Internet motorcycle apparel retailer, Motolegends, has conducted a survey of more than 5,000 motorcyclists, and has come to some interesting conclusions about motorcycling today, including the assertion that the UK’s obsession with sportsbikes is well and truly over.

The UK has always been one of Europe’s biggest markets for high-performance superbikes, but the company’s research suggests that just 5% of UK bikers these days are motivated by the speed and on-road performance of a motorbike. It's a group that, in its research, Motolegends has called the Boy Racers.

That this group is now so small may not surprise those in the know. Supersports machines, as they are known in the industry, currently account for around 12% of new motorcycle sales, but nearly half of this volume comes from the smaller capacity 50cc-125cc sector.

Sara Linney, Motolegends MD, also takes the view that the racier end of the market is in decline."These days we sell very, very few one-piece race suits. It's only the trackday guys who buy them. There are still a lot of bikers who put their faith in leather, but now it will be a jacket and perhaps an attachable leather pant that they want. It is simply no longer cool to roar around the countryside on a race-rep, dressed up looking like a Moto GP star. Frankly, most people look a bit daft in this gear and, of course, almost whatever the weather it's not appropriate clothing for riding on the road. The guys who rode high-performance sports bikes in the past are now gravitating, for a whole host of reasons, to machines that are a bit more relaxing to ride. They still want to get a buzz, but they want to get it at lower speeds".

The research seems to indicate that the motorcycle market has fragmented. No longer is there a huge and significant motorcycling phenomenon that brings all motorcyclists together. Rather, a number of biking ‘tribes’ have evolved, into which a significant proportion of nearly all riders fall.

For 6% of motorcyclists, the appeal is travel and adventure, although for some the concept is more important than the reality. Motolegends has termed this group the Globetrotters, and the growth of the adventure bike probably indicates the new found popularity of this particular niche.

About 4% of riders, according to the research, are as concerned about what they wear and how they look on the bike, as they are about the bike itself. This group is known as the Style Councillors.
A similar group, who are obsessed with cafe racers and the rock 'n' roll era of motorcycling, account for another 2% of the market. These are the Ace Boys.

6% ride motorbikes in pursuit of what one might term the American Dream. Known as the Highway Cruisers in the research, these are bikers who romanticise about super-comfy V-twins, and gliding along Route 66 in the company of other like-minded riders.

Almost 10% of bikers are motivated by the challenge of being a better rider. They are keen to become more technically proficient, and perhaps safer on the roads as a result. This group has been dubbed the Captain Sensibles.
Nearly 17% of today's riders are so enthusiastic about all things two-wheeled that they are almost unclassifiable. Motolegends has termed these people Bike Nuts. Their tastes are eclectic. They may love off-road and on-track riding, own a classic bike, and go touring on their holidays. If it has two wheels, they're into it.

The largest group, by quite a margin, known as the Garagistes, and accounting for almost 50% of the sample, appear to want more of an involvement with their machines. Some may well be highly proficient mechanically, although others may know very little about the workings of a modern internal combustion engine. But what unifies this group is the desire to create something unique. They want to make a statement, a statement that reflects their lifestyle and their individual personality.

According to Motolegends MD, Sara Linney: “This is borne out by many of the customers who are currently coming through our doors. The average age of motorcyclists has increased, and guys in their forties and fifties are not trying to prove anything. They still want to enjoy their biking, but they want to do it on their own terms; they want to ride what they want to ride, and wear what they want to wear. And these days, it doesn’t have to be black! They're interesting people, they've often lived very full lives, and they don't follow the herd"

Motorcycle Live is arguably the best place in the UK to meet some of the country’s – and in fact the world’s – leading racers away from the pressures of the paddock, all under one roof, and this year’s show will not disappoint. There will be a daily procession of stars from World and British Superbikes, MotoGP, TT and Speedway taking part in on-stage Q&As, photo opportunities and rider signings.

The show will fire up on Saturday 28 November with a star-studded list of racers headed up by 2015 World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea and including 2015 British Superbike Champion Josh Brookes, 2015 World Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden, four-time British Superbike Champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, MotoGP riders Scott Redding and Maverick Vinales and World Superbike ace Leon Haslam.

From then on, the racing stars just keep on coming with appearances throughout the week from the likes of MotoGP rider Bradley Smith, 2015 Moto2 World Champion Johann Zarco, Moto2 star Sam Lowes, 2015 BSB Showdown contenders Dan Linfoot and James Ellison, SBK’s Sylvain Guintoli and Alex Lowes and former racer Troy Corser.

The Isle of Man TT riders will also be out in force on both Classic TT Day (Sunday 29 November) and TT Day (Sunday 6 December), as well as every day of the week, with 23-time TT winner John McGuinness and 11-time TT winner Michael Dunlop being joined by Michael Rutter, Conor Cummins, Dean Harrison, Bruce Anstey, Ryan Farquhar, William Dunlop, Gary Johnson, Ian Hutchinson and many more.

For a full list of riders, updated as and when more are confirmed, visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk/racers

Motorcycle Live takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 28 November to 6 December 2015. Advance tickets are on sale now, at just £17.50 per adult, £11 for Seniors and £7 for children aged 11-16* (kids ten and under accompanied by a paying adult go free). There is also a £20.50 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and a choice of Oxford neck wear worth £15.

To book, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk.

*Advance ticket price, closing date for advanced tickets 5.00pm on 27 November 2015

All information correct at time of release and subject to change.

The search for an external commercial promoter for the Isle of Man TT and Classic TT will begin next month with the aim of making an appointment prior to TT2016. Plans to progress an international TT series are being put on hold for the time being.

The decisions have been made following the completion of the tender process undertaken by the Department of Economic Development to find a commercial promoter for the TT, Classic TT and an international TT Series.

