Bike news

Year: ALL

POLL: Can you have fun with 47bhp?

13 November 2012 by MCN

POLL: Can you have fun with 47bhp?

With the introduction of new licence classes in January, the recent bike shows have seen a slew of new 47bhp releases, including a trio of 500cc Hondas officially released earlier today. So, we ask –...

POLL: How do you think Bradley Smith will fare in MotoGP?

13 November 2012

POLL: How do you think Bradley Smith will fare in MotoGP?

Bradley Smith makes his debut tomorrow on the Yamaha Tech 3 MotoGP bike, in preparation for a full season in the premiere class in 2013. Although undoubtedly a massive talent, he hasn’t exactly set...

MILAN SHOW: All-new Triumph Daytona 675 released

13 November 2012 by Richard Newland

MILAN SHOW: All-new Triumph Daytona 675 released

All-new engine More power More torque Lighter Switchable ABS Slipper clutch New chassis Don’t be fooled by the familiar lines of the 2013 Triumph Daytona 675; this is an all-new bike with a new...

Milan Show: Kawasaki Z1000 Special

13 November 2012 by Richard Newland

Milan Show: Kawasaki Z1000 Special

Some specials are definitely more special than others – and this one has caused MCN Senior Reporter Andy Downes to ‘have a slight crisis’ on the Kawasaki stand in Milan. Built as a one-off for...

Milan Show: Husqvarna Baja concept unveiled

13 November 2012 by Richard Newland

Milan Show: Husqvarna Baja concept unveiled

This is an updated version – which looks production-ready to our eyes – of Husqvarna’s Baja model. The small detailing has moved the concept on, and the Baja is clearly not far off being a completely...

New MCN November 14: New Metal

13 November 2012 by MCN

New MCN November 14: New Metal

In this week’s MCN, out November 14, we bring you all the latest news from the Milan bike show, including the all-new Triumph Daytona 675. We also look at new offerings from a whole host of...

Milan Show: Three new Honda 500s for 2013

12 November 2012 by Richard Newland

Milan Show: Three new Honda 500s for 2013

Three new Honda’s sharing much of the same basic bike have been revealed with the same 500cc parallel twin motor, chassis and running gear, and are squarely aimed at restricted licence holders hoping...

Milan Show: New Diavel Strada

12 November 2012 by Richard Newland

Milan Show: New Diavel Strada

An ugly Ducati is a rare old beast these days but the new Diavel Strada could be the first since the original Multistrada 1000 turned stomachs in 2003, or the easily forgotten Indiana of 1982 slipped...

Milan Show: New Ducati 1199 Panigale R

12 November 2012 by Richard Newland

Milan Show: New Ducati 1199 Panigale R

Right on cue, Ducati has revealed the ultimate iteration of the 1199 Panigale superbike with the ‘absolute flagship’ R version, which sits atop the range and above the existing bikes in terms of...

Milan Show: New Ducati Hypermotard & Hyperstrada

12 November 2012 by Richard Newland

Milan Show: New Ducati Hypermotard & Hyperstrada

Ducati has announced a new Hypermotard 800 and an adventure-touring spin-off called the Hyperstrada, in Milan today. Both share the same 821cc V-twin which uses the second generation Testastretta 11°...

More detail breaks about the new middle Brutale

12 November 2012 by Richard Newland

More detail breaks about the new middle Brutale

MCN showed you the new Brutale last week, but we now have more detail about the new middleweight model. The 800 tips the scales at an impressive 167kg, while delivering a claimed 125bhp @ 11,600rpm,...

First official photos of the new street-moto MV Agusta Rivale

12 November 2012 by Richard Newland

First official photos of the new street-moto MV Agusta Rivale

MCN exclusively showed you the first official sketch of the all-new Rivale last week, and this week we can bring you the first photos of the finished bike. Weighing in at 170kg, and doling out...

Needed: Yamaha XJR1300 and Kawasaki ZRX1200 owners!

12 November 2012 by MCN

Needed: Yamaha XJR1300 and Kawasaki ZRX1200 owners!

We’re putting a feature together on used naked big bikes, and need some reader help! We’d love to hear from you if you’ve owned a Yamaha XJR1300 or a Kawasaki ZRX1200. We’d like to know what you like...

HOC members pay their respects

11 November 2012 by Stritchy

HOC members pay their respects

Along with hundreds of other bikers, HOC members from Oxford, Cambridge, Beds, North London, North Downs, Reading, Northants, MK and West London branches went to Duxford Museum on Remembrance...

My Yamaha YZR500 Norick Abe replica

09 November 2012 by Wolfgang Hromada

My Yamaha YZR500 Norick Abe replica

I am from Austria. I have built a replica of Norick Abe´s 1999 YZR500 based on a Yamaha RD500 engine. Modifications and one-off parts are a long list, it took me six years to complete the bike. Some...

Ban for 144mph speeder

09 November 2012 by Steve Farrell

A motorcyclist who rode at 144mph on an A-road has been banned from driving for six months. Gary Dobson was caught speeding on his BMW S100RR on the A63 at South Milford, North Yorkshire, on October 7. The 40-year-old from Halifax was fined £500 by Selby magistrates after pleading guilty by post at an earlier hearing.

Less than 30 left: Honda RVF750 RC45

09 November 2012 by MCN

Less than 30 left: Honda RVF750 RC45

With more examples currently on a SORN (25) than there are licensed for road use (12), the RVF750 – arguably the 1990s superbike – is apparently an endangered species. There’s no denying its V4 motor...

