The 2010 MV Agusta F4 1000, a beautiful and fast bike, has joint Spyder Club.

The new F4 is due early April, and will arrive shortly before the open days on 10th and 11th April where Spyder Club will also be announcing two other bikes to join the fleet.

The open days will take place at Donington Park on the 10th and 11th April. The event will start with a visit to the Grand Prix Museum, then lunch followed by rides on the Spider Club Fleed and gueats’ bikes.

If you join the Club on the day, you will receive a 10% discount and your admission fee of £30 back.

Contact info@spyderclub.co.uk or 01332 850 344 for more information.

At weekend of 24-25 April the 30th Carole Nash International Classic Motorcycle Show is taking place at Stafford County Showground. All top manufacturers of the classic bikes are welcome.

Yamaha, Honda, Triumph, Royal Enfield and Ducati have confirmed their attendance in this year’s event. Visitirs will be able not only to see the latest bikes but also have a ride. Just bring your bike gear and both parts of your licence.

The event is free to attend, just get there early to avoid queues.

The MCN Awards were announced at the Carole Nash MCN Motorcycle Show.

Award: Biking Hero
Winner: Bob Brown. Bob is a former Police motorcyclist. He played a crucial role in organising a very popular Durham Bike Wise motorcycle event.

Award: The Dave Taylor Lifetime achievement
Winner: Sammy Miller MBE.

Award: MCN Man of the Year Award (sponsored by National Accident Helpline)
Winner: Valentino Rossi

Award: MCN Machine of the Year.
Winner: Yamaha YZF-R1

Award: Best dealer with only one outlet
Winner: Lloyd Cooper of Watford

Award: Dealer of the Year specialising in one area
Winner: Get Geared of Leatherhead

Award: Wholesaler of the Year
Winner: Motohaus Powersports

Award: Dealer of the Year with more than one outlet
Winner: George White Superbike Centre

Award: Product of the Year (clothing)
Winner: Forcefield Pro Sub 4 back protector

Award: Product of the Year (accessories or services)
Winner: Scottoiler E-system

Award: Product of the Year (tyre)
Winner: Michelin Power One

Mattie Griffin is a very talented motorbike stuntman. There will be a possibility to see his actions in the Carole Nash MCN Motorcycle Show on 4-7th February 2010.

Other great performers - Christian Pfeiffer and AC Farias, amongst others, have also performed in the Live Action Arena in London in the past.

Many riders say their routine changes if they perfom in the indoor area but Mattie reckons his experience will let him to ride in a similar way that in the outdoor shows.

“It does make a lot more work for me because you don’t get time to think! As soon as you complete a trick you have to have to get right into the next, and you have no run off area if you make a mistake!

From my experience indoor arenas are much slipperier so it will take a lot more concentration, but I still plan entertain and to carry out all my tricks for this show and keep the visitors on their toes throughout my show!”, Mattie said.

Times of the show are:

SHOW 1 11.30am - 12.00noon
SHOW 2 1.00pm - 1.30pm
SHOW 3 2.30pm - 3.00pm
SHOW 4 4.15pm - 4.45pm

Browse this website http://www.mcnmotorcycleshow.com/ for more information.

Would you like to be the first one to test the new 2010 Yamaha R6? The test will take place on 2nd February at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire. The riders will compare both, the 2009 and 2010 versions. The riders will appear in Motorcycle News, the organizer of the test.

MCN is looking especially owners of 2009/09 Yamaha R6 but also the ones who do not own this model at the moment but are looking to purchase one in the nearby future.

The riders should be available for the whole day and prepared for the ride in wet conditions. They have to make sure they are have protective clothes and that they have got a full driving licence. MCN will want to know about their riding experience.

The deadline for applying is Friday the 29th January. Later applications will not be considered. Contact: chris.newbigging@motorcyclenews.com. Make sure you describe your interest in the 2010 R6 and your riding experience.

Engine size 398cc
Power 31bhp
Top speed 94mph
Insurance group 9

Strictly speaking, the BROS 400 is heavy, underpowered and outdated. But the cheap grey imports are surprisingly nice to ride – they’re well balanced, steer well and the engine is flexible, torquey and characterful given its 33bhp output. That also makes it legal for new riders on a restricted licence.

