Fancy yourself a lover of classic and vintage bikes but never had the opportunity to go for a proper scoot on one?
The Vintage Motor Cycle Club (yes, that’s the correct spelling of it) understands that there’s a huge honking difference between peeping through the museum glass and feeling the pony-power for yourself – and they’re fixing to get your fix in commemoration of creating a new generation with a love for old bikes.
Care to partake?
A view of the bikes (and riders) connected with the Vintage Motor Cycle Club. Media sourced from the VMCC’s Facebook page.
According to the report, you don’t have to be a savvy rider to access the privilege of hooning about on the likes of Brough Superior, BSAs – from a 1923 Matchless 350 all the way to a 1989 Yamaha FJ1200; in fact, you don’t have to have a bike at all.
A view of the bikes (and riders) connected with the Vintage Motor Cycle Club. Media sourced from the VMCC’s Facebook page.
The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) tells us that a 12 months individual membership currently costs £42 – with the caveat that, “members taking up the loan scheme will need a motorcycle licence.”
“We want as many people as possible to experience what it’s like to ride an older motorcycle, and this is the way to do it,” says the VMCC’s Chair, Mario Costa-Sa.
A view of the bikes (and riders) connected with the Vintage Motor Cycle Club. Media sourced from the VMCC’s Facebook page.
“There are some restrictions on some of the older bikes, and members are responsible for the machines in their care, but they will be covered by the VMCC’s own insurance.”
With the BMF firmly tuned in to connecting an older generation’s masterpieces with the new generation’s growing love of all things bikes, we’re looking forward to seeing the results of this particular offer.
A view of the bikes (and riders) connected with the Vintage Motor Cycle Club. Media sourced from the VMCC’s Facebook page.
Stay tuned, drop a comment below, and as always – stay safe on the twisties.
On September 3, 2021, Honda tweeted two images that confirmed the demise of arguably the last mass-produced air-cooled inline-four out there. The two images – one of a rider wheeling a CB1100 EX out of a garage and the other of the cooling fins on the engine – were accompanied by the text “CB1100 EX/CB1100 RS Final Edition Coming Soon…”
Honda discontinued the CB1100 in the U.S. market a while ago, but it still lived on (and was quite popular) in countries that haven’t had to comply with stricter emission regulations yet. The CB1100 was one of the more authentic motorcycles in today’s sea of “neo-retro” machines, and a significant reason was its air-cooled, four-cylinder, 1,140cc engine. However, it doesn’t comply with Euro5 emissions norms, and with no direct replacements in sight, it won’t be long before this air-cooled engine breathes its last.
MCN reports that the CB1100 only survived this long thanks to a revolutionary, patented air-cooling technology. Honda introduced the model in 2010 when other brands had already abandoned the idea of air-cooled inline fours.
The CB1100 RS Final Edition will debut soon in select markets, like Taiwan and Japan, where Honda can sell them until the end of 2022. The Final Edition comes in two colors – Matte Denim Blue and Honda Classic Red. The CB1100 is one of the few genuinely retro “new” motorcycles out there, and we’re sure a lot of enthusiasts will be sad to see it go.
Triumph Motorcycles has announced in a press release that it will continue to act as the primary partner and supporter of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) for another 5 years. For those unfamiliar with the cause, the DGR raises funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health – and they do so with an undeniable sense of style.
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride was founded in Sydney, Australia, in 2012 by Mark Hawwa – a man keen on connecting motorcycle enthusiasts and communities for a cause. The first ride was hosted in 64 cities and saw 3,000 riders hitting the pavement to support cancer research. Despite the restrictions that the pandemic brought this year, riders still set out on solo or small-group rides to show their support for the cause. A total of 65,300 riders participated across the world in 2021 and raised a staggering $4.1m – $1.4m more than 2020.
Triumph has been a part of the DGR’s journey since 2014 and has played a fundamental role in spreading the word of the cause and supporting its endeavors. The first Triumph-sponsored DGR took place across 58 countries and raised $1.5m. That number continued to grow until the record-breaking year of 2019, where 116,00 riders managed to raise $6m by riding in style across 104 countries.
Mark Hawwa, Founder of The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, said, “In 2014 when we first partnered with Triumph Motorcycles, I was incredibly excited. They are the only motorcycle manufacturer that I felt perfectly fit with The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. We’ve done some wonderful things since then; together, we have been able to reward some of our top and most dedicated fundraisers with brand new bikes from the modern classic range and built the custom one-of-one 2021 Triumph Thruxton RS. Today, 8 years later, as we announce the 5-year continuation of this partnership, I am even more excited than I was in 2014 because, with the next 5 years, I know that we can do even more together with the goal of raising funds and awareness of men’s health.”
