Table of contents for 2 July 2025 in MCN

REMEMBERED ‘A quiet hero’ Today marks the 25th anniversary of the passing of Joey Dunlop, and almost all of us can remember where we were and what we were doing when we first heard the news. Despite the passing of a quarter of a century since that day, the love for the Ballymoney road racing hero and quiet humanitarian has not diminished, as was proven by the special Joey 25 event in the Northern Irish town in May. With the dust now settled on that event, Joey’s youngest daughter Joanne speaks to MCN about her father’s legacy and how the love motorcycling has – and continues to have – for her father eases their pain. PAGE 04 THE BIG TEST Miles of smiles BMW’s R1250RT has long been the king…

SAVE £2552 £12,998 Moto Guzzi Stelvio PFF Characterful, comfortable, charming. If you fancy an adventure bike that goes against the grain, here it is. This PFF model gets Guzzi’s Rider Assistance Solution incorporating a 4D radar-based collision prevention platform – with blind spot monitoring, lane-change assist, forward-collision warnings and following cruise control included as standard. www.wheelsmotorcycles.co.uk SAVE £150 £5599 Triumph Scrambler 400 X Already a bargain to begin with, Triumph’s baby Scrambler proved to be one of the market’s bestsellers – and for good reason. triumphmotorcycles.co.uk ● Engine 398cc ● Power 40bhp ● Weight 179kg ● Seat height 835mm SAVE £2000 £18,495 Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer The most adventure-capable big Tiger to date. This one has aluminium panniers and three years of free servicing. blademotorcycles.co.uk ● Engine 1160cc ●…

’Every name will count’ The final five days are here. This Sunday, July 6, the petition to demand action against unsafe motorcycle clothing entering the UK closes – and this is your last chance to send a message to both Government and the rogue traders putting riders at risk. The idea is to keep riders safe, so I would like to see checks on all individual packages from the countries known to be the main sources of unsafe products, and that parcels that arrive meet the correct standards before going to the consumer. Once approved, they can be released to the customer, and if they aren’t up to standards then they must be destroyed. With about 1.4 million regular riders in the UK, some four million licence holders and an…

‘It’s all a matter of chasing your Ego’ With the MotoGP season in full swing, I’m once again left wondering why Ducati get involved with the MotoE Championship. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the closeness of the racing (if not the annoying whine of the bikes) but they took over from Energica as the sole supplier in 2023 and to date the firm hasn’t released any road-going electric bikes. And all the signs are pointing to electric sportsbikes not being where the market is at – buyers of electric bikes opt for cheap commuters as range isn’t an issue in this environment. So what are Ducati playing at? This year the battery pack in the V21L, Ducati’s MotoE racer, has more advanced chemistry in its cells to give higher…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com THE WORLD’S WARMEST BASELAYER® www.zerofit.co.uk My first Triumph Bonneville, a T140V, that I bought aged 18. I’ve always had bikes, sometimes more than one. Martin Butler Bought new in 1987 by my dad from Mick Berrill Motorcycles, Northampton. Started my love of motorcycles. Darren Barnes Not my first bike, but my first Suzuki – purchased earlier this year. Not without its issues, but a nice ride. John Jeffrey My father and I on the day I got my first big bike: a 2006 Harley-Davidson FLHX Street Glide. Mike Fabris I learned on a Z250C but needed a faster bike. Three weeks later I got this to 145km/h, feet on the passenger pegs. James Tumeth Actually my second bike, with a custom spray job.…

THE DETAILS ● Canwick Ave, Lincoln, LN4 2HQ ● Tuesday-Sunday 9.30am-5pm ● internationalbcc.co.uk If you haven’t heard of the InSpire Ride, then check it out on Google and get booked in for next year’s event on May 25. It sees hundreds of bikes descend on the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln, either joining a ride-in or coming in solo for a meet to support the charity and watch a flypast. “The Second World War Bomber Command didn’t have anywhere that commemorated them, yet they had the highest loss rate of any of the armed services. That’s the purpose of this centre,” says Simon Dufton, trustee and director. “It was the brainchild of a gentleman called Tony Worth who is sadly no longer with us. “It’s a wonderful place to…

