The Bike Insurance Warehouse

July marks final month to book a motorcycle test ahead of new legislation - Added 03 July 2008

Honda Motorcycles and other leading manufacturers are joining the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA) in saying 'Now's The Time' to learn to ride, as July marks the final month that bookings can be made for the current motorcycle test, ahead of new motorcycle test legislation that comes into force from October this year.

Under the new Second European Driving Licence Directive (2DLD), new riders will have to travel further to take their test, perform additional tasks to pass their practical test and also pay more due to the additional training and time required.  

Honda Announces The World's First Advanced Braking System For Sports Bikes - Added 20 June 2008
Honda has announced its development of a revolutionary electronically-controlled combined ABS system developed specifically for sports bikes.

At a European Technical Workshop focusing on motorcycle safety at the LUK Driving Centre near Baden-Baden in Germany this week, Honda hosted over 150 motorcycle experts from across Europe to discuss varied safety issues concerning motorcycling, as well as demonstrate current and future initiatives which highlight Honda’s continued commitment to progressing motorcycle safety. These included the new electronically-controlled combined ABS system for sports bikes.

Traditionally, the design of sports bikes has meant that the application of ‘combined’ or ABS braking systems has not been practical. The short wheelbase of a sports machine causing it to ‘pitch’ under heavy braking, coupled with concerns over the weight of such a system has seen Combined Brake Systems and ABS traditionally placed on touring, adventure and sports touring machines. 

Emissions Neutral Vehicle - Added 26 May 2008
Intelligent Energy, an energy-solutions company, unveils the world’s first purpose-built fuel cell motorbike, ENV (Emissions Neutral Vehicle).

LOS ANGELES, June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Intelligent Energy, a British energy-solutions company that is relocating to Los Angeles, today unveiled the world's first purpose-built fuel cell motorbike, ENV (Emissions Neutral Vehicle), at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif. This sleek-looking, hydrogen-powered motorbike is the first designed specifically with fuel cell technology in mind. The result is an innovative motorbike that emits only water vapors, making it an almost silent and completely nonpolluting vehicle. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050614/LATU058) ENV, pronounced "envy," was engineered and purpose-built from the ground up, utilizing Intelligent Energy's world-renowned CORE, a radically compact and efficient fuel cell, in order to demonstrate the everyday applicability of fuel cell technology. The CORE is detachable from the bike and is capable of powering anything from an ATV or a personal watercraft, to a small home.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R - Added 27 January 2008
Kawasaki's supersport flagship for 2008 is released. Check here the first official pictures of the new Ninja ZX-10R and read the first available information. More information and pictures will be available from 27 September.

For the 2008 Ninja ZX-10R, Kawasaki engineers wanted a highly communicative package that would enhance the two-way dialog between rider and machine that professional racers require to ride at the highest level.

That meant the chassis had to deliver a high level of feedback while being highly responsive to rider input – and all this in stock form. A tall order. But, having worked on every litre- and mid-class supersport model since the 2003 Ninja ZX-6R/6RR, not to mention their direct involvement with Kawasaki’s factory superbike efforts, one the dedicated design and engineering team were in a unique position to deliver.

To optimise the 10R’s performance for the track, the new engine has been tuned for even greater high-rpm performance without reducing the engine’s impressive low and mid-range torque. In addition, throttle response was improved by installing secondary fuel injectors, using oval throttle bodies and reshaping the intake ports. These changes give the new engine a performance potential very similar to Kawasaki’s factory superbike racing machines, making it essentially a race-ready engine.

340mph Hybrid Motorbike - Added 27 January 2008
The Acabion GTBO looks remarkably like a 1950s Bonneville Speed Week contender, often fashioned from B-52 drop tanks, but its specifications sound bang-up-to-date. An electric motor and 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol unit together produce a scarcely credible 750bhp making the GTBO capable of 100mph in first gear. Hitting the triple tonne takes 30 seconds and top speed is 340mph. But don't think the GTBO has run out of steam; that is simply the point at which the electronics rein things in - 330mph is achieved on half throttle. A low kerb weight and very slippery shape makes it efficient as well as fast; fuel economy at 100mph is said to be 100mpg.

