The South East’s No.1 FREE bike magazine
ISSUE 60 • DECEMBER 2018 -JANUARY 2019
SHARK SKWAL 2
VISORCAT WALL VITPILEN 701 OF DEATH
REVIEWS • FEATURES • EVENTS • SPORTS SEB: ON FULL THROTTLE SINCE 2008 southeastbiker.co.uk
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GOOD REASONS TO JOIN THE TRF 7
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ESTABLISHED Helping motorcyclists responsibly and sensitively access the countryside since 1970
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GROWING The TRF is an active club with over 5000 members to ride with and 43 groups meet new friends with similar views
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ACCESS Knowledge of over 6000 miles of Green Roads including all of your local lanes. By comparison there are only 2000 miles of Motorways!
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IMPROVE Develop riding skills with monthly beginners rides, accredited training and access to advanced rides
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IDENTIFY Be seen as a Professional & Responsible Trail Rider with bike stickers and a membership card
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DEFENCE We will back you legally if you are stopped riding a Green Road
SUSTAINABILITY Support the fight to TRF keep lanes open and maintain your rights to use them
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ACU EVENTS TRF are an ACU club and you can gain access to ACU Events and training
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INSURANCE The TRF provides insurance and training for ride leading and events
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CONTACT Member only trail riding groups and comprehensive maps of legal lanes
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FUN We ride all year round – whatever the weather
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TRAIL MAGAZINE The only Trail bike focussed magazine in print and sent to your door
TRAIL RIDERS F E L L OW S H I P
Find your local group at www.TRF.org.uk
STARTING GRID
Editor scribes I have seen two recent traffic level forecasts on the BBC news site covering the next twenty years or so and they make interesting reading. Government surveys predict a rise in traffic by up to 50%, hence calls for increased new road investment. However, another study predicts a large drop as self drive autonomous technology comes into its own and fewer people own their vehicles. You will simply order a vehicle to turn up via your phone when you need one. Some of this reduction in traffic is already taking place, with those under 30 not only driving far fewer miles than twenty years ago, but a much smaller percentage owning vehicles and even passing the driving test. I have no idea how this will impact on motorcycling but the next decade will certainly be challenging for all those involved in the industry. You may have already seen videos of a “self-driving” motorbike from BMW. Clearly a lot of this is some way off but we now live with technology such as cornering ABS, which was inconceivable twenty years ago. There will be a fine line between improving safety for riders and limiting the enjoyment of motorcycling. In the meantime, enjoy this issue of SEB. We have some great reviews of the latest kit and gadgets, all incorporating great design ideas to improve our riding experience and comfort. All the best for 2019 Nick
Visit southeastbiker.co.uk for events list CONTACT US ADVERTISING AND Debbie Tunstill, email: debs@southeastbiker.co.uk GENERAL ENQUIRIES Tel: 07913 759955 EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Nick Tunstill, email: nick@southeastbiker.co.uk PRODUCTION: Dean Cook: deancook@magazineproduction.com PRINTING: Gemini Print, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex.
COVER IMAGE: Owen Jenner. Pic Mitch DuCran Photography
© 2018 South East Biker (SEB) Magazine is an independent title and does not endorse the products or services 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
Contents
4 WALL OF DEATH 8 Husqvarna 701 10 Exotogg Thermal Armour 12 Shark Skwal 2 14 A Clearer View 15 Ride In Comfort
17 TRAILS UNLIMITED 19 Owen Jenner On Top 20 All About Holly 23 Life Of A Legend 24 Sketches Of Spain 25 A Win For MAG 26 BAH Humbug 3
STUNT EXTRAVAGANZA
HEADLINE Riding the Wall of Death S H O R E H A M - B Y- S E A
John Allsopp goes in search of his inner hipster on the South Coast…
W
hatever you might think of the hipster premises, around 4 months ago, with the aim of subculture I believe that several being able to hold a better selection and range of This incredible motorcycle spectacle been popular since early things can be said in its favour where has stock as well as offering freethe parking, changing aredraw. no it meshes with motorcycling. coffee and hosting 20th century and is stillThere a big Johnrooms, Allsopp caught up events. with Ken Fox signs that it is a flash in the pan. This is clearly When you visit the shop you discover that it’s at thebyMayday Run event in Hastings… shown the massive draw of both the Bike certainly not a case of style over substance. Shed MC in Shoreditch as well as the incredibly Cafe Racer are the UK’s leading supplier of the 40th Day run on popularttending BSMC show that IMay attended last year. retro and vintage style motorcycle apparel and behalfthe of South East Biker was a have Additionally, way that manufacturers accessories to keep you safe and stylish on fantastic experience. embraced the movement by creating bikes like your classic bike, café racer, bobber, brat style One of the highlights for me was the the Triumph Bobber underlines itsvisiting relevance. custom or scrambler. They are official stockists Ken Fox Wall of might Death draw and, of course, meeting Anything that people (who for Belstaff Motorcycle Jackets and Barbour the man himself. For consider decades the otherwise might not twofamily wheelshave at all) International as well as being the first dealer to been defying gravity and of amazing crowdsisby into the wonderful world motorcycling a introduce Deus Ex Machina clothing to the UK . riding their motorbikes up and around good thing, both for them the restvertical of us. They also stock established brands such as walls. has been touring the country Also,The thefamily movement’s connection with high Davida, Bell, Roland Sands Design and Biltwell and entertaining one way or another since the profile events likeinthe Distinguished Gentleman’s alongside exciting emerging brands such as 1920’s andlatterly their Wall of Death is now a regular Ride and the Ride of the Ruperts Hedon and Resurgence Gear. attraction atpositive many shows, Mortonsin promotes a imageincluding of motorcyclists 1995. wasisactually in aand massive shipyard, The It shop run by built friendly enthusiastic Stafford general inBike theShows. eyes of the public in general. Cammell New Brighton and this bike nuts Lairds, with aninin-depth knowledge of all the The Wallits of emphasis Death in the UK originally started life So, with on style it necessarily mammoth taskoffer. was completed within just products they in Skegness thanks to two great follows that people interested in showmen, this need Billy 20 weeks. The Café Racer a Bike Night on the Wednesday Butlin and Pat butthe went into decline when somewhere to Collins, access all accoutrements they being built up foron trials in New Brighton, ofAfter the month. All details these events can be World need. War II started. Ken was keen to continue the Wall its first official travelling debut found onmade Facebook under... the tradition to independent encourage itsBrighton(-ish) popularity, so Cafe Racer and are an at the 1995 Rempstone Steam Rally, and it has he learned to ride thestarted wall with Crispey’s Wall of based company who around 7 years continued to be a big draw ever since. Ken was Death before his into ownnew wall in ago at in in Skegness Hove. They have building just moved instrumental in coaching Guy Martin in his famous
A
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December 2018-January 2019 • South East Biker Magazine
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STUNT EXTRAVAGANZA
televised 2016 ride around a specially built Wall of Death reputed to be the largest in the world. Quite an impressive feat and great TV. Over the years Ken has taught many others to ride the wall but today the troupe is very much a family affair with Ken, his two sons Luke and Alex and, completing the team, Kerri Cameron. If you have experienced the Wall of Death first hand as a spectator, viewing it from the top of its rim, then you are very unlikely to ever forget it. I’m also very sure that intrepid snapper David SmithTaylor won’t forget standing in the centre of the arena when he captured these stunning images. The noise, speed, smell and the very proximity of the bikes ridden to the top of the wall, often within six inches of the audience, is something that will create lasting memories. All of your senses are involved as you smell the fuel, hear the roar of the engines, see the bikes hurtle past and feel the boards moving beneath your feet as the riders circulate. Talk about leaving an impression, as Ken says “it really is something that you never forget”! The show itself consists of six individual acts. Each one of these is an exciting and exhilarating experience. There is a demonstration of straight wall riding to warm up the audience followed by the ‘dips and dives’. This is followed by the go kart and then tricks and stunts performed by the troupe on the Indian Scouts leading to the finale ‘The hell riders’ race’ which is fast, tactical riding involving three riders racing and chasing each other.
