Table of Contents
Editorial
Everybody had something to say last Saturday. There was a discussion on a newly-fitted wind deflector at the top of a bike’s windshield. For one SAM rider it cured the helmet buffeting from the standard windshield. We talked about the value-for-money, endurance and affordability of a new Royal enfield. It’s not fast, but does the job of carrying the rider to their destination. We talked about motorcycle dealers. Following the implementation of Sheffield’s clean air zone, relocating outside of the city. One highlight of the morning meet was a slow puncture. At one point there were 7 members helping, 5 watching and 2 examining the rear tyre. Fran (Chair) came to the rescue with a small, battery operated pump. Ten minutes later the rider, followed by another member, rode to RTT at Hoyland to get the puncture fixed. We never did find the leak, but the tyre re-inflated and held its pressure. Everyone caught up on the week’s news and shared their views before riding out.
There will be a re-designed SAM website in the New Year. The webmaster is working hard on getting the new design ready. We’d like ALL our website visitors to share their views on the pop-up form.
It has been a very rough year for UK motorcyclists. Most government transport policy doesn’t even know we exist! There was a breakfast meeting last week between Fabian Hamilton (Leeds North MP & biker), the NMC (National Motorcyclists Council) and the NAMD (National Association of Motorcycle Dealers). The aim to find ways to:
- put motorcycling into mainstream transport policy,
- Streamline licensing, training and testing,
- generating interest in road safety, potholes and road maintenance.
In a stinging article, Anna Zee (NMC Chair & BMF Director of political and technical services), lays out why UK motorcyclists feel ignored. Getting the UK Government to stop stereotyping, stigmatising and ignoring motorcyclists is woefully needed. For any other social group the prejudicial and negative stereotyping would be considered illegal. We live in hope!
Onto other news, Amazon have stopped non-CE approved motorcycle kit being sold on their website. Kevin Williams reminds us that the end of the so-called ‘motorcycling season’ is a good time for a DIY riding health check. He even offers a couple of FREE checklists to help with the task. Definitely something we can all use from time to time.
Finally, not everyone will have a great time this Christmas, but know that every member having a hard time has our best wishes. To ALL SAM members, their families and friends, we send you seasons greetings and hope that you have the best Christmas possible. 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
Let’s dive into the latest motorcycling news from the past week. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned rider, there’s something here for everyone.
General news
Leeds North Labour MP, Fabian Hamilton – a motorcyclist. has raised concerns that the Labour Party’s vision for UK transport doesn’t include much about motorcycling. He hosted a joint breakfast meeting with the NMDA (National Motorcycle Dealer Association) and the NMC (Nation Motorcyclists Council). They discussed bringing motorcycling into mainstream UK transport policy, streamlining licence training and testing, recruitment and generating interest in the industry and road safety, potholes and road maintenance. In a sector valued at £7 billion to the UK economy and employing 50,000 people it was agreed that the motorcycle industry is at a crossroads. It can embrace innovation, sustainability and inclusivity towards an economically sustainable future, or remain in the wilderness of forgotten UK Government policy. In a stingingly critical article, Anna Zee (NMC Director of Political and Technical Services) spells out the grievances of UK motorcyclists left without political understanding or inclusion. Only walking, cycling and horse riding are mentioned in current government policy documents.
If you’re planning a ride this Christmas, you’ll be happy to hear that petrol prices are set to drop to their lowest levels since the pandemic. The RAC’s latest Fuel Watch report shows significant savings at the pump.
Motorcycle Live 2025 Tickets on Sale
Tickets for Motorcycle Live 2025 are now on sale, with early bird prices fixed at the same fee as last year’s event. The show will feature the latest models from top manufacturers, live action displays, and appearances by motorcycling celebrities.
The Freewheelers EVS Blood Bikes Service is celebrating the swift return of one of their Yamaha Tracer 9 GT delivery motorcycles after it was stolen from the driveway of a volunteer.
Market news
The UK motorcycle market is showing signs of stabilization after a dip in 2023. By the end of April 2024, new bike sales were up by a hair’s breadth – just 0.1%, or 42 extra bikes sold compared to the same period last year. Adventure bikes are leading the charge with an 11% increase in sales, likely fueled by the popularity of BMW’s R-series GS models.
November registration figures released by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) have revealed a slight uptick in sales for the month, closing the gap on the struggling figures seen throughout the year.
Honda maintains its top spot in the UK market, despite a slight decline in sales. Triumph is the star performer, with a whopping 25.4% increase in sales. Other notable performances include Royal Enfield (+12.4%) and Lexmoto (+38.1%), showing growing interest in both classic styling and affordable options.
