Table of contents for 20th March 2019 in MCN

I’ve mentioned before that two-stroke vaules are on the up and are going to continue to do so. Hell, I’ve even taken my own advice and bought one. But this is getting silly. There were some well-defined models that always attracted high prices: Kawasaki triples, for example, or the water-cooled Suzuki GT750. Original Yamaha RD350LCs, Suzuki 500 Gammas, Aprilia RS250s. But now buyers are searching out almost anything that has a stinkwheel engine. MZs I can understand, but Jawas? And there are even old Russian Planetas (some of the worst bikes ever made) being described as ‘collectable’. RD350 power-valves have rocketed in price in the last year or two, just as I said they would. A couple of years ago, you could get a good one for a couple of…

SAVE£130 Shoei GT-Air £299.99 Get this top-spec full-face touring helmet for less than £300. The composite-shelled GT-Air was Shoei’s first lid with a drop-down sun visor. It’s available in black or white at this price. www.gtmotorcycles.com SAVE50% Muc-Off Polishing Ball and polish £14.99 Just the ticket for buffing out scratches and marks in metal, this drill attachment allows you to polish out blemishes on hard-to-reach metal parts. Comes with a sample size bottle of metal polish. www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk SAVE£110 Dainese D-Blizzard D-Dry jacket £239.99 All-season jacket that’s perfect for touring, it comes with a waterproof laminate and also a removable thermal lining as well as air vents for warm days. There’s armour at the shoulders and elbows. www.jsaccessories.co.uk SAVE28% ACF50 Anti-Corrosion Treatment £25 A fantastic price for this must-have product. Providing…

Ex-Steamly good guys I had booked the Isle of Man ferry for 2018 but unfortunately was rushed into hospital so couldn’t make the trip. After a long few months of treatment I finally got round to contacting them to see if I could get a concession on this year’s trip. Customer services were excellent and gave me a full refund the next day! Bruce Waller, email Don't knock the VFR The early VFR1200 was referred to as having a limited range in your article on semi-autos (MCN, March 13). My non-DCT VFR is good for 180 miles, so that’s about three hours. I mean, who wouldn’t want to get off any bike after being sat there for that long? Colin Gray, email Never trust a driver Picture the scene, a…

• 250-MILE ROAD TEST • THE BEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK How do you strike the right balance between sporting ability and real-world practicality? It’s a question that has been dogging manufacturers for years and one that proved the undoing of the once hugely popular supersport class. Back in the 1990s, when supersport bike sales were booming, they were cheap do-it-all bikes that were as happy being be thrashed around a track as popping to the shops. In fact, the most popular model, Honda’s CBR600F, even came with a centrestand! Imagine that, a supersport bike with a centrestand… But in the 2000s track focus overtook practicality and we’ve ended up with the class all but dead in terms of new bike sales. Ducati have faced a similar scenario as their…

A more upright seating position aside, the new Katana basically rides the same as the cheaper GSX-S1000 donor bike and has a worse fuel range, so it’s hard to justify the extra cost. Its looks are as divisive as they were all those years ago, it lacks the sophisticated refinement of some of its rivals and its low speed throttle manners still aren’t perfect. But it’s still hugely capable, rapid, easy to ride, a riot in the corners and has an air of specialness about it that makes the Katana more than just the sum of its parts. Tech spec What it costs £11,399 On the road cash price…

Never the most popular of homologation specials, the YZF-R7 OW-02 is generally viewed as a bit of a failure. But people forget that if Nori Haga hadn’t taken a dodgy weight-loss pill in 2000, the YZF-R7 could have been Yamaha’s first WSB title winner. The R7 ran into issues from the start. Restricted to a paltry 106bhp, owners were unwilling to pay Yamaha’s asking price of £21,000 for such a slug. It may have been limited to just 500 units worldwide, and dripping with exotic components, but despite this massive initial outlay you were looking at spending £5000 again to get 145bhp and even close to the R1’s performance. But the R7 was, and remains, a thing of great beauty. The R7 uses the same style of vertically-stacked gearbox as…

