The UK's largest biking show!

MCN 70^th Anniversary ‘Bikes of the Era’ display

Motor Cycle News has been celebrating its 70^th anniversary throughout 2025, but with its official birthday (November 30) coinciding almost exactly with MCL25, it seemed too good an opportunity to miss for a display of incredible motorcycles. MCN will be bringing their ‘Bikes of the Era’ models to the show, representing seven of the most pivotal legendary models from 1955 to the present day. Not only are they stunning machines in their own right, but each one also defined their era, actively changed motorcycling, and heralded a new dawn for all that followed in their wake.

MCN’s Bikes of the Era are:

1955 – 1964 Triumph Bonneville T120

“The Bonneville is one of the first truly formative and influential models for motorcycling as we know it now. It marks a point where engine and chassis tech started heading in the right direction, and hit the mark in such a convincing way that it was the yardstick for the next decade. It still boogies once you’re into the groove with it.”

1965 – 1974 Norton Commando 750

“While the Commando was already dated by the time Honda’s CB750 arrived, it was an effective package that still outshone its Japanese rivals on the road and could have responded well to a new engine configuration and some creature comforts to help bring Norton back from the brink. But it never happened. Instead, it was the brilliant last breath of ‘old’ Norton.”

1975 – 1984 Yamaha RD350LC

“Everything that has ever been said about an LC remains true today. If anything, the Yamaha feels even more relevant now. It’s immersive, occasionally irresponsible, representing the peak of two-stroke road bike honing, an LC offers a sense of fun others can’t replicate. There are very few bikes that make you feel this way, or inspire people as the LC continues to.”

1985 – 1994 Ducati 916

“Ducati’s 916 defined an era, made motorcycling attractive to a whole new generation, and dominated racing. When biking bucket-lists are drawn up, it’s always on there. Still fast, charming and thrilling, the sense of focus and passion makes them an experience to be savoured. No ride feels aimless, or unfulfilling: to buy, to ride, to own, every part of 916 life delivers.”

1995 – 2004 BMW R1150GS Adventure

“The original GSA barely feels its age – only its modest power and awkward feel when stationary separate it from more recent models, which have got both faster and more rider-friendly. It’s superbly designed, engineered and produced by a team who knew touring, or overlanding, is about more than a spec sheet – it’s about giving the rider the tools to conquer the world.”

2005 – 2014 BMW S1000RR

“BMW completely transformed their safe and steady image with the original S1000RR, and they also forced their rivals to embark on a frenzied power and tech race. Now we don’t think twice when we see 200bhp-plus bikes with MotoGP-inspired electronics. The RR is still savagely quick – but with a hint of BMW’s touring genes to make it easy to live with, too.”

2015 – present Yamaha Ténéré 700

“Instead of following the standard blueprint that manufacturers were sticking to – increasing engine size, weight, and littered with convoluted electronics – Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 came at things from a different angle. Prioritising simplicity, it traded power, complexity and cost to be the most manageable bike in its class when the tarmac stopped and dirt began – and paved a new road to adventure riding.”