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This year’s Classic Motorcycle Day on Sunday 6th July at Crich Tramway Village will be the eighth event for the partnership with the Vincent HRD Owners Club and with sponsorship from Derwent Waste Management.
The event has already attracted bookings of over 300 entries for classic motorcycle displays, made up of vintage machines, all of which must be over 25yrs old to qualify as classics.
There are numerous trophies for the best motorcycles and scooters, judged by expert judges, including Best Original, Best British, Best Japanese, Best Italian, Best International, Best Pre-war motorcycles, and Best Scooter.
The ‘Best in Show’ Trophy will, again, be voted for by the visiting public, who are encouraged to browse the whole display before making their selection.
Vincent HRD Owners Club organiser, Jon Lambley said:
“Many of the classic motorcycle owners consider this event to be one of the best and most important in the year, and we hope that everyone will enjoy this year’s display and vote for their favourite machine.”
Events Manager at Crich Tramway Village, Candi Bell, said:
“We are looking forward to welcoming everyone for another great day for browsing the classic collection of motorcycles, taking vintage tram rides and enjoying live music in the afternoon from popular band, The Moonshiners.”
Vintage tram rides will also be in operation and there will be access to the exhibitions, woodland walk and sculpture trail, workshop viewing gallery and tram depots, featuring the best that the National Tramway Museum has to offer.
For further information visit www.tramway.co.uk/whatson/classic-motorcycle-day
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It’s never too late to take that life-changing trip - and this Spring, Orange & Black Motorcycle Tours supported 92-year-old Jean Scott to do just that. Jean got in touch with us in April with a dream of discovering the iconic Route 66 by motorcycle and experiencing a life-changing trip, not just for her, but for those in need of vital air ambulance services. Fast-forward to June, and Jean swapped her local Somerset coast for the California Coast, taking to the road with our legendary tour guide and Route 66 expert Gary “Bear” Fleshman on the back of his Harley-Davidson Road Glide for her bucket list adventure.
Gary says “We don’t usually offer pillion only rides, but we’re all for people finding their freedom through riding and we wanted to help Jean experience that after she got the bug in her youth. Next year Route 66, or the “Mother Road” as it’s commonly known celebrates its centennial, so we thought it only fitting that Jean come along for the ride and get a jump on hitting her own centennial milestones.”
Starting in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica, Jean explored historic landmarks and sights including the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Route 66 Museum and Grand Canyon, covering 2700 miles, 13 days of riding, 8 states and battling all weathers. Jean can well and truly say that’s one adventure ticked off her bucket list.
Jean says of her trip “The whole experience has been full of highlights. I think my favourite places to visit have been Kansas and Oklahoma as I’ve heard a lot about them but had never been before; and the Grand Canyon – that was breathtaking.”
Jean’s inspirational road trip of a lifetime has also made a mark on Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, who she is currently raising money for. The registered charity provides vital services for the local community and is one of the UK’s 21 air ambulance charities that form part of the fleet of 37 helicopters. Collectively, the charities make over 126 lifesaving missions a day and play a pivotal role in supporting emergency treatment of patients within their communities, not least motorcyclists.
Dave Marsh, Sales and Operations Manager at Orange & Black says, “We pride ourselves on helping customers create their dream trip and Jean is a great reminder that it’s never too late to make those dreams a reality. It’s brilliant to see that this trip has not only changed her life, but those of the people in both her local community, and the wider biking community.”
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Robert Shaw, aged 64, is an engineer at Boeing who is participating in the fundraiser for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. He is joined by Boeing colleagues as part of “Team BRAVO”.
Born in Eastbourne, East Sussex, Robert was raised in a military family. His father saw active duty in the Army during World War Two, having joined the Territorial Army (TA) the day before war broke out. His father was immediately drafted into the regulars, where he helped protect London from air raids and V1 flying bombs.
While still in school, Robert was a semi-professional musician, but he eventually changed careers to become an engineer. In the 41 years since, Robert’s career has seen him work with all the Armed Forces, supporting them on-site, remotely and on active duty.
For years, when not at work, one of Robert’s great joys was taking to the road on a motorbike. But in 2009, a car accident left him tetraplegic, with limited mobility. Now, Robert has acquired a stable, Can-Am Sea-to-Sky 3-wheel bike which he uses for pleasure and to participate in charity fundraising for causes that are close to his heart.
