Clothing can be ordered online direct from:
138 Morthern Road, Wickersley
Rotherham S66 1EA
Telephone: 01709 709977
Fax: 01709 709987
Click the link below
2024 was quite a tough year, but our small, local charity continued to provide successful advanced rider training; and, lots of events for everyone to enjoy. Saturday meets, despite occasionally challenging riding conditions, have been well supported and enjoyed, Although we don’t provide CBT and basic motorcycle training, we are happy to talk to prospective bikers about the rider’s journey. Where it’s impractical to walk, cycle or use public transport, motorcycles offer a cost-effective and convenient alternative. It takes effort and commitment to become an advanced rider, but we can look back on the past year and see where we are starting out.
There are many lessons to be learned from motorcycling in 2024 that we can take forward to 2025:
1. Smaller bikes rule: Due in part to financial constraints on consumer spending, there is a growing trend to smaller, lighter bikes in the category 125cc-500cc. The success of affordable machines such as Triumph’s 400cc and Royal Enfield’s Himalayan 450cc bikes, along with the availability of sub-500cc bikes shows that motorcycle manufacturers will respond to changing consumer spending habits.
2. Sport Bikes still attract riders: As the liter-class sports bike sales decline, there are increasing sales in affordable, road-oriented, supersports bikes. New models such as Yamaha’s R9, Ducati’s Panigale V2 and Aprilia’s RS457, along with the Honda CBR600RR and Kawasaki ZX-6R have become more popular. New racing classes for these bikes also helps their appeal.
3. Retro Bikes remain popular: Triumph, BSA and Royal Enfield machines continue to serve riders who want older bike designs, but also meet modern regulatory requirements.
4. Rise of Chinese manufacturers: Chinese bike makers have stepped up the quality and held down the price of their machines. Coupled with European manufacturers outsourcing production of components, has helped them to respond to consumer needs in the Northern Hemisphere.
5. Buying online: It is now much easier to buy both powered-two-wheel vehicles, components and accessories. The increased use of online sales channels has helped manufacturers, dealers and distributors respond to changing consumer buying.
6. What about the rider? In the UK, this is the black hole. Despite the massive support for default motorcycle access to bus lanes, the hotch-potch of Local Authority’s policies remains. The latest Government consultation document, a ‘people first’ ‘Integrated National Transport Strategy’, doesn’t even mention motorcyclists. Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, belatedly asked for the views of motorcyclists. Having been ignored in the default bus lane access consultation, many riders are unlikely to have any faith in the process. Despite endless ‘consultations’ and ‘discussions’, since 2016, we are still no further in revising the policy on education, training and licencing of motorcyclists.
7. The chaos of electric bikes and scooters: Thousands of hours of scarce police resources are being diverted to removing illegal electric vehicles from our streets. Allowing the importation, distribution and sales of these vehicles seems very poor judgement. Even the ‘trials’ of e-scooters haven’t shown the lower-carbon gains from commuting that were promoted when these vehicles were introduced. Severe fires from unsafe, or neglected, lithium battery charging, have added an unnecessary burden to hard-pressed fire services.
8. A crumbling UK highway infrastructure: Motorcycles, for the skilled rider, have great manoeuvrability. Such skills have been in increasing demand in 2024. Underfunding the £12bn needed to simply bring the existing road network up to standard has disappointed every road user.
Welcome to 2025! The quality assured, advanced rider training provided by our highly trained volunteer Observers will be even more needed in the coming year. We are always up for a challenge…Ride safe and happy reading.
Advanced riders are safer road users, ride longer, rider further, meet more people and enjoy a healthier, happier life!
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
Labour Party’s Transport Vision Lacks Focus on Motorcycles
An MP has raised concerns that the Labour Party’s vision for UK transport doesn’t include much about motorcycling. This leaves bikers wondering about the future of two-wheeled transport under a potential Labour government.
November Registration Figures Show Positive Turn
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.
Festive Fuel Prices Drop
If you’re planning a ride, 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.
Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show
Get ready for the Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show, happening February 14-16, 2025. This event will feature the latest models from top manufacturers, live action displays, and appearances by motorcycling celebrities.
Companies are using new tech to improve rider safety.
