2009

Get MCN for only £1.15 an issue!

30 April 2009 by James Keen

Subscribe to MCN before May 15 and get your copy of MCN delivered to your door every week (first class) for just £1.15 per issue. Subscribe to MCN now That represents a saving of 75p on each paper,...

Rossi TT update: Guy Martin reckons Rossi would be unstoppable at the TT

30 April 2009 by Marc Potter

TT Hero Guy Martin has tipped Valentino Rossi to ‘disappear into the distance’ if he ever raced at the Isle of Man TT. The Hydrex Honda rider who lapped at 128.89mph was speaking exclusively to MCN...

Suzi Perry: why the Jerez GP means so much

30 April 2009 by Guy Procter

MotoGP riders’ and viewers’ favourite Suzi Perry will be back in action at Jerez this weekend 10 weeks after being rushed to hospital for a life-saving operation. Here she explains exclusively to...

Now that's a pot hole!

30 April 2009 by higgers

Now this is what you call a pot hole! “Motorists in south Manchester faced delays after a huge hole opened up in the middle of a main road. A small group of people had gathered to inspect damage to the surface of Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury, when the tarmac gave way, leaving the gaping hole.” http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8025935.stm

Arghh a spider!

29 April 2009 by steve jones

Oh what a tangled web we weave! My R1 resplendant in the spring time sun.

The new test will make you a better rider

29 April 2009 by Pete Kilbey

I feel I must add my little bit as far as the new bike test goes. My wife decided that it was time for her to ride a motorcycle, so we bought her a 125cc for her CBT which proved no problem. She was nervous as could be expected but as soon as we found Bryans motorcycle Training Centre in Stoke on Trent things changed drastically, she had found a professional training school with top notch...

My daughter on my bike

29 April 2009 by paulwebby

My daughter trying out to be an MCN babe!

125s test: new Cagiva Mito 525 v Aprilia RS125R v Yamaha YZF-R125 v Honda CBR125R

29 April 2009 by Trevor Franklin

MCN road testers give their verdict on the latest 125 racer-replicas Honda CBR125R For many years Honda‘s CBR125R was the perfect way to through your bike test. It was cheap, uber reliable, modern and...

Yamaha YBR250 commuter coming to UK

29 April 2009 by Chris Newbigging

Yamaha has just announced that the YBR250 commuter motorcycle is going on sale in the UK. The air-cooled four-stroke 250cc single is already available elsewhere in Europe, but Yamaha UK say there is...

Rossi TT update: "Guy Martin has big balls"

29 April 2009 by MCN

Valentino Rossi has spoken exclusively to MCN about his admiration for TT riders after revealing this week that he plans to ride a lap of the famous Isle of Man TT course. He said: “I’ve met Guy...

The new test is too tricky for novices

29 April 2009 by Anonymous

I am a bike instructor in cumbria who has a few words on the complete balls up that is the new 2 part test. Last week at our new MPTC the 1st 4 instructors to try part 1, all failed to get up to speed on both attempts so would have failed their tests. How can we expect pupils with much less experience to do this as places in which to practice are limited – we also have a 35 mile trip there and...

Kawasaki Ninja 250R special

29 April 2009 by dclark0207

Hi, I just thought I would send you a photo of my Ninja 250cc bike. the reason being is that I haven’t seen another one like it. I’ve added a lot to it. I bought it new last year and within 3 months I...

Future world champion

29 April 2009 by mat curran

My youngest learning the basics early! Oscar aged 3.

Rossi TT update: 'Every motorcyclist in the world has heard of the Isle of Man TT'

29 April 2009 by Marc Potter

MCN has helped arrange for eight-times world champion Valentino Rossi to ride at the Isle of Man TT. The man spoke exclusively to MCN at last weekend’s Motegi MotoGP about his TT plans. The...

Not looking forward to the new test

29 April 2009 by Anonymous

I was fortunate enough to get a cancelled Das test before the new part of the test came in, however i was unfortunate enough to fail my test by dropping my bike from a stationary position as i went to turn right. I broke my big toe on my right foot 2 days before so when the bike went down my foot was not able to take the full weight and stop the bike going over. Either i did not put the bike back...

DSA must terminate rediculous new test

29 April 2009 by RICHARD ATKINSON

Further to your story relating to the new motorcyle test. Speaking as a motorcyle trainer with 25 yrs experience and a training school owner for 17 yrs the result of our 2nd part 1 test on monday was a pupil admitted to hospital, £500 worth of damage to a training bike and this was the 2nd incident of the day at only 11.15. The emergency avoidance exercise does not leave enough distance before...

