Northern Area Sales Manager

CONTACT DETAILS: enquiries@tri-motive.com,

Due to our continued growth and development within the Motorcycle Helmet and Clothing sector, Tri-Motive Brand Distribution is now looking to employ an Area Sales Manager for the North of England.

The successful candidate will be self-motivated, well organised, ambitious, and ideally have previous sales experience. The role will involve servicing our existing customer base, meeting sales targets and developing new business opportunities within the area. Strong communication and negotiation skills

are essential.

In return we offer and evolving brand portfolio including ARMR Moto Clothing, MT Helmets, Lampa Accessories, Carbon Energised Base Layers and Renntec Metalwork.

For more details visit www.tri-motive.com.

An excellent remuneration package will include basic salary, commission, target related bonus and a company car and phone. 

If you feel you meet the above criteria and are looking to progress your career then please email a covering letter and your current CV to: enquiries@tri-motive.com

Field Account Manager for the South East including London

CONTACT DETAILS: Stuart Milne, stuart.milne@bikeit.co.uk

      

Great career opportunity within the motorcycle industry

            

Bike it International Ltd are recruiting!

Bike it, one of the UK’s largest trade distributors of motorcycle accessories, are looking for a regional salesperson in the South East area.

Working from home, you will be supplied with all the necessary IT tools, company motorcycle and a database of active customers in your allocated area.

Your responsibility will be to support this base of customers, maintain existing business and service levels and further present new and exclusive products through your territory of motorcycle dealers.

Great earnings opportunities - guaranteed salary PLUS generous commission potential £35,000

Previous sales experience essential!

Call Stuart Milne on 023 8065 8704, or email stuart.milne@bikeit.co.uk to arrange an application.

www.bikeittrade.com

Sidecars are 'Berry' good

Mary Berry is the latest in a long line of celebrities to take to the road in a Watsonian sidecar.

The star of The Great British Bake Off was taken for a spin by TV chef and keen motorcyclist James Martin, who she'll be joining for his forthcoming television series on Food Network.

Watsonian have been building sidecars in the Heart of England since 1912 and their products frequently feature on film & television, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Britain's Got Talent, Two Fat Ladies, BBC Springwatch and Penelope Keith's Hidden Villages.

The outfit pictured is a Royal Enfield Classic Chrome 500, paired with a Watsonian GP Manx sidecar.James Martin’s Christmas With Friends premieres Monday 14 November at 9pm on Food Network.

Watsonian will be showing their 2017 range of sidecars at Motorcycle Live between 19th-27th November. 

For more information call 01386 700907 or visit www.watsonian-squire.com

Master Technician, Senior Technician and Pre-Delivery Technicians

CONTACT DETAILS: , strott@schltd.com

 

As part of its ambitious growth plans SCH (part of the IPH Group) has been successful in securing the business of a leading motorcycle manufacturer to provide warehousing and preparation services for new and used motorcycles prior to delivery.

This is an exciting time to be joining SCH and we are now looking for a Master Technician, Senior Technician and Pre-Delivery Technicians to work out of a newly created facility in Sywell in the heart of the Northamptonshire countryside.

 

Where appropriate, applicants should have experience within a production environment, be trained on BMW product and have experience with workshop computer systems.

 

In return for your experience and expertise, SCH offer a generous salary and benefits package and a chance to be a part of this unique opportunity.

 

Our project is due to commence in December 2016 and training will commence as soon as appointments have been made.

 

Please apply in writing, attaching an up to date CV to:

Samantha Trott,

HR Manager,

Southampton Cargo Handling,

20 Berth Offices, Brazil Road,

Eastern Docks,

Southampton,

Hampshire,

SO14 3GF.

Or e-mail your application to strott@schltd.com.

The closing date for applications is Friday 25th November 2016.

Dirt Bike at Stoneleigh is off to a flier - get down there this weekend

The Dirt Bike Show is off to a flier, and it’s encouraging to see so many youngsters and women turning out for the Stoneleigh Park event, Europe’s biggest off-road show.

“The punters are flooding in and stands are looking awesome,” the organisers posted on Facebook after yesterday’s opening.

