Bike news

Gilera’s Ice is very cool

24 June 2001

Italians have a fantastic ability to design bikes that are striking and different. The Ice is just that, totally unique, beautiful – but in a quirky kind of way. The crazy look of the bike is only...

Under starters orders…

24 June 2001

The dash from the tape at the Motocross Des Nations

Muck spreaders

24 June 2001

Every sideways corner throws up more mud from the Des Nations action.

Mud in your eye

24 June 2001

Some serious soil disturbance from the Motocross Des Nations

Mad motocross

24 June 2001

The Des Nations event always brings out the wildest off-road action

How we can prove Mellor wrong

24 June 2001

WITHIN days of David Mellor’s comments, the Transport Research Laboratory published a report into the real reason why people are dying in bike crashes. And, Mr Mellor, it’s nothing to do with riders exercising their right to ride on the outside of a queue or getting up your nose by passing your chauffeur-driven motor. The TRL looked into police reports of 717 fatalities which involved a motorcycle...

Latest Blade marks 10th anniversary

24 June 2001

The original Blade went on sale in March 1992 – almost exactly a decade before the latest version will hit the showrooms. With a 122bhp, 893cc engine mounted in a race-style alloy frame, it had the power of a contemporary litre bike, but at 185kg it was the weight of a 600cc machine. Ever since its launch, the Blade has been subject to regular updates every two years – making the new bike the...

Eat dirt

24 June 2001

It’s all going to get a bit gnarly out there…

First test reveals Yamaha Bulldog is built for cruising

24 June 2001

LATEST UPDATE: 5PM, JUNE 29 Yamaha’s new Bulldog may be styled like a Buell or a Ducati Monster, but it’s much more focused on cruising rather than sport. That’s the first impression Adam Morrissey...

24 June 2001

Serious Accidents on the open road: Loss of control, Rider’s fault: 61%, Other’s fault: 5%. Failed to give way, Riders fault: 2%, Other’s fault 36%. Failed to avoid, Rider’s fault: 13%, Other’s fault: 12%. Poor turn/manoeuvre, Rider’s fault: 7%, Other’s fault: 31%. Poor Overtaking, Rider’s fault: 11%, Other’s fault 7%. Total (accidents/percentage). Rider’s fault: 456 (67%), Other’s fault: 227...

Varadero and FireStorm to get fuel injection

17 June 2001

Honda’s Varadero will get fuel injection later this year. The new model’s styling is set to remain unchanged, but the revamped motor should perform a little more efficiently. The move has been...

Insurance underwriter goes into liquidation

17 June 2001

Check the small print on your insurance policy, you could be one of as many as 2000 UK riders hit by the financial troubles at Independent Insurance Company Limited. The underwriter is now in the hands of liquidator Pricewaterhouse Cooper. Carole Nash is one of the firm to have used Independent Insurance Company Limited to underwrite motorcycle policies. Check your certificate and it will say who...

That ain’t Santa Claus

17 June 2001

Riding over the rooftops is all in a day’s work for world-class trials riders

1700cc super Harley

17 June 2001

This started life as a stock 1450cc FXDX Dyna Super Glide Sport. But it’s been bored out to 1700cc, making it the largest-capacity Harley-Davidson ever officially sold in the UK. It’s a stock 1450cc...

New Guzzi Le Mans ridden and rated

17 June 2001

The new Le Mans is no longer a superbike like the one which first bore the name back in 1976. The cynics will see it as a marketing exercise by Aprilia, the new owners of Moto Guzzi’s 80-year-old...

Think this looks easy? You must be dreaming

17 June 2001

It’s not a ghost… it’s action from inside the Sheffield Arena.

A very special FireBlade

17 June 2001

American race team Erion has an enviable record which has helped them craft a fine range of race products. Put their best together and you get this showcase bike, the Erion Blade. Created by UK...

