Plans are revving up for this year’s Footman James Classic Motorbike Show, held at Birmingham’s NEC from 16th to 18th November. With over 250 motorcycles on display, the UK’s best motorcycling clubs once again pull out all the stops to showcase rare and exciting motorcycles ranging from the traditional Great British manufacturers, Japanese speed demons, Italian exotica, retro scooters and many more.

Clubs showcasing their amazing motorbikes include the BSA Gold Star Owners Club, which will mark the 75th anniversary of racer Walter Handley, while the BSA Bantam Club celebrates its 10th anniversary. Other clubs joining them include the Goldwing Misfits, Moto Guzzi Club GB, Norton Owners Club, Royal Enfield Owners Club and the Vincent HRD Owners Club to name a few.

British motorcycle racer Guy Martin will make his debut at this year’s show when he meets motorcycle fans and sign autographs on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th. Guy started his career at Team Racing and made a successful debut in the Isle of Man TT. He later moved to AIM Yamaha where he competed in the British Supersport Championship before moving to Hydrex Honda. After four years at Hydrex Honda and a year with Wilson Craig Honda, Guy switched to Relentless Suzuki before joining Tyco Suzuki for the 2012 season. He also starred in the motorcycling documentary film TT3D: Closer to the Edge following the leading riders in the 2010 Isle of Man TT races.

Visitors can find Guy on the Live Motorbike Stage where our host and well known TV and radio presenter and biking enthusiast Steve Berry will interview him about his career and the bikes he has in his own collection – and those he wants to add. There will also be a chance for visitors to ask their own questions in a Q&A session. Steve will also be interviewing motorcycle legends such as motorcycle racer and TT rider Mick Grant and Speedway legend Eric Boocock.

Mick and his team of expert trials riders will be riding classic machinery as they negotiate an extensive purpose built indoor course. All the skills, thrills and spills of a classic trials 'meet', but you won't need your wellies! They will be joined by Eric who’ll be commentating and making sure the riders stay on track.

There will also be the Pride of Ownership competition, supported by Meguiars, where individual owners get to show off their own bikes with chrome gleaming and tyres blacked. There will also be a Vintage Wall of Death, guaranteed to make you hold your breath.

Enthusiasts can also browse the extensive trader village for the latest products and services or motorcycle memorabilia. Search for that elusive part or spare in the Bike Jumble.

You can also enhance your visit by buying a dual ticket that also gives you access to the Footman James Classic Motor Show, with over 1,250 classic cars on display as well as the Wheeler Dealer Live Stage, Restoration Theatre and the chance to have a ride as a passenger in your dream car in exchange for a charitable donation.

Ticket prices range from £10 when purchased in advance.

www.classicmotorbikeshow.com

Motorcyclecompensation.com, has just released a free smartphone app, Bikers Friend, for the growing legion of motorcycle riders.

Bikers Friend provides an effortless way to document motorcycle accidents, collecting evidence that can be used for insurance purposes, and offering other support just when a biker needs it the most. Created by bikers for bikers, Bikers Friend is currently available for the Android market but is soon to be released for Apple devices as well.  

"Bikers Friend is one of those apps you hope you never need," says Colin Mahoney, creator of Motorcyclecompentsation.com, "but you'll be awfully glad you have it if you ever are in an accident." Indeed, as more and more people take to the road on motorcycles, there will inevitably be more motorcycle accidents. "This free app is the best 'witness' any motorcyclist could ever have after an accident," says Mahoney. "By providing an extra layer of protection for motorcyclists, and hard proof and evidence for insurers, we make an already stressful situation a little bit easier for all involved."

Mahoney adds, "As a motorcyclist myself, I've experienced many issues with other road users. They are often very negative and even aggressive towards motorcyclists. Even if a motorcyclist observes all safety rules, accidents happen. And even if the biker wears proper protective gear, injuries can be pretty bad, and potential damage awards can be substantial. It's little wonder that insurance companies will frequently deny liability after a biker has been involved in an accident."   Enter Bikers Friend, which records such data as the biker's exact location (with overlays on a Google map), the other driver's details, and so forth. There are also voice and video recording facilities, and Bikers Friend can locate and call the nearest emergency services - police, ambulance, fire department or other first responder. If the user chooses to do so, the app will send all information to Motorcyclecompensation.com for assessment. However, the app can also be used without giving motorcycle compensation.com instructions to act.  

Bikers Friend is constantly being improved upon, Mahoney notes, and updates and new versions will also be free.  Choosing to create Bikers Friend as a Smartphone app was an easy choice for Motorcyclecompensation.com. "There is no question that the mobile device is the fastest growing online search tool today," says Mahoney. "As millions of people worldwide migrate to Smartphone usage, the number of people who are downloading apps and browsing the web on their phone is growing at an incredibly rapid pace. It is for this reason that Motorcyclecompensation.com has made its innovative and informative app available for free to every motorcyclist worldwide. This is a UK first for sure, and possibly a worldwide first for the motorcycle fraternity and community."  

Mahoney and his colleagues predict Bikers Friend will be a friend to more than just bikers and their insurers; it will also be welcomed by lawyers, who will recognize that it represents innovation and technology at its best.  

Besides being an avid biker, Colin Mahoney is an Internet marketer of legal services, with over 20 years of applicable experience. Of Motorcycle compensation.com, he says, "We're still a small firm of six. But we are all experienced motorcyclists who also happen to understand law and software design." Although originally created for the UK market (Mahoney's firm is regulated in the UK by the Ministry of Justice), Bikers Friend can be used by bikers worldwide.   Mahoney emphasizes that Bikers Friend is a free app, and the company intends to keep it that way. "We will never charge a single penny for this app, ever," he says.  

Currently motorcyclists can download "Bikers Friend" from Google Play, and soon they will be able to download from the Apple Store as well.  

The download page for the app is http://www.motorcyclecompensation.com/bikers-friend

www.motorcyclecompensation.com

IAM’s head of riding standards and advanced motorcyclist, Peter Rodger, is offering monthly motorcycling tips. This month, he is advising on getting ready for the autumn.  

• Check your battery is full charged and is in good condition. The colder the weather, the more work it has to do.
• Give your tyres the once over. You’ll be relying on them to be in a good state, especially in the damp and wet weather.
• Add to your summer gear. It’s important to have a set of waterproof overalls for the wet weather.
• The rain will inevitably affect the riding conditions. Allow more of a following distance.
• Don’t ride into puddles; they could conceal a pothole or other hazards.
• Riding in low sun can make it difficult to see ahead – be prepared, not surprised, and try to keep your eyes shaded.  

Rodger said: “As the cold weather takes its toll on the roads, you’ll find that lying water becomes additional hazard as it hides cracks in the surface as well disguising the depth of any holes. Look well ahead to negotiate potholes so that you don’t get caught out by one.”  

The IAM has launched a new website, for biking advice and tips with traffic updates, touring advice by country and all you need to know about events and local groups. Tips cover riding with pillions, in groups and night riding. There’s also a videos page and you can upload your touring photos and stories - get involved at www.betterbiking.org.uk

Six passionate classic motorcycle enthusiasts have defeated hundreds of other competitors from all over Britain to reach the final round of the Classic Bikers Club Bike of the Year Award. It’s now up to the public to vote for their favourite and the overall national champion will be announced at the 19th Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show on October 20-21 at Stafford County Showground.  

The finalists have been chosen by a panel of the nation’s top classic motorcycle experts. Each machine is an engineering marvel and the product of its owner’s mechanical prowess, mingled with lots of love, care and attention to detail. The winner will get £1000 worth of goods from Grand Prix Legends and a prestigious bespoke trophy made from components of John McGuinness’ works Honda Fireblade motorcycle.      

The six are:   

Charlie Owens, from Ashbourne, Derbyshire, with his Kawasaki H2-C (1975) from Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show in October 2011.  

Malcolm Nettleship, from Sheffield, with his Yamaha YAS1 (1969) from Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic in January.  

John Phizacklea, from Swindon, Wiltshire, with his Neracar Model C (1925) from Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show in February.  

Graham Nook, from the Isle of Man, with his DMW Typhoon (1965) from 32nd Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show in April.  

David Stewart, from Scone, Perthshire, with his New Hudson Popular 211cc (1923) from Carole Nash Great Scottish Dirt Bike Show in May.  

Father and son team Barry and Martyn Taylor, from Waterlooville, Hampshire, with their Norton 750 (1960) from Carole Nash Eurojumble in September.  

For more details of all the bikes nominated, visit www.classicbikersclub.com today. To vote, visit www.classicbikersclub.com before Friday, October 12.

... as the Original Cruisers (those of the Rally in a Chalet fame), bring you a Halloween Extravaganza, 26th - 28th October @ Pontins in Southport!

With Rock bands, Rock DJ, lots of trade stalls, charity raffle for the Northwest Air Amblulance, last man standing bars, all you can eat brekies and dinners, happy hours and a swimming pool!

price: Ticket £12. Chalets: £20 - £26 pp.

www.southportoriginalcruisers.webs.com