Category: Other

1. Sat nav v maps

   Posted on 10:00am Tuesday 24th May 2016

   I used to like the idea of being spontaneous and also did not fancy using a sat nav however once you have tried to get a room somewhere to find you cannot get one as they are full due to a local festival, over priced (Italy circa 2001, 11 pm in a roadside motel style @ €175 comes to mind) , you cannot find one (sounds strange I know but there are miles and miles of nothing in parts of Germany - well apart from excellent scenery) and to book into somewhere and find it awful, we now do as above - i.e. find a final destination and plan route around it. 

   We use a combination of Biker Friendly accommodation on www.thebikerguide.co.uk and if there is nothing in the area we want we also look on booking.com.
   
   We did a trip a couple of years ago with the final destination being Colditz Castle, which you can stay in. Went in July for 3 ish weeks with everything booked, set into sat nav and you know what - thank goodness as it rained everyday but one. We would set off with the next place in the sat nav - take off route when we wanted and arrive at destination stress free.

   We stayed at some great places, travelled fantastic roads and routes, ate well, found our way easy even with the many roadwork diversions and would pass by others at the side of the road battling with a big wet soggy map to find their way. We did also pack a map as back-up or to look at a vaster area on a larger scale, however we are happy to say it return dry and not soggy. 

   I think once you have used a sat nav on a big trip which gets you to destinations easy, gets you out of a diversion and back on route, helps you navigate/find food and petrol, you wonder what you did before the United States military released the technology for GPS!
   
   

2. Ride to Work Week 2016 spotlights those who commute happy

   Posted on 10:00am Thursday 19th May 2016

   Ride to Work Week 2016 is on between Monday 20^th and Sunday 26^th June. The campaign aims to raise the profile of commuting by motorcycle or scooter and to highlight the main benefits.

   These include:

   • Time saved – less time in traffic means more time in bed! 
   • Money saved – save on petrol spend more on you
   • Easy parking – motorcyclists get into the smallest spaces
   • Road skills improve - riders who drive are better car drivers too
   • It’s just more fun – you’ll turn up to work with a smile on your face

   Special content will be shared during the week via social media, using the hashtag #commutehappy

   • Riders can share their own pictures and Ride to Work Week content via the facebook page and Twitter in order to show the rest of the UK why their mode of transport is so enjoyable.

   • Events will be held across the UK for the public and for employees at motorcycle friendly businesses. These range from ‘bikers breakfasts’ to VIP parking and free CBTs for non-riding staff. 

   • The Ride to Work Week team will also put on a programme of events and Get On free ride opportunities in Northamptonshire, where the County Council is the first in the UK to actively encourage a modal shift towards motorcycling (more info available on request).

   • Special offers, promotions and giveaways will be available throughout the week.  Watch the facebook page for details. These usually include free commuter cover from insurers, and offers on top brands for clothing and accessories as well as prizes!

   • IAM is offering FREE ‘buddy’ advanced taster rides for licence holders who want to check out their commute with a local advanced observer.

   • BikeSafe is holding a special ‘Bridging the Gap’ weekend workshop on June 18^th and 19^th at Northamptonshire Police Headquarters for riders who want to improve their riding. Booking is essential. £45 for the course.

   • People across the UK who want to try motorcycling for the first time can book a session at a Get On road show event. These are also on regularly throughout the year at Silverstone in Northamptonshire.  Booking is via  www.geton.co.uk

   • Special hi-viz vests and t-shirts are available to those organising events by contacting Stevie or Sandra via [email protected]
     
     

   
   
   Information

   • Riders are the happiest commuters. In a one off report by the Office for National Statistics, commuting via motorcycle, scooter and moped was found to have no negative impact on wellbeing on journeys up to 30 minutes long, in contrast to those using the bus, cycling, driving or walking, who all experienced a negative impact after just 15 minutes.
   • Be nice to motorcyclists, they are reducing congestion for all road users. A study which modelled a modal shift towards powered two wheelers for one of the most congested roads in Europe found that if just 10% of car drivers swapped to a motorcycle, scooter or moped, then congestion was reduced for all road users by 40%. If 25% swapped, then congestion was eliminated altogether.
   • Better car drivers. Motorcycle insurance company Carole Nash found motorcyclists’ knowledge of road safety is almost twice as good as those who only drive a car.  To reflect this, they produced a special car insurance policy aimed at riders.
   • More motorcyclists, safer roads. The Motorcycle Industry Association and the National Police Chiefs’ Council produced a framework of actions considering the idea that more powered two wheelers on the roads would increase awareness and reduce accidents. This is the same argument used by cycling lobbies and indeed an increase in both PTWs and bicycles is likely to benefit both groups.
   • Ride to Work Week is organised by the Motorcycle Industry Association and it incorporates Ride to Work Day, which is on Monday 20^th.
     
     
     www.ridetoworkweek.co.uk

3. Thanks from Haynes competition winner!

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 16th May 2016

   Just a quick message to say thanks so much for the tickets for Haynes Motor Museum which we finally got around to visiting last month.

   We really enjoyed the day and whilst there wasn't that many bikes in the current exhibition they did have a really good speedway section which brought back fond memories of family trips to Belle Vue circuit back in the 70s!
   
   Thanks again and keep up the good work at THE BIKER GUIDE.
   
   

   Best wishes Jude Steele & Stuart Wood xx

    

4. Get paid for giving your views and opinions on new Motorbikes and accessories!

   Posted on 9:00am Thursday 12th May 2016

   VisionBee, a dynamic motorbike research company are conducting some research and development for a famous motorbike manufacturer.

   They want riders of motorbikes over 500cc, which were bought from new since 2013, to give their views and opinions on future generation bikes and accessories. 

   This will be held in Watford on 17th May, from 8pm for around 2 hours. Those who qualify and take part will be paid £100 for their time, which includes travel expenses.

   If you fancy being part of this, contact Simon on [email protected] letting him know which model you own, when you bought it, your name, your age along with your telephone contact details.

   If you cannot make this date, do not worry as there are another few projects coming up over the year, so you can still get in touch. 

    

5. Looking for Motorcycle batteries?

   Posted on 8:50am Wednesday 11th May 2016

   Hardwarexpress stock a full range of Motorcycle batteries to fit an extenisve list of motorbikes, with a very easy to use on-line Battery Finder - Just enter your make and model in the battery finder and the battery you require will be displayed.

   High performance Motorcycle batteries from just £12.99.

   Rnging from conventional 6 volt and 12 volt, YTX range, Yumicron, Yumicron CX and the YTZ range - all of these batteries have very specific characteristics which are designed to meet the different requirements of various motorcycle models.