Michael Mann
BikeSocial Managing Editor
BikeSocial Managing Editor. Content man - reviewer, road tester, video presenter, interviewer, commissioner, organiser. First ride was on a Honda ST70 in the back garden aged 6. Not too shabby on track, loves a sportsbike, worries about helmet hair, occasionally plays golf but enjoys being a father to a 7-year old the most.
Ex-Harrods PR man and occasional voice-over artist who commuted in London by XMAX250 and VFR800 for years before heading to the big time in Peterborough in 2010. Ran Bennetts PR, Events & Sponsorship before taking on Bike Social in May 2013.
Has run long-termers in the shape of an Africa Twin, CB1000R+, BMW S1000RR M, Streetfighter V4, and a Multistrada V4 S. Intrigued about an electric future and keeping the What Bike Next? series going.
Recent Posts
- Features
Torqueing Heads (Ep4): Yamaha
Yamaha’s Marketing & Events Manager, Jeff Turner, chats with BikeSocial’s Steve and Michael
By Michael Mann13/06/2025 - New Riders & Training
Better Riding Advice: hazard avoidance – how to brake and swerve
Top tips for stopping more efficiently
By Michael Mann10/06/2025 - Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield Bear 650 (2025) – Review
Based on the Interceptor 650 but with new wheels, tyres, suspension, geometry and a more rugged look.
By Michael Mann05/06/2025 - Features
Torqueing Heads (Ep3): Triumph
A delve into UK motorcycling featuring BikeSocial’s Steve Rose, Michael Mann and a guest
By Michael Mann30/05/2025 - New Riders & Training
Better Riding Advice: perfect your emergency stops
Top tips for stopping more efficiently
By Michael Mann28/05/2025 - New Riders & Training
Better Riding Advice: brakes - not just for slowing you down
Better Riding Advice: brakes aren’t just for stopping
By Michael Mann16/05/2025 - Features
Torqueing Heads (Ep2): Bridgestone
In the hotseat alongside Steve and Michael is Bridgestone's tyre guru, Gary Hartshorne
By Michael Mann16/05/2025 - Features
Torqueing Heads (Ep1): Kawasaki
A delve into UK motorcycling featuring BikeSocial’s Steve and Michael plus a guest. This week it's Ross Burridge form Kawasaki
By Michael Mann06/05/2025 - Morbidelli
Morbidelli T1002V (2025) – Review
Sexy, sub-£8k adventurer from China with Italian heritage
By Michael Mann02/05/2025 - New Riders & Training
Better Riding Advice: hazard perception
Read the road and anticipate the upcoming risks
By Michael Mann01/05/2025 - New Riders & Training
Better Riding Advice: Where should you look when riding a motorcycle?
From target fixation and peripheral vision to sixth sense and steering jerk
By Michael Mann15/04/2025 - Latest News
Supercharged Showdown: ride a Kawasaki flat out, legally!
If you own or fancy having a go on a Supercharged Kawasaki then come and ride it as fast as you want on a private airfield
By Michael Mann14/02/2025 - New Riders & Training
Better Riding: Avoiding common riding mistakes
The two most common riding errors
By Michael Mann23/01/2025 - New Riders & Training
Better Riding: How to master the overtake
Top tips to help get by slower vehicles
By Michael Mann18/12/2024 - New Riders & Training
Better Riding: How to be on the right line, every time
Using the safety bubble technique, and reference points
By Michael Mann13/11/2024 - Honda
Honda PCX125 (2025) - Technical Review
Engine, bodywork design, brakes, and electronics have all undergone revisions for the 2025 Honda PCX125
By Michael Mann06/11/2024 - New Riders & Training
Better Riding: Corner with confidence
How to corner with much more confidence by understanding grip
By Michael Mann01/11/2024 - New Riders & Training
Better Riding: How to steer and countersteer a motorcycle
How to corner more efficiently and effectively but understanding counter steering
By Michael Mann16/10/2024 - New Riders & Training
Better Riding: Introducing our motorbike coach
The motorcycle riding coach who’s about to shake up the industry
By Michael Mann03/10/2024 - Honda
Honda CBR600RR (2024) - Review
Back with a bang inc. engine and tech upgrades
By Michael Mann17/09/2024 - Latest News
Rocket Launch: ride a Triumph Rocket 3 flat out, legally!
18th September 2024 - Elvington Airfield
By Michael Mann20/08/2024 - Triumph
Triumph Rocket 3 Storm GT/R (2024) – Review
Rocket 3 becomes most powerful Triumph ever with new 2024 Storm models
By Michael Mann30/05/2024 - Motorcycle tyres
Metzeler Roadtec 02 - Motorcycle tyre review
A new, dynamic tread pattern is among the updates as we spend a day on the Isle of Man on 3 different bikes.
