Bike news

Donington Planning Permission rubber stamped

Donington Planning Permission rubber stamped

Donington Park hosts has overcome another hurdle in its bid to host the 2010 Formula One Grand Prix. Circuit boss Simon Gillett and landowner Tom Wheatcroft have signed a Section 106 Agreement –...

MCN to test new Shoei XR1100

MCN to test new Shoei XR1100

MCN is heading out to sunny Spain next week to test this, the all new Shoei XR1100 due to replace the hugely successful XR1000 helmet for 2010. Compare and buy motorcycle helmets As you can see from...

Cool new Steve McQueen t-shirt

Cool new Steve McQueen t-shirt

Summer is here (believe it or not), so it’s a perfect time to get a cool retro biking t-shirt. So how about this new McQueen job? Available from Grand Prix Legends, it features the iconic image of the...

Ped Baker's blog: The Tinkerer

Ped Baker's blog: The Tinkerer

Welcome to my blog. I’m the deputy editor of Motor Cycle News, fan of just about everything on two wheels and hopeless tinkerer. I own five bikes: Triumph X75 Hurricane Ducati 748SPS 1962 Vespa...

Cool new Steve McQueen tee

Cool new Steve McQueen tee

Summer is here (believe it or not), so it’s a perfect time to get a cool retro biking t-shirt. So how about this new McQueen job? Available from Grand Prix Legends, it features the iconic image of the...

Eve engrossed in MCN, already!

Eve engrossed in MCN, already!

17 month old Eve, already an avid MCN fan

Forcefield ‘Loan Protection’ at Infinity Motorcycles

Forcefield ‘Loan Protection’ at Infinity Motorcycles

Infinity Motorcycles are so confident that you’ll love the comfort and security provided by Forcefield Performance Pro L2 back protectors, that they have launched a revolutionary new scheme. “Put...

Moto Guzzi - fix your parts problem

Instead of trying to increase their model range Moto Guzzi should resolve their chronic parts supply issue. I’m aware of 3 dealers who have now given up the Moto Guzzi franchise, saying they cannot carry on as it’s hurting their relations with customers. Having been dead keen on the Norge, (it’s a beauty) I have now started looking for an alternative

Perfect accessory for wet breakdowns

Perfect accessory for wet breakdowns

Overboard’s new 100% Waterproof Small Aqua Phone Case could be just what you need when you’re stranded in the pouring rain at the roadside. The makers say you can still make and take phone calls when...

Women’s summer jackets from BLH

Women’s summer jackets from BLH

BLH has introduced two new ladies summer jackets, designed to keep you cool whilst riding but without losing any of the safety features of a good quality motorcycle garment.   Both are currently...

Plug-and-play traction control for £800

Plug-and-play traction control for £800

Bazzaz Performance’s Z-Fi Traction Control system is designed for current Japanese supersport and superbikes and has been developed by Ammar Bazzaz, who helped Aussie Mat Mladin to his first three AMA...

New Bering Lady Aero jacket

New Bering Lady Aero jacket

This is the new Lady Aero jacket from Bering – a riding garment designed for our British summer. It’s an evolution of the Lady Sunrise jacket with one major focus – ventilation. The front panels and...

Calling all Vespa lovers

Calling all Vespa lovers

Vespa: An Illustrated History, first published in 1993, has just been reissued, and now includes colour photographs. This appealingly quirky book captures the personality, individuality and style of...

Weise Brooklands leather jacket

Weise Brooklands leather jacket

Named after the world¹s first purpose-built motor racing circuit, the Brooklands leather jacket from Weise is a classically styled garment manufactured from full grain nappa leather, which is...

We're the fourth emergency service

We're the fourth emergency service

My mate’s Honda CBR600 broke down just outside Holmfirth, Huddersfield and we failed to bump start it. We ended up hitching a ride home in a bin waggon.

Wear shorts on your bike!

Wear shorts on your bike!

Forma have just launched two new ‘shortie’ boots ­the Diablo and Northwind. The Diablo boot is designed to offer sports bike riders a comfortable yet protective option for urban riding, which can be...

Save on motorcycle insurance and win BSB tickets

Save on motorcycle insurance and win BSB tickets

Buy an insurance policy through MCN Compare that starts during July and you’ll be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a pair of BSB tickets. Get a quote through MCN Compare There are 15...

New Vespa Pin Up T-Shirts

New Vespa Pin Up T-Shirts

Vespa advertising has become as much a part of the iconic Italian scooter manufacturer’s story as the machines themselves, the slogans and imagery painting a unique picture of the Vespa way of life...

MCN Editor's original Fireblade for sale

MCN Editor's original Fireblade for sale

MCN Editor Marc Potter’s lovingly cared for 1992 Honda CBR900RR Fireblade could be yours – it’s listed right now in MCN Bikes For Sale. Click here to see the ad You could own a piece of biking...

