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 EXPERT GUIDE
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12-PAGEPULL-OUT
GUIDEINSIDE

ROADRACINGSPECIAL WORLD EX
McGUINNESS
‘Weneedtos
Oliver’sMoun
O Isroadracingatriskfromthe
health and safety police?
NE
CAFÉCOOLON O Mostpow
THECHEAP? boxertwine
O BargainSuzukiSV650X
vs Ducati Café Racer
O Newengi
tech reveale

WORKSHOP

£2.50
Sept 19, 2018
WEDNESDAY
EVERY
NEVERBREAK
DOWN AGAIN!
RIDING CLINIC
BRILLIANT ROUTES 6
GREAT
PLUS
SECRETS ESCAPES
EVERY WEEK
GUZZI’SNEW
OF SPEED GSRIVAL PAGE5
O Revealed: tech that
will stop you crashing
O Harley-DavidsonFXDRtested
O Z900RS Café 5000-mile test RIDE THE BEST OF THE ALPS O New XSR900-based
RD350LC tribute built
+ HotScotland,YorkshireandDorset60-minuteblasts
DEPUTY EDITOR RICHARD NEWLAND
IN YOUR
O Brilliant bikes, thrilling rides, essential knowledge

‘SUCK, SQUEEZE
BANG, BLOW FOR 250
RIDING HEAVEN’
ST
O 250-MILE ROAD TE
O THE BE ST BIKE S
O EVERY WEEK
As I peel into my favourite S-bend on my daily
commute I get that warm glow that accompanies
every pass not littered with blind dawdlers in tin
boxes. I wind the Ninja H2’s warp-drive open, then
revel in the cheeky chirp as the plenum chamber
releases its pressure, before winding on again.
These moments are the reason I ride every
day – making even the most mundane journeys
memorable with stolen snatches of hedonism.
It also called into sharp focus that engine
character is what fundamentally determines
how much I enjoy any given bike. Without the
supercharger, the H2’s inline-four would be silky
smooth, but ultimately bland. With it, it’s a built-in
entertainment system that never fails to amuse.
It also brought back a key line nestled amongst
BMW’s press blurb for their new R1250GS (p6 MCN250 TEST
& 12). Amidst swathes of copy eulogising the

25
improvements and refinements of their new Café turf war as Ducati Café
engine, was a promise that this wasn’t at the cost of
the character that’s so loved by GS owners. Racer battles Suzuki SV650X
Efficiency and emotion? I like that balance. Can the Italian justify its dramatically bigger price tag?

NEW MCN SUBSCRIPTION OFFER 6

GREAT
SAVE
CASH ON MCN NIST
MCN COLUMES
ROUTES
EVERY WEEK
STARTS p42

Subscribe to MCN NOW and get it S

JOHN McGUINN
deliveredtoyourdooreveryweek
JUST O ‘The bottom line
£A M7O.40 is we need Oliver’s BUCKET LIST
NTH
Mount to survive’ p23
See full deta
P24
il s
38 Ride the best of the Alps
How to book your dream ride to 35 of the most exciting Alpine passes

02 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com

 BESTOF CONTENTS
BRITISH Engineering excellence celebrated
4

5
THIS WEEK
The new safety systems that
want to save us from ourselves
Moto Guzzi reveal their all-new
2019 V85TT adventure bike
6 New BMW R1250GS and
R1250RT break cover
7 Be at the Scrambler 1200 launch
8 Buy a used Ducati superbike
9 Ride5000miles members

& great deals EVERY WEEK are doing it all year round
10 Help beat biker theft rings
12 BMW’s 1250 variable valve tech
15 Yamaha ‘Elsie’ replica launched

COVER STORY
30
16 Charity riders won’t back down
Behind the scenes at Renthal 17 Hot deals on the latest gear
We go inside world-famous engineering firm’s UK factory

LIFE ON BIKES
18 Your letters
20 The Golden Sausage: kit up
and chow down at Bike Stop
23 McGuinness on Oliver’s Mount

MCN250 TEST
25 Suzuki’s bargain SV650X takes
on Ducati’s pricey, but pretty,
Scrambler Café Racer
FIRST TEST
6 New BMWs
2019 R1250GS
and R1250RT
32 Harley’s brand new FXDR ridden
models revealed
MCN INVESTIGATION

NEWINTECH FIRST TEST 34 Grass roots road racing has never

been under more pressure

32 Harley’s new performance cruiser

We ride the FXDR on the road – but is it really worth £19k?
BUCKET LIST
38 Ride the best of the Alps in 2019

LONG-TERM TESTS

INSIDE SPORT 40 Kawasaki Z900RS and KTM 790

Duke pile on the testing miles

ROUTES
42 Scotland, Yorkshire and Dorset
reader riding routes revealed
12 BMW’s new variable valve boxer secrets exposed
We go inside the most powerful boxer twin BMW have ever built RIDING CLINIC
46 Corner exit secrets unlocked

ESSENTIAL KIT
48 MCN staff kit tested and rated

BIKE BUYING
BSB 50 Reader review after 12-months
living with Indian’s Scout Sixty

71 Dixon 52 Bargain commuters from £1400

double HANDS ON
54 Basic bike checks for every ride
Dominant Jake Dixon keeps 56 Risking a total tyre failure
his Showdown dream alive
SPORT
BSB WSB 62 Red Bull Honda squad baffled
by poor Portimao performance

ROAD RACING 66 BSB 2019

shake-up 65 ‘Our bike
isn’tbest’
64 Tyre trouble for Eugene Laverty
scuppers Portimao result
68 Bridewell and Mackenzie rally
as Ray goes off the boil

34
Contract musical chairs Rea rejects claims that the
Just how safe is road racing in 2019? gets a boost with Dixon exit Kawasaki is simply the best 71 Jake Dixon puts a cat amongst
MCN investigates the fragile state of grass roots race meetings Haslam’s pigeons with a double

www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 03

Snap-upnew
Sheene rep
The latest helmet in AGV’s cool retro
X3000 helmet series is this Barry
Sheene replica, although sans Bazza’s
trademark cigarette hole in the chin
bar! The X3000s have been made
from modern materials but with
classic styling, so thankfully offer all
the protection you expect from a new
helmet. Available in sizes from XS-2XL,
the Sheene rep is priced at £499.
Bikesexempt
fromBrumCAZ
A campaign by the Motorcycle Action
group (MAG) has resulted in bikes being
made exempt from charges in the
proposed Birmingham Clean Air Zone.
“This decision sets the precedent for
all future CAZ proposals in other parts
of the country demonstrating a clear
endorsement of the fact that bikes
contribute to improving air quality. The
exemption is a vital first step towards a
policy to positively promote modal
shift to motorcycles,” said MAG’s,
Colin Brown.
Oxford’s best bobbins
In a solution that should have been
thought of years ago, Oxford Products
have released a rotating paddock stand
bobbin designed to take the graunching
and scratching out of getting a bike
up on a paddock stand. They have a
bearing at the centre of the ally bobbin,
which rotates as the bike is lifted. The
bobbins cost £21.99.
04 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com
THIS WEEK
Everything you need to know about the world on two wheels
Saving us from ourselves
O RiderlessGSshowcases BMW’slatestanti-crashtech
BMW are close to introducing the
next generation of safety aids, aimed
at helping riders to avoid accidents
caused by inattentiveness or lack of
confidence in their bike’s ability to stop
or turn in an emergency.
MCN saw the new systems in action
last week on BMW’s top-secret self-
riding bike, based on an R1200GS.
The bike is able to move off, steer
and ride around a set course on its
own and can sense danger and take
according action. “We can shift gears
and we can steer the bike, but a fully
automatic motorcycle is not our goal,”
said BMW’s Active Motorcycle Safety
expert, Stefan Hans. “If we can create
a bike that can cope with all riding
tasks we can offer it as an assistance
system for the rider.
“Safety is one of the main things
that stop people riding motorcycles.
Over the last 20 years, deaths in cars
have gone down by 73%, while deaths
on bikes have only gone down by 38%.
Technical advancements for safety
have been much slower for bikes. ABS
on cars came ten years before it did on
bikes, traction control was 20 years
later. Cars now can intervene before
something dangerous happens and we
need to learn more about motorcycles
to help riders avoid critical situations.”
The bike uses radar to monitor
the road ahead and has automatic
actuators on the steering, gearbox
and brakes. The lessons learnt will
be applied directly to future safety
devices on BMW machines.
“The systems don’t have to take
over, just make a reaction that allows
the rider to take action,” says Hans.
“A good example would be a rider
looking at a view who doesn’t see a
O‘Wecanofferit
asanassistance
systemtoriders’
STEFAN HANS, BMW SAFETY EXPERT
curve coming up. A blip of the brake or
throttle would get the rider’s attention
and allow them to take control.”
BMW claim that direct intervention
will save lives in the future. “We can
monitor many dynamic aspects of the
ride. We know how many people crash
when they think they can’t get around
a corner even if the bike is capable of
it and we’ll be able to help by reducing
engine torque or increasing lean within
a set parameter.”
BMW are yet to give a timescale for
introducing the new technology, but
we expect to see a road-monitoring
system with minor dynamic inputs
within two years with more advanced
systems further down the line.
No it’s not a very
late April Fool,
this GS rides itself
Improving safety
is vital to biking’s
future, says Hans
GUZZI’S RETRO
O ’80sDakar-inspired
V85TTkeepsthe
spiritofair-cooled
adventure bikes alive
By Jordan Gibbons
SENIOR REPORTER
M
oto Guzzi have unveiled
this production version of
the V85 Tutto Terreno (all-
terrain) adventure bike
they showed as a concept in 2017.
The V85TT boasts all the usual
adventure touring mod-cons such
as a 21-litre tank good for around
250 miles and an adjustable screen.
But despite its retro style, there’s
still lots of tech under the hood. It
comes with traction control and
ABS, both of which are altered
depending on riding mode (Road,
Rain or Off-Road). Plus it’s all
controlled through a full-colour
TFT dash, which shows fuel level,
speed, revs, gear, temperature and
cruise control settings. The dash
is also home to the firm’s in-built
Bluetooth multimedia system.
Although the V85 shares the
same bore architecture as the V9,
it’s a completely different engine.
Rockin’ and rollin’
There’s a new crankshaft mated to
new, stiffer conrods and shorter
piston skirts resulting in a 30%
drop in rotating mass. It also has
Full colour TFT dash is Guzzi’s first and is Bluetooth-ready
a semi-dry crankcase, with a
scavenging oil pump, which helps
keep the engine cool and negates
the need for an oil-cooler. And
although still only two valves per
cylinder, new titanium intake
valves have allowed Guzzi to fit a
more radical cam which, combined
with a new 52mm throttle body,
Guzzi wing DRL between the twin beams is a nice touch
boosts power to 78bhp. Although
still a big air-cooled transverse
V-twin, Guzzi say they’re minor
tweaks away from meeting Euro5.
There are external changes, too.
The crankcases are stiffer to allow
use as a stressed member and the
gearbox has been adjusted to be
smoother running, including a
www.motorcyclenews.com
ON SALE
IN 2019
HIGHLIGHTS
O 853cc transverse V-twin
O 78bhp peak power
O 59ftlb peak torque
O 250-mile fuel range
O On sale February 2019
synchroniser that eliminates the
jolt when you engage first gear.
It sticks, however, with Guzzi’s
tried-and-tested shaft drive but is
70mm longer than the V7.
Ready for adventure
Naturally there are lots of changes
elsewhere, too. The chassis and
suspension have been designed
to give reasonable ground
clearance for off-road while also
maintaining a low seat height and,
although the suspension is fairly
basic, it is preload adjustable. The
bike also has 19in/17in wheels, for
light off-road, although its spoked
rims necessitate inner tubes.
The V85 is expected to arrive in
dealers in February and we expect
it to be priced around £11,000.
There will also be a range of
accessories, including luggage and
an fruity exhaust to follow.
September 19 2018 | 05
THIS WEEK
O BMW BOXER UPDATE BOXER
TECH

MORE POW
SPECIAL
P12

NEWG
withvariablev
By Jordan Gibbons Familiar style
SENIOR REPORTER but more power

T
he GS has dominated the
adventure bike class it
invented for nearly 40
years now, and this new
2019 version looks set
to continue the trend. It’s more
powerful, more efficient and
technologically superior to all
versions that have come before.
Variable valve boost
As the name suggests, the R1250GS
has got a brand new engine and
that’s where most of the changes
can be found, ranging from the
simple to the mind-bogglingly
complex. For a start the engine has
grown by 84cc to 1254cc, having
increased slightly more in stroke
than bore. The result is a 9% boost
in power (up to 134bhp) and a 14%
boost in torque (to 92ftlb) making
it the most powerful production
boxer BMW have ever produced.
But the new 1250’s changes
extend far beyond just being a big
bore job – there’s witchcraft in the
valve train, too. The 1250 GS marks
the debut of BMW’s new ‘ShiftCam’
technology, which varies the
timing and stroke of the intake
valves to increase the spread of
power across the rev range – as well
as reducing fuel consumption and
emissions at lower rpm.
The system changes between
a ‘partial load’ cam profile and
a ‘full load’ one depending on
throttle opening and rpm. The
result is 81ftlb of torque from
2000rpm, with a 4% reduction
in fuel consumption, while also
future-proofing the engine
standards in 2020. There have been
other hardware changes too, such
as an integrated gearbox and ‘anti-
hop’ back-torque limiter to prevent
rear wheel lock up on deceleration.
Binary finery
The electronics package has
received a boost, too. The engine
runs a new management system
called BMS-O, which includes two
knock sensors in the cylinders. This
means the 1250 can comfortably
run on poor quality fuel without
any adverse effects – which is
particularly important when
travelling to the far flung corners
of the world. Two riding modes,
Automatic Stability Control and
Hill Start Control now come as
standard but you can also add
and higher spec
HIGHLIGHTS
O New 1254cc boxer engine
O134bhp @ 7750rpm
O20l tank (260 mile range)
O850/870mm seat height
O249kg (wet)
Riding Modes Pro. If you add AB
Pro you can also add Dynamic
Brake Control, which intervenes
in the engine control and shuts
the throttle under heavy braking
even if you fail to. HSC Pro also
offers the option to have Auto
HSC, which automatically
applies the brake on a gradient to
assist with hill starts. The other
big boost is the provision of the
class-leading 6.5in full-colour
TFT screen ‘Connectivity’ dash
as a standard fitment. The GS also
now gets LED lighting all-round.
Base model prices start at
£13,415, while a TE version costs
£16,200. The HP-badged Rallye
starts at £13,950 (the Rallye TE
is £16,975), and the Exclusive TE
edition will cost £16,500.

06 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com


O‘ShiftCam’varies
thetimingandstroke
oftheintakevalves’
O Same new 1250 engine as GS O Small changes to fairings ONext-gen Dynamic ESA O320-mile fuel range
As well as big updates for the
GS, BMW have also lavished the
same engine changes on the
venerable RT tourer, which faces
increasing competition not only
from other brands but also other
BMWs, particularly the XR and GS
Exclusive. The new RT gets the
same 1254cc engine as the GS but
also receives a facelift and some
useful electronics updates.
But the biggest change is that the
superb latest generation Dynamic
ESA – as available on the current
GS – will be available complete with
‘fully automatic load compensation’
as an optional extra on the RT. As a
result, you no longer have to select
the ‘two helmets and a suitcase’
icon, instead the bike works out
the correct preload for you. The
bike also adjusts the damping to
suit the current riding situation.
Other electronics changes include
standard ABS Pro (it’s optional
on the GS) and a new 5.9in colour
TFT dash, flanked by an analogue
speedo and tacho. The fairing gets
a slight redesign, too, with the
addition of a small spoiler at the
front between the headers.
There will be three models
available: the base model R1250RT
comes in Alpine White for owners
with Police pretensions. There
are also two ‘Option 719 Spezial’
finishes in Blue Planet metallic
and Sparking Storm metallic, and
a Sport model (SE), which comes
in Mars Red and also has a slightly
smaller screen. Finally there’s the
Elegance (LE) model in Carbon
Black metallic that, on looks alone,
is clearly the pick of the bunch.
The base model starts at
£14,415, while the SE kicks off at
£15,615, and the range-topping LE
is yours from £16,710.
Lancashire
dealer helps
globetrotter
Raceways Motorcycles came to the
rescue when Korean round-the-world
traveller Yung Ro Go faced disaster.
Yung, 43, has been travelling through
the UK and stopped at Raceways for an
oil change. The next day, however, his
Honda PCX125 was stolen and torched.
Service manager Lee Hindle vowed to
help and after a crowdfunding page
was set up £3000 was raised – enough
Top: Class- for Yung to purchase a new machine.
leading TFT
dash is now
standard fare
on the new GS
Sprint is on for
Rallye edition’s
Scrambler 1200
gold laced rims
give it ’80s chic
As well as delivering a weekend of full-
on sprint action, this weekend’s Devitt
MCN Ally Pally Show & Supersprint
will see Triumph display a range of
roadster, adventure and modern
classic bikes, while offering showgoers
the opportunity to apply for tickets to
their exclusive action-packed London
launch party for the new Triumph
Scrambler 1200 on October 24. Get in!
Double-bubble screen
for Ninja 400 available
Skidmarx have released a double-
bubble screen for Kawasaki’s Ninja
400. The screen, which is said to be
New RT gets same 1250 engine plus developed using Skidmarx’s BSB and
electronics, dash and spec updates roads experience, should aid comfort
and wind protection. It’s made from
3mm acrylic and costs £64.95.
www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 07
THIS WEEK
£24,035
NEWTOUSED
GEMS FROM THE GENE POOL
LAUJUST
NCH
ED

BUYINTOA
BOLOGNA
Claire’sBSBlap LEGEND
2018
As Ducati’s V-twin concept and Speciale. But if, like us, What is it? A new chapter in Ducati’s rich history of

questbegins finally reached the end of the

Disabled fundraiser Claire Lomas
MBE rode a lap of Silverstone at last
week’s BSB round. She rode a specially
adapted Ducati SuperSport S and aims
to ride every track on the BSB calendar.
Paralysed from the chest down
by a horse-riding accident 11 years
ago, Claire set herself the biking
challenge of lapping every circuit on
the BSB calendar after her plan to
ride the 37.73-mile TT course at the
Manx Grand Prix was cancelled. After
development line, a decade
of white-hot research in
MotoGP paid-off in bringing
the V4 engine to the road
with the Panigale V4, V4S
2008
DESMO RR
you can’t stretch to £19,000,
£24,000 or £35,000, you could
still tap into over 30 years of
Ducati sportsbike DNA. Here’s
Bologna’s modern sportbike
dynasty, starting with the 851.
PANIGALE V4S
What is it? A MotoGP bike with lights. The 200bhp bike
features same chassis layout, bodywork and ‘long bang’
989cc V4 architecture as the GP6 MotoGP machine.
You say “It’s more than all your expectations,” Scottch
Watch out for Loose bolts, failed gearshift springs.
One we found £60,000, 1100 miles.
producing sublime sportsbikes.
MCN says “There is no doubting that this is a step forward
from Bologna and they’ve made the most desirable
sportsbike on the planet.”
Want to buy one? £24,035, £4800 deposit, £276 per month
on three-year PCP. See: www.ducatitrioptions.com
What is it? 1199 Panigale arrives with ‘frameless’
2012 chassis, ‘superquadro’ engine with great power-to-
weight ratio. The 2015 1299 adds trick suspension.
1199 You say “It is surprisingly comfortable,” PT
Watch out for Battery in poor condition.
One we found £12,999, 5500 miles.

£60K £13K
posting pictures of her ride she said:
“If someone showed me these when
I was in hospital having found out I
am paralysed from the chest down
and told me ‘this will be you one day!’
I would never have believed it. I had
never even sat on a motorbike!”

2007 2003 1994 1987

BikeSafehits 1098 999 916 851
Manchester
Manchester police have launched a
BikeSafe course in a bid to reduce
accidents in their area. The free and
friendly workshops are delivered
by serving police officers and
include an observed ride, interactive

£6990 £8495 £8950 £9980

presentations, discussions and safety
advice. To find out about the next
dates contact bikesafe@gmp.police.
uk or visit www.bikesafe.co.uk and
search for Greater Manchester. Chief
Inspector Gareth Parkin from GMP’s
Road Policing Unit said: “Motorcyclists
are among the most vulnerable road
users across Greater Manchester
and far too many riders are killed or
seriously injured on our roads.”
What is it? A stunning return to form.
S-version has Öhlins suspension, 2009
WSB homologation special traction
control. New 1198S in ’09, followed by
the 1198 and 1198SP in 2011.
You say “Speaks to my soul,” C Harris
Watch out for Ignition relays.
One we found £6990, 10,600 miles.
What is it? The 999 was a logical
improvement and better on track, but
always remained in the 916’s shadow.
You say “Its lazy nature is more
involving than my S1000RR,” Martin
Watch out for Services not carried
out, owner neglect.
One we found £8495, 2000 miles.
What is it? The Mona Lisa of bike
design. Succeeded by the 996 in 1999
and 998 in 2002, with variants including
Biposto, S, SPS, R and Final Edition.
You say “I smile every time I look at the
bike,” Vinnychoff
Watch out for Service history.
One we found £8950, 23,000 miles.
What is it? The 851 moved Ducati
into the modern era and made it race
competitive with four-valve heads,
water-cooling and fuel injection.
You say “I had to wait 25 years, but
worth it,” Paul Allan
Watch out for Regulator, fuel pump.
One we found £9980, 16,000 miles.

08 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com


Reader Gareth
Mayfield clocked a
1000 miles in a day
‘STOP RIDING? WE’VE
ONLY JUST STARTED’
O As Autumn looms R5k riders vow to keep going into winter
By Matt Wildee
SENIOR EDITOR
ven as the season begins to
E
change, #ride5000miles
members are riding more
than ever. Right now, they
are heading out on road trips in a
bid to complete their 5000-mile
target and have vowed to keep on
riding well into winter.
Reader Gareth Mayfield is
taking advantage of the good
weather while he can, with a tour
of the Austrian Alps on his KTM
Super Duke GT, the completion of
his big-mile target and a dream
ride back. “I’ve just done my 5000
miles and my first 1000-mile ride
in a day! I left Austria at 2am with
a challenge of being in Rugby at
3pm. I absolutely loved it. Used
seven tanks of fuel though.”
For some, the cooler September
climes are the perfect time for
biking. “We’ve had an absolute
fantastic (and long) summer but I
have to admit, it’s been a bit hot at
times for biking! I much prefer the
temperatures we’re having now
Autumn rides
include going
to Spain
Road trips
popular with
R5k riders
What is R5K?
and those we’re likely to have over
the next two or three months.
Stop biking soon? Nah, I’m just
O‘Justdonemy Remembrance Sunday and lots
of Christmas toy runs. They are
great causes that we as a biking
MCN’s campaign aims to encourage
riders to cover 5000 miles in a year.
It’s all about getting out more and
getting comfortable!” first1000-mile community can contribute to
enjoying your bike.
BMW HP4-riding Gappo and make a difference to people’s
How do I do it?
Mancini is thinking the same
thing. “I’m heading to the Picos in ride in a day!’ lives – provided we don’t put our
motorcycles away from Autumn Make a note of your mileage at the
Northern Spain. The plan is to go until Spring that is.” start of your biking year. Take a photo
R5K MEMBER GARETH MAYFILED
out early October for nine days. at the start and end of the challenge.
All I need to do is add the inner Completed your
layer on my textile jacket along rides all year, concentrating on 5000 miles? Five reasons to sign up
with thermal layers to keep all big biking events. “Do people Add your name to the Roll of 1. It’ll make you a better rider.
warm. I’ll keep doing the usual actually stop and wrap their Honour pinned post on our 2. You’ll know your bike better
weekend blast for as long as the bikes in cotton wool in the garage Facebook page and you can than ever, and enjoy it more.
weather allows.” and take the car until spring? also download a certificate 3. It’ll make you ride to places
Riders are also planning well There are lots of great events. to celebrate the fact. www. you’ve never been before.
into the winter. Duncan Costin I’m going to the Ride to the motorcyclenews.com/news/ 4. Be part of a top biking community.
is one of the many members who Wall in October, Ring of Red on ride5000miles/certificate/ 5. Share tips on where to ride and
what kit can go the distance.
How to sign up
Free parking for R5k members www.facebook.com/
groups/ride5000miles
Group members get free parking at the Devitt
MCN Ally Pally show and Supersprint. The ALSO SUPPORTED BY
show features live action, indoor bike racing,
superstars going head-to-head and a bargain-
packed retail area and the latest bikes to try.
www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 09
THIS WEEK
Guzzi’s new Bobber
Moto Guzzi have unveiled a new V9
Bobber Sport, featuring oversized
tyres, a lower seat and black pipework.
It’s meant to be mean and moody
and while the 853cc twin kicks out
55bhp, the sporty side of things comes
from a single seat unit, lowered, drag
style bars and fully-adjustable Öhlins
twin shocks. The new Guzzi also has
retro-style rubber fork gaiters, a cut-
down front mudguard and a lowered
headlight, which is framed by a new
ally flyscreen. Prices and availability
are to be announced.
Smooth shifter
Suzuki have made a quickshifter/
autoblipper available as an aftermarket
accessory for the GSX-R1000. On
sale for £490, the system allows you
to hold the throttle open for upshifts
while it auto-blips on downshifts. The
shifter has two sensitivity settings
(or switched off all together) and is
il bl ll GSX R1000 it
Handytechtool
The dedicated BMW diagnostic tool,
the GS-911, and the plug and play
accessory manager, ezCAN, are
now officially available in the UK
through Hex Innovate. The GS-911 is
an essential part of any BMW home
mechanic’s toolbox allowing owners to
read and reset fault codes, as well as
reset service indicators. Fitting the R,
K, S and G series bikes, it costs £225.
10 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com
OThesitewillwarn
usersifthereare
thieves in the area
NEW WEBSITE HELPS
COMBAT BIKE CRIME
O Bikersunitedletsuserspostdetailsofstolenmachinesonline
By Ben Clarke
JUNIOR WEB REPORTER
A
new website is trying to
address the problem of
motorbike theft in the
UK by allowing victims
to post the details online.
The site, called Bikersunited,
also lets users post any suspicious
behaviour they’ve seen in an area
to alert others. It was founded
by Ben Cope who wanted to
empower riders to fight crime.
“If your bike gets stolen, it’s just
the worst feeling in the world,”
says Cope. “You report it to the
police but what do you do next?
Posting it on social media is fine
but if you don’t have much of a
following it can just get lost in
the noise online and that can feel
really frustrating.”
Users can post details and
pictures of their bike on the site
along with the date, time and
place it was taken. Others can see
the posts and keep a look out, but
Cope hopes that the site will also
encourage better bike security.
“Owners can do more to keep
their bikes secure. If you leave
your bike outside your house
overnight on the steering lock,
you shouldn’t be surprised to
O‘Ifyourbike
getsstolenit’s
theworstfeeling’
BEN COPE, BIKERSUNITED
have it stolen. You wouldn’t
leave a Rolex tied to a lamp post
overnight and expect it to be there
in the morning, so why a bike?
“By raising awareness of crime
happening in people’s local
BEAT
BTHIIK E
EVES
area, the site will lead to more
people protecting their bike more
thoroughly.
“For instance if you had a
notification the day before saying
that a bike had been stolen half a
mile away, it might encourage you
not to park on the street.
“The next step is for users to be
able to sign up with their postcode
and set a radius to be alerted of
activity, whether that’s a bike
stolen or suspicious behaviour. I
think it will help people not to be
complacent.”
Bikersunited has already
attracted attention, with a
claimed 4000 visits in the first
week, and Cope is pleased with
the way it has been received so far.
“Do I think it’s going to solve
bike crime? No. But I believe that
it will help to make more people
aware and keep people biking
because theft puts people off
riding motorcycles.”
THE
The site has had
4000 visits during
its first week
BIKER PATROL
SCARES OFF
THIEVES
The London-based theft
awareness group BikerBiker
held an open invite patrol last
week and helped prevent two
bike thefts. Members met up
and went out in groups, riding
around Shepherd’s Bush and
South Kensington, making
their presence known. They
had two encounters with
people attempting to steal
bikes, but the suspects fled
as soon as they saw the
large group of motorcyclists.
After the success of the
first open patrol, BikerBiker
are intending to hold more
patrols and set up a bait bike.

