▲ The 2022 Speed Twin Breitling Limited Edition. This is the latest marketing wheeze from Triumph Motorcycles which has partnered with the world famous Swiss watch manufacturer hoping that the melding of these two iconic names will convert to a lot of moolah in the bank. Sneer all you might at yet another "exclusive" offering, but the maths is simple: there are 270 examples being touted at £16k a pop, and 270 x £16,000 totals £4,320,000—and that's not a bad turnover for slapping on some extra paint and tweaking a few bits and bobs. Meanwhile, Breitling is offering the Speed Twin watch at £4,650—but it's not clear if that will be a limited run. Just 36 of these Speed Twins are being earmarked for the UK. But you'll have to put in an order. And check this marketing line from Triumph: "Successful Order Requests will be contacted by telephone to take a £1,000 deposit which will secure your right to purchase the Speed Twin Breitling Limited Edition motorcycle." Did you spot it? "Your right to purchase." Whoever dreamed up that one simply isn't being paid enough. Beyond that, we've no idea why anyone would spend four and a half grand for a wristwatch. But clearly, this offer is aimed at folk other than us. If the contrived exclusivity of this bike tickles your fancy, contact Triumph and get down to your dealer with a placard and demand your right to buy. And if Triumph refuses to supply, you know what you have to do. www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk

MOTORCYCLE NEWS

February 2022

Biking news | Motor bike stories | New bikes | Motorcycle products

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2022 Kawa Z900RS-SE

Evidently, "retro" is still very much in vogue for most of the world's motorcycle manufacturers, not least Kawasaki. The firm has just announced the (fairly) imminent arrival of the Z900RE-SE which will be in UK dealer showrooms by January 2022.

That's the promise anyway.

So what makes this bike worthy of the "Special Edition" moniker? Well, nothing too profound actually. Instead, Kawasaki has basically warmed over what was already a fairly hot motorcycle with some very agreeable features, but has stopped well short of fooling around too much with a successful formula. [More...]

Speed Triple1200RR

It's not a Honda. That's for sure. But at first glance that's what we thought this was; a new Honda served up in the Triumph style. Probably mostly due to the cockpit fairing and the livery. But now, after sobering up a little, we can see immediately that it's pure Triumph, and it's evidently fundamentally a Speed Triple 1200RS.

It's got the same 1,160cc RS motor; an engine that generates an arm-wrenching 180 PS/177bhp (132.4 kW) @ 10,750 rpm. And if you want to talk the torque, you'll be wrestling with 92lb-ft @ 9,000rpm. [More...]

2022 Kawasaki Z650RS

Kawasaki has introduced a new model aimed squarely at latter day retroheads, and it's not exactly overwhelming. Badged as the Z650RS, this new 649cc liquid-cooled twin looks as if it could have been introduced at pretty much any time over the past decade [or two—Ed] and doesn't appear to boast any features that set it apart from the ever-grazing herd. In other words, it doesn't possess an obvious USP; a unique selling point. That wouldn't matter so much if the bike had a surplus of power, or possessed knife-edge handling, or simply came with supercool looks or a gimmicky device or two. But it doesn't have any of these attributes. It's just a run-of-the-mill, sit-up-and-beg, easy riding, everyday, one size fits all motorcycle dressed lightly in retro clothing. [More...]

Click the link for: August 2021 motorcycle news from Sump

Sump workshirt £26.99

All purpose street & garage wear

We spend much of our miserable lives in the garage. Usually we're fixing bikes and stuff, and all too often we're re-fixing the stuff we ought to have fixed properly the first time around.

So it goes.

Anyway, we wanted to increase our product range (that's partly how we fund Sump) and we've been thinking for some time about introducing workshirts and general shirts that we might want to wear when the weather closes in—which is most of the time in the UK. Anyway, this is the result; our first Sump branded garage/all purpose shirt.

The Sump logo is featured above the left-side pocket only (notice how we cunningly avoided saying "breast"?). The image quality is very good and will last the life of the shirt.

We think these are pretty good quality and worth the money. First come, first served, etc.

Hit the button below, baby...

BSA M20/M21

workshirt £26.99

All purpose street & garage wear

Seems that plenty of folk love our BSA M20/M21 T-shirt design which features the above roundel. So, to widen the appea we decided to reproduce it on a more formal shirt that you might want to wear in the garage or in the magistrate's court.

The shirts are 100% cotton twill, which means they're tougher than ordinary cotton. We wear these ourselves, and we're perfectly happy with them—and we're nothing if not hard to please. Follow the links and see if they're right for you (Hint: they probably are).

The BSA M20/M21 roundel is featured above the left-side pocket only. And when you wear this, other BSA folk will notice and might even become your friend and take you out for walks and stuff. It happens.

The image quality is very good and will last the life of the shirt. You know you want it, and you know we've got it.

New motorcycle launches and reviews

Motorcycle news

There's news, and then there's Sump news, and we usually see it differently from the rest of the world. Come check it with us...

Latest motorcycling products and accessories

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In a world of plenty, there's plenty more coming down the pike. Stay with us for new motorcycle gear.

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Without industry, the wheels won't turn. We're keeping an eye on the guys who grease your spindles.

New motorcycling laws

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Fortunately, in the UK we have the rule of law. Unfortunately, few know what all those laws are, and the government keeps changing them anyway. But if it affects you, we'll tip you the wink...

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