Category: Events and Shows

1. Suzuki summer test ride roadshow announced

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 2nd May 2022

   Suzuki has announced dates of a summer test ride roadshow, which will take place at a variety of dealerships from April to September with a number of key models in the range available to demo, including the new GSX-S1000GT and the third generation Hayabusa.

   Starting on April 9 at Completely Suzuki in Hinckley, Suzuki will be bringing a fleet of test ride bikes to each event – with individual dealerships also bolstering the number of bikes available with their own demo machines – that includes the V-Strom 1050XT adventure bike, GSX-S1000 naked, the newly-launched GSX-S1000GT, and the Hayabusa hyperbike.

   With models such as the GSX-S1000GT in high demand the events will give prospective customers the chance to secure a test ride on the model they’re most interested in, and also sample many other bikes in Suzuki’s range

   Suzuki GB’s head of motorcycle marketing, Ian Bland, commented, “We’ve had two years of uncertainty around events so it’s nice to be able to announce this roadshow and we’re looking forward to getting out on the road again. It’s a great opportunity for us to meet and spend time with customers, and provide more opportunities for them to test ride many of our most popular models. 2022 is set to be a great riding season, especially with our range of new bikes and current offers.”

   Those wishing to book a test ride should contact their local participating dealership, and must ensure they are able to provide their driving licence and a DVLA check code, or their National Insurance number on the day.

   For a full list of dates, see below, or visit Suzuki’s 2022 events calendar.

   • 9 April, Completely Suzuki, Unit 14, Lime Kilns Way, Hinckley, Loughborough, LE10 3EL, 01455 811811
   •  6-7 May, CJ Ball Suzuki, Woodlands, Salhouse Road, Sprowston, Norwich, Norfolk, NR7 9AB, 01603 307500
   • 21 – 22 May, Road and Racing, Clark Way, Hyde, Cheshire, SK14 2AU, 0161 366 5167
   • 18 – 19 June, Cupar Motorcycles, West Port, Cupar, Fife, KY15 4AW, 01334 655707
   • 1 – 2 July, Frasers of Gloucester, 261 Bristol Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL2 5DB, 01452 306485
   • 16 – 17 July, A&D Motorcycles, Spencer Trading Estate, Rhyl Road, Denbigh, North Wales, LL16 5TQ, 01745 815105
   • 23 July, Streetbike, 91-107 Dudley Road, Halesowen, West Midlands, B63 3NS, 0121 296 5661
   • 29-30 July, Single Tracker Motorcycles, 20-26 Flag Lane, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 3BG, 01270 212965
   • 13-14 August, Bridge Motorcycles, Alphin Brook Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 8RG, 01392 260200
   • 4 September, Orwells Motorcycles, Copdock Bike Show, Trinity Park, Ipswich, IP3 8UH, 01473 257401

   Note that bike availability may differ from one event to another. Customers are advised to speak to their local dealer in advance of the event to check availability.

2. STAFFORD BIKE SHOW TAKES PODIUM POSITION WITH WORLD EXCLUSIVES!

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 2nd May 2022

   THOUSANDS OF showgoers, including a Hollywood star, were out in the post-lockdown sunshine at the Stafford County Showground over the weekend of April 23 – 24 to celebrate all things motorbikes… and there was plenty to celebrate.

   The International Classic MotorCycle Show always has loads to see and do, and this year was no different as the crowds packed in to see bikes, club stands, trade stands, world exclusives, book launches, live trails, firing-up area, Bonhams’ auction, the competition hall… and more special guests than you could shake a stick at!

   Perhaps the most notable display was the world exclusive Mike Hailwood exhibit, featuring never-before-seen family memorabilia of the former champion. Guests were able to view these heirlooms, from his 1978 TT winner’s Dunlop cap through to his George Medal, awarded when Mike rescued Clay Regazzoni from his burning BRM at the South African Formula 1 GP. Talking of awards and winners, the class of 1978, which consisted of Alex George, Ian Richards, Phil Read and Chas Mortimer, were on stage across the weekend giving first-hand accounts of their racing careers and inside stories into the motorbike racing scene.

   The Bonhams Auction was particularly nail biting with a very special ex-Reg Barton, Dick Knight, 1929 Brough Superior 996cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Sprint Special which sold for a staggering £220,000! And showgoers might also have even seen an A-list celebrity or two. Jason Momoa, best known as DC superhero Aquaman, was also there. Being a keen motorcycle enthusiast, Jason perused the show and examined the lots in the Bonhams Auction.

   Event organiser Nick Mowbray said: “It was a brilliant weekend! We have received marvellous feedback from visitors and traders alike. The addition of the Hailwood display and the ‘Class of 78’ added something very special to a tried-and-tested format.”

