Table of contents for 27 August 2025 in MCN

‘Throughout my career I raced to be the best’ JONATHAN REA RETIRES, P60 TOP STORY Rea calls it a day Britain’s world-beating superbike superstar, Jonathan Rea has announced he’ll be retiring from racing at the end of this season. The six-time WSBK champion and the sport’s most successful-ever rider, made the announcement on his social media on Monday as MCN was going to press, admitting now was the right time to listen to his instincts and call it a day. The 38-year-old has endured a difficult time since leaving Kawasaki to join the official Yamaha squad for 2024, and had been linked with a Ducati ride for 2026, but now has made the call to hang up his helmet. We look back on his outstanding career. PAGE 60 NEWS V-twin…

The Motorbike Show, hosted by Henry Cole, alongside Allen Millyard and Guy Willison, is getting an online subscription-based platform allowing fans to access a back catalogue of past episodes, plus exclusive content ahead of a new broadcast series in 2026. Called themotorbikeshow.com, the website will launch on September 14 and will be accessible to UK fans and those overseas for £3.99 a month, or £40 a year. Allowing viewers to go right back to the first series of the show, which aired in 2011, it also promises more in-depth restoration videos that are too lengthy to put on television, as well as guest appearances, spotlights on niche motorcycling topics, and more. All of this will be filmed and edited by the team behind the ITV4 production, meaning the same level…

SAVE £3014 £17,699 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S KTM’s adventure touring flagship is a feature packed missile with a smattering of long-distance sophistication woven in. It’s superbike troublingly quick but can carry the kitchen sink when required. This one comes with an Akrapovič exhaust, topbox, sidestand plate, carbon heat protection, heated grips, and KTM’s full Tech Pack. bikes.fowlers.co.uk SAVE £2000 £21,695 Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R Triumph’s Rocket 3 is excess incarnate – its truck sized motor churns out torque by the tonne but it’s surprisingly agile, despite that imposing weight figure. bridgemotorcycles.com ● Engine 2500cc ● Power 165bhp ● Weight 317kg ● Seat height 773mm SAVE £1445 £11,250 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 Triumph’s Speed Twin blends classic charm with modern muscle – it’s relaxed and refined, yet effortlessly fast…

Bayliss and Capirossi rip up London New Hayabusa powers up 800cc GP bikes tested It’s always great to glance back over recent history and recall some absolute classics – and Ducati bringing their MotoGP and World Superbike machines to ride around the streets of London is up there with the very best. Both Loris Capirossi on his GP-spec Desmocedici GP6 and Troy Bayliss on his 999F06 World Superbike machine showed up for the August event, and both had some fun on closed roads by pulling wheelies, hitting serious speeds and even throwing some rolling burnouts into the mix. If that doesn’t get people excited for racing and two wheels, then nothing will! Plus, that firstgeneration Desmosedici race bike sent an earth-shattering noise blasting out through its massive underseat pipes. Bayliss…

GET FIVE ISSUE FOR JUST £5 Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer Bagger racing is going global, with Harley-Davidson establishing a new partnership with MotoGP to form an international race series for 2026. The series follows the growing popularity of the King of the Baggers championship, which sees highly modified H-D Road Glides battle against Indian Challengers on twisting short circuits as part of the Moto America racing paddock. Now, the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup will take part across six MotoGP race weekends next year, with riders lining up on the grid for the first time at the Circuit of the Americas from March 27-29. From there, bikes will head to Mugello in Italy and Assen in the Netherlands, before arriving in the UK for Silverstone on August 7-9. After…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews ‘My free bag lapped up Welsh mud’ Quick shout out to MCN subscriptions! A good few years back I was tempted to take out a subscription and received an Oxford roll bag as part of the deal. For one reason or another the bag stayed unused until last weekend when me and my mate Steve did a two-day TET tour of south Wales, including the Strata Florida track (pictured). The bag performed perfectly despite getting covered in Welsh mud. Thanks MCN! Here’s to many more trips like that. David Penn, email With the summer very much upon us, Zerofit are now offering the winner of the weekly MCN Star Letter one of their fabulous Cold Skin baselayers, worth £55! Independently tested for cool contact performance, the…

