New MCN November 16: New Metal 2012 - unmissable new bikes from Milan & Tokyo

 
Milan show special
We examine every single bike unveiled at the Milan show, from the new BMW GS rivalling adventure bikes to the Ducati 1199 Panigale, Honda’s new Mid-Concepts and the latest models from MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi and Bimota.

 Honda’s new RC-E concept wows McGuinness
Honda has unveiled a stunning road-legal electric sports bike concept, the RC-E, ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show next month. John McGuinness gives MCN his reaction and we take a look at more Tokyo stars from Honda and Yamaha.

Ducati 848 overpowers Street Triple R
We pit Ducati’s new usable, middleweight Streetfighter against the Triumph Street Triple R in a world first group test.

 
10 dodgy ideas that made great bikes
When Ducati set out to build the 1199 it did everything but address the bad idea at its core. With good reason. The firm’s L-twin engine layout is one of the rationally wrong ways of doing things that have characterised so many of our most-loved bikes. We take a look at the other dodgy ideas that made great bikes. 

Going the distance on a budget
We test three of the best used big-bore tourers in the £3-4,500 price bracket, the Honda ST1100 Pan European, Yamaha FJR1300 and BMW R1150 RT, to find the ideal way to cover big miles in comfort, whilst being able to enjoy the twisties.

Burgess ‘Rossi will be more competitive on the GP12’
Ducati and Valentino Rossi should be capable of fighting for podiums from the beginning of the 2012 MotoGP campaign according the Italian’s legendary crew chief Jerry Burgess.

New 1000s suit GP action man Cal
Cal Crutchlow is confident the switch to a 1000cc capacity limit for 2012 will help him become a consistent top six contender in MotoGP.