It is on this bike that Robert will participate in SSAFA’s 13 Bridges Challenge, taking him from Trinity Square Gardens near Tower Hill and across some of London’s most iconic bridges.
Robert’s route has been modified slightly, and he will participate on the day as part of Boeing’s Reserves and Veterans Organisation (BRAVO) Team, comprised of Boeing staff who are all fundraising for SSAFA. Boeing has been a Corporate Partner of SSAFA since 2015. 
Commenting on the 13 Bridges Challenge, Robert said: “Coming from a military family, and having worked with Armed Forces personnel for much of my career, I know the difference that a bit of support can make. It’s important to me that service personnel can get help when they need it, and fundraising for SSAFA is a great way for me to fulfil that mission.”
Robert has already raised £360, and Boeing will match all donations. People can donate to his efforts here: SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity: 13 Bridges Challenge 2025
SSAFA has been working for the whole UK Armed Forces community for 140 years, since 1885. Its mission is simple: to reach and embrace the Armed Forces family, so they never battle alone.
The 13 Bridges Challenge is a 10-mile trek through central London that is open to people of all ages and abilities. 28 June 2025.
For more information, and to sign up, visit: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us/events/trek/13-bridges-challenge-2025/
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If you enjoy the excitement of motorbike racing or you ride a bike, you might be interested in learning how to bet on MotoGP and Superbike events. This beginners' guide will help you grasp the fundamentals of these fascinating sports and how to bet on them safely and smartly.
Understanding MotoGP and Superbikes 
MotoGP is the top class of motorcycle road racing in the world. It features the fastest motorcycles and the most talented riders competing on circuits the world over. There are various classes, such as Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP, which is the highest division. Additionally, there is MotoE for electric motorcycles.
Conversely, superbike racing calls for modified production motorcycles. Despite their specific tuning for racing, these bikes bear a closer resemblance to everyday motorcycles. The main series for this kind of racing is the World Superbike Championship. MotoGP and Superbikes attract millions of enthusiasts worldwide and offer exciting, fast competition.
Betting Strategies for Motorcycle Competition
Betting on motorcycle racing is wagering on the results of races or championships. During a race, you can wager on who will finish on the podium, who will win a race, or other particular events. Points in MotoGP go to the top 15 finishers in every race. The winner earns 25 points; second place earns 20, third place 16, and so on, down to one point for 15th place. Over the season, these points sum up to pick the overall champion.
Selecting the Right MotoGP Betting Websites
You have to find reliable and regulated MotoGP betting sites before beginning your betting. Among the several betting markets these sites provide are live betting during the race, podium finishes, and absolute winners. To improve your experience, they offer competitive odds, user-friendly interfaces, cashouts and live betting, among others.
Choose a betting site based on license, security, and strong customer service. Check also whether they offer thorough statistics and professional analysis to guide your bets.
Advice for Newcomers in Motorcycle Racing Betting
• Discover the teams and riders: Understanding the strengths, shortcomings, and recent riding performance will help you make better winning bets.
• Understand the race conditions: Weather, track design, and bike technologies can impact race results.
• Start modest: Start with low stakes to experience how betting operates before risking more.
• Use live betting: Many websites let you make strategic bets as the race runs on.
• Track your bankroll. Consider establishing a betting budget and adhering to it to avoid incurring losses beyond your means.
Last Notes: Motorcycle Racing Technology and How It Affects Bettors
Thanks to new technologies like 3D printing, the realm of motorcycle racing is fast changing. Teams like Ducati Lenovo have partnered with businesses like Roboze to 3D print critical bike parts,
including fairings and heat shields. Modern materials like PEEK and carbon fibre—which help to make the bikes lighter and stronger—are used in these components. Teams can produce parts faster and with more accuracy using this technology than with conventional approaches.
These technical developments impact race results and betting decisions; thus, they are more than just interesting developments for bettors. Lighter and more efficient bikes can help a rider perform better, especially on some tracks or in particular weather. Knowing which teams employ innovative technologies like 3D printed components can give bettors an advantage in selecting whom to support.
