September
Boxer aims for the mainstream with B2
30 September 2001
French firm Boxer is about to move into the mainstream with a new model unveiled at the Paris bike show – a naked roadster called the B2. Like the firm’s previous VB1, it uses the 60-degree, 995cc...
Hislop injured in race one at Rockingham
30 September 2001
Steve Hislop’s championship could be in serious doubt after a crash in the first race at Rockingham Motor Speedway. It’s left him with a compound fracture of the right ankle, a dislocated ankle, and a...
If you’re going to court soon…
23 September 2001
Are you about to go to court for a bike offence? Will it be your first time? If so, RiDE magazine would like to talk to you. RiDE is putting together an article about how to deal with a court...
Some very unusual FireBlades
23 September 2001
Here’s a paradox of human nature: You want the same thing as everyone else, only you’d like it to be slightly different. Marketing types latched on to this years ago – the Re-mix, the Special Edition,...
Firebird
23 September 2001
Things are starting to make sense now to MCN road tester Kev Smith. He’s just noticed the bright yellow, stripped-to-the-bone special he’s just been riding has a 150bhp Blackbird engine in place of...
NitroBlade
23 September 2001
Joe Pleterski was one of the very first British FireBlade disciples – but that doesn’t mean he just sat back and worshipped the bike he has owned since August 1992. No, he reckoned he could improve on...
Fireblade combination
23 September 2001
I hAVE never ridden (driven?) a sidecar – and a FireBlade-engined one probably isn’t the most sensible way to lose my three-wheeled virginity. So I’m grateful for small mercies when I’m told the...
More pictures of V-Strom from its official launch
23 September 2001
We’ve already revealed spyshots and first detail pictures of Suzuki’s V-Strom, now we’re adding more shots direct from the official launch in Paris. While Suzuki is making no power claim for the bike,...
Bulldog makeover could go into production
23 September 2001
The Bulldog makeover Yamaha has shown at the Milan and Paris bike shows could go into production as a new model. And if the firm isn’t prepared to go that far, it’s almost certain that the parts are...
Rossi Blade
23 September 2001
Andy Hacker bought his FireBlade from Carbontek two years ago. The firm had used it as its show bike, but had put everything back to standard except the polished frame and swingarm before selling it...
How much does it cost, and can you build a bike from scratch?
23 September 2001
Building a race bike from scratch Building an MZ race bike is so easy, even I managed it. When a mate told me he was interested in racing, I decided to try building a bike for him out of my spares.
CBR916RR
23 September 2001
Alan Wills’ 1994 FireBlade is loaded with some of the finest aftermarket components and tune-up goodies you’ll find, from the digital SPA rev counter with integrated speedo to the hand-crafted...
Ghezzi gives us Guzzi in another guise
23 September 2001
Ghezzi & Brian’s latest Guzzi-based creation has been put on show in Italy. The Furia combines the proven Guzzi V11 Sport engine with Ghezzi’s own Supertwin 1100 frame – a steel box-section design...
The trike young mums will like
23 September 2001
A scooter with room for the kids could tap into a new market for motorcycling: young mums. Nick Graveley’s final-year project in his transport design course at Coventry University is the...
See our CBR600 screaming on the dyno
23 September 2001
As part of our long term testing of a 2001 CBR600, we’ve had it on the dyno, and filmed the run for you to share. Follow the link, right, to be taken to Jon Urry’s latest long term test report,...
Kawasaki launches ZZ-R1200
23 September 2001
Kawasaki has given its new ZZ-R1200 an official unveiling in Paris, giving us the chance to bring you more details and pictures of the new super-tourer. The 1164cc engine is expected to make around...
Strange but true
23 September 2001
Here’s our latest round-up of motorcycle-related oddities. If you have one worthy of inclusion, e-mail jon.urry@emap.com Germany: Rider Michael Gruber is recovering after a nasty accident on his FireBlade. His penis was ripped clean off by his petrol tank when he hit a tree on his bike but amazingly surgeons have managed to replace it with one made from a muscle in his arm! According to Gruber his...
