Table of contents for 07 June 2023 in MCN

‘People thought that I couldn’t ride a big bike anymore’ MICHAEL DUNLOP SILENCES HIS DOUBTERS THIS WEEK Radical new BMW R1300GS spied Just as the R1250GS starts to lose its dominance in the adventure market, BMW look set to open a new chapter with the most radical update to the GS platform since its inception. The new R1300GS, spied in production-ready form on the public road last week ditches the trademark trellis frame, gets a capacity hike, a deluge of new aero and tech upgrades, and there’s an M model on the way, too… PAGE 4 ON TEST SPecial naked middleweights The attraction of middleweight naked bikes has long been linked to their affordability and relative simplicity by comparison with their litre-class siblings. So, what’s the attraction of these top-spec…

MV Agusta have started revamping their Italian HQ in Schiranna, following investment from KTM owners Pierer Mobility AG who’ve bought a stake in the company. The partnership has motivated the marque to set ambitious commercial goals, with the brand now aiming to distribute products and services worldwide through a network of 180 dealerships by the end of 2023. MV Agusta already have a strong presence in North America and Europe but are building their base in South America and Asia, with 100 dealers operating in those markets. No details of the size or scope of the development have been released but MV say the site has a potential production capacity of 15,000 machines per year. Tune into TT history For those lucky enough to be attending this year’s TT there…

Piaggio and Aprilia have donated €10 for every bike enthusiast who showed up at the Misano World Circuit paddock for the Aprilia All Stars after floods ravaged parts of the country. Thousands of fans were greeted by the on-track spectacle of MotoGP Aprilia riders Aleix Espargaro, Maverick Viñales, Lorenzo Savadori, Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez. Cardo on the Riser Cardo Systems have bought Riser, an Austrian-based motorcycle navigation app with an array of social media features. The move will allow the intercoms specialists to expand their reach beyond traditional communication systems and offer riders an all-in-one communication, navigation, and social networking solution to help them stay connected on the road. Ready for rain… Dane Clothing have added to their adventure range with the Faaborg summer glove. It incorporates a Gore-Tex…

Vanucci Tanklock Sportivo Tank Bag from £104.37 There are three sizes to choose from in Vanucci’s new tank bag rangea 3 or 5 litre, which expand to 5 and 8 litres respectively, and a cavernous 15 litre option. All feature a removable waterresistant inner bag and mount via bike-specific Givi Tanklock quick-release tank rings. Louis-moto.co.uk Touratech Compañero Ultimate textile suit £1748.31/£873.72 The Compañero suit is AAA CE rated with Level 2 armour as standard for back, chest, shoulder, elbow, hip and knee. The suit is GoreTex laminated, with a removable thermal liner and no fewer than 15 air vents. It’s designed to cope with the extremes of weather while offering class-leading protection. touratech-uk.co.uk Merlin Sayan Laminated Jacket £349.99 Old-school style and modern tech gives the AA-rated Sayan retro appeal. It’s…

