In this week’s paper I report how the Burgman’s heated grips could be warmer. Just about every journalist on the launch in Scotland seemed to agree on the point. Some said they seemed to work intermittently. Others questioned whether they worked at all. Suzuki scratched their heads and said they’d look into it. On the ride back to Peterborough, I ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 14 May 2013
You might think your licence would be safe on a scooter but I’ve already been in trouble with the rozzers a week after picking mine up. The Suzuki Burgman 650 ABS Executive has two automatic modes: Drive and Power. The latter is surprisingly, addictively brisk. Pulling out of a petrol station on the way to work yesterday morning, ...
- Motorcycle News
- First rides & tests
- 08 May 2013
1. Kawasaki Z800Bystanders gawp at the new Z800 and take photographs in this preposterous video from Kawasaki Australia. It's as though they've found a portal to another universe and not a mass production motorcycle. A trucker radios his mates and weirdly gets a nod from the passing rider. Two hairy Antipodeans applaud and give thumbs up to the parked bike. Clearly ...
- Motorcycle News
- General news
- 26 April 2013
An Italian motorcycle dealership has suffered a second failed theft attempt in six months. CCTV footage shows four thieves spend three minutes breaking into an Aprilia showroom before fleeing. The four are seen arriving on two scooters shortly after 11pm. One cuts through the shop’s metal shutters with a disc grinder while the others keep watch. Once inside, three struggle ...
- Motorcycle News
- General news
- 28 March 2013
Anyone who followed Carl Fogarty’s World Superbike career will know the name Slick Bass. As Ducati’s chief mechanic, it was Slick’s spannering that helped Foggy win a record four titles in the Nineties. Anthony Bass, nicknamed Slick for his speed, and possibly the odd oil spillage, has also worked alongside Joey Dunlop, Steve Hislop and Ron Haslam in a 30-year-career. ...
- Motorcycle News
- General news
- 27 March 2013
The Motorcycle Action Group has accused courts of ‘inconsistent sentencing’ after a hit-and-run drink-driver walked free from court. MAG President Ian Mutch attacked the ‘leniency’ of a suspended sentence handed to Thomas Scully, 63, who was more than twice over the legal alcohol limit when he pulled out on a motorcyclist. Scully, who had spent hours drinking in a pub before ...
- Motorcycle News
- General news
- 15 March 2013
Drivers will be told to look out for bikes in a £1.2mllion government campaign this spring. The ‘Think bike’ campaign will run from March to April, to coincide with many riders returning to the roads after winter. The Department for Transport plans to spend more on the initiative than almost any other road safety campaign this year. Funding of £1.275million ...
- Motorcycle News
- General news
- 07 February 2013
I wouldn’t usually spend much time thinking about the word ‘hurt’. But I did recently give it some consideration after receiving an email warning: “There is a very good chance you will get hurt.” Actually, the word and its definition became a matter for urgent consideration. And I considered that it embraced anything from a scratch to a maiming. Usually, ...
- Motorcycle News
- General news
- 23 December 2012
BMW’s new S1000RR HP4 has arrived at UK dealers. The enhanced S1000RR litre sports bike features dynamic traction control, race ABS and semi-active suspension. The HP4 Carbon has extras including a carbon-fibre tank cover. They cost £16,700 and £19,350 respectively. There are over 80 BMW S1000RRs for sale at MCN bikes for sale, find one here.
- Motorcycle News
- New bikes
- 17 December 2012
Only a few chances remain for under-24-year-olds to do a single Direct Access bike test for an unrestricted motorcycle licence. Riders currently have to be 21 for Direct Access but the minimum age is rising. The DSA said: ‘Test slots are now nearly fully booked until January 19, when the new rules come into force.’ Younger riders are also affected. ...
- Motorcycle News
- General news
- 10 December 2012
