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rmowbray@mortons.co.uk

SometimesIforgethowmuch Ilovetrailriding.Belting aboutoff-road;splashing throughpuddles;climbing hills;negotiatingruts;andexploring thecountrysideneverfailstoputa smileonmyface.

It’snotalwayseasyto findthe time,though…thisjobdemands lotsofroadriding,andopportunities aresurprisinglyfewandfarbetween tosearchouttheroughstuff.Infact, It’sprobablybeenayearsinceI managedtospendafulldayouton thelanes.

Thankfully,I’vejustmanagedto changethat,havingtakenatrip downsouthtojoinPhoenixTrails forthedayonSalisburyPlain.I’ve alwayswantedtoridethere.It’s somethingofaMeccaamongthose intheknowwithapenchantfor thedirt.The300-square-milesite offershundredsofmilesoflanes toexplore–andaboardaFantic XEF250underthewatchfuleyeof ourguideforthedaywho’sknown locallyasthe‘SalisburyPlainStig’,I wasinmyabsoluteelement.

Phoenixisacoolorganisation.

Itsbreadandbutterismotorcycle training(CBTsandroadlicence stuff),butit’srecentlystarteda separatetrailtrainingarm,too.With centresinWiltshire,Kent,thePeak DistrictandthePennines,ifyou’re aftersometoptuitionorjustwant someonetoshowyousomeofthe bestlegalplacestorideyourtrail bike,thenPhoenixiswellworthyour time.

Ridesafe,

CHANGES TO CBT

A group of the UK's biggest bike organisations are calling for the Government to make changes to Compulsory Basic Training. Here’s what we know

If you’ve learnt to ride a bike in recent years, you’ll know all about Compulsory Basic Training The oneday course is the first step riders take when working to get their hands on a full licence – but ‘passing’ the day also entitles you to ride a moped or 125cc scooter or bike (depending on your age).

It’s an efficient way to get people on the road, although it’s not without its flaws Which is why a group of the UK’s biggest biking organisations have joined forces to encourage the Government to make some changes to the way things are done

The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC), Transport for London (TfL), the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) and a whole host of additional organisations have appealed to the Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper, to enact a series of changes which were actually agreed and announced by the Department for Transport (DfT) by the end of 2017, but up until now they’ve not been enforced. They reckon it’s time to change that

Here’s what’s been asked for

■ Introduction of a training course to upgrade motorcycle licence entitlements

■ The creation of powers to revoke

CBT certificates or take other measures for learner riders who have accrued six penalty points

■ Restriction of learners who complete CBT on an automatic transmission machine to riding only automatic machines

■ Provision for upgrading entitlement to manual machines for riders with such a restriction

■ Establishment of a combined CBT and DAS instructor qualification assessment

■ Limiting the time period that down-trained instructors can give instruction

■ Changes to the CBT syllabus, including requiring instructors to ensure trainees are appropriately attired for riding

■ Condensing the five elements of CBT to four

■ Strengthening the quality assurance scheme for motorcycle instructors

■ Introduction of the theory test as part of, or prior to, CBT

■ Digitising the CBT administration process

■ Implementation of earned recognition.

The letter describes the changes as 'fundamentally important to the development of safer motorcycling across the UK'. It also urges for swift

action to get the ball rolling and begin making the changes Speaking about the appeal, NMC Executive Director Craig CareyClinch said: “The changes we call for in our joint letter were agreed by government several years ago and their introduction is long overdue We urge the Secretary of State and the Department for Transport to commence work to implement this positive and potentially lifesaving legislation.

“Our letter to the Secretary of State marks a moment when the motorcycle sector, public authorities and road safety organisations have come together to achieve positive change for motorcycle safety.

“We urge the Government to take note and act in partnership with all parties to make these changes to CBT and also to other areas of motorcycle safety, so that a more sustainable and proactive approach can be taken to support casualty reduction for this important mode of mobility, transport and leisure”

All we can say is credit to them Anything that can help make CBT more effective, riders safer and maybe even entices a few more people to get in on the act and start riding bikes is a good thing in our book

LIMITEDEDITION

CheckoutthelatestadditionstoTriumph’sTiger900range

TocelebrateIvánCervantes’ victoryattheBajaAragónlast year,Triumph’slaunchedapair ofrally-inspiredTiger900s. Cervantes’winofthegruelling 450kmracewasnomeanfeat –anditshowedtotheworld justhowcapabletheTriumph Tiger900RallyProisinthe handsoftherightrider.And now,off-roadenthusiastscan gettheirhandsonapairof modelswhichtakeinspiration fromthe five-timeEnduroWorld Champion’smodifiedsteed.

