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2005

Two-wheeled tow trucks

11 February 2005

Two-wheeled tow trucks

We’ve all heard of cars towing bikes but you’d think that a bike would be hard pushed to reverse the roles. Well Swedish firm Coming Through could see the benefits and have developed the idea to help...

Shows: Feb 16 on

11 February 2005

Each week we publish a list of SHOWS, RALLIES, EXHIBITIONS and AUTOJUMBLES. These are those for the week commencing February 16, 2005. SHOWS FRIDAY February 18 Northern Ireland Motorcycle Festival, Odyssey Complex, Belfast. 02870-351199. SATURDAY February 19 Xtreme Wheels International, Alexandra Palace, London, Greater London. 15 01483-236363 or www.xwishow.com. Northern Ireland Motorcycle...

Honda stars in store

11 February 2005

Honda stars in store

Racers Michael Rutter and Karl Harris will be at the new Hein Gericke store in reading when it officially opens on February 19-20. Rutter and Harris will compete in the 2005 British Superbike...

Track event: Feb 16 on

11 February 2005

Each week we publish a list of track events. Those listed below are for the week commencing February 16, 2005. ROAD RACING SUNDAY February 20 Auto 66 club test day, Elvington Park, nr York, Yorkshire. 01723-500653 or www.auto66.com. TRACK DAYS SATURDAY February 19 Focused Events Track Day, Oulton Park, Cheshire. 85 01903-744011 or www.focusedevents.com. European Superbike School, Snetterton,...

Off Road: Feb 16 on

11 February 2005

Each week we publish a list of off road events held in the UK. They include MOTOCROSS, TRIALS, ENDURO AND SUPERMOTO events. These are those for the week starting February 16, 2005. RIDING SCHOOLS THURSDAY February 17 MCN Honda Off-Road Experience. 01933-674036. FRIDAY February 18 MCN Honda Off-Road Experience. 01933-674036. Motorcycle First Aid Course, St Johns Ambulance, London.

Video verdict: MZ1000SF

11 February 2005

Video verdict: MZ1000SF

MCN’s Matt Wildee was in Malaga, Spain earlier this week a world first ride on MZ’s new 1000SF. You can read his full report and see great action pictures in MCN out on February 23. We’ll be adding...

Peugeot cuts prices

04 February 2005

Peugeot cuts prices

Peugeot has cut the prices of some of Britain’s biggest selling scooters. The 50cc Speedfight is now under £1600 while the 100cc Vivacity is under £1500. Peugeot is also now offering a 2-year...

05 Harley sells for £400K

04 February 2005

05 Harley sells for £400K

When is a 2005 Harley Road King worth £398,000? When it’s auctioned by US TV presenter Jay Leno and signed by the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Moore, Dennis Leary, Dustin Hoffman, Donald...

Bonus for bike buyers

04 February 2005

Bonus for bike buyers

Dealers could soon be forced to reveal the full history of bikes they sell – without waiting to be asked… The rules at the moment state that a dealer must tell you a bike’s history ONLY if you ask...

More Gatsos loom

04 February 2005

More Gatsos loom

Thousands more speed cameras could soon be casting their unthinking eyes over UK roads after a Government decision to review the rules covering where they are placed. Under pressure from chief police...

Shows: Feb 9 on

04 February 2005

Each week we publish a list of SHOWS, RALLIES, EXHIBITIONS and AUTOJUMBLES. These are those for the week commencing February 9, 2005. AUTOJUMBLES Sunday February 13 Kidlington Jumble, Exeter Hall, Kidlington, Oxfordshire. 0208-252-6831 or www.woodclass.com. EXHIBITIONS Wednesday February 9 Sammy Miller Museum, Bashley Manor, New Milton, Hampshire. 10am-4.30pm, open every day. Adults £4.50,...

Kawasaki join dealer list

04 February 2005

Kawasaki join dealer list

We’ve added Kawasaki to our searchable list of dealers, so you can find your local bike shop quickly and easily. Six manufacturers are now stored in our Dealer Locator section, or you can choose to...

Courier bosses charged

04 February 2005

Two bike courier firm bosses have been arrested for ordering staff to ignore speed limits. The arrests, in Kobe, Japan, constitute a first under the nation’s new offence of telling another to break a speed limit. Masakazu Tatsumi, of the Otohai delivery service, and Yusuke Shinohara, 37, the owner of Commuter System, are both pleading guilty. Their offences relate to telling staff they must...

First test: MZ 1000SF

04 February 2005

First test: MZ 1000SF

The fuel injection is still snatchy (though better than on the S) and can be confused with a big handful at low revs. Vibration can prove intrusive and tiring and the generator cover can cook your...

Track events: Feb 9 on

04 February 2005

Each week we publish a list track events. Those listed below are for the week commencing February 9, 2005. TRACK DAYS Friday February 11 Speedfreak Launch Day, Donington Park, Leicestershire. £75 01625-859969. Saturday February 12 Focused Events Track Day, Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire. £79 01903-744011. Monday February 14 Focused Events Track Day, Silverstone, Northamptonshire. £90 01903-744011 or...

Win trip to Aprilia launch

04 February 2005

Win trip to Aprilia launch

An official club for Aprilia owners has been launched with the offer of an all-expenses-paid trip to the world launch of the new Aprilia Pegaso Strada for one lucky member. The club says it is just...

