South East Biker, Issue 62, April-May 2019

The South East’s No.1 FREE bike magazine ISSUE 62 • APRIL-MAY 2019

BATTLE OF THE

KINGS

ROYAL ENFIELD ANGELMAN RALLY HIMALAYAN SPIRIT OF MAYDAY RUN REVIEWS • FEATURES • EVENTS • SPORTS SEB: ON FULL THROTTLE SINCE 2008 southeastbiker.co.uk

Jackets and Vests • Airbag you reset yourself

• 4 year guarantee • Try before you buy • Free UK shipping

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STARTING GRID

Editor scribes This issue of SEB takes us from spring into summer as the biking season really gets into its stride.

The annual pilgrimage to Hastings for the Mayday Run has steadily grown and is now firmly established as the region’s biggest biking event. There are plenty of other excuses to jump on your bike though, if this is not your scene. There are bike shows in Dover and Stonham plus the Bike Shed bash at Tobacco Dock, offering something of interest to everyone. You can check out the Classic Bike show and bikejumble at Hamstreet or join in one of the charity rides happening locally.

A chance to meet fellow riders and enjoy some of the South’s beautiful scenery. Keep an eye on the events page on the website and our Facebook page.

As always in SEB we try and cover a wide range of biking subjects that will hopefully be of interest and useful to many of our readers. We research many of the articles ourselves and others are sent to us for further investigation.

We try and reflect as many of the varied interests of the motorcycling community across the South East as possible.

If you know of an event, show, business or biking character you think deserves a wider audience, please get in touch and we will follow it up.

Contents

4 CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN 8 The Battle of the Kings 10 From Para to Dakar 12 Vintage to Voltage Part 2 16 The Angelman Rally 19 A sense of perception 20 The Spirit of MayDay 23 MAG news

Enjoy the spring!

24 The only way is Motociclo

Nick

26 Motorcycles of WWI

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: Battle of the Kings winner 2019 — Warr’s Harley-Davidson

© 2019 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

29 THE KING OF COOL 28 Product reviews 3

BIKE REVIEW

R O YA L E N F I E L D

CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN The Royal Enfield Himalayan is marketed as a dual purpose motorcycle, billed as a two-wheeled Land Rover, which would put it firmly in the Adventure Bike category. Has the famous old company delivered on its promise of an affordable, rugged, all terrain motorcycle? Nick Tunstill puts one through its paces…

I

was lucky enough to be lent a Himalayan for a long term test by Viva Motorent in Barcelona. Trying it out for a few weeks in Spain during the winter gave me the opportunity to really get to grips with the bike and its capabilities.

First of all, I think it looks cool, rugged and purposeful with a kind of military despatch rider,

Great Escape feel. It oozes practicality over unnecessary plastic bolt on styling. It’s built to do a job, not look pretty in a car park. The silencer is particularly neat, better than some of the recent rather ugly Japanese offerings. The last Enfield I rode was the Continental GT; the mirrors fell off, the speedo flicked about all over the place and the bike had a cheap feel, despite costing around

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April-May 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

FEATURE

£5000. Not impressed. Well Royal Enfield have certainly improved their design and build quality.

This motorbike is well put together and solid. I have had no issues with anything coming loose or breaking despite 1000 km on and off road. Top marks for this.

The engine is an air/oil cooled 411cc, 24.5bhp single with 32Nm of torque. Not figures that will blow the mind of an avid GS 1250 or KTM Adventure fan, but actually very usable in real life. The seat height is 800mm which means it is accessible for most riders. If you are over 6 foot it may feel a little cramped, but for a bike that you can use on the trails as well it’s refreshing to have something so manageable.

The seat is all day comfortable and the dash is clear, mainly analogue with a LCD panel providing additional information. It even boasts a compass, which sounds a bit odd but actually I found more useful than the rider modes, cruise control and other electronic gubbins I have had on other machines. It is equipped with ABS which can’t be turned off as standard but mine had a switch fitted under the seat that disabled it.

The Himalayan is a very easy motorbike to ride, the relatively torquey single provides enough oomph on and off road without dabbing up and down through the 5 speed box. The tank holds

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

5

BIKE REVIEW

15 litres and this will provide the Enfield petrol sipper with a range of up to 230 miles. How dual purpose is the Himalayan?

ON THE ROAD The Enfield has enough power for most road conditions and is fun to ride as well.

Busy motorways are not its forte and it can struggle a bit on really tight twisties due to the 21 inch front, but it will deal with them effectively enough, and any tarmac in between is taken with ease. In an ideal world, a bit more power for those quicker overtakes would be useful and the front brake is adequate but suffers from a lack of feel.

The fuel injection works well and the suspension soaks up any bumps along the way. This is a bike to explore on rather than get from A to B as quickly as possible. Despite being a single, there is no buzz or vibey feel and it is a smooth ride.

You could ride this bike all day long and get off at your destination still feeling fresh.

ON THE TRAILS The Himalayan is not an out and out trail bike but is perfectly capable of tackling most non tarmacked roads and tracks with relative ease.

The rubber footrest bungs pop out to give a better grip on the metal pegs. The front suspension has 200mm travel and the rear has 180mm. It’s not an enduro bike but will overcome most objects if ridden confidently and appropriately. The low centre of gravity helps with balance, particularly if you are newer to venturing off the asphalt. There is enough low down torque from the single pot to trundle along happily without constantly flicking through the gears. There is a limit to its off road ability though; it is relatively heavy, so if you were stuck on a single track path for example and needed to

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turn it around in a tight spot, you may wish you had something lighter. However, if you are riding on unmade roads and trails, the Himalayan copes really well and is a pleasure to ride.

CONCLUSION In my opinion, the Himalayan is an excellent motorbike if you are looking at around a 70/30 tarmac/trail split. If you want something for more off road work you may be better looking at something at more focussed. For touring at a sensible pace and dealing with a ride range of conditions, the Enfield really does do a great job.

One of the big plus points is that it comes well equipped straight from the showroom. Centre stand, screen, rear rack, front racks and bash plates all come as standard. If you were heading off globe trotting you may add a power adaptor and some hand guards, possible rear luggage frames, but these are not essential. I like the way the Himalayan has been designed and built to fulfil certain criteria and it succeeds on all these fronts.

It’s not perfect, but In an age of hi-tech 170bhp top end adventure motorbikes it’s refreshing to have simpler and more affordable options available. At £3999 you can’t go far wrong with the Himalayan.

