Table of Contents
Editorial
It was a nice, bright morning last Saturday, so there were lots of SAM members riding out. Discussions ranged from the first aid training offered by Mental Health Motorbike, admiring a new BMW 900GS, the woes of KTM and Henry Cole’s ride on a BMW. We also put the world to rights and caught up on personal news.
The Whiteknights Blood Bikes reminded us that we train 90% of their riders. Training riders is one way in which we support this NHS charity, but they also need other support too. At present their fundraising is done by Blood Bike riders. In addition, they also provide their FREE motorcycle dispatch rider service to health services in South Yorkshire and beyond. What the local group needs are dedicated volunteers to help with public education, promotion and fundraising. The riders can then focus on providing vital support to the NHS. If you can help, contact Roy Clark.
In your newsletter this week there is a summary of activities in the world of motorcycling. It’s good news for MotoGP fans as TNT sports will broadcast races and the Saturday sprint races will be on Quest. Also, expect to see more Chinese and electric motorcycles in your favourite publications in 2025.
I find it really sad when I read about motorcyclists talking about the ‘end of the biking season’. For SAM there are days when you can ride and a very small number when you can’t. Although, no advanced rider tests will be done when the temperature is 5°C. To many of our riders that is a pleasant riding day. The Whiteknights Blood Bikes show how it is done, only using their 4-wheel transport when riding is a bit too cold; and, most of their dispatch riding is done in the dark! Of course, time off the bike isn’t wasted when there is essential maintenance to be done and reading to be caught up on.
Kevin Williams published a new book this week, ‘Crash Scene: Motorcycle‘. It’s an anthology of the hazards and risks that motorcyclists face, the mishaps and misjudgements made and the lessons that can be learned. I like the fact that it is in pdf format that can be searched and marked up. With a suggested price of £10 it’s a great buy for Christmas, even if it’s only a present to yourself.
In the rest of your SAM newsletter you can read about the 70-year-old who decided to get back into biking. There is a link to a legal article about how difficult it is for witnesses to judge vehicle speeds. After the failure by the Department of Transport to recognise that motorcycle access to bus lanes would make riders and othe road users safer, read about how we (bikers) have to shape public opinion; and, help ourselves to ride better. This stories and a lot more are waiting for you to enjoy. Ride safe and happy reading.
Your success is our success!
Advanced riders are safer road users, ride longer, rider further, meet more people and enjoy a healthier, happier life!
Other meetings
Next SAM Club Night
3rd February 2025
7.30pm start for meeting at 8pm. Gives you time to catch up on what you’ve missed!
Treeton Miners Welfare Club
Arundel Street
Treeton
Rotherham S60 5PW
Next SAM Committee Meeting
30th January 2025
Details to be arranged
Online Motorcycling News
General
Motorcycling enthusiasts have plenty to be excited about this week, with thrilling developments in MotoGP, new bike releases, and industry partnerships making headlines.
MotoGP Wrap-Up
The 2024 MotoGP season has come to a close, but not without some final excitement. Álex Márquez topped the timesheets at the Barcelona test day, showcasing impressive speed throughout Tuesday’s session. This performance hints at a promising 2025 season for the Spanish rider.
Meanwhile, all eyes were on Marc Márquez as he made his highly anticipated debut with the factory Ducati team. Fans got their first glimpse of the multiple-time world champion donning the iconic Ducati red, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career. Despite Jorge Martin’s recent title win, Ducati has stood by their decision to bring Marc Márquez on board, signaling their confidence in the Spanish rider’s potential to deliver results.
New Bikes and Technology
Motorcycle manufacturers have been busy unveiling new models and updates:
- Moto Guzzi introduced a special edition “Wind Tunnel” V100 Mandello, paying homage to the brand’s innovative aerodynamic approach.
- Benelli launched the new Tornado 550 supersport for 2025, focusing on a balance of sportiness and comfort.
- BSA revealed its production-ready B65 Scrambler, marking the second all-new model since the British marque’s revival in 2021.
