Table of contents for July 11th 2018 in MCN

William won four North West 200s, scored seven successes at the Ulster GP and took five TT podiums. He took a total of 108 race wins at Irish National meetings and 119 in total. That places him fourth overall in the all-time Irish road race winners list behind Ryan Farquhar, Joey and his father Robert. WILLIAM’S STATS 18 seasons, 119 victories William entered his first race in 2000 on a 125 aged 17 First win, Athea 2005 First roads win was in 2005 but he took a short circuit win in 2003 Last win, Cookstown 2017 William bagged the Supersport victory on the Caffrey Yamaha R6 7 Ulster Grand Prix wins 2007: 250cc, 2009: 250cc and Supersport 2, 2010: 125cc, 2012: 125cc and Supersport 1, 2013: Supersport 2 4 North…

• BM W Bikes have alarms as options and BMW UK endorse the same Datatool tracking system, but charge £350 fitted. • Ducati Starting at £235, Ducati offer integrated, optional alarm system for all models. • Kawasaki Affiliated with BikeTrac (around £350-400 fitted as a one-off payment) as their approved supplier. • K TM Offer a PowerParts alarm (from £300) and are also working with Datatool to develop a KTM tracker. • Suzuki Offer £200 allowance for dealers inside the M25 to provide free security products to new customers. • Triumph Offer a Datatool alarm as an option (£305 on a Street Triple). It is wired in during the bike’s manufacture. • Yamaha Offer a GPS tracking system through Meta Track, with prices from around £300.…

A new company are planning to introduce the most technology-packed helmet we’ve ever seen. Taiwanese firm Jarvish have been pioneering a new helmet, the X-AR, which features a heads-up display showing information on speed, navigation and weather conditions. The rider can also use a built-in microphone to toggle between displays and show images from the HD rear camera. There is a front camera, too. It even promises connectivity with Amazon’s Alexa device. The lid has 16GB of memory and has Bluetooth and WiFi capability. Battery life is said to be four hours. Due to be introduced in 2019, the helmet will cost around £800 if it makes it to the UK.…

NEXT WEEK WEDNESDAY 11TH Squires Café bike meet, Sherburn, West Yorks Entr y Free Info www.squires-cafe.co.ukOne of the best biker cafés with lots of interesting bikes to gawp at. Brit Bike Night with Triumph & Royal Enfield OC, Ace Café, London Entr y Free Info www.london.acecafe.comA night of classic British metal, brilliant music and great food. THURSDAY 12TH-15TH The Rock & Bike Fest, Normanton, Derbys Entr y £40 Info www.rockandbikefest.co.ukOld-school bike/rock festival with beers, leather and more. FRIDAY 13TH Peterborough Panthers Speedway, Cambs Entr y £16 Info www.peterboroughpanthers.coThe Showground is a great place to watch racing on a summer evening. SATURDAY 14TH-15TH Moto Time, Cadwell Park, Lincs Entr y £12 Info www.mototimeattack.comBikers race against clock in one-on-one time trial as national racers take on UK’s best clubmen. SUNDAY 15TH Thetford…

Simply head online to MCN’s #ride5000miles Facebook page and vote for your favourite biking stop-off. Entice us with pictures of floury bacon baps and sizzling big breakfasts, or simply a brief eulogy as to why your nomination is the best biker café in Blighty. We’ll then visit one each week until we’ve sampled the 25 tastiest. At the end of summer we’ll reveal the five best ranking cafés on tour, and open them up to a public vote before crowning the winner of MCN’s inaugural Golden Sausage Award. Nominate your top nosh-pit at Facebook.com/groups/ride5000miles, or via mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com…

‘There is no law that you can’t ride one-handed’ Q Can the police pull me for using cruise control? A friend of mine who is a traffic highway patrol officer has mentioned to me that I should be wary of riding along with only one hand on the bars, because it could be found that I am not in ‘proper control’ of the bike. Is it an offence to ride like that? If it is, what is the point of cruise control where you can let go of the twistgrip without the throttle shutting off? Tim Newman, email A There is no law that says you can’t ride one-handed. But if a police officer believes there are other factors that do constitute the offence of ‘not being in proper control’…

