EVENT: 12th April, Argyll area Scotland

Loch Fyne Oysters near Cairndow are organising a fantastic, free motorbiking event at their premises on 12 April from 10am - 4pm. For more details please click here.

With a focus on your road riding safety, especially at the start of the biking year for some, this is a great event to refresh and learn new skills, meet other bikers, see other shiny metal horses, get a yummy coffee and cake, pick up some nice deli food, meet other exciting businesses from Argyll who welcome bikers, and much more.....

MotoScotland are delighted to support such an important event and will be giving demos (and opportunities to try) on how to recover a motorbike which has locked up on the front wheel on a slippy surface - a skill that could potentially save your life on the public roads!

Many of the events start at 10am so please get there early so you don't miss out.

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ADVICE: Check list for the new season

Spring is in the air, the nights are drawing out, and the weather is getting warmer. For many motorcycle riders changing the clock signifies the start of the season, a time to dust off the bike and head back on the road. After months of not being used, its essential to make sure your maintenance is up to scratch, to ensure trouble-free riding. So before you strap on the helmet, thumb that starter and head up to Prescott Bike Festival (Sunday 12 April), our friends at Severn Freewheelers Blood Bike Group have provided some great practical advice to get back on the road in time for the biggest motorcycle event in the county. 

·    Check your tax disc is valid, MOT and insurance policy is current
·    Clean off any protective coating applied to body panels and check that wires, hoses and cables have not been nibbled by rodents. Remove the plugs or polythene bags you used to block air intakes and exhaust ends.
·    Check the engine oil and coolant levels and top up if necessary. Some owners like to perform a pre-season engine oil and filter change.
·    Refit the battery which you should've been trickle charging through the winter. If you didn't do this, get the battery checked – it may well need replacing.
·    If you squirted oil through each spark plug hole before the winter, check that the spark plug(s) is/are tightened to the correct torque.
·    Inflate the tyres to the correct pressures. Check the brake fluid levels, coolant level and engine oil levels. Make sure the brakes operate correctly and free off when released.
·    Lubricate the drive chain (when applicable) and the exposed parts of all control cables and linkages. Give the chain a good clean and apply fresh lube. Also make sure tension is correct.
·    Check the brake fluid level. Push the bike back and forth and check that the brakes work without sticking, dragging, or leaking fluid.
·    Petrol can go off in storage. If you didn't drain the tank, do so now and dispose of the old fuel properly. Fill the tank with freshly bought fuel
·    Start the engine and let it warm up while you check that there are no leaks. Take the bike for a short slow run to make sure that the clutch, gears and brakes are all working correctly. Also check that the lights, horn and indicators are all working properly.
·    Finally – Give it a good fun run, why not buy tickets and do a 'ride out' to Prescott Bike Festival! It's a 'Must Do' event for all motorcycling enthusiasts. What's more, all event proceeds of the event go to The Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and Severn Freewheelers.

Prescott Bike Festival is often hailed as the 'Start of the Season' Motorcycle Festival and takes place on Sunday 12th April 2015 at Prescott Hill Climb, home of the Bugatti Owners Club, Cheltenham. This years event will feature a large displays of historic, modern and race bikes, plus a Paddock Specials Show 'n' Tell area, motorcycle manufacturers, dealer zone, motorcycle clubs, demo areas, passenger ride experiences, live music, stunt show, celebrity autograph sessions and hundreds of trade stands and a whole host of entertainment both on and off the track to keep the whole family amused. 

For the first time, the Festival is offering Test Rides featuring the KTM Adventure fleet. Kids under 16 years old go free! and there's plenty for them to get involved too from electric Go Karts, a giant inflatable slide, bouncy castle plus the popular UK Garrison 'Star Wars' characters.

Special guest appearances include: four times World Superbike Champion and 'King of the Jungle; Carl Fogarty (thanks to Oily Rag Clothing), former three times British Superbike Champion and Blood Bike ambassador John Reynolds, motorcycle adventurer Nick Sanders, who has motorcycled around the world seven times and adventurer Charley Boorman, best known for making an epic 20,000-mile journey across the globe by motorbike with close friend Ewan McGregor in the television series Long Way Round, plus former World Darts Champion Andy Fordham. For more information or to purchase advance tickets visit: www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk
About The Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes
The Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes is the umbrella organisation representing 24 regional blood bike charities, all providing a motorcycle based, free delivery service to the NHS; moving vital medical supplies, blood and pathology samples from medical centres and hospitals throughout the UK. NABB member groups are closely involved in the transport of frozen human milk from the donor to the milk processing banks. 

This has been a real lifesaver due to the necessity of very premature babies having intolerance to anything but human milk. 

Run entirely by volunteers, NABB member groups have over 1500 active members with a fleet of 120+ emergency response vehicles. All NABB riders are trained in the movement of medical essentials and operate from individual regional charities but with a common goal – to alleviate suffering and reduce the funding pressures on the NHS.

Severn Freewheelers is the regional Blood Bike group operating Gloucestershire, Hereford & Worcester and North Wiltshire. Over 70 volunteers help Severn Freewheelers carry out a much-needed service. Severn Freewheelers runs five BMW R1200RTs and a Honda ST1300; all are emergency response equipped and the members handle some 4,000 call outs per annum, covering 150,000 miles.

Media Contact: Rebecca Leppard, Eventageous PR on T: 01452 260063, email: Rebecca@eventspr.co.uk
Web & Social Media:
www.bikefestivals.co.uk
www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk
www.shelsleybikefestival.co.uk
On Twitter at https://twitter.com/bike_fest
On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prescott-Bike-Festival

Prescott Bike Festival is kindly sponsored by: Bikesure, Carole Nash, Blade Group and KTM




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JOB: SALES & MARKETING MANAGER

SALES & MARKETING MANAGER

CONTACT DETAILS: JESS.DAY@NITRON.CO.UK

Nitron are a manufacturer of racing car and motorcycle suspension parts (shock absorbers & front forks) based in Witney, Oxfordshire, in clean and bright modern offices and workshops where we design, assemble and dispatch our products. We pride ourselves in being able to export over half our products all over the world and have assembly operations in Japan, the USA and Asia.

Nitron are now seeking a Sales & Marketing Manager to work with the admin office and engineering teams with immediate effect. The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate:

• A proven track record of sales in the aftermarket or similar industries

• An ability to structure and action a sales plan for the UK and abroad

• A very organised method of working and record keeping

• An ability to work unsupervised and on their own initiative

A passion for cars and motorcycles would be an advantage but primarily a professional Sales attitude with experience is the primary requisite.

This role will involve a split of working in the office here in Witney and visiting customers and physically following up new leads. Providing support to the existing customers at the race circuit and at enthusiast / club meetings will be required on many weekends, so a very flexible attitude to working times is an absolute pre-requisite.

The successful candidate will be a very confident individual, happy with phone calls and personal visits, as well as having a very good grasp on how to research the market and come up with a strategy for maximising sales and making effective use of their time.

A clean and well presented image will be required, customers will range from custom build bikers workshops to clients such as the Morgan car company and Lotus, so an ability to be able to fit in with all kinds of customers is important. Computer literacy and a clean UK driving licence is also required. A car, phone and computer will be provided with the position.

No previous shock absorber experience is required as full technical training will be provided.

Nitron offer competitive rates of pay (from £20,000 pa basic salary plus commission) but as this is a new position the OTE could potentially be substantial.

For more information please contact:

Jess Day

Nitron Racing Systems Ltd

jess.day@nitron.co.uk

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NEWS: No reserve museum bikes auction

No reserve museum bikes auction

More than 60 motorcycles, scooters and mopeds from one of the UK's biggest private vehicle collections will be auctioned at no reserve by Brightwells at its permanent auction site at Leominster, Herefordshire (HR6 0DE), on Wednesday 29 April.

Stondon Museum- collection being sold

All the bikes are from the Stondon Motor Museum at Lower Stondon, Bedfordshire (SG16 6JN), which closes its doors on Easter Monday 6 April after 21 years in business. 
Museum director Chris Saunders, whose late father John created the collection, said lack of footfall, high rates, other business commitments, and the property owner's reluctance not to renew the lease had prompted the decision. 

"The footfall, the rent, and the landlord's expressed desire not to renew the lease are the reasons," said Saunders. "We have spent many happy years amassing the collection, but the care and maintenance of such a large and diverse assortment of vehicles has become increasingly onerous, and we have decided that the time has come to move on," he added.

Helping Brightwells to catalogue the bike entries is British bike dealer John Harding of Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. The machines range from a 1915 Radco to a 1985 1200 Honda Gold Wing. Machines of particular interest to collectors include a 1954 500 Vincent Comet and 1920 ABC flat twin. Other marques include Scott, Triumph, BSA, Norton, Ariel, Gilera, Moto Guzzi, Sunbeam, Terrot, Velocette, Jawa, Rudge, and James.

"All the engines turn over," said Saunders. 

The full list of bikes was due to go on Brightwells website before 1 April. Buyer's premium is ten per cent plus VAT on the premium. 

Details: www.brightwells.com Toby Service 01568 61122 toby.service@brightwells.com

Regular visitors to the museum should note that not all the bikes on display will be at auction. Some are privately owned and will be returned to owners on closure of the museum.

A second Stondon collection no reserve auction will be staged by Brightwells to sell more than 140 cars. 

This takes place on Wednesday 10 June. Car lots of potential interest to the bike world include a Honda S800 coupe and a variety of microcars.

