Table of contents for 24 September 2025 in MCN

‘World first race-spec gearbox on a road bike’ TOP STORY, PAGE 4 THE BIG TEST Hypernaked showdown First there were supernakeds – the ultimate in fairing-free thrills. But as superbikes evolved into ever more extreme and exotic machines it was only logical that their naked counterparts followed suit: enter the era of the hypernaked – bikes like BMW’s M1000R, Ducati’s Streetfighter V4 S and the Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory. Question is, can Triumph’s all-new Speed Triple RS keep up? PAGE 31 NEWS Honda’s gamechanger After the prototype reveal and months of teasers, Honda have finally revealed the production version of their first large capacity electric motorcycle. Called the WN7, the middleweight naked packs a 67bhp punch, promises 0-80% charging in 30 minutes and, most eyebrow-raisingly of all, will be launched in…

GRAB YOUR WELCOME GIFT Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer TOP STORY ON SALE NOVEMBER 2025 A quarter of a century ago Ducati revealed their first R-badged homologation special – the 996R that would win the World Superbike title in 2001 – and nothing illustrates how far we’ve come than the new Panigale V4 R that aims to do the same in 2026. That 996R introduced Ducati’s Testastretta engine, boasting 135bhp. The new Panigale V4 R tops that figure by over 103bhp, hitting 231.7bhp when fitted with the optional, track-only Akrapovič titanium exhaust, or 235.7bhp in combination with Ducati’s own specification of Shell Advance oil, making for a top speed of 205.4mph. Even in road trim with the stock Euro 5+ compliant pipe it achieves 215bhp and 197.8mph. With the…

Royal Enfield have reignited their historic military connection by supplying the British Army Motorised Adventure (AMA) group with four Himalayan 450 adventure bikes. The machines will be used for training and development across the UK, with soldiers set to ride them in public events including Exercise Mudmaster and Exercise Roadmaster – both of which test technical riding and navigation skills. Royal Enfield’s George Cheeseman said: “We are thrilled to provide support to the British Army’s Motorised Adventure initiative. With such a deep rooted history we felt compelled to support the programme. With the Himalayan, we can provide a machine that is truly capable and versatile in the toughest of conditions.” The move follows Royal Enfield’s presence at the Army Motorsport Day at Thruxton Circuit earlier this month, with personnel also…

Barry Sheene defends his dominance Drag racing history made Vincent celebration SHEENE’S £5K GAUNTLET Barry Sheene threw down a £5000 challenge, urging Kenny Roberts to race him on equal terms after comments Roberts made about fellow racer Steve Baker, when the AMA National Champion suggested that Sheene should have been easily beaten. Reigning World Champion Sheene suggested Roberts should put his money where his mouth was and race on crate-fresh bikes – either 750cc Yamahas or 500cc Suzukis – on home turf or over in the US to determine who was the better rider. Cadwell record dash Aside from chest-puffing with American rivals, Sheene was also busy with the business of winning races. At the eighth round of the Motor Cycle News Brut Superbike Championship at Cadwell, he clipped 1.2…

‘Vigilance is vital online’ A Facebook group for London’s bikers had been overrun by counterfeit motorcycle clothing sellers. Ads for fake branded suits, jackets, gloves and boots appeared daily, drowning out genuine posts and luring riders with false safety claims. One seller loudly trumpeted their gear as ‘CE-Certified.’ Under questioning, this shifted to the meaningless ‘designed following CE protection standards’ – with no independent assessment at all – before they eventually admitted they were merely ‘working on obtaining full CE garment certification’. That could mean anything from nearly complete to not even begun, perhaps only Googling the rules after being challenged. Most of the counterfeiters ignored questions, but one business tried to move a discussion with a rider onto WhatsApp. To his credit, the rider insisted the exchange remain public.…

THE WORLD’S WARMEST BASELAYER ® www.zerofit.co.uk Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers Name Cyril Visovsky (2012 Yamaha FJR) and John Bryant (2018 Yamaha FJR) The ride/destination Land Speed Racing Event, The Loring Timing Association and Gaspé Canada Tour. It’s like ‘Woodstock for Racers’ How many miles? 2000 How long do you need? Eight days Tell us about the trip… It's that time of year to attend a land speed racing event in the North East USA. The most underrated and fantastic environment for anyone on anything to compete against themselves. People just can't do enough to help each other out, always offering a hand. Everyone is chasing that target (150mph, 175mph, 200mph etc.). Everything on two, three and four wheels attending. It took a while to learn the language of the rule book and class designations…

There is no nicer feeling than swinging your leg over an immaculately prepared bike. Keeping your bike sparklingly clean, with perfectly maintained components and a deep lustre to the paintwork, requires products to be high-performance, easy to use and safe on all surfaces. Which is where the Oxford Mint range comes in. If you’re braving the elements on your bike, then you also need to look after your riding kit – which means you need Rainseal Waterproof Spray. This remarkable spray is designed to waterproof and protect virtually any fabric, especially polyester, cotton and nylon. The spray forms an invisible barrier on your clothing to protect from water, dirt, and oil. When rain droplets hit the garment, they simply bead up and run off the fabric surface, while UV inhibitors…

GET PROTECTED WITH MCN – AT MCNCOMPARE.COM THE HOTTEST BIKES EVERY WEEK £28,398 BMW M1000R Competition 999cc, ShiftCam, 16v inline four 207bhp @ 13,750rpm 199kg kerb £25,171 Ducati Streetfighter V4 S 1103cc, desmo, 16v 90° V4 211bhp @ 13,500rpm 201kg kerb £18,950 Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory 1099cc dohc, 16v 65° V4 178bhp @ 11,800rpm 211kg kerb £17,495 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS 1160cc, dohc, 12v inline triple 180.5bhp @ 10,750rpm 199kg kerb The 2025 hyper-naked class is the logical conclusion to a style of motorbike for which logic doesn’t come into it. Ever since Aprilia pulled the fairing off an RSV Mille sportsbike and put flat bars on it in 2002 – arguably the first true super-naked – power and chassis technology have escalated in lock-step with sportsbike development,…

There are few MotoGP riders over the years who have stirred the soul for fans like the great Nicky Hayden. Devastatingly fast with an iconic riding style born of his flat-tracking days, the Kentucky Kid’s winning personality and high-octane charm made him a favourite across the globe, all topped off by talent and success across multiple world and domestic championships. Born in Owensboro, Kentucky, Hayden started on two wheels at the tender age of five surrounded by a family who shared the same passion. Earl, his father, Rose, his mother, both his brothers Roger-Lee and Tommy, and both his sisters Kathleen and Jenny all raced on two wheels to various levels at various points, with plenty of success too. Following in his parents’ footsteps, Nicky’s first foray was into the…

CATCH UP WITH OUR LONGTERM TESTS Go online now: www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn-fleet Mile-munching shed dweller with a definite penchant for the road less travelled. “Treat every straight like a drag race!” Of all the words of wisdom that I received during a day of training at Donington Park, there was something about that phrase which hit home. It may be obvious to racers and trackday regulars, but for someone who’s spent the best part of their life trying to be smooth and progressive as a road rider, it was a penny-drop moment. I’d been bitten by the track bug on an MSVT session at Cadwell, which coincided with a promotion to the road testing team, and that’s how I found myself learning the ropes around Donny under the watchful eye of MCN’s…

When a small-capacity commuter rolled into Japs Motorcycles for a routine service, owner Stephen Fryatt was left scratching his head at how it had even made it through the door. “I don’t know how he made it here without the chain falling off – it was way beyond worn out and was ready to come off the sprocket. In fact, you could nearly enough pull it off by hand,” Fryatt explained. The Suzuki GSX-S125's owner had looked after it in most respects. “There wasn’t much else wrong with it and it was pretty nice everywhere else – he’d kept his oil level up which you often see really low on 125s,” he added. “There were a few small bits, the cush drive rubbers were on their way out and the…

A weekend break in the MotoGP calendar gives a rare opportunity for reflection. And the realisation that, even with six races left the main show is over. That’s because, barring a miracle (or, frankly, a disaster) Marc Marquez will secure a brilliant 2025 world championship at Motegi on Sunday. Marc needs only three more points than his younger brother Alex. Should be a breeze. Most likely, again barring disaster, Alex will breeze into second overall. A sibling double unprecedented in MotoGP, or indeed any high-level motor sport. Alex has had the beating of Bagnaia all year, but the consistently improving Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi, now only eight points adrift of Bagnaia, has a good chance of disrupting the Ducati top-three party. Too soon to jump to conclusions. But Bezzecchi’s and…

One of the criticisms levelled at MotoGP is that little of the technology developed within the championship actually filters down to road-going machines. Sure, we’ve had traction control and ride-by-wire, plus chassis and tyres have both benefitted, but there’s not been that single game-changing piece of evolution that’s benefitted all our lives. So you may read our top story on the all-new Ducati Panigale V4 R, with its ‘cornering sidepods’, ‘neutral lock’ gearbox and 205mph claimed top speed with a healthy dose of respect for what those clever lads and lasses over in Bologna have been doing, but also a touch of ‘meh, but what does all that mean for me?’ As irrelevant as wings and things may feel for us everyday road riders, aerodynamics could play a role in…

SAVE £3856 £15,999 Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro Triumph’s adventure flagship is a superbly plush mile-muncher with exquisite road manners and bags of poke. The Rally Pro also happens to be the most dirt-capable big Tiger to date, all without sacrificing any of its excellent touring credentials. This one comes with aluminium panniers and three years of free servicing to sweeten the deal. www.triumphworld.co.uk SAVE £2696 £15,299 KTM 1390 Super Duke R KTM’s 1390 Super Duke R mixes superbike power with bags of supermoto-like flickability, all while being surprisingly unintimidating. www.premierbikes.com • Engine 1350cc • Power 187bhp • Weight 201kg • Seat height 834mm SAVE £1450 £6849 Suzuki GSX-8S Great value from the off, Suzuki’s GSX-8S naked can handle anything you ask of it, from commuting to backroad blasts. www.biketreads.co.uk…

SIGN UP NOW FOR YOUR FREE GIFT Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer An MCN reader from Milton Keynes has bagged himself a brand-new Suzuki GSX-8R sportsbike and a bundle of free Furygan riding kit – all by getting an insurance quote online with MCN Compare. Mark Foden, 52, received the news that he’d won the competition during a motorcycle tour in France, having taken out a quote for his Triumph Street Triple in June of this year. It was the first time Mark had entered one of the regular MCN Compare competitions – and he couldn’t believe his luck. “I was a little bit taken aback,” he told MCN during a special handover at Suzuki GB on September 15. “It’s not a bike I’d looked at in the past,…

LOOKING FOR GREAT BIKE KIT DEALS? Alpinestars AMT-10Lab Drystar XF £637.49 Don’t let rain and wind stop play… As the proverb goes: “There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” This is certainly true in motorcycling and anyone who’s been caught in a downpour while dressed for a summer’s ride will agree. Wind and rain are unfortunately part of the deal when living in the UK, but if you have the right kit the climate needn’t stop you from enjoying your motorcycle – and a decent textile jacket has to be the cornerstone of any all-season riding wardrobe. All-weather textile kit can be some of the priciest on the market at the top end so percentage discounts quickly add up to huge savings. This modular option from Alpinestars…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews ‘Why not save the Imps? Whilst I’d already heard that the Imps were unlikely to carry on, your article on September 10 left me with more questions than answers. Running a kids’ motorcycle display team may be complex, but not impossible. At the recent Copdock Bike Show there was a superbly entertaining youth team, The Rockets. The youngest being only seven, these girls and boys entertained the crowds with their jumps and riding skills that many adult riders don’t possess. If they can do it, why can’t the Imps? Jeremy McNulty, email Continuing our partnership with Zerofit – King of Baselayers® – we are changing up the prize for the winner of the weekly star letter. The Heatrub Move Baselayer (£40 RRP) is twice as warm…

‘When Joey edged clear to take the win, even the V&M boys were cheering him on!’ As if being Head of Sales and Marketing and a development rider for Honda R&D in Japan didn’t keep me busy enough, I also looked after Honda’s UK racing activities which gave me the opportunity to work with some very famous racers. One such rider will always remain an enduring icon, forever revered as the ‘King of the Roads’ – William Joseph Dunlop – Joey. Apart from his motorcycling success it was Joey’s humanity and connection to his roots which endeared him to fans. Despite global fame, he remained a local hero, often racing for the love of the sport rather than financial gain. Off the track, Joey’s contributions were equally as significant. His…

1 September 27 Ducati Stoke opening day From 10am-4pm Ducati Stoke is opening its doors for the first time and everyone is invited. Scott Redding will be making a guest appearance, and the event will be hosted by TV presenter Grace Webb from 11am-2pm with refreshments and competitions. www.ducatistoke.com 2 September 27-28 Santa Pod The famous quarter-mile in Northamptonshire (NN29 7XA) has a full line up this weekend with Run What Ya Brung on Saturday and the JapShow Finale on Sunday. Get involved and put your machine to the test or ramp up with some of the spectacular metal Japan has to offer. santapod.co.uk 3 September 28 Notts Classic Car and Motorcycle Show The season finale at Thoresby Park (NG22 9EP) is happening this Sunday. Running for over 30 years, it’s proven to…

