2016 Long Term Fleet

The ultimate road test

Welcome to MCN's 120,000-mile test of 2016's key new machines. From Triumph Thruxton R to Kawasaki J125, it's the UK's most comprehensive bike fleet.

MCN's 2015 Longterm Fleet - we present the most important collection of bikes in 2015.

Year: ALL

MCN Fleet: Superstition IS the way for SV650

15 July 2016 by Tony Hoare

It’s the question to which there could only be one answer. ‘Do you want crash protectors for the SV?’ What was I supposed to say – ‘No thanks, I don’t need crash protectors’? Related: Full 2016...

MCN Fleet: CB500F beats R1200RT in A1 commute

15 July 2016 by Oli Rushby

If you had the choice between Honda’s CB500F and BMW’s R1200RT for a hefty, dual carriageway based commute, you’d be daft not to choose the RT. Related: 2019 Honda CB500F review A seat resembling an...

MCN Fleet: KTM Super Duke GT – The Longest Day (Part 2)

14 July 2016 by Richard Newland

There’s nothing more cathartic than covering big miles in a short period of time. It takes your brain to a better place – and you’ll never feel more at one with your bike. On Monday, June 20 – the...

MCN Fleet: Touring is miles more fun on the F800GS

12 July 2016 by James Archibald

As I near the 10,000-mile mark I’ve started to reflect on my time with the GS so far. I’m finding it a great machine to live with and for the most part I’m really happy with it. Sure there are a...

MCN Fleet: ZX-10R - plush like a racer

11 July 2016 by Michael Neeves

One of the most impressive things about this latest model ZX-10R is its supple ride quality and stability. It’s all down to the Kawasaki’s new chassis and Showa suspension set-up, which includes new...

MCN Fleet: Advancing skills on the Harley Street 750

09 July 2016 by Alison Silcox

Turning up for my first session with IAM observer, Alie Ball, I was pleasantly surprised by her lack of high-viz clothing! Related: Full Harley-Davidson Street 750 review I’d met Alie at a trackday...

MCN Fleet: Multistrada Enduro gets new rubber

08 July 2016 by Andy Davidson

When I first took the keys for the Ducati Multistrada Enduro, I proudly (and naively) claimed that I’d have a go at recreating Ducati’s promotional Enduro video, if you’ve not seen it, you can check...

MCN Fleet: Scrambler Inspiration kit perks up the Street Twin

06 July 2016 by Ped Baker

The Street Twin has just returned from its first service fitted with Triumph’s official Scrambler Inspiration kit. I’ve criticised the Street for being a little dull looks wise but the Scrambler kit...

MCN Fleet: BMW R1200RT at Cadwell Park

05 July 2016 by Adam Child

Ok I should have removed the panniers, or at least emptied them. I still had a spare open face helmet in one pannier and my lunch in the other. And yes playing Radio 1 whilst pulling wheelies over...

MCN Fleet: Keeping the Kawasaki J125 sparkling

05 July 2016 by Simon Patterson

So far, I’ll admit that thanks to a rather hectic schedule I haven’t had much of a chance to do much riding on my Kawasaki J125 long termer! Arriving while I was in Qatar for the opening round of...

MCN Fleet: Saving the pennies with the CB500F

04 July 2016 by Oli Rushby

I’ll be honest. In my last update I was perhaps a little harsh to slate the CB500F’s ability as a long-distance commuter. After all, that’s not what it’s built for – Honda sell the CB500X (using the...

MCN Fleet: Should Husqvarna 701 Supermoto stay stealthy?

02 July 2016 by Liam Marsden

If there’s one thing that bugs me a little about the 701 Supermoto other than the comfort it’s that it sounds a bit naff with the standard, and rather large, exhaust. 2015 Husqvarna 701 Supermoto...

MCN Fleet: Kawasaki's ZX-10R doesn't stop me in my tracks

30 June 2016 by Michael Neeves

Despite being updated with Brembo calipers for 2016, the brakes on my ZX-10R are weak. During our superbike shoot-out earlier in the year we brake tested all the bikes and the Kawasaki took 50.24...

MCN Fleet: Time for a pit stop, again

29 June 2016 by James Archibald

In the three months I’ve had the GS I’ve clocked up a hefty 8384 miles, along the way getting 140-160 miles out of a tank before the reserve light comes on. For my riding and the distances I’m...

MCN Fleet: Life is good on the Africa Twin

28 June 2016 by Michael Guy

Now 5800 miles in to life with the Honda Africa Twin and things are going well. My recent adventures have taken me North for a 900-mile round trip to Scotland. Ever since I was a kid I’ve wanted to go...

MCN Fleet: KTM Super Duke GT goes posh at Goodwood

27 June 2016 by Richard Newland

I’m addicted to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and have been to fifteen or so of them over the last 23 years – only missing it when I have no choice. Much though I like to take the whole family,...

MCN Fleet: BMW S1000XR encounters a sticky problem

23 June 2016 by Andy Downes

I’d noticed something was amiss with the way the key was turning in the BMW S1000XR’s ignition barrel for a few days but assumed a little bit of dirt had fallen in and was responsible for the sticky...

MCN Fleet: KTM Super Duke GT – The Longest Day (Part 1)

21 June 2016 by Richard Newland

Not all days are equal you know – and Monday June 20 was most definitely a long one. In fact it was 966.2 miles long. As my front wheel first touched the road, the GT’s glowing orange dash reported...

