Table of contents for September 19th 2018 in MCN

Disabled fundraiser Claire Lomas MBE rode a lap of Silverstone at last week’s BSB round. She rode a specially adapted Ducati SuperSport S and aims to ride every track on the BSB calendar. Paralysed from the chest down by a horse-riding accident 11 years ago, Claire set herself the biking challenge of lapping every circuit on the BSB calendar after her plan to ride the 37.73-mile TT course at the Manx Grand Prix was cancelled. After posting pictures of her ride she said: “If someone showed me these when I was in hospital having found out I am paralysed from the chest down and told me ‘this will be you one day!’ I would never have believed it. I had never even sat on a motorbike!”…

British MotoGP engineer Phil Stiles has decided to do something we all dream of but never have the courage to do – become a bike manufacturer. The ex-KTM race technician had bought the last 20 brand new, boxed Honda SP1 V-twin motors in existence and plans to build and market a series of high-end semi-naked sportsbikes. He said: “Building my own bike is something that I’ve always wanted to do, so when the engines came up from Mondial’s liquidated stock it was too good to turn down – and it focuses the mind. I want to take what I’ve learnt from 10 years in racing and apply it to a road bike. So that’s light weight, exotic materials and good suspension.” The first running bike is expected at the start…

‘Clocking up a highmileagebargain’ I’ve mentioned mileage before and how it really doesn’t matter much as long as the bike has been properly maintained. Oddly, though, people still seem to be wary of Japanese bikes which have more than, say, 50,000 miles on the clock. Damn silly, because even humble 125s will clock that up (I know – I had one that did), but if it isn’t a BMW (where a steep odometer reading is treated as a badge of honour), people flinch. This means there are bargains to be had. How about a Suzuki 600 Bandit, mark one model, with 83,000 miles on for just over £500? It even came with a spare engine that the seller had bought but never fitted because he hadn’t needed to. It had…

SAVE£37.50 AGV K3 Rider to the Bone replica helmet Like skulls and Italian flags? The K3 is AGV’s entry-level full-face, and is packed with premium features like a removable lining and an anti-fog visor. It was £149.99; now it’s just £112.49. www.sportsbikeshop.com SAVE33% Dainese D-Air Misano jacket £999 Bikestop have slashed the price of Dainese’s airbag jacket. Sensors detect a crash in milliseconds and inflate the airbag before impact. It’s in Dainese’s D-skin leather and features traditional CE armour. www.bikestop.co.uk SAVE£40 Daytona Strive GTX Gore-Tex boots £359.99 Top-spec leather sports-touring boots reinforced with Gore-Tex for comfort in all conditions. Feature shin and ankle armour as well as removable toe sliders. Available in sizes 40-48. www.bikestop.co.uk SAVE£15 Ion gloves £49.99 Vented, short-cuff gloves made from a goat skin outer shell incorporating…

Readers Steve Lynskey and Andy Juggins The Ride Scunthorpe to Camping Moto Dordogne , France When to do it Summer Miles 1962 Time required Eight days Don’t miss this “There were some lovely roads near where we stayed. The D46 and D703 to Souillac is great. This road follows the river Dordogne for about 20 miles and is fantastic with gorgeous scenery.” LE MANS The French love their racing! I’ve been to Le Mans for the GP before and it is a pilgrimage ROUEN Andy wanted to re-visit Rouen as he had been there for the Sucata Rally from Rouen to Portugal OOOPS! Broken bracket wasn’t too much trouble and we had no breakdowns with the bikes THE DORDOGNE It’s beautiful and a highlight was riding 20 miles on road…

You can’t help but be amazed by the dramatic explosion in the number of retro bikes. When once each major manufacturer produced one, perhaps two, models styled with a nod to a golden era, they now produce bikes catering for every niche. From scramblers with off-roadish styling to café racers with dropped bars and racing lines to heartstring twanging recreations of an old favourite (without the oil leak, ideally), there’s never been so much choice. Britain’s ‘poster bikes’ are no longer World Superbike-inspired R1s and GSX-Rs, but the likes of Norton’s Dominator Racer and Triumph’s fabulous Thruxton R. Lined up alongside them is a retro for every budget, and one that sneaked in under the radar without fuss or fanfare is the new-for-2018 Suzuki SV650X, currently looking stand-out cheap at…

