Category: Random

1. On World Book Day - which books have inspired you to ride, travel or even fix your beloved Motorbike?

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 3rd Mar 2016

   So today is World Book Day and we were wondering which books have inspired you to ride, travel or even fix your beloved Motorbike...    

   Is it Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance​ (Robert M. Pirsig), Jupiter's Travels (Ted Simon), Race to Dakar (Charley Boorman​) Touching the World: A Blind Woman, Two Wheels and 25,000 Miles​ (Cathy Birchall), the very funny Bonjour! Is This Italy?: A Hapless Biker's Guide to Europe​ (Kevin Turner) or one of four great Adventure Motorcycle Travel Books by Sam Manicom​?

   Or maybe it is our own book from THE BIKER GUIDE!

   Let us know on our facebook group what your favourite Motorcycle read is and for any authors out there, feel free to plug your own below on our page. 

   See some books here www.thebikerguide.co.uk/motorcycletravelbooks.html

   * For a limited time we have free listings for authors of Motorbike travel/themed books on THE BIKER GUIDE.
   
   Go here to include your Motorcycle Travel books on the website

2. Songs that feature a Motorbike sound or is about Motorbikes...

   Posted on 2:00pm Monday 22nd Feb 2016

   The track Triumph (Of The Good City) by Jean Jacques Burnel (of the stranglers) features a motorcycle engine, so we were wondering if you know of any other songs that feature a Motorcycle?

   Go watch on Youtube

   Thanks to Les Ross for letting us know about this track!
   
   
   
   
   
   We asked the members of the facebook page and group if they could suggest other tracks and we have the following answers...

   Johnny Angel - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning, by Richard Thompson - Live version
   
   Steve Clarke - B.S.A - by the Steve Gibbons Band

   Nick Flagg - Motorcycle Man (live version) by Saxon

   Dave Ayre - Motorcycle Emptiness, by Manic Street Preachers

   Les Ross - Motor Bikin`, by Chris Spedding

   Blues Theme, by Davie Allan & The Arrows. Opening music to Wild Angels.

   Motorbike Beat, the Revillos

   Street Bob Brown - Bat out of Hell, by MeatLoaf

   Johnny Angel - The Motorcycle Song, by Arlo Guthrie

   Ben Elves - Ride the wild wind, Queen

   Brian Johnson - Leader Of The Pack, by The Shangri-Las 

   Terry, by Twinkle

   Harley-Davidson, by Bridgit Bardot
   

   Mark A Rhodie - Little Honda '64, by the Beach Boys

   Bob Scales - Bad Motor Scooter, by Montrose

   James McKay - My little sister's got a motorbike, by Crazy Cavan

   Peter Twyning - Lets Ride, by Status Quo (Rocking all over the world album)

   Gary Roberts - Too Old To Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young To Die, by Jethro Tull. Great story in a song.

   Haydn Tovey - Funky moped, by Jasper Carrot

   A late entry from Jeff Needham. Just for Kicks - Mike Sarne (Live version)
   
   Other songs from our facebook group are

   Born to be Wild, by Steppenwolf

   Iron Horse Born to Lose, by Motorhead
   
   Freebird, by Lynytd Skynyrd
   

   Thunder Struck, by AC/DC

   Too Fast To Live Too Young To Die, by Robert Gordon

   Last Rebel on the Road, by Lynyrd Skynyrd
   

   She Rides a Harley-Davidson, by Neil Young
   
   Faster, by Within Temptation

   Motorcycle Dream, by Slack Alice
   
   I'm a Rocker by Chas and Dave

    

   Motopsycho Nightmare - Bob Dylan

    

   Riding in the T.T.Races - George Formby

    

   Andrew Jordan - Days of the Underground, by Hawkwind. Not a specific motorcycle song but does have the lines containing Smiling Michael and his black motorcycle and also mentions chromium heroes ( bikers)

   
   The top five favourites were
   
   Born to be Wild, by Steppenwolf
   
   Bat out of Hell, by MeatLoaf
   
   Iron Horse Born to Lose, by Motorhead
   

   Freebird, by Lynytd Skynyrd
   
   1952 Vincent Black Lightning, by Richard Thompson
   

3. Michelin has announced the launch of its new tyre – MICHELIN Anakee Wild

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 22nd Feb 2016

   In markets around the world, from February 2016. Destined for big trail bikes, it is a radial tyre designed for dual purpose on and off-road use.

