Latest Motorbike News

Video: The best bits of the outgoing Yamaha R1

13 January 2009 by MCN

MCN will be testing the new ‘growler’ Yamaha R1 next week so we’ve trawled through the archives to find some of the best road test with previous model Yamaha R1s. The new Yamaha R1 will be the most...

Suzuki extends finance deal

13 January 2009 by MCN

Suzuki has extended until the end of March 2009 a 0% finance scheme on a number of bikes in the range including the 2008 GSX-R1000. Other models included are the RM-Z450 and 250 models. The finance...

Launch report: 2009 KTM 990 Adventure R

12 January 2009 by Chris Newbigging

MCN has just ridden the new for 2009 KTM 990 Adventure R for the first time on a 250km on/off road trek in Sardinia. The new motorcycle takes over from the 990 Adventure S as the top-of-the-range...

Norton move in!

12 January 2009 by Andy Downes

The revived, iconic Norton motorcycles has moved into its brand new premises at Donington Park – and MCN was there. Brought back to UK by Midlands businessman Stuart Garner, Norton has plans for both...

Bikes on TV: January 14-20

12 January 2009 by Alison Silcox

KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT – Discovery Real Time DRTE -Discovery Real Time Extra DSC – Discovery Channel DHD – Discovery Channel HD EXS – Extreme Sports Channel MM – Men and Motors MOT – Motors TV SS1...

Florida to Alaska - part 1

12 January 2009 by marcus Kingma

R1Sjaak and Doris Wiedemann started their bikes and are on their way to Key West-Florida.

Riding to Alaska in winter

12 January 2009 by marcus Kingma

R1-Sjaak and Doris Wiedemann are on their way to Alaska in winter. (-40 C) They make a pitsstop in Danville. Rusty, owner of Triangle Cycles, tells his story.

MotoGP coverage 2009

11 January 2009 by martin shaw

If you’re a MotoGP fan like myself are you also getting worried? BBC are advertising the sport they are going to show this year and not one mention of bikes! So get ready for poor coverage with poor commentary (please Dorna rethink Eurosport).

Ducati Supersport 1000

09 January 2009 by Oberdan Bezzi

This is my idea of what a new Ducati Supersport 1000 could look like. It’s light, it’s clear and is small and manageable. It’s pure Ducati!

The Royal British Legion Riders Branch 2009 World Record Attempt.

09 January 2009 by Mark Keeling

June 2009 will see an attempt by The Royal British Legion Riders Branch (RBLR) to break the ultimate endurance World Record. The RBLR have joined forces with Iron Butt Association to try to beat the...

Honda electric motorcycle ready next year

09 January 2009 by Chris Newbigging

Honda has announced that it will have an electric moped on sale by the end of 2010. The moped will be built as a zero CO2 emissions alternative to a petrol-powered 50cc moped, using a 360kw light...

Police appeal for motorcyclists’ help in murder hunt

08 January 2009 by Steve Farrell

Police investigating the murder of a man whose body was found burning at the side of the M45 are appealing to motorcyclists. They want to speak to riders who were using the motorway in Warwickshire...

Motorcycle sales buck financial trends

08 January 2009 by Andy Downes

Motorcycle sales are bucking the rest of the miserable financial trends being seen with the global economic downturn with figures of just 3.4% down for the whole of 2008 according to the Motor Cycle...

Thieves get to keep stolen motorcycles

08 January 2009 by Steve Farrell

Stolen motorcycles recovered in raids are being given back to thieves because of a lack of identifying marks, police have said. With no way to trace rightful owners, officers have no choice but to...

2000 miles in Cambodia

08 January 2009 by Garry Moloney

The first photo is my girlfriend and I with our copy of MCN outside the Bayon temple in Siem Reap Cambodia. We did about 2000 miles in and around Siem Reap on our 125 Honda Dream in 2 months. About...

Brad Pitt loves the anonymity of riding motorcycles

08 January 2009 by Andy Downes

Brad Pitt has spoken about how riding motorcycles have given him ‘anonymity’ and turned him into ‘just another a**hole on the streets’ in an interview with celebrity magazine W. Pitt has been spotted numerous times on a wide variety of bikes and owns – among others – a Ducati Desmosedici RR, a Monster 696 and a selection of Harley-Davidson choppers. Pitt, got up to leave the interview about his...

Dartford Crossing suggestion

07 January 2009 by dpaj1066

I sent the following to the Dartford Crossing site suggestions. I only sent it tonight so will wait with interest for their response. I wonder what other bikers think of my suggestion? I use the Dartford Crossing in a lorry (work) and in my car or on my motorbike (depending on weather conditions). It may not be possible but I would like to suggest that particularly on the bridge (as the lanes...

The time to act is NOW- No to the bike parking tax!

