Road Tests

Honda’s 400cc and 500cc V-four sport bikes that appeared in 1983 were exotic high-revvers with a luxury feel – but they concealed a nasty secret. John Nutting delves into his MIRA files to find out what they were like…

The Goodman family – manufacturers of Velocette – stopped making motorcycles circa 1970, right? Well, not quite. In 1998, Simon Goodman, the great grandson of the firm’s founder, made one last machine, and thanks to Neil Redley we’ve scooped a test on this unique machine…

‘Specials’ are in a class of their own, particularly when it comes to taking on someone else’s unfinished project. Mike Lewis looks at the marriage of Ariel’s 997cc four-cylinder motor with Norton’s fine-handling wideline ‘Featherbed’ chassis…

Rod Ker is reminded of breezing along through a blue haze of burnt two stroke oil when he rides the smallest of Suzuki’s three-cylinder trio…

Ridden by Arthur Lampkin in the 1966 International Six Days Trial, its one and only event, this slightly uneasy alliance between industry giants Triumph and BSA resulted in an ISDT Gold medal winner. Andy Westlake takes up the story…

At the risk of offending Velocette purists everywhere, I have to suggest that their revered Hall Green machines handled well in spite of their frames, rather than because of them. And it can be improved upon, as this fine Seeley example demonstrates…

Suzuki’s GT185 two-stroke twin typified Japanese lightweights of the early 70s: conventionally styled but with generous and sporty detailing. But, as John Nutting recalls from when he tested it in 1973, the glitter concealed some peculiarities

Any marriage of ‘the world’s fastest standard motorcycle engine’ to ‘the world’s best roadholder’ should be a contract made in heaven. And in this particular case, it is. Mike Lewis tells the story of an immaculate Vincent-engined special…

Abingdon King Dick, or the company’s safer internet search name AKD, were early pioneers of the tricycle, motorcycle and took an active lead in the development of its own range of engines, which was unusually forward looking and gained the company a lot of respect…

MV Agusta’s exotic sports bikes of the Seventies offered a glimpse into the technology of two decades earlier, and limited production made them even more exclusive and desirable. John Nutting tested a number of versions while at Motor Cycle. Here’s his verdict…