Table of contents for 9 July 2025 in MCN

‘Inspired by the Yoshimura GS1000…’ NEW SUZUKI RETROS, P4 NEW BIKE NEWS Turn back time We’re big fans of Suzuki’s punchy parallel-twin GSX-8 range, with both the GSX-8R sportsbike and GSX-8S naked having previously scooped MCN Awards. So we’re expecting great things from the latest bikes in the Japanese firm’s middleweight range, retro roadsters the GSX-8T and half-faired GSX-8TT. Both retros share much of the same cycle parts and engine as the GSX-8S so expect performance from the 81.8bhp package to be nigh-on identical as the 8S. But there’s no denying that both the £9599 8T and £9999 8TT make a welcome and much-needed addition to Suzuki’s range. PAGE 04 BIG TEST Inline four goes to war It’s something of the forgotten naked, but Kawasaki have sprinkled some tasty updates…

SAVE £7996 £15,999 Zero SR/S The Zero SR/S may only produce 54bhp continuously, but switch to Sport mode and it unleashes 113bhp and a wild 140lb.ft of torque for a short burst of high-speed fun. Fully faired and far from slow, it’s plush, well-equipped, and offers great weather protection. Just don’t bank on more than 100 miles per charge. www.wheelsmotorcycles.co.uk SAVE £2700 £16,899 KTM 1390 Super Duke R KTM’s 1390 Super Duke R blends supermoto attitude with track-ready pace, yet remains surprisingly refined and unintimidating. ironcitymotorcycles.co.uk ● Engine 1350cc ● Power 187bhp ● Weight 201kg ● Seat height 834mm SAVE £2000 £11,999 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 DE A great choice if you’re after a no-nonsense do it all. Suzuki’s big V-Strom oozes mile-munching comfort, confident handling and rock-solid reliability. suttonmotorcycles.com ●…

CFMoto’s motorcycle range will now be handled in the UK and Ireland by Quadzilla, after the Chinese brand ended their distribution partnership with KTM. Quadzilla have been the ATV sales arm for CFMoto since 2006 and will now add the firm’s two-wheelers to their portfolio. Customers awaiting pre-order delivery of the 450MT will start to see their orders fulfilled from next month, with the rest of the line-up available from September onwards.…

Andy Murphy is sales manager of Bikers Nottingham, the latest dealer opened by MotoGB, the UK’s largest independent motorcycle company which imports not only Voge and Morbidelli, but also Benda, Benelli, FB Mondial, Hero, Keeway, Lambretta, MGB and Sym. The operation now have 13 wholly owned dealers and supply machines to more than 200 others. “I think the growth is down to a couple of things: the price point in what have been trying times, and at the same time the quality has gone up – development is rapid compared to everyone else. “Stigma is less and less of an issue. People are now aware their TV, microwave, mobile phone or even car is from China, and because the car trade is years ahead of bikes, some are already on…

Q ‘How can I make a claim?’ I was riding back from work in Lincoln. There was one lane going in each direction and a 30mph speed limit. In the opposite lane there was a Royal Mail van that had pulled over with its warning lights on. A car went past the van but this guy stepped out from in front of the van. The car tried to avoid him causing me to steer away. I came off and I am pursuing a compensation claim. My insurance company states I can’t claim against the car driver as he did nothing wrong. This seems wrong to me. Richard, email A You are blameless. The fault lies with the car driver and the pedestrian. The pedestrian should not have tried to cross…

I was at Foggy’s 60th which was good. I knew it was going to be a bit messy so I took my little motorhome, parked it in his back field and I took tea and milk with me. It got to about 12.30 and I did the Yorkshire goodbye which is basically when you slope off without saying goodbye to anybody – you don’t say a thing, you just sneak off. I was still getting text messages from him at 3am so it definitely went on a bit. But I had a good do and didn’t make a fool of myself. It was really nice because while there weren’t a load of racing people it was full of all his old mates he used to knock about and ride motocross…

THE UK’S HOTTEST RIDES MCN staffers share their favourite one-hour routes Scotland is beautiful. There are loads of glorious routes to ride and one of my favourites takes you from popular biker café, The Green Welly, north to Fort William. Wind out of Tyndrum and the road opens to splendid scenery. As you climb out of the village, the road is wide and visibility good for overtakes before it drops down to Rannoch Moor. There’s an eeriness as you pass over the moor and the Bridge of Orchy. Climb up and take care as you pass the viewpoint – plenty of sightseers stop off here before heading towards Glencoe. Mountain tops are snowcapped, pretty much year-round, and at times you pass close to rock faces. In Ballachulish turn right over…

Union Road Moto Velo Devon’s countryside just got better with a stop to stay, shop (for both gear and bikes) as well as the option to grab a snack too. 1 Union Rd, Crediton EX17 3AL www.unionroadmotovelo.com Tan Hill Inn Britain’s highest pub is a magnet for bikers planning on taking on the twisty roads of the Yorkshire Dales. Stay from £79. Long Causeway, Richmond DL11 6ED tanhillinn.com Seaways Whether it’s breakfast, glamping, a tent pitch or just somewhere to meet your mates, Seaways is the spot. Fimber Road, Fridaythorpe, Driffield YO25 9RX www.seawayscafe.co.uk…

THE MCN TEST ● THE HOTTEST BIKES ● EVERY WEEK £10,095 (plus £200 for crystal white or Baja orange) Triumph Street Triple 765 R ● 7 65cc liquid - cooled inline-triple DOHC 12v ● 118.4bhp @ 11,500rpm ● 189kg wet weight £10,660 (£10,110 without Y-AMT) Yamaha MT-09 Y-AMT ● 890cc liquid - cooled inline-triple DOHC 12v ● 117.3bhp @ 10,000rpm ● 196kg wet weight £11,525 Kawasaki Z900 SE ● 9 4 8cc liquid - cooled inline-four DOHC 16v ● 122.3bhp @ 9500rpm ● 214kg kerb weight It doesn’t seem that long ago that inline-four engines dominated the middleweight category. In fact, they bossed the whole motorcycle world. The engine layout of choice for the Japanese manufacturers over the last half century – as Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha led the…

‘Lacks that triple zing’ When you ride one, it is hard to understand why the Z900 has tended to stay in the shadows. Maybe it was because Kawasaki failed to arm it with the most modern tech, a wrong they have now righted. Or maybe it was simply down to the fact an inline-four is no longer viewed as the best middleweight engine configuration. Whatever the reason, the new Zed deserves to be considered as an option and the fact it has an inline-four allows it to stand out from the crowds of triples and parallel twins. But is it the best option? Not really. On value, performance and sheer giggles, the MT-09 still leads the way and Y-AMT is excellent if you fancy it as an option. But the…

‘It promised much yet ended up almost bankrupting Bimota’ IN MCN NEXT WEEK… Join us for a world exclusive first test on Bimota’s latest hub-centre offering, the 197bhp Tera adventure bike THE FACTS When it comes to ‘Italian exotica’, there’s none better than Bimota. Founded in Rimini in 1973 by Valerio Bianchi, Giuseppe Morri, and Massimo Tamburini (hence BiMoTa), their first bike, the 1975 HB1, was a frame kit created after Tamburini crashed his Honda CB750 racer. Then, after their first production bike, 1977’s Suzuki GS750-powered SB2, Bimota became famed for exquisite sportsters using Japanese engines. Following a ‘first generation’ of tubular-framed bikes, Tamburini left after falling out with Morri and went to later, greater fame creating the Ducati 916 and MV Agusta F4. ‘Second generation’ Bimota, under new design…

RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor 5000 miles ON TEST Arai RX-7V Evo (Ogura replica) £799.99 ‘I expected more for £800’ Tested by Dan Sutherland for six months Kit brands don’t come much bigger than Arai. The Japanese helmet firm began protecting bikers in the early 1950s and have been responsible for some of the most memorable designs ever seen on a racing grid. One of the things they do best is collaborating with their homegrown racing talent to create stunning replicas for the likes of you and I to own and cherish – something they’ve done here with this Ai Ogura version of their sporty RX-7V Evo. Priced at a considerable £799.99, it’s just one in a long line of Grand Prix tributes, and a design that I’ve…

BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician Never lube again! Fit an automatic oiler and be freed from dull chain maintenance BRUCE’S TIPS Check the Scottoiler website for bike-specific installation guides 1 Lubricate your mind The Scottoiler is an automatic chain lubrication system that eliminates the need for routine manual lubrication of your drive chain. The system automatically meters a precise amount of oil as soon as it detects motion, keeping the chain and sprockets in optimal condition at all times. Before you lift a spanner, familiarise yourself with the instructions. 2 Pile up the parts Once you have a solid understanding of how the system works and the steps involved in installation, lay out all the parts. Familiarise yourself with each element and ensure that you have all the necessary pieces. There are…

MCN spoke with riders and teams in the TT paddock where there were a mix of reactions to the proposed changes. ‘Grids are full, we don’t need a new class… yet’ CLIVE PADGETT “I think the Supertwin class has a place at the NW200 and the TT. The grids are full and there has been a lot of investment in the class so to then tell the 50 to 60 guys that they can’t ride them is wrong. We don’t need a new class yet. If you take the Supersport class it looked like it was tailing off so they introduced the next generation rules, but Supertwins are full so it doesn’t need a re-fresh. “I’m not in charge of the rules and I’m not anti street bike and if…

Going behind the headlines in the BSB paddock 1 A true contender The more riders that are able to challenge for victories each weekend the better. At a time where Bradley Ray has won nine out of 11 races, Glenn Irwin is out injured, and Tommy Bridewell and Honda are having some issues, the series is crying out for riders to challenge Ray. Skinner and Ryde have been doing their best with multiple podiums, but adding Redding into the mix certainly wouldn’t do any harm. Despite being away from BSB since 2020, he’s shown he doesn’t need long to adapt to the bike. Nobody had him down as a title winner in 2019 when he made the shock switch from MotoGP. He soon silenced his critics. Redding finished third in…

Kyle Ryde and Tommy Bridewell both suffered a weekend of ups and downs at Knockhill and have lost yet more ground on Bradley Ray as a result. In the dry race Ryde put up his biggest fight yet against his former teammate, pulling more than one move on the championship leader in an attempt to lead and take control of the race. In the end, Ray had the upper hand, but it was more than encouraging to see the reigning champion in a position to challenge for the most part. ‘Ryde and Bridewell had ups and downs’ Sunday wasn’t so pleasant. Ryde, who has struggled in wet conditions in the past, finished seventh in race two before being forced to start from the back of the grid for the final…

If there’s rain, there’s usually a storm! In British Superbike’s case, Storm Stacey was back at the front as the rain fell hard at Knockhill. It was expected given he usually excels in such conditions, with his one and only BSB win coming in the torrential rain at Snetterton last year. After a strong seventh place on Saturday, Stacey finished fifth in both wet races and was involved in some entertaining battles throughout, especially with AJN Steelstock Kawasaki duo Christian Iddon and Max Cook in the finale. Like Stacey, Iddon is known as a brilliant wet weather rider and at one stage it looked like he would celebrate his first podium on the ZX-10RR. He and teammate Cook almost came to blows as well, but everybody kept their bikes upright…

Going behind the headlines in the BSB paddock TOP STORY ‘We’ve experienced all types of weather’ Impeccable. Untouchable. Sublime. We’re running out of words to describe Bradley Ray this season after yet another dominating weekend at Knockhill. Many thought this could be the venue that could halt his winning streak given its unpredictable weather, quirky layout and local hero Rory Skinner. Ray soon changed that when he took pole on Saturday afternoon. What followed was another demolition job as Ray did the double. In doing so he equalled personal manager, Shakey Byrne’s 22-year record of eight consecutive race wins. It wasn’t quite as straightforward as previous rounds, but what Knockhill did do was showcase further the genius behind Ray’s riding in 2025. This was different to the previous three rounds.…

With the new 800s inspired by past machines including the four-cylinder GS1000, it seems slightly odd that Suzuki didn’t opt to use their GSX-S1000 platform to build a new retro naked. The 999cc liquid-cooled four-cylinder engine can be found across a range of upright and touring models, including the GSX-S1000GX and GT as well as an existing retro Katana that first arrived in 2019. The new retro designs take the 800 twin family in a new direction though, sitting alongside a modern naked, road-friendly sportsbike, and a series of adventure V-Stroms.…

