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The preparations so far…

19 August 2001

Nearly every motorcyclist at some time or another dreams of travelling around the world on their bike. My dream started around 15 years ago after a few half-hearted attempts at travelling around France. Since then I promised my self every winter that the next year would be that year, I was going! Life is a bitch! There was always something cropping up to stop me, ranging from being too busy, kids,...

Ten biker gatherings in one weekend

19 August 2001

Ten biker gatherings in one weekend

Beer always gives people strange ideas. Nothing is so preposterous that it doesn’t seem like a viable proposition after a few pints. You can bet Eddie the Eagle decided to take up ski jumping after a...

Rob McDonnell’s Matchless going over the Mountain

19 August 2001

Rob McDonnell’s Matchless going over the Mountain

Not to be outdone by your efforts, MCN Editor Rob McDonnell has waded in with this. It is (as if you needed telling) a Matchless going over the Mountain on the Isle of Man.

2001 and 2002 Gas Gas bikes arrive

19 August 2001

2001 and 2002 Gas Gas bikes arrive

The first 2002-model Gas Gas Pamperas have arrived in the UK – at the same time as the first batch of the firm’s 2001-model Supermotos finally arrive. The all-new Pampera is a lightweight two-stroke...

Champion Dobb takes world motocross title in Germany

19 August 2001

Champion Dobb takes world motocross title in Germany

JAMIE DOBB took Britain’s first 125cc motocross Grand Prix world title for over 25 years on Sunday, after a battling ride in Germany saw him take fourth to seal the crown. Works KTM star Dobb, who has...

Yamaha updates revealed

19 August 2001

Yamaha updates revealed

We’ve got exclusive details of two new Yamahas. Both the updated Fazer 600 and all-new TDM900 will be launched at shows this autumn, according to insiders. The TDM900 replaces the outgoing TDM850...

Back to Brighton beach

19 August 2001

Back to Brighton beach

Triumph’s Bonneville doesn’t look retro enough for some. That’s why Swedish firm Raask has taken the modern bike even closer to its rocker roots. Company founder Sivert Raask said: ” I’ve been in...

Triumph Tiger 955I

19 August 2001

Triumph Tiger 955I

It’s neither little nor light, but the Tiger felt the smallest here, with agile handling, easy power and easy steering. With 104bhp and solid power at any revs, the re-tuned Daytona engine is silky...

Race-spec GSX-Rs for the road

19 August 2001

Race-spec GSX-Rs for the road

Crescent Suzuki race team has got the go ahead to build limited edition GSX-Rs for the road – the 600 is yours for £15,000 and the 750 for £30,000. Click on the link on the right to see our exclusive...

Dartford Crossing toll to be scrapped for bikes

12 August 2001

Dartford Crossing toll to be scrapped for bikes

RIFLING through your many pockets for the 40p required at the Dartford Crossing will be nothing but a memory from the beginning of 2003. The Highways Agency, which has overall responsibility for the...

Rider Power survey’s top bikes and dealers revealed

12 August 2001

Rider Power survey’s top bikes and dealers revealed

Three Hondas, a BMW and a Yamaha fill the top five spots in this year’s RiDER Power survey, published in RiDE magazine this Friday (August 17). At number five it’s Yamaha’s XJR1300, fourth is Honda’s...

How would you like your R1?

12 August 2001

How would you like your R1?

Yamaha has been asking for opinions on a whole host of new colour schemes for its R1. The bike is due a revamp and insiders now believe the 2002 bike will be offered in plain blue, plain red or in a...

First test on Metzeler’s replacement for MEZ3

12 August 2001

First test on Metzeler’s replacement for MEZ3

Metzeler’s Sportec M1 will replace the firm’s MEZ3 tyres and they work wonderfully. The German company has adhered to a rigid brief to make the tyre work well in the real world. Bosses insisted on a...

Video: Hodgson goes for it on the Hodgson rep

12 August 2001

Video: Hodgson goes for it on the Hodgson rep

Click on the video links right to watch Neil Hodgson leaping high on the Hodgson 996S Replica. Don’t go trying this at home now, will you? This man is a professional.

Competitors pull out of rally as mark of respect for Deacon

12 August 2001

Competitors pull out of rally as mark of respect for Deacon

Competitors in the Master Rallye have decided not to complete the event after the death of John Deacon on Wednesday. Deacon was running in second on the seventh day of the rally on when he was...

SV650 goes enduro

12 August 2001

SV650 goes enduro

You’ve seen the half-faired version, you’ve seen the naked version, now here’s the enduro version of the Suzuki SV650. This one isn’t straight from the factory, it’s straight f;rom the imagination of...

The ChiPs Legend

12 August 2001

The ChiPs Legend

In late 1977, the TV-watching nation was treated to its first taste of CHiPs, which followed the glamourous lives of two Los Angeles motorcycle cops; officers Francis Poncherello (Ponch) and Jon Baker...

1000cc V8 to power new Aussie neck-snapper

12 August 2001

1000cc V8 to power new Aussie neck-snapper

What’s got eight cylinders, up to 175bhp and will be ready for sale within six weeks? Our artist’s impression shows the answer, the latest 1000cc derivation of the Drysdale V8 concept, a naked bike...