Baggers may be less significant in the UK, but in the US the new Chieftain is big news and on the basis of this test Harley should be concerned. Indian’s big twins have always impressed for their performance, handling and quality (although Harley have caught up) but you needed to be a fan of their sometimes slightly oddball, art deco styling. No more. The new Chieftain, particularly in this Dark Horse guise, is gorgeous. Yes, it’s about £1000 more expensive, like for like, but if you can live without the Harley badge (and dealer network) it’s the better bike. Tech spec…

RATINGS POOR ★ AVERAGE ★★ GOOD ★★★ VERY GOOD ★★★★ EXCEPTIONAL ★★★★★ 10 MONTHS Rukka Nivala suit £1249 (jacket) £869.99 (jeans) Tested by Jordan Gibbons, 10,000 miles The Nivala is Rukka’s top-of-the-range suit and as such it features a three-layer Gore-Tex Pro laminate lining that seals it from rain and wind and also prevents the suit from becoming waterlogged, so it dries off quickly. In terms of impact protection, there is D3O armour at the shoulders, elbows, knees and hips, plus it comes with back and chest protectors. For when things get really cold, it also comes with a down jacket and trousers. I’ve worn it comfortably around 1°c for hours. The thermal layers aren’t permanently attached either, so you can wear them separately. When the mercury rises, there are…

‘ Look behind the headlines ’ With its cutting-edge tech, the 2006 Yamaha R6 certainly made the supersport world sit up and take notice, not least because Yamaha claimed that the new 599cc inline four would rev to over 17,500rpm (2000rpm higher than the previous model). In fact the Japanese firm made something of a big deal of the valve train’s purported heady heights in their marketing material and rightly so, because the lofty figure pointed towards big power and cutting-edge technology. Formula One cars of the same era revved to 19k, so for a production bike to rev somewhere close was something to behold. Only, when the R6 finally arrived did dyno operators discover that the new engine didn’t in fact rev that high, despite the tacho needle getting…

MY FAVOURITE TOOLS FOR FILTER CHANGES Filter wrench No, don’t just stab a screwdriver into the filter and twist it off. Treat yourself to a proper filter wrench. You can pick one up from as little as £5 and it’ll help you make a cleaner, easier job. T-bar Allen keys Great for spinning off non-critical fasteners like bodywork bolts, T-bars bring a bit of speed to undoing bolts and also help to ensure that you don’t overtighten when doing them up. Torque wrench Absolutely essential for ensuring those critical, oil-retaining bolts are nipped-up correctly. A perfect biking torque wrench should have a 3/8 drive and tighten to values of between 5 and 60Nm. To keep your wrench in spec, always undo the lock nut after every use and be sure…

“We came here expecting to use the track as a dyno session to map the bike, but I have to thank my electronic guy and Scott for the information. “We moved on very quickly to also work on the chassis, the rider adaptation to the bike and tyres and the new circuit. “It’s been good working with Scott, he’s very precise with information and we work well; one step at a time. We haven’t focused on fast lap times, it’s about bike development. “We still have a lot of work to do on the bike and the electronics. We have to confirm a few things and that was the focus for Portimao.”…

Is WSB predictable again, even though it’s a different name at the front? Six wins from six starts means Bautista is clearly dominating, but don’t write off Jonathan Rea. The Northern Irishman isn’t panicking just yet. ‘Rea can succeed in the face of adversity’ Some have slated Rea for his success and what they perceive as an arrogance in recent years, but now those same people are hoping he wins. While a MotoGP rider is taking WSB by storm, Rea is flying the superbike flag and upholding honours for the championship he has made his own. JR is the thinking man: he does whatever is required to win titles, which sometimes may mean settling for second place, like he has in the first six races. He’s also got a very…

