Wearers of Shark helmets may be interested to learn that Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha's 2010 MotoGP winner, has claimed India could be the next destination for a MotoGP tournament and expressed his excitement at visiting the country.

He told the Times of India the biking culture in the country has changed and grown over the last few years.

Lorenzo added that, having already hosted a Formula One competition and being equipped with a world-class racetrack, India seemed like a logical destination for MotoGP.

Bloomberg recently reported plans from bike manufacturer Yamaha to triple its Indian production capacity by March 2013 through an investment of $151 million (£97 million).

The biker was speaking during a visit to the Buddh International Circuit, a 5.14 km track situated near New Delhi.

Lorenzo also expressed the opinion that introducing lower-technology Claiming Rules Team bikes is an essential move to guarantee the sport's continued viability.

"This is a positive sign in a time of crisis. Otherwise, we will see no growth," he said.

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The Spanish region of Catalunya may not see an influx of riders in Draggin jeans for the MotoGP Championship after its government admitted reconsidering hosting motorsport events due to its precarious economic situation.

Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya has a deal to host the MotoGP Grand Prix and Formula One until 2016, reports AFP.

Catalan economy minister Andreu Mas-Colell told RAC1 radio that he is examining the plans in order to save money for the state.

He added that the contract would have to be looked at carefully in order to decide whether it would cost more to maintain or break.

"It is not the first thing we will reconsider, but in times like these we have to look line by line at what we are spending money on," said Mr Mas-Colell.

One country which could benefit from the Catalan government's deliberations is India, which was earmarked as the next destination for a MotoGP competition by Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo recently.

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People in Caberg helmets could be using their motorbikes to get to work, according to the latest figures from the Retail Motor Industry (RMI).

It found that bike sales had dropped 2.2 per cent in 2011 as compared to 2010, with the market moving away from larger machines and towards smaller vehicles often used for commuting.

The biggest sales growth of the year came in the 51-125cc sector, indicating the growing popularity of more compact, city-friendly bikes.

Sue Robinson, director of the RMI Federation, said the rising cost of fuel and insurance premiums coupled with a hike in rail fares means many commuters are considering the alternative transport offered by a motorbike.

"In London this is combined with the benefit of not having to pay congestion charges and being able to park for just £1 per day," she added.

Motorbike riders in the capital city have recently been given access to bus lanes after a trial of the initiative was deemed a success.

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Wearers of Caberg helmets may be interested to learn that Ducati rider Valentino Rossi has admitted he faces a difficult challenge in attempting to take on Honda's Casey Stoner, the current world champion, in this year's MotoGP.

Speaking at the annual Ducati and Ferrari Wrooom event at Madonna di Campiglio in Italy, Rossi admitted the gap between his team and their competitors at Honda and Yamaha had been too large last year.

He explained that Ducati's aim is to deal with the various problems that led to them lagging behind in 2011 and ensure they are at least competitive in this year's racing.

"I do not want to say from the start that I cannot fight for the championship, but I have to be realistic," added the Italian biker.

Rossi also expressed hope that his new GP12 machine would help him catch up with Ducati's rivals.

The experienced racer took part in his first MotoGP Grand Prix in 2002, when he competed for Honda. Last year was his first with Ducati.

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Wearers of Draggin jeans may be interested to learn that American Ducati rider Nicky Hayden has accepted he is under a degree of scrutiny in his first MotoGP season back on 1000cc bikes, but claimed he is looking forward to proving himself over the upcoming competition.

Hayden has not piloted a litre bike in MotoGP since 2006 and admitted the technology has changed to a degree since he won that year's championship.

Top speeds have increased and the electronics have become more sophisticated, the rider explained.

He also commented on Ducati's disappointing season last year and expressed his hope 2012 would see an improvement for the team.

"We learned a lot. This year the goal is to make the bike work in the way we want so we can be more consistent in every race," Hayden said.

The American's first Grand Prix race came in 2003, the beginning of six productive years with the Honda team. He made the switch to Ducati in 2009.

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Wearers of Caberg helmets could be considering a trip to India after Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo reiterated his praise for the Buddh circuit, which is situated near New Delhi.

Lorenzo lapped the stadium on a Yamaha R15 and admitted he was impressed with the quality of the track, which hosted India's first Formula One race last year.

The 24-year-old Spaniard expressed his hope that MotoGP could organise a race on the circuit "very soon" and claimed it was completely ready to be given a place on the calendar.

He added that the course could be exciting for spectators and riders alike, with a number of opportunities for overtaking.

"I am looking forward to exploring the country and the entire MotoGP paddock wants a race to happen in India soon," Lorenzo added.

Speaking to the Times of India earlier in the week, Yamaha's 2010 MotoGP winner argued the biking culture in the country had changed and expanded over the last few years.

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Wearers of Shoei helmets may be interested to learn Ducati Corse boss Filippo Preziosi has revealed details of the team's new bike for MotoGP 2012 at the Wrooom conference.

Preziosi announced that the bike will look similar to previous models but be comprised mostly of new parts and wholly redesigned.

Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden will use the machine this season in their efforts to recover from a disappointing 2011.

"We significantly changed the distribution of weight and the bike dimensions to be in the middle of the adjustment range," said Preziosi. This could be part of a plan to make the bike more modifiable in certain conditions and types of track.

The Ducati Corse boss added that his team has completed the job ahead of schedule, admitting it usually took two years to design and manufacture a new model.

Italian racer Valentino Rossi claimed yesterday that the new bike could help him and Hayden catch up with Yamaha and Honda, last year's title winners.

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Bikers visiting France may need to wear a high-vis jacket over their Alpinestars clothing after the French government introduced measures making high visibility clothing compulsory for people on motorbikes.

This move comes despite protest from biking lobby groups in the country, reports the Motorcycle News.

It will be implemented as part of the French highway code from January 1st 2013 and apply to riders of any machine with a capacity of 125cc or larger.

The reflective area must cover the upper body and will apply to both the bike's driver and anybody riding pillion on the machine.

Motorcycle Action Group's Ian Mutch said: "A motorist who is incapable of identifying a normally dressed rider and motorcycle in conditions of good visibility is not fit to hold a driving licence."

Making extreme demands like this on motorcyclists is unfair, added Mr Mutch.

Brittany Ferries describes a number of impressive routes for motorcyclists which are accessible from French port towns, including the Massif Central.

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Wearers of Shark helmets may be interested to learn Carmelo Ezpeleta, chief executive officer of MotoGP parent company Dorna Sports, has expressed the opinion that entertainment is more important than technology in ensuring the future of the competition.

Speaking at Wroom 2012, the Dorna boss emphasised the ongoing debate between manufacturers, racers and his company about new claiming rules team (CRT) bikes and measures to increase competition in the sport.

"The problem is not just how to reduce costs, it's that if someone invests a significant amount, wins the championship and then leaves, it leaves you with nothing," added Ezpelata.

Dorna's chief executive officer added that levels of technology had made bikes too expensive, necessitating the controversial switch to lower-technology CRT machines.

He added that in times of economic difficulty it was important to maintain the sport's entertainment value.

Repsol Honda racer Dani Pedrosa claimed recently in an interview with Spanish sports website sports.es he would be unhappy if forced to ride a CRT bike, calling it "a step backwards".

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AGV helmets could soon become a common sight in Indonesia as Yamaha launched a new machine in the country and racer Ben Spies offered Indonesian bikers some tips.

Along with teammate Jorge Lorenzo, Spies visited up-and-coming racers in the Indonesian Yamaha R Series Cup, giving the bikers tips on overtaking, positioning and how to take corners effectively.

Lorenzo then went on to help Yamaha launch its new 150cc Byson machine in the Indonesian city of Jakarta, at an event attended by up to 3,000 bike dealers.

The Yamaha biker said he was impressed with the standard of the racers he had worked with and argued they could compete at a higher level in the future.

"It was important as well for us to see all the dealers here in Indonesia this afternoon who sell all the Yamaha bikes; I hope we helped to motivate them to achieve success in 2012," he added.

The first leg of Lorenzo's tour involved a trip to India, which he suggested was ready to hold its first MotoGP championship.

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Wearers of Draggin jeans and other motorcyclists planning to be in London in the coming months should take care to be aware of Transport for London (TfL's) new scheme allowing bikers to use the capital city's bus lanes.

The Institute for Advanced Motorists (IAM) has reminded bikers the scheme will be put into place from January 23rd 2012.

Allowing motorcyclists to use the bus lane is expected to cut down on congestion and carbon emissions. A similar project is already in place in Birmingham and Bristol.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: "This change will improve congestion and journey times for motorcyclists, and responsible bikers should find it safer being in a bus lane."

He added that more motorcycle and moped use will be a good thing for traffic flow if carried out responsibly.

The driving safety charity advises motorists to make themselves as visible as possible and be conscious of the traffic around them.

Sue Robinson, director of the RMI Federation, suggested recently that an increasing number of commuters are using their motorbikes to get to work.

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Chris Targett, a doctor from Sawtry, may have donned Alpinestars clothing before setting off on a 20,000-mile motorcycle ride to raise money for the organisation which helped save his girlfriend's life.

The 33-year-old plans to make the bike trip around South America to raise money for Magpas, a charity focused on providing rapid-response help to people injured in accidents.

Mr Targett specialises in accident and emergency work and has been working as a locum at local hospitals, reports the News and Crier.

"I feel proud to be supporting a charity that helps people on the roads in their hour of absolute need," the hospital worker explained.

He added that his girlfriend Sam Lyon had been saved by volunteer paramedics some years ago, adding a personal element to his choice of charity.

"The nervous excitement has well and truly set in," added Mr Targett.

Magpas was founded in 1972 by Dr Neville Silverston as an organisation to provide support to the UK's fledgling ambulance service.

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Wearers of Shark helmets may be interested to learn that Italian MotoGP racer Andrea Dovizioso has expressed his pleasure at working with Yamaha and fellow biker Cal Crutchlow.

Dovizioso explained that he has been studying Yamaha to better understand their motorbikes but will not feel fully prepared until the second test.

"Until you try a bike, you can't understand all the positive points and especially all the negative points of a bike. You can understand something - but not everything," claimed the racer.

