2012

Year: 2012

Month: ALL

MV Agusta Brutale 800 launch

29 November 2012 by MCN

MCN is at the press launch of the new MV Agusta Brutale 800 in Cannes this morning. MCN’s Andy Downes is just about to set off on a three hour test ride on the roads of the South of France and will...

You Ask/You Answer: Cheap winter riding kit

28 November 2012 by MCN

I can’t afford super-expensive winter riding kit, but my cheap all-weather gear leaves me soaked to my pants if I ride for more than 30 minutes in the rain. I can’t afford new kit, so what works for...

Poll: What is most likely to make you speed less often?

27 November 2012 by MCN

Recently the Department of Transport are introducing more and more speed awareness courses as an alternative to the traditional points and a fine for drivers caught over the limit. But the...

Poll: The toughest motorcycle race on earth is...

27 November 2012 by MCN

Six laps of a 37.73 mile circuit at speeds approaching 200mph? A 5000 mile marathon over rock, sand and every other surface imaginable? 24 hours of flat out neck and neck racing on a GP circuit? A one...

Poll: Would you buy winter tyres?

27 November 2012 by MCN

In this week’s MCN, we look at the debate around riding all through the winter, and talk to people who ride 365 in much worse weather than the UK. One of the people we talk to is a Swedish bike...

New MCN November 28: Triumph Trio Spied

27 November 2012 by MCN

In this week’s MCN, out November 29, we bring you exclusive shots of three brand new Triumphs, including a new Bonneville-based cafe racer and the long-awaited replacement for the Tiger 1050. We also...

Vespa announce 'retro-futurist' 946

23 November 2012 by Simon Patterson

Italian scooter legends Piaggio have unveiled their latest offering from Vespa – the rather beautiful special edition 946, in both 125cc and 150cc versions The bike will use the firm’s three-valve...

Manx Motorcycle Club announces Past Winners Parade

23 November 2012 by MCN

The Manx Motorcycle Club will hold a past winners parade as part of the celebration’s for the Manx Grand Prix 90th anniversary. The parade will take place over the mountain course on August 28 during...

BMW custom concept confirmed for 2013 launch

23 November 2012 by MCN

BMW have confirmed at the Milan Show that their new rumoured ‘custom concept’ will be making it’s debut in 2013. The bike, based on a R1200, wasn’t on display at the show, but a statement by BMW boss...

Winter bolt-ons for Honda NC700

23 November 2012 by Marc Abbott

Pyramid Plastics have just announced three new products to protect the Honda NC700 range from road muck over the grimier months. Firstly, the plastic Integra Hugger is said to require no drilling and...

Destination dealer: Metropolis Motorcycles

23 November 2012 by MCN

ADVERTISING PROMOTION Metropolis Motorcycles has three branches in London, each with their own areas of specialism to cater for the city biker’s every need. The North London branch, located in Barnet,...

Bike journo caught at 160mph was ‘euphoric’ after proposing to girlfriend

23 November 2012 by Steve Farrell

A motorcycle journalist caught speeding at 160mph has been banned for three months after telling a court his girlfriend had just agreed to marry him. Andrew Stevens, 30, who writes for a website,...

Big bikes escape EU anti-tampering measures

22 November 2012 by Steve Farrell

Motorcycles producing over 47bhp have escaped EU plans to make bikes impossible for owners to modify. European Parliament has voted in favour of limiting so-called anti-tampering measures to smaller...

Video: MCN rides the Wall of death

22 November 2012 by MCN

I wouldn’t usually spend much time thinking about the word ‘hurt’. But I did recently give it some consideration after receiving an email warning: ‘There is a very good chance you will get hurt.’ Actually the word and its definition became a matter for urgent consideration. And I considered that it embraced anything from a scratch to a maiming. I didn’t know whether the email sender, a Wall of...

Poll: Yellow Hayabusa, yuk or yeah?

22 November 2012 by Simon Patterson

Suzuki have released photos of this rather bright colourscheme for the new Hayabusa out next year, which will be on display at their stand at Motorcycle Live. They’ve hinted that if they get enough...

Wigan bikers urged to give blood

22 November 2012 by Simon Patterson

A special bikers blood drive is being organised next week in Wigan in memory of local teenager Leah Davies, who died in a three bike accident that killed another 18-year old earlier this year. The...

BSA Lightning transformation

20 November 2012 by siggy

This is a 1970 BSA Lightning I bought from MCN Bikes for sale two years ago. The pictures show how it looked when I bought it and how it looks now.

Rieju announce learner streetfighters

20 November 2012 by Simon Patterson

Spanish manufacturer Rieju have announced details of their new RS3 NKD, a naked version of their popular 125cc learner sports bike the RS3. The bike will share the 125cc Yamaha engine of the RS3 and...

