Category: Random

1. FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE AT MISANO

   Posted on 3:00pm Sunday 10th Sep 2017

   THE NEW RS-GP AERODYNAMIC SOLUTION IS ON THE TRACK WITH GOOD FEEDBACK
   
   Aleix Espargaró and Sam Lowes tackled the first day of free practice at Misano as the natural continuation of the tests held here two weeks ago. In continuity with those sessions, the Aprilia team continued working especially on tyre choice, partially because of the asphalt conditions which are rather different than those they had found during the tests.

   The comparison between the various solutions continued until the final laps, giving the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini technicians plenty of feedback which will be translated into the final choices for the settings tomorrow in the decisive qualifying session.

   In both FP1 and FP2, Aleix Espargaró (who finished in eleventh place with a time of 1'33.832, just 6 tenths behind the leader) tested a new aerodynamic fairing on his RS-GP. The feedback was very positive, so much that the new aerodynamic solution will be used again tomorrow.

   Slowed in part by a couple of harmless crashes, Sam Lowes finished the Friday sessions in 22nd place with a time of 1'34.903.
   
   ALEIX ESPARGARO'
   "I struggled a bit more than I had expected because the track conditions are very different than they were for the tests. There is not much grip and I have a bit of trouble stopping the bike. These are the two main areas to work on. We also saved a few tyre solutions for tomorrow, since we know which tyres work best thanks to the tests. I liked the new fairing a lot. I had asked the engineers for it and they did a great job getting it ready in just 10 days. I will definitely use it for this weekend, but I think it is a solution that can work well on all the tracks."
   
   SAM LOWES
   "A strange day for everyone. A lot of guys tested here not long ago, including us, but today the track conditions were completely different. This morning the asphalt was damp too, which was just one more difficulty. Despite everything, we found a good base to work on tomorrow, especially in the final laps of the second session. I'm in a group of riders that are all within a half a second of one another. Tomorrow with higher temperatures we will definitely be able to have our say."

2. Biker Friendly in Bath - Bailbrook Lodge

   Posted on 12:00pm Sunday 10th Sep 2017

   Ideal if you are seeking high quality accommodation in a quiet, peaceful setting whilst being located close to Bath's historic city centre, which is only 1.5 miles away. 

   Public transport is very easy into the city. The Roman Spa City of Bath, England's only UNESCO World Heritage City, has a wealth of museums, attractions and amazing architecture. Close to Castle Combe Race Track with enjoyable rides to Wookey Hole, Cheddar Gorge and the standing stones of Avebury.

   Set in its own grounds with lovely gardens, this delightful Georgian Grade II listed country house has 15 en-suite bedrooms including 5 with four poster beds. Refurbished and redecorated to reflect the character of this lovely property. High quality beds with luxurious soft duvets, with great views of the gardens and Avon valley. A wonderful award winning breakfast is served.

   Free Wi-Fi. Drying room facilities. Private parking.

   where: 35-37 London Road West, Bath, Somerset, BA1 7HZ

   www.bailbrooklodge.co.uk

3. Toca da Raposa - A small and cozy campsite in the foothills of the Serra da Estrela Mountains, in Portugal,

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 8th Sep 2017

   ... surrounded by nature and the ideal spot to explore this beautiful region. Enjoy a pleasant and carefree stay in a welcoming atmosphere... 

   Popular with touring motorcyclists with access to good roads over hilltops, mountains, through river valleys and to castles. The friendly owners can suggest several day trips with places of interest and splendid routes, as well as magnificent spots nearby. Special offers for groups.

   A choice of accommodation from small and large erected and equipped tents, lovely wooden cabins and caravans, at great rates.

   The on-site bar/ restaurant is a meeting place for guests and local people, surrounded by exotic plants and trees, serving delicious dishes for breakfast and dinner, refreshing drinks, ice creams, snacks and Belgian Beer. Also a refreshing swimming pool, hot showers and modern toilet block.

   Along the EM 504 road in Central Portugal, on the border between the two districts of Coimbra and Guarda, near the picturesque villages of Meruge, Santa Eulália and Lagares da Beira, within an easy ride to the cities of Oliveira do Hospital, Coimbra and Viseu, Piódão, the Forest of Buçaco, Monsanto and the coastal city of Porto, known for its medieval riverside, stately bridges and narrow cobbled streets.

   where: Quinta do Amial, Meruge, 3405-351 Oliveira do Hospital, Portugal. GPS: N 40 23.951 / W 7 49.567

   www.toca-da-raposa.com

   www.facebook.com/Toca-da-Raposa-Camping-1721994084687356/

4. Africa Twin Adventures - Based in Cape Town, South Africa...

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 6th Sep 2017

   ... offering exclusive and luxury adventure motorcycle tour experiences on a fleet of Honda Africa Twin motorcycles. 

   Owner Gavin born in Cape Town, has a passion for his hometown and the wider Western Cape region, motorcycle riding and nature and with 15 years of hard-core motorcycle trips under the belt realizes that a high standard of accommodation and meals are as important as the ride and the views to make a tour a tr...uly unforgettable experience!

