The Official Launch of the 2018 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy will take place on Wednesday 21^st March at the Villa Marina.

The most famous names in TT racing will be in attendance at the event to talk about their preparations and ambitions ahead of the 2018 event.

The star studded evening will see the latest news on all of the action on track announced, as well as details of new additions to the off track schedule. All of which will be set against a backdrop of some of the amazing machines being ridden this year along with the iconic TT trophies and a non -stop collection of awe inspiring TT video clips.

Doors open at 7.00pm for a 730pm start with tickets priced at £5 available from the Villa Marina box office at www.villagaiety.com

If you can’t be on the Island, you will be able to watch the proceedings live via the Official Isle of Man TT Races website - iomtt.com

AS WE WAIT FOR THE THREE DAYS OF TESTS IN THAILAND, SCHEDULED FROM 16 THROUGH 18 FEBRUARY, IT'S TIME TO DRAW SUMS AFTER THE FIRST TESTS OF THE SEASON IN SEPANG

In the Aprilia camp, there were great expectations for the début of the new RS-GP machines in the 2018 version. It was even more of a change for Scott Redding, astride the Italian V4 for the first time.
After initial contact in November at Valencia and Jerez with the 2017 bike, the English rider had a chance to test the 2018 RS-GP in Malaysia. This is the perfect time to make a preliminary analysis of the beginning of this new adventure on the Italian team.

What do you think of the new Aprilia RS-GP?
"The test in Malaysia has been a sort of shakedown, we had the new bike and I haven't been riding the Aprilia since Jerez. At the beginning, when we simply put the 2017 setting on the 2018 bike, it didn't work for me. For Aleix it wasn't a big difference, but he has a lot more experience on this bike. We started to work on that, even experimenting, to make me feel comfortable on the bike. At the end of the three days I was happy, we found some solutions that we'll keep using and, most important, we found the direction to work on for the future. I've been faster every day, cutting the gap with the front guys and I feel there's still a lot of room for improvements".

You're young but you already have a great experience in MotoGP, is it helping you developing a new bike like the RS-GP?
"I have a good experience but not with a factory bike. I have a good ability to feel the bike and to explain the people developing the Aprilia RS-GP. It's the first time I've been given the tools to be able do that and that motivates me a lot, I feel really in my place. I have a unique riding style compared to many other riders, I'm bigger, heavier, and now that I can go a little bit in the right direction for me we'll see what we can do".

How has it been the first approach with the team?
"It's been good, I felt great from the first day. I have a good crew around me, very supportive and very straight down the line of what I need. In Sepang I think we found the right connection, the guys are starting to understand what I like on the bike and what I need to be fast. I feel all of the Aprilia guys believe in me and that's what I was looking for. I'm really happy to have this opportunity".

What is your goal for this season?
"To keep going forward, developing the Aprilia, working a lot in testing with the new bike. I want to put the Aprilia in the top-6, last year Aleix has shown that it is a result within our reach and I think the new bike has even more potential, there are still some new parts coming like the new engine. We still have some testing to do, after that my main priority will be to keep improving the bike race by race ad try to be as competitive as possible".

23-time TT Race winner John McGuinness has signed to ride for the Norton factory team in the RST Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT Races at the 2018 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy. 

McGuinness joins 2015 British Superbike Champion Josh Brookes in a two-man team using the latest specification Norton ‘SG7’ machines, derived from the firm’s flagship V4 RR road bike.

McGuinness last won a Superbike class race in 2015, winning the PokerStars Senior TT, which also saw him breaking the outright lap record with a lap of 132.701, which remains his fastest lap around the Mountain Course. He achieved podiums in both the 2016 RST Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT but missed last year’s TT race meeting due to serious injuries sustained in the North West 200, which he is still recovering from. However, he expects to be back to full fitness in time for his TT debut with Norton this June.

McGuinness has enjoyed a remarkable TT career and is second only to Joey Dunlop in outright TT victories and is rightly considered as one of the all-time TT greats.  In a career that has now stretched over twenty years, he first announced himself to the road-racing world in 1996, finishing the highest placed and fastest newcomer in the 250cc TT Race and his name has since become synonymous with the Isle of Man Mountain Course.

He has stood on the Isle of Man TT podium a record 46 times from 78 race finishes and is confident that more success is just around the corner now he has teamed up with this iconic British brand.

Talking about the news of his Norton signing John McGuinness commented:

“I didn’t want to end my career due to an injury, but the truth is I didn’t know whether I would be able to come back as I didn’t know how fit I was going to be. Right now, things are going well. I feel a lot sharper and my head is in gear and ready to go. The plan is to get the external fixator cage off my leg by the end of this month and after that we can start working towards getting bike fit and testing.”  

“I’m definitely ready for a change of manufacturer. I needed an injection of enthusiasm and I’ve found it with Norton. From the first time I met with Stuart (Garner) the vibe was there and the passion. I watched Steve Hislop win the TT on the Norton in 1992 and it was massive. Everyone remembers that! We can’t get carried away, it’s going to be a big job but I’ve watched a lot of YouTube videos of the bike in action, I watched the bike out on track last year and it’s clearly a very fast and capable bike and I can tell you there are worse handling bikes out there too, so there’s no reason we can’t do the business if the stars line up right.”

