The British Motor Museum will host a full schedule of ten classic and modern motoring shows throughout June and July. These will include the Banbury Run on 7 June, Classic & Vintage Commercial Show on 13 & 14 June, Aston Martin Owners Club Festival on 21 June, Ford Nationals on 28 June, Wythall BusFest on 4 July, National Metro & Mini Show on 5 July, BMC & Leyland Show on 12 July, Rootes Heritage Day and Old Ford Rally on 19 July and Petrol & Pride on 26 July.

Celebrating its 76^th Anniversary, the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Run will see 500 Veteran and Vintage motorcycles and three-wheelers ride out from the Museum. Many of these venerable machines will be tackling the challenging ascent of Sun Rising Hill near Tysoe, which was used to test out newly manufactured vehicles in the early days of motoring. Widely acknowledged as the premier gathering for pre-1931 motorcycles and three-wheelers in the world, the Banbury Run is geared towards those who enjoy the thrill of riding with other Vintage, Veteran and Pioneer bikes.

Visitors can take a trip down memory lane at the Classic and Vintage Commercial Show and admire over 400 pre-2004 commercial vehicles, including lorries, vans and pick-ups! The show offers visitors a rare opportunity to reminisce about days gone by and relive the heyday of these classic workhorses. Take a look back at a range of iconic historic vehicles, from the legendary Morris Minor and Ford Transit vans through to the mighty 1950s and 60s Foden’s, ERFs, AECs, Leyland’s and then Volvos and Scania’s from the 1970s.

Visitors can celebrate the best of Aston Martin at the Aston Martin Owners Club Festival, held in conjunction with the Aston Martin Heritage Trust. This year, the spotlight falls on an icon - the 25th anniversary of the V12 Vanquish, as seen in the James Bond film “Die Another Day”, making this show the ultimate destination for dads this Father’s Day.

Ford Nationals celebrates the best of the Blue Oval with Ford car clubs from all over the UK and Europe in a memorable day for Ford fans. 2026 will celebrate the Ford Cortina MK4 50th Anniversary and Ford Orion MK2 40th Anniversary! Hundreds of Ford fans gather at Ford Nationals every year, creating a diverse display, including modern, classic, and commercial vehicles! 

2026 sees the fifth Wythall Busfest @ Gaydon as it now gains a firm footing in the annual bus rally calendar. This year, the focus is on Daimler, now in its 130^th year, with a display of historic Daimler buses alongside examples of important Daimler cars, courtesy of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust (JDHT).  All Daimler PSV types from all eras are welcome to join the rally, and visitors will be able to visit the JDHT gallery in the Collections Centre to view the magnificent range of Daimler and Jaguar cars that populate the collection.

Visitors to the National Metro & Mini Show can take in hundreds of the best examples of Britain’s most iconic small car marques. This ever-popular show, which is regarded as a favourite in the event calendar for owners of Metros, classic Minis, and modern MINIs, will also feature Concours and Show ‘n’ Shine competitions, offering visitors the opportunity to prove their cars’ worth in front of a panel of expert judges.    

The BMC & Leyland Show will feature a wide range of British marques produced by the British Motor Corporation, British Leyland and The Rover Group, bringing the golden age      of Britain’s motor industry to life! Hundreds of vehicles will be lined up outside the Museum, from Minis and Morris Minors to the larger Rover 800s, Montegos and Maestros, as well as a variety of vans and lorries.

The Old Ford Rally will enable fans to see around 400 classic Fords on display, from Model Ts to the cars of the pre-war austerity years, to the more luxurious post-war Zephyrs, Zodiacs, and Granadas, plus the fan-favourite Anglias, Mk1 and Mk2 Cortinas, Capris, Escorts, and Fiestas.  Taking place alongside the Old Ford Rally, the Rootes Archive Centre Trust will be holding their Rootes Heritage Day, celebrating all kinds of Rootes classics, from earlier Hillmans, Humbers, Sunbeams and Singers to the later Chryslers, Simcas and Talbots.  Ticket holders on 19July will be able to enjoy both shows, as well as entry to the Museum and Collections Centre, all with one ticket. 

Petrol & Pride aims to allow everyone to show off their pride in their wheels and themselves. The event is not only inclusive of all people, but of all vehicles. Visitors can immerse themselves in music, food and fun in the beating heart of Britain’s motoring heritage. Expect prizes for the Butchest, Gayest, and Best Glow Up, with the winners picked by a panel of judges and an incredible pride flag display made from different coloured cars.

Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum, stated, “We have a fantastic range of classic and modern motoring shows for our visitors and enthusiasts to enjoy throughout June & July! These ten key shows sit at the heart of our shows season and form gathering points for a broad range of motoring fans, showing the power of these vehicles to bring people together. There really is something for everyone to enjoy this summer and fingers crossed the sun will be shining throughout!”

Show entry, including access to the Museum, is just £18 for adults in advance or £21 on the day, £16 for concessions in advance or £19 on the day, £9 for children (5-16 years) in advance or £10 on the day and under 5s are FREE. There is also the option to Gift Aid or donate your entry fee and receive an Annual Pass in return at no extra cost. Prices vary on Annual Pass Exempt Days.  To find out more information about the shows, please visit the website at  https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/

Official dealer Indian Motorcycle Poole (Moore Speed Racing) will be attending Dorset Bikefest, now in its third year and taking place from 19–21 June at Wooders Campsite, Wareham.

