First rides & tests

Rieju MRT200 LC Pro Comp - first ride

Rieju MRT200 LC Pro Comp - first ride

If you’re on a restricted 33bhp licence and like playing in the mud, Spanish firm Rieju have got just the bike for you: the MRT200 LC Pro Comp. Find a Rieju for sale This is a proper, road-legal...

Triumph Tiger 800XC first ride - "the bigger, burlier brother"

Triumph Tiger 800XC first ride - "the bigger, burlier brother"

Phil West is testing the XC adventure version of the Triumph Tiger in Spain and these are his first impressions. Triumph Tiger 800 first ride – ‘the ergonomics are spot on’ “Although mechanically...

2010 Ducati 1198SP - full review

2010 Ducati 1198SP - full review

The 2010 Ducati 1198SP has been ridden and rated by MCN – you can read the full web review in the bike reviews section.                                       Read the Ducati...

Triumph Tiger 800 first ride - 'the ergonomics are spot on'

Triumph Tiger 800 first ride - 'the ergonomics are spot on'

Phil West is currently in Monserrat near Barcelona for the world press launch of the Triumph Tiger 800 and 800XC version. Video: Triumph Tiger 800 ridden This is what he has to say so far: “I’m...

2011 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer - full review

2011 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer - full review

The 2011 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer has been ridden and rated by MCN – you can read the full web review in the bike reviews section.                                          Read the 2011 Moto Guzzi V7...

Video: Kawasaki Z1000SX first ride - 'compelling blend of power, handling & comfort'

Video: Kawasaki Z1000SX first ride - 'compelling blend of power, handling & comfort'

MCN’s world first ride on the Kawasaki Z1000SX has proved that the Z1000-based sports bike is everything aging sports bike fans were hoping for. Find a Kawasaki Z1000 for sale With the Z1000SX...

2011 Kawasaki Z1000SX first ride: "The bike still has a fun factor"

2011 Kawasaki Z1000SX first ride: "The bike still has a fun factor"

MCN Road Tester, Adam Child has just had his first ride of Kawasaki’s new 2011 Z1000SX at it’s world launch in Spain, here’s what he has to say: “Kawasaki’s new sports tourer is based loosely on the...

Video: Triumph Tiger 800 first ride - 'a bigger, comfier Street Triple'

Video: Triumph Tiger 800 first ride - 'a bigger, comfier Street Triple'

MCN is granted exclusive access to both on and off-road versions of the new 800cc three-cylinder Triumph Tiger 800.  To find out more about the Triumph Tiger, buy the 27 October issue of MCN out...

World first ride: 2011 Aprilia RSV4 SE 'seriously impressive'

World first ride: 2011 Aprilia RSV4 SE 'seriously impressive'

MCN Senior Road Tester, Michael Neeves, is currently at Jerez in Spain riding Aprilia’s new £16,999 RSV4 Factory APRC Special Edition. Only 350 machines will be made with 50 making their way into the...

Harley SuperLow group test

Harley SuperLow group test

Harley-Davidson’s new SuperLow sets its stall out as being one of the lowest seated bikes around – but does that make it the ideal novice/female-friendly big bike? To find out, we’ve pitted the new...

2011 Triumph Speed Triple - full review

2011 Triumph Speed Triple - full review

The 2011 Triumph Speed Triple has been ridden and rated by MCN – you can read the full web review in the bike reviews section.                                      Read the 2011 Speed...

Video: Quantya Evo1 electric bike review

Video: Quantya Evo1 electric bike review

This is the Quantya Evo1 Track – an electric enduro bike that costs just over £10,000 in road legal trim. Watch the video to see MCN’s resident dirt monkey and WSB reporter Michael Guy spend a day...

2011 Triumph Speed Triple first road ride: 'it's an absolute joy'

2011 Triumph Speed Triple first road ride: 'it's an absolute joy'

Triumph’s new 2011 Speed Triple 1050 is a ‘demon road tool’ according to MCN’s Trevor Franklin is currently riding the motorcycle in Spain. Firing back his first thoughts after a brief road ride this...

2011 Triumph Speed Triple first ride: 'beautifully tractable'

2011 Triumph Speed Triple first ride: 'beautifully tractable'

MCN’s Chief Road Tester, Trevor Franklin has just had his first ride of Triumph’s new 2011 Speed Triple at it’s world launch at Ascari in Southern Spain, here’s what he has to say: “Triumph states its...

2011 Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 first ride: 'the start of a new era'

2011 Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 first ride: 'the start of a new era'

MCN Senior Road Tester Michael Neeves is in Italy riding Aprilia’s new Dorsoduro 1200. This is what he has to say so far: “This isn’t just any big supermoto, it marks the start of a new era for the...

2011 Triumph Speed Triple: your questions answered

2011 Triumph Speed Triple: your questions answered

The world launch of Triumph’s 2011 Speed Triple takes place in southern Spain this week and Motorcycle News will be there to send back web reports as the launch unfolds. The full story of how the new...

Staff bikes: Kawasaki GPz550 – A gut-wrenching tale

Staff bikes: Kawasaki GPz550 – A gut-wrenching tale

Every Sunday afternoon I try to restore my ‘bargain’ GPz550 to somewhere near acceptable condition. And on Sunday evenings I ask the internet how to undo whatever new damage I’ve caused. My latest...

Credit Crunch Biking - CBR 1000F

Credit Crunch Biking - CBR 1000F

18 Months ago I bought an old CBR 1000F for £900 to keep me on the road after the 1300 Pan European had to go, there are 3 other little reports in the archives if anyone is interested. Now 11,000...

