MoreBikes April 2024 issue *FREE*

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29 APRIL 2024 TTANDTRAILS?

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I’vebeeninareflectivemood thispastmonth.It’sbeena particularlybusyone,butin betweentheback-to-back launches,bigmilesandlongnights infrontofthelaptop,I’vefound myselfthinkingabouthowpeople getintobikes.

Myoldman’salwayshadthem; progressingfromMXracersinhis youthtobigtrailbikestoday(via sportbikesinthe90s,ofcourse). Anditwasclearfromanearlyage thatIwasgoingtoride,too,cutting

myteethtearingupthegardenon myPuchscrambler.

AndIthinkit’scomparativelyeasy tounderstandwhypeoplecontinue riding.It’saspecialthing;theperfect unionofmanandmachinethatfeels closertoflyingthanitdoesdriving.

Buthowdoyougetthemtothat point?Howdoyougetthemto haveago?It’sbecominganeverimportantquestion,withtheageing motorcyclingpopulationslowly dwindlingbutnotbeingreplacedby youngerridersinnearlythesame

Advertising SimonMeyer 01507529310 AdvertisingdeadlineforMayissue April8,2024 SalesandDistributionManager CarlSmith MarketingManager CharlottePark CommercialDirector NigelHole Customerservicesnumber 01507529529 Telephonelinesareopen Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm

Call01507529529orvisit classicmagazines.co.uk/MB10 oremailsubscriptions@mortons.co.uk MoreBikes ispublishedmonthlybyMortons MediaGroupLtdandprintedbyMortonsPrint. Subscribeto MB andjustpaythepostage!

GREATGADGETS Thebestsat-navsandcomms systemsonthemarket MoreBikesEvenMoreBikesOfficialMoreBikes

INSIDETHISMONTH DOMINATEDEVON OurtopridesthroughDartmoor andExmoor MIDDLEWEIGHT ROYALTY LivingwithYamaha’sT7 andKTM’s790 Duke There’splentyoffuntobehadawayfromtheracingoveron theIsleofMan

rmowbray@mortons.co.uk Editorialdesign FranLovely PublishingDirector DanSavage Email editorial@morebikes.co.uk ProductionEditor MikeCowton GroupAdvertisingManager SueKeily

volume.Whyisthat?Testingis moreexpensiveandlaboriousthan itwas‘backintheday’,somaybe it’sacostthing?Maybeit’sbecause we’reincreasinglyrisk-averseasa society?Maybeit’sjusttheBritish weather?

HINCKLEYHEAVIES

Followinginthefootstepsofitssuiteofadventure-ready900s, Triumph’sgivingitsflagshipTiger1200rangeaserious overhaulfor2024.

Triumph’ssoldover14,000Tiger1200s sincetheywereintroducedbackin 2021,whichisprettygoodgoingin suchashorttime.Andtokeepthegood timesrolling,thefactory’sannounced araftofchangeslargelyinspiredby customerfeedback.

There’snowgoingtobetwomodelsto choosefrom:the‘base’modelroadreadyGTProandruggedRallyPro. ButbotharealsoavailableinExplorer trimfor2024,which’llseethemkitted outwithabigger30-litrefueltankand aloadofadditionalelectronicgoodies includingheatedgripsandaheated seat.

Thebeatingheartofallthebikesisa 1160ccT-planethree-cylinderengine. Kickingoutarespectable150bhp, Triumph’sworkedtomakeitsshaftdrivenmotorsmootherandpredictable lowdownintherevs.Triumphreckons it’smuchbetteratslowspeeds,with greaterfeelfromalongerclutchlever andtweakstothecrankshaft,alternator rotorandbalancershafthelpingto increaseengineinertia.Soundsgoodto us.Theclutchhashadsomework,too, tomakeiteasiertofindfirstgear.

Theride’salsobeenlookedat,with afocusonlong-distancecomfort. Triumph’srolledoutthedampened handlebarsfromtheoldExplorer modelsrightacrosstherange;theGT getsrepositionedpegs;andthere’sa lower,flatterseat,too(850mmonthe GTand875mmontheRally).There’s anoptionallowerseatifthat’sstilltoo tallforyou–thoughthe‘ActivePreload Reduction’featureshouldhelpyouout bycompressingthespringstodropthe seatby20mmwhenthebikerollsto astop.

There’smoreclevertechnology, includingarear-facingradarsystem (whichoffersblindspotdetectionon theExplorermodels);aseven-inch smartphone-compatibleTFTdash;leansensitivetractioncontrol;araftofriding modes;andaquickshifter.

Pricedfrom£17,295fortheGTPro upto£19,695fortheRallyExplorer, Triumph’scertainlypitchingitselfright atthetopoftheadventurebiketree.We can’twaittoridethem–andthankfully, withthebikesduetostartarrivingin dealersanytimenow,wewon’thaveto waittoolong.

We’vefinallygotthefulllowdownonhowmuchcashyou’regoing tohavetosplashtogetyourhandsononeofthreenewversions ofMotoGuzzi’smuch-lovedmiddleweightadventurebike.

TheItalianfirmhaskeptitscardsprettyclosetoits chestwhenitcomestoitsnewandupdatedrange ofV85adventurebikes–butnowatleastweknow howmuchthey’regoingtocostwhentheyarrivein dealershipslaterthismonth.

Progressivelybetterequippedastheprice increases,thenewly-introduced,£11,200V85 Stradabecomesthecheapestwaytogetyour handsontheGuzziadventurer.It’spitchedasmore ofa‘dailyuse’kindofride;withcastwheelsand road-focusedrubber,alow-levelfrontmudguard andthreeridingmodes(whicheachadjustengine map,thelevelofABSinterventionlevel,andthe tractioncontrol).Simpleasthat.

Theever-popularandslightlymoreruggedV85 TTwillsetridersback£12,000.Forthatyou’ll getsomespokedwheels,moreoff-roadfocused tubelesstyres,andanadditional‘Off-Road’riding mode.There’salsoasomehandguards,anengine guard,apilliongrabrail,andpreloadadjustment fortherearshock.

Thetop-of-the-rangeV85TTTravelbuildson allthat–butaddsafewextragoodiesintothe mixfortheprincelysumof£13,300.Asthename suggests,thisistheonethat’sdesignedforproper big-mileon-(andoff-)roadadventuretravel.That meansyou’vegotapairofhardpanniers;Moto Guzzi’sMIAmultimediaplatform;heatedhand grips;aheatedseat;andalargertouringscreen, too.There’salsoanotherridingmode,soin additiontoRoad,Sport,RainandOff-Road,you’ve alsogotaCustomonetoplaywith.

We’rebigfansoftheV85rangeandhaveactually snaggedaninvitetoridethemonthelaunch. Ifyouwantthefulllowdown,keepaneyeon theMoreBikeswebsiteforourfirstimpressions –beforethemorein-depthreviewgoeslivein MotorcycleSportandLeisuremagazineverysoon.

ADVENTURE POTENTIAL?

Couldthetwin-tanked,A2licencelegal, RiejuAventurabethedo-anythingbigmilemachinewe’vebeenwaitingfor?

Ifyou’reanadventuroustype who’snotfussedabouthaving thebiggest,baddestormost expensivesteedinyourstable, thenyou’reabsolutelyspoiltfor choicein2024.

There’sanever-growing abundanceofsmall-to-midcapacitybikestochoosefrom.No matterwhetheryouwantarugged round-the-worldrideliketheRoyal EnfieldHimalayan,orareliable, revvymile-muncherliketheHonda NX500.Butthere’sanotherchoice: andit’sgotaprettyuniqueselling point.

Thefirm’sRieju,thebike’sthe Aventura500,anditspartytrick isawhopping40-litrefueltank whichcouldcarryyou1000km (621miles)fromasingletriptothe petrolstation.Prettyimpressive, right?

EverheardofRiejubefore?

TheSpanishfirmhasactually beenbuildingbikeswithengines insincethemid-1940s,butit’s probablybestknowninrecent timesforitscompetition-ready enduroandsupermotomachines, anditssmallbutmightyrangeof learnerlegalbikes.

Butnowit’sgettingintobigger bikes;makinguseofacopyof Honda’sCB-powering500cc paralleltwinmotorthat’sbuiltby LoncinoverinChina.Don’tletthat putyouoffthough,they’vegota

solidtrackrecordandhavebeen buildingsmallenginesforBMW since2007.

The47bhpliquid-cooledmotor mightnotbethemostinnovative, orthemostexciting,butit’s acapablething,happybeing workedhardall-daylong.There’s moregoodstuff:fullyadjustable suspensionwith190mmoftravel atthefrontandrear.Itgets spokedtubelesswheels,withan 18-inchrearand21-inchfront, andasumpguard,enginebars, handguards,acentrestandanda radiatorguard.

Itsseatstandsafairly manageable840mm,and dryweightisbelievedtobe areasonableenough190kg. However,fillthat40-itretwinfuel tanksetuptothebrimandyou’re goingtohaveabitofalumpon yourhands.

Whilewe’restillwaitingtoget ourhandsonallthefactsand figures,theRiejudefinitelylooks tobeaninterestingoptionin themid-sizedADVmarket.We doknowit’llbepricedatafairly hefty£7499,which(alongwiththe photosofitinaction)suggests thatitshouldbeafairlycapable bitofkit.We’renotgoingtohave towaittoomuchlongertofindout forsurethough,asit’sexpected tobecomeavailableintheUK anytimenow.

It’sasaddayforridersofasportydisposition;the Japanesefactoryhasconfirmeditwon’tbeupdatingits R1andR1Msuperbikes.

Firstlaunchedin1998,theR1’shadsomeserious successovertheyears–andholdsaspecialplaceinthe heartsandmindsofridersfarandwide.It’shadvarious changesovertheyears,butwaslastupdatedin2020, whenitwastweakedtobecomeEuro5compliant.And yet,despitebeingalittlelonginthetoothcomparedto someofthecompetition,it’sstillawinner.

Andthat’sprobablywhyYamaha’sdecidedtheR1’s goingtofollowinthefootstepsofthedearlydeparted R6–andfrom2025willbeavailableexclusivelyforuseon track.Nonewsasyetwhetherit’llbethebasemodelR1 orthefully-loaded,moreexpensiveR1M.

There’salsobeennoofficialwordaboutwhetherornot Yamahawillcontinuetoshiftitsexistingroad-readymodels. Technicallythey’reallowedto,underruleswhichallowthem toregisteralimitednumberofnon-conformingmodels.

It’llbeveryinterestingtoseewhatcomesoutof Yamaha.Whilesuperbikesalesaren’tmassive,theyare animportantpartofthemarket.Wecan’tseethemnot replacingtheR1insomewayorother.Remember,theR6 wasreplacedbytheR7,whichwasbuiltfromthebones oftheMT-07.CouldweseeanewR9,builtaroundthe successfulMT-09format?

It’slookingincreasinglylikely…we’veheardwhispersfor months,andthere’salsobeentalkthatanR9prototype hasbeenspinninglapsatMisano.Willitbefortheroad?

Wedon’tknow.ButwiththeR1beingslowlyphased out,weshouldn’thavetowaittoomuchlongerforthe lowdown.

CFMotoisafterapieceofthesupersport pie,revealingahostofperformancefocusedupgradesforits450SR.

ChinesefirmCFMotoseems tobegoingfromstrengthto strength.It’sbeendoinggood businessintheUKforyears, butsinceit’sproperlyjoined forceswiththePiererGroup (whoownKTM,Husqvarnaand GasGas),thingshavecertainly seemedtorampup.

Thelatestbiketobeadded toitsever-expandingrangeis the450SRS,whichbuildson thesolidbaseofthestandard 450SRandaddsahostoftrick bitstohelpmakeitlookbetter andgofaster.Soundslikea winner,right?

The450SRSappearsto belargelythesameasthe standard450SR.There’sthe sametubularsteelframeand thesame449.5cc270-degree paralleltwin-cylindermotor, whichkicksoutthesame (A2licencelegal)46bhp.And there’s29lb-ftoftorquetoplay with,too.

Butthedifferencesarealso prettyimpressive.There’ssome prettystrikingaerodynamic wingsupfront;tractioncontrol andABSasstandard;aslipper clutch;afive-inchTFTdisplay; andaUSBchargingport. Backtothechassis,andthe

Shasanewsharp-looking single-sidedswingarm.

CFMotohasalsoconfirmed thatthefrontforkshavebeen upgraded,thoughtheyappear tobethesamedampingadjustable37mmupside-down numbersasthebase-model 450SR.Therearshocklooks thesame,too.

Thereisalarger240mmrear discformorestoppingpower, butthefrontretainsitsBrembo stopperand320mmsingledisc setup.

Allthatcombinestomake itveryslightlylighter,too, down4kgto175kg.Itmight notsoundlikemuch,but everygramhelpswhenyou’re chasingperformance(andthe competition).

Pricedat£6499,it’sno budgetoption–anddespite asolidtrackrecordandan ever-growingdealernetwork, CFMotoisgoingtohaveto workhardtoconvincepotential punterstogofortheS.

Particularlywhenyouconsider thatyoucouldgetanewAprilia RS457,HondaCBR500Ror KawasakiNinja500forsimilar money.

Onlytimewilltell.

Yamaha’sYZF-R1isthelatestbiketofallfoul ofever-tighteningemissionsregulations.

Fancyacrackatthe CannonballBikeRun? Here’show

TheCannonballBikeRun’sheadingtoAsia tocelebrateits20thanniversary–and there’sstilltimeforyoutogetinvolved.

Thebonkerseight-day,3300kmrally kicksoffattheBrnocircuitinthe CzechRepublicandfinishesatSunny BeachinBulgariaviathegatewayto theEast–Istanbul,andtheinfamous TransfagarasanPassinRomania.Nota badrun,right?

TheCannonballpayshomageto Erwin‘CannonBall’Bakerwhoraced trainsacrosstheUS,rackingupover 800,000kminhigh-speed,coastto-coastbikeruns–whileinspiring carracesandHollywoodfilmsinthe process.

Itwasrevivedbackin2005,and overthepast20yearshasofferedan action-packedadventuretobikersofa certaindisposition.Anddespitewhat youmightthink,it’snorace.There’sno timing,andnoprizesforarrivingfirst. It’sallabouthavingasmuchfunas possible;coveringbigmiles,meeting coolpeople,ridingspecialroadsand makingmemories.Nice.

It’sprettymuchhassle-free,too,with theorganiserssortingthedigs;luggage transfersbetweenthem;puttingon supportvehiclesbetweenthestages; andsettinguppropersnappersto capturetheaction.There’sevenan optiontoshipyourbikebackhomeif you’reshortontime.

The‘InvAsia’CannonballBikeRun kicksoffonJune28atBrno(where youcantaketothetrackbeforehitting theroadonthe29).Awayfromthat, detailsareintentionallyabithazy.Daily activities,destinationsandtheroute you’llberidingwillbeannouncedeach morning.WedoknowthatbyJuly5 you’llbeinIstanbul,beforejumping backonthebikeandheadingfor SunnyBeachinBulgariaforamega partytocelebratemakingittotheend.

Speakingabouttheevent,founder SteveMasonsaid:“There’salotof misconceptionsaboutCBR;we’renot acrazygroupofbikersracingeach othertothenextdestination.We’re allaboutrelentlesslysearchingout

themostepicridingroads,savouring therawthrillofmotorcyclingfaraway fromtouristtraffic,andcreatingan unrepeatablesharedexperiencewith themostlegendarygroupofpeople.”

Pricedat€2499,it’snotexactlya cheaptrip.Butwhenyouconsider yougeteightnightsinluxurydigs; breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily; technicalsupport;luggagetransfers; on-eventactivities;detailedroadmaps; insurance;somemerch;trophies;and abatchofphotographs,itstartsto looklikeprettygoodvalue.Ifyou’re interested,you’dbetteractfastas placesarelimited.

Formoreinformation,visit: www.cannonballism.com

BIGBROTHER

Husqvarna’sgettingreadytorevealalargerversionofits Svartpilenroadster-cum-scrambler.Andit’llbepowered bythesamemotorastheKTM790Duke.Yesplease.

ThenewsfromtheAustrian-owned firmisn’texactlyasurprise,following itsnot-so-subtlesocialmediateaser afewweeksback.Butthatdoesn’t meanit’snotexciting.

Historically,itwasonlypossible forriderstogettheirhandsonthe sportier,more-focusedVitpilenifthey wantedsomethingpunchierthanthe 401versionsofthebikes.Speaking ofwhich,thisrevealfollowsswiftly onfromthereleaseofthenewrange ofsmallercapacitySvartpilenand Vitpilen401sand125s-andthere’sa goodchancethatthelargercapacity versionofthesomehowretroyet modernstreetscramblerwillfollowthe samewinningformula.

Whilewehaven’tgotallthedetailsjust yet,Huskyhassharedafewbitsof keyinformationwhichgiveusataste ofwhat’stocomewhenit’srevealedin fullonMarch19.

BasedlargelyontheKTM790Duke (thoughnotbuilt-inChinabyCFMoto), thenewSvartpilen801isapretty bigdealforthefirm.It’llbecomethe biggestpurely‘street-focused’bike initsrange;andasyou’dexpect,it’ll

haveallthegoodstuffnecessaryto makeitanabsoluteblastontheroad. Ittipsthescalesatasvelte181kg andhas105hpontapfromitsfeisty parallel-twinmotor…thatsoundslike awinningcombination,doesn’tit? There’sWPsuspensionandallthe electronicsyou’dexpecttoo;including rideraids,anEasyShiftsystemas standardandmore.

Despitebeingmorestreetthan scrambler,Huskygoneoutofits waytoputthebikethroughits pacesinsomeprettyexceptional circumstances,takingitforablast onaflat-trackoval,andsticking somespikesinitstyresandhanding overthekeystoanicetrackracing champion.Ifnothingelse,thephotos aresupercool–thoughactually,it’s actuallyaprettysmartwayforthe factorytoreinforcethemessagethat itsbikeisperfectlyplacedtohelp riders‘escapetheordinary’.Andeven withoutthespikes,there’snodoubt it’sadifferentpropositiontotherestof themiddleweightnakedbikesonthe market.Welikethat.Nowwe’vejust gottosittightuntilMarch19.

TOPPICKSTHISMONTH

RSTPROSERIESADVENTURE-XLADIESTEXTILES

£319(jacket)£249(trousers)/www.rst-moto.com

We’vegotalotoftimeforRST’sadventuregear.We’vetriedandtested itsnumeroustop-of-the-rangesuitsoverthepastfewyearsandhave alwaysbeenimpressed.Thisone’sbeentailoredspecificallytosuit women–butstillcomeswithallthegoodstuffthatmakesthemen’s versionsopopular.MadefromballisticMaxtec,featuringaremovable X-Liner(whichconsistsofaquiltedthermallinerandaSinAqua waterproofmembrane)andkittedoutwithLevel2armourinallthe usualspots(includingtheback),thisisaproperbitofkitthat’s capableofkeepingyouprotectedfromtheelementsandtheworstcasescenario.There’salsoplentyofventilation,loadsofstorage, andplentyofadjustmenttohelpyougettheperfectfit.Whatmore doyouneed?

TOURATECHTRAVELSOFTLUGGAGESERIES

From£77.28|www.touratech-uk.co.uk

ThenewTouratechTravelsoft luggagerangecombinespractical functionalitywithadistinctive designthatfitsuniversallyon almostanybike.Manufactured intheEU,thebagsarewelded waterproofandtheparticularly robustmaterialguaranteeslong durability.There’realsohardshell lidsasstandard,togivethebags additionalrobustness,andthere’sa Mollesystem(ModularLightweight Load-carryingEquipment),too. Thereareanumberofdifferent itemsofluggage.Theeasily-

accessiblerearbag(£154.64)can bestrappedtothepillionseator luggagecarrier(orboth,ason theGSpicture),whiletheside bagshaveaningeniouslysimple fasteningsystem. Adockingpanelisanintegralpart ofthebag,formingastableback panelthatensuresthatthebagis firmlyandcomfortablylockedto thecarrier.Thefastenerislocked withaflickofthewristwhenthe bagisattachedtothecarrierand canbeunlockedjustaseasily. Inbetween,itfixesthedocking

SHOEINEOTEC3HELMET

R&GLEVERGUARDS

AFFORDABLEALTERNATIVES

OXFORDSPARTAN WOMEN’STEXTILESUIT

Needacheap,female-friendly commutingoutfit?Orasuitfor occasionalladypillions?ThisentrylevelOxfordSpartansuitcouldbejust thejob.For£180,yougettrousers andjacketwithwaterproofmembrane, tapedseams,toughpolyesterouter shell,andCElevel1armouratelbows, shouldersandknees.Availablein blackorhigh-vizyellowinsizes 8-20.

www.oxfordproducts.com

panel–andthusthesidebag–tothecarrierwithoutplayandis bombproof.Anoptionallocksetis availabletolockthefastener.Asa guidetopricing,the40-litrebagis £300.

From£38.33plusVAT/www.rg-racing.com

Planningtohitupatrackdayin2024?You’llneedtokitoutyourbike first.LeverguardsarenowcompulsoryatUKcircuits,butthegoodnews isthatR&G’sgotanextensiverangetogetyoutrack-ready.Approved foruseintheBritishSuperbikepaddock(theyareactuallythe‘Official CrashProtectionSupplier’toBritishSuperbikes,withadedicated supportserviceattendingeachround),thedurableR&Gguardsare designedtosuitanybikeandbudget.

Whetherit’sthecost-effectiveMouldedLeverGuardorthe ergonomically-designedBrakeLeverGuard,theytakejustminutesto installandprotectagainsttheaccidentalapplicationofthefrontbrake whilepassingotherriders.Ofcourse,theR&Gleverguardsarealsoideal forroadriders,helpingtokeepthemsafewhilefilteringthroughtraffic.

From£589.99/www.shoeiassured.co.uk

ThisisShoei’stop-spectouringflip-frontlid,packedwith thebesttheJapanesefirmcanprovide.It’sgotallthe usualfeatures:internalsunvisor;one-handflip-up;locking buttonandquick-changemechanismonthemainvisor; removableliner;andmicro-ratchetchinstrapfastener.It’s fullyECE22.06approved,loadedwithvents,andprepared foraSenaSRL3intercomsystem.

ShoeiisalsolaunchinganewPFSfittingservice,which takesmeasurementsofyourheadandtailorsthehelmet liningtofitperfectly,andthatwillbeavailablefortheNeotec 3andotherlidsthisspring.

OPTIMATE4QUADPROGRAMCHARGER

£92.50/www.optimate.co.uk

OptiMate4QuadProgramisthe ultimatebatterychargerforthehightechnology12Vlead-acidorlithium battery,typicallyfoundinadventure, touring,cruiserandperformance motorcycles.It’salsousefulforother vehicles.

TheOptiMate4QuadProgramis apparentlytheperfectsolutionfor ownersofanymotorcyclewitha12V systemandisparticularlyusefulfor thosewithmorethanonebiketolook after,becauseyoucanselectthe typeofbatterythatisfitted.Aone-

stopsolutiontobatterycare,itisa 9-step1.25Achargerandmaintainer thatcanbeconnectedtoall12V STD,AGMandGELlead-acidand LiFePO4orLFPLithiumbatteries. Super-simpletooperate,theuser cantogglebetweenmainmodesat thepushofabutton,thenjustleave theOptiMate4QuadProgramtodo itsthingautomatically.Welikethatas we’relazy… Forlong-termuse,connectthe batteryleaddirectlyontothe terminals,andthechargerwillkeepa to9Vandarealmostimpossibleto recoverfrombelow2V).

MOTODETAILSADDLEBAGS

Waterproofpanniersfromthefolksover atLouismotoforlessthan£100. Nice.Witharound25litresofspace, theroll-toppairshouldseeyouable tostashallyourgearforyour nextadventure.There’realso someadditionalcompartments whichcanbeaccessedfrom thetop,andthere’spadded shoulderstrapstomakeit easiertolugaroundoffthe bike.

www.louis-moto.co.uk

OXFORDBRAKE

Oxfordknowhowtobuilt qualitykitthatdoesn’t breakthebank.These singleleverguardsarethe perfectexample;readymadetopreventaccidental engagementofthelevers duringclosewheel-to-wheel racing(orfromwingmirror strikesontheroadwhen filtering).Lightweightandeasy toinstall,theyfit22mmhandlebars(butalsocomewith 12-18mminsertsfordifferenttypesofbars). www.oxfordproducts.com

SCORPIONEXO-TECHEVOHELMET

Scorpionmakesomeseriously funkyhelmetsthatarejampackedwithqualityfeatures, yetdon’tbreakthebank.This ECE-2206approveddualhomologatedflip-frontnumber comesinacoupleofdifferent shellsizesfortheperfectfit, andgetsKwikWick3antimicrobialinternalliner;new Kwikfitcheekpadstomakethe helmeteasiertouseforglasses wearers;anewMicroMetric FasteningBuckle;anew100%MaxVision Pinlockinsert;andanintegratedSpeedviewRetractable SunVisor.Proper. www.bikerheadz.co.uk

YUASAYCX1.5SMARTCHARGER

You’llnodoubtbefamiliarwithYuasabatteries–but youmightnothaverealisedtheyalsomaketop-quality chargerstokeepyourrideintophealth.Thisone featuresanautomatic7-stagechargingandmaintenance processwhichiscompatiblewith6Vand12Vmotorcycle batteries.It’lldetect andcommunicate faults,andmaintain anoptimumcharge whileyourbike(or battery)issatdoing nothing.

www.yuasa.co.uk

£85.76

£

£79.99

Thewheres,whatsandwhensofthemosticonic motorcycleraceontheplanet.

