UK

Firing all barrels with Royal Enfield Shotgun 650

Even with production at the company’s Oragadam factory outside Chennai running flat out for six days a week, there are waiting lists everywhere for the 650cc models such as Super Meteor, Continental GT and Interceptor —  as production struggles to keep up with demand. Yet Royal Enfield’s parent company Eicher Motors (albeit RE accounts for 92% of its overall turnover) just reported a huge 54.70% increase in net profit last November for the second quarter of its business year, with turnover up 17% on the back of a 13% increase in Royal Enfield sales. The 650cc models have catapulted the Indian manufacturer into a leading role in the global middleweight motorcycle market. This desirable problem of meeting motorcycle sales demand is expected to worsen with launch of 2024 Shotgun 650. In U.K., base model Sheetmetal Grey color will cost £6,699 including 20% tax, while the Plasma Blue and Green Drill variants are priced at £100 more, the Premium model in Stencil White costs £6,899. In comparison, 2024 units of the Super Meteor 650 start at £6,799, and in America, it starts at US$6,999. If Royal Enfield keeps such narrow margins with U.S. pricing, you can expect something just above $7k. At fairly low 9.5:1 compression ratio it denotes a low state of tune, most likely to ensure it runs well even on poor-quality fuel in delivering a claimed 51.6 mpg. Rigorous testing regime conducted simultaneously in India, Europe, the USA and the UK are unique to Royal Enfield. You will have a motorcycle that has been there and done that in the real world and not just under “test conditions” Media test riders have praised the tremendous improvement in handling and performance over Super Meteor 650. Shotgun is a incredibly good motorcycle, providing an unexpectedly high level of performance along […]

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Sidecar Take On Coronation

King Charles III Coronation: Sidecar Seating Reserved French TF1 secured a couple of Urals to cover the Coronation of King Charles III in London from the sidecar POV! https://www.tf1.fr/tf1/charles-iii-elizabeth-ii-kate-et-william-harry-et-meghan-diana-tout-sur-la-famille-royale We will be posting updates of Urals navigating streets of London during this historic event on our social media channels. Do tune in! Big thanks to Rob and Zayne at Gusto Motorbikes and Mike at TheSidecarGuysLondon for assisting with logistics, driving, filming and most of all for representing Ural with all their heart and top level effort. Humbled and grateful to have them on our team! — Ural Motorcycles * * * * * * * * * * * * Click & know more about Bikernet’s Free Weekly Newsletter

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Norton Opens First Flagship Showroom

Norton Opens First Flagship Showroom At The Bike Shed London Five additional United Kingdom locations will comprise the brand’s early distribution network. with inputs by Dustin Wheelen from https://www.rideapart.com Indian automotive giant TVS had acquired Norton Motorcycles in April 2020 after a tumultuous period in the OEM’s history. However, since then this legendary British brand has kept its head down, opening its Solihull factory, hiring a new CEO, and receiving a £100M British Pounds Sterling (~$125M USD) investment in two years’ time. In October, 2022, Norton started rolling out its 2023 Commando 961. With a firm eager to get its products into riders’ hands, Norton opens its first retail location within London’s The Bike Shed. “Seeing the Norton brand move from within the four walls of Norton HQ and out into the marketplace is positive on a number of levels,” claimed Norton Chief Commercial Officer Christian Gladwell. “More dealers mean more riders enjoying the results of the hard work and dedication that the entire team at Norton has contributed towards.” Known as Norton Atelier, this space will showcase Norton’s V4SV superbike alongside the Commando 961. Customers can purchase and/or test ride both models at the Shoreditch Bike Shed chapter. Norton apparel designed by Savile Row fashion designer Nick Tentis is also available at the new showroom. Tentis’ has also influenced this retail space itself. “For the first one I wanted to create a space reflecting the history and values of the Norton brand while also creating the perfect environment to display the new clothing collection,” explained Tentis. Norton will also establish showrooms at Krazy Horse London, Crawley’s P&H Motorcycles, Sheffield’s Via Moto, Bodmin’s Thor Motorcycles, and Cheshire’s Oakmere Motor Group. These locations will offer test rides, maintenance, and parts and accessories. We can’t wait for this epic brand to expand

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Mutt Launches Mushman Scrambler