1 August 28-31 Overland event If you’re into adventure bike travel, then this is the weekend for you. With presentations, signings, campfire, workshops and plenty more, it’s the weekend to surround yourself with likeminded folk, free tea and coffee and a relaxed atmosphere. www.overlandevent.com 2 August 30 Red Bull Tyne Ride With the likes of Billy Bolt and Jonny Walker heading to Newcastle this weekend, it’s one you don’t want to miss. The series of head-to-head competitions promises thrilling action, and as it’s free to watch on the Quayside, it makes a great day out for everyone. www.redbull.com/gb-en/events/red-bull-tyne-ride 3 September 2-7 European Bike Week Once again, the pristinely beautiful Austrian town of Faak Am See will be overrun by the rumble of V-twin engines as European bike week is back.…

‘It doesn’t quite work’ There’s no denying BSA have hit the nail on the head with the aesthetic, but where off-road versions of the original Gold Star were often better than the road bike, the new Scrambler comes up short. The motor is a peach, and arguably one of the best in its class – but its perky character is somewhat curtailed by the final drive gearing and that prevents it from giving the best account of itself. From the saddle, it doesn’t quite work either. The bars are slightly too far away, and the clocks even further. The riding position isn’t as ergonomically sound as it could be which, combined with the underperforming suspension, makes it feel like a shed-built special rather than a compromise you could settle into.…

‘Something for every pocket’ Yamaha sell a standard model Tracer 7 (£8804), which has all the same updates as the GT but lacks the hard panniers, heated grips, a taller screen and centrestand, all of which can be bought as accessories. Its shock also lacks a remote preload adjuster. Suzuki’s V-Strom 800 DE (£10,199) is quite off-road focused but can still cover road miles while the V-Strom 650 (£7749) is surprisingly versatile and cheap. Triumph’s excellent Tiger Sport 800 (£10,995) is everything the Sport 660 is and more and is cheaper than the Tiger 900 range. Kawasaki’s middleweight offering is the Versys 650 (£7899), which can be specified with luggage in Tourer (£8699) or Grand Tourer (£9799) guise. Honda’s NC750X (£7599 or £8399 with DCT) is up for touring, arguably…

Santi Hernandez shot to prominence as crew chief for Marc Marquez at Repsol Honda. He’s an easily recognisable and respected member of HRC and continues to play a pivotal role as the Japanese giants try to make it back to the top. And his biking passion dates back to his childhood. His father was a mechanic, and after being given the opportunity to learn to ride, there was no turning back. “At home, we spoke about bikes all the time,” Hernandez explains. “My brother rode in the Spanish Championship, and I did some racing too, in the Catalunya Scooter Championship. It was just for fun.” Hernandez studied mechanics and joined Showa in 1996 as an apprentice suspension technician. He was then Alex Criville’s technician during his title-winning campaign for Repsol…

Rider: Kieron Wilson Regular ride: Harley Road King “I swapped bikes with Saff throughout the trip and as someone who rides a Harley-Davidson Road King, both bikes were completely different from what I’m used to. “I enjoyed the amount of tech on the Tracer 9GT+ and the dash was easy to navigate. The gearbox took some getting used to as the fully automatic mode felt a little jerky. I struggled to overtake with it in auto so I preferred the manual mode, and the seat and riding position were great for my 6ft 2in frame. “With the Tiger Sport 800, I think the looks come out top and the engine was smooth and responsive – it was a lot of fun. Although the quickshifter works well, the cruise control could…