Video: Malaguti Drakon

04 February 2005

Video: Malaguti Drakon

We’ve been testing funky new Malaguti Drakon that takes the naked bike trend to 16-year-olds everywhere. MCN road tester Adam Child reckons this little geared 50 is very cool. The braced swingarm,...

Ebay sued over bike con

04 February 2005

Ebay sued over bike con

An American rider is suing Ebay after the the bike he says he bought in an auction never turned up. Al Whidden, of Collegedale, Tennessee, claims he agreed to pay $4500 to an Italian source for a...

Beach race on Motors TV

04 February 2005

Beach race on Motors TV

Satellite TV channel Motors TV has secured the rights at the last minute to show the mad Le Touquet beach race on Sunday. The race takes place just over the channel in France and sees 1000 riders...

Bikes on TV: Feb 9 on

04 February 2005

Bikes on TV: Feb 9 on Each week we publish a list of biking TV shows so you don’t miss out. Those listed here are for the week commencing January 5, 2005. 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 16 2am MOT 2004 French Supermoto 3am MOT World...

Bike Meets: Feb 9 on

04 February 2005

Bike Meets: Feb 9 on Each week we publish a list of BIKE MEETS on in the UK. Those listed here are for the week commencing February 2, 2005. Wednesday February 9 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...

05 Barrus range on test

04 February 2005

05 Barrus range on test

Motorcyclenews.com has been testing a new range of bikes imported by Barrus, including the Italian Malaguti Spider Max, Phantom Max and Drakon, Reiju’s RS2 Matrix and SMX 125, and the Moto Roma Urban...

Hornet shows its value

04 February 2005

Hornet shows its value

You’ll be amazed by how much bike you get for £2000. Three months and 4000 miles with my 1999 Hornet 600 and I reckon it’s the best money I’ve ever spent. It’s great for track days and weekend...

Stars help Triumph grow

04 February 2005

Star buyers are helping Triumph boom. The firm’s commercial director Tue Mantoni told the Daily Telegraph that turnover is up 44% and reckons the unofficial endorsement of celebrity buyers is a key factor in growth. Prince William has been seen on a Daytona 600, Michael Schumacher has chosen a Speed Triple and Tom Cruise has bought a Rocket III.

2200 join Tsunami ride

04 February 2005

2200 join Tsunami ride

More than 2000 bikes converged on the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on Sunday at the culmination of the Motorcycle Aid Snowball for the victims of the Asian Tsunami. Organisers say 2200...

50 Greatest bikes: 50-41

04 February 2005

50 Greatest bikes: 50-41

We asked you to name your favourite bike of all time and you responded in your tens of thousands – choosing everything from pre-war Brits to cutting edge racers. Each week in MCN we’ll be counting...

'A Bike is Born' for sale

04 February 2005

'A Bike is Born' for sale

The trike built in the Discovery Home and Leisure channel series ‘A Bike Is Born’ is up for sale. “It’s a reluctant sale as I take stock ready for my next series and sadly there’s only so much space...

Honda makes a million

04 February 2005

Honda makes a million

Honda Philippines is celebrating making its one millionth motorcycle – 200,000 of the total were made in the last year. Now the firm, which started in 1973 – is relocating to a new plant to build...

Rideouts: Feb 9 on

04 February 2005

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 RIDING SCHOOLS Wednesday February 9 MCN Honda Off-Road Experience, Caister. 01933-674036. Thursday February 10 MCN Honda Off-Road Experience, Caister. 01933-674036. Friday February 11 MCN Honda Off-Road...

Video: Fat lad freestyle

04 February 2005

Video: Fat lad freestyle

Big-boned MCN reporter Tony Hoare went to Norfolk on Feb 8 to try to learn how to perform a back-flip on a mini-bike with the Bolddog Lings freestyle stunt team. Watch the video clips (below) to see...

BikeSafe at the races...

04 February 2005

BikeSafe at the races...

The national BikeSafe show will be held at Cheltenham Racecourse on April 2-3 this Spring with Michael Rutter and Karl Harris in attendance. Organised by Gloucestershire Police and sponsored by...

Long Way Round II?

04 February 2005

Long Way Round II?

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman are looking at reliving their epic round-the-world bike trip with a new journey travelling the length of Africa. So far the pair have no definite plans, but say they...

Deals on chart toppers

04 February 2005

Deals on chart toppers

Honda’s CBR125R was Britain’s biggest selling bike in January. The success of the sporty learner-legal bike has got to be good news for motorcycling. But if you can’t muster the price of buying one...

Walker's tips on £3 DVD

04 February 2005

Walker's tips on £3 DVD

A bargain-priced DVD to get you thinking about riding skills and experience will be launched next week and you can see preview clips here. Starring Chris Walker, James Toseland and Suzi Perry, ‘A...

New MCN - out Feb 9

04 February 2005

New MCN - out Feb 9

A new issue of MCN hits the shelves on Wednesday Feb 9, 2005, complete with our first test shoot-out between the new Bandit 650 and Yamaha’s big-value Fazer. PLUS: Five new American bikes New 999 Race...

London Show highlights

04 February 2005

London Show highlights

The 2005 MCN London Show has finally ended after a week of babes, bargains, new bikes and big-name stars. Whether you attended the show or couldn’t make it, you can see all the exciting action with...