Bike news

Year: ALL

No more traffic cops in Notts

18 November 2001

They say there’s never a copper around when you need one but that could soon be dangerously true in Nottinghamshire. The force is scrapping its traffic division to rely on speed cameras as its sole road safety enforcement. It’s also binning Operation Brake, a scheme which works to cut bike theft. Notts police is denying the cost-cutting move in public, but officers have called MCN to express...

Win a V&M R6 at the Ally Pally Show

18 November 2001

You could be picking up the keys to a brand-new R6 at next years Ally Pally show. Top tuners V&M are giving away a 2001 R6 painted in their racing colours with a Laser end can fitted. The bike will be...

Net yourself a Suzuka replica GSX-R1000

18 November 2001

THE Suzuka 8-hours race is one of the most prestigious meetings in the Japanese sporting calendar. The factories spend millions preparing their teams for the event, so when the privateer Kenz J-Trust...

Cop special

18 November 2001

It was built in 1990, for the police… for 130mph. Gulp

Police bikes are put through their paces at Donington

18 November 2001

IF you think police riders are all frowning killjoys who think ” where’s the fire, sir? ” is the height of humour, these pictures might change your mind. The south-pointing knees and stand-up...

All HOGs together

18 November 2001

You have a friend in Harley

Yamaha prepares a new R6… but you can’t have it until 2003

18 November 2001

Yamaha’s R6 is set to get fuel injection and an R1-style makeover for 2003. The arrival of the new Suzuki GSX-R600 and Honda CBR600 in 2001 have played their part in cutting R6 sales in half this...

MAG joins BMF against loud pipes

11 November 2001

MAG chief executive Henry Marks says he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the BMF’s recently announced anti-loud-pipes position. MAG’s support comes as a surprise given that this is the group that...

The fifth group of ten

11 November 2001

Peter Bryden, 31, from Haslemere, Surrey, rides a Yamaha R1. FIRST VISIT TO NEC: 1995. BEST BIKE AT THE SHOW: Peter Goddard’s Benelli Tornado race bike on the Carole Nash stand. BEST-LOOKING WOMAN: MCN’s Vikki. BEST STAND: MCN. BEST BARGAIN: Haven’t seen any yet. Colin Pope, 37, from Foxton, Cambs, rides a Suzuki Bandit 1200. FIRST VISIT TO NEC: Today. BEST BIKE AT THE SHOW: Harley-Davidson...

Win a PlayStation 2 MX2002 game

11 November 2001

If you’ve been to the NEC Show you might have had a go on the PlayStation 2 consoles in the gaming area. We’ve got five copies to give away of the excellent MX2002 motocross game that everybody’s playing on them. Featuring American 250cc Motocross and Supercross Champion Ricky Carmichael, Scottish World Championship rider Stephen Sword, and British freestyler Chris Brock, the new game features...

Giant trailies’ sales on the up

11 November 2001

Giant trailie sales are rising faster than in any other sector of motorcycling, according to the latest figures from the Motorcycle Industry Association. Registrations of new bikes in the category,...

How to win with Fantasy Road Racing

11 November 2001

If you want a bit of help choosing your MCN Fantasy Road Racing team, David Kitchen is the bloke to ask. He’s just collected his Aprilia RS250 from Jeremy McWilliams, his prize for coming top in our...

ZX-12R recalled as nuts crack

11 November 2001

Kawasaki’s ZX-12R has been recalled because the tyre valve nuts could crack. The firm says that could cause a loss of tyre pressure – and it’s urging owners to contact their dealer immediately to...

The eighth group of ten

11 November 2001

Andy Corssen, 24, from Skegness, Lincs, rides a Kawasaki ZXR400. FIRST VISIT TO NEC: Today. BEST BIKE AT THE SHOW: MV Agusta F4. BEST-LOOKING WOMAN: The UK supercross girl. BEST STAND: Ducati. BEST...

World’s first full test of the new TDM900

11 November 2001

The new TDM900: Suspension and big arches over the wheels say ” I’m an off-roader, me. ” Deltabox twin-spar chassis and sporty road rubber say ” Not really, I’m all about the Tarmac. ” Sounds like...

Second issue of MCN Sport now in the shops

11 November 2001

Name the most intense race rivalries ever… Rossi and Biaggi, certainly… but let’s not forget Sheene and Roberts, Rainey and Schwantz or even Walker and Hodgson., Re-live them all in just one of the...

Add your NEC Show tips today

11 November 2001

Our comprehensive guide to the NEC Show will help you get more from it than ever before. And now we’ve started adding your tips, from the people who’ve already been. Together, we’ll point you to the...

2002 VFR800, Sprint ST and Futura shoot-out

11 November 2001

We’re pitching the new Honda V-TEC VFR800 against Triumph’s uprated 2002 Sprint ST and Aprilia’s Futura starting on Wednesday. The V4 Honda, triple-powered Sprint and V-twin Futura offer very...

