R&G (motorcycle accessories)

Last updated
R&G
IndustryMotorcycle Crash Protection
Founded1999
FoundersRichard Taylor, Gene Marola
HeadquartersAlton, Hampshire
Area served
Worldwide
Number of employees
39
Website http://www.rg-racing.com/

R&G is a British company active in the design, marketing and distribution of motorcycle accessories and crash protection products. Previously known as R&G Racing, it was formed in 1999 and is located near Alton, Hampshire, England.

Contents

R&G is an official sponsor of the British Superbike Championship [1] and MotoAmerica [2] and its products have been used in various British Championship and American Motorcyclist Association sanctioned events. R&G products have also been used in supermoto and enduro racing.

History

R&G stands for Richard & Gene, but only Richard Taylor remains with the company, as its chairman. Formed in the 1990s as a precision engineering company, R&G made components for the aerospace industry and Formula One before moving into producing motorcycle crash protection in 1999, forming R&G Racing.

R&G now solely focuses on the design, manufacture and distribution of motorcycle accessories and is currently led by managing director, Simon Hughes, [3] who was promoted in 2013, having previously been Parts & Accessories Marketing Manager at Yamaha Motor Europe. Rebranding as ‘R&G’ in 2014, the company is a member of the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA). [4]

The company is based in a 20,000 sq. ft. main premises in Hampshire, England, which includes warehousing, offices, product development and design and a photography studio. [5] R&G is represented globally in more than 50 countries through a network of importers and distributors.

R&G won the Motorcycle Trader Magazine “Accessory Brand of the Year” award (2015) [6] and was runner-up in the British Dealer News Industry Awards “Motorcycle Product Brand of the Year” category (2014, 2016, 2018).

Racing

Motorcycle racing is a key area of development and promotion for R&G. In 2009, R&G was title sponsor to the ACU R&G Suzuki GSX-R Trophy [7] and co-title sponsor of the TriStar R&G Triple Challenge in 2014. [8] In 2015, and again in 2016, it partnered with KTM to provide Engine Case Covers and Toe Chain Guards to all riders competing in the Santander Consumer Finance KTM British Junior Cup. [9] in 2017, R&G became a partner for the Ducati TriOptions Cup series, launching the R&G Ducati Shield in 2021. [10]

In 2013 R&G’s Engine Case Covers were approved by the American Motorcycling Association (AMA) for use in any competition sanctioned by the Organisation. [11] In 2014 MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR) approved R&G’s Engine Case Covers for use in any class competing within the British Superbike championship, and in 2015 it became the ‘Official Crash Protection Supplier’ to the British Superbike Championship [1] which it continues to be today. In 2017, MotoAmerica approved the R&G Engine Case Covers for use in the series, before R&G became a series sponsor in 2019. [2]

In 2020, R&G became an official partner of the Honda British Talent Cup, supplying each rider with a set of Engine Case Covers. [12] They became the title sponsor of the series in 2023. [13] 2023 also saw R&G sponsor the new BMW F 900 R Cup [14]

Products

The first product created was for Suzuki’s GSX-R750, when R&G developed a round-shaped protector constructed from high-density Polyethylene (HDPE). It was designed to wear and not shatter in the event of a crash. This initial protector used a thin metal sleeve inside, meaning strength was increased while also allowing the fitter to torque the protector. The bung also used a particular grade of steel bolt that helped absorb an impact by bending, rather than snapping or twisting its mounting point on the bike. [15]

Partnerships

R&G has a long history with the California Superbike School, [16] both in the US and UK, and previously in the Middle East. The School has helped in the testing and development of several of R&G’s current products and also relies on R&G to protect its fleets of School and instructor bikes.

Ducati UK has used R&G products to protect its fleet of demonstrator bikes, [17] whilst the Chris Walker Superbike School used R&G products to protect its fleet of 35 Kawasaki ZX-6Rs in 2012 and 2013.

Stunt rider Kevin Carmichael has used R&G products, [18] as has Dave Coates [19] and Teach McNeil [20]

For the 2016 race season R&G began working with No Limits Racing. [21] Also in 2016, R&G was appointed the official Crash Protection Supplier to Silverstone Track Days. [22] [23]

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References

  1. 1 2 "2015 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli". britishsuperbike.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
  2. 1 2 "2022 MotoAmerica Series". motoamerica.com. 16 February 2022.
  3. ↑ "NEW MD FOR R&> Â Motorcycle Trader News - NEW MD FOR R&>". motorcycletrader.net.
  4. ↑ "The Motorcycle Industry Association". mcia.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2015-05-22. Retrieved 2015-05-24.
  5. ↑ "R&> Racing - Partners". rg-racing.com. Archived from the original on 2015-07-24. Retrieved 2015-05-24.
  6. ↑ "Motorcycle Trader News - 2015 Motorcycle Trader Awards". motorcycletrader.net. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  7. ↑ Louise Cain (22 January 2009). "R&G RACING TO SPONSOR SUZUKI GSX-R TROPHY". Bikesport News.
  8. ↑ "R&> TITLE SPONSORS THE TRIUMPH TRIPLE CHALLENGE - Latest News - South East Biker Magazine - For motorcycle news and events". southeastbiker.co.uk.
  9. ↑ "ERROR". Archived from the original on 2019-01-17. Retrieved 2015-05-24.
  10. ↑ "R&G Ducati Cup Shield" (PDF). msvracing.com.
  11. ↑ "R&> Engine Case Covers AMA Pro Racing Eligible Equipment - Sport Rider". Sport Rider.
  12. ↑ "R&G Set To Protect British Talent Cup". MotoGP.com. 8 January 2020.
  13. ↑ "R&G Title Sponsorship". Visordown.com. February 2023.
  14. ↑ "R&G Sponsor F 900 R Cup". Superbike-News.co.uk. 7 February 2023.
  15. ↑ "R&> R&G history". R&G. 8 February 2013.
  16. ↑ "California Superbike School UK: Sponsors". superbikeschool.co.uk.
  17. ↑ "Ducati - DUCATI UK TURNS TO R&G RACING FOR PROTECTION". ducatiuk.com.
  18. ↑ "Sponsors". Kevin Carmichael. Archived from the original on 2015-02-15. Retrieved 2015-05-24.
  19. ↑ "Dave Coates Stunt Show". davecoates.co.uk.
  20. ↑ "R&G Take On All American Approach". motorccyletrader.net.
  21. ↑ "No Limits Racing news". No Limits Racing.
  22. ↑ "Our Partners". Silverstone.
  23. ↑ "KS-Parts Motorrad Ersatzteile". Ks-parts.
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