MCN long-term test fleet 2025

Welcome to the 2025 MCN Long-term Test Fleet.

Over the course of the year we'll be putting serious miles on these 11 bikes to find out what they're like to live with.

Keep an eye out for written updates, videos and more. Click through to each individual page to get the latest updates as we pile on the miles.

Click on the pictures below:

BMW S1000RR	Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX SE
Honda CB1000 Hornet SP	Kove 800X Pro
Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer	Yamaha R9
Royal Enfield Bear 650	Indian 101 Scout
Ducati Streetfighter V2S	Ducati Multistrada V2S
Triumph Tiger Sport 800	Watch all of our long-term test videos

BMW S1000RR

Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX SE

Honda CB1000 Hornet SP

Kove 800X Pro

Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer

Yamaha R9

Royal Enfield Bear 650

Indian 101 Scout

Ducati Streetfighter V2S

Ducati Multistrada V2S

Triumph Tiger Sport 800

Watch all of our long-term test videos

Check out previous MCN Fleets below:

Year: ALL

A few problem areas take the shine off the Indian 101 Scout long-term test bike as corrosion sets in

20 August 2025 by Ben Clarke

I have never claimed to be a particularly fastidious motorcycle owner. My approach to cleaning and maintenance is – and always has been – built around a laissez-faire, light-touch, less-is-more...

Carl takes wife Daisy on a two-up trip around Europe to see if the S1000RR really can do it all

20 August 2025 by Carl Stevens

In the last BMW S1000RR long-term test update, I was gearing up for a big Euro trip. A solo ride to Garmisch-Partenkirchen for the BMW Motorrad Days festival, before a ride into Austria where my wife...

The places the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer is showing its 12,200 miles - and where it isn't!

14 August 2025 by Richard Newland

There’s nothing worse than being trapped in a car when you are in riding paradise – which is how a glorious break in the Lake District this month was blighted by a lack of Triumph Tiger 1200. Even my...

The Kawasaki Ninja's peak power has dropped despite its bigger engine, but does that really matter?

14 August 2025 by Emma Franklin

“It’s got more capacity, but it makes less peak power. What’s that all about, eh?” If I had a quid for every time someone’s asked me that question this year, I’d have myself enough for at least a...

How does the latest Ducati Streetfighter V2 handle a trackday? I headed to Cadwell Park to find out

11 August 2025 by Michael Neeves

In my last update I asked whether this 2025 model was a real Ducati Streetfighter, given its relative lack of power compared to its predecessor. On the road it’s a resounding ‘yes’, because a revvy...

The Tiger Sport 800's performance has impressed me so far, but can it cut it as an outright tourer?

30 July 2025 by Saffron Wilson

Every year I head down to Tewkesbury for a small motorcycle rally to meet up with my dad and enjoy a couple of cover bands – with a battle re-enactment for the town’s annual festival and possibly a...

Letting the Yamaha R9 long-term test bike off its lead at Cadwell Park

30 July 2025 by Dan Sutherland

As the UK continues to be treated to some of the best summer weather in years, I have made the most of it by piling on as many miles as possible aboard the Yamaha R9. As part of this, an opportunity...

Going to extremes to find out just how versatile (or not) Honda’s super naked can be

23 July 2025 by Justin Hayzelden

I’ve already extolled the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP’s virtues on the daily commute and talked about how addictive that deep rooted DNA for bagging bends is, so this month I decided to turn the fun factor...

Go fast, turn left! Steve takes the Bear 650 on a 6-hour round trip to try out flat-tracking

23 July 2025 by Steve Herbert-Mattick

I like riding off road. Or, more accurately on unpaved public roads (also known as BOATs or Byways Open to All Traffic). It’s great fun, and can be simultaneously challenging and a nice day out in the...

Un grand voyage to France aboard the Indian 101 Scout to visit the Le Mans 24hr race

16 July 2025 by Ben Clarke

There are few things I enjoy more on this earth than loading up a motorcycle and heading off on a long trip. To write about it you must navigate a minefield of romantic cliché and I’ll try not to fill...

