Table of contents for August 1st 2018 in MCN

Shooting the footage for the scene was one of Cruise’s toughest assignments, as revealed in an online trailer for the film, which shows him weaving through oncoming traffic for real with little protective clothing and no helmet. “As dangerous as the motorcycle scene was in Rouge Nation, this was infinitely more challenging,” said Director Christopher McQuarrie. Cruise concurs: “We had a safety rig for one challenging shot, but that rig just didn’t work. I said, ‘My friend, we gotta roll, we gotta shoot. Just put the camera out there, set up the pursuit and I’ll go around this corner as fast as the bike can possibly go.’ That opportunity to go to Paris to shoot that sequence was amazing.”…

With Brexit’s ugly face looming ever closer and its predictability being on a par with a herd of pissed-off cats, I thought it was about time I utilised the playground of European riding that lays on our doorstep. Older generations talk of times when every border required passports, so when you can travel without even realising you’ve left one country and entered another, a trip across the Alps and Dolomites is a must-do. It’s particularly awesome if you want to conquer the art of switchbacks. Without a single hairpin bend within proximity of home, riding across some of the best mountain roads in Europe was going to be a new challenge, but I didn’t realise quite how much fun it would be. We completed over 35 mountain passes, but the…

NEXT WEEK WEDNESDAY 1ST Belle Vue Aces Speedway Entr y £18 Info www.bellevueaces.co/Manchester’s Aces take on Milton Keynes and then Mildenhall Colts. Ryka’s Café, Box Hill Entr y Free Info 07730-661013 Surrey’s Box Hill has been a top location for bikers for generations. FRIDAY-SUNDAY 3-5TH MotoGP, Brno Entr y From £40 Info www.motogp.comCzech circuit is fast and flowing, plus Prague isn’t too far away... Thruxton BSB Entr y From £5-£33 Info www.britishsuperbike.comThruxton is terrifyingly fast and produces tyre-smoking racing. SATURDAY-SUNDAY 4-5TH Llanbikefest, Llangollen Entr y £12 a day Info www.llanbikefest.co.ukPremier Welsh festival: expect beer, music, test rides & more. SUNDAY 5TH Suzuki Sunday, Ace Cafe, London Entr y Free Info www.london.acecafe.comA Suzuki-dedicated day at the Ace is always going to be fun. Bring along your GSX-R, your Bandit and maybe…

Simply head online to MCN’s #ride5000miles Facebook page and vote for your favourite biking stop-off. Entice the judges 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 gaff 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.…

Q Do I actually need a licence to ride? I have decided that I would like to get my first bike and wondered what the licence rules are. I don’t have a motorcycle licence but have heard that I may not actually need one, depending on the power of the machine I choose. Is this correct? Gavin, Cheadle A The rules depend on whether you passed your car driving test before or after February 1, 2001. If you passed before this date then you are able to ride a moped with a maximum capacity of 50cc and without L-plates. If you want to ride something between 50cc and 125cc then you will need to take Compulsory Basic Training (CBT). To remove the L-plates or ride a more powerful bike, you…

DAVE WORTHINGTON Age 52 Height 5ft 9in Current bike Yamaha XSR700 Been riding for 36 years First bike Casal 50K 190SE Dream bike 2018 BMW R1200GS Adventurer “Having mainly owned large bikes, I decided recently I didn’t need an unwieldy, heavy machine after all. “I actually went to the dealer to try the XSR900, but they only had a 700 demo so I took it out. I was blown away. After 30 minutes I returned and ordered one. “I’ve taken it touring around Europe and although I was worried about its small tank, it’s very frugal and over 160 miles is easily possible. Through the Pyrenees its handling was fantastic; light and nimble. It’s also comfortable and has a wonderful throttle feeling. “The XSR is a great bike that does…

These two bikes are located at the polar opposites of the retro world spectrum. Yamaha’s XSR700 is a soft, friendly machine with safe styling that can be used daily with no discomfort but with lots of riding pleasure. Up the pace and its squishy suspension is a major annoyance, but for the vast majority of riding conditions it’s perfectly acceptable and is a lovely machine to ride and enjoy. The Husqvarna Vitpilen, on the other hand, lives for that one golden moment of flat-out madness. However, when you aren’t absolutely on the pipe, it’s not an easy machine to live with and has little in the way of creature comforts. With a price tag of nearly £9000, it’s hard to justify owning a machine with such a limited scope, despite…

My message is simple ‘please come to Wales, we have some fantastic roads to ride. Just don’t die here.’ As the Roads Policing Inspector for North Wales, an invitation from Inspector Dave Cust to come and enjoy the fabulous roads on his patch is unexpected. North Wales has a reputation for very low tolerance when it comes to traffic violations and since the days of former Chief Constable Richard ‘Mad Mullah’ Brunstrom to the recent announcement that the force is targeting bikes with small plates and loud pipes, they haven’t exactly appeared hospitable. Some would even go as far as to say they are anti-biker and social media explodes with anger whenever the force is mentioned. However the figures speak for themselves. In 2017, 80 motorcyclists were seriously injured on…

Non-biker Colin was put forward for the ride by his work colleagues. “I work for the PDSA vet charity and it’s our centenary so I decided, in my wisdom, to let my staff decide what I was going to do to fund-raise for the charity this year. “Chris Furniss, who’s here with me today, is one of my vets and he came up with this idea knowing that I was a bit scared of bikes. “I lost count of how many wheelies we did and the first time it happened I didn’t actually know what it was. I was just concentrating on surviving! “The feeling of acceleration was just amazing, especially because I’m not used to being on a bike. It almost felt like I was going to get left…

Greg Wallace ABERDEENLOOP, 52 miles Leave Aberdeen south on the A90 and follow the coast to Redcloak House. Then head inland on the A957 to Crathes. Cross the River Dee and turn left onto the A93. At Banchory, take the A980 to Raemoir. Bear right on to the B977. At Garlogie, turn right onto the B9119 then the A944 and head back to Aberdeen. TH E ROUTE • Great views • Tight and twisty Bill Davies MORECAMBE MISSION, 44 miles Head north out of Morecambe. Follow the A67 to Leasgill. Turn right onto the A590, then pick up the A591. Stay on the 591 to Windermere, then turn left on to the A592 and follow the banks of the lake. It’s stunning and well worth a couple of stops to…

I LIKE • Fun factor is huge, it always puts a smile on your face.• The engine has a perfect blend of power and grunt.• The upright riding position is comfy at road speeds.• The upgraded suspension is worth every penny.• I actually like the slightly abrupt throttle response.• It’s remarkable value for money and very well built. I DON’T • The standard suspension is terrible.• OE Bridgestone tyres lasted less than 1500 miles.• The bar end rusted, twice!• Heavy numberplate-holder is hideous.• Limited reserve range.• Not a fan of the quickshifter. QUICK SPECS • 847cc • 196kg • 113bhp • 820mm seat height PRICE NEW £7999 VALUE NOW £6500…

1 Save £47 Uber Urban jacket Demon Tweeks have slashed the price of this CE-armoured jacket to just £33. Available in black, black/ hi-viz, black/white in sizes 38-54. w w w.demont weeks.com 2 Save £175 Bell Star Carbon helmet This latest evolution of the Star has a carbon composite shell, plush lining and five-year warranty. Best of all, J&S have it for £299.99, not £474.99. w w w.jandsaccessories.co.uk 3 Save £43 Rev It! Bliss 2 Mens Gloves Were £89.99 now £46.97. These waterproof touring gloves are a goatskin/cowhide mix, with a fleece liner. Colour: Black. Sizes: S-XXL w w w.getgeared.co.uk 4 Save £44 Gilles Yamaha MT-09 rearsets Made from high-grade aluminium, these rearsets are beautifully made, with a good balance of light weight and strength. Were £435 now £391. www.5-ways.co.uk…