The Moto Beach Classic returns to Bolsa Chica, California, on October 23rd, after last year’s event was cancelled by the pandemic. The event is a day of exciting motorcycle racing, stunt shows, music, art, and a fun time all around. Entry is free, and if you’re in the Orange County area, you should definitely consider going. The Moto Beach Classic, now in its fourth year, draws an eclectic bunch of riders, bike builders, artists, and musicians for a day of celebration.
The event will also see the final round of the Super Hooligan National Championship. The 2021 Super Hooligan National Championship is an open series comprising 4 rounds of road racing, short-track, half-mile, and asphalt oval. The racers participate on lightly modified street bikes, and the caveat is that racers have to alter the same motorcycle for each round. At the Moto Beach Classic, the final round will be a flat-track round on a purpose-built asphalt oval. Apart from the Super Hooligan series, there will also be several additional race classes – Vintage, Mad Dog Mini’s, Big Twin, Run What Cha Brung, and Super 73, to name a few.
The venue will include a vendor village for those who may not want in on the racing action. The vendor village will host local motorcycle shops, a host of apparel and gear manufacturers, and lots of food and beverage options. This year, Roland Sands Design has also partnered with SeaLegs at the Beach, the concert venue at Bolsa Chica, to host a bunch of talented musicians.
There will also be a STACYC electric bike course for kids. Kids also have the opportunity to participate in a STACYC e-bike race. And, it’ll happen on the Super Hooligan racecourse!
While the event entry is free to the public, you also have the option to roll in with style with a VIP ticket. The VIP pass will gain you access to Grandstand seating – the best seats in the house for all the racing action – along with entry into a VIP-only bar, restrooms, and viewing from the RSD Moto Shed, and access to the racing pits.
“The Moto Beach Classic is the physical realization of a lifetime of insane ideas all jammed into one day at the beach,” said Roland Sands. “Motorcycles, music, racing, art, all on the sand where I grew up surfing. I couldn’t think of a better place to do it and with a better group of people.”
Daryl Villanueva is a guy that’s very hard to pin down. Just when you think you have him figured out, he’ll tell you about a new project that will totally change your preconceptions and assumptions. You think he’s a custom bike builder? Now he’s writing a book. You think he’s an author? Now he’s opening an artspace. You think he’s a gallery owner? Now he’s hiring automotive engineers.
After being surprised more than a few times, what I think now is that Daryl is always pushing ahead at full steam which – for a guy who has bikes sitting alongside Max Hazan and Craig Rodsmith in art galleries across the world – isn’t all that surprising. What you see in terms of his output and ‘new’ bikes is where he was 12 months ago. We recently caught up with him to see where he’s been heading lately.
Can you introduce yourself?
Hello! My name is Daryl Villanueva, Chief at Bandit9 Motorcycles out of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Where are you right now?
Locked down in my place. Unfortunately, Saigon’s latest COVID wave is out of control. Since the pandemic broke out, Vietnam had been one of the success stories; besides wearing a mask, life was normal for the past year. We were the lucky few.
Tell us about your childhood
I was born in the Philippines to two wonderful, caring parents and I have a brother anyone would be proud to look up to. I’ve been raised, studied and worked in nine countries and I’ve made friendships that have lasted decades in all corners of the globe.
I started riding when I was 24; I’m a late bloomer. It was my first tour in Vietnam and since everyone was commuting on one, I thought I may as well do it, too. When in Rome, right?
What’s the craziest thing I’ve ever done on a bike? Made it my business. Fortunately, I’ve been able to make it work for 10 years. Now, that is crazy.
What projects have you got on?
We are in the midst of a reinvention. We have to. Not just to survive but to thrive. I don’t want Bandit9 to improve its game; I want to play an entirely different one. We can’t do that if we’re structured like any old custom motorcycle garage.
So I brought on three engineers with aerospace, chemical, and robotics & mechatronics backgrounds. This move alone has changed the course of Bandit9 – from the way we think to the way we produce things. Imagine a motorcycle designed and built with the same precision you’d find in a spaceship. These guys, and gal, blow my mind every single day. I’m sure our customers are going to feel the same way when they see our new ‘Supermarine’ project.
I’ve also brought onboard two gifted designers from the automotive industry. The products we’re developing now are going to make the big boys wonder how a tiny shop on the other side of the planet challenged the status quo.
What’s an average day of yours look like?