On face value the new FXDR succeeds: it is the most powerful Softail yet and is strikingly stylish. But, with just 5bhp extra, a £5K higher price and too many easy criticisms, I don’t think that’s enough. That ‘R’ performance thing doesn’t really convince – plenty of power cruisers are far more potent. Its ergonomics are too extreme and spoil the ride; the drag looks compromise handling to the extent that H-D’s own Fat Bob is far more nimble, and its inflated price isn’t justifiable, especially when you don’t even get a pillion perch. Tech spec What it costs £19,050 On the road cash price £271.30 PCP per month x37 £495.00 HP per month x37…

‘75 hair-raising hairpins and the views to match’ Some of the world’s most spectacular roads and stunning views are waiting just a short hop away across the Channel. Delve deep into the Alps and you will soon lose count of how many times you mutter ‘wow’ to yourself as mountain passes, cyan lakes, endless switchbacks, aggressive climbs and plunging descents unfurl before you. It’s an addictive riding heaven of snow-peaked mountains, raging waterfalls, rolling highlands and epic skyscapes. Boarding the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone and throttling across France, Belgium and Germany is hardly a dull schlep, either. The route takes you down the B500 (itself an MCN Bucket List ride), and delivers ribbons of tarmac wrapped in endlessly stunning scenery. But when you’re undertaking a 2000-mile-plus road trip like this…

‘It’s proving to be a remarkably complete package’ 100 miles Manufacturers often try to mimic historic designs only to fall short. But Kawasaki have hit the retro nail squarely on the head with the Z900RS Café. It’s a beautiful blend of nostalgia and modernity while the classic green livery gives the Café some visual punch, combined with that single headlight and 1970s throwback nose cowl. 750 miles There isn’t a huge amount wrong with the standard Kawasaki suspension. Up front the 41mm adjustable units are fully adjustable and the horizontal rear shock has preload and rebound adjustment. For 80% of riders 80% of the time, it will be faultless. However, I fall outside that window. I’m one of the 20% who ride harder on the road and venture out on…

Colin Whitelaw couldn’t wait for the kids to go back to school so that the roads around Aberdeen quietened down a bit. The R1200GS-rider has worked out a wonderful route that takes in the Grampian Transport Museum. He said: “Guy Martin kindly keeps some of his stuff there and it’s always worth a look. “The roads are brilliant around there and you can hoon it a bit on the A-roads and then have a bit of a scratch on the B-roads. The last 15 miles along the banks of the Dee are bloody lovely. “There are loads of places in Aberdeen that serve up a top breakfast at the start of the ride and/or a filling lunch at the end. “This route has got it all.” THE ROUTE • A…

RATINGS POOR ★ AVERAGE ★★ GOOD ★★★ VERY GOOD ★★★★ EXCEPTIONAL ★★★★★ Spidi Ladies Traveler 2 Curvy H2 Out jacket £259.99 and trousers £229.99 Tested by Emma Franklin, two months, 1200 miles This all-season textile touring suit promises warmth, waterproofing, comfort and ventilation, and so far it’s delivered. Firstly, the cut makes it look smart, and the tabs at the waist, arms, chest, hem and neck allow you to fine-tune the fit. Initial rides in the suit happened on extremely warm days, so it was a relief to find the 100g thermal lining is easy to remove and refit via poppers. In this configuration, the pair of zipped vents in combination with the H2Out waterproof/breathable membrane does a good job of keeping you cool. CE armour at the shoulders, elbows,…

1. Indian hoodie £70 My husband bought this for me for my birthday. It’s really nice quality but it is expensive, like most of the Indian accessories. It’s just leisurewear so isn’t in the least bit protective, but I wear it over Alpinestars body armour. 2. Moto Girl Kevlar leggings £109 These are really comfortable and look good, without making you feel like you’re wearing protective biking kit. They come with soft knee armour, but you have to pay extra for hip protection. 3. KBC VR1X helmet £89 I needed a lid for a custom spray job I’d been wanting for years. My mate Foz sprayed me it up as a Crème Egg. I like being unique. 4. Colo intercom x 3 £95 These are really good, cheap intercoms –…

