Motorcycle Monthly April 2018

GET UP TO SPEED

April 2018

GOTCHA! Honda’s secret 1980s throwback plans

REVEALED

It’s SHOWTIME!

Gearing up for the Stafford show

MCM is FREE in dealers, clubs and biker cafés

#142

ZED’S NOT DEAD! Kawasaki’s Z900RS is the real retro deal.

Here’s why YOU need to ride one this summer.

+ Rideer Betttintg out

Ge out with b and aadvanced the rcyclists moto

Essex councillor: can police use ‘bump’ tactics on bikers?

Super cool!

Suzuki’s 1987 GSX-R750 revisited

Sue Little, Conservative councillor for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has asked a police commisioner why local coppers in cars can’t “use an effective way of dealing with these rascals by using a ‘bump’ tactic,” and knocking motorcyclists off their bikes instead of running the risk of riders evading officers.

Councillor Little claimed that she had read about the Met Police using their vehicles to knock motorcyclists off bikes. If the capital’s boys in blue were using that tactic, Little asked, then why couldn’t her own area’s force in Essex do the same?

More on Page 6

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GOTCHA! Honda’s next-wave Adventure bike REVEALED. And it’s a throwback to the early 1980s!

NEWS 3

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MCM has uncovered these designs from Honda that show a new bike on the way which bears more than a few styling similarities with the original Adventure motorcycle, the 1980 BMW R80GS. It’s a bold move by Honda – who tried to hide the motorcycle designs in a patent registration document for an indicator housing – but the drawings clearly show a 1980s Adventure style motorcycle with plenty of travel on the front and back suspension, a high front mudguard and other pointers to a future model in the Honda range.

And while this motorcycle doesn’t hark back to the glory days of Honda’s early Adventure motorbikes like a Transalp or an XR, it does ape the styling and key selling points of that original German bike from nearly 40 years ago.

In the two drawings for the new bike you can clearly see what looks like a current CB1100 engine and frame, but from those starting points everything changes.

The new bike gets revised forks with more front end travel, standard (not outer upper tube or upside down) tubes have their seals protected by retro-style fork gaiters.

The front mudguard is lifted high off the front wheel to allow mud to clear the tyres rather than getting clogged up when off-road.

Around the dual front headlights is a steel tube guard that also has a platform element on top where luggage can be strapped to the front of the motorcycle.

Weirdly, when looking at the front design of the bike, it appears as though the new model will only run a single dash dial and this will be offset

to the rider’s left (as looking from the point of view of the riding position) this is to give the rider the most visibility when picking a line through tricky off-road ruts and sections.

While the design looks like the new bike is running the current CB1100’s oil cooler and exhaust system, what is hugely different is the huge petrol tank on the new model. Reaching down over the frame, the tank looks to have a massive capacity – look at the bike from the front and you can see how the bike’s huge engine bars extend wide enough to protect most of the lower sections of the massive petrol tank too.

The front view of the motorcycle also gives away the fact that the bike gets a single front-wheel disc (to cut down weight on the bike’s front end). This is different to the current CB’s layout which uses two 296mm floating discs each with four-piston Nissin calipers.

Hottest Ninja 300 ever!

Bexton Craft Motorcycles has created an awesome replica of Gary Nixon’s 1976 Kawasaki H2 – from a 2014 Ninja 300.

Modifications include cutting the sub-frame, utilising a modified Yamaha TZ250 body, and adding Racing Green paint, a single seat, a circular headlight, handlebars , inverted forks and Tokico radial brake calipers from a ZX-6R, a complete Yoshimura exhaust (with carbon silencer), steel side covers, a flat instrumentation bracket, a larger fuel tank, mirrors on the counterweights, a Suzuki GSX R600 2006 rear shock absorber, adjustable handles, horizontal spider and Fuel Moto control unit with optimised map.

Bexton Craft Motorcycles has it for sale on eBay – and at the time of writing it’s at just over £4500.

Elsewhere, the new bike’s seat is more staggered than the CB’s with a pronounced lip between the rider and the bottom of the petrol tank.

The bike shows large, solid pannier mounting points and a large integrated luggage wrack for even more carrying capability.

