2009

Year: 2009

Month: ALL

BMW S1000RR real first test ride.

19 November 2009 by Peter Rooney

I was on a track day at Phillip Island on the 22nd of October when the BMW marketing manager was test riding the new 1000RR. I managed to get a photo on it and even got to start the engine and move it...

2010 Kawasaki Z1000 first ride: “Japan’s best super-naked”

18 November 2009 by Michael Neeves

Michael Neeves has just finished riding the all-new Kawasaki Z1000 that hopes to better the Triumph Speed Triple, KTM Super Duke and Ducati Streetfighter. He sent back this report: “On paper the new...

2010 BMW S1000RR first ride update: “An incredible track tool”

17 November 2009 by Trevor Franklin

MCN Chief Road tester Trevor Franklin is currently testing the all-new BMW S1000RR superbike in Portimao, Portugal. This is his latest feedback: “For the final session of the day the bike was put into...

2010 BMW S1000RR first ride: "It's very, very quick"

17 November 2009 by Trevor Franklin

BMW’s eagerly-awaited new S1000RR superbike is currently being put through its paces at Portimao in Portugal by MCN’s Chief Road Tester Trevor Franklin. Win a BMW S1000RR! First ride: Troy Corser’s...

BMW S1000RR first ride impressions

17 November 2009 by Trevor Franklin

MCN’s Chief Road Tester Trevor Franklin is at the Portimao circuit in Portugal for the track launch of the new BMW S1000RR. Win a BMW S1000RR! First ride: Troy Corser’s WSB S1000RR He has just...

BMW S1000RR first ride countdown

17 November 2009 by Trevor Franklin

The long awaited BMW S1000RR makes its debut to the world’s press at Portimao circuit in Portugal today. Win a BMW S1000RR! According to BMW the S1000RR makes 193bhp and features four-stage ABS...

First ride: Troy Corser's WSB S1000RR

12 November 2009 by MCN

With MCN due to test the long-awaited BMW S1000RR superbike next week, Chief Road Tester Trevor Franklin got a rare ride aboard Troy Corser’s full-race WSB version to get an idea of how the road bike...

Video: Moto Guzzi MGS-01

12 November 2009 by MCN

While on a track day at Almeria, MCN’s Michael Neeves spotted this beautiful Moto Guzzi MGS-01. Our video tests normally focus on brand new models, but in this case we had to make an exception… ...

Video: Ducati Desmosedici vs Ferrari 430 Scuderia

11 November 2009 by MCN

Which is fastest – the Ducati Desmosedici RR or the Ferrari 430 Scuderia? Car fans will argue a supercar can out-brake and out-corner a bike, but we’ll point out that a bike’s power-to-weight ratio is...

Video: Onboard Padgetts Superstock Fireblade

04 November 2009

There are no new 1000cc Japanese sports bikes due next year, so to improve our 2009 machines we decided to learn from one of the best bikes in the British Superstock Championship. The Padgetts Honda...

Video teaser: Ducati Desmo vs. Ferrari 430

04 November 2009 by MCN

Car v bike: which is fastest? It’s the age-old debate, argued in pubs, on internet forums, among friends, in magazines and on TV. To prove two wheels are better than four forever, we’re pitching...

Video: BMW K1300R longterm report

02 November 2009 by Andy Downes

MCN’s Andy Downes has had the BMW K1300R on longterm test for most of 2009, but last week he reluctantly had to hand the keys back to BMW. Watch the video for his longterm report on life with the...

Video: New MV Brutale first ride

30 October 2009 by MCN

MV’s new range-topping Brutale 1098RR might not look very different to the old one, but believe us when we say it’s a revelation. Watch the video for the first ride from the world launch in Misano,...

KTM Duke R first ride

29 October 2009 by Trevor Franklin

KTM’s model line-up for 2010 will include this revised 690 Duke R which features a 7bhp power increase along with more midrange torque. Find a KTM 690 Duke for sale This new machine’s first...

Boss Hoss ZZ4 Injection

29 October 2009 by MarcusKingma

Boss Hoss ZZ4 Injection video review.

Video: Ducati Streetfighter longtermer report - part 2

28 October 2009 by MCN

MCN road tester Michael Neeves has the Ducati Streetfighter on longterm test for 2009. So far he’s covered over 6,700 miles on it including big-mile trips to Ireland and Ibiza. Watch the video for...

Video: Kawasaki GTR1400 first ride

28 October 2009 by MCN

The new Kawasaki GTR1400 boasts traction control, linked brakes and improved comfort. According to our road tester Adam Child, it has “the best traction control system on a road bike yet.” Watch the...

Aprilia RSV4-R first ride!

27 October 2009 by Michael Neeves

The Aprilia RSV4-R costs £12,449 and is available in dealers now. The compact V4 engine is exactly the same as the Factory’s, it’s only the chassis components which have been altered, with Ohlins...

VFR1200F first ride blog: A perfect end

24 October 2009 by Andy Downes

MCN’s Andy Downes has been testing the new VFR1200F in Japan. Andy has ridden the new V4 and is now getting ready to head home. VFR1200F first ride blog: First impressions of the VFR1200F VFR1200F...

