Table of contents for 25 June 2025 in MCN

‘These bikes are the pinnacle of the class’ JON URRY, P 37 BIG TEST The naked factor The sub-litre performance naked sector houses some of the finest machinery that money can buy for their sheer fun factor, ease of use for faster riding, and their value for money, too. But with so many impressive offerings from a range of manufacturers, which bike truly is the ultimate B-road blaster for all occasions? This week, we pitch Ducati’s all-new Streetfighter V2 S against its closest rivals, and the current heroes in the class. Check out our big test to see how it stacks up on the road against Yamaha’s wild MT-09 SP and Triumph’s gloriously refined and much-loved Street Triple 765 RS. PAGE 37 FIRST RIDE The grown-up roadster BMW have finally…

Indian Motorcycle and MCN have teamed up to offer a pair of Gold Standing Tickets to the historic final-ever Black Sabbath gig – where Ozzy Osbourne will perform a short solo set before joining the rest of Black Sabbath for his final bow. It’s a chance to be part of this final amazing chapter of rock history and to say you were there for the ‘Back to the Beginning’ gig. It’ll be the first time in 20 years that Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath will play together with the original lineup of Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. The tickets are best in the venue, giving the winners access to the front section, in prime position right by the stage – the ultimate way to soak up the…

It was a double win for road safety and crime reduction at this year’s Isle of Man TT, with Merseyside Police confirming a sharp drop in motorcycle thefts – and the event recording zero rider fatalities for the second year running. More than 6000 motorcyclists passed through Liverpool en route to the island between May 26 and June 7, many stopping overnight before crossing. Just two thefts were reported – both in Anfield – compared with 11 across the city in 2024. ‘Riders gave us really positive feedback’ Operation Needle, Merseyside Police’s targeted anti-theft campaign, extended this year into Anfield and Kirkdale. It involved coordination with councils, hotel groups, port authorities and the Isle of Man Constabulary to help protect visiting riders and bikes. Sergeant Craig Winstanley said: “From speaking…

● Dudley almost wins fairy tale TT ● Superbike prices rise ● Ivan Mauger retains British title Although speedway hogged the front page this week in 1971, as a triumphant Ivan Mauger is pictured in full flow-and full colour - on his Jawa as he took the second of his four British titles in front of 13,500 fans at Coventry, it was the TT that was causing a stir. Still a round of the GP world championships, and indeed one of the calendar’s most prestigious, 1971’s races had been won by Chas Mortimer (125cc), Phil Read (250cc), Tony Jefferies (350cc) and Giacomo Agostini (500cc), as well as Schauzu/Kalauch (sidecar). However, disquiet had already started rumbling regarding the Mountain Course’s suitability as a GP round, with reigning champ Agostini making the…

‘Help us fight the fakes’ Three weeks ago, in MCN, I urged you all to back an online petition I launched in an attempt to expose rogue motorcycle gear sellers. I want to keep riders safe and am calling for checks on all individual packages from the countries known to be the main sources of unsafe products, as well as making sure those parcels that arrive meet the correct standards before going to the consumer. If they are, they can be released to the customer, and if they aren’t they must be destroyed. At the time, we were halfway to the 10,000-signature goal and you delivered-in style! In the days that followed, more than a thousand signatures flooded in, matching the early surge when the petition launched in MCN on…

‘CCM a victim of changing trends’ I felt a bit sad when I saw that CCM were being put into administration, but to be honest I wasn’t overly surprised. I’m not bashing British industry but CCM’s model range was the victim of changing fashions and I’ve always felt had a limited lifespan. All was good when the economy was strong and riders were prepared to blow cash on hand-built bikes such as the Spitfire that were impractical but beautiful to look at (and not great to ride…). But once the financial pinch was felt, this market dried up faster than a watering hole in the Serengeti. In fact, back in August last year I pointed out how many Spitfire models were up for sale in the used market at very…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com THE WORLD’S WARMEST BASELAYER® www.zerofit.co.uk Not exactly my first bike but the first time sitting on one with my sister. Taken around 1953/4. Russ Berry My first bike was this Honda SS50 circa 1974. I am currently riding a Street Triple 675R. Mike Hayward My daughter on her VFR750 and I am there on my NC750. This pic was taken in Spain. Les Jones Me picking up my first bike, a CB500X. Quietly nervous for the 350-mile ride home. Duncan Orr Here’s my best mate Steve Ridley aged 19 on his first proper bike, a Suzuki GT550 in 1985. Paul Roberts My first big bike was this GPZ900—wearing the obligatory white socks and jeans. Think it’s 1982 or 1983. Dennis Leak Tripping through…