What’s most surprising about this design though is the lack of twin rear shocks, which would be entirely in keeping with the retro-styling of this semi-off-roader. Where the current Honda CB1100 has twin rear shocks as standard, the design drawings have the bike with a single shock at the rear.

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1: The new bike looks very retro. 2: From the front the engine bars are huge. 3: The CB1100.

4 and 5: BMW’s R80GS shares similar style cues.

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WATCH THIS VIDEO: Luckiest biker alive!

Get over to www.MoreBikes.co.uk and check out this video – you’ll find it hard to believe, but it’s real. A rider in the USA gets into a tankslapper and falls off his bike, passing between the wheels of a huge truck to emerge the other side virtually unscathed.

It looks like a flash Hollywood special effect, but it actually happened. Amazing.

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Start your bike with your fingerprint

Motor Cycle Monthly, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 529529 Email: editorial@motorcyclemonthly.co.uk

Editor Tony Carter Editorial design Fran Lovely Publisher Dan Savage Picture desk Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield and Angie Sisestean Production editor Dan Sharp Divisional advertising team leader Zoe Thurling 01507 529412 Advertising Lee Buxton 01507 529453 Kate Hayes 01507 529411 Advertising deadline for May issue April 4, 2018 Distribution 01507 529529 Marketing manager Charlotte Park

Commercial director Nigel Hole Customer services number 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm, Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm

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MCM recommends bikesafe.co.uk

Independently proven pick up: 67,717 copies

Indian-based tech start-up Nevon has come up with an amazing bit of kit to allow you to start your bike using a fingerprint scanner. Nevon’s fingerprint bike starter system comes with an anti-theft and anti-towing feature which’ll alert you instantly via text message if your bike is on the move, and allow you to track its position on a map. It also allows for multiple user registrations, so numerous ‘authorised’ riders can operate the bike. And best of all, it sells for just over £35.

Go to: www.morebikes.co.uk for more information. Type ‘Nevon’ into the search bar.

4 NEWS

Number of new drivers banned for using a mobile phone on the rise

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The number of new drivers banned for mobile phone use has sky-rocketed in the last year, after new laws were introduced in March 2017.

Words: Ross Mowbray A Freedom of Information request has revealed that close to 11,000 new drivers lost their licence in 2017 – and the number of new drivers who lost their licence for using a mobile phone at the wheel rocketed by 356% in 2017. Following the introduction of

new laws in March 2017, which saw drivers handed six penalty points and a £200 fine for using their phone while driving, some 533 new drivers lost their licence for breaching the rule – up from 117 the year before.

New motorists banned for driving without due care and attention – another charge used by police for mobile phone use at the wheel – was also up to 447 in 2017, compared with 401 the previous year.

AA president Edmund King said: “Part of the rise in new drivers losing their licences is due to the one-strikeand-you’re-out increase to six penalty points for using a phone at the wheel that came in last March.

“We know from our own research that young drivers in particular say they can’t bring themselves to turn their mobile phones off before driving. This dangerous attitude is starting to catch up with them as they can’t bear to be away from their phones while they drive.”

Street Hawk (now a grandad) to jump 20 double-decker buses and break his own World Record Back in 1983 stuntman Chris Bromham leapt 196ft over 18 buses on a KTM495, breaking the world distance and obstacle records – and now the Street Hawk stuntman is hoping to go one better at the age of 61.

Chris retired in 1997 after a 21year career inspired by legendary stuntman Evel Knievel – but still retains his title as the current World Record holder of the motorbike jump obstacle record.

Bromham says he wants to compete with his 26-year-old self, and hopes to beat his bus-leaping best, as he

TVS Zeppelin Hybrid with ‘boost’ unveiled

The figures were released by the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency following a Freedom of Information investigation by the Press Association. They show a total of 10,833 new drivers lost their licence in 2017. A National Police Chiefs’ Council spokesman said:

“The evidence shows that young drivers present the greatest risk to themselves and others. We continue to enforce the law with full use of all the approved methods of prosecution available to us. Our message is clear: Keep to the law or risk losing your licence.”

