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In our FREE
MOTOBALL competition December 2017
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#138
Honda’s V-twin MONSTER! The secret’s out
KTM’s 790 Duke! Dream’s a reality
Yamaha’s weirdest motorcycle ◆ It’s called the NIKEN ◆ It has the MT-09 motor ◆ You can buy it in 2018
Police to use STINGERS to stop bikes! And officers WON’T go to court if it all ends in a crash
Adventure time! Big bikes battle
Police officers are being equipped with a raft of new equipment in order to catch thieves who steal motorcycles or use two-wheelers to commit crimes. Controversially, Met police officers are getting stinger devices to use as part of the programme. Designed to deflate tyres, the stinger is an expanding frame of sharp spikes that is laid on the road directly in front of a vehicle. As the vehicle passes over the spikes the tyre gets punctured and a chase is brought to an end. Read more on page 4
2
NEWS 3
FIRST LOOK: Honda’s secret SUPERCHARGED big naked V-twin plans!
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Honda’s 2019-and beyond muscle naked is a Monster of a machine.
Norton launches 961 California
Here’s the first look at a pretty big secret – Honda’s new V-twin SUPERCHARGED big naked. It’s a bike that the Japanese factory has kept well under lock and key. While there’s lots of hubbub about the CB1000R, the big naked derived from the current Fireblade superbike that you can see below, this big naked bike’s patents seem much more likely to be a totally new model, not aligned to the Blade lineage in any way. Although – as you’d expect – there’s been no information on the bike (other than what we can see in the listing for the design drawings) it would appear that this motorcycle is nearly finished in the design stakes.
What we can tell from the drawings is that: the bike has a trellistype frame with a lightweight subframe bolted directly to the back of the motor. The swingarm is conventionally double-sided, the huge filter on the left hand side of the motor sucks the air in to the airbox to then be worked on by the supercharger fitted between the front and rear cylinder bank on the bike.
Return of the CB1000R – retro meets modern meets cafe bruiser for 2018
This is the new Honda CB1000R – its four-cylinder engine has been tuned to make 16% more peak power at just over 10,000rpm and 5% more torque right through the mid-range (than the Fireblade the lump comes from). It is also 4% shorter geared for faster pick-up low down and Honda says that in the first three gears – up to 80mph – the CB1000R is faster than the CBR1000RR. It also gets an assist/slipper clutch. With the increase in output comes Throttle By Wire (TBW) with three preset riding modes plus a USER setting. Power (P), Engine Brake
Motor Cycle Monthly, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 529529 Email: editorial@motorcyclemonthly.co.uk
2018 Honda Gold Wing is the first bike with CarPlay We showed you the new Gold Wing last month with our first-look images sourced from inside Honda and now we know that the new 2018 Honda Gold Wing also features a 7in LCD in the dashboard – enabling the use of Apple’s CarPlay infotainment system. In order to use this, you need to connect an Apple iPhone
using a USB input in the fairing. Set up a Bluetooth headset and you can either use voice activation, the fourway controller on the left grip or a central, rotary controller on the tank to control it. The bike’s flat six-cylinder engine features four valves per cylinder and comes with throttle by wire, four riding modes, Honda Selectable Torque Control and Hill Start Assist. The new chassis features an aluminium beam frame, double wishbone front suspension and single-sided Pro-Arm damping which is electronically adjustable, as is the rear spring preload. It’s available with an updated version of Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission – with seven speeds.