- Yamaha debuted its new semi-automatic gearbox, the Y-AMT, on the 2024 MT-09. This transmission offers both fully automatic and pushbutton manual modes, adding a new dimension to the popular naked bikes.
Racing News and Partnerships
The world of motorcycle racing continues to evolve:
- Pramac and Yamaha have extended their partnership beyond MotoGP, confirming a new Moto2 project for 2025.
- Harley-Davidson has struck a partnership with Dorna Sports, sparking speculation about the potential inclusion of the King of the Baggers series in future MotoGP events.
- In British Superbikes, TAS Racing has retained rider Rory Skinner and announced a switch from BMW to Ducati for the 2025 season.
TV Coverage and Fan Access
Good news for MotoGP fans in the UK and Ireland: TNT Sports will continue to broadcast races, with an added bonus of Saturday sprint races now being available free-to-air on Quest. This move aims to increase accessibility and grow the sport’s fanbase.
Industry Trends
The motorcycle industry is adapting to changing times:
- Chinese motorcycles are gaining traction, with some models now competing with established brands in terms of quality and performance.
- Electric motorcycles continue to make waves, with brands like Zeeho emerging as potential major players in the market.
- Noise regulations are becoming increasingly important, with the potential implementation of noise cameras that could impact riders.
As the motorcycling world races towards 2025, fans can look forward to exciting technological advancements, fierce on-track battles, and an ever-evolving industry landscape. Whether you’re a die-hard MotoGP follower or a casual rider, there’s never been a more thrilling time to be part of the two-wheeled community.
John Weaver was 70 when he decided to get back into the scooter scene after a four-decade break, much of it spent on motorbikes.
As part of a cafe crowd in Lowestoft in the late ‘60s, he was drawn to the scooters his friends rode.
“I liked the look of them, and several of my mates had them, as well as a lot of my friends from school I was still knocking about with,” he says, chatting at the Great Yarmouth Scooter Weekender. Read more…
‘Speed is notoriously difficult for witnesses to get right’
Each month, we take a look at the questions that were sent to the MCN Law column, which is written by Andrew Campbell from BikeLawyer.
In November, Andrew was asked a tricky question by a rider who doesn’t remember their accident. He was also asked if three years after a crash is too long to claim, what legal insurance covers and whether future surgery caused by injuries should be paid for by the other side.
Rider Safety
Do you ride a motorcycle or know someone who does? If so, you’ll know that riding a motorcycle has some risks. In fact, statistics show that motorcyclists are much more likely to be involved in a serious or fatal accident than car drivers. This is why it’s important to take steps to reduce the risks and the Biker I.C.E. Card is one of the most effective solutions available.
The Biker I.C.E. Card is a simple, yet vital tool. It contains your contact details and essential medical information. In the event of an accident, emergency services staff can quickly access this information to help them decide on the right treatment for you. By carrying a Biker I.C.E. Card, you can ensure that emergency services staff have the information they need to take account of any ongoing health problems you have and any current treatments that you are receiving. This can make their job easier and your emergency care safer. Read more...
‘At present, the Government has no policy to encourage the greater use of motorcycles.’
Last week’s rejection by the Department for Transport of proposals to allow bikes in all bus lanes shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Government and local authorities have agreed with your mum for many years now that motorcycles are bad things, motorcyclists are bad men (the idea that women ride motorcycles doesn’t figure in their Sons of Anarchy motorcycle fantasy world) and even just mentioning the word motorcycle increases the chance of your head coming off by 75 per cent.
It doesn’t matter that motorcycles are the most obvious flipping answer to the majority of the planet’s personal transport problems. Congestion, journey times, parking space, potholes, emissions and reducing deaths/injuries of innocent pedestrians – you name it, biking probably solves it. Most people in power seem incapable of looking beyond the cliched ‘biker’ movies they watched in the 1980s, hoping for a glance of a nipple. Plus, their repressed jealousy when a scooter flashes past them on the way to work while they sit in a(nother) endless queue. Read more…
A community leader has welcomed proposals to reduce speed limits on four popular motorbiking roads in the Scottish Borders.
