Following the announcement last month of a new colour scheme for the GSX-R1000, Suzuki GB has now added a further two colour options to their Supersport range, with a new limited white GSX1300R Hayabusa and an orange and black GSX-R750.

Available this month from any authorised Suzuki dealer, the two new additions offer greater choice for customers, brought about by consumer interest at the many outdoor events that Suzuki GB attend.

Suzuki GB marketing manager, George Cheeseman commented, “With the white colour option already proving a very popular choice on other models, we believe that the limited run of 200 white Hayabusas will be extremely popular. Equally, with only 175 orange and black GSX-R750s available this will appeal more to customers looking for something unique.

For more information on this or any other Suzuki model, visit your local authorised Suzuki dealer, log on to www.suzuki.co.uk, or call the Suzuki Contact Centre on 0845 850 880

Schuberth GmbH is immensely pleased to announce that multiple Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher will be spearheading the firm’s development of sports motorcycle helmets.

Starting with the ‘Schuberth Race’ helmet, Michael will continue to bring his wealth of experience to the German firm’s R&D department in order to develop new models. This arrangement continues a unique and extensive partnership between the German brand and the seven-time F1 champion who developed and used Schuberth helmets until he retired from the sport.

Schuberth’s engineers have developed this new crash helmet in close collaboration with Michael himself. In true Schuberth style, the result is an extremely lightweight and aerodynamic helmet, filled with numerous technical and safety innovations.

Since leaving four-wheel competition, Schumacher has failed to resist his passion for all things fast and loud. The German’s longstanding love for motorcycles has seen him enter pro-amateur races in Europe, picking up a debut win in just his second event.

Schumacher explains the continued relationship: ‘Throughout my time in Formula 1 I really appreciated just how fast and accurately the people at Schuberth were able to work. Attention to detail has always been particularly important to me, and I don’t intend to leave anything to chance in the future either.’

Henry Rivers Fletcher of Oxford Products (UK importers for Schuberth), commented: ‘Michael is a great ambassador for Schuberth. We expect some great results from this relationship as the former champ channels some of his renowned perfectionism into the evolution of Schuberth products. Formula 1 and motorcycling technology have much in common – there is no margin for error in either’.

No further information on the price or availability of the ‘Schuberth Race’ helmet is available at this time.

For further information on the current Schuberth motorcycle helmet range, or to find your nearest stockist, contact Oxford on +44 (0)1993 862300 or visit www.oxprod.com

For 2008 Triumph Motorcycles is delighted to announce the release of an updated version of its acclaimed touring champion, the Sprint ST. The bike, which was originally launched in 1999 and last updated in 2005, has been a consistently popular member of Triumph’s UK line-up.

A direct response to customer feedback, the changes for 2008 are subtle but serve to enhance the outstanding performance of this superbly versatile motorcycle. The new model features a steel fuel tank, enabling the use of a magnetic tank bag, whilst the footrests have been modified and now employ a more durable rubber for prolonged wear. The headlight performance has also been markedly improved.

Renowned for its superb handling, powerful engine and unrivalled reliability, the Sprint ST has won a host of accolades since its launch and has come to represent the very pinnacle of sports touring refinement. Just last year, it beat off competition from 12 other bikes to win German motorcycle publication, Motorrad’s, 50,000km endurance test.

Available from January, the 2008 Triumph Sprint ST costs £7,999 otr. An ABS version is also available at £8,599 otr. Colour options are Pacific Blue, Graphite and Tornado Red.

For those keen to experience this sublime machine for themselves, a free test ride awaits at most Triumph dealers.

The most powerful production naked muscle-bike is set to invade London at the end of the month, as Suzuki’s B-King gets ready to take centre stage at the London Motorcycle Show at Excel between the 31st January and the 3rd February.

Launched last summer, the B-King has enjoyed widespread critical acclaim, delivering performance that can normally only be achieved by a full-on superbike. Instead, the outlandish brute packs a serious punch while featuring futuristic styling that would be more at home in a scene from Transformers than in Canary Wharf!

On display alongside the B-King will be Suzuki’s other white-hot 2008 models, including the all-new GSX-R600 and 750, GSX1300R Hayabusa, GSX650F and Suzuki’s learner friendly range of scooters and commuters.

For more information on the show visit www.londonmotorcycleshow.com or visit www.suzuki.co.uk for more model information.

Suzuki GB has announced the final specification and pricing for the new Bandit 1250 Grand Touring, which is due to hit dealers later this month.

Based on the hugely popular Bandit 1250SA, the new Grand Touring model features a large capacity luggage system, full-fairing and a Garmin Zumo satellite navigation system as standard, offering £1500 worth of extras over the standard ABS equipped model.

With a recommended retail price of just £6,799 the Bandit 1250GT retails for just £1000 more than the base 1250S, bringing exceptional value to the touring sector of the market.

Talking about the new 1250GT, Suzuki sales and marketing director Nick Palmer commented, “We are delighted to be able to bring the 1250GT to market with such a comprehensive specification. The 1200 model proved exceptionally popular, and with the boosted performance and agility of the 1250 combined with the added GT specification, this new model brings a very real alternative to those looking for a serious mile-muncher”.

