Category: Random

1. Indian Motorcycle Rally initiative launched to UK & Eire owners

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 28th Jun 2022

   Indian Motorcycle has launched an initiative aimed at incentivising owners to get out and ride more this summer, with the introduction of the Indian Motorcycle Rally programme.

   With entry available to any existing Indian Motorcycle owner, and as part of the brand’s Indian Motorcycle Riders Group, owners who participate are challenged to visit all 20 UK and Eire dealerships up until Nov 30, gaining stamps on their unique Indian Motorcycle Rally Passport, recording their journey mileage with a national ranking to reward the highest number of stages and miles completed.

   Claire D’auria of Indian Motorcycle UK announced the UK’s inclusion in the programme, commenting, “The Indian Motorcycle Rally programme is running right across Europe, and so we are delighted to offer our UK and Eire customers the chance to participate.

   “Ultimately, it’s an excuse to get out and ride, but it’s a great way for the IMR community to come together and visit different parts of the country. Riders can even get in touch with the local IMRG before their ride to find out about places of interest and great roads along the way.”

   Indian Motorcycle owners interested in participating can register for free on https://indianmotorcyclerally.eu/UK/discover.php, then log each of their journeys after receiving their Indian Motorcycle Rally passport (provided by the local Indian Motorcycle dealer) via a stamp at each dealership visit.

   The Rally is open to owners of all Indian Motorcycle models who are also registered with Indian Motorcycle Riders (IMR) and runs until the 30th November 2022.

2. Cool Down 2 and Warm Up 2: Ducati's new products in the technical base layer sector

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 28th Jun 2022

   • Ducati presents new product lines of technical base layer garments designed in collaboration with Aquafil, a leading company in the sector
   • The garments are made with Dryarn®, an innovative microfibre that guarantees optimal breathability and keeps the body always dry and at the correct temperature in both the hottest and the most rigid climates
   • The Ducati Apparel collection is available at dealerships in the Ducati network and on the Shop.Ducati.com website

   Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 23 June 2022 - Ducati presents the new Cool Down 2 and Warm Up 2 technical base layer product lines. Created in collaboration with Aquafil, a global leader in the production of synthetic fibres, the lines consist of products designed to be worn under jackets, trousers or helmets to increase the rider's thermal comfort. The garments of the Ducati technical base layer collection are made of lightweight fabric and created without seams in order to eliminate irritation and discomfort from rubbing.

   The products of the Cool Down 2 and Warm Up 2 lines are made with Dryarn®, an innovative microfibre born from the tradition and experience of Aquafil. In addition to being the lightest fibre existing in nature, Dryarn® is water repellent, breathable, bacteriostatic and dermatologically tested. Thanks to its low specific weight, this microfibre makes it possible to produce extremely light garments, while maintaining the thermal insulation capacity. The same product made of Dryarn® can weigh -32% compared to the wool equivalent and -34% compared to the equivalent polyester garment.

   As the latest generation Activewear garments, the new Ducati collection stands out for its breathability and thermoregulation. Excellent breathability is guaranteed by the differentiated fabric structure, which absorbs excess moisture, prevents sweat from flowing and causes it to evaporate, eliminating it completely, to always leave the skin dry. Thermoregulation is ensured by the Dryarn® microfibre structure, which creates a breathable barrier while maintaining the correct microclimate of the body.

   The Cool Down 2 line, designed for sporty use on the track or on the road, includes items which have cooling, anti-sweat and anti-odour properties. The Cool Down 2 line is made up of garments designed specifically for motorcycle use, ideal for enjoying every curve even on the hottest days. Among the items in the line are technical t-shirts (long, short or sleeveless), balaclavas and technical socks.

   The technical t-shirts, designed by Drudi Performance, combine an attractive design with excellent performance in terms of lightness, elasticity and breathability. They are equipped with areas with a new large-mesh construction to optimize body transpiration and eliminate excess heat in the areas of greatest perspiration.

   The new Cool Down 2 balaclava by Drudi Performance is ideal for hot climates and summer seasons. It is equipped with highly breathable micro-mesh zones that regulate the temperature and allow you to stay dry while guaranteeing excellent technical comfort and high breathability.

   The tech socks make breathability and freshness their strong points. The selected materials, in addition to ensuring good thermal comfort and perfect expulsion of sweat even on the hottest days, ensure comfort and feeling while riding, thanks to the reinforced areas with a specific design for motorcycle use.

   The Warm Up 2 line, designed for sport-touring and road use, includes items that are the ideal allies for enjoying every ride to the fullest and not giving up on fun and riding pleasure even when the temperatures get colder. The collection includes long-sleeve thermal t-shirt and pants, balaclava and thermal socks.

   The long-sleeve technical t-shirt and thermal pants, by Drudi Performance, represent an ideal combination of comfort, elasticity and breathability. They are equipped with areas with a new large-mesh construction, which optimize body transpiration and eliminate excess heat in the areas of greatest perspiration. The high-quality fibres of these garments guarantee thermal insulation towards the outside, absorbing moisture and sweat before they touch the skin.

   The modern and functional Warm Up 2 balaclava is a perfect travel companion on the coldest days. The optimized design protects the neck, temples and chin from the wind and, combined with the performance of the Dryarn® fibre, hinders the dispersion of heat and insulates from the outside.

   The tech socks are designed to guarantee the best thermal comfort even at the coldest temperatures. The composition of the foot in merino wool guarantees warmth and breathability. The optimized design features strengthened zones, with a specific design for motorcycle use.

   The Ducati Apparel collection is available at the dealership network of the Borgo Panigale company and on the Shop.Ducati.com website.

   #DucatiApparel #Ducati2022

3. Biggest Risks of Motorcycle Riding and How to Avoid Them

   Posted on 11:00am Thursday 23rd Jun 2022

   If you’re travelling by road, then you’re at a small risk of suffering an accident. This risk varies depending on where you’re travelling, and by what vehicle. Statistically speaking, motorcyclists are in the greatest danger. When you’re on two wheels, you’re not only more likely to be involved in a collision – you’re also more likely to suffer injury and death. While you can claim compensation after suffering a serious brain injury, you can’t easily reverse the damage.  

   For motorcyclists, therefore, taking the time to identify the biggest dangers is more than worthwhile. Let’s take a look at a few of the most notorious.

   Biggest Danagers to Motorcyclists on the Road

   Oncoming traffic is undoubtedly the biggest danager that motorcyclists face. If you’re involved in a head-on collision, then you’ll have be exposed to twice the force as if you’d hit the same object at double the speed (assuming that you’re travelling at the same speed as the other vehicle). While passengers and drivers in cars have a lot of protective structures around them, motorcyclists aren’t so fortunate. Even a minor impact can knock you off the bike.

   Junctions are another source of danger. Drivers might not have noticed you – they have multiple demands on their attention when they’re waiting to turn. That’s assuming they haven’t taken the opportunity to take out their phones.

   Overbraking is something that’s likely to throw you over the handlebars. While it might be nececssary to avoid a collission, sudden stopping is something that can pose a danger in itself.

   Car doors are another thing that can take you out when they’re opened unexpecetedly. This is something that’s particularly troubling in cities.

   Finally, we should worry about the condition of the road surface. Grit, gravel and rainwater can all reduce your traction. Gravel in particular can cause the bike to highside – which is a sudden and often deadly rotation of the bike.

   How to Avoid an Accident

   The easiest way to avoid an accident on your bike is to reduce your speed. The slower you’re going, the more easily you’ll be able to react to some of the threats we’ve mentioned.

   You should also be sure that you’re wearing the appopriate safety gear. This includes a helmet, as well as boots, gloves, leathers and body armor.

   You should also be sure that your bike is in good condition. This means regularly assessing your tyre pressures, changing the oils, and testing the brakes. If you’re practiced doing emergency stops. It’ll be less likely that you get thrown off. We should also mention that, in a disproportionate number of motorcycle casualties, drink-driving has been a factor. If you know you’re going to be getting in the saddle, then you should limit your alcohol consumption to zero. Don’t take any chances!

    

    

   article supplied

4. Bulgari x Ducati: an exclusive collaboration that revolutionizes the standards of luxury sports watches

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 26th May 2022

   • Ducati and Bulgari sign a new partnership based on shared values of lightness, technology, design and passion for beauty
   • The Bulgari Aluminium Ducati Special Edition chronograph redefines the standards of luxury sports watches with unconventional materials and exclusive colors
   • Produced in a limited series of one thousand pieces, the watch is personalized with the Ducati brand and carries an engraving on the case back

   Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 19 May 2022 - Ducati and Bulgari announce a new partnership, a collaboration between two Italian icons in their respective worlds who share a common vision of innovation and design, as well as a great passion for beauty.