Up, up and…

11 November 2001

That Wembley jump in full

How the bike industry reacted

11 November 2001

Ian Mutch, MAG. What do you think of the report? It tells us a lot of things that MAG is already aware of. We take bike crime very seriously. We take bike crime very seriously. Some of the figures are...

What it takes to organise the NEC Show

11 November 2001

The International Motorcycle show hasn’t always been such a massive event. And it hasn’t always been at the NEC. Back in 1931, when the first show was staged, it was held at London’s Olympia and...

Examining the latest report on bike thefts

11 November 2001

Bikes worth £3 million are being stolen in the UK every MONTH. Honda’s CBR600 is the most popular for crooks and just 16 per cent of those motorcycles swiped are recovered. These were the worrying...

MCN talks to Steve Powell of the NCIS

11 November 2001

MCN: What is the long term aim of these reports? Powell: Our fundamental aim is reduce theft and increase recovery rates. We aim to do that by building enough intelligence for our law-enforcement...

Watch the stunt stars… or show them how it’s done

11 November 2001

Anyone can enter next year’s World Stunt championship, part of the MCN-backed Scottish Show. You could bag yourself a share of the £2000 prize fund. You don’t need to be able to rival the likes of...

The third group of ten

11 November 2001

Paul Eaglestone, 45, from Kidlington, Oxfordshire, rides a Kawasaki GPZ500. FIRST VISIT TO NEC: 1997. BEST BIKE AT THE SHOW: Yamaha Fazer 600. BEST-LOOKING WOMAN: Suzi Perry. BEST STAND: Kawasaki.

On-line auction for Edwards’ leathers goes through £1000-barrier

11 November 2001

The going price for Colin Edwards’ Castrol-Honda leathers has risen by £375 since we pointed you to the Riders For Health auction. But there’s still plenty of time to bid. Currently the highest bid...

Riders charity bags two Royal awards

11 November 2001

Riders for Health, the motorcycling charity which works to provide transport for medicine in Africa, has won the Prince Michael of Kent Road Safety Award for 2002 in two categories – the motorcycle...

100 people rate the best bikes, bargains and babes at the NEC Show

11 November 2001

We asked 100 people to choose their favourite bikes, the top stands to see, the hottest bargains to be had and the loveliest ladies to spot at the NEC Show. Check their answers to see if you agree or...

The sixth group of ten

11 November 2001

Marvin Rothman, 37, from Braintree, Essex, rides an Aprilia RSV-R Mille. FIRST VISIT TO NEC: 1996. BEST BIKE AT THE SHOW: Harley-Davidson V-Rod. BEST-LOOKING WOMAN: They’re all top standard. BEST...

The ninth group of ten

11 November 2001

Allan Davison, 40, from Chichester, Sussex, rides an Aprilia RSV Mille. FIRST VISIT TO NEC: 1997. BEST BIKE AT THE SHOW: Aprilia Blue Marlin. BEST-LOOKING WOMAN: The top-heavy one on the Piaggio...

The seventh group of ten

11 November 2001

Steve Paston, 47, from Norwich, rides a Yamaha RD500LC. FIRST VISIT TO NEC: 1991. BEST BIKE AT THE SHOW: MV Agusta F4. BEST-LOOKING WOMAN: The Urchin stand girl. BEST STAND: BMW. BEST BARGAIN: I’m...

It’s AKA a motorcycle…

11 November 2001

The NEC Show features plenty of jaw-dropping models, but few are quite as ” stand-out ” as this machine from AKA Design. But we want to hear what you think of it. The Hitchin, Herts-based firm...

First full test on Benelli superbike

11 November 2001

Halway through this year’s World Superbike race season a stunning green and silver bike appeared in the paddock and qualified for the two races at Misano. The Benelli Tordano had arrived. The even...

Triumph issues recall on range of bikes

11 November 2001

Triumph has issued a recall to have clutch cables replaced on many of its models. The Trophy is the only modern Triumph model to escape the recall, which affects bikes fitted with cables made by one...

Yes, it looks amazing, but what’s under the fairing?

11 November 2001

Creating a motorcycle from scratch is no easy feat. Creating one that throws away conventional wisdom and can run in World Superbikes is unbelievable – but that’s exactly what Benelli has done with...

Your tips and comments on the NEC Show

11 November 2001

Here are just some of your tips on getting the best out of the NEC. If you have any to add, e-mail them to david.cushman@emap.com with NEC SHOW ADVICE in the subject line. We had a great day at the NEC on Sunday 11, returning with some excellent prints, clothing, bike parts and accessories, all in all a really excellent day! Plenty to do and see, plenty of people to talk to, we met Jez and Katja,...