Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists – Weekly Newsletter 15th August 2025
Table of Contents
Editorial
Cooler riding last week, but this didn’t deter SAM’s riders from making the usual meetups. From new bike launches to political wrangling and viral moments, the past week has been anything but quiet in the motorcycling world. Here’s your round-up of what’s been happening—whether you’re just starting out or already living life on two wheels. There is something for every rider.
🏍️ New Bikes: Fresh Metal for 2026
Honda revealed two CB1000F concept bikes at the Suzuka 8-Hour race, including a Fireblade-powered version that’s already production-ready. CFMoto officially launched its 750SR-R inline-four sportbike, aiming to challenge Japanese rivals with aggressive pricing and performance. Meanwhile, Stark Future dropped the Varg MX 1.2 electric motocross bike, boasting more range, a new battery pack, and updated chassis tech.
Kawasaki also refreshed five of its Z models with new colours for 2026, while BMW’s F450 GS design filings leaked online, giving fans an early look at the upcoming adventure bike.
🧠 Licence Reform: MPs Clash Over Rider Access
At the MCIA Industry Conference, Labour and Conservative MPs reignited the debate over motorcycle licensing reform. With the current system seen as too complex and off-putting for young riders, politicians are considering changes to make it easier to get on two wheels. Shadow Transport Secretary Gareth Bacon MP called for a full-scale review of the L-category sector, which includes motorcycles, scooters, and trikes.
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) also continues to push for default access to bus lanes for motorcyclists, with their petition now topping 25,540 signatures. Have you added yours yet? Join the whole biking community in showing that it will not be ignored. No matter how hard politicians try to sideline use when talking about future transportation in the UK. It’s time to stand up and show that you are prepared to fight for your right to ride!
📈 Marketing Moves: Harley’s New Boss and Social Media Buzz
Harley-Davidson named a new CEO this week amid tough times for the brand, hoping to reconnect with younger riders and reverse declining sales. On the digital front, MotoGP and Royal Enfield are making waves with Instagram’s Broadcast Channels, a feature that sends updates straight to followers’ DMs—perfect for reaching Gen Z riders.
YouTube’s Live Shopping feature is also gaining traction, allowing brands to sell gear and bikes during livestreams. Red Bull KTM Racing is already experimenting with it.
🌍 Global Politics: Tariffs and Trade Tensions
The US slapped a 145% tariff on Chinese motorcycle imports, prompting brands like CFMoto and Benda to shift focus to Europe and the UK. This could mean more affordable, high-spec bikes landing on British shores soon. Meanwhile, European manufacturers are bracing for potential retaliatory tariffs, which could affect exports of bikes over 500cc. Much of these events are good news for the economically depressed UK motorcycle economy. Look out for serious attempts at market positioning and penetration. Some manufacturers are already opening up new dealerships. Go and see what they have to offer.
💥 Viral Moment: Jack Miller’s Moonshot
MotoGP star Jack Miller walked away unscathed after his Yamaha R1 went airborne in a dramatic crash at Suzuka. The bike launched skyward in what fans are calling the “moonshot moment” of the season.
Whether it’s politics, tech, or pure adrenaline, this week proves that motorcycling is more than just a hobby—it’s a fast-moving culture giving you a rich and rewarding life. All you have to do is step over the seat, take hold of the bars and ride. SAM is here to help you become an advanced rider. Stay tuned, and always ride safe. Happy reading.
PS: Sometimes, unexpected events will put a rider in hospital. To anyone who is having a hard time we are here to give support and to make life a little easier – even if it is only to make you laugh until stitches threaten to pop, share the grapes and tell you what you are missing. Get well soon.
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It’s another Advanced Riding Test Pass!
Congratulations to Chris Brown, with a FIRST (best achievable) and John Foster (Observer)
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
1st September 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
28th August 2025
Details to be arranged
Online Motorcycling News
General
It’s nearly 60 years since David Brown went on his first scooter rally on his then brand new Lambretta Li150.
And as we chat at his home in Lincoln, he’s gearing up for the trek to Scarborough with the Horncastle-based Generations Scooter Club, still loving the scooter life as much as when he was a teenager.
“It’s been great fun, and entertainment,” says the 76-year-old. “I’ve enjoyed scootering throughout my life.”
But it didn’t start off that way, David cutting his two-wheeled teeth on a Honda 50, then a Honda 125 motorbike, on which he passed his test. Read more.