Norton Motorcycles CEO Stuart Garner added:

“We’ve been talking to John for a year or more, he’s the talent. He’s the man at the TT with the total experience, the results and the pedigree. We have the ambition to win the TT and to go on to develop a really strong team in years to come. We’d got John in our sights for a long time.”

“To get John in the Norton team with his experience and knowledge available is fabulous.  Norton will seize the opportunity to get John involved in all aspects of the bike – he’s a huge asset to Norton. Everyone in the factory has got a huge buzz. It’s pretty special.  We’re all looking forward to the TT but we’ve not set any targets and take nothing for granted. Putting John McGuiness and Norton together is a dream team, but we know all results at the TT are hard earned whatever your name.”

Kick stands up!
Revving into 2018 with the launch of a new tours programme in the USA, Cuba, Mexico and Canada. Take a peak at the website for inspiration for your next motorcycle holiday.
How about Cuba or Mexico?

• Colourful Cuba with its fascinating history, fabulous music and hospitable people. Take the guided Cuba Grand tour riding the length of the island, the Cuba in 7 Days tour or party on down at New Year
• Ride the Baja California peninsular in Mexico and tour the humungous Copper Canyon (bigger than the Grand Canyon). Alternatively celebrate New Year 2019 fiesta-style or tour the central Colonial region of old Mexico in Spring or Autumn
• Also hitting the dirt trails with Adventure touring in Mexico. Copper Canyon Expedition provides fun on and off the bike for those who like to take the long back woods route from A to B 

• Open Day, Overton, Hants, 10 Feb: We are delighted to have our expert American guide, Marc Sloan, visiting us and attending the events below. He's going to be in our office all day on Sat 10th for those who'd like to pop in and talk touring
• MCN London, Stand A14, 16-18 Feb: David, Linda and Marc will be on hand to explain what's special about Orange & Black guided and self-guided tours, and rentals
• Scottish Motorcycle Show, Stand H26, 3-4 March: Marc will be joining Chris in Edinburgh and they look forward to welcoming you on the Orange & Black stand
  
  

Don't forget, for all your North American motorcycle holidays visit www.orange-and-black.co.uk. 

And they can also book your flights, organise specialist travel insurance and arrange a Free Harley "Try before you Fly" orientation ride!

Ride Safe

Orange & Black...... for your ride of a lifetime, every time!

The organisers of Motorcycle Live have announced the winners of the 2017 show awards, based solely on feedback from the visiting public. Kawasaki Motors UK, Triumph Motorcycles, Infinity Motorcycles and Suzuki GB all collected accolades for their efforts at the annual event, which took place at The NEC, Birmingham last November.

Kawasaki Motors UK was awarded Best Manufacturer Stand for its innovative design, which was based around the concept of the “ultimate Kawasaki showroom”. The stand drew inspiration from the past with its retro-themed area, while also looking to the future with a focus on Kawasaki’s cutting edge technology.

The award for Best Manufacturer Experience was presented to Triumph Motorcycles, with visitors praising the friendly atmosphere, excellent customer service and in-depth product knowledge demonstrated by the stand staff.

For the second consecutive year, Infinity Motorcycles received the award for Best Non-Manufacturer Stand. The company’s retail space, in conjunction with Oxford Products, spanned ten stands and offered a huge range of motorcycle clothing and accessories from all the top brands.

For 2018, show organisers introduced a brand-new award, reflecting the increasing number of exhibiting manufacturers bringing live features and experiences to their stands. Visitors gave the highest rating to the Suzuki Classic Restoration feature, which saw Team Classic Suzuki’s chief mechanic Nathan Colomb meticulously restore Kevin Schwantz’s 1989 RGV500 over the course of the nine-day show.

Suzuki GB’s aftersales marketing co-ordinator, Tim Davies, said, “When we’re thinking of ideas for each show, we just do what we know we’d like to see. We’re enthusiasts, ultimately, the same as everyone that visits Motorcycle Live, and we were just as excited to see the full restoration of such an iconic race bike as everyone else. However, there are lots of great features at Motorcycle Live each year, so it is really special to know that what we did was appreciated, and we’re very grateful for the title.”

“We had a brilliant Motorcycle Live,” said David Holloway, sales director of Infinity Motorcycles. “There was a great atmosphere and we had so many enthusiastic people visiting the stand and buying new kit. We put a huge amount of hard work and effort into what we offer at Motorcycle Live, so to know the visitors enjoyed what we did makes that all the more worthwhile.”

Over 100,000 bike fans visited Motorcycle Live 2017 over nine days, enjoying what many have hailed the most interactive, entertaining and action-packed event in the show's history. 

Motorcycle Live 2018 will take place at The NEC, Birmingham from 17-25 November – save the date!