Biker News - Regularly updated

Welcome to our News section, where articles are listed below and if relevant within the categories on the right, just to make it easier for you to find what you wish to read...

Please note that the content within our News section (text and images), follows the same copyright laws/notice as all other content on the website - ie not to be reproduced (including slightly amending) without prior consent. 

 RSS Feed

  1. Most Beautiful Bike of Show...

    Over 10,000 voters awarded the Ducati Monster 1200 “Most Beautiful Bike of Show” •Perfect debut for the third generation of an iconic Ducati model, which has sold over 275,000 •Massive public attendance closes EICMA 2013 on a positive note for Ducati and the market

    Rho (Milan, Italy) 10 November 2013 – Ducati’s brand new Monster 1200 has been voted “Most Beautiful Bike of Show” on the closing day of the EICMA 2013 International Motorcycle Show in Milan. The survey, organised by the Italian publication, Motociclismo, attracted over 10,000 participants and has become an annual tradition at the highly important show and a valuable and prestigious award.

    The Ducati Monster 1200 was the clear winner of the award followed by the MV Agusta Turismo Veloce 800. The result rewards Ducati for its continuous development of new models with latest technologies, an initiative that has helped the company (a member of the Audi Group) to repeat the positive sales trend enjoyed in recent years, with 2013 on course to maintain the Italian manufacturer’s record sales set in 2012.

    The prestigious award was announced at the end of the show, when Corrado Capelli (President of ANCMA) Piero Bacchetti (President of Edisport Editoriale) and Massimo Bacchetti (Editor of Edisport Editoriale) presented the award to Ducati Motor Holding’s Director of Marketing, Diego Sgorbati.

    The “Most Beautiful Bike of Show” award closed an incredibly busy event which saw over 500,000 vistors view the many halls of exhibitors at Fiera di Milano-Rho, a positive signal to the industry and to a motorcycling market particularly affected by the global economic crisis. The public’s appreciation of Ducati’s latest offering closed an equally busy week for Ducati, which started in style on Monday with the unveiling of the Monster 1200 at the spectacular “Leonardo da Vinci” Science and Technology Museum in the centre of Milan.

    More than two decades and 275,000 sales after the Monster’s very first unveiling in Cologne, Ducati has introduced the iconic model’s third generation with the 2014 Monster 1200 and 1200 S. Powered by the formidable, Superbike-derived 1198 Testastretta 11° DS engine with an enhanced set-up for mid-range power delivery and rideability, the brand new flagship of the family presents an entirely new chassis and muscular design fully integrated with Ducati’s latest technologies.

    High-spec brakes, suspension, single-sided swingarm and lightweight wheels combine with Ducati’s best-yet ergonomics to offer the Italian manufacturer’s most attractive Monster ever. Super comfortable and introducing an innovative adjustable seat height, the model also combines 8-level traction control, 3-level ABS and 3-level Ride-by-Wire into Ducati’s user-friendly, press-button Riding Modes.

    Evoking the exciting memories of past models such as the powerhouse S4R and S4RS, the 2014 Monster 1200 also boasts an exclusive S model with 145hp and a ride-enhancing 92ft-lb of high-accelerating torque, wrapped beautifully in a spec-impressive chassis that tips the scales at 182kg (401lb) dry weight.

    While the Monster 1200 is presented in Ducati red with red frame and black wheels, the Monster 1200 S offers Ducati red with red frame and glossy black wheels in addition to the striking scheme of white with bronze-coloured frame and glossy black wheels. The Monster 1200 and 1200 S will become available in Ducati Dealerships from early 2014.

  2. from Maldon Shotblasting & Powder Coating

    Includes Five Year Anti Corrosion and Colour Fade Warranty.  Making an overall saving of anything up to £50.

    Description of work.  Clean off frame, Protect threads, bearing housings, frame number. Blast clean, inspect for any damage including welded/ brazed joints, corrosion damage and repair as required (once client approval has been made), apply self healing etch primer coat, apply colour coat of any standard stock held ral colour. Parts wrapped and protected for collection.

    To blast clean frame & swing arm and including, up to 650cc.  Two Wheels, Side Stand & Centre Stand. - £198 plus vat

    To blast clean frame & swing arm small & medium up to 1200cc. engine size.  Including, Two Wheels, Side Stand & Centre Stand - £210 plus vat

    To blast clean frame & swing arm small & medium up to 1000cc and over engine size.  Including, Two Wheels, Side Stand & Centre Stand - £230 plus vat

    All this with our famous free five year anti corrosion and  warranty.

    Terms:- Costs do not include removal of tyres, bearings or any extra repair work,

    One colour per item.

    The offer only applies to standard stock held Ral Colours.

    Extra diamond clear Lacquer coats add £45 to package cost.

    Costs will not include collection & delivery.

    Prices exclude vat.

    Please feel free to call us on 01621 841100

    Standard t&c's apply.

    visit our website

  3. The latest Department for Transport road casualty statistics released today show a welcome decrease in the overall number of deaths and serious injuries in the first half of 2013 compared to last year.