1 July 6 Smokin’ to Sammy’s place Sammy Miller’s Museum is hosting a day dedicated to two-strokes this weekend. If you own a stroker, head to the courtyard from 10am. Museum admission is discounted and all the shops and café will be open. There is an opportunity to win prizes, too. www.sammymiller.co.uk 2 July 6 Motorcycle Day Brooklands Museum is always filled with motoring delights, but this weekend it is dedicating an entire day to motorcycles. Bikes from every era will descend on the Surrey museum, and the Test Hill will be overloaded with pre-war race bikes. Tickets start from £24, which includes museum access. brooklandsmuseum.com 3 July 6 Classic Motorcycle Day The Vincent HRD Owners Club is working with Crich Tramway Village for their Classic Motorcycle Day. More than…

FIRST RIDE Yamaha’s European-designed and built Tracer 7 and Tracer 7 GT remain modestly powered, but at last handle as well as they should thanks to suspension updates, a more rigid frame, longer swingarm, and better brakes. Proven for more than a decade and by 400,000 sales, the venerable CP2 parallel-twin motor gets a makeover too, with its fly-by-wire control permitting the inclusion of three rider modes and cruise control. The styling has also been sharpened, and comfort boosted by taller, wider bars and a plusher seat. We tested both in Portugal to see if there’s anything not to like. 1 Improved chassis Stiffer upside-down forks and single shock from KYB offer significantly superior control and composure. Now you can take full advantage of the stronger, more rigid steel-tubed frame,…

‘Effortless – but hot…’ Alison Silcox MCN Office Manager Height 5ft 10in “Thanks to its low seat height, getting on the back of the RT involves minimal effort. Once there the seat is extremely forgiving and everything works ergonomically – the grab handles are well positioned and the panniers provide a nice bit of extra security as you can grip them with the back of your legs. “On motorways the ride is effortless – but hot. The fairing is so effective I found myself getting overheated on the back in the pocket of still air. I’d be a bit worried about touring a hot country due to this and I would certainly need to get off and cool down before the tank range or physical comfort levels stopped play. “Away…

RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor 3 months ON TEST Oset TXP-20 £3695 ‘It’s serious playtime!’ Tested by Emma Franklin for three months Over the past 19 years, Oset has become a byword for kids’ electric bikes and for good reason; the British firm’s first models combined excellent usability, high quality and accessible fun. Launched in 2023, the TXP range boasts upgrades to every component from the brushless DC motor, battery, steel tubular chassis and more. Plus, the name ‘TXP’ indicates a new direction for the range – Trials Xplore Play – meaning it can be used as both a pukka trials bike as well as a more traditional off-roader for exploring trails or doing tricks in the garden. My son Angus, eight, has been using the 1400W TXP-20…

BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician Aural satisfaction Boost your bike’s tone and aesthetics with a sexy road-legal system BRUCE’S TIPS Top brands’ fitting instructions include how to remove your bike’s stock silencer 1 Time to take stock An aftermarket exhaust system is the number one way to improve the looks and tone of your motorcycle, and save a few kilograms too. A system comprises of the exhaust can, mid pipe and headers. Once you have selected the right one for you, open the box and check the list of parts against what’s inside before you start removing any components from your bike. BRUCE’S TIPS Before removing bodywork, find a safe place to lay it – on an old blanket is ideal 2 Access the important areas Next you’ll need to gain access…

Roads photojournalist writes for MCN as the 100 race returns ‘Once I got the gap it was time to calm down again’ The Tandragee 100 road races returned to the calendar last weekend after a three-year absence, with Michael Dunlop dominating proceedings around the 5.34-mile course as he laid down a new outright lap record on his way to winning both Superbike races on his MD Racing BMW M1000RR. But the 33-times TT winner, who hadn’t raced at the County Armagh venue since 2013, had to battle every inch of the way for his wins with Michael Sweeney and lost out on Supersport success to Mike Browne after hitting mechanical problems during qualifying. The late Dan Kneen’s 109.609mph outright lap record had stood since 2018 before Dunlop and Sweeney went…

Reviews MotoGP’s pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Speed Marc Marquez’s third successive double win at Assen – and his sixth of the season – was more than ever a masterclass over three days that took him from the gravel trap twice to the top step of the podium twice. At a less-than-favourite circuit, battered and bruised – and with rivals clearly faster at crucial parts of the classic Assen track – he was still unbeatable. Seldom in both races did Marquez have a cushion of more than two or three tenths. Every pit signal read “plus zero”. He was under constant threat. And he wasn’t even fast. On Sunday, he set only the fourth-fastest lap time. Pecco Bagnaia (first) Marco Bezzecchi (second) and Pedro Acosta (third), were all faster. Experience…

