18/01/2012 by info.

In an exclusive interview conducted for the BMF’s membership magazine, Motorcycle Rider, Mike Penning MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, reveals himself as a motorcyclist keen to tackle the issues facing motorcycling today.

The wide-ranging interview, conducted by the BMF’s Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder, covered rider testing, the red tape challenge, type approval regulations and Britain’s strength in Europe.

The Minister, having first started riding motorcycles as an Army despatch rider, currently owns a 900cc Ducati Monster and a Royal Enfield and despite his own riding being limited these days, said he saw motorcycles as “an enormous benefit for the environment because of their ability to keep moving, give off less emissions and cause fewer traffic problems than a car.” He was however concerned at the “number of riders inappropriately dressed for riding” and that was one of the reasons that he was passionate about training and educating riders.

Tackled over the thorny problem of rider testing and licensing, the Minister said that he fundamentally disagreed with the previous administration’s knee-jerk reaction to the European legislation on testing. “I keep referring to a single test and I still think that’s the best idea. We have to create a test that gives people the skills to enjoy their future riding and ensure that they are safe with other people on the road” he said.

On the test itself Mr Penning said that while he was frustrated at how long it has taken to get to the present revisions, “getting it wrong would be devastating to the industry, motorcyclists and, indeed, Britain. It’s not so much about getting people on to two wheels, but rather getting people to stay on two wheels - and stay safe,” he said. “In fact, one of the only television advertising campaigns I’m doing this year is focused on motorcyclists, because I’m committed to their safety” he added.

Tackling red tape had also been a priority he said and streamlining the SORN arrangements by removing annual renewals was just a start, adding that his red tape challenge (www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk) makes it easy for people to submit suggestions.

On European issues he said he had permission from the Prime Minister to “push back as strongly as possible” on anything he didn’t like and on the Commission’s latest Type Approval legislation he said he would do just that.

Questioned on our standing within Europe since the finance veto, the Minister said that all that will happen is that the European Parliament will realise that when we say no we mean no. “I get on very well with my European counterparts, but they know exactly where I stand” he said.

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18/01/2012 by info.

The new Stealth air cleaner from S&S Cycle is described by the company as being one of the cornerstones of its four-step tuning program for 2012.

Talking about the design and development of the Stealth, Scott Sjovall of S&S Cycle explained: “We called it the Stealth air cleaner because customers can choose to run their stock air cleaner covers over the filter/backplate assembly for a ’sleeper’ look, or they can choose to run one of our new covers, which includes the first update of our famous teardrop shape since the release of the E & G carbs over 20 years ago.

“The Stealth air cleaner is priced very competitively compared to its competitors, and offers as much or more performance with the S&S quality and ease of assembly. In fact, the whole kit was designed around simplicity, ease of installation, ease of maintenance and, of course, performance. It is the only air cleaner of its kind to incorporate the ’stinger’ to direct and smooth airflow into the engine that has been an integral part of our teardrop air cleaner covers since we started selling them with the legendary L carbs in the ’60s.”

The air cleaner cover Scott mentions was designed as an update of the classic S&S teardrop with the advantage of offering increased air flow. However, it is not the only cover option for the Stealth, as S&S is also offering several minimalistic billet covers in a choice of black or chrome that leave the air filter element and back plate exposed for a more industrial look. One of the covers, the ‘Muscle’ uses miniature hood pins similar to those that held the hoods down on the muscle cars of the late Sixties and early Seventies, hence the design’s name.

Sjovall had this to say on the benefits of the new air cleaner’s design: “We designed the backplate to be a bolt-on part with minimal fasteners and assembly required. No shims to worry about, no breather lines to hassle with and internal hardware that is locked in place so that it can’t come loose and be ingested into the motor. Because we designed the stinger section of the air filter to be a separate piece from the element, it makes the filter replacement much more affordable when the need comes to change it. The element is washable, though, and should never need to be replaced unless it is damaged, or the owner just chooses to change it.”

The kits are available for almost every Big Twin and Sportster application from ‘91 XL and ‘93 Big Twins to the 2012 models. The air cleaner kits and the covers are sold separately or as a kit, allowing dealers to decide how they want to stock them and to make the product line more flexible.

S&S CYCLE
www.sscycle.com

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18/01/2012 by info.

Blacksmith Motoring Co is scheduled to return to Sturgis in 2012 after winning the Ultimate Builder Freestyle and Retro Mod classes in Washington DC. Giovanni’s bike “El Patron” which competed in the Performance Custom Class at last year’s World Championship, is based on a 2003 Suzuki Volusia and features Nitrous induction, Stroker kit, Big Bore pistons, custom cams, 4 degree rake, remote Air Ride and Performance Suspension shocks. Second place was taken by Eye Candy Designs’ 2009 GSXR 750 Michael Jackson tribute with Bruce Banks 2010 Harley FLTRX third.

The Modified Harley class was won by C&C Cycle with “Black Shadow”, a 2002 FLHTCUI. Meticulous Concepts Sportbike Customizing won the Performance Custom class with “Reaper”, a 2003 Kawasaki ZX9R, and Blacksmith Motoring Co became the first 2011/12 double class winner by also taking the Retro Mod class with “El Vaquero”.
The Ultimate Builder series continues over the weekend of January 20-22 in New York, and then moves to Cleveland, OH, on January 27-29.

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