Bike news
Yamaha lays out a plan for the future: New models, new niches and new power sources in the quest for carbon neutrality
30 July 2021 by
Yamaha have outlined a plan that pushes the firm towards carbon neutrality by 2050. That’s a long way off but the firm gives strong hints about the models it’s working on right now. Related articles...
Weekly wind-on: your roundup of the stories that mattered in motorbikes this week
30 July 2021 by
This week, we’ve been riding Honda’s new CRF300 Rally, which replaces the popular 250 Rally in the firm’s line-up for 2021. MCN’s BMW S1000R video review is now live on our YouTube channel and it...
Highway Code to support bikers
30 July 2021 by
The Highway Code has been given an update to be published in the autumn that will create a hierarchy of vehicles designed to protect vulnerable road users. In the current Highway Code everyone on the...
Bagger is better: BMW supersize the R18 with Transcontinental and R18B
29 July 2021 by
BMW have unveiled two new R18 based tourers – the R18B ‘Bagger’ and the R18 Transcontinental ‘full dresser’. Both bikes take the core of the R18, a giant 1802cc air-cooled boxer engine, exposed shaft...
Jail for thief who stole restored ZXR: Three bikes worth a total of £38,000 taken in overnight raid
29 July 2021 by
A Northamptonshire bike thief has been sentenced to two years in prison and banned from driving for 30 months after his fingerprints were discovered at the scene of a commercial robbery. Appearing at...
Spyshots show BMW R nine T Scrambler and Urban G/S models are set to get serious off road
29 July 2021 by
BMW are working on two new scramblers inspired by the early R80G/S. With a focus on competent off-road ability, it’s likely these bikes will be successors to the R nine T Urban G/S and the Scrambler,...
Nevermind the Sex Pistols: deBolex create carbon custom from Ducati Monster 1200
28 July 2021 by
British customisers deBolex have finally unveiled the fruits of nearly two years’ work with the db25 – a limited run of radically customised bikes based on the Ducati Monster 1200. Related articles on...
Andromeda Moto create track-rated vegan 'leathers'
28 July 2021 by
Andromeda Moto have created both one and two-piece ‘leather’ suits for bikers that don’t use any leather at all – in fact, it’s completely vegan. Related articles on MCN Best vegan motorbike gear How...
Bikes not chopped: Reports of the death of motorcycles 'greatly exaggerated'
26 July 2021 by
The government has published a paper on their plan to ‘decarbonise transport’ with plans to have all new cars ‘fully zero emission at the tailpipe from 2035’ but when it comes to motorcycles, reports...
Forever 21: Ducati pay tribute to Troy Bayliss with special edition Panigale V2
22 July 2021 by
Ducati have honoured one of their most successful and well loved racers with a special edition bike to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his first world title. The eponymous Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st...
Spyshots: New KTM 990 could shake up the road-going naked world
21 July 2021 by
KTM hit the mainstream with the 790 Duke in 2018, followed by a strong update this year boosting capacity to 890. Now spyshots suggest there’s another bike in the offing. Related articles on MCN KTM...
Life on the road with DocBike
21 July 2021 by
Bikertek promotion The sixth and final part of the 2021 series is all about DocBike. It will feature a day in the life of a band of emergency service workers who are out there trying to keep all road users safe -...
KTM RC 8C offers an orange slice of the GP action
20 July 2021 by
KTM have taken their 'ready to race' motto to a whole new level with the RC 8C – a carbon-kevlar clad racing machine powered by the engine from the 890 Duke R naked. Developed with Krämer Motorcycles,...
Triumph reveal bold plans for new MX and enduro machines
20 July 2021 by
Triumph are planning an assault on the lucrative motocross and enduro market – with two big-name ambassadors helping them to blaze a new off-road trail. The Hinckley-based operation have outlined...
DAB Concept-E combines roadster charm with supermoto cool in learner legal package
19 July 2021 by
French boutique bike builders DAB Motors have whipped the covers off their new Concept E – a 13.4bhp learner-legal roadster and the firm’s first foray into electrification. The prototype was produced...
Yamaha R7: Great first impressions from USA
19 July 2021 by
There’s an old joke that we’re always a few months behind the Americans when it comes to the latest trends and in the case of Yamaha’s R7, that’s literally the case. The exciting new middleweight twin...
Auction prices hit record high: AJS Porcupine sees auction prices spike
16 July 2021 by
The Bonhams Summer Stafford Sale set new records as the auction paid its first visit to the show since the autumn of 2019 – with the ultra-rare 1940s AJS 497cc E90 ‘Porcupine’ Grand Prix bike setting...
Riding on coconut shells: Activated carbon inserts made from sawdust and coconut shells could transform your bike
15 July 2021 by
Motorcycle firms have dabbled with the idea of air suspension for decades, but now a British firm have developed a technology that breathes new life into the idea. Related articles on MCN How helmet...
