Table of contents for 3 September 2025 in MCN

BIG TEST Origin of species Over 40 years, Suzuki’s GSX-R has become the Japanese manufacturer’s most successful -and influential – model range. The legend began (for European riders, at least) with the launch of the now iconic GSX-R750 F in 1985, as journalists got their first taste of a bike that would go on to define the new race rep category, whilst hunkered down on the Mistral Straight at Paul Ricard during the machine’s world launch. Last week, MCN’s Michael Neeves and Chris Newbigging returned to the South of France with both the first and final edition of GSX-R750 to uncover the marque’s enduring spirit. PAGE 32 ‘It must have felt like a space ship back in the day’ WE CELEBRATE THE GSX-R750, P32 TOP STORY BSA's hit single There’s a…

TOP STORY Following the launch of their new Bantam and Scrambler models, BSA have confirmed they’ll stick with a three-bike range for the foreseeable – despite the fact that the firm are enjoying unprecedented demand here in the UK and already have an electric prototype waiting in the wings. The Bantam is the latest to join BSA’s line-up, after the brand was reborn in 2016 by Classic Legends, a subsidiary of the Mahindra Group. Powered by a 334cc liquid-cooled single, the Bantam churns out 28.7bhp and 21.8lb.ft of torque. At £3499, it undercuts Honda’s hugely popular, but less powerful, GB350 by £500, and goes toe-to-toe with Royal Enfield’s J-series 350 family – consisting of the Classic, HNTR, Bullet, and Meteor. It joins the 652cc Gold Star single, unveiled in 2022…

SAVE £7996 £15,999 Zero SR/S Zero’s SR/S may only produce 54bhp continuously, but switch to Sport mode and you’ve got 113bhp and a massive 140lb.ft of torque to play with. Fully faired and far from slow, it’s plush, sporty, and wellequipped. Just don’t bank on more than 100 miles per charge. This substantial saving makes it worth considering a switch to a sporty electric. www.wheelsmotorcycles.co.uk SAVE £3500 £11,999 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 DE A great choice if you’re after a sporty, all-day comfortable touring machine. This one comes with free genuine Suzuki panniers and topbox, too. www.johnsofromford.co.uk • Engine 1037cc • Power 106bhp • Weight 252kg • Seat height 880mm SAVE £3000 £11,945 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro Triumph’s mid-sized Tiger is an impressive all-rounder, with a slick triple, excellent ergos,…

'Make the right checks' With so many dubious vendors using social media and e-commerce platforms to sell unsafe motorcycle clothing – alongside countless other scams – it’s worth remembering that genuine sellers do exist. They’re just harder to find. One MCN reader asked if it was risky to buy a jacket from an online business in England. First stop was the company’s website. Good sign – it included Declarations of Conformity for boots, textiles, leathers and gloves. These statutory documents confirm certification and list the manufacturer’s details, product specifications, testing standards, certifying body and certificate number. Everything appeared in order. Next, I looked up the company on Companies House. The registered address matched the website and the Declarations of Conformity, and the firm had a spotless record of filing statutory…

Q ‘I was there to be seen’ In May I was filtering slowly past a queue of stop/start traffic, me on the right hand side using the broken chevrons area. When I was alongside a car it suddenly turned right and we collided. There was no way I could avoid it as I was alongside the rear window when he turned. I had a few soft tissue injuries. The car’s insurance company says that as I was overtaking, the accident was mostly my fault. They have offered liability with just 30% in my favour. Should I instruct a solicitor? I was riding carefully when filtering and I was there to be seen had he looked properly. Ruth J, email A One should only ride in chevrons when necessary and safe…

I first remember seeing Jonathan Rea on a 125cc Honda fresh from schoolboy motocross. He was very good from the get go and it was fairly obvious to everyone, including Honda, that he was going to be quite exceptional. And every time he jumped up in terms of class, he just clicked with it. I’ve seen a lot of young lads come through but one thing I remember being impressed by was that although he was very driven, he wasn’t unpleasant with it. He was articulate and determined. One of the decisions I admire most from JR was when he went from being a top BSB rider and took the decision to go to World Supersport. He decided that the best and quickest way possible to get into WSBK with…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday September 3 BIKE MEETS ■ Sycamore Cafe, Great Billing, Northants 4pm-9pm www.facebook.com/SycamoreForestCatering ■ 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 enquiries@oldgeorgeinnsykehouse.co.uk ■ Seaways, Fridaythorpe, East Yorks 4pm-8pm mike@seawayscafe.co.uk ■ Loomies, West Meon, Hants until 9pm 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 Facebook: Pathfinder Cafe RIDEOUT ■ Burgess Hill & DMCC, Morrison's Daily, Wivelsfield, Sussex 7pm-7.30pm burgesshillmc.com TRACKDAYS ■ Ladies evening, Knockhill Fife www.knockhill.com ■ Snetterton 300, Norfolk from £135 www.MSVTrackdays.com ■ Brands Hatch Indy, Kent from £159 www.MSVTrackdays.com…

