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Category: Motorcycles
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This is your chance to put Triumph's 2023 line-up to the test, riding one of the latest models on exciting local routes with our expert test ride team. 
Our dedicated test ride fleet will be visiting dealers around the country, making it even easier for you to test ride the bike of your choice.
Accompanied by our expert riders, you will receive the perfect test ride experience from start to finish.
Simply pick your favourite dealer or the date that suits you, and then select one of six sessions available that day, and choose from a list of motorcycles provided.
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- MAHLE Powertrain and Vepro agree partnership to accelerate development of sustainable solutions for motorcycle and light-vehicle sectors
- Decades of combined experience builds on the UK’s continued growth as a centre of excellence for motorcycle development
- Capitalises on MAHLE Powertrain’s unrivalled facilities, including world’s first motorcycle dyno to operate in climatic and altitude test cells
MAHLE Powertrain and Vepro, an engineering consultancy with decades of experience in motorcycle and light vehicle development, have agreed a technical partnership that will build on the United Kingdom’s continued re-emergence as a centre of excellence for motorcycle development and manufacturing. The partnership will accelerate the creation of innovative solutions to the challenges faced by OEMs across the globe, particularly to drive mobility for a sustainable future. This is work MAHLE Powertrain excels at, with their Northampton facility equipped with the world’s first motorcycle dynamometer that can offer climatic and altitude testing.
“World-famous and storied brands are increasingly choosing to base their development efforts in the UK, and together that makes us well placed to offer the complex range of services that motorcycle and light vehicle producers need,” said John Hollingworth, Sales and Marketing Director at MAHLE Powertrain.
“This year is shaping up to be an excellent year for the British powered two-wheeler and light-vehicle industry,” said Neil Wright, who founded Vepro after more than a decade working for global brands including Triumph Motorcycles. “That’s thanks to the rise of small, enterprising brands and start-ups, but also the return of famous marques such as Royal Enfield, Norton and BSA as they develop their R&D centres, often in the same area where it all began more than a hundred years ago. We’re delighted to be joining forces with MAHLE Powertrain to ensure the support these manufacturers need is always on their doorstep as well as offering support to OEMs further afield.”
Vepro’s experience with full vehicle development is perfectly complemented by MAHLE Powertrain’s expertise with vehicle powertrains, both for traditional internal combustion engines and eMobility. At the company’s state-of-the-art vehicle and battery development centre in Northampton, a purpose-designed mobile motorcycle dyno can be set-up in the facility’s various test chambers. There it can recreate climatic conditions ranging from -40°C to +60°C, humidity ranging from 10% to 80%, and simulate altitudes up to 5,000m (16,400ft).
This unique capability drastically simplifies the development of powered two-wheelers by moving testing to a safer, more controlled environment, away from the challenges and dangers of the real world. By simulating such a broad range of environmental conditions, calibration and verification work can be completed in much shorter timescales, and without the need for expensive and time-consuming international testing regimes.
Lab-based testing also allows for greater repeatability and is particularly important when calibrating products for markets such as China where emissions standards are now among the most stringent in the world.
Standards for motorcycles and light vehicles generally lag behind those of passenger cars. That creates an opportunity to maximise the use of MAHLE Powertrain’s decades of experience in these sectors as technologies developed for larger vehicles filter down throughout the industry.
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Only 177 Available Globally, First Motorcycle Ever to Feature Old No. 7® Whiskey Mixed within Bike’s Super Graphite Paint
Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, and Jack Daniel’s®, America’s first registered distillery, have once again partnered for a celebration of American craftsmanship with the creation of the 2023 Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse. The seventh limited-edition offering from the two iconic American brands, and developed in partnership with Klock Werkssm Kustom Cycles, the latest model draws its inspiration from Jack Daniel’s® legendary Old No. 7® Tennessee Whiskey.
Hand painted and highly exclusive, Indian Motorcycle will produce only 177 units for global distribution. Building upon the Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse’s mechanical style, where its steel-tube frame and powerful Thunderstroke 116 motor take center stage, the Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse includes several fine-touch details that make the bike truly one of a kind. The bike features Jack Daniel’s® branding throughout, and, for the first time ever, real Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7® whiskey mixed directly within the bike’s Super Graphite Metallic paint.
“The Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse is yet another powerful and dynamic representation of the quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail that is core to both of our brands,” said Aaron Jax, Vice President for Indian Motorcycle. “This time, we decided to pay homage to Jack Daniel’s® iconic Old No. 7® – the most iconic of Jack Daniel’s® whiskeys – pairing it with the Chief Bobber Dark Horse. Both products are timeless American originals that share a combination of no-nonsense simplicity and premium quality.”
