Norfolk & Suffolk Biker 2016

2ND EDITION

NORFOLK SUFFOLK BIKER &

FREE Competition Win : MOTOScotland Level One & More

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CONTENTS 1. WELCOME 2. MOTORCYCLE HELMET QUESTIONS 3. FEMALE BIKER GROUP 4. COMPETITION WIN 5. A TRIUMPH IN THE DOLOMITES 7. FREE HUGGER'S RIDER SKILLS DOWNLOADS 8. COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO RIDE OF YOUR LIFE 9. BASIC MAINTENANCE ISSUES 12. WHY SHOULD I SET MY BIKE UP 14. AGOSTINI 15. FULLY INSURED? YOU MAY NOT BE 17. NORTON FACTORY VISIT 21. THE 'UNAPPROACHABLE NORTON' IS BACK 23. POPULAR BIKER VENUES & EVENTS 29. WHAT'S 'TRENDING' AT THE DEALERS 35. MACHINE CONTROL - i2iMCA

Acknowledgements: Acknowledgements: Andy Russell (Archant), Julia Gibbon, Ashley Smith.

Thanks also to all our advertisers, sponsors and contributors who make this publication possible.

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording or in any information retrieval system without the prior written permission of INDmedia.

INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME Welcome to the Second Edition of Norfolk & Suffolk Biker, we hope that you enjoy it. Thank you to the advertisers without whom none of this would happen. Please support them, look after those that look after you!

We responded to feedback on the first edition and have expanded the ‘Popular Biking Venues’ section and put in some advice on basic maintenance. If you don’t fill out the survey we can’t react to what you want.

Here is a good news story! Norfolk bike casualties have fallen during 2015

2015 2014

Fatal Serious Slight 3 87 172 8 98 181

Thankfully, there is a similar reduction in casualties across Suffolk. In the past five years they have seen a yearly decline in serious motorcycle collisions ranging from 89 back in 2010 to 55 in 2015, also the number of fatalities involving motorcyclist have kept to below 10 in the past five years.

Please do all you can to keep this downward trend going.

Motorcycling is our shared hobby and passion but we must look after our own future.

‘Vision Zero’ is a multinational, Scandinavian inspired project aimed at zero killed and seriously injured road casualties. An admirable aspiration for sure but if adopted, it clearly states that there can be no room within the plan for bikes. Worryingly, it is an idea which has the ear of some politicians and bureaucrats. Driving the figures down must help our cause.

Details of some great courses are in this magazine so please get in touch.

Have a great summer.

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MOTORCYCLE HELMET QUESTIONS JULIE GIBSON, CLOTHING SPECIALIST, SEASTAR SUPERBIKES What should I look for when buying a helmet?

from any impacts before they transfer as far as the head inside. Unfortunately, once this has happened it reduces the ability of the EPS (foam on the inside) to work as well as the first time. The manufacturers tell us they should be replaced after ANY impact.

When buying a helmet fit is the most important factor. If doesn't fit, it's not going to protect as it should. Try lots on and leave them on for a while to see if they begin to irritate anywhere.

If they are uncomfortable after 15-20 minutes what will they be like after an hour? Don't forget How long will it last? there will be pressure from the wind, give them Helmet life is said to be 3-5 years of use or 7 a push and make sure all the pressure isn't just years from build date. on the forehead.

Does more expensive mean "better"?

No. Fit is paramount. The most expensive helmet is no good if it doesn't fit properly. It may be constructed of different materials, be a different shape and have more ventilation but it still needs to fit and be comfortable to you.

How important is the SHARP test?

The Sharp test is an independent test carried out on all different kinds of helmets - which is a good thing - but the Sharp test doesn’t test the chin bars so how is that testing all aspects? Two out of four of my crashed helmets have hit the floor on the chin bar/visor area!

Does anti mist really work?

Anti-mist pinlocks are in my opinion fantastic.

They need to be positioned properly and they are impermeable - so if you open it and allow the damp air into it they will fog instantly when you close the visor. (Worth remembering). Also people don't realise that after time they need to be removed and cleaned and re-positioned, they don't last forever without a clean....

What if I drop it?

The helmet is designed to absorb the energy

How do I look after it?

Treat it gently, it may save your head one day. Don't use harsh chemicals on it, Helmet cleaner or water is fine. Don't allow cleaner to get into places you can’t wipe it off i:e: under the side pods of the Arai as this will eventually damage the moving parts - they will become brittle and snap. Most have removable internals so they can be washed - you wouldn't wear anything else next to your skin for so many hours without washing it.

Keep them at a nice even temperature - not in the garage over winter when the temperature is minus 10. It is not tested as such but the EPS is not going to be happy dealing with extreme temperatures. Don't sit them on your petrol tank, the fumes escape from the cap and damage the EPS. You wouldn't pour petrol on it would you? Hanging them on mirrors is not bad for the EPS but next time you take it off and find a lovely dead fly on the back of your ear - just remember where it came from!!

The same thing with pushing gloves inside helmets - nice warm bed for the fly's if they are only stunned from the impact of your fingers and fluffing the inside of the liner when you rip out the Velcro of the gloves that have stuck themselves in there.

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NORFOLK & SUFFOLK FEMALE BIKER GROUP The Norfolk Suffolk Female Biker Group was started by Natalie Orford and Emma Storey in response to conversations held by female bikers, where they felt a few other female bike groups were slightly rigid in their criteria to join and at times could be seen as elitist.

Both ladies set out to create a group where every female rider could join, make friends, go out on rides and have discussions around important issues to female bikers.

The group has gone from strength to strength and now has 241 members. This includes experienced riders, newly qualified riders and L platers as they are affectionately known.

The group is very supportive of each other and members will quite often ask advice from others or just generally support each other if someone is having a hard time around their bike or riding. This is not exclusive though and many of us have become firm friends through our love of motorbikes.

The forum is there to create events or just have small meet-ups and ride outs.

This can be as and when ladies are available. There are organised events but there is no pressure to attend. On ride outs the girls all look out for each other and we ensure that the L platers feel comfortable. Having only passed my test in June, I was an L plater and always felt welcome.

To join the group, you must be female and a biker, you can find us on Facebook under Norfolk Suffolk Female Biker Group and just ask to be added. When we are out and about we often approach ladies who we meet on bikes to join us, which is probably why the group keeps growing. We often sport our tee shirts with the logo on, so come say hi to us if you see us out and about.

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We need to know what you think!

As a result of feedback from last year’s readers, we increased the scope of the ‘Popular Biking venues’ section. We also introduced specific articles in direct response to feedback such as the basic maintenance and what to look for when buying a crash helmet.

We can only evolve the magazine if you tell us what you think. Due to the level of work and cost of advertising/production it will have to remain an annual magazine.

Please complete the online survey and help us to develop your local biker magazine into what you would like it to be. You can also be entered by emailing your name and contact number to info@indmedia.biz - The main prize for this year is a big one...

WIN a day Off Road Training with MOTOScotland! www.motoscotland.com Other prizes are: - A Safe Rider Course in either Norfolk or Suffolk - A Hugger’s Challenge session in either Norfolk or Suffolk - A set of Muck Off brushes

Please type this URL into your browser or quick scan the QR code to complete the form. http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ NorfolkSuffolkBiker2016/ The 2015 survey prize winners were Giles Arbon – Rev-it gloves Ashley Gooch – Safe Rider Terry Beales – A set of Muc-off brushes

Giles Arbon with Martin Andrew 4

A TRIUMPH IN THE DOLOMITES

BY KARL ADLER

Thinking of somewhere different to explore with the Tiger, I thought the Dolomites might be quite interesting as none of my touring compatriots had really explored this part of northern Italy so that seemed reason enough to go.

The one disadvantage of touring the Dolomites is its distance from the UK which makes it less appealing for a ‘mates trip’ than say the Vosges mountains or the Black Forest where you can nip down from the channel in a day, have some fun and head home before your long-weekend pass expires and you find your clothes in bin bags on the lawn!

I can highly recommend the Dolomites if you can stretch to a longer trip. The roads to the west of Cortina d’Ampezzo are fabulous and as a bonus, even in peak season, the traffic is very light. The area is hugely popular with Italian, German and Austrian bikers but I only saw one UK bike there in 6 days and he was just passing through. The roads to the east of Cortina, where the majority of the ski slopes seem to be, are still terrific but with more villages and towns, so consequently the roads are a bit busier.

If you are into WW1 history there is plenty there for you to explore as it’s where the Italians fought it out with the Austrians in the mountains. The original stone lined trenches and the occasional fort are still there.

The road surfaces are generally very good considering the hammering they take in the winter. The touring bike of choice was the GS with a fair smattering of Tiger 800’s and Multistradas but the locals favoured KTM Supermoto machinery which are absolutely perfect for some serious fun on the twisting technical roads.

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There are a lot of hairpin bends on the mountain passes but there are also a lot of flowing bends with stunning scenery to soak up. Bumping into a couple of Dutch bikers, they made a telling observation. They had been to the Stelvio pass as one of their ‘bucket list’ rides and were very disappointed. They found it slow, crowded and tedious. “Why would you want to go there when you have this?” ‘Avoid Stelvio in peak season’ may be sound advice.

If you are thinking of combining it with a trip to the Ducati, MV or Moto Guzzi factories don’t go in August, the whole of the manufacturing sector shuts down for the month.

Cortina is the expensive winter playground of wealthy and fashionable Italians but it is an affordable summer destination with many working farms opening their doors to weary travellers and several highlighting that they welcome bikers. To be honest, this is Europe, bikers are pretty much welcome anywhere.

Just over the border into southern Austria, is Gasthof Hochalmspitze in Malta (near Spittal). This bike friendly Gasthof is run by a delightful Anglo-Dutch couple. It’s selfcontained with a bike garage, a well-stocked tool chest, restaurant, bar, and they give you free visitors cards that will save you money on several toll roads in the area. The Hochalmspitze road and the Nochalmstrasse are both free with the card saving you 10 Euro’s each. The locals prefer the Nochalmstrasse to the Grossglockner because it’s much quieter. Yvonne & Willem who run the place have numerous choice routes pre-programmed to feed into your Sat Nav including an outstanding 150-mile tour that takes in Slovenia and Italy before heading back into Austria along some roads that you’d never go up otherwise. The 5 Euro Mangart toll road is not for those that suffer from vertigo. It’s not the sometimes unprotected drops so much as the fear of some idiot coming down way too fast as the road is very narrow in places with restricted visibility. When your escape route involves a 2,000-foot drop, spare underwear may be required.

If you don’t tour, you really should. You are missing so much of what motorcycling has to offer. Do the same journey in a car and it’s a formality, do it on a bike and it’s an adventure.

Weird isn’t it?

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FREE HUGGER'S RIDER SKILLS DOWNLOADS

• Do you struggle to accurately assess the severity of a bend you’ve never seen before?

• Are you worried about how much grip you have in the wet?

• Do you apex corners or ‘slingshot’ overtakes?

• Do things seem to be continually happening right in front of you?

The Hugger Rider Skills Downloads don’t preach to you, they just introduce you to what police riders are taught. Have you ever followed a police rider and wondered why they follow certain lines through a series of bends?

With embedded YouTube videos plus plenty of graphics and photographs to explain things in simple terms, these downloads make an ideal way to evaluate what you are currently doing and maybe give you a fresh way to look at things.

Options on courses to improve your riding and getting more out of the bike are elsewhere in this magazine but at the very least, please check out these downloads and see whether they are in line with what you are currently doing.

It’s a truism that you don’t know what you don’t know and if nobody has ever pointed it out to you, why would you?

The documents can be found on both:

www.think.norfolk.gov.uk

or

www.suffolkroadsafe.net

They are not a replacement for the Roadcraft manual but they will give you an introduction to it. Please note that the YouTube videos may not run on some tablet devices but will run on computers with full versions of internet browsers.

There is also one download dedicated to the needs of young riders of mopeds and scooters, if you know any, please get them to look at it.

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An example of a pages from one of the downloads

COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO RIDE OF YOUR LIFE

routes and main roads, watching his road positioning and line through bends to give a safety margin from oncoming traffic or junctions, driveways and parked cars, was a learning curve in itself.

BY ANDY RUSSELL

He also pointed out clues to what might lay ahead – a hedgerow showing up a Archant motoring editor and born-again side road, signs almost obscured behind biker Andy Russell finds out how the police- fields of crops, a church away to the left run Safe Rider scheme is an enjoyable way indicating where the road goes and, on a to get a serious message across.

Sunday morning, a warning cars might be parked on the road.

Most riders consider themselves safe but now consider this fact – motorcycles It’s a lot to take in but an enormous make up 1% of traffic on the road confidence booster but I still felt nervous but 24% of casualties. It’s one that when he asked me to take the lead so encouraged Norfolk Constabulary to take he could assess my riding. The sight of a lead in cutting motorcycle deaths and his big police bike filling your mirrors is serious injuries by setting up Safe Rider daunting at first but you go at your own in 1998 to help riders improve hazard pace as it’s about safety not speed. awareness, observation and planning, And the police motorcyclists are there safe cornering and overtaking. It’s been to help and advise, not criticise and running in Norfolk for 17 years so, with judge. Regular stops give opportunities around 170 courses completed, about for feedback and discussion while any 2,500 riders have benefitted from the hazardous situations are still fresh in knowledge and advice of the police your mind. Taking the lead again later, I officers who give their time voluntarily. was feeling more confident and, looking for clues to guide me, pushed harder.

The £50 course starts with an informative, With the bike feeling more alive, and me but informal, evening workshop at Norfolk more in tune with it, everything started to police headquarters at Wymondham. Do come together. some homework first by reading the useful Hugger rider skills downloads on the Norfolk Safe Rider is also about encouraging Think! Casualty reduction partnership as riders to keep learning and developing they contain lots of useful advice. their skills so my step is the advanced motorcycle test with the Institute of The real learning takes place on the Advanced Motorists. five-hour road session on a Saturday or Sunday where each of five groups of As Sgt Spall kept telling us – it’s not rocket three riders per course is accompanied science, just common sense. by a police motorcyclist riding their ‘work bike’. Sgt Andy Spall, involved ● Andy Russell is motoring editor of with Safe Rider since it began, took Archant, publisher of daily and weekly out my group and his pre-ride briefing newspapers and magazines. Email: had a clear message - safety first and motoring@archant.co.uk and foremost. Following him on cross-country Twitter @andyrussellauto

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BASIC MAINTENANCE ISSUES

BY ASHLEY SMITH

Many motorcyclists enjoy doing their own maintenance, as far as modern technology will allow. Others are less enthusiastic and Ashley Smith, proprietor of Acle based Smiffy’s Superbikes (01493 752266 www.smiffys-superbikes.co.uk) often sees the results of that lack of enthusiasm.

We spoke to him to ask him what are the most common things that he sees by way of neglected basic maintenance and get some advice on what everyone should be checking on a regular basis.

TYRES Surprisingly, one of the most common problems I find is people not checking their tyre pressures. I don’t mean not checking them weekly, I mean not checking them at all. I have bikes brought in with the owner complaining about suspension/handling problems and I find they have 10psi in the tyres! Some have even claimed to be riding with their knee down and experiencing problems only for me to find hardly any pressure in the tyres and that is really worrying! It is crucial that people check them at least weekly, when they are cold and adjust them to the recommended pressures.

Modern large bikes will normally run about 36 front 42 rear with small variations. Modern tyres on large bikes do not require additional pressure for two-up loading and the owner’s manuals don’t list any variation. You just need to make suspension adjustments to compensate for the extra loading.

Tyres obviously deteriorate over time so apart from wear, check for any signs that the rubber is becoming hard such as small cracks or crazing. Be mindful that the tyre will need treating very gently to give it a chance to warm up and become pliable after a long winter lay-up.

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One final thing, if you have them, ditch those heavy valve caps. I’ve seen them rip a valve to bits. There are still a few about, metal skulls, dice, some with LED’s in them, they put a huge strain on the rubber valve with all the forces of the wheel spinning at high speed. It could end very badly.

This tyre was taken off a Pan European!

OIL CHECKS This may be the most basic of basic checks but again it gets neglected.

People sometimes check the oil without the bike being upright and get false readings either leading them to over-fill the oil or continue with it being low. If it’s a dipstick rather than oil window, owners

need to know whether the readings are to be taken with the stick fully screwed in or resting on the top lip. It can make a lot of difference. Most will be fully screwed in but there are some exceptions. Check the manual to find out.

BRAKES

If your bike is serviced by a reputable dealer, they will change your brake pads if there is even the slightest doubt that they may not last to the next service. There is, however, always the possibility that some brake bind could occur, particularly if you ride during the winter when road salt and accumulated dirt can prevent the free movement of the calliper pistons within their seals.

It may not be severe enough for you to easily detect it but it will prematurely wear the pads. They need periodic checking. Some of them have grooves cut into them to give a guide to wear rate but ideally don’t let them get anywhere near that.

but don’t use a pressure washer as this can cause problems with water getting past the seals under high pressure. If you insist on using a pressure washer, stand well back and reduce the pressure to a gentler spray.

Another problem is the floating discs. The bobbins allow the discs to move laterally and can become sticky with road grime so that the disc no longer floats. This can cause misalignment of the disc so it no longer runs straight and true. Owners may assume that brake judder means they have warped discs but it may not be the case so it’s worth checking that the bobbins are moving freely.

Brake fluid needs changing every couple of years regardless of how much you ride the bike. Brake fluid is hygroscopic which means it absorbs moisture from the air (via the reservoir which is vented). If badly neglected, under hard braking it is possible for the water content in the fluid to boil creating a vapour lock and leading to no brakes. The colour of the fluid is a clue, if it gets dark rather than a straw colour, change it!

