Biker News - Regularly updated

Welcome to our News section, where articles are listed below and if relevant within the categories on the right, just to make it easier for you to find what you wish to read...

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  1. See below more details of the address for each place voted for*, A-Z below, in smaller sections -
     
    A - D
    Ace Cafe, Stonebridge, London, NW10 7UD
    Ann's Kitchen, Mochdre, Colwyn Bay LL28 5HN
    Billy's on the Road, Five Oaks, West Sussex, RH14 9AE
    Blu-Belles Cafe, OX9 2NU
    Butchers Hook Cafe, East Sussex, TN21 8RA
    Cafe 33, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 9XX
    Castle Cafe, Withernsea, Yorkshire, HU19 2JS
    Chequered Flag SW, Liskeard, Cornwall, PL14 3GD
    Coast Riders Diner, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 5LB
    Custom Cafe, Pevensey Levels National Park, TN39 4QR
    Devils Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth, Cumbria, LA6 2SE
    Doms Bike Stop, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 0QJ

    E - M
    Elaine's Tearooms, Feizor, Austwick, North Yorkshire, LA2 8DF
    Faun Cafe, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 5TL
    Filling Station Cafe, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5PR
    Gilks Garage Cafe, Kineton, Warwick, CV35 0JP
    Headlands, Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire, YO15 1AR
    H’s Cafe, Kent Motorcycles, Barnham, Canterbury, CT4 6SA
    H-Cafe Berinsfield, Wallingford, Oxford, OX10 7LY
    Hot Tram Roll, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5DF
    Hungry Hogs at Hillside Cafe, Leicestershire, LE15 9AB   Hungry Hogs at Hillside Cafe, Bikers welcome, Belton-in-Rutland, Leicesters
    Jack’s Hill Cafe, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 8ET
    Krazy Horse, Bury Saint Edmunds, IP32 6LJ
    Loomies, West Meon, GU32 1JX
    Mavericks, Mostyn, Holywell CH8 9DQ
    Nell's Cafe, Watling Street, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 5UD  
     
    O -S
    Owls Nest Tea Room Diner, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0DJ
    Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 3AQ 
    Pitstop Diner, Leyland, Lancashire, PR25 2ZF
    Ponderosa Cafe, Horseshoe Pass, Llangollen, LL20 8DR
    Route 59 Cafe, Skipton, BD23 6AF
    Salt & Pepper Cafe, Newcastle, NE4 6AD
    Seaways, Fridaythorpe, Driffield, YO25 9RX
    Strawberry Fields Café, Crockey Hill, York YO19 4RH
    Squires Bikers Cafe, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Yorkshire, LS25 3LX
    Super Sausage Cafe, Northamptonshire, NN12 7QD

    T - Z
    Tattershall picnic site, Lincoln, LN4 4JG
    The Bikers Cove, South Queensferry, Edinburgh, EH30 9TA
    The Bike Shed, Shoreditch, London, EC1V 9LT
    The-Destination, Ghost Bikes, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 4LQ
    The Green Welly Stop, Tyndrum, Perthshire, FK20 8RY
    The Haven, Firsdown, Salisbury, SP5 1SP
    The Manor Farm Cafe, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 5QH
    The March Hare Tearooms, Lincolnshire, NG33 4NH
    The Nook, Alston CA9 3BG
    The PitStop Diner, Stockton-on-Tees Durham, TS18 3TG
    The Old Stores Motorbike Cafe, Pontblyddyn, CH7 4HR
    The Tea Set at The Quiet Woman, Oxfordshire, OX7 5QH
    Two Hoots Tea Room, Devil's Bridge, Aberystwyth, SY23 3JL
    Union Road Moto-Velo, Devon, EX17 3AL
    Whistlestop Cafe, Rhuddlan, Denbighshire, LL18 5UZ
    Whistlestop Cafe, Whitby Railway Station, Yorkshire, Y021 1YN
    Yonderman Cafe, Wardlow, High Peak, SK17 8RW
    Zoom Cafe Bar, Brough, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU15 2JQ
     
    For more details on the Cafes voted for, most of these Cafes are on our website as -www.thebikerguide.co.uk/bikerfriendlymeetingplaces.html
     
    *From the details we have on our systems.

    Vote for your favourite Biker Friendly Cafe in the UK!
    We have seen lots of new Biker Friendly Cafes opening in 2021 and becoming popular with visitors to the website and facebook group members, so we have decided to once again hold this poll.
     
    To cast your vote simply go to our facebook group as -
  2. An exciting topical exhibition from the British Motor Museum The Car. The Future. Me” is to be showcased by the Dundee Museum of Transport at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP-26 to be held in Glasgow later this year.

