2001
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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 –...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Sauber GP bike run in public at Sepang
14 October 2001
NIALL MACKENZIE gave the new Sauber-Petronas four-stroke GP machine its first public outing on the eve of the Malaysia GP at Sepang. The Scot completed a couple of slow but impressively noisy laps on...
Video: On board Hodgson’s WSB Ducati at Donington
14 October 2001
CLICK the MOV link right (if you have Quicktime player installed on your PC) or the RM link (for Real player users) to download on-board video clips of MCN’s Marc Potter lapping Donington on Hodgson’s...
Victory reveals its vision of future cruising
14 October 2001
AMERICAN cruiser firm Victory has revealed a glimpse of what its future models could offer in the shape of the aptly named Vision concept bike. Pretty? well, we’ll leave you to form your own opinions...
Specifications
14 October 2001
Availability: If you’re Neil Hodgson Deals, offers and bonuses: None Colours: Orange/purple/silver Insurance Group: N/a Specification: Liquid-cooled 996cc (98x66mm) 8v four-stroke 90 degree...
Six new supermotos launched in UK
14 October 2001
SUPERMOTO race and road bikes are rapidly gaining in popularity, or so we’re told. And here’s some evidence it might be true – in the shape of SIX new models coming to the UK. Italian firm Vertemati...
Testing Hodgson’s WSB Ducati: Dreams CAN come true
14 October 2001
IT’S one of those rides that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Riding a race-winning World Superbike machine; the exact same bike that more than 100,000 of us cheered like hell at...
Watch our exclusive 998 video
07 October 2001
Click on the links, right, to download our exclusive video, recorded at the official launch test of the bike in Italy.
World’s first test on Honda’s new Hornet 900
07 October 2001
HONDA’S new Hornet 900 comes with an asking price of under £6000, a fun-loving attitude and a wild streak that will have you laughing time after time. We managed to get a first ride on the new Hornet...
Husaberg refines line-up for 2002
07 October 2001
After last year’s all-new range of machines, Husaberg has been busy refining its new designs further. All the new models feature re-designed engine cases, which are stronger and lighter. The electric...
How long must we wait for 2002 bikes?
07 October 2001
You’ve seen the new bikes of 2002, first on this site. Now you’ll want to know when they will hit a show room near you… and be available to buy. Use our round-up to see when the new bikes will be...
First test and video action of the new 998
07 October 2001
The new 998 has a new frame and a new 123bhp Testastretta engine based around the new narrow head Testastretta motor. Here you’ll read our first full test and get the chance to see and hear the bike...
Hybris takes streamlining to extremes
01 October 2001
It’s got bucket seats, will lean over as far as 45-degrees and is capable of well over 150mph… it’s the Hybris. French firm Hybris Concept put the bike on display at Paris. It comes complete with a...
Honda reveals new 230 and 150 four-strokes
01 October 2001
JUST weeks after revealing the 2002 CRF450 four-stroke moto cross contender, Honda has revealed not one but two more four-stroke off-road machines. In 2003 Honda’s CRF230 and 150 will be launched to...
You’ve seen the bikes of 2002… here’s some for 2003
01 October 2001
Honda showed off its new bikes for 2002 at a private launch in Paris last month, now the firm is revealing some of its bikes for 2003. The huge VTX1800 is being joined by two more machines carrying...
Boxer aims for the mainstream with B2
30 September 2001
French firm Boxer is about to move into the mainstream with a new model unveiled at the Paris bike show – a naked roadster called the B2. Like the firm’s previous VB1, it uses the 60-degree, 995cc...
More pictures of V-Strom from its official launch
23 September 2001
We’ve already revealed spyshots and first detail pictures of Suzuki’s V-Strom, now we’re adding more shots direct from the official launch in Paris. While Suzuki is making no power claim for the bike,...
Bulldog makeover could go into production
23 September 2001
The Bulldog makeover Yamaha has shown at the Milan and Paris bike shows could go into production as a new model. And if the firm isn’t prepared to go that far, it’s almost certain that the parts are...
Ghezzi gives us Guzzi in another guise
23 September 2001
Ghezzi & Brian’s latest Guzzi-based creation has been put on show in Italy. The Furia combines the proven Guzzi V11 Sport engine with Ghezzi’s own Supertwin 1100 frame – a steel box-section design...
Kawasaki launches ZZ-R1200
23 September 2001
Kawasaki has given its new ZZ-R1200 an official unveiling in Paris, giving us the chance to bring you more details and pictures of the new super-tourer. The 1164cc engine is expected to make around...
Italian importer restyles Voxan Roadster
23 September 2001
Voxan’s Italian importer has decided to give customers something different with the Ciclope special. The bike combines the stock chassis and 100bhp V-twin engine of the French-made Roadster with...
TM ready to roll with new Supermotard
23 September 2001
Italian manufacturer TM has revealed a new 400cc four-stroke supermoto with a cast single-sided swingarm and a rim-mounted front brake disc. The TM400 Supermotard’s swingarm is similar to that on...
Hailwood’s widow takes legal action against Ducati
23 September 2001
Updated at 5.30pm on Thursday, September 27 Mike Hailwood’s widow Pauline has spoken out after starting legal action against Ducati over the MH900e, or Mike Hailwood Evoluzione. She is upset over the...
First test of Kawasaki’s VN1500 Meanstreak
23 September 2001
Kawasaki’s MeanStreak isn’t just an excuse for another exercise in chrome. It’s a performance cruiser and a real blast. On an arrow-straight motorway in the Netherlands with my chin on the tank and...