Bike news

Year: ALL

Strange But True…

04 November 2001

Japan: What? You’re only getting one knee down on each corner? You can’t be trying. Check out our picture. Now look again. There’s only one bloke on that bike, and he’s riding side saddle! This...

Viva Las Vegas

04 November 2001

Caesar’s Palace… and a film controversy

What bike tests and features do you want next?

04 November 2001

We like to think we know what you want from our bike tests and features. Here’s your chance to put us right and win a unique prize, too. MCN features editor Marc Potter is currently planning his next series of feature and bike test ideas. And he’s ready and willing to listen to your suggestions. The best ones will be developed for inclusion on this website and in MCN the paper. Are there bikes you...

Vital new report on bike theft due this week

04 November 2001

The National Criminal Intelligence Service will publish its first ever report into motorcycle thefts on Wednesday, November 7. They claim it will pinpoint hotspots and emerging trends in an organised criminal trade which is now said to be worth more than £3 million every month. We will bring you the report as soon as it’s available on Wednesday morning. The report is part of Project Contrail – the...

CRESENT RACING SUZUKI GSX-R750

04 November 2001

£100,000 Power and torque Est 165bhp 72ftlb Weight, power to weight ratio 162kg (356lb), 1.01bhp/kg Acceleration (est) Standing 1/4 mile time, terminal speed 9.8s, 154mph Top speed 190mph Geometry...

Bike theft report is a let-down

04 November 2001

An eagerly awaited report from the National Criminal Intelligence Service on the state of bike theft in the UK was revealed on Wednesday. First impressions suggest it is one hell of a let down. What was fan-fared as a detailed and vital report into bike crime has in fact come to conclusions most of us already knew. One is that most stolen bikes are Japanese. That’s hardly an insight given that the...

Lap of the UK… by Royal Enfield

04 November 2001

Travelling 3362 miles around the coast of Britain would be some feat on a modern tourer but antique dealer Graham Cashmore chose to do it on a Royal Enfield Clubman. The 50-year-old design means the 500c single was only really up for chugging along at 65mph a day, he said. But he was happy, and raised £4000 for charity in the process.

First spy shot of Guzzi’s new water-cooled engine

04 November 2001

This hastily-snatched picture is the first to show one of the most radical steps forward Moto Guzzi has ever taken. It’s the firm’s first water-cooled production bike engine. The picture was taken...

MonsterMob Ducati 996

04 November 2001

£100,000 Power and torque Est 170bhp 85ftlb Weight, power to weight ratio 164kg (361lb), 1.03bhp/kg Acceleration (est) Standing 1/4 mile time, terminal speed 9.8s, 155mph Top speed 195mph Geometry...

MACSPORT YAMAHA R7

04 November 2001

£70,000 Power and torque Est 150bhp, 68ftlb Weight, power to weight ratio 170kg (374lb), 0.8bhp/kg Acceleration (est) Standing 1/4 mile time, terminal speed 10s, 150mph Top speed 185mph Geometry Rake,...

Hodgson thanks fans for wedding day messages

01 November 2001

World superbike star and newly-crowned MCN Man of the Year Neil Hodgson marries long-time girlfriend Kathryn Hoare on Sunday. Neil is a regular on the site, contributing columns, joining in live web...

The 2.5-litre V-twin… from Britain

01 November 2001

This is set to be the biggest-bore twin in production… and one of the most exclusive. The British designed and American-funded 2500cc twin is code-named the 152 (because it displaces 152 cubic...

50 tickets to the NEC Show given away!

01 November 2001

We had almost 300 entries in just a couple of hours in our competition to give away 25 pairs of tickets to the NEC Show. It is now closed and we’ll be naming the winners on the site on Monday,...

Ulster GP reprieved/ BSB bosses compromise on TT

01 November 2001

In a dramatic U-turn, the Coleraine Motorcycle Club has decided that it will run the 2002 Ulster GP after all. After announcing its cancellation only a matter of days ago the Club met last night and...

Ulster 2001

01 November 2001

I’m sure it said ” tear along dotted line ” .

Government claims: New rural speed limits unlikely

01 November 2001

Plans to cut speed limits on country roads from 60mph to as little as 40mph now seem unlikely to see the light of day, for practical reasons. The latest threat to our riding freedom loomed as...

