Ben Purvis
Freelance Journalist
After riding since my teens I ditched plans for a career in law to try my hand at bike journalism, joining Motor Cycle News in 1997 to discover that:
a) I wasn’t as fast as I thought I was, and
b) I was quite good at digging up news stories.
After a spell as News Editor at MCN I took the plunge and went freelance in 2008.
I’ve written for dozens of magazines and websites since then, including most of the world’s biggest bike titles, as well as dabbling in car and technology journalism.
I’m in awe of the way bikes have evolved over the last 30 years and intrigued about what’s still to come, but my dream garage would be stuffed with 90s homologation specials.
Love gadgets, hate social media, try to be a good dad to three daughters.
Recent Posts
- Kove
Kove 800X Rally (2025) – Technical Review
Chinese newcomer promises impressive spec at an affordable price
By Ben Purvis18/06/2025 - CFMOTO
CFMOTO 675NK (2025) – Technical Review
Bargain triple shows why China is a real threat to the motorcycling establishment
By Ben Purvis10/06/2025 - Honda
Honda CB125F (2026) – Technical Review
Evergreen Honda CB125F gets subtle restyle and tech updates including idle-stop
By Ben Purvis03/06/2025 - Yamaha
Yamaha Tracer 7 and Tracer 7 GT (2025) – Technical Review
New look, improved chassis, longer range and updated tech for latest Yamaha Tracer 7
By Ben Purvis12/05/2025 - BMW
BMW R 1300 RS (2025) – Technical Review
2025 BMW R 1300 RS brings out the ‘sport’ in sport-tourer
By Ben Purvis29/04/2025 - BMW
BMW R 1300 RT (2025) – Technical Review
BMW stakes its claim in the tourer market with high-tech R 1300 RT for 2025
By Ben Purvis29/04/2025 - Latest News
What’s going on in UK motorcycling: Spring 2025
The state of motorcycling in Britain and how it’s changing
By Ben Purvis28/04/2025 - BMW
BMW R 1300 R (2025) – Technical Review
'25 BMW R 1300 R aims for a sportier appeal than its predecessor
By Ben Purvis10/04/2025 - Latest News
Is E10 fuel safe to use in my bike?
Four years after E10 became the norm in the UK, is it proving safe?
By Ben Purvis09/04/2025 - BMW
BMW R12 G/S (2025) – Technical Review
BMW goes back to the future as 2025 R12 G/S marks 45th anniversary of the original R80 G/S
By Ben Purvis27/03/2025 - Aprilia
Aprilia Tuono V4 (2025) – Technical Review
Aprilia super naked gets improvements across the board for 2025
By Ben Purvis14/03/2025 - Moto Guzzi
Moto Guzzi V7 (2025) – Technical Review
Uprated engine and electronics plus new Sport model in 2025 Guzzi V7 range
By Ben Purvis11/03/2025 - News and views
Access for motorcycles in bus lanes update
Access for motorcycles in bus lanes update
By Ben Purvis04/03/2025 - Ducati
Ducati XDiavel V4 (2025) – Technical Review
New 2025 XDiavel V4 is lighter and more powerful than its V-twin predecessor
By Ben Purvis13/02/2025 - BMW
BMW F900XR (2025) – Technical Review
Uprated suspension, less weight and new tech for 2025 BMW F900XR
By Ben Purvis11/02/2025 - KTM
KTM 390 Adventure (2025) – Technical Review
All-new 2025 KTM 390 Adventure comes in off-road-oriented R and street-biased X versions
By Ben Purvis30/01/2025 - Triumph
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS (2025) – Technical Review
Speed Triple 1200 RS retakes the title as Triumph’s most powerful bike with 2025 upgrades including new Öhlins smart suspension
By Ben Purvis27/01/2025 - Indian
Indian Chieftain and Roadmaster PowerPlus 112 (2025) – Technical Review
Chieftain and Roadmaster PowerPlus 112 models add bagger and tourer with fork-mounted fairings to Indian’s 2025 range
By Ben Purvis24/01/2025 - Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 ST (2025) – Technical Review
Street-oriented version of Harley-Davidson Pan America heads to showrooms this year
By Ben Purvis24/01/2025 - BMW
BMW R 18 (2025) - Technical Review
Updated style for BMW R 18 and R 18 Classic and engine changes across the whole 2025 R 18 range
By Ben Purvis22/01/2025 - KTM
KTM 125 and 390 Enduro R (2025) – Technical Review
Far cheaper than KTM’s dedicated enduro models, the 125 and 390 Enduro Rs are based on the upcoming Adventure machines
By Ben Purvis21/01/2025 - KTM
KTM 125 & 390 SMC R (2025) - Technical Review
125 and 390 SMC R expand KTM supermoto range for 2025
By Ben Purvis14/01/2025 - BSA
BSA B65 Scrambler (2025) – Technical Review
On-trend scrambler version of BSA Gold Star rivals new Royal Enfield Bear 650
By Ben Purvis17/12/2024 - Yamaha
Yamaha NMAX 125 (2025) – Technical Review
UK best seller gets a revamp in the form of the 2025 Yamaha NMAX 125 – and there’s a new Tech Max version, too
