South East Biker, Issue 52, August-September 2017

The South East’s No.1 FREE bike magazine ISSUE 52 • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2017

A HANDFUL OF HONDAS

MOTORCYCLING OLD STYLE

TAFFY ON A GS REFLECTIONS & RUST

REVIEWS • FEATURES • EVENTS • SPORTS SEB: ON FULL THROTTLE SINCE 2008 southeastbiker.co.uk

01420 488290

PetersďŹ eld road, Whitehill, Bordon, Hampshire GU35 9AR

Enough said. www.haslemeremotorcycles.co.uk

STARTING GRID

Editor scribes There are numerous reasons why we all ride motorbikes. For some it’s simply a means of transport to save on fuel, journey time and parking charges depending where you live.

For many it’s a leisure activity, whether it’s a tool to whisk you off to exotic parts of the world or a machine to race on track, ride up mountains or tear around muddy motocross tracks. Some simply like to ride somewhere on a sunny sunday just to savour a bit of freedom.

Whatever your reasons for riding, motorbikes represent an escape from some of the confines of a society that seems to be getting more regimented year by year.

We actively promote all the safety initiatives that are on offer to bikers. This is not because we believe everyone should be wrapped in cotton wool, far from it. It’s simply that improving your skills and awareness will not only keep you safer but increase the enjoyment of the activity you love.

However, biking is about enjoying certain freedoms and one of them is your individual choice of what you wear to protect yourself. MAG (the Motorcycle Action Group) have contributed an interesting article on this subject.

At this time of year in particular, what you wear while riding your bike is always a balance between comfort and protection.

Contents

4 THE MOTORCYCLIST’S GUIDE TO FILTERING 6 A Handful Of Hondas 10 South Coast Honda 12 London Calling 15 Tortillas To Totems 17 The Right To Choose 18 Michelin Anakee Wild Tyres 21 MotoGuzzi Bible

Whatever you ride and however you dress for it, enjoy the rest of the summer.

22 Motobox

Nick

24 Motorcycling Old Style

Visit southeastbiker.co.uk for events list CONTACT US

ADVERTISING AND Debbie Tunstill, email: debs@southeastbiker.co.uk

GENERAL ENQUIRIES Tel: 0330 888411 EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Nick Tunstill, email: nick@southeastbiker.co.uk PRODUCTION: Dean Cook: deancook@magazineproduction.com PRINTING: Gemini Print, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex.

25 THE TAFFY DAKAR

© 2017 South East Biker (SEB) Magazine is an independent title and does not endorse the products or services

30 New Gear

that appear in the magazine. Opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily represent those of the editor or of South East Biker magazine. Reproduction of content is strictly prohibited without prior written approval from the editor or publisher.

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

32 African Adventure 34 Reflections And Rust 3

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

The Motorcyclist’s guide to Filtering – PART II In issue 51 Tony Carter, Incident and Advice Specialist at Hudgell Solicitors, provided some fascinating background information on the grey biking area that is filtering. In part two Tony fills us in on how we can avoid an incident in the first place and what to do if you are knocked off whilst filtering…

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• •

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o, what can you do to avoid an accident in the first place, or give yourself a good chance of getting 100% of your compensation?

Ride at a speed that means you can stop safely in the distance you can see ahead.

Vehicles emerge or turn at junctions, be extra vigilant if your visibility is compromised by high sided vehicles.

Vehicles suddenly change lanes or U-turning without warning.

Vehicle drivers suddenly opening their doors, especially if filtering along traffic that has been stationary for some time.

Pedestrians and cyclists appear from nowhere or make an unexpected move.

Don’t forget other filtering motorcycles!

AS YOU ARE FILTERING • Be ready to brake or use your horn if you think you have not been seen.

• Use dipped headlights and wear fluorescent/ reflective clothing.

• Watch for road studs, road paint, road defects and manhole covers which can throw the bike off line.

• Avoid conflict with other road users and be courteous.

• Make sure you comply with all road traffic signs, road markings and road traffic regulations.

It is the old story, that if it feels wrong, it probably is wrong, but filter with care and you should not have any problems, as each case has to be decided on its merits and the evidence available.

I often get asked about undertaking or what is referred to as the nearside overtake. The most common example is usually found on a motorway when it is clear and we get the centre lane hogger.

Following on from filtering, TV programmes over the years have gone on about it being illegal, but the reality is that nowhere in current traffic law does it say that an undertake is illegal. The reason for this is that apart from the centre lane hogger, congestion is often found close to motorway slip roads during the rush hour and traffic build up becomes substantial.

It is not unusual for lanes 2 and 3 (the centre and outside lanes) to be stationary whilst lane 1 (the left hand lane) remains empty. If traffic was prohibited from passing along the nearside, then the congestion would be worse than we currently experience. At the August-September 2017 • South East Biker Magazine

LEGAL ASSISTANCE same time, (going back to the centre lane hogger) it is not always practical or safe when you are travelling at 70 and someone is doing 50 in lane 2 to go from lane 1 to lane 3, bearing in mind that lane 1 is the normal driving lane.

So is it legal to undertake? Well it is not illegal.

The only offence open to the prosecution is either dangerous or careless driving, but to prove these offences it has to be proven beyond all reasonable doubt that the standard of driving fell well below that of a reasonably safe and competent driver, therefore the sole act of a nearside overtake is insufficient.

However, weave from lane to lane at high speed, then it may be a different story.

So this raises the question of “What if I decide to undertake and the car in the centre lane decides to move back into the inside lane?�

The driver in the centre lane however does commit the offence of driving without reasonable consideration for other road users (which is a subsection of careless driving), and they also have a statutory duty of care to ensure that it is safe to return to that lane before they actually start to change position.

Now, I am not suggesting for one minute that we all go around undertaking every time we are on a motorway, but there are occasions when it is

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

reasonable for a number of reasons, and the courts are now recognising this and have found in favour of riders who have undertaken, where before the rider may have decided against making a claim on the basis that they believed that they committed an offence.

Again, it all comes down to the circumstances and the evidence available.

Hopefully this will clarify some of the more common issues that arise when filtering.

Tony Carter and the team can be contacted at Hudgell Solicitors on 0808 301 8554 or www.hudgellsolicitors.co.uk

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MOTORCYCLE REVIEWS

A HANDFUL OF HONDAS

Many motorcycles fall neatly into categories that work well both for the owners with their purchases and the manufacturers with their marketing.

Sports, adventure, touring, off road, scooter, learner, commuter or urban, most motorbikes lean heavily towards one of these headings. Now Honda have blurred the boundaries and the face of motorcycling could be changing fast…

HONDA X-ADV

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irst there was the Maxi-scooter, the larger capacity machine that took the ease and convenience of a scooter and transformed it into a bike that could cross continents with ease. Now Honda have taken it one step further and brought out a machine that will even tackle other surfaces than tarmac. They even list it under Adventure Bikes on the website.

Compared to many scooters the ADV is actually quite a striking bike with some neat design touches such as the twin headlights, USD forks, what look 6

like effective hand guards and what I would call ‘proper’ spoked wheels, suspension, brakes and tyres. The one I rode was a silver/grey. There are more striking colours available but this could be an attempt to appeal to the car driver market where most vehicles you see on the road now are silver, grey or black. What’s wrong with a bit of colour??

Anyway, on to the bike. The hidden engine is based on the tried and tested 745cc 54bhp twin used in the NC750 range. It’s obvious from the start this bike has been produced as a practical machine rather than something to set the pulse racing August-September 2017 • South East Biker Magazine

MOTORCYCLE REVIEWS

everytime you open the garage. The bike is fairly big and heavy at 238kg with an 820mm seat height, although with the scooter riding position and low down centre of gravity, this works both for taller and shorter riders. Keyless ignition, plenty of weather protection, huge underseat storage and neat touches like a 12v adaptor and adjustable screen all add to the ADV’s appeal as practical motorcycle.

Riding the bike is simple, even I mastered Honda’s clever DCT (dual clutch) system after a couple of hundred metres. It can be ridden as a simple twist and go or paddled through the gears using the left switch gear. There are two modes, sport and drive. Sport lets you hang onto the revs longer for a more interesting ride.

I didn’t attempt to take the ADV off tarmac. I imagine it would cope well with the rough gravel tracks that are common in rural Europe, especially with the longer travel suspension and bash plate. Anything more serious than that could be interesting!

Overall, an unpretentious bike that is far more capable than your regular scooter but with all the practicality and comfort they offer.

European cities are buzzing with these machines, not ridden by what we would term ‘bikers’ in the UK, but by people looking for practical (and hopefully enjoyable) transport. Whether the ADV will catch on in the UK outside of major cities is more debatable. However the bike achieves what it is designed to do so we may well see more machines along these lines in the future.

HONDA MSX 125

Remember the original Honda Monkey bike? A machine without any obvious practical use but even so it became a cult classic. This is Honda’s 21st century take on the same idea. Take all the features of a modern motorcycle, scale the whole thing down and make a machine that puts a grin South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

on your face as well as looking cool. Whereas the X-ADV tended to blend into the scenery, there was no hiding on this dayglo bad lad. I got plenty of inquisitive looks as I set off along the mayhem that is the A27. It’s nice to be noticed!

The bike is well put together and well styled, It’s certainly bang up to date and I could see it 7

MOTORCYCLE REVIEWS

appealing to plenty of teenage learners. Tasteful LCD dash, USD forks and a rear monoshock are some of the touches that make this motorbike something desirable to own.

So, once you have got over the obvious fact that it’s a three quarter size motorbike, how does it ride and handle?

My knees have seen better days but the MSX is actually fairly comfortable, at least on the shorter journeys it’s likely to undertake. Combining a 125cc 9.5bhp engine with a reduced seat height of 765mm may not seem to be the safest option for the south east’s congested and lorry filled roads. However the throttle response is brisk and holding your own on a dual carriageway is not as daunting as it may seem. Up to around 60mph it works well. The ride is actually a hoot and pulling into Whiteways Cafe and sticking it next to the race reps and adventure bikes makes you feel quite an individual. One of the cooler things about riding a motorbike is feeling that you are a bit different from Ford Focus man and you certainly stand out on this bike, even amongst the bikers!

Apparently the latest trend is to have a third bike. If that’s the case you won’t go far wrong with one of these. The MSX looks great, is well made, a laugh to ride and cheap to buy and run. You can’t go far wrong with that combination. With a set of tyres at £50 and a fuel consumption of 150mpg plus it makes even more sense.

HONDA CMX500 REBEL

No subtle marketing here. The Rebel is aimed squarely at those who want the cruiser/custom mean and moody look in a usable, modern form.

The CMX500 does look cool with a firm nod towards to a large American bike manufacturer.

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But whether strapping ‘Rebel’ on the back of the name will convince anyone that they will be seen as Marlon Brando as they pull into the pub car park is debatable. The CMX500 is simple, basic and well made, plus of course it’s a Honda so reliability and ease of use won’t be an issue.

August-September 2017 • South East Biker Magazine

MOTORCYCLE REVIEWS

USEFUL INFO

HONDA ADV Based on the successful CB500 45bhp parallel twin, this A2 friendly machine is perfect for newer riders who want to jump on a bike that’s not too daunting and head off along the country roads into the sunset. It will also fulfil the dreams of many riders who may want a different style of bike for a bit more fun.

Rather than the feet forward position of some cruiser styled bikes, the Rebel is more conventional and so is the ride.

That’s not to say it’s dull in any way. Honda have a knack of making their 500cc parallel twins a lot more interesting to ride than their paper specifications may suggest.

It’s refreshing to ride a motorbike that hasn’t been overcomplicated with rider modes and traction control etc.

The bike is physically small with a seat height of 690mm and a fully fuelled weight of 190kg. However you don’t notice this when riding it, at 5’10” I was really comfortable on the Rebel and if you were a few inches shorter that would just be a bonus.

As with many modern machines, the ease of use is a real bonus. A generation ago many bikes were a pig to start, ride, stop and manoeuvre. We either adapted to the bike and put up with their foibles or got fed up and chopped it in for something else. Not so in 2017, nearly all motorbikes are very used friendly.

The main challenge is mastering the ever expanding technology that is now par for the course.

Anyway, jump on the Rebel, start the engine, put it in gear and you are off. The steering, brakes, tyres and suspension all work well for a reassuring ride and you can concentrate on the important part of enjoying it all. Which is what this bike is about when it comes down to it. It may work as a commuter or tourer but will come into its own when the sun is out, you have some time on your hands and want to hit the quieter A and B roads. I rode the Rebel along the back roads around Goodwood and the South Downs, which is the perfect territory for this machine. If you are new to biking or simply want something different at a cost that won’t terrify your bank manager (remember them?) it’s well worth a look.

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

RRP £9599 Engine 745cc Parallel twin Seat height 820mm Weight 238kg Fuel capacity 13.1litres Wheelbase 1590mm

USEFUL INFO

HONDA MSX125 RRP Engine Seat height Weight Fuel capacity Wheelbase

£3293 125cc single 765mm 101kg 5.5litres 1200mm

USEFUL INFO

HONDA CMX500 Rebel RRP Engine Seat height Weight Fuel capacity Wheelbase

£5399 500cc Parallel twin 690mm 190kg 11.2 litres 1488mm 9

DEALER VISIT

SOUTH COAST HONDA We took a trip down to Chichester to meet the team behind South Coast Honda, have a nose around and take out some bikes. Tough work but someone has to do it…

T

he main man, Rob Booth, was away at the TT, no doubt ‘working hard” so I had the pleasure of being shown around by Kayleigh and Jamie. The premises are situated close to the A27 just outside Chichester, off the Bognor Road roundabout, a lovely blat along the main dual carriageway or an even better meander around the Glorious Goodwood back roads across the Downs.

The showroom is big and bright, with the full range of Honda bikes on display and a mezzanine with a coffee area, where you can pick up SEB, and a substantial dirt bike section. This makes sense when I hear of Rob’s love of motocross. There is a section for kit and clothing, not a massive confusing range but enough to provide the essentials. Everything is clean and well laid out. Kayleigh is the Business Manager and greets you on arrival as her desk is by the entrance. There are certain bike shops that you can wander around aimlessly for ages without anyone asking if you after anything in particular. You shouldn’t have that problem at South Coast Honda.

All the staff are passionate about bikes. They were really interested in what I thought of the demos and customer feedback is a priority. Running a bike business these days is a big challenge and getting 10

new customers and holding onto existing ones is vital.

As well as new and used bike sales, South Coast Honda offer full servicing and MOT facilities plus a parts supply service and a free bike health check. The clean and tidy workshop is next to the main entrance and customers can see bikes being worked on.

South Coast Honda are keen to be part of the biking community, not just a service for it.

If you live along the south coast or fancy a trip for a test ride, why not check them out? It’s well worth a visit.

The website is of a high standard and contains all the up to date information on bikes and services you will need. Thanks to the team for letting me loose for the day on their demo bikes! www.southcoasthonda.co.uk August-September 2017 • South East Biker Magazine

/////// TEST RIDES AVAILABLE NOW

WE RIDE LONDON

LONDON CALLING With constantly changing legislation and spiralling motorcycle thefts, our capital city always seems to bear the brunt of anything that is anti-biking. Just because you don’t live or ride in London, don’t think what happens there doesn’t affect you as a biker.