TVS, India’s third largest two-wheeled manufacturer and partner to BMW, has unveiled its all-new Zeppelin Hybrid concept at Auto Expo 2018.

It’s a belt-driven hybrid motorcycle, with a 220cc single-cylinder endothermic engine, which kicks out 20bhp at 8500rpm and 18.5Nm of maximum torque at 7000rpm – to which its regenerative electric ‘E-Boost’ motor can deliver an additional 20% more torque should the rider require it.

In fact, TVS has even patented the Zeppelin’s integrated starter generator system which comprises of a 1200W (1.6PS) electric generator and a 48V lithium-ion battery that is charged via the motor. The technology is similar to the SHVS system seen in select Maruti Suzuki cars. TVS claims its system will boost both performance and fuel efficiency.

Bike thieves take motorcycle then hold it to ransom before setting it on fire

makes his comeback at Retro Festival in Newbury, Berkshire in August – in support of Children with Cancer UK. You can find a link to both Bromham and the Retro Festival by logging on to: www.morebikes.co.uk and searching Street Hawk in the search bar.

Arai celebrates 30 years of the RC-30

Bike thieves in Bristol set fire to a stolen 1951 Triumph Thunderbird, after demanding a £1000 ransom payment from its owner.

The group took to the ‘biketakerrr’ Instagram page, bragging about being in possession of the bike, and threatened to burn it, unless the owner paid them £1000 for its safe return. After failing to pay, the thieves released a shocking video of them torching the historic Triumph (worth between £7,000 and £10,000) – and to add insult to injury, tagged the owner in the comments section, writing, “Told u give me a grand but you didn’t listen rude boy. Uno the drill, don’t pay gets burnt”.

The ‘biketakerrr’ page is the latest to have been set up by the notorious Bristol

bike gang/s, which first came to prominence in January last year. The gang, which is reportedly mostly comprised of youths from North Bristol, steal bikes while boasting about their exploits online.

A number of members of the gang have been caught and prosecuted by the police in the last year – after officers set up a special investigation, named Operation Buell, to monitor the gang’s online presence.

The police are yet to make any arrests relating to the incident – with a police spokesperson saying: “No arrests have been made but we are pursuing a number of different lines of enquiry.”

This will include forensic examination of the bike, which was reportedly recovered from a field near Lawrence Weston.

Over the last few years, Honda and Arai have joined forces to release a selection of awesome commemorative helmets, celebrating the iconic models of Honda’s illustrious history – and the latest one to get the Arai treatment is Honda’s RC-30.

Arai’s new lid is matches the colour scheme of the thoroughly collectable Honda RC-30 racer (or Honda VFR750R – if you prefer) – using its top of the range RX-7V race helmet as the base for the brilliant design. The helmet, no price yet, will be delivered in a commemorative box and will come with a matching case.

Learners Commuters Buying On Two Wheels

Riding

For more information on getting on two wheels, check out our brilliant NEW sister publication – On2Wheels

NEWS 5

Harley-Davidson files ‘H-D Revelation’ Trademark for its Electric Tech Harley-Davidson has filed an application to trademark the name ‘H-D Revelation’ – for its batteries, chargers, and motorcycle powertrains.

We reckon the ‘Revelation’ is going to be the name of the engine (or family of engines) that will power the H-D electric bike that has been confirmed for production within the next 18 months – but we’ve not had official confirmation from the Milwaukee based brand just yet.

But with the Sportster engines called the Evolution, and the engines in H-D’s entry-level Street bikes called the Revolution X, it’s a small leap to assume the Revelation will be its all new electric powerplant.

Harley-Davidson revealed its first electric motorcycle back in 2014, with its popular LiveWire concept – which pumped out 74bhp and 56lb-ft of torque, offered a zero-to-60 time of around four seconds, and a range of 50 miles.

Since then the electric market has blown up – and as a consequence technology has progressed too – with range ever increasing, and charging time slowly decreasing. In short, it’s competitive out there, with brands like Energica and Zero cementing themselves in the electric motorcycle marketplace – so H-D really needs to step it up for its new electric project.

