Table of contents for 26 May 2021 in MCN

INSIDE YOUR 3-IN-1 SPECIAL Lock it up, then let it set you free It’s easy to be complacent about bike security. After all, what are the chances of your bike getting nicked – especially when it’s tucked up safely at home? The answer is ‘quite high, actually’. But with some decent security, you could be one of the ‘lucky’ ones. We reveal the kit we trust most to keep our bikes safe. And in our other big supplement this week we dive in to the emerging world of electric bikes to see if battery power really will set you free... E-MCN THE FUTURE? Electric bikes will be a huge part of the future of biking, but how close are we to making the switch? SECURITY BUYS Don’t be a victim…

Norton have discovered 35 defects in the V4SS built by the previous company and have warned more may yet be found. Seven could result in the engine seizing, three could cause a fire, four could cause a failure to run and nearly all could result in a loss of control. As such Norton have had no choice but to recommend to owners that they stop riding. The full list of faults is as follows: ● Oil hose failure ● Leaking fuel tank ● Crank rotor disengagement ● Fuel hose perishing ● Debris in oil ● Drive gear shearing ● Frame adjuster incorrect torque ● ABS module calibration ● Excessive valve guide wear ● Idler gear bearing failure ● Cam gear spring failure ● Frame weld fatigue resistance ● Rear hub…

Expert Norton engine builder Mick Hemmings has died at the age of 77, after becoming ill in his workshop. Mick started out in bikes as a decent racer and won over 50 races in the 1970s and 80s on a Norton Commando. He tuned all of his own bikes and soon got a reputation as an ace mechanic. He also used to sell ads for MCN during this period to help fund his track antics. But in 1974 he set up his own dealership in Northampton, Mick Hemmings Motorcycles. That remained a vibrant and successful business until 2016, when he continued to work from his own premises, specialising in British bikes… mostly Nortons. Mick, and his wife Angela, also ran a very busy Norton parts business and shipped products all…

Kawasaki have joined forces with the California Superbike School to give it a new lease of life in the UK. Since its launch in 1980, the legendary training school has helped over 130,000 riders worldwide to enhance their on-track skills. For 2021, customers will now be able to hire a range of Kawasaki machinery, from the Ninja 650 to the firm’s flagship superbike ZX-10R. The school has a number of dates across the summer, taking in Brands Hatch, Donington Park and Cadwell Park. Each day will see customers able to take part in expert tuition sessions, from novice trackday riders to experienced circuit riders. The school, originally set up by Keith Code, has developed techniques to help prepare riders physically and mentally to shave seconds off their lap times, while…

‘Let’s go Virago!’ Sold my Guzzi V50. I simply wasn’t using it. A few weeks ago, I reckoned you needed three grand to get a good one these days. Mine made £3113, which was less than I’d expected. However, it’s more than I paid for it, from a dealer at that, and it wasn’t bought in the course of business (which would have meant the intention to turn a profit), so I’m happy. My wife, although she hasn’t ridden for years, was making noises about buying it if it didn’t make decent money in the auction, because she’s owned a few V50s in the past. She likes them because they’re small, light, have a low seat and shaft drive and there are few sub-600s that boast that combination. Now she’s…

YOU’RE NEVER RIDING ALONE Have you ever tried to pick up a bike on your own? It’s bloody hard work. You can do it once or twice maybe if you’re fit, three if you’re Hulk Hogan, but after that you’re toast. If you’ve been riding the thing all day, so you’re already shattered, then you might not even get the damn thing off the ground. On your own and that’s it; game over. But if you’ve got a friend to give you a hand, it’s easy. One, two, three, lift together and before you know it, it’s back on two wheels. A helping hand doesn’t have to just be for physical problems, either. It’s easy to get blindsided by a personal problem and, just like righting the bike, you can…

Q ‘Caught out by voucher’ I bought a tankbag from a shop near me. The sales assistant said I could take it home and try it on my bike and return it for a refund if necessary. It was too tall, so I went back. But the person I’d spoken to before was off and their colleague refused to refund me. He said that because there was nothing inherently wrong with the product it was their policy to offer me a voucher instead. After much arguing I reluctantly accepted a voucher for £107.99. However, this all took place in February 2020 just before lockdown and the voucher is valid for one year. This month I telephoned them to ask if they would be prepared to still honour the voucher, but…

