2002

Year: 2002

Month: ALL

Blueprint for the changes

18 February 2002

IF you think the R1 doesn’t really look that different, that’s just the way Yamaha planned it. The firm reckons people like the way the R1 looks and simply want styling that’s a bit more futuristic.

We’ve been among the first in the world to ride Yamaha’s 2002 R1. And while you’ll have to wait for Wednesday’s MCN (out on February 20, 2002) for the full story, here are some of the highlights, from...

Indian relaunches the Chief

18 February 2002

Indian has relaunched its Chief with its own engine replacing the aftermarket unit which has been used since the firm was brought back from the dead in 1998. The 1638cc 45° V-twin air-cooled unit,...

World’s first test on Suzuki’s V-Strom

18 February 2002

We’ve been riding Suzuki’s new TL-powered giant trailie, the V-Strom, on the world launch of this new challenger in an increasingly popular sector. You’ll find a full test in MCN, out on Wednesday,...

MCN Finance Shop brings the best deals to you

18 February 2002

MCN has today launched an ultra-powerful new tool to help you get the best deal on financing your next bike purchase. After you’ve found the bike of your dreams using our online classifieds, we can...

New Rotax engine range bound for bikes

11 February 2002

ROTAX has patented a new range of engines which will be available for use in motorcycles. They include a 610cc single, a 1000cc parallel twin, a 1000cc V-twin, plus an inline triple of between 1000...

Your votes bring B-King closer to production

11 February 2002

Your responses through this site and at the MCN Ally Pally show look likely to inspire Suzuki to put the B-King into production. Your initial approval of the Hayabusa-powered prototype encouraged...

World’s first ride on Ducati 998S

04 February 2002

This is what I always hoped a Ducati 998 would be like. First-look suggests there is only one little change from the standard machine – the letter ” S ” on the end of the numbers. But what a...

MV Agusta F5 to be most powerful on the road

01 February 2002

The 1000cc MV Agusta F5 due for launch at September’s bike shows is expected to be the most powerful production bike in the world with more than 160bhp at the rear wheel, according to insiders. The...

Paul Smart rep Ducati ready to roll

01 February 2002

Ducati’s tribute to British racer Paul Smart is at last ready to go into production and our artist’s impression is thought to be very close to how the finished article will look. The retro-styled...

First ride on new ZX-9R

28 January 2002

Kawasaki’s 2002 ZX-9R seems faster than ever, showing 300kmh at 12,000rpm. while we all know speedos can be inaccurate, the bike feels significantly quicker than a 900 should! But top speed isn’t the...

Hundreds of half-price bargains wait for visitors

28 January 2002

Half-price Shoei lids are among the top bargains at the Ally Pally show – and that’s just the start. Alpinestars race boots are down to just £99 on many stands, as are Sidi Vertebraes. Arai helmets, including 2001 designs, are reduced by as much as £100 on just as many. Custom Lids on stand 70/71 and Titanium Racing on 60/61, are specialising in cut-price lids from dozens of different...

Ducati to build road-going replicas of S4 race bikes

28 January 2002

Ducati is to launch a new version of its Monster S4 race bikes to coincide with the debut of the one-make race series this season. Retailing at £9500 each bike will come with nearly £3000 worth of extras for just £1800 more than the list price of a stock S4. " With the specifications essentially the same as the race bike, these will be very special Monsters, " said Ducati UK managing director...

Exclusive video brings the Ally Pally show to you

28 January 2002

The Ally Pally show is now on in London complete with stunt shows, the UK debut of Suzuki’s B-King, the world launch of Triumph’s Speed 4 and bargains galore. If you’ve already been our video will bring back the memories. If you’ve yet to go, it’ll give you a great taster. The video plays for close to two minutes and is approximately 2.8mb, so if you haven’t got a particularly fast connection it...

R1150GS goes supermoto

21 January 2002

A limited-edition R1150GS could pave the way for a factory produced BMW Supermoto. The R1150 " SM " uses a set of wide, 17 inch BBS " Phoenix " solid wheels to mount sticky tyres to the normally knobbly-shod GS. The handling tweaks don’t stop there though, as the entire rear swingarm has been replaced with the unit from a road-focused R1150R, as has the front Telelever arm. The standard rear...

Limited edition Joey rep unveiled… and No26 is up for auction

21 January 2002

A strictly limited run of 26 SP-1 Joey Dunlop replicas are being built to celebrate his life. The first one completed of this exclusive run is being auctioned off to raise money for Joey’s...