Since1907,alittleislandintheIrishSeahasplayedhosttooneofthemost excitingmotorcycleracesintheworld.Theultimatetestofmanandmachine, theIsleofManTTsitshighofbikers’bucketliststheworldover–andwith 200bhpracebikesflyingdownpublicroadsatspeedsinexcessof200mph,it’s notdifficulttoseewhy.

There’restillafewmonthstogobeforetheactionkicksoff,butifyouwantto getthemostoutofthebiggestbikingeventonthecalendaryouneedtostart gettingsortednow(ifyouhaven’talready).

HOWDOESITWORK?

TheTTisessentiallyatimetrialwith riderscompetingagainsttheclock.

Theysetofffromthestartlinein Douglasat10-secondintervals–but becausesomeridersarefasterthan othersit’squitecommontoseeriders racingaroundtheMountainCourse incloseproximity.Andwithlittle roomtomanoeuvre,passingslower ridersonthecoursecanbeatricky (andoftentime-consuming)business.

WHATDOESITALLMEAN?

There’retwotypesofracingattheIsle ofManTTevent:solos(motorcycles withonepersononthem,therider) andsidecars(onerider,onepassenger whositsonthesideofthethreewheeledoutfit).

Withinthesoloclasstherearea varietyofdifferentracesfordifferent specificationsofmotorcycle,with differentsizesofenginesanddifferent methodsofpropulsion.Thebiggest motorcyclescompeteintheSuperbike andSeniorracesoversixlaps (although,justtoconfuseyouabit, theSeniorisalsoopentoSupersport andSuperstockbikes,too).

TheSuperstockraceisforbigcc motorcyclesthatlookandsoundvery similartothetop,topspecbikesyou’ll seeintheSeniorracebutarelargely kittedwithracepartsthatyoucanbuy overthecounter.

ThetwoSupersportTTracesarefor 600ccsolosoverfourlaps.Bothraces areheldondifferentdayswitheach countingasaseparaterace.There’s noaggregatescoringinTTraces. TheSupertwinTTraceisfor700cc (andbelow)twin-cylinderbikes.It replacedtheLightweightTT,butthe rulesarelargelythesame:change whateveryouwant,butnottheframe. Thenthere’stheSidecarTT,too.They gettworacesduringRaceWeekwith eachstandingaloneasaresultinits ownright.

WHERESHALLIWATCH?

There’ssomethingtrulyspecialabout theIsleofManTT,andabigpartof itistheiconicMountainCourse.The ‘track’cutsthroughtheIsleofMan’s ruggedlandscape,withasingle37.37milelapoftheMountainCourse takinginlong,bumpystraights, windingcountryroads,tricky,twisty

villagesections,jumps,hairpinbends andfast-flowingcorners;theTT’sgot itall.Here’reourtopfivespotsonthe coursetotakeintheaction:

DORAN’SBEND

Veryscaryandveryfastlefthanderthattheridersgointofully committed.Ridershave,inthepast, scrapedthetopsoftheirlidsonthe wallontheexit.

BARREGARROW

ThescariestplaceontheTTcourse, whereridersrolloffthethrottlefrom flatoutandaimfortheinsidekerb atthebottomofaseveredipinthe landscape.Thebike’ssuspension bottomsoutandit’snotunheardofto seearider’sfeetcomeoffthefootrests asthebiketankslapsitswayupthe hill.

RHENCULLEN

Thetoughestsectionofthecourse andaplacewhereyoucanseethe riderswheelie,diveintoablind right/leftsetofcornersandthenhita humpintheroadthatloftsthefront wheelat140mph.ThisisaclassicTT spot.

BALLAUGH

Trulythisisoneofthemostfamous spotsoftheTTcourseandjumping thehumpbackedbridgeisaTTclassic allonitsown.

VERANDAHFOUR

Ablistering,four-partseriesofrighthandcornersrightontheedgeofthe Mountain.Fastracersactuallycount theirwayroundVerandahsothey knowwhenthey’recomingoutofthe corner.

THESCHEDULE*

QUALIFYING

MAY27

MorningPractice&Afternoon Qualifying

MAY28

EveningQualifying

MAY29

EveningQualifying

MAY30

EveningQualifying

MAY31

AfternoonQualifying

RACING

JUNE1

SupersportTTRace1and SidecarTTRace1

JUNE2

SuperbikeTTRace1

JUNE4

SuperstockTTRace1and SupertwinTTRace1

JUNE5

SupersportTTRace2and SidecarTTRace2

JUNE7

SuperstockTTRace2and SupertwinTTRace2

JUNE8

SeniorTTRace

*Subjecttochange.The islandhasit’sownlittle microclimate,andthere’sno guessingwhattheweather mightdo.

THE

MOQUIZREBIKES

WeloveabitoftriviahereatMoreBikes.No matterwhetherwe’reatapubquizwitha beerinonehandandapencilintheother, orbeingquestionedbyourmateswhen we’restoodaroundatabikenight,there’s somethingaboutknowingtheanswertoan unexpectedquestionthatgivesusanice fuzzyfeelinginside.Andifwedon’tknow, thenthere’sagoodchancewemightlearn something.That’swhywe’vedecidedto introducearegularquizsectionsponsored byourgoodpalsatFowlers(who’llbe supplyingtheprizes).

We’llbeaskingyouquestionsaboutall

It’stimetogetoutyourpens andpencilsandputyourgrey mattertothetest.

manneroftwo-wheeledstuff,pushingyour memoriestothelimitandaskingyouto digdeeptotryandrememberallmanner ofstrangestufffromrightacrossthebiking spectrum.It’sachanceforyoutoshowoff yourinfinitewisdomandbeinwithashot ofbaggingsomecoolprizes.

Allyou’vegottodoisjotdownthe answersontheentryformbelow,andsend itinusingthedetailsprovided.We’llthen pickthewinnerfromanupturnedhelmet crammedwithcorrectanswers,andthat personwillbesentabrand-newbitofkit that’llhelpthemstaysafeoutontheroad.

WhichIndianfirmhasworkedwith Triumphtocreateitspairof400s?

2

WhichItalianfirmhasjustaddedVVTto its853ccadventurer?

WhenwasYamaha’soriginallimitedrunYZF-R7released?

Whileitmightnotbe quitetimetowhipout thesummergloves justyet,wearegetting closer.Theevenings aregettinglighter, thedaysaregetting warmer,andthose fewfrostymornings arebecomingan increasinglydistant memory.Butinthe evenintheheightof summer,there’sstill chanceyoucouldgetcaughtout inadownpour.That’swhytheseWave glovesfromWeiselooklikeawinner tous.

7

8 3 9

WhichTaiwanesemanufacturergotits startmakingstuffforHonda?

6 1 10 4

5

What’sthenameofRoyalEnfield’s new452ccsingle-cylinderengine?

Slimline,lightweightandcomfortable –butwithaMcTexwaterproofand breathablemembranetokeepthe worstoftherainfallatbay,withTPU knuckleandfingerarmour,padded palmsandcriticaldual-layered syntheticsuede.Nice.Wanttoknow more?Visit:www.weiseclothing.com

What’sthenameofthegreen-lane meccaclosetoStonehenge?

WhichUKkitspecialistiscelebrating 30yearsofbusinessin2024?

WhichSpanishfirm’srevealedabike withawhopping40-litrefueltank?

WhendidGuyMartinmakehisdebutat theIsleofManTT?

Wheredoesthisyear’sCannoballBike Runkickoff?

LASTMONTH: Didyouget’emright?Triumph,K5,999cc,HondaandYamaha,47mph,1986,Honda, 1993,RedBullRing,QJMotor

DEVON

There’ssomespectacularridingdowninthesouthwest corneroftheUK.Withtwodistinctcoastlinesandtwo NationalParks,Devon’stheplacetogoifyou’relooking fordramaticsceneryandtopridingallinonespot.From dramaticseascapesandwide-openmoorlandtonadgery littlelanesandpicturesquetownsandvillages,thislittle cornerofEnglandreallyisaparadiseforbikers.

WHAT’S YOURS?

There’snothingquitelikea bitoflocalknowledgewhenit comestofindingthebestroads anareahastooffer.Ifyou’ve gotatopblastonyour doorstep(andyoudon’t mindsharing),we’d lovetohearfrom you.

COAST-TO-COAST

Thisisacoast-to-coastroutestarting fromSlaptonSandsinthesouthofDevon, endingupatTheValleyoftheRocksnear Lyntoninthenorth,passingthroughboth DartmoorandExmoorNationalParkson theway.OnceyouleavetheA38,muchof thefirstpartoftherouteistightandtwisty andextremelyrewardingasyouwindyour wayuptothefamousB3212thatcutsright throughthecentreofDartmoor,passing throughPrincetownontheway.Fromthere you’llpassthroughWiddecombeontheMoor, MoretonhampsteadandChagford(allgreat placestostopforabrew,abitetoeatand stretchofthelegs),beforeleavingDartmoor andtakingaslightlymoredirectrouteupinto Exmoor.Themiddlesectionisn’tthemost exciting(andmorescenicroutesareavailable), butit’sallaboutmakingdecentprogressand gettingintoExmoorasquicklyaspossible. Themoorhereisabitmoreopen,withsome smootherandfasterstretchesofroadtoenjoy asyoumakeyourwayuptoMineheadwhere thingsreallystarttogetinterestingwhen youjointheA39thatleadsyouallthewayto Lyntonandbeyond.Thisisoneofthebest stretchesofroadinthecountry–fast,freeflowingandgreatfun.

DARTMOORCIRCULAR

StarttherouteatBuckfastleighandbriefly headnorthontheA38beforeturningleft towardsHeleandBucklandintheMoor.Atthe junctionwiththeB3387turnleftandashort distancefurther,righttowardsBonehill.You arenowheadingtowardsSouthcott.Itisworth watchingoutforasigntothemedievalvillage ofHoundTor.TurnleftinSouthcottandhead towardsLettaford.Turnrightontothe3242 toSloncombe,andleftontotheA382.This willtakeyoutoWhiddonDown,passingthree castlesofftotheright:Cranbrook,Prestonbury andCastleDrogo.Atthejunctionwiththe A30,turnlefttoOkehampton,andthensouth throughMeldon,pickinguptheA386towards Sourton.Youarenowskirtingthewesternedge oftheNationalParkastheroadpassesthrough BeardonandMaryTavytoTavistock.Watch foraleftturnontotheB3357onthenorthern edgeofthetownandsignstotherightfor SampfordSpinneyandsouthtoWalkhampton. TurnleftontheB3212,whichwilltakeyouto Princetown.CarryonthisroadtotheB3357 towardsTwoBridgesandeasttoPoundsgate. YoucanthencutsouthtoBuckfastandbackto thestartingpoint.

TRICKYTRAILS

Devon’sanoff-roaders’paradise.There’san abundanceoflegallanestoexplore;anda goodOSmapwillseeyourightfordaysof dirt-basedfun.

There’sanotheroption,though…theTrans EuroTrailrunsrightthroughDevon.Twice. Neverheardofitbefore?It’sessentiallya whoppingEurope-wideroutewhichrunsfrom thetopofScandinaviatothetopofAfrica. Andbestofall,youcandownloadfreeGPX filesorevenloadtheappontoyourphoneto makeiteasytoseekoutthelegallaneswhich makeup‘theTrail’.OneoftheDevonroutes runsfromjustnorthofLymeRegisalltheway intoPlymouth,viaExeter.Andtheother,which formspartoftheGreatWesternWay,runs fromnearLauncestonallthewayoverthe bordertoChard.

It’salsoworthmentioningthatmanyof theselanesareonthetrickierendofthe spectrum,andalthoughtalentedridersmight beabletomanagetoheaveabigadventure bikealongthem,usmeremortalswouldhave much,muchmorefunonsmallerdirt-focused trailbikes.

SHORT KINGS

Sizedoesn’treallymatter.RoyalEnfield’sHimalayan411 provedit,findingfavourwithriderssmallandlarge,oldand young.AndnowTriumph’safterabitofthat,withapairof new400ccmachinesthatwon’tbreakthebank.

IfyouareinterestedinthenewTriumph400‘T-range’, thenthefactshavebeenoutforawhile.TheSpeed400 istheroadbikeandcomesinfrom£5995,theScrambler 400Xit’soff-road-styledsiblingat£5695.Theplatform hasbeenindevelopmentforfiveyearsinconjunction withBajajfromthestart,utilisingtheirsmallbike,large manufacturingcapabilityskills.

Bothmodelshaveabrand-new400cc,four-stroke, 4v,liquid-cooledsinglecylinder,withsixgearsgiving atjustunder40bhp.Butdespitethelooks,the similaritiesgetlessfromthere.Theframeisdifferent forlesscompromiseofgeometry,suspension,wheel, exhaust,brakes,tyres,seat,andeventheelectronics areslightlytailoredtosuitthetwoapplications.Wet weightisalithe-like170kgfortheSpeed400and 179kgfortheScramblerX.Sofar,it’sreallyquite impressive.

Thecleverpeepshavebeenplayingwiththeir calculatorstogetbothmodelstofeelassimilaras possible,yetstillsticktotheirchosendiscipline:road orroad/fauxoff-road.TheScramblermayhavelonger

suspensionandabiggerfrontwheel,buttheframe hasdifferentgeometrytoaccommodatethetaller stance.YoumayalsonoticetheScramblerhasalonger wheelbase(justfromthechainadjusters)andthetyres arenarrowerthantheSpeedforitscombinedusesand height,againshowingtheattentiontodetailgiventothe ridingmanners.

JumpingontotheScramblerfirst,everythingfallsto hand.Agoodstart,thoughitistall–835mmcompared to790mmoftheSpeed.However,thepreloadand narrownoseoftheseataidsgettingbackdowntothe floorcomfortably.Thewidehandlebarsgiveagreat feelingofbeingincontrolandabletopushthebike intoacorner–butforthosewhowhizzthroughtraffic, theSpeed400has’barsthataremorethanthree inches(85mm)narrower.Thesearebrand-newbikes, run-inbutproductionmodelsofftheline,notpreproduction,yetfromfirstmovingoff(infrontofallthe mechanicsandTriumphsuits)theclutchfeelssmooth andpredictable.Phew.Andweheadstraightintorushhourtraffic.Inthisenvironmentitfeelsnodifferenttoa

Scrambler900insize,qualityorfeel.Infact,I’mhaving morefunasthe400islighterandImayevensayhas morecharacter.

Ridingthroughtownislovelyandeasy,andthe Scrambler400Xfeelsathome.Gearchangesare slightlyjerkyasitfeelslowgearedandasinglealways needssmoothercontrolthanatwin,butyouquickly compensate.Spanishroadsarenotoriouslyshinyand slippery,socareistheaimofthegame.

Wehavetonegotiateasix-laneroundabouttogetout ofValencia,which,withfadedlinesandSpanishdrivers, islikesomethingfromSquidgames.Butthebikeis nimbleandquick,andyetfeelslargeenoughtohavea presenceotherswill(hopefully)see.Asthedaygoeson theSpeedhasjustasmuchtimetoimpressme.Lower tositon,lesssuspensiontravelandafirmerbrakegive moreconfidencewhenridingonTarmacandgetting quicker,andinmyeyes,theSpeedhastheedgein looks.Anyway,outofthecitywego.

Takingthespeeduphasnoissues.With39bhp@ 8000rpmand28lb-ft@6000rpmitfeelsdifferentatfirst;

WORDS: MattHull PHOTOS: ChippyWoodandGarethHarford

TriumphScrambler Speed400and

TriumphScrambler 400X

I’mnotusedtoapotentsingle,butthebikepullsnicely fromlowdowninthelowergears,thoughdoesneedthe revstokeepacceleratingasthespeedgrows.60mphis easilyachieved,withthebikesittingnicelyonaconstant throttlewhetherontheflatorheadinguphill.

Takeitupto70mphandthingsgetlouder,feelbusier, yettheenginedoesn’tvibrate.Onlyafter70mphdoes theenginebalancestarttomakeitspresencefelt. 80mphisviableasismore,butnotwithoutfeeling strainedandbuzzy.

Thegearboxisn’tasslickforchangesasa’boxcan be(thoughonafivegrand,single-cylinderbike,maybe itis).Nofalseneutrals,itjustlikesafirmerfootthanI wouldlike.There’snoslipperclutchandyoucannot bangdownthegearslikeyouwouldonafour-cylinder bike.It’snobadthing,usingtheclutchsortsallthese elements,buttokeeptheridesmoothrequiresmore attention.Havingsaidthat,thedamnthingissogood ingeneral,youfindyourselfcomparingitwithbikesit reallyshouldn’tbe!

TheSpeedandScramblerXwillgenuinelycruiseand

Ifyoulikeyourroadtests withabitofhistorical context,thenthefolks atClassicBikeGuide magazinehavegotyou covered.Theygettheir teethstuckintothecoolest modern-retrorides,and offerloadsofpractical adviceaboutbuying, runningandrestoringold bikes,too.Scanthecode togetyourhandsonthe latestissuewherethese twoloveliesaregivena properonceover.

BUYING USED

RoyalEnfield Scram411

2022-on/£2500-£3699

TheScram411buildsonthe solidbaseofthemuch-loved firstgenerationHimalayan; addingbetterroadmanners andsomefunkystylingto themix.Itmightbealittle agricultural,andperformance isn’texactlyearth-shattering, butitstilloffersalevelof charmthat’sdifficultto quantify.

YamahaSR400

2014-2018/£3500-£4500

Theshort-livedretroSR400 shouldhavebeenmore successfulthanitwas.The back-to-basicsroadsterhad plentygoingforit:easy-going roadmanners;asuper-friendly motor;anddiddydimensions thatanyonewithaheart struggledtodislike–butit didn’treallysell.Slightlytoo pricey,notenoughpunchand noelectricstart.Ifyoucanfind oneofthefewmodelsonthe marketfortherightprice,it’s wellworthapunt…

canevenbeusedtotour,oratleasttocommutedecent distanceseveryday.Butit’sinthebackroadsthatthese bikesexcel.Bothcanhustlethetwistieswithaplomb. Thetighterthecorners,themorethese400sfeelat home.Instantpick-up;excellentfeelfromthebrakes; predictabilityfromthe43mmBigPistonForkforks;good Metzelertyres;andplentyofgroundclearancemean eithermodelwillstickwithanysportsbikelikealimpet. IfIhadtochooseabikeforbackroads,theSpeed 400wouldbeit.Itmustbenoted,thesebikesonaset oftwistybackroadswherethelightweightandquick steeringareamust,theseareahoot.

Off-roadisasimilarstory.We’retalkingmildoff-road, likefindingagreenlaneandwonderingwhereitgoes, notMotocrosshere.TheScramblerXisobviouslymore suitable;theABScanbeswitchedoffeasilybutit’sthe ridingpositionthathelpsthemost.Thelongertravel suspensionwillhelp,aswillthe175kgweightandthose Karootyreswithwidehandlebarsandbarkbusters. LeaveclimbingmountainstoMXbikesbutenjoythe backlanesyouhavealwayswantedtoseekout.

BenelliLeoncino500

2018-on/£2500-£5299

Thesuper-stylishroadsterfrom theresurgentItalianfirmisa lovelything.Comfy,well-built, easytorideandloadsoffun. Whatmorecouldyouneedif you’reinthemarketforanA2compliantretro-ishride?While there’sbeenquestionmarks overBenelli’sbuildquality, theseseemtobeholdingup well–sodon’truleoutan earliermodel,providingit’s beenlookedafter.

Thebrilliant,bulletproofAdventurefromIndiahashadaseriousoverhaulfor2024–and we’vebeentoitsbirthplacetoseewhatit’smadeof.

RoyalEnfieldHimalayan450

WORDS: Adam‘Chad’Child PHOTOS: RoyalEnfield,ChippyWood,JasonCritchell

TheoriginalRoyalEnfieldHimalayanquicklybecamea significantplayerintheadventuremotorcyclemarket, thankstoitsruggedsimplicityandaffordability(itwas pricedunder£4000whenfirstlaunched).Now,the introductionofanall-new450ccsingle-cylinderengine withwater-cooling,ride-by-wirethrottle,anddouble overheadcamshafts–allfirstsfortheIndianmanufacturer –representsaconsiderableadvancementintermsof performanceandtechnology.Newfeaturessuchas Showasuspension,ridingmodes,switchableABSand aTFTdashwithconnectivityandnavigationshouldalso makethenewHimalayananevenmorecapableand versatilemachine.

WeflewallthewaytotheHimalayasfor48hoursof crazytestingat11,000feet(andhigher).Twodays’ travelling,threeplanesandascarytaxiridetogetthere: couldtheHimalayanliveuptothename?

Theintroductionofanew452ccsingle,theSherpa450, signifiesasignificantmilestoneforEnfield,asitintroduces water-cooling,ride-by-wiretechnologyandadual overheadcamshaft(DOHC)configuration–allfirstsforthe manufacturer.TheSherpa450unitisalsoanimpressive 10kglighterthantheair-cooledengineitreplaces.

Intermsofperformance,the452ccsingleproduces 40hpat8000rpmand40Nm/29.52lb-ftoftorqueat 5500rpm,andmakingasmoother,broaderbandofpower. Some90%ofthatpeaktorqueisavailablefromaslowas 3000rpm,ensuringthatthebikegeneratesplentyofgrunt whereveritisintherevrange.

TheHimalayan’snew-foundperformancecan’treally bedescribedasspritelyorthrilling,especiallyataltitude, butitdoesdeliveralovelyslugoftorqueandfuss-free accelerationforalow-capacitysingle.Atlower,more normal-to-Europeansaltitudes,itwillperformevenbetter, makingeverydayovertakingandmotorwaycruisingfar moreachievable.Afterall,keepingupwithfastertrafficon theoutgoingHimalayanriskedadislocatedwristinabid tosqueezeouteverylastmoleculeofpower.

ThenewEnfieldHimalayanfeaturesacompletely redesignedchassisandsuspensionsetupbutretainsthe oldbike’scrucialanddefininggo-anywhereDNA.The21inchfrontwheeland17-inchrearwheelcombinationare stillpresentandcorrect,so,too,long-travelsuspension andexcellentgroundclearance.

Thenon-adjustable43mmShowaforkshave200mm oftravel,whichabsorbsroughterraineffortlesslyand providesacomfortableride.Attherearthereisanew singleshockwithspringpreloadadjustmentand,likethe front,200mmoftravel,whichis20mmmorethan theoldermodel.Thissetupresultsinanimpressive 230mmofgroundclearance,whichis10mmmore

thantheair-cooledHimalayan.

Whileinconsistentroadconditionslimitedtheabilityto pushthebike’shandlingtothelimit,initialimpressions werepositive.TheCEATGripptyreshandledthe heartstoppingtransformationfromasphalttomoonscape withoutdrama,althoughfurthertestingwithdifferent roadconditionsmayprovidemoreinsightintotheir performance.

Off-road,theHimalayan450excelledand,muchlikea trustyoldLandRover,navigatedcalmlyaroundandover obstacleswithoutfussoroncelosingtraction.Stable, reassuringand,inthiswildandattimesscaryriding environment,immenselyreassuring,itjustkeptplodding along.

TheswitchableABS,whichiseitherroadoroff-road (wherethereisnoABSontherearwheel),allowsfor enhancedcontrolinvariedconditions.ABScan’tbe switchedoffentirely.Tractioncontrolisn’tavailableand wasn’tmissedduetothebike’snaturalbalance,perfectly meteredlow-endtorqueandexcellentsuspension,which enabledittofindtractionandpower–solongasitwas dryandrocky(moreoff-roadbiasedtyreswouldbe requiredforanyseriousmudadventures).Whilesome adjustments,likehigherhandlebars,couldimprovethe bike’sstandingposition,thenewHimalayanisasrobust andreliableacompanionforexplorersandadventure ridersastheolderbike.