John McGuinness will make his TT comeback this year, teaming up with Hickman and Todd on the Lightweight, and as the sole rider on Norton’s V4. “I’m blown away with the Norton Superlight,” said McGuinness. “It’s a class I’ve never raced in so I’m really excited and want to be winning. I’ll be putting my heart and soul into it.” “With McGuinness it’s experience,” added Garner, “and when you look at his early career, he was a 250 rider and loved those lightweights. You’ve got to be smooth, you have to carry corner speed, and that’s what the Lightweight class is all about. Equally, we’re targeting a podium on the Superbike with John. We’d be doing him a disservice if weren’t, and we want to build on last year’s fifth.”…

Protection specialists Forcefield have released an all-new one-piece armoured undersuit, called the Sport Suit. Designed to be worn primarily under leathers, the suit can also be worn under textiles, or a jacket and jeans. It’s a high-performance base layer fitted with modular removable armour, including a CE Level2 back protector. You then choose if you want Isolator CE1 or CE2 limb armour for the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee. The CE1 suit is £209.99, the CE2 is £224.99, or an armour-free version costs £164.99.…

If you’re planning to head south in search of warm weather and sticky roads in mainland Europe over the coming weeks, you need to ensure you’ve got all the right paperwork to mitigate any ‘No Deal’ Brexit fallout. The key requirement is a stack of documentation to ensure your licence is recognised as valid, and that you have relevant insurance cover. The Government is aiming to secure a deal that maintains our current liberalised access to Europe’s roads, but there’s every chance that negotiations could leave you exposed. But don’t panic, the solution is pretty simple. Ticket to ride In the event that there is no EU Exit deal, you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your UK driving licence to ride (or drive) in the…

And while we’re busting myths, it is possible to vinyl wrap your motorcycle at home and get a great result. But in a world of increased competition, an ever-growing availability of ‘how to’ videos on the internet and exposure to the realms of possibilities across social media, it’s not surprising the purists of the wrapping and custom worlds are trying to halt our curiosity. The old boy at the custom chop shop and the professional wrapper don’t want us mere mortals to start playing about at home. It’s a threat to their business. As someone who has wrapped their own van and two Harleys, I’ve heard a lot of opinions in my travels: wrap fades, it can’t take the heat and proximity to the engine, it will bubble, you can’t…

1989 After the demise of Shepherd’s, Mike Sheehan scoured auctions and salvaged what he could to set up his first factory in an old abandoned military building. “It leaked and was damp, but it got us off the ground.” 1993 Alt-Berg’s first motorcycle boot, the Roadster, was developed from a 1915 specification for a WW1 ammo boot written by Emmanuel Sidwell of the Glasgow College of Footwear and Design. 1995 Alt-Berg move into the current factory, a stone’s throw from where William Shepherd’s stood. The facility is set up for maximum flexibility, which means it can cater for one-offs and development work. THE FUTURE Alt-Berg’s ongoing work with the MoD has included footwear for fighter pilots and bomb disposal, elements of which Mike plans to incorporate into motorcycle boot design.…

‘The height and scale is jaw-dropping’ South Wales is rammed with incredible roads and Pan European rider Tony Hawker loves to make the most of it and is often to be found planning out new routes for him and his friends and some of the routes really stand out. “This is my favourite stretch of a long day’s ride,” says Tony. “I love the clear open roads and spectacular scenery. As you head out from Abergwesyn to Devil’s Staircase, the height and scale of the Ifron Gorge is jaw-dropping. “Also, the West End Café at Llandovery offers reasonably priced food, has plenty of parking and there’s a chance to meet up with other riders.”…

I LIKE • The size: it’s really good for small riders. The narrow seat enables you to get feet flat on floor. • Comfort: the seat’s really good for long distances • Engine performance: it’s smooth, punchy and sounds great • Economy: I’ve got 74mpg out of it I DON’T • It’s a little bit vibey at high revs but it’s something that I’m happy to live with • The ignition barrel’s gone a bit sticky • There aren’t many genuine accessories QUICK SPECS • 649cc • 68bhp • 187kg • 790mm seat height…

