Category: Random

1. Get the taste for a new Suzuki this summer

   Posted on 11:00am Thursday 25th May 2017

   The all-new GSX-R1000 will be available to test ride from a series of biker cafés this year, as Suzuki embarks on a summer tour of some of the most popular haunts in the country. Starting at the Green Welly Stop in Tyndrum, Scotland, on June 3, the tour takes in seven weekends, ending at Suzuki’s local bike café, the Super Sausage in Towcester, on September 30.

   The new GSX-R1000 features a host of MotoGP-derived technology, including a clever variable valve timing system that gives the new sportsbike both 202hp and 117.6nm of torque. It gets a 10-stage traction control system governed by an inertial measurement unit that also controls rear wheel lift under braking. There are also three power modes and ABS, while the GSX-R1000R also gets launch control, lean angle-sensitive ABS, and a bi-directional quickshifter and auto-blipper, plus Showa’s race-proven Balance Free suspension.

   Suzuki’s demo fleet will also feature the new V-Strom 650, which gets more power and torque for 2017, plus a two-mode traction control system – which can also be turned off – and a new design, as well as the bigger V-Strom 1000, which features lean angle-sensitive ABS and a two-mode traction control system.

   Joining Suzuki’s GSX-S range for 2017 is a new GSX-S750, which takes its engine from the iconic GSX-R750. It gets the same dash and three-mode traction control system as the bigger GSX-S1000 and GSX-S1000F, and all three will be available to test ride as part of the café tour, along with the SV650 middleweight naked.

   Suzuki GB marketing manager, Rob Cooper, announced the tour, saying, “This is the third year of our biker café tour, which has proven both immensely popular and successful over the last couple of years. By visiting the cafés we’re getting out there and bringing our bikes to a wider audience. As a result, we’re making the test ride experience even easier, and spending time with people we’re perhaps not currently seeing at other events or in dealerships. We’ve cherry-picked some of the most popular destinations across the country, and will be running two-day events at all of the cafés on the calendar. We’re now looking forward to the first event next month.”

   Those wishing to book a test ride in advance can do so by clicking here.

   Suzuki’s café tour dates:

   3-4 June – Green Welly Stop, Tyndrum, Scotland

   24-25 June – Super Sausage Café, Towcester

   1-2 July – Squires Café Bar, Newthorpe, Leeds

   15-16 July – Hartside Top Café, Alston, Cumbria

   29-30 July – Loomies, West Meon, Hampshire

   5-6 August – The Café at Llandow Circuit, Llandow

   30 September – 1 October – Super Sausage Café, Towcester

2. MAKE FIXING ROADS A VOTE WINNER

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 23rd May 2017

   As they canvass for the forthcoming election, the political parties are failing to address a major issue for voters: the poor state of the road network.
   
   Decades of under investment has resulted in a deteriorating local road network riddled with potholes. The bill to restore the road network to a decent standard is £12 billion because successive governments have failed to provide the funding to carry out the necessary levels of road maintenance. Continued cutbacks in local authority funding means that the situation can only get worse.
   
   “The political party that commits to real investment in our local road network would gather significant approval from voters,” said Howard Robinson, Chief Executive of the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA).
   
   RSTA is calling for the investment of an additional 2p per litre of the existing fuel duty to fix the plague pf potholes. This would provide an extra £1 billion to fix roads.
   
   “A further £1 billion annual investment would certainly help local authorities tackle the damage done by under-investment by successive governments,” argued Robinson, RSTA. “The poor state of our roads is a major social and economic issue. Voters should make it a political issue too asking the party activists and parliamentary candidates what their political party plans to do to increase investment in road maintenance.”

3. The BBC are making a new road trip travel series which will take five people with physical disabilities on an inspiring adventure through Vietnam

   Posted on 9:00am Thursday 18th May 2017

   The filming period will be from 12th June – 9th July 2017 and they are looking to speak to people about being interested over the next couple of days.

   This is an amazing opportunity for the right person and it will be a once-in-a life time trip.

   They would like the main mode of transport to be the classic motorbike (but there will be other vehicles involved) so it’s important the person they take has a motorbike driving licence and a passion for bikes. They will be making adaptions to the bikes in Vietnam so they are suitable for disabled riders.

   They are particularly looking for female riders at this stage so if you are interested get in touch.

   Paul - [email protected]
   07921 648 237

   

    

4. Ten most dangerous roads for motorcyclists in Britain revealed | Swinton Insurance announce partnership with IAM RoadSmart

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 13th May 2017

   Roads including Greater London’s Lambeth A23 named as dangerous for motorcyclists– findings revealed as Swinton Insurance announces partnership with IAM RoadSmart 

   Ten roads across Britain have been named as the most dangerous for motorcyclists, including the North West’s High Peak A57 and London’s Lambeth A23, according to government data analysed by Swinton Insurance. In total in 2016, 118 accidents involving motorcycles happened on these ten roads.