Suspension for motorcycles can be hard to get your head around. With so many moving parts, you may wonder how it all works.
Motorbike suspension systems are crucial for the safety of your bike, and they have a great impact on its handling, comfort and maintaining tyre contact.
Here we go through everything you need to know about motorbike suspension to give you an initial understanding of how it all works. Read more.
The UK’s best motorcycle cafes
Cafes have been an important part of the United Kingdom’s motorcycling culture for decades. They’re places where you can stop, rest, meet up with other bikers and plan the next part of your journey, as you enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a bite to eat.
In this blog, we’ll take you on a tour of some of the best motorcycle cafés across the UK. These places aren’t just a pit stop for refuelling your body, but they’re also a hub for like-minded riders to share their stories, swap tips, and bask in the camaraderie of the biking world.
So, fasten your helmets and get ready to discover some of the most iconic and welcoming motorcycle cafés in the UK. Read more.
Overall year-to-date registration figures remain down by a substantial 17.6%, dipping a further 0.2% when factoring in mopeds and three-wheelers – although this still marks the closest the market has come to the black so far in 2025.
The data, released by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), shows that by the end of July 2025 55,769 bikes had been sold or registered, compared 67,656 12 months prior.
All sectors continue to feel the strain, with no standout category standing out as top sellers. That said, competition, touring, and modern classic models are currently faring the best.
While the numbers remain down, the figures follow a clear pattern of incremental improvement that has been in place since March – with each four-week period showing a circa 2% improvement over the one before.
Looking at July in particular, the month was just 2.4% worse off than the same period last year, representing the narrowest monthly shortfall recorded in 2025 to date. Read more.
A Lancashire man has created what could be the world’s only superbike-powered hearse outfit, built to give sportsbike fans the ultimate send-off.Fleetwood-based Darren Abey, the man behind Superbike Funerals and Only Fools and Hearses, has spent around £30,000 developing a one-of-a-kind Suzuki GSX-R1000 K4 hearse rig – complete with a bespoke sidecar built for a coffin.
“If somebody wants to go out in style, who rode sportsbikes – it’s ideal,” Abey told MCN. “It’s totally bespoke – it’s never been done before. I don’t think anybody will ever build another one – they’d just pull their hair out.”
Originally built to Superstock spec, the 1000cc Suzuki was then adapted with leading-link forks and other significant chassis modifications to cope with the demands of the sidecar.
“It’s been hard work to be honest with you. I’ve had to rebuild it three times because, with it being such a short wheelbase, it really didn’t want to pull a sidecar. Read more.
Pity the poor fool who’s got nothing to do for a week or two but roll around on his motorcycle – no job, no cares, no particular place to be. And if you’re fortunate enough to have all those things working in your favor, chances are you’re carrying around quite a bit of loot in the saddlebags and trunk of your Goldwing, Ultra Glide or big BMW K-bike – possibly even an accomplice. What you want on all of those bikes are tires that stick to the pavement, wet or dry, upright or dragging peg, carry a heavy load safely, and preferably wear like iron. Is that too much to ask? Read more.
Despite being one of the biggest automakers on the planet, India’s Bajaj Auto is struggling to meet its own targets for manufacturing EVs.
Confirming the news on a post-earnings call earlier this week, Bajaj Auto’s chief financial officer, Dinesh Thapar, stated:
“At this point in time, it looks like we might be able to deliver about 50%-60% of our (electric) two-wheeler plan for this quarter and about 70%-80% of the (electric) three-wheeler plan,”
The slow production is being blamed on a lack of rare earth minerals, which are critical components when it comes to building electric vehicles – and India is a key market in the electric bike, three-wheeler and commercial vehicle sector. Lightweight motorcycles and scooters make up a huge proportion of the total vehicles on the roads, and with battery-powered vehicles being most at home in congested cities, it’s a key growth region for the technology .
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...
Last month marked 25 years since the greatest road racer of all, Joey Dunlop, died in a crash while competing in Estonia on 2 July, 2000. Joey was an Arai man through and through, and the Japanese firm has honoured his memory regularly with replica designs, and this is the latest, to mark the 25th anniversary of his passing.It’s a top-end Arai RX-7V Evo lid, with the original graphics, plus a special Shell Oil sticker pack to match his 1980s helmet and unique badge and certificate. Each sale also includes a royalty to Joey’s wife Linda. Available exclusively at www.thevisorshop.com the lid costs £869.99 and is limited to 600 helmets worldwide. Read more.