ThenewbrakingsystemfeaturesIndian-madeBybre calipersandrepresentsanothersignificantupdate.The frontdiscdiameterhasbeenincreasedto320mmfrom 300mm,whilethereardischasalsogrownfrom240mm to270mm.TheadditionofABSasstandard,withtheoffroadsetting,enhancesthebike’sversatilesafetyfeatures. Thesenewbrakesprovidesufficientstoppingpowerfor therelativelyheavyHimalayan.They’renotexactlyrazorsharpbutdodeliverprogressiveandsmoothbraking performance,makingthemwellsuitedfornewridersand thoseexploringoff-roadterrainforthefirsttime.Inthe Himalayasatleast,theABSsystemisnotoverlyintrusive. Intheflesh,thenewdesignoftheHimalayan450makes theolder411modelappeardated.Theneatheadlight, integratedindicatorsandbrakelight,TFTdashand theuniquecrashbarsaroundthefueltankarecleverly designedandexecuted.Thedesigndepartmentclearly hasbeenworkingovertime;Ilikethenewdesign,anda widechoiceofcoloursandaccessoriesallowforeasy personalisation.Finally,aHimalayanyoucanbeproud toown–andwithpricesstartingat£5850,it’snotthe bargain£4000oftheoriginal,butit’sstillpricedvery competitively.IreckonEnfield’srevampoftheHimalayan hasclearlypaidoff.

Thisisjustatasty teaserofthefulltest inthecurrentissue ofMotorcycleSport andLeisuremagazine. Ifyouwantaproper lowdownononeof themostimportant bikesonthemarket, scanthecodeand getyourselfacopy delivereddirectto yourdoor.

BUYING USED

HondaCRF250L

2012-2018/£2000-£4500 TheCRFremainsafavourite amongoff-road-loving adventurebikeridersforgood reason.Itisatrulybrilliant motorcycle.Aprovenroundthe-worldadventurerthat’s easytoride,easytolivewith andeasytolove.Having beenreplacedbythenew CRF300L,youmightbeable tosnagyourselfabitofa bargain.

KawasakiKLR650

1987-2002/£1500-£5000 The42bhpback-to-basics, bulletproofbigKLRremainsa brilliantchoiceforadventurers whoaren’tbotheredabout speed.Whileitmightbeafair bitbiggerthanthenewest Himalayan,thecomfortable, quietlycapable,remarkably ruggedandsurprisingly affordableKwakeroffersalot ofthegoodstuffthatmakes theEnfieldsopopular.And super-easytoworkon,too.

CCMGP450

2013-2017/£4000-£5000 Atthetimeofitsrelease, hopeswerehighforthe lightweightenduro-cumadventurebikefromthe Bolton-basedfirm.Andit morethanproveditself, earningfavourablereviews fromthemedia.Butsadly itssuccesswasshort-lived; withitsageing450ccmotor fromBMWunabletomeet ever-tighteningemissions regulations,itwasquickly droppedfromtherange. It’sstillagreatbuythough, ifyoucanfindoneforthe rightprice.

KTM790Duke

TheKTM790DukeisbuiltinChina.Uptonow,I’ve notreallymentionedit.Plentyofstuffweownand consumeisbuiltoverintheFarEast,andyetplentyof youhaveanawfullottosayaboutbikesbuiltinthat neckofthewoods.Iunderstandsomeoftheconcern, thoughanycriticismaboutthequalityofthebuildis becominglessandlesspertinentwitheachpassing year.There’sstillsomeroughstuffoutthere,butifyou sticktothelarger,moreestablishedbrandsthataren’t simplyfocusedonbuildingcheap,you’llnotgofar wrong.

Onethat’scomeoutontopisCFMOTO.They’ve beenaroundforquiteafewyearsnow,makinga nameforthemselvesbyknockingoutvalue-for-money middleweightandsmall-capacitymotorcycles.That’s probablywhyKTMdecidedtojoinforceswiththem backin2011,beforeenteringintoajointventurein 2017.

There’sevidentlyalotoftrustthere,andtheCEOof KTM,StefanPierer,hassaidexactlythat.“Webuiltup averygoodtrustlevelwithCFMOTO.Theyareavery seriousChinesecompany.We’venowarrangedtodo a50/50ventureonKTMproductsmadeinChinafor saleworldwide.I’mhappytoattachtheKTMnameto somethingmadebythem.”

Andthat’swhathappened,withCFMOTOrecently handedthedesignstothepreviouslydefunctKTM790 Duke,whichwasdroppedfromtherangeinfavourof the890.It’slargelythesameastheoldmodel,minus afewminortweaks.KTMandCFMOTOhavemade somesubtlechanges,includingrevisingtheengine(with 20%morerotatingmasstohelpimprovehandlingand stability).

It’sabrilliantmotor.Fun,flexibleandfree-revvingwith enoughbiteandadesiretobeworkedhard.It’llhaveno qualmsholdingitsownwithbiggerand‘morecapable’ bikesontheroad.

YamahaTénéréWorldRaid

Whenitwasdroppedoffatmygaff,myfirstthoughtwas,‘Bythe cringe,thisisloadsbiggerthanthenormalTénéré!’Eventhough it’dbeenacoupleofyearssinceIrodetheT7,overintheLake DistrictononeofourNationalParktours,itwasimmediatelyclear thattheWorldRaid’sdimensionswerebiggerineverydirection.

MyfirstridewasdowntoMotorcycleLive,andfullyclobbered upinwinterridinggearitwasatadawkwardtogetmylegupand overtheseatandhardpanniers,andthenonlytippy-toeonceIwas seated.

Theysaythatfirstimpressionsareall-important.Whenitcomes tomotorcyclesItendtodisagree,asabitmoreseattimeallows youtoexplorethefullcharacterofabike,andtheWorldRaidisa primeexample,frommyperspective.ThefirstfewmilesIcovered ontheYamsawmegrumpy:tootall;toowide;tooheavy;no cruisecontrol;theseatdigsintomythighswhenIhavemyfeet down;whine,whine,mutter,grumble…Icalmeddown,ofcourse, andbythetimeIreachedtheNECinBirminghamtwo-and-ahalfhourslater,warmanddry,andfeelingnotquiteasfreshasa daisy,butprobablyasfreshasIeverfeelnowadays.Yer,it’sokay thisYam.

Theridehomethatevening,leavinginthedarkinreallyfinemisty rain,could’vesetoffthegrumblesagain.Itdidnot.Despitethe dark;thepitifulstateofdrivingontheM42,M1andA46,andthe persistentdrizzle;Iactuallyenjoyedtheridehome.

Thedualfueltankswerebigenoughtojustrequireonefill-upfor thetwo-wayjourney(repeatedthenextday),withacomfortable 200milescoveredbeforearequiredrefill,andtheadvantageofthat slightly-too-tallseatheightisthatIgotnolegcramp,andnoknee painlikeIgetwithbikeswithamoreconfinedseatingposition. Thescreenisreasonabletoo,inthatitdeflectsadecentlevelof roadspray,andisquieterthanothers(HondaAfricaTwinspringsto mind).

Nowit’stimetogetsomemoreseattime,althoughIalreadyhave stufftotalkaboutnextmonth,likethelackofelectronicdoodads andgadgets(Ilikethat.Alot);thepeculiarityinfuelgaugeaction; andtheconvenientnatureoftheremovablepanniers…

Thechassisisspoton,too.It’sunchangedfor2023, whichmeansthere’sthesamedecidedlybudgetfocused43mmWPApexforksupfrontandApexshock attherear.They’resetupprettymuchperfectlyforthe bike,withadefinitefocusonperformanceovercomfort. Apairofradial-mountfour-pistoncalipershelptohaul ituptoahalt,offeringplentyofbiteandmorethan enoughfeel.

It’snearonimpossibletoeverreallyknowabike withoutowningit,butsixmonthstogetherisapretty goodamountoftimetogetagoodfeelforit.Asitgoes, I’vebeenseriouslyimpressedwiththeCFMOTO-built KTM790Duke.It’ssharp,agileandsurprisinglyeasy toride–essentiallyofferingallthegoodstuffthatmade

theoriginal790Dukeawinner.Onlynowit’smadeby CFMOTOinChinainsteadofKTMinAustria.

Importantly,thebuildqualityofthenew790Duke looksjustasgoodasthepreviousgeneration,andI’ve hadabsolutelynoissuesinmythree-and-a-bitthousand miles.Theolder790shavebeenknowntohaveafew reliabilityissues,thoughwe’dliketohopemostofthe niggleshavebeenironedoutforthe‘new’version.

Ultimately,ifthisnewdealhelpstheAustrianfirmkeep costsdownenoughsothattheycancontinuepricingit seriouslycompetitively(there’sadealonatthemoment which’llsnagyouoneforunder£7000),we’reallforit.A worldinwhichmorepeopleridethisbikecan’teverbea badthing,Ireckon…

BUYINGGUIDE TALKIN’TECH

Witheverypassingyearfuture-focusedfirmscontinuetocomeupwithnewandoriginalkit thataimstomakebikers’livesbetter.It’sendless–andwecouldtalkyourearoffaboutallof it,fromimmobilisersandtrackerstoheatedkitandheads-updisplays.Buttokeepthingsa bitmorefocused,thismonthwe’vedecidedtoconcentrateonourfavouritebikergoodiesthat makenavigationandcommunicationsimpler.

Idon’tneedasat-nav,doI?

I’llaskyouaquestion.Doyouhave agreatsenseofdirection?Anddo youonlydolocalrides?Ifyouticked thoseboxes,thennotreally.Butifyou gofurtherafieldorridetoplacesyou don’tknow,oryouwanttoplananice ridesomewhereinteresting,asat-nav systemisagreatadditiontoyourkit.

Thatmakessense,sowhatshouldI belookingfor?

Broadlyspeakingtherearetwooptions: adedicatedsat-navorsomething basedonanapp(suchasGoogle Maps).Adedicateddeviceispowered fromyourbike,iswaterproof,andhas allthemapsstoredonit,butyoumay havetopayaregularfeetokeepthis updatedontopofthepurchaseprice. Theadvantageisthattheinformation

isstoredlocally,soyou’renothavingto relyonagooddataconnection. Smartphonenavigationappsare cheaper(orfree),butyou’rerelyingon astrongsignal(signaldrops,navigation goes,ortheinstructiontoturncomes toolate–lookingatyouGoogleMaps). Ifyou’reaimingtolookatthescreen you’llneedastrongcasetoprotect yourphoneandsecureittothebars (andprobablysomethingtosmooth outthevibrations,too).Alternatively, youcanlistentothedirections,which’ll meanrunningearphonesintoyour helmet(riskinggettingtuggedout), buyingBluetoothearplugsoracomms systemforyourhelmet.

CommsSystems. WhatdoIneedtoconsider?

I’mgoingtoansweranotherquestion

withaquestion.Doyourideinagroup ormostlyonyourown/pillion/one otherbiker?Ingroupsyou’llwanta Meshsystem;forsmallernumbersa Bluetoothsystemisideal. Meshissuperiorinmanyways: greaterrange;allowslargegroupsto talk;ifonedropsoutastheygetout ofrange,theothersallstayconnected andtheotherridermaywellreconnect automaticallyoncebackinrange. Downside,notallMeshsystemstalkto oneanothersoifyou’redoingregular groupridesyouneedthesamekit. Bluetoothhasashorterrange,only handlessmallnumbers,andit’sharder tokeepconnected.But–andthisisa BIGBut(inevitablejokeaboutlikingbig butsdeleted)–Bluetoothisuniversal. AnyBluetoothunitcanspeaktoanother Bluetoothunit.

TOMTOMRIDER550PREMIUM

MikkoNieminen/£499.99/www.tomtom.com

GARMINZUMOXT2

RossMowbray/£529.99/www.garmin.com

CALIMOTO

KateChorley/FREE-£249.99lifetimeaccess/ www.calimoto.com

TheRider550hasafew realbenefitsagainst muchoftheapp-based competition.Firstly,you candownloadallthe mapstothedeviceand youarenotreliantona phonesignal.Youalso haveanicebigscreen, whichoffersveryclear directions.Thedeviceis easytoputonandtake offthebikeasthepowercablesarerunfromthemount tothebatteryorauxiliarypowersocket.Becauseyou runitfromthebike’sbattery,thedevicewillnotrun outofjuicemid-journey(ifitdoes,youmayhavesome morepressingissuestoworkonwiththebike).You canstorelotsofroutesanddestinationsontheunit, andusetheonlinetools(TomTomMyDrive,veryeasy touseonceyougetthehangofit)toplanyourown routesorpicksomefromtheirfreelibrary.Thenyou canloadtheroutestothedevicewirelesslyaslongas youhaveaddedtheunittoyourWi-Fi.Iwasimpressed byhowmucheasieritisnowtousetherouteplanners andtogettheroutesonthedevice.WhenItriedafew yearsagoIrapidlylostmypatiencewiththesystems, butnowitallmakessense.Youcanlinkthesatnavto yourphoneifyouwanttrafficalerts,andyoucanlink ittoyourheadsetforaudioguidance,butit’sjustas easytoleaveitrunningonitsownandjustglanceat iteverynowandagaintoseewheretogo.Oneofthe niftyfeaturesisthewindyandhillyroutesettingsthat canopenupawholenewworldofridingtoyou–simply selectthissettingtodivertyoufromthehighwaysyou normallytakeanddiscoverwhat’saroundyou.Ittakes abitlongertogettoyourdestination,butit’salotmore fun.Ifyourideinthecity,theapp-basedoptionsarestill moreconvenient,butforfindingthebestcountryroads, planninglongertripsandmakingsureyoustayonthe rightpath,theRider550ismyweaponofchoice.

SENA50CHARMANKARDON

SimonMeyer/£493.99/www.sena-shop.co.uk

I’vebeenusingSena’s flagship50Cforclosetoa year–andinthattimeit’s becomeoneofmymost valuablebitsofbikingkit.

I’vealwayslovedintercom systems.Iseriouslyvaluethe convenienceofbeingable tonatterwithapillionormy ridingpals(oreventakeacall) –andit’sgreattobeableto listentosometuneswhenI’m rackingupbiggermiles.The 50Cexcelsatthisstuff,thanksinparttotheHarman Kardonsuppliedspeakers.They’rebrilliant;super-clear evenatspeed(thoughyouwillhavetoturnthevolume rightupifyou’recruisingatmotorwayspeeds).

Tomakeiteasytolinkupwithotherriders,the50C usesaMeshsystem.It’sacleverbitofkitwhichallows severalriderstotalktoeachotheroveraclaimedrange of1.2miles.Ireckonthat’smaybealittleoptimisticin real-worldconditions,butevensoI’vebeenimpressed.

The50C’sabitdifferenttootherintercomsonthe marketbecauseit’sgotacamerabuilt-in,too.It’sa top-quality4Kone,whichisoperatedbyasimplepress ofthebuttonontheside.Youcanalsotakephotos whenyou’reonthemove.It’sveryeasytooperate,and Iactuallyuseitonadailybasis;partlysoI’mcoveredif aroguedriverdecidesI’minvisible,andpartlybecause it’scooltocaptureyourride.

Battery-lifeisgood,too.Ofcourse,itdependson howmanyofthefeaturesyou’reusingatonce,but I’vemanagedthreehoursofplayingmusicandvideo recording,andstillhadatinybitofbatterylifetospare. Atthispointit’dstillkeepworking,butwouldn’tletme usethecamera.Ithinkthat’sprettygood,andSena actuallyclaimit’llsitonstandbyforover10hours.Easy touse,easytofitandpackedwithtopfeatures,I’d highlyrecommendtheSena50C.

We’vebeengettingto gripswiththelatest iterationofGarmin’s Zumobikersat-nav. Packedwithfeatures andready-loadedwith Europeanmaps(withfree accesstotheR.O.W), there’salottolikeabout thistop-of-the-linebit ofkitButisitworththe money?Andwhywouldyougoforitoverthecheaper TomTom?OrtheolderGarminXTitsupersedes?

It’sgotallthegoodstuffyou’dexpectforsomething thatcostsover500quid:asuper-clear6”TFTscreen; livetrafficupdates;hazardalerts;anadventurousroutes option(which’llsearchouttwistyroadssoyoudon’t haveto);aselectionofdifferentmaplayers(depending onyourterrain);andtheoptiontorecordyourrides,too. It’salsoeasiertomapoutyourroutesonthesat-nav itself;thoughthere’salsoanewTreadapponwhichyou canplanroutesandwirelesslywhizzthemovertothe device.It’scleverandveryeasytouse,butprobablynot ascapableastheBaseCampsoftwarethatwasboth lovedandloathedbyGarminownersofold.

Therearemoredifferencestotheoldmodel:it’slighter, hasalongerbatterylife,andfeaturesanewUSB-C connectiontomakeiteasiertoplugintoyourbike. It’salsobetterattrackingyourlocation,updatingyour position10timeseverysecond(insteadofjustonce).

ThebigsellingpointoftheGarminisitsabilityto providemappingforoff-roadroutes.It’ssomething theTomTomdoesn’tdo;andwhileyoucanfindapps foryourphonethat’lldoagoodjob,theZumoXT2is farsuperior.It’ssuper-easytoloadGPXfilesontothe device,andwith32GBofinternalstorage(andanSD cardslot),you’llhavenotroublewithspace.

TheXT2buildsonthewinningformulaofits predecessor,butitmorecapable,longerlastingand easiertouse.That’sawininmybook.

CARDOPACKTALKCUSTOM

NickEllis/£245/www.cardosystems.com

I’vehadachanceto tryoutafewCardo commssystems overtheyears. They’vealwaysbeen brilliant,proving themselvesmore thancapable ofkeepingme connectedwhile I’moutontheroad.

Butthey’reoftenprettypricey.Andthat’sprobablywhy they’vecomeupwithamoreaffordablewayforbikers togettheirhandsonone.

ThePacktalkCustomisessentiallyasubscriptionbasedsystem,whichallowsyoutoactivatespecific featureswhenyouneedthem,ratherthanpayingfor themallwhenyoubuythedevice.Foryourcashyou’ll getarelativelybasicMeshintercom-compatibledevice (whichallowsyoutolinkupwithasmanyas15riders); Bluetoothtoconnecttoyourphoneorsat-nav(butnot both);anFMradio;some‘highdefinition’speakers;a coupleofmicrophones(dependingonyourpreference); andallthebitsyouneedtofitittoyourhelmet.

Itworkswellasitis,butthebeautyofthisdevice isthatitcanbeupgraded.There’sSilverfor£2.99a month,Goldfor£4.99amonth,andPlatinumfor£6.99 amonth.TheGold’sprobablytheonethatI’doptfor, asitallowsyoutoconnecttoanon-Cardocomms deviceviaBluetooth,aswellasconnectingasat-nav. Butyouprobablywouldonlyneeditforbigtwo-uptrips –andIdon’tdothatmanyayear.Twoatapush?That meansforlessthanatennerI’dhavetwomonthsofthe featuresIactuallyneed,andtherestofthetimeI’dbe perfectlyhappywiththebaseversion.

It’sacleveridea,andifyouwantaqualitybitofkit fromoneofthebestnamesinthegame,butdon’tneed allthehi-techfeaturesofatop-endcommssystemall thetime,thiscouldbetheoneforyou.

Thisisaslightlydifferentoptiontotheothers.It’san appforyoursmartphonewhichcanbedownloaded forfree.

Inessence,it’llturnyourphoneintoastraightforward andverycapablerouteplannerandnavigationdevice. Butthere’smoretoitthanmeetstheeye,becauseyou cantaskitwithsearchingoutlessdirectroutestoyour destination.That’snotthatunusual…thetwo‘proper’ sat-navsdothesamething.ButtheCalimototwistyroad-findingalgorithmisparticularlybrilliant;pushing metosearchoutsomespectacularridesthatIwasn’t awareof.

Whileit’savailabletodownloadforfree,it’s probablyworthbitingthebulletandsplashingouton asubscriptionwhichgivesyouaccesstoallofthe features.Thatsaid,youcandownloaditforfreeand tryitout;you’lljustbelimitedtoasetareaonceyou’ve downloadedyourmapofchoice.

Thesubscriptionoption’sthebestasitgives youaccesstoworldwidemaps;thesuper-winding routesplanningoption;speedcameraalerts;andthe built-inleanangleandaccelerationrecording–and it’sstillagoodwhackcheaperthanthededicated motorcyclesat-navdevices featuredhere(evenwhen you’vefactoredinthe costofadecentphone mount).Thereare otheroptionswhich youcandownload anduseforfree,but Calimotoisabrilliantapp that’sencouragedmeto ridetotryoutnew routesandrideto newplaces.That canonlyeverbea goodthing,right?

TOUCARET30SPRO

RossMowbray/£129.00/www.intaride.com

Thisisadecidedlybudgetoptionintheincreasingly competitiveintercommarket.Ifyoudon’twantto spendafewhundredquidonabitofkitfromthebignamebrands,theT30SProcouldbejusttheticket. It’sactuallyasurprisinglycapabledevice,witha hostoffeaturesthatwouldn’tbeoutofplaceona devicethat’sthreetimestheprice.It’sequippedwith Meshsoftware,whichallowsyoutoconnectupto 32ridersonasinglenetwork.That’sright.32!Though unfortunately,itonlyworkswiththesamebrandof device–soyou’reabitstuffedifyourmateshave gotsomethingelse.There’saBluetoothconnection which’llallowyoutoconnecttooneotherrider, though.

I’venothadachancetoseehowwellitperforms inabiggroup,butfortwo-upridingandbelting aroundasapair,it’sproveditselfverycapable. Clear,simpletouseandveryaffordable.I’dsay that’sawin.

Okay,soit’snotquiteasslickorwellequippedas someofthemoreexpensiveoptionsoutthere,but withupto10hoursofbatterylife,two‘highfidelity’ speakers,acoupleofmicrophones,anFMradio,and buttonstoskip,pauseandplayyourtunes,Ireckonit offersprettyexceptionalbangforyourbuck.

Howwellitholdsupovertimeremainstobeseen, butaftersixmonthstogether,I’vebeenimpressed.

Abiker-focusedpodcastwith twoiconicsportsmenatthehelm. Soundslikeawinnertous.

Oncelimitedtotelevisionchatshows,theworld ofcelebrityinterviewshasnow,inthe21st century,expandedtoblogs,vlogsandpodcasts thatcoveranexpansiverangeofsubjectsand personalities–andit’sonlynaturalthatthe worldofmotorcyclesiscoveredinthatremit.

That’swhereFullChatcomesin.It’sanew videopodcastfromthespecialistmotorcycle insurancebrokerBikesure,hostedbyformer OlympicathleteIwanThomasandformer PremierLeaguefootballerDavidPrutton.While they’rebignamesintheirrespectivefields, they’realsopassionatebikerstoboot.

Aheadofthelaunch,wetookthetimetosit downwiththefamouspairtofindouthow knowledgeable,entertainingandbike-obsessive theyare,aswellasdiscussinghowthey’re hopingtobringnewbloodintothewonderful worldofmotorcycling….

IwanThomasisanOlympicand CommonwealthGamesathlete,whoformerly heldtheUKrecordforthe400m(at44.36 seconds).Hisinterestinbikescameearlythanks tohisbike-maddad.Iwan’sfirstfixcame,likeso manyothers,witha50ccscramblerridingacross thefields–whilehisfreedomontheroadcame withanApriliaAF1aged16,soonfollowedbya TZR125whenhewas17.Hepassedhisteston thelittleYamaha,butitdidn’tstaystockforlong.

Hedidn’tfollowtheusualpathofowning motorcyclesofsteadilyincreasingcapacity, though.Thedemandsofhisathletics endeavourschangedhisfocus,andIwanput everythingintotrainingandcompeting.His coachwouldn’thaveallowedanybikeriding anyway;giventhatinjuriesarepartandparcel ofanyphysicalsport,therewasn’taneedto raisetheriskbyridingabike.However,Iwan retainedhisfanaticismforbikes,andafter sustainingafewinjuriesincompetition,he decidedthathavingabikereallycouldn’t makethingsanyworse.That’swhatledto thepurchaseofanR1,10yearsafterthe TZR–quiteajumpfromatweaked125toa full-onlitreracerep.Atthetime,hewasliving inDerbyshireandifhisparentsorcoach happenedtovisit,theR1waskeptinafriend’s garagetopreventitfrombeingspotted.Butit wasn’tlongbeforethe“Whyistherealeather jacketandhelmetinyourwardrobe,Iwan?” questioncamefromhisfather,althoughthe expecteddressing-downdidn’tarrivebut insteadthestatement:“Letmehaveago!”

Thattimingdidcoincidewiththeathletics careerslowingdown,nothankstoinjuries,so Iwan’shadbikeseversince,andit’sonlyfamily commitmentsthathavecurtailedtimeonthe bike.

DavidPrutton(left),DaveManning(centre)andIwanThomas(right)

WORDS: DaveManning PHOTOS: GaryChapman

Anumberoftelevisionappearances duetohissuccessfulsportingcareer showedthatIwanwascomfortable andcompetentinfrontofthe cameras,givingrisetoappearances onvariousTVshows,including co-presentingtheMotoGPTonight onBTSportalongsideCraigDoyle, andalsotakingpartinthelikesof StrictlyComeDancingandCelebrity MasterChef,withtheprizemoney fromwinningDeadline(areality TVshowsimilartoTheApprentice, runningforjustoneseasonin2007) happilyfinancingthepurchaseofa Ducati1098.

Thelistofbikessofarsuggeststhat Iwanisasportbikefanaticthroughand throughand,whilehedidrunaHonda Firebladelastyear,henowownsa customisedHarleyCrossbones.He’s alsoabigfanofoff-roadbikes,having recentlyownedaHusqvarnaFE350–andthedirtbikebugthatinstilledthe loveofbikesintoayoungIwanisabout tobepasseddowntohiskidswith alittleoff-roadbiketobeused,like Iwan,onthefields.

DavidPruttonisaformerPremier Leaguefootballstar.Havingplayed centremidfieldforNottingham Forest,LeedsUnited,Sheffield Wednesdayandmore,he’smadethe naturalprogressiontofootballpundit onSkySports.

Prutton’sinterestinbikesstarteda littlelaterthanhisFullChatco-host,

anditwasachancemeetingwitha fellowfootballeroverinLosAngeles thatfirstsparkedaninterestin poweredtwo-wheelers.Satoutsidea bar,Davidspottedaverycoolbloke, withhisgirlfriendonpillion,riding aminimalistcustomHarley(which, itturnsout,hadbeenbuiltbyex-pat BritRussMitchell,andhisExile Cyclesbusiness).Thissuper-cool dudepulledupandsteppedoffand, oncehelmetandpersonality-hiding sunglasseswereremoved,Prutt’s recognisedhimasafellowtop-flight footballer!We’llnotmentionthe name–butsufficetosayitsoweda seedwithDavid,anditwasn’tlong afterthathewastakinghisbiketest andsubsequentlybuyingabike.

Thefirstbike,aHondaVT125 Shadow,reflectedthatveryfirst influencewithitscustom-based design–andthatwasfollowed byasimilarly-styledTriumph America,andabucket-listroadtrip ofAmerica(DeathValley,andthe PacificCoastroad)wasundertaken ononeofthatnation’sbig-capacity v-twins.Buthe’salsoownedBMW GSAdventures,includingonethat herodeallaroundEuropebeforeit wasstoleninSwansea,sohe’salso opentoothergenresofbikes.Any assumptionthatsportsmenand womenmightonlylikesportbikesis clearlymisguided!

ThejoythatDavidgotfromriding

thebigBavarianadventurebikehas alsoopenedhiseyestoclassicBoxer twins,andit’sclearthathe’llbe lookingtoexpandhismotorcycling remittomatchIwan’smoreeclectic tasteinmotorcycles–anditshighly likelythatthepodcastwillreflect theguys’plansfortwo-wheeled adventures.

Bothguyswerebornin1981, whichmakesthemalittleunder theUKmotorcyclist’saverageage, butthewaythattheygothooked onmotorcyclingisindicativeof howprettymucheveryonegot inspiredtoride–eitherbyfamily influences,orpeergrouppressure.

Andbothofthemexpressedhow motorcyclinggivesthemfreedom, too,notjusttheanonymityof travellingwithahelmetthatmakes themunrecognisable,butalsofor thepurityofsimplytravellingona bike,clearingthemindandgiving someseparationfromthepressures ofeverydaylife.

Withanyluck,thefactthattwovery successfulsportsmenwillbetalking abouthowbrilliantridingbikesis withotherfolkwho’realsoverymuch inthepubliceye,we’llhopefully seesomebeneficialpromotionto thehobbythatweknowandlove somuch.

We’llbetuningintoFullChatwhen itgoeslivenextmonth–andwe reckonyoushould,too.

■ Availabletolistenon Apple,Spotify,YouTubeand AudioBoom(aswellasseveral otherpodcastoutlets).Thefirst episodegoesliveonApril10. Formoreinformation, visit:www.bikesure.co.uk

TRAILS TAKE

Riding‘off-road’mightlookintimidating fromtheoutsidelookingin,butit doesn’thavetobe,particularlywhen you’rebeingshowntheropesby PhoenixTrails.

WORDS: RossMowbray PHOTO: PotskiMedia

Fancyabitoftrailridingbutdon’tknowwhere tostart?Withcentre’sclosetothelegal-lane abundantSalisburyPlains,NorthDowns,West PenninesandPeakDistrict,thegoodfolksat PhoenixTrailshavegotyoucovered.

It’saspin-offoftheever-popularPhoenixMotorcycle Trainingschool,whichhasover20road-focused trainingcentresandhasbuiltupanenviablereputation inover20-oddyearsinthegame.Thetrailthing’sa littlemorerecent,butinthattimethey’vecarvedouta

Ifyou’reridingoff-road,youneed togetcomfortablewithriding whilestooduponthepegs.It’ll helpimproveyourforwardvision andforceyoutofocusbeyond yourfrontwheelandavoidfixing onatarget(andsubsequently hittingit).It’llalsohelpofferbetter control,asthebikecanmove morefreelybeneathyouandsoak upbumpsandlumpsmoreeasily. Ensureyourkneesarestraight(but notlocked)andyourelbowsare outtohelpyouandthebikework inunison.

Youneverknowquitewhatto expectwhenyou’reontherough stuff,soyou’vegottobereadyto reacttochangingconditionsquickly. Basically,youneedtobeready totakesomespeedoffinahurry shouldyouneedto.Youcanfeather theclutchandtakedriveaway instantly,knockyourwaydown thegearsandmakeuseofengine braking,orusethebackbrake.

littlenicheforthemselves,focusingonlegaltrail-riding andpracticalskillsthattransfertotheroad,incontrast totheabundanceofcentresofferingmoreextreme MXandEnduroexperiences.ifyouwanttohoneyour skills,searchoutsometoplanes,andhaveabelting dayridingthroughsomeoftheUK’sbestscenery,these guysarewellworthalook.Wespentadaymeandering aroundonsomeFanticXEF250Trailsjustastone’s throwfromStonehenge,underthewatchfuleyeofthe SalisburyPlainStig.Here’swhatwelearned.

Likeridinganymotorcycle,you needtotryandstayrelaxed.Don’t holdontothebarstootightly, anddon’ttenseupwhenyou approachanobstacle.Focuson beingassmoothandfluidwith yourmovementsaspossible.When ridingstoodup,yourarmsshould berelaxed,withelbowsoutand yourpalmsdown–andyourlegs shouldbestraight,butnotlocked.

byadeeprutwithnowheretogo. Don’tworrythough;justridethe rut,keepingacloseeyeonwhat’s comingupaheadandyou’llnotgo farwrong.Ifyouneedtopaddleto feelcomfortable,that’scool,but you’realwaysgoingtobebetteroff (andingreatercontrol)bystanding uponthepegsandgettingyour weightoverthefrontendofthe bike.

FORGETTHEFRONTBRAKE KNOWTHERULES

Brakingoff-roadisamuchdifferent experiencetoontheTarmac–hard, aggressivebrakingisn’tgoingtoend wellunlessyoureallyknowwhat you’redoingonthedirt.Insteadof usingthefrontbrakeforaround80% ofbraking,youshouldbeusingboth yourengineandthebackbraketo takespeedoff.It’llbestrangetostart with,butwithabitofpracticeyou’ll soongetthehangofit.

STICKTOTHERUTS

Pickingtherightlineisessential whenridinginthedirt,butinsome casesyou’llfindyourselfwalledin

Strictlyspeaking,trailridingisnot ‘off-roading’.Allroutesusedare publichighwayswithvehicular rightsandasaconsequence,both bikeandridermustbefullylegal. Bylaw,motorcyclesareallowedto rideonBywaysOpentoAllTraffic (BOAT)andUnclassifiedCounty Roads(UCR),sobesuretocheck yourlocalOSmapbeforeheading out.It’salsoimportanttoremember thatit’snotaracetrack;keepthe speedsensibleandremember you’resharingthetrailwithother people(cyclists,horse-riders, walkersandmore).Berespectful andyou’llnotgofarwrong.

PHOENIXTRAILS

Therearefourdifferentlevelsoftrainingtochoose fromacrossthefourcentres.Youcanoptfora 2.5-hour‘TasterSession’,which’llseeyoutackling ruts,steps,inclinesanddeclinesinaclosed environment,tobuildasolidfoundationofskills readyforyoutotaketothetrails.

Thebeginner‘Level1’coursecoversallthesame stuffasthe‘TasterSession’,butalsoincludesa chancetohitupthelocalGreenLanessoyoucan practiceallyournewly-acquiredskillsinrealworld conditions.

Theintermediate‘Level2’daytakesthings astepfurther.Inanidealworldyou’llhave completedeithera‘TasterSession’or‘Level1’

course,butthere’sabitofflexibilityifyouarea decentriderandfeelconfidentinyourabilities. It’sbettertobehonestwithyourselfthough,and ifyou’renotsureyou’llbeabletocopewitha fulldayonthetrails,you’dbebetteroffopting foroneofthemorebeginner-focusedsessions. Itinvolvesabriefingtogooverkeyskills,and achancetopracticeonaprivatetrainingarea, beforeyougetthechancetoventureoutforan extendedrideonthelocallanes.

Theextended‘Level3’followsasimilarformat to‘Level2’;startingwithaquickbriefingbefore gettingstraightoutontothelanes.It’salongday onthebike,coveringbigmiles–withfitnessand endurancejustasimportantastechnicalability.

Pricesrangefrom£99forthe‘TasterSession’,up

to£270forafulldayofLevel1,2or3training.For yourcashyou’llalsobeabletoborrowallthekit youneed:helmets,boots,gloves,jackets,trousers, andevenmotocross-stylebodyarmourisavailable. You’rewelcometowearyourownapprovedriding gear,too,thoughyou’llneedtomakesureyou’ve gotsomehigh-legadventure-styleboots(atthevery least).Andlunchisincluded,too.

Ifyoufancysomethingabitmoreintensive, PhoenixalsoworktogetherwithTrailworld.co.uk offeringthree-orfour-daytripstotheAndalusian mountainsinsouthernSpain.Ifyouwanttoknow more,givethemashoutdirect.

■ Formoreinformation,visit: www.phoenixmotorcycletraining.co.uk

BEATENTRACK

TheTarmacoftheIsleofManisn’ttheonlyappealfortwo-wheelers,thereissomuchmore…

Words: DaveManning Photos: GaryChapman

WhiletheIsleofManisknownglobally fortheincrediblespectacleoftheTT Races,ithasalsobeencolloquially referredtoovertheyearsasthe‘Mecca ofmotorcycling’,andthishasn’tjust beenbecauseoftheroadracingthathas beentakingplaceontheroadsofMona’s Islesince1907.Inshort,itisatruly wonderfulplacetorideamotorcycle.

Thereneedbenoexcuseforbookinga ferryovertotheIsland,butifyoureally

needtohaveone,thenthereareplenty tochoosefrom.Andletusaddanother. Evenwhenracingistakingplaceonthe 37.73-mileMountainCircuit,there’sa variedarrayofroadstochoosefrom uponwhichtorideyourmotorcycle,and notallofthemaremetalledsurfaces, asthere’samixedbagoflegaloff-road routesthattakeyoutosomeofthe island’smostbeautifulplaces,withthe ratherconvenientside-effectbeingthat

someofthemendupattrulymindbogglingviewingspotsfortheracing. Wetalkmoreabouttheactualriding ofthetrailsonourvideo(there’saQR codeonthelastpage),buthereweonly reallyhavespacetotalkaboutthebikes thatweusedonourtrip–atriumvirate ofinternally-combustedPiererMobility Grouptwo-wheelers,plusacouple oftheirelectrically-assistedpedalpoweredbrethren.Andwhilethe

threemotorcyclescomefromthree companiesallunderthesameumbrella, theyareaboutasdiverseacollection oftrail-suitablemachinerycanbe.From mild-mannered,tofeisty,anddownright rude,they’reasclosetocoveringthe broadspectrumofoff-roadbikesasis possiblewithsuchasmallnumberof machines,andyeteachisasflexible andforgivingaseachother.Impressive, andeye-opening.Readon…

THEKIT SpadaAscentV3jacketsandtrousers,SpadaRaiderboots, SpadaMXAirgloves,andCabergIntrepid2helmets.

KTM390Adventure

Onthefaceofit,thelittleKatoommightseemto betheleastsuitableofthesethreefortrailriding, whatwithitappearingtobeverymucharoad machinewithadventurebikestyling.Ofcourse, thisisKTM,andwhiletheyhaveaverydistinctive style,thereisalsothe‘Readytorace’ethosofthe brand,whichnighonguaranteesacertainlevel ofcapabilityofalloftheirmachines,regardlessof whereitisthattheyaremade.This,likeallofthe Austrianbrand’ssmallermachines,ismadeinthe FarEast,thankstothecompany’slinkswithBajaj, butdon’tletthatfoolyouintothinkinganylessof thesmaller-capacitymodels.

ThelittleAdventurewasalsofittedwithwhat lookedtobeveryroad-biasedtyres,withthe appropriately-namedMichelinAnakeeAdventure rubberbeingofatreadpatternthatsuggestsroad useonly.Well,preparetobesurprised,asthe390 copedwithallmannerofoff-roadshenanigans, withonlyanelementofmoistureoverwhelming

thetyres,despiteithavinga19-inchfrontwheel ratherthanthemoretraditional21-inchrim associatedwithmorepukkaoff-roadmachinery.

Naturally,withitbeingaKTM,thespechasn’t reallybeenneglecteddespitewhereit’sbuilt, asevidencedbyWPforks(withtherebound adjustableintheright-handforkleg,and compressiondampingintheleft-handleg)and WPshock,whilethebrakingperhapshasalittle downtuneintheformofBybrecalipers.

There’salittlehintatsomefurthercorner-cutting withtheplasticsumpguardwithaluminiumtrim pieceatthefront–whichwouldsurelybebetter offallally?Asitwas,oneoftherockytrailson theislanddidspitupabigslabofslatethat pingedapieceofplasticoffofthebashplate, andwhileitcouldbearguedthattheplasticdid itsjobasneitherthesumpnorcrankcaseswhere marked,itstillbrokewhenanaluminiumpart wouldnothave…

TECHSPEC

KTM390Adventure

Price: £5799

Engine: 373cc,single-cylinder,water-cooling, DOHC,4valves

Power: 44bhp(32kW)

Torque: 27.3lb-ft(37Nm)@7000rpm

Frame: Steeltrellis

Wheelbase: 1430mm

Brakes: (F)320mmdisc,4pistonradialBybre caliper,(R)230mmdisc,singlepistonfloating

Bybrecaliper

Transmission: 6gears,520x-ringchainfinal drive

Suspension: (F)43mmWPAPEXforks,fully adjustable,170mmtravel,(R)WPAPEXshock, adjustablereboundandpreload,177mmtravel

Wheels/Tyres: (F)Spokedwheel,aluminium rim,tubed100/90x19”tyre,(R)Spokedwheel, aluminiumrim,tubed130/80x17”tyre,Michelin

AnakeeAdventuretyresfortest(Continental TKC70asstandard)

Seatheight: 830/855mm

Fuelcapacity: 14.5litres

MPG: 3.37l/100km

Weight: 158kg/173kg(dry/wet)

Warranty: 24months

Serviceintervals: 7,500km/12months

Contact: www.ktm.comwww.ktm.com

Thewater-cooledsingleonly pumpsout44bhp,andthey’re verysoftandfriendlyponies ratherthantheragingstallionsof theHusky,orthetoughandfeisty WelshpitponiesoftheGasGas. SubsequentlytheKTMneeds workinghard,bothontheroad andonthedirt,yetitimpressesin botharenas.

Itcanbuzzalongquitehappily ontheroad,andisutterly fantasticontwistingbacklanes, abletobehurledaboutwith abandon,andcapableofshowing acleanpairofheelstomany supposedly‘faster’roadbikes.

Offroad,itcontinuestosurprise. Thepowerdeliverymaynotbe quiteaspunchyassomewould like–there’snottheinstantlift ofthefrontwheelwithablipof thethrottlethattheGasGasand Husqvarnacangive–sothe throttleneedstobeworkedabit moreurgently,butthisalsoworks initsfavour,gainingtractionwhere youmaynotexpecttheAnakee Adventurerubbertofindit.

Asaneverydaybike,thelittle Adventureisabetterprospect thaneitheroftheothertwo motorcycles–nothavingthe sharpfocusoftheGasGasor thebulkoftheHusqvarna–and ifyou’renotaimingtoberiding trailseachandeveryweek;and needabikethatcancutthe mustardinheavytraffic;sup petroleumonthedailycommute; beloadedupwithluggagefora long-distancetrek;andstillbe upforalittlelightoff-roadaction whenthetimecomes;thenquite franklyIcanthinkofveryfew bikesthatwouldbetterit.

SEAN’SOPINION

Thisbikestoodoutasthe bestvaluemachineinthe groupasitisonly‘afew hundredquid’morethanthe incredibleGasGasGEnduro 3.0andalthoughitdoesn’tdo whattheothersdoaswellas theydo,itdoesdoitallwell enough. Ontheroaditfeltabit breathlessafterhopping offthebigHuskybutthat’s anunfaircomparison, compoundedbythefactthat wewereontheTTcourse,en routetothenexttrail.Once wegotoffthecourseandon tonarrowerroads,thelittle KTMbecameanefficientand comfortablecommutertool. Whatsurprisedmemost, though,wasthatwhenwe gotbackonthetrails,how

nimbleitwas.Asreported, themajorityofManxtrails arequitestoneyand,when dry,theMichelinAnakee Adventuretyreswereeffective enoughtoallowthePunebuiltflyertodoitsthing.Ifyou weretotakeyourAdventure, orDukeforthatmatter,offroadregularly,I’drecommend theAnakeeWildwhichstill feltgreatontheroadbut,as provenontheNorden,were significantlygrippier.The highestpraiseIcouldthrowat thismachinewasthatoff-road itremindedmeofmyoldDRZ 400,whileontheroaditfelt likeyoucouldridestraight toDoverandheadofftothe Continentwithouttheslightest rangeanxiety.Anamazing littlebike.

WHO’SSEAN?

Trulytheembodimentof goodwillandgenerositythat youfindinmanyresiding ontheisland,Seanisan ex-ManxGPcompetitor, fireman,andall-roundgood eggwhoisnotonlybike madlikesomanyofus,but alsohappenstoknowhis wayaroundthetrailson theIsleofMan.Hewasour guideandfacilitatorforour coupleofdays’exploring.

HusqvarnaNorden 901Expedition

Whiletheadventurebikeworldhasgone bonkersincreatingever-larger,ever-heavierand ever-more-powerfulbikesthatarespec’dand promotedasbeingbikescapableofgoingoffroad,weallknowthatthebigger,heavierand morepowerfultheyare,themoreofahandful theybecome,andthegreaterthechanceofyou gettingintotroubleandproperlyhurtingyourself becomes.Sothere’sperhapslittlesurprise inthatvariousmanufacturersaremaking adventurebikesthataren’tquiteascolossalas thebiggestbehemothsbeingmade;thatdon’t makemorepowerthanasportsbikeoftwo decadesago;andthatdon’tcostthesameasa terracedhouseinBolton.

TheNorden901isarelativenewcomerto themarket,anditisoneofthefewthatfillsthe gapof‘bigadventurebikethatisn’tactually toobig’.Althoughwedohavetopointout–incaseyouhadn’talreadynoticed–thatin thisline-upitisconsiderablybiggerthanthe others.TheExpeditionisthelatestupgrade, essentiallyrunningthesamespecastheKTM 890AdventureR,withtheadditionofaGPS mount,heatedgripsandseat,tallerscreen

andsoftpanniers(whiletheseareallavailable asaftermarketpartsfortheNorden,itwould costyoumoretoaddthesetothebasemodel, costing£12,699,thanitwouldtobuythe Expedition),plusupgradedsuspension.

Thepanniersare18litresincapacityeach, sonotmassive,butlargeenoughforacouple ofdays’worthofkit,andalsolargeenoughto causesomeissueswhenoutontheManxtrails, gettingcaughtongorsebushesandheather, andmakingheavyworkofsomeverynarrow, andveryrutted,tracksontotheuplands.Itwas onthesetracksthatthemassivesumpguard–thatisprobablyheavierthantheGasGas’sentire frame–madeitspresenceknown,althoughin anauralcapacity,ratherthancausinganissue withgroundclearance.Beingfollowedbythe NordenwaslikebeingchasedbyaCaribbean steeldrumband…

TECHSPEC

HusqvarnaNorden901 Expedition

Price: £13,599

Engine: 889cc,paralleltwin,water-cooled, DOHC,valves

Power: 103bhp(77kW)@8000rpm

Torque: 73.8lb-ft(100Nm)@6500rpm

Frame: Chromium-molybdenumsteeltrellis

Wheelbase: 1529mm

Brakes: (F)320mmdiscs,twin4pistonradial J.Juancalipers.(R)260mmdisc,single2piston floatingJ.Juancaliper,BoschABS

Transmission: 6gears,520X-ringchainfinal

drive

Suspension: (F)48mmWPEXPLORforks, fullyadjustable,240mmtravel.(R)WPEXPLOR shock,fullyadjustable,240mmtravel

Wheels/Tyres: Tubelessspokedwheel,Michelin AnakeeWildfortest(PirelliScorpionRallySTR tyresasstandard)

Seatheight: 875/895mm

Fuelcapacity: 19litres

MPG: 62.8mpg,4.5l/100km(claimed)

Weight: 214.5kg(withoutfuel),229kg(fuelled)

Warranty: 2years

Serviceintervals: 15,000km

Contact: www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com

Appropriately,giventhe upgradedExpeditionstatus,it alsohasheatedgripsandseat, andquickshifter(whichHusky refertoas‘EasyShift’).And, asamodernadventure bike,there’salsofull connectivitytodeliver navigation,phone callandmusic selection,etc.

Usingtheapp, theTFTscreen displaysthe turn-by-turn navigation, allowingupto 128waypointsvia theapp,ormore ifusingaGPXfile import.Andifyoudon’t knowwhatthatmeans, don’tfret,neitherdoI…

Therearethreeridermodes (which,inmymind,areaboutthe mostthatcouldeverbeneeded) ofStreet,RainandOffroad, althoughthismodeldoeshave theadditionalExplorermode whichallowsyoutotweakallof thefunctionsindependently(i.e. power,anti-wheelie,ABS,traction control…).InOffroad,theABSno longeroperatesontherearwheel, anditsactivationonthefront wheelisreduced.

Thoseridermodeswillbring alevelofcomfort,giventhat thepowerplantisKTM’sfeisty bigparalleltwin,theLC8c,with 889ccofpotentpower,delivering morethanhalfasmuchagainas thetwootherbikescombined.I knowthatyou’llbepointingout thatthisisstillmuchlessthan variousotherbigadventurebikes, butthepowerandweightofthe

Nordenaremadealltooclear whenriddenalongsidetheKTM andGasGas.Thisisofvirtually noconsequencewhenriddenon theroad,withtheHuskybeing anaccomplishedmilemuncher,thanksto boththeroomy cockpitand thepunchy powerplant, with200miles coveredin onehitwith easethanks tothebig tank,and whileitcan’tbe thrownaround inthetwisties withthesamekind ofenthusiasmasthe othertwopetroleum-powered machines,itissurprisinglynimble forsomethingofitsheightand width.

Mentionwasmadeinthe introabouthowtrailridingcan

haveitsconsequences,anda big,powerfulmotorcycleisall toolikelygoingtoincreasethe issueswhensomethinggoesa littlepear-shaped.AfactthatI becamevery,veryawareofwhen ridingtheboardwalkonthetrail headinguptotheEastMountain BoxontheMountain–ifI’d haveslippedoffthewooden boardsandintotheunderlying quagmire,bothmyselfandthe Nordenwouldhavebeenlost forever.Shortlyafter,itwasthe Huskythatbitme–albeitmore ofaplayfullittlelovebiterather thananykindoftigersharkstyle limbremoval…Akickbackfrom therearwheeloveralargerrock, alliedtothefactthatIwassat ratherthanstoodonthepegs thankstothemassofthebig Nordenalreadynigglingalongstandinglowerbackissue,and thatwasmeout,incapableof anyfurtheroff-roadridingand sidelinedtoaslowanddreary walkbacktoTarmac.

SEAN’SOPINION

ThiswasthefirstbikeIrode onthetest,andIhadto christenitDennis. Iwasintroducedtoitand itselaborateelectronicsand explosivepowerdelivery immediatelybeforea torrentialdownpourwhich, asreported,madetheloose stonesatthebeginningof theclimbuptoWindyCorner fivetimesmorechallenging thantheywouldhavebeen ifdry.