by Janaki Jitchotvisut from https://www.msn.com Preorders are now open for both, with bikes starting to roll out in March, 2023. On February 14, 2023, Birmingham, U.K.-based motorcycle company Mutt officially introduced its revived Mushman in two displacements: 125cc and 250cc. It’s Mutt’s newest scrambler on the block, and it comes with a number of features to set it apart from the pack. Both displacements are powered by air-cooled, single-cylinder engines that are mated to five-speed gearboxes. The 125cc makes a claimed 10 newton-meters (about 7.37 pound-feet) of torque, while the 250cc makes a claimed 18 newton-meters (about 13.27 pound-feet) of torque. Other differences include a combined braking system (CBS) on the 125, while the 250 gets an anti-lock braking system (ABS). The Mutt Mushman comes with 18-inch stainless-steel spoked wheels with black rims, knobby tires, black tracker handlebars, grips that feature black diamond-pattern rubber and aluminum, a black vinyl seat, and LED lighting. Other features exclusive to the Mushman in Mutt’s lineup include matt black engine bars, a leather tank strap, and a steel tank rack. “The inspiration for the styling of the Mushman came from the idea of early scramblers,” Mutt co-founder Benny Thomas said in a statement. “The simple practice of preparing a road bike for off-road use by taking the bulky bits off, fitting knobby tires and high-rise mudguards to create a stripped-down bike that does exactly what it says on the box. While the Mushman was never intended to be a scrambler, it has the look and the feel of something Mr McQueen would ride between shoots if he was around in 2023,” he continued. “It’s the ultimate hack-around bike. Lightweight, good looking and perfect for taking on the city or hitting the country lanes. ‘Nothing Fancy’ is the motto for all our Mutts, and I

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BSA Scrambler At 2022 Motorcycle Live Show

by Janaki Jitchotvisut from https://www.rideapart.com/ It features subtle styling changes from the Gold Star on which it’s based. In November, 2021, the revived BSA Motorcycles proudly presented its first new motorcycle in decades, the 2022 BSA Gold Star. Fittingly, the reveal took place at the 2021 Motorcycle Live show, which is the U.K.’s biggest annual motorcycle event—and which, let’s not forget, is also held in the BSA birthplace of Birmingham. The new Goldie—powered by a liquid-cooled, dual overhead cam, 625cc single—was met with a mostly positive response. Fast-forward to 2022, and the latest edition of Motorcycle Live rolled into the NEC Birmingham events hall for visitors to see all the latest motorcycles on display. Of course, BSA was there, and of course it brought the Gold Star along. The company also brought along something new—a shiny new scrambler. At this point, we must caution you that it’s only a design concept at the moment—but this, friends, is our first look at a conceptual BSA Scrambler. According to BSA, this is the first design that was developed entirely in-house at BSA’s new West Midlands facility. While the team didn’t offer a whole lot in the way of details, since it is only a concept, it’s meant to “offer a snapshot of what the future could look like,” as well as “showcase the customization capability of BSA’s Gold Star platform.” The BSA Scrambler concept is built around same 652cc single found in the production BSA Gold Star. If you need a refresher, that engine makes a claimed 45 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, in addition to 55 newton-meters (or 40.5 pound-feet) of torque at 4,000 rpm. It’s also mated to a five-speed gearbox. The concept boasts a sportier look, with a particularly grippy-looking seat cover, high front mudguard, and what at least looks to

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Rarest Ducatis to star at London Concours in 2022

Two-Wheeled Heroes in the heart of the City: Rarest Ducatis to star at London Concours in 2022 Rarest and most significant Ducati motorcycles to be assembled at London’s Honourable Artillery Company this June. Exceptional examples from the past 50 years will be united at the capital’s leading concours d’elegance event, charting the rich history of this most storied motorcycle brand. 4x World Superbike Champion and Ducati Ambassador, Carl Fogarty, will also appear at this summer’s event, in association with Bikesure Sixth annual London Concours to run from the 28th to 30th of June in the heart of the City. Tickets on sale now at londonconcours.co.uk/tickets, from £35 London, UK (27th May 2022): The London Concours, presented by Montres Breguet, has announced that this June’s event will feature a selection of two wheeled stars from the most iconic and evocative motorcycle brand of all, with its ‘Ode to Ducati’ Ducati. Spanning close to 50 years of the Italian marque’s illustrious history, the remarkable collection of bikes will wow alongside the Concours’ breath-taking array of four wheeled machinery – from spectacular supercars to the finest classics – on the immaculate lawns of the Honourable Artillery Company in the heart of the City. The wonderful selection of motorcycles from the Bolognese manufacturer will include an example of the rare 750 GT ‘Sandacst’ from late 1971. The bike, Ducati’s first v-twin cylinder machine, was born when Fabio Taglione, or “Dr. T” – Ducati’s longstanding chief designer and technical director – was tasked with building a 750 class bike to compete with the likes of Moto Guzzi, Laverda and of course the Japanese giants. The move into the 750 class was viewed as crucial to the success of the marque; a gateway to significant sales volumes in the USA. Taglione’s proposed low-cost solution was to

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Honda RC213V-S Breaks Auction World Record