Surrey has seen of the UK’s sharpest increases in accidents where motorcycle riders are seriously injured or killed, new data has revealed.
According to a report released by J&S Accessories, the UK’s largest stock of motorcycle products, based on data from the Department for Transport, in the last two years, Surrey has seen one of the “sharpest increases” in motorcycle accidents.This data shows such accidents are up 34 per cent in the last two years, placing Surrey in third place for the highest increases per police force in the country. Read more.
Deadly roadside barriers put UK bikers at risk as study calls for urgent crash safety reformA new safety study has raised the alarm on the lethal risk posed by steel guardrails to motorcyclists, particularly in upright crashes where the rider hits the barrier head-on.
Commissioned by the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA), the investigation looked to identify innovations for safer infrastructure for bikers.
“More than half of single-motorcycle crashes result in fatalities or severe injuries,” said researchers Laura Brigita Parežnik, Marko Renčelj and Tomaž Tollazzi, who conducted the study from the University of Maribor, Slovenia, adding that existing barrier designs offer little benefit. In fact, they may present a deadly hazard for bikers. Read more.
Adventure & Touring
By the time I arrived in Bolivia, I didn’t know which was in worse shape—my body or my bike. Beyond the common travelers’ ailments, the fan had stopped working on my KLR685, and an infection had reached my kidneys. We both ran a fever as we limped around La Paz looking for a cure.
I had searched all over the tangled city, frustrated at being turned away, or outright ignored… left wondering if it was because I was American or a woman… or both. It wasn’t my lack of Spanish; I had enough skills to hold a conversation. I tried checking with the motorcycle mechanic at the police station, where they rode newer KLRs, in hopes a spare part might be my ticket out of this country.Alas, no, but I eventually found a man who would talk with me, even though he barely believed that I was riding by myself, and was even less convinced that I had any mecánica skills, or knew what was wrong with the bike. Finally, he understood that I didn’t need someone to look at my motorcycle, just someone to fix the part I had in my hand. He agreed to take the fan motor to the right guy because, for some unknown cultural reason, I wasn’t allowed to do so. Read more.
Okay, we might be pushing the limits a little by calling this a Day Ride, but if ever you’re in the vicinity, here’s a route you’ll definitely want to tick off. Willie Davidson took his bike, and his camera. Here’s what you need to know:
I was lucky enough to have a fair degree of flexibility about when to go, so through September I’d avidly been watching the weather forecast for a dry week. However, I had a deadline as in mid-October the ferries move to a winter timetable that would make my trip impossible. Read more.
History & Custom
For many of us, motorcycle maintenance is a Zen art. It brings us into a meditative state, one often influenced by the smell of gasoline and the occasional drinking with a comrade. It’s a time for reflection and bench racing. A time to ruminate about the philosophy of speed. But even with all the enjoyment they can bring, motorcycles can be temperamental bastards. Yes, I said it. If you have a fascination with vintage, you know it can sometimes take on a mind of its own and have a power that could only be rivaled by a woman scorned. To help you get through it, I’d like to take this chance to spread a few opinions, a few facts, and a lot of philosophy on a dark and often unspoken topic.
Oil. Lubricants. The lifeblood of your machine.
If you’ve ever spent any time around a garage, you’ve most likely heard such shop talk as, ‘the dude who built mine said…,’ and ‘Old Larry only runs synthetic…,’ and my personal favorite, ‘the manual specifies…’ Well, allow me to take you through a quick look into my thoughts on the subject. Read more.
Kevin Williams
Let’s get this straight – drivers aren’t ‘out to kill us’ Part 1
[Based on the in-depth item in yesterday’s Elevenses LIVE webcast]
Recently, I put up an article about a new study which used videos to ‘prime’ riders and drivers to each other’s presence. The study did find some positive results.
Unfortunately, the study wasn’t reported entirely accurately by the press.
For example, one news item on the study used a graphic which asked:
“Why do car drivers crash into motorcycles? Ignorant? Arrogant? Unobservant?”
Frankly, that was an appallingly bad choice to introduce the story. Why, you are probably asking. What’s wrong with it?
Simple enough. It had absolutely nothing to do with the study or its results, which was on an approach that might lessen the risks of the SMIDSY on both sides of the collision. But what it did do very effectively was prime riders to respond with their own prejudices. Read more.
