52 Motors
THE HERALD FRIDAY JANUARY 6 2017
Bike market ‘performs well’ ROB HOBSON of
MyMotorCycleCheck.com’s said: “For our highly desirable model this month we’ve chosen the BMW R1200 GS Adventure. The big GS is still a top seller in the UK, providing used buyers with plenty of choice. “Apart from examples that
some might argue have been used as intended – for crossing deserts and covering endless miles – most second hand ones tend to be in decent shape. So long as you carry out a history check to ensure the one you’re looking at is what it claims to be – for instance, that it hasn’t been written-off and isn’t still on finance – then this is a bike worth paying a premium for. In terms of bikes that hold their value, safe bets don’t come much safer than the Triumph Tiger 800. We can only see demand growing in this sector, so either derivative should hold up in value. “When it comes to negotiating,
Highly desirable: The BMW 1200.
remember, as well as revealing a bike’s history,
MyMotorCycleCheck.com also provides valuations – a great tool for haggling with dealers or private sellers. For our ‘used star’ this month we’ve chosen the Suzuki GSX1300 BK B-KING. These bikes enjoy a loyal following and because not too many
sold new their status will only increase. As always, do your homework and check before you buy. Watch for mileage and a full service history.” As to market trends, Hobson
commented: “The bike market has continued to perform well over the past few weeks with good steady showroom activity across both new and used bikes. We’ve eased back most values this month to reflect the expected reduced level of buyer demand and more stock becoming available as owners look to sell over the winter period. New bike sales to the end of August, immediately prior to the new letter introduction, were running at around 11% up on the previous year, with a total of 70,860 new bikes registered. While it is clear that Naked and Adventure Sport are the strong market sectors now, it should also be noted that all style categories are up on the same time last year. “We are fast approaching that
exciting time of year when new models are launched. Shiny new 2015 bikes will be promoted both in the press and at national and international shows. Late plate used stock will be affected by increased incentives on new machines so there might be a few ‘new old model’ bargains around.”
From F1 to ‘shopping trolley’
ROSS BRAWN OBE, a legend
in contemporary motor racing, has admitted that a 1904 machine barely capable of a sustained 25mph had been giving him sleepless nights. The Formula 1 guru – architect
of countless world titles for Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button, Ferrari, Benetton, Jaguar and his own Brawn GB team – was a riveting guest speaker at the annual Motoring Forum organised in association with the Veteran Car Run Steering Group, at the Royal Automobile Club’s Pall
Mall Clubhouse. Brawn, who is taking a break
from the motorsport industry, has swapped computer calculations and split-second pit-stop routines for the gentler pace of veteran motoring. He has acquired a unique 1904
Willson Pilcher, and drove it in the recent Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. At the event, he also performed the traditional ‘flag- tearing’ duty in Hyde Park at sunrise, where a red flag is ripped apart before the cars take to the road in the Veteran Car Run’s spirit of motoring
emancipation. However, he told the audience
that, despite his admiration for the car, he found it a little unnerving to drive ‘I want to use the car as it was meant to be, in its original spirit, but I am anxious about the controls and the reliability. It was incredibly frightening the first time I drove it, a little like trying to control a shopping trolley’. There was plenty of reassurance
in the packed room from other forum guests who understood those sentiments.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