‘Tyres deteriorate with age and use and get harder’ Somehow Kevin ‘Dr Tepi’ Hollingsworth at Doncaster Motorcycles had a Yamaha up for an MoT the other day with tyres older than the bike itself. The Yamaha Virago XV535 was 24-years-old while its Pirelli Route tyres were manufactured 30 years ago in 1988! “It had been passing MoTs elsewhere because the tread depth was perfectly legal and if any cracks in the sidewalls are less than 25mm, they are considered ‘slight’, so are only an advisory even if the tyre is from last century,” explained Dr Tepi. “But these tyres were so perished with age that they were ready to fall to pieces. “Like a lot of today’s riders, the guy only does 500-1000 miles per year and because they were…

‘Bridewell andtheteam seemtohave hit it off from dayone’ Tommy Bridewell repaid the faith put in him by the Moto Rapido Ducati squad with a stunning double-rostrum at Oulton Park this weekend. The Westcountryman has impressed throughout his short tenure with the small but well-run squad, and that reached another level at the Cheshire track as he walked away with a second and third place to show for his efforts. Sacked from the Movuno.com Halsall Racing squad mid-way through the season, a return to the rostrum had never seemed further away for Bridewell when Moto Rapido boss Steve ‘Wilf’ Moore picked up the phone. However, the unlikely pairing has proven the doubters wrong after a number of strong rounds. “That feels good,” Bridewell smiled. “I knew we’d be strong coming here,…

Andrew Irwin enjoyed his strongest points haul of his BSB career after a strong weekend at Oulton Park. The Be Wiser Ducati rider, who’s trying to secure a 2019 seat, finished an impressive fourth in the wet opening race, and then completed the top ten. “I knew I had to finish both races, as it’s important for me to show a bit of consistency as I’m trying to get a job for next year,” he said. “To end up with our best weekend yet and a fourth place – I’m really happy.”…

Bikes racing at full-pelt down an indoor drag strip at one of the UK’s most iconic venues? Yes please! It’s going to be pretty damn special and we can’t wait to open the doors to the Devitt MCN Ally Pally Show and Supersprint. It will be a sight and sound like nothing you’ve seen before – and we’d very much recommend you bring some earplugs because we don’t want anyone going home with a headache. The Supersprint takes place three times a day on both the Saturday and Sunday but there’s a whole lot more to the event besides. We’ve lined up static displays of jaw-dropping race bikes, an auction, trade stands and more. See you there!…

As well as big updates for the GS, BMW have also lavished the same engine changes on the venerable RT tourer, which faces increasing competition not only from other brands but also other BMWs, particularly the XR and GS Exclusive. The new RT gets the same 1254cc engine as the GS but also receives a facelift and some useful electronics updates. But the biggest change is that the superb latest generation Dynamic ESA – as available on the current GS – will be available complete with ‘fully automatic load compensation’ as an optional extra on the RT. As a result, you no longer have to select the ‘two helmets and a suitcase’ icon, instead the bike works out the correct preload for you. The bike also adjusts the damping to…

Manchester police have launched a BikeSafe course in a bid to reduce accidents in their area. The free and friendly workshops are delivered by serving police officers and include an observed ride, interactive presentations, discussions and safety advice. To find out about the next dates contact bikesafe@gmp.police.uk or visit www.bikesafe.co.uk and search for Greater Manchester. Chief Inspector Gareth Parkin from GMP’s Road Policing Unit said: “Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users across Greater Manchester and far too many riders are killed or seriously injured on our roads.”…

The London-based theft awareness group BikerBiker held an open invite patrol last week and helped prevent two bike thefts. Members met up and went out in groups, riding around Shepherd’s Bush and South Kensington, making their presence known. They had two encounters with people attempting to steal bikes, but the suspects fled as soon as they saw the large group of motorcyclists. After the success of the first open patrol, BikerBiker are intending to hold more patrols and set up a bait bike.…

Yamaha are teaming up with Tainwanese scooter firm Gogoro with the aim of launching a Yamaha-branded electric scooter next year. What makes Gogoro special is their battery-swap tech which sees riders switching batteries at docking stations all over Taiwan and it’s this that has captured Yamaha’s attention. Costing £2600, Gogoro scooters have been very successful in their home market with more than 750 docking stations installed and 17 million battery swaps so far, however they’ve yet to successfully branch out into other territories. They have previously indicated an interest in the UK and this Yamaha deal could be what gives them the power to achieve it.…

