New MCN January 11: 1000s superbike shootout

 
New Ariel to use 160bhp VFR1200 motor
An MCN reader has photographed a prototype of the new Ariel motorcycle, based on a Honda VFR1200F, as it returned from road testing duties near the British firms Somerset headquarters.

 New BMW S1000RR nails its rivals again
The new S1000RR starts 2012 exactly where it ended 2010 and 2011: in first place, as still the superbike to beat. Whilst the overall result is no big surprise, what IS is how close the BMW was run by Honda’s new Fireblade.

Mototech KTM: 70bhp, lighter than a 125
Developed by German tuners Mototech, this is a KTM Duke 690 supermoto fitted with a special fairing, suspension and handlebar kit which turns it into a 70bhp sports bike weighing less than a 125.

 
Riding Europe’s finest retro bikes
German firm LSL is becoming famous for creating achingly-cool retro custom motorcycles. We took a trip to Krefeld near Dusseldorf to test three of their finest specials based around the Kawasaki W800 and Triumph Thruxton.

40% off base layer gear
MCN has teamed up with base layer innovators Moto One to bring you a fantastic 40% discount off their technical range.

A day with the World Supersport champion
What makes Chaz Davies tick? MCN goes to his home complete with MX and go-kart tracks in Wales to find out.

Stan Watt: ‘As it gets tougher, I’ll finish higher’
Irishman Stan Watt believes he can improve on his overall position in the 2012 Dakar in the second week of the race. He wants the remaining stages to be longer and faster to enable him to push for a top 30 finish.