MCN

INTERVIEW Rossi speaks out It’s been almost three years since the doctor hung up his helmet, and nine years since that clash with Marc Marquez at Sepang. Yet despite the passing of time and the move to a new form of motorsport, it seems Rossi has lost none of the animosity towards his old Spanish foe. MCN caught up with the nine-time world champion to get his take on the current state of affairs in MotoGP, and if he believes Marquez will get under the skin of Pecco Bagnaia when the pair become factory Ducati teammates in 2025, plus whether Ducati have made a massive mistake by ‘betraying’ young riders. PAGE 36 ‘It will be interesting to see how it goes’ ROSSI ON MARQUEZ/BAGNAIA MCN TEST Sumptuous superbikes Bonkers performance in a sensible package, that’s what…

Are we moving towards a world of self-riding bikes? We were in Japan earlier this week to find out about the new system developed in partnership between KTM and Bosch which takes adaptive cruise control to the next level. This second generation of Bosch’s Advanced Rider Assistance System uses front and rear radar in conjunction with KTM’s new semi-automatic gearbox to automatically bring a bike to a stop in traffic, before allowing it to move off again at the push of a button when the car ahead pulls away. Not only that, but the new system also has a group ride function which monitors the other bikes around it and alters the pace of your bike to maintain a safe distance between them at all times. While its understandable that…

Starting on October 1, Henry Cole is back for another helping of Shed & Buried with Allen Millyard, Fuzz Townshend and Guy Willison. Over 10 episodes, the trio will return to rooting for treasure in the nation’s sheds and seeking out classic bikes among other interesting finds. Catch it on Quest (Freeview channel 12) or discovery+. KTM celebrate enduro success KTM have launched Champions Editions of their EXC enduro bikes to celebrate the brand’s dominance in the FIM Hard Enduro and EnduroGP series. The special editions – 250 and 300 two-stroke EXCs as well as 250, 350, 450 and 500 EXC-F four-strokes – boast extras including factory Red Bull graphics, a map switch, radiator fan, and semi-floating front disc. Can-Am can do at a dealer near you Can-Am’s UK motorcycle dealer network is set…

TOP STORY Ducati have lifted the lid on their adventure bike offerings for 2025 with the unveiling of an updated Multistrada V4 S which will be available next month. At the heart of the changes is a clever new electronics package, much of which is borrowed from the new Panigale V4 released this summer, as well as a bump in emissions classification to Euro5+. It also receives styling changes to the front end, minor ergonomic alterations, and a subtle chassis tweak to raise the swingarm pivot by 1mm (increasing the bike’s anti-squat properties). Clean, green and still mean Despite the Borgo Panigale machine now being kinder to the planet, Ducati have squeezed just as much class-leading (for bikes equipped with 19in front wheels) poke as before from its 1158cc Granturismo motor, with 170bhp and 91.3lb.ft…

As well as throwing a host of changes at the standard Multistrada V4, Ducati have carried over several alterations to the Pikes Peak model, too. The primary updates come in the form of a new electronics package, with Ducati adding the same DVO (Ducati Vehicle Observer) system taken from the Panigale V4. The Pikes Peak also sees its Granturismo heart transition to Euro5+. Power remains at 170bhp with 91.3lb.ft of torque. As is tradition, the Pikes Peak does away with the double-sided swingarm and 19/17in wheel set-up in favour of a single-sided unit and sportier 17in hoops. Speaking of which, the refresh brings a new pair of aluminium, five spoked forged rims and a 1mm increase in swingarm pivot height. Geometry otherwise remains unchanged, sporting the same tried and tested 25.75-degree steering head angle as…

A selection of weird, wonderful, and downright amazing bikes will go under the hammer at the NEC Classic Motor Show this November as part of Iconic Auctioneers final sale of the year. The auction represents more than a century of motorcycling, with machines ranging from a 1920 Verus V1 Blackburne 350 single through to recently raced superbikes such as Michael Ruben Rinaldi’s Ducati Panigale R F18. The Ducati, which was raced by Rinaldi in the 2018 season, has a guide price of £50,000-£70,000 and comes with authentication. ‘Rinaldi’s bike has a guide of £50-£70,000’ Alongside this piece of Italian exotica sits a 1961 BSA DB32 Gold Star 350 which could be an ideal Brit bike project for someone looking to tinker. It comes with the original logbook and some history, and with a guide…