March
Harley in Europe’s sights
25 March 2002
Harley fans may have to pay more for new bikes because the European Union is targeting the firm as part of a trade war with the U.S. EU bosses have included Harleys on a hit list of American products...
Bigger, best value MCN from April 3
25 March 2002
MCN gets 20% more packed pages from our April 3 issue plus a new improved formula. You’ll still get everything you’ve come to expect from MCN – the hottest news, tests, features and sports reports –...
Can they fix it? No
25 March 2002
Mechanics are missing faults when they carry out services on our bikes, according to an undercover survey carried out by MCN sister magazine RiDE. They picked a range of seven dealers from around the...
Piaggio set to be bigger than Suzuki
25 March 2002
Europe’s biggest bike firm has just signed a deal which will see it snapping at Suzuki’s heels to become the third largest manufacturer in the world. Scooter giant Piaggio – already owner of Gilera,...
Smart replica by 2004
25 March 2002
Ducati’s retro-styled Paul Smart replica won’t go on sale until 2004 – even though it was designed four years ago. Chief designer Pierre Terblanche created the bike, which has never been seen in...
Norwich Union puts ZX-6R in higher group
25 March 2002
Kawasaki’s new 636cc ZX-6R has been bumped up one insurance group by Britain’s biggest bike insurer, Norwich Union. The move brings the Kawasaki into line with the likes of Yamaha’s R6 in Group 15,...
EU to limit bike emissions
25 March 2002
Bikes will be subject to stricter emissions controls from 2003 after the European Commission ratified proposals for lower limits on carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. For 4-stroke engines, the 2003...
April 3 is coming…
25 March 2002
MCN is counting down to a major relaunch on April 3. That issue will come complete with 20 per cent more of what you want, and every issue after it will come with more pages, offering even better value than ever before. We’ll be adding new elements, reacting to the things you tell us you want, and coming up with plenty of surprises. But rest assured, we won’t forget the things you know and...
World’s first test: ZZ-R1200
25 March 2002
We’ve been riding in France to test the new ZZ-R1200 for the first time. The full test will be published in MCN, out on Wednesday. But here are our first impressions: i. Even the updated engine has a...
The brands of Piaggio
25 March 2002
You probably think of Piaggio purely for its scooters, but no other manufacturer in the world has as many bike-building off-shoots. The deal with MV Agusta means the company, run by Stefano Rosselli...
Voxan deal falls through
25 March 2002
It looks like we won’t be able to buy Voxan V-twins next year as expected. A deal to save the French firm from bankruptcy collapsed when the first instalment of the buyout cash failed to arrive.
Rate your kit, and ours
25 March 2002
MCN’s Marc Potter rides thousands of miles each year testing the latest bikes to the limit. He needs the right kit. Find out what he chooses and how he rates it in the April 10 issue of MCN. And if...
Join the Southend Shakedown
25 March 2002
We’re used to roads to the seaside getting clogged up every Bank Holiday. But it won’t be caravans holding up the traffic on the way to Southend this weekend – instead it’ll be a massive procession of...
Go to Le Mans with Carnell
25 March 2002
If you fancy a trip to Le Mans, you can now go on Carnell’s works trip. The dealer chain is opening up its annual party to anyone. For £220 you get ferry tickets, accommodation, a support van and race...
Six days to a giant leap in motorcycling
25 March 2002
We’re more interested than ever before in what you have to say about your life in motorcycling because it’s right at the heart of what we’re doing with the re-launched MCN, in the shops on April...
New dealer joins our online bike stores
25 March 2002
Chiswick Honda is offering to match the price of any UK supplied Honda when you buy online through motorcyclenews.com. They are also offering, nationwide delivery, parts and accessories, finance, two...
Strange but true motorcycling tales
25 March 2002
More strange biking stories from around the world. England: The crack motorcycle escort which usually accompanies the Queen had a rather less important job last week – flanking a limo carrying the...
2002 R1, Blade, GSX-R1000 and ZX-9R in video action
25 March 2002
You’ve read how they compare, in MCN, now see for yourself as we ride them round the challenging Ledenon track in France. Our video clips allow you to see how they perform on the limits and how they...
Dark visor consultation opens
25 March 2002
As promised, the Government has opened up the question of dark visors to public consultation. They say they will take account of all views; so make your voice heard. 10,000 people had their say when...
Protest update
18 March 2002
Update (April 9) Coleman has asked MCN to pass on his request for protest stewards. He told MCN: ” Things are going realy well, the flow of registrations is still good and I’m confident we can...
Video: Stunning pictures of Triumph fire
18 March 2002
CLICK on the link on the right to see the stunning film of the fire that devastated Triumph’s Hinckley plant. Supplied by Leicestershire Fire Brigade the film details the brigade’s efforts to save the factory. At one point 120 firefighters from both Leicestershire and Warwickshire brigades were tackling the blaze, which took over five hours to bring under control. The film is a Real Media file,...
Kawasaki ZRX1200: Long term report
18 March 2002
THEY say you can’t put a price on love. I can. It’s £2201. That’s how much my insurance company wanted from me to keep my ZRX1200 on the road with comprehensive cover for the next 12 months. Even...
Triumph factory blaze: Video added
18 March 2002
Fire tore through Triumph’s Hinckley factory on Friday leaving Britain’s biggest bike firm in a state of disarray. For more on this, complete with dramatic pictures, see MCN, out on Wednesday, March 20. To see the video, shot by fire crews, click on the link on the right. Firefighters were called to the scene when the fire at 8.41pm on Friday night. When the blaze was at its peak, at around...
Always warm your tyres
18 March 2002
If you look at the shareholders of tyre companies worldwide, don’t be surprised to see the name AC Farias on the list.
Children of the revolution
18 March 2002
You’ve got a Blade, they’ve got youth. You might have the ability to unlock a front wheel skid at 80. You corner confidently in the wet and you’re probably blasé about 100bhp. No car has passed you in...
Wirral egg run attracts 4500 bikes
18 March 2002
The Wirral easter egg run was held on Sunday and Robcbr400rr took these pictures to share the day with you. If you take snaps at an Easter Egg run you attend, send them as a jpeg to...
Join in an Egg Run
18 March 2002
If you are organising an Egg Run (or know someone who is) send in the details and we’ll add them to our Egg Run round-up. See the link, right, for the latest additions, and ones you can join in. If...
100 of your new reviews added
18 March 2002
WE’VE just added 100 more of your reviews to our product reviews section. Not only will this help you make a more informed choice about your next purchase of kit, but it’s this sort of invaluable user...
New BMW R1150GS Adventure tested
18 March 2002
OFF-ROADING on a BMW R1150GS isn’t for the faint-hearted. But the factory have made the prospect of go-anywhere riding slightly more realistic with its new Adventure version of its hugely popular big trailie. So what’s different? For a start, the suspension at both ends has 20mm more travel, which is great for floating over boulders – though shorties and vertigo sufferers might be intimidated by...
Send us your product reviews
18 March 2002
What kit have you got? Does it work? And if not, why not? Tell us how much you paid, where it was from and whether you think it was worth it. We want your reviews of all your riding equipment from the cheapest lid to the priciest boots. We’re trying to build the most comprehensive database of information, so we can help you make informed choices when it comes to spending your money. To submit your...