrity encounters, and an early sportsbike group test. The cover was dominated by an on-track fight between speedway stars Neil Collins (Belle Vue) and the late Wayne Garratt (Cradley Heath) – who came to blows following a crash despite medics trying to intervene. Garratt was fined £50, and Collins was excluded from the race. Ducati Paso is Shooting Star Vic Reeves popped into Moto Cinelli in Northampton to pick up his new Ducati Paso – the seventh motorcycle in his collection alongside bikes including a Norton Commando, Vic was joined for the pick-up…

Kriega Multicam Black Backpacks from £125 Kriega’s popular R15 and R20 backpacks are now available in the stealthy MultiCam Black colourway, providing a welcome option to the traditional monochrome look. Both feature the firm’s trademark Quadloclite harness, an uber-tough 500D Cordura construction, and are compatible with the Hydrapak and back protector system. kriega.com Touratech BMW R1250GS shocks from £1286.70 Offering a significant upgrade over stock units, these limited-edition shocks are aimed at the GS rider looking to tackle more challenging terrain. Developed to replace both conventional and electronic DDA equipped units, they’re fully serviceable and available as either a single unit or pair for standard and Adventure models. touratech.com Alpinestars SMX-6 V3 £249.99 The latest version of Astars’ sporty street boots has an all-new rubber sole that makes them just…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews STAR LETTER IN ASSOCIATION WITH Scrap these stupid rules Come on, when are we going to call a halt to these pathetic penalties that are being imposed on riders in MotoGP? Maverick Viñales rode his heart out at Qatar and got a 16-second penalty for what? A tyre pressure infringement. If you put that against Alex Marquez pushing Fabio Di Giannantonio off the track, and only getting a long lap, how does that equate? This needs to be looked at – these boys are risking everything, and where is the reward? Brian Sanders, email Ed – Seems like you are not alone, see this week’s poll (below) Continuing our partnership with Zerofit – King of Baselayers® – we are changing up the prize for the winner…

Just months after one lucky MCN winner picked up the keys to their brand new motorcycle, we’re about to make dreams come true once again. This time you’ve got the chance to win our reigning Sportsbike of the Year, the Suzuki GSX-8R, simply by ticking a box when you get a bike insurance quote with us. It’s as simple as that – just head to MCNCompare.com to be in with a shot. Not only will you be smug in the knowledge you’ve found a great deal on your insurance, but you’ll also enjoy the tantalising prospect of potentially becoming the owner of this sensational parallel-twin performance bike. A worthy winner Want to know why we named the GSX-8R our Sportsbike of the Year? MCN’s Deputy Editor, Carl Stevens explains: “What…

THE DETAILS • 7 days 8.30am-3pm, bike nights first and third Wed of the month, 6pm-8pm • 19 Rowner Rd, Gosport PO13 9UB Finally putting an end to the whole ‘sc-on’ or ‘sc-own’ debate, The Rolling Scones sits just inland of the south coast and provides a much-appreciated biker hub this side of Southampton Water. The twice-monthly bike nights can see motorcycles envelop the street and nearby car parks, but make sure you pull up perfectly, as owner Ollie Shilling used to be a Direct Access instructor. “I bought the place five years ago,” she says. “We used to come here for lunch with our pupils and one day I mentioned to the owner if she ever wanted to sell the place, she should just let me know – and…

The fun way to Whitby Gareth Evans explores Yorkshire at its very best This one’s a bit of a classic, but that’s for good reason. Head north east out of Wetwang on Station Hill for the first leg. Hit the B1251 and hang a right and then take a left onto Croome Dale Lane, before another left at the crossroads onto an unnamed lane, which turns into Newlands Lane. Then, head over on Lutton Lane and on to White Gate, which offers stunning views of the local area at its highest points. Continue north until you pick up the A170. There’s a quick stop for a selfie at the famous Mathewsons Auctions house in Thornton Dale, then north again into North Riding Forest Park. If you didn’t already like this…

