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Long term test: Yamaha Tmax

04 February 2002

Long term test: Yamaha Tmax

JUST because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you, according to an old saying. And while I might hesitate to share that gem of wisdom with the barefooted bloke I regularly see...

Win a VIP British GP weekend

04 February 2002

You can win a fantastic VIP hotel break at the British GP by entering our new MCN2U mobile phone text message competition. We have 10 tickets to the GP itself as runners-up prizes, too. The first prize gives you and a friend a night’s Hilton hotel accommodation at for the GP weekend and grandstand seats at Donington. Entries have to be made by text message via your mobile phone. The competition is...

Honda plans road-going V4 and V5

04 February 2002

Honda plans road-going V4 and V5

HONDA is working on an all-new 1000cc V4 superbike AND a Hayabusa-style V5. Both are expected to draw heavily on technology being developed for the firm’s new V5 four-stroke GP race bike. The V4...

World’s first ride on Ducati 998S

04 February 2002

World’s first ride on Ducati 998S

This is what I always hoped a Ducati 998 would be like. First-look suggests there is only one little change from the standard machine – the letter ” S ” on the end of the numbers. But what a...

Ally Pally sets new record

04 February 2002

Ally Pally sets new record

More of you than ever before visited the Ally Pally for the MCN Superbike and Road Racing Show which finished on Sunday, February 3. World firsts such as Suzuki’s B-King, Triumph’s Speed Four and the...

Keeping the TT alive

04 February 2002

Keeping the TT alive

Lining up at the Glencrutchery Road startline

You hand £13,500 to Riders charity

04 February 2002

You hand £13,500 to Riders charity

You donated a grand total of £13,500 to biking charity Riders for Health in auctions at the Ally Pally show. Over the nine days of the show items ranging from a wooden statue of Colin Edwards to a...

Time running out to help stop road tax hike

04 February 2002

Time running out to help stop road tax hike

There are just days left for you to tell the Government where to get off over its threat to raise road tax for most riders. Thousands of us have already taken the time and trouble to fill in an...

Hail to the crashers

04 February 2002

Hail to the crashers

Yes, they all walked away. Amazing. Not that we need to say this, but DON’T try this at home… these are paid professionals!

Aprilia kit gives Falco more fight

04 February 2002

Aprilia kit gives Falco more fight

Aprilia is offering an aftermarket kit for its V-twin Falco which bosses say will give it streetfighter-style and loads more grunt. Aprilia UK’s Paul Walker said: ” As it is, the Falco wheelies...

Pugh, Pugh, Harley, McGrew

04 February 2002

Pugh, Pugh, Harley, McGrew

Harley-Davidson is considering offering special editions of the Electra Glide and the Road King in the UK… if they feel enough firefighters want them. The Firefighter special editions come in scarlet...

First test on Azaro III tyre

01 February 2002

Our first impressions from the test of the new Avon Azaro III sports-tour tyre reveals this could be the perfect all-rounder. On a CBR600 at the Valencia track in Spain on Friday, our test rider Adam Morrissey said: " I’m scraping the pegs and my toes and everything and it’s not until you are right at the very limits that these feel anything less than a full-on sports tyre. " For most riders on...

MV Agusta F5 to be most powerful on the road

01 February 2002

MV Agusta F5 to be most powerful on the road

The 1000cc MV Agusta F5 due for launch at September’s bike shows is expected to be the most powerful production bike in the world with more than 160bhp at the rear wheel, according to insiders. The...

Your views on the Ally Pally

01 February 2002

Your views on the Ally Pally

Here’s what you had to say after visiting the MCN Ally Pally show. Not been yet? Hurry up, it closes on Sunday, February 3. Sarah Kittendorf: ” The highlight for me was the discount prices for the...

Bulldog let off the leash

01 February 2002

Bulldog let off the leash

Yamaha’s relatively sedate 65bhp Bulldog can be turned into a feisty 80bhp bike for less than £100. Herts dealer Motorcycles and Moore say a simple mod, involving the removal of a washer, allows the...

The reason behind upside-down forks

01 February 2002

The reason behind upside-down forks

TELESCOPIC forks do a difficult job. Not only do they have to keep the front tyre in contact with the road under a wide range of conditions, they also have to withstand braking and steering forces...

Get it over, then!

01 February 2002

Get it over, then!

Richard Quayle rides his CBR600 at the TT. We assume he uses rearsets.

Talk us round a few corners, David

01 February 2002

Talk us round a few corners, David

Hitch a lift round the Island with David Jefferies.

