2009

New MCN October 21: Buell shut down!

New MCN October 21: Buell shut down!

In this week’s issue of MCN, on sale October 21, we have the full story surrounding Harley-Davidson and the closure of Buell. We plot Harley-Davidson’s path to crisis, starting in January 2008, when...

VFR1200F first ride blog: in Japan, the day before the Toyko Motor Show

VFR1200F first ride blog: in Japan, the day before the Toyko Motor Show

MCN’s Andy Downes will be testing the new VFR1200F in Japan later this week. He will be posting regular updates of his experiences. ‘Tomorrow is the 41st Toyko Motor Show where we will get to see...

Buell: Top 5 technical innovations

Buell: Top 5 technical innovations

In a shocking move prompted by further disastrous financial results, Harley-Davidson has killed off its Buell marque (more details here). Find a Buell for sale Read Buell bike reviews Buell bikes...

Bikes on TV: October: 21-27

Bikes on TV: October: 21-27

KEY TO CHANNELS:   DRT – Discovery Real Time  SHED – Discovery Shed (used to be DRTE) DSC – Discovery Channel  DHD – Discovery Channel HD EXS – Extreme Sports Channel MM – Men and Motors MOT – Motors...

Video: Ducati Hypermotard 796 first ride

Video: Ducati Hypermotard 796 first ride

Ducati’s new Hypermotard 796 isn’t just a mid-range version of the firm’s Hypermotard 1100, it’s a great bike in it’s own right. Watch the video for MCN’s first ride report from the launch in...

Guy Martin meeting

Guy Martin meeting

My son, Richard meeting his hero Guy Martin in Glasgow, what a legend

Canadian grabs first quick spin on Honda VFR1200F

Canadian grabs first quick spin on Honda VFR1200F

Canadian Motorcycle Guide grabbed a first 20-minute quick spin for pictures on the new Honda VFR1200F at the weekend. More info on the Honda VFR1200 MCN is riding the new bike in an exclusive...

New SDoc 100 Corrosion Protectant

New SDoc 100 Corrosion Protectant

With winter season about to kick in and the onslaught of salted roads, SDoc 100 has just released a new Corrosion Protectant just in time. Save cash on motorcycle cleaners Salt and water corrosion...

Arai Five Year Competition winner announced

Arai Five Year Competition winner announced

William ‘Arthur’ Taylor will receive a brand new Arai motorcycle helmet every year for the next five years after winning a national competition. Save cash on motorcycle helmets With a fantastic...

Honda CX500 gets café cool

Honda CX500 gets café cool

It seems the most unlikely starting point for a café racer but these Honda CX500 engined bikes somehow pull off the look. Honda CX500s for sale Spotted on café racer blog 8negro the mods vary from a...

Lorenzo’s airbag suit prevented serious injury

Lorenzo’s airbag suit prevented serious injury

It may not have looked like it on the TV screen at 6am yesterday morning, but Jorge Lorenzo’s Dainese airbag suit did deploy during his crash at Phillip Island, as these pictures show. The 22-year old...

MCN CBT giveaway

MCN CBT giveaway

MCN are looking to giveaway one FREE motorcycling CBT as part of a case study for the Yorkshire Evening Post. The case study must be female, not already a biker and be willing to be photographed...

Vyrus: The world's most-powerful road motorcycle

Vyrus: The world's most-powerful road motorcycle

Tiny Italian firm Vyrus will launch a new hub-centre-steered superbike in November which in its ultimate form offers 211bhp. That makes it easily the most powerful street bike in the world – eclipsing...

Fox brings off-road cool to winter roads

Fox brings off-road cool to winter roads

The AWG Pro jacket from godfathers of motocross, Fox, is ideal for road use if you’re on a big trailie, or even a tourer. Available in all-black, the jacket is claimed waterproof, has waterproof...

New Alpinestars all-weather gloves

New Alpinestars all-weather gloves

These new WR-V Gore-Tex gloves from Alpinestars are claimed to be roomy, and although made from textile are claimed to offer the protection qualities of leather. There’s a soft velour insulated lining...

Chris Walker at On Yer Bike

Chris Walker at On Yer Bike

I met Chris Walker at On Yer Bike in Aylesbury and he decided to get to grips with my Kawasaki ZX-10R.

Sidi cater for ladies in 2010

Sidi cater for ladies in 2010

This very nicely detailed boot is the Sidi Vertigo Lady, a sport boot specifically designed for women. Save cash on motorcycle boots It’s almost an ideal spec sheet to that of the entry level of...

Sidi release new bling Vortice boot

Sidi release new bling Vortice boot

Well-known race boot manufacture Sidi has updated it’s high-level racing boot range with a futuristic version of the already cool looking Vortice boot. Save cash on motorcycle boots It has a Lorica...

