Category: Motorcycles

1. Motorcycle Types: A Guide for Every Rider

   Posted on 11:00am Tuesday 12th Dec 2023

   When it comes to choosing the right motorcycle, the variety can be overwhelming. From the bustling city streets to the rugged off-road trails, each type of motorcycle serves a unique purpose. This guide will help you navigate through the different types and find the perfect ride for your adventures.

   Standard Bikes

   Standard motorcycles, known for their simplicity and versatility, are excellent all-rounders. They typically feature neutral ergonomics, making them comfortable for various body types. With engine sizes ranging from 125cc to 1,000cc, they are suitable for beginners and experienced riders alike. These bikes are adaptable to various accessories, including luggage and different seat types, making them ideal for city rides and occasional long-distance travels.

   Cruisers

   Cruisers, often synonymous with the iconic Harley-Davidson, are designed for comfortable, laid-back riding. Characterised by lower seat heights and larger engines (up to 1,000cc or more), they are perfect for both city cruising and longer weekend trips. The seating position in a cruiser is more reclined, offering a relaxed ride.

   Sport Bikes  

   Sport bikes are the epitome of speed and agility. Known for their forward-leaning position, they are lighter and designed for high maneuverability. With taller seat heights, sport bikes are suitable for more experienced riders who enjoy an adrenaline-filled ride. They are not typically the best choice for long journeys due to their sporty ergonomics.

   Touring Motorcycles

   Touring bikes are built for long-distance travel, offering large storage capacity and comfortable ergonomics for hours of riding. They usually have large fairings to protect against the wind and are equipped with large engines to handle extra gear. These bikes are ideal for riders who love long, exploratory journeys.

   Sport Touring

   Sport Touring bikes combine the best of both sports and touring worlds. They have better luggage options than sport bikes and are usually taller than touring motorcycles. Suitable for both short rides and long trips, they offer mid-range to large engine sizes.

   Dual Sport (Adventure Sport)

   Dual Sport motorcycles are designed for versatility, capable of handling both on-road and off-road conditions. They usually feature taller seat heights and off-road tires. These bikes are perfect for riders who enjoy both city commutes and adventurous off-road excursions.

   Scooters

   Scooters are ideal for city environments, offering easy maneuverability and efficient fuel consumption. They are light, low to the ground, and perfect for navigating through traffic. With engine sizes ranging from 50cc to 500cc, scooters are great for short, urban commutes.

   Choppers

   Choppers are custom motorcycles known for their unique, exaggerated features like wide tyres and high handlebars. Originating in the 1950s, choppers prioritise style, often at the expense of handling and safety. They are a favourite among enthusiasts who value personal expression in their rides.

   Enduros

   Enduros are designed for off-road and on-road versatility. They have high seat heights and agile handling, suitable for both smooth roads and rough terrains. Big touring enduros also offer ample luggage space, making them ideal for long, adventurous rides.

   Naked Bikes

   Naked bikes, popular since the 1990s, are known for their minimal fairing. They expose more of the bike's technology, offering a raw and authentic riding experience. These bikes are favoured by riders who appreciate the aesthetics of motorcycle engineering.

   Dirt Bikes

   Dirt bikes are specifically designed for off-road use, particularly motocross. They are not suitable for public roads and are often used as sports equipment. These bikes feature tuned suspension and rough tyres, tailored for open-terrain riding.

   In conclusion, the type of motorcycle you choose should align with your riding needs and preferences. Whether it's a leisurely ride through the city on a scooter, a long-distance journey on a touring bike, or an adventurous off-road experience on a dirt bike, there's a motorcycle out there for every rider. Remember, the journey is as important as the destination, and choosing the right motorcycle can make all the difference.      

   
   
   

   Sources:

   - Information on motorcycle types from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation: A Beginner's Guide to Types of Motorcycles

    

   Information on motorcycle types taken from autodoc.co.uk

    

   article supplied

2. New Suzuki GSX-8R pricing announced

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 7th Dec 2023

   Fresh from its reveal at Eicma in Milan, Italy, earlier this month, Suzuki has announced UK pricing of the new GSX-8R: the new middleweight sportsbike will come with an OTR price of £8,899 when it arrives in dealerships in February. The GSX-8R uses Suzuki’s new 776cc parallel twin engine, with its 270° crankshaft providing a V-twin-esque feel and soundtrack. Thanks to its long stroke design it produces an abundance of torque throughout the rev range, peaking at 78 Nm at 6800rpm. Peak power is 82.9PS at 8,500rpm.  While the main chassis is shared with the GSX-8S, suspension comes from Showa, and there are lower handlebars to provide a sportier riding position, with riders tucked behind the new, GSX-R-inspired full fairing.  As standard there is a bi-directional quickshifter, three power modes and three selectable traction control modes, with all information displayed via a 5” colour TFT screen.  For more information on the GSX-8R, click here.