Not everyone is content to just put up and shut up…

W

e Ride London is an unaffiliated and inclusive campaign acting as the main lobby and pressure group for grassroot riders of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds in London. It is also supporting the hundreds of small businesses that will be significantly impacted by some of the changes proposed by City Hall, including the ULEZ pollution charge. We Ride London’s five campaign objectives to help the capital’s riders are: 1. Protection of lane widths to allow safe filtering 2. Exclusion from congestion and pollution charging 3. Universal use of bus lanes nationally, as pioneered by Transport for London 4. Adequate secure motorcycle parking 5. More action against increasing bike theft and bike-jacking We Ride London won’t stop until these objectives have been addressed, and it will continue to campaign and ride. Since launching in late November 2016, We Ride London has gained more than 2,500 supporters through social media, and featured in

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numerous articles in the press and on radio andTV. We Ride London is a truly inclusive movement, with a hugely diverse cross-section of supporters. It asks that whether you are a daily rider of a 20-year-old scooter, a 40 year-old classic, a be-chromed V-twin or the latest sports bike, you will join the campaign before motorcycles and scooters are banished from London forever. www.weridelondon.com “Motorcycling in London is part of the solution for reducing congestion and pollution as much as cycling but policy makers continue to ignore the positive benefit motorcyclists bring to our capital. Most people who ride in the capital do so because it’s cheaper and quicker than other forms of transport and have journeys that aren’t practical on a bicycle. Motorcycles take up less road space, are proven through TfL’s own studies to contribute to less than 1% of the overall pollution in London and are more versatile than bicycles. Other capitals around the world recognise and embrace this, why not London?” — CHARLEY BOORMAN www.southeastbiker.co.uk • South East Biker Magazine

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A minimum deposit of £99 is required. Reducing the deposit to £99 will increase your monthly repayment levels. Customers can also reduce their monthly repayment levels by making a larger initial deposit than £1415. This offer ends on the 18/09/17. This finance offer is Hire Purchase. This finance offer is only available through Yamaha Finance, a trading style of Block Horse Ltd, St William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 5BH. Finance is subject to status and only available to UK residents aged 18 and over.

1st July to 18th September 2017 on all new D'elight purchases.

A minimum deposit of £99 is required. This offer ends on the 18/09/17. Customers can reduce their monthly repayment levels by making a larger initial deposit. This finance offer is Hire Purchase. This finance offer is only available through Yamaha Finance, a trading style of Block Horse Ltd, St William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 5BH. Finance is subject to status and only available to UK residents aged 18 and over.

Our large Motorcycle superstore is located just outside of Basingstoke, Hampshire, and and we have on display hundreds of both new and used motorcycles in our huge showroom. We welcome part exchange enquiries on every new YAMAHA that we have for sale.

We have a large clothing, parts and accessories department which can offer you all of the products you require for your motorcycling adventures. Our trained staff team can assist you with any questions you have and we can help you to chose the correct and relevant products. Many of our products have been discounted from the Recommended Retail Price, at a price that you won't be able to find online!

Our showroom has a YAMAHA trained sales team, which can help you find a bike suitable for your requirements whilst also talking you through any relevant offers that we have on.

If you are interested in purchasing a selected bike, we may be able to offer you a test ride to help you decide (by appointment). We are also able to show you through the genuine YAMAHA accessories guide, so we can get your bike kitted up with the latest gear.

We also have a service department which can offer you a range of services: •M.O.T. While you wait (by appointment) •Tyres supplied, fitted and balanced.

•Repairs & modifications •Collection and Delivery service. www.mottmotorcycles.co.uk Telephone: 01256 841110 sales@mottmotorcycles.co.uk

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MANICOM’S TRAVELS

Tortillas to Totems We make no secret of the fact we love Sam Manicom’s motorcycle travel books. John Allsopp listens to one of Sam’s books, just released as an Audio Book…

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ortillas to Totems is the fourth book detailing the around the world travels of Sam Manicom and Birgit Schuenemann. The other books in the series are Into Africa, Under Asian Skies and Distant Suns.

“Tortillas to Totems” references the geographic area covered by the pair’s travels from the southernmost part of Mexico all the way up to the Northwest Territories of Canada, with side trips including many of the States on the North American continent.

Tortillas to Totems is a compelling story, with a combination of diary, narrative and commentary that really makes the listener feel like you’re right there by the campfire with Sam and Birgit, or riding in their wheel tracks whilst they listen to the sounds, and drink in the smells of their environment. It also offers a unique insight into how their experiences can challenge some of their preconceived ideas.

The audio book also enables

those who have not travelled to see why some are drawn to do so.

And why a motorcycle is the best way to ensure that the traveller has a full sensory experience of that exploration of different climates, cultures and landscapes.

For those that are familiar with both the joys of travel and motorcycling the book provides an engaging record of the couple’s personal adventures, trials and tribulations. It also allows you to fully appreciate their love and appreciation of the amazing grandeur of nature.

The way that a motorcycle has of turning a traveller from passive observer to active participant is also amply illustrated in Sam’s descriptions.

As I listened I found myself nodding as he recapitulated experiences I had had in my own travels, about having to trust strangers and the realisation that most of the people you meet are genuinely helpful.

I also found myself reminiscing

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

about my own trip across the States on a bike as Sam visited areas I had myself.

Personally, I have never purchased an audio book before as my personal preference is to immerse myself in the conventionally written word.

Having said that, I found myself really enjoying listening to Sam describing their experiences in his own voice.

To say that I enjoyed this book would be an immense understatement. I simply adored it and, would recommend it to anyone as a ‘must read’ or ‘listen’!

The Tortillas To Totems audio book is recorded by Kite Studios, distributed by Open Book Audio and is available to buy via Audible, iTunes and other retailers. www.sam-manicom.com 15

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August-September 2017 • South East 09/01/2017 Biker Magazine 10:28

The Right To Choose

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Andy Carrott, Vice Chairman, Motorcycle Action Group

he Motorcycle Action Group’s President, Ian Mutch, recently came in for a lambasting by some riders on social media. The reposting of an article written by him in 2013 — where he dared to suggest that what goes on between the ears can, in certain circumstances, protect you more than what you are wearing — resulted in a fair degree of vitriol being aimed in his direction.

In short, on a hot day whilst riding in shirt sleeves, piss pot and wearing no gloves he was sneered at by a fully armoured rider who then set off from the traffic lights at a rate of knots only to be on his backside in the road at the next bend.

There’s a whole school of thinking that believes the safer someone feels, the more risks they are prepared to take. This isn’t MAG rhetoric; it’s known as the theory of risk compensation and is already being applied in some highway design, where techniques are employed that make drivers feel more vulnerable resulting in a reduction in average speeds. Would the guy have been testing the level of protection of his clothing if he had he been dressed the same as the guy alongside him?

Ian is a founder member of MAG and makes no secret of his opposition to compulsory enforcement in respect to what you can or cannot wear on a motorcycle. He rides by the maxim “Gently Bently” and whilst his speedo can display speeds in excess of the national limit, it’s not territory the needle has regularly seen. The mistake some Facebook commentators made was thinking that Ian was saying MAG is opposed to wearing protective gear but when it comes to ATGATT (All The Gear, All The Time) or riding in a pink tutu, MAGs view is that if that is what you want to wear, wear it. MAG accepts that protective clothing can help reduce injury, so why would we see a need to oppose it? We don’t.

In fact, MAG supported the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations when it lobbied the EU on clothing standards so that when you buy a jacket that says it is protective it does what it says on the tin.

But equally as valid as one person’s desire to wear the best equipment money can buy, MAG also believes it is equally acceptable that the guy or gal on the cruiser should be able to ride along in cut-off and South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

fingerless gloves. As riders we know that if we fall off there is a distinct possibility it is going to hurt. It is a fact that in the event of an accident we are more likely to be injured than if we were in a car.

Lembit Öpik, MAG’s Director of Communications & Public Affairs, experienced years of pain and discomfort following facial injuries as a result of a paragliding accident, but he would support your and my right to go paragliding. We choose to ride for many reasons but we all experience the joy of two (or three) wheels. We live in a country where we are free to jump out of an aeroplane thousands of feet in the air, where we can climb mountains or get on a horse and gallop across the countryside or take part in any number of other activities that involve risk. It is one thing passing laws that stop us hurting each other but there has to be a limit on legislation that protects us from ourselves. If you don’t accept that, then you accept that ultimately, the Government can stop you doing anything where you might hurt yourself, including motorcycling.

