Over at Right To Ride EU we have just taken a look at the announcement from KTM that the production of their new 2014 models the 1190 Adventure and Adventure R will feature, “a truly revolutionary rider assistance system”, Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC). 

If MSC works in real world riding conditions then motorcycling is in for a big change, within the laws of physics.

So it looks like we have systems from KTM with Bosch for riders whose abilities come below the abilities of the motorcycle and those whose abilities and experience sometimes get caught out by the laws of physics.

These KTMs are designed or promoted with an off-road ability, either on non-metallic roads (roads with a “loose” surface) that still require the rider and bike to be road legal (insurance/VED etc) or fully off-road or  perhaps a mixture of the two on a round the world trip through far flung outer Mongolia.

The “off” capability of the systems is to facilitate this type of riding, so when returning to the tarmac the bike the systems can be engaged which makes the bike suitable again to that surface.

But in all this (recently agreed European Legislation) there is nothing in any regulation that stops manufacturers fitting an off switch!

So did riders ask for all these new technological systems? Like the latest tablet or phone technology when it is announced to the buying public and clambered over, as a must have, to a degree as riders hold some decorum, there is a want for new technology!

There is of course the rhetoric that these systems and legislation to introduce them as compulsory, removes the freedom of choice – for riders to choose to have or not have the system on a bike – we have to be careful here in case of a back lash on the freedom of choice issue.

However with over 27 million PTWs (motorcycles – scooters – mopeds) in use in Europe and their riders –  the average rider – the majority of riders, want the freedom of choice to have these systems on their bikes and do not care that there is no alternative.

For these riders there appears to be no concern of these systems being fitted or the inconvenience or cost if there are electronic failures, these riders do not care, it is a part of modern acceptability and they want their bikes to have the latest technology fitted.

Perhaps instead of some sort of panacea being offered to reduce collisions, fatalities and injuries what we are being offered is an actual cure or at least a partial remedy?

However we would say that all this technology is going to sell well!

Read the article in full at Right To Ride EU and view the videos of the system in action

The Aston Martin DB5 which appeared in James Bond’s SKYFALL™ is now on display at the Heritage Motor Centre until spring 2014.

The model on display was the actual car that was used for most of the driving sequences in the film which stars Daniel Craig as 007. The car is privately owned but on loan to Eon who produces the Bond films.  The HMC also has the Land Rover Defender 110 double cab pick-up, driven in the opening sequence of SKYFALL, amongst its collections. Although on display at the HMC, the car will be show-cased at the Classic Motor Show on the 15, 16 and 17 November at the NEC.

Ever since its first appearance in Goldfinger in 1964 with Sean Connery, the DB5 has become the archetypal 007 car and one of the most iconic British cars in the world. A DB5 has appeared in four out of the five most recent 007 films. Prior to filming SKYFALL the car was prepared in just seven weeks by Aston Martin Works, transforming a green car into the familiar silver of the MI6 agent’s favourite automobile.  The car was not fitted with any of Q’s trademark gadgets; however visitors can see a black line on the roof as the outline of the panel for the ejector seat. In the film, the DB5 met a fiery end outside Bond’s Scottish childhood home but fortunately this was only by use of a model and camera trickery.

A natural development of the DB4, the DB5’s four seater coachwork was built by the Italian design house, Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. The car used ‘Superleggera’ aluminium body construction, in which alloy panels are fixed to a tubular frame built onto a platform chassis. The car has a 4 litre engine and a top speed of 142 mph. The price from new was £3,650.

Stephen Laing, Curator for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We are delighted to have the Aston Martin DB5 and Land Rover Defender amongst our prized collection. We have been privileged to have displayed many iconic and famous film & TV vehicles over the years including Batman & Robin’s Batcycle, Lara Croft’s Land Rover Defender from ‘Tomb Raider’, James Bond’s Aston Martin DBS from ‘Quantum of Solace’ and Dr Who's 'Bessie' a Siva Ford tourer built for the 3rd Doctor Who”.

Museum entry fees apply: Adults £12, Child £8 (5-16 years) under 5 free, Concessions £10 & Family £34 (2 adults & up to 3 children). Buy one day and get 12 months free if you Gift Aid your entrance.

www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

As the Conservative party meet in Manchester for their annual conference, road safety charity IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) is calling on the party to publish their much promised Green Paper on new drivers as soon as possible.

Road crashes are the biggest killer of young people in the UK today.  In 2011, 412 people died in incidents involving young drivers. Over the past four months since the government’s initial announcement to publish a green paper that would mean 137 17 to 25 year olds have been killed. Any delay in a review of our learner driver system means more young licence holders will die on the roads.

IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: “The UK has the safest roads in the world but with so many crashes involving new drivers, there is a clear urgency for the government to address the issues young people face on the roads. We must all do our bit to assist and make sure our road users are safe.  A Green Paper is a once in a generation opportunity to refresh our system of learning to drive and deliver long lasting benefits in road safety for all.”

www.iam.org.uk

As you may be aware Mallory Park, motor racing circuit, home to Midlands motor racing, has faced a series of difficulties in recent months to which it has regrettably been unable to reach a solution with local residents, the council and the landlord. As such, it entered into administration on Monday 30 September 2013.

Ian Robert, a partner at Kingston Smith & Partners LLP, the corporate recovery arm of accountancy firm Kingston Smith LLP, was appointed Administrator. Ian said: “I will be working with all the stakeholders to ensure that Mallory Park will see racing again. I hope the administration process can assist in finding a solution which will be beneficial to all parties concerned.”

He continued: “To that end, I will be negotiating with the landlord and the council, with the support of the BARC, to ensure that racing can be enjoyed at MP for years to come. Although it is early days, I am hopeful that, once a solution to the lease is found, all of the company’s creditors should receive a substantial dividend, which I understand is very much the driving force behind the continued support of the BARC.”

On behalf of Mallory Park, Kingston Smith & Partners thanks you for your continued support. The circuit is temporarily closed but we are working toward reopening quickly. Please return to this page for further information, which will be updated regularly.  

www.mallorypark.co.uk

The Pata Honda World Superbike team has announced that it will retain the same rider line-up of Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam heading into the 2014 world championship season.

Rea is currently recuperating from a fractured left femur that he sustained in a crash at Nürburgring in Germany last month, but the 26-year-old from Northern Ireland is making a good recovery and is optimistic about the possibility of riding his Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade again before then end of the year.

Rea began his world championship career with the Ten Kate-run Honda team in the 2008 World Supersport series before moving up to World Superbikes in 2009, since when he has secured 33 podiums from 116 races, including 11 race victories.

He will once again partner fellow British rider Leon Haslam who joined the team for the 2013 season, which has unfortunately been affected by a broken leg he sustained at Assen in the Netherlands in April.

Haslam, 30, has contest 155 World Superbike championship races, a third of which have been on Honda’s CBR machine. The British rider has achieved a total of three race wins and 28 podium finishes since his first SBK race in 2003, and he finished as runner-up in the series in 2010.

Jonathan Rea

It's been a big decision that I've thought long and hard about because there were some other options to consider. However, at the end of the day it was an easy choice because of the faith and respect that I have for the team that I've been with for six years and the company that I have been with my entire career. I know how hard the guys work to make the Honda competitive and I know that we have the potential to fight again for more podiums and race wins and the championship next season. Those podiums and wins are what motivate all of us and that's why I know that everyone will pull out the stops over the winter again to make them happen. We will go into the testing programme in a much better position than we were in 12 months ago because we've worked so hard to get the new electronics package to work this season. I am as motivated as ever and really looking forward to riding my bike again.

Leon Haslam

I’m very happy to have another go at it, really! This season has been pretty non-existent with the injury and the big learning curve we’ve had with the new electronics. So I’m excited to get back to full fitness and to have good go with the bike and see if we can turn the potential into success. We’ve made some really good steps recently but that’s been combined with some bad luck this year. Hopefully, that’s all out of the way now and we can keep making progress in the last few races and over winter testing. The Haslam link to Honda has been strong for many years and it was fantastic to win the Suzuka 8-hour this year. Hopefully we can go back and defend that next year, and I can’t wait to go into the next World Superbike season with the same bike, the same guys and have a proper go at it.

Ronald ten Kate - team manager

Jonathan has demonstrated great faith in this team over the years and we are, of course, overjoyed to have him back for a sixth World Superbike campaign. We have got to know each other very well over the years and one thing that comes across is his consistent and tenacious desire to get the very best out of the CBR – something he does year after year. Of course, with injuries, it has not been an easy season for him or for his team-mate, so we are very happy that Leon will join us again for next season. With two fit riders and some further development on the bike, we can look forward to 2014 with renewed confidence and optimism.

Carlo Fiorani - racing operations manager

Honda Motor Europe I do not think it is a secret that both Jonathan and Leon had some other options to consider for 2014, so we are, of course, delighted that we will be working with them again. We believe that there is a great level of mutual respect between us and we know that we have two fully-motivated riders who have the potential to fight for top honours. It’s good that they, too, know that the Honda they ride has equal potential and that they will have a team around them to help get the results that we all want to see. For many reasons, 2013 has been a difficult year for everyone, so we all hope that, with Dorna taking the series to new levels, we can have a 2014 season that is safe and successful, both for the riders and for the whole team.