Biker News - Regularly updated

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  1. Charley Boorman to ride in South America with Compass Expeditions

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    Charley Boorman, renowned adventure motorcyclist, TV presenter and documentary maker have today announced a collaboration with Compass Expeditions, one of the world’s leading Adventure Bike Tour companies.

    Working with Compass Expeditions for the last four years offering adventure tours across Australia, Charley has been impressed with their professionalism, their spirit and their passion for motorcycles and motorcycle touring.

    “Our adventure rides into the Outback and Tasmania have been so popular, we’ve now decided to use the same model in South America and Africa. Our groups just can’t get enough and keep coming back for more. Compass have that adventure magic and I’m looking forward to 2016 as we ride across Australia again and, later in the year, South America and Africa.” Charley said.

    Charley will also be offering African adventure tours with Compass, with dates to be announced in 2016. His extensive experience of riding in Africa along with his friend and business partner, Billy (Biketruck) Ward, means that riders can be assured of that trip of a lifetime – along with the thrill of sharing stories and adventures with one of the world’s leading characters in the adventure motorcycling fraternity.

    “Compass are proud and excited to be working with Charley and to be extending the Boorman rides to cover South America and the African continent. His character, his riding skill and his manner have exceeded all expectations. With enthusiastic clients returning year on year, we’re confident that Charley Boorman, together with the Billy Biketruck ingredient, will guarantee that trip of a lifetime.”

    Compass Expeditions has experienced continued growth over the last eight years to become one of the world’s best-known motorcycle tour companies. Today Compass offer twenty-five motorcycle tours in thirty-six countries on four continents with offices in Chile, Peru and Australia plus a sales team that spans the globe. With fleets of motorcycles, professional guides and support vehicles they are truly a world leader in the industry.

    Information about Charley Boorman - www.charleyboorman.com
    Information about Compass Expeditions - www.compassexpeditions.com

  2. Dream Racer Nominated against Brad Pitt's Film, Hitting the Apex‏

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    After winning the Best Feature Film Award in New York at the 2015 Motorcycle Film Festival (Sept 23-27th, 2015), Dream Racer is now being nominated at the 2016 Portland Motorcycle Film Festival (Jan 29-30th).

    This festival is packed with great films including Moto 7 featuring the best Motocross and Supercross riders in the world, the IOM TT - a legendary 37.7 mile race on the Isle of Man, and the new Hitting the Apex Film narrated by Brad Pitt featuring world's champs Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez, Dani Pedrosa, Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, as well as the late Marco Simoncelli.

    "We are excited to showcase a different kind of extreme racing with Dream Racer and the Dakar Rally - and to be against such great productions is an honour. However Dream Racer is a case of David against Goliath(s) in every sense of the word, but we trust that the depth of the Dream Racer story will win the heart of the audience" says Christophe Barriere-Varju (the subject of the film).

    Dream Racer won awards in Los Angeles, Barcelona, New Delhi, Milan, and New York, and has been internationally acclaimed by its viewers worldwide (read testimonials).

    The Dream Racer story is based on the famous Dakar Rally, the most extreme and dangerous race on earth where racers brave extreme temperature in the harshest deserts on the planet. A 15 days, 10,000km (6,200 miles) desert race dubbed insanity on wheels where each year since 1979, and with an attrition rate of 50%, racers facing injuries and death attempt the impossible.

    The Dream Racer film shows The Dakar Rally in  its purest form – no sponsors, no multi-million dollar team, not even a  mechanic – just one man, a motorbike, his tool-roll, and the world’s  most dangerous motor race. Far more than just a motorbike movie, Dream Racer is a call to arms for anyone who has ever dreamt of doing anything – a spine tingling antidote to the fear of life passing you by unfulfilled.

    All of us have dreams and desires, but sometimes they remain just that, dreams, lost in a schedule of a tomorrow that never comes. Dream Racer is a story of dreams, determination, and extreme resilience to make it happen at all cost - a story guaranteed to make you question your real purpose in life.

    Dream Racer has also been subtitled in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German and Russian and is available for acquisition by TV Networks. Dream Racer is available worldwide on DVD, Blu-Ray, and Video-on-Demand at www.dreamracer.tv

  3. New laws for Motorcycling in France

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    From 1st January 2016 it will be compulsory for all motorcyclists to carry Gilet de haute Visibilité (High Visibility Vest to those not fluent in French ;) ) and wear them in the event of an emergency/breakdown, whilst in France. 

