Latest Motorbike News

Overall Machine of the Year

21 October 2001

The winner was chosen from each category winner. The shortlist therefore is: Gilera DNA 125, Suzuki DRZ400, Yamaha FZS1000 Fazer, Harley Davidson V-Rod, BMW K1200LT, Yamaha FJR1300, Suzuki GSX-R600,...

It’s official: Thundercat owners chat most

21 October 2001

There are more postings on our dedicated Yamaha Thundercat board than for any other bike in our Talk Bikes section. Owners of the Yamaha sports all-rounder have notched up 2161 postings. They are...

Lifetime achievement

21 October 2001

This Award is named in permanent memory of the late Dave Taylor, a tireless campaigner for motorcycling and bike safety. Previous winners include legends such as John Surtees, Evel Kneivel and Willie...

Step five: Drying:

21 October 2001

This is your chance for a coffee break. Letting the bike drip dry for a few moments won’t hurt. Taking it off the centre/paddock stand and putting it on the side stand will help water drain. But you...

World speedway action

21 October 2001

They’ve taken out the chicane for this year’s title challenge

Suzuki GS1200SS revamped for 2002

21 October 2001

Suzuki’s muscular GS1200SS has been updated only a year on from its Japan-only launch. The most obvious change is to the fuel tank. It’s now heavily sculpted to give a sportier riding position and...

And all without brakes

21 October 2001

Check out the sideways world of speedway.

Wholesaler of the Year

21 October 2001

Congratulations to Lloyd Lifestyle, which has worked very hard this year to both expand its product range and profile and the level of service it provides to dealers, which is why it is a worthy...

What’s the 2002 GSX-R750 like?

21 October 2001

We’re about to find out what the new GSX-R750 is like with a first test coming soon. But what changes would you have liked Suzuki to have made? What gripes do current owners have that they would like...

Victory’s new Freedom

21 October 2001

Victory’s latest machines may have conventional looks but there’s nothing old fashioned about the bikes’ technology. For 2002, all Victory’s get a new “Freedom” version of the firm’s 1507cc, SOHC,...

Step four: Exhaust

21 October 2001

With after-market cans seemingly appearing on every bike over six weeks old, it depends what type you have, as to how you clean it. Many titanium cans come with cleaning instructions – if it does,...

What women want

21 October 2001

Chocolate, Robbie Williams and free minutes on their mobiles might be among the top answers you get when you ask most women what they want, but motorcycling women say better-fitting leathers would be...

What do you call a scooter with 750cc? A Honda Elysium

21 October 2001

The litre-class scooter can’t be far away. This is the closest so far, a 750cc flat-four-powered brute with the kind of grunt scooter riders can only usually dream about… and a roof. The Honda Elysium...

Machine of the Year (Sports Tourer)

21 October 2001

And in the last 12 months there have been some fine entrants into this sector to run alongside a few old hands, which it has to be said are still among the most popular bikes in the UK. But the winner...

CB400SS given a taste of the ’60s grid

21 October 2001

Honda’s own custom version of its CB400SS has made it a retro to be proud of. The bike has been transformed with aftermarket parts to give it a look like a 1960s GP racer. All the original bodywork –...

Directions

21 October 2001

You take a left, then a left, then a left and, oh just keep going until you see the chequered flag.

Step three: Bodywork

21 October 2001

With the grease removed, you can now see where the dirt is. This may also include the wheels and brakes, despite your efforts with the degreaser. Cover the entire machine with a motorcycle cleaner,...

Supermoto test

21 October 2001

There comes a time when every sportsbike rider finds him (or her)self in a hedge, or a court, or even a pawn shop, wondering where it all went wrong. Sound familiar? Of course it does. It’s called...

Place your bets…now!

21 October 2001

He’s an ultra fit athlete who trains hard and is in peak physical condition. BUT how long can British Supersport rider John McGuinness hold his breath? 18 seconds, 28 seconds or 58 seconds?...

