The Test Ride Zone will make a welcome return to Motorcycle Live 2012 thanks to Shoei, Sidi and Spada and a great line up of models from some of the world’s leading manufacturers.      

Show goers with a full motorcycle licence can sign up for a FREE 20-minute test ride on a model of their choice before heading out on the open roads around The NEC accompanied by an out-rider. Those visitors travelling by train or car can also get involved, as Shoei, Sidi and Spada will be providing all the necessary safety equipment. Here’s what last year’s visitors had to say about the feature:      

“A good idea for those who are not sure what sort of bike to buy. You can get good advice on what bike suits your needs and what sort of riding gear is available to you.” – Colin Williams, 65, Cardiff      

“The best way to ride different manufacturer’s bikes all in one place.” – Gene Loder, 45, Hartlepool      

“Great for deciding if that new bike is right for you.” – Steve Collier, 47, Wolverhampton      

“Buzzing, informative and a pleasure.” – Nicola Ford, 55, Beccles      

The following manufacturers will be providing motorcycles (models TBC): Ducati, Kawasaki, Harley-Davidson, Honda, KTM, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Victory, Yamaha and Zero. Participation is subject to availability. Participants must be over 21 years old and hold a full UK licence and bring both parts of this for verification. To book a ride, head to the Test Ride Zone check-in desk in Hall 4. Bookings will be taken from 10.00am.      

The Test Ride Zone is just one of the exciting live features at this year’s show. The all-inclusive Motorcycle Live ticket gives access to five exhibition halls crammed with all the latest bikes, clothing and accessories and seven FREE opportunities to ride a bike**, plus non-stop entertainment from some of the biggest names in biking on the Blackhorse Stage in the British Eurosport Entertainment Zone. Also featuring the BSH/Streetfighters Custom Xtreme Zone, the Yamaha Escape Zone, the Classic Zone in association with Coventry Transport Museum and FREE entry into the Ramp’d Up Freestyle Motocross Arena**.      

Advance tickets for Motorcycle Live 2012 cost just £16 per adult, £10 for seniors and £6 per child*. To book your tickets, call 0844 581 2345 or click here.      

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The IAM is continuing its call for post-test training for young drivers in the light of the government’s response to the transport select committee.

IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said:  “We welcome the MPs’ call for more central government responsibility.  We want to see national targets to reduce death and injuries on Britain’s roads.  Getting rid of them was a mistake. We support a review of driver training, especially for young drivers.  The current system of learning to drive abandons them when they need help most – in the first six months of solo driving. Post-test training in the first 12 to 18 months after passing the driving test would save lives. Having analysed systems of post-test training from other countries, we know that the best examples have reduced young male deaths by almost 30 per cent2*.”  

The IAM wants to see accredited training offered to young drivers in the first 12 to 18 months after passing the basic driving test.  

This would include:  
• Training by qualified instructors.
• An initial on-road assessment to gain knowledge of their experience and to highlight any deficiencies.
• Off-road practice in handling in the wet, speed into corners and the impact of speed on stopping distances.
• Benefits such as cheaper insurance for young drivers who complete the training.

www.iam.org.uk

Many people who live in larger cities purchase motorbikes for transportation. They are much more compact and easier to use to get around the city. However, as with any vehicle in the city, parking space can be quite limited.

Also, another issue is that cities tend to have higher crime rates than less urbanized areas. What this means for a motorbike owner is higher insurance premiums. Living in a city with a motorbike poses a lot of inherent risk which affects insurance costs.

Even though motorbike insurance costs are generally higher in urban areas, there are some things that can help bring these costs down somewhat. The insurance company will want to know where you store your vehicle. They may also send an agent down to inspect the location. When a motorbike is stored in a more secure location, this can help bring the premium down a bit.

Some apartment complexes will offer storage units or offer renting of parking spaces within a covered garage. This are ideal if you own a motorbike. Secure and covered storage is the best kind to keep one’s motorbike safe. Insurance companies will offer lower premiums if this is where the motorbike will be kept.

Certain parts of a city may be more prone to crimes than other. If you absolutely must park your motorbike on the street, perhaps the section of the city in which you reside is one of the lower crime areas. This can also make a small difference in the premium amount.

If you have no other choice but to park a motorbike on the street, make sure to park in a well-lit area. It is also a good idea to park in location that has a certain amount of traffic. Also, adding a security alarm or device to secure the bike can help to keep it safe.

There are many different types of insurance available, and lots of different insurers that will offer different types of policies. 

