June

The TT that became a Nazi propaganda coup

The TT that became a Nazi propaganda coup

It’s been described as motorcycle sport in its purest form. But the Isle of Man TT hasn’t always been just about sport. In 1939, the world’s most spectacular motorsports event became a propaganda...

KTM 250 EXC-F first ride

KTM 250 EXC-F first ride

KTM dominate off-road sport with over 200 world championships under their belt. And they dominate because every year, without fail, the Austrian manufacturer makes its bikes better, sometimes...

Lexmoto ZSX125 first ride

Lexmoto ZSX125 first ride

Lexmoto’s new ZSX125 is a good indicator of how far – and fast – the much-maligned Chinese motorcycle industry has come in recent years, being not just as keenly priced as ever but also now being...

NCR's titanium-framed Ducati

NCR's titanium-framed Ducati

NCR has been tuning Ducatis since the late 60s. During the 90s and early 2000s, you’ll probably remember the black NCR Ducatis competing in World Superbike, ridden by the likes of Borja, Bontempi,...

Staff Blog: How’s that for the ultimate in accessories?

Staff Blog: How’s that for the ultimate in accessories?

I’m not a slave to fashion and wouldn’t normally be classed as a girlie-girl but as a bit of fun I thought I’d add a little colour coded accessory to my Fazer8, well not exactly to the bike but more...

BMW S1000RR gets mid-life refresh

BMW S1000RR gets mid-life refresh

BMW is months away from launching a revised S1000RR which insiders say will get semi-active suspension from the HP4, a host of minor revisions along with an even more sophisticated ABS system which...

Four out of five bikes unlocked

Four out of five bikes unlocked

Fewer than one-in-five owners of new bikes use any physical theft deterrent such as a chain, according to a survey in London. As machines got older, higher proportions were found to be secured with a...

True bulldog spirit

On a recent biking trip to Portugal, as we were heading towards the coastal city of Figueira Do Foz, one of my friends unfortunately came off his bike. The bike was still rideable and although he said he was in pain with his shoulder and ribs, he said he would carry on to the hotel. Despite resting for a day in Figueira he was still in a lot of pain, and insisted he would go to A&E when he...

Bikes on the Box - 26 June to 16 July

Bikes on the Box - 26 June to 16 July

KEY TO CHANNELS.   DRT – Discovery Real Time   DSC – Discovery Channel   DHD – Discovery Channel HD   EXS – Extreme Sports Channel  EUR1 (2, HD) – Eurosport 1 (2, HD)  MOT – Motors TV   CH4 – Channel...

Yamaha 600 owners wanted

Yamaha 600 owners wanted

MCN is looking for owners of some of Yamaha’s 600cc bikes. We’re specifically looking for owners of the Yamaha FZS600 Fazer, FZ6 Fazer/FZ6 and Diversion – any year or model. We’ll be using the...

Video: Onboard with Adam Child at the TT

Video: Onboard with Adam Child at the TT

Onboard with MCN senior road tester Adam Child on lap one of this year’s Lightweight race at the TT.  Adam is riding his own Ken Urwin Motorcycle’s prepared Kawasaki ER-6, chasing down Portuguese...

Video: 2013 Suzuki Hayabusa first ride

Video: 2013 Suzuki Hayabusa first ride

With ABS and Brembo brakes finally addressing a major issue with Suzuki’s Hayabusa for 2013, MCN’s Adam Child unleashed the 1300cc beast on Bruntingthorpe runway to see what it can do.

Bike’s Travel Stories supplement

Bike’s Travel Stories supplement

The latest issue of Bike magazine goes on sale tomorrow (26th June) and comes with a free 36 page supplement that contains some astonishing motorcycle travel stories. These are the winning entries in...

Is Ducati's new 1198 Monster the perfect road bike?

Is Ducati's new 1198 Monster the perfect road bike?

Ducati is just months away from unleashing the most powerful Monster ever produced. Exclusive photographs of the new 2014 model clearly show it’s powered by Ducati’s 1198cc water-cooled V-twin motor,...

Lotus has long been known to mean 'Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious' in the car world, but would you buy a new 200bhp Lotus road bike?

Lotus has long been known to mean 'Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious' in the car world, but would you buy a new 200bhp Lotus road bike?

Iconic British sportscar brand Lotus is gearing up to build a 200bhp motorcycle which will use Formula One technology and will be built by a car racing team Kodewa and designed by the man who designed...

If you could resurrect an old icon and buy it new again – which bike would you choose?

If you could resurrect an old icon and buy it new again – which bike would you choose?

A few years ago, a RD350 with zero miles on the clock went under the hammer on eBay for almost £18,000. Silly money, or a bargain at double the price? If you could resurrect any classic bike from...

Exclusive: Ducati 1198-engined Monster spied

Exclusive: Ducati 1198-engined Monster spied

Ducati is just months away from unleashing the most powerful Monster ever produced. Exclusive photographs of the new 2014 model clearly show it’s powered by Ducati’s 1198cc water-cooled V-twin motor,...

