A ground-breaking new survey has shown a staggering increase in the number of men experiencing symptoms traditionally associated with a mid-life crisis, including significant numbers of young men. The study also highlights that these men are still turning to the ‘classic techniques’ used for coping at such a time. 

The study was commissioned by Bennetts, the UK’s No.1 Bike Insurance Specialist, to understand whether the belief that men between 40 and 55 years old buy a motorbike to cope with a mid-life crisis, remains true or not. 

The research amongst over 1,000 British men* showed that six out of every ten men aged between 40 and 55, the age traditionally most associated with the mid-life crisis, now say they have had or are currently experiencing a mid-life crisis. Responses showed that those men find it difficult to understand and hard to handle, with friends and family being confused and showing limited support.     

These symptoms, however, are no longer reserved for this age group. The majority of men between 16 and 70 years old now report a life-review or transition experiences with nearly three quarters (73%) currently being or having recently been concerned with the direction of their life. Interestingly, more young men have recently asked themselves “where am I going with my life?” “what are my goals?” and “should I take more risks?” than those aged between 40 and 55.

Perhaps most strikingly the research by Bennetts reveals that, while more men are experiencing a mid-life crisis and at different ages, classic techniques for coping are still as popular as ever. Buying a car or motorbike still tops the list alongside changing job, moving house and forming a new relationship.

In fact, a third (30%) of motorcycle owners who are going through or have been through a mid-life crisis got into bikes specifically to cope. Bikers come out of the study exceptionally well, reporting the greatest success in managing their mid-life crisis adaptively, rather than being in denial. Over half felt they had dealt with their mid-life crisis positively, the top response.

Only 13% of the bikers said they had not yet overcome their mid-life crisis and they reported the fewest ‘changed relationships’ and the most ‘involved partners’, signifying that they maintained better relationships with their partners compared to men adopting different coping mechanisms.

Bennetts’ customer data shows that sports bikes are currently the biggest purchase of choice among men from the ages of 16 to 54, whilst from 55 upwards the roadster – a more relaxed and comfortable bike to cruise on - appears to become a more popular buy.   

Speaking about the research findings, Dr Derek Milne, author of ‘Coping with a Mid-Life Crisis’, commented: “These findings suggest that British men are struggling more than ever to cope with modern life. I find it heartening that bikers, often portrayed as somewhat solitary and anti-social, seemed to become more sociable through biking, helping them to deal with their mid-life crises.”

Darren Gough, the England cricket legend and Bennetts biking ambassador, who turned to motorcycling after retiring from first-class cricket in his mid-thirties, said: “You often hear about sports players finding it tough to call it a day. Finding something to replace the kick you get by taking a wicket and playing to a packed Lord’s is not easy. Learning to ride and buying an adventure motorbike was exciting as is the rush of freedom you get when hitting the open road for a few hours.” 

Hannah Squirrell, Associate Director, Bennetts, added: “I suspect a lot of men who dream about owning a motorcycle will be pleased to see motorbiking up there on the list of ways to deal with a mid-life crisis. If your partner questions whether you should be investing in a new bike, ‘saving or improving your relationship’ is a pretty strong reason to justify the expense!”

For more information about Bennetts, go to www.bennetts.co.uk

* The research by Bennetts was carried out online by Opinion Matters between the 5th and 14th June, 2013 amongst a panel resulting in 1,001 men aged between 16 and 70.

A team of 25 dedicated volunteers at the Heritage Motor Centre have completed the restoration of a 1958 MGA Twin Cam Coupe chassis.  The work began in November 2012 and the restoration was completed in May 2013.  The MGA will go on display in the Museum on Tuesday 25 June.

The MGA dates from 1958 and has been part of the Museum’s reserve collection for a number of years.  Originally a complete car, it was one of only 300 or so Twin Cam coupés made by MG and is thought to have been shown either on the Earl’s Court Motor Show stand or at the New York Motor Show. Subsequently sectioned and painted in an array of colours as a technical demonstration for apprentices and students alike, it eventually became a museum piece. Over the past seven months, the volunteers have painstakingly stripped down, cleaned, restored and repainted the MGA, retaining some of the unusual livery that the car has acquired over its lifetime.

Now the restoration is complete the team will embark on two new projects. The first to restore a Rover gas turbine instructional unit which was designed to train students at technical colleges and universities and the second to restore a 1960 Standard Ensign which was the last model to roll off the line at Canley before the Standard marque disappeared in 1963.

Sonja Dosanjh, Volunteer Co-Ordinator at the HMC stated “The team has thoroughly enjoyed working on this fascinating project. They have worked incredibly hard restoring the MGA to its former glory and the results have been worth the many months of dedication and commitment that the team has put in and we now look forward to our next few projects”.

www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

In December 2011 I had the painful duty of writing a press release announcing the suspension of the NABD Adaption Grant system.

