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Watch out for this superior Brough at Motorcycle Live!

Watch out for this superior Brough at Motorcycle Live!

Posted on Nov 08, 2016

Here at Principal HQ our bike team is getting properly excited as they prepare to head down the M6 for Motorcycle Live. With just ten days to go before the NEC doors swing open we’re now ready to reveal the first of eight amazing bikes which will grace the Principal stand – and it really is a superior beast! This one-off Brough was hand-built specifically to break land-speed records on the Bonneville salt flats. It didn’t disappoint. Modelled on the Superior ridden by legendary racer Eric Fernihough at Brooklands in 1938, this beauty is also powered by a JAP engine, - this time around an 1150 V-twin - with its slipstreamed rear-cowling and sleek aluminium fairing designed to slice through the Utah headwinds. In 2013 Brough mainman Mark Upham asked long-time associate Eric Patterson to ride the machine and commissioned former Honda BAR and F1 chief mechanic Alistair Gibson to gear it to suit the veteran speed freak. [caption id="attachment_2735" align="aligncenter" width="830"]Eric Patterson Bonneville motorcycle land speed record Brough character: Eric Patterson.[/caption] Patterson was already well familiar with the flats having ridden them on his own Norton JAP since 2008 and smashing the 2011 AMA/BUB speed record by a full 10mph on a Superior. “We were only supposed to be testing the bike in 2013, but we won two records,” recalls Eric. “It’s a brilliant bike, wonderful.” Whilst praising the bike’s performance and aesthetics Eric does though concede it doesn’t offer the easiest ride. “It’s amazing but quite hard to handle. It’s got no back suspension, has got girder forks on the front and has a wooden seat that doesn’t offer any comfort at all. At 126-127mph it’s bumpy and quite hard to keep in a straight line!” Brough JAP motorcycle Eric Patterson Tricky or not, it proved the perfect partner for the then 67-year-old rider who broke the fairing-free 1350 AVG Class record twice in one day, ultimately hitting an average speed of 124.98 mph.  With the fairing on he then also took the 1350 AVF record with a speed of 124,344 mph. For those attending the show on Monday 21st November we’ve got an extra special treat in store for as well as this awesome machine Eric will be on stand together with Mike Cook, the engineer who assisted him smash those Bonneville records. Brough Superior BonnevilleBrough JAP SuperiorBrough Superior JAP Keep an eye on this blog too for details of more magnificent metal which will be gracing the Principal stand at what is the UK’s biggest and best motorcycle show. We can assure you we’re going to be well worth a visit with one the bikes we’ve got in store for you being truly light fantastic! Of course it also worth bobbing buy to pick up your free Principal Insurance goody bag – once again featuring a gorgeous full-colour bike-laden calendar. Whether you ride a modern, trike, scooter, moped or classic bike, you can also have a chat with the team about your motorcycle insurance needs.   NEC motorcycle live show logoYou’ll find Principal on Stand 4D30 in Hall 4 at Motorcycle Live which opens on Saturday 19th November and runs through to Sunday 27th Advance tickets cost £19.50 for adults, £12 for seniors (65+) and a quid for kids (11-16). Tickets include entry to the FMX Live freestyle motocross show. Secure indoor bike parking is also free, subject to availability.   To book, click here.
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