Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists – Weekly Newsletter 25th July 2025
Table of Contents
Editorial
Last Saturday, storms threatened to limit SAM members riding out. In reality, i.e. looking up at the sky, the rain wasn’t quite as bad and the weather forecast didn’t turn out too bad. Mid-week riders faired a bit better, but there were reports of heavy rain later in the day. Even if we can’t ride, we still meet up to catch up, swop ideas, talk about any subject and go home happy!
The fight for two-wheeled transport recognition grinds on. It’s no wonder that most riders are highly cynical about UK politicians recognising the invaluable contribution bikers make to our communities and the country in general. The so-called ‘Integrated Transport Strategy’ being touted by the Department for Transport (DfT) openly admits that: “…at present, the Government has no policy to encourage greater use of motorcycles.” This is evidenced by the prevarication of deliberations on the strategy and the disparity in active reward schemes where drivers can get a £3,750 taxpayer-funded discount. New electric motorcycles purchases were only awarded £500. Before 2022, 500,000 grants were made for new electric cars. Officials slashed electric motorcycle support and sidelined it entirely. Mopeds, the vehicle of choice for most young people before they can learn to drive, was removed completely. What has been the result of this Government policy? A vast number of electric bicycles (and scooters) are illegally modified to increase their speed, particularly in the gig economy. This leaves it up to hard-pressed police forces to be burdened with resolving this, wholly politically created, transport problem. Does this sound like it is going to contribute to an ‘Integrated Transport Strategy’? Just a thought.
In other news, motorcycle manufacturers and motorcycle sporting bodies are going full bore on social media channels to develop the use of powered-two-wheel transport. Using Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn and WhatsApp, they are taking advantage of developments in technology on these platforms, to both reach wider audiences and develop new revenue channels. There are already signs that young people are finding electric motorcycle more appealing. Livewire have responded with recent releases of lightweight concept bikes at their Homecoming Festival. Honda launched the CUVe on July 17th as a practical urban bike aimed at commuters and younger riders. Both developments signal a market push toward affordable electric urban transport. If politicians won’t listen, go straight to the consumer and give them a way around the ill-informed, prejudiced policy roadblocks.
In your newsletter this week, there is a whole lot of news and views from the wonderful world of motorcycling. From Triumph looking to recover after a poor start to the year to how Amazon are selling electric motorcycles – but it’s only in India at the moment. Find out what other fascinating insights you can enjoy. Ride safe and 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.
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
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
29th August 2025
Details to be arranged
Online Motorcycling News
General
NORTON: partners with Bikesure
Norton has appointed Bikesure as its preferred insurance partner, providing customers with trusted, comprehensive cover tailored to the individual
Bikesure offers customers comprehensive European cover, uninsured driver accident cover and exclusive owners club and limited mileage discounts
For more information, please visit: https://nortonmotorcycles.com/norton-motorcycles-insurance-services/
Norton Motorcycles is proud to announce the launch of its partnership with leading motorcycle insurer, Bikesure – part of Adrian Flux. The collaboration marks the beginning of a tailored approach to motorcycle insurance for Norton riders, delivering comprehensive cover and trusted service to give Norton riders peace of mind when insuring their motorcycles. .
Triumph are looking to bounce back from a rocky winter with a fresh push across the UK, adding five new dealerships to their network – despite operating in a marketplace that remains stuck in one of the toughest trading periods in years.
Latest figures from the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) show June’s new bike registrations were down 18% year-on-year. That caps off a turbulent first half of 2025 – but marks the strongest monthly performance so far this year, with tentative signs the industry might be on the road to recovery.
Amid that fragility, Triumph have added fresh showrooms in West Birmingham, Chester, Nottingham, and Plymouth, alongside a major new store in Newcastle. The moves bolster the firm’s native dealer network to 47 locations – a figure Triumph UK General Manager Devron Boulton describes as “back where we want to be from a coverage perspective.” Read more.
Honda have pulled the wraps off the CUV e – their second electric scooter for European markets, following on from the EM1 e launched last year.
The new model forms part of the firm’s wider plan to launch at least 10 electric two-wheelers globally by the end of this year.