Other exhibits include a Russian rocket launcher, a Romany caravan, a helicopter, a replica of Stephenson's Rocket, armoured vehicles, buses and fire engines. Some of the bigger exhibits will be left on site and sold by video link. 

Parts of some of the eight exhibition halls on the one-acre museum site, a former garden centre, will have to be dismantled in order to move the largest exhibits, said Saunders whose main business is second-hand cars. It is through this business that Saunders has established a working relationship with Brightwells.

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JOBS: TECHNICIAN AND SENIOR TECHNICIAN

TECHNICIAN AND SENIOR TECHNICIAN

CONTACT DETAILS: , RICHARD.HIGGS@WOLLASTONBMW.CO.UK

Located in our Northampton BMW Motorrad Centre we have a number of vacancies available where you can work in one of the motorcycle market’s most prestigious and desirable brands.

The successful candidates must have experience of modern motorcycles and ideally already have experience of working in a franchised workshop environment. Knowledge of current diagnostic equipment and MOT Tester is very desirable.

You should have a minimum of 1 year's technical experience with modern motorcycles and be able to work unsupervised in a safe and timely manner to high exacting standards. You must be a self-starter with a flexible can do attitude, have good attention to detail and be able to work as part of a team.

We offer an excellent salary package.

Please send your CV and Covering Letter to Richard.Higgs@wollastonbmw.co.uk

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JOB: SALES PROFESSIONAL /PRODUCT SPECIALIST

SALES PROFESSIONAL /PRODUCT SPECIALIST

CONTACT DETAILS: RICHARD.HIGGS@WOLLASTONBMW.CO.UK

Located in our Northampton BMW Motorrad Centre we have a number of vacancies available where you can work in one of the motorcycle market’s most prestigious and desirable brands.
Working with our existing sales team you will be required to provide the highest levels of customer satisfaction providing a knowledgeable, courteous responsive and efficient service appropriate with a prestige brand. Working in a sales driven environment you will be targeted not only on volume but customer satisfaction and enquiry management.

Experience in a target driven sales environment, a passion for motorcycles, along with a full motorcycle licence is essential. Full product training and support will be provided for you to excel in this role.

We offer an excellent salary package.

Please send your CV and Covering Letter to Richard.Higgs@wollastonbmw.co.uk

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EVENTS: National Motorcycle Museum- Free Museum Tours & Kid’s Activities at Easter!

National Motorcycle Museum Press Release- Free Museum Tours & Kid’s Activities at Easter!

The National Motorcycle Musuem

Free Guided Tours of the National Motorcycle Museum Collection this Easter .
The National Motorcycle Museum will be offering free guided tours to visitors on the following dates over the Easter period.

Sunday’s 29/03, 05/04 & 12/04 @ 10.00am, 12.00pm & 3.00pm

Easter Monday 06/04 @ 10.00am, 12.00pm & 3.00pm

Tours will be available to those having paid the applicable Museum admission entry fee. No pre-booking required. 

Children’s Easter Quiz.

Children taking part in the free to enter children’s quiz will receive a special Easter Egg goodie bag over the Easter bank holiday period of Good Friday 03/04/15-Easter Monday 06/04/15 inclusive.  

The National Motorcycle Museum
Coventry Road
Bickenhill
Solihull
West Midlands
B92 0EJ 
Tel: 01675 443311
Fax: 01675 443310
Email: james@thenmm.co.uk
Website: www.thenmm.co.uk

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JOB: Field Sales Manager

CONTACT DETAILS:  WWW.FOWLERS.CO.UK/JOBS

Looking for a rewarding and challenging role?

One of the UK’s largest wholesalers of motorcycle clothing, helmets, accessories and spare parts is looking for an energetic and dynamic self-starter, who is flexible and target-driven, to join our field sales team as a Field Sales Manager

THE ROLE:

To promote and sell a comprehensive portfolio of motorcycle clothing, helmets and accessories for Fowlers under the banner of The Key Collection in the north of England, as well as generate new business and service the existing dealer network.

THE POSITION OFFERS YOU:

-a very competitive salary;
-an on-target monthly incentive & annual bonus scheme**;
-a company car, company bike, mobile phone and IT equipment**;
-company pension scheme and generous free life insurance**;
-free private healthcare**.

For more details of the job description, please visit our web site: www.fowlers.co.uk/jobs

**Subject to eligibility/terms/conditions/availability

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NEWS: Donington Park to rock British Superbike season opener on Easter Weekend

Donington Park to rock British Superbike season opener on Easter Weekend

W4 will undoubtedly rock the circuit!

 Spectators at the MCE British Superbike Championship (BSB) season opener at Donington Park will be entertained both on and off the track on Easter Weekend (4-6 April), with live music concerts the latest addition to the growing off track line-up.

