Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists – Weekly newsletter 2nd May 2025
Table of Contents
Editorial
“What is the most important component on a motorcycle? Answer: The rider’s brain!”
It has been a fabulous week for riding and training. Dry roads, sunshine and clear skies make for interesting journeys. Despite the UK Government dragging its feet on reviewing motorcycle licencing and training, discussions on making electric two-wheelers more affordable have begun. Rising insurance costs remain a barrier to becoming mobile on electric bikes. However, the teenager I saw doing 30+mph, whizzing up the local hill on an electric cycle, suggests that many won’t wait for legislative approval! Having affordable transport to get to college and work is a more pressing priority. Constraining social mobility and career development among young people is only likely to lead them to ‘bending the rules’ to get on in life! Manufacturers like Stark Varg’s are rapidly bringing high performance electric bikes into the UK and Europe. As the US trade war heats up there is already trouble at Harley Davidson. The CEO has resigned and there is talk about spinning off their financial division. US bikers are not happy with the company.
As the electric bike sales remain at just 3.2% of all bike sales, new petrol-powered machines are arriving. Aimed at A2 licenced riders, Kawasaki has a new middleweight adventure bike that’s ideal for weekend outings. Royal Enfield decided to produce bike eye-candy with a fresh, limited edition, colour options on the very popular Continental GT 650 and Interceptor 650 models. The retro appeal goes down well with younger buyers. Older riders have already ridden them and moved on.
Rider safety gear is also getting a fashionable upgrade. Moto Direct is collaborating with RaceFX to bring Troy Lee Designs and innovation to the market. Other brands like Shark, Arai, Bell, Shoei, HJC and AGV are also developing more comfortable, stylish and safer head protection.
When the UK Government decided there was ‘not enough research’ to grant motorcycles default access to bus lanes a MAG (Motorcycle Action Group) member decided to take another look at the reasoning. It turns out that, if each local authority spends, like Leeds Council, £100,000 on doing the same research, they are likely to come to the obvious conclusion there is not a safety issue. There are 55 local authorities who do allow motorcycle access to bus lanes without any significant problems. After all, it’s easier to see who is breaking the law and issue penalty notices. This is why MAG’s latest campaign is urging every motorcyclist to get three people, friends/family/strangers, to sign the latest petition, to prevent the remaining 327 local authorities/principal councils/local councils, spending £32,700,000 on pointless research! Reaching 100,000 signatures is going to save a lot of money to spend on filling potholes!
There is masses of curated content in your SAM newsletter. Adventures, safer riding, custom bikes and a whole lot more. Ride safe, happy reading and get everyone to sign the MAG petition. Thank you.
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
5th May 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 May 2025
Details to be arranged
Online Motorcycling News
General
Back by popular demand! Join us at The Moor Sheffield on Sunday 4th May, from 11am to 4pm, for another unforgettable 999 Fun Day in partnership with the National Emergency Services Museum.
This free family event is packed with exciting, hands-on activities for all ages. Meet real-life heroes from the police, fire, ambulance, and RNLI services, and get up close with both modern emergency vehicles and historic service vehicles from the museum’s collection.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Step inside a real police van
- Have your fingerprints taken just like a pro
- Try on authentic emergency service uniforms
- Learn life-saving tips from frontline professionals
- Let the little ones bounce off some steam on the bouncy castle
Whether you’re curious about the work of our emergency services or just looking for a fun, free day out with the family – this is one not to miss!
📍 The Moor, Sheffield
🗓 Sunday 4th May
⏰ 11am – 4pm
💰 Free Entry
Come along, get inspired, and discover the heroes behind the sirens. Read more…
Harley-Davidson is Facing a Proxy Vote on Wednesday
Board members need to hit the road, and if you want to read the back story check this link:
As we all know, Harley-Davidson is not just a vehicle manufacturer. They build freedom. They construct an American icon. No vehicle in the world represents the American Way more than Harley-Davidson.
There are several ways we can help return the company to its rightful path. Talk to your dealer. Become a stock holder. The stock is down so shares are cheap Read more…
Many of us can agree that there’s something about getting on the open road that uplifts us. It’s a freeing experience but for those who don’t have easy access to it, Wish List Bikers Charity, with the assistance of Bikesure, is helping them enjoy that adventure.
The Suffolk-based organisation began its work in 2019, with experienced bikers wanting to make a difference within their community. They offer dream rides to sick and disabled people, put forward by their loved ones, hoping to give them a fantastic memory they’ll never forget. Read more…
One year on since a quartet of Air Traffic Controllers undertook a 3500-mile trip from Aberdeen to Gibraltar for charity, the group has closed fundraising at a grand total of £77,886.95.