He added he was looking forward to working with Cal Crutchlow, who he admires as a person and a rider with whom he looks forward to developing the new bike.

The Italian biker admitted he had been sad to part ways with his previous team at Honda but expressed his wish to improve his position in MotoGP after last year's third-place finish.

Dovizioso spent six years racing in the smaller classes before making the switch to MotoGP with Honda, finishing fifth in his debut season.

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Alpinestars clothing could soon become popular across India after several leading motorbike manufacturers announced plans to increase production in the Asian country.

Yamaha intends to triple its capacity by March 2013 through an investment of $151 million (£97 million), reports Bloomberg.

This follows the news that Suzuki and Honda are set to expand their operations in India after a successful turnout at the New Delhi auto show.

Roy Kurian, national business head of India Yamaha, said there was no reason to believe booming sales in the country would fall.

"The last two years were exceptional and we have seen a normalising in the market," he added.

Last November, India Yamaha enjoyed a total sales growth of 29.2 per cent as new bikes increased the brand's popularity among consumers.

India's economy has continued to expand, with prime minister Manmohan Singh recently announcing growth would return to nine per cent after dipping to 8.5 per cent throughout the global recession.

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Honda Singha SAG rider Ratthapark Wilairot may swap his Alpinestars jacket for a white robe over the next 15 days after the Thai racer entered a Buddhist temple to fulfil his traditional duties.

Nearly all Thai citizens are obliged to become a Buddhist monk for at least a few days in their lifetime, with the period of service generally coinciding with the country's monsoon season.

Wilairot has undertaken the holy orders and shaved his head and eyebrows, as well as putting on a white robe to signify purity.

The racer said he expected the 15-day sojourn to be an important period in his life, giving him the opportunity to reflect on what he had achieved.

"Thinking about the end of 2010 and all of 2011, this is a great opportunity to leave behind all the things that happened and start a new period in my life," he added.

Wilairot was linked with a move to Honda's Gresini team earlier in the year after an impressive 2010, according to reports on El Blog del Mundial de Motociclismo.

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There may be some people in Draggin jeans among the crowd when the Manchester Motorcycle Show gets underway on Saturday January 14th.

The two-day event at the Manchester Central Convention Complex will feature a variety of acts for visitors to enjoy, including live stunts and the chance for audience members to try out some tricks themselves.

Vertical Trix will be the star act, riding on Kawasaki 636 bikes. The four-strong team have performed all over the UK and recently launched an academy aimed at teaching beginners how to pick up biking stunt moves.

They will be rivalled by Broke FMX, a team that can carry out backflips of up to 70 ft.

Retail outlets, major manufacturers and a clutch of celebrity bikers will also be in attendance at the Manchester show, including the fastest female TT race Jenny Tinmouth.

Tinmouth competed in the 2011 British Superbike Championship and will talk to audiences about her experience as a female racer in a predominately masculine sport.

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Wearers of Shoei helmets may be interested to learn that former Yamaha rider and MotoGP safety advisor Lois Capirossi plans to focus on improving the safety and manufacture of the competition's tyres as he settles into his new position.

The 38-year old Italian was offered an advisory role by Dorna chief executive officer Carmelo Ezpelata after his retirement from racing in 2011.

A statement from Dorna said they hoped he could provide insight into the safety of the sport after his many years of experience as a rider.

Capirossi has revealed to Italian racing magazine Motosprint that his first move will be to discuss changes to the tyres, which are manufactured by rubber giant Bridgestone.

"The tyre situation in 2011 has never been clear, so in 2012 I will choose the tyres for the riders. I will go by the bunch of tyres and pick them myself," he said.

He added that there are concerns over the hardness and durability of the tyres available to racers.

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Bikers who wear Shark helmets may be interested to learn that Ten Kate Racing Products (TKRP), manufacturer of motorbike parts for Honda, will produce the engine and electronics for the Gresini team's Claiming Rules Team (CRT) bike.

Honda Gresini plans to have one rider, Michelle Pirro, on the lower-technology CRT bike for the 2012 MotoGP competition.

Italian MotoGP rider Pirro expressed his excitement at the decision last month and said he looked forward to the challenge of racing in the new category.

TKRP will join chassis expert FTR in helping develop the new machine.

In a short statement on its website, TKRP said: "The CRT bike will also use the latest fly-by-wire technology as developed by Ten Kate Racing and used by Jonathan Rea during the last World Superbike races of 2011.

The Ten Kate racing team impressed with this technology in 2011 throughout the World Superbike competition, achieving one win and two pole positions. 

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Wearers of Alpinestars clothing may be interested to learn that Colin Seeley, a former motorsport champion, has raised £15,000 in donations from the motorcycling world through a charity dedicated to his late wife.

Mr Seeley, 75, was a British road racing sidecar winner in 1962. He used the money raised to help Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice purchase new medical equipment, reports thisislocallondon.co.uk.

The equipment purchased includes syringe drivers to administrate pain-relieving therapies and a hoist allowing nurses to move frail patients securely.

"I'm fortunate thanks to my success in the motorcycle industry to be able to give back to my community," said Mr Seeley.

