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
- Ducati
Ducati Hypermotard V2 (2026) – Technical Review
After 20 years the Ducati Hypermotard formula gets its biggest shakeup yet with the 2026 Hypermotard V2
By Ben Purvis27/01/2026 - Indian
Indian Chief Vintage (2026) – Technical Review
Indian harks back to its heyday for 125th anniversary with 1940s style Chief Vintage
By Ben Purvis22/01/2026 - Triumph
Triumph Trident 660 (2026) – Technical Review
Massive power increase for one of Triumph’s best-sellers as 2026 Trident 660 is revealed
By Ben Purvis20/01/2026 - Triumph
Triumph Tiger Sport 660 (2026) – Technical Review
Much more power and a new look for Triumph’s revamped Tiger Sport 600 in 2026
By Ben Purvis20/01/2026 - Latest News
What's going on in UK motorcycling: January 2026
The state of motorcycling in Britain and how it’s changing
By Ben Purvis15/01/2026 - Triumph
Triumph Thruxton 400 (2026) - Technical Review
Thruxton name returns on £6k 400cc Triumph café racer that’s currently unrivalled in its class
By Ben Purvis16/12/2025 - Triumph
Triumph Tracker 400 (2026) – Technical Review
Fast-growing 400cc Triumph range gains the brand’s first flat track inspired model
By Ben Purvis16/12/2025 - Kawasaki
Kawasaki W230 (2026) – Technical Review
£6454 | 17.3bhp | 143kg | Kawasaki joins the battle for small retro singles
By Ben Purvis17/11/2025 - Norton
Norton Manx R (2026) – Technical Review
Manx R V4 superbike: the Norton we’ve been waiting for
By Ben Purvis07/11/2025 - BSA
BSA Thunderbolt (2026) – Technical Review
Baby adventure bike bolsters the BSA range and reclaims the Thunderbolt name
By Ben Purvis05/11/2025 - Suzuki
Suzuki SV-7GX (2026) – Technical Review
Decades old Suzuki SV650 gets a new lease of life as the SV-7GX for 2026
By Ben Purvis04/11/2025 - Honda
Honda CB1000GT (2026) – Technical Review
CB1000 Hornet based crossover hits an increasingly popular segment to compete with the Tracer 9 and GSX-S1000GX
By Ben Purvis04/11/2025 - BMW
BMW F450GS (2026) – Technical Review
BMW targets the booming 400cc market with A2 licence legal adventure bike twin
By Ben Purvis04/11/2025 - Honda
Honda WN7 (2026) – Technical Review
Teaser Desctiption
By Ben Purvis04/11/2025 - Yamaha
Yamaha R7 (2026) – Technical Review
New style, updated chassis and vastly more electronics for revamped 2026 Yamaha R7
By Ben Purvis04/11/2025 - Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield Bullet 650 (2026) – Technical Review
Bullet name comes to Royal Enfield’s 650 twin platform with heavyweight newcomer
By Ben Purvis04/11/2025 - Triumph
Triumph Trident 800 (2026) – Technical Review
New 113hp Triumph Trident 800 has the Yamaha MT-09 and Kawasaki Z900 firmly in its sights
By Ben Purvis28/10/2025 - Kawasaki
Kawasaki KLE500 (2026) – Technical Review
The KLE500 name returns after nearly two decades on affordable new Kawasaki adventure bike
By Ben Purvis28/10/2025 - Ducati
Ducati Monster (2026) - Technical Review
Iconic Monster is the latest Ducati to ditch Desmo as new V2 engine replaces the Testastretta
By Ben Purvis23/10/2025 - Triumph
Triumph Scrambler 900 (2026) – Technical Review
Revamp brings improved suspension, brakes, style and electronics to Triumph Scrambler 900 in 2026
By Ben Purvis21/10/2025 - Yamaha
Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid (2026) - Technical Review
After a year away the Yamaha Ténéré World Raid returns for 2026 with a new look and improved specs
By Ben Purvis21/10/2025 - Honda
Honda CB1000F (2026) - Technical Review
Honda revives the Freddie Spencer look as old meets new in the 2026 Honda CB1000F
By Ben Purvis10/10/2025 - Kawasaki
Kawasaki Z1100 (2026) – Technical Review
New 2026 Z1100 & SE promise a big leap forward over its Z1000 predecessor
By Ben Purvis26/09/2025 - Ducati
Ducati Panigale V4 R (2026) - Technical Review
Up to 239hp and GP-derived aero for Ducati’s latest WSBK homologation special
By Ben Purvis23/09/2025 - Ducati
Ducati Diavel V4 RS (2026) – Technical Review
£TBC | 182bhp | 220Kg | Desmosedici Stradale engine transforms super cruiser V4
By Ben Purvis12/09/2025 - Suzuki
Suzuki GSX-R1000R (2026) - Technical Review
£17,599 | 192.4bhp | 81.1lb-ft | Suzuki’s flagship superbike returns to the UK market
By Ben Purvis31/07/2025 - QJMotor
QJMotor SRK800RR (2025) – Technical Review
Chinese QJMotor SRK800RR hits the UK market with remarkable value for money proposition
By Ben Purvis14/07/2025 - Suzuki
Suzuki GSX-8T and GSX-8TT (2026) – Technical Review
Brace of new Suzukis combine the 776cc twin and chassis from the GSX-8S with retro styling that evokes machines from the 1960s and 1970s
By Ben Purvis04/07/2025 - Honda
Honda CUV e: (2025) – Technical Review
Can Honda’s 125-equivalent electric scooter swing customers towards battery power?
By Ben Purvis01/07/2025 - CFMOTO
CFMOTO 800MT-X (2025) – Technical Review
Cut-price KTM? CFMOTO 800MT-X is a 790 Adventure-alike but 20% cheaper
By Ben Purvis19/06/2025 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - Yamaha
Yamaha Tracer 9 (2025) - Technical Review
Huge Yamaha Tracer 9 upgrade sees introduction of Y-AMT auto transmission
By Ben Purvis29/10/2024
