Bike news

Year: ALL

Practical magic: Honda update NC750X, X-ADV for 2021 plus CB1000R and CB125R

10 November 2020 by Ben Clarke

Honda have revealed updated versions of both the NC750X and X-ADV for 2021, continuing to blur the line between motorbike and scooter. Both machines use the 58bhp, 750cc parallel-twin engine and DCT...

Quadriplegic biker gets back on road with Triumph Rocket III trike

06 November 2020 by Dan Sutherland

A life-long biker who became paralysed six-years-ago is now enjoying the thrill of motorcycles once again following the creation of an electric-wheelchair-accessible Triumph Rocket III trike. Retired...

Bagger tricks: How the S&S Indian heavyweight racer won at Laguna Seca

05 November 2020 by Jordan Gibbons

The inaugural King of the Baggers race was run last week at Laguna Seca, with flat-track pro Tyler O’Hara taking top honours. The close-fought event has spawned from a growing performance bagger scene...

Fabrizio Pirovano tribute Yamaha R1 raises £24,000 for cancer research charity

05 November 2020 by Dan Sutherland

A one-off Yamaha R1 paying tribute to the late World Superbike racer, Fabrizio Pirovano, has been auctioned off online to raise money for a cancer research charity. The bike sold to an anonymous...

BMW turn to 3D printing to perfect their race bikes

05 November 2020 by Jordan Gibbons

BMW are well known as masters of tech on the road and track but now they’re staking a claim as masters of tech off the track too with their latest venture. In a bid to gain valuable seconds for their...

Honda CRF250 Rally review (2017-on): A great lightweight adventure bike

04 November 2020 by Michael Guy

Building on the growing appetite for adventure, Honda have launched the funky CRF 250 Rally. Capitalising on the overwhelming success of the Africa Twin and the kudos gained from becoming front...

MCN advice: How Coronavirus is affecting motorbike events

03 November 2020 by MCN

While most motorcycling events won’t be taking place following the latest advice from the Government, many are moving to dates in the future and there are many more that are still in the planning...

Half a superbike, twice the fun: your in-depth look at Aprilia's new 660 motor

30 October 2020 by Michael Neeves

Aprilia’s new RS660 is the Noale firm’s first new machine in years, plugging a gaping hole in their sportsbike range between the RSV4 1100 and the RS50 and RS125. It also has a brand-new engine…well,...

Riders pitch in to save popular Bedford hangout

29 October 2020 by Jordan Gibbons

A biking destination in Bedfordshire has launched a crowdfunder after coronavirus forced them to shut. Boyds of Bedford was opened by husband and wife team Tom and Jessica Answer in 2018, originally...

Ready to tackle the cold? Check out these top tips to make your helmet winter-ready…

27 October 2020 by MCN

SHARK helmets promotion Winter is fast approaching, so what better time to start preparing your kit to take on the elements? If you haven’t quite reached your 5000 miles for #ride5000miles this year, sponsors of the...

PAID PROMOTION: Don’t just own a Monimoto, own a part of Monimoto

27 October 2020 by MCN

ADVERTISEMENT FROM MONIMOTO The riders behind the Monimoto motorcycle tracker are giving you the chance to own a piece of the action and support them in the fight again bike theft once and for all. With around 40,000...

Electric shock: Deus team up with Zero for their first electric bike build

26 October 2020 by Phil West

This world-first, one-off Zero, created in collaboration with custom bike experts Deus ex Machina, has been built to shine the spotlight on the leading electric bike brand as they unveil their 2021...

MCN teams up with Parkers.co.uk in announcing van of the year winners

26 October 2020 by MCN

Parkers – the definitive resource for car buyers in the UK – has partnered with MCN to bring you winners of the Best Small Van, Best Medium Van, Best Large Van and Best Electrified...

Former Dirty Sanchez star Mathew Pritchard teams up with Mutt to get bike licence

23 October 2020 by Dan Sutherland

Former Dirty Sanchez TV star turned endurance athlete, Mathew ‘Pritch’ Pritchard, is embarking on a new challenge to get his motorcycle licence in partnership with Mutt Motorcycles. The 47-year-old...

Nine years of two-up adventures help father and son create a special understanding

22 October 2020 by Dan Sutherland

A father and son biking duo from Honiton in Devon have been sharing their love for two wheels together for almost a decade; squeezing in weekend blasts and small tours as often as they can. Kawasaki...

Triumph Speed Twin Café Racer kit helps turn roadster into speedster

21 October 2020 by Phil West

Triumph’s Speed Twin may be a great performer thanks to its Thruxton 1200 engine and souped-up cycle parts but many would agree its sober styling isn’t the most exciting in the world. Related articles...

Going the distance: Bridgestone launch T32 sports touring tyres

21 October 2020 by Dan Sutherland

Bridgestone have revealed a new Battlax Sport Touring T32 tyre range, set to take over from the existing T31 as the firm’s flagship road-going distance offering – promising improved wet weather...

Female riders launch calendar in aid of ovarian cancer charity

20 October 2020 by Dan Sutherland

A group of 300 female bikers from the Southwest have launched a charity calendar to raise money for ovarian cancer support group, Ovacome. Known as the Bristol Biking Girls, the online ladies-only...

