This year is going to epic, one I’m going to look back on for years to come and it’s mainly going to be down to my lovely ZX-6R. Just last week I took delivery of my new Kawasaki and unusually for me, I’m treating her with kid-gloves, nice and gentle for the first few hundred miles, before unleashing its full ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 03 May 2013
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
As the biking audience matures, demand continues to increase for adventure bikes. Early last year Triumph launched its new Explorer which took the coveted MCN road test class crown in 2012. But since then Ducati has launched its new ‘skyhook’ Multistrada, the first to come with true semi-active suspension, while both KTM and BMW have introduced new models which have ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 11 April 2013
‘Outstanding’, ‘amazing’, and ‘work of art’ are all labels liberally applied to the exotic race bikes built by John Britten, but in reality the Britten deserves a unique accolade to celebrate its existence. In many peoples’ minds it’s simply the greatest bike ever made. For me it transcends everything, it’s a dream bike, it was the poster bike I had ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 24 January 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
In 2010 Ducati’s all new Multistrada turned the adventure market on its head. It was a breath of fresh air, the sportiest bike in the sector. An impressive 150bhp from the 1199 V-Twin was backed up with high-tech gizmos, comfort and usability. It proved to be the success story Ducati was hoping for. Now three years on Ducati want to ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 07 January 2013
Ducati’s Multistrada 1200 revolutionised the adventure bike class when it was introduced in 2010. Its sporty mix of 150bhp (derived from its 1199-derived V-twin), combined with high tech gizmos and real world comfort and usability proved a winning combination with over 20,000 examples sold worldwide so far. Three years on, Ducati is aiming to keep the Multistrada ahead of the ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 27 September 2012
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
Aprilia’s revised exotic Dorsoduro 1200 has lost weight, gained some Italian ponies and now has a three-way traction control as standard. If you thought the Supermoto scene was drying up you’d be wrong. Aprilia are seven times world supermoto champions, and the Dorsoduro has been a success story since its launch in 750 format back in 2008. It’s Aprilia’s third best-selling ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 19 March 2012