If you find that your front brake lever has become spongy or is coming a long way back towards the bars, and you haven’t touched the span adjuster, get the fluid changed and have the pads checked while you are at it.

I have had some scooters in here with total brake failure caused by the rider wearing through the pad friction material, through the steel backing plate and wearing the piston down against the disc far enough for it to pop out of the calliper and lose all the fluid. Terrifying!

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Rear callipers can often cause more problems than the front as they are more susceptible to dirt ingress. Some are mounted beneath the disc making it even easier to get dirt related problems and sticky callipers. Rear brakes are not normally floating discs with bobbins like the front, it’s the Clean your bike regularly during the winter callipers that float so again, they need and wash the area around the callipers to be able to do so.

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Unless it is a nearly new chain, the chances are that it will develop a tight spot and this doesn’t mean it’s been neglected.

CHAIN ADJUSTMENT & MAINTENANCE The days when we had to remove our chains regularly, wash them in paraffin and put them on the stove in a tin of ‘Linklife’ grease are long behind us, thank goodness. With the advent of O-rings or X-rings sealing the grease inside the links, modern chains are much less hard work. That doesn’t mean that you can neglect them. They need regular cleaning with something that isn’t going to damage the O-rings. You can buy aerosol cans of chain cleaner. Old lubricant and road grit forms a grinding paste so your chain will last a lot longer if you clean it.

Place the bike on the side stand and check the tension on the tight spot. You can previously mark the tight spot with Tippex if you wish to make it easier. Check for free up and down movement in the middle of the chain in accordance with whatever the manufacturer’s handbook says, they do vary. It is important that the chain is correctly adjusted. The bike should jolt less when you put it into Adjustment of the chain is often neglected 1st gear from stationary if the chain is but it needs adjusting on the ‘tight spot’. properly adjusted.

LIQUID COOLED BIKES Checks on fluid levels in the cooling system are often neglected because of where the expansion tanks are located, normally tucked out of sight. It still needs checking, so too the specific gravity of the liquid to ensure adequate cold weather protection. Don’t mix different types of antifreeze.

ELECTRICS

a light. There is not much that you can do as a home mechanic on these systems if a problem occurs, it is time to plug it into the diagnostics computer such as the Texa system that we use which will tell you everything from a full health check on every electrical component to ABS & TCS problems plus fuel maps and engine management faults.

The electrical system on modern bikes are generally pretty reliable and there is a trend towards CAN-bus systems (Controller Area Network) that have been common in the car world for some time and allow numerous microcontrollers to communicate with each other. They reduce the need If you have an older bike with conventional for heavy current carrying wires to a wiring, WD40 squirted into the connectors minimum replacing them with a single signal cable and the power to switch on and switches should keep the worst of the

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weather at bay. I always suggest grease be applied to the connectors to really keep the winter weather out.

One of the best ways top spot problems is to clean the bike regularly at which point many issues will be spotted at an early stage before they become One of the single biggest problem areas a problem. Things like frayed wiring for electrical issues is the side stand sleeves, a leaking fork seal, binding ignition cut out switch. Vulnerably placed brakes, a loose bolt and so forth. underneath the bike at the top of the stand, it collects road grime and can Have your bike serviced annually, even often be the cause of a bike mysteriously if it’s not up on service interval mileage, refusing to fire up. Spray it with WD40 faults are then more likely to be picked into the switch plunger area and work the up before they become a problem which lever back and forth. It’s worth doing this extends the life of the bike, costs you less on a regular basis to avoid problems. in the long run and makes for safer riding.

WHY SHOULD I SET MY BIKE UP?

BY DARREN WNUKOSKI All bikes are built to a cost and have to be "fit for purpose" for a wide spectrum of rider. Short, tall, heavy, light, solo, pillion and luggage. Setting the bike up tailors the settings to match the riders weight and use. For example, a bike could be purchased by a rider who weighs 8 stone rides solo 100% of the time. That same bike could be bought by a rider of 16 stone and carries a pillion of 12 stone and luggage giving a combined weight of over 30 stone.

Set ups could entail as little as a "standard set up" which is using the adjustment provided by the manufacturer to achieve the optimum setting to match the rider or advice can be given on the most cost effective solution to improve the bike further. Each bike and riders’ needs are different so there are no hard and fast rules on what might be required.

MCT charges £95.00 + vat for a standard set up. fork springs for example are £70.00 + vat and rear springs to suit rider weights are also £70.00 + vat.

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Over 60% of bikes set up at MCT are under 6 months old so the gains are the same irrespective of the age of the machine.

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Owners handbooks offer little to help set up as the OE settings are often nowhere near the riders needs so adjustments can reduce ride quality as well as improve.

Again there is no perfect setting for the masses as this is not possible. Handbooks can help understand how to adjust for extra loads such as rear pre-load, for pillion and or luggage add more pre-load on the rear spring as the load is increased this does not stiffen the spring but instead raises the suspension to the same part of the stroke as before giving the same achievable suspension movement.

Servicing suspension is often overlooked by both riders and dealers, one of the problems with mass produced items is the oil can be poor quality and for this reason we would recommend servicing suspension no more than 16,000 miles from new and then 20,000 to 30,000 thereafter. All forks can be serviced and most rear shock absorbers can with a few exceptions due to cost effectiveness. with regular servicing we have seen shocks and forks with over 150,000 miles with no failures. Shock servicing from ÂŁ89.00 + vat fork servicing from ÂŁ125.00 + vat.

Now manufacturers have thrown electronic suspension into the mix, ESA, SKYHOOK, REACTIVE!!! some aspects are better and some worse. Sometimes the trade-off of fitting electronics to suspension can mean the cost of these parts have to be saved elsewhere and that's ironically in the suspension itself!

For now, non electronic suspension gets the best results in ride quality but as the cost of electrical components gets cheaper and development carries on maybe in 5 years’ time it will be an advantage.

The thing to bear in mind is something like the ESA system has around 20 real options for settings whereas adjustable units can give you over 5000 options making the job of finding the setting of "least compromise" far more achievable. A "perfect" set up would require extensive adjustments between each ride according to conditions and use such as spring change or oil level adjustments and this would eat into riding time and require a team of technicians to follow you on your rides, probably a bit over the top cost wise... "least compromise" I feel is the best description of what MCT tries to achieve as we all ride fast and slow, wet and dry, loaded up or solo, each bike needs to set up to cope with all conditions giving the rider comfort and confidence to enjoy every mile....

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Address: Unit 16A Charles Industrial Estate, Stowmarket IP14 5AH Phone: 01449 777161 www.mctsuspension.co.uk

AGOSTINI Grand Prix legend and 15-times World Champion Giacomo Agostini formally inaugurated his corner at Snetterton at the 2015 BSB round, attending an official ceremony with MotorSport Vision's Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer, during the MCE British Superbike Championship round.

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive, MotorSport Vision said: "I designed our The Italian Grand Prix legend had the new Snetterton 300 circuit to be fantastic corner named in his honour when the for bikes as well as cars and as Giacomo circuit was transformed in 2011 and that has raced here on both two wheels and weekend marked his first visit to the track four I was absolutely delighted when he since the redevelopment. 'Ago' returned to agreed to my suggestion of naming a the track for the official ceremony onboard important corner after him. Agostini corner an MV Agusta, the Italian manufacturer provides a great deal of action as a key that he celebrated 14 World titles, ten TT overtaking point at Snetterton and fans on victories and more than 250 race wins Agostini bank can see it all! with during his illustrious career. The naming ceremony also featured a fly-past "It is wonderful that Ago has now been from the Apache attack helicopter. able to visit and enable us to officially commemorate his corner and I'm thrilled 'Ago' has previously celebrated success that we have some super photos to at the Norfolk circuit on both two and four record this special day. Most importantly wheels, including a victory during the I am delighted Giacomo really loves the 1972 Snetterton 'Race of Aces' and his radically revised Snetterton and was first four-wheel podium in the 1979 Aurora particularly praising of the high safety AFX British Formula 1 Championship. standards we have achieved."

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FULLY INSURED? YOU MAY NOT BE – READ ON! Most of us would accept that fitting an aftermarket exhaust system, more powerful brakes, uprated suspension, wider wheels or a Power Commander, would require us to notify our insurance company as they are, in theory at least, performance enhancing parts.

Would you consider anodised brake reservoirs, factory fitted luggage, crash bobbins or even heated grips and anti-scratch tank stickers to be notifiable modifications? Well you may be wrong if you don’t.

This came sharply into focus when Norfolk rider Paul Nelson had his immaculate GSXR1000 stolen from his garage where it was chained to another bike. Believing he was fully insured he made his claim. He advised the police in great detail of any distinguishing features on his bike. These included • Crash bobbins • ‘Wavy’ front discs • Anodised brake & clutch levers • Carbon fibre covers everywhere • Stomp grip on the tank • Suzuki racing decals on the tail piece (honestly, this is counted as a modification by some companies!)