The electric motorcycle segment is seeing mixed results. While L3 class electric bikes saw a slight increase of 0.1%, the L1 category experienced a significant drop of 21.3%. This suggests that riders are more interested in higher-performance electric options.
Despite the financial woes of the parent company, Pierer Mobility AG, the Austrian firm KTM has launched its most radical off-road focussed globetrotter to date, the 1390 Super Adventure R. This V-twin rally-raiding behemoth joins the earlier models with more advanced technology and a whopping 170.6bhp.
Amid KTM’s financial turmoil, which pertains solely to the organization and not its MotoGP project, MV Agusta found itself drawn into the speculation. In response, MV Agusta clarified that its design, development, and production processes have always been carried out at its Varese facility. The Italian manufacturer highlighted its strong sales performance this year, bolstered by the introduction of nine new models. However, to reveal the truth and highlight the brand’s growth, MV Agusta said in a statement:
“Looking with pride at what 2024 has been for MV Agusta, we are already working on what 2025 and the years ahead will bring. We want to involve you by sharing accurate information and the company’s results. First, it’s important to know that all decisions, development, and operations related to MV Agusta happen in Varese. Between 2023 and 2024, 60% of the company’s management has been renewed with the addition of new professionals from the motorcycle and automotive sectors, both Italian and international. This strategy has made MV Agusta completely independent in all its operations. “
After a short lived stint in its original Single-cylinder form, the Svartpilen neo-scrambler is back for the 2024 model year, now powered by KTM’s LC8c 799cc Parallel Twin engine – a mill first seen in the 790 Adventure and Duke models. The frame was also brought over from the orange side and uses WP Apex suspension to round out the chassis. That is to say, it’s built on a platform proven to perform – and it continues to, dressed in black. The Svartpilen gives a more relaxed, upright riding position than its more angular sibling while delivering style that only Husqvarna can.
Dainese, owners of AGV Helmets, have announced a world-first helmet recycling and manufacturing scheme. This project aims to cut virgin plastic use by several tonnes, all without compromising rider safety. The ultimate goal of this project is to create a fully sustainable helmet model, without using glue and by reducing the amount of different materials, thereby facilitating the recycling process.
Zero Motorcycles made waves by showcasing their first XE and XB models to the UK audience. This marks a significant step in bringing more electric options to British riders, potentially changing the game for eco-conscious motorcyclists.
Racing news
In a major announcement for motorcycle racing fans, MotoGP will be returning to Brazil in 2026. After a long absence, the series will be held at the Goiânia International Racetrack Ayrton Senna. This is fantastic news for Brazilian fans and adds another exciting venue to the MotoGP calendar.
British Superbike Championship (BSB) star Bradley Ray has made a successful return to testing with the OMG Racing team. Ray, who is currently second in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship, joined forces with Kyle Ryde and Joe Talbot for the test in Almeria, Spain. This is a positive step for Ray as he looks to build on his strong performances in 2024.
In the World Superbike Championship, Toprak Razgatlioglu continued his dominant streak, achieving a record-breaking seventh consecutive victory. Meanwhile, Jonathan Rea secured a much-needed podium for Yamaha, hinting at a stronger finish to the season
Altus Motorsports signed Maclain Drucker for the AFT Singles 2025 season, while Sonya Lloyd prepares for her first full season in World Women’s Cross Racing. These developments signal excitement in the racing community as teams finalize their rosters for next year.
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...
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a recall of the Jet Womens Motorcycle Jacket and Trousers that were sold on Amazon. Bennetts BikeSocial has reported on other cases of potentially dangerous motorcycle kit sold on the online marketplace, including motorcycle airbags and motorcycle gloves, which – as you can see in the video below, were the number one best-seller on Amazon. Read more…
DIABLO POWERCRUISER represents the completely new Custom-Touring line of Pirelli high-performance tires designed specifically for selected models of sport Cruiser and Bagger machines. With DIABLO POWERCRUISER, Pirelli targets owners of the new Cruiser and Bagger V-Twin, bikes characterized by searing acceleration and fun to ride, which have become more high-performing over time in terms of torque output and handling. These machines are aimed at customizers who combine aesthetic research with performance tuning, and who are therefore looking for a tire capable of adding high performance and sportiness to their creations. Read more…
Adventure & Touring
The Antrim Coast Road is one of the top rides in the UK, but I would be lying if I said that this was a great winter ride from start to finish. Not because the coast road itself isn’t great (it really is!), but because I had to get there first, and I was in the English Midlands. With time being of the essence, that meant a long slog on motorways to get to where I wanted to be. Read more…
History & Custom
In 1983, 17-year-old Bryn Owen from Leicestershire, England, made headlines for his incredibly unique Vespa scooter, which was a striking blend of personal style and youthful ambition. The scooter was unlike any other, adorned with 34 mirrors and 81 lights on both the front and back. Every single one of these additions was purchased with Bryn’s pocket money, showcasing his dedication to customizing his ride. His Vespa became a symbol of the youthful culture of the 1980s, where individual expression through modified vehicles, particularly scooters, was a popular trend among teenagers.
