October | Page 36

New Transport Secretary supports motorcycles

10 October 2008 by Steve Farrell

New Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has a history of supporting motorcycling, according to the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCI). It means his appointment is good news for riders, the association...

Motorcyclists still hate Volvos… and BMWs too!

10 October 2008 by Michael Carroll

Volvos are still the most hated car on the road, a survey of British motorcyclists shows. The poll of 206 bikers by insurance firm Bennetts found that 28% of motorcyclists regard Volvo drivers as the...

Biker has world's first double arm transplant

10 October 2008 by Laura Kennerley

The biker who received the world’s first double arm transplant has told how he is looking forward to riding his motorbike again. German diary farmer Karl Merk, 54, lost both arms in an horrific corn threshing machine accident six years ago. He was given a double arm transplant – with limbs donated by a teenager who died in a car crash– by a 40 strong medical team at Technical University in...

Rear-facing average-speed cameras on the way

09 October 2008 by Steve Farrell

Rear-facing cameras which measure average speed over long distances are close to gaining approval, according to the makers. Existing average-speed cameras are unable to read motorcycles’ number...

BKS reveals 2009 range

09 October 2008 by Michael Carroll

The first Suzi Perry-designed motorcycle riding kit from leathers firm BKS is ready to go on sale. Perry, who fronts the BBC’s MotoGP coverage, has designed a women’s jacket for BKS, which is looking...

Cops seize motorcycle over illegal plate

09 October 2008 by Steve Farrell

Police are confiscating motorcycles over illegal number plates. An MCN reader told how his bike was seized because one digit on his number plate was incorrect. Officers working for controversial...

Cologne Motorcycle Show: Aprilia unveils Mana GT

09 October 2008 by Liam Marsden

To add to Aprilia’s list of changes for 2009, the Italian frim has launched the Aprilia Mana GT at the Cologne Motorcycle Show. Video: Aprilia Mana first ride The standard Aprilia Mana 850 uses an...

2008 Honda Fireblade is Britain’s favourite bike

09 October 2008 by Colin Overland

Britain’s favourite bike is the latest Honda Fireblade, according to RiDER Power 2008 – Britain’s biggest biking survey. The ’08 Blade socred a 92.10% satisfaction rating, showing that the people who...

Prince William and Harry to ride across Africa

09 October 2008 by Michael Guy

Prince William and Prince Harry will embark on a 12 day trip across South Africa on Honda CRF 230 enduro bikes. The royal brothers will take part in the 2008 Enduro Africa event, which sees riders...

Cartoon: The Camera of Doom

09 October 2008 by Keith

Remember the BBC banned the video of the Norfolk Camera Partnership causing cars to crash? Well I’ve made my own, so the truth is still out there.

140mph chase was ‘safe’

08 October 2008 by Steve Farrell

A shocking video has shown an unmarked police motorcycle hitting 96mph in 30mph zone with no siren or emergency lights. Police says the deadly tactic was necessary to ‘gather evidence’ on speeding rider Michael James Collins, 22, from Beckenham, Kent. The video, shot from the police bike, shows a 15 minute high-speed pursuit on rural and urban roads. At one stage the police rider reaches 107mph...

'No excuses' campaign: Bulletproof extreme clothing

08 October 2008 by James Keen

Extreme sports clothing company, Bulletproof Clothing, is due to launch a new collection of ‘stealth’ fashion at the NEC International Motorcycle and Scooter Show in November. Click here to browse...

Video: Cologne Motorcycle Show highlights

08 October 2008 by Ian Jubb, Sarah Carnell

MCN are currently at the Cologne Motorcycle Show bringing you all the latest news from the manufacturers as it happens. A range of manufacturers are showcasing their 2009 motorcycles at the Intermot Cologne Motorcycle Show in Germany, including Ducati, Suzuki, Yamaha, Harley-Davidson and KTM. Also see Honda‘s concept bike on their stand in this video from Cologne. See the new Honda CBR125R...

Tribute to Leo Urbanski

08 October 2008 by Matt Jefferies

I would just like to pay tribute to Leo Urbanski who was tragically killed riding home from work last Friday (3rd October). Leo was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet and was rarely seen...

Cops threaten to seize bikes

08 October 2008 by Steve Farrell

Motorcyclists not charged with any criminal offence are being handed warning notices by police threatening to seize their bikes. The warnings are issued under legislation designed to tackle...

Bikes on TV: October 8-14

08 October 2008 by Alison Silcox

KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT – Discovery Real Time DRTE -Discovery Real Time Extra DSC – Discovery Channel DHD – Discovery Channel HD EXS – Extreme Sports Channel MM – Men and Motors MOT – Motors TV SS1...

Honda showcases concept bikes at Cologne

08 October 2008 by James Keen

Honda have chosen to use the Cologne Motorcycle Show to showcase a selection of stylish concept bikes. Alongside the out-of-this-world V4 concept machine we revealed yesterday, Honda have chosen to...

Ducati unveil GT1000 Touring and offer free back protector with every bike sold

08 October 2008 by MCN News Desk

Ducati unveiled a new GT1000 Touring at yesterday’s Cologne Show. The new bike, based on the standard Sport Classic GT1000 features a high screen and luggage rack. No prices are yet available. Based...

