Bike news

Year: ALL

The face that launched 1000 trips: BMW GS celebration

05 October 2023 by Phil West

The wraps are finally off BMW’s long-awaited, all-new R1300GS. The ninth evolution of the German firm’s pioneering enduro-tourer brings with it a radically different frame, new larger motor, as well...

Can cheaper, Chinese-built machinery hold a candle to more expensive European metal?

05 October 2023 by Carl Stevens

Sharing a platform of components across a bundle of different bikes is nothing new – and it makes real sense, because instead of stretching budgets, manufacturers can direct their efforts into...

Ducati timing belts due for replacement? Here’s how it’s done…

05 October 2023 by Chris Newbigging

A traditional feature of Ducati twins, cambelts use drive from the crank to turn the camshafts, which in turn activate the Desmodromic valves. With such a critical job to do, they need regular...

All change in WSB: Rider and crew chief swaps are set to dictate development direction in 2024

05 October 2023 by Greg Haines

Next year sees a monumental shake-up to the World Superbike grid. After nine years with Kawasaki, Jonathan Rea heads to Yamaha to fill the seat vacated by BMW‑bound Toprak Razgatlioglu. Scott Redding...

Green bikes to debut in Tokyo: Firms gearing up for electric and hydrogen future at Japan Mobility Show

04 October 2023 by Phil West

Honda and Suzuki are preparing to reveal their latest ‘green’ two-wheeled projects, with both electric and hybrid options set to appear at the Japan Mobility Show, from 26 October to 5...

Test your skills on the Moto Trainer and pick up a bargain at Wheels Motorcycles

04 October 2023 by MCN

Peterborough bike dealer Wheels are offering visitors a chance to win prizes and test their riding skills at their end-of-season clearance event. Between October 7 and 14 (apart from Sunday 8)...

Honda update popular Africa Twin adventure range with new looks and revised tech

04 October 2023 by Phil West

Honda’s best-selling adventure bike duo – the CRF1100L Africa Twin and more road-biased, touring Africa Twin Adventure Sports – are both receiving a significant makeover for 2024. We’ve ridden it:...

DesertX-tra: Ducati reveal long-anticipated rugged DesertX Rally for 2024

03 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Ducati have pulled the covers off a brand-new DesertX Rally adventure bike model, which builds on the standard £14,795 retro adventurer to become a serious off-road rally raider and takes the price up...

New wave of safety gear: How bike-mounted airbag systems could help to keep you safe in a crash

03 October 2023 by Ben Purvis

The idea of mounting an airbag on a motorcycle is nothing new but the technology has never really caught on. Now that could be about to change as one of the world’s leading makers of automotive safety...

Triumph announce cheaper more accessible Scrambler 1200 X alongside updated XE

03 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Triumph are attempting to make their Scrambler 1200 range more appealing to a wider range of customers for 2024, introducing a new lower and cheaper X model to sit alongside a revamped, more rugged XE...

Brit bike display is go: Haynes Motor Museum delve into rich British biking history

03 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

A major new exhibition telling the story of British motorcycling from its origins to the modern day is about to open at the fabulous Haynes Motor Museum in Somerset. ‘Life on Two Wheels: The...

Drivers ‘fail to pay attention’: Accidents caused by unfocused or speeding motorists at decade high

02 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

A Government report into 2022 road casualties and crashes across Great Britain has found that fatal collisions involving distracted, speeding, or careless motorists are at their highest level across...

A bike industry lifeline from PM: UK motorcycle bosses use U-turn to argue for an open source future

02 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s shock extension of new combustion car sales to 2035, Britain’s biking bosses are once again requesting more time and an open-minded approach to petrol...

The world’s greatest bikes#3 MV Agusta F4

29 September 2023 by Jon Urry

To design just one ground-breaking motorcycle that transforms the fortunes of a whole company is an incredible achievement. To then repeat this feat for another faltering firm is the sign of true...

Fend off thieves: Fit a Datatag kit and make your bike less attractive to criminals

29 September 2023 by Bruce Dunn

Datatag is a security system that aims to make a bike less attractive to thieves by making it and its parts traceable, via hidden, unique markings. The kit contains three different types of...

Ride the divide: Global adventurers, Andy and Alissa take on Australia’s mighty mountain range

29 September 2023 by Andy Davidson

Nah, sorry mate. Your bike failed quarantine – we found some grass on it.” With that one sentence, the shipping depot officer crushes our dreams. Failing quarantine in Australia is like failing an MoT...

Clash of the TT titans: How relevant are the 200+bhp M1000RR and Blade RR-R on the road?

29 September 2023 by Phil West

With Peter Hickman and Michael Dunlop sharing the big bike spoils at this year’s ultimate road race – the TT – aboard the M1000RR and Fireblade SP respectively, these top spec, ultra-exotic versions...

Marc Marquez: People at home sitting on the sofa are saying ‘it’s time to retire’…it’s not going to happen”

29 September 2023 by Frank Weeink and Josh Close

Eleven years ago a 20-year-old Marc Marquez made his MotoGP debut and it’s fair to say that the racing world has never been the same since. From winning the title in his rookie year to becoming...

