January
The Tories are against bike parking taxes… so why the parking charge?
14 January 2009 by
A document unearthed today outlines the positive Conservative Party policy on motorcycling, moped and scooter use. So we ask, why the parking charge imposed by Cllr Danny Chalkley in the Conservative...
Cyclists- Red-route rage
14 January 2009 by
If more push-bikers respected the rules of the road then perhaps we would have more respect for their views. I ride in London every day and the number of pedallists who ignore red lights is shocking. I wouldn’t mind if they zoomed across said junction like Lance Armstrong on a time trial – as it is, too many spend too long faffing around with their clip-in shoes to give a damn, thus clogging up...
Honda extends 'Brave the Elements' deal
14 January 2009 by
Honda is extending its ‘brave the elements’ scheme this winter, by extending the current offer on four of its most popular motorcycle models until 31 March 2009. Honda’s VFR800 VTEC sports-tourer,...
Video: 2009 Kawasaki ER-6n vs. Suzuki SV650 vs. Ducati Monster 696
14 January 2009 by
The previous Kawasaki ER-6n was a great bike and didn’t need much improving, but Kawasaki has made a few tweaks. The new revised version tested here has slightly changed fuelling, a revised chassis...
Have your say: Cycle group attempts to sabotage bikes in bus lanes
14 January 2009 by
A cycling group determined to sabotage London’s motorcycles in bus lanes trial is asking for complaints about us. Unhappy over a failed bid to stop the scheme going ahead in the first place, the...
Report on a MotoGP round with Bridgestone
14 January 2009 by
Bridgestone has today announced the 2009 Bridgestone e-reporter competition for young aspiring journalists is now open for entries. As the contest enters its sixth year, the e-reporter initiative...
Florida to Alaska - part 2
13 January 2009 by
R1Sjaak and Doris are on their way to Key West-Florida, the official starting point of their extreme trip tot Prudhoe Bay in Alaska. Tempatures are now – 35 C.
New MCN January 14: Donington Park loses MotoGP
13 January 2009 by
In this week’s edition of MCN Donington Park loses the British round of MotoGP to Silverstone after 22 years. Silverstone managed to secure a deal with MotoGP bosses to host the British GP for five...
Video: The best bits of the outgoing Yamaha R1
13 January 2009 by
MCN will be testing the new ‘growler’ Yamaha R1 next week so we’ve trawled through the archives to find some of the best road test with previous model Yamaha R1s. The new Yamaha R1 will be the most...
Suzuki extends finance deal
13 January 2009 by
Suzuki has extended until the end of March 2009 a 0% finance scheme on a number of bikes in the range including the 2008 GSX-R1000. Other models included are the RM-Z450 and 250 models. The finance...
Launch report: 2009 KTM 990 Adventure R
12 January 2009 by
MCN has just ridden the new for 2009 KTM 990 Adventure R for the first time on a 250km on/off road trek in Sardinia. The new motorcycle takes over from the 990 Adventure S as the top-of-the-range...
Norton move in!
12 January 2009 by
The revived, iconic Norton motorcycles has moved into its brand new premises at Donington Park – and MCN was there. Brought back to UK by Midlands businessman Stuart Garner, Norton has plans for both...
Florida to Alaska - part 1
12 January 2009 by
R1Sjaak and Doris Wiedemann started their bikes and are on their way to Key West-Florida.
Riding to Alaska in winter
12 January 2009 by
R1-Sjaak and Doris Wiedemann are on their way to Alaska in winter. (-40 C) They make a pitsstop in Danville. Rusty, owner of Triangle Cycles, tells his story.
MotoGP coverage 2009
11 January 2009 by
If you’re a MotoGP fan like myself are you also getting worried? BBC are advertising the sport they are going to show this year and not one mention of bikes! So get ready for poor coverage with poor commentary (please Dorna rethink Eurosport).
Ducati Supersport 1000
09 January 2009 by
This is my idea of what a new Ducati Supersport 1000 could look like. It’s light, it’s clear and is small and manageable. It’s pure Ducati!
The Royal British Legion Riders Branch 2009 World Record Attempt.
09 January 2009 by
June 2009 will see an attempt by The Royal British Legion Riders Branch (RBLR) to break the ultimate endurance World Record. The RBLR have joined forces with Iron Butt Association to try to beat the...
Honda electric motorcycle ready next year
09 January 2009 by
Honda has announced that it will have an electric moped on sale by the end of 2010. The moped will be built as a zero CO2 emissions alternative to a petrol-powered 50cc moped, using a 360kw light...