‘The man with the golden toolbox.’ That’s the name I like to give to those home mechanics who sometimes go a little over the top. And number one on the list of things Mr Golden Toolbox likes to go overboard with is copperslip. This grease is designed for high-temperature applications to prevent seizing, as it’s loaded with copper particles. As it’s also quite good at preventing corrosion, it’s perfect for applying lightly to fairing fasteners that are regularly undone, especially those that get caked in road crud. But too often we see bikes that have been slathered in it, on the back of brake pads, pad pins, caliper bolts and spindles. In most cases it’s unnecessary and ends up bulging out of bolt holes and splattered all over brake surfaces…

‘Dorna’s changes have widened the goal mouth’ As the faint afterglow of the World Cup dies away and the last feigned injury victim rolls in fake agony to his investment advisor, there are still some truths to be gleaned from the embers. Sadly I’ve never warmed to ‘The Beautiful Game.’ I get the artistry, footwork, tactics, the passion. The problem is the potential for surprise, such a strong suit in bike racing, is seldom fulfilled. The Russian extravagance did stimulate a wider interest than usual, including mine. Watching with some fans, I wondered: ‘Wouldn’t it be better if they could get some scores on the board?’ Why don’t they make the goals a bit wider? I was howled down. But this is effectively what Dorna has done. The continuing MotoGP…

Ducati’s plan to build a bike for grand prix racing’s smallest class has been put on hold, according to top bosses at the Italian firm, despite rumours that a prototype 250cc single cylinder machine took to track last season for secret tests. Ducati Corse’s Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti said their concentration remained on not just MotoGP but also the new V4 Panigale superbike that will be raced for the first time next year. But he also admitted that the lightweight class machine is something that they will resurrect in the future as part of the stepping stone to MotoGP.…

British Superbike team-mates Michael Laverty and Christian Iddon were able to bring their BMW Financial Services S1000RR machine home in a strong top 15 finish at Suzuka, despite rookie Laverty admitting afterwards that the race was one of the hardest he’d ever rode in. “You just get hotter and hotter until it feels like your head is about to explode. In Suzuka the temperature just keeps going up and up with nowhere for it to go. That’s what makes it so tough.”…

The first thing we noticed when arriving at John’s house was how much happier he was than the last time we’d been to visit. On that occasion, just over three months ago, he’d just been told there was a crack in the original fracture on his leg and he wouldn’t be able to race at this year’s TT. Now he’s able to walk without using crutches and he’s been able to get back on a bike. He insisted we go out and do some pictures of him riding his dirt bike in the field as he couldn’t have done that the last time we were there. Looking trim and ready to go, there’s no doubt that his number one goal is to be on the start line for TT 2019.…

The California Superbike School are hosting an all-women training day at Brands Hatch on August 7. The day, which caters for women of all abilities is designed to be a testosterone-free event to improve skills on road and track. California Superbike School UK Managing Director, Andy Shewbridge said “It’s great to see more women riding and we want to support this by encouraging them to develop their skills. We’ll provide a safe, friendly and professional environment in which to learn and improve your riding technique.” Prices start at £340.…

The right angle Internal DVT mechanism of the cambelt pulley can alter valve overlap according to the engine’s needs High pressure Changes in pressure in oilways move the inner part of the mechanism, which is connected to the camshaft Driven Rotation of the inner section of the DVT mechanism, which is connected to the camshaft, alters valve timing to suit Ducati’s new Diavel 1260, which we showcased last week, will inherit the firm’s DVT variable valve timing system designed to allow a motor to work at its optimum at both high and low engine speeds. Why you need it The dream of every bike manufacturer is to produce a motor that’ll respond well from tickover, drive strongly though the middle of its rev range and then perform properly with a…

Reader Thomas Warner The Ride Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria Czech Republic then back to Poland When to do it Summer for sure Miles 1700 Time required Eight days (ten if you wanted more time in the big cities) Don’t miss this “Amazing scenery with so much to see and do. The roads through Gesäuse and the limestone alps were phenomenal.” BIG MILES Day one was the biggest ride of the trip: Gdansk to Krakow. It was the only day to have bad weather. BUDAPEST On day two I rode through Slovakia to Budapest; great quiet roads the entire way. Brilliant. CASTLES Rode to Bratislava and Vienna with castles on the borders of Slovakia, Hungary and Austria. ALREADY PLANNING Another great day on the bike to finish off and hand the…