FIRST RIDE Manufacturers are now starting to feel the need to highlight the off-road success of their middleweight adventurers to lend them extra credibility. And while UK riders may never have heard of the Baja Aragon, Hellas Rally Raid or Africa Eco Race, or indeed care about the Italian Motorally Championship, they might be impressed that the bike which won all of these events recently has helped form the foundation for the new Tuareg Rally 660. Does the most hardcore Tuareg model to date deliver on its promise? Time to find out as we hit the tarmac and trails… 1 Uprated suspension The Rally has the same 240mm of travel as the stock Tuareg but its fully adjustable Kayaba suspension features uprated internals with linear resistance springs rather than progressive. Aprilia…

APRILIA BMW DUCATI TRIUMPH…

‘Smile and keep riding’ Chinese bikes have come a long way in a short period. But while some firms have chosen to throw everything but the kitchen sink at their machines, Benda have focused on turning out an end product that is simply well-rounded and complete. At £5399 OTR, the Chinchilla undercuts the Honda CMX500 Rebel by £400 (the Napoleonbob is £5699), and for an A2 licence friendly bike that blends manageability with peppy performance and high production standards, it offers rather good value for money. 4000-mile service intervals are short, but the two-year unlimited warranty gives peace of mind. And as for the names? Just smile and keep riding. THE FACTS £5399 OTR Benda Chinchilla 500…

CHECK OUT THE LATEST DEALS Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer “The first time I came to the Scottish Six Days, I was six-weeks-old and my mum pushed me to the sections in a Silver Cross pram,” recalls 14-time SSDT winner and 12-time world trials champion Dougie Lampkin. For a trials fan, Dougie, or for that matter the Lampkin family, needs no introduction. For the uninitiated Dougie is part of the Lampkin dynasty, a family that in the trials world are practically royalty. Aside from world championship domination during the 1990s and early 2000s, Dougie is the most successful rider at the SSDT – a six day trial, comprising of 180 sections in the Scottish Highlands. We meet in Fort William where Dougie has agreed to show me some of…

READ OUR LATEST IN-DEPTH KIT REVIEWS Go online now: www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-kit RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor 3000 miles ON TEST Nexx X.Lifetour £469.99 ‘Comfy from the first wear’ Tested by Alison Silcox for six months This Nexx flip-front helmet delivers comfort from day one, with virtually no break-in period required. The carbon fibre construction keeps it relatively lightweight for the feature set, though at 1700g it's still on the weighty side for extended touring and may cause a bit of fatigue or neck stiffness if you’re used to something lighter. The fully removable liner is plush and soft, with seven different interior sizes across two shell options ensuring a proper fit. The ratchet style chinstrap adjusts easily and features a quick-release closure that's simple to operate. Intercom preparation is…

‘Satisfying and saves money’ Chain maintenance is one of the simplest and most satisfying tasks you can perform on your motorcycle, and often it’s the very first hands-on job many riders are confident enough to tackle themselves. It’s quick, inexpensive, and has a huge impact on the overall health of your machine. A clean, well-lubricated chain lasts far longer than a filthy one. Bike chains are constantly exposed to the elements. Rain, dust, road salt, and grit are all thrown up from the road and cling to the links, mixing with old, dried lubricant to form an abrasive paste. This acts like liquid sandpaper, accelerating wear on both the chain and sprockets. If left untreated, this build-up can cause stiff or ‘frozen’ links that refuse to articulate smoothly, increasing the…

In a change of company strategy, Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) have offloaded World Endurance and FIM Speedway by choosing not to be the promotor of either series next year. Speedway will now be promoted by Mayfield Sports Events, while EWC comes under the organisation of Claude Michy’s PHA, the organisation that runs the French MotoGP as well as the Spa-Francorchamps EWC event. National Motos win Superstock National Motos Honda FMA have secured their second consecutive EWC title. The category race win went to the Champion-MRP-Tecmas BMW team, becoming the first Superstock team to finish in the overall race top three for four years in EWC. Moto Review Moto Journal made headlines by running 10-time EWC World Champion, Vincent Philippe, in a return to racing alongside Tom Pages. Team Super Moto…

