Category: Other

1. A new tv show is looking for Sheds, Barns and outbuildings!

   Posted on 10:30am Thursday 2nd Apr 2015

   Do you have a shed full of stuff you’d like to have restored to sell but have never got around to?

   A new Channel 4 TV show BARN FINDERS are interested in anything you have stored; from old wooden pallets to derelict cars and rusty bikes and everything in between!

   Your barn clutter might be worth a fortune and the programme aims to restore and sell your unwanted items and return any profits to you.

   So if you fancy a good clear out and/or would like to see your items restored to glory and potentially raise some cash then contact the production team on:

   e-mail: [email protected]
   
   tel: 01367 810 764

   HCA Entertainment Ltd, The Studios, Chalcroft Barn Clanfield, Oxfordshire OX18 2PB

   This is an HCA Entertainment Ltd production for Channel 4 Television. Completion of the application process does not guarantee appearance on the programme. Applications must be received by 31st July 2015.

   

2. Helmet Number Plates are to be introduced...

   Posted on 8:22am Wednesday 1st Apr 2015

   UK motorcyclists will need to display a front number plate, under new laws passed by the British Government.
   

   Motorcyclists will need to apply to the DVLA by 31st April 2015 and purchase an envelope-sized sticker (at a cost of £29.99) – which they will need to attach to the front of their helmets.
   
   The UK’s top traffic cop, Ian Dumbass, said "Bikers have been getting away with speeding offences for far too long", claiming that 69% of bikers caught speeding by traffic control and speed cameras escaped a fine because of the lack of front number plates.
   
   Will you buy a sticker or run the risk of a £1,000 fine?

    

    

   Update after noon on 1st April...

    

   A few caught off guard (and a lot not)...  We try and make it very obvious it is a joke with PMS, Dumbass, 31st April and posted on 1st April...  Have a great April everyone.

3. Plug in grant extended to motorcycles

   Posted on 8:02pm Friday 27th Mar 2015

   Electric motorcycles and scooters will now qualify for Government subsidy, under plans announced by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).
   
   A pot of up to £7.5 million will be made available from summer 2015 until 2020, capped at £1500 per vehicle.This will make qualifying vehicles up to 20% cheaper, establishing powered two wheelers as the most affordable electric vehicles on the market and therefore within the reach of people on lower incomes.
   
   You can read the full article here
   
   

4. Are electric bikes ready to hit the roads?

   Posted on 2:38pm Thursday 26th Mar 2015

   Whether you’re determined to get your moped licence or love nothing more than whizzing down the road on a strong, powerful and exhilarating £2,750 Kawasaki ER6, you’re not alone. The motorcycle industry is hugely popular across the globe with both men and women alike slipping into their leathers and riding off into the sunset – and those with a need for a speed are always looking for new and exciting models to take for a spin.

   The good news is, the world of motorcycles is ever evolving with vehicle manufacturers constantly looking to develop new and exciting products. As the world becomes more environmentally aware, they’re not only trying to clean up their act by introducing energy-efficient alternatives they’re also trying to attract biking fanatics with exquisite designs and detailing.

   Electric bikes, for instance, have been in the pipeline for numerous years with designers attempting to come up with two-wheel sensations that are powerful fun and thrilling to ride while not emitting a range of harsh or non-sustainable chemicals into the atmosphere. And they’ve really made headway. There are already a wide range of ready-to-ride electric motorcycles out there including the LS-218 which is the fastest production motorcycle in the world - gas or electric.

   That said, many top models from well-known brands are not yet out on the roads, but are instead being tweaked to perfection meaning that when they are up for sale in their masses they won’t disappoint. Take Harley-Davidson’s Project LiveWire, for instance. It looks great and is virtually silent to ride but if President and COO Matt Levatich’s comments at the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council's 2014 confab are anything to go by it seems the bike will not be ready for the roads until next-generation battery technologies are ready.

   According to reports, the bike currently would only travel half the distance buyers want and cost $50,000, about 50 per cent more than customers would want to pay. This, of course, makes the bike less attractive to motorcycle fanatics which is why Harley-Davidson are prepared to wait for new technology and produce something that’s nothing but spectacular.

   As the electric motorbike trend grows, other well-known companies such as Bultaco are rebranding themselves as electric motorbike manufacturers to ensure they have a more modern and up-to-date appeal. It’s been almost 13 years since a bike came out with the famous Bultaco logo on it, but that’s all about to change as two prototypes have already been revealed which point the way forward for the Spanish company – the Rapitan and Rapitan Sport. Both feature 53 horsepower, 92 lb.ft electric motors, Hossack-style front end suspension and enough battery storage to get over 200 km (125 miles) in town.

   So, as you can see electric motorbikes are already on the roads. They’re making their mark within the motorcycle industry but with some manufacturers prepared to hold out for bigger and better things it looks like this is just the beginning of this exciting new craze.

5. Invitation to take part in motorcyclist track session

   Posted on 9:00am Thursday 26th Mar 2015

   Visitors of THE BIKER GUIDE have previously helped a research study (relating to motorcyclist stress) by TRL, with a good number of participants. They are recruiting for another study and are hoping that our visitors can help the research once again.

   The purpose of the research is to assess the suitability of temporary portable rumble strips as part of temporary traffic management at road works, especially with regard to motorcyclist safety. 

   They are looking to undertake trials (as a track session) and expert panel consultations with motorcycle examiners, trainers and riders in order to gain a better understanding of their experiences and opinions regarding the possible level of risk posed by Temporary Rumble Strips.

   The trials will take about 3.5 hours and will take place on Membury Test Track (Hungerford, Berkshire) on April 1st 2015.

   They are looking for a total of 40 motorcyclists across the following categories:

   *Approved learner motorcyclist trainers

   *Novice riders of any motorcycle type (less than 1 year experience since passing test)

   *Experienced riders of a range of motorcycle types (at least 5 years’ experience since passing test):

   - Small mopeds / scooters (of up to 125cc)

   - ‘Standard’ motorcycles (between 125 - 600cc)

   - ‘Sport’ motorcycles (between 600 – 1000cc)

   - ‘Tourer/cruiser’ motorcycles (over 1000cc)

   Participants will be provided with £35 to go toward travel expenses.

   Motorcyclists who are interested in taking part can register by following the link below and answering a few short questions regarding their current riding experience and availability. TRL staff will be in contact with selected participants directly to provide further information about the trial.

   Take the survey to register your interest

    

   How the data will be used - Information from TRL

   This study was commissioned by the Highways Agency and is being led by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL). The work we are undertaking is to assess the suitability of temporary portable rumble strips as part of temporary traffic management at road works, especially with regard to motorcyclist safety. This work is part of an ongoing HA programme to significantly reduce risk to road workers across the whole of the HA network.

   As we are looking for a good representation across bike types/ level of experience, the data we collect through the online form will be used to ensure this representation is achieved in the final sample. It also gives respondents the opportunity to provide us with details about their availability, etc.

   Data collected (i.e. contact details) is required in order to allow us to contact respondents. The details provided will only be used for the purpose of this research, and will not be viewed or shared with anyone outside of this specific TRL project team, this includes not sharing with any third parties.

   Data protection
   
   Any data provided by respondents for this research will be fully protected under TRL’s Data Protection and Information Security Policies which covers our obligations under the Data Protection Act, and Environmental Information Regulations. Data will be retained during the research phase and any personal details held will be deleted after approximately 1 year.