First rides & tests

Year: ALL

Video: Onboard 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R

29 January 2008 by Adam Child

For the first time you can see video evidence of how wild Kawasaki’s new ZX-10R is flat out. Watch the new Kawasaki rev out in top gear as it bounces of its speed limiter and check out how much the bars move as the bike twitches over the bumpy test track. Then watch as it takes on Yamaha’s R1, which comes out on top in a simple flat out run. You can read the full test of all this year’s 1000cc...

Ducati 1098R first riding impressions

28 January 2008 by Michael Neeves

MCN Senior Road Tester Michael Neeves has just been riding Ducati’s brand new 1098R superbike at its world launch at Jerez in southern Spain. This is what he has to say: “Ducati is back to its...

MCN Daily 24/01/08: Your daily video motorcycle news

24 January 2008 by Angus Farquhar

In episode 31 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show we get sneak spy shots of Triumphs new 1700cc cruiser, Dani Pedrosa’s fireball crash leaves him with a broken hand and Honda WSB riders get out on track for the first time. Subscribe to this podcast with RSS Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in just three minutes then email us here to let us know...

Fireblade gets ready to take on its rivals

24 January 2008 by Michael Neeves

The waiting is finally over. We’ve finally got our hands on one of the first new Honda CBR1000RR FireBlades in Europe, and that means we can get to work on seeing which of the 1000cc Japanese...

Gallery: 08 R6 v 07 R6

23 January 2008 by Angus Farquhar

You have to look close and closer still at the new R6 and the one it supersedes to spot the differences, but they are there and we have had them out on a track to find them. Wether the new R6 is...

Video: BMW R1200GS Adventure v KTM 990 Adventure

23 January 2008 by Adam Child, Angus Faquhar

There is only one bike that can really take on BMW’s new R1200GS Adventure and that’s the KTM 990 Adventure. And what better way to test them than to tackle a bit of off-road in the Cairngorms mid winter. Check out the video below to see how our team got on with the long ride north and the frozen conditions when they got there.

Video: Kawasaki ZX-10R v R1

14 January 2008 by Michael Neeves

Check out the first monster battle of 2008. In this video we pitch the new Kawasaki ZX-10R against the Yamaha R1; our superbike of choice for 2007. The ZX-10R has already ripped up the rule book by producing a staggering 170bhp; 8bhp more than the R1. It also flew down our test track at a genuine 184mph, in the wet! But for this test we take both bikes to Brands Hatch and put them through their...

MCN Daily 11/01/08: Your video motorcycle news update

11 January 2008 by Angus Farquhar

In episode 25 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show we hear about Troy Bayliss injuring himself in testing at Phillip Island, the new Kawasaki ZX-10R making 170bhp at the rear wheel and riders are facing lower legal alcohol limits than car drivers under new proposals. Subscribe to this podcast with RSS Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in just three...

Britain's got biking talent winner ridden

11 January 2008 by Michael Neeves

The Carole Nash ‘Britain’s Got Biking Talent’ competition that MCN ran last year pulled in over 4500 examples of specials and restored classics. Michael Neeves tried out the winning 170bhp Kawasaki...

Video: Charley Boorman on the 2008 BMW R1200GS

10 January 2008 by Angus Farquhar

Long Way Down star Charley Boorman joined our man on the launch of the 2008 BMW R1200GS and gave us his opinion on the heavily updated bike. Check out the video below to hear what Charley had to say about the new machine and watch the bikes in action at the Welsh launch. Zoom & Watch more videos on MCN |...

Video: Carole Nash Britain's got biking talent winner

09 January 2008 by Michael Neeves

This very special Kawasaki is the winner of the ‘Britain’s Got Biking Talent’ competition we ran last year with Carole Nash; seeing off over 4500 entries. Check out our video to see what makes this 170bhp ZXR1200 so special and more importantly what it’s like to ride. For a full report, check it out in this week’s MCN (Wednesday, 9th January).

MCN Daily: Your daily video motorcycle news for 08/01/08

08 January 2008 by Daniel Thornton, Angus Farquhar

In episode 23 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show we hear that the Honda CB100R concept could make it to production, Ducati puts it’s MotoGP bike on ice and Johnathan Rea puts on a good show in Philip Island Subscribe to this podcast with RSS Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in just three minutes then email us here to let us know what you think of...