There’s a myth surrounding an old acquaintance of mine that he once tried to secure a bike into a trailer using shoelaces not ratchet straps. I’m not sure how true that particular yarn is, despite the fact that the chap in question did have a bit of a reputation for being a numpty, but it doesn’t seem likely all the same. For starters, just how long were those laces? All joking aside, I have seen many bikes strapped into trailers using very substandard kit. The worst examples are made of something that can only be described as a thick ribbon, which stretches when tightened. Most bike shops stock decent ratchet or tie-down straps, which are fairly solidly made. When it comes to securing the bike to the trailer, use at…

Going behind the headlines in World Superbikes Jonathan Rea, World Superbike’s most successful ever rider, will retire at the end of the season – ending a glittering career that has spanned over two decades. From his early switch from motocross to circuit racing where he earned a place in the RedBull rookies, Rea’s insatiable desire to achieve, his skill, race craft and determination saw him emerge as one of the very best. Success in British Supersport and British Superbikes by the time he was 20 provided the catalyst for a move to the WSBK paddock where he cut his teeth in World Supersport with Ten Kate racing before making the switch to WSBK with the same team. Up against factory Ducatis, Yamahas and Suzukis it wasn’t easy, but the talent…

At the heart of the paddock for more than 35 years Is Marc Marquez making MotoGP boring? Don’t even dare suggest it. The results, seven double-win weekends in a row, might seem predictably dull. But the level of jeopardy and the sheer skill prove the complete opposite. This is a breathtaking achievement. Weekend after weekend after weekend. In the toughest racing arena in the world. Last weekend at Balaton Park was typical, absolutely on the edge. It could have gone badly wrong. Twice it nearly did. Quartararo missed Marc by inches in his headlong plunge off the start of the Sprint, and on Sunday Marc got caught out on the second corner when Bezzecchi unexpectedly slowed in front of him, and they collided. Each time, Marc emerged not just unscathed,…

ROUND 7 CADWELL BSB CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS 1 RYDE 284pts 2 RAY 282pts 3 HASLAM 192pts 16 Jackson 51pts 17 McPhee 38pts 18 Swann 34pts 19 McConnell 26pts 20 Hedger 13pts 21 Hickman 4pts 22 Todd 1pt 23 Van Sikkerlerus 1pt BSB POSITIONS RACE 1 16 McConnell +43.14 17 Kerr +49.353 18 Giannini +1’00.272 19 Davis +1’07.918 DNF Nesbitt 12 laps, Bridewell 8 laps, Todd 7 laps, Kent 1 lap BSB POSITIONS RACE 2 16 Hedger +12.52 17 Swann +12.783 18 Davis +29.749 19 Rogers +1 lap DNF Ray 1 lap, Kerr 1 lap, Giannini 0 laps, Todd 0 laps, Sikkelerus 0 laps BSB POSITIONS RACE 3 16 McConnell +27.938 17 McPhee +29.166 DNF Skinner 4 laps…

Although the Suzuki SV650 will leave UK dealers at the end of 2025, recent history suggests it might return in the future. In 2021, Suzuki re-introduced the Hayabusa in Europe after dropping it from the line-up in 2018. It remains on sale to this day. The firm also announced a new DRZ-4 platform last November, due to arrive in dealers in the coming weeks. The single-cylinder duo are the modern interpretation of the DRZ400 – a name not seen in the UK for over a decade. What’s more, at the end of the July this year, it was confirmed that the GSX-R1000R superbike would make a return to the UK in 2026 – a model name not sold in the UK since 2022.…

The UK motorcycle market continued to edge towards recovery in July, following a troubled start to the year. Overall year-to-date registration figures remain down by a substantial 17.6%, dipping a further 0.2% when factoring in mopeds and three-wheelers – although this still marks the closest the industry has come to the black so far in 2025. The data, released by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), shows that by the end of July this year 55,769 bikes had been registered, compared to 67,656 12-months earlier. All sectors continue to feel the strain, with no category standing out as top sellers. That said, competition, touring, and modern classic models are currently faring the best. Importantly, while the numbers remain down, the figures follow a clear pattern of incremental improvement that has been…

