MCN long-term test fleet 2024

Welcome to the 2024 MCN Long-term Test Fleet.

Over the course of the year we'll be putting serious miles on these 12 bikes to find out what they're like to live with.

Keep an eye out for written updates, videos and more. Click through to each individual page to get the latest updates as we pile on the miles.

Click on the pictures below:

BMW R1300GS	Kawasaki Ninja 650
Yamaha MT-09	BMW R12 nineT
Honda CBR600RR	KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo
Ducati Monster+	Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports
Suzuki GSX-S1000GX	Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
Triumph Scrambler 400 X	Harley-Davidson CVO Pan America

BMW R1300GS

Kawasaki Ninja 650

Yamaha MT-09

BMW R12 nineT

Honda CBR600RR

KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo

Ducati Monster+

Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports

Suzuki GSX-S1000GX

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

Triumph Scrambler 400 X

Harley-Davidson CVO Pan America

Check out previous MCN Fleets below:

Year: ALL

Harley-Davidson CVO Pan America long-term review update two | Off-road adventuring through Europe

25 July 2024 by Justin Hayzelden

The look on the KTM 450 rider’s face was a picture as 300 kilos of Harley-Davidson Pan America, fully loaded with luggage and a sweaty, but somewhat triumphant, pilot, burst through the bushes and...

Long-term Yamaha MT-09 review update two | The bike's biggest flaws and strongest points

24 July 2024 by Carl Stevens

I did worry that after a few months, the Yamaha MT-09 might not be enough to keep me hooked. Is it sporty enough? Is there enough power to keep my itchy throttle hand happy? Is it comfortable enough...

Long-term KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo review update two | exploring the electronics on track

19 July 2024 by Michael Neeves

In my last report I spent a day testing my KTM’s new five-stage wheelie control system at an airfield. We discovered that while it won’t turn you into a wheelie god, it’s a useful tool to make this...

Honda Africa Twin AS long-term review update one | A camping trip gives Steve tech teething pains

17 July 2024 by Steve Herbert-Mattick

Before I get into detail on the Honda Africa Twin AS adventure bike, let me start by saying this: Android Auto is the worst thing to happen to motorcycling, ever. With running-in miles to click...

Ducati Monster SP long-term review update two | A motor that packs a real punch even at low revs

10 July 2024 by Emma Franklin

It’s been many years since I’ve had to run-in a box-fresh bike. As the Ducati Monster SP arrived in my possession having only done 11 miles, I thought I’d need all of my self-control in order to stick...

Honda CBR600RR long-term review update two | First service completed, Dan charts the hits and misses

10 July 2024 by Dan Sutherland

My first update on Honda’s reborn CBR600RR came almost exactly a month ago. I’d had the keys for just a week and spent the running in period buzzing my way to and from the Isle of Man TT...

Long-term BMW R12 nineT test update two | Time to see how the retro fares on a wet Welsh weekender

05 July 2024 by Saffron Wilson

Since I took delivery of the BMW R12 nineT in April, I hadn’t spent more than 80 miles in the saddle at any one time. As a retro naked bike, I didn’t know how the boxer would handle a longer-distance...

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 long-term review update two | Joseph heads off-road and enters a rally

03 July 2024 by Joseph Wright

Having covered almost 4000 miles up and down the country on the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, I can confirm that it is actually a surprisingly good touring machine. It offers all-day comfort and...

Long-term Suzuki GSX-S1000GX review update two | The hits and misses after 2350 miles

28 June 2024 by Michael Guy

With more than 2350 miles completed, Michael has got to grips with the new Suzuki GSX-S1000GX – so what does he like and what’s left him feeling a bit underwhelmed? Previous update: First...

Kawasaki Ninja 650 long-term test update two | Big-mile chippy run to Whitby

25 June 2024 by Gareth Evans

I’ve said before that the Kawasaki Ninja 650 immediately struck me as a sportsbike I could do serious miles on, so I thought I’d test that theory and ride from my home in Northamptonshire to Whitby...

