2014

The Flying Millyard: Five litres of eccentric joy

18 October 2018 by Bruce Dunn

When the judges at the exclusive Salon Privé show awarded Allen Millyard the Best in Show for his exquisite Honda SS100 V-twin, an idea formed in his mechanically mischievous mind. “I thought, if I’ve...

Rossi's London Show Bikes: 2011 Ducati Desmosedici 800cc

02 January 2015 by Matthew Birt

For the first time ever, eight of Valentino Rossi’s most successful and priceless race bikes will be brought together in a special one-off tribute to the G.O.A.T Over the next few days, we’ll be going...

Rossi's London Show Bikes: 2009 FIAT YAMAHA YZR-M1 800CC

01 January 2015

For the first time ever, eight of Valentino Rossi’s most successful and priceless race bikes will be brought together in a special one-off tribute to the G.O.A.T Over the next few days, we’ll be going...

Video: Kawasaki Versys 650 and 1000 first ride

31 December 2014 by MCN

Both the Kawasaki Versys 650 and Versys 1000 get an update for 2015, stylistically and mechanically. MCN put the new bikes through their paces at the recent launch.

Rossi's London Show Bikes: 2008 FIAT YAMAHA YZR-M1 800CC

31 December 2014 by Matthew Birt

For the first time ever, eight of Valentino Rossi’s most successful and priceless race bikes will be brought together in a special one-off tribute to the G.O.A.T Over the next few days, we’ll be going...

Bike of the Day: Yamaha TRX850

31 December 2014

Sadly short-lived TRX used tweaked TDM850 engine in a Ducati-style chassis to be, effectively, a Japanese ‘900SS’. In fact, it was arguably better than that, offering fine performance allied to good...

Rossi's London Show Bikes: 2005 SPEED BLOCK SPECIAL YZR-M1 990CC

30 December 2014 by Matthew Birt

For the first time ever, eight of Valentino Rossi’s most successful and priceless race bikes will be brought together in a special one-off tribute to the G.O.A.T Over the next few days, we’ll be going...

New MCN December 31: Rossi Reborn

30 December 2014 by Steve Hunt

In this week’s MCN – All available at your newsagent, or via your iPad, Android and other digital device: Rossi Reborn: 20 years in racing! New Versys 1000 Test MV Agusta Brutale 800RR v Ducati...

First ride: 2015 Kawasaki Versys 650 and 1000

30 December 2014 by MCN

MCN has recently been at the world launch of Kawasaki’s new Versys 650 and 1000 in Sicily. Senior Road Tester Michael Neeves rode both models and said: “The 1000 was in sore need of an update, not...

Bike of the Day: 1997 Triumph Daytona 1200

30 December 2014 by Phil West

Although perhaps the least desirable of the early Hinckley Triumphs due to simply not being competitive with the best from Japan and Europe, today the early Daytona has sort of matured into a...

MCN Award winner: Kawasaki Z1000SX

29 December 2014 by Michael Neeves

It’s the final week of 2014, so we got some of our MCN Award winning bikes of 2014 together for one last blast. Here’s our all-rounder, the second generation Kawasaki Z1000SX. This is one of my...

Rossi's London Show Bikes: 2004 G0 Yamaha YZR-M1

29 December 2014 by Matthew Birt

For the first time ever, eight of Valentino Rossi’s most successful and priceless race bikes will be brought together in a special one-off tribute to the G.O.A.T Over the next few days, we’ll be going...

Video: Tom Sykes' ZX-10R ridden

29 December 2014 by Michael Neeves

We witnessed the end of a WSB era in 2014, and the ultimate evolution of the big-bucks factory WSB bike. They may look like normal superbikes from the outside, but the factory bikes locking horns at...

Bike of the Day: Suzuki GSX-R1100

29 December 2014 by Phil West

Last of the dinosaur, monster superbikes still inspires awe today. It’s a beast: 147 carburretted horses, bad boy bulk and still enough acceleration to send shivers down your spine. Good ones are...

Rossi's London Show Bikes: 2002 RC211V REPSOL HONDA

28 December 2014 by Matthew Birt

For the first time ever, eight of Valentino Rossi’s most successful and priceless race bikes will be brought together in a special one-off tribute to the G.O.A.T Over the next few days, we’ll be going...

Slide. The all-new live action arena

28 December 2014 by MCN Staff

Our Live action show that takes pride of place at the centre of the London Motorcycle Show is going Stateside style in 2015 with a brand new, all-action live show called Slide. The London Short Track...

Rossi's London Show Bikes: 1999 RSW250 APRILIA

27 December 2014 by Matthew Birt

For the first time ever, eight of Valentino Rossi’s most successful and priceless race bikes will be brought together in a special one-off tribute to the G.O.A.T Over the next few days, we’ll be going...