Crossover: A Streamline BMW Off- Roader from Stile Italiano
You’re sure to face opposition calling something the first of its kind, but the consensus is that the BMW R80G/S invented the large-displacement dual-sport scene—a segment that flourishes today. The R80 and its successor the R100GS combined the best of BMW’s road-going features with increased suspension travel and the new ‘monolever’ swingarm in a form…Read more »
My Dad, Jim Dowds, started his working life as a car mechanic, though by the time I came along, he had moved on to work at the IBM computer factory in Greenock. Amazingly, back in the 1960s, computers had a lot of mechanical parts in them – solenoids, relays and the like – meaning hands-on practical skills were useful to the American mainframe maker.
He always worked on his own cars though, so I grew up watching him maintain and repair a series of 1970s and 80s motors – from a Ford Anglia and a couple of Austin Allegros to a Vauxhall Viva. Then, when I got my first motorbike – a Honda CG125 – he had the tools, the skills and the confidence to help me learn how to fix the bloody thing. Six months later, I had passed my test and had a decent summer job, that let me buy a big bike – a Kawasaki GPz550, which felt like an utter rocketship. Of course, I soon blew that up, and was stripping it down on the kitchen table, with help from my old Dad again. Read more…
While it could be argued that buying a readily built track bike is a great route to go down, it’s not without its pitfalls. It is a bit of a lottery because quite often you’re buying on faith, and the hope that the bike you’re purchasing is what the seller claims it to be. As mentioned, that reality can often be quite a different story and a lot of people end up being burnt by their new buy, with very little scope of going back to their seller and getting any help or compensation. With these factors in mind, you’ll probably grasp why my preferred route to go down is building my own bike. The downsides of this path include the build cost, the price of new parts, and the time it will take you to put it together, but the bonus of owning a bike that you know is straight and the spec you want is rewarding. If you’re tempted to go down this path, here are some points to consider…Read more…
Whiteknights Blood Bikes
This is my 2nd free bike I’ve done for Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes now and hopefully I’ll be some more next year for this fantastic group of volunteers. This bike had done over 72,000 miles so it was never going to be perfect but now is got a 5yr ceramic coating on it should be easier for them to keep the bike clean.
…. 07960 478764
…simon@spsmotorbikedetailing.co.uk
Today three Blood Bike groups have taken part in a national relay of Fecal Microbial Transplantation (FMT) samples.South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership
Have a safe journey home everyone.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
Toes, ball or arch of foot on the pegs – what’s best?
Last time out, I discussed which foot to put down when we stop – it didn’t really surprise me that the topic generated some hot debate which ranged from “it depends” (which is my position) to the opposite “always do it this way” statements. I rather enjoy these debates, so here’s a related question – once we’ve pulled away again, where should I keep my feet on the pegs? It’s another question that gets a mixed response. 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…
What ‘too fast for the conditions’ really means
When police investigate road traffic crashes, one of the common conclusions they draw is that speed – specifically, riding or driving too fast for the conditions – plays a significant role in many incidents.
But as I’ve said many times, clearly the driver or rider wasn’t ‘too fast for the conditions’ up to the point of the crash; if they had been, they would have crashed earlier. So quite clearly, something changed at the point things went pear-shaped. What matters was not the speed but our ability to interact safely with the riding environment. Here are the three main ways our response can go wrong.
Official – near-misses ARE confused with skill
Typical! Just a day after I launch my latest book ‘Crash Scene: MOTORCYCLE’, my feed linking to relevant research sends me to a paper which confirms what I’ve believed for many years – that drivers don’t learn from accidents or near-accidents, and that that there is a genuine risk that we mentally recalibrate near-misses as skilled behaviour. Though the study looked at drivers, I can’t imagine that motorcyclists will behave very differently, despite our inherent vulnerability. Read more…
A DIY health check
From time to time, someone drops me a line to book an on-road training session and in the course of the discussion about what they want to get out of the day, it turns out to be less about ‘being taught’ and more about a ‘sanity check’.
“I don’t think my riding is too shabby, but I do wonder if I am taking too many risks / getting complacent / forgetting stuff” is a typical statement.
As I run more and more online coaching sessions, it’s a question that’s cropped up there too, and I’m more than happy to run these courses either way, and it does highlight the point that we should all give ourselves a ‘health check’ from time to time, particularly as even experienced riders make newbie mistakes.