Video: Honda VFR1200F first ride teaser

22 October 2009 by MCN

MCN’s Andy Downes is testing the new VFR1200F in Japan and he’s had his first taste of riding the new 170bhp super tourer. Watch the video to hear the bike running. More info on the Honda...

VFR1200F first ride blog: Dual Clutch Transmission review

22 October 2009 by Andy Downes

MCN’s Andy Downes is testing the new VFR1200F in Japan. Andy is at Sugo race track right now, and has just been out riding on a VFR1200F with Dual Clutch Transmission for the first time. More info...

VFR1200F first ride blog: Live from Sugo

22 October 2009 by Andy Downes

MCN’s Andy Downes is testing the new VFR1200F in Japan. Andy is at Sugo race track right now, and has just sat on the VFR1200F for the first time. More info on the Honda VFR1200 The lucky testers...

VFR1200F first ride blog: The night before the first test of the VFR1200F

21 October 2009 by Andy Downes

MCN’s Andy Downes will be testing the new VFR1200F in Japan later this week. He will be posting regular updates of his experiences. More info on the Honda VFR1200 ‘I’ve just finished a 17 hour day...

Video: Budget v-twin group test

21 October 2009 by MCN

Just £2500 will snare you some of the best twins from the late 90s. Owning a big v-twin superbike has never been so affordable – MCN put three bargain options to the test… Find a v-twin superbike...

VFR1200F first ride blog: The Toyko Motor Show

21 October 2009 by Andy Downes

MCN’s Andy Downes will be testing the new VFR1200F in Japan later this week. He will be posting regular updates of his experiences. More info on the Honda VFR1200 I’ve just spoken with Hasegawa –...

VFR1200F first ride blog: in Japan, the day before the Toyko Motor Show

20 October 2009 by Andy Downes

MCN’s Andy Downes will be testing the new VFR1200F in Japan later this week. He will be posting regular updates of his experiences. ‘Tomorrow is the 41st Toyko Motor Show where we will get to see...

Buell: Top 5 technical innovations

20 October 2009 by MCN

In a shocking move prompted by further disastrous financial results, Harley-Davidson has killed off its Buell marque (more details here). Find a Buell for sale Read Buell bike reviews Buell bikes...

Video: Ducati Hypermotard 796 first ride

20 October 2009 by MCN

Ducati’s new Hypermotard 796 isn’t just a mid-range version of the firm’s Hypermotard 1100, it’s a great bike in it’s own right. Watch the video for MCN’s first ride report from the launch in...

Canadian grabs first quick spin on Honda VFR1200F

19 October 2009 by Chris Newbigging

Canadian Motorcycle Guide grabbed a first 20-minute quick spin for pictures on the new Honda VFR1200F at the weekend. More info on the Honda VFR1200 MCN is riding the new bike in an exclusive...

First ride: British-built Metisse prototype

16 October 2009 by Trevor Franklin

This 997cc Metisse parallel twin could eclipse Norton’s long-awaited production plans with the first machines set to hit the road within 18 months. The British company, based near Oxford, has already...

First ride: Tony Cairoli's MX1-winning Yamaha YZ450F

16 October 2009 by Paul Malin

What does it take to come out on top in world motocross these days? MCN sampled Tony Cairoli’s MX1-winning Yamaha YZ450F to find out. This isn’t just any Yamaha YZ450F motocrosser, it’s the Red Bull...

New MV Agusta Brutale reviews now up!

15 October 2009 by MCN

Both the MV Agusta Brutale 990R and 1090RR have been ridden and rated by MCN – you can now read the full web reviews in the bike reviews section. Read the MCN MV Agusta Brutale review “Like...

Yamaha R6 owners needed

14 October 2009 by Michael Neeves

MCN would like Yamaha R6 owners to join us for a celebration of ’10 years of the R6′ at Bruntingthorpe on Wednesday 21st October. We’re after owners of R6s in standard condition, or as close to...

New Ducati Hypermotard 796 first ride!

12 October 2009 by Michael Neeves

The new Ducati Hypermotard 796 is a smaller version of the Hypermotard 1100, with an all-new engine and a lighter, lower chassis aimed at new riders. Watch the Hypermotard 796 video test Michael...

Video: Top Cruisers test 2009

07 October 2009 by MCN

MCN’s favourite cruisers from 2009 include the Yamaha Vmax, Harley-Davidson Rocker C, Triumph Thunderbird and the Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Iron. But which is best? To find out we took a road trip...

GTR1400 - Just get one, you'll see!

06 October 2009 by bertie246

The GTR 1400 is and always will be a great bike. A mile munching speed mule. I’ve had mine nine days, me and the Mrs have been carried for 1,300 miles in comfort in that time. When we stop for a brew along the way to our far away destination we both remove our lids with a ‘We’ve just had the best sex!’ grin sprawlled all over our mush. We did’nt get that with our BMW 1150RT or our FZS 1000. It’s...