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April

May 4 protest details

15 April 2002

May 4 protest details

Details of the May 4 protest rides have been released, complete with meeting points and times for people travelling from across Britain. Up to 4000 bikers are expected to join the ride, which is...

Cop a load of this…

15 April 2002

U.S. bike cop Wilson Contreras from Santiago, Chile, was shot when he disturbed two bank robbers. Amazingly the bullet hit his metal cop badge and deflected harmlessly away leaving Contreras with bruising. His life saving badge is now on display at Santiago police headquarters.

Got a ZX-7R? Want to star in MCN?

15 April 2002

Got a ZX-7R? Want to star in MCN?

Attention ZX-7R owners. Have you tweaked your bike, fitted aftermarket parts, had it tuned, or generally spent piles trying to perfect it? If you can answer yes to any of the above and have a quality...

Last chance to book for TT

15 April 2002

Last chance to book for TT

This year’s TT has broken a record – six weeks before it even begins! Organisers say that every race is over-subscribed and only the most determined fans will now find anywhere to stay on the Isle of...

Your reaction to bike tax cut

15 April 2002

Your reaction to bike tax cut

UPDATED APRIL 18: Gordon Brown has cut the cost of bike road tax in the budget. Fuel duty has also been frozen the next 12 months. There is a new scale for VED (road tax), and the idea is that the ”...

Rideout diary…

08 April 2002

Know of MCN Spring Spectacular ride-out to Butlins Skegness? E-mail the details to dave.batchelor@emap.com with Butlins Rideout in the subject line and we’ll add them below. Friday April 12: We are Burton upon Trent Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) and there are about 16 of us riding over to Skegness on Friday morning, we are meeting at Castle Donnington services on the M1 at 11.00am and riding...

Spectacular day tickets available

08 April 2002

You don’t get much for £7.50 these days. Maybe a round for three mates, a seat at a Vauxhall Conference footy game or Steve Berry’s latest video in the supermarket bargain bin. But MCN is bucking the trend, by offering day tickets for just £7.50 to one of the best days out in Britain – our legendary Spring Spectacular. This weekend’s Butlins bash is among the most popular parties of the year, and...

What would you consign to Room 101?

08 April 2002

What would you consign to Room 101?

Room 101, the imaginary dumping ground for the objects of our deepest fear, hatred and loathing, is coming to MCN. We want to hear what you would consign to it. Perhaps it’s politicians, perhaps it’s...

Long live the revolution!

08 April 2002

Long live the revolution!

The new issue of MCN is out now. It celebrates the new era of GP racing with an eight-page Suzuka special, plus an unmissable guide to this year’s essential new bikes, FREE, in this week’s MCN, out on...

Aprilia reveals plans for GP road bike

08 April 2002

Aprilia reveals plans for GP road bike

Joining the likes of Honda, Ducati and Suzuki, Aprilia has confirmed there will be a road bike based on its all-new GP machine. But Aprilia insiders say the road version of the high-tech 220bhp...

The war on speed gets nasty

08 April 2002

The war on speed gets nasty

A special team of scientists has been told by the Government to think the unthinkable in a bid to make British roads safer and less congested. For the full story on the war on speeding get the new...

Carmichael wins World Stunt Riding Championship

08 April 2002

Carmichael wins World Stunt Riding Championship

Kevin Carmichael outrode the Starboyz on their home turf yesterday, Sunday April 7, to take the World Stunt Riding Championship in Tulsa, USA. The Scot, 2001 European Stunt Champion, was also...

Bike sales are warming up

08 April 2002

Bike sales are warming up

BRITAIN’S bike dealers are reporting booming sales as the weather prompts potential buyers into the showrooms. The UK’s biggest bike chain Carnell/City reported sales figures of 1500 over the weekend...

Munich debut for new Ducati superbike

08 April 2002

Few bikes have been subject to as much rumour and speculation as Ducati’s 998 replacement – it could all end at the Munich bike show this September. For the full story on Ducati’s new superbike check out the new MCN, out April 10. Although Ducati is keen to keep the 998 in production as its mainstay road bike, for several years it has been working on another machine to replace it as the front-line...

Piaggio tests 750cc…scooter

08 April 2002

Piaggio tests 750cc…scooter

Piaggio is testing a superbike-sized 750cc V-twin scooter which it hopes to launch later this year. Disguised as an X9 500 at this stage, the new bike runs a smaller version of the four-valve...

Spanish flavour bikes bound for Britain

08 April 2002

Spanish flavour bikes bound for Britain

The Spanish firm behind the sexy Kart 125 race bike shown below will bring us a 450cc four-stroke single-cylinder enduro bike for early next year. Sherco is better know for its trials bikes and 50cc...

Supersize Blackbird on 2004’s menu

08 April 2002

Supersize Blackbird on 2004’s menu

Honda’s Super Blackbird will get a major overhaul for 2004 with a bigger capacity engine, possibly boosted further by the addition of the firm’s patented VTEC system. For the full story, and a free...

