KTM developing ‘Noise Control’

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

Keep Historic Bikes Alive

Motorcycling Matters No7: Keep Historic Bikes Alive Triumph, BSA, Norton, Velocette... Britain has a proud motorcycling heritage, now added to by Japanese and European machines over 40 years old, equally part of the UK motorcycle scene. The NMC/BMF manifesto Motorcycling Matters urges that the historic motorcycle sector should be recognised for its economic contribution as well as the positive social engagement and mental health benefits to thousands of riders all over the UK. Over 400,000 historic motorcycles are registered in the UK, giving their owners hours of fun and contributing to a healthy ‘old bike’ sector with specialist companies in spare parts, restoration work and archive services. For the long-term health of the historic bike sector, there should be no time limit

Celebrate Motorcycle Sport

Motorcycling Matters No 6: Celebrate Motorcycle Sport British motorcycle sport is a diverse and vibrant sector which needs to be encouraged, supported and celebrated. In Motorcycling Matters, the motorcycle manifesto put forward by the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) with help from the BMF, there’s a call for greater recognition of this widespread sector, which contributes £1 billion to the UK economy. Home to some world class racing teams, the UK also has a very strong grassroots motorcycle sport scene, on-road and off. Trials, enduro, grass track and sand racing; club racing on some of the world’s best-known circuits, plus road trails and road racing. From professional teams at the cutting edge of race technology, to the thousands of bikers who ride in

Insurance Scam Could Leave Riders Without Cover

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

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

Motorcycling: the individual mobility solution that brings many advantages

A French white paper, published by CSIAM (the International Chamber of Automobile and Motorcycle Trade Unions) offers a summary of the significant progress that the use of motorcycles and other powered two-wheelers makes, both in terms of relieving road traffic congestion and reducing polluting emissions and on savings that can be made by the community and road users themselves. It also offers an industrial perspective on the problems of noise and road safety as it is understood in the motorcycle sector. Below we offer a compilation of the most important issues (click here to read the full white paper). Travel time Taking into account the results of a FEMA mobility test, which establishes that the average time saving between the car and

Access All Areas

Motorcycling Matters No 5: Access All Areas Motorcycles must have an ‘Access All Areas’ pass to UK roads, whether these are tarmac, unsealed ‘green roads’ or bus lanes. That’s the fifth key point raised by Motorcycling Matters, the manifesto launched the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) with significant input from the BMF. The BMF and NMC are clear that unsealed roads which are currently legal for vehicle access need to be kept open for motorcycles. As for bus lane access for bikes, the policy of local authorities varies across the UK, with some allowing full access, some at restricted times and some refusing it altogether. The BMF/NMC are calling for motorcycle access to bus lanes to be made the default position across the

A Technology Neutral Approach to Decarbonisation

Motorcycling Matters No 4: A Technology Neutral Approach to Decarbonisation The BMF and National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) are calling for a pragmatic approach to the decarbonisation of powered two-wheelers. Whilst accepting the need to reach net zero in all areas of society, both organisations say that the path taken for two-wheelers must be proportionate and realistic, adding that petrol-powered motorcycles and scooters make up only 0.46% of the UK’s total domestic transport emissions. The transition of motorcycles to electric power is lagging behind that of cars, and needs extra time to catch up, with a clear and realistic deadline for the end of sales of new petrol-powered motorcycles. The BMF and NMC are also calling on all political parties to embrace a

Motorcycle Fatalities Down in 2023

2023 saw 306 motorcyclists killed on UK roads, a substantial 12.6% drop compared to the 350 who died the previous year – it was in fact lower than in any pre-pandemic year back to 2014, and significantly lower than in 2017 and 2019, which each saw 470 motorcycle fatalities. Road casualties were significantly fewer across all road user groups in 2020 and ’21, thanks to the effect of Covid restrictions. The general trend for road user casualties was falling, with car occupant fatalities down by 5% in 2023, and cyclists by 7%, though pedestrian deaths saw a 6% increase. Overall fatalities fell to 1645 the same year, a drop of 3.9%. Taking casualties as a whole (not just deaths), motorcyclists were

Make Roads Safe for Motorcyclists

Motorcycling Matters No 3: Make Roads Safe for Motorcyclists UK roads urgently need to be made safer for motorcyclists – that’s the third key issue highlighted in Motorcycling Matters, the manifesto launched by the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) on 17th May, with significant input from the BMF. The manifesto calls for rapid changes to roads infrastructure and a genuine attempt to tackle potholes. Current roads infrastructure guidelines do not take sufficient account of motorcycle safety and need urgent updating. Smart Motorways which were rolled out without enough regard for safety issues, are just one example – the BMF welcomes the Government’s decision to cancel any further roll out. Road surfaces need attention too, with poor maintenance leading to a rash of potholes which

Survey of views re: motorcycle and scooter theft

New research aims to capture riders views on the subject of motorcycle and scooter theft Following on from his previously published research into the barriers to a wider use of motorcycles, independent researcher Alex Parsons-Hulse is leading this latest research project that seeks to better understand riders views and experiences of motorcycle or scooter theft. Please help with this important research by taking part in an online survey at the following link: CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY Participation is entirely voluntary and all data will be collected anonymously. The survey will close on Saturday the 29th of June. Your views and experiences are important, so please take part as soon as possible Written by Helen Hancock Top image courtesy of Alex Parsons-Hulse

Michael Dunlop is Most Successful TT Rider

Michael Dunlop has surpassed his Uncle Joey’s TT race win record on 5th June, scoring his 27th win – Joey Dunlop’s long standing win of 26 TT wins has been the record to beat since 2000. Michael equalled the record by winning the Supersport race, then broke it by claiming victory in the Supertwin event as well. He nearly made it 28 wins, leading the Superbike event until a visor issue after a pit stop forced him to stop on Bray Hill. Riding a Paton, he dominated the Metzeler Supertwins, finishing 20.406 seconds ahead of second-placed Peter Hickman. He was close to the Supertwin lap record in the three-lap race, which took place in windy but sunny conditions. Peter Hickman said:

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