Your jacket as pop star

01 February 2002

Your jacket as pop star

Get up in the attic, clear out the back of the garage… you might have just the thing dance act Adrenalin Junkie need for their next pop video. The band, which provides some of the soundtrack to the...

Long term Futura report

01 February 2002

Long term Futura report

One down, 619 miles to go and already my heart is in my boots. Along with about a litre of rain water. Behind me the doors of the Brittany ferry and the comforts of a warm bed and a full bar. Ahead of...

Paul Smart rep Ducati ready to roll

01 February 2002

Paul Smart rep Ducati ready to roll

Ducati’s tribute to British racer Paul Smart is at last ready to go into production and our artist’s impression is thought to be very close to how the finished article will look. The retro-styled...

Scorpion Tricolour Titanium Race

28 January 2002

Scorpion Tricolour Titanium Race

TITANIUM is the new carbon-fibre, or so the fashion-conscious would have us believe. So this multi-coloured titanium can from Scorpion gets top marks this week for its great value, good looks and...

Micron Delta Legal

28 January 2002

Micron Delta Legal

ROAD-legal needn’t be dull. The Racing Red carbon-pattern sleeve looks great and it sounds far better than the original can. Its big-bore link pipe had to be expanded slightly to fit on the CBR’s...

Listen to part two of our end-cans guide

28 January 2002

Listen to part two of our end-cans guide

Some people bolt on after-market end-cans to get a little more power. Some use them to replace damaged originals. Some choose them because of the way they look. But whatever your reason, you want them...

’97 CBR900RR-V

28 January 2002

’97 CBR900RR-V

PLEASED the Blade was still outperforming its nearest rival – Yamaha’s Thunderace – Honda again took a step back for a year. The only change to the 1997 bike, aside from paint updates, was an...

RD350 with 21st Century sex appeal

28 January 2002

RD350 with 21st Century sex appeal

Two-strokes just won’t go away. The thrill of a screaming RD350 still sets the hairs tingling for many of us. And when it’s combined with sexy R1 styling like this ” R3 ” many will start...

Spain votes for speed cameras… without fines

28 January 2002

Spain votes for speed cameras… without fines

Speed in Spain and you could now be caught on camera. But the big difference from the UK is that you won’t fined. The first camera, painted a bright white unlike our dull grey and blue boxes, caught...

Semtex in and Carmichael out as stunt goes wrong

28 January 2002

Semtex in and Carmichael out as stunt goes wrong

European stunt champion Kevin Carmichael came a cropper during one of his trademark vertical wheelies in the stunt arena at the Ally Pally show on Sunday. He lost control of his GSX-R1000 when the...

Yoshimura Tri-Oval Race

28 January 2002

Yoshimura Tri-Oval Race

A BEAUTIFULLY-made and well-finished product from one of the most respected names in the business. There are £496 titanium and £585 carbon versions and a new electronic management system from £465...

Akrapovic Titanium Race

28 January 2002

Akrapovic Titanium Race

PROBABLY the most desirable name in exhausts. With Akrapovic down the side of your can, you’re guaranteed nods of approval from those in the know. This all-titanium can is incredibly light and it’s...

’02 and beyond…

28 January 2002

’02 and beyond…

‘THE Blade’s rivals have problems… The 2002 Blade kicks serious arse. ” Bold claims after just six hours testing, but MCN was captivated by Honda’s latest offering at the bike’s recent launch in...

Strange but True

28 January 2002

Strange but True

Here’s our latest round-up of motorcycling oddities from around the globe. If you spot anything worthy of inclusion in our next one, e-mail jon.urry@emap.com France: Top French bike mag Moto Journal...

Akrapovic Titanium Legal

28 January 2002

Akrapovic Titanium Legal

YOU get the name, the looks, you gain a few bhp and you’re bound to lose pounds over your original can. But you won’t get in trouble with the law. Akrapovic has designed this all-titanium can to be...

Ten years of the FireBlade

28 January 2002

Ten years of the FireBlade

Honda’s FireBlade is a decade old this month and, during those 10 years, it has changed the way the world perceives motorcycles. It has been all things to all people, arriving in 1992 to cries of ”...

Remus Alu-Carbon Race

28 January 2002

Remus Alu-Carbon Race

THIS can stands out because of its distinctive woven texture on the sleeve. It has a nice tone to it and is well made. You can opt for sleeves in plain aluminium at £240, carbon at £303 or titanium at...

’93 CBR900RR-P

28 January 2002

’93 CBR900RR-P

BY November 1992, Britain was gripped by FireBlade fever and a nationwide shortage had loomed. Honda hastily shipped in 100s more to appease fed-up customers who had been waiting since the August 1...