Bike news

The plastic’s fantastic: Yamaha switch to sustainable bodywork for scooter range

28 June 2022 by Dan Sutherland

Yamaha have begun using a new greener recycled polypropylene plastic to manufacture bodywork for their 2023 commuter models in some Asian markets. The move is the next step in the firm’s bid to...

Purple helmets bow out: Final ride will be in August 2022

27 June 2022 by Phil West

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...

Longest Day Challenge smashes fundraising record

27 June 2022 by Stuart Prestidge

The Longest Day Challenge, the annual, charity ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats on a bike purchased for £600 or less, turned ten this year and is set to smash its fundraising total. The event,...

A family affair: Rare barn finds star in Bonhams sale

27 June 2022 by Phil West

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 Dan Sutherland

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 Dan Sutherland

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 Jon Urry

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 Jordan Gibbons

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 Phil West

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,...

Two-wheel drive Ultra Bike promises road and water-based adventure for £2400

21 June 2022 by Ben Purvis

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...

A distinguished day out: DGR organisers celebrate best year ever

21 June 2022 by Dan Sutherland

Organisers of the annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) have released the final fund raising figures from the 2023 global charity event – with this year proving to be the best ever. Taking...

Triumph purchases Oset: Hinckley firm snaps up electric off-road name to get more youngsters riding

21 June 2022 by Dan Sutherland

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 Phil West

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...

20 June 2022

MCN Promotion Statistics reveal the unpleasant truth that motorcycle thefts are seven times more likely to happen than any other road vehicle theft. According to the British Motorcyclist Foundation, a motorcycle...

Steve Harris 1949 - 2022: Pioneering engineer and Harris Performance founder has died

20 June 2022 by Michael Scott

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 Dan Sutherland

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 Dan Sutherland

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 Dan Sutherland

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 Ben Purvis

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...

Swedish e-bike firm Cake discuss progress towards zero carbon

17 June 2022 by Dan Sutherland

Cake Motorcycles founder Stefan Ytterborn has updated MCN on plans to build the first truly fossil-free bike by 2025. The Swedish firm calculate that building one of their electric-enduro-style...

BMW outfit is collie good fun: Dynamic duo of Daves have covered over 20,000 miles

15 June 2022 by Dan Sutherland

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 Phil West

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 Dan Sutherland

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...

Lifelong TT racing fan celebrates 75 years of coming to the Isle of Man

10 June 2022 by Dan Sutherland

Ian Anthony Huntly first visited the Isle of Man as a seven-year-old boy in 1947, when the Senior race winner lapped the course at a fastest average speed of 84.07mph. Flash forward 75 years and...

CFMoto point the way to the future with their modular chassis ethos

10 June 2022 by Ben Purvis

We’ve had our first look under the skin of a new CFMoto electric in the works that uses a modular plug-and-play design that could be adapted into a range of models. The Chinese firm has already...

Future-proof new Langens: Two Stroke brand work on batteries

10 June 2022 by Dan Sutherland

Having successfully got their glorious Two Stroke roadster into production and confirmed a new four-stroke model, Langen are developing battery systems for the motorcycles of tomorrow. With the...

Moto Guzzi’s long-awaited centenary celebrations set for September

09 June 2022 by Phil West

Moto Guzzi’s long-awaited centenary celebrations, which were set to go ahead last year but were postponed due to the pandemic, are now finally due to take place this September. A weekend-long...

Manx locals welcome the return of thousands of Isle of Man TT race fans

09 June 2022 by Dan Sutherland

After around three years without TT racing on the Isle of Man, Manx locals have welcomed the return of thousands of bikers to the island. “It’s been terrible without the TT. It was a big shock to...

Isle of Man TT boss discusses the future and hints at greener fuel

09 June 2022 by Dan Sutherland

Organisers of the Isle of Man TT races are toasting the success of their revolutionised online TT+ streaming service, with more than 200,000 racing fans from around the world now signed up to watch...

The Highway to Well: Pastor leads charity ride for children's hospice

08 June 2022 by Phil West

A biking cleric is gearing up to lead a mass charity ride-out to Land’s End in a bid to raise money for the Children’s Hospice South West charity. Dubbed the ‘Highway to Well’ the event was debuted...

Some progress for bike shippers: Talks on carnets re-open, but resolution could be months away

08 June 2022 by Phil West

Despite an apparent breakthrough in the continuing confusion surrounding shipping bikes to Europe post-Brexit, there’s still no clarity on whether riders or shipping companies can transport...

Bike Shed rocks! 19,000 custom bike fans turn up for spectacular three-day biking festival at London’s Tobacco Dock

07 June 2022 by Phil West

The Bike Shed London Show has returned to the capital after a three-year Covid-enforced absence, with 19,000 visitors flocking to the capital’s Tobacco Dock site over the long weekend of May...

UK's oldest club on trial: 120th anniversary trial for Britain’s oldest sporting motor club

07 June 2022 by Phil West

Britain’s oldest sporting motor club for bikes and cars will celebrate its 120th anniversary with a special three-day classic trial in the south-west later this month. The Motor Cycling Club...

Benidorm bound: Charity C90 ride to Spain closes in on £20k

06 June 2022 by Phil West

Six biking mates who rode Honda C90s through six countries in six days are on target to raise £20,000 for charity. John Haynes came up with the idea for the ‘Benidorm Bound’ trip last year after...

Lexmoto Detroit: Sportster-inspired 125 cruiser is latest addition to popular Chinese brand

06 June 2022 by Phil West

This cute little cruiser might look the spitting image of Harley-Davidson’s now obsolete 883/1200 Sportster but it’s actually a 125 and is the latest from budget, lightweight Chinese/UK brand...

KTM 450 SMR: 2023 model unveiled

06 June 2022 by Phil West

When it comes to race-spec, track-only supermotos they don’t come more potent than KTM’s 450 SMR – nor more advanced than this brand new 2023 version, unveiled last week by the Austrian...