The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum has opened a new Italian Hall, showcasing an array of rare machines from manufacturers such as Ducati, Mondial, Minarelli, and more. The hall is said to be packed with vintage motorcycles and memorabilia celebrating Italy’s racing heritage. The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust (BMCT) also has a prominent new presence in the space. Honda refresh 750 scoot range Honda are giving their popular X-ADV and Forza 750 new paint schemes for 2026. The adventure-styled X-ADV gains a Tricolour edition inspired by the Africa Twin and Transalp, while the Forza maxi-scooter gets a new ‘Pearl Glare White’ option. Both remain mechanically unchanged, retaining the same 745cc twin. Honda will also offer fresh extras, including a backrest and Akrapovič exhaust. Harleys ready to rock Europe The Harley-Davidson European…

‘Big business flouts rules’ When a small business began promoting gloves on a Facebook page for eastern county riders, it was challenged over whether the products were legal. The owner admitted the gloves were uncertified, whilst claiming a ‘CE rating 2’ application was in progress, adding that the certification was ‘being phased out since Brexit’. Contradictory and untrue. After the Facebook posts were shared with me, I contacted the business, explaining the facts. The owner did the right thing: he halted sales until certification is complete. It was swift, honest and responsible. Contrast that with one of the world’s biggest e-commerce platforms. Minutes after my conversation with the small business, the e-commerce giant’s inaction on noncompliant gloves was raised. This platform cannot plead ignorance: Trading Standards has tested motorcycle clothing…

Q ‘It’s a classic ‘whodunnit’ I lost traction on a large deposit of gravel on a country road bend last weekend and ended up in hospital. I emailed the council to complain and inform them of the potential danger to other motorcyclists. After several weeks, the council replied, stating that they were sorry but weren’t liable to compensate me. They referred to an inspection of the road that was carried out a few months prior to my accident, which identified no surface defects. My injuries still haven’t healed, and I am out of pocket. Is there anything I can do? David Williams, Shrewsbury A These can be difficult cases. Unfortunately, while the council has a duty to maintain and repair the fabric and structure of the highway, this duty does…

So, in my previous two columns I explained how the RC213V-S came about through an idea that I had to put some passion back into the Honda brand… by simply putting a number plate on the back of Marc Marquez’s MotoGP bike. Then in the second instalment, I talked you through how the development started and the challenging time I had to get the guys in Asaka R&D to agree the specification of the bike. Now, time to move onto the all-important launch of the new model. The bike was first unveiled as a prototype by Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa at the EICMA show in Milan in November 2014. Then there was to be a press launch to the world’s journalists at the 2015 Catalunya MotoGP which I, as…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader Peter Jennings The ride Scotland to Nordkapp When to do it June/July Tell us about the trip… I wanted to go round the Arctic Circle, which is unrealistic, but I thought I could at least cross it in three countries and hit Nordkapp while I was about it. After the Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry, I spent a night each camping in The Netherlands and Germany, then onto Maribo on the fabulous island of Lolland in Denmark. Over the bridge to Sweden for mid-summer’s eve which is a big celebration. Into Norway passing ski centres still open on the way to Geiranger. The final portion of the famous Geiranger-Trollstigan scenic route didn’t reopen until later in July, so had to double back and go round. Crossed the…

JOIN THE MCN PIT STOP BREW CREW www.motorcyclenews.com/pit-stop ‘Preparing to pounce’ CHRISTOPHER BAILEY King Tiger with a King Tiger! This was taken at La Gleize in Belgium on Monday morning. ‘Peaking on the NC500’ COLIN REID My 2024 Ducati V4 Pikes Peak on yet another tour of the NC500 in June. The three of us lucked out with the weather and saw 20 minutes of rain in five days. ‘True legend of biking’ MIKE BRITT This is the iconic Joey statue up on the mountain near Bungalow on the TT course. ‘Never forgotten’ WILL JOSH Spotted this on one of my routes through Twyford which I’ve never seen before. It turns out it’s a memorial for the 10th Parachute Battalion who took part in Arnhem. ‘Scaling new heights’ ATTILA WINSTANLEY…

