Bike news

MCN called on to do what the U.S. army has failed to

MCN called on to do what the U.S. army has failed to

We’ve been set a bit of a challenge by the Daily Mail: Identify the bike Taliban leader Mullah Mohamed Omah has twice used to escape the clutches of U.S special forces. Well, since the combined forces...

Top 20 selling bikes of 2001

Top 20 selling bikes of 2001

The official list of the best-selling bikes in Britain for 2001 has just been released by the Motor Cycle Industry Association. And here it is: 1 Honda CBR600F, 3877. 2 Kawasaki ZX-6R, 2458. 3 Suzuki...

The new Blade is all about total control. Here’s the video to prove it

The new Blade is all about total control. Here’s the video to prove it

Honda’s philosophy when it designed the new Blade was that it should put the rider in total control. When that rider is MCN regular Kevin Smith that was going to be given a thorough test. Rear wheel...

What makes one make cost more to insure than another?

What makes one make cost more to insure than another?

If you’re looking to keep the cost of your insurance down it seems some makes find more favour with insurers than others, according to the experience of close to 1200 users of this site. The figures...

New Blade ridden on the roads with Suzuki’s GSX-R1000

New Blade ridden on the roads with Suzuki’s GSX-R1000

Honda has put a bit of the angry original back into its updated, bigger bore yet more compact FireBlade. And we’ve taken it to the sunny south of France to see how it deals with life on the road and...

Watch the video itself

Watch the video itself

Follow the links, right, to select either a Quicktime (MOV) or Real Player (RM) video download. Adam Morrissey presents Kevin Smith giving the new Blade a tough time on quiet roads in France.

Bits and pieces

Bits and pieces

Bikes that have been raced can prove bargain buys… for obvious reasons

Nick Sanders: in his own words

Lee: I’m planning a trip to Australia myself. Do you get insurance and where from? NickSanders: At the borders, I don’t always have insurance, as it’s not always easy to get, but by and large I think it’s important so I get it at the borders. Gsxer400: What is the best bike? NickSanders: Funnily enough, I’m not the right person to answer that seeing as I’m going around the world on an R1! Bikes...

No surprise which bike’s in front

No surprise which bike’s in front

So the bike in front’s a Ducati then? Well it is the 2001 BSB season.

Back to basics

Back to basics

Colin starts with the basics. ” This is my elbow ” … he goes on to prove he does know the difference between this and his ” butt ” .

Has sir had a crash?

Has sir had a crash?

Need a new bike sir? Perhaps some kit? Our branches are open Sundays…

Make’em giggle

Make’em giggle

What has Colin Edwards got to make the girls laugh?

Wednesday’s Ally Pally ticket winners revealed

Wednesday’s Ally Pally ticket winners revealed

We’re giving away tickets to the MCN-backed Alexandra Palace and Road Racing Show this week. Another 10 will go today (look out for today’s competition arriving on the site soon) We gave away 10...

Most riders are too fat to ride their bikes properly

Most riders are too fat to ride their bikes properly

Round-the-world rider Nick Sanders entertained our VIP Lounge on Thursday with tales from his travels and some pretty strong opinions. He revealed how an elephant once dumped on an Enfield he was...

Not quick enough?

Some of the UK’s top young racers started their careers riding CB500s. In 1997 and 1998 the unlikely racebikes competed in their own one make championships at high-profile meetings around the UK. Honda supported three series, the Honda CB500 Cup, the Newcomers Cup and a Ladies Cup. All bikes were standard except for the removal of lights, a Micron carbon-fibre silencer, Bridgestone BT90 tyres and...

Bikes with best build quality revealed by your vote

Bikes with best build quality revealed by your vote

That bike drawing your eye in the showroom may shine like a new penny, but how long will it keep its looks? Our huge survey of close to 1200 owners reveals the truth as you’ve discovered it. Yesterday...

Did you buy a new bike in 2001?

Did you buy a new bike in 2001?