Sidi add Cobra entry-level boot to 2010 line-up

Sidi add Cobra entry-level boot to 2010 line-up

Sidi has added an all-new entry-level sport boot to their already wide range of motorcycling footwear for 2010 called the Cobra. Save £££s on motorcycle boots It’s an uncompromised sports boot made...

New Sidi adventure boot for 2010

New Sidi adventure boot for 2010

Italian boot firm Sidi’s new range for 2010 is led by an entirely new Adventure boot (see right), designed for big trailie owners. Save money on motorcycle boots The adventure boot is made from...

Extreme heat for all-year riding

Extreme heat for all-year riding

Alpinestars’ Tech Heated Vest would probably keep your core temperature high at the North Pole, let alone the A1 near Doncaster. Save cash on motorcycle base layers It’s powered by your bike’s...

Fox could get you out of a hole

Fox could get you out of a hole

Ever got caught in a shower that lasted 20 minutes but was enough to soak both you and your kit for the next four hours? Save £££s on motorcycle clothing The Fox MX Fluid jacket could be your...

25% off winter gloves at Hein Gericke

25% off winter gloves at Hein Gericke

Hein Gericke is knocking out its waterproof gloves with 25% off until October 31. Save money on motorcycle gloves To see the top 10 waterproof gloves as voted for by 12,000 MCN readers, make sure...

Alfie's first Ducati!

Alfie's first Ducati!

This is a picture of my God son on my Ducati which will obviously be his one day!

Brad Pitt's latest custom

Brad Pitt's latest custom

This is the bike Shinya Kimura dreamt up when Brad Pitt asked him “what are you going to make me next?”. Built around a mid-1970s Ducati 750, the polished metal machine – whose price is a closely...

Yamaha launches two new X-Max scooter models

Yamaha launches two new X-Max scooter models

Yamaha has unveiled two new X-Max scooters – with 250cc and 125cc engines. The new X-Max’s have new rigid frames, increased storage capacity and a new dashboard design.   They echo the...

First ride: British-built Metisse prototype

First ride: British-built Metisse prototype

This 997cc Metisse parallel twin could eclipse Norton’s long-awaited production plans with the first machines set to hit the road within 18 months. The British company, based near Oxford, has already...

First ride: Tony Cairoli's MX1-winning Yamaha YZ450F

First ride: Tony Cairoli's MX1-winning Yamaha YZ450F

What does it take to come out on top in world motocross these days? MCN sampled Tony Cairoli’s MX1-winning Yamaha YZ450F to find out. This isn’t just any Yamaha YZ450F motocrosser, it’s the Red Bull...

Video: Ducati Hypermotard 796 promo

The new Ducati Hypermotard 796 is a smaller version of the Hypermotard 1100, with an all-new engine and a lighter, lower chassis aimed at new riders. Here’s Ducati’s promotional video for the new bike.

796 Ducati Hypermotard Vs 1100 Ducati Hypermotard

796 Ducati Hypermotard Vs 1100 Ducati Hypermotard

MCN’s Michael Neeves has been testing Ducati‘s 796 Hypermotard in Italy, here he reveals the raft of changes that make the 796 Hypermotard a superior machine to the 1100 Hypermotard. The 796’s seat...

Eight motocross bikes stolen from Pidcock Honda

Eight motocross bikes stolen from Pidcock Honda

Thieves have stolen eight brand new motocross bikes belonging to Pidcock Honda from a farm just hours after the bikes were used for the UK press launch of the 2010 model range. Seven Honda CRF250Rs...

Inside the technology of the VFR1200F

Inside the technology of the VFR1200F

Honda has spent years developing the technology making up the new VFR1200F – some of it will only be making an appearance on future versions – but this is the first close look at the technology of...

Weise release new Laser jacket

Weise release new Laser jacket

The new Laser textile jacket from Weise is designed to cope with varying conditions, combining an Isotex drop liner with a quilted thermal lining and external vents. Isotex is a waterproof, windproof...

Shocking Barack Obama

In a clever piece of global PR, a product designer at Brammo Inc, a US firm that builds zero emission motorcycles, is riding one of his electric bikes 590 miles from Michigan to Washington DC in an effort to meet with US president Barack Obama. Brian Wismann, together with advertising exec Dave Schiff started their journey from Wayne County airport in Michigan Last Monday on a mission to publicise...

Nolan to release Fiat 500 lid

Nolan to release Fiat 500 lid

Nolan has officially unveiled this ultra cool new Fiat 500 design on the N20 Traffic lid. This polycarbonate lid has a removable and washable lid, but it’s the helmet graphic that’s the eye-catcher...

Yamaha leathers leathers prices halved

Yamaha leathers leathers prices halved

For a limited period, Yamaha are now offering a staggering 50 per cent off the recommended retail price of its Professional one-piece and Makó two-piece leather suits throughout its network of...