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A whopping 800 pages of inspiration for motorcycle travels - that‘s the Touratech catalogue for the 2022/23 season. Whether it‘s high-quality components to upgrade your suspension, luggage systems in aluminium or waterproof textile, ultrarugged protectors, a comfort seat, an aerodynamically shaped windscreen or a trail-proof mount for your navigation system: everything adventure riders require to customise their machine can be found in the current Touratech catalogue. And of course in proven top quality Made in Germany.
Clearly structured
The practical grouping by motorbike model makes the search for the best parts for your own bike particularly convenient. All the latest adventure bikes are covered, as well as numerous tried-and-tested classics. And when it comes to riding gear, there is a full range from head to toe. Textile suits, helmets, boots or gloves - the Touratech range includes top-quality products developed in-house for maximum comfort on motorcycle trips near and far.
With all the concentrated information, there are exciting stories about great motorbike adventures. The lavishly designed work also includes extensive insights into the technologies Touratech uses to develop and manufacture motorcycle accessories.
Print – Online - Download
As always, the Touratech 2022/23 catalogue is free of charge. For those who prefer to browse on their PC or smartphone, there is a specially prepared and fully mobile-compatible online version of the catalogue. A download in PDF format is also possible.
The catalogue will be published, both digitally and in print, in time for the start of the season on 1 March; pre-orders for the print version can be submitted as of now.
Further information
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Valentino Rossi’s announcement of retirement brings down the curtain on an incredible career in the MotoGP motorcycle world championships. With his nine titles, including seven in the premier class, he is widely regarded as the greatest motorcycle racer of all time, and his 26 seasons of Grand Prix racing make him unique across both motorcycling and Formula 1. Rossi has been captivating fans since he won his first Grand Prix at the age of 17 and even in his final season, at the age of 42, he has been riding faster than ever. 
In this major new book by top MotoGP journalist Mat Oxley, each and every one of these races comes under the microscope, complete with perspectives about Rossi’s achievements, the controversies, his character, and analysis of his bikes. This is a Valentino Rossi book like no other.
“It’s been a joy watching Valentino’s GP career from the very beginning in 1996 and I’ve really enjoyed reliving so many of his great moments through writing this book,” says Mat. “In fact I started with his first international campaign in 1995, dissecting and analysing every one of his 400 plus races since then. It’s a career that may never be matched and it’s been an honour to write this book, which I hope becomes the ultimate tribute to Valentino’s brilliance.”
“Mat wrote the world’s first biography of Valentino in 2002,” says Mark Hughes, Evro’s Publishing Director. “Working for the publisher then, I saw how Mat not only knew Valentino well and thought the world of him, but also wrote about his subject with sublime skill and insight. Back then, we could never have imagined just how much Valentino would go on to achieve, nor that he would still be racing nearly 20 years later. Now, upon his retirement, there is no-one better than Mat to record every single moment of his incredible career.”
Key content
Early days, from karting and minimoto bikes to a first GP win, on a 125 Aprilia in the 1996 Czech GP, then onwards to claim the 125cc world title in 1997.
Moving up to the 250cc class in 1998 brought four consecutive end-of-season wins riding for Aprilia, followed by a decisive title in 1999 with nine victories.
Grabbed by Honda to race its super-successful NSR500, Rossi graduated to the ‘class of kings’ for 2000, almost becoming champion that season — but the following year he sealed the last two-stroke 500cc crown with 11 wins.
MotoGP, for 990cc four-stroke bikes, took over and Rossi immediately reigned supreme aboard his Honda RC211V, securing back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003, before a surprise departure to uncompetitive Yamaha.
Rossi rates his first year with Yamaha, 2004, as his best: defying expectation, he won first time out on the YZR-M1 and took a fourth successive title with nine wins.
In six more seasons with Yamaha, 2005–10, Rossi collected three more championship crowns, his 2008 success especially sweet because it involved a fightback after two leaner years.
Rossi’s move to Ducati looked to be an appetising all-Italian prospect but his two winless seasons there, 2011 and 2012, were disastrous.
A return to Yamaha never quite recaptured his greatest glories, but Rossi was championship runner-up three times and came very close to another title in 2015.