Yamaha builds a bike to handle like a BMX

21 October 2001

Yamaha’s new Tricker concept bike combines the 223cc SOHC four-stroke single of the new TW225 with an alloy beam frame. Yamaha says the bike was inspired by the X-Games – where BMXs and skateboards...

Why biking is back in fashion

21 October 2001

When we were kids, bikers were cool. Unless you’re over 50, you didn’t see hippie odyssey Easy Rider when it came out, and you almost certainly weren’t around when outlaw Marlon Brando terrorised...

Machine of the Year (All-rounder)

21 October 2001

The winner has taken the term all-rounder and redefined it …it is the Yamaha Fazer 1000. Despite a stiff price that has doubtless turned off many buyers, the Fazer 1000 has still sold well and anyone...

Funeral procession draws riders from around the country

21 October 2001

The funeral for Shire Training Service’s boss Colin Fenton was held on Thursday morning. More than 40 friends and former pupils travelled from around the country to ride in the funeral procession, which took in the Monks Wood stretch of Cambridgeshire B-roads he loved so much. Colin died following a stroke. His advanced riding tips and advice often featured in the motorcycling press and he...

Grime. Together we’ll crack it

21 October 2001

Cleanliness is a personal thing. Some reckon they can get by with a quick rub with a wet flannel. Others fell no less than an hour in the shower is sufficient. It’s the same with bikes. You may...

MZ Baghira

21 October 2001

It’s a little known fact that MZ, former manufacturers of everlasting two stroke commuters (and, before that, GP champions) have been making supermotos since 1996. One was the twin headlight Mastiff,...

Product of the Year (Clothing)

21 October 2001

Congratulations to Thunderchild for spotting the opening in the British market for the Roof range of helmets, epitomised by the Diversion, a helmet which combines unique and stylish looks and great...

2001 Ulster GP

21 October 2001

One GP Rossi couldn’t win

First details of bigger-bore Blade

21 October 2001

Honda’s FireBlade is to get a 1060cc capacity and a far more torque-laden power delivery. The idea is to open up a wider gap in character between the CBR600 and the Blade. The changes to the Blade are...

Step eight: Black trim

21 October 2001

Items like mirrors (well the casing, not the glass), indicator stalks and rear mudguards. Cut a normal sponge into smaller pieces and apply a car bumper care product to the sponge. This will spread...

Dealer of the Year (one outlet)

21 October 2001

Congratulations to CW Motorcycles, a dealership which our readers tell us really knows how to combine service and excellence with an expert knowledge of the BMWs they sell. On top of that independent surveys consistently put this dealership at, or near, the top, which it is why it is a worthy winner of Bridgestone MCN Dealer of the Year single outlet category. 1. CW Motorcycles 2. Millennium...

Manufacturer of the Year

21 October 2001

The bronze award goes to a company that relocated, restructured and plain and simple sold more bikes…Ducati The silver award goes to company that worked hard to reposition itself, offered some...

CCM R30 Supermoto

21 October 2001

The CCM is like one of those deep sea fish that’s all head and teeth – only in this case it’s nearly all engine. The enormous, 20 year-old, aircooled Rotax 600 dominates the R30 from either side. Add...

XR250 goes supermoto

21 October 2001

Honda has given its XR250 crosser a supermoto spin and dubbed it the Custom. The bike – revealed at Tokyo – is a one-off to show how customers can transform the XR using readily available parts. In...

Troy Bayliss: in his own words

21 October 2001

Rgvm: Congratulations Troy – whats the first thing you said/or will say to Colin Edwards when you lift the trophy? TroyBayliss: Nothing really. I don’t think there’s going to be any gloating. Dazzie: Troy, many congratulations! World Champion – how mental is that?! How does it feel!? TroyBayliss: Well, I just feel the same I did before it all happened really. But I do sort of feel a bit strange. I...

The history of four cylinders

21 October 2001

Four pistons hurtling up and down at up to 15,000 times a minute. Exhaust screaming. Air intakes howling. Whatever you think of four-cylinder sports bikes, you can’t deny they do their job pretty...

Doing it Hizzy style

21 October 2001

Ride the Steve Hislop way

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