Honda developing rider assist technology

Honda has patented a system which moves the autonomous motorcycle a big step closer – but motorcycles are still way behind cars in the development of self-driving/riding. The trend towards autonomous cars seems unstoppable – Germany and Japan have approved ‘Level 3’ autonomy (the official SAE classification, highly automated driving on motorways) with the UK and other EU countries expected to follow suit, while Germany is also anticipating being the first country to approve SAE Level 4 (highly automated in ‘most driving situations.’) Motorcycle manufacturers are certainly working on this. BMW showed a riderless GS to journalists in 2018, Yamaha has developed a steering-assist system for motocross bikes and many production bikes already have radar-based systems to warn riders of nearby vehicles,

France and UK debate the meaning of ‘means of transport’

Just when we thought the problems with transporting a motorcycle or a car from the UK to the European Union were solved, new problems arise. After the European Commission confirmed that transporting a motorcycle or a car (‘means of transport’) from the United Kingdom to the continent should not be a problem, a discussion has started among French and British customs authorities about when a motorcycle or car is a ‘means of transport’. This is an ongoing subject, expect more updates. In the latest twist in the issue of customs formalities when transporting motorcycles across the EU/UK border in vans or on trailers, FEMA, NMC (National Motorcyclists Council UK) and FIVA, the historic vehicle federation, have received updated advice from the UK Government

FEMA survey: ‘Motorcycle parking should be free’

Let us choose where to park safely and don’t ‘punish’ us by making us pay for our smart mobility choice; Europe’s motorcyclists are very outspoken when it comes to motorcycle parking. More and more authorities introduce restrictions on where a motorcycle can be parked. We also see a rise in the number of paid parking spaces dedicated to motorcycles. FEMA wanted to know how European motorcyclists feel about this and conducted an online survey on motorcycle parking. The overall conclusion of the survey is that riders from all over Europe want to be able to park their bike anywhere, as long as it does not cause nuisance for pedestrians and other road users. An impressive 88.94% of the respondents say motorcycles should

BMW goes back to basics

BMW has filed a patent for 'adjustable air deflectors' to improve comfort at low speed and aerodynamic efficiency when tanking along. The surprise, given the German company's love of complex high tech, is that the new system doesn't use electronics or clever speed sensors – just good old-fashioned springs. Moto Guzzi's new V100 Mandello has adaptive bodywork with the same end in mind – moveable flaps in the fairing are flush at high speed, but move outwards into the air stream to reduce turbulence when cruising more slowly. Servo motors move the flaps, controlled by electronics. BMW's system is much simpler. The flaps are hinged at their forward end and held open by springs. The faster you go, the air pressure increases,

Speed limiters mandatory for cars from July

Speed limiters will mandatory on all new cars sold in the UK from 6th July, but the new law doesn't apply to motorcycles. Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) is a software system which automatically limits speed to whatever limit is prevailing, though it can be overridden by the driver. Many car manufacturers already fit ISA, including Ford, Mercedes, Peugeot/Citroen, Volvo and Renault. Anna Zee, Political and Technical Services Director of the BMF, explained the context. “ISA is part of the General Safety Regulation (GSR) passed by the EU in October 2021 and includes a number of items besides ISA, such as Automatic Emergency Braking. Yes, we will see this on cars sold in the UK because there is no law to say they

NMC Calls on The Government to Show More Ambition on Motorcycle Decarbonisation

Net zero motorcycling should be about much more than just battery electric motorcycles and arbitrary UK-only targets The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) has today published its position on motorcycle decarbonisation and its policy on the potential end of internal combustion engine (ICE) production for motorcycles. The position was reached after extensive consultation among motorcycling and other organisations both in the UK and internationally. A target of 2035 has been mooted as the phase out date for all ICE powered motorcycles, with a government consultation on motorcycle decarbonisation due shortly. The NMC opposes an arbitrary target date, given that it is not yet known whether a global manufacturing base can meet a UK-only target with a range of motorcycle types which will have

