Phil West

Phil West's picture

Phil West

Member For 3 years 8 months

A vastly-experienced motorcycle journalist and bike tester, Phil West is also an ex-Executive Editor of MCN, former Editor of Bike and What Bike?, author of numerous motorcycle books and has ridden virtually every bike of the last 30 years.

Articles by Phil West
This classic 1980s GP replica ‘project’ among star lots at Bonhams Stafford sale
Triumph and Ducati are now in motocross – but they’re not the only bike brands with forgotten dirt bike history…
MCIA and NMC both add weight to push for change in the UK's motorcycle training and licensing system
KTM’s Duke is celebrating its 30th birthday – but what are the best models of the many versions over the last three decades?
  Why horsepower, miles per gallon and even tyre sizes are so, er, varied…
Whether you want a bike that's A2 compliant from the factory or A2 restrictable, there's plenty of choice - here are our picks!
The MT-09 is Yamaha's best 'Master of Torque' yet, but which other versions run it close?
It’s not just Michael Dunlop who left getting his road licences until late in the day, as these examples prove!
Honda’s Gold Wing is 50 years old this year – here are all the key models
The canning of the Yamaha R1 surely doesn’t bode well… or does it?
The R1 is a big name in the superbike realm - here's how it's evolved from its beginnings a quarter of a century ago until today 
Cake collapse follows shocking (ahem) 2023 sales figures across the electric segment...
Here's why we’re entering a new ‘golden era’ of 400s and what that means for us…
30 years on, a road tester present at the original 916 press launch remembers...
A new Mad Max heads a bevvy of upcoming biking flicks this year
Iconic Ducatis, Yamahas, Kawas, Harleys and more are available at a massive motorcycle auction in Las Vegas
Is the new 660 model 'Daytona lite' or 'Daytona right'? Looking at the evidence, I'm leaning towards the latter
Massive Vegas motorcycle auction offers the chance to own a bike ‘just like Steve’s'
No, not Steve McQueen - we’re talking about his biking buddy and body double Bud Ekins. This is HIS story
We took a tour of BMW Motorrad's sprawling Berlin factory, and learned plenty along the way 
You may not have the biggest budget or the biggest need to go big power but there are plenty of treats to be had in the sub-500cc motorcycle segment
Think you need bags of cash for a do-it-all ADV that can do both the muddy stuff and road riding? These 10 bikes prove otherwise
Nimble, light and whole lot of fun to ride, scramblers have never been more popular... but which is the best of 2024?
We pick some of the best textile jackets you can buy for touring, sports and around-town use
If you're shorter in stature, don't be put off an adventure bike - there's a huge variety of options with nicely low seats