Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2019 i BIKE

» This is me enjoying the sound of the off-beat engine rhythm with subdued background gear whine of a Honda V4 at tickover. The fact that the old VFR750F has got gear driven cams makes me very happy. For a mass-produced motorcycle they’re an over-the-top engineering solution, but they’re what makes the VFR really special. This issue of Bike began as a conversation in a van with deputy editor Mike Armitage. Scudding across the East Anglian Fens in a Mercedes Sprinter we marvelled at the fact that bikes we’d tested a few years ago, when they were new and we had more hair, now cost (relative) peanuts. A frenzied internet search, conducted via smartphone from the Merc’s passenger seat, revealed an impressive amount of pre-loved temptation close by. Diverting our…

THE SVARTPILEN 701 could just be the bike I’ve been waiting 20 years for. The latest offering in Husqvarna’s bijou street bike range differs from the Vitpilen, that preceded it by a year, in many details, but one fundamental way: the height of the bars. Svart’ has scrambler type controls bolted to risers on the top yoke, Vit’ has clip-ons. Further detail differences are: the new bike’s 18in front wheel; chunky tyres; headlight surround; ‘Scandi-noir defines the look, the crackers motor sets the tone’ 15mm longer suspension travel at both ends; front mudguard featuring long fork guards, and different seat unit with its asymmetrical proto number board. Husqvarna’s product manager mentions a flat track influence when he lists these differences. I can see a subtle echo from the American oval,…

Peter Hickman Team: Smiths BMW Fastest ever lap: 135.452mph ‘Dunlop is uncaring about any other race and assuring interviewers he isn’t very bright. Which is patently a lie’ » From being the fastest ever newcomer in 2014 to simply the fastest ever last year thanks to that amazing, blazing final lap of the final race, the Senior. Hicky came to the TT after ten years racing Superbikes on short circuits and brought some BSB-style aggression with him. He’s big, with the long levers that help conserve strength in a long race, he is brimming with confidence, and he is with the same team and on the same bike. That lap record was achieved despite traffic early on in the last lap and Pete is confident he could have gone faster.…

» Blending in with your surroundings is useful on a long distance trip. Clunky armour gets uncomfortable and rolling into an African village dressed like a power ranger is not a good look. But if you want the protection of dedicated bike gear it’s hard to go incognito. Thankfully Rokker have produced a range of fully protected jeans and jackets that will pass for ‘normal’ clothing in all situations – and save your skin if you find yourself on the floor. moto legends. com…

» 9 June Kent Modified Mash-Up, Faversham Showground A new event, but we always travel hopefully. It’s a fiver to show your custom, and the same price for non-believers and those disposed to conversion. Expect a fun-fair, plenty of food and drink and if you’re so inclined, lots of spiffed-up four wheelers, too. Search Kent Modified Mash-up on Facebook » 18-21 July Faro International Motorcycle Meet, Faro, Portugal Four days of fun on Portugal’s balmy south coast. Distractions include a music festival and great riding roads. But it’s the custom bike competition that interests us here. On past form this will feature extraordinary machinery from the northern Mediterranean’s most creative builders. Worth taking a break for… motoclubefaro.pt » 2-11 August Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Dakota, USA The title…

Ducati 749 2003-2004 » Surely the perfect mix of old-school Ducati character and modernity. Lean-loving, wide-arc cornering with a stretched-out stance and dry clutch rattle sit together perfectly with a digi dash, proper suspension and ergonomic adjustability. The 749 has grown into its distinct looks, yet still feels fresh. I’m a fan of Ducati’s sportbikes, but it’s always the mid-size versions that appeal most due to the agility from a narrower rear tyre and revvier power delivery. I’d have a 748 instead of a 916, and I’d take an 848 over the 1098. And at £4k for a clean low-mile standard bike with full history, I’d take a 749 over all of them. KTM 990 Super Duke 2005-2007 » A section of road a few miles from my house climbs…