A double header of local bands will pump up the volume in the Senna suite at the circuit’s museum from 7.30pm on Saturday and Sunday nights (4-5 April), with free of charge entry for BSB spectators and campers. 

W4, a four-piece ensemble from Ashby, has developed a reputation as one of the finest and most energetic rock cover bands in the Midlands and will be on stage on Saturday night. The group are famed for their covers across a broad range of genres, with acts including Lez Zepplin, AC/DC, The Who, Van Halen, Bon Jovi, U2, Nickelback, Foo Fighters and The Killers just a flavour of what can be expected.

Performing on Sunday night will be Broken Toys, one of the UK’s top function bands. Renowned for energetic live performances, the group will perform songs from the past five decades, with popular tracks including Sweet Home Alabama, Children of the Revolution, Mustang Sally, Sex on Fire and Billie Jean.

The live entertainment runs from 7.30pm until 11pm on both nights, with a bar serving food and drink also open. 

Further entertainment for the whole family is on hand during the course of the weekend, with Easter Egg hunts and other related Easter activity taking place, as well as the packed on track schedule of racing action from the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Motorpoint British Supersport Championship, Pirelli National Superstock 1000 & 600, HEL Performance British Motostar, KTM British Junior Cup, Moriwaki 250 Junior Cup, and British Sidecars.

Donington Park Managing Director Christopher Tate commented: “We’ve been really keen to ensure that spectators visiting Donington Park on Easter Weekend have an excellent experience both on and off the track. The addition of the live music will I’m sure be gratefully appreciated by those camping over at the venue, or staying behind after the day’s action.”

Tickets for the opening round of the 2015 British Superbike Championship at Donington Park on Easter weekend (4-6 April) are available in advance from £10. For more information visit www.donington-park.co.uk. For information on hospitality packages available for this and other events at Donington Park, please contact Tara Wiley on tara.wiley@donington-park.co.uk or by calling 01332 819518.

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NEWS: Four Times British Superbike Champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne opens new SERV (Kent) Blood Bike Headquarters

The launch of the SERV (Kent) Blood Bike new Headquarters was officially opened on Monday 16 March 2015 by four times and current British Superbike Champion Shane “Shakey” Byrne on behalf of John Surtees OBE and The Henry Surtees Foundation.

Shane 'Shakey' Byrne opens new SERV (Kent) HQ

SERV (Kent) new staging post is in the heart of the county at what was formally The Kent Police Traffic Post, on Farthing Corner at the M2 Services. The secure compound from which the Charity will operate from consists of garaging, welfare facilities, offices and a training suite and will serve as a central hub for the charity’s lifesaving work.

Kent resident Shane Byrne visited SERV (Kent) Blood Bike Headquarters to officially open the new premises. The Lambeth-born motorcycle racer has had an illustrious racing career spanning over 15 years. He is a four times and current British Superbike Champion, a race winner in the World Superbike Championship and former competitor in MotoGP. As well as multiple championship successes, the hard-charging motorcycle racer has, like many in the sport, has succumbed to crashes. 

He said: “I was absolutely honoured to be asked to represent John Surtees OBE and The Henry Surtees Foundation to officially open the SERV (Kent) Headquarters on his behalf. Charities like the Blood Bikes and Air Ambulances do an incredible job.  I hope that I will never need their services, but it’s a charity that resonates with me and fellow bikers. I’ve chased time at race tracks in pursuit of podiums, but for the likes of the Air Ambulances and Blood Bike groups, every second can literally be the matter of life or death. These new headquarters are easily accessible will enable them to continue their vital lifesaving work across the county’. 

Mel Johnson, Secretary of SERV (Kent) said ‘we are delighted that Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne was able to open the premises on behalf of the Henry Surtees Foundation. We all appreciate his support. Over the past three years of working with John Surtees, The Henry Surtees Foundation and The Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust we have had a huge boost both financially and with raising our profile. This boost has helped us make this significant step forward enabling us to open our new Head Office which will further enhance and improve our quality of service to both the NHS and our Charity Partners’. 

The Henry Surtees Foundation have been long term supporters of SERV (Kent) and most notably helped fund the recent project which enabled the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance and SERV(Kent) to be able to facilitate the carrying of ‘Blood on Board’ and the means to transfuse at the scene of major incidents. This initiative to date has been used well over hundred times on many of the most seriously and critically injured patients that the Air Ambulance attends.

The initiative proved such a success that it has since been replicated by SERV’s sister charities, the Northumbria and Cumbria Blood Bike groups. Last month former motorcycle racer and current commentator James Whitham officially handed over two Vauxhall Mokka 1.7CDTi 4x4 SUVs to be used by the two Blood Bike groups providing all-weather transport for the ferrying of the blood between hospital and aircraft. Both vehicles were once again supported and funded by The Henry Surtees Foundation. It is hoped that the initiative will continue to roll out across the country.

For further details regarding SERV (Kent), please contact:
Mel Johnson 
SERV Charities Secretary, T: 07957 245225, email:  mel@servkent.org

For more information regarding the Henry Surtees Foundation, please contact:
Rebecca Leppard
PR Manager, Henry Surtees Foundation and Director of Eventageous PR Ltd
T: 01452 260063/ 07749 852481, email: Rebecca@eventspr.co.uk

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EVENT: Hailwood action in South Wales

Mike Hailwood’s son, David, will be signing the tank of an MV Agusta F3 special at an open day to be held on Saturday, 21 March at Kickstart Motorcycles in South Wales.

The “Hailwood replica” - one of five planned by Kickstart and to be used by David as a promotional tool - has been created by the MV dealership as a tribute to Mike Hailwood on the 50th anniversary of legendary racer’s last TT victory aboard one of the Varese-made Italian machines.

The red and silver bike has been tricked up, and Kickstart owner Paul Reynolds and son Charles – both Mike the Bike fanatics - have been busy polishing up their collection of Mike Hailwood TT replica trophies which will be displayed on the day.

Paul is hoping the “PR event” – which runs from 10am until 4pm, with the bike unveiling taking place just after noon - will attract a couple of hundred bikers to the Port Talbot showroom, and that the national rugby team’s crunch Six Nations match in Italy will not hit attendance too badly.

The public will be treated to Italian food and there will be a prize draw.

www.kickstartmotorcycles.uk.com
www.mvagustawales.com

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NEWS: Foggy & Whit charity chat night

Foggy & Whit Chat Night

Thursday 14th May 2015

The Engine Shed, Wetherby, LS22 7SU

King of the Jungle Carl Fogarty has agreed to do an evening of chat in aid of the Friends of Huck charity campaign. The four-times World Superbike champion will be joined by his best friend and Eurosport commentator James Whitham for the event, which takes place on Thursday, 14 May at The Engine Shed in Wetherby.

Friends of Huck is raising funds for former top motocross and Team Green (Kawasaki) racer Mark " Huck" Hucklebridge who has terminal cancer. The fund-raising campaign is being co-ordinated by motorcycle journalist/PR Carly Rathmell.

Fogarty said: "Cancer is sadly an illness I know too much about. I have lost, like many, good friends from this awful illness. Carly made contact with me about doing a chat night for Huck and I was more than happy to come and help out. I hope the night can raise some good money for Friends of Huck. It will be good to see familiar faces from the racing paddocks but also new fans from my jungle experience, I'm looking forward to it and hope to see you there."

Whitham is also no stranger to the illness, having battled Hodgkin's Lymphoma back in 1991 and successfully beating it. "When I was asked to do this I didn't give it a second thought as I love the world of motorsport and keen to also support cancer charities so the combination is perfect. Mark is only young and has a little boy who is only seven, if we are able to make some money to give him that extra time then it is more than worth it."
There is one very special auction item on the evening. Yamaha Racing, Lin Jarvis and Andrew Smith from Yamaha Europe have kindly donated two passes for the Silverstone Moto GP in August. This will include Paddock Passes from Friday to Sunday. On Saturday they will become special guests of the Yamaha team which includes a garage tour, some goodies to take away and meeting Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.

Tickets are £18 plus a booking fee and are pre-book only at this link:-

Foggy & Whit Chat Night 14th May
www.engineshedwetherby.co.uk
www.facebook.com/FriendsOfHuck.

NEWS: KTM POWERS ROSS NOBLE IN NEW TV SERIES

KTM POWERS ROSS NOBLE IN NEW TV SERIES

‘FREEWHEELING’ SERIES TWO STARTS ON DAVE

Supreme comic improviser Ross Noble is back with a new series of Freewheeling on Dave, letting Twitter guide him around the UK as he free-forms an entire hour’s television from scratch with the aid of a film crew, a KTM 1290 Super Duke R and the great British public.

  
Beginning on Tuesday 24 March at 10pm on Dave (Sky 111, Virgin 128, Freeview 12), the first of the new series sees Ross make it his personal mission to help a man due in court in the North-East, including an inspirational message from soul legend Billy Ocean. En route, he plans a huge airport surprise for an unsuspecting holidaymaker, puts his face in the line of fire from a deluge of processed cheese and gets beaten up an elderly lady in Leicester. 

Across the series Ross’s bizarre encounters range from a Barbara Cartland-themed fish and chip shop in Scotland, delving into the starry-studded history of Northampton and being chased out of town by The Krankies. 