JOIN THE MCN PIT STOP BREW CREW www.motorcyclenews.com/pit-stop 'Dales wander' DARREN STRINGER Departing from Seaways at 10am for a mystery tour around the dales. We stopped near Scarborough for a bacon sandwich before finishing at the great Bainton Stop. 'Down from the Humber' SIMON LONG Humber Bridge to Rutland with a browse at Chris Walker Kawasaki. We met at Jenny's in Hibaldstow (lovely, but closed), and found another cafe with bikes outside. 'One of the regulars' BRIAN RYDER Back again! I highly recommend this place as the full English is to die for. This is Fawley Farm, Hempland Lane, Privett, Alton GU34 3NU 'Being back never looked so good' ANDREW ROBINSON Bike night Wednesdays are back at Knott End! 'Into the forest' PAUL HYDE A rather pleasant 75 miles this…

'A newfound sportiness' BMW’s F900R has a newfound air of sportiness and is closer to its sporty naked rivals in terms of handling, performance and thrills. The parallel twin may have modest power, but its delivery is smooth, predictable and friendly. Its bulging midrange is its superpower and with less mass to push along, it’s even more effective. Performance is perky and the exhaust bellows at full throttle, but the motor can be too short-revving for spirited riding and lacks sparkle. Higher-spec forks and lighter wheels give a crisper feel for sharper, more reassuring cornering, but it's slower steering than some of its more playful compatriots. THE FACTS £9090 BMW F900R…

What about Triumph? There’s an obvious ‘elephant in the room’ in this test. Or, rather, there isn’t: Triumph? The equally resurgent marque may be Britain’s biggest motorcycle manufacturer (last year selling 100,000+ machines for the first time ever), a retro pioneer (with the original 2001 800 Bonneville) and today have a vast family of mostly classleading ‘Modern Classics’, but none of them match the Royal Enfield or BSA on capacity, performance or price – and maybe one should. Although the newly updated Speed Twin 1200 is acclaimed for its performance, its price starts at £12,495, nearly double that of the two bikes here. At the other extreme there is only the best-selling A2 duo, the £5195 Speed 400 and £5795 Scrambler 400X, which, while matching our bikes on price, don’t…

RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor 4000 miles ON TEST Dainese Smart Air £599.99 'Good value and well thought out' Tested by Carl Stevens for seven months Airbags may seem expensive compared to a standard back protector, but they’re a worthy investment; just think about how much time you’d be taking off work with a broken collarbone or set of ribs, which have more chance of being saved by an airbag. I’ve had my fair share of deployments over the years and they’ve played a huge part in keeping my upper body in one piece, to the point where I rarely ride without one, on both road and track. And they’ve come a long way in the last few years, with the Smart Air from Dainese offering some impressive…

BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician Smooth operator How to change your motorcycle’s clutch plates the easy way 1 Get set for success to avoid mishaps Consult your manual for the precise procedure and to check if any special tools are required. To swap the clutch plates you will require a fresh set of plates, a cover gasket, fresh oil and a new oil filter, a sump plug washer and a new set of clutch springs or diaphragm. First, drain the oil from the engine into a suitable container. BRUCE’S TIPS Remove any panels or fairing sections to gain better access 2 Disconnect the clutch cable If your bike is equipped with a clutch actuating lever on the clutch side, begin by disconnecting the clutch cable at the point where it connects to…

Last weekend brought a sensational start to the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) season as the 24 Heures Motos proved to be a truly dramatic affair. There were no fewer than 202 crashes between Saturday’s 3pm start and Sunday’s chequered flag, with former British Superbike man Jason O’Halloran winning on his first attempt at the 24-hour race. There were records all weekend, not least across Qualifying when YART Yamaha’s Martin Fritz seized pole. He was joined in the race team by regular Karel Hanika, fourth rider Robin Mulhauser and O’Halloran who replaced the retired Nicolo Canepa, who’s now in a management role. Weather was a key factor, with numerous showers; the YART bike was an early faller with Fritz onboard. Reigning Champions, Yoshimura SERT with their Suzuki, had a crash-strewn…