One way of getting down the stairs

17 June 2001

Try this at home and you’ll be in the doghouse for weeks

Water way to go

17 June 2001

Trials is THE bike sport… if you want to make a splash

New Ducati to be based on Smart’s Imola winner

17 June 2001

Ducati has dedicated a production line to building limited edition bikes and the next one will be an MH900E-based bike inspired by Paul Smart’s 1972 Imola 200-winning machine. Ducati originally...

Phoenix rises with Laverda’s name

17 June 2001

LAVERDA’S first new machine since the Aprilia take over is a 150cc scooter designed and built in China by SYM. Aprilia has arranged the deal to sell the re-badged SYM Joyride under the Laverda banner...

Superstock Clarion Suzuki GSX-R1000

10 June 2001

RIDER: John Crockford POWER: Over 155bhp@12,400rpm DRY WEIGHT: 175kg TOP SPEED: 190mph RESULTS: Donington Park: 5th Silverstone: DNF Snetterton: DNF Oulton Park: 7th

Kicking up dust

10 June 2001

You don’t need to ride THAT close to the kerbs, John!

Clarion Suzuki GSX-R750 XR09 Superbike

10 June 2001

RIDER: John Crawford POWER: Over 165bhp@14,000rpm DRY WEIGHT: 162kg TOP SPEED: 190mph RESULTS: Donington Park: 3rd and 3rd Silverstone: 3rd and 5th Snetterton: 7th and 7th Oulton Park: DNF and 4th

Long term test on the Yamaha Tmax

10 June 2001

Sometimes, the strangest combinations actually go together remarkably well. When I was a kid, my favourite teatime snack was peanut butter and jam sandwiches. Other children would curl their lips...

German and British firms consider link to buy TL engines

10 June 2001

GERMAN firm Sachs and British company CCM are in talks aimed at teaming up to buy Suzuki TL V-twin engines. CCM refuses to confirm it, but an insider at Sachs said: ” It helps if we work together.

What happened next?

10 June 2001

The bright lights of indoor arena trials shine again

Is time running out for MAG and the BMF?

10 June 2001

PRESSURE groups are there to fight for our rights. They understand the things we care about and the issues that wind us up. That’s the idea, anyway. But a recent demonstration against toll charges at...

First pictures of Road Star Warrior

10 June 2001

Yamaha’s new XV1700 Road Star Warrior is unveiled today, boasting sports bike technology and cruiser styling. The Warrior’s engine is pure cruiser. Based on the XV1600 Wild Star’s 48 degree air-cooled...

More for the TT fans

10 June 2001

They might call the 250 race the Lightweight, but it’s a race for the real heavyweights of The Island.

Riding Britain’s greatest road

10 June 2001

The days of the Roman Empire weren’t just about eating grapes, grappling with virgins and having lots of hot baths. Some of it was about standing guard on the rainswept borders of northern England...

Trials? Boring? Take another look

10 June 2001

Action from the Sheffield Arena trial last year is likely to change your mind

Get out of that!

10 June 2001

OK, all you need to do is ride over this lot…

Junior Superstock Clarion Suzuki GSX-R600

10 June 2001

RIDER: James Hutchins POWER: Over 105bhp@13,800rpm DRY WEIGHT: 170kg TOP SPEED: 165mph RESULTS: Donington Park: 2nd Silverstone: Injured Snetterton: Injured Oulton Park: Injured

Four Clarion Suzukis ridden and rated

10 June 2001

This year Suzuki has done the triple with its 600, 750 and 1000. All three are the best bikes in their class. Best meaning the most-focussed, lightest and most powerful bikes in their respective...

Supersport Clarion Suzuki GSX-R600

10 June 2001

RIDER: Karl Harris POWER: Over 120bhp@14,200rpm DRY WEIGHT: 167kg TOP SPEED: 175mph RESULTS: Donington Park: DNF Silverstone: 3rd Snetterton: 6th Oulton Park: 3rd