Reader Luke O’Mahony The ride Around County Cork (we have been restricted to our counties due to Covid regulations) When to do it I went in April but any time in good weather Time required 8.5 hours How many miles 275. You could build this into a tour of Ireland during normal times. Parts of the route are on the Irish Photo Rally. Don’t miss this The R599 on the way to Ballinacarriga Castle was a short but very enjoyable ride. The castle itself is also an area not to miss. I avoided the classic coastal routes as I knew they’d be too busy due to the fine weather we had but that gave me the chance to explore places I hadn’t been before despite them being on my doorstep.…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday 26 May BIKE MEETS ■ Squires Cafe Newthorpe near Sherburn in Elmet West Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ The Blue Anchor Southport Merseyside 7pm Facebook: Southport Carousel Bike Meet ■ The Old Stores Pontblyddyn Mold Flints 6pm-9pm 07548224866 or Facebook: The Old Stores Motorbike café ■ The Plough Cadsden, Nr Princess Risborough Bucks www.plough-at-cadsden.co.uk ■ Ryka’s Cafe Box Hill Surrey www.rykas.co.uk ■ Loomies Moto Cafe West Meon Hants Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk SPEEDWAY ■ Poole Pirates Dorset. www.poolepirates.co TRACKDAYS ■ MSV General Track Day Oulton Park (International) Cheshire from £192 www.MSVTrackdays.com ■ Ducati Only Track Day Brands Hatch Kent £225 bike.msvtrackdays.com TRIALS ■ XHG Tiger MCC Ltd Selby Trials Park Wimborne Dorset www.xhgtiger.org.uk Thursday 27…

DEPUTY EDITOR (MOTORCYCLING) £21,745 otr Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic 114 ● 1868cc pushrod 8v V-twin ● 92bhp @ 5020rpm ● 330kg (kerb, claimed) £20,980 otr BMW R18 Classic ● 1802cc pushrod 8v flat twin ● 91bhp @ 4750rpm ● 365kg (kerb, claimed) From the tip of the CHiPs-style screen to the tail end of the sculpted panniers, it’s festooned with the unmistakable hallmarks of a traditional US big twin. With an engine of greater displacement than most family cars, a relaxed riding stance with low-slung perch, twin bar-mounted spotlights and lashings of chrome it’s as American as mom’s apple pie, 24-hour drive-thru’ food joints and stars ’n’ stripes boxer shorts. Except this isn’t Yankee iron, of course. Instead, we’re talking bratwurst sausages, steins of wheat beer and lederhosen. This is the…

DEPUTY EDITOR, MOTORCYCLING Buying a bike like these boils down to just two things: image and feel. There are machines that are far finer tourers, and many that offer superior practicality, greater performance or better behaviour on a proper riding road. So, if you’re going for a traditional US-style twin it has to be for the looks and for direct sensations on every ride. The Harley-Davidson certainly has striking looks and would have your neighbours gossiping that you’re a bad-ass biker. But the American firm’s recent leap-and-bound dynamic improvements almost go too far. We like the agility and surprisingly accuracy, but the engine is almost too refined next to the R18’s heavy engineering. Which is why the BMW wins. Based on the decision of two middle-aged blokes (who wouldn’t know…

Seventy-five years ago this spring, motorcycling – or, to be precise, powered two-wheelers – changed forever when the very first scooter was launched. Spawned from the rubble of post-WW2 Italy, produced by an aircraft company banned from making planes, designed famously by a motorcycle-hating helicopter engineer and intended to mobilise a population with a devastated transport network, that scooter was the very first Vespa. And, despite a slightly stuttering start, it proved so successful that within a handful of years it was being produced in its tens of thousands around the globe. By the 1960s it was a cultural icon in movies and fashion. By the ’80s it was a stand-alone brand reigning over the whole scooter sector and today is one of the most recognisable two-wheelers of all with…

APRILIA RS660 The rider Dan Sutherland, Senior Writer Contact dan.sutherland@motorcyclenews.com KAWASAKI ZX-10R The rider Ben Clarke, Assistant Editor Contact ben.clarke@motorcyclenews.com KTM 890 ADVENTURE R The rider Michael Guy, Sports Editor Contact michael.guy@motorcyclenews.com BMW S1000R The rider Michael Neeves, Chief Road Tester Contact michael.neeves@motorcyclenews.com YAMAHA TRACER 9 GT The rider Alison Silcox, Office Manager Contact alison.silcox@motorcyclenews.com HARLEY-DAVIDSON PAN AMERICA The rider Jordan Gibbons, News Editor Contact jordan.gibbons@motorcyclenews.com HONDA CRF300 RALLY The rider Simon Relph, Senior Designer Contact simon.relph@motorcyclenews.com DUCATI MULTISTRADA V4 S The rider Richard Newland, Editor Contact richard.newland@motorcyclenews.com SUZUKI GSX1300R HAYABUSA The rider Emma Franklin, Deputy Editor Contact emma.franklin@motorcyclenews.com…

When it comes to changing brake pads, it’s worth checking out the different types available, as fitting a different brand or compound will dramatically affect both braking performance and feel. If you’re happy with your bike’s braking then stick with OE, but if you’re looking for an improvement, check out the different options from trusted aftermarket specialists. Brands like EBC have a wide range of products to suit everything from touring to racing, and in the How To (right) we used CL’s XBK5 pads which are a high-friction type ideal for sport riding on road and track. In both cases, these aftermarket options will provide increased performance over the stock pads – and bizarrely, are often cheaper, too. Oh, and a quick update on something I mentioned here a few…