Ducati Multistrada 1000 2003-2007 » I may have been the only person who loved the looks of the original Pierre Terblanche designed Multistrada when they were first launched in 2003. Though I was never 100% convinced about the underseat exhaust or the indicators in the mirror cases I still think they look fantastic today. I rode one to Skye and back in 2004 and it was great; a really engaging ride, but comfortable. And Ducati’s two-valve air-cooled V-twin engine is a beauty. I’d want one with luggage, and in silver. They’re getting old now, from 2007 capacity grew to 1100 and in 2010 they were replaced by the four-valve, liquid-cooled proboscis bikes, so you need to buy carefully, and based on condition rather than year with good bodywork and engine…

Triumph Daytona 955i 2001-2004 » Big and heavy compared with Japanese superbikes, the 955i wasn’t the success Triumph hoped for despite its gorgeous 147bhp three-cylinder motor, decent handling and sensible riding position. Consequently it’s easy to forget it was a very good practical superbike. Those who did buy it were generally older riders, the sort of fastidious gents who know how to look after a motorcycle, which means there are now some beautifully clean bikes for sale at pitiful prices. Most will have a full Triumph dealer service history, no scuffs, and stacks of receipts. If you’re over 5ft 10in this is a classy bargain superbike. Honda CBR600RR 2013 » Nowt feels like a full-on sports 600. The mix of oh-so-precise steering, stratospheric revs and detailed feedback can’t be had…

Akrapovic silencers » Not because it’ll make the V4 sound better or that you’ll notice the titanium’s weight saving, but because they’re an eye-watering £4270. Look at my wealth. Dry clutch kit » Standard on the V4R, this gives a better slipper action and ‘greater fluidity during off throttle’. More importantly it’ll rattle like a Ducati sportsbikes should. £2808. Touring kit » Comfort seat, taller screen and bespoke tank bag make usable V4 even more flexible. Ducati want £381 – it’s cheaper than buying the bits individually. Adjustable rearsets » Made for Ducati by Rizoma. Loads of ’peg positions, allow road or race shift pattern, and are exquisitely machined in lovely aluminium alloy. That’ll be £991.…

‘Harrison and Hickman reflect on their epic Senior Race Day battle that had spectators on the Island, and ITV4 viewers, watching on in disbelief’ THE BIG, SMALL SCREEN, BUILD-UP TO THE TT. ON ITV4 Monday27May, 9pm One Three Five - Breaking The Barrier » Kicking off a four program build up to this year’s actual racing One Three Five – Breaking the Barrier travels back 12 months to last year’s record breaking TT and that 135mph lap record. Dean Harrison and Peter Hickman reflect on their epic Senior Race Day battle that had spectators on the Island, and ITV4 viewers, watching on in disbelief… Tuesday 28 May, 9pm The Greatest Race - Hislop vs Fogarty » The 1992 Senior TT is regarded by many as the greatest TT race of…

Class action suit Dainese Super Speed D1 jacket and Dainese Misano trousers Used for: 12 months Price: jacket £420, trousers £420 Info: dainese.com » It’s my motorcycling two-sie, the most comfortable leather suit I’ve ever owned. But being a 5ft 7in tubby and not an Italian male supermodel finding the right combo took a few trips to shops to try the range on and get expert advice. Worth it as the fit is fantastic and can be worn all day at a track without pain. It’s while at a shop that the ‘over the boots’ trouser option became a must. My chunky calves mean zips didn’t do up in normal trousers but the Misanos have two zips and a large stretch panel, perfect. ‘In’ boots will be needed as the…

Engine 998cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve inline four Power 158bhp @ 11,500rpm (claimed) Torque 81.9 lb.ft @ 9000rpm (claimed) Top speed 153mph (claimed) Rake/trail 24˚/102mm Wheelbase 1400mm Wet weight 210kg (claimed) Seat height 825mm Tank size 17 litres Economy 40mpg/149 miles (brisk use) Colours grey/fluro, black, blue/silver Bike verdict Very fast and sporty ride, but with enough MT-range friendliness to make it way more than a stripped-back R1. Performance, standard-fit extras and price mean it’s bang on the supernaked money. Bike rating 9/10…