The CUV e uses a 6kW side-mounted motor and two removable 50.3V lithium-ion batteries to deliver a claimed top speed of 52mph and a range of 43.5 miles.
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MV Agusta Is Officially An Independent Motorcycle Company Again, You Guys
What comes next for the company that prides itself on making rolling motorcycle art?If there’s one thing you can say about MV Agusta, it’s that the company is a survivor. As I write this, we’ve just passed the mid-point of 2025, and the company from Varese has been in the midst of decoupling itself from KTM for the past several months. Due to all the circumstances we’ve covered elsewhere with regard to KTM’s fortunes, the two firms decided it was best if MV Agusta maybe, I don’t know, bought itself back? Read more.
This Is a 7-Cylinder Two-Stroke Kawasaki Motorcycle, And It Can Be Yours
It takes a special kind of person to build a machine like this. Or to own one.
Much like all your favorite superheroes and supervillains, every mad shed-builder has an origin story. If I say the words “Kawasaki” and “two stroke” and “a nearly absurd number of cylinders,” then chances are good that you might instantly picture the 48-cylinder Kawasaki Tinker Toy.
But before British shed builder Simon Whitelock built the Tinker Toy, which..Read more.
You Can Now Buy This Electric Motorcycle On Amazon, But Only In India
Because who wouldn’t want a shiny new EV motorcycle delivered straight to your door?India is the world’s largest motorcycle market, and many motorcycle manufacturers have struck gold over there. But just as many, if not even more, have tried and failed. As such, breaking through as a new brand is no small feat. But Oben Electric is doing just that, and doing it with a mindset that blends innovation and accessibility when it comes to electric mobility. Read more.
2997cc turbo-charged V-four motorcycle tipped to exceed 400mph
An American rider by the name of Chris Rivas is hoping to do something we’ve never seen before, which is achieve 400mph at the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials (BMST).
This year’s BMST will again feature American rider Chris Rivas, who is hoping to obliterate the existing speed record.
The Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials has been home to some pretty earth-shattering speeds over the years, with the current record achieved in 2010 by Rocky Robinson on a Suzuki Hayabusa. On that occasion, the Suzuki rider clocked a speed 376.156mph, which is an FIM-accredited Land Speed World Record for a motorcycle. Read more.
You may remember we covered a news story regarding a teenager called Dean Barnes who was killed while trying to flee the scene of a theft on the back of a stolen motorbike. The verdict in that case is in, and it seems like a win for common sense, if not the young boy’s family.
For those that don’t know, Dean and three friends were burgling a shed and in the process of making off with three dirt bikes. None of the bikes were road legal, and none of the riders licenced – and they obviously weren’t insured. Dean, pillion on one of the bikes after ditching the PW50 he had pinched, was killed instantly following a collision with a completely innocent driver after the bike he was on ran a junction without stopping – it’s worth noting this all took place at night. 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...
COLLABORATION begins a new era in protection
Off-road and adventure touring riders can now benefit from D3O’s expertise in impact protection, with the new Flux Air Vest from Acerbis. A protective waistcoat designed with every adventure in mind: from motocross, to enduro, to touring.
Highly breathable and with an elastic mesh structure, the Flux Air Vest guarantees unparalleled freedom of movement and offers exceptional ventilation even on the hottest days. D3O’s lightweight protectors help to make this an item that riders will forget they’re wearing but will help maintain a high level of protection across the back, chest, elbows and shoulders. Read more.
Every now and then a product comes along that is so intuitive and obviously useful that we wonder why someone didn’t think of it sooner. Sure, there are those little blind spot mirrors you can stick on your rearview mirrors, but motorcycle mirrors are often small and those little mirrors eat up valuable surface area. Saeng blind-spot mirrors are larger than the stick-on type and provide numerous mounting and adjustment options, making them a boon for rider safety. Read more.
New research which explores why car drivers often fail to spot motorcyclists on the road has revealed how a simple video intervention could help save lives – with 92% of drivers reporting a greater understanding of hazards.
Despite making up less than 1% of UK road traffic, motorcyclists account for nearly 20% of road fatalities.