There are about 150 exhibitors and Dunlop’s Mike Gent told BDN that the signs look good for the show, which runs until Sunday.

“It’s busy. It’s always busy at the Dirt Bike Show and it feels as busy as last year. The show is always full of enthusiasts and many have taken time off work to come here and have a chat.
“Motorcycle Live is growing because people are getting more interested in motorcycles even if they haven’t been in the past. They tend to choose the road stuff rather than the off-road scene. Here, it’s your hardened off-roaders who started out off-road and who have stayed with it as adults.

“That’s why it is good to see so many kids here. I would say probably 20% of visitors here are kids, and there are quite a lot of women as well. It’s what we need for the industry.”

Andy Catton, sales executive with organiser Morton Media Group, said the return of the manufacturers signalled the strength and prestige of the event. “We've also welcomed TomTom for the first time this year, which we're really excited about, and we have the UK importer for Kuberg with a stand which is yet another demonstration of the show's importance. And of course we're so pleased many regular faces are here and continue to give us their support... it's vital to the show's success as they make it what it is.”

http://www.dirtbikeshow.co.uk/

Be on the look out for stolen bikes after two raids

UK

28/10/2016

OSET Bikes is appealing for witnesses or information after 45 of its 2017 bikes were stolen yesterday from a lorry park in Leicestershire.

The incident happened between 6pm and 5am on the night of 25 October at Markfield Service Station J22 off the M1, while the driver completed an overnight rest break.
The new 2017 bikes were being transported from the docks, having cleared customs, to the manufacturer’s warehouse facilities in the Midlands.  From here they were due to be transported across the UK to the dealership network.

The theft was only discovered when the driver returned to his vehicle at 5am on 26 October and noticed both seal and container lock had been removed and the door ajar.
The thieves stole only the smaller models in the range - the 12.5 Eco, 12.5R and 16.0R were the models taken.

Anyone with information should contact Leicestershire police on 101, ask for Leicestershire Police and use crime number 1600-0339-8992.  Alternatively please email simon@osetbikes.co.uk

If you are offered a suspicious 2017 OSET bike outside of OSET’s official dealer network please check the frame number and report it to the police or OSET as it may be stolen.

Earlier this week, and as reported on our website, thieves stole six KTM machines from Redline Motorcycles in Loughborough. The raiders ground the perimeter gate off and broke into a company van parked against the door of the premises before moving it to gain access to the showroom. The theft took place on the evening of Monday 24 October.
The bikes to look out for are a 50 SX, frame no. VBKMRA23XHM034499; 65 SX, VKMRA238HM031567; 85 SX, VKMXC235HM025811; plus three EXE machines, a 250, 350 and a 450.

Taking in the damage caused in the raid, it will cost the dealership £25,000, according to store manager Richard Hewitt. “There’s no real hope of recovering the bikes at the moment, to be honest,” said Hewitt. Replacement stock in time for Christmas is not an issue.

Anyone who can help should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Area Sales Representative

MOTOHART

CONTACT DETAILS: info@motohart.com,

SOUTH WEST M4/M5/WALES

Due to salesman relocation, Motohart is looking for an ambitious and energetic area salesman in the Southwest including South Wales

• Established Area – Active Dealers
• Excellent Package inc Basic + OTE, Car, Expenses

Our company has distributed Motorcycle Helmets and Rider Accessories for 16 years. All applicants should have at least 2 years direct B2B sales experience.

Experience selling to motorbike dealers advantageous.

Please email your current CV to: info@motohart.com

All applications will be treated with strictest of confidence

'Kickback' event showcases young engineeers, builders and fabricators of all ages

The invitational show 'Kickback', which takes place at Olympia, London, on 29/30 October estimate to have over 100 masterpieces showcased from young engineers, experienced builders, craftsmen, painters, artists and fabricators of all ages.

It is a fantastic opportunity for these crafts people and artists to express their imagination on a blank canvass.

"You will be able to enjoy getting up real close to the bikes and studying the detail of these unique customised machines, classics and specials. You will also be able to enjoy other stuff that's going on, such as The Art Space showing fine works of 'motorcycle art' presented by UAL University of the Arts London (Chelsea).

