February
Kawasaki proves that bigger is best
25 February 2002
Chances are, the last time you talked big-bore kits you were 16 years old, munching a saveloy and slurping a can of Shandy Bass outside the chip shop while you wondered if it was worth splashing out...
Organising the protest
25 February 2002
Motorcyclenews.com user Revetts has set-up a micro-community so that people wishing to organise their protest against Meacher and other anti-bike Government policies can share ideas. Follow this link to be taken there: http://communities.msn.com/BikersProtest
Bikes excluded from congestion charging
25 February 2002
Motorcycling has been handed a massive potential boost with the news that bikes are excluded from controversial plans to make motorists pay per mile. With talk of commuter runs along the M6 around...
Gilera’s V-twin prototype revealed
25 February 2002
These are the first pictures of the V-twin prototype Gilera is building as a first step towards a new range of machines. It hosts the first full-size engine the Italian firm, currently best known for...
Long term CBR600
25 February 2002
It’s an old cliché that Hondas are more reliable than Swiss watches. But it’s true. Over the last 12 months I’ve covered more than 20,000 miles – around three times the average annual UK mileage – on...
Suggested text for a letter to your MP
25 February 2002
Here’s some suggested text you might want to include in your letter. You could just copy and paste it into a document to send (e-mail or letter). The Treasury issued a public consultation paper on reforming motorcycle VED last year – and I disagree with many of the points I am worried that this is a thinly-veiled excuse to raise more tax from bikes. The Treasury has proposed a new higher road tax...
KTM 250 EXC Racing tested
25 February 2002
KTM’s new four-stroke 250EXC Racing costs almost £5000. But you can find out if you’re prepared to fork out for it by trying it out in a weekend of off-road fun for just under £300. That’s the deal...
£14,300 Joey Dunlop reps sell out
25 February 2002
The strictly limited run of 25 Joey Dunlop replica SP-1s has now been sold. The only way you now have of getting hold of one is to bid in the MCN auction for the exclusive no26. It has taken less than...
Choose from 15,000 used bargains
25 February 2002
March is the best time to buy a secondhand bike, as 15,000 of them flood into showrooms and get crammed on to the pages of MCN BikeMart. The surge in the number of secondhand bikes is due to the...
2002 bikes added to our reviews section
25 February 2002
The 2002 R1, TDM900, VFR800 VTEC and Hornet 900 have all been added to our BIKE REVIEWS section. Each comes complete with pictures, specs, road tests and links to its own dedicated chat board. Each...
Bikes to ride free in London
25 February 2002
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has announced he’s going ahead with plans to charge drivers £5 a day to use central London roads. But motorcyclists and scooter riders will go free. Faced with forking out £25 a week on top of fuel and other car costs, many drivers could find themselves tempted by the many bargain scooter deals currently on offer. Those commuting from further afield may be lining up...
The 10 best secondhand buys and why
25 February 2002
SUZUKI TL1000R ’98 Price when new: £8649. Price now: £3650-£4050 Slow sales ever since it was launched in 1998 – its TL1000S sibling has already been discontinued – means big discounts are available...
Harley evening classes
25 February 2002
Chesterfield dealer Harleyworld is opening its doors every Wednesday evening in March to help owners get to know their Harleys. Mechanics will explain what needs checking on their bikes after the...
Ducati admits it is building Smart rep
25 February 2002
Ducati has finally admitted it is building a modern-day replica of Paul Smart’s 1972 Imola 200-winning 750SS –three years after MCN told you it was coming. The bike follows on from the successful MH900e Mike Hailwood replica, which has just finished its production run of 2000 units. The bike is expected to be heavily based on the MH900e – sharing a similar tubular steel trellis chassis. However,...
World first pictures of Triumph cruiser
25 February 2002
These exclusive pictures show Triumph’s long-awaited 2.2litre cruiser. If you want to see more of it, make sure you get MCN, out on Wednesday, February, 28. The bike is due to be launched next year...
Your road tax letters to MPs made easy
25 February 2002
You’ve started sending letters to your MPs to follow up your massive response to the public consultation on bike road tax. Our tips, make it easy for anyone to join in. Read on for advice on what to...
First test on 636cc Kawasaki ZX-6R
25 February 2002
We’ve been riding Kawasaki’s new bigger-bore ZX-6R for 2002 and the extra ccs add up to a serious boost for torque and mid-range. Our full report is in MCN, out on Wednesday, February 27, but in the...