Despite the huge impact he had on the sport, there was a lot more to Joey Dunlop than simply racing motorcycles. Touched by the plight of children who had been abandoned in orphanages in eastern Europe following the collapse of the Iron Curtain, he set off on a series of solitary mercy missions. Travelling thousands of miles alone in his race van, he delivered much-needed supplies to the suffering children – an action that would eventually see this man of the people honoured with an OBE from the Queen in 1996 – having received an MBE 10 years earlier. “He was always very passionate about children,” his daughter Joanne recalled. “This is where I think he knew he could use his status to help those in need. Travelling out to…

A British motorcycle racing club is looking to attract more riders to two of its more accessible and affordable classes, open to commuter nakeds and older analogue superbikes. NG Road Racing are running a ‘Lightweight Naked Streetbike’ class in 2025, open to both Suzuki Bandit 600s and older Honda CB500s, as well as a ‘Golden Era Superbike’ championship that caters for a range of machinery including pre-injection Japanese four-cylinders machines between 750cc and 900cc. Bikes of both kinds had previously competed with the Formula Prostocks Racing Club, which closed at the end of 2024. The team at NG would now like to see more bikes returning to grids, to provide more exciting racing for those involved. “In racing terms, they’re both relatively cheap. You can buy a Bandit and get…

A record-breaking 17,392 motorcycle fans descended on the 2025 Adventure Bike Rider (ABR) Festival in Warwickshire this past weekend for four packed days of two-wheeled action. The event, which was in its sixth year and ran from June 26-29, has grown into the UK’s biggest celebration of adventure motorcycling – so big, in fact, that there was a specially commissioned bus service to ferry people around it. MCN caught up with ABR Festival founder Alun Davies, who said: “We’ve done what we set out to do, and that’s to give people a fantastic time. “Everybody asks: how big can we get? We’ll reach our limit when people tell us that it was better last year – but I hope we never get to that point. “As long as we continue…

KTM have expanded their UK dealer network with a new showroom in the Channel Islands. The Mansell Collection, which opened in 2012 and began selling bikes in 2020, is now open as an authorised KTM dealer. “Both The Mansell Collection and KTM have racing etched into their DNA. I’m excited to see what we can achieve together not only for the consumer market but within local motorsport, supporting current and new KTM racers,” said CEO Greg Mansell. ‘Look forward to a successful partnership’ The St Helier venue will offer new and used bikes, accessories, parts, clothing, and servicing. “Expanding our presence in the Channel Islands presents an exciting opportunity to engage with a wider community of riders and invite them into the KTM family,” said Managing Director of KTM UK,…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews Commanding Commando Thanks for the five-pager on Norton’s most defining bike. I’m pleased you regard it as the best from 1965-74 – as did readers with its five-on-the-bounce MCN Bike of the Year awards. While Commandos make up most of our 5500 members’ machines, they own every possible Norton since the first: the 1902 Energette (‘ridden’ by Pa Norton’s granddaughter, Judith Morris, at a recent commemoration of 100 years since his death, held at Lodge Hill cemetery, Selly Oak). Since 1959 we have provided support, activities and friendship to Norton owners and enthusiasts. nortonownersclub.org gets us. Peter Scratchard 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!…