JOIN THE MCN PIT STOP BREW CREW www.motorcyclenews.com/pit-stop 'Looping the Lakes' HAYDEN BOND That was when I did a loop round the Lakes. I did 120 miles from Penrith down to Coniston over the passes and up the coast road back home. '33°C across the Moors' MARK COUGHLIN With the Moors on my doorstep, blue skies and 33°C, it would have been rude to not get out. York, to Buttercrambe to Malton, then to Amotherby and Hutton Le Hole. 'Garys of the world unite' GARY PUCKERING Great ride out, pit stops at Seaways, Bainton and NY500 near Malton. Four of the eight on the ride were called Gary! And they say Garys are extinct… 'Drinking it in' CHRIS O’HARE Llyn Brianne Viewpoint in Wales. A quiet road around the reservoir…

'One of the best bikes ever made' It’s fitting that we’ve come to the south of France, near the home of the Bol d’Or, to celebrate the Suzuki’s 40th birthday. The D2 mountain pass is what motorcycle dreams are made of, and the ’85 GSX-R750 was a dream sportsbike that went on to shape the machines we know and love today. Its riding position and handling might feel unnatural by modern standards, but its growling, uncompromising engine is still trademark Gixer. Of all the GSX-Rs produced over the years, the 750 has offered the perfect mix of friendliness, performance, value and fun, and the most recent incarnation is the pinnacle, although it could’ve been even better with the engine and gearbox upgrades from that generation’s GSX-R600. It’s a shame that…

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. 2004-2010 Aprilia RSV-R Owner’s rating With eye-catching components and a bargain price, Aprilia’s V-twin superbike (especially the top-spec Factory) has always been great value. Build quality drags its overall score down. 2008-2011 Ducati 1198 S Owner’s rating The S model gains traction control as well as Öhlins suspension. Owners score its suspension and engine a perfect 5/5. Costly option but one that holds its used value. 1999-2000 Bimota SB8R Owner’s rating Owners of Bimota’s short-lived TL-R-powered superbike score it an average of 4/5 but highlight the fact ownership is as much about the prestige of having a Bimota as the…

The owner of a KTM 890 Adventure R turned up at Doncaster Motorcycles convinced his rear brake was shot – but the real culprit turned out to be his footwear. “He was complaining of the back brake being basically nonexistent, and it turns out he’d been riding with his foot on the brake because he was wearing big motocross boots, which he says he can’t feel a thing though,” explained owner Kevin Hollingsworth. “He was adamant there was something wrong with the brake. They were so hot that it was as if they were binding severely, but they weren’t, he’d just been riding with it on for miles.” With the brake cooked, the fluid had boiled, and the pads needed changing. “Luckily, the disc was OK,” Kevin said. “It had…

Going behind the headlines in the 2025 season 1 Four races not three… The trip to Donington isn’t just significant due to it being the final round with the current points format. It’s significant because riders will face a different kind of challenge thanks to a unique schedule. The cancelled race from the opening round of the year at Oulton Park has been moved to this weekend. In order to fit it in, organisers MSV have decided that four 12-lap races will take place at the circuit. There will be one race on Saturday afternoon as usual, but then there will be three in one day on Sunday. It gives the riders and teams something to think about in terms of setup, race strategy and rider fitness throughout the day. 2 Ryde…

Gives you the inside line on Catalunya MotoGP Marc Marquez can’t quite scoop the MotoGP World Championship this weekend in Catalunya but the Spaniard can take another giant leap to an elusive ninth title if he continues the second-best winning streak of his career so far. Marquez has completed the Sprint and Grand Prix double victory at the last seven races in his best blitz of winning since 2014. The last time he was beaten was on May 25 at Silverstone and another maximum 37-point haul this weekend in Barcelona could set him up for a first match point in Misano on September 12-14. The title is his. That’s long been obvious. It’s just a matter of when and not if he gets over the line. THE CIRCUIT Circuit de…

