Bike news

Year: ALL

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...

Aprilia kit gives Falco more fight

04 February 2002

Aprilia is offering an aftermarket kit for its V-twin Falco which bosses say will give it streetfighter-style and loads more grunt. Aprilia UK’s Paul Walker said: ” As it is, the Falco wheelies...

Pugh, Pugh, Harley, McGrew

04 February 2002

Harley-Davidson is considering offering special editions of the Electra Glide and the Road King in the UK… if they feel enough firefighters want them. The Firefighter special editions come in scarlet...

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...

First test on Azaro III tyre

01 February 2002

Our first impressions from the test of the new Avon Azaro III sports-tour tyre reveals this could be the perfect all-rounder. On a CBR600 at the Valencia track in Spain on Friday, our test rider Adam Morrissey said: " I’m scraping the pegs and my toes and everything and it’s not until you are right at the very limits that these feel anything less than a full-on sports tyre. " For most riders on...

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...

Your jacket as pop star

01 February 2002

Get up in the attic, clear out the back of the garage… you might have just the thing dance act Adrenalin Junkie need for their next pop video. The band, which provides some of the soundtrack to the...

The reason behind upside-down forks

01 February 2002

TELESCOPIC forks do a difficult job. Not only do they have to keep the front tyre in contact with the road under a wide range of conditions, they also have to withstand braking and steering forces...

Your views on the Ally Pally

01 February 2002

Here’s what you had to say after visiting the MCN Ally Pally show. Not been yet? Hurry up, it closes on Sunday, February 3. Sarah Kittendorf: ” The highlight for me was the discount prices for the...

Get it over, then!

01 February 2002

Richard Quayle rides his CBR600 at the TT. We assume he uses rearsets.

Talk us round a few corners, David

01 February 2002

Hitch a lift round the Island with David Jefferies.

Bulldog let off the leash

01 February 2002

Yamaha’s relatively sedate 65bhp Bulldog can be turned into a feisty 80bhp bike for less than £100. Herts dealer Motorcycles and Moore say a simple mod, involving the removal of a washer, allows the...

Long term Futura report

01 February 2002

One down, 619 miles to go and already my heart is in my boots. Along with about a litre of rain water. Behind me the doors of the Brittany ferry and the comforts of a warm bed and a full bar. Ahead of...

Listen to part two of our end-cans guide

28 January 2002

Some people bolt on after-market end-cans to get a little more power. Some use them to replace damaged originals. Some choose them because of the way they look. But whatever your reason, you want them...

Micron Delta Legal

28 January 2002

ROAD-legal needn’t be dull. The Racing Red carbon-pattern sleeve looks great and it sounds far better than the original can. Its big-bore link pipe had to be expanded slightly to fit on the CBR’s...

Spain votes for speed cameras… without fines

28 January 2002

Speed in Spain and you could now be caught on camera. But the big difference from the UK is that you won’t fined. The first camera, painted a bright white unlike our dull grey and blue boxes, caught...

’97 CBR900RR-V

28 January 2002

PLEASED the Blade was still outperforming its nearest rival – Yamaha’s Thunderace – Honda again took a step back for a year. The only change to the 1997 bike, aside from paint updates, was an...

Remus Alu-Carbon Race

28 January 2002

THIS can stands out because of its distinctive woven texture on the sleeve. It has a nice tone to it and is well made. You can opt for sleeves in plain aluminium at £240, carbon at £303 or titanium at...

RD350 with 21st Century sex appeal

28 January 2002

Two-strokes just won’t go away. The thrill of a screaming RD350 still sets the hairs tingling for many of us. And when it’s combined with sexy R1 styling like this ” R3 ” many will start...

Promotive Titanium Race

28 January 2002

NEIL HODGSON fans will love this, as the Brit has Promotive cans fitted to his Ducati World Superbike. This one is stainless with a titanium sleeve. But for £325 you get a full titanium, race-spec...

Scorpion Tricolour Titanium Race

28 January 2002

TITANIUM is the new carbon-fibre, or so the fashion-conscious would have us believe. So this multi-coloured titanium can from Scorpion gets top marks this week for its great value, good looks and...

’92 CBR900RR-N

28 January 2002

” I definitely didn’t feel in control…steering damper was the phrase that filled my brain…steering geometry comparable to a 250…a wobbler. ” These words appeared in the first quarter page of MCN’s...

’02 and beyond…

28 January 2002

‘THE Blade’s rivals have problems… The 2002 Blade kicks serious arse. ” Bold claims after just six hours testing, but MCN was captivated by Honda’s latest offering at the bike’s recent launch in...

Strange but True

28 January 2002

Here’s our latest round-up of motorcycling oddities from around the globe. If you spot anything worthy of inclusion in our next one, e-mail jon.urry@emap.com France: Top French bike mag Moto Journal...

Akrapovic Titanium Race

28 January 2002

PROBABLY the most desirable name in exhausts. With Akrapovic down the side of your can, you’re guaranteed nods of approval from those in the know. This all-titanium can is incredibly light and it’s...

Yoshimura Tri-Oval Race

28 January 2002

A BEAUTIFULLY-made and well-finished product from one of the most respected names in the business. There are £496 titanium and £585 carbon versions and a new electronic management system from £465...

Ten years of the FireBlade

28 January 2002

Honda’s FireBlade is a decade old this month and, during those 10 years, it has changed the way the world perceives motorcycles. It has been all things to all people, arriving in 1992 to cries of ”...

Semtex in and Carmichael out as stunt goes wrong

28 January 2002

European stunt champion Kevin Carmichael came a cropper during one of his trademark vertical wheelies in the stunt arena at the Ally Pally show on Sunday. He lost control of his GSX-R1000 when the...

’93 CBR900RR-P

28 January 2002

BY November 1992, Britain was gripped by FireBlade fever and a nationwide shortage had loomed. Honda hastily shipped in 100s more to appease fed-up customers who had been waiting since the August 1...

Akrapovic Titanium Legal

28 January 2002

YOU get the name, the looks, you gain a few bhp and you’re bound to lose pounds over your original can. But you won’t get in trouble with the law. Akrapovic has designed this all-titanium can to be...

’94 CBR900RR-R

28 January 2002

HONDA must have received hundreds of complaints about the manners of its early bikes because the Blade changed markedly in 1994. MCN’s first group test – against a Suzuki RF900, Kawasaki ZX-9R and...

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...

’00 CBR900RR-Y

28 January 2002

IF Honda was ever to regain top-dog status, its 2000 Blade had to really count. Matching the Yamaha wasn’t enough – the CBR had to move the goalposts once again. A slight shift was all that was needed...

’96 CBR900RR-T

28 January 2002

SOME Honda staff quietly admit 1996 was the year the firm dreaded. The Blade had been on top for so long, but a rival that was rumoured to have the attributes to boot its arse was due to be released.

Honda’s V5… better late than never and now joined by Rossi’s V4

28 January 2002

One of the star attractions at the Ally Pally show failed to make an appearance on the opening weekend – but it is there now. Honda’s radical V5 race bike, the RC211V, was held up at the Brussels...

You want some Copaslip on those front brakes, mate

28 January 2002

What happens when the throttle AND the brakes jam on.