The Minister for Economic Development Laurence Skelly stated:

'The IOM TT Races are iconic. They are very special to many in the motorsport community. They also play a huge role in our community, bringing over £25m into the Island's economy. The TT brand helps raise the image and awareness of the Isle of Man globally.

'Given this, IOM Government is committed to growing both the TT and the Classic TT sustainably and in a manner that works for both fans and the Island. To do so, we need to invest in the events so that we can bring exciting new content while maintaining our proud heritage. Our Department has shown we can manage this delicate balance through the highly successful Festival of Motorcycling as well as the growth we have delivered in the TT in recent years, both in terms of the visitors drawn to our Island as well as the global TV audience of nearly 30m. We must continue to seek new opportunities for growth - it is in that spirit that we entered into the procurement process this year to seek a private promoter with the right skills and resources to help us grow the TT and Classic TT as well as launch a new, ambitious international TT Series.

'Our Department has learned a great deal over the last year, both through this process and through the excellent growth we have continued to deliver in 2015. We were very fortunate that we received strong bids from several organisations. As a result, I remain convinced that we need a private promoter partner who can bring relevant expertise, commercial acumen, new ideas and
investment so that the TT and Classic TT can continue to grow. This is also consistent with our policy to deliver a smaller, simpler Government.

'With regard to the proposed TT Series, this has always been a relatively high risk idea - indeed, some people have voiced concerns that the TT Series might fail or might dilute focus on the Isle of Man events, either of which could harm the TT and/or the Island's economy. Our Department therefore considered very carefully the bids to see whether we could be confident we could deliver the proposed TT Series while managing the risks. Government must be mindful of the importance of the TT to many other stakeholders including local businesses, so our Department has applied a higher threshold of risk than say a private organisation would apply. We have therefore decided that the best way forward is to focus on growing the home events and making them more appealing. As we strengthen our events on the Island and the TT's brand internationally, we will continue to monitor the global motorsport market so that we can pursue the TT Series concept as and when we feel the time is right.

'I am announcing that we will soon commence a new procurement process to find the right promoter partner to help us grow the TT and Classic TT. Government must be seen to be fair to all potential bidders, so given this is different in scope to the previous procurement process it is necessary to commence a new process. We expect to be able to complete this new process prior to TT2016, which will enable us to maintain the momentum we have already built in our plans to date. I believe this is the right way forward to deliver best value for the taxpayer, grow our economy and respect the TT's loyal fan base.

'May I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has given us their views on how we should seek to grow the TT, especially the bidders, our Department's staff and our advisers who have all worked hard and acted so professionally throughout the process.'

IOM Government spends over £5m annually to host the IOM TT Races and Festival of Motorcycling and recoups a similar sum from the associated sponsorship and tax receipts. As a result, the Island's economy gains an annual boost of over £25m as well as invaluable international publicity. The Department believes that a private promoter partner can help to improve the TT and Classic TT and as a result continue to grow visitor numbers, media coverage and sponsorship, helping to deliver further economic growth and Government income.

The Classic Motorbike Show, held at Birmingham’s NEC from 13-15 November, has welcomed Comet Classics as sponsor of its popular Pride of Ownership competition. Around 25-30 motorbikes and scooters will line up in the hope of being awarded ‘best in show’.

Comet Classics, making its NEC debut, will also be bringing a selection of classic and vintage motorcycles from its Hampshire showroom and global distribution centre along with three American trucks including the 1951 Ford F1 pick-up from the latest series of Wheeler Dealers.

Owned by Martin Webb and Ray Waller, Comet Classics started as a private collection is now a three-year-old business with over 100 classics motorcycles and petrol pumps in stock. Between them, Martin and Ray have over 80 years of automotive and motorcycle experience. Martin said: “We’re delighted to sponsor the Pride of Ownership competition and can’t wait to see the bikes at the NEC. There’s already a diverse line-up of entries submitted so the final display should be very exciting indeed.”

As well as the Pride of Ownership, around 30 clubs will be fantastic displays of motorbikes plus the National Motorcycle Museum returns with its ‘Where Are They Now’ feature including special guests. There will also be a BikeJumble, the Ace Café and the ever popular vintage Wall of Death.

Event Director Dan Nwaokolo added: “We’re thrilled to have Comet Classics on board. Martin and Ray’s passion for motorcycles is clear just by looking at the standard of their amazing showroom. I’m sure this year’s Pride of Ownership display will equally reflect the passion for classic motorbikes.”

The 2015 Classic Motorbike Show will be held from 13th to 15th November at Birmingham’s NEC with tickets also offering admittance into the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show.

www.classicmotorbikeshow.com

On 28 November, former racer, current MotoGP commentator and Motorcycle Live’s resident stage host Steve Parrish has described the moment he first came alive on a motorcycle.

Parrish reveals that he “borrowed” his brother’s 250cc Ariel Arrow and took it for a spin when he was just 11 years old. Despite running out of petrol and having to push the bike back home, he was hooked, and by age 22 had turned professional, winning the 1976 ACU Solo title in the British Motor Cycle Championship. He went on to win the Shell 500 title in both 1979 and 1980, and a Superbike title in 1981. To view the video click here.

Parrish hosts the Black Horse Stage in the British Eurosport Entertainment Zone at Motorcycle Live, which will once again occupy the heart of show. Alongside James Whitham, he will keep the crowd entertained with interviews and chat shows, along with a variety of interactive games and quizzes such as the ever-popular ‘A Question Of Bikes’.

Motorcycle Live 2015 will run from 28 November to 6 December. Advance tickets are on sale now, at just £17.50 per adult, £11 for Seniors and £7 for children aged 11-16* (kids aged 10 and under accompanied by a paying adult go free). There is also a £20.50 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and a choice of Oxford neck wear worth £15. To book, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk