Motorcycle Sport & Leisure

The times they are a-changin’… After six years of working on MSL, I will be vacating the editor’s seat after this issue (although my words may still occasionally continue to haunt the pages of the magazine for a little while longer…). Very much like a change of riders in an endurance race, Team MSL has this in hand, it’s just a simple case of one person hopping off, and another hopping on. To a casual observer it’s no great shakes, it’s just business as usual, but for me it’s a big change, with new challenges ahead, and great memories of MSL that will stay with me forever. It’s been quite a ride putting the magazine together over the years. Writing features; talking to people about motorcycles; testing the most exciting…

Ross Mowbray Ross works across several motorcycling magazines. That means he gets to ride all manner of two-wheelers, from Monkey bikes to trikes. Don’t let his youthful appearance fool you, he’s a seasoned petrol-head, respected test rider and a handy off-roader, too. Dave Manning As a self-confessed motorcycle anorak, Dave’s particular two-wheeled penchant is for customised bikes – in each and every modified form they come. He’s a strong believer that every single bike ever made is worth trying, whether they have been customised or not. Maynard Hershon Maynard lives in Denver, Colorado, US, and rides a lovable Moto Guzzi V7. He began riding in 1962 and found that on or off the bike he was happiest thinking about motorcycling. He’s always led a life that’s focused on riding, rather…

It’s a brand with a history that’s as troubled as it is iconic. But Norton finally looks as if it’s on an even keel, with ‘proper’ grown-up ownership in the form of the massive Indian bike firm TVS. The UK outfit has a new factory, new finance, and some new people in charge at the top. We spoke to one of them – Chief Commercial Officer Christian Gladwell – and he told us about the new plans, as well as where he’s come from and the thinking behind the new Norton. We met Gladwell at the NEC show, on the firm’s plush stand. Though the pleasant former Scots Guard officer prefers not to call it a stand... “We call it a shop. I don’t like calling it a stand, it’s…

Test Ride Launch Honda Hornet 750 Thanks to the positive feedback from the 250 Hornet, it wasn’t long before Honda released a 600 version, using an older CBR600 powerplant, and then a 900 which, in turn, used a detuned FireBlade engine. But while these bikes were bigger, more powerful and higher spec’d, the payback was that the styling became less aggressive and more mainstream. So, when the factory announced that it would be bringing in a new Hornet, of a 750cc capacity, there were some confused thoughts about exactly what engine it would use? After all, the Hornet always used an engine that had been developed for an earlier bike, and what in the recent range was of a ¾-litre capacity? A new breed Simply put, Honda has…

John McGuinness 100 TT Starts Honda Fireblade If you wanted to buy one of these then you’ve either already got your name down – or you’re probably going to miss out. Because this is the limited-to-30-copies John McGuinness 100 TT Starts Fireblade, launched at the NEC bike show. It’s been built to celebrate the incredible milestone of a hundred Isle of Man races set by McGuinness, and is a gorgeous piece of work. The foundation is the 30th anniversary edition of the superb CBR1000 RR-R SP Fireblade, with a stunning 214bhp motor, electronic Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes. Honda’s given it a luscious golden-highlighted paint scheme, and finished the job off with a numbered plaque on the headstock, carbon bodywork, McGuinness signature on the tank and a host of other…

Test Ride Small bikes Kymco DTX 360 320 Kymco has been on a bit of a roll recently. The Taiwanese firm has been about in the UK for years, but lately it’s stepped up its game, challenging the ‘big name’ manufacturers with its small but well-rounded range of mid- and large-capacity scooters. Now it’s going up against one of the biggest, with its adventure-crossover scooter: the DTX 360. It’s not a totally alien concept. Scooters with limited off-road ability have been about for years, but more recently Honda’s carved out a bit of a niche with its X-ADV and ADV 350. Presumably that’s why Kymco has decided to reimagine its existing Downtown 350i, adding a few bolt-on parts, making a few tweaks, and fitting some new bodywork to…