Biker News - Regularly updated

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  1. Don't miss your chance to save 10% on the price of Triumph LIVE tickets and secure your entry to the ultimate Triumph festival.

    Extended from one to three days, Triumph Live 2012 promises a packed programme of action and entertainment including live bands both Friday and Saturday evenings; stunt riding shows; championship racing from the Triumph Triple Challenge; factory tours; road, track and off-road demo rides; plus a host of other displays and attractions, including the infamous Wall-of-Death and for those with a sense of adventure, a wheelie machine and DKS' cyclo try out.

    Visitors will also be able to view the very latest range of Triumph motorcycles, together with a selection of some of the UK’s best customised Triumphs. Key bikes from Triumph’s history will be on display, as part of a unique exhibition exploring the 110 year anniversary, while those looking to kit themselves out with top quality riding apparel should head for the Triumph Clothing Megastore, where there will be a host of bargains waiting to be snapped up.

    Million selling Brit award winners the Kaiser Chiefs will round off Saturday's action when they take to the stage to headline an evening of live music.

    Tickets are selling fast, so don't miss out!

    Early Bird Prices:

    Friday: £20

    Saturday: £24

    Weekend: £43 

    For full details on the worlds largest Triumph festival visit www.triumph-live.com

  2. Sixty-nine per cent of motorcyclists were cut-up by another road user who didn’t look properly, in the last six months, according to the IAM’s latest poll. Of those who experienced near misses, 86 per cent were forced to take evasive action.
     
    These incidents are known as SMIDSYs – ‘sorry mate I didn’t see you’ – which is often the reaction of the perpetrator when these events result in accidents. Failure to look is a contributory factor in 29 per cent of serious collisions and 36 per cent of slight accidents according to IAM research.1


     • Seventy-three per cent of motorcyclists cited the driver not paying enough attention as one of the main factors for incidents of this type.
    • Forty-three per cent of motorcyclists were involved in a near miss up to two times.
    • Fifty-six per cent of motorcyclists had experienced a near miss with a cyclist.
     
    Eighty-three per cent of drivers said that these incidents would decrease by improving drivers’ awareness of motorcyclists.
     
    IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “SMIDSY moments are happening far too often, and very few people are prepared to take responsibility for their part in them. It’s always someone else’s fault. All road users need to be more aware of who they are sharing the road with, and the risks they present.
     
    “Other road users’ intentions can often be guessed by their body language and position on the road, so ride defensively, and leave room so that if somebody does do something unexpected, you have time to deal with it.”
     
    The IAM suggests top tips for bikers for sharing the road:

    • Always assume that other road users may not have seen you
    • When travelling in a straight line position yourself where a car driver would be sitting. This is where other road users will be looking
    • Give drivers time to realise you’re there. Don’t arrive so fast you startle the driver
    • Always leave plenty of space between yourself and other traffic
    • Look well ahead to avoid needing to make sudden changes in direction for potholes
    • Be seen. Big blocks of bright colour are better than broken up or patterned clothing, which effectively camouflages you. And always make sure you have your headlight on.

    www.iam.org.uk

  3. After a gruelling 24-hour battle, the Honda TT Legends team has completed the 76th annual Bol d’Or, placing ninth in the race overall and sixth in the Endurance World Championship class to claim 19 points. 
     
    The race took place in challenging conditions at the Magny Cours circuit in France, with intermittent rain and cold temperatures making for an eventful 24-hours. Cameron Donald, John McGuinness and Simon Andrews competed for the Honda TT Legends, with Donald taking part in the running race start at 3pm yesterday. 
     
    The team began well, maintaining a steady pace through the changeable weather to hold fifth place until the early hours of Sunday morning. As dawn broke, Andrews was forced to make an unscheduled pit stop with a quick shift issue that was quickly rectified. The team re-joined the race in sixth place behind Yamalube Folch Endurance. 
     
