Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists – Weekly Newsletter 06 February 2026
Table of Contents
Editorial
It’s been a mixed weather week. As usual SAM members have made the most of the less damp days to ride out. Last week’s social media post found the depth and variety of biker’s opinions on the latest Road Safety Strategy. The ‘excessive cost’ of getting a full motorcycle licence was quickly countered by a statement of the facts. You can take an A1 licence on a 125cc machine and it’s a lot cheaper than continuously taking a CBT test. You can then take a pillion and ride on motorways. The wisdom of repeatedly taking the same instruction every two years is simply poor riding skills development. It also makes sense to follow this path before the changes are made. You can then ride a restricted 600cc machine. At this point we don’t know what new riding standard may be required. L-plate riders make up a large proportion of biker accidents. The NHS costs are significant, but nobody has discounted the value of organ donation!
New helmet tech has come in for some criticism. Inbuilt cameras, bluetooth communications, eyeline messaging are all seriously distracting to the rider. Taking the attention away from the main task of riding the bike.
It’s always worth going through the comments on biker social media feeds. The YouTube vlogger, ‘Itchy Boots’, was having problems with the cap on her fuel bag. One wise commentor suggested dental floss. Put around the threads on the neck, then make a loop to fix it to the bike. The cap is more secure and you don’t lose fluid. Of course Noraly’s solution was to visit a local store and find a cap from a bottle of oil. She got it for free.
In other news: Stakeholder Battles, MotoGP Roars, and the “Bagger” Invasion
It has been a massive week for the UK motorcycling scene. While the government’s new Road Safety Strategy consultation (launched 7 January) is now in full swing, the real story this week is the brewing battle between the UK’s biggest rider groups over how your future licence should actually work.
The Stakeholder Showdown: Safety vs. Access
The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) and the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) have officially welcomed the consultation, seeing it as a “monumental opportunity” to fix a 30-year-old system. They are pushing hard for Progressive Access, which would allow you to move from an A2 to a Full A licence via a training course rather than retaking stressful DVSA exams.
However, the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is urging caution. They’ve raised concerns that tying licensing reform to “Net Zero” targets—as seen in some industry proposals—is a risky move. Meanwhile, training experts like Phoenix Motorcycle Training have warned that “capping” CBT renewals could backfire. They argue that instead of forcing people to get full licences, it might just push lower-income delivery riders and commuters toward riding illegally or switching to untraceable e-bikes.
MotoGP Hibernation is Over
Away from the halls of Westminster, the tarmac in Malaysia is finally hot. The MotoGP Shakedown Test (29–31 January) has officially kicked off the 2026 season. All eyes are on Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, the triple WorldSBK champion making his high-stakes debut on the Prima Pramac Yamaha. Yamaha is also grabbing headlines by testing their brand-new V4 engine, a total technical pivot designed to chase down the dominant Ducatis. For us fans, seeing the 2026 prototypes hit the track is the first real sign that winter is over.
“Baggers” Are Coming to Europe
In a move that’s shaking up the marketing world, Harley-Davidson has confirmed its massive King of the Baggers racing series will join the MotoGP tour for six rounds in 2026. This means we’ll see 300kg touring bikes—complete with panniers—scraping pegs on legendary European GP circuits. It’s a bold play to prove that “old-school” cruisers have the performance to entertain a younger, sport-focused crowd.
Market Trends: The Mid-Size Boom
New data from the UK used market shows that 2026 is the year of the “Middleweight.” While sales for £20,000+ adventure bikes have cooled, the A2 and 400-700cc segments are flying. With bikes like the BMW F450GS and Honda’s updated Hornet range hitting the sweet spot of tech and affordability, younger riders are voting with their wallets for bikes that don’t require a second mortgage to insure.
Until next week, ride safe and happy reading.
The next SAM Committee Meeting will be on the 26th February 2026. The next SAM Club Night will be on the 2nd March 2026. Weekly Saturday meetings, at Meadowhall Retail Park, will continue to take place, but watch the SAM website Calendar (it’s on the front page!) for any changes. Your SAM Weekly Newsletter will drop into your inbox each week as usual.
