BRAP · For riders
BRAP Pitstop
Motorcycle news, garage tips, interesting facts and in-depth articles for riders.
Fresh from Pitstop
Brake pads: signs it's time to replace them
Pads are a consumable, and how well the bike stops depends on their condition. In autumn, damp, dirt and road salt wear them faster, so now is a good time to check.
2027 Honda Africa Twin: bigger 1,131 cc engine and new Enduro Sports
Honda has heavily updated the Africa Twin line for 2027. There are now four models: the standard Africa Twin, the new off-road-focused Enduro Sports, the touring Adventure Sports, and the top Adventure Sports Honda SENSING RIDE with radar assistance. All get a 1,131 cc parallel twin replacing the 1,084 cc unit, a lighter frame and swingarm, and Showa EERA electronic suspension as standard.
Robbie Maddison: a 98-metre jump and more
In 2008, Robbie Maddison completed a motorcycle jump of more than 98 meters. And that is not the only stunt of his that goes beyond the ordinary.
Shock absorber wear: signs you can spot in the garage
Shock wear creeps in slowly, and you get used to vague handling. Yet grip and braking distance depend on it. November is a good time to check: the bike is parked and you have time.
Yamaha pulls out of Qatar MotoGP round over Middle East war
Yamaha will not go to the Qatar Grand Prix in MotoGP, the company announced on Sunday. Both the factory team and satellite squad Pramac will skip the round at Losail on 6-8 November, citing the security situation in the region and an internal travel ban.
Noise and vibration: finding what has come loose
A new rattle or buzz in the bars is almost always something small that has worked loose. Catch it early and you tighten a bolt instead of replacing a cracked bracket or fairing.
Dakar 2027 moves from Saudi Arabia to Portugal and Morocco
Organizers have confirmed that Dakar 2027 will not take place in Saudi Arabia. For the first time since 2019 the rally runs outside the kingdom, from southern Portugal through Morocco. It is set for January 9-23, pending approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, and opens the 2027 FIA and FIM World Rally-Raid Championships.
Side cases: more than just extra width
Side cases add more than width to a motorcycle. They also increase aerodynamic drag and make the bike more sensitive to crosswinds.
Two-stroke vs four-stroke: how upkeep differs
Two-stroke and four-stroke engines need different attention, and the rules for one don't fit the other. Mixing them up with oil or fuel mix gets expensive.
Kawasaki KLE650: a touring-minded middleweight ADV on the 650 twin
Kawasaki has unveiled the KLE650, a middleweight flagship built for long-distance comfort rather than hardcore off-roading. It is the second KLE in the lineup in under a year, after the KLE500.
Change the oil filter together with the oil
The filter holds dirty oil and all the abrasive grit it has collected. Leave the old one on and fresh oil gets contaminated within minutes of filling.
2026 Triumph Bonneville T100 Gets an IMU and Riding Modes
Triumph has updated the Bonneville T100 for 2026. It looks like the same retro roadster, but it now carries an IMU that brings cornering ABS and traction control, plus new Road and Rain riding modes.
To Turn Right, Push Right
To quickly turn right, a rider briefly pushes forward on the right handlebar. That is countersteering.
Wheel balancing: when it is actually needed
An unbalanced wheel causes handlebar shake and vibration at speed, and it wears out the tyre and bearings faster. October is a good time to check your wheels while roads are still dry.
2027 Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally goes road-biased: 19/17 wheels, 200 mm travel
Triumph has updated the Tiger 1200 for 2027, and the Rally Pro and Rally Explorer now sit almost level with the road-focused GT models. Wheels shrink from 21/18 to 19/17 inches, and suspension travel drops from 220 to 200 mm. The factory tyres change from Metzeler Karoo Street to Pirelli Scorpion Trail III.
Helmet care: cleaning the liner and visor
A dirty liner holds sweat and odors, and a scratched visor hurts visibility at dusk and in the rain. Autumn riding makes both matter. The job takes about half an hour and extends the helmet's life.
Ducati Monster Dark: V2 power, stripped back and cheaper
Ducati has unveiled the Monster Dark, a stripped-back A2-licence version of the Monster. It costs £1,400 less than the Ducati Red bike, £1,600 less than Iceberg White and £1,900 less than Sport Livery. It is pitched as the easiest way into the Monster family.
Three tuning forks on the Yamaha logo
Yamaha's logo features three tuning forks. It's a direct reference to the company's musical roots: Yamaha was making musical instruments long before it started building motorcycles.
Tyre age: how to read the DOT code on the sidewall
Rubber hardens with age even in a garage, and the tread can still look almost new. The production date is hidden in the DOT code, and checking it takes a minute.
LiveWire in trouble: CEO gone, debt looming
Harley-Davidson's electric spinoff LiveWire is in serious trouble. CEO Karim Donnez resigned unexpectedly, and Roy Gallagher of Ankura Consulting Group was named chief restructuring officer. In its Q3 financials the company openly admitted substantial doubt about its ability to keep operating for the next year.