Ducati Panigale 899 arriving at UK dealers

After recently making a spectacular UK debut at Brands Hatch, the 899 Panigale can now be seen for the first time at dealerships throughout the UK. Dealers will each take delivery of a demonstrator and the first customer bikes will arrive soon after.

Panigale 899 - Arriving at dealerships in the UK

 Ducati is passionately committed to further development of the Panigale concept both on the track and on the street and the 899 represents a “Supermid” version intended to be a method of entry into the world of premium performance.  With carefully designed rider-friendly features,  like  increased  seat  cushioning  and shorter final drive gearing for enhanced mid-range rideability, the new model achieves a successful mix of authentic Italian performance with everyday usability thereby offering the very best of both worlds in absolute style.

The  innovative  “monocoque”  frame  solution  and  the  new  899  “Superquadro”  L-twin  engine  uses  race-derived  electronics  to  continue  the  “bred  for  the  track  and  trained  for  the  road”  mentality.  With  the  click  of  a  button,  Ducati’s  Riding  Mode  concept  delivers  performance  with  enhanced  rider confidence by combining a number of class-leading technologies. The latest-generation sports ABS system, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Quick-Shift (DQS), Ducati’s race-derived Engine Brake Control (EBC) and Ride-by-Wire (RbW) are now all programmed into seamless, electronic rider assistance.

Its brand new Superquadro engine features a revised bore and stroke for a broad power delivery, producing 148hp (109kW) with a torque of 73lb-ft (10.1kgm). The super-smooth power unit continues to be a fully stressed member of the innovative Panigale monocoque construction, achieving both an outstanding power-to-weight ratio and ride-enhancing agility with a dry weight of 169kg (372.5lb).

The 899 Panigale will be priced at £12,495 and available in traditional Ducati red with black wheels or a stunning arctic white with red wheels. A TriOptions package is currently available at £139 per month with a deposit of 25% over a term of 37 months and an APR of 5.7%

For further details on the new 899 Panigale and to locate your nearest dealer for a test ride visit www.ducatiuk.com

The bike will make its UK show debut at Motorcycle live from the 23 November to the 1 December. For details and ticket information visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk/

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Adventure bikes just got smaller

Following a programme of successful customer rides, Bolton-based motorcycle manufacturer CCM is set to reveal the production-ready GP450 Adventure at this year’s Motorcycle Live.

CCM's GP450

Designed and built in the UK, CCM says the new GP450 is the only mid-range adventure bike geared up for long-distance travel straight out of the crate. It has a long-range tank, a Kymco-made engine previously seen in the BMW G450, and a host of accessories, including soft-luggage and hard luggage options and a low-seat, low suspension option.

The bike is expected to appeal to riders wanting something more manageable offroad than the large-capacity adventure bikes made popular by the exploits of Ewan McGregor and Charley Borman in their Long Way Round series. The low seat option and light weight of only 135kg is also expected to make the GP450 a hit with female riders, as well as those craving more off-road ability from their adventure bike.

CCM director Austin Clews explains: ‘For a long time the trend in the adventure sector has been for the bikes to get bigger and heavier. Not everyone wants that and so we have designed and built an adventure bike that can be used and ridden in difficult conditions without the fear of dropping it and not being able to pick it up. It will also cruise on the motorway and even prove ideal on the daily commute.’

CCM claims the Bond-Lite frame on the GP450 Adventure bike sets it aside from other manufactures. The frame is made up of 13 forged aluminium components, CNC precision machined and bonded together using aerospace technology. CCM says it is the first motorcycle manufacturer to use this technique to achieve a lightweight chassis with consistent flex and stress properties, leading the way with the new lightweight revolution.

In recent months the team has been busy showcasing the bike to prospective buyers and journalists, working with them to improve and refine the product ahead of its launch at the annual bike show in Birmingham. The bike was first seen at the Motorcycle Trade EXPO in pre-production form in January 2013.

The GP450 Adventure is set to cost £7995. CCM is taking orders and has a special offer at the NEC, where test rides will be available.

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Zero pulls plug on UK

US electric bike-maker Zero has pulled the plug on its UK sales and marketing operation. Zero states: “The UK lags behind other European markets in terms of readiness. As a consequence, and with much regret, we have decided to withdraw our operations from the UK with immediate effect. This decision in no way impacts the rest our business operations in Europe.”

Zero: Exiting the UK

 Only weeks earlier, at the Cenex Low-Carbon Vehicle Event, Martin Driehaus, Zero's Manchester-based European sales and marketing manager, said he was looking for more UK dealers and regretted cutting back his orders following the delay in Zero's 2013 production which meant the new machines did not arrive until May, three months later than originally promised.

