Table of contents for 20 May 2020 in MCN

Triumph Street Triple R, 2016 • 8277 miles • East Midlands Superbikes Compared to the previous incarnation, the 2013 Triumph Street Triple R is lighter, smoother, more refined and has the handling and brakes a superbike would be proud of. This low-mileage example looks in good condition, too. eastmidlandsuperbikes.co.uk Royal Enfield Himalayan, 2018 • 2947miles • TheSuperbike Factory,Macclesfield Enfield are flying right now and this is one of the bikes that’s responsible for the firm’s growth. They stand up well to bad weather and off-road riding and are so simple, that most problems are easily and cheaply sorted. www.superbikefactory.co.uk Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2004 •7500 miles • Wheels Motorcycles, Cambridgeshire This is a good example of an Iconic litre sportsbike with some real tasty extras: Dymag wheels, Race fit exhaust, R&G rad…

JON ASHLEY Age 57 Height 5ft 8in Current bike 2018 BMW S1000R Sport Been riding for 40 years First bike Honda CB250N Superdream Dream bike Bimota Tesi H2 “I had a Kawasaki S750 Turbo back in the day and loved it. The power delivery was a bit twostroke-ish with loads of lag, but it was as fast as an 1100. I like the idea of a full-fat supercharged 1000. I sat on one at the NEC and was surprised by how compact it was. The riding position was spot on and it’s pretty well equipped, although the suspension should be electronic, or top of the range, for the price. A test ride is definitely in order to see how the new technology works on a modern bike 30 years after…

Many motorbikes feel like the sum of a collection of parts that somehow combine to make a perfectly decent end result, but every now and then one comes along that just feels like one single, meant-to-be product. Kawasaki’s Z H2 isn’t just a ‘Z’, ‘H2’ or a super-naked as we know it; rather it’s a properly sorted machine in its own right. It’s surprisingly easy to live with despite being so quick, its electronics are smooth, effective and despite having little in the way of wind protection its riding position isn’t too extreme making it easy to live with on the road. If you need any convincing Kawasaki are serious about supercharging, this is it. LIKES • Smooth and refined throttle response • Electronics make the power easy to control…

Honda’s humble SS50 is iconic. Built and sold in their thousands as the moped craze swept through 1970s UK, the slick-looking four-stroke looked like a miniature motorcycle. Flat bars, upswept exhausts and a sexy slim tank, it was every boy racer’s dream… until, that is, they prodded the kickstart. For all its show, the SS50 had no go, and hot-headed 16-year-olds opted for the zippier two-stroke competition when they discovered the 3bhp Honda took 19 seconds to reach 30mph (10 seconds more than Yamaha’s 5bhp FS1-E) before topping out at just 40mph while the Fizzy cruised on to 50. A modification to the carb helped things – slightly – but short of major surgery the little Honda just couldn’t take the pace. Massively reliable, it just wasn’t quick enough, and…

2015 The Flying Millyard • Engine4894cc 60-degree V-twin made from two Pratt & Whitney aero cylinders • Power80bhp @ 1500rpm • Weight 250kg More road-legal nuttiness, this time in the form of an aero-engined tribute to the Flying Merkels from 1912. Again, Allen invited MCN to be the first in the world to try it, Bruce Dunn recalls: “It was like nothing I’ve ever ridden before. I had to remember to lean off the mixture and advance the ignition by hand, and as I did so the engine immediately responded. I took it up to around 70mph out on the roads near where Allen lives. I felt like a runaway freight train – the size of the bike and the swell of power from the incredible engine made me feel…

THE OWNER Jordan Gibbons Age 29 Been riding 12 years First bike Honda CBR600F Got any other bikes in the garage? 1976 BMW R100/7 1981 Harley-Davidson FLT Adventure bikes have been an obsession of mine ever since I watched The Long Way Round as a spotty teen. The idea you could just put yourself, your possessions – pretty much your whole life – on a bike and explore the world intoxicated me. It still does. But what intrigued me just as much was the idea of doing it off-road, going to places the other people don’t, simply often because they can’t. Around the age of 22, when most of my friends were buying steadily more powerful sportsbikes, I went the other way and bought my first GS – a 1998…

2020 Triumph Street Triple RS Engine tweaks have seen the mid-range bolstered, giving it 9% more shove in the middle part of the revs, as well as 9% more torque. Revised electronics also see addition of autoblipper, but ABS can no longer be disabled. 2017-2019 Street Triple RS All-new version features a bored-out 765cc motor with more power and torque, ride-by-wire, electronics, quickshifter, slip and assist clutch, chassis tweaks and colour dash. Goes on to power the Moto2 grid in 2019. 2015-2017 Street Triple RX The range topping 675cc engine version took all the special bits from the R model but added the tailpiece and subframe from the 675 Daytona. There’s also a factory-fitted quickshifter. 2013-2017 Street Triple R With its higher-spec suspension, brakes and sportier geometry, the R model…

