A year in film: Watch MCN’s most popular YouTube videos of 2023

Published: 29 December 2023 Updated: 29 December 2023

Michael Neeves presents a video on a BMW S1000R

It’s been another busy year for the MCN team, bringing you the latest news, reviews, and sport coverage from the world of motorcycling. It’s the same story on our YouTube channel too, with an additional 22,900 people subscribing, and a massive 12,953,000 views counted across all of our video content.

Across this year, we’ve seen a number of key bikes ridden for the first time, including Ducati’s Panigale V4R, and the BMW R1300GS. It’s also been a time of monster group tests, ranging from the latest superbikes ridden on circuit, to a week with TT-winner James Hiller to find the ultimate heavyweight adventure bike.

A big thank you to each and every one of you that has taken the time to watch, like, comment, and subscribe to our films, and we hope to see more of you joining in across 2024.

Head over to YouTube to see our full video back catalogue now and remember to hit Like and Subscribe today!

Honda XL750 Transalp review
Adventure heavyweight showdown
Small adventure bikes ridden on- and off-road
Honda CB750 Hornet vs Yamaha MT-07
Suzuki V-Strom 800DE takes on its rivals
Honda CB750 Hornet vs Suzuki GSX-8S
BMW R1300GS review
Triumph Speed 400 prototype ridden
BMW M1000RR takes on Cadwell Park
Ducati Panigale V4R tested on track

2023 Honda XL750 Transalp tested on- and off-road

Released 9 March 2023 Views 356,500

The return of the Honda Transalp was always going to be big news for 2023, but we were blown away by the response to this video. Across 17 minutes of in-depth, thorough, and considered testing Chief Road Tester Michael Neeves gives his verdict on the new parallel twin after spending a couple of days both on- and off-road.

BMW R1250GS Adventure vs heavyweight rivals

Released 10 October 2023 Views 282,800

Quite simply a group test of epic proportions! We roped in the help of Dakar Rally finisher, Isle of Man TT winner, and all-round nice bloke James Hillier to help us decide the ultimate heavyweight adventure bike. Taking place at Sweet Lamb Motor Sport Complex in Wales, the bikes taking part were the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, BMW R1250GS Adventure, Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally, and Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer. To find our favourite, watch the video now.

A2 licence adventure bike group test

Released 15 June 2023 Views 262,400

From adventure heavyweights to the smallest of the go-anywhere breed. In this video our off-road expert Michael Guy is joined by renowned adventurer Nathan Millward to decide what’s the best between the KTM 390 Adventure, Honda CRF300 Rally, Royal Enfield Himalayan 411, and BMW G310GS.

Honda CB750 Hornet takes on Yamaha’s MT-07

Released 11 April 2023 Views 184,200

Yamaha’s MT-07 has ruled the mid-size affordable naked twin class for years and so when Honda revealed their CB750 Hornet at the back end of 2022, the immediate question on everyone’s lips was which of the two would be better? Both are reasonably priced, have a similar level of trim, and feature a 270-degree firing order for rumbly character. We took the pair out on the road, plus a local airstrip, for some serious testing (plus plenty of wheelies).

Honda XL750 Transalp vs Suzuki V-Strom 800DE vs Yamaha Ténéré 700

Released 28 July 2023 Views 166,600

One of the most popular classes for new metal in 2023 was the soft middleweight adventure bikes. Joining the well-established Yamaha Ténéré 700 for 2023 was both the Honda XL750 Transalp, and Suzuki V-Strom 800DE. All three have proved a hit amongst our testers, but which one is the best? We packed our bags and headed over to the challenging terrain of Sicily to find out.

Suzuki’s GSX-8S takes on the Honda CB750 Hornet

Released 19 May 2023 Views 165,900

With the Honda Hornet arriving in the UK long before the Suzuki GSX-8S, it was only right that we made a comparison test between the two as soon as it was out of the crate. Having already established that the Honda was a better bike than Yamaha’s MT-07 the challenge was now on to find the best overall middleweight naked for 2023. Chief Road Tester Michael Neeves was joined by our Head of Content Chris Newbigging – putting both bikes through their paces on the road.

BMW R1300GS on- and off-road review

Released 31 October 2023 Views 136,000

One of our more recent videos, and likely to go on to generate many thousands of additional views, is our first ride review of the BMW R1300GS. This is a bike that has been teased over a number of years – be that officially, or in spy photographs – and so it’s little wonder our review has been so popular. Find out exactly what we thought of the bike by watching the video today.

Triumph Speed 400 prototype single tested

Released 17 July 2023 Views 127,500

Building motorcycles for developing markets is big business, with millions of people relying on basic, reliable two-wheeled transport every single day. It was little surprise then that Triumph announced a partnership with Bajaj Auto in India to build a pair of affordable single-cylinder naked bikes. Although we’ve not had the full launch just yet, Deputy Editor Emma Franklin did get the chance to sample a pre-production version of the Speed 400 back in the summer time. You can find her initial impressions in the video.

BMW M1000RR put through its paces at Cadwell Park

Released 30 August 2023 Views 126,800

A BMW M1000RR and the challenging twists and turns of Cadwell Park race circuit were always going to be a match made in heaven. But is the WSBK homologation special worth buying over the standard S1000RR as a normal trackday rider? And can you really feel that revised aero package working when you ride in anger? Check out the film to find out now.

2023 Ducati Panigale V4R tested on track

Released 29 July 2023 Views 126,500

Another bike developed to give an edge in superbike racing was the 2023 Ducati V4R. Sharper, harder, and more focussed than the larger capacity Panigale V4S series, we sent Michael Neeves over to Imola circuit in Italy to find out how it stacks up against the competition. Since then Alvaro Bautista has won the World Superbike championship for Ducati, with Tommy Bridewell also taking the British Superbike crown. I think it’s fair to say their upgrades worked!