07 January 2009 by ojosef

The time for actual direct action has never been more prevalent. On 18th February 2009, Westminster City Council will enter a brief consultation period to decide whether to make this bike-parking tax...

Suzuki launch new cross country range

07 January 2009 by Sarah Carnell

Suzuki has launched two new cross country enduro style motorcycles for the UK market. Derived from Suzuki’s RM motocross range, the new RM XC range will be available in 125cc and 250cc versions and...

Win a copy of the official season review of the BSB Championship 2008

07 January 2009 by James Keen

You can win one of 5 DVD copies of the Official season review of the BSB Championship in a free-to-enter prize draw. Click here to enter the competition now! The double disc official BSB...

Video: Padgetts HRC race bike

07 January 2009 by Adam Child

Senior road tester Adam Child test rode the latest HRC bikes from Padgett’s Motorcycles at a cold and wintery Cadwell Park. Padgett’s are now offering HRC brand new track ready bike for novice track...

Nigerian bikers use pumpkins as helmets

07 January 2009 by MCN

According to the BBC, Nigerian taxi bikers have resorted to wearing dried pumpkin shells as a measure of avoiding a new law requiring them to wear helmets whilst riding. The Nigerian road safety commisioner says authorities will be taking a hard line with riders wearing ‘improvised helmets’. For the full BBC story click here

No motorcycle tests on chilly days

07 January 2009 by Steve Farrell

Motorcycle tests are set to reach a grinding halt in winter because new test areas will close on chilly days. Whenever it’s cold enough for grit to be needed as a precaution against surface ice,...

Akrapovic for 2009 Kawasaki ZX-6R

06 January 2009 by MCN News Desk

Get ready to see an avalanche of new exhaust systems to fit 2009 machines in the coming weeks, including this new aftermarket replacement for the latest Kawasaki ZX-6R from Akrapovic. Not only will...

New Ducati Multistrada replacement spotted

06 January 2009 by Chris Newbigging

Ducati’s replacement for the Multistrada adventure-style motorcycle has been spotted testing in Italy. The new bike is well advanced in to development – dealers have already been shown the sporty new...

Where's my bike?

06 January 2009 by billy turnley

Billy looking for his beloved R1!

Video: Ducati Monster 1100S

06 January 2009 by Trevor Franklin

MCN road tester Trevor Franklin already tested the new Ducati Monster 1100 at the launch, but how does the 1100cc V-twin powered naked fair on bumpy British roads? Trev has tested the 1100S version on...

New MCN January 7: MotoGP in crisis!

06 January 2009 by Liam Marsden

In the first edition of MCN in 2009 we have a world exclusive on MotoGP series owners holding emergency crisis talks. Over the Christmas period Kawasaki quit MotoGP due to the credit crunch, leaving...

When I grow up I want to be The Doctor

05 January 2009 by CathyMolly

My two year old Ewan got a Rossi rep Wobble bike for Christmas, complete with AGV Rossi helmet and one piece racesuit. He proudly announced that when he grows up he wants to be a doctor…not just any...

My daughter and my bike

05 January 2009 by Roger Warrender

This is a picture of myself and Daughter Louisa on her wedding day. I persuaded her to pose by my bike before we left for the church

My design for a new Cagiva Elefant

05 January 2009 by Oberdan Bezzi

Here is my design for a brand new Cagiva Elefant to compete against the KTM Adventure. The sporty enduro bike will also be good for long journeys. It will be powered by the water-cooled V-twin engine...

Snowy ride-out as London’s bus lanes finally open to bikes

05 January 2009 by Steve Farrell

Motorcycle groups braved snowy roads to celebrate the opening of London’s bus lanes to bikes with an early morning rush-hour ride-out today. Representatives from the bike industry, riders’ rights...

Scott Redding passes CBT

05 January 2009 by MCN

MotoGP’s youngest ever winner, Scott Redding passed his CBT on his 16th birthday. Redding, the winner of last year’s 125cc British Grand Prix, took the test in his home town of Gloucester. He passed...

"Same cost as a 1098"

05 January 2009 by Norman Smith

If you are interested in my bike here is a short brief I wrote for the Yamaha R1 forum. Story behind “Same cost as a 1098” The whole idea was to make a trick R1 to the same cost as a Ducati 1098s...

Bikes on TV: January 7-13

05 January 2009 by Alison Silcox

KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT – Discovery Real Time DRTE -Discovery Real Time Extra DSC – Discovery Channel DHD – Discovery Channel HD EXS – Extreme Sports Channel MM – Men and Motors MOT – Motors TV SS1...

Santander Yamaha R1

04 January 2009 by b.bestford

I bought this Yamaha R1 last March, but I wasn’t that impressed with the paint scheme. I decided to give the R1 a Santander replica paint job and now it’s brilliant. It also rides and handles great!

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