As well as the very practical top-box and pannier system and additional fairing lowers, Suzukis bespoke Garmin Zumo Sat Nav system features for the first time on the new Bandit. With dedicated Suzuki software that lists all authorised UK dealers and a soon to be launched online resource that enables download of Suzuki waypoints and routes, the new system gives added flexibility by being transferable for car use too.

For more information on the new Bandit 1250GT, visit www.suzuki.co.uk or your local authorised Suzuki dealer.

New BMWs continue the company’s commitment to sport, adventure and freedom.

Having recently added the new HP2 Sport to its expanding model line-up, BMW Motorrad further demonstrated its commitment to developing its ‘new design philosophy’ at the EIMCA Show in Milan today, unveiling a further three brand new motorcycles and two up-rated models for 2008:

• F 650 GS – an all-new version of the popular GS all-rounder
• F 800 GS – a completely new middleweight adventure tourer with excellent off-road performance
• G 450 X Sports Enduro – a brand new model for the competition enduro and sports off-road market
• R 1200 GS – an updated version of BMW Motorrad’s best selling GS model
• R 1200 GS Adventure – an improved model of the ultimate long-distance enduro

BMW’s industry-leading dedication to off-road sport and adventure riding – a genre it created and popularised more than two-and-a-half decades ago – has been further strengthened following the launch of these five new models.

With two completely new enduro models, the F 800 GS and F 650 GS, BMW Motorrad is not just expanding its range of products but also presenting a worthy successor to the successful single-cylinder F 650 GS.

F 650 GS
The F 650 GS, despite its familiar designation, is a completely new machine. Along with its bigger brother, the F 800 GS, it is powered by BMW’s sophisticated and highly praised 798cc parallel-twin engine, albeit in a softer state of tune, which provides plenty of power combined with excellent fuel economy. The bike’s low seat height and light controls make the F 650 GS an easy to handle all-rounder, perfectly suited to newcomers to motorcycling and ideal for everyday use.

F 800 GS
The all-new F 800 GS expands BMW Motorrad’s class leading traditions into the middleweight adventure sports category. The overall package combines balance, power and weight with excellent ground clearance and long suspension travel. The result is a machine with excellent off-road riding performance combined with touring capability.

G 450 X
Entering the competitive 450cc enduro market will be the brand new, no compromise, BMW G 450 X Sports Enduro. This machine will feature an innovative 450cc single cylinder engine and unique chassis design. Having been successfully tested in European and world competition throughout 2007, its entry into the 450cc Enduro market in the middle of next year will see BMW Motorrad continue its philosophy of launching class-leading machinery in competitive new market segments.

R 1200 GS and Adventure
There are also further improvements and developments to the all-terrain big boxer machines – the unchallenged choice of the world’s most adventurous overlanders, including Ewan MacGregor and Charley Boorman. The new version of the best selling R 1200 GS, and its Adventure variant, benefit from a more powerful engine with improved drive and traction. New for 2008, both models will be offered with the option of a new Enduro version of ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment).

The unique system offers R 1200 GS and Adventure owners the opportunity to tune their suspension for on or off-road use at the touch of a button.

Tony Jakeman, BMW Motorrad Marketing Manager, said: “With the launch of five exciting new models BMW Motorrad continues to broaden its appeal to a wider motorcycle audience. Eagerly anticipated models such as the F 650 GS and F 800 GS will not only attract new riders to BMW, but will also please existing Motorrad fans with their performance, handling and good looks.

“The up-rated versions of the best-selling R 1200 GS and Adventure, with our unique Electronic Suspension Adjustment system, will reinforce our leadership in the Adventure motorcycle sector. We are also excited to be entering even more diverse market segments with models such as the G 450 X, reinforcing our philosophy to launch class leading machinery into new motorcycle market sectors.”

Prices for the full 2008 range will be announced at the International Motorcycle Show at the NEC, Birmingham on 22nd November.

Yamaha, winners of the 2007 WSB andSuperstock 1000 Cup manufacturers title, are pleased to announce the arrival of the very cool 2008 colour variants of the YFZ-R1.

Now available in White (see picture), Blue and Graphite, the YZF-R1 is a legend of the supersport world, an acclaimed one-litre performer that’s become a motorcycling icon, an allpowerful World Superbike race-winning machine that’s also a monument to the power of beauty. The R1’s performance is electrifying and yet what makes this motorcycle truly remarkable is its superbly rider-friendly character because Yamaha’s avantgarde, race-bred technology puts you confidently in control.

Log on to the Yamaha presskit website for all the relevant pictures.

2008 YZF-R1:
BWC1 – Competition White,
DNMG – Graphite,
DPBMC – Yamaha Blue

Price unchanged at £8,999 OTR

• Trafficmaster and RAC Foundation launch second UK Congestion Report
• Phenomenon of ‘Black Friday’ (October Half Term) revealed as worst day for congestion in the year
• Britain’s worst congestion hotspot is M25
• Scotland hosts both most and least efficient motorway route

Millions of motorists risk being caught in the worst traffic congestion of the year tonight, warn Trafficmaster and the RAC Foundation.