Crash protection firm R&G is now using scanners and computer modeling in their design process. This allows them to create more effective protection parts by virtually testing them in various crash scenarios. This kind of innovation is crucial for making motorcycling safer.
Electric Motorcycles Gaining Traction
The shift towards electric mobility continues to influence the motorcycle industry. Can-Am, known for its three-wheeled vehicles, has hinted at an exciting new electric bike. This move reflects the growing trend of traditional manufacturers embracing electric technology to meet changing consumer preferences and stricter environmental regulations.
Industry Challenges and Opportunities
The motorcycle industry faces several challenges as it moves towards 2035. Urbanization, accessibility issues, high costs, and environmental concerns are shaping modern transportation decisions. Manufacturers and suppliers are preparing for upcoming legislative changes, such as Euro 5+ regulations set to take effect in 2024-2025. These new rules will require advanced on-board diagnostics to monitor emissions performance, pushing the industry towards more sustainable practices
Crackdown on Illegal E-Bikes:
In other news, police in Derbyshire have been cracking down on illegal e-bikes, electric mopeds, and scooters. They seized a significant number of these vehicles in a recent operation. This highlights the ongoing issue of unregistered and non-compliant electric vehicles on the roads.
Going abroad?
In Sturgis, South Dakota, known for its annual motorcycle rally attracting nearly 500,000 participants, the local government is facing significant challenges. The city has experienced political turmoil, including the resignation of key city leaders and financial shortfalls. A special election is planned to address vacant leadership positions, but local interest in these roles appears limited.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2025, the motorcycling world is poised for significant changes. From the return of iconic racing events to the introduction of new electric models and the implementation of stricter emissions standards, the industry is evolving rapidly. For young riders and enthusiasts, these developments promise an exciting future filled with innovative technology, thrilling races, and a growing emphasis on sustainability in the world of two-wheeled transportation.
Worldwide, Royal Enfield sold a staggering 110,574 motorcycles in October 2024 (almost double Ducati’s yearly output for 2023). It’s a figure which represents the highest ever in the company’s history, and is a healthy 31% up over the same period in the previous year. Read more...
If You Ride Public Land, You Should Have to Buy a License. As should folks who hike, bike, backpack, camp, and otherwise recreate on public land. I’ve been thinking about this story for a while now. It’s one that constantly comes to mind whenever I write about public lands, and especially when those lands inevitably come under attack by oil, gas, and housing developers who’d sooner destroy those conserved areas. Read more…
Toad Talks: Is the Game Up for Big Electric Bikes?
With electric bike makers working on ever more radical ways to boost ranges, and legislation working against them, is the writing on the wall for battery power?
The elephant in the room this year has been electric motorcycles, and trying to fathom precisely how they will fit into the two-wheeled landscape. Sure, lightweight 125cc equivalent city bikes are selling well, and companies like Maeving and the recently announced Flying Flea brand, itself an offshoot of Royal Enfield, show that battery-powered urban mobility solutions seem to have a home within the landscape. Read more…
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...
We’ve been buying bolt-on extras for our motorcycles for decades, with many now opting for aftermarket crash protection in a bid to give their bike a little extra armour should it take a tumble. R&G know this all too well and have been building impact protectors since 1999. From humble beginnings, their products are now distributed and sold across the world – with everything designed and developed by a small team in the south of England. Read more…
When weather’s a factor – especially rain and cold – your gear makes the ride. Stifling heat in Death Valley. Biting cold in Michigan winters. Hail and snow in the Mojave. Flattening winds in the Texas panhandle. You name it, we’ve ridden through it. Oh yes, include in the list a drenching cyclone in New Zealand. In that one, veritable buckets of rain per minute descended on our group like heaven’s own turbocharged water wastegate, driving us into the nearest general store, looking for new gear to wear. (All we found were wool mittens.) Read more…
What is motorcycle touring?
Motorcycle touring is a form of tourism that involves using a motorcycle. It has been an exciting topic since at least 1915. Preparations include route planning for unknown areas, packing the necessary tools, finding food, making overnight stops, finding fuel in remote areas, and caring for the rider’s body. It can involve camping or going to motorcycle rallies along the way. Some riders take touring to extremes, with rides of thousands to over 100,000 miles or kilometres lasting years or decades. Read more…
Safety’s Off: KC Kawano’s White Knuckle Bobber
When I think of a bobber, a “bob-job,” a “cut-down,” a “chopper,” or whatever the hell you want to call it, this is what I think of: straightforward, low-slung, powerful, knuckles up, dangerous as all fuck, and American as a heart attack. This fine specimen was built by KC Kawano over the course of one…Read more »
Anyone who ever lost a West Coast concours, anyone who raced AHRMA in the good old days, or vintage raced in New Zealand, or rode with the Velocette Club, knows the name Paul Adams. And if you’re really OG, you remember his front-page feature in Classic Bike back in 1986, with a devastating cover shot of the gleaming silver and black tank of a DOHC Daytona Norton Manx. That was one of Paul’s gorgeous restorations – which he happened to also race. How he came to restore that machine, and many other ‘cammy’ Norton International and Manx models, is a story in itself. Read more…
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.
Have a safe journey home everyone.
There’s a darkness on the streets, a danger, that puts vulnerable road users; children, cyclists, pedestrians in harms way …
Over the last five-year period, winter breakdown incidents on the UK’s motorways and major A roads have increased by 22%.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
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…
Empires rarely collapse overnight. Rather, it’s typically a gradual process as internal stresses and external pressures accumulate over time, gradually eroding the foundations, weakening the empire’s ability to maintain control and adapt to new challenges. Read more…
‘Surviving the Roads – thinking like a warship captain’ It’s a mini-ebook on a novel way of thinking about risk!
I was reading a rather puzzling article by Steve Rose on the Bennetts Social site the other day which included this particular observation:
“My light bulb moment with bike technology came years ago on a magazine road test when Tom, a teenage racer was helping out on a photoshoot of used sports bikes as our ‘professional rider in controlled conditions’. While I’d have been feeling for grip and warming the tyres, Tom went straight to full attack mode and got the picture in three passes. Read more…
When riding on unlit roads, modern motorcycle lights are – compared with the 6v, 25w headlight that was fitted to my first bike – brilliant. I mean that in both senses of the word. They are much brighter, they throw light much further down the road, they usually have a better spread side to side across the road, and on low beam, they have a much improved pattern that lights up our side of the road whilst not dazzling oncoming drivers. Read more…
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:
Are you aware of the OAP framework when out riding? 
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…
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. …
Honda is in talks with Nissan and Mitsubishi about a possible merger, in a move which would create a $54 billion company, number 3 in world car sales. Honda already co-operates with Nissan on electric car technology but increasing competition from Tesla and Chinese EV manufacturers and the possible increased import duties of the incoming Trump administration, is forcing the three Japanese giants to consider a full merger. Read more…
Bolton-based CCM, one of Britain’s few motorcycle manufacturers, gave a glimpse of its future model plans at Motorcycle Live. The company, founded by Alan Clews in 1971 and run and owned by the Clews family for much of its existence, was taken over by Pitalia Capital in 2022, which until now has continued with the existing line-up of 600cc road bikes. Read more…
Britain’s classic vehicle clubs – for motorcycles, cars and commercial vehicles – are being urged to take on digital technology to combat falling memberships. Many clubs are faced with ageing demographics and a need to attract a new generation of younger members, but some are still relying on traditional methods such as printed magazines and local events. Writing in Historic, the magazine of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC), digital expert Will Jefferies said: “In today’s digital world, a strong online presence is essential to attract new members. Without it, clubs may struggle to engage younger audiences who prefer digital platforms.” Will Jefferies went on to recommend automated software for admin tasks such as membership renewal, freeing up club volunteers. Read more…
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.
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.
Dress for successYou don’t enjoy the same level of protection as other motorists. When you crash, you’ve not got the luxury of airbags, side impact protection systems, seatbelts, or head restraints.
All you’ve got to protect you is your riding gear. Read more…
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:
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.
Clothing can be ordered online direct from:
138 Morthern Road, Wickersley
Rotherham S66 1EA
Telephone: 01709 709977
Fax: 01709 709987
Click the link below
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