March

Year: 2002

Month: March

World’s first test: ZZ-R1200

25 March 2002

We’ve been riding in France to test the new ZZ-R1200 for the first time. The full test will be published in MCN, out on Wednesday. But here are our first impressions: i. Even the updated engine has a...

Smart replica by 2004

25 March 2002

Ducati’s retro-styled Paul Smart replica won’t go on sale until 2004 – even though it was designed four years ago. Chief designer Pierre Terblanche created the bike, which has never been seen in...

Norwich Union puts ZX-6R in higher group

25 March 2002

Kawasaki’s new 636cc ZX-6R has been bumped up one insurance group by Britain’s biggest bike insurer, Norwich Union. The move brings the Kawasaki into line with the likes of Yamaha’s R6 in Group 15,...

Triumph factory blaze: Video added

18 March 2002

Fire tore through Triumph’s Hinckley factory on Friday leaving Britain’s biggest bike firm in a state of disarray. For more on this, complete with dramatic pictures, see MCN, out on Wednesday, March 20. To see the video, shot by fire crews, click on the link on the right. Firefighters were called to the scene when the fire at 8.41pm on Friday night. When the blaze was at its peak, at around...

First test: Triumph Speed Four

18 March 2002

We’ve been riding Triumph’s new Speed Four. And while the firm faces the nightmare of a fire-ravaged factory after Friday night’s blaze, at least bosses can be comforted by the fact that their new...

New BMW R1150GS Adventure tested

18 March 2002

OFF-ROADING on a BMW R1150GS isn’t for the faint-hearted. But the factory have made the prospect of go-anywhere riding slightly more realistic with its new Adventure version of its hugely popular big trailie. So what’s different? For a start, the suspension at both ends has 20mm more travel, which is great for floating over boulders – though shorties and vertigo sufferers might be intimidated by...

CCM style, Suzuki power

18 March 2002

THE first Suzuki-engined CCMs have just started rolling off the production line and MCN has been one of the first to try them. The new R30, 604 Dual Sport supermoto and 604 Trail off-roader have had...

First test: Gilera’s 850cc twin

11 March 2002

Updated March 14, 2002: We’ve had a first ride on a bike using Gilera’s new 850cc 90 degree V-twin engine and it could prove the basis of a genuine rival for Ducati. The full story is in the March 13...

Guzzi revises Nevada 750

11 March 2002

Moto Guzzi has revealed a revised version of its bottom-of-the-range Nevada cruiser – the final bike in the line-up to get a series of updates influenced by Guzzi’s new owner, Aprilia. The 750cc...

First test: Buell Firebolt

04 March 2002

We’ve been riding Buell’s radical new Firebolt. It’s an R1-light, quick-steering beam-framed thriller aimed at European sports bike nuts, but does it hit its target? For our full report, make sure you...

1200cc Blackbird for 2003

04 March 2002

Honda insiders have confirmed the Super Blackbird is getting a mid-range boost and a restyle for 2003. Although the changes are expected to raise power by as much as 20bhp to around 155bhp, the real...

World first test: The 2002 ZX-12R

04 March 2002

Kawasaki has raised the power of the ZX-12R AND given it an even more sporting focus. Our full report is published in MCN, out on Wednesday, March 6, 2002. But here are our first impressions. (i) The...