Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists – Weekly Newsletter 22nd August 2025
Table of Contents
Editorial
At times this week, the weather has been roasting. Last Saturday, the SAM meeting was packed with riders eager to chat and ride. We also continued with our main task of helping bikers to become advanced riders. The hotter weather has turned minor hazards into lethal surfaces, making the roads even more dangerous for riders. There is lots of advice on some quite innovative ways to stay cooler when riding and choosing your time to ride to avoid the worst of the melting tarmac. In this eclectic news digest there are a couple of items that may surprise you. Sharing your riding adventures, or just simply reminiscing, with photos is a great way to convey the joys of riding a bike. If you need a few pointers on getting the better shot, there’s some advice on how to do a better job. Also, did you know that bikers are easier to train as helicopter pilots. Find out more below.
The he rest of the motorcycle world is summarised with highlights of major events, new bike launches, community happenings, and things young riders should know.
Major Events & Rallies
The week has been packed with classic UK summer motorcycle gatherings:
BMF Dambuster Rally: Starting on August 16 near Coningsby, Lincolnshire, this legendary laid-back camping rally brings together riders for good times and building a motorcycling community spirit.
Guzzi Fest: From August 15 to 17 in Derbyshire, fans celebrated all things Moto Guzzi with organized ride-outs, live music, and social events—great for those keen on the Italian motorcycle heritage.
Vosa Rejects Rally: Also over the weekend, this trike and bike rally near London raised funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Featuring camping, food stalls and live bands, there was an exciting vibe for the many bikers into trikes and social causes.
Stockport Bike Show: Taking place on August 17, Stockport’s famous show featured live bands, legendary merchandise and great prizes for some exceptional bikes. A great time was had by everyone in having fun and raising money for local charities.
Market & Bike News
If you’re looking for the latest tech or stylish rides, here is some eye candy for you to drool over:
Honda Electric & Safety Tech: Honda continues to push safety and eco-friendly tech in its latest models. The company’s focus this week was on expanding its electric scooter range and pushing for safer bike tech, such as advanced rider-assistance features. They aim to eliminate motorcycle collision fatalities and make urban mobility greener plus safer, likely appealing to tech-minded new riders.
Moto Guzzi Watch: New interest in Moto Guzzi bikes, particularly at Guzzi Fest, highlights the enduring appeal of classic brands blending tradition with fresh tech.
Race Action
Mark your calendars for next week:
The Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire, kicks off August 23–25. Expect fierce racing and big crowds.
Community & Culture
Charity Rides: Several events this week, like Vosa Rejects, spotlighted motorcycling’s social good side—raising money and awareness for healthcare and community causes.
Inclusivity: Bike shows like Stockport welcome all styles—motorcycles, trikes, scooters—a sign that biker culture is more diverse and open than ever.
For Young Riders: What Matters?
Tech Is the Future: Electric models and smart safety features are entering mainstream. If you’re eyeing a new ride, look for models with rider-assistance tech or electric power for lower running costs and eco credentials.
Community: Big gatherings like Stockport and Guzzi Fest aren’t just about bikes—they’re about meeting new people and supporting the causes that we all care about.
Try Something New: These events often feature try-outs, ride-outs, and advice from long-time riders. SAM riders are always willing to share their ideas and adventures. Don’t be shy—Meet us at 9am any Saturday at Meadowhall retail park, Attercliffe Road, Sheffield S9 2YZ.
PS: Sometimes, unexpected events will put a rider in hospital. To anyone who is having a hard time we are here to give support and to make life a little easier – even if it is only to make you laugh until stitches threaten to pop, share the grapes and tell you what you are missing. Get well soon.
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Our Sponsors & Donators
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34SP.com: This company have consistently provided a FREE charitable web hosting account for the Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists website since 2012. This has been an invaluable resource to achieve our purpose in providing public education, post-test advanced training and training NHS Blood Bikers. Thank you.
Your success is our success!
Advanced riders are safer road users, ride longer, rider further, meet more people and enjoy a healthier, happier life!
For Your Diary
Meetings
Next SAM Club Night
1st September 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
28th August 2025
Details to be arranged
Online Motorcycling News
General
The sad reality of life and riding a motorbike is that accidents can happen.
As the largest motorcycle insurance broker in the United Kingdom, Bikesure is only too aware of what can go wrong on the open road. Tragically, not every incident is minor enough to only involve damage to a vehicle, with reported road deaths from 2024 on the rise and motorcycling involvement showing the highest increase.