(EB) and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) work together across the presets. The 2018 CB1000R is 12kg lighter than the outgoing design (the old bike weighs in wet at 224kg, the new bike is 212kg) making for a 20% improvement in power to weight ratio. The bike gets a box section mono backbone steel frame with Showa Separate Function Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD suspension up front and a Showa monoshock at the rear. Radial-mount front brakes, ABS and a 190-section rear tyre complete the chassis’ upgrade. Editor Tony Carter Editorial design Fran Lovely Publisher Dan Savage Picture desk Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield and Angie Sisestean Production editor Dan Sharp Divisional advertising team leader Zoe Thurling 01507 529412 Advertising Lee Buxton 01507 529453 Kate Hayes 01507 529411 Advertising deadline for January issue November 30, 2017 Distribution 01507 529529 Marketing manager Charlotte Park
Norton has launched the new Norton Commando 961 California. The bike is a high-end, dressed Commando with pull-back bars, American-Dream style pipes and a host of modern bits. The bike gets Ohlins Roadholder front forks and rear twin shocks, ABS Brembo brakes, semi-Ape hanger bars, chrome detailing and four different colour schemes. No price on the bike as MCM went to press, but check it out at the Motorcycle Live show for more details.
Rutter to star at January Winter Classic Few motorcycle racers can boast a CV that comes close to Michael Rutter’s – and he will be guest of honour at the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic show on January 6 and 7, 2018. In a career spanning over 20 years, which goes back to the early 1990s, when a teenage Rutter took to the track following in his famous father Tony’s footsteps – Michael has amassed a total of 14 North West 200 wins, an unequalled eight Macau victories and five Isle of Man TT wins, and he’s still on winning form in the BSB Superstock too. You can meet the homegrown hero during both days of the show.
Kalashnikov to make electric motorcycles Commercial director Nigel Hole Customer services number 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm, Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm
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Russian defence giant Kalashnikov, manufacturer of the AK-47 assault rifle and other military and civilian weaponry, has just unveiled its new electric motorcycles at the 2017 International Military Technical Forum near Moscow. The bikes are being built by Russian motorcycle manufacturer IZH, a subsidiary of Kalashnikov, and are available in road-going supermoto form for urban police forces, and as an off-road dirt bike for the military.
4 NEWS
Now the cops want to use STINGERS to stop bike thieves!
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Scotland Yard is planning to use new weapons and special tactics to combat the capital’s bike thieves. Words by: Ross Mowbray Four slender off-road ready BMW F700GS motorcycles have been bought for the Metropolitan Police so officers can chase thieves down narrow alleyways and over patches of rough ground. And police have been armed with spray cans filled with a substance that can mark fleeing thieves, plus tyredamaging stinger devices which can be used in ambush style scenarios. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick announced the new tactics at the start of November, claiming they were already making a difference with a fall in the number of moped offences. The specialised equipment and change in approach is part of a wider Met fightback against moped gangs at the centre of the crime epidemic spreading across not only the capital, but the rest of the UK. In her statement about the new weapons at officers’ disposal, Ms Dick urged London’s communities to ‘mobilise’ and ‘channel their outrage’ against the moped thugs to make the streets safer. She said: “I have been clear that tackling violence is my priority. I was angered by the apparent perception among some criminals that they could operate with near impunity, committing strings of offences using scooters.
0% finance on a range of 125cc Yamahas Yamaha is offering 0% finance on a range of its 125cc machines. The new offer applies to a selection of machines, including its top of the range 125cc sports model the YZF-R125, the naked MT-125, the new YS125 and the D’elight 125 scooter. If you’re interested in a new 125 Yamaha, get in touch with your local dealer for details before the offer ends in December.
Cressida Dick.
