Bike news

Brad Pitt loves the anonymity of riding motorcycles

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

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!

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

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

Suzuki launch new cross country range

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

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

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

Video: Padgetts HRC race bike

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

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

No motorcycle tests on chilly days

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

Akrapovic for 2009 Kawasaki ZX-6R

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

New Ducati Multistrada replacement spotted

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?

Where's my bike?

Billy looking for his beloved R1!

Video: Ducati Monster 1100S

Video: Ducati Monster 1100S

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!

New MCN January 7: MotoGP in crisis!

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

When I grow up I want to be The Doctor

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

My daughter and my bike

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

My design for a new Cagiva Elefant

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

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

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

Scott Redding passes CBT

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"

"Same cost as a 1098"

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

Bikes on TV: January 7-13

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

 Santander Yamaha R1

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!

Nick Gale completes pricy chop

Nick Gale completes pricy chop

This is one of the first custom choppers in the UK to use high-tech electronics originally developed for cars. The £40,000 Deliverance features a keyless start system in place of the traditional...

Jim Carrey rides Hypermotard in new film

Jim Carrey rides Hypermotard in new film

Ducati has teamed up with Hollywood funnyman Jim Carrey in his new movie “Yes Man” where he rides a Hypermotard S. The movie stars Jim Carrey as Carl Allen, a man whose life is going nowhere – the...

Honda CB1000R is a dream

Honda CB1000R is a dream

I bought the new Honda CB1000R last month after riding sports bikes for the last 26 years and it is truly impressive on the road – especially on busy roads. It handles like a 400, but when you turn...

Call to ban lorries overtaking on M11

Call to ban lorries overtaking on M11

South Cambridgeshire MP Andrew Lansley is looking to get lorries banned from overtaking on the M11 near Stansted.   The section suggested is between junctions eight and nine by the busy international...

Richard Hammond on early 1990s superbike hunt

Richard Hammond on early 1990s superbike hunt

Richard Hammond is desperate to get his hands on some mint examples of early 1990s superbikes after a fit of nostalgia brought on by seeing a perfect Yamaha FZR1000 Exup recently. Top Gear presenter...

Bikesafe courses back for 2009

Bikesafe courses back for 2009

Bikesafe is continuing to run courses around the country in 2009 to help improve rider ability and work on reducing the number of motorcycle accidents. BikeSafe work with more than 40 police forces...

MCN in Vegas

MCN in Vegas

My wife Diane with a copy of MCN in the casino excaliber in Las Vegas, Christmas day 2008. She had just lost her money gambling so read my copy of MCN to calm down.

Stunt time provides welcome relief in war torn Baghdad

Stunt time provides welcome relief in war torn Baghdad

War torn Baghdad might not seem the likeliest setting for mucking about on bikes. But a group of locals have defied the odds and are avoiding the police with their weekly meetings to practice stunts...

Sailors ride for charity

Sailors ride for charity

Bikers from HMS Ark Royal endured negative temperatures and a string of mechanical problems to beat their ship to Gibraltar. The team of seven riders and two support crew parted company with Ark Royal...

Deus on the right track

Deus on the right track

This pair of Kawasaki W650s have been given subtle make-overs as part of a growing trend for flat-track inspired retros. They each have a host of custom parts, and are the latest work of Australian...

Vote: Should new BMW G650GS single come to UK

Vote: Should new BMW G650GS single come to UK

BMW is considering bringing the new the G650GS to the UK market if it thinks there is strong enough demand. The new motorcycle is largely the same as the F650GS which was discontinued at the end of...

Tamworth Yamaha's Abarth FZ-1 beater

Tamworth Yamaha's Abarth FZ-1 beater

A UK dealer has revealed a special FZ-1 boasting a near-identical specification to the one-off Abarth FZ-1 shown last year. Tamworth Yamaha created this particular Fiat Yamaha-liveried FZ-1 for shop...

Alaska trip at -40 C

R1-Sjaak and Doris Wiedemann go to Alaska in winter. The temperature will be a sure -40 Celcius. Every day Sjaak will try to upload a new video to reismotor.nl

Guintoli and Reynolds at the NEC

Guintoli and Reynolds at the NEC

These are the two favourite pictures I have in my collection. I was at the NEC in November waiting for  much admired ex-MotoGP rider Sylvain Guintoli at the Suzuki stand when I bumped in to another...

Sammy Miller makes New Year Honours list

Sammy Miller makes New Year Honours list

Motorcycling has been included in the Queen’s New Year Honours List with the inclusion of Sammy Miller who has been made an OBE. The honour has been given as a reward for his services to motorcycling...