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Category: Random
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Debi Trevett joins H-C Travel, as travel agency manager and motorcycle tours sales and operations manager for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Debi previously worked for Trailfinders for 10 years, latterly as their product manager for Africa. Debi joins Linda Kember, North American sales and operations manager responsible for Orange & Black motorcycle tours and rentals, and Carol Hooker, responsible for Asia and Latin America.
David Grist, owner of H-C Travel, said: ‘Debi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to H-C Travel, and I’m delighted to welcome her on board. Our success is based on our professional, personal approach to motorcycle touring, our unique business model, and our passion for travel. Debi is a great fit and reflects our approach perfectly. I’m looking forward to working with her.'
H-C Travel Ltd was established in 1994 and is the UK's leading specialist operator of fly - ride motorcycle tours to destinations around the world. Based in Overton, Hampshire it also has a retail travel agency for the North Hampshire/Berkshire borders (serving the area between Basingstoke, Newbury, Winchester and Andover.) Its Orange & Black brand offers Harley-Davidson authorised guided tours, self-guided tours and rentals in the USA. H-C Travel is uniquely positioned in the UK motorcycle tour market with professional travel industry recognition, ATOL bonding and TTA membership.
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On 21st and 22nd April, the largest ever Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale of classic and collectors' motorcycles will take place at the International Classic MotorCycle Show. The sale has been split in to a two-day event to accommodate the astonishing number of machines on offer. More than 300 motorcycles have been consigned - including several single-owner collections – ranging from pre-war American machines to modern Japanese superbikes.
One of them is the 1973 MV Augusta 750 Sport, considered one of the most desirable of post-war motorcycles.
We have worked closely with experts at Bonhams Auction House - the most renowned auctioneers of fine art, motorbikes, cars and jewellery. They provided us with official valuations in order to properly understand how much these motorbikes have appreciated since they came out on the market. As a result, we now have information on some of the most valuable motorbikes in recent history.
Features:
- A list of 30 motorbikes ranked by both 'current value' and 'appreciation' with a short bio
- Top 10 list of most valuable motorbikes and motorbikes that has appreciated the most in value
- Fully embeddable
- Quotes from expert
In the existing list, we have a 1972 MV Agusta 750s that reached a selling price of £84,380 so it will be interesting to see what the final price will land on for the 1973 model that’s up for grabs on Sunday. It’s expected to land on anything between £70,000 and £90,000.
1973 MV AGUSTA 750S Registration no. CNF 113M Frame no. MV4C75 Lot 262 (22 Apr 2018, 12:00 BST)
'The 750S is still one of the most dramatic looking bikes made. This is in no small part due to the colours: crimson frame, red, blue and white tank, and white fairing with the insignia of MV Agusta emblazoned on the sides.' – Bike magazine.
Developed from its long line of highly successful multi-cylinder racers, MV Agusta's first road-going four - the 4C, a twin-carburettor, 600cc, shaft-driven tourer - appeared in 1965. But the public demanded something more exciting from many-times World Champions MV, and the Gallarate manufacturer duly obliged in 1968, upping capacity to 743cc and further boosting maximum power (to 65bhp) by fitting a quartet of Dell'Orto carburettors to the revised 750S, a high-speed symphony in red, white, and blue. Perhaps surprisingly for a sports model, the 750S retained the 4C's shaft final drive, while the frame too was virtually identical to that of its predecessor.
Hand made in limited numbers and priced accordingly, the 750S was way beyond the financial reach of the average enthusiast, selling to the kind of well-healed individual who might also own a Ferrari, Maserati, or Lamborghini. Marque specialist, the late Mick Walker got to try a mint, low mileage example in 1983, recording the event in his book 'MV Agusta Fours': 'The experience was unique; the rider was transported to a different level, and made to feel really special. There was certainly a pronounced "feel-good factor".'
Quote from expert
Ben Walker, international director for Bonhams collectors' motorcycle department stated:
Why we selected the bikes we did
- “When choosing which motorcycles to feature we’ve tried to select machines from across the collecting spectrum - from the early Pioneer period with the 1908 Triumph 3½hp Combination through the post-classic 1990 Honda VFR750R Type RC30.
- These are machines that will appeal to all areas of enthusiasm – not just because of their value but also because of the nostalgia that they evoke.”
The increase in value
- “It is fascinating to see how the values have increased since the machines were new. Knowing what we know now – the percentage increase in value and how difficult it is to acquire these machines - it would be great to step back in time and buy them when new….”
