Norton
Big names sign up for NEC Show
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Tuesday, 31st August 2010, 8:57 GMTThe recently announced Carole Nash Motorcycle Live event has clearly captured the imagination of the world’s biggest and best motorcycle manufacturers with the organisers announcing today that a record number of brands will be exhibiting this year. No fewer than 30 manufacturers have now confirmed to attend the all-new event running from 27th November to 5th December at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre. The event will see participation from all major motorcycle brands, including iconic British firms Norton and Triumph. The numbers reflect a substantial increase in commitment following last year’s recession-hit event which saw only 11 manufacturers attend - a situation that was also experienced at other European motorcycle exhibitions. Talking about the 2010 event, Managing Director of MCI Exhibitions, Finlay McAllan, commented: “Naturally we’re delighted to announce the attendance of all major motorcycle brands. With all-four Japanese manufacturers confirmed, along with the major US and European marques, visitors will benefit from a bumper crop of 2011 models at this year’s event, making it the must-visit attraction for any motorcycle fan.” It’s not just new metal, however, that will be there in abundance, with a huge array of associated parts, clothing and accessory manufacturers signing up to attend the MCI’s annual biking showcase, the organisers have quite clearly listened to what the visitors want when it comes to visiting a premier motorcycle event in the UK. Motorcycle manufacturers confirmed include: Aprilia, Benelli, BMW, Cagiva, Daelim, Derbi, Ducati, Generic, Gilera, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Hyosung, Kawasaki, Keeway, KTM, Moto Guzzi, MV Augusta, Norton, PGO Scooters, Piaggio, Royal Enfield, Spyder, Star, Suzuki, Sym, Triumph, Vespa, Victory, Watsonian Squire and Yamaha. Tickets for Carole Nash Motorcycle Live are now on sale, priced at £15* for adults, £10* for senior citizens and £5* for children over 11. Under 11’s go free. Order your tickets from www.motorcyclelive.co.uk * Booking fees may apply. Read article
Milton Malsor officially opened; hosts Maxxis MX in 2011
Source: Latest News Articles from ACU.org.uk - Monday, 9th August 2010, 16:35 GMTMOTOCROSS riders now have a top-notch new track and facilities thanks to the opening of the ACU Events Milton Malsor venue near Northampton on Thursday July 29th – and the blue-riband Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship will visit the circuit in 2011. Former 125cc World Motocross Champion Jamie Dobb took to the track along with BYMX racers Oliver and Archie Osmaston and special guest for the day Superbike racer Chris Walker to officially open the circuit. Dobb said: “It is a good track and fun. The jumps are not that big but they are big enough to be interesting and to learn on – it is a good basis for people to learn. We need more facilities like this, more purpose built motocross tracks. It is good because here you have everything you need to improve and bring on riders.” Oliver Osmaston is 12-years old and a serious contender in the BYMX series, winning 13-races in a row before breaking his arm on a trampoline. He took his Honda 150 around the track and said: “It is really good fun. The jumps are nice to clear but hard to get just perfect. It is a really technical track like Supercross.” Archie Osmaston is just nine-years old and took to the track on his KTM65cc racer that he campaigns in BYMX. He said: “It is a good track and there are nice jumps, I’d like to race here.” Norton employed Walker may race in British Superbikes and be a World Superbike race winner but he still claims motocross is his passion and was quick on the track. “The track at Milton Malsor is absolutely superb and as it evolves with more riders on it the natural racing line will appear and it will be great,” enthused Walker. “The ACU has done a really good job – it is a track that is challenging for the professionals but also is not so daunting for beginners, they couldn’t have done it better.” ACU Events Managing Director Jim Parker is behind the renovation of the circuit and the man behind the long-lease agreement to operate the track for in the future. He is also the driving force behind the Maxxis Championship visiting the circuit in 2011. He said: “We have already run two MX Youth events at the track and are very happy with the feedback. Part of the reason for the Milton Malsor project is to ensure the youth side of the sport develops. It is good to have received such positive comments from the adult and junior riders here, it means we