2015

RIDE Videogame Release Date Announced

RIDE Videogame Release Date Announced

The RIDE videogame, from the developers of the recent MotoGP and SBK titles, has been set for a worldwide release on March 20th this year. The game which features over 100 bikes from the majority of...

Two Way Street: MV Brutale 800 RR vs Ducati Monster 1200S

Two Way Street: MV Brutale 800 RR vs Ducati Monster 1200S

If you’re after an expensive, exotic, naked Italian superbike it has to look good – whether you’re parading up and down the Kings Road or, in our case, the streets of Bologna. Which is where MV...

Polaris buy Brammo

Polaris buy Brammo

Electric motorcycles have taken another step closer to the mainstream with the news that electric motorcycles pioneer, Brammo, have been taken over by the huge Polaris Industries – the corporation...

Peterborough to Inverness on a 125: Part 1

Peterborough to Inverness on a 125: Part 1

Yesterday, I rode 405 miles through some of the worst weather of this winter, on a 125! I don’t think I’m mad, but I admit that there were points yesterday where even I doubted my sanity!  I’ve had...

Bike of the Day: 1984 Kawasaki KL250

Bike of the Day: 1984 Kawasaki KL250

You don’t see many of these around these days. Good-looking single from the golden age of trail bikes was Kawasaki’s thumper rival to the likes of Honda’s popular XL250 and Yam’s XT. Oddly this class...

See May and Hammond’s classic bike collections

See May and Hammond’s classic bike collections

Richard Hammond and James May are absolute bike nuts with extensive collections of some fascinating machines and, for the first time ever, we’re bringing their cherished machines together in a...

Bike of the Day: 2006 Aprilia Tuono 1000R

Bike of the Day: 2006 Aprilia Tuono 1000R

Second generation V-twin Tuono is basically a naked version of the revamped RSV1000R superbike which blended man-size, hairy-chested performance with classy componentry (though not quite as classy as...

Ducati corner more of the market

Ducati corner more of the market

Ducati achieved a new sales record in 2014, having put 45,100 bikes into the hands of new customers – 2% more than in 2013. It’s the fifth year of growth for the Italian icon, which is now under the...

Video: New vs old BMW S1000RR dyno and top speed

Video: New vs old BMW S1000RR dyno and top speed

It’s the S1000RR’s biggest revamp since it was introduced five years ago. BMW say their new weapon is lighter, more powerful, and more refined than ever, so we put it head-to-head with the outgoing...

Long-term test: Triumph Bonneville T100

Long-term test: Triumph Bonneville T100

During my time with the Triumph Bonneville T100, MCN readers with Bonnies have strongly recommended uprating the rear suspension. The original shocks weren’t bad, but there is always room for...

First ride: Mash Roadstar 400

First ride: Mash Roadstar 400

Mash is the newest motorcycle brand to hit the UK. Dreamt up and styled in France, made in China and now trickling into UK dealers its first offering is a retro single that reminds of Yamaha’s revived...

Long-term test: BMW S1000R

Long-term test: BMW S1000R

‘Super nakeds’ are the perfect kind of road bike for me. They have superbike-levels of acceleration, handling and braking, but they’re comfy and will wheelie, stoppie and skid for England. Their lack...

Record-breaking 2014 sales for BMW

Record-breaking 2014 sales for BMW

BMW is celebrating a record-breaking year for new motorcycle registrations in the UK with the R1200GS the best-selling motorcycle over 125cc for the fifth consecutive year. Total sales of BMWs in the...

New Kawasaki finance offers revealed

New Kawasaki finance offers revealed

Kawasaki has launched a new finance scheme called “Black and White Promotion which will run until the end of March and includes offers for 0% finance and deposits of just £99. Models covered include...

New MCN January 14: New vs old BMW S1000RR

New MCN January 14: New vs old BMW S1000RR

In this week’s MCN, available in newsagents, on iPad and Android from January 14: – S1000RR head-to-head: Most powerful road bike ever raises the bar again – Adventure special: Make 2015 the year of...

Indian Scout in dealers this weekend

Indian Scout in dealers this weekend

Indian Motorcycles have announced a series of dealer launch events this coming Saturday January 17 to herald the arrival of the excellent new Scout – a middleweight cruiser with handling and pricing...

Suzuki launches modern classics website

Suzuki launches modern classics website

Suzuki have launched a new modern classics parts scheme which follows a success of a similar scheme for vintage parts and older bikes. Older bikes like the RGV250 race replica two-stroke are already...

Bike of the Day: 1983 Kawasaki GPz1100 Unitrak

Bike of the Day: 1983 Kawasaki GPz1100 Unitrak

The S1000RR or Hayabusa of its day, the big GPz was THE poster bike of 1983. The curvy Unitrak styling didn’t work so well on the whole family (there were 305, 550 and 750 versions as well) but on the...

