Category: Other

1. National Motorcycle Museum - Busy Time At The Classic TT!

   Posted on 10:10am Wednesday 30th Sep 2015

   The National Motorcycle Museum had a particularly busy fortnight at this year’s Classic TT Festival, taking part in various high profile activities both on and off the track.

   They really did take the museum to the people with no less than 32 Norton’s from every era being transported from the collection over to the island for our huge “pop up” museum display. From 1906 through to the 1990s, a Norton race machine from every decade of the last century was displayed in what many visitors described as “the best display ever seen in a TT paddock”.

   One of the biggest highlights for many was the “Norton - The Rotary Years” – Parade.
   
   Whilst individual Norton rotary race bikes have appeared in parade laps around the Mountain Course - and, of course featured in race wins and podiums - never before had so many appeared at one time on the island. A sunny Saturday on 29/08/15 saw no less than 12 of the revolutionary machines, all owned by the National Motorcycle Museum, take to the 37.73-mile course.
   
   A whole host of famous names had the honour of taking part including some of the bike’s original riders including Trevor Nation, Steve Cull & Ian Simpson. Other riders included William and Michael Dunlop, Michael Rutter and Jamie Whitham.
   
   “The White Charger” that the late Steve Hislop famously rode to victory in the 1992 Senior was ridden by 23-time TT Race winner John McGuinness resplendent in replica Hislop leathers & helmet!
   
   Sunday 30/08/15 saw many of the museum’s ex-works rotary Norton’s appear once again on the short circuit at the Festival of Jurby with the likes of McGuinness, Rutter & Cull onboard.

   Team National Motorcycle Museum Racing had a challenging week with team rider William Dunlop posting a DNF in the F1 race on the team’s rotary Norton race machine. Museum Director James Hewing commented: “Team National Motorcycle Museum Racing’s entry to run a Norton rotary race machine in the F1 event was a huge challenge and we are obviously disappointed not to have finished. William Dunlop and the whole team worked tirelessly all week with William declaring the bike ‘wicked fast’. Everyone knows that there is no tougher place to go racing and feedback from race fans has been really positive”.

   The Museum film crew has created four short films from the event which include the paddock “pop up” museum, the rotary parade, the festival of Jurby and Team National Motorcycle Museum Racing. All these films will be available to view from early October on the museum’s new website www.thenmm.co.uk
   
   
   
   

2. Savannah Way tour lead by Simon Pavey

   Posted on 10:00am Saturday 26th Sep 2015

   The Savannah Way is Australia's ultimate adventure ride along the northern edge of the continent. From the Coral Sea to the Indian Ocean this 21 day adventure motorcycle tour encompasses unbelievable dirt riding that ventures across a staggering four world heritage areas and offers a chance to experience some of the finest off-road routes in Australia all whilst under the expert guidance of Dakar legend Simon Pavey and his Off Road Skills team.
   
   After an outstanding research trip with Simon riding his 2009 Dakar BMW X-Challenge from Cairns to Broome, Compass Expeditions, part of the BikeRoundOz Group, are very excited to announce the inaugural Savannah Way tour departing Cairns August 1st 2016.

   “This is an incredible ride that needs to be shouted from the mountaintops,” said an excited Simon Pavey after yet another day finding tracks that haven’t been used for 30 years, (according to locals), “this certainly isn’t a wide open flat dirt track tour of Australia,” continues Simon.

   Supporting Simon on the research trip was Compass Expeditions co-founder Mick McDonald “I cant believe some of the tracks Simon has found, not super technical or enduro, but unused and some through private cattle stations and some we made ourselves” says Mick, “we do a lot of rides around the world but this is going to be one out of the box” continues Mick.

   Accommodation is a mix of camping and some of the best hotels available at stunning locations. Riding is incredible with each day having a “Special” section in it. A Qualified chef will accompany the group preparing superb lunches and dinners when camping while Simon will lead the ride on his BMW X-Challenge that he raced in the 2009 Dakar, one of 10 Dakar’s Simon has raced in.

   “We have truly found some incredible riding through some beautiful and very remote regions of Australia” says Mick; “this can only be done by very thorough research and navigational skills something that is paramount when competing in the Dakar,” continues Mick.
   
   Bike Transport to Cairns and from Broome has been arranged, for those wishing to bring their own bikes, for a one off flat fee no matter where you live in Australia, (except Tasmania), our Tassie clients will need to get their bikes to Melbourne where Compass shall take care of the rest.

   Tour information
   
   www.compassexpeditions.com
   

3. Lucky Lottie gets her brand new bike and meets her biking idol‏

   Posted on 10:31am Tuesday 22nd Sep 2015

   Seven-year-old Lottie Trenchard from Southampton took delivery of her brand new Kawasaki KX65 at the MX Try-Out centre in Newmarket and got the chance to meet – and ride with – her ultimate biking idol, stunt extraordinaire and fellow Kawasaki rider, Lee ‘Pacman’ Bowers.

   Lottie has been riding pushbikes since the age of three without stabilisers and has been riding motorcycles since just before her fifth birthday. Currently part of the Tigers Childrens Motorcycle Display Team in Hampshire, Lottie takes part in up to 15 shows a year – all around the country – which involve riding in formation with the other ‘Tigers’ and jumping over ramps with willing volunteers underneath.

   To take the next step with her training, Lottie needed a bigger bike and also to learn gears – and her heart was set on a Kawasaki KX65.

   Having raised money to buy her new bike by organising sponsored walks and baking cupcakes, Lottie’s parents topped up her contribution so that Lottie could get her hands on her new bike ahead of the Tigers training season starting at the end of September.