The money will be split two ways, between Prostate Cancer UK (£57,929.01) and Aerobility (£19,957.01).
The four-man team was made up of Wayne Clarke, Richard Fell, Harvey McVicar, and Shaun Bellairs-Wray, who used Triumph adventure bikes for their trans-European trip.Dubbed 24in24, the journey linked 24 air traffic control units, tackled seven active runways, and even saw the men scale Gibraltar’s Rock Gun under a Ministry of Defence escort. Read more…
In countries like South Korea, motorcycles aren’t just weekend toys or leisure rides—they’re essential tools of daily life. In cities like Seoul, delivery riders zip between alleyways and apartment blocks, getting food, packages, and even groceries to customers in record time. With narrow streets and dense traffic, scooters are often the fastest and most practical way to get around.
But all that convenience comes at a cost. Gas-powered motorcycles, especially older and smaller models, are surprisingly dirty. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Environment, a small 50cc gas scooter can emit up to 279 times more hydrocarbons than a car of the same age. Add to that rising noise complaints—up nearly 80% from 2022 to 2023—and it’s clear that something has to give. 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...
XCP (eXtra Corrosion Protection) was invented for maintenance workers in the printing industry, bizarrely (big printing presses have some proper heavy engineering in them) now it’s moved into the bike world, via automotive, offshore and even theme park maintenance tasks. It’s developed and manufactured in Scotland, and it’s fair to say they know a lot about protecting things from rain and salt… There’s a full range of chain lube, cleaner, maintenance spray and rust protection products, and they also supply large-volume refill packs for trigger spray products, saving packaging and cash. Read more…
Adventure & Touring
The route from Washington all the way to California is home to beautiful fairytale forests, snow-peaked volcanos, lush valleys, old Spanish lighthouses dating from the 18th century, sea lions and alluring beaches. It’s a route that includes the majestic nearly 3,000-year-old growth redwoods with their distinct Jurassic era feel. Some of these giants tower over five stories high. Although it’s a well-trotted route, there are hidden gems to still see and explore along the way.
We did not stick to the normal route of strictly following The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Our journey took us towards Baja California using BDR and Butler maps and our own research. Fortunately, we were often distracted along the way. There was so much to experience and see it was impossible to stay on any single route. We decided early on to explore more of the backroads and dirt tracks winding through the magnificent forest areas. Read more…
Aside from the fact that part of the fun in travelling to the Isle of Skye is delivered with the roads that take you there, there’s also some amazing riding to be had amongst the stunning scenery of the largest of the Inner Hebrides.Leaving the island’s capital of Portree and heading northwards on the A855, it’s a nadgery little road as it climbs out of town, becoming a bumpy stretch of single track after the temporarily closed Portree campsite. The road then smooths out and widens to two lanes – albeit for a rather short time – before the viewpoint over Loch Fada, at which the road narrows again, back to the single lane that you quickly get used to while traversing the island. Read more…
History & Custom
The Comet: A Blistering Rotary Norton From the United Kingdom
Jaw-dropping power plants are the ultimate party piece for a custom motorcycle build. Visually impactful engines like Suzuki’s Ram-Air 550, Fabio Taglioni’s 90-degree desmo twin or Harley’s robust Knucklehead add depth and mechanical marvel to a build, reminding us that it’s all about the connection between man and machine. But if you really want to…
It’s the original ‘who is she?’ scenario; a hot blonde on a motorcycle wearing a tight sweater over a bullet bra and turned-up dungarees. Specifically, she’s riding a 1947 Velocette MAC bob-job, photographed while cruising through Griffith Park. Photographer Loomis Dean’s unpublished ‘LA motorcycle women’ photo series from 1949 is Insta-famous, but little effort has been made to discover the back story on the ladies. Luckily, their identity is now known, as the women were photographed riding (and even racing) at other times and places. There might be a sexist assumption that Betty Drafton and the other lady riders pictured in 1949 are riding ‘their boyfriend’s bikes’, but the LA ladies captured by Dean were rough riders indeed, who competed – as they could – in off-road competitions, and knew their way around a motorcycle. Read more…
For anyone who’s spent time around vintage motorcycles, there’s a certain magic that modern bikes just can’t match. The clatter of an old V-twin firing to life, the raw mechanical feel of a hand-shift gearbox, the smell of oil and leather—these machines are rolling history books. But for all their charm, classic bikes can be a nightmare to keep on the road.
I’m sure anyone who’s tried restoring a pre-war Harley or Indian knows the struggle: parts are rare, sometimes nonexistent, and original castings are often too fragile to use. Scouring swap meets and auction sites might turn up a gem or two, but more often than not, restoration projects hit a hard stop when one critical part just can’t be found. Read more…
Kevin Williams
Passing parked vehicles
If we do any riding at all in town – and bar those few of us who live in the remotest parts of the UK, that means virtually everyone reading this – passing vehicles stopped at the side of the road is something we will do all the time. Read more…
However, the fact it’s something we do so frequently means it’s also a manoeuvre we rarely think about – and that means it’s also something I see riders making it unnecessarily difficult, and occasionally dangerous too.