So how does the Acabion solve traditional contradictions? It is light AND secure. It is slim AND comfortable. It is useful AND beautiful. It is tremendously effective AND extremely fast. A total weight of 359 kg combined with an engine power of 360 hp enables the Acabion to exceed 1000 hp per ton of vehicle-weight. It achieves an electronically limited 280 mph with just 50% of its engine power, accelerating from 180 mph to 280 mph in approximately 10 seconds, which is impossible even for Formula 1 cars. Even with such a performance it consumes 5 to 10 times less fuel than a state of the art two-seater supercar. More than this, cruising at a constant speed, e.g. 120 mph, it is so efficient that it even consumes half the amount of fuel than a 2006 high-tech diesel compact-car. Tailor-made versions of the Acabion can be provided anything up to 700 hp, and a range of internal fittings. All those types are even more dynamic but not less efficient.

The Acabion is to come with a computer cockpit, a fast ethernet computer-network with 3 terrabyte capacity plus fast WLAN and internet access (UMTS in Europe).

The GTBO is the trendsetter towards a new generation of crafts of two categories: One category pure electric and one gasoline driven. Electric for city traffic and distances up to 300 miles. Gasoline with 10 times the punch and a range of up to 1000 miles per fuel-stop. Hyper-efficient both of them. There is nothing bad about gasoline. There is just something bad about wasting it.

An Acabion will always be absolute individually and tailormade for customer-needs. Quality is handmande swiss precision, throughout the complete vehicle on a level as the most sophisticated swiss mechanical watches. Price GTBO 36 starts at 540.000 Euro. A complete individual toolset (carbon forms interiour and exteriour ...) for any later parts supply is included.

UK Motorbike thefts going up - Added 4 November 2007
Motorcycle owners in some parts of the country are facing a growing risk of having their bikes stolen, according to new figures.

In some parts of London, theft is up by 28% in the last year, according to the survey by the Carole Nash Insurance Consultants company.

Manchester has the second worst record, while a growing number of bikers in Hull and Aberdeen have been targeted.

Mini-motorbikes 'will be crushed' - Added 4 November 2007
Mini-motorbike riders who break the law on public land could be fined or see their machines confiscated and crushed, Home Secretary John Reid has warned.

The government has given £200,000 to help enforce laws on "mini-motos" in 28 areas of England and Wales.

Guidance makes clear the bikes - often bought for children - can be used only on private property with permission.

"These vehicles are not toys and I want to see irresponsible drivers stopped and if necessary their bikes crushed."

The Motor Cycle Industry Association estimates that sales of mini-moto-type vehicles have risen from 10,000 in 2002 to 100,000 last year.

The 28 areas receiving cash to tackle the problem are: Manchester, Mansfield, Liverpool, Sunderland, Birmingham, Harlow, Southend-on-Sea, Tendering, Reading, Gloucester, Derby, Coventry, Hodge Hill, Blackburn, Chester, Oldham, Salford, Gateshead, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, South Tyneside, Hull, Wakefield, York, Camden, Kent, Halton in Cheshire, West Cumbria, Newport.

Motorbikes seized in clampdown - Added 4 November 2007
OFFICERS seized two motorbikes as part of a crime clampdown in March.

The seizures follow an increase in motorbikes being used illegally in and around the town.

"This in itself is illegal; however, what was more concerning was that neither boy was wearing a crash helmet."

Under the Police Reform Act 2002, police have the power to seize any vehicle, being used illegally or anti-socially.

The owner must then pay a fine to have the vehicle released back into their possession.

Officers are also able to seize any vehicle being driven on a public road where the driver does not have insurance or a licence.

Pc Martin added: "I would urge anyone who owns a motorbike or is a parent of a child who owns one to think about the consequences before breaking the law."

Hydrogen-powered motorbike. - Added 1 November 2007
High-powered motorbikes, or the bikers who ride them, are hardly known for their green credentials.
But a new, and unlikely, partnership between Japanese superbike firm Suzuki and a British technology company has produced the world's first serious "green" motorbike.
The Crosscage concept bike, due to be unveiled at the Tokyo Motorshow later this week, runs in complete silence and is powered by fuel cells developed by Loughborough-based technology firm Intelligent Energy.