However,duetothose electronicsandtheexcellent MichelinAnakeeWilds Ineedn’thavebeenso anxious;thecombinationof appropriatetyresanddigital wizardryinstilledconfidence inthisoldbrainandbody whichgotusupthrough thenadgerynessandtoour

viewingpoint,toberewarded withbreathtakingviewsand oneofthemostdramatic spectatorpointsonthe MountainCourse.

Foramotorcyclewhich wouldeffortlesslycarrytwo fulladultsandtheirluggage manyhundredsofmilesand isjustasquick,realworld, onfastroadsasoneshould sanelyrideanysportsbike,it isanincrediblycapabledirt bike.

IfIhadonecriticism,it’s onlythiscapablewhen youputthephysical effortintoproducethese aforementionedfeats,and ifyoudidgetitwrongthe potentialforinjuryisprobably greaterduetoitssizeand weight,nottomentionthe financialimpact.

GasGasEC250F

Leavingthesmallestmotorcycletilllastis intentional.Itonlytakesonelookforyouto knowthattheGasGasistheoneofthetrio thatisbuiltwithpureoff-roadintensions.Itis, essentially,anendurobikewithonlytheverybare minimumofnicetiestomakeitroadlegal.Itis pareddowntothebone,ineverysense,withno pillionprovisions;noancillarycomponentstoaid navigation;norideraids;noselectablemodes; etc.Hell,ithasn’tevengotakey–justslingaleg over,pressthebuttonandgo…

Andyet,despitetheveryclearfocusforthe GasGas,itdoesn’tactuallyseemcompromised inanyway.I’veverylittleexperienceinridingtrue off-roaders,buttheECfelteveryinchanormal motorcycle.Okay,soit’squitetall,buttheseat (andeverythingelse)isskinny,anditweighstwo partsofsodall,soit’saboutaseasytomove aroundasapushbike,andthreadsthrough trafficbetterthanjustaboutanythingelseI’ve everridden.Whowouldhavethoughtthata bikethathasoff-roadasitsmainprioritywould

actuallymaketheperfectcommuter?Butthen,if youdidwanttotaketheGasGasintotown,you’d bewantingtotakeabiglockandchainwithyou aswell.Thisisnotamodelwithmuchintheway ofsecurityfeatures–thereisnoremoteignition orsteeringlock.Thereisnotevenakey!

I’dexpectedthatanendurobikewouldhave hadacertainelementofattitude–eithera snatchypowerdelivery,oranarrowpowerband, orasnatchyclutch.Butno,theGasGashas mildmannerspersonified.Thevirtuallyvibe-free powerplantusesamulti-functionalbalanceshaft which,asidefromquellingtheshiversandshakes fromthelargermovingparts(crank,conrodand piston)alsodrivesthecamchainandwaterpump. Despitethefactthattheengineisamere 250ccincapacity,ithasrealpunch.Nexttono requirementtosliptheclutch,justgetrolling andthelittleGasserrips.Ofcourse,thisbeinga pukkaoff-roadfocusedmachine,itwillbegeared reallylow,andwillbetotallyoutofpuffbefore youevengetoutofanyspeedlimits,right?

TECHSPEC

GasGasEC250F

Price: £9549

Engine: 249.9cc,single-cylinder,water-cooled, DOHC,4valves

Power: 39.3bhp(29.3kW)@13,300rpm

Torque: 18.8lb-ft(25.5Nm)@9200rpm

Frame: CrMO4steeltubulardoublecradle frame,aluminiumsubframe

Wheelbase: 1489mm

Brakes: (F)260mmdisc,Brakteccaliper,(R) 220mmdisc,Brakteccaliper

Transmission: 6gears,520X-ringchainfinal drive

Suspension: (F)48mmWPEXPLORforks,fully adjustable,300mmtravel(R)WPEXACTshock, fullyadjustable,300mmtravel

Wheels/Tyres: CNC-machinedaluminiumhubs, Excelrims,(F)1.60x21”,90/90x21”tyre(R) 2.15x18”,140/80x18”tyre,MichelinTracker tyresfortest(MaxxisMaxxEnduro,factoryfitted)

Seatheight: 956mm

Fuelcapacity: 9litres

Weight: 109.5kg(withoutfuel)

Serviceintervals: 15hours

Contact: www.gasgas.com

Er,actually,no.It’llkeepon motoringrightuptothenational speedlimitandbeyondif necessary,andevenwhensatat above60mphontheKirkMicheal toPeelcoastroad,itfeltperfectly happyandnotatallstrained.

Andoff-road?Perfect.I needednomorepower, andatnopointwas Ihavingtofeather theclutchtokeep rolling–just treacly-smooth powerthatfound gripinallthe conditionswe encountered.

Naturally,there isaflipsideto this,andthatis thatservicingisa majorconsideration, itrequiringattentionfor every15hoursofridetime.This isfineifyourattentionispurelyon thedirt,butifyoudidhappento enjoyitsabilitiesasacommuter bike,you’dprobablygetalittle boredofhavingtoserviceitmore thanonceamonth…

lowerframerailsthatsitlower thanthecrankcasesmeanit doesn’treallyneedone.The pared-backbuildmightsuggest thatit’sflimsyorbrittle,butthis bikeismadetoberiddenatthe scenery(ratherthannegotiated overit)soit’stough.As anexample,therear mudguardisn’tjust aplastic’guard boltedontop ofatubular subframe, buthas plasticcovers beneaththe aluminium subframethat attachtothe mudguard,both strengthening itandmakingita morecomfortableand sturdierwayofgrabbing holdoftherearofthebikeifyou getstuck(orwhenyouwantto haulitaroundthegarageorinthe backofavan).

Perhapstheonlyhintofany cost-cutting(althoughitcouldjust

Clearly,theMichelinTracker tyresareafarmoreaggressive treadpatternthanthetwo differentversionsoftheAnakee ontheHuskyandKTM,and gainedgripinplacesthatthe Anakeescouldn’t,althoughon themostlydrytrailsoftheIsle ofMan,itwasonlyafterasharp downpourthattheTrackersreally cameintotheirownandallowed theGasGastofindgripandclear off,whiletheAnakee-wearing KTMandHuskywerestruggling togainenoughtractiontomove awayfromastandingstart.

Surprisinglythere’snosump guard,buttheskinnyengine, colossalgroundclearanceand

beanefforttoensurethelowest possiblemass),isthequalityof theswitchgear.Theheadlightdip/ main,hornandkillswitcharein thetinyclusterontheleft,and aren’tespeciallyeasytouse(at nopointdidImanagetogetthe horntoworkifIwaswearing gloves),withastartbuttononthe right-handsidebeingthesame asakillswitchonamotocross bike,thatearthsoutontothe handlebar.Myinitialconcernwas thatthiscouldbeproblematicin therain,orifitgotadrowningin awatercrossing,althoughthis isperhapsalittleoverdramatica statementgiventhatwehadno issueswhatsoever.

For‘just’a250ccsingle,the pricetagof£9500mayseema littlehigh.So,whiletheGasGas isthelightest,smallestand skinniest,itseemsthatyou’re payingmoretogetless.In reality,whatyou’repayingforisa sharperfocus,andtobuyabike thatismorecapableofdelivering inanoff-roadenvironment. Butit’sstillanabsolutehootin traffic…

SEAN’SOPINION

Iconsidermyselftobereally fortunatethatsinceIfirst learnttorideonmymate Steve’sdairyfarmattheage of14onhisdecrepit,but immortal,C90Ihaveridden stacksandstacksofbikes, on-andoff-roadandonmost UKracetracks.

Nothing,however,hasever feltimmediatelylikethe familiarpairofslippersthat thispeachdid.WhenIfinally gotmyturnitwastotake overfromRosswhowas rescuingDaveafterhisback injurykickedin.

Wewerehalfwayupavery roughandslipperyclimbthat I’djustwrestledtheKTMup usingupallmylimitedskills andenthusiasm.WhenIdid thesametrackontheGasser itwasasifI’dbeenplugged intotheMatrix.

WhenIgottothetopand parkeditalongsidethetwo

ADVsIfeltasthoughI’dhad adayoff,insteadofbeingout ofbreathliketheothers. Therestofthedaywas asublimeexperienceof watchingmyselffromthe outside.Ievenpickedupa coupleoflittletricksthatI’d neverdoneonmyownancient YamWR250Faftereightyears ofownershipbecauseofthe confidencethisremarkable machineinspires.I’llgoasfar astosaythatifmoneywasno objectI’devenrecommend thisbiketobeginnersasit issouser-friendly.Thereis, however,abigbut… Thisbikeonlymakessense ontrailseitheraccessiblefrom yourfrontdooror,formost readingthis,athree-hourvan rideaway.Greatifyoucan afforditaswellasaroadbike butitdoesn’tdoitalllikethe othertwodo.Thenagain,no oneeveraskeditto…

CONCLUSION

Anyoneofthetwo-wheelersthat wehadontestwouldprovideyou withsomeexcellentridingandallow youtoexplorethelesswell-known areasoftheIsleofMan.

Theonethingthatwealltook awayfromourtripwasn’twhich bikewasthebest,whichwasthe fastest,orwhichtookyoutoplaces thattheotherscouldn’taccess(the pushbikescouldgoonmoretrails). Itwashowwonderfulaplacethe islandisforanyone,atanytime. Anditsoonbecameclearthatthere isalotofspaceforsuchasmall island(about30mileslong,12

mileswide),andalotofgreenlanes andtrailstoexploreaswell. Whileweonlyrodeonthree trails–asthevideoexplains–they showednotonlyhoweasilyyoucan accesssomeofthemoreremote partsoftheTTcoursewhileracing isinprogress(theclimbfrom thebackoftheCregup toWindyCornerwasour first,andanepiceyeopener!),butalsohow youcanexperienceparts ofthecountrysidethat noroadbikewillever takeyouto.

Feelinginspired?If youwanttogetyour handson(andeyes across)morecracking contentlikethis,that’ll geeyouuptoget outonthebikeand exploresomeofthe finestbikingbrilliance inthewiderworld, scanthecodeand bagyourselfacopyof theever-brilliantMSL magazine.

Seethe

Themid-sizedsportsbikesectorhas neverfelthotter,butdoyougoallout forabigcapacitytwinorputyour moneywhereyourrevsarewithan absolutescreamerofabike?

WORDS: TimNeave/GaryChapman

RIVALS

YAMAHAYZF-R7

Adaptordie.It’sanadagethat’sneverbeen truerformotorcyclemanufacturersthanitis rightnow,promptingaloadofbigdecisions whenitcomestonewmodelproduction. Ifyouwentbackadecadeortwo,there seemedsomethingofasteadfastformulafor sportsbikeowners,whotypicallykickedthings offwithalearner-legal125beforestepping ontoa400,thena600,andmaybeeven visitedthe750sectorbeforehoppingonto alitrebike.Itmadesense,ithelpedpeople progress,anditseemedsettostaythatway forever–buttimehasshownusthat’snot thecase.Gonearethe750s,mostofthe 600s,andeventheresurgent400sector hashadabatteringinrecentyears.Butwith theaforementionedabsentees,we’vealso witnessednewofferingshittingthemarket.

Themostsuccessfulsceneofallhastobethe 700cc(ish)paralleltwinmarket.Everybrand andtheirdoghavewheeledoneout,orsoit seems,oftenboastingnakedandsportsbike packages–suchastheR7inthisfeature–thatburstintoshowroomsbackin2022,and hasbeendoingwelleversince.

Kawasaki’sNinja650/Z650modelsarealso hugehitters,withmanyaLightweightTTwin totheirname…whichmakesKawasaki’smost recentdecisiontorevivea400ccinline-four screamertothemarketallthemorebrilliant. Quitesimply,itdidn’tneedto,asitalready hadmachinesthatcoveredthecapacity/ outputprettytastily.Sowhybother?Probably it’sdowntothedemandsoftheemerging globalmarketsthatoftenhavelittleinterest inlitrebikesbuthaveanunparalleledcraving

forthesmallerstuff.ForKawasaki,theNinja 400makesperfectsense,anditdoesforus, too,addingamuch-neededsteppingstonefor ridersastheyascendthroughthesizes. Interestingly,unliketheR7,there’snotan A2eligibleoption,despitethekeysimilarities andthefactthatthetwobikeshaveproven differentwaystogoaboutnailingthesame equation,withbothitandtheYammymaking roughly75bhp,weighinginalittleunder190 kilos,andbothcostingjustshyof£9k.While I’mononewithmysayings,itseemsaptto throwanotheroneintotheequation…there’s morethanonewaytoskinacat–or,inthis case,there’smorethanonewaytomakea racymiddleweight.Thequestionis,whichis best?Morecylinders/revsormorecapacity? Therewasonlyonewaytofindout…

KAWASAKIZX-4RR

Ifyou’repartialtoagoodold-fashionedscreamerwhichthrivesrightatthetop ofitsrevrange,butyouwantafewmodcons,too,Kawasaki’snewlearner legalsportbikecouldbejustwhatyou'reafter.

TECHSPEC

KawasakiZX-4RR

ENGINE

Type: 399cc,liquid-cooled,inline-fourcylinder

Borexstroke: 57mmx39.1mm

Fuelling: EFI

Claimedpower: 75.9bhp@14,500rpm

Claimedtorque: 29Nm@13,000rpm

CHASSIS

Frame: Steel,trellistype

Frontsuspension: 37mmUSBforks,preload

adjustable.

Rearsuspension: Monoshockwithfull adjustability.

Frontbrakes: Twinradial,four-potcaliperson

290mmdiscs

Rearbrake: Single-pistoncaliper,220mmdisc

ELECTRONICS

Ridingmodes: Yes

Tractioncontrol: Yes

ABS: Yes

Quickshifter: Yes

Autoblipper: No

Wheeliecontrol: Yes

Launchcontrol: No

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 1380mm

Seatheight: 800mm

Wetweight: 189kg

Fuelcapacity: 15litres

INFO Price: £8699

From: www.kawasaki.co.uk

Theall-newKawasakiZX-4RRisanallsinging,all-dancing400ccfour-cylinder screamerthatissettoturnheadsand heartswithitsNinjaracestylingand impressiveperformance.

Ifyou’rewantingamodern-day performancesportsbikewithallthe ‘goodies’butdon’thaveyourbigbike ticket,orifyou’reendlesslydebating which1990s400tobuytogoandwin the400ccClubmanCup,thenjust holdyourhorses.Thislittlegemiswell worthalookandmightjustpersuade youtopartwayswiththatchunkof cashstashedunderyourbed.

So,topaintthepicture,four-cylinder 400shaven’treallybeenathingsince thelate1980sandearly1990swhen theycameburstingontothescene followingtheextralicensing,tax,and costimplicationsthattheJapanese forcedontothe‘big’bikeridersover there.Theserestrictionshammeredthe Japanesebigbikemarket,andsothe small,yetfeisty,400swereborn.

WhentheymadeitovertotheUK, theysoldlikehotcakesandsoon becametheentry-levelsportsbike forthenewgeneration.But,aswith anything,markettrendschanged andthesewhippersnapperssoon fizzledoutwiththeadvancementof technology,cost-effectivenessandthe demandforlargerdisplacementbikes intheUKandEurope.TheZX-6Rand ZX-10Rhavecertainlyclaimedthe limelightforthelastthreedecades,but sureenough,timesarechangingagain, andthissmall-capacitybikeiscreeping intostealthestagefromitsbigger borebrethren.

Builtforspeedandperformance, thislittleNinjaboastsasleekand aggressivedesignwithKTRpaintthat notonlylooksthemut’snuts,but alsofeaturesaerodynamicsthathave beentriedandtestedformaximum efficiency.Thebikeisequippedwith ahigh-revving399ccinline-fourcylinderenginewhichmakes80hpat 15,000rpm;thechassisislightweight andrigid;andit’sequippedwithfully adjustableShowasuspension.The brakesaremorethanadequate:twin 290mmdiscswithradialcalipersanda single220mmdiscontheback.TheZX4RRalsofeaturesadvancedelectronics, includingafancy4.3incolourdash, tractioncontrol,multipleridingmodes, andaquickshifterforseamlessgear shifts.Oh,andyoucanalsoconnectit toyoursmartphoneviatheRadiology app.Thisbikeweighsinat188kgwhen itsreadytoride,withabrimmed 15-litrefueltank,andthestartingprice is£8699,whichisn’tshabbyatall.

AfterabreakinthetypicalBritish weather,wefinallygotsomesunshine againanditwastimetowheelthis greenbeautyoutontotheLincolnshire roadsforagoodandproperthrashing, butbeforeIdelveintotheriding,I wanttotalkaboutitslooks.Kawasaki hasabsolutelynailedit,ifyouaskme. Itlooksmeanandtheperfectsmaller siblingtotheZX-6RandZX-10R.The KTRracepaintandangularfront fairingmakeitquiteclearthatthisbike meansbusiness,andthequalityfinish acrosstheentiremachineisclass(I’ve oftenthoughtthatsomemembersof theKawasakirangehaveacheaplook aboutthem,butnotwiththisone).

Theridingpositionisrightupthere, too.WhenIfirsthoppedonit,itwasa sweetsurprise;spacious,comfortable, andeverythingjustintherightplace. IntypicalKawasakifashion,yousit

rightinthisbike,ratherthanontop ofit,whichalwaysgivesthefeelingof connectiontothemachine.Thehigh handlebarsandlowfootpegsarea welcometouchtothesmallbike,and thelowsaddleheightwasjustthejob forashortarselikeme.Ifyou’rea bigoldboylikeJohnnyMac,then youmightbeintrouble.Thatsaid, ifyouarelongintheleg,thenyou probablywouldn’tbelookingat smallerbikeslikethisanyway.The bikeisnarrowbetweenyourlegs, anddespitetheminiaturescreen, whichgivesnearenoughnowind protection,itsoonbecameapparen thatwindprotectionwasn’texactly a necessitywiththisroadbikeanyway.

t

Iwasn’tdisappointedwhenIfired itup,either.Itsoundedjustlikea miniature600,asexpected–raspyand revvy,withsomepoke.WhenIgotit outontheopenroadandstretchedthe cables,Iwasquitedisheartenedathow flatitfelt.Ican’tlie:Iwasexpecting moretorquefromthisfour-cylinder motorbutitjustdidn’tdeliveronmy initialhopes...buuuuttthatwasonly myinitialfeelingandrestassured, whenIgotitintherightgear,wound itup,andgotthegirlsinging,thisbike didhavesomerealpaceinit,andifI’m beinghonest,that’swhatmakesitso funtoride–becauseyou’veactually gottoworkatitandridethebikehowit needstoberidden.Youcan’tgetaway withthelazystyleofridinglikeyoucan withthebig1000ccweaponsthat’lljust chugthroughinanyoldgear.Thislittle Ninjarevstoawhopping16,000rpm andmakesitspeak80hpat15,000rpm, sothereisonlyonewaytoridethis Kwacker…andthat’sflat-out.

Thefactthatit’ssoflatatthebottom andtakessomewindingupactually gavemeasenseofcontrolandleftme feelingincommand.Whenyou’rein thecorner,youcanactuallywhack thegasopenandnotworryaboutit spittingyouofforrunningyouwide, andsinceyouhavetimetocompute what’sgoingon,itmakesarefreshing changefromridingthemind-boggling litrebikes,especiallyonthescenic Lincolnshireroads.

Somebikesjustfeelrightandhave thatbeautifulconnectiontothe Tarmac,andI’mpleasedtosaythat fromthefirstcornerItookwiththeZX4RR,Iknewthiswasoneofthem.It’s hardtoputyourfingeronwhichexact componentgivesyouthatfeelingwith abike,butagood-handlingchassisis obviouslyone.Onceyoustartpeeling intothecornerwiththisone,itjust keepssteeringwithminimaleffort. Thebikewasplanted,andIhadagood feelingforthegriplevelsoftheroad andwhatwasgoingonunderneathme. Itfeltnimble,andwithlittleeffortfrom mybodypositionwouldgowhereverI looked.Agileandstableontheedgeof thetyre,thiscouldwellbetheultimate knee-downtoyforanybackroadrider.

TheShowasuspensionwassoftand plush,butnottoosoftasIinitially thoughtwhenIrockedaroundonit beforetheride,anditfeltgreatwhenI gotitoutontheopenroad.

Thebrakesaremorethanadequate; powerfulandprogressiveandwithan adjustablelevertofitanyhand...Ihave zerocomplaints.Ican’tnotmention theturningcircleeither.Finally!Abike thatactuallyturnsreallytightinfull lockanddoesn’tsmashyourhands intothefairingorclockbracket.Iknow thismayseemunimportanttomany,

aroundsinthemiddleoftheroadona shoot,itisanabsolutegodsend. IfIhadtopinpointexactlywhat makesthisbikereallyspecial,inmy opinion,though,itwouldbethe tech–it’sloadedwithgoodies.We’ve gottractioncontrolandridermode maps(fourofthemintotal:rain,road, sportandrider).Asyoumovethrough themodes,thetorquelevelgets progressivelystrongerandthebike revsincreasinglyharder.Rainmode feltoverkill,ifyouaskme;thebikefelt ridiculouslynumbeddownandreally didn’tdomuchabove10,000rpm. Theroadandsportmodeswerea goodstepforwardfromrain,butI’dbe lyingifIsaidIcouldtellthedifference betweenthetwo;itwasridermode thatreallybroughtthislittleweapon tolife.Inthismode,youareableto customisetherideraids.Thereare threelevelsoftractioncontrol(one, twoandoff)soIobviouslyselected ‘off’forskidsandwheelies,andthere’s achoiceoftwopowermodes,low orhigh.Selectinghighdrastically transformedtheperformanceand finallyallowedittorevouttoitsfull potentialat16,000rpm.Thecolour dashincludesatrackmodethatadds laptimes,gearposition,andaneasyto-readrevcounterwhenyourrpm risesabove10,000.Thequickshifter andblipperisamegaperktothis littlemachineandmakestheriding experienceevenmoreenthralling. You’dhavetorideonetoknowwhat Imean,butscreamingthislittlefourcylinderwithablipupanddownthe gearboxnevergetsold...ittrulyisthe cherryonthetop.

Itmightnotbethefastestthingonthe market,norisittryingtobe,butwhatI cantellyouisthatthislittlebeautyticks alotofboxes.It’sapropertoyandwill reallyputasmileonyourfaceifyou’ve gotsomeexciting,twistyroadstohave athrashon.Icouldn’twheelieitif mylifedependedonitbecausethere iszerotorque,andyes,itmighttake forevertorevthisgirlout,butwhen yougetitintherightgearandsinging, thismotorreallydoescomealiveandis packedwithcharacter.

IfIhadtosumupthisbikeinfour words,theywouldbesmooth,soft, forgivingandplush.Thesewordscame tomewhileIwasridingbacktothe officewithamassivesmileonmyface. Yes,it’sasflatasafart,butman,itisso muchfuntoride!Twistingthethrottle hardandusingallofthegearsproperly isarealpleasure.

Itmightnotbethefastestthingonthe road,butwhocares!It’saperformance bikeinitsownright,loadedwith goodiesandwithanaggressivesports bikeimage.It’sathumbs-upfromme.

YAMAHAYZF-R7

WhileridersofacertainvintagemightwinceatthethoughtofafairedMT-07 bearingtheiconicR7name,there’sdefinitelyplentytolikeabouttheagile, accessibleandaffordableyoungupstart.

TECHSPEC

YamahaYZF-R7

Engine:

Type: 689cc,liquid-cooled,twin-cylinder

Borexstroke: 80mmx68.6mm

Fuelling: EFI

Claimedpower: 72.4bhp@8750rpm

Claimedtorque: 67Nm@6500rpm

Chassis:

Frame: Diamondaluminium

Frontsuspension: 43mmUpsideDownForks

Rearsuspension: Monoshockwithpreload

Frontbrakes: Four-potcalipers,298mmdiscs

Rearbrake: Singlecaliper,245mmdisc

Electronics.

Ridingmodes: No

Tractioncontrol: No

ABS: No

Quickshifter: No

Autoblipper: No

Wheeliecontrol: No

Launchcontrol: No

Dimensions:

Wheelbase: 1395mm

Seatheight: 835mm

Wetweight: 188kg

Fuelcapacity: 13litres

Info:

Price: £8910

From: www.yamaha-motor.eu

Thiswasnotmyfirstrodeoonthe Yammy,havingfirsttestedonein April,beforetryingtheGYTRversion ontrack,too.YoucouldsayIknew whatIwasinforduringthisshoot-out. It’sacrackingmachine,especiallyso inthestylingdepartment.Imean, what’snottolikeaboutthelookofthis racylittlenumber?Itsdesignheavily mirrorsthatoftheoldersisterR6and, atcertainangles,theR1,andthat’sthe bigdrawforme.Yamahahasalways nailedthelookofitssportsbikesand theR7isnodifferent.Yes,Iknowit’sa twin-cylinder689ccsewingmachine comparedtothebigbikes,butin middleweighttermsit’sarealthumper withashed-loadoftorque.Itmakes 71bhpattherearwheelandisatthe forefrontofthissectoroftheroadridingmarket,makingittheperfect additiontoYamaha’sline-up.When Ithinkofmiddleweighttwinssuch asSuzuki’sSVorKawasaki’sZ650,I can’thelpbutthinkshoppingbike, butYamahahasreallypushedtheboat outwiththestylingofthismachine andthereisnowaythisbikeisgetting tarnishedwiththesamebrush.

