Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists – Weekly Newsletter 12 December 2025
Table of Contents
Editorial
Well the SAM Christmas party was a great hit. All the raffle prizes were gratefully received and some members were lucky to win several. This caused some grumbling about the fairness of the ticket draw, but it is a raffle. A game of chance and we have to congratulate those those won and commiserate with those who walked away empty handed.
In this week’s newsletter we ponder why riders drawn to clever, technical and/or ‘not for learners’ explanations of riding. We can speculate whether it’s one-upmanship, boasting, or denigrating the listener. Psychologists call it the ‘Curse of Knowledge’, i.e. the inability to present a complex subject in terms that it may be understood. It’s also the point at which, those giving explanations about riding, realise they don’t know as much as they claim to know. Oversimplification doesn’t help either.
We also delve Into the days when adventure riding meant to literally take your survival close to the edge. I love reading about the adventures of motorcyclists. I especially admire those who did it before the advent of paved roads, a regular soft bed, hot showers and cooked meals – or Google maps! There is a lot to thank those very early motorcycle pioneers. The women who undertook incredible adventures, just to prove they were as good as men at being Army Dispatch Riders. They travelled on unpaved roads and unreliable machines to places that few people had visited. They’ve shown us what is possible, without any technical wizardry. Those who are keeping the up the tradition of exploration, are showing that we can all follow our own journeys. We just won’t have to learn to use a map and compass! It’s winter in the UK, so now is the time to start planning your own adventures!
Racing and Global Recognition
On Saturday, Lausanne hosted the FIM Awards for the first time, bringing together world champions from MotoGP, WorldSBK, motocross, and endurance racing. The SwissTech Convention Center provided a modern, sustainability-focused backdrop for the sport’s biggest names, including Marc Márquez and Toprak Razgatlioglu, who were honoured for their achievements. For young riders, this event highlights how motorcycling is increasingly tied to global prestige and environmental responsibility – racing isn’t just about speed, it’s about shaping the sport’s image worldwide.
Shifts in Riding Trends
A striking development this week came from industry data: sportsbike registrations have plummeted by 68% since 2005, while adventure bikes have surged by over 200%. In 2024, only 10,140 sportsbikes were registered compared to 23,394 adventure bikes. This shift reflects a generational change – riders today are choosing practicality, comfort, and versatility over sheer speed. For 18-year-olds entering the scene, this means the bikes dominating the roads are more suited to long trips, commuting, and exploration rather than track-style thrills. It’s a cultural pivot that also correlates with fewer rider deaths, showing how trends can directly impact safety. Of course, correlations don’t show causality and motorcycle accidents are highly complex processes. They need careful analysis to determine the contributing factors.
Political and Economic Context
Motorcycling also made headlines in politics. The UK’s Autumn Budget statement drew criticism from motorcycle industry groups, who argued it failed to support the sector’s transition to electric mobility. While fuel duty remains frozen until September 2026, the planned increases from 2027 onwards could hit riders hard. For young riders, this is a reminder that government policy directly affects affordability and accessibility – whether through fuel prices or incentives for electric bikes. The debate signals that the next decade will be shaped by how well politicians balance tradition with the push for greener transport.
Marketing and Brand Milestones
Meanwhile, Royal Enfield celebrated its 125th anniversary at Motorcycle Live 2025 (MCL25), drawing nearly 97,000 attendees. Their stand was buzzing with ride experiences, flat track schools, and global adventure opportunities. For younger riders, this shows how brands are no longer just selling bikes – they’re selling lifestyles, communities, and experiences. Royal Enfield’s success demonstrates how heritage brands can stay relevant by blending tradition with modern engagement. For over 20 years the SAM charity has been supporting the local community with post-test advanced rider training, so come and join us.
What It Means for Young Riders
Racing culture is becoming more global and sustainability-conscious.
Adventure bikes are now the mainstream choice, offering safer and more versatile riding.
Politics and economics will shape the affordability of riding, especially with fuel duty changes.
Brands like Royal Enfield are proving that motorcycling is about belonging to a community, not just owning a machine.
