The event which gets the off-road season off to a flying start is well-known for the astounding range of motorcycles on display from across the UK, and 2022 will be no different!

Back after a year’s Covid-imposed exile, The Classic Dirt Bike Show sponsored by Hagon Shocks has secured unique machines and restorations for the event held over the weekend of February 12-13.

Peter Hannis, founder of the Crazy Toyz Workshop in Gloucestershire, brings to Telford a quartet of the most unusual bikes you could ever imagine. First up is a 1940s cement mixer-engined special, with its fuel tank on the engine, finished in steam punk style! "It’s a bit slow” said its builder (do you get the pun), whose previous builds have included a Reliant-based road legal speedboat - which gained national press recognition in The Sun newspaper - and an award from Tango for the most eccentric Brit. 

Next up is a Bultaco trials bike, powered by a 700cc two-stroke sidecar engine which has still got some minor teething troubles. Ex firefighter Peter's latest project is a 750cc off road Trike powered by a Katana four-cylinder motor in a modified Bandit frame, with a Yamaha Tri –Z rear axle and off-road wheels. On this, the 2004 British sidecar enduro champion competed in the Malle Mile offroad sprint races, which is held each July in the grounds of Grimsthorpe Castle, Lincolnshire. It was undefeated throughout the day, winning the sprint final.

Finally, have you ever seen a four-cylinder CBR 600cc F3 Dirt bike with an RMZ 450 Suzuki scrambler front end, converted to twinshock spec and using a KTM rear wheel? Well, this MISSILE was put together for the Blue Grass Scramble at Little Comberton Worcestershire, not too far from Peter's base. While it wasn’t the quickest around the corners, when it came to the straights it left its rivals eating its dust.                                                               A race win earlier in the year at the Helter Skelter Hill Climb in deepest Devon was also achieved as the CBR simply flew up one of the steepest hillsides in the country.                                                                              

If you go to a meeting you can't miss Peter and his pal Paul Biggs, as instead of wearing the usual motocross gear, they turn out to race in vintage tweed suits! Well, what else would you expect from an eccentric?

Another new stand for Telford, and also arranged by show consultant Alan Wright, is for Royal Enfield. Alan has gathered nine Bullets and Crusaders, including the Bullet put together by the late and much missed Jim Pickering. The Black Country’s John Richardson put together two Enfield Bullets (one is dead original and one highly modified) that he rode regularly and John’s son Andrew and Gloucester’s Steve Allen are bringing them both along.

Johny Brittain, a lifetime Enfield man who died last year, was the winner of countless national trials in the 1950s. His younger brother Pat was also a National trials winner in the 60s and is coming to Telford with his Enfield riding son, Ian, to meet old friends.

If you would be interested in displaying your bike at the show, please complete the form on the Classic Dirt Bike Show website. For further details about the Classic Dirt Bike Show sponsored by Hagon Shocks, and to order your advance tickets, please visit www.classicdirtbikeshow.co.uk

Classic Bike Shows are required by law to check the COVID status of all visitors. Admission will only be allowed for visitors who can prove they are fully vaccinated (minimum 2 doses); have tested negative for COVID-19 in the last 48 hours (lateral flow or PCR) or are exempt by way of Certificate/ NHS paperwork/ Green Lanyard.  Face coverings are mandatory in all indoor areas. Further details can be found here www.mortonsevents.co.uk/covid/

The British Motor Museum is delighted to announce the appointment of Imogen Watts as its new Senior Archivist.  Imogen will be responsible for the overall running of the Archive department, looking after the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust’s nationally recognised, Designated collections of documents, film and photographs, as well as the Heritage Certificate service.

Originally a Drama graduate, Imogen qualified as an Archivist in 2016. She most recently worked for Gloucestershire County Council as Corporate & Digital Records Manager.

Imogen Watts, Senior Archivist said “I’m thrilled to have joined the team at the British Motor Museum. I’m looking forward to getting to know the collections and unlocking more of its hidden gems. I will be working closely with Cat Boxall, our Curator, to deliver content for exhibitions and looking at how we can develop the archive service for the future. I would like to make the Archive collections more visible to visitors to the Museum and its channels, as well as continuing to provide dedicated access for researchers.”

