Motorcycling fans can now pre-order the definitive guide to the 2017 Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling with the release of the 2017 Official Programme.

The full colour 92 page glossy publication previews the four main events that comprise the 2017 festival – the Classic TT presented by Bennetts, the Manx Grand Prix, the Manx International Classic Trial and the Vintage Motorcycle Club’s Festival of Jurby.

This year’s feature packed programme includes a nostalgic look back at Bob McIntyre’s 100mph Mountain Course milestone, sixty years after the Scotsman’s iconic lap and ahead of Michael Dunlop’s tribute parade lap on a replica Gilera.

There’s also a profile of one of the TT’s young guns – cover star Dean Harrison – who talks about the enjoyment he gets from riding Classic machines while at the other end of the age scale Nick Jefferies, who has been competing on the Mountain Course for 42 years, reveals what makes him keep coming back ahead of his Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix campaign.

The programme also profiles Maria Costello, now in her 21st year of competing around the Mountain Course since her 1996 Manx Grand Prix debut. The Northamptonshire based rider talks about her early days on a Honda Melody scooter through to last year’s memorable Classic TT campaign that saw her stand on the podium alongside John McGuinness in the Bennetts Senior Classic TT.

As well as the profiling the leading riders there’s also an in-depth look at two of the most remarkable machines in the TT’s history, the Britten V1000 and the iconic Honda Six, which will both feature at this year’s event.

As well as the glossy feature magazine this year’s programme pack includes detailed race guides for both the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix featuring the complete entry list for every race, the complete list of ‘Vintage’ and ‘Retro’ parader’s as well as the full qualifying, race and parade schedule.  The programme is an indispensible guide to some of the best entertainment on the island so that you don’t miss anything off the track either.

The programme is available to pre-order now via iomtt.com priced £10 with UK delivery scheduled from 12 August and international distribution to most destinations also possible. Customers can also collect their copy from the Duke Grandstand shop during the festival.

It is also available from many of the Isle of Man's leading newsagents.

For one day a year, however, thousands of Distinguished Gentleman (and genteel ladyfolk) in hundreds of cities worldwide press their cravats, starch their tweed and sit astride their classic-styled motorcycles to raise funds for prostate cancer research and awareness. 

It’s a day all about spreading merriment, while raising awareness of a really important issue, that affects 1 in 8 blokes across the world. The fundraising supports research into Men's Health by bringing together dapper riders of classic machines, cafe racers, bobbers, custom motorcycles, trackers and undefinable two-wheeled creations.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a celebration of the art of being dapper and the style of classic custom motorcycles. What does that mean, you ask? Think: Monocles, jaunty trimmed moustaches, silk vests, crisp shirts and tailored suits. Ride: Café Racers, Bobbers, Flat Trackers, Scramblers and quirky, undefinable two-wheeled machines. The styles of bike should be reflective of classic motorcycle nature. Think 1970's and the decades before them. Do: Bring your finest manners, neatest beards and a sense of fun and adventure.

Pay: Nothing to ride (entry is free); but please consider helping our charities by getting your friends and family to sponsor your involvement. Or buy a patch, cap or tshirt. Every little bit helps. Dapper for a Cause: Where we’ve come from and where we’re headed. 

In 2014, there was 20,000 smartly-dressed gentlefolk in 258 cities across 57 countries. 

In 2016, there was more than 56,000 dapper riders in over 500 cities across 90 countries, that united for the world’s largest motorcycling charity event upon their classic & vintage styled motorcycles, in the name of men’s health. 

venue: Thousands of riders in 500+ cities across the globe will ‘join the gentry’ on a ride to raise money for the Prostrate Cancer Foundation. Please note below are UK and Ireland events. Lots more listed on the website and facebook.
London event | Manchester event | Birmingham event | Bournemouth event | Bristol event | Bury St Edmonds event | Cambridge event | Chester event | Coventry event | Cumbria - Furness Peninsula event | Derbyshire event | Devon event | Doncaster event | Exeter event | Hampshire, Solent event | Isle of Wight event | Lancashire event | Leeds event | Lincoln event | Liverpool event | Maidstone, Kent event | Newcastle event | North Yorkshire event | Northampton event |  Nottingham event | Oxford event | Peterborough event | Plymouth event | Stoke event | Swindon event | Tamworth event  | West Sussex event | Worcestershire event
Cardiff, Wales event | Pembrokeshire, Wales event | Rhyl, Wales event | 
Belfast event | Clonmel event | Cork event | Dublin Ireland event | 
Aberdeen, Scotland event | Edinburgh, Scotland event | Glasgow, Scotland event | Inverness, Scotland event | Killin, Scotland event

website: www.gentlemansride.com
facebook

Known for being a big fan of all forms of two-wheels, Kawasaki British Superbike rider Leon Haslam’s latest venture is Supermoto and, as a result, the latest addition to his garage is a Supermoto spec Kawasaki KX450F. 

