Table of contents for 3 December 2025 in MCN

TOP STORY The Chancellor may have announced a further freeze to fuel duty until September 2026, but some motorcycle industry groups have been critical of the autumn statement - suggesting it doesn't go far enough in helping the bike market adapt and change for the future. Announced on November 26, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the current 5p reduction to fuel – first introduced in 2022 – will start to be undone from next September. Furthermore, from April 2027 fuel duty rates will be updated annually in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI) - a tool used to measure the average change to the prices of goods and services. The freeze in fuel duty has run for the past 16 years and is said to have cost successive governments an…

Much-loved motorcycle racer and TNT Sports MotoGP pundit Sylvain Guintoli is planning to run next year's London Marathon in one-piece leathers to raise money for the PASIC cancer support charity. Guintoli will undertake the challenge in memory of his son Luca, who sadly passed away from the disease aged six at the end of July this year. Sylvain will be running alongside his two eldest daughters, Alicia and Layla, with all three supporting the East Midlands organisation. “They were just so helpful for him, but also for us as a family, a brilliant bunch of people,” Guintoli told MCN. “They were there all the way, and they are still helping us now. “I've always been looking at ways to try to give something back and try to help them to…

THE FACTS Triumph's Speed Triple 1200 RS isn't just a sexy beast, it's also mightily impressive - on road and track. So, just imagine opening your garage door and seeing those gorgeous twin headlights staring right back at you. Yes, with MCN Compare, you have the chance to make that a reality with a brand new, 2025 Speed Triple 1200 RS up for grabs by simply getting yourself an insurance quote and ticking the box to enter the competition. That's right! All you have to do is head over to MCNcompare.com and check out the latest deals on bike insurance to be in with the chance of winning. Well-mannered brute The Speed Triple 1200 RS isn't just a brute of a hyper-naked but is a well-rounded super-naked, as MCN's Dan…

Britain is gearing up to host the 6Days FIM Enduro of Nations for the first time in over 40 years. Hundreds of riders and thousands of spectators from near and far will head to Wales for the event, bringing with them an expected £3m boost for both the sport and local area. The UK's motorcycle competition governing body, the Auto-Cycle Union (ACU), will work with regional enduro clubs to stage the event in 2027, marking the first time the competition has been held on home turf since 1983. Its return follows three years on the trot that Wales has successfully hosted a round of the EnduroGP World Championship. The event has its roots in the UK. Originally held in Carlisle in 1913, the 6Days, formerly known as the International Six…

South Yorkshire Police have launched a borough-wide crackdown on motorcycle theft in Doncaster, with a new intelligence-led unit already recovering 15 stolen machines and making eight arrests. Dubbed Operation Spoke Alpha, the dedicated team was created in response to increasing rates of bike thefts and related antisocial riding in the area. Officers say offending has spread across the entire area, making it difficult to track suspects without a focused force of investigators. The operation has now executed warrants at four addresses, with three people interviewed under caution as enquiries continue. Doncaster Neighbourhood Inspector Adrian Luscombe said: “We've managed to consolidate a small team of officers who are dedicated to targeting these individuals and using the full range of powers at their disposal to relentlessly pursue them. “Stolen motorbikes are frequently…

Bajaj have formally taken the reins at KTM after completing a long-planned deal to buy the remaining shares in the Austrian brand's parent company. The move hands Bajaj Auto International Holdings B.V. (BAIH) full ownership of Pierer Bajaj AG and a controlling stake in Pierer Mobility AG – which oversees KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas. The transfer was triggered after BAIH exercised an option to acquire all shares held by Pierer Industrie AG, with the transaction clearing all regulatory hurdles earlier this year. It gives the Indian giant 74.9% of Pierer Mobility's stock, handing them the keys to Europe's largest motorcycle manufacturer by volume. Pierer Bajaj AG is set to become Bajaj Auto International Holdings AG, while Pierer Mobility AG will transition to Bajaj Mobility AG before mid-2026. In May, Bajaj…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Wheelie action during my Fizzy days, age 16. Mark Stanton My TS250 ER in 1982 when an L-plate and a 250 was all you needed at 17 years old. Iain O'Connor Not my first bike, but the first one I rode on, my dad's XL600. Plus me and my son on my DR650. Kevin Reams 1979 and my first bike, featuring protective wellies. Chris Dunn Me about 35 years ago, I loved my Suzuki Impulse GSX400X and had it 15 years before it got stolen. Mark Middlemiss The Qpod with the 100cc engine was fun but dangerous. Anne Marie My old Honda 750KZ and my mate with his Honda Superdream 250. Leon Harding First big bike in 1985 – even rode it all…

