Category: Random

1. First person in UK to benefit from 'plug in' grant for electric motorcycles will be on the road from today

   Posted on 4:00pm Wednesday 1st Mar 2017

   First UK customer to benefit from ‘plug in’ grant for e-motorcycles

   The first electric motorcycle to be bought with the new ‘plug in’ subsidy will be on the road from today (March 1^st).

   The dealer, 21^st Moto in Swanley, Kent, confirmed that 48-year-old Fred Murphy from Redhill in Surrey is the first customer in the UK to benefit from the subsidy, introduced by the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) to increase the uptake of electric vehicles.  

   Mr Murphy bought a Zero FXS, which has an average range of 60 miles, a top speed of 85mph and costs the equivalent of a penny a mile to power.  It can be charged using a household three pin plug, with faster charge options, which can reduce full charging time to 2 hours.

   Up to now the ‘plug in’ subsidy has only been available for electric cars and vans, but it can now be applied to electric motorcycles and scooters, so long as they meet certain quality criteria.  This includes having a battery with 5 years’ warranty and a good range.

   Rob Francis, Dealer Principal of 21^st Moto, which has now sold a total of three zero motorcycles since the grant was introduced, says the system of claiming the subsidy is extremely easy for customers:

   “The dealership does all the work, so there are no forms to fill out, or paperwork to complete.  The dealer makes the application direct to OLEV and the price is reduced by £1500 or 20% of the total purchase cost, whichever is the smaller number.”

   Customer Fred Murphy, who hasowned and ridden motorcycles for more than 25 years, has traded in a petrol bike for his electric one.  He said enjoyment and an interest in new technology was the motivation behind his purchase and that he will be commuting to work on it:

   “As an ‘electronics geek’ and an early adopter, I have always been interested in electric bikes and tried my first zero back in 2012, so when the ‘plug in’ grant finally came in, this was enough to justify my jump to electric.” 

   Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association, which lobbied for the subsidy, says motorcycles and scooters will help cut congestion:

   “Whether electric or not, a motorcycle, scooter or moped benefits from reduced journey times, easier or free parking, no congestion charge and is normally cheaper to run and insure.  There is also the added benefit that it’s just more fun than other modes of transport.”* 

   +++

   • Background: A plug-in grant for cars was introduced in January 2011. In 2015 it was announced this would be extended to motorcycles by the Coalition Government. The details were finalised in October 2016.  Manufacturer/importers with qualifying products apply direct to OLEV to be included.  If they qualify, the grant is applied at the point of sale and customers are just asked to fill out a questionnaire.

   • Eligibility criteria also includes a range of at least 30km for mopeds and 50km for motorcycles between charges and a top speed of at least 40 kilometres per hour. Machines must be registered with the DVLA, require a driving licence, be insured and the rider must wear a protective helmet. The full requirements can be found here

   • The number of motorcycles licensed for the road (and licence exempt) has increased from 720,000 in 1994 to 1,330,000 for the last quarter, which is the highest number since 2009. (See Department for Transport table VEH0301).

   • The model bought was a Zero FXS 6.5 version. It can be ridden on an A2 license. Full spec can be found here

   • Travelling to work on a motorcycle, scooter or moped is one of the least likely modes of transport to affect your well-being according to a one-off government travel survey by the Office for National Statistics.  It found that for journeys up to 30 minutes there was no ill effect on levels of anxiety, happiness and satisfaction for those who rode a motorcycle, scooter or moped.  In contrast, those who walk, cycle, drive a car or take the bus all experience an adverse increase in all or some of the factors measured after just 15 minutes.

   • The Motorcycle Industry Association, Highways England and the National Police Chiefs’ Council recently launched a joint whitepaper exploring the motorcycling opportunity. See www.motorcycleframework.co.uk 

2. Enjoy a ‘Biker’s Special’ meal for just £6!

   Posted on 9:00am Wednesday 1st Mar 2017

   Valid in the restaurant @ The Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden Aerodrome, near Biggleswade, Bedfordshire throughout March 2017 when you visit on two wheels!