By Michael Mann02/05/2024 - Honda
Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP (2024) - Review
Subtle visual changes hide impressive updates
By Michael Mann13/03/2024 - Suzuki
Suzuki GSX-8R (2024) - Review
Return of the practical sports bike
By Michael Mann02/02/2024 - Bike Features
20 years of the Triumph Rocket 3: old vs new
Celebrating the meanest, lairiest, most bad-ass production motorcycle ever built
By Michael Mann24/01/2024 - Latest News
Details of all 1,000 miles of roadworks lifted in time for Christmas
Good news if you're riding home for Christmas
By Michael Mann14/12/2023 - Indian
Indian Sport Chief (2023) - Review
The term sport cruiser might seem like an oxymoron but it's a popular subgenre of the traditional American cruiser class
By Michael Mann22/09/2023 - Courses, Training and Events
Ducati DRE Racetrack Academy review
Available for the first time in the UK, we ride with our competition winner.
By Michael Mann10/08/2023 - Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 (2021) - Review
We test the new Pan America 1250 on and off-road, but can it sit at the big boy table?
By Michael Mann22/06/2023 - Yamaha
Yamaha YZF-R125 (2023) - Review
Fresh style and technical upgrade for learner legal sportsbike
By Michael Mann25/05/2023 - Yamaha
2023 Yamaha MT-125 Review
The big selling, learner-legal gets updated
By Michael Mann19/05/2023 - Courses, Training and Events
motoDNA digital rider training review
Ever fancied your own personal riding coach? This system uses data to assess your riding
By Michael Mann10/05/2023 - Courses, Training and Events
Tested: Road Race Rider Coaching review
Your personal data engineer at a track day
By Michael Mann05/05/2023 - Buying & Selling Bikes
What Bike Next? Episode 5
Luke Selfe wants to upgrade his MT-07
By Michael Mann28/03/2023 - Ducati
Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally (2023) - Review
Ducati stretches the Multistrada's legs with new Rally variant
By Michael Mann27/03/2023 - British Superbikes
Honda Racing's Tom Neave welcomes the 'extra incentive' of racing against his twin brother
Twins make BSB history. Honda vs. Yamaha.
By Michael Mann19/03/2023 - Biking tips
Get Ready to Ride: Top Tips for you and your motorcycle
Tips to make sure you and your bike are ready for any ride. Basic maintenance tips and hints.
By Michael Mann24/02/2023 - Triumph
Triumph Street Triple RS (2020) - Review
The already-impressive Triumph Street Triple RS middleweight roadster gets upgraded for 2020 and we ride it on road and track.
By Michael Mann22/02/2023 - Latest News
Honda releases special McGuinness TT Fireblade
Just 30 will be produced at £30k each
By Michael Mann16/11/2022 - Isle of Man TT
Motorcycle Island | Isle of Man's Best Roads
Top 10 non-TT roads as voted for by the locals
By Michael Mann17/10/2022 - Latest News
No Isle of Man TT for Norton
But Manx or Goodwood remain possible
By Michael Mann12/10/2022 - Norton
Norton Commando 961 (2023) - Review
Two new variants of the 60s icon set to recapture nostalgia
By Michael Mann11/10/2022 - New Riders & Training
How professional athletes interpret instruction
A CBE, 2 x MBE, and a TT lap record holder
By Michael Mann03/10/2022 - Bike Features
Brian Crighton: the Rotary Man's story
History of the famous rotary race bike and engineer
By Michael Mann08/09/2022 - Crighton
Crighton CR700W Review 2022
Ultra exclusive track bike with GP-spec power-to-weight
By Michael Mann16/08/2022 - Kawasaki
Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE Tourer Review 2022
£25k supercharged 197bhp sports tourer. Is it as whacky as it sounds?
By Michael Mann10/08/2022 - Kawasaki
Kawasaki Z H2 2020 [ Review ]
Are the big power and torque figures usable on the road?
