BIKE

BIKE is packed with road tests of new bikes and inspirational riding stories, with fantastic places, amazing races and extraordinary people. Created by a passionate and expert team of motorcycle riders, Bike makes you feel part of the amazing motorcycling world. Our three main areas of content are... Road tests: We ride and test all the latest bikes, from tourers to retros. Riding: We take motorcycles to the four corners of the UK, and the four corners of the world Extraordinary travel stories: amazing races, extraordinary events and astonishing bike people.

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BIKE

Team Bike • This magazine is made by the most talented team of bike journalists, writers and photographers in the universe. Here’s what they’ve been doing this month.

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Africa Twin goes big • Honda CRF1150L Africa Twin gets massive changes to engine, chassis and suspension, plus a suite of cutting-edge radar tech

Naked aggression • New 215bhp BMW M1000RS takes a shock lead of the Naked Loopy League table

Urban warfare • Norton target Triumph’s Speed 400, Honda GB350S and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 with unnamed 454cc commuter

‘Race first, road second’ • Honda do a philosophy U-turn with the Fireblade. It’s now a race bike converted for the road - not the other way round

2027’s best-value new bike? • New Kawasaki Versys 900 gets dealers frothing thanks to radar cruise as standard and super-competitive price

2005 MTT Y2K • Ben Miller recalls having a religious experience when he tested a 320bhp street-legal jet bike in New Orleans

So wrong it’s right • Perfection is overrated, or so it seems. Professor Jamie Turner explores why some engines are deliberately being made more irregular in the quest for character

GET IN GEAR • The latest word in swanky riding gear, desirable bolt-ons and must-have goodies for your pride and joy

Write Off

Fun without pushing boat out to TT

CURRENT AFFAIRS • As the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer plugs in to the electric bike hype, is it time to start paying attention?

AC / DC

No more building your own? • Is the new KTM 690 Rally the lightweight adventurer we’ve all been waiting for?

‘One of my mechanics had to lend me the money to buy our first van’ • Grand Prix winner, MotoGP team owner, IRTA president - Lucio Cecchinello has done it all. The Italian talks racing, money and MotoGP’s future under Liberty Media

Too much for not enough? • The Kawasaki W230 costs £4768 but makes just 17bhp. Has ‘retro’ gone too far?

New dogs, old tricks • The freshmen of the supersport class may be different to the 600 fours, but each quietly offers a familiar formula beneath its ‘new age’ facade

Eurothrash • Fresh from group test victory, the KTM 990 RC R heads into France for three days of touring, two race circuits – and one slight off-road detour…

Italian chic, Chinese value? • Does the Benelli TRK902 Xplorer bring together the best of East and West?

Mettet • With 400-plus riders including BSB and TT stars, a legendary mixed-surface circuit and an atmosphere like no other, Mettet’s Superbiker is the world’s largest - and wildest - supermoto race

Southern Comforts • Having ridden from Canada to Panama, Andy and Alissa continue their epic journey into South America - heading for the end of the world…

KNOW & HOW • Advice, guidance and things to do with bikes

EXPERTS IN THIS ISSUE

BMW F450 GS Sport • Here’s what’s stood out for Matt Robinson in the first 300 miles of riding the £7440 BMW F450GS Sport

‘Built for asphalt adventures’ • Four months with a Triumph Tiger 900 Desert Edition reveals where it excels - and where it could...