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The wall is made of Oregon pine; it is 32 foot in diameter and 20 foot high. The huge wooden structure weighs about 17 tons and is transported from one venue to the next. It can take about 1½ to 2 days to build if the structure is located externally, however somewhat less than this if they don’t have wind and rain to worry about. Dismantling is a lot faster and the structure can be taken down in a matter of hours. The bikes themselves? In addition to the Indian Scouts they also use mid 1970’s Hondas as well as the go kart. Ken, Julie and the family are really genuine, nice people and they have a truly tremendous show that is great value for money and one not to be missed. These days it is refreshing to experience real showmanship and traditional entertainment. To find out more about this tremendous spectacle and/or if you are planning an event that may benefit from such a great attraction, please visit their website, follow them on Facebook or contact Ken and his family. Contact Tel: 07970 674824 Email: kenfoxtroupe@aol.com Web: www.wallofdeath.info/home Facebook: www.facebook.com/ originalwallofdeath/ Photos: www.dbst.photography
December 2018-January 2019 • South East Biker Magazine
Service • Repairs • Tyres Suspension Set-up MOTs by Appointment 17 Years Main Dealer Experience
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Inta 0113 HP Biker Ad.indd Magazine 1 South East • www.southeastbiker.co.uk
15/01/2013 14:007
MOTORCYCLE REVIEW
HUSQVARNA. THE HIGHS & LOWS OF THE
701 VITPILEN
A couple of issues ago Neil Allen checked out the interesting Husqvarna 401 Swartpilen and Vitpilen. Dom Humby gives us the lowdown on their big brother, the Vitpilen 701…
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ou will notice the title of this review says “Highs and Lows”, to many this could mean one or two things, no I didn’t high side it and no I didn’t low side it. That being said, the title is literal and metaphorical, as you will see throughout this article. I managed to lay my hands on a Vitpilen 701 for a day courtesy of Freestyle Bikes in Mark Cross. With its liquid cooled 693cc single cylinder engine thumping away and generating 75bhp at 8,500rpm and 72nm of torque at 6,750rpm there’s plenty of fun to be had with this machine and it’s no slouch on the straights either. With the addition of the Akrapovic Slip on exhaust it sounds beautiful and, if you change gear around 9,500rpm-10,000rpm, you’ll notice a very sweet pop from the tail pipe that complements a
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characterful but not irritating exhaust note. Add to that a WP-USD 43mm travel front suspension and a WP-Monoshock rear suspension, it’s nimble, agile and almost begs to be thrown on its side through the corners. Slowing down at the end of a straight or through the corners is no issue as it’s easy and forgiving, slowing the rider to alter line effortlessly, which inspires confidence in the capability of the chassis. Simply by rolling on and off the throttle in the correct gear will make any adjustments you should need and, if that doesn’t work, then the Brembo brakes will definitely get you back to where you want to be, with a four piston radial mounted front brake combined with a 320mm front disc and single piston floating caliper on a 240mm disc at the rear. Any correction is made easily and without effort.
December 2018-January 2019 • South East Biker Magazine
MOTORCYCLE REVIEW
All of this, combined with a very high level of grip, making you feel like any corner is manageable with ease and finesse. I must say this is a beautiful bike with a mean, low slung look which has a real presence, personally I couldn’t find a fault in its aesthetics. With the additional Akrapovic exhaust previously mentioned and the Akrapovic brake/clutch levers and foot pegs that are optional extras, I feel this only enhanced my expectation. You will find Husqvarna and 701 written in most places on the bike and it all contributes to its cafe racer style. I had the bar end mirrors on this bike which gave it this menacing look. If you heard it and then saw it whilst out in a car in the rear view mirror, around dusk, you’d probably think a demon was coming for you. It’s a pretty mean sounding machine. Now you’re sitting reading this going “hang on the title says Highs and Lows, where are the Lows”? With everything I loved about this bike, I found it was let down on two things. No 1, if you’re under 5ft-11inches or have an inside leg of less than 32inches, you may as well not bother trying this bike. Simply because, with a seat height of 830mm, I was on tip toes and I’m 5ft-11inches. John Allsopp was with me and he is marginally shorter and we both didn’t think it would make too much difference, turns out he couldn’t touch the floor! For anyone who isn’t that tall but loves a single cylinder engine cafe racer, find something else because otherwise you’ll have to lower the bike and that could be a lot of effort. And now for No.2, that seat, it looks well tapered with the flowing lines of the bike, all tucked in on all the right places with character oozing out of every line and detail on this bike, but it’s incredibly uncomfortable. There is not enough padding on the seat to remain comfortable as, after half an hour’s riding, I found myself shifting in every direction possible to regain some form of comfort. The main contributing factor to this is where the lack of padding places the seat’s framework underneath your hamstrings, with that quite sharp edge digging its way into
your legs. The only other issue I found, which was fairly minor and easily solved, was handle bar vibration. Because the particular bike had the optional bar end mirrors it seems the bar weights put in place to reduce/stop vibration had either been reduced in some capacity or completely removed. Handle bar vibration isn’t a massive issue for me but it could be for someone else. I found the adjustment of these mirrors couldn’t provide a suitable view around me, so given the option I would have standard mirrors. I try to encourage people to try as many bikes as possible simply because trying different riding styles and different types of motorcycle will only improve your riding skill. So, if you fancy a go on a new Husqvarna, pop in to Freestyle Bikes in Mark Cross, they’ll be more than happy to oblige. Ed’s note: issues with ride height and comfort can often be addressed by scooping the seat foam and/or inserting gel pads. Contact Viking Motorcycle Seats near Brands Hatch for specialist advice. Or buy some of John’s magic padded pants… see page 15. www.freestylebikes.co.uk Freestyle (Mark Cross) - HQ Freestyle, Wadhurst Road, Mark Cross East Sussex TN6 3PD T: 01892 782288 E: simon@freestylebikes.co.uk
TECHNICAL SPECS
HUSQVARNA 701 VITPILEN Engine 1-cylinder, 4-stroke engine Displacement 692.7 cm³ Bore 105 mm Stroke 80 mm Power in KW 55 kW Starter Electric starter Lubrication Forced oil lubrication with 2 oil pumps Transmission 6-speed Primary Drive 36:79 Cooling Liquid cooled Clutch APTC(TM) slipper clutch, hydraulically actuated EMS Keihin EMS with RBW, twin ignition
CHASSIS Frame design Chromium-Molybdenum steel trellis frame, powder coated Front suspension WP upside-down Ø 43 mm Rear suspension WP shock absorber with linkage Front brake disc diameter 320mm Rear brake disc diameter 240mm ABS Bosch 9M+ two-channel ABS (disengageable) Chain X-Ring 5/8 x 1/4” Steering head angle 65 °
South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk
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PRODUCT REVIEW
KEEPING WARM ON THE MOVE
EXOTOGG INFLATABLE THERMAL ARMOUR Regulating your body temperature is one of the biggest factors in motorcycling comfort and safety. With limited carrying capacity on a bike, anything that takes up little space but serves a vital purpose is to be welcomed. John Allsopp tries out an innovative new product that may just be the answer…
