Browsing Archive: September, 2017

Beryl Swain

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, September 30, 2017, In : Female Motorcycle Riders

In 1962 Beryl Swain had the world at her feet. She was a beautiful and ambitious motorcycle rider with a bright future. She should have had a pioneering racing career but sadly she was born at the wrong time. On target to become one of the leading female lights in the world of motor racing Swain was unstoppable, until a decision to revoke her licence broke her biker’s heart.

After a fruitless protest she hung up her leathers in the garden shed for the last time. Beryl Swain died in May 2007...

Riding your motorcycle after your first crash

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, September 30, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

There comes a time in the life of every motorcyclist when he/she lost confidence after the first crash.

So what if you fell off from your motorcycle in front of other people. We all make mistakes. There is nothing to be embarrassed and most importantly, you don’t need to be afraid of riding again. You have been doing this for a long time, you can’t just give up, all because you fell off.

It is not right. You need to gain your self-confidence once again and get back on two wheels as soon as ...

Barry Sheene

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, September 30, 2017, In : Motorcycle Racers

Racing Career

Barry first started to race in 1968, winning his first races at Brands Hatch riding father Frank's 125 cc and 250 cc Bultacos. He became the British 125cc champion at age 20 in 1970. In 1971 riding an ex-works 1966 10-speed Suzuki twin, previously ridden by Stuart Graham he finished second in the 125 cc World Championship. His first Grand Prix win coming on that bike at Spa in Belgium, soon followed by a win on a 50 cc Van Veen Kreidler at Brno in Czechoslovakia, where he finishe...

Dealing with road rage

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, September 30, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

We’ve all seen videos and heard stories from riders about a road-rage incident that ended up in the rider’s favour, with the wayward car driver getting well-deserved karma in some nasty form. But the reality is that those outcomes are by far the exception rather than the rule. Any road-rage incident you get into on your motorcycle against another vehicle is much more likely to turn out not in your favour. Here I have some common-sense techniques to help you reduce the chances of getting i...

Buying motorcycle boots

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, September 30, 2017, In : Motorcycle Accessories

There is a wide range of motorbike boots on the market and they fall under lots of different categories.

Some are suited to off-road riding, some to track days and some for general commuting and city riding. Foot and lower leg injuries are also very common in motorbike accidents so it’s vitally important that you buy the right boot for your riding, because they each have different attributes.

Motorbike boots for commuters and tourers

Motorbike boots for tourers and commuters place comfort high...

Riding your motorcycle in a group

Posted by Howard Trott on Friday, September 29, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Riding with a group of friends gives you a chance to explore new routes, gain experience and make new friends. Before you head out on the road there are a few things you should think about to make sure your trip is as enjoyable and safe as possible.

Organising the group

It’s unlikely that everyone in your group will have the same level of experience and ability. Danger tends to arise when less experienced riders feel they have to ride faster or above their ability to keep up with the group, s...

Starting your motorcycle uphill

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Stopping on an uphill slope and then getting going again can be tricky, particularly for riders with insufficient inseam length to make solid contact with the ground. Here are some tips to help you handle these situations.

Evaluate your options

When you see that you must stop on a hill, identify an approach that is clear of significant debris or surface contamination that may cause your foot or tires to slip. Avoid vehicle drippings, sand, gravel and slick surfaces. You also want to stop so yo...

Buying a second hand motorcycle

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, In : Buying A Second Hand Motorcycle

Are you chomping at the bit to get your hands on a two-wheeled dream machine, but don’t fancy parting with a ton of cash for a brand-new model?

If the answer is “yes”, then a second hand motorbike might be a more budget-friendly option.

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to used bikes, so here’s how you go about getting your hands on one.

Benefits of a used bike

The main benefit of buying a used bike over a new one is - unsurprisingly - the price.

Thanks to depreciation, new motorbik...

Riding your motorcycle abroad

Posted by Howard Trott on Monday, September 25, 2017, In : Motorcycle Touring

Road trips are fun and if sales of adventure bikes and tourers in the UK are anything to go by, they’re more popular than ever too. Riding abroad and lengthy road trips across different countries and continents are what dreams are made of but unless you’ve got the right documents, they’re not going to happen.

Motorcycle CBTs don’t cut the mustard

If you have a quick look across bike forums in the UK, you’ll find multiple posts about travelling abroad on two wheels.

There’s usually a ...

Motorcycle safety checks

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, September 23, 2017, In : Motorcycle Safety

MOTORCYCLE ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR A SAFE RIDE

Brakes

Make sure you test your brakes before heading out. Get on the bike and test both front and rear brakes. It is important to check the break pads in case you have of a disc break (hydraulic breal), or adjust the break in case you have a drum break. Also, drum brakes might simply require a new set of shoes. Finally , if you have disk breaks, it is also important to check the brake fluids or the actual disk.

Engine Oil

Check the engine oil according t...

Off-road motorbike riding

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

A key skill every Adventure Rider should acquire is the ability to ride confidently off-road. Large Adventure Motorcycles can be difficult to manage in the dirt because of their weight and bulk. You can get away with a lack of dirt riding skills on small dirt bikes, but an Adventure Bike can hurt you if you don’t know what you are doing.

Often times, riders try to learn on their own with only a few dirt riding tips from a friend. This kind of trial and error approach can cause a lot of anxie...

Motorbike clothing

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, In : Motorcycle Accessories

If you’re travelling at any kind of normal road speed when you come off your motorcycle, you’re likely to skid along the road surface and suffer from road rash. Road surfaces will shred through jeans and normal clothes on impact so it’s vital that your riding clothes can withstand abrasions and skids as well as impact.

What material?

There is a reason so many bikers wear leather, and it’s not just for the typical biker look. Leather is robust and copes well in motorbike accidents becaus...

Maintaining your motorbike

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, In : Motorcycle Maintenance

A motorcycle requires a lot of maintenance. Motorcycles are different from cars because you only have two wheels to take you down the road, and one loose bolt on a bike can mean the difference between an enjoyable Sunday afternoon ride or a breakdown -- or worse yet, a crash. We will discuss routine motorcycle maintenance, what to look for, and how to accomplish it.

Keep It Clean

While routine cleaning will make sure your bike to always looks its best, the simple act of washing and detailing ...

Secure document delivery Warrington, Manchester, Liverpool.

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, In : Security Motorcycle Courier

WARRINGTON, MANCHESTER, LIVERPOOL Secured Document Delivery is necessary in a variety of industries. We understand the importance of meeting the expectations of our customer’s security needs, and we will gladly assist with your specific requirements, so you can rest assured that the professional motorbike riders at Spartan Motorcycle Couriers will deliver your confidential documents in a safe, time-critical manner.

We have provided Secured Document Delivery to a variety of industries, inclu...

Riding your motorbike at night

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Riding your motorcycle at night is completely different than riding it during the day. Some motorcyclists enjoy the isolation of riding at night. Others hate it for the loss of visibility and vision, and will avoid it at all costs. Sooner or later, you’re bound to find yourself on your bike during the night time, so its important to know what unique hazards you must deal with when the sun goes down.