What’s happening? A jam-packed event full of adventure biking stories, music and most importantly, adventure trails is back this weekend. Manufacturers will be there with the latest test rides and there will be speakers on all day along with entertainment, stalls and plenty more that’s sure to keep you busy all the way through. The essentials Tickets will sell out so make sure you get online to book your weekend pass, it’s £179, but if you’re too late, there area limited number of day tickets available too for £79. The event is held at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire (B49 5NJ) and there is plenty of room for parking. If you’re going by car, make sure to buy a pass. Head to www.abrfestival.com for information…

THE MCN TEST ● THE HOTTEST BIKES ● EVERY WEEK £11,795 (plus £200 for colour options) Triumph Street Triple 765 RS ● 765cc liquid-cooled inline triple DOHC 12v ● 128.2bhp @ 12,000rpm ● 188kg wet weight £11,810 Yamaha MT-09 SP ● 890cc liquid-cooled inline triple, DOHC 12v ● 117.3bhp @ 10,000rpm ● 194kg wet weight £16,166 Ducati Streetfighter V2 S ● 890cc liquid-cooled V-twin, DOHC 8v ● 118.3bhp @ 10,750rpm ● 178kg dry weight Am I alone in thinking that super-nakeds have become maybe a little too… super? Look at the current crop, most top-spec models produce power figures that are within touching distance (or even exceeding) 200bhp. Let’s just put our sensible heads on for a second – do you really need this much power in a naked? It…

‘All about having fun’ High-spec middleweight nakeds deliver not only great value but also ‘real world’ performance, cutting-edge tech, eye-catching bling and sporty handling that devours B-roads with glee. But the thing that makes them so popular is the sheer fun-factor each ride brings, which is the issue with the Streetfighter V2 S – it’s not that much fun to ride due to its demanding nature. It is also the most expensive here. Where the Triumph Street Triple RS instantly feels reassuring and allows you to grow in confidence as the pace ups and the Yamaha MT-09 SP guarantees grins, the Ducati is just a bit too serious and stiff. Maybe it’s not that suited to the UK’s bumpy B-roads but you don’t get on the V2 S and start…

RATINGS Exceptional Verygood Good Average Poor ● Ease of use assessed ● Design, construction and durability rated ● Waterproofing tested during hundreds of road miles 9500 miles ON TEST Oxford Atlas B-30 BackPack and T-10 Tour Pack £149.99/£79.99 ‘Luggage for a lifetime’ Tested by Justin Hayzelden for one year/9500 miles Oxford released the Atlas range well over a year ago now, and I’ve had the B-30 BackPack almost as long, using it day-in-day out as my go-to laptop and lunch lugger for the commute. Teamed up with a pair of T-10 Tour Packs, it’s also formed the core of a touring setup which has graced the back end of several machines, ranging from a tiny Honda ST125 Dax to my classic Yamaha TRX850 and Harley’s adventure bike, the CVO Pan…

BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician Trackday ready… Ten easy steps to getting your machine set for fun on a circuit BRUCE’S TIPS Ensure the lever guard is fitted and adjusted correctly so it doesn’t touch the lever 1 Fit a lever guard You’ll have seen them in racing and now a front brake lever guard is a requirement for trackdays at most UK and European circuits. There’s a host of realty cheap options available but steer clear, as they might not be strong enough or fit correctly. A decent lever guard will feel robust and strong, you don’t want it breaking or falling off on track. 2 Add crash protection Engine case covers are a perfect solution to help protect the engine if you are unfortunate enough to tip off. Not only…

Breaks down the huge braking forces in MotoGP 1 San Donato (Turn 1) The most intense braking experience at Mugello – as riders brake hard after hitting record-breaking speeds of 225-227mph. Being in a slipstream adds extra risk as the riders are sucked into the corner even quicker. Add in a slight kink and it’s quite the challenge. Bagnaia “It’s intense. You arrive from a long straight, and then there’s a crest, and then when you start to brake, you need to first go to the left and then start going right. “It’s critical for us. It’s the only corner at Mugello where I use all the power that I have to stop the bike. "The first time you go there it’s very narrow when you start braking, so you…

Discussing the winners and losers from the Italian GP TOP STORY WINNERS Marc Marquez Obviously. For the fifth time this year and the 93rd time in his career. A significant number for a significant victory, in the lair of the man who was originally expected to be his main title rival. Marquez arrived at Mugello “expecting to defend”. He had struggled there in the past, and his initially expected title rival – Ducati teammate Pecco Bagnaia – was at home and fresh from a revival at Aragon. He left having humbled the fans’ favourite and three-time Mugello winner, and extended his points advantage over Bagnaia to 110, passing the century. As importantly, in Valentino Rossi’s heartland, he had cemented his status with Ducati where Rossi had failed. Marc didn’t originate…

Dave Myers and long-time friend Si King have been household names for almost two decades now, having fronted more than 30 BBC cooking and travel shows together. Combining a shared passion for food and motorcycles, the pair became one of the most recognisable presenting duos on British TV. Their debut show, The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook, aired in 2006, with further titles including Meals on Wheels, Best of British, and The Hairy Dieters – the latter helping the duo document their weight loss journey. Far from being born for the big time, both came from humble beginnings. Dave, who originally trained as a prosthetics make-up artist, and Si, a former locations manager, met behind the scenes on a TV drama set in 1995. A shared interest in cooking and motorcycles led…

Oxford Rockland £159.99 Get suited up for an adventure Exploring the roads less travelled can lead to all kinds of unexpected discoveries, from amazing new rides to fascinating out-of-the-way places and fabulous vistas that a straightforward route would have otherwise avoided. Adventure touring is some of the most fun you can have on a bike, plus it doesn’t have to stop when you run out of tarmac, It’s important then to wear clothing that can handle the conditions, both in terms of terrain and weather, so this week we’ve picked a bundle of versatile jackets that can be adapted for the journey as necessary. Matching trousers are available for all bar one, so you can get suited up too. Oxford’s Rockland seen here has a three-layer system with separate removable…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews Couples that bike together… We took the ferry from Hull to Rotterdam, stayed at Bremen then sailed from Kiel to Oslo, We then stayed at Flam, Geiranger, Kristiansund, Lillehammer and Oslo - ferry back then to Kiel and three nights in Potsdam celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. My wife Nic has been my pillion and amazing partner for all of that time and we love nothing more than travelling together. Here is the map we have of our bike travels on the garage wall over the last 15 years. Still plenty more to do! Kev Meers, email With the summer very much upon us, Zerofit are now offering the winner of the weekly MCN Star Letter one of their fabulous Cold Skin baselayers, worth £55! Independently…

Last weekend I took part in the Longest Day Challenge for Cancer Research UK. It’s a ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats on the longest day of the year - June 21 - using nothing but A-and B-roads, totalling 983 miles. You ride from sunrise to sunset, but you have to use bikes that cost you less than £600 to buy. Although it took place on Sunday, I wrote this just before I went on the trip, so keep an eye on my socials (including YouTube) for updates, and to find where to donate! So far, people have bought old Hondas, Triumphs-all sorts really. Most of them are models from before the year 2000. Everyone is trying to get them up to scratch just to try and make the…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers Doug and John The ride Ireland - Ring of Kerry When to do it We went mid-May and the weather was fantastic. I think it would be bleak in the dark months. I have been told ‘when it rains here, it forgets to stop’. Don’t miss this The Wild Atlantic Coast road and the Healey Pass. The views are outstanding. Tell us about the trip… My best mate John and I had often spoken of a road trip and two years earlier we had visited Athey and the surrounding area and were blown away with the quality of the roads and the friendliness of the locals. That trip was with a car so we knew we had to come back on the bikes. After…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday June 25 BIKE MEETS ■ Chequered Flag Cafe, Darley Moor, Derbyshire 5pm-9pm darleymoorcentre.co.uk/chequered-flag-cafe/ ■ Sycamore Cafe, Great Billing, Northants 4pm 9pm www.facebook.com/SycamoreForestCatering ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, West Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ Seaways, Fridaythorpe, East Yorks 4pm-8pm mike@seawayscafe.co.uk ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Flints 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 ■ Wheels Cafe, Sykehouse, S Yorks 5.30pm-8.30pm enquiries@oldgeorgeinnsykehouse.co.uk ■ Loomies Moto Cafe, West Meon, Hants www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ English Riviera Bike Night, Eastern Esplanade, Paignton, Devon £2 cash only 6pm Facebook: English Riviera Bike Night ■ The Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey From 10.30am-1pm RACING ■ Andreas Racing Association, Isle of Man www.andreasracing.com RALLY The Great Malle Rally, South to North UK…