The highly modified KX machine was sent to Trevor Pope Motorcycles in Gosport – an experienced Supermoto machine builder – who turned the lime green machine into a Supermoto special.

The standard cast Triple Clamps were replaced with an X Trig 16mm Offset Triple Clamp Front End Yoke Set to improve stability, turning and strength. It has a pair of slick Dunlop tyres and the front has been fitted with a Beringer oversize Front Brake Caliper to accept the 320mm oversize wavy Disc to cope with the extra, heavy braking required – there’s a wavy disc on the rear too. The standard clutch has been changed to a Sutter Slipper clutch too – which is essential to enable the rear wheel to break and gain traction. The machine has also received SAMCO Silicone Radiator Hoses – in green, of course, plus much more…

Leon Haslam said: “I can’t wait to get to have a play on it! Kawasaki have been kind enough to build me a full racing bike – I’ve seen the odd picture of the bike as it’s been built but to see it in the flesh now is awesome. 

I got into supermoto over the winter for training ahead of the British Superbike Championship. I train out in Spain with the Lowes twins – we ride pit bikes, motocross and supermoto – and was borrowing their bike, so I was keen to get one of my own. From my perspective, I’ll be using it mainly for training.  There’s lots of good spots we go to in the UK too – we usually ride them on pit bikes so to attack them on a super KX450F will be good fun!”

To view the full range of KX machines, visit: www.kawasaki.co.uk

Advance tickets for Motorcycle Live, the UK's biggest bike show, are on sale now!

Prices have been frozen at 2016 rates and the tickets remain all-inclusive, so every single live feature, event and experience at the show is absolutely FREE to enjoy. 

Advance buyers will not only benefit from significant savings in comparison to the on-the-door price, they will also be in with a chance of winning one of hundreds of on-the-spot prizes in the show’s 2017 Golden Ticket promotion.

The 17 FREE live features and events at Motorcycle Live include ten opportunities to ride a bike, with something on offer for all ages and levels of experience. There will also be non-stop interactive entertainment, celebrity appearances, classic, custom and special manufacturer displays and the awesome FMX Live presented by Arenacross.  

But arguably the most popular attraction for the thousands of bike fans flooding through the doors every year is the chance to see the brand-new machinery from the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers, on display in the UK for the very first time. There will be at least 38 manufacturers appearing at Motorcycle Live 2017 – that’s a whole lot of new metal for visitors to feast their eyes on.

Advance tickets are on sale now priced at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors, £1 for 11-16 year olds* and FREE for children aged ten and under (under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult). There is also a £25 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and a Spada Gonzo bag worth £29.99**.

To book, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

Visitors paying for on-site car parking at The NEC either in advance (at a reduced rate), or on the day, will receive a voucher for half-price admission to the National Motorcycle Museum, which is adjacent to the venue. Motorcycle parking at the show is free of charge.

Motorcycle Live 2017 takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 18-26 November

*Advance ticket prices, closing date for advanced tickets 5pm on 17 November 2017. There is a £1.50 fulfilment fee per order.

**Limited offer while stocks last

www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

Well, Farmyard Party was a blast and we certainly haven't seen the Main Stage that wild for a while. With an early start on Friday, the party kicked off to what was to be a very hot weekend - literally - and what can I say about the Sex Pissed Dolls and AC/DC UK?

They put on an absolutely brilliant show to say the least. And, of course, The Purple Helmets and Smacked Arse Comedy Show kept us giggling and entertained throughout the rally. We hope our improvements to this year's entertainment have been worthwhile for you - even if you did have to pay a tad more.

So, to the final act - Yorkshire Pudding - which has sold out once again!

So if you've booked a ticket for this rally, this is what you should expect to see. This year's headline bands include Angel Fire - one of our favourites that we haven't seen for a couple of years - and Storm, which we guarantee will rock the house down. Mr David Williams will be headlining The Smacked Arse Comedy show on Saturday afternoon. And to get you on your merry way, we will be serving the usual plethora of fantastic real ales and acoustic sounds during Friday and Saturday afternoons. Full details of all Yorkshire Pudding entertainment below for your perusal.

Yorkshire Pudding is a pre-book ticket rally only. So, if you haven't got one then tough luck - you'll have to be quicker next year!.

Pete Walker

For Bikers, By Bikers, In Aid of Biking

www.mapevents.co.uk