New MCN February 13: The Real Rossi is Back!

Is this the most versatile bike in the world?
KTM’s Adventure 990 had a reputation as a top tool for the hardcore adventure rider – more adept at dealing with extreme off-road riding than its arch-rival, BMW’s GS. But it struggled against its German foe on the road. The new 1190 has a bigger engine with more power, more electronics – and aims to be a more all-round package than its predecessor.

KTM 450 Rally vs 990 Adventure
Smaller, lighter and more powerful… so remind us why exactly have adventure bikes become so big once more? We ride 1600 miles through the deserts and mountains of Oman on a KTM Adventure 990 and it’s little brother, the 450 Rally. But can the Rally humble big bro?

Thrash Metal
Yamaha’s YZF-R6 has arguably been the definitive supersport ever since the first set the cat among the 600cc class pidgeons back in 1998. But the range has been through a mass of transformations since then, resulting in a wide variety of models. So what does each offer, which will suit your needs, and what should you look for?

C’mon Feel the Noise!
Honda made some of the most amazing bikes in motorcycling history in the 1960s. Now, with MCN offering readers a chance to hear a 297cc Honda six on full noise at the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show this weekend, it’s time to reconsider how the most exotic GP bike in history came about – not just once, but twice.

MCN Fantasy Road Race is GO!!!
With WSB kicking off later this month in Australia, it’s that time of the year again – MCN’s Fantasy Road Race League is GO! Get the latest run down on the title contenders from WSB reporter Michael Guy and enter now to be in with a chance of winning a Honda CBR500.

Cal: ‘I’ve got Rossi in my sights’
27-year old former World Supersport champion Cal Crutchlow made a major career breakthrough in 2012 when he became the first British rider in 12 years to stand on a MotoGP podium. Preparing for his third season in the Monster Tech 3 squad, Crutchlow unveiled his masterplan for 2013 in an exclusive interview with MCN during last week’s riveting first test in Sepang.

‘What do we need to change? Everything’
No-one save Casey Stoner has gelled with the unconventional Desmosedici in MotoGP. He won the title on it in 2007 but the wins fell away steeply before a gamble on signing Valentino Rossi in 2011 left few in doubt the firm was all at sea. Its reputation as a career graveyard looks set to continue as Dovizioso, Spies and Iannone found themselves way behind the leaders at Sepang.

‘It is another world, it is like I am doing another sport’
MotoGP’s first test of 2013 in Malaysia was the opener for three official sessions prior to the start of the season, and the first chance for Rossi to stretch his legs on the Yamaha M1. It’s impossible to draw final conslusions from test times, but it’s nethertheless a strong indicator of early form and a facinating chapter in the championship’s phoney war before the real hostilities commence on April 7.

Welcome to the MCN London Motorcycle Show!
Our 32-page pull-out guide is the place to get all your show info, with schedules, floor maps and a ‘who’s there’ guide, as well as all the info from ouor team on what new bikes to check out

The Zones
Five zones make it even easier to find what you’re after at the show, and the guide gives you all the info of what to find in the Classic, Sports, Retail, Custom and Adventure areas!

What’s on show?
Our team of reporters and road testers show you the must-see 2013 bikes that’ll be on display at the show. From the new KTM 1190 Adventure and it’s German rival the BMW R1200GS, to kawasaki’s latest supersport rocket ZX-636, get the low-down before you see them in the flesh.