Q ‘Should I just take the cash?’ I had an accident six weeks ago on the morning commute and the other driver’s insurance have contacted me and said I don’t need a solicitor. They have already repaired my bike and offered compensation. This seems reasonable but my dad is telling me that I need a lawyer to stop me from being ripped off. Rebecca, email A The insurer’s interest is the opposite to yours they want to pay as little money as they can, but you want the correct amount of compensation. Because the injured rider typically has no experience of the legal process the insurer is able to get away with paying less than they should. It has been common for insurers to make settlement offers very soon after…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader Roy Briggs The ride Tour of France and Italy plus Belgium and the Netherlands How many miles? Approx 3700 How long do you need? As long as you’ve got! Tell us about the trip… I’m 56, have been riding since 17, not retired, but found myself between jobs. Always wanted to do a trip like this, and thought why not? I have a very understanding wife. In broad brush strokes, I went from Exmouth in Devon to Calais, I went through Belgium and down through France to the Vosges mountains. Down through central France until I could turn left into Italy. Over the Alps into Italy. Turin. Lake Como. Lake Garda. Verona. Venice. Pisa. Florence. Bologna and Ducati factory and museum. Vatican City. Rome.…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday June 7 BIKE MEETS ■ The King Billy Rock Bar, Northampton 6.30pm Facebook: The King Billy Rock Bar ■ MFN, The Seven Oaks Inn, Stanton By Dale, Derbyshire. 5pm till late Facebook: MFN Bike nights ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire, From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ Outkast Co, North Parade, Matlock, Derbyshire 6-9pm www.facebook.com/outkastcompany ■ Seaways, Fridaythorpe, East Yorks 4pm-8pm mike@seawayscafe.co.uk ■ Park Road Cafe, St Helens, Merseyside 01744-808440 ■ Paignton Seafront, Devon Facebook: English Riviera Bike Night ■ Loomies, West Meon, Hants. Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ The Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey From 10.30am-1pm Facebook: Pathfinder Cafe ROAD RACING ■ IoM TT, www.iomttraces.com SPEEDWAY ■ Birmingham Brummies, 7.30pm www.birmingham-speedway.com ■ Steve Worrall Pirates -…

‘Raising cash for Blood Bikes’ ANDREW CHISHOLM The BMW Motorrad Central Edinburgh crew at the finish of the Sare Erse challenge. It was 300 miles round Dumfries and Galloway, raising a bit of cash for Blood Bikes Scotland. ‘We’ve come a long way’ DARREN PENNY Two of us went away for four nights in Wales, four in Ireland, and one on the ferry. We did the Welsh National Road Rally, and scored some Round Britain Rally points prior to sailing. ‘Touring the WW2 sites’ DAVID BLEVINGS Lost in Suisse Normande (Norman Switzerland) on a recent tour of WW2 sites with a friend. ‘Father and son tour’ LEE PARSONS My dad on his Suzuki GSX1400 and my Kawasaki ZZR1400 on our recent tour of Belgium and Germany. This picture was somewhere…

In the decade he’s spent as Ducati’s MotoGP test rider, Michele Pirro has helped transform the Desmosedici from “a disaster” into the best machine on the grid. Not only that, but he’s still capable of running at the sharp end of MotoGP when playing super-sub for injured riders, and then spends his free weekends dominating the Italian Superbike championship on a Panigale V4R. Born into a non-motorcycling family in a small town in southern Italy, Pirro overcame the odds to get where he is today. “I just had this natural passion for motorcycles,” Michele tells MCN. “It was strange, because no one in my family raced and my area was not passionate about motorcycles, which made it difficult because I didn’t have access to a track.” To feed his passion,…

‘It’s the best R18 so far’ Subtle changes to the stock R18’s steering geometry and new wheel sizes have given BMW’s monster retro Roctane more composure in corners than the rest of the R18 line-up, making the bagger more exciting and confidenceinspiring to ride. The new, more relaxed riding position and hard panniers lend it genuine, long-legged touring ability, too, making it our favourite version of the R18 so far. Well built, detailed and beautifully finished, it’s already earned a reputation for reliability. It is modestly equipped in basic form though, and you’d expect a lot more bells and whistles thrown in for the money, while the Roctane’s American well-spec’d cruiser rivals can all be had for less. THE FACTS £21,750 BMW R18 Roctane…

‘All about feedback’ What’s always interesting in a blind, back-to-back tyre comparison test like this isn’t how grip varies between manufacturers, because there’s little in it, but it’s how the tyres ‘talk’ to you. We’ve seen how these new generation sportstouring tyres all have superb wet weather grip, warm-up fast and will be a huge improvement over just about any ‘Original Equipment’ tyre that your bike comes with from a dealer. So, if you’re a fan of a particular brand, fit any of these and you’ll probably be very happy with your choice. The feel and confidence each tyre brings to the rider under braking, acceleration and cornering changes depending how you ride, which is why Matt and I have ranked some of the tyres in a different order. But…