A well-maintained chain on a 100bhp bike should last around 10,000 miles, but if it’s not regularly cleaned and adjusted that lifespan can be cut in half, leaving you to fork out £150 on a replacement. Chain care is one of those jobs that if you keep on top of it then it’s not so much hassle. It’s only when you’re riding your bike in all weathers and are a bit hit and miss with your cleaning regime that it can become a bit of a tall order. Most road bike chains will be joined together with a rivet link, however some smaller capacity bikes and racing machines will have chains with a split link, which can be prone to coming off. A bike dealer friend of mine once took…

Remember the time when you’d take a mate to look at a bike you wanted to buy, kicked the tyres and ran it round the block, then handed over a bag of cash? It was always risky (and exciting) as there was a chance the bike could have been nicked, or had money owing on it, or could be... well, a polished turd. The arrival of things like the HPI check took some of the worry away, giving a way of delving into the history of a potential purchase. And for the past couple of years there’s been a way of checking a bike’s roadworthiness – and it’s one that I’m always surprised how few people use, or in fact even know about. And you can do it for free,…

With the Superbike, Superstock, Supersport and Lightweight races all covered off, until the winning races are announced, MCN’s search for the greatest TT races of the last 25 year continues and this week it’s the turn of the Sidecars. It’s a class that has seen ever increasing levels of technology, which in turn has seen speeds rise dramatically, bolstered by the professionalism and massive commitment of the top teams. Our panel of experts includes the greatest living TT racer, John McGuinness, esteemed team boss Clive Padgett, TT Business Development Manager Paul Phillips, renowned TT photographer Stephen Davison, TT journalist and statistician Phil Wain, and 2019 Senior TT winner Dean Harrison. Then it’s your turn to get involved as you’ll be able to vote on what you think is the greatest…

A new provisional calendar for the 2020 British Superbike championship is set to be revealed at the start of June and will be focused on getting get as many rounds in as possible during the second half of the year. Following the latest Government updates the MCRCB (Motorcycle Racing Control Board) extended the suspension of racing events until at least June 30. This means that in addition to the planned Silverstone, Oulton Park and Donington Park rounds that have already been postponed, the Snetterton race which was scheduled for June 19-21 has also been added to the list of delayed races. The earliest races could start would now be July, meaning either the Knockhill or Brands Hatch rounds could theoretically kickstart the disrupted season, but this is unlikely as both…

Harry was killed on August 27 2019, after he was struck by a Volvo XC90 when they were both travelling on the B4031. CCTV showed the vehicle had recently left the entrance of RAF Croughton. That vehicle was driven by Anne Sacoolas, who was detained at the scene. The police interviewed Sacoolas at home the next day, August 28, where Sacoolas said she was married to a man who was stationed at RAF Croughton. As his dependent, she claimed diplomatic immunity. Northamptonshire Police applied for an immunity waiver later that day. On September 16, the Foreign Office told the police their request had been declined and that Sacoolas had returned to the US on a flight out of the airbase. She was subsequently charged with causing death by dangerous driving…

Officers in Castle Point, Essex were alerted to a motorcycle parked suspiciously at the entrance to a park in West Crescent, Canvey Island at around 2.10pm on Saturday, May 10. The Aprilia Tuono turned out to be displaying false number plates and, when the bike’s true identity was discovered, it was found to have been stolen during a burglary in Brentwood in 2016! Police have confirmed that the bike’s owner has been alerted, but they were unable to confirm whether that was a private individual or an insurance company.…

‘Cheap wheels? Try the other GS…’ I’m still looking at ‘Recession Bikes’. I’ve recently spotlighted the Yamaha Fazer 600 and the Honda CG125 as unbeatable if you want cheap wheels. I’ve been trying to buy bikes in lockdown. Every time I’ve been just pipped on eBay, once by £50 on a superb Guzzi California that went for £2550. Full luggage, too. A fortnight later a similar example fetched almost £1000 more, but I set myself a budget and stick to it. And I’ve just been beaten on another bike, literally one minute before writing this. Something light, robust and nimble with (just) enough power to tackle long trips and that’s cheap to run and a doddle to service. Anyway, the answer is a Suzuki GS500 twin. I bought one a…

