| | Biker News - Regularly updated
Category: Tourism & Travel
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Touratech presents the 2016 2,020-page catalogue with hundreds of new products...
Bigger than ever, packed full of products and featuring tons of new items, Touratech presents the world’s largest accessory catalogue for adventure riding. It contains custom-made equipment and parts to suit many models that will soon enliven the 2016 season. 
One of these is the Honda CRF 1000 L Africa Twin, a bike that has sparked the urge to travel in a whole generation of adventurers. With over 20 years of experience in developing and manufacturing special parts for the Africa Twin, Touratech has an extensive portfolio lined up for the long-awaited successor. From GPS mounting adapters to the Zega pannier system, every desire is fulfilled. Plus there is an exclusive report on the first Touratech test drive with the reborn ‘Desert Queen’.
Bikes other than the classic touring enduro have inspired the motorcycle accessory specialists from Niedereschach as well – such as the Ducati Scrambler and the BMW S 1000 XR – and of course there are more interesting new developments for nearly every motorbike model.
Because both the bike and its rider need reliable equipment on the road, Touratech has significantly expanded the riding gear section: the AVENTURO Mod combines the advantages of flip-up and off road helmets, the COMPAÑERO World2 is an enhanced version of the tried-and-tested touring suit, and the DESTINO Adventure is Touratech’s first very own motorcycle boot. All are the result of tens of thousands of kilometres of touring experience. This same expertise has also gone into developing ‘Touratech Waterproof made by Ortlieb’. Another example of European manufacturing quality, this line of waterproof motorcycle luggage products is available now exclusively from Touratech.
With all of this and much more, including great photos and travel stories, Touratech’s 2016/2017 catalogue makes an enticing read: the new Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro and Ducati Scrambler go on a test tour to Albania, Simon and Lisa Thomas (2 Ride The World) report on their round-the-world journey – now twelve years long – and Dirk Schäfer completes his preliminary Iron Butt trial on the 1,000-kilometre Touratech bike.
To help readers navigate through this mammoth publication, the catalogue includes a detailed index and a clearly structured table of contents. The first section is dedicated to special parts for specific motorbikes, with individual models sorted alphabetically and in descending order of engine size. It is followed by sections on the cockpit, luggage, seats, the new windscreens, Touratech Suspension and universal motorcycle accessories. Finally there are rider equipment, navigation and outdoor sections.
Two hundred thousand copies of the 2016/2017 Touratech catalogue with its 2,020 pages have been printed in five different languages and will be available at all major trade shows and events where Touratech is represented, as well as from Touratech distributors.
Copies can be ordered by telephone, e-mail or via the internet – free of charge, as always and the catalogue is also available online at www.touratech.com
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We have some great places included on THE BIKER GUIDE for you to stay at and sometimes we are sent a great picture from someone who stayed at such an establishment...
 Here we have Karen Brunswick @ The Silver Jubilee in Newquay, Cornwall!
Situated in the heart of Newquay, with fine sandy beaches, harbour, restaurants, boat trips, shopping and more.
Close to the coast Perranporth, the famous Lands End, Bodmin and the Port of Plymouth.
Stay in a choice of seven en-suite rooms, with high standards of furnishings and cleanliness throughout. Start the day with a Full English breakfast, omelettes or french toast. Evening meals are also available during the summer months.
Enjoy a drink in the comfortable bar lounge before you head out to the beachside cafes, chill out bars, along with traditional pubs and nightclubs with live music and top dj's. Minimum two nights stay. Spring and Autumn reduced rates. Andrew and Judith welcome you. Free Wi-Fi. Secure parking - please mention when booking.Â
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there is something for everyone on the Magellan Motorcycle Tours 2016 itinerary. Destinations include France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Spain, Portugal, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos and more...
OFFER - €100 off any Escorted Tour booked for 2016 when quoting BIKERGUIDE16.
The Escorted Tours in Europe are run by multilingual, first aid trained guides and are all comprehensively planned and led, leaving you with nothing more to do than enjoy the roads, scenery, great food and accommodation.
Germany: Harz Mountains, Dambusters, Colditz, Nurburgring and Vosges Mountains. April 27th – May 7th 2016. 11 days From £999
Italy: Lakes and Alps tour. July 2nd – July 12th 2016. 11 days From £1099
Corsica, France: Grand tour, Alps and Volcanoes, July 15th – July 28th 2016. 11 days from £1199
Spain: Northern route, Picos & Northern Portugal. October 9th – October 20th 2016. 12 days From £1199
For those of a more adventurous bent why not try a Fly Ride Tour? From mixed terrain and paved trips to Vietnam and Laos to 5 * Harley Davidson tours in Cuba led by Che Guevara's son, all their Fly Ride tours include meals, accommodation, bike hire and insurance. They also offer a range of Self Guided Tours to over 15 destinations, ideal for independent travel and arranged for the dates you desire.
Any tour you take will not only be a great holiday, but truly an experience to remember!
Based in Cornwall with tours to France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Spain, Portugal, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos and more…
Call today to discuss your next trip: 01872 211 456
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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
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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. 
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...
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 Tolls, Traffic 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
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