MCN Fleet: Is Ducati XDiavel S made for two?

21 June 2016 by Emma Franklin

Like many motorcyclists, some of my most frightening two-wheeled experiences have been witnessed from the pillion seat. That’s not to say I’m a reluctant passenger, quite the opposite — I actually...

MCN Fleet: First 200 miles with Honda's CB500F

20 June 2016 by Oli Rushby

With Honda’s CB500F joining MCN’s test fleet last week, I thought it’d be rude to begin Ride to Work week without doing just that. Leaving my house in Lincoln at 7:45am, I arrived at our Peterborough...

MCN Fleet: Adventure on your doorstep on the F800GS

18 June 2016 by James Archibald

After spending a day learning to ride off-road at the Adventure Bike Academy previously, my next long-term adventure with my BMW F800 GS started on the doorstep of Snowdonia’s National park. With...

MCN Fleet: KTM Super Duke GT – stand and deliver

16 June 2016 by Richard Newland

There are always a few little niggles with new bikes, it’s the nature of the game – but sometimes you really do have to wonder how the test riders didn’t identify a problem before it became the...

MCN Fleet: Kawasaki ZX-10R update video

16 June 2016 by Michael Neeves

I’ve just returned from a seven-day trip to the Sachsenring on my ZX-10R, to race at the World GP Bike Legends event. I stopped off at the Nurburging for a few laps on the way and Spa on the way...

MCN Fleet: Mastering the mud on the F800GS

15 June 2016 by James Archibald

Dirt tracks, loose rocks and rivers have all passed me by so far in my riding career. The fear of dropping my bike on its side always played a key role in this. But now I have a GS. It’s built for...

MCN Fleet: TT trip means the SV650 feels far more natural now

13 June 2016 by Tony Hoare

It always takes a little time to feel like a bike is truly yours, and my trip to the Isle of Man TT was what I needed to bond with the Suzuki SV650. Related: Full 2016 Suzuki SV650 review It was...

MCN Fleet: Old school lube for Street Twin

12 June 2016 by Ped Baker

Many of my recent long-term test bikes have had one thing in common – belt drive – so I wasn’t looking forward to returning to regular chain maintenance. I’ve never been a huge fan of chain lube from...

MCN Fleet: Kawasaki ZX-10R to Sachsenring (via the Nurburgring)

11 June 2016 by Michael Neeves

This weekend I’m racing a 1989 ex-Randy Mamola Cagiva V589 500cc Grand Prix bike at the World GP Bike Legends, Sachsenring. And what better way to get here than by riding my Kawasaki ZX-10R long-term...

MCN Fleet: Smallish panniers for my Husqvarna 701 Supermoto?

10 June 2016 by Liam Marsden

On the Husky my only method of transporting stuff is in a rucksack. 2015 Husqvarna 701 Supermoto review On longer trips with a heavy load this means back and shoulder ache. My dad took one look at...

MCN Fleet: Can the Yamaha XSR900 do big miles?

08 June 2016 by Andy Calton

The crisp-but-sunny Sunday morning had me itching to get going and see how the naked XSR would cope with a 400-mile round-trip to Newcastle. Nearly all of those miles were to be on the A1 and the...

MCN Fleet: KTM Super Duke GT is 'world's first hooligan-tourer'

07 June 2016 by Richard Newland

I don’t know if it’s my age – but I’ve been struggling with a simple question lately that I used to have no trouble answering (no, not my name): if you had to buy one new bike this year, what would it...

MCN Fleet: Mission to make ZX-10R sharper

06 June 2016 by Michael Neeves

My mission this year is to make my ZX-10R just that little bit sharper. I’ve manged to shed 9kg, increase bottom end power and boost powe from 191bhp to 197bhp. Check out my latest video update to see...

MCN Fleet: A lap of the TT course by SV650

06 June 2016 by Tony Hoare

Mad Sunday. Not as mad as people tell me it used to be, but there’s still plenty to suggest it’s a big event. Related: Full 2016 Suzuki SV650 review I couldn’t come to the TT and not at least...

MCN Fleet: SV650 in biking paradise

05 June 2016 by Tony Hoare

If the Isle of Man is a motorcycling paradise outside of TT fortnight then only the word ‘utopia’ can conjure up the feeling of being on the Island during these special two weeks. Related: Full 2016...

MCN Fleet: SV650 makes a relaxing companion on a TT trip

04 June 2016 by Tony Hoare

My longest day yet on our Suzuki SV650 long-term test bike turned out to be a belter. Related: Full 2016 Suzuki SV650 review Up and at em at 6.30am to give myself plenty of time to get from...

MCN Fleet: Having a high old time on the new Ducati Multistrada Enduro

04 June 2016 by Andy Davidson

My colleague, Liam Marsden, burst out laughing as we clapped eyes on the Multistrada for the first time. “You’re going to need a stool to get on that,” he said. My jaw dropped. Forget a stool, I’m...

MCN Fleet: BMW R1200RT LE's range countdown is addictive

03 June 2016 by Adam Child

Is it only me or does everyone with a range countdown on their bike push it to the last mile? It’s been a while since I’ve owned a bike with one and I’m starting to find it slightly addictive. I now...