Getting the inside line on grand prix racing since 1996 No other circuit blends beauty, speed and danger quite like Mugello. The Red Bull Ring and Phillip Island come close, but mention Mugello to any MotoGP rider and his face lights up like a kid on Christmas morning. Its mixture of stomachchurning undulation, super-fast corners and a terrifying kink at the end of a 220mph start/finish straight makes it the ultimate test of skill and bravery. This weekend though it will be missing one of the key ingredients which make Mugello a MotoGP masterpiece – its raucous fans. With no airhorns and yellow smoke grenades this year, the unique atmosphere will be sorely missed but Mugello will still have its magic aura. Final fling The 75mph Bucine lefthand final turn…

‘The Race 2 tyre gamble paid off for Redding’ Scott Redding and his Ducati crew rejuvenated themselves by winning the final race of the Aragon weekend. This was thanks to a bold decision to use race slicks on a drying track – but only after two previous choices had backfired. In a dry Race 1, Redding finished fourth but raced neither Pirelli’s new softer front tyre (designed for better braking stability) nor the super-soft SCX rear. In the damp Sprint Race, Redding opted for wets and plummeted from second to eighth, having vowed to never again race an intermediate following his Brands Hatch BSB error of 2019; curiously, fellow MotoGP men Alvaro Bautista and Tito Rabat also went for full wets. Another ex-Grand Prix man, Jonas Folger, admitted that his…

‘Redding needs to keep his cool’ You can’t fault Johnny Rea. He looked perfect didn’t he? No missed apexes, wheels in line. He was also lucky when he didn’t go down when Gerloff hit him. Redding’s win was also massively significant. Sometimes to be a champion you have to take a gamble like that with the tyres. He doesn’t like intermediates and it’s not often anyone uses them it’s either wets or slicks. But the inters were good and if Redding’s slick gamble hadn’t paid off, he would have been way off in the championship standings. I found it interesting in the winner’s enclosure in the final race, Johnny went to speak to Redding and it was like Redding turned his back on him. There is obviously a bit of…

Although Alex Lowes’ 45 points is six fewer than he started the season with last year, the Englishman regards Aragon 2021 as his best start to a World Superbike campaign. Not only has the former BSB Champion found an ideal base setup for his Kawasaki which saw him seal two second places and one third in Aragon last weekend, but he had overcome a significant shoulder injury over the winter. On February 6, Lowes landed awkwardly in a motocross crash, separating his right shoulder and incurring ligament damage. Over the next three weeks, his arm was totally immobilised resulting in a loss of muscle. Basing himself in Barcelona he dedicated full working weeks to physiotherapy: Tuesdays and Thursday with team physiotherapist Albert Cabestany and Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays with a…

Sounds silly calling a 180mph bike a sports tourer, but that’s what it is. As quick as the supercharged Kawasaki Ninja H2, and a damn sight more comfortable and economical to ride. Looks are subjective: it lost the smooth lines of the earlier 1100 and 1200 in favour of a set of railings which were attempting to emulate Ferrari F40 louvres. If you don’t like them you can comfort yourself with the fact you can’t see them as you are riding down the French Riviera. From 2012 it got revised suspension and an engine that delivers 119lb.ft of torque. Traction control, modes and ABS all came as standard. Early ones sometimes suffered frame fractures, prompting a recall. This issue was resolved but it’s always worth checking that any 2006/2007 model…

Worlds feel like they’re colliding in biking right now. The electric revolution is smashing into the status quo like a battering ram; the old guard in racing is being snapped at by the new; and ‘old’ Norton’s legacy is rolling around like an unpinned hand grenade amongst new Norton’s aspirations. The inevitable mass infiltration of electric bikes into the ranks of the internal combustion engine’s previous monopoly may not be here yet, but it’s coming – fast. And thankfully there are serious signs that there’s nothing to fear. Whether you’re excited or full of nay-saying dread, dive into this week’s e-MCN special issue to find out what’s what. Firmly back in the present, new Norton have run into the legacy of the old Norton operation in no uncertain terms. While…

£13,999 Kawasaki ZX-10R SE The ZX-10R SE features Kawasaki’s (and Showa’s) first self-adjusting fork. As well as suspension that’s designed to always give you the perfect amount of support, the rangetopping machine also gets the lightweight Marchesini wheels and autoblipper from the homologation special ZX-10RR. ● www.kdmotorcycles.co.uk SAVE £1500 £14,700 Triumph Tiger 1200 Triumph are offering luggage kit worth more than £1500 with the 2020 Tiger 1200 Alpine and Desert models until June 30. ● triumphmotorcycles.co.uk ● Engine 1215cc ● Power 139bhp ● Weight 243kg ● Seat height 835mm SAVE £656 £9999 Ducati Monster 821 Stealth edition As the 821 bows out you can still pick up this pre-reg bike with just 10 miles on the clock. ● www.pidcock.com/ducati ● Engine 821cc ● Power 112bhp ● Weight 179kg ● Seat…

