Honda Fireblade SP

The first FireBlade blew my mullet into the next county, but since that stupendous high I have gradually fallen out of love with Japanese superbikes as they became ever more samey and lacking in X factor compared to the miracle of 1992. Early reports are that the new SP Blade moves things on again. My job is to find out.
tim.thompson@motorcyclenews.com

Year: ALL

MCN Fleet: In control of the Supersport S

11 July 2017 by Andy Calton

Having passed the 1000-mile mark a short while ago, a few things have struck me about the consistently brilliant Ducati Supersport S. The switchgear is just a bit… well, odd. Hit the cancel indicator...

MCN Fleet: Luggage for the Street Triple 765 RS

10 July 2017 by Joe Dick

Prepping for a trip to the Alps in just over a weeks time it’s time to go shopping and find some luggage to fit the RS. I was recommended to look at the SW Motec Blaze panniers but after a...

MCN Fleet: New rubber transforms V-Strom

10 July 2017 by Oli Rushby

When I took delivery of the V-Strom 650XT back in April, I was quite impressed with the Bridgestone Battlax Adventure tyres it came with. They gave quite a lot of feel in both the dry and the wet and...

MCN Fleet: GSX-R1000R tackles chicane-less Mallory

10 July 2017 by Michael Neeves

Mallory Park was alive to the sights and sounds of some delicious metal at last weekend’s annual Bike Bonanza. Road and race machines, from classic to modern, two-stoke, four-stroke and wankel, all...

MCN Fleet: Bobber v Commute

05 July 2017 by Liam Marsden

I ride everyday no matter the weather. Bikes are my main form of transport and they need to be able to keep up with the rigours of commuting everyday in unpredictable British weather. Take one look at...

MCN Fleet: Lots to learn with the Supersport S

05 July 2017 by Andy Calton

My first few weeks with the Ducati have been a bit of familiarisation exercise. Trying out the various engine modes (three) and fiddling around with adjustable screen (two positions), while dreaming...

MCN Fleet: Sunny Sunday Funday for the X-Adv

04 July 2017 by Alison Silcox

Mark, my other half, and I checked the weather report on Saturday night and realised Sunday was going to be ‘Scorchio’, so what better way to spend the day than out on the bikes. We always fall into...

MCN Fleet: Oil change for the 2002 Fireblade

04 July 2017 by Ped Baker

An engine oil and filter change for the 2002 Fireblade had been on the cards since I bought the bike a few months ago but shamefully I’ve only just got around to doing it. TOP STORIES Goodwood...

MCN Fleet: GSX-R1000R gets summer rubber

03 July 2017 by Michael Neeves

Summer trackday season is upon us and there’s still only one tyre for the job: Metzeler’s Racetec RR K3. On the road they’re plush, grippy and not too shabby in the wet. A rear lasts for over...

MCN Fleet: So what is wrong with the new Blade?

29 June 2017 by Tim Thompson

MCN’s long-term test Honda Fireblade SP arrived shortly after we awarded it the win in our group test of the 2017 superbikes. Honda had just signed Guy Martin to ride one alongside John McGuinness for...

MCN Fleet: 1290 Super Adventure S Electric Dream

27 June 2017 by Michael Guy

I’m now 3500 miles into life with the KTM Super Adventure S and all is well. It took a little time to get to grips with the plethora of electronic features on the bike, but I feel I’ve finally got my...

MCN Fleet: Keeping the V-Strom clean - a dirty task!

20 June 2017 by Oli Rushby

After a week’s heavy use, I resisted the urge to take the V-Strom out in the glorious weather yesterday and instead spent the afternoon giving it a quick freshen up. It’s a bike that looks stunning...

MCN Fleet: GSX-R1000R Brands Hatch on-board lap

19 June 2017 by Michael Neeves

Here’s my latest GSX-R1000R video blog, including an on-board lap of Brands Hatch… MORE FROM MCN’S FLEET Service time again for the Ninja 650 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Electric Dream Quick! Clock...

MCN Fleet: GSX-R1000R gets new pipe and mapping

19 June 2017 by Michael Neeves

What happens when you replace ‘that’ can? We fit a slip-on Yoshi to find out Suzuki’s new GSX-R1000R might have a new chassis, a raft of electronic rider aids and clever VVT motor, but when it was...

MCN Fleet: I love Paris in the Spring Time

17 June 2017 by Alison Silcox

This time last week I was on the way to Paris for a little French adventure with two fellow scooter riders. My Honda X-Adv and I were part of MCN’s annual maxi-scooter test. With a Yamaha T-Max and...

MCN Fleet: Supersport S laps up track action

12 June 2017 by Andy Calton

Ducati’s Supersport is claimed to be a sporty road bike. But I wanted to see just how sporty it could be so decided to tackle a trackday at Donington Park. The weather was good and the Ducati trackday...

Harley-Davidson Street Glide: Is it comfortable?

12 June 2017 by Jordan Gibbons

The Street Glide forms a big part of Harley-Davidson’s touring range, so people always want to know if the comfort lives up to the billing, especially how the engine is after a few hours. Thankfully,...