Video: Moto Guzzi's Stelvio first ride

08 January 2008 by Michael Neeves, Howard Boylan

In our world Exclusive video test, Senior Road Tester Michael Neeves travels to Italy to ride Moto Guzzi’s brand new Stelvio. This is the Italian firm’s answer to the mighty BMW R1200GS, but is it any good? Check out the video and the full report in this week’s MCN to find out…

Video: Onboard lap of Jerez

07 January 2008 by Angus Farquhar

Last year MCN road-tester Michael Neeves rode his long-term test Yamaha R1 down to Jerez for a bit of fun and a track school with the Masterclass race school and was taught the ropes by none other than ex-MotoGP god, Jeremy McWilliams. We’ve already shown you the highlights of the school in a previous video but dreadging through the archive we realised that the onboard footage from the session was...

Video: BMW R1200GS 2008 on and off-road launch

03 January 2008 by Adam Child

BMW’s R1200GS and Adventure have been improved for 2008. But by How much exactly? Check out the videos below to see the GS tested on-road and the GS Adventure tested off-road with the help of Motorcycle adventurer Charley Boorman, then take a little look behind the scenes in our crash compilation. It’s quite hard to hold up a 200+ kg bike when it starst to go over. Zoom & Watch more videos on MCN...

Video: Has Kawasaki really changed the ZZR for 2008?

02 January 2008 by Adam Child

Kawasaki has introduced an updated ZZR1400 for 2008 but can anyone tell the difference? We took the 2007 and 2008 machines to the Bruntingthorpe proving ground to see just what the difference is.

Picture special: Kawasaki's KLX140 off road motorcycle invites you to play

28 December 2007 by JC Hildebrand

The idea of a purpose-built, off-road ‘playbike’ may be an unfamiliar one in the UK, but in the USA it’s big business, as proven by Kawasaki’s all-new KLX140. ‘Playbikes’ are essentially what the name...

Video: Jonathan Rea reflects on the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade launch

24 December 2007 by Sarah Carnell

Hannspree Ten Kate Honda rider Jonathan Rea was at the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade launch in Losail, Qatar last week. Check out this video to see what Jonathan Rea thought off the 2008 Fireblade. (Video supplied by: Gary Price at www.gspdesigns.com) See an onboard lap of Jonathan Rea on the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade See MCN’s Senior Road Tester Trevor Franklin’s thoughts on the Honda CBR1000RR...

Video: 2007 review of the road-test year

24 December 2007

In the first of our Reviews of the Year we look back at a year of fantastic road tests that have seen the launch of some of the most exciting bikes in a long time. Check out the video below to see which bikes MCN Road test editor Phil West chooses to highlight and keep tuned for our news and sport reviews in the coming days.

Video: 2008 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade launch test

18 December 2007 by Trevor Franklin, Ian Jubb, Chris Slade

Chief MCN road tester Trevor Franklin has just finished testing the 2008 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade in Qatar and you can see his full video report. Check out the video below to see what Trev thinks of the new Honda Fireblade and click here to watch an onboard lap of the track on the new motorcycle by British Superbike and World Supersport rider Jonathan Rea.

MCN and Charley Boorman test the new BMW R1200GS and Adventure

18 December 2007 by Adam Child

Motorcycle News Road Tester Adam Child, along with guest tester Charley Boorman from ‘The Long Way Down’, are currently in windy Wales testing the updated 2008 BMW R1200GS Adventure and standard 2008...

MCN Daily: Your daily video news for 17/12/07

17 December 2007 by Daniel Thornton, Chris Slade

In Episode 16 of the MCN Daily video show we hear about MCN road tester Trevor Franklin riding the new 2008 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, how British Trading Standards are looking into how secure motorcycle locks actually are, Nissan offereing limited edition Nissan Navara’s after Long Way Down’s success and Suzuki boss Paul Denning speaks about the pressure placed on Valentino Rossi. Subscribe to...

Video: Johnny Rea onboard the 2008 Fireblade in Qatar

17 December 2007 by Sarah Carnell

Check out the exclusive video below as Jonathan Rea takes the 2008 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade for a test run at the Losail Circuit in Qatar. Rea, who will be riding for Hannspree Ten Kate World Supersport team in next season, gives you the full experience of an on-board lap of the circuit. See this week’s MCN, available from Wednesday, December 19, 2007 for the full test of the Honda CBR1000RR...

First test report on the 2008 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade

17 December 2007 by Trevor Franklin

In the principality of Doha, Qatar’s Losail Circuit is the venue for the launch of the new 2008 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade. MCN’s Chief Road Tester Trevor Franklin is at the circuit testing the new...

