October

Year: 2012

Month: October

New MCN October 10: Japan's back!

09 October 2012 by Liam Marsden

In this week’s MCN, out October 10, we have all the analysis from the Cologne Show, as Japanese manufacturers look to take the fight to the Europeans. Yamaha unveiled a three-cylinder engine which the...

You ask/you answer: Are newer bikes better?

08 October 2012 by MCN

“I’ve got £2,500 cash in the bank with which to buy myself a new (to me) bike, and I can’t decide what to get. “I’m currently own a rough ZXR400 L3 – my first post-test bike – and I’m looking to get a...

Poll: Are electric bikes the future?

08 October 2012 by MCN

Electric bikes are slowly but surely catching up to traditional motorcycles, with electric bike manufacturer Brammo claiming their Empulse makes 54bhp and has a range of up to 120 miles. With...

Poll: Should full riding kit be a legal requirement?

08 October 2012 by MCN

Helmets are currently the only item of protective clothing which must be worn while riding a motorcycle in the UK, although in some places around the globe no protective clothing is required. Is a...

Video: 2012 Cologne Show highlights

08 October 2012 by MCN

Cologne 2012 saw a raft of new bikes unveiled such as the all-new and eagerly-awaited BMW R1200GS, an updated Triumph Street Triple, Suzuki V-Strom 1000 concept and retro Honda CB1100. Also revealed...

Destination dealer: GT Motorcycles

05 October 2012 by MCN

Business partners Mike Grainger and Steve Haith opened GT just six months ago. Occupying two large modern showrooms in Plymouth and open seven days a week this popular dealership has quickly become...

Crosstourer too sporty for pillion insurance says Aviva

04 October 2012 by Steve Farrell

The UK’s biggest insurer is refusing cover for Honda Crosstourers unless riders agree to never carry a pillion. Aviva says the VFR1200X is a sports bike and on a list of machines the firm will not...

Video: 2013 Ducati Multistrada first ride

04 October 2012 by MCN

It might look barely changed but the 2013 Multistrada gets revised fuel injection, improved torque, cosmetic tweaks, new lights, advanced ABS and DTC and the new ‘Skyhook’ semi-active suspension...

MCN deal of the week: £200 off AGV GP Tech faces helmet

03 October 2012 by MCN

The AGV GP Tech is the same helmet worn by AGV’s top riders in MotoGP and WSB. The GP Tech is made from super-light carbon kevlar and features Cool Max lining to keep your head cool. This week we’ve...

Rate the new bikes from the Cologne Show

03 October 2012 by Liam Marsden

The major new bike announcements from the 2012 Cologne Show have all been made, with the all-new BMW R1200GS topping the bill. As well as the new GS, there was a new Street Triple and Street Triple R,...

Ducati Launch 1199 Panigale RS13 at Cologne

03 October 2012 by Richard Newland

This is the stunning new 1199 Panigale RS13, a race-ready customer version of the 1199 Panigale, which is eligible for most domestic and world superbike series. The Ducati Corse prepared machine is...

Oct 3: Bikes on TV

03 October 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...

Unnecessary instruction?

02 October 2012 by applestead

I wanted to take my full bike test, but felt I didn’t need to pay to use a riding school. So my journey began with me booking my theory test. I logged on to direct.gov.uk to book which was really simple and I was pleased to find that the longest I had to wait was about four days. On September 11 I managed to ace the motorcycle theory test. I put this down to a copy of the Driving Test Success CD...

Suzuki V-Strom 1000 concept revealed

02 October 2012 by Andy Downes

Suzuki has unveiled the V-Strom 1000 concept today, the near production ready bike is still being called a concept but looks like it could go into production within a year. Suzuki has officially...

Aprilia RSV4 gets ABS for 2013

02 October 2012 by Liam Marsden

The Aprilia RSV4 APRC will get ABS for 2013 as well as a power and torque boost, as was revealed today at the Cologne Show. The 2013 RSV4 will be the most powerful to date, with a claimed power output...

Honda Dakar contender revealed

02 October 2012 by MCN

This is Honda’s all-new CRF450 Rally Paris-Dakar desert racer as officially unveiled at the Cologne Show. Based on Honda’s current CRF450X enduro and developed in conjunction with HRC, the Honda...

New colours for 2013 Ducatis revealed at Cologne

02 October 2012 by MCN

Ducati has announced colour and details changes at the Cologne show, ahead of anticipated new model launches at Milan next month. Twentieth anniversary edition Monsters and a new, larger capacity,...

Honda CB1100 finally comes to UK

02 October 2012 by MCN

The air-cooled retro CB1100 will finally be reaching UK shores. The fuel-injected 1140cc DOHC inline four boasts 87bhp, tips the scales at 247kg, and the vertically challenged will appreciate the...

Yamaha unveils future vision with three-cylinder engine

02 October 2012 by Richard Newland

Yamaha has unveiled its on-going commitment to motorcycle innovation this morning at the Cologne Show, by revealing its new three-cylinder P3 engine. Along with the expected unveiling of an updated...

New FJR1300 heads 2013 Yamahas

02 October 2012 by MCN

The biggest updates yet to the long-in-the-tooth FJR1300 tourer, including high tech electronic suspension, traction control, riding modes and more, is the highlight of Yamaha’s new range for...

New BMW R1200GS revealed

02 October 2012 by MCN

The new BMW R1200GS will use a 125bhp water/air cooled motor and feature semi-active suspension. The biggest change comes in the engine, with the introduction for the first time of water-cooling.

New MCN October 3: New bike special!

02 October 2012 by Liam Marsden

In this week’s MCN, out October 3, we reveal all the 2013 bikes at the Cologne Show. BMW has revealed the all-new R1200GS, which features the most advanced electronic system to-date and a new...

Peugeot Metropolis 400 Three Wheeler Unveiled.

02 October 2012 by Andy Downes

Peugeot have just taken the wraps off a brand new 400 cc three wheeler scooter to rival the Piaggio MP3. This is the first new scooter from Peugeot following a promise made in 2010 to overhaul its...

New Metal at Cologne Show

02 October 2012 by Andy Downes

Our MCN news team are in Cologne for the 2013 Intermot Cologne Bike Show, where 100s of members of the press are about to see new bikes being unveiled including the new BMW R1200GS, Triumph Street...

You ask/you answer: Am I experienced enough for a trackday?

01 October 2012 by MCN

I really want to do a trackday, but I’m a bit worried that my riding level isn’t good enough, and I’ll get spooked on track by faster riders. Should I just man up and get on with it, or should I do...

Poll: Should all new car drivers be required to do a CBT too?

01 October 2012 by MCN

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Poll: Have electronics gone too far on bikes?

01 October 2012 by MCN

Electronic aids on bikes seem to be developing at an amazing rate, with ABS and traction control becoming more and more common, and semi-active suspension beginning to appear on bikes. pollcomment

Triumph unveil limited edition Super III Daytona 675

01 October 2012 by Liam Marsden

Triumph has revealed a limited edition Daytona 675 based on the yellow and black paintscheme of the iconic Daytona Super III which was launched in 1994. Only 75 of the limited edition bikes will be...