First rides & tests

Year: ALL

BMW S1000RR group test first impressions

11 December 2009 by Trevor Franklin

MCN’s Chief Road Tester Trevor Franklin is in the South of France pitting the new BMW S1000RR against the Honda Fireblade, Kawasaki ZX-10R, Suzuki GSX-R1000 and Yamaha R1. He has just phoned in this...

Video: Kawasaki GTR1400 takes on the mighty BMW K1300GT

09 December 2009 by MCN

Kawasaki has the BMW K1300GT firmly in its sights with its uprated 2010 GTR1400. Can the Japanese maker beat the German experts at only their second attempt? Read the Kawasaki GTR1400 review Read...

Video: The fastest Desmosedici we've ever tested

07 December 2009 by MCN

Ducati Desmosedici RRs are pretty special to begin with, but this one is even more spectacular. It’s packed with Grand Prix technology (it’s almost a GP bike with lights) and makes 203bhp at the rear...

Owners pay tribute to the Suzuki SV650

03 December 2009 by James Keen

In the 10 years since its launch in 1999, Suzuki have sold 20,700 SV650s in the UK alone. Find a Suzuki SV650 for sale Suzuki SV650 buyers guide Here just a few of those owners pay tribute to...

Honda VFR1200F first road test verdict

30 November 2009 by Phil West

The long-awaited Honda VFR1200F has been just undergoing its first road test in the hands of MCN Executive Editor Phil West, this is what he has to say: “After riding Honda’s new VFR1200F over 300kms...

NEC Show: Yamaha R1 wins as MCN's Bikes of 2009 are revealed

26 November 2009 by Guy Procter

The revolutionary Yamaha R1 is today revealed as MCN’s Bike of the Year. An expert panel of judges headed by MCN Editor Marc Potter voted unanimously in favour of the bike, with Potter presenting the...

Video: Ducati Hypermotard Evo SP first ride

25 November 2009 by MCN

The old Ducati Hypermotard 1100 was criticised by many for being wildly impractical, so you might think the new one would be less bonkers… but no. Find a Ducati Hypermotard for sale Read the...

Video: 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 first ride - "Japan's best super-naked"

23 November 2009 by MCN

On paper the new 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 looks like it could be a full-blooded ‘super-naked’ – an intoxicating mixture of raucous engine, sharp handling and bad attitude. In reality it’s something...

Video: Buell XB9SX 2-minute test

20 November 2009 by James Keen

Buell may of sadly shut down, but that’s good news for bargain hunters. The remaining new bikes are going for amazing prices and Harley have promised dealer back-up for the next 10 years. Find a...

Video: 2010 BMW S1000RR review - "From now on the world is a different place"

19 November 2009 by MCN

Watch the video below for the MCN world first ride report on the 193bhp BMW S1000RR. Win a BMW S1000RR! Read all the latest news on the S1000RR According to MCN chief road tester Trevor Franklin,...

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 first ride: “It’s more fun than ever”

19 November 2009 by Adam Child

The revamped Ducati Hypermotard 1100 is a blast, according to MCN Senior Road Tester Adam Child who is currently testing the bike in Sardinia. Ducati Hypermotards for sale Chad said: “There’s now...

BMW S1000RR real first test ride.

19 November 2009 by Peter Rooney

I was on a track day at Phillip Island on the 22nd of October when the BMW marketing manager was test riding the new 1000RR. I managed to get a photo on it and even got to start the engine and move it...

2010 Kawasaki Z1000 first ride: “Japan’s best super-naked”

18 November 2009 by Michael Neeves

Michael Neeves has just finished riding the all-new Kawasaki Z1000 that hopes to better the Triumph Speed Triple, KTM Super Duke and Ducati Streetfighter. He sent back this report: “On paper the new...

2010 BMW S1000RR first ride update: “An incredible track tool”

17 November 2009 by Trevor Franklin

MCN Chief Road tester Trevor Franklin is currently testing the all-new BMW S1000RR superbike in Portimao, Portugal. This is his latest feedback: “For the final session of the day the bike was put into...

2010 BMW S1000RR first ride: "It's very, very quick"

17 November 2009 by Trevor Franklin

BMW’s eagerly-awaited new S1000RR superbike is currently being put through its paces at Portimao in Portugal by MCN’s Chief Road Tester Trevor Franklin. Win a BMW S1000RR! First ride: Troy Corser’s...

BMW S1000RR first ride impressions

17 November 2009 by Trevor Franklin

MCN’s Chief Road Tester Trevor Franklin is at the Portimao circuit in Portugal for the track launch of the new BMW S1000RR. Win a BMW S1000RR! First ride: Troy Corser’s WSB S1000RR He has just...

BMW S1000RR first ride countdown

17 November 2009 by Trevor Franklin

The long awaited BMW S1000RR makes its debut to the world’s press at Portimao circuit in Portugal today. Win a BMW S1000RR! According to BMW the S1000RR makes 193bhp and features four-stage ABS...

First ride: Troy Corser's WSB S1000RR

12 November 2009 by MCN

With MCN due to test the long-awaited BMW S1000RR superbike next week, Chief Road Tester Trevor Franklin got a rare ride aboard Troy Corser’s full-race WSB version to get an idea of how the road bike...

Video: Moto Guzzi MGS-01

12 November 2009 by MCN

While on a track day at Almeria, MCN’s Michael Neeves spotted this beautiful Moto Guzzi MGS-01. Our video tests normally focus on brand new models, but in this case we had to make an exception… ...

Video: Ducati Desmosedici vs Ferrari 430 Scuderia

11 November 2009 by MCN

Which is fastest – the Ducati Desmosedici RR or the Ferrari 430 Scuderia? Car fans will argue a supercar can out-brake and out-corner a bike, but we’ll point out that a bike’s power-to-weight ratio is...

Video: Onboard Padgetts Superstock Fireblade

04 November 2009

There are no new 1000cc Japanese sports bikes due next year, so to improve our 2009 machines we decided to learn from one of the best bikes in the British Superstock Championship. The Padgetts Honda...

Video teaser: Ducati Desmo vs. Ferrari 430

04 November 2009 by MCN

Car v bike: which is fastest? It’s the age-old debate, argued in pubs, on internet forums, among friends, in magazines and on TV. To prove two wheels are better than four forever, we’re pitching...

Video: BMW K1300R longterm report

02 November 2009 by Andy Downes

MCN’s Andy Downes has had the BMW K1300R on longterm test for most of 2009, but last week he reluctantly had to hand the keys back to BMW. Watch the video for his longterm report on life with the...

Video: New MV Brutale first ride

30 October 2009 by MCN

MV’s new range-topping Brutale 1098RR might not look very different to the old one, but believe us when we say it’s a revelation. Watch the video for the first ride from the world launch in Misano,...

KTM Duke R first ride

29 October 2009 by Trevor Franklin

KTM’s model line-up for 2010 will include this revised 690 Duke R which features a 7bhp power increase along with more midrange torque. Find a KTM 690 Duke for sale This new machine’s first...

Boss Hoss ZZ4 Injection

29 October 2009 by MarcusKingma

Boss Hoss ZZ4 Injection video review.

Video: Ducati Streetfighter longtermer report - part 2

28 October 2009 by MCN

MCN road tester Michael Neeves has the Ducati Streetfighter on longterm test for 2009. So far he’s covered over 6,700 miles on it including big-mile trips to Ireland and Ibiza. Watch the video for...

Video: Kawasaki GTR1400 first ride

28 October 2009 by MCN

The new Kawasaki GTR1400 boasts traction control, linked brakes and improved comfort. According to our road tester Adam Child, it has “the best traction control system on a road bike yet.” Watch the...

Aprilia RSV4-R first ride!

27 October 2009 by Michael Neeves

The Aprilia RSV4-R costs £12,449 and is available in dealers now. The compact V4 engine is exactly the same as the Factory’s, it’s only the chassis components which have been altered, with Ohlins...

VFR1200F first ride blog: A perfect end

24 October 2009 by Andy Downes

MCN’s Andy Downes has been testing the new VFR1200F in Japan. Andy has ridden the new V4 and is now getting ready to head home. VFR1200F first ride blog: First impressions of the VFR1200F VFR1200F...

Video: Honda VFR1200F first ride teaser

22 October 2009 by MCN

MCN’s Andy Downes is testing the new VFR1200F in Japan and he’s had his first taste of riding the new 170bhp super tourer. Watch the video to hear the bike running. More info on the Honda...

VFR1200F first ride blog: Dual Clutch Transmission review

22 October 2009 by Andy Downes

MCN’s Andy Downes is testing the new VFR1200F in Japan. Andy is at Sugo race track right now, and has just been out riding on a VFR1200F with Dual Clutch Transmission for the first time. More info...

VFR1200F first ride blog: Live from Sugo

22 October 2009 by Andy Downes

MCN’s Andy Downes is testing the new VFR1200F in Japan. Andy is at Sugo race track right now, and has just sat on the VFR1200F for the first time. More info on the Honda VFR1200 The lucky testers...

VFR1200F first ride blog: The night before the first test of the VFR1200F

21 October 2009 by Andy Downes

MCN’s Andy Downes will be testing the new VFR1200F in Japan later this week. He will be posting regular updates of his experiences. More info on the Honda VFR1200 ‘I’ve just finished a 17 hour day...

Video: Budget v-twin group test

21 October 2009 by MCN

Just £2500 will snare you some of the best twins from the late 90s. Owning a big v-twin superbike has never been so affordable – MCN put three bargain options to the test… Find a v-twin superbike...

VFR1200F first ride blog: The Toyko Motor Show

21 October 2009 by Andy Downes

MCN’s Andy Downes will be testing the new VFR1200F in Japan later this week. He will be posting regular updates of his experiences. More info on the Honda VFR1200 I’ve just spoken with Hasegawa –...