Asyoucanexpect,thesportyimage translatesintoaracyridingposition, withlow,swept-backhandlebars andhighfootpegsthatareprefectfor tuckinginandmaximumaerodynamic effect;brilliantifyou’rethrashing aroundaracetrack,butfortheroad riderthatdoesn’tnecessarilymake foracomfortableride.Whenitcomes toridingbikesontheroad,I’mall aboutthecomfortandI’llsavethe racypositionforthetrackanyday,but theR7issettosolidifyitslookswith aheaddown/arseupridingposition. Itisn’troomybyanymeans,andthe ‘bar-topegdistancewouldn’tworkfor anybodymuchtallerthanme(5ft8in), inmyoption,leastofallJohnnyMac, butyou’vegottaremember,thetarget audienceofthisbikeismorethanlikely youngerfolkwhohavejustpassedtheir test.Thatsaid,Ididfindthesaddle heightatouchonthetallerside,which isstrangeconsideringwhatthisbikeis.

Onthescales,thisbeautycomesin at188kgwetthrough,buttoputthat intoperspective,it’sonlyfourkilos lighterthanthefour-cylinderR6–a comparisonthatdoesn’tlooktoogood onpaper.Thiswouldbethankstothe whoppinggreatcatexhaustsystem

neededtomeetEuro5regulations andthesolidsteeldiamondchassis holdingeverythingtogether...it’sno featherweight.

Thatsaid,itstilltalksthetalk withitsspicyimage,butcanit walkthewalkwhenitcomesto performance?

The689ccinline-twinenginepacks someseriouspunch,withabout 50lb-ftat6500rpmandamaximum outputofabout72hp,whichmakes itnotjustgreatfortheroad,butalso agreatbasepointforanytwincylinderracer.Thepowerdelivery issmoothandresponsive,butas withtheZX-4RR,gearselectionis keyifyouwanttogetthemostfrom thispackage.Istartedona650cc twin-cylinder(minitwin)racerback intheday,andridingthisbikeechoed memoriesoftheyesteryear,whichI reallydidenjoy–andIdohonestlyfeel thatlearningtorideonbikeslikethese canonlymakeyouabetterriderwhen youmoveupandarespoiltwithmore horsepower.UnlikethelittleKawasaki, youcan’tjustwhackthethrottleopen carelesslyinthemiddleofthecorner; thisbikehascloutinthetorque department,somakesurethrottle finesseisonyourCV.

The tall ‘on top of the bike’ riding

This22platebikehadanoptional single-directionquickshifter,which worksgoingupthegears.Ifoundit worksgreatathighspeeds,butatthe lowerendoftherevrangeIfeltthatit mightbehealthiertousetheclutchto changeupastheshiftseemednotchy andunrefined.Asforthedownshifts,a quickblipofthethrottleorpullofthe clutchwaslightwork,andtheassistand slipclutchtackledthejobwithease. I’mahugefanofanautoblipwhen bangingitdownthegears,andnothing quitebringstheboyraceroutinyoulike aflame-spittingbackshift–itgetsme everytime.Whilewe’reonthetopicof slowingdown,IfeelIshouldmention thefrontbrakes,whicharen’tsetto breakanystoppingrecordsanytime soon.Yamahamightarguethatits morethangoodenoughforthejobona middleweightmachine,anditwouldn’t bewrong,butIpersonallywouldn’tbe opposedtoamorepowerfulsetup.After all,itisrunningfour-potcalipersand twin298mmdiscs,soI’mreallynotsure whyit’snotasstrongasothermachines withasimilarbrakingsetup.

Thetall, ‘ontopofthebike’riding positionmademefeelsomewhat distancedfromtheTarmacwhenI firststartedslingingitintocorners (I’malwaysquickertogetcomfortable onlowerbikes),butafterashort periodIsoonhaditonmykneewith adecentunderstandingofwhatwas goingonbeneathme.Thebikeisslim betweenthelegsanddespitenot beingafeatherweightonpaper,itfeels impressivelylightinthechangeof direction,anditwaseasytoride,just asweshouldexpectfromamachine carryingtheRnametag.

WhenIrodethislittleweaponat thestartoftheyear,weendedupat thekarttrack,anditreallycameinto itsown.Theracyridingpositionand somewhatunnervinglyfirmfront suspensionthatI’dmoanedaboutout ontheopencountryroadsfinallygave methefeelingsIhadcraved–and whatadifferenceasmoothpieceof Tarmacmade.Thenarrowchassisand race-styleclip-onhandlebarswerethe perfectcomboforsomeknee-down actionandapexsmashing. Itinstantlymademuchmoresense ontheracetrackthanithadonthe roads,butthatsaid,itmakesagreat roadbikeifyou’recarvingthrough twistyroads.Whenyoustartriding thisbikehowitneedstoberidden –usingthegearsandrevrangeto maximiseitspotential–theR7never failstodeliveronthesmilefactor.If you’recravingthatracebikeimagebut don’twanttheexpenseoraggression oftheR6orR1,thenYamaha’sR7is definitelyforyou.

So,whichbikeisbest?That’sagood question–andtheanswerisprobably downtoyourpreferences.It’sfairtosay thattheYamahaisaneasierbiketoblast aroundonbecauseit’sgotapunchier motor,whereasyouhavetoplaythe gamewiththeKwackertogettheengine screaming.Butiseasyalwaysthebest option?Beinghonest,revvingthenutsoff theZX-4RRwassomuchfunandgave awhollydifferentsenseofsatisfaction. Howoftendoyougetthechancetobe bossofabikethesedays?Thatmotor isanythingbuteasytogofastwith, butwhenthe400’sonthepipe,it’sso satisfying.

Performance-wise,Idon’tthinkthere’s muchinit,buttheYammyseemsthatbit quickerandeasiertogetuptospeed. Fromanaestheticpointofview,the ZX-4RRfeelsmorefinished.Kawasaki hasdoneamegajobofgivingthislittle bikebigbikestylingcues.Thetechon itisbetter,too.Youcouldsaythere’sa fewbitsonitthatyoudon’tneed,butit’s oftenbettertohavemorethanless,so that’snotacomplaint.

Anotherthingthat’sworthfactoringin whendecidingonwhichbikeisrightfor youistheridingposition.Theergonomics arereallydifferent,withtheKawasaki beingasit-inkindofbike,whilethe

Yammyverymuchplonksyouontopin amuchsportier,moreaggressivestance. Theseatistaller,andtheweightonyour armsisgreater,too,sokeepthatinmind ifyou’vegotlongridesplanned.Athigh speeds,it’snotsuchanissue,butthe sloweryougo,themoreyoufeelit.The ZX-4RR,ontheotherhand,givesyoualldaycomfort...well,asmuchasyoucan hopeforonasmallsportsbike.

Theybothhandlenicely,sothere’sno discrepancyinthatrespect.Audibly, theyofferverydifferentexperiences.

IabsolutelylovedtheKawasakiwhen itwasonthepipe,buttheR7sounds betteratlowerrevs,withamuchdeeper, throatierbark,likeyoutendtogeton twins.

Youcouldplaythisgameallday, splittinghairs,butultimately,theyare bothcrackingA2options,botheasier toride,andeachwithgreatlooksand character.It’scrazytothinkhowdifferent thesetwobikesare,yettheendresultin termsofspeedandoutputissosimilar.

WhichwouldIhave?That’snotaneasy questiontoanswer.Forpurelaughs,I’d gofortheKawasaki,butifIwerelooking atabitmoretrackaction,I’dbeswayed towardstheslightlymorefocused Yamaha.Whenall’ssaidanddone,there isnoloserhere.

Ifsportbikesareyour bag,theladsatFast Bikeshavegotyou covered.Everysingle issue,there’saloadof coolcontent;including properin-depthreviews fromsomeofthe quickestbikesinthe land.It’snotallsports stuffthough,ifitcanbe riddenhard,it'llgeta lookin.Scanthecode, orderyourselfacopy, andseewhatallthe fussisabout.

PhillipMCCallen

Buckleup forthebigone!

TheInternationalClassicMotorcycleShowsponsoredbyCaroleNashreturnstoStaffordwithabang.

Holdontoyour handlebars,folks!

TheStaffordClassic BikeShowisback andbetterthanever.

Starguest GuyMartin willtake centrestageonSundayofthe two-dayevent,soyou’llhave thethrillingopportunitytoget up,closeandpersonaland hearhisfascinatingstories fromthetrackandbeyond.And celebratedIsleofManTTicon PhillipMcCallen willbeonthe groundonSaturday,too,to sharetalesfromhisnumerous winsandraces.WithGuyand Phillipinthespotlight,it'sa

once-in-a-lifetimeopportunityto connectwithyourracingheroes andmakememoriesthatwill lastforever.

Preparetobetransported throughtimeasyouexplore thenumerousmotorcycleson display.Immerseyourselfinthe meticulouslyrestoredbikes, eachonelovinglypreservedto tellastoryofitsown.

Whetheryou'readmiringthe iconicmodelsofyesteryearor marvellingatraregemsbrought backtolife,theprivateentries offeraglimpseintotheheart andsoulofthemotorcycle community.

Thereareclubsstands, too;alivingtestamentto theenduringpassionofthe motorcyclingcommunity.With membersonhandtosharetheir knowledgeandexperience,it's anopportunitytoconnectwith like-mindedenthusiastsand celebratethetimelessallureof classicbikes.

Gearupforashopping experiencelikenoother,with tradersandautojumblersfrom farandwideconvergingtooffer atreasuretroveofmotorcycle delights.Fromrarepartsto vintageaccessories,you'llfind everythingyouneedtofuel

yourpassionforclassicbikes. Exploreaisleafteraisleofstalls, eachonebrimmingwithunique findsandhiddengemswaitingto bediscovered.

Whetheryou'reonthehunt forthatelusivesparepart orseekingtoaddatouchof nostalgiatoyourride,the tradersatStaffordhaveyou covered.Withfriendlyfacesand expertadviceateveryturn,it's ashoppingexperienceyouwon't soonforget.

That’snotall.Youcan experiencethespine-tingling thrillofpowerfulmotorcycles roaringtolifeintheGPPaddock

–anddon'tmissyourchance tobidonsomeoftheworld's mostcovetedbikesattheworldfamousBonhamsauction.With livemusicandabuzzingbar scene,theStaffordBikeShowis theperfectrecipeforaweekend ofclassicbikebliss.

We’vegotjustweekstogo sosecureyourspotatthe show withadvancedtickets pricedat£16 –savingyou£4 offthegateprice.Visit www. classicbikeshows.com/stafford togetyourticketstoday.

Don'tmissyourchancetobe partoftheactionatTHEBIG ONE–seeyouthere!

The ultimate destinationfor classicbike lovers…

WelcometoTheInternationalClassic MotorCycleShowsponsoredbyCarole Nash,oneofthetrueinstitutions oftheseason,aneventwhichwe alllookforwardtoforitsfabulous arrayofmotorcycles,plusthemixtureofrenewing oldacquaintances,makingnewones,buyingand selling,lookingandcommenting,generallyjust savouringthesights,soundsandevensmells (CastrolRinthefire-uparea;premixinthetrials,et al)of‘Stafford’.

FromitsbeginningatBelleVuein1980,nowan incredible44yearsago,theshowhascontinuedto growandevolve,allthewhilemaintainingitscore,

whatmakesitspecial–thatbeingtheunbridled enthusiasmandsharedpassionofthevastmajority ofthosepresentontheshowground;inshort,a sharedlove(anditisalove)ofclassicmotorcycles.

Whetheryou’reintopre-unitTriumphs,cammy Nortons,vintageRaleighs,ArielfoursorBSA Bantams,orwhatever,here,attheshow,you’llbeat homeamongyourtribe.Thereisadizzyingarrayof machinerytopourover,andtimetoreminisceand beinspiredbythebreadthoftwo-wheeledhistoryup fordelectation.Plus,ofcourse,there’slotsofthings tospendyourpoundson,whetherit’sabitforan ongoingproject–orindeedbuyinganewproject. Andeverythinginbetween.

It'snotallstaticeither,withvariousdisplaysand start-ups,plustheon-stageentertainment,withour starguestsprovidinginsightsandstoriesfromtheir careers.Greatstuffallround,inwhatpromisesto beafullandmemorableweekend.

So,ifyou’relookingtorelaxandengageinlively conversationswithfellowenthusiastsandracing icons,connectwithknowledgeableclubmembers andsnagunbeatabletradeandautojumbledeals, looknofurtherthantheStaffordClassicBike Show—it'swhereallyourmotorcyclepassions converge.Seeyouthere.

JamesRobinson Editor,TheClassicMagazine

We’regivingspecialshout-outsto…

■ theLeader&Arrowclub whowillbe celebrating65yearsoftheAriel200cc model–whichwasonlyproducedfor oneyearin1964–withaprominent displayattheirstand.

■ TheRaleighMotorcycleandEarly ReliantClub celebrates100years sinceHughGibsonandMarjorie CottlecircumnavigatedtheUKon Raleighs.

Messagefromoursponsor

We’redelightedtobebacksponsoringtheStaffordClassicBike showsthisyearandsupportingthehobby.For48hours,this family-friendlyshowattractsthebiggestgatheringofclassic motorcyclinganywhereintheworld,andit’sgreattoseeyou! Since1980,TheInternationalClassicMotorCycleShow sponsoredbyCaroleNashhasgrownsteadilyintooneofthe highlightsofthebikingcalendarandthisyearwe’redelightedto welcomeroadracinglegendsPhillipMcCallenonSaturdayand onSunday,GuyMartin.Interviewswillbethroughoutthedayon theCaroleNashLiveStage,atthecentreofthemainhall.Just checkoutthetimetable.

Therewillbetheusualarrayofmotorbikesfromyesteryearon display.Theclubstandsarealwaysaspectacularsight,withno detailleftunattendedasacombinationofprideandcompetitive spiritkicksinbetweenclubsvyingfortheprestigeofhaving producedthisyear’sbestdisplay.Privatecollectorswillbring theirownmind-bogglingcollectionsofsuperbmachines,lovingly restoredintotheirformergloriesthroughcare,expertiseand extraordinaryskill.

Theautojumblewillalsobeafeastforbikingenthusiastsable tosearchfor–andmostlikelyfind–whatevertheyneedfortheir currentproject,howeverbigorsmall.TheBonhamsauctionwill alsoattractplentyofattention,withsomespectacularbikesup forgrabstothosewhocanholdtheirnerveinahigh-tension situation!Wehopeyouenjoytheshow.

TheCaroleNashteam

MilestoneMomentsandTopTraders

■ ForTriumphenthusiasts,jointhe TriumphOwnersMCCclub attheirstand towishthemahappybirthdayasthey celebrate75yearsoftheclubkeeping theTriumphheritageblazing.

■ Lastly,getthelatestscoopon nextgentyresatthe Bridgestone standastheyunveiltheirlatest innovationthat’ssuretogetyourwheels rolling!

VISITOR ENTRANCE

Saturday

9am Bonhams’Stafford AutumnSaleopensfor viewing

10am JackBurnicletalks withPhillipMcCallen intheMainHall

10.30am JohnMcCrinkhosts thelivestart-upof someincredible machinesintheGP Paddockarea

11am OwdCodgers’trials demonstrationsat theClassicDirtBike Experience

11.30am Livestuntshowwith SteveColley

11.30am Livemusicby DaisyBellesonthe bandstand

12pm JohnMcCrinkhosts thelivestart-upof someincredible

machinesintheGP Paddockarea,plus specialguest,Phillip McCallen

12.30pm LivemusicbyThe DaisyBellesonthe bandstand

1pm JackBurnicletalks withPhillipMcCallen onstageintheMain Hall

1.30pm OwdCodgers’trials demonstrationsat theClassicDirtBike Experience

2pm Livestuntshowwith SteveColley

1.30pm LivemusicbyThe DaisyBellesonthe bandstand

2.30pm JohnMcCrinkhosts thelivestart-upof someincredible machinesintheGP

Sunday

5pm Showcloses

There’splentyofgoodstuffgoingontokeepyouentertainedrightthroughtheweekend.Here’sthelowdown.

Paddockarea,plus specialguest,Phillip McCallen

3.30pm JackBurnicletalks withPhillipMcCallen onstageintheMain Hall.

4pm Livestuntshowwith SteveColley

9am Bonhams’Stafford AutumnSaleopensfor viewing.

10am JackBurnicletalks withGuyMartinon stageintheMainHall

10.30am JohnMcCrinkhosts thelivestart-upof someincredible machinesintheGP Paddockarea

11am OwdCodgers’trials

demonstrationsat theClassicDirtBike Experience

11.30am Livestuntshowwith SteveColley

11.30am LivemusicbyThe DaisyBellesonthe bandstand

12pm JohnMcCrinkhosts thelivestart-upof someincredible machinesintheGP Paddockarea,plus specialguest,Guy Martin

12.30pm LivemusicbyThe DaisyBellesonthe bandstand

12.30pm JackBurnicletalks withGuyMartinon stageintheMain Hall

1pm Livestuntshowwith SteveColley

Makethemostof yourStafford

1.30pm OwdCodgers’trials

demonstrationsatthe ClassicDirtBike

Experience

1.30pm LivemusicbyThe DaisyBellesonthe bandstand

2pm JohnMcCrinkhosts thelivestart-upof someincredible machinesintheGP Paddockarea,plus specialguest,Guy Martin

2.30pm Livestuntshowwith SteveColley

3.30pm JackBurnicletalks withGuyMartin andPhillipMcCallen onstageintheMain Hall

4pm Awardspresentation intheMainHall

5pm Showcloses

STAR GUEST SATURDAY 20APRIL

Inthefastlane– PhillipMcCallen’s roadtoracingroyalty

With11IsleofManTTvictoriestohisname,PhillipMcCallenstandsoutas oneoftheall-timegreatsontheroads.Today,astheproudownerofathriving motorcycledealership,hecontinuestoinspireanewgenerationofracers, provingthatthethrilloftherideneverfades.

Whatdoesittaketo beontheexclusive listofall-timeIsle ofManTTwinners?

Someracersmay highlightexperience,machine, orfamiliaritywiththecourse, whileothersmayemphasise skillasthemajorfactorfora winner–thereisperhapsno singularrightanswer.When askedbytheBBCafterhislast winin1997,11-timechampion PhillipMcCallendiscussed commitment,determination, machinepreparationandagood teamasbeingthekeyingredients forsuccess.Aseeminglybenign butcrucialcombinationthat speakstothesimplegritand passionMcCallenhascometo beknownfor–atruestandout inaneradefinedbyspeedand spectacle.

Broughtupinthetraditionsof Irishroadracing,McCallen–who wasbornwithinmereyardsof

thefamedTandrageeroadracing circuit–hadalwaysregardedit asanultimateambitiontorace andwinattheIsleofMan.His breakthroughmomentcame aboutinthelate1980swhen heburstontothescenewith hisfirstraceatthe1988Manx GrandPrix,becomingthefirst ridertowinaNewcomersrace andaManxraceinthesame year.In1992,hewonhisfirstTT racewithafinishintheFormula 1andtheSupersport600title. Barelyadecadeafterhisdebut, Phillipwouldstuntheracing worldwithahistoricsweepof fourwins–theFormula1,Junior, SeniorandProductionraces–in asingleweekatthe1996TT.A featthatstoodunbrokenuntilIan Hutchinsonwonallfiveracesin 2010.

TheTTisrenownedfor itstreacherouscourseand unforgivingconditions,demanding theutmostskill,courage,and

resiliencefromitscompetitors. Yet,McCallenthrivedinthis challengingenvironment,racing againstothergreatslikeSteve HislopandCarlFogarty.He clinchedanimpressive11 victoriesthroughouthiscareer, tyingastheninthracerwiththe mostTTwins.Buthissuccess wasnotlimitedtotheIsleofMan, withhisachievementsspanning fivevictoriesattheNW200,an astonishingfivewinsattheUlster GP,andseveralBritishSupersport championships. Phillipalsomadehismarkon theinternationalstage,competing ineventsacrossEuropeand beyond.Fromthelegendary circuitsofBrandsHatchand Silverstonetotheiconicroad racesofUlsterandtheNorth West200,heleftanindelible impressionwhereverhewent, includingcompetingintheold Formula1series,theThunderbike seriesandtheMacauGP.

Afternearlytwodecadesof thrills,triumphsandtenacity onthetrack,Phillipdecided tohanguphishelmetand headintothebusinesssideof motorcycles.Hehadworked onresearchanddevelopment whileridingwithHondaduring hisracingyears,buthedecided toopenhisownmotorcycle dealershipnotfarfromhis hometownofTandragee.It’s

grownandgrownovertheyears andisnowregardedasoneof thetopshowroomsinthearea, specialisingintheTriumph, KawasakiandKTMbrands. Inadditiontorunninghisown dealership,Philliphasdedicated himselftosupportingyoung ridersandpromotingroadsafety awareness,ensuringthathis legacyextendsfarbeyondhis racingachievements.

STAR GUEST SUNDAY 21APRIL

AGuyofalltrades: Racer,TVhost andengineerextraordinaire

eRecordsetter,speedster,TVstar;GuyMartinshinesbrightinthefaceofthetoughestofchallenges,always readytotakeonnewadventureswithboundlessenthusiasmanddetermination.Fromthetreacherous tracksoftheIsleofManTTtotheconcretejunglesofthestreetsofBogota,Guyisneveronetoshyaway fromwhatotherswouldconsiderimpossible.

Whenpeopletalkabout motorcycleracersthathave transcendedthenotorietyof theracetrackintomainstream consciousness,fewnames resonateaswellasGuyMartin. Withhissignaturesideburns andfearlessspirit,Martinisn't justaracer;he'salivinglegend, pushingtheboundariesofspeed anddaringfromthetracktotheTV screen.Bornintoafamilyoftruck mechanics,hedevelopedalove forspeedandenginesatanearly age.Itwaswhiletinkeringinthe garageasanapprenticemechanic thatMartinbeganracinginhis sparetime,goingontodebutat the2004IsleofManTT.Withhis distinctivedown-to-earthcharacter, anddaringanticsontheMountain Course,hesoonbecamean instantfanfavourite.

Guy’spassionforracingcan perhapsbestbedescribedas relentless.Hehascompeted invariousclasses.including theSuperbike,Supersportand SeniorTTraces.Despiteseveral closecallsandheart-racing performances,theIsleofMan TTvictoryeludedhim;though

hewouldgoontohavemultiple podiumfinishes.Laterhe participatedintheMacauGrand Prix,theSouthern100andthe 2013UlsterGrandPrix–finishing thelatterwithmultiplepodium finishesandwinsintheSupersport andSuperbikeclasses.

ButforallofMartin'striumphs ontheracetrack,hiscareerhas alsobeenmarkedbyitsfairshare ofsetbacksandchallenges. RidingforWilsonCraigin2010, Guycrashedoutinawellpublicisedfireballincidentinthe SeniorTT,whichcausedtherace tobered-flagged.Guysuffered horrificinjuriesbutwasback workingandracingafterafew months.

In2015,Guy’sluckranout againwhenhewasinvolvedin anotherhugecrashduringa practicesessionattheUlster GP.Thecrashlefthimwith multiplefracturestohisback again,requiringsteelrodstobe inserted,whicharestillplace today.Intheaftermathofthe crash,hefacedsomephysical challengesbut,truetoform,he refusedtoletadversitydefeat

him.Guywentbacktoworkon thetrucksandbeganpreparing foragruellingpushbikeridefrom CanadatoMexico.Lessthan12 monthsafterhisbackinjuryhe completedtheTourDivide. Opportunitycameknocking in2017intheshapeofNeil Tuxworth,thenewHonda FirebladeandarideontheHonda 6aspartofthedeal.Theyshook handsandGuywasheadingback totheTT.Sadly,theideawas greaterthanreality,astheteam wasplaguedbyvariousissues, crashesandinjuries.Guydecided towalkawayintactafteranasty crashontheopeninglapofthe RSTSuperbikeRace.Guyrealised therewasmorehewantedtodo awayfromtheIslandandended hisTTcareer.

