First rides & tests

Year: ALL

VFR1200F first ride blog: in Japan, the day before the Toyko Motor Show

20 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. ‘Tomorrow is the 41st Toyko Motor Show where we will get to see...

Buell: Top 5 technical innovations

20 October 2009 by MCN

In a shocking move prompted by further disastrous financial results, Harley-Davidson has killed off its Buell marque (more details here). Find a Buell for sale Read Buell bike reviews Buell bikes...

Video: Ducati Hypermotard 796 first ride

20 October 2009 by MCN

Ducati’s new Hypermotard 796 isn’t just a mid-range version of the firm’s Hypermotard 1100, it’s a great bike in it’s own right. Watch the video for MCN’s first ride report from the launch in...

Canadian grabs first quick spin on Honda VFR1200F

19 October 2009 by Chris Newbigging

Canadian Motorcycle Guide grabbed a first 20-minute quick spin for pictures on the new Honda VFR1200F at the weekend. More info on the Honda VFR1200 MCN is riding the new bike in an exclusive...

First ride: British-built Metisse prototype

16 October 2009 by Trevor Franklin

This 997cc Metisse parallel twin could eclipse Norton’s long-awaited production plans with the first machines set to hit the road within 18 months. The British company, based near Oxford, has already...

First ride: Tony Cairoli's MX1-winning Yamaha YZ450F

16 October 2009 by Paul Malin

What does it take to come out on top in world motocross these days? MCN sampled Tony Cairoli’s MX1-winning Yamaha YZ450F to find out. This isn’t just any Yamaha YZ450F motocrosser, it’s the Red Bull...

New MV Agusta Brutale reviews now up!

15 October 2009 by MCN

Both the MV Agusta Brutale 990R and 1090RR have been ridden and rated by MCN – you can now read the full web reviews in the bike reviews section. Read the MCN MV Agusta Brutale review “Like...

Yamaha R6 owners needed

14 October 2009 by Michael Neeves

MCN would like Yamaha R6 owners to join us for a celebration of ’10 years of the R6′ at Bruntingthorpe on Wednesday 21st October. We’re after owners of R6s in standard condition, or as close to...

New Ducati Hypermotard 796 first ride!

12 October 2009 by Michael Neeves

The new Ducati Hypermotard 796 is a smaller version of the Hypermotard 1100, with an all-new engine and a lighter, lower chassis aimed at new riders. Watch the Hypermotard 796 video test Michael...

Video: Top Cruisers test 2009

07 October 2009 by MCN

MCN’s favourite cruisers from 2009 include the Yamaha Vmax, Harley-Davidson Rocker C, Triumph Thunderbird and the Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Iron. But which is best? To find out we took a road trip...

GTR1400 - Just get one, you'll see!

06 October 2009 by bertie246

The GTR 1400 is and always will be a great bike. A mile munching speed mule. I’ve had mine nine days, me and the Mrs have been carried for 1,300 miles in comfort in that time. When we stop for a brew along the way to our far away destination we both remove our lids with a ‘We’ve just had the best sex!’ grin sprawlled all over our mush. We did’nt get that with our BMW 1150RT or our FZS 1000. It’s...

First Ride! 2010 MV Agusta Brutale 990R and 1090RR

30 September 2009 by Michael Neeves

MCN Senior Road Tester Michael Neeves is in Italy and has just had his first ride on MV AgustaBrutale 990R and 1090RR. Here are his initial riding impressions: “The first thing I noticed is how much...

Video: £1500 adventure bike challenge - part 3

30 September 2009 by MCN

Three MCN staffers have bought and prepared three classic adventure bikes to find out if you can experience the thrills and spills of the great desert rally monster trailies on a budget. This is the...

Video: Ducati Monster 1100 changes colour in 3 minutes!

25 September 2009 by MCN

Ducati now offer dozens of different colour panels for their ever-popular Monsters. The idea is you get bored of red (or whatever), buy a new set of panels, fit them in just 15 minutes and bingo –...

Video: £1500 adventure bike challenge - part 2

22 September 2009 by MCN

Honda VFR1200 spied in finished form

21 September 2009 by Andy Downes

Honda’s new VFR1200 V4 has been spied in completely finished form in the Alps – the first time the production specification, colours and looks of the bike have been seen in action. More info on the...

Boss Hoss LS3-425PK/460KG

20 September 2009 by Marcus Kingma

We made an impression from the Boss Hoss LS3. 6.0 liter V8 aluminium Block with 425 Horsepower. Weight 460 kg. 0-100km/hour in 3 sec. 100-200km/hour in 3 sec.

Video: KTM RC8R McWilliams replica

18 September 2009 by MCN

KTM have ‘extreme’ written through them like a stick of rock, and this bike is their wildest road bike yet. The £16,500 KTM 1190 RC8R Akrapovic/Jeremy McWilliams replica is – truly – just like a pukka...