Britplots range of hot SP1 specials
British MotoGP engineer Phil Stiles
has decided to do something we all
dream of but never have the courage to
do – become a bike manufacturer. The
ex-KTM race technician had bought the
last 20 brand new, boxed Honda SP1
V-twin motors in existence and plans
to build and market a series of high-
end semi-naked sportsbikes.
He said: “Building my own bike is
something that I’ve always wanted to
do, so when the engines came up from
Mondial’s liquidated stock it was too
good to turn down – and it focuses the
mind. I want to take what I’ve learnt
from 10 years in racing and apply it to a
road bike. So that’s light weight, exotic
materials and good suspension.”
The first running bike is expected at
the start of 2019.
The next step is to commission a frame
Batteryswap
scoots coming
Yamaha are teaming up with
Phil Stiles has Tainwanese scooter firm Gogoro
snapped up 20 with the aim of launching a Yamaha-
SP1 engines branded electric scooter next year.
What makes Gogoro special is their
battery-swap tech which sees riders
switching batteries at docking stations
all over Taiwan and it’s this that has
captured Yamaha’s attention.
Costing £2600, Gogoro scooters
have been very successful in their
home market with more than 750
docking stations installed and 17
million battery swaps so far, however
they’ve yet to successfully branch out
into other territories.
They have previously indicated an
interest in the UK and this Yamaha deal
Battery flat? Just dock and swap
BMW Motorrad
www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 11
THIS WEEK
BLOG-OFF
A SIDEWAYS LOOK AT BIKING’S HOT TOPICS
‘IS THERE A
NEW-BIKE
WWW
BIKERGLORY.COM CONSPIRACY?
Journalist,photographer and film maker, Nick Berkeley of Bikerglory,
on whether new bikes really offer anything better than their ancestors
Dean Harrison’s 1992 Kawasaki
ZXR750 recently repeated last
year’s success at the Classic TT.
And hidden behind the impressive
stats lay interesting implications.
In 2017, the ZXR managed a
127.8mph lap, going through the
speed trap at 175mph, making
it 9mph faster than Dean’s 2018
ZX-6R at this year’s TT. Less
surprisingly, the rider finds the
old bike more comfortable.
Although the ZXR
was modded – and
had more cubes – it
was not to a level
way beyond an
enthusiastic owner:
we’re hardly talking
fabled exotica here.
And the ZXR is not
alone here. Harrison proved old subjective condition –
Other reliably bikes can be relevant especially in bike terms.
sourced stories have
revealed various older sportsbikes
outperforming new ones, with the
same rider on board at the same
track. So, are we all being taken for
a metaphorical ride?
Despite the street mythology,
bike reviewers tend to play with a
straight bat: credibility is massively
at stake. But we all operate in
an environment that inevitably
services the industry – if we didn’t,
there would be a lot less to read in
MCN. But has the persistent cycle
of new reviews led to a general
assumption that all things being
NEXT WEEK The Girl On A Bike on the
negatives of electric bikes
12 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com
equal, newer equates to better?
I believe it has, which wouldn’t
matter if the premise was sound.
But Dean’s ZXR is just one example
among many which undermine it.
Taking the mid 1990s as our start
point we could say that since then
there has really only been one true
innovation in bike design: electronic
control systems.
If you take the view that
these are surplus to your
requirements (and many
do – albeit for different
reasons), then you
have to ask yourself
if new machines
really justify your
financial support.
‘Better’, of
course, is a massively
Nevertheless, you might
find yourself surprised by the sheer
capability afforded by an older
machine – especially a sportsbike,
since they have always represented
the forefront of technology. It
doesn’t have to be 26-years-old,
and you don’t have to be Dean
Harrison to feel the benefit.
All of which is why, at the
beginning of this summer, I picked
up a ZX-6R A1P, the first 636, with
low miles for low money. It’s only
16-years-old, which, coincidentally,
is exactly how it makes me feel.
And that really is an achievement.
Berkeley says his
old 636 ZX-6R is
more than enough
WHAT’S NEW IN TECH
BOXIN
O HowBMW’snew1250boxer utilises
cuttingedgevariablevalve technolo
By Jordan Gibbons
SENIOR REPORTER
B
MW’s new 1250 boxer
engine boasts heaps of
clever new technology,
including a self-adjusting
oil intake – but the real star of
the show is the all-new, variable
valve timing system which BMW
have dubbed ShiftCam.
The benefits are said to include
increased power and torque,
reduced fuel consumption,
a better exhaust note, fewer
exhaust emissions and stronger
drive throughout the delivery. Note the two cam
But how exactly does it work? lobes per valve on
the sliding shaft
Cams and rockers
Unlike other VVT systems, the
BMW system utilises a single
camshaft that is always spinning claimed 59.5mpg. The new intake
and maintains the same constant
relationship with the crank.
O ‘The intake system has also enabled BMW to
make changes elsewhere.
Where it differs is that the intake
cam has two different cam
cam has two The intake tracts can now be
identical lengths on both sides,
profiles that alternate based on
engine load and speed.
At small throttle openings,
varying profiles’ which has further enabled
BMW to position the fuel
injectors closer to the rear of the
the smaller cam is acting on the intake valves for optimum fuel
finger followers and depressing and onto the smaller profile. dispersion. All this conspires to
the two intake valves. As the As if that wasn’t complicated help them produce their most
throttle opening widens, an enough, the intake valves are also powerful boxer motor yet, with a
electronically-activated actuator asymmetric left and right. claimed 134bhp on tap, and a fat
raises a pin, which locks into midrange that gives you 81ftlb of
the camshaft gate. The locking Split the difference torque from just 2000rpm.
pin then works with the shaft’s On both cams, the opening time BMW have also been able
rotation to draw the camshaft and depth of the intake valves is to change the cam chain to a
sideways across the head. This staggered. This creates a swirling toothed design (rather than more
brings the more aggressive cam effect when the fuel-air mixture typical rollers), which they claim
profile into line with the valves enters the combustion chamber, reduces valve train noise.
resulting in longer and larger which results in a more efficient No longer will you receive odd
intake valve openings. As you burn. Together with the VVT, looks at your local bike meet, nor
close the throttle, the other the staggered intake valves help will a mechanic tell you ‘they all
camshaft pin raises and pulls the to reduce fuel consumption by sound like that, mate’ – and that
camshaft back across the head 4% over the old model, giving a alone is priceless.
 Gentle
beginnings
At low rpm the less
Rising tide
As the throttle
opening and engine
revolutions increase, the
actuator raises a pin that
Hell
for leather
The cam movement
Bikers’ heads-up
A French firm called Eyelights have helmet aperture. The whole system is
aggressively shaped brings in the second, nched a futuristic heads-up display rounded-off with a set of flat speakers
small cam keeps things causes the cam to more aggressively stem that can be fitted, they claim, plus specially-adapted microphones
smooth, torquey and shift sideways profiled cam that opens o any motorcycle helmet. designed to cope with wind
efficient the intake valves he system connects ise and through which
more, for longer your smartphone via he voice-activated
uetooth and displays command system
t only your speed operates.
d GPS directions The makers claim
CAMSHAFT GATE LARGE CAM t also alerts the components
u to upcoming will fit into not just
ngers such as full-face lids but also
arp bends, traffic open and flip-front
ngestion and helmets and can be
LOCKING BEARING eed limit changes. attached in under five
he neat system Module (l) fits outside lid, minutes.
mprises a module optic (r) projects display The purchase price
at is attached to the of £578.26 (there’s an
e of your helmet and an optical unit initial UK promotional price of £445.41)
at projects the display into your field also allows access to the Eyelights app
vision from a location inside the and any updates that are released.

SMALL CAM KNOW THIS

O ODS technology
SHIFTCAM GATE PINS
projects ‘heads-up’
display onto inside of
visor

SHIFTCAM ACTUATOR O External

module connects
to your smart
Idle phone via
times
In addition to more Bluetooth and
Getting You’re special app
in a swirl torque and power
boring me throughout the rev range,
Left and right intake The current 1200 the 1250 also ticks over
valves are angled engine has a bore and 100rpm lower than
individually to create a stroke of 101 x 73mm, the the 1200
swirl on intake, giving a new 1250 (actually 84cc Special speakers
more complete burn more) grows to 102.5 and microphone
on ignition x 76mm complete system

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www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 13
 NT
W EVE
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14 |September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com

THE RETURN OF
THE YAMAHA LC!
O AftermarketkittakesXSR900down1980smemorylane
T
he spirit of the legend-
ary 1980s Yamaha LC
is back thanks to this
aftermarket kit which
turns the new XSR900 into a
full-on retro replica. The 847cc
machine is available as a com-
plete face-lifted bike and comes
with a choice of LC look-a-like
paintjobs for £10,352. Body kits
will be available separately (at
£1552) as well as suspension,
power and carbon upgrades.
The XSR’s engine, chassis
and even tank remain
standard, but the bike’s
creators have produced a
replica YPVS nose cone and LC
tail unit, together with seat,
grab rail, side panels, clock
surround and HID headlight all
1 Seat, tail unit, grab rail
XSR900
basics
XSR chosen over MT-09
as base bike as it’s closer
to the LC with its round
headlight, clocks and
tank shape.
designed to ape the style of the
1980s original.
The bike’s builder, Hag
Hughes of Velocity Moto, told
MCN: “I ended up with too
many injuries to ride sports
bikes but wanted something
with the excitement of an R1
or Blade. The MT-09 grabbed
me - it was fun, but I didn’t like
the looks. The handling and
fuelling was horrendous, too,
but I saw the potential to do an
LC body kit for it
“The trickiest part of the
project was to remodel the
seat to give it the right look,
creating the rear light and
numberplate mounts and all
the bodywork moulds. Very
few parts have been cut, so it is
Class as
standard
XSR engine, chassis etc
2 unchanged although
Restyled suspension and other
rear end upgrades are
available.
and light all based on
original 350LC items
but remodelled
to fit.
easy to return it to standard.
“I’ve parked it next to an LC
and it looks low, spindly and
old fashioned, but surprisingly
similar. The new bike’s
OIt’savailableas
acompletebike or
as a bodykit
subframe is higher, which is
more how you wanted your LC
to look.”
Riding this fully modified
900LC feels just like being on
an XSR, but a glance down
4 £500? It even came with a spare engine
3 Powervalve
nose cowl
Mould for the front
headlight fairing is
taken from a RD350
YPVS then
modified.
reveals those LC-esque
twin clocks (TomTom to the
left, standard display right)
and a surprisingly effective
Powervalve screen.
Revised fuelling map and
upgraded suspension bring
the best out of the lightweight
chassis and the superb three-
cylinder motor. It’ll never
please the two-stroke purists,
but the 900LC has twice the
power of the 350, pulls even
easier wheelies and would leave
it for dead around corners.
It’s easy to forget what you’re
riding until you clock yourself
in a shop window where the
rose-tinted reflection evokes so
many youthful memories… and
you can’t help but smile.
5 an exhaust and brakes. Fix those and the
You can
buy one now
Velocity Moto’s
brand new, pre-reg,
RD900LCs cost £10,352.
Performance pipes
etc are extra.
THIS WEEK
BUY IT
NO
NEIL MURRAY
Our used bike dealer
reveals this week’s
smartest buys
‘Clockingupahigh-
mileage bargain’
I’ve mentioned mileage before and how it
really doesn’t matter much as long as the
bike has been properly maintained. Oddly,
though, people still seem to be wary of
Japanese bikes which have more than, say,
50,000 miles on the clock.
Damn silly, because even humble 125s
will clock that up (I know – I had one that
did), but if it isn’t a BMW (where a steep
odometer reading is treated as a badge of
honour), people flinch.
This means there are bargains to be had.
How about a Suzuki 600 Bandit, mark one
model, with 83,000 miles on for just over
that the seller had bought but never fitted
because he hadn’t needed to. It had newish
chain, sprockets and tyres too.
Bridge Road Motorcycles recently sold a
2007 Honda CB1000F with 103,000 miles
which they’d serviced from new. It needed
engine will probably carry you for another
100,000 miles. For £930? Worth a punt.
Best of all recently was a Ducati 1100
Multistrada, described as ‘high mileage’ but
with only 47,000 on it, I would disagree with
‘high’. This had a full service history, a Leo
Vince de-catted pipe with an ECU remap,
a spare headlight, recent belt change, and
all for £1800. Ugly as hell, but a hugely
underrated machine. It was being sold by a
60-year-old who’d bought it to replace his
Yam XT660 - God, that could have been me.
BUY THIS ONE – FAST...
Ducati Multistrada 1100 £1789
Seller says Long MoT, used mainly for long
distance commuting, excellent condition
Neil says Ugly as hell, admittedly, but a hugely
underrated machine with seriously riding appeal
www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 15
THIS WEEK
WSH ATBI’S ONAR 2018
DATE FOR YOUR KING CALEND
NEXT WEEK
THURSDAY 20
East Coast Motorcycle
World, Hutton Cranswick,
East Yorks
Entry Free
Info 01377-271200
Great roads lead to one of North’s
best bike nights, at premium biker
superstore in heart of East Yorks.
Meet other bikers and check out
clothing and accessories from 6pm.
SATURDAY 22
Saturday Night Special,
Run What Ya Brung, Santa
Pod Raceway, Beds
Entry Entrance/sign-on from £20
Info www.rwyb.com
Experience the thrill of blasting
your bike up Santa Pod Raceway
as dusk falls. Sights and sounds of
raceway are intensified by night air.
SAT-SUN 22-23
Devitt MCN Ally Pally
Show & Supersprint,
Alexandra Palace, London
Entry £17 (advance), £21 (gate)
Info www.mcnallypallyshow.co.uk
MCN’s all-new show with world’s
only indoor sprint, celebs, dealers,
retail area, classics, Bonhams
auction and UK’s biggest ride-in.
OCTOBER HOT EVENTS
Ron Haslam Race School,
3 Donington Park, Leics
Info www.haslamraceschool.com
Intermot motorcycle
3-7 show, Cologne, Germany
Info www.intermot.de
MotoGP, Chang Circuit,
5-7 Thailand
Info motogp.com
Speedway GP, Torun,
6 Poland
Info www.speedwaygp.com
Stars at Darley races,
7 Darley Moor, Derbyshire
Info www.darleymoor.co.uk
British Superbikes
12-14 Brands Hatch GP, Kent
Info www.britishsuperbike.com
Motorcycle Mechanics
13-14 Show, Stafford
Info www.classicbikeshows.com
YOURHANDY
EVENTS GUIDE
Find more great things to do in your area
16 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com
SEPT
GREAT GATHERINGS
PETSSTILL
SUNDAY 23
WIN PRIZES
Maxxis British Motocross
Championship, Wilts
Entry £20
Info www.mxgb.co.uk
Don’t miss championship’s final
round; there are titles to decide
and scores to be settled.
Normous Newark
O Redtapecan’tstopanimallovers’ charityride-out
Autojumble, Newark
Showground, Notts
Entry £7
Info www.newarkautojumble.co.uk late, so we’ve had to cancel the ride-
Thousands of parts, tools and rare
finds make this a go-to event for
By Justin Hayzelden
MCN CONTRIBUTOR
out. We still have a band booked,
plus the auction and raffle, so
O‘Big-hearted
T
anyone looking for a winter project. he 29th Annual Great Potteries we’re going ahead with that part.”
Pet Food Cavalcade, a charity As we talk, there’s a steady flow
bikersraisemuch-
MONDAY 24 parade of thousands of riders of bikes into the car park. “We’ve
around Stoke-on-Trent in aid got around 100 bikes,” says Keith needed funds’
FocusedEventsTrackDay, of domestic animal charities, almost Wright from one beneficiary, Iris’s
Donington Park, Derbys stalled before it even reached the Cats in Need. “But it’s not just about
Entry £119 start line – but that didn’t stop one the money from those taking part. covers band strike up their set.
Info www.focusedevents.com
Ride full GP circuit before weather
group of big-hearted bikers from
raising much-needed funds for very
All along the route people give us pet
food donations. As word’s spreading
“It was brilliant,’ says Darren
Evans, who joined the ride-out
cools down. Bargain price, too. worthy causes. We went along to see about the cancellation, they’re on his GSX-R600 with daughter
those who pulled out all the stops. bringing it in themselves, so it Jasmine as pillion. “I loved every
TUESDAY 25 Cavalcade driving force Sidney shows how important this event is.” minute. Being a biker is all about
Poole Quay, Poole, Dorset Rogers is the first person we meet at At midday a decision’s made to run sticking together, and together
Entry £1 a drizzly Port Vale FC, from where the route in an unofficial capacity, we really can make a difference.”
Info www.pooletourism.com the run had been due to depart. and with a rousing cheer those “We’re expecting around £2000
Last one of season; a unique, “After 28 successful years, we ran who have turned up head off. This in cash,” adds Sid, “plus all the food
exciting atmosphere as bikers and into too much red tape,” Sid tells us. symbolic act significantly lifts the donations. Thanks so much to
spectators enjoy a relaxed evening. “Demands from local authorities mood, especially when they make everyone who’s turned up; the
regarding road closures came too their triumphant return and the charities and I are truly grateful.”
MotoGP, Twin Ring
19-21 Motegi, Japan
Info www.motogp.com
Weston-super-Mare
20-21 Beach Race, Somerset
Info www.rhlactivities.com
World Superbikes,
25-27 Doha, Qatar
Info www.worldsbk.com
MotoGP, Phillip Island,
26 Australia
Info www.motogp.com
Squires Café Autojumble,
27 West Yorkshire
Info www.elkpromotions.co.uk
Despite the cancellation, plenty of people still turned up to show their
support

Keith Waddo joined in on the latest
Great Potteries Pet Food Cavalcade
Edie came along to represent the beneficiaries of special Pet Food Cavalcade
Bear Town Bikers made
sure event was ridden
despite cancellation
KNOW THIS
O 29th year for Pet
Food Cavalcade
O £2000 expected in cash
donations, plus a
mountain of pet food
O Goes to Staffordshire
North Branch RSPCA
and Iris’s Cats in Need
Cornucopia of raffle and auction prizes
donated by bike shops boosted total
Dave and Yvonne Swain have been
supporters since the event’s start
Six-year participant Bobby wants to
show people that bikers really do care
Jock Dudgen and Adrian Shardlow are
Calvacade regulars: “It was a great run”
THIS WEEK’S HOT DEALS
BARGAIN
HUNT
MCN’sridinggearexpertEmmaFra
sniffs out great kit at the best price
SAVE £37.50
AGV K3 Rider to the
Bone replica helmet
Like skulls and Italian flags? The K3
is AGV’s entry-level full-face, and is
packed with premium features like a
removable lining and an anti-fog visor.
It was £149.99; now it’s just £112.49.
www.sportsbikeshop.com
SAVE 33%
Dainese D-Air
Misano jacket £999
Bikestop have slashed the price of
Dainese’s airbag jacket. Sensors
detect a crash in milliseconds and
inflate the airbag before impact.
It’s in Dainese’s D-skin leather and
features traditional CE armour.
www.bikestop.co.uk
SAVE £40
Daytona Strive
GTX Gore-Tex
boots £359.99
Top-spec leather sports-touring
boots reinforced with Gore-Tex
for comfort in all conditions.
Feature shin and ankle armour
as well as removable toe sliders.
Available in sizes 40-48.
www.bikestop.co.uk
SAVE £15
Ion gloves £49.99
Vented, short-cuff gloves made
from a goat skin outer shell
incorporating 3D air mesh which
gives great ventilation. A must
for anyone riding in the heat.
Sizes S-4XL.
www.getgeared.co.uk
www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 17
LIFE ON BIKES

TALKING POINT
letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews
MCN Star letter
Is brake-grab Write something that spikes our
interest, and you could get selected
Fenati just for the Star Letter slot.
Every week one lucky scribbler will be
an idiot? rewarded with one of our retro MCN
t-shirts in celebration of their keyboard
motorcyclenews MCNnews
Silverstonecanbegreat
Silverstone has had a lot of bad press
because of the cancelled MotoGP
and, like many others, I spent a wet
day in the stands. However, last
weekend I was at the British
Superbikes meeting where the sun
shone and I and my family had a
great time. It was my step-grandson

STAR
skills. What are you waiting for? Lucas’ fifth birthday and he had a
I’ve obviously never met
day he won’t forget, enjoying the

LETTER
him, but Romano Fenati
doesn’t strike me as being racing, the face painting,
the sharpest tool in the trampolines and toy bike racing the
box! Already on a short track had put on for kids. Let’s hope
leash after being sacked for Silverstone gets the track and our
refunds sorted, because when they
indiscipline by VR46, he’s
get it right, it’s a great day out.
thrown a lifeline by the
Chris Allen, Bucks
Marinelli team, only to repay
them with his actions last Whataboutloudcars?
Sunday where he grabbed The police are definitely targeting
Stefano Manzi’s front brake bikers unfairly over loud pipes. The
lever during the San Marino one view that has been overlooked is
Moto2 race. His team promptly some of the modern sporty
(and quite rightly) show him hatchbacks are very loud, especially
the door. But then it transpires on the over-run. And you also have
the rider he endangered is the boy racers who use the road as a
from the team he was race track. Yes I agree that having
supposed to be joining next vehicles go by with loud pipes can
year who (surprise, surprise) get annoying and be unfair but sadly
drop him like a hot brick from we have no fair policing any more.
the prestigious MV deal they Paul Dawson, email
have lined up. Duh! What a
great way to wreck your Can’twaittoplugin…
promising racing career. I I have recently noted that the new
know he has apologised but it E-Harley will connect to my iPhone.
This is fantastic news! Where do I
seems a bit late for him to
put down my £40k as this is just
salvage much from the ruins.
what I have been waiting for.
Nigel Savill, Northolt
Ed - See this week’s poll (right) for
I haven’t even considered a Harley as
more views on the Fenati incident I am a sportsbike nut, but this really
has changed my perspective of the
brand.
Ric Marr, email

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4VNNJU
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(6
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6,
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18 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com


READER POLL
What do you think about
Moto2 brake-grabber
Fenati’s future?
27% He should only return once he
has sorted his anger issues
73%
He should never be
allowed to race a
motorcycle again
JOIN THE DEBATE ON
MCN’S FACEBOOK PAGE
StopyourMcMoaning
John McGuinness is such a highly
respected and successful racer and
in most people’s view quite well
paid (MCN, September 5). I used to
be really proud that I earned enough
money to pay 40% tax until I was
ill and had to retire at 46. While
motorcycle racers might not get paid
as well as footballers, I suspect most
did not enter the sport to first and
foremost earn big bucks.
David Pickard, email
FixtheNortonniggles
Your Norton 961 test was bang on, I
bought the limited-edition 50th
anniversary Sport and I agree 100%
with the tester. The steering lock is
ridiculous. When you travel by ferry
(I know, because I go to the TT) you
may need to make a few 180-degree
turns, which will entail a lot of
reversing and you will not be
popular. The kickstand is awkward
as stated and the footpegs folding up
and staying there is annoying and
could be dangerous. It’s no fun if you
Dave and Sam rock
up at Mugello on their
Ducati SuperSport
catch it with your foot when
pulling off and it folds up then
when you come to put your foot on
the rest it is not there and you can’t
look for it because you are moving!
These problems are minor and
could easily be fixed for very little YOUR
cost. I hope Norton take notice.
Robert Wright, email
Driverjustdidn’tstop
TRIP
I was forced off my bike by a car
swerving in front of me as I exited a
Whereyouwentand
roundabout and would like to offer why it was amazing
my thanks to the people who
stopped after my accident at
Mucklow Hill, Halesowen. I’d like
to say thanks to the car drivers who
helped me pick up my bike, to the
lady who “wouldn’t have stopped if
you weren’t a biker”, to Leigh who
stopped helped me recover my bike
and made sure I was OK and to
Streetbike for the free cuppa. You
have reinforced my faith in the
biking community. Finally to the
driver that caused the crash (West Readers Steve Lynskey and
Midlands Police’s words, not mine) Andy Juggins
leaving me in the middle of the The Ride Scunthorpe to
road with a trashed Street Triple, Camping Moto Dordogne ,
broken leg and several bruises and France
then drove off without stopping, I When to do it Summer
hope you sleep at night. Miles 1962
Neil White, email Time required Eight days
Don’t miss this “There were
Lovedeverycorner some lovely roads near where
Here’s a shot of our recent trip to we stayed. The D46 and D703
Tuscany (below). The Ducati to Souillac is great. This road
SuperSport was made for these follows the river Dordogne for
roads – we loved every corner! about 20 miles and is fantastic
Dave & Sam Beattie with gorgeous scenery.”
Biketheftsolution?
Here’s an idea, but it needs to be
original fitment from the factory.
Just as car stereos have removable
front panels to make nicking the
unit pointless, bikes could have
something similar: a detachable LE MANS ROUEN OOOPS!
panel that holds vital electronic
components. Without it the bike
would be rendered very difficult to
make a runner again.
John Andrew, email
The French love their racing! I’ve Andy wanted to re-visit Rouen as Broken bracket wasn’t too
been to Le Mans for the GP before he had been there for the Sucata much trouble and we had no
and it is a pilgrimage Rally from Rouen to Portugal breakdowns with the bikes
THE DORDOGNE SCUNTHORPE THE TRIP
ROUEN
LE MANS SEND US
YOUR TRIP PICS
EMAIL YOURPICS@
MOTORCYCLENEWS.
SAINT-AUBIN- COM
It’s beautiful and a highlight was riding 20 miles on road DE-NABIRAT
that followed the course of the river. Then on our route
home we had 400 miles in France with no roadworks!
www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 19
LIFE ON BIKES
BRITAIN’S BES
BINSEAIKRCHEOFRGREATCRIDAEOUTDESTINATIONS
WEEK 21 BIKE STOP CAFÉ 104 HIGH STREET, STEVENAGE SG1 3DW
‘THIS IS OUR KIND
OF COFFEE SHOP’
Stop off inStevenagefortop tuckerand an array ofthe finest bike gear
By Justin Hayzelden
MCN ROVING REPORTER
C
ontinental style cafés
and coffee shops are
obligatory along most
high streets nowadays,
but there’s an establishment
in Stevenage’s old town that
stands out, for motorcyclists
at least. This week our
ravenous roadshow rumbles
into Hertfordshire to get the
lowdown on the Bike Stop Café.
It’s not hard to spot, just look
for the busy motorcycle bay
which is conveniently situated
right out front. We dropped in
on a Thursday lunchtime and
there were at least a dozen bikes
lined up outside while their
owners were all inside making
20 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com
their stomachs heavier and
their wallets lighter.
To a first-time visitor Bike
Stop appears to simply be a
particularly biker friendly café,
but this side of the business has
only been operating for around
HOW TO JOIN THE GREAT BIKER CAFÉ HUNT
Simply head online to MCN’s
#ride5000miles Facebook page
and vote for your favourite
biking stop-off.
Entice us with pictures of
floury bacon baps and sizzling
big breakfasts, or simply a brief
eulogy as to why your
nomination is the best biker
café in Blighty. We’ll then visit
one each week until we’ve
18 months. Duck beneath the
17th century beams to explore
deeper and you’ll discover one
of the UK’s most well-respected
independent bike kit retailers.
Stairs lead up to an Aladdin’s
cave where you can be fitted out
sampled the 25 tastiest. At the
end of 2018 we’ll reveal the five
best ranking cafés on tour, and
open them up to a public vote
before crowning the winner of
MCN’s inaugural Golden
Sausage Award.
Nominate your top nosh-pit at
Facebook.com/groups/
ride5000miles, or via mcn.
letters@motorcyclenews.com
Why the Vincent? They
used to be built just up
the road from the café
BIKE STOP TAB
TASTE PRICE
Baconbutty 8/10 9/10
SausageBap 8/10 9/10
FullEnglish n/a n/a
Tea/coffee 9/10 9/10
Meet the team: Lizanne, Monica, Martin and Pete
Atmosphere 8/10
Service&facilities 9/10
FINAL SCORE 69/100
Eaten too much? Buy
some bigger kit on
Milton Bishop is a
regular at the café
from top-to-toe in quality kit to
suit all budgets. There’s a whole
section for female riders, too.
The menu at the Bike Stop
is pure coffee shop, featuring
sandwiches, panini, cakes and 16-year-old Heather Hitchcock stopped off with
the full range of hot, cold and dad James to collect her first-ever helmet
speciality beverages. It should
MCN ON TOUR
be noted that no cooking, other
than toasting, takes place on
the premises, and this does
inevitably affect our scorecard –
but that shouldn’t put you off.
“As a shop we’ve always been
a destination,” says managing
director Martin Brown, “but
the café has allowed us to
knock it up a notch. On average
people spend an hour and a
half browsing the latest kit, NEXT THEGRUBREPORTCOMESFROM
checking out our memorabilia
and of course having lunch.”
WEEK The Long Itch Diner, Long Itchington, CV47 9QZ
NEXT WEEK IN
PLUS
FIRST TEST O MCN250

BMW
ExoticItaliansshootout:Moto
Morini 1200 vs Aprilia Tuono V4

R1250GS
CanBMW’snewengine
keeptheadventure
legend on top? O Isthe2019BritishMotoGPatrisk?
O NewDucatiScramberfirstride
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www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 21

LIFE ON BIKES

L
GILERA 50 SPECIA
My son Andy back in 1980. I built the bike from a Gilera 50 and it MATCHLESS/TRIUMPH
SUZUKI GT500
was a great little thing. His mum and I used it as much as he did I’m guessing this was taken in around 1969, the bike was a Matchless G3LS
around the farm nextdoor. Hugh McKay with Triumph 650 engine that I’d cobbled together. Colin Waines
brakes were
My first bike was 100cc Suzuki and the
GT500 was far
so bad I ran into the back of a van. My
more satisfactory. David Cottom

YOU NEVER
FORGET YOUR

FIRST
BSA GOLD STAR
Our son Craig on my Gold Star. He now
the Goldy in 1968 and I’ve still got it!
rides a Triumph. I bought
Brian Hudson

BIKE A blast down mem ory lane

ke pics to:
Send your irst bi
yourpics@motorcyclenews.com
TRIUMPH OUTFIT
My ‘passenger’ Paul and I preparing for a life of biking. Mark Peart

KAWASAKI ER6F SKYTEAM ACE 50

BSA A7 STAR TWIN Buster wasn’t letting me get away for a spin on the ER, Hope you like this shot of me enjoying my first motorcycle. It’s a
My father-in-law Frank Volante was a big character. Paul Fowler I ended up taking him for a walk. Eammon Adams Skyteam Ace and you’ve got to love the look. Jack Woolland

ROAD TESTS AND 01733-468514 ADVERTISING PUBLISHING MCNispublishedweeklybyBauerConsumerMediaLtd.Nopartofthe Wecannotacceptresponsibilityforunsolicitedmanuscripts,imagesor

EDITORIAL
EditorAndyCalton,01733-468006
andy.calton@motorcyclenews.com
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01733-468447richard.newland@
motorcyclenews.com
BIKES
ChiefRoadTester MichaelNeeves,
01733-468010
SeniorRoadTester Adam Child,
01733-468427
NEWS
SeniorReporterJordanGibbons,
01733-468011,jordan.gibbons@
motorcyclenews.com
FEATURES
HeadofContentTimThompson,
01733-468095,tim.thompson@
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matt.wildee@motorcyclenews.com
OfficeManagerAlisonSilcox,01733-468025
CONSUMER
ConsumerEditor EmmaFranklin
SeniorReporterChrisDabbs,01733-468002
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BSBReporterOliRushby,01733-468005
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ART
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22 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com

 TT LEGEND JOHN McGUINNESS IN MCN EVERY WEEK
Your tricky legal
questions answered

‘I don’t like
Q my new bike.
Can I return it?’
I bought a new bike two or
three weeks ago and was going
to have a go at #ride5000miles,
but the more I ride it the more I

‘We need to save

realise that I just don’t like it.
I’ve now decided that I want to
return the bike, but the dealer
is playing hardball even though
I’m within 30 days. Is there
some law I can quote at them?
Gethin John, email

Oliver’s Mount’
Unfortunately, there is
A no legal right for you to
return a bike just
because you have changed
your mind. Some dealers
operate a short return period
(typically, but not always 14
days), but this is up to them and
is not required by law. Likewise,
some dealers may be willing to
LosingEngland’sonlyrealroadracingvenuewouldbeatragedy
allow you to swap the bike, but

again this is at their discretion.
Your rights as a consumer
when buying a bike from a
dealer are under the Consumer
Rights Act 2015, which says
that goods purchased have to
be as described; fit for purpose;
and of satisfactory quality. If
the bike fell down on any of
these issues and you were
within 30 days of the purchase
then you would be able to
return the bike; whereas after
‘Yourrightsdon’t
coverchanging
your mind’
I
’m a bit upset with what’s
gone on with Oliver’s Mount.
I went there with my dad as
a kid to watch Barry Sheene,
Mick Grant, Steve Parrish
and all the boys. It’s been on
the calendar for decades, and
there are a lot of good riders and
proper legends who have come
through there.
I did 20 years straight racing
around there with David
Jefferies and loads of top riders:
Hutchy, Harrison, Guy Martin. It’s
always been a great place, and a
part of the racing calendar that
everyone looked forward to. I
‘THEBOTTOM
LINEISWENEED

PACEMAKER PRESS INTL

30 days you would have to give
the dealer the opportunity to
repair or replace the bike.
THISCIRCUIT Big stars including
the late, great
William Dunlop have
The situation would have
been slightly different if you
TO SURVIVE’ raced the Gold Cup

had bought your bike online or

over the phone because then don’t know the details, I’ve heard

you would have had a 14-day
cooling off period. However,
most dealers seek to avoid this
by making any such agreement
subject to collecting the bike
from their dealership and
signing a final contract there.
Andrew Campbell
Solicitor and author of the MCN Law
column for the last ten years
Visit www.bikelawyer.co.uk or
email andrew@bikelawyer.co.uk
or call 01446 794169
all sorts of tales about what’s
gone on up there. I do know the
organisers have been working
flat-out to get the problems
sorted, to try to get over all the
safety problems so they can get
racing back on. At the moment
it’s just not happening, but the
bottom line is we need this road
circuit to survive. It’s a great
event and part of racing history,
it’s a heritage thing.
There’s always a good crowd
and there’s not a right lot going
on in the North East of England
for our sport anyway, so it really
needs it. What a setting it is, too.
It’s proper old school, stick of
rock, pubs are full, bit of racing!
It’s mega, and like nowhere else.
It needs tidying up and a bit of
investment so let’s get together
and get it done. If it needs safety
measures then that needs to
happen so we can get racing.
Peter Hillaby who has been
running it is an old man; his
health isn’t great but he’s a
loveable rogue! He has zero
people skills, but he was alright
and Scarborough is such a great
event, a great track and I really
want it to continue so we should
all get behind it and put the
pressure on.
● Grassroots road racing, p34
McGuinness used to go and watch the
mighty Barry Sheene at Oliver’s Mount
ASK McGUINNESS
What’s your
favourite
superbike?
Bill Tovey
I’ve hardly ridden any of them! I’m
just getting used to the Norton V4,
but the only other one I’ve ridden was
the Fireblade, and that didn’t end
brilliantly. I’m gagging to get out and
try all the latest stuff, especially the
Panigale, R1 and S1000RR.

Motorcycle Accident Solicitors SEE McGUINNESS AT MCN’S ALLY PALLY SHOW THIS WEEKEND! @ Send your questions to
AskMcPint@motorcyclenews.
com. Don’t expect a serious answer.

www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 23

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24 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com

 UK’S TOUGHEST TEST

250
O 250-MILE ROAD ROUTE
O THE BEST BIKES
O EVERY WEEK

THE COST
OF COOL
CanDucati’sScrambler CaféRacer reallybe
worth 50% more than the Suzuki SV650X?

SUZUKI
SV650X £6199

By Adam Child golden era, they now produce

SENIOR ROAD TESTER bikes catering for every niche.
DUCATI SCRAMBLER From scramblers with off-road-
CAFÉ RACER

Y
ou can’t help but be
£9650 amazed by the dramatic
explosion in the number
of retro bikes. When
once each major manufacturer
produced one, perhaps two,
models styled with a nod to a
JOE DICK
ish styling to café racers with
dropped bars and racing lines to
heartstring twanging recreations
of an old favourite (without the
oil leak, ideally), there’s never
been so much choice.
Continued over

www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 25

UK’S TOUGHEST TEST Slow down into villages
and both bikes put a bit of
weight on your wrists

THE MCN250
TEST ROUTE
It’s Britain’s best road test route.
A tough 250-mile mix of A and
B-roads, a stretch of busy

250
motorway, plus plenty of towns,
villages, blind corners, ballistic
straights, and a huge range of
grippy to slippy tarmac.
There are two cafés, an of-road
section for adventure and trail
bikes, track time for sportsbikes,
and Bruntingthorpe Proving
Ground and the dyno for hard
and fast data when needed. You
want answers? We’ve got ’em.

Britain’s ‘poster bikes’ are no WEATHER WATCH

longer World Superbike-inspired R1s
Not so good
and GSX-Rs, but the likes of Norton’s
Dominator Racer and Triumph’s
fabulous Thruxton R.
7 vibrations STRATFORD- A46
Lined up alongside them is a Sunny & Temp Wind The Ducati vibrates more UPON-AVON
showers 18°C 10mph West than the Suzuki, especially
retro for every budget, and one that
through the pegs. The
sneaked in under the radar without
fuss or fanfare is the new-for-2018
Suzuki SV650X, currently looking Fuel
bar-end mirrors relect my
knuckles perfectly and 7
stand-out cheap at just £6199 (or half
the price of a Thruxton R).
8 stop
dance around as speeds
and revs increase. A439
Calling it a new model is slightly With 136 miles nailed, the air-cooled
misleading as it’s basically a stock Ducati has its fuel light on. The Suzuki
SV with clip-on bars and a mild café is indicating it’s capable of another
Motorway
racer makeover running the same
suspension, brakes, engine and
50 miles or more. Both are averaging
around 60mpg and could easily do
6 duties 6
wheels as the non-retro £5699 SV. more with a less sporty riding plan A steady 80mph on the Suzuki and
That price makes the retro SV look than we’re implementing today. there are some noticeable vibrations
tempting before a wheel has turned. coming through the bars, but other-
Suzuki would only ask for £56 a wise the SV is more than capable of
month if you buy one on PCP, which munching motorway miles. Accord-
is similar to, say, a monthly sub to ing to the dash, it’s still returning over
Sky and certainly gets me thinking. B4632 60mpg even at fast motorway speeds. M40
It also makes its closest natural rival,
the Ducati Scrambler Café Racer,
BANBURY
look expensive at £9650, or nearly
50% more than the Suzuki. 8 That
Like the SV, the Café Racer is
essentially a standard bike (an
5 retro feel
803cc Scrambler) with retro goodies The Ducati’s fuel light came on first A422
A44 Near Banbury we can stretch the throttle
added. It also has a pair of 17in cables. The Ducati is 10kg lighter than the SV
wheels that replace the 19in/18in Fishy
combination on the standard
Scrambler while lower bars and
9 business 9
but it feels even lighter. It turns with efortless
ease, like a two-stroke RGV250 from the 1990s.
Now then Suzuki, how about a retro RGV?
rearset pegs move the rider’s weight As we climb Fish Hill and plunge down
forward into a proper café racer the other side, the rev-happy Suzuki sets
position and the suspension gets the pace. It enjoys life at the redline, which A424
increased damping to compensate. in-turn gives a greater impression of speed.
Despite Suzuki’s more superficial The Ducati is equally matched on power,
approach to making a retro, the but doesn’t feel as rapid or exciting as peak B4068 STOW-ON-
SV650X works. As I set off on the torque is much lower in the range. THE WOLD
MCN250 test route I get that warm
glow of instant familiarity. There are
no electronic riding aids or modern A436
Town
nonsense here: just twist the throttle
and the liquid-cooled V-twin pulls
away effortlessly.
10 work
A large digital display clearly The Ducati is light, narrow, with sot
shows my speed and revs and and usable power from low rpm. It
there’s even an idiot-proof gear Cotswold makes an ideal town bike, or would
indicator. The switchgear is simple, Diner, A436 if the clutch wasn’t so grabby and the
the mirrors are effective… This
A435 Located halfway round Brembo radial front brake lever
bike is a doddle to ride. Relatively the MCN250, it’s a cool wasn’t so stubby.
retro rest point with
light steering, due in part to the great grub and B4030
narrow 160-section rear Dunlop, cofee.
means the 650X makes easy work
of the twisty sections of our test
route while the bumpier sections
fail to faze the comparatively
A429 10 A40
underdamped and softly-sprung
B4095
SV. It’s an uncomplicated joy to ride B4425
along country lanes, the clip-ons B4047
striking the perfect balance between
sportiness and comfort.
Continued over

26 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com

 Got the
1 looks
As we roll both bikes out into
the early morning sunlight, the OUNDLE
appeal of Ducati’s Café Racer
is undeniable, its Termignoni
pipes a classy cherry on top. By
contrast the Suzuki is a little 1
disappointing; it looks like a
dear old SV650 with some
bolt-on parts. Which it is.

Sweet
2 fuelling
Working my way through
morning rush hour traic I B662
have to remind myself I’m on
a Ducati V-twin as the fuelling Classy Ducati has Termis as standard
is impeccable, even at low rpm A605
the Café Racer is faultless with
no clattering or chatter at low
rpm. It’s a big step forward
from Ducatis of old.
2 13 Painful
parts
A45
13 The Café Racer’s single seat
unit (with brown leather
B660 inish) might look attractive
3 but comfortable it isn’t. The
full 250 miles on the Suzuki
is bearable, just, but the same
All bark,
3 no bite
can’t be said for the
Scrambler.
Don’t be fooled by the Café
Racer’s racy looks: it’s far more
labrador than greyhound.
Power is accessible low in the
NORTHAMPTON Rain
If it ain’t
rev range, while delivery is
punchy but smooth, there is
very little point revving the 12 12 stops play
A508 4 broke… 803cc V-twin hard as it quickly
runs out of puf.
Heavy rain hits and there’s
nowhere to hide. ABS is stan-
60 miles in and it’s obvious why dard on both bikes of course
Suzuki have used their SV platform; but there are no riding modes

5 A413 4
it’s simply brilliant. The SV has always
been a huge success for Suzuki,
and dropping its bars simply
A4280 or traction control on either
bike to lean on. Without
fairings we get fully wet and
highlights its sporting A422 feel briely like we’re on the
A5 capabilities. wrong bikes.
BEDFORD
B4525
Super A509
Sausage, A5
One of two café stops on Unlike Ducati’s other
the route, it’s a great spot
to stretch the legs and
Scramblers the Café Racer
take a breather. has dedicated road rubber
MILTON KEYNES

A421
11
BUCKINGHAM

Big riding
11 spirit
A spirited blast on the
these great roads high-
lights the pure joy of both
bikes. Both have light
steering and delightful
lickabilty. The lightness
of the Ducati means
stability can become an
issue at high speeds,
though, especially as the
Backroads, sunshine, café racers. Life is good right now SV is as solid as a rock.

www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 27

UK’S TOUGHEST TEST
I OWN AN SV650
‘…but I’m not
sure about
the clip-ons’ 250
Leander Noronha
Age 27 Height 5ft 6in
Current bike Suzuki
SV650 (2018)
Been riding for 12
years
First bike TVS Scooty
Dream bike A custom BMW R nineT
I mainly use my Suzuki for fun but
sometimes use it to commute to
work. For me it’s a perfect blend
between old and new. The simplicity
of the looks is the biggest selling
point, it’s not in your face like the
rest of the competitors and you
know it’s going to age well. I was
FUEL
contemplating the SV650X, but it FACTS ‘Checking out
was a bit taller than the regular one Which goes furthest
and that was one of the factors in on a single tank?
my decision. I like the way the bike
looks, love the headlight covers and
SUZUKI
14.5 litres / 183 miles
my reflection I
the retro seat on the bike. I am not
a big fan of the clip-on handlebars,
but that could be just because I
can forgive the
57MPG
have never really had the chance to
get used to them. I love how the old
motorcycles look, but never fancied
E F Ducati’s niggles’
their lack of creature comforts,
DUCATI
that’s where the retro motorcycle 13.5 litres / 174 miles
scene fits in perfectly.

58MPG
E F

As I remove my lid at a coffee stop Brembo monobloc radial caliper and

SV650 owner Leander just wasn’t won
over by the SV650X’s retro charms
Into Stratford-upon-Avon and
the Suzuki continues to shine.
The controls are light, fuelling is
perfect and it turns more tightly
than the Ducati. Nip down the
inside of traffic, gas it at the lights,
bounce over speed humps; the
Suzuki can take it all in its stride. It
out-manoeuvres other road users
with comical simplicity, the only
drawbacks being those bars, which
stress your wrists and arms now
we’re in town, and a seat that gets to
you after a couple of hours.
I can’t think of a more enjoyable
bike to ride for £6000. Then I
take in its looks and half-hearted
conversion to a retro and my love for
the 650X cools. There’s no hiding
the fact it’s a low budget SV with
some parts thrown at it.
With both bikes parked up
next to the river Avon, there’s no
denying the Ducati’s appeal. It’s
not just the exotic Italian brand
but the whole package that gets to
you. My gaze lands on the a racy
Brembo master cylinder, the ‘Born
free’ legend engraved into the filler
cap, wheels that look like they’ve
been stolen from a race bike and
Termi’ exhausts that, yes, come as
standard. Owners will smile every
time they open the garage door.
When I hop on board it initially
feels smaller, lighter and more
nimble than the Suzuki. The clocks,
set to the right of centre, are more
appealing and the switchgear gives
a higher grade of finish. But, as we
‘I can’t think of a
more enjoyable
bike to ride for
£6000’
pull away, I notice that the clutch
is grabby, the front brake lever is
too short and so one-finger only,
and the mirrors are filled by my
knuckles. It’s worth noting that

GET YOUR CLOCKS OUT

The SV’s large digital FUNCTIONALITY
display is easy to read.
There is a gear indicator,
SUZUKI
Ducati clocks
while important information
such as fuel economy and
range are displayed at the Suzuki clocks
bottom, but it’s missing
ambient temperature.
The Ducati also features Ducati switches
a full digital display, but
fashionably positioned to the Suzuki switches
right of the ignition barrel.
Although pleasing on the SUZUKI SWITCHGEAR
eye, the simple clocks miss Easy-to-use and straight forward but Ducati mirrors
a fuel range/gauge and more nothing is handlebar mounted, which
importantly for new riders a forces you to ride one-handed in
Suzuki mirrors
gear position indicator. order to change the display

28 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com

 The Ducati is way out
front on looks but it’s
far from cheap
other Scramblers we’ve ridden
haven’t had grabby clutches.
Checking out my reflection in
every shop window I can for now
forgive the Ducati’s niggles, and it
gets even better as we hit the open
road where the fuelling is perfect
and there’s usable, punchy power
from virtually no rpm.
But, as we head towards
Cirencester, another niggle rises
to the surface. The seat might look
attractive but it’s raked forward so
I’m constantly sliding down and
DUCATI
THE GOLDEN MOMENT
The endless roundabouts of
Milton Keynes proved to be the
natural habitat for both bikes,
and neither co-tester Bruce nor
I needed an excuse to have fun.
The SV was the first to start
dragging its pegs, with its stiletto
like hero-blobs touching down
with ease. Worryingly, the Ducati
decked out its solid mounted
exhaust first – thanks for the lack
of warning, Ducati.
The Duke is by far the lightest,
turns with ease and flicks from
roundabout to roundabout
effortlessly. The SV is slightly
heavier but due in part to a
narrower 160-section rear tyre,
11
MK roundabouts
Light and flickable,
both bikes are
ridiculous fun
through here.
A413
A5
B4525
BUCKINGHAM
sitting in a gap between the seat and
tank. All my weight is on my coccyx,
not my well-cushioned arse.
After the Cotswold Diner on the
A436 my pain evaporates as the Café
Racer gets into a sporty rhythm. On
twisty roads like this it is poised,
light and flickable, and reminiscent
of an old 250 two-stroke in the way
it sits me head down, arse up. I love
its easy manners and light steering,
while that single Brembo disc brake
slows the V-twin with incredible
accuracy and ease.
compared to the 180 on the
Ducati, it’s just as at home laying
on its side and scraping its pegs.
The twin disc set up on the
SV isn’t a match for the Brembo
single disc radial stopper on
the featherlight Ducati. You can
brake super-late on the Ducati,
it’s just a shame the lever is a
fraction short and stability is an
issue in extreme situations.
As we danced from roundabout
to roundabout, both bikes proved
to be hugely rewarding without
threatening to break the national
speed limit. Not many machines
can offer the same enjoyment at
legal speeds. Yes it’s a bitsa but
the SV works well
membership to the exclusive
NORTHAMPTON
Ducati club, and it will make you
smile every time you open the
A508 garage door. But it’s not over
£3000 better than the Suzuki
VERDICT SV650X. The Suzuki might not be
as inspiring but does everything
ADAM CHILD SENIOR ROAD TESTER the Ducati can do – considerably
Ducati’s Scrambler Café Racer cheaper. What’s more, it’s
is in many ways the better bike. arguably more fun; the liquid-
A5 9 It’s lighter than the Suzuki, more cooled V-twin loves to rev harder
nimble, and has better brakes. than the air-cooled Ducati and its
The seat is actually lower and more comfortable, too. You might
it’s user-friendly. It’s certainly want the Ducati more, but it’s not
the most desirable, you get nearly 50% better than the Suzuki.
MILTON KEYNES
A421
£6199 £9650
SUZUKI DUCATI SCRAMBLER
SV650X CAFÉ RACER
At moments like this it is easy
to fall for the Ducati, but there are
others, like when I realise there is
no fuel gauge, when it disappoints. 75 45 72 49
Yes, it looks stunning but it’s not as bhp ftlb bhp ftlb
comfortable as the not-especially-
comfy SV and, lest we forget,
costs close to £10,000. Tomorrow Power Torque Power Torque
@ 8500rpm @ 8100rpm @ 8250rpm @ 5700rpm
morning I’ll open my garage door
and be seduced by the Café Racer
all over again, but out here on the Engine 645cc4vV-twin Engine 803cc 4v V-twin air-cooled
MCN250 there’s no hiding place and Frame Steeltrellis Frame Steel trellis
I’m counting the miles until I can Suspension 41mmforks,preload- Suspension 41mm forks, non-
swap back to the SV650X. adjustable.Singlerear adjustable. Single rear
shock,preloadadjustable shock, preload adjustable
Frontbrake 2x290mmdisc,with Front brake 330mm disc with Brembo
twin-pistoncaliper four-piston radial caliper
Rearbrake 240mmdiscwithsingle- Rear brake 245mm disc with single-
pistoncaliper piston caliper
Kerbweight 198kg
Tank 14.5 litres
Kerb weight 188 kg
Tank 13.5 litres
Seatheight 790mm Seat height 810mm
£56.44
PCP per month x37
£79
PCP per month x37
DUCATI SWITCHGEAR
Sophisticated switchgear gives ta
quality feel; digital clock info can be
RATINGS+ POOR ++AVERAGE +++GOOD
changed on the fly. The ‘jetfighter’ ++++VERY GOOD +++++EXCEPTIONAL
starter button is a nice touch
www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 29
ENGINEERING
Over 50% of Renthal’s
products head to
America and exports to
60 other countries
BESTOF
BRITISH Engineering excellence celebrated
RENTHALENGINEERII
A driving force of British engineering that has taken on the world – and won!
R
enthal is a British success
story that started in a shed
Renthal make over and became a world-leader
900 different rear in its field. And despite
sprocket fitments their huge success one of
the founders still owns it and it’s in
the same place it has always been.
Formed in 1969 by Andrew
Renshaw and Henry Rosenthal, with
their combined surnames creating
the company’s name, it was Henry’s
passion for off-road riding that led to
them spotting a gap in the market.
“I was falling off my 500 Matchless
MX bike a lot, bending the steel
handlebars,” remembers Henry
Rosenthal. “So I designed some
30 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com
lightweight aluminium alloy bars
using ex WD Spitfire Airframe
material that resulted in a bar
which was stronger and lighter.
Renthal was a hobby business that
took off and evolved into what it is
today.” And nowadays Renthal has
a £12-million turnover and employs
90 staff who manufacture and send
its products to 60 countries. And the
vast majority are designed and built
in Renthal’s Stockport factory.
An old-school facility consisting
of three buildings, within Renthal’s
walls is a wonderful blend of new
and old technology. Cutting-edge
CNC machines work side-by-side
with huge post-war machines. And
surrounding this is the smell, heat
and sound produced by hands-on
engineering. But Renthal is not stuck
in the past – it’s at the forefront with
race success core to its philosophy.
To date, riders using Renthal have
taken 198 world championships
across motocross, trials, enduro and
World Superbikes, and the firm has
achieved 205 US titles. Kawasaki,
Honda and Suzuki all use Renthal
as original equipment. And what
Renthal’s sponsored teams use is
exactly the product you can buy.
“When the fire destroyed our
factory in 2000 we had no product,
 RENTHAL’S
MILESTONES
THE INSIDE STORY

Rees Williams is the

Commercial Director
at Renthal, driving the In 1969, Andrew Renshaw
business ever-forward (left) and Henry Rosenthal
formed Renthal, producing
aluminium handlebars for
trials bikes. In 1975 it was
motocross bars, sprockets
in ’79 and US exports in ’84. From sheet metal a sprocket is born
How it all started,
making lightweight
aluminium bars
They entered the mountain
bike market in 2010, too.
1 A plasma cutter makes 60 ‘blanks’ from a sheet of 6mm 7075
T651 once every 30-seconds. Steel front sprockets last as long
as alloy rears as the smaller front turns twice as many times as the rear.