The Motorcycles in the Mind’s Eye study by psychologists at Nottingham Trent University, funded by the Road Safety Trust, explores the theory that many of these incidents are not due to carelessness, but to a lack of experience and flawed ‘mental models’ whereby car drivers and motorcyclists think differently about road situations.
Motorcycles, due to their smaller size, relative rarity, and distinct road behaviour, are significantly harder for drivers to detect, particularly in less predictable scenarios such as overtaking stationary traffic. Read more.
Adventure & Touring
Adventure travel writer and BBC contributor Egle Gerulaityte is setting out on a bold 16-day motorcycle mission across six European countries—from Malaga, Spain, to Lviv, Ukraine—to raise €10,000 for Rally 4×4 Ukraine. Her goal is to deliver a fully equipped Toyota Hilux to the Ukrainian frontlines, where mobility can mean the difference between life and death. Calling it the “6 in 16 Ride,” this journey is more than a test of endurance—it’s a rallying cry for global motorcycle solidarity. Riding her trusted Suzuki DR650 known as “Lucy,” Egle will cross historic landmarks from Guernica to the Somme before reaching war-torn Ukraine,
“Every kilometer is a question,” she says. “Will we deliver on our promises when no one’s watching?”
The ride has already raised over €4,000 through grassroots donations, with support from brands like Enduristan and Pando Moto. But beyond the immediate goal, Gerulaityte hopes riders around the world will create their own “6 in 16” challenges in solidarity.
This isn’t just another adventure—it’s a call to action because in the world of motorcycling, freedom is a shared road. Check out the press release below for more information and you can support the Rally in a few different ways: Read more.
Decades after its official demise in 1985, Route 66 remains in fragments, with the rest either paved over and renamed or reclaimed by nature. Nearly 100 years after its official opening in 1926, my buddy Scott and I heeded Yogi’s proclamation that it ain’t over and took a Route 66 motorcycle ride on what was left of America’s Main Street from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California.Interstate travel has its limits. Limited access. Limited visual variety. Limited signage. Limited opportunities for impromptu exploration. Interstates exist to give motorists the fastest path between endpoints. While that was also Route 66’s original purpose, nowadays the Mother Road favors journey over destination. Like clicking through TV channels, this road offers visual variety with every eye blink. With famous roadside attractions and scenery that varies from city streets to open desert to mountain twisties, the Mother Road provides plentiful moto-nourishment. Despite its official nonexistence and decades of neglect, this national organism hangs on, morphing and reinventing and refusing to succumb with all its heart. I like that. Read more.
History & Custom
You’re unlikely to see a Kymco KTR 150 on the street outside of Taiwan, where it’s built and predominantly sold. But this humble single-cylinder commuter is quickly gaining fame, thanks to a growing contingent of Taiwanese workshops choosing it for their custom builds.
It’s easy to see why. The KTR is readily available and affordable, and its utilitarian nature makes it a versatile platform for customization. In the hands of experienced outfits like 2LOUD Custom, it sings. Read more.
Motorcyclists of yesteryear were made of sterner stuff. That becomes plainly obvious when reading motorcycle racer and author Don Emde’s book, Freddie Ludlow: His Life on Two Wheels. Ludlow, born in Los Angeles near the turn of the century in 1895, grew up alongside the nascent motorcycle industry. Today, the age of 13 sounds rather tender, but that’s how old Ludlow was when he quit school to get behind the handlebars of an Indian motorcycle to deliver messages for Western Union. Soon, he and his fellow motorcycle chums were racing, with Ludlow and crew taking on motordrome, boardtrack and dirt track events and just about anything else that tested the limits of man and machine. Clearly intelligent and resourceful with tools, Ludlow began working as a young mechanic at Will Risden’s Indian Motocycles in L.A. where he mingled with some of the brightest lights of the sport, including Paul “Dare Devil” Derkum and Jake DeRosier. Read more.