Tested by Bruce Dunn, three months Designed to allow you to connect Keis heated kit direct to your bike’s 12v/DIN accessory power socket, it negates the need for you to faff around connecting cables to your bike’s battery. You can use it in its entirety to connect to a traditional cigarette lighter socket, or remove the red end to plug into a DIN socket. The 60cm cable is the perfect length to plug yourself in to cockpit-mounted sockets. With its 10A fuse it’s easily able to power a Keis bodywarmer on maximum power. A really handy accessory. Rating ★ ★ ★ ★★ www.keisapparel.co.uk…

When one of Paul Knight’s customers at A55 Motorcycles in Penmaenmawr, near Bangor in North Wales, wrote off his CBR600, he thought he’d slow down a little and treat his bank balance kindly by replacing it with a 1999 Hornet 600 for £800. As he bought it unseen from the internet and he’s no mechanic he took it round to Paul for a check-over, and it was lucky he did. ‘There were burrs on both sides of the spacers’ “An aftermarket bellypan had recently been fitted using the sump bolts for the bracketry, but one of them was already loose. When I checked the brakes, they were a mess. One caliper was seized on the sliding pins and the other had a crack where the sliding pin locates in the…

• ‘I’ve had a trappednervein mybackallweek. I’m happy it’s over’ Leon Haslam raced in agony to three fifth place finishes at Buriram despite a trapped nerve which caused severe pain with every change of direction. “I’ve had a trapped nerve in my back all week, it happened when training,” the 2018 BSB Champion told MCN. “I’m happy it’s over. I was seven tenths a lap quicker than Sykes was last year, so the team are happy but my back really hindered me.” The Kawasaki star was set to undergo a scan on his back this week as well as minor surgery to treat a cist that developed after screws were removed in December from the ankle injured in his 2017 Brands Hatch BSB crash.…

Just a year after unveiling an all-new, radically-revamped Gold Wing and buoyed by public demand, Honda are now to bring in a second variant... for over £5000 less! With only the high-specification Gold Wing Tour and Tour DTC versions available until now, both equipped with large top-boxes and heftier price tags to boot, you’ll now also be able to get a more svelte, minimalist and arguably cooler-looking Wing, which replaces the old F6B, and saves a bundle of dosh into the bargain; what’s not to love? Essentially, the new standard Gold Wing is, like the old F6B, the familiar full-dresser but without rear top box/back-rest (plus built-in speakers) for a more slimmed-down, blacked-out, ‘bagger’ look. There’s also a matching, shorter screen, it does without a main stand and there’s no…

The fastest newcomer ever at the NW200, and the second fastest ever newcomer at the Isle of Man TT (posting a 128.379mph lap, second only to Hickman), Davey Todd is aiming for a TT podium. “Davey is an exceptional talent for the future,” says Garner. “He was such a natural fit for the Norton team.” “I’m really excited,” said Todd. “It’s fantastic to be in a factory team, and a British team, too. I grew up dreaming of being a factory rider, and now I am with Norton. “I’d had a bit of contact with Stuart before, and rode at his Burnout event last year. We have kept in touch since, and when the Lightweight opportunity came up I just jumped at it,” said Todd. “With McGuinness and Hickman as…

There are three different IDPs, and you might need all of them if you’re planning a proper European tour. In a no-deal Brexit scenario, you might want all of these in your pocket, just to be sure: • 1968 International Driving Permit for: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland • 1949 International Driving Permit for: Cyprus, Iceland, Malta, Spain • 1926 International Driving Permit for: Liechtenstein…

