April

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...

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...

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...

Video: Aprilia Dorsoduro - world's first ride

Aprilia reckons its new street supermoto, the Dorsoduro, is something of a beast so we sent MCN road tester Adam Child to ride it. Chad travelled an hour north of Rome to take part in the world’s first ride of Aprilia’s new Shiver-derived street supermoto. Watch the video below to see what he thought and read the full article in MCN, Wednesday, 30 April, 2008.

Government admits road pricing for motorcyclists is just too difficult

Government admits road pricing for motorcyclists is just too difficult

Motorcycles are to be left out of road pricing trials because devising a system that includes charges for us is too difficult, Government has admitted.  A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesman...

Day one of Steve Hislop inquiry focuses on RAF fighters

Day one of Steve Hislop inquiry focuses on RAF fighters

The possibility that RAF fighter jets could have played a part in the death of Steve Hislop was raised during the first day of a fatal accident inquiry into his 2003 helicopter crash. Two witnesses at...

Police admit they may have “standardised” speed camera van

Police admit they may have “standardised” speed camera van

Police have accepted the possibility they tried to “standardise” this speed camera van after first denying any attempt to disguise it. Derbyshire Police own up over sneaky speed camera Derbyshire...

Suzi Perry designs BKS motorcycle riding gear

Suzi Perry designs BKS motorcycle riding gear

BBC MotoGP presenter Suzi Perry is set to design a range of ladies motorcycle riding kit for leathers manufacturer BKS, as part of a push by the firm to promote British-made clothing. Suzi Perry is...

Police warning over thefts from garages

Police warning over thefts from garages

Police have warned of a rise in motorcycle thefts from owner’s garages. A Hampshire Police spokesman said: “We’ve recently had a spate of motorcycle thefts from garages.” The force has been unable...

MCN Daily 29/04/08: Your daily video motorcycle news

In episode 95 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show police warn bikers to keep their machines safe, workers at the Ineos oil refinery in Grangemouth return to work and Yamaha are satisfied with Valentino Rossi.  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...

Grangemouth oil refinery back in business

Grangemouth oil refinery back in business

Workers at the Ineos oil refinery in Grangemouth have returned to work after a 48-hour strike, but it could still take up to a month for the facility to be fully re-opened. Government could bring in...

Video: MCN goes pillion with James Toseland

James Toseland gave MCN an insight into the ability that sees him banging fairings with Casey Stoner with an exclusive pillion ride at Silverstone’s Stow circuit. The reigning World Superbike champion did his best to scare our man witless and joked: “You’ve got to scare the man from MCN – it’s the only chance I’ll have to get my own back on you guys!”. Watch the video below to get a feeling of how...

MCN Daily 28/04/08: Your daily video motorcycle news

In episode 94 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show AA members don’t trust the Government on road pricing plans, Britain’s Jonathan Rea records his first podium in World Supersport and Troy Bayliss does the double in Assen.  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...

Nine people injured after motorcycle crash

Nine people injured after motorcycle crash

A motorcycle crash in Aberdeen injured nine people including several children on Saturday 26 April after the rider lost control during a student’s parade. The motorcycle, which had three people on...

Motorcycle training schools in Scotland forced to shut down

Motorcycle training schools in Scotland forced to shut down

Plans to construct multipurpose test centres is leading motorcycle instructors in Scotland to close their doors, because the new facilities would be too far away for their pupils to get to...

Motorists fear Government incompetence on road pricing

Motorists fear Government incompetence on road pricing

An overwhelming majority of AA members do not trust the Government to introduce a fair system of road pricing, a survey by the AA shows. Motorcycles ditched from road pricing trials A total of...

Government could bring in fuel rationing

Government could bring in fuel rationing

Fuel rationing could be brought in within the next few days, according to Business Secretary John Hutton. 2p petrol increase postponed John Hutton insisted that the country had enough fuel to meet...

Rule Br£tann£a

Rule Br£tann£a

Iam on holiday in Florida and have been looking around a few bike shops only to walk away p**sed off at the prices of bike and yes I know at the moment we get a good deal on the dollar but still...

JK Full Circle USA rant

Before I get into gear let me apologise to Loisiana. I realised after a few hours sleep and some pondering once I hit the nice smooth roads of Mississippi and Alabama that Loisiana have problems no amount of hard work will fix. The flippin’ WATER! Of course! Those roads buckle and sag due to wetland sag! I forgive you Louisiana… Now all you Loisiana riders go by a big trailie. Ahhhhh. My rant.

Motorcycle parking or recycling collection?

Motorcycle parking or recycling collection?

Riding through the Cotswolds on Friday 25 April me and my mate stopped at Chipping Norton for a break, we followed the signs for the car park and when we pulled in we found the motorcycle parking bay...

London Science Museum spotlights history of motorcycling

London Science Museum spotlights history of motorcycling

The Science Museum in London is in the early stages of planning a motorcycling exhibition that would trace the history of motorcycles and motorcyclists through the ages. The museum plans to launch...

Anonymous tip-offs form part of Kent’s summer campaign

Anonymous tip-offs form part of Kent’s summer campaign

Kent Police is encouraging the public to blow the whistle on motorcyclists they believe are riding dangerously. The force says road users should call Crimestoppers to report “anti-social riders”,...

Stabilizers

Stabilizers

One of the young welders at our engineering firm had just spent out to have all the swing arm and head bearings replaced on his beloved GPZ. Unfortunatly he was so unused to the proper handling...

Steve Hislop crash inquiry set to begin on Monday

Steve Hislop crash inquiry set to begin on Monday

A fatal accident inquiry into the death of Steve Hislop in a helicopter crash in the Borders is scheduled to open in Edinburgh on Monday (April 28, 2008). The case was originally due to be heard in...

The wrong bike

Have a chuckle at this (but Beemer riders don’t bother): http://www.brainsweb.co.uk/images/upload/s/the-wrong-bike.wmv

Harley Davidson encourage motorcyclists to care for their helmet

Harley Davidson encourage motorcyclists to care for their helmet

Harley Davidson is encouraging all motorcyclists to check the condition of their crash helmet, as part of a month-long safety campaign during April to promote better helmet care. Find helmet reviews...

Triumph reveal matt black Speed Triple

Triumph reveal matt black Speed Triple

British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph has announced it is to release a matt black version of their 2008 Triumph Speed Triple. The 1050cc 2008 Speed Triple received only minor changes for 2008, among...

SUPERMARKETS AND HELMETS

In reply to your article about supermarkets. My tesco in Downham Market they have a sign up that says all biker’s have 2 remove their helmets, and they are only a convenience store.

Suzi Perry sells jacket for Garry Stead charity

Suzi Perry sells jacket for Garry Stead charity

BBC MotoGP presenter Suzi Perry has donated one of her leather jackets to a fund set up to support injured speedway rider Garry Stead. The silver Dainese jacket has been signed by Suzi Perry, and was...