Ducati further expands the Ducati Riding Experience programme for the 2023 season, confirming its attention to the experiential aspect in the relationship with motorcycle enthusiasts. Ducati Riding Experience is the package with which the Bologna-based manufacturer aims to enrich the lives of motorcyclists around the world.

Hundreds of photographs spanning British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph’s incredible history are featured in a new collection specially selected by James Robinson, editor of The Classic MotorCycle magazine.

Triumph: Pictorial History of the Great British Marque delves deep into the extensive Mortons photographic archive to cover everything from the late Victorian age to the Great War, the Vintage period (1918-1930), the 1930s, the Second World War, the 1950s boom years, the cool 60s, the difficult 70s, the death and rebirth of Triumph in the 80s and beyond – right up to the present day.

Robinson’s passion for Triumph is what fuels this hardback book. His personal enthusiasm for Triumph machines over the last 20 years is well documented: from the charming Model H to the amazing pre-war Tiger 100, Tridents, Thunderbirds through the ages, and pretty much every incarnation of Bonneville.

The company celebrated a landmark 120-year anniversary this year – having produced its first motorcycle in April 1902.

Triumph: Pictorial History of the Great British Marque is available to order for £25 via www.mortonsbooks.co.uk.

The Zapp i300 performance electric city bike has been awarded the Excellent Product Design award in the motorcycle category in the 2023 German Design Awards, with the independent jury of design experts commending the i300’s ‘outstanding design quality’.

Pricing for the most off-road ready V-Strom yet, the all-new V-Strom 800DE, has been announced at £10,499. 

Powered by Suzuki’s new 776cc, long-stroke, DOHC, parallel twin with a 270° crank, the V-Strom 800DE is born to explore and is equipped with a host of electronic rider aids and chassis features designed to help it tackle the rough stuff, as well as ensure it remains capable and usable on the road, too. 

Suzuki’s new powerplant delivers 84.3PS peak power at 8500rpm and 78Nm of peak torque at 6800rpm in the new V-Strom, though riders can choose their preferred power delivery thanks to three selectable engine maps, controlled by a rocker switch on the left handlebar and displayed on a 5-inch colour TFT screen.

Also displayed on the dash in the selected traction control mode, with three on-road modes available to choose from and a G mode, for use off-road, that allows more wheelspin, which is suppressed only enough to help prevent excessive slip, so power continues to be delivered to the rear wheel with minimum interruption. It can also be disengaged completely. 

There are also two ABS settings, providing greater or lesser intervention, plus there is the ability to disengage the rear ABS for improved confidence and control off-road, and a bi-directional quickshifter for seamless gear changes.

A new steel frame with bolt-on subframe and aluminium swingarm is suspended by fully-adjustable Showa components providing 220mm of travel and ground clearance. That ground clearance also comes courtesy of 21 and 17-inch wire-spoked wheels, front and back, running tubed Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tyres. Wide aluminium ‘bars and tough steel footpegs are designed to provide greater control when stood up off-road. 

All this is wrapped in unmistakable a new, sharper, taughter incarnation of V-Strom stylinge, complete with a DR-Z-esque beak, and comes in the classic yellow that pays homage to Suzuki’s off-road racing heritage. The V-Strom 800DE is also available in a striking matt grey, with yellow accents, and subtle black, with blue.

It will be in dealerships in the spring.

Over 600 guests attended Ben Ball 2022 for a spectacular evening which raised over £120,000 in vital life-saving funds to support members of the automotive community who are struggling or in crisis.