Phil West, Executive Editor, is currently testing Honda’s new CB500X, the adventure styled version of it’s new 500 twin A2 licence friendly three bike range, near Barcelona in Spain. These are his first impressions. ‘Honda expect the new X version of its CB series to be the most popular of the three and on this first experience I have got ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 02 May 2013
KTM’s latest version of its Duke, the 390, is currently being put through its paces near the Austrian firm’s factory in Salzburg by MCN Senior Road Tester Adam ‘Chad’ Child. The £4495 machine sits between the 125 and 690 versions and KTM are quoting 44bhp along with 35nm torque from its new 375cc engine. Here’s Chad’s first impressions: ‘The styling’s ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 16 April 2013
Now here’s a seemingly good idea: one so simple and obvious you wonder why no-one’s thought of it before. Your average Chinese learner 125 is, shall we say, a tad basic and budget, right? Invariably powered by an old school, Suzuki-clone, air-cooled, four-stroke single and with cycle parts and general quality more in keeping with the stereotypical image of the ...
- Motorcycle News
- New bikes
- 08 April 2013
Triumph has launched two new special editions of its Bonneville and Speed Triple. The Bonneville SE boasts a distinctive red frame, special paint job, black grab rail, mirrors and bash plate and new indicators and headlamp. The Speed Triple SE, meanwhile, has a blue frame, swing arm and wheel stripes, a matt grey or gloss white paintscheme with contrasting blue ...
- Motorcycle News
- New bikes
- 01 March 2013
You may be surprised to learn just how many royals past and present have come in to contact with bikes, be it good or bad. We list the best and worst. The best 1. Prince HarryIn the news this week having returned from his latest Afghan tour as an Apache pilot, there’s no doubting the Third-in-Line’s biking CV: DT125 then ...
- Motorcycle News
- General news
- 01 March 2013
There have only been a handful of bikes appeared in Doctor Who over the years. Here, we run through the best and worst biking connections to Doctor Who. 1 - Matt SmithIt’s no secret that this year’s Christmas special The Snowmen (BBC 1, Christmas Day) features the Time Lord riding a bike, namely a Triumph Bonneville Scrambler, with new companion ...
- Motorcycle News
- General news
- 24 December 2012
This official brochure pic of KTM’s all-new 1190 Adventure has leaked out of the factory ahead of its scheduled unveiling at the Cologne Show on October 2. Apparently, KTM themselves mistakenly posted the brochure page on its own website, where it was quickly picked up by other sites, before taking the image down again. As expected it confirms the spec ...
- Motorcycle News
- New bikes
- 19 September 2012
Ducati’s updated 2013 Multistrada line-up has just broken cover – with the top-of-the-range models now featuring the firm’s innovative new semi-active suspension system, ‘Skyhook’, as predicted by MCN last month. There will be four different models, as before, all with significant revisions, but the current 1200S Sport model will be discontinued and replaced by a new flagship machine – the ...
- Motorcycle News
- New bikes
- 18 September 2012
This is Triumph’s new XC version of its Explorer 1200 – the surprise unveiling and one of the highlights of the weekend’s Triumph Live at Mallory Park. Built as a more, rugged, off-road orientated version of the Explorer (in a similar way to its smaller Tiger 800 and Tiger 800 XC double act) and undoubtedly aimed squarely at BMW’s R1200GS ...
- Motorcycle News
- New bikes
- 03 September 2012
Kevin Schwantz on his works Suzuki RGV500 and Randy Mamola riding his 1980 XR31 RG500 will be two of the stars at this summer’s Festival of 1000 Bikes at Mallory Park. The two ‘80s and ‘90s GP legends will both be riding in the classic event’s ‘Past Masters’ headline feature on the Sunday of the three day festival which takes ...
- Motorcycle News
- General news
- 10 February 2012
