2005

Year: 2005

Month: ALL

Two-wheeled tow trucks

11 February 2005

We’ve all heard of cars towing bikes but you’d think that a bike would be hard pushed to reverse the roles. Well Swedish firm Coming Through could see the benefits and have developed the idea to help...

Off Road: Feb 16 on

11 February 2005

Each week we publish a list of off road events held in the UK. They include MOTOCROSS, TRIALS, ENDURO AND SUPERMOTO events. These are those for the week starting February 16, 2005. RIDING SCHOOLS THURSDAY February 17 MCN Honda Off-Road Experience. 01933-674036. FRIDAY February 18 MCN Honda Off-Road Experience. 01933-674036. Motorcycle First Aid Course, St Johns Ambulance, London.

Bike Meets: Feb 16 on

11 February 2005

Each week we publish a list of BIKE MEETS on in the UK. Those listed here are for the week commencing February 16, 2005. WEDNESDAY February 16 Breidden Tea Room, Welshpool, Powys. 6pm. 01938-570053. Bulls Head, Clotton, Cheshire. 01829-781354. Bulls Head, Trinkingstone, Leicestershire. 01530-224327. Coach House Inn, Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire. 01455-840330 or...

Shows: Feb 16 on

11 February 2005

Each week we publish a list of SHOWS, RALLIES, EXHIBITIONS and AUTOJUMBLES. These are those for the week commencing February 16, 2005. SHOWS FRIDAY February 18 Northern Ireland Motorcycle Festival, Odyssey Complex, Belfast. 02870-351199. SATURDAY February 19 Xtreme Wheels International, Alexandra Palace, London, Greater London. 15 01483-236363 or www.xwishow.com. Northern Ireland Motorcycle...

Ad offer ends

11 February 2005

Our 50% off winter sale ends at 8pm on February 11, 2005. This limited-time deal offers you massive savings on selling your bike to the biggest audience in motorcycling. Advertise in the world’s...

Zongshens arrive in UK

11 February 2005

Three new bikes will arrive in the UK next week, all powered by engines from Chinese firm Zongshen. The biggest of the three is the MRX200 entry-level off-roader, although bigger bikes are planned...

Shows: Feb 9 on

04 February 2005

Each week we publish a list of SHOWS, RALLIES, EXHIBITIONS and AUTOJUMBLES. These are those for the week commencing February 9, 2005. AUTOJUMBLES Sunday February 13 Kidlington Jumble, Exeter Hall, Kidlington, Oxfordshire. 0208-252-6831 or www.woodclass.com. EXHIBITIONS Wednesday February 9 Sammy Miller Museum, Bashley Manor, New Milton, Hampshire. 10am-4.30pm, open every day. Adults £4.50,...

Bonus for bike buyers

04 February 2005

Dealers could soon be forced to reveal the full history of bikes they sell – without waiting to be asked… The rules at the moment state that a dealer must tell you a bike’s history ONLY if you ask...

05 Harley sells for £400K

04 February 2005

When is a 2005 Harley Road King worth £398,000? When it’s auctioned by US TV presenter Jay Leno and signed by the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Moore, Dennis Leary, Dustin Hoffman, Donald...

More Gatsos loom

04 February 2005

Thousands more speed cameras could soon be casting their unthinking eyes over UK roads after a Government decision to review the rules covering where they are placed. Under pressure from chief police...

Peugeot cuts prices

04 February 2005

Peugeot has cut the prices of some of Britain’s biggest selling scooters. The 50cc Speedfight is now under £1600 while the 100cc Vivacity is under £1500. Peugeot is also now offering a 2-year...

Kawasaki join dealer list

04 February 2005

We’ve added Kawasaki to our searchable list of dealers, so you can find your local bike shop quickly and easily. Six manufacturers are now stored in our Dealer Locator section, or you can choose to...

Stars help Triumph grow

04 February 2005

Star buyers are helping Triumph boom. The firm’s commercial director Tue Mantoni told the Daily Telegraph that turnover is up 44% and reckons the unofficial endorsement of celebrity buyers is a key factor in growth. Prince William has been seen on a Daytona 600, Michael Schumacher has chosen a Speed Triple and Tom Cruise has bought a Rocket III.

2200 join Tsunami ride

04 February 2005

More than 2000 bikes converged on the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on Sunday at the culmination of the Motorcycle Aid Snowball for the victims of the Asian Tsunami. Organisers say 2200...

Track events: Feb 9 on

04 February 2005

Each week we publish a list track events. Those listed below are for the week commencing February 9, 2005. TRACK DAYS Friday February 11 Speedfreak Launch Day, Donington Park, Leicestershire. £75 01625-859969. Saturday February 12 Focused Events Track Day, Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire. £79 01903-744011. Monday February 14 Focused Events Track Day, Silverstone, Northamptonshire. £90 01903-744011 or...

Win trip to Aprilia launch

04 February 2005

An official club for Aprilia owners has been launched with the offer of an all-expenses-paid trip to the world launch of the new Aprilia Pegaso Strada for one lucky member. The club says it is just...

Bike Meets: Feb 9 on

04 February 2005

Bike Meets: Feb 9 on Each week we publish a list of BIKE MEETS on in the UK. Those listed here are for the week commencing February 2, 2005. Wednesday February 9 Breidden Tea Room, Welshpool, Powys. 6pm. 01938-570053. Bulls Head, Clotton, Cheshire. 01829-781354. Bulls Head, Trinkingstone, Leicestershire. 01530-224327. Coach House Inn, Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire. 01455-840330 or...