A study by dealer Vertu Motorcycles has found that the most popular biker track of all time is Bad to the Bone by George Thorogood and the Destroyers. The study used data from Spotify’s top biker playlists and analysed 392 tracks cross referenced with over 51k Spotify users. The most popular band/artist was AC/DC and the top album was Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet. Surprisingly, the study also suggests bikers prefer listening to Avicii and Calvin Harris than Motörhead or KISS. Ace memorabilia To mark the 20th anniversary of the reopening of the Ace Cafe in London, the famous venue has launched a limited range of memorabilia. Fans of the cafe, which originally opened in 1938 and was central in the ton-up café racer scene of the 1960s, can buy…

Dainese Ladies’ Tempest 2 D-Dry jacket £254.96 Trousers £187.46 Here come the girls! All this week’s deals are tailored specifically for women riders, with everything from jackets to jeans, gloves to boots and the odd helmet thrown in for good measure. There’s so much good gear on the market and we’ve highlighted our favourite picks from a variety of internet and physical retailers. Stevenage-based Bike Stop, for example, have slashed the prices on this waterproof suit from Dainese with an attractive 25% reduction. This CE-approved Cordura jacket and trouser combo is well suited to year-round touring. The two-piece has a waterproof membrane and removable thermal layer, plus there’s a removable inner jacket which can be worn separately. Both the jacket and trousers are well vented, with zipped vents on the…

ITV4’s live Le Mans MotoGP show saw 425,000 fans tune in for an action-packed race on May 16, won by Ducati’s Jack Miller. It’s the first time since 2014 that MotoGP has shown on terrestrial TV and the stats have proved there’s the desire for bike racing action. The channel’s live British Touring Car coverage attracted less than half that amount. The British MotoGP from Silverstone on August 29 will also be shown live on ITV as Dorna tries to reach new fans in a bid to attract more season-long subscribers.…

FANTASY SHOPPING ON A REAL-WORLD BUDGET Every week we give a different rider a wodge of fictional cash and ask them to ‘buy’ the bike that sets their soul on fire. This is Jack’s pick… Best known as being the V in tuning firm V&M Racing alongside the late Steve Mellor, Jack Valentine is a full-on petrolhead who grew up finding and fixing motorbikes for pocket money before graduating to tuning. As well as a three-times European Pro Stock drag series champion himself, V&M and later Valmoto’s bikes have won British Supersport titles, TTs and more. So what would tempt Jack to part with £6000? “There is one bike that instantly springs to mind – a 1978 Suzuki GS1000,” says Jack. “I owned one of the first bikes in the…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews Wrong move by Triumph? With regard to Triumph’s new Speed Triple 1200RS, I can’t help but wonder if the company have lost their way a little, like they did with the 765R – a superb motorcycle let down by suspension and comfort. The engine is fantastic, but the rest is hopeless in pothole Britain. I do wonder if perhaps there is not a broad enough range in ages among their road testers. It was quite obvious from your own testers that even they think this machine is flawed in some areas. Duncan Matthews, email Blackbird’s flying high For my 63rd birthday I rode my Super Blackbird over to Maxton for a full suspension upgrade – new fork internals and the suspension guru waved his magic wand…

1 Route 1066 café A great gathering point on the A21 in Robertsbridge, and the chips are definitely worth a try too. www.facebook.com/1066cafe 2 Revved Up tea bar This beach-front bar is the perfect place to watch the world go by and get a cup of Yorkshire tea. www.facebook.com/Revved-Up-493717504018738 3 Hungry Hogs at Hillside Café This layby diner in Rutland has hosted rideouts for Captain Tom. www.facebook.com/power.lunches.1 4 The Custom Café Sat on the south coast with a great atmosphere and custom machines, it’s a great stop for great food and drink. thecustomcafe.co.uk…

FRIDAY May 28 2.30pm, QUEST, Shed and Buried: Catch up with Henry and Sam SATURDAY May 29 8am, BTS2, Live MotoGP from Mugello, Italy: Free Practice 3. 10.15am, EUR2, Live World Superbikes from Estoril, Portugal: Qualifying and Race One SUNDAY May 30 7.30am, Live MotoGP from Mugello 8pm, EUR2, World Superbikes from Estoril, Portugal: Highlights 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 ITV 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 SPORT 2 TVL-TRAVEL UK…

Matt Holt Age 54 Height 5ft 11in Been riding 24 years Current bike Harley-Davidson Electra Glide First bike MZ ETZ251 Dream bike BMW S1000XR “I’ve owned and ridden many faired bikes and always thought that a fairing detracts from the look of a classic motorcycle. However, the BMW R18 Classic appeals to me, as the screen would help with the wind – I like the style of the standard R18 but I couldn’t live with its nakedness day-to-day. “I’ve done the adventure bike thing, as I always thought I’d want to go touring, but it hasn’t happened, so as a thing to live with and cherish the R18 appeals. Plus – let’s face it – the GS is ugly as sin, but the R18 Classic looks pretty, and like a…

