2004

Year: 2004

Month: ALL

In case you missed it...

01 December 2004

Due to a printers’ mistake, some of the December 1 editions of MCN contained the wrong pages 54 and 55 (the MCN LIve! section containing the MCN Sofa Tour, We Ride Your Rideout and I Need Answers).

Bonkers bike-balancing

01 December 2004

Strongman John Evans has balanced a 115kg Honda CBR125RR on his head to raise money for the BBC Children in Need appeal and claim a new World Record. Evans already holds more than 30 world records...

BMF boss Leon Mannings is now Dr Mannings – with a PhD in Transport Policy. Dr Mannings thought that if he wanted to be taken seriously by Government, his new qualification would prove that he knew...

Join a Christmas toy run

24 November 2004

Spread a little joy this Christmas by taking part in a charity or toy run. If you’re anywhere close to Shropshire the Elliot Bissell Charity Christmas Motorcycle Run gives you a great excuse to get...

New MCN - out Dec 1

24 November 2004

Start your December off in style with Wednesday’s all-new MCN. Miss it and you’ll miss out on: 10 great new sections World first test of the 05 CBR600RR First pictures of the 05 Honda Hornet Two new...

Speed limits could fall

24 November 2004

If Government plans to change the way speed limits are assessed get the go ahead, maximum speed limits could be reduced across the country leaving more and more riders at rise from prosecution for...

Spot distracted drivers

24 November 2004

One in ten drivers have ended up in a car accident due to focusing too intently on the behaviour of bad drivers, according to Privilege Insurance. A survey by the firm showed 44 per cent of drivers...

Dirt rider kicks off

24 November 2004

The Dirt Rider Expo kicked off yesterday with even more manufacturers and even more stars attracting riders to the Stoneleigh Park show, near Coventry. There is enough to keep anyone happy for hours...

Rideouts: Nov 24 on

24 November 2004

Each week we publish a list of RIDEOUTS being held across the UK. If you’d like to organise one, or check for the latest ones being arranged, take at a look at our Rideouts forum. Click here WEDNESDAY November 24 IN-4 (KTM) tracks and trails. 01270-768562. The Plough, Swinderby, Lincolnshire. 7pm. 01522-881736. THURSDAY November 25 IN-4 (KTM) tracks and trails. 01270-768562. Rochdale Road Runners...

Rallies: Dec 1 on

24 November 2004

Each week we publish a list of SHOWS, RALLIES, EXHIBITIONS and AUCTIONS. These are those for the week commencing December 1, 2004 RALLIES FRIDAY December 3 Druids MCC Ice Ale Rally, Lincolnshire. 01476-592026. SATURDAY December 4 Druids MCC Ice Ale Rally, Lincolnshire. 01476-592026. SUNDAY December 5 Druids MCC Ice Ale Rally, Lincolnshire. 01476-592026. EXHIBITIONS WEDNESDAY December 1 Sammy...

Pro-bike prize for London

24 November 2004

The success of a major campaign to make the capital’s roads safer for riders has been recognised with the Prince Michael Road Safety Award. The award has gone to the Transport for London organisation...

Dirt Rider Expo begins

24 November 2004

The Dirt Rider Expo begins today with some exciting new launches taking place. The show runs from November 25-28 at Stoneleigh Park. Honda has given a UK debut to the new CRF450X, described as the...

Let off for speeders

24 November 2004

Anti-speed zealout Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom has approved thousands of letters to riders and drivers telling them a police error means they may get their speeding convictions removed. Some...

Rideouts: Dec 1 on

24 November 2004

Each week we publish a list of RIDEOUTS being held across the UK. If you’d like to organise one, or check for the latest ones being arranged, take at a look at our Rideouts forum. Click here WEDNESDAY December 1 IN-4 (KTM) tracks and trails. 01270-768562. The Plough, Swinderby, Lincolnshire. 7pm. 01522-881736. THURSDAY December 2 IN-4 (KTM) tracks and trails. 01270-768562. Rochdale Road Runners...

New stolen bike scam

24 November 2004

MCN has unearthed a stolen bike scam that is foxing officials and leaving people riding illegally registered stolen bikes. Thieves have realised that VOSA, the agency responsible for checking all...

Cops target your plate

24 November 2004

Police are launching a new clampdown focusing on riders’ numberplates. The Devon and Cornwall force reckon it’s a good way of saving our lives – because if we tamper with our numberplates we must be...

Bike Meets: Nov 24 on

24 November 2004

Each week we publish a list of BIKE MEETS on in the UK. Those listed here are for the week commencing November 24, 2004. WEDNESDAY November 24 Breidden Tea Room, Welshpool, Powys. 6pm. 01938-570053. Bulls Head, Clotton, Cheshire. 01829-781354. Bulls Head, Trinkingstone, Leicestershire. 01530-224327. Coach House Inn, Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire. 01455-840330 or...

Bike boom in U.S.

24 November 2004

Bike sales in the United States this year are set to top one million units for the first time in 20 years. Year-to-date sales are up 4.4 per cent, and look set to top the 2003 total of 996,000 units, with more bikes sold in the last four years than in the preceding decade. American manufacturer Harley-Davidson has consistently outperformed itself each year, with other firms also boosted by the...

New BMWs break cover

24 November 2004

These are the first official pictures of the new BMW R1200RT and R1200ST, which the German firm plans to launch early next year. Both bikes are based on the Boxer engine from the R1200GS and are...

