BRAP · For riders
BRAP Pitstop
Motorcycle news, garage tips, interesting facts and in-depth articles for riders.
Fresh from Pitstop
Where to store a motorcycle in winter: garage, car park or cover
In winter the main enemy is not frost but moisture and temperature swings: condensation settles on metal and corrosion follows. So the storage spot matters more than the cover.
2027 BMW M 1000 RR gets a lighter, thinner-walled aluminum frame
BMW Motorrad has revealed early details of the frame for the third-generation M 1000 RR. The aluminum frame is 1.3 kg lighter than on the current version, which means better agility and quicker changes of direction. Every 2027 M 1000 RR will get it as standard.
A rear wheel held from just one side
A single-sided swingarm supports the rear wheel from just one side.
Chain slack: follow the manual, not «tighter is better»
An overtight chain quickly kills sprockets, the chain itself and bearings, while a loose one can jump off. The check takes five minutes and is worth repeating regularly, especially after wet autumn rides.
Honda CBR500R FOUR: new 500cc inline-four with standard E-Clutch
Honda has unveiled the CBR500R FOUR, a middleweight sports bike built around a new 500cc inline-four. E-Clutch is standard, and a 35 kW version is planned for A2 licence holders. It carries on the idea of the CB400 SUPER FOUR, sold in Japan for over three decades.
Smell of petrol around the bike: where to look for the cause
Petrol should never be noticeable in the garage or where the bike is parked. It is a fire hazard, so don't ignore the smell even if there is no puddle under the bike.
2027 Honda CBR600RR: Fireblade brakes, new ABS and a TFT display
Honda has updated the CBR600RR for 2027. Up front are Nissin radial four-piston calipers from the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, 310 mm discs and a radial master cylinder. The engine stays the same: a 599 cc inline-four.
Vespa: engine beside the wheel, no chain needed
The first Vespa, launched in 1946, used a stamped-steel monocoque body. A classic Vespa has no conventional tubular frame: the metal body itself carries the load.
Autumn roads: leaves, dew and cold tyres
In October the asphalt is damp in the morning and cold in the shade, and wet leaves can be as slippery as ice. Grip is lower than it looks, and cold rubber makes it worse.
20 years ago Toni Elias beat Rossi by 0.002s, a MotoGP record
On 15 October 2006 at the Portuguese GP in Estoril, Toni Elias took the only premier-class win of his career. He beat Valentino Rossi by 0.002 seconds, the smallest gap between the top two finishers in MotoGP history. Elias started the race 13th in the championship and was not seen as a favourite.
Fuel injection vs carburettor: what changes in upkeep
Both systems do the same job but fail and ask for attention in different ways. Knowing the difference keeps you from poking where you shouldn't and from missing what actually needs doing.
Furion Taran: 326 hp electric hyperbike with two-wheel drive
French firm Furion, based in Le Mans, has unveiled the Taran, an electric sportsbike that drives both wheels, with a motor built into the front hub. The system is called EVERSOR. Furion claims it improves energy recovery under braking, range and agility, but that still needs proving on a production-ready bike.
Honda Rune: the cruiser that hides its swingarm
The 2004 Honda Rune paired the Gold Wing's six-cylinder engine with an exceptionally futuristic cruiser design.
Change the oil before storage, not in spring
Used oil holds acids, water and fuel combustion byproducts. If the bike sits on it all winter, they keep working inside the engine.
CFMoto makes MotoGP plans official with a new racing centre in Italy
CFMoto has confirmed plans to enter MotoGP. Until now it was technically just rumour. The brand is also setting up a racing technology centre in Rimini, a short drive from Bologna, Ducati's home turf.
How to lift a fallen motorcycle without wrecking your back
A bike on its side weighs hundreds of kilos, but most back injuries come from a sudden yank with the arms, not from the weight. Technique matters more than strength.
Aston Martin AMB 002 Roadster: first road-legal bike from the Brough Superior tie-up
Aston Martin and Brough Superior have revealed the AMB 002 Roadster. It is the first road-legal motorcycle from their partnership, which until now has produced only track bikes.
Target fixation: you ride where you look
Target fixation is when a rider stares at an obstacle and unconsciously begins steering toward it.
Wax and polish on a motorcycle: where they help and where they hurt
Wax protects paint and plastic from dirt and road chemicals, and autumn, with its damp and first road treatments, is a good time to apply it. But on brakes, tyres and the seat these products are dangerous.
Bulega takes 50th WorldSBK win faster than Bautista, Rea and Razgatlioglu
Nicolo Bulega won Race 1 of the WorldSBK round at Jerez for his 50th win in the series. He got there quicker than Alvaro Bautista, Jonathan Rea or Toprak Razgatlioglu. He led every lap, ahead of Sam Lowes.