Top 10 most valuable motorbikes
- 1951 Vincent Black Lightning - £ 657,652
- The ex-Hubert Chantrey, 1932 Brough Superior 800cc Model BS4 Project - £ 331,900
- 1929 Brough Superior 968cc SS100 - £ 315,000
- Rare 'one-of-one' Black Shadow variant in Chinese Red - 1951 Vincent White Shadow - £ 305,210
- 1939 Vincent-HRD 998cc Series-A Rapide - £ 275,900
- 1939 Vincent-HRD 998cc Rapide Series-A Project - £ 270,300
- 1927 Brough Superior 981cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project - £ 259,100
- The ex-George Brough, London-Edinburgh Trial - 1939 Brough Superior 990cc SS100 - £ 253,500
- The ex-Murray Motorcycle Museum, 1934 Brough Superior 996cc SS100 - £ 242,300
- 1926 Brough Superior 981cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project - £ 236,700
Top 10 by value appreciation (inflation adjusted appreciation value)
- 1951 Vincent Black Lightning - 4475.23%
- 1929 Brough Superior 968cc SS100 - 3023.07%
- Rare 'one-of-one' Black Shadow variant in Chinese Red - 1951 Vincent White Shadow - 2789.63%
- The ex-George Brough, London-Edinburgh Trial - 1939 Brough Superior 990cc SS100 - 2735.30%
- The ex-Hubert Chantrey, 1932 Brough Superior 800cc Model BS4 Project - 2666.55%
- 1927 Brough Superior 981cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project - 2585.46%
- 1926 Brough Superior 981cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project - 2422.67%
- The ex-Murray Motorcycle Museum, 1934 Brough Superior 996cc SS100 - 2164.34%
- 1937 Matchless 1,000cc Model X - 1008.66%
- 1939 Vincent-HRD 998cc Series-A Rapide - 981.17%
Article supplied to THE BIKER GUIDE
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One of the most important aspects of the National Motorcycle Museum friend’s scheme is giving its members the chance to take part in some riding activities that just wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Some of this unique content includes the chance for museum friend’s to ride some of the best bikes in our inventory!
NMM Friend’s Classic Bike Tour Day
Saturday 24th March saw six museum friends scheme members having the opportunity to ride some of the most exciting and valuable classic motorcycles from the museums inventory.
Those taking part received an induction and “off road” training before being escorted by ex-police motorcyclists/IAM instructors around the beautiful Warwickshire countryside. Riding via Henley in Arden and other local beauty spots our riders enjoyed various museum bikes including a 1939 Triumph Tiger 100 and a 1960 Triumph Bonneville T120.
Each class of machine attracts a different “hire” fee which includes insurance cover and lunch in the museum restaurant. The next tours date we have planned is Saturday 12/05/18.
NMM Friend’s “Ride a Classic” Day
Saturday 31st March saw a capacity entry of 60 museum friend’s scheme members having the opportunity to ride a diverse range of classic motorcycles from the museums inventory in our first “ride a classic” day of 2018.
The day was split into two with 30 friends pre-booked onto either morning or afternoon sessions which gave everyone the chance to sample all of the eleven machines on offer.
Museum friend’s were treated to a host of exotic machinery including a Velocette Venom, Sunbeam Model 9, Ariel Cyclone 650cc, and even our very own “Steve McQueen/Great Escape” Triumph 650cc replica!
In addition to their annual membership fee the day cost museum friends just £10.00 per rider to help cover insurance costs. The next “ride a classic” day we have planned is Saturday 09/06/18.
Become a Friend Of The National Motorcycle Museum and Ride Our Bikes
Access to the above plus many other exclusive events & benefits for an annual subscription of-
Adults 18-65 £29.95
Senior Citizens 65+ £27.45
Junior 0-18 £19.95
Family (2 Adults & 2 Children) £49.95
By Phone: Call the National Motorcycle Museum on (01675) 443311
Join on-line www.thenmm.co.uk
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Customers of James Whitham’s track day training schools at Mallory Park can also test ride the GSX-R1000R, with added incentives for those that go on to purchase the championship-winning machine.
Starting from next week’s event on April 18 at the ‘friendly circuit’ and included at no extra cost, customers can choose to take a GSX-R1000R out on track for a 20-minute session. Those that go on to purchase a new GSX-R1000 or GSX-R1000 before the end of 2018 will then have the cost of the track day reimbursed, and will be automatically granted a free place on Suzuki’s 2019 All-Star track day event.
Three-time British Superbike champion John Reynolds – who played a pivotal role in the development of the GSX-R1000 both in Japan and Europe – will also be on hand to answer any questions and offer additional on-track instruction.
Suzuki GB marketing manager, Rob Cooper, said, “There’s nowhere better to get a taste for a GSX-R1000R than a race track, which is why we want to give people that chance. James already uses GSX-R1000Rs for the instructors on his days, so it made sense to add to the number of bikes at his Mallory Park events and let customers experience the bike for themselves too, including its full suite of electronics and MotoGP-derived engine.”
Customers that purchase before the end of April will also get a free Yoshimura Hepta Force exhaust, while the GSX-R1000 is currently on Suzuki’s low-rate finance offer, which allows customers to choose from either a PCP or hire purchase deal, 2%, 3%, or 4% APR, and an agreement term to match. The offer runs until the end of June.
To book a place on James Whitham track days, visit www.jameswhitham.com/track-training. GSX-R1000R test rides will only be available at Mallory Park events.