Buy yourself a bargain
25 February 2002
You can get yourself a very nice new or nearly-new 599cc ZX-6R for a lot less than the 636’s £6990 asking price. The ZX-6R is listed at £6895, but people are buying them new for £4795, which is a real...
The best ways to buy secondhand
25 February 2002
From a dealer: Know the market. Make sure you know the value of what you’re buying and are familiar with any mechanical problems it’s prone to. Never be afraid to haggle. Name a starting price confidently, making sure it’s lower than the maximum you’re prepared to pay. Privately: Once you’ve found your bike through MCN BikeMart, take your time inspecting it. Look for any tell-tale signs of crash...
Yamaha FJR1300: Long term test report
18 February 2002
Boy that was good! It had only taken a couple of hundred yards of ever-so-slightly damp roads, glistening in the brilliance of a blue winter’s day, to make me realise what I’d been missing. It must...
Not like that… just like that
18 February 2002
For my next trick I shall make a motorcycle disappear (partially).
First test: Jog R and Jog RR
18 February 2002
This machine is a phenomenally important two-wheeler. Not convinced? How about the fact that it replaces one of the biggest-sellers in one of Europe’s biggest markets. Still not that fussed? How about...
Win Butlins bash for four by midnight
18 February 2002
Text your entry to our latest mobile phone competition by midnight on February 19 and you could win a weekend for four at the MCN Butlins Spring Spectacular for just £1. It’s on at Skegness on April 12-15. Not been before? It’s one hell of a party. Runners-up get tickets tot he Scottish Motorcycle Show. This is how you can win (competition is currently only available to Vodafone and BT Cellnet...
First test on 2002 R1
18 February 2002
The secret is out. We’re the first people in the world outside of Yamaha to get the key to the 2002 R1. And that means the speculation over whether it can match the GSX-R1000 is over. That ignition...
Own a Castrol Honda racebike for £17000
18 February 2002
IF you think the chances of getting your arse in the seat of a pukka race bike are about the same as winning the Lottery, think again. This time it really could be you. At £17,037, the CBR600F Sport...
Trailies
18 February 2002
Most popular trailie: BMW R1150GS Don’t expect to get an R1150GS for a bargain-basement price – but do expect one of the most versatile and enjoyable bikes ever. While Japanese bikes may depreciate by...
Sports bikes
18 February 2002
Most popular sports bikes: The CBR600 has been one of Honda’s biggest successes and is now in its 15th year. Few bikes can match its longevity, let alone its sales success. But there’s no secret to...
Does it hurt less in black and white?
18 February 2002
When the world was in monochrome, the accidents were no less spectacular.
Sports Tourers
18 February 2002
Most popular Sports Tourer: Honda VFR800 The VFR800 has been one of Honda’s best-sellers ever since its launch in 1997. That success means there’s no shortage of secondhand bikes about. Dealers reckon...
First test of 2002 R1
18 February 2002
We’ve been among the first in the world to ride Yamaha’s 2002 R1. And while you’ll have to wait for Wednesday’s MCN (out on February 20, 2002) for the full story, here are some of the highlights, from...
Blueprint for the changes
18 February 2002
IF you think the R1 doesn’t really look that different, that’s just the way Yamaha planned it. The firm reckons people like the way the R1 looks and simply want styling that’s a bit more futuristic.
Litre sports bikes
18 February 2002
Honda Fireblade Phone around for insurance before you even decide to buy a FireBlade (the same is true for the R1). You just might get a shock. Most firms insist on two years’ no-claims, as well as...
Honda V4 has the power
18 February 2002
Honda’s 2004 V4 will put bikes like Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 in the shade in pure power terms. Tony Scott, renowned for his tuning work on Honda’s RC30 and 45 V4s says the new superbike will ” easily make...
Better deals on new bikes in comparison with Europe
18 February 2002
WE’RE now getting a better deal on new bikes next to our European neighbours, according to the latest survey of prices. MCN examined the real prices you are likely to pay for 15 different models – and...
Over 1000 sign-up for protest
18 February 2002
Updated at 9am, Tuesday, February 19: Your response to a newly set-up site to gather response for a possible protest proved so great that a wider band width has had to be installed. You’ll find a link...