They may be about as relevant in the UK as a 50ft Winnebago or eight-litre SUV but, if you hadn’t cottoned on already, ‘baggers’ - or be-bagged or panniered cruisers designed for comfort and custom style and, usually, also with Plexiglass screens, a relaxed riding position and footboards instead of conventional footpegs, are big news in the U S of A. ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 30 April 2013
BMW’s all-new and eagerly-awaited R1200GS is currently being put through its paces in South Africa by MCN Senior Tester Adam Child. Here are his first impressions: “We’re in 40 degree heat heading off on a two-day ride but you instantly notice the BMW’s new, partially watercooled engine: it’s far more responsive, livelier and the extra power makes the ride so ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 22 January 2013
Going by the sales figures, new supersport 600s today are about as appealing as an ‘internal inspection’ at Terminal 5 – a far, far cry from the sales topping stats of bikes like the CBR600F in the 1990s. The quest for track and race success has resulted, so the theory goes, in bikes which are too extreme as road bikes ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 26 July 2012
Today, machines such as the Triumph Daytona 675R and the MV Agusta F3 have brought a new dimension to middleweight supersports machines. And with this new 848 Evo Corse Ducati is both following in the footsteps of the previous 748 and 749 and promising to move things up a notch further still. In short, the limited edition Evo comes with all ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 22 March 2012
Although Benelli hasn't gone the way of compatriots Moto Morini (which went into administration last year), there's no doubt it has been struggling, with model updates limited to minor revisions on a now ageing range of nakeds and sportsters based around the Pesaro-firm's charismatic three-cylinder engine. The new TNT R160 is the latest example of the breed. Effectively Benelli's only ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 04 August 2011
Shaw Harley-Davidson have been busy again creating this mouth-watering masterpiece! The Sportster Custom XLST3 is based on a 2011 XL1200N, and is littered with parts from Performance Machine Wheels and Roland Sands. It’s gone onto win the London International Custom bike show, in the modified Harley-Davidson class, and 4th in the Irish International custom show. Senior road tester Michael Neeves ...
- Motorcycle News
- Custom & modified bikes
- 03 June 2011
This is the horrifying moment last night when TT rider Paul Shoesmith entered pit lane at 150mph by mistake. Apparently Shoesmith – on board his Ice Valley BMW S1000RR – was blinded by the sun and was slightly off line. The experienced TT rider went on to record a best lap last night of 118.726 – impressive after such a ...
- Motorcycle News
- General news
- 01 June 2011
Senior Road Tester Adam Child is in Southern Spain at the launch of the new 2011 ABS-equipped KTM SMT. Aside from the anti-lock brakes the model is largely unchanged, but KTM are keen to point out that this is no ordinary ABS system - they claim it’s the most sophisticated ABS system available on the road at the moment. Adam Child said: "KTM couldn’t ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 26 January 2011
Suzuki’s new GSX-R600 is lighter, has more midrange torque and extra revs, but can it beat the competition from both Japan and the UK? Find a used sports 600 for sale Senior road tester Michael Neeves is on his way to the south of France to find out. He’ll be riding each bike on the legendary Route Napoleon, one of ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 14 January 2011
Dainese Chiodo TT jacket, £349.99Miles covered/time: 3000/one year What’s good? It’s made from very light, soft leather. It’s works in the pub as well as on the bike, too. There’s still there’s plenty of armour to feel secure. The fit is excellent, not baggy like some leather jackets, and I love the retro look and side zip. It’s not over ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Leathers, jackets & suits
- 28 October 2010