Fromalooksperspective,the Tiger900RallyAragóngetsa sharpnewpaintjob,blending MattPhantomBlack,Matt GraphiteandCrystalWhitewith someRacingYellowaccents andanewtwincolourseat.

TheGTAragóndoesthe same,withaDiabloRed,Matt PhantomBlackandCrystal Whitecolourschemeanda twincolourseat,too.

Elsewhere,bothmodels getsomeproperengine

protectionasstandard,while theRallyAragónEditionalso getsfueltankprotectionbars. There’salsosomeuprated suspensionintheformofthe fullyadjustable45mmUSD Marzocchicartridgeforks(with electronicallyadjustableRSU) fortheGTandmoreoff-road focusedShowaforksonthe Rally.

Theengineandtherestof thechassisisunchanged,so you’vegotafeisty93.9bhp, 64lb-ft,888ccin-linetripleon handtoprovidethepower,and somecapableBrembobrakes lookingafterthestopping.

Ifyou’rekeentobagyourself oneoftheselimited-edition bikes,expecttoforkout £13,995fortheTiger900Rally Aragónand£13,695forthe Tiger900GTAragón–andas they’reonlyavailablethrough 2023,you’llnothavelong toact.Wanttoknowmore?

Checkoutthewebsiteorhead downtoyourlocaldealer.

BATTERY BEEMER

BMWhasjustrevealed itsfunkynewlearner-legal electriccommuter.

WiththerollingoutofUltraLowEmissions ZonesacrosstheUKandacontinued pushtowardselectrification,BMW’s battery-powerednakedbikecould beperfectlyplacedtotemptthenext generationtotaketotwowheels.Though they’llneeddeeppocketstogettheir handsonone,thankstoitswhopping £7450pricetag.

There’slittledoubttheCE-02isa properlycoolbitofkitwithitsstrippedback,futuristicstylinglikenothingelseon themarket.Butwhat’sactuallygoingon beneaththesurface?

It’safairlyversatilebitofkitthat’s suitableforthoseoneitherAMorA1 licences,withitsair-cooledlithium-ion batterycapableofproviding5.4bhpor 14.8bhpofpowertothemotor.Andthere’s 40.6lb-ftoftorquetoplaywithtohelpit makeswiftprogressofftheline.

Thefullpowermodelweighsinat132kg; hasaneasy-to-manageseatheightof 750mm;andasetofagility-focused14inchwheels;whilesuspensionislooked afterbysome37mmupside-downforks upfrontandamonoshockattherear.And whenpluggedintothewall,thefullpower

SAVEONASUZUKI

Inthemarketforanewlearnerlegalride?Suzuki’sgotyoucovered followinganextensionofits£500-off dealonitsrangeof125ccroadbikes. Whatthatmeansisthatyou’ve gotuntiltheendofSeptemberto savesomecashandbagyourselfa GSX-R125for£4,499,oraGSX-S125 for£4,199.Formoreinformation,get overtheSuzukiwebsitenow.

versionwilltakejustover fivehoursto charge(thoughthere’salsoafastcharger optionavailablewhichcutsthetimedown to3.5hours).

Asyou’dexpect,there’salsoaraft ofrideraids,includingasmartphonecompatible3.5inTFTdash;‘Flow’and ‘Surf’ridingmodes(withanadditional ‘Flash’modeavailableasanextra);a USB-Csocket;andkeylessignition. SettogoonsaleinAprilnextyear,ifyou wanttoknowevenmoreaboutthecool butcostlycommuter,thennipovertothe BMWwebsite.

NEWBULLET?

There’stalkthatoneofRoyalEnfield’s best-sellingmodelsisabouttoreceive arefresh. Thesuggestionisthenew Bulletwillgetthesameengineasthe newHunter350andMeteor350–but weshouldn’thavetowaitlongforall thedetails,withthelaunchrumoured tobehappeningthismonth..