The warning is the key finding of the second Trafficmaster/ RAC Foundation UK Congestion Report, which reveals this Friday, October 19th, will be the worst day for travelling by car because of a peak in traffic congestion named ‘Black Friday’, by experts.

Traffic jams may be traditionally associated with Bank Holidays or Christmas, but a number of specific factors combine to make tonight’s rush hour longer and more congested than any of Britain’s regular public holidays. These factors include darker (and possibly wetter) weather encouraging more drivers to use major roads, a high level of commuting and commercial traffic and a rise in accidents.

Philip Hale, spokesman for Trafficmaster, said: “It seems odd to think a Friday in October is busier than Christmas or Easter, but the ‘Black Friday’ phenomenon is very real and one all drivers should be prepared for.”

According to the Trafficmaster UK Congestion Report, if the current trend continues, this year’s congestion could be as much as 10 per cent* worse than 2003.

“The first steps in reducing the effect of congestion are identifying and avoiding it. Just a minority of motorists re-planning their routes or the timing of their journeys could help make sure this Friday isn’t the worst of all”, said Hale.

Summary of Trafficmaster Congestion Alerts** on nine key UK routes:

Elsewhere in the report, the nation’s worst congestion hotspot is revealed. Up from second position six months ago, the Western sector of the M25 is officially the most congested stretch of road in Britain, replacing the M1 in Hertfordshire, where traffic has eased slightly thanks to a higher temporary speed limit.

The report also reveals the real traffic speed of the UK’s motorways. The average traffic flow speed of our motorways is a healthy 67.5 mph, although there are significant differences in their overall efficiency. Scotland can boast both the most efficient motorway – the A74(M), with an overall real average speed of 69.9mph – and the least – the M8, at only 53.4mph.

Trafficmaster and the RAC Foundation recommend more careful planning of car journeys, stressing that drivers should consider alternative routes before they travel. Simple proactive steps to avoid congestion can save time, fuel and even CO₂. the organisations also point out that only a minority of vehicles on our roads need to be diverted from congestion to allow traffic to flow freely.

Trafficmaster’s Philip Hale concluded: “We have to acknowledge that environmental efficiency is not just about what we drive, but also where and when. In the case of congestion on our roads, literally one person can make a difference.”

Edmund King, Executive Director of the RAC Foundation, said: “Today is named ‘Black Friday’ due to the expected extra congestion on the roads, but it could equally be ‘Black Friday’ for being the worst day of the week for fatalities and serious injuries on the road. More car users are killed and injured between 4 and 6 pm on a Friday night than at any other time during the week. So to avoid ‘Black Friday’ becoming ‘Fatal Friday’, motorists should take extra care on the roads.”

Triumph is proud to have unveiled the latest addition to its Rocket III family at its annual US Dealer Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, last weekend. Combining archetypal custom-touring style with awesome performance and effortless long-haul ability, the Rocket III Touring is Triumph’s first purpose-built touring cruiser.

The Rocket III touring shares the same incredible 2.3 litre engine platform as the Rocket III, retuned for lazy, effortless cruising, but is otherwise all-new. New frame, wheels, suspension, seat, fuel tank, instruments, lights… all specifically designed, styled and engineered from scratch to match the custom-touring customer’s requirements. Great care has been taken to get the details right, with high class finishes throughout. There are also some ingenious additional touches, such as the quick-detach screen and panniers, both lockable for security.

The Rocket family’s sheer presence has always been a fundamental part of its appeal, but at the heart of the bike is its usability. The Rocket III Touring was designed first and foremost to be ridden and is easy and confidence-inspiring to ride at all speeds from walking pace up.

The suspension is tuned for touring and provides sumptuous ride quality, while the narrower wheels help the Rocket III touring take corners comfortably and easily. The hand and foot controls feature a fully adjustable heel/toe gear lever, chunky hand levers and teardrop footboards.

Customisation is an extremely important aspect of the cruiser market and Triumph has designed over 70 brand new accessories specifically for this bike. These include a range of seats, a selection of backrests, a variety of luggage options and a multitude of chrome parts, all allowing the customer the option of transforming their bike to meet their needs.

The Rocket III Touring will be unveiled to the press and public at the Milan Motorcycle Show, which starts on the 7th November.

The Rocket III Touring is expected to cost in the region of £13,000 OTR, and will be available from Triumph dealers from February. Customers wishing to book a test ride on this magnificent new bike should contact their local dealer.

Buyers of brand new GSX-R1000 K7s from the beginning of this month, have an even greater reason to choose the UK’s best selling bike*, as Suzuki GB introduce a special subsidised offer on Arrow Titanium Exhaust silencers, as used by the Suzuki World Superbike team of Max Biaggi and Yukio Kagayama, for just an additional £300.

The promotion which runs for a limited period, is open to buyers of brand new GSX-R1000s via authorised UK Suzuki dealers, and offers a saving of over £370, giving riders the true race look and soundtrack.

Road legal as standard, the silencers come with removable baffles too, giving the option to turn up the volume when at the racetrack.

For more information on this offer visit your local authorised Suzuki dealer or log-on to www.suzuki.co.uk.