The sheer amount of death on such a small area of public roads in Wales is simply not acceptable and I can’t argue against North Wales Police trying to stop it. But are their tactics right? The forces’ comments on small plates and loud pipes has hit a raw nerve with many riders, sparking the debate that the force hoped it would. It’s hard to excuse a small plate as they are illegal and only there to avoid being read by authorities. Yes, I accept they look neater, but there is no other argument to justify them. Loud pipes do alert other road users of a bike’s presence, but by the same token they annoy villagers. Speaking to the officers on the ground, the reality is that if you have…

• Ron Haslam Race school The school offer this experience for either £75 or £95, depending on whether or not you are also doing a track experience on the day, too. www.haslamraceschool.com • The BSB Championship Insurers and BSB title sponsors Bennetts (www.bennetts.co.uk)offer exclusive experiences to their customers, including pillion laps at each of the 12 rounds with a host of famous names. www.britishsuperbike.com • The Ducati MotoGP bike Run by charity Two Wheels For Life with money going in a good cause, this experience is available on the Friday and Sunday of the British Grand Prix weekend, with ten slots on each day. There are two bikes, ridden by either Randy Mamola or Franco Battaini. Rides are £1500 on Friday and £2000 on Sunday. www.twowheelsforlife.org.uk •Australian ASBK If you’re down under…

‘Stop in Burton for a brew, of tea, obviously’ MCN Reader Noel Johnson loves his Yamaha Diversion for its ability to serve up an interesting mix of everything. So it’s no surprise that one of his favourite riding routes offers the same. “This route is great fun and offers all sorts of different challenges. I use it to blow away the cobwebs and find that it’s also great practice for my IAM riding sessions. It’s also pretty quiet most of the time and you can really just sit back and enjoy the countryside flying past you. “The ride down past Abbots Bromley is really pretty and the lakes at Alrewas are stunning. You can always stop for a refreshing brew (of tea, obviously) at the famous brewing town of Burton-on-Trent.”…

“I knew my positioning wasn’t working, but Mark gave me really clear pointers on where I should be. It all seemed so obvious once he talked me through it and it felt so much more natural straight away. “If I knew the road really well I wasn’t struggling so much, but on roads I didn’t know it just wasn’t flowing. I don’t ride every day, so I think that was making it even harder, but I’ve got all these little pointers now so I know what to think about and that’s going to be a big help. “I really enjoyed the training. Mark was so informative; it’s going to make my riding so much more relaxed. I was being lazy with my gears and setting my speed into the S-bend,…

1 R&G tank grips £19 “I bought them because I thought they’d look good, but they actually really help me get a grip on the tank, especially as the paint on my 675 is matt so it’s not that grippy.” 2 Zero Gravity Screen £85 “It’s great for long days in the saddle where you can just rest on the tank and hide behind it. It’s tinted but easy to see through.” 3 Alpinestars GP Pro £169.99 “This is my second pair of these. Ventilation is OK, but when you’re wearing them all day your palm gets a bit tight and sore as there’s not a lot of padding.” 4 Alpinestars SMX Plus £289.99 “I wanted Supertech Rs but couldn’t see the difference to justify the extra cash. These are…

New original fasteners Don’t bother scratching around trying to invent ways to replace broken original fasteners. Nine times out of ten you’ll always be able to purchase new screws, bolts and grommets from your dealer. T-bar Allen key Using a decent quality T-bar allows you to have greater feel for how much force you’re putting through the fastener, which is vital when it comes to preventing damage to your bike’s fragile plastics. This £10 tool could save you a fortune. Phillips screwdriver A short, dumpy style Phillips screwdriver will allow you to gain access to panels in tight spaces as well as giving you more feel for how much torque you’re applying. So even if you’ve got big hands you can still get to tight spots. Grease gun Lubing rubber…