    The exhibition, which explores the future of the car, was successfully hosted at the British Motor Museum in 2019/2020. Dundee Museum of Transport approached the Museum looking for upcycled and recycled materials for their new exhibition about sustainable transport which is to coincide with the UN Climate Change Conference.

    This exhibition, which also includes plans for creating Europe's first carbon neutral transport museum by retrofitting a Grade B listed tram depot in Maryfield, Dundee, will run at the Dundee Museum of Transport from June until November 2021. With some of the exhibition materials and panels from the British Motor Museum forming part of a display at COP-26, the largest international conference in UK history.

    Catherine Griffin, Curator at the British Motor Museum said “We are delighted that our thought provoking exhibition is going on tour to Scotland and hope it sparks debate amongst their visitors as it did when we hosted the exhibition!”

    Alexander Goodger, Museum Manager at Dundee Museum of Transport said “We are pleased that the British Motor Museum shares our environmental goals, and through our partnership, we are able to host a low-carbon exhibition on the topic of sustainable transport for the public to enjoy nearly 400 miles away from where it was created. We hope this is the start of greater collaboration between our organisations in Scotland and England”.

    To find out more about the Museums please visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk and www.dmoft.co.uk

    For more information on Dundee Museum of Transport please visit  https://www.dmoft.co.uk/

  3. After indicating earlier this month that a new GSX-S1000 was on the way, Suzuki has now released details of the 2021 naked, which comes with:

    A completely new look, with sharp, aggressive new bodywork and futuristic LED lighting design.

    An updated, Euro 5 compliant 152PS inline four-cylinder engine with a fatter and flatter torque curve, providing a broader spread of power in the low and midrange.

    New electronics, including a quickshifter and auto-blipper, selectable engine maps and more levels of traction control.

    A larger fuel tank and new, wider set handlebars.  Suzuki announces details of new GSX-S1000

    Styling

    Immediately obvious is the new GSX-S1000’s redesigned aesthetic; the bodywork and lighting is completely new, with a focus on sharp, angular, aggressive lines and a powerful stance, with a ‘mass forward’ demeanour.

    Available in Suzuki’s traditional metallic triton blue, a new mechanical matt grey, and a stealthy gloss black, it’s streetfighter looks are enhanced with textured radiator shrouds, MotoGP-insipired winglets, and side panels that feature an urban camo-inspired design.

    Arguably the most striking visual change is the new, vertically stacked LED headlight. As well as the practical benefits of a new mono-focus LED light source that displays a wide, bright light, the new design of two stacked hexagonal units topped by LED position lights creates a look that is lighter and tighter, and aids the desire for a more aggressive pose. There’s a new LED tail light, too, with both flanked by LED indicators.

    Engine

    The inline four-cylinder engine in the 2021 GSX-S1000 produces more power and a broader spread of torque in the lower rev ranges to deliver ideal naked sports bike performance. Changes include a new intake and exhaust camshaft, new valve springs, new clutch, and a new exhaust.

    Compared to its predecessor, the new GSX-S1000 makes more cumulative torque across the rev range, filling in the dips in the graph with a flatter curve. It revs on to provide increased top end power, too, with peak power 152PS at 11,000rpm.

    Thankfully, a new exhaust retains the soundtrack the outgoing model was known for, while aiding in the increase in power and the meeting of Euro 5 emissions requirements with an additional catalytic converter.

    New electronic throttle bodies help achieve a more controllable engine response during the initial throttle opening. A new airbox manages to do without an internal separator, reducing intake resistance.

    Reduced valve overlap also helps the new GSX-S1000 meet Euro 5 emissions standards, thanks to new a camshaft and revised cam profiles. The changes also aid engine controllability for the rider.

    Added controllability and increased performance also comes thanks to Suzuki’s Clutch Assist System. The slipper clutch partially disengages to reduce negative engine torque and mitigate the effect of engine braking when downshifting from high rpm. This helps prevent the rear wheel from locking up or hopping and provides smoother deceleration, enabling the rider to shift down with greater confidence and maintain better control when downshifting into corners.

    Adding an assist function increases the clutch’s clamping force under acceleration and thereby allows the use of softer springs while still efficiently transferring torque to the rear wheel, resulting in a lighter lever operation.

    Electronics Suzuki - An advancement over the previous GSX-S1000 comes with an updated s

    An advancement over the previous GSX-S1000 comes with an updated suite of electronics, courtesy of Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (SIRS).

    A new ride-by-wire throttle makes it possible for riders to more accurately and finely control the relationship between throttle actuation and engine response, especially when allied to the new Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (SDMS) system, with which the new GSX-S1000 is equipped.

    SDMS allows riders to choose from one of three engine maps, depending on the riding conditions or their own personal preferences. Modes A-C all deliver the same peak power, but vary the sharpness and immediacy of the delivery, with A mode the sportiest, and C mode delivering the softest power delivery.

