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
- 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 - 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