Longtermers, naked 600s, and 0-100-0mph test

This week’s MCN introduces our fleet of 17 long term test bikes for 2003, with the first reports on the Suzuki GSX-R1000 and BMWK1200GT.

Plus, we get five very different testers to ride five of the leading naked 600cc bikes, and there’s full results of the MCN Challenge from 0-100mph and back.

The full list of the long term fleet is:

Honda CBR600RR, Aprilia RSV-R, Kawasaki ZX-6R, CCM R30, Harley-Davidson V-Rod, KTM 525SX, Kawasaki Z1000, Yamaha Fazer 1000, BMW R1100S, Suzuki DR-Z400S, KTM 250EXC, Honda Varadero, Suzuki SV1000S, Yamaha R6, Aprilia Tuono, Suzuki GSX-R1000 and BMW K1200GT.

Find out what each tester plans to do with their bikes throughout the year, and read the first long term reports in MCN, May 7.

We test the best of the naked 600s. With the youngest and oldest rider separated by 18 years, there’s a range of experience and opinions to help you find the best bike of the bunch. The bikes tested are the Honda Hornet, Suzuki SV650, Triumph Speed Four, Yamaha Fazer 600 and Ducati Monster.

And there is also the MCN Challenge. 10 bikes and one car do their best to get from 0-100mph and back to a stop. Some of the bikes chosen are more obvious supersports machines, but the list also includes a cruiser, a tourer, and almost included a scooter, but the Yamaha T-Max narrowly failed to make it to a datalogged 100mph. All these bikes were put up against the Radical Motorsport Sr3 tuned Hayabusa-engined car; Aprilia RS250, Aprilia RSV-SP, BMW K1200GT, Duati 999S, Harley-Davidson V-Rod, Kawasaki ZX-6R, Kawasaki ZX-12R, Suzuki GSX-R1000, Yamaha R6, Yamaha R1.

Plus:

Crescent Suzuki’s Rizla BSB GSX-R1000 replica; street-legal Hodgson replica 999 expected; a motocross/sports hybrid which has attracted the attention of Yamaha; Honda Rune goes into production; South Gloucestershire encourages bike safety; Peugeot convert Gameboys into diagnostic computers; save thousands on buying a bike with the Insider section; be an expert on the Suzuki GSX750F; Andy Ibbott’s riding tips; Kevin Ash let’s rip on European bike manufacturers; Laser’s dual track and road exhaust; 2003 Spidi kit; new KBC lid; Win a HM Plant Ducati jacket worth £84.99; 13 boots over £140 tested by Ron Haslam race school instructors; Ducati Monster S4R first test; MBK X-Power 50 tested; Yamaha Road Star Warrior tested; What’s On; ride Donington in front of a BSB-sized crowd; Oulton Park British Superbikes; Supersport and all the support races, profiles of the BSB privateers; MCN’s campaign to save WCM; KTM’s V4 superbike for 2004; Michael Scott; KR5 tests delayed; WSB news; be a HM Plant Ducati brolly babe; Honda unveil XR250 Motard; off-road kit tested and be an expert on Yamaha XT350.

All this is in MCN, May 7.