2013 British Supersport champions Mar-Train Racing has confirmed that they will race in the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy and have announced that up-and-coming International Road Racing talent Dean Harrison will represent them.

Team owner Tim Martin has long been a road-racing supporter and 24-year-old Harrison will ride the team’s R6 Yamaha at the TT as well as the other international meetings - The North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix.

Harrison recorded a tremendous victory at this year’s Southern 100 aboard an R6 Yamaha in one of the Supersport races, and his seventh place at the TT in the second middleweight encounter, as well as his first TT podium in the BikeSocial.co.uk Lightweight TT, sets him up well for a shot at a debut TT Supersport podium with Mar-Train in 2014.

Harrison was at Brands Hatch on Sunday to secure his deal and also watch Mar-Train Racing lift this year's British Supersport title with Stuart Easton. The affable Bradford man said of his new deal: “Yeah, it’s unreal to have tied up a contract with Tim and Sonya and the Mar-Train team for 2014."

Harrison added: “We had a good year on a 600 Yamaha this season, but hopefully we can do a better job on what is definitely a stronger package with the Mar-Train bike. I’ve always wanted to stick with the same bikes that I was on, so the Mar-Train deal is perfect for me as they have so much more data and experience. Yeah hopefully we can have a good season.”

Harrison will also take in the Southern 100 and Scarborough meetings with Mar-Train with some additional ad-hoc appearances to be discussed, and as soon as next week, the Northern Ireland team will be announcing his team-mate for 2014.

Team owner Tim Martin said of his acquisition: “The plan for 2014 was to spread our wings a little and get involved in the International Road Racing scene. We have dabbled before but with Dean on-board and another rider secured – who we will be announcing next week – I believe we can challenge at the sharp end next season on the roads with two very exciting and talented riders. It’s all about exposure and return for our sponsors, both old and new, and the road races that we have chosen will play an important supporting role to our 2014 British Supersport campaign as defending champions.”

TT and Motorsport Development Manager Paul Phillips commented: "Mar-Train are joining the TT paddock on the back of an excellent season and will be a welcome addition to the TT. It is another sign of the TT's growing strength that we are welcoming a current British Championship winning team. With Dean on board they will be right at the front of the pack and will contribute significantly to what is already building up to be hugely competitive Supersport races."

1 Go through a long tunnel on a bike with loud pipes

2 Ride over a suspension bridge

3 Attend a large Biker Rally, eg: Nabdness, Farmyard, Stormin' the Castle, etc...

4 Buy decent gear (to keep you warm/cool/safe)

5 Go on a trip abroad with your Motorcycle by ferry

6 Go on an large organised ride out

7 Attend a Motorcycle event abroad such as Daytona, Florida, Sturgis, FH-DCE Super Rally, Faro, etc...

8 Stay at the Bikers Loft in Belgium.

9 Ride (and own) different bikes, from Harleys to Hondas, Benelli to BMW. Embrace the machines, technology and the riding experince.

10 Get on your bike and ride!

The above is merely the meandering thoughts based on the experiences and thoughts of THE BIKER GUIDE team and visitors.

Put down the map and get wonderfully lost!

Many thanks for all those who are involved in this list and also to those who supplied us images which include;

Daytona Bike Week, David Norton, Jayne Wilkinson, John Booth, Kenny Rodger, Madelaine McLaughlin, Marcus Wallace, Mikey Gregg, Mr Creature, Phil McGladdery and Robin Head.

The recently presented all-new 1290 SUPER DUKE R is not only the most potent two-cylinder naked bike ever, it represents everything KTM stands for in riding enjoyment at the highest level.

After the successful launch of the 1190 ADVENTURE and 1190 ADVENTURE R and the presentation of the 390 DUKE during the course of the year, KTM has continued the street season with innovation number three and what is probably the highlight of the year. The production version of the 1290 SUPER DUKE R, which will be commercially available in December 2013, has been developed from the ground up and concludes the incredible KTM asphalt model range of sports inspired naked bikes. 

With its 180hp performance and 144Nm of torque, the typical weight-saving KTM construction of the 1290 SUPER DUKE R has more power than ever before, although the breathtaking data that is associated with KTM’s latest naked machine is not to be feared. With the best chassis components available (WP Suspension, Brembo Monobloc), accompanied with state-of-the-art electronic assistance systems (Bosch ABS, MTC, Keihin Ride-by-Wire), the use of KTM’s superb power has never been as usable as on the new 1290 SUPER DUKE R.