THIS WEEK SATURDAY 23RD-24TH Manchester Bike Show Event City, Greater Manchester. Entry 9.30am-5pm both days. Adult £18, OAP £15, 5-14 £5. U5s free Info www.manchesterbikeshow.com SATURDAY 23RD-24TH Minibike Championship Champs Parc, Kettering, Northants. www.minibikechamps.com Entry See website for entry and admission details Info www.minibikechamps.com SUNDAY 24TH Overland & Adventure Bike Day Ace Cafe, Stonebridge, London Entry 9am Info 0208 9611000 or www.london.acecafe.com MONDAY 25TH MSVT Novice Only Track Day Donington Park Grand Prix, Derbys Entry From £109 Info www.MSVTrackdays.com BOOK NOW Devitts MCN Festival Join us for a weekend of test rides, live action, biking bargains and stunts at the East of England Arena over the weekend of May 18-19. Entry £15 (day) £35 w/e camping Info www.mcnfestival.com YOUR HANDY EVENTSGUIDE Find more great things to do in your area…

The bikes on all the test fleets are booked on the day. You simply go to each manufacturer with your licence to sign up for the bike you want to try. Campers get first access to the show on both days so will be able to avoid the queues and bag the most popular bikes for the weekend. You’ll also get FREE entry to the evening entertainment plus FREE entry to the action taking place in the Indian Live Action Arena on Saturday night. The Festival is held on May 18-19 at the Peterborough Arena. Book online now! Weekend passes include a camping pitch and start at just £30 per person when you book in a group of four or more.…

Readers Peter Cushing and three friends The Ride Portsmouth to Bilbao, three days in the Picos, two in the Pyrenees. I then carried on to Mugello and Geneva When to do it Spring to autumn Miles 3270 Time required Two weeks Don’t miss this “An amazing experience at Mugello." MOUNTAINS Typical lunch stop. Two Dukes, a Tiger and a Beemer at rest. WILD WEATHER We woke up in the morning and the road had washed away! GREAT VILLA Here's the view from the villa terrace (shame about the cable!). RIDING MATES Work meant they had to go home but I carried to do 3270 miles. THE TRIP SEND US YOUR TRIP PICS EMAIL YOURPICS@ MOTORCYCLENEWS.COM…

Q Cops said my Hayabusa wasn’t insured The law pulled me over at the side of the road while I was out on a ride. They said their automatic records checking system showed that my Hayabusa was not insured. I made it clear I was insured and showed them an email on my phone with an attached insurance certificate. They were not interested in the certificate, simply stating I was not insured. Infuriating. I was not allowed to move my bike! In the end, it turned out to be a mistake by my insurer. They failed to arrange cover even though they had taken payment and issued a certificate. Can the police really stop you riding for reasons you believe to be completely false? Pete Carragher, email ‘I showed them…

KIERAN LITTLE Age 24 Height 6ft 1in Been riding 1 year Current bike Honda CBR650F First bike My CBR650F Dream bike BMW S1000RR HP4 “I bought my CBR650F as it’s able to be restricted to A2-legal power, which meant I could run it at 47bhp until I gained my full A-licence and then derestrict it and have a brand-new motorcycle! I could have taken this route with other bikes but the Honda’s sporty looks appealed and I like the fact it is more of a ‘proper big bike’ than my mate’s CB500. “It’s a brilliant first bike and I’m enjoying it as a commuter, on trips to see my girlfriend and just the sheer enjoyment of riding. I’ve done a few long trips and I’m planning on riding the NC500,…

The CBR may be small, but it’s big in heart and demonstrates what Honda do best: like CBRs of yesteryear, it’s a brilliant do-it-all bike that’s effortless to ride yet still capable of a sporting buzz. While the inline four does need its gearbox to be worked if you want instant acceleration, it usually has more than enough midrange. But its major selling point will always be its price tag. Riders who want a chilled-out Ducati sportsbike will love the SuperSport S, and rightly so as it has all the character, feel and sporting prowess you expect from a Bologna bike, but in terms of value it can’t match the Honda. Even the base model, without the Öhlins, is £4409 more than the CBR and I struggle to justify the…

