There's a raft of issues emanating from Europe that will have a profound effect on riders and the motorcycle industry generally and we must stand up.

Some of them are driven by the EU Commission, like the new Type Approval and Market Surveillance Regulation that will see the introduction of compulsory ABS, the sealing of powertrains from airbox to the diameter and aspect ratio of the rear tyre, restrictions on the aftermarket industry, possible roadside checks by police or other Gov agencies to inspect emissions or for owner 'tuning' and more.

There's EU funded development of electronics to control and govern speeds either through warning systems or actual throttle control and the plans in Ireland for compulsory, full sleeve day-glo jackets for riders and pillions.

As with France, where reflective/day-glo clothing is being debated, the onus should not be on the victim. Will insurance companies start saying that because we weren't dressed in day-glo it's our own fault that an inattentive driver drove into us?

France also wants to ban bikes over 7 years old from urban areas for environmental reasons! Their congestion is already terrible and putting more riders into cars that pollute terribly when they are stationary, is bonkers.

On the 25th September you can make your voice heard. Starting from service areas across the country, we all ride at 1pm, 45mph, using the inside lanes and disperse 20 minutes later. Negotiations are ongoing and as citizens we must be considered.

This is the first time. Let's show what we could be capable of.....

venue: Start points nationwide. See full list at www.mag-uk.org on campaigns page or interactive map on tab on left of facebook page.

On Tuesday 30th August 2011 the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) committee met for a second debate on the proposed regulation and the hundreds of amendments, 304 at the last count, regarding the approval and market surveillance of mopeds, motorcycles, trikes and quads.
 
What did we learn from this session in the European Parliament?
 
We learnt that the Rapporteur in charge of the IMCO committee report, Dutch MEP, Wim van de Camp had an recent accident on his motorcycle. He said “It’s a bit embarrassing your (referring to Malcolm Harbour, UK MEP and Chairman of INCO) introduction to me because – If my motorcycle had ABS braking I wouldn’t have found myself on the ground last week and I would be in finer fettle. Let’s say I have some problems with my legs but I didn’t hit my head”.
 
Van de Camp also appeared to distance himself from being called a motorcycle enthusiast or an avid motorcyclist or a “dyed in the wool motorcyclist” saying that, first and foremost I am an MEP and that is my perspective.”
 
So he’s no longer the motorcyclist’s friend? He is now getting down to his job rather than use his hobby of motorcycling as the basis for his “expertise” as the rapporteur for the IMCO to challenge the Commission’s proposals for the EU Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles.
 
In terms of using his position as a parliamentarian to ensure that the Commission does not “overstep its mark” he has done a superb job in his presentation of the IMCO’s draft report on the subject.
 
Bear in mind that the proposed regulations that he overwhelming supports with a few minor amendments) will increase the cost of motorcycles in Europe and will drive motorcyclists towards buying second hand vehicles and keeping them for a longer period of time, thus defeating the purpose of the legislation they (Commission and Mr van de Camp) want to introduce.
 
Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Meeting
 
The meeting only took about half an hour and there was a general discussion about the amendments proposed by the various shadow rapporteurs.
 
Mr van de Camp mentioned the political factions within the committee and according to him the left of centre rapporteurs e.g. Ms Westfahl, German MEP and Ms Ruhle, German MEP had a minority position, equally the Chairman Malcolm Harbour, also shadow rapporteur held a right of centre (minority) position, while according to Mr van de Camp, his position represented the majority, which was more or less aligned with the EU Commission
 
Conclusions Of Meeting
 
Mr van de Camp concluded that he would need time to consider the various (political) positions to arrive at a compromise. However he pointed out the responsibility of the committee is to focus on technical issues.
 
He indicated that with regards to emissions, the Greens want to go more quickly, while he wants to go more slowly. He said that they are are now trying to come to an agreement and have the commission’s text to consider.
 
He pointed out that there were huge gaps between the various positions of the shadow rapporteurs.
 
So where does that leave us?
 
Well, apart from the fact that it has become apparent that the various political factions are posturing and politicking, not much has happened since we wrote our previous article which considered the IMCO committee’s 298 amendments – except that there are now six more amendments.
 
The Chairman of the IMCO committee wound up the meeting with the comment “We have work to do”..
 
Our Conclusions
 
So what did we learn?
 
We learnt that the next meeting of the shadow rapporteurs and the rapporteur to discuss the report will be held in Strasbourg between the 12th and 15th September and the IMCO vote will be on October 6th.
 
What we have is a European Commission proposal going through a process, which has been put into the hands of elected MEPs representing the citizens of Europe
 
These MEPs have proposed amendments that are in some cases worse for motorcyclists and some are supportive of motorcycling, but in the end these proposals and counter amendments will all end in a compromise that will make “peace in our time” look like a discussion about who should buy dinner.
 
All this depends ultimately on who has the biggest “political” support and not necessarily what will be beneficial for the future of motorcycling.
 
We will have to wait to October to find out the result of the “compromises”.
 
What now?
 
Well, in the UK, riders are being coordinated by the Motorcycle Action Group UK to protest against these proposals by organising a national demonstration on September 25th, up and down the motorways and major roads of the UK.The demonstration also supports the issues that the French and Irish have regarding Hi Viz clothing and the ban of vehicles over 7 years in French cities.
 
