Category: Random

1. Winners of 'Best in Show' at Motorcycle Live 2022 announced

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 8th Mar 2023

   Visitors to Motorcycle Live in association with Bikesure Insurance, have once again voted for their winners in the following categories:  ‘Best Manufacturer Stand’, 'Manufacturer giving the best Customer Experience’ and ‘Non-Manufacturer giving the best Customer Experience’. 

   BMW Motorrad UK has once again done the 'double' having won both 'Best Manufacturer Stand' and ‘Manufacturer giving the best Customer Experience’. This year, the stand included the full range of motorcycles including the dynamic new S 1000 RR, and the ultimate M machines, the M 1000 R and M 1000 RR. As well static bikes on display, the interactive 'Make Life a Ride' arena showcased new models alongside the talents of the World of BMW activity partners. 

   The winner of ‘Non-Manufacturer giving the best Customer Experience’ was Helmet City - marking the second year in a row that they have received an award for their participation in the show.   

   Scott Grimsdall, Head of Marketing of BMW Motorrad UK, said: “Motorcycle Live is such a big event for the BMW team - requiring a lot of planning, logistics, and commitment - it's a great chance for us to speak with existing and future BMW riders. We're extremely proud to be announced as winners of both awards, it's testament to the hard work and dedication of the team. I'd like to personally thank those who voted for us, visited us at the show, and enjoyed watching one of our shows in the 'Make Life a Ride' arena." 

   Jennifer Holmes, Director of Helmet City, commented: “We're thrilled to have won this award and particularly so as it was voted for by the visitors to the show. We pride ourselves on giving customers honest advice and the best price we can. Thanks to the Helmet City team and to those who voted for us." 

   Finlay McAllan Managing Director of Motorcycle Live, adds: "Huge congratulations to the winners this year and a massive thanks to all the exhibitors that helped make up Motorcycle Live 2022, as all the stands were of such a high standard. And thank you to those who voted and visited - we wouldn't have a show without you". 

   Motorcycle Live 2023 will take place at The NEC, Birmingham from 18 – 26 November. Tickets are on sale now - for an 'early bird' rate, visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk. 

2. The new Touratech Storm rain suit

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 3rd Mar 2023

   Climate membrane, lots of comfort features and extensive customisation options – with its new Storm rain suit, Touratech is taking wet weather protection on motorcycles to a new level.
    
   Touratech has reinterpreted the classic rain suit using the latest textile technology. And for good reason: Even in the age of membrane inserts, the tried-and-tested principle of the extra outer layer is far from obsolete. Because unlike in the case of inserts, where the wetness first penetrates the suit as far as the waterproof layer, in this classic combination, the rain stays where it belongs: outside.
   One might think that's nothing new, we had that 60 years ago already. But far from it. With the Storm, Touratech merges the basic principle of the classic rain suit with the capabilities of the most modern functional clothing.

   aterproof and breathable: laminate with Hydratex technology
   The robust blended fabric of the outer material is bonded with a Hydratex Lite membrane to form a completely windproof and waterproof laminate. However, the micropores of the membrane allow effective water vapour transport from the inside to the outside. This means that sweating is not an issue if you're wearing the Touratech Storm – even during physical exertion.
   This suit also has reflective sections that greatly improve the visibility of the rider in unfavourable light conditions.
    
   Easy to put on and supremely comfortable to ride in
   With its two-piece design, the Touratech Storm rain suit is much easier to put on than a classic one-piece rain suit. In addition, the large adjustable Velcro system allows it to be pulled over your boots easily and ensures a tight-fitting leg closure regardless of the type of motorcycle boot worn. Additional Velcro straps enable individual width adjustment. And last but not least, the elastic waistband adjusts perfectly to the figure of the rider.
   The Storm jacket offers even more extensive adjustment options. Two Velcro closures at the waist and under the upper arms allow for precise customisation so that nothing pinches or flutters. Further Velcro fastenings at the cuffs ensure secure closure around your gloves.
   Two spacious inner pockets offer sufficient waterproof storage space. And when the sun shines again, the Touratech Storm disappears into the space-saving bag provided and can be conveniently stowed away.
   The Touratech Storm rain suit is available in black with neon yellow sections in six sizes from S to 3XL. Jacket and trousers can be purchased separately.
    
