Some news from Suzuki GB;

Suzuki GB is pleased to announce the appointment of Daytona Motorcycles in Ruislip, Middlesex, as authorised Suzuki motorcycle dealers for North West London.

Offering full dealer facilities, Daytona Motorcycles have a wealth of experience, offering sales and service in the London area for the last 40 years.

Managing director of Daytona Motorcycles, Mike Harrington commented, We are delighted to join the official Suzuki dealer network. Suzuki are a very forward thinking manufacturer and we are pleased to be able to join a winning team, while expanding our business in the area.

Upon appointing Daytona, Suzuki GB’s dealer development manager, Mark Wilson, commented, I am very pleased to welcome Daytona to our dealer network. To appoint a dealer with so much experience is a very unique opportunity, and we welcome their input and work in expanding our brand in the area.

Daytona take the Suzuki franchise with immediate effect and can be found at: 42-48 Windmill Hill, Ruislip Manor, Middlesex, HA4 8PT, Tel: 01895 676822.

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)

Bikers are being given the chance to improve their riding skills alongside experienced police motorcyclists as part of a summer road safety initiative.

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary’s Police Motorcycle Wing is launching Bikesafe for 2007 to provide riders with a safe learning experience and to help reduce the number of biker deaths on the region’s roads.

The Bikesafe events have been running across the Force for a number of years, with many riders having completed the sessions, but this year the course has been further improved.

It has been extended to six hours and will include longer theory sessions, followed by the popular observed ride outs with police traffic motorcyclists.

PC Chris Lancaster, Road Casualty Reduction Officer for Torbay, said: “The Force does continue to suffer high levels of motorcycle casualties, with 20 riders killed and 127 seriously injured during 2006.

“We would encourage the riders of all larger bikes to attend a police Bikesafe session. This course gives riders a taster of what is available and encourages them to go on to undertake further training to enhance their riding skills.”

The initiative will be launched at Brixham police station at 11am on 27 April, where officers will be accompanied by a new Motorcycle Casualty Reduction Display, which contains a crashed Kawasaki ZX6 that was involved in a serious collision in Cornwall in 2004.

The rider only received slight injuries because he was wearing very good quality bike leathers and helmet.

The purpose of the display is to attract motorcyclists to discuss motorcycling issues with police and to highlight the importance of Bikesafe and other training avenues.

The Bikesafe scheme starts with shorter taster sessions at Paignton Bike Festival on 4-6 May and those will be free-of-charge.

The full day sessions will be held at; Plymouth on 14 and 15 June, North Devon on 23 and 24 June, Truro on 15 and 16 September and Exeter on 29 and 30 September.

Sessions cost £25 for each rider to cover the costs of running the programme. All riders must have a full driving licence and their bike must be insured, taxed and road legal.

Places can be booked through the Force website at www.devon-cornwall.police.uk, by collecting a booking form from various police displays at bike events during the summer, or by contacting (01626) 323755. Gift vouchers are available.

(this article was taken from middevonstar.co.uk)

News from the MRTA;

Motorcycle rider trainers will get their first opportunity to try out the new bike test for themselves ahead of its introduction in October 2008, as the Motorcycle Rider Trainers Association (MRTA) puts on a special trial event this summer.

Organised in conjunction with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), the day will enable rider trainers to use an officially laid out test circuit to try out the off-road maneuvers that will be included in the new two-part test:

slalom

figure of eight

slow ride

swerve and stop

emergency stop

wheeling the bike

Mike Owen, head of the MRTA commented: ‘The new two-part test is the biggest shake-up of the licensing regime since Direct Access was introduced in 1997, so rider trainers need to familiarise themselves with the new procedures. With the new test coming into effect in October 2008 it will not be long before pre-test training will need to start. If you own or run a training school or are an instructor, this is a great opportunity for you to kick-start your own preparation.’

The test day is taking place as a part of the fourth annual MRTA Event Day. This will be the first Event Day to be open to the public as well as the trade. More than 4,000 people are expected to attend, double that of 2006.

Owen added: ‘Come and try the new test for yourself. It’s free to attend and there will be the opportunity to talk to training schools from across the UK as well as to ask questions of MRTA staff and DSA officials.’

MRTA / DSA test day MRTA Event Day Sunday 1 July 2007 Britannia Stadium Stanley Matthews Way Stoke-on-Trent ST4 4EG 10am - 4pm FREE ENTRY

To register call the MRTA on 020 7307 3597 or email mikeowen@rmif.co.uk

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)

Bikers have been revving up for a fight following the closure of the estate’s free parking for motorbikes and scooters.