Conclusion
In just seven days, motorcycling has shown its many faces: glamorous racing ceremonies, shifting cultural trends, political debates, and brand celebrations. For young riders, the message is clear – the sport is evolving rapidly and being part of it means engaging not only with bikes but with the wider world of politics, sustainability, and community. The future of riding is less about speed alone and more about identity, responsibility, and shared experiences. Wherever you go this week, SAM members will be at Meadowhall Retail Park each Saturday morning. Ride safe and happy reading.
The next SAM Committee Meeting will be on the 29th January 2026. The next SAM Club Night will be on the 2nd February 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. 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!
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
Triumph Motorcycles has announced the arrival of an additional version of its 2025 adventure sport tourer for 2026 – the Triumph Tiger Sport 800 Tour. Building on the success of the Tiger Sport 800, this latest model by adding touring practicality as it bids to take on the already-popular Honda CB1000GT which strutted its way onto the Triumph’s playground just last month. Or Yamaha Tracer 7 GT, BMW F900XR and Ducati Multistrada V2 to name but a few.
The Tiger Sport 800 Tour comes fully equipped for longer journeys with a host of touring features from the Triumph official parts catalogue now fitted as standard. These include a centre stand, heated grips, hand guards, and a dual Comfort Seat. Integrated, colour-matched luggage is also part of the package, featuring a set of panniers and a twin-helmet top box mounted on an aluminium rack with dual backrest pads. Safety and convenience are enhanced by the addition of a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Read more
Yamaha has filed a brace of new patent applications in Japan that show it’s exploring the potential of using valves inside its exhaust systems to redirect the gasses through different exits depending on the bike’s needs such as improving straight line performance, reducing wheelies, or improving cornering.
The patents illustrate the idea on an MT-07, but it’s clearly something that would be more suited to the highest-performance sportbikes, with a particular eye on track use. There are two distinct patents, one intended to show how exhaust could be used to reduce wheelies and improve acceleration, the other using the same thinking but with an eye for using exhaust thrust to boost cornering.
Both use a simple set of butterfly valves inside the exhaust to direct the flow. On the anti-wheelie version of the system, the tailpipe is split into two: a larger, low-set exhaust pipe aimed at minimizing flow restriction to maximize engine power, and a smaller pipe that’s mounted higher and tilted upwards. That smaller diameter increases the thrust from the high-mounted pipe, and its position and angle are intended to help pivot the bike around the rear wheel, pushing the front end towards the ground. Read more
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves may have announced a further freeze to fuel duty until September 2026, but some motorcycle industry groups have been critical of the latest Autumn Budget statement – suggesting it doesn’t go far enough in helping the bike market adapt and change for the future. Announced on Wednesday, November 26, the Labour frontbencher confirmed that the current five pence reduction to fuel first introduced in 2022 will start to be undone from next September, and from April 2027 fuel duty rates will be updated annually in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI) – a tool used to measure the average change to the prices of goods and services. Read more
The UK’s motorcycle industry has taken a battering this year, with multiple dealerships closing and annual registration figures on track to slump below the 100,000-plus totals previously considered a dependable benchmark. Despite the strain, recovery could finally be in sight, with volumes expected to soon return to normal levels.
For context, the last time the sector experienced such shortfall was back in 2020, when lengthy Covid-19 restrictions hit the industry hard, seeing the UK economy shrink by almost 10% in a matter of months.
Fast-forward to January 2025, and the year kicked off with a fizzle rather than a bang, with a four-year-low of 3963 total machines registered according to the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM). Read more
When you’re just starting in motorcycling, the bike choices can be dizzying. Here’s a handy guide for homing in on what you need.Ah, the good old days. Back when the Watergate scandal was a big deal, so was motorcycling. The industry had exploded in size and scope to historic levels, thanks to the coming of age for Boomers and America’s appetite for outdoor experiences. And yet…in terms of bike choices, you could only buy a standard bike like a Yamaha XS650, a motocross bike like a Penton 125 Six-Day, an “enduro” (on/off road) bike like Yamaha’s DT3 2-stroke, an Italian scooter, or maybe a big hog straight outta Milwaukee. Needed more from your mount? From there, you really did have to bend brackets and turn wrenches to “make it your own,” as current bike advertisers love to say. Read more
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...