MAG supports progressive training for riders (but not the current regime of re-testing); it welcomes the range of gear that riders now get to choose from; it supports driver education and is campaigning for safer roads, but it remains true to the fundamental principal of freedom of choice because to do otherwise accepts that the Government can legislate us off the road. Some people are not comfortable with that sort of libertarian approach but who hasn’t, at some point, moaned about the ‘nanny state’? There will be someone who reads this who still thinks we are somehow opposed to protective clothing. We are not, but we are opposed to any attempt to prevent you from making up your own mind.

The Motorcycle Action Group is the country’s leading organisation when it comes to representing rider’s interests and you can be a member for just over 50p per week! Please call 01926 844064: single membership costs £27; family, joint, affiliated club and corporate memberships also available).

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ON TEST

Michelin Anakee Wild Tyres Les Smith has tried most things on a motorbike.

So when he wanted to test some new tyres fitted to his BMW R1150 GSA, he decided to head off to Wales and tackle the infamous Taffy Dakar…

I

set off to Wales, and the Taffy Dakar, with a new set of Michelin Anakee Wilds fitted to my BMW R1150 GSA and Helga (the bike) did look smart in her new boots I have to say.

Having ridden on various off road biased adventure bike tyres over the years, I sort of know what I’m looking for in terms of traction and handling on and off road. But I do appreciate other riders might have different likes and dislikes, so here’s my take on the Michelins.

Over the last ten years I’ve fitted off road type tyres to a number of different adventure bikes, like my old KTM 990 Adventure and then my KTM 1199 Adventure R for example, and more recently a Triumph Tiger XCX, but I’ve ridden a few other bikes too.

I’ll steer clear of the tech stuff because I’m just interested in how they ride and work for the rider and how these tyres suited the bike rather than what heat 18

the Michelin mounds were cast in. So, using what modest experience I have with this genre of bike and tyre combo, I set out to assess how the Michelins worked on an older bike with less technology, namely Helga, my BMW 1150 GS Adventure.

I was really looking forward to fitting these Michelin hoops, and excited to see how they would fair on a bike of this size and weight. These particular Michelin Anakee Wilds were kindly sent direct from Michelin who have a lot of faith in their product. A very nice man turned up at my place in Kent at 07:30 am, having run down from Stoke with them. So thank you Michelin man!

A quick call to Watling Tyres at Swanley was all it took to get them fitted. They are always on the ball and did a great job of fitting. When it comes to bikes they really seem know their stuff.

So, Michelin Anakee Wilds, any good? Before I go into how I got on with them let’s look at what I’m August-September 2017 • South East Biker Magazine

ON TEST asking them to do. Always the best place to start with your tyre choice. I want these dual sport adventure tyres to take me all the way to Wales, a 600 mile round trip on road and motorway, then perform well off road for another 200 miles or so when I’m there, all on a bike of some 270kgs plus.

There has to be a give somewhere I thought but I’ll say now at the outset they are pretty good. They look the “dogs” for a start. The Wilds have an aggressive tread pattern with a chunky profile and a lot of off road promise and feel ... and the feel is right. As soon as I left the the fitters I knew they were off road tyres, I could tell instantly. There was that familiar squish and roll from the soft blocks of the tread pattern as the bike turns and stops. It could be unnerving if you don’t ride on off road tyres a lot, but these are well made and give a good sense of feel for what’s happening under the bike. This kind of slow squirmy feel might not be everyone’s cuppa but it’s the trade off when they provide good grip off road, so I was hopeful about the off-road performance right from the start.

The ride to Wales went okay; no dramas and the tyres were fine on the motorways and A roads. I did notice a slight vagueness at high speed when changing lanes on the motorway, but at that point

the tyres were new and settling in.

As off-road tyres go, these Anakees gave a good, (really good) first impression. On the first off road trails, the feel from the tyres was “tidy”, as the locals would say, even on a bike the size and weight of an old 1150 GSA. I had confidence in them immediately.

Predictable slide and good rider feel and feedback allowed for clean steady progress, the only fault being

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19 15/01/2013 14:00

ON TEST

the rider on occasions.

The day’s trails were a mix of hard packed dry earth to sloppy mud and everything else in between, so it was a good test.

Any downsides? Well, like I said a trade-off is inevitable on a bike this size and the level of off-road grip provided means there are compromises. The Anakee Wilds are good off road because they are quite soft and have proper off road type block spacing. They clear the mud out well and give decent grip on wet rocky climbs too.

This good off-road grip unfortunately gives rise to the squishy feeling when on tarmac.

This is a phenomenon which can feel weird and it takes some time to gain confidence in a dirt tyre on the road before you can push them. If you’re not used to a little bit of movement from the tyres it can take some getting used to.

One thing I noticed early on was the wear rate on the rear tyre and I think this could be a problem for some. People who cover big miles need longevity and an affordable tyre. Modern motorcycle tyres are not cheap so it’s a factor to consider too. After the trip to Wales and back covering 789 miles in total, including about 200 off road miles, there was noticeable wear from the rear tyre and I began to hear an increase in road noise as well. When new, the profile was quite rounded but with just a thousand miles on the rear it was showing signs of squaring while the front looked almost like new. Don’t forget it’s a heavy bike, 20

and with rider and luggage at motorway speeds the back tyre is going to get knocked out quickly.

Like I said, you can’t have everything.

A motorcycle’s tyres are how it communicates with the rider in terms of road condition and grip and so on, and it was quite noticeable early on that these tyres do not like certain elements such as white lines and botched repair banding.

White line/repair band wobble happens at all road speeds and again is probably caused by the soft tyre block just settling down over the contours of the road but it’s definitely noticeable. I tried different tyre pressures during the weekend but it made no difference. I did lower the pressures to 30 front and 34 rear for the off road stuff and put them back to 36/42 for the road ride home.

Worthy of note is the low speed rating of 104 mph. So something

like a high speed motorway run is going to put pressure on the tyres blocks.

Taking this compromise into account as I used the tyres, I didn’t see it as an issue. But if you want a 5/6000 mile rear touring tyre for a long, mainly tarmac trip using motorways, I would look to other rubber. These Anakee Wild tyres are designed for a purpose and do the “off road” adventure thing very well. As a case in point, I’m planning on doing the Hard Alpe Tour in Italy this September and making it a round trip, so I’m going to be riding the 800 miles down there, the off road 500 km GPS event and then the 800 miles back via the French Alps. I reckon a set of Wilds would be great in the main but the rear hoop would be pretty much finished by the time I got home.

For me, the Michelin Anakee Wild is a proper adventure bike tyre for big bikes on the dirt, if a little expensive, taking into account of how long they last. Do not expect to tear around on the tarmac and get 5000 miles out of a rear, though, as with many things you pays ya money and takes ya choice.

I like them for the off road ability and grip offered and I don’t mind them on the road either, and they do look the part. Providing I ride whilst appreciating the flex in the tyre and ride accordingly they are a good adventure bike off road tyre. I just won’t be doing a Brands Hatch track day with them!

Les is planning more off road antics and will be testing various brands of tyres on his GS to see how they compare in different conditions.

A set of Anakees will set you back around £200. For more information visit http://moto. michelin.com.

Thanks to Charlotte from Surrey PR and Michelin Tyres.

August-September 2017 • South East Biker Magazine

BOOK REVIEW

Moto Guzzi Sport and Le Mans Bible Lino Tonti managed to take the large V7 Moto Guzzi touring engine and create a spectacular sporting motorcycle, the V7 Sport, in 1971. This remarkable machine evolved into the stylistic 850 Le Mans, another landmark Italian motorcycle.

Here is a year by year account of development and specification changes of a great series of motorcycles.

The Moto Guzzi V7 Sport and Le Mans are iconic sporting motorcycles of the 1970s and 1980s. They were amongst the first Superbikes to combine Italian style, handling and performance. After struggling to survive during the 1960s, Lino Tonti was given the opportunity to create the V7 Sport Telaio Rosso, in 1971. This was so successful that Moto Guzzi again began to concentrate on building sporting motorcycles. When Alessandro de Tomaso acquired the company the future for Moto Guzzi twins looked bleak until the 850 Le Mans was released in 1975.