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
2nd February 2026
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
29th January 2026
Details to be arranged
Online Motorcycling News
General
Flettner rotor wings for bikes use the Magnus effect to create variable downforce levels
Just over a century ago, German inventor Anton Flettner revealed his eponymous invention – the Flettner rotor – as a replacement for conventional canvas sails on ships. Based on spinning, vertical cylinders, they were first demonstrated in the 1920s and use a phenomenon called the Magnus effect to influence airflow passing over them – creating a pressure difference that pushes them in the desired direction.
Now BMW is looking at using the same idea to replace wing-shaped aerodynamic components on motorcycles, as revealed in a new patent from the company.
The Magnus effect was demonstrated by Heinrich Gustav Magnus – another German, this time a physicist – back in 1853. He showed how a rapidly spinning cylinder exposed to airflow would create low pressure on one side and high pressure on the other, just like a wing. It was already a known phenomenon even then, though, with Isaac Newton having explained how the same process affected spinning tennis balls to alter their path through the air back in the 17th century. Flettner’s rotors, however, found a practical use for the idea, and today in the 21st century the idea is having a resurgence, with a growing number of ships adopting Flettner rotors as sails to assist their conventional engines and improve their efficiency. Read more
Government legislation means that if you are 19 years of age and want to ride bigger motorcycles, you need to spend at least two years on an A2 licence before you can take your test to move onto a more powerful bike.
If not, you have to wait until you are 24-years-old before you can apply for your full cat A licence.
To make life easier, we’ve put together a list of seven of the best A2 licence bikes to ride. Read more
What are the best motorcycle and kit deals and discounts available right now?
Continuing our regular weekly guides to current biking offers and bargains, we’ve been scouring the marketplace – so you don’t have to!Aprilia’s Tuono 1100 V4 has long been considered as the very best of super nakeds, especially in this top spec Factory trim complete with Öhlins and ultra-sophisticated electronics and has only just been updated again with prominent aero ‘wings’ and more, so it’s rare to see one with such a big dealer discount but that’s the case here. Dealer Brighton Moto is offering this brand-new example in gleaming red and black with a full £5986 off its usual asking price of £20,781 which takes the Italian thoroughbred down now to just £14,795 Read more
What is a learner motorcycle?
For most riders, a learner motorcycle needs to have an engine that’s 125cc or smaller. That’s the short version. The longer version – get ready for an avalanche of numbers – is that it must also have a maximum power output of 11kW (about 15bhp), as well as a power-to-weight ratio no greater than 0.1kW/kg (0.134bhp/kg). In practice you don’t need to worry too much about the last bit: 125cc and 15bhp are the key numbers.
It wasn’t always like this. Britain’s first learner motorcycle law, introduced on 1st July 1961, limited riders to 250cc engines. That was all fine and dandy, because at the time it meant creaky old Brit singles. But Japanese two-stroke development soon conjured up 250cc pocket rockets that could hit 100mph. The fear of these falling into inexperienced hands caused the law to change again, so on 1st February 1983 learner riders were limited to 125cc and 9kW (12bhp). That power limit was later changed again, around 1997, increasing a whisker to 11kW (15bhp). Read more
For most of us, motorcycling isn’t exactly a money maker. Quite the opposite. But there are people making a good living from it. So, how do they combine something as emotive as biking with cool-headed business acumen? Here’s Dave Smith from the biker-friendly Buccleuch Arms hotel with tips about how he does it, and even an opportunity for you to turn that dream into reality…When you ride your bike into Moffat, the postcard-perfect Scottish town nestled between Dumfries & Galloway and the Borders, you can’t miss the Buccleuch Arms hotel. Its Georgian façade looks like it’s been a local landmark way before motorcyclists discovered the area — and it has, since 1760. But the hotel hasn’t always been the thriving business it is today. So, how did that happen? Read more
Dealerships, riding schools, and manufacturers have come out in support of the Government’s consultation on motorcycle licensing reform. Announced by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) on January 7, 2026, the proposed changes include the introduction of progressive access training, allowing riders to move up a licence category by completing a training course instead of repeat testing, which would remain an option, but not a requirement. Read more
Rachel Reeves’ new car tax rates have been confirmed for April 1, with petrol, diesel, electric and hybrid car drivers set to pay more to travel on UK roads.
