Latest Motorbike News

Bike of the Year so far

08 September 2004

Which is your bike of the year… so far? With most firm’s 05 model ranges being launched at the Munich Bike Show from September 13 onwards, we’re asking for your nominations for the star so far. Will...

Off-Road: Sep 15 on

08 September 2004

Each week we publish a list of off-road events. These are those for the week commencing September 15, 2004. MOTOCROSS SATURDAY September 18 Wilden MXC, Kidderminster. 07778-396058. Twin-Shock SC, Glenochil -by-Alloa. 01383-732952. NIMC Ulster Championship, Donemana. 02871-338107. SUNDAY September 19 Glenrothes Youth MXC, Leuchars, Fife. 01333-340931. Luton and DMC, Toddington, Beds.

Trackdays: Sep 15 on

08 September 2004

Each week we publish a list of TRACKDAYS. These are for the week commencing September 15, 2004. THURSDAY September 16 Track Attack, Donington Park, Leics. 01332-819503. Speedfreak Trackday, Mallory Park, Leics. 01625-859969. FRIDAY September 17 Mick Boddice Trackday, Darley Moor, Ashbourne, Derbyshire. 01332-677079. SATURDAY September 18 100% Bikes Trackday, Croft, N Yorks. £120. 0870-8722532.

Anti-diesel rally times

08 September 2004

Thinking of joining in the KillSpills rally? It’s on in London on September 11 and aims to raise the issue of the risks of diesel spills to motorcyclists. Here’s the itinery: 11am Rally Riders arrive...

Naked MZ goes public

08 September 2004

MZ launched its new MZ1000SF naked bike to the world at the Munich Bike Show on Monday (Sep 13). The firm has based it on its MZ1000S sports tourer, with a boosted midrange and a bikini fairing that...

2005 Suzukis

08 September 2004

Suzuki has unveiled its line up for 2005 with the all new GSX-R1000 topping the bill. The GSX-R1000 gets a twin injection system with dual throttle valves and the capacity gets a boost from 988 to...

E-clip: September 8

08 September 2004

Give it a bit too much gas going round a corner at full tilt and this is what you can expect. Click here to watch the clip

05 Ducatis go on show

08 September 2004

Ducati rolled out a host of stunning new bikes on Tuesday morning as it debuted its 2005 line-up at the Munich Bike Show in Germany. MCN was on hand to witness the world unveiling – which follows...

This week's trackdays

08 September 2004

Each week we publish a list of TRACKDAYS. These are for the week commencing September 8, 2004. THURSDAY September 9 Infinity Trackdays, Brands Hatch. £199. 01252-400500. 100% Bikes Trackday, Cadwell Park. 0870-8722532. FRIDAY September 10 Mick Boddice Trackday, Darley Moor. 01332-677079. Phil Bevan Trackday and Supermoto, Pembrey, Dyfed. 07968-208132. SATURDAY September 11 Suzuki Performance...

Race Meets: Sep 15 on

08 September 2004

Each week we publish a list of bike racing events being held in the UK. These are for the week commencing Sep 15, 2004. Road racing: Saturday September 18 Aintree MCC, Aintree Circuit, Liverpool. 01257-462216. New Era Road Racing, Pembrey, Dyfed. 01920 444205. Until Sunday. Classic Racing MCC, Snetterton, Norfolk. 01953-850677. Until Sunday. Sunday September 19 British Superbikes, Donington Park,...

05 Triumph line-up

08 September 2004

Triumph has unveiled its full 2005 line-up at the Munich Show – and it includes the new bigger-bore Daytona 650 MCN spied two weeks ago. Triumph’s Ross Clifford introduced the 2005 range claiming it...

This week's bike meets

08 September 2004

MONDAY September 13 Castle of Comfort, East Harptree, Bristol. 7pm. 01761-221321. Lysley Arms, Chippenham, Wiltshire. 01249-652864. MFN, Shipley Gate, Notts. 01773-530313. Reubens Coffee House,...

All-new CBR600RR

08 September 2004

Honda has revealed its next generation CBR600RR for 2005 – and there’s a wealth of important updates including a 6kg weight cut, revised engine, frame and swingarm, new radial mount four-piston front...

05 bikes = used deals

08 September 2004

With loads of new bikes breaking cover there’s the chance of a glut of great used bikes on offer as riders clear space in their garages for the new arrivals. You’ll always find the freshest additions...

Raptor updates for 05

08 September 2004

Cagiva`s Raptor 650 is updated for 2005 – and the firm promises more of them will be available in the UK. Only 50 came in last year due to supply problems. This year the Suzuki SV650-powered bike...

TnT Sport breaks cover

08 September 2004

Benelli is offering a new TnT Sport – designed to be the ultimate streetfighter. It was debuted at an official Benelli launch in Misano on Saturday September 11. The new bike combines elements of the...

Make Gatsos pay!

08 September 2004

Britain’s bike industry has stumped up the cash to save the cash-strapped nationwide Bikesafe initiative – and slammed the Government for failing to put its money where its mouth is. The Government...

Jackie Chan signed up

08 September 2004

Hong Kong Hollywood legend Jackie Chan has been signed up to be the ‘brand ambassador’ for a new 125 being launched by Indian firm Bajaj. The Discover, launched this week, is tilted at the...

Sep 18 issue of MCN

08 September 2004

The are 21 pages of MCN devoted to 52 new bikes including the brutal new 1050cc Triumph Speed Triple and bored out 650cc Daytona. Both the Honda CBR600RR and R6 have been heavily-revised to try and...

05 Honda Wing and CRF

08 September 2004

Honda has launched an enduro version of the CRF450R crosser – the 2005 CRF450X. Complete with electric start, halogen headlight, LED taillight and enduro-tuned suspension, the four-stroke promises to...

Bimota DB5: first pics

08 September 2004

This is the first picture of the DB5 road bike Bimota will launch at the Munich Show in Germany next week (starting Sep 13). It uses a Ducati 1000DS V-twin engine, as used in the Multistrada, 1000SS...

No end to this summer

08 September 2004

Thought summer’s days might be numbered? You’re wrong – it’s actually Springtime. At least, it is if you’re ready to take advantage of a new luxury touring firm starting up on New Zealand’s South...

Rossi designs new R6

08 September 2004

Not only is there a new R6 for 2005 – MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi has worked with Yamaha to come up with a new paintjob for it. The bike was rolled out at Yamaha’s Munich bike show press...

We're testing 05 999

08 September 2004

Ducati’s 05 999 makes its public debut at the Munich Show next week – but MCN has been testing it this week and will bring you the world’s first test of the £11,500 Italian beauty in our September 15...

Bike boom is back!

08 September 2004

New bike sales for August were up by 7.6% compared to the same month last year. It’s the second month on the trot to see a rise and comes on top of Department for Transport figures showing bike...

Guzzi's plans for 05

08 September 2004

Moto Guzzi`s future direction may have been in doubt all year, but that hasn`t stopped it ploughing on in developing a line up of bikes for 2005. They were revealed in Munich on Tuesday morning (Sep...

Rallies/Shows: Sep 15 on

08 September 2004

Each week we publish a list of shows, rallies and exhibitions. These are those for the week starting Sep 15, 2004. SHOWS SATURDAY September 18 RSPCA Motorbike Show, Animal Welfare Centre, Hull. 01482-343875. BMF Tail End 2004, East of England Showground, Peterborough. £8. 0116-254-8818. (See above) Fun Day, Hawkin’s Sports and Social Club, Cheslyn Hay, Staffs. 01922-418895. Festival of Transport...

05 KTMs go public

08 September 2004

KTM revealed the RC8 Venom, a new naked protoype bike based on the RC8, at the Munich Bike Show on Tuesday morning (September 14). The bike is still in a concept stage but could easily be developed...

MT-01 heads 05 Yams

08 September 2004

Yamaha`s 2005 line-up includes a major update for the R6, a range of cracking new learner-friendly 125s and the brute force of the torque-laden MT-01. Read about the updates to the R6 in our separate...

More Munich Babes

08 September 2004

Not wishing to deprive you… here’s even more babes from the Munich bike show – which opened to the public on Wednesday (Sep 15). Check out the pictures and cast your votes for your favourites by...

Pro-Gatso ads mislead

08 September 2004

Claims used to support speed cameras have been ruled ‘misleading’ by the powerful Advertising Standards Authority. The ASA received a complaint after the London Safety Camera Partnership published a...

Sep 8 issue of MCN

08 September 2004

This week’s issue of MCN (out from Wednesday, September 8) includes exclusive first official pictures of the all-new Triumph Sprint ST. It comes complete with interviews with the design team, full...

More 05 Hondas

08 September 2004

Honda has unveiled its complete 2005 line-up and, alongside the all-new CBR600RR, new Blade colours and other changes we published last week, there’s an all-new FMX650. It could prove a great city...

Sachs and Sym go mad

08 September 2004

Sachs unveiled 125cc and 500cc versions of its MadAss BMX style bike at the Munich bike show on Tuesday, September 14. Both bikes are developments of the current 50cc bike which was reviewed in MCN...

This week's rideouts

08 September 2004

Each week we publish a list of RIDEOUTS on in the UK. To check for more, or to organise your own, visit the Road Riding board in our Have Your Say forums. Click here. THURSDAY September 9 IN-4 (KTM) Tracks and Trails, N Wales. 01270-768562. All week. Royal Oak, North Kelsey, Lincs. 7pm. 01652-678544. SATURDAY September 11 Track Sense Trail Ride, Surrey. 08704-450600. Kill Spills Demo Ride and...

Honda launches line-up

08 September 2004

Honda gave an official launch to its 05 line-up late on Monday night (Sep 13). The evening gave the first public viewing of the new supermoto-style FMX650 and a new Repsol colourscheme for the Blade.

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