In essence demand had outstripped resources and in the first seven months of the 2011-2012 financial-year we had already awarded more than £74,000 in grants, which was more than the previous record for any full financial-year.

I am now very pleased to announce that the NABD grants system is now up-and-running once again, thanks to an upsurge in support from clubs, individuals and companies, following the publication of that press release.

At the June meeting of the NABD trustees grants were awarded to help 14 disabled riders to adapt bikes and/or trikes totalling just over £10,000.

We have also now restructured the grants system so that it should never again have to be suspended.

There is still something of a backlog in applications but these will be dealt with in the order they were received and it is our hope that, with the continued support of bikers, we should have cleared that backlog by September.

I would like once again to assure all supporters that 100% of every donation is used solely to fund adaption grants. Not one penny is taken for running costs or wages. This is a fact that is easily checked because as a Registered Charity our accounts are made publicly available every year via the Charities Commission and they show that in the over the last decade we have awarded almost £35,500 more in grants than we have received in donations (the difference being funded by our own direct fund raising events etc.)

The NABD has helped more than 10,000 disabled bikers in its 21 years of existence and it is only with the continued support of bikers that we will be able to continue this work.

How can you help?

If your club is having a party, why not make it a fund-raiser for the NABD?  Why not ask your local bikers pub to run a raffle or a party to raise funds for the NABD?  Or you could simply become a member of the NABD for £20 (you don't have to be disabled to join and support our aims).  You can also buy “NABD supporter” patches and other NABD merchandise via the shop on www.nabd.org.uk

We also have Autumn Nabd’ness rally (Oxfordshire, September 7th – 9th) tickets for sale via www.nabd.org.uk or by calling 0844 415 4849.

The NABD is the biker’s charity and bikers are the only people who make it all work.

Donations can be sent to: NABD, Unit 20, The Bridgewater Centre, Robson Avenue, Urmston, Manchester, M41 7TE.  Or you can donate on line www.nabd.org.uk or by phone 0844 415 4849

The NABD is a biker's charity run by bikers for bikers.

Rick Hulse

NABD Chairman

THE WEB STORE DEDICATED TO THE VESPA UNIVERSE OPENS ITS DISPLAY WINDOWS ON THE INTERNET.

On the new www.VESPA.COM website, dedicated to the most loved scooter in the world, the Vespa Store opens its display windows: a wide range of clothing, gadgets and accessories, to live every day with the style and values of youth, freedom and elegance which Vespa has disseminated across the five continents.

Vespa Store, the VESPA.COM web store in which the extraordinary Vespa 946 made its debut, already bookable on line, is now enhanced with five sections - Clothing, Helmets and Accessories, Gadgets, Vespa 946 Accessories and Vespa Special Collections - constituting the richest and most accessible “Official Vespa” catalogue ever presented. To live always in perfect Vespa style.

Milan, 18 June 2013 - Vespa is not just a scooter. It is the most widespread and popular two-wheeled vehicle in the world. It is a legend built on over eighteen million units, on a record of technology and style that sets it apart over time, since the first unit in 1946 to the latest model, the futuristic and precious Vespa 946. Vespa is the only scooter in the world which knows how to be loved, so much so as to be cared for and maintained well beyond the average life-time of any other vehicle and to go beyond its function as an urban vehicle to become a cult object, a real collector's item, symbol of a lifestyle.

Vespa has been able to anticipate the cultural upheavals that have swept the world in more than six decades, taking on the role of protagonist in the lifestyle revolutions related to the young, fashion and music. Vespa has been a protagonist in the lives of entire generations becoming the bearer of values of elegance, freedom and friendship. And over the decades Vespa has managed to create a unique style linked to its cosmopolitan soul. Now the web, a perfect synthesis of a world increasingly without borders, becomes the place to share these fundamental values for which Vespa is an ambassador.

The VESPA.COM website, a point of reference for Vespa enthusiasts worldwide, now hosts the new display windows of the Vespa Store, the web space in which - thanks to the possibility of on-line booking - the Vespa 946 made its debut, the most precious and technologically advanced Vespa model ever conceived. On the new Vespa Store a rich array of clothing, gadgets and accessories, conceived and designed drawing on the most classic Vespa iconography, is available to enthusiasts to live in Vespa style, dress with the same casual elegance, surrounded by preciously made objects which are reminiscent of timeless shapes.

The Official Vespa Store provides access to the five major sections that divide the items on sale:

Clothing: with the rich Lifestyle collection consisting of T-Shirts, Polos, Jackets and Windcheaters. Always characterised by top quality materials and first-class workmanship and designed in the Vespa style that perfectly summarises a neglected, graciously snobbish elegance.

