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. Independently acclaimed as the world's coolest motorcycle event!

    Three Days, Three Rides, One Reunion!
     
    Friday 10th September from 6pm - The Continental Run Ride-In
     
    Saturday 11th September - Cafe Racer & Rockers Ride-Out
    Depart: 10.30am
    Destination: Battersea Park (Central London)
     
    Sunday 12th September - Brighton Burn-Up & Ride With The Rockers 
    Depart: 10.30am
    Route: A406 - A40 - M25 - M23 - A23 to Madeira Drive, Brighton Seafront

    Taking place over three days of the second weekend in September and first held in 1994, the 17th annual Ace Cafe Reunion Weekend & Ride With The Rockers celebrates the unique history, culture and style of Ace Cafe London and what it represents. The event acts as a focus in the motorcycling calendar for all those who are not only interested in the Ace Cafe, Ton Up and Rocker heritage, but also for many others who enjoy a weekend full of rock n' roll and fun!

    Over the years, Ace Cafe London has forged lasting and strong links to the global motorcycling and rockin' community, which is reflected by the many visitors from overseas, one of the largest contingents being The Continental Run, which starts with a party at Cafe Hubraum in Solingen, Germany, before departing the next morning, led this year by the new limited edition Ace 904S Thruxton Special, to cross Holland, Belgium and France, gathering numbers en route to the ferry, arriving at the cafe late afternoon, and culminating in an evening of rock 'n' roll!

    The Brighton Burn Up & Ride With The Rockers, has been an integral part of Ace Cafe Reunions since 1996, and is a free, grand day out at the seaside on Brighton's famous seafront road, Madeira Drive. With trade and club stands, stunt displays, live music and special guests, it's an experience not to be missed!

    On Saturday 11th September, a Cafe Racer & Rockers Ride-Out to London's historic Battersea Park will depart from the cafe at 10.30am, returning for the 2nd annual Cafe Racer Review, with prizes for the "Best Ridden Cafe Racer". 

    This year we will also be celebrating some very special landmarks : the 60th anniversary of the Triumph Thunderbird and the 20th anniversary of Hinckley built Triumphs; the 60th anniversary of the Wideline and 50th anniversary of the Slimline frame, with commensurate competitions for the "Best Triumph"; "Best Triumph Thunderbird"; "Best Norton Featherbeds".

    Also, for the first time this year there will be prizes for the "Best Scooter" and "Best Dressed Rider"

    Sponsors for the competitions include; Triumph, T-Bird Records, Lucky 13, Lewis Leathers, Salon Moto Legende, Baracuta, Dainese, and more with awards and prizes being presented by Sophia St. Villier, crowned Ace Cafe Hostess of the Year at the cafe's recent inaugural Streetfighter & Stunt Festival, Wembley.

    We are also delighted to have special guest and ex-road racer Peter Williams with us together with his Norton Monocoque racer (courtesy Norman White).  Peter will be promoting and signing his new book "Peter Williams - Designed to Race". Peter's engineering designs gave him an advantage on the race track and set the trends for what motorcycles are today. Sadly Peter's racing career came to an end in 1974 with a terrible crash at Oulton Park, but his motorcycle innovation continues today.

    The fiesty London Rockin' Rollers will be with us again, raising funds for London's Air Ambulance, the cafe's chosen charity for Saturday 11th September.

    On Sunday 12th September in Brighton, as well as club, trade stands and live bands, there will be race bikes on display and guests to include Scott Redding, the youngest rider ever to win a GP, T3 Racing 675s and Harris Performance XR1200 BSB Round based race bikes and riders, and Danny John - Jules (the Cat in TV's Red Dwarf) with his Pink R1!

    Stunt Shows featuring Cooper Stunts, Paul Hanks, Nick Storm, Adam Huber and the ever popular Marc "Sparky" Chennel will take place at Black Rock, the eastern end of Madeira Drive, with three displays scheduled for 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm, together with a wheelie machine for those who want to try out riding on the back wheel!

    As part of Battle of Britain Week,  the cafe's chosen charity RAFA will be in attendance raising funds and for your convenience, Riders For Health will be in attendance with a "helmet park", where you can leave your gear and enjoy the day.

    Ace Cafe Reunion Weekend Entertainment:

    Porky's Hot Rockin + Burlesque Show (Friday 10th), Daddy Slick Shift, Hot Doggin, The Daytonas and The Polecats + Burlesque Show (Saturday 11th) at the cafe, plus Lights Out and The Jets performing at Brighton (Sunday 12th), with DJ's  Dave Crozier & Bill & Jimmy Guntrip spinning the wax throughout the weekend, and yes, it's all free!

    NOTICE:

    As guests of Brighton, and this free to enter event we thank you in advance for your understanding and co-operation in ensuring that the event is accessible and safe for all who attend

    We ask that you do not park any vehicle on the pavements or block the footways and emergency routes, and adhere to the directions and requests of Reunion staff & Marshals.

    Please note that the seafront road, Madeira Drive,will be open to the public (and bikes) from 9.30 a.m. with the event closing at 6 p.m.

    For updates

  2. Right To Ride’s campaign “No To Throttle Control” has reached across the Irish Sea and has been acknowledged by the UK motorcycle magazine “The Riders Digest”.

    The Riders Digest in-house reporter, Amelie Summers’ column “Inside Line” has featured the issues on Throttle Control in an article entitled, “Automatic speed limiters – coming to your bike soon?”

    The article also mentions that inspite of preliminary advice given to the SAFERIDER project by training experts, they were ignored. Partners in the project include the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) of which the BMF (British Motorcyclists Federation) and MAG (Motorcycle Action Group UK) are both members.

