September | Page 56

NitroBlade

23 September 2001

Joe Pleterski was one of the very first British FireBlade disciples – but that doesn’t mean he just sat back and worshipped the bike he has owned since August 1992. No, he reckoned he could improve on...

Firebird

23 September 2001

Things are starting to make sense now to MCN road tester Kev Smith. He’s just noticed the bright yellow, stripped-to-the-bone special he’s just been riding has a 150bhp Blackbird engine in place of...

Bulldog makeover could go into production

23 September 2001

The Bulldog makeover Yamaha has shown at the Milan and Paris bike shows could go into production as a new model. And if the firm isn’t prepared to go that far, it’s almost certain that the parts are...

Fireblade combination

23 September 2001

I hAVE never ridden (driven?) a sidecar – and a FireBlade-engined one probably isn’t the most sensible way to lose my three-wheeled virginity. So I’m grateful for small mercies when I’m told the...

More pictures of V-Strom from its official launch

23 September 2001

We’ve already revealed spyshots and first detail pictures of Suzuki’s V-Strom, now we’re adding more shots direct from the official launch in Paris. While Suzuki is making no power claim for the bike,...

Always on top

23 September 2001

Bikes always seem to come out on top.

Rossi Blade

23 September 2001

Andy Hacker bought his FireBlade from Carbontek two years ago. The firm had used it as its show bike, but had put everything back to standard except the polished frame and swingarm before selling it...

How much does it cost, and can you build a bike from scratch?

23 September 2001

Building a race bike from scratch Building an MZ race bike is so easy, even I managed it. When a mate told me he was interested in racing, I decided to try building a bike for him out of my spares.

CBR916RR

23 September 2001

Alan Wills’ 1994 FireBlade is loaded with some of the finest aftermarket components and tune-up goodies you’ll find, from the digital SPA rev counter with integrated speedo to the hand-crafted...

Strange but true

23 September 2001

Here’s our latest round-up of motorcycle-related oddities. If you have one worthy of inclusion, e-mail jon.urry@emap.com Germany: Rider Michael Gruber is recovering after a nasty accident on his FireBlade. His penis was ripped clean off by his petrol tank when he hit a tree on his bike but amazingly surgeons have managed to replace it with one made from a muscle in his arm! According to Gruber his...

Kawasaki launches ZZ-R1200

23 September 2001

Kawasaki has given its new ZZ-R1200 an official unveiling in Paris, giving us the chance to bring you more details and pictures of the new super-tourer. The 1164cc engine is expected to make around...

Ghezzi gives us Guzzi in another guise

23 September 2001

Ghezzi & Brian’s latest Guzzi-based creation has been put on show in Italy. The Furia combines the proven Guzzi V11 Sport engine with Ghezzi’s own Supertwin 1100 frame – a steel box-section design...

The trike young mums will like

23 September 2001

A scooter with room for the kids could tap into a new market for motorcycling: young mums. Nick Graveley’s final-year project in his transport design course at Coventry University is the...

Your interview with Jeremy McWilliams

23 September 2001

250GP star Jeremy McWilliams was in our VIP Lounge in Talk Bikes on Thursday September 27 answering your questions. To see a full transcript click on the link on the right ” Jeremy McWilliams: in his...

See our CBR600 screaming on the dyno

23 September 2001

As part of our long term testing of a 2001 CBR600, we’ve had it on the dyno, and filmed the run for you to share. Follow the link, right, to be taken to Jon Urry’s latest long term test report,...

Robots ready to deal with accidents

23 September 2001

There is a 21st century equivalent for little old ladies with tea and sympathy, it’s a new droid from the University of (where else?) California. They will be stationed alongside major roads and despatched the moment a roadside camera spots anything approaching an accident (your bike nestling in a hedge, for example). While it is not known whether the droid will carry a flask of hot, sweet tea, it...

Italian importer restyles Voxan Roadster

23 September 2001

Voxan’s Italian importer has decided to give customers something different with the Ciclope special. The bike combines the stock chassis and 100bhp V-twin engine of the French-made Roadster with...

Paris Show opens on Friday

23 September 2001

You can see and read about most of them on motorcyclenews.com, but unless you were at the Milan Show in Italy, the chances are you have yet to see the 2002 R1, FireBlade, ZX-6R, ZX-12 and the rest in...

How to go MZ racing

23 September 2001

How to turn an MZ into a race bike: They’re clunky, low-tech and have been objects of ridicule for years – but turning an old MZ ETZ251 into a race bike is remarkably easy. First, get yourself a...

Hailwood’s widow takes legal action against Ducati

23 September 2001

Updated at 5.30pm on Thursday, September 27 Mike Hailwood’s widow Pauline has spoken out after starting legal action against Ducati over the MH900e, or Mike Hailwood Evoluzione. She is upset over the...

Name an unsung riding hero

23 September 2001

We already honour the greatest rider of the year with our annual MCN Man of the Year accolade. And we recognise the best in motorcycling products, services and models with a series of other important...

Jeremy McWilliams: in his own words

23 September 2001

Emma: Just to let you know that Craig Kelly, from Chorley is racing your 1996/1997 Honda GP250 (second bike). He has just come second at the Ace of Aintree championship. He’d like to say it’s still pulling well and keep on riding well in the championship! My question is…what do you think of the scrapping of the 250 class. We are all so upset and angry at what the big boys are...

Touring on a Deauville, F650 and Tmax

23 September 2001

There’s something strangely satisfying about sitting in a field with just a thin piece of canvas, a few poles, a bike, some beers and a throwaway barbecue for company. Related: Full Honda Deauville...

TM ready to roll with new Supermotard

23 September 2001

Italian manufacturer TM has revealed a new 400cc four-stroke supermoto with a cast single-sided swingarm and a rim-mounted front brake disc. The TM400 Supermotard’s swingarm is similar to that on...

It’s a question of balance

23 September 2001

Steve Colley gets some on-the-job coaching.

First test of Kawasaki’s VN1500 Meanstreak

23 September 2001

Kawasaki’s MeanStreak isn’t just an excuse for another exercise in chrome. It’s a performance cruiser and a real blast. On an arrow-straight motorway in the Netherlands with my chin on the tank and...

Extreme Performance Blade

23 September 2001

It’s safe to say MCN road tester and ex-world endurance racer Dave Hill is impressed by Extreme Performance’s 2000 Blade. He blurts: ” This is excellent. Effin’ lovely. It handles, it turns in...

If the Clangers had trials bikes…

23 September 2001

Didn’t this used to be on children’s TV?

R1 at the TT

23 September 2001

V&M make an impression at the 99 TT

Kit turns R1 into GP look-a-like

23 September 2001

A new bodykit from France gives the R1 the look of Yamaha’s new four-stroke GP racer. Essonne Motos OW-M1 replica bodywork bolts straight on to any R1. There’s a headlight tucked under the nose and a...

Suzuki’s 2002 GSX-Rs

23 September 2001

Here are our first pictures of Suzuki’s 2002 GSX-R1000, 750 and 600. The only change to the GSX-R1000 is to its graphics. There are tweaks to the red/black/silver and blue/white schemes. The GSX-R750...

Mondial claims first owners will get bikes within a month

23 September 2001

Mondial is claiming the first of its new superbikes will be delivered to owners within a month. The firm used the Milan Show to finalise a dealer and importer network. The finalised bike has revised...

Budget MZ racing for beginners

23 September 2001

YES! I’m doing it! I’m actually doing it! Do you recognise those words? They’re what went through your head when you were in the process of losing your virginity. And they’re also going through mine...

World’s fastest bikes

23 September 2001

Fastest bikes in the world? Has to include an R1 doesn’t it?

Your 2002 new bike questions answered

23 September 2001

We were at the Paris Show on Thursday with many of motorcycling’s big cheeses and asked for your questions about the new bikes of 2002 to put to them. We had a huge response in a very short time and we’re sorry if yours is one of the questions we didn’t have time to answer. Many people who e-mailed in received individual replies. Others are listed below. Don’t worry if yours was missed out. We’re...

MV Agusta updates line-up for 2002

23 September 2001

MV Agusta has announced changes to its 2002 line-up amid strong suggestions that Italian scooter giant Piaggio is about to increase its 20 per cent holding in the firm to 100 per cent. And that’s...