Riding with a pillion – often referred to as two-up riding – is one of the most rewarding experiences in motorcycling. It’s a chance to share how awesome motorcycling is to those on the periphery or complete outskirts, but it also comes with added responsibility. Carrying a passenger changes the dynamics of the bike from handling and braking to acceleration and balance. Done well, it’s smooth, safe, and enjoyable for both rider and passenger. Done poorly, it can be stressful and even dangerous.
This guide brings together expert advice from professional coach Mark McVeigh (www.motorbikecoach.com) and years of rider experience to help you master the art of riding with a pillion, mixed with advice you as the rider can pass on to your passenger. Read more
Every motorcycle enthusiast knows the heart-pounding feeling of laying eyes on their prized possession, the gleaming chrome, the rumbling engine, and the exhilaration of hitting the open road. But with the joy of ownership comes the responsibility of safeguarding your ride against the threat of theft.Thousands of motorcycles are stolen every year, but luckily there are several proven strategies that can help you not become a part of that statistic. Having owned dozens of motorcycles myself with a lot of those being owned while living in an apartment with no garage, I can attest to these suggestions. Read more
Police chiefs and charities have appealed to the government to let them spend cash raised through speed camera fines on road safety measures, rather than it going straight to Treasury coffers, as hundreds of people continue to die on UK roads every year.
In 2024, four people were killed each day, and 76 were seriously injured, as a result of highway incidents. Although fatalities dropped by 1% compared with 2023, road safety charities such as RoSPA and the RAC Foundation say that it isn’t enough and that the fi gures indicate a lack of progress in reducing deaths and injuries. Read more
Adventure & Touring
A Book about Motorcycle Dispatches from Early Twentieth Century Women Adventurers
Lost in the pitch black desert at night—no headlight, no moon, no sign of a trail. Slogging through heavy rainstorms and deep, sticky gumbo—washed out bridges and long detours. Negotiating mountain climbs with tortuous, narrow switchbacks where one false move meant a deadly fall….
It has all the makings of an epic adventure ride in some exotic locale, but this was the common experience in America 100 years ago for the few who dared cross the continent on motorcycles. In this case, a few intrepid women who defied the Victorian ideals of feminine behavior and became pioneers in the world of motorcycling.
Illuminating the state of transportation around the turn of the century, Grace and Grit is a well-documented and entertaining account. It tells the tales of Della Crewe, Effie and Avis Hotchkiss, and Adeline and August Van Buren, women who undertook nearly impossible journeys on “highways” which were little more than poorly marked, unimproved dirt roads and old stagecoach trails, on motorcycles that were temperamental, heavy, and difficult to operate. Read more
I sit here writing from an Airbnb in Cape Town, South Africa, somewhat in disbelief that my fiancé and I have traveled here not by plane or boat, but overland on a motorcycle. We rode out of a sleepy village in the U.K. 283 days ago with everything we’d need piled on the back of our BMW R1200GSA. An adventure that would take us over 41,000 km through 30 countries and across three continents.Why the disbelief? Rewinding the timeline just over a year, I had no motorcycle, no motorcycle license, no riding or camping gear, and neither of us had any adventure motorcycle travel experience whatsoever. From there, we didn’t start a story of calm, easy travel on smooth tarmac roads; we were destined for true adventure. We rode some of the most challenging roads in the world, crashed in Albania, were escorted by the Iraqi military, overcame a multitude of logistical nightmares, crossed crocodile-infested rivers in the middle of the Zambian jungle, camped with tribes and rhinos, and much more. Read more
KTM have confirmed dates and details for their 2026 Europe Adventure Rally, which will take place from September 7-11 in Umbria, Italy. The non-competitive event is limited to 250 places and covers three days riding, based in the medieval town of Gubbio, with loops exploring Lake Trasimeno, gravel trails and the peaks of Monte Foce and Nerone. Read more
There is something truly awe-inspiring about standing in the presence of art created by an ancient civilization, especially when that creation holds a particular mystery. Having grown up on an Apache reservation in eastern Arizona, I have always had a curiosity about, and a respect for, all things Native American. It is with that lifelong intrigue that I packed my BMW GS and headed for the Colorado River near the borders of Nevada, Arizona, and California in search of the mystifying art of the ancients. After a night at a high-rise casino hotel in Laughlin, Nevada, I pulled away from the bustling modern town seeking things from a quieter, more enigmatic time. It was a late-November morning, and this often oven-like region had a chill in the air. Read more
History & Custom
The Harley-Davidson Shovelhead is more than just an engine; it’s a chapter in motorcycling history that perfectly encapsulates the grit and attitude of the 1970s. For custom builders, it offers that sweet spot: old enough to be genuinely cool, yet still affordable and simple enough to customise without needing a university degree in electronics.
