Dunlop Meridian Review

GETTING TO GRIPS WITH DUNLOP TRAILMAX MERIDIAN TYRES

Dom Humby tries on new boots for size

Back in November 2019, I bought a Triumph, a 2000-plate Tiger 900 (885i). Having read the history on them, I knew the bike was capable of a lot of tarmac miles combined with a little off-road fun to earn itself the accolade of a “Big Trailie”. I started to look at new tyres for the old girl. While at Motorcycle Live, I came across the Dunlop stand and introduced myself. After an informed chat, they suggested their new Trailmax Meridian tyre.

The tyre has been designed for a 90/10 road bias split; 90% road use with the option of

using the remaining 10% for some added grip on gravel and loose dry surfaced areas.

Once fitted and scrubbed in, I was immediately impressed with the grip, in particular in wet road conditions. The tyres took little time to warm up and I was able to keep the power down through heavy rainfall that only added to my confidence through corners, with the ability to maintain incredible stability on the straights. I know that wet or dry, I can twist that wrist and maintain a superior level of grip. Add to that the grip attained from the 10% loose surface ability and things like dodgy road surfaces (you

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk know the ones, the new gravel surfaces used today) or wash out on a rural road are not an issue. Given the amount of recent rainfall, I was surprised that even when powering out of corners, there is little to no loss of traction.

I will be venturing out soon to test in both dry and wet conditions. I have, however, managed to hydroplane on these tyres while tackling wind. I will mention I was ‘going some’ when it happened, so could I expect this to be a regular occurrence?

A more in-depth review is to come as I continue to put the Dunlop Trailmax Meridians through their paces in more of an off-road environment! I am looking forward to this even though, being a complete offroad novice, I am expecting to drop my bike more than once.

All in all, I’m giving the Dunlop Trailmax Meridian a solid 5/5 so far. It is such a capable tyre for every road condition I’ve come across to date. It hasn’t let me down in dry or seriously wet conditions. The Dunlops have a seemingly never-ending range of grip, low warm-up time and keep the bike nice and nimble for manoeuvrability at both high and low speeds. They do their job exceptionally well. http://bit.ly/Trailmax-Meridian

MALLE EVENTS MOTORCYCLE EVENT COLLECTION

John Allsopp meets with Jonny Cazzola, one of the founders of the Malle Mile.

PHOTOS: MILHAIL JERSHOV

The Malle events are unique in their approach and ethos; how was it first visualised and did it develop into the variety of events you have today? My cousin and business partner, Robert Nightingale, and I started Malle in 2012. We were both working in design, and neither of us were that excited about the kind of work we were doing. At the time, Robert was based in New York, and we’d started to work on design projects for clients both in the UK and the US.

I was at a design show in New York in early 2012. One evening, after a gig, we started to brainstorm our transport methods, suitable luggage options (or the lack of), the kit we carry and how we’d love to be working on more exciting projects, which above all else had to involve motorcycles. Everything started with a simple motorcycle pannier design, building up to full collections of luggage and adventure accessories.

A couple of years in, Malle began to gain considerable momentum so decided to close down our design studios and focus ourselves purely on building the Malle brand. For anyone who has started a new business with next to no money, will know it’s tough!

Robert and I were working day and night, developing new products, figuring out the complicated jigsaw puzzle that is manufacturing with all British materials, while also working out how to communicate and grow the company to engage better with a growing community. It was on a cold, dark, late evening in the workshop we decided that alongside everything else, we needed to be having more fun with Malle. I’ve always loved the energy and engineering of racing, but never really had the money or confidence to make anything serious of it.

With the Malle Mile, we wanted to create an open playing field for all things motorcycle. A non-competitive, relaxed environment where just about anyone could turn up on something inappropriate and have a go at one of the races. In 2015, at the first Malle Mile, we had about 32 bikes racing and around 200 people. In one heat we witnessed a 1915 Indian board tracker race against a 2015 Triumph; 100 years between the

two and not something we’d planned or could have ever expected, but what a treat! Last year, we had over 500 motorcycles of all shapes and forms racing in the eight ‘Run What You Brung’ classes across the now four races; The Sprint Race, The Hill Climb, The Midnight Mile, and The Malle100. In 2017, Robert put forward the idea for the Great Malle Rally on the table. We wanted to host the longest motorcycle rally in the UK, taking up to 100 riders from the very northern part of Scotland to the most southern part of England. Since then the rally has switched; we now start at the very Southern tip of the UK and navigate 100 riders through the best riding roads throughout England, Wales and Scotland, finishing up at The Castle of Mey in Thurso. Each year we plan to launch new, challenging rallies, taking riders through the wildest endmost beautiful landscapes possible.

What goes into organising the Malle Mile? Do you use volunteers? In the beginning, we used to get away with planning everything a month or so ahead of the race. We are now lucky to be working with so many great partners and supporters, such as The Bike Shed.

With the events at the size they are, means we have to start planning each event almost a year ahead of the date. We need to make sure all suppliers are booked in, and everything is orchestrated in the correct way. We must ensure everyone is safe, fed, watered, entertained, and well looked after from when they step through the gates or on to the first checkpoint until it’s over. Every year we listen and learn a bit more and, as a general ethos, we try to make everything better rather than bigger, fine-tuning logistics and adding new and fun races or rally camps in each year. That said, when you get over 500 amateur motorcycles riders tearing up the grounds of a 17th Century manor house, there is always something you could never have predicted! Luckily, we have Mimi, a very talented events manager, who helps us coordinate everything. It’s good to have someone on the team to play devil’s advocate for some of the crazy ideas we through on the table. That said most of the fun ones usually get through!

We’re also always blessed by the enthusiasm of each and everyone one there. There is always an air of respect for each other regardless of your age, experience, type of motorcycles you ride, being able to do what we do at such an incredible venue and for keeping the atmosphere fun, inclusive and open. Each year we put together a team of marshals that help build and orchestrate the event, we couldn’t do it without them.

With an incredible setting so close to the city, how did you secure the venue, Kevington Hall? We were fortunate with Kevington Hall. I was discussing the idea of a race with a good friend of mine and artist, Stephen Garrett. At the time he was working constructing a 14ft bronze ostrich for a house in South East London. Steve was adamant that we connected with the owner of Kevington Hall, Jonathan Jackson. We first met briefly in London and the next time at Kevington Hall, where we had dinner. A couple of hours and a few drinks later, we were all sat on the roof of the manor house at 2am mapping out a race track. The rest, as they say, is history! It’s quite the contrast from weddings Jonathan usually hosts throughout the year.

Could you give us the dates of all this year’s events including locations etc? The Mile Beach Race: 26th September 2020, Margate Beach. www.mallelondon.com/beachrace/

The Great Malle Rally: 30th August-6th September 2020. The Lizard, Cornwall to The Castle of May, Scotland. www.mallelondon.com/ rally/

The Malle Mile 2020: 24-26th July, 2020. Kevington Hall, London. https://mallelondon.com/ the-mile/

All events and dates are subject to change.

Do you have plans for 2021? Yes, ‘The Great Malle Mountain Rally’. Starting in Austria, riding 1500 miles through the alps, entering six countries, reaching elevations of over 2770 meters and ending up at sea level in Monaco. Visit our website www.mallelondon.com/ mountain-rally to know more.

We would encourage people to sign up to our mailing lists to be updated with any news and updates regarding the races and rallies. Follow us on Instagram @mallelondon or visit our website www.mallelondon.com.