By Ben Purvis13/12/2024 - Ducati
Ducati Multistrada V2 (2025) – Technical Review
Multistrada V2 gets 890cc twin, aluminium chassis and high-end tech
By Ben Purvis05/12/2024 - Ducati
Ducati Streetfighter V4 (2025) – Technical Review
Most powerful Ducati Streetfighter V4 yet gets full-fat 214hp Panigale engine and superbike chassis
By Ben Purvis28/11/2024 - Aprilia
Aprilia Tuono 457 (2025) – Technical Review
New Aprilia Tuono 457 gets unique style and targets booming market segment
By Ben Purvis22/11/2024 - KTM
KTM 1390 Super Duke GT (2025) – Technical Review
New 188hp GT adds practicality and more useable performance to 1390 Super Duke package
By Ben Purvis05/11/2024 - Suzuki
Suzuki DR-Z4S and DR-Z4SM (2025) – Technical Review
Suzuki DR-Z enduros and supermotos return to the market in heavily revamped form after 15-year hiatus
By Ben Purvis05/11/2024 - Ducati
Ducati Streetfighter V2 and V2S (2025) – Technical Review
Lighter, lower-powered Streetfighter V2 and V2S launched for 2025
By Ben Purvis05/11/2024 - Ducati
Ducati Panigale V2 & V2S (2025) – Technical Review
Much less power, much less weight as all-new Panigale V2 enters a new market segment
By Ben Purvis05/11/2024 - Yamaha
Yamaha Ténéré 700 (2025) - Technical Review
New look, updated suspension, revised engine and improved chassis for next-gen Yamaha Tenere 700
By Ben Purvis04/11/2024 - KTM
KTM 990 Duke R (2025) - Technical Review
New 128hp 990 Duke R could be the sweet spot in KTM’s 2025 range
By Ben Purvis31/10/2024 - BMW
BMW M1000RR and S1000RR (2025) – Technical Review
New aero for BMW’s superbikes and M1000RR gets improved engine
By Ben Purvis30/10/2024 - BMW
BMW M1000R and S1000R (2025) – Technical Review
Fresh face leads the changes to BMW’s S1000R and M1000R for 2025
By Ben Purvis30/10/2024 - Yamaha
Yamaha Tracer 9 (2025) - Technical Review
Huge Yamaha Tracer 9 upgrade sees introduction of Y-AMT auto transmission
By Ben Purvis29/10/2024 - Yamaha
Yamaha MT-07 (2025) – Review
Major update for Yamaha’s class-leading MT-07 includes new chassis, more tech, less weight
By Ben Purvis24/10/2024 - Honda
Honda CMX1100 Rebel (2025) - Technical Review
Rationalised 2025 Rebel range includes new CMX1100SE factory custom version
By Ben Purvis23/10/2024 - KTM
KTM 1390 Super Adventure S Evo (2025) - Review
High power and high tech with KTM’s 170hp, semi-automatic 1390 Super Adventure S Evo adventure bike
By Ben Purvis22/10/2024 - Triumph
Triumph Speed Twin 900 (2025) – Technical Review
Triumph’s most popular Modern Classic – the Speed Twin 900 – gets sportier for 2025
By Ben Purvis15/10/2024 - Honda
Honda Forza 750 (2025)– Technical Review
Updated 2025 Honda Forza 750 addresses predecessor’s key deficits
By Ben Purvis08/10/2024 - Husqvarna
Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 (2025) - Technical Review
First look at new Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 twin
By Ben Purvis02/10/2024 - Kawasaki
Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX (2025) - Technical Review
Bigger 1099cc engine for 2025, and uprated Ninja 1100SX SE joins the Kawasaki range
By Ben Purvis02/10/2024 - Honda
Honda X-ADV (2025) – Technical Review
Honda’s adventure scooter hits its third generation with revamped 2025 X-ADV
By Ben Purvis30/09/2024 - Kawasaki
Kawasaki Versys 1100 (2025) - Technical Review
Bigger engine and substantial power increase for the 2025 model
By Ben Purvis26/09/2024 - Ducati
Ducati Multistrada V4 (2025) – Technical Review
New suspension, better economy and tweaked chassis geometry
By Ben Purvis20/09/2024 - Triumph
Triumph Speed Twin 1200 and Speed Twin 1200 RS (2025) – Technical Review
RS model bolsters updated 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 range
By Ben Purvis17/09/2024 - Ducati
2025 Ducati Panigale V4 / V4S
Double-sided swingarm, new chassis, revised engine and more for 2025 Panigale V4
By Ben Purvis26/07/2024 - Latest News
2024 MT-09 Y-AMT debuts new Yamaha semi-auto gearbox
Fully automatic and pushbutton manual modes add new dimension to Yamaha MT-09
By Ben Purvis25/07/2024 - CFMOTO
CFMoto 675SR-R (2025) - Technical Review
CFMoto’s first three-cylinder sports bike, the 657SR-R, hits the market in 2025
By Ben Purvis17/07/2024 - MV Agusta
MV Agusta Superveloce 1000 Serie Oro (2024) - Technical Review
Superveloce 1000 Serie Oro is a £61,400 piece of exotica but a full-production version with a lower price will follow
By Ben Purvis09/07/2024 - Bike Features
What’s the future of motorcycle transmissions?
