Biker News - Regularly updated

Welcome to our News section, where articles are listed below and if relevant within the categories on the right, just to make it easier for you to find what you wish to read...

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  1. 😬 IS ORANGE THE NEW BLUE?

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    NADIA PADOVANI 

    “Alex, it’s truly hard to let you go. We’ve shared emotions, growth, and moments that I will carry in my heart forever. I’m proud of the man and the rider you are. But before we say goodbye, there’s still one more chapter to write together. Let’s do it with the determination that has always set us apart”. 

     

     É¢Ê€á´‡êœ±ÉªÉ´Éª ᴡɪʟʟ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ʙᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴏᴍᴇ

     


    #GresiniX for #AlexMarquez

     

  2. BK8 GRESINI RACING MOTOGP, BETWEEN PRESENT AND FUTURE

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    Half a season still to go with our hearts on the line, but 2027 is just around the corner and the BK8 Gresini MotoGP Team is already working to be among the protagonists in the coming years as well.

     

    NEW LINE-UP
    Joan Mir and Dani Holgado will be the riders entrusted with defending the colours of the BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Team on track. The record of number 36 speaks for itself: two world titles already won (MotoGP in 2020 and Moto3 in 2017), confirming his value at the highest level. Alongside him will be the very young number 96, Moto3 World Championship runner-up in 2024 and one of the main contenders in the Moto2 title fight this season.

    THE BIKE
    The collaboration with Ducati Corse has been confirmed, the result of a shared vision and a path already marked by success in both the past and present. A multi-year agreement that further strengthens a solid and well-structured relationship. The status of the BK8 Gresini Racing Team remains unchanged, with an official factory bike in the garage available to Joan Mir.


    #96 DANI HOLGADO – 2027 BK8 GRESINI RACING RIDER
    “I am very happy to join the MotoGP project of the BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Team: it is literally the dream of my life to race in the premier class, and doing it with a team like this makes it even better. It is the result of a lot of effort and hard work over the years. I know it will be a huge challenge, but I am ready to grow both as a rider and as a person. A huge thank you to Nadia and the Team, my family, and everyone who has believed and continues to believe in me. I know it won’t be an easy journey, but I am fully ready for whatever comes next.”

     

     

     

    JOAN MIR will only make statements once his contract with Honda expires (31 December 2026).

     

    NADIA PADOVANI – GRESINI RACING TEAM OWNER
    “From next year a lot will change, but the essence of the BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Team will remain the same. We continue to be a team that works to grow season after season, and in 2027 we will do so with two riders in whom we place great trust and whom we are ready to support fully. Dani is a profile we have been following for a long time and we are pleased that he can begin his rookie experience with us. Joan is a MotoGP World Champion: his record speaks for itself. One is at the beginning of his journey, the other aims to rediscover his best sensations and make the most of his potential. For both, we want to be a constant reference point. We will continue to race together with Ducati Corse, which over the years has proven to be a reliable and winning partner, and we are very happy about this. Last but not least, at the end of the season we will say goodbye to Alex and Fermin, two riders who have given a lot to our team, both in terms of results and human relationship. To them goes our thanks and best wishes for the future.”

    GIGI DALL’IGNA – GENERAL MANAGER DUCATI CORSE
    “We are pleased to confirm the continuation of the multi-year collaboration between Ducati Corse and the BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Team. A relationship built over time, based on shared values, technical expertise, and a common determination to pursue ambitious goals on track. This partnership has been enriched by important sporting results achieved by the team, a testament to the quality of the work done together. The BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Team represents a key partner within our project and we will continue to work side by side with continuity, with the aim of furthering our shared growth journey.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  3. What Motorcycle Businesses Should Know About Importing Parts

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    Anyone who's run a dealership, a custom workshop, or a parts and accessories business knows the frustration of a delayed shipment. A customer's bike sits half-stripped on the ramp, a restoration project stalls waiting on one obscure bracket, or a busy season arrives and the stock that should be on the shelf is still somewhere in transit. For motorcycle businesses, importing parts isn't a side issue: it's central to keeping customers happy and workshops running.

    Whether you're sourcing OEM components from Japan, aftermarket exhausts from the US, or a complete project bike from Europe, getting parts and machines into the UK reliably takes more planning than most people expect.

