2014 Honda Grom 125 E on 2040-motos

Moto blog

BSB 2012; Mystic Mac investigates

In my opinion, the smartest move in the BSB off season has to be Michael Laverty moving from Swan Yamaha to HM Plant Honda. With a ban on electronics for 2012, and in particular traction control, WFR's Graham Gowland has already proved to Laverty how competitive an EVO spec Fireblade can be - so I’m tipping both these riders to be bang on the money at the Brands Hatch season opener in April. Unlike BMW, Kawasaki and Yamaha, Honda have deliberately developed their road-going Superbike without electronics to give a user friendly feel with good mechanical traction, so it’ll be interesting to see how the opposition copes with their high-tech trickery stripped off.

BMW 1000RR and the Honda C70, are they indestructible?

I’ve managed 1374 miles on the Michelin Power Pures (mostly on track) and although we’ve had some decent temperatures they still look like new so there’s plenty meat left for another month at least. I’ve been running them at 30psi front and 32psi rear and find they warm up after a few miles but I wouldn’t say the temperature comes any quicker than any of the competition so it has to be four miles before I get brave. I’ve had a few out the seat moments with my BMW but I have got the rear suspension  set pretty hard (8 rebound,8 compression, two turns on pre load) and in slick mode, so 190bhp in first gear at the Knockhill hairpin is always going to be dodgy.

Win a Fireblade. Yes, really.

This weekend sees the launch of Honda's anniversary promotions for the Fireblade – marking 20 years since its introduction. The firm has created a prize-draw web page at www.honda.co.uk/fireblade and for a chance to win you just need to fill in your details, after which you'll be given a code which you must take to a participating Honda dealer on August 11 before 2pm. The winner will be announced at 3pm on the 11th, and if they've hung around in the dealership until then they'll also be given 10 tickets to Motorcycle Live 2012.