Sunra UK has today announced the launch of its new ROBO-S UTILITY model; a specially equipped electric scooter aimed at offering businesses a cost effective and zero emission solution for delivery and utility needs.    

●  Zero emission and significant reductions in running costs    

●  Fully removable and fast charging batteries

●  Flexible and practical carry and storage solutions

●  More than 200 litres of combined weatherproof carrying capacity

●  Heightened rider comfort and protection from the elements

Based on the proven ROBO-S model, that has received critical acclaim, most recently from Motorcycle News, who after a week-long test, declared “Petrol wouldn’t get a look in now”, the new UTILITY model offers the same ease of use and budget saving efficiencies with additional functionality and carrying capacity too.

Logan Black of Sunra UK explains, “We wanted to bring a cost effective EV solution to small business and fleet operators alike. While the ROBO-S is already being used for this application in standard form, our goal was to offer a machine off-the-shelf that fits the needs of this ever increasing segment of users.

“With the UTILITY model, we’ve developed and tested key accessories that can allow business users to deploy the ROBO-S for a variety of uses and jobs . The large rear rack can be used in isolation or with an array of different sized top-box options, while the addition of a large, full-size windshield and phone holder keep staff much better protected and connected too. We also plan to offer communication solutions, location trackers and extra weather protection from tried and tested partners.”

Offering a range of over 60 miles and a maximum speed of 50mph, the ROBO-S UTILITY offers business users a swift, yet efficient solution. And thanks to fast charging batteries that can be swapped in less than 60 seconds, the UTILITY can be used in any location, effectively keeping businesses moving for longer without the need to use fixed charging points.

With considerably reduced service requirements and costs, along with handy user-friendly features such as an additional 24 litres of underseat storage, finger-print recognition and its own alarm and immobiliser system, the ROBO-S UTILITY is a practical and dependable delivery solution. Add in HP and lease options, as well as bespoke service and maintenance packages, and the ROBO-S UTILITY offers one of the most complete cost effective solutions for fleet users and small businesses.

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EVEN IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS ALEIX TAKES HOME ANOTHER SOLID TOP-TEN FINISH

MAVERICK, PENALISED BY HIS START, MOVES UP THROUGH THE POSITIONS AND FINISHES WITH THE SEVENTH BEST RACE LAP TIME BUT JUST OUTSIDE THE POINTS

The tropical storm that hit a half hour before the start of the first MotoGP race on the new Indonesian circuit threw a spanner in the works, reducing it to seven laps. Aleix Espargaró, consistently among the fastest in dry conditions, showed his skill by reacting well to the new conditions as well. After a less than perfect start, he got caught up in a battle during the opening lap, losing quite a few positions, but from there he began to turn fast and consistent laps with a great deal of confidence on his RS-GP. In his group, he managed to get the better of Darryn Binder, Bastianini, his brother Pol, Álex Márquez and Bagnaia, thereby finishing in a solid ninth place. With more than a few regrets about not managing to avoid contact on that first lap, which cost him the best positions straight away.

Maverick Viñales achieved a great result in the warm-up session on dry asphalt when, after a few significant changes to his bike’s setup, he found new confidence on the RS-GP, so much that he finished second. After a bad start, he found himself at the back of the group, but he was able to find his rhythm and lapped at the same times as the best. Unfortunately, his comeback ride stopped just behind 15th place, so outside of the points zone. However, he’ll be leaving Mandalika after taking a major step forward in his growth on the Aprilia.

Aleix Espargaró
"It was a very difficult race because of the weather conditions and because during the first lap, I found myself twentieth due to contact with Álex Márquez. Staying in the group was hard and visibility was also extremely poor. But the bike worked well. Grip wasn’t bad and from there I began to come back. In the last seven laps I overtook quite a few riders, making up positions. Taking home another top-ten finish on such a difficult Sunday was a good result."

Maverick Viñales
"Even though the result is certainly not the one we wanted, it was a positive weekend. Today was perhaps the most important day of growth for me since joining Aprilia because we found a really good setting that I was able to go fast with in the warm-up session and that I was comfortable with even in wet conditions. I'm happy with the work we did here. We are taking a step closer to the best with every round. I can’t wait to get to Argentina to continue this positive trend."

• MV Agusta London will showcase Superveloce S alongside AMO electric bicycle
• Award-winning Harley-Davidson LiveWire will be on display
• Bespoke builder Thornton Hundred will present its ‘Bobber Black’
• Krazy Horse to celebrate Indian Motorcycles

Salon Privé London will not only be welcoming some of the greatest cars ever built to Royal Hospital Chelsea for its inaugural event on 21-23 April, it will also be hosting the most prestigious names from the motorcycle world, with heritage and innovation coming together to create what is sure to be a memorable line-up.
 
MV Agusta London will be making the short journey to Salon Privé London from its nearby showroom in Sloane Avenue, and the famous marque will be represented by two of its latest models. Like all MV Agustas, they are hand-built in the historic factory on the shores of Lake Varese in northern Italy, using the finest materials and the most advanced technologies.
 