"There'll be vintage biker movies showing and live music."

"There's going to be around 50 decent traders, including product launches from the likes of Dickies Motorcycle Outfitters & Sons, Oily Rag Clothing, Gold Top, Krazy Horse, Luk3 G Clothing and Cabaret Club Clothing...plus some ace builders and dealers including the likes of Stile Italiano, Krazy Horse London, Bieda, BMG with MV Agusta, TTT Motorcycles and Royal Enfield, Jack Lilley Triumph, Rag & Bones Customs, Righteous Brothers, Sinroja and Sinnis Motorcycles..."

Sponsors include Michelin, 100& Biker, Dickies Motorcycle Outfitters, Sinroja Motorcycles and Covec / Bull-It Jeans.

Entry on the door is £10 cash for an adult weekend pass. Tickets online are £8.95 where you'll also see kids for a quid deals.

TheCustomShow.com<http://thecustomshow.us12.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=ef3ff4d284b374ca7170d9d15&id=f5b39b5741&e=f5fcc6cd3e>

REGIONAL SALES EXECUTIVE

CONTACT DETAILS: employment@hocoparts.com,

London, Home Counties and southern territories              

Hoco Parts is the quality wholesaler for premium motorcycle products with over 44 years of experience in the B2B motorcycle industry.

Our extensive product portfolio ranging from tyres to spark plugs and from brake pads to exhaust systems are distributed to our customers across Europe from our warehouse facility in The Netherlands.

Due to continued expansion within the UK market we are seeking a dynamic, enthused additional member of our UK sales force to deliver results from both new and existing accounts.

The ideal candidate will preferably have field sales experience, be self-motivated, have excellent communication skills and have an excellent understanding of the motorcycle industry.

Applicants must have the ability to present, support and sell from an extensive range of premium brands backed by first class dealer service and support.

For the correct candidate we offer a competitive package in an international business environment.

Please forward your CV by email to:

employment@hocoparts.com

All applicants will be treated in the strictest of confidence

National Motorcycle Museum 'Live'

OPEN DAY- SAT 05/11/16


Following the massive success of Museum LIVE over the past two years, Saturday 05/11/16 will see the museum host the 3rd annual free open day when everyone will be invited to visit the museum collection free of charge. There will also be a host of other free attractions including the amazing “stars on stage” feature, which is presented in association with wheel builders to the museum, Central Wheel Components Ltd.

Museum Live 2016 Timetable.

To assist visitors, everyone arriving on site will be given a free timetable with a full list & timings of all the day’s exciting, free, events.

Free Museum Entry

Everyone will be invited to visit the newly reconfigured museum collection, free-of-charge. If you think you’ve seen the museum before-think again!

Indoor Autojumble & Trade Area

The event will feature a large indoor autojumble. held within the warm & dry surroundings of the National Motorcycle Museum’s conference facilities. For details on booking a trade pitch contact Steve or George on 0121 704 2784.

Alternatively you can email on sales@nationalconferencecentre.co.uk

The event will also feature trade stands & displays from many well-known names including Footman James insurance brokers and Bonhams auctioneers.

Meet The Experts

In attendance will be some of the museum’s specialist suppliers & craftsmen (including our own restoration team) who will be available to chat and answer questions. Also unveiled at the event will is an exciting new permanent display “the history of wheel building” presented by wheel builders to the museum, Central Wheel Components Ltd.

Stars on Stage In Association With Central Wheel Components Ltd

Racing legends CARL FOGARTY MBE & JAMIE WHITHAM will again host two special FREE TO ENTER “stars on stage” features at 11.00am & 2.00pm, held on the stage in the museum’s magnificent Britannia suite. These free 1 hour chat shows will feature Carl & Jamie as well as other motorcycling personalities. Appearing courtesy of Phil Morris Racing two very special guests will include TT superstar IAN HUTCHINSON & British Superbike front runner JAMES ELLISON. All our guest stars will also be making personal appearances to sign your favorite memorabilia.

NEW FOR 2016!

Museum Live “Start Up” Feature.

See & HEAR some of the most famous race machines in the world started up in our special LIVE START UP area. Bikes old and new will include the Hislop “White Charger” Rotary Norton, NVT Cosworth Challenge, Vincent “Super Nero” sprinter, the Phil Morris Racing owned 2012 ART GP12 Moto GP bike (ex-James Ellison), plus many others

DISTINGUISHED SCOTS TURN OUT FOR CANCER RIDE

DISTINGUISHED SCOTS TURN OUT FOR CANCER RIDE

Around 100 'distinguished gentlemen' and increasingly, ladies, on their vintage, classic, retro, café racer and bobber motorcycles and scooters will don their tweeds, polish their brogues, adjust their goggles and ride through Glasgow on Sunday 25 September to raise money for prostate cancer research. Prostate cancer is the second most common killer of men (after skin cancer) and affects 3000 Scots per annum.

The classic bikers will join the growing worldwide Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride being held simultaneously in more than 500 cities in 100 different countries. The ride aims to raise £3 million globally towards prostate cancer research, and young men’s mental health charities will also benefit this year.

Bikes participating in the Glasgow ride will include Triumph, Royal Enfield, Velocette, Vincent, Norton, BSA, Indian, Harley-Davidson, Vespa and Lambretta. The riders hope to raise awareness of prostate cancer amongst men over 50, and raise over £10,000.

Dealers can inform anyone interested that the ride will start at 10.30am from the Fort Shopping Centre in the East End, stop in George Square at 11am for an hour, then continue to the Transport Museum for a static display of bikes and riders sporting their finest threads.

Spokesman Gordon Mowat says Glasgow, and Scotland, is embracing the DGR with typical enthusiasm: “There are now rides in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Killin!  We think 500 riders could take part across Scotland, and are expecting at least 100 in Glasgow as the ride becomes more popular. The ride is free to enter and free for spectators, but we would encourage a small donation.”

More details at: www.gentlemensride.com

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Paraplegic rides TT Course

Former Racer Creates History

In August 1995 Phil Armes’ motorcycle racing career came to an abrupt end when he crashed at the Ulster Grand Prix and broke his back, leaving him paralysed from the lower chest down, and confined to a wheelchair.

Fast forward 18 years and the father of three was invited, as a past winner, to take part in the 90th anniversary celebrations of the Manx Grand Prix on the world famous TT course in the Isle of Man. This included a parade lap which the organisers agreed that Phil could take part in, if he could prove he was safe and competent to do so.

After learning to ride again on a modified bike at The Bike Experience charity at Silverstone race circuit he took on the challenge of riding the world’s toughest track in September 2013. It didn’t all go according to plan and a technical issue forced Phil to pull out after 24 miles of the 37 ¾ mile circuit. Two subsequent attempts in 2014 and 2015 were thwarted by a combination of technical and weather problems, but on August 29th this year Phil became the first paraplegic to complete a lap of the TT course on his Triumph Daytona 675.

(picture courtesy of Sue Collister)

After finishing the lap Phil said, “that was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done on a motorcycle, but also one of the most rewarding. To be able to ride the TT course again was certainly something I never thought would be possible, but it just goes to show that if you put your mind to something you can often get a great outcome.”

Riding the TT course was the height of his return to two wheels, but just two weeks prior to this historic ride, he also made an emotional return to Northern Ireland to successfully complete a lap of the Ulster GP track that he crashed at 21 years ago. He commented afterwards, “the Dundrod track is known as the fastest road race in the world, but it took me 21 years to complete a lap which has to be some sort of record in it’s own right!”

                                     (picture courtesy of Sue Collister)

Phil will be doing a show at the Norwich Playhouse on November 8th where he will talk about his racing career, the challenges of life as a paraplegic, and all the planning, preparation, and ultimately successful rides in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.

For further information please contact Phil on:

01603 487061 or 07798 811455

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Got a motorcycle industry related story / information for us? email: editorial@dealernews.co.uk

Skegness biker is Bridgestone’s European winner!

A Skegness biker has put his town on the map after beating thousands of fellow riders across Europe to win a new set of Bridgestone tyres for his beloved Yamaha machine.

Gary Dunkerley, from Hogsthorpe, signed up for the new Motorcycle Diaries website, www.motorcycle-diaries.com, not realising he had put himself in line to win a pair of coveted T30 Evos along with other enthusiasts from the continent including France, Italy, Spain and Germany.

The sport touring tyre is one of Bridgestone’s most critically acclaimed yet and the 58 year-old thought it was a joke when he was told he’d won.

Gary Dunkerley, from Hogsthorpe, Skegness, is pictured with Jack Furneaux at Robspeed Motorcycles in Grimsby, with his new T30 Evo Bridgestone tyres

Motorcycle Diaries is the largest database of yet-to-be-discovered roads and points of interest in Europe where all users can share their most memorable roads and motorcycle adventures. The site is built around 4 main themes – Discovering, Inspiring, Planning and Sharing – allowing users to find the most beautiful riding spots with high quality images and videos, plan their routes and share them with the Motorcycle Diaries community.

Bridgestone became an official partner of the Motorcycle Diaries and offers subscribers a chance to regularly win Bridgestone products and goodies as well as the availability of its Bridgestone Biker’s Clubs across Europe should any rider ever have a glitch on their dream road.

Gary said: “I was glad to sign up because the site looks really good, with some great features. But I promptly forgot that I had a chance to win the T30 Evo tyres.

“I am one lucky chap! I have never bought cheap tyres and have always been a fan of Bridgestone. My car is shod in Bridgestone tyres and my son was also on Bridgestone tyres when he raced in karting.

“I have heard a lot about the T30 Evos so I will look forward to seeing how they perform.”

Gary got the tyres fitted at Robspeed Motorcycles in Grimsby, one of Bridgestone’s most valued Bikers’ Club dealers.

Bridgestone’s motorcycle sales manager Andy Whitehead said: “We are thrilled for Gary and are particularly pleased because he is such a fan of our products. It was great that he was able to get the tyres fitted at Robspeed too, who we know very well and provide such a classy level of service. We hope he gets many miles from the tyres and even posts his experiences on the new Motorcycle Diaries website.”

Gary concluded: “I am thrilled to win, I really am. When I was told that I had been chosen from thousands of European riders too made it all the more special. It might mean I have put Skegness on the map!”

 For more information about Motorcycle Diaries, visit www.motorcycle-diaries.com

http://www.motorcycle-diaries.com/

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Got a motorcycle industry related story / information for us? email: editorial@dealernews.co.uk

Museum LIVE 2016 Free Open Day- Details Announced.

NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM “LIVE” OPEN DAY-SAT 05/11/16.

Following the massive success of Museum LIVE over the past two years, Saturday 05/11/16 will see the museum host our 3rd annual free open day when everyone will be invited to visit the museum collection free of charge. There will also be a host of other free attractions including our amazing “stars on stage” feature which is presented in association with wheel builders to the museum, Central Wheel Components Ltd 
Museum Live 2016 Timetable.

To assist visitors, everyone arriving on site will be given a free timetable with a full list & timings of all the day’s exciting, free, events.

Free Museum Entry: Everyone will be invited to visit the newly reconfigured museum collection, free-of-charge. If you think you’ve seen the museum before-think again!

Indoor Autojumble & Trade Area: The event will feature a large indoor autojumble held within the warm & dry surroundings of the National Motorcycle Museum’s conference facilities. The event will also feature trade stands & displays from many well-known names including Footman James insurance brokers and Bonhams auctioneers.

Meet The Experts: In attendance will be some of the museum’s specialist suppliers & craftsmen (including our own restoration team) who will be available to chat and answer questions. Also unveiled at the event will is an exciting new permanent display “the history of wheel building” presented by wheel builders to the museum, Central Wheel Components Ltd.

Stars on Stage In Association With Central Wheel Components Ltd: Racing legends CARL FOGARTY MBE & JAMIE WHITHAM will again host two special FREE TO ENTER “stars on stage” features at 11.00am & 2.00pm

Held on the stage in the museum’s magnificent Britannia suite these free 1 hour chat shows will feature Carl & Jamie as well as other motorcycling personalities. Appearing courtesy of Phil Morris Racing two very special guests will include TT superstar IAN HUTCHINSON & British Superbike front runner PETER HICKMAN. All our guest stars will also be making personal appearances to sign your favorite memorabilia. 