Bleed button makes it easy to set pressures Mattick It’s not new, but this rugged 0-60psi gauge is an essential for any biker’s garage. At 295mm, the hose is a decent length and the angled head makes it easy to fit over any bike’s tyre valves with a secure fit that gives a solid reading every time with no air leaks. The whole hose swivels, making it easy to get a reading from whatever awkward angle my cluttered garage causes. The dial, is easy to read, too, Cleverly, it holds on to the peak pressure reading for a few seconds. The chunky rubber protection around the dial means it’s easy to grasp securely and lends the gauge a chunky, robust feel. The reading is reliable and accurate and the pressure…

‘60k miles and going strong…’ Justin Hayzelden Age 52 Height 5ft 11in Current bike 2010 Sprint ST Been riding 36 years First bike Suzuki TS50 Dream bike Yamaha OW-0l “I bought my ST in 2018 for £4200 and it had done 20,000 miles-a figure I have pushed to 60k with very few problems. As mine is one of the last STs made it has the GT fairing, which is more protective than the ST’s and has better headlights. It seems some bikes built that year had the ST fairing, some the GT. “I do my own maintenance and the ST is a pretty easy bike to work on. I have stripped and regreased the rear hub and suspension linkages twice myself, which is easy as long as they have been…

The first the rider of this 2008 Z1000 knew of a problem was when the battery lost charge and couldn’t be charged overnight. As the 60,000-mile Kawasaki is his daily ride he got a new battery, but quickly realised that wasn’t charging either as the bike started to run erratically and the revs fluctuated. “We always check the battery terminals and condition first, then move on to the regulator rectifier as nine times out of ten it’s that bit that’s failed,” says Doncaster Motorcycles’ Kev Hollingsworth. The reg/rec is positioned between the Zed’s shock and rear wheel to keep it cool, but that means it’s exposed. A hugger would help, as would a deep clean every week, but there are only so many hours in the day for a commuter…

WSB CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS 1 BAUTISTA 298 2 RAZGATLIOGLU 212 3 LOCATELLI 150 16 VD Mark 19pts, 17 Baz 13pts, 18 Baldassarri 7pts, 19 Syahrin 7pts, 20 Ray 5pts 21 Sykes 4pts, 22 Lopes 1pt WSB POSITIONS RACE 1 16 Sykes +35.778, 17 Baz +38.489, 18 Ray +40.374 19 Rabat +56.95, 20 Viñales +1’03.273, 21 Mizuno +1’30.052, DNF Petrucci +14 laps, Syahrin +8 laps Vitali +0 laps DNS Ruiu +0 laps WSB POSITIONS SP RACE 11 Redding +1 lap, 12 Baldassarri +1 lap, 13 Baz +1 lap, 14 Ray +1 lap 15 Syahrin +1 Lap, 16 Rabat +1 lap, 17 Viñales +1 lap 18 Vitali +1 lap 19 Mizuno +1 lap, 20 Sykes +1 lap 21 Aegerter +1 Lap DNF Lecuona +6 laps, Petrucci +6 laps, Ruiu +0 laps, Gardner +0…

How should racing work? As a game of excellence where the best win over and over, and the rest strive to catch up? Or a contest of equals, where everyone has the same chance? For Dorna, masters of MotoGP and Superbike, it’s the latter. Closeness is everything. To this end, MotoGP bikes have been hobbled: standard tyres, electronics, even engine specs. It’s been pretty effective: ultra-close qualifying and a slew of different race winners. Dorna inherited WSB, where for years an unequal struggle had been trying to achieve something similar. But street bikes came with a variety of configurations. Levelling up was much harder. In some cases, levelling down. Ducati was again the exception. Round the turn of the century their 1000cc twins raced 750cc fours. Since then, a variety…