LEE ETHERINGTON Age 60 Height 5ft 7in Current bike 2010 Triumph Speed Triple Been riding for 45 years First bike Casal K190 moped Dream bike Captain America chopper “I’m a former aftersales manager at Jack Lilley Triumph, former Police surveillance motorcyclist and all-round Speed Triple lover. I wanted a fast, capable bike to commute on and to replace my 999. “Being in the industry I’ve ridden most bikes but nothing comes near. There are faster, better handling all-rounders, but none quite match the Speed Triple’s mix of looks, attitude, fun and practicality. I love the way it shakes and bucks a little when riding it hard. It feels like you’re on the edge, but it always remains in control. “It has a rugged beauty about it. Mine’s the last of…

Just when we thought Honda’s new CB1000R + would draw level with the Speed Triple, the Triumph drops a gear and fires off into the distance. The Brit now has the kind of speed and refinement it could have only dreamed about in the past. It’s smoother, grippier, more agile, easier to ride and although it’s more expensive than the Honda the level of equipment almost defies belief for the price. Snap one up now before Triumph realise they’ve priced it too low. Honda have injected much-needed zest into this lighter, more powerful CB1000R with funky styling, eye-popping brakes and smooth electronic rider aids. It’s faster-steering and crazier than the Speed Triple RS when you want it to be, but lacks the Triumph’s composure and its budget rear shock really…

However enjoyable it is on the road, you can never really set it free. To do that you need to go on track. Warming up in the paddock at Cadwell Park, I lower the pressures on the Pirelli Supercorsa SP rubber, select Race mode and that’s it, we’re ready to go. The Öhlins suspension is semi-active, so will do all the hard work for you as it reacts to your inputs and the track; no spanners required. The Speciale feels narrow, nimble and light, especially through Hall Bends. I don’t expect a bike with so much power to be so flickable. It’s a slightly alien feeling; big-capacity bikes are usually such a handful in the tight sections but the Speciale isn’t. Even over the famous Mountain the clever electronics prevent…

1972 Birth of legend Lino Dainese makes his first motorcycle clothing product, with a little help from his mum. That pair of leather motocross trousers kickstart an empire. 1974 First stretch panels Elasticated inserts are added to race suits to improve flexibility. “The first rider to ask for better ergonomics was Agostini,” says Vittorio Cafaggi of Dainese’s D-Air lab. “Suits used to be made to fit a rider while standing up but from 1981 we made them for riders in a racing crouch. The key to achieving this was elasticated stretch panels.” 1978 First back protector “Barry Sheene used to wear some foam rubber down the back of his leathers,” says Lino Dainese. “What we did was put a rigid structure over the foam in order to distribute the force…

• When to go The best riding time is from mid-May to early October. • Local wildlife It’s everywhere. Mind the deer! • Weather Like most landlocked mountain ranges, the weather is unpredictable, switching from sunshine to heavy rain within minutes. • Don’t speed In the 50 and 70kph zones (near hotels); the police can (and will) impound your bike. Police presence is generally light during weekdays but can have crackdowns if there have been recent problems or accidents. • Take it easy German trees are as unforgiving as British trees. Best avoided. • Go in the week The best and quietest riding time is during summer weekdays. Weekends have lots of tourist traffic and it can be busy with bikes, push bikes and camper vans. • Don’t just ride it once You’ve come a long way…

‘The scenery is bloody lovely at Wadebridge’ Paul Langford doesn’t need much of an excuse to get his Kawasaki Z1000SX out of the garage for a blast on this brilliant one-gallon ride . Paul says: “This route has a bit of everything. There are loads of typical Cornish undulations and a mixture of different speed limits and nice, fast sweeping bends. “The scenery is bloody lovely as you head to Wadebridge with the coast off your right shoulder. There are loads of good places to stop for a picture session or a brew, but as you blast back up towards St Breward (after about 25 miles) you cross the River Camel and that is simply stunning. “And while this ride does use a lot of A-roads it’s normally pretty quiet.…

“I tend to over-analyse everything. On the road you can have almost everything mapped out, but on the dirt you are thrown so many curve balls so quickly. “I really appreciated the chance to repeat a section over and over again. At first, I was climbing just hanging on, thinking, ‘Please grip, just get to the top!’ At the top my hands were burning. My upper body felt so tense. Michael’s tip to push down through the footrests to increase traction was so good. It’s gone from being intense to being fun. “It was a revelation to get the feedback from Michael that I have good control. I’ve realised that I also just needed a bit more belief in myself. I’m made up. Those little changes have made a world…

DXR Charlize £229.99 Tested by Alison Silcox, 2000 miles, 12 months Made from soft and supple leather, this well-priced jacket comes with CE-approved armour at the shoulder, elbow and back. It was comfortable from the first wear and, with zips at the hip, there’s ample space for curvaceous bottoms. At 5ft 10in tall and size 12, I’m not petite by any means and often find it difficult to get jackets that are long enough in the body and sleeves. This is not the case with this jacket: the body doesn’t ride up to leave any irritating gaps and the sleeves are comfortable with my arms outstretched to reach handlebars. It comes with a bulky thermal liner, but I removed this in favour of a micro fleece layer. There are plenty…

Dumpy screwdriver Using a short, dumpy screwdriver on your airbox lid gives you more access when you are working in tight spots and means you don’t have to remove your bike’s tank completely. Allen key sockets Using Allen keys with long handles or a long-reach wrench with your socket will ensure you won’t scratch your bike’s tank accidently while you are preparing to change the filter. Quality tools also prevent damage to fasteners. Flathead screwdriver This bit of kit is vital for removing fasteners and also handy for propping up your fuel tank. Have a selection of screwdrivers to hand so you aren’t left hunting around for the ideal tool part way through changing your air filter. Workshop torch Even if your garage is well lit, you will benefit from…

I blame Foggy. Well, not personally, because he was victim not perpetrator. But back in 1990 when he was beginning to explore the height of his powers, he didn’t manage to get a proper GP ride. Not for want of trying, but for whatever reason it didn’t come together for the man with the scary stare. Perhaps he lacked the right kind of sophisticated management, his racer-dad George unable to make headway against the purring fat-cats of the American ‘Racers Inc’ group, which managed almost every world champion from Kenny Roberts Senior through to Wayne Rainey and beyond. Wherever he fell short, it certainly wasn’t in riding ability. Or determination. Or any of the things that really matter in racing. His four WSB titles are ample proof. ‘British GP riders…

Rookie Andrew Irwin continued to impress in just his second meeting with the Be Wiser Ducati team. The Ulsterman showed strong pace through practice, but a weak qualifying performance left him 14th on the grid. Despite struggling to pass at the notoriously tricky track, he finished 11th and 8th in the two races. “I’m really pleased,” he said. “I took a risk coming here on a proven winning bike. I had to perform, but I think I did well and things are going well so far!”…

“Danny has grown up a fair bit this year if I’m brutally honest. He’s had a kid, got married and that’s matured him a lot. It shows in his riding and in his attitude. I knew he had potential. He had some good results when I worked with him at Be Wiser Kawasaki in 2015. “His bike feedback is now a lot better, too. I can relate a lot better to what he says and can react to that to improve the package. He’s using his head a lot more. In 2015 I think he might have crashed out of those races trying to win but two podiums show how much he’s come on.”…

Carl Fogarty WSB hero and TT winner Life’s s**t sometimes. You feel on top of the world one minute, then get brought back down to earth the next with the sad news that William Dunlop has lost his life racing today. My thoughts are with Louise, Michael and family. Phillip McCallen 11-times TT winner The sad news you never want to hear. Absolutely devastated to hear we’ve lost William Dunlop in an incident today at the Skerries 100. He was one of the most genuine people you could ever meet and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. My thoughts are with his family. Stephen Watson BBC presenter I can’t quite believe the devastating news about William Dunlop who lost his life at the Skerries. He was one…