Welovetoseewhatyoulot areriding–andweknowthe restofyoulikeit,too.It’sjust likepotteringaroundabike nightandcheckingoutwhat’s beenbroughtoutforablast. Nowwe’vedecidedtobring thebikenighttoyou,asking readerstosendusphotos oftheirprideandjoyforthe worldtosee.Here’resome ofourtoppicksfromthelast month.

NeilCopeboughtthisexceedingly lovelySuzukiGT200X5newin1981. It’ssonicehe’sownedittwice… havingsolditandboughtitback.

PeteMartinandhispalshavebeenbusygettingtothetopofJohnO’Groats ontheirmade-for-itHondaST1300andYamahaFJR1300.

Inpartnershipwith ForcefieldBodyArmour

AsweetM50GrandPrixfromthe 70s.It’snotoftenwegetsent snapsofpropervintagebikes. ThankstoSimonLongforalook athislovelyJamesCometsoaking uptheviewsalongtheHumber Estuary.

HowaboutDavePritchard’s KawasakiZZR1400?Bought onJune6,2006andstillgoing strongafteralltheseyears.

RichardCooper’saluckylad.Checkouthis2003KawasakiKLX300looking readyforactiononBournemouthseafront–andhislean,mean2021 YamahaWR450FSupermotoRossiRanchReplica.

We’vegottimeforeverythingwith twowheelsandamotorhereat MoreBikes–includingHelenPitt’s lovelyYamahaNMAX125.

Oooft.WebetRichardHolmeshas somefunwithhisKawasakiZephyr 1100.

WeloveaKTMDuke–andAndrewBell’slookslikeit’sseensomeaction. Here’sabraceofphotosofitoutandabout.

EVENTS

Atthistimeoftheyear,you’respoiltforthingstodoand placestogoonyourbike.Fromralliestojumblesandracing totrackdays(andeverythingin-between),ifyou’reonthe huntforwheretogotogetyourtwo-wheeledfixthrough AugustandSeptember,here’sourpickofsomeofthebest.

August12-14

BritishSuperbikeChampionship Round7atThruxton/ www.britishsuperbike.com

Thisonespeaksforitself.Ifyou wanttowatchsomeofthefastest ladsintheUKbeltingroundon track,there’snobetterplacetobe.

August12-13

OhvaleUKCupChampionship Round6atWhiltonMill/ www.peterhickman.net/theohvale-uk-cup Thisisachancetowatchthenext generationofracersputtothetest, with8-12year-oldsand10-14yearoldsspinninglapson110ccand 160ccOhvalesrespectively.

August13

NormousNewarkAutojumble NewarkandNottsShowground/ www.newarkautojumble.co.uk

Onthehuntforbikingbargains? Thisistheplacetobe;withan arrayofprojects,parts,restoration servicesandmore.

August15

BennettsRiderConfidenceDay DoningtonPark/ www.bikesocial.co.uk

We’veonlygotgoodthingstosay abouttheBennettstrack-based training.Designedtoimprove machinecontrolandboostyour ridingconfidence,ridersofalllevels willgetsomethingoutofit.

August18-20

BMFDambusterRally ThorpeCampVisitorCentre/ www.bmf.co.uk/events

Thisisacrackingannualeventthat takesplaceinLincolnshireevery summer.Ifyou’repartialtoafew beersina fieldsurroundedbylikemindedbikers,theBMFhasyou covered.

August19-20

WomeninMotoShow UttoxeterRacecourse/ www.womenmoto.co.uk

Thisisacrackingeventwhichhas afocusonempoweringwomen bikersnewandold.Butnomatter yourgender,ifyou’reintobikes you’llbemadewelcome–with workshops,speakers,testrides, filmscreeningsandmoretoenjoy.

August20-28

TheManxGrandPrix,IsleofMan/ www.manxgrandprix.org GettracksideattheaweinspiringMountainCourseonthe motorcyclingmeccainthemiddle oftheIrishSea,asracersbattle forvictoryacrossthe37.73-mile circuit.Thisisaspecialone.

August26-27

DawntoDuskEnduro

ValeofNeath,Wales/ www.dawntoduskenduro.co.uk Thisonedoesexactlywhatitsays

onthetin.It’saseriouslycool event,withfourdifferentracesall goingonatthesametime–and thehardiestofthelotwillbegoing head-to-headforawhopping 24hours.

