Latest Motorbike News

Sidecar Stars released on CD

22 May 2009 by Rob Hull

Motorcycle racing has produced many sensational superstars. Perhaps the most spectacular, but most frequently overlooked, are the sidecar crews. In a series of wonderful recordings – originally...

Win VIP tickets to MOJO honours shows with MCN

22 May 2009 by James Keen

We’ve joined forces with MOJO magazine to offer MCN readers the chance to win tickets to a series of special gigs in London. It all starts on Monday 8 June with legendary folk guitarist Bert Jansch at...

Ventura rack for Harley-Davidson XR1200

22 May 2009 by Rob Hull

Harley-Davidson’s XR1200 is praised for its performance, handling and all-round ability, and now thanks to luggage manufacturer Ventura, can add touring to its repertoire. Compare and buy motorcycle...

GSE Racing’s new look

22 May 2009 by Rob Hull

You too can look like GSE Racing’s on-form line-up of Leon Camier and James Ellison with the new replica clothing range for the defending British Superbike Champions. It’s a move away from the...

Tech 3 Yamaha ’09 clothing now available

22 May 2009 by Rob Hull

James Toseland’s Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP team now has its own official replica clothing line for 2009, available through Grand Prix Legends. The team, which now carries the distinctive branding of...

Suzuki Bandit 650 launch: First impressions

22 May 2009 by MCN

MCN’s Marc Potter is on the Isle of Wight riding both the unfaired and faired (650SA) versions of Suzuki’s updated Bandit at the UK launch. Here are his first impressions of the faired version. Find...

Show your support at BSB this weekend

22 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

OK, so it’s a little late to order a BSB team shirt in time for this weekend’s forthcoming Bank Holiday ding-dong at Donington, but it’s still worth checking out the official BSB shop here for what to...

David Jefferies: The Official Biography

22 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

Stuart Barker’s 272-page hardback biography of one of British road racing’s most loved characters of all time is being serialized in MCN, starting from June 3. Here’s a brief blurb to whet your...

New York rider bemused by Manchester roads

21 May 2009 by Preacherman

I was recently visted for 2 weeks by my good friend Chuck Stegmeyer, a keen biker from Brooklyn, New York. This was his first visit to England and we spent some time touring England, but mainly around Greater Manchester where I live. On his return to Brooklyn he wrote me this letter: Dear Preacherman, Thanks for the great time we had. I enjoyed riding your Pan. I was intrigued, however, by the...

Ducati 989R Desmofighter

21 May 2009 by Oberdan Bezzi

How surprisingly would it be if the new Ducati at EIMA 2009 was this – an incredible DESMOFIGHTER based on the technical part of Desmosedici RR. A Definitive Naked from 200 CV, a Fighter from MotoGP.

Smashed up on new test

21 May 2009 by leytonman

I have just been released from Basildon hosp after crashing doing test (avoidance)in wet and windy conditions tuesday 8 45am. 4 smashed ribs and punctured lung with fractured shoulder blade. went thru cones at 35mph swerved right then as I swerved left honda cg went down slamming me into tarmac. I had just watched a rider fail because they whent to slow and also locked up back wheel for a good...

Top 5 best handling bikes - according to you

21 May 2009 by James Keen

Here’s a top 5 countdown of the bikes rated highest for handling by user reviewers in the MCN bike reviews section. Thinking of trading in? Sell your bike with MCN for £9.99 Do you agree with the...

New Guy Martin T-shirts from Red Torpedo

21 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

Everyone’s favourite maverick gets a whole new range of casual clothing, including T-shirts and caps, for 2009. Buy ’em up and show your support for Lincolnshire’s finest at next month’s Isle of Man...

New made-to-measure kangaroo suit from BKS

21 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

This is the new made-to-measure BKS kangaroo suit. The current made to measure designs have been given a facelift, but the generic panel arrangement behind each model retains the recognisable BKS...

Official NTBPT video report - you may be in it!

