Biker News - Regularly updated

Welcome to our News section, where articles are listed below and if relevant within the categories on the right, just to make it easier for you to find what you wish to read...

Please note that the content within our News section (text and images), follows the same copyright laws/notice as all other content on the website - ie not to be reproduced (including slightly amending) without prior consent. 

Most of the articles within the News section is supplied to THE BIKER GUIDE.
We are not responsible for any incorrect information within these articles and/or external links. 

 RSS Feed

    • Germany’s Motorrad Bläsing takes top honours with their custom Shotgun 650 build - SHAAN

    • Six elite European dealer builds debuted at London's Tobacco Dock following a gruelling six-month build process

    • The competition highlights the ultimate customisability of Royal Enfield’s twin-cylinder platform and the creativity of its dealers

    Royal Enfield, the global leader in the mid-size motorcycle segment, has officially crowned the winner of season two of the European ‘Busted Knuckles Build Off’ (BKBO). Following an intense weekend of public voting and expert judging at the spectacular Bike Shed Show in London (May 22nd–24th, 2026), Germany’s Motorrad Bläsing emerged victorious, capturing the top prize, a trip to Royal Enfield’s Motoverse event in Goa, India, for their extraordinary interpretation of the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650.

    The competition, designed exclusively for Royal Enfield’s dealers and taking place for the second time in Europe, challenged builders to showcase their creative engineering, bespoke design, and artistic expression utilising a £5,000 customisation subsidy from the motorcycle manufacturer. Out of many concept proposals from Royal Enfield dealers across Europe, only six designs from six different countries were selected to be transformed into physical reality.

    The six finalists went head-to-head with an impressive display around Tobacco Dock’s ‘Dockside bandstand’, the feature represented the absolute pinnacle of European motorcycle craftsmanship:

    • Germany: Motorrad Bläsing (Winner)

    • UK: Krazy Horse

    • France: KS Motorcycles

    • Italy: Royal Enfield Rivera

    • Czech Republic: Vintage Garage Prague

    • Portugal: Unik Edition

    For the team at Motorrad Bläsing, the victory is a historic back-to-back triumph following their success with the "Beach Cruiser" in 2023’s inaugural edition of the BKBO. However, bringing this year's winning Shotgun 650, SHAAN, to life pushed the German builders to their absolute limits. Reflecting on the gruelling process and the emotional win, Thomas Bläsing of Motorrad Bläsing shared:

    Finishing that bike was an absolute whirlwind—we worked on it until the very last minute, and the stress even gave me nightmares about unfinished wiring for days after. It is easily the most complex project we’ve ever built together, but seeing the reaction from the Bike Shed crowd made every sleepless night worth it. The warmth, appreciation, and deep respect for bike culture in the UK was unlike anything I've experienced back home, and I'm still processing how incredible it felt.

    The final decision was determined by a combination of physical votes cast by thousands of attendees at the Bike Shed Show, and a panel of renowned custom motorcycle builders and senior Royal Enfield designers. As the grand prize winner, Motorrad Bläsing has won an all-expenses-paid trip to Royal Enfield’s legendary Motoverse festival in Goa, India, later this year.

    Speaking on the success of the campaign, Adrian Sellers, Head - Custom & Motorsport at Royal Enfield, commented:

    It made perfect sense for the final display of Europe’s second BKBO to take place at the Bike Shed Show, an event dedicated to celebrating the creativity, craftsmanship, and culture surrounding motorcycles.

    It was a true privilege for attendees to see the finest work from Royal Enfield’s dealer network take center stage across the event, showcasing each dealer's unique imagination and skillset as they interpreted the possibilities of the Shotgun 650 so differently. Each of the final motorbikes had its own distinct character and beautifully reflected its builder's creativity, resulting in a display of truly diverse custom builds.

    For enthusiasts who want to see the blood, sweat, and tears behind these incredible machines, the "documentary-style" episodic edits for each dealer are currently airing across Royal Enfield’s official social media channels, with a wrap-up video to come.

     

     

  1. FERMIN ALDEGUER #54
    "It was a positive weekend. At the beginning of the race today, we were really fast and able to stay with Marc and Pedro’s group. From that battle onwards, I started having some issues with the front tyre. The bike became more difficult to turn, and I had to rely heavily on the rear tyre to make it corner, which caused us to struggle. Physically, we’re feeling good, although I have to say this race was an important test from that point of view. We need to learn how to manage the front tyre better. Without that issue, we could have fought for a stronger result."

    MICHELE PIRRO #51
    "It was an emotional weekend. Racing in Italy with Team Gresini is not something that happens every day, and experiencing these feelings again 14 years later was truly special. I would like to thank Nadia for the opportunity and the entire team for the great work they did. Yesterday’s crash affected me a little in terms of confidence and also mentally—I honestly didn’t want to make any more mistakes. Today the bike was perfect, with excellent balance, and I really enjoyed the race. Perhaps with a slightly better start we could have finished a bit further up the order; our pace was not far off that of the three or four riders ahead of us."

     

    RACEDAY
    FERMIN ALDEGUER 8º
    MICHELE PIRRO 19º 
     
    GENERAL STANDINGS
    ALEX MARQUEZ 9º (67 points)
    FERMIN ALDEGUER 10º (59 points)

  2. BMW Motorrad UK will welcome the latest addition to its iconic GS family this weekend, with the new BMW F 450 GS arriving in UK retailers on Saturday 30 May.