Bad weather played havoc with the 2025 Classic TT schedule, forcing the organisers to slash their planned programme of 17 laps of racing across the various different classes to just five. Both the Formula One and Senior Classic TT races were cancelled and the centrepiece of this year’s event – a special Joey Dunlop F1 tribute lap aboard a replica Honda SP-1 built and to be ridden by his nephew Michael to mark the 25th anniversary of the Ballymoney legend’s famous Formula One victory in 2000 – was also scuppered by heavy showers. But it wasn’t all bad news for Michael Dunlop as he notched up his first Mountain course win on a 250cc two-stroke during Wednesday evening’s Lightweight race, which was reduced from three to two laps. His winning…

Few sportsbikes seem to connect with us like Suzuki’s GSX-R. In the 40 years since it was launched, most of us have either had one in the garage or known someone who has. In fact, Suzuki have sold over 1.2 million GSX-Rs of all types since the range first arrived in 1985. Born from endurance, the first GSX-R750 was inspired by Suzuki’s factory racer, the XR41, and the Japanese factory then went on to become the ones to beat in the high-mileage, high-attrition battlegrounds of the Endurance World Championship. It’s for this reason, four decades ago, Suzuki chose to launch their genre-creating GSX-R750 F at the home of the Bol d’Or – Paul Ricard circuit, in Le Castellet, South of France. And precisely why we chose to head to the…

The company’s modern chapter began in October 2016, when Mahindra’s Classic Legends arm acquired 100% of BSA Company Limited for £3.4 million. The firm’s Anupam Thareja recalls how close the deal came to collapsing: “Just before we could sign on the dotted line, somebody else outbid us by a massive margin. We almost lost the brand. “I drove to Beaulieu to meet [the owner]. During our conversation, they asked, do you want a brand like this going from one closet to another closet, or do you want to see the bikes on the road? “The other gentleman probably would have kept it in a closet. That was the magic moment.”…

Police in Sheffield have recovered 18 off-road motorcycles and quads as part of a major fightback against organised crime in the city. The haul included everything from premium competition machinery -such as a Yamaha YZ motocrosser – to pit bikes, children’s and adult’s quads, and several electric models. Dubbed Operation Steel, the one-day push took place on Wednesday, August 20, in the Manor area of Sheffield. It brought together teams from across the district, with officers executing warrants at two addresses and ultimately seizing 27 suspected stolen or illegal vehicles. The action led to three arrests: a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and drug possession, later bailed pending further enquiries but recalled to prison for breaching his licence. A 26-year-old man was also taken into custody for…

Indian have appointed Revolutions to operate a new dealership in Perth, Scotland, strengthening the US brand’s presence north of the border. The family-run firm will offer the full line-up of cruisers, baggers, and tourers from an 8000sq.ft facility. Director Elliot Paterson said: “With the distinctive style and rich history of Indian Motorcycle, the brand was a perfect fit for what we do here.” Bags more value with Kawasaki SX Kawasaki are tempting riders into late summer adventures with a free touring pack on the 2025 Ninja 1100SX. MCN’s Sports Tourer of the Year now comes with panniers, inner bags, a tank pad and a taller screen at no extra cost when buying either the standard or SE model. The offer runs until September 30 at participating dealers, with PCP finance…

'An X marks the SV's sweet spot' I’d been hearing whispers about a retro Suzuki based on the GSX-8S platform for a while and I have to say, I’m pleasantly surprised by the GSX-8T and its sportier-looking TT sibling. With the way Suzuki have been operating in recent years, there was always the danger that they would do a lazy lash-up but it seems like they are well-considered. Which is more than the last time they attempted a middleweight retro. I got the call from MCN to do a first ride on the SV650X, which was launched in 2018. Well I say ‘launched’, it was brought into the UK and Suzuki phoned MCN and said ‘want to take one out?’ Which is about as low-key as it can get –…