A bereft Sam Dunlop paid tribute to his racing cousin, William, after his death at Skerries. “Words just fail me,” he said. “I started racing the year after William and although we were cousins he was more like a brother to me. With Robert and my Dad we were all one big happy camp, going from race to race and, for me, William went on to become the best 125cc, 250cc and 600cc road racer Ireland has ever produced. He had huge natural talent. “William supported and encouraged me and I looked up to him even though he was younger than me. Although he mightn’t have said very much, he was always there and was the first person to congratulate you when you did well. “But the funny thing is…

The Bike Shed is to host a new event that’s part-track day, part-bike show and part-race at Lydden Hill, Kent, on Saturday, July 21. Called the Café Racer Cup, it’s aimed at owners of modern-day café racers. Track day and race entries have sold out but there are still plenty of spectators tickets available for £16. Like all Bike Shed events, there will be great food, drink and retail stalls and plenty of places to watch the action if you simply want to soak up atmosphere.…

Win a chance to meet Crutchlow at the Brit MotoGP Silverstone have launched ‘Silverstone Stories’, a new competition based on your favourite GP racing memories from the track hosting this year’s GoPro British MotoGP on August 26. Silverstone has seen some of the best racing moments ever, including the epic duel between Barry Sheene and Kenny Roberts in 1979. All you have to do is share your favourite racing moment from any year the World Championship has been held at Silverstone to be entered into a prize draw. Then you could get the chance to meet Cal Crutchlow and spend a Friday afternoon practice session in the LCR Honda pitbox. To be in with a chance of winning, visit the Silverstone Facebook page and post your own Silverstone Stories on…

The first-ever MCN Scottish Festival is now just weeks away and gives you the chance to try some amazing machines. Taking place on July 21-22 at The Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, the event promises a weekend of wall-to-wall bikes, stunts, music and two-wheeled revelry. Join us for one of the show days or make a weekend of it and camp from Friday through to Monday. One of the things that makes the Scottish Festival unique is the abundance of free test rides available. You can even be one of the first in the UK to test ride Yamaha’s high-tech Niken three-wheeler. The MT-09-engined, leaning multi-wheeler has impressed us with its agility and grip and is an opportunity for you to try something completely different. There are also test rides available…

I’m just back from a blast on my 899 Panigale. During my ride, despite being out for over an hour in some of the most glorious countryside the Chilterns has to offer, at no point did I get out of third gear. In fact, at no point did I reach 7000rpm, which is where my bike comes alive. My progress was constantly frustrated by traffic, my gentleman’s bits were battered by the fuel tank and my bum numbed by the rock-hard saddle. If that wasn’t enough, I have been slowly roasted by the ferocious heat emanating from its barking Superquadro. Last year, I worked out I had ridden the bike for barely 400 miles and that the cost per mile exceeded the, frankly eyewatering, costs I swallow to fly an…

Readers Ian & Andrew Pollock The Ride Ardnamurchan and the Isle of Mull When to do it Spring to autumn Distance 400 miles Time required Weekend trip Don’t miss this “We had a great time, covering around 400 miles in fabulous weather. The wildlife we saw was amazing, eagles, deer and even a buzzard lifting off with a snake in its talons. Watch out for the midgies though.” CORRAN FERRY With my wife and daughter in Gran Canaria my son Andrew (10) and I decided to have a weekend trip. TOBERMORY We took the ferry from Kilchoan across to Mull (£8) where we stopped for a pub lunch. TIME FOR A DIP We headed off to Calgary Bay for a swim. Despite the Caribbean looks, the water was freezing! BIG…

