Mossy's Knowledge

Spec sheet terminology - chassis

Test fleet: Suzuki GSX-S1000GX

Out with the old and in with the new, as Stu picks up a GSX-S1000GX

Test fleet: Suzuki V-Strom 800RE

I've only had it a few days, but I've liked it since mile one. Hopefully my affection for the Suzuki will continue well into the future

Test fleet: Yamaha Ténéré World Raid

A lack of a daily commute doesn't mean that mileage is kept to a minimum

The Longest Day Teapot

While it would've been truly wonderful to have spent time preparing myself and the bike for that one long day of riding in June, there's rather more preliminary work than hoped...

Premier peninsula perambulations

Riding locally is all well and good, but Helen wanted some adventure and to get some miles under her wheels

Around Gran Canaria in three days

What better way to expand your riding CV than with some winter riding in the sunshine of the Canary Islands, and some dramatic mountainous roads

Pass-ing the time of day

Three of Europe's most well-known mountain passes, all covered in day of mind-bending scenery and nerve-wrenching hairpins one

Troubleshooting common 12V battery problems

Diagnosing and tracing faults with a motorcycle's electrical charging system can be a daunting prospect, but with a basic understanding of the bike's charging system you can usually get to the nub of what's wrong. We asked the battery-saving experts at OptiMate to outline the main components of the charging system, and the symptoms of the most common problems encountered with them

Worth Waiting For?

Moto Guzzi is Italy's oldest bike manufacturer in continuous production since its birth in 1921, though Covid forced the postponement by a year of its 100th birthday celebrations held at its Mandello del Lario factory on the shores of Lake Como

In the bag

Harley's latest baggers have gained power, lost weight and had a makeover. The result is a winner, says Geoff Hill

BOLOGNA BRILLIANCE

There's more choice than ever if you're after an adventure bike that'll dominate the roads. In an ever-crowded market, can the latest generation of Ducati's pioneering Multistrada - with its Panigale-derived motor and raft of electronics - retain its reputation as one of the quickest, most surefooted and thrilling ways to cross continents?

TAKE TO the TRAILS

Riding 'off-road' might look intimidating from the outside looking in - but it doesn't have to be, particularly when you're being shown the ropes by Phoenix Trails

None more black

These days it's quite a major thing when one of the big four Japanese manufacturers releases a new bike into the cruiser/ factory custom/call-it-what-you-will market, as cruisers don't really appear to be a big part of their ethos anymore

The Nostalgia game

Producing a retro motorcycle is a tricky business. Nostalgia must blend with innovativeness. The past must be celebrated while designing for the fast-changing needs of today's markets. And whatever balance of old and new the manufacturer comes up with, for every person who applauds its looks and style, another half-dozen will fold their arms and say, no, that's wrong

The Longest Day Teapot

Adventure, cheap motorcycles and a desire to do something good for the world. All combining in one very long day

Northern Spain and the Picos

We're all aware that the world, his wife and his motorbiking dog have been to Northern Spain and the Picos triangle, but Alastair is going to throw his tuppence in none-the-less, for all the right reasons!

Mossy’s Knowledge

Spec sheet terminology Engines

NORTON CEO ROBERT HENTSCHEL

There's been much talk about the rise, fall, and rise of Norton Motorcycles over the last few months, if not years, so who better to ask about the true, behind-the-scenes details than their new head honcho?

FULL CHAT - POWERED BY BIKESUR

Once limited to television chat shows, the world of celebrity interviews has now, in the 21st century, expanded to blogs, vlogs and podcasts that cover an expansive range of subjects and personalities, and it's only natural that the world of motorcycles is covered in that remit

TARMAC TWEAKS

Stepping ever further away from its Dakar Rally racing roots, Honda's overhauled its Africa Twin Adventure Sports to create a seriously capable big-mile tourer that can hold its own with the best of them

How to maintain your battery

Most riders won't notice that anything is amiss with their battery until they press the ignition switch and their motorcycle fails to start. With a little bit of luck, they might be able to recharge the battery, but that takes time. Should the battery have become deeply discharged, and beyond recovery, then it will need replacing, causing more time lost and unwelcome expense. Often overlooked, battery maintenance is simple and, apart from keeping your battery in top working condition, will also significantly extend its lifespan. What's not to like? MSL asked the battery saving experts at OptiMate to explain the theory behind the practice of battery maintenance.

All That Gear

I remember riding from Indianapolis to Tucson in 1962. 1800 miles, a new rider learning how to change the gears

Ready to take on THE WORLD

Ducati keep going from strength to strength, and have upped the adventure bike ante once again with the DesertX Rally, a high-spec and genuinely race-capable development of the excellent DesertX

The big bike that thinks it's small

This brand-new model in the Triumph range could be the perfect answer to many rider's needs. And for Triumph, it may just be the most important model in Hinckley's history

CFMOTO 450 SR S

The past few years have seen a few comebacks that we did not want to see at all. A global plague, rickets, threats of nuclear war in Europe and hyper-inflation, to pick just a few at random.

Test fleet: Suzuki GSX-8S

Stu finds that less is more with the GSX-8S

Yamaha Ténéré World Raid

Winter warmers and width worries

To Transylvania

After not touring on the bike for a couple of years due to the pandemic, Steve Roper decided to do a longer tour than usual, taking a full four weeks from door to door

Picos de Europe and Leon

The alarm went off at 4am, but my own internal clock had already kicked in, knowing had to be up at a certain time, and thinking of the trip ahead