No customs formalities when bringing UK bikes to the European Union

British motorcyclists who had their bike transported to the European Union, often ran into trouble and were confronted with high fines in EU countries. Following action by FEMA, FIVA and NMC, the European Commission has now confirmed to us that taking a motorcycle or a car with you from the United Kingdom to the continent should not be a problem. It may sound strange for many of us, but a large number of British residents do not ride their bike to the continent, but put them in a van or a trailer, or hire a shipping company to transport the bike to the area where they want to ride with it. Also, owners of historic vehicles are used to transport their vehicle

Austria imposes wheelie ban

Heading to Austria this summer, and have a liking for biking acrobatics? Then beware, because the Austrian government is cracking down on wheelies, stoppies and other vehicle shenanigans – fines go up to 10,000 euros and your bike could be impounded for three days. The Austrian Motor Vehicles Act has been amended to outlaw boy racerish games such as drifting, tyre squealing and backfiring. “Non-situational use of the motor vehicle in which there is not contact between the road surface and all wheels at all times," is also outlawed – in other words, wheelies and stoppies. Wheelspins, wheel locking and doughnuts join the banned list as well. The rules apply to quiet areas such as private car parks just as much as

Norton buys classic collection

Norton, now revived under ownership of Indian giant TVS, and with a new factory in Solihull up and running, is underlining its long heritage by buying up key historic models. A total of 55 bikes have been bought from Norton collector Ian Loram, who had built up the collection since the 1990s. Stretching from 1916 to 1992, they include some of the rarest Nortons ever made, including a Model 1 Big Four, a rare speedway bike from 1930 and an example of the rotary-engined Norton F1, road going version of the RCW588 race bike from the early '90s. There's also a 1968 Norton Atlas which was used for royal escort duties when new. Some of the bikes will go on display in

BMF Dambuster Rally!

Dambuster 6 - 19th -21st AUGUST 2022 Designed as a traditional, laid-back camping rally, the BMF Dambuster Rally has become a very special annual motorcycling event. It’s complete with live music, fantastic food, a venue steeped in history and an excellent ride-out location to explore the fabulous Lincolnshire countryside, or even a trip to the sea-side. 2022 will be the BMF Dambuster Rally’s sixth anniversary. Live bands will be performing on the Friday and Saturday evenings. Thorpe Camp Visitors Centre, Lincolnshire is the ideal venue to celebrate the heroic deeds of the famous Dambusters raid in 1943. You can pitch your tents among the historic display planes and World War Two artefacts – and it’s situated in deepest Lincolnshire ‘Bomber County’. All of the

NMC Calls for a new e-Scooter Task Force to Develop e-Scooter Regulation

NMC Calls for Government to Establish a new e-Scooter Task Force to Develop e-Scooter Regulation Urgent need for e-Scooter Task Force to get new regulations right The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) has joined wider calls for proper regulation of the informal eScooter sector and is calling for the Government to establish an e-scooter task force which would be tasked with shaping regulation and considering the wider issues surrounding the role of e-scooters. The number of eScooters (also known as Powered Transporters) has risen exponentially since they first appeared the UK a few years ago. The Bicycle Association recently estimated that there are around 800,000 in use today. At a recent seminar organised by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) it was

Vnuk: NMC Welcomes New Certainty For Motorcycle Sports

Compulsory third party motor insurance will now not be extended to motor and motorcycle sports away from the public highway, but National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) calls for a wider review of motor insurance A parliamentary Private Members Bill which sought to stop the implementation in the UK of the so-called ‘Vnuk’ judgement has passed through Parliament and will soon become law. The judgement by the European Court of Justice in 2014 was made after a Mr Damijan Vnuk was injured in an accident involving a trailer on private agricultural property in Slovenia. It sought to extend compulsory third party motor insurance to all ‘mechanically propelled vehicles used on land’. Although the judgement set out to correct a problem in overall insurance law,

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