JOIN THE MCN PIT STOP BREW CREW www.motorcyclenews.com/pit-stop ‘Keep on riding’ IAN HAYWARD A picture from my solo ride around France, Spain and Portugal, 2500 miles so far and I’ve been taking it easy. The Honda CB1100RS is the best bike I’ve ever owned. ‘New pit stop?’ STEPHEN LEE This is Perry’s Plants, Ruswarp, in Whitby. They make a decent cuppa and cake and the café has riverside views for you to enjoy while you are there. ‘Stroll and snacks’ IAN SMITH The Helenium Tea Room at Barnsdale Gardens is a great tea stop. Plus, you can combine a visit with a walk round the gardens, or nearby Rutland Water. ‘Welsh loveliness’ PAUL WEATHERLY Some great, if wet riding in Wales today. Lovely fast sweepers near Bala, magnificent high pass…

‘Huge fun on short rides’ The Caballero Rally has instant charm as well as a feel of real craftsmanship and considered engineering often lacking in some smaller-volume bikes. The change of engine and added tech hasn’t diluted its appeal, and the Rally’s sway towards light trails hasn’t detracted much from its road abilities while answering the calls of owners who want a little more trail ability. Its fairly small motor means it isn’t the most practical of bikes, but it looks great, sounds awesome and is huge fun to ride for shorter blasts, on or off road. Not only that, but at £7199 it is good value for money considering its spec and componentry. THE FACTS £7199 2025 Fantic Caballero 500 Rally…

THE FACTS ‘Yamaha claimed the equivalent of 200bhp per litre’ Having shaken the sportsbike world to its core in 1998 with the YZF-R1, in 1999 Yamaha pulled off a similar trick in the supersport class. The shortest, lightest and most powerful supersport to date, the YZF-R6 arrived bristling with unapologetic aggression and both eyes set on track success. The age of the full-on supersport race rep had dawned and the R6 was leading the charge. Developed in conjunction the R1 and also the R7 (which arrived alongside it in 1999 but was somewhat overshadowed by its smaller-capacity sibling), the R6 fell under the remit of project leader Kunihiko Miwa. Sharing much of the R1’s radical technology, the R6 had a similar no-compromise attitude to lightness and performance and this saw…

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. 2020-CURRENT Kawasaki Ninja650 Owners’ rating The Ninja 650’s parallel-twin motor needs restricting to meet A2 requirements but if you do, it’s a wonderful bike that handles brilliantly. And when you pass your test the restrictor is easily removed, releasing all 67 ponies. 2014-2016 Honda CBR500R Owners’ rating There have been several generations of the parallel-twin middleweight sportsbike. The 2014-16 model has received 12 reviews online and aside from a lack of tech, it performs well with a solid reliability rating. 2011-2016 Aprilia RS4125 Owners’ rating No longer a two-stroke, the RS4 four-stroke single is still a great A1 licence…

Straightforward servicing isn’t just about changing fluids and swapping out consumables – it’s a chance to cast an eye over the whole machine – and in this case, spanner man Stephen Fryatt revealed a ticking time bomb hiding in plain sight when working on a well-used Honda CB600F. “It just came in for a service,” explained Fryatt, who runs Japs Motorcycles. “As part of that, I check around everything and noticed the tyre valves. It’s especially important to check the valves on older bikes because the rubber can perish.” The often-overlooked but critical component had begun to split, potentially leading to a blow-out. “They just perish over time and the rubber breaks down. On some of them, you can literally break them off with your fingers.” It’s not just a…