New test does nothing for Road Safety

29 April 2009 by asmtraining

Academy of Safe Motorcycling in Bournemouth here. As a trainer I have been continually saying to the DSA at their outreach meetings that the new test is dangerous and unecesssary. I have pointed out that the high speed manouevers part of the test are totally against our training ethos regarding cornering and speed and misuse of the gears and accelleration on the A2 test. In short the fact that...

Valentino Rossi to ride at TT!

29 April 2009 by Marc Potter

MotoGP megastar Valentino Rossi will ride with 10-times TT winner Giacomo Agostini for a full lap of the 37.73-mile Isle of Man mountain circuit on June 6, just before the start of the six-lap Dainese...

New test defies the highway code

28 April 2009 by Peter

After driving a car for 30 odd years I just passed my bike theory test last week. According to the Highway Code in the wet we should, ride / drive slower, leave twice as much room between you and the car in front, brake and manoeuvre more gently and be ready to stop in plenty of time. This new test ignores all that advice. I hope the poor guy who broke his arm takes the DSA to court and wins. If...

Arai launch new Kevin Schwantz replica

28 April 2009 by Rob Hull

These are exclusive images of the latest Kevin Schwantz replica due to be available from Arai in the next few weeks, exclusively snapped inside the firm’s British HQ. Available on the Chaser shell,...

New GT boots from Forma

28 April 2009 by Marc Abbott

These new Forma GT boots are claimed to combine the best elements of road and motocross footwear. Compare and buy motorcycle boots Inside the leather upper there is a Drytex tubular lining. This...

Luggage for the Moto Morini Granpasso

28 April 2009 by Marc Abbott

Moto Morini has made the Granpasso an even more attractive proposition for adventure riders, with the addition of a selection of optional extras. There’s now a low seat option, which takes seat...

How the R1200GS should look

28 April 2009 by Guy Procter

US aftermarket parts-supplier Andrew Serbinski loves the ride but hates the look of his R1200GS so much he’s completely redesigned it. And in developing the new bodywork he’s pioneering a new way of...

First new test candidate crashes

28 April 2009 by Steve Farrell

One of the first learner riders to take a new motorcycle test crashed and broke his arm in the middle of the examination. In a chaotic start to the new test regime, a second candidate crashed while a...

New MCN April 28: Ducati Streetfighter vs Triumph Speed Triple

28 April 2009 by MCN

In this week’s edition of MCN we pit the new Ducati Streetfighter head-to-head with the class-leading Triumph Speed Triple, plus every 2009 bike has been ridden and rated in our free 24-page buying...

Moto Morini 9 1/2 Sport

28 April 2009 by Oberdan Bezzi

Now stop with the jokes! A true Moto Morini! With the Spirit of the GREAT 3 1/2 Sport. A true motorcycle. For men only!

Police join forces with Champion stunt rider

27 April 2009 by Kate Barrett

Police officers from Northamptonshire’s Casualty Reduction Partnership have joined forces with extreme motorcyclist Craig Jones to work together on improving bikers’ riding skills and safety. The...

Stop this Volvo

27 April 2009 by Steve Mason

It’s incredible when we, as motorcyclists, are being refused to have even have the petrol pumps turned on before we remove our helmets in case we ride off without paying for fuel. But this guy is...

Discount insurance offer on Aprilia scooters and 125s

27 April 2009 by Andy Downes

Aprilia is offering discounted insurance deals for young riders on a range of 50cc and 125cc scooters and bikes. Aprilia is aiming the range of new insurance deals at under 25s. Compare and buy...

North Yorkshire Police on a major crackdown

27 April 2009 by mark gordon

North Yorkshire Police have been on a major crack down on illegal exhausts and number plates around Sherburn in Elmet and particularly near Squires coffee bar. They have resorted to camping out on a Wednesday and Sunday pulling over any vehicle that passes on two wheels, giving out £30 ago tickets like the child catcher gives away sweets. I feel this is just a money making racket and doesn’t...

Video: Travis Pastrana's tricycle back-flip!

27 April 2009 by Chris Newbigging

Travis Pastrana’s freestyle stunt ability isn’t limited to bikes – a child’s trike is the latest means for the American nutter to risk his life! The tiny big wheel might be meant for toddlers, but it manages to support a fully-grown adult down the massive take-off ramp, and survives the heavy landing too! Watch and be amazed!