Kent signs for Yamaha: Danny Kent targets BSB podiums and wins with Mar-Train Yamaha in 2024

28 September 2023 by Josh Close

Danny Kent will don the blue of Yamaha for his 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship campaign after signing for Mar-Train Yamaha. The 2015 Moto3 world champion replaces Jack Kennedy at Tim...

Win a Suzuki GSX-8S with MCN Compare!

28 September 2023 by Dan Sutherland

MCN Compare Fancy a new bike for 2024? We’re giving you the chance to win a brand new Suzuki GSX-8S, simply by getting an insurance quote through MCN Compare. The competition began at 9am on Thursday, 28...

A century in the making: BMW’s all-new R1300GS is nothing short of a total transformation for one of the planet’s biggest-selling bikes

28 September 2023 by Martin Fitz-Gibbons

Exactly 100 years to the day since launching their very first boxer twin, BMW pulled the covers off an all-new R1300GS. With a completely new engine and frame, ground-breaking technology, and a...

The Café with a cause: The Bikers Cove recognised after decade of RNLI support

28 September 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Scottish riding destination, The Bikers Cove has been praised by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) following a decade of fundraising. The café team were awarded a certificate of thanks,...

Classic racer: 97-year-old grandfather sets new record as oldest competitive motorcycle rider

27 September 2023 by Dan Sutherland

A motorcycle riding grandad from New Zealand is proving that age is just a number by setting a new world record for the oldest competitive motorcycle racer. Leslie Harris took part in the 43rd...

Brabus back for more: Final edition of KTM Super Duke R-based 1300 R ‘Masterpiece’

27 September 2023 by Phil West

Brabus have announced a third and, they claim, final limited edition run of their KTM Super Duke R-based 1300 R. The 1300 R Masterpiece Edition will be restricted to just 50 individually numbered...

Get ready. Get set. Let’s go to Motorcycle Live

25 September 2023 by MCN

MOTORCYCLE LIVE PROMOTION Britain’s biggest motorcycle and scooter show, Motorcycle Live in association with Bikesure Insurance, is revving-up to be the best ever. And advance tickets are on sale now to this nine-day...

Triumph debut 250 motocross racer and confirm full November reveal

25 September 2023 by Dan Sutherland

The SuperMotocross World Championship final at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in California played host to the first public reveal of Triumph’s incoming 250cc motocross bike. Taking place on...

Notts Police call for public support against antisocial riding

25 September 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Police officers in Mansfield are calling on the support of the public to cut down on the dangerous, antisocial, and illegal use of off-road motorcycles in the area. “Residents have been telling us...

Sons team up with National Motorcycle Museum and BSA to complete late father’s classic bike restoration

22 September 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Determined biker, Richard George has teamed up with BSA and the National Motorcycle Museum (NMM) to complete a restoration of his late father’s 1957 BSA A10, which began 66 years ago. The twin...

New police scheme aims to improve safety for motorcyclists

22 September 2023 by Phil West

Bikers of all ages and skillsets are being encouraged to refresh and improve their road safety with additional training as part of a new national police-backed plan. The initiative comes in...

Kawasaki share further details on 2024 Eliminator 500 twin range

21 September 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Kawasaki have now revealed further details on their Honda CMX500 Rebel-rivalling Eliminator 500 cruiser range, which was first seen in June 2023 and will join the Japanese firm’s line-up for 2024.

New 20mph limit creates ‘confusion, irritation and… apathy’ according to Welsh bikers

21 September 2023 by Phil West

The latest blanket 20mph speed limit across Wales has not only sparked an opposition petition with over 463,000 signatories, but it’s also now damaging biking businesses and causing confusion and...

Vastly Superior auction: Birmingham classic show to sell off 1938 Brough SS100

21 September 2023 by Dan Sutherland

This UK-registered 1938 Brough Superior SS100 is expected to fetch £240,000-£260,000 when it goes under the hammer at the NEC Classic Motor Show this coming November. The historic machine is being...

Ducati go hyper… Spyshots reveal single-cylinder supermoto in development

20 September 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Ducati look set to be gearing up for a supermoto revolution, with a beaky new single-cylinder Hypermotard spotted in testing on the firm’s development track in Italy. We’ve ridden it: Ducati...

Biking Legends: Barry Sheene

20 September 2023 by Stuart Barker

Last week would have seen Britain’s last premier class champion celebrate his 73rd birthday. Instead, 2023 marks 20 years since we lost the great Barry Sheene – arguably this country’s most...

MCN Workshop: Oil and filter service

20 September 2023 by Bruce Dunn

Treat your bike to an oil and filter change to keep it running sweet… Gather your parts One of the easiest service tasks that you can do. Before you start make sure you have a high quality...

Dream Ride: Touring America

20 September 2023 by Saffron Wilson

Sturgis had been a blast but it was time to leave our lodgings in the Black Hills of South Dakota and head west. We’d taken in everything we could in the area during Sturgis week including Needles...