THE HOTTEST BIKES EVERY WEEK £8995 (plus £150 for white or red) Triumph Tiger Sport 660 660cc liquid-cooled inline-triple DOHC 12v 81bhp @ 10,250rpm 207kg kerb weight (tested, fully-fuelled 208kg) £10,104 Yamaha Tracer 7 GT 689cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin DOHC 8v 72.4bhp @ 8750rpm 212kg kerb weight (tested, fully-fuelled with panniers 221kg) £8899 (includes £800 dealer contribution) Suzuki V-Strom 800 RE 776cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin DOHC 8v 83.1bhp @ 8500rpm 223kg kerb weight (tested, fully-fuelled 227kg) There’s been a definite shift towards lighter machines, something that has been highlighted by the success of Triumph’s Speed 400. Dealers report that owners of bigger models are attracted to the ease of use offered by the lightweight naked when compared to more serious, and heavy, alternatives. And this trend is starting to creep into the…

‘How far to downsize?’ All three have their own plus and minus points, none of which should dissuade your from considering downsizing. The Suzuki feels the smallest step down due to its physical size and grunt-laden motor, which means it is also happy to take a pillion. However, it is a notable tech downgrade and it lacks that ‘wow’ factor, making it seem functional rather than fun. The Tracer 7 GT ticks more tech boxes and is thoroughly enjoyable when the road is smooth. However, its sporty sway means it isn’t quite as accomplished at covering miles as you would expect from a GT – especially if you are a bigger rider. It’s more an ST than a GT, and the engine is starting to feel like it could do…

BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician Load up and go All you need to know about putting a bike onto a trailer BRUCE’S TIPS Worried about towing? Get tuition: www.safetowingscheme.co.uk 1 Get fit to tow Check your licence to ensure that you’re qualified to tow a trailer; depending on when you passed your car test, the maximum authorised weight (MAM) changes – so check the weight of your trailer. Be aware that speed limits are also different and lower when towing: 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on duals. BRUCE’S TIPS Invest in good quality straps with webbing that is at least 25mm wide 2 Assess your straps Get yourself some good quality ratchet straps with hooks on the ends and a ratchet mechanism in the middle, and make sure the straps are…

‘What’s the next role, Johnny?’ After Donington World Superbikes this year we were doing something at the track on the Monday and me, Johnny and Dean Harrison had about ten pints of Guinness together. We had a right good chat – he wasn’t necessarily enjoying what he was doing, but there was no chat about him retiring, so his announcement on Monday completely curve balled me. I’m interested to see what his next role is. I’ve no idea but I could see him running a World Superbike team. He’s obviously done, but I always find it weird when riders make it a big announcement because how many times have we seen another rider get injured then the next minute they’re a test rider and then they’re back on the grid?…

Aussie veteran delivers his Balaton Park verdict Pedro Acosta and KTM have finally moved on from the dispiriting failure to meet their bold targets for the 2025 MotoGP championship. While the championship under-performance remains a disappointment, second in Hungary signals a reset by the pugnacious Acosta and equally assertive and ambitious KTM. The Balaton Park P2 is best so far this season for Acosta and fits with the re-alignment to balance his naturally aggressive risk taking - overtaking and late braking with an acceptance of the RC16’s current limitations. The aim is to secure at least one GP win this season to end a three-year losing streak for KTM. Acosta remains a monstrous talent and his willingness to adapt to demoralising early season experiences is paying off. Calmer and more…

MotoGP is a Ducati cup! Not anymore. Take Marc Marquez and his factory Desmo out of Sunday’s Balaton equation and the top four would look like this: KTM, Aprilia, Aprilia, Honda. Marquez is working magic on the tricky GP25, without him Ducati would be in trouble. It’s largely down to MotoGP’s concessions rules, introduced at the start of 2024 to hurt Ducati and help the struggling Japanese teams. Ironically the first concessions rules were introduced to help Ducati! Thus it’s not only the others catching up, it’s also concessions slowing Ducati down. Nowhere is this more evident than with this year’s GP25, which Ducati couldn’t fully develop last year, due to testing restrictions. Balaton may not be much of a racetrack, but it seemed to confirm strides made by Aprilia,…

