Latest Motorbike News

MCN travels to the Colosseum

05 April 2007 by M Campling

This is me reading MCN at the Collesium in Rome last November. I took my wife there for her birthday treat! Keep up the great work. Fantastic weekly news. All the best M Campling

Speeding biker cleared of death

05 April 2007 by Chris Newbigging

A Harley-Davidson owner was cleared of death by dangerous driving last week after hitting a cyclist whilst travelling at twice the speed limit. 42 year-old Mark Pennycook from Battersea hit Jason Wang last year who had pulled out to pass an illegally parked car. He later died of multiple skull fractures.

Sisters launch scheme to cut bike accidents

05 April 2007 by Chris Newbigging

Two sisters who lost their parents in bike accidents launched a campaign to reduce the number of bikers who speed last week. Melanie and Kerry Smith’s parent died in separate bike accidents, and they launched ‘Operation Focus’ last week with the support of Leon Haslam to get bikers to slow down in areas identified as accident black spots.

Active Hayabusa gets supercharger

05 April 2007 by Ben Purvis

Massively-powerful turbo Hayabusas might normally be the realm of American tuners but Japanese tuner Active has created its own take on the theme for the Tokyo Motorcycle Show. The firm has opted...

Teen bike nuisance threated with confiscation

05 April 2007 by Chris Newbigging

Police are threatening a 19 year-old with confiscation of his off-road bike if he is caught damaging a local moor land area again. Police have already arrested the teenager once on April 1 after he was spotted damaging Staines Moor (which is home to several rare animals) and cautioned him for criminal damage and possession of cannabis. If he is caught again he faces losing his Kawasaki off-roader.

Mum photographs injured son to 'scare him off bikes'

05 April 2007 by Chris Newbigging

The mother of a 20 year-old man who suffered serious head injuries in a bike crash has taken his picture whilst unconscious and seriously injured in the hope that it will ‘scare him off bikes’. Michael Holliday from Hartlepool suffered head injuries after crashing into a fence, and although he was described as ‘stable’ last week he had not regained consciousness.

Fatal crash exhibition

05 April 2007 by Chris Newbigging

An exhibition has just opened in Leeds depicting the aftermath of fatal crashes to convince motorists to drive carefully. The images are all staged by actors, and include accidents involving bikes. The exhibition at the Whitehall Waterfront is open until April 28, and will tour other venues across the country.

Biker injured in hit-and-run

05 April 2007 by Chris Newbigging

South Wales police are searching for the driver of a silver Ford Escort who hit a biker and drove away from the scene. The accident happened at 9:27 on the evening of Sunday, April 1 2007, on the junction of Addison Road and Moorland Road in Port Talbot. Anyone with information should call 01792 456999.

Disgraceful Derbyshire road

05 April 2007 by gary brough

I have seen your pothole voting story and had to let others know about the junction of Carr Lane to Northern Common in Dronfield Woodhouse, Derbyshire. It is an absolute disgrace and it is only a matter of time before someone comes a cropper at this junction due to its terrible state of repair.

Yamaha's response to owner's warning on XVS1100

04 April 2007 by Yamaha

Response from Yamaha: Naturally we are always sorry to hear of any Yamaha owner, who has experience a problem with their machine and also understand that they may be disappointed, in cases where they may be liable for any subsequent repair costs. We are aware of this particular customer who contacted us on several occasions last year, on the matter of his XVS1100 and seeking reimbursement /...

Owner's warning on XVS1100

04 April 2007 by Ray

I have had problems with my 2001, 5,000-mile Yamaha XVS1100 that I think others should be warned about. It is my first Yamaha after 34 years with Honda and Kawasaki and I’ve been disappointed with the bike – mainly due to a problem with the starter clutch. I soon found that my bike was becoming hard to start. This turned into a banging noise when starting and eventually there was one almighty bang...

