I have to confess, when I first saw the press pictures of the 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1 I was hugely disappointed. The new model image I had been building in my head was of a smaller, sharper machine with no underseat pipes or bug-eyed headlights. I truly believed we would get a combina...

In these days of incessantly getting ripped off and pathetic customer service I have a happy tale to report. Fearful of breaking down then getting stranded in the middle of nowhere on some freezing winter’s night, for many years, I have faithfully renewed my RAC ‘get you home’ me...

In my world, you don’t get much more impressed than you do by watching Grand Prix motocrossers in action. I have always been in awe of their skill, fitness and bravery, not least because I am as rubbish off road now as I was when I looped my first crosser (a ratty RM 400) way bac...

F or many bikers, this is a frightening time of the year. For a start 4pm is now 5pm so the commute home from work is dark and therefore more treacherous. Temperatures are also dropping (I just found out when you can see your breath the ambient temperature is below 7°C) so all th...

, “and Niall, don’t bloody worry about the consequences.” So we did and I didn’t. What a guy.On a sadder note I’d like to extend my sympathies to the family and friends of Craig Jones, especially his long-term partner Karen. Racing is a bitter-sweet world

The British Grand Prix at Donington Park may have taken place over a month ago but I still can’t help milking the feel good factor from before and after that historic day in June.Since James Toseland signed his two year MotoGP deal thousands of us have enjoyed the excitement and ...

For the past two months there has been an unusual air of anticipation and excitement down at the old Mackenzie ranch. You see it was mid December when Cantlie laid down the challenge for five of us to find a dirt cheap bike for this month’s Great Field Bike Challenge feature. Unl...

As time rolls by the chances of any of anyone out there being given the opportunity to ride a 500cc GP bike are now virtually zero. The few of these 170bhp,130kg beasts still in existence that used to wriggle around with legends like Rainey, Schwantz and Doohan at the helm are ne...

With freezing temperatures thwarting any serious testing at Snetterton, then snow forcing the abandonment of Brands Hatch two weeks later, the Bennets British Superbikes season opener at Thruxton was always going to be spectacular.For most riders the new season starts on the driv...

Time may be running out but there’s no doubt Noriyuki Haga deserves to win a World Superbike championship.The 1997 Japanese Superbike champion burst onto the world scene in 1998, winning three of the first four races. But ten years on a championship win still eludes him. Some who...