MCN Award winner: BMW R nineT

26 December 2014 by Michael Neeves

It’s the final week of 2014, so we got some of our MCN Award winning bikes of 2014 together for one last blast. Here’s our favourite retro, BMW’S R nineT. Stretching from Oundle to Corby the A427 is a...

Rossi's London Show Bikes: 1997 APRILIA RS125R

26 December 2014 by Matthew Birt

For the first time ever, eight of Valentino Rossi’s most successful and priceless race bikes will be brought together in a special one-off tribute to the G.O.A.T Over the next few days, we’ll be going...

TV Sunday – The Barry Sheene Story

26 December 2014 by Phil West

The late, great Barry Sheene is the subject of the first of a new series of Racing Legends which starts on Sunday evening straight after the second part of the Top Gear Christmas special. Presented by...

My Life in Bikes Ross Noble

25 December 2014 by Richard Newland

Comedy genius, observer of the insanity of humans, seriously dedicated bike nut, and doer of charitable goodness. Age 38 Occupation Comedian, actor, author, Riders for Health ambassador Nationality...

Our Bikes BMW S1000RR HP4

25 December 2014 by Michael Neeves

‘My BMW HP4 racer consumes every part of my life’ It takes all of his time and all of his money, but Michael Neeves remains deeply in love with this bike This is my beloved BMW HP4 racer. It’s...

Bike of the Day: Kawasaki ZX-6RR

25 December 2014 by Phil West

Here’s a sure-fire future classic – and something of a tempting track weapon, too. Kawasaki’s first homologation special ‘RR’ version of its already wicked ’04 ZX-6R is fast, fine handling, rare and...

Young riders face new derestriction hurdle

24 December 2014 by Tony Hoare

promo label The days of restricting a bike to meet licensing regulations and then immediately desrestricting it again could be numbered. The company responsible for the largest number of restrictor kits in the UK...

Bike of the Day: 1980 Honda CB125 Twin

24 December 2014 by Phil West

Hard to imagine now but this twin was a cutting-edge, hi-spec machine in its day complete with Comstar wheels, twin dials and more. Today would make a great starter classic. This one’s missing little,...

James May and Richard Hammond’s classic bike collections

24 December 2014 by MCN Staff

Top Gear’s May and Hammond are absolute bike nuts with extensive collections of some fascinating machines. From James’ love of early Hondas to Richards more eclectic collection of everything from...

“No one has ever done 100mph on the wall of death, so we are going to give it a go”

24 December 2014 by Jon Urry

As if 2014 wasn’t crazy enough, Guy Martin will kick off the New Year with another mad record attempt, live on TV, in his back garden… “It’s good to be back under a truck again” “To be fair every year...

Video: Ducati Scrambler first ride

23 December 2014 by MCN

Ducati launched the much-hyped Scrambler recently on the warm, sunny roads of California. MCN Senior Road Tester Adam ‘Chad’ Child went along to see if the reborn Scrambler can really live up to all...

'The new R1 will reignite the sportsbike market'

23 December 2014 by Jon Urry

It’s fair to say the last few years have been challenging for all bike dealers, but they’ve been especially tough for those selling Yamahas. “From 2010 to 2012, every Yamaha dealer would put their...

Phone app scoops top award

23 December 2014 by Tony Hoare

This year’s Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for motorcycling has gone to crash detection phone app RealRider. The award was presented to RealRider founders Zoe Farrington and Andrew...

Video: Yamaha MT-09 Tracer first ride

22 December 2014 by MCN

How do you turn a good bike into a great one? Well, on the evidence of this first ride, and if you’re Yamaha, you take your already best selling MT-09 Triple and make it better still. Much...

Bike of the Day: Buell 1125R

22 December 2014 by Phil West

Last of the Buells before closed by Harley deserved better. Rotax engine was a revelation, trademark stumpy Buell chassis was competent and exciting and quality and build was the US firm’s best yet.

Norton rotaries fire up at the London Motorcycle Show

22 December 2014 by MCN Staff

Ten of the most famous Norton rotary engined race bikes will be roaring into life at the London Motorcycle Show this February 13-15 as they’re fired up on stage by some of the original riders! From...

BBC Showing Racing Legends Barry Sheene

19 December 2014 by Andy Downes

The life and racing career of Barry Sheene is the subject of the latest series of shows in the Racing Legends TV show with Vic Reeves presenting the show on December 28 at 9pm on BBC2. Vic Reeves...

Bike of the Day: Moto Guzzi V11 Sport

19 December 2014 by Phil West

We’ve highlighted these short-lived, ‘Aprilia-era’ Guzzis before but we still think they’ve yet to gain the recognition (or resale values) they deserve. Yes, they’re slightly lumpy old dinosaurs, but...

Brash but Brilliant: Honda F6B vs Harley Road Glide Special vs Victory Cross Country

19 December 2014 by Adam Child

Honda’s new F6B has a crack at Harley’s mad-looking Road Glide Special and Victory’s hugely capable Cross Country There’s no doubt the Honda is different. Parked next to the two conventionally-styled...