GREG HAINES INSIGHT Checks out the runners and riders ahead of Aragon As a great fan of numbers and records, there is no way Toprak Razgatlioglu will want to skip off to MotoGP without having celebrated at least one win on each of the current World Superbike circuits. An Aragon victory eludes the Turk, while the north-eastern Spanish venue is a renowned happy hunting ground for his rivals on Ducatis. With this in mind, round 10 of 12 will be a massive weekend for both Toprak and Ducati’s main man Nicolo Bulega. Will Toprak be able to grasp that elusive trophy? Rewind to 2024 RACE 1 1 Iannone, 2 Razgatlioglu, 3 Gerloff SUPERPOLE RACE 1 Bautista, 2 Razgatlioglu, 3 Bulega RACE 2 1 Bautista, 2 Razgatlioglu, 3 Bulega Aragon 2024 had…

For the Rule Breakers. Reigning British and World Superbike Champions Christian Iddon’s impressive season went to another level on Sunday when he once again proved that he’s one of the top wet weather performers on the BSB grid. Iddon has been doing great things onboard the AJN Steelstock Kawasaki all year, but when the heavens opened, you just knew something extra special could be on the horizon. A ridiculously fast lap in the torrential rain in Saturday’s opener put Iddon on pole for Race Two, and he never looked back. Iddon went on to claim his first win since Knockhill last year, and the FS-3 Racing team’s first since Jason O’Halloran’s triumph at Donington in the second round of the 2024 season. For Kawasaki as a manufacturer, it’s a first victory…

TT Legend John McGuinness MBE in MCN every week That was definitely a challenging weekend and some real masterstroke rides from certain people in what were difficult conditions. I feel there were a lot of world-class performances. As far as the championship was concerned you had to stay on, and Bradley made a mistake in the wet. We spoke earlier in the year about how the Showdown was never going to be three rounds in perfect sunshine – and here we are, plus I think we’re going to get more curve balls and more drama. The fact that Kyle has finished his last 54 BSB races in the points is incredible for such a young lad… that’s a really solid stat. I doubt if anyone’s matched that – maybe Shakey…

ROUND 9 ASSEN 16 Jackson 56pts 17 McPhee 53pts 18 Swann 44.5pts 19 McConnell 31pts 20 Hedger 19pts 21 Van Sikkelerus 7pts 22 Hickman 5.5pts 23 Talbot 4pts 24 Tessels 2pts 25 Todd 2pts 26 Kerr 0.5pts BSB POSITIONS RACE 1 16 Baker +1 Lap 17 Jackson +2 Laps 18 Stacey +2 Laps 19 Brookes +2 Laps DNF Ray +3.777, Cook 1 Lap, Bridewell 3 Laps, Todd 4 Laps, Rogers 6 Laps DNS Davies BSB POSITIONS RACE 2 16 Brookes +48.179 17 G Irwin +48.207 18 Van Sikkelerus +49.705 19 Hickman +1.00.964 20 Kerr +1.05.923 21 Tessels +1.08.918 22 Baker +1 Lap 23 Davis +1 Lap DNF Todd 16 Laps BSB POSITIONS RACE 3 16 Swann +22.706 17 Todd +38.142 18 Van Sikkelerus +48.105 19 Baker +56.082 20 Tessels +56.209…

TOP STORY JOSH CLOSE INSIGHT Reporting from British Superbikes at Assen It’s been said before and will no doubt be said again in the future, but Scott Redding is fantastic box office for the Bennetts British Superbike Championship. On a weekend where the historic Assen circuit was battered by rain, and the fans’ commitment was tested to the limit, Redding gave them something to shout and cheer about as he duelled with Leon Haslam and Kyle Ryde for victory in Sunday’s finale. He duly came out on top for the second time during the weekend and proceeded to jump off his Hager PBM Ducati to go and celebrate with the fans in the grandstand at the infamous Geert Timmer Chicane. He gee’d the fans up and threw his gloves up to…

Suzuki have fresh colour schemes for their Avenis 125 and Burgman Street 125EX scooters. The Avenis now comes in bronze-and-black or all-black, while the Burgman offers all-black, matt navy, or Pearl Grace White. Both use Suzuki’s proven Eco Performance engine, return a claimed 148.67mpg, and feature 21.5 litres of storage, USB charging, and hooks. Prices are £2599 and £2799 respectively. IoM racing boost The Andreas Racing Association on the Isle of Man have secured £11,900 from the Manx Lottery Trust to upgrade their race control radio system. Based at Jurby Airfield, the volunteer-run club has supported grassroots racing for more than 50 years, with up to 70 competitors at each event. The funding will pay to replace ageing equipment, to support safe, reliable communication across their regular race weekends. Free…