Matt Levatich, Harley-Davidson’s president and CEO told the Milwaukee Business Journal: “The EV motorcycle market is in its infancy today, but we believe premium Harley-Davidson electric motorcycles will help drive excitement and

BMW boss: “The electric motorbike does not interest us, we are betting everything on the scooter.”

participation in the sport globally.

As we expand our EV capabilities and commitment, we get even more excited about the role electric motorcycles will play in growing our business.”

While it may seem strange for H-D to be moving towards an electric future, in many ways it makes complete sense. Harley-Davidson’s sales are in decline, as its traditional core-customer base continue to grow older; while younger riders, limited in their numbers in the first instance, aren’t as enamoured with the H-D image. Harley is looking to the future. And, while companies like Energica and Zero have continued

to make excellent progress with their electric bikes in recent years, they simply don’t have the same resources as H-D, which can utilise its huge manufacturing and marketing departments to make the new electric Harley the motorcycle of choice for a new generation of riders.

Stephan Schaller, managing director of BMW, has been very candid about the Bavarian brand’s green motorcycling future.

Schaller said: “Two-wheeled electric vehicles will increase, but I believe that their diffusion will be limited to vehicles that will move in the city. Basically they will be scooters like our C Evolution or the Concept Link presented in 2017 at the Concorso d’Eleganza of Villa d’Este.

“I am convinced that 2018 will see a significant increase in the sales of these models. I think I’m talking about scooters and not motorcycles. In order to build an electric motorbike it is certainly not an insurmountable technological challenge. You can solve every problem, but there do you imagine replenishing electricity in the desert?”

Speaking about electric vehicle range, Schaller added: “The target is to double the mileage possible in just a couple of years, and for the car it is already happening and we are working hard in this direction, like on the road to weight reduction. The C Evolution weighs 275kg, but the Concept Link will weigh much less and will be an interesting compromise between the autonomy required for city driving and maximum performance.”

Referring to production of the Concept Link (pictured), Schaller said: “It will arrive within three years, and it will be very close to the prototype shown on Lake Como in style, accessories and technical equipment.”

When asked about hybrid scooters, Schaller said: “We know the technology to make it happen, so much so that we have a prototype that runs on our test tracks, but the question is always the same: the final price inevitably increases, will the customer accept it?”

6 NEWS

Councillor asks why Essex Police can’t employ ‘bump tactics’ for dangerous motorcyclists

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A Conservative councillor has asked the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner whether he’s considered using ‘bump tactics’ to get motorcyclists off their bikes if they are riding in a dangerous manner.

Words: Ross Mowbray Discussing an ongoing issue in Thurrock, Essex – where some motorcyclists have been riding around late at night – Sue Little, Conservative councillor for South Basildon and East Thurrock, presented the question to Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst in a council meeting.

Little referenced the Metropolitan Police as an example of a force which uses the ‘bump tactic’ – however, the

Met has since confirmed that it does not use this tactic. Mrs Little said: “It’s about the motorbikes in our borough which are an absolute pain. I was reading that the Met have a more effective way of dealing with these rascals and that is a bump tactic, and this is where a police car will go along and they will bump them off. If they can do it in the Met then why can’t they do it in Essex?”

Roger Hirst then replied: “I would just say that I am never going to be in favour of a tactic which is

disproportionate to the crime. If we do something that might endanger life, then I would be very hesitant about it.”

He then referred the question over to his colleague, Chief Superintendent Andy Mariner, who agreed that this tactic sounded too dangerous. Chief Supt Mariner replied: “I think we do need to have to do things based on harm and risk and there can be a considerable amount of risk in bumping motorbikes. The stinger is a very good tool that will work.”

TV’s Judge Rinder rules on horse’s motorcycle ‘vandalism’ Wee Bob (just to be clear, that’s the horse) is being ‘sued’ for damages by Callum Woods on TV show Judge Rinder. Woods reckons Bob bust out of his field and trashed his custom motorcycle, worth £3000. The miniature nag was defended by his owner (and Callum’s girlfriend) Stacey Johnston, 26 – who insists the damage

was accidental. Callum alleges Bob destroyed his custom-built motorbike at the family home in Howwood, Renfrewshire.

The ‘trial’ heard how Bob broke through several gates before knocking it over, scuppering Callum’s dream of taking his machine to the Isle of Man TT races. That is some serious horsepower, right there.

