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Litre sports bikes

18 February 2002

Litre sports bikes

Honda Fireblade Phone around for insurance before you even decide to buy a FireBlade (the same is true for the R1). You just might get a shock. Most firms insist on two years’ no-claims, as well as...

Trailies

18 February 2002

Trailies

Most popular trailie: BMW R1150GS Don’t expect to get an R1150GS for a bargain-basement price – but do expect one of the most versatile and enjoyable bikes ever. While Japanese bikes may depreciate by...

Tesi mutates into Vyrus

18 February 2002

Tesi mutates into Vyrus

IF you thought Bimota’s jelly-mould-shaped, hub-centre-steered Tesi was an oddity, take a look at this. It’s called Vyrus. There’s a Forth Bridge-style latticework chassis, an almost complete absence...

Sports bikes

18 February 2002

Sports bikes

Most popular sports bikes: The CBR600 has been one of Honda’s biggest successes and is now in its 15th year. Few bikes can match its longevity, let alone its sales success. But there’s no secret to...

Sports Tourers

18 February 2002

Sports Tourers

Most popular Sports Tourer: Honda VFR800 The VFR800 has been one of Honda’s best-sellers ever since its launch in 1997. That success means there’s no shortage of secondhand bikes about. Dealers reckon...

Honda V4 has the power

18 February 2002

Honda V4 has the power

Honda’s 2004 V4 will put bikes like Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 in the shade in pure power terms. Tony Scott, renowned for his tuning work on Honda’s RC30 and 45 V4s says the new superbike will ” easily make...

Blueprint for the changes

18 February 2002

Blueprint for the changes

IF you think the R1 doesn’t really look that different, that’s just the way Yamaha planned it. The firm reckons people like the way the R1 looks and simply want styling that’s a bit more futuristic.

Over 1000 sign-up for protest

18 February 2002

Over 1000 sign-up for protest

Updated at 9am, Tuesday, February 19: Your response to a newly set-up site to gather response for a possible protest proved so great that a wider band width has had to be installed. You’ll find a link...

Better deals on new bikes in comparison with Europe

18 February 2002

Better deals on new bikes in comparison with Europe

WE’RE now getting a better deal on new bikes next to our European neighbours, according to the latest survey of prices. MCN examined the real prices you are likely to pay for 15 different models – and...

First test of 2002 R1

18 February 2002

First test of 2002 R1

We’ve been among the first in the world to ride Yamaha’s 2002 R1. And while you’ll have to wait for Wednesday’s MCN (out on February 20, 2002) for the full story, here are some of the highlights, from...

Whose line is it anyway?

18 February 2002

Whose line is it anyway?

Which of these riders will take the other out? Bet now! Bet now! Bet now!

KTM will race in GPs to develop road bikes

18 February 2002

KTM will race in GPs to develop road bikes

KTM is turning to the new GP class to help it break into the mass road bike market and its V4 four-stroke will form the basis of a 1000cc sports bike for the road. The firm, best known for off-road...

Compare the original letter with Government response

18 February 2002

Compare the original letter with Government response

A Government spokesman has issued an official response to the growing outrage at Environment Minister Michael Meacher’s anti-bike letter to Chief Constables. It appears to claim we have nothing to...

Indian relaunches the Chief

18 February 2002

Indian relaunches the Chief

Indian has relaunched its Chief with its own engine replacing the aftermarket unit which has been used since the firm was brought back from the dead in 1998. The 1638cc 45° V-twin air-cooled unit,...

How it’s being pitched: The Video ad

18 February 2002

How it’s being pitched: The Video ad

Yamaha has come up with a life-style ad for the new Jog. View it by selecting the Quicktime (MOV) or Real Player (RM) downloads, right.

Lower insurance for low-use riders

18 February 2002

Lower insurance for low-use riders

Norwich Union is experimenting with a system which could save you up to 50 per cent on your insurance bill. It benefits low-mileage riders and, since most owners are clocking up less than 5000 miles a...

Cat and Fiddle among danger roads

18 February 2002

Cat and Fiddle among danger roads

The Cat and Fiddle run has been named the second most dangerous road in Britain. The famous stretch of the A537 between Macclesfield and Buxton was only topped by an eight-mile section of A-road in...

World’s first test on Suzuki’s V-Strom

18 February 2002

World’s first test on Suzuki’s V-Strom

We’ve been riding Suzuki’s new TL-powered giant trailie, the V-Strom, on the world launch of this new challenger in an increasingly popular sector. You’ll find a full test in MCN, out on Wednesday,...