MCN Butlins Spring Spectacular dates

01 November 2001

We’ve been bombarded with queries regarding our 2002 MCN Spring Spectacular at Butlins, Skegness. Well we’re pleased to reveal the three-night event will be bigger, better and louder than ever. The...

It’s all a blur

01 November 2001

Riders pass close to fans at the Ulster GP, much like the Isle of Man.

Naughty naughty

01 November 2001

Cutting junctions like that would usually attract the attentions of plod… not when it’s the 2001 Ulster GP

Cat and Fiddle run improved

01 November 2001

One of our favourite roads is re-opening. Parts of the Cat And Fiddle road – also known as the A537 Buxton-to-Macclesfield – have been shut over the last three weeks for roadworks. You’ll be pleased...

FJR1300 long term test: The value of a good warranty

28 October 2001

It’s never much fun when something goes wrong with your bike. But these things do happen, even with bikes under a year old. After all, that’s what warranties are for. The important thing when things...

A flip-up numberplate? If only it was legal

28 October 2001

007 would love it. Press a button and this numberplate folds in half to cover up your number. Sadly this is strictly illegal for use on the road. But, you’d only want one as a show plate or on a track...

Bostrom-style Ducati 998 launched

28 October 2001

Ducati chose its first big U.S. rally to unveil its Ben Bostrom replica 998S. The bike was shown off for the first time at the Ducati Revs America event in Las Vegas. Bostrom’s helmet design was the...

Too much Guinness

28 October 2001

The Ulster GP can be fun… but don’t overdo the black stuff.

You’re nicked sonny! Think, you’ll find I’m not, officer

28 October 2001

The rules police must follow when nicking you for speeding are complex and thorough. Our guide to them will equip you to make the most of your rights should that summons come. We’ve put it together...

Price of MV Agustas, Triumphs and Cagivas tumble

28 October 2001

Three manufacturers have announced price cuts ranging from £100 right up to £1500. Even the lusted after MV Agusta F4S is down £1001. And there are hefty savings from Triumph. The new recommended...

Drysdale GP engine based on road V8

28 October 2001

Australian engineer Ian Drysdale is close to completing his second road-going V8-based road bike. But as he puts the finishing touches to The Cruiser, he’s already designing and building his next...

Your chance to interview Max Biaggi

28 October 2001

We’ve lined-up an interview with GP superstar Max Biaggi early in November and we want you to put the questions. We’ll be meeting the Yamaha star for an exclusive chat but time will be short so we...

Put that radar gun away officer

28 October 2001

This ain’t no ride out… it’s the Ulster GP

Where would we be without the XT500?

28 October 2001

We can thank Yamaha for the current big, single-cylinder trail bikes that give us such an unexpected laugh on the road, and yet still manage to plug through mud and up and down green lanes when the...

Kawasaki 250TR takes us back

28 October 2001

The fashion for retro looks has reached off-road styled bikes. The latest to reflect the trend is Kawasaki’s 250TR. It looks like a 1970s scrambler – but is actually aimed at style-conscious...

Your chance to design Hodgson’s Ducati superbike paintscheme

28 October 2001

Here’s a unique opportunity to help shape how Neil Hodgson and James Toseland’s GSE Racing Ducatis will look in next year’s World Superbike championship. Use your artistic skills to come up with a...

Benefits of being a two-stroke

28 October 2001

We’re all familiar with big capacity four-stroke singles, because they’re the most interesting. But a third of today’s single-cylinder bikes are much smaller-capacity two-strokes; usually mopeds and...

Ready for your close-up

28 October 2001

Fans can get close to their heroes at the Ulster GP

The history of the single

28 October 2001

Ninety per cent of singles are learner bikes or big trailies. Does that make them irrelevant to modern motorcycling life? Are they just the poorest cousin of all bike engines, reserved for the...

Honda’s other V-TEC bike gets upgraded version for 2002

28 October 2001

Honda’s CB400 Super Four, the V-TEC-assisted bike that led the way for the 2002 VFR800 V-TEC , has been given a new version of the system for next year. The Japan-only bike uses the firm’s Hyper V-TEC...