Firstly, I’d like to thank Tony Hawkins from Exotogg for not only supplying us with the original prototype but also the ‘short’ version from the finalised product range whilst we both attended the Overland Event recently. A bit about the man himself“I’ve been an all-season biker for the past 20+ years. As the weather and seasons change, I find it can be difficult to predict the right number of insulating layers I need to keep warm and comfortable (without overheating) on a ride. On one ride in particular I had clearly left the house with too few layers, and a chill started to set in. I realised that I needed to fix the situation before I started shivering, so went digging around in my top box. Luckily I had been working on an inflatable tent project, and had some test pieces with me, in the shape of inflatable pillows. I shoved one of these into my jacket and lightly inflated it. The difference was amazing! It was incredibly warm and comfortable, not only insulating but keeping out draughts too. This gave me the idea for the Exotogg Inflatable Thermal Armour, and I set about developing it.” The Exotogg is an interesting product. It’s a new take on an issue that should be familiar to many motorcyclists: How to stay warm whilst travelling when we are susceptible to the vagaries of a changeable climate, and when moving from lower to higher altitudes. As anyone who has ever packed for a motorcycle adventure can confirm, ‘size is everything’. Weight, and the bulk of any piece of kit you elect to load on your ride, assume a level of importance that cannot be ignored, unless
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you want to end up with a bike so overloaded it becomes unmanageable. So, as Exotogg weighs just 9¼ oz. (260g) and packs down to the size of a paperback, it certainly ticks those boxes. It also provides better insulation than a down or wool layer at a fraction of the weight and bulkiness those items bring with them. My impression of the Exotogg is that it is lightweight, breathable to a degree, and does a great job of using warm air to assist with insulation. You just need to remember the
December 2018-January 2019 • South East Biker Magazine
PRODUCT REVIEW principle of a double glazed window. It also packs down very easily and is exceptionally light. When it’s uninflated it also acts as a wind blocking garment. It scores well over the choice of bringing extra ‘thermal’ layers, in that it avoids using the extra space, as well as providing an additional layer that won’t absorb any moisture that a heavy deluge may force past whichever jacket you are wearing. It’s extremely easy to use as there are no real parts that would be prone to failure. This is one aspect of the jacket that particularly appeals. Tony would not claim that it is superior to electrically heated kit in extreme cold conditions. As he says “you will be warmer with active heating over even the most efficient insulation”. However, heated vests, jackets and trousers are very bulky to pack and need cables, connections either to the bike or batteries. Exotogg offers ease of use, controllable insulation levels, and a small packable size, all reasons I’d recommend to include one under your seat/in a top box for those occasions when, for whatever reason, you find yourself under-dressed for the conditions. It works well as quasi-emergency kit as it takes up no room under a jacket. I’m using it as part
of my daily riding kit, then I can choose to inflate it or not, depending on conditions. Another part of the design I liked were the velcro side tabs. These mean that the Exotogg can be made into an air matress when fully inflated and laid flat! I found it extremely comfortable whilst at Overland. It’s also environmentally friendly. The product is made of TPU which is 100% recyclable and it’s made in the UK by a lifejacket manufacturer, from custom TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) with anti-bacterial and antimicrobial properties, and uses a Halkey Roberts marine-grade oral inflation valve. The Exotogg has many other applications of course, hiking, skiing, cycling, fishing, caving. Basically any activity outside where you are subject to temperature fluctuations. We are planning more testing of this product over the winter to see how useful it is in other environments such as trail riding. It could well become an essential part of any biker’s riding kit. The Exotogg is available at https://exotogg.com for £99.00 but for a limited time South East Biker readers can get an exclusive introductory 20% discount with coupon code ‘SEB20’.
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South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk
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PRODUCT REVIEW
SEEING THE LIGHT
SHARK SKWAL 2 Dom Humby checks out the latest offering from Shark helmets.
Now I don’t know about you but I find shopping for helmets a bit of a pain. Nowadays there are so many varieties of helmet design on the market and everyone of those has several different specifications depending on what you need or want. After years using the AVG K3 Rossi rep Dreamtime (pre sunvisor model) I found that it was time to replace it. So with this in mind I had a look around at some local shops to see what was out there and, my god, it’s never ending. Like when you’ve lost something the saying goes “it’s always in the last place you look”. This is true enough as I found myself at an awesome little shop in Bexhill called Bolt Bikes. If you live locally and have never ventured in then you’re sure to be missing out as they have a very extensive stock line. Inside you will also find Dan, and when I say he is approachable I mean it, you can ask him anything and, in the unlikely event he doesn’t know the answer, it won’t take him long to find out. With Dan’s help I’d narrowed my search down to two helmets, the Icon Airflight or the Shark Skwal 2. Whilst trying on both helmets Dan was always on hand to make sure the fitment is correct so the helmet will perform and do the job that is its primary function....TO PROTECT YOU! So it turns out I have a weird head shape (no it’s not the first time I’ve been told that) and the Shark Skwal 2 was the better fit, so from there I explored the Shark in more depth. The Shark Skwal 2 complies with E-22/05 and is an incredibly comfortable helmet. So comfortable I can say it’s very close to the Shoei GT Air I tried on at Motorcycle Live 2017. You get a snug fit in all the areas you need and want, giving you the desired hamster cheeks and secure feeling without any headaches from pressure points. There are headphone cutouts in the removable cheek pads making it easy to install a bluetooth system and not compromising on comfort; you can hardly tell they’re there. With its easily adjustable quick release strap that has padding across the entire inside of it to stop any irritation on your chin, I wasn’t sure it could get any better. I was well protected and comfortable. Add to that
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the new revised quick release visor mechanism from Shark that comes with the new Pinlock 70 Max Vision as standard plus integrated sun visor that’s anti-mist treated. And one of, if not my favourite part, integrated LED’s! These LED’s can be on solid for five hours or flashing for 10 hours, Either way, something that helps you be more visible at night, especially when the nights are starting to close in, is definitely a winner in my book. These LED’s stem from the original Skwal helmet but with the difference of physically bigger and brighter LED panels. Furthermore the aerodynamics that have been generated by CFD (computational fluid dynamics) mean that the wind noise is very low and, with the addition of the wind skirts around the bottom of the helmet, make it a remarkably quiet lid even when you’re approaching the national speed limit. You are still able to hear everything else around you and even the occasional cog clicking over in your head...anyone else hear that? No just me then! To date I haven’t found any ergonomic flaws in the Shark. The helmet does exactly what you need it to do and, after that, it does whatever else you would like it to do. This is the seventh version of this visor and so far the only issues I’ve had are the Pinlock insert
December 2018-January 2019 • South East Biker Magazine
PRODUCT REVIEW popping out when cleaning and the appearance of some cracks around the Pinlocks pins. Otherwise, so far so good, with the visor Shark! However I did find when picking the helmet up from the floor the extended base seal at the back of the helmet can cause you to slightly knock it on the floor causing a minor chip. But if you’re as careful as you should be with these things then you shouldn’t have a problem, although due to its size if you have a race hump on your jacket you may find it is possible for it to interact with it. At Bolt Bikes a plain white (the one I have) or black will cost around the £200 mark, If you’re after something with a bit more sparkle then you’re getting closer to £230. Now with the way the economy is and the fact that everything we need in the motorcycling world isn’t as cheap as we would hope, £200 is good value especially when you consider what you get in the specifications of the Shark.
