New MCN September 28: New Honda Fireblade revealed

 
‘Traction control not needed’ on new Honda Fireblade
The 2012 Honda Fireblade has been officailly unveiled by Honda. The new Fireblade doesn’t get traction control and no increase in power or torque, but gets big piston forks and a new rear shock.

 Honda has officially taken the wraps off the first of three versions of a 670cc parallel-twin, dual-clutch maxi scooter. The first version is called the Integra.

The Ducati 1199 Panigale has been spotted undergoing final testing on the roads of Italy prior to its official launch at this year’s Milan Motorcycle Show in November. 

Top sports tourers for less than £4500
Sports tourers are currently out of fashion due to the adventure bike trend, but they offer great value and great fun. We test three used examples to find the best.

 
Nick Sanders’ toughest trip ever
Adventure rider Nick Sanders has returned from what he calls “the hardest” journey of his career – a trip which saw him travel from the top of Alaska to the bottom of Argentina and back again in just six-and-a-half weeks.

125cc sports bike group test
The two-stroke Aprilia RS125 was a legend, but now it’s been replaced by the four-stroke RS4 125. We pitch it against the Honda CBR125R, Yamaha YZF-R125 and Rieju RS3 125 LC to find out which is the best sports 125.

 
Rossi’s chassis test is kept top secret
Rossi secretly tested a new deltabox-style aluminium frame concept in Jerez last week, but Jeremy Burgess insists they are not trying to make a Yamaha YZR-M1 replica.

Rea comes back with a bang at Imola
Just three months after his 143mph crash at Misano where he suffered a near identical wrist injury to James Toseland, Jonathan Rea was back to his best at Imola.