With SF215 almost in the bag, we're about to pack up the SF office and head to Birmingham's NEC for Motorcycle Live and, more specifically, Custom Xtreme.
With a dozen of the UK's best streetfighters, allied to a similar number of radical customs thanks to Back Street Heroes, Custom Xtreme has be regularly voted as being one of the most interesting features at the show. That, in itself, is a good reason to attend, but also remember that the 2011 Streetfighters 13th edition will also be on sale from our stand.
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Monday, 7 November 2011
Smoking!
So, we're back after another weekend of lunacy and drunken debauchery at Fighterama in Germany, having had a grand total of about eight hours sleep in five days...
We'll be bringing you a full write-up of the event in the next issue...
We'll be bringing you a full write-up of the event in the next issue...
Thursday, 3 November 2011
SF214
Streetfighters 214 is in the newsgents now!
Featuring not only the gorgeous turbo GSX1100 you can see on the cover, but also a turbocharged, trick-framed Bandit and loads more too (yes, I've already forgotten due to the excitement of this weekend's Fighterama...)
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Can you smell rubber?
Spotted at last weekend's Extreme Performance Bike Weekend at Santa Pod was this, rather extreme, racing scooter...
Would you put your faith in a BMX front end? It clocked 97mph through the timing lights...
Would you put your faith in a BMX front end? It clocked 97mph through the timing lights...
Friday, 7 October 2011
Extreme Performance Bike Weekend
The only all-bike drag racing weekend of the year at Santa Pod kicks off at 9.30am tomorrow, Saturday 8th October.
With the final round of the ACU Drag Bike series, the final round of the Straightliners National Drag Racing Championship and the final round of the Straightliners Stunt Championship, it'll be a full weekend!
More details on www.extremebike.co.uk
With the final round of the ACU Drag Bike series, the final round of the Straightliners National Drag Racing Championship and the final round of the Straightliners Stunt Championship, it'll be a full weekend!
More details on www.extremebike.co.uk
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Ride To The Wall
Next Saturday, a mass motorcycle tribute to our Armed Forces will take place at the
National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
The fourth annual Ride to the Wall will take place this Saturday when many thousands of motorcyclists make their pilgrimage to the National Memorial Arboretum to show their support for the Armed Forces.
Riders will attend from all corners of the UK and parts of Europe, either as individuals or in groups and chapters from particular organisations. They will gather at one of the seven designated start points around the country at 9am to ride to the Arboretum, including Drayton Manor in Staffordshire.
At 2pm a Service of Remembrance will be held at the walls of the Armed Forced Memorial, which is engraved with the names of more than 16,000 service men and women killed on duty or by terrorist action since the end of the Second World War.
National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
The fourth annual Ride to the Wall will take place this Saturday when many thousands of motorcyclists make their pilgrimage to the National Memorial Arboretum to show their support for the Armed Forces.
Riders will attend from all corners of the UK and parts of Europe, either as individuals or in groups and chapters from particular organisations. They will gather at one of the seven designated start points around the country at 9am to ride to the Arboretum, including Drayton Manor in Staffordshire.
At 2pm a Service of Remembrance will be held at the walls of the Armed Forced Memorial, which is engraved with the names of more than 16,000 service men and women killed on duty or by terrorist action since the end of the Second World War.
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Deep Joy...
For those of you who think that the recent panic about potential EU legislation affecting uis here in the UK is mere heresay and all a fuss about nothing, then maybe you need to bear the following in mind:-
"The Road Safety Authority in Ireland has confirmed that it intends to
make hi-viz clothing compulsory for all motorcyclists from 2014.
MAG(UK) requested confirmation earlier today after the Irish Road Safety Authority told a reporter that the RSA wanted voluntary wearing of high visibility jackets rather than compulsion.
Asked when the RSA had changed it's mind about mandatory wearing of high visibility upper body clothing with full sleeves for rider and pillion passenger, the Communications Manager at the RSA emailed MAG(UK) saying;
"I can confirm that the RSA has not dropped the position outlined in the Motorcycle Action plan. We do intend to seek to introduce the measure in 2014, subject to consultation with motorcyclists and industry on the most appropriate type of hi-viz material and possible solutions."
Too many riders have been unwilling to believe they will be forced to wear day-glo clothing in the near future. Until now the RSA has soft-pedalled its determination to legislate, but now there is no doubt that the authorities are serious.
Recent research shows drivers who also ride motorcycles watch-out for bikes and are far less likely to collide with them. Surely, this shows that the key to road safety lies in getting everyone to look out for each other and to think about who they share the road with. Forced day-glo will simply marginalise riders and let unobservant drivers off the hook. Such a lazy approach to road safety does not deserve to succeed in Ireland, France or here in the UK.
So, don't forget Sunday 25th September, MAG is co-ordinating mass-protests against this and other threats to biking that are springing-up throughout Europe - let's get out their in convoys to raise awareness of bikes on the road and demonstrate our opposition to further restrictions on biking."
"The Road Safety Authority in Ireland has confirmed that it intends to
make hi-viz clothing compulsory for all motorcyclists from 2014.
MAG(UK) requested confirmation earlier today after the Irish Road Safety Authority told a reporter that the RSA wanted voluntary wearing of high visibility jackets rather than compulsion.
Asked when the RSA had changed it's mind about mandatory wearing of high visibility upper body clothing with full sleeves for rider and pillion passenger, the Communications Manager at the RSA emailed MAG(UK) saying;
"I can confirm that the RSA has not dropped the position outlined in the Motorcycle Action plan. We do intend to seek to introduce the measure in 2014, subject to consultation with motorcyclists and industry on the most appropriate type of hi-viz material and possible solutions."
Too many riders have been unwilling to believe they will be forced to wear day-glo clothing in the near future. Until now the RSA has soft-pedalled its determination to legislate, but now there is no doubt that the authorities are serious.
Recent research shows drivers who also ride motorcycles watch-out for bikes and are far less likely to collide with them. Surely, this shows that the key to road safety lies in getting everyone to look out for each other and to think about who they share the road with. Forced day-glo will simply marginalise riders and let unobservant drivers off the hook. Such a lazy approach to road safety does not deserve to succeed in Ireland, France or here in the UK.
So, don't forget Sunday 25th September, MAG is co-ordinating mass-protests against this and other threats to biking that are springing-up throughout Europe - let's get out their in convoys to raise awareness of bikes on the road and demonstrate our opposition to further restrictions on biking."
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Charity trek
Just landed in the Streetfighters inbox is this, from Chris at Hood Jeans. He and his brother are trekking in the Himalayas to raise funds for the RNLI. More info below, including a link for donations. Dig deep, cos that's one huge bunch of hills they're attempting...
"On the 27th of this month my Brother, two friends and myself are heading off to the Himalayas. Our main objective is to climb the 20’300 ft Imja Tse (Island Peak) but we also want to trek to Ama Dablam base camp, Chhukhung Ri, Kala Pattar and back to Everest base camp. We are also trekking to a memorial area known as Chukpilhara; there are many monuments and chortens for climbers and sherpas that have died on Everest and on the mountains, this is a stunning area passed by climbers heading for Everest. As most of you know my mother died earlier this year and Mitch (my brother) and I are taking a little granite memorial to place there in memory of our Mum. The site is overlooked by Ama Dablam, a beautiful mountain is also known as ‘Mother and child’ we feel this fits well with our plans. The climb was booked before her death however my brother has decided to raise money for one of our mother’s favourite charities (R.N.L.I – Lifeboats) all money raised therefore will go to the N.N.L.I, he is very close to the target so if you are interested please visit his page / link. http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/mitch-islanpeak
"Training is going well for the challenge, technically we are less prepared but we hope to learn what is needed with things like crampon’s, Ice axe’s, ropes, carabineer’s and harness, etc when we get to Nepal. The good news is we have Dorjee Lama Sherpa leading us; he has summited Everest six times so hopes are high that he can get us to the top (Many might say that would be his greatest achievement)!