‘We’ve now regrouped and want to continue racing’ Last weekend’s Armoy road races were cancelled due to heavy rain. Race medic, Allister MacSorley was also seriously injured in a crash on the Co Antrim circuit. These latest setbacks come just weeks after a series of fatal smashes that cost the lives of Dan Kneen, Adam Lyon, William Dunlop and James Cowton. Steve Mercer and Ivan Lintin have also been badly injured in crashes this season. The loss of such experienced competitors and promising newcomers has robbed road racing of much of its experience and quality but young racers have vowed to continue. “What’s happened reminds you of what is at risk out there,” Davey Todd, the TT’s fastest newcomer in 2018, said. The 22-year-old is in his second season of…

Silverstone is offering the chance for MCN readers to win a fantastic hospitality prize worth £598 if you book tickets for the new Starting Grid at the 2018 GoPro MotoGP at Silverstone on the Bank Holiday weekend, August 24 to 26. Anyone buying two or more packages for the Starting Grid hospitality area will be entered into a prize draw. The winner will be selected at random and will receive a refund worth £598 excluding VAT. The Starting Grid package combines hospitality on a private viewing terrace located on the first floor, all for the price of just £299, plus VAT, per person. Included in the price are food and drink, a cracking view of the National Pit Straight and views over the Winners’ Podium, plus the start/ finish straight.…

‘I’m in a much better place than I was six months ago’ ‘I’m just starting to ride again now’ ‘There’s no reason I can’t do at least another TT’ John McGuinness is aiming to make his competitive return to the Isle of Man later this month. The 23-time TT winner hasn’t ridden competitively for 15 months after badly breaking his leg when coming off his Honda at the 2017 North West 200. After a gruelling 10-month recovery period, the 46-year-old had been hopeful of making a return for the TT in June, but a set-back which saw the front of his fracture break again put him on crutches again. However, while he was unable to compete he did complete two parade laps on the Norton SG7 at an average speed…

Four years after Harley-Davidson unveiled the Livewire concept to the world, they’ve staked their claim as the first major manufacturer to bring a finished road-going production bike to the world. As well as the finished production bike due out next year, there will also be an expanded range of lower powered bikes. Electric avenue “We’re going big into electric with a family of products that’s going to range is size, power and price point,” says Michelle Kumbier, COO at Harley-Davidson. “They’re going to be easy to ride, twist-and-go and be less intimidating for new customers. “We did the Livewire tour and put thousands of customers on those vehicles. People had no idea how much fun it would be. We plan on having demo models in dealers so people can try…

‘This takes things to the next level’ ‘We can change the camera position within seconds’ Currently sitting at the top of the box-office charts, Mission: Impossible Fallout is set to be the cinema hit of the summer. But one of the key scenes in one of the most action-packed Hollywood movies of all time couldn’t have happened without the skill and ingenuity of a British biker. Never one to shy away from a good bike chase, Cruise’s character Ethan Hunt tries to evade French police, charging through French side-streets on a BMW R nineT Scrambler, skidding past hordes of police cars and weaving in and out of traffic on the Arc de Triomphe. But much of the amazing footage was down to former British and World Supersport racer Kieran Clarke,…

Donington Hall, the home of Norton, will host a festival of motorcycling from September 1-2. The Burnout event will feature Josh Brookes and John McGuinness racing, plus parades of iconic bikes. There will also be live music, camping, supermoto racing and a display of historic concours bikes. Other racers confirmed are speedway champ Tai Woffinden, four-time world enduro champ David Knight MBE, and road racers James Hillier and Lee Johnston. Tickets start at £20. See www.doningtonhall.com/burnout for details.…

Troy Bayliss might not have won the all-star Ducati Race of Champions at World Ducati Week (he actually came last) but that hasn’t stopped bike fans entering a bidding war for the chance to buy his racer. After the race, Ducati auctioned all of the 12 Panigale V4S machines that competed (including ones ridden by Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo) and were stunned by the response as Troy’s bike topped the auction at €120,300. Each bike had a special paintjob, Akrapovic pipes, a race fairing and was signed and set-up by its star rider. Ducati are still verifying the validity of bidders but Jorge Lorenzo’s sold for £55k, Dovi’s went for £52k and winner Michele Pirro’s Panigale sold for £45k.…

‘There is a motor in the front as well as rear hub’ Students in Switzerland have pioneered a new 2WD electric bike, which they also say gives an impressive 250-mile range. Dubbed the Ethec, the bike was put together by a group of 16 engineering and design students from the ETH Academy in Zurich and the Zurich College of Arts. They constructed the bike as part of their final year thesis and the result is a machine that shames many production bikes. The Ethec features an aluminium chassis with a girder fork front end, offers a 250-mile range from its 15kw battery and has full regenerative capabilities. To help with this there is a motor in the front as well as rear hub, which is used primarily for re-gen when…

‘Why being boring can be good news’ I feel a bit guilty because last week I singled out a big Honda that was not really desirable and depreciated fast: the CB1300. This week, it’s the turn of another Honda: the original CB1000R. It should have been a winner. It had a retuned 2007 Fireblade engine, brakes and forks from the 2008 Blade, a Pro-Arm rear end and great styling. But it didn’t stir the soul. It just didn’t. “The only thing the CB1000R lacks is a bit of soul,” we said, when it was launched in 2008. It wouldn’t be the first Honda to do that, but the problem was instead of being out there on its own, it was up against some serious competition from Kawasaki and, to a…

THE FACTORY RIDER Andy, the man who rivets Metal Mule panniers together, is no stranger to the same company’s Renntec products; his Triumph Bonneville has the lot: Renntec radiator shield, luggage rack and crash bars. He hasn’t got a set of Metal Mule panniers; “But he could fit them if he wanted to! Why not?” says boss David Morley. TEMPLATES With so many variations in seat unit design, over the years Renntec have built up thousands of blanks to be used as templates for a new batch of racks. If a bike has been built in the last 25 years, Renntec have a pattern for it. THE AMBASSADOR Xenia Sägesser is a Swiss-born round-the-world adventurer, currently working her way across Australia on a Yamaha XT660R as part of a three-year…

If it were my money, I’d save £4645 and opt for this version of the Panigale. For 95% of the time, the fully-adjustable and quality suspension was perfect; for that last 5% it can be manually tweaked to suit. The disadvantage is you can’t adjust the suspension on the move, but for the majority of the time I never found this an issue. If sportsbike suspension set-up frazzles your brain, opt for the more exclusive S. If it doesn’t, save your bucks and plump for the standard bike. Tech spec Power @ 13,000rpm Torque @ 10,000rpm Front suspension Showa BPF 43mm fully-adjustable fork. Rear suspension Sachs fully-adjustable single shock. Front brakes 2 x 330mm discs, four-piston Brembo M4.30 calipers, cornering ABS. Rear brakes 245mm disc, twin-piston caliper, ABS. Seat height…

• ‘I’m loving every second – albeit through clenched cheeks’ Having completed the Premier Experience course at the Ron Haslam Race School on a sun-soaked summer’s morning, I reckon I have a fair idea of how to hustle a bike around Donington Park. Running at the top end of intermediate trackday pace and dragging sliders aboard a Honda CBR600RR, I’m feeling smug and ready to take my track riding to the next level. A quick lunch break and I jump on a school Fireblade. After a few sighting laps, the pace increases and I’m passing fellow pupils as if they are standing still. Holding an elegant 130mph wheelie along the Wheatcroft Straight, it’s hard on the anchors for Redgate. With the rear sliding and the front end chattering, I pick…

• ‘The 850 has incredible handling’ 211 miles Many larger adventure bikes I’ve tried have proven to either be brilliant or cumbersome giants. Being just 5ft 5in is a challenge before I even start on most two-wheelers and while the F850’s seat height of 860mm isn’t exactly short-person-friendly, its narrow tank and seat allow me to get a foot firmly on the ground. Add a comfy, upright position and intuitive switchgear and I quickly feel at home. 635 miles The low, non-adjustable screen has become fatiguing and annoying at most speeds. It’s perfectly angled to buffet my head around and I consider removing it completely. You soon forget the wind once you reach a twisty road, though, as the 850 has incredible handling even though the big, 21in front wheel…