“I never intended on racing in supersport when I got the call to ride the Belgarda bike for a one-off WSS race at Donington in 1999. After my superbike career, and spending a bit of time on a GP bike, I considered supersport to be shopping bikes! The R6 soon changed my mind. “But you couldn’t compare the R6 to the Suzuki GSX600F ‘teapot’ I once raced. That was a bag of s**t; the R6 was a proper little race bike. I won the race and set the fastest lap time. “In the end I spent three years racing supersport and in 2000 very nearly took the world title. I actually snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and after leading the championship I ended up in sixth after a…

It doesn’t matter what level you are, you can ride at Supermotoland. For MCN it was our first time, but there’s plenty of returning customers, one of which is former MotoGP rider and current Ducati BSB man Scott Redding who spends time at the school, keeping fit and in the zone ahead of his racing season. Scott said: “I love riding Supermoto because it means I can ride at the absolute limit without big risks. It’s similar to being on a Superbike, but here you can really learn to push and even tuck the front and recover or have big rear slides and save them. It’s also really good for race fitness.”…

Revived Indian continue to take the fight to Harley-Davidson. Bought by Polaris in 2011 and relaunched with an all-new line of classic-inspired twins in 2013, the new Chiefs impressed from the outset. For 2019, alongside the imminent new FTR1200 flat-track replica, Indian’s most important big twin, the Chieftain, gets a makeover that takes the firm ever closer to, if not ahead of, Harley. But what are the differences and have they worked? 1 More aggressive styling Despite modern engineering, Indian’s new big twins were also characterised by arguably overly-retro, 1930s styling, which didn’t wholly reflect their performance and handling. With baggers (see right) dominating US sales (Harley’s Street Glide remains America’s best-selling bike), Indian have given the Chieftain, a more modern, aggressive re-style with more than a few shades of…

This weekend’s Manchester Bike Show will have many of the latest 2019 bikes on display, 100s of trade stands offering bargains and the chance to see thrilling stunt shows. The Route Leave the urban sprawl of Manchester behind as you head from Eventcity towards Cheadle on the M60. At Junction 3 take the A34 and head south to the A555, take the first exit and follow signs for Buxton. Join the A6, at Chapel Milton turn left into the beautiful Peaks. With Mam Tor rising above, twist your way to Castleton and pass through Hope. In Hope Valley turn left on the A6013, cross Ladybower Reservoir and hang left on the A57, exercise caution as you ride biker’s favourite, the Snake Pass. From Glossop head through Hyde and back to…

Ben says “It’s amazing difference a few small changes can make. Every ride was getting increasingly tense and eroding my enjoyment. “I’m less bike fit than I used to be. I used to ride 10,000 miles a year and now I’m only doing 3000 so I’m prone to getting achy quite easily. This had the knock-on effect of making my arms and shoulders tense up, then I’d put more weight on the bars, which then made me ache more and so on. I’d often roll off mid-corner or panic because my mind was on my aches rather than my riding. “Just sitting up taller on the bike, taking a loose grip on the bars and reminding myself to stay relaxed has made a big improvement. Changing my mindset has helped,…

1. HJC C70 £150 I absolutely love this lid. It makes me feel really secure and I love the colour scheme and the shape of the shell. It’s not particularly quiet and the visor clip has broken but I’ll probably get another HJC when I eventually need a new one. 2. Buffalo Ladies Siena jacket £109.99 I always try to buy British but Buffalo really need to sort their act out. It’s not waterproof, the quality’s not that good; it’s only 18 months old and the Velcro’s failing already. It’s a shame because it’s a really nice-fitting jacket. 3. Weise Gemma gloves £35 I love these. Summer gloves but fine in winter, too. The waterproof membrane really works. My hands have been warm and dry ever since.…

‘Stick to the original parts’ Following various blow-ups and track spills, America’s bikesport governing body, the AMA, has banned aftermarket oil filters from race bikes. Even if an aftermarket filter is from a well-known, reputable brand the AMA advises is to stick to OEM filters, even for road bikes, as they’re designed exactly to the manufacturer’s specification and will withstand the pressures placed upon it. The O-ring also plays a big part in ensuring all the oil stays inside your engine so be sure to fit a fresh one whenever you change the filter and lube it with oil or grease prior to fitment to ensure it mates properly. You should give the new filter a good inspection, too, to check it hasn’t been damaged in transit. Buying OEM parts…

