Retro Classic

THE ‘KING’ RETURNS: The 2026 Yamaha XSR900 GP

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Mark Lancaster

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30th October 2025

Yamaha’s Sport Heritage range pays homage to the company’s most iconic riders and machines from a previous era, while at the same time giving riders the very latest engine, chassis and design technology. Flagship of the range is the outstanding XSR900 GP, a truly stunning machine inspired by Yamaha’s winning race bikes from the ‘Golden…
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SUZUKI: New Retro Roadsters…

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Mark Lancaster

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28th July 2025

Back in the early 1970s, they didn’t call naked bikes ‘naked bikes’ – because virtually every bike was ‘naked’ in that they had nothing at all in the way of a fairing. Pedantry aside though, Suzuki has just released a couple of new naked machines, with 1970s style, built on its current GSX-8S roadster platform.…
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NORTON: partners with Bikesure

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Mark Lancaster

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18th July 2025

Norton Motorcycles is proud to announce the launch of its partnership with leading motorcycle insurer, Bikesure – part of Adrian Flux. The collaboration marks the beginning of a tailored approach to motorcycle insurance for Norton riders, delivering comprehensive cover and trusted service to give Norton riders peace of mind when insuring their motorcycles. Norton customers…
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YAMAHA: XSR900 GP honours Rainey’s riding return

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Mark Lancaster

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14th July 2025

In celebration of a racing legend, on 11th July, Yamaha Motor Europe has presented a unique custom-built XSR900 GP model to 3-time 500cc World Champion, Wayne Rainey in close collaboration with Yamaha Motor US. The occasion marked Rainey’s third time riding Yamaha machinery since his race career-ending accident in 1993. During that time, the racing…
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NEW helmets for Norton

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Mark Lancaster

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11th July 2025

Norton Motorcycles has launched its Hedon for Norton helmet collection, in partnership with Hedon. The collection, named Series 1, will feature two full-face styles. The Series 1 – Glass Fibre helmet features a full glass fibre shell, while the Series 1 – Carbon Fibre features a full carbon fibre shell. Both helmets have platinum, black and red…
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NORTON: New dealer in London

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Mark Lancaster

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26th May 2025

Norton Motorcycles has a new dealer in London. Krazy Horse in Kensington will be stocking the Solihull firm’s machinery, with a full servicing, spares and accessories service in the heart of the metropolis. The showroom is in the old Bristol Cars HQ on Kensington High Street: www.krazyhorse.co.uk
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BUYING A USED… BMW R nineT

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Mark Lancaster

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13th May 2025

How much fun can a retro-styled, air-cooled BMW boxer be? As it turns out – lots! John Urry fills his boots… A few years ago the motorcycle world was going hipster crazy with all manner of fairly hideous ‘customised’ bikes appearing as manufacturers paid chaps with beards and tattoos to basically ruin a perfectly good…
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KIT: ROADSKIN SUMMER GLOVES **NEW**

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Mark Lancaster

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4th April 2025

Roadskin has announced the launch of the Roadskin Summer Motorcycle Gloves, the ultimate blend of style, performance, and safety for riders who demand the very best. Crafted with premium materials and cutting-edge design, these gloves redefine summer riding, offering unparalleled comfort and protection without compromising style. Engineered for Comfort and Durability The Roadskin Summer Motorcycle…
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RIDDEN: Triumph Speed Twin 1200

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Mark Lancaster

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25th February 2025

The retro market is one of the strongest sectors out there, and to ensure Triumph stays up at the pointy end of things, it’s just reworked its much-loved Speed Twin 1200 family . Bruce Wilson brings us up to speed. Photos: Gareth Harford/Chippy Wood Roughly a third of Triumph’s sales can be attributed to its old-school…
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TECH: Torquing points: Cars vs. Bikes

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Mark Lancaster

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14th December 2024

Alan Dowds enlightens us… My Dad, Jim Dowds, started his working life as a car mechanic, though by the time I came along, he had moved on to work at the IBM computer factory in Greenock. Amazingly, back in the 1960s, computers had a lot of mechanical parts in them – solenoids, relays and the…
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ARCHIVE: Rainey Reigns

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Mark Lancaster

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23rd September 2024

VJMC’s Steve Cooper remembers… With the YZR finally in fine fettle, Yamaha looked to be in with a shot of reclaiming the title Rider coach, trackside fettler and GP guru Kel Carruthers had gone but Yamaha was still in dire need of reclaiming the prestigious Number One plate. As was always the case, ‘more power’…
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TESTED: Yamaha XSR 900 GP

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Mark Lancaster

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2nd September 2024

Rolling the dice down the retro route, Yamaha’s hit the jackpot with its latest old-school themed offering… The core of the XSR is Yamaha’s polished and proven CP3 triple motor that boasts a tidy 119bhp and claims 93Nm of torque to back things up. The engine is a direct crossover part with the new MT-09,…
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NORTON: Expansion plans announced

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Mark Lancaster

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17th July 2024

Norton Motorcycles, part of the TVS Motor Company Group, announced its investment and growth plans to prepare the company for international expansion. Hosting a contingent of international journalists at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, members of Norton’s senior leadership team – Sudarshan Venu, Dr Robert Hentschel and Richard Arnold – shared the brand’s vision and…
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Lucky Seven! Sheene’s winning machine at Bonhams Stafford Sale

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Alex Bestwick

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16th September 2022

A Manx Norton ridden by motorcycling great Barry Sheene to victory in his last winning race will be one of the stars at Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale on 15/16 October.
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Lucky Seven! Sheene’s winning machine at Bonhams Stafford Sale

by

Alex Bestwick

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16th September 2022

A Manx Norton ridden by motorcycling great Barry Sheene to victory in his last winning race will be one of the stars at Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale on 15/16 October, featuring alongside a host of trophies won by the late World Champion. The latter are offered direct from the Sheene family.
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