BMW R1300GS long-term test update three | Big miles, pillion brilliance and big smiles

21 June 2024 by Richard Newland

Adventure bikes are sold heavily on the multi-terrain dream of escape and exploration, but the reality is the vast majority of them, especially those at the upper end of excess (in terms of physical...

A need for Speed? Ben swaps the Scrambler 400 X long-term test bike to see what he's been missing

20 June 2024 by Ben Clarke

As soon as I saw the Triumph Scrambler 400 X I wanted a go. It looked somehow more grown up than its simultaneously launched stablemate, the Speed 400, and I thought a lightweight single would be more...

Long-term Honda CBR600RR test update one | A fanTTastic start as Dan nips across to the Isle of Man

17 June 2024 by Dan Sutherland

“That’s a proper motorbike…” a mantra I keep repeating to myself as I take in every angle of the 2024 Honda CBR600RR, cup of tea in hand. Standing in the doorway to my garage after our first cheeky...

Long-term Harley-Davidson CVO Pan America test update one | First impressions after 1028 miles

13 June 2024 by Justin Hayzelden

It’s rare to see a Harley-Davidson Pan America in the wild. The big adventure bike from Milwaukee just doesn’t seem to have found favour with UK buyers, which is a shame, because at just over 1000...

BMW R1300GS long-term test update two | Starting glitch delivers the first bump in the road

11 June 2024 by Richard Newland

It all began so well. And the good news is that all is well again. But in between was a period of some frustration. After a Friday of heavy rain, I popped the BMW R1300GS away in the garage, fully...

Ducati Monster long-term test update one | Emma takes an SP on track after her first bike is pinched

11 June 2024 by Emma Franklin

“We’ve some bad news, Emma… Your Monster’s been stolen…” Just two days after collecting my Monster+ long-term test bike from Ducati UK’s headquarters in Silverstone, it was gone; forcibly taken from...

KTM 1390 Super Duke R wheelie control tested | Can electronics turn you into a stunt god?

07 June 2024 by Michael Neeves

I’ve been dying to try to my KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo’s new wheelie control system. Update two: Testing the 1390 SDR Evo’s electronic suspension on track The electronics (part of the bike’s...

Yamaha MT-09 long-term test update one | Carl gets reunited after falling in love on the launch

07 June 2024 by Carl Stevens

Although I sway between just about everything from big bore adventure bikes to small capacity supersport, super-nakeds are my favourite, go-to machinery right now. They’re ridiculously fast, offer...

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 long-term test update one | A mountain to climb for Videographer, Joseph

31 May 2024 by Joseph Wright

The original air-cooled Himalayan exceeded all expectations with its laid-back demeanour and charm. The new 450 promises to retain those positives while delivering a less compromised performance. Yet...

BMW R12 nineT long-term review update one | First impressions after two months and 1288 miles

30 May 2024 by Saffron Wilson

As soon as I found out that I’d be running the BMW R12 nineT this year, I was greeted with wide eyes, big grins, and repeated affirmations of ‘that’ll be a good bike’ from nearly everyone I chatted...

Making first contact with the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX | Is there life after adventure bikes for Michael?

27 May 2024 by Michael Guy

After more than a decade riding adventure bikes, my transition to Suzuki’s new GSX-S1000GX has been a relatively simple and satisfying one. In terms of what the bike can do, other than go off-road, it...

Ninja by name… Gareth’s back on a sportsbike, but does this 650 middleweight live up to its name?

27 May 2024 by Gareth Evans

In the past few years we’ve witnessed a welcome resurgence of the mainstream middleweight sportsbike market, with many of the big players and some new protagonists launching popular new...

Triumph Scrambler 400 X long-term test | Is the new baby Triumph powerful enough for a bigger rider?

21 May 2024 by Ben Clarke

“I think I’m a bit heavy for it.” This was my response when a colleague suggested that the Triumph Scrambler 400 X looked right up my street, and I was only half joking. At and 17st (ish) and 6ft...

