23-time TT Race winner John McGuinness has signed to ride for the Norton factory team in the RST Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT Races at the 2018 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy. 

McGuinness joins 2015 British Superbike Champion Josh Brookes in a two-man team using the latest specification Norton ‘SG7’ machines, derived from the firm’s flagship V4 RR road bike.

McGuinness last won a Superbike class race in 2015, winning the PokerStars Senior TT, which also saw him breaking the outright lap record with a lap of 132.701, which remains his fastest lap around the Mountain Course. He achieved podiums in both the 2016 RST Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT but missed last year’s TT race meeting due to serious injuries sustained in the North West 200, which he is still recovering from. However, he expects to be back to full fitness in time for his TT debut with Norton this June.

McGuinness has enjoyed a remarkable TT career and is second only to Joey Dunlop in outright TT victories and is rightly considered as one of the all-time TT greats.  In a career that has now stretched over twenty years, he first announced himself to the road-racing world in 1996, finishing the highest placed and fastest newcomer in the 250cc TT Race and his name has since become synonymous with the Isle of Man Mountain Course.

He has stood on the Isle of Man TT podium a record 46 times from 78 race finishes and is confident that more success is just around the corner now he has teamed up with this iconic British brand.

Talking about the news of his Norton signing John McGuinness commented:

“I didn’t want to end my career due to an injury, but the truth is I didn’t know whether I would be able to come back as I didn’t know how fit I was going to be. Right now, things are going well. I feel a lot sharper and my head is in gear and ready to go. The plan is to get the external fixator cage off my leg by the end of this month and after that we can start working towards getting bike fit and testing.”  

“I’m definitely ready for a change of manufacturer. I needed an injection of enthusiasm and I’ve found it with Norton. From the first time I met with Stuart (Garner) the vibe was there and the passion. I watched Steve Hislop win the TT on the Norton in 1992 and it was massive. Everyone remembers that! We can’t get carried away, it’s going to be a big job but I’ve watched a lot of YouTube videos of the bike in action, I watched the bike out on track last year and it’s clearly a very fast and capable bike and I can tell you there are worse handling bikes out there too, so there’s no reason we can’t do the business if the stars line up right.”

Norton Motorcycles CEO Stuart Garner added:

“We’ve been talking to John for a year or more, he’s the talent. He’s the man at the TT with the total experience, the results and the pedigree. We have the ambition to win the TT and to go on to develop a really strong team in years to come. We’d got John in our sights for a long time.”

“To get John in the Norton team with his experience and knowledge available is fabulous.  Norton will seize the opportunity to get John involved in all aspects of the bike – he’s a huge asset to Norton. Everyone in the factory has got a huge buzz. It’s pretty special.  We’re all looking forward to the TT but we’ve not set any targets and take nothing for granted. Putting John McGuiness and Norton together is a dream team, but we know all results at the TT are hard earned whatever your name.”

Kick stands up!
Revving into 2018 with the launch of a new tours programme in the USA, Cuba, Mexico and Canada. Take a peak at the website for inspiration for your next motorcycle holiday.
How about Cuba or Mexico?

• Colourful Cuba with its fascinating history, fabulous music and hospitable people. Take the guided Cuba Grand tour riding the length of the island, the Cuba in 7 Days tour or party on down at New Year
• Ride the Baja California peninsular in Mexico and tour the humungous Copper Canyon (bigger than the Grand Canyon). Alternatively celebrate New Year 2019 fiesta-style or tour the central Colonial region of old Mexico in Spring or Autumn
• Also hitting the dirt trails with Adventure touring in Mexico. Copper Canyon Expedition provides fun on and off the bike for those who like to take the long back woods route from A to B 

• Open Day, Overton, Hants, 10 Feb: We are delighted to have our expert American guide, Marc Sloan, visiting us and attending the events below. He's going to be in our office all day on Sat 10th for those who'd like to pop in and talk touring
• MCN London, Stand A14, 16-18 Feb: David, Linda and Marc will be on hand to explain what's special about Orange & Black guided and self-guided tours, and rentals
• Scottish Motorcycle Show, Stand H26, 3-4 March: Marc will be joining Chris in Edinburgh and they look forward to welcoming you on the Orange & Black stand
  
  

Don't forget, for all your North American motorcycle holidays visit www.orange-and-black.co.uk. 

And they can also book your flights, organise specialist travel insurance and arrange a Free Harley "Try before you Fly" orientation ride!

Ride Safe

Orange & Black...... for your ride of a lifetime, every time!

 

The organisers of Motorcycle Live have announced the winners of the 2017 show awards, based solely on feedback from the visiting public. Kawasaki Motors UK, Triumph Motorcycles, Infinity Motorcycles and Suzuki GB all collected accolades for their efforts at the annual event, which took place at The NEC, Birmingham last November.

Kawasaki Motors UK was awarded Best Manufacturer Stand for its innovative design, which was based around the concept of the “ultimate Kawasaki showroom”. The stand drew inspiration from the past with its retro-themed area, while also looking to the future with a focus on Kawasaki’s cutting edge technology.

The award for Best Manufacturer Experience was presented to Triumph Motorcycles, with visitors praising the friendly atmosphere, excellent customer service and in-depth product knowledge demonstrated by the stand staff.

For the second consecutive year, Infinity Motorcycles received the award for Best Non-Manufacturer Stand. The company’s retail space, in conjunction with Oxford Products, spanned ten stands and offered a huge range of motorcycle clothing and accessories from all the top brands.

For 2018, show organisers introduced a brand-new award, reflecting the increasing number of exhibiting manufacturers bringing live features and experiences to their stands. Visitors gave the highest rating to the Suzuki Classic Restoration feature, which saw Team Classic Suzuki’s chief mechanic Nathan Colomb meticulously restore Kevin Schwantz’s 1989 RGV500 over the course of the nine-day show.

