Bike news

For sale: Valentino Rossi's motorhome

Valentino Rossi’s custom-painted motorhome is up for sale. The 11.94m, eight-sleeper “Monaco Dynasty Bishop IV” has a relatively new registration – 2009 – and a comfortably low mileage of 37,777.   The 425bhp rating is roughly double that of Rossi’s new Ducati GP11, but the downside is it weighs in at 20,484kg.   A standard model would cost roughly £250,000, but there’s no indication of price on...

New MCN March 2: Rossi on the ropes

New MCN March 2: Rossi on the ropes

In this week’s issue of MCN, on sale March 2, we test Triumph’s Bonneville rival, the Kawasaki W800. Also in this week’s MCN, we test the Pierobon F042 Street kit bike, all the news from the first WSB...

Rossi gets dirty

Rossi gets dirty

Valentino Rossi shows he’s more than capable off-road as well as on with this footage of the multiple world champ having fun trying out the dirt track bike, the Ouroboros Zaeta, developed by his dad,...

New Aprilia Caponord 1200 spied

New Aprilia Caponord 1200 spied

Aprilia’s new 1200cc V-twin Caponord has been spotted testing on the road in Italy as the firm prepares to take on the road adventure market and its leading exponent, the Ducati Multistrada. Italian...

Aprilia adds World Superbike electronics to 2011 RSV4 range

Aprilia adds World Superbike electronics to 2011 RSV4 range

Aprilia has now added the sophisticated APRC electronics package across the RSV4 range which includes eight-stage adjustable traction control, wheelie control, launch control and a quick shifter as...

Yamaha FZ8R breaks cover

Yamaha FZ8R breaks cover

This picture proves that an uprated Yamaha FZ8R is due in 2012 – although it probably won’t go on sale in Britain. It was taken by a photographer from motoblog.fr – apparently during an official visit...

BMW K1600GTL first ride preview

BMW K1600GTL first ride preview

The BMW K1600GTL is the bigger brother of the BMW K1600GT, but the feel of the bike suggests more changes than meets the eye. It comes with a massive top box capable of swallowing two full-size...

"MV Agusta F3 should double sales"

"MV Agusta F3 should double sales"

MV Agusta boss Giovanni Castiglioni’s main priority is the new three-cylinder MV Agusta F3 675cc supersports bike, which he says is already ahead of schedule. The first bikes will go into full...

Vyrus 986 M2: First Moto2 racer for the road

Vyrus 986 M2: First Moto2 racer for the road

Exotic Italian manufacturer Vyrus is planning a road-going version of its new 986 M2 Factory Moto2 racer – yours for £21,000. The 124bhp, 155kg hand-built 986 M2 SL Replica will go into production by...

World's first bike adaptive headlights

World's first bike adaptive headlights

Imagine riding along a road at night where the headlight was actively trying to see round corners. Video: BMW K1600GT first ride Well, now you don’t have to because for the first time ever on a...

MCN completes first laps of Snetterton 300

MCN completes first laps of Snetterton 300

MCN editor Marc Potter joined reigning BSB Evo champ Steve Brogan to complete the first full laps of the new Snetterton 300 circuit, along with competition winner Steve Mobbs. The track is now...

Taking my bike test - standard exhaust or aftermarket?

Taking my bike test - standard exhaust or aftermarket?

I’m planning on doing my bike test soon on my own bike, however it has got a sports exhaust on it. The system (I believe) is road legal as it is not stamped and also has a removable baffle insert.

Police withhold theft footage

Police withhold theft footage

Police are withholding CCTV evidence that immobilisers can be overcome by thieves, on the grounds they don’t want to attract criticism from a motorcycle manufacturer. The Met’s DC Alex Saxby has...

Ducati in Hollywood again: I am Number Four

Ducati in Hollywood again: I am Number Four

Ducati seem to have no equal when it comes to getting its bikes into the latest Hollywood blockbuster. The latest evidence is this week’s hot teen-scream release, ‘I am Number Four’ which features...

Destination dealer: CJ Ball

Destination dealer: CJ Ball

ADVERTISING PROMOTION Honda and Suzuki dealer CJ Ball are gearing up for a big 2011 with key new models including the lighter and sharper Suzuki GSX-R600 and the rebirth of Honda’s iconic CBR600F.

Best of bikemart: Modern classics up for grabs this week

Best of bikemart: Modern classics up for grabs this week

We’ve been browsing MCN bikes for sale every day to bring you some of our top picks from over 10,000 motorcycles for sale.              Read more modern classics news and features Here’s just a few...

Triumph's 2011 riding kit range

Triumph's 2011 riding kit range

Triumph has just released pictures of some of the highlights of its spring and summer riding kit. Save cash on motorcycle clothing It includes a new James Dean jacket, hook-ups with legendary...

