Latest Motorbike News

Bike theft report is a let-down

04 November 2001

An eagerly awaited report from the National Criminal Intelligence Service on the state of bike theft in the UK was revealed on Wednesday. First impressions suggest it is one hell of a let down. What was fan-fared as a detailed and vital report into bike crime has in fact come to conclusions most of us already knew. One is that most stolen bikes are Japanese. That’s hardly an insight given that the...

How September 11 could affect your premium

04 November 2001

We only have to watch the news to see what impact the events of September 11 have had around the world but we could soon be feeling the effects closer to home in the form of much higher insurance...

What they thought

04 November 2001

Jack Wolfendale, 50, from Bolton, Lancs. Rides a Honda FireBlade ” I came along because I’ve been riding since I was 16 and I want to try all aspects of motorcycling. Everyone’s been really friendly.

Honda considers offering tailor-made bikes

04 November 2001

Honda is considering a scheme to offer a choice of engines, bodywork and paintwork options to hang on a one-size-fits-all frame. The scheme could hit UK dealers as early as 2004. And while it’s...

Bikes make women sexier

04 November 2001

A gorgeous girl is a gorgeous girl. But put her on a motorbike and we’re completely sold, according to a new survey from Kawasaki. The poll found half of us find women more attractive if they’re on...

Kawasaki seeks out new niches

04 November 2001

Kawasaki has found a new niche – retro bikes that are only legal to ride on the road in the daytime (that’s about seven hours a day in the UK right now). One is a 1970s-style grasstracker. It looks...

Free test rides on ZX-6Rs… and you can win one

04 November 2001

Carnell-City is offering free test rides on 2001 ZX-6Rs this weekend (November 10-11). Anyone who takes one will goes in a draw to win an example of the bike, too. And if you fall for its charms on...

How to keep your policy low

04 November 2001

Shop around: The oldest advice is still the best. Don’t wait until two days before your existing policy expires to start your search for the cheapest quote. Do it now. Get some advanced training: According to the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), more than 80 per cent of British motorcyclists are paying more for insurance than they need to because they don’t have advanced training. That...

How I learnt to perform stunts

04 November 2001

You’ve had the conversation a thousand times. You walk into work bleary-eyed on Monday morning, head straight to your desk, locker or bench on auto-pilot and almost by reflex you and your colleagues...

20 bikes stolen from dealer

04 November 2001

A new bike at a price too good to be true? Beware, it could be one of those stolen from MCN Award-winning dealer Colin Appleyard. Twenty bikes were taken from the firm’s West Yorks warehouse on...

Free NEC Show guide with MCN on Wednesday

04 November 2001

Buy Wednesday’s MCN and you’ll get a free 32-page supplement complete with a focus on the 17 essential new bikes not to miss, other attractions worth planning for and that vital floor plan to help you...

TEAM KAWASAKI ZX-7RR

04 November 2001

£100,000 Power and torque Est 165bhp 65ftlb Weight, power to weight ratio 165kg (361lb), 1.0bhp/kg Acceleration (est) Standing 1/4 mile time, terminal speed 9.8s, 154mph Top speed 190mph Geometry...

He gets knocked down

04 November 2001

… but he gets up again.

Cannondale coming to the UK

04 November 2001

U.S. manufacturer Cannondale is starting to bring its off-road bikes to the UK. The 2002 range continues to feature the hand-welded, twin-spar aluminium frames seen on the 2001 bikes rather than the...

Sound added to world’s first test of Benelli superbike

04 November 2001

Updated with soundfile at 2pm, November 9, 2001: MCN’s Marc Potter has been riding the Benelli Tornado WSB bike to bring us this world’s first report on what it’s like. He’s also gathered news of the...

Whitham and Plater ride British Superbikes

04 November 2001

The season’s over. The flags are all packed away. We’ve had another thrilling season of British superbike action, with incredible battles everywhere from rostrum results to the final points, but now...