Amazon forced to withdraw non-CE riding kit
In a HUGE step forward, Amazon – the American multinational technology company engaged in e-commerce and various other online activities) have been ordered by Trading Standards to not only remove motorcycle clothing being sold in the UK without the necessary CE approval, but to recall the items that have been sold and to refund buyers.
I have reported on how Paul Varnsverry has been working tirelessly with Trading Standards to identify and report non-compliant riding kit – he did the rounds of the various motorcycle shows a few years back and as a result many garments were pulled from trade stands and a few stands were closed down completely.
Paul has been working with John Milbank at Bennetts Social too, and John has produced some excellent videos to prove just how poor some of this kit is – there’s a horrifying video of a pair of Amazon’s ‘best-selling’ motorcycle gloves being ripped to shreds on a test machine.
But they have had rather less success when it comes to alerting online retailers such as Amazon and Facebook Marketplace to the retailers who are selling the non-certificated clothing online.
So it’s great news to see that Amazon at least has accepted responsibility for providing a market place where traders can continue to punt out poor quality kit.
Here’s the Bennetts article:
Motorcycling Organsiations
IAM RoadSmart
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IAM RoadSmart announces its first Investing in Volunteers award
Britain’s leading road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has been awarded the prestigious Investing in Volunteers award.
The charity, which has around 5,000 volunteers across the country that help to deliver its driver and rider courses, received the accolade in recognition of volunteer management. Read more…
It is currently the only standard that focuses on volunteers, and is based on six quality areas:
Nearly one third of those surveyed admitted to performing a U-turn and more than half divert to country lanes
More than half of motorists are diverting from motorways to potentially less safe rural roads to avoid traffic jams and congestion, according to new research [i].
IAM RoadSmart, Britain’s leading road safety charity, found that over the last twelve months, 51% of drivers have diverted from a congested motorway and headed for a country lane instead. Statistically, rural roads are the most dangerous roads in Britain, with nearly 1,000 deaths occurring on them annually, according to the Department for Transport. This compares to 84 killed on motorways and 273 fatalities on urban roads in 2023.[ii] Many country roads are narrow, with limited safe places to overtake, and are characterised by a poor road surface and blind bends.
Are you aware of the OAP framework when out riding? 
National Motorcyclists Council
As a motorcyclist participating in discussions of road safety I am only too well aware that motorcyclists are massively over-represented in the collision statistics given that overall they are only 1% to 3% of the traffic on the road. Consequently the perception of a great many people is that motorcycles are very dangerous. In turn this perception means that many people working in local government and all the way through to national government are unwilling to do anything which they think could be classed as encouraging or promoting motorcycling. So politicians and officials do not want to seem to favour motorcyclists. Not even if it would improve motorcyclists’ safety! Bikes in bus lanes, anyone? Read more…
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
Pirelli Metzeler – Tourance Next and Tourance Next 2 tyres. Under certain usage conditions (low-pressure riding, extra loads, specific road conditions, etc.), irregular tyre wear may develop, which, over time, may result in a tyre failure that may cause loss of control. TOURANCE NEXT – 150/70R18 M/C 70V, production week: 4816 to 2424. TOURANCE NEXT 2 – 150/70R18 M/C 70V, production week: 3521 to 2624. TOURANCE NEXT 2 – 150/70R18 M/C 70W, Production week: 3522 to 3524. Click here for the original listing.
Suzuki – GSX1300R (Hayabusa). Production dates: 25 December 2020 – 30 August 2024. EC-type approval/model: e6*168/2013*00077*00 (WEJ0). Due to an oil additive in the membrane, the primary sleeve in the master cylinder has become swollen and can block the bore. Cooling of the brake fluid can cause a drop in the pressure within the braking system, leading the brake-calliper pistons to be drawn inwards. This can cause greater play in the brake lever. The brake lever can come into contact with the throttle, resulting in an increase in braking distance. This can increase the risk of accidents and injuries. Click here for the original listing.
British Motorcyclists Federation
Transport Scotland is proposing to reduce speed limits to 50mph on single-carriageway roads, and possibly reduce the dual-carriageway and motorway limits to 60mph for all traffic. The National Speed Management Review, which contains the proposals, could be put out for consultation.
The idea behind the changes is to reduce the speed differential between different types of traffic, which Transport Scotland says would have safety benefits as well as reducing tailbacks behind slow moving trucks. So while bikes and cars would see the limit reduced from 60 to 50mph on single-carriageway roads, the limit for trucks over 7.5 tonnes would increase from 40 to 50mph. 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.
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