Having worked for Honda UK in Chiswick since 1987, Honda moved to a new state-of-the-art premises off junction 5 of the M4, which would also be the new HQ of Honda Motor Europe – UK. I was already working as an R&D development rider (with Honda Research – Germany mainly), so it was great to now be based in the same offices as the central base for all European product development. Every Monday morning there was a directors’ meeting, and on this particular day in January 2010 the President of HME-UK presented the new organisation going forward… and I was part of it. All the Japanese in the Product Planning Division were going back to Japan, and there I was on the organisation chart as the new Head of Product…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers/bikes Matt (1972 Moto Guzzi V7 GT850), Geert (1947 H-D Knucklehead), Lieven (1953 H-D Panhead), John and Alain (both 1976 H-D Shovelheads) The ride/destination France and Belgium on classic cruisers How many miles? 2075 Tell us about the trip As a motorcycle tour veteran I [Matt] have built up a set of stereotypes, but this 10-day, 2075-mile tour of France and Belgium shattered two of them. Firstly, France is a country you ride through to get to more exciting places – not true! Some fabulous back-road routes wind through charming villages and there’s no need to venture as far as the (relatively crowded) Alps or Pyrenees for spectacular, traffic-free riding. This map is very appropriate – Geert did a fantastic job of finding country roads…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday 02 July 2025 BIKE MEETS ■ Sycamore Cafe, Great Billing, Northants 4pm-9pm www.facebook.com/SycamoreForestCatering ■ Barton Bike Night, Town Centre Barton-upon-Humber, North Lincs Facebook: Barton Bike Night ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, West Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ Seaways, Fridaythorpe, E Yorks 4pm-8pm mike@seawayscafe.co.uk ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Mold Flints 6pm-9pm Facebook: The Old Stores Motorbike cafe ■ Wheels Cafe, Sykehouse, South 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 ■ Chequered Flag Bike Night, Liskeard, Cornwall 7pm Facebook: Chequered Flag SW ■ The Pathfinder Cafe,…

JOIN THE MCN PIT STOP BREW CREW www.motorcyclenews.com/pit-stop ‘Proper deal’ JOHN OGDEN This used to be Tri Bites Cafe near Chesterfield; now it’s Raceway Café. It’s a biker café with bike night on Fridays. I always have the mega breakfast – a bargain for £10.50. ‘Love a chippy’ IAIN WILSON If you’re in Sutton on Sea, we recommend Waldo’s Fish and Chips (LN12 2EY). Easy parking (usually), excellent food. Portion sizes cater for all. Bike nights through the season! ‘Father’s day shenanigans’ MARK FELTHAM This was taken on Father’s Day, riding with my son on our Gixxers. We started with a bacon and egg bap at Two Flags Café then rode to Foxton Locks – beautiful weather and day. ‘A bite and a ride’ RICHARD GOSS Lunchtime stop-off at H…

‘I’d happily buy the GT’ The new Tracers represent a vast improvement over previous models, especially from a handling point of view. Whether a modestly powered engine will suit your needs, only you can decide. But it’s fun getting the most from it by riding as swiftly and precisely as you can – a stimulating experience the new chassis happily allows. The jury’s still out on the style, and the irritating indicator switch is something I’ll never be happy with. But they are slow burners I very much warmed to. In fact, I’d happily buy the GT model. THE FACTS £8804 (£10,104) Yamaha Tracer 7 (Tracer 7 GT)…

ON THE DYNO The RT’s engine is all-new yet mirrors the characteristics of the old 1250 motor, just with a sizeable increase in torque throughout the entire rev range. So, while on paper it only gains a genuine 6.7bhp and 5.2lb.ft in peak performance over the outgoing model (tested on the same dyno), with 136.3bhp and 104.8lb.ft it feels far more eager to drive, has better roll-on acceleration and holds lower gears with less effort. In essence, it’s much of the same but a bit better everywhere. PERFORMANCE DATA FUNCTIONALITY AND FEATURES OPTIONS AND EXTRAS Riding Assistant £770 Riding Assistant adds radar-based active cruise control with a braking function, as well as forward collision warning alerts and lane change warning that monitors adjacent carriageways. It’s a very worthwhile safety upgrade.…

@moby_snap Prefers performance to plodders and big days in the saddle – rides all year in all weathers. Getting slapped in the face becomes tiring after a while. Blend it with sporadic ear-boxing and a monotonous drone that reminds me of my old physics teacher, and one can start to feel rather fatigued. The culprit is turbulence, delivered with remorseless accuracy to any position you care to place your head in when atop the Tiger. If the wind is with you, you don’t really notice it; for the majority of miles it’s rather tedious. But not anymore. After 7800-odd miles of suffering Tigger’s screen in anything but silence, I’ve swapped it for a Puig Touring Screen (from pyramidmoto.co.uk). It’s been a revelation. Yes, there’s still tangible airflow – it’s no…

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. 2017-2023 BMW R nineT Pure Owners’ rating Owners tend to rate BMW’s retro roadster highly. Its slightly aggressive attitude isn’t for everyone but reliability is good and owners report the level of finish is impressive. 2005-2016 Moto Guzzi Griso 1200 Owners’ rating The Griso has bags of charm but owners report the ride quality isn’t great, with the suspension and brakes common criticisms. That said, the engine has lots of stomp and it looks great. 2017-2021 Honda CB1100RS Owners’ rating Honda’s sporty roadster gets a near-perfect 4.9/5 overall from the 13 owners who have left reviews. The air-cooled engine…