A French firm called Eyelights have launched a futuristic heads-up display system that can be fitted, they claim, into any motorcycle helmet. The system connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and displays not only your speed and GPS directions but also alerts you to upcoming dangers such as sharp bends, traffic congestion and speed limit changes. The neat system comprises a module that is attached to the side of your helmet and an optical unit that projects the display into your field of vision from a location inside the helmet aperture. The whole system is rounded-off with a set of flat speakers plus specially-adapted microphones designed to cope with wind noise and through which the voice-activated command system operates. The makers claim the components will fit into not just full-face…

NEXT WEEK THURSDAY 20 East Coast Motorcycle World, Hutton Cranswick, East Yorks Entry Free Info 01377-271200 Great roads lead to one of North’s best bike nights, at premium biker superstore in heart of East Yorks. Meet other bikers and check out clothing and accessories from 6pm. SATURDAY 22 Saturday Night Special, Run What Ya Brung, Santa Pod Raceway, Beds Entry Entrance/sign-on from £20 Info www.rwyb.com Experience the thrill of blasting your bike up Santa Pod Raceway as dusk falls. Sights and sounds of raceway are intensified by night air. SAT-SUN 22-23 Devitt MCN Ally Pally Show & Supersprint, Alexandra Palace, London Entry £17 (advance), £21 (gate) Info www.mcnallypallyshow.co.uk MCN’s all-new show with world’s only indoor sprint, celebs, dealers, retail area, classics, Bonhams auction and UK’s biggest ride-in. SUNDAY…

‘Your rights don’t cover changing your mind’ Q‘I don’t like my new bike. Can I return it?’ I bought a new bike two or three weeks ago and was going to have a go at #ride5000miles, but the more I ride it the more I realise that I just don’t like it. I’ve now decided that I want to return the bike, but the dealer is playing hardball even though I’m within 30 days. Is there some law I can quote at them? Gethin John, email A Unfortunately, there is no legal right for you to return a bike just because you have changed your mind. Some dealers operate a short return period (typically, but not always 14 days), but this is up to them and is not required by…

• The B500 through Germany’s Black Forest on the way down to the Alps. • The Steak House Braulio, in Bormio. Providing you’re not a vegetarian, it’s epic. • Cobblestone hairpins might not sound appealing, but it’s a rare treat, and you’ll have to get used to it to ride the fantastic St Gotthard Pass. • Taking a swim in a mountain lake. It will burn like hell because it’s so cold but it’s an unmissable experience. • The Passo di Gavia; a single-track pass that will scare and thrill in equal measure.…

• Thirteen new bikes • Thousands of real-world test miles • What works, what doesn’t and what fails • How to get the most out of your new bike 9500 MILES 5422 MILES 5396 MILES 2667 MILES 1843 MILES 12,630 MILES 697 MILES 8041 MILES 6379 MILES NEXT WEEK 7923 MILES 8109 MILES…

Ray White The Three Ss – 77 miles Start at Settle (Ye Olde Naked Man) and head south on the A55 to Skipton (Route 59 Cafe). Then take the A59 to Blubberhouses. Past Fewston Reservoir, turn right onto the B6451. Turn left at Bland Hill and take the A51 to Collingham, then the A659 to Tadcaster. Pick up the A162 and head to Squires Café. THE ROUTE • Three top cafés • Mix of roads • Fast blast Steve Greesham Poole Loop – 77 miles Head north on the A350. Take the B3074 then the B3078. Turn left onto the B3081. Turn right onto the B354. At Salisbury, pick up the A36 east. Take the B3079 to Cadnam, then take the A31 to Ringwood. Turn left onto the A338 to,…

THE STUDENT Simon Castle, 50, Northampton After passing his test in 1999 so he could ride a V-Max, Simon has since got into trackdays. He now owns an Aprilia RSV4. Simon’s riding problem “I don’t think I lack speed coming out of corners, but I get overtaken at the start of straights. I want to go faster and I’m keen to learn.” THE TUTOR Michael Neeves, MCN Road Tester Neevsey has been testing bikes at MCN for over 15 years, instructs at the Ron Haslam Race School and races a BMW S1000RR. Neevesy’s action plan “I’ll help Simon get on throttle at the right time, then hone his line so he can safely use maximum throttle at the corner exit.” THE LESSON 1 Slow in, fast out Simon’s getting on…