NEW FOR 2016!

Museum Live “Start Up” Feature.

See & HEAR some of the most famous race machines in the world started up in our special LIVE START UP area. Bikes old and new will include the Hislop “White Charger” Rotary Norton, NVT Cosworth Challenge, Vincent “Super Nero” sprinter, the Phil Morris Racing owned 2012 ART GP12 Moto GP bike (ex-James Ellison), plus many others including genuine Moto GP Ducati’s and WSB machinery-not to be missed!

Museum Shop & Restaurant: The Museum shop and restaurant will be open throughout the event. A wide variety of catering will be on offer including breakfast, lunch, a range of hot meals & snacks plus a special BBQ.

Plus The Draw For The Best Classic Motorcycle Raffle Prize In The World:

Our summer 2016 raffle to win a 1990 Norton Rotary F1 worth over £22,000 will be drawn by one of our celebrity guests live on stage during the afternoon of the event on 05/11/16.
There’s still time to enter to win this amazing prize with raffle tickets available to purchase on-line from www.thenmm.co.uk or by calling the Museum on 01675 444140   

For further details and updates on Museum Live 2016 see www.thenmm.co.uk   

The National Motorcycle Museum is conveniently located in the heart of the Midlands Transport Network, with Birmingham  international railway station just a five-minute taxi ride away.

At over 1000 machines the National Motorcycle Museum is not only the largest collection of British Motorcycles in the World but also an award-winning venue with conferencing and events facilities.

The conference centre has 13 purpose built suites available, including the Wardroom, seating small parties of up to 20 guests, and the Imperial Suite which can host 1000.
Website & On-Line Shop: www.thenmm.co.uk

National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull, West Midlands, B92 0EJ

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Got a motorcycle industry related story / information for us? email: editorial@dealernews.co.uk

Meet Gil Edwards who’s riding a Chief Vintage between music gigs this summer

Gil Edwards is celebrating 50 years in the music business this year and what better way to spend the summer than to ride between gigs on an Indian Motorcycle.

In fact all of the members of his band, ‘Gil & The Vintage Chiefs’, are riding all over Norway on Indian Motorcycles and will be playing music they say is ‘Road House’ style.

“It’s the kind of music that I grew up with,” Gil explains. “I have just finished recording an album in Germany called Celebration, and I have two previously released albums called Can’t give it up in 1999 and Mayday Situation in 2004.”


“The Indian-logo actually is the first logo that I can remember,” reflects Gil. “My dad used to joke that I was ‘made’ on an Indian; I’m 25% Cherokee and 100% Indian.”
When he was 10-years-old, Gils’ father gave him a hunting dog, but Gil wasn’t a hunting kind of guy and a few weeks later he swapped it for his first guitar and three years after that he had enough guitar skills to join his first band. That was 50 years ago.
“Yeah, you might say that I celebrate my 50th anniversary in the music business this year,” says Gil.

In the middle of the 60s, the young, soon to be musician also got his first motorcycle. It was a 200cc Triumph Tiger Cub, which was followed by a 400cc BSA before he went on to the heavy American steel.
“Nothing beats a big American V-twin,” says Gil.

Today, Gil lives in Ålesund, Norway. It might be a long way from the North American west coast to the Norwegian west coast, but as he explains, “sometimes things just happen in life”. His move to Norway came about in 1981 when Gil was playing with a band in Seattle. He met some Norwegian musicians that were visiting the USA. A few months later they called him and offered him a job as bass player in a band in Norway.

“I had never been to Europe, so I saw this as a great opportunity,” says Gil who first thought that he would only be there for a few months, maybe a year, but 35 years on and he’s still in Ålesund.

Gil has performed all over Scandinavia and has a strong fan base in Germany and all over the world. “Today all of us live some of our lives in the virtual world and I have lots of American fans on the internet, even if I do not live there any more!” Gil jokes.