Conor Cummins was forced to miss the Superbike race on Saturday after he was hospitalised with an infection. The 12-time podium finisher whose Last podium came in the 2022 Senior has been in good form heading into the TT with some impressive rides in the British Superstock championship. As MCN went to press he remained in hospital on a drip and had been told by doctors that he would need medical intervention until at least Monday evening. Brookes back with seventh place Despite being away from the TT for five years Josh Brookes bagged an impressive seventh place in the opening Superbike race on Saturday. Riding a Superstock spec bike in the Superbike race he set a fastest lap of 130.782mph to end the race 13.443s adrift of TT Legend…

Reporting direct from the paddock at the Isle of Man TT TOP STORY Having gone five years since his last big-bike victory there were a lot of doubters questioning Michael Dunlop’s ability to win in the blue riband TT classes ever again. Yes, he was virtually unstoppable in the Supertwin and Supersport classes, but with the Hickman and Harrison show in full swing since 2018, it didn’t appear that he could step up. But in reality we should all know better. Michael, along with other members of the world famous Dunlop dynasty, has a long history of delivering against the odds - and it seems that he has no desire to roll over and let his rivals dominate. But in fairness to his critics, the stats did give some reason…

Fair play to Michael - two wins from two starts and probably more to come. Look, records are there to be broken and my 23 wins will always be there in the history books. He’s in his prime, mid-30s that’s the best time: you understand how the bike works, you know the people that you want around you. I was flying when I was in my mid-30s. He could smash through and match Joey the way he’s going. Everybody billed this TT as the Hicky and Harrison show, which would have quietly motivated him. But he’s been going about his business all year, he’s done the work, he’s done the hard yards - which they all have, to be honest. Everyone has tested in Spain, in BSB and Michael has…

SAVE £4927 £25,990 HarleyDavidson Road Glide The Road Glide Limited is the most engaging and satisfying of Harley’s touring range. High bars make for a more comfortable upright seating position than the Ultra Limited, while its handling is lighter thanks to having a framemounted fairing. This custom-coloured Tahitian Teal Grand Tourer comes fully-loaded. www.sycamoremotorcycles.co.uk SAVE £950 £10,879 Kawasaki Versys 1000 The Versys’ smooth inline-four eats up the miles. Buy on K Finance and you’ll get a free tourer pack upgrade. www.gtsuperbikes.com • Engine 1043cc • Power 118bhp • Weight 255kg • Seat height 840mm SAVE £804 £2095 Super Soco TSx As a commuter there’s a lot to be said for the TSx’s nearzero running costs and the convenience of refuelling while you sleep. www.urbanebikes.com • Engine 1.5kW • Power 3kW…

THIS WEEK Following meetings in Kent and the West Midlands, the Motorcycle Action Group are heading to the Ace Cafe for the next ‘hustingsstyle’ meeting on Wednesday, June 14. On the panel will be Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, David Lloyd, Chief Inspector Ricky Bartlett and MAG’s own Colin Brown. “We are delighted to be holding this next meeting in the series at such a great venue,” said Brown, who serves as MAG’s director of campaigns and political engagement. “Our thanks go to Mark Wilsmore for hosting the meeting at the Ace. “We already have a date set for a West Yorkshire Police meeting - it will be held in Leeds on June 24. We have seen genuine engagement in both Kent and the West Midlands following meetings in those…

BMW kicked off their International Custom Competition by inviting the six UK finalists to unveil their creations in London at the end of last month. This year focuses on the R18, with the only rules being the bike needs to run, stop and perform a U-turn (easier said than done!). Other than that, the sky is the limit for the custom hopefuls. The two best bikes from the British contingent will be picked by a public vote on www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk and will then go into the semi-finals against R18s from all over the world. The grand final Will be held in Berlin this September where the international winners will spend a full day with the BMW Motorrad design team, gaining insight into some of the creative processes implemented by BMW Motorrad’s…

