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
- 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 - Latest News
What’s going on in UK motorcycling: Summer 2025
The state of motorcycling in Britain and how it’s changing
By Ben Purvis20/08/2025 - Suzuki
Suzuki GSX-R1000R (2026) - Technical Review
£TBA | 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 - 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) – Review
BMW reminds us who owns the high-tech tourer market with all-new R 1300 RT for 2025
By Ben Purvis29/04/2025 - 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 - 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) – Review
Street version of Harley-Davidson's Pan America is HD's sportiest bike yet
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