Thus, the emergence of 3D-printed electric motorcycles and advanced materials is not only determining the course of racing but also how spectators and bettors interact with the sport. Keeping current with these developments will enable you to enjoy the sport even more and make better betting decisions.
article supplied
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- Challenger brands from China were at a proportionally higher risk of motorcycle theft than established makes during 2024
- Analysis of DVLA data compares reported thefts with registered bikes to assess each model’s relative risk of being stolen
- 1-in-8 owners of Tianying bikes were the victim of theft in 2024
- Honda PCX the most stolen overall, but Honda SH350 statistically more likely to go missing, with 1-in-9 examples stolen last year
- Suzuki, Kawasaki and Triumph the volume brands least likely to be stolen
- BSA the least stolen brand overall, with just 1-in-3217 reported missing
- Triumph Rocket III, the world’s largest-capacity production motorcycle, is proportionally the least stolen bike in the UK
Challenger motorcycle brands entering the market from China and elsewhere were at a proportionally higher risk of being stolen last year than more established makes, analysis of DVLA data has shown. By contrast, owners of large-capacity and classic bikes were statistically the least likely to fall victim to motorcycle theft, with the Triumph Rocket III – once the world’s largest-capacity motorcycle – proportionally the least stolen bike in the UK.
The Honda PCX (WW125) was the UK’s most stolen motorcycle of 2024, with 1,866 thefts reported to the DVLA. In fact, more Hondas were stolen last year than any other brand, with 6,573 thefts recorded – 50% more than second-placed Yamaha. However, Honda is by far the most popular brand with British bikers, with more than 550,000 in the country.
Riders of high-performance machinery such as Honda Fireblades and Yamaha R1s may feel more of a target given their sky-high insurance premiums, but in reality the top ten most stolen bikes are nearly all A1 licence-friendly 125cc models.
“Motorcycle thieves continue to target scooters and 125s far more than high-performance sports bikes,” said Alex Kefford, Head of Editorial at automotive PR agency loop. “The Honda PCX may be unlucky to find itself at the top of the charts, but then it is Britain’s fourth most-popular bike*. When we look at the figures in proportion, a very different picture emerges.”
Challenger brands proportionally most likely to be stolen
By assessing thefts as a proportion of the number of each make on our roads, it’s the challenger brands that left their owners facing a greater risk of having their bike stolen. Honda drops from 1st to 36th place as popular new entrants such as Lexmoto and Sinnis rank above it. Tianying is a relatively unknown name on these shores, but worryingly 1-in-8 of their bikes were stolen in the last year alone.
Three Honda models most at risk
At the individual model level, the top 10 motorcycles proportionally most at risk include three bikes from Honda. Topping this list is the Honda SH350 with 1-in-9 examples stolen last year, followed by budget-friendly scooters such as the Sinnis Connect, Keeway Cityblade and Motorini SXi – all of which are available for around £2,000.
“Owners of these bikes might think their low price makes them less of a target in comparison to more exotic machinery. However, the evidence suggests they are the most at risk of becoming an unfortunate statistic. Their light weight and twist-and-go convenience makes them popular with commuters, but also makes them easy to hustle away or lift into the back of a van.”
Triumph, Kawasaki, and Suzuki the volume brands least likely to be stolen
At the opposite end of the scale, Triumph, Kawasaki and Suzuki were the volume brands least likely to subject their owners to the anguish of opening the garage door to find an empty space where their bike used to be. In fact, despite being the third most popular brand in the UK with nearly 263,000 on our roads, Suzuki owners faced only a 1-in-284 chance of having their bike nicked last year, versus 1-in-84 for Honda. Triumph fared even better, with only 1-in-480 bikes stolen.
“This is perhaps more due to the bikes that each brand typically sells, rather than the result of any specific security measures. For instance, Honda offers a broad range of scooters and 125s, with the PCX being a big seller. By comparison, Triumph thrives in the adventure bike market with their Tiger range, while Suzuki and Kawasaki both predominantly sell 600-1000cc bikes that are less popular with motorcycle thieves.”
World’s largest capacity bike also the least stolen
Our analysis confirms this, with large-capacity bikes left relatively untroubled by the criminal fraternity. As if to underline this point, the Triumph Rocket III – featuring the world’s largest production motorcycle engine until Triumph usurped it with the Rocket 3 – finds itself the holder of another record, this time as the proportionally least stolen bike in the UK.