GRAB YOUR WELCOME GIFT TODAY Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer Warwickshire Police have issued fresh advice to local riders after seeing an increase in reported motorcycle thefts across May and June of this year. Like other police forces, the West Midlands team are encouraging motorcycle and scooter owners to adopt a multi-layered approach to security – with two-wheelers often targeted by thieves to be used in further crimes. In a bid to prevent this happening, Warwickshire Police suggest deploying a lock, chain, and cover to your bike – as well as thinking about where you store your vehicle overnight. There are also tips on vehicle tagging, and the installation of Thatcham-rated alarm systems. Alongside security advice, the statement warns: “We always advise not taking the law into your own…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com THE WORLD’S WARMEST BASELAYER® www.zerofit.co.uk This Lambretta has been in my family from new and I passed my test on it in 1960. Jim Codrington And here’s me, Lucas’ grandad (see top, centre), taking the Yamaha for a test ride. David Evans Me and my mate Mark at 17. Circa 2004. He’s on his Honda and I’m on the Suzuki (with washers in the carbs). Joel Tarplin My grandson Lucas Evans having ridden over fresh from passing his CBT on his scooter. David Evans The 1948 Corgi, MUG 785, got me ready for my test riding around the fields and the garden. Jim Codrington My four-year-old grandson Benjamin on my Bonneville – he has already told me this is his bike now. Kevin…

People retire in different ways and a lot of riders stop because they never get back to full fitness, so they are never able to achieve what they had before. Foggy was one, he never did come back after his big injury, but in his words he knew he wouldn’t be able to. Riders like Bayliss and Biaggi did get out at the top, but that’s rare. Even Rossi just loved racing bikes and just loved being Valentino Rossi. In a way because of who he was and what he’d done and his character, he was still the most popular bloke on the grid even if he was running around in 15th. So everyone has their own idea on when the right time is to retire. Take Ron Haslam, he…

1 September 6-7 Copdock Bike Show Back at Trinity Park in Ipswich (IP3 8UH), this family friendly event is packed with action including Bolddog FMX, The Rockets Children’s motorcycle display team as well as the Wall of Death and even cycle speedway. Don’t miss it. www.eacbikeshow.co.uk 2 September 6-7 Brighton Burn Up The annual pilgrimage to the seaside is back. Celebrations begin with the Friday bike night at the Ace with live music and special guests, moving on to a café racer ride out on Saturday. On Sunday, either ride with the pack from London or meet in Brighton for live music, stands and displays. london.acecafe.com 3 September 7 Kickback show The Sammy Miller Museum will once again be taken over by Kickback for its custom and classic bike show.…

Ma Bakers Home of the all-day breakfast sitting along the A41 to keep you trucking wherever you’re headed. 35 The Firs, Prees Heath, Whitchurch SY13 3JT www.facebook.com/preesheath Route 11 Kitchen Sitting on the A11, stop off if you’re heading to the coast or even if you need to fill up your stomach as well as your tank. A11, Attleborough NR17 2PU route11kitchen.co.uk Green Hut Café Surrounded by lush forestry, this isn’t your typical side-of-the-road diner, but it does offer good eats and cake. Worksop Rd, Ollerton Rd, Ollerton NG22 9DR www.facebook.com/ollertonroundabout…

THE FACTS ‘The last, and many would say best, example of an ‘analogue’ litre sportsbike’ The mid-2000s marked the dawning of the age of the litre sportsbike. After being brave enough to shake free of the restraints of the 750cc class with the FireBlade in 1992, Honda were joined by the Yamaha YZF-R1 in 1998 and when Suzuki entered the fray in 2001 with the brutal and game-changing GSX-R1000 K1, it meant all thoughts of three-quarter-litre bikes were long-gone. Bigger was better and in 2004 Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha all unveiled brand new sportsbikes that boasted the latest MotoGP-derived technology as well as genuine litre-capacity motors that claimed power figures approaching 180bhp. The gauntlet was thrown down and in 2005 Suzuki responded with the first major overhaul of the GSX-R1000.…

Why buy a new exhaust system if you can fix your old one? Being able to weld can solve a lot of problems – not to mention save a lot of money – and to carry out this job you’ll need a bike lift and paddock stand, MIG welder, pick, wire brush, and a Dynafile. Cracked exhausts are a common problem on higher mileage bikes, particularly those with manifold exhausts. This seemingly minor defect can cascade into a range of detrimental effects on both the motorcycle's performance and the rider's wallet. A crack in the exhaust system allows exhaust gases to escape prematurely, disrupting the carefully calibrated back pressure within the system. This disruption can lead to inefficient combustion and, consequently, a noticeable drop in fuel efficiency. Given the potential…

