A motorcycling husband and wife from Ammanford presented a cheque for £360 to the South West Wales region of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity following the couple’s annual “Santa on a Bike” fundraiser.  

The two-wheeled sleigh that Beerhounds Club members Bryan and Petra O'Leary use to deliver hundreds of chocolate selection boxes in return for a donation each December is a 2004 Honda Goldwing GL1800. A deep red, it goes well with the Santa costumes that Petra makes for their delivery rides through Carmarthenshire. It also looks pretty snazzy with the 200 Christmas lights Bryan adds for some festive flair.

However, Petra’s skills with a sewing machine are perhaps only to be expected for she is a seamstress and works at the world-famous Corgi Hosiery site in Ammanford. Bryan, too, puts his professional skills to use, because when not devising a delivery schedule and planning a route for their two-wheel festive fundraising, he can be found driving a refuse lorry for Carmarthenshire County Council.

Bryan says: “Neither of us have any military service ourselves, but we have a lot of friends who do, and there’s a great crossover between the military and biking communities, so it seemed like an obvious idea to do some good.”

Petra adds: “SSAFA’s been around a long time – nearly 140 years – and has helped generations of servicemen and women, veterans, and their families in that time, so we know that the money donated will go towards supporting them when, where, and how they need it.”

The Branch Secretary of SSAFA South West Wales, Paul Amor, says: “The response they get when they are out delivering is fantastic and we are really grateful for having their support.”

And while a long time until Christmas 2023, if on the roads in Carmarthenshire in December you spot Mr and Mrs Claus on a red Honda Goldwing, give them a friendly wave.

To learn how to volunteer or fundraise for SSAFA, or how to access its services, visit ssafa.org.uk/south-west-wales.

This year’s ‘Classic Motorcycle Day’ at Crich Tramway Village will be the sixth event for the partnership with the Vincent HRD Owners Club and with sponsorship from Derwent Waste Management.

The event attracts around 300 motorcycles, made up of vintage machines to relatively modern machines of the1990’s, all of which must be over 25yrs old.

The Moonshiners will supply live music at the bandstand during the afternoon and there are numerous trophies for the best motorcycles judged by expert judges, including Best Original Motorcycle with trophy supplied by Old Bike Mart.

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.

Entry to the event is free for riders of classic motorcycles and scooters who pre-book but is limited to 350 motorcycles and we regret that bookings cannot be made on the day of the event. You can book your bike in for display online at www.tramway.co.uk/whatson/classic-motorcycle-day

Vincent HRD Owners Club organiser, Jon Lambley said:

“Many of the classic motorcycle owners consider this event to be one of the most important in the year, and we hope that everyone will enjoy this year’s display and vote for their favourite machine. It is important to book your motorcycle in for display in advance as places are limited, due to the popularity of the event and many riders returning year after year. We already have over 250 motorcycles booked in”.

For further information visit: www.tramway.co.uk/whatson/classic-motorcycle-day

In XXL format, with almost 150 pages, the 2023 international issue of Touratech Travel Time is launched. With a colourful mix of fascinating topics from the world of motorbike travel and 50 extra pages of catalogue, the magazine offers inspiration and information for the coming motorbike season.
 
In the 14th consecutive year the Touratech customer magazine is available in English as well. Touratech is providing customers and friends of the brand with inspiration for their own motorcycle adventures.
Elaborate reports by renowned authors present the most beautiful travel destinations around the globe, practical service topics provide information on the optimum equipment for rider and bike, and gripping insider reports show what happens behind the scenes at Touratech. In addition, there is always detailed news from the adventure scene, in which Touratech has been at home for over 30 years.
 
150 pages of motorcycle travel fascination
The current issue of Touratech's customer magazine Travel Time rightly deserves to be called "Extra Large". In addition to 100 pages of exciting topics, there is an extensive catalogue section. Embedded in fascinating motorcycle travel themes, new products as well as popular evergreens are presented in a compact way. This attractive environment allows an even more emotional appeal to readers and generates maximum attention for the Parts.
 
