008 News
Those folk at government HQ plan to launch new initiatives aimed at cutting motorcycle related accidents in Britain. So are we in for a rough time from the men in suits? Or do we have nothing to worry about? Best check out MSL's news pages to find out...

013 Ridden
Buell XB12R Harley-Davidson Road King Custom

022 Scribe
If held vertically the average biro will write non-stop for 38-hours without running out, so that gives you plenty of time to write into our public forum: the letters pages. And you never know; your work with that biro could earn yourself a brand new set of Avon hoops.

027 Cathcart
However big or small a story, nothing gets past our man Cathcart. This month Sir Al tells tales of resurrection and expansion from the deepest depths of that wonderful place called Italy - concentrating on Fantic's rebirth and Minarelli's growth.

028 Hershon
After a spate of mechanical breakdowns a disillusioned Maynard Hershon questions a motorcycle's ability to keep going and going, and ponders the question: why can't bikes have the same reliability as cars...?

032 Cover Story
It's big, it's clever, it's BMW's new R1200 GS. The success of its big dual- purpose predecessors has underpinned BMW's modern sales success, so Editor Chapman travelled all the way to South Africa to find out just how effective the updates on this latest model have been...

030 Cameron
This month Kevin Cameron will be mostly talking about... Hydrogen as a fuel. He's a clever man is our columnist, so let him guide you through the pros and cons of alternative power sources...

044 Vincent Return
You heard it here first: Vincent is back - and it means business. Multi-millionaire American businessman Bernard Li has resurrected the brand and created a bike with classic looks, but modern technology. Alan Cathcart went to the US of A to get the low-down...

050 Honda's. Fireblade
Fresh from riding Valentino Rossi's old Honda racebike in Europe, Chris Moss is off on his travels again - this time to sample Honda's newfangled CBR1000RR Fireblade. Has Honda translated its race-winning formula to make a sales-winning production bike? Only one way to find out.

054 Kawasaki ZX-10R
It's been a few years since Kawasaki has threatened its rivals in the Superbike sector, but times maybe about to change. Ken Wootton, Editor of Australian Motorcycle News, flew to Miami, USA, and got his socks blown off...

058 Piaggio X9
We know you love 'em, so here's another. We sent MSL's scooter expert OlaDele Akinsehinwa to the Continent to attend the European launch of Piaggio's 2004-spec X9 250 Evolution.

062 Enduring Yamahas.
Off-road riding's popularity in Britain is on the up, partly because of increasing restrictions on British roads, and partly due to the latest breed of road-registered enduro machines. MSL's Simon Swan found himself in deepest Wales to sample two of the finest: Yamaha's WR250F and WR450F.

066 MV Uncovered
MSL sits down with MV Agusta boss Claudio Castiglioni and questions him on his motives behind his group's deal with automotive giants Proton. To find out what impact the agreement will have, turn to page 66...

072 Touring Vietnam
Few people would think this far afield when pondering a motorcycle touring vacation, but not professional photographer Paul Barton. He headed to the land of mystery and adventure, and got to grips with 'Nam's 'interesting' roads...

078 Products
As ever, in this issue we have gathered together a veritable plethora of motorcycle related consumer goods for you to drool over, beg for, save up for or even buy, that are guaranteed to please.

084 Classic Bikes
If you've ever fancied classic bike ownership, but found the yesteryear bike scene a little too daunting, read on. We have put together an easy-to-follow guide to dipping your toe into the classic bike pool...

090 Yesteryear
It's that wonderful section of the magazine where we take a trip back down memory lane. In this issue we conclude Mike Jackson's 30-year chronicle of the British motorcycle industry he knows and loves.