https://www.bobminion.co.uk/news/rss https://www.bobminion.co.uk/news/upcoming-events-for-2024 Dates for your diary, some events are still in the planning stage and awaiting further details. Sat, 20 Apr 2024 00:00:00 BST https://www.bobminion.co.uk/news/fish-and-chip-run-to-matlock-bath We will be having a group ride out starting from the Bob Minion Shop, 156-160 London Road, Derby DE1 2ST, to Matlock Bath for fish and chips. No need to book, just make sure you're at the shop by 5:45pm on Wednesday 1st May, ready to depart as a group at 6pm. ALL WELCOME! Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:00:00 BST https://www.bobminion.co.uk/news/bullet-350-launch-event-with-jacqui-furneaux-and-gordon-may Please join us on Saturday 4th November, at 9:30am to launch the NEW BULLET 350. Who better to introduce the new Bullet, than Gordon May & Jacqui Furneaux, these two have ridden all round the world & have become successful authors as a result, they will be here to give us their personal insight into the new Bullet 350 and share some of their incredible experiences with us, refreshments will be on offer and there will be a demo model available for test rides on the day* We look forward to seeing you there! *Test rides will start after the talk and will need to be booked in advance, please call 01332 371137, or email mark@bobminion.co.uk The Bullet 350 isnt just a machine. Its a legend with a legacy of over nine decades. It has carried generation after generation of riders to the most important moments of their lives. Today, its history gleams as bright as its gold pinstripes, each stroke a testament to the Bullets valour and spirit. From its timeless silhouette to its distinctive thump, the 2023 Bullet retains all the hallmarks of its predecessors, while introducing a series of new upgrades designed to enhance your riding experience. Fri, 20 Oct 2023 00:00:00 BST https://www.bobminion.co.uk/news/royal-enfield-one-ride-2023 Bob Minions were proud to host the Royal Enfields exclusive One Ride event this September! On the 17th September the Royal Enfield community, owners and enthusiasts alike, aligned around the world to celebrate the joys of Pure Motorcycling and to raise awareness for a vital cause as we aimed to #leaveeveryplacebetter by supporting Treedom. Our ride met here at the Bob Minion dealership in Derby and headed out into the Peak District, lunch was provided at the Monsal Head hotel, for all those taking part and we were joined by Dean Coxson from UKTC, who shared his story of riding a Himi to the South Pole! We then headed back to the dealership, taking in a bit more of what is on our doorstep and handed out some exclusive One Ride 2023 gifts. We had a fantastic turnout and it was a great day celebrating our vibrant community, courtesy of Royal Enfield UK Ltd, thank you to everyone who took part! Sun, 17 Sep 2023 00:00:00 BST https://www.bobminion.co.uk/news/kymco-uk-partners-with-datatool-for-product-security%21 KYMCO UK Ltd partners with Datatool in a strategic partnership to bring enhanced protection and security for customers, to their full line-up! KYMCO, who have been manufacturing scooters, motorcycles and ATVs since 1963, has announced an exciting new partnership that will pair Datatools industry-leading security solutions with their range of products. Datatool is a UK-based manufacturer of enhanced security systems that are tailored for the motorcycle, scooter, and ATV market. A leading name in the industry, Datatool was established in 1985 and has evolved into one of the worlds leading motorcycle and scooter accessory brands. The Datatool Stealth stolen vehicle tracker is the brands leading security product and will allow KYMCO customers to track their vehicle, view journey history and liaise with the UK-based Datatool 24/7 Monitoring Team in the event of theft. Boasting a 96% theft recovery rate, Datatools monitoring centre works tirelessly with authorities to recover stolen vehicles, as Dan Balsamini, Sales Operations Manager, explains. We are incredibly proud to partner with KYMCO UK to protect their customers from vehicle theft. Not only will customers benefit from the wide range of features by fitting our tracking device, but they will also have peace of mind knowing that their vehicle is protected 24/7, all year round, by our dedicated Monitoring Team. KYMCO, is a Taiwanese manufacturer of scooters, motorcycles, ATVs and EVs and was established in 1963 to produce engine and transmission components for Honda and has been growing ever since. KYMCO has successfully marketed more than 10 million scooters, motorcycles, e-bikes, side-by-sides and ATVs in 100 countries. KYMCOs mission is to create personal vehicles that win the hearts of its consumers all over the world. Mark Hermolle, KYMCO UKs Managing Director adds. Protection and Security of our customers coveted products has never been more important and KYMCO endeavours to continue to add value added, augmented products, to its offerings. At KYMCO we want to provide our customers with the very best solutions for safe and enjoyable riding, whether it be on 2 or 4 wheels. We are delighted to partner with Datatool, who we feel will provide us with the added security and protection our customers need. We feel that this strategic partnership further enhances our product and will differentiate us a leading provider in the marketplace. The Datatool Stealth meets the rigorous testing of Thatcham Research, the motor insurers automotive research centre, meaning that the tracking device is highly regarded by insurance companies, resulting in a potential reduction of insurance premiums for KYMCO customers. Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 BST https://www.bobminion.co.uk/news/we-need-to-talk-about-electric-vehicles Unless you've been living in a cave recently, you'll have noticed the massive rise in electric vehicles on UK roads. March 2022 saw electric car sales almost double, and there is no sign of this slowing down any time soon. But we're here for the bikes, right? Electric power is still very much behind the trend when it comes to two wheels, and there are various reasons behind this. One of the main factors is that motorcycles are not covered by the ban on the sale of internal combustion engines, which comes into force in just eight years' time (2030), which means some motorcycle manufacturers have taken their foot off the gas when it comes to developing new Electric models, but there's more to it. Due to the size of bikes, they dont lend themselves well to a huge battery being slotted into the frame, meaning they are constrained and have to meet a fine line between performance and range. Most of the current generation of electric cars have a massive battery, usually sitting underneath the vehicle, covering most of the floor plan. This gives them a range that most drivers can consider practical and means that even some of the more humble EVs on the market have the sort of performance only seen in high-calibre sports cars. But when it comes to bikes, even at the pinnacle of e-bike performance, the Energica MotoE bikes are still behind their old oil-burning rivals, which have an average top speed of around 155mph, compared to the 225mph seen from petrol-powered MotoGP bikes. On the race track, range is not so important, but it's safe to say that the old school oil burners also still have the edge on range compared to their futuristic electric cousins. Price also plays a key factor like the cars; electric bikes are considerably more expensive than petrol-powered machines. However, electric cars somewhat justify this extra cost by having significantly better performance than the mechanical elders. Bikes, not so much so. While some electric motorbikes will have slightly better acceleration than the old petrols, it's not the chalk and cheese difference as seen in cars, meaning it's harder for riders to justify the switch over the electric. So, in a nutshell, electric motorbikes are more expensive, slower, and have less range than a traditional motorcycle which will explain why the motorcycle community have not embraced the power of electricity in the same way that car drivers have. However, there is another route to joining the electric revolution on two wheels that makes perfect sense, it just won't be for everybody. I'm talking about scooters, more specifically, the 50cc moped category. For 2022 5 of the top ten best selling scooters were electric 50cc equivalent machines, 125cc equivalent electric scooters are also rising in popularity. But why are electric scooters proving to be much more populer than electric motorcycles? Firstly it's down to cost, with a few exceptions, even a fully loaded top of the range electric scooter is no more expensive than its internal combustion engine counterpart. The general design of a scooter also lends itself well to going electric, with plenty of space to fit a large battery or, in some cases, multiple batteries, generally under the seat or within the floor below your feet. In most cases, electric scooters will also trump a modern euro 5 petrol scooter equivalent in the acceleration department. Range wise, while petrol scooters will still have the edge, statistics show that most scooters are used for short commutes to and from work or college etc. As a rough average, most electric scooters have a range of around 50 to 70 miles which should be more than enough for most commuters. So we are starting to see why electric scooters are proving populer, but they also have another trick up their sleeve: gadgets! In recent months I have had the chance to ride quite a few electric scooters, and they all have a level of tech onboard, unlike what we have seen on scooters until now. We are talking digital displays, built-in alarm systems that lock the rear wheel once activated, GPS tracking systems, LED lighting, Keyless ignition, app support and the ability to link your phone. One particular scooter stood out when it comes to tech: the new Keeway Blueshark R1, due to be released in the UK very soon. It has all the items mentioned above and has a full-colour TFT display with full navigation, fingerprint ignition, and built-in speakers to stream music via Bluetooth. It also has a projector system which emits angel wings onto the road on either side of the scooter, making sure other road users see you at night. You can also activate a mode on the Blue shark, which emits a sound like a combustion engine for added safety. I really liked the built-in camera system consisting of front and rear-facing wide-angle cameras, which constantly record to an internal hard drive and can be downloaded via the app in the event of an accident or alarm activation. The rear camera also pops up on the dashboard when you indicate, giving you a clear view of what is behind you eliminating any blind spots found with traditional mirrors or looking over the shoulder. The Keeway Blueshark gives you a glimpse into the future of motorcycles and scooters. There is something for everyone in the electric scooter market. While scooters are not for everyone, they make the most sense for living that electric life on two wheels, and even the top of the range models will not break the bank. If you want a high-performance electric scooter, you'll be pleased to hear that manufacturers are working on this too. Due to be released soon is the Electric version of the new Italjet Dragster. No exact figures are available yet, but italjet promises its primary focus will be creating a high-performance machine with a sporty look and feel. So to conclude, As far as large electric motorcycles go, if you can afford another bike as a toy they really are great fun, just not at a level yet to be a true replacement for internal combustion. While scooters will not be for everyone, they indeed represent the sensible yet fun choice for going electric on two wheels. In the 50cc -125cc segment, I would confidently say its a better choice than buying a petrol scooter. If you are considering switching from your car to an electric scooter to get to and from work, then some entry-level scooters such as the Keeway Ezi or MGB G1 would likely pay for themselves within the first 12 months and see you better off financially too! Wed, 17 May 2023 00:00:00 BST https://www.bobminion.co.uk/news/benelli-leoncino-800-and-800-trail Journalists from Australia & New Zealand joined Benelli on a 2 Day launch for the highly anticipated Leoncino 800 and Leoncino 800 Trail. Starting from Melbourne, we made our way down to Torquay, before taking in the sights as we rode along the Great Ocean Road to Lorne. The Leoncino's were put through their paces on all terrains, including road, dirt, mud and even a water crossing. The crew had a blast testing out the newest additions to the Benelli line-up. Fri, 24 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.bobminion.co.uk/news/built-to-be-slick-and-fun-around-the-city-the-hunter-350-is-a-hoot-to-ride Built to be slick and fun around the city, the Hunter 350 is a hoot to ride. While the chassis set-up is brilliant, the engine too syncs well in spite of it being the long stroke motor. Overall then the Hunter 350 is a brilliant package and should be able to draw naysayers to the brandRoyal Enfield wants to reach out to new riders and non Royal Enfield traditionalists with the new Hunter 350. Rishaad Mody tells you what this bike is all about. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT