Andy Calton

Read about the 2021 Yamaha XSR125 here - a new learner-legal retro Yamaha naked bike to rival the Husqvarna Svartpilen 125 and more.

Read about the merging of British biking brands Renntec and Metal Mule who have joined forces since being taken over by the Giles brothers.

The crisp-but-sunny Sunday morning had me itching to get going and see how the naked XSR would cope with a 400-mile round-trip to Newcastle. Nearly all of those miles were to be on the A1 and the early impressions were good. Related: Full Yamaha XSR900 review A steady throttle at 6000rpm saw a decent cruising speed, 45mpg and windblast was not too severe. Mirrors blur at this speed, but not so badly that you can’t make out what’s behind. Push beyond this and fuel economy takes a battering – dropping below 40mpg. Neck strain also kicks in after a while if revs rise much above 6000rpm for any length of time. Even riding at a sensible pace means refuelling every 110-120 miles, so planning ahead is critical. On one occasion the fuel light started flashing at 90 miles and I had to keep going for another 22 before I could find fuel. When I topped up I squeezed 13.85 litres into the 14-litre tank, so another mile or two and I’d have been pushing. The limited range is a little disconcerting

There’s not a lot wrong with the XSR900, especially in performance terms. Related: Full Yamaha XSR900 review The 900cc triple motor is a beauty and provides punchy power right through the rev range. The handling could be sharpened by an aftermarket shock and maybe some work on the front end. But the XSR is not really meant to be a razor-sharp track tool. The model on which it’s based – the MT-09 – would be better suited to that sort of use with a few modifications made. The XSR is intended to be a stylish retro version of the MT-09 and as such is as much about style and character as it is about performance and poise. TOP STORIES BSB’s Luke Mossey vs seven-year-old Josh Bannister Six days until the Brackley Festival! Advanced training: Improve your skills and save money Duchinni D705 gives a quality feel on a tight budget BSB: Byrne wins race one as Haslam fights back Yamaha provide an exhaustive list of aftermarket parts and I decided it was time for Project Cafe Racer. After much

Read about tennis star Emma Raducanu's motocross past and why she left two wheels to focus on her sporting career, here.

Read about Ducati's plans to unveil their 2022 model line-up including the eagerly awaited Dakar-inspired Desert X off roader.

Disabled motorcyclist Claire Lomas MBE raised over £10,000 by completing the London Marathon in a wheelchair, while wearing full bike gear. Now she has her sights set on riding a lap of the TT circuit as part of the Manx GP in August 2022. Claire said: “We were on the brink of getting this done a while back but then Covid hit and it couldn’t go ahead. I’d love to get this sorted and hope the organisers of the Manx will let me do a lap for charity.” Related articles on MCN Triumph launch Ride Out to Help Out campaign 1040 miles in under 24 hours for charity Lincolnshire firefighter charity ride Paralysed Claire Lomas completes London Marathon in full bike kit First published on 05 October 2021 by Andy Calton Paralysed motorcyclist, Claire Lomas MBE, battled to the finish of the London Marathon in her wheelchair on Sunday – in full bike kit! Claire was paralysed from the chest down after a horse riding accident in 2007. Now married with two children, she discovered a love of

Read about Triumph's MY23 updates, with new colours and some new names for existing models, here.

Triumph motorcycles has an incredibly rich history. Too much to cover in one feature or article, so MCN has brought together a fantastic collection of content to tell the amazing 120-year story of one of the world’s most iconic bike brands. If you are already an MCN member, you can enjoy all of this wonderful content, including new images and video for FREE. If you aren’t, this could be the perfect time to sign up! Become an MCN member It’s not always been plain-sailing for the British bike company, but Triumph now boasts a range that competes with – or beats – the very best from any other manufacturer, on any continent. An incredible commitment to R&D, mixed with razor-sharp market analysis, and a singular clarity of purpose has resulted in very few deviations or missed turns on their path back to true global significance. This collection serves up road tests, with video, on six of the finest. Most riders will have a story involving a Triumph. The brand has been an

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