2008

Year: 2008

Month: ALL

DVLA scraps plans for motorcycle spy chips

18 March 2008 by Steve Farrell

Fitting all motorcycles with electronic tags would not be cost effective, DVLA has concluded. DVLA lose hundreds of motorcycle licences MCN revealed last year that the agency was researching the...

Kymco announce insurance scheme for KR Sport 125

18 March 2008 by Liam Marsden

Motorcycle manufacturer Kymco has teamed up with MCE Insurance to offer an insurance scheme for Kymco’s KR Sports 125. The scheme runs from now until June 30. Video: How does the Kymco measure up...

Essential winter training

18 March 2008 by baldybarts

Just planning our summer ride out through the Alps – essential pre-planning

Motorcycles would continue to go free in London if Ken Livingstone is re-elected

18 March 2008 by Michael Carroll

London mayor Ken Livingstone does view motorcycles as an effective means of cutting congestion in the city and would continue to exempt bikes from the congestion charge if he is elected to a third...

Skidmarx accessories for Kawasaki 1400GTR

18 March 2008 by Liam Marsden

British firm Skidmarx has developed some aftermarket parts for Kawasaki’s tourer; the 1400GTR. Skidmarx has developed a taller screen that provides an extra four inches of weather protection. The...

MCN Daily 18/03/08: Your daily video motorcycle news

18 March 2008 by Angus Farquhar

In episode 66 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show the 2008 KTM RC8 has a successful dealer launch at the weekend, Ken Livingstone admits bikes can cut congestion problems and Andrea Dovizioso plays down his chances of mounting at 2008 championship bid. 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...

Video: Custom built Husqvarna road racer

18 March 2008 by Adam Child

This Husqvarna racer has been designed in partnership between Husqvarna UK and HM racing to compete in the new Moto 450 class run by the new Thundersport GB club this year. Watch the video to see MCN road tester Adam Child take the motorcycle around Mallory Park and read the full article in MCN, out Wednesday, 19th March, 2008.

Motoring tax income has grown by £1 billion per year

18 March 2008 by Michael Carroll

The amount of revenue the government gains from tax on motorists has grown by £11.3 billion to £45.1 billion since 1997, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders shows. “40% of...

Nottinghamshire Police - a safer place?

17 March 2008 by kawasakibiker

Well, Nottinghamshire Police Force are in the headlines again with a ‘hammer to crack an egg’ approach to Bike deaths. Surprise, surpise. Didn’t we hear all this last summer from ALL the Forces? Doesn’t it therefore prove the Police use methods that obviousy DO NOT WORK AT ALL when it comes to safer riding? Well if you want to be patronised and made to feel like a criminal even more with the...

Ronnies Sex Shop

17 March 2008 by Trevor Stainsby

My partner Tracy won a motorcycle tour of Western Cape, South Africa at the Welsh Motorcycle Show in Builth Wells last May. At the time neither of us had licenses or bikes! We decided to go for it and...

4 x Paw

17 March 2008 by maskell

Is this a case of 4 x Paw x Speed 4 In view of the price of fuel, could be an option.

Top road tax excuses

17 March 2008 by Steve Farrell

Road tax evaders are becoming more creative with their excuses, according to the DVLA. The Agency claims its internet tax renewal service means the classic “tax in the post” will no longer wash.

Bikers targeted with unmarked police cars, motorcycles and helicopter

17 March 2008 by Steve Farrell

Police in Nottingham are targeting motorcyclists with unmarked bikes, cars and a helicopter in a series enforcement operations. The force says the aim of Operation Retina is to cut rider casualties...

MCN Daily 17/03/08: Your daily video motorcycle news

17 March 2008 by Angus Farquhar

In episode 65 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show Boris Johnson hits out at Ken Livingstone, Alpine Stars unveil a new range for the urban rider and Valentino Rossi wants Bridgestone to develop a front qualifying tyre. 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...

Rossi tattoo

17 March 2008 by algieperk

My wife thinks I am off my head because recently I have a Valentino Rossi tattoo done on the bottom of my back.

Unmarked police motorcycles set to patrol Welsh roads

17 March 2008 by Michael Carroll

Motorcyclists heading to Wales over the next four weeks should be on the lookout for unmarked police motorcycles, after the four police forces in the country launched a month-long safety campaign to...

Speed camera “disguised as workman’s van”

17 March 2008 by Steve Farrell

Police in Derbyshire have fitted a workman’s van with two speed cameras to use in an Easter bank holiday clampdown, according to a force insider. North Wales Police disguise speed camera as horse...

Centurion celebrates with Harley Davidson ride

17 March 2008 by Michael Carroll

A Cornwall-based woman played catch-up to Harley Davidson last week, with a ride around Bude on the back of a friend’s cruiser to celebrate her 100th birthday, local press reports state. Muriel...

Alpinestars launch Nero range

17 March 2008 by Michael Carroll

Motorcycle clothing manufacturer Alpinestars unveiled a range of motorcycle jackets and boots designed for the urban rider, at a lavish catwalk show in Barcelona on Friday. The firm believes its Nero...

Boris Johnstone: "Ken Livingstone is playing with safety"

14 March 2008 by Steve Farrell

Conservative London mayoral candidate Boris Johnson has hit out at Mayor Ken Livingstone over his decision not to allow motorcycles in bus lanes. Ken Livingstone says no to bikers in bus...

Video: Harley Davidson rider gets it wrong at Daytona Bike Week

14 March 2008 by Liam Marsden

Take a look at this Harley Davidson motorcyclist at Daytona Bike Week. The motorcyclist locked the throttle and attempted to balance on the pillion seat while the Harley Davidson was still...

Isle of Man TT Inquest update

14 March 2008 by Ben Purvis

Marshals giving evidence at the inquest into a triple fatality at last year’s TT have given eyewitness accounts of the accident which killed racer Marc Ramsbotham and two spectators. Dean Jacob from...

DfT “regrets” false claims on motorcycle road tax evasion

14 March 2008 by Steve Farrell

The Department for Transport has said it “regrets” making “inflated” claims that nearly four in 10 motorcycles are untaxed. Edward Leigh MP, Chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, was...

Road tax rip off

13 March 2008 by Kenny Philip

How many people find it stange that Gordon Brown’s government are willing to allow small fuel and co2 efficient cars to use our roads tax free but fail to recognise that small motorcycles can acheive up to 100 mpg with very little co2 and as a bonus reduce the grid lock in our cities are still to be taxed. It is long overdue for motorcyclists to unite and show the present gov that we can clearly...

Delay in fuel price increase masks rise of 20% year-on-year

13 March 2008

Leading motoring groups have welcomed the postponement of a proposed 2p increase in the price of a litre of petrol, but say the move is merely masking the fact that petrol prices have hit record highs...

TT spectator death inquest focuses on signage

13 March 2008 by Michael Carroll

The first day of an inquest into the deaths of a rider and two spectators on the final day of last year’s Isle of Man TT races has heard the spectators may have been unaware they were standing in a...

First impressions from the Suzuki GSX-R750 launch

13 March 2008 by Michael Neeves

MCN Senior road tester Michael Neeves, has just finished four sessions of intense riding on the new Suzuki GSX-R750 at the twisty Guadix circuit in the south of Spain. The good news is that Suzuki...

Video: MCN Daily 13/03/08: Your daily video motorcycle news

13 March 2008 by Angus Farquhar

In episode 63 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show we have the first impressions from the Suzuki GSX-R750 launch in Spain, Ken Livingstone says no to bikes in bus lanes and Michelin boss Jean-Phillipe Weber says the rapid development of MotoGP technology will help road bikes. Subscribe to this podcast with RSS Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in...

Video: Have Buell solved their 1125R problems?

13 March 2008 by Trevor Franklin

The launch of Buell’s 1125R last year showed it to be a woefully under developed motorcycle and six months later, Buell claims that all the problems have been sorted. MCN chief road tester Trevor Franklin travelled to Seville to test the Buell on the roads and the twisting Monteblanco circuit. Watch the video to see the bike put through it’s paces to find out if the problems have been fixed.

Aprilia launch motorcycle test ride website

13 March 2008 by Michael Carroll

Aprilia is hoping to shake up the way riders arrange to test new models, with the launch of a website dedicated to allowing the public to book a run on several of its 2008 range of motorcycles. The...

Video: 2008 600cc group test

13 March 2008 by Michael Neeves

Last year Honda blew the doors off the 600 class with its new CBR600RR but can it hold on to its crown against the new Yamaha R6, Triumph’s Daytona 675, Suzuki’s new GSX-R600 K8 and Kawasaki’s ZX-6R. MCN Senior road tester Michael Neeves tested the motorcycles on road and track to see if the contenders could match the Honda CBR600RR. Watch the video below to find out the finishing order and read...

Honda Fireblade winner picks up his prize

12 March 2008 by Ben Purvis

Alan Crowder from Witney in Oxfordshire – winner of Honda’s ‘Win A Bike’ competition in February – collected his brand new CBR1000RR from Bridge Motorcycles today. He was handed the bike by Bridge’s...

Ken Livingstone says no to bikers in bus lanes

12 March 2008 by Steve Farrell

London Mayor Ken Livingstone announced today he will not open bus lanes to motorcycles. The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) said the move condemned both motorcyclists and cyclists to unsafe...

Alistair Darling puts 2p petrol increase on hold - for now

12 March 2008 by Michael Carroll

Plans by the government to increase the price of petrol by 2p per litre in April have been put on hold until October, Chancellor Alistair Darling announced in his first budget. While the news is good...

MCN Daily 12/03/08: Your daily video motorcycle news

12 March 2008 by Angus Farquhar

In episode 62 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show we hear about a Dutch baker who built his own dream motorcycle , the Royal Borough launch a new secure parking scheme and Honda begin testing on the 2008 RC212V. 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...

HD celebrates birthday with clothing range

12 March 2008 by Michael Carroll

Harley Davidson has released a new line of clothing and accessories in the UK, to commemorate its 105th anniversary. The collectible items include a hooded sweatshirt priced at £50.30, which features...