Latest news in motorcycling

Stay informed with the very latest news in motorcycling. Our crack team of reporters cover the issues you need to know about, from new bikes to community, and the latest tech to bike crime. We apply professional rigour to our journalism and ask the key questions to the right people, to ensure our readers stay fully informed.

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Year: ALL

Sound added to world’s first test of Benelli superbike

04 November 2001

Updated with soundfile at 2pm, November 9, 2001: MCN’s Marc Potter has been riding the Benelli Tornado WSB bike to bring us this world’s first report on what it’s like. He’s also gathered news of the...

Cannondale coming to the UK

04 November 2001

U.S. manufacturer Cannondale is starting to bring its off-road bikes to the UK. The 2002 range continues to feature the hand-welded, twin-spar aluminium frames seen on the 2001 bikes rather than the...

Honda considers offering tailor-made bikes

04 November 2001

Honda is considering a scheme to offer a choice of engines, bodywork and paintwork options to hang on a one-size-fits-all frame. The scheme could hit UK dealers as early as 2004. And while it’s...

20 bikes stolen from dealer

04 November 2001

A new bike at a price too good to be true? Beware, it could be one of those stolen from MCN Award-winning dealer Colin Appleyard. Twenty bikes were taken from the firm’s West Yorks warehouse on...

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...

Free NEC Show guide with MCN on Wednesday

04 November 2001

Buy Wednesday’s MCN and you’ll get a free 32-page supplement complete with a focus on the 17 essential new bikes not to miss, other attractions worth planning for and that vital floor plan to help you...

Whitham and Plater ride British Superbikes

04 November 2001

The season’s over. The flags are all packed away. We’ve had another thrilling season of British superbike action, with incredible battles everywhere from rostrum results to the final points, but now...

Winner of Reynolds’ sliders revealed

04 November 2001

We asked for your top biking tips to feature in our Tip of the Day and you responded big time. The promise of John Reynold’s one-off No1 sliders (as worn at the final Donington Park British superbike...

He jumps and…

04 November 2001

Knievel pulls off a couple of stunts… without breaking his body.

bikes-uk calls in the receivers

04 November 2001

bikes-uk, the country’s second biggest chain of dealers, has gone into receivership. The firm called in receivers Grant Thornton at 9pm last night and staff at the 16 dealerships were told the news this morning. Grant Thornton says the 14 shops around the country will continue trading as normal and that firms have already expressed an interest in buying Bikes-UK as a going concern. Carnell-City...

NEC Show ticket winners named

04 November 2001

The competition was only open for a couple of hours on Friday, but over 300 of you entered, enticed by the chance to win one of 25 pairs of tickets to the NEC Show, which opens this week. Entrants had...

Viva Las Vegas

04 November 2001

Caesar’s Palace… and a film controversy

Harris and Rhencullen Special GSX-R1000s

04 November 2001

Here’s are two specials you should make time to check out, an awesome GSX-R1000 special on the Harris display in hall 19, stand r34. Subtle paintwork mimics the Barry Sheene bikes of a past era, right...

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...

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...

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,...

It’s all a blur

01 November 2001

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

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...

Ulster 2001

01 November 2001

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

Naughty naughty

01 November 2001

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

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

Ready for your close-up

28 October 2001

Fans can get close to their heroes at the Ulster GP

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...

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...

Tips to get more from the NEC Show… and how to get there

28 October 2001

The International Motorcycle and Scooter Show (The NEC Show to you and I) opens its doors on November 9. It’s a biggy, and can be overwhelming if you don’t go armed with a bit of forward planning. Our...

Put that radar gun away officer

28 October 2001

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

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...