Category: Random

1. DISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE FAMOUS FILM, TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 31st Mar 2022

   Published by award-winning filmmaker, Peter Starr, Taking it to the Limit offers readers an insight into how over 40 successful motorcycle racing films were made in a 20 year time period, including the award-winning film, Take It To The Limit.

   Taking it to the Limit includes previously unpublished stories about some of the world’s greatest motorcycle stars, some of which include Kenny Roberts, Barry Sheene and the story of Mike Hailwood’s initial return to the Isle of Man in September 1977. The era covered by Taking it to the Limit is one of those that is generally lauded as a “Golden Age”. The stars, the films and now the book, collectively, is one of the most unique tomes to be offered on that era of motorcycle racing. 

   The iconic film, Take it to the Limit, won premier awards at the Chicago International Film Festival and the Houston International Film Festival in 1980, the year of its release. Peter Starr, the producer of this film and author of Taking It To The Limit is an inductee of the American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Fame and has gathered a remarkable collection of stories in this book that will fill many of the gaps still left in the coverage of that era.

   Taking it to the Limit is accompanied with a free DVD showing clips from many of Starr’s most popular films. The book, with 50 signed copies available, costs £45 and is available from www.mortonsbooks.co.uk

   -------------------------------------------------ENDS-------------------------------------------------------

   About the author

   A former employee of Triumph Engineering in Meriden during the early 1960s, Starr emigrated to the USA in the mid-sixties, initially to continue his racing career but soon learned that his talents, and thick English accent, were better served as a radio rock ‘n’ roll disc jockey on various American Radio stations peddling the British Music Scene to an enthusiastic young audience. This was followed by a stint as a record producer in Hollywood where he worked with artists such as the Brit Spencer Davis.

   This led to the opportunity to return to the motorcycle culture, and to make BAD ROCK the first of what turned out to be over 40 films on motorcycle sport. Starr’s motorcycle films have been honoured by 14 international film awards and, in addition to the AMA Hall of Fame, he has been inducted to the Trailblazers Hall of Fame and the HotShoe Hall of Fame. Currently Starr lives in Los Angeles where he produces documentaries and television commercials and serves as the medical research director of a Medical Foundation.

    

2. Enginehawk celebrates first year of revolution

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 21st Mar 2022

   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.

    

   

3. A Microscopic Review of E-Bikes

   Posted on 9:00am Saturday 19th Mar 2022

   Bikes and bicycles have always been around as efficient and relatively cheaper modes of transportation. With the current surge in oil prices, people are moving towards electric bikes or e-bikes for their ecological transportation needs. Electric bikes are pre-equipped with electric motors to help in pedaling. While this makes the entire traditional procedure of pedaling easier, there is more than what meets the eye.

   Topmost Advantages of Electric Bikes

   Regular Exercise

   People who own electric bikes tend to ride them more often than they ride other modes of transportation. Cycling has always been regarded as one of the best and easiest methods to get the right amount of exercise in a busy life schedule.

   People who ride electric bikes use them for the commute daily. This provides an effective exercise regimen twice a day and keeps the body in a healthy shape and condition. It regularly revitalizes your body with energy and keeps many cardiac problems at bay.

   Moreover, folks who are into sports love exercise any way they can get it.

   Eco-friendly Commute

   Global warming is on the rise, and every day we are killing mother earth with more and more CO2 emissions because of the luxuries we avail. Electric bikes cut back the emission of harmful gases and keep your entire commute eco-friendly.

   A commute on an electric bike keeps your body fit and protects the environment by using eco-friendly resources for pedaling, such as lithium batteries.

   Strengthen Muscles and Bones

   Regular exercise and cycling also provide nourishment for the bones and muscles. This is why more and more senior citizens are opting for electric bikes. It keeps the heart young and bones healthy.

   Electric bikes are heavier than the normal ones, and the amount of energy taken to pedal these bikes provides the perfect amount of strengthening exercise for all the elemental organs. It takes care of joints, bones, and muscles and increases the rider's core strength.

   Cheaper Mode of Transportation

   Who among us doesn’t look for new ways to cut back on unnecessary expenses? The entire middle-class community is constantly looking for ways to increase their savings. Well, electric bike motors only cost you 5-8 cents every day, and you will only have to spend $1-$2 for an entire month. Instead of taking the long and tedious public transportation, you can not only enjoy the commute with your electric bike but also save mother Earth, nature, and your money at the same time.

   Bottom Line

   With the advancements in science and the busy routine schedule of the modern era, no one has the time to work out and get the right amount of exercise daily. Electric bikes are bliss for everyone who manages a tedious and tiring daily life.  

   Your commute to and from work will invigorate you with the perfect zing of revitalizing energy if you use an electric bike. Enhance your way of life with an e-bike and live to the fullest.

