January

Second-hand off roaders, tested by Chris Walker

07 January 2002

As Chris Walker heads for the dirt ramp flat-out, the tiny Yamaha whose neck he’s wringing starts to sound like a distressed tumble-dryer at full chat. A tumble-dryer that’s about to launch itself...

The 2002 Fireblade, tested on the road

07 January 2002

THEY say time flies when you’re having fun. In that case, we must really have been enjoying the Honda FireBlade because it doesn’t seem possible that the bike, through various guises, is 10 years...

New name and new bosses for M&P

07 January 2002

What’s left of ailing chain M&P has been rescued by members of its management team. A new company, M&P Direct, has taken over the mail order operation and the chain’s branches in Coventry, Oxford and Swansea. The firm went into administration in October and nine branches were closed in the following two months. Two former M&P employees – Martyn Lewis and Stan Hartill will be joined by Martin...

So how does it compare with the GSX-R1000?

07 January 2002

SUZUKI’S GSX-R1000 is the MCN Machine of the Year. We chose it as the best sports bike in our 14-bike shootout at Assen last year, and it has had endless awards and praise. But not everybody wants one...

Making dark visors legal is now up to you

07 January 2002

Act now if you want dark visors made legal. The latest report we brought you just before Christmas could be banging the final nails home. Your rapid response could be all that is between us and the...

MCN called on to do what the U.S. army has failed to

07 January 2002

We’ve been set a bit of a challenge by the Daily Mail: Identify the bike Taliban leader Mullah Mohamed Omah has twice used to escape the clutches of U.S special forces. Well, since the combined forces...

If you want the Hayabusa-powered B-King, vote now!

07 January 2002

Suzuki is listening intently to reaction to its 250bhp supercharged B-King prototype and if what it hears is positive the brutal but stylish streetfighter could be going into production. You can make...

No surprise which bike’s in front

07 January 2002

So the bike in front’s a Ducati then? Well it is the 2001 BSB season.

New BMW spied in Spain

07 January 2002

BMW is testing a new bike in Spain which appears to be a cross between the firm’s R1200C cruiser and the K1200LT tourer. Witnesses say that despite the look, it shares almost no components with either...

Top 20 selling bikes of 2001

07 January 2002

The official list of the best-selling bikes in Britain for 2001 has just been released by the Motor Cycle Industry Association. And here it is: 1 Honda CBR600F, 3877. 2 Kawasaki ZX-6R, 2458. 3 Suzuki...

The new Blade is all about total control. Here’s the video to prove it

07 January 2002

Honda’s philosophy when it designed the new Blade was that it should put the rider in total control. When that rider is MCN regular Kevin Smith that was going to be given a thorough test. Rear wheel...

Bits and pieces

07 January 2002

Bikes that have been raced can prove bargain buys… for obvious reasons

Has sir had a crash?

07 January 2002

Need a new bike sir? Perhaps some kit? Our branches are open Sundays…

Make’em giggle

07 January 2002

What has Colin Edwards got to make the girls laugh?

What makes one make cost more to insure than another?

07 January 2002

If you’re looking to keep the cost of your insurance down it seems some makes find more favour with insurers than others, according to the experience of close to 1200 users of this site. The figures...

Wednesday’s Ally Pally ticket winners revealed

07 January 2002

We’re giving away tickets to the MCN-backed Alexandra Palace and Road Racing Show this week. Another 10 will go today (look out for today’s competition arriving on the site soon) We gave away 10...

Nick Sanders: in his own words

07 January 2002

Lee: I’m planning a trip to Australia myself. Do you get insurance and where from? NickSanders: At the borders, I don’t always have insurance, as it’s not always easy to get, but by and large I think it’s important so I get it at the borders. Gsxer400: What is the best bike? NickSanders: Funnily enough, I’m not the right person to answer that seeing as I’m going around the world on an R1! Bikes...

Bikes with best build quality revealed by your vote

07 January 2002

That bike drawing your eye in the showroom may shine like a new penny, but how long will it keep its looks? Our huge survey of close to 1200 owners reveals the truth as you’ve discovered it. Yesterday...

Survey reveals best bike engines the way you see it

07 January 2002

Close to 1200 people have rated their bikes in Owners’ Reports for this site. Now we’ve drawn together their findings to reveal which bike manufacturers get rated the highest and lowest in a whole...

Watch the video itself

07 January 2002

Follow the links, right, to select either a Quicktime (MOV) or Real Player (RM) video download. Adam Morrissey presents Kevin Smith giving the new Blade a tough time on quiet roads in France.

Back to basics

07 January 2002

Colin starts with the basics. ” This is my elbow ” … he goes on to prove he does know the difference between this and his ” butt ” .

New Blade ridden on the roads with Suzuki’s GSX-R1000

07 January 2002

Honda has put a bit of the angry original back into its updated, bigger bore yet more compact FireBlade. And we’ve taken it to the sunny south of France to see how it deals with life on the road and...

Free Ally Pally tickets to be won every day this week

07 January 2002

We’re giving away five pairs of tickets to the Alexandra Palace and Road Racing Show every day. 10 free tickets went on Tuesday lunchtime, and another 10 will go on Wednesday and Thursday… and we’re...

Most riders are too fat to ride their bikes properly

07 January 2002

Round-the-world rider Nick Sanders entertained our VIP Lounge on Thursday with tales from his travels and some pretty strong opinions. He revealed how an elephant once dumped on an Enfield he was...

Not quick enough?

07 January 2002

Some of the UK’s top young racers started their careers riding CB500s. In 1997 and 1998 the unlikely racebikes competed in their own one make championships at high-profile meetings around the UK. Honda supported three series, the Honda CB500 Cup, the Newcomers Cup and a Ladies Cup. All bikes were standard except for the removal of lights, a Micron carbon-fibre silencer, Bridgestone BT90 tyres and...

Did you buy a new bike in 2001?

07 January 2002

We’re looking for owners who bought one of the most popular five bikes in the UK in 2001 for a special feature in MCN. We’re awaiting official confirmation, but there will be much munching of hats...

DR350 stolen Saturday night

07 January 2002

Stephen Webb’s Suzuki DR350 SEW was stolen from outside his flat in Belvedere, Kent between 8pm Saturday January 5 and 10am Sunday January 6. Its registration number is T374 RMV. If you can help him track it, e-mail him on this address: s.r.webb@btinternet.com