October
It’s official: Thundercat owners chat most
21 October 2001
There are more postings on our dedicated Yamaha Thundercat board than for any other bike in our Talk Bikes section. Owners of the Yamaha sports all-rounder have notched up 2161 postings. They are...
What’s the 2002 GSX-R750 like?
21 October 2001
We’re about to find out what the new GSX-R750 is like with a first test coming soon. But what changes would you have liked Suzuki to have made? What gripes do current owners have that they would like...
Step four: Exhaust
21 October 2001
With after-market cans seemingly appearing on every bike over six weeks old, it depends what type you have, as to how you clean it. Many titanium cans come with cleaning instructions – if it does,...
What women want
21 October 2001
Chocolate, Robbie Williams and free minutes on their mobiles might be among the top answers you get when you ask most women what they want, but motorcycling women say better-fitting leathers would be...
Victory’s new Freedom
21 October 2001
Victory’s latest machines may have conventional looks but there’s nothing old fashioned about the bikes’ technology. For 2002, all Victory’s get a new “Freedom” version of the firm’s 1507cc, SOHC,...
Machine of the Year (Sports Tourer)
21 October 2001
And in the last 12 months there have been some fine entrants into this sector to run alongside a few old hands, which it has to be said are still among the most popular bikes in the UK. But the winner...
Directions
21 October 2001
You take a left, then a left, then a left and, oh just keep going until you see the chequered flag.
CB400SS given a taste of the ’60s grid
21 October 2001
Honda’s own custom version of its CB400SS has made it a retro to be proud of. The bike has been transformed with aftermarket parts to give it a look like a 1960s GP racer. All the original bodywork –...
MZ Baghira
21 October 2001
It’s a little known fact that MZ, former manufacturers of everlasting two stroke commuters (and, before that, GP champions) have been making supermotos since 1996. One was the twin headlight Mastiff,...
Grime. Together we’ll crack it
21 October 2001
Cleanliness is a personal thing. Some reckon they can get by with a quick rub with a wet flannel. Others fell no less than an hour in the shower is sufficient. It’s the same with bikes. You may...
What do you call a scooter with 750cc? A Honda Elysium
21 October 2001
The litre-class scooter can’t be far away. This is the closest so far, a 750cc flat-four-powered brute with the kind of grunt scooter riders can only usually dream about… and a roof. The Honda Elysium...
Machine of the Year (All-rounder)
21 October 2001
The winner has taken the term all-rounder and redefined it …it is the Yamaha Fazer 1000. Despite a stiff price that has doubtless turned off many buyers, the Fazer 1000 has still sold well and anyone...
Step three: Bodywork
21 October 2001
With the grease removed, you can now see where the dirt is. This may also include the wheels and brakes, despite your efforts with the degreaser. Cover the entire machine with a motorcycle cleaner,...
Why biking is back in fashion
21 October 2001
When we were kids, bikers were cool. Unless you’re over 50, you didn’t see hippie odyssey Easy Rider when it came out, and you almost certainly weren’t around when outlaw Marlon Brando terrorised...
Product of the Year (Clothing)
21 October 2001
Congratulations to Thunderchild for spotting the opening in the British market for the Roof range of helmets, epitomised by the Diversion, a helmet which combines unique and stylish looks and great...
Supermoto test
21 October 2001
There comes a time when every sportsbike rider finds him (or her)self in a hedge, or a court, or even a pawn shop, wondering where it all went wrong. Sound familiar? Of course it does. It’s called...
Step eight: Black trim
21 October 2001
Items like mirrors (well the casing, not the glass), indicator stalks and rear mudguards. Cut a normal sponge into smaller pieces and apply a car bumper care product to the sponge. This will spread...
Yamaha builds a bike to handle like a BMX
21 October 2001
Yamaha’s new Tricker concept bike combines the 223cc SOHC four-stroke single of the new TW225 with an alloy beam frame. Yamaha says the bike was inspired by the X-Games – where BMXs and skateboards...
Place your bets…now!
21 October 2001
He’s an ultra fit athlete who trains hard and is in peak physical condition. BUT how long can British Supersport rider John McGuinness hold his breath? 18 seconds, 28 seconds or 58 seconds?...