Police hunt speed camera thief

04 April 2007 by Chris Newbigging

Thames Valley Police are hunting a man who stole a £20,000 fixed speed camera last week. The camera was taken between Thursday evening and the early hours of Friday from London road in Sunningdale,...

Manchester bus lane offenders cut

04 April 2007 by Chris Newbigging

CCTV cameras monitoring bus lanes in Manchester have helped cut the number of people illegally using the lanes by a quarter. Drivers using the lane illegally face a £60 fine if caught by the cameras...

Active Kawasaki ZRX1200R

04 April 2007 by Ben Purvis

Certain bikes are legendary in Japan and one surprising favourite is the old Kawasaki GPZ900R. But despite initial appearances, this isn’t a GPZ. Instead of taking the old GPZ900R as the basis of its...

Babe of the day: The sunglasses clan

04 April 2007 by Sarah Carnell

Join us in getting shady…

Have you seen stolen GSX-R1000?

04 April 2007 by simon

I was selling my GSX-R1000 and agreed to meet up with a “buyer” at a petrol station – but when I pulled up he forced me off it with an accomplice and drove off. The reg is LK04KGE and it is a blue/white K4 model. The chap was about 6ft tall, black, and the theft happened in the Elephant and Castle area of London. I have fowarded his phone number and details to police, so will see what happens. If...

My Triumph spoke problems

03 April 2007 by Anonymous

There’s been a lot written about this problem with Triumph Bonneville spokes breaking – here is my experience. I bought a new T100 Bonneville from Ongar MC’s in Jan 2005. Last Spring I noticed that a...

Mystery road spill washes away

03 April 2007 by Chris Newbigging

A mystery chemical which reduced grip and caused several accidents on a 15-mile stretch of the A28 has been washed away by rain fall. Several people reported the mystery spill causing accidents on Friday, March 31, 2007, and officers attending reported a burning sensation in their throats and noses. Roads were closed for five hours overnight, but rain washed the chemical away allowing roads to...

New MCN: April 4

03 April 2007 by Sarah Carnell

MCN brings you the pain and glory of the latest World Superbike round form Donington last weekend as James Toseland wins race one and Troy Bayliss loses a finger. Also in this edition, available to...

Vote for your worst road in the UK

03 April 2007 by Tom rayner

MCN’s inbox has been swamped with pictures of your tatty tarmac – now we want you to choose the worst and MCN will repair it. Take a look at these examples of appalling asphalt and vote for your winner. We’ll then arrange for the winner to be fixed with the new bike-friendly road repair system we trialed recently. Click here to see the video. Chelmsford, Great Baddow High Street – This...

Suzuki offers new finance option

03 April 2007 by Ben Purvis

Suzuki GB has announced a new three-year 0% typical APR finance deal running from 1st April – 30th June 2007. With a minimum £1 deposit, buyers can ride away on the Bandit 650 (K6), SV650 (K6),...

Babe of the day: Titanic remake

03 April 2007 by Sarah Carnell

Pole dancing…

Toddler Jack tries out his R6

03 April 2007 by david newton

This is my 18-month old-son, Jack, on his R6.

Toseland on my back

02 April 2007 by darren5252

I thought I would send in a picture of my tattoo. I had it done in 2003 and I have had it signed as well. I’m a die hard fan of JT.

Lorry overtaking ban

02 April 2007

A new trial banning lorries from overtaking on a stretch of the A1(M) began last week to help improve traffic flow. The trial is in effect between junction 61 at Bishop Middleham to junction 63...

Japanese 1098 special

02 April 2007 by Ben Purvis

Japanese tuner Moto Corse revealed this modified Ducati 1098 at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show at the weekend. Called the 1098AC, for Alta Compressione – Italian for High Compression – the bike is dripping...

Road works suspended for Easter

02 April 2007 by Chris Newbigging

The Highways Agency announced that over half of all road works have been completed or suspended in time for the Easter Bank Holiday. 29 works have been completed across the company in time to improve traffic flow, and a further 23 have been suspended to minimise disruption and delays.