MCN Paris-Dacre Rallye bikes could be yours

16 September 2009 by James Keen

The Honda Africa Twin, Suzuki DR800 and Yamaha Super Tenere featured in the MCN Paris-Dacre Rallye challenge are all up for sale. Browse over 11,000 bikes for sale now Our road testers are looking...

Video: Power test highlights

11 September 2009 by MCN

Take 979kg of plastics and alloys, 5223cc of capacity, 402.96bhp of power and 326.44ftlb of torque and you have three very serious motorcycles – the Yamaha Vmax, Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle and...

Video: £1500 adventure bike challenge - part 1

10 September 2009 by MCN

In the latest MCN Challenge we’re going to prove that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get your hands on a great adventure bike. With a £1500 budget burning a hole in their pockets, MCN’s road...

Blata Motard 125 first ride

06 September 2009 by James Keen

If you’re 17 and looking for a first bike, it has to be cool. Big name suspension parts like Marzocchi USD forks and a Sachs shock would be good. So would radial brakes, tasty spoked wheels, digital...

Video: KTM off-road test

06 September 2009 by MCN

Although it has no all-new models for 2010, KTM has listened to feedback from its riders and made some key changes to make their bikes even more user-friendly without compromising their race-winning...

Suzuki Hayabusa owners wanted

03 September 2009 by Chris Newbigging

MCN is looking for Hayabusa owners to tell us what’s great about your bike. If you want to help us, send an email to chris.newbigging@motorcyclenews.com with your name, daytime telephone number and...

MH Duna SM125 full review

28 August 2009 by James Keen

The Moto Hispania Duna SM125 has been ridden and rated by MCN – you can read the full web review in the bike reviews section. Read the MCN Moto Hispania Duna SM125 review “As the name...

Derbi DRD 125SM: road test coming soon

27 August 2009 by Marc Abbott

As part of our commitment to testing all shapes and sizes of bikes for new riders, MCN has just taken delivery of a Derbi DRD 125SM. There will be a full video test of the supermoto-styled...

Video: Metisse McQueen Desert Racer ridden

25 August 2009 by MCN

The new Metisse McQueen Desert Racer has to be the coolest off-roader ever created. A limited run of 300 will be made and MCN has taken one for a spin. Watch the video to see and hear the Metisse...

Video: In search of the Triumph Bonneville

25 August 2009 by MCN

In the anniversary year of the legendary Triumph Bonneville, we take the new Bonneville SE on a trip to visit the people and places that maintain the name of a British icon. Find a Triumph...

Roehr 1250 full review

21 August 2009 by James Keen

The Roehr 1250 has been ridden and rated by MCN – you can read the full web review in the bike reviews section. Read the MCN Roehr 1250 review “The Roehr is a very exclusive, hand-built,...

New Schnitzer BMW F800R and K1300R tested

21 August 2009 by Andy Downes

First ride of AC Schnitzer’s hotted-up F800R in next week’s MCN Handling dramatically improved Cost – £8000 (est) German tuning wizards AC Schnitzer has unleashed its full aftermarket tuning range on...

First ride on new Metisse McQueen Desert Racer

21 August 2009 by Trevor Franklin

Road test in next week’s MCN Genuine Triumph TR6 engine Off-road only £13,999 Metisse Motorcycles is producing a limited run of 300 replica Steve McQueen Desert Racers and MCN takes one for a spin...

2010 Honda CRF250 first ride!

21 August 2009 by Adam Duckworth

First ever fuel-injected 250 MX-er ridden! Honda has scrapped its biggest-selling motocross bike of the past decade and replaced it with an all-new fuel-injected machine – and MCN has ridden it.

Moto Morini Scrambler full review

19 August 2009 by James Keen

The Moto Morini Scrambler has been ridden and rated by MCN – you can read the full web review in the bike reviews section. Read the MCN Moto Morini Scrambler review “If the idea of a 1187cc,...

Video: MCN rides the world's fastest Honda CBR600

19 August 2009 by MCN

In the hands of Eugene Laverty, the Parkalgar World Supersport Honda CBR600RR has won three races and beaten Ten Kate at their own game. Watch the video* to see MCN’s Michael Guy take it around...

Video: Biking's biggest bargains group test

19 August 2009 by MCN

Buying a cheap new bike 10 years ago meant tolerating tat. Not any more. Watch the video to see MCN test the best value-for-money bikes out there – the Suzuki GSX650F, Honda CBF1000, Hyosung GT650 and...

Triumph Bonneville owners needed for MCN road test

17 August 2009 by James Keen

Do you own a vintage Triumph Bonneville? If so MCN needs your help with a road test celebrating 50 years of the famous Brit classic. Find a Triumph Bonneville for sale You’ll need to be able to...