The impressive range of the unmistakably KISKA-designed naked bikes almost demand to be ridden on every imaginable asphalt option. KTM’s naked range is suitable for enjoyable riding in the city, on sweeping country roads, the Alpine pass, motorway riding, long distance, as well as on the racetrack. With its powerful engine, balanced chassis and easygoing ergonomics, the radical  ‘Beast’ is an exciting , durable bike that’s always ready for action.

With a range of specially developed PowerParts, the 1290 SUPER DUKE R can be easily adapted to suit individual requirements. The quality ‘Racing’, ‘Style’ and ‘Touring’ kits available make the chase on the racetrack, can refine the SUPER DUKE’s look for a racier appearance at the bike club or add comfort for the weekend tour.

After three years of intense development in Mattighofen, including thousands and thousands of test kilometers, many of them with ex-MotoGP racer and test icon Jeremy McWilliams, the time has come, the 1290 SUPER DUKE R had arrived.

Further information can be found on the microsite: www.1290superduker.com

TWO decades of the Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show were celebrated in style this past weekend as the ever-popular Staffordshire County Showground event saw one of its busiest days.

The 20th running of the show took place October 19-20 and featured a vast autojumble, over a thousand classic machines displayed, top outdoor stunts and a fascinating guest of honour.

As exhibition manager Nick Mowbray explained, all of this combined saw a near record crowd descend on the venue on Saturday: “It was another great weekend, and the first day was one of biggest I have seen in the 20 years of the show.”

Among the attractions that drew the visitors were rows-upon-rows of stunning classic motorcycles, including an extremely rare Yamaha YDS1 which was awarded the Best In Show prize. Owner Mark Cowdery, who only finished his restoration a week prior to the event, found information on the YDS1 hard to come by but clearly did enough to impress judges. “Never again,” said Mark, who took six painstaking years to complete the project. “Although I am doing a 1957 YD1 next so maybe I shouldn’t speak too soon.”

Also victorious was Rodney Hann’s Husqvarna 180 546cc which scooped the Classic Bikers Club Bike of the Year prize along with a £1000 goodie bag. Both trophies were presented by former 250cc world champ Christian Sarron. The amiable Frenchman also conducted engaging on-stage interviews with compere Dave Craggs where he shared memories from a racing career spanning three decades.

“Christian’s stories kept the large crowd spellbound,” said Classic Racer magazine editor Malcolm Wheeler, who commented on how much he and those gathered around the main stage enjoyed the discussions.

As ever, the sprawling Classic Motorcycle Mechanics autojumble covered every available square inch of Staffordshire County Showground, with visitors describing it as the “Aladdin’s cave of motorcycling”. And traders enjoyed a successful weekend too with thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts on the hunt for all manner of motorcycle parts, accessories, literature and memorabilia. There were treats for off-road and stunt enthusiasts as Steve Colley wowed the crowds in the main ring and the Classic Dirt Bike experience gave showgoers a veritable feast of action.

Colley’s incredible antics weren’t confined to the main ring however, as organising team Classic Bike Shows captured an amazing video of him showcasing his gravity defying display all over the showground.

Auction house Bonhams brought the gavel down on proceedings late on Sunday afternoon with one of the main highlights of its annual autumn sale a Moto Morini 250cc Bialbero Grand Prix Racer snapped up for just over £83,000. Ben Walker, Bonhams’ head of motorcycles, said: “With over £1.3 million raised, it was another successful Stafford which once again proves that quality always sells.”

Show manager Nick added: “The success of this year’s show and the superb line-up that we have managed to bring together proves that the world of classics is alive and well, and it is fantastic to see this era of motorcycles prospering.”

With the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show moving into its third decade next October, the popularity of one of the world’s premier classic motorcycling events looks set to grow and grow for many years to come.

Four-time World Superbike champion wows Brands Hatch crowds in exciting on-track display

World Superbike star and Ducati ambassador Carl Fogarty led the first ever UK laps for Ducati’s brand new ‘supermid’ 899 Panigale. The bike, which was unveiled for the first time just two weeks ago in Imola, took to the iconic Brands Hatch GP circuit for it’s first demonstration on British soil, with Fogarty leading round the 2013 Ducati TriOptions 848 Challenge champion Marty Nutt and runner up Jonathan Railton.

Adding to the drama of the BSB Showdown finale, the trio of new machines was chased around the track by a police-liveried 1199 Panigale.  Despite its extra power, there was nothing the bigger bike could do to catch the agile 899 on the damp circuit, and several riders have already confirmed they will make the step up to 899 machinery for the Ducati TriOptions Cup in 2014.

The 899 Panigale will be available in UK Ducati dealerships from next week. For further information and to find your nearest dealer visit www.ducatiuk.com