Road Tests

By the mid-1960s the once-great independent Matchless and Norton motorcycle concerns had been amalgamated and product ranges rationalised, and the two firms – once great rivals – were now producing identical-bar-the-badge machines…

Visually striking and rarer than hen’s teeth, the Neander certainly stands out, with its designer clearly a man who knew his own mind…

It’s a conundrum many marque enthusiasts have found themselves in and one, which causes a rumpus around equally as many owners’ club committees – when does your marque cease to become your marque, or is it always your marque irrespective? James Robinson sampled one such conundrum…

Twenty-five years ago, the young Rod Ker always thought the GS750 was a better bike than its 1000cc successor. So it’s with some reluctance that we have to report that this test has done nothing to change the churlish Mr. Ker’s mind…

Jim Reynolds learns that a relaxed attitude to all motorcycles can result in pleasurable experiences. Oh, he got wet as well…

Eighty years ago, The Motor Cycle took BSA’s Model G on a world tour to test its rugged high mileage abilities. This well-used example, discovered half-buried in sand and cement dust, still clocks up big miles in all weathers, validating the magazine’s original test…

Royal Enfield’s Redditch factory built a reputation for solid, reliable bikes that could surprise the better known opposition with their performance. But the company was innovative too. Jim Reynolds tastes the solid dependability of the simple single…

Teenagers understand just one style of motorcycle riding – throttle to the stop. The Jawa 90 was designed with such discerning youthful riders in mind. Luckily a few survived this full-on abuse including this plucky example, now semi-retired in the Isle of Man…

Retired design and technology teacher John Crispin gives full marks to his 1938 Rudge Ulster as an object lesson in good engineering practice and a design way ahead of its time…

With the Goodwood Revival deciding on introducing a set of rules encouraging the use of early to mid-1950s type ‘club’ racers, Triumph pre-unit specialists Ace Classics and fellow London shop, the Baron Speed Shop, decided to join forces and get involved…