Continental ContiRoad from £220 pair All-new sports-touring tyre designed for enjoying long-distance rides on country roads. The ContiRoad is geared towards providing long life and a comfortable ride, without sacrificing all-weather grip. Features a zero-degree belt construction and uses a compound inspired by Conti’s RoadAttack3. Available in all popular 17in sizes. www.conti-bike.co.uk Held Titan RR £351.99 An update of the Held Titan Evo, the 2020 Titan RRs are now 100% kangaroo to help boost comfort and flexibility without compromising abrasion resistance. Meanwhile, the palm’s reinforced with shock-absorbing gel coated in stingray leather. Revisions to the finger bridge and titanium-coated knuckle protection look set to make the Titan RRs that bit more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Available in five colour combinations. www.held-uk.co.uk Engine Control Manager…

Readers Colin Holt The Ride From San Francisco, heading south along Big Sur to Morro Bay, headed inland to Las Vegas, on via the Grand Canyon, Arches National Park and Monument Valley to Manitu Springs, rode Pikes Peak, then we proceeded to the Rocky Mountain NP and on towards Yellowstone. Miles 5943 Time required Five weeks Don’t miss “Highlights if any can be selected were the Million Dollar Highway, Horseshoe Bend and Logan Pass in awe of the landscape.” THE BIKE We hired a BMW R1200RT through HC Travel and it was perfect for our journey. EXTREMES The temperature reached 41°c in the Mojave and down to 8°c in the Rockies. It was amazing. WILD WEST Cruising through the old Wild West is like entering the cowboy movies I watched…

Q ‘I can’t remember what happened’ I had a serious accident when overtaking on my way to work. The driver who hit me said I was going well above the speed limit. He said he was slowly attempting to turn right and was indicating. I can’t remember the accident but there are witnesses. Some say I was speeding, while others say I was not and some think the other driver was indicating and turning appropriately, while others say that he pulled out fairly sharply. My solicitors are considering dropping my claim. Just because I can’t remember the accident does that mean I should take the blame for it? Stuart, Aylesbury ‘An expert can determine how fast you were riding at the time’ A Many cases turn on witness evidence as…

Nick Wilson On paper it sounds like a cracking idea: an H2 engine with a less radical riding position, but it looks too much Z and not enough H2, which isn’t pretty, but it’s striking in a fabulous looking way. It reminds me of the B-King – just as heavy, with even funnier looks and a supercharger. Karl Mariner ‘The engineering, presence and neck muscle-shredding abilities have me sold. I want one!’ Ian Speight I was really looking forward to the Z H2 but I really don’t like the styling. Plus, I’m not sure what it’s trying to be. It’s not a super-naked, not a sportsbike and not a sports tourer, so what is it? Ian Haitch What an awesome engine, but they seem to have missed the point with…

In terms of sheer presence, Triumph’s Rocket 3 R rules the roads. A performance roadster like no other that boasts a 2458cc inline triple, it’s a bike whose headline figures dominate the show but so does the price. The R, which is the sportier model compared to the more relaxed GT, costs £19,500. Happily, as well as a hell of a lot of metal for your money you also get a host of electronic assists as standard. With an established fanbase thanks to the previous Rocket III model, there are plenty of riders wanting to know more about this British bulldog. We put the shout out across MCN’s social media feeds and here are the questions you most wanted answered. How far will it travel between fill-ups? Ferenc Fajkusz A…

Allen builds these incredible specials at home in his single garage near Thatcham, and it’s a hobby he’s had since he was a youngster. “The first bike I modified was an old BSA Bantam, I was 15 at the time and managed to fit an old Austin 850 Mini engine into it, by cutting the frame in half and then fabricating it all back together. I rode it to school to show my metalwork teacher, he was really impressed,” remembers Allen. “My first show-winning bike wasn’t really planned; I was given a KH250 as part-payment for a job I did. I intended to restore the bike so stripped it all down and noticed how much work it needed. It would have cost a fortune to do, so I lost interest…

“I bought my Street Triple RS brand new in July 2018 after trading in my 2014 model 675 Street Triple R. I bought it on PCP based on 3000 miles per year over three years. This mileage was based on Sunday usage in the summer, but my personal circumstances changed not long after buying the bike and I found myself riding most days through spring and summer 2019. By time the bike was put away for the winter it had 8200 on the odometer, not bad for purely leisure riding! I have no intention of giving the bike up at the end of the PCP, I love it and it’s been there when I needed some escapism. “Compared to my old Street Triple 675, it felt familiar enough in the…