    A fine of €11 will be given if you are spot checked by police and you do not have one carried on your motorcycle and if you are not wearing it at the roadside (in the event of a breakdown/emergency and/or on the hard shoulder) the fine is €135. Please note this also applies to the pillion passenger.     Farmyard Party, Sexy Marshall

    This issue has been talked about for a few years, but with protests from the FFMC – French Federation of Angry Bikers, the (former) French Interior Minister, Claude Guéant did not implement it and for a time compulsory reflective straps around the arm were worn instead. However with a rise in road deaths on French roads the law has been brought in. 

    Other rules

    Motorcycles must display dipped headlights (even in broad daylight - Ed; "Harley owners will be happy then!"), along with carrying a full set of replacement bulbs. 

    French law also states you have reflective stickers on your helmet - (four of) front, back and one on each side. We have found that this is a French law and not a European law, meaning it 'should' only apply to a French citizen and with a motorcycle registered in France, however would you really want to argue this fact in your pigeon French to the local Gendarme on a summer afternoon in a picturesque village?

    Great riding and Biker Friendly Places to stay

    Wheather it is your first trip to France and you are to explore the historical and emotional WW1 and WW2 sites, museums and war graves in Normandy, or you are heading down to the South of France, for the renowned Mediterranean coastline, give yourself time to enjoy the lovely minor roads, quaint villages and open countryside - avoiding the fast pasted motorways and saving the cost of the tolls!

    It may be tempting to just pack your kit-bag onto your bike and just head off, however it is the experienced traveller that plans the routes and where to stay prior and in this modern age it has never been easier...

    For example if you give yourself a daily how many miles you want to travel, along with places you really want to visit/stop at, you can then plan your route via Google Maps, pin-pointing an area you wish to stay and then source the accommodation prior. Many do like to just be spontaneous, however once you have ridden in France, during bad weather or when a festive/bank holiday was on and have tried to find room in the proverbial Inn, you will wish you had planned and booked prior.

    Once the route is planned and places to stay booked, you can then load this information onto a Sat-Nav to help you get there. We are not saying to purely use this technology to get you there alone, however it is a far easier (and safer) way to tour on roads you do not know, with a plan and schedual to adhere to. 

    On THE BIKER GUIDE we have lots of Biker Friendly Accommodation in France and many with British owners who are happy to give advice on routes, where to go and more...

    Countryside Holidays in France, on the beach

    A day at the beach, from Countryside Holidays in France

     

    A Low Emission Zone has also been introduced in Paris, initially affecting only older (Euro 1) trucks and buses. Restrictions will be extended to all older vehicles from 1 July 2016 and tightened progressively between 2017 and 2020.

    More information for Urban Road TollsTraffic Limited Zones and Traffic Restrictions to improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion and make historic city centres attractive to tourists can be found on www.urbanaccessregulations.eu

  4. Kawasaki UK re-launch Team Green for the 2016 race season‏

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    Kawasaki UK re-launch Team Green for the 2016 race season‏

    After a record breaking season for Kawasaki, which includes winning the World Superbike Championship, the Manufacturer’s Championship at British and World level and being top of the table in Superstock 1000 and 600, Kawasaki UK has today launched Team Green – a banner to cover both the on-road and off-road racing efforts at all levels.

    Originally launched back in the 1980s by Alec Wright – Racing Manager at Kawasaki Motors UK Ltd – Team Green represented the pinnacle of racing. Back in the day, Team Green became the name on everyone’s lips and something everyone wanted to be part of, both on the dirt and tarmac, and success followed with John Reynolds winning one 600 Championship and two 750 titles and other riders sweeping the board winning all the UK schoolboy championships plus the AMCA 125 and 250 titles in 1985.

    In 2013, Team Green Youth MX Team was launched and represented Kawasaki UK at all major British Youth Championships. There was success on track with the team winning the Small Wheel 85 Championship in 2013 and the Big Wheel 85 Championship in 2014.

    Mark Spiller, Kawasaki UK Marketing and Brand Development Manager, said: “Racing has always been an indulgence and the personal pleasure of many and that is certainly very true of all at Kawasaki Motors UK. However, the KMUK Team Green approach to racing includes more than the action on the track. We have reinstated the values of the past and this means we operate in a true working partnership with all our officially supported teams at every level.”

    “2015 saw the re-launch of Team Green in the UK, an umbrella brand supporting all UK off-road race activities from Youth to GP’s. Team Green is a community that introduces the Kawasaki brand to the youngsters at club level, providing the “ladder of opportunity” to help achieve aspirations and remain with the family at every level of the sport.”

    For the 2016 season, all on-road and off-road teams will be under the Team Green umbrella, a term that also covers the Team Green Sport partners, including: stunt performer Lee Bowers and Freestyle MX rider Jamie Squibb as well as Team Green Kids Ambassador seven-year-old, Lottie Trenchard.