have achieved an excellent balance at the track – it encourages us that what we are doing is right and to keep up the good work. “We are talking about the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship coming to Milton Malsor in 2011. We have a lot of work to do to get the track to the required standard but we will achieve it. The central location of the track should attract plenty of users and spectators and I think if we have a successful round of the Maxxis series here then it will spin off other benefits – many more riders will want to come and ride the track as well.” Milton Malsor is based just off Junction 15A of the M1 Motorway at Northampton and is the UK’s leading purpose made motocross facility operated by ACU Events. It will continue to be developed by the ACU over the coming months and years and is expected to be one of the most popular riding and spectator venues in the UK. For more information on the ACU visit www.acu.org.uk and for more information on the Maxxis ACU British Championship visit www.mxgb.co.uk. (Picture caption: Jamie Dobb in action at Milton Malsor – picture courtesy of PLJ Photo) Read article
Horex unveils V6 concept
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Friday, 25th June 2010, 7:24 GMTThere’s a V6, supercharged, 20,000 euro mega-cruiser concept bike being developed in Germany. Alastair Walker reports. Horex of Germany were once one of the most innovative German companies making motorbikes, but like many small brands, a costly foray into the world of scooters during the 1950s efectively finished them off. A revived Munch-Horex made a 1400cc turbo-charged four cylinder model in the 70s, but it flopped. Game over, or so it seemed, until now. Like Norton, Indian, Brough-Superior and many other names from motorcycling’s past, the Horex brand is being revived. The new V6 concept machine ha sbeen produced by a German consortium with a claimed 12 million euros of investment. Clemens Neese is the MD of the new Horex concern and with technical assistance from VW-Audi group during the development of the Horex 1200cc, V-6 format, supercharged engine, the prospects for the new bike look good on paper. “We realized early that Horex would be a perfect brand name for our project.” Neese told the bike press last week, adding; ” The name and the company’s history complemented our vision. If the Horex visionaries of the past were still building motorcycles, these machines would be just like the six-cylinder bike we are introducing today.” When Munch revived the Horex name in the 70s, they used an NSU car engine, with a turbo attached. Likewise, the new Horex V6 is estimated to retail at 20K euros, make serious power and will be launched at Intermot this Autumn, with sales in Germany and Switzerland only - no other markets - pencilled in for 2011. Horex say they expect to sell about 1000 units in total. There’s always room for expensive oddities in biking, but perhaps the gorgeous Bimota DB5/6 sportbikes, Norton’s classy Commando, or the technically interesting Vyrus from Italy will find more buyers in the long run than the rather dated looking Horex. As Morbidelli found out back in the 1990s with their ugly duckling V8, it takes more than sheer engine power, or capacity, to sell a concept bike. More at; www.horex.com Read article
MCI praises British development
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Thursday, 24th June 2010, 9:05 GMTBritish successes and innovation in the motorcycle industry are contributing some £5.2bn to the UK economy, according to a report by the Motorcycle Industry Association. The MCI claims that research and development into motorcycle technology, safety and engineering by British firms is providing a significant contribution to the British economy, with revenue from exports standing at around £370m every year. The report cited success stories such as Triumph, which has increased turnover by 300% in the last ten years, Loughborough University, which is developing hydrogen powered motorcycles in partnership with Suzuki, and Harris Performance Products, largely due to their involvement in road and off-road competition. Manufacturers such as Norton and Scion Sprays were also highlighted in the report, as well as the growth of the eGrand Prix championship. Industry efforts to improve rider safety were also highlighted by the report, with initiatives such as the California Superbike School as well as safety developments relating to helmets and motorcycle clothing. “British companies have an integral role in the motorcycle industry,” claimed Steve Kenward, CEO of the MCI. “Along with the overseas manufacturers who sell their products to UK customers, the UK industry provides a valuable economic contribution to UK PLC. “British companies are providing a comprehensive and important range of products and services including motorcycles, safety products, technological advancements, motorcycle events, touring and adventure holidays and training and safety developments. “It is vital the government and the British people recognise the importance of the UK motorcycle industry to the UK economy and provide the necessary support to ensure that all these businesses continue to flourish.” Read article
