2008

First ride: Bimota DB7 in Misano

First ride: Bimota DB7 in Misano

MCN Senior Road Tester Michael Neeves has just ridden the new Bimota DB7 round Misano for the first time, this is what he has to say: “It’s surprisingly roomy given how small it looks, the brakes are...

Kawasaki announce ‘Urban Heroes’ finance scheme

Kawasaki announce ‘Urban Heroes’ finance scheme

Kawasaki is preparing to launch a new 0% finance deal to boost sales of its naked motorcycle range. The ‘Urban Heroes’ offer is due to launch tomorrow (June 3, 2008), offering two and-a-half years...

Video: Bimota DB7 launch preview

MCN Road tester Michael Neeves is out testing Bimota’s brand new DB7 sports bike and he sent back this quick preview of the test. First impressions of the Bimota DB7 Michael will be testing the bike of the next few days and will send back his full report and video by the end of the week.

First impressions: Bimota DB7 launch from Misano

First impressions: Bimota DB7 launch from Misano

Michael Neeves, MCN’s Senior Road Tester, is currently in sunny Misano, Italy waiting for the first ride on the Bimota DB7. Here are his first impressions: “The waiting is finally over and I ‘m...

Not really road safety

I must give a huge nod of respect to any bikers out in Derbyshire on Saturday. Everyone I passed flashed and gestured about the cameras and Police presence making sure they didn’t get their ‘revenue’ as expected that day. I returned the favour too. We all did our best to let everyone know well in advance of the ‘cash machine’ lying in wait. This to me once again proves we as riders make the...

TT bikers persecuted in police operation

This link shows a report on Heysham police cracking down on bikes going to and from the TT. Their results from last year show that 85% of those speeding on the road were in fact local car drivers – but this operation is targeted at motorcycles. I call that persecution. Here is the link: http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/lancasternews/TT-crackdown-targets-bypass.4136718.jp

MCN down under

MCN down under

On the golf course with the kangaroo’s just south of Perth in February.

Police shortage in Sussex

Just heard about Sussex police being short of policeman. Apparently they are offering to pay policemen who have defected to London, to return to Sussex. Yesterday on the A27 near the Ashcombe roundabout at Lewes at 8am there was a police 4×4 on the central reservation with a speed camera mounted next to it and two policemen. Alongside were two police motorcyclists. Across the roundabout in the...

MCN Daily 30-05-08: Your daily video motorcycle news

In episode 115 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show The Honda Cub reachs 70 million sales, Police use unmarked Fireblades and the Brits dominate GP practice.   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 show.

Can Bikers Raise A Million Signatures On No 10 Petitions?

There are currently two very topical petitions running on the official government “10 Downing Street” website: one to postpone the date for bringing in the new motorcycle test (due Sept 29 2008) till all 66 sites are operational in the UK: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/delaytheMPTC/ And the other petition to remove the maximum motorbike engine size limit for learners and light motorcycles with (Bio)...

Online demo-locator launched by Suzuki

Online demo-locator launched by Suzuki

Suzuki is aiming to simplify the task of setting up test rides on its motorcycles, by launching an online demonstrator locator service. To arrange a test ride, users input their postcode and details...

Council compensation

Council compensation

I have just read the article about the chap trying to chase his local council for cost of damage caused to his bike by hitting a pot hole. What I would say is don’t give up and don’t be fobbed off by...

MCN Daily 29-05-08: Your daily video motorcycle news

In episode 114 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show Valentino Rossi says he will not retire in 2009 and the Yamaha Tenere is available in the UK.  Check out the video above to catch up with all the news in just three minutes.

Unmarked Honda motorcycles now part of North Wales Police Force

Unmarked Honda motorcycles now part of North Wales Police Force

If you go down to North Wales today, you really better go in disguise, as the local police force has leased four unmarked Honda motorcycles to crack down on speeding motorcyclists. A spokeswoman for...

Yamaha XT660Z Tenere available in Yamaha dealers

Yamaha XT660Z Tenere available in Yamaha dealers

Yamaha’s XT660Z Tenere motorcycle is now available through Yamaha’s UK dealer network, priced at £4,899 excluding registration and road taxes. First ride: Yamaha Tenere pre-launch report The...

Anti-speed camera activist blows hands off

Anti-speed camera activist blows hands off

France’s answer to Captain Gatso has been rushed to hospital, after blowing off both his hands with a home-made bomb. The postal worker, who has links to a French group that blows up speed cameras, is...

Excellent service from M&P for my new ZX-10R

Thought I would drop you a line about a most refreshing change! I have been a customer of M&P here in south Wales for a few years and have purchased from them everything from clothing to a new bike. Last week I was browsing through the shop when the senior manager asked if he could help. I said I was looking for a new bike, and he informatively took me through his stock, My head kept being...

MCN Daily 28-05-08: Your daily video motorcycle news

In episode 113 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show Hawg Haven custom bikes go missing, speedway star gets done for assualt and James Toseland vows to try harder.   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 show.

First pictures of Aprilia RSV4 motorcycle in road trim

First pictures of Aprilia RSV4 motorcycle in road trim

These pictures are the first showing the new Aprilia RSV4 motorcycle in road trim and almost complete. Video: Aprilia RSV4 launch The pictures broke earlier today on an Aprilia Motorcycle forum, and...

New MCN May 28: Yamaha V-Max is back

New MCN May 28: Yamaha V-Max is back

This week MCN can exclusively reveal the Yamaha V-Max is back. After nine years in the making it seems this is one of few motorcycles to spark so much anticipation as the Yamaha V-Max heads to dealers...

New Micron exhausts for Suzuki GSX-R600 and GSX-R750

New Micron exhausts for Suzuki GSX-R600 and GSX-R750

Aftermarket exhaust company Micron has released new exhaust systems for the new Suzuki GSX-R600 and GSX-R750. The Micron GP Sport silencer is avilable in satin silver (£279.99), mirror polish and...

North West 200 recovery crew are great!

North West 200 recovery crew are great!

We would like to thank Keith and all the Zambretti racer recovery crew at this years North West 200, who took time out from picking up the racers to help my pal Alan after his bike broke down. In...

Picture gallery: Roland Sands Experi-Mental

Picture gallery: Roland Sands Experi-Mental

The Roland Sands Experi-Mental started life as a Harley Davidson Softail, but you wouldn’t realise from looking at the custom motorcycle. Roland Sands wanted the motorcycle to have a rugged feel to...

Bargains to be had at Sheffield Motorcycle Centre

Bargains to be had at Sheffield Motorcycle Centre

Sheffield Motorcycle Centre (SMC) is offering huge discounts on its range of motorcycles, clothing, and accessories, this week, to help it clear the decks ahead of a move to new facilities in early...

Vote: Which European Moto GP round should MCN's man ride to?

Vote: Which European Moto GP round should MCN's man ride to?

I¹ve decided to let MCN readers choose which round of this years MotoGP championship I’ll ride to on my long term BMW F650GS. I haven’t completely lost my mind though, so the choice is restricted to...

Eastbourne Eagles speedway star fined for assault

Eastbourne Eagles speedway star fined for assault

Motorcycle speedway rider Lewis Bridger has been fined £1500 and ordered to pay £500 compensation, after admitting to an assault. The 18-year old Eastbourne Eagles rider appeared before Lewes Crown...

£10,000 reward for recovery of stolen motorcycles

£10,000 reward for recovery of stolen motorcycles

Two award-winning custom motorcycles built by Hawg Haven were stolen from an A1 service station on Friday May 23. The Psy-Bawg and Barnstormer motorcycles have won numerous awards across the world for...

Touring at an early age

Touring at an early age

My two year old grandson Brandon ready for some motorcycle touring action

Poor R1 but leathers saved my life

My poor r1 did not deserve to go out like that , but thanks to Mr Dianese im still here . We all have our preferences for kit but to take an almost head on collision with an 4×4 get thrown 150 feet and only end up with a broken ankle, hip and a dislocated elbow, wow. My boots helmet and gloves all played their part aswell but the leathers were the real hero ,Dianese M4 two piece that they duly...

Motorcycles are too expensive in Britain

Motorcycles are too expensive in Britain

Spotted this Triumph 675 in a motorcyle shop in St. Petes, Florida. It’s the 2008 special model. I asked the price and then sat down on the floor and cried. $9000! That’s £4500 at todays exchange rate...

disguised van

disguised van

I went out for a drive on sunday afternoon with my wife and daughter over the snake pass to visit Derwent valley , as we got near ladybower resevoir I noticed a blue van in a small layby amongst the...

The wrong bike

I thought I’d send in this link, it had me in stitches! Enjoy Andy

Harley Davidson Softail Springer features in Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull

Harley Davidson Softail Springer features in Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull

The new Indiana Jones film “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” was released on Thursday May 22, 2008 and the latest instalment in the Indiana Jones series again features a motorcycle...

MSTA campaigns for consumer action on petrol prices

MSTA campaigns for consumer action on petrol prices

The Motorcycle Show Traders Association has launched a campaign encouraging consumers to boycott petrol stations owned by the two biggest oil companies, Esso and BP. The Association wants all...

Starting young

Starting young

My daughter Jenna on my Honda  CBR600F

Boris Johnson tells transport bosses: Open London’s bus lanes to motorcycles

Boris Johnson tells transport bosses: Open London’s bus lanes to motorcycles

Boris Johnson has told London’s transport bosses to open bus lanes to motorcycles. The new London Mayor also condemned his predecessor Ken Livingstone for changing safety findings to block the...