KTM, BMW, Yamaha and more planning new semi-auto bikes as Honda DCT sales soar
By Ben Purvis21/06/2024 - Latest News
Which party offers more to motorcyclists?
As Labour launches its election manifesto, which party offers more to bikers?
By Ben Purvis13/06/2024 - Latest News
MCIA calls on election candidates to back biking
Election pledge to support Britain's £7 billion motorcycle sector
By Ben Purvis31/05/2024 - Latest News
BMW reveals monstrous new R20 concept model
R20 will be BMW’s big brother to the R12 nineT production bike
By Ben Purvis24/05/2024 - Latest News
NMC campaign points bikes towards General Election agenda
Riders are asked to contact their election candidates
By Ben Purvis17/05/2024 - KTM
KTM 990 RC R (2025) - Technical Review
KTM targets the supersport market with road-going 990 RC R
By Ben Purvis08/05/2024 - Latest News
BMW reveals automated gear shifter
Fully-auto or semi-automatic shifting is possible with BMW’s new Automated Shift Assistant
By Ben Purvis07/05/2024 - Latest News
What does the low yen mean for UK bike prices?
As the Japanese Yen hits record lows what are the implications for motorcycling?
By Ben Purvis03/05/2024 - Latest News
Smart motorways under fire from BBC
BBC investigation reveals frightening figures of failing smart motorway safety systems
By Ben Purvis23/04/2024 - Latest News
Postcode lottery for motorcycle tests
Latest motorcycle test data shows huge variations in pass rates around the country.
By Ben Purvis17/04/2024 - Indian
Indian Scout (2024) - Technical Review
Despite familiar styling the 2024 Indian Scout is completely new.
By Ben Purvis02/04/2024 - Latest News
Noise cameras could be cash cows for local authorities
New documents show how much money noise cameras could make.
By Ben Purvis18/03/2024 - Latest News
Budget freezes fuel duties but offers little else for riders
No bonanza for bikes in the Budget
By Ben Purvis06/03/2024 - VMoto
VMoto Stash (2024) - Technical Review
New range-topper for electric bike market leader Vmoto
By Ben Purvis26/02/2024 - Latest News
Calls for pavement parking ban across England
Local Government Association wants powers to ban pavement parking across the country
By Ben Purvis13/02/2024 - CFMOTO
CFMoto 450SR S (2024) - Technical Review
Affordable and exotic CFMoto 450SR S harks back to the junior exotics of the 1990s
By Ben Purvis08/02/2024 - Latest News
20mph limits in Wales - three months on
After the first three months, how well is the 20mph speed limit in Wales working?
By Ben Purvis25/01/2024 - Bike Features
Investigation: is China's motorcycle industry going to dominate?
China could mimic Japan's success half-a-century ago
By Ben Purvis19/01/2024 - Husqvarna
Husqvarna Vitpilen & Svartpilen 125 (2024) – Technical Review
Learner-legal Husqvarna Svartpilen and Vitpilen are all-new for 2024
By Ben Purvis16/01/2024 - Latest News
Road user organisations join forces for permanent pothole repairs
Road user organisations join forces for permanent pothole repairs
By Ben Purvis15/01/2024 - Latest News
Honda offers a one-stop shop to get on two wheels
Honda offers training, bikes and kit and finance deals for the lot
By Ben Purvis09/01/2024 - Triumph
Triumph Tiger 900 (2024) - Review
Subtle visual changes hide big power increase
By Ben Purvis08/01/2024 - Latest News
Road markings promote safer cornering
Project PRIME wins international road safety award
By Ben Purvis18/12/2023 - Latest News
Scotland pavement parking ban could spread to England
Westminster is likely to be looking on with interest as to its results with an eye to bringing in similar legislation in England.