Race 1 Van der Mark, Bautista, Petrucci Superpole Race Bulega, A. Lowes, Petrucci Race 2 Bulega, Petrucci, Gerloff Magny-Cours 2024 was one of the most newsworthy motorcycle racing events of the year, both for very good and enormously bad reasons. First came Toprak Razgatlioglu’s horrendous accident in Free Practice 2 which he was extremely fortunate to survive, let alone walk away from. Michael van der Mark claimed his only win of the year in a wet Race 1 while Nicolo Bulega and Jonathan Rea crashed at the chicane ending the opening lap. Bulega bounced back with a Sunday double, while Danilo Petrucci managed a treble podium. There was delight for Garrett Gerloff in Race 2, taking his first podium for two years. The events of France opened up the championship…

Donington Park Is a fast, flowing track that rewards smoothness and precision. With its mix of high-speed sections and technical corners, it’s a favourite among riders, offering challenges that demand both bravery and finesse. Key areas, such as the Craner Curves and Coppice, test the limits of rider and brakes. BRAKING CHALLENGES Redgate is the first major braking zone, requiring heavy deceleration into this more-than90-degree right-hander. Riders must balance late braking with a clean exit to carry speed downhill into Hollywood. Craner Curves present a unique challenge: while not a traditional braking zone, riders may need subtle brake inputs to maintain stability through this high-speed, downhill sequence. Any misjudgment can compromise entry into the Old Hairpin, where medium braking is needed to hit the apex. Coppice demands precision braking on…

'Watch out for those Aprilias' Last season, one of four different Ducatis won every race except the US GP, and all but three Sprints. Aprilias, ridden by Viñales and Espargaro, were the interlopers. Significantly, one of those Sprint wins was in Catalunya, where the previous year Espargaro had taken a weekend double. If you don’t see where this is going, then look at the last five GPs. Where Bezzecchi and his Aprilia has been on the podium for four of them. Not to mention winning at Silverstone. After romping to a seventh straight win out of ten this year in Hungary, Marc Marquez allowed that such a run was “not normal, even if it looks like that”. What’s the betting he’ll be proved right at sweeping, swooping Catalunya? By an…

Leading road racing photojournalist reports from the IoM The Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix races shared the Mountain course in 2025 with the MGP racers enjoying the best of the weather and avoiding the conditions that forced the cancellation of almost all racing during the Classic event. Billed as the Supertwin and Supersport races on the opening day of racing at the Manx and the Junior and Senior Manx GPs two days later, the four MGP races involved two races for Supertwin machines and two for Supersport -spec bikes. Saturday’s opening Supertwin event produced a start-to-finish win for Lewis Arrowsmith (Aprilia) as Northern Ireland’s Michael Gahan (Scott Racing Aprilia) pushed the Preston rider hard on the third and final lap. After closing a 6.71s gap to 0.7s, Gahan’s RS660…

'I showed 'em I've still got it' So that’s the Classic TT over for another year. I love riding my 350 Honda and I love riding my Paton. We’re still developing the 350 and we were miles off the pace, but what a lovely thing it is. I had a great craic with the team, which was Hutchy, Conor and Davey. The Paton was absolutely on the pipe and I went through the speed trap at 146mph, which is the fastest I’ve ever been through it in the four years I’ve raced it. I was ten seconds up at Ramsey Hairpin then I got a puncture. I don’t know what it was, maybe landing a bit hard over Ballaugh, but it was so disappointing. I know people moan about the…

The DocBike charity has gained fresh backing thanks to a deal with insurance giant Bikesure. Founded in Dorset in 2013, the service deploys rapid-response motorcycles ridden by trauma doctors to collisions across the UK. Operating in seven counties so far, expansion relies on donations, with each bike costing £60,000 to equip. Co-founder Ian Mew says the move will help save lives. Try bikes for £20 Phoenix Motorcycle Training are giving young people aged 16-24 the chance to experience motorcycling for as little as £20 before committing to a CBT. Part of a Try Ride initiative, the experience normally costs £40, however the first 300 to take part will get it half price. Riders will complete two online modules, before throwing a leg over a bike at one of 21 Phoenix…