Clive Padgett’s Milenco-backed Honda squad is one of road racing’s leading teams having fielded an illustrious list of star names including legends such as Mike Hailwood, Phil Read, Steve Hislop, Dave Leach, Jim Moodie, John McGuinness and Bruce Anstey. Padgett follows a strict code with regard to the recruitment of riders who will be taking on the risks of road racing and the Isle of Man TT in particular. He said: “I always wait until the rider approaches me about racing the Mountain course. To hear them say they want to head off down Bray Hill. That way I know they have weighed everything up themselves and have made their own choice.” ‘He wants to learn and build for the future’ That has been his modus operandi with his latest…

'Shovelling £20 notes on a fire' I was at Donington for the test and it seems that everyone is late, even though the championship is starting late this year. It looked to me that everyone was still dashing around and things aren’t finished, There were unpainted bikes and staff not in team gear. But while nobody actually seems to be ready, they will be when it comes to it because the teams and mechanics will work round the clock if they have to. That’s what these team managers, crew chiefs and mechanics are prepared to do. It can be such a selfish sport at times, but when it all comes together it’s the best thing in the world. The amount of aggro and divorces motorbike racing has caused, you might…

MCN, Bike, and RiDE are on the lookout for a new Content Lead. Based at our Peterborough HQ (with home working), you’ll be expected to produce road tests, as well as news and product reviews, plus engaging video content. You’ll need sharp bike-handling skills, a way with words, and the ability to create and develop content. Apply at jobs.bauermedia.com by April 27 if you’ve got what it takes. Globetrotting on a 'Glide A pair of Harley-riding adventurers will be attending Warr’s Harley-Davidson in London on June 19 to share stories from their travels. Paul and Françoise Nuttall are the globetrotters in question, who, aboard a 2009 FLHT Electra Glide, covered thousands of miles across continents, overcoming heart surgery and visa issues in the process. Tickets are free. Visit eventbrite.co.uk to…

SAVE £9155 £16,495 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX Kawasaki’s big, blown super-cruiser seamlessly combines mind-boggling amounts of effortless grunt with all-day comfort. Despite its weight, the H2 SX handles willingly. It may not have the poise or precision of a superbike but pick a line through a bend and the beefy Kawasaki will plough through it with uncanny stability. www.wheelsmotorcycles.co.uk SAVE £2351 £12,499 Moto Guzzi Stelvio Characterful, comfortable and composed – the Stelvio is very classy indeed. If you fancy an adventure bike that goes against the grain, this is it. www.thepotteries.co.uk • Engine 1042cc • Power 113bhp • Weight 246kg • Seat height 830mm SAVE £2152 £7698 Aprilia Tuono 660 Combining sweet handling with plenty of go, the mid-sized Tuono is more than enough for almost any riding scenario. wheelsmotorcycles.co.uk…

'CE? What about Brexit?' The UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark was a post-Brexit scheme, introduced in 2021 as the UK’s replacement for the EU’s CE mark. It was intended to ensure products met British regulations for safety and performance. After delays in its implementation, uncertainty, and industry pushback, however, the UK Government has effectively abandoned the mandatory transition to UKCA. For motorcycle clothing, the process was confined to filling out a separate form. The same European standards were being used for CE marking, making it a case of ‘test once to certify twice’, so additional costs were limited to a few hundred pounds for a UKCA certificate. Other industries faced greater problems, however, including lack of UK testing facilities and certification bodies, causing delays and bottlenecks. In response, the Government…

Q ‘Deer accident proves costly’ I had an accident last August when I hit a deer that ran out of hedges on side of the road. My injuries were pretty nasty but I have now fully recovered. I have noticed that since my accident someone has been cutting the hedges regularly, keeping them low, and there is now a warning sign with a stag on it at the side of the road. I don’t know who owns the hedges but do you think I have any grounds for a claim? Grant Stevens, email A I think you will have problems establishing liability against the council or highways authority for your accident. If you could prove that the deer belonged to a private farm, as opposed to a wild animal, then…

