Latest Motorbike News

A flip-up numberplate? If only it was legal

28 October 2001

007 would love it. Press a button and this numberplate folds in half to cover up your number. Sadly this is strictly illegal for use on the road. But, you’d only want one as a show plate or on a track...

Bostrom-style Ducati 998 launched

28 October 2001

Ducati chose its first big U.S. rally to unveil its Ben Bostrom replica 998S. The bike was shown off for the first time at the Ducati Revs America event in Las Vegas. Bostrom’s helmet design was the...

Honda’s other V-TEC bike gets upgraded version for 2002

28 October 2001

Honda’s CB400 Super Four, the V-TEC-assisted bike that led the way for the 2002 VFR800 V-TEC , has been given a new version of the system for next year. The Japan-only bike uses the firm’s Hyper V-TEC...

Too much Guinness

28 October 2001

The Ulster GP can be fun… but don’t overdo the black stuff.

You’re nicked sonny! Think, you’ll find I’m not, officer

28 October 2001

The rules police must follow when nicking you for speeding are complex and thorough. Our guide to them will equip you to make the most of your rights should that summons come. We’ve put it together...

Your chance to design Hodgson’s Ducati superbike paintscheme

28 October 2001

Here’s a unique opportunity to help shape how Neil Hodgson and James Toseland’s GSE Racing Ducatis will look in next year’s World Superbike championship. Use your artistic skills to come up with a...

Benefits of being a two-stroke

28 October 2001

We’re all familiar with big capacity four-stroke singles, because they’re the most interesting. But a third of today’s single-cylinder bikes are much smaller-capacity two-strokes; usually mopeds and...

DIY road test: Sports 600s

28 October 2001

Here at MCN we regularly get readers and site visitors volunteering to write up their experiences on two wheels for the general enlightenment of the rest of the world. It’s hard to find space for this...

Ready for your close-up

28 October 2001

Fans can get close to their heroes at the Ulster GP

The history of the single

28 October 2001

Ninety per cent of singles are learner bikes or big trailies. Does that make them irrelevant to modern motorcycling life? Are they just the poorest cousin of all bike engines, reserved for the...

Tips to get more from the NEC Show… and how to get there

28 October 2001

The International Motorcycle and Scooter Show (The NEC Show to you and I) opens its doors on November 9. It’s a biggy, and can be overwhelming if you don’t go armed with a bit of forward planning. Our...

Honda to close its UK riders club

28 October 2001

The 20,000-member HUKRC (Honda UK Riders’ Club) will close on Thursday, November 1. It will mean the end for the club’s rideouts, holidays and discounted official Honda goods and cheap tickets to...

Aren’t they looking young these days?

28 October 2001

I say old chap, you might want to try a smaller shell

Kawasaki 250TR takes us back

28 October 2001

The fashion for retro looks has reached off-road styled bikes. The latest to reflect the trend is Kawasaki’s 250TR. It looks like a 1970s scrambler – but is actually aimed at style-conscious...

Where would we be without the XT500?

28 October 2001

We can thank Yamaha for the current big, single-cylinder trail bikes that give us such an unexpected laugh on the road, and yet still manage to plug through mud and up and down green lanes when the...

Your chance to interview Max Biaggi

28 October 2001

We’ve lined-up an interview with GP superstar Max Biaggi early in November and we want you to put the questions. We’ll be meeting the Yamaha star for an exclusive chat but time will be short so we...

Put that radar gun away officer

28 October 2001

This ain’t no ride out… it’s the Ulster GP

Man of the Year

21 October 2001

Voted for by the readers and users of MCN this coveted Award has in the past been won by some of the greatest names in motorcycle racing. Men like Mike Hailwood, John Surtees, Barry Sheene, Carl...

Bid for WSB goodies and help Riders for Health

21 October 2001

You could be enjoying VIP treatment at a WSB round of your choice next season (where the battle between Chris Walker and Neil Hodgson will be rejoined) if yours is the highest bid in a great charity...