WORLD CHAMP

In 1975 Martin Lampkin

won the World Trials
Championship using Renthal
bars – the firm’s first world
title. Renthal has taken 198
world championships on
and off-road including WSB
where the current Kawasaki
WSB team runs Renthal.
Cutting its teeth
2 A Sunderland Gear
Planer cuts teeth in two
stacks of 16 blanks. Renthal own
ive of the six machines ever built.
Lightening
3 Fixing and lightening
holes, the centre bore
and groove that stops dirt catching
in the sprocket are then cut.

ASHES TO ASHES
Old know how and
modern tech

INGbut we were sponsoring Ricky

Fire gutted the factory in
2000, destroying most of the
equipment as well as a lot of
stock. It took the firm a year
to rebuild and re-open a new
factory on the same site as
the original one.

INTO THE FUTURE

4
Let’s get ready to rumble
A ‘rumbler’ vibrates the inished sprocket in an abrasive
medium to remove any burrs and create a smooth inish as
anodising will highlight any imperfections in the sprocket’s surface.

Carmichael in America,” explains

Henry Rosenthal. “We went around
our dealers buying Ricky Carmichael
bars to give to Ricky to race with as
we didn’t have any ourselves!”
Renthal build their handlebars,
sprockets, levers and clip-ons in
the UK using European-sourced
metal due to its quality. A few items
are outsourced, but 90% of their
products are created in Stockport
and always will be. “Money
shouldn’t be the goal - you should
make what you’re proud of. That’s
why we’ll always make Renthal in
the UK,” says Henry Rosenthal.
NEXT TIME IT’S...
Evotech Performance
The Lincolnshire-based
aftermarket parts business that
insists on superb quality parts.
Andrew Renshaw and
Henry Rosenthal sold out
to Motorsport Aftermarket Anodise this Packed up
Group (MAG) in 2006. Sadly
Andrew died in 2013, but in
5 An external company
anodises the sprockets.
6 The irm makes 300,000
front and rear sprockets
2018 Henry bought the firm Road sprockets have a hard-inish, and 200,000 handlebars a year.
back with Renshaw’s widow, of-road bikes a cosmetic inish. 90% are exported to 60 countries.
making it truly British again.

www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 31

FIRST RIDE

WHAT’S NEW AND HAS IT WORKED?

SOFTAILGOES
HARDCORE
Harley’s latest, the FXDR, promises to be the most
performance-orientated Softail yet – but is it?

T
he drag strip-styled FXDR
is Harley’s 10th addition to
its new Softail family, the
first eight being launched
a year ago swiftly followed
by the Sport Glide this spring. A
‘performance cruiser’ with muscular
styling, uprated engine and chassis,
the FXDR is the most powerful Softail
yet, slots between the Fat Bob and
Breakout and is intended to hint at
future, more radical Hogs. But does it
deliver? We rode it at its world launch
in Greece to find out…
Styling: nice face, but…
1 Harley intended a
‘modern, muscular,
high tech, aggressive’ look for
the FXDR that would appeal to a
younger generation – and they’ve
delivered. There are shades of both
the old V-Rod and Destroyer drag
bike in its lines (in fact H-D briefly
considered reviving the Destroyer
name for the FXDR) and there’s also
something of a stealthy, bad boy,
movie machine about it (even though
more traditional Harley buyers have
already commented that it looks a
bit ‘plasticky’. Fenders are skimpy,
wheels have neat rim branding,
the cowling and headlight are
compact and menacing and all the
surfaces, both plastic and metal, are
touchably-tactile. Job done.

It’s the
2 fastest
It’s the quickest Softail but not
by much or as dramatically as
hoped. Inlet tweaks and a new 2:1
exhaust help boost this bigger,
114ci version of the ‘Milwaukee
Eight’ from 85bhp to 91. But,
to be honest, I couldn’t tell the
difference. So, though decent
and delivering familiar Harley
rumbling and lumbering, on this
evidence it’s not really deserving
of the performance ‘R’ tag. It’s
no V-Rod, certainly no 150bhp+
V-MAX or Diavel, and if you want
the true ‘stop light to stop light
acceleration’ Harley promised,
you’d best go and buy a Stage
2 or 3 tune (which, considering
the hefty base price, is a little
disappointing). It’s kinda
3 expensive
Starting at £19,855 (colour versions
are £350 more), the FXDR is the most
expensive Softail, so it’d be reasonable
to expect to get a few posh bits.
There aren’t many. True, there are
the uprated engine, twin discs, fancy
wheels and USD forks, but the better-
handling Fat Bob gets most of those
for around £5K less. What’s more,
the clocks are basic (just a small,
switchable LCD panel with a strip of
That new exhaust boots power idiots) and there’s not even a pillion.

32 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com


Harley’s brave
new world
Motorcycles for a younger generation are
a major part of Harley’s bold new strategy
and, with the radical, all-new Pan America
adventure bike and Streetfighter naked
(above) in the pipeline, the more youth-
styled and aggressive FXDR is H-D’s first
production ‘big twin’ to move in that
direction. Whatever next?
Riding
4 pains
The factory says the riding
position is ‘aggressive yet
reasonable’ and should remind
of the V-Rod (although it’s not
intended as a replacement for it).
I say it reminded me to make an
appointment at an osteopath –
it’s that extreme. The first reach
forward to the straight clip-ons is
a shock four or five inches further
than expected.
Then, when you loft your legs
onto the pegs the extremeness
is complete. Worse: the huge
airfilter forces your right knee
outwards into a slightly awkward,
asymmetrical riding position. Yes,
you adjust to it and comfort is
passable. But dial in bumps and
twists and your back, backside
and wrists complain. A lot.
VERDICT
PHIL WEST MCN ROAD TESTER
On face value the new FXDR
succeeds: it is the most
powerful Softail yet and is
strikingly stylish. But, with
just 5bhp extra, a £5K higher
price and too many easy
criticisms, I don’t think that’s
enough. That ‘R’ performance
thing doesn’t really convince
– plenty of power cruisers
are far more potent. Its
ergonomics are too extreme
and spoil the ride; the drag
looks compromise handling to
the extent that H-D’s own Fat
Bob is far more nimble, and its
inflated price isn’t justifiable,
especially when you don’t
even get a pillion perch.

Tech spec

91 118
bhp ftlb

Power @ 4500rpm Torque @ 3500rpm

289 16.7
kg (dry) Litres
It’s a case of right knee akimbo
Weight 162+ mile range

Front Suspension
Showa non-adjustable
43mm inverted forks
Handling’s not as
5 sharp as billed
Rear Suspension
Showa rear shock, remote
preload adjust

Harley also shouted steering unnervingly slow and

about the FXDR’s 43%
lighter alloy swingarm,
lighter wheels (including
rear solid disc deliberately
reminiscent of the V-Rod) and the
best lean angles of any Softail.
But this is no sharp sportster:
the drag bike kicked-out forks and
comedy 240-section rear tyre make
laboured; that rake compromises the
upside-down forks and twin discs
while bumps uncomfortably jar the
bike’s – and your – rear end. Yes, once
acclimatised and confident the FXDR
will carve a curve but it’s nowhere
near as nimble as Harley-Davidson’s Engine 1868cc 4v V-twin
own, 114-powered Fat Bob while a
Diavel will destroy it.
720
mm 300
mm

Front brakes
Twin discs with
Seat height 4-piston calipers

O ‘It’s the most What it costs

powerful yet and £19,050

On the road cash price

strikingly stylish’
Remember when you thought 180-section tyres were fat? This thing’s a 240!
£271.30
PCP per month x37
£495.00
HP per month x37

www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 33

INSIDE STORY

From racing between

houses in Ostrava to
super-fast action at
Enniskillen, there’s a
wild world out there

34 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com

ROAD RACING INVESTIGATION
‘IT’S LIKE GOING
BACK 40
YEARS’
In this toughest of years, how healthy is road racing’s grass roots?
By Stephen Davison
I
MCN ROAD RACING CORRESPONDENT
t’s been a tough and
sometimes tragic 12 months
for road racing. There is
no getting away from the
fact that the death toll has
been high – since the Macau
Grand Prix last year, we’ve
lost a host of riders in races all over
the world.
But it’s not just racers that have
been in danger too – at last year’s
Scarborough Gold Cup spectators
were injured when bikes went
into the crowd on two separate
occasions. Bikes haven’t raced
at Scarborough since and the
2018 Gold Cup meeting that was
supposed to happen this weekend
has been cancelled leaving the
circuit with a cloudy future.
But how big is road racing’s crisis?
One of road racing’s longest serving
photographers, Stephen Davison,
travelled to three lesser known road
races to unearth the challenges that
are shared between big and small.
When bike fans think of road
racing, the Isle of Man TT is usually
the first race that comes to mind.
Supertwins battle it out between the trees at this year’s Aberdare meeting
The Manx races are the most famous
between-the-hedges event in the
world, but there are many more
closed public roads meetings
scattered around the globe and this
summer I paid a visit to three new
road racing events.
The first was a new Irish race, the
Enniskillen 100, which was making
its debut on the Irish National
championship calendar in July. A
week later I travelled to the Czech
Republic for the tenth anniversary
celebrations of the Frantisek
Bartose Memorial races in Ostrava.
Then in August I made the trip to
Wales to see the Aberdare Park
race meeting.
Immersing yourself in these
down-to-earth events can feel as if
you’ve turned the clock back 30 or
40 years to a time when a lot of bike
www.motorcyclenews.com
racing still took place on public road
circuits.
It has been 66 years since a road
race, also called the Enniskillen
100, was last run in Co. Fermanagh.
This year’s new circuit was a three-
mile triangle of country roads
that included plenty of variation.
Bumpy, narrow lanes, where
overtaking was almost impossible,
gave way to a superfast stretch of
smooth, asphalted highway.
Aberdare’s races take place on a
track running through the small
Welsh town’s public park, where
the scent of roses mixes with two-
stroke fumes as the bikes blitz past
the duck pond on their way around
the tight 0.9-mile track. Factory
chimneys belching another kind
PICTURES STEPHEN DAVISON/PACEMAKER PRESS INTL
of fumes formed the backdrop to
the Ostrava races in the eastern
corner of the Czech Republic. The
2.1-mile circuit makes its way past
pubs and cottages on the edge of the
former communist country’s most
industrialised city.
Racing out of obscurity
With little start or prize money on
offer, none of these events attract
any of road racing’s superstars. I
Continued over
September 19 2018 | 35
INSIDE STORY

O ‘Riders face the

challenge of the world’s
most dangerous sport’
had never heard of any of the Czech,
Polish or Slovenian racers who took
part at Ostrava, but with local beer
costing just 20p per pint there was
plenty of noisy encouragement from
the hordes of flag waving spectators.
The Welsh and Czech races
charged admission for the privilege,
with Aberdare asking £14 for
entry per person plus £3 for a race
programme. Road closing orders
in Northern Ireland prohibit
race organisers from levying
such charges. Spectators were
encouraged to buy a programme
instead, at a steep £15, but there
didn’t appear to be many takers.
The Irish club says it hopes to
run again in 2019 but the future of
these small events, run by a band of
enthusiastic and unpaid volunteers,
remains precarious. In a hand-to-
mouth existence that involves a
constant battle to balance rising
costs against uncertain incomes, a
single day of lousy weather can spell
instant disaster.
London policeman Alex Smith
used to race at Aberdare but he now
returns to his home village each
August to help his father, Derek, run
the event. Race sponsors augment
the Welsh event’s admission charges
with all the profits being ploughed
back into the races.
Alex explained: “We get a lot of
support from the local council but
no finance, which means the races
sections of those who run the sport.
The Czech organisers said they
needed a big crowd to encourage
the city government to maintain
its level of funding of the races.
The sunshine helped deliver the
required result.
Public funding also underpinned
the Enniskillen races. The local
authority pumped in money to get
the races off the ground in the hope
of boosting local tourism.
The costs of organising the races
are high. Over 700 pieces of Recticel
protection line the fences, telegraph
poles and stone walls around the
Enniskillen course. One section of
track is considered so dangerous a
tunnel of huge bales were strung out
on either side of the narrow road for
hundreds of yards.
Safety provisions at Aberdare and
Ostrava are more rudimentary. It’s
disturbing to see parcel tape being
used to attach straw bales to a statue
that stood in the line of fire at the
entrance to the Welsh park. More
bales were deployed around the
bases of dozens of huge trees. Old
tyres, painted red and white, plus
bags of plastic bottles were tied to
trees and signs around Ostrava’s
2.1-miles. It seemed ironic that
Enniskillen, the only meeting of the
three that didn’t have an admission
charge, had obviously spent so
much more money than the other
clubs on protective measures.
A close and vital relationship
exists between the smaller road
races like Enniskillen and the
sport’s major events at the TT
and North West 200. Many TT
winners have had their first taste
of between-the-hedges racing on
little byways like the Fermanagh
lanes. Peter Hickman might have
been plucked from the BSB series to
TT glory, but Michael Dunlop served
his road racing apprenticeship on
circuits very similar to Enniskillen.
New Mountain Course recruits
have been thin on the ground in
recent seasons and now racing
has disappeared at Scarborough
with the cancellation of all the
2018 meetings. Guy Martin, Dean
Harrison, Ivan Lintin and the
late James Cowton all learned
their trade at Oliver’s Mount and
the permanent loss of England’s
only road race venue will have a
significant impact.
After a year when we have
suffered a string of tragedies
involving some of the sport’s biggest
names and rising stars, that effect
could cut even deeper.
For those who continue to race the
roads, these problems are usually
seen as issues for others to debate.
They face the more immediate
challenge of staying safe in the
world’s most dangerous sport.

ROAD RACING: A TRIP BACK IN TIME

have to be a commercial operation.”
After a wash-out in 2017 the club
had struggled to meet its costs, but
Alex was delighted with the large
gate this year, almost certainly
benefitting from the cancellation of
racing at Scarborough.
Keeping racing alive
“Each year might be the last,” sighs
Milan Kubin, a photographer and
journalist who also helps promote
road racing in the Czech Republic,
had told me ominously before the
races got underway.
That kind of doom and gloom
seems to hang over so much of
road racing. Perhaps the calls for
the sport to be banned that often
come after tragedies has fostered
this fearful outlook and led to what
feels like a siege mentality among
But minimal protection is not
confined to Aberdare or Ostrava.
Recticel is deployed only sparingly
around the TT’s 37.73 mile mountain
circuit and is non-existent on
Macau’s ludicrously dangerous
Armco-lined track.
Feeling the pressure
Likewise, the North West 200 and
Ulster Grand Prix, Ireland’s leading
international events, face relentless
financial pressure and have both
been brought to their knees recently
by bad weather that forced the
abandonment of racing. Insurance
costs continuously spiral upwards
and in Northern Ireland even more
pressure is set to be heaped on
race bosses if proposals to bill race
organisers for the costs of policing
are introduced.
• OSTRAVA
Czech city race meeting
The industrial city is 230 miles east
of Prague, close to the Polish border.
The annual road races take place in
July and are named after local hero,
Frantisek Bartose, a factory CZ rider
in the 1950s world championships.
There is a thriving road racing
scene in the former Eastern Bloc
country, with Horice and Terlicko
hosting rounds of the International
Road Racing championship. Two
Czech racers, Marek Cerevny and
Kamil Holan, are stars of the series
and have both competed at the TT.
www.czechroadracing.cz
•Welsh
ABERDARE
Parkland circuit
Races have been held on the
parkland circuit of the South Wales
town since the 1950s, which lies
less than half a mile from the town
centre. Aberdare was the venue
for the first ever live television
broadcast of bike racing in 1955.
Illustrious names from the
history of British bike racing such as
Mike Hailwood, John Surtees, Bob
McIntyre, Phil Read and John Cooper
all competed there, and Carl Fogarty
is a former lap record holder.
www.aberdare-park-
road-races.co.uk
• ENNISKILLEN 100
Ireland’s newest meeting
The Co Fermanagh race is the
newest addition to the smaller
Irish events that make up the Irish
National championship. They also
include Cookstown, Tandragee and
Armoy plus Skerries, Faugheen,
Walderstown and the East Coast
races (Killalane) in the Republic.
Situated near Arney, the races paid
tribute to the county’s best known
road racer, Richard Britton. Britton
died in a crash at Ballybunion in
2005. His sons rode some of his race
bikes in a tribute lap this year.
enniskillenroadraces.co.uk

36 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com

 You don’t see bales
A young Valentino and parcel tape in
Rossi fan watches the the MotoGP world
125s at the Enniskillen
100 road races

Grassroots paddocks Two beers and a

keep racing real sidecar mural as we
visit Ostrava

20p a pint and great

racing? Ostrava is
well worth a visit No matter what the race,
winning feels like everything

It’s hard to kick the

road racing habit

www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 37

 GREAT EXPERIENCES
RIDE THE BE
THE
BUCKET
LI
MOTORCYCLING
ST
MUST-DOS 
The organised group
means there’s zero
chance of having to
endure dull routes
S
ome of the world’s most
spectacular roads and
stunning views are
waiting just a short hop
away across the Channel.
Delve deep into the Alps
VANESSA RUCK – INSTAGRAM: @THEGIRLONABIKE
and you will soon lose count of how
many times you mutter ‘wow’ to
yourself as mountain passes, cyan
lakes, endless switchbacks,
aggressive climbs and plunging
descents unfurl before you. It’s an
addictive riding heaven of snow-
peaked mountains, raging
waterfalls, rolling highlands and
epic skyscapes.
Boarding the Channel Tunnel at
Folkestone and throttling across
38 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com
Europe’s best alpine passes strung together into
O ‘75 hair-raising
hairpins and the
views to match’
France, Belgium and tour with a firm hours (yup, that happened), they
Germany is hardly a
dull schlep, either.
such as Harley
specialist Tour1, as
know how to get you reunited with
the group. Or what if a landslide
O ‘Travelling
The route takes you
down the B500 (itself
an MCN Bucket List
we did, allowing you
to concentrate on the
ride of your life.
closes a pass? You can put your
feet up with a coffee while they’re
planning an equally impressive
on a bike gets
ride), and delivers
ribbons of tarmac
wrapped in endlessly
BY VANESSA RUCK
High-mileage Harley-
The guys recce
everything for you,
research the routes,
alternative route. The only variable
no-one can plan for is the weather,
but in the Alps that can change
you closer to
stunning scenery.
But when you’re
undertaking a
loving MCN blogger and
Instagram addict
test the hotels and
pick the roads,
restaurants and
between passes, let alone days,
meaning that the ever-changing
landscape comes with equally
every country’
2000-mile-plus road trip like coffee stops to make changeable microclimates.
this it’s easy to get stressed out. your 13-day ride perfect. They’ve In the UK you can get onto out. Go to the Alps and you can
Have I picked the best route? Will done the routes so many times a beautiful road littered with have this all day, every day. If you
the hotels be alright? Can I handle that they take the stress out of sweeping turns and breath-taking pick the right tour route you’re
the distances? You can bypass all contingency management, too. Say scenery, but before you’ve really going to be immersed in some
this though, and book a guided your Eurotunnel is delayed by four settled into the flow, the road runs technical and challenging riding,
EST OF THE ALPS
2000 miles of touring joy Take your swimmers FACT FILE
DON’T MISS…
and brave the icy waters

•Germany’s
The B500 through
Black Forest on the
to get used to it to ride the
fantastic St Gotthard Pass.
way down to the Alps.
• Taking a swim in a mountain
• The Steak House Braulio,
in Bormio. Providing you’re not
lake. It will burn like hell
because it’s so cold but it’s an
a vegetarian, it’s epic. unmissable experience.

• Cobblestone hairpins might

not sound appealing, but it’s a
• The Passo di Gavia; a single-
track pass that will scare and
rare treat, and you’ll have thrill in equal measure.

Distance 2160 miles

from Folkestone
Toptipsfortouringhappiness •£2225
2019 Prices start from
for rider sharing a room
• Research the tour, scroll social
media of previous trips, read into
•room
Single rider in his/her own
£2855
the details thoroughly and make
sure the route, schedule, and likely
•room
Rider and pillion sharing a
£3595
companions are your cup of tea. •crossing, include
Prices Eurotunnel
all accommodation
•every
Pack light! You don’t want to fill
inch of your panniers or be
(3 and 4 star), and some meals.
Harley-Davidson bike rental
strapping bags on every day. The can be arranged.
less clutter you carry, the happier
you’ll be, and the better your bike
will handle. Find out about likely companions Germany

•hotels
Pack your swimmers. Some
have pools but they can’t
compete with a dip in an ice-cold
turquoise mountain lake in the
shadow of the Dolomites.

• Do some loaded practice rides.

Riding 150-200 miles per day for 13
France
Switzerland
days on the trot soon adds up. Do a
few long weekend rides to get your
body used to spending a lot of time
n the saddle. ‘Can I put my luggage in your cart?’
Cobbled hairpins
are certain to get
the heart pumping

thudding Harley-Davidsons was Along with the incredible

too. Take the Stelvio Pass, the
third highest pass in the Alps. At
9045 feet, it offers 75 hair-raising
hairpins and views that will make
your stomach lurch. Or the Passo
di Gavia. It’s a single-track ascent
with oncoming cars, bikes and
bicycles, potholes galore, gravel,
rock slides and unpredictable
weather. For some it’s the ultimate
challenge, while for others it was
a risk too far, but no-one is forcing
you to tackle the climb. Then
there’s the historic St Gotthard Pass
in Switzerland. While it’s not a fast
road, it is both challenging and
breath-taking with its cobblestone
hairpin bends. Initially, I was
wobbling around like Bambi,
but after stringing just a few
switchbacks together it turned into
one of the highlights. But there are
many more passes that are just as
good without having achieved fame
or notoriety, and even the roads
that connect the passes are often
gorgeous valley sweepers that ebb
and flow through towns and lush
lowlands, providing a welcome
breather before the next ascent.
There’s confidence and safety
in numbers, too. Our gang of 15
pretty difficult for drivers to ignore,
and the range of experience and
skills in the group meant we had a
solution for every eventuality.
As you tick off passes, you’ll also
be racking up the countries. The
tour threads its way through nine
in total, and the transformation of
cultures as you cross each border
adds a subtly different flavour to
each leg of the trip. From gorgeous
Swiss mountain lodges, to chiming
cow bells and lederhosen in
Austria, and seemingly infinite
local beers to enjoy after a day’s
riding – travelling on a bike gets
you closer to every country.
engineering of the mountain roads
comes a refreshing exposure to the
opportunity for natural selection
to take control. High-altitude
passes with sheer drops, exposed
hairpins and the occasional throng
of Lycra-clad cyclists adding to the
challenges. It’s liberating riding
in a place where your safety isn’t
cocooned by the health and safety
police. It’s sensory overload, too,
as the potential for disaster spikes
your pulse with adrenaline while
your eyes struggle to drink in the
scenery. It’s a riding nirvana that
leaves you feeling like you’re living
on the edge. Quite literally.
BOOK AND GO
Tour1 are an official H-D tour
operator with trips in US, UK
and Europe. For more info
check out www.tour1.com
Our tour was ‘Altitude with
Attitude’, and is aimed at riding
mountain passes the best
bits of Switzerland, Italy and
Austria. That means legendary
passes such as the Stelvio and
Grossglockner Pass, plus 33
others! The tour includes your
route down to the Alps and
back again.

