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BRAP Pitstop
Motorcycle news, garage tips, interesting facts and in-depth articles for riders.
Fresh from Pitstop
Used parts: what to buy and what to avoid
A used part can save your budget or cost you your health. The difference is whether it is responsible for safety.
Zontes ZT903-R: a 150 hp three-cylinder naked is on the way
Zontes is getting ready to enter the high-performance naked class. The ZT903-R prototype is already being road-tested in China, and registered design images show a near-production bike. It is a big step up from the 703R, which has a 699 cc triple and 95 hp.
Ducati Monster: where the name comes from
The idea behind the Ducati Monster was simple: take sportbike components and strip away the unnecessary bodywork. No frills, just the essentials.
Rodents in the garage: protect wiring and the air filter
As it gets colder, mice look for warmth, and a parked bike is a ready-made burrow. Chewed insulation or a nest in the air filter costs far more than an hour of prevention.
Moto Guzzi The Trip: new 500cc parallel twin that fits an A2 licence
Moto Guzzi is readying a new roadster, The Trip, and calls it the first of a new generation for the marque. It debuts at EICMA in Milan, 5–8 November, Hall 9. It is a simple bike that is A2-licence compatible and doesn't chase power figures.
Bike cover: breathable fabric, not plastic sheeting
Dense polyethylene traps condensation underneath, and within weeks you get a film on the metal and moisture in the connectors. A cover should keep off dust and scratches while letting vapour out.
Ducati Panigale V4 2027: longer gearing, new braking electronics
Ducati has unveiled the 2027 Panigale V4. The Desmosedici Stradale engine stays at 209 hp, but gets a revised exhaust, a higher-flow air intake and a recalibrated lubrication circuit. Final drive grows from 16/41 to 17/42, and the rev limiter in gears two through five rises to 15,000 rpm. At Vallelunga that means two fewer gearshifts per lap.
The more upright the bike, the more throttle you can use
A tire has a limited amount of grip, and it has to be shared between cornering and acceleration or braking. Deep in the corner, most of it goes to holding your line, so little is left for the throttle.
Winter fuel storage: full tank and stabiliser
Petrol degrades over a few months, and a partly empty tank also pulls moisture from the air. The result is rust inside the tank and a clogged fuel system in spring.
2027 Kawasaki KLE650: new middleweight rally twin
Kawasaki has officially revealed the KLE650 for the 2027 model year. It is a rally-styled flagship middleweight and the bigger sibling of the KLE500. Dealers get it from April 2027.
Belt, chain or shaft: what to check and when
Each final drive needs its own care, and none of them runs forever untended. October is a good moment to clear off the summer grit before the wet roads arrive.
2027 Triumph Tiger 1200: more power, radars and smaller wheels
Triumph has updated the Tiger 1200 for the 2027 model year. The 1200 cc triple now makes 158 hp, up 8 hp, and the bike gains front and rear radar plus a 7-inch touchscreen. The range stays at four versions: GT Pro, Rally Pro, GT Explorer and Rally Explorer.
Gold Wing: the airbag came before anyone else's
The Honda Gold Wing became the first mass-produced motorcycle to offer a production airbag. No other mass-market bike had one before it.
Carburettor before winter storage: drain the float bowl
Fuel left in the float bowl evaporates over a few months of storage and leaves a sticky residue that clogs the jets. In spring such a bike often won't start without cleaning.
Dakar 2027 won't be held in Saudi Arabia
Dakar organizers A.S.O. and Saudi Motorsport Company have announced that the January 2027 rally will not take place in Saudi Arabia. They cite only recent developments in the region and give no details. For riders and teams, that means a change of route and logistics at short notice.
Riding in the cold without heated gear: dress smart
October mornings in Ukraine can already bring frost, and wind chill at speed cuts deeper than the thermometer says. A cold rider reacts slower and tires faster, so staying warm is a safety matter.
Yamaha's 2027 850cc MotoGP bike: Fernandez says it's another brand
Augusto Fernandez, who tests Yamaha's future 850cc MotoGP prototype, says it rides nothing like the current 1000cc V4. In his words, it's almost like swapping to a different make. It hints at how much the machinery will change under the 2027 rules.
Honda CX500 Turbo: boost and injection back in 1982
The 1982 Honda CX500 Turbo was one of the earliest production motorcycles to combine turbocharging with electronic fuel injection.
Exhaust smoke colour: what it tells you about the engine
Smoke from the muffler is the cheapest diagnostic you have: its colour often reveals a problem before it becomes a major failure. Judge it on a warm engine, not just a cold one.
MotoGP riders reportedly held a secret vote on the Qatar GP
During the Australian GP weekend at Phillip Island, MotoGP riders held a closed meeting. According to GPOne, they voted on whether to race in Qatar, with security risks linked to tensions in the Middle East the main concern.