    Ross Burridge, Senior Racing Co-ordinator, said: “We’ve created a team that’s very much akin to how Team Green was in the 80s and 90s in that the riders – despite some being young – operate in a very professional manner. This has helped, not only our success on track, but also created a desire for many other riders to want to be a part of it. For 2016, I’m personally very excited to see Team Green feature in the road racing scene too with GBMoto and I feel that the ethos of Team Green will be replicated at the highest level of road racing in the UK. Roll on 2016.”

    With the Ninja 300 Cup run by the British Motorcycle Racing Club entering its fifth season, now known as ‘The Team Green Junior Cup’, and with Team Green being represented in a number of British Championships – including: Superbike, Superstock 1000 and 600 and Supersport – and across a number of off-road disciplines, Kawasaki is the team on track to watch out for in 2016.

    Keep up to date with the latest Team Green news on the website at: www.kawasaki.co.uk

  5. Devitt Insurance Survey: The State of the UK Biking Nation in 2015

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    Background

    New motorcycle registrations have been growing steadily month-on-month throughout 2015. Devitt Insurance Services created the ‘Biking in Britain’ survey to find out the true state of the biking nation of the UK.

    2,100 UK motorcyclists completed our State of the UK Biking Nation in 2015. Of those respondents, 91.52% were male and 8.48% were female.

    The aim was to give an in depth analysis of the current biking generation covering everything from their demographic and lifestyle choices, their preferred style and type of motorbike, safety concerns and interests.

    Who is your ‘average’ biker? Devitt Insurance Survey - The State of the UK Biking Nation in 2015

    From the ‘Biking in Britain’ survey, it was clear that the overall majority of UK motorcyclists are aged between 40 – 59 (63.38%) and one third of bikers are aged between 50-59 (33.83%).

    Although many people would stereotype motorcycling as a young person’s sport, only 8% of UK motorcyclists are in their twenties.

    Unsurprisingly, with the generation of bikers being more mature, 68.23% have children.

    The most populated area of motorcyclists in the South East (19.05%) of the UK with 12% of bikers using their motorcycling for commuting purposes and 8% to avoid congestion.

    82% of UK motorcyclists are riding ‘for fun’ and 76% for the love of motorbikes.

    Lifestyle

    With 40 – 59 year olds being the favourite to ride it’s unsurprising that 46.19% of motorcyclists have been riding a motorcycle for more than 20 years and 66.56% have an A class motorcycle license.

    Other modes of transports popular with 87.41% of motorcyclists also use a car while 28.53% still can’t get enough of two-wheels and use a bicycle.

    In answer to the question “Why do you ride a motorcycle?” The top response was for fun (82.67%), second came for the love of motorbikes (76.64%) while the third most popular response was for the thrill (51.89%). More mundane reasons for riding a motorbike such as for commuting (46.19%) or to avoid congestion (31.52%) or to save money (19.68%) came 4th, 5th and 6th respectively.

    It is evident that motorcyclists ride for different reasons, for some it was keep the young “Biking keeps me feeling young. You have to ride one to understand.” Other it was all about freedom, “Freedom to go anywhere at any time, cheaply and quickly.”

    Brand and Styles

    The Japanese motorcycle manufacturers rule: Honda (26.56%), Suzuki (19.63%) and Yamaha (19.20%) are the favourite bike brands of approximately two thirds of the UK’s motorcyclists.

    Keeping in the British theme, Triumph remains a leading UK motorcycle manufacturer brand with 15.31% unlike British brands, BSA and Royal Enfield with less than 1% of UK bikers owning one.

    Female motorcyclists in the UK are more likely to be seen riding a Yamaha motorcycle compared to male motorcyclists who are more inclined to be cruising on a Honda.

    Although the overriding favourite brand of all motorcyclists is Honda. Other popular brands for young riders (20 -39) is Suzuki compared to Kawasaki for 40 – 59 year olds. 

    Similarly, when asked what bike they would purchase if money was not object the response to this was hugely eclectic but the three brands that really stood out included Ducati, BMW and Honda.

    The top three styles of motorcycles are sports (24.59%), naked (20.69%) and touring (21.07%).

    Touring styled motorcycles are most popular with the 50 – 59 age group, this could be due to having more time for longer rides and trips on their motorcycles, therefore opting for comfort over speed.

    Sports styled bikers were increasingly more popular with generations aged between 20 – 49 years-old.   

    Safety

    Motorcycle safety is growing concern within the biking community as more and more organisations and companies are promoting ‘all the gear all the time’. It’s law to wear a motorcycle helmet when riding; however no other gear is compulsory.

    94% of motorcyclists wear protective gloves, 91% protective boots and 70% wear protective trousers.