Hybrid theorising The dawn of the super lock Doohan backs Marquez Powertrain prophesying With hybrid powertrains having made a big impact in the fourwheeled market, six years ago this week we were debating when the tech would be making an appearance in the bike world. In an investigation by contributor Ben Purvis, we unearthed various patent applications filed by the big players in motorcycling, with systems from Honda and Yamaha seemingly on the drawing board. However, it was Kawasaki who beat everyone to the punch when they revealed their Ninja 7 HEV in October 2021 and went on to launch it as a production model for the 2024 model year. But, as we all know, sales haven’t been great and Kawasaki are now offering huge discounts on their clever petrolelectric…

A new purpose-built motocross centre, complete with holiday cottages, and an eye on environmental sustainability, is coming to Powys, Wales, following a series of rejected planning applications. The venue will be built on Rhydblawd Farm, and is the result of an idea first conceived 10-years-ago by current owners Nightfly Ltd and Director, Phil Wilding. The site, which is expected to bring £1.5 million and up to 13 jobs to the local area, will feature seven holiday log cabins, dedicated off-road riding spaces with a bias towards electric bikes, and a number of environmental boosts – including new homes for wildlife and the planting of additional trees and hedges. "This is a win not just for our business, but for Powys,” Wilding said. “The development will bring jobs, investment, and new…

Wayne Gardner Shoei X-SPR Pro £819.99 Shoei pay tribute to the ‘Wollongong Whiz’ Wayne Gardner with this special version of their range-topping X-SPR Pro helmet. Underneath the instantly recognisable paint is the same FIM-approved, all-singing, all-dancing sports lid that MCN’s Michael Neeves gave four-stars overall in his review. www.shoeiassured.co.uk Leatt Jersey Moto 5.5 Ultraweld £80 Off-road specialists and safety pioneers, Leatt, have unveiled their refreshed 2026 Moto range including their 5.5 clothing line. This jersey is packed with features to keep you cool, flexible and comfortable as you hit the whoops and berms of your local motocross track or tackle a gnarly green lane. moto.leatt.uk Roadskin Dakota £219.99 This new CE AA-certified Cordura jacket featuring Rheon CE Level 2 armour, mesh ventilation, and double-stitched seams. Lightweight and breathable for summer,…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews STAR LETTER IN ASSOCIATION WITH Bank Holiday done right… Bank Holiday… how about a day trip to the Isle of Man? Flew from Gatwick, there at 10.30am. Had a superb day. Incredible racing, particularly the Senior Manx GP (Don Gilbert, my friend’s son, got a highly commendable fifth). The Needham Motorcycles of Doncaster boys invited me into their area to view the Honda 6. I was invited in as I was wearing one of their T-shirts, which had been given to me at a Brands Hatch meeting by Chrissy Rouse’s (RIP) mechanic. He thought it was appropriate for me to wear one as I am a Needham, no relation though. Roger Needham, email Continuing our partnership with Zerofit – King of Baselayers® – we are changing…

THE DETAILS Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sun 10am-7pm; Wed 8am-7pm; Fri 8am-9pm, Sat 7am-9pm 102a Ballybogey Rd, Ballymoney, BT53 6PD When Karl Bradley set up his catering truck on the forecourt of a petrol station in Ballybogey, he never expected to secure his own building. But as soon as he did, he decorated the place with biking memorabilia (he is a biker, himself) and made it clear that if you ride or like your cars, or neither – you’ll be very welcome. “We opened May 11, 2024,” he says. “Now inside we’ve got my Kawasaki VN800, a classic Mini plus a fruit machine, Pac Man and Donkey Kong arcade games!” The next plan is to hang a Honda Shadow 125 from the rafters as it’s his dad’s bike, but there is…

Blast through the past Emma Franklin explores Lincolnshire's aviation heritage with this fun and twisty two-hour route This route just south of Lincoln barely scratches the surface of what this historic county has to offer. After fuelling up at the A17 Sleaford services, head north on the A15 then left onto Long Lane for Leadenham. At the junction, turn right onto Pottergate Lane then the next left onto Quarry Lane and ride it all the way to the A607 before turning right. At Navenby, turn right onto Church Lane and plunge downhill towards Carlton-le-Moorland on a deserted road packed with predictable bends. From here, head south to Beckingham and the rear of the army camp, before picking up the A17 and taking the third exit at the Coddington roundabout through…