Can you tour on a modern superbike? I'm heading to Europe with the BMW S1000RR to find out

16 July 2025 by Carl Stevens

I love superbikes, and I’m keen to prove that they aren’t just one trick ponies – but are instead majestic works of mechanical art that can do just about anything that’s chucked their way. And that’s...

Squeezing in a trip to Cauldron Snout puts the Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX SE's comfort to the test

09 July 2025 by Emma Franklin

Rain pummels the screen as I take another swipe across the visor with my glove. After what seems like months of dry weather, it’s sod’s law that the two days I’d given myself to head off on a mini...

These simple changes have reaped big benefits for MCN's Triumph Tiger 1200 long-term test bike

09 July 2025 by Richard Newland

Getting slapped in the face becomes tiring after a while. Blend it with sporadic ear-boxing and a monotonous drone that reminds me of my old physics teacher, and one can start to feel rather...

This is my fourth Ducati Streetfighter long-term test bike, but does it deserve the name?

02 July 2025 by Michael Neeves

This is my fourth Ducati Streetfighter MCN long-termer. I’m a lucky fellow. My love affair with the straight-barred, Italian loony started with the brutal 1098 superbike-based original back in 2009.

A trip to the IoM TT tests our Kove long-term test bike's touring capabilities

02 July 2025 by Michael Guy

As MCN Sports Editor one of my jobs is covering the Isle of Man TT which means an annual trip to the island. I’ve been doing this a while which means I’ve done the same trip numerous times on numerous...

The Tiger Sport 800's turn of pace helped be avoid a nasty rear-end smash

25 June 2025 by Saffron Wilson

Now, I don’t mean to be dramatic, but I came pretty close to what would have been at least a hospital visit this month… but thankfully I was on the Triumph Tiger Sport 800 – or the Bumblebike, as I...

I don't use phone tech on motorbikes, but the R9's sat nav set-up has impressed me

25 June 2025 by Dan Sutherland

When it comes to motorcycling, I prefer to stay off the grid. I don’t use a helmet intercom, I have no mobile phone mount, and I have no desire to ever answer a call on the move. Read...

I pushed the Royal Enfield Bear 650 long-term test bike beyond its comfort zone and it still shone

18 June 2025 by Steve Herbert-Mattick

Time for the second annual MCN ‘run what you brung’: where those of us who can descend on a local airfield (and regular speed testing/photoshoot location) with an open runway to spend the afternoon...

I've covered over 5k miles on a Honda CB1000 Hornet SP and these are the pros and cons so far

18 June 2025 by Justin Hayzelden

Being a naked bike, the matt black Honda CB1000 Hornet SP lends itself to some subtle motorcycle customisation, and much as I love its simplicity, I’ve got a bundle of accessories that I’ll be bolting...

I took a blank cheque to the Indian parts catalogue to up the 101 Scout's touring capability

11 June 2025 by Ben Clarke

The solo seat and feet-forward pegs the Indian 101 Scout comes with look great and are perfectly adequate for cruising around town or even slightly longer trips – but only slightly. After about 90...

Letting the BMW S1000RR long-term test bike off its leash at Brands Hatch

11 June 2025 by Carl Stevens

I’ve spent a lot of time this year smiling thanks to BMW’s S1000RR. But even so, it almost feels like a shame to keep it caged up on public roads with their speed limits, traffic jams and potholes –...

Life is hectic, but I keep grabbing the keys of this Kawasaki! Here's why...

04 June 2025 by Emma Franklin

With non-stop days here on MCN plus Bank Holiday race meetings, interspersed with a family holiday abroad, life’s been hectic of late. So it’s testament to the new Ninja 1100SX SE sports-tourer that...

I've racked up 6129 miles on a Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer - here's what I've learned

04 June 2025 by Richard Newland

How do you know if a bike’s good? You ride it a lot. And I’ve ridden the Tiger 1200 a lot. Despite being welded to a desk five days per week, and having a commute that barely sips at the Rally...

The Kove 800X Pro is a simple motorbike but that’s not actually a bad thing

03 June 2025 by Michael Guy

I’m now 1500 miles into life with the Kove 800X Pro adventure bike and it’s going well. It’s a relatively simple motorbike by today’s standards in terms of electronics, but that’s not actually a bad...

Dan's getting his sportsbike thrills on Yamaha's new R9 this year... but it isn't all plain sailing!

28 May 2025 by Dan Sutherland

The weather in the UK has been nothing short of exceptional recently. In fact, as I sit here and write this on the evening of May 12, I actually can’t remember the last time I witnessed a proper...

A 14-hour riding day for the Tiger Sport 800 reveals its strengths... and weaknesses

21 May 2025 by Saffron Wilson

Although I’ve done some commuting and the odd longer ride for work here and there, I was itching to get out on the Triumph Tiger Sport 800 Bumblebike and have a proper ride – it felt like ages since...

The Royal Enfield Bear 650 wasn't top of my list, but there's so much to like about it

21 May 2025 by Steve Herbert-Mattick

Two new-for 2025 motorcycle models I really liked the look of made it onto the long-term test fleet this year, but I’m afraid the humble Royal Enfield Bear 650 wasn’t one of them. It’s pretty, yes,...

The Honda Hornet SP's handling has got me seeking out the bends at every opportunity!

14 May 2025 by Justin Hayzelden

The Honda Hornet SP and I are well past the honeymoon phase now, but the relationship is still blossoming, and I’ll admit to becoming rather besotted with it. I love how narrow, light and lithe it...

Indian 101 Scout long-term test update two: Hits and misses after racking up some commuter miles

14 May 2025 by Ben Clarke

A busy month at work and at home has meant fewer opportunities to get out riding the Indian 101 Scout for the fun of it, but the more mundane miles I’ve covered are great for bringing a bike’s...

Can the BMW S1000RR be more than just a single-minded speed freak? I carried a pillion to find out!

07 May 2025 by Carl Stevens

I am still absolutely loving the BMW S1000RR. The shine has not worn off having a big capacity superbike in the garage, and unlike smaller, less powerful machinery where it doesn’t take too long to...

I did 575 miles in one ride on the Tiger 1200 and I feel like I could go on for significantly longer

07 May 2025 by Richard Newland

It’s 08:55, the sun’s out, it’s a chilly 7°C, and the Borders are calling… I want to see if the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer can soak up a full day in the saddle without my knees feeling like...

It may have a new name but Kawasaki's Ninja 1100SX is just as good as the Z I loved 14 years ago

30 April 2025 by Emma Franklin

Ninja SX, you’ve come a long way, baby. The model’s been a favourite of mine ever since I got my first taste 14 years ago, back on the launch of the original model in November 2010. Riding that...

I've taken this Kove 800X on A-roads, B-roads, motorway and off-road this month! Here's what I think

30 April 2025 by Michael Guy

I’ve just completed the first 719 miles on the new Kove 800X and while that level of mileage most certainly does not constitute a long-term test, it’s enough to construct a solid first impression.

I've experienced a phenomenon I don't with any other style of motorcycle on Royal Enfield's Bear 650

23 April 2025 by Steve Herbert-Mattick

Ten pence a mile. That’s not a lot, is it? But on my recent, 350-mile, 7-hour ‘getting to know you’ ride on the new Bear 650, it worked out that’s how much it costs to run the new Royal Enfield...

After 1000 miles in the saddle, here's what I think of the new Triumph Tiger Sport 800 'Bumblebike'

23 April 2025 by Saffron Wilson

As I write this, I’ve spent 20 days with the Triumph Tiger Sport 800, and it has already been affectionately nicknamed the ‘Bumblebike’ after Bumblebee in Transformers. I hope it’s pretty obvious why,...

My first impression of the Indian 101 Scout was that I'd made a mistake - but, boy, was I wrong!

16 April 2025 by Ben Clarke

I first tried to run a cruiser on the MCN fleet back in 2022, but a last-minute change of plans meant I ended up with an Indian FTR S that year. The FTR was a superb machine and I thoroughly enjoyed...