The Finance Bill, which incorporates new measures announced at the Autumn Budget, is expected to come into effect imminently, with the official document now revealing new Vehicle Excise Duty rates.
Changes to VED occur annually to align with inflation, with drivers paying the ultimate price with more expensive travel costs and taxes.
The new rates, in addition to the end of the 5p fuel duty reduction and Congestion Charge price hikes, could push some people to give up driving. Read more
A council has pledged to spend £60m on road maintenance as part of its “largest ever” investment in repairs.
The sum will be spent in Doncaster over the next four years, and will include work to fill in potholes.
Mayor Ros Jones, who leads the council, said the investment was equal to £15m-per-year, three times the £5m the council spent annually before.
The mayor requires the backing of Reform UK for her budget to be implemented, as the party holds a significant majority on the council.
Jones said: “This government has pledged additional funding for potholes and highways maintenance through to 2032, which is of course welcome and much needed.”
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...
The idea of a cold weather motorcycle ride in the mountains, at least those seen on magazine covers, always seems so appealing. Gliding down frost-painted, sun-dappled fire roads, breathing in the brisk air….
Elliot hadn’t planned on this group ride taking place on such a sullen gray day with intermittent rain and sleet spitting down. He was usually a warm weather street bike rider, but was determined to enjoy another ride on his first adventure bike.
Wearing a heavy jacket and work jeans he felt reasonably warm, but frigid air was filtering down onto his chest and his too-tight gloves caused his fingers to ache. The ride was more strenuous than Elliot had anticipated. Several times he had to dismount to push his bike through ice-slick sections of a fire road, causing him to sweat profusely. And as the day wore on, the already weak sun began its retreat behind the clouds. Shivering, he couldn’t help but feel the chill, and his hands were having a difficult time synchronizing the clutch and throttle. The bike stalling several times didn’t help his bad mood, either. Read more
Embarking on a motorcycle journey requires more than just a passion for the open road. Equipping yourself with the right protective gear is crucial for ensuring safety and comfort throughout your ride.
As a motorcycle enthusiast, you recognise that having and wearing the right equipment not only safeguards you from potential road hazards but also enhances your riding experience. While you enjoy choosing your gear, finding time to relax can also enhance your riding experience, perhaps through digital entertainment such as slots at NetBet. Read more
In this episode, we’re diving into the concept of motorcycle intuition, or what some call the rider’s sixth sense. It’s that gut feeling, that split-second decision-making ability that can mean the difference between a close call and a crash. I’m joined once again by professional rider coach and ex-MotoGP engineer Mark McVeigh (motorbikecoach.com), who explains what a rider’s intuition is and how it can be developed to make you a better, safer rider.
Read on for a precis of the accompanying video or watch the whole thing here
Speeding along an open road on my motorcycle, flanked by the great outdoors, the engine hums and the noise in my mind disappears. Riding a motorcycle demands total presence. Focus isn’t optional. It’s a matter of survival. After all, a wandering mind could lead to disaster.
But it’s not fear or panic that sharpens my attention. It is something else entirely. As a clinical psychologist, I understand fear well. I know how danger activates the fight-or-flight response. And yet, paradoxically, it is on my motorcycle that I feel most calm. This is where I experience the greatest joy. It is where I find what I would describe as a state of mindfulness. Read more
Adventure & Touring
If you’re after a destination as rife with stunning views as it is history, look no further than the Cowal Peninsula. MoreBikes reader Alex Carnegie talks us through a brilliant biking route…The Cowal Peninsula is an area often overlooked by bikers heading for the popular meeting point of Inveraray, but it offers quiet roads and different destinations for an alternative day ride from Glasgow. Read more
Getting outside your comfort zone can lead to some pretty spectacular adventures, even when everything doesn’t go according to plan. Aaron Clark and Jenny Smith learned that for themselves after spending a week exploring Southern California on a 2025 Aprilia Tuareg Rally and 2025 Yamaha Tenere 700 between Christmas and New Year’s.
