Honda Fireblade SP

The first FireBlade blew my mullet into the next county, but since that stupendous high I have gradually fallen out of love with Japanese superbikes as they became ever more samey and lacking in X factor compared to the miracle of 1992. Early reports are that the new SP Blade moves things on again. My job is to find out.
tim.thompson@motorcyclenews.com

MCN Fleet: Yamaha R6 one month away!

MCN Fleet: Yamaha R6 one month away!

I’m still one month away from R6 ownership as Yamaha’s all-new YZF-R6 was only launched to the world two weeks ago.However, I was lucky enough to spend a day testing the new R6 in Almeria, Spain so...

MCN Fleet: 'Blown away' by Street Triple 765

MCN Fleet: 'Blown away' by Street Triple 765

A couple of weeks ago I got my hands on the new Triumph Street Triple 765 RS and was instantly blown away. From the second I put my leg over the bike it felt like home. Everything is just placed...

MCN Fleet: How special is the 2017 Fireblade SP?

MCN Fleet: How special is the 2017 Fireblade SP?

Twenty five years ago, give or take a week, I was handed the key to the first Honda Fireblade into the country. For those pre-internet times, the hype around the bike had been borderline hysterical...

MCN Fleet: 2017 Triumph Bobber is on its way

MCN Fleet: 2017 Triumph Bobber is on its way

I’m counting down the days until I take delivery of the new Triumph Bobber as my longterm test bike for 2017 and despite more red crosses appearing on my calendar, it’s not getting any easier. The...

MCN Fleet: KTM 1290 Adventure S – Arrival imminent!

MCN Fleet: KTM 1290 Adventure S – Arrival imminent!

To say I’m excited about the impending arrival of my longterm KTM 1290 Adventure S is an understatement. Having got up close and personal with the model at the MCN London show in February, I was...

MCN Fleet: GSX250R ready to roll

MCN Fleet: GSX250R ready to roll

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MCN Fleet: We’ve bought a 954 Blade (and we’re smitten)

MCN Fleet: We’ve bought a 954 Blade (and we’re smitten)

MCN have taken the plunge and bought a 2002 Honda CBR900RR Fireblade for this year’s long termer fleet. After an online poll and much deliberation over the last few weeks we looked at a handful of...

MCN Fleet: Ducati SuperSport S set to impress

MCN Fleet: Ducati SuperSport S set to impress

Sometimes you read a job ad and it feels like it’s been written for you. Everything they offer, you want and everything they want you to have done, you’ve done. That’s how I felt when I first read...

MCN Fleet: BMW R nineT Racer coming soon

MCN Fleet: BMW R nineT Racer coming soon

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MCN Fleet: V-Strom 650XT incoming!

MCN Fleet: V-Strom 650XT incoming!

Having spent the last few years riding A2 licence friendly bikes, I was keen to step up to something a bit more substantial for 2017. As soon as I saw the fleet MCN had secured for the months ahead,...

MCN Fleet: Suzuki GSX-R1000R coming soon

MCN Fleet: Suzuki GSX-R1000R coming soon

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MCN Fleet: We’re on the hunt for a 2002 Fireblade

MCN Fleet: We’re on the hunt for a 2002 Fireblade

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MCN Fleet: The Eva has landed

MCN Fleet: The Eva has landed

MCN has joined the electric revolution by spending the summer months with the stunning Energica Eva naked bike. The £27,999 Eva arrived from the Italian factory, via UK importers Moto Corsa, this...

MCN Fleet: Hankering for a Harley

MCN Fleet: Hankering for a Harley

I’ve always had a soft spot for a Harley, so I was really excited to find out that I’d be testing a Street Glide.  The 2017 Street Glide is fitted with a Milwaukee-Eight, H-D’s first new big-twin...

MCN Fleet: How versatile is Ducati's Multistrada 950?

MCN Fleet: How versatile is Ducati's Multistrada 950?

I’m really looking forward to my time with the Ducati Multistrada 950. Some people baulk at the idea of the model with the smaller engine, saying it won’t live up to its big brother’s level of...

MCN Fleet: Waiting for the adventure to begin!

MCN Fleet: Waiting for the adventure to begin!

I first saw the Honda X-ADV in the flesh at the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show in February, it was swamped by interested punters and I was at the front of the queue itching to have a closer...

MCN Fleet: BMW R1200GS Rallye joins the fleet

MCN Fleet: BMW R1200GS Rallye joins the fleet

Some bikes just get under your skin, and for me the R1200GS is one of them. I’ve done a lot of miles on GSs over the years – including a Land’s End to John O’Groats double and a lap of the coast of...