Oxford's class-leading HotGrips have been keeping bikers’ hands warm for decades – ensuring that winter isn't a barrier to riding in comfort and with complete control. The latest Advanced Integrated HotGrips have a newly redesigned, slimline controller that's now conveniently positioned next to the HotGrip on your handlebar. This allows you to quickly and easily adjust the heat levels effortlessly without needing to remove your hand from the bar grip. This innovative design ensures a sleek, integrated look by blending seamlessly with your motorcycle's switchgear, eliminating the need for a separate floating controller mounted on your handlebars. Bespoke, ergonomically engineered grip patterns (Sport, Adventure or Touring) are designed to complement your bike's style – and to optimise your riding performance. The grip tube is trimmable, meaning the open-ended grips can…

‘I love its MotoGP-style wings’ JOSEPH WRIGHT Age 25 Height 5ft 8in Current bike Kawasaki ZXR400 Been riding Four years First bike 2012 Yamaha YBR125 Dream bike Honda RC30 Biking is expensive for a new rider like me, which is why the CFMoto has caught my attention – all-in the bike costs less than a Ducati Panigale V4 race exhaust! I love its MotoGP-style wings and brake cooling ducts, even if they're pointless on an 80bhp bike. The low seat height lets me paddle the bike around easily, the riding position is comfortable, and the wide bars allow me to tuck in under the tiny screen. I'd fit a taller seat and higher rearsets for a racier feel, and a bigger screen if it were mine. The triple's power is…

As George was a member of the RAF Motorsports Association in recognition of his engineering work through the war, he only had to ask for an airfield to practice his sprinting, and in October 1966, that was Greenham Common. “Three motorcycles were taken along,” says Tony. “A 250cc Royal Enfield, Nero and Super Nero.” On the first day, the weather hindered record attempts so only the smaller Enfield was used, yet George still achieved both a new world and British national record. On Friday, the sun was shining and the Vincents were ready, but the French FIM steward decided to head home for the weekend. Although back for Saturday, the runway was too wet and George never officially managed the 200mph record, despite achieving it elsewhere. But over the four days he…

If you're in need of any more information, the Travel Texas website www.traveltexas.com offers loads of information on what to do in the state. Getting there: We flew over with Lufthansa, leaving from Frankfurt and went directly to Austin, Texas. Bikes: We borrowed our bikes from some friendly locals. But there are many rental companies to choose from including Eaglerider, Riders Share, and Twisted Road. Stay: There are loads of places to choose from, but we liked Lajitas Golf Resort, Marathon Motel and RV Park and Texas Salt Co in Bandera. Eat at: Steak at Lajitas Golf Resort and get some spicy tacos at Casa Agave Cantina y Cocina. I'd recommend having breakfast at the OST restaurant in Bandera and BBQ at Brick Vault Brewery and Barbecue in Marathon. Do:…

@motorcyclenews A big fan of long days in the saddle. Enjoys touring as much as getting down and dirty. The time for me to just ‘pop down’ to lifelong bestie Jay's repeatedly vanishes. The 110-mile ride to his gaff is terminally dull, but all interesting diversions I've explored add so much time it feels like I'd never get there. Having missed all of the summer through a variety of excuses and fearing we'd hit Christmas without sharing a beer all year, we make a plan to meet up before the weather really turns. Skipping work early to ensure I'm there in good time for few non-alcoholic pints before the return leg, the Bear does a decent job of connecting the motorway dots, never getting uncomfortable or feeling ‘less than’ a…