Reporting direct from the Bank Holiday racing Kyle Ryde is the new Bennetts British Superbike Championship leader after yet another consistent, calm and collected performance. It’s the third race weekend in a row where Ryde has left with more points and in a happier mood than Bradley Ray, and he’s now in control of the title fight by just two points. With four rounds left, here’s five reasons why Ryde holds all the cards in the fight for the 2025 BSB title. 1 Consistency is the key Winning races doesn’t mean much when you’re crashing out of other rounds. Ray has crashed out of two races this season whilst leading the race; once at Brands Hatch whilst being hunted by Scott Redding, and now at Cadwell Park after trying to…

KTM have pulled the covers off their 2026 EXC 6Days range, which is based on the firm’s enduro catalogue and includes a quartet of four-strokes available from September, plus a two-stroke 300 EXC 6Days available from October. Highlights include tweaked suspension, CNC machined triple clamps, Supersprox stealth rear sprocket, radiator fans as standard, floating front disc, and Metzeler 6 Days tyres. £4450 off new Kawasaki hybrid Kawasaki have slashed the price of their Z 7 Hybrid by £4450, taking it down to £7499. Powered by a 451cc parallel twin with an integrated electric motor, the innovative naked produces 68bhp and delivers up to 12km of electric-only range. Features include Sport and Eco riding modes, EV-only running, a TFT dash, and walk-assist with reverse. Yamaha service giveaway time Yamaha owners could…

RST Pro Series Evo Airbag CE £599.99 Suit up and save for track action Race and trackday season is still at full throttle, and even if you’re not standing in the paddock yourself, the thrill of speed is still contagious. That’s bad news for our wallets, because sporty kit often commands a premium over more casual offerings due to enhanced protective features, just in case you low-side chasing that apex. That’s why this week, we’re taking a look at all the best deals on sporty and race-ready kit, for when the need for speed takes over. Whether you’re carving corners at Cadwell Park or tackling your local twisties, this sporty and race-ready clobber will help you make the most of the best time of year to ride fast and free…

‘Night, night, for the Nightster?’ I feel a bit sorry for Harley-Davidson because despite considerable effort, they seem unable to break out of the traditional cruiser market. They attempted to attract a younger audience in 2015 with the (pretty awful…) Street 750 but that flopped and was canned in 2021. Next came the Pan America, which was meant to open the doors to the adventure segment but hasn’t exactly set the sales charts on fire since it appeared in 2021. And then there is the Nightster, which arrived in 2022 and replaced the hugely popular air-cooled Sportster range as the ‘accessible entry-point’ model – yet came with a £13,000 price and lacked all the heart and soul that makes a Harley a Harley, largely due to its water-cooled motor. And…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com ZEROFIT – KING OF BASELAYERS® www.zerofit.co.uk A 17 in 1980 with my first motorbike, a Ducati 250 Mk3. I had to rebuild the engine to get it on the road. Peter Glynn Me and my Grandma on my first bike. The picture was taken at our cottage in Calabogie, Ontario Canada. Scott Buscomb After a year on the Fizzy it was on to the RD250. Check out that shirt. John Bailey My first real bike after passing my test, love those glorious Martini colours! Dave Young My first new, new bike from Slingers in Preston. Stunning design. Most exciting ride home! Simon Sawbridge-Barnes Here I am with my first bike, a Yamaha FS1-E. John Bailey Me and my sister on my mum’s CG125…