Bright idea: BMW's new headlights see round corners

16 October 2020 by Jordan Gibbons

Riding in the dark highlights an innate problem with traditional headlights – when you lean into a turn the beam is angled away from the direction you’re trying to go. Related articles on MCN BMW...

Breaking: BMW reveal R1250RT with radar cruise control

15 October 2020 by Ben Clarke

BMW have become the second manufacturer to release a model with radar guided cruise control having pulled the wraps off the 2021 R1250RT tourer. The all-conquering tourer also gets a rejuvenated look...

Zero Motorcycles 2021 model updates

15 October 2020 by Andy Calton

Zero have announced updates to their range of production electric bikes for 2021 with colour changes throughout and a series of detail and specification changes. Related articles on MCN Zero SR/S...

Quartararo tear-off sells at charity auction for £4250

14 October 2020 by Ben Clarke

The visor tear-off that ended Jack Miller’s race at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Misano sold for an incredible £4250 at auction. UK-based charity, Two Wheels for Life, were able to sell the piece...

Thieves take over £20k of stock from Maidstone Harley dealer

09 October 2020 by Dan Sutherland

Thieves have stolen over £20,000-worth of stock from Maidstone Harley-Davidson after breaking into the dealership in the early hours of the morning on Thursday, October 8. Biking gear was the target...

Like water off a biker's back: Why Belstaff turned to Gore-Tex to create kit for the Long Way Up

09 October 2020 by Jordan Gibbons

You might think of Gore-Tex – as used in Charley and Ewan’s kit for their latest TV epic – as a bit of a wonder material. It magically stops water getting in while letting sweat get out. But you might...

Biking YouTuber takes on 220-mile Honda Vision 50 ride for PTSD UK

08 October 2020 by Dan Sutherland

Riding from Northants to Skeggy and back might not sound like a big deal… but it is when you are doing it on Honda Vision moped that won’t top 30mph. Alan Dowsett, 38, who goes by the name of ‘Helmet...

SHARK Helmets brand-new EVOJET now in UK dealers

01 October 2020 by MCN

SHARK helmets promotion #Ride5000miles sponsor, SHARK Helmets, released news of its futuristic EVOJET helmet at EICMA last year and now, you can get your hands on your own! Designed in France and manufactured at SHARK...

Honda update 650s and give Africa Twin new colour option

01 October 2020 by Jordan Gibbons

Honda have given their 650s a small handling and convenience boost while also treating the Africa Twin to a new paintjob in their latest range update for 2021. First up, the Africa Twin because the...

Big insurance shake up coming: Firms warned to stop hiking premiums

30 September 2020 by Jordan Gibbons

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has put out proposals to rid the insurance market of second-year price hikes that favour new customers over existing policyholders. After an analysis of the...

#Ride5000miles members pack in late summer miles with UK touring trips

28 September 2020 by Dan Sutherland

Ditching the Pyrenees for Penrith and Stelvio for Somerset, #ride5000milers made full use of previously easing coronavirus restrictions to explore the scenery on offer across Britain. With his usual...

Electric explorers: Exclusive interview with the stars of Long Way Up

25 September 2020 by Jon Urry

“The idea for Long Way Up has probably been kicking around since we finished Long Way Down in 2007, because when you do a big and exciting trip you have a comedown afterwards and the way to get over...

See all six episodes of 2020's Secrets of a Road Tester right here!

24 September 2020 by MCN

Bikertek promotion In the final episode of his series ‘Secrets of a Road Tester’, Michael Neeves summarises his approach to riding. He says that after two decades as a road tester, covering tens of thousands of miles,...

Big-bore Niken rival under development by Aprilia

24 September 2020 by Ben Purvis

Yamaha have been out to make the leaning three-wheeler market their own – developing the Tricity scooter range and the MT-09-based Niken – but Piaggio first popularised the idea and now want their own...

Piping up: How nuclear subs gave us titanium exhausts

22 September 2020 by Jordan Gibbons

As bikes get heavier manufacturers search for ways of making them lighter. Just look at the latest superbikes, such as the Ducati Superleggera or Honda Fireblade, with their titanium pipes. But what...

#Ride5000miles members pick up new skills during the pandemic

21 September 2020 by Dan Sutherland

Covid-19 has forced many riders to think about everything differently and it’s seen #ride5000miles members pushing beyond their usual riding regimes. From trackdays, to off-road experiences and...

ContiRoad Performs Exceptionally on KTM Bike

17 September 2020 by MCN

Continental tyres promotion Motorcycle legend, Jeremy McWilliams, a former MotoGP rider, Multiple Northwest 200 winner and full-time KTM test and development rider, had the opportunity to extensively test the new ContiRoad at...

2020 ‘Bonnie Build-off’ contenders revealed

17 September 2020 by Phil West

The contenders for this year’s Triumph ‘Bonneville Build-Off Challenge’ have been unveiled. The bikes were submitted by Triumph dealers from around the UK and the bikes can now be viewed and voted for...