A tidy Kawasaki Z1000SX nearly met a grim fate when a missing spacer put its rider a heartbeat from disaster – and it was uncovered during what should have been a routine visit to the workshop. “The customer came in for a pair of tyres and a service – he was going away and wanted to make sure everything was tip-top,” said Kevin Hollingsworth, owner of Doncaster Motorcycles. “I noticed that the wheel spindle was loose, and that there was play in the rear wheel – which would usually point to a worn-out bearing. “I took the wheel out, then when I took the sprocket carrier out, the bearing was hanging out. Moving the wheel around with it out of the bike, you could hear it rattling around, which meant…

The Jorge Martin-Aprilia saga descended into all-out war at Assen. Albert Valera, the World Champion’s Personal Manager, was in the paddock, and his public comments led Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta to threaten the Spaniard may not be allowed to ride next year if the issue is not resolved. “Jorge is free of contract for 2026,” said Valera. “He executed the clause he had by contract and we’re just following it. He’s completely open, and available.” The clause in question related to the RS-GP’s performance level six races in to 2025. If not in a certain position in the championship, Martin would be free to leave for 2026. Yet Aprilia argue that the clause should be null and void as the Spaniard wasn’t present to race in those events due to…

Suzuki have confirmed a £7999 price tag for their new DR-Z4S and DR-Z4SM models. First seen at Eicma 2024, both feature a new 398cc single-cylinder motor, a steel twin-spar frame and adjustable electronics. The DR-Z4S gets long-travel KYB suspension and a dirt-focused 18/21in wheel set, while the 4SM supermoto rolls on 17in rims. Both land in dealers late summer. Zero charging out on UK electric tour Zero Motorcycles are giving riders the chance to try their latest electric range at dealerships. The ride-in demo days kick off at Magnet Motos in Berkshire on July 5, followed by Gloucester and Cardiff stops. Riders can sample models like the SR/S, DSR/X and A1-friendly S and DS. Zero’s ‘Go Electric’ promo also continues, offering up to £5000 off selected bikes until July 31.…

● Triumph launch big-hitter 400 models ● Industry fights back on electrification ● We test big bikes for little riders It was all eyes on Triumph this week in 2023, as the British brand dropped two new small-capacity models – the Scrambler 400 X and Speed 400 – built in collaboration with Indian manufacturing powerhouse Bajaj Auto. Whether the Hinckley firm knew it or not at the time, both bikes would become massive standout sellers, with the Speed 400 especially going on to top the sales charts for months on end. Both bikes arrived boasting a new 398cc DOHC single-cylinder engine kicking out 39.5bhp, with Triumph confirming they would be produced in India, Brazil and Thailand – marking Triumph’s most concerted push into the entry-level market to date. Despite their…

Q ‘Can I claim for my physio?’ I was involved in an accident last year on a roundabout. I was on the roundabout when a car entered it without stopping and knocked me off. The driver accepted it was entirely his fault. I had injuries and the surgeon I saw in my claim recommended physiotherapy sessions. I had to take time off work for the treatment, and therefore lost earnings. My lawyer appointed by my insurer says I can’t claim for my loss of earnings, which seems unfair – I wonder if they are mistaken. Surely I can claim for this? Phil Jenkins, email ‘Ask solicitor to explain their reasons’ A You can claim your loss of earnings for attending physiotherapy sessions that have been recommended by a doctor as…

You may recall I was invited to ride a Castrol Honda NSR250 and a Honda RVF750 at the Jersey International Motoring Festival with Leon Haslam, Tom Booth-Amos and John Hackett. Unfortunately, it rained and rained, but we did manage to get a few laps in on the Sunday before heading home. On the Bonhams front, we had a highly successful online sale from June 6-16 with 148 lots, £350,000 in hammer sales, 91 per cent sold by lot and 90 per cent sold by value. This year’s remaining sales are October 11-12 at The Autumn Stafford Sale, and December 5-15 – the Winter Online Sale. Next up is Goodwood Festival of Speed, where I will be working with Bonhams Cars. I will be on site every day from July 8,…