Insurers like Carole Nash offer policies for motorcycles and you can find more information about what they offer by going to their website.

Kids will love the latest addition to the line-up of live features at Motorcycle Live 2012 – the KTM Red Bull Pro Nationals Motocross Experience, which gives children aged five to 12 years old the chance to get dirty and try out off-road riding.      

Using the latest 50cc KTM machines, youngsters can take their first steps in to the world of dirt riding in a fully supervised and safe, indoor environment with expert tuition. It’s a concept that’s a proven winner at every round of the Red Bull Pro Nationals and the team – led by experienced racer and qualified trainer Paul Cowshall – will be in action throughout Motorcycle Live.

These visitors checked out the kids’ off-road experience at the 2011 show:      
“It was brilliant! It was the first time I had a go riding a motorbike off-road and it was actually really easy with the teachers to help. I had a great time.” – Charlie Clements, 9, Leighton Buzzard      
“We’ve got to get the kids hooked at an early age and this is one of the best ways to do it.” – Chris Toole, 41, Stockport       ~
“Always worth a stop to have a look at the next generation... possible stars of the future!” – Katharine Conroy, 46, Ashford      
“Great for the kids. Catch them early in a safe environment.” – Steve Badder, 41, Bicester      
“My son loved it.” – Tania Hammill, 29, Leeds      
“We can take someone who is effectively a non-rider and with careful encouragement and a little bit of know-how get them up and running. You can see the moment the penny drops and their confidence and co-ordination kicks in.” – Paul Cowshall, KTM Red Bull Pro Nationals MX Experience instructor      

Tuition is free with qualified MCF accredited Motocross Instructors and all safety kit is provided for the 20-minute sessions.      

The KTM Red Bull Pro Nationals Motocross Experience is just one of the exciting live features at this year’s show. The all-inclusive Motorcycle Live ticket gives access to five exhibition halls crammed with all the latest bikes, clothing and accessories and six FREE opportunities to ride a bike**, plus non-stop entertainment from some of the biggest names in biking on the Blackhorse Stage in the British Eurosport Entertainment Zone. Also featuring the BSH/Streetfighters Custom Xtreme Zone, the Yamaha Escape Zone, the Classic Zone in association with Coventry Transport Museum and FREE entry into the Ramp’d Up Freestyle Motocross Arena**.      

www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

**All activities are subject to availability

Prices confirmed on new KTM 1190 Adventures and Motorcycle Live the first opportunity to see them in the UK

After being officially unveiled to the world at the start of October, KTM UK can now confirm the new KTM 1190 Adventure and Adventure R will cost £12,595 and £13,195 respectively.

The bikes will be shown in the UK for the first time at Motorcycle Live (NEC, Birmingham), November 24 to December 2, and will be available in dealers from March 2013.

The two eagerly anticipated machines are completely new and represent the most technologically advanced KTM street bikes to date.

Developed from its all-conquering 950 Rally Dakar racer, KTM entered the Adventure market in 2003 with its first twin-cylinder motorcycle, the 950 Adventure. This market segment has boomed since that time and KTM have sold over 50,000 of its Adventure models.

The 1190 Adventure is above all focused on tarmac; the use of wide 19in front and 17in rear tyres meets the demands of riders looking for a machine capable of mastering big distances while delivering big smiles. This is helped with multiple adjustments for rider position, unmatched power and weight figures in its class and the use of high specification equipment and technology.

The 1195cc V-twin features a multi-level combined Bosch ABS system and newly developed motorcycle traction control (MTC) as standard. In addition an optional factory-fit electronics package provides multi-programmable electronic WP suspension (EDS) and a tyre pressure measurement system (TPMS).

With 17 world titles in 2012 and 219 overall, no other manufacturer can boast such off-road success as KTM. The Adventure R continues the Austrian brand’s ability to offer a big Adventure bike with true off-road capability. With its 21in and 18in wheels and longer travel suspension it is perfect for riders who don’t like to take the beaten path.

On top of these developments, both models feature increased tank capacity by 3.5 litres to 23 litres and extended service intervals to 15,000km (9,320 miles).

With a huge range of bolt-on offerings, from luggage to Akrapovic exhausts, an online PowerParts calculator at www.ktm.com allows riders to ‘build’ an Adventure to their desired specification by choosing either individual parts, or pre-defined ‘Kits’ which typically save around 8% compared to purchasing the components separately.

Find out more about the new KTM Adventure models at Motorcycle Live (stand 3G20) or at www.ktm.com