The Superveloce S is a serious performance machine ready to tear up the track that just happens to have extremely charming neo-classic looks - it is a real head turner. Cruise the streets or hit the track with the available Racing Kit. 147hp and SuperSport race DNA assures this bike gives you everything you ask for.
 
The Superveloce S will be joined at Salon Privé London by the AMO. Representing MV Agusta’s much-anticipated entry into the world of electric bicycles, it features that unmistakable Italian flair and elegance, and is built with the same passion as the brand’s legendary motorbikes.
 
Warr’s was founded on Chelsea’s Kings Road in 1924 by Captain Frederick James Warr and became an official Harley-Davidson dealer that same year. Since then, it has become synonymous with the brand – which started life in 1903 in a small shed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin – and is now Europe’s oldest and biggest-selling Harley-Davidson dealership group.  
 
The marque continues to define motorcycle culture and lifestyle, and at Salon Privé London Warr’s will be presenting the award-winning all-electric LiveWire. With instant power and no clutch to release or gears to run through, the LiveWire will accelerate from 0-60mph in three seconds, while still offering a city range of 146 miles. Seven selectable Ride Modes electronically control its performance characteristics, and there are two charging options to choose from. 

It will be on display at Salon Privé London alongside other Harley-Davidson models including the PanAmerican, FatBob, Sportster and Street Glide.
 
British company Thornton Hundred specialises in the design and manufacture of bespoke motorcycles, and thanks to the efforts of founder Jody Millhouse, it’s one of the world’s fastest-growing custom motorcycle brands. With an ethos of ‘anything is possible’, it has built bikes for the likes of Joe Wicks, rugby stars Jack Nowell and Josh Navidi, and Gymshark founder Ben Francis, using the latest technology and engineering expertise in order to provide reliability as well as style.
 
Each of its machines is hand-built in its facility near London, with all the initial design work, manufacturing and assembly being carried out in-house. Thornton Hundred will be at Salon Privé London with its striking Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black, which is fitted with everything from the signature Thornton Hundred wide-wheel kit and a bespoke painted tank to a custom handmade twin side exhaust.
 
Indian Motorcycle and Krazy Horse proudly opened the UK’s first dedicated Indian Motorcycle Brand Experience Centre on Kensington High Street in February 2022 – and now they will be bringing it to Salon Privé London. Previously the iconic home of the Bristol Car Company, the showroom has been fully refurbished over two floors and allows a complete range of Indian motorcycles, accessories, clothing and heritage to be displayed, and all of it will be centre-stage at Royal Hospital Chelsea.

 
Salon Privé London promises to be London’s most exclusive automotive event, with plenty to see and do in addition to the motoring attractions. The shopping village will host luxury fashion brands including renowned British jewellery designer Boodles. Everything from Patek Philippe watches to Riva motor boats and Bell helicopters will be on offer, as will the first-class hospitality for which Salon Privé has long been renowned. Pommery Champagne will flow and London Essence cocktail bars will offer exciting cocktails from NoMad, Louie and the Donovan Bar mixologists. 
 
To complement this, Salon Privé has partnered with renowned and innovative hospitality group JKS Restaurants to provide guests with a unique dining offering. This will include dishes from the Michelin-starred Gymkhana, Indian BBQ classics by Brigadiers, and cult Taiwanese specialists BAO. In addition, there will be plates from Fitzrovia’s The George and Chelsea’s The Cadogan Arms, providing pub fare that celebrates the best of British produce, making Salon Privé London a real foodie’s delight.
 
There’s also the option to enjoy a sumptuous three-course seated luncheon in The Sloane – the event’s exclusive VIP Hospitality Pavilion – while DJs will keep guests entertained into the evening. On the Thursday and Friday, Salon Privé London will be open until 9pm, allowing everyone to soak up the party atmosphere as dusk falls.
 
Salon Privé London is donating 20% of all Entry Ticket revenue to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) via Work for Good. #StandWithUkraine

The British Motor Museum’s 'Gaydon Gathering' events return for 2022 on Tuesday 12 April from 5pm – 8pm. Informal, fun evenings aimed at motoring enthusiasts, these events are completely free to attend, taking place outdoors on the Museum's arenas on the second Tuesday every month.  Up to 500 vehicles attended each of the 2021 Gatherings with a truly eclectic mix of vehicle types, makes and models.  All vehicles are welcome, no matter how many wheels they have or where and when they were made.

Whilst free to attend, pre-booking is essential and tickets will be released online a few weeks before each event and will be announced on social media. Tickets for the April Gaydon Gathering are available from 22 March and when they are gone, they’re gone!  

In addition to providing an opportunity for likeminded motoring enthusiasts to display their vehicles, each Gathering will also feature the 'Gaydon Garage' when the workshop doors open to reveal one of the many fantastic vehicles from the Museum’s unique collection before it’s driven around the site for everyone to enjoy.  Hints as to which car will emerge from the garage will be posted on the Museum’s social media channels in the run up to the events.

Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “Last years ‘Gaydon Gatherings’ proved hugely popular and we are looking forward to bringing them back for 2022.  It’s an opportunity for petrol heads to indulge their passion, whilst enjoying a burger and drink, hopefully in the spring sunshine! It doesn’t matter if you have a vehicle or not, or if your vehicle is British or not, if it’s a car, commercial, military, bus, motorbike, scooter, tractor or any other interesting vehicle, just bring it along!”

Display vehicles will be parked in front of the Museum whilst there will be separate free parking for those visitors who aren’t displaying. Visitors can enjoy refreshments including burgers as well as hot and soft drinks. Wriggly Monkey Brewing from Bicester will also be on-site selling their range of lagers and ales.

The dates for 2022 Gatherings are; 12 April, 10 May, 14 June, 12 July, 9 August, 13 September, and 11 October. Dogs are welcome on leads. Please note that the Museum itself will not be open for the evening gatherings. 

For more information and to book your FREE tickets for April’s Gaydon Gathering visit https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/gaydon-gathering-april

The British challenger disrupting the world of motorcycle clothing.

Created by the founders of Ruroc Helmets, Enginehawk is a British born brand with a clear mission to revolutionise the motorcycle industry and redefine traditional motorcycle wear.  

Celebrating one year since the brand’s inception, Enginehawk has been born from a foundation of safety, but has been built with a revolutionary flair for functionality and style, alongside its unique community-based approach to research and development.

With a disruptive mindset to push the boundaries on what motorcycle clothing can be, Enginehawk is made up of a combination of the best engineering minds from motorsport and the most creative designers and garment technicians from the fashion industry. This combined with the community-based ‘Taskforce’ initiative, sees real riders and customers play an active role in the development of every garment, from the very start.

James Kent, Design Director at Enginehawk, said: “When we started Enginehawk, there were really only two options in our market; stylish clothing that lacked adequate protection for riding, or proper motorcycle clothing that lacked everyday style. That’s the gap we aspire to fill, we want to blend that line between riding gear and everyday clothing, focussing on ‘Ride and Wear’ jackets first and foremost. Our ultimate mission with Enginehawk is to create something that you forget you’re wearing – whether that’s on or off the bike.

“Joining the Ruroc team was a dream because I love function over fashion. Most manufacturers will take inspiration from a certain style or something that’s been iconic to them, and then they work to incorporate that functionality to suit their audience. Not here. We start at understanding the core functionality of being a motorcyclist, how they’re moving and what their requirements are, then the design process takes place.”

RE-DEFINING THE INDUSTRY BENCHMARK FOR QUALITY

Inspired by its riders, Enginehawk’s core beliefs and values lie within its meticulous design process to create a product with unquestionable quality. From pinned-down collars that avoid flapping and heavy-duty zippers, to welded thermal properties and careful consideration to sleeve zip placement to avoid scratching the fuel tank – and it doesn’t stop there. The same discipline is instilled in Enginehawk’s partners: The very basics of every item are detailed with care, right down to every button being precisely aligned with the embossed logo at the same angle, every time.

Many manufacturers design using computer-aided design (CAD) technology to achieve precision and clean-cut visualisation from the offset. At Enginehawk however, every seam is created freehand to sit on the natural contours of the body, allowing for a precise, tailored finish with a free-flowing shape that’s true to how we really ride on the bike and our position on the bike, and every detail has a specific purpose to aid comfort, refine the fit or accentuate features.

What started with just three jacket designs at the start of 2021 has expanded into a full line-up of leather and textile apparel, all with that same attention to detail.

“As the excitement started building for this new brand, more and more ideas started flowing,” continued James. “But regardless of whether it’s one million or just one product, we will always put blood, sweat and passion into every design to get things right from the start. If we’re not proud of the product once it’s designed, it won’t get made.

“Even down to the unboxing experience; we want our customers to receive the product with a level of anticipation that echoes how much we love our products, so we made sure this process reflects that same level of quality and feel, amplifying the online purchase experience.”

DUTY TO PROTECT

The very essence of motorcycle clothing is to save lives, which is why every Enginehawk product is fully approved in compliance with CE and CA certifications and is made with the highest grade materials that are abrasion- and tear-resistant, proven to hold up in a slide. Partnering with SAS-TEC, an innovative producer of body armour, all Enginehawk products come with CE-Level 1 elbow, shoulder and back protectors as standard, with the option to be upgraded to Level 2 armour.

DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY

Aiming to bridge the gap between what it makes and what riders want, Enginehawk has built a highly engaged community of riders to listen to and learn from, making its product truly ‘rider-first’. Introducing TASKFORCE: The invitation-only group of real-life riders that, together, have built Enginehawk to what it is today.

Playing an integral role in product development, Taskforce Echo Hotel has been live since February 2021 and started with 3,000 riders that all signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in order to be a part of something from the very start, providing their feedback and input on key decisions that shape every new Enginehawk product. Now, one year later, Taskforce Echo Hotel has nearly 25,000 active members that help to make Enginehawk products even better, shaping the future of the brand and continuing to revolutionise the world of motorcycle apparel.