As super-nakeds like Aprilia’s Tuono V4 1100 Factory, the BMW S1000R, Yamaha MT-10 and KTM 1290 Super Duke R have become ever more powerful, Triumph’s trusty Speed Triple has been left behind in a bit of a sports-naked no-man’s land. Sitting between these chiselled, straight-barred track-weapons and the cheaper, more cheerful Japanese sports nakeds, the Speed Triple has always been a great road bike, but more recently it’s been made to feel bulky and a little ponderous, especially compared to Triumph’s own 765cc Street Triple. Of course, the Speed Triple started this whole scene back in 1994, so it’s heart-warming to see Triumph give it a much-needed refresh. Power is up 10bhp to 148bhp, there’s 4ftlb more torque and you get a full armoury of electronic rider aids, Pirelli Super…

We asked if the Speciale was worth the extra £11,100 over the £23,895 V4 S, and by any logical measure the answer is ‘no’. In pure performance terms it’s not £11k better than the S. But you don’t buy a Speciale because it makes performance sense. You buy one because you want it, love it, can’t sleep for thinking about it. Logic isn’t welcome here. It’s the sexiest and most desirable superbike on the planet and the fastest out of the blocks. And at £359pm on PCP there’ll be more demand for what is the most exciting ownership experience you can buy than there is supply available. Tech spec What it costs £34,995 On the road cash price £ 3 59 PCP per month x36 £839 HP per month x36…

Cornish tasty 46 miles From Camelford, head down the A39 Atlantic Highway. Ride through Helston, then towards Wadebridge. Turn right, still on the A39 through Winnards Perch and go across the roundabout at St Columb Major. Turn left at the next roundabout for the A30 and Bodmin. Ride through Lanivet until you come to two mini roundabouts where you turn left onto Boundary Road. Head up the hill and at the top turn right onto the B3266. About five miles from the end, take a little detour to Watergate and Tregoodwell.…

‘Beware the expert mate’ Selling a bike can be a stressful affair, not least because you inevitably have to allow a prospective buyer onto your property, access to your bike, and perhaps even inside your home. That stress can be heightened further if they bring their ‘expert mate’ to take a look at the bike. ‘He knows everything...’ The ruse is a simple one. So many owners enjoy their bikes without wanting or needing to be model aficionados, so when the buyer says: ‘Hey, I know bugger-all about them, so I’ll bring my mate Dave, he’s a top bike mechanic,’ be wary.…

Autoglym Magma £ 10. 99 Tester Jordan Gibbons Time tested Two months When you brake, iron particles come out of the pads and stick to your wheels and bodywork. Leave it long enough and you get a grey powder that’s near impossible to remove: until now. Spray this on and watch it turn red as the iron dissolves. Then it’s just a case of rinsing with a hose. Simple, easy and it works a treat. Verdict ★★★★★ www.autoglym.com GoXtreme Pioneer Camera £70 Tester Alison Silcox Time tested 1500 miles, four months This action cam has a two-inch display, 12MP image resolution and 4K video and comes with a comprehensive kit of mounts and takes a 32GB SD, which isn’t included. The modes are easy to swap between, but it’s a…

Social media is not always viewed as a force for good, but Aprilia Performance’s Facebook group has probably saved one rider from a potential inferno. The first time Taz, at Aprilia Performance, came across Tony Wallis and his 1999 Aprilia Mille was when Tony posted a photo of his latest ‘fix’ that had unravelled. “The moment I saw the image I got in touch with Tony, telling him not to ride the bike any further and said we’d send the parts he needed immediately,” says Taz. “Apparently his bike had started leaking fuel over the exhaust pipe four weeks previously, after the fuel lines into the fuel pump perished. So he trimmed the pipes and then binned the clips and used about 12 cable ties. At just £3 for the…

Jake Dixon’s first victory of 2018 might have elevated him into title contention, but a strong result was expected after his double last year. While he’s proved he can regularly fight for the podium, he now needs to demonstrate he can win somewhere other than the quirky, 1.3-mile Scottish circuit. Knockhill clearly lends itself well to the Kawasaki with the ZX-10R coming 1-2-3 in both of Sunday’s outings. But if Dixon really wants to fight for the title this year he needs to prove he can win elsewhere.…