The Police Scotland plans, which are backed by Scottish Borders Council, are for 50mph (80km/h) limits to be introduced on four roads from March.
The routes are the A7 north of Galashiels, the B6357 from the Carter Bar, the A708 Moffat to Selkirk and the A6088 from Kielder to Bonchester Bridge. Read more…
Ah, the good old days. Back when the Watergate scandal was a big deal, so was motorcycling. The industry had exploded in size and scope to historic levels, thanks to the coming of age for Boomers and America’s appetite for outdoor experiences. And yet…in terms of bike choices, you could only buy a standard bike like a Yamaha XS650, a motocross bike like a Penton 125 Six-Day, an “enduro” (on/off road) bike like Yamaha’s DT3 2-stroke, an Italian scooter, or maybe a big hog straight outta Milwaukee. Needed more from your mount? From there, you really did have to bend brackets and turn wrenches to “make it your own,” as current bike advertisers love to say.
The motorcycle universe we know today is wholly different. Not only are the bikes infinitely better, but there are so many varieties, why, a multi-line dealership looks like an emporium for exotic flora and fauna compared to the mom-and-pop shops of the free-love Seventies. This might seem a bit funny – perhaps if you’ve been breathing too much 2-stroke racing castor in a closed garage – but it addresses a serious point: The motorcycle marketplace now has bikes to suit virtually any buyer’s desire. Read more…
Adventure & Touring
A UK motorcyclist has proven that you don’t need a big adventure bike to complete an epic riding trip – successfully travelling from Romford to Istanbul, Turkey aboard an air-cooled Honda SS50 moped. Phil Ranson set off from his home on Tuesday, August 20 and arrived at his destination on Saturday, September 28 – covering multiple mountain ranges, 14 countries and around 2800 miles without a single breakdown.
When it came to picking out bikes for our Canadian tour, our natural first choice was the Honda Gold Wing (technically, the Gold Wing Tour Airbag Automatic DCT in our case). The Gold Wing has earned legendary status as a fantastic touring motorcycle, and after putting a thousand miles on a DCT version, we came back with plenty to say about it.
Here are five things you need to know about the Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT:
It’s ultra comfortable for both rider and passenger. Read more…
History & Custom
Sureshot’s wild custom Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 debuts at Mooneyes
The 32nd annual Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show is kicking off in Japan as we speak. For visitors, it’s a cornucopia of visual delights, featuring the best handcrafted machines that the scene has to offer. For custom bike builders, it’s the ultimate proving ground. But the HRCS (or ‘the Mooneyes show,’ as it’s commonly known)…
If any motorcyclist has reached the status of “legend,” it’s Malcolm Smith. As a humble motorcycle dealership owner and racer, Smith became famous for his role in Bruce Brown’s 1971 motorcycle documentary, On Any Sunday. In that iconic film, which won a 1972 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, Smith’s infectious smile, tenacity on the racecourse, and freewheeling ride on the beach with co-stars Steve McQueen and Mert Lawwill captivated the hearts and aspirations of motorcyclists around the world. Smith’s career in the motorcycle industry spanned many decades, and he served as one of the best ambassadors for the sport. In 2012, Motorcyclist named Malcolm Smith the Motorcyclist of the Century. You can learn more about Malcolm Smith at “The Malcolm Story.” Read more…
Mary McGee, the motor racing legend profiled in the Oscar-contending documentary Motorcyle Mary, died Wednesday in Gardnerville, Nev., according to her family. She was 87.