I’ve been quite busy since my last column, juggling some TV work alongside the Norton Nemesis restoration, but it hasn’t all been smooth sailing aside from that. Last week, I went out for what was going to be a nice, easy ride and experienced an engine failure, which was less than ideal. It all started when I headed out to the shed to take my 1975 Kawasaki S3 500 twin for a spin. I turned the fuel on and went to kick it over, but it felt stiffer than usual. After removing the spark plugs and kicking it again, fuel shot out of the left cylinder. I later discovered that the fuel tap had been leaking internally over the winter, even though there was no visible mess or leakage on…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers Lewis Sharman and Tara McCusker The ride Touring Cambodia How long do you need? We went for 17 days and we only had a 5kg backpack each as luggage (we had laundry done halfway through the trip). Tell us about the trip We flew into Phnom Penh, and the next day collected the scooter. We rented from a local shop called Victory Motorcycle Rental, as I had heard the bikes were of good quality and they were foreigner-friendly. It’s a bit disconcerting though that rental places in Cambodia keep your passport during the loan period to ensure you bring the bike back. We left Phnom Penh the day after to travel south to Kampot. This was a nice easy part of the journey to…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday April 23 BIKE MEETS ■ Huggys, Mallory Park, Leics. 10am huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ Sycamore Cafe, Great Billing, Northants 4pm9pm www.facebook.com/SycamoreForestCatering ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ Wheels Cafe, Old George Inn, Sykehouse, South Yorkshire 5.30pm-8.30pm enquiries@oldgeorgeinnsykehouse.co.uk ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Flints 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 ■ Loomies, West Meon, Hants. www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ The Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey. From 10.30am-1pm Facebook: Pathfinder Cafe RIDEOUT ■ Burgess Hill & DMC, Station Road Car Park, Burgess Hill, Sussex 7pm-7.30pm burgesshillmc.com RIDING SCHOOL ■ Sweet Lamb, Pant Mawr, Powys www.sweetlambmotorsportcomplex.co.uk SPEEDWAY ■ Poole Pirates, Dorset 7.30pm www.poole-speedway.com ■ Oxford, Oxford Stadium, Cowley, 6pm www.oxfordspeedway.club TRIAL ■ Bradford & DMC Ltd, Manor House Farm, Glusburn, North Yorks www.bradfordtrails.com Thursday…

'Worthy of the name' Aprilia’s Tuono 457 is worthy of its thunderous name. It exudes the sportiness of its RS457 sibling with strong power, a growling exhaust note, sharp handling and strong brakes. But with its straight bars and upright riding position it’ll be just as happy pottering around town as harassing apexes on a country road, although the ride is firm and its standard tyres could easily be improved. That mix of sparkling performance and practicality is exactly what’s made its V4 sibling an MCN favourite since the dawn of time. It might not have the V4’s appetite for wheelies, but it still has the Tuono spirit. THE FACTS £6130 Aprilia Tuono 457…

THE MCN TEST • THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK £6499 (£6599 in blue, £6799 in chrome) Royal Enfield Classic 650 • 647.9cc air-cooled twin SOHC 4v • 46bhp @ 7250rpm • 243kg (wet, 90% fuel) £5799 BSA Gold Star • 652cc liquid-cooled single, DOHC 4v • 45bhp @ 6500rpm • 213kg (wet) Royal Enfield are on a roll. Following their new 650 twins in 2018, 350cc singles (from 2021) and liquidcooled Himalayan 450 last year, the resurgent Indian marque have been improving their retros with this Classic 650 the most recent. Based on existing twin mechanicals but with 1950s inspiration and style, improved build quality yet a still very tempting circa £6500 price, the Classic has all the ingredients to be the best mid-range retro yet. But there’s one…