KTM have released further details of their upcoming 2026 690 Enduro R, confirming that dealers will likely see their first units at the start of 2026 as they recover from recent turmoil. The firm teased the revised big-bore trail bike to the public at this year’s Adventure Bike Rider Festival, and despite being tight-lipped about many of the final specs, they did reveal a few extra details. For starters, the single-cylinder LC4 motor has been heavily revised, with approximately 50% of the components new or updated. This has led to a claimed torque increase over the previous model’s 54.2lb.ft, although specific output figures remain under wraps. Elsewhere, KTM have turned their attention to the chassis, which they say now offers “improved feel and rigidity.” Ergonomics, including the bodywork, have also…

A special Arai helmet has been released, marking the 25th anniversary of road racing icon Joey Dunlop’s death. The limitededition RX-7V Evo, exclusive to The Visor Shop, will be kept to 600 individually numbered units and comes with a signed certificate from Joey’s wife, Linda Dunlop. They are priced at £869.99, with visit thevisorshop.com for more info or to order yours. Yamaha revamp off-road range Yamaha have lifted the lid on their off-road line-up for 2026, giving their competition-ready machines a serious update. At the top of the tree, the YZ450F (£9600) gains a new engine with revised intake and exhaust systems, an auto-adjusting hydraulic clutch, and a reworked frame for sharper handling. The two-stroke YZ125 (£7800) now offers smoother power thanks to updated carburation and ignition timing, plus a…

● Dave Thorpe comes out fighting ● Worrying times at Hesketh ● Fast Freddie does it for Honda THORPE RULES Dave Thorpe was the surprise winner at the 500cc MX GP. On a Kawasaki which he’d never ridden before because he’d been laid up for two weeks nursing an injury, he took victory in the first leg in front of a home crowd in Berkshire. “I didn’t know how I’d cope in the race as I was still sore,” he said. “I got a good start behind Graham Noyce, but I didn’t know if he was playing cat and mouse. I went for the lead and he couldn’t close back up.” What next for Hesketh? Founded by Formula 1-loving aristo Lord Hesketh, one of the last hopes of the British…

‘This is the beginning’ The signatures are in, and the petition to ‘Implement a strategy to protect motorcyclists from imports of unsafe clothing’ is now closed. So how did we – the UK biking community – do? The final count after six months was 7154. Not the 10,000 signatures required to secure an official Government response, but it brought fresh publicity to the issue. The petition called for checks on all individual packages from countries known to be the main sources of unsafe products. The riding kit conforming to the right standards could be released to the consumer, with non-conforming items destroyed. The petition alone won’t influence some consumers’ buying habits or persuade rogue vendors – thriving on e-commerce and social media platforms – to clean up their act. This…

‘I clearly can’t be trusted with a 125’ I’ve lost track of the number of model unveilings I’ve been on. That said, a few stand out and not necessarily for the right reasons. I’ve coined the phrase ‘dangerous riding contest’ for when a bunch of journos get a bit too excited on a new model, but it’s not always the fastest or most powerful bikes that prompt the most outlandish behaviour. In fact, quite the opposite. When I rode BMW’s S1000RR World Superbike I was incredibly respectful of the bike’s potential to bite me hard, yet give me a 125 and something clicks and I lose all sense of self-preservation. During the KTM RC125 ride I remember getting embroiled in a slip-streaming contest that made Moto3 look pedestrian. After we…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com THE WORLD’S WARMEST BASELAYER® www.zerofit.co.uk Me on my TY80. Found it on a farm in a shed years later and my dad restored it for my kids Ronnie & Penny. Peter Clements Me on my first bike alongside my dad. It was a Suzuki ER50 and I was aged 13. David Sanders My first race bike – a 900cc Mantis Norton in 1977. I now ride the 650cc BSA Gold Star, which is a gem. John Christensen On my first big bike after passing my test in October 2024, having ridden on and off for 20 years. Donna Umpleby My mum Norrie Umpleby on her bike in the 70s! As the saying goes, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! Donna Umpleby…

THE DETAILS ● Open year round ● 553 Route des Chateaux, 24220 Thenac, Dordogne ● Find out more: www.lechaivilla.com Nestled amongst vineyards, in the heart of the Dordogne, this former wine store has been painstakingly renovated by bikers, Paul and Fi James. It’s the perfect biking retreat; a warm and friendly welcome awaits travellers - particularly those on two wheels. “Biking’s in my blood,” comments Paul. “We were visiting friends and came across this tumble-down property. We took the plunge, sold up lock, stock and barrel in the UK to move here and convert the place into what you see today.” You can book exclusive use of the gite (or cottage in English), which sleeps up to 12 in six ensuite rooms, or smaller parties may opt for bed and…

1 July 10-12 Rock and Bike This year is the festival’s 21st anniversary spectacular, so expect a wild atmosphere, great bands, top food and lots more. Tickets are £70 for the weekend or £35 for the day and if you decide not to arrive by bike, then make sure you add car or caravan parking. rockandbikefestival.com 2 July 12 South Midlands Autojumble The Ross-on-Wye Livestock Centre (HR9 7QQ) is playing host to the South Midlands Autojumble this weekend. Admission is £4 and it’s open to the public from 9am, so get down there and grab a bargain. www.southmidlandsautojumble.com 3 July 12 Ride of Honour To show your support and take part in the Bridlington Armed Forces Day Parade, rock up to Squires Café (LS25 5LX) from 7am to register, as…

What’s happening? As it’s the 65th anniversary of the BMF, the motorcycling organisation are celebrating with a weekend-long event at Mallory Park. There will be motorcycle training bods so even those without a licence can get stuck in, along with Moto Gymkhana, Blood Bikes, clubs and a whole array of motorcycling-related stands. The essentials Gates open at 9am on Saturday and close at 4pm on Sunday. Day tickets are £18 (£15 for members) and weekend tickets are £24 (£20 for members). You can also camp for £15 if you’ve got a tent, or it’s £20 for caravans. The Saturday ride-in show will be dealing out awards including Best of British, Best Custom and Judge’s Favourite, so make sure you have been busy with the old autosol. Head to www.britishmotorcyclists.co.uk for more…

FIRST RIDE Since it first hit dealers back in 2019, Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 has been a serious multi-terrain machine thanks to its friendly middleweight nature in terms of weight and power, its analogue controls, and its ability to traverse dirt and tarmac to an impressive level. With some subtle changes, the standard 2025 Ténéré 700 offers a slight improvement in stance and poise – whether that’s covering miles on tarmac or throwing it around your local green lane. But, if you’re keen to really get going off-road, the Ténéré 700 Rally – with its more hardcore, focused approach, some additional goodies and its higher-specification suspension – is a far more suitable tool both for those new to off-roading and for a seasoned veteran, too. 1 Serious business The higher-specification KYB…

Although not a direct rival to the Tesi, being a £9000 Japanese sports-tourer when the Bimota was a £25,000 Italian superbike, Yamaha’s GTS1000 remains the only other hub-centre-steered bike to enter mass production. Co-developed by James Parker’s RADD Design in California using a detuned FZR1000 EXUP motor, the GTS proved to be a capable, classy sports-tourer, but also a heavy, chain-driven, underpowered and expensive one when buyers preferred Honda’s ST1100 Pan European or BMW’s K1100RS. Yamaha’s new flagship quickly proved a commercial failure. Today, it’s a potential future ‘modern classic’ with good ones still available for around £4000.…

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. 2022-CURRENT CFMoto 800MT Touring Owners’ rating CFMoto’s range deliver on both price and performance. The 800MT is powered by a version of KTM’s parallel twin and its owners reckon it offers handy value for money. 2017-CURRENT Benelli TRK 502 Owners’ rating A surprisingly large number of riders have reviewed Benelli’s Chinese-built middleweight and most seem pleasantly surprised by it. Reliability and build quality are the only slight issues. 2010-2021 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré Owners’ rating The 39 owners who have left reviews all rate theirs highly. There are a few versions, so do your research, but it is well-built…

Electric bikes might cut down on maintenance demands, but they don’t eliminate the need for a spot of spanner twirling altogether – and it the case of this learner-legal electric machine, the neglect had reached dangerous levels. The bike in question was a Chinese-made Artisan Kollter ES1-Pro which, alongside needing some TLC on its front anchors, had never once seen its chain adjusted. Edinburgh-based Mark Standford was called upon to fix the issue, although the bike’s owner didn’t realise just how sketchy things were. “It came in for a front brake pad swap and a quick check of the chain,” he told MCN. “We did manage to adjust it in the end – but it had probably the slackest chain I’ve ever seen.” How slack? “If it wasn’t for the…