Head out of Uttoxeter south on the A518. Then turn left onto the B5013 and wind down to Abbots Bromley. Pick up the B5014 and cross the River Trent. Then it’s a left on to the A513. Ride through Alrewas, turn left on to Haunton Road and go through Harlaston. Then head for No Man’s Heath on the B5493. Then join the A44 and head to Acresford. Stay on the 444 all the way to Stapenhill. Then hang a left on to the A5189 and head back over the Trent. Turn right on to the A511 to Hatton. Hit the A50 and head for Sudbury. Then turn left on to Derby Road and ride back to Uttoxeter.…

‘The standard suspension is an embarrassment’ I have been telling everyone for years about how good the Yamaha MT-09 was, but despite singing its praises to anyone who would listend, I didn’t actually own one. Until recently.” Last year, Jared Oakley rectified that situation, by buying the updated second-generation MT-09 model when it first came out. So why did it take him so long to follow his own advice? “A lot of my mates are old duffers and as such they have grown up on British bikes. The result of this is that they’ve ended up moving towards Triumph Daytona 675s and Street Triples,” explained Jared. “Before they bought them I said, ‘try the Yamaha first’ as the reviews were so positive, but they refused. A mate of mine was…

It’s become a very popular way to finance a new bike, however if you start to struggle to make the repayments on your PCP deal you might begin to wonder what your options are. Unfortunately you can’t simply stop making payments, as doing so would result in arrears showing on your credit file, making it more difficult to get credit in the future. Contact the finance company and ask for Voluntary Termination (VT). VT is a little-known right guaranteed under the Consumer Credit Act to protect consumers who have come into difficulties. Basically, as long as you have paid more than half of the balance due, including interest and charges, you can return the bike to the finance company. Be aware, however, that you won’t get anything back if you’ve…

‘This guy had used home plumbing supplies to fix it’ It’s annoying when the slightest, most innocuous spill results in damage to your bike. Just toppling over at low or no speed can easily result in costly damage and, more annoyingly, prevent you from using your bike. But that doesn’t stop the most inventive of home bodgers, as Alf England Motorcycles’ Nigel Cartwright found out. “We had a 2010 Triumph Speed Triple come into the workshop a few weeks ago for a replacement rear brake lever,” begins Nigel. “It’s a very common job because bikes are always toppling over and either bending or breaking levers, so we do see all manner of get-you-home fixes. But none quite like this.” Rather than doing without his rear brake, this creative owner quite…

‘The MotoGP boss telling me I did a good job can’t be bad’ British Superbike race winner Bradley Ray made a big impression at the Suzuka 8-hour race by saving the day for his factory-backed Yoshimura Suzuki team in front of the factory’s top Japanese bosses. After running in the top four places all weekend, the Suzuki squad tumbled off the leaderboard following a crash by Sylvain Guintoli. But Ray then pulled the team back into the top ten by impressing with a series of fast laps towards the end of the race in terribly tricky conditions. And Ray knows just how important that tenth-place finish could be as he considers his options for 2019. “It would have been nice to get on the podium,” he told MCN. “But when…

The 2019 MotoGP calendar looks set to stay with the current 19 races now plans for a new race in Finland have been put on hold for at least a year. Signed up to a five-year deal to host the first Finnish Grand Prix since 1982, ‘KymiRing’ track bosses have admitted it’s now unlikely the new circuit will be ready in time. But while the news is unlikely to be well received by MotoGP bosses Dorna, it’ll bring a welcome sigh of relief to the paddock. Already unhappy with a hectic 19-race calendar that sees mechanics and teams spend half the year on the road coupled with a shorter-than-ever summer break, there have been serious reservations within the paddock about the expansion of the race calendar. ‘Plans for a new…