With a mean attitude and old-school muscle, the 2023 Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse features several design elements that make this bike truly exclusive. Jack Daniel’s® branding will be found throughout the bike including the front and rear fenders, stamped on its solo seat, and on a Montana Silversmiths® Badge with each bike’s unique serial number. For ultimate exclusivity, Jack Daniel’s® signature can be found on the rear fender and etched into the exhaust. The 2023 Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse touts a tank with a single Indian Motorcycle Script “I” along both sides. The Thunderstroke 116 engine features non-machined highlighted cylinders and heads, Cloud Silver painted rockers and pushrod tubes – giving it a throwback style that delivers a raw metal look.
The limited-edition motorcycle also features white centre rims, a solo-saddle seat, a tinted Klock Werkssm Flared Deflector, three ride modes, and a 101 mm touchscreen powered by RIDE COMMAND with Bluetooth®, turn-by-turn navigation*, and more.
“At Jack Daniel’s® we live by the motto, ‘Every day we make it, we’ll make it the best we can.’ Indian Motorcycle shares that philosophy, which is why this partnership has been such a success,” said Greg Luehrs, Director of Sponsorships and Partnerships for Jack Daniel’s®. “To think that a handshake agreement has given way to seven years of incredible limited-edition motorcycles is truly amazing, and it’s only appropriate to honour Jack’s tried and true Old No. 7, with this seventh collaborative offering.”
For Jack Daniel’s® and Indian Motorcycle, craftsmanship is about the fundamentals. And no two products better represent the fundamentals than Old No. 7® and the Indian Chief. For the Indian Chief, the fundamental element is the frame. When designing this bike, it was important to get the stance right and maintain a simple, mechanical design. The Chief’s no-nonsense design is a modern homage to the glory days of American motorcycling with iconic V-twin style, combined with modern performance and ride-enhancing technology. For Old No. 7, the fundamental element is cave spring water from Lynchburg, TN – clean, pure, crisp, and a constant 13 °C – the very lifeblood of Jack Daniel’s® Tennessee whiskey.
The Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse is exclusively available through Indian Motorcycle dealerships. Contact your dealer for your chance to order.
For more information on Indian Motorcycle visit IndianMotorcycle.eu and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Continued Indian Motorcycle sponsorship supports growth of European Hooligan Racing
Hooligan class renamed Indian Motorcycle Hooligan Championship 2023
Indian Motorcycle has announced the signing of Jamie Kimber and Gerard Bailo to contend the 2023 DTRA Hooligan class following the recent US race team announcements. Indian Motorcycle also continues its long-term support and promotion of flat track racing in Europe with sponsorship that sees the class renamed as the ‘Indian Motorcycle Hooligan Championship 2023’.
Indian Motorcycle’s continued partnership with the DTRA helps to ensure the future of grassroots motorcycle sport and the development of youth riders. As a result, European flat track racing has grown substantially in recent years, being one of the most accessible and respected entry points to the sport outside of North America.
Anthony Brown, DTRA founder commented, “Indian Motorcycle have helped to grow the Hooligan class in the DTRA since its inception and we are honoured and happy to have them along for the ride in 2023. It will be great to see a mixture of UK and overseas riders battle it out on Indian Scouts and FTRs against the rest of the Hooligan field. With some new tracks and events to be announced in the coming weeks the 2023 Hooligan championship is set to be the best on yet.”
Jamie Kimber won her first national race at the June 2021 round of the National DTRA championship and went on to secure third in the National DTRA Minibike-Mod Championship Series. Having been spotted by Indian Motorcycle UK, Jamie was awarded a scholarship as the Indian Motorcycle Academy rider aboard the Indian Scout Hooligan for the 2022 season and proved worthy with fourth in the overall championship standings. A recent graduate in Sports Psychology and Coaching sciences, Jamie has competed in many sports from triathlons to rugby but says there is nothing like throwing a leg over a motorcycle and heading to the start line. Jamie can be followed on Instagram at @jamiekimber421
“Signing for Indian Motorcycle is such an exciting stepping stone for me. It all started in late 2020 when I spontaneously signed up to the ladies class in Scunthorpe on my dad’s Sunday S147 pitbike. He taught me the basics the night before and it all went from there. I took to it quite well. I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to ride the Indian FTR as a fully-fledged member of the team. This year, I hope to continue improving, enjoying each moment, and gain National podium results. My heart is with anything two-wheeled and I can’t wait to get stuck in at racing this season. I would like to thank Indian Motorcycle for the opportunity; I am excited to see what this season brings,” said Jamie.
Gerard Bailo started competing in Supermoto in 2007 when he was just 13 years old and made his Flat Track debut in 2014. Quickly proving competitive, Gerard took third that year and, in 2016, improved to second in the open category. By 2017, Gerard had several regional Supermoto championships under his belt plus the Junior Nations world title and decided to fully commit to Flat Track racing with an opportunity in the DTRA series. Competing only in flat track since then, Gerard had his best season in 2022 winning the FIM Flat Track World Championship. Gerard will compete in the Indian Motorcycle Hooligan series aboard the Indian FTR 1200 prepared by S&S Cycle, while balancing his racing commitments with work in his family’s Insurance business. Gerard can be followed on Instagram at @gerardbailo17.
