June

Year: 2001

Month: June

Mellor says riders deserve rising death toll

24 June 2001

Riders who crash while jumping long queues or filtering in traffic are ” getting what they deserve ” , according to former Cabinet Minister David Mellor. The Tory made the claim in his weekly column...

Gilera’s Ice is very cool

24 June 2001

Italians have a fantastic ability to design bikes that are striking and different. The Ice is just that, totally unique, beautiful – but in a quirky kind of way. The crazy look of the bike is only...

Mad motocross

24 June 2001

The Des Nations event always brings out the wildest off-road action

How we can prove Mellor wrong

24 June 2001

WITHIN days of David Mellor’s comments, the Transport Research Laboratory published a report into the real reason why people are dying in bike crashes. And, Mr Mellor, it’s nothing to do with riders exercising their right to ride on the outside of a queue or getting up your nose by passing your chauffeur-driven motor. The TRL looked into police reports of 717 fatalities which involved a motorcycle...

Muck spreaders

24 June 2001

Every sideways corner throws up more mud from the Des Nations action.

Supersport CBR takes on both road going versions.

24 June 2001

Honda must inject some kind of sedative into the saddle of CBR600s which enables you to ride exceptionally fast, yet feel extremely relaxed doing it. Either that or it has got the balance of the...

One at a time please

24 June 2001

Some corners attract more riders than others…

Latest Blade marks 10th anniversary

24 June 2001

The original Blade went on sale in March 1992 – almost exactly a decade before the latest version will hit the showrooms. With a 122bhp, 893cc engine mounted in a race-style alloy frame, it had the power of a contemporary litre bike, but at 185kg it was the weight of a 600cc machine. Ever since its launch, the Blade has been subject to regular updates every two years – making the new bike the...

Flying tonight

24 June 2001

Here’s the first in a series of video clips from the Motocross Des Nations. Prepare to have your breath taken away.

Under starters orders…

24 June 2001

The dash from the tape at the Motocross Des Nations

Mud in your eye

24 June 2001

Some serious soil disturbance from the Motocross Des Nations

First test reveals Yamaha Bulldog is built for cruising

24 June 2001

LATEST UPDATE: 5PM, JUNE 29 Yamaha’s new Bulldog may be styled like a Buell or a Ducati Monster, but it’s much more focused on cruising rather than sport. That’s the first impression Adam Morrissey...

Eat dirt

24 June 2001

It’s all going to get a bit gnarly out there…

Mixed reaction to first pictures of 2002 FireBlade

24 June 2001

Our pictures of the 2002 FireBlade have got everybody talking… and not everyone has been immediately won over by the new look. In postings in our Talk News bulletin board, peterfoley said: ” Deffo...

24 June 2001

Serious Accidents on the open road: Loss of control, Rider’s fault: 61%, Other’s fault: 5%. Failed to give way, Riders fault: 2%, Other’s fault 36%. Failed to avoid, Rider’s fault: 13%, Other’s fault: 12%. Poor turn/manoeuvre, Rider’s fault: 7%, Other’s fault: 31%. Poor Overtaking, Rider’s fault: 11%, Other’s fault 7%. Total (accidents/percentage). Rider’s fault: 456 (67%), Other’s fault: 227...

A very special FireBlade

17 June 2001

American race team Erion has an enviable record which has helped them craft a fine range of race products. Put their best together and you get this showcase bike, the Erion Blade. Created by UK...

That ain’t Santa Claus

17 June 2001

Riding over the rooftops is all in a day’s work for world-class trials riders

One way of getting down the stairs

17 June 2001

Try this at home and you’ll be in the doghouse for weeks

Varadero and FireStorm to get fuel injection

17 June 2001

Honda’s Varadero will get fuel injection later this year. The new model’s styling is set to remain unchanged, but the revamped motor should perform a little more efficiently. The move has been...

Water way to go

17 June 2001

Trials is THE bike sport… if you want to make a splash

Phoenix rises with Laverda’s name

17 June 2001

LAVERDA’S first new machine since the Aprilia take over is a 150cc scooter designed and built in China by SYM. Aprilia has arranged the deal to sell the re-badged SYM Joyride under the Laverda banner...

New Ducati to be based on Smart’s Imola winner

17 June 2001

Ducati has dedicated a production line to building limited edition bikes and the next one will be an MH900E-based bike inspired by Paul Smart’s 1972 Imola 200-winning machine. Ducati originally...

1700cc super Harley

17 June 2001

This started life as a stock 1450cc FXDX Dyna Super Glide Sport. But it’s been bored out to 1700cc, making it the largest-capacity Harley-Davidson ever officially sold in the UK. It’s a stock 1450cc...

Insurance underwriter goes into liquidation

17 June 2001

Check the small print on your insurance policy, you could be one of as many as 2000 UK riders hit by the financial troubles at Independent Insurance Company Limited. The underwriter is now in the hands of liquidator Pricewaterhouse Cooper. Carole Nash is one of the firm to have used Independent Insurance Company Limited to underwrite motorcycle policies. Check your certificate and it will say who...