The insurance broker refused to pay out stating that the bike had modifications made to it that they were unaware of and that invalidated the insurance. He had advised them of the aftermarket silencer, Marchesini wheels and a couple of other items but not those that he felt were incidental. He wasn’t deliberately concealing them; he genuinely didn’t think they were an issue.

Paul had to pay £700 to engage a specialist legal company to pursue the claim on his behalf. It was eventually resolved after a huge amount of grief and legal proceedings are now on-going with the broker so we can’t identify them at this time but they are a big player in the bike insurance industry.

Armed with this information, on speaking to the same broker when renewing my own policy, I was at pains to specify what was non-standard, the question was never asked of me and there’s the rub, if you don’t know what they need, you must to be very thorough. I volunteered information, amongst others, about

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• Factory top box • Factory panniers • Factory touring screen • Factory heated grips • Givi engine bars • Radiator/oil cooler guard • Comfort seat As long as the tyres are the same size as the OEM fit, a change in manufacturer does not need to be notified, at least not with my broker. In effect ANYTHING that was not fitted to the bike when it left the factory needs to be notified. If you buy your bike and specify factory options at the point of sale, they are not fitted at the factory but are put on by the dealer and hence ‘modifications’ to the standard bike according to at least some in the insurance industry.

You may consider all this to be petty bureaucracy designed to catch you out but you need to be aware of this and make sure your policy is watertight. Having listed so many extras, ironically, it made no difference whatsoever to my quote. When I asked why I needed to specify so many non-performance related ‘modifications’ I was told it was so they could fight my corner with the underwriters in the event of a claim. Make of that what you will.

The insurance broker should not be relying on the customer to have in depth knowledge of the contract and it is they who should be asking the questions, not assuming that you know what information they need regarding items that in some cases can only be described as frivolous (anti scratch tank pads, crash bobbins radiator guards etc.).

I can only advise that you bear all this in mind and

1. If you are part way through your insurance term, check with your insurance broker/

company and be totally honest and open with them about what has been altered or added since it left the factory and either record the conversation or ask for confirmation in writing that these items have been noted down.

2. If you are renewing your insurance, be mindful that the broker should be asking these questions. If they do not, you need to open the discussion out to establish what they do or don’t need to be notified of by way of ‘modifications’.

You really can’t be too careful as the brokers/underwriters may refuse to honour a claim if you haven’t made it absolutely watertight and as Paul will tell you, it causes a lot of stress and hassle.

Tim Renwick

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NORTON FACTORY VISIT

BY HARRY WARD In 2010, when the classic curly ‘Norton’ script reappeared on the tank of a new motorcycle, the biking world saw the return of one of its greatest and most iconic brands.

Cynics are bound to sniff in the same way that they did when Triumph rose from the ashes in 1991 but make no mistake, Norton is back but as a manufacturer of hand built bespoke machines rather than a supplier to the mass market.

The uninitiated can mistake the obvious styling cues from the past as a re-vamped 850 Commando without realising it has as much in common with the 1970’s bikes as does a modern Triumph Bonneville. This is an all new, modern machine built by craftsmen from top quality components. The origins of the engine design date back about 12 years to America when Kenny Dreer had ownership of the name before Stuart Garner bought it and returned the name and project home to England. Whilst the styling has remained very close to Dreer’s design, engine development continued in England and none of the prototype components are interchangeable with the production bike.

Being a relatively small scale premium brand operation, there are no Cathedral like parts storage halls, machining centres, robotic welding stations or vast hanging gantries of an assembly line. The Norton factory is about craftsmen carefully building your bike because it matters to them as much as it does to you.

Stuart Garner bought Donington Hall in 2013. It had previously been used as the HQ of International Airlines Group and the 45,000 sq. ft. administrative centre behind the Hall is where Norton Motorcycles is located.

The assembly shop is on the ground floor of the building with the carpet tiles of its former use still in place, a pleasant change from painted concrete and very effective at noise reduction, in sharp contrast to the Domiracer’s exhaust!

Components are all bought in, except for the alloy tanks, but about 80% of the parts are UK sourced. Clocks come from Germany, Electrics from Japan, Brakes are Brembo, Suspension Ohlins, plastic parts from Italy and the crank from the USA but pretty much everything else is from the UK. The frames arrive as pre bent and laser cut pieces that are fabricated on site as are the incredible aluminium fuel tanks of the Dominator SS and Domiracer, more of which later.

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As with any business, they cannot afford to have huge stocks of materials lying around and the challenge is to make sure the suppliers deliver what they need on time to keep production rolling. At the time of our visit it was 500 bikes a year but that has apparently risen to 1000 since as the order books swell.

The building of sub-assemblies takes place in the parts area to ease assembly when the build actually starts. Trolleys loaded with the required components are pushed over to the assembly area lift benches where two men work to build each bike. At the conclusion of the build, the bikes are taken to the rolling road for testing, final inspection and then returned to the assembly hall to await shipment. If you own Domiracer #44 I watched some of it being built with great care. I envy you.

The next planned improvements to the facility are the building of a 10,000 square foot fabrication building to replace the temporary one currently housing the frame and aluminium tank manufacture. Ground preparation had started at the time of our visit.

The tour was refreshingly low-key with a total absence of corporate paranoia. As the 2015 SG4 TT race bike was out testing somewhere, our group were given permission to photograph at will. We were also able to chat to the staff and found them all too willing to share what is obviously a passion for their job.

A team of 3 build the engines, each unit taking about 3 1/2 hours to complete from 75% of UK sourced components including the gears and clutch. The castings come in fully machined and just need the bearings pressed in to start assembly. The 3 bearing 270-degree crank arrives complete and consists of a pressed up assembly rather than the bolt up version and split con rods of the 70’s bikes. As with any modern bike the crank and flywheels are relatively small allowing them to rev higher and faster than did the heavy 360 degrees bolted-up lump of the old 850 whose origins could be traced back to Bert Hopwood’s Dominator of 1948.

▲

The valves are pushrod operated with hydraulic lifters. To get through EU emissions, the bike is fitted with Bosch electronic ignition and fuel injection. That’s about it for the digital tech. If you think cornering ABS is essential, get some decent training or buy a car!

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The list of extras is extensive. If you wish for your barrels to be painted black to mimic a 70’s Commando, or a particular casting to be polished, you can have it. Likewise, the paint can be any colour you like although obviously modifications from standard cost extra.

In the cramped temporary fabrication shed we found engineers hand- welding frames and swinging arms in jigs, some with reinforced rear sections for the dual seat bikes.

With the engine being a dry sump design, the frame uses the top tube section as the oil tank negating the need for such an item beneath the seat, keeping the style uncluttered. Once completed the frames are sent out to be painted.

Stuart Garner bought the well-respected Spondon Engineering and some of their former staff were hard at work fabricating frames.

The other activity in the fabrication shop is the aforementioned Domiracer/Dominator aluminium fuel tanks which are just stunning. The upper part of each tank is made from 5 pieces of aluminium, welded and worked through rollers to produce the svelte waisted shape.

Various other pieces are welded together as sub-assemblies to form the underside of the tank. The alloy welding is of such stunningly high quality that it’s almost a pity nobody can see it. Former Spondon employee Steve proudly posed for photos with one of his creations that takes two days to create. They are offered as an optional extra to the plastic tanks. The tanks are so beautiful that may need to chain your attack dog to the bike if you are leaving it outside the pub, so that people don’t stroke it with their greasy fingers.

The Mark 2 improved version should hopefully be available by the time this magazine goes to print. I’m not sure whether ‘Jerusalem’ is playing somewhere in the background or whether it is just in my head but you can’t help swell with national pride, ‘The Unapproachable Norton’ is back.

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I ride at a more steady pace without ringing the bike’s neck. My awareness has increased ten-fold and my confidence in the rain is so much better

I have more time to react, manoeuvre and see in any given situation

My observation skills have increased which, in turn, gives me a much smoother ride

I feel very much safer and in control on the bike. It has also given me the confidence to do some long distance touring

I’m sure it has made me a more decisive and smoother rider, it has also enhanced my overall safety

There are as many reasons to take an advanced riding test as there are riders…

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advanced riding course

Skill for Life usually costs £149 but right now, you’ll pay just £134 all in. This includes the advanced test fee, a copy of our ‘How to be a better rider’ handbook and one year’s IAM membership.

Call 0300 303 1134 or visit iam.org.uk/advancedriding – quoting Bike15 to save £15. iam.org.uk

It’s a great investment in your safety and enjoyment as a rider. Just ask the experts…

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THE ‘UNAPPROACHABLE NORTON’ IS BACK - NORTON COMMANDO 961 REVIEW

BY HARRY WARD

attributes from a less complicated age of motorcycling such as pushrods and acres of polished, unpainted alloy.

