Bike news

Year: ALL

Yamaha go back to the future: Electric and self-driving prototypes set for Japan Mobility Show debut

13 October 2023 by Phil West

Following announcements from Honda and Suzuki earlier this month, Yamaha have now confirmed that we’ll see a range of electric, self-driving, and even hydrogen-powered concept machines at the upcoming...

MV Agusta go back in time with burgundy Superveloce special

13 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

MV Agusta are paying tribute to their first-ever motorcycle engine with a special burgundy version of their Superveloce 800 retro sportsbike. The Superveloce 98 Edizione Limitata will be capped at...

Moto Morini step into the mid-size cruiser arena with new Calibro twin

13 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Moto Morini are the latest firm to wade into the bustling mid-size cruiser class, revealing a new 649cc Calibro sharing the same engine as the Seiemmezzo roadster range. Although UK pricing and...

‘Things are just moving so fast’: Arc boss discusses brand’s next big step following news of Government backing

13 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Mark Truman, founder of luxury electric firm Arc Vehicle, says the British brand are working on a range of battery machines promising significant improvements to weight, charge time and...

Naked record smashed: Scunthorpe’s Becci Ellis hits 231.389mph at Elvington

12 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

The record for the fastest top speed on a naked bike by a female rider has been smashed by 56-year-old Becci Ellis – achieving a staggering 231.389mph from a standing start over 1.25 miles. The...

How to: Fit an exhaust system

12 October 2023 by Bruce Dunn

Although manufacturers do try to create attractive standard exhausts (honestly, they do) – the size and style is ultimately dictated by noise and emissions regulations, as well as cost considerations.

World's greatest bikes #4: Honda Fireblade

12 October 2023 by Phil West

It’s the bike that put Honda back on the sportsbike map and, by revolutionising design with its emphasis on light weight and manageability, set the template for all superbikes which followed.

Big Read: Marquez says goodbye to Honda after 11 years and six MotoGP crowns

12 October 2023 by Josh Close

Wednesday, October 4 will go down in history as the day Honda’s greatest rider called time on the world’s biggest and most successful motorcycle manufacturer. It’s been an 11-year partnership of...

The MCN Test: Flagship adventurers go head-to-head on the road and in the dirt - featuring James Hillier

12 October 2023 by Michael Guy

Competition to build the biggest, baddest adventure bike is at fever pitch. Every year there are new offerings that keep raising the bar – with each manufacturer determined to sit at the top of...

Tech: New BMW R1300GS ushers in a radical change to chassis design for BMW

12 October 2023 by Ben Purvis

BMW’s 2024 R1300GS represents the biggest technical shakeup since the introduction of the R1100GS in 1993. While the boxer GS first appeared in 1980 it was the 1993-on 1100 that nailed the classic...

BSB: It's crunch time at Brands Hatch

12 October 2023 by Josh Close

The talking is over. After what has been a pulsating Bennetts British Superbike season, the title fight comes to a climax at the traditional end-of-season clash at Brands Hatch. After all the...

Ride it to the office then just fold it up: Honda Motocompacto can be stashed under your desk

12 October 2023 by Ben Purvis

With schemes like ULEZ only set to expand in the future, the 42-year-old idea of the Honda Motocompo – a bike you could fold up and slot into a car boot – suddenly looks way ahead of its time. Now...

A right Royal scrambler: Prototype off-road version of Enfield Interceptor spotted

11 October 2023 by Phil West

A scrambler variant of Royal Enfield’s big-selling Interceptor 650 retro bike looks to be nearing completion with spy shots showing this prototype undergoing testing. The brand has gone through a...

Watch out Triumph! CFMoto target supersport sector with 675cc triple

10 October 2023 by Ben Purvis

China’s most outward-looking bike brand, CFMoto, is looking to revive the moribund mid-sized supersport class with a new 675cc three-cylinder sports bike – the 675SR. Previewed in front of a live...

Ducati stay connected: Bologna team up with Lamborghini to display new motorcycle to car safety system

10 October 2023 by Phil West

Ducati are once again pushing the boundaries of high-tech electronics in a bid to improve motorcycle safety with a new system designed to communicate with other vehicles. Ducati were the first...

Future champs get savvy: Young racers treated to media masterclass ahead of FIM Awards

10 October 2023 by Emma Franklin

The next generation of young British racing talent was treated to a media masterclass late last month, as the Ride to the FIM Awards series of events headed to the MXGP at Winchester’s Matterley...

Hybrid thinking: Kawasaki drip feed further details on their Ninja 7 HEV

06 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Kawasaki have released further details on their upcoming Ninja 7 HEV hybrid – which will be available as of April 2024 combining a 451cc parallel twin engine with an electric ‘traction motor’ and...

Expert guide to top-spec middleweights: With so much choice out there, you’ll have no trouble finding a cracking buy

06 October 2023 by Jon Urry

This class has been on fire over the last few years with no shortage of bikes packing stacks of performance – and that is great news if you are after a bargain because plenty are entering the market...

