April
50 quick road miles on the new Honda CBR600
05 May 2013 by
There’s still snow on the fields as I head out onto the back lanes of Cambridgeshire. It’s four days since the near-washout of the track launch and this new CBR600RR — just 90 miles on the clock — is...
What happened to the ES1?
04 May 2013 by
Six years ago, this British design was going to be the future of superbikes. So where is it? The trouble with bold claims is they can come back to haunt you. If you say you’re making the fastest,...
Techwatch: Cars v bikes: let’s be grown up about this
03 May 2013 by
For acceleration it’s two wheels, but what about braking? Down the pub, we all like to imagine ours is the best. But in a no-holds-barred shoot-out, who gets there? Let’s start at the start. Bikes...
“I can’t believe I only won one”
02 May 2013 by
Alan Carter was hailed as the next Barry Sheene in the early 1980s. But the young Brit never got the factory bikes he deserved and his career was a tale of unfulfilled promise. He recently returned to...
Industry reaches out to off-roaders
30 April 2013 by
The Motorcycle Industry Association and leading manufacturers are again joining forces to offer a ‘try-out’ day for off-road novices next month. The Motorcycle Off-Road Experience takes place near...
Triumph Bonneville owners needed!
30 April 2013 by
MCN is looking for Triumph Bonneville owners for an upcoming feature! We need 2008-2009 Triumph Bonneville T100 or SE models. Just fill out the questionnaire below and email it with a head and...
Video: Dougie Lampkin visits Red Bull Racing
30 April 2013 by
12-time world trials champion Dougie Lampkin recently visited Red Bull Racing headquarters in Milton Keynes, because when someone gives you the opportunity to use a multi-million pound F1 winning car...
New MCN May 1: The Ultimate Superbike Test
30 April 2013 by
In this week’s MCN, out May 1st, we have the ultimate superbike test, heading to Italy to pit The Ducati Panigale R against its rivals. We have a free 48-page Adventure Bike Yearbook, with all you...
Suzuki C1500T first ride
30 April 2013 by
They may be about as relevant in the UK as a 50ft Winnebago or eight-litre SUV but, if you hadn’t cottoned on already, ‘baggers’ – or be-bagged or panniered cruisers designed for comfort and custom...
Bennetts make statement around modifications policy
29 April 2013 by
Our online article posted 25th April, titled: Insurance Tips, Making Modifications to your Bike, gave incorrect details relating to Bennetts’ modifications policy. Bennetts have issued the following statement in clarification. In order to meet the needs of even more UK bikers, Bennetts has updated its modifications policy which now permits more modifications as standard than any other bike...
Staff Blog: Running-in, in France
29 April 2013 by
What better way to run in the new Yamaha Fazer 8 than to pop over to Normandy for a three day rider training work shop with Nigel, nicknamed Red Leader, from Advanced Motorcycle Training! I took...
Smaller injury pay-outs for riders
29 April 2013 by
Motorcyclists will get smaller pay-outs for injury claims because of new legislation introduced last week, according to a solicitor. Personal injury solicitor Ed Fletcher says compensation will be...
Dakar World tour hits the UK
27 April 2013 by
Aspiring Dakar competitors rubbed shoulders with race veterans and event organisers at the Heritage Motor Centre in Warwickshire on Friday at the UK tour of 2014 Dakar. ASO, the organisation that runs...
Still time to get your free t-shirt with MCN Compare!
26 April 2013 by
There’s still time to claim your free retro MCN t-shirt and entry to win £1000 worth of Oxford goodies when you purchase motorcycle insurance from MCN Compare before April 30. Quickly compare prices...
Staff Blog: Today is a good day…
26 April 2013 by
The last couple of months haven’t been easy. I’ve seen my colleagues at MCN come bouncing into the office having received their long term test bikes for the year. I however have been forced to do my...
10 worst and five best promo videos
26 April 2013 by
1. Kawasaki Z800 Bystanders gawp at the new Z800 and take photographs in this preposterous video from Kawasaki Australia. It’s as though they’ve found a portal to another universe and not a mass...
Staff Blog: A glimpse of Spring…at last
25 April 2013 by
There are now more than 2000 miles on the clock of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring and until last week it felt like every single one of them had been done with teeth gritted against the harsh...
Staff Blog: The long way home
25 April 2013 by
“The ride to work is going to be a blast on the nimble triple – and the ride home again is going to be even better. Dear A1, you’ll not be seeing much of me.” The grey and red Triumph Street Triple R...