Bike Museum is back

24 November 2004

The National Motorcycle Musem re-opens for busines on December 1, 2004, just 15 months after a devastating fire. We’ll be there to join the celebration and bring you first pictures from the event. ...

£3000 bargain bikes

24 November 2004

It’s amazing the variety of bike you can find in our BIKES FOR SALE section; with just £3000 getting you everything from a full on R1 to a cracking commuter scoot. If you’ve got a little bit of spare...

Have Your Say evolves

24 November 2004

Our Have Your Say forums have evolved. You’ve always been able to use them to share what you think or ask for advice from the world’s biggest online motorcycle community. But now we’ve...

Trackdays: Dec 1 on

24 November 2004

Each week we publish a list TRACKDAYS, RIDING SCHOOLS and MINI MOTO. Those listed below are for the week commencing November 24, 2004. TRACK DAYS SUNDAY December 5 Focused Events Track Day, Brands Hatch Indy, Kent. 65 01903-744011 or www.focusedevents.com. RIDING SCHOOLS WEDNESDAY December 1 Windy Corner Off-Road Experience, Barwell, Leicestershire. 01455-842922 or www.windycorner.co.uk. WEDNESDAY...

Off Road: Nov 24 on

17 November 2004

Each week we publish a list of off road events held in the UK. They include SPEEDWAY, MOTOCROSS, SUPERCROSS, TRIALS and SUPERMOTO events. These are those for the week starting November 24 on, 2004. MOTOCROSS WEDNESDAY November 24 Hampshire MXC, Salisbury, Wiltshire. 01962-735083. SUNDAY November 28 Glenrothes Youth MXC, Leuchars, Fife. 01333-340391. Hull and DMCC, York, Yorkshire.

Save big on winter deals

17 November 2004

Received wisdom has it that winter is a bad time to buy a bike. The clever buyer knows it’s actually ideal. Dealers are more ready to listen to hard-nosed hagglers in what becomes a buyers market. ...

Rideouts: Nov 17 on

17 November 2004

Each week we publish a list of RIDEOUTS being held across the UK. If you’d like to organise one, or check for the latest ones being arranged, take at a look at our Rideouts forum. Click here WEDNESDAY November 17 IN-4 (KTM) tracks and trails. 01270-768562. The Plough, Swinderby, Lincolnshire. 7pm. 01522-881736. THURSDAY November 18 IN-4 (KTM) tracks and trails. 01270-768562. Rochdale Road Runners...

Vespa as work of art

17 November 2004

Fancy getting your hands on a one off Vespa with a paint scheme by one the of the UK’s top artists? Then get down to the Art Vespa Auction next Tuesday for a choice of five. The paint schemes might...

Track Days: Nov 24 on

17 November 2004

Each week we publish a list TRACKDAYS, RIDING SCHOOLS and MINI MOTO. Those listed below are for the week commencing November 24, 2004. TRACK DAYS SATURDAY November 27 European Superbike School, Cartagena. 0870-241-5159 or www.europeansuperbikeschool.com. SUNDAY November 28 Lydd International Raceway, Lydd, Kent. 10am-4pm. 55 01797-321895. European Superbike School, Cartagena. 0870-241-5159 or...

MCN awards raise £18K

17 November 2004

The MCN Awards held on November 5 helped raise £18,500 for the Riders For Health charity. A glittering array of sports personalities, celebrities, and industry figures were in attendance for the...

Calling GSX-R1000 riders

17 November 2004

We’re looking for GSX-R1000 owners to take part in a big feature on the bike. We’re particularly interested in hearing from you if you’ve owned both a K1 or K2 model and a K3 or K4 model – and have...

Shows: Nov 24 0n

17 November 2004

Each week we publish a list of SHOWS, RALLIES, EXHIBITIONS and AUTOJUMBLES. These are those for the week commencing November 24, 2004 SHOWS THURSDAY November 25 Dirt Rider Expo, Stoneleigh, Coventry, West Midlands. 0870-730-0961 or www.dirtriderexpo.co.uk. FRIDAY November 26 Dirt Rider Expo, Stoneleigh, Coventry, West Midlands. 0870-730-0961 or www.dirtriderexpo.co.uk. Motorcycle & Superbike Show,...

Flying bike could take off

17 November 2004

What do you do when you’re stuck in the queue to leave Brands world superbikes? Easy! Flick a switch and turn your bike into a helicopter… That’s the radical “personal transport” solution from Dutch...

Toseland's Tuesday gig

17 November 2004

WSB champion James Toseland and his band Crash are performing at the Victoria Pub in Coalville, Leics, on Tuesday night, November 23. The event raises money for MCN’s favourite charity, Riders for...

Bike Meets: Nov 17 on

17 November 2004

Each week we publish a list of BIKE MEETS on in the UK. Those listed here are for the week commencing November 17, 2004. WEDNESDAY November 17 Breidden Tea Room, Welshpool, Powys. 6pm. 01938-570053. Bulls Head, Clotton, Cheshire. 01829-781354. Bulls Head, Trinkingstone, Leicestershire. 01530-224327. Coach House Inn, Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire. 01455-840330 or...

MPs get bike message

17 November 2004

Charity Riders for Health will launch a campaign at the House of Commons this week to highlight the life-saving contribution of reliable motorcycles in aid efforts in Africa. The charity believes the...

Speed cameras in dock

17 November 2004

Speed cameras days could be numbered if the European Court of Human Rights rules in favour of British campaigners. The court has agreed to hear eight cases from UK drivers who say they should be...