By Ben Purvis14/12/2023 - Latest News
Ducati and Bentley join forces for limited-edition Diavel V4
First collaboration between the two brands, and it's as pricey as you think
By Ben Purvis08/12/2023 - Latest News
Motorcycles need 'key role' in net-zero transport plans
MCIA calls on Government to consider the environmental benefits of bikes
By Ben Purvis07/12/2023 - BMW
BMW R12 (2024) - Technical Review
BMW adds the 2024 R12 cruiser based on the new R12 nineT retro model
By Ben Purvis24/11/2023 - Latest News
Honda announces ride-by-wire E-Clutch system for 'Fun' bikes
New Honda E-Clutch is expected to debut on updated CB650R next year
By Ben Purvis10/10/2023 - Honda
Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin (2024) - Technical Review
More torque, more tech for 2024 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin
By Ben Purvis04/10/2023 - Latest News
What's really going on with the 'ban' on petrol bikes?
Prospects of petrol bike ban diminish as plans to end sale of ICE cars pushed back
By Ben Purvis20/09/2023 - Latest News
Suzuki GSX-S1000X confirmed as 2024 model
Rival to Yamaha Tracer 9 and BMW S1000XR
By Ben Purvis12/09/2023 - Latest News
Confirmed: faired Suzuki GSX-8R coming in 2024
European type-approval documents provide the evidence
By Ben Purvis06/09/2023 - Maeving
Maeving RM1S (2024) - Technical Review
Faster Maeving brings British electric bike to a broader audience
By Ben Purvis31/08/2023 - Biking tips
Expanded London ULEZ zone: all you need to know
Will you have to pay London's expanded ULEZ charges?
By Ben Purvis30/08/2023 - KTM
KTM 125 Duke (2024) - Technical Review
Clean-sheet redesign for KTM 125 Duke makes it a more compelling L-plate option
By Ben Purvis22/08/2023 - Latest News
Suzuki files patents for VVT Hayabusa update
Variable valve timing could boost performance
By Ben Purvis21/08/2023 - Latest News
Pothole plague due to huge spending cuts
Spending on local roads has halved since 2006, creating pothole mayhem
By Ben Purvis15/08/2023 - Latest News
KTM 1390 Super Duke confirmed for 2024
More capacity power for new 2024 KTM 1390 Super Duke
By Ben Purvis11/08/2023 - Latest News
Honda developing its first hybrid bike
Combining a petrol engine with electric motors on a bike
By Ben Purvis11/08/2023 - Latest News
DVLA trialling online accounts for vehicle and licence details
Invitation to try new DVLA vehicle and licence portal
By Ben Purvis03/08/2023 - Ducati
Ducati Monster 30th Anniversario (2024) - Technical Review
Ducati Monster 30th Anniversario marks three decades of Monsters
By Ben Purvis28/07/2023 - Latest News
Last chance to stop unfair Hackney motorcycle parking charges
August 4th deadline to stop bikes being charged as much as cars for parking in Hackney
By Ben Purvis25/07/2023 - Latest News
Norton Motorcycles pensions scandal sparks parliamentary inquiry
Parliamentary committee calls for evidence over Norton pensions
By Ben Purvis24/07/2023 - Latest News
Motorcycle industry calls for changes to CBT
Revised basic motorcycle training was promised in 2017 but still hasn't happened
By Ben Purvis18/07/2023 - Latest News
Yamaha XSR900 DB40 prototype hints at planned sportsbike
Faired prototype XSR900 DB40 shows how well its engine and frame suits a sportsbike stance
By Ben Purvis14/07/2023 - CFMOTO
CFMoto 700MT (2023) - Technical Review
Lots more power than the 650MT for minimal price increase
By Ben Purvis11/07/2023 - Latest News
Yes, we have been paying too much for petrol
Increased margins mean fuels costs are 6p per litre higher than they should be
By Ben Purvis04/07/2023 - Latest News
Motorcycle Industry Meets Government Over Zero Emissions Plans
Calls for sense over transition towards zero emissions motorcycles
By Ben Purvis22/06/2023 - Latest News
Honda experiments with Hossack forks
Honda Hossack front end targets aerodynamic improvements
By Ben Purvis07/06/2023