First rides & tests

Year: ALL

First impressions from Kawasaki ZX-10R launch in Qatar

03 December 2007 by Adam Child

MCN Road Tester, Adam Child, is in Qatar for the launch of the Kawasaki ZX-10R. After his first few sessions of riding here’s what he has to say about it: “You may have already seen the bike at the...

Video: First impressions of the Ducati 848

30 November 2007 by Angus Farquhar

Michael Neeves got to ride the new Ducati 848 for the first time today and has sent back a quick update with his first impressions of the bike. Check out the video below to hear what Michael has to say after coming back in from his first time out on the bike.

Video: 2007 Sports bike of the year

29 November 2007 by Michael Neeves

Michael Neeves heads to Jerez in Spain with the cream of this year’s sports bikes, but which one is best? Check out the video below to see the Yamaha R1, Honda CBR600RR, Suzuki GSX-R750 and Ducati 1098 go head to head and find out which one came out on top.

Video: Track tuition from Jeremy McWilliams

29 November 2007 by Michael Neeves

Check out what happened when Senior Road Tester, Michael Neeves went to the Masterclass race school at Jerez and was taught the ropes by none other than ex-MotoGP god, Jeremy McWilliams. Read more about it in this week’s MCN.

Touring cruiser test gallery: Triumph Rocket 3, Victory Kingpin Tour and Harley-Davidson's Road King

28 November 2007 by Liam Marsden

You can download motorcycle desktop pictures of some of the stunning images from the touring cruisers group test which appears in MCN, November 28, 2007. Whether your favourite motorcycle is the...

Video: MotoGP bikes tested

20 November 2007 by Angus Farquhar

It isn’t often you get the chance to ride a MotoGP bike, let alone five in a row back to back. So imagine how excited MCN roadtester Michael Neeves was when the call came in to ride all the top bikes – including Casey Stoner’s championship winning Ducati. Check out the video below to see Michael ride Stoner’s motorcycle, John Hopkins’ Suzuki, Anthony West’s Kawasaki and Nicky Hayden’s Honda and...

Picture Special: Suzuki Bandit Streetfighter

15 November 2007 by Liam Marsden

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Video: We ride Casey Stoner's Ducati

14 November 2007 by Michael Neeves

MCN has ridden the bike that took Casey Stoner to the MotoGP world championship and we were there to catch it all on film. Check out the video below to see how roadtester Michael Neeves got on riding the championship wining motorcycle then check out the November 14 edition of MCN to read his full report on riding the incredible machine including a complete technical rundown of the Ducati GP7...

Video: Derbi Cross City 125 group test

13 November 2007 by Phil West

When it comes to learner bikes there seems to be an unwritten rule about the kinds of machines you can have. It can be managable and novice-friendly (like the Yamaha YBR125); it can be snazzy and racy (like Aprilia’s RS125); or it can be cheap. Unfortunately it can never be all three. With the new Derbi Cross City 125, maybe that has changed. The Spanish newcomer seems to be ideal. It’s upright,...

Video: Laverda Formula with two-stroke Polaris engine

09 November 2007 by Chris Slade

What do you get when you cross a Laverda and a Polaris? This mad hand start two-stroke Laverda formula with a 130bhp Polaris snowmobile engine. Check out the video to see the bike in action and grab a copy of the November 7 edition of MCN to read the full road-test.

Video: Triumph takes on Harley with its Rocket III Touring

09 November 2007 by Roland Brown, Chris Slade

Triumph is hoping to take on Harley in its home ground with the new Rocket III Touring and you can see the bike in action here. Check out the video below to see the motorcycle at its launch then grab a copy of the November 7 edition of MCN to read the full report.

Download your free British Superbike test wallpapers

31 October 2007 by Sarah Carnell

This week in MCN we have brought you an exclusive road test of four of the best British Superbikes. And now here’s your chance to share in some of the action with these four exclusive wallpapers of...

Video: Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport vs BMW R1200R

31 October 2007 by Phil West

Moto Guzzi and BMW both now offer sportier roadster twins in the shape of the new 1200 Sport and R1200R but is that where the similarities end? Check out the video below to see what MCN’s Road Test Editor, Phil West, thought of the Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport and the BMW R1200R. So is it the character of the Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport or the class of the BMW R1200R that wins Phil West over? Check out the...

Picture exclusive: Getting technical with British Superbikes

30 October 2007 by Sarah Carnell

This week MCN brings you an exclusive road test on four of the best British Superbike motorcycles. MCN’s Senior road Tester Michael Neeves took to the track at Cadwell Park on champion Ryuichi...

Video: The best superbikes in the world?

30 October 2007 by Michael Neeves

We’ve just ridden the best superbikes in the country. Check out our video below to see how Ryuichi Kiyonari’s British Superbike Championship-winning Honda CBR1000RR FireBlade, Tommy Hill’s Virgin Yamaha R1, Michael Rutter’s Kawasaki ZX-10R and Cal Crutchlow’s Suzuki GSX-R1000 compare against each other. Read the full report in this week’s MCN, available Wednesday, October 31, 2007.

Picture special: Peugeot's new Satelis 500 maxi-scooter

30 October 2007 by Phil West

Peugeot’s new maxi-scooter, the Satelis 500, is one of the best-equipped – and most affordable – superscooters yet, as Kevin Ash discovered during his first test in MCN in its October 31 issue. What...

Video: Launch test of the 2008 Honda Transalp

26 October 2007 by Angus Farquhar

MCN has tested the new 2008 Honda Transalp by riding it across the alps. Check out the video below to see the highights of the trip.