Canary Wharf Group has closed 115 motorbike parking bays on Ontario Way, because the sub-station in this location is being extended by EDF to increase the power supply capacity for the Isle of Dogs.

Now motorcyclists will have to pay £2 per day or £40 a month to park in Canary Wharf’s underground carparks, where a further 144 bays have been added.

This brings the total number of motorbike parking bays to 677.

The Wharf has been inundated with emails from motorcyclists, particularly those working at Barclays Capital, where a debate has been raging on the company’s intranet.

One employee wrote: “Further to my post from yesterday, I’ve received a large number of messages from colleagues who, like me, have been caught out by the recent closure of most of the free motorcycle parking areas around Canary Wharf.

“Every other major European city allows virtually unlimited motorcycle parking in busy areas and I think it’s disgraceful that our lives should be made so difficult around here.”

Trevor Yorke, a postroom worker at State Street, said: “We are now being forced to pay to park in the main car parks which defeats the object of riding into work.

“I have worked in Canary Wharf for nearly 10 years and slowly they have made it more difficult for motorcyclists to park around the area, pushing us further and further away.”

However, Canary Wharf Group said that it had never guaranteed free parking to motorcyclists and had been forced to close the motorcycle parking bays due to construction work.

A spokeswoman from Canary Wharf Group said: “The motorcycle parking provision in this area was only ever a temporary facility.

“Canary Wharf Group attempted to offer a temporary alternative by opening an area off the lower Westferry Circus roundabout.

“Unfortunately, this location is now required for construction purposes and the development of the Riverside site.

“We have always charged for our motorcycle parking facilities as they are underground and are patrolled by security on a 24/7 basis. Please note that Westminster council are also introducing motorcycle parking fees as of this summer.”

(this article was taken from icthewharf.icnetwork.co.uk)

A wide ranging group of organisations from all walks of life, which includes the Motor Cycle Industry Association, the National Farmers Union, the Agricultural Engineers Association, the RAC Foundation, the Land Access and Recreational Association, the riders groups MAG and BMF and the Auto Cycle Union have come together in a coalition to lobby against a Parliamentary Private Members Bill which seeks to force all off road motorcycles and quadricycles to be registered and carry number plates.

The Bill, proposed by Graham Stringer MP has been put forward against a background of strong public concern about the illegal use of motorcycles in public places by mainly young anti-social elements of society. The problem has been fuelled in recent years by the rise in the number of cheap Chinese imports of mini motos and ‘pit bikes.’

However, the number of imports of very cheap Chinese bikes fell by around 59% in 2006 against a backdrop of effective police and community action against illegal motorcycling by the Home Office, the Police and the industry. Where enforcement campaigns have taken place, public complaints have fallen by as much as 80%.

The coalition of organisations strongly shares public concerns about illegal motorcycling but is arguing that new laws are not needed when riding a motorcycle illegally, particularly an unregistered mini moto, in a public place can break in excess of a dozen existing laws. Instead, the array of existing laws needs to enforced far more effectively than they are at present.

The coalition is particularly concerned that Mr Stringer’s Bill has unintended consequences that would have wide effects on off road motorcycle sport and motorcycles, quadricycles and all terrain vehicles (ATVs) used for agricultural purposes. Motor racing would also be affected, with Kart tracks and Kart owners being required to register machines and fit number plates, with this adding further bureaucracy and cost to the breeding ground of Formula One racing.

The impact on off-road motor sports would also have a knock-on effect on farmers and landowners who provide land for these events under farm diversification. The new rules could affect the viability of these activities and thus reduce or remove valuable income streams from farm businesses. The requirement to display number plates on agricultural ATVs would also be impractical and an unnecessary further imposition on farm businesses.

Huge costs are implied by the proposed registration scheme and the creation of a massive bureaucracy to administer the system. Costs and additional legal requirements would pass onto legitimate owners of competition and working machines while in the meantime there would be little effect on the core problem of anti social behaviour. Illegal users would simply remove number plates and other identification marks, much as they do at present.

The Bill recently received its Second Reading in Parliament, despite strong opposition from both the Government and Conservative Front Benches. The Bill will go before Committee for amendment before returning to the floor of the House of Commons for its Report Stage and Third Reading vote.

The coalition of groups are calling for the Bill to either be rejected at Third Reading, or for MPs to amend it so that legitimate off road motorcycle and quadricycle users do not need to face cumbersome, expensive and ineffective regulation.

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)

10 April 2007

The word from Honda UK, who are celebrating the Spring riding season with some April promotions;

Honda is celebrating the arrival of spring with a special promotional campaign which runs throughout the month of April.

There are TWO chances to win a new 07 Honda motorcycle this month, plus loads of other fantastic prizes including Honda Zumo sat nav systems, VIP British Superbike tickets, Ron Haslam race school days and Honda Off Road experience days.

Many Honda dealers will be arranging fun activities and entertainment during April including charity ride-outs, Easter eggs for kids, live music, BBQs and refreshments, raffles and giveaways! Contact your nearest dealer to find out more.

Anyone can enter the Spring Spectacular prize draw and no purchase is necessary. The top prize is a brand new 07 CBR600RR in HM Plant racing livery, to be prepared by and collected from Honda Racing in Louth, Lincolnshire.

To enter simply visit your local Honda motorcycle dealer, fill in an entry form and pop it in the ‘Spring Spectacular’ competition box in store. Entry forms can also be found on the honda.co.uk/motorcycles website and at the bottom of the MCN (Motorcycle News) advertisements that will be running during April. Entry forms must be taken to a Honda motorcycle dealer to be eligible.

In addition, many Honda customers will receive a ‘Spring Spectacular’ Postcard this month, which they can use as their entry form by visiting their local Honda dealer and popping it into the competition entry box in store.

Test Ride and Win!

In addition to the main prize draw, any customer that test rides a new Honda motorcycle over 125cc during the month of April, can fill in an entry form and enter a prize draw to win their choice of CBR600RR7, CB600F Hornet or VT750DC Shadow Spirit.

Both competitions close on 30 April, so if you don’t want to miss out, spring into action and visit your nearest dealer today.

For further details please visit www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles and click on the ‘Spring Spectacular’ banner.

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)

Bridgestone Motorsport is preparing for two of its biggest challenges of the season as MotoGP turns its attentions to the forthcoming Turkish and Chinese GPs, round three and four of this year’s MotoGP championship.

Bridgestone tyres have struggled in Istanbul and Shanghai in previous years, although Suzuki’s Chris Vermeulen took a surprise pole position at a wet Istanbul Park last year before taking seventh place in the race itself just behind Ducati’s Loris Capirossi.

Vermeulen’s team-mate John Hopkins shined in Shanghai and was the top Bridgestone-shod rider with second on the grid and a near-podium finish in fourth.

Turkey is one of the more severe circuits on the calendar for the tyres, comments Hiroshi Yamada, Manager of Bridgestone’s Motorcycle Sport Department.

So basically we will bring medium and hard compounds for all teams, but for China we have to bring wider range of specs to adjust to the climate condition.

Looking back to the last year’s results, he adds, we need more grip and consistency for our tyres in Turkey and China, so we have decided to bring the next generation of compound for these events, the direction for which we were able to verify on the second day of the post-Jerez test.

Teams, riders and tyre manufacturers have benefited from pre-season testing at the venues of the opening two races of the year in Qatar and Jerez, enabling a relatively trouble-free transition to the new 800cc era and the new tyre restrictions, which limit riders to 31 tyres (14 fronts, 17 rears) per GP weekend.

It is relatively easy to decide tyre specifications when we have had a good result in the pre-race test, explains Yamada.

In those circumstances, we can decide the line-up of race specification tyres far more precisely using direct feedback from the circuit. From that point of view, Qatar was more straight-forward than Turkey and China will be because we have no data with 800cc bikes or 2007 specification tyres at these circuits.

However, even slight deviations in track conditions can greatly affect benefits derived from pre-event testing, as the last race in Jerez highlighted.

We didn’t have ideal weather conditions at the pre-season test in Jerez and that affected the accuracy of the data we were able to accumulate, says Yamada.

We therefore had to consider our approach to Jerez more deeply than Qatar taking more factors into consideration.

It has been almost one full year since a MotoGP bike turned a wheel at either the Istanbul Park or Shanghai International Circuit, two of the newest circuits on the MotoGP calendar.

Such a lack of recent data inevitably poses fresh tests for MotoGP’s trio of tyre manufacturers, but Bridgestone will use hope to put recent test success to good use.

We have decided the race specs for Turkey and China from Qatar and Jerez including results from the post race test sessions, concludes Yamada.

We have naturally had to take into consideration the unique circuit characteristics, using data obtained from last year’s event, as well as adapting to cope with the behaviour of the more nimble, less powerful 800cc bikes for this season. After our initial recommendations, in-depth discussions with our five teams are instrumental in making the all-important final selection of 17 rears and 14 fronts for each rider for the GP weekend.

The final decisions will be made during race week, once we get a clearer indication of the weather forecast for the weekend.

(This article was taken from www.ma.org.au)