A British manufacturer has unveiled an electric motorcycle which claims a 100-mile range, 100mph performance and a 15-minute rapid recharge. The WMC300E+, produced by White Motorcycle Concepts (WMC) is aimed, not at private buyers, but at fleets and the emergency services. It follows on from WMC’s similar three-wheeler petrol/electric hybrid, shown last year. Like that one, the WMC300E+ is based on Yamaha’s Tricity 300 tilting trike, but in this case with an electric motor and 11.9kwh lithium-ion battery in place of the 300cc single. The chassis also incorporates WMC’s patented V-Duct system, which improves aerodynamics by guiding some air through the middle of the chassis rather than forcing it up, over and round the bike and rider. The battery, developed by

Sammy Miller MBE, the veteran museum owner and ex-trials World Champion, has been awarded Freedom of New Milton, Hampshire, where he has lived for 60 years. Now in his 91st year, Sammy moved to the small town on the edge of the New Forest back in 1964, when he left Ariel to join Bultaco as a works rider and designer. “Senor Bulto requested that I move close to the Rickman Brothers, the UK importer of Bultaco,” he recalled, “so that I could help with the design and development of a Bultaco trials bike, which turned out to be the most successful trials bike of all time, changing the world trials scene and helping establish Spain’s dominance of the sport.” The

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

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 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

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

Norton has promised to launch six new models over the next three years, and begin exports to the USA, Germany and India. It’s a significant step in the company’s recovery since take over by Indian giant TVS in 2020. At a press conference at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, CEO Dr Robert Hentschel, TVS Managing Director Sudarshan Venu, and recently appointed Executive Director Richard Arnold, outlined how the historic brand would grow over the next few years. The six new bikes will be based on three platforms, all of which will be unveiled at the NEC Show in November, though we may only see the first one enter production early in 2025. Given that TVS has considerable expertise in smaller electric