www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 39

LONG-TERM TESTS
KAWASAKI Z900RS CAFÉ 5321 MILES
‘Not just a pretty face’
5000+ miles proves the Café is more than just a styling exercise
Adam Child, Se
Road Tester
High mileage commuter,
road and track racer, dedi-
cated Yorkshire dweller
100 miles
Manufacturers often try to mimic
historic designs only to fall short.
But Kawasaki have hit the retro
nail squarely on the head with the
Z900RS Café. It’s a beautiful blend
of nostalgia and modernity while
the classic green livery gives the
Café some visual punch, combined
with that single headlight and 1970s
throwback nose cowl.
750 miles
There isn’t a huge amount wrong
with the standard Kawasaki
suspension. Up front the 41mm
adjustable units are fully adjustable
and the horizontal rear shock has
preload and rebound adjustment.
For 80% of riders 80% of the time,
it will be faultless. However, I fall
outside that window. I’m one of
the 20% who ride harder on the
road and venture out on occasional
trackday – which is why I turned to
K Tech for some improved control.
They completely transformed the
bike, with a new K Tech Razor R
rear shock and fork internals.
978 miles
My wife and I tag onto a 200-
mile charity ride around North
Yorkshire. It’s the first time I’ve
ridden it two-up. The new remote
rear preload makes adjustment
far easier and it now only takes
a few seconds to change it to
accommodate pillion or luggage.
1500 Miles
During TT race week the Isle of Man
can be a congested nightmare, but
the Zed slices through traffic with
ease. My race schedule was manic,
but I did manage an enjoyable,
9500 MILES
MEETTHEFLEET
O Thirteennewbikes
O Thousandsof
real-worldtestmiles
OWhatworks,what
doesn’tandwhatfails
OHowtogetthemost
outofyournewbike
40 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com
steady, jacket ’n’ jeans ride to Peel.
Despite all the superbikes, the Zed
always gained admiring glances.
2000 miles
After the TT, it was time to fit the
plethora of parts I’d ordered: full
Akrapovic, Evotech Performance
tail-tidy, bobbins and a genuine
Kawasaki grab rail. The new
exhaust saves weight (4kg), and
sounds fantastic.
2500 miles
Cadwell Park provides the ultimate
test for the K Tech suspension. I can
now easily switch between road
and track settings and increase
the ride height to improve ground
clearance, too.
The fork kit gives more support
and feel. I can brake later and
deeper up to the apex. The Zed
remains composed and stays
online, rather than wanting to sit
upright. Obviously, this isn’t a race
bike, but the K Tech suspension has
transformed it on track.
2700 miles
A blast down to Kent to race in the
inaugural Café Racer Cup proves
to be one of the highlights of the
year so far. The Zed took me to
overall victory and a lap record for
the class. We had to fit Pirelli SC2
trackday rubber as the competition
was pretty impressive. Also: ground
clearance became an issue, so much
so that the pegs are now more than a
few millimetres shorter...
4500 miles
3500 miles With magnetic tank bag safely
Aside from acquitting itself well secured to the large metal fuel tank
as a race bike the Zed is a more plus additional luggage bungeed
than happy on my long, 90mile onto the rear via the standard hook
(each way) commute to work. It’s mounts and grab rail – the Zed
averaging over 50mpg, too, even turns out to be a surprising tourer
when ridden hard, with the fuel as we pile on the miles and surge
light coming on at around 130- through 5000. Far from just being
140 miles from full. The seat isn’t a faux retro with a pretty face and
perfect, but it’s bearable for nearly no personality, it’s proving to be a
two hours in the saddle. remarkably complete package. Trackday tested new suspension RS was a winner in the Café Racer Cup
5396MILES 2667MILES 1843MILES
Suzuki Ducati Yamaha BMW Honda
SV650X Scrambler1100 MT-09SP F850GS CB1000R+
 The Austrian twin
benefits from a
Café version of little cossetting
RS has delivered
more than looks

Kawasaki Z900RS Café

Engine 948cc 16v inline four

109 73
bhp ftlb

Power Torque
@8500rpm @6500rpm

216
kg (kerb)
17 KTM 790 DUKE 3196 MILES
Litres
Mass

Front
suspension
Fully
adjustable
194miles / 52mpg

Front brakes
‘Livingthe good life’
41mm USD 300
mm
Everyride’sajoyontheKTM,butbasicmaintenanceisvital
is that finicky chain maintenance Parts Akrapovic Slip-On Line
Tim Thompson
O ‘It’s proving to 2x300mm front discs
with four-piston radial
Head of Conten
Fast road and trackday rider
is a critical. The factory-specified
chain slack is an unusually precise
2mm to 5mm, which seems tight
end can (£751.68), which I bolted
on in just 10 minutes (two bolts).
It’s a beautiful titanium-and-
monobloc calipers

be a remarkably
with a love of sportsbikes
as well as a bit fussy, but when carbon thing, obviously, that adds
Rear
suspension
the chain’s outside that limit the lightness and some welcome bass
Rear brakes
Single shock ‘Ohmygod that was such a laugh.’ 790’s low-speed drive – always on the power and gurgle on the

complete package’ preload and

rebound adj.
250
This is me entering the room after
another ride on the KTM 790 Duke.
mm Eyes roll as phones that haven’t
rung for days are suddenly taking
820 ‘important calls’ and being jammed
mm
250mm disc with against ears – whatever it takes to
Seat height single-piston caliper avoid becoming the next casualty
in my arm-waving, summer-long
eulogy to the parallel twin’s joyful,
What it costs daily brilliance.
Word is certainly spreading
about the 790 Duke: how one
borderline snatchy when the 790’s
chugging through traffic – becomes
overrun. No re-mapping is required
and the throttle’s abrupt off-to-on
unpleasantly jerky. A fractionally fuelling seems also to have been
loose chain also generates an rounded off a little. Every ride is
annoying squeaky-rattle as it rubs now just that little bit better.
on the swingarm guard, perhaps as
a reminder to lazy gits like me that
it’s time to get the spanners out.
In no particular order I’ve also
noticed that: the 790 is using no
engine oil; that stones and grit
collect in the swingarm’s upper

£10,349 the plainest and on paper least

Bolt-ons include pipe and grab rail
inspiring KTMs of the modern era
On-the-road price has re-invented the art of arsing
about on motorcycles; how every
roundabout, city centre, B-road,
£98.21
PCP per month x 36
£251.31
HP finance x 36
even racetrack seems miraculously
to be made for it.
Behind the scenes, back in the
PREVIOUSUPDATEAUG1 garage, the story is less dramatic.
My bike has covered 3200 miles
and the biggest lesson I’ve learnt
corners, scratching the paint;
that it averages 68mpg on the road
– which is superb for a bike that KTM790Duke
works its engine so hard – and
34mpg on trackday, which is no less
impressive. It’s also surprisingly
easy on tyres: a pair of naughty
£8499
Metzeler Racetec RR K3s are still On-the-road price
holding their profile after 2000
miles on road and 350 on track. PREVIOUSUPDATEAUG8
KTM supplied for test a Power

697MILES 6379MILES 8109 MILES

NEXTWEEK

Triumph Zero HondaAfricaTwin Kawasaki Yamaha Ducati

Tiger 1200 XCA DSR AdventureSports NinjaH2SXSE Tracer 900GT PanigaleV4 S

www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 41

ROUTES

ONE-GALLON GRAMPIAN TRANSPORT MUSEUM

CHALLENGE
Your brilliant 60-minute blasts

‘This 65-mile
route has a bit
of everything’ BANCHORY

MCN reader Colin Whitelaw loves this

mixed bag of roads and a quick gander
at Guy Martin’s personal bikes

C
olin Whitelaw couldn’t
wait for the kids to go back
to school so that the roads
around Aberdeen quietened
down a bit.
The R1200GS-rider has worked out
a wonderful route that takes in the
Grampian Transport Museum.
He said: “Guy Martin kindly keeps
some of his stuff there and it’s always
worth a look.
“The roads are brilliant around there
and you can hoon it a bit on the A-roads
and then have a bit of a scratch on the
B-roads. The last 15 miles along the
banks of the Dee are bloody lovely.
“There are loads of places in
Aberdeen that serve up a top breakfast
at the start of the ride and/or a filling
lunch at the end.
“This route has got it all.”
FACTFILE
Aberdeen loop, 65 miles
Leave Aberdeen west on the
A944. Stop at Loch Skene
for stunning views. Then
follow the 944 all the way
to the Grampian Transport
Museum. Leave the museum
on Old Military Road. As it
turns south, pick up the A980
and turn let at the Bridge of
Dee. Take the A93 and and TAKE OUR ONE-
follow the winding River Dee.
At Crathes, take the A957 GALLON CHALLENGE
and cross the river. Turn let Tell us about your
onto the B9077 and follow favourite one-
the river as it winds back to gallon
Aberdeen. riding route at
www.bit.ly/MCNR5K
so that others can
benefit from your
tarmac sniffing
skills. The
routes should
range from 35 to 65
miles, and don’t forget
to mention cafés, speed
cameras and petrol
stations.

KEY
Look out for these when
riding a route shown here
You’ll struggle
to find finer
landscapes Speed Biker Tea Petrol Picture
camera café stop station stop

42 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com

 MORE AMAZING
SHORT ROUTES
Ray White
The Three Ss – 77 miles
Start at Settle (Ye Olde Naked Man) and head south
ABERDEEN on the A55 to Skipton (Route 59 Cafe). Then take the
A59 to Blubberhouses. Past Fewston Reservoir, turn
right onto the B6451. Turn left at Bland Hill and take
the A51 to Collingham, then the A659 to Tadcaster.
Pick up the A162 and head to Squires Café.

‘My favourite
SETTLE part of the ride’
SKIPTON

THE
ROUTE
O Three top cafés
O Mix of roads SHERBURN-IN- ELMET
O Fast blast

Steve Greesham
Poole Loop – 77 miles
Head north on the A350. Take the B3074 then the
B3078. Turn left onto the B3081. Turn right onto the
B354. At Salisbury, pick up the A36 east. Take the
THE B3079 to Cadnam, then take the A31 to Ringwood.
ROUTE Turn left onto the A338 to, then the B3068 to Poole.
O A Dee-light
O Amazing museum
CUT OUT AN D KEEP

O City start/finish SALISBURY

GRAMPIAN TRANSPORT MUSEUM
‘My favourite
part of the ride’


THE RINGWOOD
© Crown copyright 2016 Ordnance Survey. Media 026/18

ABERDEEN ROUTE
O Seaside section
O Brilliant bends
ORural views

BOURNEMOUTH
POOLE

‘My favourite
BANCHORY part of the ride’ GET INVOLVED AND
RIDE MORE IN 2018
SIGN UP NOW Powered by
@ letters@motorcyclenews.com

www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 43

ROUTES

GRE TO OUTES Dream bikes will be

out in force at the
last Poole meeting

GREA VENTS
Make this week’s events your reason to ride

POOLE DREAM MACHINES, POOLE QUAY, POOLE SEPTEMBER 25

‘GetdownbythePoole side’
It’s the final meet of the year at Poole Quay, so it’s likely
to be a wheel-kicking, tank-licking, dream with huge
numbers of bikes on display. LYNDHURST
The Route Head for Bournemouth on the A338. At
the roundabout turn right on the A35. Go through THE
Christchurch and on to Hinton before turning right ROUTE
onto the B3055. Enter the New Forest (watch for the
ponies!) and at Brockenhurst turn right onto the A337 O Quay Ring

CUT OUT A ND KE E P
to Lyndhurst and left at Clay Hill and follow the A35. O 55 miles Favourite part
After three miles, fork right onto Lyndhurst Road
before heading south to Bransgrove. Follow Derritt O 2 hrs of the route
Lane to Sopley, then right onto the B3347 then left to
Hurn. At cross roads go over to Longham then left at
the twin roundabouts onto the A3049 back to Poole.


Info www.pooletourism.com Entry £1

© Crown copyright 2016 Ordnance Survey. Media 026/18

CHRISTCHURCH
BOURNEMOUTH
POOLE

44 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com

 RIDE TO SAVE LIVES, NEWARK SHOWGROUND, NEWARK SEPTEMBER 23

‘Enjoy a scenic ride and help save lives’

This Sunday it’s the third annual Ride to Save
Lives ride-out. Enjoy a scenic route and raise
funds for the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance.
The route Head north on the A1133. At the A57 RETFORD
junction turn left towards Dunham. At The White
Horse pub, fork right and at the T-junction turn
right towards Laneham. Go through Stokeham
and at a sweeping bend turn left to Treswell. A
quick left-right and aim for South Leverton; keep
the church on your right and at the next left turn
towards Retford. On the outskirts, turn left onto
the A638 then right onto the B6387 and over the
A1, before back to Newark on the A616.
Info www.ambucopter.org.uk/event/rtsl
Entry £12.50 per bike
NEW OLLERTON
£12.50
PER
BIKE

THE
ROUTE
O Life saver
23 SE
PT
O 50 miles
SIGN
EMAI UP TODA
L RID Y
IT’S T
TO H IME
SAVEELP US
LIVES
O 1.5 hrs
E@AM VISIT AM
2018 BUCOP BUC
STARTCHARITY
ING A M TER.O OPTER.O
T NEW OTORCY RG.U RG.U
ARK S C K K
NEWARK ON TRENT
Regis
tered HO LE RID WGRO E
UND OUT
Charity
Numb
er 1017
501

Ride out raises cash for Air Ambulance service

THERE’S SOMEONE WHO
MCN ALLY PALLY SHOW, ALEXANDRA PALACE, LONDON SEPTEMBER 22-23 ALSO NEEDS THEIR FIX
OF ADRENALINE
‘Ride to the world’s only indoor sprint’ We understand the thrill that only two wheels can
bring. That’s why our specialist insurance comes with
All roads lead to the first ever MCN Ally Pally 16 common modifications as standard and includes
Show & Supersprint, which features an indoor
exclusive Bennetts BSB rewards like pillion laps with riders,
motorcycle sprint and celebrity race-offs.
The Route Start at the H Café, on the A4074 THE hospitality tickets, grid walks and the chance to present
near Berinsfield. Near Reading, turn left on the ROUTE the winning rider with their trophy on the podium.
A4155 at Caversham and keep the river to your
right passing through Henley-on Thames. The
OTown&country Rewarding customer loyalty. It’s what we do.
road climbs to Mill End before approaching O 75 miles
Marlow and Little Marlow. At Bourne End get
onto the A4094, before a quick left then right
O 2.5hrs
to go under the M4. Turn left (A308) and at the FOR A QUOTE, VISIT
A332 roundabout take the first exit. The road
BENNETTS.CO.UK OR CALL
splits so stay on the A332 until the A412. Cross
the M25 and head into London on the A40. At the
BERINSFIELD
North Circular head for the M1 and continue until
Muswell Hill turn then follow signs for Ally Pally.
ALLY PALLY 0330 018 5943
Info www.mcnallypallyshow.co.uk
Entry Adult advance £17, adult on the gate £21

We search our panel of Expert 24-hour claims service

insurers to find you our best
Exclusive offers, discounts
price for the cover you need
and competitions with
Celebrities will go head to head on classic racers Trusted by riders for over Bennetts Rewards
85 years

KEY
Look our for these when Café Speed Tea Petrol Picture Pub
Bennetts Proud
sponsors of
Motorcycle insurance specialists
riding a route shown here stop camera stop station stop stop

www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 45

 RIDING CLINIC

SORT ME
OUT PLEASE!
Have you got a hole in your riding skills?
MCN provides the expert help to fix it

Neevesy explains the

virtue of squaring-off
the corner for a
fast lasp time

‘I get left behind on

n
Trackday enthusiast Simon Castle just can’t get the jump out of corners
THE LESSON

THE STUDENT THE TUTOR

Simon Castle, 50, Northampton Michael Neeves, MCN Road Tester
Afterpassinghistestin1999sohecould NeevseyhasbeentestingbikesatMCNfor
rideaV-Max,Simonhassincegotinto over15years,instructsattheRonHaslam
trackdays.HenowownsanApriliaRSV4. RaceSchoolandracesaBMWS1000RR.

Simon’s riding problem Neevesy’s action plan

“I don’t think I lack speed coming
out of corners, but I get overtaken
at the start of straights. I want to
JOE DICK
“I’ll help Simon get on throttle at Slow in, fast out The square route
the right time, then hone his line so
he can safely use maximum
1 Simon’s getting on the gas too early and accelerat-
ing through the corners. This is making him run
2 Squared-of lines are the secret on a powerful
bike. Making a V out of a corner rather than a U

go faster and I’m keen to learn.” throttle at the corner exit.” wide and use too much lean for too long – making it harder to means you cover less distance for a faster lap time, as well
select a good exit point, as well as risking a highside. as enabling you to exploit the acceleration on exit.

46 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com

 HOW TO MAKE A 5. FULL GAS
FAST CORNER EXIT Once upright, use
SIMON’S
PROGRESS
100% throttle. Think of
the straights as a drag
strip, use the engine’s
3. PICK EXIT full acceleration
Bike turned, look up potential.
and pick a suitable exit
point – the end of the
kerb is good. Focus on
this and accelerate
hard.

2. DRIFT IN
Throttle closed, coast
to the apex. This lets you
‘It’s been a
4. STAY OFF
to hold a tighter line and
turn harder to create Stay hanging off, wind
revelation’
efficient V-shaped on the throttle and push “After Neevesy’s lesson I felt
lines. the bike away to stand like a racer! It’s made a dra-
it up and to maximise matic difference to my speed.
the tyre contact I honestly thought I wasn’t
going around corners fast
patch.
enough and that was affecting
my speed onto the straight,
but it turns out I was using
too much speed and lean in
DANGER ZONE the bends and that prevented
me getting on the throttle
1. BODY LINE Get on the throttle after hard enough. When Neevesy
first explained the concepts
the apex. If you get on too
Before braking, position soon stress the rear tyre, I doubted it’d make much
your body towards the can’t turn as tight and difference – but after just two
inside of the corner. This sessions it’s made a huge
you can’t run as
prevents you unsettling change to my riding. Where
wide. before I got back onto the
the bike in the brak-
ing zone. middle of the seat at the apex,
staying hung off and standing
the bike up has given the con-
fidence to wind the throttle to
the stop as I’m accelerating
to the exit which, may sound

n the straights’
obvious, but I wasn’t doing it.
It’s been a revelation – I can’t
wait for my next trackday!”

THAT’S BETTER!
Michael says: “Simon is a
confident track rider and isn’t
afraid of speed, but he was
getting on the throttle much
too early in corners, running
wide and missing apexes. As a
result he wasn’t able to safely
get to full throttle at the corner
exit. By using V lines he’s much
more efficient in terms of total
distance covered and lean
angle used which means he’s
safer… and also faster!”

SIMON’S SCORES
BEFORE AFTER
Entry speed 4/10 7/10
Mid-corner speed 4/10 7/10
Exit speed 4/10 8/10
Body position 6/10 8/10
Throttle use 5/10 8/10

Stay of the throttle Turn and shoot

3 To create a V line, position your body to the inside of the approaching
corner then brake earlier and lighter then use the bike’s momentum to
drit towards the apex on a closed throttle. Once there, this will allow you to turn
tighter and faster without piling further unnecessary stress on your tyres.
4 With the bike turned, stay hanging of and physically push the bike
back upright, winding on the throttle as you do so. Pick an exit point
Got a problem with your riding
skills? MCN can help, contact
and use all of the available track width to get there. As soon as the bike’s upright, riding@motorcyclenews.com
go to 100% throttle to make use of all the bike’s acceleration potential.

www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 47

ESSENTIAL KIT

TRIED&
Zip-open vents
keep you cool
and a membrane
keeps you dry

TESTED RATINGS POOR + AVERAGE ++ GOOD +++

VERY GOOD ++++ EXCEPTIONAL +++++

Spidi Ladies Traveler 2 Curvy H2 Out jacket

£259.99 and trousers £229.99
Tested by Emma Franklin, two
months, 1200 miles
This all-season textile

1200
touring suit promises
warmth, waterproofing,
comfort and ventilation,
and so far it’s delivered. Firstly, the cut MILES
makes it look smart, and the tabs at the
waist, arms, chest, hem and neck allow
you to fine-tune the fit. Initial rides in
the suit happened on extremely warm
days, so it was a relief to find the 100g
thermal lining is easy to remove and
refit via poppers. In this configuration,
the pair of zipped vents in combination
with the H2Out waterproof/breathable
membrane does a good job of keeping
you cool. CE armour at the shoulders,
elbows, and knees is both lightweight,
comfortable and unobtrusive. It’s kept
me dry on wetter rides, and the tough
polyester outer actively repels rain so the The combo is
fabric doesn’t get saturated. comfy and the
Value +++++ Quality +++++ cut is flattering
www.feridax.co.uk There’s plenty of adjustability

Draggin Holeshot Forcefield Freelite

jeans £270
Tested by Matt Wildee, 5000
miles, four years
I’ve used these jeans for
the last four summers
and I’ve been happy with
comfort, longevity and
te protection. Many biking jeans have
Kevlar only in the areas where impact
and abrasion are most likely, but
these have a Kevlar liner that extends
below the knee. The pay-off is extra
weight and less breathability, but
they are still way more comfortable
than leather. Extra things add to the
comfort, such as: the lining isn’t sewn
into the denim, so it can move about,
giving good flexibility and the denim
has Lycra in the weave to enable a
little stretch. There are also pockets
for armour, but I don’t use them.
back protector
£99.99 18
Tested by Joe Dick, 10,000 miles, MONTHS
18 months
The first thing I noticed
was how lightweight and
flexible it is. The Freelite
is free-fitting and follows
the shape of your back while remaining
thin enough to fit under any riding gear.
With a Velcro waistband and adjustable
elastic shoulder straps it stays in place
all day long. Comfort aside, the Freelite
is CE Level 2 approved with Forcefield
Repeat Performance Technology (RPT).
Not only that but after an unfortunate
5000 mishap I’ve successfully crash tested
the Freelite L2 and I can say it did its job
MILES perfectly, and thanks to the RPT I can
use it again rather than replace it.
PAUL BRYANT

Value +++++ Quality +++++ Quality +++++ Value +++++

www.dragginjeans.com www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com

48 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com

 Stylmartin Rocket
Rugged and
waterproof
boots £199
retro wear Tested by Jordan Gibbons,
five months,
4000 miles
Being the sort
who turns up his
jeans and sports a

5
moustache, I know a thing or two
about ‘retro’ motorcycle boots
and – of all the ones I’ve tried –
MONTHS these are the best. Compared
to many of the vintage styled
SDoc100
offerings out there, the leather Technical Fabric
is actually quite tough and the
construction gives the impression and Leather
that if you did come a cropper
they’d offer a reasonable amount
Wash £9.99
of protection. The sole is soft Tester Alison Silcox
and grippy but not so soft as to My first thought was that this
make brake pedals feel spongy washing liquid was a bit pricey at
and, best of all, they’ve remained £10, but after a touring holiday
waterproof for the entire test. my textile riding kit looked very
They’re not without fault though. secondhand. Having put both bits
The outside of the boots has of kit through a cool wash using
scuffed up too easily for my liking the liquid they now look as good
and the waterproof liner stops as new and I think it is worth the
well short of the top of the boot investment. I used the maximum
but they’re small complaints for recommended dose of 80ml for
an otherwise great pair of boots. grubby gear, which means I can
Quality + + + + + get three washes from a bottle. .
Value + + + + + Value +++++
www.dpc-distribution.com Quality +++++
www.motohaus.com

Bike insurance due? Mackenzie Hodgson specialise exclusively in motorcycle insurance, and prides
itself on offering riders the right cover at a competitive price. Policies include
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5% bike insurance MHBA to receive the 5% discount. Mr N Blower, June 2018

discount for MCN readers

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Insurance by bikers, for bikers.

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gauge device and the only tool “Recommended”. Mackenzie Hodgson is a trading style of Autonet Insurance Services Ltd.
Buy direct online or by mail, phone or email.
Quick dispatch. Technical advice and back-up. Registered in England No. 3642372. Registered Office Nile Street, Burslem, The offer is limited to readers of MCN and expires on 30/9/18. Only available when calling for a bike quote.
Full instructions and guarantee, Nitrile hoses and dampers.
5mm and 6mm adapters to fit virtually any bike.
Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 2BA. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. T&C’s can be found at www.mackenziehodgson.co.uk/mcn-terms-and-conditions
4-column works on twins, triples and fours.

 
2-column – £54
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www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 49

OWNER REVIEW

ONE YEAR ON
SCOUT SIXTY
‘No more
sportsbikes
INDIAN for me!’
THE OWNER
CindiPowell,45,from
Maidstonehasbeenriding
sinceshewas16.Witha
bikinghistorythatincludes
lightweightsportsbikes
suchasaHondaNSR125,
Cindi’sgoneoutonalimb
withanIndianScoutSixty.

‘I couldn’t find
the brakes…’
‘I
’ve always ridden sporty
bikes, but they were just
becoming too much of a
0 miles
“No, I didn’t buy the bike just
pain,” admits MCN reader based on sitting on it at the show,
Cindi Powell, whose aching I took a test ride! That initial ride was
wrists and cramped-up a bit hairy, to be honest, as I’d never
legs caused her eyes to wander away ridden anything like a Scout before.
from her Suzuki SV650 to something So I pulled out of the forecourt and
completely different. “It was time went bombing down to the first
for me to get a cruiser. It’s something roundabout and then panicked
I thought I’d never do but I just because the riding position was so
resigned myself to the fact that it was different and my muscle memory
because I was getting older, then I couldn’t work out where the brake
found myself looking at Harleys.” was. That was a close one!” Scout’s pipes are too
After being tempted by a quiet for Cindi’s liking

Superlow and an 883, a friend
who’d suffered serious issues with
a £16,000 used Harley turned Cindi
off the Milwaukee brand and the
cruiser idea got laid to rest, albeit
temporarily.
“Then in February last year we
went to the MCN London Show and
I saw a stunning bright red Scout on
the Indian stand. My husband told
me to go and have a sit on it, but I
refused because I knew that if I did
then I’d end up buying one. But he
convinced me to, and that was it:
Cindi had the sissy bar custom made
love at first sit! A few months later
I had traded in my old SV650 and
was riding out of my nearest Indian
dealer as the proud owner of my very
own Scout Sixty.”
With a little over 2000 miles
covered in 12 months, Cindi explains
just how her first year of Indian
ownership has been.
100 “Imiles
bought it from
Robinson’s Foundry in Canterbury,
and they were really good. I part-
exed my SV and it broke my heart;
I was in tears on that final ride. But
after three days of owning the Scout
I’d forgotten all about the SV. The
Scout cost £10,000 and they threw
in custom paint worth £500 and
the pillion seat pad worth £250. The
seat was important because my son
rides on the back.”
miles
300 “Running in was
torture. It was the end of July so the
weather was really nice and all my
friends were bombing off and I was
stuck at 50mph. Robinson’s told me I
had to be sure to run through all five
gears, because you’re running the
gearbox in too, so I could just feel all
that torque waiting for me.”
“My first service cost
600 just £99 and I think
the subsequent
services are quite reasonable too.
Indian have a five-year warranty
which is good for peace of mind,
just knowing that expensive
components that could be prone to
failure are all covered. It shows how
much faith parent company Polaris
have in their bikes too.”