'A clear Star of the show' The Classic shows how far Royal Enfield have come. Their first 650 twins, the roadster Interceptor and café racer Continental GT, launched 2018, were good but a bit basic. The Classic changes that. While the powertrain is little changed, its styling is more comprehensive and convincing; its switchgear, bar grips, clocks and handlebar clamp are mouth-wateringly classy, and its chrome and paint are deeper. In short, the Enfield’s a gorgeous lump that gets the heritage/ modern balance just right; is a fine, refined performer and is great value. If you like the style, it’s the best current retro of all and you won’t be disappointed. But the BSA remains on top – just. Although it can’t match the Classic’s quality, it’s still credibly authentic;…

MCN’s website has expert opinion and buying advice on hundreds of used bikes, regularly updated and packed with insight. Here are three of the latest – visit motorcyclenews.com for dozens more. 1998-2003 Yamaha YZF-R6 Owners’ rating The original R6 is less rev-happy and great fun to ride. Electrical issues (reg/recs and more) seem to be the blight of older bikes, so check all is well. And watch out for gummed-up carbs! 2000-2002 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Owners’ rating The Ninja went 636cc in 2002, making this the best of the older-style Ninja models. Owners rate the reliability but criticise its lack of equipment -this model still has a fuel tap! 2003-2006 Honda CBR600RR Owners’ rating The first RR model (it gained inverted forks and radial brakes in 2005) was a game-changer…

Spraying WD-40 on your brakes is bound to lead to a slippery situation, which is exactly the fix one rider found himself in after dousing his Mutt 125 in the stuff. At least it wasn’t about to go rusty. The owner carried out his brake lubrication procedure after his retro-styled ride had become hard to move around, hoping it would not only free off his chain – which had become a matted mess of seized links – but also his binding brakes, with pads that had worn down well beyond their service level. Needing help, the rider turned up at the door of Ryan Burgin of Hashtag Mechanic. “The owner said it was stiff to move so sprayed all its moving parts with a can or two of WD-40, including the…

Getting set for MotoGP’s first Euro round of 2025 MotoGP hits Europe for the first time in 2025 this weekend with Marc Marquez hoping Jerez can be his happy place once again. A crash at turn three in 2020 and an ill-advised hasty return threatened to bring a premature end to the 32-year-old’s career. But the Spaniard heads to home turf looking untouchable on a factory Ducati, with huge pressure on Pecco Bagnaia to reign in Spain again and claim his fourth successive win at the track. Rewind to 2024 SPRINT 1 Martin 2 Acosta 3 Pedrosa RACE 1 Bagnaia 2 M Marquez 3 Bezzecchi Last year’s Sprint was utter chaos with nine riders failing to finish, five being busted with an eightsecond time penalty for front tyre pressure infringements…

Reporting direct from the Donington test Tommy Bridewell left Donington Park frustrated after a tough couple of days in the Honda Racing garage. The 2023 champion ended up outside the top 10 on the timesheets after struggling to find that all-important feeling on his Fireblade. It follows the Navarra Test where although he was fast on the timesheets, Bridewell wasn’t overly happy with the bike. “We’re working in a direction that is very much in line with what they’re using in World Superbike and the development team,” Bridewell explained to MCN. “I’ve been keen to stick to that, but right now, I’m not getting the feeling or feedback from the bike. “I’m struggling to understand where I can make the lap-time. I can’t tell you whether it’s on entry, mid-corner…

2023 MCN Young Rider of the Year Ethan Sparks made an instant impact on his maiden British Talent Cup outing. Riding for the Kovara Projects RS Racing team, Sparks ended his test second overall, +0.204s behind pacesetter Filip Surowiak. Across the two days, Sparks finished second in both wet and dry sessions, whilst he topped the session which ran in mixed conditions. It was Sparks’ first visit to Donington having spent the last few years racing in Europe. Sparks will also compete in the European Talent Cup this season, which begins at Estoril on May 4.…