‘Toy Story 6… Ninja’s revenge’ As the summer car boot sale season kicks off, I’m getting in increasing trouble with my wife for turning up with junk I haven’t been able to resist. Honestly, I think I have an issue… I can’t walk away from what I perceive as a bargain. After one such trip I returned with a plastic motorcycle for my lad. Costing the princely sum of 50p it shouts ‘Ninja wheelie' and then proceeds to ride off across the floor (with the assistance of stabilisers) - although disappointingly minus the wheelie. Being a geek, I checked it was model correct and surprisingly it is, a very good representation of a 2008-2010 ZX-10R. Which got me thinking. I love this third generation of Ninja. It has all the…

1 June 10-11 British Historic Racing The Vintage and Classic Motorcycle Club are back on track with old-school action at Pembrey this weekend. britishhistoricracing.co.uk 2 June 10 Run What Ya Brung Take your two-wheeler down Santa Pod’s quarter-mile this Saturday. Sign on starts at £45. santapod.co.uk 3 June 7-10 Io M TT It’s your last chance to catch some of the action from the last few days of the Isle of Man TT. You can catch all the action with TT+ as well as races past, too. iomtt.com 4 June 10 Aintree racing For over 60 years the Aintree Motorcycle Racing Club has been racing at the Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool. Check it out! aintreemrc.co.uk…

What’s happening Daventry town centre will be transformed this Saturday as it’s packed to the brim with two-wheeled metal from throughout the ages. Complete with bikes as well as trikes and scooters, it’ll be a family-friendly day of motorcycling. Featuring live music, stunt shows, street performers and special entertainment for the kids and much more, it’s a day with plenty packed in. The essentials The motorcycle festival will take place this Saturday, June 10 and runs from 10am until 5pm. The best part? The event is completely free to attend. If you want to take part in the mass ride in, the briefing is at 9.30am at Daventry Football Club but they ask you to turn up from 8.30am. The ride in is supporting the Daventry Food Bank and donations…

A visor is your window on the world when you’re riding, but getting a clear picture of the road ahead can sometimes be a challenge. On sunny days your visor gets splattered with insects and in the rain, grime thrown up by other vehicles smears it, leaving a cloudy, and sometimes gritty, residue. One tool is indispensable for keeping visors clear, and that is a clean lint-free cloth. A small microfibre towel is ideal - while dusters and old tee shirts often leave tiny flecks of cloth on the surface. Microfibres absorb liquid effectively and lock it in, without leaving any flecks behind - giving you a pristine, smear-free view of the road ahead. Only use cleaning products specifically designed for helmets. Other sprays, such as furniture polish, can contain…

These ratchet straps from Oxford Products have been a godsend over the past three months and have helped me to move an array of bikes-from cruisers, to nakeds, to retros - securely in the back of my van. For just a penny shy of 30 quid, you get two fasteners in a pack with five metres of 25mm-wide strap to loop through your motorcycle’s attachment points and a safe working Load of 196kg on each. The narrow, flexible straps allow you to feed the material, through even the smallest of crevices and they fold away nice and small. There is a slick action on the ratchet itself, with no protesting from the mechanism. 3 MONTHS ON TEST Quality Value www.oxfordproducts.com…

Road, off-road and adventure rider This week I’m joining thousands of fellow bikers and making the annual pilgrimage to the Isle of Man TT. Having got to know the 1290, I’ve set out to tackle the bike’s biggest single issue which is wind noise and wind protection from the adjustable, but low screen. Knowing I’d be making the 200 -mile journey to Liverpool to catch the Steam Packet ferry, I looked at aftermarket options or even fitting the bigger roadgoing KTM 1290 Adventure S screen. But for now I’ve gone with a deflector that attaches to the top of the original. At £116.94 from KTM Powerparts, it’s not cheap, but it works… to a point. The extra height reduces turbulence, but it’s not a game changer. What it has done…

Master cylinders don’t often need rebuilding, but if you’re having trouble maintaining a firm brake lever, or you find that the lever feels a bit graunchy or squeaky, it’s possible that the seals are shot, the plunger’s damaged, or there’s corrosion inside the bore. Therefore it’s wise to open it up and fit some fresh bits. As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m currently overhauling a classic Yamaha RD50M for a friend, and so I decided to treat its ancient braking system to a refresh. When I opened up its master cylinder, I discovered that the original internals had lasted really well, as there were minimal signs of corrosion. I wish the same could be said for the brake caliper. Prior to being stripped down I noticed there was a slight weep…

Delivering the news behind the loM TT headlines Michael Dunlop kicked off his TT 2023 in style taking a dominant Supersport win - the tenth Supersport TT victory of his illustrious career. Having won both Supersport races in 2022 and setting the fastest time in qualifying, he has a clear ongoing affinity with his own MD Racing Yamaha R6. Second initially to the fast-starting Dean Harrison, Dunlop took control at Ballaugh on lap one and appeared in complete control from that point on, pulling out a lead and managing it perfectly through the mandatory pit stop and to the end of lap four. “I got away from the start and I was glad I wasn’t racing with these two [Harrison and Hickman] because I know how hard they can push.…

Reporting direct from the paddock at the Isle of Man TT It’s an accepted fact that TT riders are a special breed. Their ability to ride flat-out and concentrate for 226.38 miles and one hour 40 mins of racing is unique, as is their risk-versus-reward mindset. But Peter Hickman’s second place in the Superbike TT, which was secured with a 135.445mph final lap despite serious stability, brake and gear selection problems, is hard to comprehend. Hickman and the FHO Racing team arrived at TT as the clear favourites. Their pace, professionalism and TT knowhow marked them out as the team to beat this year, but instead of getting dialled in throughout practice week they had issues with their BMW M1000RR that were not resolved in time for the Superbike race.…

TOP STORY Fresh spy shots reveal that we’ll be seeing a radically updated flagship BMW GS next year, as the Bavarian brand says auf Wiedersehen to the model’s tubular steel frame for the first time in its history. Originally seen in spy shots back in March, the new R1300GS is expected to be revealed later this year as a 2024 model, and the bike was spotted last week in Germany being put through its paces by BMW test riders in apparently production-ready form. Appearing to have lost much of its rugged, bulky styling, the new GS looks much sleeker than before, with a dramatic narrowing of its ‘shoulders’ when viewed from the front, and overall the bodywork looks much more integrated following a direction led by its key rival, Ducati’s…

The last major update to Yamaha’s MT-125 naked came ahead of the 2020 riding season, with the bike receiving a new frame with revised geometry, a facelift, and a 125cc A1 compliant singLe with Variable Valve Actuation (VVA). Already one of MCN’s favourite learner-friendly nakeds, the MT has now been updated once more with switchable traction control, and 5in TFT dash to replace the previous narrow LCD design. There are also new colours to reflect the options available on larger MT nakeds. MCN got the chance to sample the latest additions on a recent press launch on the bustling city streets of Barcelona alongside the surrounding mountainous switchbacks. HIGHLIGHTS • 5in colour TFT dash • Switchable traction control • R125 chassis and engine • Variable Valve Actuation • Mobile connectivity…

SAVE 45% Spec-up your biking garage This week we’re taking a look at essential items for your shed, garage or workshop, and have dug up some cracking deals to help get you spannering. Whether you’re carrying out basic maintenance, getting stuck into a major service or going all-out on a full restoration, quality tools make all the difference. Take this 144-piece from Sealey… it is packed with a selection of the most commonly called upon tools, all from their lifetime guarantee Premier range. It boasts metric sockets in ¼in, 3/8in and ½in drives, with accompanying 72-tooth ratchets and a variety of extensions, combination spanners in the most popular sizes, pliers, hex keys and screwdrivers. It all comes in a smart carry case too. Absolute workshop bliss! demon-tweeks.com SAVE 39% Organise…