MCN Finance Shop brings the best deals to you

18 February 2002

MCN Finance Shop brings the best deals to you

MCN has today launched an ultra-powerful new tool to help you get the best deal on financing your next bike purchase. After you’ve found the bike of your dreams using our online classifieds, we can...

Win a Hornet 900 in Riders for Health raffle

11 February 2002

Win a Hornet 900 in Riders for Health raffle

Go to a bike show or race meet this year and you’re likely to be offered raffle tickets to win a Honda CB900 Hornet. Dig deep because the proceeds go to Riders for Health. Honda has donated the bike...

Strange But True…

11 February 2002

Strange But True…

Our latest collection of bike-related oddities from around the globe includes… Thailand: Critics often describe artists like Damien Hurst as ” dangerous ” . Not as dangerous as Santi Pichetchaikul,...

Casting technique could save 8kg on new R6

11 February 2002

Casting technique could save 8kg on new R6

More details have emerged about Yamaha’s newly-invented casting technique (as revealed on this site on February 7) which suggest it could save up to 8kg on the weight of a 600cc sports bike. The...

The latest performance exhausts

11 February 2002

The latest performance exhausts

Click the links on the right to see all the news on the latest performance enhancing exhausts.

New Rotax engine range bound for bikes

11 February 2002

New Rotax engine range bound for bikes

ROTAX has patented a new range of engines which will be available for use in motorcycles. They include a 610cc single, a 1000cc parallel twin, a 1000cc V-twin, plus an inline triple of between 1000...

Giant quiz answers revealed

11 February 2002

Giant quiz answers revealed

Our massive Christmas Quiz attracted more than 3000 entries. The closing date for entries has now passed so it is finally safe to reveal all the answers. See how close you got, or work out how well...

Fear drives security sales

11 February 2002

Fear drives security sales

Initial results of a survey into bike crime conducted through this site suggest the majority of people aren’t using bike security to meet insurance demands, they are doing it because they fear...

Win four places at our Butlins bash

11 February 2002

You and three pals could be among the merry revellers at this year’s MCN Butlins Spring Spectacular at Skegness for the cost of a £1 entry to our latest mobile phone text message competition. The competition runs from February 13-19, 2002, ONLY and winners will be notified by text message by Friday, February 22. It is only open to BT Cellnet and Vodafone customers (excluding BT Cellnet...

Mountain excitement

11 February 2002

Mountain excitement

Need to know the best way round the TT’s Mountain? Look no further.

I never knew insurance was so interesting…

11 February 2002

I never knew insurance was so interesting…

IN MCN tomorrow (February 13), we’ve raided the records and talked to the experts at Carole Nash to reveal some fascinating facts about bike insurance. No, really! We’ve found the answers to all kinds...

Your votes bring B-King closer to production

11 February 2002

Your votes bring B-King closer to production

Your responses through this site and at the MCN Ally Pally show look likely to inspire Suzuki to put the B-King into production. Your initial approval of the Hayabusa-powered prototype encouraged...

Come on Cap!

11 February 2002

Come on Cap!

Yamaha riding Nigel ” Cap ” Davies sets off on the TT circuit.

Why is he doing this to us?

11 February 2002

Despite their initial " like it or lump it " attitude, the Department of the Environment relented on Friday (Feb 15, 2002) and gave the following as inspiration for Michael Meacher’s action. The links here will take you to the three pieces of evidence the Department of the Environment has subsequently come up with as " reasons " for Micheal Meacher’s course of action. The first is an article...

2002 R1s arrive at UK dealers

11 February 2002

2002 R1s arrive at UK dealers

The official launch in dealers doesn’t come until February 28, but already some 2002 R1s are making their way into dealers. We’ve had reports that On Yer Bike at Aylesbury and Motorcycles and Moore at...

Chance to do something about bike crime

11 February 2002

Chance to do something about bike crime

Here’s your chance to help the fight against bike crime and to keep the cost of insurance under control. The people who represent the bike industry in the UK want to know what your experience of bike...

Where’s Red Rum?

11 February 2002

Where’s Red Rum?

There’s so much riding on turf going on here, you might mistake it for the Grand National.

Why you pay what you do for insurance

11 February 2002

Why you pay what you do for insurance

Insurance is something that always plays on our minds, but never more so than now – because over the next few weeks more of us renew our policy than at any other time of the year. That means around...