Retro rides again with the new Honda VT750S

Honda UK have launched the retro styled VT750S into the UK market.

Powering the new VT750S is a liquid-cooled, V-twin of 745cc with Honda’s latest PGM-FI fuel-injection system but in keeping with the classic styling, the V-twin features finned barrels for that ‘air-cooled’ look.

The frame uses a strong, steel double cradle design, steering geometry has been specifically chosen to give excellent feedback and neutral handling, aided by a 19-inch front and 16-inch/150mm rear wheel. It has 41mm forks and twin shocks, which are adjustable for pre-load, adding to the classic look. A large 296mm front brake disc is aided by a 180mm drum at the rear.

The upright riding position, chrome finished headlight, twin exhausts, wire-spoked wheels and teardrop tank all hint to a bygone age of motorcycling.

Ride safe

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

Motorcycle Industry hit by Credit Crunch

Yesterday the Motor Cycle Industry Association Press Office put out a press release highlighting the dramatic fall off in powered two wheeler sales in February for the UK, down a massive 25% from February 2008.

The motor cycle industry is now asking the UK government for help! It is asking the government to suspend vehicle excise duty (VED or road tax) and the first registration fee on all new mopeds, scooters and motorcycles for a minimum of one year to support the market and recognise the green advantages of motorcycling.

I wonder after all they have spent out supporting the banks and car industry, if the government will hear the plea or even have the money?

All of us the motorcycle industry have to hope so!!! Up to 15000 UK jobs and £3 billion annual turover depend on it.

Ride safe.


Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

Host of stars at the NEC BIke Show

Scott Redding Youngest Ever GP Winner

The Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show starts next Friday and their are a host of stars from the world of motorcycling who are going to be there over the various days of the show.

The current list is:-

Friday 28th November
Scott Redding
Jonathan Rea
James Whitham
Niall Mackenzie
Charley Boorman
John Reynolds
James Ellison
Leon Camier
Steve Parrish
Craig Jones - Stunt Rider (Speedycom Stand 1B92)
Keith Amor (Speedycom Stand 1B92)

Saturday 29th November
James Whitham
Niall Mackenzie
Charley Boorman
John Reynolds
Steve Parrish
Glen Richards
Troy Corser
Leon Haslam
Ron Haslam (Signing his Book on the Bikers World Stand @ Midday)
Ryan Farquhar (Speedycom Stand 1B92)

Sunday 30th November
James Toseland + Crash (12.00 & 2.30pm on Yamaha Stand)
Scott Redding
Bradley Smith
Danny Webb
Matt Hoyle
Marco Melandri
James Whitham
Niall Mackenzie
John Reynolds
Steve Parrish
Carl Rennie (Speedycom Stand 1B92)

Monday 1st December
James Whitham
Niall Mackenzie
Cal Crutchlow
John Reynolds
Steve Parrish

Tuesday 2nd December
James Whitham
Niall Mackenzie
John Reynolds
Steve Parrish
Chris Walker

Wednesday 3rd December
James Toseland (12.00 & 3.30pm on Yamaha stand 1E50)
James Whitham
Niall Mackenzie
John Reynolds
Steve Parrish

Thursday 4th December
James Toseland (12.00 & 3.30pm on Yamaha stand 1E50)
James Whitham
Niall Mackenzie
John Reynolds
Steve Parrish
james McBride (Speedycom Stand 1B92)

Friday 5th December
James Whitham
Niall Mackenzie
John Reynolds
Steve Parrish

Saturday 6th December
Scott Redding
James Toseland and Crash (12.00 & 3.00pm on Yamaha stand 1E50)
John McGuiness
Steve Plater
Carl Fogarty
Randy Mamola
Guy Martin
Bruce Ansty
Cameron Donald
Comor Cummins
Garry Johnson
Ron Haslam
Milky Quale / Johnny Barton
James Whitham
Niall Mackenzie
John Reynolds
Steve Parrish

Sunday 7th December
James Toseland and Crash (11.30am & 2.00pm on Yamaha stand 1E50)
Carl Fogarty
James Whitham
Niall Mackenzie
Marco Melandri
John Reynolds
Steve Parrish

However this list is being constantly added to and you can keep uptodate with who will be attending the show on what days at http://www.motorcycleshow.co.uk/mci2008/celebrities.html

Ride safe.

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk

Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

The Shows must go on!

Both MAG and the BMF have added their voice to the growing furore over what appears to be unjustified and discriminatory cancellation of a growing number of motorcycle shows here in the UK by the police.