Gil bought an Indian Chief Vintage earlier this year. “I truly was amazed and I love it,” he beams. “The engine has the most impressive torque and you can ride comfortably over longest distances. When I ride it in on twisty roads, I don’t feel like I have to slow down for the corners, but instead I can push it in a bit more and twist the throttle. So the Harley-Davidson I had is for sale now,” he says smiling.

During this summer, Gil and the Vintage Chiefs will be riding on Indian motorcycles between their gigs, leaving their roadies to transport their band equipment in the bus.

ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLES

Indian Motorcycle, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), is America’s first motorcycle company. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.eu.

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TT Winner v British Touring Car Champion - on each others machinery

John McGuinness, 23 times TT winner and Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Champion Gordon Shedden go head to head on each others machinery - awesome!!

John McGuinness swaps Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP for BTCC Honda Civic Type R

Gordon Shedden shows off his riding skills aboard Honda Racing’s TT winning machine

Honda jointly hosted the unique event at Knockhill circuit on Monday, which saw Gordon swap his Halfords Yuasa Racing Honda Civic Type R for John’s Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP for 30 laps of the Scottish track.

The two vehicles are very different – the number of wheels aside – but the similarities are the manufacturer brand and tyre manufacturer – Honda and Dunlop. The sportsmen are different too, but both are at the peak of their sport; capable of using the tyres to their maximum to achieve the best lap times. Whether that’s in a 27 lap race, over 21 miles against 31 other cars on a smooth race track, or a single 37.73-mile lap of the daunting Isle of Man TT Mountain course, held on closed public roads. 

Swapping machines is no mean feat – to get competitive lap times, they both needed to learn the car and bike respectively in just a handful of laps. During that time, they also had to adjust to the very different tyres that were the only thing between their vehicle and the tarmac.

While Dunlop or Honda will not be releasing official lap times from the event on Monday, both boys were said to be incredibly close to each other’s lap times!

Tyre Talk – the differences


· Size matters – the contact patch on a bike is tiny compared to that of the car, just the size of a credit card.  At around 3-4 times smaller it has to take a power to weight ratio quite differently (close to 1 for a motorcycle against close 0.25 for a BTCC). And that is just for the rear tyre. The front contact patch on a motorcycle is yet again even smaller and needs to cope with the bike slowing at close to 1G deceleration.


· Wheely important stuff – the BTCC wheel is 18 inches in diameter – an inch bigger than that of the TT rear wheel, although the overall tyre diameter is actually bigger on a motorcycle. This means the tyre mechanics are different.


· A bit on the side – Gordon needed to rely on the side walls of the tyres on the Fireblade, while John’s Civic Type R was (mainly) squarely on the base of the tyres. The motorcycle tyre will deform more in the sidewall and tread area to key into the asphalt and generate grip whereas the BTCC tyre will mainly deform in the sidewall area to withstand the weight and get the support required.


· Under pressure –tyre pressures vary. There’s up to 1.1 bar of difference between the bike and car pressures to get the best performance – double the pressure in the front tyres when cold for the bike compared to the car. A motorcycle tyre will run between 1.5 bar to 1.6 bar hot, whereas a BTCC tyre will be aimed to run at 1.85-1.95 bar hot. It may not seem such a big difference for most people but Gordon or John would have spotted that change of tyre performance with less than 0.1 bar difference!


· The magic ingredients and construction – While some ingredients or at least concepts may be tried in one discipline and transferred into another, the secrets inside the tyres are very different – but they have to stay secret.

John McGuinness: “It was brilliant; I didn’t want to get out of the car to be honest. The first session all happened really fast but then I settled down into a groove. The whole mindset changes when you swap from what you know to something new, and I was a bit nervous, but we’re all racers and just want to go fast.

“It’s hard to see the apex, you’re strapped in tight, and it’s quite warm in there. You’re breathing in engine fumes and there are lots of rattles and bangs, it’s such a different world but I was shocked by how nice and precise it was. Dunlop put on some soft, sticky, amazing grippy tyres on the Honda Civic Type R and they gave me so much confidence to go fast.

“My Honda Fireblade had the same tyres we used at the TT where we did a 132.6mph average lap and we brought it here and did some riding on those same tyres which is testament to Dunlop and how good their product is. You know we put our lives in the hands of a few things, but tyres are such an important part of the package.”