First Gear: Establishing the Basics
Last week I started a new series by explaining, any journey to mastery – playing a musical instrument, swinging a golf club, perfecting a tennis serve or mastering the ski slopes – is far more easily achieved when we consciously move through a series of progressively more difficult goals. I used the analogy of a motorcycle gearbox, where each higher gear is selected sequentially from the gear below it as an analogy for the way that skills are progressive too with each layer built on the foundation of the skillset below it. And so over the next six weeks, each article will explore a ‘gear’, starting in first and moving sequentially to sixth in turn to help you along your own progressive skill-building journey.
There’s a reason bikes have a first gear, and there’s a reason for moving slowly when mastering new riding techniques. It doesn’t matter whether we’re a beginner just getting to grips with two wheels, a rider looking to move from L plates to a more powerful machine, or even an experienced rider developing advanced skills. Read more.
Why drivers don’t see bikes #1 ‘Inattentional Blindness’
When traffic’s quiet, maybe it’s easy to spot another vehicle. Even a motorcycle. But in many of the places we ride, we’ll encounter a lot of other vehicles. And sometimes drivers don’t see us.
It’s unfortunate that one reason drivers fail to detect motorcycles has been termed ‘inattentional blindness’ because it’s not a ‘lack of attention’ that’s the problem. Unfortunately thanks to that word, that’s sometimes what riders believe.
In fact, it’s the exact opposite – focussing too hard on one complex task.
It’s been known for a long time that when we are focused intently, we often fail to see other things even when they’re in plain sight.
As Kristen Pammer, a professor of psychology and associate dean of science at Australian National University, said in an analysis of junction collisions a few years back: Read more.
The hooks influencers set to catch us
I guess a few people may have wondered why I’m writing about ‘influencers’ but the answer’s simple – there’s more and more junk content out there on social media, which is fast rendering platforms like YouTube unusable without careful filtering. And when we do see what appears to be real information, some of it turns out to be ‘fake news’, as a certain US president would say. But rather than claiming the fake news is anything we disagree with, the trending story last week that the DfT was set to ban in-car navigation systems from next year genuinely IS fake. More on that in Elevenses on Sunday incidentally.
As a reminder, I’ve been looking at how information flow that has returned to ‘push’ with media accounts increasingly controlling the content – even the junk content – which is delivered to us. I explained how and why content creators monetise content. The bottom line is, everyone has to earn a crust and I’ve not got a problem with that – after all, I offer all you reading this the chance to sign up to my own www.ko-fi.com/survivalskills page. You benefit from my knowledge and understanding of motorcycling issues – I earn some pocket money from my writing. Read more.
Whiteknights Blood Bikes
Did you know that Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes were one of the five founding members in the creation of NABB?
Now there are 36 Blood Bikes Groups covering from the Highlands & Islands of Scotland to Land’s End in Cornwall.
Visit bloodbikes.org.uk to learn more about them.
South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership
Scooter safety:
Let’s talk speed:
Breaking the speed limit (or travelling too fast for conditions) is recorded by police as a contributory factor in around a third of all fatal crashes & a quarter of crashes resulting in serious injury.
Thank you to everyone out there who travels at a safe speed.
You are helping us to make South Yorkshire roads safer.
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
#VisionZero
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? 
· Scenic treasure hunt road trip combines learning, fun, and a chance to win a £50 voucher
· Collecting points en route, participants will see some of the most spectacular scenery in Wale
A new initiative combining a great day out with road safety has been launched across one of the most picturesque regions in Wales, inviting drivers to take part in treasure hunt-style road trip while testing their knowledge of road safety. 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 542.361 units during the six first months of 2025. This represents a decrease of approximately -11,3% compared to 2024 (611.145 units).
Motorcycle registration volumes increase in Spain (111.363 units, +5% year-on-year), while in other countries, the market has generally shrunk: in Italy (195.025 units, -4,2%), France (98.499 units, -14,8%), UK (47.464 units, -19,8%) and in Germany (90.010 units, -29%).
Moped registrations reached a total volume of 68.690 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 -19,2% in comparison to last year (84.974 units). All markets are with a previsible decrease, Spain (5.628, -2%), Germany followed (8.333 units, -5,9%), Belgium (13.304 units, -9,7%), Netherlands (13.199 units, -17,4%) , France (21.607 units -27,7%) and Italy (6.619 units, -32,4%). Read more.