Author: As a motorcycle racer, Mat Oxley is an Isle of Man TT winner and lap record holder. As a writer, he has been plying his craft for 40 years and is revered for his sharp reporting of MotoGP for magazines and websites around the world, including Bike, Motor Sport, Motorcycle News and Performance Bikes. Ever since Rossi burst into Grand Prix racing in 1996, Oxley has followed his career closely and in 2001 wrote a landmark first biography, MotoGenius, with full cooperation from Valentino and his family. Among Oxley’s other acclaimed books are Mick Doohan: Thunder from Down Under (1999), Valentino Rossi: Portrait of a Speed God (2002) and Stealing Speed (2009). Married with two children, he lives in north London.
Valentino Rossi
All His Races
Mat Oxley
Publication date: 13 January 2022
Price: £50.00
ISBN: 978-1-910505-21-2
Format: 280x235mm hardback
Page extent: 336
Illustration: 280 photos
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- Improved wet grip* and longevity** compared to the MICHELIN Road 5 tyre range
- Performance improvements made possible by a new tread design, advances in raw materials and optimized tyre architecture
As the latest in a long line of class-leading sport touring tyres, Michelin is pleased to announce the launch of its MICHELIN Road 6 tyre range, a tyre range designed to offer riders of roadsters, trail bikes, sportsbikes and GT motorcycles the optimised performance in terms of wet grip, longevity, comfort and handling.
Alongside the standard MICHELIN Road 6 tyre range, which now incorporates sizes for big trail bikes, there is also the MICHELIN Road 6 GT tyre designed for grand touring machines.
Using technologies developed by engineers in Michelin’s R&D centres, the new MICHELIN Road 6 tyre offers a 15 percent improvement in wet grip* and a 10 percent increase in tyre life** compared with its predecessor, the MICHELIN Road 5 tyre.
These improvements in performance have been made possible by a new tread design, advances in raw materials and an optimized tyre architecture.
Tread Design:
- An optimized void ratio of 14 percent (the ratio of grooves to rubber), which gives high levels of grip performance in wet and dry conditions. This ratio does not change when cornering to give consistent feedback.
- MICHELIN Water EverGrip technology – a patented sipe technology developed by Michelin to give high levels of wet grip and rider confidence in these conditions. The design of these sipes mean that they open as the tyre wears.
- New groove and sipe angles, with longer edges to cut through the film of water and grip the road surface.
Raw Materials:
- A 100 percent silica compound featuring MICHELIN Silica Technology improves grip in cooler conditions and on damp and wet roads, without any compromise on tyre life.
- MICHELIN 2CT+ (2 Compound Technology) front and rear means that different parts of the tread are optimized for different performance characteristics. The harder under layer of tread rubber maintains rigidity during cornering, whereas the softer upper layer in contact with the road offers very good grip and high mileage in dry and wet conditions.
Architecture:
- MICHELIN Radial X Evo technology – the 90-degree plies on the crown of the tyre ensure a wide footprint giving high grip levels, both in a straight line and at lean angles. The sidewalls of the new generation of Radial X Evo tyres use a special ply fold that provides even more flexibility and greater comfort by absorbing road deformations, and at high speeds the tyre remains stable, making it well-suited to high-powered motorcycles. The overall effect of this technology is that the handling and responsiveness of the tyre are optimized to provide riding pleasure and fun without compromising on safety.
- MICHELIN Aramid Shield technology is a highly dense, more rigid tyre casing, which helps give excellent feedback and handling. Aramid tread plies resist centrifugal growth at speed, reduce weight and provide excellent stability.
Another Michelin first
Bearing in mind the pride that most riders have in the appearance of their motorcycles, a first for a MICHELIN Road tyre range is the use of MICHELIN Premium Touch Design in the design of the sidewalls of the MICHELIN Road 6 tyres. This exclusive technology uses micro geometry on the sidewalls to create texture, which in-turn allows it to modulate contrast and create shades of grey to highlight the tyre markings and give an attractive finish.
Available in dealers from 1 January 2022, the new MICHELIN Road 6 tyre range comprises six front and eight rear sizes, while the MICHELIN Road 6 GT tyre range is available in one front and three rear sizes. This range provides fitments for everything from small roadsters such as the KTM 390, through sports bikes and trail bikes, up to GT machines such as the BMW K1600 GT/GTL.