Amanofmanytalents,Guy wouldachievefurtherrecognition (howeverunwantedforthe notoriouslypublicity-shyracer) whenhebeganhostingTVspots in2010withappearanceson showslike‘TheBoatthatGuy Built’,‘SpeedwithGuyMartin’, andtravelogueslike‘OurGuyin Colombia’.Withsomeofthese

showsdocumentinghisattempts atvariouschallengesand record-breakingfeats,viewers wouldbecomefamiliarwiththe relentlessdriveofGuyMartin. AholderofmultipleGuinness WorldRecordtitles,hesetthe recordforthe‘Fastestspeedon agravity-poweredsnowsled’in Grandvalira,Andorra,onJanuary 10,2014,andthe‘FastestSpeed inaSoapbox’inMontVentoux, France,onOctober16,2014. In2016,GuysetanewWallof Deathworldrecordbyachieving thehighestspeedeverrecorded onaWallofDeathat78.15mph. GuyisalsoafivetimesSunday TimesBestsellingAuthor.

Thoughhemayhaveachieved severaldeath-defyingspeed records,twicensurviveda brokenbackandbravedthe urbandesolationofwhat remainsofChernobyl,Guy remainsamechanicatheart, justascomfortabletweaking lorryenginesasheisspeeding aroundaracetrack.Guyhas manyprojectsonthegosince steppingbackfromcompetitive top-flightracing,althoughhedoes

participateinoccasionalevents andone-offraces–andnow hassethissightsonbecoming thefirstmanto300mphina standingmileonaconventional motorbike.

Guyisathishappiestwhen heisfettlinginhisshedand stilllivesinLincolnshirewithhis fiance,theirdaughterandthree dogs.Hecontinuestoworkas amechanicforalocaltrucking company,takingtimeinbetween fixingnutsandboltstohost televisionseries,buildcustom enginesforraceteamsandwork onhistractorasacontractorfor alocalfarm.Simplyspeaking,he likestokeepbusy.

InthewordsofGuyhimself:“I likedoingthingsmyway,theright way.I'vehadmyeyesopened forthelast10yearsormore andI'mstilllearning.I’malways lookingforanewchallengebut sometimesthechallengesseem tofindme.”

Cream ofthe crop

ClassicBikeShowsEventsManagerNickMowbraytookalookatsomeoftheclassic machinesenteredintothisyear’sInternationalClassicBikeShowsponsoredbyCaroleNash. Hereare Nick’spicks,ahandfulofincrediblebikesyouneedtoseeintheflesh.

Firstup,andafirstfor Stafford,isAMB001or, togiveitit’sfullname,the AstonMartinBrough;the resultofacollaboration betweenAstonMartinandBrough Superior.Strictlylimitedtojust 100motorcycles,thetrack-only AMB001representstheunionof iconicAstonMartindesignand state-of-the-artBroughSuperior engineeringtocreateapieceof dynamicartforthemotorbike connoisseur.Thisbikeisnumber 35offtheproductionlineand Ibetyou’veneverseenonein theflesh.

Picknumbertwohastobe factoryspecial VincentBlack Shadowracebike from1951.

BuiltforFrankTurner,itwasa bikedestinedtocampaigninthe variousTTracesagainstthelikes ofDuke,Doran,McCandlessand

Wood.BlackShadowswerebuilt withthesamelabour-intensive hand-fittingofbearingsandmajor enginepartsthatVincenthad usedpriortothewar,withan air-cooled,four-stoke,50-degree V-twinunit,adisplacementof 998ccandatopspeedinexcess of130mph.Quiteincrediblefor 72yearsago.

AsifoneBroughisn’tenough, alongcomesanother.The roadgoing BroughSuperior SS80 hasbeenfullyrestoredto originalspecification.It’sa1936 rigidframeexamplewhichwas despatchedfromtheNottingham factoryatHaydnRoadearlyin thatyearaftertheSS80was relaunchedayearprior.The new982cc,side-valve,V-twin enginefromAssociatedMotor Cyclesdifferedfromtheearlier Matchlessengines,featuringa

HeartheroarfromtheGPPaddock!

The‘livestart-uparea’,akatheGrandPrixPaddock,is allfireduptoigniteyoursenses.Experiencethepulsepoundingthrillasseasonedridersunleashtheirmachines’ powertothrilltheaudience.Here,seasonedriders showcasetheirmachine’sprowesswhilenewcomerssoak intheelectrifyingatmosphere.Picturetheairthickwiththe scentofexhaustsmokeandtherumbleofenginesigniting, sendingyourheartracing.

Everymomentatthepaddockisanunmissable adventureontwowheels,sothisisoneyoudonotwantto missouton.

‘knife-and-fork’big-endbearing arrangement,anditwasthis enginethatBroughSuperior favoureduntilproductionwas curtailedbyhostilitiesin1939. Thisexampleissimplystunning.

BobMayow’s 1938BSAB25 isnumberfourinourlist.This 350ccmachinewasBSAfactory supportedandriddenbyWelsh TrialsChampionPercySivellin the1939InternationalSix-Day TrialsatLlandidrodWells.Itwent ontoachievemoresuccesson thesandsatPendine.

Sivell’soriginalbikehasbeen sympatheticallyrestoredto‘oily rag’conditionbyJohnHarding, payinghomagetothat1939trial andkeepingitutterlyoriginal.

IthasaReynolds531 lightweightframe.Yes,thesame tubingyouhadonyourpushbike asakid,andhasbeenriddenin

theBeamishTrophyTrial.More importantlyandtoourdelight, it’sstill‘campaigned’locallyoffroadandon‘greenlanes’byits currentowner. It’snotoftenamotorcycle fromthe‘othersideofthepond’ featuresatStafford,butPaul Kanner’s 1952HarleyDavidson isn’tonetomiss.Kennercan’tlay claimtothebuildofthisstunner asitwasoriginallybuiltbyKeith Howshipin2009andactually wonBestinShowatStaffordin 2010beforegoingintostorage. Kennerboughtthebikeatauction in2022withonly12mileson theclock,recommissioneditand, aftersomemodificationstomake itareliableandsafebikeonthe road,thebikehasnowcovered over1500miles.IthinkWyatt wouldapprove!Easy,man….

Lastbutcertainlynotleastis

RoyFox’s 1957NorvinNorton/ Vincentcaféracer.A998cc VincentmotorinaNorton featherbedwidelineframe,this motorcyclewasrecommissioned in2023.Althoughdesignedwith asingle-cylinderengineinmind, thegenerously-proportioned Featherbedframeintimewould provecapableofaccommodating awidevarietyofdifferentpower units–twins,triples,foursand v-twins,allcouldbemadetofit withalittleingenuityandthere havebeenseveralconstructed withtheVincentv-twinengine. Thereisn’tapartonthisbike that’snotseenRoyFox’s polishingcloth!

AstonMartinBrough

1957NorvinNorton/Vincent

VincentBlackShadow

Clubs corner

Staffordwouldn’tbe thesamewithoutthe supportofnearlyone hundredmotorcycle clubscateringfrom pioneerandveteranbikes throughtothestrokersofthe 90sand00s.Withsomany clubsandsomanybikes,there’s alwaysacelebrationofonekind oranothergoingon.Hereare fiveclubsatTheInternational ClassicMotorCycleShow sponsoredbyCaroleNash, celebratingthisApril.

LeadingtheItalianchargeis the DucatiOwnersClub which ismarkingits50thanniversary thisyear.Theclubwasfounded in1974andso…theclubis

harkingbacktothatinaugural yearandbringingtogetheran incrediblecollectionofmachines fromthatyear.Getreadytobe stunnedwith250,350and450 Desmos;750SS’sand860GTs, andahostofotherstunning bikes.Findtheclubjustoffthe MainHall. www.docgb.org

The MVAugustaOwnersClub isfocusingonracebikesthis April.Abevyof350ccracing MVswillflankedbyitssmaller stablematesintheformofsome ex-Britishracingchampionship 125ccand50cmachines. TheClubitselfaimstoprovide technicaladviceandresources forF-Seriesandpost1990s models,aswellasmaintaining

itssupportforthesmall-capacity 50s,60sand70smachines, andthe4-CylinderSportand AmericaClassics.Findthese guysintheMainHall,stand M79. www.mvownersclub.co.uk

Runninguptheflagforthe Britbikesisthe ArielLeader &ArrowClub whichisfocused ona65-yearanniversaryofa one-year-onlymachine.TheAriel Arrow200wasintroducedin ordertoqualifyforlowerroad taxandcheaperinsuranceby usinga199ccengine.Itisby somedistancetherarestofthe Leader/Arrowfamily,only844 beingbuiltbetweenApril1964 andAugust1965.Comparedto itsmorepowerfulsister,ithada smallerboreandlowergearing. Makesureyoucallatstand P503inthePrestwoodHallto checkthisdisplayout.

TriumphOwnersM.C.C.is celebrating75yearsofbringing Triumphmotorcyclefans together.Itwasfoundedina post-warBritianonNovember

22,1949byagroupof dedicatedenthusiastsaround SouthLondon.Itsoongrew intoamajorNationalOne-Make Clubcateringforallownersof TriumphMotorcycles,whether theybepre-war(upuntil1942), classic(theMeridenEra),or modern(thelatestrangeof beautiesdesignedinHinckley).It welcomesmembersfromaround theworldandareonhandto talkallthingsTriumph.Iwonder ifthere’llbebirthdaycake?Be suretopayavisitonstandM46 intheMainHall. www.tomcc.org

Lastbutnotleastis British OwnersClub(Essex) whichwill bemarkingthe80thanniversary

oftheD-Daylandingsand OperationOverlord.Ondisplay willbe11alliedmotorcycles ofvariousmakesplusalarge collectionofmilitaryequipment andmemorabilia.Ifthat’s notenough,theclubisalso celebrating50yearstogether. Theclubwasfoundedin1974 byasmallgroupoflike-minded peoplewho,seeingthatthe Britishmotorcycleindustrywas graduallydisappearing,decided theywouldformaclubtonot onlypreserveandrideBritish motorcycles,butalsowhere possiblerenovatethem.Pop alongtostandS8intheSide HallnexttotheMainHall. www. britishownersclubessex.co.uk

ThebeatingheartoftheclassicbikescenepulloutallthestopsatStafford.

Extremelyrare VincentBlackLightning leadsthespringStaffordsale

Asever,there’saveritablefeast ofrareandiconicmotorcyclesup forgrabsinthebi-annualtwo-day BonhamsStaffordsale.

Leadingthechargeisthe 14th VincentBlackLightning built –andoneofonly34machines everproduced.Onlyveryrarely isanexampleofferedforsale, whichmakesthesaleofthis 'PolishLightning',estimated at£120,000-£150,000,an exceptionalopportunityfor collectors.

Bonhamswillalsopresentone ofonlythree 1959Benelli250cc GrandPrixRacingMotorcycles Estimatedat£60,000-£80,000, itisbelievedtobethemost completeandoriginalofthethree known–andtheonlyoneinfull runningorder.

Stickingwiththeracetheme, theex-works,GaryNixon,Greg Hansford,HurleyWilvert,3rd PlaceinDaytona, 1972Kawasaki H2RRacingMotorcycle issure tosetpulsesracing.Rarely doesamachineofthiscalibre

cometomarket–butwhat makesthisbikeexceptionalis thepapertrailthataccompanies it.Thefastidiousownerhas carefullyresearchedthehistory, whilstalsocarefullypreserving thepatinaofthemotorcycle. Estimate£120,000-£160,000.

Leadingthewaywiththe road-goingmachinesaretwo earlyBroughSuperiors.The firstisBroughSuperiorworks managerIkeWebb’scirca 1922 BroughSuperior996ccSS80 Special.Theestimateis£70,000£100,000forthispieceofHayden Roadhistory.

Thesecondexampleisan all-matchingnumber,TonyCripp’s restoredandwell-documented 1924BroughSuperior980cc SS80.Untilrecentlyitwason displayatAtwell-WilsonMotor Museumandisestimatedat £80,000-£120,000.

Bonhamsarealsoproudto presentthecollectionofthelate CliveWoodMBE,aprominent figureinTeessideindustry,who

beganhiscareeratMarske MachineCompanyasan apprenticefitter-turner.

Knownforhisenergeticwork andexcellent,down-to-earth clientcare,Clivefoundedthe EastClevelandYouthTraining collective,empoweringyoung peopleinengineering–and additionallyservedascountyvice presidentforStJohnAmbulance, supportedlocalsports,andwas awardedanMBEinthe2019 Queen’sBirthdayHonours.

Hisimpressivecollectionof over40motorcyclesboasts nolessthan20diverseBritish motorcyclebrands,alltobesold withoutreserve.

Highlightsinclude:

■ 1931Matchless593ccSilver HawkProject,estimate£17,000 -22,000

■ 1930Matchless400ccSilver Arrow,estimate£8000-10,000

■ 1934BSA4.98hpJ34-15 OHVTwinW.D.,estimate£800012,000

■ 1941Indian500cc741Scout,

estimate£7000-10,000 Othersalehighlightsinclude:

■ GuinnessWorldRecord Holder,2003Whitelock4.2Litre 48-CylinderTinkerToy,estimated at£40,000-60,000

■ 1975SuzukiTR750Racing Motorcycle,estimatedat £18,000-22,000

■ 1952MVAgusta123.5cc Monoalbero,estimatedat £15,000-18,000

■ 1951Vincent998ccSeries-C BlackShadow,estimate£45,00055,000

■ Twoownerssince1933and highlyoriginal,1932Ariel601cc Model4FSquareFour,estimate £12,000-15,000 Withover200exceptional motorcyclesconsignedtoThe SpringStaffordSale,thisyear’s eventpromisestobeyetanother memorableauction.

Fordetailsofhowtobidinthe auctionvisitusattheshowor contactthedepartment.

■ motorcycles@bonhams.com/ +44(0)2089632817

VincentBlackLightning,14thproduction,estimatedat £120,000-150,000

Gearingupwiththe traders andautojumblers

Fromvintagemotorcyclepartstocutting-edgeaccessories,eachstallatthe tradestandsisatreasuretrovewaitingtobeexplored.Asyouwanderthrough theaisles,you’llfindyourselfimmersedinabustlingmarketplacefilledwith enthusiasts,experts,andeverythinginbetween.

Wearehighlightingacoupleof ourtradersandexhibitorsonthis pagesograbyourshoppinglist andgetreadytosnagthebest deals!

Bridgestone willbethetyre brandthatbikerswillbethinking offirstonceagain,thankstoa newandinflatedpresenceat theshow.Stopbytheirboothto experiencethearrivaloftheir latestnextgenerationtyre–the BATTLAXHYPERSPORTS23. Anaction-packedstandawaits yourarrival,asdoesproduct managerGaryHartshorne,who willhavealltheanswerstoyour questions.

Radiatingpurepassionsince 1911, Benelli areallabout tradition,emotionandinnovation intheirrangeofsophisticated andmodernmotorcycles.They bringalegacyofexcellencein

designandinnovationtothe forefront,offeringacurated selectionofbikesthatblendstyle withprecisionengineering.Step intotheirboothtoexperiencethe verybestofItaliancraftsmanship andperformance.

Combiningtheirexpertisein ‘Moto’,theculture-richhistory ofthecityof‘Bologna’,and their‘Passion’formotorcycle enthusiasts, MBPMoto offerthe verybestofcutting-edgedesign andhigh-performancebikesfor amateursandexpertsalike. Fromsleekupgradestoessential maintenancegear,you’llfinda premiumselectiontoenhance yourridingexperienceattheir stand.

Experienceatouchoftimeless craftsmanshipandBritish heritageatthe Watsonian Squire stand,wheretradition

meetsinnovation.Witha legacyspanningoveracentury, WatsonianSquirearerenowned fortheirexquisitesidecarsand motorcycleaccessoriesthat blendclassicdesignwithmodern innovation.Discovertheperfect complementtoyourrideas youexploretheircollectionof meticulously-craftedsidecars, luggagesolutions,andbespoke accessories.

Youwillalsofindillustrious traderslike HagonProductsLtd and DavidSilverSpares atthe tradestands.

Don’tmissthe National MotorcycleMuseum’s display standtosnagaraffleticketfora chancetowinanexclusiveprice! Comeandexplorethediverse arrayoftradersattheshowto findthatsomethingspecialfor yournextride.

UnitedatStafford: Retailersandautojumblers

TheStaffordClassicMotorCycleShowistheKINGofclassic motorcyclingevents.Featuringamassiveline-upof900-plus traders,Staffordisyourone-stopshopforspareparts,gear,and more.Withtopautojumblersbothindoorsandout,it’satreasure troveforenthusiasts.From pristineclassicstogarage finds,Staffordhasitall–just bepreparedtohagglewith yourbestbargainingskills! In2024,alongsidenames suchasCentralWheels,JJ CablesandB.O.MBatteries, theshowwelcomesback manymoremanufacturers andretailers.

t

Words: SteveCooper

Theseasonsawatotal ofeightridersonvarious iterationsoftheYZR500 (akaOW81)withvaryinglevelsof supportfortheridersineachteam. IfYamahawasgoingforthecarpet bombingapproachthen,sadly,it didn’tgetthemtheresulttheywere hopingfor.

Honda’sWayneGardnerhadgot thebetterofthelairyNSR500and tookthetitlefromRandyMamola ridingforTeamLuckyStrike Robertsby20points.Marlboro YamahaTeam-Agostinimounted EddieLawsonwouldtakethirdwith TadahikoTairasixthonanother Agostini-managedmachine.Christian

SarrongottheSonauto-Gauloisesto seventh.Somegoodnewsforhome fanswasRobMcElneaonthefinal Agostinimachinegettingacreditable 10thplacedespiteonlyfinishingsix races.Signsthattherewashope onthehorizoncameintheformof AussieKevinMageemakingabig impressioninjustthetworaceshe tookpartin.Adealwassetupfor himviaLuckyStrikesponsorshipfor thefollowingseason.

Stillrunningtheinternalfactory codeofOW81,1988sYZR500came withahostofsubtleimprovements. Movingthetwobanksofcylinders furtherapartgavemoreroomfor thecarburettorswhich,inturn, allowedforlongerinlettracts.The guillotine-stylepowervalvesof thepreviousyearswereswapped

fortheolderstylecylindricaltypes whichfacilitatedbetterthrottle control.Changesyetagaintoengine positioning,revisionstoairductsand alargerradiatorsawtheYZRbenefit frombettercoolingwhichhelped reduceanyseizureissues.Three moreponiesaddedbroughtthe engine’sdeliverupto148bhp.

Technicalinnovationscarriedon withchangestotheexhaustsystem. Previouslyeverythinghadbeen compromisedtovariousdegrees, mostcruciallyintermsofsqueezing infourlargeexpansionchambers behindthemotor.Therehadalways beenatrade-offbetweengas extractionefficiency,powerand groundclearance,withthelatter generallywinningout.

ThenewOW98hadaleft/right

asymmetricrearswingarmwith alargeupwardarchontheright sidewhichallowedtherelevant exhauststobeoftheoptimum size.Yamahahadjustinventedthe so-calledgullwingrearsuspension. RandyMamola,RaymondRoche, EddieLawson,DidierdeRadiguès, TadahikoTaira,NorihikoFujiwara, ChristianSarron,PatrickIgoa,Kevin MageeandWayneRainey,spread overfourteams,wouldcomprise Yamaha’sfull-onassaultofthe1988 championship.

SPECIALISTSPOTLIGHT:

Whatbetterwaytocelebrate30years ofbusinessthanwithaseriousbrand refreshandbagsofnewkit.Let’s havealookatwhatSpada’supto for2024.

1994wassomeyear;andit’shardto believeit’sbeen30yearssinceOasis toppedthechartswithDefinitely MaybeandPulpFictionhitthebig screen.ItwasaspecialyearforSpada, too;theBritishfirmlauncheditsvery firstproduct–the701lightweight waterproofjacketandtrousers.

Thatmeans2024seestheBritish brandcelebratingitsmilestone30th birthday,spearheadedbyamajor rangerefresh,rebrandandarenewed focuson‘RideandWear’gear.It’s anevolutionoftheir‘everywear’ philosophylaunchedin2015,under thepremisethatgreatquality,goodlookingkitshouldbeaccessibleto allbikers,andshouldintegrateintoa rider’slifewhenawayfromtwowheels.

So,isthisacaseofformover function?Well,notaccordingto HeadofDevelopmentJamesKent whotoldusthatthenewrangehad beendesignedtostriketheperfect balancebetweenstyle,protection andfunctionality,withthecomplete collectionsatisfyingthelatestCE certification.Agreatexampleof thisisthedevelopmentoftheirown armourwhichisdesignedtoprovide theflexibilityandcomfortthestyleof thekitrequires,withoutcomprising protection,andwillbesuppliedas standardwithallproductsgoing

forward–includingabackprotector.

Takingacloserlookatthe newrange,itscleartoseethe transformation,notjustintheproduct butalsohowthebrandarenow presented,leaningonthebrandname Spada(whichisItalianforsword duetothefounder’sheritage).Spada nowdividetheirrangeintothree coreprofiles,andthencategorise withineachprofilebasedonthree differentstagesofswordmaking:Raw, ForgeandEdge.Thisclearthree-tier hierarchyisdesignedtogiveridersin eachprofileachoiceofproductbased ontheirindividualneeds.Putsimply, theynowhaveacomprehensiverange ofkittosuitallridersandallbudgets.

Fromspeakingwiththeteamat Spada,andthosedirectlyinvolved withtherelaunch,it’sclear,too,that there’saclearfocusondelivering whatbikersactuallywant.And viewingthekitfirst-handduringtheir recentproductpreview,itcertainly looksliketheyhaveachievedwhat theysetoutto–creatingarangeof ridingkitwhichshouldcomplement yourlifestyleandnotjustprovide protection.InSpada’sownwords: “Thelatestcollectionbreaksdown theoutdatedboundariesofhow traditionalmotorbikekitshouldlook andfeel,offeringinnovativedesigns andmaterialsthatarecraftedto enhanceyourride,andlife.”

WHAT’SITCOST?

Spadadivideeachproductcategoryintothreetiers,each providingriderswithaselectionofproductsatdifferent pricepoints.

■ RAW represents productsineach profilethatprovide thebestvalue, withtheAArated SpadaCommute jacketavailable inthreecolour options,insize rangeS-5XL,and featuring5-piece armour,available fromonly£94.99 (andamatching pantisalso available).

■ FORGE productsprovide astepupinqualityandfeatures.Theworkoutboot-styled TachitrainerwithnaturalgumsolefeatureLevel2upperimpact abrasionandareavailableat£139.99.

■ EDGE characterisesthepinnacleoftheproductline-upandis headedbythe30thanniversaryremodeloftheirbest-sellingAir Force1jacket.TheAAAratedTurbineismadefromatough,yet supple,full-graincowhideandwillbeavailableat£349.99.

WORDS: BobPickett PHOTOS: Spada

TOPPICKS

SOverthecomingmonthswewillbetesting andreportingonthenewSpadarange,but inthemeantime,here’sapickofsomeof ourfavouritekitfromthenewCity,Urbanand WomenprofileswithintheRaw,Forgeand Edgehierarchy.

SpadaBlade Hoodie

£129.99/S-5XL

PartoftheCitycollection andcategorisedas‘Raw’, theSpadaBladeHoodiewill beavailableintwoversions, pullover,orfullzip,inthree differentcolouroptions, black,coralandturbulence (grey).CertifiedCElevelAA andincluding5-piecelevel 2CEarmour,theHoodie representsexceptional valueformoney.Todelivera genuinesweatshirtfeelSpada manufacturetheBladeusing adurable4-waystretchrib polyesterwhichisbonded withmicrofleece,providinga CEcertifiedproductthatisas comfortableandflexibleasa Hoodieshouldbe.TheBlade alsofeaturesastayflathood, ribbedcuffsandhem,and concealedthumbloops.

SpadaEmberShirt

£199.99/S-5XL

PartoftheUrbancollectionandcategorised as‘Forge’,theAArated,butcasuallystyled, SpadaEmberShirtagainsitsfirmlywithinthe RideandWearphilosophy.Emberisfitted withSpada’sownLevel2CE5-piecearmour, withtheliningwovenwithpolyesterforadded strengthwhilemaintainingthelightweight flexibilityyou’dexpectfromaregularshirt.For aclean,stylishlookthefrontfasteningzipis concealedwithmetalpopstudfasteners,and abutton-downcollar.

SpadaLancerWomens LeatherJacket

£349.99/8-18

2024seesSpadareintroduceapremiumproductinto theirladies’collection,withtheAAAratedLancer leatherjacketpositionedasan‘Edge’product. Classilystyledandmanufacturedfromafullgrain leather,theLancerfeaturesadetachablefauxfur collarandcuffs,accordionelasticatedbackpanels foreaseofmovement,andadiamondquilted satinliningforapremiumfeelandaddedwarmth. Totherearofthejacket,Spadahaveadded zippedfastenedhemextensionssoatailoredfit canbeachieved.Spadaarealsoproducinga waterproofwaxcottonversionoftheLancer whichwillhaveaslightlylowerpricepointof £269.99.

