2008

Video: Custom Ducati goes into production

Custom motorcycle designer Jens vom Brauck has decided to put his Moto Scrambler Ducati special into production. Vom Brauck was crowned winner of the Design Your Dream Ducati competition in 2004 and we have already ridden the special that the new bike is based on. Watch the video to above to see the Scrambler in action and the video on the right to see one of his other Ducati Monster...

MCN Daily 07/05/08: Your daily video motorcycle news

In episode 100 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show we celebrate our centinary by looking back to our first ever MCN Daily show way back in 1958.  Subscribe to this podcast with RSS  Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in just three minutes then email us here to let us know what you think of the new show.

Bernie Ecclestone warns Michael Schumacher to be careful riding motorcycles

Bernie Ecclestone warns Michael Schumacher to be careful riding motorcycles

The boss of Formula 1 Bernie Ecclestone says he can’t understand Michael Schumacher’s new-found obsession with motorcycle racing, telling the general press that he worries Schumacher might injure...

BBC refuses to hand over speed camera video

BBC refuses to hand over speed camera video

The BBC has refused to hand over a video showing cars braking heavily and crashing as they approach a speed camera. The video was shown on BBC Breakfast news and briefly on the BBC News website bit...

Redspeed Cameras with No Home Office Approvals

I think that your readers would like to know that the new Redspeed average speed cameras on the A13 in East London will not be able to prosecute any one as they do not have home office type approval and are months if not years away from getting it. This also applies to the ones at the Blackwall tunnel. The other Redspeed digital cameras on 3 lane carriageways also do not have type approval as do...

SHARP helmet tests remain a work in progress

SHARP helmet tests remain a work in progress

The first round of results from the Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Program (SHARP) helmet test scheme are on-track to be published during the spring, a spokesman for the Department for Transport...

Government data on motorcycle tax evasion "could have been made up"

Government data on motorcycle tax evasion "could have been made up"

Government data suggesting nearly 40% of motorcycles are untaxed could have been made up, an MP has said. Department for Transport admit tax evasion figures were wrong The suggestion came as senior...

Police admit new “workman’s van” speed camera broke rules

Police admit new “workman’s van” speed camera broke rules

Police have admitted they should have told DVLA they had painted a white speed camera van plain blue.  Derbyshire Police own up over sneaky police camera Derbyshire Police previously claimed the...

BMF calls for Boris Johnson to open up bus lanes to motorcycles

BMF calls for Boris Johnson to open up bus lanes to motorcycles

The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) has added its voice to calls from motorcycling organisations for London’s new Mayor, Boris Johnson, to deliver on his pre-election promise to allow...

Automatic Motorcycle Detection Systems for Derbyshire

It Looks like the ever persecuted motorcyclist is to be trageted again on some of our favourite routes in Derbyshire. I came accross the tender below for “automatic motocycle detection system” to be linked to anpr etc. Big brother is about to get a little more sophisticated. Pity they cannot spend this ammount of energy or funding catching criminals!   1. Title: AUTOMATIC MOTORCYCLE DETECTION...

Top day at Ron Haslam Race School

On April 30 I did something I had been meaning to do for ages – I went on the Honda Ron Haslam Race School and took the premier cource on the Honda CBR600RR. It was amazing. I learnt loads about riding a motorcycle on track. The whole session, staff and everything was just spot on. Big thanks to Gary Dickinson my instrutor for the day. Donington is great to ride around and the Honda CBR600RR’s...

Motorcycle groups welcome new London Mayor Boris Johnson

Motorcycle groups welcome new London Mayor Boris Johnson

Motorcycle groups today welcomed Boris Johnson as new London Mayor – and called on him to keep his promise to let motorcyclists use bus lanes. Johnson swept to victory with 1,168,738 first and second...

Crushing Blow

A Kilmarnock Court has ordered Steven Bryen to stand trial. After seeing his Kawasaki ZZ-R1100 being crushed by his ex-wife on the internet, he emailed her to ask her to get in touch, threatening to post compromising pictures of her on the internet.

Aerosmith co-owns Motorcycle manufacturers

Did you know that Aerosmiths Frontman Steven Tyler has got together with a guy called Mark Dirico and AC custom motorcyles to start his own small m/cycle manufacturers called Red Wing M/cycles and are opening a shop in Tokyo, Japan.

Advance Warning For Bank Holiday Weekend

According to the BBC Website the Surrey Police are going to be having a crackdown on small plates & speeding etc this weekend at Newlands Corner, Guildford & Box Hill. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/surrey/7380166.stm Hope this is of some use. Gizmo.

MCN Daily 02/05/08: Your daily video motorcycle news

In episode 98 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show James Toseland is not too worried about finishing 13th in Shanghai, Jorge Lorenzo is a doubt for this weekend’s Chinese MotoGP and Harley are to put the XR1200 into full production.  Subscribe to this podcast with RSS  Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in just three minutes then email us here to let...

Video: Nick Sanders second report from his Parallel Worlds tour

Nick Sanders has sent back his second video installment from his Parallel Worlds tour in which he swaps his motorbike for a balloon. Watch the video below as he takes to the skies with a bike magazine reader across stunning Syria and then meets the locals in Turkey. Check back regularly to see how Nick is getting on as he crosses from country to country on his final cirumnavigation of the...

Police say motorcyclists are using roads as a personal racetrack

Police say motorcyclists are using roads as a personal racetrack

A motorcyclist from Penicuik, Scotland caught speeding at 120mph has prompted concern at Lothian and Borders Police, which says some motorcyclists are using quiet roads in the Borders region as...

