in my Phantoms. They're immensely comfortable once they're on but the velcro cuff's a bit fiddly. I've had one racetrack prang which resulted in some heavy scuffing on the armour but the leather's still in tip-top condition. I'd recommend them for sure

manoeuvres like the U-turn a major hurdle. This results in added pressure on the candidate, especially if they're booked on an intensive course, as it often takes longer than just a few days for some learners to feel comfortable riding a big bike in test

everything in my power to win as many races as possible for Honda. The team have done a fantastic job preparing the race bikes and I reckon the results speak for themselves - I'm over the moon to have clocked up a 129mph average in practice."So you reckon a

. ENGINEThe single-cylinder LC4 engine with 654 cc exemplifies the concentrated know-how that has been amassed by KTM's R&D department over the last 20 years. The result: an extremely compact and weight-optimised drivetrain at the highest technological level

is having its best season since the introduction of the four-stroke regulations and is heading to Australia still on the crest of a wave, despite disappointing results at the last two races. John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen sit in fourth and fifth places

in practice using race tyres, making them hot favourites for the race. But rainy race-day weather turned Motegi into a lottery and although both Rossi and Pedrosa led briefly, they were out of luck in the results. The recent improvement in the performance

from two very good races. Unfortunately our package didn't work as well today as it did in the previous races, we had some difficulties, so I was fighting with Barros for 11th place, which isn't the kind of result I was hoping for here. I hope things go

Helipad. After dropping off a passenger, the pilot attempted to take off, not realising one of the helicopter's wheels had punctured the wooden helipad and was stuck fast.The situation resulted in what helicopter pilots call a 'dynamic rollover

people won't touch these bikes now as they're deemed old hat. Even so, a well-modified example's still good enough to give a trackday enthusiast plenty to go at. So what needs doing?A pipe, dynojet kit and air filter usually results in mid 90s bhp

between ramps at heights approaching 40 feet. The further the jump and the higher the altitude, the longer the period of 'negative G-force' and the more ambitious the resultant antics.A packed programme of Arena events will feature Graeme Crosby, Suzuki