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. 2022-2025 YAMAHA TÉNÉRÉ 700 WORLD RAID Owner's rating Owners love the CP2 parallel twin but feel a tad let down by the bike's lack of tech. Yamaha have cured this for 2026 but the new model is £11,920. 2021-2024 HONDA X-ADV Owner's rating Honda's weird scooter crossed with an adventure bike is surprisingly popular. For 2026 it gains cruise control and a few small updates but nothing to write home about. 2017-2025 KAWASAKI Z900RS Owner's rating With 29 owners scoring the RS an average of 4.7 out of 5, there was little that Kawasaki really needed to do for 2026.…

After months of speculation, it's been confirmed that Andrea Iannone remains on the grid. The former MotoGP winner will race a Ducati for his own Cainam Racing Team, with the name being his nickname ‘Maniac’ spelt backwards. “He's entering his own team because nobody else wants him,” one cynic jibed. Tarran Mackenzie stays put on his Ducati with MGM Racing Performance. New squad set to add WSBK rides The new Superbike Advocates team, who have already signed Tommy Bridewell for BSB, are also set for outings in the World Championship with an ‘Australian rider’. Germany's Speedweek reports that numerous wildcard entries will be made. Meantime, a Michele Pirro-run Ducati Panigale V2 Future Champ Academy series will support two WSBK rounds in 2026. Whatley set for Supersport debut Josh Whatley will…

Britain's got a new Grand Prix world champion – not on the track, but off it. Essex-based mechanic Liam Coffey has just become the winner of Yamaha's World Technician Grand Prix title, seeing off competition from all over the globe to become the finest Yamaha spannerman of them all. But it wasn't just a personal triumph, it's a reminder of a truth the motorcycling world has quietly known for decades: Britain produces some of the best motorcycle engineers on the planet. Coffey's win reflects years of meticulous craft, grinding away in a modest workshop and honing every detail to perfection. It's an ethos that echoes through biking; take MCN columnist Allen Millyard (see page 21) who built jaw-dropping machines like the V10 Viper and Flying Millyard using modest tools from…

The new bike registration statistics for October 2025, supplied by the MCIA, reveal the electric motorcycle and scooter market has a long way to go if it is to compete with combustion. Comparing October 2025 with the same month in 2024 shows a 13.9 per cent increase. Although that sounds promising, in reality that is a jump from 287 to 327 registrations in the period. In comparison, 6826 combustion machines were registered in October 2025 – a figure down by 9.9 per cent on October 2024. Year-to-date electric bike registrations to the end of October stood at 2868 units, compared with 80,934 petrol machines.…

‘Capable of more than 280 miles of range’ CFMoto are gearing up to reveal a new 1000MT-X parallel-twin adventure bike, promising big spec and enough punch to take on long-established rivals such as the Honda Africa Twin. To showcase their new model plans, the Hangzhou firm built a rugged ‘1000MT-X Crafted’ version specifically for the EICMA show in Milan last month, with the standard bike standing alongside it. Both are powered by a 946.2cc parallel twin-cylinder engine producing a claimed 111.3bhp at 8500rpm, and 77.5lb.ft of torque at 6250rpm. It also meets the current Euro5+ emissions standards and is paired with a six-speed gearbox and slipper clutch. The adventurer tips the scales at a claimed 222kg kerb weight - complete with 22.5-litres of fuel on board. This tank said to…

Moto Morini are wading into the rapidly growing small-capacity retro sector - reviving the 3½ Sport model name of the 1970s for a charming new naked roadster, powered by a 350.3cc V-twin. The Italian brand have been owned by the Zhongneng Vehicle Group in China since 2018 and have made their name in recent years by producing charmingly styled middleweights, powered by older Kawasaki-derived parallel-twin engines. This looks set to change though, with the brand lining up at the recent EICMA show in Milan to show off everything from small trailies, to 1200cc adventure bikes, and even a fully faired Corsaro Sport powered by a 90-degree 749cc V-twin. Dealers can be found in a number of locations across the UK, however Morini's distribution status remains unclear at this time, after…

