Latest Motorbike News

Secrets of Ohlins' 2-wheel drive R1 revealed

18 May 2009 by Guy Procter

Ohlins’ 2WD project manager reveals: it was faster dry or wet, suffered only a 2.5bhp power loss, and that there were four manufacturers who had Ohlins 2WD-equipped mules. This is an extended version...

Father Bill, leader of the 59 club, dies

18 May 2009 by Gareth Ashman

Father Bill Shergold, 89, died in the early hours of Sunday 17th May 2009 at a nursing home in Wells, Somerset, after a short illness. In the early 1960’s, Father Bill was instrumental in introducing...

Have you bought an ex-police bike?

18 May 2009 by Chris Newbigging

MCN wants to hear from riders who have bought ex-police bikes and want to share their experiences. We’ll be using your feedback to help shape a future story. If you can help, email...

Free XTi gloves with each XTi suit from Frank Thomas

18 May 2009 by MCN

Frank Thomas are giving away a free pair of XTi gloves (worth £100!) with each purchase of an Xti one-piece or two-piece within participating dealers across the UK. The XTi suit is made from premium...

MCN donation pays for new bike for Riders for Health

18 May 2009 by Chris Newbigging

Motorcycling charity Riders for Health has received a new bike paid for by MCN readers that will deliver medical supplies to remote African villages. MCN Editor Marc Potter handed the cheque for £3495...

Rev Bill Shergold, 59 Club founder, dies

18 May 2009 by Mick Marshall

The founder of the 59 Motorcycle Club, the Rev Bill Shergold, died on Sunday. More info at the 59 club web site.

Long live biking camaraderie

17 May 2009 by Preacherman

I am 62 years old and back on 2 wheels after an abscence of 38 years. I have been back in the saddle now for nearly 3 years and loving it. I borrowed my son’s 600cc Bandit to get used to the feeling and was amazed at the changes, especially the power. I now tour with my son on my new Honda ST1300. I feel part of a great community of bikers and eagerly nod at anything on two wheels. Whilst having...

MCN at the Pyramids

17 May 2009 by Richard Carter

Here I am catching up with the latest news at The Pyramids in Giza. Richard Carter, Castle Douglas

Module One

16 May 2009 by nigel crofts

As an experienced rider having passed my test back in the eighties, I am currently nursing my seventeen year old son Luke through this ridiculously gruelling new test regime. Having gone through the CBT (before the new test came in)and having eventually passed the theory side of things, he finds another hurdle in his way, in the name of ‘Module One’. Obviously I appreciate the need to only let...

Credit crunch biking part 3

16 May 2009 by peterhenthorne

Three months ago I bought an old CBR 1000F to keep me on the road after selling my Pan European – there are 2 previous little reports in MCN readers news archives if anyone is interested. I’ve now...

Avon Tyres supports West Country Blood Bikes

15 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

Melksham-based Avon Tyres,, has agreed to supply tyres to the Freewheelers Emergency Volunteer Service, a registered Charity who provide emergency out-of-hours medical transport throughout the West...

Donington will host bank holiday BSB

15 May 2009 by Laura Kennerley

Donington Park has been given the go-ahead to stage the third round of the British Superbike Championship on May 23-25. There was speculation whether the track would pass an inspection imposed by the...

Free fitting or £10 off Bridgestone tyres

15 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

UK tyre dealer Protyre has just announced the launch of www.rubberupright.com, and visitors to this new website can get £10 off the purchase of two Bridgestone tyres, or free fitting as an...

One Day in June released on DVD

15 May 2009 by Rob Hull

The glorious return of one of motorcycle racing’s biggest names to the Isle of Man TT is the stuff of legend, still one of the most talked about events at the fabled road race more than three decades...

Protyre announce bike-only tyre centres

15 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

Independent UK tyre dealer Protyre has invested in establishing 21 state-of-the-art, dedicated Two-Wheel Centres in the UK to cater specifically for motorcyclists. The new centres offer a ride-in,...

Tell us about your BMF bargains

15 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

Are you braving the trip to Peterborough this weekend to fill up your panniers with cheap kit and Stella? MCN wants to hear from anyone who’s at or who’s been to this weekend’s BMF Show and snapped up...

Half-price sale on cool clobber

15 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

Australian heroes of street track, Deus, are having a sale on some of their decidedly cool (yet often a bit pricey) casual clothes. Check out the website here...

Women on bikes. What’s not to like?

15 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

This July sees the publication of a new 272-page hardback from American author Cris Sommer Simmons, entitled ‘The American Motorcycling Girls 1900-1950. In the publishers’ own words, it’s “A fabulous,...

