Tony Carter
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Triumph Speed Four Used Bike Buying Guide
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Underrated, overlooked but a brilliant bargain, Triumph’s Speed Four makes magnificent sense in these cash-strapped times Triumph’s model range has always been a little schizophrenic. On one hand they’ve produced unique machines that have been hard to pigeonhole alongside any Japanese, European or American equivalent, while at other times they’ve taken the more powerful…
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2010 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Review
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Compared to Kawasaki’s Versys, and BMW’s F650GS, the Suzuki is the least sporty of the three bikes, despite having an alloy frame and sharing its water-cooled, fuel injected V-twin engine with the SV650 that dominates mini-twins racing. Styled like an adventure bike, the V-Strom is really a middleweight tourer. Which means it’s comfy for one…
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2010 Kawasaki Versys 650 Review
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The Versys stands tall, like an adventure bike. It’s easy to forget that it shares most of its chassis with Kawasaki’sER-6 sportster including the 17-inch wheels on road tyres (although the standard fit Dunlop Sportmaxs are horrible in the wet – fit some Roadsmarts at the earliest opportunity). Like the Suzuki DL650 V-Strom it’s also…
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2010 Honda DCT VFR1200 Review
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The biggest step forward in motorcycle controls for 70 years or the answer to a question nobody asked? MCM rides Honda’s new DCT VFR1200 to find out… Just what is DCT? Dual Clutch Transmission is Honda’s take on a quick-shifting, semiautomatic gearbox similar to those used in top-end sports cars since 2003.This is not…
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2010 BMW F650GS Review
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This bike’s got an 800cc engine. Nobody, even at BMW, knows why it’s called an F650. Similarly, no one seems to know why the F800GS – the more off-roady of the two 800cc GS bikes – gets the more powerful engine (more power is generally a liability off-road) while the roadster gets the restricted motor.…
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2010 MV Agusta F4 Review
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MV’s F4 has always been stylish and fast, but it hasn’t always had the refinement to match. So, while the most obvious result of the new F4’s comprehensive revamp is a sharper, more angular look, the other, more important changes have a very definite aim. Like MV’s recently updated naked Brutales, the latest F4 has…
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2003 Harley Davidson 883 Sportster 100th Anniversary Used Review
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9387 miles, up for £3195 First impressions: Although I’m not that much of a Harley fan, I can see the all-shine, no grime attraction. Harley-Davidson have been knocking out bikes for over 100 years now, so they must be doing something right. So, how did they celebrate 100 years in the business? Well, they…
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2002 Aprilia RSVR Tuono Used Review
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4472 miles, up for £4695 First impressions: Before the flashy Racing version of the Tuono appeared, the RSVR version had all the weapons fitted. Ohlins forks and shocks, and even a steering damper are all original fitment. Most of the black bodywork is either carbon or Kevlar. The carbon fibre nose cone is pure class.…
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DIY know-how: Understanding Chains and Sprockets
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Understand the driving force behind your bike with MCM’s handy hints and know-how… When should I replace my chain? A worn-out chain will sap power and potentially become dangerous. Since the drive chain is responsible for getting all the horsepower from the engine to the wheel, riders who want to transfer that to the ground…
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2009 Mavizen TTX01 review
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Mavizen, the company behind the TTX01 superbike and promoters of the first ever zero-emissions international motorcycle race, have salubrious new headquarters in Gerard’s Cross, South Bucks. That’s where I found myself the last week of January. Chris Hodder, government relations executive of the BMF, was there too. We were to share the honour of being…