Imogen will be joining the 7 strong team which includes Richard, Lisa and Sharon who deliver the Heritage Certificates service, Paramjit and Cath who look after the records in the Archive, and Sarah-Jane who runs the photographic service. The Archive collections encompass a wide range of British automotive manufacturers and connected companies, and include a variety of records from factory ledgers and sales brochures to motoring journals and the personal papers of the industry greats. The Archive also holds an extensive collection of photographs and film footage, and items from the collection are regularly included in books, publications and television programmes.

Stephen Laing, Head of Collections at the British Motor Museum said “I'm delighted to welcome Imogen to the British Motor Museum. Imogen brings a fresh perspective to how we can develop our unrivalled collections and I look forward to working with her along with the rest of our talented team to make our collections even more accessible, engaging and enjoyable for all”.

To find out more about the British Motor Museum archive please visit https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/archive or call 01926 641188

KICKBACK: The UK's Custom + Retro Bike Show is inside the Avon Hall at the Three Counties Showground Worcestershire WR13 6NW from 2+3 April 2022.

To see some of the latest bikes to reach the FINALS of the 2022 UK National Championships to be staged once again at KICKBACK next April, please go to kickbackshow.blogspot.com

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The aim was (and still is) to bringing together a collection of information specifically for the Biker Community, with an extensive business directory included, all on one free and easy to use website... and I guess we did it and will continue to do so.

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THE BIKER GUIDE® - Established 8th January 2009!

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Getting your first motorcycle should be a fun experience. You get to enjoy the thrill of hitting the open road after getting your licence. Although motorcycling has plenty of lasting memories, freedom and exhilarating moments, there are also a few things to consider before buying one.

Whether you plan on buying a motorcycle for leisure, adventure or commuting, there are plenty of beginner-friendly options to consider. So, how do you find your first motorcycle? Here is everything you should know before buying one.

Budget

Buying your first bike can be expensive. One mistake most people make is to only save up for the bike. However, you should also remember that gear and maintenance can be costly. In fact, equipment is amongst the most expensive elements of a motorcycle. For example, a high-end helmet might cost you north of $1,000. In addition, you will also need a safety jacket, some bike pants, boots, and gloves. Budgeting and pre-planning are great ways to save some money and strategise for the future not just when purchasing a motorcycle but even when doing other things like playing a long strategy game or even playing exciting games at Platincasino Ireland.

Identify Your Needs

There are many reasons you might need a motorcycle. For one, you may need a bike to commute. However, if you want a bike for fun, you should consider either a track bike or a dirt bike. Remember that you can use either of these bikes for casual riding.

A dirt bike is high up because of the tall suspension. It's comfortable for your back because it uses handlebars. Track bikes have an aggressive racing position that might not be ideal for long commutes.

How Much Power?

This is a question that every new rider asks themselves. The power of a motorcycle varies depending on the engine's cubic capacity (cc). As a beginner, the best engine capacity should be anything below 700 cc's.

Most bikes between 150 to 700 cc will produce between 10 to 70 horsepower. This is enough power for most beginners. You should also check the laws in your country to know whether there is a stipulated cc size for a beginner. However, when considering the power, go with the bike you are comfortable with.

Suitability

There's more to owning a bike than budget and power. It would be best to consider a bike that you can easily handle. Therefore, check the weight of the bike and its riding height. Most dirt and sport bikes are light and easy to handle.

However, adventure bikes and cruisers are on the heavier side. These bikes also have low ride heights, thus a low centre of gravity, making them perfect for short riders. As for comfort, you can adjust it by purchasing plushier seats that either add or reduce the ride height.

Conclusion

Buying your first bike can be arduous without ample research. However, by following this guide, you can purchase a bike depending on your budget, requirements, power, and manageability.

A good beginner bike shouldn't have too much power, but it shouldn't be slow either. Therefore, consider a bike with all the features that you might need. For example, if you plan to make longer journeys, you need a comfortable bike with extra features like cruise control and a quick shifter.

With all this in mind, you should be able to choose a perfect first motorcycle. Good Luck!

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