‘Bespoke kit's not exempt’ Some online sellers of motorcycle clothing claim they're exempt from testing and certification because they make garments to order, often to a customer's personal measurements or bespoke design. They insist this gives them a loophole. It doesn't. The Personal Protective Equipment Regulation explicitly covers items “produced as a single unit to fit an individual user”. Made-to-measure gear is assessed in exactly the same way as off-the-peg jackets, trousers and suits, and against the same standards. The process examines two essentials: 1) Materials – their tear strength and abrasion resistance. 2) Construction – the strength of the seams holding those materials together. To test this, the manufacturer must produce a garment for a member of the assessment team. Every piece of clothing is divided into three safety…

WHAT'S NEW IN TECH? In a motorcycling landscape of long-legged adventurers, retro roadsters, and an influx of small-capacity uprights, the Verge TS Pro sticks out as a radically different take on the future of mobility - bringing with it striking looks, brash colours, and a hubless rear wheel design incorporating a 136.8bhp electric motor. Having entered production back in 2023, it's being heavily revised for 2026 - with the first UK customers set to receive their orders from the start of quarter two. Revealed at the EICMA show in Milan in early November, the new bike promises an improved rider interface, as well as a revised motor - said to be 50% lighter than before. Power remains the same as before, with a claimed 738lb.ft of torque available for short…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader Michael Lea The ride Essex to Barcelona When to do it I went in October Tell us about the trip… My youngest daughter was invited on a football tour in Barcelona so in May this year I decided to learn to ride a motorcycle, obtain a full licence, buy a bike and ride to Spain so I could spend half an hour having lunch with her. The timings were tight but I eventually passed in August and bought the beautiful Triumph Bonneville T120 (a bike I fell in love with a while back). I set off for Barcelona on October 25 and arrived on October 28 having faced an arduous journey through a wet and fairly cold France wearing borrowed trousers from somebody a…

@justingetsabout Mile-munching shed dweller with a definite penchant for the road less travelled. The nights are drawing in almost as tightly as they can get, and in those precious hours between dawn and dusk it's becoming increasingly difficult to find the time to get out and ride just for the hell of it. Commuting is mainly under cover of darkness, and when the window of opportunity does open for some daylight action, conditions are generally, cold, wet, windy or a jackpot win of all three. But has that stopped me from enjoying the Honda Hornet SP? Has it heck. Now I'm not going to pretend for a second that the Hornet is the ideal winter hack. There's little in the way of weather protection up front, no heated grips and…

Just as there are allegedly many ways to skin a cat, there are numerous methods for cooling a bike engine. Some of you may have air-cooled machines that simply use the force of nature over carefully crafted fins (and the occasional additional fan) to regulate engine temperature. Other bikes may have oil-cooled systems, where your bike's engine oil is cooled via an external radiator that circulates the cooler oil back into the engine. Both require minimal maintenance. Liquid-cooled systems are most common on modern bikes, especially on high-performance engines. It's easier to regulate temperature with a liquid system. Naturally, the cooling system needs maintaining. However, coolant often gets forgotten about, as unless you do a tremendous number of miles each year (like the owner of the Tiger shown here) coolant…

How would you sum up your Moto2 career? “2019 was difficult coming in on the KTM. The KTM was really uncompetitive. But I told myself, any time there's a damp or wet session, I have to be fastest. If you look back I was pretty much one of the fastest in every session that was either wet or damp. I went to Petronas in 2020 and rode well. I was still inexperienced, but I was competitive at the end of the year and crashed out when leading a race in Le Mans. That hurt! Then at the end of ‘20 I broke my wrist badly. And that f***ed the ‘21 season. I didn't recover from that injury well enough. I had zero confidence and that was like a snowball. I…

Bringing you the latest from World Superbike testing TOP STORY It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Jerez as the southern Spanish circuit hosted the final World Superbike test of 2025 prior to the riders heading home to get their shopping in for the festive season. For the whole of December, a testing ban is in place which means there's no more track action until back-to-back tests in Jerez and Portimao in January of 2026. January will come round quickly but, for now, pretty much all of the attention was on Miguel Oliveira and Andrew Pitt, his double World Supersport Champion crew chief who's moved to BMW from the Yamaha family. Following an emotional goodbye to MotoGP, not least with a very public recognition and adulation at…

