Phil West

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Phil West

Member For 3 years 10 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
The Top 10 Best Scooters
Top 10s
‘Scooters’ doesn’t just mean Vespas and Lambrettas, for the most part, it means 125cc (or equivalent) commuters that are both brilliantly practical and among the most popular two-wheelers of all – but which are the 10 best?
The Top 10 Best Sports Tourer Motorcycles For Crushing Continents
Top 10s
Here are the best new motorbikes for clocking big miles in one sitting, according to us 
Top 10 Best Full-Size Single-Cylinder Motorcycles
General
The character and delivery of a big-capacity single-cylinder engine is an unmistakable thing. Here’s our pick of the top ten full-sized thumpers
Top 10 Best Kawasaki Ninja Motorcycles
Top 10s
In the 40th year of the legendary Kawasaki Ninja, we’re picking out the 10 best examples of the legendary Akashi supersports dynasty...
Top 10 Best Mad Max Motorcycles
Top 10s
As the latest film in the Mad Max franchise arrives, we're looking back at the series' best motorbikes 
You Shouldn't Worry About The Supposed 2040 Petrol Motorcycle Ban: Opinion
General
Even if it goes ahead, the apparent 2040 ban on petrol motorcycles might not be anything to worry about
Anyone Fancy a Bargain Suzuki RG500 'Jigsaw'?
General
This classic 1980s GP replica ‘project’ among star lots at Bonhams Stafford sale
Top 10 Forgotten Dirt Bike Brands
Top 10s
Triumph and Ducati are now in motocross – but they’re not the only bike brands with forgotten dirt bike history…
Is Motorcycle Licence Reform Coming? If so, it’s About Time…
Learner
MCIA and NMC both add weight to push for change in the UK's motorcycle training and licensing system
Top 10 Best KTM Dukes
Top 10s
KTM’s Duke is celebrating its 30th birthday – but what are the best models of the many versions over the last three decades?
The Strange World of Bike Measurements Explained
Guides
  Why horsepower, miles per gallon and even tyre sizes are so, er, varied…
Top 10 Best A2 Licence-Friendly Bikes
Top 10s
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 10 Best Yamaha MT Models
Top 10s
The MT-09 is Yamaha's best 'Master of Torque' yet, but which other versions run it close?
10 Racers Who Belatedly Passed Their Bike Tests
Top 10s
It’s not just Michael Dunlop who left getting his road licences until late in the day, as these examples prove!
Top 10 Best Honda Gold Wing Models 
Top 10s
Honda’s Gold Wing is 50 years old this year – here are all the key models
Bye Bye Yamaha R1: The Beginning of the End For Superbikes?
General
The canning of the Yamaha R1 surely doesn’t bode well… or does it?
Yamaha R1: The Superbike Icon Over the Years
Guides
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 
Opinion: Are Electric Motorbikes in Trouble? 
General
Cake collapse follows shocking (ahem) 2023 sales figures across the electric segment...
Are ~400cc Motorbikes Back in the Big Time?
Industry
Here's why we’re entering a new ‘golden era’ of 400s and what that means for us…
What The Original Ducati 916 Launch Was Like
General
30 years on, a road tester present at the original 916 press launch remembers...
Is 2024 the Year of the Motorcycle Movie? 
General
A new Mad Max heads a bevvy of upcoming biking flicks this year
5 interesting race bikes you can buy from the same auction
General
Iconic Ducatis, Yamahas, Kawas, Harleys and more are available at a massive motorcycle auction in Las Vegas
Yes, the new Triumph Daytona 660 is a 'true Daytona'
New Bikes
Is the new 660 model 'Daytona lite' or 'Daytona right'? Looking at the evidence, I'm leaning towards the latter
5 amazing Steve McQueen-themed bikes from the same auction
General
Massive Vegas motorcycle auction offers the chance to own a bike ‘just like Steve’s'
Remembering the man really behind The Great Escape’s famous jump
General
No, not Steve McQueen - we’re talking about his biking buddy and body double Bud Ekins. This is HIS story