Staff Blog: Pushing the limit

Staff Blog: Pushing the limit

When I picked the Victory Judge up from Victory UK I remember Victory UK’s PR man telling me I’d want to start looking for a petrol station pretty sharpish after 120 miles. He also said if the petrol...

New MCN June 26: New Ducati Monster 1198 spied

New MCN June 26: New Ducati Monster 1198 spied

In this week’s MCN, out June 26, we have exclusive spy shots of the new 1198cc Ducati Monster. The new bike was spotted undergoing testing near the factory in Bologna. Also this week: The great nakeds...

Best bikes for under £5k: 2005-2011 Triumph Speed Triple

Best bikes for under £5k: 2005-2011 Triumph Speed Triple

What was it like then? When Triumph released the Speed Triple in 1050cc form in 2005 it really did set the benchmark. It was so good it remained top of the naked bike class for a staggering six years...

Staff Blog: In search of confidence

Staff Blog: In search of confidence

I’ve started to try and get to the bottom of the confidence issue I reported in the paper last week, which has left me with chicken strips on the Street Triple R’s Pirelli tyres. First step was to...

Staff Blog: Friday Night is Rideout Night!!!

Staff Blog: Friday Night is Rideout Night!!!

Following my recent appeal to you lovely blog readers I’ve just spent a cracking weekend riding the Yamaha Fazer8 round North Norfolk visiting some little gems that you recommended. I’m going to be...

Best bikes for under £5k: 2005-2009 BMW R1200RT

Best bikes for under £5k: 2005-2009 BMW R1200RT

What was it like then? Bland but effective BMWs, like the R1150RT, managed to attract an army of fans, but they did comprise a rather stereotypical legion of buyers. While many bikes in the Bavarian...

Sid Biberman RIP

The World of Vincent Motorcycle enthusiasts mourns the passing of one of it’s great pillars of wisdom and support. Sid Biberman RIP. Ride on. If you want to know more of the man check out: http://classicmoto-cycles.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/legendary-big-sid-biberman.html

Lotus to make 200bhp motorcycle

Lotus to make 200bhp motorcycle

Iconic British sportscar brand Lotus is gearing up to build a 200bhp motorcycle which will use Formula One technology and will be built by a car racing team Kodewa and designed by the man who designed...

Electrickery

Electrickery

It looks like a moped but this electric scooter can legally be ridden by 14-year-olds with no licence, insurance or helmet, and carrying a pillion.  The £850 Dayun Electric Tandem Bike has a top...

Ducati factory escapes earthquake damage

Ducati factory escapes earthquake damage

The Ducati factory in Bologna has been evacuated after being hit by an earthquake earlier today; no damage has been reported and there are no casualties but the entire workforce has been sent home in...

Triumph refreshes Speed Triple 1050

Triumph refreshes Speed Triple 1050

Triumph has given the popular Speed Triple 1050 a light refresh with a new blue colour available along with some minor cosmetic changes including a clear rear light and accessories now fitted as...

Staff blog: I've got to stay up - someone on the internet doesn't like the Burgman

Staff blog: I've got to stay up - someone on the internet doesn't like the Burgman

Every time I write a blog on the Burgman, I seem to become embroiled in debate with critics of the scooter.   I don’t know why I feel the need to convince others to like it. It reminds me of that...

Bike chooser: Leftfield middleweight nakeds

Bike chooser: Leftfield middleweight nakeds

This week’s bike chooser brings to you the best budget naked middleweights that money can buy.   These bikes are great if you are looking for a fun bike on a budget and great for touring and commuting...

Would Jorge’s HJC be a UK hit?

Would Jorge’s HJC be a UK hit?

You may have noticed that MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo had some company on the top step of the podium after last weekend’s Catalunya GP. Big-hearted Jorge took Spanish artist Anna Vives with...

Staff Blog: Hyperstrada at Snetterton and beyond

Staff Blog: Hyperstrada at Snetterton and beyond

I took my Hyperstrada for a blast around the Snetterton 300 circuit on Monday – my second trackday of the year on the Ducati. I was there helping fellow MCN-er, Andy Davidson, who was doing his first...

Days left to save Peak District’s best trail riding route

Days left to save Peak District’s best trail riding route

Motorcyclists have until June 28 to object to plans to ban motorised vehicles from the best green lane in the Peak District. The Peak District National Park Authority is proposing a permanent traffic...

Best bikes for under £5k: 2008-2009 Triumph Bonneville

Best bikes for under £5k: 2008-2009 Triumph Bonneville

What was it like then? The return of Triumph’s most famous name was the one everyone was waiting for from the revived Hinckley marque. And when the all-new ‘Bonnie’ was unveiled at the 2000 Cologne...

MCN in the delivery room

MCN in the delivery room

Please find attached a picture of my wife Rosana, who could not put down a copy of MCN between contractions. She was particularly interested in the engine characteristics of the V4 powerplant! You...

Electric coast to coast record set

Electric coast to coast record set

American firm Moto-Electra has set a coast-to-coast world record for electric vehicles. The team rode 2500-miles on the trans-continental run, crossing the USA in three and a half days using the same...