▲ 2020 Triumph Thruxton RS. Is this the most sorted "rider's bike" ever built by Triumph Motorcycles? There's certainly a compelling argument in its favour. Check out the credentials: 1,200cc liquid-cooled, SOHC, 97.6mm x 80mm, 270-degree engine, 103hp (105PS) @ 7,500rpm, 82.6lbs-ft (112 Nm) @ 4,250 rpm, ABS, traction control, slip-assist clutch, 6-speeds, stainless steel reverse cone megaphones, 43mm inverted Showa front fork, Brembo 4-piston radial monobloc front calipers, 17-inch wheels, LED lights, engine immobiliser, and an all-up weight of just 433lbs (197kg) dry. So okay, it's not the fastest or most powerful kid on the block. But this cafe racer inspired roadster has, we think, the right balance of features for everyday real-world motorcycling, combined with stunning looks and Triumph's industry-leading build quality. It's not cheap at £13,000 on the road, but it's a great value motorcycle that will undoubtedly bring a lot of money into the UK economy. Buy British, we say.

MOTORCYCLE NEWS

January 2020

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

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2020 Ducati 1100 PROs

Ducati has warmed-over its 1100cc Scramblers with two new, or newish, models that are about to hit the streets for the 2020 season; notably the 1100 PRO (image immediately above) and the 1100 PRO Sport.

Being warmed-over, the bikes are essentially the same, but there are a couple of changes that are worth highlighting.

Firstly, although the engine is the same 1,079cc air-cooled L-twin, the mixture's been cleaned up a little to stay in favour with the emissions regs. But the power, we're told, is much the same as that of the standard 1100s at around 86hp @ 7,500rpm—and that, apparently, returns a still respectable torque figure of 65lb-ft @ 4,750rpm.

[More...]

2020 Tiger special editions

Triumph Motorcycles has once again warmed over a couple of mounts from the stable (or is that big cats from the cage?) and re-presented them as something ... well, special. Hence these two new 1200 Tigers; the Alpine Edition (immediately above), and the Desert Edition (immediately below).

Nothing wrong with either motorcycle, mind. The Triumph Tiger range is a very well thought out riding package with keen handling, great performance, a comprehensive suite of goodies and a top level build quality. We were very impressed with everything except the weight which strikes us as way too high—but don't ask us how to bring that down, because we just can't imagine which essential bits to lop off. That's a job for the designers. [More...]

Moto Guzzi V85TT Travel

The Moto Guzzi V85TT first appeared in September 2018 and was clearly intended to evoke the spirit of the Paris-Dakar rally (see image immediately below). You might think that the "TT" designation is a perverse passing shot at the Isle of Man TT. But in fact, it's simply Italian for "Tutto Terreno", or "All Terrain". And if you believe Mandello del Lario marketing hype, it's the "the perfect bike for any type of journey on any type of terrain"; an overblown claim that possibly does more harm than good. But that's their business. [More...]

Click the link for: December 2019 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

Motorcycle news

There's news, and then there's Sump news, and we usually see it differently from the rest of the world. Come check it with us...

Latest motorcycling products and accessories

Biking product news

In a world of plenty, there's plenty more coming down the pike. Stay with us for new motorcycle gear.

Motorcycle industry news

Bike industry news

Without industry, the wheels won't turn. We're keeping an eye on the guys who grease your spindles.

New motorcycling laws

Motorcycle legal news

Fortunately, in the UK we have the rule of law. Unfortunately, few know what all those laws are, and the government keeps changing them anyway. But if it affects you, we'll tip you the wink...

Safety news for bikers