So we’re keen to support anything that can help save lives and that’s why we’ve started a new relationship with an inspirational charity that is making a real difference. Read more.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in Central London was established in April 2019. If a vehicle enters the ULEZ and does not meet the required emissions standards, a £12.50 fee will be charged to the driver.
Although the zone affects all vehicle types, from mopeds to minibuses, this guide will help you understand the regulations regarding motorcycles.
Unlike the Congestion Charge zone, ULEZ applies to two-wheeled vehicles. As the Congestion Charge was introduced to combat traffic and Transport for London do not consider motorbikes as part of this issue, they are not required to pay. However, motorbikes and other two-wheeled vehicles do create emissions, along with cars, vans and trucks, so they are charged in the ULEZ. Read more.
On the one hand there is the oft-heard assertion that “racing improves the breed.” On the other, the likely fact is that Norton’s ability to offer attractive production bikes was compromised by diverting most corporate R&D into its racing program from the 1920s to 1955. Meanwhile Triumph prospered from the export of thousands of bikes to the growing US postwar market.
Today’s India-owned Royal Enfield produces excellent production bikes at attractive prices and participates only incidentally in competition. It has enabled its low prices by adopting the most efficient and up-to-date manufacturing methods. Read more.
The lifespan of recently collapsed British motorcycle manufacturer CCM has been extended, with a local auction house purchasing the remaining unsold stock to sell on, plus a large quantity of parts in a bid to continue building Spitfire models.
Lancashire based Gateway Auctions Limited have successfully acquired the assets, following an announcement in early June that the Bolton firm – first established in 1971 – had entered administration. As part of the deal, they have also acquired a licence for the CCM trademarks, and hope to bring back a handful of old staff for bike assembly.
An online auction has now been set-up to sell off large quantities of old stock, plus classic heritage models and unfinished development bikes – including the short-lived Project X adventure concept, which is now being sold as a rolling chassis with no engine and some 3D printed parts. Read more.
Scanning the horizon, maintaining steady speed and throttle, watching the RPMs, and double-checking….altitude? It turns out the multi-tasking skillset of riding motorcycles translates to flying a helicopter, and with Rogue Aviation’s “Pilot Experience” program, anyone can try their hand at operating a helicopter, with no previous flight training required.
The “Pilot Experience” is specifically designed for gearheads who aren’t satisfied with just flying as a passenger in a helicopter for a scenic tour, but actually want to get their hands on the controls. As I was originally goaded into my fixed-wing aviation journey with the promise that “Motorcycle riders make the best pilots,” Rogue Aviation owner and chief pilot James Baker doubled the ante by asserting that motorcycle riders gravitate towards rotorcraft and excel at it.
So with the heavy burden of defending the honor of all motorcyclists weighing on my shoulders, I had no choice but to take up James on his generous offer to come experience the “Pilot Experience” firsthand. Read more.
Rider Health & 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...
Adventure & Touring
Sharing photos with friends and family is fun, but if the photos are boring we won’t pique anyone’s interest. Remember, the memories are ours but the audience sees the photos without the same emotional involvement or context. Roads and scenery can be particularly challenging to capture. Next time you stop to photograph a road or scenery, take the time to move around and try different angles.
Learning activity: Take your motorcycle to a road with little or no traffic, where you can park it in the road to spend time taking pictures. Next, try walking around the motorcycle taking pictures of the road as the focal point while changing the position of the motorcycle within the frame. Then change the angle of the motorcycle in the road and repeat the same shots so you can compare them when you get home. Have fun and don’t be afraid to lie down in the dirt or climb trees to get your shots.
Photo 1: This shot was taken by simply stepping off the motorcycle and kneeling in the middle of the road. The kneeling position adds detail to the road surface, but it can lack interest or perspective. Read more.
Tom Gould and Lauren Board set off in December 2023 and travelled south through 22 African countries. After 326 days on the road, they reached Zambia, covering close to 23,000 miles.
Related: Best summer motorcycle jackets
“It was six months, or 186 days and about 17,000 miles to get to South Africa,” Gould told MCN. “Then we did another five months, the majority in South Africa, before ending the trip in Zambia. So just shy of 23,000 miles.”They plan to fly back out in mid-September, with a brief detour to South Africa for tyres, before continuing north towards Kenya over the course of around three months.
From there, the pair will either ship to Asia to continue the journey, or to Europe – depending on budget – with the final leg expected to take another six months.