Many thanks to Viva Motorent of Barcelona and Malaga www.vivamotorent.es

USEFUL INFO

ROYAL ENFIELD HIMALYAN Engine capacity 411cc Engine 4-stroke, single

cylinder air-cooled, SOHC Bore x Stroke: 78 mm x 86 mm.

Compression Ratio: 9.5:1.

Maximum Power: 24.5 horsepower

@ 6500 rpm.

Maximum Torque: 32 Nm @ 4250 rpm.

Ignition system: Digital electronic ignition.

Clutch: Wet, multi-plate.

April-May 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

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

7

CUSTOM BUILDS

THE

BATTLE KINGS OF THE

The Battle of the Kings is a great event for showcasing Harley-Davidson’s leadership in customisation, including their vast range of parts and accessories amidst an increasingly competitive market.

Warr’s Harley-Davidson entered ‘The Crook’. How did it do?

S

tarted in 2015, the Battle of the Kings (BOTK) custom build competition is the largest dealer custom bike build competition in the world. Running in many markets including: Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Japan, BOTK emphasises the fact that Harley-Davidson dealers are custom experts and since 2015, dealers have submitted over 500 custom builds based on Street and Sportster platforms.

Warr’s Harley-Davidson entry from Warr’s Kings Road Custom has just won the UK BOTK for the third time. Designer and custom builder Charlie Stockwell, Head of Design and Custom, tells how the winning entry, ‘The Crook’, came about.

“The chassis is completely stock. The rear rim has been widened and the original rear rim is now the front so we could run 16in tyres front and rear.

To keep the identity of the Street Bob, we cut into the side of the fuel tank to give it our Kings Road custom signature look. To mimic the mid-1990s custom look we used the Defiance Collection engine covers and forward controls.

“There are a couple of things that really make it stand out: the 2-2 upswept exhaust, and the gas tank.

“A lot of it speaks for itself. Like I said the gas tank is iconic to us, there’s nothing that’s really hidden and we have tidied up the lights, super bright. Everything is quite apparent on this, it’s not a complicated build it’s very simple, you can see every detail. We wanted to create a build where there wasn’t anything that was too challenging. The whole idea of it was to easily replicate and promote easy custom building that’s effective by looking awesome.”

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April-May 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

CUSTOM BUILDS

THE CUSTOM KING What inspired your passion for two wheels?

“I guess it was my brother in law. When I was 12 years-old he rode bikes when no one else in the family did at the time.

I always liked bikes but never had the opportunity to ride them until he taught me.

“Even though I’ve owned and still own a few bikes, it is HarleyDavidson that is special to me, for a lot of reasons. History, for one. The passion, as well, that people have for Harleys, it’s infectious. There’s the freedom they give, not just from riding, but also the freedom of expression in the design of the bikes; something that can be extended with customisation. Let’s not forget Harley ownership also gives people a sense of belonging with the huge community spirit that’s grown with Harley-Davidson.

“I’ve been customising since 1996. Under our custom sub-brand Warr’s Kings Road Customs, it’s been non-stop custom design and builds. As for BOTK, I’ve completed three Sportster builds, going back to 2015, which was the first one and then again in 2016-17. The 2019 BOTK build is for a Warr’s customer who had a chop/bobber, kind of, back in the 90s. This BOTK build is a modern take on that.”

What parts were used H-D P&A: Defiance Chrome Rocker Tops & Rocker Lowers. Defiance Chrome Cam Cover, Derby Cover, Handlebar Grips, Footpegs, Shifter Peg, Slotted Shifter Lever, Slotted Rear Brake Lever, Front Brake & Clutch Lever, Chrome Bar & Shield Shifter Linkage. H-D Bobber Solo Saddle kit (re-trimmed), 16 x in Gloss Black Wheel Rim. Other parts included: Custom Rear Fender, Firestone Champion tyres, modified Gas Tank, mini LED turn indicators, side mount license plate, Wild Hog Aged Brown Saddlebag & Brown Solo Saddle. S&S Grand National Chrome 2-2 exhaust & Chrome Mini Teardrop Intake. Custom Paint. www.warrs.com

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

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BOOK REVIEW

FROM PARA TO DAKAR

T

his is a tale of incredible courage and achievement against odds so seemingly insurmountable that many would have given up.

Joey Evans sustained injuries that left him with almost total paralysis but, through sheer determination and the support of his family and friends, came through that and went on to complete the hardest race in the world.

Joey is clearly not only a very skilled rider but also a man possesed with a strength of determination that marks him out as a very rare individual.

The motivational message to

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Reviewed by John Allsopp himself that he places on his bike’s road book ‘you didn’t come this far only to come this far’ is clearly indicative of his approach to life.

He takes the reader on a journey from his beginning stunting push bikes to regular off road motorcycle racing.

Not only that, but his road to recovery from serious traumatic injuries, and eventually realising his dream of competing in The Dakar is shared with honesty as well as humour.

The sections of the book written by Joey’s wife Meredith really add the perspective of his family and prime supporters in his journey not only to achieve

his dreams but in life itself.

This book is written in a style that makes it very accessible as you develop a great empathy for his trials. I actually felt that I was willing him on at every stage of his recovery as well as the race itself.

Joey’s love for motorcycles, racing and his family and friends is brilliantly conveyed and you are left with a feeling that you’d really benefit from meeting the man himself.

This book is massively inspiring and life affirming and gets a five out of five recommendation from me.

Available from various online retailers

April-May 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

CHARITY

10,000-MILE CHALLENGE

D

arran Hart is riding his trusty 1995 CBR1000F 10,000 miles in 10 days around the UK in aid of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

He will start on 6th June at 5.00am and end on the 16th June 5.00am. The last 1,000 miles will be the official RBLR1000 which is having its 10th Anniversary.

The plan is that as it is the 10th running of the RBLR1000, Darren wanted to do something special. So he thought riding 1,000 miles for 10 consecutive days would be a great idea.

Darren asks, “What is the matter with me? You may well ask. Thank you in advance for any donations. This is a huge undertaking for my bike and myself so, if for any reason I have to abort for safety or mechanical reasons, I will post

mileage achieved and will still attempt to do RBLR1000”. www.justgiving.com/fundraising/darran-hart Facebook: www.facebook.com/darran.hart.94 Good luck, Darren.