This isn’t a limp brochure-style round-up of all the bikes you can buy. No, your guide is far more useful as it only contains bikes that we have tested, with comparable on-the-road prices plus data, expert opinion and must-know detail gathered by fussy full-time testers. We do hundreds of thousands of miles, dyno, datalog, weigh and answer the big questions. Don’t buy a new bike without reading this first. ✱ LOOKS FOGGY AHEAD It’s 25 years since Ducati’s 916 won its very first WSB race at Donington Park in May ’94 with Carl Fogarty, despite apparently turning up late after limited testing. Maybe they didn’t count competing in the HEAT Supercup at Donington the month before, where Foggy’s 916 (actually 955cc) was so fast he wheelied past rivals for two…

‘Bigger, fatter, lighter and festooned with technology…’ BIGGER, FATTER, LIGHTER and festooned with technology, this is Triumph’s new Rocket 3. Concerned their previous three-cylinder behemoth was a little ho-hum with just 2294cc, they’ve formed a new engine from pure wallop that displaces 2458cc – the largest bike engine in production. It’s the gruntiest, too. With much more over-square dimensions than the old motor, the 110.2 x 85.9mm inline triple uses titanium valves and is claimed to dish out over 163 lb.ft of torque. That’s twice as much as Ducati’s bonkers Panigale V4. Peak power is stated as more than 170bhp, which is 13% higher than the previous Rocket and makes the new bike the most powerful Triumph have ever made. This tyre-tormenting output is fed to the six-speed gearbox through…

WHILE DUCATI’S 950 Multistrada doesn’t have the headline-grabbing numbers and features of the 1260 version it is actually smoother, has greater agility and more than enough performance. And it costs less. In fact, the only place it loses out to the 1260 is in the fancy bits department – but even this is now resolved with the new 950 S version. A new inertial measurement unit (IMU, also now fitted to the base 950) brings lean-sensitive traction control and ABS. There are cornering headlights, a hill-hold system and self-cancelling indicators, backlit switchgear, plus a two-way quickshifter and cruise control. These new arrivals add convenience, refinement and attach a warm fuzzy feeling to the 950, previously the reserve of the top-end models. ‘It’s fast, handles crisply, and has a healthy dose…

James Hillier » Mr Consistent, ten years with the same team, finished 51 out of 55 races since 2008, 11 podium finishes but only one win. Probably not got the speed of the top men but if conditions get tricky he’s one to watch. Lee Johnston » The pint-sized Ulsterman is probably best suited to the Supersport class – his day job is British Supersport. However, he’s a 130+ man on the big bikes. Gary Johnson » A double winner but this is the first time he’s had the continuity of the same team for a long time. Conor Cummins » Has lapped at over 131mph. He’s never won a TT but was on the podium for the Superbike and Senior races in 2018. Davy Todd » Best newcomer last…

» 23-25 August Horizons Unlimited Travellers’ Meeting, Sebesu de Sus, Romania Horizons Unlimited arrive in Romania, in the beautiful foothills of the Fagaras Mountains. It’s the perfect excuse to take a trip to this fabulous country. Get out the map and start planning… horizonsunlimited.com/ events » 29 Aug – 1 Sept The Overland Event, Oxfordshire, UK Late summer get-together for anyone who loves to travel by motorcycle. The weekend features test rides, talks, workshops, films, a campfire, world food and real ale. And you get to meet some of the riders who have featured in these very pages. overlandevent.com » 13-15 Sept Adventure Travel Film Festival, Scotland The London festival is taking a break this year, but you can still catch all the fun north of the…