Arai unveil Norton RX-7GP
Source: Visordown - Motorcycle news: Product news - Thursday, 17th June 2010, 11:30 GMTStunning design for well-heeled Norton fans - just in time for Xmas?!! Read article
Ace Launch Triton and Cafe Racer Day 27th June 2010
Source: The Latest Motorcycle News - Tuesday, 1st June 2010, 10:32 GMTTriton & Cafe Racer Day, Sunday 27th June, celebrates the 60th anniversary of the UK debut of Norton's legendary McCandless masterpiece, the "Featherbed" frame and the 50th anniversary of the "Slimline" frame, with a "Best Bike" competition. Read article
BMF show draws 60,000 crowd
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Wednesday, 19th May 2010, 8:30 GMTThe 50th Anniversary bmf show saw thousands turn out over the weekend for one of the best bmf shows of recent years. As Europe’s largest outdoor motorcycle show, the bmf is something of a barometer for the health of motorcycle shows in general. The bmf’s new event organisers the Mulberry group were determined to pull out all the stops to make this a show to remember and they succeeded big time. With an improved layout, more manufacturers and top-line traders plus fantastic sunny weather, the bmf claim that over 60,000 people attended the show weekend. With the official presence of BMW, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Triumph, Norton, Victory, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, plus Ducati, there were plenty of new bikes to look at and test rides to be had on BMW, Suzuki and Kawasaki. Norton were there for the first time and Norton Sales Manager and top BSB racer Chris Walker, having sold four of the stunning new Nortons over the weekend, was well pleased commenting that “The bmf show has everything going for it with good organisation, a good crowd and good security. It’s a great place to be and to be seen.” Richard Spies of Victory Motorcycles, was also well pleased with the weekend. With a prime corner position in the newly defined manufacturer’s area Richard said it had been a “great show with a great crowd.” BMW, currently riding high in the sales charts was similarly pleased with the weekend. “The bmf show is good for us with plenty of serious enquiries from serious enthusiasts” said BMW Marketing Manager Tony Jakeman. On a completely different level, thousands come to the bmf show on a shopping expedition to buy their kit for the new season so smaller traders too reported brisk business. Chris Hawley of Baglux, a regular for the past 25 years and just one of the 300 traders on site, said that business had been good and that “There was a buzz about the place again that had been missing in recent years.” while Paul Burdass from Fat Skeleton said: “We’ve had our busiest Peterborough bmf ever in terms of revenue, reversing the general trend we’ve seen at both indoor & outdoor events over the past year.” Someone really happy was Norman Ford, the winner of the bmf’s Win-A-Bike prize draw. Stunned that he had won, Norman is yet to choose which bike he wants to take home from either a Yamaha XVS1300 ‘Midnight Star’, a Suzuki GSXR600 or a Honda CB1000R. Another winner on the day was David Light who having joined the bmf over the weekend, found that he was also the lucky winner of a Giacomo Agostini replica helmet in the bmf’s special membership promotion. Commenting, bmf spokesman Jeff Stone said, “This really was an excellent show. I’ve run the press office at most of the bmf shows since 1977 and this was one of the best. It wasn’t as packed as some, but in a way it was better for it and given the current economic climate, we did amazingly well. To be honest, the bmf show had lost its way over the last few years, but due credit to the Mulberry Group, their input means it’s now back on track!” Read article
Walker: Not bad for starters…