Classic motorcycles are also largely untargeted by bike thieves, with Royal Enfield and Lambretta featuring highly on the list of infrequently-stolen marques. BSA takes the prize for the least stolen brand overall, with only 1-in-3217 reported missing last year.
“Go big or go old seems to be the advice if you want a bike that stands a good chance of still being where you left it when you return.”
“That said, there are plenty of bikes that weren’t stolen at all last year and therefore don’t make it into these figures, despite being incredibly popular. Top of that list is the Kawasaki ZX750, of which there are nearly 5,000 in the UK, yet none were reported stolen last year. The XL650 Transalp was Honda’s most theft-resistant bike of 2024, while Harley-Davidson has more zero-theft models than anyone else. When it comes to security, bigger really is better.”
| Most stolen motorcycles of 2024 |
|---|
| HONDA PCX (WW 125) |
1,866 |
| YAMAHA GPD 125 |
1,222 |
| HONDA NSC 110 |
933 |
| HONDA SH 125 |
429 |
| HONDA CBF 125 |
398 |
| YAMAHA MT-07 |
253 |
| YAMAHA YBR 125 |
247 |
| YAMAHA MT 125 |
240 |
| KTM 125 DUKE |
229 |
| SYM JET |
211 |
| Source: loop analysis of DVLA data |
| Most stolen motorcycle brands of 2024 |
| HONDA |
6,573 |
| YAMAHA |
4,332 |
| LEXMOTO |
1,313 |
| SUZUKI |
923 |
| KTM |
885 |
| BMW |
253 |
| PIAGGIO |
592 |
| KAWASAKI |
553 |
| SYM |
533 |
| TRIUMPH |
439 |
| Source: loop analysis of DVLA data |
| Proportionally most stolen brands |
| TIANYING |
1-in-8 |
| JIAJUE |
1-in-18 |
| MGB |
1-in-20 |
| TALARIA |
1-in-24 |
| SUR-RON |
1-in-28 |
| SINNIS |
1-in-31 |
| MOTORINI |
1-in-31 |
| ASKOLL |
1-in-32 |
| ZHONGNENG |
1-in-32 |
| NECO |
1-in-35 |
| Source: loop analysis of DVLA data |
| Proportionally least stolen brands |
| SUZUKI |
1-in-284 |
| GILERA |
1-in-359 |
| ROYAL ENFIELD |
1-in-374 |
| KAWASAKI |
1-in-376 |
| DUCATI |
1-in-418 |
| TRIUMPH |
1-in-480 |
| LAMBRETTA |
1-in-1052 |
| HARLEY-DAVIDSON |
1-in-1537 |
| MOTO GUZZI |
1-in-1673 |
| BSA |
1-in-3217 |
| Source: loop analysis of DVLA data |
| Proportionally most stolen models |
| HONDA SH 350 |
1-in-9 |
| KYMCO DOWNTOWN 125 |
1-in-11 |
| SINNIS CONNECT |
1-in-11 |
| KEEWAY CITYBLADE |
1-in-12 |
| HONDA ANC 125 |
1-in-12 |
| SINNIS AKUMA |
1-in-12 |
| YAMAHA XP 560 |
1-in-12 |
| SINNIS MATRIX |
1-in-14 |
| HONDA PCX (WW 125) |
1-in-14 |
| MOTORINI SXI |
1-in-15 |
| Source: loop analysis of DVLA data |
| Proportionally least stolen models |
| HONDA CB 1300 |
1-in-876 |
| SUZUKI GSX 1400 |
1-in-877 |
| HONDA CBR 1100 |
1-in-939 |
| KAWASAKI ZX 1400 |
1-in-983 |
| KAWASAKI VN 900 |
1-in-999 |
| HONDA VTR 1000 |
1-in-1006 |
| TRIUMPH THRUXTON |
1-in-1018 |
| HONDA VFR 750 |
1-in-1059 |
| BMW R 1200 RT |
1-in-1219 |
| TRIUMPH ROCKET III |
1-in-1569 |
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Source: loop analysis of DVLA data
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article supplied
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