Butlins rideout details

08 April 2002

If you are organising a rideout, or know someone who is, for MCN’s Spring Spectacular (starting Friday, April 12) send in the details and we’ll add them to our Spectacular round-up. See the link, right, for the latest additions, and ones you can join in. If you’d like yours added to the list, simply e-mail the relevant facts (start time, meeting place, who is organising it and their daytime...

Leaner, meaner CBR600 unleashed in 2003

08 April 2002

Leaner, meaner CBR600 unleashed in 2003

HONDA will unleash an all-new CBR600 next year. In the new MCN, out on Wednesday April 10, we’ll reveal the details on how Honda will use this much more advanced basic bike to grab World Supersport in...

Biking news from around the world

08 April 2002

Biking news from around the world

The new MV Agusta F5 will make 183bhp when it is unveiled at the Munich Show in September. MCN revealed in February how the F5 will be the most powerful production bike in the world, seeing off the...

Test your biking knowledge

08 April 2002

Reckon you’re smarter than the average bear? Here’s your opportunity to show the world just how clever you are. Click on the link to our news boards on the right and test your biking general knowledge skills. And if you’ve got a question you want answered, or you can think of a really tricky one you reckon would stump even the specciest biking anorak, just e-mail it to: marc.potter@emap.com

Ducati’s destiny revealed by V4

08 April 2002

Ducati’s destiny revealed by V4

These are the world first pictures of the stunning new Ducati V4 GP bike. This is the bike that could change the face of Ducati for ever. MCN has managed to get hold of two exclusive pictures of the...

Ex-officers on The Edge

08 April 2002

Ex-officers on The Edge

The Edge training programme is on the look out for any retired police officers who have ridden bikes as part of their job and would be able to assess riders. There are shortfalls in Scotland,...

Cops clampdown on stunts

08 April 2002

Cops clampdown on stunts

Police will issue Antisocial Behaviour Orders on riders who repeatedly pull stunts, ride with illegal plates and cans or ride dangerously. You can catch the full story on the clampdown in the new MCN,...

MCN’s Spring Spectacular at Butlins

08 April 2002

MCN’s Spring Spectacular at Butlins

It’s that time of year again – pack the missus (maybe), a change of pants (if you’re feeling lucky), and a packet of extra-strength aspirin (better make that two). The MCN Spring Spectacular at...

New Michelin tyres tested

08 April 2002

New Michelin tyres tested

Michelin has launched a new sports touring tyre to replace its Macadam 100X. For the full story on the new Michelin Pilot Road tryes, don’t miss the new MCN, out April 10. The Pilot Road lines up with...

MZ sports-tourer this autumn

08 April 2002

MZ sports-tourer this autumn

MZ’S sports-tourer will go on sale in the UK by the end of this year. The factory says the long-awaited 1000S, first revealed in September 2000, should be released just after the Munich Show this...

Want a Drysdale? Prepare for a long wait

08 April 2002

Want a Drysdale? Prepare for a long wait

THE new 140bhp V8 Drysdale has finally hit the streets. But anyone prepeared to meet the £25,000 asking price will have to wait up to six months before they see their bike. For the full story, and a...

Harley rival folds

01 April 2002

Harley rival folds

Failed U.S. manufacturer Excelsior Henderson has given up all hope of a recovery as creditors have sold off the contents of its factory. When Excelsior started selling bikes in early 1999, it had big...

Ride a CCM home for £246

01 April 2002

Ride a CCM home for £246

THE first of the new Suzuki-powered CCMs hits the shops this Friday – and you could ride away on one for £246, including insurance. CCM is marking the occasion with a combined finance and insurance...

Ducati unveils V4 GP bike

01 April 2002

Ducati has released its first pictures of the V4 GP bike which could change the face of the Italian firm for ever. Ducati worked closely with us to allow MCN exclusive access to the pictures and key personnel well in advance of its general release on Monday afternoon. That means our next issue, out on Wednesday, April 3, is able to bring you unmatchable pictures and exclusive coverage of how the...

Security at your fingertips

01 April 2002

Security at your fingertips

Kawasaki is pioneering a new fingerprint-based ignition system factory sources have told MCN. The system can function on anything from bikes and cars to windows and televisions. A physical ignition...

Bimota rescue bid fails

01 April 2002

Bimota rescue bid fails

A buyout of ailing superbike firm Bimota has fallen through, leaving rescue plans in tatters. In December last year, the firm – which was being auctioned off by Italian courts after falling into...

Chainstore deals, individual service

01 April 2002

Chainstore deals, individual service

Wide choice and the kind of great deals we demand from a bike superstore, is one thing. Combining that with the sort of service and knowledgeable staff you expect from your local friendly bike shop is...

Rider’s blind faith at 150mph

01 April 2002

Rider’s blind faith at 150mph

Reckon you could ride this at 150mph? In a blindfold? With earplugs in? Graham Hicks is both blind and deaf, but he’ll be aiming to pilot this Super Blackbird-based device to a new world record this...

Italians unite to drive down costs

01 April 2002

Italians unite to drive down costs

Italian manufacturers are teaming up to prevent being undercut by their Japanese competitors. Piaggio and Aprilia have already agreed to a trade alliance to secure cheaper parts and Ducati is being...