Suzuki RE5 Rotary

25 October 2007 by Marcus Kingma

Impression of the 30-year-old Suzuki RE 5 rotary.

Video: 2008 Yamaha R6 track launch

25 October 2007 by Angus Farquhar

MCN recently got to try out the new 2008 Yamaha R6 around the Sugo circuit in Japan. Check out the video below to see the bike in action and read the October 24 edition of MCN for the full report. Take a tour round the Yamaha Museum here

Video: 08 Hayabusa takes on the ZZ-R and K1200 on real-roads tour

25 October 2007 by Ian Jubb

We’ve tested the 2008 Busa on it’s own, we’ve tested it on the track against the ZZ-R, now we’ve put it on real roads against the Kawasaki ZZ-R1400 and BMW K1200S on a long-distance tour to Cornwall...

Breva 850 test

22 October 2007 by Marcus Kingma

Moto Guzzi Breva 850 road test.

FJR vs Norge 1200

22 October 2007 by Marcus Kingma

Here’s a road test of the Yamaha FJR1300AS and Moto Guzzi Norge 1200.

2008 Yamaha YZF-R6 first test report

22 October 2007 by Trevor Franklin

MCN Chief Road Tester Trevor Franklin has just ridden the new 2008 Yamaha YZF-R6 at Sugo in Japan. The full report will be in this the October 24 issue of MCN but here’s what he’s had to say: “The new...

108 Cylinder

21 October 2007 by Marcus Kingma

On the road with a lot of six-cylinder motocycles.

New Suzuki test

21 October 2007 by Marcus Kingma

Road test: Suzuki for motonieuws.nl

Moto Guzzi Breva 850

21 October 2007 by Marcus Kingma

Road test: Moto Guzzi Breva 850 video

1300AS vs Norge1200

20 October 2007 by MC King

We were going to the motorshow at Paris on two bikes for a test ride. An impression for www.motornieuws.nl

World Superbikes' Max Biaggi's Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 explained

18 October 2007 by Michael Guy

Before riding (and crashing!) Max Biaggi’s Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 World Superbikes machine, MCN’s World Superbike reporter Michael Guy spoke to Max Biaggi’s crew chief, Giacomo Guidotti, about...

Video: World Superbike bikes tested

17 October 2007 by Trevor Franklin, Michael Guy

Check out the video below as MCN’s World Superbikes reporter, Michael Guy, and Senior Road Tester, Trevor Franklin, put three World Superbikes to the test in Magny Cours. We see Trevor Franklin check out Noriyuki Haga’s Yamaha R1 while Michael Guy sees what it takes to ride a world championship winning motorcycle as he tries James Toseland’s Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade for size around the French...

Picture special: Victory Kingpin 8-Ball

17 October 2007 by MCN

American manufacturer Victory motorcycles are certainly not holding back when it comes to taking a fight to their greatest rival Harley-Davidson. The new Kingpin 8-Ball cruiser has good...

Video: Hayabusa 08 Tested

17 October 2007 by Adam Child

Check out the video below as we take a look at the new 2008 Suzuki Hayabusa. MCN road testers Adam Child and Bruce Dunn tested the 2008 model to its limits at Bruntingthorpe circuit in Leicestershire with the help of five old Hayabusa owners. Like you, we were expecting big figures from these mighty rocket ships but came away slightly disappointed. The main reason is that all these bikes are now...

Video: Auto 66 at Elvington part two

16 October 2007 by Adam Child

Take a look at the video below to see what happened when MCN road tester, Adam Child put the Suzuki GSX-R600 through its paces. Adam’s technically-gifted brother, Mark, and long-suffering dad finally got the old GSX-R600 ready for Elvington, the last meeting at the airfield track with Auto 66. The motor was up and running, Mark has even fitted a crank case breather system, all home made,...

Video: Onboard the 2008 Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa

10 October 2007

Watch our exclusive video of the 2008 Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa flat out at Bruntingthorpe. MCN road tester Adam ‘Chad’ Child pushed the 2008 Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa to an indicated 200mph. Then watch the new Suzuki GSXR1300 Hayabusa take on the Kawasaki ZZR 1400, flat out again. Watch the breathtaking race between the two hypersports motorcycles around the track. And read more details of the test...

Video: Akrapovic adds more power to Kawasaki Z1000

10 October 2007 by Andy Downes

Watch this exclusive MCN video to see the fitting of a full Akrapovic exhaust to my long term test Kawasaki Z1000 motorcycle, which not only dropped loads of weight off the motorcycle but also gave another 11bhp. The Kawasaki Z1000’s stock exhausts are the only ‘Marmite’ part of the motorcycle, judging by MCN readers’ comments, which range from ‘distinctive’ to ‘minging’. Find parts and...

Kawasaki GTR1400 - an owner's view

08 October 2007 by tracktime1000

The GTR1400 is slick, fast and very comfortable and I’ve also done 4000 miles but don’t worry about the fuel consumption. Mine averages around 30-33 mpg until we get on the motorway and hour after hour its 40-44 mpg averaging out at around 180 miles to a tank. On B-roads it’s thirsty but it is a big lump (mind you so am I) but it does redeem itself slightly on long rides which to be fair is what...

Video: First ride of the new Aprilia Mana

05 October 2007 by Michael Neeves

It’s half motorcycle and half automatic scooter, but is it any good? MCN man Michael Neeves travels to Turin to ride the new Aprilia Mana. Check out the video below to see how the bike faired in the Turin traffic and twisty country roads.