    As the weather deteriorated further, the Bol d’Or almost came to a premature end for the Honda TT Legends when Donald lost the front end and suffered a high speed crash on the back straight. In line with EWC rules, the uninjured Australian pushed the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade back to the pits, where the team set to work repairing the extensive damage.
     
    The well-rehearsed TT Legends crew fixed the bike with co-ordinated expertise, successfully returning it to the race with McGuinness at the helm in under 20 minutes. The slick repair saw the team maintain sixth position in the EWC class, while running ninth in the race overall. The final two hours passed without incident and the Honda TT Legends completed the race to claim 19 championship points. The race was won by SRC Kawasaki with SERT and Monster Energy Yamaha in second and third respectively. 
     
    Neil Tuxworth
     
    I think the best we could have expected was fifth in that race. We couldn’t have come any higher at the pace we were going at. We still finished sixth overall in the EWC race which is good considering we lost time doing repairs after Cameron’s crash. It’s certainly been the most difficult endurance race that we’ve done and the one with the most problems. We’re going to analyse everything that has happened, figure out where the issues lie and continue from there. Hopefully we can have a better race the next time out. 

    John McGuinness
     
    Not the result we came for but it was one of our strongest rides yet. We were holding fifth and looking good in very difficult conditions. It was a gruelling race with temperatures as low as 2 or 3 degrees through the night. I got caught up in some of the bad weather and had to pit for tyres changes which meant I then had to do double stints with 50 or 60 laps at a time and that is hard work. After Cameron slipping off at probably 150mph and the bike cart wheeling its way though the gravel, luckily Cam was alright and the team did amazing job at getting the bike back out there. We wanted to be a bit further up but at least we’ve picked up some world championship points. 
     
    Cameron Donald
     
    After starting and finishing Le Mans last year I got to start and finish the Bol d’Or, which is really special. It was an absolute ordeal of a race. Everyone had their moments to shine and it was a big teem effort, but unfortunately we just didn’t quite come up with the goods. It was a little bit of bad luck and me skidding up the road didn’t help, but just to finish another 24-hour is a massive achievement. 
     
    Simon Andrews
     
    It feels good to finish my first 24-hour race. Ten months ago I was lying in a hospital and my first race back I’ve completed a 24-hour so I feel triumphant and I’m pretty happy. We were quick and we were safe, I did everything to the best of my ability and I’m going home with a smile on my face.
     
    For news, videos and images follow @HondaTTLegends on Twitter, bookmark www.hondattlegends.com and subscribe to HondaProRacing on YouTube.

  4. Typical motorcyclist is middle-class, rides to work and prefers a Honda!

     
    The traditional stereotype of bikers being free-spirited, leather clad hooligan is thing of the past, according to research by Bennetts. The UK’s number one for bike insurance* has revealed the profile of the ‘average biker’ in 21st Century Britain, a seemingly upstanding, 40-something middle-class citizen who is a married, professional, family man.
     
    The study reveals the average motorcyclist in the UK is a world away from common perceptions, with him being a six-foot tall, brown haired biker who almost certainly owns a car and rides no more than twice a week. Although seemingly conventional, the average biker does seem to have a wild side too, with 50% of the British bikers questioned having a tattoo and a third sporting a beard.
     
    Challenging the old perceptions of bikers even further, only 7% sport either long hair or a pony tail. This is probably because nearly 60% of those surveyed hold down a professional senior/management job, taking home an average wage of £30,000 a year, up 25% on the national average (£24,000)**
     
    Despite an immediate association with Harley Davidson’s and other such loud bikes, the average biker actually prefers to ride on a Honda and manages just 7,500 miles a year, with 80% of bikers surveyed owning a car as well as a motorbike. Biking seems to still be very much associated with a mid-life crisis as the average biker has only been riding for two years, despite his age.
     