How YOU could help a major movie being made about 500cc GP World Champion Wayne Gardner A documentary is being made about legendary 500cc GP World Champion Wayne Gardner – and the makers are hoping that some of YOU might have film gold in your collections.

The new project (called: Wayne) is already under way. It will tell the life story of the Australian former world motorcycle champion, Gardner, and is being directed by Jeremy Sims. Wayne will feature the motorcycle racing career of Gardner, dubbed as ‘King of Cadwell’ in 1984. And the race circuit says that because a big part of Gardner’s story happened in the Lincolnshire Wolds, they’re “delighted to have been asked to help with the project”.

The film’s producers have put out an appeal on social media for help in sourcing colour footage of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s at Cadwell Park.

Sims said: “Wayne’s is a tale of speed, danger, love, adversity, dogged willpower and, eventually, triumph, all set in the heady days of Australia’s ‘coming of age’ in the late 80s.”

If you think you have the type of colour footage they are looking for, email Elaine.Nutbrown@MSV.com and your footage could be starring on the big screen.

Rent a KTM for this year’s International Six Days Enduro KTM has announced it’ll be running a bike rental service for this year’s ISDE, which takes place in Viña del Mar, Chile from November 12-17, 2018.

As the event’s exclusive partner, KTM will be in Chile with a range of services on offer for professional and amateur riders alike – offering KTM machines for rent, a race service, a spare parts service and more.

The 2018 Six Day KTM Race Service is available for € 1,350 (excl. VAT). Orders must be placed before September 30, 2018. Go to: www.MoreBikes.co.uk and search ‘KTM’ in the search bar for more details.

Rental details KTM is offering rental programs for a variety of 2019 KTM motorcycles on from the following classes: 2-stroke: KTM 250 EXC, KTM 300 EXC – € 2,690 (excl. VAT) 4-stroke: KTM 250 EXC-F, KTM 350 EXC-F, KTM 450 EXC-F, KTM 500 EXC-F – € 2,990 (excl. VAT) The rental price includes: ● A KTM motorcycle for the period of the Six Days ● Transport costs to Viña del Mar, Chile ● Motorcycle registration and insurance for the event Rental bike orders need to be submitted by June 30, 2018 and will be processed on a “first comefirst served” basis due to limited availability. No delivery guarantee can be given for orders received after the deadline.

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8 WHAT’S ON

What’s On: the essential dates 2018 MARCH

APRIL

22 LE Velo Lancs & S Lakes.

Springwood picnic site, near Whalley.

Tel 01772 782516.

23-25 World Superbikes – Round 2: Thai Round. www.worldsbk.com 24-25 Manchester Bike Show.

EventCity, Phoenix Way, off Barton Dock Road, Manchester M41 7TB. Tel 01484 482005. www.manchesterbikeshow.com 25 Classic Motorcycle Show. Cafeplus, Baldock. Tel 07963 609143.

25 Scooter Sunday and Raleigh Chopper Meet. Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com 25 National Hill Climb at Hartland Quay.

Hartland Quay, Devon. www.nhca.co.uk 25 South of England Classic Show & Bikejumble. South of England Showground, Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TL. www.elk-promotions.co.uk 28 VMCC (Essex section) Wrinkly Run. Tesco, Maldon. Tel Grace & Clyde 01621 855899.

30-01 Festival of Power. Santa Pod Raceway, Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough, Northants NN29 7XA. www.santapod.com.

Tel 01234 782828.

31 South Midlands Autojumble. Rosson-Wye Livestock Centre, Oveross, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 5QQ. Tel 01989 750731.

31 LE Velo Northampton gathering.

Plume of Feathers, Weedon Bec, NN7 4QR. Tel 01604 499858.

31-02 British Superbikes – Round 1: Donington Park GP. www.britishsuperbike.com

1 LE Velo Lancs & S Lakes. Slaidburn. meet main car park. Tel 01772 782516.

1 Scooter Show. White Lion, Baldock.

Tel 07963 609143.