BMW’s all-new S1000R won’t satisfy those who buy solely on the strength of a spec sheet – it would appear to be giving away power to rivals, as well as lacking the flashy running gear. But in reality, it’s a very polished and potent super-naked. The inline four engine lacks some of the pizazz of alternative configurations, the brake calipers feel like a step-down from the old bike and it really warrants tyres better suited to the broad range of its abilities. Those are the only niggles: it otherwise blends cutting-edge performance with road sensibilities as well as anything out there. THE FACTS £12,055 BMW S1000R…

Arai RX-7V from £649 ‘It’s passed the ultimate test’ Tested by Bruce Dunn, three years This helmet has just passed the ultimate test, having protected my head during an on-track highside. The accident, which crash data from my airbag suit said resulted in an impact of 29G, saw me break a vertebra and sustain a mild concussion, but I’m positive the protection offered by the RX-7V prevented more serious injury. The helmet was quite badly damaged, implying it’s done its job in sacrificing its integrity in order to save my skull. Other than the protection, there are many other features that I like on this top-of-the-range Arai. First of all, it’s perfect for sporty riding, thanks to the full suite of functional vents, that allow high air flow. I feel…

“I’ve never had a problem entering the motorway, there always seems to be a gap, and I can enter smoothly without any issue but once on the motorway, I start to feel boxed in. “I don’t mind speed, but generally I’ll ride around 70mph, so I don’t just want to sit in the inside lane dodging lorries, I need to be able to overtake and make progress. “But now I can change lanes with confidence. Mark has shown me how to give early indication, so I don’t force the opportunity but create the opportunity. I feel much more comfortable, and much more confident now. I can now freely move from lane to lane.” Mark says “Jim was leaving his decision making too late, which meant he was too close to…

Kawasaki’s ZZR1400 was the king of speed and power when it came out in the noughties and held the title of fastestaccelerating road bike for some time. But not this bike, which rocked up at the Two Wheel Centre in Harpenden. Mechanic and boss Nick Nomikos told us: “The owner said the Kawasaki didn’t feel as sharp as usual and ‘wasn’t running right’.” It didn’t take Nick long to find the culprit in this case. The K&N filter was more clogged up than the M25 on a Friday afternoon with road dirt and insect life. Nick added: “Some people say that because they are high-flow filters you should let them clog up a bit. There’s an element of truth to that because bikes run so lean that it might do…

Road racing and spectators returned at the weekend with the Bob Smith Spring Cup at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough and it was Silicone Engineering Kawasaki’s Dean Harrison who took the feature race. The event saw two days of action around the 2.43-mile circuit with a limited number of spectators and while the smiling faces trackside were denied a battle between Harrison and Ashcourt Racing’s Lee Johnston, the eight-lap race saw Harrison put in a dominant performance. Johnston, who won the opening Supersport 600cc race earlier in the day when Harrison slid off uninjured, had a last-minute issue with the front brake caliper on his Yamaha R6, and failed to make it to the grid. That meant Harrison’s task was slightly easier although a shower just before the feature race did leave…

STATISTICS • Length 3.26 miles • Corners 6 left, 9 right • Longest straight 1141 metres ROOKIES GALORE Seven riders will make their premier class debut here this weekend: Brad Binder, Alex Marquez, Iker Lecouna, Lorenzo Savadori, Luca Marini, Enea Bastianini and, if passed fit, Jorge Martin. Lap record Top Speed 2019 top 5 Positions 2021 World standing ONE TO WATCH (2nd World Standing) A confident and relaxed Bagnaia is riding better than ever and if anybody can exploit the full potential of Ducati’s GP21 on home soil it will be him. 79 POINTS WHAT HAPPENED IN 2019 A flu-hit Petrucci climbed off his sickbed to claim an emotional first MotoGP win in a last-lap thriller with Marquez and Dovizioso. Having once considered quitting, the win helped Petrucci secure a…

Our expert on the inside of the WSB paddock Jonathan Rea’s World Superbike rivals are in need of a major psychological reboot ahead of this weekend’s races in Estoril following a shockingly impressive start to the new season for Kawasaki. From pole position in Aragon on Saturday, the six-time World Champion claimed his 100th victory plus fastest lap before adding another win to his tally in Sunday’s Sprint Race. Completing the opening round of 2021 with second place to Scott Redding in the third and final encounter meant Rea scored 57 points from a possible 62. Significant improvements to an already formidable ZX-10RR have left the rest of the field, whose results were decidedly inconsistent across the event, scratching their heads. Amazingly, Rea has finished on the podium in every…