EDITORIAL Phone 01733 468000 EditorHugo Wilson Deputy EditorMike Armitage Art DirectorPaul Lang Managing EditorNigel Grimshaw New BikesEditorJohn Westlake Road TesterJames Haydon Off Road EditorJon Pearson Adventure EditorLois Pryce Customs EditorMark Williams SensibleAdultColleen Moore Art Editor (digital)Steve Herbert ADVERTISING Phone01733 468000 Commercial director gareth.ashman@bauermedia.co.uk Group advertisement manager shaun.collin@bauermedia.co.uk Group commercial manager rhonda.janes@bauermedia.co.uk Account manager Samantha.Creedon-Gray@bauermedia.co.uk Classified advertising sarah.frisby@bauermedia.co.uk jessie.hutchings@bauermedia.co.uk MARKETING Phone01733 468499 Marketingmanager Sarah Norman Marketingassistant Perri Boyton Newstrade marketingmanagerMark Webb BAUER CONSUMER MEDIA Managing Director – Motorcycling Rob Aherne Editorial Director June Smith-Sheppard Finance Director Lisa Hayden Group Finance Director Sarah Vickery Group Managing Director Rob Munro-Hall CEO Paul Keenan…

» Unless you’re dedicated to a certain model you’ll buy based on how much is in your piggybank (or written on your loan documents). And you’ll look on eBay as it’s where everyone advertises these days, which can mean upwards of 35,000 bikes to wade through and all that tiresome bidding and reserve nonsense. Here’s how I do it. In the panel down the left of the screen go to ‘capacity’, click ‘see all’ and only select engine size ranges you’re genuinely interested in. Then go to the price range boxes and just enter an upper limit, before going to ‘buying format’ and picking classified ads to remove the auction faff. Selecting ‘UK only’ gets rid of machines in Europe’s darkest corners, before whacking return to reveal the goods and…

1997 Honda VFR750F Price new: £8925 Value now: £1500 Engine: 748cc V-four Power: 97bhp IT CAN BE hard to love a 22 year old, 32,000 mile £1500 used bike with scuffed bodywork and evidence of winter corrosion on its aluminium engine casings. But there are compelling reasons to become deeply engaged with a not-too-shabby four-owner 1997 Honda VFR750F, even when it bears a few light scars that suggest age and use. For me a VFR is far, far more than a cheap hack. ‘It’s what you can’t see that makes the VFR an extraordinary thing’ When it was new this bike would have cost £8910 (which would be £15,898 in today’s money) and Bike tested one at 147.4mph, with an 11.6 standing quarter and delivering 47mpg. 92bhp at 9800rpm wasn’t…

BMW S1000RR M Package Pros: mighty variable-valve engine, 600-like handling, established position, and cheaper than the Panigale V4S. Cons: hasn’t exotic air despite being high-tech, no must-have branding on chassis parts. Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory Pros: sensational turn-in, sublime electronics, cool MotoGP-style winglets, claimed 217bhp from new 1078cc V4. Cons: depreciation, limited dealers, out-of-touch people making quips about reliability. MV Agusta F4 RR Pros: iconic and desirable badge, exclusivity, full suite of tech and gadgets, unique riding sensations, cheaper than V4S. Cons: not as refined or usable as Panigale, old boys continually asking if you remember Ago.…

PALM PROTECTION Clarino, which is often found on the palms, is a fake suede used to help enhance your grip on the bars. Some gloves have energy-absorbing pads in this area and almost everything designed for motorcycle use will have at least an extra layer of material over the palms to decrease the risk of damage, and also to make the gloves last longer by resisting wear. Fingertip overlays on the forefinger and middle finger are often used to extend the useful life of the glove. LEATHER TYPE Cow hide is the most popular choice, however goat skin also features heavily in a lot of designs because it’s very strong, supple and light. Kangaroo leather is regarded as the ultimate because of how thin you can make the hide, which…