Ear pieces are illegal in Spain and France

Thought you would like to know about a little problem I had while riding my Triumph Tiger up through Spain. I was making my way from Moratalla, Murcia to Lourds in France. All was well until I got close to the Spain/France border when a Guarda Civil came along side me and told me to pull over. I pulled over trying to think what i had done wrong. Two Guarda officers got out of the car and came over...

Looking for a Shooting Star

Looking for a Shooting Star

I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW THE WHEREABOUTS OF A BIKE I OWNED IN THE SIXTIES. I HAVE E-MAILED THE DVLA AND IT IS STILL REGISTRED IT IS A SHOOTING STAR 500CC TWIN REG NO 37 THK, SEE THE PICTURE, THANKS,...

Petition: Delay the super test centres

My names Alex and I am a motorcycle instructor living and working in Cornwall. First off I understand that the DSA will be introducing this new test and has to because our Government has said it will. The problem is and I’m sure you are aware that these new centres are taking time to be completed. Even when all 66 sites are completed there will be large areas of our country which aren’t covered.

Full production of Harley’s XR1200 is underway

Full production of Harley’s XR1200 is underway

Production of Harley Davidson’s XR1200 kicked off at the firm’s manufacturing facility in Missouri yesterday. The model is one of the most significant motorcycles produced by the manufacturer because...

Suzuki V-Strom latest motorcycle to get Micron exhausts

Suzuki V-Strom latest motorcycle to get Micron exhausts

Aftermarket exhaust manufacturer Micron has expanded the number of motorcycles that can use its end cans, by unveiling a pair of silencers designed for Suzuki’s DL1000 V-Strom. Micron’s Delta cans are...

MCN Daily 01/05/08: Your daily video motorcycle news

In episode 97 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show a sneaky blue speed camera van is still registered as white, the number of motorcycle offences dealt with by police or traffic wardens fell in 2006 and Nicky Hayden admits his speed fear.  Subscribe to this podcast with RSS  Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in just three minutes then email us here to...

Motorcycle offences fell in 2006

Motorcycle offences fell in 2006

The number of motoring offences dealt with by the police or traffic wardens involving motorcycles fell from 6000 in 2005, to 5400 in 2006, official statistics released today show. Figures in the...

Video showing “speed cameras cause crashes” vanishes from BBC website

Video showing “speed cameras cause crashes” vanishes from BBC website

A video showing cars losing control and crashing as they approach a speed camera has mysteriously vanished from the BBC’s news website. The video, provided by Norfolk Safety Camera Partnership,...

Video: Bennetts Babes

This video from motorcycle insurance firm Bennetts reveals its babe squad for the 2008 motorcycle season. The 12 new babes will be representing Bennetts at all the British Superbike rounds and at the British rounds of World Superbikes. 2008 is the fifth year the competition has been running and this year it was headed by High Street Honey Kayleigh Pearson.

Test case could spell the end of green laning for motorcyclists

Motorcyclist’s rights to ride on green lanes and byways in England could be in jeopardy, after public school Winchester College successfully overturned a court ruling that allowed motorised vehicles to use public paths on Twyford Down in Hampshire. The reversal by the Court of Appeals yesterday is viewed as something of a test case for the rest of England, and was the culmination of a 3-year legal...

Aprilia spares

Further to your item in todays MCN regarding problems with supply of Aprilia spares. I bought a new Pegaso Strada from J&S in Doncaster in December 2007. It was supplied without an Owners manual. I am still waiting for one! No-one seems to be interested.

MCN in Egypt

MCN in Egypt

Me with one of the seven wonders of the world behind me. I brought the eighth with me and I have it in my hand.

Sneaky blue speed camera van still registered as white

Sneaky blue speed camera van still registered as white

Speed camera authorities claim the legal requirement to notify DVLA of vehicle colour changes does not apply to a sneaky new plain blue camera van. Derbyshire Police own up over sneaky camera...

Video: Nick Sanders first report from his Parallel Worlds tour

Round the world adventurer Nick sanders has set off on his final cirumnavigation of the globe, Parallel Worlds, and will be sending back exclusive video reports as he makes his way on the massive adventure. Check out the video below to see Sanders first report from the trip and check back regularly to see how nick is getting on as he crosses from country to country.

Cloud could have caused Steve Hislop to lose control of helicopter

Cloud could have caused Steve Hislop to lose control of helicopter

The helicopter crash that killed British Superbike star Steve Hislop likely happened when the rider climbed sharply to get clear of cloud, an air accident investigator stated during day two of a fatal...

Dangerous Roof helmet

I purchased a new Roof helmet from Powersports of Bradford. On my first ride out with the new Boxer V helmet I could not believe the very high wind noise inside the lid, also there was a jet of air crossing right to left across my eyes making them water. I sent the lid back to powersports who sent the lid off for tests, no tests were carried out on this lid. I have been refused a refund, the lid...

MCN Daily 30/04/08: Your daily video motorcycle news

In episode 96 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show John Hopkins praises Kawasaki, British racing legend John Surtees is set to spearhead a new 125GP team and the Government admits road pricing for bikers is too difficult.  Subscribe to this podcast with RSS  Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in just three minutes then email us here to let us know what...

Dutch motorcyclist caught by speed camera skidding down the road

Dutch motorcyclist caught by speed camera skidding down the road

Motorists don’t like getting caught speeding, but this may be a rather extreme way of getting off the charge. This Dutch motorcyclist was clocked at 137 kmh (85 mph) by a speed camera on the A28 at...