Motorcycle Sport Leisure – July 2026

Summary

BMW's pint-sized F450GS pothole-killer tackles on- and off-road terrain in Motorcycle Sport and Leisure July 2026 — issue 790 — while Voge's grass-roots R625 proves bargain-basement boogie is alive at 5,000 GBP and the Kawasaki Z650 confirms its reputation as the super-practical mid-ranger that newer riders keep coming back to.

Seven road tests fill the issue. The BMW F450GS (page 10) is tested as Bavaria's little ripper on and off-road. The Kawasaki Z650 (page 18) is reviewed as a super-practical mid-range naked. The Voge R625 (page 28) delivers bargain-basement performance. The Honda WN7 (page 34) is a big-brand sparker. The Midual Type 1 (page 48) is art-deco quirkiness from France. Two big Harleys — Road Glide Limited and Street Glide Limited (page 54) — are tested as grand American touring machines. The BMW F900GS (page 60) is little brother's bigger brother.

News and opinion includes Maynard Hershon on caveat emptor (page 17), Richard Millington raving about his home country (page 79) and Kevin Cameron on stability (page 98). The touring section covers the Ardennes (Day Ride), France and Germany (Mid Ride) and Bosnia (Long Ride).

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / Road Tests

p.10 · BMW F450GS
Bavaria's little ripper! The 450 cc parallel-twin adventure bike is tested on and off-road. The review covers the 42 bhp output, the 190-mm suspension travel and the claimed 3.5-litre/100-km fuel consumption. The author rates it for A2-licence holders and shorter riders. New adventure riders get a seat height measurement and a lowered-suspension option code.

p.18 · Kawasaki Z650
The super-practical mid-range naked gets a full test. The 649 cc parallel-twin delivers 67 bhp, a 188-kg wet weight and a seat height of 790 mm. The review calls it the most sensible middleweight on the market. A2-licence holders get a running-cost estimate per year.

p.28 · Voge R625
Bargain-basement boogie at 5,000 GBP. The Chinese 625 cc single-cylinder is tested for commuter practicality and weekend fun. The review notes the suspension is basic but the engine character is engaging. Budget buyers get a cost comparison against the Honda CB500X.

p.34 · Honda WN7
The big-brand sparker from Honda is tested. The review covers Honda's build quality, the engine character and the value proposition against Chinese rivals.

p.48 · Midual Type 1
Art-deco quirkiness from the French manufacturer. The 30,000 GBP hand-built motorcycle is tested for its design credentials and riding experience. The review questions whether the style justifies the price.

p.54 · Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ltd and Street Glide Ltd
Grand American touring tested. The two big Milwaukee-Eight V-twins are compared for comfort, luggage capacity and highway cruising ability. The review recommends the Road Glide for superior wind protection. Touring riders get a fairing-choice recommendation.

p.60 · BMW F900GS
The 900 cc adventure bike is tested as the bigger brother to the F450GS. The 105 bhp engine, 230-mm suspension travel and 219-kg wet weight are rated against the KTM 890 Adventure.

▸ Touring

p.68 · Day Ride — Ardennes
A one-day tour through the Belgian Ardennes covering the best roads, fuel stops and lunch spots.

p.74 · Mid Ride — France and Germany
A multi-day tour crossing from eastern France into Germany, covering the Black Forest and Alsace.

p.80 · Long Ride — Bosnia
A long-distance tour into Bosnia, covering the Balkan roads, border crossings and the unique motorcycling culture of the region.

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Editor's Take

The BMW F450GS test is the issue's strongest feature — it answers a genuine market question about whether the baby GS can match the bigger bike's capability. The Voge R625 is the most important test for the budget-conscious majority of MSL's readership; the 5,000 GBP price point makes motorcycling accessible to a generation priced out of the middleweight market. The Harley twin-test is well-executed but occupies 6 pages for a brand that already dominates the touring coverage. The Midual Type 1 test is a vanity feature — the bike costs 30,000 GBP and none of MSL's readers will buy one. Kevin Cameron's technical column on stability is strong. The touring section is the best it has been this year, with real route detail in the Ardennes piece.

Strengths
• F450GS test answers a real A2-market question
• Voge R625 is the most relevant test for budget riders
• Touring section delivers genuine route detail

Weaknesses
• Harley twin-test dominates pages for a single brand
• Midual test is irrelevant to the readership

Verdict: Recommended — The F450GS and Voge tests make it essential for new-rider market followers.