“In fact, we could have sold all the bikes I had originally ordered from the US,” he told BDN. He added that he was looking forward to having a big stand at the NEC public show, as Zero had done last year. 
Zero will still be showing its 2014 range at the Milan show.

Sales manager Mark Lucock at Haslemere Motorcycles told BDN that he's “still wearing the black armband” in mourning over Zero's decision.

More details in the November issue of BDN.

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Harris classic black chrome exhaust system

The Harris Works Collection has reintroduced exhaust systems with a black chrome finish for classic Japanese superbikes of the 1970s and 1980s.

Harris Works exhaust- great enhancement to your retro rocket

 HWC black chrome systems are currently available to fit the Kawasaki Z650, Z900, Z1, Z1000 and GPZ1100 as well as Suzuki's GS1000. Fitting the 4-into-1 systems can restrict direct access to filters and drain plugs on some models, but centre and side stands can be retained. Priced at £417.60 SRP they are supplied with a road-legal baffle. Race baffles are available, in bare finish only, for £40.68 SRP.

Norman Hyde
tel; 01926 832345
www.normanhyde.co.uk

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A double dose of TT at Motorcycle Live

Motorcycle Live features a double dose of TT action this year, with two days dedicated to the Isle of Man’s flagship road racing festivals. Sunday 24 November will celebrate heritage event the Classic TT, while Sunday 1 December will be devoted to the world’s most famous road race, the Isle of Man TT. There will also be special guest appearances from top racers on a daily basis. 

Plenty for TT fans at Motorcycle Live!

Twenty-times Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness and 2013’s big winner Michael Dunlop will be leading a star-studded line-up which also includes Manxman Conor Cummins, fan favourite Bruce Anstey, SES TT Zero winner Michael Rutter, veteran competitor Ian Lougher and rising star James Hillier, who won his first TT race this year.

John Holden and Andy Winkle, Ben and Tom Birchall, Tim Reeves and Dan Sayle and 16-time TT champion Dave Molyneux along with his passenger Patrick Farrance will be representing the sidecars.

The riders will be signing autographs and meeting fans on the TT Paddock Experience stand and taking part in daily Q&As with TT commentator James Whitham on the Black Horse Stage in the British Eurosport Entertainment Zone in Hall 2. On Sunday 1 December, the TT will take over the stage, with four Q&A sessions and a special TT-themed edition of Fast Bikes Question of Bikes hosted by Steve Parrish.  Race fans will also have the chance to bag early-bird Grandstand and VIP hospitality packages for the 2014 Isle of Man TT.

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

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Vote now for Seeley Pain Relief Trust

The Joan Seeley Pain Relief Memorial Trust has been shortlisted for a Lloyds Bank Bexley, Kent, Area Community Award worth £3000. Founded by Colin Seeley, the former GP sidecar racer, racing machine constructor and team manager, the trust was set up in memory of his first wife who died from bone cancer in 1979. Since then it has raised more than £100,000, much of it from the motorcycle community. Unlike many charities, no administration costs are paid to the trustees; every £1 collected is spent on pain relief equipment.

Former GP racer Colin Seeley

Voting closes at the end of this month. The email address for voting is: www.lloydsbank.com/communityfund - reference The Joan Seeley Pain Relief Memorial Trust. To vote, you need to enter your first name, last name and email address. Only one vote per community group, per email address is allowed. The email address will only be used for administration of the community voting process. It is important to confirm your vote on the Lloyd’s confirmation email.

Text message votes are also acceptable; code ‘Vote PBXC’ and send to 61119. The cost is the same as a normal text.

If you are on Twitter or Facebook, Colin asks that you spread the word.

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British enduro title sponsor sought

The ACU is looking for a title sponsor for the British enduro championships. While initially for 2014, it is hoped the company taking up the opportunity would go for a longer-term three-year or five-year contract.

ACU: Hunting for sponsors for a great series

 John Collins, chairman of the ACU Trials and Enduro committee, says: “ We have some enthusiastic clubs to run the series, with seven rounds planned, spread around the country. The British enduro championship is special in that it is a true enduro time-card series and is not to be confused with hare and hound-type events. Pete Plummer, with trade support, started the championship back in the 1970s and it became an instant success. In recent years we’ve struggled for support but, along with Malcolm Bates and Mick Wren who are on the ACU committee, I have been talking to Pete about next year and he has said he’ll be pleased to help.”

Full story in the next issue of British Dealer news.

johncollinsemail@yahoo.uk.pete@peteplummer.co.uk

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