We’re looking for owners who bought one of the most popular five bikes in the UK in 2001 for a special feature in MCN. We’re awaiting official confirmation, but there will be much munching of hats...

Over and out…

Over and out…

That’s over just a little too much…

Long term test: Kawasaki ZRX1200S

Long term test: Kawasaki ZRX1200S

Typical. I bought a fantastic new bike in Spring and was looking forward to a long summer. Then I broke my arm off-roading and by the time I got back on the ZRX it was winter. Still, every cloud has...

First winners of our Ally Pally tickets revealed

First winners of our Ally Pally tickets revealed

We’re giving away five pairs of tickets to the MCN-backed Alexandra Palace and Road Racing Show every day this week and after the quick-fire competition on lunchtime on Tuesday, we’re able to announce...

Survey reveals best bike engines the way you see it

Survey reveals best bike engines the way you see it

Close to 1200 people have rated their bikes in Owners’ Reports for this site. Now we’ve drawn together their findings to reveal which bike manufacturers get rated the highest and lowest in a whole...

Free Ally Pally tickets to be won every day this week

Free Ally Pally tickets to be won every day this week

We’re giving away five pairs of tickets to the Alexandra Palace and Road Racing Show every day. 10 free tickets went on Tuesday lunchtime, and another 10 will go on Wednesday and Thursday… and we’re...

DR350 stolen Saturday night

Stephen Webb’s Suzuki DR350 SEW was stolen from outside his flat in Belvedere, Kent between 8pm Saturday January 5 and 10am Sunday January 6. Its registration number is T374 RMV. If you can help him track it, e-mail him on this address: s.r.webb@btinternet.com

Thursday’s Ally Pally tickets winners announced

Thursday’s Ally Pally tickets winners announced

10 more tickets to the MCN-backed Alexandra Palace and Road Racing Show are on their way to lucky winners. And there’s will be another chance to win another 20 on Friday, so keep checking back for...

A champion is made

A champion is made

Colin Edwards’ 2000 season features in our Video of the Day for the next dozen days. Watch the clips unfold as he heads for his WSB title.

Make your mark… share what you know

Make your mark… share what you know

We’re looking for more of your great Tips of The Day. They don’t HAVE to be mechanical, or about cheap and easy fixes. You could share a tip about the best place for riders to stay on a trip abroad,...

New Year… same old jokes

New Year… same old jokes

Outriders for the New Year… of the Purple variety

Ouch!

Ouch!

Taking more than a tip-toe through the kitty litter.

Pick our long-term test bikes

Pick our long-term test bikes

Which new bikes do you want to know more about in 2002? Is knowing what it’s like to live with the new R1 or FireBlade important to you, or would you rather know how Honda’s new Pan copes with every...

Triumph Speed Four on show

Triumph Speed Four on show

Sales of unfaired bikes are rocketing – and now Triumph is going for a slice of the market with its new TT600-based Speed Four. Due to be officially unveiled later this month at the Brussels bike show...

Is he trying?

Is he trying?

Come on chum, get it leaned over

Strange but true

Strange but true

Our latest line-up of the slightly ludicrous gathers the madder moments of motorcycling from around the world. If you come across something worthy of inclusion in our next collection, e-mail...

Radical Firebolt to hit showrooms in April

Radical Firebolt to hit showrooms in April

Buell has revealed when its radical Firebolt will hit UK showrooms and how much it will cost. You’ll find it at dealers from April priced at £7345 on the road. The Firebolt caused a stir when we...

How not to do it

How not to do it

No, it’s not a scene from Dr Who and the Sea Devils… just one of those moments from last year’s British superbike championship.

Panto season

Panto season

He’s behind you!

You criticise "ugly" Speed Four

You criticise "ugly" Speed Four

So far it’s a big thumbs down to Triumph’s new Speed Four from users of our TALK BIKES bulletin boards. sdb01 said: ” Yikes this bike is just terribly wrong. Please take it away from my eyes. It is...