“In his Budget speech the Chancellor announced some changes to the rates of vehicle tax for cars, motorcycles, light goods and trade licences. These will apply to tax discs taken out from 1 April 2012. He also announced there will be no changes to vehicle tax rates for all vehicles over 3500kg and buses.”
 
The new rate is to introduced from 1st April 2012 for Motorcycles and Tricycles.
 
Vehicle tax rates for motorcycles not over 150cc remain unchanged at £16 a year, with the no option to tax for six month remaining.
 
Motorcycles from 151cc to 400cc the new vehicle tax rates will be £36 a year, up from £35 a whole increase of £1, with the no option to tax for six month remaining.
 
Motorcycles from 401cc to 600cc the new vehicle tax rates for one year is an increase from £53 a year to £55 and for six months an increase of £1.10 to £30.25 .
 
For motorcycles over 600cc the new vehicle tax rates for one year will cost £76 instead of £74 and for six months £41.80, an increase of £1.10.
 
Tricycles (not over 450kg unladen) over 150cc see an increase for one year of £2.00 to £76.00 and up £1.10 to 41.80 for six months. Those not over 150cc see no change.
 
Read this article and links to NI Direct Government Services at Right To Ride

The winners of the competitions we ran @ The Manchester Bike Show 2012, were as follows...   For the two night stay for two @ The Royal Agricultural College in the heart of the Cotswolds, the winner was Fiona Jones.   For the sets of tickets to attend Stormin' the Castle 2012, the winners were Sheena Groom, Dave Devlin and Bob Allaway.

For the set of tickets to attend Rally in a Chalet 2013, the winner was Jennifer Hughes.

Many thanks to all who entered, all who passed by our stand and well done to the winners...

Bologna, 22 March 2012 – Two highly-anticipated images of the “naked” 1199 Panigale have been released, illustrating Ducati’s innovative and courageous step forward in motorcycle design. Merging multiple parts into one compact and lightweight component, the extremely compact monocoque construction also integrates the airbox to become one of the key elements in reducing the new Superbike’s overall dry weight by an incredible 10kg (22lb) to a benchmark 164kg (361.5lb).

Using the Superquadro engine as a stressed member of the chassis, the short and strong aluminium monocoque is made in die-cast aluminium and is responsible for 5kg (11lb) of the overall weight saving of the new design. The monocoque attaches to the cylinder heads of the new specially designed engine, protruding forward to house the steering head bearings and forming the airbox along the way, which is capped-off and sealed when the lightweight aluminium fuel tank is attached, again using one component to the fulfil the roles of two.

While the cylinders remain true to Ducati’s signature 90° L-twin configuration, the new engine has rotated the top-end backwards around the crankshaft a further 6° to give more clearance on the front wheel and enable engineers to modify the front and rear weight bias. This also enables a front-end geometry of 24.5° of rake and 100mm (3.94in) of trail. Attaching directly to the rear of the engine, the new fully die-cast aluminium, single-sided swingarm is 39mm longer than the 1198, contributing to the increased the wheelbase of 1,437mm (56.6in) and weight distribution of the 1199 Panigale from 50/50 to 52% front and 48% rear with average-size rider onboard.

With the exhaust system now relocated below the engine, the die-cast aluminium rear sub-frame is considerably lighter and also attaches directly to the Superquadro engine, while the super lightweight, magnesium front sub-frame attaches directly to the monocoque frame, providing secure support for the headlamp, instrumentation and fairing.  This combination of weight saving and centralisation of mass around these high front and rear sub-frame areas substantially contributes to overall vehicle agility.

www.ducatiuk.com

Ducati are gearing-up for the new riding season with “Ducati Dream Tours”, the perfect weekend escape that combines the unforgettable experience of visiting the famous Italian motorcycle Factory and Museum with the pleasure of riding a Ducati along the legendary roads that surround Bologna.

The experience starts on Friday with arrival and lunch at the Ducati Factory, before making a guided tour of the famous home and Museum of Ducati motorcycles in Borgo Panigale, Bologna. From there, leave your luggage with tour staff, collect your pre-selected Ducati motorcycle and depart on a guided-ride through the Apennines of Emilia Romagna known as “Motor Valley”. When you arrive at the incredible hotel of  “Monte del Re” in Dozza, your luggage will already be there, leaving you to just check-in and relax before dinner.

The beautiful hotel, created from a classic thirteenth century monastery and famous for its regional cuisine, will become your idyllic base for the weekend and point-of-departure for Saturday’s guided-ride into the mountains along roads recommended by the official Ducati test riders themselves. After stopping for lunch in the countryside, even a leisurely ride back to the hotel on your Ducati will deliver you early enough for a spot of relaxation before dinner in the friendly atmosphere of Ducati Dream Tour friends.

Sunday’s tour follows the same schedule, but returns to the Ducati factory late in the afternoon where your luggage will be waiting. The Ducati Dream Tour is an ideal get-away for those wanting a luxurious and seamlessly organised weekend of Italian motorcycling, without the stress of organising everything and carrying luggage.

As part of the Ducati Travel Experience initiative, the famous Italian marque offers a range of models for the tours from Hypermotard 796 and Monster 1100EVO to Diavel and Multistrada 1200 Touring. For all details on Ducati Dream Tours, including prices and ordering process, visit www.ducati.com/ducati_travel/ducati_dream_tour.do 

2012 Ducati Dream Tours calendar

May 4-6

May 18-20

July 6-8

July 13-15

July 27-29

Ace Cafe London has teamed up with the publishers of the recently launched all new magazine "Vintage Rock", Issue 2 of which is now available.
  
Chronicling all the stellar artists and their music, spanning the dawn of the 1950's to the early 60's, Vintage Rock magazine covers the music, the movies, the fashions and rejoices in the music of Elvis, The Shadows, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry and Gene Vincent to name but a few, and speaks to audiences that today relish the vitality of the early pioneers.
 
As well as selling the magazine, the latest issue of which includes a competition to win the 20 track Ace 70th Anniversary CD "Bikes n' Leather, Rockin' at the Ace", the cafe has secured copies of Vintage Rock magazine, Issue 2, as prizes on the following occasions:
 
Saturday 31st March - Rockin' Record Hop
Saturday 14th April - Eddie Cochran Tribute Night with Pete Hutton & The Beyonders
Saturday 28th April - Rockin' Record Hop
Saturday 26th May - Rockin' Record Hop
Saturday 31st June - Doo Wop Special with The Roomates
Saturday 28th July - Rockin' Record Hop
Saturday 11th August - Elvis Tribute Night (TBA)
Saturday 25th August - Rockin' Record Hop
 
www.vintagerockmag.com
www.acecafeshop.com/products/206