How to go MZ racing
23 September 2001
How to turn an MZ into a race bike: They’re clunky, low-tech and have been objects of ridicule for years – but turning an old MZ ETZ251 into a race bike is remarkably easy. First, get yourself a...
Robots ready to deal with accidents
23 September 2001
There is a 21st century equivalent for little old ladies with tea and sympathy, it’s a new droid from the University of (where else?) California. They will be stationed alongside major roads and despatched the moment a roadside camera spots anything approaching an accident (your bike nestling in a hedge, for example). While it is not known whether the droid will carry a flask of hot, sweet tea, it...
Your interview with Jeremy McWilliams
23 September 2001
250GP star Jeremy McWilliams was in our VIP Lounge in Talk Bikes on Thursday September 27 answering your questions. To see a full transcript click on the link on the right ” Jeremy McWilliams: in his...
Paris Show opens on Friday
23 September 2001
You can see and read about most of them on motorcyclenews.com, but unless you were at the Milan Show in Italy, the chances are you have yet to see the 2002 R1, FireBlade, ZX-6R, ZX-12 and the rest in...
Name an unsung riding hero
23 September 2001
We already honour the greatest rider of the year with our annual MCN Man of the Year accolade. And we recognise the best in motorcycling products, services and models with a series of other important...
Italian importer restyles Voxan Roadster
23 September 2001
Voxan’s Italian importer has decided to give customers something different with the Ciclope special. The bike combines the stock chassis and 100bhp V-twin engine of the French-made Roadster with...
TM ready to roll with new Supermotard
23 September 2001
Italian manufacturer TM has revealed a new 400cc four-stroke supermoto with a cast single-sided swingarm and a rim-mounted front brake disc. The TM400 Supermotard’s swingarm is similar to that on...
Hailwood’s widow takes legal action against Ducati
23 September 2001
Updated at 5.30pm on Thursday, September 27 Mike Hailwood’s widow Pauline has spoken out after starting legal action against Ducati over the MH900e, or Mike Hailwood Evoluzione. She is upset over the...
Touring on a Deauville, F650 and Tmax
23 September 2001
There’s something strangely satisfying about sitting in a field with just a thin piece of canvas, a few poles, a bike, some beers and a throwaway barbecue for company. Related: Full Honda Deauville...
First test of Kawasaki’s VN1500 Meanstreak
23 September 2001
Kawasaki’s MeanStreak isn’t just an excuse for another exercise in chrome. It’s a performance cruiser and a real blast. On an arrow-straight motorway in the Netherlands with my chin on the tank and...
Extreme Performance Blade
23 September 2001
It’s safe to say MCN road tester and ex-world endurance racer Dave Hill is impressed by Extreme Performance’s 2000 Blade. He blurts: ” This is excellent. Effin’ lovely. It handles, it turns in...
Jeremy McWilliams: in his own words
23 September 2001
Emma: Just to let you know that Craig Kelly, from Chorley is racing your 1996/1997 Honda GP250 (second bike). He has just come second at the Ace of Aintree championship. He’d like to say it’s still pulling well and keep on riding well in the championship! My question is…what do you think of the scrapping of the 250 class. We are all so upset and angry at what the big boys are...
Kit turns R1 into GP look-a-like
23 September 2001
A new bodykit from France gives the R1 the look of Yamaha’s new four-stroke GP racer. Essonne Motos OW-M1 replica bodywork bolts straight on to any R1. There’s a headlight tucked under the nose and a...
Budget MZ racing for beginners
23 September 2001
YES! I’m doing it! I’m actually doing it! Do you recognise those words? They’re what went through your head when you were in the process of losing your virginity. And they’re also going through mine...
Mondial claims first owners will get bikes within a month
23 September 2001
Mondial is claiming the first of its new superbikes will be delivered to owners within a month. The firm used the Milan Show to finalise a dealer and importer network. The finalised bike has revised...