After Alvaro Bautista thrashed the opposition at WSB’s second round of the season to maintain his 100% success rate in World Superbikes in Thailand last weekend, questions were asked. How can a production racing rookie on an all-new bike, come from MotoGP and become the first rider for 16 years to win the opening six races so utterly convincingly? There are still 33 races and 682 points on the table so anything can happen but things are looking good for the Ducati star. ‘He wasn’t an alien but he has experience and pedigree’ 1 He’s an exceptional rider with something to prove Bautista comes from MotoGP: the F1 of bike racing. Should we expect anything less than a superb talent? He knows how to race and develop at the…

What a week: smouldering resentment after the Qatar GP protests followed by full-blown flames at Jerez when the new E-bikes turned themselves into toast. And both events were linked, obliquely, in being to do with innovation. The first an attempt to crack down on it. The second smacking of trying to run before being able to walk. Ducati boss Dall’Igna has protested repeatedly against aerodynamic restrictions and has clearly read the rule book very carefully to find ways around them. Thus Ducati is by far the most innovative of the manufacturers. And in Qatar the Italian team was pretty easily the fastest, too, certainly streets ahead of compatriots Aprilia. It should be said, though, that thanks to Dovizioso cannily slowing the pace to keep the field tight and thus making…

Qatar race winner Andrea Dovizioso is waiting for his victory to be confirmed following protests from Aprilia, Honda, KTM and Suzuki over a spoiler fitted to the underside of his Desmosedici’s swingarm. The case is now being heard by the FIM MotoGP Court of Appeals. While the spoiler is not explicitly banned, the rules are open to interpretation and the matter has been compounded by teams apparently being given conflicting advice from MotoGP’s technical bosses about what is legal and what is not. The protest after the race was at first rejected, then appealed and passed on to the Court of Appeals by the FIM Appeals Stewards in Qatar. As we went to press no decision had been made, but one is expected before round two in Argentina on March…

Why Ducati are in the right Ducati boss Gigi Dall’Igna is adamant the spoiler fitted under the bike is well within the rules. Using the wording of the rules that allows a device ‘to cool the rear tyre and to deflect water from it in wet races’, as Yamaha did last year (which is perhaps the reason they didn’t join the other protesting teams). Dall’Igna is adamant the point of the spoiler is to direct air onto the tyre. That definition matters, too, as current rules ban devices designed to give an aerodynamic advantage or create downforce; something Dall’Igna explicitly denies. ‘It’s to cool the tyre – not for aerodynamics’GIGI DALL’IGNA, DUCATI CORSE He said: “The guidelines issued by the technical director say that you can use a spoiler attached…

MotoGP and the FIM have promised a resolution ahead of next weekend’s second round in Argentina, with the FIM court set to hear the manufacturers’ appeal in the coming days. In repeatedly making it clear they’re not trying to take away Dovi’s win, the other manufacturers may settle for a subsequent ban on Ducati using the rear spoiler. But some have suggested that MotoGP bosses should now move to a system similar to that in F1, where court rulings on race results are commonplace. F1’s new tribunal system allows teams to protest technical innovations made by other teams, but only at the end of the season, to ensure teams are allowed to take the benefit from upgrades for at least a limited amount of time.…

Jorge Lorenzo has discovered that he completed last weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix while suffering from broken ribs incurred as a result of his free practice crash at turn six. The Spaniard landed heavily following a huge highside and was left visibly winded at the side of the track but managed to race on through the rest of the weekend. Before coming home in 13th place the three-time MotoGP champion had been primarily concerned about possible shoulder damage. However he discovered after undergoing a CAT scan on his return to Europe and that, rather than his shoulder, it was his ribs that were the source of the pain. Despite all this, Lorenzo says he’s confident he’ll be fit to race in Argentina in ten days’ time. ‘It’s now six months since…