May

Year: 2003

Month: May

Convicted pensioner keeps licence and freedom

27 May 2003

An Irish pensioner has kept her driving licence and her freedom, despite being convicted of death by dangerous driving and receiving a three-year driving ban. Mary Crawford, 72, received a 12-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was banned from driving for three years. But since she is appealing against the decision, she is currently free to continue driving. The accident occurred on May...

MAD about speed cameras

27 May 2003

Motorists Against Detection (MAD) claims its members are responsible for vandalising speed cameras in Norfolk. ” In the whole of the UK there are a couple of hundred active members carrying out...

Get your bike set up by MCN

27 May 2003

We want to know which is the best exhaust you can buy. So we’re asking the experts – you. Tell us what can or system you have on your bike, along with your comments and you could win a bespoke set-up...

World exclusive: 19 new bikes

27 May 2003

MCN’s biggest ever issue reveals the details of 19 new bikes, including three 2004 Kawasakis, the Fischer MR1000 superbike, seven new Hondas, two Bimotas, two supermotos and two super-mopeds. The...

Win track time with the Kawasaki Riders Club

20 May 2003

The Kawasaki Riders Club are offering one motorcyclenews.com visitor a free track day next Tuesday. Answer the simple question below and you could be hacking around Oulton Park and enjoying a day of...

Rider in hospital after hitting booby-trap

20 May 2003

A teenage trials bike rider has been badly injured by a wire booby-trap strung between two trees. Ben Carrington has been unable to speak after his voicebox was crushed by the wire and he stopped...

Ducati V4 for the road

20 May 2003

In this week’s issue of MCN, out now, we reveal how Ducati bosses have admitted they are now one step closer to making a road going version of the V4 Desmosedici raced in MotoGP. The immense power...

Crash biker appeal for witnesses

20 May 2003

A biker is appealing for information regarding a hit-and-run incident in Derby on Monday May 19. The incident happened at the junction of Osmaston Park Road and Victory Road/Elton crossroads heading...

Court case for alleged 157mph speeder

20 May 2003

A ZX-12R rider appeared in Aylesbury Magistrates Court on Tuesday May 20, accused of speeding at 157mph. Andrew Osborne, 31, from Leamington Spa is alleged to be one of the fastest speeders in the UK,...

Directions, roads, ride-ins and speed traps

13 May 2003

If you have a recommended route, or know of a speed trap or speed camera, email mcn.online@emap.com with " BMF Journey " in the subject line. We’ll list all the information here to help everyone get to the BMF Show safely and without any hassle. BMF Spine Ride: The BMF is linking up with the Spinal Research Charity, by running sponsored Spine Rides into the Show. There’s one ride planned from...

Trail riding tales

13 May 2003

Have you got a story to tell about your off-road experiences? Funniest/worst moments, best (or most unlikely) crash and other tails of the unexpected? If you have, MCN off-road wants to hear all about...

Pick your MCN Summer Sports Bike Show girl

13 May 2003

The MCN Summer Sports Bike Show takes place on June 7-8 at Donington Park with the Action Zone, Retail Zone and Fun Zone all competing for your attention. Each comes complete with its own host. Trix...

Ride to Work Day 2003

13 May 2003

Ride To Work Day takes place on Wednesday July 16, 2003, and the search is already underway to find the most motorcycle-friendly company in Great Britain. The winner gets a motorcycle park built on...

The BMF Show roundup

13 May 2003

The BMF is now over for another year, as exhibitors pack up and the crowds trickle out clutching fairings, lids and jackets. The afternoon saw dry weather, but the wind picked up slightly, meaning...

Swiss plans to restrict bikes to 80kph

13 May 2003

Swiss bikers are protesting against government plans to limit all motorbikes to 80kph. Around 20,000 motorcyclists are expected to take part in a demonstration in Bern, the Swiss capital, on May 17,...

Speed checks by village volunteers

13 May 2003

Volunteer village residents will be armed with speed cameras and electronic Speed Indicator Devices (SID) to try to reduce speeding. In West Berkshire, parish councillors will be trained to use...

BMF: Nearest Amenities

13 May 2003

If you realise you’ve forgotten something when you arrive at the East of England Showground, a copy of this page may prove invaluable. We’ve got the nearest Petrol Stations, Supermarkets, Camping Shops, Pubs, Off-licences and Banks. If you have any other suggestions, email mcn.online@emap.com. Petrol Stations: The closest petrol station to the Showground is the Shell garage at Paxton Road,...