There were a few upset journalists in Jerez, not least our German counterparts. The reason? BMW had told the media their two new hotshots, Miguel Oliveira and Danilo Petrucci, would be free to talk to digest the happenings of their first BMW superbike test. However, they later did a U-turn, leading to the frustration and disgust of some press representatives whose main purpose of the trip to Jerez had been to gather the BMW riders’ thoughts on next season. It is not unusual for riders to remain silent until January 1 of the new year, once their previous team contracts have expired, although BMW's sudden change of position certainly wasn't the most popular move. Oops! Jerez top eight times: A Lowes – Bimota – 1:37.824 Vierge – Yamaha – 1:38.058 Van Der…

For the first time since 2018 in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, and after seven seasons in the MotoGP paddock, Jake Dixon threw his leg over a superbike as his Honda journey commenced. MCN has learned from the team that ‘a lot needs to be done before he's comfortable’, but they all seem confident. Dixon suffered three crashes although HRC was the only team that didn't throw in a fast qualifying tyre. “To be honest, it was really good,” Dixon declared, with his last superbike having been the Lee Hardy-run RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki. “It's so nice to be back on a big bike – that power is really nice. “I couldn't be happier – I've never been with a more professional team. There are more people here than…

Free this Saturday? Kawasaki UK are hosting a Christmas coffee morning this weekend, on December 6. The get-together, taking place at Derby Kawasaki, will involve plentiful free pastries, coffee, tea and hot chocolate, as well as competitions and giveaways. It's all for a good cause too, as guests are asked to bring food donations along for Hope Centre Derby. Indian baggers pair with V&H Indian have inked a multi-year deal with Vance & Hines to run their factory effort in the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers series. The revamped squad will field an all-new Challenger racer for champions Troy Herfoss and Hayden Gillim, plus rising prospect Rocco Landers. Backed by partners including J&P Cycles and Motul, the team will debut in March and aim to retake the Baggers crown they…

Triumph's Tiger Sport 800 has already proved to be a hit, and from next year it'll be joined by a spec'd-up ‘Tour’ version. In dealerships from February priced £12,895, the Tiger Sport 800 Tour shares its underpinnings with its middleweight sibling – a bike which carries the accolade of being our current Best Tall-Rounder, having scooped this year's MCN award. What sets it apart is a full ensemble of bolt-on comfort-boosters including heated grips, hand guards, a dual-comfort seat, tyre-pressure monitoring, and a centrestand. No tourer would be complete without plentiful luggage-stowing capabilities and, as such, the new machine arrives sporting integrated, colour-matched panniers and a twin-helmet topbox perched on an aluminium rack – with the full set-up able to swallow 106 litres. Triumph have also given the Tour a…

KTM and sister brand Husqvarna have issued safety recalls for a range of 2024 naked bikes after identifying potential faults with fuel tank cap seals. KTM's recall covers the 125, 390 and 990 Duke line-up, with checks revealing a risk of seal failure around the fuel filler cap, which could lead to petrol leakage. Owners are being contacted by letter and are advised to get in touch with an authorised dealer to arrange a free replacement. Husqvarna's recall affects the Svartpilen and Vitpilen 125 and 401, with similar seal issues prompting precautionary replacements. Riders can check whether their bike is affected via the service section on each brand's official website.…

Capping off Royal Enfield's busy EICMA 2025 show reveals was a ‘Mana Black’ version of their popular Himalayan 450 adventure bike, as well as a special Classic 650 featuring a unique paintjob to mark 125 years of the brand. Founded in 1901, Enfield's big birthday is being celebrated across 2026 – with the milestone initially marked by the special Classic 650 model featuring a new ‘Hypershift’ paint design, which changes as you move around the bike, going between shades of red and gold. ‘Our history has had a lot of ups and downs’ Executive Chairman of parent company Eicher Motors Ltd, Siddhartha Lal said: “Our history has had a lot of ups and downs. We've had near-death experiences many times, but what's connected us always is our philosophy of pure…

The UK bike market is set to welcome another new player in the form of Chinese brand Yadea, which unveiled a four-strong model line-up at this year's Motorcycle Live show in Birmingham. The move comes via distributor True Enterprises, which will handle sales and support when the bikes land in December. Yadea profess to be the world's largest electric bike builder by volume, selling to more than 100 million customers – but the name will be new for many UK riders. The entry point to the Yadea range is the GFX moped, which can muster just 30 miles of range with 28mph available at full whack, costing £2200. Sitting above it is the £2700 Owin, which keeps the same top speed but stretches range to 50 miles and adds more…