    Why Importing Motorcycle Parts is More Complicated than it Looks

    Motorcycle parts cover a huge range of goods, from tiny gaskets and electrical components to engines, full fairing kits, and entire crated machines. That variety creates real complications:

    • Small, high-value parts (ECUs, carburettors, branded components) need secure handling and proper insurance
    • Engines and heavy components require correct freight classification and careful packing
    • Aftermarket and performance parts sourced from outside the UK and EU may attract import duty and VAT
    • Vintage or classic bike parts often come from niche overseas suppliers with limited shipping options of their own
    • Whole motorcycles being imported, whether project bikes, restorations, or new stock, need specialist crating and handling to avoid damage in transit

    Get any of this wrong and the costs add up fast: damaged stock, customs delays, unexpected charges, or a shipment held at the border while paperwork gets sorted out.

    Shipping a Whole Bike: Why Crating Matters

    For businesses bringing in complete motorcycles rather than just parts, the logistics shift up a gear. A bike isn't like a pallet of boxed parts; it's an irregular shape, often has fluids that need draining or securing, and frequently has a level of value that makes any knock or scrape an expensive problem.

    This is where crated bike shipping comes into its own, since proper crating protects the bike from the kind of handling damage that's all too easy during loading, transit, and customs inspections. For dealers importing classic or collector bikes, or workshops bringing in project machines for restoration, this isn't a luxury. It's the difference between a bike arriving ready to work on and one arriving with new problems to fix before the original job has even started.

    Choosing the Right Freight Method

    Most motorcycle businesses end up using a mix of freight options depending on what's being shipped and how urgently it's needed.

    • Air freight suits small, urgent, high-value parts, particularly when a workshop is waiting on a specific component to finish a job
    • Road freight works well for regular, planned restocking from European suppliers
    • Sea freight is usually the most cost-effective option for larger or heavier shipments, including crated bikes, where transit time matters less than overall cost

    For UK-based businesses, sea freight UK routes are well established and tend to offer the best value for bulkier imports, especially when shipping from further afield such as the US, Japan, or Australia. It's slower than air freight, but for stock that isn't needed overnight, the savings can be significant. 

    Customs, Duty, and Paperwork

    Importing into the UK means dealing with customs declarations, correct commodity codes, and potential import duty or VAT, depending on where the goods are coming from. For motorcycle parts specifically, this can get fiddly:

    • Engine components and complete bikes may be classified differently to standard parts
    • Country of origin affects whether preferential tariff rates apply
    • Incorrect documentation is one of the most common reasons shipments get held at the border
    • Businesses importing regularly benefit from working with a forwarder who understands motorcycle-specific classifications, rather than starting from scratch each time

    Getting this right the first time saves money and keeps stock moving, which matters most during peak riding season when demand for parts and finished bikes is at its highest.

    Building a Reliable Supply Chain

    For motorcycle dealers, workshops, and parts suppliers, the businesses that handle imports smoothly tend to share a few habits. They plan ahead rather than scrambling for urgent shipments, they use freight forwarders who understand the quirks of bike and parts shipping and they build in realistic timeframes rather than assuming everything will turn up exactly on schedule.

    Getting the logistics right behind the scenes means fewer headaches, fewer disappointed customers, and a workshop or showroom that keeps moving at the pace the UK's biking community expects.   Barrington Freight, crated Motorbike shipping,

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  4. 10 Years of Adventure Country Tracks – A Decade of Adventure Across Europe's Most Scenic Backroads

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    What began in 2016 with a single route in Portugal has grown into one of Europe's largest adventure motorcycle communities: Adventure Country Tracks (ACT) is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

    The idea was simple yet ambitious: to provide motorcycle riders with legal, carefully researched adventure and off-road routes through some of Europe's most spectacular landscapes. Ten years later, ACT routes span multiple countries and connect thousands of riders through a shared passion for exploration, adventure and responsible travel.

    From Portugal to the Pyrenees, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Romania, as well as a growing number of new destinations, ACT has continuously evolved over the past decade. Throughout this journey, the focus has never been solely on the routes themselves, but also on the people behind them: volunteer route developers, partners, supporters and a community that actively embraces and promotes the values of ACT.

    "Ten years of ACT means ten years of friendships, shared experiences and unforgettable adventures. We are proud of what has grown from a small idea and grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey," says Elvio Andrade of Adventure Country Tracks.

    A key element of the ACT philosophy has always been responsible riding and respect for nature, local residents and the communities through which the routes pass. The principles of #ride, #respect and #enjoy have guided ACT from the very beginning and continue to play a vital role in preserving existing routes and enabling future projects.

    As ACT celebrates its first decade, the organization is not only looking back on its achievements but also focusing firmly on the future. New routes, innovative concepts such as ACT Ride & Train, and international partnerships will help shape the next chapter of the ACT story.

    To mark the 10th anniversary of Adventure Country Tracks, ACT is celebrating the developments of the past decade with a special retrospective on the origins, growth and the people behind the movement. The highlight of the anniversary celebrations is the release of a film telling the story of ACT and its community.