1 Bike Day. Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com 1 Reading MAG Easter Bike Show.

Reading Abbey Rugby Club, Peppard Road, Emmer Green, Reading, Berkshire RG4 8XB. readingmag.org.uk. Email leebrown398@hotmail.co.uk.

2 Ashford Classic Motorcycle Show & Bikejumble. Ashford Market, Orbital Park, Ashford, Kent TN24 0HB. www.elk-promotions.co.uk 7 Adventure Bike Ride In. Sammy Miller Museum. www.sammymiller.co.uk 7 Isle of Wight Vintage and Classic Bike Show. The Winter Gardens, Pier Street, Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 1SZ. Tel 01983 752861.

7-8 Cardiff Motorcycle Show. Llanishen High School, Heol Hir, Llanishen, Cardiff CF14 5YL. Tel 01443 435125. www.southwalessunbeammcc.co.uk 7-8 KICKBACK. Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CV8 2LG. www.thecustomshow.com. Email lorne@rwrw.co.uk. Tel 07758 068072.

8 Normous Newark Autojumble. The Showground, Drove Lane, Winthorpe, Newark, Notts NG24 2NY. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk.

Tel 01507 529529.

8 Kenley Autojumble. The Portcullis Club, KenleyAirfield, Victor Beamish Avenue, Caterham, Surrey CR3 5FX. Tel 07772 169524 or 07971 823314. www.facebook.com/ KenleyAutojumble

TO GET YOUR EVENT ON THESE PAGES EMAIL jclements@mortons.co.uk

8 Forfar Classic and Vintage Autojumble & Show. Strathmore Hall, Forfar Livestock Mart, John St, Forfar, Angus DD8 3EZ. Tel 01241 852369.

8 BTSC Croydon Club Run. Blue Haze, The Feathers, Merstham, Surrey.

Tel 01883 623049.

8 Malvern Festival of Transport. Three Counties Showground, Wye Halls, Avon Hall and outside, Malvern, Worcestershire WR13 6NW. Tel 01484 667776. www.classicshows.org 8 Salisbury MAG’s 17th Spring Surprise Motorcycle Show. Salisbury Market Square and Guild Hall Square, Wiltshire. Tel 07450 992298. salisbury.mag-uk.org 8 British + Classic Bike Day + BSA Special. Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com 8 MotoGP – Round 2: Gran Premio Motul de la Republica Argentina. www.motogp.com 12 LE Velo Lancs & S Lakes. Burnsall.

Tel 01772 782516.

13-15 British Superbikes – Round 2: Brands Hatch Indy. www.britishsuperbike.com 13-15 World Superbikes – Round 3: Aragon Round. www.worldsbk.com 14-15 Prescott Bike Festival. Prescott Speed Hill Climb, Gotherington, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 9RD. www.prescottbikefestival. co.uk. Email gordon@bikefestivals. co.uk. Tel 01452 260063.

15 VMCC (Essex section) Early Easter Run. Costa Coffee, Stanway Tollgate Centre. Tel Brian Irwin 01376 342885.

15 Salisbury Motorcycle & Light Car Club Five Valleys Charity Motorcycle Run. Contact Dave

Weston 01264 364186. Email dweston49@btinternet.com. www. salisburymotorcycleandlightcarclub. co.uk 15 Kawasaki Sunday – Let the Good Times Roll. Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London, NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com 15 Sunbeam MCC 4th Oxon/Bucks Run. Chinnor, Oxon. Contact Andy Middleton, tel 01844 352844.Email apmiddleton@btinternet.com 15 11th Suffolk Classic Motorcycle Show, Stour Valley Business Park, Brundon Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 7GB, just off the A131.

Tel John Walker 01787 881803.

20-22 National Youthbike Blues and Bikes. Cabourne Parva, off A46 near Caistor, Lincs. Email elliot.mitchell@ gmail.com. Tel 01522 869407.

20-22 A Newt in Shining Armour Rally Team Sober. Woolley Edge Campsite, Woolley Edge, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF4 2LS. www.teamsobermcc.co.uk. Email rallysec@teamsobermcc.co.uk.

Tel 07919 846164.

20-22 World Superbikes – Round 4: Dutch Round. www.worldsbk.com 21-22 The 38th Carole Nash International Classic Motorcycle Show.