On Saturday 20th June visitors will have the opportunity to test ride a variety of the latest Indian Motorcycle models along the naturally beautiful Dorset coastline. A fleet of demo motorcycles will be available to both view and ride, including the all-new and prestigious 2026 Chief Vintage, alongside models from the Scout, Chief, and PowerPlus lineups.

Colin Moore, Director of Moore Speed Racing, commented ahead of this year’s Dorset Bikefest: “We’re delighted to be returning for the third consecutive year. Dorset Bikefest is a fantastic event, and we’ll be on site throughout the weekend. Visitors will have the opportunity to try the 2026 model range for size exclusively on Saturday 20th June, which is a brilliant showcase of what Indian Motorcycle has to offer. It’s always a pleasure to be part of such a family-friendly event and to support a truly worthy cause.”

Free test rides are available throughout Saturday 20 June and can be booked via: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/indian-motorcycle-poole-dorset-bike-fest-tickets-1988554557211?aff=oddtdtcreator

Test ride models will include:

Scout 101
Scout Bobber Sixty – Black
Scout Classic
Super Scout
Sport Chief RT
Chief DH – Sunset Red Smoke
Chief Bobber MY26
Super Chief DH
Chieftain Dark Horse Black Smoke
Chief Vintage Black
Chieftain 112

Dorset Bikefest is a family-friendly festival with a charitable twist. Launched in 2024 and now in its third year, the event is dedicated to raising funds for the DocBike charity.

Live music kicks off the festivities on Friday evening, followed by a packed schedule of activities throughout the weekend. There is something for everyone, including test rides, demonstrations, educational talks, workshops and a variety of trade stands to explore plus a dedicated kids’ entertainment area.

Attendees can bring their own tents or opt for a little luxury with glamping options in the family-friendly camping area. To keep you fully fueled, there is delicious street food on offer alongside local ciders, ales, alcohol-free beverages and soft drinks. It’s a fantastic family affair set in the heart of the beautiful Dorset countryside.

Event Details
Event Name: Dorset Bikefest
Dates: 19-21 June 2026
Gates Open: From 3pm on Friday, 19 June
Location: Wooders Campsite, Sugar Hill, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7NN
Tickets: Available now at https://dorsetbikefest.com/to-book-tickets

A charismatic engine, smooth performance, striking looks – but unfortunately too high? For many motorcyclists, the dream of the perfect bike is thwarted by just a few centimetres of seat height. With well-designed lowering solutions – from replacement springs to high-end electronic shock absorbers – Touratech makes adventure bikes and road bikes suitable and comfortable for a much wider range of riders.

Long suspension travel and high ground clearance are the standard in the dual-sport segment in particular. At the same time, however, long-travel suspension often results in seat heights that are not practical for all riders. On adventure bikes in particular, but also on some road bikes, simply maintaining a secure footing in stop-and-go traffic or when manoeuvring can be a challenge.
With a range of lowering solutions, Touratech Suspension offers technical options to make motorcycles accessible to riders of different heights without compromising handling. This is based on over 15 years’ experience in developing premium suspension systems for both on-road and off-road use.
“Having your feet firmly on the ground is essential for confident handling of the bike and therefore plays a key role in making riding enjoyable,” explains Tilo Jentzsch, portfolio manager at Touratech. “That’s why we at Touratech have decided to develop practical lowering solutions to give even more people access to fantastic motorcycles.

Lowering using spring kits: an entry-level solution with a wide range of options
The simplest way to lower the seat height is to replace the standard springs with shorter ones. Touratech offers a range of almost 200 lowering solutions based on specific spring sets.
Depending on the model, different lowering options are available. For example, the BMW F 850 GS can be lowered by 20 or 40 millimetres. The fork springs used are all progressively rated. The aim is to achieve a responsive ride in everyday use whilst still offering sufficient reserves for sporty riding or when carrying a heavy load.
Replacing the springs is a particularly cost-effective solution and is aimed specifically at riders who wish to improve the ergonomics of their bike without replacing the entire suspension system.

Shorter shock absorbers and cartridges as a fully integrated solution

The gold standard for lowering the seat height is the use of specially developed lowering shock absorbers. Unlike standard spring kits, these systems coordinate spring length, damping characteristics and travel as an integrated whole, and are also individually tailored to the rider's weight, riding style and ergonomic requirements.
Shorter shock absorbers are available for numerous motorcycle models in various specifications – ranging from the entry-level E1 to the high-end Extreme2 suspension. Here too, different lowering options are available for selected models. For the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin, for example, variants with a 25-millimetre or 40-millimetre drop are available.
In addition, Touratech offers special cartridges for lowering the suspension. These are simply inserted into the standard fork and are currently available for just under 20 models, including popular adventure bikes such as the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin, BMW F 850 GS, KTM 790 Adventure, Honda XL750 Transalp and Yamaha Ténéré 700.
The lowering cartridges offer the same adjustment options as the standard versions: spring preload, as well as rebound and compression damping, can be individually adjusted. At the same time, they retain their responsive handling and high compression reserves despite the reduced spring travel.