Norton CEO outlines ambitious racing plans and 'understands V4 owners’ frustration'
15 July 2021 by
The new boss of Norton has outlined ambitious plans for the firm and a renewed determination to treat owners of the V4SS bought from the ‘old’ company (NMUL) fairly, in an interview with MCN. Dr...
New Akita 125 is the latest L plate friendly affordable retro from Mutt Motorcycles
14 July 2021 by
Meet the Mutt Akita 125: a new minimalist L-plate friendly retro costing £955 less than Yamaha’s incoming XSR125. Priced at £3495 before OTR costs, the Akita is the latest creation from Birmingham...
Harley-Davidson Sportster S unveiled with new chassis, new engine and new £14k pricetag
13 July 2021 by
Harley-Davidson have unveiled the Sportster S – the latest machine powered by their new Revolution engine – which promises more power and improved electronics built on a brand new platform. The...
British built and customised machines steal the show as Goodwood Festival of Speed returns
13 July 2021 by
British built, designed and customised bikes dazzled at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, which was given a last-minute go ahead as a coronavirus 'pilot event'. Thousands flocked to the open-air...
Indian break out the ink with latest tattoo competition
12 July 2021 by
Indian have unveiled the first of their incoming outlandish tattoo-inspired livery designs, with three well known tattoo artists all creating a design that is digitally displayed on a Chief model...
Sunra Robo S ridden: Electric arrival delivers convincing offer to commuters
12 July 2021 by
New player to the European two-wheeler scene, Sunra have just released their Robo S 125cc equivalent electric scooter in the UK. If you’re not familiar with the name, it’s because they’re new to the...
Bobber job! French custom house reveals two Honda CMX1100 Rebel specials
12 July 2021 by
Honda Europe have teamed up with French custom house FCR Original to create two unique CMX1100 Rebel builds, said to celebrate the 'dual personality' of the Japanese firm’s latest twin-cylinder...
LiveWire One: Electric bike drops the Harley badge and the price
08 July 2021 by
LiveWire, the freshly spun-off electric motorbike brand from Harley-Davidson, have unveiled their first model called the LiveWire One. Related articles on MCN Harley-Davidson LiveWire...
Smoke show: Yamaha revise two-stroke YZ motocross range and reveal all-new YZ125
08 July 2021 by
Yamaha are aiming to get the holeshot on the off-road racing competition with their 2021 two-stroke motocross range; revealing updates to the YZ85 and YZ250, plus an all-new YZ125 for good...
Benda’s outlandish flattracker could roll in at under £6k
08 July 2021 by
Benda are making serious waves in the Chinese market and expanding into Europe with dealer networks in Spain and Italy – and now they’ve launched not one but two new four-cylinder models. The first,...
Energica’s giant leap: New EMCE motor promises greater power and range
07 July 2021 by
Energica have announced a new electric motor, which they say offers a considerable improvement in all areas. The motor, dubbed the EMCE, has been co-engineered with the Italian company Mavel, a...
Word on the Street: CCM celebrate golden anniversary with two new models
07 July 2021 by
CCM have produced two new bikes based on their Spitfire platform as they celebrate 50 years in business. The family-owned firm have been going from strength to strength since the Spitfire range was...
CE into the future: BMW CE 04 electric scooter is just the start
07 July 2021 by
BMW have unveiled the latest of their electric scooters, the CE 04 and apart from its futuristic styling it’s actually quite a normal sounding machine. Some electric manufacturers have been guilty of...
Honda CBR600: Your in-depth guide
06 July 2021 by
The 2021 Honda CBR600RR was launched on 25 September featuring more aerodynamic styling, revised engine internals, traction control and more. Unfortunately, it’s not coming to Europe – with the...
Do-it-yourself: Custom kits for Royal Enfield 650s
05 July 2021 by
Bad Winners have built a series of do-it-yourself kits for the Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor and Continental. Related articles on MCN Limited edition Indian Scout Bobber Sixty customs The best base...
Road stats are mixed bag: Good and bad news for bikers in latest figures
05 July 2021 by
There was a 16% reduction in road deaths in 2020 but the picture wasn’t quite so rosy for bikers. The reason for the reduction was the lockdown, with millions fewer miles travelled. Related articles...
French fancies: Parisian dealer teams up with custom house for limited-run Scout Bobber Sixty range
05 July 2021 by
Meet the Indian Neon Scout Bobber Sixty series – a design collaboration between custom house Tank Machine and Parisian dealer Indian Étoile, inspired by Nascar racing liveries. Costing around £17,560...
European Commission drops insurance green card requirement for UK motorists
02 July 2021 by
The European Commission has scrapped the requirement for UK riders (including Northern Ireland) to carry an insurance green card within the EU. Related articles on MCN National Motorcyclists Council...