Honda Motor Europe has announced an exciting two-rider line-up for its 2017 Road Racing assault at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT in the Superbike classes. Re-signing for the Honda Racing team is TT legend John McGuinness, who will be joined by Guy Martin on the all-new Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.

Making his return to racing after a year away, fan favourite Martin will form a formidable team with McGuinness and the brand new Fireblade SP2 on the roads. Martin has enjoyed huge success on the roads during his career securing wins at various races including the Ulster GP, Scarborough Gold Cup, Armoy, Cookstown and also the Southern 100. He has also stepped onto the TT podium 15 times and will be chasing his elusive maiden TT win with the Honda Racing team.
Meanwhile, McGuinness will be looking to add to his impressive tally of 23 TT wins, and riding the new Fireblade SP2, will also be aiming to recapture his lap record which was broken during last year’s race.

The Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade is the most successful 1000cc machine ever at the Isle of Man TT and Honda aims to add to its remarkable record with the new SP2 version, which is the ultimate expression of the Fireblade’s Next Stage Total Control concept.

The SP2 is a road legal homologation special based on the Fireblade SP that is specifically developed for racing and features a revised cylinder head with larger valve sizes and lightweight Marchesini wheels for even greater performance.
The all-new Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 will make its road racing debut at the North West 200 in May.

John McGuinness

"I’m back with Honda for another year; really I’m part of the family, and I can’t wait to see what the new Fireblade SP2 can do! I know the old model like the back of my hand and have taken a lot of my TT wins with the old girl, so I can’t wait to get out on track and try the new machine out. I have a good feeling about this year and think we have a really good package to show that we mean business. I of course would like another TT win and I would quite like my lap record back! I always say when it’s broken that the lads are just borrowing it and I hope this year that this is the case. I am sad to say bye to the old Fireblade; I have a lot of history and good memories with that bike, but testing the new model can’t come soon enough and neither can the race season. I’m excited to have Guy as my new teammate; we’ve enjoyed many a racing battle over the years and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can both do."


Neil Tuxworth, Team Manager

"We have two new members joining the Honda Racing team this year with Guy signing and the new 2017 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2. John is part of the furniture really, but it’s great to have him back with us for another year – it wouldn’t be the same without him! I really feel with Guy and John, and of course the new Fireblade, that we have a strong team ready to tackle the roads this year. Guy is hungry for his first TT win and John wants another and his lap record back, so this mixed with the new CBR1000RR means we should be in for some exciting racing action. The new Fireblade SP2 is so important to the team and also Honda and it’s vital we continue its legacy at the TT and add more to its 23 wins. We’re all looking forward to testing and I think everyone from the riders and the team are all excited to get on track and put the new machine through its paces."

Guy Martin

"Neil [Tuxworth] has been talking to me for a while about joining the team, but I had a lot of thinking to do before I committed and said yes. I spent a lot of time on my pushbike to and from work, thinking about what to do. I didn’t want to grow old regretting not giving the Honda a go, and the more time passes since making the decision, the more I’ve thought it is the right decision. Honda is a great team and the Fireblade has always been a weapon on the roads, so with the new bike, I‘m keen to give it a go. We’ve got a busy testing schedule coming up and I’ve put some other stuff off to make time. John [McGuinness] is the man, I’ve got massive respect for him and I’m looking forward to racing on the Fireblade against him."

On the weekend of 1-2 April, Stoneleigh Park Expo Centre will be opening its doors and welcoming all motorcycle lovers.

KICKBACK #10 will be proudly showcasing comprehensive displays of cafe racers, street bikes, trackers, brats, rare classics, custom cubs, speedway bikes, race bikes from Pendine Landspeed Racing Club, flat trackers, choppers, bobbers and specials from Langport Bike Night and all over the UK.

There will also be over 50 trade stalls, exhibition stands and feature areas for visitors to mooch around and enjoy. There's a great selection of custom dealers, parts, accessories, apparel and gifts. 

KICKBACK is on 1st -2nd April 2017 at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.

This independent motorcycle show also features vintage biker movies, the Two Bros Professional Stunt Show, over 50 trade stands plus three licensed bars, restaurant and coffee bars.

KICKBACK associate sponsors include Michelin, Digital Speedos, Oily Rag Clothing, & 100% Biker Magazine. 