Once back in the UK, both Gould and Board intend to prepare for a future trip, this time riding Yamaha Serows to allow more opportunity for off-road exploration. Read more.
From 1540 to 1542, decades before European colonies were established on the Atlantic side of the Americas, the Spanish conquistador Francisco Vázquez de Coronado led an expedition from Mexico, where he was governor of New Galicia, north through what is now Arizona, New Mexico, and across the plains of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The expedition’s search for the fabled “Seven Cities of Gold” proved to be a failure, and Coronado returned to Mexico in disgrace.Coronado’s path through Arizona went due north through the eastern part of the state, climbing into the White Mountains that are part of the vast Colorado Plateau. His expedition followed Native American footpaths, which later became horse paths and wagon trails used by hunters, outlaws, pioneers, and prospectors. Today, the route is largely paved, and 120 miles of it are preserved as the Coronado Trail National Scenic Byway, twisting and turning from the mining town of Clifton in the south to the high-desert town of Eagar in the north. Read more.
History & Custom
The earliest off-road motorcycles were a far cry from the laser-focused machines that dominate dirt tracks today. Most were standard road bikes adapted for off-road use, which created a niche for specialist workshops like Rickman, who stepped in with purpose-built competition machines. It was a golden age, producing iconic motorcycles that we still admire today.
This winsome vintage motocrosser channels the classic era, with a subtle Japanese twist. If you can’t pinpoint the donor bike, don’t worry—the Indonesian custom shop Frontwheel Motors pieced it together from Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki parts. Read more.
Kevin Williams
Read the numbers, ignore the words
[Based on an item from yesterday’s ‘Elevenses’ Live Webcast]
Sometimes I struggle to make any sense of the motorcycle industry’s pronouncements. For example, the July motorcycle registration data for the UK was released a few days ago, and the MCIA’s statement was promptly reported in the usual places. Here’s what I read:
“Motorcycle sales in the UK are on the mend as July sees steady rise” said the headline. That was followed by this line:
“New motorcycle registrations saw a welcomed increase for the month of July, with the adventure and sportbike segments playing a pivotal role.”
A steady rise? Where did they get this? Read more.
Second Gear: Building Consistency
We’re frequently told what we should know, and what we should learn. We also usually told just why we should learn, and how we should use our skills and knowledge. But we are rarely told much about the learning process itself. So that’s what this series is about, explaining how any journey towards mastery – playing a musical instrument, swinging a golf club, perfecting a tennis serve or mastering the ski slopes – is far more easily achieved when we consciously move through a series of progressively more difficult goals. Think motorcycle gearbox, where each higher gear is selected from the gear below.
The first thing to say is this gear-by-gear approach doesn’t just represent ‘easy stuff first, tough stuff last’. If first gear was a warning not to rush in and to break practice a complex procedure down into more manageable ‘micro-skills’, today takes a look at how we take what we’ve started to learn in order to develop it. Read more.
Keeping your cool…
…when all about are losing theirs.
[From the Skills on Saturday series originally published in 2022 – just one of the ONE THOUSAND PLUS ‘better biking’ articles available with a Ko-Fi membership – sign up HERE
You might think that staying cool on a motorcycle is easy. After all, there you are, out in the wind. Surely, staying cool is a breeze. Speaking from personal experience, it’s not and it’s easy to overheat. And when we overheat, it affects not just concentration but even our ability to make rational decisions as we ride.
Assuming we can’t simply make a decision not to ride when it’s blazing heat and full sun, here are five top tips from Survival Skills for keeping the temperature down.
COVER UP – we’ve all seen the riders flying past, even on the motorway, wearing tee-shirts and shorts. I’m sure that many of us, whatever we think about the lack of protection if that rider falls off, secretly think it must be a lot cooler riding that way.
Well, the answer is “not as cool as you might think”. Read more.
Detecting red flags in social media streams
I guess a few people may have wondered why I’m writing about ‘influencers’ but the answer’s simple – there’s more and more junk content out there on social media, some of which turns out to be ‘fake news’. Just two weeks ago, the DfT was forced to respond to a story on TikTok that they were about to ban in-car navigation systems. They aren’t.
It was a classic trap from the social media creators’ playbook, a hook from content creators manufacturing news stories that are engineered to trigger every algorithmic lever, jump to them to top of social media feeds. That brings advertising revenue to the content creator, but rarely anything useful to the reader. And sometimes, the stories – as in the ‘navigation software ban’ – do positive harm.
So here’s today’s advice. Before you engage with or share a piece of content, ask yourself:
What’s the value? Take away the the hook and the calls‑to‑action, does anything meaningful remain? Read more.
The Principles of Triage and prioritising threats
Ever found yourself caught between competing threats, both of which pose a serious threat to health, and with just a fraction of a second to make a decision about which you need to avoid more than the other? I have. Several times. And despite all the hard work to avoid ending up in a risky place, let alone facing more than one threat at the same time, it’s going to happen to all of us.
I’d just ridden through a town on the Sussex / Surrey border, an area of river valleys separated by rolling countryside. The road had climbed away from the river that ran through the centre of the town, and at the top of the first crest, the 30 limit turned to 60. The road in front of me fell away around a gentle left-hand bend then climbed again, right-handed up to another crest where it disappeared.
There was nothing of note to my right, but at the bottom of the dip on my left I could see a broad tarmac drive leading to a large, and very-smart looking school, set well back from the road behind manicured lawns with a fringe of trees bordering the road.
As I dropped down towards that drive, a car appeared between the gate-posts, slowed momentarily, then started to pull out. Read more.
Whiteknights Blood Bikes
South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership
Scooter safety: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
Motorcycling Organisations
IAM RoadSmart
Has it been a while since you passed your Advanced test? 
Are you aware of the OAP framework when out riding?
ACEM
New motorcycle registrations in five of the largest European markets (i.e. France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) reached 542.361 units during the six first months of 2025. This represents a decrease of approximately -11,3% compared to 2024 (611.145 units).
Motorcycle registration volumes increase in Spain (111.363 units, +5% year-on-year), while in other countries, the market has generally shrunk: in Italy (195.025 units, -4,2%), France (98.499 units, -14,8%), UK (47.464 units, -19,8%) and in Germany (90.010 units, -29%).
Moped registrations reached a total volume of 68.690 units in the six European moped markets monitored by ACEM (i.e. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain). This registration volume represents a reduction of -19,2% in comparison to last year (84.974 units). All markets are with a previsible decrease, Spain (5.628, -2%), Germany followed (8.333 units, -5,9%), Belgium (13.304 units, -9,7%), Netherlands (13.199 units, -17,4%) , France (21.607 units -27,7%) and Italy (6.619 units, -32,4%). Read more.
Motorcycle Industries Association
MCIA has today published the new vehicle market data for the month of July 2025.
This includes Mopeds, Scooters, Motorcycles and some other specific sectors of the wider L-Category vehicle types.
New registrations for the month of July show a welcome improvement at minus 2.4%, compared to minus 18.6% in June which represents a positive swing of over 16%. This trend is also reflected in an improved year to date market recovering to a minus 17.8% compared to the previous year.
The Scooter segments performance ahead of the 2024 market by 4.3% in the month where the Motorcycle segments remained negative albeit still vastly improved from the first 6 months. Standout style segments in the month were Adventure closing at 0.6% ahead of last year and Road Sport an impressive 15.5% on the same month in 2024. Read more.
National Motorcycle Dealers Association
“The new motorcycle market has displayed signs of recovery, steadying after last month’s sharp decline. However, with registrations still in the negative, it suggests consumer confidence has not fully stabilised at the beginning of Q3” commented Symon Cook, Head of National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), according to the latest figures published by Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA).
New registrations in July saw improvement to -2.4% up 16% compared to last month’s -18.6% figure. Meanwhile, the “year-to-date” market slightly recovered to -17.8% compared to 2024.
Symon Cook concluded: “NMDA is pleased with the improvement when considering 2025’s decline and dealers can have a positive outlook for the remainder of Q3. However, we are concerned that the market has been largely ignored by the Government. Recently the Government introduced the new Electric Car Grant with a discount of £3,750, yet nothing of this ilk to incentivise consumers to buy motorcycles.
Looking ahead, the NMDA will be closely monitoring whether this boost can continue into the positive in the second half of the year and what impact the upcoming Autumn Budget may have on the industry.” Read more.
National Motorcyclists Council
The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) has welcomed news that the Department for Transport (DfT) is considering options for reviewing the current training, testing and licensing regime. The NMC, along several motorcycling organisations and other road safety stakeholders were told the news by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood MP who attended a round table meeting of the Government’s Motorcycle Strategic Focus Group on January 20th to discuss licensing and other aspects of motorcycle safety and policy. Read more…
Motorcyclists face an even bumpier ride this summer, according to The Pothole Partnership.