Pecco Bagnaia sounds like a broken record - and he knows it. The twice MotoGP world champion struggled to fourth place on Sunday, complaining of the same problem that’s haunted him alt year: he can’t attack corners how he used to, because if he does, he loses the front. “Like this, it’s impossible to think about winning the championship,” he said at Mugello. “It’s a shame, but from the first race it’s been like this.” Bagnaia had won the previous two Italian GPs and was desperate to stage a comeback in front of his home crowd to prove his title hopes aren’t finished. During the early stages of Sunday’s race he was able to battle the Marquez brothers, but only because his new front slick masked his problems for a…

The first few laps of MotoGP were really spicy but looked a bit pantomime to me; a bit contrived as we all knew what was going to happen in the end. I think it’s fair to say the baton at Ducati has been handed to Marc Marquez and it was made even worse when Diggia passed Pecco at the end of the race. I think Pecco is a broken man. With Marc winning at Mugello you have to look at the tracks coming up and think he’s going to be unbeatable. I know it’s still mega early, but in everyone’s minds the job is done. Yes, Bagnaia clawed back 90 points to beat Quartararo a few years ago, but this feels different. I think the penny has finally dropped for…

Leon Haslam claimed his 120th BSB podium at Snetterton after an epic battle with Tommy Bridewell and Rory Skinner in race three. The trio provided some brilliant entertainment as they fought for the final podium spot, but Haslam’s involvement came as somewhat of a surprise after a difficult first visit to the Norfolk circuit on his Moto Rapido Racing Ducati. “Honestly, from where we were in the first two races, we were miles away from the podium,” Haslam told MCN. “We’ve climbed a mountain with the changes we’ve made. Throttle connection was one of my biggest issues, figuring out the Ducati in the hotter conditions. It’s been a bit of a hard learning curve this weekend and I’ve not been where I expected to be because every weekend this year…

Four-time WSBK champion Carl Fogarty will be celebrated at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on Friday, July 11 with a special ‘balcony moment’ at Goodwood House. Foggy will ride up the hill on his Ducati 916 and into the house, with the moment used to mark 30 years since his 1995 world title. It will also form part of a larger WSBK celebration, with more than 20 bikes at the event from the era. Classics to go on display in Matlock More than 300 vintage bikes will be displayed as annual Classic Motorcycle Day returns to Crich Tramway Village in Matlock. The July 6 event, backed by the Vincent HRD Owners Club, will see bikes over 25 years old battle it out for trophies including a public-voted ‘Best in Show’.…

SAVE £2200 £19,995 Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro Triumph’s adventure flagship is a superbly plush mile muncher with exquisite road manners and bags of poke to boot. The Rally Pro is also the most dirt-capable big Tiger to date, all without sacrificing any of its excellent touring credentials. This one comes with aluminium panniers and three years of free servicing to sweeten the deal. www.carlrosner.co.uk SAVE £2100 £11,899 KTM 890 Adventure R Top-drawer componentry, excellent ergonomics and rally-bred geometry. It’s the cream of the adventure crop for serious off-road exploits. ironcitymotorcycles.co.uk ●Engine 889cc ● Power104bhp ● Weight 200kg ● Seat height 880mm SAVE £1600 £6996 Triumph Daytona 660 Amid a ‘soft sportsbike’ market dominated by parallel twins, the Daytona 660 injects a little triple-cylinder character into the mix. www.carlrosner.co.uk ●…

Q ‘Can I reduce the penalty?’ I was recently caught speeding on my Ninja. The road had damp patches, but the weather was fine and sunny with little wind. I got caught at 71mph in a 50mph zone. There was very little traffic around and I did not think it was dangerous. I received a letter from the police requesting details of the rider and I confirmed it was me riding. I have now heard back, and they say because of my speed it will go to court. What can I do reduce the penalty? The last points I had were in 2018. Jon F, email ‘Highlight the positives of your case’ A The court will consider aggravating and mitigating factors when deciding on the penalty. Therefore you should highlight…