    The YouTube premiere will take place on 5 July 2026 at 8.00 pm (CEST).

    You can find the link to the premiere here: Link to the YouTube premiere

     

     

  5. The all-new Touratech DUSTRIDER: a textile suit for touring, long-distance rides and off-road action

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    With the all-new DUSTRIDER, Touratech rounds off its range of rider gear with a textile motorcycle suit designed for a particularly wide range of uses. The model combines excellent ventilation with a high level of protection and a versatile weather protection system.

    Whether it’s brisk road trips, long-distance journeys or challenging off-road sections – the new Touratech DUSTRIDER is the all-rounder among textile suits. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in the premium rider gear sector, Touratech’s developers have combined modern textile materials, high-performance protection and practical details into a functional design that appeals to touring riders as well as off-road-oriented adventure bikers.

    Excellent ventilation on hot days
    Large 3D mesh panels on the chest, sides, back and thighs give the Touratech DUSTRIDER excellent breathability. Additional ventilation openings in the shoulder area and a double zip at the cuffs improve air circulation, particularly when riding slowly and in high temperatures – perfect for demanding off-road adventures.
    In terms of material selection and construction, Touratech relies on a functional combination of abrasion-resistant base fabric, elastic inserts and targeted reinforcements. Areas subject to particular wear, such as the seat, the inner thighs and other contact zones, are reinforced with ripstop fabric. Leather trim on the inner knees improves contact with the bike when standing or riding in a sporty, active style. Anti-slip materials in the seat area optimise grip on the seat.

    High-quality protective gear
    The Touratech DUSTRIDER comes as standard with state-of-the-art protectors, ensuring maximum safety both on and off-road:
    •    Shoulders and elbows: Seeflex Level 2 protectors (EN 1621-1:2012)
    •    Knees: Seeflex Level 2 protectors (EN 1621-1:2012), adjustable
    •    Back: Seesoft Air Level 2 protector (EN 1621-2:2014)
    •    Hips: Seesmart Level 1 protectors (EN 1621-1:2012)
    Both the jacket and the trousers are certified to the particularly high protection class AA in accordance with EN 17092-3:2020.

    Comfort, versatility and functional benefits
    The Touratech DUSTRIDER is designed with a regular fit, offering the perfect balance between mobility off-road and a streamlined fit at higher speeds. Adjustment options on the sleeves, cuffs and waist allow for a personalised fit. Stretch panels in the shoulder and arm areas improve freedom of movement, whilst long leg zips make it easier to put the trousers on and access boot fastenings; the elasticated leg cuffs allow the trousers to be worn both over and inside the boots.
    Another key focus during the development of the Touratech DUSTRIDER was on ensuring maximum practicality for everyday use. The system features a total of 15 pockets: eight on the jacket, four on the trousers and three on the waterproof outer jacket. Several of the pockets are water-repellent. Touratech has also incorporated a hydration bladder holder with a hose feed-through on the back of the jacket.

    A smart weather protection system
    And the Touratech DUSTRIDER isn’t just impressive in summer temperatures. For bad weather conditions, a suit made from high-quality three-layer Hydratex laminate is included. Particularly clever: the rain jacket and trousers – both waterproof and breathable – can be worn over or under the DUSTRIDER, depending on preference. This innovative ‘over-under’ concept offers users maximum flexibility in changing weather conditions.
    The rain cover is designed to be compact when packed away and can be stowed away neatly. Long zips running the full length of the legs make it easy to put the rain trousers on, even when wearing boots. A two-way zip also allows access to the pockets of the trousers worn underneath.
    Reflective panels on the chest, arms, back and legs improve visibility in the dark and in poor visibility conditions.

    Remarkably versatile
    The Touratech DUSTRIDER is designed for a wide range of uses. A special feature is that, for more off-road-oriented tasks, the protectors can be removed from the jacket and replaced with a separate protection vest. In this configuration, the jacket serves as an additional protective outer layer.

    The all-new Touratech DUSTRIDER at a glance

    • High-quality textile suit for a wide range of uses
    • Jacket and trousers certification: EN 17092-3:2020, Class AA
    • Extensive mesh panels and stretch inserts for ventilation and comfort
    • Ripstop reinforcements and leather trim
    • Standard protectors on shoulders, elbows, back, hips and knees
    • Fully removable weatherproof layer made from a 3-layer laminate with Hydratex membrane
    • Weather protection layer can be worn either under or over the suit
    • A total of 15 pockets
    • Connecting zip between jacket and trousers
    • Pre-fitted for braces and hydration system

    The Touratech DUSTRIDER is available in sizes S to 4XL. Further information can be found in the Touratech webshop.