JULY 2011 BY BIKERS FOR BIKERS THE
E-ZINE
TWO WHEELS GOOD JUST GO RIDE
INSIDE We review KTM’s RC8R Road trip to Iceland A Great Escape The Snapper Triumph Trophy 900 Swansea Beach Race Little Blue Deli Cardiff Motorcycle Show 2011 Llandow Circuit Track Day
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Š Copyright Mark Roberts 2011. All rights reserved. Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced in any shape or form (in whole or part) without the express written permission of the publisher. We make every effort to ensure that all information contained in G-UP or on www.gearupmag.co.uk is correct and accurate. However, we accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions and can offer no compensation should we get it wrong. Please note that the opinions, thoughts, views or ideas expressed in articles contained in this magazine are strictly those of the authors.
JULY 2011 BY BIKERS FOR BIKERS
WELCOME Welcome to the first edition of G-Up - the monthly electronic magazine from GearUp. G-Up will be published in addition to our quarterly free magazine which you will find in biker focussed businesses throughout South Wales. G-Up will bring you news on all of the month’s motorcycling events and info plus rider profiles and galleries. Along with this there will be rideout and route information, product and bike reviews, readers stories and ideas on how to spend great days out on your bike. We hope you enjoy this first edition of G-Up. Please visit our website at www.gearupmag.co.uk and give us your thoughts and views on our forum. We hope to create something that will enhance the life of Welsh bikers and to do this we’d love to hear from you. Tell us about yourself, your bike and what biking means to you. Over the coming months we hope that G-Up will grow into something valued and enjoyed by bikers of all ages and form a comprehensive database of biker information, businesses and people. Thanks for reading. Ride safe.
PS We’re on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gearupmag
Thanks to: Everyone who has supported us, encouraged us and just been generally nice over the last two months since we decided to do this. We really appreciate it.
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The new RC8-R for 2011 has a host of tweaks which claim to have resolved the issues that plagued previous models. We find out more.
EURO FIGHTER
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KTM RC8 REVIEW EUROFIGHTER KTM’s first foray into the sportsbike market in 2008 was a bit hit and miss to say the least. The original RC8 was dogged with problems from the outset, namely gearbox issues compounded by poor fuelling. On the latest model more power has been gained by upping the displacement to 1195cc. KTM have also equipped the R with twin spark technology (two spark plugs per cylinder) and a heavier flywheel in the quest for smoother throttle response. Top spec WP suspension front and back is equal in quality to Ohlins equipment fitted to the rival Ducati 1198S. Braking is courtesy of Brembo monobloc callipers and master cylinder, again found on the 1198S. Lightweight Marchesini magnesium wheels and a claimed 175bhp mean on paper the KTM is set to be a serious contender. Enough of the tech-spec though, what’s it like to ride? First and foremost are the looks. The RC8R (especially in the orange and white colour scheme) is a real head turner. Pretty wouldn’t be the right word to describe it. It’s angular, purposeful. I spent far too long staring at it from various angles. Gorgeous. The riding position on this model is multi-adjustable. The bars, pegs and subframe itself are all adaptable. This particular machine was set with the pegs low and bars high, and despite the seat being carved from solid granite, was a very comfortable place to be sat. Once on board you get the feeling the KTM could even be used for long distance touring, such is the level of comfort available. The way the RC8R delivers its power takes some getting used to. There is no huge step in power anywhere, just constant linear drive. Together with the drone of the V-twin engine it fools you into thinking the bike isn’t travelling quickly. However the clocks tell a different story. This machine is fast enough to embarrass your average Scud missile.
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KTM RC8 REVIEW EUROFIGHTER Pretty much any gear you choose accompanied with a handful of throttle will send you horizon bound at a fair old pace. It’s also immediately obvious the fuelling isn’t perfect, but it isn’t far off and the modifications to improve things have gone a long way. Slow speed manoeuvres through town are no longer a chore. When you inevitably find yourself approaching a roundabout far too quickly you’ll be pleased to know the Brembo stoppers are incredibly capable. Initial lever travel isn’t too harsh and offers plenty of feel, and with a firm tug you’ll find the rear wheel getting light very quickly.
