Biker News - Regularly updated

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  1. The MICHELIN Tracker takes its inspiration directly from tyres used in topflight motorsport and is engineered to address the needs of the growing number of riders who are looking for a reliable product that allows them to enjoy their off-road forays to the full.

    To cover the requirements of amateur competitors, as well as those who use their bike for practice or leisure purposes, it is designed to cover a particularly broad spectrum of terrains.
    Thanks to its new tread pattern design, its resilience and the outstanding grip it delivers, the MICHELIN Tracker is perfectly suited to riding on sand, mud and dirt.
    It is approved for road use, too, making it the ideal fitment for road legal, enduro and trail bikes like the Yamaha WR-F 450 and the Suzuki DR-Z 400.
    The MICHELIN Tracker’s strength, performance, versatility and affordable price tag are sure to appeal to a high number of off-road enthusiasts, and the technologies it packs stand to win over the most exacting bikers.
    Careful attention has notably been paid to its tread pattern and crown which has been reinforced to shrug off the knocks associated with off-road riding.

    The design of the MICHELIN Tracker’s innovative tread pattern ensures outstanding traction and braking performance in even the toughest conditions. The tie bars that connect the blocks provide added protection and upgraded resistance to impact, while the new tyre’s two-ply construction combines reduced weight with superior ride comfort and directional precision.
    Last but not least, for extra peace of mind for riders who like to stray off the beaten track, MICHELIN Bib Mousse inserts are available in a choice of four sizes (M15, M18, M22 and M199) for the new MICHELIN Tracker.

  2. Though bikers make up one percent of road traffic, they comprise 19 percent of all fatal traffic accidents according to the Department of Transport. There were 36.7 vehicles licensed for use in Great Britain and 83 percent, or 30.5 million, were cars. It goes without saying that motorbike riders need to take precautions to avoid accidents, but they should pay extra attention on specific roads.  The Most Dangerous Roads for Bikes in the East Midlands

    In addition the Road Crash Index, which has been created by the Road Safety Foundation in collaboration with the insurer Ageas to map out the risk of serious injury and death on Britain’s roads, there are new studies coming out about the safety of roads.

    The Road Crash Index reported that half of all of the United Kingdom’s road death concentrated on ten percent of roads—specially A roads outside of city limits and motorways. Since road death deaths increased in 2016, private entities are using the government figures to find out which roads are the most dangerous.

    Accident Studies A new study from the insurance company Swinton has analysed accident data provided by the government to reveal which roads are the most dangerous for bikers. The data from 2017 revealed that nine out of the most dangerous roads are in London. The other is in Wales. Though they aren’t the most dangerous roads in the country, the study put together a list of the most hazardous roads in the East Midlands.

    Dangerous Roads in the East Midlands

    Of the top ten most dangerous road in the East Midlands, five are in Nottinghamshire. These include Nottingham A6002, A6130, and A611, all of which are in the top five most dangerous roads in the region. Other roads on this top ten include Leicester A563 and A594, High Peak A57, Mansfield A60, East Northamptonshire A6, and Mansfield A6009. Number one most risky road the list for the region is Worcester A38.

    The Details

    The figures from the study show that 584 accidents occurred in the East Midlands during the year 2017. This was 400 more than in the North East, which has the title of least dangerous region for motor bikers. It has a stunning 3,000 less than London. According to MoneyPug, the site used to compare the best bike insurance, the accident rate also declined by six percent. Still the study showed that a staggering one in three motorbike accidents are serious or even fatal. It also showed that Friday is the most dangerous day of the week for motorcyclists and midday Sunday was the most common time for fatal accidents. 

    The Safest Roads

    While the North East is much less dangerous than London and East Midlands, it is not the safest place for motorbike riders in the country. The Road Crash Index has determined that Dunbartonshire has the country’s safest roads. It ranked the highest, with a 32 percent reduction in serious crashes between the years 2010 and 2012 as well 2013 and 2015.

    Not the Most Dangerous, but Not the Safest

    The roads in the East Midlands are not as dangerous as the roads in South Glamorgan, which ranked last of 78 counties. Serious incidents and fatal accidents have increased 27 percent. Still, they are far from the safest. It is the hope of insurance companies like Swinton that if we can raise awareness about the country’s most dangerous roads for cars and bikers alike, we can avoid tragedies and insurance claims. Local politicians have also began pushing for improvements on some of the more dangerous roads.