‘He who fails to prepare, prepares to fail.’ That’s how the saying goes. It’s very true when it comes to bikes because the majority of breakdowns occur thanks to a simple fault that could’ve been detected and rectified prior to leaving home. Regardless of whether it’s a spin with mates at the weekend or a touring trip abroad, a breakdown is costly and inconvenient wherever it happens not to mention increasing the risk of you being involved in an accident. So think like a factory rider. Treat every ride as though you’re in the championship-leading MotoGP team and give your bike a thorough check before you swing your leg over. Rossi’s M1 gets inspected each and every time the Doctor leaves the garage, so you should do the same –…

Ana Carrasco’s fight to become the first female to win an FIM road-racing World Championship on a solo bike will go down to the last race in Magny Cours. The 21-year-old Spaniard finished tenth in Supersport 300 as Scott Deroue took his first win of 2018. Heading to France, Carrasco, Deroue, Mika Perez and Luca Grunwald could each clinch the title. Markus Reiterberger, Portimao winner Roberto Tamburini and Max Scheib will all go head to head in the Superstock 1000 scrap.…

LEON HASLAM OUT CONFIRMED Heading to World Superbike with the factory Kawasaki squad JAKE DIXON OUT UNCONFIRMED Set to head to Moto2 SHANE BRYNE OUT UNCONFIRMED Recovering from broken neck/back, not expected to be back next year SCOTT REDDING IN UNCONFIRMED Tipped to sign for Be Wiser Ducati should nothing else materialise BEN CURRIE IN UNCONFIRMED Is Kawasaki pushing for young Aussie to graduate from Supersport? RYAN VICKERS IN UNCONFIRMED Runaway Superstock 600 champ, 19; will he be fast-tracked to BSB?…

Five of the UK’s biggest biking celebs and ear-splitting race bikes will take on the Supersprint this weekend. See Carl Fogarty, John McGuinness, Chris Walker, James Whitham and Dougie Lampkin go head-to-head in a series of biking challenges down the Supersprint course including a wheelie race. The top celebs will be wowing the crowds as they bid to win the King of the Supersprint crown. For an extra special day out you can book yourself the full VIP experience at the show. You’ll get closer to the bikes with an exclusive track walk, meet and greet the superstar celebs, 10% discount off event catering PLUS a special MCN goodie bag. VIP tickets are limited, avoid disappointment and book online now. Adult VIP costs £30, Child VIP tickets cost £15. www.mcnallypallyshow.co.uk…

10.00 Foggy and Whitham 10.45 Allen Millyard’s workshop live Plus Honda Six tribute fire-up 11.30 Nick Sanders Russia, Mongolia, Motorbike, Me 12.15 John McGuinness interview 13.00 Brough Superior A potted history of the world’s greatest motorcycle with Anthony Godin 13.30 Nick Sanders Russia, Mongolia, Motorbike, Me 14.15 Dougie Lampkin and Chris Walker interviews 15.15 Brough Superior A potted history of the world’s greatest bike with Anthony Godin (Saturday only) 16.00 Allen Millyard’s workshop live Plus Flying Millyard fire-up…

This weekend there are superb displays of remarkable race and custom machines* on show at Ally Pally. The historic race bike collection features everything from stunning replicas to genuine world-beaters. And if you’re into the new wave custom scene we’ve a fair few of those on display too. 2005 Factory Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 As used by the 2004 BSB champion John Reynolds in 2005. 1964 Honda RC145 125cc Twin Replica based around a tuned 175cc Honda twin. 1972 John Player Norton 750 An ex-Mick Grant machine. Clever design kept the underpowered Nortons competitive until the end of the 1970s. 2000 Yamaha YZR500 replica. A beautiful tribute to the great but controversial Italian 500 Grand Prix rider Max Biaggi. 1994 Norton 585cc Rotary Ex-Ian Simpson machine that won the 1994 BSB…

Dean Harrison’s 1992 Kawasaki ZXR750 recently repeated last year’s success at the Classic TT. And hidden behind the impressive stats lay interesting implications. In 2017, the ZXR managed a 127.8mph lap, going through the speed trap at 175mph, making it 9mph faster than Dean’s 2018 ZX-6R at this year’s TT. Less surprisingly, the rider finds the old bike more comfortable. Although the ZXR was modded – and had more cubes – it was not to a level way beyond an enthusiastic owner: we’re hardly talking fabled exotica here. And the ZXR is not alone here. Other reliably sourced stories have revealed various older sportsbikes outperforming new ones, with the same rider on board at the same track. So, are we all being taken for a metaphorical ride? Despite the street…