I used to think that Nortons were mythical motorcycles—that they existed only as a pretend brand name in Dan O’Neill’s Odd Bodkins cartoon strip, run in the San Francisco Chronicle. When I was in high school, I lived in Sonoma, which is in the valley just east of Petaluma. Back then Petaluma was crammed with chickens, chicken coops, and chicken processors, so it was especially funny to see a cartoon Norton break down and strand our heroes in the Chicken Capital of the World. These days the coops are gone or (rarely) renovated as workshops and outbuildings that have absolutely no function related to chicken husbandry. I was also stimulated by O’Neill’s concept of the Magic Cookie in the gas tank—such a Cookie could actually send a Norton to Mars, even if Nortons were mythical beasts.So, although I liked motorcycles and in high school learned to ride on a BSA A50, I hadn’t actually realized that Nortons were real. Years later I was driving home to Sonoma and a perfect green Norton Commando Fastback rumbled by my rolled-down window. I was incredulous; Nortons were real! I knew I had to have one, but money remained an obstacle for some time. By 1978, though, I was a graduate student at Berkeley making a heady $325 a month. Then I had a chance to be a teaching assistant for extra money, lots: $1700 for three months’ work. At the time none of this was taxable, so here was a stash in the making. My friend Henry and I spent many hours discussing the merits of Triumphs vs. Nortons, but each of us was already convinced. Henry wanted a new vehicle for once in his life, and that meant a Bonneville [still available new in ’78 – ed]. I wanted a Norton. Read more.
Kevin Williams
Going on holiday? Care for your chain! Part 1
This is the second-to-last instalment in the articles which are loosely connected by fixing problems out on the road, and BMW and Moto Guzzi owners can look away now since I’m about to conclude it with some tips to look after the chain on holiday.
Let’s start with what should be an obvious statement. Chains need lubrication – even modern low-maintenance X-ring chains. And if they run dry, such as is likely to happen after a long run on a wet day, the X-rings which seal grease inside the rollers will rapidly wear out, after which the sealed-in grease will steadily leak out, do what you may. Once that happens, the chain will wear and stretch, and rapidly too. They are not something we can ignore completely. Read more.
Statistically, most crashes happen near home – why?
Here’s a claim you’ll hear frequently – that the most dangerous part of a journey is not on roads we don’t know, but those we know best and that statistically, most crashes happen within just a few miles of home, at the start or end of a journey.
Why?
One explanation is because we’re distracted – when we start riding, our minds are still elsewhere but returning home we are on familiar roads, relaxed and are off-guard.
There’s almost certainly an element of truth in that, but here’s another – statistically most crashes happen close to home because they are the roads we ride over most frequently! .
Freedom of information – has it really freed us?
The decades during which I’ve been an active motorcyclist have cut across a profound change that I suspect many of us aren’t really aware of; I’m talking about not just a change in what information is available to us all, but who holds it and how it flows.
Back in 1984, in the days before the explosion of the internet, I was putting my Master’s thesis together. Just in case you’re not aware, a thesis is an original document created by a researcher to contribute new knowledge or a fresh interpretation of existing knowledge within a given field. To that end, it requires a review of existing literature. Almost all the information I needed was ‘gatekept’ – controlled by institutions such as universities and government bodies. Some of that information was made publicly available in libraries or published by established media in articles, magazines or books. But much of what I needed was specialist information, and required me not just to visit a college library which actually held a physical copy of the research paper I was looking for, but a formal affiliation to the research institution itself – I could only get into the libraries with my university ID card. Read more.
If there’s a Zone of Visibility there must be…
…a Zone of Invisibility. But that’s not a term you’ll discover in any of the usual sources. The DVSA has a term for those parts of our environment which are visible to us; they call it our ‘Zone of Vision’. You’ll also find a similar ‘Zone of Visibility’ term in ‘Motorcycle Roadcraft’, the police manual. The IAM RoadSmart book talks more nebulously of ‘observation’ but as far as I can see doesn’t mention any zones.
Whatever term we use (or don’t use) for the area we CAN see, the implication is always this; there is another zone into which we cannot see and that hazards that lurk within it can’t be seen, no matter how hard we look. In other words, a Zone of Invisibility lies outside of our Zone of Vision / Zone of Visibility, Read more.
Whiteknights Blood Bikes
South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership
Scooter safety: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? 
More than a third (38%) reveal they were still consuming alcohol after 9pm even though they were driving before 9am the following day
A third of drivers (31%) have seen a friend or relative travel immediately after drinking alcohol
Calls for drink drive rehabilitation courses to be mandatory for offenders
More than a third of drivers may have been driving while over the legal blood alcohol limit the morning after consuming several alcoholic drinks the previous night according to new research published by UK road safety charity IAM RoadSmart. Read more.
Are you aware of the OAP framework when out riding? 
ACEM
The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) welcomes the vote by the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) committees on the compromise amendments to the proposed End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Regulation.
For the first time, motorcycles and other L-category vehicles are included in the EU framework for End-of-Life Vehicles. This marks a significant milestone in aligning the sector with circular economy principles and ensuring consistent treatment across vehicle categories.
The compromise amendments adopted by the committees reflect ACEM’s key advocacy priorities. All L-category vehicles, including L1e and L2e types, would now be within the scope of the regulation, helping to prevent market fragmentation and ensure regulatory coherence. The 60-month implementation period proposed by the European Commission has been maintained, providing manufacturers with the necessary time to adapt processes and systems in line with the new requirements. Read more.
Motorcycle Industries Association
MCIA Response to Government’s £650m Electric Car Grant: “Motorcycles Left Behind Again”
The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) welcomes today’s announcement by the Transport Secretary regarding the £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG) – but warns that once again, L-Category vehicles have been completely excluded from a major government initiative to support zero emission transport.
While we recognise the Government’s commitment to supporting the automotive sector and accelerating the transition to electric vehicles, there is nothing in today’s announcement for zero emission motorcycles, scooters, or other L-Category vehicles – a sector that offers a vast, underutilised opportunity to decarbonise transport, ease congestion, and improve air quality. Read more.
National Motorcycle Dealers Association
“Consumer confidence continues to affect the motorcycle market” said Symon Cook, Head of National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), commenting on the latest figures published by MCIA.
New registrations in June dropped -18.6%, which is down 6.3% compared to May’s -12.3% figure. Meanwhile, the figures “year-to-date” total at -20.1%, highlighting the market as being significantly below 2024 levels.
Symon Cook concluded: “We are concerned by such a sharp decline, particularly during a period of warm weather, which typically acts as a conduit for higher motorcycle sales and registrations. This makes June’s result even more surprising and concerning for the sector.
Like the wider automotive industry, the motorcycle market faces economic uncertainty and many dealers are struggling to match the volumes seen in 2024. With Q2 closing negatively, we anticipate this month will prove to be an outlier and that the market will resume its upward trend.” 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
The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) published its 19th PIN annual report, analyzing the 20,017 deaths on EU roads in 2024. In this report, the ETSC again calls for periodic technical inspections for all motorcycles and mopeds without offering any proof of safety gains.
The ETSC recommends to extend testing to cover all motorcycles, including mopeds, without exemptions: as a minimum, first inspection after four years, subsequent inspections every two years, then every year after that. But more on that later, let’s look at the road safety numbers first.
The EU has set a target to halve the number of road deaths by 2030, based on their level in 2019. Most European countries have similar national targets. The 19th PIN report paints a mixed picture: clear progress in some countries, especially Norway and Lithuania, but overall European trends falling short. With only a 12% reduction in deaths since 2019, and serious injuries barely budging, the EU faces a critical juncture. Read more.
British Motorcyclists Federation
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.
Motorcycle Action Group
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether motorcycling will be part of an integrated national transport strategy….
Answered on
18 July 2025
The Integrated National Transport Strategy will be published later this year and set the long-term vision for transport across England. As the strategy continues to develop, we are looking at all modes to understand how transport should be better designed, built and operated to meet the needs of people who use it. Read more.
The government’s latest announcement promises up to £3,750 off new electric cars through a massive £650 million scheme. Great news for car buyers. But if you’re on two wheels, you might be wondering where your slice of the pie is. Spoiler alert: there isn’t one.The Numbers Don’t Add Up
Electric car buyers can claim nearly four grand off their shiny new Tesla. Meanwhile, electric motorcycle riders are stuck with the same £500 grant that’s been gathering dust since 2021. No increase, no expansion, no recognition that motorcycles could be part of the solution to Britain’s transport emissions. 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.
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…