Classic Bike ‘Super MOT’ Quashed Other news 13 August 202422 August 2024 The BMF and VMCC (Vintage Motorcycle Club) have countered a suggestion that Historic vehicles (over 40 years old) could be subject to ‘in-depth inspections’ before being used on the road. The story was originally picked up by the Daily Express, which on 14th July suggested that a ‘super-MOT’ was on the cards for classic cars (with no mention of bikes). However, the situation has been clarified by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) which in a submission to the DVLA, did call for a ‘one-off safety check’ for older vehicles, but only if they have undergone major renovation or modifications. It argues that this would be simpler than the current system, which can require classics to undergo a very
UK Bike Sales Fall Flat Other news 9 August 2024 June was another disappointing month for motorcycle sales in Britain, according to trade magazine British Dealer News. Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) figures revealed that registrations fell by 5.8% compared to June 2023 – motorcycles were down by 2.4% and scooters by a whopping 18.9%. Central to the fall in scooter sales was a 15.2% drop in the up to 125cc class, which has been strong in recent years, thanks in part to demand from fast food deliveries. Mopeds were marginally up (by less than 1%) but this masked a serious long-term decline in 50cc sales. Back in 2008, over 25,000 new fifties were registered in the UK – by 2023 the figure was just over 5500. Why? Electric bicycles may have grabbed
Chrome Plating Carries On Other news 6 August 202430 August 2024 Chrome plating lives on, despite restrictions on the common Hexavalent process which come into force in September 2024 in the UK. Back in March 2024, the BMF reported that a ban on Hexavalent – which uses toxic chemicals – was under consideration but that alternatives might be available. To read that article please click here. Platers using Hexavalent will now need to apply for a licence. Nottingham Platers, a well-established aftermarket chrome plater, has pointed out that it has been using the non-toxic Trivalent for 26 years, pioneering its use in the UK. “My father-in-law, who was a chemist, came across the Trivalent process in the USA,” the company’s Simon Revelle told the BMF. “We’ve been using it ever since. It’s
£1 billion shortfall in Government Funding for Road Repairs Other news 5 August 202430 August 2024 A Government report has criticised the Department for Transport (DfT) for a lack of understanding of the condition of local roads. The report, by the National Audit Office, recognised that the DfT has kept up annual funding to local authorities for the maintenance of local roads, but pointed out that that the £1.1 billion provided to Councils in 2022-23 was £1 billion short of the £2.1 billion actually spent. Local authorities, already strapped for cash, made up the difference. DfT data suggests that up to 67% of local roads are in “good structural condition”, but figures from an Asphalt Industry Alliance survey (cited in the NAO report), put that at just under half (48%). The NAO report states: “At present, DfT
Nissan Dealers to Sell Scooters Other news 18 July 202431 July 2024 Commuters could buy their next scooter at...a Nissan car dealership. Nissan has signed a deal with the Spanish Accoiona Group, which makes the Silence range of electric scooters. Nissan dealers in France and Italy began selling the scooters in June, with Germany due to follow in September and British Nissan dealers in October. Nissan is hoping that the move will enable it to tap into new markets, such as powered two-wheelers, which it has been absent from until now – the Silence range includes 50cc and 125cc-equivalent electric scooters, as well as the two-seater Nanocar, all of which come under the umbrella term of ‘micromobility.’ Nothing to do with motorcycles? Scooters are part of the powered two-wheeler sector, and micro-cars are
TT Breaks Attendance Records, Despite the Weather Other news 11 July 202431 July 2024 Record numbers of bike fans attended the TT this year, according to figures from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, which carried 37,808 passengers between 22nd May and 7th June. That was 11% up on last year, and the highest number travelling to the TT by sea since 1986, apart from the 2007 Centenary celebrations. Race fans flying in also reached record numbers, with over 60,000 touching down at Ronaldsway Airport. The new records were all the more of an achievement when taking into account the weather. Poor weather was forecast, and arrived as high winds and persistent rain, which saw many practice and race sessions postponed and race organisers desperately juggling the schedule to keep everything on track –