The hospice chief executive Kate Heaps expressed her gratitude to Mr Seeley for his help, explaining that due to a lack of NHS funding the facility was dependent on charitable donations like this one.

Mr Seeley released a biography in 2006 detailing his role in the UK's 1960s motorcycle racing scene, of which he was an integral part.

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Interest free finance is now available when you choose to ride away on any of the fantastic new Yamaha motorcycles shown below.

Its a great way to buy your next motorcycle!
Yamaha’s Diversion Series 600’s and FZ8/Fazer8 street bikes are stylish, dependable and exciting. Now available with zero percent finance, you can benefit by making these great models a really affordable option whether trading up from a 125 or lowering your engine size. Spreading the load over 36-60 months, at a rate better than the leading high street banks, makes a whole lot of sense so get Street Wise right now!

Promotion Details
Promotion starts on 6th January and finishes 31st March 2012.
A minimum £99 deposit is required for 0% apr over 36 months and an increased deposit (or part exchange) for 48-60 months 0% apr.

Models eligible are new faired and unfaired Diversion 600’s and faired and unfaired Fazer 800’s including the FZ8 WGP 50th Anniversary.

Please visit your nearest CMC branch for further information

Terms & Conditions 
Offer for a limited period. Each finance agreement must include a minimum deposit of £99. 
The maximum amount of credit is manufacturer’s RRP plus first registration fee and vehicle excise duty, minus compulsory deposit. Finance is subject to status. 
This offer is only available through Black Horse Ltd, St. William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff, CF105BH and is available on UK mainland and NI only.Finance is applicable only to officially imported XJ Series, FZ8 and Fazer8 models supplied through Yamaha Motor (UK) Ltd.

This offer may not be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Price:£ 0.00

The demand for tickets for this event at 7.30pm on the 15th of February has been fantastic, we have over 100 people attending and as of today have only 4 tickets left which are available from the clothing/parts department at CMC Clay Cross.

If you have bought a Yamaha XT or XTZ from either of the CMC branches and have not collected your ticket please let me know and I will do my best to beg a few more contact me on ross.feltham@cmcbikes.com

Price:£ 0.00

Just arrived Yamaha Aerox 50cc in 50th Anniversary colours. These new 2012 model 50cc Aerox's have just arrived in the same colours as Lorenzo and Spies race bikes and they look great.

You can ride these mopeds at 16 years old after you have passed your CBT training or on a car licence and you do not have to take CBT if you passed your car test before 1st Feb 2001.

Price:£ 0.00

Want to see probably the largest display of Givi luggage in the UK then visit CMC Clay Cross and choose from top boxes and panniers in loads of colour options to fit your bike or scooter.

We also have a huge selection of the new Givi soft luggage range and the latest Givi helmets including the new flip front model, all in a new display in the motorcycle showroom.

Price:£ 0.00

Wearers of Shark helmets may be considering booking a flight to Spain after Dorna Sports, the company behind MotoGP, confirmed the Spanish circuit of Jerez will host the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix.

Negotiations will continue in an attempt to settle a four-year hosting deal with the track.

The venue often hosts the first European Grand Prix on the MotoGP calendar. This comes after an announcement earlier in the month that the competition will begin on an earlier date than expected, with the Quatar Grand Prix taking place on April 8th rather than April 15th.

Speaking after the confirmation of Jerez as a venue, Dorna Sports chief executive Carmelo Ezpeleta expressed his pleasure at securing a "very special" location for the Spanish Grand Prix to take place.

"I'd like to thank the Junta de Andalucia and Jerez de la Frontera City Council for their support in working toward securing this iconic event," he added.

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The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham may have seen some Alpinestars clothing among the white coats recently as 300 motorbike riders visited the wards with gifts for wounded military patients.

Bikers came from motorcycle clubs all over the UK and contributed over £800 of gift cards to the convalescents which will be distributed by hospital staff, reports BBC News.

Mike Hammond, chief executive officer of the hospital's official charity, and warrant officer Darren Taylor from the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, met them at the hospital.

Mr Hammond said: "It was a spectacle to remember seeing so many bikes here and a fantastic way to show support for our wounded troops."

Event organiser Dave Taylor added that the group wanted to show their support for the troops and for the quality of care they are receiving.

They are not the first bikers to help spread festive cheer this winter, after the annual Ancestors Motorcycle Club toy run in Belfast raised £2,000 for sick children in the Ulster Hospital.

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Wearers of Shark helmets may consider Repsol Honda one of the teams to watch at next year's MotoGP championship after it named its riders for the Moto3 competition, meaning it could win titles in all three divisions.

Two 16-year old racers, Alex Rins and Miguel Oliveira, will ride for the team in the smallest category, which Repsol has not taken part in since 2010.

This means it will have Casey Stoner looking to defend his title in MotoGP alongside Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa, Marc Marquez racing in Moto2, and the two rookies competing in Moto3.

Repsol won the MotoGP championship in 2011 after an impressive debut season from Stoner and finished runner-up in the Moto2 grand prix through the efforts of Marquez. The petroleum giant expressed its hope that its two new riders could bring a similar degree of success.