3. The new Langen LightSpeed steals the show at Motorcycle Live

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 27th Nov 2023

   • The new Langen LightSpeed was unveiled at Motorcycle Live – NEC
   • ‘Best bike at the show’ according to many visitors
   • Multiple orders taken for build slots for the new LightSpeed
   • Reinforcing Langen as a leading bespoke, British motorcycle manufacturer
   • Continued interest as remaining build slots fulfilled for The 2 Stroke
   • New range of merchandise and a helmet partnership with Hedon revealed

   Langen Technology Limited (Langen), one of the leading automotive engineering and development companies, specialising in hand built, limited production motorcycles, unveiled its new LightSpeed at Motorcycle Live at the NEC Birmingham this week.

   The stunning new hypersport bike from Langen, Britain’s most exciting motorcycle manufacturer, was a big hit with visitors to this year’s show. In a specially created presentation experience inspired by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama the assembled media and visitors were treated to an up close and personal view of the LightSpeed. A number of customer curated 2Strokes were also on display along with a chance to speak with Langen founder Christofer Ratcliffe and his team about the finer details of the machines and how the LightSpeed came into being.

   The unique, class leading machine boasting a power to weight ratio of 1,000 bhp per tonne not only attracted the crowds but also had some reaching for their wallets to secure a build slot and VIN number, as only 185 of the Launch specification motorcycle will be available – each build individually commissioned for its owner. Whilst targeted for registration on UK roads, the LightSpeed is appealing to a global audience of enthusiasts and collectors of special automotive machines, with reservations being made from around the world.

   Christofer Ratcliffe Founder and CEO of Langen comments: “I am overwhelmed with the response to the LightSpeed, in a show full of ‘off the peg’ bikes, to be able to offer something truly unique to our discerning customers with a range of personal options to make each LightSpeed as individual as the customer, it has made all the hard work over the last 12 months’ worth while. I can’t wait to see this pre-production prototype develop further as we move towards delivering the first builds to customers at the start of 2025”.

   Discover more at: https://www.langenmotorcycles.co.uk/

4. Triumph Adventure Experience at the NEC

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 21st Nov 2023

   We will be attending Motorcycle Live at the NEC Birmingham from the 18^th-26^th November.

   Pop by the Triumph stand and talk to us about the range of training and experiences that we have to offer, and how to book and join us for our 2024 season.

   Whether new to off-road riding, or experienced, our friendly team will be happy to recommend a course that is best suited to your ability and needs.

5. KYMCO UK range offered for test rides at Motorcycle Live

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 17th Nov 2023

   KYMCO UK is exhibiting at Motorcycle Live from 18-26 November at NEC Birmingham, offering both media and visitors the unique opportunity to test a selection of its current model range at the NEC’s indoor and outdoor test riding facilities free of charge.

   The Electric Test Ride Zone is open to full A, A1 or A2 licence holders, enabling testing of one of two electric models, including the Prototype S7. Also available, is the i-One, KYMCO UK’s first IONEX EV model with a 1,743Wh capacity, which provides up to 37 miles of range.

   The Test Ride Zone is open to licence holders of over 12 months, who will have access to try two models out on the open road. Included is the CV3, KYMCO’s first three-wheeled scooter, which provides extra stability and confidence, under any circumstance.

   MCIA TryRIDE enables non-licence holders the opportunity to test ride two of KYMCO’s best-selling entry-level models under the guidance of a professional instructor. Included is the Agility 50, which offers maximum comfort with extremely competitive running costs. Also offered is the Agility City+ 125, a comfortable, safe and agile scooter.

   KYMCO UK remains committed in its belief that two and three-wheeled transportation is the fundamental element in delivering a UK-wide transport solution. For more information please visit https://www.kymco.co.uk

   For specific media enquiries wishing to test at Motorcycle Live, please contact Neil on: [email protected]. For customer test rides please visit the test ride areas at the show to register.