   Further informationon in the webshop

3. Brand new Touratech Travel Time magazine now available in English

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 28th Feb 2023

   In XXL format, with almost 150 pages, the 2023 international issue of Touratech Travel Time is launched. With a colourful mix of fascinating topics from the world of motorbike travel and 50 extra pages of catalogue, the magazine offers inspiration and information for the coming motorbike season.
    
   In the 14th consecutive year the Touratech customer magazine is available in English as well. Touratech is providing customers and friends of the brand with inspiration for their own motorcycle adventures.
   Elaborate reports by renowned authors present the most beautiful travel destinations around the globe, practical service topics provide information on the optimum equipment for rider and bike, and gripping insider reports show what happens behind the scenes at Touratech. In addition, there is always detailed news from the adventure scene, in which Touratech has been at home for over 30 years.
    
   150 pages of motorcycle travel fascination
   The current issue of Touratech's customer magazine Travel Time rightly deserves to be called "Extra Large". In addition to 100 pages of exciting topics, there is an extensive catalogue section. Embedded in fascinating motorcycle travel themes, new products as well as popular evergreens are presented in a compact way. This attractive environment allows an even more emotional appeal to readers and generates maximum attention for the Parts.
    
   The best products in seven catalogue sections
   In the brand new issue, a total of seven catalogue sections focus on the most important products from Touratech's wide range of products. Parts for popular volume models such as the BMW R 1250 GS or Yamaha Ténéré 700, new and tried-and-tested products from the rider equipment sector, the extensive range of extremely rugged soft luggage, the Touratech comfort seats, the field of suspension tuning, which is particularly attractive for technology fans, and last but not least Touratech's perennial favourite, the ZEGA aluminium luggage systems, are presented in detail. QR codes that can be easily scanned with a smartphone link directly to the corresponding landing page in the online store.
   This international version is available in English language as printed version as well as online version.
   Get your copy!

4. How Will VR Change the Motorcycle Hobby?

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 21st Feb 2023

   Virtual Reality technology has enabled us to explore far-flung locations that we might never have been able to visit, which is great for people with a motorcycle hobby who don’t get much time to get out on the open road.

   VR headsets, software and devices have allowed motorcycle fanatics to continue enjoying their hobby in a much cheaper and more convenient way. Find out more about how VR will change the motorcycle hobby right here.

   How is VR changing the motorcycle hobby?  

   People who enjoy motorcycling as a hobby often have to plan out ways to reach desirable locations well in advance, which means finding anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days or more.

   These same people tend to work long hours, therefore, don’t get too much time to indulge in their passion for going out on the open road. VR technology is changing this.

   Thanks to the latest developments in VR headsets and other cutting-edge VR technology, motorcyclists looking to get away can now experience being out on the open road from the comfort of their homes.

   It means they get to spend more time with the family and can still enjoy their favourite pastime. It may not be the same as being on a motorcycle taking in the Scottish Highlands, the African Wilderness, the Mountains of Nepal, or the Australian outback, but it’s the next best thing, and it’s becoming extremely popular.

   Are VR casinos a thing? You can now take up more hobbies thanks to VR technology, one of which is VR casinos. You can enjoy online poker at today’s best VR casinos, although they are still not yet as good as live dealer casinos from award-winning software providers, such as Evolution Gaming, Playtech, NetEnt, and Pragmatic Play.

   What are the best VR headsets in 2023?

   If you’re looking to see what all the fuss is about and get your hands on a VR headset in 2023, then you may want to consider investing in one of these top-of-the-range devices before purchasing any other VR headsets.

   Some of the best VR headsets on the market today are the following impressive devices:

   ● Valve Index VR Kit – this innovative piece of kit will set you back around $1,000, and it’s regarded by many as the best PC VR headset for gamers
   
   ● Meta Quest 2 – you can get your hands on this all-round relatively affordable device for just $400, and it’s a huge hit with most people

   ● HTC VIVE Pro 2 – this top-of-the-range headset costs just over $1,280, but if you want the best of the best, this is the device for you

   ● HP Reverb G2 – if you’re looking for a decent device for less than $400, then you may want to invest in this for just $380

   Honourable mentions

   One of the other reliable VR devices on the market today is the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite. If you’re looking for something much cheaper, you may want a headset you can hook up to your smartphone or Nintendo Switch.