Last month the team finished first in the Valencia test, the final day of testing for 2011 as riders fine-tuned their machines.

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Wearers of Draggin jeans may be interested to learn that one of the first motorcycles ever manufactured could fetch up to £50,000 in a Las Vegas auction.

Only 1,698 of the 1906 Indian Camelback were ever produced, making this machine one of the few remaining examples and a sought-after item for collectors.

It was made by the Du Pont family, whose Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company rivalled Harley-Davidson as major motorbike manufacturers until the 1970s.

However, it is unlikely to win any races today with a horsepower of 2.25, a single cylinder and a top speed of 30 mph.

Ben Walker from Bonhams auction house said: "This motorcycle is in such demand because of its condition and to restore it would actually take value off."

He added that he expected it to be restored mechanically, with little or no change made to its rusty condition.

Bonhams has sold a number of rare motorbikes in the past. In last year's January auction, 200 machines from various eras were sold to the highest bidder.

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We heard yesterday that George White Motorcycles had closed its doors and brought in the administrators. It's a tough time for many retailers as I'm sure your aware.

George White's did not sell many new bikes in to our areas as they where based in Swindon and the South West however, on occasion, we had to compete against their deals and if we could find a way of doing it we did. If you know anyone who purchased a new Yamaha from George White Motorcycles and they now may have a concern about their Yamaha warranty work CMC branches, with the assistance of Yamaha UK, can and will carry out warranty work on these new bikes in accordance with the Yamaha's warranty terms which, we believe, are the best in our industry.

We wish the GW staff all the best in their search for employment.

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Wearers of Alpinestars clothing may be interested to hear that Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa is the latest MotoGP star to weigh in on the debate over Claiming Rules Team (CRT) motorbikes.

In an interview with Spanish sports website sport.es, the Spanish racer dismissed the concept and claimed he would be unhappy at being forced to ride the lower-technology machines.

He explained he feels the whole package to be inferior to the current models, and indicated that many CRT riders will have very little experience at the top level.

"It would be a step backward for me since I've been racing the fastest prototypes in the world, and I don't know if they would be as fun as MotoGPs," he said.

Pedrosa is not the first racer to express uncertainty about the CRT scheme. Ducati's Valentino Rossi recently told Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport that he would ride one of the bikes if it was necessary but was not excited at the prospect.

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Wearers of AGV helmets and other motorcyclists could see their journey times on motorways reduced after the Department for Transport (DfT) claimed its new initiative would shave 40 minutes off the length of time it takes to deal with accidents.

It has provided 27 police forces a total of £2.7 million to implement the provision of 37 3D scanners that they hope will make the job of dealing with crashes easier.

The technology means accident response teams do not need to take a number of different pictures of the scene.

Minister for roads Mike Penning said the scheme could cut down on frustration for motorists and save £1 billion for the economy every year. He added that the police have been enthusiastic about the use of the new devices.

Responding to the DfT's news, Institute of Advanced Motorists director of policy and research Neil Greig said: "The frustration caused by delays leads to erratic driving, so as well as improving journey times this will make our motorways safer."

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The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) has suggested that bikers and wearers of Shark helmets will benefit from the Department for Transport's (DfT) decision to cut various aspects of red tape around vehicle registration.

A previous feature of motoring law was the requirement to annually renew Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN), a rule which affected many bikers who owned classic vehicles or had their machines undergoing renovation.

The DfT has decided to scrap this rule along with many others as part of its plan to cut down on unnecessary bureaucracy in the department.

BMF spokesman Jeff Stone said: "It makes a pleasant change these days to have less red tape and we know from our members that the removal of the annual SORN requirement will be particularly welcome."

A total of 142 regulations were dismissed or altered as part of the consultation process over red tape, which involved both Whitehall officials and the general public. Minister for Transport Justine Greening said she aims to cut down the paper trail and embrace digital technology.

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Riders wearing AGV helmets might still think twice about climbing on to Richard Brown's record-breaking new motorbike, which will be propelled by a jet engine and hopes to exceed 720 km per hour.

This bike is unique because all previous record-breaking machines have used a conventional engine, reports the New Scientist.

Although cars and boats have taken advantage of jet technology to break records in the past, it was previously considered too dangerous to pack such a large engine on to a motorbike.

Brown believes he has found a way to get around this by redeveloping a 930kw helicopter engine to safely propel the vehicle.

Dubbed Jet Reaction, the bike could be taken for a trial run at a UK airfield in March next year and go for a world record attempt in 2013.

Although there is no official body regulating land-speed records, the BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials hold an event every year at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah where attempts are made on the 606 km per hour record, set in 2010 by Rocky Robinson on a bike called the Ack Attack Streamliner.

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Londoners with Draggin jeans and motorcycles will be given permanent access to most bus lanes in the capital city after a trial scheme was deemed successful.

The change will be implemented by Transport for London from January 23rd and come into effect on the majority of the city's Red Routes.

It comes after two 18-month trials showed the popularity of the scheme, which led to 50,000 journeys a day being made by motorcyclists in the allotted routes.

Analysis of the trials also showed that they increased enforcement of road traffic laws and decreased the number of riders breaking the speed limit.