Gordon Shedden: “It was absolutely out of this world, you maybe build a picture of what you think it’s like in your head, but nothing compares to it when you’re out there. It’s phenomenally fast but once you get used to it you learn to relax and get more confident. It was an absolute privilege to have a go.

“It was the first time I’ve ever ridden on a slick tyre and I cannot believe the grip that the contact patch the size of a credit card can actually give you, it’s just absolutely mind blowing. The speed obviously is as you’d expect, the world passes by at a million miles an hour. I can only imagine what it’s like going round the TT course, and John is welcome to stay on that!

“Each stint I started to relax more and get more confidence in the grip that was available. The brakes on the race car are fantastic with four big slick tyres to hold the thing on, so you wouldn’t believe the bike would have the stopping capability that it does.”

To view the film content of the challenge, please click here: https://youtu.be/Hz36XDBViAI

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JOB: QUALITY ASSURANCE CONTROLLER - PRODUCT STANDARDS

Quality Assurance Controller – Product Standards

Location: Witney, Oxfordshire

Remuneration: Competitive salary + bonus + benefits

OXFORD has developed a range of branded consumer products targeted at the motorcycle and cycle market, some 11,500 SKUs in total. Most products are designed and/or specified in-house, sourced from the most appropriate factories and then sold both in the UK and via distribution partners in over 80 countries worldwide.

The person who takes on this role will be responsible for all aspects of quality assurance, including product safety and compliance with product legislation, standards and added value approvals. 

Working hand-in-hand with our product managers and quality control team, the successful candidate will define and agree the standards which our products should meet, set up the procedures for checking that those standards are met (if necessary, devise and apply tests) and ensure compliance before and after production.

Candidates will demonstrate both relevant experience and a balanced approach to the role, combining commercial acumen with a passion for ensuring the integrity of the products which are brought to market.

As well as having up-to-date knowledge and experience of the application of product standards and safety legislation, the ideal candidate will:-

• Be highly organised with an excellent eye for detail
• Demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills
• Have experience of dealing with different levels of technical product engineering
• Operate well both autonomously and as part of a team.
• Offer expertise in the following areas: CE & BSI testing, REACH & RoHS standards, added value product approvals, risk assessments

If you want to be a part of the Oxford success story and have the desire and ability to seize this exciting opportunity, download and complete an application form today from our website.

All applications should be completed in full and accompanied by a letter detailing why you are applying.

Oxford Products Ltd, De Havilland Way, Range Road, Witney, OX29 0YA

Telephone: 01993 862 300  

                    

www.oxfordproducts.com 

                       

info@oxprod.com

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JOB: EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN

EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN AT

CARL ROSNER

CONTACT DETAILS: triumph@carlrosner.co.uk , John Church or Robert Rosner

      

We are looking for a fully qualified, experienced motorcycle technician to join the workshop team here at Carl Rosner Motorcycles working on one of the UK motorcycle market's leading brands. 

             

We are looking for a fully qualified, experienced motorcycle technician to join the workshop team here at Carl Rosner Motorcycles working on one of the UK motorcycle market's leading brands. The successful candidate must have at least 3 years technical experience with modern motorcycles and be able to use current diagnostic equipment as well as having a thorough working knowledge of all aspects of servicing and modern engine work. From time to time you may also be required to talk to customers and as such you must be able to communicate clearly and provide technical explanations in a way that can be easily understood.

Salary: £25,000 – £28,000 pa An excellent salary will be awarded to the successful candidate linked to experience and qualifications.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate should be qualified to NVQ level 3 and have at least 3 years technical experience of working in a franchised workshop environment. Working unsupervised in a safe and timely manner to high and exacting standards is essential. A self-starter with a flexible can do attitude, with good attention to detail working as part of a friendly team is a must. Full manufacturer training will be provided as necessary. If you are a qualified MOT tester that would be advantageous.

A full bike and car licence are essential.

Come in and talk to John Church or Robert Rosner about this position or email your cv to triumph@carlrosner.co.uk

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