2004
2005 ZX-6R revealed
25 August 2004
Kawasaki’s 2005 ZX-6R features a slipper clutch as standard, MotoGP-style fuel injection, wavy brake discs and a high-revving 107bhp engine. Full details are revealed in the issue of MCN dated August...
New Triumph 646 spied
25 August 2004
Our spies have spotted Triumph’s new Daytona 600 being tested with a new 646cc engine. It was spotted close the the British firm’s Hinckley HQ. The bigger bore is expected to raise power by as much...
Superbike stunner due
25 August 2004
A stunning new superbike is causing a stir in the MCN office today. We’re gathering first details – and seeing first pictures – of an important new four-cylinder sports bike which looks set to take...
20th anniversary V-Max
25 August 2004
Yamaha has launched an anniversary special V-Max in the US to celebrate the bikes 20th year in production. The new edition is essentially the same bike but gets a special ‘Shift Red’ paint scheme...
05 GSX-R1000 unveiled
25 August 2004
This is the first official picture of Suzuki’s 2005 GSX-R1000. It promises to be even more powerful and even sharper handling than the current cutting edge K4 version. Engine capacity is up from...
MZ 1000N revealed
18 August 2004
MZ’s new naked 1000 will be the cheapest bike in its class when it goes on sale next year. But this first picture, taken at the firm’s R&D HQ, shows it won’t lack style. The MZ1000N is expected to...
New ZX-6R spotted
18 August 2004
Sneak previews of an important new bike have been leaked on to the internet – and we’re convinced it’s the new ZX-6R. Kawasaki will be launching its 2005 range at the end of August and the updated...
VFR1200 revealed
11 August 2004
Honda is to launch a 1200cc V5-engined replacement for the Blackbird. It will be packed full of anti-crash electronics and be capable of cracking 200mph. Factory insiders say it will be on sale in...
'Don't blame leathers!'
11 August 2004
You say industry watchers have got it wrong when they lay the blame for a fall in bike sales on those of us who choose to wear the right kit Glass’s Guide editor Randal Thomas said: “too many riders...
Aprilia signs Piaggio deal
11 August 2004
Aprilia is reported as having signed a preliminary agreement opening the way for Piaggio to buy up the company. The agreement is expected to be finalised by September 30. A report on Italian news...
CBR600RR recall
11 August 2004
Honda is recalling some CBR600RRs built in 2003 and 2004. It’s to fix a potential problem with the rear brake. Bearings on the rear brake actuating rod on some bikes can seize if exposed to road...
ZX-10R recall update
04 August 2004
Kawasaki is moving swiftly to replace front wheels on the recalled ZX-10R as it investigates another two potential cases of the fault. Last week the firm announced a product safety recall which meant...
Deals on 999 and ZZ-R
04 August 2004
Panniers worth £460 are now being supplied free of charge with remaining stocks of Kawasaki’s 2002 ZZ-R1200. motorcyclenews.com Editor David Cushman ran a ZZ-R1200 in 2002 and ended up fitting the...
Meet the babes at CMC
04 August 2004
CMC motorcycles has a load of special offers running at its Sheffield store this weekend with the MCN Babes in attendance, test rides on all new Yamahas and the chance to win an R1. For this weekend...
Has good kit hit sales?
04 August 2004
The increasing number of riders wearing full leather on their bikes has contributed to a decline in sales of new bikes according to industry price watcher Glass’s guide. Glass’s motorcycle editor...
MZ's Monster at Munich
04 August 2004
MZ will reveal its rival for Ducati’s Monster at next month’s Munich Show. The firm says it will show a first prototype at the big German bike show and aims to have the bike in production in Spring...
Bimota DB5 due soon
04 August 2004
Bimota will use the Munich motorcycle show in September to show the prototype for its latest road bike, the DB5. The new bike will be based around a Ducati 1000DS v-twin engine, which currently...
Special edition Piega
04 August 2004
To celebrate the revival of Mondial the firm is planning to launch a special limited edition version of the Piega Evo signed by Roberto Ziletti, the man responsible for the initial revival of the...