Handling is better than anyone will be able to test on the road.
I’m sure this upgraded version would be most at home on track, the lighter wheels and added power undoubtedly offering a serious improvement over the base model. The lightness of the bike became apparent in the twisties. Handling is better than anyone will be able to test on the road. Importantly it also flatters the rider with great feel adding confidence at every turn. There were a few minor gripes with the KTM. The mirrors on the RC8R were next to useless. The engine vibrations were simply too harsh for them to cope with, ruling out any chance of getting a clear picture of what’s behind you. Not ideal on a machine this potent. These are all forgiven when you pull over for a break and fall into a trance staring at the thing. It’s a real head turner. With the prices of the Japanese and Italian competition closer than ever, looks and styling have become the deciding factor for many. At £12,995 it is a seriously tempting prospect. There are standard unregistered 2009 model RC8’s for sale at £8,200 if you look hard enough for them. Still brand new with zero miles. This alone should be enough to get you calling your local KTM dealer to arrange a test ride. ■ PHOTOGRAPHY MARK JOHNSON
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When I embarked on this biking malarkey I started searching for organised trips to holiday as I was on my own and not confident to go away on my own. I came across a company doing trips to Iceland.
Imagine being a biker in the middle of nowhere in the summer where it doesn’t go dark - I was hooked. It became my biking holiday dream and having learnt the hard way that life is short I wasn’t going to put this trip off any longer. While having lessons I hooked up with a bike instructor (not mine I must add as it would have been doomed from day one). As luck would have it, he also wanted to go to Iceland. So in summer 2010 the decision was made to go. In the meantime, we decided to get married and the Iceland trip would be our honeymoon. Plenty of research took place, books were purchased, online forums were joined and a large map was bought and adorned the lounge wall where a picture once hung full of small post-it notes of the places we wanted to visit. Road conditions were checked on a daily basis via the web and with just over two weeks to go, we found that most of the roads were still closed!
MUM’S GONE TO ICELAND
MUM’S GONE TO Our plan was to go across county – we hadn’t realised at first that the interior or Highlands of Iceland aren’t inhabited and that during the winter months the roads, or should I say tracks are closed. Most roads don’t open until late June so our plan to be in Iceland for the longest day on 21st June had to be put off for a week to ensure that the roads were open. It’s a bit of an epic to get to Iceland. It’s about 300 miles down to Harwich to get a ferry to Esbjerg in Denmark, which takes about 18 hours and then a further 300 miles up to Hirtshals the same day for a very early morning ferry to Iceland which takes two nights. So before we even get to Iceland we will have travelled for 4 days! It’s not cheap either: I checked out the shipping costs for both bikes, and with flights as well it came in at £3,000. The ferries aren’t much less but do include a cabin and all meals. We had no real route organised but we have places we would like to visit including the ‘penis museum’ which should be interesting! We will be camping and taking each day as it comes (pun intended!? - Ed).
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MUM’S GONE TO ICELAND
Back in June 2009, having been a widow for three years and missing being a pillion, I started the challenge of learning to ride a motorbike. As a birthday present to myself, I booked a CBT. It didn’t go well and I had to go back a second day. Six months later and on my fifth attempt I finally passed.
