Road safety charity the IAM is calling for protective motorcycle clothing to have clear labelling for the amount of protection it gives.  The call comes after research shows that motorcyclists find it difficult and time-consuming to find the right clothing at the right price.1

Eighty-five per cent of motorcyclists consider protection the most important factor when purchasing motorcycle clothing.  This was closely followed by sixty-seven per cent of respondents who saw comfort and fit as an important factor.

Nearly every motorcyclist who took part in the research had spent time researching protective clothing but 43 per cent of respondents felt the right information was only available if you look hard enough.

Motorcyclists are willing to pay for top quality gear as only 30 per cent of respondents consider price a priority.

Other research results included:

•71 per cent of respondents believed the brand partly contributes to the effectiveness of protective clothing.
•60 per cent said the torso was considered the most important part of the body requiring protection.  46 per cent said hands and legs.
•90 cent of motorcyclists stated that they always wear motorcycle protective clothing when riding.
•48 per cent of respondents believe that protective clothing (other than the use of a helmet) should be compulsory.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “The industry must introduce a safety labelling for clothing like the SHARP rating for helmets.  Not only will it provide better guidance on the best way to stay safe on the roads, it will give motorcyclists clear and unbiased information and advice that they need.  The current situation is confusing and relies too much on promotional information to be of any real use in making a judgement.”

iam.org.uk

Ace Cafe London returns to the world famous and iconic Wembley Stadium Complex for the 5th annual Stunt Festival & Streetfighter Show featuring the premiere of the all new Stunt Bike Open Freestyle Championship Finals, to be held throughout the day from 10am Sunday 27th July.

In addition to trade and industry stands and displays, this increasingly popular annual event combines the cafe's legendary Streetfighter Sunday, as well as showcasing the dramatic live action finals of the stunt competition, with stunt riders from across Europe and beyond taking part and competing in the "Metzeler Arena" for the coveted awards, Metzeler tyres, and cash prize fund totalling £5K.

Individual Free Style:

1st - £2K
2nd - 1K
3rd - £750

Longest Stoppie - £750

Sickest Trick - £500

Highlights of this prestigious event also includes "Best Streetfighter" static display and competition, this being run on a Show Up n' Shine basis, with awards and prizes.

Other features include tyre-frying burnouts and the "Extreme Wheelie" machine for those who want to experience "Up in the air thrills.

Live entertainment on the Ace stage, mixing music, the roar of engines and tyre-shredding drifters, along with the spectacular motorcycling entertainment of aerobatics and hot tricks will ensure that adrenaline will be pumping.

The London Rockin Rollers, who have been rolling with the punches since 2007 with their eight wheeled thrills and spills, will be whizzing around StuntFest assisting in raising funds for the events chosen charity.

Tickets will soon be available at the cafe and via the Ace on-line web shop as well as "On the gate on the day"

Tickets will soon be available at the cafe, free tea or coffee with purchase at cafe.

Tickets (Gate)
£10 per person
£15 Family Ticket (available on the day only)

Club & Group pre-booking concessions will be soon be available - please contact Lora David at the cafe on
[email protected]

www.ace-cafe-london.com

Compass Expeditions is excited to release the dates for the 2015 circumnavigation of the entire South American continent the 360 Expedition. Our 128 day, 33,000 km Expedition will depart Santiago, Chile on 21st Feb and return to Santiago, Chile on 28th Jun 2015.

“This is one of the biggest rides on earth and covers an impossible diversity of landscapes, cultures and riding experiences” say Jerry Cook founder of Compass Expeditions. “The greatest ride on earth” was how one client put it after completing last year’s inaugural 360 Expedition.

“This expedition is a ride of superlatives as we ride the mythical Patagonia to the worlds southernmost city of Ushuaia before turning northwards through Argentina to Iguazu Falls. From there we move along the coast of beautiful Brazil until reaching Brazil’s mighty Amazon River, where we’ll move at a leisurely pace by boat to the former rubber export capital of Manaus. Riding north again by motorcycle we’ll cross through a land that time forgot to Venezuela, home to Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The lost World”. This region is a spectacular surprise with it epic scenery and the worlds tallest waterfall in Angel Falls.

Heading south we’ll pass through the rider’s paradise of Colombia, past rumbling volcanoes in Ecuador, explore ancient cultures in beautiful Peru, witness the incredible Uyuni Salt Flats of Bolivia before heading across to the Atacama Desert, The highest and driest desert in the world and then finishing the epic adventure back in Santiago”.

128 Days of spectacular scenery, good company, multiple cultures and languages and with a support vehicle to carry your belongings.

The beauty of this ride, besides the fantastic achievement of circumnavigating the most vibrant continent on the planet, is that you can choose to ride your own motorcycle or rent one of ours. All shipping of the motorcycle is included to the start point and home from the end, all accommodation is included, many meals and a host of excursions compliment the trip and get you immersed in the various points we explore.

www.compassexpeditions.com

Sunday 4th May 9am - 5pm

Winner of 8 World Championships between 1964 & 1977, and affectionately known as the Prince of Speed, Phil Read MBE, will be at the cafe on Sunday 4th May, occasion of the cafe's annual Italian Bike Day, launching and singing copies of his autobiography "Rebel Read, The Prince of Speed".

Published by Redline Books, it tells the story of Britain's most successful living motorcycle road racer, who started out on a bike bought by his doting mother in 1956, and entered big-time racing with an Isle of Man TT victory in 1961. Three years later, in 1964 (this year being the 50th anniversary) Phil took his first World title - also the first for the manufacturer that he was riding for, Yamaha.

Four more Yamaha mounted titles followed, and in 1973 and again in 1974 two more titles with the Italian MV Augusta Team. His eighth World Championship, on a 810cc Honda, was the Formula 1 TT race of 1977 - on very wet roads!

Meet Phil and read his frankly told story of life in the grand prix circus, the glamour, the danger, the money, the politics etc.

www.redlinebooks.co.uk

www.ace-cafe-london.com

The Motorcycle Off-Road Experience (MORE) is holding another 4 day mini off-road ‘try out’ festival, which will be held 20th to 23rd of June at the AMCA track at Bevercotes in Nottinghamshire.

This is for anyone aged 16 or over, who has not ridden off-road before, and is suitable for road riders, or complete novices.  All bikes, protective clothing and training will be provided for a subsidised fee of just £25, for a whole morning or afternoon session.

Places are allocated on a first come first served basis, via an online booking system, which goes ‘live’ on Saturday May 10th at 10 am.  Most of the places for a similar event last year went within the first hour of going live.

A women only session will be held on the morning of Friday 20th June, but women are obviously welcome to attend any session.

See the website:  www.rideoffroad.co.uk

And like the facebook page