BUILD QUALITY Overall build quality is really good, for example the plating is robust and resists the annoying, white corrosion that can plague fasteners on lesser machines. That said, there is one niggle worth noting: the Perspex lip behind the clocks is prone to scratching and careless washing can easily turn a nice bike into a tatty one. And this bit of plastic, which provides great windblast protection, costs £68 to replace. TOILET CLEANER The MT-10’s underslung collector unit quickly submits to the nasty brown patina familiar to most bike catalytic converters. The only way to fix this is by getting stuck in with the Harpic Max – yes, that’s right, the bog cleaner. Paint it lightly on with a brush, watch the hydrochloric acid bubble for a few seconds,…

» The Shetlands, or the Shetland Islands, lie just over 100 miles off the north east Scottish mainland. So it is fair to say they are off the beaten track. However, this makes them a, relatively, undiscovered motorcycling delight… Start your Shetland adventure by travelling north from Sumburgh on the A970. Detour left onto the B9122 to visit St Ninian’s Isle, a picturesque piece of land which is joined to the mainland by a strip of sand with sea either side. From here continue on the B9122 then re-join the twisting A970 for 13 miles before turning left on the B9073, known as ‘The Black Gate’ to Scalloway. Leave Scalloway on the A970 and follow it north, enjoying a fast, flowing road which takes you up the centre of Shetland…

IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT the time: a day trip to Cornwall and back – some 440 miles – swiftly followed by a circuitous route to my sister in Newcastle-on-Tyne which would put a further 700-odd miles under its belt. All on Bike’s long-term test Royal Enfield Interceptor with no provision for luggage, a rather narrow seat and minimal directions taped to a tank-bag. Hey and indeed ho, it was off to work we went and the first thing to report is that the alterations made by Editor Wilson ( Bike , June) were quickly undone. He’s a bit shorter than me and to permit a tolerable riding position I had to push the handlebars forward a few centimetres, by way of an 8mm Allen key. At the…

Save £6950 H-D Ultra Limited » No, that figure isn’t a typo. Discounted Harleys aren’t common and used values are astounding, yet Blade (01865 735121) are flogging pre-reg 2018-model Ultra Limiteds for £17,995. That’s almost £7k off. Four-year-old bikes with 10,000 miles on go for more money. Save £1000 Aprilia Shiver » Overshadowed by flash supernakeds. But imagine a grown-up SV650 with easy-access 896cc, 95bhp twin, MV-style composite chassis, electronics and rock-solid handling. List is £7999 but Wheels (01733 358555) are happy with £6999 – £3k less than a Ducati Monster 821. Save £2900 Honda F6C » The opulent Gold Wing got stripped back to create the F6C. With its 1832cc flat six the power cruiser is a quality thing, spoilt only by its ambitious almost-£19k pricing. It’s just slipped…

Price from £13,501 Engine 937cc 8v V-twin Power 111bhp @ 9000rpm Torque 71 lb.ft @ 7750rpm Top speed 140mph (est) Rake/trail 25˚/106mm Wheelbase 1594mm Wet weight 207kg (claimed) Seat height 840mm Tank size 20 litres Economy 48mpg (est) Colours red and grey Availability now Bike verdict Almost flawless and definitely the pick of the Multistrada line-up. However, we can’t help thinking the base 950 (no semi-active, TFT, cruise or cornering lights) still looks even better value at under twelve grand. Bike rating 9/10…

» Where are you right now? Bremen, Germany. We moved here after our trip ended in October 2018. » Your trip? Our ride took us three years, two months and six days. Or 51,000 miles through 27 countries: England, France, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, UAE (Dubai), India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, East Timor, Australia (including Tasmania), New Zealand and finally Canada. » Maggie, you are the first Irish woman to motorcycle around the world… That wasn’t my intention. We didn’t even plan to ride around the world. Plan ‘A’ was just to get to Australia, then if finances held New Zealand and back home across Canada. Then Asia turned out to be cheaper that we expected. » What was…

‘Engines are unburstable… chassis are easily hacked and they’re relatively cheap’ ONE OF THE CUSTOM world’s undeniable truths is Honda’s big, single cylinder off-roaders are popular choices for street-tracker inspired builders. And the reasons are pretty obvious: the engines are unburstable yet powerful; the chassis are strong yet easily hacked and as donor bikes they’re relatively cheap. The Hondas in question include: XR400; 500; 600 and 650. But best of all, certainly for the home brewer, is the NX650 Dominator. Ok, its name is a cheeky nod to an ancient Norton it has nothing in common with, but what Honda’s Dommie did and does have, is a very long production life – from 1988 to 2003 – so they’re still plentiful and even if poorly maintained are capable of doing…

A few nights ago I ran out of petrol and got stranded on a dangerous part of the A22. I stood at the side of the road debating whether to call roadside assistance, or muscle my heavy Z1000SX to the next petrol station. Then, to my astonishment, a car driver pulled up and offered his assistance. It turned out he has classic bikes therefore, shall we say, he was familiar with breaking down. He had an empty fuel can and offered to bring me back some petrol. Great. On his return we exchanged small talk, mostly about bikes and how few people are willing to help out a stranger these days. I paid him for the fuel, put on my helmet and rucksack, gave him a wave and headed for…

» No Limits run trackdays throughout the UK and at iconic circuits across Europe, and offer all customers free instruction at every circuit they visit. Here’s a taster of upcoming events – visit nolimitstrackdays. com for the full calendar, or call 01525 877087. Tuesday 28 May Snetterton and Donington Park Friday 31 May Mallory Park Saturday 1 June Lydden Hill Monday 3 June Cadwell Park (plus separate evening event) Tuesday 4 June Cadwell Park Wednesday 5 June Oulton Park Thursday 6 June Brands Hatch Indy (plus separate evening event) Friday 7 June Mallory Park Monday 10 June Snetterton (plus separate evening event)…

» I love buying cheap used bikes, doing deals with a wad of twenties and taking a punt on a less than pristine machine that might be a bargain, or a bomb. But I’ve been doing it for 40 years, I’m a semi-competent DIY mechanic and even now I make catastrophic blunders. A nailed on certainty can turn out to be just a nail. Mostly this is just common sense. Do your research on faults, failings and frame numbers before you go and see the bike. Owners forums and facebook groups are handy (and also a good source of bikes for sale). Check the MoT history online before you go and see the bike. And give the seller a third degree phone interview… BEFORE YOU GO AND SEE THE BIKE.…

» My name is John and I am shit at buying motorcycles. Or at least I was, until I faced up to that uncomfortable truth. I used to do everything right – research the market, find out the common failings of the bike in question – then turn into an idiot. One look at something shiny and my otherwise competent grey matter would chant ‘Buy it! Buy it! Buy it!’. I’ve forgotten to get the seller to start the engine before offering the asking price. I’ve handed over cash and then found the brakes are so seized I can’t wheel it into a van. I’ve looked at a service book without noticing it’s for another bike. It’s embarrassing. My solution is simple: take a clipboard with a checklist on, tell…

» Mick and fellow racer Eddie Roberts are part of a team bringing racing back to Oliver’s Mount in 2019. ‘We’ve decided we’re going to invest and get the place back where it should be,’ says Mick. ‘What better place to watch racing? You can bring the family, the kids can play on the beach and then you can come up and watch some racing. We’ve got everything here.’ The dates for your diary are July 27 and 28 for the Barry Sheene Classic and September 28 and 29 for the Gold Cup. More details: 243racing.co.uk…

THE BARN FIND The mythical barnfind is always a seductive proposition. And they aren’t always myths. No doubt this is how many an MZ is unearthed these days, but the question is, to restore or not to restore? RACING MZS Downstairs (there are two floors) among the early models is a collection of fifties race bikes including no.150, an RT125. MZ’s two-stroke tuning genius Walter Kaaden and star rider Ernst Degner made them a GP force in the 1960s. THE MUSEUM Housed in the brick arches under Berlin’s S-Bahn railway in the Alexanderplatz. The museum is a private collection, owned by a single collector, made up of over 140 motorcycles. Railway arches, murals and East German motorcycle memorabilia recreates the Iron Curtain vibe. ONE FOR THE COOL KIDS This is…

