MCi Tours Blog

Drag Racing Twins at World Ducati Week 2012

alastair walker — Tue, 29 May 2012 17:40:54 +0000

Those who like to see Ducati motorcycles racing in a straight line, will be keen to watch the celebrity racers on the fabulous Diavel models at WDW 2012. Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Carlos Checa and Troy Bayliss are amongst the riders, who will be going head-to-head on the strip.

Rossi versus Hayden, on Diavels. That should be fun!

The bike they will be riding is the Diavel Carbon, ( Monsters in the pic, which also look pretty cool), and in road trim the Diavel accelerates from 0-60 in just 2.6 seconds. It’s proved to be one of the most sought after Ducati models of the last 2 years.

MCi Tours hears lots of good feedback from local dealers – the Diavel is winning over new customers who previously never considered riding a Ducati.

World Ducati Week takes place at Misano circuit, from June 21st-24th and if you want to experience the very best of Italy, including a trip to the Ducati Museum, MCi Tours is just a click or two away.

See you on the road

Ducati Panigale takes 2nd Place in North West 200 Superstocks

alastair walker — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:05:01 +0000

There’s no doubt in MCi Tours mind, the Ducati Panigale is THE sportbike of 2012. It’s the one everyone wants a ride on and there’s a long waiting list at Ducati dealerships for this utterly gorgeous motorcycle.

Lee Johnston grabs 2nd place in the NW200 Superstocks on the Ducati Panigale

For many bikers, Superstocks class road racing is the real test for many road machines, as the rules allow minimal changes from manufacturer’s spec and you get to see which machines can truly cut it at the track, not just impress the average magazine road tester.

So hats off to Lee Johnston who took a hard-fought 2nd place in the Superstocks race in Northern Ireland at the weekend. The Panigale was behind Alistair Seeley on his TAS Suzuki 1000, but just ahead of chasing Suzuki and Kawasaki machines and Johnston, securing 2nd spot on the final lap.

The roadgoing Panigale is an impressive machine too with a claimed 195bhp and an incredibly light chassis. It is also undeniably beautiful to look at – destined to become as classic as the 916 maybe?

If you have a new Ducati Panigale – or any other sportbike for that matter – and fancy a trip with MCi Tours to Italy, catch MotoGP at Brno, or BSB at Assen in September perhaps, then email info@mcitours.com and we’ll happily send you some details.

See you on the road, ride safe

New Motorcycle Products: Weise Aztec Gloves

alastair walker — Sun, 20 May 2012 08:35:05 +0000

MCi Tours just got some press info on these Aztec gloves from Weise in the UK.

New Weise Aztec gloves are ideal for summer motorbiking

These are `short cuff’ style gloves, ideal for summer biking and made from full grain leather. They also have something called McFit technology in them.

What’s that you ask? Well, it’s a kind of inner lining that’s secured by a fingertip tab. The idea is that it stops the inner lining from twisting about inside the finger sections, which is something that can happen when you’re taking gloves off in hot weather.

The Aztec gloves come in black, or black/white colour options, sizes Small to X3 XL and retail at £49.99. You can find out more at www.weise-clothing.co.uk

Ride safe if you’re at the BMF Show today and if you ever want to ask us anything motorbike touring related, email info@mcitours.com

On-Board Video Camera is a Real Lifesaver for Motorcycle Riders

alastair walker — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:20:00 +0000

Here’s the thing; we all know that car drivers don’t look out for bikes too well.

Worse still, there are plenty of uninsured drivers on UK roads and when touring abroad, it can be difficult to sort out the legal aspects of getting a foreign driver convicted or making a claim on your insurance, if a car driver collides with you.

CamOne captures motorcycle touring footage and films dodgy drivers too. Shoots in HD, 9 hours running time.

Many UK motorcycle owners are starting to fit compact video cameras on their bikes. Something like a Go-Pro, or this German made CamOne camera can gather is evidence, which is hard to argue against in court.

It can also get some amazing scenery on film from your next motorcycle holiday – that’s the fun stuff!

Most big touring motorcycles, such as BMW R twins and K-series fours, Triumph Tigers, Kawasaki ZZR machines etc have the space behind the fairing screen to fit them safely too.

The Rider Mount CamOne camera comes with a waterproof casing, a thread for tripod mounting, single button operation and the standard SD card holds 9 hours of footage.