Helmets and Accessories: in addition to Vespa helmets, from the most recent lines to the classic series with the flags of the world, belts, sunglasses and bags of various types, from practical and very young shoulder bags, characterised by an elegant “vintage” look, to large travel bags are on sale.

Gadgets: the legendary perpetual calendars in perfect 50s style, wrist watches and clocks, document holders, stationery and many other proposals, always decorated with historic Vespa images from original prints preserved in the Historical Piaggio Archive, to surround yourself in domestic life with real Vespa objects.

Vespa 946 Accessories: a section dedicated to the sale of accessories for the new Vespa 946, to make the most valuable scooter unique. Each accessory - from genuine leather helmet bags to the top fairing, chrome luggage racks, genuine leather hand grips, special parts in aluminium - is made with the richness of materials and attention to detail that characterise this exclusive jewel that is the Vespa 946.

Vespa Special Collections: helmets and clothing, richly finished and exclusively dedicated to the most modern Vespa. To always wear, on every occasion, the elegant exclusivity of Vespa 946.

The new e-store, whose content and functionalities are accessible from the various desktop, tablet and smartphone platforms, consistently adopts the look and feel of the new www.vespa.com, the official Vespa website, on-line since a few weeks and true "compass" for lovers of the Vespa and its style worldwide.

The new Vespa Store is immediately active for Vespa enthusiasts in Italy, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK.

THE BEAST UNLEASHED AT GOODWOOD!

Ear-splitting prototype’s first ever public ridden appearance comes at the UK’s Festival of Speed. On the handle bar of the ultra strong naked bike: Jeremy McWilliams.  

KTM’s 1290 Super Duke R prototype will be in action for the first time in public at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in England, from 12th - 14th July. In November 2012 at the Milan motorcycle show (EICMA), KTM’s technicians and designers demonstrated their ability and ideas through two open megaphones to present the prototype of the 1290 Super Duke R. Its appearance needs no explanation. Unfiltered, the 1290 Super Duke R shouts the essence of KTM´s philosophy into the world: Ready to Race!

In the promotional video shot to accompany its unveiling at EICMA, the machine dubbed ‘The Beast’ escaped from a secure facility in a cloud of powerslides and effortless wheelies. Soon after, the KTM YouTube channel received more than 700.000 views of this video.

Like any good concept machine, the creators were not about complying with regulations. This was about showing what happens when the best technicians, designers and riders are unleashed at the KTM Factory in Mattighofen. The developers started with another hefty rebore of the RC8 R engine in order to give it maximum punch. Around this two-cylinder elemental force, they fitted a tight suit tailored from light steel pipes, completing the frame with a single-sided swing arm and top level prototype development suspension components from WP Suspension. The chassis is completed with lightweight wheels, racing brakes and racing tyres. With the test rider in the video is still in his recovery period, having had to recalibrate his brain to riding levels never previously thought possible, former MotoGP rider Jeremy McWilliams will attempt to steer this powerful machine around the nine turns that make up the 1.16 mile Hillclimb course. Nirvana for petrolheads, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is the largest motoring garden party in the world – a unique summer weekend that brings together an impossibly heady mix of cars, motorbikes, stars and motor sport ‘royalty’ to create the largest motor culture event in the world. Held in the immaculate grounds of Goodwood House, this annual Hillclimb event is a true celebration of motor sport and all things automotive. The 2013 Festival of Speed will focus on highlights from the Festival’s glittering 20-year history, featuring the biggest, best, fastest, loudest and most outrageous vehicles of all time. KTM won’t be out of place.

KTM will also be in attendance on four wheels with another UK first, as the recently unveiled X-Bow GT will be trying to beat the official Hill Climb car record of 41.6s.

Jeremy McWilliams said: “It’s always an honour to ride at Goodwood, but to be honest this will be the most insane bike I’ve ever ridden and yes - more than a certain MotoGP bike. Hopefully I can keep ‘The Beast’ on a leash and put on a good show for the fans at Goodwood. It is going to be memorable!”

 SPECIFICATIONS: KTM 1290 Super Duke R Prototype

• Engine: liquid cooled V-twin, based on RC8 R Superbike with Ride-by-Wire
• Displacement: more than ever
• Power and torque: very, very much
• Electronic assistants: ABS and traction control – stoppie and wheelie protection disengageable (of course)
• Top speed: depends on the rider’s courage and figure
• Frame: Trellis frame made of chrome molybdenum steel
• Swing arm: single sided aluminium swing arm
• Suspension components: WP prototypes – upside-down forks with gas pressure reservoir, directly linked rear shock
• Wheels and tyres: aluminium wheels with slicks
• Brakes: front and rear Brembo racing calipers
• Weight: incredibly low