Lowering kit for electronic suspension systems

Another option is available for riders of BMW GS models equipped with ESA. Touratech has developed electronic lowering shock absorbers for these vehicles that are compatible with the standard assistance and adjustment functions. Thanks to the adapted spring and damper settings, combined with a lower seat height, safe and comfortable handling is guaranteed on both tarmac and off-road terrain, even on heavily laden adventure bikes.

Ergonomic improvement thanks to lower seats

In addition to the chassis modifications, the seat height can be further reduced by fitting a lower-profile seat. Touratech offers comfort seats with reduced padding height for this purpose.
To ensure comfort on long journeys despite the reduced thickness of the material, foam of carefully selected densities is used, with a balance of support and cushioning tailored to the specific thickness of the padding. An optimised contour with a shorter crotch depth also makes it easier to reach the floor.
The seats also feature the familiar characteristics of the standard models, including a pressure-relieving recess in the coccyx area and the Fresh-Touch cover, which helps to reduce heat build-up in direct sunlight. The seats are supplied as a ready-to-fit complete solution and can be fitted directly in place of the original part.

Takeaway: Greater accessibility without compromising on performance

With its modular approach comprising spring sets, lowering struts, cartridges and seat units, Touratech Suspension caters to a range of requirements and budgets. The result is not only a lower seat height, but also a customised ergonomic adjustment of the motorcycle whilst retaining virtually the same handling characteristics.

Further information is available in the Touratech webshop

• Germany’s Motorrad Bläsing takes top honours with their custom Shotgun 650 build - SHAAN

• Six elite European dealer builds debuted at London's Tobacco Dock following a gruelling six-month build process

• The competition highlights the ultimate customisability of Royal Enfield’s twin-cylinder platform and the creativity of its dealers

Royal Enfield, the global leader in the mid-size motorcycle segment, has officially crowned the winner of season two of the European ‘Busted Knuckles Build Off’ (BKBO). Following an intense weekend of public voting and expert judging at the spectacular Bike Shed Show in London (May 22nd–24th, 2026), Germany’s Motorrad Bläsing emerged victorious, capturing the top prize, a trip to Royal Enfield’s Motoverse event in Goa, India, for their extraordinary interpretation of the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650.

The competition, designed exclusively for Royal Enfield’s dealers and taking place for the second time in Europe, challenged builders to showcase their creative engineering, bespoke design, and artistic expression utilising a £5,000 customisation subsidy from the motorcycle manufacturer. Out of many concept proposals from Royal Enfield dealers across Europe, only six designs from six different countries were selected to be transformed into physical reality.

The six finalists went head-to-head with an impressive display around Tobacco Dock’s ‘Dockside bandstand’, the feature represented the absolute pinnacle of European motorcycle craftsmanship:

• Germany: Motorrad Bläsing (Winner)

• UK: Krazy Horse

• France: KS Motorcycles

• Italy: Royal Enfield Rivera

• Czech Republic: Vintage Garage Prague

• Portugal: Unik Edition

For the team at Motorrad Bläsing, the victory is a historic back-to-back triumph following their success with the "Beach Cruiser" in 2023’s inaugural edition of the BKBO. However, bringing this year's winning Shotgun 650, SHAAN, to life pushed the German builders to their absolute limits. Reflecting on the gruelling process and the emotional win, Thomas Bläsing of Motorrad Bläsing shared:

Finishing that bike was an absolute whirlwind—we worked on it until the very last minute, and the stress even gave me nightmares about unfinished wiring for days after. It is easily the most complex project we’ve ever built together, but seeing the reaction from the Bike Shed crowd made every sleepless night worth it. The warmth, appreciation, and deep respect for bike culture in the UK was unlike anything I've experienced back home, and I'm still processing how incredible it felt.

The final decision was determined by a combination of physical votes cast by thousands of attendees at the Bike Shed Show, and a panel of renowned custom motorcycle builders and senior Royal Enfield designers. As the grand prize winner, Motorrad Bläsing has won an all-expenses-paid trip to Royal Enfield’s legendary Motoverse festival in Goa, India, later this year.

Speaking on the success of the campaign, Adrian Sellers, Head - Custom & Motorsport at Royal Enfield, commented:

It made perfect sense for the final display of Europe’s second BKBO to take place at the Bike Shed Show, an event dedicated to celebrating the creativity, craftsmanship, and culture surrounding motorcycles.

It was a true privilege for attendees to see the finest work from Royal Enfield’s dealer network take center stage across the event, showcasing each dealer's unique imagination and skillset as they interpreted the possibilities of the Shotgun 650 so differently. Each of the final motorbikes had its own distinct character and beautifully reflected its builder's creativity, resulting in a display of truly diverse custom builds.

For enthusiasts who want to see the blood, sweat, and tears behind these incredible machines, the "documentary-style" episodic edits for each dealer are currently airing across Royal Enfield’s official social media channels, with a wrap-up video to come.