The best time of year for our motorbikes isn’t far away. Spring is in the air, the sun is starting to shine and the temperature is creeping up.
It’s time to wake up those rides from hibernation if you’re not a year-round biker. We asked Bikesure followers over Twitter if they’d had their first ride of the year yet – and 62% said they hadn’t, it’s far too early.
Anyway, as the longer days start to emerge, it got us wondering – how do you know the best season for bikers isn’t far away?
Here’s seven signs we thought of.
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It’s one of the first spring days of the year – and you’re free to take the bike out.
It’s always a good feeling when signs of spring start to creep through after a long, cold and dark winter.
But it’s frustrating when the conditions are perfect for a ride – and you’re stuck at work, will be home late or have something else going on.
So we’re on about that day when you can take the bike out for that first proper run of the season. When you start the bike up, listen to it run and give it a few revs before that ride you’ve been looking forward to for months.
The weather conditions may not be absolutely perfect, yet they’re good enough to get the bike back on the road. And that’s good enough for us.
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The MCN London Motorcycle Show happens at the ExCel.
This year, the MCN London Motorcycle Show happened to coincide with the sunniest Sunday of 2019 so far – the timing was ideal.
It was a chance for owners and enthusiasts to admire all the offerings from manufacturers, stock up on gear, be inspired by adventurers and meet motorcycling legends.
So if you went to the show on Friday or Saturday, you probably had your gear ready for that ride on Sunday.
If you went on Sunday, the brilliant weather undoubtedly inspired you to get back out on your bike.
Our point is, the show’s timing this year was a win-win for everyone…
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The manufacturers are buzzing about their new models.
Momentum builds in the months leading up to the main biking season. It may be down time from riding, but manufacturers keep the buzz going by announcing new models and any updates to existing ones.
While the trend seems to be focusing on improving performance, the desire for a bike to also look stylish certainly remains. Many of the designs have kept this combination of a retro look, with a modern finish going.
Among the new models on offer, include the:-
- CCM Foggy edition Spitfire. The Bikesure ambassador himself had input into the model’s design, and of course, the colour had to be his own iconic red.
- Norton Atlas Ranger and Norton Nomad. These are Norton’s first scrambler offerings for the mass market.
- Norton Superlight 650. All-carbon bodywork, 105 hbp, and much more – does the company have a chance to have its first TT win in 30 years?
- Kawasaki Ninja 125 and Kawasaki Z125. Kawasaki have entered the sporty 125 market with these two new offerings for the A1 category.
- KTM 790 Adventure and Adventure R. The models aim to combine off-road capability with on-road comfort. The standard bike comes with three riding modes whereas the R gets an extra Rally setting.
- Yamaha Ténéré 700. For this adventure bike, the MT-07s engine has been packaged in an updated chassis.
- Suzuki Katana. Suzuki may have been quiet in recent years, but they’ve returned by releasing the Katana.
- Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE and XC. A scrambler that’s said to have the right looks, the right equipment and offers the right technology.
Also being talked about, are the:-
- BMW S1000RR. Updated model, it includes BMW’s new ShiftCam motor, 204bhp and a new chassis.
- Ducati Multistrada 950S. The updated Multistrada 950 has a handful of new safety aids and styling updates.
- Honda Neo CB650R. The CB650 has been revived with some Neo sports styling.
- Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. A new version, said to be similar to the older model.
- KTM 690 Enduro R. Replaces its previous adventure model which was discontinued in 2017.
- Updated Triumph Street Scrambler. It comes with an extra 10hp – and also better Brambo brakes.
- Triumph Thruxton TFC. The updated Thruxton R, just 750 of the Triumph Factory Custom Thruxtons are being produced.
- Yamaha YZF-R125. Restyled, Yamaha has given its model a new look with a better engine and handling.
- Zero DSR Electric Motorcycle. Updated with the aim of becoming an electric bike for adventure riding.
Surely, there’s something on this long list that’s appealing…
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You’re keen on planning your first trip of the year.
When travelling on a motorcycle, you get to see your surroundings from a completely different perspective.
You get to admire the landscape, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the moment – it’s really special when it’s just you and the road.
Get that first trip of the year planned, organised and booked. Go on, just get on with it.
And because you’re looking forward to your next break, you’ll probably end up going out on the bike more between now and that time away.
Seriously, it’ll be Easter before you know it. Start making the most of the wonderful motorcycling season as soon as you can.
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You’re prepared to brace a chilly garage to check over your ride.
The sun may be shining – but there’s still a chill in the air and the garage is even chillier.
But it really doesn’t matter when you have a motorbike to check over so it’s ready for that first ride…
It doesn’t take long to just fire up the bike, check it’s running and make sure the battery isn’t flat.
Once you’ve topped up the oil, checked over the lights and tyre pressures – you’re pretty much ready to go.
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And you’re even willing to see how snug your leathers are after the winter break…
We’ve all been there – here’s the scenario…
You’ve indulged in heavy comfort food over the winter months, had a few more pints than usual at Christmas – and last year’s leathers are now feeling a bit snug.
You knew the realisation that you’ve put on a few pounds is coming. But you’re still prepared to try on your biking gear anyway, and dig deep into your pocket if you need to buy anything new…
Maybe for 2019, we could get #snugleathers trending on social media. Just an idea, many of us are likely to be in the same club so we may as well have a laugh about it.
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The lineups for the summer biking festivals start being confirmed.
Whether you enjoy motorcycle racing or classic bikes – there’s a festival for every kind of biker out there.
Here’s a few highlights from the calendar.
- Bike4Life Ride Out. Almost 10,000 bikers will meet for the Ride Out on April 28, meeting at Meole Brace in Shrewsbury to RAF Cosford.
- International Classic Bike Show. Well into its fourth decade, this year’s show will be at the Staffordshire County Showground on the weekend of April 27-28.
- The MCN Festival of Motorcycling. A lineup of test rides, biking bargains, stunts – this year’s event is at the East of England Showground the weekend of May 18-19.
- Isle of Man TT. One of the world’s most famous motorcycling races, 2019’s event will take place on the island from May 25 to June 7.
- Kickback Motorcycle Show. For their next event, organisers have teamed up with the 2019 Custom Bike Building National Championships at the Prescott Bike Festival from June 15-16.
- Graham Walker Memorial Run. Named after the legendary Isle of Man racer, this event attracts plenty of classic motorcycle fans and is usually held in August at the Beaulieu Motor Museum in Hampshire.
When do you know the motorcycling season is around the corner? Let us know in the comments below.
Find out about Bikesure’s motorbike insurance policies here.