Verge have one UK store at Westfield in London, as well as two dealers in Germany, and three sites in California. Prices start at £31,980 for the base level TS Pro and although a handful bikes have been sold to UK customers, EU and UK Sales Manager, Spencer Cutlan admits that more needs to now be done to get bums on seats. “Test rides have been coming through thick and fast, but very much based in London,” he said. “What we've started to do now is reach out to the wider population by going to people's houses. “There's a market out there, and the great thing is that with this second generation, we're going to revisit those people that were on the fence, and I'm 100% sure we're going to…

I haven't started work on the new project that I mentioned last month, my V-twin Velocette-based flat-tracker, but I did manage to find a carburettor for it. I was filming at the Newark Show for Shed and Buried and stumbled across a pre-monoblock (that means it's got a separate float chamber) Amal carb. It's the right one for the Velo, and it looks the part too – all brass and aluminium. I got it for £50 which was a good price, because replica new ones cost about £250. I wasn't looking for it – I just spotted it and thought ‘ooh, that looks like it'll fit my Velocette,’ picked it up, measured it quickly and checked it was a one-inch bore, got it home and it fitted straight on. Perfect.…

‘Finding peace’ JON ASHLEY Last days of Autumn over the hills between Slaidburn and Bentham en route to Kirkby Lonsdale - lovely, quiet, isolated wilderness. ‘Good times’ SIMON WILSON A trip up to Dumfries and Galloway earlier this year with a couple of mates. Absolutely glorious weather and views. Picture was taken overlooking the bay towards the Lake District. ‘Café cruising’ MARTIN JOHNSON Recent coffee stop at Gasoline juice in Weeden, 20 minutes from the Super Sausage and 10 minutes from the newly re-opened Jack's Hill café too. We do all three in a morning! ‘Long way for a burger’ PHILIP WESTON This was taken at the San Marino Iron Butt association Ride to Eat event in San Marino. Riders from across Europe met for this photo and to grab…

FIRST RIDE Ducati have updated their Multistrada V4 Rally for 2026 with the same engine, chassis, and electronics upgrades debuted on this year's (MCN group test–winning) Multistrada V4 and V4 S. Costing £25,095 and available in dealers now, it's the most travel-focused machine in the Multi V4 line-up, thanks to a 30-litre fuel tank, big screen, centrestand, long-travel suspension, spoked wheels, bash plate, and tall seat height. Ducati claim the updates will make this 168bhp, knobbly-tyred V4 beast easier, safer, and more enjoyable to live with. We're at its road-only world launch in Italy to put all that to the test. 1 Too tall? Not anymore… When your speed drops below 6mph, the rear of the V4 Rally sinks to help you get your feet on the ground. It's an…

Classy The 5in colour dash with Bluetooth is loaded with functions including tyre temperature, as well as pressure readouts, which could help riders avoid cold-tyre crashes. Blinder LED headlights strobe when the ignition is switched on and work well at night, although there's no cornering function. Damper The view to the cockpit is pure exotica, with its engraved logo and fully adjustable KYB fork tops. Steering damper has a neat adjuster, but the 675 SR-R is stable anyway Shifty Although there's no down blipper, the quickshifter is smooth when the engine is at full load, but clunky on short-shifts. The six-speed gearbox itself is slick and precise. Scoop! Ducts keep the twin 300mm discs and J.Juan four-piston calipers cool. The 675 stops from 70mph in a shorter distance than a…

Immediately after passing through the immigration checkpoint at Austin airport, I'm hit with the smell of Old Spice and tobacco. As a Scandinavian this is what I always imagined Texas to smell like. I turn the corner and enter the arrivals hall and see him, Texas-Dave, and the smell of Texas personified. With open arms and dressed in a blue and yellow ‘Heja Sverige!’ T-shirt, Dave sets the warm hospitality standard of Texans that we will encounter over and over during our stay. The man who has been a digital stranger the last 11 months, will for the next two weeks become a good friend and remain the undefeated champion of one-liners. The Lone Star State is the second largest in the USA and has 695,662km² full of desert, oversized…

8 months ON TEST Forma Swift X Fit Dry boots £149.99 My impression of these boots hasn't diminished since I last reviewed them in August, despite using them in conditions they're clearly not meant for. Their design, which was new for 2025, is obviously aimed more at casual summer rides than ice-cold commutes, but alas, I've discovered hidden depths. You see, I don't take another pair of shoes with me to the office, and so I've risked suspected water ingress in sudden rainstorms and low-temperature exposure in the colder conditions post clock-change. I'm thrilled to report they've stood up flawlessly during my overly abusive testing regime in all respects, with no damp socks and warm feet too, thanks to their substantial design using thick materials. With reinforced heel and ankle…

The Lost Biker Stories Vol 1 £49.99 When the darker months roll in, and you're dreaming of next year's rides, The Lost Biker Stories is the perfect companion. Curated by Freddie Dobbs and his partner Monika, this book unites passionate tales submitted by the motorcycle community, capturing adventures close to home and far afield. Stories once told between friends now find a wider audience, fostering inspiration and camaraderie. With accounts of epic rides, bikes, and friendships, alongside original imagery from the 1960s-80s. This beautifully crafted book is an ideal coffee table addition, perfect for dipping into when you crave a touch of biking adventure. MCN rating www.thelibertatia.com…

It's very easy to get caught up in the razzamataz of a new model being launched and fail to look under the skin and discover exactly what is different aside from a few headline-grabbing features. And for 2026 this is even more apparent. With Euro5+ emissions regs now enforced, lots of models have been ‘upgraded’ to suit, but just how new are they? In many cases, not a great deal has changed and if you are prepared to buy the older generation, you will save a mint. Here are five great used alternatives to a new 2026 model. YOUR EXPERT Jon Urry is MCN used bike guru. He is tighter than a duck's bottom so if there is any way of saving cash – he's interested. His pick of used…

YOUR EXPERT BOB TEAHAN Bob is Director of The Machine Shop, Hinckley – a workshop that operates like a gym and offers its members access to tools, workbenches, knowledge and help. Bob's been engineering, racing and welding for over 15 years, and he's as comfortable chasing records as he is teaching in The Machine Shop workshop. When he's not fabricating or racing, Bob's passion is passing on hard-won skills to the next generation of welders and riders. • www.the-machine-shop.co.uk Keeping your cool Freshly flushed radiator will ensure year-round peak performance 1 Get set up for action If the time has come to replace your motorcycle's coolant, grab some Allen keys, pliers, coolant, distilled water, and a funnel. You will also need something to catch the old fluid in. Because most coolants…

2025 R&G British Talent Cup champion Ethan Sparks will enter the Momoven Moto4 European Cup next season with Michael Laverty's MLav Racing. The Moto4 European Cup is the new name for the European Talent Cup, with all regional Talent Cups also gaining Moto4 branding. As part of the shake-up, the JuniorGP World Championship, which 14-year-old Sparks is currently too young to enter, becomes the Moto3 Junior World Championship. Sparks won the British Talent Cup crown at the first attempt, beating Filip Surowiak by 13 points. Joining Laverty's team puts Sparks in a great position since they are also present in the Moto3 Junior World Championship and the Moto3 World Championship. ‘Joining the team puts him a great position’ The 2023 MCN Young Rider of the Year already has an impressive…

Remy Gardner was forced to sit out the Jerez test due to a fresh shoulder injury after a training crash; this follows a previous mishap for the Australian when he was taken down by Jonathan Rea on the final race day. This left just Stefano Manzi at GRT, the reigning Supersport World Champion completing more laps than anybody with 167. After a total of nine seasons working with Alvaro Bautista, crew chief Giulio Nava has begun working with Andrea Locatelli at Pata Yamaha. The Italian rider is pleased to be collaborating with a crew chief in his native Italian, finishing fastest on Wednesday and improving on that time by half a second on Thursday despite falling behind Bimota's Alex Lowes. MCN has learned that ‘Loka’ was a tad less pleased…