Bike news

Year: ALL

Boosted performance! BMW’s long-legged S1000XR gets more power, comfort, and tech for 2024

26 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

BMW have upped the performance of their standard S1000XR adventure sportsbike for 2024, taking the long-legged missile from a claimed 162.3bhp, to 167.6bhp at 11,000rpm. Retaining the same BMW...

M-barrassment of riches: BMW whip covers off M1000XR hyper tourer

26 October 2023 by Ben Clarke

BMW have released the full spec and details of their M1000XR hyper tourer and it’s every bit as bonkers as we expected. The new bike will get a headline-grabbing 198bhp (201hp) version of the Shiftcam...

Ducati embrace the single life: Meet the Superquadro Mono – the most powerful and highest revving single-cylinder motor ever!

26 October 2023 by Emma Franklin

Ducati have gone back to their roots with the announcement of an all-new single-cylinder engine, their first in 30 years. We’ve ridden it: Ducati Hypermotard Mono review Called the Superquadro...

Workshop: How to fix fork seals

26 October 2023 by Bruce Dunn

Fork weeping oil? Here’s how you can fix it quickly and easily… Lift the front Depending on what type of bike you have, replacing fork seals is a task than can vary in difficulty. Before...

World's greatest bikes #5: Yamaha RD350LC

26 October 2023 by Phil West

Launched in 1980 as the liquid-cooled, monoshocked successor to the RD400, the ‘Elsie’ was the affordable lightweight that had it all: distinctive looks; giant-killing performance; a TZ racing...

Dream ride: Slaying the Dragon

26 October 2023 by Geoff Tompkinson

When you think of classic American motorcycle roads, Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway spring to mind. But there is another must-ride route, more famed for the challenge it presents than any...

Main test: Dual-sport duel

26 October 2023 by Carl Stevens

Dual-sport machines are massively popular, and for good reason. They have the genuine ability not just to tackle green lanes and trails to a reasonable level, but also munch through road miles with...

Techwatch: Immersion-cooled batteries: light, small, fast-charging and powerful

26 October 2023 by Ben Purvis

High-performing, efficient battery technology is one of the keys to the success of any large-scale revolution in the take up of electric motorcycles. It’s not just in the chemistry of the cells...

WSB preview: They think it's all over...

26 October 2023 by Greg Haines

For the third time, the World Superbike title will be decided in Jerez as the curtain comes down on a memorable 2023 season. Whoever wins, it will celebrate a second WSB crown and, with Alvaro...

NIP farm crackdown: Eight arrested as police uncover suspected speeding points scam

26 October 2023 by Phil West

Police in the West Country have arrested eight men as part of an investigation into a suspected Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) ‘farm’. ‘NIP farms’ are a fairly recent development whereby...

Desmo on dirt: Ducati confirm 2024 motocross plans

24 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Following seemingly endless rumours circulating online, Ducati have finally confirmed that they will be branching out into the world of motocross next year – debuting a prototype in the Italian...

Return of the glory days: Grand Prix-inspired, new XSR900 GP is the triple-based sportster that revives the style of 1980s Yamaha racers

24 October 2023 by Phil West

These are the first official pictures of Yamaha’s hugely anticipated sports version of their XSR900 retro bike, the XSR900 GP. And if its looks – and colours – remind you of the factory Yamaha GP 500s...

Fade to black: Triumph announces Stealth Editions of Bonneville family

24 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Triumph have revealed eight new factory custom retro models for 2024 that will each feature a special livery across the petrol tank progressing from a dark graphite black to a choice of gloss candy...

All change at BMW: German firm announces new motorcycling boss and head of design

19 October 2023 by Phil West

Despite smashing recent sales records, and already announcing a roster of new motorcycles for 2024, BMW’s Motorrad division have now confirmed a series of shock key personnel changes at the top of the...

Not RS-ing around: Ducati load Panigale engine into Multistrada for numbered RS model

19 October 2023 by Ben Clarke

Ducati have fired shots in the battle for hyper-adventure supremacy by whipping the cover off a new model called the Multistrada V4 RS. This latest version of the Multi is the first to use a Panigale...

Big Read: Norton's 125 years and counting

18 October 2023 by Saffron Wilson

Few brands stir the emotions quite like Norton. The firm dominated the Isle of Man TT right from the early days, led innovation with the Featherbed frame and rotary engines and ruled the world with...

Expert guide to: Sub-£5k superbikes

18 October 2023 by Jon Urry

Sales of new sportsbikes may have dwindled but the used market is as hot as ever – and that’s no surprise given the range of quality machinery on offer. Look in any dealership and supersport 600...

Biking Legends: Roger Marshall

18 October 2023 by Stuart Barker

Born and raised on a council estate on the outskirts of Grimsby in North-east Lincolnshire, Roger Marshall first saw a bike race at Cadwell Park in 1960 as a nine-year-old. From that moment on,...

