BRAP · For riders
BRAP Pitstop
Motorcycle news, garage tips, interesting facts and in-depth articles for riders.
Fresh from Pitstop
Motorcycle oil: mineral, semi-synthetic or fully synthetic
Oil type affects engine protection, clutch feel and how often you change it. Pricier isn't always better: what counts is what your bike's manufacturer specifies.
Suzuki GSX-10R: K5-based engine and 15 electronic rider aids
At EICMA 2026 Suzuki unveiled the GSX-10R, a liter-class sportbike built for more than the track: commuting, touring and weekend riding too. Its engine is a modern take on the 2005 GSX-R1000 K5 unit, a liquid-cooled inline-four tuned for stronger low and mid-range response without losing the top-end rush.
Why a racing sidecar passenger is called the "monkey"
A racing sidecar passenger is sometimes called the "monkey". The reason is simple: they are constantly moving around the machine.
Wash Before Winter Storage: Never Park the Bike Dirty
Dirt, road salt and dead bugs eat into paint, chrome and aluminium over the winter, and corrosion under a layer of grime goes unnoticed. A washed, fully dried bike looks in spring like the one you put away.
Honda Africa Twin gets a new frame and a 1,131 cc engine
Honda has reworked its flagship adventure bike so heavily that it counts as a new generation. After ten years in its current form, the Africa Twin is now called the CRF1150L, with a new chassis, a bigger engine and fresh styling.
LED turn signals blinking fast: what the flasher relay does
After swapping bulbs for LEDs, turn signals often start flashing twice as fast. It is not a fault: a stock relay senses current, and LEDs draw far less of it.
2027 Kove 650RR: Chinese Supersport With an Inline-Four
Chinese maker Kove, known in the US for its off-road bikes, has revealed the 2027 650RR supersport. It is the brand's second four-cylinder sportbike after the smaller 450RR, so the range keeps growing.
Fork oil damps motion, it's not just lube
Fork oil is primarily there to damp suspension movement, not simply to provide lubrication. It's what controls how the suspension compresses and returns.
Octane rating: when pricier fuel gives you nothing
Higher octane does not add power by itself; it only makes fuel more resistant to knock. Paying extra makes sense only when the engine is built for it.
2027 Yamaha RW700: an adventure scooter with the CP2 twin
Yamaha has entered the adventure scooter class. The 2027 RW700 was shown in Milan ahead of EICMA. Behind the scooter bodywork sits the 689 cc CP2 parallel twin with the automated Y-AMT transmission, so there is no clutch lever or gear shifter.
Motorcycle ABS: how it works and what to check in the garage
ABS stops the wheel from locking under hard braking, so the bike stays stable and steerable. November wet leaves and cold tarmac are exactly where it earns its keep.
Honda reworks the Fireblade: new frame, titanium tank, HRC Works Edition
At EICMA 2026 in Milan, Honda unveiled the fully redesigned 2027 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, with roughly 75% of its parts new. There are three versions: the base Fireblade, the Fireblade SP with electronic Öhlins suspension, and the new HRC Works Edition.
What the TT in Isle of Man TT Actually Means
The "TT" in Isle of Man TT stands for Tourist Trophy.
Tyre wear: indicators and uneven wear
The tyre is your only contact with the road, and in November, with cold, wet asphalt, a bald tread is expensive. Uneven wear also points to problems with pressure or suspension.
Honda V3R 900 E-Compressor: electric supercharger heads to production
At EICMA, Honda showed the V3R 900 E-Compressor in near-production form. It pairs a 900 cc V-type three-cylinder with an electronically controlled compressor, which Honda calls a world first on a motorcycle. The promise for riders is supercharging with no lag.
Winterizing your motorcycle: a full checklist
November is when the bike goes into storage. An hour in the garage now saves you a weekend and repair money in spring.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 750: first mid-size with IMU and cruise control
Royal Enfield has revealed the Himalayan 750, its entry into the upper-middleweight ADV class. It is the brand's first bike with cruise control, adjustable damping, dual front discs and an IMU-based electronics suite with cornering ABS and lean-sensitive traction control.
Track traction control: tuned to tires and surface
On track, riders can adjust traction-control levels to suit specific tires and track conditions. It's not one setting for everything, but electronics matched to what's under the wheels right now.
Tyres in storage: stands, pressure and flat spots
A bike left on its wheels for months gets flat spots on the tyres, and the rubber dries out and loses pressure. November is the time to deal with it while the bike sits in the garage until spring.
Yamaha shows Tenere 400 concept ahead of EICMA
Yamaha unveiled a Tenere 400 concept adventure bike ahead of EICMA in Milan. It could become the brand's entry into the lightweight ADV class, where demand for smaller, cheaper bikes keeps growing. Yamaha gave no technical data and kept parts of the bike hidden.