Check out my YouTube and social pages to keep up to date with the rest of the challenge. There is already a video of me prepping the bike including picking it up, getting it back to the workshop and then stripping the hub and explaining what I’m doing. I had to get to the thermostat which was right in the centre of the engine, for example, but all those bits and bobs will be in there. If you want to donate in support of the challenge, with all proceeds going to Cancer Research UK, you can find it at fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/unite/longest-day-up-2025 and then look for my name, I can’t believe this is the first year I’m doing it, but I’m super excited! What’s better than spending the day, even the longest…

1 June 29 Romney ride-in and bike jumble Romney Marsh ride-in show and bike jumble is back this Sunday. Held at Hamstreet, Kent (TN26 2JD) you can enter your bike for the chance to be crowned best classic or best post-classic machine. Tickets are a fiver from 10am, or £10 from 8am with the event closing at 3.30pm. www.elkpromotions.co.uk 2 June 27-28 Tandragee 100 The largest National Road Racing grid in Northern Ireland is back. Over 150 competitors will take to the public roads in a battle to be the best with plenty of heart-stopping action. Road racing won’t know what’s hit it. tandragee100.co.uk 3 June 27-29 Dragstalgia Visit yesteryear at Santa Pod with a weekend dedicated to bikes, cars, and hot rods from times past. There’ll be sprints, music…

Kingsley Café Kingsley used to be a car showroom before becoming a café with great eats and plenty of bikes outside. Eynsham, Witney OX29 4EF kingsleycafe.co.uk Route 59 café What used to be a petrol station is now a hub for bikers on their way into the Yorkshire Dales. A59, Skipton BD23 6AF Facebook: The official Route 59 café group Route 11 Kitchen This roadside café used to sell bikes alongside its yummy meals and Chinese food evenings. Now it’s a great meeting spot. A11, Attleborough NR17 2PU route11kitchen.co.uk…

‘Clever but overkill?’ For suspension to be truly hard or soft you’d have to change fork and shock springs. Electronic suspension systems get close to giving the same feel, by slowing down the damping or adding preload, but it isn’t quite the same. BMW’s variable spring rate tech gives the same result as changing springs on the move, as well as electronically controlling damping and rear preload. It’s clever stuff that works well and is perhaps overkill on a roadster, but could easily transform a sports tourer or superbike. Elsewhere, the bike has evolved to be quicker, sharper handling, easier to ride and better equipped than ever. THE FACTS £18,640 (as tested) BMW R1300R…

‘Still want to go big?’ If you are after a full-on super-naked, there are lots to choose from – if you are prepared to splash the cash. The highest-spec models and most costly are the Ducati Streetfighter V4 Supreme (£42,176) or Streetfighter V4 SP2 (£31,471), which make the Streetfighter V4 S (£25,171) seem reasonably priced and the Streetfighter V4 (£23,071) a positive bargain! If you are looking at splashing the cash, the BMW M1000R (£19,990) with all the options can also clear £28k. The S1000R (£13,760) with all the boxes ticked is just over £21k. Aprilia’s Tuono V4 1100 comes in factory (£18,950) or standard (£16,350) guises and the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS (£17,495) has an RX sibling (£18,995) which ups its tech level. KTM sell the rip-roaring 1390…

In 1999 the supersport war was in full flow and the R6 was faced with rivals from all of the other Japanese firms. For full-on track ability, Kawasaki had got the jump on everyone with the ZX-6R in 1998, taking honours away from the previous top-dog, the Suzuki GSX-R600 SRAD, and leaving the aging Thundercat and ‘steely’ CBR600F in its wake. But in 1999 Honda hit back with the upgraded CBR600F Sport, which featured an all-new twin-spar aluminium beam frame for the first time, yet still managed to hit the balance between sports and practicality. Arguably the CBR was the R6’s greatest rival in showrooms but on track the GSX-R took the 1999 WSS titie and it wasn’t until 2000 that the R6 conquered all its WSS competition.…

Have you been inspired to head to Vietnam? It’s super easy to do. Rhys and Annie decided to fly and ride, but there’s always the option of shipping your bike over, But for the essentials… Bike hire There are plenty of bike rental places throughout Vietnam, particularly in the main cities of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. Rhys and Annie opted for Ren tabike Vietnam (rentabikevn.com) so they were able to drop off the bikes at a different city. With offices in Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang and Hanoi, it’s easy to be flexible with your trip. Prices are around $20 a day, depending on the season. Essential kit ✔ Weise Scout Jacket and trousers – male and female versions ✔ LS2 Helmet – Explorer Cardon for Rhys, Pioneer 2…