Steve Kenward, chief executive officer of the Motor Cycle Industry Association, said the industry was pleased with the decision.

"Allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes sends a clear message to road users that motorcycling helps to reduce commuter journey times, traffic congestion and CO2," he added.

London has the biggest bus lane network in the world, with 8,000 buses and over 700 routes.

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Wearers of Caberg helmets may be interested to learn that Ducati chief Jerry Burgess has hailed the new MotoGP testing rules as a major boost for his team.

A meeting in Madrid led to a loosening of testing restrictions, allowing MotoGP Championship teams to test their new machines more often and with a broader selection of riders.

Under the new regulations, all contracted competitors can test machines using their full allocation of 240 tyres.

Mr Burgess told Motorcycle News this decision would allow Ducati to be more competitive.

"We just want to be closer to the front. We have our test riders but with the greatest respect they are only capable of taking the bike so far," he said.

Several other tweaks were made to the MotoGP Championship 2012 rulebook by the Grand Prix Commission, with the most striking being the confirmation of nine lower-technology Claiming Rules Team vehicles as part of the grid for next year's contest.

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Wearers of Alpinestars clothing may be interested to learn that motorcycle manufacturer Suzuki has announced the launch of a new range of accessories for its latest V-Strom model.

Overall, the firm has released three new packs for buyers over the coming months, with its Tourer, Adventure and GT packs tailored for a range of individuals and uses.

The Tourer package is the perfect option for people who use their bike for the daily commute, offering motorcycle clothing including a knuckle-guard set and a 14-litre magnetic tank bag, while the Adventure version offers a Vario Touring Screen, giving greater protection against the elements.

Furthermore, anyone who takes advantage of one of these accessory packs when purchasing their vehicle will also be eligible for a two-year unlimited mileage warranty.

This latest announcement follows news last month that Suzuki has pulled out of MotoGP for the time being.

The company cited its ambition to develop a new race-winning machine for the series before returning in the years ahead as the main factor in its withdrawal.

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Wearers of Shark helmets may be interested to learn that the Grand Prix Commission has released details of its meeting in Madrid earlier in the month, when it decided on several new regulations for the upcoming 2012 championship.

The most striking news from the meeting is the decision to allow nine Claiming Rules Team (CRT) bikes on to the grid next year, increasing the number of motorcycles on the track and changing the complexion of the sport.

Participation for the lower-technology bikes has been approved on the understanding it can be reviewed by the commission at a later date.

Ducati rider Valentino Rossi told La Gazzetta dello Sport earlier in the month that "it's clear that we must use less expensive bikes and if this is the only way I wouldn't have problems riding a CRT," while admitting he was not enthused by the prospect.

The other rules changes are more minor and include allowing all contracted riders to test machines using the full allocation of 240 tyres available to its manufacturer, a privilege previously only granted to test riders.

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Wearers of Alpinestars clothing may be interested to learn that Italian MotoGP rider Michele Pirro is looking forward to his first season aboard the Honda Gresini team's Claiming Rules Team (CRT) bike.

Pirro had been expected to continue in the Moto2 Championship in 2012 but decided to move into MotoGP, where he will ride a vehicle with a British FTR chassis and a Honda CBR1000RR engine.

FTR boss Steve Bones predicted earlier in the month that the new bike would be ready for testing in February but admitted the final decision on when it would have its first test lay with Honda.

Pirro expressed his excitement at making the move to the top division and taking on the challenge of racing in the CRT category.

"Of course in the beginning it will be criticised, just like the Moto2 class was. But after the first year, it should be possible to develop the performance of the CRT bikes," he added.

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Wearers of Alpinestars clothing may have been following the ongoing debate regarding Claiming Rules Team (CRT) bikes and their role in next season's MotoGP championship, an argument which has been fuelled by Ducati rider Valentino Rossi in a recent interview.

Speaking to Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, the racer accepted the necessity of introducing the lower-technology bikes as a way to cut costs in the industry.

"It's clear that we must use less expensive bikes and if this is the only way I wouldn't have problems riding a CRT, although no one is excited by this," said Rossi.

He cited the withdrawal of Suzuki from the competition, meaning that MotoGP would only have 12 bikes on the grid without the introduction of CRT technology, as a key factor behind the switch.

Frenchman Randy de Puniet recently announced his excitement at taking on "a new adventure" by riding one of the prototype bikes for Aspar.

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Wearers of Shark helmets may be interested to learn that MotoGP's ruling body, the Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM), has announced some minor alterations to the schedule for the 2012 World Championship in a provisional calendar released today (December 15th).

The most significant change is that the start of the season has been moved forward by a week, with the Qatar Grand Prix now expected to take place on April 8th rather than April 15th as had originally been planned in the September calendar.

It also confirms that the Jerez circuit in Spain, where testing was completed recently on a number of low-technology Claiming Rules Team bikes, has been selected as the venue for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Portugal and Germany are awaiting confirmation of the venues for their races, with the Sachsenring provisionally stencilled in for Germany.

Yesterday Enrique Aldama, general director of MotoGP's parent company Dorna Sports, confirmed that Argentina would have a role to play in the 2013 MotoGP World Championship.