You get: • Anti Scratch Visor • Pinlock ready and provided • Shark Easy Fit • Bluetooth Ready • Removeable Lining • Integrated LED’s • Integral Sun Visor • Injected Thermo Plastic Mould • 5 year manufacturer’s warranty It really isn’t hard to see that for the price of £200-£230 you get such an extensive specification against other helmets on the market that offer the same features for a larger price tag. All in all, this is a fantastic helmet from Shark. Second to that the service you get from Bolt Bikes is amazing and I would personally like to thank Dan for all of his help regarding this helmet. Bolt Bikes 3 Pear Tree Lane, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex TN39 4PE 01424 272121 http://www.boltbikes.co.uk http://www.shark-helmets.com
South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk
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PRODUCT REVIEW
A CLEARER VIEW WITH
VISORCAT
Rain, bugs and mud are sent from above or from the road below to clog our visors and impede our vision and thus our safety. Does Visorcat supply the answer? John Allsopp investigates… We have been blessed with a decent summer in the UK this year. Sadly autumn and winter have arrived bringing with them the promise of wet and cold riding conditions. If you ride all year round like me I’m sure you are familiar with the issues surrounding visibility where rain spray (as well as road grime) combine with dark mornings and evenings to interfere with you being able to see properly. Therefore I was delighted when Jill Boulton kindly sent me the Visorcat to review. Visorcat is a UK company (always an appeal to us here at SEB) which produces glove-mounted motorcycle visor wipers. Nothing new about that you might say as the V wipe, for example, has been around for quite some time. However, the Visorcat system has more to offer, as well as having a twin-bladed wiper, it also includes an integral cleaning sponge fed from a reservoir. With no need for batteries, pumps or delicate parts, the unit should be able to boast good levels of durability. The system mounts on to your clutch glove with a simple adjustable wrist strap and an elasticated thumb hoop. On the subject of the fitting straps I found that the rear strap needs to be tensioned each time you put on or take off your glove. This wasn’t a major faff and was far outweighed by the benefits the system offers. Once the Visorcat is in place you don’t really notice it’s there, which is something I never found when using a V Wipe. The V Wipe always gave me the sensation of the fingers of the glove being much tighter with the resulting interference in operating the clutch. To clear water from your view you lift your hand from the bars and run the twin blades from right to left across your visor, simple. I tested its effectiveness in mild drizzle and full-on rain and found it worked really well, especially clearing the spray thrown up by other vehicles.To use the cleaning sponge you pass the system from left to right. This motion flips the rubber wiper flap open to reveal a sponge fed by the cleaning fluid supplied.
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The Visorcat came with 50ml bottle of cleaning fluid and extra bottles are available from them in 250ml sizes at £7.99. How much fluid to put in is not really clear, just fill it until it’s full and close the cap. The sponge, replaceable and available in packs of three at £6.99, stays wet by capillary action and as it’s covered by the blades. I found that the sponge did tend to dry quite quickly when not in use, so I tended to prime it before setting off. Overall, I found the system to be light and simple whilst being highly effective. I would highly recommend the year-round rider to seriously consider purchasing one. The website contains plenty of information and details on the product and how to use it together with videos and reviews. Jill has also kindly extended an offer of a cuppa for any SEB readers passing their premises in Dunbar! Visorcat retails for £36.99 with free shipping in the EU and is available from www.visorcat.com Visorcat have generously offered SEB readers a 15% discount on their products. Simply visit the website and use the code SEB.
December 2018-January 2019 • South East Biker Magazine
PRODUCT REVIEW
RIDE IN COMFORT WITH
MOTO-SKIVEEZ Anyone who has ridden any distance on a bike knows that your posterior is one of the first places that becomes uncomfortable. John Allsopp puts on his padded pants and hits the road…
Having seen this product on the www.twistmoto. co.uk website I thought they looked worth investigating further. Cue a visit to their shop in Tunbridge Wells which I found jam packed with fantastic kit specifically aimed at the two-wheeled adventure rider. I regularly cover a lot of miles in a day and, whilst the seat on my BMW would hardly be described as uncomfortable, spending hours in the saddle will eventually result in discomfort. Anything that detracts from concentration and enjoyment of the ride is a bad thing in my book. Thus the opportunity to try a product that promises a more comfortable ride was appealing. Moto-Skiveez have a nice design and construction that should work well for many riders, off-road, touring, sport or street riding. Most motorcycle riders at one time or another have had to deal with the issue of on-bike comfort. Motorcycles are generally comfortable enough for a few minutes in the showroom or on a quick test ride, but once you start putting on the miles, things can change. Now there are quite a few aftermarket options out there including air and gel seats but these
have the added effect of increasing the seat height which is something I need to avoid as I have very short legs! I did some research on the Moto-Skiveez company itself. It turns out that this is a company owned by Shawn Lupcho, a motorcyclist and competitive cyclist. Having spent a lot of time in the saddle on bicycles of various types, he discovered that there was a great deal of difference in his degree of comfort while training that depended on which shorts he wore and their design. Although there are some similarities between bicycle and motorcycle seats, it is quite obvious that the same padding and contact patch that would work for a narrow bicycle saddle would likely not be the best choice for a motorcycle seat. Mr. Lupcho wanted to take the principles of what made good bicycle shorts comfortable, and adapt and apply them to underwear designed for motorcycle riders. Moto-Skiveez are the result. The main body of the Moto-Skiveez are constructed using two different types materials; there are sections of nylon material and sections made of a polyester mesh. Both types employ an 8% mix of elastane (similar to Spandex) to allow for stretching. Both types of sections are very light and also feel very strong when stretched, considering their lightweight feel. The nylon sections make up most of the body but mesh is used around almost the entire waist and it descends down around the crotch area on the thighs and also down the middle in the rear. There is a section in the front that forms a pouch-like area for the front (men’s). This pouch is composed of both the nylon on the outside and polyester mesh on the inside for additional comfort and support. There is unfortunately no “flap” in this area for easy access during rest stops. Incorporating a flap might have compromised the overall integrity, but I’d rather have one. The waistband itself is rather thick at 40 mm (1.5 inches) and incorporates the Moto-Skiveez logo across the front. Interestingly,
South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk
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PRODUCT REVIEW the logo does not repeat and since it is centred on both pairs I received, it means that each waistband is made for each pair of Skivvies. It’s a small thing but it shows the attention that has been given to the detail. They do feel a little odd off the bike but when riding they feel fine. The materials all have a nice quality feel and are assembled using a four-needle type of stitching in the seams. This makes the seams very durable and resistant to tearing. It is likely the material itself would be damaged before the stitching would give out. On the inside of the Moto-Skiveez, the padding is sewn into the shorts with the exact placement depending on the style chosen. Cruiser Skiveez: The cruiser style will have the padding going highest up the back to accommodate riders siting bolt upright or even slightly back. Sport Skiveez: The sport versions have the padding lower with more of it going under the top of the thighs. This works well for serious super-sport and race replica motorcycles where the rider is laying over the tank and more weight is on the upper thigh and lower buttocks in a tucked position. Adventure Skiveez: The adventure style is the middle-of-the-road Skiveez and this is the version I ended up with for my sport touring bike. The padding is positioned best for the more upright rider that still has some forward lean. In case you have different bikes that require owning more than one type of Skiveez, the pads are different in colour with the sports in red, the adventures in blue, and the cruisers in grey so they are easy to distinguish at a glance. The shape and design of the pads are also different from type to type, so it is not merely just repositioning of pads. A lot of thought has gone into each different style. While on the subject of the padding, none of the pads used in any of the three styles are thicker than 8 mm, so overall ride height is not noticeably affected. Lupcho worked with TMF Quality Cycling Pads of Italy for the final design of the pads used in the Moto-Skiveez. Each pad is made from five components including three different types of foam plus the backing materials. A close look at the pads will reveal some longitudinal threads running on the surface of the pad. These are silver-ion threads and these have anti-microbial properties which are a good thing to have considering where they will end up spending their time.