Is riding so variable that training is irrelevant?
A few days ago, one of my regular ‘better biking’ articles was dismissed in a comment:
“There are too many variables when riding a motorcycle for most advice or training to be relevant.”
Is this a valid criticism? Let’s try to unpick it. Read more…
Knowledge, expectations and unknowables Pt 1
Whenever we engage first gear and move off on our bikes, we begin planning for the future. In order to be able to respond to what happens around us, we have to be able to project ourselves ahead of where we are now. The interplay between what we already know, our expectations based on that knowledge – what Motorcycle Roadcraft refers to as “what we can reasonably expect to happen”, and the realm of unknowables creates a dynamic framework that guides, yet also limits, our decision-making. And this forward projection happens on a surprising number of levels. Read more…
Back in March, thanks to my discovery of a suitable on-line platform, I relaunched my SURVIVAL SKILLS EIGHT WEEK e-COURSE, something I first ran well over ten years ago – sadly, the platform I was using then got shut down. Times change, and so has the e-course. It’s been upgraded to make the most of the newest ways of communicating with you.
Survival Skills is not just the name of my rider training school, it’s my own philosophy of riding that kept me alive for well over half-a-million miles as a professional motorcycle courier. The course takes that basic philosophy, applies the same highly-practical approach to riding that’s underpinned my on-road coaching since 1997, and adds the the best fresh rider training ideas from around the world. 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? 
Are you aware of the OAP framework when out riding? 
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…
SOME LIGHT AT THE END OF THE POTHOLE
POTHOLE PARTNERSHIP REVEALS IMPROVING PICTURE ON NATIONAL POTHOLE DAY
- The AA attended 643,318 pothole related incidents in 2024, down compared to previous year
- Partnership urges councils to make permanent repairs a priority over temporary fixes
- Drop in pothole incidents coincides with rise in repair costs
- Pothole damage costs drivers whopping £579m
The Pothole Partnership is calling for more permanent repairs and greater use of innovation and technology on National Pothole Day (15 January) to reduce vehicle damage and injuries to cyclists and motorcycle riders. Read more…
FEMA
According to Wim Taal, FEMA’s General Secretary, it’s time to rethink infrastructure.
Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users and yet road infrastructure across Europe and beyond is often designed with cars in mind. While protective gear and riding skills play a role in rider safety, there’s a critical element that often gets overlooked: the roads themselves.
If we are serious about reducing motorcycle accidents and fatalities, we need to stop treating riders as an afterthought in infrastructure planning. Instead, let’s prioritize them with smart, safety-driven changes. Here’s how we can start: Read more…
Many high schools in Norway organize road safety days and the Norwegian motorcyclists’ association NMCU uses these days to talk to young riders about motorcycles, safety equipment and maintenance.
NMCU Chair Olea Anett Kvalsvik explaining airbag vests to young riders.
In Norway, the age limit for riding a 125 cc motorcycle is 16 years. Young riders in the age group of 16-18 years often use their 125 cc bike daily, as it is the main means of transportation they have. They ride to and from school and work, for leisure activities and to meet friends. They also use it for touring. A large proportion rides between 5 and 10,000 km per year and use motorcycles all year round. Many live in such a way that motorcycles are the only means of transportation they have to get around in their ‘local environment’.
Statistics show that the risk of serious accidents is considerably higher for young riders aged 16-18 than for other motorcyclists. In 2024, four young riders under the age of 18 lost their lives in such accidents in addition to those who were seriously injured. This has led, among other things, to the Norwegian authorities considering raising the age limit for A1 from 16 to 18 years. Read more…
This is a European-wide campaign designed to encourage novice and experienced riders to take high-quality voluntary motorcycle training, launched by the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) and the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).
Voluntary post-license training is a stepping stone toward safer riding, equipping Motorcyclists with further knowledge, skills, and experience. Through this initiative, ACEM and FIM aim to inspire European riders to take the next step in their journey by enrolling in certified training programmes, ensuring more riders have access to advanced tools and knowledge to enjoy motorcycling safely and responsibly. Read more…
British Motorcyclists Federation
Paul Varnsverry, the highly respected motorcycling clothing expert, is launching a campaign aimed at eliminating uncertified and potentially unsafe bike kit, currently being imported into the UK and offered for sale online. Varnsverry, Technical Director of clothing consultant at PVA-PPE, is started a petition aimed at alerting Government to the dangers of untested kit. In conversation with MCN, he praised the efforts of Trading Standards in the last three years, in checking bike shows and high street shops for sub-standard kit. But he added that clothing offered online is attempting to circumvent these checks. Read more… 
Bikers spent £47,000 on MOT retests in the 2023/24 financial year, according to research by insurance company Go.Compare. Why is this remarkable? Well, it turns out that many retests after failures were for relatively minor problems, such as headlights, indicators, brake lights, reflectors and tyres. In fact, lights accounted for the lion’s share of more than 15,000 MOT failures, accounting for 11,440 – tyres caused 2500 failures and vehicle identification another 1114. Read more…
Motorcycle Action Group
Motorcycle Bus Lane Access UK Petition: Can Heidi Alexander Deliver for Riders?
Riders across the UK are rallying behind MAG’s motorcycle bus lane access UK petition to demand fair, consistent rules for using bus lanes. Last November, under former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, a key consultation to make motorcycle access the default was rejected, leaving us stuck with confusing local policies. Now, with Heidi Alexander as Transport Secretary, could her London experience change the game? MAG’s Director of Campaigns and Political Engagement, Colin Brown, is leading the charge with our petition. Let’s unpack Alexander’s past, spotlight MAG’s decades-long fight, and call every rider to join us. Read more…
MAG’s powerful message for Ride To Work Day 2025: Integrate
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is proud to announce International Ride To Work Day 2025. Set for Tuesday, 10 June, MAG calls on riders across the UK to hit the roads and showcase the power of two wheels.As the Government shapes its Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS), MAG is leading the charge to prove that mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles are vital. They are a practical, sustainable transport future. With congestion clogging Britain’s roads and emissions targets looming, this is the moment for riders to ride loud and proud. Read more…
Riders, Save Taxes with Motorcycles in Bus Lanes: Get Non-Riders to Sign Now!
Big shout-out to Gordon, a top MAG member from the Western Region, who came to me with a cracking plan for getting motorcycles in bus lanes nationwide. He’s been bending the ears of non-riders—friends, family, colleagues—and using a sharp taxpayer savings argument to get them to sign our petition (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/712763). Gordon’s racked up signatures from non-riders like nobody’s business, and now it’s your turn, riders, to follow his lead. Let’s get your non-riding crew on board to make bikes in bus lanes the default and save public cash. Here’s the playbook. #Bikers4BusLanes Read more…
Riders, Tell MAG About Motorcycle-Friendly Candidates Before 1st May!
Politicians are ramping up the noise ahead of the 1st May 2025 local elections—let’s grasp this opportunity! Tell MAG About Motorcycle-Friendly Candidates. At the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), we’re pushing hard, and personally I’m voting in Worcestershire, asking candidates to open Worcester’s bus lanes to motorcyclists. With 23 councils and six mayoral contests up for grabs, turnout often lags at 30-40%. Are riders missing a chance to shape policies like bus lane access? Bikers are voters—let’s act now! Read more…
Two Paths for Motorcycle Safety: Vision Zero or Welcoming Roads?
Last month, I was invited to speak to an Advanced Rider Group about what we at the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) do—our campaigns, our advocacy, our fight for riders’ rights. As I introduced our Welcoming Roads vision, our philosophy for road safety, I asked, “How many of you know about Vision Zero?” I expected a few hands, maybe a knowing nod. Instead, blank stares. If a room full of skilled riders hadn’t heard of Vision Zero, how many know about Welcoming Roads? That moment drove it home: we need to spread the word. This article is about raising awareness of Vision Zero, showing why Welcoming Roads is different, and making the case for why it’s the better path for riders who live for two wheels. Picture two roads ahead. Which one keeps motorcycling alive and makes us safer? Read more…
New Rider Hub
The Highway Code contains road signs you NEED to know.
Register with Ridefree to learn more and become a better, more confident rider 😎
What have you got to lose (and it’s free)!
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 by:
increasing your knowledge of riding skills and behaviour
giving you more time to focus on learning the practical skills
linking the eLearning to the practical skills.
What do I need to do?
Register yourself with Safe Driving For Life, then start your Ridefree journey.
When you sign up for your Ridefree account, you will be asked “Where did you hear about Ridefree?” Please remember us and tick the National Young Rider Forum box.
Once you’ve signed up, you can complete the training all in one session or save your progress and return at a later date. (Typically, the training can be completed in around an hour) Read more…
Motorcycles and scooters are more vulnerable to theft than cars simply because they can be more easily removed, secreted, broken up and disposed of.
The recovery rate of stolen motorcycles and scooters is very low in comparison to cars and larger vehicles.
To combat theft, 2Wheels London has produced some simple tips to follow: Read more…
Security
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…
