2015
MILAN SHOW: Kawasaki target supercharged future
17 November 2015 by
Kawasaki have revealed more images and details about their new direction for supercharged motorcycles with the Spirit Charger and Soul Charger concept images, and their new ‘Balanced Supercharged...
MILAN SHOW: Kawasaki ZX-10R gets WSB replica
17 November 2015 by
Kawasaki revealed their all-new ZX-10R superbike four weeks ago, but unveiled a superb-looking Winter Edition, jointly developed with the Kawasaki Racing Team, at the Milan show. The new edition gets...
Picture story: Led Zep and the l'il Suzies
17 November 2015 by
You might have seen this shot of Led Zeppelin aboard some Suzukis and wondered what the story was. What hell was about to be raised or was in the process of being escaped from? Well, not much. It was...
MILAN SHOW: BMW update GS range for 2016
17 November 2015 by
BMW’s F700GS and F800GS get a minor refresh for 2016, with newly-designed fuel tank covers and a host of minor cosmetic changes aimed at giving the duo a mild refresh. Owners can specify one of five...
Dainese's secret stash of Rossi suits revealed (part 2)
17 November 2015 by
The nine times world champion has won all his titles in Dainese leathers, MCN is granted unique access to the factory’s secret stash of Rossi suits Valentino Rossi and Dainese are celebrating a...
MILAN SHOW: BMW reveal new Scrambler
17 November 2015 by
This is the new BMW R nineT Scrambler which combines the air/oil cooled boxer twin used in the wildly successful R nineT with Scrambler styling and fewer high-end cycle parts to deliver a more...
MILAN SHOW: Suzuki strip SV650 naked
17 November 2015 by
The SV has been a mainstay of the mid-market since the end of the 1990s, and a recent resurgence in popularity of the half-faired SV650S has clearly given Suzuki the impetus to reintroduce the naked...
MILAN SHOW: Yamaha's 60th Anniversary R1 breaks cover
16 November 2015 by
Celebrating 60 years of motorcycle production and competition, this 60th Anniversary YZF-R1 gets the iconic Yamaha Kenny Roberts yellow and black speedblock racing colours and graphics, complete with...
MILAN SHOW: Honda reveal mass of updated models
16 November 2015 by
Honda have revealed a whole host of model updates in Milan, revitalising the A2-friendly CB500 range, the frugal NC750, and adding a new fun off-roader through their Montesa brand. CB500 range...
MILAN SHOW: Ducati reveal 400cc Scrambler Sixty2
16 November 2015 by
Ducati have made no secret of the fact it would be adding more models to the stunningly successful Scrambler range, and this 400cc version is the next version to join the family. Putting out a smaller...
MILAN SHOW: Ducati update Hypermotard range for 2016
16 November 2015 by
There big news for the Hypermotard and Hyperstrada in 2016 is the fitment of a new Euro4 compliant 937cc V-twin engine. All of the bikes in the range share the same motor which now produces 113bhp and...
MILAN SHOW: Ducati target GS with Multistrada 1200 Enduro
16 November 2015 by
Ducati have added two new additional models to the Multistrada 1200 model range in the form of the Enduro model, while also reintroducing the Pikes Peak edition. Multistrada Enduro highlights Larger...
MILAN SHOW: Ducati 959 Panigale revealed
16 November 2015 by
There was a time when a 955cc Ducati would have been pinnacle of performance from the Bologna factory, but the firm’s the new 959 Panigale is now regarded as ‘Supermid’ in Ducati’s own...
‘I’ve ridden 30,000 bikes’
16 November 2015 by
Ex Matchless, AJS and Norton road tester Alan Jones recalls life in the golden age of the British motorcycle industry. fter I’d been in the army in Egypt for three years I came back to England in the...
Dainese's secret stash of Rossi suits revealed (part 1)
16 November 2015 by
The nine times world champion has won all his titles in Dainese leathers, MCN is granted unique access to the factory’s secret stash of Rossi suits Valentino Rossi and Dainese are celebrating a...
It happened to me: The day I beat Slippery Sam
15 November 2015 by
Tony Smith was a farmer when, in front of a huge crowd at Silverstone’s John Player Grand Prix in 1975, he performed an extraordinary feat against lap record holder Percy Tait aboard a legendary...
The Great Powertrain Robbery - a classic John Robinson investigation
14 November 2015 by
How much power gets lost between the piston and the back wheel? It takes power to make power, and in a series of special tests on a GPX750, Performance Bikes’ legendary technical editor tracked down...
750/900SS Restorations
14 November 2015 by
Cheaper than many Dukes, the Super Sport makes an easy and affordable resto. Just ask this lot… ucati’s 750 and 900SS of the 1990s are great reflections of the firm’s ethos, blending power, handling...