Riders in Ireland are also protesting on the same day, this appears to be organised mainly through motorcycle forums in Ireland, with support from MAG Ireland.
 
But – we ask – apart from the UK and Ireland, what are the rest of European Riders organisations doing?
 
Are they protesting against these EU proposals?

Are they lobbying their governments or MEPs?
 
Are we doomed or just marooned?
 
Fly in the Ointment – or The Best of British?
 
During the IMCO meeting several references where made about the UK Government, our ears pricked up at this and we went looking to see what the UK Government had said.What we found was a report from the Parliamentary European Scrutiny Committee which assesses the legal and/or political importance of each EU document (about 1,100 per year) and decides which are debated.
 
On the 19 July 2011 the committee debated the EU Draft Regulation.
 
The UK government has raised concerns on the European Commission’s draft regulation and the IMCOs draft report.
 
Although the Minister endorses in the draft report, the introduction of advanced braking systems and other safety provisions, without detailing what these are
 
However at least we have a position and thoughts from the UK Government and the proposal is being looked at and is on the radar!
 
Read the full article

Harley-Davidson are wanting the opinion of lady riders who own or would like to own a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle and for approximately an hour of your time you will be paid £50 - £60!

The event will take place in London EC2 on Friday 9th September.

Group 1 £60 4pm

Women who own a Harley Davidson

Group 2 £50 6pm

Women who own a motorbike and intend owning a Harley Davidson

To apply, simply e-mail to [email protected] stating your name, contact number, postcode, which group you are applying for (please name bike), if you purchase bike apparel and if so from where? Photo ID is required, please confirm you have it and which type you will bring to research.

Jonathan Rea will make his long-awaited comeback to the Castrol Honda team in this weekend’s (2-4 September) tenth round World Superbike championship event at Nurburgring in Germany.

The Northern Irishman has been out of action since a raceday warm-up crash at Misano in Italy on 12 June. In addition to fractures to his arm and collarbone, Rea required complex surgery to repair ligament damage to his right wrist following the crash.

After completing a successful two-day test at Assen in the Netherlands last week, Rea, 24, has chosen a favoured circuit to make his return. In the last two visits, he has taken his Honda CBR1000RR to two wins, a second and a fourth place at the 5.137km Nurburgring, which sits 70km south of Cologne, adjacent to the famous Nordschleife road circuit.

Rea will be joined for the weekend in the Castrol Honda World Superbike Team by Japanese rider, Makoto Tamada, who returns to the series for the f irst time since riding as a replacement in the final round of last season’s championship.

Tamada will replace Ruben Xaus, who is still suffering the after effects of his race one crash at Brno in the Czech Republic in July. Despite testing on the first day at Assen last week, Xaus’s back injury prevented him from completing more than a handful of laps and the Spaniard has opted to miss Nurburgring.

Hailing from Ehime in Japan, Tamada, 34, completed two full World Superbike seasons on Kawasaki machinery in 2008 and 2009 following five years with Honda in MotoGP, which resulted in two Grand Prix victories. Earlier in his career, he also scored three wildcard World Superbike victories at Sugo in Japan in 2001 and 2002 and is a regular podium visitor in Japan’s famous Suzuka 8 Hour race.

Jonathan Rea

I can’t wait to get back on the bike in a race weekend situation at Nurburgring. The test at Assen last week was great for me to ride and work with the team again, but I’m really looking forward to doing it for real again this weekend. Assen was also good from a confidence point of view, because the lap time was pretty good and I was able to complete a lot of laps without any pain from the wrist. Unfortunately, I’ve missed a few races because of the injury, but I’ve got a new target for the end of the season and I know what I need to do to achieve that. The good thing is that the guys have been working really hard back at base since I’ve been away, and there were some good new things to test last week. I’m really looking forward to using them this weekend.

Makoto Tamada

It's great to be back racing in the World Superbike series. I want to thank Castrol Honda for giving me this opportunity. I am looking forward to working with the team and Jonathan, and I’m also looking forward to meeting my Euro pean fans.

Ronald ten Kate – team manager

Everyone is really happy that Jonathan is back for this weekend. He did a race simulation at Assen, which showed that he’s quite fit again. It’s certainly been a troublesome mid-season with injuries, but we’ve had good results with Jonathan at Nurburgring in the last two years, so we’re all thrilled to have him back for this one. We’re also looking forward to welcoming Makoto Tamada back to the championship. His level of experience will provide good feedback on the bike since we are already looking ahead to 2012. We are working on the development of new parts for next season so it will be good to hear his opinion, too.

2011 World Superbike Championship, round ten, Nurburgring, Germany – schedule (local times):

Friday 2 September
11.30    Free practice (60 min)
15.30    Qualifying pract ice (60 min)
Saturday 3 September
10.45    Qualifying practice (45 min)
13.45    Free practice (45 min)
15.00    Superpole 1 (14 min)
15.21    Superpole 2 (12 min)
15.40    Superpole 3 (10 min)
Sunday 4 September
09.20    Warm-up (15 min)
12.00    Race 1 (20 laps – 102.740km)
15.30    Race 2 (20 laps – 102.740km)

This year we will have a limited number of 21st anniversary Hip Flasks for sale.

These will be on sale during the event from the Stormin' products stall at £15 each.

www.storminthecastle.co.uk