WANTTOKNOWMORE?

Ifyou’dliketoknowmoreabout anyoftheproductsintherangeyou canreachoutdirectlytoSpadaat customerservice@feridax.com–or youcancheckoutthekitandeven contactyourlocalstockistusingthe dealerlocatorontheSpadawebsite atwww.spadaclothing.com

That’sjustalittletasteofallthe goodstuffthat’sbeenaddedto therange.Awayfromjackets, othernotableinclusionsinthe 2024collection(andmore swordreferences)arethe AAAratedRonindenim jeanavailableinboth men’sandladies’sizes at£159.99,andthe workwearinspiredAnvil waterproofbootwhich

featuresawax-treatedleatherand Corduraupper,embossedankle protection,andruggedcommandostyleoutsolefordurability,andwill retailfor£179.99.

LandinginstorefromApril2024, thisisjustatasterofthemanynew productsontheway.Thecomplete rangeisavailabletopreviewonline nowatwww.spadaclothing.com andacrosstheirsocialmedia channelsatSpadaClothing.

WORDS: ChrisBailey PHOTOS: Kymco

Afteracapablecommuterscooterthat’s nippy,nimbleandnottooexpensive?

KymcoAgilityCity+125

Havingrecentlymovedaway fromtheMoreBikesHQin Lincolnshire,downtoSevenoaks, Kent,Iwasonthelookout forsomethingwellbuiltfor navigatingbuilt-uptownsand busycentres.SowhenIwas offeredtheopportunitytotest Kymco’sAgilityCity+125Ieagerly tookthemupontheopportunity totryoutthisurban-styled commuterscooter.

Overthelastcoupleof monthsI’vebattledthroughthe congestedurbansprawl,wound mywayalongtwistybackroads, andpowered(withinreason) alongarrow-straightmainroads. Basically,I’vebeenallovertosee howwellthisthingholdsupon thedailycommute.

Kymcoopenedtheirdoorsin Taiwanbackin1964,originally startingoutwithatechnology transferfromHonda.Butover theyearsKymcohavebecome oneoftheleadingglobal powersportsbrandsintheirown

right,endeavouringtocreate personalvehiclesthat‘winthe heartsofconsumersalloverthe world’.Todothat,they’vegota healthystableofrides,which includesscooters,motorcycles, mobilityscooters,ATVsand utilityvehicles.Focusingontwowheels,they’vegoteverything from50ccscootsto550ccthreewheelers.

TheAgilityCity+istheirurban commutingmachine.Fromthe momentitwasunloadedfrom thevanIwasimpressedwithhow itlooked:strong,angularlines acrossitsbodyworkgiving itanaggressivelooknot commonlyseenoncity commuters,withthetwotoneblackandlightblue offeringastrikingappearance. Theheadlightsandindicators areintegratedintothefrontof thescooter,justaboveitswheel –yetthey'rehighenoughtobe easilyvisibletootherroadusers. Andthere’sasmallwindshield

whichcurvesbackjustoverthe dashboard,too.Thedashitself issurprisinglysimple,almost old-school,butitstillprovides everythingyouneed.Itcontains ananaloguespeedoandafuel gauge,abovewhichthere’sthe fullbeamindicator.There’salso adigitaldisplaycontaininga clockandtripinformation.Like Isaid,simple,buteffective.My onlyproblemwiththedashis thatthespeedohasKM/Hasthe larger,moredetailednumbers, withMP/Hasthesmallerringon theinside.Theotherproblemis thatwhilstthenumbersonthe

ithardtoseewhatspeedyou’regoing whenridingatnight.

Underneaththedashisalockable compartmentwhichcontainsa chargingpoint,andit’sjustbig enoughtofityourphoneand/or wallet.Theseatisreallycomfortable, too,withplentyofspaceforapillion passengerwhenthetimecomes, andamplestorageunderneath.The modelontestalsocamewithaShad topboxfitted.Kymcoactuallywork withtheluggagefirmtocreatekit that’llfiteasilytotheirrides,whichis anicetouch,particularlyforasmaller firm.Thecomfortcontinueswiththe footboards,whichofferenoughspace toeasilyhaveyourfeetinfrontofyou, butitalsowrapsslightlyaroundthe sideandoffersabitofflexibilityifyou preferamorefocused,motorcyclestyleridingposition.

TheAgilityCity+ispoweredbya 125ccEuro5enginewhichkicksout amaximumof8.8hp.Beingprimarily designedfortownsandcities,itgets upto30andeven40mphquickly

TECHSPEC

KymcoAgilityCity+125

Price: £2599

Engine: 125ccOHC,4Stroke,SingleCylinder

Power: 8.8hp

Transmission: Automatic

Suspension: (F)33mmhydraulictelescopic

fork(R)Singleswingarmwithadjustable hydraulicshockabsorber

Brakes: (F)260mmdisc,CBS(R)240mmdisc

Wheels/Tyres: (F)100/80-16(R)120/80-14

Seatheight: 815mm

Weight(empty): 114kg

Fueltank: 7litres

Contact: www.kymco.co.uk

enough,butanythingmoreisabit ofastrain.Imanagedtosqueeze 56mphoutofit,butitwasalong processtogetitthere.Butthenagain, it’simportanttorememberthisisa scootermeantforcommuting,not cruisingalongfasterroads.

ThebrakesontheAgilityCity+are fantastic,broughttogetherthrough thepowerofCBS.With260mmdiscs atthefrontand240mmattherear, theyprovidesharpandresponsive

speedreduction,helpingyoufeelin controlatalltimes.

Thesuspensionismadeupofa 33mmhydraulictelescopicforkwith 95mmtravelatthefront,whilstthe rearhasasingleswingarmwith adjustablehydraulicshockabsorber with81mmtravel.Boyisthisthing smoothtoride;manholecovers, unevenroad,bumps,itdoesn’t matter…Therewasn’tasingleroad conditionthatIputunderthisthing’s tyreswhereIwasn’tcomfortablethe entiretime.

Allofthesethingsputtogether meanthatKymco’sAgilityCity+ handlesverywell,andwithadry weightof114kgit’slightenough thatyoucanthrowitaround;easily nippingthroughtightstreets,filtering throughtraffic,andevenbankingit aroundsharperbends.

Whenitcomestonightrides(minus mypreviouscommentsabouthow harditistoseeyourspeedatnight), Iwaspleasantlysurprisedbythe AgilityCity+.Normallyonanything dedicatedtourbanridingthedipped beamsaren’tallthatpotent.However, theseweremorethanuptothetask, andthefullbeamsdidagreatjobon theraretimesIfeltIneededthem.

I’veriddenallshapesandsizesof two-wheeledmachinesinmyfirst yearontheroad,butnothinghas

comeanywhereclosetobeingsuch anidealbikefornippingthrough townon.Whetheryou’reafter somethingfortacklingthecommute towork,grabbingsomegroceries, meetingfriends,orjustridingforthe sakeofriding,thisisagreatoption. Andat£2599ithardlybreaksthe bankforamachineofthisqualityand versatility.AsmuchasIloveriding gearedbikes,I’mgoingtoactually missthisgreatlittlecommuterscooter whenitgoesback,thankstoitseaseof

useandthedelightitmakesyoufeel doingsomethingassimpleasnipping alongahighstreet(Ican’tbelieveI’ve actuallywrittenthat).

Ifyou’reintoautomaticsandyou liketogettowhereyou’regoingas fastaspossiblethenthereareplenty ofotheroptionsonthemarket,but ifyou’reafterareliable,comfortable andveryaffordablemachinewhich feelssoathomenippingthrough citystreets,Ihavenoqualmsin recommendingtheKymco.

QIhavebeenridingbikessinceGodwasalad andhaveloadsoftrackexperience.Iraced whenIwasayoungster.NowI’minmyolder years,Itryanddohalf-a-dozentrackdaysa year.UsuallyIgowithmymatesandnowmy sonsincehe’sgrownup.IappreciateIamnot asquickasIusedtobeandamjustoutthere forsomefun.IhaveafullytrickedoutFireblade (I’vealwaysbeenaHondaman)andwasat atrackdaylastautumn.Wedidthebriefing andsignedthedisclaimer,etc.,andheaded out.Now,wehadbeentoldspecificallyno overtakinginthegroupwewerein,butafter twolapssomet#atwith‘allthegearandnoidea’ onaDucatithoughthewouldovertakeallthe ‘slow’people,ashetermeditafterwards.Long storyshort,asIbrakedandtippedinforarighthander,theDucatiDipstickdecidedhewould tryanddashdownthenearside.Indoingso,he rear-ndedmeandoffweskittledintothegravel trap.Theknock-onofthatisIbrokemyfemurin twoplacesandnowhavemoremetalworkthan RoboCop(thatreferencewillgiveyouanidea onmyvintage!).Naturally,myownfullycomp. insurerwon’tpayoutforanaccidentontrack,

andIamnowleftwithasmashed-upbike,a smashed-uplegandsixmonthswithnowages (Iamaself-employedplumber).Thetrackday peoplehavetoldmeIhavenoclaimagainst themasIsignedadisclaimer.Theyalsowon’t givemetheDucatiman’snameandaddress.Is therearoutethroughformetocompensation? IwouldjustaddthatIhavemyownon-board footageshowingtherear-endsmash.

AYes,thereisaroutethrough,butitmaywell betricky.Firstly,youshouldbeaimingyour claimattheDucatiDipstick,notthetrackday organiserasthisappearstobehisfault,not theirs.Insimpleterms,youwillneedtoprove thatDipstickwasnegligentinbreakingtherules ofthetrackdayandcausedtheaccidentand yourinjuriesandloss.Ifyoucandothat,you canclaimcompensationfromhim.NowIhave saidthis,itmaybetrickybecauseifthetrackday organiserwon’tgiveyouhisnameandaddress, youmayhavetomakeaCourtapplication againstthemtogetanOrderagainstthemto releasehisdetails.Thiswill,ofcourse,taketime andmoney.However,aCourtshouldorderthat,

SOLICITORS www.whitedalton.co.uk

andonceyouhavehisdetails,youcancrack onwithyourclaimagainsttheDucatiDipstick. Iwouldjustaddthatevenifyougetallofhis detailsandwinyourclaimagainsthim,youmay struggletogettheactualmoneyoffhim.For anextremeexample,ifhedoesnothaveajob andlivesinarentedhouse,hemaybea‘man ofstraw’andyoumayneverseeapenny.That said,youwon’tknowwhatwill‘falldown’until you‘shakethetree’,andwehavehadourfair shareofclientswhohavebeencompensated insituationslikeyours.Lastly,makeback-up copiesofyourvideo.Thatevidenceisvitaland willaidnoendinprovingyourclaim.Apicture speaksathousandwords,astheysay.

QSomeyounglassdrovestraightoutofacar parkandintothesideofmewhilstIwason themainroad.Shesmashedmyleftankletobits withtheresultthatI’vehadtwooperations(so far).Herinsuranceistakingcareoftheclaim formyinjuriesandrehabilitation,etc.,butI amnothappywiththePoliceastheyhavetold metheyarenotprosecutingherbecausesheis youngandalsogothurt.Myviewistheyshould

The MB legalcolumniscompiled bymanagingpartnerAndrew‘Chef’ Prendergastandhisbike-ridingbarristers andsolicitorsatWhiteDaltonMotorcycle Solicitors.

Thefirmdealswithpersonalinjuryclaims anditssistercompany,MotorDefence Solicitors,dealswithallthemotoring offences.WhiteDaltonlawyershavea vastknowledgeofbikelaw,andtheyhave fullbikelicences,too.Theydon’tactfor insurancecompaniesortheprosecution. WhiteDaltonisBritain’spremierspecialist motorcyclelawpractice,andifits professionalsdon’tknowtheanswer

bringbackNationalServiceandsendheroff forsomediscipline.Equally,Idorecognise thatIamprettyangryaboutthewholething. Nonetheless,whatcanIdotohelpherget prosecuted?

AThePolice’sjobistogathertheevidence.

TheCrownProsecutionService(CPS)then makesadecisionwhethertoprosecute.TheCPS shouldlookatTheCodeforCrownProsecutors. Therearetwomainconsiderations:

1. Isthereenoughevidenceagainstthe defendant?

2. IsitinthepublicinterestfortheCPStobring thecasetocourt?

Ifyouwantthedriverconsideredfor prosecution,Iwouldreadtheguideandthen writetothePolice/CPSwithyourreasonsand askforthemattertobereviewedwithaviewto prosecutionandgofromthere.Iseenoreason whythiswomanshouldnotbeprosecutedfor drivingwithoutduecareandattention.Being youngand/orinjuredisnoreasonatall.Whilst youshouldn’thaveto,Iadviseyoupersevere.

toyourquestion,thereprobablyisn’t one.Don’trelyontheadvicefromyour insurance-appointedsolicitor,getproper independentadvice.

Forroadtrafficoffences,calltheMotor Defencesolicitorson08002800912. Fornon-offencecases,call WhiteDaltonmotorcyclesolicitorson 08007836191.

Ifyouneedadviceonabiking-relatedlegal questionorquery,emailmail@whitedalton. co.uk.ThebestQ&Awillbepublishedin MB,inconfidence,ofcourse.

Welovetoseewhatyoulot areriding–andweknow therestofyoulikeit,too. It’sjustlikepotteringaround abikenightandchecking outwhat’sbeenbrought outforablast.Nowwe’ve decidedtobringthebike nighttoyou,askingreaders tosendusphotosoftheir prideandjoyfortheworld tosee.Here’resomeof ourtoppicksfromthelast month.

You’renotgoingtomissDean Halford’sYamahaMT-07.Brilliantbit ofkit.

SteveMinshall’swell-usedBMW R1200GS.Two-uptouring,daysout, Motogymkhana,evenafewlapsof CadwellPark;thisthing’lldoitall.

There’snothingquitelikeaBonnie. We’dloveonelikeIanElphick’sin theshed.

Mike Oxlittle’sin two-stroke heaven withhis Kawasaki KR1S. Properly iconicbike.

Inpartnershipwith ForcefieldBodyArmour

ChristopherFaulks’lean,mean TriumphStreetTripleRS

JohnHough’sKTMSuperduke1290. 10years,manymilesandstillgoing strong.Anditlooksasgoodasever.

WebetPhilGirling’sthekingof theroadonhisHarley-Davidson Fatboy.

WelovethelookofMartinQuick’s YamahaRD350(andhisswanky garage,too).

SimonLeckie’simmaculateHonda Firebladelooksreadyforaction.

GrahamCrook’sHondaFirestorm bringingthelate90sstyle.

PeteBarwick’sgonefull-factory withhisKTMDuke990.Nice.

CLASSIFIEDS

BIKERFRIENDLY

SUSPENSION

TYRES

WEBWATCH

CHROMING

ForSale

AJP SPR240Enduro,Sept2022, warranty,roadlegal,onSorn, 270miles,ADJsuspension, sparessprocketsetc,raised gearing,newbattery,£3500ono Tel.01322556013.Kent.

BENELLI Imperiale,72plate 400cc,singlelowrunningin miles,reg22/12/2022,red/ black,fittedrack,nicesmooth ride,asnewtwinclocks,gear indicator,hazardlights,ride away,£2225.Tel.01745 330989.NorthWales.

BMW BoxerCup,2002,number 7of25,justunder20,000 miles,heatedgrips,panniers, Goodridgehoses,Laserexhaust, newMichelinPilottyres,MoT August2024,ULEZcompliant, genuinelylovelybike,not gettingused,£5500Tel.02083 014768.Email.r.symonds984@ btinternet.com

BMW Chopper,uniquetrophy winningR65basedIsleofMan, themedcustom,£10,000offers orrequestmoredetailsTel. 01539741341.Cumbria.

BSA ShootingStar,1958, metallicgreen,immaculate, 500cctwin,Akrontalloyswith Avons,verygenuinebike, runningwell,V5C,alsoincluded topboxandpanniers,from privatecollection,freedelivery arranged,£5950Tel.01723 372219.NorthYorkshire.

BSA GoldenFlash,1961,metallic grey,matchingAvonfairing,alloy rims,crashbars,T/L/Sbrake, chromeHagons,newclutch, fromprivatecollection,readyto ride,outstandingcondition,free deliveryarranged,£5950Tel. 01723372219.NorthYorkshire.

BSA Lightning,1966, immaculate650cctwin,red/ blackpaintwork,chrome mudguards,headlamp, forktops,newsilencers,battery, alternator,reartyre,photos, V5C,fromprivatecollection, readytoride,freedelivery arranged,£6950Tel.01723 372219.NorthYorkshire.

CAGIVA Canyon,1996,non runner,onSornsince2016,rebuilt butnospark,fewbitsmissing, V5,agerelatedmarksbutin reasonablecondition,£495ono Tel.Tony07758515696.Lincs.

BULTACO 250Sherpa,1975/76, matchingframeenginenumbers, squareswingarm,enginerebuilt, newcarb,frontwheelbearings, chainsomepittingonforks,no sidestand£1750onoTel.01787 210865.Suffolk.

DUCATI 900ss2004rolling chassiswithV5,£925.Tel. 07930473221.

DUCATI ST2inblue,2001,easy project,goodenginewithV5, £1350+ST2insilverwithV5 £1175+Multistrada1000cc 2004,redframewithV5,£395 ono+otherDucatisparesfor saleallbikeshaveV5Tel.07930 473221.

GILERA Stalker50ccscooter, Piaggioaircooledengine, Brembobrakemodel,two ownersfromnew,13,000miles, soldwith£1000worthofunused newsparesincludingcomplete forks,wheels,tyresand70cc kit,idealforscooterracing,£700 Tel.01534822082.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON 1200 lowriderwithscreenleather panniersandcrashbars,only 3000milessoit’slikenew,a goodhonestbike,reluctantsale, £6650ono.Tel.07988149448.

Lancs

HONDA CB125F,2021,areliable andeconomicalbikethatis perfectforcommutingorleisure, lowmileage4200milesand hasbeenservicedregularlyby Honda,comeswithmanyextras, worthover£450,suchascrash barsfittedbyHondatoprotect theengineandotherparts,Givi rearrackwith50LOxfordtop boxforextrastoragespace, bikeisinexcellentconditionand runssmoothly,£2950.Email. martinianocouto17@gmail.com

HONDA KZ1000,1979,Goldwing 1000cc,gaugesontank32,000 miles,electronicignition,new cambelts,carbscleanedrejected, Americanimport,imported Somersetmotorcycles,new headlight,lowerbars,battery, moneyspentrestoringTel.01904 763175.NorthYorkshire.

KAWASAKI W650,2002,red andcream,excellentcondition, 16,000miles,£3900Tel.01291 423392.

KAWASAKI ZZR600Xregand KawasakiZZR1100Greg,600 needsnewpadsandabattery, 11needsfrontmudguardand battery,bothMoT’dandrunning whentheycameoffroad, £1200thepair,buyercollects, BostonareaTel.07871517447. Lincolnshire.

KAWASAKI W650,2005,one owner,MoTAugust,27,000 miles,veryreliablesome tarnishingonengine,some extras,notfittedsomespares factoryworkshopmanual, £2500.Tel.07853929691.

ROYALENFIELD Bulletpre65 model,2020reg,fshMoTAug 2024,855miles,heatedgrips, lightcovernumberboardon sidegreatmotorcycle,contact formoreinformation,£3995Tel. 07772797112.

ROYALENFIELD 350T,2002/3, goodoriginalcondition,believed WatsonianSquireSpecial, 3515km,MoTJuly2024, traditional4speed,rightfoot changekickstartonly,funto ride,£2500sensibleoffersTel. 01545560418.WestWales.

ROYALENFIELD Crusader, 250cc,1969,CafeRacer,red/ bluepaintwork,lightweight singlecylinder,newwheels andtyres,battery,clip-ons, rearsets,runningwell,rideor show,photos,V5C,freedelivery arrange£3750Tel.01723 372219.Yorkshire.

SYM Cruisym2023,23reg, blueandsilver,genuine490 miles,nicecondition,HTDgrips newmaxiscooterforcessale, 125cclearnerlegal,bigcomfy maxiscootergaraged,110mpg, £2999.Tel.07784499299.

SouthYorkshire

TRIUMPH T400Tiger855,1996, Caspianblue,14,000miles,MoT untilSept2024,heatedgrips, Shadtopbox,fullyserviced thiswinterincnewbrakepads allround,allfluidsandfilters, valvescheckedandnewchain, Ledheadlights,handandservice books,plusoriginaltoolkit,great condition,£2200Tel.07714 213045.

YAMAHA FazerFZS600,2000 W,20,700miles,drystored14 years,12monthsMoT,datatag newe/sradcover,Goodridge hoses.Alsoforsamemotorcycle Givi3boxMonokeyluggage, s/sexhaust,Scorpioncan, Scottoiler,Haynesmanualetc, £2000thelotnooffers,ringfor moreinfo,cashonlyTel.01914 692783.Tyne&Wear.

NEW scooterwheels,newold stockPiaggioTyphoon,Gilera Stalker,orBWS,boxed,front completewithdisc,wheel bearingandaxle,readdrum, Gunmetalgreyincolour,£120 pluspostageTel.01534822082.

DUCATI 600SS,750Ss,900Ss, fullfairing,headlight,bracket, rearmudguard,forkswheels, disc,sprocket,carrier,carbsfor spares,clocks,wiringloomTel. 07816043480.Staffs.

SUNBEAM 1930’s,Britishparts, MotoGuzzi,chain25length 5/8x3/8thsandvariousother sparesforsale,willingtosellas onelotorseparatelyTel.07833 906288.

CLASSICMOTORCYCLE wanted anymakeoragefromaboxof bitstoamintmachine,Britishor Jap,decentpricepaidTel.Colin 01514470147.

EXCHANGE classicMini10” cosmicwheelsforYamahaIT wheelsorhubsorVespaPXDisc projectTel.01534822082.

KAWASAKI Z200,1978,2200 miles,newtyres,chains, sprockets,battery,forksrechromed,tankcoated,electric startandkickstart,£2750.Tel. Jim07974071187.Manchester.

TRIUMPH T100,500cc,1966, highlevelexhaustpipesTel. 07593438795.EastSurrey.

Miscellaneous

TRIUMPH Scrambler,2006, 31,200miles,MoT,owned13 years,blue/white,excellent chromework,£3600onoTel. 07905617940. YAMAHA Virago250cc,MoT until14/08/2024,11,2663onthe clock,allpaperworkprovided, it’singreatshapebutdoeshave averysmalldentintankand brokenlatchononeofpanniers, althoughstilloperationalwiththe straps,pricetosellquickly,offers closestto£1450Tel.07971 295741.Huddersfield.

PartsForSale

VARIOUSSPARES forHonda CB250/350K,68-74modelyear, KawasakisparesW65C/W800 Tel.01291423392.Chepstow.

KAWASAKI ZZR600,1990-93, fullbodykit,mudguardandtank, allingoodcondition,£120ono. FZ12008Yamahastandard silencerlinkpipe,exhaustvalve andcableclutch,springs, gaskets,£60ono.Tel.07758 515696.Lincolnshire

TRIUMPH 900,newboxed sprocketcover,chrome,£400, £7postage.Alsorechromed sprocketcover,£300,£7 postage.Chromeheadlight bucketforsamebike,£80,£5 postage,excellentconditionTel. 07434513161.Lancashire.

Wanted

AJS Stormerwantedfor restorationTel.01524735039.

BSA B40orB40SScylinderhead orcompleteenginewanted, reasonableconditionandprice pleaseTel.David07436002647. Email.thehubbards1954@ hotmail.com

CLASSICBIKE wantedconsider anythingaBSABantamtoa YamahaRD400,anybikein anycondition,goodpricepaid, genuinebuyerTel.07432 566835.Tamworth.

BOOTS pairDaytonaGoretex boots,shortstyle,size10,as newcondition,£100pluspost. Scottleatherpants,blackwith protection,asnew,£40.RST blackDenimKevlarjeans, removeablekneeprotection, £40,both30waistTel.01282 816306.

FRANKTHOMAS Defenderblack leatherjacket,builtinarmour, twinzipforadjustment,top quality,littleused,yearsoldlike new,40”(102cm)chest,£100 pluspostTel.01282816306. Lancs/YorksBorder.

HAYNESMANUALS new,Suzuki GSXR600,01to03,GSX-R750 00to03,GSX-R100001to02, £10.SuzukiGSX-R600&75006 to09,£10.SuzukiGSX-R60097 to00,GSXR75096to00,£10. UsedYamahaIT175/Jgenuine manual,£10allpluspostTel. 01926770198.Warwickshire.

MANUALS forsaleHaynes Kawasaki550Fours1979to 1986HondaCB100125,SL125, 1970on,YamahaRS/RSX 100/125SuzukiGP100/1251978 to1991,£10each.Tel.07852 921265.