Like the V7 Sport, the Le Mans was a class leading sporting motorcycle and continued into production

throughout the 1980s. After the Le Mans II of 1978, Le Mans III of 1980, the Le Mans IV of 1984, and the Le Mans V of 1988, although no longer a cutting edge sports bike, the final Le Mans successfully managed to combine traditional attributes with modern conveniences.

Covering the period 1971-1993 and all models (V7 Sport, 750S, 750S3, 850 Le Mans, 850 Le Mans II, 850 Le Mans III, 1000 Le Mans IV, 1000 Le Mans V) and with description of model development year by year, full production data and 150 photos this is a highly informative book and an essential Bible for enthusiasts.

Available for £30 from www.veloce.co.uk ISBN 978-1-787110-95-3

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21 15/01/2015 09:40

BIKER BUSINESS

Motobox Whilst trolling through social media, as is my custom at times, I happened across Motobox UK. I very shortly after realised that I had previously met the Director, Alex Stewart, at a Biker Down session some time before.

John Allsopp reports…

Alex is a real enthusiast and this shows in his business of renting and selling motorcycles. His rental fleet is chosen for a perfect balance of power, handling and style that can totally involve the rider and bring out the best in you.

The bikes currently on offer are: Tiger 1050 Sport, Tiger 800 ABS x 2, Sprint 1050 SE ABS, Bonneville 865 and Street Triple 675 ABS x 2. Also, the range includes the MT125 ABS, YBR 125 and CB 125F. (These bikes are most commonly rented by people to practise for their DAS).

The shop is ideally located for motorbike hire in the South East of England, perfect if you are wanting easy access to the Channel Ports or EuroTunnel for a European adventure or somewhere to hire a motorcycle within easy reach of the London airports if arriving by air. Based in Hildenborough, near Tonbridge, Kent with the borders of Surrey and Sussex close by and approximately 25 miles south of Central London, they are in an enviable position close to the spa town of Tunbridge Wells and market town of Sevenoaks.

Alex’s vision was to create and operate a bespoke motorcycle hire and motorcycle sales service with a focus on traditional values coupled with the ease of all that’s modern.

22

As you may have noticed their bikes are predominantly from Triumph. Alex told me that one of the reasons for this was that he wanted to be associated with an iconically British marque.

Motobox UK will also deliver your preordered hire motorcycle (charges apply) to a location and time of your choosing, once the paperwork is completed you will soon be riding roads familiar to you while you get accustomed to the bike.

At the end of the hire period they will collect your hire motorcycle from either the drop off location or from an agreed destination.

With more than one string to their bow they also extend this service to moving customer’s own motorcycles. If, for example, you’re planning a tour and require your motorcycle to be delivered to a start location in the UK eliminating the initial, sometimes boring, motorway ride or to deliver/collect your track bike from a race circuit.

Yet another string to that bow is their commission ‘Sale or Return’ brokerage service which enables owners to sell a bike or bikes without the risk of theft, scam or fraud and general hassle of selling from home.

The service they offer includes storage and display in their showroom, on-line and media advertising, enquiry handing, payment collection, V5 processing and vehicle handover.

All in all if you are in that part of the country you’d be advised to take a look at Motobox UK. Tel: 07788 274007, online: www. motobox.co.uk or visit: Unit 1 Brookside, London Road, Hildenborough, TN11 9ND.

August-September 2017 • South East Biker Magazine

BIKER BUSINESS

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MOTORCYCLE SEATS

22/11/2016 13:20

MOTORCYCLE SEAT UPHOLSTERY SPECIALISTS Quality Craftmandship at Down to Earth prices

We are a small but busy workshop near Brands Hatch supplying and fitting gel pads, memory foam and standard vinyls. We have a full range of faux (fake) and genuine skins. If your seat needs recovering, is uncomfortable or too high or wide, Viking Motorcycle Seats have the solution. How about some customised embroidery? We offer a complete, bespoke service to make your bike unique. While you wait service available.

Call us now on: 07977 874075 Visit: www.viking-motorcycle-seats.co.uk Email: leetheseat@hotmail.co.uk, or pop in and see us at: 27a Heaver Trading Estate, Ash Road, Ash, Kent. TN15 7HJ South East Magazine Viking VinylBiker HP 0515.indd 1 • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

HEATED SEATS

We now supply and fit the fantastic BRAD PADS, heated seat elements to keep you warm all year. These can be inserted into your seat at the same time as a rebuild. A very simple connection to the battery is supplied and the pads come with two settings. Price is just £75 or £95 including wiring into bike.

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23 12/05/2015 18:00

BIKER BUSINESS

MOTORCYCLING OLD STYLE If you ride a motorbike you will no doubt have come across plenty of “characters” on your travels. Biking seems to draw in some of the more interesting and adventurous people in the world. Dave Figg kindly sent us this tale of one chap he got to know…

T

he first time I saw John Taylor was as I pulled into the car park at the Care Home where I work, riding my 600cc Honda CBF. He was watching me from his window in pyjamas and dressing gown, with a khaki bush hat on his head, partially covering his eyes.

As he was a new resident I went straight in to say “hello”. John was 89, he only had one good eye, but it twinkled with life.

“A biker eh? About time you got yourself a proper bike.”

“What is ‘proper’ John?”

“Something British. I used to ride real bikes.”

So began our friendship and me being honoured with his memories. He called himself ‘Major John’ as, to his amusement, it seemed to open doors.

Actually, John confessed to me, he had never gone beyond being a Corporal.

John had been in Egypt with the REME after the war and worked on Scimitars. After he was demobbed, John tried his hand as a donkey ride handler at Margate, but found the winter months difficult. Though he rode and tinkered with motorbikes, he eventually settled down as a motor mechanic in Dorking, Surrey. He rode a Triumph Tiger but raced on a BSA Bantam. Apparently there was a motorcycling race track near Guildford which, John said, is now under a housing estate.

There was no money to win but some betting on the side could pay for your beers later. John said there was always the presence of the local scrap dealer, who would give you a poor price if you had the misfortune to crash. An accident could hurt too, rolling in shards of glass with the real risk of fire. All this without today’s armour plating and technically advanced helmets. John had an open faced helmet, goggles, long leather coat, and tucked his trousers in his motorcycle boots.

I think he actually did like my Honda. He would always watch me ride in and out and comment on the 24

quiet engine. But, of course, he’d never let on.

John sadly passed away recently. One memory sticks with me. I once asked him if he ever considered health and safety when he was racing. That one eye contained humour.

“Of course I did. I always had a lucky rabbit’s foot tucked down my boot! Lucky for me, but not very lucky for the poor ruddy rabbit.”

August-September 2017 • South East Biker Magazine

DAKAR WITH A DIFFERENCE

THE

TAFFY DAKAR RALLY A couple of years ago SEB tackled the Taffy Dakar with plenty of enthusiasm but limited success. Les Smith gives it another go and on a very different bike…

A

fter years of dreaming about taking part in the Dakar I finally made it to the start line, the start line of the lesser known ‘Taffy Dakar.’ Not quite so extreme, or as far to go to be fair, but substantially cheaper and great fun all the same…

Anyone with an adventure bike or trail bike wanting a fun off road event that won’t kill your bike or bank balance should look at this. The Taffy Dakar takes place in and around Ystradgynlais in Wales. Nestled between the Black mountains and the Brecon Beacons, this is the perfect location to provide a couple a good days’ riding and a great social event too.

The event is a few years old now and combines trail riding and map reading skills. It’s basically orienteering by bike, that’s the official description, South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

25

DAKAR WITH A DIFFERENCE

but it’s far more than that in reality. The event takes place over a weekend and the Taffy Dakar is a camp site with a pub plus a beer tent, a marquee with decent food and live bands, all of which helps make the weekend a real treat.

It’s an event that raises valuable money for charity but also brings together a spread of bikers like I’ve not seen gathered in one place in a long time, riders from all corners of the

globe populated the camp site. I pitched next to a bunch of South Africans, ok they might be currently living in Suffolk, but it added to the mix.

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August-September 2017 • South East Biker Magazine

DAKAR WITH A DIFFERENCE

The Taffy Dakar has a simple and efficient format, using map reading and off road navigation skills.

Riders have to find the answers to a set of questions by riding around a series of given grid references.

Most of the locations can only be reached by negotiating off road trails (byways) in the hills and forests but I must stress, it is not an enduro competition and race bikes are not allowed.

It is essentially a trail bike event so all bikes have to be fully road legal and designated as “trail bikes” by the manufacturers. All manner of motorcycles, from the mighty BMW GSA 1200’s and KTM 1290’s to Honda C90’ish are acceptable, not to mention a couple of URAL sidecar outfits.

Depending on your sense of adventure or determination there is some serious riding to be done and, with proper planning followed up by a hard day’s ride, will see riders reach all the grid references and answer all the questions. However, such is the laid back ethos of the event, riders can also opt for a gentle bimble around some of the locations, via a few cafes and a pub lunch, to get just a few of the answers. The winner of the trophy at the end of the day is decided on by the number of questions answered correctly, and the discretion of the committee… Simple.

The adventure starts in store

R O A D

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TO P N A M E S I N C LOT H I N G A N D PA RT S • W O R L D W I D E D E L I V E RY South East HP Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk Motoward 0117.indd 1

27 09/01/2017 10:43

DAKAR WITH A DIFFERENCE omissions. The re-routing meant for riders of the smaller, knife edge seat, bikes like the 690s it was a bit of a pain, but that style of bike can go to places Helga found a little difficult so it’s a compromise.

While some riders on smaller bikes make the trip to Wales by van ( DRZ Suzuki and KTM 690 types), I chose to ride Helga from my home in Kent and run the 260+ miles to Taffy Dakar Hq. Helga is my BMW R1150 GS Adventure.

For the trip down to Wales and then two days trail riding she was a pretty good companion. Helga, incidentally was treated to new pair of tyres at the last minute, which made the off road sections much more navigable and fun.

Preparation is always key, and so in true dib dib style the prep was all done the day before. Helga was treated to a wash, tyres were fitted, other bits oiled and fettled, tent was packed and a few bits of clothing chucked in a bag together with some easy cook on the “jetboil” grub and I was all set.

Having planned to arrive mid afternoon on the friday, the traffic on the M25 and M4 was ok for a change and I made good time. Once I was booked in and my tent was pitched, I waited for the other guys to arrive whilst having the obligatory brew. The camp site was packed with bikes and tents and all manner of motorhomes. It looked like it was a good turn out.

Booking a place for the Taffy is a frantic affair as there are only limited slots for the event, and there were a lot of people who seemed to be regulars which made for a nice atmosphere. Everyone was welcoming and friendly and sort of normal!

SATURDAY NAVIGATION DAY On the whole, the locations and our routes were great, even if some of the locations and grid references provided turned out to be a little vague and the clues hard to spot.

But the majority were found quickly, making for good progress in the forests and across the moors.

Only once did I get really stuck, it was a muddy slate covered slope, more to do with my faffing about and bikes blocking the trail rather than the bike, and Helga’s tyres held up well. I had just about got going with the help of some of the marshals, who are a great bunch, and was legging it up the track only to be T boned by an F650 GS cutting across from rut to rut in front of me. Believe it or not he said “ sorry mate I didn’t see you”.... in the middle of a Welsh forest!

Oh and Helga and I did take a soaking as I fluffed up a water filled trail where we both ended up a little wet and muddy.

After a bit more mud, a few steep climbs and the odd splash of water, it was a good day’s riding. The navigation was a challenge at times but on the whole we rode a pretty good route topped with the beautiful Welsh scenery.

We made it to all the grids we had planned and I think we finished with 31 points which put us in about 8th place overall in the standings, Which was ok but not as good as the year before. The winning team scored a decent 37. I reckon the planning and execution of the route is where it’s at so we have a plan for next year... watch this space.

Finishing the day off with live bands, beer and a hog roast was a great end to a good day with everyone cramming into the marquee to eat and drink and swap war stories about bikes, mud and stuff.

ROUTE PLANNING OVER A BEER Friday evening was spent studying and plotting the grid reference points on the map and working out an order of attack. The route is very important and, as we found out, a long ride. Our route worked out to be about 40% off road 60% on tarmac. Unfortunately some of the more famous byways such as Sarn Helen were out of bounds due to overuse. This meant we had a few more road miles to fit in to circumnavigate the

SUNDAY TRAIL DAY Sunday saw the remaining “hard core” riders, i.e. the ones who didn’t go home after day one, treated to guided trail rides on some fantastic routes, all led by the guys from the Welsh Trail Riders association. These people are the Go-To group for this part of the world if you need to know where to go and how to alter the routes to suit bigger bikes, which is invaluable if like me you are on a BMW GS.

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August-September 2017 • South East Biker Magazine

DAKAR WITH A DIFFERENCE

I had a brilliant day and have to say thank you to the marshal who helped pick the right lines up a “proper” rocky hill for me and Helga. I might still be there had I not had the best advice.

To sum up the Taffy Dakar was a real treat. The whole thing reminded me of the early Cambrian Rally events from the late 90’s which used to be based at the Llandovery rugby club. The Taffy is run by nice people, riding is on decent trails without the pressure of time cards and enduro style time limits and there

are tea bars available in most villages. So like the Cambrian Rallies of old, the Taffy Dakar was just a cracking do and I would thoroughly recommend it.

Well done to the Taffy Dakar Crew, and all who help make it as good as it is. It was a brilliant event and, god willing, I’ll be back next year... with a plan!

Many thanks to Michelin tyres and Southeast Biker for the assistance. Roll on the next episode of Helga’s adventures. www.taffydakar.org.uk

John Harris Motorcycles MOT, Servicing, Parts, Accessories and Clothing HONDA SPECIALIST

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South East Biker0617 Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk JOHN HARRIS HP Ad.indd 1

29 15/05/2017 10:34

NEW GEAR

NEW GEAR NEW GEAR NEW GEAR BRUNEL JACKET

New for 2017, the Brunel leather jacket from Weise® has a strippedback classic look, combined with the latest impact-protection technology, to give riders the best of both worlds.

Made from tough full-grain cowhide, the leather is waxed, so that it resists moisture. Waxed leather dries more quickly than untreated leather and waxing avoids the leather becoming saturated if you get caught in the rain, as well as the necessity of re-conditioning non-waxed leather with saddle soap (or similar) following a soaking.

The Brunel is fitted with Level 2 CEapproved protectors at the shoulders and elbows, and it comes with a CE-approved back protector (Level 1) as well. Produced from highly flexible Elastofoam®, the low-profile protectors curve to fit the wearer, giving an unobtrusive fit that feels comfortable.

The Brunel jacket is available in sizes 40”-50” chest, in a choice of Black/ Orange, Black/Red and Black/Cream, retailing for £239.99, including VAT. It is covered by a 2-year no-quibble warranty.

For details call 0117 971 9200 or visit www.thekeycollection.co.uk 30

ACCESSORIES FOR KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S

German motorcycle engineering specialists, SW Motech, have introduced a comprehensive range of modelspecific accessories for KTM’s new 1290 Super Adventure S, giving owners plenty of options for tailoring their ride.

A tough, spacious and versatile luggage system enhances any journey, so SW Motech have developed their complete aluminium pannier and rack kit for the KTM. Made from light and durable powder-coated aluminium, Trax Adventure Panniers are designed to sit neatly around the tail unit and exhaust system on the Adventure S, providing a whopping 82-litres of storage space.

The cases are attached using SW Motech’s new Quick-Lock Evo Side Carriers. The patented system means that not only the cases, but also the carriers, can be removed in seconds, leaving the KTM completely uncluttered.

A complete system for the KTM – consisting of Quick-Lock Evo carrier, 45-litre (left) and 37-litre (right) TraX Evo AluBoxes, and a locking kit with 6 matching locks and 2 keys – retails at £658.

For added carrying capability, the 1290 can also be fitted with SW Motech’s Alu-Rack luggage carrier (£115.99), Seat Rack (£134.99) and the Quick Lock Tankbag system. The Quick-Lock Adapter Plate and Quick-Lock luggage rack extension, which enables the attachment of the TraX® EVO Top Cases. Quick Lock Tank Bags come in a variety of sizes and styles and simply click on and off using the tank ring system – no straps or magnets to wrestle with. Prices start at £69 for the 5-litre expandable Micro Tank Bag and the tank ring adapter costs £31.