"Kind Regards, Chris."
"On the 27th of this month my Brother, two friends and myself are heading off to the Himalayas. Our main objective is to climb the 20’300 ft Imja Tse (Island Peak) but we also want to trek to Ama Dablam base camp, Chhukhung Ri, Kala Pattar and back to Everest base camp. We are also trekking to a memorial area known as Chukpilhara; there are many monuments and chortens for climbers and sherpas that have died on Everest and on the mountains, this is a stunning area passed by climbers heading for Everest. As most of you know my mother died earlier this year and Mitch (my brother) and I are taking a little granite memorial to place there in memory of our Mum. The site is overlooked by Ama Dablam, a beautiful mountain is also known as ‘Mother and child’ we feel this fits well with our plans. The climb was booked before her death however my brother has decided to raise money for one of our mother’s favourite charities (R.N.L.I – Lifeboats) all money raised therefore will go to the N.N.L.I, he is very close to the target so if you are interested please visit his page / link. http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/mitch-islanpeak
"Training is going well for the challenge, technically we are less prepared but we hope to learn what is needed with things like crampon’s, Ice axe’s, ropes, carabineer’s and harness, etc when we get to Nepal. The good news is we have Dorjee Lama Sherpa leading us; he has summited Everest six times so hopes are high that he can get us to the top (Many might say that would be his greatest achievement)!
"Kind Regards, Chris."
Thursday, 1 September 2011
SF212
Subscribers will've already received their issue, but those of you who enjoy a trip to the newsagents will need to be looking out for this:-
It's in the shops now and, aside from the loony and his SV650 that appear on the cover, there's also our report from the Brent Cross Streetfighter & Stunt Fest, a classy white Yam R1, two bonkers Beemers, a rusty FireBlade (yup,really), a beautiful Spanish Ducati and much more.
Treat yourself, you deserve it.
It's in the shops now and, aside from the loony and his SV650 that appear on the cover, there's also our report from the Brent Cross Streetfighter & Stunt Fest, a classy white Yam R1, two bonkers Beemers, a rusty FireBlade (yup,really), a beautiful Spanish Ducati and much more.
Treat yourself, you deserve it.
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeelieeeeeeeeeeeeee!
A swift bit of footage for you from last weekend's World Wheelie Competition up at Elvington.
This was the winning run, and you'll be seeing more coverage in Streetfighters mag very soon.
PS The speedo reading is actually in kilometres per hour...
This was the winning run, and you'll be seeing more coverage in Streetfighters mag very soon.
PS The speedo reading is actually in kilometres per hour...
Feel Good Factor...
Okay, so there's no great heroics, and no jaw-dropping stunt antics, but it is a video that makes you want to get out and ride...
Aside from the lean angle indicator thingy, it's proof that there's some cool riding roads in Germany...
And thanks to our friends at East Side Fighters, here's another vid they've done...
It's the same rearwards-facing camera angle, but it does mean you get to see the cool, chattering, intakes on the Max...
Aside from the lean angle indicator thingy, it's proof that there's some cool riding roads in Germany...
And thanks to our friends at East Side Fighters, here's another vid they've done...
It's the same rearwards-facing camera angle, but it does mean you get to see the cool, chattering, intakes on the Max...
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
DIgital Greasy Spoons
Judging by the number of cafe racer projects being undertaken this year, especially on the far side of the Atlantic from SF Towers, it seems that there's something of a revival in interest in cut-down, race-inspired 'classic' bikes...
Despite their potential at incurring chronic lower back pain, and the limited amount of power available from the varied powerplants chosen (certainly when in comparison to modern sports bikes) we can certainly see the potential in making a bike that's a hoot to ride out of what was, originally, a cheap ol' nail...
