Biker News - Regularly updated

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  1. French manufacturer Furygan is introducing a new generation of D3O limb protectors into its products, which meet the new CE standard introduced this week. The T5 EVO Pro protectors pass level 2 of the new CE standard across ambient, wet and cold (-10ºC) conditions and pass level 1 when tested in hot conditions at 40ºC.

    The soft and flexible protectors are for hips, knees, shoulders and elbows and will be fitted as standard in all Furygan’s leather and textile jackets and pants (excluding the Genesis Range). They are lightweight and breathable, offering greater protection without compromising on comfort. Existing Furygan textile products that are equipped with D3O’s T5 Pro level 1 protectors can be fitted with the new T5 EVO Pro version.      

    D3O is the first company to market a solution that exceeds the highest level of performance in all tests for the new standard EN1621-1. It uses a unique patented technology, which produces a superior shock absorbing material. In standard conditions, the material’s molecules flow freely allowing the material to remain soft and flexible, but on impact, they lock together to absorb impact energy and reduce the force transmitted. The molecules instantly return to their flexible state.      

    By introducing the new D3O range into its products, Furygan is reinforcing its already superior offering in terms of protective clothing. The company’s in-house Motion Lab testing facility already ensures that every garment produced is constructed from leather or textile material that not only meets, but in some cases exceeds current European regulations for motorcyclist protection. Together, Furygan and D3O aim to deliver the highest level of protective performance in the motorcycle apparel market.      

    www.nevis.uk.com

    www.D3O.com

  2. IAM’s head of riding standards, Peter Rodger, is advising on what to do following an accident.

    • Check that you are safe and unharmed, and then check that of anyone else involved.
    • Be careful – it’s easy to get focussed on the accident, and forget what else might be going – be aware of the possibility of other traffic still moving around
    • If you are able, attend to anyone who is injured – if you have first aid training, great, but if not, don’t try to be a hero – dial 999 (112 will also work if you are more used to it) straight away and talk to the ambulance service.
    • Remove the ignition keys from your bike, even if you just leave it for a moment.
    • If the accident is really serious, don’t move anything (other than the ignition keys) unless absolutely necessary.
    • Don’t remove a helmet unless you have to because the person inside it isn’t breathing.
    • Get the details of any witnesses.
    • If possible, get photographic evidence to show the position of the vehicles involved, the road surface (especially any contributing defects) and any damage to other vehicles as well as your own. If you do not have a mobile phone or camera handy, you could also do a sketch of the scene.
    • Never ride away from the scene of an accident you are involved in without speaking to the other people involved or leaving your contact details. Give your name and the name of the owner of the bike (if different), address, registration number, details of any injuries and insurance company information. You should get all of this information for the other party also.
    • If you don’t get chance to exchange details – perhaps the other driver/rider didn’t stop – you must report the accident to the police straight away, which must be within 24 hours. 

    Rodger said: “Nobody wants to think about the possibility of being involved themselves, but it happens. It’s not a pleasant thought, but it’s important to be prepared in case it happens. Knowing what you must do and taking simple precautions can make things far easier and less stressful afterwards.”

  3. Listening to the request of our clients, we have ordered 1 ft x 4ft pvc Banners, with eyelets, ready to hang outside your establishment to let passing Bikers know that you welcome them.
     
    They simply say:
     
    BIKERS WELCOME
     
    They can be used all year or simply when you know that there will be many passing Motorcyclists in your area for Rallies, events or during the summertime... 

    If you are interested please order via the website here:
     
    BIKERS WELCOME Banner

  4. Barbour has announced the launch of the Barbour International Authentic Motorcycle range, marking a welcome return to motorcycling for the British clothing manufacturer.

    The wax cotton International jacket has been a mainstay of Barbour’s range since its original introduction more than 75 years ago. It has now been redesigned to accommodate CE-approved elbow and shoulder armour, and a Level 2 back protector as standard.