CATCH UP WITH OUR LONGTERM TESTS Go online now: www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn-fleet @michaelguy001 One of my jobs is covering the Isle of Man TT which means an annual trip to the island. I’ve been doing this a while, which means I’ve done the same trip on numerous bikes including a Ducati Multistrada V2, KTM 1290 Super Adventure R and last year’s Suzuki GSX-S1000GX. It’s the same drill: work out the best way to carry a week’s worth of clothes for the unpredictable Isle of Man weather along with my laptop, etc. In the past I’ve had panniers, but this year it was a case of strapping my ten-year-old SW-Motech Dry Bag onto the back of the Kove. Combined with my Alpinestars Rover Multipack rucksack, it meant I had more than enough carrying…

Trackdays and track facilities have come a long way in recent times in the UK, but if you’re able to, you should push the boat out and plan a trip on a European day. Joining one of these events gives you the chance to enjoy some of the most famous tracks – which have the added benefit of being located in beautiful parts of the world including Spa, Misano, Jerez, Mugello, Le Mans… Some trackday companies, such as No Limits, offer a service to ship your kit and organise your hotel too, so it’s nice and simple. Just like any trackday, make sure your bike is properly prepared and another thing to remember for a foreign trip though is insurance; it’s a must to have medical and repatriation cover. The…

Gets a grip on Michelin’s return to World Superbikes Just as it looked as though Pirelli were taking control of all top-level motorsport on two and four wheels, there was a bolt from the blue last week as commercial rights holder Dorna Sports announced that World Superbikes will use Michelin tyres from 2027. With MotoGP going to Pirelli in the same season, it’s effectively a straight swap between the two companies. It was Tuesday last week when the announcement came, French company Michelin becoming the new sole tyre supplier for World Superbike and its support classes. It’s a five-year deal up to and including 2031 - and a partnership that has taken Pirelli by surprise as the Italian film has been WSBK’s sole tyre supplier since 2004. When it was…

Reporting direct from the third round of BSB 2025 ‘As soon as I rode out I felt like I had my bike back’ Tommy Bridewell found a much-needed breakthrough at Snetterton to claim his first podiums of 2025. Bridewell has been struggling since pre-season to get comfortable with the factory Honda, but there were no such problems this time as he was able to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Kyle Ryde, Leon Haslam and Rory Skinner, bagging two thirds as a result. The key? Bridewell’s duties as an HRC Test Team rider. During the five-week break Bridewell took part in tests at Misano and Barcelona, riding Xavi Vierge’s WorldSBK machine at the former. “I realised I actually enjoy racing motorbikes when I feel comfortable on the bike,” Bridewell told…

Glenn Irwin’s title hopes are hanging by a thread after he was hospitalised following a high-side on the exit of Brundle during FP3. In a video from his hospital bed, he said: “I’ve smashed my sacrum [large, triangular bone at the base of the spine], it’s in lots of pieces but they’re all quite close together so it might not need surgery – but with a view to returning to racing sometimes we get treated [differently] so maybe we have a surgery. “I have another fracture in my pelvis, where the hip socket goes into. “Andrew [Irwin] was very close to me, also Rory [Skinner]; when I crashed, they couldn’t see me with the cloud of dust and I’m thankful because it could’ve been so much worse. “I apologise to…

Reporting direct from the third round of BSB 2025 TOP STORY Bradley Ray is on another level in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship after securing a ridiculously comfortable treble at Snetterton. No one could get close to the 2022 champion all weekend – he qualified 0.550s clear of the field and celebrated winning margins of 5.380s, 3.789s and 1.678s. With nearest rival Kyle Ryde bagging two podiums, and Glenn Irwin being ruled out through injury (see p69), Ray is sitting pretty at the top of the mountain with a series lead of 30 points. He’s the first rider to win seven of the opening eight races in the modern era of BSB (1996-on), and the first to record back-to-back treble successes. But Ray isn’t the first rider to dominate the…