Chris Ganley: The inspirational amputee racer who’s got his sights set on racing the Mountain Course

06 October 2023 by Emma Franklin

Oliver’s Mount is mainland Britain’s only road racing course and it’s notoriously tough. Just over 2.4 miles of tight, twisty and technical tarmac that requires riders to have skill, bravery and...

Touring-orientated Suzuki V-Strom 800 RE model on the way

06 October 2023 by Phil West

Meet the £9699 Suzuki V-Strom 800 RE, which is a new lower, more street-orientated touring version of the V-Strom 800 DE launched for 2023. Using the same parallel twin motor as the DE and naked...

The face that launched 1000 trips: BMW GS celebration

05 October 2023 by Phil West

The wraps are finally off BMW’s long-awaited, all-new R1300GS. The ninth evolution of the German firm’s pioneering enduro-tourer brings with it a radically different frame, new larger motor, as well...

Can cheaper, Chinese-built machinery hold a candle to more expensive European metal?

05 October 2023 by Carl Stevens

Sharing a platform of components across a bundle of different bikes is nothing new – and it makes real sense, because instead of stretching budgets, manufacturers can direct their efforts into...

Ducati timing belts due for replacement? Here’s how it’s done…

05 October 2023 by Chris Newbigging

A traditional feature of Ducati twins, cambelts use drive from the crank to turn the camshafts, which in turn activate the Desmodromic valves. With such a critical job to do, they need regular...

All change in WSB: Rider and crew chief swaps are set to dictate development direction in 2024

05 October 2023 by Greg Haines

Next year sees a monumental shake-up to the World Superbike grid. After nine years with Kawasaki, Jonathan Rea heads to Yamaha to fill the seat vacated by BMW‑bound Toprak Razgatlioglu. Scott Redding...

Green bikes to debut in Tokyo: Firms gearing up for electric and hydrogen future at Japan Mobility Show

04 October 2023 by Phil West

Honda and Suzuki are preparing to reveal their latest ‘green’ two-wheeled projects, with both electric and hybrid options set to appear at the Japan Mobility Show, from 26 October to 5...

Test your skills on the Moto Trainer and pick up a bargain at Wheels Motorcycles

04 October 2023 by MCN

Peterborough bike dealer Wheels are offering visitors a chance to win prizes and test their riding skills at their end-of-season clearance event. Between October 7 and 14 (apart from Sunday 8)...

Honda update popular Africa Twin adventure range with new looks and revised tech

04 October 2023 by Phil West

Honda’s best-selling adventure bike duo – the CRF1100L Africa Twin and more road-biased, touring Africa Twin Adventure Sports – are both receiving a significant makeover for 2024. We’ve ridden it:...

DesertX-tra: Ducati reveal long-anticipated rugged DesertX Rally for 2024

03 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Ducati have pulled the covers off a brand-new DesertX Rally adventure bike model, which builds on the standard £14,795 retro adventurer to become a serious off-road rally raider and takes the price up...

New wave of safety gear: How bike-mounted airbag systems could help to keep you safe in a crash

03 October 2023 by Ben Purvis

The idea of mounting an airbag on a motorcycle is nothing new but the technology has never really caught on. Now that could be about to change as one of the world’s leading makers of automotive safety...

Triumph announce cheaper more accessible Scrambler 1200 X alongside updated XE

03 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Triumph are attempting to make their Scrambler 1200 range more appealing to a wider range of customers for 2024, introducing a new lower and cheaper X model to sit alongside a revamped, more rugged XE...

Brit bike display is go: Haynes Motor Museum delve into rich British biking history

03 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

A major new exhibition telling the story of British motorcycling from its origins to the modern day is about to open at the fabulous Haynes Motor Museum in Somerset. ‘Life on Two Wheels: The...

Drivers ‘fail to pay attention’: Accidents caused by unfocused or speeding motorists at decade high

02 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

A Government report into 2022 road casualties and crashes across Great Britain has found that fatal collisions involving distracted, speeding, or careless motorists are at their highest level across...

A bike industry lifeline from PM: UK motorcycle bosses use U-turn to argue for an open source future

02 October 2023 by Dan Sutherland

Following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s shock extension of new combustion car sales to 2035, Britain’s biking bosses are once again requesting more time and an open-minded approach to petrol...

The world’s greatest bikes#3 MV Agusta F4

29 September 2023 by Jon Urry

To design just one ground-breaking motorcycle that transforms the fortunes of a whole company is an incredible achievement. To then repeat this feat for another faltering firm is the sign of true...

Fend off thieves: Fit a Datatag kit and make your bike less attractive to criminals

29 September 2023 by Bruce Dunn

Datatag is a security system that aims to make a bike less attractive to thieves by making it and its parts traceable, via hidden, unique markings. The kit contains three different types of...

Ride the divide: Global adventurers, Andy and Alissa take on Australia’s mighty mountain range

29 September 2023 by Andy Davidson

Nah, sorry mate. Your bike failed quarantine – we found some grass on it.” With that one sentence, the shipping depot officer crushes our dreams. Failing quarantine in Australia is like failing an MoT...