Aprilia changes for 2009

07 October 2008 by MCN News Desk

Aprilia has introduced the Shiver GT for 2009, but a lot of motorcycles in their existing range have also received updates. Here’s what you can expect to find at your local Aprilia dealer in...

Aprilia unveils Shiver GT

07 October 2008 by MCN News Desk

Aprilia might have been flat-out getting the radical 1000cc RSV4 superbike ready but it’s still managed to give the rest of the range a bit of a makeover too. Read the full Aprilia Shiver GT...

Triumph Thunderbird is go for 2010

07 October 2008 by MCN News Desk

MCN has learnt more details about Triumph’s 1600cc Thunderbird cruiser which is due to go into production in 2010. Triumph Thunderbird launch centre View Triumph motorcycles for sale We can now...

World first picture: Triumph Tiger SE

07 October 2008 by MCN News Desk

This is the first picture of Triumph’s special edition Tiger 1050. The Triumph Tiger SE. The motorcycle is intended as a new, fully-equipped flagship model for the Hinckley firm’s Tiger adventure bike...

Cologne Motorcycle Show: Husqvarna 450 SMR and CR125

07 October 2008 by Liam Marsden

Italian motorcycle manufacturer Husqvarna has launched two new models at the Cologne Motorcycle Show, The 450 SMR and CR125. View Husqvarna motorcycles for sale Husqvarna has continued its...

MCN in Mexico

07 October 2008 by Geoff

While visiting one of the wonders of the world – Chichen Itza, Mexico, Geoff’s too busy reading about the 8th wonder of the world – MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi.

More Stealth Taxes!

07 October 2008 by Derek Bright

Unwitting motorists face £1,000 fines as thousands of photocard driving licences expire and they are unwittingly driving without a valid licence. They risk prosecution after failing to spot the extremely small print on their photocard licence which says it automatically expires after 10 years and has to be renewed – even though drivers are licensed to drive until the age of 70. They said...

New MCN October 8: New bikes from BMW, Aprilia and Triumph revealed

07 October 2008 by Liam Marsden

In this week’s edition of MCN we bring you the first pictures and full specifications of some of BMW’s high-tech 2009 range. Click here for your free sample of this week’s paper The BMW K-series...

Aprilia Promo Video: RSV4 race bike on track

07 October 2008 by James Keen

Aprilia have created this arty promotional video of the new RSV4 race bike, featuring on board track action and some nice detail shots of the new machine. The RSV4 will make its debut in the 2009...

Honda launches V4 concept bike

07 October 2008 by MCN News Desk

Honda has launched a V4 sports bike concept at the Cologne Motorcycle Show. Described as the bike Honda really wants to build. There’s no word on technology inside the bike other than the new V4...

Personalised Leathers

06 October 2008 by Hoppo R46

I have been searching every corner of the web and for once Google has failed me!! I want to personalise my Spidi 1 piece suit for track days etc.. Problem is I dont want to spend a small fortune in sending them away to a specialist and unfortunately my name is not Mr Rossi, Stoner etc… Although I do have the same surname as a certain other MotoGP racer… (No relation unfortunately!). Does anyone...

BMW problems

06 October 2008 by Howard lloyd

Having seen several letters recently about BMW reliability, I thought I would share my experiences. I bought a new K1200S in June 2006,I didn’t mind paying a premium as I thought I was getting lots of technology, build quality and reliability, I found the bike to be quick and comfortable and have been very pleased. Then when the bike was 20 months old, it failed to start on two occasions having...

Bag a Troy Bayliss 'Campioni Del Mondo' t-shirt

06 October 2008 by Michael Carroll

Replicas of the t-shirt Troy Bayliss wore to celebrate winning the 2008 World Superbike championship are now on sale. The Campioni Del Mondo (Champions of the World) t-shirt lists the years of his...

My CB500 is just brill

04 October 2008 by eddie

I read the article on how the Honda CB500 makes a great credit crunch commuter and I’d have to agree… My CB500 is just brill. 146000 miles done and still on the original clutch plates, it’s a 2003...

Nice to be back

04 October 2008 by Whyaskmethat

I am a returned, older biker, as the picture shows. My main “career” as a biker was cut short in March 1975, the day before Barry Sheenes legendary Daytona accident, when I was riding to work and was...

82mph wheelie rider makes this his Facebook picture

03 October 2008 by Steve Farrell

You might expect the rider responsible for this 82mph wheelie in a 30mph zone to want as few people as possible to see the incriminating image. But instead 22-year-old Steve Skilton appears to be...

Man pleads guilty to Hells Angel murder

03 October 2008 by Liam Marsden

A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of Hells Angel member, Gerry Tobin, who was shot dead when riding his Harley-Davidson on the M40 after the Bulldog Bash last year. Sean Creighton, 44 from...

Friday funny: Five knee downs on one bike!

03 October 2008 by Liam Marsden

The Eurpeans do have funny ways of doing things. Not to be outdone, a group of Europeans have decided one person getting their knee down on a motorcycle isn’t enough, so they’ve put five people on a scooter for some knee down action! That’s not all this crazy bunch of Europeans get up to. There’s knee downs on a BMX, power slides, people being towed along in buckets and as you might have guessed,...