By Michael Mann28/07/2022 - British Superbikes
BMW UK introduces one-make F 900 R race series
Supports BSB from 2023
By Michael Mann23/07/2022 - Energica
New Energica Experia Review 2022
Energica enters the touring bike arena with electric Experia
By Michael Mann19/07/2022 - Electric Motorcycle
How to make an electric motorcycle
Energica: the inside story
By Michael Mann08/07/2022 - Bike Features
Honda Fireblade boss on the 30-year success story
From 893 to 999cc, 120bhp to 215bhp, and carbs to fuel injection
By Michael Mann01/07/2022 - KTM
KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo (2022) - Review
The Beast is back and it's better than ever
By Michael Mann30/06/2022 - Norton
Norton V4SV Review 2022
Fixed and improved Norton superbike (for the road)
By Michael Mann15/06/2022 - Isle of Man TT
Motorcycle Island | Best Cafes on the Isle of Man
Going to the TT? Might as well stop at one of these for a coffee and slice of cake.
By Michael Mann30/05/2022 - Isle of Man TT
Motorcycle Island | TT boss Paul Phillips
What are the major TT changes and why were they made
By Michael Mann29/04/2022 - Latest News
Prime Minister 'very pleased' by £100m Norton investment
Driving up to 1100 jobs over the next three years
By Michael Mann22/04/2022 - Motorcycle tyres
Tested: Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV Corsa review
The sportiest tyre in the Diablo Rosso family
By Michael Mann21/04/2022 - Isle of Man TT
Motorcycle Island | McGuinness and Irwin take a TT tour
Experienced pro and newcomer discuss a TT lap
By Michael Mann18/04/2022 - Latest News
Peter Hickman signs up as a BikeSocial Membership Ambassador
Offering exclusive discounts and opportunities
By Michael Mann24/03/2022 - Latest News
Triumph revamps UK assembly line
New assembly facility designed to build several thousand motorcycles a year
By Michael Mann02/03/2022 - Honda
New Honda CB500X Review 2022
Upgrades to suspension and brakes for the perennially popular CB500X
By Michael Mann21/02/2022 - Latest News
2022 New Motorcycle Guide inc. Prices
Your guide to all 96 new or updated bikes for 2022 | Price, description, and availability
By Michael Mann04/02/2022 - Latest News
World's largest meet of female motorcyclists this July
World record attempt at Triumph HQ this July
By Michael Mann25/01/2022 - Isle of Man TT
Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT revised for 2022
Event amalgamates and reduces from 14 to nine days
By Michael Mann17/01/2022 - Bike Features
Motorcycle Live's top 10 motorbikes new for 2022
Chris Northover and Michael Mann scour Motorcycle Live for each of their five picks
By Michael Mann23/12/2021 - Triumph
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR (2022) - Review
An RS but sportier with a half-fairing and semi-active suspension
By Michael Mann30/11/2021 - Isle of Man TT
More Isle of Man TT Changes for 2022
Reduced starters, GPS, digital flags among TT updates
By Michael Mann29/11/2021 - Latest News
New Norton: Behind the Scenes
Join us for a tour of Norton's new state-of-the-art production facility
By Michael Mann11/11/2021 - Kawasaki
Kawasaki Z650RS (2022) - Review
Retro-focussed Z650RS takes the mechanical components of the Z650 and adds a 1977-style makeover
By Michael Mann04/11/2021 - Biking tips
How to do a Motorcycling Track Day on a Budget
Here are some more cost-effective ways to get on track
By Michael Mann13/10/2021 - British Superbikes
Shake-up for 2022 British Supersport class confirmed
World Championship to follow British Supersport regulation change
By Michael Mann06/10/2021 - Racing features
Fireblade Road bike vs Superstock vs Superbike lap times: Pro vs Amateur
Honda Fireblades at Oulton Park: Pro vs Am
By Michael Mann06/10/2021 - Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson Breakout 114 (2021) - Review
Lack of frills is compensated by massive road presence and a booming soundtrack but is £20k off the mark?
By Michael Mann23/09/2021 - Bike Features
Drag Race: F1 car vs. BMW M 1000 RR
Exclusive behind-the-scenes video from the F1 vs bike drag race
By Michael Mann31/08/2021 - Aprilia
Aprilia RSV4 Factory (2021) - Review
BikeSocial Members get to ride and review the new RSV4.
By Michael Mann18/08/2021 - Ducati
Ducati Panigale V4 SP (2021) - Review
BikeSocial Member, PC Matt, gets to ride and review this £32k stunner
By Michael Mann12/08/2021 - Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson Sportster S (2021) - Review
New engine, new electronics, old name, new era
By Michael Mann11/08/2021 - Yamaha
Yamaha XSR125 (2021) - Review
Youthful exuberance and grown-up styling makes for a distinguished combination
By Michael Mann22/07/2021 - Racing features
McGuinness builds his own World Supersport replica
TT legend restores Simon Andrews' original CBR600 into his 2002 World SSP replica
By Michael Mann20/07/2021