   The collaboration gives birth to the Bulgari Aluminium Ducati Special Edition chronograph, an elegant sports watch produced in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces that celebrates the union between the jewellery Maison and the iconic Italian motorcycle manufacturer. A combination of excellence, performance and passion.

   The Bulgari Aluminium Ducati Special Edition redefines the standards of what a luxury sports watch can be. The chronograph presents a stunning dial in Ducati red color and three counters with a sporty style inspired by the Ducati rev counter graphics: black background, white indexes, red sphere. The hour markers also refer to the aesthetics of the Italian motorcycle manufacturer.

   Andrea Ferraresi, Ducati Centro Stile Director: "The collaboration with Bulgari is based on many elements that we have in common, first and foremost the fact that it is another Italian brand for which design is much more than a corporate asset, it is a true raison d'être. The quest for lightness, obsessive attention to detail, the use of fine materials and the creation of a distinctive and immediately recognizable design are the values that have inspired us in this project. Working on this project with Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, Bulgari's Product Creation Executive Director, whom I have known for 15 years, was a way of bringing together our passions: motorbikes and high-end watchmaking."

   Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, Bulgari's Product Creation Executive Director: "I had a great pleasure to visit once again the Ducati factory in Borgo Panigale in Italy and exchange with Andrea Ferraresi, discussing the many parallels between motorbikes and watches, our common passion for the beauty of the mechanics and the Italian design approach. For this special collaboration the Bulgari Aluminium model was a natural choice due to its combination of materials, sporty character and iconic look. The red color and the recognizable font that we use for the numerals on the dial are a nod to the captivating universe of Ducati motorbikes."

   Made of unconventional materials, the watch features a 40 mm diameter aluminum case with the iconic bezel and bracelet in black rubber, while the crown and chronograph pushers are made of titanium. The chronograph is water-resistant to 100 meters and the mechanical automatic BVL 130 movement, beating inside at the rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour, ensures tenth-of-a-second accuracy.

   The titanium case back, with anti-wear DLC treatment, is personalized with the Ducati brand and production number, to attest to the uniqueness of the limited edition piece. The watch is delivered in a special anodized aluminium case with rubber interior and soft touch finish, bearing the signatures of the two brands Ducati and Bulgari.

   For Ducati the collaboration with another Italian brand such as Bulgari is an occasion to celebrate the excellence of Made in Italy. At the same time, this represents an opportunity to offer to passionate Ducatisti experiences and products outside of the motorcycling world that enhance beauty, technology and passion.

   The Bulgari Aluminium Ducati Special Edition chronograph is already available for sale in Bulgari stores and with authorized retailers as well as on the brand's website.

5. Motorcycle safety campaign Live Fast Die Old launches new film

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 23rd May 2022

   The new film from motorcycle safety campaign Live Fast Die Old by The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland^*, launched today.   

   Part of the campaign’s Breathtaking Roads series, the film highlights the thrill of riding while also reminding bikers to enjoy Scotland’s roads safely.

   Despite accounting for less than 1% of all road traffic in Scotland bikers account for 7% of casualties¹, with bends and overtaking among the riskiest manoeuvres. ²

   Shot on the scenic Isle of Skye, the short film uses striking slo-mo footage to highlight the importance of considering the entire picture and every potential hazard before making the decision to overtake. It urges bikers exploring Scotland’s roads to ‘take your time to take it all in’.

   The film is available to watch here – Watch the Breathtaking Roads film

   The film can be downloaded here – Download the Breathtaking Roads film

   The dedicated Live Fast Die Old website and Facebook page offer rich and engaging content, with films and blogs from Scottish bikers sharing first-hand experience and tips with peers, as well as route inspiration and best practice advice. 

   To find out more about the campaign and join the conversation, visit the Live Fast Die Old website www.livefastdieold.scot or Facebook page - facebook.com/livefastdieoldscotland

   The Live Fast Die Old campaign is looking for bikers across Scotland to get involved by sharing their experience, advice, top routes and ride-out tips with other bikers. If you’d like to be part of the campaign, follow Live Fast Die Old on Facebook and or get in touch on [email protected].
   
   

    

   *Road Safety Scotland is part of Transport Scotland

    

   ¹ Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030 (February 2021)

    

   ² Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2020 (October 2021)