AUSTRALIA DAY | Sunday 22nd January 9am – 5pm

This year’s annual Australia Day, held at the cafe on Sunday 22nd January 2017, is set to be a fair dinkum occasion and includes not only authentic Australian tucker on the “Specials” menu, including Hamburger with Beetroot, Salt & Pepper Squid, and Lamingtons. Also, subject to the weather, an outside Brrr “Barbie” for those who have the stamina!

So hop along in your Holden’s, Ford’s and Chryslers to meet Skippy and friends!

Spot prizes are up for grabs on the day for the “Best Dressed Aussie” and “Best Australian Car”, plus spend £5 or more over the counter from 10am and receive a raffle ticket. Draw to be held at 3pm, with two raffle prize goodie packs to be won.

For more information about Ace Cafe London or what's on, check out:
www.ace-cafe-london.com

Norton is set to field two all-star Aussie riders at the 2017 Isle of Man Senior and Superbike TT with its most exciting TT rider line-up yet after attracting the signatures of Aussie duo Josh Brookes and David Johnson to the factory team. Both riders will compete on the all-new SG6, derived from the recently launched V4 SS road bike.

The SG6 is hand built at Norton’s Donington Hall factory and is currently undergoing a punishing development and testing schedule in the hands of two-times TT winner and Norton development rider, Steve Plater.

Brookes returns to the TT following a year racing in World Superbikes and is no stranger to the TT. He claimed fastest newcomer at the TT in 2013 finishing a best place of seventh in the 2014 Senior race with his fastest ever TT lap, a staggering 129.859mph, set in only his second year at the Island.

After a two-year absence on the challenging 37.73-mile Mountain Course, Brookes is looking to build on his TT success on the new 230bhp Norton.

Speaking from his home in Australia, Brookes said:

“Firstly I want to come back to the TT, after SMR said I couldn't ride at the TT over the last two years I’ve been desperate to get back and race at the island. I like the history of the Norton and it will be so great to be a little part of the Norton story. It's just something that interests me, and I’m really excited by the project. It's always hard to predict results, especially around the island so I think it's important that I let it come to me. I've not been for two years, and I don't know how much the Norton bike has improved, but I hear great things about the bike.”

He continued:

“My first ever race at the TT was in the Superbike and I got a top ten, so let's hope we are better than that at least, but realistically if we finish the races without a problem, and I'm in the 132mph club by the end of the fortnight then we’ll be celebrating.”

Fellow Australian Davo Johnson makes his return on a Norton which he took to become the fastest ever British motorcycle around the TT in 2016, claiming a seventh place in the Superbike TT and a best lap of 130.87mph.

He said:

“As a team we did such a great job last year, we all worked awesomely as a team and I really felt at home with Norton. Without that sort of relationship with your team it's almost impossible to get good results. I knew the 2017 bike was going to be better again after what we learnt in 2016, so I wanted to stay and make the next step with Norton.”

He continued:

“This year I know if everything goes smoothly with no problems we can battle for the podium, I'm ready to be up there and I feel the bike will be too. But like I said, everything must be perfect as everyone is really flying these days. We had a small bike problem in the Senior TT last year which caused my concentration malfunction (laughs…)! But before that we were up dicing for a top 5 position and my ideal lap was 131.5mph, so I'm confident for good things this year.”

So what will make Davo feel like he and the team have done a good job and crack a well-earned beer open at the end of the Senior?

“The end of the Senior is a strange time for every rider I think it changes with every year too as the results play a huge part. If you had a shit race like I did last year in the senior, well I was pissed off a bit... But after the Superbike race last year where we had our best results, well that was an amazing feeling! It was a tough race and everyone in the paddock was so pumped for us as a team. We definitely shut a load of the haters up and yes, I wanted a beer after that!”

The new Norton SG6 is a race-developed version of the Norton V4 SS road bike which was launched in November last year at Motorcycle Live to overwhelming success. All 200 of the V4 SS bikes have been sold and with features like a hand built billet aluminium frame, carbon fibre bodywork and an all new 1200cc, V4 motor its selling power speaks for itself.

Norton CEO Stuart Garner is understandably delighted at the announcement of two first-class riders five years after the historic brand made its TT return.

“There are a couple of reasons why we wanted to sign Josh Brookes. Firstly, he gives us the opportunity of a world class short circuit rider to move along the V4 road bike development, and secondly, with his TT rider experience and his achievement of being fastest newcomer in 2013, Josh is clearly capable of a 130mph-plus lap. Given the requirements of the team at this stage of the project this makes him a perfect rider for Norton.”

Delighted that Davo has returned to continue his journey with Norton, Garner said:

“To come in last year and move the development on and do all but a 131mph lap was a huge achievement and ground-breaking for the team. There’s a huge amount of respect from everyone in the Norton team for everything he has achieved and Davo has more than earned his place back on the bike in 2017.”

The SG6 will feature the V4 Aprilia CRT motor with Norton’s own V4 engine being raced in 2018. Heavily based on the TT racer geometry wise, the V4 SS road bike is almost identical to the SG6 TT bike in terms of frame stiffness, weight distribution and chassis.

Garner said:

“With first deliveries of V4 SS bikes not expected until the second half of 2017 it’s too early in the engine’s development to race the new Norton V4 engine given the dangers and endurance involved in competitive racing at the TT.”

He added,

“We’ve further strengthened the team with the addition of former Norton Factory rider Ian Mackman joining the team as a race engineer. ‘Mackers’ rode for us in 2013 on the Norton SG1.”

Ian will join experienced Norton Race Manager Johnny Cusack in the team along with TT legend Mick Grant who will continue in his role as Senior Advisor adding his extensive TT experience to the factory squad.

Garner concluded,

“They always say the Island gives you lessons so you have to curb expectations in the knowledge that the TT can deliver some very hard lessons and cruel luck. So, for 2017 we would of course like to build on our success of last year, but we don’t set ourselves any kind of hard targets other than making sure the bike and the team continue to move forwards! Then we’re happy!”

Total registrations for new motorcycles, scooters and mopeds rose by 11.7% during 2016. A total of 128,644 new machines were registered between January and December, compared to 115,121 for 2015.

Commuter sized bikes (50 – 125cc) saw the largest rise.  Nearly 40% of all new bikes sold were in this category.  The most popular style of bike was ‘naked’, with 35,651 new registrations, followed by ‘scooter’ with 27,482 units.  Both styles are popular with commuters, which underlines the trend for utility/commuter use.  

The leisure market also performed well, with the popularity of bikes aimed at adventure and trail riders accounting for nearly 20% of the total new market.

Before December, new registrations had achieved a steady 7%-8% increase throughout the year, recovering well after a dip following the Brexit referendum. December is normally a quiet month for motorcycle sales, but 2016 saw an unusually high number of registrations, most likely due to dealers, manufactures and importers managing Euro 3 motorcycles before the 2016 end of year deadline.

The rise in new registrations is reflected in the used market too, with the number of motorcycles and scooters licensed for the road at its highest for seven years.* 

Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association explained:

“Once again we have two distinct stories emerging.  With rail fare hikes, public transport strikes and increasing congestion on our roads, many people are turning to motorcycles and scooters as a more affordable and efficient form of commuter transport, which is reflected in the type of bikes which are selling well.”

“The leisure market is strong too, with sales of bikes popular for trail and adventure riding also performing particularly well throughout the year. End of year registrations for Euro 3 stock mean there will be some good value scooters and motorcycles available in dealerships this month, which will help those wanting to make the switch to a powered two wheeler.”

Predictions for 2017 

Steve Kenward continued:

“We factored an end of year bulge into annual predictions for 2016 but anticipate similar sales for 2017, with between 120k – 130k new registrations.  Like other industries, current predictions will depend on how Brexit affects consumer confidence, but a combination of high public transport costs and stressful driving conditions is likely to induce more people to opt for a powered two wheeler during the next 12 months.”

Motorcycle and scooter sales up for 2016 - More people are taking to PTWs to beat congestion and rising rail fares

www.mcia.co.uk

Information

• *Department for Transport figures showing the number of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds licensed for the road can be found on table VEH0301.
• You can download December’s press stats in full here.
• The increase in 2016 builds on a rise of 12% for 2015 and an increase of 10% for 2014.
• The Motorcycle Industry Association, the National Police Chiefs Council and Highways England launched a strategy document at the end of 2016, to make roads safer for riders of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds.  You can read the Motorcycle Safety and Transport Policy Framework here.
• A one off survey by the Office for National Statistics showed that those who commuted by motorcycle, scooter or moped were among the happiest commuters.