Staffordshire County Showground, Weston Road, Stafford, Staffordshire ST18 0BD. www.staffordclassicbikeshows.com.

Tel 01507 529529.

21-22 Brighton Jukebox Show & Retro Collectors Fair. Brighton Racecourse, Freshfield Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 9XZ. www.jukeboxfair.co.uk Email info@jukeboxand retrofair.co.uk.

Tel 0208 393 2444.

21 Rocket 3 Owners’ Club Meet. Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com 21 Scorton Auto & Bike Jumble.

Scorton, North Yorkshire Events Centre DL10 6EJ. Tel Bert 07909 904705.

22 Custom + Cruiser Bike Day + London MAG. Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com 22 Royal Enfield Ride In. Sammy Miller Museum. www.sammymiller.co.uk 22 SBMOC The Engineerium Run. sbmoc.vpweb.co.uk Tel 01243 820534.

22 LE Velo Lancs & S Lakes. Beacon Fell Visitor Cent, near Garstang.

Tel 01772 782516.

22 Bike4Life Rideout & Festival.

RAF Museum, Cosford, near Wolverhampton TF11 8UP. Start from Meole Brace SY3 9NB. www. bike4lifefest.com. Tel 01902 376252.

22 MotoGP – Round 3: Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas. www.motogp.com 28 VMCC (Somerset section) Autojumble.

Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN. Tel 01934 813638. www.vmccsomerset.co.uk 27-29 VMCC (Essex section). Bluebell Weekend. Museum of Power, Langford CM9 6QA. Tel Pauline or Paul 01245 321573. Email pauline. hodkinson@btopenworld.com 29 The British Two-Stroke Club (Leicester section) The Windmill Run. Wymondham, Leics.

Tel Eric Hathaway 01162 750532.

29 Italian Bike Day with IMOC. Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com

NEWS 11

Cops cancel 250,000 speeding fines in a 12-month period – as officer numbers continue to decline Police forces across the UK have been forced to scrap one in 10 speeding fines issued in a 12-month period – and in some cases, forces have scrapped more than a quarter of the fines handed out to drivers.

More than one in ten of the 2.2 million speeding offences recorded in England and Wales in 2016-17 were cancelled – equating to around 241,165 scrapped fines – according to analysis by Dr Adam Snow, a lecturer in criminology at Liverpool Hope University.

Officers in Greater Manchester had to withdraw 33,893, or 28%, of offences – the largest of any police force in the country, according to Home Office statistics. And there are a number of reasons motorists are escaping fines…

Drivers disputing their penalty saw a significant number get off, while administration delays meant fines issued more than 14 days after the incident in question had to be dropped. Cases were also cancelled due to simple police error regarding the time, nature and location of the offence, or thanks to technical issues with speed camera equipment.

The statistics come just a week after the UK’s roads police chief, Chief Constable Anthony Bagham called for an end to the current “soft” treatment of speeders and the removal of the 10% “buffer” rule.

However, Bangham has since been forced to make a U-turn on his suggestions and back down from his initial statement.

But it’s not that simple. Widespread cuts, in line with the Conservative government’s austerity agenda, have ravaged forces nationwide – and ultimately, officers can’t be in more than one place at a time.

In fact, Britain’s most senior police officer, Met Police Comissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, has recently criticised the government’s austerity programme for forcing a cut in police number – at a time when he says more officers are needed. Speaking to LBC Radio, Hogan-Howe said: “The bottom line is there will be

less cops. There is only so much you can cut and make efficiencies and then you’ve got to have less police and I’m not sure that’s wise in this city.”

Asked to identify the biggest challenges facing his successor, Hogan-Howe said the first would be “money”.

He added: “You need cops. You can’t throw laptops at crowds. You’ve got to deal with the situations you face, so that’s going to be a real challenge.”

Hogan-Howe has become increasingly vocal about the squeeze on police resources as he nears retirement.

His feelings are matched by David Thompson, chief constable of the West Midlands Police, who said: “There’s 2200 less police officers here in the West Midlands, since 2010. It’s a big reduction and I’m not surprised some of our visibility feels a bit lower in communities.”

