Bike news

Year: ALL

Husqvarna update 401 and 125 Vitpilen and Svartpilen singles range for 2024

16 January 2024 by Dan Sutherland

Husqvarna Motorcycles have kicked off their 2024 campaign with a radical redesign of their small capacity Svartpilen and Vitpilen range, marking the biggest change to the single-cylinder line-up since...

Bike sales figures take a plunge - MCIA reveals figures dip against previous year

16 January 2024 by Phil West

New bike sales in 2023 concluded with a slight decline on 2022 figures, according to new data released by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA). But despite the downturn, bosses say there are...

Radar revolution | Verge give you eyes in the back of your head with new tech

16 January 2024 by Dan Sutherland

One of the fastest-growing trends in premium motorcycle design is radar technology, with Ducati, BMW, Yamaha, KTM, and now Finnish firm Verge installing dedicated systems to improve rider...

Keeping up with the Foggies - New docu-series dives into life of superbike star

15 January 2024 by Dan Sutherland

Four-time WSBK champion and ‘King of the Jungle’ Carl Fogarty is to star in a new docu-series called ‘Bike Club’. The 13-parter, featuring bite-sized episodes lasting 10-15 minutes, will stream on new...

Crackdown - South Yorks Police get tough on anti-social riders with 5k hours of patrols

12 January 2024 by Phil West

Police in South Yorkshire have been ramping-up high visibility patrols, including their off-road bike team, to tackle anti-social behaviour. Since July 2023, the force say more than 5000 hours of...

Hero's welcome - Indian motorcycle manufacturer sets sights on European market

12 January 2024 by Dan Sutherland

Indian low-capacity motorcycle specialists, Hero MotoCorp, have confirmed an expansion into Europe for 2024 alongside well-established MotoGB as their distribution partners. “We’ve got the...

Japanese classics auctioned - Two rare predecessors of Suzuki and Kawasaki up for sale

11 January 2024 by Phil West

Two rare predecessors of the first production Suzuki and Kawasaki motorcycles are among the stars of a classic motorcycle auction in April. Related: Rare Brit sidecars in upcoming auction A...

Cornwall cameras vandalised: Police make two arrests after speed cameras cut down

11 January 2024 by Phil West

What’s being described as ‘mindless vandalism’ to two speed cameras has prompted Cornwall council and police to issue a joint statement. Officers were called at 3.10am on Wednesday January 3 to a...

Hands on: Stoppers seized? Here’s how to overhaul your bike’s calipers

11 January 2024 by Bruce Dunn

If you use your bike during winter you can’t avoid exposing it to the worst road conditions. The damaging effects of rain and filth will be catalysed by road salt, resulting in a perfect...

Expert guide: The best used first-generation digital superbikes are worth a dabble

11 January 2024 by Jon Urry

Led by the BMW S1000RR, which set the tone for things to come in 2010, the digital revolution has gathered pace at an incredible rate and led us to where we are now – riding bikes that are lightyears...

Big Chilly Willy: Over 800 bikers turn up for air ambulance ride out

11 January 2024 by Phil West

Over 800 bikers braved the January cold to take part in a charity ride out to raise thousands for the local air ambulance charity. The tenth annual Chilly Willy took place on Sunday, 7 January and...

Inside story: Step inside the dream factory at Thornton Hundred

11 January 2024 by Emma Franklin

If you saw the workmanship of the be-winged, carbonclad, stretched-out and supercharged Triumph Speed Triple RR on the MCN Dream Garage stand at last November’s Motorcycle Live, you might be surprised...

The MCN Test: Pocket Rockets - ZX-4RR vs ZXR400

11 January 2024 by Carl Stevens

Legendary: that is one way to describe Kawasaki’s mighty ZXR400. A true 90s gem that was as explosively exciting as it was agile, powered by a ballistic little screaming, inline four. Not only...

The world's greatest bikes #10: Kawasaki ZXR750

11 January 2024 by Jon Urry

Remembering the glory years of the World Superbike championship, thoughts turn to the ultra-exotic money-no-object homologation specials such as Honda’s RC30 or RC45, Yamaha’s YZF-R7 or Ducati’s...

MotoGP insight: The Making of Martin

11 January 2024 by Neil Morrison

Whether or not you’re a fan of the bullish swagger and fast talk, few could deny that Jorge Martin was the standout star of 2023. Back in August MotoGP was in danger of cruising to a snoozy...

Trick Tuaregs tackle the desert - Aprilia set sights on rally success at Africa Eco Race

11 January 2024 by Phil West

Following their increasing success in MotoGP, Aprilia have stepped up their involvement in desert rallies with this – the latest factory racing version of their parallel twin Tuareg 660 adventure...

Triumph Motorcycles awarded prestigious Torrens Trophy for Moto2 engine partnership

10 January 2024 by Dan Sutherland

Triumph Motorcycles have been awarded the prestigious Torrens Trophy for 2023, receiving the accolade for their supply of three-cylinder engines to the Moto2 world championship. Now entering their...

Popular Lincs riding road grapples with speed camera scurge: Wilingham Woods riders respond

10 January 2024 by Phil West

A Lincolnshire road leading to popular biker meeting spot Willingham Woods has been hit with the installation of fixed average speed cameras and a limit reduction from 60mph to 50mph, with some saying...