If your interest has been piqued, you'll be pleased to know that there's numerous aspirational online scrap books focussing on cafe racers, most notably the one on the ADVrider forum - a thread that is currently an impressive 328 pages long! See more here
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Rea Racing & Yoshi Johnny @ Manx GP 2011
Just a reminder that Nigel Rea will be out for practice tonight, weather permitting, on the Isle of Man Mountain circuit in preparation for the Manx GP.
He will be alternating between his Yamaha R6 in the Junior class, and the hand-built (by Yoshi John Oliver) GSX-R 750 Slabside in the Classic Superbike class. Tonight he's out on the Slabby from 1820 - 1905 and then on the R6 from 1910 - 2010, and the rest of the MGP calendar is shown below.
Tune in to Chris Kinely's live commentary on Manx Radio from 7pm tonight, and for all sessions throughout the rest of the Manx Grand Prix, at www.manxradio.com. And pick up Streetfighters #212, on the shelf next week, for the complete lowdown on the build and preparation of the GSX-R, followed by a full race report in #213.
PRACTICE SESSIONS:
Wednesday 24 Aug
1820-1905 Senior, Junior, SuperTwin, Newcomers A
1910-2010 Classic, C/Superbike, Jun P/Classic, Lightweight,New B
Thursday 25 Aug
1820-1905 Senior, Junior, SuperTwin, Newcomers A
1910-2010 Classic, C/Superbike, Jun P/Classic, Lightweight, New B
Friday 26 Aug
1820-1905 Classic, C/Superbike, Jun P/Classic, Lightweight, New B
1910-2010 Senior, Junior, SuperTwin, Newcomers A
Saturday 27 Aug
1930-1940 Senior, Junior, SuperTwin (No Newcomers)
1945-1955 Classic, C/Superbike, Junior P/Classic, Lightweight (No Newcomers A & B)
Monday 29 Aug
1525-1630 All Classes except Newcomers A & B, Junior, 350/250cc Classic
Wednesday 31 Aug
1515-1525 Senior, Classic Superbike, Junior Post Classic (1 lap)
RACE DAYS:
Saturday 27 Aug
1730 Race 1 - The NEWCOMERS RACE (3 laps) in 2 capacity classes run concurrently. Followed by practice session.
Monday 29 Aug
1015 Race 2 - The 350cc/250cc CLASSIC GRAND PRIX RACE (4 laps) in 2 capacity classes run concurrently
1315 Race 3 - The JUNIOR MANX GRAND PRIX RACE (4 laps)
Followed by practice session.
Wednesday 31 Aug
1015 Race 4 - The 500cc CLASSIC GRAND PRIX/FORMULA CLASSIC RACE (4 laps) in 2 capacity classes run concurrently
1315 Race 5 – The SUPERTWIN/LIGHTWEIGHT MANX GRAND PRIX RACE (4 laps) in 2 capacity classes run concurrently.
Followed by practice session.
Friday 2 September
1015 Race 6 - The SENIOR MANX GRAND PRIX RACE (4 laps) 1315
Race 7 - The CLASSIC SUPERBIKE/JUNIOR POST CLASSIC RACE (4 laps) in 2 capacity classes run concurrently.
Followed by VMCC Closed road parade.
He will be alternating between his Yamaha R6 in the Junior class, and the hand-built (by Yoshi John Oliver) GSX-R 750 Slabside in the Classic Superbike class. Tonight he's out on the Slabby from 1820 - 1905 and then on the R6 from 1910 - 2010, and the rest of the MGP calendar is shown below.
Tune in to Chris Kinely's live commentary on Manx Radio from 7pm tonight, and for all sessions throughout the rest of the Manx Grand Prix, at www.manxradio.com. And pick up Streetfighters #212, on the shelf next week, for the complete lowdown on the build and preparation of the GSX-R, followed by a full race report in #213.