An as-new example of Honda’s RC213V-S has just broken a new world record, becoming the most expensive Japanese motorcycle ever sold at auction. Hosted by specialist automotive marketplace Collecting Cars, the ‘MotoGP bike for the road’ sold for a remarkable total sales price of £182,500. The rare superbike has never been ridden and remains in its original flight case, with just one mile on the odometer. Having never left its shipping crate, the bike is totally pristine with absolutely no damage or wear. Created with a focus on light weight and agility, the RC213V-S is a road-legal MotoGP bike, built around a hand-fabricated aluminium frame with carbon-fibre body panels and titanium fasteners, resulting in a dry weight of just 170kg. Powered by a 999cc four-stroke V4 engine, this 2016 model also features the full HRC Race Kit, which comprises a recalibrated ECU, a titanium exhaust system, a front ram duct, a race-pattern quickshifter, a data logger and a remote control cable for the front brake lever. These upgrades reduce the bike’s total weight by 10kg and increase power output from 157hp to 215hp. Also fitted are some of the highest quality components available, including Ohlins TTX front forks, powerful Brembo brakes and forged magnesium Marchesini Racing wheels. Edward Lovett, founder of Collecting Cars, said: “Honda’s RC213V-S is a thrilling, exquisitely crafted machine, and this example attracted global attention and extremely competitive bidding on Collecting Cars. We are proud to have achieved yet another world-record sales price – this time for an incredible road-legal MotoGP that will be a jewel in the new owner’s collection.” To find out more information on this lot, visit Collecting Cars. https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2016-honda-rc213v-s-1 Compared to traditional car auctions, Collecting Cars offers significantly better value for sellers and buyers alike. For sellers, the detailed photographic presentation and professional

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Try the Climate Quiz by CO2 Coalition

The Great Climate Change Debate is one of the “hottest” issues before the public and policy makers today. How much do you know about the subject? Or possibly, the real question is one attributed to American humorist Will Rogers: “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble, it’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” Find out your Climate IQ by taking our Climate Quiz: the answers may surprise you. CLICK HERE To Take the Climate Quiz Now The CO2 Coalition was established in 2015 as a 501(c)(3) for the purpose of educating thought leaders, policy makers, and the public about the important contribution made by carbon dioxide to our lives and the economy.

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Triumph Collector Stumbles Across Ultimate Collectible, the 1901 Prototype

from https://www.autoevolution.com/ by Daniel Patrascu At the turn of the last century, a time when horse-drawn carriages turned into automobiles and bicycles into motorcycles, most of the companies active back then wanted a piece of the new action, and turned their businesses around to include the production of the new mechanical wonders. So did a British enterprise that went by the name Triumph Engineering, which used to make bicycles. Which, if you come to think of it, are just like motorcycles, only without engines, hence easy to re-make. And that’s exactly what Triumph did with one of its bikes, fitting it with a Minerva engine and opening the doors to a history that has spanned so far for 120 years. That production motorized two-wheeler came to be in 1902, but as you can imagine, a prototype had to be made before that. A prototype that, like many others of its kind, was considered lost for a long time, despite rumors surrounding its existence floating around. Extremely conveniently-timed, the first 1901 Triumph motorcycle prototype just resurfaced, having been uncovered by a collector named Dick Shepherd, and put back into the spotlight by the company itself. According to the available details, attesting to the motorcycle’s authenticity are the engine number, “consistent with references in Minerva’s engine records of a 1901 first Triumph engagement,” and a “letter from Triumph, dated in 1937, that outlined the bike’s unique origins and provided key details.” As far as we understand, the bike was uncovered some time ago, as the collector had time to restore it. “As a lifelong passionate fan of the history and achievements of this incredible British brand, to have discovered this amazing survivor and restored it to the glorious condition it would have been in when it first went on display in 1901,

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Norton Motorcycles unveils new Café Racer bike

from https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/ by Enda Mullen The V4CR, a derivative of the company’s V4SV superbike, will go on show at Motorcycle Live Legendary manufacturer Norton Motorcycles has revealed a prototype of a new motorcycle. The V4CR, is a Café Racer derivative of the company’s V4SV superbike. It is the first prototype to be designed, engineered and built at the company’s recently opened global headquarters in Solihull. It shares the same engineering DNA as the superbike, including its 185bhp 1200cc V4 engine as well as some engineering advancements. Norton said the new V4CR’s stripped-back appearance showcases the craftsmanship and quality behind one of the most powerful British café racers out there. Fitted with a carbon fibre fuel tank and body panels, polished billet aluminium swingarm and frame, the V4CR also features compact framework and a shorter rear frame for an aggressive and commanding stance. Norton Motorcycles’ CEO Dr Robert Hentschel said: “The prototype VC4R is the next step in Norton’s strategic growth plan on its journey to becoming the world-leader in luxury hand-crafted motorcycles.” The V4CR prototype is Norton’s latest project to use the marque’s refined V4 platform, revised over the last 16 months by a team of 30 engineers and subject to tens of thousands of road and track miles, as part of Norton’s development process. The V4CR reintroduces fans to Norton’s iconic café racer heritage. Norton’s V4CR prototype will make its public debut at Motorcycle Live, taking place at the NEC in Solihull from December 4-12. Norton formally opened its Solihull headquarters in November this year. The motorcycle maker has a long and illustrious history, though fell on hard times before being revived. It became one of the most iconic British motorcycle brands, manufacturing famous models such as the 650SS, Atlas, Commando, Dominator, Manx, Navigator and many more. It gained

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