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February

Kawasaki proves that bigger is best

25 February 2002

Kawasaki proves that bigger is best

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...

£14,300 Joey Dunlop reps sell out

25 February 2002

£14,300 Joey Dunlop reps sell out

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...

Your road tax letters to MPs made easy

25 February 2002

Your road tax letters to MPs made easy

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...

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

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...

Long term CBR600

25 February 2002

Long term CBR600

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...

Gilera’s V-twin prototype revealed

25 February 2002

Gilera’s V-twin prototype revealed

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...

2002 bikes added to our reviews section

25 February 2002

2002 bikes added to our reviews section

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...

First test on 636cc Kawasaki ZX-6R

25 February 2002

First test on 636cc Kawasaki ZX-6R

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...

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,...

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...

Bikes excluded from congestion charging

25 February 2002

Bikes excluded from congestion charging

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...

The 10 best secondhand buys and why

25 February 2002

The 10 best secondhand buys and why

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...

Choose from 15,000 used bargains

25 February 2002

Choose from 15,000 used bargains

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...

Harley evening classes

25 February 2002

Harley evening classes

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...

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...

KTM 250 EXC Racing tested

25 February 2002

KTM 250 EXC Racing tested

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...

World first pictures of Triumph cruiser

25 February 2002

World first pictures of Triumph cruiser

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...

Buy yourself a bargain

25 February 2002

Buy yourself a bargain

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...

Own a Castrol Honda racebike for £17000

18 February 2002

Own a Castrol Honda racebike for £17000

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...

Does it hurt less in black and white?

18 February 2002

Does it hurt less in black and white?

When the world was in monochrome, the accidents were no less spectacular.

Yamaha FJR1300: Long term test report

18 February 2002

Yamaha FJR1300: Long term test report

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...

Ready, steady, tumble?

18 February 2002

Ready, steady, tumble?

The start is also the end for some.

Not like that… just like that

18 February 2002

Not like that… just like that

For my next trick I shall make a motorcycle disappear (partially).

Trailies

18 February 2002

Trailies

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...

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: Jog R and Jog RR

18 February 2002

First test: Jog R and Jog RR

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...

Tesi mutates into Vyrus

18 February 2002

Tesi mutates into Vyrus

IF you thought Bimota’s jelly-mould-shaped, hub-centre-steered Tesi was an oddity, take a look at this. It’s called Vyrus. There’s a Forth Bridge-style latticework chassis, an almost complete absence...

Sports Tourers

18 February 2002

Sports Tourers

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

First test of 2002 R1

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...

First test on 2002 R1

18 February 2002

First test on 2002 R1

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...

Sports bikes

18 February 2002

Sports bikes

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...

Better deals on new bikes in comparison with Europe

18 February 2002

Better deals on new bikes in comparison with Europe

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...

Blueprint for the changes

18 February 2002

Blueprint for the changes

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.

Indian relaunches the Chief

18 February 2002

Indian relaunches the Chief

Indian has relaunched its Chief with its own engine replacing the aftermarket unit which has been used since the firm was brought back from the dead in 1998. The 1638cc 45° V-twin air-cooled unit,...

Litre sports bikes

18 February 2002

Litre sports bikes

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...