“Mary embodied resilience, grace, and optimism,” McGee’s family wrote on Facebook. The post did not disclose a cause of death. “She was a historic athlete and a motorsports pioneer who embraced life’s challenges, cared deeply for others, and made time to brighten the lives of those around her. While we are deeply saddened by this loss, we are comforted knowing that her light will continue to shine in everyone she touched.” Read more…
I have a weird fascination with motorcycles or other powersports machines being turned into rolling weapons of war. Maybe it’s a mid-life crisis coming on, where I either have to choose getting really into World War history or smoking meats? Though I’m already smoking meats…
My latest find, however, is just the coolest as while it depicts a 1910s Henderson motorcycle and sidecar complete with a Lewis machine gun which are really cool by themselves, the pilots of said technical are a group of three women. And the picture goes so freakin’ hard, like harder than anything you’ll find offered up on Instagram from some tacti-cool bros. Read more…
Whiteknights Blood Bikes
Whiteknights South Yorkshire team would like to thank Heretics MCC for kindly raising and donating £500 and to the Angel pub in Clown for their hospitality tonight 
South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership
Have a safe journey home everyone.
Cracking Stocking Filler Alert!
Essential tools to prepare for the theory and practical tests. Materials directly from the DVSA – the people who set the driving tests!
Hurry, offer ends soon!
https://www.safedrivingforlife.info/…/dvsa-learner…/
School runners, commuters, shoppers, fresh-air seekers – make your journey a safe one this evening.Every death and serious injury on the road is a preventable tragedy. Yet, on average, five people die every day on the road in the UK and 82 are seriously injured (10-year average from 2013-2022). This has to change. Help us by sticking to the rules of the road. Brake, the road safety charity
Kevin Williams
I showed this particular clip as one of my ‘Video Nasty’ series a couple of weeks ago, but I thought it was worth revisiting for 60 Second Safety. In this series, I normally talk about what steps can be taken to stop things going wrong but let’s see what happens if we ignore all the clues.
Let’s freeze the video here and assess what’s going on. The rider has committed to passing the stationary bus. There’s a ‘hazard line’ centre paint marking. It’s a residential street with buildings and driveways. Ahead a vehicle appears to be parked on the right, being passed by an oncoming car. And there could be a turning ahead on the left but it’s almost completely concealed by the bus. But check the speedo – it’s showing 33 mph! What if… a pedestrian had stepped out from behind the bus? Out of sight, out of mind. Read more…
The latest book from Kevin Williams of Survival Skills Rider Training is a book with a difference; ‘Crash Scene: Motorcycle’.
It’s a compilation of a series of essays and personal anecdotes which take an honest look at the dark side of motorcycling, the moments when things don’t go as we planned.
It may seem macabre to write a book on near-misses and crashing, but how else are we going to learn to avoid that traps that can so easily end up with us in a crumpled heap?
It’s the side of motorcycling that no-one likes to admit to, but the fact is that by looking at how, where and why other riders crash, we can learn a lot about how to avoid making those mistakes for ourselves. Read more…
‘I don’t agree but never mind’ Part 4
Observation, theory, fact. And opinion. How do they work together? It’s my opinion that the differences between observations, theories and facts aren’t always well understood. That’s my opinion, and it’s based on my observations of how people debate theories and facts, and how they often do it poorly. Did that make any sense?
An opinion as I discussed last week is a personal belief, judgement, or interpretation that may or may not be based on evidence.
So what are observations, theories and facts?
Do we need to remember the order of road signs?
I was working with an advanced riding group recently with my ‘Crash Course (in how NOT to)’ presentation, which talks about what riders get wrong when it comes to the three ‘favourite’ motorcycle crashes; at junctions, when overtaking and in bends. As part of the last part of the talk (when I’ve been doing most of the talking for the last 20-plus minutes) I get the audience to work together in small teams on an interactive exercise.
It’s simple enough. I give them printed sheets with the painted road markings and road signs that they’ll likely encounter on the way up to a corner.
All they have to do is to put them together in the order they would pass them. Read more…
Motorcycling Organsiations
IAM RoadSmart
Has it been a while since you passed your Advanced test? 
The Big Give Christmas Challenge
This Christmas, we are participating in the Big Give Christmas Challenge. We are hoping to raise £25,000 to empower young people to improve their skills, change their behaviours and advocate for safety for all road users. Please visit our campaign page to donate to The Big Give
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Advanced Rider
Whichever aspect of riding you’re looking to improve, our motorcycle coaching brings your skills up to an advanced level, helping you to control the position and speed of your bike with skill and responsibility.