The best products in seven catalogue sections
In the brand new issue, a total of seven catalogue sections focus on the most important products from Touratech's wide range of products. Parts for popular volume models such as the BMW R 1250 GS or Yamaha Ténéré 700, new and tried-and-tested products from the rider equipment sector, the extensive range of extremely rugged soft luggage, the Touratech comfort seats, the field of suspension tuning, which is particularly attractive for technology fans, and last but not least Touratech's perennial favourite, the ZEGA aluminium luggage systems, are presented in detail. QR codes that can be easily scanned with a smartphone link directly to the corresponding landing page in the online store.
This international version is available in English language as printed version as well as online version.
Get your copy!

Continued Indian Motorcycle sponsorship supports growth of European Hooligan Racing
Hooligan class renamed Indian Motorcycle Hooligan Championship 2023

Indian Motorcycle has announced the signing of Jamie Kimber and Gerard Bailo to contend the 2023 DTRA Hooligan class following the recent US race team announcements. Indian Motorcycle also continues its long-term support and promotion of flat track racing in Europe with sponsorship that sees the class renamed as the ‘Indian Motorcycle Hooligan Championship 2023’.

Indian Motorcycle’s continued partnership with the DTRA helps to ensure the future of grassroots motorcycle sport and the development of youth riders. As a result, European flat track racing has grown substantially in recent years, being one of the most accessible and respected entry points to the sport outside of North America.

Anthony Brown, DTRA founder commented, “Indian Motorcycle have helped to grow the Hooligan class in the DTRA since its inception and we are honoured and happy to have them along for the ride in 2023. It will be great to see a mixture of UK and overseas riders battle it out on Indian Scouts and FTRs against the rest of the Hooligan field. With some new tracks and events to be announced in the coming weeks the 2023 Hooligan championship is set to be the best on yet.”

Jamie Kimber won her first national race at the June 2021 round of the National DTRA championship and went on to secure third in the National DTRA Minibike-Mod Championship Series. Having been spotted by Indian Motorcycle UK, Jamie was awarded a scholarship as the Indian Motorcycle Academy rider aboard the Indian Scout Hooligan for the 2022 season and proved worthy with fourth in the overall championship standings. A recent graduate in Sports Psychology and Coaching sciences, Jamie has competed in many sports from triathlons to rugby but says there is nothing like throwing a leg over a motorcycle and heading to the start line. Jamie can be followed on Instagram at @jamiekimber421

“Signing for Indian Motorcycle is such an exciting stepping stone for me. It all started in late 2020 when I spontaneously signed up to the ladies class in Scunthorpe on my dad’s Sunday S147 pitbike. He taught me the basics the night before and it all went from there. I took to it quite well. I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to ride the Indian FTR as a fully-fledged member of the team. This year, I hope to continue improving, enjoying each moment, and gain National podium results. My heart is with anything two-wheeled and I can’t wait to get stuck in at racing this season. I would like to thank Indian Motorcycle for the opportunity; I am excited to see what this season brings,” said Jamie.

Gerard Bailo started competing in Supermoto in 2007 when he was just 13 years old and made his Flat Track debut in 2014. Quickly proving competitive, Gerard took third that year and, in 2016, improved to second in the open category. By 2017, Gerard had several regional Supermoto championships under his belt plus the Junior Nations world title and decided to fully commit to Flat Track racing with an opportunity in the DTRA series. Competing only in flat track since then, Gerard had his best season in 2022 winning the FIM Flat Track World Championship. Gerard will compete in the Indian Motorcycle Hooligan series aboard the Indian FTR 1200 prepared by S&S Cycle, while balancing his racing commitments with work in his family’s Insurance business. Gerard can be followed on Instagram at @gerardbailo17.

“Taking the world title in 2022 was my best season ever, something I had always dreamed of and being able to make it happen was incredible. We also got more experience on the bigger tracks, so this also helps us for 2023. I am very happy to sign the contract with a brand like Indian Motorcycle. I believe we will be very competitive, and I hope to be able to fight for the 2023 national championship title. Thank you to Indian Motorcycle for their trust in me,” said Gerard.

The Dirt Track Riders Association has just announced its dates and full Series details for the 2023 and Indian Motorcycle and the DTRA actively encourage riders to get involved. The atmosphere at DTRA managed races is inclusive for all abilities with classes from Rookie to Pro-Rider. For full race schedules and details of how to enter visit dirttrackriders.co.uk and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

For more information on Indian Motorcycle visit IndianMotorcycle.eu and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

The British Motor Museum has expanded its visitor appeal and opened another exciting motorcycle exhibition in a new collaboration with Triumph Motorcycles. The first exhibition opened last July to celebrate one of its most iconic road and race bike names – the Daytona. The second, entitled ‘History in the Making’ will run until the end of April 2023. Visitors can celebrate over 120 years of Triumph motorcycles, both on the road and on the track. Since 1902, Triumph has been a homegrown favourite of bikers all over the world. From Number One, Triumph’s first motorcycle, to the Speed Triples of today, the company’s back catalogue demonstrates many remarkable contributions to the history of British motorcycling.

The History in the Making exhibition celebrates this heritage by showcasing some of the company’s most iconic motorcycles through the lens of its four core values: Passion, Performance, Innovation and Excellence.  Impressive bikes like the Rocket 3 221 Edition are on display, named after its world-leading 221 Nm of peak torque, and renowned for being the largest production motorcycle engine on the planet.

The exhibition allows visitors to get up close to all of the bikes on display, including those that have featured in movies and TV, such as the Scrambler 900 that David Beckham famously rode through the Amazon, and the Bonneville T120 TT ridden by Jason Statham in Mechanic: Resurrection.

The Scrambler 1200 XE is also on display, custom-built in collaboration with Guy Martin for an attempt to recreate the famous original jump from the 1963 film The Great Escape, starring Hollywood actor, Steve McQueen.

Additionally, the Speed Triple 1200 RR Bond Edition is also featured, celebrating 60 years of Bond^TM, individually numbered and beautifully handcrafted, as well as classic favourites like the Bonneville T120 1958 plus a selection of the finest examples of Triumph custom builds from Down & Out Motorcycles.

Triumph’s innovation is also showcased with the TE-1 on display, a stunning final prototype electric motorcycle that demonstrates class-leading USPs and hints of the exciting future for Triumph fans across the world.

Jeff Coope, Managing Director at the British Motor Museum said, “This exhibition features a fantastic exhibit of stunning motorcycles for visitors to see and enjoy, made possible thanks to the Dick Shepherd Collection. Triumph is an iconic British brand, and this is a great opportunity to share the story of Triumph’s continued evolution and the important role that British motor manufacturing still plays today.”

Simon Thrussell, Head of Customer Experience for Triumph Motorcycles commented: “We are delighted to extend our collaboration with the British Motor Museum for a second exhibition which gives us a great opportunity not only to extend our 120-year celebrations but provide the museum with a fantastic display of motorcycles that really are History in the Making. I would also like to express my thanks to the Dick Shepherd Collection.”

An ”Evening With” event to compliment the exhibit, featuring guest speakers from Triumph Motorcycles will be taking place on 29 April, further details will be published shortly.

The History in the Making exhibition is showcased in the Rotunda Gallery. Access to the exhibition is included within normal Museum admission tickets. The Museum has frozen its 2022 visitor prices for 2023. Museum entry is just £40 for a family in advance or £44 on the day, £14.50 for adults in advance or £16 on the day, £12.50 for concessions in advance or £14 on the day, £9 for children (5-16 years) in advance or £10 on the day and under 5s are FREE. There is also the option to Gift Aid or donate your entry fee at the time of booking and benefit from an upgrade to an Annual Pass in return, at no extra cost.

To find out more information about the exhibition please visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/explore/triumph-history-in-the-making