EXOTOGG.COM/ SEB South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

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VINTAGE TO VOLTAGE

VINTAGE TO VOLTAGE PART TWO

We left Paul, Carla and the gang after they had just disembarked from the Dieppe ferry on their assorted machines. Paul Blezard continues the tale as they hit the trails and backroads to Paris…

Photos by Paul Blezard and James Higgs DAY 3: DIEPPE TO BRESLES VIA THE TRANS EURO TRAIL We were soon on our first TET trail and the going was easy, in technical terms, but it still had the Zero’s suspension working hard and I couldn’t help thinking how bone-jarring it would have been for Julie on her 1926 Triumph.

There was also one steep descent which had the Zero’s ABS struggling to keep the brakes functioning again; I used a fast pumping technique to keep the pads pushing against the discs. I was concerned for Carla, but she made it down OK, slowly but surely. On an easier and wide open section I swapped steeds with Jimmy. He seemed to take to the Zero like a duck to water while his Honda CRF250L felt like a lightweight armchair after the 190kg electric bike. I immediately understood how he’d been able to zip past us at will (getting some great photos and video footage while doing so).

Swapping back onto the Zero reminded me of

how uncomfortably far forward I had to lean while standing on the pegs, and the plank-like properties of the seat when sitting down!

We stopped for lunch at the McDonald’s in Neufchâtel-en-Bray and I talked the manageress into allowing us to run our extension lead from an internal socket next to our table out of the main door to Carla’s Zero.

The afternoon session had some fairly technical sections, where we had to turn tightly and steeply uphill from open fields into adjoining woodland and the Zero’s very limited steering lock was a serious handicap in places where the petrol bikes could leap and weave around the obstacles with no trouble. Carla’s optional crash bars proved handy as forward grab rails for her helpers!

At one point it would have been very handy to have reverse, a bonus that comes as standard on many of the other electric machines I’ve ridden.

We had some unexpected drama later on when one of the bolts holding the front brake caliper

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April-May 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

VINTAGE TO VOLTAGE and I photographed, Carla concentrated and Bill followed. Our destination was a campsite in the small town of Bresles (say ‘Brel’), east of Beauvais, and when we found ourselves on a fast section of near-motorway, with only a few miles to go, Carla and I opened up the Zeroes to remind the others what they’re capable of. Let’s just say that they’re as fast as a KTM 690, OK? DAY 4: TO GAY PAREE AND BACK We took the tarmac from Bresles to Paris and by coincidence we arrived on our electric motorcycles just as a photographer was finishing off a photoshoot of Jaguar’s brand new allelectric rival to Tesla, the iPace. I shot a few seconds of video of Carla, whose pleasure and relief at having reached our destination shone through the lens. I then led our little group on a brief tour of central Paris. The ride back to the Bresles campsite proved eventful; after riding a total of 96 gentle miles, with fifteen miles still to go, Carla’s battery indicator was showing 0%. In contrast, ‘my’ 2018 DSR still had 34% left!

Fortunately, 0% indicating on the dash does not mean ‘no go’ — the bike will keep running for several more miles. A couple of miles further on there was a big car workshop at the side

onto Bill’s WR450 went AWOL. Undaunted, Bill removed one of his fork yoke pinch bolts and used it to remount the caliper in the right place with the front brake function restored! I’ve been a fan of the fast and robust WR450 ever since I rode both the 2-Trac and the standard version in Morocco on the launch of Yamaha’s innovative two-wheel drive system back in 2003. We were only bimbling gently along the TET but riding behind the WR450 on the near-silent Zero it seemed both noisy and noxious, despite having a standard pipe.

The good weather continued in the afternoon as John led us along the TET trails while Jimmy

The adventure starts in store

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VINTAGE TO VOLTAGE

We returned to the Neufchatel McDonald’s we’d visited on the way out and were able to plug in both Zeroes straight away. We set off for the afternoon’s final stint to Dieppe as a gentle rain started to fall.

The lanes were starting to get a little damp and slippery from the intermittent rain but we also rode through a little stone-lined ford in the centre of a wonderfully scenic village. John V took us up a ‘fresh’ lane that we hadn’t had time to do on the way out. It proved to be the most challenging trail of the whole trip. The initial friendly grass surface soon changed to rocks with a deep gulley up the middle and very little ‘shelf space’ either side as it went steeply uphill.

Carla struggled, despite having the advantage of her knobbly Michelin Anakees, but she just didn’t have enough confidence to get any momentum going. As she said later, “My head went into ‘cannot do’ mode”. She swallowed her pride and let Jimmy ride the Zero up the tricky section.

I was doing fine on the standard Pirellis MT60s until the wet grass turned to mud and, combined with the slope, even the gentlest application of the throttle in Eco mode still sent the rear wheel spinning sideways, so I had the front wheel in one rut and the rear in the other. My problem was manfully solved by Jimmy, who just heaved the front end over into the rear wheel’s rut.

We were met half way up the climb by a bold Frenchman riding the TET alone, on a KTM 950, in the opposite direction. He warned us about the deep fossé (gully) ahead, and enquired about the section we’d just ridden up. I assured him that he’d get his big V-twin beast down OK, and he did. We did one more much more relaxing gravelly trail near the coast before cruising into the port of Dieppe in drizzle.

We got some more juice in the Zeroes at the passenger terminal, Carla was down to 17%, while I still had 40%. Once again, we also plugged the electric bikes into the DFDS ferry’s mains on the crossing but as before, we were disappointed when we came to disembark – we’d only gained about 10%, which is what you’d expect from one hour’s charging rather than four. Nevertheless, it was still well worth having because it made all the difference to Carla!

It was dark and raining as we rolled off the ferry.

We thanked John Vannuffel for all his leadership and forbearance and while he headed west on his KTM, I led Bill, Jimmy and Carla to Hastings. We were only bimbling along at 40-45mph most of

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April-May 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

of the road and after I explained our situation the owner, a Harley fan, kindly offered us a free charge without hesitation, plus coffees all round to boot!

DAY 5: TRAIL RIDING BACK TO DIEPPE We were onto our first green lane of the day within three miles of leaving the Bresles campsite. It was an old Roman road, which we followed for nine miles until we reached the outskirts of Beauvais, where we stopped for petrol, but most of our morning was spent off-tarmac. There was one trail, with a deep and overgrown rut, where Carla’s crashbars were more of a hindrance than a help, and another where a set of wind turbines provided a perfect backdrop to the two Zeroes for a ‘green’ ecophoto.

On one of the final trails before lunch, I saw Carla launched into the air and deposited into the vegetation as she got her Zero cross-rutted.

Fortunately she got away with no more than a winding and some painfully bruised ribs — and Jimmy captured the drama on his headcam! The Zero’s crashbars proved their worth once again…

VINTAGE TO &VOLTAGE ADVENTURE TRAVEL the way, so I thought the 38% in Carla’s battery would be ample to get her the 33 miles home.