Focused Events unveil 'uncrashable' BMW F800
25 April 2013 by
Trackday specialists Focused Events have unveiled a very special trackday instruction BMW F800, complete with outriggers! The new ‘Cornering Techniques System’ bike will be used as part of their...
Picture gallery: 250cc trailies to Slovakia and back
25 April 2013 by
The trusty 250cc trailie obediently sat at motorcycling’s side for years. Ready, resilient, hard-wearing and undemanding, willing to shepherd new riders into the fold or accompany the experienced on...
Adventurers unite at HUBB UK
25 April 2013 by
Overlanders website Horizons Unlimited are once again hosting the UK’s premier travel event, the HUBB UK. In its 13th year the popular gathering will take place from May 30 to June 2 at the Donington...
Donington Park WSB deal for MCN readers!
25 April 2013 by
Donington Park is offering MCN readers a red hot deal on 2013 WSB tickets. Order your weekend or Sunday, May 26 tickets online using the offer code MCNDP13 and you’ll get £10 off each ticket...
Warning of motorcycle insurance creeping clauses
24 April 2013 by
This is a warning to all motorcycle riders to check their insurance terms carefully. I have been riding and insuring motorcycles for some 35 years now and have always been able to declare the bike as garaged. In the beginning this meant a simple decrease in premium, they trusted you to be sensible and put it in the garage most of the time. A few years ago a clause was introduced that this...
Video: Ducati Panigale 1199R First Ride
24 April 2013 by
Last month MCN travelled to Austin, Texas, for our first ride of Ducati’s new 1199R, their ultimate superbike. Check out what road tester Michael Neeves thought of the bike around MotoGP’s newest...
Staff Blog: Are Harley's cool?
24 April 2013 by
A couple of years ago I asked an MCN work experience girl what she thought of motorcyclists. I was hoping she’d use words like ‘cool’, ‘exciting’, perhaps even ‘sexy’ but instead she said, “They’re...
Nominate the best place to live!
24 April 2013 by
MCN wants your nominations for the best place in the UK for motorcyclists to live. We’ll use your answers in a forthcoming feature. We’re interested in places with access to great roads, bike...
Staff Blog: Bird Strikes
24 April 2013 by
I’m developing a theory, or at least something more substantial than a random thought, that birds have it in for my Suzuki GSX-R750. Pigeons definitely don’t like it. Each morning they wait in...
Honda VFR owners needed
23 April 2013 by
MCN is looking for Honda VFR owners for an upcoming feature! We need VFR750, VFR800Fi and VFR800 V-TEC owners. Just fill out the questionnaire below and email it with a head and shoulder photograph of...
Staff Blog: Taking charge of my Yamaha Fazer 8
23 April 2013 by
Today’s the day my riding year really gets under-way; I’m taking charge of my new Yamaha Fazer 8 long termer this afternoon. After a weekend of bikes and beer at MCN Live at Butlins SkegVegas and the...
April 24 - May 7 Bikes on the Box
23 April 2013 by
KEY TO CHANNELS. DRT – Discovery Real Time DSC – Discovery Channel DHD – Discovery Channel HD EXS – Extreme Sports Channel EUR1 (2, HD) – Eurosport 1 (2, HD) MOT – Motors TV CH4 – Channel...
Triumph TT600 and Daytona owners needed!
23 April 2013 by
MCN is looking for Triumph Daytona and TT owners for an upcoming feature! We need Triumph TT600, Daytona 600 or 650, and Daytona 675 owners. Just fill out the questionnaire below and email it with a...
New MCN April 24: World's Fastest Adventure
23 April 2013 by
In this week’s MCN, out April 24th, we test the ultimate fast adventure bikes on the Isle of Man TT course We have a Texas GP special on Marc Marquez – MotoGP’s youngest ever winner Also this week:...
How often do you clean your motorcycle?
22 April 2013 by
How often do you clean your motorcycle? pollcomment
Would you answer a call while riding?
22 April 2013 by
Bluetooth headsets for motorcycles are quick and easy to fit and use, many with voice activation as standard. But would you answer a call whilst riding? pollcomment
How do you react to being asked to remove your helmet at a petrol station?
22 April 2013 by
It’s cold, fingers are numb, the sun is setting and there’s still twenty frosty miles left before the warmth of home. But first it’s time for petrol: pull up at the station, unhook the nozzle and the...
You Ask/You Answer: Should I carry a pillion?
22 April 2013 by
“I passed my direct access two months ago and have been riding every day since. I am confident commuting to work and riding on local roads but I am worried about taking a pillion. “I have been able to...