With the new structure, I’ve gone from the micro to the macro. The engineers and designers know what they’re doing and are (obviously) much better at designing bikes than me, so I’m there to support them with whatever they need, orchestrate the different moving parts and guide them to the finish line. Hopefully, in first place.
What’s this art gallery project about?
There were a few omens I read into, which sent me down this path; pandemic rental prices, Ryan Holiday’s “The Obstacle is the Way,” visions of sculptures in my head that wouldn’t let me sleep, and artistic friends who deserved a well-designed forum to exhibit their work. So I opened my art gallery, VAN DARYL. But the biggest motivator of all was to threaten snobby art galleries that size you up before you even set foot inside.
Art galleries shouldn’t be intimidating. Yes, artists deserve to be paid but I don’t believe that art should be reserved only for the wealthy. I see VAN DARYL as more of an educational tool than an art gallery. One that’s essential for a developing city like Saigon. It’s free, and judgment-free.
What’s your daily ride?
I’m on a first generation Ducati Diavel for no particular reason. There are folks who are brand loyalists but I’ve never felt that kind of allegiance towards any maker. I’m drawn to products and ideas, not brands.
If there’s a pattern to the choices I make. I tend to pick the ones whose designs have a clear message; from one look, you understand what it’s going for. Honda Cub – charming and fun. Vespa – unmistakably Italian. Harley 48 – old school Americana. With the Diavel, I get “beast.” And it delivers. It’s definitely not for everyone; I think it’s an acquired taste.
Electric bikes – yes or no?
Why not? I never understood this climate change “debate.” Let’s just pretend we’re not burning the planet; what’s wrong with going green? If you have the ability to do good, what is there to discuss? While politicians bicker, China’s quietly building solar energy farms. And people wonder how they caught up with the West in every single race from tech to space.
Back to motorcycles: electric’s clean. Power delivery is linear. We need to solve a few things like range, style, cost and infrastructure but time will take care of this.
Whatever happens with our electric future, I do have one hope: leave the past where it belongs. Enough with the retro, vintage or heritage look or we’ll be stuck in an infinite loop. I’ve seen a resurgence of 90’s graphics of loud purples and pinks. What? Why? It’s like we’re actively trying to de-volve. That or we’re really out of ideas.
What will Bandit9 look like in ten year’s time?
That’s a difficult question. I know CEOs are supposed to have a clear vision of the future but I don’t. I’m only two or three motorcycles ahead of what the public sees.
I just had a long discussion with my designers about how they should think of Bandit9 as an artist, not a motorcycle company. Our approach is not about creating bikes that fit into categories. It’s not about market research or tapping into trends.
Our goal should be about creating an art movement, developing a distinctive style that will define an era, and it should be something that can be studied and taught. But most of all, have fun. People can feel that.
What job would you be doing if you weren’t doing Bandit9?
I think I’d do short stints all over the place: Rolls Royce, Boeing, Dyson, Nike, Studio Ghibli, Tom Ford. Though I’m not sure anyone would take me. I’m a new Dad and I want to give my kid the same opportunity to live all over the world that I got. That is going to be tricky with Bandit9.
If you’re looking for a kit to trick out your Enfield, look no further.
Bad Winners (terrific name) is a design and engineering company that caters to the creation and customization of all things motorcycles – and now the French firm has just released a series of kits for the Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor, as well as the Continental GT 650.
According to a report from MCN, the idea started when Royal Enfield commissioned Bad Winners (BW) to build a bike for their program, with huge success.
Upon completion of the program, Bad Winners decided to offer the customization potential to clients in the form of a kit that could easily fill the need for a DIY project (eat your heart out, 2020).
The Enfield kits themselves cover a wide variety of parts, with most of the changes taking place at the rear of the bike. Included in the Enfield kit is a custom-style leather seat supported by a subframe that’s slightly shorter than the original, mudguards, plate holder, and rear light. The front of the bike gets a bit of attention, too, with the kit supporting a set of minimalist controls mounted on new bars, a Motogadget speedo, and a set of Oberon mirror to slim down the bike.
The kit also features an S&S hi-flow filter, Power Commander with pre-made mapping, and a set of BW Trademark headlight mounts, with headlights and indicators to fit an adaptive electronics box that’s included in the package.
Should riders want a little extra performance, clients can upgrade with a YSS upgrade kit for the forks, with multiple options for the twin shocks.
As if convenience weren’t already the theme of this article, the MotoKit will also be made available broken up into four mini-kits: A kit for the front of the bike, one for the bike seat, one for the suspension, and a kit to target the performance.
Pricing for the kits is reasonable, with individual kits available directly from France at the nifty price of £430, and the full kit from £2900.
