▲ 2021 Moto Guzzi V7. These "ageing" V7 retros get a facelift for the new year, but not much of a lift. The biggest change with the incoming models is the 853cc motor (upgraded from 744cc) which is now derived from the V85TT—and which, in this detuned form, churns out a not so whopping 65bhp. That's up from the 52bhp of the outgoing model, so fans on this bike will probably welcome the boost. The two-valve, pushrod, air-cooled 90-degree shaft-driven twins also benefit from a torque hike; up from 44lbft to 54lbft and which dials in at 5,000rpm. The chassis has been beefed up front and rear, and the shaft has a little extra meat on the bone. The rear tyre has grown a little; up from 130/80-17 to 150/70-17. The rear shocks/dampers are new units from Kayaba. But apart from that and a few cosmetic tweaks (shorter rear 'guard, revised side panels, new instrument cluster, revamped cast wheel design), there's not much to differentiate this model. So okay, times are hard. All the same, this motorcycle is starting to look soft and needs a shot of something hotter or cheekier. Two options are available. The Stone is the base model (check the inset orange bike above). The Special is slightly higher specification (blue bike overhead) and features wire wheels with aluminium alloy rims. A new exhaust system keeps both machines on the right side of Euro5. Colours: Nero Ruvido, Azzurro Ghiaccio, and Arancione Rame for the Stone, and Blu Formale and Grigio Casual for the Special. No prices yet.

MOTORCYCLE NEWS

December 2020

Biking news | Motor bike stories | New bikes | Motorcycle products

H O M E

T O P

S H O P

2021 BMW R1250GS

It's the 40th anniversary of the BMW G/S—and that's a little depressing because one or two of us around here clearly remember when the bike was new (and we weren't looking at it from a pram or pushchair). Regardless, the concept has been a huge and expanding success with BMW managing to keep the descendants of the original bike ahead of the pack in almost every respect.For 2021, the German firm is marking the moment with ... well, nothing too dramatic, but welcome upgrades nevertheless. Features for 2021 include new paint, Integral ABS Pro as standard on both the GS and the Adventure models, a six-axis inertial measurement unit, a new knock sensor (to adjust the timing as and when poor quality fuels demand it), an optional LED adaptive headlight (to light those corners), and optional Pro Hill Start, a new ECO riding mode, and it already satisfies the requirements of Euro 5.

[More...]

2021 BMW G310GS

We first saw this model back in 2016, and we were moderately impressed with its diminutive persona. Not everyone, after all, wants or needs a monster GS to dish the dirt. Or tarmac. Some guys and gals prefer a more modest experience, and BMW evidently recognised that fact, saw a niche, and developed this "baby Beemer." Of course, its limitations were immediately obvious. The design proportions offered limited luggage space. For some riders it had a few mild vibration issues (notably when holding steady motorway speeds). It didn't overtake anything decisively. It didn't bounce with any kind of sophistication. And it could have used another 10bhp (and what motorcycle couldn't?). But it was okay-ish if you wanted moderate power underpinned by the BMW quality promise. It just wasn't special.

[More...]

2021 Honda CB650R

There's really not a lot to say about the 2021 "neo-retro" CB650R—certainly not visually. That is to say, there's little that hasn't been said in 2020. Yes, a little fat has been trimmed here and there, notably on the side panels. The handlebars sit a little higher. The seat is slimmer. The dash has been reshaped and repositioned. And there are other minor mods.

Beyond that, the engine has been upgraded to Euro 5 demands with new cams, revised intake timing, a new exhaust/cat, a re-programmed ECU, and a Euro 5-friendly crank sensor to deal with any misfires. The bore and stroke is still 67mm x 46mm. The compression ratio is still 11.6: 1. Maximum power is pegged at 94bhp/12,000rpm thereby leaving it comfortably "restrictable" to 47bhp/A2 legal. Torque, by the way, is down very slightly to 46.4lb-ft (from 47.2lb-ft).
[More...]

Click the link for: November 2020 motorcycle news from Sump

Sump workshirt £26.99

All purpose street & garage wear

We spend much of our miserable lives in the garage. Usually we're fixing bikes and stuff, and all too often we're re-fixing the stuff we ought to have fixed properly the first time around.

So it goes.

Anyway, we wanted to increase our product range (that's partly how we fund Sump) and we've been thinking for some time about introducing workshirts and general shirts that we might want to wear when the weather closes in—which is most of the time in the UK. Anyway, this is the result; our first Sump branded garage/all purpose shirt.

The Sump logo is featured above the left-side pocket only (notice how we cunningly avoided saying "breast"?). The image quality is very good and will last the life of the shirt.

We think these are pretty good quality and worth the money. First come, first served, etc.

Hit the button below, baby...

BSA M20/M21

workshirt £26.99

All purpose street & garage wear

Seems that plenty of folk love our BSA M20/M21 T-shirt design which features the above roundel. So, to widen the appea we decided to reproduce it on a more formal shirt that you might want to wear in the garage or in the magistrate's court.

The shirts are 100% cotton twill, which means they're tougher than ordinary cotton. We wear these ourselves, and we're perfectly happy with them—and we're nothing if not hard to please. Follow the links and see if they're right for you (Hint: they probably are).

The BSA M20/M21 roundel is featured above the left-side pocket only. And when you wear this, other BSA folk will notice and might even become your friend and take you out for walks and stuff. It happens.

The image quality is very good and will last the life of the shirt. You know you want it, and you know we've got it.

New motorcycle launches and reviews

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