The best bike magazine available. (Bike)

Member Name: j-star

Product:	Bike
Date:	07/08/00 (452 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: intelligent and enjoyable

Disadvantages: I struggle to think of any

‘Bike’ magazine recently underwent a metamorphosis and has become (in my view) the leading motorbike magazine available. An issue is likely to provide up to date news about legislation, new models, accessories, and clothing. In terms of bike testing, there are often ‘first ride’ articles for bikes barely off shakedown testing as well as many group and head to head tests. These tests tend to cover all sectors of biking whether it’s commuters, tourers, off-roaders or the glamorous stuff (e.g. July 2000 MV Agusta vs Ducati 996 vs Aprilia Mille).

The journalism is top drawer, Hugo Wilson (the editor) has written several books about motorcycling and has brought an intelligent and articulate style to the magazine. The testers really know their stuff, some take part regularly in motorsport and do very well. There are no centrefolds of buxom young ladies cavorting over fuel tanks, brandishing spanners. This is a proper motorbike magazine that’s interested in the machines and less the machismo.

At the back, Bike has now introduced a model database that gives all the specs plus a brief review, of all new bikes sold in this country. Further on there’s another review section, this time for second hand machines. If you’re thinking of buying a motorbike, consult these pages!

The magazine runs around 8 long-term bikes that are used and abused (put to bed wet etc), there are regular updates as to how these machines are fairing (no punches pulled).
In addition, there are regular articles that cover better riding, how components such as tyres, exhausts, and engines work, Barry Sheene has a column, foreign trips are regularly covered and the occasional older bike feature.

Bike is a top magazine, focussed and exact. I’d choose it ahead of the all the others – ‘Ride’ included.
5 stars.

Summary: