Bike news

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 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 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 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...

The Best In Breed: Ducati Superbike Special

The Best In Breed: Ducati Superbike Special

MCN looks back at the Panigale family tree to uncover how Ducati has turned its once wayward V-twin into the superbike to beat. he 1299 Panigale S is a bike that defies logic, not to mention physics.

Classic TT Rotaries: Dunlop rides a TT Norton

Classic TT Rotaries: Dunlop rides a TT Norton

23 years after Hislop’s TT win, the Island will once more echo to the wail of a Norton rotary, with William Dunlop in the hot seat. And MCN was there for his first ride. he slight figure of a racer...

Posing power: Just design statements or rewarding rides?

Posing power: Just design statements or rewarding rides?

Harley, Ducati and Guzzi’s entry-level machines battle to capture the attention of the capital’s most fashion-conscious critics hese bikes provide an entry into three of the coolest brands in biking.

Smarter, sharper CBR500R revealed

Smarter, sharper CBR500R revealed

Honda used the Tokyo Motor Show to confirm and release exciting 2016 models, ahead of Europe’s biggest motorcycle show, EICMA, in two weeks’ time. Leading the long list of confirmed 2016 models were...

Laverda’s Street Sleepers

Laverda’s Street Sleepers

Laverda’s ’70s twins are overshadowed by a certain triple wearing the same badge. But the 500 Alpino and SF750 have their own charm and appeal. ention ‘Laverda’ to any biker of a certain age, and I’d...

New theft threat

New theft threat

Police in the UK, and particularly in London, have noticed a worrying new high-tech trend emerging in the way bike thieves track down their targets, according to bike crime expert Ken German. While...

The Buyer: ‘£6k for an ’01 Gold Wing? It’s a bargain’

The Buyer: ‘£6k for an ’01 Gold Wing? It’s a bargain’

Neil Murray makes a living buying & selling pre-loved metal – and he’s on your side ne thing I couldn’t help noticing while perusing the new bike registration figures was the sharp decline in sales of...

Generation Next

Generation Next

Electric trials bikes are the TY80s of the digital age – but how easy is it to get your kids on two wheels? aving spent most of my adult life juggling work and family commitments in order to make more...