2005

Hear/rate biker song

Hear/rate biker song

Here’s your chance to play Pop Idol and rate the music of singer/songwriter Anthony Vincent. Vincent, from Ohio, US, calls his style “alternative acoustic”. The track is called I Believe and is about...

Rideouts: Apr 6 on

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 April 6 IN-4 (KTM) tracks and trails. 01270-768562. The Plough, Swinderby, Lincolnshire. 7pm. 01522-881736. THURSDAY April 7 IN-4 (KTM) tracks and trails. 01270-768562. FRIDAY April 8 IN-4 (KTM)...

Bike MoT up 50 per cent

Bike MoT up 50 per cent

The cost of bike MoTs is likely to rise from August this year after complaints from dealers and lobbying from the Retail Motor Industry Federation. The RMI says increasingly complex bikes and new...

Bikes pay new bridge toll

Bikes pay new bridge toll

New proposals could see motorcycles charged £4 to cross the new Thames Gateway Bridge being built between Beckton in East London and Thamesmead south of the river. The new Bridge received planning...

Off Road: Apr 6 on

Each week we publish a list of off road events held in the UK. They include MOTOCROSS, TRIALS, ENDURO, SPEEDWAY AND SUPERMOTO events. These are those for the week starting April 6, 2005. SPEEDWAY WEDNESDAY April 6 Hull, Yorkshire. 01482-784848. Poole, Dorset. 01202-681145. THURSDAY April 7 Ipswich, Suffolk. 01473-623640. Oxford, Oxfordshire. 01865-711346. Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

Track events: Apr 6 on

Each week we publish a list of track events. Those listed below are for the week commencing March 30, 2005. HILLCLIMB SATURDAY April 9 British Hillclimb Championship, Loton Park, Shropshire. 01902-896699. SUNDAY April 10 British Hillclimb Championship, Loton Park, Shropshire. 01902-896699. ROAD RACING SATURDAY April 9 Mid Antrim MCC, Aghadowey, County Londonderry. 028-9062-9016. New Era road...

Bike use booms in UK

Bike use booms in UK

There were 55,000 more bikes on UK roads at the end of 2004 than there were at the end of 2003, according to Department for Transport figures published today (April 4, 2005). The figures represent a...

90,000 at Tokyo Show

90,000 at Tokyo Show

The 32nd Tokyo Motorcycle Show attracted more than 90,000 people at the weekend. The event at Tokyo Big Sight ran from Friday to Sunday (April 1-3) The 90,955 total visitor number was up more than...

In MCN out on April 6

In MCN out on April 6

This week’s MCN features our guide to the 100 hottest used bike buys this Spring. PLUS a free eight-page guide to Sunday’s MotoGP and exclusive insight into James Toseland’s nightmare down...

New MV specials

New  MV specials

MV Agusta has just realeased photos of its two new limited edition specials, the Brutale Gladio and F4 1000 Corse. The bikes have been released to celebrate the opening of MV’s racing development...

MCI sets bike manifesto

MCI sets bike manifesto

The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCI) has launched its ‘Motorcycling Manifesto’ for the post-election govenment. The Manifesto asks the government to act in several key areas including motorcycle...

Bikes-only chunnel train

Bikes-only chunnel train

BMW dealerships are taking bookings for the World of BMW Biker Meeting trip. There are two packages available: a hotel option that costs £400 for a solo rider in a single room or £355 for a solo rider...

C-charge bonus for bikes

C-charge bonus for bikes

London’s Congestion Charge is to rise from £5 to £8 this summer – offering even greater incentive for car drivers to switch to two wheels. The current £5 levy for cars has already seen a boom in bike...

Blair backs BikeSafe

Blair backs BikeSafe

Prime Minister Tony Blair is pledging to take a fresh look at the way nationwide BikeSafe schemes are funded after MCN raised the issue with him at an audience at No. 10 on Thursday (March 31). Find...

Riding Schools: Apr 6 on

Each week we publish a list of RIDING SCHOOLS on in the UK. Those listed here are for the week commencing Apr 6, 2005. WEDNESDAY April 6 RoSPA Motorcycle Rider Evenings, Southampton and DMCC House, Eastleigh, Hampshire. 7.30pm. 023-8060-0176 or bob.pinder. SATURDAY April 9 Bike Safe 2004, North Wales. 0845-090-1234. Motorcycle First Aid Course, London. 020-7258-3456. North Wales Police Rider...

Bikes on TV: Apr 6 on

Each week we publish a list of events happening around the UK, and listings on motorcycling programmes on TV. This is the TV listing for the week beginning Wednesday, April 6. Key To Channels: DHL = Discovery Home & Leisure MM = Men & Motors EXS = Extreme Sports Channel MOT = Motors TV, SS1 (2,3 or X) = Sky Sports 1 (2,3 or Extra) EUR = British Eurosport Wednesday 6 9am MOT Powerbike Tour11.30am...

Knievel goes wild on TV

Knievel goes wild on TV

Evel Knievel’s son Robbie gets his own TV series – Knievel’s Wild Ride – from tomorrow (April 5, 2005). It follows his increasingly wild days as he prepares for a series of life-threatening stunts. ...

Bike Meets: Apr 6 on

Each week we publish a list of BIKE MEETS on in the UK. Those listed here are for the week commencing April 6, 2005. WEDNESDAY April 6 Breidden Tea Room, Welshpool, Powys. 6pm. 01938-570053. Bulls Head, Clotton, Cheshire. 01829-781354. Bulls Head, Thringstone, Leicestershire. 01530-224327. Coach House Inn, Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire. 01455-840330 or www.kirkbymallorycoachhouse.com. Crown Inn,...

