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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Smaller, faster • New MotoGP rules for 2027 aim to slow the bikes down. But Yamaha’s 850cc YZR-M1 just went faster than the 1000 in its first official test. WTF?

Be afraid. Be very afraid… • This is the world’s most powerful enduro bike — a 155bhp BMW R1300GS like no other

Gamma rides the boom • This 1986 Suzuki RG500 Gamma has just sold for £24,725, proving that the boom in usable 1980s sportsbikes shows no sign of slowing

About time… • KTM have been threatening to launch a 690 Adventure for years. This spy shot suggests it’s nearly ready

X-rated prototype • New Veloce Aperion is a 1000cc, eight-cylinder two-stroke with a claimed 280bhp. It’s world-class lunacy at its finest

1994 Ducati 916 • If it wasn’t for a certain sportsbike, Ducati might not be around today to celebrate their 100th birthday

Best of both worlds? • Instead of arguing over combustion or electric, should bikes embrace both working together? From Yamaha’s prototype plug-in MT-09 to Moto Guzzi’s hybrid cruiser plans, Professor Jamie Turner gives the pros and cons of parallel powertrains

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

Write Off

‘Tan Hill on three 125s’

The VFR, reinvented • Is the new Honda CB1000GT just a Hornet in touring trousers, or a modern-day VFR750 with a 148bhp ex-Fireblade motor? We ride 750 miles to Scotland and back to find out

Which accessories?

Full bore Bullet? • What exactly does the new Royal Enfield Bullet 650 bring to the retro party?

‘I enjoy BSB — the rider’s got to do the hard work’ • British Superbike king Kyle Ryde clearly has the talent to be in World Superbikes or MotoGP — so why does he prefer racing in Britain?

Is this really worth £44,000? • The hand-built Langen Lightspeed had better be packing something special

Light way round • A few years ago no one made a 450cc twin-cylinder adventure bike. Now there are so many we can’t squeeze them all into one test. Four of the most promising head out on an epic voyage to the Far East (ie Norfolk…)

BMW F450GS Trophy • The biggest brand in adventure motorcycling arrives on the smallest bike in the test. Only, it turns out the F450GS isn’t playing quite the same game as the other three…

CFMoto 450MT • Unchanged since it first arrived two years ago, and starting to look outgunned on paper — how will it stack up against three newer rivals?

Kawasaki KLE500 SE • The return of a name we first met in 1991. Can Team Green show everyone else how to build a brilliant lightweight greenlaner?

QJMotor SRT450RX • The most kit, the least money, the biggest fuel tank and as much power as anything else here. So, should you rush out and buy one? Not before you’ve spent some time in that seat…

Verdict

Ducati’s 100th birthday party • Champions, classics and inflatable ducks at a very special World Ducati Week

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