| Biker News - Regularly updated
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Touratech Importers from around the world gathered for a meeting to discuss the reorganization of Touratech AG. As a sign of confidence in Touratech AG, the importers announced a plan to purchase products from the company in the amount of € 50 million over the next 3 years.

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THE 2018 VMCC FESTIVAL OF 1000 BIKES, THE TOP UK TRACK WEEKEND!
Following repeated requests from members and the motorcycling fraternity the VMCC are pleased to announce the return of one of the best motorcycling events in Europe. Discussions with our colleagues at Real Motorsport will see the VMCC festival of 1000 Bikes combined with the Mallory Bonanza returning to Mallory Park on the weekend of 6th/7th/8th July 2018. The event is returning with exactly the same format as before giving enthusiasts the opportunity to ride their own machines in multiple track sessions over the weekend. Catering for all classes of machines from the earliest Veterans through to the machines of the super bike era this is a truly inclusive event which reflects the wide range of interests within the VMCC. With lesser noise restrictions on Sunday the Festival will again allow for riders to display their racing machinery in special track sessions running throughout the day. Still the same great Festival covering all aspects of Classic Motorcycling the event will again feature- Public Road Track Sessions (Saturday) Race Bike Track Sessions (Sunday) Pre 65 Trials Historic Grass Track Ave of Clubs (50 Clubs in attendance in 2008) Trade Stands/Auto jumble Bar Marquee open all day with panoramic view of Stebbe straight Live bands on stage starting Fri 10th July. More details will be released over the coming weeks. However as the Track sessions for both road and race machines sold out in all the previous years the Club will have entry forms available to be downloaded from the web site in December or contact VMCC HQ direct or via the event dedicated website at www.vmcc.net

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Suzuki has revealed its new SV650X for 2018, pulling the wraps off the café racer-inspired V-twin middleweight today at Eicma, in Milan, Italy. 
Taking design cues from the SV650 Rally Concept – which the Japanese firm showcased at the Osaka Motor Show in 2016 – the SV650X follows the same concept with a design that pays homage to the tarmac rally cars of the 1970s. The ‘neo-retro’ styling sees the SV650X get a new bikini fairing and tinted screen, clip-on handlebars, and a tuck-roll seat. The SV650X utilises the same punchy V-twin engine as the standard SV650, and gets Suzuki’s low-rpm assist and easy-start system. There are also new, preload adjustable front forks, which will feature across the SV range for 2018.
Suzuki GB marketing manager, Rob Cooper, said, “The SV650 is a hugely popular machine in the middleweight sector of the market, and it has been ever since the launch of the original in 1999. Thanks to its characterful and punchy V-twin engine and capable chassis, it combines a fun, sporty ride with affordability and practicality. The SV650X builds on that proven platform and brings retro styling to the range, with clip-on handlebars that not only add to the look, but create an even sportier feel. Preload adjustable forks will further enhance performance, with riders able to adjust to suit their own riding style and use, and that will apply across the SV range for 2018.”
The new SV650X will be on display at Motorcycle Live, which takes place from 18-26 November at the NEC in Birmingham, alongside the rest of Suzuki’s 2018 model range, including the award-winning GSX-R1000R and new GSX-S125 and GSX-R125 machines.
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- Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati, presents four new bikes and confirms the company’s constant growth.
- The new Ducati bikes unveiled on the eve of EICMA 2017 in Milan are: Panigale V4, Ducati Scrambler 1100, Multistrada 1260 and 959 Panigale Corse
- Streamed live worldwide: hundreds of thousands of people connected for the Ducati World Première 2018
5 November 2017, Milan (Italy) – Titled "Sinfonia Italiana" ("Italian Symphony"), the Ducati World Première 2018 gave the press and thousands of eager fans a preview of 4 new motorcycles that will be on show at EICMA 2017 from 9 to 12 November at the Milano-Rho trade fair centre.
This global event was held in the spectacular setting of the Linear Ciak theatre in Milan on the evening of Sunday 5th November. Streamed on the internet and broadcast in Italy live on SKY television, the Première saw Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, unveil the latest bikes, share the stage with international guests, celebrate a fantastic race season together with official Ducati Corse (MotoGP and WorldSBK) riders and illustrate the company's recent achievements and future goals.
“Ducati is a global brand with a solid Italian core: sporting spirit, excellence in design, a love of beauty and a capacity to arouse great passion and build unique experiences”, stated Claudio Domenicali as he opened the Ducati World Premiere 2018. “We’re a 1,600-person orchestra. We’ve come a long way. Today, we conceive, design, and build inimitable motorcycles. Every day, together with our dealers, over 5,000 people all over the world are committed to providing motorcyclists from 93 countries with nothing less than perfection! Motorcyclists whose appreciation of our work and bikes is growing constantly. The year 2017 will, in fact, be the best in our history, the culmination of eight straight years of growth.