MCN Daily: Your daily video news for 12/12/07

12 December 2007 by Angus Farquhar, Daniel Thornton

In Episode 13 of the MCN Daily video show Ducati is forced to stop production after lorry drivers protest, Ducati Desmosedici sells out, V-Rhoer gets go-ahead and Andrew Pitt talks about the Ten Kate CBR600RR traction control. Subscribe to this podcast with RSS Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in just three minutes then email us here to let us know...

Picture exclusive: R1 Cup motorcycles get the Neevesy treatment

12 December 2007 by Sarah Carnell

The new-for-2008 R1 Cup is set to be an exciting addition to the support races for the British Superbike Championship next year. The one-make championship will see all 36 Yamaha R1s on the grid...

MCN Daily: Your daily video news for 11/12/07

11 December 2007 by Daniel Thornton, Chris Slade

In Episode 12 of the MCN Daily video show we have news on wire barriers being introduced to single carriageway roads, a clamp down on Christmas drink driving and Gilera’s three-wheeled hybrid scooter. Subscribe to this podcast with RSS Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in just three minutes then email us here to let us know what you think of the new...

Video: Gilera Fuoco

10 December 2007 by Trevor Franklin

Gilera’s Fuoco is a big-capacity version of Piaggio’s 250cc MP3. Both look like scooters but with their ability to lean they ride like a motorcycle. And with three wheels they are extremely safe because of this stability, but that’s where the similarities end. Check out the video below as MCN’s Chief Road Tester, Trevor Franklin, puts the Gilera Fuoco through its paces. To find out about the...

Video: 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R full test

07 December 2007 by Adam Child, Howard Boylan, Chris Slade

MCN Roadtester Adam Child has been out testing the 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R in Qatar. We’ve already shown you his first impressions and a hot lap of the middle-eastern circuit and now you can see his full report. Click here to see dyno figures for the ZX-10R Click here for details on how to win a ZX-10R Check out the video below to see chads opinion of the new bike and some fast track action and...

Video: A lap of Qatar onboard the 2008 ZX-10R

06 December 2007 by Angus FArquhar, Adam Child, Howard Boylan

MCN Road-tester Adam Child put in some hot laps of the Qatar circuit on the 2008 Kawaski ZX-10R (but still couldn’t keep up with the Kawasaki test rider) and you can. check out the onboard video...

Video: First ride of BMW's new sports bike, the HP2 Sport

05 December 2007 by Angus Farquhar, Ian Jubb, Adam Child

MCN man Trevor Franklin has just finished riding BMW’s carbon clad HP2 Sport for the first time and you can see the motorcycle in action. See what Trev thought of the £14,500 motorcycle in the video below and read his full test in the December 12 edition of MCN.

MCN Daily: Your daily video news for 04/12/07

04 December 2007 by Angus Farquhar, Dave Rawlings

In Episode 7 of the MCN Daily video show we catch up with Chief MCN Road-tester Trevor Franklin as he tests the all new BMW HP2 Sport, take a look at the massive Ducati celebration in Bologna and throw our weight behind James Toseland in his bid for BBC Sports personality of the year. Subscribe to this podcast with RSS Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the...

Picture special: New AJS YX-R125

04 December 2007 by Chris Pearson

Although proudly wearing the AJS logo this is a machine with little in common with its illustrious British ancestors. Instead, the new Chinese-built YX-R is a generic single cylinder design similar to...

BMW HP2 launch first impressions

04 December 2007 by Trevor Franklin

The new BMW HP Sport caught the eyes of the 1000s of visitors to the recent NEC Motorcycle Show and MCN can now say it goes as good as it looks. MCN´s chief road tester Trevor Franklin is at the...

MCN Daily: Your daily video news for 03/12/07

03 December 2007 by Angus Farquhar, Andy Downes

In Episode 6 of the MCN Daily video show we remember the legend that was Evel Knievel, catch up with Michael Neeves as he gets the first ride on the new Ducati 848 and Honda CBF600 and hear from Adam Child as he gets the first ride of the Kawasaki ZX-10R. Subscribe to this podcast with RSS Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in just three minutes then...

Video: Kawasaki ZX-10R first impressions

03 December 2007 by Howard Boylan, Adam Child

MCN Road-tester Adam Child has just got off the brand new Kawasaki ZX-10R after the first session at its launch in Qatar and has sent us his first impressions. See the full test video here Check out the video below to see some quick footage of the bike in action and hear what Chad has to say about the new motorcycle then check back on Wednesday to see the full video review and grab a copy of the...