“Taking the world title in 2022 was my best season ever, something I had always dreamed of and being able to make it happen was incredible. We also got more experience on the bigger tracks, so this also helps us for 2023. I am very happy to sign the contract with a brand like Indian Motorcycle. I believe we will be very competitive, and I hope to be able to fight for the 2023 national championship title. Thank you to Indian Motorcycle for their trust in me,” said Gerard.
The Dirt Track Riders Association has just announced its dates and full Series details for the 2023 and Indian Motorcycle and the DTRA actively encourage riders to get involved. The atmosphere at DTRA managed races is inclusive for all abilities with classes from Rookie to Pro-Rider. For full race schedules and details of how to enter visit dirttrackriders.co.uk and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
For more information on Indian Motorcycle visit IndianMotorcycle.eu and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
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- MAHLE Powertrain and White Motorcycle Concepts to develop fully electric three-wheeled motorcycle for police and emergency first responders
- Yamaha Tricity 300-based design will target 100 mile operating range and fast charge time
- Funded as part of the Niche Vehicle Network’s Powered Light Vehicles (PLV) Feasibility Studies competition, the sustainability-focused project will help emergency services achieve their net-zero ambitions
MAHLE Powertrain is working with White Motorcycle Concepts (WMC) to develop a fully electric three-wheeled motorcycle perfectly suited to the requirements of police, emergency first responders and last-mile delivery fleets. Supported by a grant from the Niche Vehicle Network, supported by the Department for Transport and Innovate UK, the project will adapt the design of the Yamaha Tricity 300 to replace its combustion engine with a fully electric powertrain with fast-charging capability and a targeted 100 mile operating range. This development will enable emergency services to comply with forthcoming legislation and achieve their net-zero ambitions without sacrificing service levels.
“Existing electric motorcycles have been designed with the retail market in mind, and can be both expensive and slow to charge,” said Jonathan Hall, MAHLE Powertrain’s Head of Research and Advanced Engineering. “Because emergency services require high levels of availability and have an unpredictable demand, retail electric motorcycles are unlikely to present a cost-effective solution.”
The project will build upon WMC’s success with the WMC300FR hybrid three-wheeled motorcycle, developed in conjunction with Northamptonshire Police and on trial with emergency services across the country. Both it and the forthcoming fully electric version make use of the company’s patented V-Duct, a venturi duct that passes through the centre of the motorcycle that significantly reduces drag, improving performance and efficiency. The concept behind this central air duct has been honed on the WMC250EV that forms the basis for WMC’s electric land speed record programme.
MAHLE Powertrain will use their simulation expertise to determine the optimal powertrain specification for the requirements. By analysing real-world data in a comprehensively modelled virtual environment, MAHLE Powertrain will investigate a number of components such as traction motors and charger systems to arrive at the best possible configuration. This work will also consider a variety of battery topologies – from traditional slow-charging and low-cost options through to novel ultra-fast technologies – and analyse how best to package these components within the motorcycle. A CAD-based study will also develop a concept that integrates the chosen traction motor and transmission into a new rear swing-arm.
The project’s focus on sustainability is evident beyond the target of delivering zero-emission transport for rapid response fleets, such as in the use of recycled carbon-fibre in the motorcycle’s construction, and the selection of a downsized battery pack with fast charging capability that reduces the use of rare earth materials.
Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable and UK Police lead for Motorcycles, Nick Adderley, said: “The hybrid three-wheeled bikes we now have in our fleet are providing an alternative, practical and very visible way for our neighbourhood police officers to get out and about in their communities. We need to continue to ensure we are prepared for the future with a sustainable fleet that not only meets the green agenda but also enables us to deliver the policing service our communities need and want. Our close involvement in these developments ensures the operational vehicle meets our specific requirements and I look forward to seeing the output from this study.”
The electric three-wheeled motorcycle will also serve to make police more visible, which is rapidly becoming a key requirement in community policing, while the completed design can be easily adapted to other services such as paramedic first responders and even last-mile delivery duties. Crucially, the bike can be ridden on a standard car licence, removing the need for specialist training.
Recent testing by the Metropolitan Police has confirmed the motorcycle’s suitability for high-speed work where aerodynamic stability is critical, even when equipped with heavily-laden panniers.
Funded by the Niche Vehicle Network, supported by the Department of Transport and Innovate UK, the feasibility stage of the project is scheduled for completion in March 2023. A follow-up project to develop the prototype units is planned, ultimately leading to small series production.
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