First test: MZ 1000SF

04 February 2005

The fuel injection is still snatchy (though better than on the S) and can be confused with a big handful at low revs. Vibration can prove intrusive and tiring and the generator cover can cook your...

Beach race on Motors TV

04 February 2005

Satellite TV channel Motors TV has secured the rights at the last minute to show the mad Le Touquet beach race on Sunday. The race takes place just over the channel in France and sees 1000 riders...

50 Greatest bikes: 50-41

04 February 2005

We asked you to name your favourite bike of all time and you responded in your tens of thousands – choosing everything from pre-war Brits to cutting edge racers. Each week in MCN we’ll be counting...

Ebay sued over bike con

04 February 2005

An American rider is suing Ebay after the the bike he says he bought in an auction never turned up. Al Whidden, of Collegedale, Tennessee, claims he agreed to pay $4500 to an Italian source for a...

Rideouts: Feb 9 on

04 February 2005

Each week we publish a list of RIDEOUTS being held across the UK. If you’d like to organise one, or check for the latest ones being arranged, take at a look at our Rideouts forum. Click here RIDING SCHOOLS Wednesday February 9 MCN Honda Off-Road Experience, Caister. 01933-674036. Thursday February 10 MCN Honda Off-Road Experience, Caister. 01933-674036. Friday February 11 MCN Honda Off-Road...

Courier bosses charged

04 February 2005

Two bike courier firm bosses have been arrested for ordering staff to ignore speed limits. The arrests, in Kobe, Japan, constitute a first under the nation’s new offence of telling another to break a speed limit. Masakazu Tatsumi, of the Otohai delivery service, and Yusuke Shinohara, 37, the owner of Commuter System, are both pleading guilty. Their offences relate to telling staff they must...

Video: Malaguti Drakon

04 February 2005

We’ve been testing funky new Malaguti Drakon that takes the naked bike trend to 16-year-olds everywhere. MCN road tester Adam Child reckons this little geared 50 is very cool. The braced swingarm,...

Hornet shows its value

04 February 2005

You’ll be amazed by how much bike you get for £2000. Three months and 4000 miles with my 1999 Hornet 600 and I reckon it’s the best money I’ve ever spent. It’s great for track days and weekend...

Long Way Round II?

04 February 2005

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman are looking at reliving their epic round-the-world bike trip with a new journey travelling the length of Africa. So far the pair have no definite plans, but say they...

Deals on chart toppers

04 February 2005

Honda’s CBR125R was Britain’s biggest selling bike in January. The success of the sporty learner-legal bike has got to be good news for motorcycling. But if you can’t muster the price of buying one...

05 Barrus range on test

04 February 2005

Motorcyclenews.com has been testing a new range of bikes imported by Barrus, including the Italian Malaguti Spider Max, Phantom Max and Drakon, Reiju’s RS2 Matrix and SMX 125, and the Moto Roma Urban...

Video: Fat lad freestyle

04 February 2005

Big-boned MCN reporter Tony Hoare went to Norfolk on Feb 8 to try to learn how to perform a back-flip on a mini-bike with the Bolddog Lings freestyle stunt team. Watch the video clips (below) to see...

BikeSafe at the races...

04 February 2005

The national BikeSafe show will be held at Cheltenham Racecourse on April 2-3 this Spring with Michael Rutter and Karl Harris in attendance. Organised by Gloucestershire Police and sponsored by...

Bikes on TV: Feb 9 on

04 February 2005

Bikes on TV: Feb 9 on Each week we publish a list of biking TV shows so you don’t miss out. Those listed here are for the week commencing January 5, 2005. KEY TO CHANNELS: DHL = Discovery Home & Leisure MM = Men & Motors EXS = Extreme Sports Channel MOT = Motors TV, SS1 (2,3 or X) = Sky Sports 1 (2,3 or Extra) EUR = British Eurosport Wednesday 16 2am MOT 2004 French Supermoto 3am MOT World...

'A Bike is Born' for sale

04 February 2005

The trike built in the Discovery Home and Leisure channel series ‘A Bike Is Born’ is up for sale. “It’s a reluctant sale as I take stock ready for my next series and sadly there’s only so much space...

Honda makes a million

04 February 2005

Honda Philippines is celebrating making its one millionth motorcycle – 200,000 of the total were made in the last year. Now the firm, which started in 1973 – is relocating to a new plant to build...

New MCN - out Feb 9

04 February 2005

A new issue of MCN hits the shelves on Wednesday Feb 9, 2005, complete with our first test shoot-out between the new Bandit 650 and Yamaha’s big-value Fazer. PLUS: Five new American bikes New 999 Race...

Site traffic is rocketing

04 February 2005

motorcyclenews.com is booming. Our latest figures show 4.66m page impressions were recorded in January 2005 alone – up 1.24 million on December – a rise of 37%. This follows on from a year-on-year rise (between Dec 03 and Dec 04) of 35% in page impressions. We’d like to thank all our users: All the 138,974 (and rising) registered users PLUS the thousands more of you who visit the site every day.

Walker's tips on £3 DVD

04 February 2005

A bargain-priced DVD to get you thinking about riding skills and experience will be launched next week and you can see preview clips here. Starring Chris Walker, James Toseland and Suzi Perry, ‘A...