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Wearers of Alpinestars clothing may be pleased to learn that the Department for Transport has decided to cut down on the bureaucracy and red tape surrounding bikers and other motorists as part of its Road Transport Red Tape Challenge.

The measures taken include removing the need for vehicle users to carry an insurance certificate at all times and abolishing the requirement for motorists to prove they have insurance when applying for tax.

A total of 142 regulations will be changed or dismissed after a process involving both Whitehall and the public.

Minister for Transport Justine Greening said she hoped to cut down on the paper trail, adding that the move towards digital technology should be embraced by the department.

Simon Best, chief executive of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, also welcomed the decision and praised the efforts to cut down on unnecessary complications.

"The improvements made to Statutory Off Road Notification mean the end of vehicle users receiving fines for not telling the DVLA something they already know," he explained.

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A group of bikers, some with Santa hats over their Shoei helmets, rode through Belfast earlier in the week on the annual Ancestors Motorcycle Club toy run.

The motorcycle riders converged at Custom House Square on their way to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald, where they go every year to deliver Christmas presents to sick children.

Shoppers enjoying the market were surprised and delighted by the colourful group and their bikes, which was joined by local model Laura Lacole. There was a variety of fancy dress on show, including Star Wars costumes as well as festive garb.

Belfast lord mayor Niall O Donnghaile welcomed the cavalcade, which has spent the last few weeks gathering gifts for the hospital run, and thanked them for their efforts.

The club, which celebrated its 22nd anniversary this year, explained on its website that 276 vehicles had taken part and almost £2,000 had been raised for the cause.

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Wearers of Alpinestars clothing may be considering a trip to Argentina after the decision to add the South American country to the MotoGP calendar was formally announced.

Minister of tourism Enrique Meyer told guests at a special presentation yesterday that the Argentine Grand Prix will be held at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in the province of Santiago del Estero, starting in 2013.

The presentation was made in Buenos Aires and attended by various figures from the racing world, including Honda racer Andrea Dovizioso and several young Argentine riders.

Initially agreed in September, the final decision was subject to the track being renovated to bring it within the safety standards required for the MotoGP world championship.

Enrique Aldama, general director of MotoGP's parent company Dorna Sports, told motorsports.com this was an important move for the competition.

"For us, return to South America and in particular to Argentina means to recognise that there had been lots of races here," he said.

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Wearers of Shark helmets might be considering a trip to the British Museum to see Grayson Perry's latest exhibition, which contains a pink 1550cc machine built by Battistini Custom Cycles.

The company has also made bikes for celebrity customers such as singer Ronan Keating and former footballer Ian Wright, reports the Bournemouth Echo.

This commission took from 800 to 1,000 hours to finish after every part was built from scratch, according to manager Mark Battistini.

He said: "This was quite different for us. Grayson loved it. It's a little bit difficult in the corners but apart from that it rides really well."

It is part of The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman, a collaboration between the modern artist and the British Museum where his own vases and tapestries are displayed alongside objects from the museum's collection, which stretches back over the past two million years.

Mr Perry, who lives and works in London, won the prestigious Turner Prize in 2003

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Current Model Restrictor Kits

Yamaha are please to offer a free restrictor kit on selected models when you purchase a new motorcycle from CMC.

Available to restricted license holders only, the Yamaha models available are: 

XT660R (Part Number - KITXT66025KW) 
XT660X (Part Number - KITXT66025KW) 

Restrictor kits for these models are also available to purchase for pre-owned machines.

Price:£ 0.00

Yamaha’s Profile PCP plan (Personal Contract Purchase)

PCP is an affordable way to ride the bike of your choice, creating the opportunity to change your bike every two or three years and reduces your monthly outgoings.

It’s easy 
An increasingly popular choice in the car market, PCP is a great product to use to purchase the bike of your dreams and is easy to understand and can be tailored to your own circumstances making owning the bike of your choice very affordable.

Why Yamaha Profile PCP? 
The benefits of PCP are clear:

• Ride the Yamaha of your choice
• Affordable monthly payments that are right for you
• Trade in for a new Yamaha every two or three years

How does it work? 

1. Choose your new bike (used bikes up to 3 years old also qualify)
2. Establish your annual mileage – 6000 max
3. Choose your repayment period, 2 or 3 years

How much will it cost?

1. You provide a deposit (from 5% of the on the road price) which is typically around 15%
2. Your Yamaha dealer will provide you with a Guaranteed Future Value* for the machine
3. You pay over the agreed term

At the end of the agreement you have 3 options:

1. Pay the outstanding finance – you now own the bike
2. Return the bike*
3. Part exchange the bike for a new one (subject to payment of your outstanding finance)

*Subject to the motorcycle being returned on time, in good condition and within the maximum mileage and all the required payments having been made.

Representative example

You will see below that the monthly payments make Profile PCP a very real and affordable way to ride the Yamaha of your choice.

Click here to download the Profile factsheet

This offer is only available through Black Horse Ltd., St William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 5BH. Available on the UK mainland and NI only. Finance is subject to status. Retail prices shown are correct at time of printing and could be subject to change. Indemnities may be required.