Production started at the Kumamoto Factory in February 2016, with a target of 213 units which all had to be produced and shipped by the end of the year due to the fact that they would not meet the Euro4 emissions standards scheduled to be introduced in 2017. Unfortunately, on April 14 and 16, two consecutive earthquakes with a peak magnitude of seven (unprecedented in Kumamoto’s recorded history) occurred in Kumamoto city, leaving 277 dead and 2809 injured. The Honda Factory was severely damaged, and in turn, all production stopped. There was no way that we could finish the remainder of the bikes in time. So, here’s the question on everyone’s lips: How many did get produced? Got a question for Dave? Email letters@motorcyclenews.com…

THE UK’S HOTTEST RIDES MCN staffers share their favourite one- hour routes Located close to MCN’s doorstep, this is a handy road-test route. Winding its way through scenic countryside and chocolate box villages, it used to form the end of our original MCN250 road test loop and was always a highlight on the run back to office. It’s also the road where I was assessed by then MCN Editor Marc Potter for my Road Tester’s job back in 2002, so it holds a special place in my heart. Going from west to east, the beginning section of this B660 stretch is open and undulating, before it tightens up with some tasty little flip-flops and technical sections near Great Gidding, giving you lots of opportunities to give brakes, throttle, gears and…

Project Eighty Three The place to go for not just a coffee or a beer, but motorcycle clothing, great chat and plenty of events, too. Unit 2 Wesley Yard, Newquay TR7 1LB www.projecteightythree.com Chequered Flag With a workshop, showroom, shop and café, there is more to do here than just grab a quick coffee on the way to the coast. Plymouth Road (A38), Liskeard, Cornwall PL14 5GD chequeredflagcafe.co.uk Recharge café Sitting in Rainbow Moto, the new home of Buell in Britain, you can grab a bite to eat in the quaint family run café. A38 Business Park, Unit 2 Owen house Lornhaven, Ashburton, Newton Abbot TQ13 7FF www.rainbowmoto.co.uk/re-charge-cafe…

Not everyone has the time or available elbow grease to keep their bike sparklingly clean, with perfectly maintained components and a deep lustre to the paintwork. The same can be said for your riding kit; fresh-smelling, waterproofed and in perfect order. But assistance is available in the form of great cleaning potions that are easy to use and safe on all surfaces. Oxford Mint Waterless Wash is one of them, and offers a convenient and eco-friendly way to clean your bike without using water. It is ideal for quick touch-ups or when water access is limited. Mint Waterless Wash offers a convenient and quick alternative to a full wash. We wouldn’t recommend stopping the full wash, but if you are in a hurry and want to freshen up your bike without…

The stats Bike: Honda Transalp Miles: 3200 Cafés: 103 Days: 22 Money raised (so far): £7658.93 The Cafés Dennis’ Hayley’s Hut Monster Café West End Café Woodlands Café Dinky’s Dinah Chain And Sprocket Four Ways J&S The Biker Bistro The Butty Hut The Shore Café Café On The Pier The Filling Station The Orion Scar Café The Nook Rochester Relish Garage Bar and Grille Propa Pitstop Diner Top Bank Café Whistle Stop Café Mathewsons Strawberry Fields Seaways Fimber Café Bainton Stop Castle Café Bellingham Woods Café Pitstop Roadside Wagon Faun Café Down & Out Customs The Forge The Green Hut Woody’s Forest Café The Paddock Two Flags Wheels Moto Bite Krazy Horse Reved Up Full Throttle Franks Bungalow Diner Poisons Winners Café Mo’s Snack Bar The Squadron Café Original Tea…

RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor Fit and comfort rated Design, construction and CE scores rated Each boot worn for thousands of real road miles 2500 miles ON TEST Merlin Stretton D3O Heritage £159.99 ‘Casual look, smart design’ Tested by Ben Clarke for 12 months If you’re after a pair of boots that blend into everyday life without scrimping on protection, the Merlin Stretton D3O Heritage Trainers deserve a spot on your shortlist. With old-school brass eyelets, bold contrast stitching and a high-top profile, they have an easy swagger I find hard to resist. Imagine a dash of steampunk, a dose of retro, and a modern twist – what you end up with is a pair of Merlin Strettons. Urban and casual boots are everywhere these days, but not…