    Riders Organisations

    Right To Ride’s Trevor Baird says, “We have been writing to these organisations over the last three months regarding this fundamental issue of rider control and have not received any positive feedback on what they intend to do to stop the development of this system”.

    FEMA’s answer to threats of throttle, braking or steering interference is to use its best weapon of “plain common sense”.  We ask - when will its best weapon of plain common sense be deployed?

    Urgency is required, because the SAFERIDER project ends in November when the final review will be presented to the EU Commission and the deliverables (results) of the project, including the force feedback throttle will be seeking the EU Commission’s approval and support.

    Saferider

    Meanwhile at Right To Ride we have written directly and presented a paper to the EU Commission Project Officer and Directors of the SAFERIDER project, setting out the reasons why we consider the Force Feedback Throttle dangerous.

    Our argument in this paper is that any interference with the throttle will de-stabilize the motorcycle and place the rider in a precarious situation. We set out our reasons in detail why the development of this device – the force feedback throttle – must be stopped immediately and withdrawn from the SAFERIDER project.

    We say – “No To Throttle Control”

    Read The Full Story

  3. bmf Tailend Motorcycle Show, 18 / 19 September, Lincolnshire Showground

    With advanced ticket sales well up on last year, it’s a thumbs up for the bmf’s re-located Tail End show to be held for the first time at the stunning Lincolnshire Events Centre at the Lincolnshire Showground.

    The decision to move the show after twelve years at Peterborough’s East of England Showground was a brave one, but advance ticket sales for this popular end of season event are up a staggering 60% on this time last year, while even the trade stands are looking to top last year’s figures.

    Harley Davidson are bringing their brand new road show rig to the event including nine demonstrator bikes (driving licences will be required to be shown) while Rieju will be showing their stunning new range of bikes aimed at both the new and novice rider and will hopefully be bringing a long rising star Katie Bullock, European Intermediate Trials Champion and X Factor contestant.

    Other exhibitors already booked include George White, Kawasaki, Norton Motorcycles, Frank Thomas, Hein Gericke, Bikers Gearbox, Carole Nash, Powerbronze, Busters, Enigma Clothing, SMC Bikes, Skidmarx and the ever-popular Wall of Death plus a large fun fair – and for those camping, James Toseland and his band CRASH will be headlining the live entertainment on Saturday night.

    Making a guest appearance over the weekend will be Enduro Challenge star Graham Hoskins (and if he can make it, his riding partner Danny John Jules [The Cat from TV’s Red Dwarf]) to talk about their epic Enduro challenge for Sport relief – 7,000 miles, 15 countries, 3 continents in just 16 days!! Graham will have the bike he used and will also be giving a talk about the trip in the showground’s appropriately named Epic centre during the day.

    Vertical Trix will be there with their wheelie machine for those who want to try their hand in relative safety, while in the main arena, top class stunts from the Bolddog Lings Stunt Team and amazing tricks from ace trials rider Steve Colley will keep the crowds happy. But that’s not all, as the fast and furious racing from the British Lawnmower racing association will give a whole new meaning to the phrase cut and thrust competition!

    Thanks to the bmf’s insurance partners MCE, visitors will also have the chance to win a VIP experience at the BSB at Oulton Park including pit lane walks and a ‘meet the teams’ session. Visitors also have the chance to win a £500 custom helmet paint job courtesy of the BLD group.

    For those camping, ticket prices include live entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings from bands such as Trash Monkey (back from a successful bmf May show appearance), the League of Mentalmen, The Band from County Hell and Bad Penny with James Toseland and Crash headlining Saturday.

    There’s even a Free shuttle bus service from Lincoln city centre to the showground throughout the weekend 10-18.00hrs.
     

    For full details on Tail End, ticket options and on-line booking see:

    www.bmfshows.co.uk or book by phone on 08448 845151

  4. Using a bike or scooter to commute is a practical, cost-effective and congestion beating mode of transport according to the MCI's analysis of the most recent National Travel Survey.* 

    The survey reveals that the average motorcyclist relies on their bike for everyday transport, using it for over one-third (35%) of all journeys they make. The average rider makes 7 trips per week, covering 88 miles in a three-hour period.

    The survey shows that over half (51%) of all motorcycle trips in 2009 were made for the purpose of commuting, compared to just one-third (33%) of bicycle journeys and one-fifth (20 %) of car journeys.
    Congestion-beating - Cars used for commuting continue to have a low occupancy rate with 85% drivers using their car for commuting are single occupancy, so opting for a bike or scooter can help to reduce congestion and add to a quicker route to work.

    Cost-effective - Cheaper parking, lower tax and less fuel costs mean that using a bike or scooter is one-way people who are concerned about the cost of driving can get access to private transport. 

    Overall 30% of people surveyed have not learned to drive a car because of the cost of buying. Considering a motorcycle or scooter is a positive alternative. For younger people age 17 - 20 years this increases to 57% who gave the reason for not driving a car as cost. A motorcycle or scooter is a cheaper private transport alternative.

    Convenient  - Using a bike or scooter eliminates the need to rely on public transport timetables and can help to reduce travel times. Motorcycling is the SMART solution that provides a more Sustainable transport option, provides greater personal Mobility, is always more Accessible and provides a Realistic convenient form of Transport for many.

    Steve Kenward, MCI's CEO commented " The MCI is committed to ensuring motorcycles and scooters are represented in mainstream transport policy. The Government's own Travel Survey has shown that powered two-wheelers have an important role to play in providing a cost-effective mode of transport that can reduce congestion and help get people to work more efficiently and on time.

    "If employers can help with secure parking and locker facilities for example, this would go a long way to encouraging more people to use a bike or scooter for commuting and will help to ease congestion and ensure a less-stressed work force."
     
    1) National Travel Survey 2010 -Department for Transport