Engine: Very similar to the Africa Twin engine (specials builders actually fit the bigger 750 in the chassis), the understressed motor pulls from low in the rev range unless you labour it in a high gear. Fuelling is classic crisp carburettor response, though power tails off higher in the rev range. Great around town, and it’ll sit happily at 80mph too. It has a surprisingly prominent and pleasant airbox noise too.

Ride And Handling: Suspension fatigue affects the Honda BROS – new fork oil springs and a new shock transform it. Then you can take advantage of the neutral handling, strong RC30-derived brakes and plentiful ground clearance. It’ll even take sticky tyres, though not in the correct front profile (which affects the speedo reading) – standard sized, modern crossplies are widely available and grippy enough unless you’re a lunatic or a trackday fiend.

Equipment: Basic - the BROS has a comfy, semi-upright café racer riding position but poor pillion provision. Underseat storage only accepts the standard tool kit, and the tank lasts around 90 miles before you need to flick the fuel tap to reserve.

Quality And Reliability: Find a cared for BROS (ideally one that’s been loved and kept dry since import from Japan), and you’ll be astounded at the quality. Deep paint, quality fasteners and lovely finish all-round is nicer than most new bikes – including some Hondas! Understressed engine is unburstable, the chassis is tough. Make sure the eccentric chain adjuster/rear wheel hub isn’t seized, and there’s little else that goes wrong. Specialist backup is available too – new-old stock parts are readily available as well as pattern parts.

Insurance: Insurance group: 9

Model History: 1988: Introduced as Japan-only model. Six-spoke wheels, Product 2 seat graphics
1990: Second generation – mostly identical, 18” three-spoke rear wheels, improved PGM ignition.
1992: Discontinued.

Other Versions: Honda NT650 BROS Product 1: Identical to BROS 400, but with more powerful 650cc motor, wider spaced gears, 112mph restriction and slightly lower rev ceiling. Available in Mk1 and Mk2 versions.
Honda Hawk GT: US-market version of the BROS 650 is branded differently with cheaper front brakes and higher handlebars. Otherwise identical, but even rarer.

This article was taken from: Motorcycle News

Engine size 599cc
Power 97bhp
Top speed 136mph
Insurance group 12

That engine still isn’t perfect but it ain’t half bad. A bit snatchy around town but, out in the open, it’s a dream. Alongside that handling and those brakes, you’re in for one hell of a ride on board the Speed Four. Incredibly capable and beautifully built, its distinctive looks are ideal for those who don’t want to go with the flow. And it sounds amazing…

Engine: The Triumph Speed Four runs on the same engine which fired the much-maligned TT600 but only after numerous tweaks which ironed out that bike’s early injection problems. The Triumph Speed Four is still a bit snatchy low down but other than that, it’s fabulous: loads of power in the midrange, fantastic acceleration. You have to use the gears to milk it to the max but that makes for an involved ride.

Ride And Handling: The TT600’s handling is legendary and so, therefore, is the Speed Four’s. With the same taut chassis and perfect dimensions, prepare to discover lean angles you never thought yourself capable of. The fully adjustable suspension is brilliant as are the brakes. Incredibly capable and huge fun yet wonderfully confidence-inspiring, too.

Equipment: With high pegs and a forward riding position, the Triumph Speed Four is sporty. The small cowl is good until around 80mph when the wind gets you. There’s a digital speedo and clock and analogue tacho: all very clear. Braided hoses are standard and colour-matched belly pan and radiator cowls are included. Pillions, however, will hate you.

Quality And Reliability: The Triumph Speed Four is not built to a budget and it shows. It boasts excellent components and finish and is beautifully put together (although the looks are an issue for some… ). One recall is recorded: non-metallic fuel hose connectors were replaced by metallic ones to counter the possibility of fracture. Check it’s been seen to.

Insurance: Insurance group: 12

Model History: 2002: Triumph launch the Speed Four as a naked version of the TT600. It has twin headlights straight from the Speed Triple and mad-looking air intakes. No changes since.
2006: Fazed out to make way for a 675cc version of the Daytona Triple.

This article was taken from: Motorcycle News