On THE BIKER GUIDE we have lots of jokes and videos clips on a very popular jokes section, including a festive favourite from Harley-Davidson - How bad have you been?

See the Joke section here

Santander Consumer Finance UK has been announced as the new title sponsor of the upcoming KTM RC 390-powered race series, which will support the 2015 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship.

The Santander Consumer Finance KTM British Junior Cup will be open to riders 13-18-years old, and every rider will line up on an identical ‘Cup’ variation of the recently-launched KTM RC 390. The series gives equal opportunity and a level playing field for emerging talent. The series will be promoted by MSVR across eight events incorporating 20 points-scoring races. KTM UK already enjoys a successful relationship with Santander Consumer Finance UK - this division of the Spanish bank provides consumer finance for its network of dealers to allow its customers a broad portfolio of competitive finance for the purchase of new machines along with the option to include KTM PowerParts and PowerWear, under the ‘KTM Finance’ banner.

Paul Munns, National Sales Manager – Leisure Finance, from Santander Consumer Finance UK, said: “We’re very excited to play a part in what will no doubt be a very exciting and successful championship. Santander Consumer Finance UK already enjoys a great working relationship with KTM UK and the opportunity to work with them to help bolster future motorcycle racing talent, while helping to promote this area of the business within the best domestic motorcycle racing championship, was an opportunity that couldn’t be missed.”

In standard production form, the RC 390 is an exciting, light and practical sports bike with a 44hp, 375cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine housed in a steel trellis chassis and fitted with top-level components. The ‘Cup’ version, shown in its new race livery for the first time at Motorcycle Live in November, takes this already energetic machine and focuses it solely for track use, using a whole host of official KTM PowerParts that will also be publically available.

The fully adjustable suspension package not only allows for individual set up for each race; it is also a valuable learning tool for suspension set-ups. The bike has adjustable foot pegs and handlebar levers to create personalised ergonomics, making it ideal for young racers who are still growing. Interested parties who would like more information on the race series next year, should email [email protected] and in the subject line put RC 390 Cup 2015 and include name, address, post code, age, riding experience and preferred KTM dealer. We will then
send details when they have been confirmed.

For more information on the series visit www.ktm.com/gb or register at www.bsbteams.com

MOTORCYCLE enthusiasts will be given an early chance to set themselves and their machines up for 2015’s riding as Newark Showground once again hosts its now traditional New Year motorcycle event.

Taking place on the weekend of January 3-4, the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic features trade stands and autojumble stalls throughout the venue’s halls offering all manner of parts, pieces, tool and accessories.

Harry Leyland, the event’s organiser, said: “This show has grown in popularity each and every year and 2015’s running is sure to provide much of the same excitement. The timing of the show is ideal for both visitors and traders as attention turns to ensuring machines are fit and firing for the year ahead. With adult tickets starting at just £7 and under-12s admitted free, the post-Christmas bank balance doesn’t need to take a beating either.”

Providing the entertainment will be three times British Superbike champion John Reynolds, with the former Suzuki man sharing stories from his glittering career on stage with commentator Steve Plater.

Reynolds, who hails from Nottinghamshire, will also be signing autographs and presenting awards.

Malcolm Wheeler, editor of Classic Racer magazine, said: “When you look at John’s career and the success he enjoyed over so many years, his record is up there with some of the best that Britain has ever seen.

“He competed against and conquered some of the top names in the business – any man who can count Neil Hodgson, Steve Hislop and Michael Rutter among his main rivals was clearly doing something right. John will surely have many fascinating stories to tell and visitors who come to hear them will not be disappointed.”

Hundreds of stunning display machines, provided by private entrants and some of the region’s top motorcycle clubs, complete the line up alongside the popular Scooter Hall which will showcase the best classic scooters in the UK.

MOTORCYCLE enthusiasts will be given an early chance to set themselves and their machines up for 2015’s riding as Newark Showground once again hosts its now traditional New Year motorcycle event.

Taking place on the weekend of January 3-4, the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic features trade stands and autojumble stalls throughout the venue’s halls offering all manner of parts, pieces, tool and accessories.

Harry Leyland, the event’s organiser, said: “This show has grown in popularity each and every year and 2015’s running is sure to provide much of the same excitement. The timing of the show is ideal for both visitors and traders as attention turns to ensuring machines are fit and firing for the year ahead. With adult tickets starting at just £7 and under-12s admitted free, the post-Christmas bank balance doesn’t need to take a beating either.”

Providing the entertainment will be three times British Superbike champion John Reynolds, with the former Suzuki man sharing stories from his glittering career on stage with commentator Steve Plater. Reynolds, who hails from Nottinghamshire, will also be signing autographs and presenting awards.

Malcolm Wheeler, editor of Classic Racer magazine, said: “When you look at John’s career and the success he enjoyed over so many years, his record is up there with some of the best that Britain has ever seen. “He competed against and conquered some of the top names in the business – any man who can count Neil Hodgson, Steve Hislop and Michael Rutter among his main rivals was clearly doing something right. John will surely have many fascinating stories to tell and visitors who come to hear them will not be disappointed.”

Hundreds of stunning display machines, provided by private entrants and some of the region’s top motorcycle clubs, complete the line up alongside the popular Scooter Hall which will showcase the best classic scooters in the UK.