Source: British Superbikes - BSB Blog - Mirror.co.uk - Tuesday, 6th April 2010, 14:23 GMTThis weekend has been different for us as we've not come as a complete team. It's been an absolute pleasure to work with these boys. It was a last minute thing to be here, last minute thing to get the bike ready and the boys have been brilliant. There are guys not as good as these working in the HM Plant Garage so I've been very lucky. The bike has basic electronics but it's real fast and I've got real good guys working for me. Although we didn't quite get into the last stage of qualifying I think we've done ourselves proud really. 15th on the grid, on the fourth row, on a bike we've never even seen before four days ago. It's good to be back racing, last minute is an understatement really and I've had an overwhelming response to being here. Loads of pats on the back, everyone seems pleased to see me, I'm chuffed to bits. Is everyone asking you about Hodgson? To be honest we are that far away from each other on the pit lane nobody has mentioned it. It's a feather in my cap I guess to out qualify him, after they got the Airwaves bikes for this year and been to Spain for a week. I'm sure everybody has their day and so I'm going to keep it quiet and we'll see what happens on race day I guess. What have you been up to away from the track? Everything has changed for me this winter; it's been a huge change as I became a Dad in December just a week before Christmas. I also got a job at Norton Motorcycles as the UK Sales Manager and that was only supposed to be a two or three day a week job but we've been that busy, we've sold 90 bikes and it has ended up being nearly a full time job. It's thoroughly enjoyable and its quite different being back in the workplace but it's a good laugh at the same time, some great guys and girls there. It's a ball of a place to work and the product is just amazing, to work with such an iconic brand like Norton is great. My Dad had a Norton when he was my age, well half my age, when he was a kid, so its mega to be working there and I'm just saving up for my Norton now. Will you be out testing the Nortons? We will be doing bits and bobs. I actually took two and hand delivered them to Holland last week. They were the second and third bikes to hit the road and I'm going to be racing one at the Thundersprint for a bit of fun so I can't wait. Race one was mega, the bike was brilliant, I had great grip and a huge amount of power as well as good settings. Mid-race my tyres started to go off so I had to learn to control it again as we don't have traction control. I got duffed up a bit at the start by the Superbike Evo riders so I made sure I avoided them next time round. Top ten, first time out with no testing - respect is due. Race two was going really well, I'd just done a 46.1sec lap when I got taken out. I'm a bit battered and sore but nothing serious. It's a real shame as I was catching up on the riders in front and I was course for a fifth place finish. Read article
Walker’s last minute deal
Source: British Superbikes - BSB Blog - Mirror.co.uk - Saturday, 3rd April 2010, 9:40 GMTHey everyone! Well we have had one session already and as everyone knows this was a really last minute deal for me. If I am honest we are not a hundred percent ready to go but it is great to be here at Brands Hatch. We don't want to be too far behind and I don't doubt that this weekend is going to be a tough one but I love a good challenge! I have to say it is odd doing everything for yourself as it has been a long time since I have been working on the bike and sorting the tyres - all those things! It is harder work than my day job at Norton! It has been a real hard graft for the boys to get everything done, as we are still waiting for some things to fall into place. We have the basic electronics so the bike is very similar to the Evo spec for now but it is fast. It makes a change from the Renault van I drive during the week! Anyway, got to get ready for my next session now, so catch you later! Stalker #9 Read article
Schnaller JPS Thruxton
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Monday, 29th March 2010, 8:57 GMTAustrian motorcycle dealer Jürgen Schnaller has taken a stock Triumph Thruxton and fitted a café racer body kit from Airtech Streamlining, creating what he calls the ‘Greymouth Thruxton,’ reports Alastair Walker. The Airtech bodykit includes a Triton-style tank and seat, a Lucas tail light, bobbed front fender and a 70s-style nose fairing. On the mechanical front, Schnaller has beefed up the 865 cc Thruxton motor with high compression pistons, high lift cams, and a ported and polished head. The carbs are upgraded to flat side Keihins, with a Swedish Raask exhaust giving an extra bit of breathing. The result is a 26bhp increase over the stock bike’s 68 bhp, says Schnaller. The front and rear suspension has been upgraded with Wilbers components to cope with the extra lunge. If you followed F1 in the 70s and 80s, you’ll recognise the livery: it’s a John Player Special design, as used by the Lotus F1 team and revived by the Norton rotary racer team of the late 80s/early 90s. Read article