He added that he was having to “look more carefully” at use of resources in criminal investigations, as the force works hard to live within its means, amid an overhaul of its workings (dubbed WMP2020) to create a more efficient organisation.

The most gorgeous Scrambler SO FAR? Melbourne-based Skunk Machine created this AWESOME MotoGP inspired Ducati Scrambler ‘Trackster’ – and then Jorge Lorenzo signed it at last year’s Melbourne GP! The bike was brought to Skunk Machine’s owner Carl Cerra by a long-time customer Anthony who wanted something special creating to sit in his new bar. His brief to Carl was fairly succinct: “Mate. Can you do something hot with this? I want to show it off at my bar. I want something racy.”

Explaining his process, Carl said: “I began with a series of detailed sketches to get the Ducati’s graphics right. We decided to delete the Indicators, chop off the rear sets and wrap the pipes. Once I was happy with the plan, I began the bodywork and started thinking about how exactly the decals would be done.”

The four piece kit that was used to transform the Ducati is actually one that Carl designed a couple of years ago – and subsequently made production moulds for. He said: “It comes with the double-skinned seat cowl, the upholstered seat, two side covers and all the required locking hardware. If you look at my website, you can see the design and clay modelling process that I used to create it. We also got permission to use all the racing logos, so I got them printed and cut. Once they were stuck in position, I carefully

sanded around the signature and sealed it and the logos with a final coat of clear. “It wouldn’t be a ‘Trackster’ without a slick on the rear, so I swapped out the Pirelli for a 190×17in Michelin slick seeing as they are also a Ducati GP bike sponsor. Unfortunately you can’t get an 18in front slick, so I chose to go with a Michelin Scorcher. I think the tread pattern works well for this build. I also added some real rubber tyre lettering I had made up to make sure everyone at the bar knows who built it.”

Carl added: “I guess the hardest part of the build was trying to arrange Jorge to sign the Ducati’s tail piece. The thing I like best about a build was the reaction from Anthony. Most of the time, customers can’t really visualise the final product until it’s sitting in front of them all shiny and new. I pray for a big grin… once that appears, I can breathe again. Thankfully he loved it; I can’t wait to see it at the bar.

“I am selective of the projects that I take on, as I am only one person. I make sure I can focus on each project as if they are my own personal bikes. I have worked in many automotive design studios around the world for almost 25 years and I apply many of the techniques and the experience I have gained on my bikes.

There’s is a huge difference between ‘custom’ and ‘design’; I try to make my work look as though it was rolled out by the factory.

Simple, clean and refined.”

Trump criticises India’s 50% import tariff on Harley-Davidson motorcycles During a discussion with members of Congress, US President Donald Trump has criticised India for imposing a high import duty on HarleyDavidson motorcycles – and threatened to increase the tariff on the “thousands and thousands” of Indian motorcycles imported to the US. Trump said the recent decision of the Indian government to reduce the tariff from 75% to 50% was not enough – as the US imposes ‘zero tax’ on the import of motorcycles.

Trump said; “We pay a tremendous tax to get into their countries — motorcycles, Harley-Davidson — it goes into a certain country. I won’t mention the fact that it happens to be India, in this case. If you are Harley-Davidson, you have 50 to 75% tax, tariff to get your motorcycle, your product in.

And yet they sell thousands

and thousands of motorcycles, which a lot of people don’t know, from India into the US. You know what our tax is? Nothing!”

Trump once again pitched for a “reciprocal tax” on countries that he says “abuse” their trade relationships with the US. He said: “So I say we should have reciprocal taxes for a case like that. I am not blaming India.

I think it’s great that they can get away with it. I don’t know why people allowed them to get away with it. But there’s an example that’s very unfair.

And I think we should have a reciprocal tax. That’s called fair trade. It’s called free trade.

Because ultimately, what’s going to happen – either we’ll collect the same that they’re collecting, or, probably, what happens is they’ll end up not charging a tax and we won’t have a tax. And that becomes free trade.”

12 LAUNCH REPORT

Kawasaki’s Z900RS: Retro a-go-go It might look every bit the bike of yesteryear but in reality the Z is razor sharp and much fun to ride.

Get on one if you can. You’ll love it.