No bike is perfect but to welcome the BMW R1300GS to the MCN fleet, let’s dwell on some good stuff first

21 May 2024 by Richard Newland

If you want to get your eager mitts on a brand-new BMW R1300GS, they start at £15,990 – but there’s barely a single stock GS on planet Earth, they’re all either pimped direct at the point of sale, or...

Michael Guy reflects on his year with the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R - But would he buy one?

25 April 2024 by Michael Guy

It’s finally the end of the road for my time with KTM’s flagship 1290 Super Adventure R adventure bike. While I haven’t done as many miles as I would have liked, the miles and trips I have done...

"Bye bye bonkers Beemer..." Ben reflects on his year of neck and arm muscle training with the M1000R

25 April 2024 by Ben Clarke

The BMW M1000R super-naked isn’t the first 200bhp+ longterm test bike I’ve run; I was custodian of a Kawasaki ZX-10R in 2021. When I gave that bike back, the overriding feeling was one of relief, as...

Steve waves goodbye to the long-term Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ but not before one last blast

29 November 2023 by Steve Herbert-Mattick

Fibula back in the as-nature-intended one piece, I nabbed the keys to the Tracer 9 GT+ back from Rich for one more go before the Yamaha mothership came to snaffle it back to base. After nearly two...

After 6002 miles with the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally, Rich has decided it's 'the one'... maybe

17 October 2023 by Richard Newland

I’m not a ‘one bike’ kind of a guy. I love being able to pick a style, age, or character of bike for the ride ahead, and that’s led to me having a five-bike garage (for now) that spans 50 years of...

MCN's News Editor, Dan Sutherland reflects on 7690 miles with the Suzuki GSX-8S long-term test bike

15 September 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Coming into 2023, Suzuki’s GSX-8S naked middleweight was one bike I couldn’t wait to ride. After spending the previous year with a crazy fast KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo, I wanted a street bike that I...

One last fling for the Zero DSR/X sees Ali Silcox exploring Scotland from charger to charger

19 April 2023 by Alison Silcox

My time with the Zero DSR/X adventure bike is coming to an end and for my last hurrah I’m riding to Scotland, which will be a challenge for the electric machine’s mileage ability. The good news is...

MCN Fleet: Ducati DesertX goes back home for some diagnostic investigations

19 April 2023 by Richard Newland

You may recall that the Ducati DesertX long-term test bike has been suffering with a sporadic electronics issue, resulting in a loss of ABS and Traction Control, and a few other dash functions – the...

After 10,392 miles on test, Saffron sums up her time with the Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST long-term test bike

19 April 2023 by Saffron Wilson

How can I sum up my time with the Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST sporty cruiser? If I had to pick one word, I’d say: ‘entertaining’. But thankfully I’ve got a few more words to play with, so let me...

Michael Neeves has covered 17,520 miles on a Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE | Here are his final thoughts

19 April 2023 by Michael Neeves

After a massive 17,520 miles spent aboard the MCN fleet Kawasaki H2 SX SE, Chief Road Tester, Michael Neeves reflects on his time with the supercharged sports-tourer. 18 miles With just PDI...

MCN Fleet: End of the World (Raid) - Steve’s time with Yamaha’s T7WR is over. So how was it?

19 April 2023 by Steve Herbert-Mattick

3300 miles in four months isn’t exactly big miles, but when your two-wheeled time is as limited as mine, it’s about making every mile count. The adventure bike is now being prematurely beamed back to...

Honda Transalp long-term test verdict | Gareth sums up his thoughts after 4576 miles

19 April 2023 by Gareth Evans

I’m sad to say it’s time to wave goodbye to the Honda XL750 Transalp. Safe to say that I’ve had a fabulous year with the middleweight adventurer, and have learned a lot along the way. My highlight...

Parting is such Street sorrow... Deputy Editor, Emma reflects on 10 months split between two Triumph Street Triples

19 April 2023 by Emma Franklin

It’s been 10 months and over 6000 miles of fun spent with Triumph’s top-selling Street Triple 765. Now the day has come when I have to hand back the keys, I’m feeling pretty rueful because the past...