With these latest bikes in the 2018 range we aim to continue the “symphony” that stems from a team effort in which all members of the ‘orchestra’ interact in perfect harmony, each providing individual excellence to breathe life into our fantastic motorcycles.”
The first 2018 bike to be revealed was the Ducati Scrambler 1100, presented together with American model and influencer @Imogenocide, the star of the bike's launch video (soundtracked by the Fun Lovin’ Criminals). The Scrambler 1100 also comes in a Special version, which draws its inspiration from the custom world, and a Sport version.
The evening continued with the 959 Panigale Corse, which maintains the tradition of Ducati twin cylinder sport bikes. Characterised by new, exclusive components and an eye-catching livery, this bike was ridden onto the stage by SBK rider Chaz Davies, who arrived in Milan directly from Doha, in Qatar, where he had just completed the last round in the SBK world championship, finishing an impressive second in both the race and the championship.
Another new 2018 bike presented during the Ducati World Première was the Multistrada 1260. Mounting the new Ducati 1262 cm3 Testastretta DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) engine, it also features a new chassis set-up, more modern electronics and a re-style that includes side 'wings' and sportier-looking wheels. The Ducati “multibike” comes in several versions: the S version offers semi-active suspension and S D|Air - which maximises safety thanks to integration with an airbag-equipped jacket - while the Pikes Peak, the sportiest Multistrada version, features Öhlins mechanical suspension and forged aluminium wheels.
During the evening Claudio Domenicali also showcased the Multistrada 1200 Enduro Pro, set to play a pivotal role in DRE (Ducati Riding Experience) Enduro 2018 courses, the XDiavel, introduced by award-winning chef Massimo Bottura in a special video message, and the Monster 821, presented to the press last week.
The undisputed star of Ducati World Première 2018 was the S version of the new Panigale V4, the factory bike that comes closer to being a MotoGP prototype than anything ever seen. Ridden onto the stage by talented test rider Michele Pirro, this is the first mass-produced Ducati bike to mount a 4-cylinder engine derived directly from the Desmosedici GP.
The new Ducati supersport family is a concentrate of technology, style and performance. Constituting a new chapter in the company's history, it also includes the exclusive, limited-edition, individually-numbered Panigale V4 Speciale.
The Panigale V4 Speciale - with dedicated livery, titanium exhaust and billet aluminium components - was ridden onto the stage by non other than top-class tester and Ducati ambassador Casey Stoner, the perfect grand finale to close out the event.
It is, then, a future-oriented, optimistic Ducati - and an array of dream bikes, accessories and apparel of outstanding style and originality - that awaits visitors (Hall 15, Stands N06 and N24) to the 75th edition of EICMA: clear confirmation, then, of the central role this iconic brand plays on the international motorcycling scene.
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The organisers of the UK’s biggest bike show, Motorcycle Live, have announced the finalists in its Ace Builds custom showcase competition. The four machines will go on display at Motorcycle Live at The NEC, Birmingham from 18-26 November, where show visitors will be able to vote for the ‘Ultimate Ace Build’. 
The initial entries to the competition were whittled down to just 14 shortlisted machines by an expert panel consisting of Motorcycle News deputy editor Richard Newland, Built magazine and Classic Bike editor Gary Pinchin and Bike Shed founder Anthony “Dutch” van Someren. The decision was then handed over to the public, who have been voting via the Ace Builds website over the last two weeks, to decide the four most popular bikes.
The finalists are:
- A Kawasaki KH500 named “KH Five” built by Pip Davidson - A Yamaha XS650 named “Eleanor” built by Luke Cormack - A Ducati 900 Tracker built by Ali Latimer - A Yamaha XV750 Virago named “Café Racer PP2” built by Phil Price
All four finalists will each receive four tickets to Motorcycle Live and £200 of Motolegends vouchers, plus of course, the chance to have their bike on display by the Black Horse Stage in the Eurosport Entertainment Zone at the heart of Motorcycle Live.
The ‘Ultimate Ace Build’ will be decided by Motorcycle Live visitors, who will be able to vote for their favourite of the four finalists throughout the show. The owner of the winning machine will be awarded £1000 of Motolegends vouchers and the chance for their bike to feature in a Motolegends catalogue.
Advance tickets for Motorcycle Live are on sale now, priced at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors, £1 for 11-16 year olds* and FREE for children aged ten and under (accompanied by a paying adult). There is also a £25 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and a Spada Gonzo bag worth £29.99**.
To book, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk
Motorcycle Live 2017 takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 18-26 November.
*Advance ticket price, closing date for advanced tickets midnight on 17 November 2017. There is a £1.50 fulfilment fee per order.
**Limited offer while stocks last
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