    Questionnaire Results

    Name: Ben
    Sex: Male (96.8%)
    Age: 41- 50 (31.6%)
    Hair Colour: Brown (66.2%)
    Glasses: No (62.3%)
    Additional features: Tattoos (53.3%) and Beard (32.6%)
    Height: 6ft (33.3%)
    Occupation: Professional (29.0%)
    Motorbike: Honda (30.1%)
    How often do you ride: Twice a week (42.8%)
    Do you use the bike to commute to work: Yes (54.9%)
    Average annual mileage: 5,001 – 10,000 (43.0%)
    Favourite genre of music: Rock/Heavy Metal (48.8%)
    How long have you been riding: 1-3 years (22.9%)
    How many motorbikes have you owned: 6 (47.9%)
    Do you own a car: Yes (80.0%)
    Favourite sport: Superbikes (52.8%)
    Annual income: £20,000 – 39,999 (44.4%)
     
     Average Biker
     
    *Based on brand tracking research in April 2008
    **Based on National Online Statistics (statistics.gov.uk)
  5. The final qualifying sessions for the 76th annual Bol d’Or took place at Magny Cours today with the Honda TT Legends securing 11th place on the grid for tomorrow’s 24-hour race. 
     
    As the sunny morning weather gave way to threatening rain clouds, Cameron Donald, John McGuinness, Gary Johnson and Simon Andrews took to the French circuit one-by-one for the final four 30-minute qualifying sessions. 
     
    Although Andrews posted the fastest lap for the Honda TT Legends, as the fourth rider his times do not contribute towards the team's final qualifying time. The combined fastest laps of Donald, McGuinness and Johnson will see the team start the opening race of the 2012 Endurance World Championship from 11th on the grid. The three-rider race line-up will be announced following morning warm-up. 
     
    Neil Tuxworth – Team Manager
     
    In general, we have not had any major issues during the practice and qualifying sessions. We had a minor technical problem that was quickly rectified and unfortunately Cameron had a small crash in his second session, but apart from that things have gone relatively well. It is a little disappointing that we have qualified 11th because as a team I feel that we are capable of more. Having said that, I think we will be much stronger in the race and I am certain that barring any problems, we should be able to achieve a top six position. Of course we would still like to fight for a chance to be on the podium, but this may prove a little difficult at the first round of the championship. 
     
    John McGuinness
     
    We’ve had a few little problems over the last two days and we’re a little disappointed to have qualified 11th. As a racer, you always want to be at the front. Hopefully all our issues are out of the way now and we can have a strong race. All we can do is look forward to the race and get stuck in. I’ve heard all sorts about the weather for the race but I think the forecast is rain so it’s going to be an eventful one. We’ll just get our heads down and get on with it.  
     
    Cameron Donald
     
    I’m feeling upbeat. We’d like to be up higher but we’re not. I don’t think anyone really improved today in terms of all the teams as the conditions weren’t as good as yesterday. We’ve made some more changes to the bike and we seem to be improving in that direction. Let’s see what happens tomorrow – the way the weather forecast is, all the dry track work could be out of the window anyway so we’ll just wake up and see what tomorrow brings.
     
    Gary Johnson
     
    I managed to go half a second quicker today so I’m happy enough with that. I think there’s more to come and I’m hoping I can close the gap a bit more in morning warm-up. I’m still learning the track and learning the bike, but it’s coming together nicely. 
     
    Simon Andrews
     
    The team have done a great job today. We’ve had a few issues and Cam had a bit of a crash so they’ve really had to graft. The conditions were tough today with spots of rain during my session, but I went well and ended up second fastest so I’m happy with that.
     
    Follow the Bol d’Or live on Motors TV or FIM-TV.com on Saturday 14 April from 10.20 to 11.30 and 14.30 to 22.00 and Sunday 15 April from 10.30 to 15.30. Live timing will be available on FIM-LIVE.com from 14.30 on Saturday 14 April. 

    For news, videos and images throughout the event follow @HondaTTLegends on Twitter, bookmark www.hondattlegends.com and subscribe to HondaProRacing on YouTube. 
     
    2012 Bol d’Or schedule
     
    Saturday 14 April
     
    10.30 – 11.15 Warm-up
     
    15.00 Race begins 
     
    Sunday 15 April
     
    15.00 Race ends