IF YOU’D ASKED me a year ago to describe Pakistan I would have based it on what I’d seen on the news and TV. I would have said that Pakistan is a dangerous war-torn country, filled with terrorists roaming around the deserts bombing and shooting each other while the locals ride their camels to their mud houses with their AK47’s in hand… After almost five months in Pakistan I can honestly say I could not have been more wrong! Not only does Pakistan have the most diverse and amazing landscape of any country I’ve been to, and the most delicious food I’ve ever tasted in my life, the locals are also the most hospitable, friendly and welcoming people I’ve ever come across in all my overland motorcycle travels over the…

RST Tractech Evo CE £69.99 These race-style gloves are hugely popular, simply because they pack excell ent quality and durability at an excellent price. They feature an aramid-reinforced palm, Kevlar stitching and hard knuckle protection, as well as more track-oriented features like a finger bridge to prevent hyperextension injuries to the little finger. They’re available in a variety of colours and tend to be a good fit on most British rider’s hands.CE approved. rst-moto.co.uk Alpinestars SP-8 V2 £79.99 Ideal for road and occasional track use, the CE-approved SP-8 are a premium cowhide glove, offering high levels of protection in a subtle package. There are Velcro closures at the wrist and cuff, as well as a synthetic suede patch on the palm to enhance grip. SP-8s are extremely comfortable,…

2016-present Yamaha MT-10 At last, a Japanese supernaked with attitude. The detuned R1 crossplane motor provides the character and grunt for this wide-barred, alien-faced funster. Basic TC and brakes perform and help keep the price temptingly low. 2017-onwards get quickshifter. 998cc – 210kg – 160bhp – £7995-£11,799 2017-present Yamaha MT-10 Tourer Edition Raiding the accessories catalogue Yamaha announced an MT-10 with sports-touring capabilities courtesy of a screen, hand guards, soft panniers and a satnav mount. All for £650 over the standard model. More than comfortable enough for long days in the saddle. 998cc – 211kg – 160bhp – £9995-£12,645 » 2017-present MT-10 SP Standard model gilded with Öhlins semi-active suspension, colour TFT dash, revised switchgear and R1M-alike paint job. Other than this the SP shares the same engine and…

While it might be a good idea to be as visible as you can on a motorcycle there is much to be said for riding discreetly. I have lost count of how often witnesses in the immediate aftermath of a collision, notwithstanding a seriously injured motorcyclist lying on the road, instantly side with the car driver who pulled out on, or U-turned into the rider’s path. Why? Fear of the other, driver identity and cognitive expectation. You, if honest, would tend to side with the rider. Your tribe. You as a motorcyclist in your weird clothes and spaceman helmet are the ‘other’ and drivers coalesce around their tribe as you do. So, what can you do to reduce the chance of the school run mum or white van man telling…

FORGETFULNESS: DISCUSS… Graunching, leaking forks on the Honda VTR1000 SP2 demanded love and attention, as any 17-year-old motorcycle would. I book them in with former Performance Bikes magazine editor Rupert Paul of Rupe’s Rewires, a man I trust to do an exemplary job. I also pick up on a US trip some Traxxion Dynamics road-friendly compression and rebound valving ($150 and $175, respectively) plus fresh Honda bushes and seals. Rupe pulls the Showa forks apart and confusion spills open. Nope, there’s no way those beautiful CNCmachined Traxxion rebound valves with a female thread will fit the cartridge with – you guessed it – a female thread. Rupe sends me a photograph of the forks in pieces. Sitting alongside the gleaming Traxxion item is the rebound valve fitted to the cartridge.…