Category: BMW Motorrad News
Bowker BMW Motorrad in Preston has been recognised at BMW Motorrad’s annual retailer awards – the MOJO Awards.
BMW Motorrad MOJO awards are internal awards given out by BMW Motorrad (BMW’s motorcycle division) to their UK dealerships. The MOJO Awards focus on dealerships’ performance in sales of new and used BMW motorcycles and on overall customer experience.
The Lancashire motorcycle dealership won two awards at the prestigious ceremony, beating off competition from more than 40 other UK-based BMW Motorrad dealerships.
Bowker BMW Motorrad won the R18 Retailer of the Year award, recognising The Bowker Motorrad staff’s knowledge and customer experience in selling the iconic R18 model.
Bowker BMW Motorrad also won the Tier One Financial Services Retailer of the Year award. The award was for the UK’s best larger sites and recognised financial excellence, including attention to detail in sales processes.
The annual awards ceremony took place in Portugal, where brand manager John Nichol represented Bowker BMW Motorrad. John said: “To win not one but two awards is a huge achievement. Everyone works hard to look after our customers. The awards show you that hard work pays off. I am so proud of the whole team.”
Bowker Motorrad has renewed its sponsorship agreement with motorbike racing star Kieran Smith for the 2024 season.
Kieran and his twin brother Christian Smith, aged 18, will compete in the 2024 ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup. They debuted in the competition last season, finishing in 7th and 5th positions, respectively.
Before that, the Reading-based brothers had spent two seasons in the Junior Supersport category. They began their racing careers in the Thundersport Superteen class at the age of 13.
The 2024 ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup is scheduled to start at the Circuito de Navarra in Spain on April 20th. The series features nine races in total, including several UK circuits like Oulton Park Circuit and Brands Hatch.
The series is recognised for its competitive nature and serves as a platform for emerging riders.
John Nichol, Manager at Bowker Motorrad, said: “We’re excited to continue our partnership with Kieran. He’s not just a talented rider; he’s a fantastic role model for aspiring youngsters in the sport. His success rewards his dedication to the sport. We’re looking forward to the season.”
The performance of the Smith twins in the 2023 season attracted the attention of the Bathams Racing team – and their owner, Michael Rutter. In addition to the renewed sponsorship from Bowker Motorrad, Bathams Racing, along with SCH Moto Prep, will provide support and mentorship to the Smith twins. This collaborative effort aims to facilitate the continued development of the twins in the 2024 season.
Kieran Smith commented on the sponsorship: “I’m over the moon with the continued support from Bowker Motorrad. Their belief in me has been a massive boost. Together with the guidance from Michael Rutter and the team at Bathams Racing, I’m more motivated than ever to push my limits and make this season one to remember.”
The renewal of this sponsorship by Bowker Motorrad underscores their ongoing support for young talent in the field of motorbike racing. This partnership provides Kieran Smith with the resources and backing necessary to compete effectively in the upcoming season and further develop his racing career.
The dates for the 2024 ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup are –
20–21 Apr Circuito de Navarra, Spain
4–6 May Oulton Park Circuit
5–7 Jul Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit
12–14 Jul Donington Park
19–21 Jul Brands Hatch
9–11 Aug Thruxton Race Circuit
24–26 Aug Cadwell Park
27–29 Sep Donington Park
11–13 Oct Brands Hatch
From everyone here at Bowker Motorrad, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Our Sales and Aftersales teams are here for you at the following times over the festive period:
Saturday 23 December
Sales & Aftersales 9.00am to 5.00pm
Sunday 24 – Tuesday 26 December
CLOSED
Wednesday 27 – Friday 29 December
Sales & Aftersales 8.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday 30 December
Sales & Aftersales 9.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday 31 December – Monday 1 January
CLOSED
Tuesday 2 January
Sales & Aftersales 8.30am to 5.30pm
To make an enquiry or request a call back, please click here or complete the enquiry form on this page.
Hundreds of Lancashire motorcycle enthusiasts have raised £488.37 for North West Air Ambulance Charity.
The fundraising took place at Bowker Motorrad on the docks in Preston to celebrate the 100th anniversary of BMW Motorrad.
North West Air Ambulance Charity hosted a charity stall and a collection and organised a raffle with prized including an Off-Road Skills Course, FHO Racing Hospitality tickets to British Super Bikes 2023, a Ribby Hall Village Cottage Break, a Waterloo Music Bar show with meet and greet and a selection of BMW Motorrad Riderwear.
The North West Air Ambulance Charity is a non-profit organisation that provides a helicopter emergency medical service to the North West of England. The charity was founded in 1999 and has since responded to over 24,500 missions.