Viva Las Vegas

04 November 2001

Caesar’s Palace… and a film controversy

He jumps and…

04 November 2001

Knievel pulls off a couple of stunts… without breaking his body.

bikes-uk calls in the receivers

04 November 2001

bikes-uk, the country’s second biggest chain of dealers, has gone into receivership. The firm called in receivers Grant Thornton at 9pm last night and staff at the 16 dealerships were told the news this morning. Grant Thornton says the 14 shops around the country will continue trading as normal and that firms have already expressed an interest in buying Bikes-UK as a going concern. Carnell-City...

Winner of Reynolds’ sliders revealed

04 November 2001

We asked for your top biking tips to feature in our Tip of the Day and you responded big time. The promise of John Reynold’s one-off No1 sliders (as worn at the final Donington Park British superbike...

NEC Show ticket winners named

04 November 2001

The competition was only open for a couple of hours on Friday, but over 300 of you entered, enticed by the chance to win one of 25 pairs of tickets to the NEC Show, which opens this week. Entrants had...

Strange But True…

04 November 2001

Japan: What? You’re only getting one knee down on each corner? You can’t be trying. Check out our picture. Now look again. There’s only one bloke on that bike, and he’s riding side saddle! This...

Harris and Rhencullen Special GSX-R1000s

04 November 2001

Here’s are two specials you should make time to check out, an awesome GSX-R1000 special on the Harris display in hall 19, stand r34. Subtle paintwork mimics the Barry Sheene bikes of a past era, right...

It’s all a blur

01 November 2001

Riders pass close to fans at the Ulster GP, much like the Isle of Man.

Ulster GP reprieved/ BSB bosses compromise on TT

01 November 2001

In a dramatic U-turn, the Coleraine Motorcycle Club has decided that it will run the 2002 Ulster GP after all. After announcing its cancellation only a matter of days ago the Club met last night and...

Ulster 2001

01 November 2001

I’m sure it said ” tear along dotted line ” .

50 tickets to the NEC Show given away!

01 November 2001

We had almost 300 entries in just a couple of hours in our competition to give away 25 pairs of tickets to the NEC Show. It is now closed and we’ll be naming the winners on the site on Monday,...

The 2.5-litre V-twin… from Britain

01 November 2001

This is set to be the biggest-bore twin in production… and one of the most exclusive. The British designed and American-funded 2500cc twin is code-named the 152 (because it displaces 152 cubic...

MCN Butlins Spring Spectacular dates

01 November 2001

We’ve been bombarded with queries regarding our 2002 MCN Spring Spectacular at Butlins, Skegness. Well we’re pleased to reveal the three-night event will be bigger, better and louder than ever. The...

Hodgson thanks fans for wedding day messages

01 November 2001

World superbike star and newly-crowned MCN Man of the Year Neil Hodgson marries long-time girlfriend Kathryn Hoare on Sunday. Neil is a regular on the site, contributing columns, joining in live web...

Government claims: New rural speed limits unlikely

01 November 2001

Plans to cut speed limits on country roads from 60mph to as little as 40mph now seem unlikely to see the light of day, for practical reasons. The latest threat to our riding freedom loomed as...

Naughty naughty

01 November 2001

Cutting junctions like that would usually attract the attentions of plod… not when it’s the 2001 Ulster GP

Cat and Fiddle run improved

01 November 2001

One of our favourite roads is re-opening. Parts of the Cat And Fiddle road – also known as the A537 Buxton-to-Macclesfield – have been shut over the last three weeks for roadworks. You’ll be pleased...

FJR1300 long term test: The value of a good warranty

28 October 2001

It’s never much fun when something goes wrong with your bike. But these things do happen, even with bikes under a year old. After all, that’s what warranties are for. The important thing when things...

Price of MV Agustas, Triumphs and Cagivas tumble

28 October 2001

Three manufacturers have announced price cuts ranging from £100 right up to £1500. Even the lusted after MV Agusta F4S is down £1001. And there are hefty savings from Triumph. The new recommended...

Drysdale GP engine based on road V8

28 October 2001

Australian engineer Ian Drysdale is close to completing his second road-going V8-based road bike. But as he puts the finishing touches to The Cruiser, he’s already designing and building his next...

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