You can mount it on your helmet, or the bike and it comes with the necessary fitting bits and pieces.

Ridermount.com are the UK distributors and the CamOne costs £209.

Ride safe – see you at the BMF Show 2012 if you’re going – MCi Tours will be there all day Saturday this weekend in sunny Peterborough!

Motorcycle Clothing: Knox Handroid 2012 Edition

alastair walker — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:47:40 +0000

MotoGP racers get to test out leather, boots and gloves the hard way, by bouncing down the circuit at high speed. So it’s no surprise that many riders choose to wear Knox gear, like these Handroid gloves.

The latest Knox Handroid gloves, MotoGP tech for the road.

What’s the gimmick you ask? No gimmick, Knox put some genuine research into the way the hand and wrist can be damaged in a bike crash and came up with these armoured gloves a few years back. They have special scaphoid protectors built in – hence the `droid’ name.

The latest version of the Handroid for 2012 has a special coating which offers increased lubrication in case the gloves come into contact with tarmac. That reduces friction, and less friction means less heat, which is what can cause blistering and skin damage when you hit the deck.

James Ellison has put these gloves to the test in MotoGP by falling off at 125mph during practice for the Qatar round. James survived without damage and the gloves were still intact – would your rising gloves take that kind of hit? Would MCi Tours gloves take the pain??? Hmm, something to think about.

BTW MCi Tours is off to watch MotoGP at Assen, Brno and Laguna Seca this year, so let us know if you fancy coming along to see the action.

OK these gloves are not cheap at £159.99, but they are arguably the most likely to save you from injury in an `off.’ More at www.knox-armour.co.uk

Reasons to Tour Italy: World Ducati Week & See the Ducati Factory

alastair walker — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:33:51 +0000

There are a whole stack of reasons to tour Italy by motorcycle. MCi Tours has found it’s usually sunny, with fantastic food and wine, the people are motorbike friendly and oh yes, there have this ace thing called World Ducati Week.

Ducati have now given MCi Tours a sneak preview of the four full days and nights of high-octane fun;

Galaxy of Adrenalin

See the Panigale at WDW 2012

This very important area of the WDW2012 paddock will host the current Ducati racing teams and provide a unique opportunity to meet and talk to members of all the teams together in one paddock.

Riders, mechanics and engineers from the Ducati Team in MotoGP, the Ducati Corse Superbike development team, and all the private teams currently competing in the 2012 World Superbike series will be present.

This area of the paddock will also be home to the Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) courses which, for WDW2012, will take place on Thursday, 21 June. The special DRE programme includes 3-times World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss, with all Master Racing students riding the new 1199 Panigale S.

There will also be an opportunity for special pass holders to take a test ride on Ducati’s latest Superbike, the futuristic 1199 Panigale. Starting from 10 May, an online booking process for demo rides will be available at wdw.ducati.com.

If you can’t make it to WDW, then why not try MCi Tours self-guided tour of Tuscany and Umbria, with a visit to the Ducati factory? Prices start at £999 for this 12-day tour.

Get in touch with us if you want a bit more information on any tours, it’s info@mcitours.com

International Village

WDW will offer all visitors from around the world, the opportunity to meet-up and enjoy their passion for Ducati motorcycles. It’s basically the chill-out zone for Ducati bike fans and why not?

Discovery Galaxy

Inside the huge Misano World Circuit paddock, visitors can also make contact with Ducati Owners Clubs (DOC). The President of one such club, Paolo Pirozzi of the Naples Ducati Club, will be celebrating his achievements aboard the Multistrada 1200 Touring.

Alongside him will be another epic motorcycle traveller, Indian journalist, Sundeep Gajjar, will be reporting on his own WDW adventure of riding the Multistrada 1200 from Dubai to Misano on a long journey. Always interesting to fire a few questions at riders who have really travelled some hard miles.

Bike Art Galaxy

It is important stay cool whilst washing your Ducati. Always wear ventilated clothing.

The Ducati Garage Contest is a custom show and there are tattoos happening if that floats your boat. This area also features the beautiful girls of the traditional Bike Wash Show, who will be in attendance for all four days to give owners a whole new reason to get their bike cleaned on arrival!

Heritage Galaxy

This is the classic section and Imola winner 1972 Mr Paul Smart himself will be at WDW for fans to meet and talk to, in addition to other motorcycling legends from past and present.