Staff bikes: Suzuki GSX-R600 - Sneaking a ride

Staff bikes: Suzuki GSX-R600 - Sneaking a ride

With my Street Triple missing a footpeg and the office missing a Web Producer, there was only one thing to do: steal James Keen’s GSX-R600. My biking past is littered with sports tourers, an SV650...

Staff Bikes: Ducati Multistrada - The first 700 miles, again

Staff Bikes: Ducati Multistrada - The first 700 miles, again

Since picking up my replacement Multistrada Sport arrived (the first one was written off by a colleague) its done some gentle running-in, a few trips out with the mrs, had a first service and been...

Staff bikes: Triumph Street Triple - Bits go on. Bits fall off

Staff bikes: Triumph Street Triple - Bits go on. Bits fall off

No sooner had I fitted a protective radiator cover to my Street Triple than my housemate backed his car into it. Forcefully. Lifting it from the mud and back onto its sidestand, surveying the bike in...

Video: £1500 Modern Classic challenge part 2 - GSX-R750F, FS1-E DX, GPZ900R A1

The dream is one thing, a fun pastime, a fantasy – but what’s it actually like if you bite the bullet and buy one of these bikes? To find out we set ourselves a challenge. To buy three ‘modern classics’ for no more than £1500 each. Find your dream motorcycle in bikes for sale In the second week of the challenge Jim Moore from Practical Sportsbikes gives his expert opinion on the motorcycles the...

Near-standard S1000RR hits 202mph

Near-standard S1000RR hits 202mph

A standard BMW S1000RR with an off-the-shelf Akrapovic exhaust, a smaller rear sprocket and some gaffer tape over slots in the screen cracked 202mph from a standing start in one mile. The speed run...

Electric car takes on electric bike at Thruxton

Electric car takes on electric bike at Thruxton

Electric car raced electric superbike last week, as Citroën’s Survolt concept and a Mavizen TTX02 went head-to-head at Thruxton. TTX GP leader Jenny Tinmouth was on two wheels, Le Mans driver Vanina...

2011 Harley 883 SuperLow first ride

2011 Harley 883 SuperLow first ride

This is the new shortie-friendly version of last year’s Sportster XL883L and comes with a bigger 17 litre tank, new seat, longer travel rear suspension, new five spoke wheels and fresh paint. It’s...

Video: Padgett's 125 GP bike on the road

Video: Padgett's 125 GP bike on the road

With two-strokes soon to be removed from MotoGP racing, MCN tested a £25,000, 150mph 125GP bike from Padgett’s on the road!

World’s best custom on the road!

World’s best custom on the road!

The day this award-winning Harley-Davidson arrived back in the UK, MCN was lucky enough to take the priceless V-twin for a spin on the road. This week’s MCN (out now) reveals all the key details about...

5 bikes that deserve a comeback

5 bikes that deserve a comeback

The current range of new motorcycles is wide and varied, but there are still some niches not being satisfied. Here’s 5 used bikes, no longer in production, that deliver something unique and not...

Video: Ducati 848 EVO world first review

Video: Ducati 848 EVO world first review

The eagerly anticipated 848 Evo replaces the current 848 and costs just £10,695 (or £9995 for the matt black ‘Dark Stealth’ version) – no more than the previous model. It’s the cheapest way to...

Video: Honda CBR600F - still the ultimate do-it-all sportsbike?

Video: Honda CBR600F - still the ultimate do-it-all sportsbike?

MCN news reporter Andy Downes has recently bought a 1998 Honda CBR600F as a do-everything daily commuter and weeekend scratcher.  Find a Honda CBR600F for sale Read the Honda CBR600F review Watch...

Video: First big bikes test - SV650S v ER-6n v GT650

Video: First big bikes test - SV650S v ER-6n v GT650

Suzuki’s hugely popular SV650S is light, masses of fun and comes with a tempting £4999 price tag. Now re-released, could this be the ultimate first big bike? MCN 1000 – help save motorcycling and...

Cadwell Park: BMW S1000RR MRO Stocksport 1000

Cadwell Park: BMW S1000RR MRO Stocksport 1000

Racing a 190bhp-plus superbike with race gearing, suspension and sticky Metzeler Racetec Interact tyres around Cadwell Park isn’t something I’ll forget in a hurry. The speed of my Vari-Trac BMW Park...

Video: £1500 Modern Classic challenge part 1 - GSX-R750F, FS1-E DX, GPZ900R A1

Video: £1500 Modern Classic challenge part 1 - GSX-R750F, FS1-E DX, GPZ900R A1

We all do it – or at least we do when we get to a ‘certain age’: scour the bikes for sale ads and get all dewy-eyed about ‘modern classics’ from our youth. The dream is one thing, a fun pastime, a...

Video review : Harley Wide Glide v Victory Vegas v Triumph Thunderbird

Video review : Harley Wide Glide v Victory Vegas v Triumph Thunderbird

With competition getting even stiffer for Harley from the new Victory Vegas 8-Ball and the big bore, 1700cc Triumph Thunderbird, is the classic Harley Dyna Wide Glide cruiser still doing enough? Find...

BMW S1000RR - Cadwell MRO Stocksport 1000 preview

BMW S1000RR - Cadwell MRO Stocksport 1000 preview

The next round of the MRO Stocksport 1000 championship is looming I’ll be racing at the magnificent Cadwell Park this weekend. This will be the first time Vari-Trac BMW Park Lane team has been to the...

New Husqvarna TE310

New Husqvarna TE310

Based on the super-light super-revvy TE250 (which currently leads the E1 world enduro championship), this bike found universal approval at the launch. While a 450 dirt bike can be a bit of an animal...