    Performance is enhanced thanks to a bi-directional quickshifter, which reduces the need to operate the clutch during gear changes or close the throttle on upshifts, or blip it on downshifts.

    A new traction control system comprises five modes, while it can also be switched off. Inputs from front and rear wheel speed sensors, and crank, gear, and throttle position sensors feed into the ECU which in turn controls the throttle valve opening, ignition timing, and fuel injection rate, to reduce or prevent wheel spin.

    All the information is displayed on an updated and easy-to-read LCD dash.

    Topping off the electronics package is Suzuki’s always-handy easy start system – which requires only one prod of the starter button to fire the engine – and low RPM assist, which raises engine speed as the clutch lever is fed out, to aid slow speed control and prevent stalling.

    Chassis

     

    The twin-spar aluminium chassis is mated to a rigid, GSX-R-derived swingarm for agile, sporty performance and handling. New, 23mm wider, tapered ‘bars help riders pitch the bike into turns with greater leverage. They are also set 20mm closer to the rider to improve comfort without compromising handling.

    Suspension comes in the form of fully-adjustable KYB front forks and a preload and rebound damping adjustable rear shock, with revised settings from the previous iteration. 310mm front discs are paired with Brembo monobloc calipers.

    A larger, 19 litre fuel tank and 46.3mpg equates to a tank range of 194 miles. Those miles can be undertaken in greater comfort thanks to a new seat.

    Tyres are custom-engineered Roadsport 2 from Dunlop.

    Pricing and availability

    The new GSX-S1000 will be available in Suzuki dealerships from the end of June, with an RRP of £10,999.

  4. Vote for your favourite Biker Friendly Cafe in the UK!

    Vote for your favourite cafe - Where is your favourite Biker Friendly Cafe in the UK, that you head to for coffee & cake, mugs of tea, posh coffee and bacon butties, along with bike nights, where you are sure to meet like-minded folk, for lots of lovely motorbikes and where Biker banter is ensured?

    We have seen lots of new Biker Friendly Cafes opening in 2021 and becoming popular with visitors to the website and facebook group members, so we have decided to once again hold this poll.
    The voting and results will be published on the facebook group and also here on THE BIKER GUIDE® website, as previous polls.

    We hope that this poll will find new places that members of the group have found and liked on their travels, see how much you love Bikers like to visit certain places, along with helping members of the group and visitors of THE BIKER GUIDE® discover Biker Friendly Cafes across the UK!

                                                                         ***
    This poll and voting takes place on our group as – *Biker Friendly Places UK and Europe - www.thebikerguide.co.uk, as a group is the only place on facebook that has the facility for a poll and a tick count. It is not possible on THE BIKER GUIDE® facebook page.

    When we started this poll in 2016, we would add all the votes up from comments, which as we are sure you can appreciate, took a long time. By using the 'poll' facility on the group, it is easy for all to see the vote.

    We did look into running an external poll, however this meant people had to supply emails and register, by using the poll on the facebook group, the only prerequisite is to be a member of the group, with no personal details given.

    When the winner is announced, we will say "The favourite Biker Friendly Cafe in the UK, as voted for by members of THE BIKER GUIDE® facebook group".

                                                                  ***
    We are sure many of you will be passionate and loyal to places that you frequent, but please accept that where you ‘may’ think your favourite place is ‘the best’ in the UK, it is the groups combined vote that will count in the final count of votes. We hope that people happily accept this and not want to storm on THE BIKER GUIDE® HQ, when the results are in.
    • As the poll is by THE BIKER GUIDE® and voted for by members of this group, only members of the group* can vote.
    • The poll allows for 100 places to be included.
    • The poll will run for at least 4 weeks. Notice of end date will be given at least a week prior.
    To cast your vote for your favourite cafe, go to the group (join if you are not already a member) then tick or add (and tick) to the poll.

    We have lots of places popular with Bikers included on THE BIKER GUIDE® website, from the south to the north of Great Britain, into Wales and to the Highlands of Scotland.
     
    Since 2009 we have promoted Biker Friendly cafes, places and meets on THE BIKER GUIDE® website and the list is mainly put together from visitor recommendations, with the owners confirming the details are correct.

    See THE BIKER GUIDE® website for extensive listings of Biker Friendly places -

     
    To vote, simply go to the facebook group as – Biker Friendly Places UK and Europe
    IF people are already a member of the group, they can just vote for their favourite place.
    IF they are not, they need to request to join, answer the 3 simple questions, we accept you in... Then vote!

    The poll is pinned to the top of the group and in Announcements.
     
    Voting takes place only on THE BIKER GUIDE group as -
    Biker Friendly Places UK and Europe
     
    The poll will until noon on the 1st July. We will take a screen shot of the results at the time.

    Voting now closed, as noon 1st July 2021 - See here for results
     
     
     
     
     
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