WDW participants can also attend meetings with Ducati engineers who will explain everything from the development of the latest Ducati 1199 Panigale to the creation of the revolutionary Diavel. There will also be an opportunity to talk with Ducati SBK Project Manager, Ernesto Marinelli, about how the 1199 Panigale was developed.

The final countdown is now on and more info will be revealed on wdw.ducati.com.

Harley-Davidson offer Route 66 Dream Ride Prize

alastair walker — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:49:25 +0000

From this month, until the end of June 2012, for motorcycle riders in the UK and Ireland dreaming of travelling Route 66, it can now become reality with an all-expenses paid experience of a lifetime onboard a Harley-Davidson – the classic American motorcycle.

Route 66 is known as `the Mother Road,’ a former 2500 mile arterial route linking Chicago to Los Angeles. The route has been chronicled over the years through the medium of words, song and cinema, Route 66 is now seen as the ultimate motorcycle journey and many MCi Tours riders have discovered it is one of the ultimate motorcycle trips that any biker can make.

All motorcyclists, who complete a demonstrator test ride of a new Harley-Davidson at an authorised Harley Davidson UK and Ireland dealership between now and 30th June will qualify for automatic entry into a prize draw to win the dream trip of riding Route 66 on Harley-Davidson.

There are plenty of Harleys you can demo ride and booking online is available, or you can just visit your local H-D dealer. More info at www.harley-davidson.co.uk.

Of course if you don’t win the prize, then you’ll be very welcome to join us on our next USA trip, whether it’s Route 66, or a trip around the California backroads. More info and photo galleries on our site here.

See you on the road

Motorcycle Clothing: Weise Onyx Jacket

alastair walker — Sat, 05 May 2012 08:06:52 +0000

MCi Tours has just received info on this new Weise Onyx three season jacket, which features a soft touch outer shell, an offset zip and a tailored fit.

The new Weise Onyx jacket, three layers in one. Plus waterproof pockets.

Like most modern riding gear, it has a removable waterproof and breathable inner lining, and a detachable thermal quilted liner make it a true three-season garment; the wearer can tailor the Onyx to the conditions. That sounds pretty handy this time of year as the UK weather is all over the place. MCi Tours is off to Oulton Park on Monday and we’ll be taking waterproofs!

The Onyx also features waterproof YKK zippers throughout that help to reduce the build up of water between the jacket’s layers.

There’s also CE-approved armour fitted at the shoulders, elbows and back. Reflective 3M detailing is used, as a safety feature. Plus, the Onyx has waterproof pockets – both outside and inside, which we reckon is essential when you’re on a long motorcycle tour.

The Onyx retails at £229, and is available in sizes Small-5XL. Check out www.weise-clothing.co.uk for more info.

Motorcycle News: Up To 75% Off Triumph Outlet Clothing

alastair walker — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:31:29 +0000

Triumph have just sent MCi Tours info on their Spring Clothing Sale, which features discounts on the RRP of up to 75%.

All kinds of riding kit from Triumph

You can get good stuff like the Steve McQueen Replica leather jacket at £100, which is £115 off the original price, plus Ladies Acton gloves, which are made from waterproof Cordura, for £15. We didn’t know that Triumph Clothing sold Alpinestars kit as well – but they do.

Boots, gloves, jackets, trousers – there’s a quite a range at the Triumph Factory Outlet.com site, so worth a look. There are other bike clothing retailers out there of course and we ain’t on commission from Triumph – just bringing you the news.

See you on the road

New SBK Replica Aprilia RS4125

alastair walker — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:11:37 +0000

OK, we at MCi Tours are obviously keen on big bikes. That’s because big stuff like BMW R1200s, Triumph Tigers and Ducati Multistradas are fantastic for touring. But sometimes a small 125 catches our eye and we want to own one – the RS125 is just such a machine.

Beautiful sporty 125 Aprilia SBK replica. But yes, you couldn't really tour europe on it...

This SBK RS4 Biaggi replica has special tyres on it, a seat cowl, quickshifter and wavy style disc brakes. That normally adds up to an extra £600 on the RRP for those performance accessories, but it’s just £200 more than the standard RS125 model, with this race replica retailing at £4299.

Yep, that is a heck of a lot of cash for a 125, but not many look as beautiful as this one. There’s a 50cc version for £3099 as well – now that really is the ultimate 16th birthday present.

See you on the road