We created the very first edition of eMCN three years ago now, when it still felt like the chances of electric powered motorcycles genuinely giving the good old internal combustion engine any cause for concern was still a very long way off. But there’s been a stellar shift in the rate of acceleration towards an electric future during that time. Now, we find ourselves right on the cusp of a revolution – a point where electric bikes aren’t just ‘ok’, but offer us a superbly capable alternative to burning fossil fuels in the pursuit of riding enjoyment – be that on the daily commute in town, blasting silently down B-roads at the weekend, or even stalking the petrol burners on trackday jaunts. Yes, there are still obstacles though. And the…

EEMC’s Alec Sharp on how electric bikes changed his world “I’d be lying if I said I was a massive eco warrior and I set up EEMC for the benefit of world and the environment. The fact is that I didn’t know a lot about that side of things, and now I do. So as part of the growth of the business – I know it sounds really daft – I’ve grown as a person. “Electric is a new thing for many people. We’ve found people’s hesitancy to get on electric in the first place is amplified when dealing with used bikes. So, we set up our platform of EEMC used approved. We’re dealers for what we think are the major brands in the UK at the moment, and we’ve…

Official MotoGP charity Two Wheels for Life have teamed up with the Harley Owners Group (HOG) for an international charity relay to help raise funds for their life-saving work. The Great Relay 2021, is being run by HOG but is open to all. Two Wheels for Life are hoping to raise €75,000 (approx. £65,000), which will help make up for the huge dent left in their finances after the cancellation of the Day of Champions – a charity event that usually takes place at the British GP. “We’re struggling as all our fundraising comes from giving people special experiences such as at the MotoGP,” says CEO Andrea Coleman. “Last year we were down to about 45% of our normal fundraising but now we’re down to just 25%. It’s such a…

Ducati have updated the fun-packed Hypermotard 950 family for 2021 to meet more stringent Euro5 emissions regulations – adding a new red and white livery to the SP version in the process, ahead of the new bikes being available in dealers from June. The range consists of a standard Hypermotard 950, plus more exclusive 950 RVE and 950 SP models and Ducati claim the engine changes have had no effect on overall performance. The 937cc V-twin – also used in the latest Monster and Ducati SuperSport 950 – produces a claimed 112bhp at 9000rpm and 71lb.ft at 7250rpm. An A2 licence version is also available. Another component shared with the new Monster and SuperSport is a reworked gearbox. The gearshift drum now rotates on bearings to reduce friction and the…

Alpinestars SP-8 v3 leather £99.99 Made from abrasion resistant, full-grain goat leather and synthetic material, they promise high levels of safety thanks to MotoGP-derived dual density knuckle protection. With a pre-shaped finger construction, a hook and loop cuff closure and a new anatomically profiled grip insert on the palm and thumb, this looks like being a great sporty glove. www.alpinestars.com Oxford Original Approved Jeggings £119.99 These new women’s jeggings are made from Armourlite – a highly durable denim that offers a vintage look while remaining soft. A twoway stretch material has been added to enhance mobility and comfort and quick-dry technology draws sweat away from the body while also repelling rain. CE Level 2 hip and knee armour is included. www.oxfordproducts.com Leo Vince LV-10 carbon end can (Z900) £299 LeoVince…

MCN CONTRIBUTOR It was back in 2019 that Yamaha took the wraps off their E01 concept scooter at the Tokyo Motor Show. Now, nearly two years on, a production version of the same bike is on the verge of being launched. It might look like a conventional twist-and-go but the E01 is going to be Yamaha’s most impressive electric production model yet and details of the showroom version’s design have been revealed via a rush of new patent applications from the firm. Yamaha are trying to get rights on at least five separate innovations, which aim to bring all the benefits of battery power while minimising the usual downsides of electric bikes. The production E01, which we know will carry the same name as the concept bike as Yamaha has…

The updated 2022 KTM EXC range has arrived in dealers, featuring a host of updates to improve your off road performance. There are two key changes across the range, with the first being firmer settings for the WP springs for a more planted feel. The other is new Maxxis MaxxEnduro rubber, which it’s hoped will improve durability and puncture resistance. Sharper MT-07 Hot new parts for Yamaha’s MT-07 have been revealed by German firms Bodystyle and Pro Tech. If you don’t want to go the whole sport hog and grab the new R7 version, you can still smarten up the twin. Options include a bellypan (£178), headlight cover (£82.95), rear hugger (£117.50), pillion seat cover (£117.50) and loads of aftermarket mirror and LED light options (from £45). Gardner doc streaming…

My old B1 ZX-9R has been in my garage for a while, so lockdown was time to resurrect it. Full service done, all going well until I ran it out of fuel and it began to run a bit rough. I still took it for an MoT since it was booked, but once there it wouldn’t start. Took it home (failed on leaking forks). Long story short, by using a separate plug I could see I now had a spark, but it wouldn’t catch with the ones that were fitted. After much head scratching, and knowing they were new iridium plugs which I had only recently put in, a £22 set of Champion plugs were stuck in instead. Bingo! We now have that raucous 900 brought back to life… now…