Meet your GP heroes: Two Wheels for Life charity launch 2024 MotoGP experience days

10 January 2024 by Dan Sutherland

Official MotoGP charity partner, Two Wheels for Life, have launched a series of experience days across the 2024 season – allowing you to rub shoulders with the racing stars. Raising money for some...

Silverstone have announced that no motorcycle trackdays will be running for 2024

10 January 2024 by Dan Sutherland

Silverstone racing circuit have announced that they will be running no motorcycle trackdays in 2024, currently leaving the British MotoGP round at the beginning of August as their only two-wheeled...

Exclusive interview: Ducati head of design discusses single-cylinder Hypermotard 698

09 January 2024 by Dan Sutherland

Ducati’s Head of Design, Andrea Ferraresi has spoken exclusively to MCN about the reasons behind the Bologna firm’s return to single-cylinder motorcycle production after a 30-year hiatus – and why...

Return of the Triumph Daytona! Iconic sportsbike returns as 660cc triple middleweight

09 January 2024 by Dan Sutherland

Triumph’s Daytona name has once again returned to the Hinckley firm’s line-up, with the iconic badge now fronting a new middleweight sportsbike, based on the highly popular Trident 660cc triple...

Suzuki launch touring ready GSX-S1000GX+ complete with panniers for 2024

08 January 2024 by Nye Davis

Building on their already impressive GSX-S1000GX sports tourer, Suzuki have introduced the ‘GX+ to their lineup for 2024. The new variant retains the same plush yet sporty semi-active suspension,...

Rookie to Racer: Ducati declare dates for their 2024 DRE rider training academy

08 January 2024 by Nye Davis

Ducati have confirmed dates for their 2024 DRE Riding Experiences, with the program now entering its eleventh year. Having seen over 30,000 enthusiasts through its doors in that time, DRE events...

Petrol prices fall for second month running as RAC indicates 6p a litre drop at the pumps

05 January 2024 by Dan Sutherland

Despite escalating pressure to move away from fossil fuel usage, petrol prices across December dropped by 6p in the UK, according to figures calculated by the RAC. Although still five pence dearer...

Workshop: How to fit auxiliary lighting

05 January 2024 by Bruce Dunn

It’s a bright idea! Stand out in the winter gloom by fitting some additional lighting… Select your spots Fitting additional lighting on a motorcycle is an excellent way of boosting your...

Used buyers' guide: Winter warmers

05 January 2024 by Jon Urry

This week we look at the best used bikes for soaking up the hard winter miles and ensuring you arrive at your destination ready for the day ahead. They may not be the most alluring bikes out...

Big read: Meet Gerald Davison, the man who put Honda back on the grid

05 January 2024 by Stuart Barker

In the 1980s Gerald Davison was described as the most powerful man in British motorcycling. He was Honda’s Director of UK Operations for cars, motorcycles, and power products and was also an adviser...

The MCN Test: £7k to find naked heaven

05 January 2024 by Chris Newbigging

Naked bikes blend the best of high-tech, highperformance motorcycling with a more simplistic kind of enjoyment than edgy sportsbikes, or adventure bikes with all their bulk and pomp. No plastic in...

Biking legends: Tony Scott

05 January 2024 by Phil West

If you were a road racer between the late 1980s and early Noughties, one tuner above all others stood out – Tony Scott. His engines took wins in every British championship class from 125...

Kawasaki's hydrogen hyperbike offers a glimpse into the future with new the H2 SX concept

04 January 2024 by Phil West

This prototype Kawasaki may be bulbous but it’s potentially enormously significant for the future of the brand. Unveiled at the company’s internal ‘Group Vision 2030’ conference in mid-December,...

Dakar: Sam’s ready to rumble

04 January 2024 by Michael Guy

There’s no sugar-coating it, 2023 was a seriously tough year for the UK’s top Dakar rider. Factory GasGas man Sam Sunderland headed into Dakar 2023 as reigning champion, but his race was over by the...

Rare Brough Superior and Vincent sidecar outfits set to star at upcoming spring auction

04 January 2024 by Phil West

Two absolute classic British motorcycle sidecar outfits, including what is described as ‘possibly the most complete and original Brough Superior combination ever offered’, are the star lots at a...

Zontes set sights on Tiger with new ZT-703F three-cylinder adventure bike for 2024

04 January 2024 by Phil West

Zontes Motorcycles have revealed a new ZT-703F adventure bike prototype, with the finished bike set to arrive by the end of the year featuring a 699cc engine. First mooted back in 2021, the engine...

Aprilia have been testing a naked version of the RS457 but it's more retro than Tuono

03 January 2024 by Phil West

These spy pictures give us the first look at Aprilia’s upcoming, retro-influenced naked version of their all-new twin cylinder RS457 sportsbike. And, with the retro Aprilia featuring an all-new...

Laser vision! Headlight fibre optics could revolutionise the way riders see in the dark

01 January 2024 by Ben Purvis

Recent years have seen the biggest technical revolution around motorcycle lighting since the introduction of the electric lamp – with the filament bulb finally giving way to brighter LED headlights...