Inevitably, some level of modern tech is never very far away, courtesy of emissions regulations so Bosch fuel injection makes an appearance. On the chassis side of things, top line Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes are seamlessly integrated into the bike’s old school DNA.

Many audiophiles prefer listening to vinyl played on high-end equipment with all its pops and crackles to the sometimes compressed, clinical and hard edged sound of CD. There is just something refreshingly natural and uncomplicated about the sound of vinyl and this analogy holds true for the Norton which is a predominantly analogue bike in a digital world.

Triumph are the undisputed masters of ‘modern classic’ having created a huge market share from a range of reliable modern bikes that lean heavily on the styling cues of the past. Many manufacturers are cashing in on the growth of this market sector, BMW RNineT, Scrambler Ducati, CB1100, W800 to name but a few. It’s a growth area and that is fortunate for Norton as, for the moment at least, ‘modern classic’ is their entire production output.

Visually, the Commando borrows heavily from Norton’s heritage but also incorporates

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The Commando produces a relatively modest 80 bhp but develops a very useful 90nm of torque at 5,200 rpm but weighing in at only 188kg, it has enough power to enable some real fun to be had on B & C class roads. The dry sump engine has a 270 degree 3 bearing crank and pushrods operating 2 valves per cylinder with hydraulic lifters. No cam chains or tensioners to worry about here!

The engine does transmit a small amount of vibration so if you want a modern, silkysmooth engine, you’re probably looking at the wrong bike. This is old school motorcycling with a slightly raw edge and I absolutely loved riding it.

The vibration is rather like you’d get from a Harley or any number of older V- Twins, the engine just feels alive. Don’t confuse this with the pounding vibration that was once pumped out by parallel twins of old where your knuckles shattered and the fillings fell out of your teeth, the balance shaft removes most of that type of vibration, the engine just reminds you

that there’s a lot of metal whirring around underneath you. It doesn’t have quite the low down grunt of an old 850 with its heavy flywheel but it spools up much quicker and more freely than the 70’s bike.

The bike was fitted with some optional short silencers to the demo model that sounded fantastic. The exhaust note is not so loud that it makes your ears bleed or stun pigeons, it just sounds how a bike like that should, a low civilised rumble around town and then a rasping snarl as you wind it up out of the corners. It has more of a V-Twin sound because of the firing intervals.

No attempt has been made to disguise the Bosch throttle bodies as carburettors, as Triumph have done so brilliantly, but they are hardly visible on the Commando with the engine being tilted forwards in the frame like the old bike. The simple act of tilting the engine forwards in the frame gave the 1970’s bikes a much sleeker and more modern look and it still works today. The Brembo brakes haul the speed down very effectively with plenty of feel.

The gearbox operation was slightly heavier than some modern bikes but precise enough and faultless on test with no false neutrals and the ratios being well matched to the performance of the engine.

The seat is less than generous on the padding front. The words ‘Church’ and ‘Pew’ spring to mind although it has been improved on the Mk2 version that was released after this test and to be fair this is no touring bike so perhaps it doesn’t matter that much. The riding position is comfortable and neutral but the suspension needed tweaking as it was set too firm for its ideal hunting ground, B & C class roads. I’ve ridden on Ohlins before, this is just a set up issue but it was way too hard in the default factory position. The bike handled beautifully and predictably showing

how well sorted the chassis is, which you’d rather expect with former Spondon engineers designing and building them (Spondon was bought out by Norton).

The test bike was a twin seat version with the seat cowl having been removed which, when replaced, restores the stunning looks.

The style is one of the bikes principal selling points. This has to be one of the best looking motorcycles ever built, it’s achingly beautiful.

Even if the 1970’s were not your era (in which case you have my sympathy as the music was way better back then!) you can’t help being in awe of its appearance.

Prices start at £14, 495. If that has you sucking air through your teeth, bearing in mind the performance figures, consider this: It is hand- built at Donington Hall in small numbers from a majority of British-sourced components by skilled engineers. It’s also sporting top quality suspension and brakes.

Furthermore, you will not be falling over them at biker venues so if you like being the centre of attention this should suit you nicely. Because of the nature of the bike, on the right sort of roads you should have your fun without risking your licence. The improved Mk2 version that was previewed in MCN late last year should be phased in by the time this magazine goes to print.

One final thing, the residual value is guaranteed to remain high. Just check the classifieds for yourself, cheap 961 Commando’s don’t exist, with 2011 models regularly priced in excess of £13,000 which is about what they cost new.

Some owners of cutting edge modern bikes may scratch their heads and wonder what all the fuss is about with this ‘back to basics’ type of motorcycle but park your hi-tech sports bike next to it and see which one draws the crowds. There is still a place for vinyl in the digital world.

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POPULAR BIKER VENUES & EVENTS IN NORFOLK & SUFFOLK 2016 As a result of feedback in our first edition of Norfolk & Suffolk Biker last year, people said they wanted more information on venues and events so we have expanded it this year to give more information on what takes place and where.

If you know of any significant meeting places in either county, please let us know so that we can include them next year. It’s your magazine so please help us spread the word. Email info@indmedia.biz

NORFOLK BIKER MEETING PLACES Whitwell & Reepham Railway Museum Friday Evenings This is unquestionably the best attended biker meeting place in Norfolk. Owner Mike Urry’s aim is to restore the station to its former glory. He has planning applications in for extensions to the track and buildings. Some members of the museum were also keen bikers and asked Mike if they could meet there. Initially 40 or 50 bikers met on Friday nights at the museum and it grew from there. On one recent event, 1400 bikes were in attendance but more commonly about 1000 turn up with 500 of the hardier souls in the poorer weather. Bikers can buy drinks, cakes and ice cream from the old ticket office and burger and chips from the permanent marquee and bar area. www.whitwellstation.com Directions: A1067 from Norwich towards Fakenham, turn right down Nowhere lane (we’re not making this up!) about a mile after leaving Gt Witchingham/Lenwade. It’s a narrow road, keep going until you go under the railway bridge and you’ll find the venue on the right.

Walcott Biker night

1st Monday of the month Easter to Sept 6:00pm – 9:00pm The Kingfisher café is located at the south end of Walcott seafront. With a large car park, plenty of outside seating in addition to those inside the café, it is becoming a popular biker destination on the 1st Monday of the month. On the far side of the road you are straight down the steps onto the beach, assuming the tide is out!

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The Ox & Plough Public House, Old Buckenham Tuesday Evenings

The Ox & Plough bike night has blossomed into the second biggest bike venue in Norfolk as a result of the efforts of the pub landlord Ben Devlin. It draws significant numbers of bikers up from Suffolk and further afield. The picturesque village of Old Buckenham is dominated by a huge area of common land. On the left, as you approach from Attleborough, you will find the Ox & Plough across the other side of the common.

Ben Devlin and his son Alfie can usually be found handing out pieces of wood for side stands and parking the bikes in an orderly fashion on the green.

Families are a regular feature, having tea, enjoying a fine summer evening and watching the bikes. There is always a high percentage of classic bikes to look at and there can be fewer more pleasant places to spend a Tuesday evening. Ben has ambitions to include a number of Hot Rods to add some variety during 2016.

Hunstanton Sea Front Sundays For many years, Hunstanton Sea Front has been a magnet for Sunday bikers. Hunstanton has a large sloping green and the bikes park on a footpath near the bottom or overflow onto the green if there is a big event on. A small charge is made by the District Council to park. Being in the middle of the town there are numerous shops and cafes plus a tea stall and doughnut van down on the promenade.

It’s very popular with riders from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Caution is advised along the A149 coast road from Kings Lynn during high summer when the road can be congested with traffic heading for Hunstanton.

Please take extra care along this stretch if there is queuing traffic.

Wells next the Sea Sundays The picturesque estuary harbour of Wells next the Sea is another popular venue for bikers on Sundays. Wells is typical of the area with huge skies and salt marshes stretching out before you. The town has the usual chip shop and café options and if you ride down Beach Road alongside ‘East fleet’, as the main tidal inlet is called, you arrive at a car park and large café near the lifeboat shed.

Plans to charge motorcyclists to park on the quay or ban them from parking on ‘safety grounds’ were shelved after pressure from local traders and bikers. You can continue to enjoy the quay and contribute to the local economy.

Photo courtesy of Paul Stearman - xpressionsweddingphotography.co.uk

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SUFFOLK BIKER MEETING PLACES Great Bentley Green – (Essex) Whilst just over the Essex border, Great Bentley Green draws a lot of bikers from Suffolk on a Wednesday evening night during the summer.

Krazy Horse – Bury St Edmunds Based on an industrial site on Lamdin Rd Bury St Edmunds IP32 6NU, Krazy Horse host a bike night on the last Thursday of the month from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. The estate is packed with bikes including a lot of customs which is Krazy Horse’s core business. There is a burger and tea stall on site often accompanied by live music.

The Lakeside Café – Lower Road, Onehouse Near Stowmarket, Suffolk ,IP14 1SF Bike Night meets from 6 pm to 9 pm each second Thursday of the month from June to October.

Chick King, Mile End Café – Brandon, Suffolk IP27 0NX Meet 1stSaturday of the month from 6 pm from March to October.

The Greyhound – Wickhambrook, CB8 8XS From 6pm in summer months and 7.30 pm in winter. (Wickhambrook Motorcycle Club) All welcome.

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POPULAR BIKER WATERING HOLES IN NORFOLK Please feel free to suggest more of your favourite biker café’s in Norfolk for next year’s magazine on info@indmedia.biz . Obviously there are dozens of cafes to choose from but those that we know to be popular with bikers at the moment are:

Besthorpe/Attleborough – Route 11 motorcycles, new for 2016 on all A11 Northbound

carriageway by the petrol station. This former restaurant has re-opened as a cafe focused on bikes with a clothing section, it is hoped that this becomes the biker meeting point on Saturday evenings.

Cromer – Roadkill Customs – Just off the A149 as you head into Cromer over the railway bridge.

This is a bike shop with a café where you can refuel with tea and a bacon roll.

McDonalds – A143 Ditchingham (near Beccles). This is a popular gathering point for people out

for a ride. Friday evenings seems particularly popular but it is well-used most evenings in the summer by bikers.

Norwich – Katie’s Cabin – At CJ Ball Motorcycles, Salhouse Road Norwich. Permanently located at CJ Ball, Katies cabin is a very popular destination for bikers with benches and tables nearby and lots of bikes to gaze at. It has a 5 out of 5 food hygene rating from Norwich City Council.

Pulham St Mary – Pennoyer Centre. This is a community run meeting place and café located

in an old school which was formerly a church. It is favoured by many bikers that we know including Andy & Iain from the Norfolk Road Safety team. It is notorious for its fabulous selection of cakes and freshly ground coffee and full meals can be purchased as well. Closed Sundays, last café order Saturdays 1430.

Walcott – Kingfisher Café & Ice Cream Parlour Coast Rd, Walcott. This is a popular and ideal place to stop off with plenty of parking space and a nice view out to sea.

POPULAR BIKER WATERING HOLES IN SUFFOLK Please feel free to suggest more of your favourite biker café’s in Suffolk for next year’s magazine on info@indmedia.biz . Obviously there are dozens of cafes to choose from but those that we know to be popular with bikers at the moment are:

Red Lodge Transport Café 70, Turnpike Road, Redlodge, Bury St. Edmunds Suffolk. IP28 8LB. This café was a favoured watering hole for truck drivers when the Turnpike Road was the A11, prior to the bypass being built. It is still a great café and popular with bikers.

The Huntsmen & Hounds, Stone Street, Spexhall, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 0RN Walker’s Snacks, A1065, Near Mildenhall, Suffolk. IP28 6AE

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SHOWS SHOWS&&EVENTS EVENTSIN INNORFOLK NORFOLK&&SUFFOLK SUFFOLKTHIS THISYEAR YEAR These are the shows and events that we know about at the time of publication. There will be other dealer events cropping up. If you want to know what’s happening, follow Norfolk Hugger on Facebook: Think! Hugger Twitter: @thinkhugger All events will be notified on these feeds. For Suffolk Hugger follow @SuffolkHugger

May – Sat 21st & Sun 22nd – Seastar Superbikes Demo Weekend, A140 Newton Flotman– There

will be numerous dealer events during the year but this is the only one we have been notified of early enough to make the print deadline. Seastar’s own fleet of Ducati & Kawasaki demonstrators will be out all weekend on escorted group rides. In addition Ducati UK’s own demo fleet will be out escorted by instructors from the California Superbike School. Rides can be pre-booked.

June – Sunday 19th. The 8th annual ‘Wheels next the Sea’ Bike Show – Beach Road Playing

Field, Wells next the Sea 1000- 1600 Entry £1 per wheel. Always a popular bike show located in the delightful coastal harbour town of Wells. With trade stands, club stands and classic bike displays the journey to and from the show completes a splendid day out. Previously run for the benefit of the local scout group it is now run by the local football club. www.wheelsnextthesea.com

June – Sunday 19th June – Ride 2 Remember. A 75 mile circular sponsored bike ride in Suffolk to remember loved ones from midday to 8:00pm. Starting and finishing at Stonham Barns, Stonham Aspal. Live bands, refreshments, auto jumble benefitting the East Anglian Air Ambulance. http://www.eaaa.org.uk/ride-to-remember/

July – Fri 8th Sat 9th & Sun 10th British Super Bikes – Snetterton. The local round of the biggest

motorcycle race series in the UK. With continual improvements to the facilities, Snetterton is now a joy of a circuit. With exciting racing guaranteed and extensive trade stands, this is the place to be on this weekend. www.snetterton.co.uk

July – Sat 16th & Sunday 17th Thetford Bike Show – Thetford Rugby Club Mundford Rd IP24

1NB This is a long standing charity bike show run by the Thetford & District Motorcycle Club that reappeared last year after a short absence. Trade stalls, club stalls, overnight camping Saturday night when there will be a live band playing. The main show is on the Sunday. www.spanglefish.com/thetfordanddistrictmotorcycleclub/index.asp

August – Monday 29th (Bank Holiday) The 28th Wimbotsham Fenman Classic Bike show – The

biggest bike show in Norfolk, the Fenman takes over the whole village with an extensive selection of trade and club stalls and a great selection of food and drink vendors to choose from. The classic bike show takes place in the school playground. With a year’s worth of effort and planning, they were undone last year by monsoon weather so here’s hoping for better weather this year. www.fenmanclassic.co.uk

September – Sunday 25th Norfolk 300 Charity Run – The second year of this charity ride with a

choice of 100, 200 or 300 mile rides of your own route choice with signing in points in support of 3 charities, East Anglian Air Ambulance, East Anglian Children’s Hospices and Autism Anglia. A great day out with friends concluding at a bike display at the Forum in Norwich. Supported by numerous Norfolk & Suffolk Bike dealers who will have displays at the Forum. www.norfolk300.org.uk

October – Sunday 2nd Copdock Motorcycle show - Trinity Park Ipswich. The biggest show in

Suffolk, the Copdock show, run by the Copdock Classic Motorcycle Club, traditionally signals the final big show of the year. With a host of activities as well as extensive trade stands, club stands, autojumbles live music and displays, this is the show to go to before the gloom of winter sets in. www.copdock-cmc.co.uk

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NORFOLK BIKE CLUBS Dereham & Breckland Bikers Motorcycle Club - Facebook Eastern Riders – http://www.easternriders.co.uk/index.html Fenlanders IAM group – www.nnam.org Norfolk & Suffolk Female Biker Group – Facebook Norfolk Advanced Motorcyclists – www.n-a-m.co.uk Norfolk Honda Owners Club – http://wwww.norfolkhoc.co.uk Norfolk TRF (Trail Riders Fellowship) – http://norfolktrf.org.uk North Norfolk Motorcycle Club – http://nnmotorcycleclub.blogspot.co.uk Thetford & District Motorcycle Club – www.spanglefish.com/ thetfordanddistrictmotorcycleclub/index.asp Triumph Owners Club (Norfolk Branch) – www.norfolktomcc.co.uk Vintage Motorcycle Club (Norwich Section) – www.vmccnorwich.co.uk Vintage Motorcycle Club (Kings Lynn Section) – www.vmcckingslynn.co.uk

SUFFOLK BIKE CLUBS Black Shuck Motorcycle Club – http://www.black-shuck.com Norfolk & Suffolk Female Biker Group – Facebook RoSPA – www.rospa-suffolk.org.uk Sudbury MCC (off road) – www.sudburymcc.co.uk Suffolk Advanced Motorcyclists – http://suffolk-advanced-motorcyclists.com Triangle (Ipswich) Motorcycle Club – http://www.trianglemcc.co.uk Triumph owners club (Suffolk Branch) – http://www.tomccsuffolk.org Vintage Motorcycle Club (Ipswich & Suffolk Section) – http://www.ipswich-vmcc.co.uk VJMC Suffolk Section – http://vjmc-suffolk.co.uk

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WHAT’S ‘TRENDING’ AT THE DEALERS? Go to any bike gathering and the changing demographic of the motorcycle enthusiast is fairly obvious. As the baby-boomer generation ages, changes in buying habits are inevitable. Some will be enforced by physical issues, some through a change in the type of riding that we do or even the crowded nature of the road network. Many sports bikes have changed with bikes like the Fireblade or Panigale, for example, adopting a riding position much closer to a VFR to appeal to those who are on first name terms with their Chiropractor but still want a sportsbike.

There are lots of apocryphal tales of a shift in riders downsizing to smaller bikes in the 800cc region so we checked out with our favourite Norfolk and Suffolk dealers to see if this is true and find out what trends they have seen of late and where the market may be taking us in the near future. It was a really interesting exercise with some dealers seeing a very different trend to others.