PRACTICE SESSIONS:
Wednesday 24 Aug
1820-1905 Senior, Junior, SuperTwin, Newcomers A
1910-2010 Classic, C/Superbike, Jun P/Classic, Lightweight,New B
Thursday 25 Aug
1820-1905 Senior, Junior, SuperTwin, Newcomers A
1910-2010 Classic, C/Superbike, Jun P/Classic, Lightweight, New B
Friday 26 Aug
1820-1905 Classic, C/Superbike, Jun P/Classic, Lightweight, New B
1910-2010 Senior, Junior, SuperTwin, Newcomers A
Saturday 27 Aug
1930-1940 Senior, Junior, SuperTwin (No Newcomers)
1945-1955 Classic, C/Superbike, Junior P/Classic, Lightweight (No Newcomers A & B)
Monday 29 Aug
1525-1630 All Classes except Newcomers A & B, Junior, 350/250cc Classic
Wednesday 31 Aug
1515-1525 Senior, Classic Superbike, Junior Post Classic (1 lap)
RACE DAYS:
Saturday 27 Aug
1730 Race 1 - The NEWCOMERS RACE (3 laps) in 2 capacity classes run concurrently. Followed by practice session.
Monday 29 Aug
1015 Race 2 - The 350cc/250cc CLASSIC GRAND PRIX RACE (4 laps) in 2 capacity classes run concurrently
1315 Race 3 - The JUNIOR MANX GRAND PRIX RACE (4 laps)
Followed by practice session.
Wednesday 31 Aug
1015 Race 4 - The 500cc CLASSIC GRAND PRIX/FORMULA CLASSIC RACE (4 laps) in 2 capacity classes run concurrently
1315 Race 5 – The SUPERTWIN/LIGHTWEIGHT MANX GRAND PRIX RACE (4 laps) in 2 capacity classes run concurrently.
Followed by practice session.
Friday 2 September
1015 Race 6 - The SENIOR MANX GRAND PRIX RACE (4 laps) 1315
Race 7 - The CLASSIC SUPERBIKE/JUNIOR POST CLASSIC RACE (4 laps) in 2 capacity classes run concurrently.
Followed by VMCC Closed road parade.
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Jaw On The Floor?
It will be.
We've shown you Danny McAskill videos on the blog before, and once again, we'll make no excuses about the fact that he's on a push bike. This video needs no excuses, it is, quite simply, awesome...
We've shown you Danny McAskill videos on the blog before, and once again, we'll make no excuses about the fact that he's on a push bike. This video needs no excuses, it is, quite simply, awesome...
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Not That There's Nowhere Else To Go...
So the MAG Ganton Gathering in Yorskhire may be cancelled, but this is probably one of the busiest weekends in the calender...
There's the Bulldog Bash at Long Marston Raceway just south of Stratford-Upon-Avon, which has opened today. Early reports say that there's minimal police presence (unlike previous years), and that the weather is due to improve from today's soggy conditions in time for the weekend's drag racing and Status Quo on Friday night...
The Straightliners freight train heads to North Weald in Essex for Sunday, with not only the UK's premier drag race series taking place, but there's also classes for classic machinery, and an autojumble too. And just a spit off the M11.
Hunters of a fast buck or two can head to Smeathorpe airfield (down by the Somerset / Devon border) on Saturday, as there's £300 cash for the quickest ET for a street legal bike over the 1/8 mile, and a large trophy to put the cash in too. It's £10 on the gate per person and sign on £25 per rider to sign on.
There's the Bulldog Bash at Long Marston Raceway just south of Stratford-Upon-Avon, which has opened today. Early reports say that there's minimal police presence (unlike previous years), and that the weather is due to improve from today's soggy conditions in time for the weekend's drag racing and Status Quo on Friday night...
The Straightliners freight train heads to North Weald in Essex for Sunday, with not only the UK's premier drag race series taking place, but there's also classes for classic machinery, and an autojumble too. And just a spit off the M11.
Hunters of a fast buck or two can head to Smeathorpe airfield (down by the Somerset / Devon border) on Saturday, as there's £300 cash for the quickest ET for a street legal bike over the 1/8 mile, and a large trophy to put the cash in too. It's £10 on the gate per person and sign on £25 per rider to sign on.