   The new MICHELIN Anakee Wild is aimed at bikers who seek adventure, either solo or with a passenger, who set out on treks, whether alone or in groups, for a weekend or longer, those for whom biking means expeditions, experiencing and discovering. It is aimed at riders who want to break away from paved roads and fully exploit the potential of bikes designed both for roads as well as the most uneven, sandy, stony and muddy tracks. The new MICHELIN Anakee Wild tyre was thus designed to adapt to all terrain types and situations, as well as the most varied climates. In short it is a ‘multi-purpose’ tyre that demonstrates its performance according to the conditions it is subjected to.

   Currently available in four radial sizes, including those equipping the ‘flagship’ bike in this category, the BMW R 1200 GS, the range of available sizes for this tyre will be completed by three additional sizes during the year, thus covering most of the trail bikes available on the market.

   

4. The new Touratech catalogue: The whole world of adventure riding

   Posted on 10:00am Monday 15th Feb 2016

   Touratech presents the 2016 2,020-page catalogue with hundreds of new products... 
   Bigger than ever, packed full of products and featuring tons of new items, Touratech presents the world’s largest accessory catalogue for adventure riding. It contains custom-made equipment and parts to suit many models that will soon enliven the 2016 season. 

   One of these is the Honda CRF 1000 L Africa Twin, a bike that has sparked the urge to travel in a whole generation of adventurers. With over 20 years of experience in developing and manufacturing special parts for the Africa Twin, Touratech has an extensive portfolio lined up for the long-awaited successor. From GPS mounting adapters to the Zega pannier system, every desire is fulfilled. Plus there is an exclusive report on the first Touratech test drive with the reborn ‘Desert Queen’.

   Bikes other than the classic touring enduro have inspired the motorcycle accessory specialists from Niedereschach as well – such as the Ducati Scrambler and the BMW S 1000 XR – and of course there are more interesting new developments for nearly every motorbike model.

   Because both the bike and its rider need reliable equipment on the road, Touratech has significantly expanded the riding gear section: the AVENTURO Mod combines the advantages of flip-up and off road helmets, the COMPAÑERO World2 is an enhanced version of the tried-and-tested touring suit, and the DESTINO Adventure is Touratech’s first very own motorcycle boot. All are the result of tens of thousands of kilometres of touring experience. This same expertise has also gone into developing ‘Touratech Waterproof made by Ortlieb’. Another example of European manufacturing quality, this line of waterproof motorcycle luggage products is available now exclusively from Touratech.
   
   With all of this and much more, including great photos and travel stories, Touratech’s 2016/2017 catalogue makes an enticing read: the new Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro and Ducati Scrambler go on a test tour to Albania, Simon and Lisa Thomas (2 Ride The World) report on their round-the-world journey – now twelve years long – and Dirk Schäfer completes his preliminary Iron Butt trial on the 1,000-kilometre Touratech bike.
   
   To help readers navigate through this mammoth publication, the catalogue includes a detailed index and a clearly structured table of contents. The first section is dedicated to special parts for specific motorbikes, with individual models sorted alphabetically and in descending order of engine size. It is followed by sections on the cockpit, luggage, seats, the new windscreens, Touratech Suspension and universal motorcycle accessories. Finally there are rider equipment, navigation and outdoor sections.

   Two hundred thousand copies of the 2016/2017 Touratech catalogue with its 2,020 pages have been printed in five different languages and will be available at all major trade shows and events where Touratech is represented, as well as from Touratech distributors.
   
   Copies can be ordered by telephone, e-mail or via the internet – free of charge, as always and the catalogue is also available online at www.touratech.com
   

5. SHARK Evo-One arrives in UK dealers

   Posted on 1:52pm Saturday 6th Feb 2016

   The brand-new SHARK Evo-One will arrive in UK dealers this month. The latest innovation in SHARK Helmet’s popular EVO collection boasts a range of improved technical features, including an ‘Auto-up and Auto-down’ system, which automatically lifts the visor when raising or lowering the chin guard.

   The Evo-One is more compact and 100g lighter than its predecessor, the Evoline, and features a sun visor 23% larger. The aerodynamic profile and reduction in wind noise come as a result of state-of-the-art Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques.

   As with all SHARK models, the helmet is compatible with the popular SHARKTOOTH® system. It also features the ‘Autoseal’ visor system, which flattens the visor onto the helmet, creating a soundproof seal that offers better protection against the elements and wind noise.

   The Evo-One comes with a Pinlock MaxVision visor and a removable and washable interior. It is available in sizes XS-XL in a wide variety of colour options with RRPs starting from £309.99.

   To find your local dealer, visit www.nevis.uk.com or call 01425 478936.