For further information on Bad Winner’s kits for Royal Enfield, check out the advert.
With the tickle of summer heat come waves of enthusiasts to the International Classic Motorcycle Show – and the Bonham Summer Stafford Sale will guarantee a pretty package for a penny or two.
According to a report from MCN, this year’s auctions will boast more than 330 motorcycles from nearly every era – from the nostalgia of the 1913 Brough 497cc Model H to the speedy cherry sheen of a mint 1973 MV Agusta 750S.
Leading the pack is a Brough Superior SS100 1000cc Supercharged Special re-creation, the baby of Brough devotee Ewan Cameron – a marque expert and engineer in his own rights.
Cameron built the Brough Superior as an homage to Noel Pope, who recorded the fastest speed around the 1939 Brooklands circuit at 124.51 mph just before the onslaught of the Second World War.
It is a record that still stands today, given that the circuit never reopened.
All other bikes at Bonham’s auction boast similarly beautiful back-stories and will be available for sale from July 2-4.
The auction will be held live, though all bidders will need to have gotten their hands on a ticket off of the International Classic MotorCycle Show’s website in advance due to compliance with current restrictions.
Looking forward to the biddings, and make sure to stay cool out there.
Even for Aussies, Tasmania is pretty much the end of the earth for a multitude of reasons. It’s far enough south to make it seriously cold in winter and it’s wild as all get-out once you leave the cities and it’s the least populous state in the entire country. Also, it quite literally is the end of the earth. Sail south from its southernmost tip and you’ll quite literally be in Antarctica before you can say, ‘frostbite-inducing snowstorm’.
So surely most sane people on this icy island would be more interested in just staying warm and indoors rather than, say, racing around in the open air on unfaired motorcycles hoping their extremities don’t turn black and drop off, yes? Well, if Tasmania’s Katie Abdilla is anything to go buy, then the whole place is totally nuts.
Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi, my name is Katie Abdilla. I live in the South of Tasmania, Hobart, and I ride motorcycles. I was a picture framer but have now been undertaking full time study into graphic design.
Tell us about growing up in Tasmania
I grew up in the north of the state on a cattle farm. My interest in motorcycles really began from the desire of wanting to go fast, faster than I could bomb a push bike down a gravel hill. A friend from primary school told me he raced dirt bikes. I decided that I too wanted to do this, so my parents bought me a little 1980s Honda QR50 to begin with from there, it all kind of snowballed for the better.
What bikes do you own?
I currently have: a 1967 Honda SS125, 1968 Honda CL175, 1972 Honda SL175, 1976 Honda XL175, 1976 Honda CB400F, 1992 Honda VFR400R (NC30), 2016 Honda CRF150RB and a 1972 Triumph Daytona 500 (T100R). I have had more small Hondas but sold them several years ago.
There are many reasons as to why and how these bikes came to be a part of my life. My favourite being my ‘76 CB400f. I first saw this bike at a motorcycle show back in 2014 and intuitively knew I was meant to have this model of motorcycle. The bike was completely stock at that point, and it was the sweeping headers that drew me in. Fortunately for me, she happened to have a for sale sign placed next to her. Not long later, I ended up with that same bike in my garage.
What’s Tasmania like for riding?
I love Tasmania for a multitude of reasons, but mainly for its abundance of winding roads and scenic landscape. Even though it gets chilly here in winter, the snow does not often settle at sea level, so riding all year around is an option. It is actually really hard to pick a favourite road here as there are so many, and they are all so different. I do like the roads in the Northwest of the State though.
And you’re into motocross racing?
I did a few motocross races as a child and a couple grass track races in 2020, but wouldn’t say I race motocross. I really enjoy riding motocross though as I am forever learning rider technique and enjoying the challenge. I also enjoy road racing out at Baskerville Raceway in the warmer months.
What other projects are you working on?
I’m not currently working on any moto projects, just riding and having fun! I am however itching to build another bike; I’d love to build a Triumph chop or knucklehead.
A few friends came down to Tassie to film a motorcycle journey documentary in February 2020. They needed a motocross track for filming content at, and just to have a good time. So my partner James offered them a ride at his track in Surveyors Bay. That was a really fun day we all had. Especially doing time trials around the sand track on the little XR100.
Who are some of your heroes?
I don’t really have any heroes. But I do admire riders like Ken Roczen (the German professional motocross and supercross racer), Barry Sheene, and Beryl Swain (the London-born motorcycle road racer and the first woman to compete solo in the Isle of Man TT race).
What are your thoughts on electric bikes?