   Traveling at speed to reach destinations can be exhilarating, however the reality of this can be that you can miss a lot along the way, not having enough time to enjoy the scenery and breathe in the fresh air. ATA take exceptional care to offer and ensure amazing rides and tour options, while paying as much attention to the comfort and enjoyment factor during the ride and also when you are not on the motorcycle.

   Here the tours focus on shorter daily distances, providing enough time to take in the sights and sounds along the way, as well as everything the beautiful countryside has to offer. This approach results in safer riding as riders do not have to struggle to keep up with a group and so can enjoy the riding. A back-up vehicle is provided for each tour and follows the riders, meaning no luggage to carry. The tours cater for smaller groups, include the motorcycle hire, riding kit, meals, fuel and accommodation and can be described as an exclusive, luxury and truly an unforgettable riding experience!

   Routes cater for various tourist attractions including firm favorites such as Whale and Winelands, endless sea views, natural forests, Cederberg rugged region, quaint little towns and villages, the world famous Cango Caves, semi-desert rock formations and game farms hosting many of the great African wild life species. The seasoned tour guides know and understand the roads and road conditions and have excellent knowledge of the regions you will travel through, places of interest, general attractions and the locals. They are there not only to guide your journey, but also to add flavour to your experience.

   www.africatwinadventures.com

   www.facebook.com/Africatwinadventures/

    

   

5. New figures show that MASTER protected motorcycles are 6 times less likely to be stolen

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 4th Sep 2017

   Recent analysis of theft data for new motorcycles sold in 2017, shows there is a huge difference between machines which are marked with the MASTER Security Scheme, compared to those which are not. New MASTER protected bikes are six time less likely to be stolen.

   MASTER, which stands for Motorcycle and Scooter Tagged Equipment Registration, is the UK’s only official and national scheme and has been adopted by the majority of major motorcycle manufacturers since its launch in 2013. It both deters theft and makes it easier to secure a conviction.

   What do new statistics show?

   Information from the MASTER Scheme database and new registration data shows 66,423 new motorcycles and scooters were registered in the UK from the beginning of this year to the end of July 2017. 42,254 were marked with the MASTER system, of which only 78 have been reported stolen. Of the 24,169 motorcycles and scooters which were not protected by MASTER, 285 have been stolen.

   Rates of theft

   There is a clear and significant difference in rates of theft. MASTER tagged machines registered in the first seven months of the year have a theft rate of just 0.18%, while non-MASTER tagged new bikes have a theft rate of 1.17%, showing MASTER tagged bikes are more than six times less likely to be stolen than bikes which are not protected by the MASTER Scheme.

   Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association, which first introduced the MASTER Scheme in 2013 says:

   “The MASTER Security Scheme represents a significant investment by major brands and these figures confirm that the decision to invest in the official MASTER scheme was the right thing to do. This data is very encouraging and hopefully will persuade those manufacturers not yet marking bikes to reconsider the MASTER Scheme as significant benefit to their customers.”

   How does the MASTER Security Scheme work?

   The MASTER Security Scheme uses a sophisticated array of technology to mark the motorcycle or scooter’s major component parts providing a unique 'fingerprint'. This layered approach involves a combination of visible and concealed elements including tamper evident warning labels, hidden microscopic Datadots, stealth UV etching and a number of unique radio frequency identification transponders which are embedded into parts. This is similar to the technology that allows the chipping of cats and dogs, but cannot be altered or erased.

   The combination of hidden elements (detailed above), along with the high visibility and the unique number on each tag, offer both peace of mind to consumers and help the police secure prosecution when recovering stolen motorcycles. Police have access to the MASTER Security Scheme secure database 24 hours a day.

   The MASTER Scheme system includes a highly visible ultra-destruct identification/warning label that is fixed in a prominent place on the bike (generally on the frame near the headstock), alerting potential thieves to the fact that it is marked and registered. The label disintegrates if it is tampered with and alarm bells will ring for police and subsequent owners if the label is missing on models from participating manufacturers.

   All motorcycles and scooters from participating manufacturers are registered on the MASTER Security Scheme’s national secure database. This is updated continuously, which means the reporting of stolen vehicles is immediate.

   It would be virtually impossible for a thief to remove all traces of the MASTER Scheme technologies from all parts, which is why this makes protected bikes far less attractive to them.

   There are now over 250,000 MASTER protected machines and this number increases each year.

   Facts about motorcycle theft

   43% of all insurance pay outs are due to theft (according to MCIA research).

   Many motorcycles are ‘cloned’, which involves being broken up into parts within hours of being stolen and reassembled onto legally acquired frames, which have log books. This can net thieves thousands of pounds a day.*
   80% of these ‘cloned’ motorcycles find their way into the legitimate dealer network. Before the MASTER Scheme it was virtually impossible for dealers or the police to identify stolen parts.*

   **(Facts and figures supplied by the Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group).

   

   www.masterscheme.org