The cylinder deactivation systems used on modern cars are much more complex than those currently employed on motorcycles. They close the valves on the deactivated cylinders to stop them sucking in air and pushing it out of the exhaust. The energy spent compressing the air on each deactivated piston’s upward stroke is largely recovered as it expands again on the downward stroke afterwards, and the pumping losses are slashed. Honda has used such a setup on its own ‘Variable Cylinder Management’ (VCM) V6 engines since 2003, allowing them to run in three, four or six-cylinder modes. In 2005 the company revealed a similar system for bikes, with prototype CBR1100XX Blackbirds able to operate as twins, triples or fours depending on throttle opening, promising huge benefits in emissions and fuel economy,…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews ‘That ride was truly spectacular’ There are some positive experiences that live on in your memory for the rest of your life – your wedding day and the birth of your first child to name but two. However, another fabulous experience that will linger in my memory for a very long time is a near-perfect ride this week, along the A5 from Bangor in North Wales through Capel Curig and Betws y Coed and over the A543 to Denbigh. The roads were quiet, the weather warm, dry and bright and the scenery was absolutely spectacular. To me, it was definitive proof that motorcycling is indeed good for your mental health. Phil Hesmondhalgh, email STAR LETTER Write something that spikes our interest, and you could get selected…

WEDNESDAY June 7 1.40pm, ITV4, Isle of Man TT: Superstock Race 1 9pm, ITV4, Isle of Man TT: Supertwin Race 1 THURSDAY June 8 9pm, ITV4, Isle of Man TT: Supersport Race 2 11pm ITV4, Isle of Man TT: Tourist Trophy FRIDAY June 9 8am, BTS2, Live MotoGP: Free Practice 1. 12.15pm, Free Practice 2. 4pm MotoE GP Qualifying 9pm, ITV4, TT: Superstock Race 2 SATURDAY June 10 8.45am, BTS2, Live MotoGP from Mugello, Italy: Qualifying. 11am MotoE Race 1. 11.45am Moto2/3 Qualifying. 1.30pm Sprint Race. 3pm MotoE Race 2. 3.45pm Red Bull MotoGP Rookies. 1.30pm, ITV4, Live MotoGP from Mugello, Italy 8pm, ITV4, Isle of Man TT: FHO TTTrailblazers 9pm Isle of Man TT: Senior TT Race KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT - DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC - DISCOVERY CHANNEL…

THE MCN TEST • THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK £14,150 Ducati Monster SP • 937cc liquid-cooled V-twin DOHC 8v • 109.4bhp @ 9250rpm • 186kg kerb weight £11,599 KTM 890 Duke R • 889cc liquid-cooled parallel twin DOHC 8v • 119.3bhp @ 9250rpm • 190kg kerb weight £11,310 Yamaha MT-09 SP • 889cc inline triple DOHC 12v • 117.3bhp @ 10,000rpm • 190kg kerb weight £11,295* Triumph Street Triple RS • 65cc inline triple DOHC 12v •128.2bhp @ 12,000rpm • 188kg kerb weight Not that many years ago, seeing an SP logo on a bike meant it was something a bit trick. Your sharp-eyed observations were often rewarded by viewing a limited-run homologation special dripping in exotic components. Nowadays, however, the term has taken on a much broader remit.…

‘Don’t fall into the trap’ Upping the spec on bikes as good as these middleweights is a gamble as you risk upsetting the balance that makes them so special. Which is exactly the trap Ducati have fallen into. Unless the road is smooth and the corners flowing, the Monster SP is just too harsh to enjoy and that is a shame as the standard Monster is a great road bike. Although more of a head-turner, it’s a struggle to justify buying the SP over the base bike because of this trait. With a KTM you expect attitude, which is exactly what the R delivers, and the type of rider attracted to the Duke will appreciate the extra spice the top-spec model comes with so you can forgive it its slightly…

