Bike News (September 2011)

On the beach at Cayo Guillermo, Cuba. My well thumbed copy of MCN was great for breaking the ice and making friends with fellow bikers.

Having tested the latest crop of four-stroke sports 125s this week, the cheapest of which was the new Honda CBR125R at £3270, we take a look at the original CBR125R - now within financial reach for a...

An insurance firm is offering free cuddly toys – but not to bikers. Compare the Market is giving away a free cuddly meerkat with policies. But the toys, which are selling for £40 on eBay, are offered...

A treasure trove of classic American motorcycles has been unearthed in what auctioneers are calling the "ultimate barn find". Ranging from a 1937 Indian Jr. Scout to a 1965 Harley Davidson FLH Pan...

Next week's MCN has our review of an Abba superbike stand. It's incredibly helpful for performing maintenance tasks if your bike doesn't have a centrestand. Here's a video that shows how it's done.

Motorway speed limits could increase to 80mph by 2013. Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said there had been "huge advances in safety and motoring technology" since the current 70mph limit was...

Inspired by how much fun Trevor Franklin appears to be having with his KTM 990 SMT (watch the video here), we take a closer look at the big V-twin and select our pick of the 990s on offer at...

Nick Sanders has returned from a triple-length-of-the-Americas expedition, a journey he describes as "the hardest" of his career. After leading a group of paying customers from the bottom of Argentina...

WATCHING Scott Redding take pillions on a two-seater Moto2 bike, or watching Cal Crutchlow ride sideways around Snetterton whilst Toseland gives lessons on track riding isn’t your average Tuesday...

Ken Berry spotted an Argentinian couple at 'The Green Wellie', Tyndrum who have been touring for nine years: "I was away for a couple of days up north of Scotland (26/09/2011) with a friend and we...

The two-stroke Aprilia RS125 was without doubt the top motorcycle for most right-thinking teenagers when it first rolled out of the factory in 1995. Aprilia has just launched a new 15bhp...

Here's a short video from Jason Hubbert providing an informative and amusing guide to motorcycle hand signals used in the States, with many of them, including "that soccer mom almost merged into me"...

An MEP is urging riders to sign a petition against EU measures to make motorcycles impossible to modify. The petition, proposed by UKIP MEP Marta Andreasen, calls on Government, MPs and MEPs ‘to...

In a scene reminiscent of the film ‘The World’s Fastest Indian’ which celebrated 60-something New Zealander Burt Munro and his land speed record attempts at Bonneville in the ‘60s aboard an old Indian...

ADVERTISING PROMOTION George White continues to provide so much more than just bikes to its growing customer base from its purpose-built headquarters in Swindon – reckoned to be the largest...

Harley-Davidsons are  ‘cooler’ than ever, according to a UK survey of the coolest consumer brands. The American icon placed third – up from sixth last year – in the annual list. Aston Martin came...

The Ducati ST3 is often over-looked as a sports tourer - potential buyers often choosing the more common Honda VFR800, but there's nothing wrong with the ST3... The ignored Ducati family – the sports...

In this week's issue of MCN, on sale September 28, we have all the details on the new 2012 Honda Fireblade, which gets new, sharper styling, as well as big piston forks and a new rear shock, but no...

Honda has just unveiled the 2012 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, marking 20 years since the first Honda Fireblade arrived on the scene, designed by Tadao Baba. The 2002-2003 854cc Fireblade was the last of...

Police in Northumberland stopped 45 motorcyclists taking part in Sunday’s EU demonstration and issued them with warnings for allegedly riding in an anti-social manner. If they are deemed to be riding...

Pictures taken at Kinross Services in Fife, Sept 25 for the MAG EU protest. Great turn out for the protest.

Motorway mayhem Sept 25th, Gordano services M5. Several hundred bikes turned out in the rain to try and preserve our way of life. My girlfriend Jo, trying to get the message across in this attractive...

M6 southbound, Sunday September 25. MAG protest ride from Corley to Coventry.

The Buildbase BMW team are offering a reward for information after suffering a major theft. Buildbase BMW Motorrad rider Richard Cooper secured the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 title at...

Last year I bought the BSB Crescent Suzuki Worx race replica - a truly amazing bike. In January of this year (on a cold day with cold tyres) I came off and basically spent the next three months...

Thousands of motorcyclists took over motorways for half-an-hour on Sunday in protest over EU plans. Bikers made their feelings known with go-slow rides taking place simultaneously from...

The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship reaches its climax on 7-9 October at Brands Hatch as the leading six Title Fighter riders battle for the last time in their quest to become...

During a tour of the Ducati factory - bike heaven.

Here in the MCN office there is an ongoing conversation about the merits of Boxer twins. The short-lived R1200S is a real opinion-divider... Somehow you already know if you want the BMW R1200S. The...

Deaths and casualties have risen at scores of speed camera sites across the country.  Cameras that have led to a rise in accidents have been laid bare under government requirements to publish...

Ireland’s Road Safety Authority has confirmed plans to make all motorcyclists wear high-visibility clothing. A spokesman for the authority said: “We do intend to seek to introduce the measure in...

MCN wants your pictures and stories from this weekend’s demonstrations over anti-tampering measures. Over 100 co-ordinated protest rides are set to take place on motorways this Sunday over...