Suzuki GB’s aftersales marketing co-ordinator, Tim Davies, said, “When we’re thinking of ideas for each show, we just do what we know we’d like to see. We’re enthusiasts, ultimately, the same as everyone that visits Motorcycle Live, and we were just as excited to see the full restoration of such an iconic race bike as everyone else. However, there are lots of great features at Motorcycle Live each year, so it is really special to know that what we did was appreciated, and we’re very grateful for the title.”

“We had a brilliant Motorcycle Live,” said David Holloway, sales director of Infinity Motorcycles. “There was a great atmosphere and we had so many enthusiastic people visiting the stand and buying new kit. We put a huge amount of hard work and effort into what we offer at Motorcycle Live, so to know the visitors enjoyed what we did makes that all the more worthwhile.”

Over 100,000 bike fans visited Motorcycle Live 2017 over nine days, enjoying what many have hailed the most interactive, entertaining and action-packed event in the show's history. 

Motorcycle Live 2018 will take place at The NEC, Birmingham from 17-25 November – save the date!

 

Me and my good lady going over the Humber Bridge - Adrian Spragg 

There are few things more iconic than getting on your bike and hitting the open road, your hair blowing in the wind as your engine roars like a pack of wildcats.

That incomparable feeling has been the subject of many songs throughout history, each one trying to capture just what makes riding your hog such a spiritual and overall badass experience, and to intimate the lifestyle of those that have chosen to live life in the fast lane.

While not every song that has attempted to reproduce this world has managed to be successful at it, there are many songs that manage to perfectly capture what the life of a biker is like, and give true insight into what it’s like to hit the road with a feeling of total freedom and a devil may care attitude.

So strap on your motorcycle boots and rev your engine as we explore the best biker songs of all time!

Saxon - 'Motorcycle Man'

Album: ‘Wheels of Steel’ (1980)

“If you see me riding by

Do not stop me do not try

Cause I’m a motorcycle man

I get my kicks just when I can…”

British Heavy Metal legends Saxon start off our list with the first track to their seminal album ‘Wheels of Steel’, ‘Motorcycle Man’.

Perfectly describing that feeling of being unstoppable when you are on your bike, this song’s protagonist warns the world not to try and get in his way, as he’s ready to get his kicks on whenever he can. It’s practically impossible to play this song without wanting to go for a ride.

Motörhead - "Iron Horse / Born to Lose"

Album: Motörhead (1977)

“On Iron Horse he flies

On Iron Horse he gladly dies

Iron Horse his wife

Iron Horse his life”

One of the most iconic heavy metal bands of all time, Motörhead inspired a whole generation of bikers and rockers alike.

In their first album, the iconic Lemmy Kilmister decided to dedicate this rollicking love story between a man and his bike to the infamous motorcycle gang Hells Angels, who were personal friends and unofficial bodyguards to the band at the time. 

While Lemmy’s death put an end to the bands storied career, their music and their legend live on -not to mention a line of Motörhead Whiskey, Motörhead motorcycle boots, a Motörhead slot machine at NinjaCasino and even Motörhead vibrators!

Judas Priest - "Desert Plains"

Album: Point of Entry (

“The road is straight cast

Wind's in my eyes

The engine roars between my thighs

From desert plains I bring you love”

Perhaps the go to band for the best odes to being a biker, Judas Priest has many songs that perfectly encapsulate what biker life is all about. From ‘Heading Out To The Highway’ to ‘Freewheel Burning’ and ‘Hell Bent For Leather’, they have churned out one biker anthem after another, but perhaps none better than their ultimate biker ballad ‘Desert Plains”

‘Plains’ tells the story of a lone biker tearing through the mountains and desert, as he makes his way to his lover’s arms. With its highly emotive music, funky bass line and elegant lyrics, this fan favorite makes us want to ride all night to our lover’s embrace as well.

Jimi Hendrix - 'Ezy Ryder'

Album: ‘The Cry of Love’ (1971)

“There goes ezy

Ezy ryder

Ridin’ down the highway of desire”

Inspired by 1969’s Easy Rider, Dennis Hopper’s film about counterculture bikers, this Jimi Hendrix classic wasn’t released until years after Jimi’s untimely death. First heard on 1971’s ‘Cry of Love’ collection, it tells the story of a tragic rider who lives his life riding high but is dying to be loved, as Jimi’s virtuoso guitar takes us on a journey of its own.

Twisted Sister - 'Live to Ride, Ride to Live'

Album: ‘You Can’t Stop Rock ’n’ Roll’ (1983)

“Hard roads and endless lines

Flow through his veins

Cold steel and hot fuel injected

Is the dream that fills his brain”

Coming from Twisted Sister‘s highly underrated sophomore album, ‘You Can’t Stop Rock ’n’ Roll’, 'Live to Ride, Ride to Live' is another heavy metal stomper to get your blood pumping. Lead singer Dee Snider might choose to wear makeup when strutting his stuff onstage, but as an avid biker he sure knows how to snarl a mean tune about answering the call of the open road.

Steppenwolf - 'Born to Be Wild'

Album: ‘Steppenwolf’ (1968)

 

“Get your motor runnin’

Head out on the highway

Looking for adventure

In whatever comes our way…”

A song that needs no introduction, Steppenwolf’s classic is by far the most emblematic biker tune that ever was, and most possibly ever will be.

Released in 1968 in their debut album, 'Born to Be Wild' became a biker anthem after its inclusion in the aforementioned ‘Easy Rider’. Originally written by Mars Bonfire as a ballad, Steppenwolf’s decision to speed up the tempo infused the song with what can only be described as pure gasoline, and the perfect song for tearing up the asphalt.