3. Touratech Travel Event 2022

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 28th Apr 2022

   The Touratech Travel Event 2022 will take place 27th - 29th May 2022. For three days, motorcycle travellers from all over the world will be celebrating at a top-class get-together. Joint excursions, test rides, workshops, multivision and film presentations, live music and last but not least the inspiring feeling of being among thousands of like-minded people, will make for an unforgettable weekend.   
   
   With a tradition of more than 20-years, the Touratech Travel Event has established itself as one of the most important meetings of the international motorcycle travel scene. When the Adventure Company celebrates its annual get-together, adventure riders from Germany, Europe and even distant continents flock to the otherwise tranquil town of Niedereschach in the foothills of the Black Forest.
   After a two-year mandatory break, the community's desire to celebrate together is naturally huge. That's why Touratech has put together an extra-attractive programme for the Travel Event 2022.
   
   Test rides with many different brands
   Around the show stage and on the event mile, adventure riders will be able to meet and exchange experiences over a cold beer, or at one of the international Street Food stands. Motorcycle manufacturers BMW, Ducati, Honda, GasGas, Husqvarna, Indian, KTM, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha will be on site with their show trucks and have plenty of the latest models on board for test riding. For the first time, Harley-Davidson will also be there with a huge US truck.
   
   Guided road tours and adventure bike training
   For those who prefer to travel with their own machine – no problem. On all three days of this mega-event, there will be guided tours along the dream routes of the Black Forest. Or how about a little adventure bike training? You can also do that at the Touratech Travel Event. Impressions of the breathtaking manoeuvres that can be accomplished on a motorcycle offroad are to be had free of charge during the show rides with the spectacular Touratech conversions.
   
   Workshops and factory tours
   Valuable practical know-how can be picked up at workshops on topics such as tyre fitting, GPS navigation or travel preparation.
   Those who want to upgrade their adventure bike on the spot will find numerous special offers in the Touratech Shop during the Travel Event. At the same time, the popular second-choice sale will be taking place, where high-quality parts with minimal defects can be purchased at a favourable price. Exciting insights into the manufacture of Touratech products will be revealed during the factory tours.
   
   Show stage with thrilling acts
   In the evening, the action will be concentrated in the area around the big show stage. On Friday evening, Dieter Schneider will report on his 130,000 motorcycle kilometres around the globe under the motto "Soul trip around the world".
   There is a novelty in store for the Saturday evening: the Touratech stage will morph into a cinema. Instead of a classic multivision show, motorcycle traveller Daniel Rintz will be presenting his gripping film, "Somewhere else together".
   Afterwards there will be live music. Those who prefer it quieter can end the day with like-minded people around a campfire.
   
   Free camp ground
   A large camping meadow will be available for customary overnight stays, the use of which is of course free – as is admission to the event.
   
   Further information - Go click

   

4. Stellar Line-Up of Adventure and Motorcycle Stars Announced

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 27th Apr 2022

   ABR Festival confirms their best-ever speaker roster

   • ABR Festival returns to Ragley Hall Estate on the 24-26 June 2022
   • Organisers promise a packed festival schedule including masterclass sessions, off-road schools, greenlane rideouts, live music, and more
   • The festival will welcome a star-studded line-up of adventurers and motorbikers
   • Over 40 guest speakers to appear across five stages
   • Headline names include Ted Simon, Elspeth Beard and RyanF9
   • A packed programme of talks, presentations and workshops scheduled for the ABR Masterclass Tent

   The ABR Festival returns for their fourth year this June at the Ragley Hall Estate in Warwickshire. The event promises to deliver the greatest ever celebration of adventure biking, with three packed days of riding action and festival entertainment.

   The festival is set to welcome thousands of like-minded riders, all looking to enjoy the loaded schedule of masterclass sessions, off-road riding schools and live music, as well as the AX41 Adventure Trail – an exclusive 20km off-road trail through the magnificent Ragley Hall Estate.

   In addition to the countless riding opportunities on offer, ticket holders will have the chance to rub shoulders with some of motorcycling’s most recognisable and respected riders. The festival will welcome the industry’s biggest names, in what will be their best-ever speaker line-up to date.

   Organisers have recently announced that over 40 headline speakers will show at this year’s event, across a total of five different stages. Visitors will be able to hear from their biking heroes with the likes of Elspeth Beard, Lyndon Poskitt and Chris Scott already confirmed.

   Undoubtedly the star name appearing at the festival though is iconic motorcycle explorer, and travel writer, Ted Simon. Regarded as the ‘Godfather of Adventure Biking’, Ted will be making a rare UK appearance, speaking about is extraordinary four-year, round-the-world tour in 1973. Upon his return, Ted wrote his first book ‘Jupiter’s Travels’ which cemented his place in history as one of the most important, and respected, adventure travellers ever.