You need to test ride all the competition in your chosen segment of the market place because you cannot take magazine road test conclusions on face value, we all have our preferred engine type or brand loyalty and that may well colour judgements. Go and see these dealers for a test ride.

CJ BALL MOTORCYCLES

– HONDA & SUZUKI (NORWICH) Owner, Chris Ball has noticed no obvious trend towards smaller, lighter bikes in either the Honda or Suzuki side of his business with a good spread of sales across the board.

He said “We are seeing a broad spread of sales across both model ranges with very little signposting an obvious shift in buying habits. That being said, 2016 has seem massive interest in the new Africa Twin which combines Adventure bike styling with genuine off road ability. It received a 5 star review in Motorcycle News. We currently have a 6 to 8 week waiting list for them so it is without doubt the trending Honda at the moment.”

On the Suzuki side of the business, Chris said “Again, as with Honda, we have a broad spread of sales across the Suzuki range. The V-Strom 1000 (£8,999) is always a strong seller along with the naked GSX 1000 (£8,999) and the GSX-R bikes still remain very popular indeed”.

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LIND MOTORRAD – BMW (NORWICH) Lind Motorrad have seen no evidence of a downsizing trend as big bikes still dominate their sales figures.

Sales manager Ben DeWit observed “We have noted a trend of riders selling multiple bikes and opting for something that will do most, if not all, that they want from a bike. So far there isn’t any noticeable downsizing trend for us. The new S1000XR & R1200RS are selling really well but the dominant bike, pretty much as it has been for many years, is the R1200GS. This year, sales of the Adventure have just nudged ahead of the standard GS so, far from downsizing, the majority of riders are going for the bigger, heavier bike. We have a good range of revamped 800cc and 300cc bikes being launched this year for anyone that wants to downsize but the R1200GS is still the dominant force”.

The domination of this model as a touring motorcycle was noted by Karl Adler in his article in this magazine about the Dolomites where the GS was comfortably the most numerous bike. Its advantage is that it is capable of so much more than just touring.

TINKLERS MOTORCYCLES – YAMAHA (NORWICH) The arrival of Yamaha’s hugely popular and very competitively priced 3 cylinder MT range of bikes saw the MT07 winning 2014 MCN awards. It was given the MT10 Available from may 2016 prestigious accolade of ‘Winner-Overall Machine of the year and Best Naked Middleweight’. There is no doubt that the MT07 is affordable starting at £5885.00, but it is great fun too, with its lively performance and low weight providing a real world package that, as Adam says appeals to novice riders and experienced riders looking for something smaller and lighter.

The MT09 Tracer was the success story of 2015 winning, MCN Best all- rounder for 2015 stating ‘This is a seriously good bike at a seriously great price’ Tinklers’ owner Adam Newstead said, the MT range, has sold really well throughout 2015, resulting in the MT07 being in very short supply towards the end of the year. The MT09 sold well in all models, from the standard bike to the award winning Tracer. 2016 will see the arrival of the eagerly awaited MT10. With its power, torque and agility, this bike promises to meet the wants and desires of experienced riders looking for a more upright riding position, with serious power and corner-carving precision. The Yamaha range, continues to compete extremely well in all sectors of the motorcycle markets. The sports heritage range sees new additions for 2016, with the XSR700, making a serious statement. Designed to take a timeless feel, built on historical icons, matched with tomorrow’s technology for a pure, entertaining riding experience. With deep torque and a super agile chassis, it’s for those who appreciate heritage and love to ride. The XSR900 takes inspiration from Yamaha’s rich history of sports bikes and motorcycle design, mixed with cutting edge technology. Adam is predicting another extremely busy year with high demand for the fantastic models now available from Yamaha.

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DAVE BARKSHIRE MOTORCYCLES – KTM (RACKHEATH, NORWICH)

Dave Barkshire has noticed a definite trend of people changing from sports bikes to ‘nakeds’ and ‘Adventure’ style machinery.

He said “The bikes that are selling really well at the moment are two Duke single cylinders, the KTM 390 (£4,499) and 690 (£7,199). The have put the fun back into motorcycling for many people in a package that is more relevant to the modern world and modern traffic conditions than a pure sports bike. We are also seeing a lot of people moving to the Adventure bikes which have become a growth sector for KTM and the smaller engined bike of the Adventure range, the 1050 (£10,999) has proved to be very popular, being £5,000 less than the 1290 Super Adventure and with a great mix of power, agility and lightness in a useable package”

NEWMARKET AND NORWICH HARLEY-DAVIDSON® Part of the Lind Automotive Family, Newmarket Harley-Davidson® is situated at the top end of Newmarket High Street on Black Bear Lane and Norwich Harley-Davidson® can be found on Ber Street, Norwich just up the road from John Lewis.

Harley-Davidson®, more than any other marque, stand apart as a ‘lifestyle’ brand.

For Harley® fans, nothing else will do. With legendarily high residual values and customising options that make your head spin, the loyalty of the fan base is undiminished but what is the most popular selling bike at the moment?

Keith Foster, Sales Executive at Norwich Harley-Davidson® said “Obviously with the huge spread of models in the range being dominated by the large capacity bikes, those are where the bulk of the sales are to be found and they are fairly evenly spread. However, the individual bike that is selling in larger numbers is Iron 883TM which is competitively priced at £7,495. That situation may change this summer as sales of the new water cooled Street® 750 (£5,795) are taking off. It’s attracting a huge amount of interest.

Lind Group Marketing Manager, Ben Freakley said “In terms of sales, the experience is very similar with the entry level bikes doing well and in terms of units sold probably making up the single largest section. Obviously with such a wide spread of models, the sales figures are spread over a large number of bikes. The brand is very strong and sales are going well.”

We regularly hold events, including a Custom Show in March, and an Open Day in June, plus two Poker runs, one in May the other in September when all are welcome, and you can even try a Harley® on the day for free.

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(LINGS) NORFOLK TRIUMPH/SUFFOLK TRIUMPH – WATTON & IPSWICH The bikes that dominated the sales figures for both Norfolk & Suffolk Triumph during 2015 are the Tiger 800 range (from £8,600 to £11,200) with most being the off road biased XCx and the Street Triple (from £7,499 to £8,599) which has been the class leader since its first release.

Watton branch manager Scott Lock said “Obviously Triumph have many big bikes in the range, none bigger than the Rocket 3 and sales are widely spread across the range. That said, the Street Triple and Tiger 800 have been the dominant sellers in the last 12 months with them being pretty much neck and neck across the two branches. I’m not sure that necessarily indicates a shift towards smaller lighter machinery. People buy them because they are great bikes, not just because they are smaller than say the Explorer or Speed Triple. They are of course less expensive which probably helps.”

He continued “Interest in the new Bonneville range has been incredible with so many deposits put down in November for bikes not due to arrive until March 2016. It is highly likely that they will dominate our sale this year based on the early levels of interest, particularly when the Thruxton’s arrive.”

Group Manager Bob Brennan said “Sales of the Street Triple and Tiger 800 have been replicated in our Ipswich branch too. They are both seriously fun bikes to ride but both are an easy to ride on the daily commute. The Tiger 800 range gives riders fabulous touring potential in a light and nimble package. It is quite likely that the new Bonneville range is going to dominate sales for us at Ipswich this year too.”

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SEASTAR SUPERBIKES –

KAWASAKI DEALERS & DUCATI NORWICH (NEWTON FLOTMAN, NORWICH) Ducati Norwich have the Multistrada 1200 (from £13,125) and the Scrambler (from £7,250) topping their sales charts.

Owner Vince Vrinten said “Whilst the 899 Panigale has sold really well this year, the Multistrada MTS1200 has been our top seller almost neck and neck with the new ‘Scrambler Ducati’. The Multistrada has a broad spectrum of customers with many trading in large, adventure or touring bikes for something lighter, more nimble and with more power. There are also a lot of owners moving from sports bikes to the Multistrada with a close comparison on performance but a more versatile and comfortable bike that they can do pretty much anything on.”

He continued “The Scrambler is mostly being bought as a second bike rather than a bike to downsize to, but it’s also a great first bike when restricted on an A2 licence.”

On the Kawasaki side of the showroom, the ER6 continues to be a big seller with a purchase price starting at £5,799 and an incredible 5 year interest free finance package. It’s vying with the Z1000SX Sports Tourer at £9,699 for the top slot in their sales figures.

Vince said “The ER6 is an amazing deal and a superb bike enjoyed by first time riders and commuters alike. The Z1000SX is appealing to people moving from pure sports machinery to something more upright with a sports touring bias but with FCC assist ABS & a slipper clutch and pannier options. It was Kawasaki’s top selling bike in 2015”

SIGNATURE MOTO

– MV AGUSTA (RACKHEATH, NORWICH) Having returned to Italian ownership in 2010, MV Agusta now has Mercedes AMG as a 25% shareholder. These beautifully detailed bikes are, as the advertising suggests, an art form. Signature Moto’s owner James Horton has found a lot of interest in the new F800 Turismo Veloce (From £11,899). The Turismo makes perfect sense for many riders as it encompasses a road-biased Adventure styled bike in a smaller and lighter package weighing in at just 191kg and just look at it!