August27-29

BritishSuperbikeChampionship Round8atCadwellPark/ www.britishsuperbike.com Thisisoneofourfavouriteevents ontheBSBcalendar.Justdown theroadfromMoreBikesHQatthe sensationalCadwellPark,thisis oneofthebestwaystospendthe bigBankHolidayweekend.

August27

RamseySprint Ramsey,IsleofMan/ www.straightliners.events Ifyou’reoverontheIsleofMan fortheManx,thenyou’ddowell tocheckoutsometop-speed stuffrightonthepromenadeinthe centreofRamsey.Hastobeseen tobebelieved.

August29-30

CaliforniaSuperbikeSchool TrainingDay,BedfordAutodrome/ www.superbikeschool.co.uk TheCaliforniaSuperbikeSchool iswellworthyourtimeifyou’re lookingtoimproveyourriding. Foundedbackinthe80s,theUK branchoftheschooloffersfour levelsoftrainingtosuitnewriders, pro-racers,andeveryoneinbetween.

SEPTEMBER

September3

StratfordAutojumble Stratford-upon-AvonRacecourse/ www.stratfordautojumble.co.uk Morebargainstobehadfrom thegoodfolksbehindNormous Newark,butthistimedownat Stratford.

September2

WorldSpeedwayChampionship Round8atCardiff/ www.fimspeedway.com

Speedwayisseriousbusiness –andit’sanamazingspectacle watchingracersdobattleforthe WorldChampionshipcrown.Ifyou wanttocheckoutthebestinthe worldshowingofftheirsideways skills,youneedtogetdownto Cardiffforthisone.

September7-10

FIA/FIMEuroFinals SantapodRaceway/ www.santapod.co.uk

Thisisabigone.TheEuropeanFinals areSantaPod’smostprestigious dragracingeventandifyouwantto watchbikesbeltingalongat200mph thenyouneedtobehere.

September8-10

GoodwoodRevival/ www.goodwood.com

WelovetheGoodwoodRevival. It’saproperspectacle that’slovedby motorsportfanatics withapenchantfor retrofarandwide.

IRONINGOUT THEKINKS

1979hadbeena holdingpositionwith KennyRobertsdoinghisutmost tofendofftheserriedranksof SuzukiRG500s.Unabletogivehim theextrapowerhewanted,the factoryembarkedonamassloss programme–aluminiumwould replacesteelforthechassisandthe motorwouldmoveforwardalittle toaidfront-endstability.Inside themotortheold-stylecylindrical PowerValvesweredroppedin favourofamoreeffectiveguillotinestyleunit.Therewasalsomuch shenanigansinthecarburettor departmentwithvarioussizesof chokediameterandoptionsfor bothaluminiumandmagnesium castings.Lotsoftweakingbut,once again,iterativestepsratherthan dramaticprogress.

Thealloyframewasfoundto bewantingasit flexedtoomuch

sobracingwasadded…andthen itwaspaintedblackbytherace teamtoconvinceeveryoneitwas stillsteel!1980wasabetterseason forYamaha’stopmanwithatrio ofwinsinthe firstthreeraces.To somedegreetheearlyresultswere partially‘gifted’totheIawata-based teambySuzuki’swaywardRG500. Theirrevisedrisingratesuspension hadafewridersoff atthestartof theseasonsomadelifeeasierfor Yamaha. Thatsaid,itdidn’ttakethe Hamamatsufactorytoolongtoget thesquarefourbehavingitself.

Yamahahadwhattheythought wasaplantohelpRoberts–they wouldsellprivateerstheTZ500G whichtheysincerelyhopedwould obfuscatemanyoftheSuzukis. Essentiallya‘dialledback’OW,the bikewaspartrevenuegeneratorand partgrid fillercummobilechicane fortheaspiringandthewell-heeled. Unfortunately,thebikeunderperformedbigtime,handledbadly andfailedtoliveuptoexpectations. ItwouldtakeafullNicoBaakerframe

togetJackMiddleburg’sTZ500Gto behaveanywherenearlikeitshould. AnewenginedebutedattheDutch round. TheOW48Rranitstwoouter cylinders(1&4)reversedwithcarbsat thefrontandtheexhaustattherear. Thisgavealmostuninterruptedgas flowonthestraightpipeswhichthen deliveredavitalextra7bhp.Suchwas thechangein flowdynamics,theteam founditself fittingcarburettorstwo millimetreslargerindiametertothe reversedpairofpots.Itshouldhave beengoodnewsbuttheOW45Rmotor

wouldn’t fitintothealloychassis, therebynecessitatingareturntothe heaviersteelframe–swingsand roundabouts,etc.Ferociouslybad handlingdidn’tendearthehybrid500 toRobertseither,whohadtoexitAssen raceduetoapuncture,allowingJack MiddleburgtowinontheIMNYamaha.

Seconds,thirdsandfourthwerethe besttheAmericancouldachievefor therestoftheseasonevenwhenan alloyframewaswrappedaroundthe OW45Rengine.Suzuki’sRG500swere gettingbetterateachraceandbythe

endoftheseasonwouldoccupyP2to P6inthe finalstandings.Robertsand Yamahahadanotherchampionship butitwasalotcloserthaneither wouldhavewanted.

TheVJMC–runby motorcyclistsfor motorcyclists.For membershipenquiriesonly Tel: 01454501310

Email: membership_vjmc@yahoo. co.uk Address: POBox1949,Yate,Bristol BS370BX Officehours: Mon-Thurs,10am4pm(pleaseleaveamessage)

Words: SteveCooper

Photo: MortonsMedia Archive

Q&A

Ourspecialistmotoringsolicitor AndrewPrendergastguides readersthroughtheir legaltrialsandtroubles

QIwastakingmybikeinforaservice.Onthe wayIendedupbehindaVWcampervan whichappearedtohaveeverythingincluding thekitchensinkinsideit,andtwosurfboards tiedontop(subsequentlyIfoundouttheywere headingonacamping/surfingtrip). Theywere cruisingalongatabout50mphina60mphlimit. AsIwaslookingtoovertakethem,theyhita bumpandthenextthingoneofthesurfboards felloff thetopofthewagonandbouncedinto theroadinfrontofme.Istoodabsolutelyno chanceofavoidingitandthenextthingIknow I’mlookingskywardscompletelywindedand strugglingtobreathe.Twofacesthenappeared abovemeandDaveandDave(yes,theywere bothcalledDave)helpedmeup. Thesewerethe two‘surferdudes’. Theywereveryapologetic andtobefairreallynicelads.Basically,oneof theDaveshadcockedupandnotstrappedthe lastboardonproperly.Anyway,apoliceman happenedtobedrivingpastanddecidedto stop.Fairenough.Hethenstartedberating theDavesandsaidhewasgoingtonickdriver Davefordrivingwithaninsecureload.Itold thepolicemantocalmdown,thatthesethings happenandtheyhaveinsurancetopayout formydamagedbikeandkit,etc.,(thankfullyI didnotbreakanybones).Heshoutedatmeto

keepmy‘bignoseout’whilsthewroteDavethe driveraticket.Oncehehaddealtwiththat,he thenturnedhisattentiontomybikeandfound thatIhadabaldreartyre,tookaphotograph andthenissueda fixedpenaltyticket.Icouldn’t believeit.Andwiththat,heleftthescene offeringnohelporassistancewhatsoever.He wastheleastsympathetichumanbeingIhave everhadthemisfortunetomeet. Therefore, throughnofaultofmyown,Igottakenoutby asurfboardandgotaticketfortheprivilege.So myquestionsarethis.Igenuinelydidnotknow Ihadabaldtyre(Iacceptitwasbaldanddown tothecanvastobefair)andwasoff togetthe bikeserviced.CanIusethisasadefence,i.e.it wouldhavebeenspottedbythemechanicand thenreplaced?Also,willmeridingwithabald tyreaffectmyclaimagainstDavethedriverand hisinsurer?