Made from high-quality aluminium, the SW Motech Bar Riser helps take the strain out of long journeys. They’re available in either 20 mm or 30 mm rise and in a black or silver finish for £50.99.

The Brake Pedal Extension replaces and enlarges the original brake lever surface area, for added purchase and control. The serrated surface helps stop riding boots slipping off when riding in the wet. RRP: £20.99.

Multi-position adjustable Evo Footrests offer extra comfort for long rides, both on and off the road. RRP £125.99.

Finally, the SW Motech Engine Guard helps shield the motor against flying debris and small rocks when riding offroad. It retails at £199.99.

For details of the complete SW Motech range call 01256 704909 or visit www.motohaus.com August-September 2017 • South East Biker Magazine

NEW GEAR

RETRO SCOOTER: MODERN ENGINE Peugeot’s popular retro scooter gets the new EasyMotion engine and SBC linked braking across the model range for 2017, offering the latest standards of economy and safety wrapped up in a vintage style.

Designed to exceed tough Euro 4 emissions regulations, the 125cc EasyMotion engine is fuel injected and returns more than 100 miles to the gallon (104 mpg tested under World Motorcycle Test Cycle conditions).

The Django’s low saddle height (770 mm max) and large flat floor pan with non-slip slats makes the vintage-style scooter comfortable for riders of all sizes.

Confidence is further boosted by the Synchro Braking Concept, which now comes as standard across all models in the Django 125 range. Applying the left lever activates the SBC, which distributes braking effort simultaneously between the 200 mm front disc brake and 170 mm disc at the rear, slowing the scooter without locking the wheels or diving at the front. Should you need to make an ‘emergency stop’, using the right-hand lever adds extra power to the front brake.

Inspired by Peugeot’s S55 scooter of the 1950s, the Django blends vintage aesthetics with modern technology throughout. LED lighting is used for the indicators, rear light and signature lights that frame the front grille.

The dashboard is styled with reference to the beautiful cars and scooters of the Fifties, and the analogue speedometer contains a digital display, showing time, external temperature, mileage and fuel level. Under the generous seat is a lockable storage bay and the glove compartment holds a 12v socket to charge your phone.

There are five models to choose from in 2017:

Z300 HUGGER British bodywork specialists Skidmarx have introduced a rear hugger to shield the rear of Kawasaki’s supernaked Z300.

Made in the UK from GRP glass fibre in a high quality gloss black finish, it fits neatly to existing mounting points on the South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

• HERITAGE: in single colours with white wheels and round chrome mirrors.

• SPORT: with grey wheel rims and sport numbers.

Dual seat has removable passenger seat shell and chrome hand-grip.

• S: based around the Sport, with matt black body panels and colour-matched passenger seat shell.

Wheels, fork legs and engine cover are all painted black, with contrasting satin chrome finish on the trim, mirror covers and headlamp peak.

• EVASION: in two-tone colours, with white wheel rims and white-wall tyres. Painted rear-view mirrors have a chrome surround. Fly screen and chrome front luggage rack are standard equipment.

• ALLURE: range-topping model, with two-tone bodywork, grey wheel rims, white-wall tyres and three-tone dual seat. Painted mirrors with chrome surround. Fly screen, colour-match top-case, passenger back-rest and chrome rear luggage rack as standard equipment.

Prices for the Django 125i start at £2,799 for the Heritage model and include a two-year unlimited mileage parts and labour warranty.

Full specifications and details of all authorised Peugeot Scooter dealers can be found at www.peugeotscooters.co.uk.

swing arm, protecting the rear shock absorber and suspension linkage from grit and grime thrown up by the back tyre.

Supplied with a tailor-made fitting kit, the Z300 is simple to install and retails for £94.95 including VAT. GRP huggers are also produced in a choice of white, red, blue, lime green, racing green and yellow gelcoat finishes on request. A light-weight carbon fibre version is available at £144.95 including VAT. Call Skidmarx on 01305 780808 or visit www.skidmarx.co.uk for more information.

31

TOURING

AFRICAN ADVENTURES

W

John Allsopp runs 1066 Motorcycle Tours and is always on the lookout for new touring ideas he can pass on to the rest of us bikers…

hilst visiting the recent Excel show I was lucky to meet up with Alex Jackson to chat briefly about our mutual interest in travel. As some may know I run my own tour company. Whilst my trips are more focused on covering costs there are companies out their which offer more ‘lifetime experiences’ as I would describe them.

Alex’s company is just one such enterprise and partly summed up in Alex’s own words.

“Our goal is to create a once in a lifetime holiday experience in Southern Africa. No matter which of our carefully designed tours you choose, you’ll ride through stunning scenery on some of the best 32

motorcycling roads you can imagine”.

Alex Jackson has been riding in Southern Africa since 1998 and is an experienced Bush Guide and Tracker registered with FGASA (Field Guide Association of South Africa). Kaapstad Motorcycle Tours offers guided riding vacations in South Africa, Namibia, and Swaziland, and is the only tour operator able to take groups of motorcycles through one of South Africa’s Game Reserves. All tours are lead by Alex himself so you know you will be getting the ultimate in personal service.

I asked Alex to tell me why South Africa? His reply that he fell in love with the country and ‘its energy’ after his first visit in 1998.

August-September 2017 • South East Biker Magazine

TOURING

“I found such a diverse place with so many different languages. It also called to me from a childhood spent watching Tarzan and Daktari. My experiences of this wonderful country then filled me with enthusiasm to share my adventures with others. To offer a South African experience that immerses and exposes you to the history and the culture. After all, according to more modern scientific views, it’s where human life began. I began small in order to fund my experiences and became so successful I turned it into a business”.

Alex is also very involved in animal conservation and anti-poaching.

As I find with anyone I meet involved in travelling the world by motorcycle, Alex’s enthusiasm is

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

infectious and his warmth shines through.

I for one am starting to save my pennies now so I can join him in the future.

As with any enterprise feedback is key and this example of satisfied customers sums it up for me.

“Liz and I did the springbok tour last December. It was her first trip to South Africa (it won’t be her last!) and in her words it was one of the best holiday’s she’s ever had!

Alex Jackson’s passion for both motorcycles and Africa is evident in his knowledgeable and professional approach. From the handpicked diverse accommodation to the variable road surfaces and terrain, our trip was fantastic. The beauty of a guided tour like this is you get to see so much in a relatively short time and this trip was relaxed and easy with a couple of rest days to explore the local area, sit around a pool or just take in amazing scenery.

I don’t ride (sadly) as I have the balance of a giraffe on ball bearings, so hired a car and was the bag man while Liz rode. The whole experience was a great adventure and we are already planning our next trip with Kaapstad Motorcycle Tours Thank you Alex, you’ve not see the last of us. Yet!” www.kaapstadmat.com. Alex can be contacted on +44 (0)7930 200798, email: info@kaapstadmat. com on on Twitter @bushranger007

33

MOTORCYCLE ART

‘Reflections and Rust’ The Art of Motorcycling

I

The design of a motorcycle has a big impact on its desirability and appeal. Many of us have photos of previous bikes we have owned that summon up nostalgic memories.Talan Gamah has a different way of capturing the spirit of your machine….

’m a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast based in the UK, who loves to ride and restore my bikes. I’ve owned and ridden everything from Japanese Fours to Guzzi Twins since the late 60s, and currently am down to four machines; three European and one Japanese. These range from 250cc to 1000cc, as well as having two or so frame up projects, plus the shell of a sidecar lurking somewhere in the shed!

I am also an artist who nowadays works mainly in acrylics on a mixture of media; canvas, board and art paper. All of my art is 34

brushwork only, I do not use any airbrushing or digital techniques.

I have always been fascinated by mechanicals of all types, shapes, ages and conditions.

Although my art is not just confined to machinery, but includes portraiture, commercial and concept art, as well as a wide range of other subjects.

I enjoy capturing textures, and find mechanical rust and decay equally as absorbing as unblemished chrome and reflections. I am also fond of painting a machine in context, rather than just as a clinical technical drawing. So, hopefully,

the viewer can see a ‘story’ behind the artwork hinted at by, for example, a pair of gloves left on a seat, a well used patinated saddlebag, or even the setting the bike (or machine) sits in.

Equally, I can often concentrate on one aspect of a machine, an exhaust system perhaps, or the engine, and bring that to life within a painting.

My brushwork style tends towards what is nowadays called ‘hyper realistic’, but I also produce sketches, inkwork, as well as commercial art projects.

As well as handpainted artworks, prints, greetings cards and merchandise, I also produce a variety of three dimensional motorcycling art pieces, including hand made leather bound motorcycling icons and keepsake boxes, which come complete with prints of my art or original miniature paintings.

Paintings can take anything from 2 — 12 weeks to complete, depending on size and complexity.

For portrait, motorcycle and automotive artworks, I prefer to paint from photographs, because it provides for a fixed consistency of image. The light, angles, reflections, depth and shadows, the composition of the required framing, remain constant through the entire process.

I’m often asked why I paint hyper realistic art, when I could simply use the photographic medium.

After all, I tend to use a similar frozen moment in time premise as the basis for many of my paintings.

I can best explain it by likening the process to spending countless hours building or fettling a machine to your own vision, rather than simply going to a dealer and buying a stock product.

Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that path, and that off the peg model, is a lovely thing, that works superbly and does

August-September 2017 • South East Biker Magazine

MOTORCYCLE ART

everything you ask of it, as we all know.

For me though, my paintings are a bit like taking that baseline machine, and adapting, tweaking, even utterly re-envisioning, the stock material, into something beyond itself.

It is rather like the old approaches to photography. One way was to compose the scene within the camera, the other was to manipulate the image in the darkroom afterwards. My painting is more akin to the the darkroom alchemical path, but instead of using photo chemicals to achieve the desired result, I use my brain’s interpretation so, equally chemical really, just neural, rather than physical.

So, I capture a pause in time with a basic reference photo, which is as it was taken (no manipulation or editing software) something that holds the light, the shadows, the balance between one second and the next, and I use that as the starting point for a painting.

The reference approach has some advantages over sitting in front of a machine and painting ‘from life’; the precise physical circumstances of that frozen moment, mentioned above, do not alter throughout the course of the painting. They remain

constant, exact to the instant the scene was captured. I can break off, and not lose the intensity of light, depth of shadows, hints and subtlety, that I first wanted to capture and use as the inspiration for a canvas.

That fixed pause provides for an unchanging starting point, again and again. Because, no matter how long I take to paint a canvas (and it can take weeks depending on detailing), or how I might adjust, tweak, add or subtract with brush and paint, from the reference, it serves as a basic, unchanging reminder of the physical circumstances behind the initial motivation for the painting. That ‘Ah, I want to create a painting’ moment.

Although, I frequently do not

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

just paint a variation on a single image, and will extrapolate and create paintings to fit what I want to see in the completed work. An example is a recent book cover.

The artistic scene simply does not exist anywhere, and is an imagined composite I created, with brushwork and paint, to fit the author’s brief.

It is very much the same for a Patron’s machine, and commissions. I will often take the machine (or the person, as I also undertake portraiture) and place the subject in a completely different setting, painting an overall canvas that reflects nothing more than imagination mixed with a hyper realism, that makes the canvas seem to capture a reality that is simply non existent in the real world.

Sometimes, the entire premise is an artistic creation, nothing of the finished artwork is anything but imagined elements and that is equally fascinating to achieve, and make plausible for the viewer, and for me as the artist.

When I’m not painting, fettling or riding, you can find me here: Twitter: talanagamahart, visit www.talanagamahartwork.com or find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ TalanaGamahArtwork 35

BIKeS

HUGE COLLECTION OF CLASSIC RACE BIKES BARRY SHEENE’S SUZUKIS

at the

baY

12th-13th August 2017

See them before they leave the UK!

BIKE CLUB DISPLAYS LIVE MUSIC

Saturday evening and Sunday

CREATIVE QUARTER

Artwork, displays and workshops

LOADS OF FOOD&BEERS Including Craft Ales

CAMPING

AT THE SANDWICH SHOWGROUND CT13 9JB

PLUS Stuff for the kids

AND MUCH MORE...

We gave you the fantastic Ramsgate Sprint Revival 2015 and the Ramsgate Rev-up 2016 and now bring you Bikes at the Bay 2017 For more details: Facebook - Bikes at the Bay 2017 Email: bikesatthebay@gmail.com www.eastkentclassicmotorcycleclub.co.uk

Hand made in the UK. Motorcycle and cycle tool rolls and accessories.

Waxed cotton, canvas, leather and stainless steel.

www.purplepatchworkshop.com 36 Purple Patch HP 0417.indd

1

August-September 2017 • South East 17/03/2017 Biker Magazine 12:18

M.O.T & SERVICE CENTRE LTD

01273 430303 ☎ www.thwaitesgarage.co.uk

Opening Times Monday - Friday: 8:00 (lunch 12:30-1:30) - 5:30 Saturday: 8:00 - 12:00 noon

Unit 1 William Street, Portslade, West Sussex, BN41 1PZ

We service, repair & carry out Classes

1-2-4-5-7

M.O.T Testing on motorcycles &

Southbound B&B

motor vehicles,

which can be arranged either

by

telephone

or can be booked

online.

MOTORCYCLE MOT CENTRE

Located in Saint-Ybard, 27 miles from Limoges, perfect for a break or a stopover on a tour.

Undercover bike parking.

Family run by British bikers.

Mention South East Biker when enquiring. www.southboundbandb.co.uk facebook.com/southboundbandb/

DO YOU WANT REACH OUT TO OVER 20,000 MOTORCYCLISTS IN YOUR REGION?

Southbound B&B QP 0716.indd 1

15/09/2016 12:13

We can promote your business and services via this magazine, active website, blog, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube media.

Contact debs@southeastbiker.co.uk and ask for a media pack to be sent or download details from the website.

He’s the man!

Bring your bike to the man you can trust.

• • • • • • •

Small independent workshop Motorcycle MOT station Servicing, repairs and tyre fitting Modifications, rebuilds and project work Ultrasonic carburettor cleaning Authorised number plate supplier Over 30 years experience

Ian Scott is...

Telephone 01424 893543 Mobile 07866 289722 ian@themotorcycleman.co.uk www.themotorcycleman.co.uk Unit 2, Mount Pleasant Garage, Ninfield Road Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex TN39 5JG

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

Like The Motorcycle Man on Facebook

37

EVENTS

For a full list of What’s On visit

www.southeastbiker.co.uk/events

11th hJune 12th-13t August

10th September

BIKEFEST SOUTH BIKES AT THE BAY Goodwoo

ACE CAFÉ BRIGHTON BURN UP

d Sandwich, Kent

19th-20th August

17th September

VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE RACING

ROMNEY MARSH CLASSIC BIKE JUMBLE

2nd September

24th September

Lydden Hill Circuit

Hamstreet, Kent

BRIGHTON SPEED TRIALS Brighton

TIMBER WOODS LONG DISTANCE TRIAL Challock

Romney Marsh Classic Bikejumble

th

10am Sunday 17 Sept

Spares Auction at Noon, Entries booked in from 10am.

With Ride-In Show - £25 spot cash prize.

Huge Marquee – all-motorcycle autojumble – Free BikeMart

Cheap garage-clearout stalls – Team up With a Friend – Ask for details

At Hamstreet, Near Ashford Kent TN26 2JD

South of England Classic Show & BikeJumble

Sunday 29th October Guest of Honour:

© ELK Promotions 2017

Peter Williams

Celebrating 50 Years of the Norton Commando

At South of England Showground, Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TL ELK Promotions, PO Box 85, New Romney, Kent TN28 9BE

38

01797 344277

www.elk-promotions.co.uk August-September 2017 • South East Biker Magazine

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