THE UK’S HOTTEST RIDES MCN staffers share their favourite short routes You can’t go far wrong with routes once you’re in the Peak District, and that’s true with this 70-minute loop that takes in twisty back roads and steep switchbacks. Starting in Glossop, brim the tank and head north on the B6105 with an enjoyable ride alongside Torside Reservoir. Turn left to hop onto the A628, not the best bit of the ride but necessary to get you to the A616 and Langsett. Stop at the Bank View Café for cake and a cuppa (and perhaps a diversion by Langsett Reservoir) before continuing on the A616 and turning right onto Mortimer Road. Watch for some sketchy-but-fun switchbacks on Mortimer Road with loads of eye-catching views and twists, and keep following…

Willingham Woods It may be a roadside kiosk, but it’s one like no other. Bikers flock to the lay-by before a ride through the wolds. The Picnic Kiosk, Willingham Wood, Market Rasen, LN8 3RE www.willinghamwoods.com Moto Jo’s Fresh cakes, sandwiches, tea and coffee are some of the best bits you’ll find on the menu at the picturesque Pit Stop of Moto Jo’s. Off Caistor Road, Market Rasen, LN8 3JF www.littlegreendragon.co.uk/motojoscafe Faun Café Housed on a defunct RAF base, Faun Café has become a proper biker Pit Stop with loads of bits and bobs to leer at nearby, too. Caenby Corner Estate, Gibson Road, Hemswell Cliff, Gainsborough DN21 5TL www.facebook.com/fauncafe…

There is no nicer feeling than swinging your leg over an immaculately prepared bike. Sparklingly clean, with perfectly maintained components and a deep lustre to the paintwork. Mint Bike Wash – with a plethora of accolades and a RiDE Best Buy – tells you how good it is. The wash is a high-performance, biodegradable formulation and is ready to use in 1-litre and 5-litre bottles. The 1-litre bottle comes with a foaming trigger which enables good disbursement of the cleaner for easy and gentle removal of dirt and grime. The wash is now readily available in a concentrated solution. Just dilute with water to make the correct strength of Mint Bike Wash, minimising plastic waste and reducing the cost. It is safe on paintwork, metal surfaces, plastics, rubber, and carbon…

THE MCN TEST ● THE HOTTEST BIKES ● EVERY WEEK £21,318 (as tested £25,365) BMW R1300RT LE ● 1300cc liquid-cooled DOHC 8v ShiftCam boxer-twin ● 143bhp @ 7750rpm (136.3bhp @ 7700rpm tested) ● 110lb.ft @ 6500rpm (104.8lb.ft @ 6400rpm tested) ● 281kg kerb (298kg tested) BMW Motorrad’s R&D team have been faced with quite a challenge as they roll out the new 1300 engine throughout their boxer-powered model range. So popular was the 1250 family that these new versions have to be absolutely on the mark or they will face a hefty backlash from disgruntled customers. To much relief in Munich, they nailed the brief with the GS and GS Adventure, but when it comes to the RT their task was made even harder. This class-defining model has comprehensively seen…

‘It was truly incredible’ During my ride back from Exeter to the Peterborough area, there was a defining moment for the R1300RT. I had already enjoyed the twisty and scenic A39 and various other Somerset/Devon routes I know and love, and was impressed by its new-found sporting ability – but it was on the M5 that it blew me away. I was hot, tired and suffering from hay fever, but with 150 miles under my belt I still had more than 100 miles left to slog out. With the adaptive cruise control set, the RT just said ‘don’t worry, I’ve got this’ – and despite me being below par, the RT’s incredible safety assists helped my slightly frazzled brain to concentrate on the important stuff. The seat and screen ensured…

If you’re a fan of racing, you’ll have heard of Shaun Muir – he’s led teams to countless wins and multiple championships across the national and international stage. But before that he was a very competitive rider, getting into racing from a young age. “My dad got me into bikes, when I was about 12 or 13. I quickly got into motocross, as a cousin was racing, and I stayed there until I was about 17 before moving into road racing. I was full gas everywhere at the time, and had a few near misses on RC30s on the road! “I made the jump in 1989 and raced until the mid-1990s when I injured myself riding motocross – I had a serious compound fracture before the knee, and it was…

