June
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...
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...
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...
Mixed reaction to first pictures of 2002 FireBlade
24 June 2001
Our pictures of the 2002 FireBlade have got everybody talking… and not everyone has been immediately won over by the new look. In postings in our Talk News bulletin board, peterfoley said: ” Deffo...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
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...
Yamaha Bulldog revealed
03 June 2001
Yamaha’s new Bulldog BT1100 is revealed today for the first time. The Japanese firm claims the Bulldog is specifically designed to meet the needs of the European market. Yamaha reckons its new machine...
Suzuki plans 650cc scooter
03 June 2001
September will see the launch of Suzuki’s new Skywave 650 – a big bore scooter aimed at bikes like Yamaha’s T-max and Honda’s Silverwing. Like its competitors, the bike will use a two-cylinder engine...
Rare Ducatis become available
03 June 2001
Just when you thought Ducati’s super-exclusive MH900E was impossible to get hold of… a British dealer has managed to bag a couple. But if you want one you really shouldn’t hang about. DK has just two...
Enter the 200mph ZX-12R
03 June 2001
The last time I rode a ZX-12R, it topped out with a less than hyperbolic 183mph, or 12mph slower than a politically castrated 2000 Hayabusa, leaving in its wake more questions than answers. But let...
Kawasaki comes up with a Sportster rival
01 June 2001
Kawasaki is launching a budget cruiser aimed at the Harley Sportster market. The bike will join the firm’s VN1500 family next year, say sources close to the factory. The Japanese firm’s VN range...