Arrests after 15 bike thefts in one night

09 November 2012 by Steve Farrell

Arrests after 15 bike thefts in one night

Three youths have been arrested after 15 bikes were stolen within a few miles of each other in one night. The bikes were stolen on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in Weymouth and Portland,...

New Aprilia Caponord 1200 revealed

09 November 2012 by Andy Downes

New Aprilia Caponord 1200 revealed

Aprilia has resurrected the Caponord name with this all-new 1200cc V-twin adventure bike which packs cutting-edge technology including semi-active suspension, traction control and ABS. The Italian...

Destination dealer: Wheels Motorcycles

09 November 2012 by MCN

Destination dealer: Wheels Motorcycles

ADVERTISING PROMOTION With another World Superbike title to their name, Aprilia motorcycles offer winning models to all classes of rider. Wheels Motorcycles in Peterborough are proud to be franchised...

What to do if you’re ‘first on scene’ to a motorcycle accident

09 November 2012 by Pete Baker

What to do if you’re ‘first on scene’ to a motorcycle accident

In support of Road Safety Week – 9 to 25 November, BASICS Scotland has issued a list of top 10 first aid tips for motorcyclists that could help save a life. Compiled by Kevin McCloskey, a Senior Staff...

Moto Morini back from the dead

08 November 2012 by MCN

Moto Morini back from the dead

Moto Morini, geting back on their feet from bankruptcy, have shunned this year’s EICMA show, instead deciding to launch their 2013 in Milan at the same time. They haven’t set the world on fire with...

Video: 2013 Triumph Street Triple R first ride

08 November 2012 by MCN

Video: 2013 Triumph Street Triple R first ride

The current Triumph Street Triple, the British firm’s best selling machine in the past five years (they’ve sold 50,000), weighs just 189kg, full of fuel and ready-to-go, which is bugger-all. This new...

Al-Jazeera documentary on TT now available online

08 November 2012 by MCN

Al-Jazeera documentary on TT now available online

The recent episode of Al Jazeera’s Correspondent series, focusing on the Isle of Man TT, is now available online for free. Presenter Simon McGregor Wood, a respected foreign correspondent and self...

My experience of module 1

08 November 2012 by Patrick Jarvis

On Tuesday 6 November I passed my module 1 test with no minors. Before I sat the test I decided it would be sensible to research to prepare myself. Yet what I found was chaotic to say the least. Firstly I was on internet forums, and found people complaining about how the test is carried out, that they dropped the bike etc. When it first started there were stories of broken wrists. The myth behind...

KTM unleash 'the sound of the beast'

08 November 2012 by MCN

KTM unleash 'the sound of the beast'

KTM have, in their usual quirky manner, released a sneak peek of a new model set for unveiling at next week’s EICMA show in Milan. Rumoured to be the new Super Duke, whatever it is sounds amazing, and...

New Drift HD camera to film your ride

08 November 2012 by Marc Abbott

New Drift HD camera to film your ride

The new Drift HD Ghost camera is now available in the UK, and is designed to let you capture every moment of your ride – whether that’s freestyle motocross, a track day or Alpine tour – in glorious...

Naked Benelli set for EICMA debut

08 November 2012

Naked Benelli set for EICMA debut

Details are starting to emerge ahead of next week’s EICMA show in Milan of Benelli’s first new bike since their takeover by Chinese firm Qianjiang. The naked 600, dubbed the BN600, will move away from...

Picture gallery: Kawasaki W800 Spirit

08 November 2012 by MCN

Picture gallery: Kawasaki W800 Spirit

Specialist bike builders Spirit of the Seventies were commissioned by Kawasaki UK to build a one-off W800, with styling and key spec details chosen by Facebook fans. Spirit then created designs and...

Motorcycle Headstone

07 November 2012 by Jon Young

Motorcycle Headstone

Not something you see every day. Was on a push bike tour across France earlier in the year and stopped to take a photo of a rather photogenic church in Anneville-Ambourville in Normandy. It was only...

Italian firm Borile launch new Multiuso

07 November 2012

Italian firm Borile launch new Multiuso

Boutique Italian manufacturer Borile have released their latest offering, the Multiuso – a trailie-utility bike hybrid with a 230cc air-cooled, four stroke engine. The Multiuso is aimed both at town...

Armed robbers on bikes raid indoor shopping centre

06 November 2012 by Steve Farrell

Armed robbers on bikes raid indoor shopping centre

Robbers armed with axes and bats rode motorcycles through and indoor shopping centre and raided a jewellery store. Six robbers on three bikes including a white Triumph Daytona 675 rode through Brent...

You ask/you answer: What tyres should I use for a 4000-mile tour?

06 November 2012 by MCN

You ask/you answer: What tyres should I use for a 4000-mile tour?

“I’m planning a 4,000 mile touring holiday for next summer as a ‘goodbye’ to my old Pan European, before I trade it in for the new Triumph Trophy. “I’m not sure what tyres to use, and what other kit I...

Poll: Are you bothered by your bike's fuel consumption figures?

06 November 2012 by MCN

Poll: Are you bothered by your bike's fuel consumption figures?

Is MPG important to you and do you ride accordingly, or do you only pay attention to your fuel when the light comes on? pollcomment

Poll: £500 is best spent on...

06 November 2012 by MCN

Poll: £500 is best spent on...

You’ve got £500 to spend on anything bike related… There’s a lot you could do with £500, so what do you go for? pollcomment

New MCN November 7: Triumph Street Triple R first ride

06 November 2012 by Simon Patterson

New MCN November 7: Triumph Street Triple R first ride

In this week’s MCN, out November 7, we exclusively test the new Triumph Street Triple R at its launch in Spain. We take a high tech tourer on the road and track to see if it can beat a full-on 80s...