MCN’s 70th Birthday Bike Meet at the National Motorcycle Museum is this Sunday, September 7 – and this is your invitation to join us for a fun-filled day of test rides, fire-ups, special guests and more. Here’s just a snippet of what’s in store… Try a new Honda! Fancy trying out MCN’s Bike of the Year 2025? Well now’s your chance to experience the award-winning CB1000 Hornet SP for yourself, plus a host of other tempting Honda motorcycles including the latest Fireblade, Africa Twin Adventure Sports, plus the latest E Clutch models and more, as Honda will be running demo rides throughout the day. Get your name down quick though, because demos will be booked on the day as first-come-first-served – and don’t forget to bring your licence/riding kit! Free…

'More than a cruiser' Indian’s update of the Sport Chief puts it in the crosshairs of Harley’s Low Rider ST – which is a fantastic bike. Both baggers offer similar performance, ride and styling for comparable money – the Indian costs a mere £200 more. Both also radiate heritage and that slice of Americana which others can only emulate – but for me, the Sport Chief RT’s styling, finish and componentry lift its overall package to a slightly higher level than the H-D. The RT oozes cool, is a blast to ride, and packs enough toys and kit to warrant its place as more than a mere boulevard cruiser. THE FACTS £21,495 Indian Sport Chief RT…

'The 400 set the wheels in motion' Everyone – the public, Suzuki and us – marks milestones at appropriate intervals since the 1985 roll-out of the 750. But one year earlier, the GSX-R had already hit the road: the Japan-only GSX-R400 (GK71B, if you’re a chassis-code nerd). Everything the 750 would later receive from the F1/ endurance XR41 prototype was there on the 400: the doublecradle aluminium frame, the revvy four-cylinder motor, and the bug-eyed look that came straight from the grid at Suzuka or Paul Ricard, though it was only offered with a ¾ fairing. Surprisingly, it had one thing the 750 or 1100 wouldn’t get until the 1990s: liquid-cooling. A claimed 58bhp was competitive, especially considering it was 30kg lighter than Honda’s CBR400F3; the same play the 750…

Having started the litre-bike war in 2001, Suzuki were out of step with their rivals’ two-year update/new model cycle and so when Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki all entered the class in 2004, the next year Suzuki responded with the K5. Initially this worked in Suzuki’s favour as it allowed the GSX-R to dominate, a fact that saw it the best-selling litre-bike in 2005 with 2534 registrations compared to the Fireblade’s 2083 and R1’s 1936. Surprisingly, in 2006 the momentum continued and despite its rivals being updated, the K6 (which is identical to the K5 in all but colours) was the second best-selling litre bike in the UK, shifting 1934 units, only 133 behind the latest Fireblade.…

RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor Five months ON TEST Shoei VFX-WR06 £479.99 'A cut above the competition' Tested by Nye Davis for five months When it comes to helmets, I could fairly be described as a creature of habit – so as far as I’m concerned, there’s Shoei, then there’s the rest. That’s not to say that there aren’t some brilliant alternatives, but for me, nothing seems to fit – or last – quite as well as a Shoei. That’s why I have three helmets in active rotation, despite two of the trio being pretty old and battered now. They simply have a discernible excellence about them, and the VFX-WR06 is no different. The not-so-catchily named lid is the Japanese firm’s top shelf off-roader – in fact it’s…

Looking ahead to the Magny-Cours WSBK round The final third of this year’s series is about to kick off with a packed period which takes in Aragon, Estoril and Jerez but first up is Magny-Cours this weekend. Can Nicolo Bulega reel in Toprak Razgatlioglu? Behind the scenes, silly season has gone into overdrive and there’s going to be tears in the paddock over the next few weeks as two legends wave au revoir to the class. Magny-Cours itself used to decide the title as the final round on the schedule. Jonathan Rea’s 2017 championship win (his third of six) was particularly poignant because he clinched it at the same time as his 50th career victory. Also, this being France at this time of the year, you never quite know what…

Carl Fogarty’s hopes of heading up a new Ducati British Superbike team have ended after an announcement from the four-time World Superbike champ confirmed he was stepping away. Foggy cited there being too much uncertainty surrounding the project and especially its ability to sign a top-level rider for 2026. He said: “I realise that this will be disappointing news for everyone who was excited to see my return to the paddock with a new team on the new Ducati. But things have changed since our initial announcement, and I didn’t want to make riders promises that we might not be able to keep.” ‘I didn’t want to make riders promises’ Despite Foggy’s decision to withdraw, the planned Superbike Advocates Racing UK team is scheduled to still go ahead with further…