Having completed the first series riding a tourer, Ross was looking for something quite different and very overstated to continue the theme as an alternative travel show. Seeing the 180hp 1290 Super Duke R at Motorcycle Live in 2013 made the decision for Ross, who already has a soft spot for the Austrian brand as he competes in off-road Enduro events on his own KTM 300 EXC.

Ross Noble said: “The obvious thing would have been to do the show on a big touring or adventure bike. With the sort of miles we ended up doing for the series – about 6000 - most folk would want a big screen and weather protection. Not me. We did 2000 miles in the first week and the cameraman on the 1190 Adventure thought I’d be suffering. But it’s really bizarre just how brilliant the bike is; incredibly comfy for long distances and mega at zipping around town when looking for places. You just wouldn’t think it. Of course it’s incredibly cool-looking as well.”

With a UK price of £13,999 on the road, the Super Duke R is available in either Orange or Black and backed-up with a huge array of optional KTM PowerParts to personalise the performance or styling.

Visit www.ktm.com/gb for more information

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NEWS: Harley-Davidson 2015 event plans announced

Harley-Davidson Europe announces a host of exciting events for 2015

Harley-Davidson riders from across Europe and beyond are gearing up for a fantastic year of Harley events as the company announces its schedule for 2015.

Each event is designed to have its own unique flavour and atmosphere, giving visitors a distinct and different experience at each venue and a real ‘reason to ride’ to each one. The only constants will be a schedule of great live music, custom bike shows, demo rides, parades, dealer and traders areas, ride-outs – and the camaraderie of thousands of fellow Harley riders.

The event season kicks off in earnest at Grimaud, South of France with the ninth annual Harley-Davidson Euro Festival, taking place from 7-10 May in the Golfe de St-Tropez in the chic Cote D’Azur region. There will be a laid back vibe at this increasingly popular beachfront event in the Harley calendar. Over 13,000 Harley devotees and biking fans attended the 2014 edition of this event, and this year many more are expected to soak up the resort atmosphere, listen to some great music on the beach stage and chill out at the many nightclubs and restaurants.

The highlight for many Harley riders and fellow motorcyclists each year is the European H.O.G. ® Rally, which moves to a different location each year. The 24th Annual European H.O.G. Rally takes place 18-21 June in the beautiful setting of sophisticated, chic Spanish marina resort Puerto Sherry near Cadiz. This stunning location has never hosted a major Harley-Davidson event before and over 10,000 riders are expected to attend this year.

Next on the calendar is the annual Barcelona Harley Days (3-5 July). Started in 2008 as the official 105th Anniversary celebration for Europe, this open and free event in the heart of the cosmopolitan Catalan capital is a perennial favourite and a massive draw for Harley riders and brand enthusiasts from across Europe.

Finally, the celebrations come to a climax in Austria with the traditional season closing event in Faaker See, Austria. Once again Faaker See plays host to Europe’s biggest open and free biker festival, European Bike Week. From 8-13 September, more than 100,000 riders from all over Europe and beyond will be turning the province of Carinthia into a massive Harley-Davidson festival. The event will provide entertainment, events and activities to suit every taste, amid some of the most breathtaking scenery and riding roads to be found anywhere in the world.

“2015 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for Harley-Davidson, and we are going to mark the occasion with our most exciting line-up of events yet,” said Trevor Barton, Harley-Davidson Europe Consumer Experience Manager. “Harley-Davidson is a customer-led organisation and we have listened to what our owners and customers told us to ensure we deliver the best season of Harley-Davidson events yet.”

Tickets for Euro Festival and the European H.O.G. Rally went on sale 9 March with tickets starting at just €20 – visit www.harley-davidson.com/events for event details and to purchase tickets.

For details of all Harley-Davidson and Harley Owners Group® events for 2015, log on to the Events Calendars on www.harley-davidson.com/events.

For further information and images please contact Trevor Franklin

(01945 772804) or email trevor@rbpagency.com

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NEWS: ALL SET FOR KICKBACK CUSTOM SHOW

ALL SET FOR KICKBACK CUSTOM SHOW

Kickback, the national custom bike show, will be filmed as it takes place over the weekend of 28-29 March at the Stoneleigh Park venue in Warwickshire. The footage will be featured in the new series of The Motorbike Show on ITV4.

Visitors to Kickback at Stoneleigh Park will be able to enjoy a host of features and attractions including the Custom Bike Building National Championships, Custom Bike Invitational Showcase, over 150 custom bikes on display, meet the builders, full stunt show, exhibition of bikes, parts, accessories and clothing, live music, café, late bar and bands on the Saturday, awards ceremony on the Sunday, camping and camper van facilities, on-site hotel, bikes can park right by main hall, free parking.