Kawasaki’s A1-friendly Z125 and Ninja 125 will return for 2026 in updated colour schemes. The Zed arrives in Pearl Storm Grey/Ebony or Candy Lime Green/Metallic Spark Black, starting at £4299. Meanwhile, the Ninja 125 comes in Lime Green or Metallic Graphite Grey/Metallic Spark Black, both at £4699. Both use trellis frames, have ABS, digital dashes, and a 14.8bhp single-cylinder engine. Jobs saved at helmet firm Ruroc Helmet manufacturer Ruroc have been sold out of administration, with all jobs secured. PwC’s Tim Higgins, Edward Williams and Ross Connock were appointed Joint Administrators on September 12, before completing a sale of the Gloucester-based firm’s business and assets to Tytan PG Limited, owned by parent company Ruroc Global Holdings. Higgins said the deal “saves all employment”. Scoot to work Martin-style Aprilia’s sporty SR…

‘Intercept some major savings’ When a company does well, it is easy to assume that the success is reflected across the range. However, if you dig a bit deeper the cracks start to emerge. And this is exactly the case with Royal Enfield and with one model in particular. The Interceptor 650, which was launched in 2018, was a huge success. In fact, it was the UK’s best-selling naked in 2019 as riders were drawn to its basic charms. However, while the Interceptor covered itself in sales glory, its sportier sibling hasn’t been as well received. The Continental GT 650 was released alongside the Interceptor and although it features the same engine, the GT comes with more of a café racer sway, including an aggressive riding position and solo seat.…

Pyramid Triumph Daytona 660 Tail Tidy £89.99 This Pyramid Tail Tidy replaces the Daytona 660’s bulky stock plate hanger, slicking up the sporty Triumph’s rear end. Made from matte black carbon steel, it includes an LED plate light, reflector, indicator adapters, and all fittings – no permanent modifications needed. www.pyramid.co.uk Merlin Bednell heated gloves £249.99 The CE Level 2 D3O gloves form part of Merlin’s new heated clothing range. Made from waterproof leather, they also feature a Thinsulate lining, D3O knuckle guards, and three heat settings. Each pair comes with rechargeable batteries. Available in black or brown. www.merlinbikegear.com Bell Bullit GT Solid £434.99 Bell’s new Bullitt GT and GT Carbon helmets blend classic style with modern tech. Key updates include improved ventilation, better sealing, tool-less visor removal, premium leather lining,…

Q ‘Can I pursue the cyclist?’ I was riding my scooter home when a cyclist pulled out. I could not avoid him and we both came off. I had a bad shoulder break, as well as more minor injuries, remain unable to work and am claiming sick pay. He is being prosecuted, I think, for dangerous cycling. The police have given me his name and address in case I want to make a claim against him. I am worried over what I can do if he doesn’t have the money to pay compensation because cyclists don’t need insurance. Andy Roberts, email A Motorists must have at least third-party liability cover, but cyclists don’t need to have insurance. Some cyclist organisations, such as British Cycling which has over 165,000 members, do…

THE DETAILS Open Tues 9am-2pm, Wed 9am-2pm, 7pm-11pm, ThursSat 9am-11pm, Sun 9am-6pm 70 The Green, B38 8RU Birmingham used to be at the heart of the biking world but while manufacturing has fallen away, Chas Mann, which was founded in 1949, is going strong and attracts bikers not just for servicing, but for a brew. “I came up with a marketing plan for another business,” Chas Mann’s owner Ian explains, “but I popped in here to buy a spark plug. I left and got as far as the roundabout and realised that if I really believed my plan, why was I trying to give it to someone else? So, I turned around and came back.” Ian transformed the bike shop to include a café upstairs that’s inspired by hanging out…

JOIN THE MCN PIT STOP BREW CREW www.motorcyclenews.com/pit-stop ‘New bike, will travel’ SCOTT CARPENTER Managed a short ride on the new bike on the last day of summer. 1040 miles in eight weeks, with four weeks taking almost no miles because I'd been too enthusiastic on running-in miles before the first service! ‘Anyone home?’ HARRY HAWKINS A quick stop at Woody's Wagon on the way to Rowrah Show. Shame he wasn't open that day. ‘Cheeky satnav’ MATHEW THOMAS ANTHONY Here's one I found in Derbyshire! The ride was great. It's not quite in the Peak District but there are some nice twisty country roads and it looks amazing when the sun's setting. ‘Singing in the rain’ LEE HARRISON New bike on Monday. So on Tuesday it was a full day…