50 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com


1000 “Amiles
batch of bikes
had to have starter motors replaced.
Mine was one of them and I’d
noticed it before Robinson’s notified
me. I’d press the starter and the
engine would try to turn over, then
it would stop, so you’d press it again
and it’d turn over a few times again
and then eventually fire up. But
there was no fuss; I just took it in and
they changed it straight away.”
There’s loads of torque ready and waiting
The Scout is quite a
departure from an
NSR125 and SV650
miles
1300 “Our rideouts are
120 miles in one hit, and we head
out on group rides to the coast. The
Scout’s amazingly comfortable. The
big chunky tyres and the padded
seat help cushion the blow from
pot holes. And the riding position
means that there’s no getting cramp
in your legs and stiffness in your
wrists. The only downside is I only
get about 100 miles to a tank.”
1500 miles
“These are the
original tyres and they’re lasting
well. They’re made by Kenda and
a lot of owners complain about
them off saying that they lack
grip but I think they’re fine for
the performance of the bike and
how I ride, even in the wet too. I’m
thinking of getting the exhausts
chopped down in an attempt to
improve the noise, as it is the Scout
sounds like a sewing machine.”
PAUL BRYANT
MY GEAR
This is the kit that MCN
CINDI SAYS reader Cindi Powell uses
on her Indian Scout Sixty
I LIKE
• Comfort for both rider
and pillion is good
‘I had it sprayed up
• anything off thebeatslights
Acceleration
like a Crème Egg’
•• Attention to detail
ABS is reassuring
• The toolkit: all
you need is the Allen
1. Indian hoodie £70
My husband bought this for me for
3.KBC VR1X helmet £89
I needed a lid for a custom spray job
key that’s stored behind my birthday. It’s really nice quality I’d been wanting for years. My mate
the numberplate but it is expensive, like most of Foz sprayed me it up as a Crème
the Indian accessories. It’s just Egg. I like being unique.
leisurewear so isn’t in the least
I DON’T bit protective, but I wear it over 4. Colo intercom x 3 £95
Alpinestars body armour. These are really good, cheap
• Parts and accessories
prices are a bit too salty 2. Moto Girl Kevlar
intercoms – we got a pack of three
so my son, husband and I can all
• Fuel range. 100 miles
to a tank is no good for
leggings £109
These are really comfortable and
chat whilst on a ride.
my 120-mile rideouts look good, without making you 5. Frank Thomas FT6
• Lack of storage space
under the seat
feel like you’re wearing protective
biking kit. They come with soft
Castor gloves £44.99
These are comfortable, waterproof
• Weird paint finish on
shocks. It looks like the
knee armour, but you have to pay
extra for hip protection.
and feel protective, but they make
my hands sweat on hot days.
paint has corroded but
that’s how it should be!
1 2
QUICK SPECS
•• 999cc • 246kg • 78bhp
642mm seat height
PRICE NEW VALUE NOW
£9999 £6500
3
ABS offers plenty of confidence
1800 miles
“My 15-year-old
son often comes with me on the
back. He has done ever since he was
seven years old, so I wanted to get 4 5
a sissy bar for the back. The official
Indian parts didn’t appeal, so my
friend at Bigfoot Custom & Blasting
made me this custom sissy bar.”
2000 miles
“You can beat
almost anything off the lights. It’s
got that lovely V-twin throb, and it’s
fairly smooth too. Obviously it’s still
a big V-twin so it’s got a few vibes, but
it feels refined. Maybe in a couple of
years I’ll trade it in… for another new
Scout! No more sportsbikes for me.”
www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 51
BUYING BIKES
80mpg? That’s
a big saving over
taking the car
EXPERT GUIDE TO
FRUGAL COMMUTERS
Easy on fuel and pokey enough to keep you entertained. What s not to like?
T
he price of petrol doesn’t
need pointing out to
anyone who regularly has
to fill up a car. Getting to
work and back on four wheels is
becoming seriously expensive, so
maybe now’s the time to consider
getting a second bike to commute
on. We’re not talking flimsy 125s
or puny scooters, you can buy
a proper motorcycle with real
dynamics and fun potential, but
one that’ll also return seriously
good MPG, for less than £3500.
YOUR EXPERT
MCN’s resident
used bike guru,
Neil Murray has
been buying and
selling bikes for decades
and can sniff out a bargain or
a dog of a bike at 50 paces.
52 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com
£2200 2013 HONDA NC700S
670cc | 47bhp | 790mm seat height
O Dealer price £2500-£4500
O Private £2000-£2500
O This one 2013, 18,000 miles
Few machines are as easy to live with
and economical to run as Honda’s NC
range. It borrows a lot of its engine
tech from Honda’s Jazz car and, like
most family cars, is designed for torque
and economy rather than out-and-out
performance. The redline which sits
at a lowly 6300rpm is a pointer to its
automotive heritage, it is frustrating at
first if you are used to more revs but you
soon grow accustomed to it.
The Honda is amazingly easy to
ride, has reasonable grunt, and can
MCN’S
BEST
BUY
return 80mpg. Top speed is around
110mph, but it will cruise happily (and
economically) at 80. There’s a handy
stash box under a dummy fuel tank; it’s
large enough to take a full-face helmet
although it might have been nice to see
that space used for fuel for an even
better range. Shame the centrestand is
an optional extra, though.
Buyer beware
Valve check intervals were originally
7500 miles, but for the 750 version
Honda doubled them to 15,000 miles,
and this is safe on the 700. Check the
frame tubes for damage – crash bungs
are good on any bike that’s used for
commuting around busy cities. Just make sure you don’t fill your helmet or shopping with Esso’s finest

A2
NNJA
OPTION
£1350
2014 KAWASAKI NINJA 300
296cc | 39bhp | 785mm seat height
O Dealer price £2250-£3500
O Private price £1400-£2000
O This one 2014 model,4000 miles
Owes its ancestry to the 1980s
GPX250, with a stratospheric
13,000rpm redline, modern styling,
more power, slipper clutch and a
big fun factor. It’s a perfect used A2
bike, especially for the smaller rider,
but quite hard to find. Was swiftly
updated and then turned into a 400.
Smooth thanks to a rubber
mounted engine (no balancer
£2500
2015 KAWASAKI ER6-F
649cc | 70bhp | 805mm seat height
O Dealer price £3000-£3500
O Private price £2200-£3000
O This one 2015, 32,000 miles
In 2012, Kawasaki gave the ER6 a
revised chassis and new suspension
which improved an already good
bike. Revised fuel injection and
ECU improved power, torque and
especially the throttle response.
Midrange power is excellent.
OK so the bike’s not as economical
as some of the others, but you do
get more performance than the
shafts). Will top a ton, and even
when being thrashed at 75-80 will
still return 70mpg, giving a range
of well over 200 miles. Pootling in
town will use even less fuel.
Buyer beware
Decals can peel. ABS option model
is worth paying extra for (it’s
standard on later models). front
suspension is a bit soft, spacers
improve it. Early 2013 ABS models
had a recall for brake pipe routing,
check the bike’s VIN with a dealer to
check this has been carried out.
THE
OLDER
TWIN
NC700 or 300 Ninja. Has an mpg
gauge featuring an icon that looks,
bizarrely, like three balls of wool, so
you can keep an eye on it, anyway.
Buyer beware
Lousy mirrors, poor finish and the
fairing fit isn’t the greatest. You can
expect it to rattle a bit although it
is far better than the earlier model.
Check closely if aftermarket crash
bungs are fitted, on earlier models
they actually caused more damage
than they saved. Underslung
exhaust is prone to rotting, too.
£3400
2017 KTM DUKE 390
373cc | 44bhp 830mm | £3400
O Dealer price £3500-£3800
O Private price £3000-£3600
O This one 2017, 200 miles
The KTM was completely revised
for 2017, with new chassis, better
suspension (WP upside-down forks,
yes really), finish, quality, brakes,
plus a colour TFT dashboard, bigger
tank and more.
MCN gave it five stars last year. It
revs like a nutter, handles brilliantly,
goes well, sips fuel at 60mpg out of
town and 50mpg in.
CUT-
PRICE
BARGAIN
£3499
2016 YAMAHA MT-03
321cc | 42bhp | 780mm seat height £3495
O Dealer price £3400-£4500
O Private price £3000-£4000
O This one 2016, 650 miles
Genius. The engine from the
YZF-R3, in a superb naked chassis.
Higher bars give it a more relaxed
riding position, clocks are the same
as the R3’s, there’s a decent spread
of power and if you want cheap
riding, MCN got 72mpg out of a test
bike, which is what you’d expect
from the much slower and less able
KTM lopped £1500 off the price
to shift unsold stocks at the end of
2017 so used prices are low.
Buyer beware
The digital clock is laughably
inaccurate and the small battery
won’t take long periods of inactivity
without needing to be hooked up to
a trickle charger. Nobody seems to
make a rack for it, so carrying stuff
is hard. Also, the little Duke is prone
to stalling and cutting out when the
engine is below normal operating
temperature.
250-300cc singles that are on the
market. Corners have been cut in
the suspension department; it’s
basic and quite soft, but you can
improve that when/if you want for
not much money.
Buyer beware
Check the recalls have been done.
One for the clutch and one for the
oil pressure relief valve. Corrosion
in electrical connectors a perennial
Yamaha issue. And as with all first
SALE S TRICKS
bikes, check it’s been looked after.
SUPER-
THRIFTY
YAMAHA
www.motorcyclenews.com
MR
VELCRO
OUR DEALER INSIDER
ENSURES YOU DON’T
GET RIPPED-OFF
Don’tpaymore
forstuffyou
don’t want
Ever wondered why it’s very rare
to see completely base model
bikes on the used market? You
know, a Triumph Tiger without
factory-fit heated grips and
luggage or a GS without the
Dynamic pack fitted.
While it’s true that many new-
bike buyers love to spec-up their
latest purchase, especially if it’s
being financed on PCP, dealers
don’t actually make it easy to get
your hands on bog standard bikes
if that’s what you really want.
Salesmen will try to entice
you into buying features and
accessories you may not need
by promising to get you your new
bike sooner: “The base-model
bike will take six weeks to arrive,
whereas we’ve got this fully
loaded one here and ready to go.”
Or, “I know you want this tasteful
black version, but how about
one of these Metallic Shell-Suit
Purple ones we’ve got here on
the showroom floor? They’re only
£500 more.”
So, if you’re in the market
for a new machine and aren’t
bothered with bells and whistles,
stick to your guns and buy the
specification of bike that you both
need and can afford.
Getting spec’d to the max is fine if
you really want all the extras
BEEN RIPPED OFF? CONTACT
MrVelcro@motorcyclenews.com
September 19 2018 | 53
HANDS ON

SAVING YOU MONEY ON ESSENTIAL BIKE MAINTENANCE

WORKSHOP
Pre-flightchecks
Going for a ride? Make sure your machine is good to go, too

SECRET MECHANIC

‘Nipbikefaults
inthebud’
‘He who fails to prepare,
prepares to fail.’ That’s how the
saying goes. It’s very true when
it comes to bikes because the
majority of breakdowns occur
thanks to a simple fault that
could’ve been detected and
rectified prior to leaving home.
Regardless of whether it’s a spin Check the oil Don’t ignore the coolant
with mates at the weekend or a
touring trip abroad, a breakdown
1 Low oil results in low oil pressure, which dramatically reduces the
lubrication to fast-moving parts inside your bike’s engine. Check it
2 Coolant carries the heat away from the engine via the radiator, as
well as acting as an antifreeze in winter. Running low will cause your
is costly and inconvenient prior to every ride, referring to the specific method in your bike’s manual (not all engine to overheat with lasting damage to the internals. Check the level before
wherever it happens not to bikes have the same system). With the bike upright, make sure the oil is at the each ride via the remote tank. There will be upper and lower marks indicating
mention increasing the risk of you correct level, usually between the upper and lower marker lines. where the level is, so check and top up accordingly.
being involved in an accident.
So think like a factory rider.
Treat every ride as though you’re
in the championship-leading
MotoGP team and give your bike
a thorough check before you

STICK’S TIPS
swing your leg over. Rossi’s
M1 gets inspected each and
every time the Doctor leaves Ask a tyre expert
the garage, so you should do the for the pressures
same – particularly your tyre for your make and
pressures. All it takes is a few model of tyre
minutes but it could dramatically
improve the enjoyment and
safety of your ride.

Stopping power Up to pressure?

If only we had these guys in the shed
3 The fluid in the reservoir next to your brake lever creates the
hydraulic pressure that acts upon the caliper pistons to squeeze
the pads. As the pads wear the fluid level falls, so it’s worth checking prior to
every ride. If the level in the reservoir is near the lower level, top up with the
recommended brake fluid. Don’t forget the back brake and hydraulic clutch.
4 There is much more to tyre safety than just having plenty of tread
visible. Tyre pressures are the most important and most overlooked
aspect, and they are critical to the safety and enjoyment of your ride. If your
bike is hardly used, make sure the tyres are not starting to crack between the
treads or on the side walls, these are all signs of a tyre decaying.

54 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com

 STICK’S PICKS
MY FAVOURITE TOOLS
FOR REGULAR CHECKS

STICK’S TIPS
Measure tension Tyre pressure gauge
on the lower run in
the middle of the A dependable analogue gauge
sprockets should be a firm favourite in your
toolkit. It’s a good idea to leave it on
the seat after you return home
Inspect the fork legs Check your chain tension from each ride as a reminder to
5 If the seal fails oil can run down the fork leg and onto the brake discs,
with obvious safety implications. Check for oil on the chrome part of
6 This is critical. Too loose and the chain will rattle around and wear
out parts of the frame or swingarm, too tight and it will load up the
check the pressures.

the tube by wiping it with clean workshop paper. There should be no evidence of gearbox and wheel bearings with too much force. The chain tension information
oil on the tissue, if there is the seal needs to be fixed right away. will often be located on the swingarm or chain guard.

Inspection torch
Whether it’s a combination of a
dingy garage and aging eyes or
a bike that’s got too many dark
corners, an inspection torch helps
you get a good look at vital
components, such as brake pads
(see step ten, left).

All the lights working? Torque the torque

7 A lot of modern bikes now have LED lights which use less power and
give better illumination than traditional bulbs. Check they all work;
8 Get in the habit of giving a quick tweak to your bike’s important
fastenings, and give a quick glance over your fairing bolts and panels
the headlight’s high and low beam should be set correctly, indicators should to check nothing’s coming loose or hanging off. Make sure main wheel spindles
flash, and brake lights should work when the back and front brakes are applied. and caliper bolts are tightened to the correct specific torque, and also make
Your manual will have info on changing blown bulbs. sure that any split pins or locknuts are in place and tightly secured.
Torque wrench
Making sure things like caliper
bolts and spindle nuts are done up
correctly is vital and that’s why a
torque wrench is a must in any
garage. Buy the best torque
wrench you can afford, for values
between 5Nm and 60Nm.

Workshop paper
As it’s blue in colour, this absorbent
paper is brilliant for detecting if any
important fluids are dribbling out of
reservoirs or seals (see steps three
Don’t get in a bind Worn out pads and five). Pick up a roll at any
9 Do a check of the steering, it should turn unhindered from one lock to
the other with no binding or tightening of the control cables or wiring.
10 Unlike cars, bikes don’t have warning sensors that tell us when the
brake pads are low. You have to do a visual check. Often the pads
motoring shop for a couple of quid.

If your bike has a fairing and you’ve fitted an accessory such as a mobile phone are difficult to see, so get on your hands and knees with a torch and shine it on O Tell us about your favourite at
bracket or sat-nav, make sure there is sufficient clearance when on full lock, if the underside of the caliper, this should give you an idea of how much friction mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com
there isn’t adjust the bracket and loom to ensure there is no interference. material is left. Alternatively, pop the caliper off and inspect them properly.

www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 55

HANDS ON
‘Thesetyreswereso
perishedtheywere
readytofallto pieces’
MoTtesterKevin‘DrTepi’Hollingsworth
on why old tyres are never a good thing
S
omehow Kevin ‘Dr Tepi’
Hollingsworth at Doncaster
Motorcycles had a Yamaha
up for an MoT the other
day with tyres older
than the bike itself. The Yamaha
Virago XV535 was 24-years-old
while its Pirelli Route tyres were
manufactured 30 years ago in 1988!
“It had been passing MoTs
elsewhere because the tread depth
was perfectly legal and if any cracks
in the sidewalls are less than 25mm,
they are considered ‘slight’, so are
‘Tyresdeteriorate
withageanduse
and get harder’
only an advisory even if the tyre
is from last century,” explained
Dr Tepi. “But these tyres were so
perished with age that they were
ready to fall to pieces.
“Like a lot of today’s riders, the
guy only does 500-1000 miles per
year and because they were tubed
tyres and weren’t losing pressure, he
kept on riding. But tyres deteriorate
We’ve got a bike with your name on it
56 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com
WORKSHOP WAR ST RIES
TOP MECHANICS DISH THE DIRT ON DIY DISASTERS
These Pirellis are
older than the bike
they were fitted to
LOOK FOR
DATE STAMP
with age and use as they go
through heat cycles every ride
and are exposed to the elements,
getting harder and increasingly
brittle. A general rule is that
tyre performance begins to fall
off five years after manufacture.
“Most people think if a tyre
looks alright there’s nothing to
worry about so at times like this
I see it as an opportunity to pass
on a bit of knowledge. I was able to
show him how to ‘age’ his tyres.
With more tyres now being bought
unseen online it’s vital you ask CHECK FOR
CRACKING
when the tyre was made.”
“As well as the dimensions
of the tyre, the sidewall also
has its date of manufacture
in a three or four-figure
code. The first one or two
numbers refer to the week
it was made, so ‘1’ would
be January 1st to 7th, while
‘25’ would be June 17th to
24th. The second pair refer to Perishing can be
the year, so the Virago’s vintage just one step from
rubber had ‘388’ on its sidewall. a serious accident
In this case the rider was happy
to part with £60 to have a new
Bridgestone Exedra fitted but it
could have been a lot more costly if
he’d had to grab a handful of brake NEXT WEEK A DRIVE CHAIN SUFFERS FROM A DIFFERENT KIND OF HAMMERING
on that ‘wooden hoop’…”
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www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 61

SPORT
WSB ROUND 10 – PORTIMAO
High expectations
O‘Weneedto
SPORT
but poor results
for Red Bull Honda

re-group,getallthe
factsandfindout
what happened’

HONDA LOSE OUT

O Red Bull squad continues to struggle despite positive tests
Then, in the official test, we did you have a lot of data you can strain on team/rider relationships
By Greg Haines compensate with. We don’t have with both Camier and the Red
some proper times on hard and
WSB REPORTER

T
he Red Bull Honda team
continued to struggle in
Portugal, despite great
expectations after a
“successful, extensive”
test in Portimao in August.
Honda expected to be in the
mix, but the results spoke for
themselves. Leon Camier’s bike
had electronics issues on Saturday,
while Jake Gagne struggled to 13th
– commendable, considering that
stomach bug-induced nausea had
made him vomit in his helmet.
BSB NEWS The Californian was stronger on
Sunday, keeping up with Camier
and finishing 12th – a much closer
O DIXON 20.9 seconds behind the winner
– while the Englishman dropped
soft race tyres as well as the
qualifying tyre. Nothing worked
when the race weekend came. In
the cooler conditions we were more
consistent and thought we were
nearer the ball park, but we’re not.
We need to re-group, get all the
facts and find out what happened.
“We had problems on Friday
and that doesn’t help. If you are
Jonathan Rea it’s not so bad, as
that luxury. If you have a s*** FP1
and FP2, as we did, it becomes very
difficult. The bike just didn’t work
as we expected; the whole package,
nothing specifically. It’s been
disappointing from Leon’s side,
but Jake had his best weekend of
the year; he didn’t crash, built up
through practice and had a good
weekend. I hope that continues.”
Such results are bound to put a
Electronics issues
scuppered Leon
Camier’s chances
Bull squad expecting to be much
closer to the front by this point.
“At the moment we’re not
matching up, so we can’t get
what Leon wants. We need to find
that feeling again, together. The
cooperation between us and him
is really good, but the situation is
disappointing. Leon has had some
heavy injuries and missed a lot of
races, losing momentum. It’s
difficult to judge anything.”
With just over a week until the
next round in France, the Ten Kate
squad will be scratching their
heads searching for improvement.
Such results aren’t exactly useful
when trying to convince names
such as Tom Sykes and Eugene
Laverty to sign up for 2019.

DOESTHE to a distant 14th in a less than

memorable 200th WSB start. It was
not ideal for the squad, who had
“We need to put all the facts
together, establish a plan and stick
to it no matter what happens,” Bos

DOUBLE
O Dominant Jake Dixon
senior HRC personnel looking on.
“We expected a lot,” manager
Kervin Bos told MCN. “We did a
concludes. “To find the limit with
the bike, you have to establish a
good setting and keep it. Our
GOLD AND GOOSE

keeps title hopes alive with two-day private test and found real pace is far better than we’ve
Oulton Park twin win, p71 some good electronic benefits. shown, but it’s results that count.”

62 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com

 WSB

Injured Davies fights on in pain

Chaz Davies finishing fourth might
seem an unremarkable result for the
Welshman, but after twice breaking
his left collarbone in the summer, it
was a job well done.
Just two weeks ago Davies was
knocked unconscious in a supermoto
crash, bending the metal plate that
was fitted to his broken collarbone
earlier in the summer. The weekend
got off to a tough start when his
Ducati leaked oil onto his rear tyre,
causing a fiery crash on Friday.
me I’d have a double P4, I would have
bitten their arm off. I really surprised
myself,” he said after the race.
“They were definitely two of the
most challenging races that I’ve ever
done. Jonathan had a bit more pace,
but I did all I could. If you can survive
two hot races of Portimao, you can
survive anything. I now have ten
days of training and physio.”
Team-mate Marco Melandri
delivered a second and a third,
almost losing the front-end with
three laps remaining in the second
race. The Italian is another who’s
currently out of a ride for 2019, as
he’s set to be replaced by MotoGP’s
Alvaro Bautista.
“I was expecting to stay,” Melandri

O‘Twoweeksago
said. “All of a sudden there was a
change. The team didn’t tell me;
I found out from an journalist.
Maybe Bautista hadn’t signed
Rea‘needs
Upsanddowns
The Welshman enjoyed a strong
showing on Sunday, dicing with
eventual race winner Jonathan
hewasknocked
yet, I had to call to ask… It was
not an easy situation.”
Melandri’s number one target is
more charisma’
Rea for the lead before eventually
unconsciousina now a Yamaha ride with GRT. The
championship-winning Supersport
A senior WSB boss has claimed

for Yamaha
dropping back to fourth. Jonathan Rea lacks charisma, when
“Portimao is one of the hardest
tracks, and I’ve been on the sidelines supermoto crash’ squad is set to step up next year, with
a two-rider line-up expected to be
challenged about the series’ reputation
for being ‘boring’. Sporting director
for eight weeks. If somebody had told announced at Magny Cours. Gregorio Lavilla told Eurosport that
It was a bittersweet weekend for the Rea’s lack of charisma could be
PATA Yamaha squad. Michael van der causing that perception.
Mark twice finished on the rostrum After his summer, “We have the best, but maybe he
to close in to within 27 points of Chaz Davies was happy is not the most charismatic guy. These
Davies in the battle for the 2018 with a fourth place things are causing people to lose
runner-up spot, while Alex Lowes interest but we’re not doing anything
struggled to make an impression. to change this. The best will win and
Crashing in Superspole, Lowes could congratulations to him.”
manage just tenth and 11th from the
weekend’s two races. Van der Mark
struggled on Saturday with higher
track temperatures, but was able to
clinch third in the opening race, while
the real improvement came on Sunday
as he stormed to a strong second.
“I stayed calm and managed my
way to the front, step by step,” said the
Dutchman, who stole a double overtake
on Ducati’s Melandri and Davies. “I saw
Marco, Chaz and Johnny really fighting,
and it was my time to catch up. Marco
overtook Chaz in turn one; they went
West fails test
wide and I went underneath them. Then World Supersport’s Anthony West has
I chased Johnny. I tried so hard and so received a temporary ban from all FIM
did he, but he was a little bit quicker. I’m competitions and activities after failing
really happy with the double podium.” an anti-doping test. The Australian, 37,
Lowes was less enthusiastic: “We who arrived at Portimao to race, was
DUCATIPRESS.COM

couldn’t get the set-up we needed, and told he’d failed the test at Misano in
I didn’t have the pace or confidence. July. A ‘non-specified’ stimulant had
The biggest problem is a lack of feeling been traced in a urine sample; he’s been
with the electronics on corner exits.” banned for doping before, back in 2012.

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www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 63

SPORT
CHAMPIONSHIP
DASHBOARD WSB ROUND 10 – PORTIMAO
PORTIMAO
REA 420 Pts

‘Afterthreelapswe’ref**ked’
DAVIES 304 Pts

VD MARK 284 Pts Heading into Portimao, Eugene Laverty over one lap, as Laverty took his first Fores in the opening stages, leaving him
WSB CHAMPIONSHIP had hoped to be fighting for victories
on the Milwaukee Aprilia – but it was
pole in five years and Aprilia’s first since
Leon Haslam at Magny Cours in 2015.
O‘Untilwecan tenth on the grid for Sunday’s second
race: “It was crazy. I don’t know what
STANDINGS
4 Sykes 240 13 Camier 90
not to be, as the Irishman left the
Algarve with just one seventh place.
“An incredible turnaround,” Laverty
said earlier in the weekend. “We were
unlockhowtouse he was thinking. If he hit me from the
side he would have broken my leg. He
5
6
7
Melandri
Lowes
Fores
229
204
170
14
15
16
Rinaldi
Mercado
Ramos
74
59
55
The squad struggled during a test at
the Portuguese track three weeks ago,
not very happy with the test, but
were very fortunate to have had it. I thisreartyre,we’ll was coming in so hot, like 30km/h
faster. He ruined our race.”
missing out on crucial data due to a didn’t think a 1:40 lap was possible.” Laverty went on: “On Sunday we had
8
9
Laverty
Razgatlioglu
122
108
17
18
Gagne
Hernandez
48
28
shortage of the larger Pirelli rear tyre
they favour. That didn’t prove an issue
But then came trouble in the opening
race as he was harpooned by Xavi
be up and down’ good pace for three laps. Then, when the
initial grip from the rear tyre has gone,
10 Baz 103 19 Jacobsen 21
11 Savadori 102 20 Haslam 14 we are f**ked. I lost half a second after
12 Torres 92 21 Giugliano 11 three laps. Superpole showed the bike’s
Labverty’s Aprilia potential, but until we can unlock how
was suffering rear to use this rear tyre we’re going to be up
WSB POSITIONS RACE 1 rubber issues and down. On tracks with high grip we
can be there. When it’s slippery like it is
Pos Rider Nat Team Time here, the others drop a bit of pace while
1 Rea GBR Kawasaki 34’22.331 we drop a ton. France should be fine.”
2 Melandri ITA Ducati +1.575 Eugene has yet to announce his 2019
3 VD Mark NED Yamaha +4.215 plans: “I have two options. Stay with
4 Davies GBR Ducati +10.760 SMR, where I’m waiting to hear which
5 Sykes GBR Kawasaki +12.911 manufacturer it’ll be, or move to Honda. I
6 Baz FRA BMW +19.685 want something signed by Magny Cours.”
7 Torres ESP MV Agusta +21.974
8 Razgatlioglu TUR Kawasaki +24.855
9 Rinaldi ITA Ducati +30.302
10 Lowes GBR Yamaha +32.408
11 Mercado ARG Kawasaki +32.875
12 Hernandez COL Kawasaki +39.178
13 Gagne USA Honda +44.028
14 Ramos ESP Kawasaki +56.896
DNF Jacobsen USA Honda 16 laps
DNF Savadori ITA Aprilia 11 laps
DNF Smrz CZE Yamaha 11 laps
DNF Camier GBR Honda 10 laps

WSB POSITIONS RACE 2

Pos Rider Nat Team Time
1 Rea GBR Kawasaki 34’25.661 Laverty hasn’t yet revealed 2019 plans
2 VD Mark NED Yamaha +1.189
3 Melandri ITA Ducati +2.813
4 Davies GBR Ducati +4.594
5 Sykes GBR Kawasaki +4.834
6 Savadori ITA Aprilia +11.417
Pit lane mistake
7
8
9
Laverty
Rinaldi
Baz
IRL
ITA
FRA
Aprilia
Ducati
BMW
+11.732
+12.507
+12.741
Final-lap cost Mahias
the race win

10
11
12
Fores
Lowes
Gagne
ESP
GBR
USA
Ducati
Yamaha
Honda
+18.973
+20.244
+20.943
dramafor
13
14
15
Torres
Camier
Mercado
ESP
GBR
ARG
MV Agusta
Honda
Kawasaki
+23.395
+31.216
+32.183
Lucas Mahias
16 Hernandez COL Kawasaki +33.076 Reigning World Supersport champion
17 Jacobsen USA Honda +45.173 Lucas Mahias re-found his mojo after
DNF Smrz CZE Yamaha 20 laps a summer of hard work watching old
races and trawling through data.
Leading comfortably into the final
WORLD SUPERSPORT lap, his race was scuppered by a
deflated rear tyre until a red flag
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS came out for a mid-field crash. The
1 Cortese 149 13 Cresson 30
Frenchman made it back into the pits
2 Cluzel 133 14 Hartog 27
within five minutes as the rules state,
3 Caricasulo 129 15 Okubo 25
believing victory was his on countback
4 Krummenach 129 16 Soomer 22
to the last full lap, but he was then
5 De Rosa 119 17 Morais 16
6 Mahias 103 18 Warokorn 11
excluded for using an alternative
7 Smith 59 19 Lahti 11 pit lane entrance.
8 Stapleford 52 20 Irwin 11 GRT Yamaha’s protest against
9 West 51 21 Gabellini 8 the decision was rejected, meaning
10 Gradinger 48 22 Wilairot 8 Federico Caricasulo took the win
11 Tuuli 38 23 Barbera 6 ahead of Kyle Smith and Raffaele de
12 Badovini 36 24 Bussolotti 5 Rosa. Series leader Sandro Cortese
further extended his title advantage

NEXT RACE SEPT 28-30

MAGNY COURS
with a solid fifth place.

