Honda Unveils Electronic auto-Clutch

Honda’s latest innovation is the E-clutch – automatic electronic control of the clutch when starting, coming to a halt or changing gear (or as Honda describes it, when the ‘driving force changes’. The company already has a name for innovative transmissions, thanks to its well-established Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) which allows push button or automatic gear changing on a six-speed box. Available on a whole range of bikes, from the NC750 to the Africa Twin and Goldwing, it’s been a great success, with the Goldwing DCT now outselling its manual counterpart. The E-clutch is different, in that there is still a clutch lever and there appears to be no automatic option. The rider still has to choose when to change gear via the

Suzuki Launches ‘click to buy’ Scheme

Suzuki is challenging online scooter retailers by launching its own ‘click to buy’ scheme, rolled out to its 125cc scooter range. After buying habits changed during lockdown, manufacturers are looking at ways of engaging buyers directly online and making the purchase process as simple and quick as possible. Available on the new Address 125, Avenis 125 and Burgman Street 125EX, Suzuki’s ‘click to buy’ scheme aims to do just that. Buyers hit the ‘click to buy’ option on the relevant model page (or visit buy.bikes.suzuki.co.uk) enter their postcode and choose a colour, after which they will be pointed to the nearest dealer which has the bike in stock. In fact, dealers shouldn’t lose out, because once the customer has added their details

Introducing our newest member of Staff ~ Paul Morgan

Want to know more about Paul Morgan CBE, our Government Relations Executive? Read on.... I am really pleased to have joined the British Motorcyclists’ Federation as Government Relations Executive to help provide reactive and proactive lobbying on behalf of BMF directly with the UK Government, whilst working closely with other lobbying organisations and partners such as the National Motorcyclists’ Council (NMC) to promote the cause of motorcycling. Motorcycling has always been a passion, since I first started riding the early Japanese bikes in the late 70s. At that time leather was the material of choice for riders (hi-tech clothing with waterproof and breathable membranes was some way off) and I’d managed to pick up a Marlon Brando “Wild One” leather jacket from

Hydro, Hybrid, Electric bikes unveiled

Japanese manufacturers appear to be hedging their bets on what will power the motorcycle of the future. We know that they are working on battery-electric bikes (witness Kawasaki’s new pair of 125-equivalent electric Ninjas) but both the big K and Suzuki are also working on alternative types of propulsion. Kawasaki has announced a hybrid petrol/electric, Ninja 7 Hybrid/HEV with a 451cc parallel twin, plus a small 1.4kWh battery and 12bhp electric motor, giving a total output of 69bhp. The result, says Kawasaki, is a mid-size bike with 650-700cc equivalent performance but with the fuel consumption of a smaller bike – they are claiming 70.5mpg on the standard WMTC test, enough with the 14-litre tank to give a range of 217 miles.

Nick Sanders latest Record Attempt – by e-bike

Most of us know the veteran overlander Nick Sanders for his record-breaking motorcycle trips around the world, but his latest attempt is on something else – a Yamaha electric bicycle. Nick is no stranger to pedal power, having pedalled his way to several cycling records before turning to motorcycles. He entered the Guinness Book of Records in 1981 by cycling around the world in 138 days, cutting that to just 79 days three years later. He still holds the record for fastest cyclist around the coast of Britain – now aged 65, he’s decided to opt for some electric assistance. This will be Nick Sanders’ 11th round the world trip, and he left his home in Wales on 3rd September, planning to

BMF Support IAM petition

IAM RoadSmart has launched a petition calling on the Government to scrap VAT on life-saving air vests which are currently subject to a 20% VAT rate. Other lifesaving equipment, like motorcycle helmets, are either zero rated or lower rated. IAM CEO, Antony Kildare, shares his statement here Full details of the IAM RoadSmart petition can be found via the following link here Previous research has shown that for riders wearing an airbag vest or jacket, forward momentum in a crash is reduced by roughly 60 percent and head traumas are reduced by approximately 80 percent; significantly reducing incidents of broken bones and abrasions, as well as head and neck trauma. BMF fully support this petition, which, if successful, would bring down the price