I’ve obviously never met him, but Romano Fenati doesn’t strike me as being the sharpest tool in the box! Already on a short leash after being sacked for indiscipline by VR46, he’s thrown a lifeline by the Marinelli team, only to repay them with his actions last Sunday where he grabbed Stefano Manzi’s front brake lever during the San Marino Moto2 race. His team promptly (and quite rightly) show him the door. But then it transpires the rider he endangered is from the team he was supposed to be joining next year who (surprise, surprise) drop him like a hot brick from the prestigious MV deal they have lined up. Duh! What a great way to wreck your promising racing career. I know he has apologised but it seems a…

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 2018 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…

Leander Noronha Age 27 Height 5ft 6in Current bike Suzuki SV650 (2018) Been riding for 12 years First bike TVS Scooty Dream bike A custom BMW R nineT I mainly use my Suzuki for fun but sometimes use it to commute to work. For me it’s a perfect blend between old and new. The simplicity of the looks is the biggest selling point, it’s not in your face like the rest of the competitors and you know it’s going to age well. I was contemplating the SV650X, but it was a bit taller than the regular one and that was one of the factors in my decision. I like the way the bike looks, love the headlight covers and the retro seat on the bike. I am not a big…

Ducati’s Scrambler Café Racer is in many ways the better bike. It’s lighter than the Suzuki, more nimble, and has better brakes. The seat is actually lower and it’s user-friendly. It’s certainly the most desirable, you get membership to the exclusive Ducati club, and it will make you smile every time you open the garage door. But it’s not over £3000 better than the Suzuki SV650X. The Suzuki might not be as inspiring but does everything the Ducati can do – considerably cheaper. What’s more, it’s arguably more fun; the liquid-cooled V-twin loves to rev harder than the air-cooled Ducati and its more comfortable, too. You might want the Ducati more, but it’s not nearly 50% better than the Suzuki.…

‘It’s the most powerful yet and strikingly stylish’ The drag strip-styled FXDR is Harley’s 10th addition to its new Softail family, the first eight being launched a year ago swiftly followed by the Sport Glide this spring. A ‘performance cruiser’ with muscular styling, uprated engine and chassis, the FXDR is the most powerful Softail yet, slots between the Fat Bob and Breakout and is intended to hint at future, more radical Hogs. But does it deliver? We rode it at its world launch in Greece to find out… 1 Styling: nice face, but… Harley intended a ‘modern, muscular, high tech, aggressive’ look for the FXDR that would appeal to a younger generation – and they’ve delivered. There are shades of both the old V-Rod and Destroyer drag bike in its…

• OSTRAVA Czech city race meeting The industrial city is 230 miles east of Prague, close to the Polish border. The annual road races take place in July and are named after local hero, Frantisek Bartose, a factory CZ rider in the 1950s world championships. There is a thriving road racing scene in the former Eastern Bloc country, with Horice and Terlicko hosting rounds of the International Road Racing championship. Two Czech racers, Marek Cerevny and Kamil Holan, are stars of the series and have both competed at the TT. www.czechroadracing.cz • ABERDARE Welsh Parkland circuit Races have been held on the parkland circuit of the South Wales town since the 1950s, which lies less than half a mile from the town centre. Aberdare was the venue for the first ever live…

‘Ohmygod that was such a laugh.’ This is me entering the room after another ride on the KTM 790 Duke. Eyes roll as phones that haven’t rung for days are suddenly taking ‘important calls’ and being jammed against ears – whatever it takes to avoid becoming the next casualty in my arm-waving, summer-long eulogy to the parallel twin’s joyful, daily brilliance. Word is certainly spreading about the 790 Duke: how one the plainest and on paper least inspiring KTMs of the modern era has re-invented the art of arsing about on motorcycles; how every roundabout, city centre, B-road, even racetrack seems miraculously to be made for it. Behind the scenes, back in the garage, the story is less dramatic. My bike has covered 3200 miles and the biggest lesson I’ve…

