April

Year: 2009

Month: April

The 5 best V4s you can actually own

30 June 2017 by Jordan Gibbons

Forget the triple, the V4 is the best combination of a twin and a four. With photos emerging of the new Ducati V4, everyone is getting excited about V4 bikes again. V4s have scored countless race wins...

This new test is ridiculous

30 April 2009 by Jamie macdonald

My girlfriend has just failed the first part of her motorcycle test for not reaching 50kph on the new swerve test, she went past the radar at 49kph. I think this is ridiculous. Are students meant to look where they are going or have their eyes fixed on the speedo? She has been doing very well and loves the days out with her instuctors then she fails on something that seems so petty. Surely a +/-...

Aprilia RSV4 available from May 14

30 April 2009 by Andy Downes

The awesome Aprilia RSV4 Factory superbike will make it’s UK debut on May 14 with 38 dealers across the country hosting open evenings dedicated to the RSV4 Factory. Guests will be able to view the...

Weise Titanium vented jacket

30 April 2009 by Rob Hull

With sports styling, titanium badges on each shoulder sitting on TPU vents and an Airflow cooling system, the new Titanium textile jacket from Weise® is seriously cool. Tailored for a close fit, the...

Diesel launch motorcycle helmet

30 April 2009 by Rob Hull

It’s probably aimed more towards the Italian scooter riding fashion types, but any combination of the fashion industry and bikes is good with us. Following moves from the likes of Moschino into the...

Win VIP tickets for Oulton Park

30 April 2009 by MCN

You can win a pair of VIP tickets to the second round of the British Superbike Championship, including hospitality, exclusive pit tour and chance to meet Yamaha riders Leon Camier and James Ellison,...

SBK ’09 video game trailer

30 April 2009 by Rob Hull

SBK’09 is due for release on May 29 in the UK across five different formats including PS2, X-Box 360 and PC, and MCN got the first taster of the new game this week. In a special invite-only event at...

New test: the DSA were told and told again!

30 April 2009 by biker12

Well just a short note on the the new test – the DSA have been told told and better told that this would not be succesful. This proves that all the schools that have voiced their opinion has been...

Bags Connection launch waterproof biking bag

30 April 2009 by Rob Hull

German motorcycle luggage specialists Bags Connection have introduced a new Waterproof Line that will keep their contents dry whatever the weather forecast by incorporating welded seam technology with...

The problem with the swerve test is...

30 April 2009 by GTATRRT

Well, the new test is here, very sorry to hear of people dropping the bike on test and, even worse, someone getting hurt. We have our own Mod 1 course for trainee’s to practice on. So far no-one has dropped the bike, we are very carefull with our trainee’s only allowing them to do the avoidance exercise when we think they are up to it. There are one or two things wrong and dangerous with the...

Top 5 motorbikes for women

30 April 2009 by Alison Silcox

You’ve probably heard the term ‘girls bike’ at some point, especially if you’ve ever owned a Suzuki SV650 or Ducati Monster 695. But sexism aside, a lot of us lady riders have specific requirements...

Free vouchers with Michelin 2CT tyres

30 April 2009 by Chris Newbigging

Michelin is giving away £20 of vouchers to be used in high-street shops with any set of Power One, Pilot Power 2CT or Pilot Road 2 tyres. The tyres have to be bought and fitted between 15 May and June...

Senior instructor worried about new test

30 April 2009 by Anonymous

I am the senior instructor with a m/c training school in Scotland and just as other trainers are concerned my worries are probably being echoed around the country. The avoidance exercise, I was informed that this was absolutely a requirement in the new MOd 1 test. As an experienced rider and trainer of over 23yrs I find it hard to comprehend how a novice rider can be expected to perform a manouver...

World Exclusive: First ride of the RSV4 on the road

30 April 2009 by Michael Neeves

MCN’s world first road ride on Aprilia‘s new RSV4 has proved what an exceptional bike it is. But it has also highlighted problems that did not show up on the racetrack launch. New V4 Aprilia ridden...

All new Honda Goldwing will get Human Friendly Transmission

30 April 2009 by John Westlake

A Honda insider has hinted that the new Honda Goldwing will have a long list of rider aids including airbags, ABS, a version of the Human-Friendly Transmission (HFT) or a motorcycle-specific...

Get MCN for only £1.15 an issue!

30 April 2009 by James Keen

Subscribe to MCN before May 15 and get your copy of MCN delivered to your door every week (first class) for just £1.15 per issue. Subscribe to MCN now That represents a saving of 75p on each paper,...

Rossi TT update: Guy Martin reckons Rossi would be unstoppable at the TT

30 April 2009 by Marc Potter

TT Hero Guy Martin has tipped Valentino Rossi to ‘disappear into the distance’ if he ever raced at the Isle of Man TT. The Hydrex Honda rider who lapped at 128.89mph was speaking exclusively to MCN...

Suzi Perry: why the Jerez GP means so much

30 April 2009 by Guy Procter

MotoGP riders’ and viewers’ favourite Suzi Perry will be back in action at Jerez this weekend 10 weeks after being rushed to hospital for a life-saving operation. Here she explains exclusively to...

Now that's a pot hole!