We intend to go into the highlands which will depend on weather conditions as river crossings, which could be difficult may even become impossible. Much discussion took place as to which bikes we should choose to take. Off-road bikes would have been great, but mine doesn’t have a large fuel tank and, as we will be out in the wilds, this was a major consideration. In the end we opted for BMW’s: my husband’s 1150 GSA and my 650GS. The bikes are now fully serviced with new brakes, tyres and other bits and bobs to make the journey a little easier. So, as I’m writing this, we are preparing the luggage, thinking about spares and camping gear and I’m trying to think of places I can hide knickers which has been an ongoing issue since my better half has put a limit on what I can take! I’m still not the most confident rider and this trip is a dream come true but still very scary. I am extremely lucky that my new husband has many years’ experience and has travelled to many countries on his motorcycle, not least a three-month touring trip that centred around a month in Mongolia – so I think I’ll be ok. ■ WORDS ANGE PHOTOGRAPHY TOURISM ICELAND
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THE HERITAGE COAST A few years ago I got a bus from Beijing to the Great Wall. The bus pulled up and the wall was clearly visible on the big dipper hills above. I sat on the bus for a while hot and sweaty thinking that I could see enough from there without having to put myself to the bother of walking up to it. I sat and sat a bit more. Eventually I got out and walked along the wall but only because I didn’t think I could go back home with a picture taken from a bus window. If I couldn’t be bothered with a hundred meter walk to one of the worlds wonders theres little chance of me getting involved in the 14 mile Glamorgan Heritage Coast walk right? Well what about doing it on 2 wheels? Now you’re talking. The fact that theres a 14 mile footpath is as irrelevant to me as the top speed on the R1 I used to cover the route. I wouldn’t be troubling either of them any time soon. We kicked off from Llantwit Major beach – a blustery, pebbley strip where surfers picked up waves straight from the Atlantic. Heading up to Llantwit Majors’ town square through the narrow winding lanes was fun but not ideal territory for our 1000cc sportsbikes – a Fireblade and an R1. The route we are taking along the coast is not for apprentice Valentinos or Jorges. You kind of have to plod along whilst humming the theme tune to Heartbeat. It’s a good trip on any bike – you just wont be breaking many speed limits along the way. The town square is surrounded by pubs shops and the Town Hall. Ride there, choose your beer garden table and then consider that all of the buildings you can see are older than the Great Wall. It could almost make you spit your shandy couldn’t it - Something older than the Great Wall right on your doorstep that sells alcohol. Riding westerly from Llantwit you pass St Illtyds Church. Yes, also older than the Great Wall the church is worth a look inside for the huge and colourful murals on the walls. Most other church murals were lost long ago making this a fairly unique place. The route doesn’t qualify for a number, just a road name – Dimlands Road.
A GREAT
GORIDE
THE HERITAGE COAST
ESCAPE!
18 The countryside was filled with the gentle roar of the fireblade and R1 as we shot through the narrow roads with tunnels formed from trees leading us along the Coast to St Donats Castle – now home to the Atlantic College and various Art Galleries. It makes an interesting stop on the coastal route. The Castle was bought by the American publishing magnate Randolph Hearst, grandfather of Patti Hearst in 1925 after seeing photos in Country Life magazine. It was bought as a love gift for his mistress, actress Marion Davies. The couple threw lavish parties at St Donats and guests included Charlie Chaplin, Winston Churchill and John F Kennedy. Much of what you see has been brought from other castles and mansions around Europe. A few more miles of winding roads – duck and quail eggs available to buy en-route, and we reach Nash Point lighthouse. Turn left at the Swan pub – nice beer garden if all this pottering makes you peckish. Wander up to the light house or just aimlessly ride your bike around the grassy cliff tops with no helmet, bouncing over the hills thinking you must look just like Steve McQueen. Surely you must right? You get wonderful views along the coast here and also clear across to North Somerset and Devon. Back out along the Coast and now the road starts to open up allowing a bit more speed. More pubs and farm shops along the route before you head down to Southerndown. Now I liked Southerndown until the car park attendant asked for £1.50 per bike to use the car park. Luckily the shop sold Hot Chocolate to help us get over the shock! After a brief breezy stop it was back on the bike and along the road from Southerndown to Ogmore. It’s a great ride – Its worth doing it in both directions just so you catch all of the views up and down the coast. Mind the Sheep. The road hugs the hillsides along the coast for a few stunning miles. Take the turning down onto the beach where you can park and eat some more and drink some more. Now for a few miles the road heads inland along the Ogmore River. Strange little places along the way – The Pelican in Her Piety – what on earth does that mean and why would it be the pub name? Anyway, a handy beer garden and good but slightly expensive food. Opposite you can wander the ruins of Ogmore Castle – obviously older than the Great Wall but a touch less impressive. Stranger still as we move on. Now you remember me saying about Steve McQueen. Well have you heard of Island Farm Camp? Not many people have so don’t feel bad. Island Farm Camp was a prisoner of war camp during world war 2 and is infamous for the largest POW escape attempt in the Uk. The camp was used to hold some of the highest ranking German Prisoners during the War including some of Hitlers closest advisers.
GORIDE
THE HERITAGE COAST
Arguments continue as to how many prisoners escaped through the 71 foot tunnel. The numbers range from 67 to 84. 67 were captured and the government asserts this as the official number of escapees. A little further along the windy roads and we vroomed into the sandy car park at Merthyr Mawr. The fact that the dunes were used for filming Lawerence of Arabia should give you an idea of the sandyness. A good ending point on an interesting trip along the coast. Climb to the top of at least one dune and pretend you have been shot by an escaping German POW just to see how well you can ‘death roll’ down the dune. The entire route is very short and would best suit those looking for a leisurely plod along the coast with lots of stops to eat, gaze at the sea or buy Gloucester Old Spot Pork. Sportsbikers will enjoy the route too but don’t expect mile after mile of high speed twisties. All this talk of the Great Wall and Germans… I think I better get a Chinese and settle down to watch the Eurovision song contest! Come on Jedward! ■ PHOTOGRAPHY KYLE
THE
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Cardiff-based photographer, Mark Johnson, has a passion for beautiful imagery. Whether it’s people, places or products, it’s all fuel for his creative fire. But one thing that gets Mark’s mojo moving is photographing motorcycles. mojoffoto 07721 564242 mail@mojoffoto.com www.mojoffoto.com
SNAPPER
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TROPHY LIFE I bought my Trophy back in 1994. It was immaculate, two years old and cost a fiver under five grand with less than 5,000 miles on the clock. WORDS MARK ROBERTS PHOTOGRAPHY MARK JOHNSON
Up until then, I’d ridden a variety of trail and off-road bikes, big Hondas and Yamahas including 500 twins, 550 and 750 fours and a couple of 1000cc machines. Frankly, my first ride up the road on the Trophy 900 nearly caught me out. The torque was incredible and required a quick resetting of the perception gauge in my brain. If you read most reviews on this machine, the words top-heavy pop up again and again and, for the most part, it’s true. When you first ride it, it does feel like a bit of a lump to move around. However, invest a little time and you’ll be rewarded with a very planted ride. In fact, the more confident you are with it, the better it gets. Cranked over in a fast, long sweeping bend, there’s no better place a Welsh biker would wish to be. As a commuter, it’s sublime although you might want to lose the fairing inlay panels or the complete bottom sections in summer months as it does get quite warm when you’re pottering along in traffic. The upside benefit is that when
winter comes, the heat is retained around the midriff and inside leg which is most welcome on chilly days. Riding position is very comfortable and, if you pop a tank bag on, it’s even more so, as the ergonomics seem to allow you to almost rest your chest on the bag which reduces riding effort. My only niggle is the narrow bars. My Trophy has end cap extensions and I find myself half gripping those rather than ‘tucking in’ to the actual handlebar grips. This could easily be sorted but it doesn’t bother me enough to do so and, over time, I’ve just got used to the quirky grip position. On closed roads, I’ve enjoyed between 135 and 140mph and it is incredibly stable. Brakes are excellent but can be upgraded if you feel the need. I never have.
I’d ridden a variety of trail and off-road bikes, big Hondas and Yamahas including 500 twins, 550 and 750 fours and a couple of 1000cc machines.
What is impressive is this so called ‘sports-tourer’s ability to rev out and dip into the red line at 10,000rpm. On closed roads, I’ve enjoyed between 135 and 140mph and it is incredibly stable. Suspension is a bit soft and could be sharper for more spirited riding but it works well for general use and, trust me, ‘general use’ can be very brisk indeed. The engine is fabulous. Did I mention the torque? I could fit a quicker throttle which would perk things up but the gain would probably be offset by less rideability when commuting so I’ve left it alone. What is impressive is this so called ‘sports-tourer’s ability to rev out and dip into the red line at 10,000rpm. Personally, I can’t get enough but then I love the bike so I’m a little biased. Yes, I’m very happy with my Triumph Trophy. A nineteen year old bike that gets my heart racing and I’m still the owner seventeen years after buying it.
REVIEW YOUR BIKE! Write a review of your own motorcycle and we’ll give a prize to the best one at the end of the year. Send us your review with a nice photo (jpeg) of your bike. Email details are on the website.
You can pick these up now for less than a grand. I saw a mint one on eBay recently for a mere £1,500 and, actually found myself thinking about buying it the Trophy really is that good. I might buy another bike this year - who knows? I have my eye on a Red Triumph Daytona 955i but I’m not selling my Trophy just yet. In fact, this winter, it’s coming off the road for a major overhaul and a respray. I think after nineteen years it’s earned it. And yes, that’s me in 1994... Terminator shades and about 20 kilos lighter. ■
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BEACHRACE
SWANSEA BAY
BEACH PARTY With the Swans’ promotion to the Premiership, Swansea has plenty to celebrate right now and with the organisers of Weston Beach Race also moving this year’s event to Swansea Bay, it really is party time for Wales’ second city.
If you’re looking for an amazing family day out on the weekend of the 7th - 9th October 2011, the Swansea Beach Race (WBR11) is one for your diary. If you fancy being one of the many hundreds of racers battling it out in this truly spectacular event, visit the beach race website at www.wbruk.com for information on how to register. Tell them GearUp magazine sent you. If you’re a business interested in sponsoring the event or promoting your business in the official programme, please contact Jennifer at True PR jennifer@betrue.co.uk ■ PHOTOGRAPHY RHL ACTIVITIES
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BIKER FRIENDLY
BIKERFRIENDLY LITTLE BLUE DELI Bikers are creatures of habit - always looking for a destination, somewhere interesting to ride to and, preferably, with the reward of some decent food at the end of it. With the opening of The Little Blue Deli on Thompson Street in Barry there’s one more on the list. Owner and R1 rider Jonathan said, “I have been planning to open an informal eating place for years. I have always travelled a lot and have been lucky enough to visit cities all over the world. Wherever I go, eating is always a very important part of the trip and I have been able to gather up good ideas from all kinds of places. I wanted to create somewhere that felt special, somewhere with great food, beautiful design and a relaxed atmosphere.” “I believe we have achieved that in Barry. We cook nearly all of our food from basic raw ingredients in store. At the front of our store we bake cakes ready to eat, on the hour, every hour. There's nothing better than a freshly baked chocolate cake. We offer a full range of hot and cold meals from 7 in the morning until 7 at night. To add to the fun we have a selection of deli produce, chocolates and old fashioned sweets like pear drops and my favourite, pink foam shrimps!” Of course being owned and run by bikers means The Little Blue Deli is biker friendly and even offers a free cake to the first biker through the door each day. Jonathan said, “I recently saw it referred to as the ‘Rumble to the Crumble!’ We all look forward to seeing who will be the first biker to arrive, so whenever you are in the area, call by and see us - you never know, you may be first!” ■ PHOTOGRAPHY MARK ROBERTS
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SHOW
CARDIFF MOTORCYCLE SHOW May 11th 2011. Whitchurch High School, Manor Way, Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 1RF ď ľ
TIME! A superb event - heavily attended by Welsh bikers although we bumped into many motorcyclists who had come from much further afield and across the bridge. There were some great machines there - shame it rained on and off but once you were inside, it was fine. WORDS XXX PHOTOGRAPHY MARK JOHNSON
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TRACKDAY
LLANDOW CIRCUIT
TRACK ATTACK
Most riders’ misconception of trackdays is “you have to be fast to do a trackday!” With dedicated groups for beginners and free tuition available, being fast simply isn’t on the list of requirements! We tagged along to the latest Riders Motorcycles Trackday on 6th May. More pics and info on our Facebook page and www.gearupmag.co.uk
WORDS SHAUN POPE PHOTOGRAPHY MARK JOHNSON
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TRACKDAY
LLANDOW CIRCUIT
Michael Higgins Triumph Street Triple R The trackday is a completely different experience to riding on the road. I started off nervous of dropping the bike and doubted my abilities at speed. The first few sessions I was hitting the corners slowly and braking very early but I think this was due to being unfamiliar with the bike. By afternoon I realised I could brake much later in the corners and really throw the bike in to the corners and it would just stick there firmly planted. I realise now that if I misread a corner on the road and it tucks away or I am required to take evasive action I know just how capable the bike is at turning. Furthermore I have confidence in the brakes’ stopping power. In my opinion the best way to learn about your bike is to take it to the track where you will thoroughly enjoy yourself whilst learning about its capabilities above and beyond what's required on the road.
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TRACKDAY
LLANDOW CIRCUIT
Charmain Watts Suzuki K7 GSX-R 750 I did a trackday at Pembrey last year on a 400cc bike and I’ve been looking forward to taking my GSX-R on the track as that is what it was designed to do. I booked into the Novice group as I’ve not been to Llandow before so I could familiarise myself with the track. My weakest point is cornering and I find that having a relatively safe environment to practice cornering is the main reason why I chose to do another trackday - it really helps with my confidence. I was the only girl on track but I encourage others to take it up as it’s not intimidating in the slightest. Trackdays have been a massive benefit to my riding as a whole and have helped me understand how capable the bike and tyres really are. It was also a great help having people around who knew about tyre pressures and bike setup. They tweaked the GSX-R until it was just right for me and set the tyres to the correct pressures for track riding. I had a brilliant day and can’t wait to do another one soon - they really are loads of fun!
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TRACKDAY
LLANDOW CIRCUIT
Shaun Pope Suzuki GSX-R600 I’ve done plenty of trackdays over the last couple of years but never made my way to Llandow which seems odd as it’s the most local track to me. I booked a place in the advanced group as I was there partly to have fun on track, but also to setup my GSX-R600 for a North Gloucester race meeting at Pembrey the following week. I made a promise to myself, “Do not crash! It’s just a trackday!” Unfortunately I got a bit carried away later in the afternoon pushing for faster and faster lap times. Whilst exiting the bus stop section I high sided the bike and ended up having a lie down on the grass for a few minutes... or so I’m told, as I remember very little about what happened due to a bump on the head. Fortunately the bike was relatively undamaged but I managed to break a rib and did a fair bit of damage to my hip on my short flight towards the tarmac, ending my hopes of competing the following week. As long as you don’t get carried away trackdays are relatively safe environments to enjoy bikes to their full potential. Llandow is a relatively short lap and I would recommend it to novices as learning the sequence of corners isn’t too tricky.
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“Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting.” Steve McQueen
IT’S ON! WBR11
BEACH RACE Family Entertainment, Attractions, Displays and Trade Village Classes, Adult Solo and Quad, Youth Solo and Quad, Side by Side
RHL Activities Ltd, The Bryn Garage, Penpergwm, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 9AT
SWANSEA BAY 7-9 OCTOBER 2011 You can look this good! Register now by calling the hotline
www.wbruk.com 01873 840640