Police appeal for motorcyclists’ help in murder hunt
08 January 2009 by
Police investigating the murder of a man whose body was found burning at the side of the M45 are appealing to motorcyclists. They want to speak to riders who were using the motorway in Warwickshire...
Motorcycle sales buck financial trends
08 January 2009 by
Motorcycle sales are bucking the rest of the miserable financial trends being seen with the global economic downturn with figures of just 3.4% down for the whole of 2008 according to the Motor Cycle...
Thieves get to keep stolen motorcycles
08 January 2009 by
Stolen motorcycles recovered in raids are being given back to thieves because of a lack of identifying marks, police have said. With no way to trace rightful owners, officers have no choice but to...
2000 miles in Cambodia
08 January 2009 by
The first photo is my girlfriend and I with our copy of MCN outside the Bayon temple in Siem Reap Cambodia. We did about 2000 miles in and around Siem Reap on our 125 Honda Dream in 2 months. About...
Brad Pitt loves the anonymity of riding motorcycles
08 January 2009 by
Brad Pitt has spoken about how riding motorcycles have given him ‘anonymity’ and turned him into ‘just another a**hole on the streets’ in an interview with celebrity magazine W. Pitt has been spotted numerous times on a wide variety of bikes and owns – among others – a Ducati Desmosedici RR, a Monster 696 and a selection of Harley-Davidson choppers. Pitt, got up to leave the interview about his...
Dartford Crossing suggestion
07 January 2009 by
I sent the following to the Dartford Crossing site suggestions. I only sent it tonight so will wait with interest for their response. I wonder what other bikers think of my suggestion? I use the Dartford Crossing in a lorry (work) and in my car or on my motorbike (depending on weather conditions). It may not be possible but I would like to suggest that particularly on the bridge (as the lanes...
The time to act is NOW- No to the bike parking tax!
07 January 2009 by
The time for actual direct action has never been more prevalent. On 18th February 2009, Westminster City Council will enter a brief consultation period to decide whether to make this bike-parking tax...
Suzuki launch new cross country range
07 January 2009 by
Suzuki has launched two new cross country enduro style motorcycles for the UK market. Derived from Suzuki’s RM motocross range, the new RM XC range will be available in 125cc and 250cc versions and...
Win a copy of the official season review of the BSB Championship 2008
07 January 2009 by
You can win one of 5 DVD copies of the Official season review of the BSB Championship in a free-to-enter prize draw. Click here to enter the competition now! The double disc official BSB...
Video: Padgetts HRC race bike
07 January 2009 by
Senior road tester Adam Child test rode the latest HRC bikes from Padgett’s Motorcycles at a cold and wintery Cadwell Park. Padgett’s are now offering HRC brand new track ready bike for novice track...
Nigerian bikers use pumpkins as helmets
07 January 2009 by
According to the BBC, Nigerian taxi bikers have resorted to wearing dried pumpkin shells as a measure of avoiding a new law requiring them to wear helmets whilst riding. The Nigerian road safety commisioner says authorities will be taking a hard line with riders wearing ‘improvised helmets’. For the full BBC story click here
No motorcycle tests on chilly days
07 January 2009 by
Motorcycle tests are set to reach a grinding halt in winter because new test areas will close on chilly days. Whenever it’s cold enough for grit to be needed as a precaution against surface ice,...
Akrapovic for 2009 Kawasaki ZX-6R
06 January 2009 by
Get ready to see an avalanche of new exhaust systems to fit 2009 machines in the coming weeks, including this new aftermarket replacement for the latest Kawasaki ZX-6R from Akrapovic. Not only will...
New Ducati Multistrada replacement spotted
06 January 2009 by
Ducati’s replacement for the Multistrada adventure-style motorcycle has been spotted testing in Italy. The new bike is well advanced in to development – dealers have already been shown the sporty new...
Video: Ducati Monster 1100S
06 January 2009 by
MCN road tester Trevor Franklin already tested the new Ducati Monster 1100 at the launch, but how does the 1100cc V-twin powered naked fair on bumpy British roads? Trev has tested the 1100S version on...
New MCN January 7: MotoGP in crisis!
06 January 2009 by
In the first edition of MCN in 2009 we have a world exclusive on MotoGP series owners holding emergency crisis talks. Over the Christmas period Kawasaki quit MotoGP due to the credit crunch, leaving...
When I grow up I want to be The Doctor
05 January 2009 by
My two year old Ewan got a Rossi rep Wobble bike for Christmas, complete with AGV Rossi helmet and one piece racesuit. He proudly announced that when he grows up he wants to be a doctor…not just any...