    

    

    

   article supplied

4. WIN A DUCATI PANIGALE WITH BEMOTO

   Posted on 12:00pm Sunday 6th Feb 2022

   BeMoto insurance launches £35,000 BeLotto prize draw  
   * Free to enter prize draw
   * Win a Ducati Panigale V4 S
   * Scoop a £10,000 Prize Pot as well
   * BeMoto insurance customers get automatic entry
   
   BeMoto, the multibike and modified motorbike insurance specialists, have launched BeLotto: a free to enter competition to win a Ducati Panigale V4 S along with a £10,000 prize pot of motorcycling goodies.
   Obtaining an entry into the BeMoto BeLotto is incredibly simple: rewarding the loyalty for riders who are insured through BeMoto with a single Motorcycle, Race Van, Quad, Trike or Buggy policy live on April 18, 2022 (the closing date of the draw), they will automatically be entered with two tickets. Further improving the chance to win is that every additional bike insurance in a Multibike road insurance package along with any live SORN, Annual Travel or GAP Insurance Policy on the closing date also counts for an additional two entries per policy.
   
   For those who aren’t insured with BeMoto but desperately want to win this incredible prize package, they can gain an entry into BeLotto by filling out a short and simple online form at www.bemoto.uk/belotto where the full terms and conditions can also be found.
   
   The main prize of a Ducati Panigale V4 S (£25,000) - acquired from Seastar Superbikes in Norwich - is arguably one of the finest sportsbikes ever built; the 211bhp V4 engine is wrapped in a race-winning chassis and beautiful bodywork, tamed by an incredible package of electronics (and wings) to help try to keep both wheels on the floor and all that performance getting to the ground.
   
   Included within the BeLotto Prize Pot is £10,000 worth of motorcycling clothing, accessories, security products and much more. Already ‘in the pot’ are £1200 worth of R&G styling and protection products for the bike, a top of the range Shoei X-Spirit III helmet, a Helite Turtle 2 Air Bag Vest, a Guardsman Barrier from Image4Security, an Innovv motorcycle dash cam, a pair of Knox Handroid gloves, Ultimate custom motorcycle ear plugs, a Titan motorcycle shelter, BeMoto insurance for the bike up to a value of £1000, and much more.
   
   The prize pot is being added to each week, so people are urged to keep checking back to the BeLotto page and BeMoto’s social media to see what further incredible items are being added to the mix.
   
   The BeLotto prize draw closes on April 18, 2022, and the winner will be announced on the BeMoto Facebook page.
   
   
   

5. How important is your motorcycle’s air filter?

   Posted on 11:00am Wednesday 2nd Feb 2022

   If your motorcycle didn’t have an air filter, dust, dirt and all other airborne contaminants would be able to get into the engine. This would build up and eventually put a huge strain on the motor’s components, wearing down the pistons and cylinder walls. If the piston rings get damaged, gases may be able to escape from the combustion chamber, significantly impacting the engine’s performance.

   In short, an effective filter is critical for a healthy motor. However, over time, the filter itself may become clogged with contaminants, which will prevent clean air from getting into the engine and reduce the vehicle’s power and fuel efficiency. This is why it is important to change it at recommended intervals.

   Types of air filters

   Material

   Most air filters are made from paper or cellulose, foam, or an oil-coated cotton material. The quality of the component’s materials and its design ultimately determine its capacity to hold contaminants.
   

   • Paper/cellulose

   Paper-based air filters are very common as they are cheap to produce and easy to dispose of. However, this may also be a disadvantage because unlike some other components, the part cannot be cleaned or reused once it gets too dirty. They look fairly similar to the filters used in coffee machines, with small pores for trapping fine particles. The filtration element is pleated to increase its holding capacity and allow more air to flow through.

   • Oiled cotton gauze filters

   Cotton filtration components are usually the most expensive parts available due to their breathability and durability. They are typically used on high-performance bikes as they provide high-quality filtration at a rapid rate. Although the gauze is quite porous, the oil traps and prevents the contaminants in the air from passing through. The main advantage of these filters is that they can be reused multiple times. You may, however, have to purchase an additional cleaning and re-oiling kit.

   • Foam filters

   Also known as depth filters, they are often used for off-road vehicles or very dusty environments due to their ability to block out contaminants. Many of them are also saturated in oil to trap dirt and grime. They can last a long time but they require regular cleaning and oiling to function.

   Manufacturer

   You should also consider the brand and production quality of the product when looking for an aftermarket replacement. It is advisable to only select products from trusted manufacturers, such as K&N, Maxima or MUYI. K&N is probably the most well-known brand in Europe as it is an industry leader in automotive filtration technology. 

   Design

   Some air filters are intelligently designed to increase the engine’s horsepower. Your driving habits and environment should be taken into account when making a selection. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It is therefore important to check the compatibility of the part with your motorbike. For example, the K&N YA-6098 air filter is oval shaped and designed specifically for Yamaha FZS600 Fazer 600 bikes.   

   When to change your motorbike’s air filter

   According to the majority of recommendations, you should replace or clean your air filter once every 10,000 to 15,000 miles or once per year. However, if you are using a component made from paper and you regularly drive on dusty roads, it may be a good idea to replace it as often as every 6,000 miles to maintain the engine’s performance.

    

    Article supplied