Looking ahead to round 11 of the 2025 season 1 Odds are in his favour The stats don’t lie. The Sachsenring, an anticlockwise circuit featuring 10 left corners, is the holy grail for Marc Marquez. Rain or shine, hot or cold, new tarmac or old, he’s been unstoppable at the German circuit. His 2010 125cc victory was followed by back-to-back Moto2 triumphs, with Marquez then winning seven consecutive MotoGP races at the circuit. Even when he wasn’t at 100% in 2021, nobody could get close. This year’s visit comes at a terrible time for the other 21 riders on the grid as MM93 has reached peak form on the Ducati with double victories at Aragon, Mugello and Assen. He’s 68 points clear of brother Alex, who has undergone surgery on…

Going behind the headlines in the BSB paddock BSB ROUND FOUR It’s been some year so far for Scotland’s Rory Skinner and he’s showcasing exactly what he’s able to do when the bad luck and injuries stay away. Aside from Bradley Ray, Skinner has arguably been the most impressive rider in the opening four rounds following TAS Racing’s switch from BMW to Ducati power. The team had been with BMW since 2015, but in reality it was time for a change if they were ever to claim a British Superbike crown. The switch wasn’t supposed to be a straightforward, simple one. After all, the M1000RR and V4 R are very different machines. It takes time to learn how to get the best out of and work on the Ducati. However…

R4 KNOCKHILL BSB CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS 1 RAY 192pts 2 RYDE 140pts 3 SKINNER 122pts 16 McPhee 29pts 17 Redding 19pts 18 Swann 17pts 19 McConnell 11pts 20 Hedger 5pts 21 Hickman 4pts 22 Sikkerlerus 1pts BSB POSITIONS RACE 1 16 Hedger +36.801 17 Swann +38.543 18 Kerr +45.296 19 Todd +1 lap 20 Baker +1 lap DNF Sikkelerus 23 laps, Rollo 20 laps, Davis 8 laps, McConnell 6 laps, Iddon 0 laps BSB POSITIONS RACE 2 16 McPhee +23.906 17 Swann +26.013 18 McConnell +26.741 19 Redding +39.613 20 Rollo +43.895 21 Kerr +1 lap 22 Sikkelerus +1 lap 23 Baker +1 lap 24 Todd +1 lap 25 Davis +1 lap BSB POSITIONS RACE 3 16 Brookes +31.515 17 Sikkelerus +50.074 18 Todd +1 lap DNF Kerr 12 laps, Swann…

Brad is just walking on water at the minute. He’s so confident and so smooth – everything is working a treat. Even when he fell off it was a perfect crash and he just picked it up and rode off. So, if that’s his biggest mistake the others are in trouble. I just can’t see anyone else touching him, he’s just looking too strong. And the fact that he was fast in the wet bodes well for him. He’s showing he can ride any conditions as well as being super fit and super hungry. He’s got a great team and he doesn’t seem to have any weakness. And have you noticed he’s fast in every session, he’s not moaning about anything or making big changes, he’s just getting on with…

Suzuki are turning up the heat this summer with savings of up to £1300 on selected models. The biggest discount comes on the Hayabusa, now available for £17,299. Meanwhile, the adventure-ready GSX-S1000GX is yours for £109 per month with a £2775 deposit – plus £1000 off the list price. Be quick, these offers end on September 30. Visit bikes.suzuki.co.uk for more. Bikes stolen at ABR Festival Thieves targeted this year’s Adventure Bike Rider Festival, making off with five KTMs. Police are appealing for info after the thefts, which involved the following: SP69 XSX (grey 350 EXC-F), RE23 KXD (orange 300 EXC), PV19 RWE (blue/grey/orange 300 EXC), WP19 LMK (500 EXC Six Days), HV18 AFX (orange and white 350 EXC-F). Contact bryn@adventureize.co.uk now. He’s not feeling too Paranoid… A biker from…