Dream Garage: Step inside Richard Hammond’s personal bike barn

18 October 2023 by Richard Newland

It’s probably not a surprise to learn that Richard Hammond likes cars. His passion for them is wide-ranging and rather well documented. He’s made myriad memories in them, built a career from...

BSB 2023: What a year!

18 October 2023 by Josh Close

The 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship season will never be forgotten. Tommy Bridewell v Glenn Irwin was a rivalry for the ages, and it literally went down to wire. Both men put PBM back...

The MCN Test: Punching above their (middle)weight

18 October 2023 by Jon Urry

How times change. It wasn’t that long ago the go-to sports tourer was Honda’s VFR800, a bike that forged an enviable reputation for its do-it-all ability which regularly saw it loaded up for...

Scrambling for success: Prototype ride reveals Triumph's 400 X retro is set to be a smash

18 October 2023 by Emma Franklin

Triumph’s incoming range of small capacity single retro motorbikes have been an instant hit across the globe. Following their early July reveal, Indian buyers alone put down 12,000 pre-orders, with...

Yamaha add to their popular Ténéré 700 line-up with long-legged Extreme model

17 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Yamaha have added a fifth Extreme option to their popular Ténéré 700 line-up – effectively equipping the £10,110 standard model with the advanced long-travel KYB suspension from the £11,910 World...

End of the road: Triumph announce Thruxton Final Edition for 2024

17 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Triumph have announced that they will call time on the Thruxton café racer at the end of 2024 and will mark the departure with a special Final Edition model available for one year only. Latest...

A whole new welt: BMW open 'Motorrad Welt' museum in Berlin

17 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

BMW Motorrad have marked their centenary with the star-studded opening of the new ‘BMW Motorrad Welt’ (BMW Motorcycle World) visitor centre in Berlin. Opened to coincide precisely with the 100th...

Visionary new Wing screen: Honda noise and visibility sensors alter wind protection automatically

16 October 2023 by Ben Purvis

Honda are dialling rider comfort up to 11 with their next-gen Gold Wing touring bike, which looks set to gain an auto-adjusting windscreen that uses clever sensors to make sure it’s always in the...

Aero/electric hybrid goes on sale: White Motorcycle Concepts’ radical three-wheeler enters production

16 October 2023 by Phil West

Remember White Motorcycle Concepts? The radical British company behind the ‘bike with the hole’ WMC250EV 2021 prototype which combined pioneering ‘duct’ aerodynamics and electric power, then followed...

Yamaha go back to the future: Electric and self-driving prototypes set for Japan Mobility Show debut

13 October 2023 by Phil West

Following announcements from Honda and Suzuki earlier this month, Yamaha have now confirmed that we’ll see a range of electric, self-driving, and even hydrogen-powered concept machines at the upcoming...

MV Agusta go back in time with burgundy Superveloce special

13 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

MV Agusta are paying tribute to their first-ever motorcycle engine with a special burgundy version of their Superveloce 800 retro sportsbike. The Superveloce 98 Edizione Limitata will be capped at...

Moto Morini step into the mid-size cruiser arena with new Calibro twin

13 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Moto Morini are the latest firm to wade into the bustling mid-size cruiser class, revealing a new 649cc Calibro sharing the same engine as the Seiemmezzo roadster range. Although UK pricing and...

‘Things are just moving so fast’: Arc boss discusses brand’s next big step following news of Government backing

13 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Mark Truman, founder of luxury electric firm Arc Vehicle, says the British brand are working on a range of battery machines promising significant improvements to weight, charge time and...

Naked record smashed: Scunthorpe’s Becci Ellis hits 231.389mph at Elvington

12 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

The record for the fastest top speed on a naked bike by a female rider has been smashed by 56-year-old Becci Ellis – achieving a staggering 231.389mph from a standing start over 1.25 miles. The...

How to: Fit an exhaust system

12 October 2023 by Bruce Dunn

Although manufacturers do try to create attractive standard exhausts (honestly, they do) – the size and style is ultimately dictated by noise and emissions regulations, as well as cost considerations.

World's greatest bikes #4: Honda Fireblade

12 October 2023 by Phil West

It’s the bike that put Honda back on the sportsbike map and, by revolutionising design with its emphasis on light weight and manageability, set the template for all superbikes which followed.

Big Read: Marquez says goodbye to Honda after 11 years and six MotoGP crowns

12 October 2023 by Josh Close

Wednesday, October 4 will go down in history as the day Honda’s greatest rider called time on the world’s biggest and most successful motorcycle manufacturer. It’s been an 11-year partnership of...

The MCN Test: Flagship adventurers go head-to-head on the road and in the dirt - featuring James Hillier

12 October 2023 by Michael Guy

Competition to build the biggest, baddest adventure bike is at fever pitch. Every year there are new offerings that keep raising the bar – with each manufacturer determined to sit at the top of...