However, her dash was reading 0% charge on the Hastings bypass but her Zero kept going for the final three miles, albeit with reduced power, so she just made it. Phew! To her chagrin, ‘my’ 2018 DSR still had 34% left, having used only 24% of its bigger battery pack to cover the same 33 miles at the same speed. So it was just as well that we’d ‘topped up’ at every opportunity — McDonald’s, the terminal, and the ferry — otherwise Carla wouldn’t have made it home.

Conclusion: you can have a lot of fun trail riding a big Zero and cover a lot of ground in the process, especially if you ride it slowly. You won’t actually have to ‘fill up’ as frequently as you would on a small-tanked petrol trail bike, but it will take a lot longer to do so, especially if you can only use the standard 1kW on-board charger. (Much faster charging is available, at a variety of prices, but that’s another whole story!) I’m already sorely tempted to buy a Zero of my own but I’d much rather have a 2018 DSR than a 2017 machine, and I can’t understand why even the 2019 machine doesn’t have traction control or reverse.

Last but not least, we raised over £2,000 for the three Vintage to Voltage charities: the

Dougie Dalziel Memorial Trust, the Kent, Sussex, and Surrey Air Ambulance and the Joan Seeley Pain Relief Memorial Trust. Carla handed over a cheque to Colin Seeley himself at the South of England Classic Motorcycle Show in Ardingly on October 28th.

My next aim is to have a decent trail ride on the much lighter and more nimble Zero FX… The blog, complete with the charity details, is at: www.vintagetovoltage.wordpress.com Our friend Andy Marsh has put together a 6-minute video about our adventure which can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/VintagetoVoltage

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

15

THE ANGELMAN RALLY

LONDON TO MT. ETNA

THE ANGELMAN RALLY

On the 16th of May, three bikers will leave from Jack Lilley’s Triumph dealership, journeying to Mt Etna in Sicily to raise money for the charity, AngelmanUK, in support of Angelman Syndrome. The trip, which is being documented by a film crew from The Power Station Media company, has gathered significant industry attention and sponsorship.

T

he founder of the rally, Xavier Lomas, has lived in the Surrey area his whole life and, following many years of IVF heartache, Xavier and his partner, Corinne, were blessed with their son, Henri.

Henri was born in January 2017, and tragically seven months later, was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome, a relatively rare genetic condition that has a profound effect on Henri’s mental and physical capabilities.

Overnight the family’s future was thrown into freefall. Aside from the shock of dealing with this news, Xavier and Corinne have had to consider the long-term prospects for Henri.

Angelman Syndrome is not a life-limiting condition, and plans for

16

Henri’s future must extend far beyond Xavier and Corinne’s lives as they prepare long-term housing and income for their only son.

Whilst attempting to deal with the cards dealt to him, and to counter the feelings of helplessness that he felt, Xavier began to formulate a plan.

He wanted to do something to help raise awareness for those affected

by Angelmans Syndrome and, being a keen motorcycle enthusiast, it was inevitable that motorcycles would play a big part.

“I wanted to do something — anything — for my son, and by extension, all the angels. I needed it for my own mental health so, one evening over, a few drinks with two of my childhood friends, Dan and Graham, the decision was made. We would ride for Henri and the angelman community,” Xavier explained.

April-May 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

THE ANGELMAN RALLY The plan was made: to strike out on a sponsored ride, across France, through Italy and on to Mount Etna in Sicily.

This plan continued to evolve, and The Angelman Rally was born!

Xavier has always owned Triumphs, and is currently riding a Thruxton 1200R, Dan has been riding a Triumph Street Triple since 2013, whilst Graham rides a Cafe-Neo Yamaha XSV700. Naturally, the boys gravitated towards Triumph when it came to approaching sponsors, and Ashford-based main dealer, Jack Lilley, leapt at the chance.

“We met Dave (Lilley) at the DGR (Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride) in 2018 and, from the off, he wanted to help out but we always knew we would need a third Triumph,” explained Dan. “So, with this in mind, we began to investigate ways to bring another Triumph into the mix and Triumph

offered Graham the use of a Tiger 800 for the trip!

Certainly more suited to riding up a volcano than a Thruxton or Street Triple!”

The proposed route will see the riders leaving leafy Surrey on the 16th May in the direction of Dover before crossing the Channel into Calais.

From here, they intend to strike out south-easterly through Arras and Dijon, before skirting around Lake Geneva and into Aosta in Italy. From here they intend to head on to Milan before stopping in Verona where the famed painting ‘A boy with a puppet’ by Francesco Caroto resides.

It was this painting that inspired British doctor, Dr Henry Angelman, to recognise the symptoms of his patients back home in Warrington, UK, leading to his ground-breaking research into the condition and the subsequent renaming of

The Power of Dreams

Weave through city traffic, on to the motorway, then out to the unknown.

New for 2019

CB500X Telephone: 020 8399 2417 312-320 Ewell Road, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 7AW

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15/01/2019 13:25 17

THE ANGELMAN RALLY the disorder from ‘Happy Puppet’ syndrome to Angelman Syndrome.

From here, Xavier, Dan and Graham will be riding round Bologna and Rome before entering Sicily and approaching Mt. Etna itself.

After a couple of rest days, that includes a trip as far towards the crater of the volcano as possible, the boys will head back up through Piza, then Genoa, before crossing the border back into France and cutting through Monaco and Montpelier.

From here the intention is to cross the record-breaking Milau viaduct — the tallest road bridge in Europe, and one of the tallest bridge structures in the world.

The final leg of the journey will see the Angelman Rally pass through the Figeac region of France before hitting Paris, heading back to the coast, and finally home. Due to the nature of filming such an endeavour, the team have estimated that an average distance of 200-300 miles per day is a realistic target to achieve, conservative calculations put this at between five and seven hours of travelling every day (with a couple of rest days in Sicily).

The event will culminate in a homecoming fundraiser that will be held at Burview Hall in Surrey on the 2nd June. Here, any supporters that attend can look forward to meeting the riders, a family fun day, delicious stone-baked pizza from StokedEats, and several different fundraising activities. All hosted by Corinne and her sister-in-law, Elize. They excitedly told me; “We will proudly have guests from our local business partners, local dignitaries and AngelmanUK itself — all captured on film by The Power Station”.

A major component of the endeavour is the production of a short film to bring awareness to a wider audience.

Produced by media company, The Power Station, the short will deal with themes including mental health and a father perspective on family life as they face living with the condition. The film will be released in December of this year.

For more information on The Angelman Rally, head to www.theangelmanrally.org where you can read more about Henri, the riders, make donations or simply wish them good luck. Email Xavier directly at info@theangelmanrally.org.

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April-May 2019 • South East Biker Magazine 23/03/2016 10:45

LEGAL SUPPORT

MW SOLICITORS

A SENSE OF PERCEPTION — IS AGE A FACTOR?

P

rince Philip’s recent road accident near Sandringham, when he pulled out of the B1439, a minor road, and onto the A419, the major road, and into the path of an oncoming car to his offside, brought to light a familiar scenario for many motorcyclists.

A motor vehicle pulling out of a side road into the path of a motorcyclist is an all too often cause of many accidents. Prince Philip claimed to have been blinded by the sun. But another factor could have been at play — his age.

The IAM Roadsmart offers a Mature Driver Review course and its overview states “Mature drivers are among the safest on the road, but there is no denying that as you get older reactions can be less swift, perhaps the eyesight might not be so sharp and memories of the Highway Code less clear.”

A similar scenario is of a child or adolescent crossing the road dangerously close in front of a vehicle. Does their young age mean they are less able than an adult to accurately evaluate the speed of an approaching vehicle?

There has been research on this issue.

One research paper in 2014 by Professor John Wann and his team at Royal Holloway University of London, demonstrated that the perceptual skills necessary to make accurate judgments of a vehicle’s approach are still undergoing refinement in 6 -11 year old children (the group he studied). Children within this age group are unable to make judgements as accurately as an adult between 16-75 years. After 75 years there appears to be a reciprocal decline in ability, so what is said about children up to age 16 might be equally applicable to elderly pedestrians and motorists.

The research showed that a child may fail to detect a vehicle that is travelling faster than approximately 25mph, due to a lack of “motion pop-out” — the moving object is there to be seen by an adult, but is

simply not detected by a child. Even when a vehicle is detected, a child may be unable to differentiate between a vehicle travelling at a typical speed, e.g. 20 or 30 mph, and one travelling faster.

If a vehicle is travelling within the speed limit then distance can be a reliable metric.

But when a vehicle is travelling faster than is typical, then safe crossing or pulling out relies on a pedestrian or motorist being able to accurately judge the higher speed and re-estimate their crossing or pulling out time based on a distance / speed judgement, i.e. to realise there is less time available to cross or pull out safely. It is well accepted that this is a problem for younger children, including those in the 6-11 year range.

Other research has concluded that 10-13 year olds have not yet mastered the necessary skills for safe performance in simple and complex traffic situations.

From a legal perspective, such accidents can give rise to liability arguments. From a practical perspective, Prince Philip’s accident is a reminder to us all to be extra vigilant when passing a junction where a motor vehicle is waiting to pull out.

Philip Scarles is an Associate Solicitor at MW Solicitors and has acted for many motorcyclists seriously injured in accidents.

He can be contacted on 01732 758544 or email: Philip.scarles@mwsolicitors.co.uk. www.mwsolicitors.co.uk

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

19

HISTORY

MOTORCYCLE REWIND

SPIRIT OF THE MAYDAY RUN

The legendary Mayday Run, one of the biggest free-to-attend motorcycle events in Europe, is being celebrated alongside the Battle of Hastings, Mods’n’Rockers riots and the birth of television at the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery from 6th April until 12th May 2019.

S

pirit of the Mayday Run is a five-week exhibition running from the 6th April until 12th May 2019. Photographs, news cuttings and an audio-visual presentation will give a sense of the history, cultural significance and importance that the Mayday Run is to Hastings and the local community.

The Mayday Run began back in 1979 when a young naval engineer, named Tim Gooderson, got together with a bunch of his mates to ride from Locksbottom, in Kent, to Hastings, East Sussex, a distance of about 60 miles, on what was then the first proper May Day Bank Holiday Monday. There were a few hundred bikes on that first run but, over the next 25 years, Tim advertised the event around pubs and bike haunts using a distinctive SOS flyer, advertising in bike magazines and getting press articles etc. The annual run quickly grew to include thousands of bikes and, for the 40th Mayday Run in May 2018, reached the alltime record of 46,000 bikes and about 85,000 people descending on Hastings making it larger in one day than the world-famous Isle of Man TT is in a fortnight.

The Mayday Run is unique as it isn’t an organised event, traditional rally or a charity ride-out. There is no official start time or route, and everyone is welcome whatever they ride — bike, trike, scooter or twist’n’go. It’s a massive spontaneous movement of people; a pilgrimage for those who share a passion for motorcycles.

A warm welcome, in Hastings, is guaranteed whatever the weather and we hope that the

Hastings Museum exhibition captures exactly that Spirit of the Mayday Run. If intending to visit Spirit of the Mayday Run, before setting off please check the opening times on Hastings Museum and Art Gallery website: www.hmag.org.uk. Also, please call ahead if you are visiting in a group of more than 10.

Hastings Museum is a small building with limited motorcycle parking; however, there is a Leisure Centre (Summer Fields) next door that has plenty of parking for 30p an hour.

The legendary Mayday Run will once again be on the Bank Holiday May Day Monday (6th May) from Locksbottom to Hastings (as well as many start points around the country). Why not follow in Tim Gooderson’s tyre turns and get your own ride together with your mates and head for Hastings from wherever you are?

Spirit of the Mayday Run Exhibition: Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, John’s Place, Bohemia Road, Hastings. TN34 1ET. www.hmag.org.uk

20

April-May 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

MOTORCYCLE SHOW

NEW SUFFOLK SHOW

O

STONHAM MOTORCYCLE SHOW

ne of the UK’s newest motorbike events, the Stonham Motorcycle Show opens its doors later this year to all manner of sports bikes, café racers and old school choppers among others.

The show will also feature the famous On The Edge Motorcycle Stunt Trials Display Team, www. ontheedgestuntshow.co.uk, who will be in the showring with some of the world’s best stunt riders ready to wow crowds.

The event, taking place between 10am and 5pm on Sunday 12 May, in association

© On The Edge Motorcycle Stunt Trials Display Team

with Orwell Motorcycles — one of East Anglia’s biggest motorcycle and biker gear retailers — and Ipswich Rider Training who will be

carrying out CBT and advance motorcycle training to visitors on the day.

There will also be trade and dealership stands, autojumble, live bands, bars and hot food available. Stonham Barns has plenty of accommodation available from touring and tent pitches, to a wide variety of holiday homes and lodges.

Standard tickets cost £7 and weekender camping tickets cost £15. www.stonhambarns.co.uk For all trader and exhibitor enquiries, contact events@ stonhambarns.co.uk, telephone 01449 711111.

MOTORCYCLE SEATS

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.

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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VikingEast Vinyl HP 0515.indd 1 South Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

12/05/2015 18:00 21

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22 Everest Motorcycles HP 0115.indd

1

April-May 2019 • South East Biker Magazine 15/01/2015 09:40

ELECTRIC COMBO

I

The future’s bright; the future’s an … electric combination!? says Andy Carrott, MAG National Vice Chairman and three-wheelist

have a Ural. “A what?” I hear some of you (most of you?) cry. It’s Russian, it has a sidecar and if painted in army colours would be instantly recognisable to any German or Russian soldier from World War Two. At the outbreak of war the Germans were making good military combinations and the Russians copied them. Made in their millions since then there’s hardly a communist country that didn’t use them (or the Chinese copy — they wanted a bit of the military commie combo action too).

Today, Ural occupy a niche in the motorcycle market, still making a combo, slap bang up to date with fuel injection, Brembo brakes and other mod cons including a drone. Yes, there is a limited-edition model complete with drone to film your overland expeditions (be quick, they are only making 40). Not ones to rest on their laurels, they also have an electric-powered combination prototype. In a link up with Zero Motorcycles, a world leader in electric motorcycle technology, Ural have built an electric combo that has received great reviews.

So why might electric combinations be the future? Well it’s not so much the combination as the three-wheeler/trike. The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has been talking to the United Nations about the future of the motorcycle and, for the UN, three wheels are part of that mix. When you consider motorcycling as a global issue, and look at Asia in particular, you see millions of small capacity motorcycles plus three-wheeled tuk-tuks and bikes with flatbed platforms carrying anything and everything. A switch from these vehicles to cars and vans is unsustainable in congested cities. The threewheeler offers a compact vehicle with a relatively large area for batteries under the sidecar or platform, potentially allowing more range that your average electric two-wheeler.

Electrickery should not, though, bring on the immediate loss of our petrol-engined machines.

MAG believes that internal combustion engine powered two wheelers (PTWs) can play a significant part in reducing pollution by reducing congestion (an independent study has shown this to be the case). There has been no thorough

“cradle to the grave” analysis of the pollution impacts of scrapping perfectly serviceable motorcycles and replacing them with electric bikes, but there is a growing weight of opinion to say that it is environmentally detrimental (and does not appear to have been considered by Transport for London who want to introduce a £12.50 charge for powered two wheelers built before 2007 to enter London). A recent German study has even shown that modern diesel-engined vehicles are essential to meeting pollution targets.

MAG’s challenge in its discussions with the United Nations is to ensure that motorcycles have a part to play in the future of transport. Part of that challenge involves ensuring the existing internal combustion engine fleet of powered two (and three) wheelers is not unduly penalised when, for many cities, it is part of the solution to congestion and pollution woes.

Running parallel to these discussions is the issue of Intelligent Speed Adaption (ISA). This is technology that can remotely control or assist the control of the speed of vehicles, for example to prevent speeding. It’s currently being trialled, but it is not without problems; for example cutting the speed on a leaning motorcycle could cause and accident. Recent internet rumours that it was imminent on motorcycles were unfounded, but it appears to be an inevitability and we need to make sure that motorcycles are treated fairly and, more importantly, that we are safe.

On top of that we have the issue of driverless vehicles and concerns over their ability to recognise powered two wheelers. Many car drivers would welcome the virtual automation of getting from A to B, and there are times when it would be nice to have a kip or read a book, but we do not want to see road space allocated to driverless vehicles to the detriment of other road users.

Big issues, so many arguments, so many aspects to consider. MAG is there, making the case for motorcyclists, but needs your support. You can join MAG online at www.mag-uk.org or by calling 01926 844064. Membership costs just £27 for a year. Family, corporate and club affiliations also available.

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

23

BUSINESS FOCUS

THE ONLY WAY IS…

MOTOCICLO

John Allsopp goes North of the River to check out a new biker shop.

F

ounded in 2018 by Mel and Karen Squires, Motociclo fuses Mel’s passion for café-racer culture, with Karen’s love of fashion. Inspired by their own experiences, they created Motociclo for like-minded motorcyclists in the East of England.

So, hearing of this new venture, I set sail to the land of TOWIE to investigate. On what was instead a chilly day out on the highways and byways my welcome, was thankfully warm.

Mel himself is an engineer who started at Marconi and was commuting on a Tiger Cub 200.

His passion for motorcycles

24

began aged 14, riding off-road.

After a period away from two wheels, he found this passion reignited around six years ago which lead him to buy, and subsequently customise, the stunning Enfield that currently graces the front of the shop.

His next project will be his current ride which is a Yamaha Fazer. As a Consulting engineer at Airbus, I’m pretty sure he has all the skills he will ever need to create his vision for this machine too.

The character of the shop is rather chic and entirely in keeping with the couple’s wish to ‘bring the classic style of Steve McQueen and the

April-May 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

BUSINESS FOCUS

youthful energy of the Café Racers to our customers’.

The shop specialises in luxury, classic, and technical motorcycle apparel, blending timeless style with safety, stocking premium British brands alongside hand-picked international design.

The likes of Bell, Blauer, Bellstaff, Rokker and Roland Sands mix with Alpinestars, Oxford, Stylemartin and the Technical jacket made by Riders Regiment.

Motocicolo also carries a good range of equipment to meet the needs of the increasing number

of lady riders.

I think Mel and Karen’s ethos is demonstrated in their statement: ‘Our clothing will keep you safe when you’re out riding, and stylish for the office, or out socialising. When you

look good, you feel good’.

With spring hopefully not too far away, I’d certainly recommend a visit: 1745 London Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2SW. www.motociclo.co.uk

HONDA • DUCATI • KAWASAKI • SUZUKI • TRIUMPH • YAMAHA Quality used road bikes and trials specialist.

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Inta 0113 HP Biker Ad.indd Magazine 1 South East • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

15/01/2013 14:00 25

HISTORY

UK MOTORCYCLES OF WW1 Dave Figg tells us about some motorcycling history from a century ago.

A

s we marked the centenary of the end of WW1 recently, it is right to remember those that gave their lives in that terrible conflict. Legend has it that the first British soldier to die on the western front was a despatch rider. In fact, he was a reconnaissance rider, not on a motorcycle, but a bicycle.