   Examples include the BNEXT VR Headset, which is compatible with iPhone and Android phones, the OIVO VR Headset, which is compatible with the Nintendo Switch, and the VR Shinecon Virtual Reality Headset.

   You also have the Pansonite VR Headset with remote control, the Viotek Spectre VR headset for most smartphones, the PlayStation VR Marvel’s Iron Man VR Bundle, and Atlasonix VR Headset, and the Oivo VR headset for the Nintendo Switch, to name just a few great VR devices.

   Top 5 motorcycle destinations in the world

   If you aren’t yet convinced by VR headsets and would prefer to visit some of the world’s best motorcycle road trip destinations in person, there are several highly recommended locations you should add to your bucket list. They include the following:

   ● Australia’s Oxley Highway

   ● Spain/Morocco’s Granada to Marrakech

   ● America’s Pacific Coast Highway  

   ● Wales’s Historic Coastline

   ● Nepal’s Kathmandu to Mount Everest Base Camp

   People are also fond of several other top locations, such as the Pan American Highway in South Peru, Paso de San Francisco in Argentina, and even the Coast of Britain.

   If that’s not enough to keep you going, you also have Dalton Highway in Alaska, the Valley of the Rocks in the Bolivian Andes, Salar de Uyuni (the Salt Flats), which is also in Bolivia, and Cairo to Khartoum in Egypt / Sudan.

   Preparing your trip to any of these destinations will take months of planning, but don’t forget that plenty of helpful websites can help do all the hard work for you and take the stress out of the planning part of the operation.

    

    

    

    

   article supplied

5. The Best Biker Cafes In The UK

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 14th Feb 2023

   There are some excellent cafes scattered around the UK, and some are better than others in terms of the meals they serve up and the general hospitality on offer. However, some cafes go the extra mile and not only welcome bikers but are geared towards groups of bikers stopping by. And we have the lowdown on the best of them below.

   Super Sausage Café    

   The Super Sausage Café, which is located on the A5 close to Potterspury, is the number one biker café in the whole of the UK in the eyes of many. You know a place means business when it wins awards, and this place has won multiple. For the owners, everything they do revolves around quality, from the equipment they use to the food they serve, as part of a process. The café’s hospitality is also great as visitors can tuck into a fantastic breakfast, read the paper, and even looking at the latest news for all the latest GP events at any of the trusted online sportsbetting sites.

   The Old Brewery Cafe   

   The Old Brewery Cafe is an interesting inclusion because it’s based at Moto Corsa in Gillingham, which is a state-of-the-art showroom described as “the home of rare & exceptional motorcycles.” Now, in our opinion, this place could very well be the stuff dreams are made of for bikers because not only can they check out some great rides, they can then head into The Old Brewery Cafe and enjoy some excellent food too. It’s essentially the perfect combination, especially for those who have to travel a bit of a way to get there or for bikers who are in the market to make a new purchase.

   Harry’s Café  

   We think The Old Brewery Cafe and the link-up with Moto Corsa is so fantastic that the next inclusion on this list follows suit.  
   Harry’s Café is another place perfect for bikers to dine that is attached to a bike shop, and this time it’s Fowlers of Bristol where the magic occurs. At Fowler’s of Bristol, which is, of course, based in Bristol, there is everything a biker could ever want or need, from kit through to motorcycles themselves. And then, in what is an impressive building, there is Harry’s Café, where all the traditional biker fare is available to eat in or take away.  

   Penny Garth Café     

   Penny Garth Café is the final entry on this list, and in many ways, it takes somewhat of a different approach to the other inclusions, which makes it the perfect way to end. Penny Garth Café is in the ideal location of Hawes in North Yorkshire because those riding through the Yorkshire Dales will find it en route. It’s smaller than the other cafés listed in one sense , ut larger than a lot of cafés, with seating outdoors and plenty of bike parking available. Everything they serve, from breakfasts to cakes, is great, and the added touch of a 24-hour webcam allowing bikers to determine the weather before travelling is fantastic.

    

    

    

    

    

   article supplied