The North West Air Ambulance Charity receives NO government or NHS funding. It relies entirely on charitable donations from the public to keep its helicopters flying, bringing the hospital to the patient and providing life-saving interventions.
Kelly Stepaniuk, regional fundraiser for North West Air Ambulance Charity, said: “We were so grateful to be invited along to the event on Saturday. Everyone was so generous, with some fabulous raffle prizes donated, this really helped us to raise so much. We were also able to chat with people at the event about our invaluable work, and some told us how the charity had supported them or someone they knew.
“Thanks to businesses like Bowker Motorrad choosing to support us, we can continue to fly to save lives 365 days a year. We solely rely on charitable donations and receive NO government or NHS funding to keep us operational and need to raise £12m a year.”
The free event featured live music performances by Takeaway Thieves, McHale’s Permanent Brew, and Checkered from Up-Beat Rock Academy. Food trucks were available on-site for attendees to enjoy. There was also a silent raffle in support of North West Air Ambulance.
Other organisations represented at the event included Biker Down, South Lancashire Advanced Motorcyclists and The BMW Club.
For Bowker Motorrad, John Nichol said: “Thank you to everyone who joined us at the weekend. We are particularly grateful to everyone who donated to the North West Air Ambulance or bought raffle tickets. The motorcycle community is only too aware of the amazing job they do. We were proud to have them with us as part of the celebration.”
BMW Motorrad is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023. The company was founded on March 7, 1916. To commemorate this milestone, BMW Motorrad has announced special 100 Years Edition models of the R nineT and R 18 motorcycles.
Additionally, there is a major anniversary exhibition at the BMW Museum. The anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the historic early days of the motorised two-wheeler and look ahead to the future of motorcycles in an increasingly digital world.
Hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts attended Bowker Motorrad on the docks in Preston on Saturday, August 19th, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of BMW Motorrad.
The free event featured live music performances by Takeaway Thieves, McHale’s Permanent Brew, and Checkered from Up-Beat Rock Academy. Food trucks were available on-site for attendees to enjoy. There was also a silent raffle in support of North West Air Ambulance.
Other organisations represented at the event included Biker Down, South Lancashire Advanced Motorcyclists and The BMW Club.
For Bowker Motorrad, John Nichol said: “Thank you to everyone who joined us at the weekend. It was a huge success and the perfect celebration of BMW Motorrad bikes and the culture that surrounds them. It was a great event to catch up with old friends, see the latest technology on two wheels, listen to great live music, and enjoy fabulous food!”
The event represented the latest collaboration with Blackpool’s The Waterloo Bar, who hosted a pop-up version of Lemmy’s Bar on-site at Preston. Lemmy’s Bar is the only Motörhead-endorsed bar in the UK. It was the first time a pop-up version celebrating the iconic Motörhead frontman has appeared in Lancashire.
Ian Fletcher of The Waterloo Bar said: “This was a great way to celebrate our new partnership with Bowker Motorrad. Lemmy’s Bar is the only bar in the UK to officially be allowed to use the name of the much-missed Motörhead frontman. We worked closely with Bowker Motorrad to bring some great local bands who helped us create a memorable day for all who attended.”
Last month Bowker Motorrad unveiled ‘Overkill’, a newly-customised motorcycle, to celebrate their partnership with The Waterloo Music Bar. The bike has been displayed at events throughout Lancashire, promoting The Waterloo Bar and the crusade to support local live music in the county.
BMW Motorrad is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023. The company was founded on March 7, 1916. To commemorate this milestone, BMW Motorrad has announced special 100 Years Edition models of the R nineT and R 18 motorcycles.
Additionally, there is a major anniversary exhibition at the BMW Museum. The anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the historic early days of the motorised two-wheeler and look ahead to the future of motorcycles in an increasingly digital world.
We are proud to have collaborated with the UK’s no.1 independent live music venue, Waterloo Music Bar, to create ‘Overkill’ – a 1/1 Custom BMW R Nine T.
Over recent years, this ‘small venue with a massive attitude’ on Waterloo Road in Blackpool has welcomed local & international acts, grass roots musicians to big names. Legendary artists such as Buckcherry, Phil Campbell, Terrorvision, Massive Wagons, The Wildhearts, Ugly Kid Joe, Soul Aslym, Cancer Bats and many more have performed sell out shows at The Waterloo Music Bar.
This collaboration highlights The Waterloo Bar’s commitment to supporting and promoting live music in the Lancashire region. In 2022, the Waterloo Music Bar was crowned the first-ever Best Live Venue receiving the first-ever Black Plaque Award. A year earlier, The Waterloo Music Bar won Best Grassroots Venue North West Music Awards.
Waterloo Music Bar permanently houses the only Motörhead endorsed bar in the UK – Lemmy’s Bar. This provided inspiration for the design of the bike, including details such as the Motörhead Snaggletooth logo and Lemmy’s Rocka Rolla Custom Leather Guitar Strap on the tank. These design details are courtesy of Craig Ellison of Northwest Airbrush.
John Nichol, for Bowker Motorrad, said: “We wanted to do something special to celebrate BMW Motorrad’s 100th anniversary. So, we approached Ian at The Waterloo Music Bar. Our idea was to partner with a local business that is making a difference in the local community and dedicate a customised bike to promote their cause. The Waterloo’s passion for live music represented the perfect fit. Ian and his team do an amazing job supporting local bands and charities; we wanted to help.”
The Waterloo Music Bar owner, Ian Fletcher, said: “The bike looks amazing. What a great job! It’s great to partner with Bowker Motorrad. Everyone knows about the link between rock music and motorcycles. There’s a deep connection between popular culture and style.
“I suppose you could say it’s a meeting of minds. We both share a passion for delivering exceptional experiences, whether it’s through the world of motorcycles or the power of live music. And, together, we can create more memorable moments for music fans, motorcyclists and the wider community.”
Bowker Motorrad has confirmed it will host another free to promote motorcycle safety and provide riders with essential skills to manage accidents and improve road awareness.
The new date (June 27th 2023) has been agreed upon after over 50 Lancashire motorcyclists attended the free three-hour Biker Down safety training event at the dealership on Preston Docks.
Bowker Motorrad hosted the training event in collaboration with South Lancashire Advanced Motorcyclists (SLAM). It included a complimentary hot-pot supper and refreshments before a three-hour instruction from the Biker Down team.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, responsible for running Biker Down events, was also present, along with representatives from the ambulance service. SLAM distributed tourniquets following a demonstration highlighting their potential life-saving capabilities at the event.
Richard Chacewicz, from Bowker Motorrad, said: “Thank you to everyone who attended Thursday’s event. It was a huge success. We hosted our first Biker Down event for our customers last September. It was a great evening and well received. We are pleased that SLAM and the Biker Down team have agreed to follow up with our third event in June.
“Recent statistics reveal that motorcyclists are at a higher risk of being involved in road accidents than other vehicle users. These events provide invaluable guidance and support to our community.”
The Biker Down training offers a free three-hour course of instruction providing practical and potentially lifesaving advice. It gave riders of all experience levels an awareness of what to do if they were involved with or saw an injured motorcyclist and how to reduce the risks of being in a collision.
Three comprehensive modules cover incident scene management, casualty care, and the science of being seen. The course is designed to equip motorcyclists with the necessary knowledge and techniques to respond to accidents effectively while waiting for professional help.
Lancashire motorcyclists who want to learn more about the next event in June can visit here.
Three technicians at Bowker Motorrad have achieved ATA (Automotive Technician Accreditation) accreditation for BMW motorcycles.
23-year-old Shannon Barton-Constable, who joined the Preston Docks dealership in January 2019, has had an impressive year. Not only has she become qualified as an MOT tester, but she has also qualified as an ATA qualified BMW Technician. 24-year-old Aaron Garth and 29-year-old James Spencer have also qualified as BMW ATA Technicians at the same assessment.
ATA is a national voluntary scheme that tests individual skills in the retail automotive industry. It also appraises commitment to an ethical code of conduct. The accreditation recognises and benchmarks each applicant’s technical knowledge and competence.
“I’m excited to have achieved the ATA qualification,” said Shannon. “It is still early in my career, but I already appreciate the importance of industry qualifications. Each new certification builds my confidence and customers’ confidence in me too!”
ATA accreditation is valid for three years. The process ensures that individuals keep pace with vehicle technology and ever-advancing repair methods.
Richard Rawlings, aftersales manager at Bowker Motorrad, said: “Shannon, Aaron and James have shown real dedication and commitment to their roles at Bowker Motorrad. We’re proud to support their professional development and congratulate them on their achievement. They are a great example to anyone interested in a technical career regarding how you can progress with hard work and focus.”
In 2021, whilst at Preston College, Shannon negotiated a deal to donate a 1250cc BMW engine to the college’s motorcycle engineering department. Usually recycled or broken up for parts, the engine will allow over 90 automotive engineering students to apply their learning practically every year.
To find out more about careers at Bowker Motor Group, visit www.bowkermotorgroup.co.uk/careers.
