Bike Devil’s Week on Two-Wheels: 28 September 20

The final Bike Devil’s Two-Wheeled update for September – and boy oh boy has the temperature changed! It doesn’t feel like two minutes since we were cracking out our vented jackets and thinking about how we could keep cool on two wheels. Now it’s all about digging out our thermals and heated kit!

Talking of kit, it’s a great time to bag a bargain as many brands are bringing out their new Autumn/Winter collection – we can’t say that without feeling slightly like we’re writing for a fashion mag – so it’s a good time to grab a deal on older stock from dealerships and the online sites. They’re all needing to make some room in their warehouses – so keep an eye out for the inevitable discounts…

Just a quick one for your diary too – the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics show, planned for 10-11 October at Stafford County Showground has been cancelled due to COVID-19. Show organisers put out a statement last week citing the ‘worsening situation and rising infection rate’. It’s a shame, but as with all the events that have had to be postponed or cancelled, it’s the responsible thing to do for all those taking part or visiting.

We were expecting a ‘Motorcycle-Live-shaped’ hole in our November this year after it was postponed, however, we’re pleased to hear that it will be morphing into ‘Motorcycle Live Online’ for 2020. Set to take place on the same dates as the physical show would have been (21-29 November), show organisers say there’s ‘a raft of dedicated content and videos in the making, ‘show attendees’ can expect their fix of biking in November as they always have.’ To get involved, all you have to do is sign up to their newsletter or follow their social channels – simple! And no travel or queuing required!

Talking of travelling – woah, our links are seamless this week! Since we last spoke, the first three episodes of Long Way Up debuted on Apple TV with a new one now being released every week. In case you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t seen any of the promo for it, this series documents Ewan McGreagor and Charley Boorman travelling from Ushuaia in Argentina to LA – on Harley-Davidson Livewires (yep, the electric ones!).

In bike news, journalists have been trying out BMW’s R18 – the brands first crack at a cruiser and the Bavarian brand unveiled the M1000RR – a seriously special machine. Expanding its ‘M range’ from the car lineup for the first time, the BMW M1000RR could be yours for just under £31k. It boasts 209bhp and weighs just 192kg, new carbon fibre winglets and some super trick electronics.

Flipping from a £30k superbike to a 125cc machine, Honda has launched a new CB125F for 2021 with 11kg weight deduction and a claimed 497 miles on one tank! Perfect for those looking to take to two wheels instead of public transport! Kawasaki has also shown some of the 2021 range with the Ninja 1000SX, Vulcan S and Z900 machines being treated to new colours and various ‘editions’ being added to the range. The new additions to the Kawasaki range are expected to be dealers in December, so not long to wait!

New bikes and updates seem to be peppered throughout the year now that there are no shows for the manufacturers to pull the covers off at… can’t help but feel it’s a bit like opening all your presents one-by-one throughout the year!

Let’s move onto the racing!

It’s official – Valentino Rossi is staying in MotoGP next year and will be with the Petronas Yamaha team. It’s been in the pipeline for a while but the deal is done! His teammate will be 25-year-old and VR46 Academy member, Franco Morbidelli, who is currently fifth in the MotoGP standings. It was announced in January that Quartararo will be replacing Rossi at the Yamaha factory team, having signed a two-year deal. Looks like more pieces of the jigsaw are fitting into place in the MotoGP paddock!

**Spoiler Alert**

It was yet another action-packed race at Catalunya! A disastrous opening lap crash involving Zarco and Dovizioso means that the Ducati rider is no longer top of the standings. Quartararo crossed the line in first place and took the top place in the Championship standings. Mir came second and his Team Suzuki ECSTAR teammate came third.

The World Superbikes are racing at Magny-Cours, France this coming weekend. Will reigning BSB Champ Scott Redding be able to close the lead on five-time WSBK Champion, Jonathan Rea who is currently topping the table?

It’s yet another triple header for the BSB riders at Donington Park this weekend too. It’s tight at the top for current leader Glenn Irwin, with just a two point lead over Jason O’Halloran and 10 over Josh Brookes in third place. After winning two of the three races at Oulton Park, O’Halloran is a man on a mission aboard his Yamaha!

Well, there you have it! Your Two-Wheel round-up!