Bike news
Weekly wind-on: your roundup of the stories that mattered in motorbikes this week
01 July 2022 by
This week, we’ve been riding the new Norton V4SV superbike and Practical Sportsbike editor Chris Newbigging gave the bike 3 stars overall. The long-awaited replacement for the Norton V4 SS/RR models...
BSA aim big with new UK distributor
01 July 2022 by
BSA has announced a new UK and Eire distributor, alongside a new visitor experience. The historic brand was bought by Indian automotive giant Mahindra in 2016 and unveiled its first all-new bike, the...
Sell-out crowds witness Wayne Rainey reunited with his YZR500 at Goodwood Festival of Speed
01 July 2022 by
The Goodwood Festival of Speed returned last weekend, with 200,000 motorsport enthusiasts descending on the four-day hillclimb celebration ready to applaud the highly anticipated return of three-time...
Three wheeling: Piaggio unveil tech-laden new MP3 model line up
30 June 2022 by
Piaggio have revealed an all-new MP3 range for 2022, promising a variety more sophisticated three-wheeled commuting tools packed with radar-guided electronics, reversing cameras, and more. Piaggio...
Ducat-E: Bologna brand release details on electric MotoE racer and hint at future production machines
30 June 2022 by
Ducati have released fresh technical details of their 2023 MotoE racer, which looks set to provide the development data for plug-in production bike of the future. Dubbed the V21L, the finished...
Baby sportsbike BMW on the way: Indian-launched A2-friendly G310RR could be UK bound
30 June 2022 by
Ever since BMW revealed plans to make a range of small single-cylinder bikes in partnership with India’s TVS back in 2013 there have been whispers of a baby RR sportsbike. And now, after years of...
May the Forcite be with you: Meet the latest smart helmet, on its way to the UK from Down Under
29 June 2022 by
Smart motorcycle helmets are not a new phenomenon. In the past five years alone, we’ve seen countless concepts and designs boasting head-up displays (HUD), built-in cameras, audio systems and more –...
‘We’re not here as a greatest hits band’: MCN sits down with Norton’s new CCO
29 June 2022 by
It’s been 18 months since TVS Motor Company purchased Norton Motorcycles for £16million. In that time, the Indian multinational has built a new 7300 square metre factory in Solihull, and a redesigned...
New Sinnis supermoto: SM-R 125 is new street version of SM-XE learner trailie
28 June 2022 by
This funky, learner-legal supermoto is the latest from Chinese/British brand Sinnis and, if it looks familiar, that’s because it’s the new street-tyred spin-off of the SM-XE 125 trail bike also...
Doing it for the kids: N.Ireland Police run six-week course for budding off-roaders
28 June 2022 by
Police in Northern Ireland have embarked on a project to engage with young people and teach them to use bikes safely and legally in a bid to reduce antisocial behaviour and crime. The Motorcycle...
Yamaha's green dream: Japanese giant aims for factories to be carbon neutral by 2035
28 June 2022 by
The world’s second largest motorcycle manufacturer, Yamaha, has announced that its green goal to make its factories around the world carbon neutral it being accelerated by a full 15 years. The...
Yamaha’s green initiative: $100 million fund available for environmental tech firms
28 June 2022 by
Yamaha has become the latest major motorcycle manufacturer to significantly expand its green credentials with the announcement of a new $100 million fund for investing in environmental...
Purple helmets bow out: Final ride will be in August 2022
27 June 2022 by
The Purple Helmets motorcycle display team, best known for their comedy stunt shows at the IOMTT races, performed their final mainland English show last week as part of a farewell tour which ends on...
£50K on the longest day: LEJOG charity ride raises serious cash for cancer cause
27 June 2022 by
A fleet of 36 intrepid bikers riding motorcycles costing no more than £600 set off from Land’s End to John o’ Groats on June 21 for the annual Longest Day Challenge charity ride. The summer...
A family affair: Rare barn finds star in Bonhams sale
27 June 2022 by
Two vintage barn find motorcycles are among the star lots at the upcoming Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale, which will be held between October 15 and 16. The bikes in question are a Sunbeam Model...
SR75 World Team Suzuki celebrate Arenacross success with tricked-up V-Strom 650 XT
24 June 2022 by
Suzuki are celebrating their multiple Arenacross titles with a very special V-Strom 650XT inspired by the firm’s RM-Z450 motocross racer. The one-off V-twin adventurer made its public debut at the...
No hybrids from BMW confirmed in exclusive interview
24 June 2022 by
BMW’s Vice President of Customer, Brand, and Sales says there is no plan for the German firm to pursue hybrid motorcycles, instead focusing on internal combustion and electrification. “The hybrid...
MCN grabs a ride on one of only two pre-production RQi electric 125s in existence
24 June 2022 by
Chinese company NIU has just released details of its new 125cc equivalent electric bike, the RQi Sport. The world’s largest manufacturer of electric urban mobility solutions, NIU has produced more...