Drysdale V8 1000 ready to roll

21 October 2001

Aussie firm Drysdale is putting the finishing touches to its new 1000cc naked bike. Only a handful will be built each year and it’s no surprise – with a tiny team of engineers and a price tag of...

Keep pillion pegs and indicators with new high-level Micron

21 October 2001

Micron is launching a new high-mount silencer for the Yamaha R6 which allows you to keep your pillion pegs and your indicators. The indicator position is moved, but you get all the bracketry and parts...

Honda’s vision of future commuting

21 October 2001

IT seems Honda is not even pausing for breath after launching the the new all-new VFR800, Blade, Pan-European and Hornet 900 – for the firm will reveal no less than 15 new designs later this week,...

The final verdict, the lack of any Japanese bikes, and how to ride sideways

21 October 2001

Verdict Despite its wild looks and our desire for the British bike to win, the CCM is the one that feels least comfortable on the road mainly because it’s pretty much set up as an out and out race...

Motorcyclist of the Year

21 October 2001

For the first time, MCN is proud to honour, in its Awards, the ordinary British motorcyclist. Why? Well because some of things that they do are amazing. Hardly a week goes by when we at the MCN...

Machine of the Year (Scooter/Moped)

21 October 2001

The best way to provide a future for motorcycling is to get kids on bikes and if ever a scooter was going to do that it is the Gilera DNA, as sales are already proving. It is unique, affordable and...

Machine of the Year (Sports under 601cc)

21 October 2001

In a category where the Yamaha R6 doesn’t even get on the podium, you know that the standards are high. So congratulations to Suzuki’s GSX-R600 for taking the honours. The GSX-R was relaunched this...

Step seven: Rubbers

21 October 2001

No giggling at the back! There are lots of rubber parts on your bike – hoses and the like. Whether you’ve had the fairing off or not, you can get to a lot of the engine hoses with a silicon spray.

Machine of the Year (Sports over 601cc)

21 October 2001

Every now and again a new motorcycle comes along which redefines what is great, which resets the standards and which everyone knows is the new benchmark. The GSX-R1000 has done that, just as the...

2002 MCN Awards reward everything from best kit to best bikes

21 October 2001

The sixth annual MCN Awards were held at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on Wednesday, October 24, to reward everything the Motorcyclist of the Year to the Machine of the Year. Neil...

Machine of the Year (Cruiser)

21 October 2001

In the judges opinion, despite only just being released, the winner, and still the real thing…is the Harley V-Rod Other manufacturers have spent years trying to copy the look and feel of a Harley and...

KTM LC4 Supermoto

21 October 2001

If you’re looking for the mad dog in this test, you’ve found it. The KTM LC4 Supermoto is a full-on dirt racer with 17 inch wheels and a bigger front disc. End of story. And you aren’t going to...

Product of the Year (Accessory)

21 October 2001

Every year this category proves so hard to judge because every year the tyre manufacturers seem to come up with even more desirable tyre which British motorcyclists clamour for. The Metzeler Rennsport...

Step six: Polish

21 October 2001

The machine needs to be dry for this – polish doesn’t work on a wet bike. Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t need to apply polish by the gallon. All that does is leave white lines between the panels and around graphic stickers and fairing bolts. Apply polish to all the bodywork and the wheels, but don’t do black trim and obviously keep it off parts like brake discs. Unless you enjoy the...

Machine of the Year (Tourer)

21 October 2001

What the judges are looking for is a bike that eats miles for breakfast, lunch and dinner while leaving the rider fresh and ready for more. For the second year runnign the winner is the BMW...

Product of the Year (Service)

21 October 2001

Congratulations CCM for your Supermoto Track Days. Certainly not a new company, at least in it current guise, but one which is constantly exploring ways to make a limited promotions budget stretch a long way while at the same time show motorcyclists original new ways to enjoy a bike. 1. CCM 2. California Superbike School 3. BMW Skills Course Shortlisted: Carole Nash Secure, Suzuki GSX-R Festival,...

Step one: Preparation:

21 October 2001

Once you’ve set two hours or so aside, there are some things you can do to make sure the cleaning goes better. First of all, make sure the bike is cold. Applying chemicals to a hot bike will do one of...

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