‘It’s been a revelation’ “After Neevesy’s lesson I felt like a racer! It’s made a dramatic difference to my speed. I honestly thought I wasn’t going around corners fast enough and that was affecting my speed onto the straight, but it turns out I was using too much speed and lean in the bends and that prevented me getting on the throttle hard enough. When Neevesy first explained the concepts I doubted it’d make much difference – but after just two sessions it’s made a huge change to my riding. Where before I got back onto the middle of the seat at the apex, staying hung off and standing the bike up has given the confidence to wind the throttle to the stop as I’m accelerating to the exit which,…

I LIKE • Comfort for both rider and pillion is good • Acceleration beats anything off the lights • Attention to detail • ABS is reassuring • The toolkit: all you need is the Allen key that’s stored behind the numberplate I DON’T • Parts and accessories prices are a bit too salty • Fuel range. 100 miles to a tank is no good for my 120-mile rideouts • Lack of storage space under the seat • Weird paint finish on shocks. It looks like the paint has corroded but that’s how it should be! QUICK SPECS • 999cc • 246kg • 78bhp • 642mm seat height…

Don’tpaymore for stuff you don’twant Ever wondered why it’s very rare to see completely base model bikes on the used market? You know, a Triumph Tiger without factory-fit heated grips and luggage or a GS without the Dynamic pack fitted. While it’s true that many new-bike buyers love to spec-up their latest purchase, especially if it’s being financed on PCP, dealers don’t actually make it easy to get your hands on bog standard bikes if that’s what you really want. Salesmen will try to entice you into buying features and accessories you may not need by promising to get you your new bike sooner: “The base-model bike will take six weeks to arrive, whereas we’ve got this fully loaded one here and ready to go.” Or, “I know you want…

Tyre pressure gauge A dependable analogue gauge should be a firm favourite in your toolkit. It’s a good idea to leave it on the seat after you return home from each ride as a reminder to check the pressures. Inspection torch Whether it’s a combination of a dingy garage and aging eyes or a bike that’s got too many dark corners, an inspection torch helps you get a good look at vital components, such as brake pads (see step ten, left). Torque wrench Making sure things like caliper bolts and spindle nuts are done up correctly is vital and that’s why a torque wrench is a must in any garage. Buy the best torque wrench you can afford, for values between 5Nm and 60Nm. Workshop paper As it’s blue in…

It was a bittersweet weekend for the PATA Yamaha squad. Michael van der Mark twice finished on the rostrum to close in to within 27 points of Chaz Davies in the battle for the 2018 runner-up spot, while Alex Lowes struggled to make an impression. Crashing in Superspole, Lowes could manage just tenth and 11th from the weekend’s two races. Van der Mark struggled on Saturday with higher track temperatures, but was able to clinch third in the opening race, while the real improvement came on Sunday as he stormed to a strong second. “I stayed calm and managed my way to the front, step by step,” said the Dutchman, who stole a double overtake on Ducati’s Melandri and Davies. “I saw Marco, Chaz and Johnny really fighting, and it…

‘Capirossi is no stranger to rough -edged racing’ Am I the only person in the world who feels a shred of sympathy for Romano Fenati? It seems that everybody is engaged full tilt in an orgy of vilification. Just because of his ability not to make a fool of himself deserted him for a moment. Again. Grabbing Manzi’s front brake at Misano wasn’t really very clever, especially while being filmed in great detail. Analysing it, Race Direction thought it worth a two-race ban. This response, it rapidly became clear, was considered excessively lenient by the wider world. And in the week that followed, the condemnation of the 22-year-old echoed internationally, from respectable newspapers all the way to the death threats of twitterdom. By then, his team had sacked him, a…

Oulton proved a tough weekend for Be Wiser Ducati’s Glenn Irwin, who walked away with a best finish of sixth place and now sits 74 points off title leader Leon Haslam. Irwin stalled his Be Wiser Ducati on the grid for Sunday’s opening race, forcing bosses to abort the start meaning he’d have to start the race from the back of the grid. Struggling with a lack of feeling in the wet, he finished 12th. This left him low on the grid for the second outing, where he fought through to finish sixth.…

“Every rider in the Showdown is under such an immense amount of pressure. I have been in the situation so many times, and there are genuinely nights when you can’t sleep a wink as you are going through all the different scenarios in your head. “It was great to see Jake Dixon looking so strong this weekend. He had Leon Haslam riding on the edge in the second race to chase him down, and ultimately, if you want to beat Leon, you have to beat him now. If you put him under pressure, it’s not unknown for him to start making the odd mistake.”…