Table of Contents
Editorial
What a year! From the start of the year, right through to mid-August, it was either cold, wet, or both! There were the odd few days of pleasant weather. SAM members just kept riding. This year has been really loaded with issues that a small group of unpaid, volunteer charity members cannot resolve. We’ve ensured that we kept our focus on improving the education, riding skills and social role of motorcyclists in our local community. We have helped to put the spotlight on a range of national issues that affect motorcyclists every time they ride.
Safer riding: This year SAM members have continued to promote our primary purpose in providing advanced rider training. We have recognised that the increased use of technology doesn’t replace riding skills and roadcraft, but highlights the need to embrace, adapt and learn how to use it more effectively. Whether this includes, the latest electronic technology, increased hazard perception, developing high speed braking, or using video to capture and share poor road user behaviour.
Rider safety: We’ve supported motorcyclists safety campaigns to improve UK highways, review motorcyclist education, licensing and training, removing VAT from airvests, gain bus lane access by default and the lack of national and local government recognition of the positive social role of motorcyclists and the wider motorcycling community.
Members health & welfare: Throughout the year we have taken steps to ensure that those members having a hard time get the support they need. This may be informing about appropriate services, a lift to a breakfast meet, an in-person visit, a phone call or simply a message through the newsletter.
NHS & charity support: We have continued our support for the Whiteknights Blood Bikes. In total, we’ve trained 90% of their riders. Our members have undertaken some gruelling charity rides and donated generously to supporting a wide range of good causes. We have even donated spare riding kit to help young people just starting a motorcycling life.
Finally, the SAM Committee sends you our very grateful thanks to all our members, family and friends, who have supported us throughout the year. We wish you a very happy New Year and look forward to meeting, socialising and riding with you all next year. Ride safe and happy reading.
Editor & Webmaster
PS: This is my 14th year as your Editor and Webmaster. It is an honour and a privilege that you continue to support me in these roles. Thank you.
Ride safer into a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Serving our local community
Advanced rider training for all bikers
Real road safety from charity volunteers
Your success is our success!
Congratulations to Norman Leighton (and Observer, Steve Wilds) on passing your Advanced Motorcycle test earlier today. Well done to both!
Advanced riders are safer road users, ride longer, rider further, meet more people and enjoy a healthier, happier life!
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
Here’s a quick rundown of the latest motorcycling news from the past week:
READY TO RACE is more than a slogan for KTM
It defines our existence. In competition, there are highs and lows, daring and disappointment, and victory and defeat. 2024 has been a year of conquests but also challenges for the company. Heading into 2025 and beyond, there are more jumps, ruts and bumps ahead – but we are not letting off the throttle.
KTM’s New Adventure Bike
KTM has launched the **1390 Super Adventure R**, a rugged off-road bike packed with advanced technology. This bike is designed for globetrotters and adventure enthusiasts, offering a powerful V-twin engine and enhanced features for off-road adventures.
KTM Sweet Lamb Adventure Bike Experience
KTM UK has announced the end of their Sweet Lamb Adventure Bike Experience after a five-year partnership with the mid-Wales venue. This marks the end of an exciting chapter for adventure bikers in the region.
Benelli TRK 902 Xplorer Announced:
The adventure bike scene is heating up with Benelli’s announcement of the TRK 902 Xplorer for 2025. This middleweight adventure bike looks set to compete with other popular models in the category. More details are expected to be released closer to its launch.
Dainese’s Helmet Recycling Project
**Dainese** has announced a revolutionary helmet recycling project aimed at reducing plastic waste. The project involves recycling old helmets to manufacture new ones, cutting down on virgin plastic use.
Helmet Law Exemptions for Sikhs
Turban-wearing Sikhs in New South Wales are advocating for exemptions from mandatory helmet laws to honor their religious practices. The turban holds deep significance in Sikhism, symbolizing self-respect and spirituality. Community leaders argue that current helmet requirements impede their ability to ride motorcycles and affect employment opportunities in sectors requiring helmet use. They propose solutions like permit systems or special license indicators. However, safety experts, including the Australian Medical Association, oppose such exemptions due to heightened injury risks. Notably, countries like New Zealand, the UK, and Malaysia have granted similar exemptions.
Motorcycle Live 2025
Tickets for the **Motorcycle Live 2025** show are now on sale. The event will take place at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and promises to be a must-visit for any motorcycle enthusiast.
Sylvain Guintoli’s Charity Auction
Former World Superbike champion **Sylvain Guintoli** raised over £4,000 for children’s cancer charity **Young Lives vs Cancer** through a kit auction. The auction included several racing items from his 2024 season.
Somerset Blood Bikes Charity
The **Freewheelers EVS Blood Bikes Service** in Somerset celebrated the return of their stolen Yamaha Tracer 9 GT delivery motorcycle. The bike was swiftly recovered, much to the relief of the life-saving charity.
CCM’s New Managing Director
**CCM** has appointed a new Managing Director, **Jason Broome**, who has big plans for the company. Broome aims to launch fresh product lines and expand the company’s offerings over the next three years.
E-scooter legalisation could cause more UK road casualties.
Despite being a “sustainable” transport offer, it is feared. Under the new Labour Party government, e-scooters could be legalised – but with the move comes the threat of increased traffic chaos and accidents. The move has been met with mixed responses, with IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards Nicholas Lyes stating: “We know that around half of all casualties involving e-scooters are outside of trial areas, which demonstrates the ‘wild west’ nature of private e-scooter misuse that is happening on our roads and pavements.”
That’s all for this week’s motorcycling news! What’s your favorite story from this roundup? After you’ve finished reading, let me know via the popup form!
If you’re on the hunt for a new bike and looking for the best way to fund it, you might want to have a read of this. Alan Dowds explores the smartest, cheapest, and best ways to finance a new bike…
For most of us, a bike is one of the biggest things we buy. After a house and a car, a proper motorcycle will be the thing that soaks up most cash. Times are hard for lots of people, but we still need our bikes, don’t we? And being a little bit smarter can mean getting the bike we want, while still having money for those little luxuries like food, electricity and school shoes for the kids. Bless them. Read more…
I don’t know if you’ve heard, but KTM is in some serious trouble. Aside from layoffs, insolvency hearings, MotoGP development pauses, and a culling of the board, it really hasn’t sold all that many motorcycles over the last year. How many hasn’t it sold you ask?
How does a year’s worth sound? Or to put it into actual numbers, 265,000 unsold motorcycles. Low wolf whistle…Read more…
The topic of sustainable alternative fuels has been on fire for quite some time now. More and more, people are looking at things other than electricity to achieve carbon neutrality. And while it’s generally agreed that EVs still hold the key to the future of mobility, it’s reassuring to see more and more initiatives geared towards alternative fuels to keep the good old internal combustion engine alive and kicking.
We’ve talked a whole bunch about hydrogen and how it has the potential for mass adoption in the not too distant future. But another, often overlooked alternative fuel source is something much closer to home—so close that some folks actually deal with it on a daily basis. Read more…
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...
‘Tis the season of merry. As the temperatures drop, a lot of adventure motorcyclists experience the tick to wander off on a new adventure. As majestic as it sounds, riding in cold weather is an unusual situation that calls for your respect as a rider and an understanding of how to handle it safely.
If you’re new to it, it might be even more intimidating for you. Regardless of whether you’re a cold-weather riding enthusiast or someone who’s got caught in such a situation, here are the 5 most important things you need to take care of for riding in the cold. Read more…
Motorcyclists will find any excuse to take their beloved bike over a car in most situations. Admittedly, our preferred mode of transportation can lead to a few tricky situations, namely, what to do with our helmets and other riding gear once we’ve arrived. Let’s paint the picture, folks: What do you do with your helmet once you’re at the fancy soiree you’ve been looking forward to, or perhaps a dinner date, or going to class? These are a few examples of how our gear can get in the way of any awkward conversation we motorcyclists love to make! But the fact remains that leaving a helmet unsecured, resting elegantly upon a mirror or fuel tank, makes it an easy target for any ne’er-do-well, and we MOrons would never encourage operating a motorcycle without a helmet. So, the question is: How do you lock a motorcycle helmet to your motorcycle? Read more…
They want my sick pay back
I was knocked off my bike on a mini-roundabout and off work for 12 weeks. I was examined by the other side’s medical expert and he says no more than four weeks off work was required, which I disagree with as I was simply physically unable to do my job! My employer wants me to repay 12 weeks’ sick pay for the time I had off that they paid me for but if I can only claim four weeks’ pay then I am going to be out of pocket. Can I resolve this? Read more…
Adventure & Touring
One of the greatest trials of my 2010 journey took place in Patagonia during the depths of winter. My KTM and I endured temperatures as low as -15°C, which obliged me to acquire high mountain clothing in order to deal with this horrendous cold, made even more intense by the fact I was traveling by motorcycle, which easily doubled the wind-chill factor.
Bundled up with six layers of thermal clothing so limited my body’s movement that I felt like a robot. Under my already thick motorcycle jacket was a thermal undershirt, a polar stretch jacket, a Polar 200 jacket, a down jacket, and a windbreaker. And, my lower extremities were covered with a similar assemblage, including two pairs of very thick socks. Read more…
From 2017 to 2019, Matt Bishop and Reece Gilkes (known as ‘The Sidecar Guys’) circumnavigated the globe on a Honda SH300i scooter with a specially-built sidecar – setting a Guinness World Record in the process – with two main aims: to show the world is filled with good people and to highlight the terrifying scale of modern slavery. Read more…
History & Custom
Tokyo Triple: A 2010 Triumph Street Triple 675 café racer from Japan
The mid-sized street bike market is one of the hottest on the planet, and the Triumph Street Triple is near the top of the list. It’s light, makes great power, sounds awesome, and seems generally great to live with. Heck, even the Street Triple’s most divisive feature—its distinctive dual headlight design—has grown on us over…Read more »
Former Grand Prix motorcycle racer and Isle of Man TT winner Tommy Robb has died at the age of 90. The Northern Irish rider’s racing career highlights included multiple North West 200 victories in the 250cc class between 1959 and 1965, as well as an Isle of Man TT race win in 1973, competing in the Ultra Lightweight category aboard a Yamaha. Read more…
I’m a fan of classic movies. I love The Thin Man, Rocky Horror Picture Show, What’s Up, Doc?, and even pretty much every single one of The Pink Panthers. Even the ones where they go full James Bond and use lasers to disintegrate Inspector Dreyfus.