British-built Hybrid reaches Production

White Motorcycle Concepts (WMC) has opened the order book for its Yamaha Tricity 300-based WMC300AE, a hybrid three-wheeler which claims to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% with fuel efficiency of 104mpg. But if you want one you’ll have to be quick (they’re only planning to make 10) and probably well-heeled (it’s ‘price on application’). The hybrid trike is basically a production version of the WMC300FR, which has been trialled by Northamptonshire Police. Starting with the 298cc tilting three-wheel Tricity, WMC has added a 5Kw electric motor and two rechargeable batteries, which charge through a standard three-pin plug. The electric power train takes over below 30mph, and its contribution tails off up to 40mph. In theory, this should give the best of

Petrol Bike Ban still under consideration

The Government is still considering what to do about the date for ending new sales of petrol motorcycles. Currently, the proposed end dates are 2030 for mopeds and 125s, and 2035 for all bigger bikes, but the recent pushback of the end date for petrol/diesel cars (from 2030 to 2035) has put these in doubt. In response to a query from the BMF, a spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “The consultation on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission motorcycles (and other L-category vehicles) has been supported by a thorough programme of stakeholder engagement with manufacturers and the wider industry, including a positive Ministerial roundtable. We are now analysing the responses and will bring forward the Government’s

Camden parking charges are back

Recently there have been increasing numbers of local authorities seeking to introduce motorcycle parking charges. Camden Councils proposals are the latest, with the Council proposing to scrap free motorcycle parking bays and replace them with park-to-pay facilities. This is a misguided and illogical strategy given the significant congestion and CO2 reduction benefits which motorcycles offer. Motorcycles, in addition, do not take up large amounts of road or kerb space and do not require significant and expensive parking infrastructure to accommodate them. Powered 2 wheelers offer a real alternative to both high-polluting cars and the already overburdened public transport system. Rather than demonising motorcycling, local authorities like Camden should instead be encouraging greater use of motorcycles as a means to cut emissions, to

Brough SS80 could near £100,000?

‘Box of bits’ restorations can cause no end of heartbreak, but this Brough Superior SS80 – coming up for auction on 26th October– could make a happy ending for its owner, who after buying the ‘basket case’ Brough in the 1990s, took 20 years to restore it to its current pristine condition. Charterhouse Auctions, which is putting the Brough under the hammer at the Haynes Motor Museum, along with 100 or so other bikes, expects it to make £65,000-£70,000 on the day. However, get two determined bidders in the same room, and maybe it really could get to six figures... Broughs – the British superbikes of the 1920s and ‘30s – are highly sought after today, and not just because of

Brief round up of BMF 2023 AGM

The BMF Annual General Meeting 2023 The British Motorcyclists Federation held its AGM on 14th October 2023, at 10.00. The event, held on Zoom, was a great success with members taking part, from both Clubs and as individuals. Regular business was dealt with briskly, before moving on to wide ranging discussions on a number of topics. The meeting heard reports from the Chair, Jim Freeman, and fellow Directors and Staff: Anna Zee, Political & Technical Services Sheonagh Ravensdale, Communications Helen Hancock, Administrator and Social Media Manager Peter Laidlaw, Membership Services Howard Anderson, Finance The meeting was run by Jim Freeman, who managed the polls and voting, with help from Helen Hancock, the BMF’s Administrator, particularly monitoring the lively chat board. Jim Freeman was re-elected as Chair with 95% of the

Electric Enfield Completes Edinburgh 200 Mile Trial

An electric motorcycle has completed the 200-mile Edinburgh Trial for the first time, unsupported and using only public charge points. It’s thought to be the first time an electric bike has finished any of the major long-distance trials – run by the Motorcycling Club (MCC) these consist of off-road special sections linked by road mileage. Engineer Fred Spaven is no stranger to battery bikes, having converted an Enfield Bullet to electric in 2015. An experienced MCC competitor (on a BSA Bantam) he was inspired to take the electric route while working on his PhD with University College London – UCL offered to part-fund a suitable bike out of its motorsports fund. Calculating he needed a 100-mile range between charges, Fred settled

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