Motorcycle Industries Association
MCIA has today published the new vehicle market data for the month of July 2025.
This includes Mopeds, Scooters, Motorcycles and some other specific sectors of the wider L-Category vehicle types.
New registrations for the month of July show a welcome improvement at minus 2.4%, compared to minus 18.6% in June which represents a positive swing of over 16%. This trend is also reflected in an improved year to date market recovering to a minus 17.8% compared to the previous year. Read more.
National Motorcycle Dealers Association
“The new motorcycle market has displayed signs of recovery, steadying after last month’s sharp decline. However, with registrations still in the negative, it suggests consumer confidence has not fully stabilised at the beginning of Q3” commented Symon Cook, Head of National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), according to the latest figures published by Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA).
New registrations in July saw improvement to -2.4% up 16% compared to last month’s -18.6% figure. Meanwhile, the “year-to-date” market slightly recovered to -17.8% compared to 2024.
Symon Cook concluded: “NMDA is pleased with the improvement when considering 2025’s decline and dealers can have a positive outlook for the remainder of Q3. However, we are concerned that the market has been largely ignored by the Government. Recently the Government introduced the new Electric Car Grant with a discount of £3,750, yet nothing of this ilk to incentivise consumers to buy motorcycles. Read more.
National Motorcyclists Council
The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) has welcomed news that the Department for Transport (DfT) is considering options for reviewing the current training, testing and licensing regime. The NMC, along several motorcycling organisations and other road safety stakeholders were told the news by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood MP who attended a round table meeting of the Government’s Motorcycle Strategic Focus Group on January 20th to discuss licensing and other aspects of motorcycle safety and policy. Read more…
In response to the Government’s announcement of a new Electric Car Grant , the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) is today calling on the Government to both renew the Grant when it comes up for review early next year and to increase the level and scope of support that it provides for buyers of alternative propulsion motorcycles.
The current motorcycle grant was launched in 2016 to help ‘bridge the price gap between the cost of zero emission and petrol motorcycles’. Originally, the grant was 20% of the cost of an electric motorcycle up to a maximum of £1,500. But in 2022, at the same time that the old plug-in grant for cars was abolished, the motorcycle grant was reduced to up to £150 for mopeds and £500 for motorcycles, as long as the recommended retail price was £10,000 or below. The moped grant was abolished in 2024 and in February this year, the Government extended the £500 grant for a further year, but only for motorcycles. Read more.
FEMA
A new study is sounding the alarm on the hidden threat all motorcyclists are aware of: the steel safety barriers lining thousands of kilometres of roads.
Motorcyclists across Europe are familiar with the dangers of slippery curves and unexpected obstacles. Researchers confirm that these barriers, designed primarily to protect car occupants, are a serious risk to motorcyclists in a specific type of accident: upright crashes. When a rider hits a barrier in an upright position, their chest or abdomen often slams directly into the sharp upper edge of the guardrail. The research paper calls for better guardrails to protect motorcyclists in these upright crashes. Read more.
British Motorcyclists Federation
The Imps Motorcycle Display Team appears to be on pause, having cancelled all future performances with immediate effect. Although there’s no indication what the cause might be, but a statement on the group’s website stated: “A recent review of the organisation has brought to light several critical areas that need attention before any future activity could even be considered.” It went on: “These are not easy fixes. They require time, care and thoughtful reflection. To press on regardless would risk compromising the very standards and values that made The Imps what they are today.”
The Imps is an East London-based charity, set up by the late Roy Pratt MBE in 1970, to train children aged between five and 16 to learn motorcycle stunts, which they then went on to perform all over the world. Aiming to instill confidence and the importance of team work, the charity has worked with over 2500 young riders over the years.
Jim Freeman, chair at the BMF hoped that The Imps would be in a position to resume their work soon: “The Imps are something of a national institution, so the BMF hopes this is simply a temporary hiatus and nothing more. One has to wonder whether safeguarding and Health and Safety issues may be the root cause, or even a switch to electric power. ” Read more.
Motorcycle Action Group
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is calling for urgent action. The Government must properly consider motorcycles in national parking policy. This follows the launch of the latest consultation on the Private Parking Code of Practice. However, MAG highlights a persistent problem: the lack of engagement with motorcyclists’ needs. This continues despite years of professional advocacy and clear evidence of under-provision. 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.
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