Hislop slams "greedy" race promoters

12 August 2001

Hislop slams "greedy" race promoters

British superbike championship leader Steve Hislop has called race promoters ” greedy ” during a live web chat session on motorcyclenews.com. Hislop was responding to questions about the facilities...

Riding with the California Highway Patrol

12 August 2001

Riding with the California Highway Patrol

In the fast lane of Los Angeles’ hyper-busy 605 freeway, my car’s pushing 85mph and struggling to keep up with a gang of 30 or so motorbikes that are blasting over the sun-scorched surface in a sharp...

Revealed! Secrets of brake discs

12 August 2001

Revealed! Secrets of brake discs

You probably don’t spend much time thinking about your brake discs. They look pretty shiny… and that’s about it. But they’re one of the most important parts of your bike when you reach that panic...

Meet Whitham at dealer open evening

12 August 2001

Meet Whitham at dealer open evening

WANT to ask Jamie Whitham about his close World Supersport race finish at Brands? Or get his advice on what bike you should buy next? How about getting some riding tips off him? He’ll be there to quiz...

Biggest twin is full of surprises

12 August 2001

Biggest twin is full of surprises

Honda’s VTX1800 may be the biggest twin in production but the huge weight doesn’t overwhelm even at low speeds. It actually handles surprisingly well. The majority of the 320kg (and that’s dry) is...

The Blast is on this weekend

12 August 2001

The Blast is on this weekend

Rockingham hosts a motorcycling festival this weekend, with everything from 200mph speed runs to off-road displays. The event, called The Blast, has been set up by the Motorcycle Industry Association...

Don’t be conned by bike theft team

12 August 2001

Don’t be conned by bike theft team

Police are warning anyone selling a bike to beware of con men who have been bagging three bikes a week in Bedfordshire. One of their number poses as an interested buyer, sits on the bike and asks you...

See the Hodgson rep in video action

12 August 2001

See the Hodgson rep in video action

Neil Hodgson has been testing the replica of his WSB 996 on the Isle of Man… and getting incredibly high…. Now we’ve added video clips showing his high-flying riding frame-by-frame. Follow the link,...

Now it’s Mr Ice guy

12 August 2001

Now it’s Mr Ice guy

A man in a violent orange suit is jumping up and down, waving his arms about. He’s got ants in his pants. It’s 8am and Neil Hodgson is more than ready to head out for a few laps of the Island on the...

Steve Hislop in his own words

12 August 2001

Steve Hislop talked to fans in the VIP Lounge of our Talk Bikes section of the site on Thursday, August 16. Here’s a full transcript of the conversation. " MCN " is used to indicated a question from an MCN user. MCN: I’ve started doing some track days and done all the four levels of the California Superbike School, but what i feel is holding me up is my confidence on really fast turns, i.e. over...

More Gatsos, but in sensible places and easier to spot

12 August 2001

More Gatsos, but in sensible places and easier to spot

More Gatsos are coming with predictions of three times as many speeding fines being issued. But the Government is insisting that from now on cameras are painted bright to make them easy to spot and...

Is council Cat & Fiddling speed limits?

12 August 2001

Is council Cat & Fiddling speed limits?

The rules about UK speed limits in the Highway Code are clear. A table tells us that on single carriageway roads, in non-built-up areas, the limit is 60mph. That rule isn’t just there for the benefit...

First test on Cagiva Xtra Raptor

12 August 2001

First test on Cagiva Xtra Raptor

The Cagiva Xtra Raptor is exactly that, a Raptor with a little bit more: a bit more adjustment for the suspension, a bit better handling, a bit more carbon-fibre, a bit less weight, a bit more...

Your bike can star at Malvern Big Bikes Show

12 August 2001

Your bike can star at Malvern Big Bikes Show

There’s a show with a difference this weekend. Offer your bike as an exhibit and you’ll save on the entry price. The Big Bikes at Malvern Show runs from Friday, August 17 to Sunday, August 19 in Wye...

The equipment

12 August 2001

The equipment

Each officer carries both a pager and a cellphone along with a radio headset which can switch between different frequencies. You can speak bike-to-bike or to dispatch back at headquarters. This radio...

Learning at the California Superbike School

05 August 2001

Learning at the California Superbike School

If you’ve ever entered a corner in mild panic or found yourself drifting wide uncontrollably, and let’s face it we all have, you’re a prime candidate for the famous California Superbike School. In one...

"Coals to Newcastle" as BSA ready all-new twin for Japanese buyers

05 August 2001

"Coals to Newcastle" as BSA ready all-new twin for Japanese buyers

ALTHOUGH BSA was once as powerful a force in biking as Honda is today, it may come as a surprise to some that the legendary British firm is still producing bikes at all, let alone readying an all-new...

Swindon Speedway meet off

05 August 2001

The torrential rain the Swindon area has seen in the last 24 hours means Friday night’s home Knockout Cup meeting with Exeter has had to be called off. The semi-final tie will now be staged on Sunday, August 12 at 6.30pm.