Trevor Franklin Motorcycle News

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Staff bikes: KTM 990 SMT ABS - Retuned to perfection

Trevor Franklin, 05 October 2011 16:49

Although the KTM 990 SM-T looks the same black and white bike I'd left at BSD Performance for a dyno run and fuelling check, the bike I got back now runs like a completely different machine. The KTM's low-rpm throttle snatch around town is now nothing more than a memory. Throttle response in first and second gearis smoother with the ...

Kawasaki's VN1700 'bagger' rolls into UK

Trevor Franklin, 05 August 2011 09:56

The new, chopped-down, touring VN1700 Voyager Custom is the third bike in Kawasaki's Voyager line-up to hit the UK and neatly fills a gap between the fully-dressed touring Voyager and laid-back, unfaired Classic. Effectively it's jumping on the 'bagger' bandwagon - a bagger being a cruiser with panniers (bags) and decent comfort. That means you can have your cake and ...

Honda CBR125R first ride: it's good

Trevor Franklin, 18 March 2011 16:33

After seven years on sale the CBR125R was a global success. Easy to ride from the moment the key is inserted with a low seat, soft, forgiving handling and dependable four-stroke engine all made the CBR a hit with style-conscious youths and tight adults alike. But sales were waning. Despite a higher price tag, Yamaha’s YZF125R was eroding the CBR125’s ...

2011 Triumph Speed Triple: your questions answered

Trevor Franklin, 11 October 2010 15:51

The world launch of Triumph’s 2011 Speed Triple takes place in southern Spain this week and Motorcycle News will be there to send back web reports as the launch unfolds. The full story of how the new Speed triple performs will feature in Motorcycle News, issue dated Wednesday 20th October. If you have a question to ask Triumph about the ...

2010 Triumph Sprint GT - first riding impressions from Skye

Trevor Franklin, 19 May 2010 16:20

Trevor Franklin reports after his first 50 miles and has this to say about the new Triumph Sprint GT1050. It's obvious Triumph has taken the direction of the Sprint GT to a higher touring level from the looks alone, but from the seat it¹s even more apparent; very comfortable under the bum, with an effective screen in front of you that ...

2010 Triumph Sprint GT launch

Trevor Franklin, 19 May 2010 13:33

MCN Chief Road Tester, Trevor Franklin, is currently in Scotland around the area of Inveraray riding Triumph’s latest 1050 Sprint model. The new Sprint GT is Triumph’s touring focussed version of the faithful Sprint ST. This bike has received a host of updates to make it their flagship touring machine, priced at £9,499 the bike comes with large panniers as ...

Trevor Franklin's top three bikes of 2009

Trevor Franklin, 23 December 2009 10:55

1) KTM RC8R When KTM introduced the 1190 RC8 in 2008, its specification promised so much. The 1148cc motor was credited with a 152.6bhp and 88.56ftlb of torque – big figures for a 75° V-twin. With this potent lump bolted into a taut, lithe chassis and dressed in sharper than sharp clothes, the RC8 became a serious rival to Ducati’s ...

2010 BMW S1000RR first ride update: “An incredible track tool”

Trevor Franklin, 17 November 2009 17:12

MCN Chief Road tester Trevor Franklin is currently testing the all-new BMW S1000RR superbike in Portimao, Portugal. This is his latest feedback: “For the final session of the day the bike was put into all-or-nothing ‘Slick’ mode, where the traction control, ABS and throttle response are set for full-on action on slick tyres. Win a BMW S1000RR! First ride: Troy ...

KTM Duke R first ride

Trevor Franklin, 29 October 2009 17:42

KTM’s model line-up for 2010 will include this revised 690 Duke R which features a 7bhp power increase along with more midrange torque. Find a KTM 690 Duke for sale This new machine’s first appearance was scheduled for the milan show next month - but MCN managed to persuade the Austrian manufacturer to open its factory gates for an exclusive first ride on a ...

First ride: British-built Metisse prototype

Trevor Franklin, 16 October 2009 16:09

This 997cc Metisse parallel twin could eclipse Norton's long-awaited production plans with the first machines set to hit the road within 18 months. The British company, based near Oxford, has already built a working prototype parallel twin engine of its own design and bolted it into an existing chassis. MCN was granted a first ride, and we were pleasantly surprised ...