Z750 wins shootout
04 August 2004
Kawasaki’s Z750 just edges it in our naked four-cylinder middleweights road test. We score it 86% – beating Yamaha’s FZ6 with 85%, Honda’s CBF600 with 78% and leaving Suzuki’s Bandit 600 trailing in...
Ducati's Aprilia bid fails
04 August 2004
Aprilia’s bosses have rejected Ducati’s bid to buy their troubled firm – leaving the way clear for Piaggio. The Ducati offer appears to have floundered over the price the firm was prepared to pay and...
UK firm buys Indian
04 August 2004
Indian Motorcycles was given another chance to bounce back from bankruptcy after it was bought last week by a UK based investment firm. The brand was revived in 1998 but struggled to meet its budgets...
New era for showrooms
04 August 2004
One of the UK’s biggest bike brands is making a radical change to the way its showrooms look. At leading Piaggio dealers you’re likely to feel like you’ve entered a top notch bike show when you...
An R1 rival from BMW
04 August 2004
BMW’s new focus on building high-performance sports machines is getting sharper still – with plans for a bike to rival the likes of Yamaha’s R1. The triple-cylindered bike will effectively use...
Fresh start for Mondial
01 August 2004
The new owner of Italian bike firm Mondial has put the Piega and Nuda back in to production and promised an all-new bike by 2007. American firm, Superbike Racing, bought Mondial last week for an...
How 05 Busa will look
28 July 2004
Suzuki is updating the Hayabusa for 2005 and while the looks aren’t much changed the weight is cut by up to 10kg and suspension internals are being revamped. More details are available in this week’s...
ZX-10R recall warning
28 July 2004
Kawasaki is recalling the ZX-10R and advising owners NOT TO RIDE until they have had their front wheels replaced. The firm says only three front wheels have been reported as defective, globally, but,...
05 Harleys revealed
21 July 2004
Harley-Davidson is adding three new models to its range for 2005 – two retro-styled versions of existing bikes and one new entry-level 1450cc cruiser. The FLSTNI Softail Deluxe and FLTSCI Springer...
Hawk offer new custom
21 July 2004
Dutch design house Highway Hawk is offering a new show bike based on the Yamaha Road Warrior. The Highway Hawk Warrior shares the engine and chassis with the Yamaha cruiser but the rest of the parts...
MT-01: Torque monster
14 July 2004
Yamaha’s new MT-01 will make more torque than a Hayabusa. Insiders say it will thump out 110ftlb of torque. A Hayabusa makes around 100ftlb while a GSX-R1000 makes a little over 80ftlb. And it’s the...
Mystery of falling sales
14 July 2004
The number of used bikes bought and sold is up – so are the number of riders on the road and the total number of miles we’re riding – so why have new bike sales taken a tumble? According to the Motor...
£50M for MV Agusta
07 July 2004
Proton has agreed to invest around £50 million in MV Agusta in return for an undisclosed stake in the business. The deal was revealed in a statement from MV Agusta this week. The cash means the...
Ducati bids for Aprilia
07 July 2004
Federico Minoli, Ducati Chairman and CEO, said: “We are not financial investors. We are moved by passion and we are dedicated to the success of Italian bikes worldwide. “We are conscious that this...
Pick up a bargain bike
07 July 2004
If you’re after a new bike then there are a whole range of offers available at the moment. Here are just a few to choose from. Ducati are offering a special insurance deal on the 999 and 749. Buy...
05 GSX-R1000 revealed
07 July 2004
Suzuki will launch an updated and even more powerful version of its GSX-R1000 for 2005 complete with MotoGP inspired dimensions and a radical snout designed to scoop in more air. Its weight is being...
Meet race stars
07 July 2004
If you’re at a loose end this weekend then there are a whole host of open days and special offers to take advantage of and plenty of chance to meet top British racers. The Bike People in Doncaster...
CCM on the ropes
07 July 2004
CCM went into voluntary administration on Wednesday July 8 – and there seems little hope that the company can be saved. The British off-road and supermoto manufacturer told staff they were all being...