Cheap Bikes Raise Over £90,000 for Cancer Charity Other news 7 July 20244 July 2024 Thirty-five bikers, most of their machines costing no more than £600 apiece, have ridden from Lands End to John o’ Groats in a single hit, raising over £94,000 for Cancer Research UK. The Longest Day Challenge, now in its twelfth year, runs (the clue’s in the name) on the longest summer day of the year. The idea is to ride the 969 miles from end to end on a bike costing no more than £600, though exceptions are made if machine is in the spirit of the event, and this year 35 were entered. All of them made it to John ‘o Groats over 24-36 hours, and a wide range of bikes took part, one of them a 1999 Yamaha R1
MotoGP Hits 75 Other news 30 June 202427 June 2024 The motorcycle world championship (it’s only been called MotoGP since 2002) has just hit its 75th birthday, with the first event held on the Isle of Man on 13th June 1949. Back then, the TT was part of the world championship, which consisted of just six rounds (compared to 20 rounds in 2024) and stretched over 11 weeks (March to November this year). It was also Europe-centred, while the 2024 season includes rounds in Qatar, Indonesia and Kazakhstan. The Island’s top race left the world championship in 1977, after it was boycotted by several top racers such as Giacomo Agostini, who argued that no rider should feel compelled to compete there. Such concerns didn’t appear to get so much attention in 1949,
London is Europe’s Most Congested City Other news 27 June 2024 London was the most traffic-choked city in Europe last year, according to transport data specialist Inrix, and it’s getting worse, with car drivers losing 99 hours of time and having to cope with an average speed of just 10mph. It’s ranked second in the world (New York City tops the congestion charts) followed by Mexico City, Paris and Chicago. Nor is it just a problem in Britain’s capital, with congestion worsening across all top ten UK cities compared to 2022, as traffic levels continued to increase post-Covid. In fact, according to these figures, congestion is now worse that it was before the pandemic, which temporarily emptied our urban roads. In terms of hours lost per driver per year, London is followed by
KTM developing ‘Noise Control’ Other news 21 June 202427 June 2024 Until now, a motorcycle’s noise level has been determined by the factory, unless the owner fits an aftermarket (and maybe illegal) pipe. But KTM is working on a system which could allow riders to control the noise level – toning it down, for example, if entering a noise-restricted area. At the moment, new bikes are type-approved for noise limits based on very specific test conditions – speed, gear, even the position of the microphones. KTM’s reasoning goes that in certain other conditions, an otherwise legal bike might be over the noise limit. Its idea (subject of a patent application) is to give the rider a warning (‘visual, acoustic or sensory’) if noise limits are exceeded. This could be done with sensors
Insurance Scam Could Leave Riders Without Cover Other news 18 June 202427 June 2024 Motorcyclists have been warned to be on the lookout for an insurance scam which could leave them without cover, even if they thought they were fully insured. The City of London Police warns of ‘ghost brokers,’ who are scammers masquerading as genuine insurance brokers. Their technique is to offer temptingly low premiums, advertising these on social media, price comparison websites and even newsagents windows. To complete the deception, some ghost brokers they are working on behalf of well-established insurance companies. If a rider or driver takes out a policy they are issued with fake insurance documents (which are worthless) or the ghost broker takes out a genuine policy but quickly cancels it after pocketing the money. Either way, the rider is
Bike Sales Still Held Back Other news 13 June 2024 UK sales of powered two-wheelers were up just 1.1% in April, flat lining after a disappointing Q1 (January-March), with signs that bad weather, the living standards squeeze (and now pre-election uncertainty) were holding back the usual Spring sales boost for bikes, though May saw a slightly healthier increase of 3.6%. In fact, motorcycle sales in April fell by 0.4%, but scooters (up by 4.4%) and mopeds (up 24.9%) gave the overall market just enough boost to prevent an overall fall. The only motorcycle sector which looked healthier was the 126-500cc segment, where continued popularity of the Triumph Speed 400 and Royal Enfield’s Meteor 350 helped deliver an increase of 18.8%. Electric two-wheeler sales were up too, by 23.4% (though still only