December

Year: 2004

Month: December

Highlights of 2004

29 December 2004

It’s time to look back on a sensational year on motorcyclenews.com. We’re focusing on the highlights of a stunning 12 months – from new bikes to new world champions. We relaunched this year – added...

Best videos of 04

29 December 2004

As the year draws to a close we thought we’d bring you some of the best video clips we’ve featured on the site over the year. Click the links below to see our top ten choices of the year and prepare...

Gatso use must change

29 December 2004

The way speed cameras are used in Britain should change. That’s the message supporters of Share Ideas Day – the RAC Foundation and Euro Car Parts – are sending to Transport Minister David Jamieson. ...

Grid lock? Not for bikes!

29 December 2004

There’s never been a better time to take to two wheels, according to a report from the RAC Foundation issued today (December 30, 2004). The organisation is warning of the growing threat of grid-lock...

Race Meets: Dec 22 on

22 December 2004

Each week we publish a list of ROAD RACING, DRAG RACING and MINIMOTO events on in the UK. The following are those for the week commencing December 22, 2004. ROAD RACING SUNDAY December 26 Plum Pudding, Mallory Park, Leicestershire. 01920-444205. MINIMOTO WEDNESDAY December 22 Mini moto arrive and ride, GP Karting, Northampton, Northamptonshire. 01604-591591. SUNDAY December 26 Minimoto arrive and...

Video: First MGS-01

22 December 2004

The first Moto Guzzi MGS-01 to arrive in the UK came straight to MCN on December 22 and drew an instant crowd of admirers as it was pulled out of the crate. You can share in the moment by downloading...

Santa money goes up

22 December 2004

The total amount of money raised by the biking Santa world record attempt at Rockingham is continuing to rise, with one rider collecting a massive £1700. Sean Ramsell, a site traffic manager for...

New MCN - out Dec 30

22 December 2004

The latest issue of MCN reaches newsagents on December 30, and if you don’t get a copy, you’ll miss: Suzuki’s mad B-King concept finally gest the go-ahead We put Louise Brady through the real biker...

Motogiro D'Italia 2005

22 December 2004

The 2005 running of the Italian historic bike race, the Motogiro D’Italia, will take place from May 24-28 in central Italy, on the roads of Emilia Romagna, Umbria, Tuscany and Marche. The competition...

Site updates this Xmas

22 December 2004

About to stop work for Christmas? Make sure you keep checking this site from home because we’ll be updating and adding new content every day – even on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Among the new...

Shows: Dec 15 on

15 December 2004

Each week we publish a list of SHOWS, RALLIES, EXHIBITIONS and AUCTIONS. These are those for the week commencing December 15, 2004 EXHIBITIONS WEDNESDAY December 15 Sammy Miller Museum, Bashley Manor, New Milton, Hampshire. 10am-4.30pm, open every day. Adults 4.50, children 2 01425-620777 or 01425-616446. WEDNESDAY December 22 Sammy Miller Museum, Bashley Manor, New Milton, Hampshire. 10am-4.30pm,...

Off Road: Dec 22 on

15 December 2004

Each week we publish a list of off road events held in the UK. They include MOTOCROSS, TRIALS and SUPERMOTO events. These are those for the week starting December 22 on, 2004. MOTOCROSS SUNDAY December 26 Northampton MCC Wild and Woolley, Arm Farm, Busworth, Northamptonshire. 01604-880031. TUESDAY December 28 Weymouth Speedway, Weymouth Speedway, Dorset. 01305-769358. TRIALS SUNDAY December...

BSA tops expectations

15 December 2004

Winter hasn’t dulled the enthusiasm of classic bike buyers, with a 1960 BSA Gold Star DBD34 selling for £10,750 at H&H Classic Auctions sale last week. The BSA in question has some history, having...

The biking kitten

15 December 2004

Time for a bit of light entertainment this Christmas? We’d like to thank Steve Townshend for reminding us about this video. The biking kitten – we reckon – is a must see – at least it is in post...

Ride outs: Dec 22 on

15 December 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 22 IN-4 (KTM) tracks and trails. 01270-768562. The Plough, Swinderby, Lincolnshire. 7pm. 01522-881736. THURSDAY December 23 IN-4 (KTM) tracks and trails. 01270-768562. Rochdale Road Runners...

On the road again

15 December 2004

The CBR600F is back on the road at last after finally getting a new chain and sprockets fitted. The Renthal set that I fitted back in May had really suffered hard after doing around15,000 miles but...

Forum users' Xmas meet

15 December 2004

MCN Have Your Say forum users gathered for a Christmas drink in Cambridgeshire on Tuesday lunchtime (Dec 21). Starting at the MCN offices in Peterborough, the party moved on to a village pub for a...

GP for Moto-Roma

15 December 2004

Moto-Roma has topped off its scooter range with the launch of the new 125cc Grand Prix. The four-stroke scooter is aimed at the budget commuter market with a price tag of just under £1400. And UK import, Barrus, asked the Italian firm to supply all of the GP 125s coming to the UK with heated grips making it ideal for the winter ride to work. The scooter will also come with a free 12-month...