   Ted’s original Triumph Tiger will also be on show, which has been kindly lent to the event from the Coventry Transport Museum for the weekend.

   In addition to the already packed roster of adventure motorcycling legends will be The Missenden Flyer, MotoBob and RyanF9 – arguably three of motorcycling’s most recognisable faces on YouTube.  RyanF9 will make the trip over from his native city of Vancouver to attend the festival – delivering a series of YouTube and content based workshops, a must-see for any aspiring motorcycle content creators.

   Ticket holders will be able to meet and hear from these inspiring riders across the five stages on site including the Ténéré Speaker Stage, The Harley-Davidson Campfire and the ABR Masterclass Tent. The latter will present a full timetable of talks, presentations and workshops from biking experts. Sessions will provide a greater insight into the world of adventure biking, designed to help visitors leave a more knowledgeable and informed rider. A schedule of sessions is available to view on the ABR Festival website, but masterclass highlights include, ‘How to Upgrade & Adventurize Your Bike with Steve Able’, ‘Which Tyres to Use and When with Bridgestone’ and ‘Finding Legal-To-Ride Green Lanes with the TRF.’

   Commenting on the recent speaker line-up announcement, ABR Festival founder, Alun Davies said, “This year’s speaker line-up will be our best yet. Our ambition was to assemble the great, the good and the amazing from the world of adventure motorcycling. By all accounts we’ve done that…and I’ve booked a front row seat.”

   Weekend tickets for the 2022 ABR Festival are available to purchase for only £129 and include three-day access to the festival with two-nights of camping. Tickets can be purchased directly from the ABR Festival website at www.abrfestival.com
   

    

5. Retro motoring excitement for Beaulieu’s Hot Rod & Custom Show - Sunday 19th June

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 20th Apr 2022

   Make it a Father’s Day to remember at Beaulieu’s Hot Rod & Custom Show on Sunday 19th June, with a family-friendly show packed with impressive motors in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.

   Celebrating the truly individual creations of the motoring world, a colourful line-up of customised cars and hot rods, American motors, awesome motorbikes and trikes and pre-1980 classics will fill the showground, while live entertainment and dancing will make it an unforgettable summer day out. Held in association with the Solent Renegades club, the Hot Rod & Custom Show is too good to be missed.

   Last year’s show brought together a varied selection of machines, from Mercurys, Chevrolets, Plymouths, Dodges, Edsels and Pontiacs, to slammed trucks, rat-look roadsters, stripped-down rods and even modified British classics such as a pro-street Humber Super Snipe and a 1934 Sunbeam Dawn hot rod. Also taking pride of place was an incredible hand-built 1931 Auburn special, a selection of high-powered bikes and trikes and a vibrant line-up of colourful customs.

   This year promises to be equally impressive, so get set to have your imagination fired up by the wide variety of cool vehicles on show. Prizes will be awarded for top machines, with trophies for Best Custom, Best American, Best Hot Rod, Best Bike and Best in Show.

   Legendary custom car builder and Hot Rod & Custom Show ambassador Andy Saunders will be at the show, meeting custom fans and talking about his latest projects. While Classic American magazine will be returning to the show to hold the heats for its Car of the Year competition, with unmodified American cars of any era invited to compete.

   Get your feet tapping to brilliant music throughout the day, with Company B performing rousing retro tunes on stage, then get dancing with how-to demonstrations from Jitterbug Jive. With face painting for youngsters too, there’s plenty for the whole family to get involved with.

   Don’t miss the Chevrolet Bel Air inside the National Motor Museum, on show as part of the packed exhibition Bond in Motion – No Time To Die. Featured in the latest Bond film, you can see this fascinating American classic up close, alongside several of the film’s other automotive stars.

   Participants are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance at www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/hot-rod-and-custom, which also include entrance to the rest of the Beaulieu attraction. Entry to the showground for participants, driving in with their qualifying vehicle, is from 8.30am, with the main event opening at 10am.

   All other visitors should purchase normal visitor admission tickets, which are available to book at www.beaulieu.co.uk.

   The Hot Rod & Custom Show is just one of the exciting motoring events planned at Beaulieu for 2022. Volkswagen fans will love Simply VW the day before on 18th June, while for more high-octane excitement Beaulieu Supercar Weekend on 6th – 7th August is a must-see show. Then find your dream classic car for sale at International Autojumble on 10th – 11th September. For Beaulieu’s full 2022 event calendar, visit www.beaulieu.co.uk/events.

   Visitor and participant tickets include entrance to all that Beaulieu has to offer, including Bond in Motion – No Time To Die in the National Motor Museum, Little Beaulieu, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the ancestral Montagu home Palace House, Secret Army Exhibition, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and the stunning grounds and gardens.