Just use code “BF24” at checkout to apply 10% off.*
This comes after the government’s release of the latest provisional reported road casualty statistics to the end of June 2024 earlier this morning.
IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards Nicholas Lyes said: “Provisionally, the number of fatalities on our roads remains stubbornly high and underlines the importance of the government’s commitment to an updated road safety strategy. Of particular concern appears to be an alarming spike in the number of young women killed in the past 12 months. It’s vital that the government looks at all solutions that could reduce deaths on our roads, including the improvement of driving skills, managing in-vehicle distractions, and effective enforcement of the so-called ‘fatal’four’—speeding; drink or drug driving; not wearing a seatbelt; and using a mobile phone.” Click here for more information
Earlier this month, we celebrated our volunteers and their achievements at the IAM RoadSmart Annual Awards. 
Are you aware of the OAP framework when out riding? 
National Motorcyclists Council
The Department For Transport has set out the Government’s vision for an Integrated National Transport Strategy, built on a new ‘people-first’ approach to transport. In a speech delivered to mayors, council leaders and transport bodies in Leeds on 28 November 2024, the previous Secretary of State for Transport set out how the background to the new government strategy, emphasising that the strategy will focus on how government can support local areas to make all forms of transport work more effectively together, and will be underpinned with a clear vision for how transport across England can evolve over the next 10 years. … Read more…
FEMA
MANUFACTURERS’ RECALL
MANUFACTURERS’ RECALLBritish Motorcyclists Federation
The Government Unveils Its Vision For A National Integrated Transport Strategy in England
In launching a new strategy for a future integrated transport model across England, the Government has called for ideas on how it can deliver on its vision.
There is a real opportunity, as the new strategy is developed, for the Government to recognise motorcycling within its core transport policy and, importantly, to realise the significant benefits that motorcycling can deliver in terms of a hugely versatile, affordable, zero congesting and lower polluting transport solution. Read more…
New Rider Hub
What is Ridefree?
Ridefree is an award-winning enhancement to compulsory basic training (CBT), consisting of pre-course eLearning modules. Its aim is to help you prepare for your CBT and riding on the road.
How can it help me?
CBT should be an enjoyable experience. But there’s a lot to learn, and it’s normal to feel anxious about your first bike ride. The good news is that Ridefree will help you become a better and more confident rider…Read more.
We would like as many young riders aged 16 to 24 years riding machines of 125cc or less to complete the survey asap and have a chance to win a brand new SHARP accredited motorcycle helmet of your choice. Read more…
Advanced Riding - Keep ALL Riders Safer!
We all enjoy meeting down at Meadowhall Retail Park, whether it be to take out an associate, go for a ride with friends or just to socialise.
As IAM and SAM members we are part of a charity that promotes road safety and it is crucial that the way we ride is in line with this aim. Public perception of how we ride is really important, as we can be part of the solution to stereotypes about motorcyclists riding dangerously and causing stress or annoyance to other motorists. We should never ride in a way that might reinforce that stereotype or cause danger to ourselves or anyone else. Every member can reflect on the impression they leave on every ride.
Group riding can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of motorcycling when it’s done responsibly. However there are also some common problems created by riding in a group:
- Allowing others to dictate your riding style: Being influenced by others in the group can lead to impulsive overtakes or riding beyond your comfort level without proper assessment of road conditions.
- Riding too fast for your experience: The fear of embarrassment or being left behind can pressure riders to exceed their capabilities, compromising safety.
- Failing to scan the road ahead: Focusing solely on the bike in front can limit your ability to anticipate hazards and react accordingly.
Remember, each time you ride in a group you are representing SAM. Enjoy yourself, be safe and leave a good impression on those you meet along the way.
CLUB MERCHANDISE
Clothing can be ordered online direct from:
138 Morthern Road, Wickersley
Rotherham S66 1EA
Telephone: 01709 709977
Fax: 01709 709987
Click the link below