MCN Fleet: BMW R1200GS Rallye's first mods

09 June 2017 by Richard Newland

As with any bike, there are things you always want to change right from the get-go. Having covered over 20,000miles on the new GS in recent years, I know that the engine front plate takes a pasting,...

MCN Fleet: Speed vs Street Power

05 June 2017 by Joe Dick

Street Or Speed? Now that it’s had its capacity boosted to 765cc, does the new Street Triple RS make enough power to put it on a performance par with its bigger brother, the Speed Triple...

MCN Fleet: Suzuki GSX-R1000R video blog

05 June 2017 by Michael Neeves

Here’s my latest video blog: GSX-R1000R tyres, clocks…and that exhaust! MORE FROM MCN’S FLEET Service time again for the Ninja 650 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Electric Dream Quick! Clock the miles...

MCN Fleet: BMW R1200GS Rallye's first 1000 miles

02 June 2017 by Richard Newland

With 1100+ miles already racked up over the last three weeks, I know I was right to be excited by this latest addition to the GS family. In daily duties I love the commandingly dominant road presence,...

MCN Fleet: Let the Irish Adventure Begin

02 June 2017 by Alison Silcox

I’ve just tucked into a complimentary cuppa and settled into my luxurious seat aboard the Jonathan Swift, Irish Ferries fast service to Dublin. It’s a welcome break from, what can only be described...

MCN Fleet: GSX-R1000R meets granddad

01 June 2017 by Michael Neeves

Life with my GSX-R1000R has been a blast over the past couple of months. It’s like coming home after owning a K5 1000 and three 750s over the years. The new GSX-R may have more top end power than...

Harley-Davidson Street Glide: 2000 miles in

01 June 2017 by Jordan Gibbons

Joining the MCN Fleet this year is the Harley-Davidson Street Glide, a true representation of the American bagger. In truth I’ve always quite fancied a big Harley but I’ve never been quite sure why.

MCN Fleet: Getting to know the RnineT Racer

31 May 2017 by Matt Wildee

It’s been an interesting month getting to know the Racer and its off-beat, retro charm. I’ve had my eye on the Racer ever since I first saw it at the Intermot show in Germany at the end of last year.

MCN Fleet: A simple (and cheap) gearbox fix for the 2002 Fireblade

30 May 2017 by Ped Baker

In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m in love with my 2002 Honda Fireblade. It’s the definitive real-world 1000cc sports bike. The 954 model Blade is comfortable, practical and stonking good value right...

MCN Fleet: First Impressions Count with the Honda X-ADV

26 May 2017 by Alison Silcox

First impressions count and after my first hectic week of riding the Honda X-ADV I’ve grown rather fond of the quirky, slightly odd looking machine. I say machine because I still haven’t worked out if...

MCN Fleet: My first 1000 miles with Triumph's Bobber

26 May 2017 by Liam Marsden

The first two weeks with my long term Triumph Bobber have gone incredibly fast and the odometer is already reading over 1300, so the Bobber is well on its way to reaching the #ride5000miles goal. Here...

MCN Fleet: Supersport S lights up my life

24 May 2017 by Andy Calton

The SuperSport had me riled. I couldn’t wait for it to arrive and I was counting down the seconds… When it did finally arrive… at 4.26pm, by the way, I spent 10 minutes just walking round it soaking...

MCN Fleet: What a way to watch MotoGP

22 May 2017 by Michael Neeves

A few good mates and me went to see the Le Mans MotoGP at the Bike Shed in Shoreditch at the weekend. You might think the trendy bike shop is all about hand-built retros, flat whites and expensive...

MCN Fleet: Let's talk about my GSX-R1000R's can

15 May 2017 by Michael Neeves

I’ve had my GSX-R1000R for a couple of weeks now, but before we mention anything else I think we need to address the big grey elephant in the room: the Suzuki’s exhaust can. Some say you can see in on...

MCN Fleet: 954 Fireblade modifications. The results are in...

10 May 2017 by Ped Baker

Last month I asked for advice on which upgrades I should fit to our 2002 Honda Fireblade, and you didn’t disappoint. With over a hundred responses on email and social media the suggestions ranged from...

MCN Fleet: V-Strom 650XT chewing up the miles

04 May 2017 by Oli Rushby

I’ve just clocked up 1700 miles on the V-Strom 650XT so my #ride5000miles challenge is coming along nicely. It’s funny, the more I get used to the V-Strom I keep starting to think it can be a little...

MCN Fleet: First service ticked off for V-Strom

15 April 2017 by Oli Rushby

The V-Strom headed back to Suzuki for its 600-mile service on Thursday, although by the time I’d reached Suzuki GB HQ in Milton Keynes the odometer was reading well over 800 miles – I’ve got right...

MCN Fleet: Street Glide - The Empire Strikes Back

10 April 2017 by Jordan Gibbons

With 600 miles under the Street Glide’s belt, the Harley is proving itself to be a capable cruiser First impressions last, so the old saying goes, and my first impressions of the Harley-Davidson...

MCN Fleet: First 200 miles with Suzuki's V-Strom 650XT

06 April 2017 by Oli Rushby

Earlier this week, I took delivery of Suzuki’s V-Strom 650XT and from my first impressions after clocking up 230 miles over the past few days I can tell we’re going to get along. As I explained the...