Events: Apr 6 on

Each week we publish a list of SHOWS, RALLIES, EXHIBITIONS and AUTOJUMBLES. These are those for the week commencing April 6, 2005. OPEN DAYS WEDNESDAY April 6 Portsmouth Motorcycles with Honda BSB Race Team, Farlington, Portsmouth, Hampshire. 4pm-8pm. 023-9237-2244. RALLIES FRIDAY April 8 Beermonsters MCC, Harefield Hall Hotel, Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire. 01423-529255. SATURDAY April...

Small sportsbike deals

Small sportsbike deals

For many new riders getting on to a sports bike is all they want to do, but jumping straight on to a 600cc or 1000cc machine can often prove quite intimidating. Fortunately there is an answer. Small...

Save on superbike school

Save on superbike school

motorcyclenews.com has joined forces with the California Superbike School to save you £120 in celebration of the school’s 10th anniversary in the UK. At Rockingham on April 12, you can do the school...

Biker Build-Off winner

Biker Build-Off winner

The Discovery Channel’s Biker Build-Off has been won by California builder Matt Hotch. His victory was announced at Las Vegas’s Hard Rock Café on Friday with ZZ Top providing the entertainment. ...

BikeSafe event a hit

BikeSafe event a hit

The national BikeSafe event was a massive success at the weekend with thousands of people turning out at Cheltenham racecourse to take advantage of the free assessment rides. The event was organised...

Get BikeSafe for free

Get BikeSafe for free

The annual national BikeSafe event takes place this weekend, April 2-3 at Cheltenham Racecourse, and entry is totally free. The even is organised by Gloucestershire Constabulary with sponsorship from...

Up for it on an R1200RT

Up for it on an R1200RT

They told him it couldn’t be done. Most would say it shouldn’t be done. And that’s exactly the kind of challenge MCN road tester Adam ‘Chad’ Child looks for. Chad tackled Cadwell and its famous...

Shows: Mar 30 on

Each week we publish a list of SHOWS, RALLIES, EXHIBITIONS and AUTOJUMBLES. These are those for the week commencing March 30, 2005. SHOWS SATURDAY April 2 National BikeSafe Motorcycle Show 2005 with Michael Rutter and Karl Harris, Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. www.bikesafe.co.uk. SUNDAY April 3 National BikeSafe Motorcycle Show 2005 with Michael Rutter and Karl Harris,...

UK dash for NABD cash

UK dash for NABD cash

Members of the Thames Vale Vultures are making a Reading-Lands End-John O’Groats charity dash from May 29 to June 1 to raise cash for the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD). ...

Exclusive: Ducati RR pics

Exclusive: Ducati RR pics

Want to see the most exciting production Ducati ever built? The road-going Ducati V4 Desmosedici GP replica, with 200bhp? Exclusive pictures of the actual bike undergoing testing, with full details,...

North Yorks clampdown

North Yorks clampdown

Here’s how Assistant Chief Constable Collins describes the campaign in 2005: “I will spell out our position – We welcome motorcyclists to North Yorkshire. We enjoy the colour and spirit of fellowship...

Bikes on TV: Mar 30 on

Each week we publish a list of events happening around the UK, and listings on motorcycling programmes on TV. This is the TV listing for the week beginning Wednesday, March 23. Key To Channels: DHL = Discovery Home & Leisure MM = Men & Motors EXS = Extreme Sports Channel MOT = Motors TV, SS1 (2,3 or X) = Sky Sports 1 (2,3 or Extra) EUR = British Eurosport Wednesday 30 Noon MM Pitstop Bikes (rpt...

2005 MCN test fleet

2005 MCN test fleet

MCN’s long term test bike fleet launched this week with an amazing selection of bikes lining up to be put through their paces this year. There will be 19 bikes on test with everything from a Suzuki...

Bargain price for Bullets

Bargain price for Bullets

A price rethink from Royal Enfield means that you can now buy a brand new Bullet 350 for less than two grand. The classic bike, which is practically unchanged from the 1950s machine has had its price...

Off Road: Mar 30 on

Each week we publish a list of off road events held in the UK. They include MOTOCROSS, TRIALS, ENDURO, SPEEDWAY AND SUPERMOTO events. These are those for the week starting March 30, 2005. SPEEDWAY WEDNESDAY March 30 Belle Vue, Greater Manchester. 0161-223-7720. Hull, Yorkshire. 01482-784848. King’s Lynn, Norfolk. 01553-771111. Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. 09066-555992 60p/min. Poole, Dorset.

Brands BSB atmosphere

Brands BSB atmosphere

There was frantic action on the track at the opening round of the 2005 Bennetts British Superbike championship at Brands Hatch on March 26-28, but the entertainment wasn’t limited to the racing. The...

New MCN - out Mar 30

New MCN - out Mar 30

MCN has ridden and rated 159 new bikes to bring you a 32-page glossy magazine FREE and exclusive with the March 30 issue of the world’s biggest-selling motorcycle weekly. You’ll never have the...

Riding Schools: Mar 30 on

Each week we publish a list of RIDING SCHOOLS on in the UK. Those listed here are for the week commencing March 30, 2005. SATURDAY April 2 National Bikesafe Weekend, Gloucestershire. www.bikesafe.co.uk. SUNDAY April 3 National Bikesafe Weekend, Gloucestershire. www.bikesafe.co.uk. First Bike on Scene course, Preston, Lancashire. 01772-773141. WEDNESDAY April 6 RoSPA Motorcycle Rider Evenings,...