James said “Apart from the more specialised bikes in the range, the greatest interest and sales at the moment are with the Turismo Veloce. It’s a new departure for MV Agusta, moving into the touring sector and they have done a fantastic job using a reworked version of the proven 800cc engine used elsewhere in the range. It’s an exciting area for MV to be moving into.”

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â—? To find out more about Norfolk Safe Rider email: andy.micklethwaite@norfolk.gov.uk or telephone 01603 638115. â—? For Suffolk Safe Rider contact Hayley Batterham on 01473 613730 or Kevin Stark on 01473 613888 Ext 3395 or email: saferider@suffolk.pnn.police.uk

MACHINE CONTROL: i2iMCA BY TOM DUNCAN I am sure that this is a subject that is close to all of our hearts, but how many of us actually know and understand much beyond the rudiments of machine control? We all know how to keep it upright in normal driving conditions and many in the group have skills beyond that. If you want to take your machine control skills up to a higher level, then I can strongly recommend this course.

The purpose of the machine control course is to build confidence & improve riding ability.

Tom Killeen’s teaching style does both of these in spades. Further details of machine control 1 can be found at: http://www.i2imca.com/ MachineControl.asp Tom Killeen is an inspiration and has the ability to break down explanations of control of a motorcycle into small bite size digestible chunks.

Take the basic issue of machine stability. Tom will quiz you on what you think keeps a motorcycle upright. Some might think having the engine running helps to promote stability and others think stability comes from the bike when under way.

The basic principle of stability for bikes is that they are stable so long as the rider doesn't mess with or put weight through the handlebars.

Tom explains in some detail the exercises that he wants you to do in order to demonstrate that you understand what is going on to keep a motorcycle stable. But it’s not all talk. After explaining what you need to do, Tom will then summarise the process, don his helmet and gloves, jump on his bike and then show you exactly what he has just explained.

leaning the bike more even if they knew that more lean would solve the problem of running wide in a bend. We considered that the amount of grip available was a major concern in the mind of the rider and that it made sense to understand what happens to grip when lean is introduced.

Advanced braking was a show stopper for me.

Initially, with both hands on the handlebars and braking really hard I slid forward on the seat and the weight pressure on my arms and hands was not inconsiderable. I did not feel particularly in control. As I mentioned above Tom teaches incrementally. Advanced braking was no different.

After a short while I was braking hard with the front brake and only one hand on the bars and was keeping the bike going in a straight line.

Finally, Tom took us through the braking forces and balance of the machine and what happens to the bike under braking conditions in terms of the grip available front and back.

This just left the technique to use for hard braking, which included a two stage approach to braking on the front. A small amount of brake applied first, a delay to allow the forks to compress and equalise at which point extra brake and weight delivered to the front would directly transmit to the tyre spreading out the contact patch and grip which allowed much more brake to be used. The result was a very short stopping distance (closer to 12meters) without any drama.

To put that in to context, when you can visualise the space needed to stop you can have more confidence and react calmly to Hazards if they require you to stop.

Tom will take you through the physics of how a motorcycle corners. First we considered the reason a bike turned was a result of a cone being created on front and rear tyre resulting in an arc Toms’ USP is his ability to explain something in or turn. More lean creates a smaller cone (greater a way that makes a complex subject very easy angle of attack) which results in a tighter arc. to understand. You are not overloaded with facts and figures. Rather, Tom will explain things in an We also discussed why some riders would resist easy to follow simple way.

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SeastarSuperbikes.co.uk

DUCATI Norwich

Dainese Store Seastar Superbikes, The Garage, Ipswich Road, Opening Newton Flotman, Norwich, Norfolk NR15 1PN. Early 2016 Tel: 01508 471919 Dainese is an extension of our large clothing centre that already represents : Wolf, RST, Alpinestars, Held, Keis, Kawasaki, Ducati, Sidi, AGV, Arai and Shoei.

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Cliff and Jenny have set up their shop after their experiences riding around the world, they both took a year out and rode their bikes overland through Europe, the Middle East and down to the Indian Sub Continent, they then flew the bikes from Katmandu to Bangkok and toured around South East Asia before flying the bikes to New Zealand and Australia.....

A truly life changing trip!

They learnt some important lessons whilst on the trip, and, in early 2009, they started the online and trade show business, Two Wheel Trekkers, going on to open The Adventure Bike Shop in 2012. The business continues to grow online, and with more store instore the ABS team offer a warm welcome to all visitors to the shop, extending the breadth of their knowledge and experience helping fellow travellers and riders by providing accurate and helpful information.

2014/2015 have been big years for the team, with two very sucessful Adventure Travel Events , with among other attractions, guest speakers Best Seller Ted Simon and Graham Field, trade stands including CCM, BMW, KTM, Triumph, Adventure Peru, Kaapstad Motorcycle Tours, Pheonix Rider Training and more. There are alraedy plans in place to make next years event bigger and better!

You can follow us on Facebook or on our website to keep up with all the latest news and events. Or why not pop in.............................................................

FOR THE BEST SELECTION OF ADVENTURE AND TOURING BIKE ACCESSORIES IN ENGLAND

CLOTHING

HELMETS

BOOTS

GLOVES

LUGGAGE

ACCESSORIES

Visit us at Unit 19, Inca Business Park, Acton, Suffolk CO10 0BB - 01787 372901

www.adventurebikeshop.co.uk

info@adventurebikeshop.co.uk

SAFER, SMOOTHER, QUICKER Suffolk RoSPA Advanced Motorcyclists is a group based in Needham Market, Suffolk for riders from all over Suffolk (and parts of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Essex) interested in improving their riding - to be safer, ride more smoothly and get there quicker.

The aim of the volunteer tutors in the group is to help riders enjoy their riding more and to prepare for the RoSPA test. This is the most demanding and prestigious test of riding that can be undertaken by a non-professional motorcyclist. A pass at gold standard requires riding with the highest standards of observation, planning and machine control.

Members generally aim for continued improvement. We believe you’re never so good you can’t get better.

Aside from training there is an active social side with meetings, tours, skills based track days and ride-outs throughout the year.

There are members with widely varying levels of experience with exracers as well as those who have only recently passed their DSA test and bikes from 60’s classics to modern sports and adventure bikes.

To find out more visit www.s-ram.org.uk Or find us on facebook.

MV Agusta Norwich

There are a lot of beautiful motorcycles in the world, but MV Agusta is something else. – Claudio Castiglioni

Authorised Dealer

www.signaturemoto.co.uk 01603 920240

info@signaturemoto.co.uk

mvagustanorwich

Unit 27, Mahoney Green, Green Lane West, Rackheath, Norwich , Norfolk. NR13 6JY

Dave Barkshire is a huge name in the Norfolk motorcycling world and has been in business for over 30 years now.

DAVE BARKSHIRE MOTORCYCLES CHESTNUT COURT RACKHEATH INDUSTRIAL ESTATE NORWICH, NR13 6LH

Tel: 01603 722800 www.davebarkshire.com

For all your motorcycling needs, from 50 cc up, helmets, clothing and servicing!

Search Orwell Motorcycles 200 Ranelagh Road, Ipswich, IP2 0AQ 01473 257401

RETURN OF A LEGEND

CRF1000L Africa Twin Call to book a test ride on 01603 307500 or email sales@cjball.com

C J Ball Honda, Woodlands, Salhouse Road, Norwich NR7 9AB. cjball.com

YOUR WORLD JUST GOT BIGGER.

Lind Motorrad Norwich

The Ultimate Riding Machine

MAKE LIFE A RIDE. DISCOVER THE WORLD OF BMW MOTORRAD HERE AT LIND IN NORWICH. Here at Lind, we have the perfect ride for every rider starting from just £6,290 OTR. Whether you’re looking for something nimble and agile for off-roading, the ultimate touring bike for lapping up the miles across the UK and Europe, everybody’s favourite do-all bike the R 1200 GS or maybe you fancy the retro styled, stripped back R nineT? We’ve got it… and then some.

We also stock one the UK’s largest selection of BMW Approved Used Motorcycles. All of which come with many benefits that give complete peace of mind, including 99-point inspection, history checks and 12-month warranties.

You want to look the part too, right? Check out our latest BMW Rider and Lifestyle Clothing, extensive range of BMW Genuine Parts & Accessories, plus at our centre we have a state of the art workshop with factory trained technicians.

Pay us a visit, we’re sure you’ll love the latest BMW range, the team and the mix of social activities and events we host throughout the year.

Lind Motorrad 120 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3ES Tel: 01603 622655 www.lindmotorrad.co.uk 13