   The research compiled by Swinton, the UK's largest high street insurance broker, reveals the motorcyclists most likely to be in an accident by age and motorcycle type across each region in the UK.

   The national average showed motorcyclists aged 25 are at most risk of an accident. Men were also 93% more likely to be involved in accidents than women across the UK.

   The conditions most likely to cause an accident on a motorcycle have also been revealed. Motorcyclists are most likely to have an accident in daylight, travelling in a 30mph zone with dry road conditions. Accidents are also more likely to happen on a Wednesday, according to the Swinton Insurance findings from government data.

   Motorbike engine size also played an important factor in accidents across the country, with 44% of accidents occurring on a bike with an engine size of 50 to 125cc. A further 37% of accidents involved a motorbike with an engine size of over 500cc.

   A-Roads were found to be the most dangerous, with 79% of accidents occurring there compared to just 21% on other types of routes. Most accidents also happened during fine weather conditions and more accidents also occurred in urban areas. With hazards from hairpin bends to ensuring a motorbike is ready for the road, there are many tricky hurdles for a motorcyclist to overcome on roads across Great Britain.

   Top 10 most dangerous regional roads for motorcyclists across the UK

   Position	Region	Road
   1	Greater London	Lambeth A23
   2	South East	Rother A259
   3	Yorkshire and Humber	Kirklees A62
   4	South West	North Somerset A370
   5	West Midlands	Birmingham A4040
   6	East Midlands	Leicester  A563
   7	North West	High Peak A57
   8	Wales	Powys A483
   9	Scotland	Highland A82
   10	North East	South Tyneside A194

   To coincide with UN Global Road Safety Week 2017, which begins on Monday 8^th May, and to help raise awareness the importance of motorcycle safety, Swinton Insurance has announced a partnership with leading road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart. The charity have contributed guide content, offering practical advice on issues such as filtering, biking in seasonal weather conditions, as well as dealing with vulnerable road users. There are also top tips for riders returning to the saddle. 

   Along with IAM RoadSmart, Swinton Insurance has also teamed up with a panel of experienced motorcyclists, who have provided commentary for biking on some of the UKs’ most dangerous roads. They have shared practical advice on issues such as tyre safety, handling a motorbike, and how to bike in tricky conditions. The bikers’ commentary also highlights key watch outs when biking on the most dangerous regional roads.  Yorkshire / London

   The free guides and an interactive map that shows the most dangerous regional roads across the UK and its regions is now available here

   

    

   Rodney Kumar IAM RoadSmart said: “We often find that while drivers and motorcyclists strive to be as safe as possible, some find it a challenge to understand exactly how to do so. And as time passes after our driving tests, some of the simple tips we learnt to help stay safe can fade into the background. That’s why it’s so important to offer useful and easily digestible information on how to be a safer driver. We are excited to partner with Swinton to help spread the word about national motorcycle safety”

   Dan Agate Swinton Insurance said: “Motorcycle safety should always be front of mind for any rider, but awareness events like the UN Global Road Safety Week are great reminders of just how imperative it is to do what we can to stay safe on the road. And talking about it now to riders in across the nation, ahead of summer months, is really important. We hope our interactive map and guides help people to think more about safety with every journey they make, come rain or shine.”

    

   Swinton Insurance has been helping people find insurance for more than 50 years by using panels of insurers to find the right cover for individual needs without compromising on price.  

   www.swinton.co.uk    

5. The Top Transit Vans of 2017

   Posted on 10:00am Friday 12th May 2017

   The Ford Transit van is the most popular style of commercial vehicle in the UK due to the flexibility its specifications, the experience behind the name and the practicality of each vehicle. In a recent survey we found that the Ford Transit was the limited companies vehicle of choice. 

   Ford Transit Connect 

   (Ford Transit Connect Insurance group: 3 to 6) 

   If you’re looking for a van of practical size that is safe to drive, this is the van for you. However, if you are looking for a large van that is quick and speedy, this may not be the right choice. In 2014 it was third for the “most reliable van” and first for “best class fuel economy” so if you do a lot of mileage, this fuel efficient vehicle could be the right one for you.  

   If you are looking to purchase a brand new Ford Transit Connect you are looking in the region of £13,600+ - £18,000+. Although this is quite an investment, there are lots of finance options available. If you’re about to purchase a new van don’t forget to purchase short term van insurance to get the vehicle home. 

   Ford Transit Custom 

   (Ford Transit Custom Insurance group: 3-9 depending on spec) 

   If you need a van to meet specific needs then this is the one for you. With a wide range of optional extras and a good variety in specifications; power, speed, weight length, etc. you can’t go wrong. 

   Ford has built a reputable brand for itself over many years and has developed a strong understanding of what its customers want and in the case of this model, they are letting their customers choose exactly what you want. 

   With prices starting from £18,000+ going all the way up to £27,000+; there is a huge scope to design the vehicle that you need for your business. This is what we believe to be the business van of 2017. 

   Get reliable transit insurance here!