BMW make some outstanding twin cylinder bikes, that are loved by bikers who want to go the distance on two wheels. But what about beginners, or commuters, who simply don’t need an 1100cc sized bike? Enter the F650CS Scarver, a unique looking all-rounder,...

Touring on a Ducati is a contradiction in terms for most bikers. The Italian machines are renowned for many things, but bimbling along admiring the scenery isn’t usually top of the list. So, the ST2 sports-touring model was a bold step for the Bologna...

Most retro machines offer great biking because they are essentially stripped down versions of the company’s sportsbikes. The Honda Hornet is a slower, more comfy variation on the successful CBR600F model, which is one of the best starting points in modern...

Here’s a fascinating fact for you; out of the 17 million or so two-wheelers manufactured worldwide each year, about 12 million are scooters under 125cc. Most are made in Asia and used by ordinary people as their only means of transport. Honda make this...

Sometimes, small is beautiful, as the Gilera CX125 demonstrated many years ago. Single sided swingarm, hub-centre steering, fully enclosed race style bodywork – the Gilera had a specification that out-posed a Bimota, at a fraction of the price.Although...

The BMW K1200S is perhaps the most significant new model from the German factory in the last 20 years. Four cylinders, electronic suspension adjustment, 180mph performance – this is the new territory for BMW. Can they cut it in the white-hot sportbike...

The BMW KI isn’t perhaps everyone’s idea of the ideal turbocharged sports machine, but there’s no denying that its weight and aerodynamic bodywork should keep things reasonably stable. Then again, anyone who dials in maximum boost and tries to extract a...

The R1100S is BMW’s most sporty machine, with a 97bhp twin cylinder Boxer motor, underseat exhausts and – for a BMW rather good looking bodywork too. But against a Ducati, MV Agusta, or even a Yamaha R6, the R1100S still has a little bit of an image...

BMW’s R1150GS is one of the most popular big trailie bikes on the market, combining real world ability with excellent re-sale values, to please many long distance, high mileage riders. Now there’s an Adventure option, for those brave enough to tackle some...

BMW have always made very practical and reliable motorcycles. They have also been tarred with the epitaph ’boring’, and perhaps as a result have tried to change their image. You may not like BMW’s but you do have to respect their bikes’ individuality and...

Faith in it’s own product: that’s the message from BMW which chose to set a far tougher test of its new 2001 machines than that imposed by the typical bike launch. And as far as the new R1150RT is concerned, the faith is justified. BMW gathered the UK...

Cruisers are bikes that evoke a strong reaction; most people either love ’em, or would gladly turn a blowtorch upon their chromium plated knick-knacks.

The Boss Hoss V8 bike has been around for 15 years now, with a series of tweaks and improvements carried out to make this monster of a motorcycle that bit easier to ride. But underneath it all, the Boss Hoss remains a truly unique blend of American muscle...

For a brief moment in the early 1990’s, it looked like Italian company Cagiva was about to put one over the Japanese in the frenzied world of 500cc Grand Prix, as first Eddie Lawson, then John Kocinski won a few races on the firecracker red Italian bike....

How do road racers learn to go faster round corners, in winter? Mostly, they go off-road. Y’see, there’s no substitute for learning how to control a motorcycle at the ragged edge, than to grab hold of a big 600cc, four stroke enduro machine, then head for...

Yamaha’s XT660 has been around since Noah first went cruising, but the latest version is a hi-tech fuel injected all-rounder, which can commute, tackle trails or tour the World, depending on your mood. Alastair Walker rides off into the sunset. Big...

CCM are once again making motorcycles and are keen to carve out their own niche within the motorcycle market. The first machine from the revived CCM brand is this 400cc flat-tracker prototype, dubbed FT35S, which is aimed at the first time biker who wants...

Certain bikes are somehow easier to ride than most and the Yamaha XV535 is one of them. From the late 80s to the 90s, when it was superceded by the XVS650 Dragster, the ’baby’ Viragio attracted thousands to biking with its pleasant looks, low seat height...

Here’s one of the most underrated motorcycles around. A supremely comfortable, yet blindingly quick 600cc sports-tourer, that makes an excellent choice as a used buy, now the R6 has replaced the ’Cat as Yamaha’s midrange sports weapon. If trackdays leave...

Montesa-Honda are setting a new benchmark in the trials world, with their Montesa Cota 4RT 2006 four stroke thumper. Light, agile and with a fuel injected motor inside a twin beam allow frame, the Cota 4RT offers Clubmen trails fans something close to a...