Latest Motorbike News

749 moves to an all new level

07 January 2004

DUCATI is taking the racing success of it’s all-new £11,000 749R so seriously it has developed a new engine to allow it to take on the best the Japanese can offer. What was initially thought to be a...

The one to beat

07 January 2004

The GSX-R1000K4 is the first of the 2004 superbikes to arrive in the UK and it’s ready to defend its mantle of ‘best 1000cc sports bike’ against scorching new tackle from Honda, Yamaha and...

The R1 is up for the challenge

07 January 2004

Y AMAHA has raced past the magical 1bhp per kilogram milestone with its all-new 180bhp, 172kg R1 superbike. Those slanting foxeye lights may give it a passing family resemblance to past R-series...

RSV Mille R first ride

07 January 2004

Aprilia has reworked and repackaged its stylish RSV Mille V-twin to produce a devastating evolution of the 1000cc superbike that goes every bit as well as it looks – as our world exclusive first ride...

Blade is most talked about bike

01 January 2004

Honda’s 2000-2001 FireBlade has finished 2003 as the most talked-about bike on motorcyclenews.com with a staggering 12,500 postings about it on its dedicated Discussion board. Our Discussion & Chat...

SPECIFICATION

01 January 2004

List price £4749 otr Availability Now, Piaggio UK, 0800-203010 Colours Red, Silver Engine Liquid-cooled, 460cc (92mm x 69mm) 4v SOHC four-stroke Single cylinder. Fuel injection. Automatic transmission Chassis Double cradle Front suspension 41mm Kayaba telehydraulic forks Rear suspension Single rear shock with progressive Power Drive linkage, adjustments for pre-load. Tyres 120/70 x 15 front,...

Move fast for bargain ferry deal

01 January 2004

Time is running out if you want to take advantage of MCN’s great 50 per cent savings on P&O ferry crossings. The deal is only open until the end of January 2004, and could save you up to £100 on...

Rossi free to test his Yamaha at last

01 January 2004

MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi is officially a Yamaha rider from today. The young Italian’s contract with Honda finally ended at midnight on December 31, 2003. Despite announcing his departure...

BMW updates sat-nav for bikes

01 January 2004

BMW is launching an updated version of its Navigator sat-nav system for bikes, which addresses many of the concerns riders had with the original. The Navigator II now has bigger, wider-spaced buttons...

Catch up with the world’s maddest specials

01 January 2004

The maddest specials in the world are featured in an eight-page supplement free with MCN, Wednesday January 7. Unbelievable creations include the Café Racer style, all aluminium Yamaha R1 from...

Remember a year of triumph and tragedy

30 December 2003

It’s been a tough year in many ways. Hardest of all was our loss of three British legends; Barry Sheene, Steve Hislop and Dave Jefferies. They were giants of motorcycling, heroes to us all and stars who we will never forget. And then they started locking motorcyclists up for breaking the speed limit while car drivers got away with fines and points… But there were good times, too; Brands World...

ZX-10R v Blade v GSX-R1000

30 December 2003

If you’ve been keeping up to date with MCN’s world first tests through December you’ll already have our verdicts on the utterly nutterly Kawasaki ZX-10R, breathtakingly brilliant 2004 Fireblade and as...

Special Christmas offer for MCN readers

23 December 2003

In the spirit of the festive season, you can get inner thermal gloves worth £6.50 for just £1 thanks to MCN and Oxford Products. The pound covers postage, packing and admin, so the gloves themselves...

Win £5000 of prizes in our Christmas quiz

23 December 2003

We have more than £5000 worth of prizes to give away in our mammoth 2003 Christmas quiz, including a signed Valentino Rossi AGV lid. Prizes also include an Alpinestars one-piece suit and other kit,...

Free guide to your biking year

23 December 2003

Make 2004 your best biking year ever, packed with unforgettable moments, by picking up your free eight-page guide to the year’s biggest and best events, in MCN, out on Tuesday. It includes the major...

How good to you was Santa?

23 December 2003

Are you Britain’s luckiest biker, landing yourself an amazing bike-related present from a loved one this Christmas? Or were you forced to go out and splash the cash on a biking gift for yourself to...

We name best winter kit

23 December 2003

Winter can mean deserted roads and two-wheeled fun, but only if you’ve got the kit to keep you warm. That’s why MCN, out Tuesday December 30, includes a guide to 12 all-weather trousers and jackets to...

The MCN latest on new bikes archive is open

23 December 2003

There are hundreds of Latest on New Bike stories currently in our archives for you to browse. We’re adding less additional content than usual to this section while we focus on improving the overall...

Brit-based BMW riders return to Dakar

23 December 2003

British-based Nick Plumb and Simon Pavey will compete in the 7700-mile 2004 Telefonica-Dakar Rally, which begins on January 1 in France. Both riders competed in the 2003 event on BMW F650 GS Dakar...

Updated Rossi biog hits the shelves

16 December 2003

The fully revised and updated second edition of Valentino Rossi: Motogenius is now available. Following the life of the five-time world champion from his first minimoto ride, the new edition includes...

Back off Biking Petition

16 December 2003

I’m supporting MCN’s Back Off Biking campaign. Instead of power restrictors and speed limiters to put people off biking, I want the Government to make or support some simple changes to improve our riding safety. These include: 1. More relevant new rider training 2. Standardised advanced rider training 3. Offering rewards for those who undertake advanced rider training 4. Free advanced training...

Pick the 2004 MCN Babes: New entries added

16 December 2003

We’ve gathered together all the applicants for the MCN 2004 Babe Squad for your enjoyment. Take a good look because your votes will help decide which girls will be part of our team at all the biggest...

Kawasaki ZX-10R world's first test

16 December 2003

MCN was in Florida this week for the world launch of the Kawasaki ZX-10R, and we’ll bring you the first full test report in this week’s issue, out December 17. First impressions of the bike reveal...

Back off biking: Show your support

16 December 2003

Biking in Britain is facing its greatest threat for decades. Zero tolerance policing is on the increase and Transport minister David Jamieson has threatened legislation to force power and speed...

Sane ways to make riding safer

16 December 2003

1 – Updated training for new riders: Training for new riders should incorporate more relevant skills such as overtaking lorries and cars and bike handling skills like cornering. These are all areas in which many motorcycle accidents occur. 2 – Improved Advanced Rider Training: We’re not asking to raise the standard of the best advanced training that already exists – but we do want to see ALL...