CATCH UP WITH OUR LONGTERM TESTS Go online now: www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn-fleet @emma1dinger Semi-reformed club racer, enjoys the odd trackday. Hates small fuel tanks. Rain pummels the screen as I take another swipe across the visor with my glove. After what seems like months of dry weather, it’s sod’s law that the heavens open on the two days I’d given myself to head off on a mini adventure. Luckily, it’s not been like this all the time. Hours earlier, I’d been cutting across the North Pennines at dawn, just Ninja and I enjoying the glorious views, with only the odd quad-mounted farmer and sheepdog for company. It’d been a long morning already. A cross-country training run had seen me leave the warmth of my hotel bed before dawn, scramble up Cauldron Snout…

These days, it’s pretty impressive that aftermarket exhaust manufacturers can make a full exhaust system that looks as good as this and is road legal, too. From a fitting point of view, installing this type of system is straightforward thanks to the great build quality and detailed instructions. Plus, road-legal systems like this are ‘fit and forget’ – meaning you don’t have to make any other adjustments to the bike once you’ve installed the pipe. Although, this isn’t the case for non-road legal or race systems, as quite often the bike’s standard air:fuel ratio will be insufficient for the race system’s enhanced airflow and will need to be corrected. This is usually done on a dyno and involves the operator remapping the ECU. Having spoken with MCN’s local specialist, BSD…

Looking forward to BSB’s annual trip to Scotland 1 Skinner versus Ray Bradley Ray has been unstoppable since returning to BSB, winning seven of the eight races held so far. Knockhill could pose his biggest challenge yet, with two years away putting him at a slight disadvantage. But the biggest threat could be Rory Skinner, who has rediscovered his mojo. No one has spun more laps around Knockhill than the Scot, who took his maiden BSB win there last season. Skinner took podiums at Donington and Snetterton, and is establishing himself as a front runner again. For Ray, he’ll just carry on doing what he’s been doing onboard the Raceways Racing Yamaha. And with a 30-point championship lead, he doesn’t need to force the situation. 2 Who’s in for Irwin?…

I can’t believe it’s a quarter of a century since Joey Dunlop died. In that time I’ve spoken a lot about him, so it’s not easy to find something original to say. But I met him in 1986 – I was a kid getting an autograph and he was on his Rothmans Honda, and I told him I’d be standing on the podium with him one day. He looked at me like I had two heads. Then 11 years later, in 1997, I was up on the podium with him and reminded him of that. He said something to me in his thickest Ballymoney accent that I couldn’t understand – and that was it. So, to grow up watching Joey, to ride with him and to stand on the podium…

In the category of “if only”, Fabio Di Giannantonio is this season’s leading player. The third rider with the latest GP25, Diggia’s clear potential has been masked by erratic results. The fifth of six Ducatis overall, he is three points behind supposedly junior team-mate Franco Morbidelli. The 26-year-old Roman undermines himself with average grid positions and difficulty in getting up to speed early on. In Italy, for example, his run to third was from eighth on lap one, but his pace in the final three laps was faster than winner Marc Marquez. At Assen, he dropped from eighth on the grid to 11th. Then in his chase to catch and then pass Morbidelli for sixth, he set erstwhile fastest lap. “I had more potential, but we missed the qualifying lap,…

Bringing you the latest news from the MotoGP paddock Marc Marquez’s Assen success came as no surprise. But the identity of his lead pursuer did – Marco Bezzecchi harried the current title favourite all race long. As the battle of wits between Jorge Martin and Aprilia intensified over the weekend, the Italian took his first double podium since September 2023 and even managed to keep circuit specialist Pecco Bagnaia comfortably behind. So, how did he do it? 1 The RS-GP suits Assen Looking back through recent history, this result wasn’t completely left-field. Bezzecchi counts the TT Circuit Assen among his favourite layouts, scoring a Sprint success and second place here in 2023. Plus, the RS-GP – which scored fourth (2022) and third (2023) places here in the hands of Aleix…

It’s not often these days that MotoGP has three different brands in the podium fight, but that’s what happened at Assen, where Aprilia challenged for the win and KTM for third. So, is Ducati’s dominance finally coming under threat? There are glimmers of hope, with both Aprilia and KTM chipping away at their weak points and inching closer. Both factories face a similar challenge – adapting their bikes to Michelin’s current rear slick tyre, introduced at the start of 2024. That’s right, they’re still trying to get their heads around this super-grippy tyre that throws MotoGP bikes out of balance, with too much grip at the rear and not enough at the front. Aprilia finally seem to be getting there. Marco Bezzecchi has scored his three best results of the…