I am not what anyone would describe as “well-traveled.” Outside of my little corner of the Inland Northwest, the furthest I’ve ever traveled was Philmont, New Mexico, with the Boy Scouts 27 years ago. And while I grew up riding dirt bikes on the Palouse, I only recently discovered adventure riding, with a handful of long weekends and one BDR (Backcountry Discovery Route) under my belt to date. So when my girlfriend Jenny casually suggested we spend a week exploring Southern California on a 2025 Aprilia Tuareg 660 Rally and 2025 Yamaha Ténéré 700 between Christmas and New Year’s, a fly-and-ride trip the likes of which I never even imagined possible, what was I supposed to say? No thanks, I think I’ll stay home, but you have fun?
With winter closing in, riding in sunny SoCal was a no-brainer compared to sitting in my shop staring at my bike, reliving past rides and contemplating finally doing that valve check that was due a couple thousand miles ago. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit nervous. I’m a planner–some might say an over-planner–and literally everything about this adventure would be new to me, with the important exception of the Ténéré (which I’ll get to shortly), but excitement eclipsed the trepidation. Read more
History & Custom
Yamaha and flat track racing are inseparable. It’s a legacy forged in the 1970s, back when Kenny Roberts famously wrestled a TZ750-powered framer around the dirt ovals of America, draped in the iconic yellow-and-black “speed block” livery. That competition DNA has trickled down into the custom scene, making Yamaha the de facto choice for builders looking to capture the “go-fast-turn-left” aesthetic. Whether it’s the punchy, lightweight character of the vintage RD two-strokes or the torquey, modern parallel twins, Yamaha offers a slim, flickable platform that feels at home anywhere from a local short track to a congested city center.
The appeal of the Yamaha tracker lies in its honesty. It is a silhouette defined by wide bars, 19-inch wheels, and the total removal of anything that doesn’t serve a purpose. It’s a style that prioritizes an aggressive, upright riding position and a narrow profile—perfect for carving through traffic or kicking up dust on a fire road. We’ve spent years documenting the best in the business. Here are 6 of our Favorite Yamaha Trackers. Read more
Kevin Williams
Why do learners defend the ‘perennial L plate’ system?
A couple of Elevenses shows back I looked at the government’s refreshed ‘Road Safety Strategy’, the first update in over a decade. The strategy sets ambitious goals for reducing deaths and serious injuries on the roads, and lays out the areas for consultation including a number directly affecting motorcyclists.
Though the webcast didn’t kick off a debate, the same item as a Facebook post did. It rumbled on for well over a week, and what was quite shocking to me were the number of responses in the comments on FB to the effect that this is “nothing to do with road safety”. Read more
Keeping visor misting at bay Pt 3 – everything else
In the first article we looked at helmet venting and why airflow is the primary control for visor misting. In the second, we examined “double-glazing” solutions such as Pinlock and Fog City shields, which address the temperature differential at the visor itself. This final piece deals with everything else: breath deflectors, balaclavas, sprays, wipes, coatings, hacks, and habits. These solutions are widely used, and occasionally recommended with great confidence.
For those of you who missed the first two parts (they are both available on my www.ko-fi.com/survivalskills site) let’s just explain the basic physics problem; warm, moisture-laden breath meets a colder surface and water vapour condenses into the fine droplets we see as visor ‘misting’. The limitation is simple: all of these measures still rely on airflow somewhere in the system. If humid air accumulates inside the helmet, they eventually lose the battle.
If It’s Got More Tech, It Must Be Better… Right?
[Based on the in-depth item in yesterday’s lie Elevenses webcast]
More than thirty years ago, I bought my first Windows PC. It connected to the internet via a dial-up modem that sang, whistled and occasionally screamed before grudgingly letting me online. I accessed the web through Compuserve and used it for browsing and writing articles.