Going To Ganton?... Don't.
It is with great sadness that the Organisers of Ganton Gathering have today announced that the rally has had to be cancelled.
This is due to poor ticket sales, as the Event had not sold enough tickets to be financially viable to go ahead.
*We can now confirm that everybody that paid for tickets by debit/credit card has been refunded, though it may take a few days for the refund to show on your account. Refund receipts are in the post. Thank you for your patience.*
If you have paid for your tickets by cheque, a record will have been kept of your booking and a refund will be sent to you in due course.
MAG UK, on behalf of MAG Foundation, would like to extend our grateful thanks to those people that have so vigorously supported Ganton Gathering and worked hard to make this Event a success.
We apologise for any inconvenience the cancellation of this Event may cause and can only offer assurance that the Organisers have not taken this decision lightly.
This is due to poor ticket sales, as the Event had not sold enough tickets to be financially viable to go ahead.
*We can now confirm that everybody that paid for tickets by debit/credit card has been refunded, though it may take a few days for the refund to show on your account. Refund receipts are in the post. Thank you for your patience.*
If you have paid for your tickets by cheque, a record will have been kept of your booking and a refund will be sent to you in due course.
MAG UK, on behalf of MAG Foundation, would like to extend our grateful thanks to those people that have so vigorously supported Ganton Gathering and worked hard to make this Event a success.
We apologise for any inconvenience the cancellation of this Event may cause and can only offer assurance that the Organisers have not taken this decision lightly.
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Essex Police camera bikes - "extremely successful" - hmm...
Have a read of this article, from the Essex Police website:
http://www.essex.police.uk/news_features/video__audio/audio__video/drive_to_reduce_biker_casualti.aspx
And watch the video:
Wethinks the plod got this one wrong. The article says: "The covert patrols and RIDE courses have been launched following a significant increase in the number of serious road collisions involving motorcycles. Between January 1, 2011 and April 12, 2011, three riders died and 42 were seriously injured, compared with three fatalities and 30 serious injuries in the same period last year."
But the cop in the video says (at 1:05ish): "It's been extremely effective, since the beginning of 2011 more than 60 bikes have been stopped using this scheme..."
So it is only since the introduction of these camera bikes that the sharp increase has occurred. Using police logic, you could argue that this initiative has caused an extra twelve casualties in 2011. It certainly isn't the "extremely effective" and "extremely successful" initiative they say it is. An increase of twelve casualties seems rather a failure, that is if you're actually concerned with the safety of motorcyclists.
http://www.essex.police.uk/news_features/video__audio/audio__video/drive_to_reduce_biker_casualti.aspx
And watch the video:
Wethinks the plod got this one wrong. The article says: "The covert patrols and RIDE courses have been launched following a significant increase in the number of serious road collisions involving motorcycles. Between January 1, 2011 and April 12, 2011, three riders died and 42 were seriously injured, compared with three fatalities and 30 serious injuries in the same period last year."
But the cop in the video says (at 1:05ish): "It's been extremely effective, since the beginning of 2011 more than 60 bikes have been stopped using this scheme..."
So it is only since the introduction of these camera bikes that the sharp increase has occurred. Using police logic, you could argue that this initiative has caused an extra twelve casualties in 2011. It certainly isn't the "extremely effective" and "extremely successful" initiative they say it is. An increase of twelve casualties seems rather a failure, that is if you're actually concerned with the safety of motorcyclists.
Monday, 1 August 2011
Yaaaaawnn....
Well, that was Brent Cross... An awesome day - incredible stunting that was of a true world class, sunshine that defied the cliche of a typical British summer, and an astounding display of not only the UK's finest 'fighters, but also a strong showing of foreign bikes too.
We'll have more info and pics in the next issue, once we've had some sleep...
We'll have more info and pics in the next issue, once we've had some sleep...
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