   ‘I’m so happy that I have my new bike. I love it so much and have already been practicing my stunt skills on it. I can’t believe that Lee Bowers is here too to hand it over to me – he’s my favourite motorcycle rider. I’d like to be a stunt rider when I grow up, or a famous motocross rider or a World Superbike Champion. As long as I’m riding bikes I don’t mind!” said an excitable Lottie.

   “When we found out that she’d be meeting Lee and getting her new bike on the same day, Lottie asked me to make her a countdown calendar – she’s been very excited!

   “There’s nothing else she shows an interest in like she does motorbikes – she’s been hooked on them from a very young age even though myself and her dad don’t ride. As a mum, you want to make sure your child is safe, which is why the Tigers has been so great as I knew she’d be well looked after. As long as she is happy, then I’m happy.

   “It’s had a positive affect on her school life too – her concentration was a problem, but her teachers have told her it’s improved so much that she’s jumping up reading levels – something I put down to the practice sessions every Sunday from 9am to 4pm.” said Lottie’s mum, Annette Trenchard.

   Stunt rider, Lee Bowers, said: “It’s been so great meeting Lottie today and it’s fantastic to see young people on two-wheels as they’re the future – hopefully she’ll inspire more girls to get onto two wheels too. I’ve been out on track with her today and watched her ride, she’s got some serious skills already – I better watch out!”
   
   

   

4. Motorcycle owners wanted for to hear your thoughts on riding and bikes

   Posted on 9:00am Friday 4th Sep 2015

   On behalf of a major motorcycle manufacturer, MM-Eye would like to invite a few motorcycle owners along for a focus group discussion to hear your thoughts on riding and bikes. Your opinions will be greatly appreciated and all participants will each receive a monetary token of appreciation.

   The event will last 2.5 hrs and will take place:

   Date: Saturday 19th September 2015 
   Time: 15:00 – 17:30 
   Location: near Birmingham

   We are looking to speak with people who own one of the following models:
   
   Harley-Davidson Iron 883
   Yamaha XJR 1300
   Honda CB1100
   BMW R Nine T
   Moto Guzzi V7 (any variant)
   Ducati Scrambler

   If you own one of these models and are interested in participating, please send an email to [email protected] with the following information:
   
   • Model owned
   • Year of purchase
   • Contact telephone number

   Spaces are limited for what they anticipate will be an interesting occasion, where you will have an opportunity to share your views on a future range of motorcycle products. 
   
   Previous events have proved very popular, so please contact Karen ( [email protected]) at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment – this is a first come, first served registration.

5. Rudeness, poor hygiene & bad driving: Top 10 first date turn-offs that really grind our gears‏

   Posted on 10:15am Sunday 30th Aug 2015

   Forget flowers and chocolates, it would appear that the surest way to woo a potential love interest is to grab the L plates and brush up on driving skills as a new survey from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) reveals the UK’s biggest first date turn-offs.

   Whilst rudeness scored highest in the list, with 81% of Brits citing bad manners as the worst thing a suitor can do, driving is a three-point turn off as nearly half of the 10 worst offences happen in the car before the date has even begun.

   The research found road rage to be the worst first-date faux pas for almost half (46%) of people, whilst a similar number say texting at the wheel leaves them wanting to put the brakes on the date.

   Talking on a mobile whilst driving appeared at number seven in the list, grinding the gears of 44 per cent of those questioned. And it’s best to bin those crisp packets as nearly a quarter (23%) finds a dirty car unappealing.

   
   Top 10 first date turn-offs
   
   1. Rudeness (81%)
   2. Bad personal hygiene (80%)
   3. No sense of humour (70%)
   4. Being self-obsessed (69%)
   5. Road rage (46%)
   6. Texting whilst driving (45%)
   7. Talking on a mobile whilst driving (44%)
   8. Bad dress sense (40%)
   9. Sweaty palms (25%)
   10. Dirty car (23%)

   Top 10 first date turn-ons
   
   1. Sense of humour (81%)
   2. Politeness (77%)
   3. Good personal hygiene (69%)
   4. Good dress sense (50%)
   5. Looks (44%)
   6. Confidence (44%)
   7. Generosity (29%)
   8. Good driving skills (11%)
   9. Great shoes (9%)
   10. Nice car (7%)

   A further one in 10 (11%) are irritated by someone who takes 15 minutes to park, whilst an eighth of Brits (13%) find overly cautious drivers who go under the speed limit off-putting.

   Other turn-offs include bad personal hygiene, which causes four in five (80%) of us to lose interest, and no sense of humour which shirks nearly three quarters (70%) of singletons. Being self-obsessed (69%) and sweaty palms (25%) also scored highly in the list.

   On the flipside, more than one in 10 (11%) Brits say good driving skills get their motors running on a first date – beating a nice car (7%) and great shoes (9%).

   The IAM’s chief executive, Sarah Sillars said: “Bad driving not only has an impact on the safety of our roads, but can also affect your chances of romance. Being able to manoeuvre properly and drive carefully should be much higher up on peoples dating priorities.”

   The research revealed that Brits pick up on the driving skills of a date – good or bad - within the first 65 seconds of getting in the car, with half picking up on their potential partner’s prowess behind the wheel in just 20 seconds.

   Singles can improve their driving skills – and chances of romance – by signing up for a free IAM driving assessment worth £39 at iam.org.uk/lovedriving. See if you can improve your ‘pulling’ power today.

   The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving and motorcycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 200 local volunteer groups and over 90,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving and motorcycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.