Today, my computer is hundreds of times more powerful. It’s permanently connected via high-speed broadband, has storage I couldn’t have imagined back then, and consumes vastly more resources to function. And I still use it for browsing and writing articles. Read more
Saccadic Masking – responding to a challenge
Last week my post was entitled “There’s something called Saccadic Masking” in which I was taking a look at a video that had appeared on YouTube on the Dazmatron Motorcycle Trips channel about a day out with BikeSafe in Leicestershire. It was titled ‘How to become a better biker | every motorcyclist needs to know about Saccadic Masking’.
I think I can reasonably say that the term first began to circulate broadly in the world of motorcycling after I put the ‘Science Of Being Seen’ (SOBS) presentation together as a ‘crash prevention’ module for Kent Fire & Rescue Service for their trial Biker Down courses. After our team won a Prince Michael of Kent award at the end of 2012, Biker Down got picked up by other FRS across the country, many of whom used my version of SOBS. And, as I mentioned last week, I’m still delivering SOBS on behalf of DocBike West Sussex. Read more
A simplified truth that prevents a crash…
…is more valuable than a complex truth that sits unread in a journal. There’s a reason I simplify. Not to distort, not to dumb down, and certainly not to win arguments — but because in the real world, I’m writing for the average rider.
In the real world, there is a constant tension between scientific accuracy and human access. Ordinary people don’t need the ‘machinery’ of science. They need the practical consequences, the application of that science, expressed in a way that firstly resonates and attracts attention but secondly sticks in the mind when they’re out riding. Understanding that tension — and choosing deliberately where to sit on it — is not a weakness but a classic dilemma. It is a tightrope every science communicator walks, whether they are writing a short magazine column or publishing in a journal such as Nature.
What differs is not the integrity of the science, but the intended relevance to the audiance. And that is precisely why this page — and why www.scienceofbeingseen.org — exists. Read more
Whiteknights Blood Bikes
Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes are proud to release our 2025 year report statistics.
Our small charity with its sixty volunteers with 3 people on duty from 7am to 7pm weeknights and 24hrs at weekends completed 3317 jobs and 3005 urgent call-outs.
It was a big year for national relays with other Blood Bike Groups.
We deployed 154 times to benefit a patient not resident on our region.
And we covered 96945 miles!!!
We made 94 deliveries of donated breast milk.
In total we have calculated we saved the NHS £156,000 in out of hours transport costs.
Well done to all our remarkable volunteers riders & drivers.
Please continue to support us through 2026. A little really does go a very long way with our charity.
#bloodbikes #NHS #itswhatwedo
Save the Date – Blood Bikers Social Meet!
We’re planning a relaxed social get-together for blood bikers from across the UK on Saturday 23rd May at Factory Heads, Donington Park.
It’s an open, informal event for all blood bikers, just a chance to catch up, meet others from different groups, and enjoy some time together. A few of our partner companies and charities will also be dropping by.
More details soon, but for now—save the date!
#itswhatwedo
Blood Bikes national body confirms no new green light privileges despite huge online campaignBlood Bike charities across the UK and Ireland will not begin using green lights during delivery runs any time soon, the organisation’s national body has confirmed, despite the continued popularity of a petition calling for the measure. The Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes (NABB) released a fresh statement on January 27, stating that the introduction of warning lights is “not something that is imminent” for the charities. Read more
South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership
Using a handheld mobile phone when driving or riding is both dangerous and illegal.
If you drive a lot for work, you may be tempted to use your mobile phone behind the wheel.
But what does the law say about mobile phone use?
It is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone while driving or riding for any purpose, including using the camera, following a map or checking social media. The law still applies when stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic.
It is also illegal to use a handheld mobile phone when supervising a learner driver.
You may only use a handheld mobile when you are safely parked, or if you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it is unsafe or impractical to stop.
You can get six penalty points and a £200 fine if you use a handheld mobile phone.
If you have passed your driving test in the last two years you will automatically lose your licence.
You may also see an increase in vehicle insurance costs.
#barnsley #doncaster #rotherham #sheffield #Fatal4
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? 
The UK Government started the year on the front foot in terms of road safety by publishing far reaching policies it hopes will reduce the numbers killed or seriously injured by 65% by 2035. For more than a decade, progress on reducing deaths and serious injuries has stalled despite the fact the vehicles we use have never been safer.
