Take a look at a few of our upcoming events at the Triumph Factory Visitor Experience in Hinckley, including Triumph's collaboration with influential street artist, Dave Bonzai, who specialises in hyper-realistic chrome effect art. Stop by to see this one-of-a-kind piece at the factory for yourself and for a chance to take your own Instaworthy shot.
A brand synonymous with innovation, SHARK, is pleased to announce the launch of the SKWAL i3 – the brand’s latest UN ECE 22.06 certified full face helmet featuring two brand-new patented technologies and integrated active brake lights for ‘Intelligent Visibility’.

The innovative safety LED system, tried and tested since the introduction of the SKWAL platform in 2015, has been redesigned with the addition of active brake lights as standard. Designed without the need for Bluetooth or wires, the industry-leading tech uses an inbuilt triaxial accelerometer to activate the bright red LED’s on the rear of the helmet in the event of braking. There are white LEDs located on the front of the helmet for active rider visibility to oncoming traffic. Be Bright, Ride Safe.

When the unit is turned on, there are a total of three modes to choose from:

White LEDs on front constantly on – smart brake lights flash when braking.
White LEDs on front flashing – smart brake lights flash when braking.
White LEDs on front off – smart brake lights flash when braking.
The smart brake lights will flash three times per second under steady braking and five times per second under hard braking conditions.

The integrated battery is charged via a USB-C cable with three hours of charge offering 12 hours of usage. Sleep mode activates after two minutes of no movement and after 24 hours the unit will turn off completely to reserve battery.

The new SKWAL i3 has a Lexan™ injected Polycarbonate shell and features a new patented rapid, no-tool visor removal system, meaning the Optical Class 1 anti-scratch visor with Pinlock® 70 can be removed easily by simply manoeuvering it upwards and pushing two buttons – to replace simply line up the visor with the markers and push down. There are new Pinlock® tension adjustment pins and a visor locking system with air inlet position.

There’s an integrated anti-scratch and anti-fog sun visor and intercom compatibility with space for 40mm speakers factored into the multi-density EPS padding. The new patented ergonomic textile fitting system makes it easier for the lining to be removed and replaced.

The Skwal i3 is the first helmet in the SHARK range to use the new – ‘Best Fit’ by SHARK – following a campaign of 3D head shape scans by the brand. Five highly technical textiles add to the comfort and ‘second-skin’ feel. It fastens using an adjustable micrometric buckle for a secure and personalised fit.

Available in two shell sizes and in XS-XXL, the SKWAL i3’s design was drawn directly from the world of motorsport and science fiction – the blend of aerodynamics and robotics accentuates the unique signature lighting.

With an RRP from £239, the SKWAL i3 is available now and in a choice of 13 graphics.

As additional options, as well as clear there are six visors, including iridium colours and a variety of tints.

To see the full 2023 range from SHARK or to locate your nearest SHARK Helmet dealer, visit www.nevis.uk.com or call 01425 478936.

Having the right tools and equipment in your garage or workshop is important for you to stay on top of your motorcycle maintenance. Whether you’re a keen enthusiast or a novice wanting to get to grips with the basics, you need the correct tools for the job. Doing your own repairs can save money, increase your skills and knowledge, and allow you to have a lot of fun in the process.

In this article, we outline the essentials that you should have in your motorcycle workshop.

Socket sets and spanners

One of the must-haves in any motorcycle workshop is a socket set. These interchangeable attachments are key in loosening and tightening nuts and bolts that hold integral parts of your motorcycle together.

Wheel replacements will almost certainly need a socket wrench and the correct-sized attachment to remove and replace the wheel. Spanners are a more manual form of the same tool and are useful when you can’t access a particular area with a socket wrench.

Torque wrench

A torque wrench does a similar job to a socket wrench but the torque can be set and adjusted depending on how much force you want to put into tightening nuts and bolts. Overtightening can result in damaged fasteners which may be difficult to remove and replace, or even might break entirely.

Screwdrivers

A comprehensive set of screwdrivers is also important to tackle many of the exterior tasks that accompany motorcycle maintenance. A range of head sizes and types will give you the versatility to tackle a broad range of tasks such as removing motorcycle bodywork or fitting accessories to your bike.

Hex keys

Hex keys (also known as Allen keys) are in a similar bracket to screwdrivers but will allow you to tackle jobs where screwdrivers aren’t appropriate. They can loosen and fasten screws that typically attach parts of the bodywork and join internal components together. With a comprehensive range of screwdrivers and hex keys, you should be equipped for many repairs that you may face.

Oil and lubricant dispenser   

Keeping your motorcycle well-oiled, greased and lubricated in the appropriate areas is significant to ensure that it runs smoothly and limits wear and tear. Fluid dispensers, such as these here, allow for easy access and help you to apply fluids where they are needed without creating too much mess.

Components such as the axle need to be greased in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations, whilst the chain needs to be lubricated every 400-600 kilometres – but check your manufacturer's guidelines if you’re unsure.

Rags and cloths

Motorcycle maintenance is a dirty, greasy job so you should have plenty of cleaning supplies to hand. Old rags are handy for wiping grease and oil from your bike, whilst cloths can help to clean and polish the bodywork.

These are the essential tools and equipment you should have ready in your workshop to deal with the basic repairs and maintenance that you may need to tackle on your motorcycle. More specialised tools will be needed if you are to contend with more serious tasks, but these should give you a good baseline to work from.

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THE FIRST 2023 MOTOGP WEEKEND ENDS WITH ONE CERTAINTY: APRILIA WILL BE A KEY PLAYER

BRILLIANT SECOND PLACE FOR A BATTLING VIÑALES, IN THE MIX FOR THE WIN DOWN TO THE FINAL LAP 
 
ALEIX BATTLES, ENDURES CONTACT, AND FINISHES NINTH. BUT HE IS THE FASTEST ON TRACK

There was no lack of thrills on the first weekend of the 2023 MotoGP season, held in Portimão. After the frenzied Sprint Race yesterday, the 25 laps today were no less exciting and they provided solid confirmation: Aprilia is and will be a key player in this championship season.

Maverick got off to a decisive start, immediately earning positions on the early turns. Armed with a pace that allowed him to catch up the leader, he engaged him in a long battle with the gap narrowed to just tenths of a second. His second-place finish is a proper conclusion to a weekend where both he and the entire team worked almost perfectly together. Knowing that there is a good starting base, now they’ll need to continue growing.

There were two sides of the coin for Aleix’s race. The race fast lap shows just what the Spaniard’s pace is, such that he had the potential to battle for the podium. However, starting from the fourth row worked against him in the early stages of the race, once again hindered by contact with Binder that forced him to ride a demanding comeback after losing 5 positions. His ninth-place finish does not do justice to what he demonstrated on the track, but Aleix himself cannot help but evaluate his first weekend of 2023 as more than positive.

We would be remiss not to mention hometown hero Miguel Oliveira, an absolute protagonist in the race, battling for the win until a rash move by Márquez brought his race to an early end. Initial checks seem to rule out any serious consequences, and this is the most important news. 

Aleix
"Overall, I’m pleased both with our weekend and with the speed we demonstrated. Unfortunately, once again today, our starting position overshadowed my pace a bit, which was decidedly good. On the early turns, I had contact with Binder, costing me a lot of positions, and then, when I had free track ahead of me, I managed to be fast, but I struggled a bit in overtaking. This was partly because I didn’t want to risk any pointless contact – I had already seen quite enough of that this weekend and I think that we riders should be the first to think reasonably and arrive in Argentina with less stress. In any case, the RS-GP proved to be fast and I couldn’t have asked for more. One thing is certain – we’ll need to be more incisive in qualifying."

Maverick
"This is a great result and I’m extremely proud of the work Aprilia is doing. Our bike is truly complete and competitive. But our goal is to stay out front, so we need to keep working this way, with a lot of grit, to improve even further. In the race, I tried to stay consistently close to Pecco, even when I dropped back to let my tyres cool and then close the gap again. I tried to keep the pressure on him all the way to the end and we finished really close, but he was good at not making any mistakes and not giving me any real openings to overtake. Now we’ll head to Argentina with lots of confidence."

The result was there on paper, but then it is all about making it happen, especially when starting from 12^thplace on the grid. Alex Marquez did not disappoint, as he made it back to the top five for the first time since over a year (he was fourth in 2021 at Portimao).
 
After a good start, the Spanish rider managed to quickly get up to speed and made the most of the opportunities given – also due to a few crashes ahead of him. The #73 battled for third with Bezzecchi for most of the race, then towards the end, he had more to defend his position from the determined KTM riders trailing him – with only Zarco able to pip him almost at the line. Still, the valuable points scored today give him plenty of confidence to pack for Termas.
 
On the other side of the garage, it was a weekend to forget for Fabio Di Giannantonio. After starting from last place on the grid, the Rome-born rider had to deal first with a coming together with Morbidelli, and then with a forearm problem that forced him to retire.

IN THEIR FIRST WEEKEND WITH FOUR BIKES ON THE TRACK, APRILIA PLACES THREE IN THE TOP SEVEN FOR THE SPRINT RACE THAT KICKED OFF THE MOTOGP SEASON

CONSISTENTLY IN THE LEADING GROUP, THE RS-GP MACHINES FINISHED FIFTH WITH VIÑALES, SIXTH WITH ESPARGARÓ, AND SEVENTH WITH OLIVEIRA WHO LOST THE PODIUM POSITION ON THE FINAL LAP

ALEIX: “WE ARE FASTER THAN WE THOUGHT”

MAVERICK: “WE’RE HERE, AND WE’RE EXTREMELY FAST!”

The first Sprint Race in MotoGP history launched the 2023 season, providing spectators with a great show and showing that Aprilia is an absolute contender in the championship, occupying three of the top seven position at its début with four RS-GP machines on the track. After taking three bikes through to Q2 – the two factory riders, Espargaró and Viñales, were joined by Miguel Oliveira from satellite team CryptoDATA RNF – the RS-GPs proved that they are extremely competitive in the race. Maverick Viñales, starting from the third row, demonstrated a pace worthy of the podium, but questionable contact with Álex Márquez initially and then the accident ahead of him involving Marini and Bastianini cost him quite a few positions. Armed with a great pace, consistently at 1’38/low 1’39, he recovered positions, but the short, 12-lap race kept him from moving any farther up in the rankings. His final fifth place, just 1.8 seconds behind the winner, and the speed he demonstrated rank him among the favourites for the race tomorrow.

Aleix Espargaró, who started from the fourth row, executed a similar comeback to finish sixth, just behind Maverick. The outstanding seventh-place finish earned by Oliveira, of the CryptoDATA RNF satellite team is worth a mention – a nice placement, but Miguel lost the third-place position, which he had been occupying until the final lap, when he ran long just a few turns from the end.

It was a great test of strength for the Italian manufacturer, since even young Raul Fernandez, on the satellite team, cut a fine figure, finishing eleventh after a great comeback from the twentieth spot on the grid.
In short, Aprilia has confirmed its role in the spotlight of this MotoGP season.

Aleix
"I am truly satisfied, not only with the result, but because I am convinced that our speed is better than we thought. Unfortunately, the Sprint Race was conditioned by less than perfect qualifiers. Starting twelfth is not idea, although both Maverick and I were among the best in the race today in terms of pace. Not bad, since I always say that I like to learn from small mistakes and we’ll exploit everything we learned today. Tomorrow things will be different. Rear tyre choice will be crucial and, looking at today, the RS-GP showed that it treats the tyres well."

Maverick
"I had fun in the race. We were extremely fast, especially in the second part. Unfortunately, I lost a bit of time after an accident ahead of me. From that moment on, I just focused on defending every position and giving it my all. From this first Sprint Race we learned above all that starting up front is crucial because in the beginning I had a lot of contact with other riders and that doesn’t help. At the end, I had rubber marks all over my leathers. In any case, we’re here and things are working properly! And that is the most important thing."