“We have brought all our tactics and specialists together to use every ethical option to put a stop to the rise; arrest those responsible; disrupt offenders; dismantle the criminal markets that make these offences lucrative and change the public’s behaviour to make them a part of our effort.” The Met says that the new BMWs will be ridden by highly trained motorcycle officers and will be used carefully to target the thieves. One source said: “They will be able to get ahead of moped gangs and set up traps using the mobile stingers or the DNA spray. It gives us much greater flexibility and movement.” Police officers have already begun using the DNA spray – which is sprayed on suspects who cannot be chased for safety reasons. They can then be arrested later, with the spray substance showing up under UV light to confirm their guilt. The action follows the recent surge in the number of moped or scooter related offences – but the Met said the latest statistics showed a 25% reduction in the number of powered two wheelers stolen in the last six months to the end of September. There was also a 24% fall in moped
related crime over the same period and rising arrest rates and convictions of prolific offenders. The Met also revealed it is using tactics successfully deployed by the Trident Gangs team to respond to scooter offences – targeting moped riding criminals for other offences where possible. Officers are also manning a 24/7 police control room to watch for scooter offences anywhere in London and co-ordinate an immediate response to tackle them. Ms Dick said: “We know that our criminal cohort committing crime on scooters also carry knives and have links to networks who handle stolen property and who deal drugs. So if you are a persistent phone thief – using a scooter to commit your crimes – and we can prove your involvement in other offences, such as drug dealing, you will be arrested. “This is where the public can help us. I want to mobilise communities, to channel their outrage as part of a joint effort to make our streets safer. Look after your belongings, follow our security advice and tell us about the people who are responsible for crime in your communities and help us tackle them.”
Officers who chase moped crims will get legal protection if the scumbag crashes Home Secretary will be completed Amber Rudd has early next year. Rudd promised stronger told a conference of legal protection for police chiefs and crime officers who chase after commissioners she criminals mounted on would take action. two wheels. The move She said: “You said will mean officers won’t that officers have Amber Rudd. be hauled before the concerns about courts if a pursuit ends in a crash. pursuing and apprehending Rudd has reportedly made the moped-riding criminals. announcement after learning You explained that some officers about how thieves being chased worry about their legal position by police remove helmets in when pursuing suspected order to force the officers to offenders when they’re on call off a pursuit. Up until now mopeds or scooters. officers were following an “So we’ve listened and we’re ‘unwritten’ rule whereby the taking action. We’re reviewing fear of prosecution in the courts the law and practice regarding after an accident meant that a police pursuits. We want to chase was terminated before make sure officers feel they something serious happened. have the legal protection they A Home Office review of the need to go after moped and law surrounding police pursuits scooter gangs. I can say today
that there will be change. “I don’t want any officer to feel that they cannot pursue someone like this because they have taken their helmet
off. We will always support the police and officers, not the criminals who commit these awful crimes on our streets.”
Arai launches limited edition Honda NSR250R anniversary helmet It is not the first time that Arai has launched a helmet in tribute of the Honda NSR250. Last year it launched a limited run of lids commemorating the NSR250 MC28 of 1993 – but in preparation for the MC18 of 1988’s 30th anniversary next year, here’s its latest. Sadly, there are only 250 units available, it costs £426.46 and is exclusive to Japan. But if you’re desperate to get your hands on it, check out the Arai Japan website.
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6 NEWS
KTM unveils ‘ultimate street weapon’ The new KTM 790 Duke has been developed using the know-how gained from the previous 690 Duke and the 1290 Super Duke R. The 790 produces 105bhp at 9000rpm from the 799cc engine. That’s 32bhp up from the previous 690. The bike produces 63.4lb-ft of torque at 8000rpm, 8.9lb-ft more than the 690 Duke which develops 54.5lb-ft at 6500rpm. The 790 has a two-cylinder, fourstroke engine which has electronic fuel injection and two balancer shafts. It features a six-speed transmission with slipper clutch as standard. It has cornering Bosch ABS with Supermoto mode, lean-angle sensing traction control, quickshifter and launch control. KTM ride mode technology with customizable track mode is also standard, as is the KTM TFT dashboard with optional KTM MY RIDE for easy smartphone hook-up. OEM Maxxis Supermaxx ST tyres are also part of the basic model. Similarly to the 690 Duke, the 790 has a three mode traction control. The new model has a track mode,
inherited from the racier 1290 Super Duke R. The 790 also shares the same 14 litre fuel tank as the 690. There are two 300mm front brake discs with radial four-piston Brembo calipers. The rear wheel has twopiston, 240mm caliper brakes. The chassis is a combination of aluminium and steel with the engine used as a stressed member to keep the weight down. KTM says this results in a dry weight of around 169kg. The 790 has a 10mm higher seat than the 690 at 825mm and is closer to the ground with a clearance of 186mm, compared to 192mm. No price has yet been revealed for the 790, but expect it to retail at around £8000 to £8500 based on rival machines such as the Yamaha MT-07 (£6199). The Suzuki GSX-S750 comes close to matching the Duke 790 in power and costs £7699. The current 690 Duke is £7799.
Words by: Ben Ayres
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The coolest concept of 2017 This is the KTM 790 Adventure prototype
This is undoubtedly one of the most jaw-dropping bikes from the winter run of motorcycle shows this year – and there’s a chance that KTM might actually make it. Given that the 790 Duke was shown as a prototype at the end of 2016 and is now going to be a 2018 model (see other story, this page), it’s feasible that the same will apply to this incredible looking bike. KTM says that the bike is a lightweight, compact mid-range travel enduro with ‘outstanding cross-country ability’.
It is built around the firm’s new two-cylinder LC8c engine. The rally design with its single seat, tiny LED lights and low-slung fuel tanks has been designed by the KISKA agency and heavily apes the new KTM 450 Rally. The brand new compact and lightweight 799cc LC8c parallel twin sits inside a lightweight chassis complete with WP Suspension. KTM says that a production version of the bike will come with a full-on electronic rider assistance package.
8 COMPETITION
Time to WIN WIN WIN with Motoball
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So, here’s how you take part
Find the centre of the missing ball and you can grab yourself this awesome Battery Tender Junior 800 worth £39.99.
and money in the process. The entry level Battery Tender Junior 800 plugs directly into any household mains socket and is suitable for all types of batteries, including Lithium. It comes with 6V and12V outputs, is spark proof, short circuit protected and features a safety timer. Its ISM micro-controller constantly updates smooth transitions between charging steps. For more information on the full range of Battery Tender products, visit: www.bikeittrade.com
OVER
£250
WHERE TO SEND YOUR ENTRY Here’s the address, details, closing date etc. MCM Motoball Competition DECEMBER, Mortons Media Group Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincs. LN9 6LZ The closing date for entries to be with us is December 20, 2017. Terms and conditions apply. For full terms and conditions, please see www.morebikes. co.uk. The winner will be the first name drawn at random as described above. There are no cash alternatives available.
Here’s where the ball was previously
Here’s the image as we printed it…
Because of the length of time we give you to get your entries in, we can only show the correct answer from TWO months ago...
And here’s the original.
❑ Tick this box if you do not wish to be contacted by selected third parties.
❑ Tick this box if you do not wish to receive further information from MCM and Mortons Media Group.
WORTH OF PRIZES
Telephone: ....................................................................
can’t enter more than once. MCM is free and you can grab as many as you want so get a few copies of the paper and get multiple entry forms that way. Okay? Cool.
.......................................................................................
YOU HAVE FIVE CROSSES THAT YOU CAN DRAW ON THE PICTURE. That’s it. No more. If you put more than FIVE crosses on the picture then we’ll toss your entry into the bin. But nobody is saying that you
Name: ...........................................................................
This is a completely FREE-TO-ENTER competition and getting your entry into the upturned helmet from which the winner will be drawn couldn’t be easier. There’s only one rule with this, and here it is:
.......................................................................................
Five crosses only
Address: .......................................................................
