2015

MILAN SHOW: Kawasaki target supercharged future

MILAN SHOW: Kawasaki target supercharged future

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

MILAN SHOW: Kawasaki ZX-10R gets WSB replica

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

Picture story: Led Zep and the l'il Suzies

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

MILAN SHOW: BMW update GS range for 2016

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)

Dainese's secret stash of Rossi suits revealed (part 2)

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

MILAN SHOW: BMW reveal new Scrambler

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

MILAN SHOW: Suzuki strip SV650 naked

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

MILAN SHOW: Yamaha's 60th Anniversary R1 breaks cover

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

MILAN SHOW: Honda reveal mass of updated models

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

MILAN SHOW: Ducati reveal 400cc Scrambler Sixty2

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

MILAN SHOW: Ducati update Hypermotard range for 2016

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

MILAN SHOW: Ducati target GS with Multistrada 1200 Enduro

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

MILAN SHOW: Ducati 959 Panigale revealed

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’

‘I’ve ridden 30,000 bikes’

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)

Dainese's secret stash of Rossi suits revealed (part 1)

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

It happened to me: The day I beat Slippery Sam

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

The Great Powertrain Robbery - a classic John Robinson investigation

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

750/900SS Restorations

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!

Go sprinting with MCNLive!

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

Bright Sparks

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

Aurora Motorcycles V8 has more shove than an H2R

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

Ride Route 66 at 90

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

My life in bikes: Jenson Button

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

Indian recall Chief for rear brake issues

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’

The Buyer: ‘There’s no rebellion in a factory custom’

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

New BMW G310R roadster revealed

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

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory v Ducati Monster 1200 R

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

New MCN November 11: Rossi: I feel cheated

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

Yamaha reveal Roland Sands MT-09 Faster Wasp

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

Picture story: Inside the heart of an RD500

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

7 bikes that are costly to keep going

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

Metzeler announce new Roadtec 01

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!

Tell us about your bike!

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

Landmark launch: Yamaha YZF R1

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'

Padgetts on how to win a TT: 'Get up early. And go to bed late'

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

Montesa 4RIDE revealed

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...