64 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com


REA: ‘OUR BIKE
IS NOT THE
BEST’
O Championclaims
Kawasakiisnotbest
bikeongriddespite
more domination
Unbeatable Rea is
closing in on Troy
Corser’s record
By Greg Haines
WSB REPORTER
J
onathan Rea has claimed
the Kawasaki is not the
best bike on the World
Superbike grid, despite
being on the verge of a
record-equalling fourth world
title after another imperious
double in Portugal.
Starting from second on the
grid, Saturday’s first race was a
calm and controlled display from
Rea to further extend his
championship lead. A second win
on Sunday came after an intense
battle with Chaz Davies, Michael
van der Mark and Marco Melandri.
“For a while, I didn’t know if I
had anything for them,” Rea told
MCN after the race. “I could not
get past Chaz [Davies]. Even with
the perfect last sector onto the
straight, he was a demon on
the brakes into the first turn.
“I really had to pick my mark.
At half distance I found a good
place at Turn 11, where I’d been
GOLD AND GOOSE
fast all weekend. There was no rest
in that race, as then van der Mark
came really strong!”
After a very strong test
three weeks earlier and another
exemplary race weekend, Rea is
just one podium away from the
overall record of 130 from Troy
Corser. A run of 12 wins and 17
podiums from 20 races means
the Northern Irishman now heads
the standings from Davies by 116
It was yet another
exemplary race
weekend for Rea
points, so a title win at next
weekend’s French Round
could be a distinct possibility
for the second year in succession.
However, Rea says his
advantage is not as much down
to an all-superior bike as some
might suggest: “I don’t feel our
bike is the best out there, but we
manage to work precisely to get
the best out of it and make no
mistakes. If you look at the races
you will see we don’t have the
advantage we had before. We
are fighting with a blunt knife
at the minute, and I still don’t
think it’s fair with the lower
rev limits we have this year.
“That being said, we are on the
way to the title. We just need to be
clever and to make no mistakes.”
Portimao proved to be another
tough weekend for the second
Kawasaki of Tom Sykes who,
despite a strong early pace, was
unable to challenge the podium
contenders for a better result.
Walking away with two fifth
places, Sykes remains without a
ride for the 2018 season, although
he’s hoping to have news within
the next month. Red Bull Honda
and Shaun Muir Racing, who is yet
to confirm a manufacturer
for 2019, with BMW, Ducati and
Aprilia all on the table – are the
most likely options for the
Yorkshireman, although it’s
thought a return to BSB could
be a possibility should these
options fail to materialise.
www.motorcyclenews.com
WSB
Anaaimsfor
female first
Ana Carrasco’s fight to become the
first female to win an FIM road-racing
World Championship on a solo bike will
go down to the last race in Magny Cours.
The 21-year-old Spaniard finished
tenth in Supersport 300 as Scott Deroue
took his first win of 2018. Heading to
France, Carrasco, Deroue, Mika Perez
and Luca Grunwald could each clinch
the title. Markus Reiterberger,
Portimao winner Roberto Tamburini
and Max Scheib will all go head to
head in the Superstock 1000 scrap.
Schedule thumbs-up
A new schedule this weekend – which
saw the smaller races start the day off,
and then superbikes rounding things
out – was well received. A 3:15pm start
for the big race also avoided a clash with
F1’s Singapore GP. For 2019 it remains
to be seen whether Dorna will place
both races back on Sunday, introduce a
third race or keep the split-day agenda.
Argentina: On or off?
Questions still remain over next
month’s new Argentinean round, with
WSB Sporting boss Gregorio Lavilla
saying the final assessment will be
made just before the event.
“The FIM has a way to advise the
procedures of building a new track,”
he told Eurosport. “Until we arrive
we cannot evaluate if is it good or bad.”
September 19 2018 | 65
SPORT
MICHAEL
SCOTT
Inside MotoGP for 34 years
‘Jumping on the holier-
than-thou bandwagon’
Am I the only person in the world
who feels a shred of sympathy
for Romano Fenati? It seems that
everybody is engaged full tilt in an
orgy of vilification. Just because
of his ability not to make a fool of
himself deserted him for a moment.
Again.
Grabbing Manzi’s front brake at
Misano wasn’t really very clever,
especially while being filmed in
great detail.
Analysing it, Race Direction
thought it worth a two-race ban.
This response, it rapidly became
clear, was considered excessively
lenient by the wider world.
And in the week that followed,
the condemnation of the 22-year-
old echoed internationally, from
respectable newspapers all the way
to the death threats of twitterdom.
By then, his team had sacked him,
a little belatedly; his next-year’s
employers Forward Racing likewise;
the Italian Federation had cancelled
his racing licence; and the FIM were
about to follow suit.
Did this show up Race Direction as
being complicit in what some were
calling “attempted murder”? Or was
‘Capirossi is no
stranger to rough
-edged racing’
Definitely a dumb
move from Fenati
66 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com
everyone else jumping on a holier-
than-thou bandwagon?
Race Direction does include in its
number Loris Capirossi, no stranger
to rough-edged racing. He won the
1998 250 championship by T-boning
team-mate Tetsuya Harada into
the barriers in Argentina; and was
black-flagged the following year for
a start-line attack on pole qualifier
Marcellino Lucchi.
Cal Crutchlow first publicly called
for a life ban, and given who he is (a
self-confessed “crasher”, but only
on his own account, not deliberately
into anybody else) you have to
respect his opinion.
“The sport is dangerous enough
already,” he said: the message being
“he could have killed him”. And this
is hypothetically true. Fatal crashes
are nowadays mercifully very rare,
but they remain entirely possible,
every time a rider falls off. (In the
manic Manzi’s case, he has cheated
death a record 22 times this year.)
Other top riders stopped short
of a life ban. Punishment, yes.
Crucifixion? No.
After all, given the potential of
any and every spill, did not Rossi
deserve something similar when
he so cynically forced Marquez off
the track in Malaysia in 2015? Also
Marquez (in Rossi’s opinion) for his
barging in Argentina this year?
Happily, Fenati himself isn’t going
to bring any of this up, at least not for
the moment. He’s quit. Just as well.
It means a can of worms can stay
closed, for the good of everybody.
DOUBLE RED
BSB ROUND 10 – OULTON PARK
BSB SET FOR
2019 SHAKE-UP
ODixon’s departure sparks game of musical chairs
By Simon Patterson
MOTOGP REPORTER
J
ake Dixon’s decision
to move to Moto2
next season threw the
2019 Bennetts British
Superbike rider market
wide open, with a number of
leading teams sent back to the
drawing board.
While nothing’s been officially
announced, Dixon is expected to
move to the Grand Prix paddock
with the Aspar squad – but with
the 22-year-old at the top of the
list for JG Speedfit Kawasaki, Be
Wiser Ducati and, of course, his
current RAF Regular and Reserves
Kawasaki squad, the series’ three
leading teams will now be forced
to look at other options.
Dixon isn’t the only rider to
leave the series next year. Leon
Haslam is also heading back to
the world stage as he joins the
factory Kawasaki team in
Expected move to
Moto2 has thrown
BSB into chaos
World Superbikes, and it’s not
expected that six-time champ
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne will be able
to return from his injuries at
present.
With Dixon pulling out of a
deal to sign for the JG Speedfit
Kawasaki team at the eleventh
hour, it’s understood they’ve now
turned to Ulsterman Glenn Irwin
to replace title favourite Haslam,
with an announcement expected
in coming weeks.
After another strong weekend,
rookie Tarran Mackenzie is
expected to stay with the McAMS
Yamaha team – yet aside from
these two, it’s thought there are
no other riders close to a deal.
Be Wiser Ducati are still
understood to be in talks with
MotoGP exile Scott Redding, but
MCN understands the former
Grand Prix race winner is yet to
sign a contract with the Penrith-
based team. Andrew Irwin’s
fourth place in the
wet first race could put him in
a good position to keep hold of
his seat, yet the PBM squad is also
thought to be an option for Josh
Brookes should he not agree
terms to stay with the McAMS
Yamaha effort.
Aussie youngster Ben Currie is
expected to move to the Superbike
paddock on Kawasaki machinery
next year, while there’s also
interest in runaway Superstock
600 champ Ryan Vickers
stepping up to the premier class.
BMW are set to release an
all-new S1000RR next year, but
at this point it’s not clear who
will race the new machine for the
factory-backed Tyco outfit. Peter
Hickman is likely to stay with the
Smiths BMW squad.
With seats free in all leading
teams, BSB looks set for one of its
biggest shake-ups in recent years.
And with a number of key names
leaving the series, 2019 could
pose a brilliant opportunity for
 BSB

WHO GOES WHERE?

LEON HASLAM JAKE DIXON SHANE BRYNE

OUT CONFIRMED OUT UNCONFIRMED OUT UNCONFIRMED
Heading to World Superbike with Set to head Recovering from broken neck/back, Sun shone on FCC
the factory Kawasaki squad to Moto2 not expected to be back next year TSR Honda at Bol

FIMEWC.COM
d’Or this weekend

Hondasquad’s54-secvictory
Reigning Endurance World Champions
FCC TSR Honda kick-started the
SCOTT REDDING BEN CURRIE RYAN VICKERS 2018/19 season in the best possible
way with a stunning victory at the
GOLD AND GOOSE
seconds to win a drama-filled race. The
Penz13.com squad, who switch from
BMW to Yamaha this season, completed
the podium with Mathieu Lagrive,

IN UNCONFIRMED
Tipped to sign for Be Wiser Ducati
should nothing else materialise
IN UNCONFIRMED
Is Kawasaki pushing for young
Aussie to graduate from Supersport?
IN UNCONFIRMED Bol d’Or this weekend.
Runaway Superstock 600 champ, After 24 hours of racing on the iconic
19; will he be fast-tracked to BSB? Paul Ricard circuit, the Honda squad,
fielding Freddy Foray, Josh Hook and
Mike Di Meglio, beat YART by just 54
Danny Webb and Sheridan Morais.
British squad Honda Endurance
Racing were forced to retire after
spending more than six hours trying
to repair an issue with their engine.

WEEKEND ADMISSION ONLINE* £36

RACEDAY ADMISSION ONLINE* £28
CHILDREN UNDER 16 GO FREE
*Advance tickets available until midday Wednesday 26 September. Postage fee applies.

WWW.BRITISHSUPERBIKE.COM

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK TICKETS WWW.BSBASSEN.COM

www.motorcyclenews.com September 19 2018 | 67

SPORT
CHAMPIONSHIP DASHBOARD BSB ROUND 10 – OULTON PARK
OULTON PARK CIRCUIT
STATISTICS
••Length 2.69 miles
Corners 17 – 6 left, 11 right
O ‘Bridewell He’s gotta
lotta bottle
•Longest straight 0.000 m START
andtheteam
seemtohave
HASLAM 604 Pts

hititofffrom
DIXON 573 Pts

POSITIONS
BROOKES 530 Pts

Fastest lap Gains&lossesR1(gridvfinish)

1 Dixon
day one’
DIXON
Kawasaki =
BSB CHAMPIONSHIP 2 Bridewell
STANDINGS
1.34.749
Lap 2
Ducati =
4 Irwin 530 10 Iddon 129
3 Haslam
Kawasaki 19
5
6
Ray
Hickman
524
520
11
12
Bridewell
Laverty
128
105
Pole lap
4 Irwin
Ducati 1
7
8
O’Halloran
Mackenzie
138
131
13
14
Byrne
Ellison
98
88 DIXON
5 Laverty
BMW 7
9 Buchan 130 15 Cooper 87 1.33.758 Gains&lossesR2
Q3
16Mossey8717Irwin6718Linfoot65
19Rea3420 Law3321 Tay Mackenzie1322 Rouse13
1 Dixon
Kawasaki =
Circuit record lap
2 Haslam
Kawasaki 2
BSB POSITIONS RACE 1 3 Bridewell 2
Ducati
Pos Rider Nat Team Time BROOKES

1 Dixon GBR Kawasaki 28’37.789

1.34.483 4 Mackenzie
Yamaha 4

BRIDEWELL
2015
2 Bridewell GBR Suzuki +6.142 5 Brookes
Yamaha 8
3 Haslam GBR Kawasaki +16.677
4 Irwin GBR Ducati +18.564
5 Laverty GBR BMW +19.513
6 O’Halloran GBR Honda +19.727 LAPS LED TOP SIX
7
8
Mackenzie
Hickman
GBR
GBR
Yamaha
BMW
+33.594
+38.799
BSB
•Dixon89 •

BACK IN GAME
9 Ellison GBR Yamaha +40.629 Haslam 79 Brookes 74
10
11
Linfoot
Ray
GBR
GBR
Honda
Suzuki
+45.312
+49.250
• Mackenzie 22 Mosey 12

12 Irwin GBR Ducati +56.717

13 Cooper GBR Suzuki +57.340
14 Rea GBR Suzuki +1’00.674
15 Rogers GBR Kawasaki +1’03.390
16
17
Francis
Law
GBR
GBR
BMW
Kawasaki
+1’12.728
+1’25.321 101
18
DNF
Neave
Harrison
GBR
GBR
Suzuki
Kawasaki
+1’38.568
13 laps
RAY
O Provesdoubterswrongwithdoublerostrum
DNF Mossey GBR Kawasaki 9 laps
DNF Winfield GBR Kawasaki 9 laps
DNF Brookes AUS Yamaha 5 laps circuit for me and even though who is thought to be quite
By Oli Rushby I’ve only been on the Moto difficult to deal with. But he
BSB REPORTER

T
Rapido bike for a short time I feel and the Moto Rapido team seem
BSB POSITIONS RACE 2 ommy Bridewell repaid so good on it. To walk away with to have hit it off from day one.
Pos Rider Nat Team Time
SUPERSPORT the faith put in him by two podiums, especially in such “When I’ve got my helmet
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS the Moto Rapido Ducati different conditions, is amazing. off I’m an idiot; I’m joking about,
1 Dixon GBR Kawasaki 28’42.530 1 Kennedy 406 7 Wilford 145 squad with a stunning “This year hasn’t been easy. saying things that will get me
2 Haslam GBR Kawasaki +1.129 2 Currie 376 8 Twyman 143 double-rostrum at Out in Spain at the start of the into trouble and all that, but
3 Bridewell GBR Ducati +3.586 3 Rispoli 214 9 Oliver 136 Oulton Park this weekend. year I felt like I was about to when it comes to racing it’s the
4 Mackenzie GBR Yamaha +6.301 4 Westmoreland 204 10 Perrin 120 The Westcountryman has have my best year yet, but things one thing that calms me down a
5 Brookes AUS Yamaha +6.404 5 Allingham 167 11 Seeley 90 impressed throughout his ended up going the way they did. bit. When I’m on the bike it’s the
6 Irwin GBR Ducati +6.441 6 Jones 167 12 Perie 86 short tenure with the small This weekend I’ve been able to one time in my life I feel sensible,
7 Mossey GBR Kawasaki +8.142
13Estment8314Neave8115Philp66 but well-run squad, and that prove I can still ride and that I’m and that’s how I felt during the
8 Hickman GBR BMW +20.846
16Wigley4817 Kerr3318Truelove3019Kennedy29 reached another level at the capable of running at the front in races this weekend. I rode sensible.
9 Irwin GBR Ducati +22.052 20 Booth2821 Armstrong2522 Dixon 23 Cheshire track as he walked BSB. I’m back where I should be.” Jake came by me in race one, and
10 Ellison GBR Yamaha +22.156
11 Linfoot GBR Honda +23.626
away with a second and third Bridewell is a somewhat I knew to run with him would be
12 Harrison GBR Kawasaki +26.957
SUPER SPORT RACE 1 place to show for his efforts. controversial figure in the hard – I didn’t let him have it, but
13 Law GBR Kawasaki +39.279
1 Seeley, 2 J Kennedy, 3 Currie, 4 Rispoli, Sacked from the Movuno.com paddock, renowned for his I knew second was a good result.
5 Jones, 6 Westmoreland, 7 Perrin, 8 Allingham, 9 Owens,
14 Rea GBR Suzuki +51.317 Halsall Racing squad mid-way outspoken ways and as someone If I’d tried to go with him I’d have
10 Truelove, 11 Oliver, 12 Wilford, 13 Ryde, 14 Armstrong, 15
15 Rogers GBR Kawasaki +1’06.098 Wigley, 16 Boerboom, 17 Philp, 18 Wigley, 19 Kerr, through the season, a return to crashed. It’s probably surprised
16 Winfield GBR Yamaha +1’14.686 20 R Kennedy, 21 Thompson, 22 Patterson the rostrum had never seemed Wilf a bit, as I think people expect
DNF O’Halloran GBR Honda 12 laps further away for Bridewell when me to be the total opposite!”
DNF Ray GBR Suzuki 11 laps SUPER SPORT RACE 2 Moto Rapido boss Steve ‘Wilf’ The strong weekend catapults
DNF Cooper GBR Suzuki 9 laps 1 Currie, 2 J Kennedy, 3 Seeley, 4 Westmoreland, Moore picked up the phone. Bridewell into contention for
DNF Zanotti GBR Kawasaki 9 laps 5 Owens, 6 Jones, 7 Rispoli, 8 Estment, 9 Armstrong, 10 However, the unlikely pairing the Riders’ Cup, the trophy
Allingham, 11 Oliver, 12 Ryde, 13 Kerr, 14 Wigley, 15 Philp, 16
DNF Laverty GBR BMW 4 laps
Perie, 17 Patterson, 18 Wilford, 19 Nesbit, 20 Brouwers, has proven the doubters wrong awarded for the highest-placed
DNF Neave GBR Suzuki 0 laps 21 Boerboom, 22 Thompson after a number of strong rounds. non-Showdown rider. He sits
“That feels good,” Bridewell just eight points off Honda’s
smiled. “I knew we’d be strong Jason O’Halloran, who currently
NEXT RACE SEPTEMBER 28-30 TT ASSEN
DOUBLE RED

coming here, as this is a good Repaying MotoRapido Ducati’s faith occupies seventh place.

68 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com


Mackenzie:‘We’vecomesofar’
Bennetts BSB rookie Tarran
Mackenzie continued to show his
potential with another strong ride
at Oulton Park.
The technical Cheshire track had
proved a bit of a challenge for the
pint-sized Supersport champion
back in May, as he was still learning
to ride the 200+bhp beast that is
his McAMS Yamaha R1. However,
Tarran Mackenzie
has mastered his
McAMS Yamaha R1
Rayoff
the pace
Bradley Ray and the Buildbase
Suzuki team were left scratching
their heads after a challenging
start to the Showdown.
Ray could only manage an 11th-
place finish in race one, before
crashing out of the second outing,
meaning he’d walk away from the
weekend with just five points.
“We’re struggling a bit with the
bike, and I was pushing on in race
two but ended up tucking the
front on the way into turn one,”
he said. “We’ve obviously got to
sort it for the final few rounds.
“It’s not what we were
struggling with earlier this year,
it’s a few things. It’s so difficult
working with these Superbikes; if
you find a solution for one thing,
you cause an issue elsewhere.
CLIVE CHALLINOR
We just need to try and find that
sweet spot again for Assen.”
he demonstrated just how far he’s
come with another top-five result.
“At the start of the year, I struggled
a bit here,” he said. “It was a hard
track to learn to ride a superbike
on, but coming back we’ve improved
the bike a lot and I’ve got a bit more
experience so it shows we are
heading in the right direction.
“I was happy with seventh in race
one, as I’ve not spent much time on the
O‘We’veimproved bike in the wet, and I felt I could have
got a podium in race two.
thebikealot;we “But I had a massive moment and
chose to rein it in a bit as I’d rather be
fourth than on the floor. It’s been a
areheadinginthe pretty good result and it sets us up well
right direction’
for Assen and Brands Hatch, too. I’d
love to return to the podium before the
year is out, and I think we’ve got a
pretty good chance.”
It was the third time in five races
that Mackenzie has beaten his more
experienced team-mate Josh Brookes,
but the young gun has promised he’ll
help the Aussie out in the title chase if
it’s possible over the final two rounds.
More top-five happiness for Mackenzie
Rash gravel
move cost Ray
dear in race one
www.motorcyclenews.com
BSB
RookieIrwin
on the money
Andrew Irwin enjoyed his strongest
points haul of his BSB career after
a strong weekend at Oulton Park.
The Be Wiser Ducati rider, who’s
trying to secure a 2019 seat, finished
an impressive fourth in the wet opening
race, and then completed the top ten.
“I knew I had to finish both races,
as it’s important for me to show a bit
of consistency as I’m trying to get a job
for next year,” he said. “To end up with
our best weekend yet and a fourth
place – I’m really happy.”
Farmer steals lead
Tyco BMW’s Keith Farmer returned to
the top of the Superstock 1000
standings with a victory and second
place at Oulton Park this weekend.
While Billy McConnell, who led the
series by 0.5 points ahead of the
weekend, won the first race, a seventh
place in race two handed a 10.5 point
lead to his rival.
Kennedy beaten
British Supersport series leader Jack
Kennedy went without a win again at
Oulton Park this weekend, beaten in
the respective races by Alastair Seeley
and title rival Ben Currie. However, two
second places limited the damage to
the Irishman’s lead with Aussie Currie
taking just one point off him across the
two races combined.
September 19 2018 | 69
SPORT
BSB ROUND 10 – OULTON PARK

Haslamfightstostayontop
Leon Haslam once again showed
his class to limit the damage from a
tough weekend as the 2018 Bennetts
British Superbike Showdown got
underway at Oulton Park.
An engine issue in qualifying left
him dead last on the grid for Sunday’s
opener, but it didn’t stop the series
leader from extending his podium run
with a heroic charge to third. And while
Dixon, despite closing down a six- and it was just the circumstances that
second lead in the second race, he
lost just 14 points across the weekend
O‘Iwasputina meant we had to settle for second.”
However, while Haslam walked away
and still carries a healthy 31-point
advantage with five races left.
situationwhereI with a strong points haul, it wasn’t
without risk. The 35-year-old’s charge
“Saturday was a disaster for us, so
this weekend was going to be about
damage limitation,” he said. “To come
hadnochoicebut through from the back of the grid saw
several hairy moments, but he says he
had no choice. “The Showdown closes
away with a second and third, and to
hunt down Jake’s gap in the second
to take some risks” everything up; my lead went from over
100 points to 45. So with the issue on

Irwin loses out

Oulton proved a tough weekend for
he was unable to get the better of Jake race, just shows our pace was there, Saturday I was put in a situation where
I had no choice but to take some risks.
It certainly wasn’t ideal in those
conditions. I had to do what I had to do.”
Be Wiser Ducati’s Glenn Irwin, who Despite a turbulent Showdown start
walked away with a best finish of sixth Haslam remains confident ahead of the
place and now sits 74 points off title final two rounds, with his other series
leader Leon Haslam. Irwin stalled rival Josh Brookes scoring just 11 points.
his Be Wiser Ducati on the grid for “Assen is one of my favourite
Sunday’s opening race, forcing bosses circuits, and it’s not a track that Jake
to abort the start meaning he’d have to went well at last year. Brookes had
start the race from the back of the grid. a nightmare this weekend and I still
Struggling with a lack of feeling in the believe he’ll be the main threat at the
wet, he finished 12th. This left him low next two rounds, so that’s a positive for
on the grid for the second outing, where the championship as he’s further behind.”
he fought through to finish sixth.

From last to third

at Oulton Park; not
bad going, Leon

Celebrating an epic fight to the podium

Buchan banged out Ouch! Brookes’ crash

saw him tumble
FS-3 Kawasaki’s Danny Buchan was
forced to miss Sunday’s two races
after a monumental crash in qualifying.
Disappointed down the rankings

Having shown strong pace throughout

the weekend, Buchan slipped off at the
150mph island bend in qualifying. While
he was able to walk away with no broken
bones, doctors ruled him out of Sunday
action with a suspected concussion.
Champions crowned
Jake Archer was crowned 2018
Motostar British Champion this
weekend, with a fourth-place in
Sunday’s second race with a round to
spare. The RS Racing/Team City Lifting
rider has won ten races so far this
season. Spaniard Victor Rodriguez won
Brookes
lags behind
Josh Brookes’ 2018
championship challenge took
something of a turn for the
worst at Oulton Park this
weekend, with the Aussie rider
walking away from the Cheshire
track with just 11 points.
Crashing out of race one, he
could manage only fifth place
in the second outing. He now
sits a whopping 74 points off
series leader Haslam.
“I’m not frustrated, I’m
disappointed,” Brookes said
after the race. “The package
we have arrived at this track
and the last few rounds with
is not good enough to win. We
are struggling with a number
of issues; we need to be coming
out with a better motorbike at
each race, not a worse one…”
MIKE PETCH

the standard class title with two fourth

places, to place him an unassailable 87
points ahead of Thomas Strudwick.