Chain cleaning brushes There are several types of brushes designed for cleaning drive chains. This Oxford Products brush (£5) is ideal, as its rugged bristles will clean both the side plates and the rollers at the same time. Chain cleaner One of the best chain cleaners on the market and an MCN favourite, S100’s Power Gel is pricey at £13.99 a can, but it’s certainly effective. Don’t forget to rinse the chain after application. Chain lube Yes, good old fashioned gear oil will do the trick, but a dedicated motorcycle chain lube will last longer and protect in all conditions. Adequate lube will prolong chain life so it’s worth keeping on top of. Nylon scrubbing brushes for drill Used by valeting pros, these nylon bristled brushes are ideal if you…

RATINGS POOR ★ AVERAGE ★★ GOOD ★★★ VERY GOOD ★★★★ EXCEPTIONAL ★★★★★ Dainese D-Explorer 2 £669.95 Tested by Jordan Gibbons for eight months, 3000 miles The D-Explorer 2 is Dainese’s latest adventure jacket (there’s a matching set of trousers too). Externally it’s your standard adventure fare with lots of vents, zips and pockets. The material is particularly soft and the elasticated pockets keep things free and easy. It comes with a Level 2 back protector, plus Level 1 armour in the shoulders and elbows, as well as some sturdier material there too. For bad weather there’s a Gore-Tex liner that clips in – the idea being you can use it in different temperatures. Unfortunately, it’s a faff – it only buttons together and doesn’t properly attach to the trousers. It’s…

When you vote, you’ll be entered into a free prize draw to win one of three official Isle of Man TT backpacks. These sturdy accessories are the ideal kit for your biking days out, whether you’re riding yourself or need to carry your supplies for a day of watching the professionals battle it out on the track. See the full range of Official Isle of Man TT Merchandise visit www. isleofmanttmerchandise.com – orders are processed with an immediate effect and worldwide delivery is available. How to enter Go to www.motorcyclenews.com/greatest-tt-races,pick your choice of the greatest Sidecar race and enter your details to be included in the draw.…

“The bottom line is that this lady did not have diplomatic immunity. We’ve begun the process for a judicial review into the decisions made at the Foreign Office and as part of that, they’ve had to release some documents. What we’ve seen so far are internal memos saying that she didn’t have diplomatic immunity. “Yet they told Northants police that she did – completely contradicting the memos sent to Government ministers. That’s what we’re challenging in the courts. “Once the judicial review finds Sacoolas didn’t have immunity, and we’re confident it will, we can renew our campaign to have Sacoolas returned to the UK. “I keep saying Sacoolas will be back – I don’t say when because it could be years, but I know she will be back.”…

WEDNESDAY 10.45am, EUR2, World Superbikes: An interview with home-grown hero and former BSB champion Leon Haslam. Also at 8.45pm THURSDAY 3pm, EUR2, Ulster GP from 2019 FRIDAY 3pm, EUR2, Motorcycling: Scarborough:Oliver’s Mount Gold Cup from 2019. Also at 10pm SUNDAY 8.45am, ITV4, DirtQuake 2019 KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT - DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC - DISCOVERY CHANNEL DHD - DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD EXS - EXTREME SPORTS CHANNEL EUR1 (2, HD) - EUROSPORT 1 (2, HD) MOT - MOTORSPORT.TV CH4 - CHANNEL 4 CH5 - CHANNEL FIVE BBC BBCI – BBC INTERACTIVE ESPN – ESPN CLASSIC CHANNEL IT V DST – DISCOVERY TURBO SHED – DISCOVERY SHED INST – INSIGHT SS1 (2, 3 OR X) - SKY SPORTS 1 (2, 3 OR EXTRA) QUEST BTS1 – BT SPORT 1 BTS2 – BT…

We’ve teamed up with Yamaha to offer MCN readers the chance to win a brand new Ténéré 700 plus loads of amazing accessories. The bike will come with a full Explorer Pack as well as a Yamaha Adventure suit. As if that wasn’t enough, the lucky winner will also enjoy money-can’t-buy one-to-one expert off-road training at the Ténéré Experience. The prize has a combined value over £11,000. We’re big fans of the Ténéré 700 because of its impressive engine, chassis and suspension. This MT-07 powered adventure bike weighs just 187kg dry, so it’s pure unadulterated fun with an impressive spread of power. The winner’s machine will come kitted out the Explorer Pack, with alloy panniers, making the bike alone worth £10,559. The winner will also receive individual training with an…