21 May 2009 by ojosef

The 11th May 09 demonstration was a huge success, the turn-out was astonishing. Thanks to everyone that came. The man in the studio has been busy over the past week creating this video report, we hope you enjoy it, you may even be in the vid! See you at the next demonstration which is taking place on Tues, 9th June 09 (there will be the usual pre-meet at Ace Cafe before the demo too) for full...

Rossi's Dainese airbag suit in action

21 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

Watch Valentino Rossi discuss the ins and outs of Dainese’s D-Air Racing airbag system in this exclusive video. It will help if you can speak Italian, but watch out for the slowed down footage of the airbags inflating – much, much quicker than the blink of an eye.

Motoairbag waistcoat

21 May 2009 by James Keen

A new waistcoat with a built-in airbag system claims to revolutionise bike safety. The Motoairbag automatically inflates when the wearer leaves the seat during an accident. The waistcoat is fastened...

Riding with the Beast by Ian Mutch

21 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

What would you do if several months into a relationship you discovered that your girlfriend has turned into a Grizzly Bear? There can be few of us who have not at some point put that question to...

Haga Monza limited edition Arai RX-7 GP

21 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

Arai has released a limited edition replica of the helmet design Noriyuki Haga raced in during the Monza World Superbike round on its range-topping RX-7 GP. The Xerox Ducati World Superbike (WSB)...

Fresh kit from Benzina

20 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

Cool new clothing firm Benzina has caught our eye. Admittedly, the fact that they send cakes with their orders helped, but some of their T-shirts are pretty cool, too. Casual motorcycle clothing For...

Moriwaki Moto2 bike on track

20 May 2009 by Andy Downes

Japanese tuner Moriwaki track tested its Moto2 MD600 at Suzuka in Japan for the first time last week as it prepares to sell kits to racing teams. Moto2 will be replacing the 250cc two-stroke racing...

Charley Boorman sets off by motorcycle on By Any Means II

20 May 2009 by Andy Downes

Charley Boorman finally set off to begin his By Any Means II trip and was sent on his way by hundreds of Australian fans. Boorman was riding a Deus Kawasaki W650 custom bike for the start of the trip...

Video: Aprilia RSV4 vs Yamaha R1

20 May 2009 by MCN

The Yamaha R1 claims its its biggest scalp yet by taking on and beating the brilliant new Aprilia RSV4 Factory in a shoot-out on the roads of Southern France. Video: Aprilia RSV4 ridden on the...

Bikes on TV: May 20-26

19 May 2009 by Alison Silcox

KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT – Discovery Real Time SHED – Discovery Shed (used to be DRTE) DSC – Discovery Channel DHD – Discovery Channel HD EXS – Extreme Sports Channel MM – Men and Motors MOT – Motors...

Female biker needed to star in a promo video

19 May 2009 by Nik Coleman

We’re a film company in East Anglia trying to make a star (okay well a little star) of a female biker – we need a female aged 17-22 who can ride a 125cc bike for a corporate video! Plus you get a sneak preview of a radical new bike injection system (ahem, okay so it’s not THAT exciting) – however you’ll be doing your bit to make biking greener, ann you’ll get paid…. where are you??? Contact...

Sammy Miller returns TT crash Ducati

19 May 2009 by Guy Procter

The Ducati 900SS which 75-year-old legend Sammy Miller rode over the Waterworks at last year’s TT has been reunited with its owner. Bob Hartmann celebrated its return by promptly riding the bike on a...

Free Toolbox worth £34 when you subscribe to MCN

19 May 2009 by MCN

If you subscribe to MCN before June 2 2009 then you’ll recieve a free Beta toolbox worth £34! Not only this, but the toolbox will be delivered to your door first class and free of charge. Subscribe...

New MCN May 20: Aprilia RSV4 vs Yamaha R1 on the road

19 May 2009 by MCN

In this week’s issue of MCN we test the all-new Aprilia RSV4 against the class-leading Yamaha R1, to see which bike comes out on top on the road. The new V4 superbike from the Italian firm has been at...

Triumph Hurricat 1700

18 May 2009 by Oberdan Bezzi

If the new Thunderbird seems too classic for you and you want something much more exciting, how about this – the Hurricat 1700!

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...

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