30 April 2009 by higgers

Now this is what you call a pot hole! “Motorists in south Manchester faced delays after a huge hole opened up in the middle of a main road. A small group of people had gathered to inspect damage to the surface of Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury, when the tarmac gave way, leaving the gaping hole.” http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8025935.stm

Arghh a spider!

29 April 2009 by steve jones

Oh what a tangled web we weave! My R1 resplendant in the spring time sun.

The new test will make you a better rider

29 April 2009 by Pete Kilbey

I feel I must add my little bit as far as the new bike test goes. My wife decided that it was time for her to ride a motorcycle, so we bought her a 125cc for her CBT which proved no problem. She was nervous as could be expected but as soon as we found Bryans motorcycle Training Centre in Stoke on Trent things changed drastically, she had found a professional training school with top notch...

My daughter on my bike

29 April 2009 by paulwebby

My daughter trying out to be an MCN babe!

125s test: new Cagiva Mito 525 v Aprilia RS125R v Yamaha YZF-R125 v Honda CBR125R

29 April 2009 by Trevor Franklin

MCN road testers give their verdict on the latest 125 racer-replicas Honda CBR125R For many years Honda‘s CBR125R was the perfect way to through your bike test. It was cheap, uber reliable, modern and...

Yamaha YBR250 commuter coming to UK

29 April 2009 by Chris Newbigging

Yamaha has just announced that the YBR250 commuter motorcycle is going on sale in the UK. The air-cooled four-stroke 250cc single is already available elsewhere in Europe, but Yamaha UK say there is...

Rossi TT update: "Guy Martin has big balls"

29 April 2009 by MCN

Valentino Rossi has spoken exclusively to MCN about his admiration for TT riders after revealing this week that he plans to ride a lap of the famous Isle of Man TT course. He said: “I’ve met Guy...

The new test is too tricky for novices

29 April 2009 by Anonymous

I am a bike instructor in cumbria who has a few words on the complete balls up that is the new 2 part test. Last week at our new MPTC the 1st 4 instructors to try part 1, all failed to get up to speed on both attempts so would have failed their tests. How can we expect pupils with much less experience to do this as places in which to practice are limited – we also have a 35 mile trip there and...

Kawasaki Ninja 250R special

29 April 2009 by dclark0207

Hi, I just thought I would send you a photo of my Ninja 250cc bike. the reason being is that I haven’t seen another one like it. I’ve added a lot to it. I bought it new last year and within 3 months I...

Future world champion

29 April 2009 by mat curran

My youngest learning the basics early! Oscar aged 3.

Rossi TT update: 'Every motorcyclist in the world has heard of the Isle of Man TT'

29 April 2009 by Marc Potter

MCN has helped arrange for eight-times world champion Valentino Rossi to ride at the Isle of Man TT. The man spoke exclusively to MCN at last weekend’s Motegi MotoGP about his TT plans. The...

Not looking forward to the new test

29 April 2009 by Anonymous

I was fortunate enough to get a cancelled Das test before the new part of the test came in, however i was unfortunate enough to fail my test by dropping my bike from a stationary position as i went to turn right. I broke my big toe on my right foot 2 days before so when the bike went down my foot was not able to take the full weight and stop the bike going over. Either i did not put the bike back...

DSA must terminate rediculous new test

29 April 2009 by RICHARD ATKINSON

Further to your story relating to the new motorcyle test. Speaking as a motorcyle trainer with 25 yrs experience and a training school owner for 17 yrs the result of our 2nd part 1 test on monday was a pupil admitted to hospital, £500 worth of damage to a training bike and this was the 2nd incident of the day at only 11.15. The emergency avoidance exercise does not leave enough distance before...

New test does nothing for Road Safety

29 April 2009 by asmtraining

Academy of Safe Motorcycling in Bournemouth here. As a trainer I have been continually saying to the DSA at their outreach meetings that the new test is dangerous and unecesssary. I have pointed out that the high speed manouevers part of the test are totally against our training ethos regarding cornering and speed and misuse of the gears and accelleration on the A2 test. In short the fact that...

Valentino Rossi to ride at TT!

29 April 2009 by Marc Potter

MotoGP megastar Valentino Rossi will ride with 10-times TT winner Giacomo Agostini for a full lap of the 37.73-mile Isle of Man mountain circuit on June 6, just before the start of the six-lap Dainese...

New test defies the highway code

28 April 2009 by Peter

After driving a car for 30 odd years I just passed my bike theory test last week. According to the Highway Code in the wet we should, ride / drive slower, leave twice as much room between you and the car in front, brake and manoeuvre more gently and be ready to stop in plenty of time. This new test ignores all that advice. I hope the poor guy who broke his arm takes the DSA to court and wins. If...

Arai launch new Kevin Schwantz replica

28 April 2009 by Rob Hull

These are exclusive images of the latest Kevin Schwantz replica due to be available from Arai in the next few weeks, exclusively snapped inside the firm’s British HQ. Available on the Chaser shell,...

New GT boots from Forma

28 April 2009 by Marc Abbott

These new Forma GT boots are claimed to combine the best elements of road and motocross footwear. Compare and buy motorcycle boots Inside the leather upper there is a Drytex tubular lining. This...