MICHELIN Road Tyre History
The MICHELIN Road 6 tyre range follows in the footsteps of a long line of Michelin firsts in its Road tyre ranges:
2002 MICHELIN Pilot Road – the first Road tyre range
2007 MICHELIN Pilot Road 2 – the first Road tyre range featuring sipes
2014 MICHELIN Pilot Road 4 – the first Road tyre range with a dedicated GT version
2018 MICHELIN Road 5 – the first Road tyre range using 3D sipe technology
*In-house comparisons of the MICHELIN Road 6 and MICHELIN Road 5 ranges conducted at Fontange track:
07 & 08/07/2020: 120/70 ZR 17 & 180/55 ZR 17, on a Suzuki 1250S Bandit and a Triumph Street Triple S 765.
15/03/2021 & 21/05/2021: 120/70 ZR 17 & 180/55 ZR 17, on a Suzuki 1250S Bandit.
17/01/2020: 120/70 ZR 17 & 180/55 ZR 17 (GT version), on a BMW R1200RT.
17/09/2020: 120/70 ZR 17 & 160/60 ZR 17, on a Kawasaki ER6n.
17/01/2020: 110/80 ZR 19 & 150/70 ZR 17, on a BMW R1200GS.
**Comparison of the MICHELIN Road 6 and MICHELIN Road 5 ranges, according to an independent test on public roads by DEKRA Narbonne:
20/07/2020 to 07/08/2020: 120/70 ZR 17 & 180/55 ZR 17, on a BMW K1300R.
17/08/2020 to 14/10/2020: 120/70 ZR 17 & 180/55 ZR 17 (GT version), on a BMW R1250RT loaded, but without top-case.
28/09/2020 to 12/11/2020, dimensions: 120/70 ZR 17 & 160/60 ZR 17, on a Suzuki Gladius 650.
Michelin, the leading mobility company, is dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility, sustainably; designing and distributing the most suitable tyres, services and solutions for its clients’ needs; providing digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences; and developing high-technology materials that serve a variety of industries. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 170 countries, has 123,600 employees and operates 71 tyre production facilities which together produced around 170 million tyres in 2020. (www.michelin.com)
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Getting your first motorcycle should be a fun experience. You get to enjoy the thrill of hitting the open road after getting your licence. Although motorcycling has plenty of lasting memories, freedom and exhilarating moments, there are also a few things to consider before buying one.
Whether you plan on buying a motorcycle for leisure, adventure or commuting, there are plenty of beginner-friendly options to consider. So, how do you find your first motorcycle? Here is everything you should know before buying one.
Budget
Buying your first bike can be expensive. One mistake most people make is to only save up for the bike. However, you should also remember that gear and maintenance can be costly. In fact, equipment is amongst the most expensive elements of a motorcycle. For example, a high-end helmet might cost you north of $1,000. In addition, you will also need a safety jacket, some bike pants, boots, and gloves. Budgeting and pre-planning are great ways to save some money and strategise for the future not just when purchasing a motorcycle but even when doing other things like playing a long strategy game or even playing exciting games at Platincasino Ireland.
Identify Your Needs
There are many reasons you might need a motorcycle. For one, you may need a bike to commute. However, if you want a bike for fun, you should consider either a track bike or a dirt bike. Remember that you can use either of these bikes for casual riding.
A dirt bike is high up because of the tall suspension. It's comfortable for your back because it uses handlebars. Track bikes have an aggressive racing position that might not be ideal for long commutes.
How Much Power?
This is a question that every new rider asks themselves. The power of a motorcycle varies depending on the engine's cubic capacity (cc). As a beginner, the best engine capacity should be anything below 700 cc's.
Most bikes between 150 to 700 cc will produce between 10 to 70 horsepower. This is enough power for most beginners. You should also check the laws in your country to know whether there is a stipulated cc size for a beginner. However, when considering the power, go with the bike you are comfortable with.
Suitability
There's more to owning a bike than budget and power. It would be best to consider a bike that you can easily handle. Therefore, check the weight of the bike and its riding height. Most dirt and sport bikes are light and easy to handle.