This month, we’ve teamed up with Bike It to give away SEVEN brilliant Battery Tender Junior 800 chargers. The compact and lightweight unit is a great solution for keeping your vehicle batteries in optimum condition throughout the winter months. The clever gadget uses Battery Tender’s unique BTP Microprocessor Technology – you just plug it in using its quick-connector and it’ll automatically maintain your bike’s battery, saving you time
1: Study the old photo of the chaps playing football on motorcycles (Motoball, if you will...) 2: Using your skill and judgement – or just close your eyes and have a pretty loose stab at the paper with a pen, up to you – put your FIVE crosses on the image where you think the CENTRE of the football is on the original image. We’ve removed the football. It is on the original and we’ll show you the original in the following issue of MCM. 3: Cut out your entry and send the ORIGINAL to us at the address below. That’s the ORIGINAL cut out of these pages. If you send us a photocopy or anything other than the ORIGINAL then we’ll throw your entry into the bin, too. 4: Because you can enter this competition as many times as you like, make sure that each entry is on this ORIGINAL page of MCM. You can grab as many issues of the paper as you like, so fill your boots. 5: Sit back and wait for your sweet Battery Tender to arrive – providing you’re the winner picked at random from those entries judged to have been closest to the centre of the football on the original photo. Phew, got all that? Cool. So pop off and get a pen then get your brain into full-on Motoball mode. Good luck with the crosses!
10 NEWS
Pre-book now for the FREE Experience Adventure feature at Advance booking for the FREE Experience Adventure feature at Motorcycle Live 2017 is now open, with visitors able to pre-book slots to ride one of four machines from Honda, KTM and Triumph. The indoor course is designed to introduce participants to their first taste of adventure riding and will feature sand, mud, logs and rocks, so they can really get a feel for how these bikes handle on the terrain for which they were made. Every rider will be accompanied by an instructor specially trained in handling their chosen model, providing tuition on bike set-up, body positioning and balance. The line-up of machines will include the Honda Africa Twin (manual and DCT models), KTM 1290 Super Adventure R and KTM Adventure 1090R and the Triumph Street Scrambler. A limited number of spaces on Experience Adventure are bookable in advance, with the remaining slots available to book on the day. Participants are required to purchase an entry ticket for Motorcycle Live and they must have a full, clean motorcycle licence. They will be kitted out with the necessary protective clothing courtesy of Bell Helmets and Fly. Book your slot on Experience Adventure online at: http:// arenasportslive.com/2017experience-adventure/
Advance tickets for Motorcycle Live cost £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors, £1 for 11-16 year olds and FREE for children aged ten and under (under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult). There is also a £25 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and (while stocks last) a Spada Gonzo bag worth £29.99. To book, call 0844 581 2345 or visit: www.motorcyclelive.co.uk. Visitors paying for on-site car parking at the NEC either in advance (at a reduced rate), or on the day, will receive a voucher for half-price admission to the National Motorcycle Museum, which is adjacent to the venue. Motorcycle parking at the show is free of charge. Motorcycle Live 2017 takes place at the NEC, Birmingham from November 18-26.
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Film star Butler’s smash Scottish actor Gerard Butler was rushed to hospital after being run off the road by a car in Los Angeles last month. The star of the 300 and Law Abiding Citizen movies narrowly missed a big injury and was discharged 24 hours later. The 47-year-old was riding a Harley-Davidson when the accident happened.
Motorcycle Live 2017 takes place at the NEC, Birmingham from November 18-26
£100 trade in on Ducati Arai helmets Ducati UK has launched a new helmet replacement campaign from now until the end of December 2017. Customers can bring an old full face helmet to selected Ducati dealers and trade it in (it does not need to be a Ducati branded helmet) for a new Ducati helmet by Arai and receive a £100 contribution towards the new one.