July’s AA Pothole Index reveals a clear spike in incidents the AA was called out to caused by potholes, compared to the same period last year. While earlier in the year callouts for pothole damage to members’ cars had reduced, offering hope that the UK was turning a corner, the latest figures signal an unwelcome reversal, with a 2% rise over July 2024 figures (50,091 incidents compared to 49,081).
Earlier optimism was underpinned by the impact of more extensive road repairs and increased government financial support. Yet the hotter weather this summer has contributed to a surge in pothole incidents, reversing positive trends and highlighting the persistent vulnerability of the UK’s road network. Read more.
Responding to reports in the Times, followed by the BBC and other media outlets about the Government’s plans for the forthcoming Road Safety Strategy, the NMC this morning has underlined the need for the new Strategy to have a clear focus on improving motorcycle safety though greater policy recognition for motorcycling and road safety support for motorcyclists as vulnerable road users.
NMC Executive Director Craig Carey-Clinch said: “We welcome news that the Government’s long overdue Road Safety Strategy is finally progressing, particularly as the overall level of road casualties has not significantly changed since 2013. However, the strategy must have a strong focus on supporting safety improvements for motorcycling. These must be focussed on holistic measures to reduce rider vulnerability through recognition and inclusion in overall transport policies, with supporting actions to improve rider accessibility and reduce risks that riders face on the roads – including access to bus lanes. This must include safer infrastructure, further pressure on roads maintenance and an emphasis on supporting the greater roll out of post-test rider and car driver education. Read more
FEMA
A new study is sounding the alarm on the hidden threat all motorcyclists are aware of: the steel safety barriers lining thousands of kilometres of roads.
Motorcyclists across Europe are familiar with the dangers of slippery curves and unexpected obstacles. Researchers confirm that these barriers, designed primarily to protect car occupants, are a serious risk to motorcyclists in a specific type of accident: upright crashes. When a rider hits a barrier in an upright position, their chest or abdomen often slams directly into the sharp upper edge of the guardrail. The research paper calls for better guardrails to protect motorcyclists in these upright crashes.
While ‘motorcycle-friendly’ barriers already exist to reduce injuries from sliding crashes, where riders slide into the barrier after falling off their bike, the upper edge of standard guardrails remains lethal in upright impacts. Published in the journal Infrastructures, the study reviews a wide range of patents and designs aimed at reducing the danger of upper-edge impacts. The research team, made up of safety engineers and infrastructure experts, assessed thirteen international designs for their potential to save lives, including both low-cost retrofits and high-tech barrier add-ons. .
British Motorcyclists Federation
Moto Guzzi’s factory at Mandello del Lario, which has been building bikes since the 1920s, is to get a comprehensive makeover, led by renowned American architect Greg Lynn. (And yes, he owns a Guzzi).
The factory has long been a place of pilgrimage for Moto Guzzi fans, hosting rallies and welcoming riders to its own museum. The plant’s distinctive architecture and its iconic wind tunnel (built in the 1950s to develop race bike aerodynamics) have made it one of the world’s most famous motorcycle factories. The overhaul will include new event zones and facilities for visitors, but the Guzzi faithful can relax – Mandello won’t become a theme park, and will still be building bikes. Read more.
Motorcycle Action Group
With over 25 years of experience, Motosparkz provides a mobile auto electrical service for all types of vehicles within York and its surrounding areas.
Whether your vehicle is old or new, classic or bespoke, we cover a range of vehicles from motorbikes, cars, campervans to larger modes of transport like horseboxes, motorhomes and boats and provide electrical solutions for all. 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.
Welcome to our Highway Code film series, designed specifically for young and new riders aged 16- 20 riding in an urban environment!
Our goal is to highlight the most important signs, rules, and regulations from the Highway Code that are crucial for your safety. Each short film will highlight the importance of specific Highway Code signs and show you how to follow them in real urban environments. By understanding and following these rules, you’ll not only protect yourself but also contribute to the safety of everyone on the road. Most importantly for you, by staying on top of these rules, you’ll not get fines and points on your licence, keeping you on the road without any legal hassles. Read more.
Look after your bike/moped and it will look after you. Carrying out a few simple checks before each ride could save your life. Use POWDERS
Petrol
- Do you have enough for your journey?
- Is the reserve tap off?
- Check there are no leaks Read more…