REDFOX GRINTA
Amazing Dutch retro you can build at home
HONDA’S CB B B750
1970’s very excitin n ng motorcycle (really y y!)
REVEAL LED!
DUCA ATI
DIAV VEL
SNAPPED!
KTM 790 ADVENTURE
THE
S ’ T E R C SE
! T U O s 2019’ ST E T T HO NEW BIKES
SPOTTED!
MOTO GUZZI
V85
T U O T H CAUG
GOTCHA!
KTM 390 ADVENTURE
BMW C400X LAUNCH REPORT ◆ KTM 250 FREERIDE ◆ MV AGUSTA’S TIMUR SARDAROV SPILLS THE BEANS ◆ CURTISS ZEUS – ERM... ◆ BMW R 1200 GS RALLYE ◆ WHAT IS DVT THEN? ◆ MOTO GYMKHANA-ING IT ◆ K 1600 GT ◆ AND LOADS MORE INCLUDING DOWNLOADABLE ROUTE MAPS FOR FREE!
September 2018 Issue 696
Turn up your experience The Tracer 900 touring experience takes you to a new level The new Tracer 900GT offers the ultimate premium riding experience. Its touring capacities have been enhanced with cruise control, adjustable windscreen, heated grips and adjustable seat, plus colour-matched hard side cases as standard. Its sporting credentials are even higher with a new quick shifter system, remote pre-load rear shock absorber and adjustable upside down front forks. Its technology sets a new standard for the class with TCS, D-MODE and full colour TFT instruments. That’s why every ride on the new Tracer 900GT delivers the Sport Touring experience at its best. New Yamaha Tracer 900GT. Turn up your experience
www.yamaha-motor.eu.uk
I spy with my little eye... Often it’s as simple as: “You didn’t hear this from me but if someone is on road X in country Y, in the next few days, then it might prove fruitful.”
Tony Carter
Y
es, dear reader, despite what you might read elsewhere – or what that bloke down the pub might tell you – a large percentage of so-called ‘spy shots’ really are ‘spy shots’. They’re often taken by specialist snappers who know the routes the factories like, they’re very knowledgeable about what bikes are coming out and what any issues are with them. Occasionally it’s the likes of me who phone these guys up and pass on information from insiders at a factory. The results, largely, you can see in MSL, filling our news pages. Now, I’m not naive. Lord knows I’ve been in this game long enough (next year marks my 25th as a professional motorcycle journalist, I know... I don’t look old enough... ahem...) and yes, although I have never worked with a factory to bag a single spy shot over that quarter of a century, I’m sure certain outlets made sure information is fed to me in order to have a snapper at the right place at the right time. In those situations, there’s little you can do other than get the shot and analyse what you see. You pick what you can from the bikes you’ve caught and work out what bit does what and where. Mostly though, your spy photo is going to cause you a whole heap of headache because you’re affecting sales of this year’s stock or showing a motorcycle that’s not ready yet or getting Fabrizio into trouble because he’s wearing an old BMW jacket instead of a Ducati one. I’ve had every one of these arguments thrown at me over the years. And I understand each fully. So what to do? Ignore what’s happening outside of the nearest dealership? No. Pretend that we’re not getting a glut of new motorcycles every November at EICMA in Milan? No.
Find out what’s coming, get excited about it, find out where it’s testing and despatch snappers to go bag it? Yep. That’s what we do. It’s the same with patent stories. We get these patents that are filed by the factories. The factories file many patents each week (literally hundreds of patents are filed by the likes of Kawasaki, Yamaha and Honda) but only a few relate to motorcycles and only a few of those are things we’ve not seen before. The factories try to be clever with the filing, often hiding a new motorcycle away in a patent for a sidestand widget or fairing bracket. So hours are spent each week going through mountains of paper, looking for something new. And then you find it. That nice new motorcycle that’s coming in one or two years’ time. And you put it on the page and the cover. Motorcycling is a constantly evolving beast. This month we’ve got four big stages of evolution for you on top of everything else we’ve been up to. I sincerely hope you enjoy it.
Tony, Holding-the-fort
Motorcycle Sport & Leisure’s contributors... Alan Cathcart
Alan Cathcart has been writing about bikes for more than 30 years, and riding them for even longer. He’s regularly given the keys to factory prototypes and being on first name terms with the bosses of bike companies around the world allows him to bag many scoops.
Roland Brown
Has ridden for 37 years and been a bike journalist for more than 30. At Bike he ended up as deputy editor before going freelance. An author of 11 books, as a racer he was Bemsee 1300 champion 1984 and raced UK F1, Superstock and Superbike, plus World F1 races.
Chris Moss
Mossy has raced the Isle of Man TT, dispatched in London and ridden everything from CX500s to fullblown GP prototypes. A former chief motorcycle tester for Motorcycle News, the veteran journo admits he’s still loving two-wheeled life, and still learning.
Peter Henshaw
Peter knows his stuff – he’s a former editor of this very magazine. Now a freelance journalist, he’s got the same enthusiasm for anything with wheels that he’s had since a child. An all-year-round biker who doesn’t own a car, he has more than 40 books to his name.
Mikko’s BACK! A bit. Kind of. We couldn’t have been happier to have the Finn back in the MSL hot seat for a few minutes this week. Marking a frankly remarkable comeback, Mikko N appeared at MSL Towers this month for the first time since his intimate gettogether with a not-so-friendly tractor. His first visit to the offices since his huge crash in the middle of March was a happy affair, as you might expect. And as usual, Mikko had the right words ready, such as: “What’s all this mess on my desk?” and “Who the hell drank all my coffee?” not to mention “Why has Tony left his rotten old trainers under my drawers?” In all seriousness, the motorcycle man is continuing his return to us apace. He’s doing more pages in the magazine as you’d expect and we can’t wait to have him back properly. Say hello to him if you’re writing in.
www.mslmagazine.co.uk 3
Contents
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The biggest stories in biking this month – including genuine from-the-bushes scoop photos!
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Timur Sardarov
30
MV Agusta’s money man shares his vision for the future.
Products
Biking kit and gizmos to spice up your ride... and your life.
ROAD TESTS
Letters
16
50
Maynard Hershon
52
The High Sider
48
You, the MSL reader, take over and have your say.
Bikes, girls and England. All the way back in 1964.
Sporting prowess from hiding behind the sofa and moaning at the telly box.
BMW C400X
38
26
KTM Freeride
102 Used test: BMW K1600GT
30
Redfox Grinta Ducati
110 Classic test: Honda CB750
4 Motorcycle Sport & Leisure – established 1962
They had a rubbish World Cup, but the Germans know how to make scooters.
If you want to venture right off the tarmac, this is the way to do it in quarter-litre style.
Built for the Classic TT. This is a bike you could make yourself.
Curtiss Zeus
Whether you love it or hate it, this electric machine is certainly unique.
There’s something about that six-cylinder engine... not to mention all those gizmos.
It’s a classic alright, but how does it measure up these days?
TEST FLEET
38 TOURING & ADVENTURE
90
Honda CB1000R+
92
KTM 1090
93
Husqvarna 401
94
Kawasaki Z900RS
95
Honda X-ADV
96
77
56
Toro Trail
78
61
Richard Millington
84
62
Day ride
87
64
68
74
Always be yourself. If you can’t be yourself, be like Ewan and Charley.
English rider, German bike and Spanish trails are the perfect mix.
What if the bike you really want doesn’t fit your image?
Can you get from Essex to Ypres and back in a day?
Roger meets the ‘egg boys’.
Ross enjoys the Black Arrow.
Classic looks or a classic ride?
Chris changes his habits to suit.
Yamaha Tracer 900
It’s got what Paul needs.
KNOWLEDGE
Touring news
55
Attention seeker’s delight!
Cagiva fest
If you want to see lots of Cagivas in one place, this is it.
Moto Gymkhana
The boys are getting faster, sharper, and still nowhere near the podium.
Tech talk: DVT
Three letters that make a big difference – on a Ducati, that is.
What’s on?
Don’t miss these events in the next few weeks.
Mid ride
88
One to come
Long ride
98
Tried & tested
Travel
122 Kevin Cameron
We love riding in Spain. This time it’s the Pyrenees.
Short nights, long fjords, cheap ferries and expensive cheese in Norway.
From the four corners of the globe they came (back).
56
Where to put your money if you’re looking to the long term.
Our real life tests tell the truth behind the marketing spin.
What wins races – the rider, the bike, or something else altogether?
September 2018 EDITOR: Mikko Nieminen: mnieminen@mortons.co.uk ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Tony Carter: tcarter@mortons.co.uk SENIOR DESIGNER: Justin Blackamore DESIGNERS: Fran Lovely, Charlotte Turnbull PRODUCTION EDITOR: Dan Sharp PICTURE DESK: Paul Fincham and Jonathan Schofield PUBLISHER: Dan Savage: asavage@mortons.co.uk GROUP KEY ACCOUNTS MANAGER: Steff Woodhouse: swoodhouse@mortons.co.uk 01507 529452 / 07786 334330 DIVISIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER: Zoe Thurling zthurling@mortons.co.uk 01507 529412 ADVERTISING SALES: Lee Buxton: lbuxton@mortons.co.uk 01507 529453 SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER: Paul Deacon: pdeacon@mortons.co.uk CIRCULATION MANAGER: Steve O’Hara: sohara@mortons.co.uk MARKETING MANAGER: Charlotte Park: cpark@mortons.co.uk COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: Nigel Hole EDITORIAL ADDRESS: MSL Magazine, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR WEBSITE: www.mslmagazine.co.uk GENERAL QUERIES AND BACK ISSUES: 01507 529529 24 hr answerphone help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk ARCHIVE ENQUIRIES: Jane Skayman jskayman@mortons.co.uk 01507 529423 SUBSCRIPTION: Full subscription rates (but see page 24 for offer): (12 months 12 issues, inc post and packing) – UK £51.60. Export rates are also available – see page 24 for more details. UK subscriptions are zero-rated for the purposes of Value Added Tax. SUBSCRIPTION AGENTS: Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR CUSTOMER SERVICES NUMBER: 01507 529529 TELEPHONE LINES ARE OPEN: MONDAY-FRIDAY 8.30AM-7PM SATURDAY 8.30AM-12.30PM DISTRIBUTION: Marketforce UK Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HU. 0203 787 9001. PRINTED: William Gibbons & Sons, Wolverhampton The publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If you are sending material to us for publication, you are strongly advised to make copies and to include a stamped addressed envelope. Original material must be submitted and will be accepted solely on the basis that the author accepts the assessment of the publisher as to its commercial value. © Mortons Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher. ISSN: 1478-8390 MOTORCYCLE SPORT & LEISURE (USPS:001-522) is published monthly by Mortons Media Group Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ UK. USA subscriptions are $66 per year from Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. Periodical Postage is paid at Bancroft WI and additional entries. Postmaster: Send address changes to MOTORCYCLE SPORT & LEISURE, c/o Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. 715-572-4595 chris@ classicbikebooks.com
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NEW Need to know ◆ Your letters ◆ First rides
McGuinness announces racing COMEBACK for THIS MONTH!
J
After a year in the wilderness, battling to be fit enough to race again, the TT legend says he’s ready.
ohn McGuinness WILL make a return to racing around the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course, and he’ll do it THIS MONTH. The road racing legend has now confirmed his entry for the 2018 Classic TT presented by Bennetts. Now back to bike riding fitness, 23-times TT Race winner McGuinness, unquestionably the most successful TT rider of his generation, will again campaign the 500cc Team Winfield Paton in the four-lap Bennetts Senior Classic TT Race due to be held on Saturday, August 25. Having been out of race action since the 2017 North West 200 where he sustained career threatening injuries,
McGuinness got a taste of the 37.73-mile Mountain Course again at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, with two parade laps on the SG7 Norton he had been due to ride before failing to regain full fitness in time for the June event. He will be looking to make a winning return this month, lining up on the same 500cc Paton that he rode at the Classic TT between 2013 and 2016. Technical issues held the Morecambe Missile back in his first two attempts with the team but team and rider made amends in 2016 when he ran out a clear winner. Indeed, having overhauled early leader Dean Harrison in the 2016 Bennetts Senior Classic TT Race,
McGuinness’ fastest lap of 113.342mph saw him set a new class lap record which still stands today and his winning margin over the Bradford rider was decisively over 20 seconds. McGuinness said:“It’s been a hard road back from the North West 200 crash and I thought we were there heading into the TT but another setback just left us a few weeks short. I absolutely loved doing the two parade laps this year and the reaction I got from the fans was amazing. The next big target for me was always the Classic TT, and everything is going in to being fully fit and prepared for a proper return to racing.”
He continued:“I’m buzzing about the whole thing really. I love the Classic TT atmosphere and I really enjoy working with Roger Winfield and his team and their Paton is a joy to ride around Mountain Circuit. I’m not going to make any predictions on how competitive we are going to be, but when I rode the Norton at the TT, the feeling was good and, above all else, I just want to be out there with the rest of the guys again, going as fast as we can and putting on a good show for the fans. If we get a result out of it then that will be a bonus on this occasion.”
www.mslmagazine.co.uk 7
76 Motorcycle Sport & Leisure – established 1962
KNOWLEDGE Riding ◆ Buying ◆ Rating
HISTORY TIME:
Cagiva-fest (kind of)
For the first time in Cagiva’s 40-year history, 11 of its red racers will be displayed in one place – the Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, held in Stafford on October 13-14. The machines are part of the collection owned by Dean Simpkins and his father Martyn and are all genuine factory racers, ridden by some of Grand Prix racing’s greatest riders, including the Eddie Lawson and John Kocinski 500cc race-winning bikes. The collection is so extensive that it’s never been seen in public before. Not even at the Cagiva factory itself! After agreeing the deal with Dean Simpkins at Donington Park, the show organiser’s associate director Malc Wheeler said: “This is something very different and special for the show. I am genuinely excited about this display and can’t thank Dean and Martyn enough for making it possible for people to enjoy this incredible collection.” In addition to the machines on display, there will also be two former factory riders, Jon Ekerold and Pier Paolo Bianchi on hand to meet fans throughout the show weekend. South African Ekerold won the 1980 350cc World Championship on a privateer Bimota Yamaha against the might of the Kawasaki factory team and their ace rider Anton Mang. An old school all-rounder Jon also won the Ulster Grand Prix and finished runner-up in the Isle of Man TT twice. Ekerold was also a factory Cagiva rider in 1982 and the machine he rode forms part of the exclusive Stafford display.
Bianchi is a three-time World Champion, winning the FIM World title in the 125cc class in 1976 and 77, and for the third time in 1980. He was a factory rider for Cagiva in 1988 and the machine he raced is also part of the display. Bianchi and Ekerold will be interviewed on stage throughout the weekend by compere Steve Plater, alongside the show’s third guest of honour, racing legend Terry Rymer. The Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show at Stafford is the biggest classic bike show in the world of its kind.
Get your tickets Discounted advance tickets for the show are now on sale, with a one-day adult pass costing just £12. Tickets will also be available on the gate, priced at £14 each. Under-12s tickets are £3 in advance or £4 on the day and parking is free.
www.mslmagazine.co.uk 77
3 E D O S I P E
MOTO GYMKHANA
For old blokes and slow bikes (NOT)
Two-stroke magic with championship leader Rob Fox. WORDS: Ross Mowbray IMAGES: Gary D Chapman
78 Motorcycle Sport & Leisure – established 1962
MOTO GYMKHANA
THE STORY SO FAR
We’ve been getting our teeth stuck into the Japanese dark art of Moto Gymkhana for the last few months. So far, Tony Carter (current acting editor of MSL, and the man behind Island Racer, Classic Racer, Motor Cycle Monthly and MoreBikes.co.uk) and I have spent some time with Andrew Freeman, boss man at the Moto Gymkhana Association in the UK – who’s been showing us the ropes; explaining what the different coloured pylons (cones) mean, how a competition course works, teaching us a few moves, and trying to get us competition-ready. Next up, it was Round One of the championship. Tony put in a solid couple of laps, and clocked a respectable time for his first go – but I didn’t have quite so much joy, failing to post a time after messing up the course on both attempts. Plenty of room for improvement for Round Two.
WHAT’S MOTO GYMKHANA?
Moto Gymkhana is a high energy, technical motorcycle sport that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s all about skill – requiring accurate control, bursts of speed and ruthless braking to navigate a pre-designed course in the shortest amount of time, with the least number* of errors.
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