    What was perhaps more surprising were the findings that only 25.01% wear full leathers while a meagre 33.39% of the same wear reflective gear.

    Just over 20% of bikers use a sports pro camera when using their motorcycle. The main reason given by motorcyclists for using a camera is for using it as evidence in case they have an accident.

    Additional training

    69.33% of motorcyclists replied negatively to the question “Have you had any additional motorcycle training?” Of those that have taken additional motorcycle training the top three training organisations were Bike Safe (20.00%), IAM (9.65%) and the Enhanced Rider Scheme (7.41%).

    The top response given for taking additional training was to ‘improve my riding skills’ (58.24%) while to ‘improve my safety’ was the main consideration for 34.45% of respondents.

    To get insurance discounts accounted for only 12.64%, which suggests that some insurers may be missing a trick in not outlining the cost benefits of taking additional training more clearly.

    Motorcycle Insurance and Road Issues

    The response to the question ‘what’s your biggest consideration when buying bike insurance?’ was unequivocally met with the response “price” with 46.25% of respondents. 27.25% of motorcyclists said that the cover benefits played an important role in their ultimate purchasing decision while 15.22% said that the insurance company’s reputation informed their decision.

    Like all groups in society, motorcyclists have their concerns and issues that they would like to see addressed and their main concern in 2015 is listed by 71.29% of bikers as “other road users”. Road conditions is cited by 62.87% of motorcyclists as cause for concern while keeping your bike well maintained (26.71%) and increases in theft (22.56%) were other top ranking worries.

    Do bikers live up to their stereotypes?

    The general consensus for motorcyclists is for them to be males covered in tattoos and have a beard. Devitt Insurance thought they would delve a little deeper to see if this was actually the case.

    39.18% of motorcyclists have a tattoo. Tattoos were most popular with motorcyclists aged between 40 -49 with 36% of them being inked.

    Less than a third of UK bikers have a beard, 27.30%.

    Beards are most popular with male bikers aged between 50-59 years-old, with 151 respondents sporting facial hair.

    Motorcyclist’s musical preference was rock with an overwhelming 75.28%. Many bikers confessed to being pop fans with 40.67% and nearly a third of motorcyclists (30.31%) said that classical music formed part of their music tastes.

    If you have a beard and tattoos, you’re more likely to be seen riding a Harley Davidson or a custom styled motorcycle.

    Biker Favourites

    Nearly half of motorcyclists (47.33%) said they have never been to biker café. Of the more than half of motorcyclists that have gone to a café, the name that was mentioned the most was Ace Café with 21.40%.

    Second and third places went to Squires (10.85%) and Ponderosa Café (9.26%).

    The survey asked which do you think is the best motorcycle show in the UK? The MCN Motorcycle Show (40.29%) was considered by a significant number to be the best event while Motorcycle Live came second receiving 18.75% of the vote.

    UK motorcyclists’ favourite motorcycle race to watch is Isle of Man TT (46.26%) followed in second place by the MotoGP (25.61%).

    Who is your favourite biker personality?

    Guy Martin was the clear winner with around 40% of votes with Valentino Rossi coming a not too distant second. Honourable mentions go to Carl Foggarty, Henry Cole, Barry Sheen and one respondent’s “dad.”

    Technology and Innovation

    The UK’s motorcyclists in the main don’t seem to think much of the latest smartphone App technology that is out there for them at the moment with many respondents saying they have no real opinion or don’t know what is on offer.

    Of those that did have an opinion, many were of the view that nothing met their needs right now while other cited Sat Nav, Tom Tom and Real Rider as being their favourites.

    Opinions on new technology such as electric motorbikes, however, was more positive with many UK motorcyclists giving the concept, at least, a cautious thumbs-up.

    Social Media Platforms

    The final question in the survey focussed on social media and which platforms were being used by the UK’s motorcyclists.

    No surprised for guessing that Facebook came out on top with 78.83% of respondents; followed by Twitter with 30.73%.

    Conclusion

    The main points that can be drawn from the Biking in Britain survey justify that bikers can’t all be tarnished with the same brush.

    Stereotypically speaking, less than half of bikers are bearded with tattoos which changes an age-old perception, although rock music will always be their favourite.

    Motorcycling, as a nation, is maintaining a positive attitude and is growing steadily in terms of registrations, licence carriers and safety measures.

    There is room for improvement in terms of the new technology available to bikers, advice for motorcycle insurance specialists and motorcycle manufacturers to help understand their target market further, in terms of styles of bikes they may release in the future.

    The results of the survey have been able to give an in-depth synopsis of the biking nation as a whole in 2015. It has also given the ability to be narrowed down giving a more detailed description of key areas of the UK which can provide handy information to the relevant fields.