    Road Safety for Bikers

    It is important for bikers anywhere to be prudent about road safety since they are inherently more dangerous than cars. If you are properly trained, you are also a lot less likely to get into an accident. It is best to have the necessary experience before tackling the most infamous roads in the East Midlands, or anywhere else for that matter. For bikers, it is crucial to be on the defensive. Cars can hurt bikers a lot more than bikers can harm people in cars. With the proper experience and adhering to traffic laws, bikers can avoid accidents on the region’s most dangerous roads and keep themselves safe.

    The Most Dangerous Roads for Bikes in the East Midlands

  3. Tenere, Tracer 900 GT and Bolt motorcycles now available for our September 2019 Wild Wild West guided tours. They offer great value for money with savings of £600 per bike on our 2 week tour and £450 on the one week tours.

    For those of you who've ever asked about lighter bikes then these Yamahas make an ideal alternative to our fleet of Harleys.  And, combined with the opportunity to ride all the best bits of the American West and the golden state of California, what's not to like!

    On the Wild Wild West tour it's difficult to pick the top highlights....

    • Grand Canyon
    • Monument Valley and Navajo lands
    • Death Valley
    • Yosemite
    • Bryce Canyon
    • Zion National Park
    • Historic Route 66
    • Las Vegas glitz and glamour
    • San Francisco (Golden Gate Bridge, Napa wine valley, Alcatraz)
    • Pacific Coast Highway and Big Sur
    Call Linda NOW on 01256 771770 to take advantage of the Yamaha Wild Wild West tours offer. 

    And for all other fabulous Silver Jubilee offers CLICK HERE

    Orange & Black can also arrange flights, accommodation, specialist travel insurance and any other travel requests you have.

    Ride Safe

    David Grist
  4. An event that will take place on Aberystwyth Promenade this weekend which will affect the motorcycle parking zone on the Promenade which is normally available for visiting motorcyclists.

    CycleFest is a celebration of cycling in Mid Wales, including town centre criterium racing, downhill mountain biking and a mass participation ride and also includes fringe events all week and of course brings you the thrills of town centre cycle races all afternoon and evening on 25th May 2019.


  5. Queen of Bikers Maria Costello MBE is now carrying the IAM RoadSmart logo on her Paton Supertwin racing bike, and you will be able to see it at high speed on the Isle of Man and in Northern Ireland this year.

    Maria is a motorcycle legend and for the past three years has been IAM RoadSmart rider ambassador.

    She will race her Supertwin featuring the IAM RoadSmart logo in this year’s road race season; her LCR F2 sidecar will also feature the logo too.

    Maria has an exciting year ahead of her as she will not only run the Paton for her own team at the fearsome Isle of Man TT, but also be competing in the Supertwin class at the International Ulster Grand Prix, where she has held the fastest female lap record.

    Maria said: “I am proud to be running the IAM RoadSmart logo on my bike this year. I always say that road racing is not only about speed - it is about precision, skill and riding to the best of your ability. It is you and your machine in harmony, making the most of what you and your bike can do.

    “These are lessons that can be applied to riding on the road. There is nothing cool or glamorous about riding fast on public roads and putting your own and other lives in danger. The joy comes in handling your bike well, enjoying every dip and curve, while respecting the road and other road users.”

    Maria’s racing CV makes impressive reading: she has made more than 40 starts at the Isle of Man TT and returned there last summer. She became the first woman ever to claim a podium at the 2016 Classic TT alongside 23 times TT winner John McGuinness.

    For five years Maria held the Guinness World Record as the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT course when she lapped the Snaefell mountain course at an average speed of 114.73 mph in 2004.

    Last year she became the first female President of the TT Riders Association in its 67 year history.

    Maria will also be leading a women-only IAM RoadSmart Skills Day for riders, on 16 July at Mallory Park.

    During a day that aims to be fun as well as safe, riders taking part can expect to learn new techniques and gain greater understanding about the capability of their motorcycle from Maria herself. 

    She will be coaching riders to recognise their own capabilities and that of their machines; entry, apex and exit points, how they vary from road to circuit; where to brake, when and how much to brake, how it feels in an emergency; controlled, progressive, smooth cornering; and how to use the accelerator or throttle to add stability to the motorcycle when cornering.

    The cost of the whole day session is £149 per rider. Spaces are strictly limited and subject to availability1. For more information visit our dedicated web page on Skills Day here: https://www.iamroadsmart.com/skillsday or to book call our Support hotline on 0300 303 1134.