BMF weather and traffic report: Saturday 10am

13 May 2003

Saturday 10am: Overcast, but no actual rain as yet. Current traffic: Roadworks: A1 Biggleswade-Huntingdon. Resurfacing work. Delays expected. A1 Stamford-Peterborough, between Wansford and Alwalton. Roadworks. Delays expected. A45 Northampton to A14 Thrapston: between Wellingborough and Thrapston. Delays Friday: 4pm Conditions remain the same, with dark clouds and light, constant rain. The...

BMF video highlights

13 May 2003

Click the link on the right to see highlights of all the action that took place over the weekend at the BMF show in Peterborough.

Top 100 helmets

13 May 2003

This week’s MCN has a free 16-page guide to the best lids you can buy and we’ve also got £3000 worth of helmets to give away. Whether it’s an AGV, Arai, FM, Shoei, Suomy or X-Lite you’re after, you’ll...

UK firefighters to be sent out on bikes?

06 May 2003

Government proposals to modernise the fire service include sending fire fighters out on motorbikes to assess incidents. Bikes and cars would be used to decide whether fire engines were needed,...

MCN race school winner joins TV stars on track

06 May 2003

MCN competition winner, David Richens, joined stars from TV’s Heartbeat and Emmerdale shows at the Ron Haslam race school on Thursday. Richens, from Telford, won a place on the Premier package, riding...

Harley Centenary supplement

06 May 2003

There’s a free 12-page Harley Centenary supplement with MCN, out May 7. Find out why every biker should love Harley-Davidson with a look at the history of the company, from the beginning in 1903, to...

See the Multistrada at Ireland’s first Ducati store

06 May 2003

Ireland’s first Ducati store, Ducati Dublin, launches on Friday May 9 at 12 noon. The store will celebrate their opening, with the Irish launch of the new Ducati Multistrada 1000DS. Ducati Dublin will...

The BMF Show, May 17-18

06 May 2003

The BMF Show takes place at the East of England Showground in Peterborough on May 17-18, and this is where you can find all the information you’ll need to have the best time at the show, or see what...

Win a trip to France with BMW

06 May 2003

Take a test ride on one of four 2003 BMW tourers, and you could win a free four-day tour in the Champagne region of France. To qualify for the ‘passport’ competition all you need to do is test one of...

New toll road charges bikers less

06 May 2003

Despite reports in the national press and on television, motorcyclists will pay less than car drivers to use the M6 Toll road when it opens in January 2004. The charge for bikes is £2 between...

Longtermers, naked 600s, and 0-100-0mph test

06 May 2003

This week’s MCN introduces our fleet of 17 long term test bikes for 2003, with the first reports on the Suzuki GSX-R1000 and BMWK1200GT. Plus, we get five very different testers to ride five of the...

Welsh National Motorcycle Show

06 May 2003

The Welsh Nation Motorcycle Show takes place at the Royal Welsh Showground on May 24-26. Exhibits include a tribute to Barry Sheene featuring his 1973 Sealy Suzuki TR500 and number seven Manx Norton.

Do a degree in race bikes

01 May 2003

A degree course in race bike engineering will launch this September to nurture a new generation of world class professionals. Owen Williams, a Doctor of engineering, has teamed up with BSB rider Paul...

Ron Haslam Race School winner

01 May 2003

Our competition to win a place on the Ron Haslam race school attracted over 2000 entries, but unfortunately is now closed. However, you can still save £40 by making the most of MCN’s exclusive...

MCN’s Harley-Davidson Centenary Celebration

01 May 2003

The official UK Harley-Davidson Centenary Celebrations take place at Butlins in Minehead, Somerset, next weekend, May 9-12. The entire facility is being taken over by the same people who put on the...

Kev, I still can’t hear you

01 May 2003

Look, if you want to chat, we’ll just have to stop… Part two of MCN’s new video magazine is out on December 14. Don’t miss it

If you thought it’s all praise for the GSX-R this week

01 May 2003

Then Steve Parrish might be about to prove you wrong. Part two of MCN’s new video magazine is out on December 14. Don’t miss it

Football mascot leads teams out on a bike

01 May 2003

A 42-year-old recovering alcoholic dressed as a Viking will be riding on to American football pitches on a Viper Diablo cruiser this season. Ragnar, who holds the world record for shaving a beard with...

It’s playtime for the GSX-R family

01 May 2003

They always fought over who got to go on a slide. Part two of MCN’s new video magazine is out on December 14. Don’t miss it.