THE MCN INVESTIGATION Our reporting team go the extra mile to uncover the facts behind the claims in motorcycling Nearly one third of British bikers say they’re now more likely to buy a Chinese built bike than they were five years ago. That’s the headline from an MCN survey conducted this week to find out if, in the wake of impressive launches such as the Voge DS625X and Morbidelli T1002V, Chinese bikes now have more appeal. Twenty-five years ago, when Chinese bikes were first being imported, they were disparaged for being poor quality copies of obsolete Suzuki and Honda 125s. Two decades on, rapid development, alliances with the likes of BMW, KTM and Honda, plus European design and development centres, have helped transform Chinese bikes with machines like the ‘BMW-engined’…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews ‘Jenny’s on a mission’ Just read Jenny Tinmouth’s column about her Land’s End to John O’Groats mission. Well done! Many years ago, I was part of a team which did that exact route on a moped for a cancer charity. Although we did the trip in around 27 hours, the Guinness Book of Records decided there was insufficient interest in our quest! On a different note, I found my own Honda VFR a very comfortable bike and rode it across Europe, as far as Gibraltar, without ’numb bum’. A brilliant bike and not only happy at 60-70mph, but also at 150 across the plains of Spain! Kev, email With the summer very much upon us, Zerofit are now offering the winner of the weekly MCN Star…

I’m struggling to get my head around what’s happening with Jorge Martin and Aprilia in MotoGP. But one of the things I’ve learned in my time in racing is that a team needs to be happy, otherwise things just don’t work. And that includes everyone in the team getting on. You wouldn’t believe the number of teams I’ve ridden for and teams since where it’s a clash of personalities that scuppers the job and not something like a lack of funding. I’ve seen mechanics and crew chiefs clash, through to team managers falling out with sponsors. And the reason for that is that racing isn’t just business, it’s a sport where you have to deal with emotions and passion. People generally only get involved if they have an interest in…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader Allan Murray The ride Northern Central Highlands, Scotland How many miles? 546 How long? Three days Tell us about the trip… In late April this year, with the weather forecast looking favourable, I decided to get away for a few days on my motorbike to discover new roads in my home country. Trying to minimise any mileage on the NC500, I focused the trip on the Northern Central Highlands and used the Altnaharra Hotel as my base. Given the time was still early afternoon on my arrival at the hotel, I decided to off-load the panniers and continue on the Lairg to Tongue route A836 and head to Tongue on the north coast. All single-track road, the scenery was great, passing close to Loch…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday July 9 BIKE MEETS ■ Sycamore Cafe, Great Billing, Northamptonshire 4pm9pm www.facebook.com/SycamoreForestCatering ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire. From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ Chequered Flag Cafe, Darley Moor, Derbyshire 5pm-9pm darleymoorcentre.co.uk/chequered-flag-cafe/ ■ Seaways, Fridaythorpe, East Yorks 4pm-8pm mike@seawayscafe.co.uk ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, West Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Flints 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 ■ Wheels Cafe, Sykehouse, S Yorks 5.30pm-8.30pm 01405-5785635 ■ English Riviera Bike Night, Paignton, Devon £2 cash only. From 6pm. Facebook: English Riviera Bike Night ■ Loomies Moto Cafe, West Meon, Hants. Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ Brit Bike Night, Ace Cafe, London 6pm www.london.acecafe.com ■ The Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey. From 10.30am-1pm IRISH ROAD RACING ■ Southern 100, Billown, Isle…

JOIN THE MCN PIT STOP BREW CREW www.motorcyclenews.com/pit-stop ‘Munch and Go!’ ANDREW ROBINSON This was taken at Munch and Go in Horncastle. Good food, good prices. First stop of the day. ‘Pub on high’ LEN POTTS It was a bit breezy at the Tan Hill Inn when we visited (but then it is billed as Britain’s highest pub – Ed). ‘Who can say no to cake?’ MIKE HADDON We had a delicious pit stop at the Dunes Café, Waxham Barn. Unplanned and a nice surprise! Situated to the side of Waxham Barn which is a popular wedding venue. ‘Filling up’ SIMON WILSON Who doesn’t love a bit of bacon and egg at the Penny Garth Café when out and about on the bikes…? ‘Make a day of it’ HARRY HAWKINS…

‘It looks and feels every bit a quality machine’ Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 has always been impressive both on and off-road, and the 2025 Ténéré 700 Rally continues that trend. If you’re keen to really get going off-road, the Rally – with its slightly altered stature, some rugged goodies and its higher-spec suspension – will seriously look after you, whether you’re new to off-road riding or a seasoned veteran. This is mainly thanks to its tall, high-spec KYB suspension, which performs seriously well in the dirt without losing too much of its road-going prowess. In terms of agility and ability, the Rally is a premium off-roading machine that can rack up the miles on road, too. THE FACTS £11,404 Yamaha Ténéré 700 Rally…