The name, of course, comes from the distinct profile of its rocker covers, which famously resemble an upside-down coal shovel. It’s the engine that literally defined the look and sound of a generation of Harleys, and one that remains a hands-on, mechanical favorite today. Read more
If you’ve got a motorcycle-obsessed relative who insists they “don’t need anything,” the National Motorcycle Museum has the answer. Forget socks printed with V-twins or another bottle of chain lube; this Christmas, you can give them something you definitely won’t find on Amazon: a Friends of the National Motorcycle Museum membership.
It’s a present that doesn’t just sit on a shelf — it gets them closer to the machines that shaped British motorcycling. And for 2026, the scheme is promising even more ways to get hands-on with the biggest collection of British motorcycles anywhere in the world.
Most museums ask you to step back behind the rope and admire the polished tanks and engineering from afar. The National Motorcycle Museum, and its Friend of the Museum scheme, invites you to swing a leg over them and experience them on the road instead.
One of the most popular perks for Friends members is the Ride a Classic Bike Day, a chance to ride machines that would normally live behind glass — often bikes worth more than most riders’ houses. It’s the kind of experience that’s impossible to replicate in the modern market, where historic motorcycles are either too delicate, too rare, or too expensive to touch. The thinking behind the scheme is that bikes, especially old British-built bikes, don’t really enjoy sitting around unused. Read more
Kevin Williams
In today’s show… young rider sets up safety foundation after deaths of friends in bike crashes… Southampton teen caught riding through park with toddler on Honda off-road bike… Bristol bike theft summit to connect police & crime commissioner, police and owners… in brief – news from the UK and around the world… identikit 400 scooters from Aprilia & Sym… Voge’s twin-cylinder adventure scooter… self-charging solar e-moto can roam free – maybe… silly season – ‘suitcase’ scooter and ‘wearable’ bike suit… in-depth today – Honda’s V3R 900 E-Compressor – a major leap in motorcycle technology but is it aimed at power now or future-proofing internal combustion engines? Watch here
Rider crashed on gravel but why was he riding there?
BBC One’s The Crash Detectives has looked at an incident that happened in May 2022, when a Swedish couple Johan Takats and Helena Engstrom crashed on a slip road at a junction on the A449 near Raglan in Wales.
The BMW R 1250 GS was equipped with an automated SOS system which triggered a call response from BMW’s emergency centre. The riders were too badly injured to be able to answer, and the control centre was able to pinpoint the machine’s location through GPS and alert the emergency services.
Forensic collision investigator PC Richie Wyatt said that thanks to the crash detection technology on the motorcycle, help probably got to them “more quickly than if they were having to describe their location”. Read more
Fight the Fear; Don’t confuse complexity with skill
If there’s one thing being around motorcycling has taught me, it’s that riders have an incredible talent for over-complicating things, and sometimes I’m aware that I can seem to be going down this route myself from time to time when I produce a long article on what seems like a complex technique. In my defence, what I’m usually doing is dotting i’s and crossing t’s or making explicit the steps that we often perform unconsciously to actually break down something that involves several steps back into ‘bite-sized chunks’. That’s been the aim of much of this series.
But sometimes as riders, we seem to seek out techniques that involve complexity. We seem convinced that the more buttons that we press on the ‘advanced riding calculator’, the more likely we are that we’ll get an an answer telling us that we’re ‘more skilled’. Read more
If you’re going to use other peoples’ work…
…at least give them a name check.
In the ‘imitation is a sincere form of flattery corner’ is Mark McVeigh’s latest blog post entitled “Why Do Motorbike Riders Crash?” He references the ‘Five Whys’, a structured framework for problem solving linked to Toyota, which I know Duncan McKillop has talked about as part of the ‘No Surprise’ framework, he then goes on to list Keith Code’s well-known Survival Reactions in full, and there are several references to how pilot training has changed the view of safety – which you probably know is something I’ve been talking about for well over a decade.
If you want to read it, it’s here. Read more
60 Second Science 30 SMIDSY – Size Arrival Effect & why drivers misjudge speed & distance
Back in 2015, a Texas Tech University psychologist found that people think smaller objects – such as motorcycles – are further away than they appear and, conversely, that bigger objects are closer. The study published in “Current Directions in Psychological Science” indicated that an object’s size affects distance perception, causing drivers to miscalculate riders’ distance and speed.
A team under researcher Pat DeLucia used computer simulations to study how participants viewed two approaching objects simultaneously – one large and one small. The viewer had to nominate which would reach them first. “People generally picked that simpler heuristic: Larger is closer,” said DeLucia. Watch here
Honda’s V3R 900 E-Compressor – why?
[Based on the in-depth piece from Sunday’s live ‘Elevenses’ webcast.]
As you probably know, Honda has pulled the wraps off a striking new prototype, the V3R 900 E-Compressor. Across the board, motorcycle magazines and blogs have hailed it as a major leap in motorcycle technology. But is it aimed at power now or is the intent a way of future-proofing internal combustion engines to run on a range of fuels?
Leaving aside the motorcycle itself, let’s focus on the brand-new 900 cc, water-cooled V3 engine set at a 75-degree angle. What’s truly original about the engine is that it’s paired with what Honda calls the world’s first electronically controlled compressor for a motorcycle.
The V3R 900 E-Compressor remains a prototype for now, but Honda has confirmed that the project is under active development. Performance figures haven’t yet been released, but the stated aim is to deliver the torque and performance of a 1,200 cc machine, but in a more compact, efficient and responsive package with the added bonus of better fuel economy and lower emissions. Read more
Kamm Circles, Traction Pies & lean-adaptive ABS
Back in 2014, I was writing here on Facebook about trail braking – the technique of using both front and rear brakes into and mid-corner. So it was eleven years ago I was saying that it IS possible in road riding, and that it had been something I covered as a ‘get out of trouble’ technique on my ‘Performance: SPORT course but that I was “also sure that most riders are aware that any ‘mix and match’ of steering and braking forces pushes us nearer to the limit of grip”.
I went on to explain that “braking and steering both make demands on the tyre’s grip on the road – what’s sometimes known as the ‘Traction Pie'”, and that “if we take a bigger slice for one, there’s less for the other. And if we try both at the same time, there’s a risk we’ll run out of grip.” Read more
Whiteknights Blood Bikes
South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership
This December, to stop people being killed or injured on our roads, we are asking you to help:
– Prevent drink driving from happening in the first place
– Persuade someone to not drive after drinking
– Report it to the police
Find out more about the campaign here: South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership #OpLimit
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
Has it been a while since you passed your Advanced test? 
IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards Nicholas Lyes said: “Drivers and operators of conventional vehicles will breathe a sigh of relief that the Chancellor has kept the fuel duty freeze in place until at least September 2026. Owners of electric vehicles may feel more hard done by that a per mile charge is being introduced and much of the devil will be in the detail. It’s a tough balancing act for the Government to both ensure our roads are well funded and encourage people into zero emission alternatives. However, arguably the Chancellor has taken the first step to future-proof the network by ensuring we have viable funding for high-quality and safer road infrastructure in the years ahead.” Read more
· The awards paid tribute to a network of more than 5,000 volunteers and 160 local groups driving road safety forward
Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has celebrated the outstanding efforts of its volunteer network at this year’s awards ceremony, paying tribute to individuals and groups who have gone the extra mile to champion road safety across the UK.
The charity is supported by over 5,000 volunteers and 160 local groups across the UK. These dedicated individuals take on roles such as Observers and Examiners, mentoring drivers and riders to help them prepare for and successfully complete IAM RoadSmart courses. Read more
Are you aware of the OAP framework when out riding? 
The campaign concluded with an immersive experience where riders and journalists put post-license training into practice on two wheels.
Milan (Italy) | 6 November 2025
Riders and journalists shared the ride and tested their skills at EICMA during the closing of Learn – Ride – Enjoy – Repeat, the European campaign by the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), aimed at encouraging both novice and experienced riders to pursue high-quality, voluntary motorcycle training.
In Milan, the final event turned that message into an experience. Under the guidance of certified Federazione Motociclistica Italiana trainers, participants took part in demo rides and advanced exercises, including alternating slaloms, controlled acceleration and braking, and smooth wide turns, all designed to underline the benefits of post-license training. The highlight of the event was sharing the ride with James Toseland, two-time World Superbike champion, offering a unique, hands-on experience of how refined techniques elevate every ride. Read more
MISSED ACU WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY? WE’VE GOT YOU! 
Donna Fox — ACU Trials Section Advisor — chatting about her first year in the role and what she’s learned so far. Matt Galway — ACU TrialGB Youth Series Manager — talking about the challenges and wins of integrating the Youth Girls into the championship, plus the exciting changes planned for next year to make the series even stronger. Mike Tizzard — ACU Trials Commission Member — sharing big upcoming projects like Kickstart and news on the ACU S3 National Series, which now includes a brand-new Women’s category.
Budget backs electric cars but leaves low and zero emission motorcycles behind, warns MCIA
• Low and zero emission motorcycles received no fiscal incentives, despite multiple new measures for cars.
• The Plug-in Motorcycle Grant (PiMG) is still set to end in April 2026, while the Electric Car Grant has been extended to 2029-30 with an additional £1.3bn in funding.
• The Government raised the Expensive Car Supplement threshold to £50,000 for electric cars but has not reformed the outdated £10,000 threshold applied to electric motorcycles, which no longer reflects real-world EV pricing.
• Motorcycles are excluded from the new EV mileage tax (eVED) – a positive acknowledgement of the sector’s different transition timeline – but this alone does not constitute meaningful support. Read more
“It is positive that the market is steadily improving year to date, however, ahead of the Budget on 26 November, the motorcycle industry has received little clarity or support,” said Symon Cook, Head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), in response to the latest figures released by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA).
Motorcycle registrations for October saw a -12.1% decrease albeit better than the year-to-date performance of -14.6%. For the total month, registrations were down -9%. Despite ongoing challenges, MCIA sentiment remains cautiously optimistic, with expectations of stronger performance heading into 2026.
Symon Cook added: “More needs to be done by the Government to help the sector, lest we risk being forgotten. With the Budget approaching at the end of this month, there has been little to no discussion surrounding motorcycles, despite the fact that targeted measures could prove pivotal in securing much-needed support for the industry. With talks of tax increases, they could seriously affect the new motorcycle market. Read more
The UK Government budget, delivered yesterday by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, was an opportunity to move fiscal levers to recognise the role of motorcycling in the future of transport and to also bring to life the Government’s stated aim to encourage the use of zero emission motorcycles. In the end what was delivered was mixed bag for motorcycling, which does neither.
On the one hand electric motorcycles will be exempt from proposals for ‘eVED’ planned for 2028, which the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) welcomes. But on the other hand, there was no announcement to extend the current electric motorcycle ‘plug in grant’. With the current grant due to expire in April 2026, this will deliver a hammer blow to an electric motorcycle market which has already seen further falls in new registrations over the last year. The gradual whittling away of grant support since 2022 has directly impacted what was once a promising marketplace, with the ‘ePTW’ market going into decline from the point that the original grant support was reduced. Read more
The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) used the opportunity of the National Road Safety Conference 2025 on the 4th November to present a fresh approach to how motorcycle safety policy is considered by the Government and other authorities. At this flagship event, organised by Road Safety GB (RSGB), the NMC’s Craig Carey-Clinch and Saul Jeavons from the Transafe Network, co-presented ideas on how transport policy can be used to create a ‘virtuous circle’ of motorcycle safety which can help further drive down casualty figures. The session, entitled Motorcycle Safety – Building the Momentum, explored themes raised at the RSGB motorcycle conference last February and was well attended by several organisations and individuals, including from the Government.
Safety is often cited as a reason to exclude motorcycles from transport policy and planning, or from acceptance of them as an alternative transport mode. What happens next is that measures to improve motorcycle safety, such as access to priority areas, for example bus lanes, or other initiatives to make life less vulnerable for riders, are often misinterpreted as only being measures that encourage motorcycling which should be avoided. The result is a ‘disvirtuous circle’ as safety doesn’t improve and the original safety reason to exclude motorcycles from policy remains. The knock on effect of such thinking can have an impact on Safe Systems planning, where motorcycling is not fully recognised or catered for. Read more
A great victory for European motorcyclists: European transport ministers set the Council’s position on the roadworthiness package, which puts forward an update of EU standards with regards to periodic roadworthiness tests, technical roadside inspections and registration of vehicle data.Thomas Danielsen, Danish Minister for Transport
Thomas Danielsen, Danish Minister for Transport said: “I am pleased that we have reached a positive outcome and that we now have a general approach on both proposals in the package. With this agreement we are securing a modernisation of the rules for roadside and periodic testing and registration of vehicle data while minimising administrative burden.” Denmark currently holds the EU presidency. Read more
International Volunteer Day: Spotlight on Ruby & Mick
Today, (Friday 5th December) International Volunteers Day, the British Motorcyclists Federation is proud to celebrate our volunteers who keep our motorcycling community thriving. Among them are Ruby, one of our youngest marshals at just 18, and her dad Mick, whose passion for motorcycling dates back to the legendary Peterborough shows of the 1980s.
In July 2025, Ruby and Mick joined our marshal team at our BMF Connected event in July at Mallory Park Race Circuit, Leicestershire. Ruby described it as a highlight in meeting new people, making new friends and discovering the joy of being part of the BMF marshal & motorcycling community.
Since then, they’ve gone on to support our popular ‘Dambuster Rally’ and are already looking forward to 2026, starting with our ‘Crunchy Sleeping Bag Rally’ in February and celebrating the 10th anniversary of Dambuster in August. Read more
International Volunteer Day: Celebrating the Heart of the British Motorcyclists Federation
Today (5th December) on International Volunteer Day, we proudly celebrate our incredible volunteers who give their time, energy and spirit to keep the motorcycle community alive and thriving. These are the people who make sure every BMF event we provide you, runs with passion, purpose and heart.
From the vibrant summer months at our BMF monthly bike meets, held right on the doorstep of our head office by the Lakeside Diner within Mallory Park Race Circuit, to the many hours dedicated to planning, organising and supporting other events, it is our volunteers who remain the true driving force behind every gathering. Read more
𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗔𝗚’𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿!
All,
First of all, thank you to those who have contributed copy for Network this year. Here is the link to the December edition. Quite a bumper edition with some exciting news on a possible new revolutionary to stroke.
Wishing you all a great Yuletide. Ride free, 𝘼𝙂
Network link: https://wiki.mag-uk.org/…/5/55/Network_December_2025.pdf
Shortened link: https://bit.ly/NetworkDec25
You can also view the political report in video format on the MAG YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/he0Pp-iKNiM
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.
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…