This was a blind test. At no point did Michael or Matt know which tyres they were on. Both rode our set route; Matt taking the first stint, with an emphasis on warm-up time and stability, while Michael focused on ride quality and grip. Each gave marks for steering, confidence, stability, ride quality and feel. We also measured operating temperature and usable tread depth. The hardness of the centre section of each was measured on the HA scale where 100 represents a fully solid object. Conditions were wet and 12-14°C. We used the recommended cold pressures. The route A 28-mile test route taking in fast, flowing A-roads, bumpy B-roads, a motorway stint, plus urban riding over a variety of coarse and polished surfaces. The bike We chose a Suzuki GSX-S1000…

RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor 5+ YEARS ON TEST Whenever I’m packing for any kind of road trip, this tough little cook set is one of the first things on the list. It measures just 185 × 100mm and only weighs 825g, making it compact and light enough to toss in a rucksack if needs be. Although it has comprehensive options as a camping kitchen, I’ll often take it with me if I’m just out for the day, as I find it incredibly satisfying to knock up some noodles or just brew a cuppa wherever I fancy stopping with no need to shell out on a café. At the heart of the system is a tiny spirit burner that runs on meths and kicks out enough heat to…

Leather jackets that look good on all types of bike are, oddly, relatively hard to find, especially if you want decent protection. But this one fits the bill. Slipping into the buffalo hide Daytona 2 for the first time, I was immediately impressed with how supple and forgiving it felt. There was none of that bedding-in-period shenanigans, no forced stretches or niggly areas of rigidity to overcome. I’m a lumpy collection of body parts, but there’s not a single area of fit that jars. The neoprene lined collar doesn’t dig in, the sleeves are the right length, it sits right at the hips and has enough malleability to cope with my middle-aged spread while still allowing me to breathe. 2150 MILES ON TEST Available in sizes 36 to 54, I…

BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician Masterful brakes Bring back your stopping power by rebuilding the master cylinder 1 Meet the rebuild kit The brake master cylinder is a basic hydraulic pump and although generally maintenance free, over a long period the internals can become worn or start to perish. Luckily it can be refreshed with a repair kit. These are usually available as an OE service item from your dealer or their recommended pattern alternative, such as this Tour MaX kit (£25). BRUCE’S TIPS Have some rag or workshop paper towel on standby to catch any spills 2 Banjo be gone You’ll need to remove the master cylinder from the bike. Undo the banjo bolt to remove the hose, then disconnect the brake light switch connectors if fitted. The brake lever needs…

SPORT ROUND 5 MISANO | WSB ‘The title fight is very far from over’ The week before the World Superbike paddock flew to Italy. Toprak Razgatlioglu revealed he was switching from Yamaha to BMW next year. MCN can reveal the deal with the German manufacturer is for two years, with the option for a third. I The talking, of course, was done on the track as Razgatlioglu racked up another three podiums. In any normal year Toprak’s performances would see him leading the series, his problem being that Alvaro Bautista has won every race he has finished (all bar one) while Toprak has 14 rostrums from 15 starts. With 434 points left on the table the title fight is by no means over, however, Razgatlioglu knows it will be soon if…

Michael Dunlop is a new man this year. It’s five years since the Northern Irishman won a 1000cc TT but now he’s back on it, up there with Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison -the Manx aliens. All three were perfection last weekend - max commitment and max precision - and far ahead of the pack. In Saturday’s Supersport race the trio was separated by 12.7s and was 41s ahead of everyone else. In Sunday’s Superbike TT they were over 2 minutes in front of the rest. Dunlop’s renaissance began in practice, when he was fastest on the first and last days, so something’s changed. But what? The 34-year-old is leaner and meaner than he’s been in years. Compare him to a few years ago and the podgy face is gone,…