R&G (motorcycle accessories)
Motorcycle accessory manufacturer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
 | |
| Industry | Motorcycle Crash Protection |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founders | Richard Taylor, Gene Marola |
| Headquarters | Alton, Hampshire |
Area served | Worldwide |
Number of employees | 39 |
| Website | http://www.rg-racing.com/ |
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]