John Parr of the Middlesex regiment had stumbled upon an enemy patrol. He bravely sent back his colleague and gave covering fire. Trying to escape himself, he was mortally wounded. John Parr was from Finchley and just 17 at the time of his death, having lied about his age. Coincidentally his grave in St Symphonies cemetery in Belgium faces George Ellison, the last British soldier to be killed.

The motorcycle industry

26

had a busy period during the Great War. For instance, it is estimated that Douglas produced 70,000 motorcycles for the allied forces, with some 25,000 348cc bikes purely for the use of despatch riders.

Triumph supplied 30,000 machines and specialised in providing Greek despatch riders with 550cc models.

These Triumphs were so reliable that they were nicknamed ‘the Trusty’. Meanwhile, Royal Enfield also supplied the Allies and secured a contract with the Russian forces. Phelon and Moore provided machines to

the Royal Flying Corps, many of which were used by the WRAF who were trained as mechanics as well as being despatch riders.

Most despatch riders feared the wheels of lorries and wagons on the congested roads as much as the risk of shell bursts and snipers.

The motorcycles at the time were bone shakers with little suspension and a hard seat. They were normally belt driven and two stroke. Some motorcycles were fitted with sidecars and became multi purpose, ferrying passengers, or equipment. Others had machine guns put in the sidecar as a mobile fighting unit, although not suited to trench warfare.

Good reading: Diary of sergeant Albert Simpkin, and Adventures of a motorcycle despatch rider during the First World War.

April-May 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

HISTORY

THE KING OF THE COOL The Legend of Steve McQueen by Dave Figg

O

n a moonless night 75 years ago, on the 24 March 1944, 76 prisoners of war escaped from Stalag Luft 111. Three escapees made it to freedom, 23 were captured and returned to prison. While 50 were rounded up and executed on Hitler’s orders, the whole episode became immortalised in the 1963 film, The Great Escape.

This film gave rise to probably the most iconic motorcycle scene in cinematic history.

Steve McQueen starred as Hilts, ‘The Cooler King’.

Following the escape, he tries to make it to neutral Switzerland on a stolen German motorcycle. McQueen performed all the ground scenes himself although, for insurance purposes, his friend and stuntman Bud Ekins did the jumps of the 12-foot high wire.

The bike used was a post-war 650 Triumph TR6 Trophy but made to look like a German BMW R75.

Before he found fame, McQueen was already an accomplished biker, who had successfully raced at the

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

Long Island City Raceway many times. He owned and rode a Harley but usually raced on a Triumph. McQueen participated in many off-road races, particularly on the West Coast of America, usually on a BSA Hornet. Perhaps his favourite motorcycle was the Metisse MK3, the desert racer.

He was quoted saying ‘this rig is the best handling bike I’ve ever owned’. He was inducted in the off-road motorsports hall of fame in 1978 and the motorcycle hall of fame in 1999.

McQueen and Ekins also represented the USA in the International six-day trail in East Germany. The King of Cool had to retire due to engine failures and Ekins due to a broken leg.

Steve McQueen died in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on 7 November 1980. He was just 50. Latterly, Steve’s reputation suffered somewhat by accounts of his violent temper, cocaine use and boozing. Some of it, maybe all of it, is true, but there is a modern trend to knock heroes off their pedestals.

For me, he will always remain as the Cooler King, trying to jump his motorcycle to freedom. www.dave1figg.wixsite.com/ thestoryfellauk

27

PRODUCT REVIEW

READY FOR ACTION W

Dom Humby checks out the Weise Dakar Adventure jacket

inter is over; even though last April bought us snow and -5°C and we still may have some cold weather to come.

Over the winter period, I have had the pleasure of reviewing the Weise Dakar Adventure jacket and it does not disappoint.

Let’s take a peek at this all year, all season jacket. Personally I love it; it literally offers the best of both worlds.

If you chose to ride in below freezing temperatures then you’ll be kept warm, dry and comfortable. Having personally got to work at 5:45am week in, week out and on some occasions found that it was -3°C with ice forming on the exterior of the jacket from fog and wind chill, I didn’t feel cold. In cold weather riding, I can say it does exceptionally well.

Now to the wet stuff. Being tested at seemingly the worst time of the year weather-wise, but the best time of year for the cold and wet stuff, this jacket has been put through its paces.

You know when it rains the water finds its way through every crevice and space. Well, I can safely say being out in that kind of rain is no fun as we all know, but in this jacket it’s no bother.

You just know you’ll remain dry and warm, as well as anything you may store in your pockets inside and out. They’re all waterproof and do a marvellous job.

For summer riding this jacket has got your back as well. Its removable panels allow air circulation through a mesh panel design.

Furthermore, the integrated hydration pocket will allow you to ride for as long as you want without the need for a break.

In my opinion, the Weise Dakar Adventure is quite a bulky and heavy jacket. The only issue that this presents for me is getting the neck guard done up once the jacket is on. It can be a bit of work because there is some restriction of movement. However, once you are wearing it you feel very protected. There are plenty of pockets;

storage pockets, map pocket and hydration pocket plus a removable thermal liner and removable water proof drop liner. Another feature I loved was the removable neck guard which was invaluable in those very dark, cold and wet days.

What do you get for £270? 4 Season jacket; 600 Denier polyester outer construction; Removable 120 gram quilted thermal liner; Removable breathable, waterproof and windproof liner; Removable CE approved shoulder, elbow and back armour; Removable winter neck guard; Rear hydration pocket with outlet and retaining guide for drinking tube; Two large chest and two large rear zipped vents with unique stowable panels; Long two-way zipper vent from cuff to top of arm; Zipped shoulder vents; Adjustable waist with Velcro®-retained belt system; Adjustable Velcro® collar and cuffs; YKK® main central zipper with large popper and Velcro®-retained storm flap for total weather protection; Chest, upper arm and torso reflective panels for added night-time visibility; Elasticated popper and Velcro® sleeve adjusters help reduce billowing; Two external pockets; Internal pockets; Removable large rear map pocket/bag; and 360 connection zip with comfort stretch fabric to attach to Weise® Dakar jeans.

For the price, it’s a bargain as far as I’m concerned, taking into account the spec and the quality. You’ll be kept safe and well all year round. http://bit.ly/weise-outlast-element

28

April-May 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

EASTER SUNDAY MEMORIAL RIDE OUT APRIL 21ST 2019

Meeting at McDonalds Hedgend leaving 12-midday, onto Portsdown Hill and then Loomies Moto Café.

