April

Year: 2008

Month: April

Video: Murry Walker talks books and bikes

16 April 2008 by Michael Carroll

Murry Walker might be best known for his commentary on Formula One racing, but his first love is motorcycling. MCN’s news reporter Michael Carroll travelled to interview him about his latest book. Watch the video below to see Murray’s opinions on his book, anti-motorcycle legislation and British riders in MotoGP.

Video: Roger Allmond custom Triumph Rocket III

16 April 2008 by Chris Newbigging

Short, low and sexy aren’t words anyone would associate with Triumph’s Rocket III but one off bike builder has managed it with this stunning Rocket powered machine. Commisioned by Bennets Insurance, the unnamed bike has six months of toil behind it with only the engine, fuel injection, wiring and shaft drive left from the original Rocket. Watch the video above to see the bike close-up and read the...

Speeding YouTube rider hits the headlines

16 April 2008 by Michael Carroll

A Honda CBR600F rider has caused uproar in the general press after posting a video on YouTube that shows the bike hitting close to 150mph on a dual carriageway in West Sussex. The nine-minute long...

The lousy copper

16 April 2008 by Anonymous

Just passing on a quick note from another fed up copper (yes, I’m one too) He sent me this e-mail and asked me to send it out so this is what I’m doing…… Well, Mr Public, it seems you’ve figured me out. I’m standardidized, stereotyped, grouped and always typical. Strange as I can never figure you out. From birth you teach your children that I’ll do horrible things to them then are shcked when...

Picture special: Budget Yamaha Tenere gives a taste of adventure

16 April 2008 by Ped Baker

Yamaha’s XT660Z Tenere is aimed at riders who dream of adventuring to the end of the Tarmac and beyond. With long travel suspension, a huge 250 mile tank range and practical ‘crash resistant’ panels...

MCN Daily 15/04/08: Your daily video motorcycle news

15 April 2008 by Angus Farquhar

In episode 85 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show MCN slings a leg over Kawasaki’s Ninja250R, Knox unveils its most advanced back-protector ever, and Jorge Lorenzo goes under the surgeon’s knife. Subscribe to this podcast with RSS Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in just three minutes then email us here to let us know what you think of the new...

World Exclusive: Roger Allmond’s finished Rocket III-powered one-off

15 April 2008 by Chris Newbigging

This is the world exclusive first photo shoot for what could be the most stunning custom motorcycle of the year – Roger Allmond’s Triumph Rocket III. See the motorcycle close up in our...

New Knox Aegis back protector

15 April 2008 by Liam Marsden

Protection specialist Knox is set to release their most technically advanced back protector yet, the Knox Aegis. Statistics show that 25% of critical motorcycle accidents affect the spine, but still a...

First impressions: Kawasaki Ninja 250R launch

15 April 2008 by Trevor Franklin

MCN Chief Road Tester Trevor Franklin is in Barcelona to get a first taste of the sauciest 250 sports bike in years, the Euro-spec, fuel-injected Kawasaki 250R Ninja. Here’s what he’s found out so...

Kawasaki prepares to update websites

14 April 2008 by Michael Carroll

Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki is set to re-launch its European websites to make them easier to use. An updated user-interface is set to debut on April 18 in 17 countries throughout Europe. Kawasaki...

MCN Daily 14/04/08: Your daily video motorcycle news

14 April 2008 by Angus Farquhar

In episode 84 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show MCN’s editor, Marc Potter has been in Italy checking out Honda’s new CB1000R, we start the countdown to MCN Live at Butlins and Jorge Lorenzo is in heaven after his maiden win in Portugal. Subscribe to this podcast with RSS Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in just three minutes then email us here...

Third Harley Davidson dealer for Eire due in June

14 April 2008 by Michael Carroll

Harley Davidson’s motorcycles have proven so popular in the Republic of Ireland that a third dealership is set to open within the space of a year of the firm first opening its doors in the...

Cumbria Constabulary uses napkins for bike safety campaign

14 April 2008 by Michael Carroll

Motorcycle meeting spot Devils Bridge was the location for the launch of a safety initiative targeted at motorcyclists, by Cumbrian police yesterday. The force is looking to cut the number of...

Sneaky Plod

14 April 2008 by Chris Murtough

Here is Derbyshire Plod’s new secret weapon – photographed while I had a fag break on the Via Gellia. Actually that was just an excuse to get up close. Now, this looks like a blue Vauxhall Movano...

Nate Adams awarded Knievel prize

14 April 2008 by Michael Carroll

Freestyle motocross rider Nate Adams scooped up the first Evel Knievel Most Outstanding Rider award at the inaugural Navy Moto X World Championships, which were held April 12 and 13. The motocross...

Richard Hammond “nagged” back to consciousness

14 April 2008 by Liam Marsden

Top Gear presenter and former MCN columnist Richard Hammond believes he was brought back to consciousness by his wife’s nagging. Richard Hammond takes to road on custom Harley Davidson Mindy...

Air-powered scooter leaves city centres cleaner

14 April 2008 by Steve Farrell

An inventor has created what he claims is the world’s first motorcycle powered by fresh air. Jem Stansfield says his converted Puch moped produces cleaner air than found in many town and city centres...

‘Valentino Rossi’ captured by traffic light camera

14 April 2008 by Michael Carroll

Valentino Rossi has been ticketed for running a red light in his car. The Rossi in question is a rider from England, who changed his name by Deed Poll after becoming frustrated with the number of...

