It’s been a week of boiling temperatures, so wise riders chose to start their journeys earlier. Most riders headed for the East coast to take advantage of the sea breeze and ice cream. Arriving home there was a surprise. Tar splatter in some difficult to reach places. It has to be removed, otherwise it bakes hard and getting it off is much more of a challenge. I’ve always used a tar remover, but one of our riders suggested petrol! I’m sure it’s a fine solution, but needs to be done out of the sun and away from any naked flames.
Facebook group, Beginners and New Motorcyclists UK, got a glowing endorsement for its welcoming, family-atmosphere, friendliness and encourage attitude toward new bikers. Visitors recognise the distinctiveness of this biker community. Social media groups have been dominated by, what these riders see as the technically challenging, Mod 1 (off road test). Recently test-pass riders are offering critical technical tips, particularly on the figure-of-eight and emergency stop manoeuvres. This shows that new riders, in addition to learning the technical aspects of riding, need an understanding, caring and supportive community to help allay their fears and anxieties. Sadly, nothing in the current DVSA proposals, or motorcycling representative organisation seem wholly focussed on the technical training and licensing needs of new riders. It appears they also see learning to ride a motorcycle as a technical challenge. New riders also need policies that show an understanding of their emotional and psychological needs. Online social media groups are stepping in to fill that yawning gap. Perhaps some established motorcycle representatives, particularly charities, can also help to provide the missing emotional and psychological support. As every experienced educationalist will recognise, technology alone is not enough.
Motorcycling this week has been shaped by a familiar mix of ambition and realism: manufacturers are pushing new metal, the safety agenda is still moving and the aftermarket continues to lean into comfort, protection and practicality. In India, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India said it is preparing to launch two or three premium motorcycles above 200cc and new electric scooter models, while also expanding manufacturing capacity toward 8 million units by FY2028. The company said the move is part of a broader localisation strategy aimed at strengthening its premium portfolio and export base. That matters beyond India because it shows where the global motorcycle market still sees growth: more choice, more electrification and more pressure to build locally. Just very little in UK!
Electric motorcycles remain a talking point, but not yet a universal answer. New reporting from Modern Classic Motorcycle News highlighted a survey in which more than eight in ten UK riders said they would not switch to an electric motorcycle, underlining the gap between industry investment and rider appetite. That tension is central to the current market. Manufacturers are betting on a transition that riders are still treating cautiously, especially when price, charging and real-world usability remain part of the debate.
At the same time, the sector is still producing genuinely interesting new machinery. Coverage this week from The Bike Junction pointed to fresh models and updates including the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally and Triumph Bonneville 400 among a wider batch of two-wheeler developments. That kind of product churn matters because it reflects a market that is no longer just about outright performance. Buyers are looking for character, usability and a clearer fit between bike and lifestyle, whether that means adventure touring, modern classics or affordable premium commuting.
Safety and training also stayed in the spotlight. The DVSA has launched proposals to improve motorcycle training, saying motorcyclists account for around 1% of traffic in Great Britain but 21% of deaths or serious injuries. The proposals include changes to CBT, possible theory-test requirements, tighter controls on automatic-only training and a digital service to replace the current paper-based system. For younger riders in particular, that is a reminder that the system is still trying to catch up with the realities of modern traffic.
Rider kit continues to reflect the same blend of function and credibility. Recent coverage included warm-weather and touring apparel, along with comms, luggage and protection products such as a limited lifetime warranty announcement for motorcycle communication systems, plus new cooling and protection-focused items from established brands. The direction of travel is clear: kit is becoming more integrated, more specialised and more safety-led, not just more stylish.
The other thread worth noting is the steady growth of event culture and rider community content. Weekly roundup coverage this week referenced dealer offers, classic-bike events and magazine-style features that keep the industry visible to everyday riders, not just showroom customers. That blend of commerce, community and content is now part of the motorcycle news cycle itself.
Advanced riders are safer road users, ride longer, rider further, meet more people and enjoy a healthier, happier life!
Fill it in, keep it updated, when needed just hand it over to health care staff.
No delay, no sharing of data with private health companies, it’s YOURS, keep it safe!
7.30pm Treeton Miners Welfare Club
Arundel Road
Treeton
Rotherham S60 5PW
It’s the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Come along to have your say and hear our plans for the coming year. There’s FOOD!!!
7.30pm start for meeting at 8pm. Gives you time to catch up on what you’ve missed!
See SAM website calendar for more details.
30th April 2026
Online Zoom Meeting
Details to be circulated
VW group don’t deny they might sell-off Ducati
Volkswagen is facing one of the most serious restructuring phases in its history and just weeks after CEO Oliver Blume signalled over 100,000 job cuts, the Financial Times reports that both internal and external advisers have urged the company to sell off more of its global portfolio. This comes after VW offloaded both its marine engine division and Bugatti, transactions widely seen as stabilising moves for the financially stressed group. Read more
Fresh Start: Fatigue
In Week Thirteen of the ‘Core Skills’ series, where I return to the essential riding foundations and rebuild them from the ground up in a fresh way whilst using a brand-new structure too, let’s look at something we all experience but rarely think about. Let’s take a Fresh Start look at fatigue.
#freshstart, #coreskills Read more
Bennetts to be sold to US insurance group
US insurer Hagerty has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire UK motorcycle broker Bennetts from Lucida Group. Hagerty said Bennetts has a ”15% UK motorcycle insurance market share” and that the deal, valued at £34m, should increase its international scale. The deal is expected to close during the third quarter of 2026.