   Breakfast served until 11.30: Full English with tea or coffee

   Brunch from 11.30 until 4pm: Bacon, sausage, fried egg, chips and beans

   Served from 12 noon:
   - Burger or hand battered fish, chips and peas
   - Main meal of the day (including a roast on Sunday)

   For further details visit www.shuttleworth.org/bikers-special

   

    

3. Drive safely in the stormy weather

   Posted on 10:00am Thursday 23rd Feb 2017

   Road safety charity the IAM is offering tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. Following severe weather warnings of storms over the coming days, the IAM is advising on how to drive in windy weather.

   In the wind

   · Strong winds can also unsettle your car and even change your direction of travel. Grip your steering wheel firmly and also be ready for the effects of the wind on other road users, particularly motorcyclists and flat-sided vehicles like lorries.

   · Plan your journey – is there a route with less exposure to the weather and less risk of fallen trees?  Choose a sheltered route if you have the option.

   · Strong winds are not constant, they are usually gusty so ensure you hold the steering wheel firmly.

   · Overtaking high sided vehicles or driving past buildings can result in a sudden gust from the side as you clear.

   · Give cyclists, motorcyclists, lorries and buses more room than usual. They get blown around by side winds easily. Even pedestrians can be blown about.

   · Watch trees and bushes on the roadside - their branches can show you how strong the wind is. Look well ahead, that way you don’t need to take your eye off the road and you can see any windy patches before you get to them.

   · Go slow enough to cope with the gusts. Wind can get under a car and reduce its handling and braking significantly.

   · Keep an eye on what is happening to other vehicles – where they are affected will give you a pre warning.

   · Go slowly enough to cope with the tree that has fallen right across the road, just round the bend where you can’t see it.

   · Be careful of debris, try and have space beside you in case you need to dodge it.

   In the rain

   · Before you set off, set your heater controls – rain can makes the windows mist up in seconds. You don’t want to be fiddling with controls when you should be concentrating on the road.

   · See and be seen. Put your lights on – as a rule of thumb, whenever you need to use your wipers you should also turn your dipped headlights on, and before overtaking put your wipers on their fastest setting.

   · Keep your eyes on the road ahead and plan your driving so that you can brake, accelerate and steer smoothly – harsh manoeuvres will unbalance the car.

   · Slow down. In the rain stopping distance is at least doubled. Giving yourself more space also helps to avoid spray, especially when following a large vehicle.

   · If you have cruise control, avoid using it on wet roads – you need to pay more attention to the road surface conditions and alter your speed gently.

   
   Please note the above information is aimed at car drivers. Riding in such weather can be highly dangerous and not advised.
   
   Rodger said: "If the weather is really bad, consider whether you could postpone your journey until it settles down."
   
   

    

   Originally posted on  6th Jan 2014

4. Pro auto detailing

   Posted on 9:00am Wednesday 22nd Feb 2017

   When bikers get together there is a great deal of talk about their motorcycles, motorcycle maintenance and even possibly the latest pro auto detailing done on a favorite vehicle. 
   
   Cars and motorcycles both require routine maintenance as well as cleaning and detailing.

5. Drive safely in the coming storms‏

   Posted on 8:00am Wednesday 22nd Feb 2017

   Road safety charity the IAM is offering tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger.

   Rodger said: "If the weather is really bad, consider whether you could postpone your journey until it settles down."

   Following severe weather warnings of storms over the coming weekend, the IAM is advising on how to drive in windy weather.

   • Plan your journey – is there a route with less exposure to the weather and less risk of fallen trees? Choose a sheltered route if you have the option.
   • Strong winds are not constant, they are usually gusty so ensure you hold the steering wheel firmly.
   • Overtaking high sided vehicles or driving past buildings can result in a sudden gust from the side as you clear.
   • Give cyclists, motorcyclists, lorries and buses more room than usual. They get blown around by side winds easily. Even pedestrians can be blown about.
   • Watch trees and bushes on the roadside - their branches can show you how strong the wind is.  Look well ahead, that way you don’t need to take your eye off the road and you can see any windy patches before you get to them.
   • Go slow enough to cope with the gusts.  Wind can get under a car and reduce its handling and braking significantly.
   • Keep an eye on what is happening to other vehicles – where they are affected will give you a pre warning.
   • Go slowly enough to cope with the tree that has fallen right across the road, just round the bend where you can’t see it.
   • Be careful of debris, try and have space beside you in case you need to dodge it.

   www.iam.org.uk

    

   Article first posted 25th Oct 2013