“It feels as if history is repeating itself,” said Ryan Farquhar. “I rubbed fairings with Richard Britton, Martin Finnegan and Darran Lindsay every weekend and they are all gone. I did the same with William and now he is gone as well. We were massive rivals and we didn’t always see eye to eye but I had huge respect for William. Our lives were the same with everything based around road racing.”…

‘Act now before new charges hit’ I’ve mentioned London’s looming Ultra Low Emission Zone before, hinting that it’ll affect used bike values. But I really think that it’ll have, in London anyway, almost as big an effect as the 250cc learner ban did a generation ago when it kicks in next April. I did an unscientific poll on my morning commute, counting 20 bikes, to see how many were ULEZ compliant (basically, old classics and anything registered after about 2005). I spotted just 11 that wouldn’t have to pay the £12.50 charge. On my way home, I counted another 20, of which 14 would not have been liable for the new charge. That’s a hell of a lot of bikes that will be barred from central London next year. I…

While some places ramp up the glamour and others expand on traditional charm, there seem to be fewer and fewer of the old-school, down-to-earth transport cafés left. The places where a road weary biker can rock up without worrying too much about feeling under-dressed or dripping water all over the floor seem to be disappearing. But this week, we visit the H Café in Berinsfield to discover if the romance of a fuss-free roadside diner is still alive and kicking. The H occupies a prime location along the A4074 Oxford Road in Berinsfield, just a stone’s throw from the Thames. With a vast forecourt there’s space for hundreds of bikes. “We regularly have 500 here on a Monday for bike night,” says owner Richard Allen, who rescued the H from…

Scorpion were founded in 1992 as a performance car exhaust firm. They were one of the first to offer stainless systems and began supplying the likes of Pro-drive and Toyota. They’re still based at the same innocuous looking site. BIKE BUSINESS In 1998 they moved into the motorcycle market and expanded by becoming a supplier to the likes of Jaguar-Land Rover. By 2002 Scorpion had a £7.5 million turnover and 130 staff but in 2006 changed strategy and reduced their OE work. REBRANDING After further expansion Scorpion rebranded in 2010/11 introducing the now signature Red Power logo and Red Power outlet port, with significant investment in new machinery including an improved dyno and more dealer support. WINNING WAYS Scorpion continue to be heavily involved in bikesport with the likes of…

Local rider Alex Blome, 33, has done thousands of miles on the B500. “I grew up on the B500. I rode it every day, after school on a 125, sometimes twice a day, all year. And it never lost its beauty for me. It’s a special road. I learned my road riding there, but I also learned track riding too. “But nowadays it’s not about speed so much but more about enjoying the scenery, looking around and being a good rider. It’s a philosophy change; not just me, but for all of Germany. “The B500 tarmac is still in great shape. As a tourist region, it gets very busy at the weekend and there can be a lot of police around, but it’s still possible to go for a fast…

Dean Havers Lowestoft loop, 68 miles Head north out of Lowestoft on the A47. Pick up the B1074 to St Olaves on a twisty road. Turn left and take the A143 all the way to Harleston. Turn left on to the B1116 to Yoxford. Then it’s left again, north on the A12, pottering through villages. The last 15 miles hug the coast and the scenery is gobsmacking. Colin George West Sussex café run 46 miles Start at Whiteways Café and head north on the A29 to Fittleworth. Turn left on to the A283 then left again at the A285, past Goodwood, then go right on to the A2141. At Petersfield, take the A272, before a left turn on to the A32. End with a cuppa at Loomies. GET INVOLVED AND…

I LIKE • The styling stands out • Confidence-inspiring handling • The engine is bullet-proof and I get 94mpg • Strong acceleration • It’s pretty comfortable on long rides, but I will be replacing the seat soon I DON’T • After a year, the can is now starting to rust, but I can’t do much about that • The paint is beginning to thin on the pilion grab-rails • The price of Honda accessories is quite steep QUICK SPECS •471cc •196kg •46.9bhp •810mm seat height…