    Manufactured in an 8oz wax cotton, Barbour’s International motorcycling jacket features a near identical specification to the original International, albeit with a new waterproof tartan lining and a reflective belt.

    The jacket also features a dark red satin zip-out thermal liner, which can be removed on warmer days and, naturally, the International’s distinctive diagonal chest pocket, originally introduced in 1951 for quick access to maps.

    To offer increased protection for motorcyc lists, Barbour has also developed wax cotton over-trousers that zip together with the International motorcycling jacket. The trousers also feature CE-approved armour in the knee and hip areas, as well as a waterproof lining.

    Following its original launch in 1947, the International quickly became a firm favourite amongst motorcyclists, and in the 1954 International Six Day Trial more than 70% of competitors wore the jacket.

    Steve McQueen in his Barbour International at the 1964 ISDTTen years later, the International was worn exclusively by the American ISDT team, featuring Steve McQueen and Bud Ekins, the stunt rider who performed McQueen’s famous fence leap in The Great Escape.

    Steve Buck, managing director of Barbour, said: “In recent years, traditional and classic motorcycles have become increasingly popular. Many of our customers told us that they prefer to wear traditional motorcycle clothing when out on their bikes, but that it needed to include protective armour. We have listened to our customers and we have created the Barbour International Authentic Motorcycle range that not only looks the part but also offers significantly enhanced levels of protection for the rider. The jacket and trousers are almost identical in design to those originally worn by riders from the 1940s through to the 70s, so our motorcycling heritage has been incorporated into these garments for a truly authentic look.”

    The Barbour International Authentic Motorcycle jacket will be priced at £399.99, including elbow and shoulder armour and a Level 2 back protector. The trousers will be priced at £239.99 and will incorporate knee and hip armour. All the armour has been produced specifically for the Barbour collection by Forcefield.  Both pieces will initially be available exclusively through MotoLegends and will be on sale at the beginning of March.

    www.motolegends.com

  5. Entry for the 2013 Coventry Festival of Motoring is now open for clubs and individuals and organisers are aiming to attract hundreds of cars and motorbikes and their owners to take part in the event, which makes a welcome return to Stoneleigh Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend of Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August.

    Last year’s Festival was the first to take place at Stoneleigh, having previously been held at Coventry’s War Memorial Park, and was hailed as a huge success.  Over 1000 classic vehicles took part, with around 600 of them on the flagship Sunday morning Historic Vehicle Run through Kenilworth, Leamington and South Warwickshire. 

    Over 30 car and motorbike clubs mounted impressive displays and 20,000 visitors enjoyed the weekend’s events at Stoneleigh Park. This year’s Festival is set to build on the success of 2012, with the return of the Future of Transport Expo, showcasing some of the region’s most exciting vehicular innovations, as well as a buzzing programme of entertainment, shopping and competitions planned throughout the whole weekend. 

    The Show & Shine and WheelSkills precision driving contests will also return for 2013, having been hotly contested in their inaugural year.

    Anyone who would like to take their car or motorbike on the Festival of Motoring Historic Vehicle Run can apply online at www.festival-of-motoring.co.uk  Entry costs £22 for cars and £11 for motorcycles, and will remain open until Friday 10th May 2013, or until all places are filled, whichever comes soonest. As well as the car run, the other integral element of the Festival of Motoring is the many and varied car and motorcycle clubs who display throughout the weekend, and entry is now open for clubs who would like to take part in the event.  Display space for clubs is free of charge, and can be booked now by downloading an application form from www.festival-of-motoring.co.uk

    Gary Hall, Chair of the Coventry Festival of Motoring Organising Committee said: “We had a great time at Stoneleigh Park for the 2012 Coventry Festival of Motoring and we’re planning for the 2013 event to be even bigger and better, with lots of motoring-related festivities across both days of the Festival.  I would urge any classic car or bike owner to log onto the Festival website and get involved in this wonderful event.”