Eeasy-to-use Abus ‘Detecto’ alarms

15 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

As smart as they are strong, the Abus Detecto 7000 RS range sets a new standard for motorcycle brake disc locks thanks to extreme ease of use mated with sophisticated design. Unique for motorcycle...

Official North-West 200 merchandise

15 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

If you miss out on the chance to buy one at event this weekend, or you want to make everyone else think you braved the elements to make it up to Portrush this year, then you can buy NW200 merchandise...

Harley kit for boys and girls

15 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

Here’s a selection of Harley’s riding kit for this summer. The two images here show the firm’s male and female highlights. Other categories of clothing include “Vintage vixen”, “Lazy days” and...

Ohlins launch ultra limited MotoGP replica shock

15 May 2009 by Rob Hull

Öhlins Racing has released a limited run of just 100 MotoGP replica shocks for the road. The firm wants to celebrate its long lasting commitment in the MotoGP with a very exclusive Replica of the...

Win a Rossi replica helmet with Buell

15 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

To celebrate the start of the 2009 MotoGP Championship, the Buell Performance Academy is giving visitors to www.buellperformanceacademy.co.uk the opportunity to win the all-new Buell GP Tech Full Face...

Tagged for dropping sweets

15 May 2009 by Steve Farrell

A motorcyclist has told how he was electronically tagged for four months and given a 36-hour community order – for dropping mint imperials while riding. Thomas Payne, 19, must be at home from 8pm...

Greater threat of prisoner escape after police motorcycles axed

15 May 2009 by Steve Farrell

High security police operations including moving maximum risk prisoners will be hampered because the motorcycle fleet has been axed, according to rank and file officers. Moving category A prisoners...

Top 5 commuters under £2k

15 May 2009 by James Keen

If you’re after a bargain run-around or workhorse, look no further. Here’s 5 of the best commuters for under £2k, as rated by MCN readers in the MCN Biking Britain survey. Thinking of trading in?...

Kawasaki launches used approved scheme backed by manufacturer warranty

15 May 2009 by Guy Procter

Kawasaki has launched what it says is an industry-leading used-approved scheme which gives used bikes the same level of warranty as new. Bikes offered as ‘Kawasaki Select – Used & Approved’ are...

BMW S1000RR takes to North West 200 course

15 May 2009 by Andy Downes

BMW’s S1000RR superbike has taken to the roads on the North West 200 course – the first time the road bike has made an appearance in the UK. BMW’s new superbike had a police escort for the outing and...

Motoczysz TTXGP racer on the dyno: it's real! It sounds alright!

15 May 2009 by Guy Procter

Sceptics who feared MotoCzysz might not be able to deliver its electric TTXGP racer in time for the race behold: it’s the E1PC testing on the dyno. And what a lovely sight and sound the couple...

BMW mark half-millionth GS with special edition R1200

15 May 2009 by Guy Procter

BMW has made an incredible 500,000 GS-badged motorcycles since the original R80G/S in 1980. To celebrate it’s launching a special edition of the R1200GS featuring a suite of tasty extras at a bargain...

MCN in Bahrain

14 May 2009 by Allan smith

Picture of me and my wife Chris in Bahrain with our MCN, both riders!

MCN in Pisa

14 May 2009 by Preacherman

My leaning son Russell at the Tower of Pisa (did I get that right?) on our annual big run. Paul Burgoyne

Suzuki Katana 1000

14 May 2009 by Oberdan Bezzi

Suzuki’s answer to the new streetfighters will be very very cutting edge! (get it?) Based on the Suzuki GSX-R1000 K9, the SuperKatana would be the fastest naked on the market.

Free Yamaha bike health check

14 May 2009 by James Keen

Yamaha are offering a free 30-minute bike health check until June 3 at participating dealerships. Click here to download the free voucher The Yamaha Vehicle Health Check (YVHC) campaign aims to...

Six months’ jail for being a biker

14 May 2009 by Steve Farrell

A driver has walked free for speeding at over 120mph with a child passenger – after a biker was jailed for doing the same. Months after the media furore over biker Robert Bennett speeding at 122mph...

What's the punishment for killing a biker?

14 May 2009 by eatcs01

What would you expect the punishment to be for causing “Death by careless driving”? Well, as long as you “only” kill a biker, then you may be surprised. “Killick, 25, was disqualified from driving for 12 months and given a 12-month community order during which he will have to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.” So if you want to kill someone, do not shoot them. Do not hire a hitman. Just befriend...

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