    However, the IAM are concerned that two-wheeled road users are still a growing risk and must be given even greater priority for investment and education.

    • For reported road accidents in the year ending June 2013: 1,730 people were killed, a 3 per cent drop from 1,785 in the year ending June 2012. The number of people killed or seriously injured fell to 23,530, a 5 per cent decrease compared with the year to June 2012.
    • Overall for year ending June 2013, there were 185,540 reported road casualties, 7 per cent fewer than the 199,091 for the year ending June 2012.
    • There were decreases in the number of casualties for car users and pedestrians of 12 and 3 per cent respectively, with similar falls in the numbers of KSI casualties – 9 per cent for car users and 7 per cent for pedestrians.

    However, there were increases in the number of casualties for motorcyclists (4 per cent) and pedal cyclists (12 per cent), with an 8 per cent increase in the number of motorcyclist KSI casualties and a 4 per cent increase in pedal cyclist KSI casualties.

    IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: “Once again the latest casualty figures show the increasing risks for vulnerable cyclists and motorcyclists.  Spring and summer will always be the most dangerous months for those on two wheels but that must not be allowed to obscure the need to focus on their safety.  Investment in segregated cycling facilities must keep pace with the rising demand for cycling.  Road designs that help car drivers can often be fatal for motorcyclists so engineers must learn to 'think bike' when they build barriers, signposts and new surfaces.”

    www.iam.org.uk

  4. The annual EICMA International Motorcycle Exhibition is taking place in Milan, Italy this week with the world’s major motorcycle manufacturers unveiling their new and updated models – many of which are destined to make their UK debut at Motorcycle Live 2013 from 23 November to 1 December.

    As the EICMA media days unfolded on Monday and Tuesday, Ducati, Honda, Yamaha, Triumph, Kawasaki, BMW Motorrad, KTM, Piaggio Group and Suzuki each took turns to reveal to their new machinery.

    Italian giant Ducati kicked off proceedings on its home turf with the debut of the limited edition 1199 Superleggera, as well as the third generation of the iconic Ducati Monster, the Monster 1200. Honda followed by unveiling four new 2014 models – the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP super sports machine, the CB650F and CBR650F four cylinder middleweights and the CTX1300 custom cruiser.

    Yamaha took the opportunity to launch two new additions to its ‘Masters of Torque’ range: the MT-09 Street Rally and the MT-07 – a naked 689cc twin-cylinder model which visitors to Motorcycle Live have the chance to win. For details of the competition visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk/competitions.

    UK manufacturer Triumph unveiled five new models for 2014 with the introduction of the Thunderbird Commander, Commander LT, America, America LT and Speedmaster, while a Tiger 800XC special edition was also unveiled. BMW Motorrad launched two new 2014 models: the R 1200 RT tourer, powered by the liquid-cooled boxer engine, and the S 1000 R high-performance roadster. It also showcased an updated R 1200 GS Adventure and the C evolution scooter.

    Two new Kawasaki machines were unveiled, representing important aspects of the Japanese brand’s approach to powered two wheelers. The latest Z1000 Supernaked is joined by the first Kawasaki scooter offering in the European market, the distinctive J300. Following the unveiling of the prototype last year, KTM launched the production 1290 Super Duke R, dubbed ‘The Beast’. Also joining the KTM line-up are the RC125 and RC390 supersport machines.

    Piaggio Group was next up with launches from three different brands, Vespa, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi. Vespa announced the return of the legendary Primavera model complete with an ultra-modern makeover, while Aprilia unveiled two new versions of the RSV4 – the R ABS and Factory ABS. Moto Guzzi meanwhile showcased a new total black colour option for the V7 Stone.

    Finally Suzuki showcased its most advanced adventure model ever, the V-Strom 1000, which features a new 1037cc V-Twin engine developed to deliver excellent low-mid range power.

    The majority of new machines revealed at EICMA, plus many, many more, will be on display at Motorcycle Live 2013. Other brands exhibiting include Harley-Davidson, Royal Enfield and Victory, as well as UK-based firm Norton.

    Specialist brands such as AJP, CCM, GasGas, Husqvarna, Metisse, Morgan, Watsonian Squire, WK Bikes, Quadzilla and electric motorcycle marque Kuberg will all appear, while Herald Motor Company, Indian Motorcycles, Lifan and ShineRay will make their Motorcycle Live debut.

    The show will also offer 17 FREE live features and zones – including nine opportunities to ride a bike – keeping motorcycle fans of all ages entertained.

    Advance tickets for Motorcycle Live 2013 at The NEC, Birmingham are just £17 per adult, £11 for Seniors and £7 for children aged 6-16** (kids under five accompanied by a paying adult go free). Bike parking is free of charge and subject to availability. Reduced car parking costs of £8 – subsidised by Motorcycle Live. To book your tickets, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk