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- 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.
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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)
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Nationwide roadside rescue and recovery operator Start Rescue is warning bikers they must take a moment to check their pride and joy before taking to the road, with more than 40 motorcyclists hurt every day on UK roads according to Department for Transport.
The DfT’s shocking statistics show that despite only accounting for one per cent of traffic on UK roads, motorcyclists made up 20 per cent of road deaths in 2020. Fortunately, fatalities are much reduced from 1979 when over 1,000 bikers lost their lives; in 2020 that figure was down to 285. Lockdown has reduced these figures further but with spring upon us, bikers are once again taking to the roads.
Start Rescue recognises that many accidents are caused not just by other motorists’ poor motorcycle awareness on the roads, but also by motorcycle owners’ poor maintenance and neglect of their machines. With summer approaching and the roads starting to dry out, many bikers are opening their garage doors and dusting off their precious two-wheeled steed.
Lee Puffett, Managing Director of Start Rescue, said: “We’re blessed with some great roads in this country, but too many bikers are left stranded by poor preparation. While Start Rescue can help recover a broken bike and rider, it’s better to be prepared. A mechanical mishap on a bike isn’t just inconvenient – it can be dangerous for the rider and other road users.”
Lee continues: “Storing a bike in a lockup or garage during winter is a sensible way of protecting it from the elements (particularly road salt) but it doesn’t guarantee reliability once the weather warms up. Old batteries can fail, even if they’re disconnected. Trickle charging can recover some batteries, but a new replacement guarantees starting on the button (or kick-starter).”
Lee understands that most bikers take great pride in cleaning and polishing their pride and joy, but there are other benefits: “A good clean can highlight any problems hidden by dust – such as leaks and perishing rubber seals or pipes. Likewise, any corrosion that’s starting to take hold will be obvious with a sponge rubbed across it. Give the chain some spray lubrication after a clean to preserve it.“
Start Rescue urges all bikers to check their tyres carefully. Firstly, the legal tread requirements for motorcycles over 50cc are a minimum of 1mm around the tyre’s entire circumference and across the centre ¾ width of the tyre. For mopeds less than 50cc, all grooves of the original tyre tread must be visible. Start Rescue recommends replacing tyres well before these limits for the sake of safety, but also because the penalty for insufficient tread depth and/or poor general condition can be up to £2,500 fine and three penalty points per tyre. If the tread depth is OK, check for any unusual or uneven wear, eg a bald patch. If the tyre itself is OK, check the pressures are correct.
Finally, consider a refresher course for safer riding. Lee says: “While it’s easy to be dismissive of road rules, accidents often hurt your loved ones more than they hurt the rider - be a safer rider for them. BikeSafe (www.bikesafe.co.uk) is a police-run scheme for post-test training. The content covers attitude, observation, cornering, overtaking, filtering, junctions, group riding, hazard awareness and the system of motorcycle control.”
Checklist for mothballed motorbikes:
- Check tyres: pressures, cracking, tread
- Check brakes – renew old fluid, check pad thickness & disc condition
- Damper condition – any leaking/bad seals, stanchion pitting and scratches
- Frame corrosion/cracking
- Check all lights
- Check fluid levels – oil, coolant, brake fluid
- Lubricate the chain
- Consider a service if the bike has been stored a long time
Editor’s notes:
www.startrescue.co.uk is a trading style of Call Assist Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and has been providing breakdown services on behalf of many brands for the past 23 years. Call Assist currently services more than 2 million policyholders through a large network of approved recovery agents throughout the UK and a further network in Europe.
Accident statistics taken from the following publications:
www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-provisional-estimates-year-ending-june-2021/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-provisional-estimates-year-ending-june-2021
www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-annual-report-2020/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-annual-report-2020
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Having a motorcycle and a camper is a dream come true for traveling around the country. One of the best things about it is the freedom to explore the country and go to places that you might not see otherwise. The only thing that can potentially ruin this dream is if the motorcycle can't go where you want to go. So, here are some tips on picking the right RV and loading your bike to make your dream vacation a reality. 
Inspect and repair your vehicle before making it pull the trailer
First of all, it is crucial to have your vehicle in good working condition before you attempt to tow a trailer. Do not rely on your vehicle's factory-installed system, and make sure that your RV and tow vehicle are compatible. Make sure to follow the Ford E-Series Van service manual if you're using that vehicle or any other to make repairs the correct way.
Whether you're towing your vehicle behind your motorcycle or towing the motorcycle behind your vehicle, a qualified technician should inspect your vehicle and trailer rig before you hit the road.
Choose your routes
There are many options for you when traveling with your motorcycle. You can take your bike on a plane if you are going long distances, or if you are traveling short distances, you can drive your motorcycle on a trailer. When you are traveling with your motorcycle, you need to consider how much it weighs and how much you can carry. If you are only going to be traveling with a small amount of gear, you will need to rent a trailer in order to transport it. Always remember to plan your trip and check the weather before you leave.
If you are planning a trip, you want to make sure to plan everything out in advance. The last thing you want is to run into a situation and not know where to go or what to do. Plan out your trip and know that you will be able to get to your destination in comfort. If you are planning a long trip, you may want to seek out a place to rest your head at night. You can search for campgrounds online, or you can check out RV parks. You may want to consider getting a generator for your campsite. This will give you the electricity to run a few appliances in your RV.
Planning is definitely the most important aspect of any trip or vacation. You should find a destination and plan your route. Once you've found a destination and planned your route, you need to make sure that you have all of the necessary supplies you will need.
Pick an RV that is suitable for your bike
For most people, the decision of whether to purchase an RV is fairly easy. It's an expensive purchase, so most people want to be absolutely sure they want the lifestyle before they commit a large sum of money. But when you add a motorcycle to the equation, things become a lot more complicated. Not only do you need to find an RV that will meet your needs, but you also need to find one that will be able to tow your motorcycle.
You should pick a motorhome that is suitable for your motorcycle. If your bike is too big, it will not be able to fit. You can check the motorhome's floor plan to see the dimensions. Also, ensure there is enough space to store your motorcycle. Most vehicles can store your bike in a separate compartment, or you can use a tow bar to tow it behind the vehicle.
Use the right kind of mount or lift for mounting a motorcycle
If you are living in an RV, traveling with a motorcycle can be tough. You have to find ways to get the motorcycle up onto the RV. If you have a motorcycle and you are an RV owner, then you have probably found a way to transport your motorcycle with your RV. There are many different ways to do this, but you have to think about your safety first. You want to make sure that your motorcycle is secure so you don't have to worry about it falling off the back of your RV.
Prep your RV
Are you a motorcycle enthusiast heading out with your bike in tow? RVing with your bike is a great way to experience the freedom of the road. However, there are some things to consider when preparing for your trip. You need to make sure your RV is prepared to hold your bike, and you need to make sure your bike is prepared to be on the road for a long period of time. Before you strap your bike to the roof of your RV, make sure it's in good working order and that you have all the parts you need. If you're not mechanically inclined, find someone to help you out. Also, make sure that your bike is in good working order and that you have all the parts and equipment you need for a cross-country trip.
You can't just toss your motorcycle in the back of your RV and hit the open road. You need to make sure that your motorcycle and vehicle are compatible (not all are) and that you have all the items you need to transport your bike. If you are purchasing a tow vehicle to haul your motorcycle, be sure to get a vehicle that has plenty of horsepower, towing capacity, and room for your bike and equipment.
Pack
If you have ever gone camping before, you know that you have to pack a lot of stuff. I mean a lot of stuff. You have to pack clothes, food, a tent, sleeping bags, pillows, a cooler, a stove, pots, pans, and a million other things.
The first things you need to pack are your motorcycle and your belongings. You can use a traditional trailer to transport your motorcycle and your belongings, but it's best to use a tow-behind trailer with a motorcycle carrier on it. You can find a good tow-behind trailer at most major retailers, such as Walmart.
article supplied
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- Ben launches new Social Anxiety support program for Mental Health Awareness Week
- Launch forms part of a wider campaign to combat loneliness in automotive community
- Loneliness on the rise, with 1 in 3 automotive people admitting to feeling lonely
Today, May 9th, marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK and this year Ben, the automotive industry charity, is shining a light on one of the leading causes of mental health issues – loneliness.
Following two years of disruption and periods of social isolation caused by the pandemic, loneliness became, in itself, an epidemic. We were all separated for long periods of time from our wider circles of friends, family and work colleagues. And, even though we are now emerging from the depths of the pandemic, it is clear that many of us have found the social restrictions hugely challenging.
Social anxiety is playing a major role in the rise of loneliness. Naturally, now that COVID restrictions have eased, social interactions are returning to ‘normal’ – but for many, a sudden return to socialising is also a daunting prospect. Social anxiety makes it difficult for people to meet socially with others, to reach out for help and to maintain relationships – which, in turn, contributes to loneliness.
Ben’s recent Health and Wellbeing survey placed this issue in sharp focus – of those in the automotive industry who were surveyed, 31% confessed to having suffered from loneliness – a huge increase of 23% from the previous year. Loneliness saw a staggering increase in the over 45s, factory workers, and among those who have retired from the industry, while 1 in 2 automotive workers confirmed that they have issues managing their mental health – indicating that mental health struggles in the automotive industry are more prevalent than in the general population.
To support those who are struggling with social anxiety and loneliness, Ben has launched a new ‘Space from Social Anxiety’ program on the SilverCloud platform – designed specifically to help people find out about symptoms, understand its causes and develop coping strategies to manage their social anxiety.
The program, as with all of Ben’s SilverCloud programs, is completely free, easy to use and can be worked through at your own pace in your own time – using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques to develop coping strategies to help deal with life’s challenges.
Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben, said: “If you suffer from loneliness, you are not alone. Our recent survey highlighted the huge impact that COVID has had on the mental health of our community and loneliness and social anxiety have risen sharply over the past twelve months.
“Our industry is one of the most affected by mental health issues, so we want everyone in the automotive community to know that while they may feel alone, they aren’t. We are here, ready to help and support them through whatever challenges life may be throwing at them right now and in the future.
“Social anxiety and loneliness can be managed and we have a number of ways we can support people who are struggling, including our new SilverCloud program ‘Space from Social Anxiety. During Mental Health Awareness week, we want to reach out to our automotive family and offer them a helping hand. You don’t have to face loneliness or social anxiety alone.”
To sign up to the SilverCloud Space from Social Anxiety programme, click here or for more hints and tips on how to tackle social anxiety, visit www.ben.org.uk
When any member of our automotive family is struggling or in crisis, we all rally to support them.
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