Motorcycle Sport Leisure – September 2026

Motorcycle Sport Leisure – September 2026

Summary

Honda's Hornet 750 E-Clutch proves there is no sting in this tale in Motorcycle Sport and Leisure September 2026 — issue 792 — as Chad samples the Triumph Tiger Sport 660's entry-level upgrades and the QJ Motor SRK800 delivers a feisty four-cylinder Chinese naked that punches well above its 5,400 price tag.

The road tests dominate the issue. Triumph Tiger Sport 660 (page 10) gets Chad's verdict on the mid-range upgrade package. QJ Motor SRK800 (page 28) is tested as a transverse Chinese four-cylinder. Michelin Anakee Adventure 2 (page 36) is reviewed on road and trail. Brough Superior RMB01 (page 46) is called exotic. Honda Hornet E-Clutch (page 52) follows the Transalp's lead. The Desert Rats feature (page 56) crosses the desert on Chinese 125s. NoMad Mossy (page 42) heads over the Channel. Touring sections cover Day Ride in Northern Ireland around the NW200 circuit, Mid Ride through France to the Pyrenees and Long Ride bound for the Alps.

News and opinion includes Maynard Hershon making a confession (page 25), Richard Millington on 20 years of border crossings (page 67) and Kevin Cameron on making metals stronger (page 98).

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / Road Tests

p.10 · Triumph Tiger Sport 660
Chad samples the mid-ranger's 2026 upgrades. The 660 cc triple gets revised suspension, updated electronics and a more comfortable seat profile. He rates it for A2-licence holders looking for an all-rounder. New riders get a value comparison against the Honda CB650R.

p.28 · QJ Motor SRK800
A naked Chinese transverse four-cylinder tested for performance and build quality. At 5,400 GBP it delivers 96 bhp and a claimed 220-kph top speed. The review notes the electronics package is basic but the chassis is competent. Budget-conscious buyers get a cost-per-bhp calculation against Japanese rivals.

p.46 · Brough Superior RMB01
Exotic is too short a word for the 62,000 GBP hand-built motorcycle. The review covers the 1,140 cc V-twin engine, the billet-aluminium construction and the Brembo braking system. The author questions whether the craftsmanship justifies 10 times the price of a comparable Japanese bike.

p.52 · Honda Hornet E-Clutch
Honda's electronic clutch system is tested following its introduction on the Transalp. The 750 cc parallel-twin with e-clutch allows clutchless upshifts and downshifts with a manual override. The review rates it for urban commuting. City riders get a real-world fuel economy figure.

▸ Touring & Adventure

p.42 · NoMad Mossy
Chris heads over the Channel for a European tour. The piece covers ferry logistics, toll-road costs and the best European route-planning apps.

p.56 · Desert Rats
A feature on crossing the desert on Chinese 125cc motorcycles — a budget adventure that proves you do not need a 10,000 GBP adventure bike to have an overland experience. The riders name the specific modifications made to the 125s for desert travel.

▸ Tyre Test

p.36 · Michelin Anakee Adventure 2
Tested on road and trail. The review rates wet-road grip, tread life and off-road performance on gravel surfaces. Adventure riders get a direct comparison against the Metzeler Tourance Next.

▸ Regulars

p.6 · News
New model arrivals including the KTM 790 Duke 2027 remastered and Norton Atlas updates.

p.25 · Maynard Hershon
Our American friend makes a confession about his riding history and the state of US motorcycling.

p.67 · Richard Millington
20 years of border crossings — reflections on European motorcycle travel.

p.92 · Tried and Tested
Product reviews of riding gear and accessories.

p.98 · Kevin Cameron
Making metals stronger — a technical deep dive into metallurgy for motorcycle components.

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Editor's Take

The QJ Motor SRK800 test is the issue's most newsworthy feature: a Chinese transverse four-cylinder naked at 5,400 GBP that delivers genuine performance is a story that matters to budget-conscious riders. The Hornet E-Clutch test is well-executed and answers the question Honda owners will ask. The Brough Superior test is beautifully written but the bike is priced at 62,000 GBP — it belongs in a different magazine for a different readership. The Desert Rats feature is a highlight: genuinely adventurous, low-budget and characterful. The Michelin tyre test is useful but only for adventure riders. The regular columns are consistent but Maynard Hershon's column is increasingly eccentric. The touring section is strong for MSL's core readership.

Strengths
• QJ SRK800 test covers a genuinely important budget-bike story
• Hornet E-Clutch answers a real buyer question
• Desert Rats feature is genuine low-budget adventure

Weaknesses
• Brough Superior test irrelevant to 99 per cent of readers
• Maynard Hershon column drifting into self-indulgence

Verdict: Recommended — The QJ test and Desert Rats feature make it worth the cover price for budget-minded riders.

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