McKeel Hagerty, chief executive and chairman, said “Bennetts is a brand built the same way Hagerty was built – by genuine enthusiasts, for genuine enthusiasts”. Read more
Heatwave, not just a few nice days
Were you to believe some of the social media ‘experts’ — and I particularly like the ‘scam’ claim — this week’s UK heatwave is just ‘a few nice days’.
it isn’t, and the science makes that very clear. While parts of the geographical north have sat closer to the mid‑20s and even lower in the far north, down south temperatures have pushed well into the 30s. That split matters: the south is now hitting thresholds where heat stops being pleasant and starts being physiologically stressful, especially for older adults, children, and anyone working outdoors. And if a beach often has a cool breeze, urban areas are considerably hotter than surrounding rural zones because of the heat‑island effect. Read more
“Don’t feed the trolls”
As discussed previously in this series, a blog allows for a kind of conversational learning that simply isn’t available via my printed columns. A blog allows for a genuine two‑way ‘push / pull’ exchange. When it works well, it’s enormously positive — a shared exploration rather than a lecture. From my perspective, it’s fulfilling too. That’s one reason I maintain them. Even when someone disagrees, that’s fine. It keeps me honest, keeps me thinking, and often pushes me to articulate ideas more clearly than I might have done without being prodded. Read more
Complexity for complexity’s sake; a Biker Boobytrap
When people hear the term ‘simple’, they often think of something that’s ‘basic’. Simplistic even. But simple does not mean simplistic. Simplistic means ignoring the complexities of a particular problem out of ignorance. Simple is very different. Both engineering and the military have a principle known as KISS; “Keep It Simple, Stupid”. Read more
Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists – What you should know!Turn Your Brand Into a Lifesaver:
Put your advert here.
Every rider knows that the difference between a close call and a tragedy often comes down to skill and awareness. By securing this advertising space, your business isn’t just reaching a dedicated audience—it’s actively funding the Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists (SAM).
Every penny of the proceeds goes directly toward advanced rider training and safety initiatives. You’ll be helping motorcyclists sharpen their skills, stay upright and return home safely. It’s a rare opportunity to boost your brand’s visibility while championing a life-saving cause. Let’s make the roads safer, one mile at a time.
Partner with us today.
“Great bunch of people. Improved my riding skills to another level. Their training is very much based on keeping the rider safe” Stephen
Added to our training work we train NHS Blood Bikers, support other charities, promote motorcycling as a cost-effective, eco-friendly urban transport solution. We also provide public education on the role of motorcycling in our community. Meet us, 9am any Saturday at Meadowhall Retail Park, Attercliffe Road, Sheffield S9 2YZ. You can help us by advertising your services in our newsletter, sponsoring young riders and sharing this newsletter. Sponsors/advertisers should email: sam-editor@iam-sheffield.bike with ‘Sponsorship’ or ‘Advertiser’ in the subject line. Thank you for your support.
34SP.com supports our charity with FREE web hosting. Over many years they have consistently provided WordPress updating, advice on hosting management and technical advice. The company makes ongoing efforts to reduce the digital carbon footprint, noting that high web traffic significantly impacts emissions. To combat this, their Manchester data centre utilizes renewable energy and follows circular IT practices through hardware recycling.Beyond infrastructure, they invest in ancient woodland restoration and global climate projects via Ecologi. These efforts are independently verified by The Green Web Foundation, aiding clients’ ESG reporting. Furthermore, the company integrates social sustainability as a Living Wage employer, blending environmental conservation with ethical local business practices to provide greener hosting solutions.
YOUR registered charity can benefit from FREE web hosting too!
Google provides approved Non-Profit organisations with Google Workspace apps. This help SAM’s Trustees to manage communication, meetings and supports our advanced motorcycle training and education to increase road safety. We also support our advanced riders to become volunteer NHS Blood Bikers.
The SAM charity is an Associate Group of IAM RoadSmart. This means that our highly skilled and experienced volunteer Observers, are trained to deliver the nationally recognised, quality assured, advanced rider training curriculum.
IAM RoadSmart is the UK’s leading road safety charity. We are recognised and trusted by the UK Government, insurance companies and other road safety organisations. We enable and monitor IAM Groups to deliver our quality assured, nationally recognised, advanced rider and driver training. Our role is simple, yet vital – to make journeys safer for everyone who uses the road.
© 2026 Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists. All rights reserved. All content in this newsletter, including text, graphics and images, is protected by UK copyright law. We gratefully acknowledge the copyright of original publishers and creators for any third-party materials featured. All such materials are used with implied permission, from online publicly shareable URLs, or under fair dealing rules on information, education and public interest. Any such content is used solely for our purposes to educate and inform our readers. Material from other providers is not not used for any commercial purpose. All URLs link directly to copyright holders. The correctness and truthfulness of all such content is the sole responsibility of those providers No part of this publication may be reproduced or shared without prior written consent from the respective copyright holders.Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists is a registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1089671)
Riding a motorcycle comes with risks. In an accident, motorcyclists’ injuries are likely to be more serious than those of other road users. To reduce these risks, the Biker I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) Card is a simple but essential tool for riders. It’s easy to use and convenient to carry. It can be folded to fit in your wallet and handed to anyone who needs it, not just accident responders.
The Biker I.C.E. Card contains all necessary information. It has contact information, important health, medical and doctor’s details, a list of medications and your doctor’s contact. If you’re in an accident, emergency services can use the card to quickly understand your health and medical needs t0 provide you with the best care possible.
Just fill in your email address below. We will keep you updated of any design changes. The card is given as FREE public service that you can use and share as many times as you like. You simply add details like your NHS or travel insurance numbers, as these can help emergency responders access your healthcare records or handle costs when travelling abroad.
Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists, well known for our quality assured advanced rider training, support the use of this card. It can be a critical safety tool. While training improves road safety, the card ensures you get the right help should things go wrong.
Download your Biker I.C.E. Card NOW, for safer rides and peace of mind!