Further details on the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic, including ticket buying options, can be found at www.classicbikeshows.com

Next April, Cornerhouse is going to move from its current location on Oxford Road, Manchester to a new venue around the corner on First Street, named HOME.

It has been there for 30 years, so it is going to be a massive event. To mark the occasion, they are planning a closing party to end all closing parties. It'll take place across all 5 floors of the amazing building - spilling onto the pavements and streets outside!

It will be called The Storming, and it will feature a blistering line-up of Manchester musicians and DJs from past and present. And they want Bikers to start the whole thing off. Right before the party starts, the Bikers will lead a crowd of people up Oxford Road to Cornerhouse entrance, before everyone breaks inside the building to 'take over'…

So they are looking for around 1ten Motorcycles to lead the crowd. Fees will be provided and they will cover any expenses. Involvement will also include a free invitation for you and a guest to the official after party.

The whole thing will be officially approved by traffic authorities, and will be managed by the Cornerhouse.

If this is something you can help with, then please get in touch with Tom @ the Cornerhouse. For further info, get in touch directly. The event itself is scheduled for Saturday 4th April 2015.

www.cornerhouse.org

[email protected]

0161 200 1526

British Superbike Championship front-runners GBmoto Racing will be undertaking a Kawasaki backed campaign on the 'road' circuits in 2015, with Isle of Man TT winner Gary Johnson. The team is building Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R race bikes in Superbike and Superstock specification to attack the Isle of Man TT Races as well as the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix events.

Following their debut season as an officially supported Kawasaki team in the MCE British Superbike Championship in 2014, GBmoto are further strengthening their relationship with the Akashi based manufacturer by supporting their Road Racing programme. Signing the talented and ever popular Gary Johnson, the team will be building and running a new high spec ZX-10R Superbike, as well as a Superstock version for the three 'international' events. The team will undertake a full testing programme supported with Japanese technical personnel.

Having previously ridden for the GBmoto Racing outfit in the final two rounds of the National Superstock 1000 Championship in 2011, Gary has gone on to establish himself as one of the strongest road racers in the world. After winning the 2005 British Supersport Cup Championship, he made his debut 'between the hedges' in 2007 - taking his first Roads podium just two years later with a stunning ride to third in the blue riband Senior TT, before following it up with a second place in Superbike race at the Ulster Grand Prix.

Gary joined the illustrious list of TT winners in 2011, when he claimed his first win, taking the second Monster Energy Supersport race while further podiums came in the Superbike TT and Superstock race at the Ulster Grand Prix. A fuel problem prevented him from taking a second TT Supersport win in 2012, but he was able to secure two second places at the Ulster.

2013 would prove to be his most successful season to date, with podiums coming at the North West 200, Isle of Man TT, Ulster Grand Prix and the Macau Grand Prix. He started 2014 even stronger, with two podiums at the North West 200, a second TT victory in the Supersport class, before a crash in the RL 360 Superstock race saw him break a collarbone, shoulder, and vertebrae. Bouncing back just five months later, Gary took a remarkable fourth place in the Macau Grand Prix.

GBmoto are currently undergoing negotiations with existing and new sponsors to come on board for the 2015 Road Racing campaign, which will be a separate effort from their British Superbike team. Gary will get his first ride on the Kawasaki supported ZX-10R's when he joins James Ellison and James Westmoreland at their pre-season tests, which begin at Cartagena on the 5th March.

Speaking from the new World Superbike circuit of Chang in Thailand after signing with GBmoto Kawasaki, Gary Johnson said,

"This is a fantastic opportunity to be working with such a great team and so closely with a major manufacturer, I'm really happy.  I rode for GBmoto in 2011, they were one of the most professional teams I've ever worked with and they've obviously stepped up again since then. To see what they did this year in BSB by changing manufacturers and immediately getting podiums was incredible. Their infrastructure, bikes and kit is all mega and although this is their first time at the TT I know they will put all the right pieces in the right places, to be successful.

He continued:

"Hopefully I can bring my own experience to the team from both the events side and with a good reference point from riding a Kawasaki. I have to thank the guys who have worked so hard to help me in the last few years, it's because of them that I've been put in the shop window for this opportunity. With the support of GBmoto and Kawasaki and their testing schedule I'm the most confident I've ever been going into the TT Races and the other events, so bring it on!"

GBmoto Racing Team Principal Mark Smith-Halvorsen added,

"This is another big step forward for GBmoto and I'm incredibly proud that Kawasaki have chosen us to be a major part of their Road Racing campaign. The North West, Isle of Man TT and Ulster GP are three huge events in the world of motorcycling and ones I have followed closely, so I'm really excited to be heading there as a team next year.

Gary was a natural option for the team. He has ridden for us before and we have enjoyed a good relationship that has grown ever since. He's proven that he is capable of beating the best on the roads and I believe if it wasn't for his injury this year then he would have added even further wins to his tally, so I'm confident with the level of support we will have that he can battle for victories in what is now a super competitive field.

This was not a decision we've taken lightly and we want to arrive at the North West in the best possible shape. We have a full testing programme planned for Gary, which kicks off in March. In order to give him the best possible chance, we will be providing him with his own crew for the roads which will act independently of our BSB team. We are now liaising with the race organisers of the North West, TT and Ulster to ensure we are logistically prepared and can put on the professional show that people expect from GBmoto."

To learn more about the team, visit www.gbmoto.com