But I’m an outlier of my generation (millennials), and according to everything online, none of those younger than me care about those movies. Nor does either camp have the sort of foot-loose and fancy-free access to a buttload of money to purchase anything other than the basic necessities of life. Least of all, a prop from a movie that’s 55 years our junior. Read more…
Whiteknights Blood Bikes
Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes have today received a cheque for £72 from Andrea the manager at the Ivanhoe WMC in Conisbrough,all donations are really appreciated thank you!!! Pictured are Andrea & South Yorkshire Manager, Roy.
Another national relay completed today with the help of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes.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
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…
Would YOU get this theory test question right?
I’ll admit that I didn’t.
“You have stopped in an emergency area. What must you do before you rejoin the carriageway?
Choose one of the following:
– Use the emergency telephone
– Give an arm signal as you are moving off
– Switch on your vehicle’s headlights
– Move away with your hazard lights on”
I puzzled over that one for quite a while. I’d say the main problem is spotting a gap in the traffic and merging into it smoothly. The obvious wrong answer is the arm signal. There are times these ARE useful but not when you’re trying to rejoin fast traffic. Whilst headlights might illuminate the tail lights too which could conceivably help drivers realise you’re on the move, I plumped for moving off with the hazards on.
I didn’t actually think it was the right answer, and it wasn’t. So by elimination you know now that it was the first answer ‘use the emergency telephone’ that was correct. But I confess, that word ‘must’ had me doubting. You MUST use the phone? Hmm. Read more…
‘I don’t agree but never mind’ Part 5
The other day I posted one of my 60 Second videos on YouTube. I must have picked a snappy title because it got rather more hits than most of my vids – though I’ve got a way to go before I’m getting 1m+ views on them. Anyway, as usual the responses made interesting reading. Read more…
How fast is too fast? 20’s plenty (sometimes!)
If there’s one topic that’s guaranteed to get the average motorcyclist’s hot under the collar, it’s the proliferation of 20 mph limits. The growing adoption of 20 mph (30 kph) speed limits in many towns and cities, particularly in Europe and here in the UK, is largely driven by concerns over road safety, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. Read more...
Motorcycling Organsiations
IAM RoadSmart
Has it been a while since you passed your Advanced test? 
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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.*
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:
IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards Nicholas Lyes said: “This record funding settlement will bring some festive cheer for motorists and cyclists alike. The emphasis is often on the nuisance and cost implications of potholes, but for many, particularly motorcyclists and pedal cyclists, poorly maintained roads are huge safety risk. While this level of funding will need maintaining for several years, motorists will hope journeys go a little more smoothly from next year.” Read more…
Are you aware of the OAP framework when out riding? 
National Motorcyclists Council
Opinion Piece: -WHY DO MOTORCYCLISTS FEEL THEY ARE IGNORED? Because they are!
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
The Icelandic motorcyclists’ organisation BLS have launched a fundraiser for their Road Administration (IRCA). It is meant to be a positive way to raise awareness about the huge deficit that Iceland has accumulated in regard to road maintenance. BLS is collecting cans, bottles and other recyclables in partnership with the recycling company in Iceland. Read more…
A majority of EU member states wants to include motorcycles in the new Regulation on circularity requirements for vehicle design and on management of end-of-life vehicles (end-of-life vehicle means a vehicle which is waste or vehicles that are irreparable). Some members did ask for more data and for feasibility studies when it comes to inclusion of motorcycles and other powered two- and three-wheelers. This is the outcome of an environment meeting of the European Council on Tuesday 17 December 2024. The Hungarian presidency of the European Union was not able to complete the end-of-life dossier and reach a Council position, so it will now be handled by the Polish presidency, which will start from January 2025. …
British Motorcyclists Federation
The Department for Transport has today announced further details of fundingto fix potholes across England. Local authorities will be allocated a share of around £1.6billion funding to be used to repair the roads most need of repair, with amounts of up to £500million expected to be awarded. The Government is also requiring local authorities to collect the correct data on pothole related issues and to improve maintenance before potholes start to form. This is in line with calls from the Pothole Partnership which demanded more transparency, plus better reporting and standards as part of the solution to roads maintenance issues. The funding also has built-in incentives, with 25% of this uplift held back until authorities have shown that they are delivering. Read more…
The Government has set out its vision for a new Integrated National Transport Strategy built on a “people first” approach to transport that “seamlessly joins all modes of transport together and puts people at the heart of our transport system.” Click here for link
In launching a public consultation on the new strategy, the Department for Transport has said they want everyone to be able to contribute to the new vision and to provide ideas on how the new strategy can best deliver greater opportunity, healthier communities and better lives. The new strategy will “set the framework for how they meet people’s transport needs today and in the future.” Motorcyclists have been specifically asked to contribute to the consultation. 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