Kawasaki reveal price of Ninja 250R

14 April 2008 by Michael Carroll

Kawasaki has revealed that its Ninja 250R will cost £3299 on-the-road when it goes on sale late April. MCN reveal first pictures of the Ninja 250R The 249cc parallel twin is designed to round-out...

Ride in Peace Wayne

13 April 2008 by Anonymous

Ride in Peace Wayne On a sad note, I would like to pay tribute to a man I have only known for a few short months. Wayne Carpenter was a man amongst men and a biker amongst bikers. As evidenced by the number of people that admired, loved and respected him. We lost Wayne, last Thursday, 10th April, due to a traffic accident, in which he was the innocent victim. Thank goodness his good friend,...

Emma - dreaming of her first motorbike

13 April 2008 by mark1050

My eight-week-old daughter Emma day dreaming about riding her first bike!

First test: Honda CB1000R is the bike to beat

12 April 2008 by Marc Potter

MCN Editor Marc Potter has just ridden Honda’s new naked CB1000R on the banks of Lake Como in Italy and to say he is impressed would be putting it mildly. He said: “The engine is an absolute peach.

Unsafe Safety Van - AD53 ETF

12 April 2008 by Mike

On 11 April I was following a Norfolk “Safety” Camera Van From Heathersett into Norwich (and yes he did exceed the 50 mph limit on the down hill bit of road leaving Heathersett). We then got into a traffic jam outside the University of East Anglia and as students were crossing between the stationary traffic, I didn’t filter through. A girl walked past the Camera Van rubbing her arm whilst staring...

Bike Upgrade After Crash

12 April 2008 by Monkey boy

Having spent my £3000 on a brand new ER-5 (I know most people dont like them but it suits me) some kind man pulled off a red route and across the traffic in front of me and I hit him in the side at about 10 mph. This wrote off my bike whilst he carries on driving his mini cab around. The insurance company will only pay the market value of the bike, but, as the new emission law does not allow...

Video: Moto Guzzi Stelvio Group test

11 April 2008 by Michael Neeves

To see where the new Moto Guzzi Stelvio fits into the adventure tourer world, we took it, a BMW R1200GS, KTM 990 Adventure and Triumph Tiger to Italy to visit the world famous Stelvio Pass. Of course, we checked to see if it was open first… Watch the video above to see how the group test went and read the full article in MCN, Wednesday, 9 April, 2008.

First ride: Honda DN-01 is a little confusing

11 April 2008 by Marc Potter

MCN editor Marc Potter has just ridden the new 680cc Honda DN-01 around Lake Como in northern Italy as part of the first group to test the bike. He said: “Unfortunately Lake Como is covered in mist...

Video: Toseland takes to the phones for Bennetts

10 April 2008 by Angus Farquhar

MotoGP star and reigning World Superbike champion James Toseland has swapped his regular piano ivories for a computer keyboard by joining insurance firm Bennetts for a day, as part of a month-long...

Norwich named as king of the scooters

10 April 2008 by Michael Carroll

Norwich has been dubbed Britain’s Scooter Capital by motorcycle insurance firm Bennetts, with an impressive 1 in 20 residents in the city owning a scooter. Data from the firm suggests Norwich could...

KBC unveils race-specification helmet

10 April 2008 by Michael Carroll

Helmet manufacturer KBC has expanded its range with the launch of a full-face, race-spec, lid. The VR-2R is constructed from a vacuum-laminated shell, and features a dual-intake vent system to...

First ride: Getting ready to ride the Honda DN-01

10 April 2008 by Angus Farquhar

MCN editor Marc Potter has just arrived at Lake Como in northern Italy to become one of the first people in the world to ride the all-new and radical Honda DN-01. Honda claim the DN-01 has created an...

stealth camera signs

10 April 2008 by frizz

look north stealth cameras/signs http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7330000/newsid_7338800/7338867.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1&ms3=6&ms_javascript=true&bbcws=2

Should i be proud or worried?

10 April 2008 by charlie triumph

Cant believe my bike finally made it on to an at risk list re insurance issue 9/4/08 only ever seen hand full of Triumph Tridents on the road in the last 11 years of ownership although try getting parts can see why scum would see a market for second hand spares. Not many other than Triumph lists spares for them, even evil bay few and far between

Vintage motorcycles stolen from pensioner

10 April 2008 by Michael Carroll

An octogenarian has had her collection of vintage motorcycles looted by thieves, who broke into the outbuilding at her farmhouse where the collection was stored. Joyce Cobbing had built up the...

Video: MV Augusta Brutale 1078RR first ride

10 April 2008 by Michael Neeves

MV Agusta’s new Brutale 1078RR has the engine from the F4 RR312 superbike crammed into its tinny, sexy chassis. But it’s not just its 154bhp and 166-plus mph top speed, which sets this apart from any Brutale built before, the best bit is that it’s smoother and easier to ride than ever. Check out the video below to see Senior Road Tester, Michael Neeves tackle the £13,000 Brutale amd read the full...

MV Agusta Bestiale ready to go into production

09 April 2008 by Sarah Carnell

The MV Agusta Bestiale concept motorcycle attracted lots of attention when it was unveiled at last year’s Paris Show, and now finally it has been confirmed this radical conversion is to go into...

MP hits out at sluggish test centre progress

09 April 2008 by Michael Carroll

Learner motorcyclists living in rural areas on the west coast of Scotland could face a 200-mile round trip to sit their motorcycle test from September 29, because construction of new multi-purpose...