HONDA UK SIGNS MCGUINNESS AND HARRISON FOR 2023 TT AND NW200 CAMPAIGN

People in Scotland were still clearing up after their Hogmanay parties when Honda UK announced its road racing line-up for 2023. And the big H has signed up the big JM once more – John McGuinness will be back at the TT and the NW200 on a factory Honda UK Racing Fireblade SP, alongside new teammate Nathan Harrison.

McGuiness needs no introduction, of course. The 2022 TT was his 100th start, and he’s won 23 TT races over the years. Harrison is perhaps less well-known but is a resident of the Isle of Man and nished his rst Senior TT race last year in 10th. He’s picked up a few wins and podiums at the Manx GP too, so de nitely a name to watch for the future.

In a HUK release, McGuinness said: “Riding a Fireblade again at the TT last year was something special, so it only felt right to continue for another year. I couldn’t feel more at home with the Honda team, so I need to say a massive thank-you to Harv (Beltran) and Neil (Fletcher). Celebrating 100 TT starts with the team and riding with that one-off livery and all of the history we have was really something else.

“We also managed to crack the top ve last year on the superbike, which was great, but I’m hungry for more. I just want to get started now and go racing again!”

Harrison is, understandably, pretty stoked about the whole scenario: “To race alongside John and to ride in the Honda Racing UK team has always been a dream of mine. Coming from a Manx family that has always been involved in motorcycling, the TT is in my blood. Watching the TT as a child with John and Honda dominating made me want to be the next ‘John McGuinness’ – and that was my full focus.

“I can’t thank Havier and Honda Racing UK enough for the opportunity. It’s only my second ever TT, so to be going into it on a great bike, with the best teammate I could ask for, will be an incredible experience. Hopefully, with the long-term plan – where John can teach me things I may not know, learning from the team with the experience they have on the Fireblade, and then my own progression – we can make small steps on last year to hopefully get me to that top step in the years to come.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my mum and dad for all their support and sacri ce over the years, my sponsors, and supporters for sticking by me and helping me get to this position where I have been given a fantastic opportunity.”

The team didn’t release any pics of the bikes – we’ll have to wait a month or so to see the livery and sponsors (we don’t think you’d get very big odds on it being ‘mostly HRC red, white and blue’, mind). Watch this space…

ALL THE L ATEST, COOLEST & TRICK EST PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS

These semi-hard (!) cases from German firm Hepco & Becker are designed to fit most sports, adventure and naked bikes, using the firm’s C-Bow quick-release carrier brackets. They’re light, tough and lockable onto the bike, with zipper combination locks and an internal removable waterproof bag. Recommended weight is up to 5kg, and they’ll easily carry enough kit for a massive lads’ and/or lasses’ trip away. Available in black and grey, or with fluorescent yellow highlights.

£308.57/pair (bike-specific fitting brackets required, from £185) www.hepco-becker.uk

Gilles Aprilia Rs660 Race Fuel Cap

It’s 2023, folks – there’s absolutely no need to be riding about with frozen pinkies. These Tucano Urbano Seppiawarm heated gloves come with rechargeable batteries that fit neatly in cuff pockets, giving about four hours of warmth at full power, with three heat settings. They are waterproof, of course, with a Hydroscud breathable membrane and polyester insulation, touchscreencompatible fingertips, CEapproved knuckle protection and goatskin protective inserts on the palm.

RRP £179.99 www.tucanourbano.com

We’ve all jumped on a bike wearing just a hoodie for a short trip round town, but this smart-looking Alpinestars Neo hoodie comes with CE armour, impact protection, waterproofing and thermal liner all built-in. The outer shell uses a soft-touch material that’s both waterproof and windproof, and you can fit a Nucleon back protector – or even a Tech-Air airbag system. Sweet urban style that looks good on or off the bike, plus sensible protection both from crashing and the elements. Makes sense to us.

German firm Gilles has been making slick bolt-on performance parts for years, and this race fuel cap is just the job for your Aprilia RS660. Milled from hard-anodised aluminium, it’s super-light, and has keyless opening using the supplied special tool. Also available for most other sports bikes.

RRP £103.00 www.performanceparts-ltd.com

The Pro is the 2023 update of the Shark Spartan GT lid, with an updated aerodynamic carbon and fibreglass outer shell, optimised ventilation and a new multi-density EPS inner liner. The ECE 22.06-approved design has the same four-point visor locking system as on Shark’s top-end Race-R Pro GP helmet and is supplied with a Class 1 optically clear shield. It has a double-D ring fastening, there’s an internal flip-down sun visor, and it’s compatible with the Sharktooth intercom/audio system. Comes in nine different colour schemes and sizes XS-XXL, with a Pinlock visor insert supplied in the box.

RRP £429.99 www.nevis.uk.com

Italian exhaust maker Zard has branched out a bit with this tasty sump guard for the new Ducati DesertX adventure machine. Made from tough aluminium alloy with natty lightening slots and a stainless steel bracket with stainless fasteners, it looks spot-on and provides premium protection for your fancy Ducati motor. Fits to the chassis without any mods to the bike.

RST has revised its 2021 Pro Series race suit, with this new Evo cut less aggressively than the previous V4.1. It’s certified to AAA level protection and is compatible with the latest version of the In&Motion airbag system. There’s a fully removable washable liner to keep the gunk levels down, extensive stretch panelling for extra comfort and movement on the bike, double leather panels in impact areas, and removable CE armour in shoulders, knees, elbows and hips. An aerodynamic race hump, neoprene collar and cuffs, plus RST kneesliders round off the spec nicely.

It’s not just track bikes that need crash protection – throwing your road bike into the scenery is just as expensive (and painful). Plus, retro-style roadsters like the Kawasaki Z900 RS have exposed motors which are easily wrecked – and look terrible once damaged. Enter the GBRacing case protectors for the Kawa: a three-piece set to cover the alternator, clutch and pulser casings. Made from tough impact-resistant polymers and supplied with all fittings, they sharpen the motor styling up a treat as well.

The two eye-bleeding neon green and pink colour schemes are amazing limited editions –and will definitely get you noticed on track. RRP £849 www.rst-moto.com

Ducati Corse 2022 Yearbook

and WSBK last year, and this gorgeous yearbook covers it all. Rammed with more than 200 fantastic pics, including new behind-the-scenes content, it tells the full story of Ducati’s most successful season ever.

If you couldn’t quite stretch to the special edition WSBK and MotoGP Panigales released by Ducati to celebrate 2022, then this is almost as good. The Bologna firm won the rider, team and constructor titles in both MotoGP RRP: €60 www.artioli.it good