    Customers will have the opportunity to experience the highly anticipated middleweight adventure motorcycle for themselves, with demo rides available to book through BMW Motorrad retailers across the country.

    Designed specifically for the growing mid-capacity adventure segment, the F 450 GS combines versatility, touring capability and off-road confidence, in a lighter, playful and more accessible package.

    Powered by a newly developed 48 hp twin-cylinder engine, the F 450 GS delivers a balance of agile handling, strong performance and everyday usability. Weighing just 178 kg, it has been designed to offer accessible dynamics both on-road and off-road, making it suitable for newer riders, experienced adventurers, and those seeking a lighter, more versatile machine.

    The F 450 GS also introduces innovative technology to the segment, such as the new BMW Easy Ride Clutch (ERC) fitted as standard to the Trophy version, designed to enhance comfort and control by reducing the need for manual clutch operation in a variety of riding situations. Combined with the Shift Assistant Pro system, advanced rider aids and multiple riding modes, the F 450 GS delivers a premium riding experience on any surface and in any environment.

    Styling remains unmistakably GS, featuring the signature LED headlight with distinctive “X” daytime running light, adventure-focused ergonomics and an upright riding position that delivers comfort and confidence across any terrain.

    The F 450 GS will be available in four model variants: Base, Exclusive, Sport and the GS Trophy spec, each offering different levels of equipment and styles to suit any rider.

    Customers interested in experiencing the new F 450 GS can contact their local BMW Motorrad retailer here:

    www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/service/forms/test-ride.html#/form/B1%230R31

     

     

  3. FERMIN ALDEGUER #54
    “The important thing was to make it into Q2, with or without feeling on the bike. The positive news is that the feeling was there — we started well right away and already this morning we were able to ride consistently and quickly. This afternoon there were probably a few too many red flags, and maybe we could have finished even further up, but that doesn’t matter much on a Friday. After Barcelona we gained confidence: mentally we are stronger, and every day that passes the physical condition improves a little bit more.”

    MICHELE PIRRO #51
    “We didn’t start badly this morning with a good pace and the 16th fastest time. It’s true that we improved this afternoon, but not as much as we expected. We definitely need to work on engine braking to be more competitive. Tomorrow we can make a really good step forward.”

     

    PRACTICE
    FERMIN ALDEGUER 5º (1’45.004s)
    MICHELE PIRRO 21º (1’46.842s)
     
    FREE PRACTICE
    FERMIN ALDEGUER 7º (1’46.916s)
    MICHELE PIRRO 16º (1’47.442s)

     

  4. BMW Motorrad UK is launching a new premium summer riding event, the BMW Motorrad Make Life A Ride Day, at the iconic Donington Park on 16 July.

    The event will combine road riding, track experiences, and access to the latest BMW motorcycle range - all within a dedicated BMW Motorrad environment. Designed to bring together the BMW Motorrad community, the event will celebrate the shared passion for all forms of motorcycling.

    Unlike a traditional track day, the BMW Make Life A Ride Day has been thoughtfully developed to offer a more refined and accessible experience, giving riders the opportunity to enjoy both road riding, track riding, or both, in a relaxed setting and alongside fellow BMW owners.

    Throughout the day, attendees will be able to book up to two places on the BMW Motorrad road demo experience, featuring 15 motorcycles from the latest range. Riders will be able to experience new models including the R 1300 RT, R 12 G/S, R 1300 R and R 1300 RS, alongside BMW Motorrad’s renowned GS range.

    Each road ride demo will follow a curated route led by experienced ride guides, allowing customers to fully experience the latest in performance and technology of the BMW Motorrad product range.

    Alongside time on the road, riders will also have the unique opportunity to experience the legendary Donington Park circuit with the BMW Motorrad Performance Academy. Riders can experience the track via a range of 28 dedicated BMW Motorrad performance machines on offer at the Academy, including the F 900 R, S 1000 R, and S 1000 RR.

    Designed to deliver a more personal and premium track environment, sessions will be intentionally less crowded than a conventional track day and led by professional instructors to maximise rider confidence and enjoyment. The BMW Motorrad Performance Academy track experience will be available at £859, giving participants access to expert instruction using the latest in helmet communications and video analysis all while aboard BMW Motorrad performance motorcycles at one of the UK’s legendary circuits.

    For those riders looking to use their own BMW motorcycle on track, further track activity will be available for £235, with five track sessions throughout the day for each group. In addition, riders can book a two-to-one instructor-led track session during the day for £65, combining an introduction to the Donington Park circuit with personalised coaching from professional instructors designed to build confidence and enhance on-track riding technique.

    Scott Grimsdall, Head of Marketing & PR at BMW Motorrad UK, commented: “The BMW Make Life A Ride Day has been created to offer owners something genuinely unique - a premium experience that brings together the very best aspects of the BMW Motorrad brand in one location. From guided road rides on our latest models to professionally-led track instruction at Donington Park and track sessions for riders to use their own BMW machinery, the day is designed to give customers an unforgettable riding experience in a welcoming and inspirational environment.”

    For further details and booking information please visit:
    www.bmwmotorrad-performanceacademy.com/categories/make-life-a-ride-day