Textile gear that covers all bases: How Klim use the latest fabrics to create tough but breathable waterproof gear
24 June 2022 by
For adventure riders, there’s never been an answer to the age-old question: what gear is cool enough off-road but protective enough on-road and waterproof too? A suit that saves you from a 70mph...
Go-anywhere learner: Sinnis SM-XE 125 is a return to L-plate-friendly mud pluggers
23 June 2022 by
Following the demise of previously popular Japanese 125cc trail bikes such as Yamaha’s XT and WR, Suzuki’s DRZ and Kawasaki’s KLX, there’s not been much choice for 17-year-olds looking for a modern,...
Secrets of a Road Tester: State of mind
22 June 2022 by
Bikertek promotion BikerTek and MCN have teamed up to produce a third series of exciting riding videos to make your biking summer both exciting and safe. This week, we’re looking at cornering. Most bikers enjoy...
Two-wheel drive Ultra Bike promises road and water-based adventure for £2400
21 June 2022 by
Talk about getting off the beaten track… the 2×2 Ultra Bike promises a level of versatility rarely seen on two wheels. Subject of a crowdfunding effort on Indigogo, the machine comes from US-based...
More than a bit distinguished: 2022 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride smashes global fundraising targets
21 June 2022 by
This year’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride has beaten previous records for fundraising and attendance – and next year’s could be bigger and better still. Fund raising from the 2022 gathering closed...
Triumph purchases Oset: Hinckley firm snaps up electric off-road name to get more youngsters riding
21 June 2022 by
Triumph Motorcycles are aiming to attract a new wave of young off-road riders to the British brand, having announced the acquisition of kids’ electric firm Oset Bikes. East Sussex based Oset was...
R18 gets wood: Latest BMW custom unveiled in Monaco
21 June 2022 by
This wacky wood and metal cruiser, unveiled in Monaco earlier this month, is the result of the latest collaboration between BMW’s R18 boxer twin cruiser and a top custom house. It’s called the R18...
Steve Harris 1949 - 2022: Pioneering engineer and Harris Performance founder has died
20 June 2022 by
The death in June, 2022 of Steve Harris marks the end of an era – when a single or a small group of independent engineers could play a major part in the motorcycle industry. Essentially...
Final shoulder tap for Paul: TT start line official bows out after nearly 70 years of involvement with the Isle of Man road racing scene
20 June 2022 by
An Isle of Man TT start line official responsible for giving riders the tap on the shoulder to set off has retired after 68 years of involvement with the races. Paul Kermode, 79, from Douglas on...
New CCM Classic Tracker officially unveiled
17 June 2022 by
Bolton-based CCM have released a new Classic Tracker – a new flattrack inspired addition to their popular single-cylinder Spitfire range that builds on the existing Street Tracker model. Previously...
Have a go heroes: Run what ya brung sprint racing action returns to Ramsey seafront on the Isle of Man
17 June 2022 by
Thousands of spectators have flocked to Ramsey’s Mooragh Promenade for two days of high-octane closed road motorcycle sprint racing. Taking place on Sunday, June 5 and Tuesday, June 7 just a few...
Petrol vs electric: MCN lifts the lid on the true cost of battery powered bikes
17 June 2022 by
Love it or hate it, we’re seeing major developments in electric motorcycles. But the latest research shows that their environmental advantage over more traditional petrol-powered machines is far from...
Cutting carbon footprints with Cake: Swedish firm evaluate paper-based replacement for plastic components
17 June 2022 by
The drive towards a carbon-neutral future has long focused on the direct emissions of engines and the shift to electric power but even the complete elimination of exhaust fumes is only a partial step...
Norton goes electric: Two-and-a-half year project to create new model announced
17 June 2022 by
Norton have unveiled new plans to design and build electric motorbikes right here in the UK, co-funded by a Government scheme. The TVS-owned business are aiming high, saying they want to “create an...
BMW outfit is collie good fun: Dynamic duo of Daves have covered over 20,000 miles
15 June 2022 by
Meet Dave: the four-and-a-half-year-old sidecar-riding collie, who has embarked on a new life of motorcycling adventure after being rescued two years ago. A failed sheepdog originally from...
Government plug-in grant for electric motorbikes continues as car levy scrapped
15 June 2022 by
Despite the Government recently announcing the end of its plug-in car grant scheme, electric bikes remain unaffected, with manufacturers continuing to report growing sales. On Tuesday June 14,...
Fifty shades of Indian Motorcycle: Limited FTR Stealth Gray arrives
14 June 2022 by
Revived American manufacturer Indian Motorcycle has just announced this special, limited edition version of its punchy, flat track-style FTR roadster. Called the FTR Stealth Gray, it has been...