March

Year: 2011

Month: March

Guy Martin: TV star

16 March 2011 by Gary Pinchin

Guy Martin has become an overnight TV celebrity thanks to his BBC1 show ‘The Boat That Guy Built.’ The show was watched by 4.95million people – 22% of the viewing population in week one – and over...

Steve McQueen tribute Bonneville

16 March 2011 by Dan Aspel

Steve McQueen fans rejoice: a “Great Escape”-styled Triumph Bonneville has been made, and more are on the way. Painted up to resemble McQueen’s iconic TT Special 650 from the 1963 film (itself...

Suzi Perry sandwiched between Chris Moyles and Sara Cox

15 March 2011 by Guy Proctor

It’s a diverting thought, you have to admit. And that’s exactly where Suzi Perry finds herself in the big Comic Relief auction of celebrity favours. Suzi’s currently going for £1600, £160 more than...

Suzuki reduces parts prices

15 March 2011 by Andy Downes

Suzuki has slashed prices on many genuine parts in an effort to stop people automatically buying aftermarket parts for models from 1995 to 2011 with reductions of up to 43%. Suzuki calls the process...

Replacing Rossi at Yamaha

15 March 2011 by Anonymous

Matthan aged one and one quarter shows us all how it’s done!

Free MotoGP preview in this week's MCN!

15 March 2011 by Liam Marsden

The 2011 MotoGP season kicks off proper at Qatar this weekend, and this season promises to be a good one. Valentino Rossi has moved to Ducati, where he has so far struggled, and Casey Stoner has moved...

New MCN March 16: Honda CBR600F first ride

15 March 2011 by Liam Marsden

In this week’s issue of MCN, on sale March 16, we have the world first test of the all-new Honda CBR600F. Prepare yourself for the 2011 MotoGP season with a free 2011 MotoGP season preview, ahead of...

Out on the TS185s

14 March 2011 by acoma01

This is myself (Ian) and brother Mike on our regular Sunday ride out to our local trial site in the heart of the Cotswolds on our (almost) matching Suzuki TS185s.

Suzi Perry: 'I will follow you for money'

14 March 2011 by Guy Procter

Can a price be put on Suzi Perry’s attention? Thanks to Comic Relief it can – and in a way that currently ranks her as bigger than Stephen Fry, Fearne Cotton or Leona Lewis. Every biker’s favourite...

I fell in love with the Triumph Tiger 800XC

12 March 2011 by John

I bought my first adventure bike today. A Triumph Tiger 800XC. I took my Ducati 999 (2006) for a regular service, took the Tiger for a test ride and fell in love. As my mind was set to buy a new bike I even took a Hayabusa for a test ride (perhaps to overcome my love for the 800XC). However I did not change my mind. Goodbye sportbikes and welcome to my first adventure bike and, last but no least,...

Video: Motus MST-01 on the road

11 March 2011 by MCN

Motus recently unveiled the MST-01 for the first time, to critical acclaim. Former Ducati and Piaggio star Pierre Terblanche has hailed the 1650cc V4 a “wonderful achievement – a great concept, great...

Gallery: Best of British customs

11 March 2011 by MCN

The London International Custom Bike Show at the Alexandra Palace might have been lacking in terms of vendors. But the motorcycles on display showed the type of ingenuity and engineering that puts...

Destination dealer: Metropolis Motorcycles

11 March 2011 by MCN

ADVERTISING PROMOTION Metropolis Motorcycles has three branches located in London, each with their own areas of specialism to cater for the city biker’s every need. The North London branch, located...

Kawasaki to launch ultra-sophisticated ZZR1400

11 March 2011 by Andy Downes

Kawasaki will launch an ultra-sophisticated new version of the ZZR1400 which will take all of the latest electronic rider aids from the ZX-10R and bigger GTR1400 tourer. The new ZZR1400 will get the...

Triumph Triple Challenge to feature at British Grand Prix

11 March 2011 by Liam Marsden

The Triumph Triple Challenge race series will feature at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on June 10-12. The Silverstone MotoGP round will be the fourth Triumph Triple Challenge round, and the...

David Essex reunited with Silver Dream Racer at BSB film premiere

11 March 2011 by Steve Farrell

David Essex was reunited with the Silver Dream Racer after more than 30 years at a film premiere last night. The pop singer and actor posed on the Barton Suzuki 500cc triple at the premiere of I,...

Horex VR6 starts road testing

11 March 2011 by Andy Downes

New German manufacturer Horex has begun track testing the new 1200cc supercharged VR6 ahead of sales later this year. This the first time the bike has been pictured outside of bike shows and with the...

Frank Thomas: "future is safe"

11 March 2011 by Marc Abbott

The Frank Thomas brand and its kit will live on as if nothing has happened, a spokesman for new owner J&S Accessories has told MCN. The company, as part of the Thomas Sports Group, was in...

Honda confirms death at Tochigi R&D facility in Japanese earthquake

11 March 2011 by Andy Downes

Honda has officially confirmed one fatality at its research and development facility in Tochigi in the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan this morning. Thirty injuries have also been reported at...

New Harley-Davidson Blackline ridden

11 March 2011 by MCN

Harley-Davidson’s new-for-2011 Blackline is on test in next week’s Motorcycle News (on sale Wednesday March 16) – and it’s proved something of a ‘Marmite’, love/hate it machine. The new machine is...

Preview: Honda CBR600F impresses in first test

11 March 2011 by MCN

Honda’s revived CBR600F has impressed beyond expectations in its first full test in next week’s Motorcycle News – out on Wednesday March 16th. Chief Road Tester Trevor Franklin rode the bike at its...

Insurers should pay police to tackle fraud, say MPs

11 March 2011 by Steve Farrell

Insurers should pay for a dedicated police unit to tackle a rise in fraudulent claims, according an influential group of MPs. Fraud is a key factor behind soaring premiums and could lead to deaths in...

Honda’s Tochigi R&D plant hit by Japan earthquake

11 March 2011 by Andy Downes

Honda’s huge Tochigi Proving Ground and research and development facility are among those areas hit by the massive Japanese earthquake that struck last night. The earthquake measured a powerful 8.9...

Best of bikemart: Modern classics up for grabs this week

11 March 2011 by MCN

We’ve been browsing MCN bikes for sale every day to bring you some of our top picks from over 10,000 motorcycles for sale. Read more modern classics news and features Here’s just a few...

Pizza boys to tackle over 7,000 miles of desert on delivery scooters

10 March 2011 by Liam Marsden

Three pizza delivery boys from Sheffield, Yorkshire are going to ride 12,000km (7,456 miles) across punishing desert to Bamako, Mali to raise money for Practical Action. Liam Lee (25), Scott Hannah...

Sky Sports presenter completes first ever ladies speedway school

10 March 2011 by John Westlake

Sky Sports presenter Charlie Webster headlined the first ever Ladies Speedway Training day – a special charity event organised by ex-riders Barry Bishop and Steve Mills. Thirty women had a go at...

Gore Lock out

10 March 2011 by Barry

I was very interested to read your article on the Gore lock out zip. I found Hein Gerike had a sale on, so I took my self off and bought a jacket with this closure system. I have to say it works as far as keeping the water out, but that seems to be about as good as it gets. Zipping the jacket up once you’re used to how to connect it properly is ok, but unzipping it is a nightmare. I’ve already had...

MCN in Kenya

10 March 2011 by tazgoldwing

I’ve just returned from Mombasa, Kenya. Here’s a couple of pictures of me reading MCN on the Indian Ocean coast.

New £27million Silverstone pit ‘Wing’ nearly finished

10 March 2011 by Andy Downes

MotoGP racer Cal Crutchlow was given a guided tour of the new £27million pit complex at Silverstone which is due for completion in just two months. Crutchlow, Britain’s only rider in the top racing...

Michael Neeves MRO Powerbike blog – Brands

10 March 2011 by Michael Neeves

Wednesday 2nd March I can’t believe the racing weekend starts as soon as Wednesday, but I have to clean the van and get it loaded up, so I can drive straight to Brands from work on Thursday...

Video: Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 vs Ducati Hypermotard 1100 Evo vs KTM 990 SMR

10 March 2011 by MCN

Until now the big supermoto roost has been ruled by the KTM 990 SMR and Ducati Hypermotard 1100 Evo, but now Aprilia have joined the party with the Dorsoduro 1200. A glance at the spec sheet shows the...

Video: BMW G650GS is a lot of bike for £5000

10 March 2011 by Steve Farrell

MCN’s world-first ride on the new BMW G650GS has shown it’s competent on and off road and novice-friendly too. The BMW has 47bhp, which from 2013 will be the new power limit for novice riders, up from...

Suzuki's fuel cell scooter gets mass-production approval - but should you want one?

09 March 2011 by Guy Procter

Suzuki’s hydrogen-powered Burgman scooter has become the first fuel-cell vehicle to get European Whole Vehicle Type Approval - a license to start mass production. Hydrogen power might be a...

Bikes on TV: March 9-15

09 March 2011 by Alison Silcox

KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT – Discovery Real Time SHED – Discovery Shed DSC – Discovery Channel DHD – Discovery Channel HD EXS – Extreme Sports Channel EUR1 (2, HD) – Eurosport 1 (2, HD) MOT – Motors...

Motus MST-01: first studio shots fire enthusiasm for 'hot rod' V4

09 March 2011 by Guy Procter

American start-up Motus’ new sport tourer has met with enthusiasm among riders and designers in spite of initial luke-warm commentary over its looks. Former Ducati and Piaggio star Pierre Terblanche...

Six-month suspended sentence for 149mph speeder

09 March 2011 by Steve Farrell

A motorcyclist has been given a six-month suspended jail sentence for pulling a wheelie and speeding at 149mph on the M2 in Kent. Danny Bleach, 37, was filmed from an unmarked police motorcycle as he wheelied and reached over double the limit on the M2 bridge between Strood and Chatham. Bleach, from Belvedere, was ordered to do 200 hours’ unpaid work, banned for 18 months and told he must take an...