When a Honda CB600F Hornet rolled into Doncaster Motorcycles for its first MoT in the hands of a new rider, owner Kevin Hollingsworth uncovered a disaster waiting to happen. “He brought it in for an MoT, we were checking it over and something wasn’t quite right,” Kevin explained. “Then we realised: ‘Oh… the engine mounts are completely missing on both sides.’ In fact, the engine was totally loose in the frame and was only held in place by resting on the frame cradle.” With the motor moving about, the steel cradle had been chewing into the alloy cylinder head, but luckily, Hollingsworth got to it before any serious mechanical damage had occurred. “The lad had bought it a year ago and parked it up for when he passed his test.…

Going behind the headlines at the new Balaton Park Cometh the hour, cometh the man. It may be a touch later than expected, but David Alonso is a Moto2 race winner thanks to a thrilling performance in Hungary. A poor start meant the Colombian was stranded in eleventh on lap one. But his comeback, which resulted him passing Manuel Gonzalez on the last lap, earned him a maiden victory in the intermediate class. Only six riders have achieved this feat in fewer Moto2 races. 1 It’s been coming Take a look at Alonso’s results after his first Moto2 podium at Silverstone and you’d be right in thinking that he’d gone off the boil: four DNFs plus an eighth and ninth. But the speed was there in many of them. He…

ROUND 14 HUNGARY MOTOGP CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS 1 MARQUEZ M 455pts 2 MARQUEZ A 280pts 3 BAGNAIA 228pts 16 Ogura 58pts 17 Miller 52pts 18 Mir 46pts 19 Rins 45pts 20 Martin 23pts 21 Espargaro 16pts 22 Nakagami 10pts 23 Oliveira 10pts 24 Savadori 8pts 25 Fernandez A 6pts 26 Chantra 1pt FINAL POSITIONS MOTOGP 11 Ogura +18.112 12 Oliveira +19.021 13 Rins +22.861 14 Marquez A +25.938 15 Di Giannantonio +26.262 16 Aldeguer +55.239 DNF Zarco 20 laps, Miller 16 laps, Fernandez 12 laps, Mir 4 laps, Bastianini 1 lap FINAL POSITIONS SP RACE 11 Fernandez R +13.148 12 Miller +14.097 13 Bagnaia +14.891 14 Oliveira +15.342 15 Ogura +15.467 16 Rins +21.007 17 Acosta +22.245 18 Binder +1 lap DNS Bastianini, Quartararo DNF Zarco FINAL POSITIONS MOTO2 11 Ramirez…

Reporting direct from the Bank Holiday BSB It’s been an unexpectedly tough year for Honda Racing UK but Tommy Bridewell and Andrew Irwin were both on top form in the Lincolnshire sunshine. Based a few miles down the road in Louth, it’s a weekend that the team desperately needed – although things didn’t look too optimistic on Sunday afternoon when both men crashed in FP3 moments before qualifying. Things looked even worse when Bridewell crashed out of second in Race One. Thankfully, it got better. Andrew Irwin bagged three podiums with two thirds and a second, whilst Bridewell won the Sprint race after Bradley Ray crashed, then came home in third in Race Three. For sure it’s still not a problem solver for Bridewell, who was showcasing a mixture of…

Storm Stacey enjoyed a strong weekend on the Bathams AJN Racing BMW, collecting three top-six finishes onboard the gold and black M1000RR. Aside from geeing up the crowd prior to races with requests for them to do some Mexican waves, he was also a prominent figure in the battle to stay in touch with the Yamaha and factory Honda riders. Despite never being short of confidence, the results do come at an important time for the rider after failing to finish inside the top 10 in the five races prior to the trip to Cadwell Park. Elsewhere, it wasn’t the easiest of weekends for those on Ducati machinery. Leon Haslam’s fourth place in the Sprint race was as good as it got for V4 R riders, with Scott Redding managing…