Bike of the Day: Ducati 620 Sport

Bike of the Day: Ducati 620 Sport

OK, the second generation, Pierre Terblanche-designed Sport/Supersport/SS family is never going to be considered a ‘classic Ducati’ and, this being the smallest, 61bhp version, isn’t exactly the...

KTM extends finance offers

KTM extends finance offers

KTM has launched a series of new finance offers on 2015 models which include £99 deposit and 0% interest deals on bikes from the Duke 125 up to the 1190 Adventure models. The Austrian firm has a wide...

Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa: Long-Term Test Report

Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa: Long-Term Test Report

It’s long, it’s fast and it’s designed to go very fast in a straight line, you can see why Suzuki’s Hayabusa earned itself the nickname of The Eurostar in my garage. The 1340cc inline four is a...

Long-term test: KTM 1290 Super Duke R

Long-term test: KTM 1290 Super Duke R

My long-term test KTM 1290R Super Duke was returned to its rightful owner (KTM) last week, leaving me to reflect on a year of ups and downs. I wrote in the paper edition of MCN that its mechanical...

Suzuki V-Strom 650XT in dealers

Suzuki V-Strom 650XT in dealers

Suzuki’s new V-Strom 650XT has arrived in dealer showrooms to add another model to the V-Strom 650 range. The XT is based on the standard V-Strom 650 but has lightweight DID wire-spoked wheels for...

Bike of the Day: Kawasaki Zephyr 1100

Bike of the Day: Kawasaki Zephyr 1100

Yes, that price at first seems a little salty for what is a fairly basic, 28K-mile, 18-year-old roadster, but the big Zephyr is the original ‘retro’, now has a strong following and ones as good as...

2014 v 2015 BMW S1000RR

2014 v 2015 BMW S1000RR

BMW claims their new, third-generation S1000RR is lighter and more powerful than ever. We’re putting that to the test by pitching the new machine against the out-going model. We’ll speed test both...

How often do you wear a back protector?

How often do you wear a back protector?

Many consider back protectors to be as crucial a part of their riding armoury as their helmet, boots and gloves. What do you think?  How often do you wear a back protector?

Which of Rossi's GP bikes would you take home with you?

Which of Rossi's GP bikes would you take home with you?

Eight of Rossi’s GP bikes will be on display at the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show this February 13-15. But if you could take one home with you – which one would you pick? Which of Rossi’s GP...

BBC showing Racing Legends John Surtees

BBC showing Racing Legends John Surtees

The final episode of the current series of Racing Legends covers the life and racing career of John Surtees and is hosted by lifelong fan and star of Great British Bake Off, Paul Hollywood. The show...

Danger attempts Evel stunt

Danger attempts Evel stunt

“I know it’s dangerous, but death has had me by the throat twice in my life, and I spit in its face. When God’s ready, he’ll take me,” says American (in case you hadn’t guessed) Doug Danger. “This is...

New MCN January 7: Every 2015 new bike

New MCN January 7: Every 2015 new bike

In this week’s MCN, available in newsagents, on iPad and Android from January 7: – 12-page special on every new bike for 2015 – MV Agusta Stradale first ride – Why Rossi’s 10th title is in sight –...

MASTER makes a difference

MASTER makes a difference

Westminster City Council has reported a sharp drop-off in bike thefts, particularly in the area of St James’s Square in London, where they’ve had a strong push on tagging bikes through the industry’s...

First ride: 2015 MV Agusta Stradale 800

First ride: 2015 MV Agusta Stradale 800

MV Agusta’s new Stradale 800 has recently been put through its paces in Spain in the hands of MCN Executive Editor Phil West. Here’s what he has to say: “The new Stradale is a first on many levels –...

Bike of the Day: 1980 Honda XL185

Bike of the Day: 1980 Honda XL185

‘Proper’, old school, late ‘70s/early ‘80s trail bikes are increasingly popular in classic circles for their style, easy mechanics and affordability – particularly Yamaha and Suzuki for their DT/TS...

First ride: Triumph Thruxton Ace

First ride: Triumph Thruxton Ace

Triumph’s new Thruxton Ace limited edition was recently put through its paces by MCN Executive Editor Phil West. His full first ride report is in this week’s MCN, out January 7. But here are his...

Video: Red Bull drivers Puch it to the Maxi

Video: Red Bull drivers Puch it to the Maxi

Ok, so they might be Gileras rather than the iconic Puch, but nonetheless, nice to see that not all F1 drivers are humourless dullards.  Here’s Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat having a lot of fun...

Our Bikes BMW HP2 Sport

Our Bikes BMW HP2 Sport

“Will I ever sell it? I can’t see that day coming yet” Sportsbike loving Tim Thompson became boxer fan by accident. Here’s how he came to own the ultimate BMW twin      It seems funny now, but long...