Delays for K1200S?

15 December 2004

Deliveries of the new BMW K1200S have been delayed until March 2005 due to camshaft problems. If you’ve got one of the German superbikes on order, we’d like to hear from you. Please email...

New MCN - out Dec 22

15 December 2004

Miss this and you’ll miss out on the Christmas gift you owe yourself, including… World first test of the new 600s of 2005 – head-to-head for the first time. Get the full expert verdict on the ZX-6R v...

Bike Meets: Dec 22 on

15 December 2004

Each week we publish a list of BIKE MEETS on in the UK. Those listed here are for the week commencing December 22, 2004. WEDNESDAY December 22 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...

Cameras are not the way

15 December 2004

Top cop Richard Brunstrom has admitted that he has had his ‘fingers burnt’ by placing too high an emphasis on speed cameras. In a speech to the Institute of Advanced Motorists annual lunch,...

Have you got a ZZ-R?

15 December 2004

Do you own a Kawasaki ZZ-R1100 or ZZ-R1200, or have you ever owned one? If you have, and you loved it, we’d love to hear from you. MCN is preparing a tribute to the bike that was the fastest thing on...

Shows: Dec 22 on

15 December 2004

Each week we publish a list of SHOWS, RALLIES, EXHIBITIONS and AUCTIONS. These are those for the week commencing December 22, 2004. WEDNESDAY December 22 Sammy Miller Museum, Bashley Manor, New Milton, Hampshire. 10am-4.30pm, open every day. Adults 4.50, children 2 01425-620777 or 01425-616446. WEDNESDAY December 29 Sammy Miller Museum, Bashley Manor, New Milton, Hampshire. 10am-4.30pm, open every...

Full dress Enfield arrives

15 December 2004

Royal Enfield has launched a full dress version of the Bullet Sixty-5 model to showcase accessories available for their most popular model. The bolt-ons can also be bought separately and consist of...

North Yorks gets safer?

15 December 2004

North Yorkshire council and police are claiming success for their combined campaign to cut the numbers of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured in the county. The figures released show fatalities...

Cool Christmas cards

15 December 2004

Here are some Christmas cards that you won’t have seen in the shops this year. These are a collection of the cards that we’ve received from various manufacturers and some of them are pretty good.

Bike fine wins award

15 December 2004

An award has been given to Lambeth Council for the most outrageous parking ticket of 2004. Despite close competition, the council received its award for putting a parking fine on a councillor’s...

Best bike votes pour in

15 December 2004

THIS VOTE IS NOW CLOSED. RESULTS IN MCN – FEBRUARY 6, 2005 Our vote for your favourite bikes of all time is proving a huge success with close to 7000 votes already cast and more flooding in all the time. Make sure you have your say too. MCN celebrates its 50th year next year and to help us do it we are compiling a list of your top 100 bikes of all time. CLICK HERE to vote now. Early front...

Off Road: Dec 15 on

15 December 2004

Each week we publish a list of off road events held in the UK. They include MOTOCROSS, TRIALS and SUPERMOTO events. These are those for the week starting December 15 on, 2004. MOTOCROSS SUNDAY December 19 Torbay MXC, Exeter, Devon. 01626-835466. TUESDAY December 21 Weymouth Speedway, Weymouth Speedway, Dorset. 01305-769358. TRIALS SATURDAY December 18 Stourbridge TC, Shatterford, Worcestershire.

RVF is better than ever

15 December 2004

Now that I’ve finally stopped holding a grudge against our Used Bikes Editor for sending my RVF400RR (on loan from DK Motorcycles) into a gravel trap at Rockingham, I can finally admit that it might...

Santas raise £20k

15 December 2004

An attempt to break the world record for the largest amount of Santas on bikes raised over £20,000 for charity at the weekend. Gitte Monahan, Secretary of the Antics charity asked MCN to pass on “a...

Bike Meets: Dec 15 on

15 December 2004

Each week we publish a list of BIKE MEETS on in the UK. Those listed here are for the week commencing December 8, 2004. WEDNESDAY December 15 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...

Rideouts: Dec 15 on

15 December 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 15 IN-4 (KTM) tracks and trails. 01270-768562. The Plough, Swinderby, Lincolnshire. 7pm. 01522-881736. THURSDAY December 16 IN-4 (KTM) tracks and trails. 01270-768562. Rochdale Road Runners...

MotoCzysz on track

15 December 2004

The American superbike uncovered in MCN this week has been out on track. Nick Ienatsch is the first journalist to ride the bike and you can watch the video online. The American built bike has been...

Best buy 400s

15 December 2004

Whether you’ve just passed your test or your looking for a cheap fun bike, 400cc machines make an excellent choice. You can get just as big a variety of bikes as you can in the larger capacities but...