I actually love the approach of electric motorcycles. It’s wild how much speed and torque they carry. It is really cool seeing what companies and independents are bringing out as of late. The engineering side of things is fascinating.
Name your fantasy road and bike combo.
I would love to ride the Isle of Man TT or the Manx GP course on either a Honda NC30 or on some vintage British steel.
What would you say to other women who might be interested in riding?
What I would say to anyone, whether it be women or men who might be interested in riding a motorcycle would be to just do it! You do not know if you will fall in love with the sport or lifestyle unless you give it a hot crack. I would suggest for anyone who wants to take up riding of any kind, focus on technique first as controlled speed will come later with experience.
Seat time is everything. The more you ride in different conditions, the more experience and knowledge you gain. If you are new to riding, then ride with more experienced riders, ask them if you can follow their lines or have them tail you to give you pointers. The great thing with the motorcycle community is, generally we are a friendly bunch.
Clews Competition Machines (CCM) is celebrating their 50th year in business – and this year, they are hosting a wave of bike events in honor of the half-century mark.
According to a report from MCN, CCM has been in business since 1971 and was founded by scrambles rider Alan Clews.
Clews Competition Machines did as their name suggested in the early days of the company, competing at the most distinguished levels of road racing, motocross, and trials.
By the ’90s, CCM was putting more effort into the production of adventure bikes and dirt bikes (examples being the R30 SuperMoto and the GP450 adventure bike).
Their biggest contribution to motorcycle, though, was the Spitfire.
With only 150 ever made, the 600cc single-cylinder four-stroke beauty launched in 2018, inspiring a new wave of cafe racers, bobbers, scramblers, and even some flat-track revisions – endorsed by giants of the motorcycle world such as World SuperBike Champion Carl “Foggy” Fogarty, and Trials World Champion Douglas “Dougie” Lampkin.
This year, the company plans on celebrating the rich heritage of their bikes properly – and they will be kicking everything off with two CCM-themed tours of the Lakes and Yorkshire Dales on June 23 and 25.
CCM has also released the installation of a Golden Jubilee Scramble. The event will be held June 27, at the Westmoreland County Showground, with the promise of CCM races and classic bike lineups.
The guest list will feature Bob Wright, Vic Allan, Jimmy Aird, Perry Leask, and Steve Tonkin – all big names and lovers of CCM bikes, and according to the report, anybody with ownership of a CCM bike will receive free entry to the event.
CCM Marketing Manager John Drogan says, “CCM are planning a number of celebratory events when guidelines allow and we’ll be sharing these in the coming weeks”.
He adds: “There are a host of new machines ready to be revealed throughout the golden anniversary year, too.”
Looking forward to the exciting reveal of a new lineup. Maybe the CCM modified scrambler being used in Marvel’s Black Widow has a few extra surprises under the hood…
Stay tuned, and head over to WebBikeWorld for more news-related articles from the Continent.
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) is celebrating 10 years of dapper rides, fashionable fundraising, and essential support for mens’ mental health – and they’ve come a long way from year one.
According to a report by the Jersey Evening Post, the DGR originally began in 2012 and was founded in Sydney, Australia, by Mark Hawwa – a man dedicated to connecting motorcycle enthusiasts and communities for a cause.
The first ride was hosted in 64 cities and saw 3,000 riders hitting the pavement to support cancer research.
By 2019, that number had shot up to 116,000 riders across 678 cities and 104 countries, raising a total of $12,450,000 to date – and continuing with the ageless theme (taken from Don Draper in “Mad Men”) of suits and scramblers.
2020 was a rough year, landing only 3,000 riders due to riding restrictions – but the DGR also used this limitation to their advantage, hosting the Ride Solo Together Event.
Today, this option remains if your town or city cannot comply with the features of a full DGR ride.
Applicable rides include anything considered classic or vintage style; that includes brat-style bikes, choppers, scooters, trackers, bobbers, and cafe racers – and make sure to dress like a debonair!
For this year, the main DGR for 2021 was moved from the fall to the week of May 23, with hopes to raise an extra $2.55 million by Movember, the single largest fundraiser for men’s health.
While Distinguished Gentlemen Rides are currently still happening worldwide, the DGR reminds members that all ride dates present and hereafter may be subject to change with unprecedented restrictions.
Head over to the website of the DGR to register for a ride in your area, make sure to post all relevant media under the hashtags #GentlemansRide #DGR2021 #DecadeOfDGR – and be the gentleman (or woman) that contributes to the resurge of motorcycle elegance for a cause.
For more archived articles on the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, head over to WebBikeWorld.