Sunday 16th April 2023 | 9:30-16:00
Have you been riding for a few years since you passed your test, are perhaps not fully up-to-date on the Highway Code, lacking a little confidence with slow speed maneuvering or would maybe benefit from having someone cast an eye over how you ride?
We are looking to arrange a Free 1 to 1 Assessment Ride Day with an IAM RoadSmart Observer, based from our Centre on Preston Docklands.
The session will begin with a pre-ride chat to find out what your riding interest/experience is and if you have any particular area(s) you would like to improve on, followed by a discussion of the route, which should take approximately 40 minutes covering a variety of roads.
After the ride, your Observer will give their feedback, covering both the good areas and where there is some room for improvement.
Sometimes it’s useful to know how others perceive our riding. You will be given a time slot for your session which should take approximately 2 hours in total.
If you are interested in taking part in our Free 1 to 1 Assessment Ride Day, please complete the enquiry form on this page or call Richard Chacewicz on 01772 767300.
Bowker Motorrad has confirmed it is sponsoring young rider Kieran Smith in the upcoming BMW F 900 R Cup.
The partnership will provide support for Smith as he competes in the new one-make series, which runs alongside the 2023 British Superbike Championship programme.
17 year-old Kieran Smith, from Reading, will compete in the F900R Cup alongside his twin brother Christian. Kieran and Christian’s passion for motorcycles stemmed from a very early age and started for fun at the age of five. Their first racing experience (at the age of 12) was in Motocross on KTM 85s in 2017 and 2018. They both had their rookie year in HEL Junior Supersport BSB in 2021 learning the ropes and became seriously competitive racing again in HEL Junior Supersport in 2022.
For Bowker Motorrad, John Nichol said: “We are thrilled to be supporting Kieran in this first year of the F 900 R Cup. Kieran is a talented rider with a bright future ahead of him, and we are proud to be able to play a part in his journey. We can’t wait for the season to start.”
Designed to be accessible for both aspiring and experienced riders, the F 900 R Cup features up to 40 riders competing on identical 105hp F 900 R roadsters at iconic UK circuits. The event includes multiple practice and qualifying sessions, with points accrued during two races at each round.
The first testing sessions will be held at Donington 25th-26th March and Silverstone 28th -29th March. The series starts at Silverstone on 7th – 9th April and ends nine races later at Brands Hatch on the weekend of October 14th.
Bowker Motorrad’s sponsorship demonstrates the Lancashire dealership’s commitment to supporting up-and-coming talent and provides race-day experiences for customers and a platform for the dealership to reach a wider audience.
Kieran Smith said: “We are grateful to Bowker Motorrad for their support and belief in me. Competing in the F 900 R Cup is a great opportunity, and I am excited to see what the future holds. With the help of Bowker Motorrad, I am excited to get back on the track and looking forward to a great season.”
The F 900 R Cup is set to be a highly competitive event, with riders from across the UK vying for a chance to prove their skills on the track. More information is available at https://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/experience/motorsport/the-bmw-f-900-r-cup
On the evening of Thursday 22 September, Bowker Motorrad was proud to host the first Biker Down Evening for its customers in collaboration with the amazing team from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.
The Biker Down course is a free three-hour course of instruction providing practical and potentially lifesaving advice. It gives riders of all experience levels an awareness of what to do if they are involved with or see an injured motorcyclist, as well as how to reduce the risks of being in a collision. 17 Bowker customers were welcomed to the dealership with a complimentary hot pot supper, refreshments and a chance to have “hands on” experience in CPR, Helmet removal and using a modern defibrillator.
After such a successful evening and great feedback from all who attended, we hope to be able to offer further support to the Biker Down Lancashire Team with more evenings organised in 2023. All at Bowker Motorrad would like to extend their gratitude to the Biker Down Team , for presenting such an engaging and informative evening.
As part of our partnership with the Northern Section of the BMW Owners Club, we are giving a limited number of non-members the chance to experience a group ride out with the Club.
The route will be approx.150 miles, avoiding main roads as much as possible. The Lead Rider, Barry, has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Lancashire-Yorkshire area so an interesting route is guaranteed!
There will be a coffee break at Devil’s Bridge, lunch in Hawes, return via Settle with an afternoon tea break venue to be decided on the day.
Bowker Motorrad has a long history of producing bespoke “one off” bikes for our customers, whether it be a race replica RR , R nineT based Bobber or Dakar Replica Urban GS. When the R18 was introduced into the Motorrad family everyone at Bowker wanted an opportunity to bring to life their own vision of a custom build to the big boxer engined bike.
We were very proud to have our technician, Shannon Constable, step up to the challenge and oversee the build. Her vision of subtle customisation to the bike, with concentration on styling and stand out accents really set it off. Shannon chose to cerekote all the engine components in a satin black, including standard exhaust headers and modified shorty silencers.
Bodywork was stripped back and painted “in house” to match the swapped-out Heritage tank badges in BMW colour Arizona Sun. To compliment the new colour scheme, a rework of the seat was needed. Local company Bootleg Bike Seats put a little twist of “rock and roll” into it with a gorgeous recovered standard seat in diamond stitch.
With styling all taken care of, it was then time to look at the wheels. At the top of Shannon’s wish list was a set of RSD diamond cut billet alloy wheels and , is if by magic, a set suddenly appeared by her work bench clad in Avon Cobra rubber one day. The 21” front and 18” rear wheel totally change the stance of the R18 and instantly adds presence. Shannon has taken the First Edition R18 and successfully kept form, function and reliability whilst adding her own vision of individuality and styling to the bike.
It’s a thumbs up from Andy!
Bowker’s own Workshop Supervisor, Andy Fairhurst, took the opportunity to swap out his daily commute today. Usually opting for his 49cc petrol scooter to travel to work , Andy had his eye on the new CE04 for quite a while and jumped at the chance to take it for a spin. Putting the scooter through its paces on the way home turned into an enjoyable experience, being pleasantly surprised at both the performance and handling of a vehicle with a longer wheelbase and weight than his current ride.
As the homebound journey turned into more of an evening ride out, Andy finally returned home with the bike on 40% charge. Plugging in to his domestic wall socket, with the fast charge factory fitted option returning 100% charge in less than 2 hours. After another fantastic ride back to Bowker in the morning Andy took the time to stand back and recap all the plus points of this electric scooter. Impressed with the range, futuristic styling, performance and handling, Andy would certainly be happy to have a new CE04 sat in his garage anytime soon!
Take the CE 04 for a test ride yourself, simply contact the team on 01772 767300, or if you would like to view our current scooter offers please use the buttons below.
iForce BMW enjoy positive weekend at Silverstone.
iForce BMW overcame early adversity to finish strong during the opening round of the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Silverstone.
The first qualifying session of the season saw solid performances from both riders, with Dan Linfoot having recorded a combined qualifying time of 53.240 placing him P9, while teammate Dan Jones qualifying just two tenths behind in P18.
The first race of the weekend got off to an eventful start as #4 Linfoot had a DNF on lap 11, as a result of an electrical fault. However, #44Jones was able to finish his maiden BSB race and cross the checkered flag in a very respectable P21.
In the early stages of second BSB race of the Easter weekend, Linfoot was caught up in an incident that saw him lose out several places to fall back to P21. However, he managed to recover brilliantly, climbing back up the pack during the 30-lap race that saw him eventually bring the bike home in P12 and record the 9th fastest time of the race with 53.516 on lap 15.
In Race 2, Dan Jones was not as lucky and was the victim of collateral damage on lap 1, as his BMW was sent crashing to the ground after a collision with another rider. Thankfully, Jones walked away unharmed.
The team continued to improve during the third and final race of the Easter weekend. Despite a slow start due to a lack of rear grip, Linfoot remained resilient and finished in the points for a second time this weekend.
Jones recuperated after his fall in Race 2 also finished the weekend strong, climbing from the back of the grid in P30 to finish P22.
infoot came away from the weekend with 6 points, placing him 14th in the championship standings. Speaking on the weekend activities, he said “The last race was tough. I started 9th which meant I had an opportunity to go with the front group, but I couldn’t get any grip for the first 4-5 laps. But then I settled into a race long battle against some midfield riders, which I managed to get the better of.” He added. “In the last race I finished 14th and only 14 seconds off the win. Sure, there is work to do but I’m content that I’m able to fight with those riders at the sharp end. I am also confident we can find some additional improvements before the next round at Oulton.”
Jones reflected on his first weekend in the BSB class and said “It was a positive weekend. We learnt a lot and showed some pace during qualifying. Race 1 was good, as I learnt a lot behind some more experienced riders. Unfortunately, during the second race I was caught up in the tail end of an incident that abruptly ended my rhythm before I could really get going, but it is what it is. Again, in Race 3, I learnt a lot and came home 22nd. Overall, I can’t complain with my first race weekend. He added “I’d like to thank all my team for the hard work, everybody behind the scenes and all the sponsors too.”
iForce BMW will next travel to Oulton Park for the BSB Test Day on April 21st.
Complete the form below and our team will be in touch.