New MCN November 21: Rossi's return

20 November 2012 by Liam Marsden

In this week’s MCN, out November 21, we bring you all the news and gossip from Valentino Rossi’s return to the factory Yamaha squad at the Valencia test.. We also bring you all the information on the...

Last-minute changes to bike test rules

19 November 2012 by Steve Farrell

Wranglings over what motorcycles can be used under new bike test rules are continuing with only weeks to go before the January introduction date. In August the Driving Standards Agency said the test...

Speed awareness course could mean higher insurance costs

19 November 2012 by Steve Farrell

Taking a speed awareness course could lead to increased insurance premiums. Admiral is raising premiums of people who attend the courses, which are offered instead of a fine and licence penalty...

You Ask/You Answer: Italian Reliability

19 November 2012 by MCN

“Has the quality of Italian motorcycles really matched the Japanese and Germans now? I’d love something with a bit more character than my Hornet 900, but don’t want to have to employ someone to ride...

Poll: Retro roadsters

19 November 2012 by MCN

Many manufacturers are getting into the retro market, with BMW launching ther entrant into the field this week. But retro styling isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Are you a committed fan, or would you...

Poll: Your favourite winter accessory

19 November 2012

With winter well and truly here, all the talk at MCN HQ recently has been on the winter commute, and how to make it a little more bearable. There’s every accessory going being used, from heated...

Poll: What do you think of 'biking celebrities'?

19 November 2012 by MCN

This week saw yet another a-list celebrity take to two wheels, with shots from the States showing Justin Bieber cruising around Los Angeles on his new customised 848 Ducati. Bieber joins the ranks of...

Honda donate 'Skyfall' bike to Children in Need

16 November 2012

Honda have donated one of the Honda CRF250s ridden by Daniel Craig in the new 007 film ‘Skyfall.’ The battered crosser is on eBay until Thursday the 22nd, with massive interest already. Honda, a...

Destination dealer: Doble Motorcycles

16 November 2012 by MCN

ADVERTISING PROMOTION Now is a great time to buy a bike at Doble Motorcycles with some of the best prices you’re likely to find anywhere in the country on some of the hottest bikes available. Take the...

Steve McQueen's 1970 Husqvarna up for auction

16 November 2012 by Simon Patterson

The Husqvarna 400 Cross ridden by Steve McQueen in ‘On Any Sunday’ will be auctioned off by London-based Bonhams in Las Vegas in January. McQueen became associated with the Swedish brand in the early...

Suzuki GS750 cafe racer

16 November 2012 by jeroen klaassens

In july 2011 I purchased a 1977 Suzuki GS750. Since then I have transformed the bike into a cafe racer. The engine is stock (65,000km). I made my own exhaust, seat, brackets, did all the welding jobs,...

Video: KTM 1290 Superduke at the Milan Show

15 November 2012 by MCN

KTM has unveiled a prototype Superduke 1290 at the EICMA Show in Milan. KTM also released a video showing the new bike in action, which can be viewed at the bottom of this page. milan12

BBC presenters lecture on road safety while not looking at the road

15 November 2012 by Steve Farrell

A BBC road safety series has been criticised for having its presenters drive while looking at the camera in an episode focussing on distraction. The AA accused BBC2’s How Safe are Britain’s Roads?...

Nov 14: Bikes on TV

14 November 2012 by Alison Silcox

KEY TO CHANNELS. DRT – Discovery Real Time DSC – Discovery Channel DHD – Discovery Channel HD EXS – Extreme Sports Channel EUR1 (2, HD) – Eurosport 1 (2, HD) MOT – Motors TV CH4 – Channel...

You Ask/You Answer: Winter Cleaning?

13 November 2012 by MCN

“My friend runs an old ‘winter bike’ and garages his prized R1 during the cold months as he says the salt etc. damages his bike too much. I want to ride all through winter, but don’t have enough...

POLL: Why did you buy an adventure bike… really?

13 November 2012 by MCN

This year’s Milan show has seen the release of a wide selection of adventure bikes, either updated or all-new models, from BMW, KTM, Aprilia, and Ducati among others. No doubt some of these bikes do...

POLL: Can you have fun with 47bhp?

13 November 2012 by MCN

With the introduction of new licence classes in January, the recent bike shows have seen a slew of new 47bhp releases, including a trio of 500cc Hondas officially released earlier today. So, we ask –...

POLL: How do you think Bradley Smith will fare in MotoGP?

13 November 2012

Bradley Smith makes his debut tomorrow on the Yamaha Tech 3 MotoGP bike, in preparation for a full season in the premiere class in 2013. Although undoubtedly a massive talent, he hasn’t exactly set...