Funeral procession draws riders from around the country
21 October 2001
The funeral for Shire Training Service’s boss Colin Fenton was held on Thursday morning. More than 40 friends and former pupils travelled from around the country to ride in the funeral procession, which took in the Monks Wood stretch of Cambridgeshire B-roads he loved so much. Colin died following a stroke. His advanced riding tips and advice often featured in the motorcycling press and he...
First details of bigger-bore Blade
21 October 2001
Honda’s FireBlade is to get a 1060cc capacity and a far more torque-laden power delivery. The idea is to open up a wider gap in character between the CBR600 and the Blade. The changes to the Blade are...
CCM R30 Supermoto
21 October 2001
The CCM is like one of those deep sea fish that’s all head and teeth – only in this case it’s nearly all engine. The enormous, 20 year-old, aircooled Rotax 600 dominates the R30 from either side. Add...
The history of four cylinders
21 October 2001
Four pistons hurtling up and down at up to 15,000 times a minute. Exhaust screaming. Air intakes howling. Whatever you think of four-cylinder sports bikes, you can’t deny they do their job pretty...
Dealer of the Year (one outlet)
21 October 2001
Congratulations to CW Motorcycles, a dealership which our readers tell us really knows how to combine service and excellence with an expert knowledge of the BMWs they sell. On top of that independent surveys consistently put this dealership at, or near, the top, which it is why it is a worthy winner of Bridgestone MCN Dealer of the Year single outlet category. 1. CW Motorcycles 2. Millennium...
Dealer (Clothing & Accessories)
21 October 2001
With a growing network of stores Hein Gericke has taken the clothing retail experience to new heights, epitomised by its Belfast store. And despite some well-publicised problems with its holding company, Hein Gericke in the UK has continued to offer great products in a great environment. So congratulations to Hein Gericke. 1. Hein Gericke, Belfast 2. Biker’s Clearance 3. Harpers
Dealer of the Year (more than one outlet)
21 October 2001
Congratulations to George White a dealership chain that proves that you can offer great personal service in a modern retail environment and offer a great range of products. 1. George White 2. Lloyd Cooper 3. Colin Appleyard Shortlisted: Bridge Motorcycles
Troy Bayliss: in his own words
21 October 2001
Rgvm: Congratulations Troy – whats the first thing you said/or will say to Colin Edwards when you lift the trophy? TroyBayliss: Nothing really. I don’t think there’s going to be any gloating. Dazzie: Troy, many congratulations! World Champion – how mental is that?! How does it feel!? TroyBayliss: Well, I just feel the same I did before it all happened really. But I do sort of feel a bit strange. I...
XR250 goes supermoto
21 October 2001
Honda has given its XR250 crosser a supermoto spin and dubbed it the Custom. The bike – revealed at Tokyo – is a one-off to show how customers can transform the XR using readily available parts. In...
Step nine: Finishing
21 October 2001
By this time, you’ve spent a couple of hours and you’re tired. But you should have a good sense of reward. This is a good time to lube the chain, because chances are you’re not going to ride straight away, and again overspray will come off easily with the polish. As always, there’s no need to drown the chain in lube. It’s best left overnight after lubing, to work into the chain – if you ride...
Manufacturer of the Year
21 October 2001
The bronze award goes to a company that relocated, restructured and plain and simple sold more bikes…Ducati The silver award goes to company that worked hard to reposition itself, offered some...
Step two: Wheels and degreasing:
21 October 2001
Your wheels are usually the dirtiest part of your bike. They’re nearest the road so they get road grime, but they also get the worst of chain lube and brake dust. A good spray over with a motorcycle...
Accessories
14 October 2001
HONDA has more or less grown a new department to keep up with the demands of the modern rider – Honda Accessory Corporation. The job of HAC staff will be to offer riders a complete range of totally integrated extras for their machines, instead of having to pick and choose among aftermarket parts. The new VFR and Hornet 900 will be the first bikes to benefit from the new accessories, with a range...
More bhp at a stroke
14 October 2001
IMAGINE riding a 600cc sports bike that turns into a 750 at the twist of the throttle. No nitrous, no big-bore kit, just ready power. It sounds like fantasy, but this is the reality of a radical new...