Rossi’s new V5 and Foggy rides again

MCN has all the news from the pre-season MotoGP tests at Sepang in Malaysia.

We’ve got all the technical details of Rossi’s 2003 RCV, including the new slipper clutch, engine braking, and even details of the ignition settings. MCN’s Matthew Birt also talked to Rossi about Honda, his rivals and the terrorists threats against him. All this at a test at which Rossi went two seconds under record pace.

Plus we also speak to Troy Bayliss and Loris Capirossi, with top secret technical pictures of the Ducati V4. Add Max Biaggi’s first full test on the Honda RCV, and a round-up of how the other MotoGP riders are fairing, and you’ll be up to speed with MotoGP.

There’s the 14-page Ally Pally special. We’ve got the hottest bikes and babes from the show, including the £21,000 Casoli 999. Powerhouse motorcycles show us their £16,000 Yamaha R1 which puts out 160bhp at the back wheel to prove it’s got performance to match it’s looks. Powerhouse also have a nitrous oxide KTM LC4, which gets a 20bhp when the revs hit 5000rpm. Power has almost doubled from 49bhp, to 80bhp, and we tell you how they did it.

KTM also have some very limited edition specials of their own, with only 25 of the factory-built Supermoto specials coming to the UK. If you want one, you’ll need to find out about it as quick as you can, and MCN is the place to do it. It’s near identical to the machine Thierry van den Bosch won his World and European titles with, and we have all the details.

We also have a chat with Jamie Whitham about his retirement, and find out how he plans to cope without the adrenalin rush of racing. We take a look at his career as Hodgson, Mackenzie and Fogarty pay tribute to the popular racer.

You can see what Kawasaki’s limited-edition supersport ZX-6RR looks like under the fairing. Only 150 are expected in the UK, and the only other way to see it like this is to get a job in a pit garage, or at the Ally Pally show.

All the best aftermarket accessories from the show are lined up for your pleasure, including the trickest Honda accessories you can buy they’re made by Honda Race Products.

Plus all the latest news from around the world, including the possibility of a superbike powered Ducati cruiser. The long term report focuses on the Honda Fireblade, which has been abused for 10,500 miles, three services, four sets of tyres and thirteen track days.

We reveal the secrets to wheelies, in six easy steps. Whether you think it’s a cool thing to do, or you’re totally against one-wheeled antics, you’ll at least know how it’s done. You can also read why MCN Road Test Editor Keith Farr is all for wheelies, and Production Editor David Cushman is dead against them. Tell us who you agree with by posting a message on the News board by following the link on the right.

This week you can become an expert on the Yamaha YZF1000 Thunderace, one of the best ways to combine performance and practicality.

We put the new Ducati 999 and 749S up against the legendary 998 and 748S. And to make sure the judgement is spot on, we rope in British Superbike star Michael Rutter to give his verdict.

What’s On includes the Po Boys at the Ace Café, which will be the annual party for the Sauce model agency annual party. Just the thing if you fancy being surrounded by the gorgeous MCN babes, and listening to drumming performed by one Mr Jamie Whitham.

The Off Road section includes the brand new Husaberg FS450, and a guide to getting a sorted off road bike for £1900. In four pages we show you how to turn a write off into a great bike.

Finally, you can become an expert on the Yamaha WR400, a popular and excellent competition bike.

All this and more is jam-packed into Motor Cycle News, out now.

Comment on this story by posting a message on the motorcyclenews.com News board by clicking on the link on the right.