However, adventure bikes and cruisers are on the heavier side. These bikes also have low ride heights, thus a low centre of gravity, making them perfect for short riders. As for comfort, you can adjust it by purchasing plushier seats that either add or reduce the ride height.
Conclusion
Buying your first bike can be arduous without ample research. However, by following this guide, you can purchase a bike depending on your budget, requirements, power, and manageability.
A good beginner bike shouldn't have too much power, but it shouldn't be slow either. Therefore, consider a bike with all the features that you might need. For example, if you plan to make longer journeys, you need a comfortable bike with extra features like cruise control and a quick shifter.
With all this in mind, you should be able to choose a perfect first motorcycle. Good Luck!
article supplied
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The 2021 MotoGP season only came to a close in mid-November, after the Valencia Grand Prix. The race was won by Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia, four spots ahead of title winner Fabio Quartararo. 
But while the dust has just about settled on 2021, teams, riders, and fans are all gearing up for the 2022 season.
Bikes have already hit the track, with a test session taking place at Jerez on 18th November. More testing is scheduled for the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia and the Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia in early February, less than a month before the start of the season.
So with just a matter of weeks to go before the lights go out, here are some of the things to look for in 2022.
2022 MotoGP Favourites
Betting on MotoGP has grown in popularity in recent years, with most major bookmakers now offering odds on individual Grands Prix and the championship as a whole. This is also helped by the growing number of free bet promotions that are offered by these bookies, allowing bettors to get more value from the wagers that they place.
Few bookies have released their odds for the 2022 season yet, but it’s still possible to make some predictions about the upcoming season.
In recent years, Marc Márquez has been a dominant force in the sport. The Spanish rider will turn 29 just before the start of the new season, in which he hopes he will make a triumphant return. The Honda rider missed much of 2020 and several races in 2021 due to an arm injury. If he can put that behind him, expect him to be back at the front of the pack.
Fellow Spaniard and 2020 title winner Joan Mir is also likely to be a strong contender, as is reigning champion Fabio Quartararo.
The 2022 season is likely to be a close battle, which should make it exciting from start to finish.
No Rossi
This year will be the first time this century that the MotoGP paddock will not feature the legendary Italian rider, Valentino Rossi. The Yamaha rider finally hung up his gloves at the end of the 2021 Valencia Grand Prix, finishing just 18th in the championship - a far cry from the impressive seven world titles he won between 2001 and 2009.
After finishing the season in third place in 2018, Rossi has ended each of the following three in 7th, 15th, and 18th respectively. While he hasn’t been at the front, battling for wins anywhere near as much as earlier in his career, the Italian will still leave a large hole in the paddock for 2022. 
Although he won’t be riding, Rossi won’t be going too far as the Italian will be running his own team known Racing Team VR46 in 2022.
A Changed Calendar
After a turbulent few years in which global sports like MotoGP had to adapt and change its scheduling to pack in as much racing as possible, the 2022 calendar is expected to be more of a return to normality.
The Argentinian, Malaysian, Thai, Japanese, Australian, and Finnish Grands Prix are all set to return. This does, however, mean that the doubleheaders in Qatar, Portugal, San Marino, and Austria have been dropped.
The Indonesian Grand Prix’s return after 24 years will take place on the newly-built Mandalika International Street Circuit. Meanwhile, the KymiRing, another new track, will become the new home of the Finnish Grand Prix, after a 39-year absence.
Lineup Changes
As happens each year, there will be new rider and team combinations for 2022. One of the most notable, aside from Rossi’s absence, will be the return of Aprilia as a full factory team for the first time since 2004.
Esponsorama Racing will be replaced by Rossi’s Racing Team VR46, Gresini Racing returns as a fully independent outfit, and RNG MotoGP Racing will take the place of Petronas SRT.
Meanwhile last year’s Moto2 champion and runner-up, Remy Gardner and Raúl Fernández, will be moving up into MotoGP, riding for Tech3 KTM. Other new faces on the grid include Enea Bastianini, Fabio Di Giannantonio, and Marco Bezzecchi.
With so many new faces, teams, and tracks the 2022 MotoGP season is shaping up to be an exciting one.
article supplied
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