For fleets, 2026 represents a new opportunity to reset its road safety policies in line with the Government’s ambitions. Read more
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 1.002.848 units during 2025. This represents a variation of approximately -12,9 % compared to the same period in 2024 (1.150.852 units). Motorcycle registration volumes increase in Spain (242.580 units, +8,3 % year-on-year) while in other markets, results remain negative for the current year with for Italy (331.634 units, -6 %), for France (179.225 units, -16,4 %), for UK (89.645 units, -19,3%) and for Germany (159.764 units, -35,7 %).
Moped registrations reached a total volume of 142.060 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 -20,7 % in comparison to last year at the same period (179.231units). Leaves for Germany, which is experiencing slight growth (15.512 units, 4,9 %), the decline is widespread in all other monitored countries: Spain (13.594 units, -0,8 %), Belgium (26.195 units, -14,9 %), Netherlands (24.069 units, -25,3 %), France (48.526 units -26,4 %), and Italy (14.164 units, -35,1 %). Read more
Autocycle Union
The 2026 Arenacross Tour, Presented by Dirt Store, is preparing to welcome the teams into the paddock within the BP Pulse Live Arena in Birmingham, as a magnificent seven outfits have their machines ready, and athletes primed for the start of the series at the NEC!
All Pro Riders have a hectic night of action ahead of them, from the Qualifying Hot Laps at the start of the night to determine gate position, to three Main Event races that get progressively longer through the night, with the wildcard thrill of Head-to-Head encounters thrown in before that final Main Event. Read more
📣 ACU Announcement | 2026 ACU Normandale Masters Championship
As part of the ACU’s ongoing work to streamline and strengthen motorcycle trials across all disciplines, the ACU Trials Commission is pleased to confirm that the current ACU Classic Championship will be refreshed and retitled for 2026 as the:
🏆 ACU Normandale Masters Championship (2026)
This update reflects the continued growth of the Classic and Traditional trials scene and aims to provide a clearer and more structured championship pathway for riders seeking a more traditional style of trial, alongside age-related and machine eligibility classes.
We are also pleased to confirm that Normandale will continue as title sponsor for 2026. Normandale is a UK-based motorsport paint finishing company with over 50 years’ experience, with strong roots in motorcycle sport and a proven reputation across multiple motorsport championships.
✅ 2026 Championship Format
Three routes will be introduced to improve accessibility and competitiveness across all eligible classes:
🔹 Route 1 – Standard (Blue/Red markers recommended)
🔸 Route 2 – Middle (Yellow markers recommended)
⚪ Route 3 – Easiest (White markers recommended)
📌 Marking: TSR22 B – No Stop Permitted
🏁 Championship points awarded to the top 15 eligible finishers in each class at each round.
🏍️ 2026 Classes
Class 1: Over 40 – Route 1
Class 2: Over 50 – Route 2
Class 3: Early Water-Cooled Trials Machines (Pre 2000) – Route 2
Class 4: Over 60 – Route 3
Class 5: Air-Cooled Mono-Shocks – Route 3
Class 6: Twinshock – Route 3
Class 7: Pre-65 – Route 3
Class 8: Over 70 – Route 3
📅 2026 Dates
Round 1: Feb 1 – Castle Colchester
Round 2: Apr 18 – West Cornwall
Round 3: Apr 19 – Camel Vale
Round 4: May 23 – Torridge & District
Round 5: May 24 – Lyn & District
Round 6: Jul 26 – Castleside Trials Club
Round 7: Oct 3 – West of England
Round 8: Oct 4 – Ottervale
The ACU Trials Commission looks forward to welcoming riders and clubs to the 2026 season and encourages all eligible riders to support the championship.
Motorcycle Industries Association
MCIA has today published the new vehicle registrations for the full year 2025 including the month of December.
This includes Mopeds, Scooters, Motorcycles and other categories within the wider L-Category vehicle types.
The total market for 2025 closed with total volumes of 93,922 registrations which equates to a market decline of 19.3%. As reported previously, the final few months of 2024 witnessed some large market distortions as a direct result of the end of Euro 5 moving to Euro 5 plus. Read more
National Motorcycle Dealers Association
The National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) today responded to the release of the Motorcycle Industry Association’s (MCIA) full-year registration figures, which show the UK market closed 2025 at 93,922 units, a 19.3% decline compared with 2024.
The decline reflects the impact of pre-registrations at the end of 2024 ahead of Euro 5 regulations and ongoing challenges from supply chain disruptions and rising living costs. Despite this, monthly registration trends in the second half of 2025 show a gradual stabilisation, signalling a recovery in market demand.
Symon Cook, Head of the NMDA, said:
“While overall annual registrations are down, we are encouraged by the improving trends through the latter part of 2025.
“Dealers are reporting steady demand for both new and used motorcycles. We look forward to working with government to ensure the sector receives the support it needs to continue rebuilding confidence in 2026.” Read more
National Motorcyclists Council
• Partnership Issues new data revealing AA called out to 613,638 pothole incidents in 2025 – an average of 1,681 every day – including 58,380 last January and 58,275 in December
• Welcomes government’s new traffic light system of monitoring local council performance on fixing potholes BUT says radical new approach is needed
• Proposes that councils and contractors should be compelled to issue 5-year warranties on every non-emergency pothole repair
• Issues reminder that while potholes can damage cars, they put the lives of cyclists and motorcyclists at risk
• Urges greater use of innovation to make repairs permanent, in place of temporary manual ‘patch and run’ fixes which need re-visiting within months or weeks
Read more
FEMA
LATEST MANUFACTURERS’ RECALLBritish Motorcyclists Federation
The dates are here 🙌
The 2026 BMF, Monthly Bike Meet dates have officially been released, so be sure to save them them in your diaries:
🗓️ April 24th
🗓️ May 29th
🗓️ July 10th
🗓️ August 28th
🗓️ September 25th
📍 Lakeside Diner, centre circuit at Mallory Park Race Circuit
Kirkby, Leicestershire, LE9 7QE
(right by BMF HQ)
⌚ 6PM – 9PM
Join us for great bikes, great people, great food and a brilliant atmosphere at one of the UK’s most iconic circuits 🏍️
Whether you’re a member, supporter, or simply love a good bike night, everyone’s welcome, but SORRY NO DOGS.
See you trackside in 2026 🏍️✨
#britishmotorcyclistsfederation
#malloryparkraceciruit #bikerslife #ukbikers #LakesideCafe #leicestershire
#bikemeet #monthlybikemeet
Motorcycle Action Group
Over 500 people attended Project Edward’s webinar on the new Road Safety Strategy on the 9th of January. Motorcycle advocates were present, MAG wasn’t. But why didn’t anyone ask the two questions that I think matter most?
I missed the session – workload and commitments had me buried elsewhere while the webinar was happening. Watching a recording of the webinar now that it is available, I can easily spot patterns that participants were not openly addressing.
The Optimism Wasn’t Quite Justified
The webinar brought together impressive voices: police chiefs, fire services, academics, bereaved families, and motorcycle representatives. The tone was cautiously optimistic. After 15 years without a national road safety strategy, participants welcomed ministerial leadership, ambitious casualty reduction targets, and the “promise” of a Road Safety Investigation Branch. Note the RSIB promise is not new the idea has been floating around for years. 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.
Join the National Young Rider Forum (NYRF) for the launch of the Young Riders Matter research report, and how it links to the National Road Safety Strategy and consultation. A study that sheds light on the experiences and challenges faced by young motorcyclists today.
Building on NYRF’s strong foundation since 2019, this new research revisits the original 2020 project with five years of fresh data, surveys and interviews with young riders and a review of the forums work over the past five years. The report explores how economic pressures, the gig economy, and the cost-of-living crisis are shaping the way young riders use motorcycles for work, education, and leisure.
This webinar is designed for road safety professionals who want to:
Understand the latest trends and behaviours among young riders.
Gain insights into the risks and motivations influencing this group.
Support in replying to the government’s consultation as part of the National Road Safety Strategy.
Learn how together through the National Young Rider Forum we can to inform policy, build interventions, and produce campaigns to make a real change. Join here
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…