Nick Brisland Trust – raising money for defibrilators in accident blacksports and moto cafés across the country. nickbrislandtrust@outlook.com 07943945638

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Unit 11R, Skitts Manor Farm, Moor Lane, Edenbridge TN8 5RA. South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk JB Motorcycles HP 0518.indd 1

29 14/05/2018 09:26

PRODUCT REVIEWS

RIDER REGIMENT RIDE LIFE JACKET

R

Dom Humby gets geared up…

ider Regiment is a family-owned outdoor clothing brand based in Essex, specialising in technical clothing.

Advanced manufacturing technologies are sourced around the world to provide garments with superior protection against the elements, whilst keeping environmental impact to a minimum.

Rider Regiment’s Director, Christopher Farley has always had a passion for motorcycles. As a young student at the London College of Fashion, Christopher commuted from his family home by motorbike. The weather in the UK is unpredictable with regular downpours and often the journey into work meant being wet all day, no fun at all. Christopher was also a committed British Army Reserve, spending most weekends on exercise so really knew what cold and wet meant. That is where the germ of Rider Regiment came from.

25 years on and travelling into London by bike on a daily basis, Christopher needed to find a jacket that kept him warm, dry and protected but didn’t make him look like a biker. Struggling to find high quality, technical outerwear, designed for wear on or off the bike, Christopher decided he could make his own. With a choice of three pocket designs for the outer jacket, Classic, Urban or Tech, the Ride Life Jacket together with the Ride Life Soft Shell and mechanical PU protector pads form the Trinity Bundle.

These jackets channel Rider Regiment’s passion for high quality technical outerwear and warm, dry, protective motorcycle kit.

Rider Regiment wanted to work with UK

companies but couldn’t find a factory that could do what was needed.

One of the company’s longer term objectives is to change that situation and bring advanced manufacturing technologies back into the country.

The most advanced 3-layer fabrics, manufactured in stateof-the-art mills for their durability and strength are the starting point for the jackets. The breathable PU membrane is sandwiched between a hardwearing, Oxford weave polyamide textile exterior and a polyamide fine knit. The soft-shell interior is brushed polyester for warmth.

The outer fabric will keep out the rain under the pressure of speed when riding but won’t let

30

April-May 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

PRODUCT REVIEWS

KNOX HAND ARMOUR XERO 3

your body heat out. The outer jacket is unlined to make sure that all seams are secured and can be properly maintained. Advanced PU adhesives applied under pressure achieves the optimum weld. These techniques are not found in traditional motorcycle jackets. Sew free and bonding technologies reduce volume and weight which is better for the rider. The protector pockets are bonded into the fabric so there are no raised seams to dig into your back and no sewing holes to let water in. The protectors are made from mechanical PU. They are light, soft and malleable to the touch but harden on impact, providing a protective cushion in the event of a fall.

The reflective PU and the PU adhesives are sourced from a leading US brand specialising in sew free technologies. Waterproof zips are used on the outside and the inside. Where possible zips have been bonded in and where that can’t be done, traditional sewing methods have been combined with taping. All zips are hardwearing and pullers allow the rider to open and close them with gloves on. Circular covers make sure the poppers don’t let water through. The Ride Life Soft Shell has a longer lycra cuff glove for a close fit around the wrist which can be worn under gloves and pulled over the thumb, acting as a fingerless mitten.

The Trinity of outer jacket, soft-shell and protectors are designed to be a complete protection system with the option of how many layers to use. Put the protectors into the outer shell or the soft shell. Remove the pads and the Ride Life jacket will take riders wherever they choose to go off the bike too. The Trinity Bundle costs £599. A hefty price tag but a jacket for life. www.rideregiment.com

The Hand Armour Zero 3 are highly capable and protective winter gloves from Knox.

There’s not many glove manufacturers that carry the pedigree Knox does and their gloves are widely recognised as one of the best on the market.

The Zero 3 is no exception: it has Knox’s market-leading Micro-Lock impact protection on the knuckle, back of the fingers, wrist and underneath the solid scaphoid sliders. The fit is very comfortable and the velcro wrist tab can simply be pulled away to tighten the glove around the wrist. Underneath the protective outer layer, Knox implemented a waterproof yet breathable membrane backed up by a Primaloft liner offering supreme insulation.

• Goat and cowhide outer • Waterproof & breathable membrane • Primaloft insulating liner • Knox low profile scaphoid protectors on the palm • Micro-lock impact absorbing protection on the knuckle, back of the fingers, wrist and underneath the solid scaphoid sliders • Pull-to-tighten velcro wrist tab • CE-approved (EN13594) Expect to pay around £140. www.planet-knox.com

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

31

BIKER LISTINGS

BIKER DIRECTORY EVENTS ELK PROMOTIONS Classic Motorcycle Events in the South East

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0300 2010 520 ekam.org.uk

ORWELL MOTORCYCLES

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April-May 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

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

Exclusive offers with SUZUKI for all Defence Discount Service (DDS), and Blue Light (BLC) Card holders.

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

MOTORCYCLE MOT CENTRE

New & Used Motorcycle Sales, Accessories, Servicing Clothing, Parts MOT WWW.ORWELL.CO.UK

 01473 257401

200 Ranelagh Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 0AQ

“I’ve had 7 case handlers deal with my personal injury claim”

He’s the man!

This is what my latest client said to me. She had

Bring your bike to the man you can trust.

• • • • • • •

been involved in a road traffic accident, referred by her insurers to their panel solicitor, and had become

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

If you are unhappy with the progress of your claim, transfer your case to a solicitor of your choice.

I am a personal injury solicitor with over 30 years experience and have helped many motorcyclists seriously injured in accidents For a free, no obligation discussion on how I could help you contact me,

Ian Scott is...

Philip Scarles, at MW Solicitors:

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

very unhappy with the conduct of her claim.

Philip.Scarles@mwsolicitors.co.uk or call 01732 758 544.

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www.mwsolicitors.co.uk

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

33

EVENTS

EVENTS

For a full list of What’s On visit

www.southeastbiker.co.uk/events

21 April

NICK BRISLAND MEMORIAL RIDE

Southampton, Hampshire

22 April

ASHFORD CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE SHOW & JUMBLE Ashford, Kent 24 April

EASTBOURNE BIKE NITE IS BACK! 34

6 MAY

MAYDAY RUN LOCKSBOTTOM TO HASTINGS

12 May

RIDE OF THE RUPERTS Sussex

27 May

MARGATE MELTDOWN Margate, Kent

April-May 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:

0808 301 8554

hudgellsolicitors.co.uk