Who wants to dive when you can ride?

Who wants to dive when you can ride?

Hello MCN, my name is Flo, I’m 19 years old  and I come from Gloucester. My boyfriend Jamie’s Dad – Rolly Bastian reads your paper religiously. Jamie and I have been travelling in Malaysia for the...

Video: BMW K1600GT first ride

Video: BMW K1600GT first ride

BMW recently launched the new six-cylinder K1600GT and K1600GTL in South Africa and MCN was there to put the new bike through its paces. The new silky-smooth inline six-cylinder 1600cc engine is one...

2011’s sexiest road-going ‘Blade?

2011’s sexiest road-going ‘Blade?

This 2011 CBR1000RR – daubed up in the new Castrol Honda World Superbike colours – could be the best looking Fireblade on the road. Created in a one-off partnership between Ten Kate racing and Honda...

Near miss

I was on my way home from work when a driver decided to cross in front of me and we nearly collided. His excuse was that he was busy talking to his daughter.

MCN helping me through labour

MCN helping me through labour

MCN is the only thing that kept me going through my labour!

Video: Ducati Diavel production line time lapse

Video: Ducati Diavel production line time lapse

Ducati is ramping up production of the Diavel sports cruiser following unanimously positive first tests and large numbers of orders. Forty Diavels are now rolling off production likes each day, and...

Avoiding idiots: readers’ videos

Last week we showed you a highlight video of Dublin’s worst drivers and asked MCN readers to submit their own footage. Thanks to everyone who contributed, and we hope you enjoy six of the best that we’ve included below. From the dangerous to the controversial, they highlight some of the hazards faced by motorcyclists every day on Britain’s roads and beyond.

Police slammed over bike-jacking

Police slammed over bike-jacking

Police have been slammed for failing to take an armed bike-jacking seriously after it emerged they treated it as ordinary vehicle theft. MCN recently revealed how a reader was forced to watch as five...

Buy Suzuki kit online

Buy Suzuki kit online

Suzuki claims to be the first motorcycle manufacturer in the UK to now make its entire, 1252-item clothing and accessory range available online. Save cash on motorcycle products Once you’ve found...

Triumph Daytona 675R first ride: 'The most exciting middleweight'

Triumph Daytona 675R first ride: 'The most exciting middleweight'

The Triumph Daytona 675R is simply a Daytona 675 with lots of very desirable goodies to make it a track day weapon and, in the right hands, a formidable tool on the road. The 675R boasts three major...

End of the road for Frank Thomas?

End of the road for Frank Thomas?

Although Frank Thomas kit will continue to be available, with the buy-out of the brand name and stock by clothing retailer J&S Accessories concluded late last week, an industry insider has said he...

Ducati second only to Apple in product placement awards

Ducati second only to Apple in product placement awards

Ducati has been voted second only to the all-conquering Apple technology company in a series of advertising awards about product placement in films in 2010. Ducati placed second behind Apple as the...

BMW K1600GT first ride: 'One of the most intoxicating engines in motorcycling'

BMW K1600GT first ride: 'One of the most intoxicating engines in motorcycling'

BMW has created a supersports touring bike that adds an extra level of sex appeal to big, fast touring bikes with the K1600GT. The new silky-smooth inline six-cylinder 1600cc engine is one of the most...

An excellent Xmas gift

An excellent Xmas gift

Here are a couple of pictures of me enjoying one of my Xmas presents from the missus – an Oulton Park Hottrax track day. Teetering round a couple of the bends in the wet, slippy conditions on my 2006...

Fund cameras or not? You decide

Fund cameras or not? You decide

From April, first-time speeders caught going up to 16mph over the limit will be offered £100 ‘speed awareness courses’ instead of three points and a £60. A third of the course fee will go to funding...

Bikes on TV: February 23 - March 1

Bikes on TV: February 23 - March 1

KEY TO CHANNELS:   DRT – Discovery Real Time  SHED – Discovery Shed DSC – Discovery Channel  DHD – Discovery Channel HD EXS – Extreme Sports Channel EUR1 (2, HD) – Eurosport 1 (2, HD)  MOT – Motors...

New MCN February 23: BMW K1600GT first ride

New MCN February 23: BMW K1600GT first ride

In this week’s issue of MCN, on sale February 23, we test the all-new six-cylinder BMW K1600GT and K1600GTL in South Africa. Also in this week’s MCN, a free WSB season guide, we test the new Triumph...

Dream bike

Dream bike

My missus spotted her dream bike at the MCN Show.

Meeting Randy Mamola

Meeting Randy Mamola

My kids with Randy Mamola at The MCN Show 2011