‘Small, sleek and punchy’ The R1300RS is exactly what BMW say: it’s smaller, sleeker and punchier than the outgoing 1250, with a sportier riding position – which all make it a more serious road-focused sportsbike. But those sportier ergonomics and a smaller tank compromise distance ability – so while it can still rack up the miles with luggage options and a wealth of touring luxuries such as radar cruise and heated grips and seat, the 1300RS is a bit less well-suited. Whether it’s a shift in the wrong direction is a personal choice – but as a sportsbike for the adventure bike generation, you’re more likely to find an RS lapping Cadwell than the NC500. THE FACTS £16,820 BMW R1300RS SE Triple Black ASA…

‘Just the tip of the iceberg’ If you like the idea of the MT-09, you can specify the standard model with Yamaha’s Y-AMT gearbox for an extra £550 over its price of £10,110 or opt for the higher-spec MT-09 SP (£11,810), although that is manual gearbox only. The Triumph also comes in top-spec RS form (£11,795) and Kawasaki sell a stock Z900 (£9371 plus £300 for green or red) as well as the SE model (£11,525), which is their range-topping model (both the stock Zed and SE can be specified in Performance, which adds bolt-on parts). Suzuki still sell the GSX-S950 (£10,599) but no one buys it and the Honda Hornet 1000 (£9099) and Hornet SP (£10,099) are also excellent contenders. BMW sell the F900R (from £9090) and KTM’s middleweight…

The installation of the Scottoiler xSystem 3.0+ kit on the Triumph Tiger Sport 800 is quite straightforward. The only aspect to be cautious about is the placement of the main unit; it’s crucial to choose a location that allows easy access to the oiler’s controls and also provides for easy refilling. Since I have fitted chain lubricators many times before, I’m familiar with the best locations for the unit. However, for anyone installing one for the first time, I recommend visiting the Scottoiler website. There you’ll find a large database of fitting information available, including a wide variety of specific bikes that have been equipped with Scottoilers, with many of these installations having been submitted by customers. Accessing this type of information can save you time and increase your confidence…

Reporting on changes to the IoM TT racing for 2026 Isle of Man TT organisers look set to make changes to the classes and bikes able to compete on 37.73-mile circuit. The first shake-up is likely to be the introduction of a Sportbike class which would either run alongside or completely replace the existing Supertwin category. Sportbike has been a success since its introduction into the British Superbike championship in 2024, with the formula adopted by the FIM to run in the World Superbike paddock from 2026. The current Supertwin class, while successful and competitive, has unusually open technical regulations, meaning it has become a very expensive class to compete in terms of not only building but maintaining such highly strung machines. It has also drifted away from the production…

Looking ahead to this weekend’s British WSBK round When Toprak Razgatlioglu heads off to MotoGP next year, he’ll race at Silverstone: home of the British Grand Prix full-time since 2010. That means this weekend marks his Donington Park swansong. The track located adjacent to East Midlands airport is a special one for the Turk, having not only claimed his maiden podium there but a clutch of victories as well. Last year saw utter domination from the BMW rider with pole position, a trio of wins and as many fastest laps. His target this weekend is to repeat that feat as he bids to grab the championship lead from Nicolo Bulega. Rewind to 2024 SUPERPOLE Razgatlioglu, Bulega, Redding RACE 1 Razgatlioglu, A Lowes, Bautista SUPERPOLE RACE Razgatlioglu, Bulega, Rea RACE 2…

As usual, BSB was fun again up at Knockhill. But how do home riders measure up on the world stage? There was a chance to measure, with the return of Scott Redding. Erstwhile youngest-ever GP winner Redding went on through Moto2 success then MotoGP before coming home, winning BSB at his first attempt. Then on to Superbikes, and a strong first couple of years: 12 wins and second then third overall, on a Ducati. Thereafter three tough BMW years, and a start this year on a downbeat Ducati for the Bonovo team, currently in doubt for the rest of the year. Shouldn’t he be straight back on the podium at home? Well, he wasn’t far off it, fourth in race one. Then rain, and minus his usual traction control he…