Ride further in 2021 with a little help from our one-stop event guide JUST BREW IT Ride out to Britain’s best biking cafes WHISTLESTOP CAFE • 8.30am-4.30pm daily • Thursday is bike night until 8pm • Whitby, North Yorkshire / Search Whistlestop Cafe on Facebook The Whistlestop Café is a perfect place for a bite to eat before or after a ride through the Yorkshire Moors. Finally back open on May 17 after a lengthy closure, the Whistlestop is back in style with its enormous menu which features everything from a bacon sandwich through to a roast dinner, or fish & chips, as well as baked delights including their infamous scones. Gemma Lonsdale, who owns the Whistlestop with husband Paul, said: “Our best sellers are our full English breakfasts and…

MCN staff and readers share their favourite routes Starting and ending in the picturesque Lincolnshire tourist hotspot of Woodhall Spa, leave the town along the B1191 towards Horncastle. Here the tarmac opens up into a wriggling national limit, which undulates past fields and clusters of houses. Once in Horncastle, take a left towards Lincoln on the A158, before filling up at the petrol station on your left, if you’re running low. Otherwise, carry on along the A158 out of town, before cutting right on the B1225 towards Caistor. This is a fantastic open set of bends, dips and fast straights, perfect for letting your hair down. Watch out for other bikers, farm muck and concealed entrances. At the give way, go straight on – again towards Caistor – and then…

The Despatch Riders Rally is a three-day weekend event which gives you a chance to step back in time and celebrate the riders who helped shape the modern motorcycling world. What happens over the weekend? Over the weekend you can take part in the Cruise for Calm, test your aim at the Despatch target rifle range, attend off-road rider training and tackle the motorcycle trial course – don’t worry, bikes are supplied for the last two – and that’s just the first day. With a campout, anniversary rides, navigation of an off-road course and the chance to gather hidden info across Dorset following your Serviceman’s map, there’s loads packed into 72 hours. How do I sign up? Be sure to enlist quickly as the rally starts on May 29. It…

1997 WSS WILD-CARD “That was a pivotal moment where people could I see I was at world level! That wildcard against Sébastien Charpentier got me the signature for my world championship racing career,” says James. 2004 WSB CHAMPION Toseland becomes the youngest-ever WSB champion aged 23 after beating hometown hero and Ducati teammate, Regis Laconi at Magny-Cours. 2007 WSB CHAMPION Toseland secures his second title onboard the privateer Ten Kate Honda Fireblade, becoming only the second rider to win the title with two different manufacturers. BATTLING VALENTINO “I passed Valentino Rossi into the first corner at Phillip Island in 2008! That was the best overtake I ever did.”…

The GSX-S1000 has been a big success due to its blend of ability, spec and value. This new, significantly updated version, at only £300 more, is a worthy successor. Its K5-derived motor and impressively competent chassis are improved and its electronics, quickshifter and new dash are welcome upgrades. The new look is a step forward, too, but likely divisive. But best of all is its value. This is a substantial 1000cc naked that costs only slightly more than Yamaha’s new MT-09 SP and significantly undercuts all rivals. At that price, who cares about any quibbles? THE FACTS £10,999 Suzuki GSX-S1000…

1946 First Vespa, the Vespa 98, powered by a 98cc engine producing 3.2bhp. 2484 are built the first year. In production for two years. 1948 First 125cc Vespa; also introduces rear suspension. Production hits 20,000. 1950 Production under licence begins in Germany helping numbers built rise to over 60,000. Production also later expanded to France, Spain, the UK (via Douglas of Bristol) and even India and Brazil. 1953 Vespa 125 stars in movie Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, helping popularise Vespas. 1955 Vespa 150 GS introduces 4-speed gearbox, long saddle, faired handlebar-headlamp unit and 10-inch tyres. 1956 One millionth Vespa built, passing two million in 1960. 1962 160 GS updates ‘GS’ design. 1963 – Vespa 150 GL, “one of the most beautiful Vespas to be created by…

1 Rev’it Worker Overshirt £209.99 My favourite thing is that it doesn’t look like a biker jacket. Comes with thin CE level 1 shoulder and elbow armour as standard and breathes wonderfully. Nathan Skyrme, Swansea 2 Knox Zephyr Pro £279.99 The ventilation is amazing. It’s comfortable, too and I can always throw a hoody over it when it gets a bit cooler. Sam Crafts, Lincoln 3 Oxford Super Hoodie 2.0 £119.99 It flows air amazingly, has water resistant zip pockets and elastic straps to tie down the hood so it doesn’t flap. James Staff, Maidenhead 4 Merlin Chase £299.99 It’s perfect on all but the very hottest of days and has two chest vents and a rear vent. Extremely well made, too! Jack Hollis, Wokingham 5 Rev’it Eclipse £129.99 I…

BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician Saving you money on essential bike maintenance 1 How low are your pads? Braking performance is one of those things that can diminish gradually, meaning you might not notice when it’s time to replace the pads. The rate at your bike’s pads wear is dependent on how much and how aggressively the brakes are used. Worn pads are not only a danger, but can also damage your bike’s expensive brake discs, so check them regularly. 2 Protect your parts Work on one brake caliper at a time and always keep one caliper mounted on the disc, as this will prevent you accidentally pumping all the brake fluid out of the reservoir if the pistons are pumped out too far. Loosen the pad retaining pin (if…

It’ll come as no surprise that Ducati have taken up their option on Jack Miller for him to continue in the factory team in 2022. Miller who was signed on a 1+1 year deal will continue alongside Pecco Bagnaia. Classy victories at Jerez and Le Mans were the perfect response to a difficult period of arm pump surgery and a Portugal crash for the activation of Ducati’s option for next year. The pairing of Miller, 26, and Bagnaia, 24 confirms a youth policy with Ducati Corse boss Gigi Dall’Igna confirming he has “never doubted” Miller’s talent. “It is important that the riders get along, but up to a certain point,” Dall’Igna said. “We have made mistakes in the past to make choices based on friendship. The important thing is that…

‘Valentino and the lessons of history’ Mugello is steeped in history and Rossi is one of its keenest students. For more than 10 years – from his first win to his most recent – the sinuous swoops belonged to him. That first win was in 1997, his second GP year, and he went on to win the 125 title. Two years later he won the 250 race and title; but it was on a MotoGP four-stroke that Mugello really came to him. He won every race from 2002 to 2008, four of them from pole. This, in the way of history, was quite a long time ago. In the meanwhile, Mugello also showed Rossi its teeth, inflicting in 2010 his only serious racing injury, when he snapped his leg in…

‘BMW have made a significant step’ The BMW M1000RR’s debut showed a lot of promise, the base package has stepped up with a new engine, aerodynamics and chassis upgrades. I talk about the base package as many of the M model upgrades are of race little concern to the race department, they design their own swingarm, manufactured by Suter and also new for 2021, they also substitute a lot of the fancy M components for race specific parts. The new engine certainly looks promising in terms of outright speed on the long back straight, holding its own with the Kawasaki, an extra 500rpm playing its part. The new Kawasaki could out-accelerate the M1000 from low-speed corners despite new aerodynamic winglets providing downforce to assist the anti-wheelie strategies. Managing the torque…

MCN CONTRIBUTOR In a decade’s time electric bikes might well be outselling petrol models and manufacturers all over the world are scrambling to be prepared for the biggest technological change in the history of motorcycling. But which are best positioned to take advantage of the electric revolution and how will the electric-powered future look? Honda have been at the cutting edge of motorcycle development for more than half a century but only recently started to outline definitive plans for electrics. Just as they did with petrol bikes, the company’s idea for electrics is to start small; it took a decade for Honda to go from the Cub to the CB750, and the approach with electric bikes appears similar. By 2024, Honda say they’ll have at least four electric bikes on…

The normal stuff The stuff you look out for in secondhand internal combustion bikes is equally applicable to electric. Keep an eye out for things like: wheel bearings, headstock bearings, tyre wear, cosmetic damage, and that all electrics work as they should. Check how much warranty is left on the battery Since the battery is the most expensive part of any E-bike, making sure there is ample warranty left could save you a fortune. It may be worth buying your first E-bike through a dealer, even for a used model, as you’ll be able to get extended battery warranties and comprehensive health checks. That’s until you get the feel of your ground-breaking two-wheeler. The controller The controller meters charge, just like a carb or fuel injection meters petrol on a…

Sounds silly calling a 180mph bike a sports tourer, but that’s what it is. As quick as the supercharged Kawasaki Ninja H2, and a damn sight more comfortable and economical to ride. Looks are subjective: it lost the smooth lines of the earlier 1100 and 1200 in favour of a set of railings which were attempting to emulate Ferrari F40 louvres. If you don’t like them you can comfort yourself with the fact you can’t see them as you are riding down the French Riviera. From 2012 it got revised suspension and an engine that delivers 119lb.ft of torque. Traction control, modes and ABS all came as standard. Early ones sometimes suffered frame fractures, prompting a recall. This issue was resolved but it’s always worth checking that any 2006/2007 model…

Sounds silly calling a 180mph bike a sports tourer, but that’s what it is. As quick as the supercharged Kawasaki Ninja H2, and a damn sight more comfortable and economical to ride. Looks are subjective: it lost the smooth lines of the earlier 1100 and 1200 in favour of a set of railings which were attempting to emulate Ferrari F40 louvres. If you don’t like them you can comfort yourself with the fact you can’t see them as you are riding down the French Riviera. From 2012 it got revised suspension and an engine that delivers 119lb.ft of torque. Traction control, modes and ABS all came as standard. Early ones sometimes suffered frame fractures, prompting a recall. This issue was resolved but it’s always worth checking that any 2006/2007 model…