Go sprinting with MCNLive!
13 November 2015 by
Next year’s MCNLive! event at Butlins Skegness is shaping up to be huge, with more bands than ever before, a wide selection of daytime activities, including the opportunity to ride off-road and...
Bright Sparks
13 November 2015 by
Mugen Shinden’s TT Zero-winner is a serious electric power pioneer – but is it really the future? rom silence to 100% torque in one neck-straining second, the Mugen Shinden accelerates out of Motegi’s...
Aurora Motorcycles V8 has more shove than an H2R
13 November 2015 by
This is the Aurora Motorcycles V8 which MCN believes will be unveiled in Milan next week. The brainchild of Vincent Messina, an engineer based in Australia who is heralding it as the ‘Dawn of the...
Ride Route 66 at 90
12 November 2015 by
Next year will be the 90th anniversary of the holy grail of biking roads – Route 66 – and if it’s on your bucket list, Motorcycle Live is a good place to start the planning process, with everything...
My life in bikes: Jenson Button
12 November 2015 by
2009 F1 champion talks customs, Monaco commuting and bike escapism… When did you start riding? I actually only did my bike licence five years ago because before that when I was younger my parents...
Indian recall Chief for rear brake issues
11 November 2015 by
Indian Motorcycle have issued a recall to address a fault with the rear brake master cylinder piston assembly on selected bikes in the Chief family of models. The fault could lead to complete rear...
The Buyer: ‘There’s no rebellion in a factory custom’
11 November 2015 by
Neil Murray makes a living buying & selling pre-loved metal – and he’s on your side et’s cruise. Yeah, I know: there’s something faintly embarrassing about Japanese factory customs, or ‘cruisers’ as...
New BMW G310R roadster revealed
11 November 2015 by
BMW are pinning a huge amount on the success of this small-capacity roadster – their all-new G310R. The bike has been completely designed and engineered by BMW in Munich, Germany just like every...
Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory v Ducati Monster 1200 R
11 November 2015 by
Ducati have now dropped the Streetfighter S from their range, leaving the new Monster 1200 R as the firm’s naughtiest naked. But does it have enough fire to excite? We pitch it against Aprilia’s Tuono...
New MCN November 11: Rossi: I feel cheated
10 November 2015 by
In this week’s edition of MCN, available in newsagents, on iPad and Android from November11: Rossi: ‘I feel cheated’ 20-page MotoGP Special Danny Kent: champion at last! New Triumph Speed Triple...
Yamaha reveal Roland Sands MT-09 Faster Wasp
09 November 2015 by
Yamaha are expected to reveal a new model based on their phenomenally popular MT-09 at next week’s Milan show, and all the indications are that this Roland Sands special is part of the story. The firm...
Picture story: Inside the heart of an RD500
09 November 2015 by
How to pack four cylinders into a small space – these are two views of the 88bhp, 50° V4 two-stroke motor Yamaha introduced in the RD500 in 1984. Inspired by the YZR500 factory racer ridden by Kenny...
7 bikes that are costly to keep going
09 November 2015 by
These bikes will turn a small fortune into an even smaller one. Ducati 900SS (1990-1995) Yes, yes, a Ducati 900SS is (for many) the quintessential Ducati. Simple, light and while not wildly powerful,...
Metzeler announce new Roadtec 01
09 November 2015 by
Metzeler have launched a new high-mileage sport touring tyre called the Roadtec 01 to replace the Roadtec Z8 Interact. Although the 01 replaces the Z8, it has been developed from a completely new set...
Tell us about your bike!
09 November 2015 by
Have you bought one of these best-selling bikes of 2015? If so, we’d love to hear from you and why you reckon your bike has topped the sales chart. We want to know what you have to say about the below...
Landmark launch: Yamaha YZF R1
08 November 2015 by
In January 1998 Bike magazine’s rode tester Olly Duke rode the original R1 at the bikes launch in Cartagena. It’s fair to say he liked it. He liked it a lot. ESSS! Yes, yess, yeeesss! Omigod,...
Padgetts on how to win a TT: 'Get up early. And go to bed late'
07 November 2015 by
You want to win as many TT races as the Padgetts? Mike Nicks takes a lap with Mountain circuit guru Clive to find the team’s formula for success he alarm goes at 5.30am in my Snoozebox portable hotel...
Montesa 4RIDE revealed
06 November 2015 by
Montesa has revealed an all-new model called the 4RIDE, which bridges the gap between trials and enduro bikes, much like the KTM Freeride. The new model is powered by the same 259cc single cylinder...