70 | September 19 2018 www.motorcyclenews.com


Double bubble for
Dixon – and he sets
Oulton’s fastest lap
DOMINANT
DIXON DOES
THE DOUBLE
O JakeDixonkeepstitlehopesalivewithOulton twin win
By Oli Rushby
BSB REPORTER
J
ake Dixon kept his hopes
of winning the 2018
Bennetts British Superbike
Championship alive with a
dominant double victory
at the Oulton Park event.
The RAF Regular and Reserves
rider was unbeatable throughout
the weekend. He set the fastest-
ever lap of the Cheshire circuit
on his way to pole position on
Saturday, before winning in
both the wet and dry on Sunday
to take 14 points out of Leon
Haslam’s series lead.
The double win couldn’t have
come at a better time for Dixon,
who’s finally proven he can win at a
circuit that isn’t Knockhill – and at
the most crucial point of the season
with just two rounds remaining.
“I came here knowing that if
I won every race left this year, if
Leon finished second it wouldn’t
be enough for me to win the title,”
Dixon told MCN. “This
championship is his to lose, but
DOUBLE RED
that doesn’t mean I’m not doing
all I can to win it. All the pressure
is on him; I’ve just got to keep
doing what I am doing and
enjoying riding my bike. If we
do that, the results will come –
and hopefully that will be enough
to keep us in the hunt.”
Dixon was in a class of his own
this weekend, which has been the
best of his relatively short BSB
career, and one reason for that
dominance could be that a weight
has been lifted off his shoulders
in regards to his plans.
While the young gun’s
future has been up in the air
over recent rounds as he mulled
over numerous options, MCN
understands he has inked a deal
to move to Moto2 in 2019. And
while he remained tight-lipped
on whether that was true, he
Jake’s hopes for
overall BSB victory
are still strong
admitted that being more
relaxed did help the weekend.
“I’ve been so relaxed this
weekend, I wanted to go out
and enjoy myself. I don’t think
I’ve ever enjoyed riding a bike as
much – it doesn’t get much more
enjoyable than pole position and
two race wins!”
However, he is aware that
there’s still a long way to go if
he’s to overhaul long-time series
leader Haslam in the final two
rounds. Especially knowing that
his bike has previously struggled
on faster circuits, with one of the
quickest tracks on the calendar
coming up next.
“Our bike isn’t as fast as some
of our rivals’, and I do think that
might be an issue at Assen, but I’ll
do what I do every weekend and
give it 100%. Oulton Park is a bit of
a riders’ track, as you actually have
to ride the bike and it’s not just about
who’s got the most power. Assen is
obviously a bit different, and it was
a tough round for us last year, but
we’ve come a long way since then
and learned a lot. I’m not going out
without a fight, that’s for sure.”
www.motorcyclenews.com
BSB
EXPERT
OPINION
‘Pressure’son’
Shane Byrne, BSB champion
“Every rider in the Showdown
is under such an immense
amount of pressure. I have
been in the situation so many
times, and there are genuinely
nights when you can’t sleep
a wink as you are going
through all the different
scenarios in your head.
“It was great to see
Jake Dixon looking so strong
this weekend. He had Leon
Haslam riding on the edge in
the second race to chase him
down, and ultimately, if you
want to beat Leon, you have to
beat him now. If you put him
under pressure, it’s not
unknown for him to start
making the odd mistake.”
September 19 2018 | 71
 WORLDSUPERBIKES

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+44 (0) 20 8963 2817
ukmotorcycles@bonhams.com
An Important Single Owner Collection of Collectors’ Motorcycles
CATALOGUE
Sunday 23 September 2018 | Alexandra Palace, London +44 (0) 1666 502 200
Catalogue now online subscriptions@bonhams.com

BIDS
+44 (0) 20 7447 7447
bids@bonhams.com
Entries include

1930 AJS 495cc R10 Racing Motorcycle £25,000 - 35,000 1964 Lambretta 225cc Turismo Veloce Series III £4,000 - 6,000
1949 AJS 7R 350cc Racing Motorcycle £20,000 - 30,000 c.1965 Lambretta SX150 £3,000 - 4,000
1950 AJS 7R 350cc Racing Motorcycle £20,000 - 30,000 1971 Lambretta Vega Motor Scooter £4,000 - 6,000
1956 AJS 7R 350cc Racing Motorcycle £20,000 - 30,000 1973 Laverda 750 SF1 £8,000 - 12,000
1961 Beart-Norton Manx 350cc Racing Motorcycle £50,000 - 70,000 1975 Laverda 750SFC Elettronica £24,000 - 28,000
1955 BSA 348cc Gold Star £7,000 - 9,000 1974 Maico 450cc Moto-Cross £4,000 - 5,000
1961 BSA 499cc Gold Star Scrambler £12,000 - 15,000 1962 Matchless 498cc G50 Racing Motorcycle £25,000 - 35,000
1963 BSA 646cc Rocket Gold Star £6,000 - 8,000 1971 MV Agusta 750S £70,000 - 100,000
1963 BSA 646cc Rocket Gold Star £6,000 - 8,000 1973 MV Agusta 497.9cc Racing Motorcycle £120,000 - 160,000
1972 Bultaco 250cc Matador MkIV Trail Bike £4,000 - 6,000 1978 MV Agusta 789cc 750S America £70,000 - 100,000
1973 Bultaco 250cc Sherpa Trials Motorcycle £2,500 - 3,500 1978 MV Agusta 832cc Monza £55,000 - 75,000
c.1975 Bultaco 250cc Pursang Mk 8 £1,500 - 2,000 1978 MV Agusta 861 Magni £60,000 - 80,000
1967 Cheney BSA Victor 500cc Scrambler £7,000 - 10,000 2000 MV Agusta 750cc F4 ‘Serie Oro’ £18,000 - 24,000
1976 Ducati 864cc 900SS £25,000 - 35,000 2000 MV Agusta 750cc F4 ‘Serie Oro’ £18,000 - 24,000
c.1959 Greeves 197cc 20TA Scottish Trials £2,000 - 3,000 1926 Scott 498cc TT Racing Motorcycle £30,000 - 40,000
1963 Greeves 246cc 24MDS Scrambler £2,500 - 3,000 1953 Triumph 498cc T100C £20,000 - 30,000
c.1965 Greeves 250cc Challenger 24MX2 £4,000 - 5,000 1959 Triumph 349cc 3TA £4,000 - 6,000
  .YLL]LZ  JJ 7H[OÄUKLY    1959 Triumph 490cc 5TA Speed Twin £4,000 - 6,000
1967 Honda CB125SS £5,500 - 7,500 1960 Triumph 649cc TR6 Trophy £8,000 - 14,000
1969 Honda CB750 K0 £6,000 - 8,000 c.1960 Triumph Tiger Cub 199cc Trials Motorcycle £3,800 - 4,500
1969 Honda CB750 ‘Sand-Cast’ £20,000 - 30,000 1961 Triumph 649cc T120C Bonneville £15,000 - 22,000
1969 Honda CL350 £4,000 - 6,000 1964 Triumph 649cc Bonneville TT Special £15,000 - 22,000
1969 Honda CB750 £16,000 - 20,000 1965 Triumph 649cc TT Special £14,000 - 18,000
1970 Honda CB750 £12,000 - 18,000 1966 Triumph 649cc T120R Bonneville £10,000 - 15,000
1972 Honda SL125S Trail £2,600 - 3,500 1966 Triumph 649cc TR6C Trophy £8,000 - 14,000
c.1972 Honda CR125M Elsinore Moto-Crosser £2,500 - 4,500 1967 Triumph 650cc T120R Bonneville £8,000 - 14,000
1974 Husqvarna CR400 Moto-Cross £5,000 - 8,000 1939 Velocette 348cc KTT Mark VIII £40,000 - 50,000
1972 Kawasaki 903cc Z1 £12,000 - 18,000 1955 VéloSolex 330 V3 49cc Moped £600 - 1,000
1972 Kawasaki 903cc Z1 £12,000 - 18,000 1949 Vincent-HRD 499cc Meteor Series B £16,000 - 20,000
1976 Kawasaki KT250 Trials £3,500 - 4,500 1955 Vincent 998cc Black Knight £40,000 - 50,000
2015 Kawasaki 998cc H2R £16,000 - 20,000 1974 Yamaha 49cc FS1-E £3,000 - 4,000
1954 Lambretta LD125 Motor Scooter £3,000 - 4,000 1974 Yamaha SC 500 £5,000 - 7,000
1959 Lambretta TV 175 Series 1 £5,000 - 8,000 1976 Yamaha 49cc FS1-E £4,000 - 5,000
1960 Lambretta Li150 Rallymaster Replica £4,000 - 8,000 1977 Yamaha RD400 £3,800 - 4,800

bonhams.com/allypally
7S\ZI\`LY»ZWYLTP\THUKV[OLYMLLZ-VYKL[HPSZVM[OLJOHYNLZWH`HISLPUHKKP[PVU[V[OLÄUHSOHTTLYWYPJLWSLHZL]PZP[IVUOHTZJVTI\`LYZN\PKL

WELCOME
We can’t wait to see you
at our all-new show
Bikes racing at full-pelt
down an indoor drag
strip at one of the UK’s
most iconic venues? Yes
please! It’s going to be
pretty damn special and we can’t wait
to open the doors to the Devitt MCN
Ally Pally Show and Supersprint.
It will be a sight and sound like
nothing you’ve seen before – and we’d
very much recommend you bring
some earplugs because we don’t want
anyone going home with a headache.
The Supersprint takes place three
SPECTACULARSUPERSPRINTISGO!
Five of the UK’s biggest biking celebs
and ear-splitting race bikes will take
on the Supersprint this weekend.
See Carl Fogarty, John
McGuinness, Chris Walker, James
Whitham and Dougie Lampkin go
head-to-head in a series of biking
challenges down the Supersprint
course including a wheelie race. The
top celebs will be wowing the crowds
as they bid to win the King of the
Supersprint crown.
Dougie Lampkin
HISTORIC RACE BIKES
In between the madcap races you’ll
be treated to a blast of historic
racing as 14 incredible machines
tear down the Supersprint course.
These bikes are going to make a
glorious racket as they explode off
the line so make sure you get a good
spot to watch from.
#MCNwednesday
SEPTEMBER 22-23 2018 SEPTEMBER 19 2018 03
times a day on both the Saturday and
Sunday but there’s a whole lot more
to the event besides. We’ve lined up
static displays of jaw-dropping race
bikes, an auction, trade stands and
more. See you there!
ANDY CALTON, MCN EDITOR
SUPER
SPRINT
For an extra special day out you can
book yourself the full VIP experience
TIMETABLE
at the show.
You’ll get closer to the bikes with
an exclusive track walk, meet and
11AM
1PM
greet the superstar celebs, 10%
discount off event catering PLUS a
3PM
special MCN goodie bag. VIP tickets
are limited, avoid disappointment
and book online now. Adult VIP costs
£30, Child VIP tickets cost £15. www.
mcnallypallyshow.co.uk
John McGuinness Carl Fogarty James Whitham Chris Walker
THE SUPERSPRINT MACHINES
O 2013 Forward Racing FTR GP113 4-cylinder (Mike Hailwood rep)
(ex-Claudio Corti) O 1968 Factory Yamaha YR-2
O 2011 FTR Moto2 Honda 350cc (ex-Yvon Duhamel)
O 2008 BSB Factory Rizla Suzuki O 1997 Yamaha special. YZF
(ex-Tom Sykes) factory engine, hub-centre
O 2003 MotoGP Ducati GP3 990cc steering. (ex-Steve Linsdell)
(ex-Loris Capirossi) O 1974 MV Agusta 500cc Triple
O 2002 Yamaha M1 (Biaggi replica) O 1989 Factory Honda RC30
O 1998 Yamaha YZF750 (ex-Steve Hislop)
(Cadbury’s Boost replica) O Plus Allen Millyard’s Honda
O 1997 Triumph Speed Triple SS250 V-twin special
(ex-Mark Phillips)
O 1986 Factory Suzuki 750cc TT All the historic Supersprint machines
Superbike (ex-Andy McGladdery) are kindly supplied courtesy of the
O 1967 Honda RC181 500cc Brackley Festival of Motorcycling.
www.motorcyclenews.com
04 SEPTEMBER 19 2018
BIGNAMES,BIG
ADVENTURESAND
CRAZYMACHINES
The main stage in the West Hall is packed both days with great
interviews, workshops and biking history. Don’t miss a thing...
Big-name interviews
■ Carl Fogarty and James
Whitham will be bringing their own
hilarious take on the world of racing
and delving into Carl’s new book,
The World According To Foggy.
■ After an injury-hit couple of
years John McGuinness is back to
full health and racing again. Fresh
from his win at the Classic TT, John
will be revealing his plans for the
long anticipated return to the Isle of
Man with Norton.
■ United by a love of off-road
riding, 12 time world trials
champion Dougie Lampkin and
BSB favourite Chris Walker will
be talking about their incredible
careers and what they’ve got
planned for 2019.
Allen Millyard workshop live
From his Honda SS50 based
V-twins to the radical Flying
Millyard, Allen Millyard has
built some of the world’s most
spectacular motorcycles. Based
in a humble workshop and mostly
using hand tools, Allen’s skill lies in
techniques and thinking that have
mostly been forgotten in today’s
CAD and CNC world. He doesn’t
usually work with any drawings
either, instead he looks at parts on
the bench and visualises how they
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SEPTEMBER 22-23 2018
should fit together. Allen will be
on stage to talk through some of
his most challenging builds from
initial idea to a fully functioning
bike. He’ll also be starting up the
Flying Millyard, riding the SS250
down the Supersprint course and Ask McPint about the Classic TT and his plans for riding the Norton in 2019
firing up his latest build, a tribute to
the legendary Honda Six built using
two Yamaha YZR250 engines. Millyard’s ‘Honda Six’ is a sight to behold
Nick Sanders: Russia,
Mongolia, Motorbike, Me
Just back from his epic trip to
Mongolia on a Yamaha Tracer 700,
Nick has many fascinating tales to
tell. He’ll be on stage twice a day
with a slideshow and talk about
this latest big adventure. As a
special show offer Nick is giving
away a whopping £35 worth of Soak up the history of a British icon
books and films from ANY of his
previous journeys (including his
autobiography) if you purchase
his latest book: Russia, Mongolia,
Motorbike, Me for just £7.99.
Brough Superior: A potted
history of the world’s
greatest motorcycle, with
Anthony Godin Quiz Nick Sanders on a life of adventure
Brough expert and owner of Godin
Sporting Cars & Motorcycles, machines of the jazz age to the high-
Anthony Godin talks through the performance, luxury models Brough Nick Sanders has just
history of Brough Superior, one of produce today, Anthony reveals the crossed Mongolia and
the greatest names in the history fascinating history and technology Russia and now he ‘s
of motorcycling. From the early behind these beautiful motorcycles. heading to London
Stand
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We are going to be having some fantastic show discounts G67 right on the strip
 #MCNwednesday

SEPTEMBER 19 2018 05

MAIN STAGE TIMETABLE (SAT & SUN) COME BY BIKE!

The best way to get to the
show is by bike – and it’s a
cracking way of adding to your
10.00 Foggy and Whitham #ride5000miles tally. Meet up
with mates, pick an interesting
10.45 Allen Millyard’s workshop live route and arrive together. The
R5K bike park is right next to the
Plus Honda Six tribute fire-up halls and there will be stewards
on duty throughout the day.
11.30 Nick Sanders Russia, Mongolia, Motorbike, Me
12.15 John McGuinness interview
13.00 Brough Superior A potted history of the world’s
greatest motorcycle with Anthony Godin Ask BSB hero Stalker about his time
in the crazy world of sidecar racing
13.30 Nick Sanders Russia, Mongolia, Motorbike, Me
14.15 Dougie Lampkin and Chris Walker interviews
15.15 Brough Superior A potted history of the world’s
greatest bike with Anthony Godin (Saturday only)
16.00 Allen Millyard’s workshop live
Plus Flying Millyard fire-up
TICKETS Adult tickets cost £17.00* when bought in advance (offers end midnight 21 Sept).
Tickets can be purchased on the day (£21.00). Children go free. Save £££s and buy discounted tickets online
now at www.mcnallypallyshow.co.uk *Transaction fee applies per transaction, not per ticket. MCN editor Andy Calton can t help
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www.motorcyclenews.com

06 SEPTEMBER 19 2018 SEPTEMBER 22-23 2018

G4
4

Relive the glory days of Norton’s British Superbikes Don’t miss the chance to pick up some biking bargains

WC
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The Bonham’s auction includes this glorious MV Agusta

 #MCNwednesday

SEPTEMBER 19 2018 07

CROSSING POINT
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO
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www.motorcyclenews.com

08 SEPTEMBER 19 2018 SEPTEMBER 22-23 2018

Feast your eyes on these spectacular

machines going under the hammer at the
show on Sunday. This is just a taster of more
A
than 75 bikes in the Bonhams auction at
Ally Pally, with the collection including
everything from FS1-Es to an MV Agusta. This
single-owner collection is staggering in its
breadth and quality, with sublimely restored
machines alongside ones that haven’t been
touched since they rolled out of the factory.
Admission to the auction is by catalogue
(which admits two people) and costs £20 on
the day. Viewing takes place on the Saturday.
1939 VELOCETTE KTT

One of the best-looking racing motorcycles of the pre-war era,

the MkVIII Velocette KTT is also one of the rarest. Just 49 of
the 349cc SOHC racers were built, making this example a very
desirable machine. Velocette racer Harold Lamacraft finished
19th in the 1939 Junior TT on this Velo at an average speed of
75.99mph. Estimate: £40,000-£50,000

1967 TRIUMPH T120R BONNEVILLE

The CB is one of the

rare ‘sand-cast’
early machines

This Bonnie is the work of Keith Martin of Big D Cycles in

Dallas. Restored using as many of the original parts as
possible (with the exception of the exhaust, tyres, seat cover
and bars) this has to be one of the best Bonnevilles to come up
SIMON LEE

for sale recently. It has only covered around 100 miles since
the work was completed in 2014. Estimate: £8000-£14,000
 #MCNwednesday

SEPTEMBER 19 2018 09

1977 HONDA CR125M 1926 SCOTT TT

1969 HONDA CB750
This 1969 model is one of
the rare, early production
bikes with ‘sand-cast’
crankcases. An early-type oil
filter cover with nine screws
(rather than 10) in the clutch
case is a further clue to the
bike’s provenance. First
registered in the USA, it’s
now registered in the UK.
Estimate:
£20,000-£30,000
Before the CR125, 125cc
motocrossers were either fast,
reliable or good handling – but
never all three. The Elsinore
changed that, and buyers,
particularly in the US, queued
up to get their hands on one.
This bike is superbly restored
and in correct condition.
Estimate: £2500-£3500
One of only three, three-speed
Scott works machines to be
raced in the 1926 TT and the
only one to finish the race
(in 18th place after gearbox
problems). The 498cc Scott
recorded 92.2mph on the Sulby
straight and 107mph on the
drop into Hillberry.
Estimate: £30,000-£40,000

1949 VINCENT HRD METEOR 1978 MAGNI

One of the rarer HRD This German-registered

singles. The 499cc Meteor is
distinguished from the sportier
Comet by its Brampton forks
(rather than the Girdraulic
units) and smaller carb. The
rarity of the Meteor, it was
phased out in 1950, makes it
highly prized by collectors.
Estimate: £16,000-£20,000
861cc machine boasts all the
exclusive features of a Magni-
modified MV. There’s a Magni
frame, chain drive conversion
and 861cc big bore kit for the
MV Agusta four-cylinder engine
plus Ceriani forks and Fontana
twin leading shoe brakes.
Estimate: £60,000-£80,000

1973 MV AGUSTA GP500/3 TRIPLE

The last MV racing triple to be built is believed to have been ridden

by 22-time world champion Giacomo Agostini (research to confirm
this is still ongoing). Maintained by Lucio Castelli (ex-MV race dept)
and in superb condition, the bike represents the final flowering of
the classic 500cc MV Agusta. Estimate: £250,000-£350,000
 www.motorcyclenews.com
10 SEPTEMBER 19 2018
AMAZING RACE
BIKES AND MORE
ON SHOW
This weekend there are superb
displays of remarkable race and
custom machines* on show at
Ally Pally. The historic race bike
collection features everything from
stunning replicas to genuine world-
beaters. And if you’re into the new
wave custom scene we’ve a fair few
of those on display too.
■ 2005 Factory Rizla Suzuki
GSX-R1000
As used by the 2004 BSB champion
John Reynolds in 2005.
■ 1964 Honda RC145 125cc Twin
Replica based around a tuned
175cc Honda twin.
■ 1972 John Player Norton 750
An ex-Mick Grant machine. Clever
design kept the underpowered
Nortons competitive until the end of
the 1970s.
■ 2000 Yamaha YZR500 replica.
A beautiful tribute to the great but
SE E
T
THE LATESIS
KAWASAK wing
ill be sho
Kawasaki w
0 18 l ee t w ith the help o
their 2 a saki. Find
e ster K aw
Colch
in th e m a in hall next
them
indow.
to the rose w
*COURTESY OF THE BRACKLEY FESTIVAL OF MOTORCYCLING
SEPTEMBER 22-23 2018
The Norton Rotary took
BSB by storm in the hands
of Ian Simpson
controversial Italian 500 Grand Prix
rider Max Biaggi.
■ 1994 Norton 585cc Rotary
Ex-Ian Simpson machine that won
the 1994 BSB Championship.
■ 2003 Val-Moto Triumph
Supersport
600cc machine as ridden by
BUILT DISPLAY
23-times TT winner John
McGuinness at the 2003 TT. The YZR replica is a tribute to the
original raced by the Roman Emperor
■ 1978 TZ500 Kenny Roberts rep
This tribute to the great ‘King
Kenny’ was named Best Special by
Practical Sportsbikes Magazine
competition last year.
■ 1960 Manx Norton 500cc
The definitive single-cylinder grand
prix bike of the 1960s.
■ 1969 Yamaha TD2 250cc
Ground-breaking two-stroke as
ridden by world-famous Finnish Check out the machine John Reynolds
rider Teuvo Länsivuori. campaigned in the 2005 BSB season
You won’t want to miss the cream of the new wave of custom building
Built magazine will be Cycles, Foundry motorcycles
showcasing the very best of the and Shaw Speed & Custom the
custom and café racer scene exhibits are world-class and
with a display in the main hall. many of them are making their
With machines from Side Rock public debut at Ally Pally.
f

ESSENTIAL VISITOR INFORMATION
If you have a ticket query please
contact www.seetickets.com/
customerservice or call
0115 912 9105
Opening times
● Saturday: 9am – 5pm
● Sunday: 9am – 5pm
The venue
Alexandra Palace, Alexandra
Palace Way, London
Sat-nav postcode: N22 7AY
Getting there by bike
Riding to the show means you won’t
get stuck in traffic and you’ll be
able to take advantage of the MCN
#ride5000miles bike park right next
to the main halls. Bike/car parks will
be monitored by venue staff for the
duration of the show opening hours.
Please note that bikes are left at
owner’s risk.
Travelling by car
Car park spaces are free and offered
on a first come, first served basis.
Please note that car parks fill up
very quickly so we recommend
using your bike or public transport.
Major roads have signposts to
‘Alexandra Palace’
1 mile from the North Circular Road
(A406)
5 miles from the M1 (Junction 2)
8 miles from the M25 (Junction 25)
Disabled parking
There are disabled access parking
spaces specifically for blue badge
holders. There are also dedicated
accessible bays in the Grove Car
park (250 yard walk up a slight hill)
#MCNwednesday
SEPTEMBER 19 2018 11
and the East Car Park at the Ice Travelling by rail
Rink end of the building. There is Alexandra Palace has its own
a drop off point outside the Palm overground station (Alexandra
Court Entrance via the west slip Palace Station). A regular train
road where staff will assist with service runs direct from Moorgate
directions. These spaces are or from Kings Cross, changing at
available on a strictly first come, Finsbury Park.
first served basis. Once at Alexandra Palace station
Carers will receive one free you can take the W3 bus or walk
ticket for each paying disabled (15-20 minutes up the hill) directly to
visitor. On arrival the disabled the venue.
ticket holder will be required to
provide proof of entitlement of at Bus travel
least one of the following: Letter/ In addition to the W3 from Finsbury
notice of entitlement for Personal Park and Wood Green Underground
Independence Payment • Blue stations, if you are travelling from
HO
THE SHP ON
parking badge or Freedom Pass. North London the 184 towards
Turnpike Lane Station stops at
Arriving by tube Alexandra Palace Station. If you’re
UTTLE
To plan your journey please visit the The 184 runs every 7-11 minutes Check out the public tr ar riving by
TFL website at www.tfl.gov.uk Monday to Friday, 6-10 minutes trade stands for ansport
free shu t
The nearest underground stations on Saturday and 10-12 minutes hot bargains ttle bus f here’s a
are Wood Green on the Piccadilly on Sundays. Green u rom Wo
ndergro od
line and Finsbury Park on the station u und
Victoria line. Don’t forget your earplugs! p the hil
Please note the last west bound Being a spectator at our event will the Pala l to
trains to central London from Wood be fantastic, however we would
ce.
Green station: like to advise that you may feel the
● Monday to Thursday: 00:09 need to protect your hearing during
● Friday to Saturday: Night tube the Supersprint – so don’t forget
runs all night your earplugs. You’ll be able to
● Sunday: 23:15 experience the atmosphere, but your
The W3 bus runs from both of ears will thank you later!
these tube stations and will take ● Please note that no alcohol, food
you to the Alexandra Palace Ice or soft drinks purchased off the
Rink stop or Palm Court entrance. premises are allowed into the venue
The W3 runs every 5-8 minutes (this is a policy set by the venue).
Monday to Friday, 6-10 minutes
on Saturday and 9-12 minutes on Show organiser
Sundays. Motor Cycle News
The W3 from Finsbury Bauer Media Make it part of your
Park station, stop B towards Media House #ride5000miles
Northumberland Park. Journey Peterborough Business park 2018 target
time is approx. 10 mins PE2 6EA