Price:£ 0.00

Choices, choices! Will it be affordable low rate finance or Free insurance*? Whichever way you choose, you will enjoy dependable, reliable and very pleasurable riding when you buy one of Yamaha’s great 125cc scooters or motorcycles. Commuting or riding for fun, the road ahead is assured, so you really have only one choice and no excuses to get down to your local Yamaha dealer.

Promotion Details

Promotion start date is 6th January 2012.

The maximum advance for the promotion is the Suggested Retail Price including 1st registration fee and vehicle excise duty, minus applicable deposit.

Models eligible for the promotion are 2010-2012 models years officially imported by Yamaha Motor UK.

YZF-R125 - YZF-R125 WGP 50th Anniversary - YBR125 - YBR125 Custom - WR125R - WR125X - XT125R - XT125X - Xenter 125 - X-Max 125 - X-Max 125 Sport - Cygnus X - BW's 125 - Vity 

Finance:

Please contact your nearest Yamaha dealer for more detiails on the finance deals available.
 

Insurance: 

*Terms & Conditions 
For a limited period, the promotion is to provide either low rate finance OR free/subsidised insurance and is only available through authorised Yamaha dealers. Each finance agreement must include a minimum deposit of £99. 
Maximum advance is manufacturer’s RRP plus first registration fee and vehicle excise duty, less deposit. 
Finance/Insurance is available subject to status and is applicable to officially imported models supplied through Yamaha Motor (UK) Ltd. 
This finance offer is only available through Black Horse Ltd, St. William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff, CF105BH and is available on UK mainland and NI only. 
Insurance offered by Lexham Insurance Consultants Ltd., Cartco House, Victoria Road, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4NG. Tel: 0845 6031710. Registered in England No.3897329. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Excesses apply in event of a claim – please contact Lexham Insurance for confirmation.

This offer may not be used in conjunction with any other offer.

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A group of bikers may have swapped their Alpinestars clothing for Santa suits in east Hampshire, after bringing hundreds of presents to children at a special needs school in Southsea.

The Mary Rose School opened in 2006 and caters for 120 pupils with learning disabilities and other special needs.

This year's annual ride involved 190 bikes and started from The Square in Wickham, according to the Portsmouth News.

Many of the bikers got into the Christmas spirit by dressing up as Santa or his elves and adorning their bikes with festive decorations.

Organiser Darren Preston, from the Solent Virago Star Owners Club, said he was pleased with the turnout and with the £650 in donations the rally had managed to raise, explaining that they had broken all previous records.

"The school runs on minimum funds as it is and they do a fantastic job, so if we can help, we think it's a worthy cause," added Mr Preston.

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Wearers of Caberg helmets could be interested to learn that the European parliament looks likely to continue with plans to implement a proposal banning the unauthorised modification of motorbikes.

This decision comes despite last month's 200-strong rally protesting against the plans, reports Motorcycle News.

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee wants riders who wish to tune their bikes to submit them to European officials for inspection before they are considered roadworthy.

If voted through, the measures are likely to be in place by 2014. Tougher emission limits and a compulsory anti-lock braking system on all new bikes over 50cc could be introduced by 2016.

A statement from the European parliament said the measures were intended "to make it impossible to increase the speed of the vehicles by tampering with their powertrain".

The British Motorcycle Federation warned in an October statement that it was important to maintain some perspective on the issue of tampering, and described itself as "vehemently opposed" to any measures restricting motorcycle modification.

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People who wear Shoei helmets may be interested to learn that the Honda Gresini team's new 1,000cc MotoGP bike is expected to be ready for testing in February.

The vehicle will use a British FTR chassis and a Honda CBR1000RR engine, reports the Motorcycle News.

Although it could be on the test track by early next year it is not expected to be ready to race in the first winter session of next year, on January 31st in Malaysia.

Valencia Moto2 winner Michele Pirro will ride the Claiming Rules Team (CRT) bike next season.

FTR boss Steve Bones said: "I would think the bike will be on track in February but where will be a decision left to the team."

This comes as a further development in the move towards CRT, which MotoGP director of technology Corrado Cecchinelli described earlier in the year as a method of adding to competition by getting more bikes on the grid.

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Motorcyclists who wear Shark helmets will have been pleased to see the world's top riders honoured at the recent FIM Gala Ceremony in Portugal.

Held at the Estoril Casino, the event saw legends such as Tony Rickardsson, Carl Fogarty and Giovanni Sala joined on stage by the likes of Carlos Checa, Greg Hancock and Juha Salminen.

Each of the 2011 FIM world champions were presented with their respective awards, while Maciej Janowski was named rookie of the year and Laia Sanz took the woman of the year prize.

Checa, winner of this year's Superbike World Championship, was also named personality of the year.

"It is such a pleasure and honour to have so many FIM world champions and our extended FIM family all together," said FIM president Vito Ippolito.

He added that motorcycle sport continues to provide "millions of people across the globe with wonderful entertainment" in the face of tough economic conditions.

Founded in Paris in 1904, the FIM is now based in Switzerland and represents 103 national motorcycle federations.

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