For anybody who wants to ride their adventure bike off the beaten tracks, Touratech has developed an extremely robust engine protector, which will stand up to the toughest conditions.

The multiple-folded depressions in the robust aluminium baseplate ensure maximum stability. Thanks to an additional, lower stainless steel mounting plate on the engine, the force of an impact is distributed across the mounting points. In addition, the Expedition engine protector is provided with replaceable plastic slides, which completely cover the already recessed bolt heads and make it considerably easier to slide across stones or tree stumps. This allows you to enjoy off-road trips to their fullest, even when the going gets really tough.

The Expedition engine protector is available for the BMW F 700 GS, F 650 GS (twin), F 800 GS/Adventure, R 1200 GS (from 2013 on) and the KTM 1190 Adventure.

Touratech also offers an engine protector extension for the BMW R 1200 GS (from 2013 on), which is easily attached to the main centre stand and closes the gap between the engine protector and the rear wheel. Parts of the exhaust are also protected from dirt and flying stones. If you prefer an all-in-one solution, you can choose the Expedition engine protector XL option. It begins in front of the engine and leads back in a single piece almost to the real wheel, even protecting the catalytic converter.

After a short delay moving marshals around the course, the 2013 Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling finally got underway this evening. Conditions were reported as good with dry roads although riders were warned about low sunlight.

Appropriately it was the Manx Grand Prix newcomers who were first on the track as the MGP celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, getting their first speed controlled 'sighting' lap.

Six riders were given the honour of being first on the Mountain course - Chris Dixon from Egremont, South African Colin Lehmann, Phil Gibbon from St Helens, Romanian Petre Pop, Lincolnshire man Michael Hand and Xavier Dennis from France under the guidance of head travelling marshal Tony Duncan.

Shortly before 7pm the established riders took to the Mountain course for the first time this year for an untimed session with leading riders including Michael Sweeney, Adam Jones, Phil McGurk, Tim Poole, Andy Soar and last year's newcomer A race winner Kamil Holan all away early.

Sweeney, Andy Lawson and Carl Roberts were in the early group of finishers in the Junior Manx Grand Prix session with most of the riders able to get a couple of laps in ahead of the session closing at 7.20pm.

This year sees the introduction of the seeding system that is used at the TT, with the first ten places pre-allocated and the remaining grid positions determined by qualifying times.

The Lightweight machines and newcomers B and C will be first away tomorrow at 18.20 with the Senior, Junior, SuperTwin and Newcomers scheduled to start their session at 19.05

IT IS NOW less than a month away, and Classic Bike Shows’ 20th Carole Nash Eurojumble is set to be one of the busiest and best ever.

The event, taking place in Netley Marsh, Southampton, on September 6-7, has seen nearly 290 plots taken up by traders, as well as bookings for six club stands; the highest number of clubs ever to attend the show.

Show manager Nick Mowbray said: “The event is filling up fast and is certainly on target to cater to the near 10,000 visitors we expect to welcome over the course of the two days.”

Still proving to be a hit with motorcycle enthusiasts as it embarks on its third decade, the Eurojumble is well known for its extensive array of quality bikes, parts and accessories.

And, as the event has grown, its popularity has only increased with visitors flocking from across mainland Europe to take advantage of the great bargains on offer.

“There is no better place to find that elusive piece for your restoration project, or even to take the chance to clear out your shed or garage of all those interesting old parts and turn them into bundles of cash!” added Nick.

“There are no frills with the Eurojumble; this is a dedicated event for dedicated bikers and restorers.”

Back by popular demand, 2013 will also see the return of the ‘garage clear out’. Taking place on the Saturday of the show, keen autojumblers can empty their garage into their chosen vehicle and head to Netley Marsh for a one-day only plot. 

Gates are open on both days from 9am to 5am, with an advance two-day ticket priced at just £13. Camping facilities are available for the weekend at a cost of £20.

For more information on the 20th Carole Nash Eurojumble, including further admission cost details and directions, visit www.classicbikeshows.com or call 01507 529529.

Compass Expeditions is excited to announce that Charley Boorman has once again agreed to lead two motorcycle tours within Australia in February and March 2014.

Both tours are of 10 days in length; one ride will start in Sydney and travel via the Blue Mountains, Broken Hill, Flinders Ranges and the Great Ocean Road before culminating in Melbourne. The second ride will begin in Melbourne and cross to Tasmania before crossing back to Melbourne and riding the spectacular Victorian High Country and the Snowy Mountains.

“We are very excited to have Charley lead for both these rides” says Compass Expeditions co-founder Mick McDonald, “The 2013 rides were a spectacular success and provided clients with an extremely unique biking experience and we greatly look forward to having Charley back” continues Mick.

For more info on both rides please visit

For further info please contact 1300 887 327 (within Australia) or +61 3 5368 2113 (outside Australia)

www.compassexpeditions.com

Inexperience (86%) and overconfidence (86%) are the main reasons that new drivers are the riskiest group of road users, according to the latest poll from road safety charity IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists).  Respondents also rated peer pressure (67%), immaturity (52%) and shortfalls in the learning process (45%) as being important risk factors.

Sixty-eight per cent of respondents lack faith in the current driving test as being an adequate system to produce safe drivers.  There is a high degree of dissatisfaction with the current system for learning to drive. When asked to rate how well new drivers are taught using a scale of one to ten (1 being poor, 10 being ideal), half (57%) of respondents rated it as a 5 or below.

When asked about the idea of a minimum learning period, respondents’ opinion is split.  Thirty-one per cent believe it should be six months with thirty per cent believing it should be at least a year.

Poll results showed support for restrictions such as stricter drink-drive limits for younger drivers.  Forty-nine per cent of respondents believe that the drink-drive limit should be lower for younger drivers.

When it comes to the number of passengers younger drivers can carry, seventy-one per cent support restrictions on the in the first few months after passing the practical test.

Attitudes were more divided on night time curfews with forty-seven per cent support a nightime curfew while forty-five per cent do not want to see any curfew enforced for young people.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Our survey has shown that sixty-nine per cent of motorists lack faith in the current system which marks a clear need to review the learning process.  It is clear that motorists want to see more restrictions on younger drivers, but this will not solve the issue alone. There needs to be a lifelong learning approach to driving that starts at school and continues through experience and coaching into the higher risk early days of solo driving. The more experience of driving that young people get the safer they will be in the long run.”