Inspirational custom bike builders Down and Out Café Racers will be showing off their exquisite motorbikes at Kickback. Based in Sheffield, , they are currently considered as one of the best café racer bike building shops in Europe. Down and Out Café Racers design, build and fabricate motorbikes and parts, with over 15 years’ experience founder Shaun Walker certainly has bike building running through his veins.

Only three British custom bike builders have ever made the top five in the AMD World Championships and all three are on the judging panel for the National Championships staged at Kickback.

Larry Houghton (runner-up in the World Championships in 2011) heads up Lamb Engineering and has put up a prize for the winner of the Young Builder category – a week with the Lamb Engineering team at his workshops in Wiltshire.

Pete Pearson (third in World Champs in 2013) heads up Rocket Bobs Cycle Works out of Swindon. Pearson is in the process of creating a superb one-off trophy for the Best in Show builder at Kickback.

Paul Milbourn is creator and builder of award-winning Weird Fish. Millbourn crafted another masterpiece in 2014 called Nutcracker, winner of Best in Show at Kickback at Donington Park in September 2014 and of an impressive fifth place in the World Champs a month later.

Wade Poulson runs Sickboyz Customs in Surrey; TV presenter and Kickback ambassador Henry Cole owns Gladstone Motorcycles; Stu Garland is former editor of Back Street Heroes; journalist, bike builder, artist; Dave Manning is editor of World Wide Bomber magazine and former editor of Streetfighters; Blue Miller is the editor of 100% Biker magazine and previously worked for BSH and AWoL; and the final judge is the aforementioned Shaun Walker of Down and Out Café Racers.

Kickback organisers have added two categories to the Custom Bike Building National Championships - Best Modern Triumph and, to embrace and appreciate the UK’s emerging Honda Cub culture, Best in Show Street Cub category at Kickback.

www.thecustomshow.com/Stoneleigh/index.html

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NEWS: Nice touch, Aprilia!

DONINGTON WSB TREAT FOR RSV4 BUYERS

Not only are buyers of the 2015 Aprilia RSV4 RF getting the latest and greatest version of “the best superbike ever made”, but they will also be Aprilia’s guests at Donington Park for the UK round of the 2015 World Superbike Championship on 24 May.

RSV4 RF rider and WSB race-winner Leon Haslam will be on hand to welcome buyers of the 201hp road-going version of his race bike, who will also enjoy VIP hospitality, a pit-garage visit and unique merchandise to commemorate the day.

The invitation is open to anyone who puts a deposit on a new 2015 Aprilia RSV4-RF before 31 March, including those customers who have already placed their order.

Conditions apply.

In the motorcycle / related trades? 

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NEWS: SUZUKI SPONSORS BARRY SHEENE FESTIVAL

SUZUKI SPONSORS BARRY SHEENE FESTIVAL


Suzuki is backing this year's Barry Sheene Festival at Oliver’s Mount race circuit. The event, to be held on 20/21 June, will celebrate the life and career of one of Britain’s most iconic motorcycle racers, who won two world championships with Suzuki, in 1976 and 1977.

A selection of Sheene's race bikes will be on display as well as a number of vintage Suzukis. There will also be a Suzuki parade, and full programme of racing across the two days.

Peter Hillaby, Oliver’s Mount Circuit Director, said,“Oliver’s Mount race circuit enjoyed the many battles over the years that Barry Sheene had with his rivals around our circuit. Barry wowed crowds for many years and to this day people from around the world travel to see our Barry Sheene memorial on the start/finish line. We are thrilled that Suzuki will be the title sponsor for the Barry Sheene festival and we’re looking forward to the start of a long term relationship at the venue.”

Suzuki GB’s Tim Davies added, “We’re really looking forward to being involved with the circuit and the Barry Sheene festival this year. The guys do a fantastic job of putting on and promoting all of their events. The opportunity to be involved with the Barry Sheene festival is obviously something that we couldn’t pass up. Barry spent most of his racing career with Suzuki GB and is an icon not only for us, but for British motorcycling in general. We’re now looking forward to June and getting the show under way.”


Advance tickets from www.oliversmountracing.com

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WINNERS! Congratulations REALsafe Technologies

BDN readers have helped motorcycle safety app-maker REALsafe Technologies Ltd of Durham to win the national Grand Prix prize in the GREAT Faces of British Business competition. The Business is GREAT Britain campaign launched the competition in November 2014, in association with BT Business, to find the most innovative and exciting UK businesses. It drew to a close on 3 March with an awards ceremony at the BT Tower in London.

The company received its award from Business Minister Matthew Hancock.
Two weeks ago the BDN website carried the story of how REALsafe had won the North-East regional heat of the competition, and urged readers to vote for the company to help it win the main prize.

REALSafe MD Zoe Farrington said: “We’re absolutely thrilled. Winning this award truly sets us apart from the competition in our field, and we hope we will inspire other small businesses everywhere to foster their success. We would strongly recommend any small business owner to visit www.greatbusiness.gov.uk to access the wealth of support and advice available from the Government to help your company grow.”

REALsafe® Technologies is a start-up business that launched a revolutionary safety-based app for motorcyclists in February 2013. The REALRIDER app lets motorcyclists track rides, record points of interest, and keeps them safe when they ride alone. It can automatically detect if a rider has had a crash and contacts the Emergency Service with their last known location and medical details.

REALsafe Technologies stood out to the judges as a classic business success story. The national judges commented that “it is a fantastically simple, yet innovative product that could save lives, and that now the only way is up for the business.”

REALsafe wins a bespoke creative advertising campaign worth £30,000, along with an iPad Air and complimentary unlimited BT Wi-Fi for 12 months, courtesy of BT Business. It also receives a package of export support from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI). UKTI works with UK businesses to help them succeed in international markets and supports the Business is GREAT Britain campaign, with the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS).

www.greatbusiness.gov.uk

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EVENT: Hit the open road with the King of the Jungle

Hit the open road with the King of the Jungle

Would you like a once in a lifetime opportunity to partner with Carl Fogarty to lead over 3,000 bikers at the Bike4LifeFest Ride Out 2015 on Sunday 26 April?

The Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MAAC) is offering one lucky biker the chance to team up with current King of the Jungle and seven times World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty at the very front of the Bike4Life 2015 Ride Out.

The much-anticipated 23-mile Ride Out, one of the biggest and best biker events in the country, will begin at Meole Brace in Shrewsbury and finish at the event’s prestigious home at RAF Museum Cosford near Wolverhampton, where the Bike4Life Festival will be underway.

To enter the competition and get up close and personal with the world champion, bikers must be registered for the Bike4Life Ride Out online. The winner will be personally greeted by Carl at the start line and ride by his side right through to RAF Museum Cosford cheered by thousands of spectators along the 23-mile route. At the end of the Ride Out, Carl will present the lucky winner with a gift bag full of biking gear.

Bike4Life Fest, which is partnered with RAF Museum Cosford and the Safer Road Partnership, aims to raise awareness of biker safety as well as vital funds for the life-saving charity. 

Carl Fogarty said: “It’s a great honour to be leading the Bike4Life Ride Out and it will be an unforgettable experience for our lucky competition winner. I’d urge all bikers who want to be part of this spectacular to sign up and join me on the route.

“The life-saving work of the Midlands Air Ambulance is a vital lifeline for bikers and I am pleased to be able to support and raise awareness for this brilliant cause.”

Jason Levy, fundraising and marketing director for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “Carl’s support of the event is fantastic and will undoubtedly make it our best year yet. Since we announced Carl’s involvement, registrations have gone through the roof and as we’re limited to just 3,500 places, we’re urging those interested to sign up before they potentially miss out.

“With a record number of visitors expected at this year’s event, we hope to turn it up a gear and exceed last year’s fundraising total, which stood at £30,000.”

With arena displays, stalls, exhibitions, biker tutorials and music from Planet Rock 105.2FM, the Bike4Life Fest promises to be a great day out for bikers and families. 

To register and be entered into a prize draw to lead the ride-out with Carl Fogarty, visit www.bike4lifefest.com. It only costs £5 to register with all proceeds raised going to MAAC. The lucky winner will be chosen at random from those registered for the Ride Out on Friday 17th April. The winner must have their own roadworthy motorbike and a full motorcycle licence. Additional Terms and Conditions apply. Entrance to the Bike4Life Festival is free, however, organisers encourage donations to the charity on the day.

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JOB: Motorcycle Branch Manager

MOTORCYCLE BRANCH MANAGER

CONTACT DETAILS: WENDY ADAMS, WENDY.ADAMS@GUILDFORDTYRE.CO.UK

Are You Passionate About Motorcycles?

Guildford Tyre Company looking for a Motorcycle Branch Manager

Guildford Tyre Company Motorcycle is seeking to recruit an experienced branch manager to run our purpose built workshop and retail outlet in Chilworth, Guildford. Our specialised motorcycle branch has been established since 1998 and specialises in tyres, servicing, MOTs, repairs and spares and will soon include a retail outlet and bike sales.

The job will involve managing 3 members of staff and the duties will include, invoicing, job sheet building, workshop control and dealing with trade enquiries over the phone and the internet as well as customers face to face.

Working alongside Terry Rymer, ex World Champion racer, you will need to have industry knowledge, fantastic customer service skills and be hugely passionate about motorcycles.

We are offering a package starting at £25,000 per annum plus bonus and company pension.

Hours = 47.5 based on a 5 day week, including Saturdays. 20 days holiday plus Bank Holidays.

Please send your CV in the first instance to wendy.adams@guildfordtyre.co.uk

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