CCM plans tie-up with Suzuki

21 January 2002

British bike maker CCM is looking outside Europe for engines which could power a new range of singles and twins for 2003. For the past few months, the Lancashire firm has been in negotiation with Suzuki to buy a variety of engines beginning with its DRZ400 engine. Sources also suggest that other Suzuki power plants, such as the 644cc single and V-twin SV650 could be included in future deals. The...

Buy a bargain bike at the Ally Pally show

21 January 2002

Fancy bagging yourself a race bike, even if only for track days? Maybe you just want a great deal. Best make your way to the Ally Pally Show in London from January 26 to February 3, 2002. The paddock bargains area will be rammed with used bikes waiting for a new home. This year they include one of Paul Brown’s 600s, a host of race bikes, and some great used road bike bargains, too. Buying one...

MV’s tribute to Senna finally arrives

21 January 2002

MV Agusta’s special edition F4 Senna will finally hit UK showrooms next month. The bikes – which are built as a tribute to three-times F1 champion Ayrton Senna were originally supposed to be on sale...

Top Yamaha man hints at road-going M1

14 January 2002

A leading Yamaha development engineer is suggesting that the four-stroke YZR-M1 GP bike will spawn a road-going replica which could eclipse the R1. Ichiro Yoda has led the M1 project since last April.

Corser finally signs for Team Foggy

14 January 2002

Troy Corser has finally signed to ride in Team Foggy Petronas Racing in the WSB series this season. Both sides had made their intentions to work together clear before Christmas and the delay since has...

Foggy Racing road bike to go on show in April

14 January 2002

The Team Foggy Racing (TFR) road bike makes its first public appearance in April. British based companies Piper Design and MSX International are currently developing the FP1, standing for Foggy...

Official team statement on Corser deal

14 January 2002

Carl Fogarty today completed the rider line-up of his new Foggy Petronas Racing team by capturing the coveted signature of former team-mate Troy Corser. The 30-year-old Australian former World...

Piaggio tests 850cc twist-and-go bike

14 January 2002

THE world’s first full-size twist-and-go bike is now being tested in Italy. Piaggio’s850cc V-twin prototype has a fuel-injected sohc engine which originally designed for a big-bore scooter. But the...

Could 996 power tempt you to a Multistrada?

14 January 2002

Sources close to Ducati say the ill-received Multistrada could be spiced-up by slotting in the 120bhp 996 engine shortly after the bike goes on sale in 2003. Sources close to the firm claim the...

Bikes you’ll find on sale in the Paddock Bargains area

14 January 2002

Here are the bikes you’ll find up for grabs in the Paddock Bargains area at this years’ MCN-Backed Ally Pally show. The information (and spelling) included is as supplied. SPONDON CHASSIS COMPLETE WITH YAMAHA RUNNING GEAR. SPONDON YAMAHA 1985 ALUMINIUM BOX FRAME. 400cc CD1 MOTOR. KEHIN FLATSIDES BUILT TO USE ON ROAD. FULLY REGISTERED. [ ‘B’ REG] WITH LIGHTS / HOM ETC. WHITE POWER SHOCK REQUIRES...

2002

Blueprint for the changes

First test of 2002 R1

Indian relaunches the Chief

World’s first test on Suzuki’s V-Strom

MCN Finance Shop brings the best deals to you

New Rotax engine range bound for bikes

Your votes bring B-King closer to production

World’s first ride on Ducati 998S

MV Agusta F5 to be most powerful on the road

Paul Smart rep Ducati ready to roll

First ride on new ZX-9R

Hundreds of half-price bargains wait for visitors

Ducati to build road-going replicas of S4 race bikes

Exclusive video brings the Ally Pally show to you

R1150GS goes supermoto

Limited edition Joey rep unveiled… and No26 is up for auction

CCM plans tie-up with Suzuki

Buy a bargain bike at the Ally Pally show

MV’s tribute to Senna finally arrives

Top Yamaha man hints at road-going M1

Corser finally signs for Team Foggy

Foggy Racing road bike to go on show in April

Official team statement on Corser deal

Piaggio tests 850cc twist-and-go bike

Could 996 power tempt you to a Multistrada?

Bikes you’ll find on sale in the Paddock Bargains area

New BMW spied in Spain

If you want the Hayabusa-powered B-King, vote now!

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

Free Ally Pally tickets to be won every day this week

Radical Firebolt to hit showrooms in April

Be first with the results of 2002’s top tests