Stay cool with new BMW Airflow 4 suit

Stay cool with new BMW Airflow 4 suit

The AirTex material used in the new BMW Airflow 4 suit is made of a resistant, light weight, net-like fabric which allows air to flow freely through it, keeping the rider cool. Equally, it retains the...

UK’s 10 most dangerous biking roads – do you ride them?

UK’s 10 most dangerous biking roads – do you ride them?

A new Eurorap report has identified ten roads, nearly all of them in the midlands and north of England, as more dangerous to bikes than any others.    We want to hear from riders who know these...

Metmachex Bandit

Metmachex Bandit

In january this year, while sorting out the frames of two Z1000R’s I am restoring I saw the bike in the foyer of Metmachex. I was a little concerned about the weird steering but very impressed with...

UK Exclusive: New Honda V4 spied in action

UK Exclusive: New Honda V4 spied in action

The Honda V4 VFR1200F has been spied in action just a day after the first pictures of the finished motorcycle appeared in MCN. The pictures show a Japanese test rider completing final hot-weather...

Very impressed with the Honda DN-01

I bought an 09 DN-01 and am totally pleased. I’m a 62 year old male with a 28″ inseam and have been riding since I was 16. Video: Honda DN-01 test My recent motorcycles (I own a few) include an HD Softail deluxe (boring), a BMW R1200C cruiser(a poor handling vibrator), a 1300 VTX(copy of an HD, boring too), a Yamaha Royal Star tour deluxe (absolutely awesome but heavy and tall for me), a Honda...

New Yoshimura ‘Racing Mid Pipe’ For Suzuki GSX-R1000 K9

New Yoshimura ‘Racing Mid Pipe’ For Suzuki GSX-R1000 K9

The Suzuki GSX-R1000 K9 Racing Mid Pipe from Yoshimura Japan increases machine performance by allowing riders to remove the stifling catalytic converter – required by manufacturers in order to meet...

Parking battle D-Day

Parking battle D-Day

Motorcyclists have one chance left to fight to save free bike parking, according to campaigners. A firm has won a “UK-wide” framework contract to charge riders for using motorcycle parking bays...

Schuberth launch fluorescent helmet

Schuberth launch fluorescent helmet

German helmet manufacturer Schuberth has added a new colourway to the existing C3 range – a fully fluorescent yellow helmet. The C3 is a traditionally ultra-quiet helmet from Schuberth, but not like...

New Zard for Dorsoduro and Streetfighter

New Zard for Dorsoduro and Streetfighter

These are pictures of the latest Zard exhaust system to fit the Aprilia Dorsoduro supermoto and Ducati’s latest creation, the Streetfighter. Compare and buy motorcycle exhausts Both exhausts have...

Full Desmosedici accessory range revealed

Full Desmosedici accessory range revealed

Ducati has unveiled an official Ducati Corse parts selection for the Desmosedici D16RR road bike that includes an exhaust system that costs the same as the manufactures Monster 696 brand new! Like the...

Backing the Brits at Donington: Eugene Laverty

Backing the Brits at Donington: Eugene Laverty

With Donington Park World Superbikes coming up this weekend, maybe you should have a think about cheering our boys on by getting yourself a supporters t-shirt? Fans of Eugene Laverty can do just that...

Steve McQueen Bell helmet on sale

Steve McQueen Bell helmet on sale

Grand Prix Legends is selling this awesome Steve McQueen replica Bell helmet. This fantastic new Steve McQueen 1964 Bell ISDT helmet replica is a great new Bell Jet RT helmet in the team colours worn...

Free Sidi boots with every leather suit from Infinity

Free Sidi boots with every leather suit from Infinity

From Monday 22nd June Infinity motorcycles are giving away a FREE pair of Sidi Vertigo boots worth £179.99 with every 1-piece or 2-piece leather suit bought in any of their showrooms or from their...

Opinion: Time to remove our loud pipes

Opinion: Time to remove our loud pipes

MCN columnist Kevin Ash stirred up a hornets’ nest when he said motorcyclists should give up on loud exhausts. Here are the edited highlights of his comments – MCN would be interested in what you...

Video: Tul-Aris 2-stroke racer

Video: Tul-Aris 2-stroke racer

The howling 2-stroke Tul-Aris racer is ridden in this week’s MCN. The bike, which features an 800cc parallel twin engine from a snowmobile, was built by the head of R&D for Renault F1. Watch the clip...

New Honda V4 sports-tourer revealed

New Honda V4 sports-tourer revealed

Honda’s new V4 – the beginning of a ‘new breed of bike’ according to the firm – is today revealed in MCN as a 1200cc sports-tourer closely related to the concept revealed in Autumn. World exclusive:...

Aprilia Mana 850 GT ABS - first ride

Aprilia Mana 850 GT ABS - first ride

The £6999 Mana 850 GT ABS is much more than its specs suggest. On paper it’s a bike with a 839.3cc V-twin scooter engine (the same lump, incidentally, you’ll find in the GP800 made by Aprilia’s sister...