‘Dave’ might well be a top bike mechanic, but he’s not there for your benefit, he’s there to intimidate you with his ‘expertise’. In this scenario one of three things is usually happening. First, it might all be genuine, but you’re still going to come under pressure to drop the price, so be ready to push back. If you’ve set a fair price for your bike’s condition, don’t budge (much). Second, it’s a distraction and while you’re talking to the buyer, Dave is waiting for the perfect moment to steal your bike. Never hand either of them the keys. Third, they’re simply casing your security, garage, home and working out the best way to make off with your bike a day or more later. Never let buyers inside your garage…

1 Save £30 Oxford 14mm Alarm Disc Lock This tried and trusted Thatchamtested disc lock is now just £54.99, down from £84.99. It has a 100dB alarm and a toughened 14mm shank. w w w.blademotorcycles.co.uk 2 Save £190 Shoei NXR Marquez TC5 helmet This Marquez ‘Digi Ant’ replica of Shoei’s excellent road-orientated NXR lid is £299.95, down from £489.99. It’s quiet, well-ventilated and comfortable. w w w.mandp.co.uk 3 Save £120 Alpinestars GP Pro jacket A favourite of MCN’s Chief Road Tester Michael Neeves, the GP Pro jacket mixes great sporting style with Alpinestars’ racing tech. Grab it now for £379.99. w w w.fowlers.co.uk 4 Save £20 Proworks 2-in-1 front/rear paddock stand Amazing value at just £29.99 down from £49.99. It comes with three different adapters. w w w.xlmoto.co.uk…

When your bike starts running poorly it’s human nature to jump to complicated and expensive conclusions. A rodent infestation certainly wouldn’t be the first thing you’d think of, but it’s surprisingly common. I’ve seen my fair share of bikes coming in with rough running, bad MPG, poor performance and idle problems only to lift the lid on the airbox and find a mouse nest where the air filter should be. Seems like those pesky critters enjoy the taste of paper filters and chew through them, allowing other mouse-related debris to clog the intakes and starve the engine of clean air, making it lose performance. It’s a similar scenario to when you don’t change your filter often enough and it becomes dirty, oily and clogged. The lesson is: always change your…

‘This golden age could soon be over’ TOM BOOTH-AMOS Too many injuries? Time isn’t on the side of the Motostar champion. He is 22 years old and struggling with injuries and crashes in 2018. It’s currently hard to see a Moto3 move for 2019. JOHN McPHEE Already past it at 22? Britain’s only rider in Moto3 this season. McPhee’s recent burst of form will help him secure a Moto2 seat for 2019. But at 22 years old is it already too late to see him on a MotoGP machine? BRADLEY RAY The right connections? Only 21 and impressing in BSB, Ray also has the benefit of being known in GP thanks to his time in Red Bull Rookies. Up-coming Suzuka 8-Hour ride could prove pivotal. SAM LOWES Hampered by poor…

Yamaha’s Michael van der Mark converted a second Superpole 1 appearance into impressive fourth and second place finishes at Misano at the weekend. In a performance which displayed just how much the R1 has improved, with its old weakness of corner exit speed now a real strength, even series leader Jonathan Rea found it extremely difficult to overtake. “Having Sunday pole was good,” he told MCN. “I followed Xavi (Fores) until he had a problem and then the big fight between Rea, Melandri and Davies helped; until Johnny caught me! We had very similar pace. He passed but I didn’t want to do anything stupid. I’m really happy.” There’s also now every indication that the Dutchman has renewed his Yamaha contract for 2019. An announcement on both he and Alex…

Glenn Irwin was unable to transform quick one-lap pace into strong race results after hitting a brick wall with the Be Wiser Ducati at Knockhill. The Panigale has never won at the Scottish track and Irwin was unable to run with the Kawasakis at the front, coming fourth in both races. “I’m disappointed but if you picked a track where we were going to struggle it would be here,” the Ulsterman said. “The Panigale doesn’t like stop-and-go tracks. We’ve tried everything. We can be fast over a lap but over race distance, I was getting too many warnings so had to roll-off and settle.”…