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The Moto-Skiveez are available in five sizes, ranging from S to XXL, which span 26” to 44” (plus maybe a little larger) waist sizes. A range of ladies’ sizes are also available from S to XXL. They fit snugly and feel very light and have a cooling effect, as the mesh breathes very well. The padding is initially a little stiff, but it is much more pliable then pads in other padded shorts that I’ve tried, thanks to the thin cross-section. They do get softer after a couple of washings though, and this is recommended by the company. While on the topic, washing does not require much in the way of special handling except they are not to be tumble dried, washed in fabric conditioner or bleached. Hanging overnight seems to be plenty under normal circumstances but it can be midday before the pads in the adventures are dry when hanging outside if it is humid. After all those details, the big question is – do they actually provide a more comfortable riding experience over distance and time? In my case, I have to say most definitely. I planned a 400 mile trip as a reasonable test. I was pleasantly surprised how much better my posterior felt. I would say it nearly doubled my comfortable riding distance. Moto-Skiveez are truly a functional type of motorcycle underwear made by a motorcycle rider. I’m not saying that they will work as effectively on everyone as they have for me. Everyone’s body, bike, and bike seat combination are different. Just under 60 quid for a pair of men’s pants may sound like a lot, but when you consider the attention to detail and the materials used, I’d say they are rather reasonably priced. I can highly recommend the Moto-Skiveez for anyone in need of more comfort on their motorcycle. And for those that travel distances on their bikes I’d certainly advise a visit to Twistmoto. The shop can be visited in Tunbridge Wells or online at www.twistmoto.co.uk.
December 2018-January 2019 • South East Biker Magazine
ADVENTURE & TRAVEL
TRAILS UNLIMITED
The Trans Euro Trail (TET) is a 38,000km GPX route from the edge of Africa to the Arctic Circle. It is described a cultural dirt road adventure from deep within the Arctic Circle to the doorstep of Africa. With trail riding becoming more popular we find out more…
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he TET is an epic motorcycle journey through some of Europe’s most remote, diverse and inspirational landscapes. It was inspired by the Trans America Trail and has been mapped by a team of enthusiastic volunteers who are called linesmen. It is very much a motorcycling community, spread across thirty countries and aims to encourage riders to travel and explore different landscapes and cultures on lightweight motorcycles. There are two main arms, the East covering Finland, the Baltics, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria up to Turkey, Greece and the Balkans. It meets in France where the Western section crosses Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Belgium, the UK, Andorra, Spain and Portugal. The route is being revised all the time and is expanding across other countries. Most of the route is dirt but a few sections incorporate some minor, scenic tarmac roads. A certain degree of competence is required as you will often be travelling in remote areas. However anything too technical can be bypassed. You plan your own adventure! If you have done greenlining in the UK you will have encountered many of types of dirt riding already. Just bear in mind you will normally be a lot further away from a main road (and the pub!) and phone signals may be hit and miss. You are better off with a motorcycle you can pick up if dropped. Give some thought as to what may happen if you get a puncture or break a lever. The climate varies hugely across Europe of course, and you may well encounter obstacles and wildlife that are not common in Surrey. It is advisable to travel in groups of 3 to 5 to help each other out but without impacting too much on the local environment. On the TET you will encounter tar, gravel, mud, sand, rock, rivers and grass. Some of it is single
track and not passable by a 4x4. You will need to get yourself fit and familiarise yourself with the bike and basic maintenance. Anything from a 250 to a 600 is doable. For anything larger, a greater degree of experience is required.
South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk
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ADVENTURE & TRAVEL The routes are available as downloadable GPX files, though maps and other navigation are recommended. Accommodation is down to your budget, anything from camping to hotels and self-catering cottages. If camping, check out the local regulations as wild camping is not allowed in many areas. The routes mapped are legal as far as the local linesmen know, but as with greenlanes in the UK, routes can become off limits. Riding sensibly is the key. Learn the word for “hello” and “sorry” in whatever language is applicable. Then, if you get lost, wave, smile, apologise and turn around. The basic code of conduct is the same as the TRF and greenlaners use, bikes and riders need to be legal. Ride at legal and sensible speeds and with respect to the local environment, population, wildlife and agriculture. The idea is to enhance the local environment not just take advantage of it, by spending money locally, particularly in rural areas, so that TET users are welcomed. It is not a massive enduro practice track and will be restricted if riders don’t respect its ideals. If you fancy a bike adventure with a difference this could be for you. It’s different from a packaged tour or dirt bike experience as you are making your own itinerary. However, you have the
benefit of pre-mapped and explored routes. You can do as much or as little of it as you choose. Try out a small section and work your way up to bigger things. It is possible to rent bikes locally across Europe to give it a go. The website, forum and Facebook have all the up to date information you will need to plan your trip and it’s quickly becoming very popular. The maps are available for many devices and, if stuck, there are plenty of people on hand to give advice. Get out there and enjoy it. Send SEB your reports and photos. www.transeurotrail.org
The adventure starts in store
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December 2018-January 2019 • South East Biker Magazine 09/01/2017 10:43
SPORT
LOCAL RIDER ON TOP Congratulations to Owen Jenner who won the Junior class in the Team Green Cup in the Bemsee series. The Ninja class is split with juniors and seniors racing together. Owen, 14 from Crowborough, started racing at 7 and won three championships. At the start of 2017 he moved to road racing. His first overall race win came at only his third meeting. The Kawasaki based series, using Ninja 300s (400s also for 2019) is a good stepping stone to BSB. As part of his prize, Owen will have support from Kawasaki to ride in the Junior supersport class in BSB. Owen and his family would like to thank James of JB Motorcycles for backing him. Motorcycle
racing is an expensive pastime and it’s great to see local biking businesses encouraging the next generation of riders. The British Motor Cycle Racing Club, known as BMCRC or “Bemsee”, is the world’s oldest motorcycle racing club and one of the UK’s largest. Founded in 1909, it was originally based at the classic Brooklands circuit near Weybridge in Surrey and is now located at offices in Romford, Essex. If you would like to take up racing at any level check out www.bemsee.net for details. It’s also an excellent day out where you can get close to the action at tracks such as Brands Hatch.
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October-November 2018 • South East Biker Magazine
ALL ABOUT
INTERVIEW
HOLLY
There’s no doubt that social media has a massive influence on how we obtain and spread information and it’s growing fast. Individuals and businesses use it daily to tell us all about their adventures and products. It’s also very much about selling a particular lifestyle and inspiring others to try different activities and broaden their horizons. Dom Humby meets Holly, the Brand Ambassador for Knox, to see what it’s all about…
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oday is a big day for me, my first interview! Considering I’ve never done this kind of thing before I wasn’t actually that nervous, this is because I was interviewing a woman called Holly. Now I know that is extremely vague but if you go on to your chosen social media account or even just your favourite search engine and type in “All About Holly” then you will surely get the same results I did. Holly is a relatively new rider of only a couple of years, however as new riders go, she has achieved a lot in her time on two wheels already. Holly’s interest in motorcycles stems from going pillion with her partner on rideouts and from this she decided she was going to tackle two wheels on her own terms. She is now forging her own destiny on her Harley Davidson sportster 883 with a vlog and blog with over ten thousand followers and personalised pins that anyone can order and show off. It’s no wonder, after sending a few emails, Knox Armour asked her to be a brand ambassador. Considering this has all been achieved in little over a year, I’d say Holly is very much going in the right direction at a very good pace. It’s not hard to see why Holly has got this many followers in a relatively short time period, just speaking to her over a few cups of coffee and lunch and it almost felt like I’d known her for years. It was no surprise to find out that her favourite thing about riding a motorcycle is the community aspect. It doesn’t matter what you ride or where, the fact you ride at all is enough to instantly find common ground and have a good old fashioned chin wag and when bikers start chatting, time just disappears. Ridng a motorcycle has some downsides as we know and these vary to depending on who you speak to. The dangerous aspect of riding on busy roads, the
physical condition of said roads, speed cameras and general confidence about riding can all be issues. But for Holly it was simple, the weather. More specifically being cold, and anyone who rides knows that being cold on a bike isn’t for the faint hearted, with constant wind chill destroying any form of body heat you have. It was with this in mind that Holly started to explore Knox’s range of kit. Holly’s rapid progression to this point started out on Instagram and expanded with a vlog and blog. Taking it to the next step by contacting companies and explaining what she is hoping to achieve and how she can do this is Holly’s aim. Knox wanted something long term and she has obliged and is doing extremely well at it. But Holly isn’t stopping there as she went on to explain. She is expanding her motorcycling experience as much as possible, including off roading and riding abroad. Holly has been producing her own pins as she wanted a small feminine piece that would help establish her creatively. She is keen to
South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk
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INTERVIEW promote inclusive motorcycling for all, particularly with more female riders taking up biking. After a second coffee, Holly went on to tell me about how obtaining her motorcycle licence has boosted her confidence generally. She went on to explain how when she passed her test she experienced a feeling that no one could possibly understand, unless they have done it for themselves. Once you have achieved that you realise you are part of quite possibly the largest family on the road......motorcyclists. Over the last few decades there has been a decline in budding motorcyclists emerging and taking the next step on to two wheels. Holly explained that she felt the mould needs breaking of what it means to be a motorcyclist. As an industry, and also a very large extended family, there needs to be fresh and new inspiration to encourage younger generations to take up biking. With a car everyone has the same target of learning how to drive and hitting the road, but with motorcycles it’s very different. Motorcycling is perceived of as being too dangerous, particularly by parents, so it is no wonder that there is a decline. Holly made some very good points about this fact and we agreed that this mentality of ‘motorcycles are dangerous’ needs addressing. Motorcycles aren’t dangerous,
people are. With improved training, riders will be much better equipped to deal with their machine and the hazards on the road. I must say that I had a blast with Holly. With our chat ranging from the serious aspects of riding to the incredibly fun side of it. This included her love of larger touring style bikes and being able to take her pet pooch Arty on rideouts in his Pet Palace on her Harley Davidson Sportster 883. If you’re ever out and about and you bump into her say “hello” and she will happily have a chat. Keep a watchful eye on forthcoming issues as Holly will be making a frequent stop with us at South East Biker Magazine. You can catch up with Holly via these formats. all About Holly allaboutholly allaboutholly
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23/01/2018 14:39 December 2018-January 2019 • South East Biker Magazine
LEGENDS
THE LIFE & DEATH OF A LEGEND
A
hundred years ago King George V summoned one of his subjects to Buckingham Palace to bestow a knighthood on him. The recipient politely turned it down, believing the British government had broken a promise he had made to the Arabs, he then turned around and left the room. Dave Figg supplies a few more facts on the enigma that is TE Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia… Thomas Edward Lawrence was born on 16 August 1888 at Tremadog, Caernarvonshire. His father was Sir Thomas Chapman, his mother Sarah Junner, the family governess who he had left his family to live with. Sir Thomas and Sarah lived under the assumed surname of Lawrence. Young Thomas was well educated and went on to be an archaeologist with the British museum. Much of his work was at Carchemish in Syria and he engaged keenly with the Arab culture, becoming fluent in the language. When war broke out in 1914, Thomas joined the army and was located in Egypt. Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and here was an arabic speaking British aristocratic handily placed to mobilise Arab resistance against the Ottoman empire. Colonel T.E. Lawrence went onto be a legend and inspire the 1962 film, Lawrence of Arabia. Less known is T.E.Lawrence the mechanic and biker. Having tired of politics and intrigue, in 1922 he joined the RAF as an ordinary aircraft mechanic under an assumed name, John Hume Ross. Apart from a short period where he was asked to leave the RAF because his true identity was deemed an embarrassment, he stayed with the RAF until March 1935. As an ordinary mechanic he seem to find an inner peace. He wrote his memoirs, ‘Seven Pillars of Wisdom’ and, by and large kept away from his own fame. Thomas was involved at some point in the marine craft section which was developing high speed boats for air/sea rescue. It led to the launch of the Seaplane Tender MK1 which had a range of 140 miles and a top speed of 29 knots. Always a keen biker, his motorcycle of choice was the Brough Superior SS100 ‘the Rolls Royce’ of the motorcycle world, built by George Brough of Nottingham. In 21 years of production only 3048 were made so they were fairly exclusive. Thomas owned 8 of these in his lifetime. Capable of 100 miles an hour they retailed for about £150 at a time when the average annual wage was £200.
Thomas named each bike George, so he had George I, George II and so forth. He had ordered George VIII and was riding George VII when, on the 19 May 1935 at Clouds Hill, Wareham, Dorset, he swerved to avoid two boys on bicycles, lost control and was thrown over the handlebars. He died 6 days later of his head injuries. In those days, helmets were generally not used. It was the end of a remarkable life. There is a postscript to this story in that the neuro surgeon who tried to save Thomas, Hugh Cairns, latterly went on to design and call for the use of motorcycle helmets, a safety feature which we now take for granted. www.dave1figg.wixsite.com/thestoryfellauk Exclusive offers with SUZUKI for all Defence Discount Service (DDS), and Blue Light (BLC) Card holders.
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South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk
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REVIEW
SKETCHES OF SPAIN It’s the time of year when we start to dream of longer, warmer sunny days cruising along some perfectly tarmacked Bavarian road or winding our way up a deserted Spanish mountain, stopping at a village café to enjoy the view and a coffee. We caught up with Duncan Gough to check out his latest travel offerings…
Many authors have written about their experiences in the many countries they have visited by motorcycle. These accounts are great to read and can inspire you to take to the road yourself and explore. Duncan is something different in the world of travel writing, however. He has been returning to Spain for many years on his beloved Moto Guzzis. It’s unsual for a travel author to concentrate on one country but Duncan’s love of Spain really comes across in his books. He feels at home there and really has a feel for the place. It’s not just a tick box, done that, experience. Anyone who has been to Spain and travelled around, away from the main tourist coastal hot spots, will have noticed that the lifestyle is very laid back and relaxed. The manic, flat out life of northern Europe seems a million miles away as you travel on deserted roads with perfect surfaces, ride through peaceful villages and view some incredible scenery. Duncan’s books are entitled Sketches of Spain and Back Roads of Spain (and the Catalan Pyrenees). The fact that he has filled the books with lovely sketches and illustrations shows he has taken the time to stop, dwell a little and
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look around him. On the cover of one guide he quotes Louis L’Amour, “too often I hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they have seen”. This philosophy sums up his approach to travel in Spain, slow down, take your time, appreciate your surroundings. You don’t have to just stop where there is a fantastic view, take a break by a stream in a forest or an abandoned building. By returning year after year, Duncan has managed to get under the skin of one amazing country rather than scratch the surface of many. When I met him in the summer in Catalonia he pointed out traces of wildlife, nests and sounds that I was oblivious to, it was a real education on how to appreciate what’s around us, wherever we are. Duncan’s books are not overwordy, and concise enough to throw in your panniers for entertainment and enlightenment along the way. Often, when on a bike trip with a timescale, we miss out some of the more interesting sights and experiences on the way. These books ensure you will make the most of your precious time as Duncan has put in the effort to explore the area thoroughly. The guides are highly recommended by us, would make great presents and are the perfect companions for long winter nights by the fire or reference books on the road. Duncan can also provide a self-guided tour itinerary for anyone interested in exploring Spain by themselves but with an idea of some great places to visit and roads to ride. Have a look at www.duncan-spanish-travel.com for more details and to order any books.
December 2018-January 2019 • South East Biker Magazine
A WIN FOR MAG Andy Carrott, National Vice Chairman, Motorcycle Action Group
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o matter how disengaged from the political process you might be – or feel that you are – you cannot escape it. Go for a ride on your bike and it is politicians that voted on the legislation that determined what you can ride, where you ride it, what you wear whilst riding it and ultimately how you ride it (watch out for the speed camera sir/madam). The laws that shape our lives, whilst mostly written by civil servants, are voted upon by MPs, so there’s no escaping politics. The Autumn Budget is politics in action and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Phil “the Hole” Hammond, announced an extra £420 million available to local authorities in the current financial year for road repairs and potholes in addition to £300 million already allocated. This is excellent news and we can all help our councils spend this extra money. What most councils don’t know (and don’t have the resource to find) is where all the potholes are, so we need to tell them. Some councils have their own online road defect reporting links. It’s easy to find your local authority details online but if you are struggling, go to https://www.gov.uk/ find-local-council and just type in your post code. Alternatively go straight to https://www.gov.uk/ report-pothole and report the pothole via the national pothole reporting page. In March this year the Metro reported that local authorities have over a half a billion quid shortfall in funding, so there’s still a lot of money needed and work to do. Dig a bit deeper into the budget and you discover that Vehicle Excise Duty will be going up in line with inflation from 1st April 2019, so that’s a few more quid we will have to find. The small print has a little bit of good news in that there will be a tax exemption for the transportation of blood and medical supplies by the national charity Blood Bikes. The Government will introduce an exemption for the purpose-built vehicles operated by Blood Bikes from April 2020. More good news is that the “fuel duty escalator” remains frozen so that tank full of go-juice will not be going up; well, certainly not in respect to the amount of tax we are paying. Perhaps of even more importance is that the duty on beer also remains frozen. Phew!
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has a volunteer who scours the internet for consultations, reports and studies, etc that may impact on motorcycling. I’ve just looked back through the last two weeks-worth and there were over 60 items. In one day alone there were 11 items ranging from a data release in respect to vehicle licensing to an EU report (and I think you really need to see the full title and will be a much better person for doing so) “on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 as regards the application of the Euro 5 step to the type-approval of two- or three- wheel vehicles and quadricycles (COM(2018)0137 – C8-0120/2018 – 2018/0065(COD))”. Despite us planning to leave the EU it is likely to have an impact on us because all existing EU law will be become UK law until such time as we pass our own legislation. MAG’s full time officers (of which there are only two) have to make a judgement call on which of these studies, strategies, consultations, etc are most relevant and then advise the group accordingly in respect to what action might be necessary. You can, however, still remain disengaged from the political process but pay good conscience money for someone else to take these thing on by joining MAG. In return you will receive a bimonthly magazine and get access to discounts on insurance, breakdown cover and other such niceties, comfortable in the knowledge that there are riders out there that actually quite enjoy doing this sort of stuff (although I’m not entirely sure that ‘enjoy’ is the right word....). The Motorcycle Action Group is the country’s leading organisation when it comes to representing riders’ interests. Single membership costs £27 (family, joint, affiliated club and corporate memberships also available). Contact MAG on 01926 844064 or at central-office@mag-uk.org to join. Andy Carrott MAG National Vice Chairman
South South East East Biker Biker Magazine Magazine •• www.southeastbiker.co.uk www.southeastbiker.co.uk
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SEASONAL AID
BAH humbug! As we approach the festive season, I always start to wonder what festive treats will lay in store for me beneath the tree on Christmas Day. Despite dropping the odd subtle, and some not so subtle, hints I can almost guarantee that I won’t get what I asked for, and I doubt that this year will be any different. Tony Carter from Hudgell Solicitors spreads some seasonal cheer…
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ne thing I have learnt over the years is that no matter how unwanted, horrible, useless or cheap a present may appear to be, I can normally find a good use for it somewhere. Some presents have even turned out to be very useful after I have applied a little bit of lateral thinking to them. Here then is my list of the top 5 most unwanted gifts and their alternative uses! 1. Top of the list has to be socks. Something every man can be assured of receiving over the festive period. Now I am not against receiving a pair of socks for Christmas, far from it, but I am not keen on the bright multi coloured variety or those covered in cartoon characters. I’ve never exactly been seen as a fashionable man but even I must draw the line somewhere. However, what I have found is that socks are great for carrying loose change, mobile phones, spare keys and all those other little nick nacks that tend to get lost in the bottom of a tank bag. In this respect, the brighter or more multi coloured the sock the better, as it makes them easier to spot as you rummage through a complete set of luggage! 2. Jumpers, pullovers, sweaters call them what you will. I don’t know about you but I like plain simple ones in plain colours. However, from time to time something sneaks in that I wouldn’t even wear for a bet, let alone out of
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choice. But they can make great helmet bags or covers, particularly when they are new as the material tends to be nice and soft and much better padded than a conventional helmet bag. Stitch the sleeves up to make a carry handle, put a bit of an elasticated tie around the bottom, and hey presto, one helmet bag that doesn’t carry any advertising and is more likely to take a few minor knocks than your conventional one! 3. Handkerchiefs appear to be self breeding. For every two I throw out another ten will magically appear from nowhere. But keep some stowed on your bike at all times, they make great cloths for wiping oil from a dipstick, or how about wrapping them around your hands when you check your tyre pressure? They’ll not only help keep your hands clean but they’ll also stop you from grazing your knuckles on the ground in the tight gap beneath your pressure gauge. 4. Talcum powder and smellies. A Christmas perennial. This must be the only time of year when your relatives can drop a subtle hint that you stink and get away with it. But that Boots own talcum powder can be great at soaking up those little oil or water spills in the garage, and in the summer when your helmet starts
December 2018-January 2019 • South East Biker Magazine
SEASONAL AID to get a bit whiffy, a couple of drops of after shave into the liner really has a freshening affect and can avoid the need to spend hours washing the liner out and probably days leaving it to dry out in an airing cupboard. Just make sure that you don’t put too much in or you may get odd looks from ladies in the street. However, a couple of drops of ‘everybody’s favourite’ Old Spice, will certainly smell much nicer than last season’s ‘Eau de Sweat and Dirt’! 5. And finally there’s the baby wipe. Now my daughter is no longer a baby, in fact she turned 27 a few months ago. But it was only recently that we stopped getting at least one pack of baby wipes every year, seemingly on the basis that if she didn’t need them then my wife would be able to find a use for them. What I found out very quickly was, not only are they great for
wiping down all the dead flies off your leathers, but they are even better as visor cleaners. Baby wipes are not only easy to use, but whatever is in them also seems to stop the flies and bugs from sticking as easily in the first place. Now on every trip I go on I take a pack with me in my tank bag. After all, if they are soft and gentle enough for a baby’s backside, then they are certainly good enough for my visor. So there you have it, my top tips for using your otherwise useless Christmas gifts. No doubt many of you will have your own and I would love to hear them. And on that note, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a terrific festive holiday, and a prosperous, but more importantly, safe 2019. Safe riding. Tony
FASTLANE MOTORCYCLES THE HOME OF PHASED OUT RACING
NEW AND USED MOTORCYCLE SALES FULL WORK SHOP FACILITIES MOT TESTING & TYRE BAY ACCESSORIES AND KIT
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27 23/03/2016 10:45
EVENTS
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December 2018-January 2019 • South East Biker Magazine
BIKER LISTINGS
BIKER DIRECTORY EVENTS ELK PROMOTIONS Classic Motorcycle Events in the South East
elkpromotions.co.uk KIT AND ACCESSORIES BOLT BIKES Motorcycle Helmets, Clothing & Accessories
01424 272121 boltbikes.co.uk
TIPPETTS
THWAITES GARAGE
New and used Hondas, servicing and parts
Servicing and MOTs
020 8399 2417 honda-tippetts.co.uk WARR’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON New and used motorcycles, kit and accessories
0208 857 9198 warrs.com SERVICING, PARTS, MOTS
MOTOPORT LTD
EVEREST MOTORCYCLES
Stockists of high-quality brands – Gerbing Heated Clothing, Dane, Difi, Draggin’ jeans & Bayard helmets
Servicing, Repairs, MOTs, Tyres & Track Prep
01892 457373 gerbing.co.uk daneclothing.uk draggin-mc.co.uk HELMET CITY TATSFIELD Huge range of kit and accessories in store and online. Free UK shipping
01959 577 911 helmetcity.co.uk LEGAL SERVICES HUDGELL SOLICITORS
01825 766351 Everestmotorcycles.co.uk
MOTORCYCLE HIRE WEST SUSSEX MOTORCYCLE HIRE Motorcycle Hire made easy
01243 780039 westsussexmotorcyclehire.co.uk NEW AND USED BIKES
Huge range of motorcycle parts instore in Sussex and online
01273 597072 Wemoto.com SPECIALIST SERVICES EXOTOGG THERMAL ARMOUR Portable protection from the elements
01223 911 117 www.exotogg.com VIKING MOTORCYCLE SEATS
Motorcycle Sales, workshop, MOTs, tyres & kit
Seat upholstery specialists, repairs and upgrades
01732 363630 Fastlanemoto.com
07977 874075 Viking-motorcycle-seats.co.uk
INTA MOTORCYCLE SERVICES Used bikes, servicing, tyres, parts & MOTs
01622 688727 intabikes.com JB MOTORCYCLES Used bikes, MOTs, Servicing
01825 766351 jb-motorcycles.co.uk JOHN HARRIS MOTORCYCLES MOTs, Servicing, Parts, Accessories & Clothing
01892 652380 jhmc.co.uk
FREESTYLE BIKES
THE MOTORCYCLE MAN
New and used Yamaha and Husqvarna on and off road
MOTs, Servicing & Repairs
01892 782288/01243 859655 freestylebikes.co.uk
WEMOTO
FASTLANE MOTORCYCLES
Personal injury specialists
0808 301 8554 hudgellsolicitors.co.uk
01273 430303 thwaitesgarage.co.uk
01424 893543 themotorcycleman.co.uk
TOURING AND HOLIDAYS 1066 MOTORCYCLE TOURS Worldwide motorcycle tours
07592 193399 1066motorcycletours.co.uk CATALAN ADVENTURE Rural Finca base for exploring on tarmac and trails
0791 3759955 catalanadventure.co.uk KAAPSTAD MOTORCYCLE TOURS Specialists in Motorcycle Holidays and Safaris in South Africa.
01525 377520 Kaapstadmat.com TRAINING
MOTOWARD
EAST KENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS
New and used bikes, servicing and parts
Off road Yamaha specialists, workshop, parts, kit & accessories
Guidance towards taking the IAM test
01473 257401 orwell.co.uk
01403 823222 motoward.co.uk
0300 2010 520 ekam.org.uk
ORWELL MOTORCYCLES
IF YOU’RE INTETREST IN A LISTING HERE PLEASE EMAIL NICK@SOUTHEASTBIKER.CO.UK
South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk
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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
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MOTORCYCLE MOT CENTRE
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
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EVENTS
For a full list of What’s On visit
www.southeastbiker.co.uk/events
2nd December
JACK THOMPSON BRITISH BIKE TRIAL Canada Heights
2nd December
MOTORCYCLE TOY RUN Motorcycle Workshop, Bolney 10am meet
9th December
THAMESIDE CUP TRIAL Horsemonden, Kent
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30th December
EXTREME ENDURO, HEDINGHAM Sudbury MCC
6th January
BIKE DAY The Ace Cafe
20th January
THE SIDCUP SIXTY Canada Heights
December 2018-January 2019 • South East Biker Magazine
Personal injury specialists with a track record of putting bikers on the road to recovery after accidents. We are a specialist legal team with extensive experience of supporting people injured in motorbike accidents and providing access to the best rehabilitation support. We also have an in-house Incident & Investigation Specialist who understands the dynamics of biking.
“We focus on securing damages that truly reflect the impact the injury has had on a person’s life and aim to compensate them for their suffering, recover their losses, and provide access to rehabilitation support to recover physically, as is best possible.”
A compensation claim with Hudgell Solicitors can put you on the road to recovery as quickly as possible.
– Matt Tuff, senior personal injury solicitor, Hudgell Solicitors, London (Winner of Modern Claims Professional of the Year 2016)
Call our accident experts today for free advice on:
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