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.

Hello

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.

BIKE

What about the R20?

Six appeal • BMW’s bonkers-looking Vision K18 prototype all but confirms a big capacity boost is coming for the firm’s inline-six super-tourers

The ultimate learner bike • Thirty years ago this Aprilia RS125R launched Rossi’s GP career – and it’s just been sold for an undisclosed amount

Two careful owners

Just like Luciano’s (sort of) • KTM’s limited-edition 450 Rally Replica, based on its multiple-time Dakar winner, is being offered to us mortals – provided you’ve got £33k to spend

V-affordable • UK importer confirms the QJMotor Eqvvs café racer concept is heading for production – complete with screaming 561cc V4 and £7000 price tag

Maverick thinking • Five mates, two years and one garage in Croatia combine to build a Kawasaki GPZ900R special worthy of Pete Mitchell

Did Tom ride a 750?

1999 MV Agusta F4 750 Serie Oro • The long-awaited launch of one of the most desirable bikes ever… yet MV weren’t that bothered about inviting anyone, as Dickie Fincher recalls

My dream engine • How would a former Norton and Lotus engineering genius like his fantasy bike to be powered? Professor Jamie Turner imagines bringing together all his favourite tech tricks in one place…

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

Write Off

Less power, more fun

RULE BREAKER • Modern superbikes are high-revving, ultra-stiff, track-focused scalpels. But the all-new Norton Manx R isn’t any of these things…

Stand by your Manx

Under the skin • Norton’s chief technology officer Brian Gillen talks us through the secrets behind the most powerful production superbike ever assembled in Britain

The Ascent of Manx • What’s in a name? Quite a lot when that name is ’Manx’ and it sits alongside ’Norton’

Riding a legend

Does it give you Xtra? • Meet the all-new Ducati DesertX V2. Have they messed with a winning formula?

Who dares twins • BMW’s R1300RS and the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello S take luxury sports-touring to the next level of sophistication and comfort. But which is best for big miles with big smiles?

£2799? Really? • Bike gets an exclusive first ride on this year’s cheapest new adventure bike, the Hero XPulse 200. Can it possibly be any good at that price? Oh yes…

Who are Hero?

Be adventurous

Is the GSX-R too old to cut it? • Mostly the same as in 2017, is there a reason to still buy a Suzuki GSX-R1000R?

‘The target was to wake up the proudness of Aprilia’ • Massimo Rivola quit Ferrari’s Formula 1 project to transform Aprilia from MotoGP’s biggest loser to the championship’s new force. He tells Mat Oxley about his journey from 125cc two-strokes and trackday addiction to MotoGP title contender

Is this the most fun little naked? • We send the new Fantic Stealth 500 up an Italian hillclimb track to find out

Seven-grand sportsbikes • Three fully faired...