It's just a solid block… As an apprentice trained engineer, riding since I was 16 in 1981, I am disappointed by the rise of so many adverts that state their product is better because it is made from ‘billet’, or ‘aircraft-grade’ ally. So I was really pleased to read your article (MCN, May 6), which explained what these terms really mean. Graham, Milton Keynes Like a puppet on a string I have just read the letter from David Owen in your April 29 issue and I have near total sympathy with him. Manufacturers are making bikes taller and taller, and folk like David and I who aren’t blessed in the leg department are missing out massively. I would like an adventure bike but Triumph seem to be the only ones…

BIG UP FROM MICK “I’d had a ding-dong with Doohan in practice at Laguna in ’94. I’d lifted him up and run him off the track. I thought we were never going to be friends. But at the next round in Argentina I qualified fourth and he congratulated me.” ’98 GERMAN 250 GP “I caught up with Capirossi and Rossi – they were second and third. My breather pipe came off the tank and was squirting fuel everywhere. I slowed up, put it back on, caught them again and finished second.” AUSSIE POLES “You can make up for a lack of speed on the straights by carrying momentum. I love fast, wide-open 4th or 5th gear corners, which is where you can make a difference.” NW200 WINS “I’ve won Super…

The Rocket 3 R is a bike that will always split opinions but those who are interested in this bike appreciate its larger-than-life persona. Big, bold and brutishly powerful thanks to its monster triple motor, the R also adds a cornering ability and sure-footedness that was lacking in the older model and refreshingly unexpected on such a behemoth. It may lack the agility of some rival performance cruisers but it will out-grunt everything it meets.…

• Engine 249cc single-cylinder from 2005 Kawasaki KXF250, with handmade stainless steel exhaust • Bore & stroke 77mm x 53.6mm • Power 40bhp • Weight 85Kg • Gearbox 6 speed, 520 chain sprocket size F14T x R 28T (110mph@ 11000rpm) • Front brake Hydraulic twin piston calliper, drilled disc • Rear brake Drum • Forks 27mm stanchions and upgraded damper, heavy duty springs • Extras 12v ignition, LED lights Kosso Electronic rev counter Digital temp gauge incorporated into Honda 110mph Speedo…

Giovani Sala – Six time World Enduro Champion “My favourite areas are where all the most important KTMs from over the years are on display, along with the top floor where you get to see all the racing bikes, including my 400 EXC. “There are spaces dedicated to everything, from the nostalgia of the products of the past right through to the modern technology. There’s also something for the kids and many interactive displays to show the dynamics of the machines themselves. The Heroesarea and mega screen upstairs is a beautiful and interesting way to experience the ethos of KTM, and all of this is just a few steps from the KTM factory making it feel fresh and current.”…

Honda’s VFR750F made the motorcycling world sit up and take notice when it first arrived and this 1986 VFR750F-G is just one example of how Honda’s flagship has stood the test of time (although this V4 had suffered at the hands of some incompetent DIY disasters). ‘It purrs like new. Mr Honda built this model to last’ Steve Bateman, of Steve Bateman Superbikes, in Ringwood, picks up the story: “I got a call from a customer complaining of a slight blow on the exhaust at the collector box. What he didn’t realise was that the very early bikes have a stainless all-in-one system. The cheaper, and corrosion-prone collector box with bolt-on silencers arrived in 1987. “That means it can’t rust, which is why this 34-year-old bike is still on its…

‘Valentino is the rider who has made the biggest impact’ ‘We still have to discuss his technical crew’ ‘Things will be decided before Jerez’ With Valentino Rossi being frozen out of the factory Yamaha team in 2021 in favour of 21-year-old Fabio Quartararo, the nine-time world champion looks odds-on to continue his career within the Petronas outfit. MCN spoke with Petronas Yamaha SRT team director Johan Stigefelt to discover how the fledgling MotoGP squad are preparing for life with the GOAT. You’ve only been a MotoGP team since the start of 2019, how does it feel to be on the brink of signing Valentino Rossi for 2021? We are talking about the most important rider of the history of MotoGP and one of the most famous one in all categories…

You will be able to watch MotoGP again this year. But only if you are a fully-trained SAS operator or MI6 agent who can out-007 Mr Bond. First: get to Spain. Submarine probably best; though you could take the escaping POW route over the Pyrenees on foot from France. Then climb over/under/through the fence. Maybe a trebuchet. Finally, disguise yourself. Not as a goat: that might interest the local Jerez chefs. Vegetation better. Moss, maybe. Then lie there, and wait for the action to begin. As we hope it might at the end of July. There is another way, for retired folk who can afford the two-weeks of isolation-quarantine either side of a trip, when you might be able to try somewhere else in Europe. There’s even a vague chance…