‘It’s just too aggressive’ The Rally looks fantastic and has bags more kerb-appeal than the stock Tuareg but its aggressive throttle and firm suspension make low-speed work a challenge. Also, its price is hard to justify when compared to the £11,404 Yamaha Ténéré 700 Rally, especially when you consider historical depreciation figures of the Tuareg and its lack of quickshifter and connectivity. If you are considering a Tuareg the Rally’s spec and looks make it the model to go for, but pound-for-pound it’s not the best middleweight adventurer. THE FACTS £12,400 Aprilia Tuareg Rally 660…

‘Immersive experience’ It’s tricky to pick a winner when bikes are so evenly matched. But we all agree the Aprilia is the least attractive, with a finish that doesn’t reflect its price. We’re surprised how it’s slipped in sheer desirability. It’s also the least powerful – but with its flat spread of power, it’s arguably an easier-going motor than the other V4 (if you buy a hyper-naked to be easy-going). The Speed Triple isn’t as showy as the Ducati, but it’s a nicer bike to ride day-to-day -and the motor is equally, juicily wonderful. It’s a better eighth-tenths road bike than the Ducati, only losing out in the last few oodles of pace. The Ducati is pure theatre; brash and beautiful, built with a design flourish. And what a thing…

Having won the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) 14 times, nine more times than any other rider in the 114-year history of the gruelling highlands-based event, Dougie Lampkin can be considered a true Trialmaster. Fittingly and following in the tradition of his late father Martin, and his two uncles Arthur and Sid, who are all SSDT winners in their own right, Dougie is also a proud wearer of the iconic Belstaff Trialmaster jacket, which was originally designed specifically for the demands of the SSDT back in 1948. Five times SSDT winner Sammy Miller was one of the first wearers of the now famous wax cotton jacket with its unique angled top left chest pocket that allowed competitors to easily access their route maps as they navigated around the Scottish hills…

SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE WELCOME GIFT Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer Saving you money on essential bike maintenance with easy-to-follow tips 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 BOB’S TIPS The best time to clean your chain is after a ride while the metal is still warm 1 Get set to clean Mount your bike on its…

GREG HAINES INSIGHT Reporting from the drama-packed Bol d’Or in France ‘We really wanted to do it for the whole team’ What happened at Paul Ricard on Sunday was one of the cruellest blows ever dealt in motor racing. It was all looking so good for BMW as the German manufacturers were poised for their first ever World Endurance Championship title, priming things beautifully ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu’s chase towards another World Superbike title in Aragon this coming weekend. Unbelievably, despite the team running carefully and saving their engine, the inline-four let go - leaving YART to take the title. Those present at the circuit could not believe it any more than viewers watching at home, with screams at the televisions and an horrendous feeling of desperation. Talking with BMW…

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFFERS Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer JOSH CLOSE INSIGHT Looking ahead to the next round in Japan 1 Writing on the wall Barring an absolute disaster, Marc Marquez will be crowned 2025 MotoGP World Champion this weekend. Ironically, Marquez’s first title since 2019, and his first for Ducati, will come in front of the HRC bosses who once worshipped his every lap. It’s simple. Marquez needs to avoid being outscored by his brother, Alex Marquez, by three points to clinch the title with five rounds to spare. Marc is 182 points clear heading into the weekend, and must hold a lead of at least 185 come the end of Sunday’s GP. Given the utter domination of the 2025 season by Marquez you can’t look past him…

For the Rule Breakers. Reigning British and World Superbike Champions With the hype surround Redding and Ray heading into the trip to Assen it was easy to forget that Leon Haslam had five BSB wins at the Dutch track. Not only that, but Haslam has competed there on multiple occasions in World Superbikes. Without a podium since Race One at Knockhill back in July, the timing couldn’t have been any more perfect for a trip to Assen. “I love Assen,” Haslam said. “It’s a proper world championship track and this sort of style helps me. The weather threw a spanner in the works as it’s only the second time I’ve ridden the Ducati in the rain, but I felt like we had the pace to win both of them. “It’s…