So far far this year the police have cancelled the following shows:-

• Driffield Bike Day and DABS Rally, Yorkshire (23 - 25 May)
• The Welsh National Motorcycle Show 23 - 26 May
• Past it MCC 13th Birthday Party 31^st May
• Stourbridge MCC's Midsummer Bash 21st June
• Rock and Blues 24^th - 27^th July
• Stourbridge MCC's Woizel Rally 8^th 9^th 10^th August
• Great Yorkshire Bike Show 15^th-16^th August
• Past It MCC's 10th Zimmer Frame Rally 22^nd - 24^th August
• Patriot Games Rock Festival, Monmouth 22^nd - 24^th August
• Isle of Anglesey Motorcycle Show 22^nd 25^th August

The British Motorcyclists Federation have written to the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith MP, the Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy MP and the President of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Ken Jones QPM raising concern over this and have requested a meeting with the Home Secretary to discuss this growing problem.

BMF Chairman Anna Zee, said: "It is extraordinary that the authorities seem to assume that a motorcycle gathering must mean trouble. The BMF runs some very large shows, with attendances of up to 85,000 with never a hint of trouble. Nor are we aware of any previous history of problems at the events cancelled this year. With so many cancellations, and the reasons for them being shrouded in mystery, we feel that motorcyclists are suffering completely unjustified discrimination."

If you want the peaceful enjoyment of motorcycling and its social scene to continue then show your support to both MAG and the BMF in getting this discriminatory policy of cancelling motorcycle shows STOPPED, before its to late. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED, MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD BEFORE ITS TO LATE!!!!

Ride safe.

Jon Booth

Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk

Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/

Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

Yamaha takes top sales spots for July

With the release by the MCI of Julys motorcycle sales figures, Yamaha dominates with first and second place. Top selling bike is the sporty Yamaha YZFR125 and second is the practical Yamaha YBR125. Both showing that there is real growth in the bottom end of the market, with many taking to two wheels.

Lets hope this injection of young blood helps continue the growth in interest in motorcycling in the UK!

Well done Yamaha!

Ride safe.

Jon Booth

Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

Motorcycle sales up a massive 22%

The Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) has just released the sales figures for July and the sale of powered two-wheelers has jumped 22%.

That's fantastic news for us all involved in motorcycling, it finally seems that motorcycling might be seeing a resurgence in the UK. Apparently growth is in the practical, multi-use every day bikes, with scooter and moped sales up 27% and naked bikes up a massive 46.5%.

Now obviously some of this must be down to people rushing to pass their tests before the new test regime comes in, but nevertheless it's a welcome spurt of growth.

Ride safe.

Jon Booth

Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

New Suzuki GSX-R!

Now before you get to exciting, this GSX-R is for the toddlers out there!

Suzuki have just announced the Kiddimoto GSX-R, a wooden childs bike.
Featuring the Szuki blue and white colour scheme and the GSX-R logo.
So if you want to get your child started into the world of motorcycling they are available from Suzuki GB at www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/accessories or any authorised UK Suzuki dealer.

Ride safe.

Jon Booth

Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

European Commission Motorcycling Survey

This is a plea to motorcycle riders, scooter riders and moped riders within the European Community, if you value the freedom to ride your machine as you do now, free from motorcycle speed limiters and alike then I urge you to make your views heard.

MAG UK have again brought to the fore the threat of bad technology from Europe, whereby an international consortium of new technology designers has been brought together by the European Commission to develop new devices capable of informing, or limiting, motorcyclists control over their bikes.

YES BIG BROTHER CONTROLLING YOUR BIKE AS YOU RIDE!!!!

Tell the European Commission what you think by completing their online survey questionaire before then end of August, visit http://www.saferider-eu.org/your_opinion.html

If you don't register your opinion to stop this happening, the future of motorcycling as we currently enjoy it within the European Community is seriously under threat.

Ride safe.

Jon Booth

Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

30th Dakar Rally cancelled

Is a sad day for motor sport enthusiasts and motorcycling generally when the Dakar Rally has to be cancelled due to terrorist threats.

The Dakar Rally organisers the A.SO. stated today:
“Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 24th of December linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, but also and mainly the direct threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organisations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by A.S.O.”

A sad loss for us all who enjoy motorcycling and a terrible disappointment for the participants and organisers and an even greater loss for the continent of Africa!

Ride safe!

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/



If like me me you liking riding a motorcycle thats different and will turn heads, then revived Italian motorcycle manufacturer Moto Morini's 9½, might be the motorcycle for you.

1200cc of V-twin grunt with added Italian passion and flair. I got the opportunity to road test one for a week late last year.

You can read my full Moto Morini's 9½ road test on www.inter-bike.co.uk by clicking here.

Ride safe!

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

Motorcycling in Scotland

MAG UK today published a press release highlighting the release by the Scottish Executive of a document entitled "Motorcycling in Scotland - Guidance for Local Authorities".

It would seem that this document recognises motorcycling as a legitimate form of transport which benefits society by helping to reduce traffic congestion, reduce environmental damage and increasing social mobility.

At last a positive view of motorcycling, shame these views are only expressed north of Hadrian's wal, but its good start!

Read the full MAG press release on www.inter-bike.co.uk by clicking here.

Ride safe!

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/