12 WHAT’S ON
What’s On: the essential dates DECEMBER 2 Rufforth Autojumble, Rufforth Park, York. Tel: 01904 738620. www.rufforthautojumble.com 2 Southern Classic Off Road & Racing Show & Motorcycle Jumble. Kempton Park, Staines Road East, Sunbury-onThames, Middlesex TW16 5AQ. www.kemptonparkautojumble.co.uk. Tel: 01507 529435. 3 Ace Cafe London. Bike Day + Ace Cafe Club Day Xmas Meet. london.acecafe.com 7 LE Velo Lancs & S Lakes. Glasson Dock, Lancaster. Tel: 01772 782516. 10 Normous Newark Autojumble. Newark Showground, Newark, Notts NG24 2NY. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk 10 Ace Cafe London. Bike Day. london.acecafe.com 10 Ace Cafe London. Paws n’ Claws Pet Food Run. london.acecafe.com 17 Ace Cafe London. Bike Day. london.acecafe.com 17 Ace Cafe London. Xmas Toy Run. london.acecafe.com 17 Ace Cafe London. Xmas Carol Service. london.acecafe.com 17 Haynes Bikers’ Breakfast RideIn. Haynes International Motor Museum, Sparkford, near Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 7LH. www.himm.co.uk 26 Ace Cafe London. Cold Turkey Meet. london.acecafe.com 31 Huddersfield Autojumble (Christmas Do). Old Market Building, Brook Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1RG. Tel: Jeff 07795 505388 Email: jeffpff@hotmail.co.uk 31 Ace Cafe London. Bike Day. london.acecafe.com
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31 Ace Cafe London. New Year’s Eve Party. london.acecafe.com
JANUARY 2018 1 VMCC (Essex section) New Year’s Day Run. Writtle Green car park. Tel. 01621 892606. 6-7 The Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic. Newark Showground, Drove Lane, Winthorpe, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 2NY. www.classicbikeshows.com/event/ the-carole-nashclassic-bike-guidewinter-classic-2/ 14 Maldon British Motorcycle Owners’ Club Bike Jumble. Memorial Hall, Newland Street, Witham, Essex CM8 2AZ Tel. Roger 07787 847874. Cliff 01245 262047.
Video: Triumph Tiger Explorer takes to the sand
FEBRUARY 2018 3-4 The 38th Carole Nash Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show. The Royal Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN. www. classicbikeshows.com/ event/carole-nash-bristolclassicmotorcycle-show/ 17-18 The Classic Dirt Bike Show Sponsored by Hagon Shocks. The International Centre, St Quentin Gate, Telford, Shropshire TF3 4JH. www.classicbikeshows.com/event/ the-classic-dirt-bikeshow/
MARCH 2018
11 Kenley Autojumble. The Portcullis Club, Kenley Airfield, Victor Beamish Avenue, Caterham, Surrey CR3 5FX.
Dec 3: 8th Southwell Toy Run. Start: Admiral Rodney, King Street, Southwell, Notts NG25 0EH. Tel. John 01636 812838. Tel. 07772 169524 or 07971 823314. www.facebook.com/ KenleyAutojumble 18 Wistanstow Vintage and Classic Motorcycle Show and Autojumble. Tel. 07792 983020. Email. wistanstowbikeshow@hotmail.co.uk 18 VMCC (Essex section) Cobwebs Run. From Tesco, Maldon. Tel. Dave Iszard 01621 892206. 24-25 Manchester Bike Show. EventCity, Phoenix Way, Off Barton
Dock Road, Traffordcity, Manchester M41 7TB. Tel. 01484 482005. www.manchesterbikeshow.com 25 Classic Motorcycle Show. Cafeplus, Baldock. Tel 07963 609143. 28 VMCC (Essex section) Wrinkly Run. From Tesco, Maldon. Tel. Grace & Clyde 01621 855899. 31 South Midlands Autojumble. Rosson-Wye Livestock centre, Oveross, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 5QQ. Tel. 01989 750731.
Triumph has taken its Tiger Explorer to one of the UK’s most challenging sand-based MX tracks, showing the capability of its go-anywhere adventure 1200 motorcycle. Martin Craven, a former British Trials champion and finisher at the notorious Erzberg Rodeo, put the Tiger Explorer through its paces at FatCat Motoparc MX track in Doncaster. To watch the video log on to: www.MoreBikes.co.uk and search ‘Explorer’.
Learners Commuters Buying On Two Wheels
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