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Seasoned bikers who know their Ricky Carmicheals from their Mika Aholas may be able to talk until the cows come home about the differences between a trials bike, an endurance bike and a motocross bike. But if you’re a little newer to the scene – or your own two-wheeled interests are usually in the field of choppers and bobbers – knowing which off-road motorbike is going to be your style can be a little harder to figure out.
Are you planning on riding tracks or trails, or setting off on Green Lane adventures? Whatever your pleasure, whether everyday practice or weekend warrior, here are a few key differences between off-road motorbikes to help you choose the right one for you.
Motocross Bikes vs Supermotos 
Motocross and Supercross are very similar sports with one key difference: Supercross takes place in arenas and stadiums, while Motocross takes place out in naturally occurring terrain. Both use dirt tracks, and in either sport the dirt tracks have been man-made for purpose, but the difference between arena dirt track and out-on-the-land dirt track is enough to warrant a different style of tyre and suspension.
In either sport, bikes need to be capable of making tight turns and big jumps. But while supermotos feature road tyres and soft suspension set-ups that make them suited to well-maintained routes, motocross bikes are more about the off-road. If you’re planning on going Green Laning and need guarantees that your bike will tolerate bumpier terrain, a motocross bike or enduro bike might be the one for you. But if your focus is on the track and you also need a daily ride, a supermoto can offer that flexibility. That’s not to say they’re all street legal – but it’s easier to make a supermoto street legal than it is to get an MX bike on the road.
Trials Bikes vs Trail Bikes
Trials bikes and trail bikes, aren’t they the same thing? Well, no. Most noticeably because trials bikes don’t have seats.
Trail bikes are incredibly similar to motocross bikes in just about every way, though motocross bikes are lighter because they’re designed to be track-raced. They’re both great for going off-road on tracks that aren’t manicured specifically for motorsports, but a motocross bike will need some accessorising to protect it from the roughest terrain – whereas a trail bike will take Green Lanes with ease. Trail bikes, often being designed more for fun and games than for competitive sport, sometimes come with a headlight and/or kickstand and may have a front tyre that’s bigger than the rear to absorb impact.
Trials bikes on the other hand are not about the mod cons. Trial sport doesn’t focus on speed and power – it’s about balance and agility. These bikes are designed to hop over obstacles and be thrown around with ease by their rider, so any weight that can be lost is taken away – including the bike seat.
Trials competitions are slow speed and don’t cover a lot of ground, so you’ll notice the fuel tanks are tiny, usually incorporated into the U-shaped frame as if there isn’t a tank there at all. This helps with balance and keeps the bike’s centre of gravity low. Trials bikes are great if you want to get into trial riding, but they aren’t a comfortable choice for just about anything else.
Enduro Bikes vs Moto and Supermoto 
Motocross, supermoto, trails and trials… how does an enduro bike differ from all of these? Endurance races are just that – they require a bike that can go for many miles, day or night, on varying terrain. Unlike motocross and supermoto, where fast acceleration is needed and you’re up against a series of tight turns, ruts and ‘whoops’ sections, enduro bikes get kitted out with lights, panniers for carrying extra fuel and other things you wouldn’t be needing in 3-5 lap race.
Enduro motorbikes also come with wider transmission ratios, meaning they can operate over a broad speed range without as much gear-shifting as another bike. Like a trails bike, enduro rides are designed to take even the messiest terrain in their stride – but if you’re setting off for a weekend or a week rather than a day, the extra space in the fuel tank is not to be sniffed at.
Unlike trail bikes, enduro bikes sometimes have a rear wheel that’s larger than the front – instead of impact absorption, this is primarily to prevent drifting. The overall weight is heavier than other types of dirt bike, so bear that in mind if you’re planning on attempting off-road jumps.
The odd one out: Quad Bikes 
Most bikers don’t really think of quad bikes as ‘bikes’ per se, but when it comes to off-roading it’s worth giving them a look in. Some insurers offer discounts on quad bike insurance if you’re already insuring other motorbikes, so you don’t need to worry about much extra spend for those extra wheels.
Hitting tricky terrain on four wheels instead of two gives you a lot of extra stability, but does mean it’s harder to navigate tight spots. If you’re looking to venture off along narrow trails or through dense woodland, a dirt bike of any description will likely be a better fit than a quad. But if you’re going off-road into fields, Green Lanes designed for tractors and trailers or sandy areas, quad bikes might be just the thing you need.
Particularly for a new rider, quad bikes give you the opportunity to get confident handling a piece of heavy machinery without worrying about dropping it or having a wheel drift out. You’ve got a comfortable, wide ride, and you can familiarise yourself with tyre traction on dirt, mud and grass before tackling that movement on something less stable.
All in all, which vehicle is right for you depends on where you’re planning on riding, whether it’s going to be all about speed and tricks or taking in the scenery, and how confident you are in your riding abilities. For experienced riders looking to get agile, a trials bike might be the winning hobby that shows off new skills – but for total novices, a quad or trail bike is probably a better fit.
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