Front End Chatter #49

Welcome to FEC49, finally – at least in the sense it's been a long time coming, not in the conclusive sense. And, despite no actual racing to talk about, we find enough to fill half a podcast: • Why MotoGP team launches are fake news – and, worse, they even have fake soundtracks • Why testing is a pointless guide to the outcome of the season, but it's worth taking notice of because it's some motorbikes going round a track • Crazy new World Superbike rules • How BSB should fill a Supersport-sized gap with naked bikes and Moto2 • Who will be the busiest Aussie racer in 2017 • Why this year's TT will be the best ever • What that crazy Guy Martin has been saying about his TT comeback and why modern bikes are rubbish PLUS! We have a few mini-reviews of some 2017 bikes, including:   Kawasaki's Z1000SX and why it's better than before but has odd steering Ducati's 950 Multistrada and why comparisons are odious Ducati's sportier-for-2017 Monster 1200 S Suzuki's perfectly nice but slightly ordinary GSX-S750 Ducati's properly off-road Desert Sled Scrambler   Thank you for bearing with us always, please keep emails coming, and we'll read them out in FEC50...   ...WHICH WE'RE RECORDING NEXT WEEK, WE PROMISE!   @SimonHbikes @Mufga [email protected] www.frontendchatter.com