AItcertainlyappearsthepoliceofficergot outofthewrongsideofbedthatday.So firstthings first.Ifhehasturnedupandstarted shoutingatyouandtheDaves,youcould consideracomplaintagainsthim.WhilstIget hehasajobtodo,heshouldn’tbeanarseand shoutatpeople.Movingonfromthat,your suggesteddefenceisnodefenceIamafraid. The

lawsaysyouareresponsible.Byallmeansyou cangotocourtandtryanddefendthis,butifthe officerturnsupwithhisphotographofyourbald tyreandgivesevidence,youwillloseandbe foundguilty. Therefore,myadviceisyouaccept the fixedpenaltyofferofthreepointsanda£100 fineandmoveforwardwithyourlife.Asforyour claimagainstdriverDaveandhisinsurer,unless theycanproveyourbaldtyrecontributedto theaccident(whichseemsunlikely)thenthere shouldbenoissue.

QAmIpiddlingintothewindwiththisone?I havegonetoworkinManchestercitycentre prettymucheverydayforthelastfewyearson mytrustedHondaNC750X.Whilstitsprobably theleastexcitingbikeinmycollection(Ihavea few)itwas(notepasttense)withoutdoubtthe mostreliableandeconomical.InJuneIwasin themiddlelaneofthreewhensomeyounglad overtookmeusingtheoutsidelane,pulledin frontofmeandthenbrakedsuddenly,slowing downwhentherewasabsolutelyfaff allinfront ofhim.Despitebeingontheanchorsquicksmart,Icouldn’tavoidsmashingintotherear ofhisCorsaandputtingmyheadthroughhis rearwindowscreen.Icutmyneckandbroke myankle,andtheHondahasgonetothebig

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

scrapyardinthesky. TheproblemIhavenowis myinsurerhassaidthelawiscompletelyagainst meandit’sallmyfaultasIrear-endedhim. Thisisdespitemeshowingthemthehead-cam footageIhave.AretheycorrectsimplybecauseI rear-endedtheladintheCorsa?

AFirstthings first,yourinsurerdoesnot knowtheirarsefromtheirelbow.Iaccept thegeneralstartingpointisthattheperson whorear-endstheotherisusuallyliablefor theaccident. Thisisbecausetheyshouldleave enoughspacebetweenthemandthevehicle infronttobeabletostopsafelyifsomething happens.However,inyourscenario,your ‘space’waseffectivelytakenawaybytheCorsa lad.Fromwhatyouhavesaid,youhavedone nothingwrong.Youwereestablishedinthe middlelaneheadingtoworkwhentheCorsa ladcausedtheaccidentbyhisnegligentactions. Ajudgeisunlikelyto finditreasonablefora drivertopullinfrontofyouthenjustheaveon theirbrakes. Thereiscaselawtosupportyou. Further,youhaveitonvideo!!!!Ifitshowswhat yousay,youwillwinonehundredpercent onliability.Getaspecialistsolicitorand crackonwithoutyourinsurer’sinput. They aretalkingcobblers.

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.

IN!

MOREBIKES

It’stimetogetoutyourpens

mattertothetest

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 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. It’sthatsimple.Getcrackingforthechance towin.Goodluck!

WhichracelendsitsnametoTriumph’s newlimited-editionTiger900?

£Worth 199.99

Thisjacketfrom Weisemight looklikea bog-standard waterproof,but beneathits simpleexterior there’saraftof featuresthat’ll keepyouwell protectedon allfronts.It’s waterproof,windproof andbreathablewith alaminatedouter shell,tape-linedseams, awaterproofcentralzipandahandful ofwaterproofpockets.There’salso aremovablethermallining.Tokeep yousafeshouldtheworsthappen,the jacket’skittedoutwithCE-approved back,shoulderandelbowarmour.And Weisealsooffersatwo-yearnoquibble warrantyshouldanythinggoawry.Not badatall.Wanttoknowmore?

Visit:www.weiseclothing.com

InwhichItaliantownisBenellibased?

2 5

HowmanyyearshasYamaha’sR1been inproduction?

7

WhichBSBroundisheldacrossthe AugustBankHolidayeachyear?

8 3 9

WhichbikedoesSuzuki’sV-Strom 800DEshareanenginewith?

HusqvarnaisownedbywhichAustrian firm?

6 1 10 4

WhendidTriumphfirstlaunchits Daytona675?

LASTMONTH:

WhatdoesCBTstandfor?

Where’sSuzuki’sHQbeensince1909?

Didyouget’emright?170bhp,Alpinestars,Triumph,FanticCaballero,R1150GS, 1936,2018,NorthCircular,1959,1979

STAY SAFE ONABUDGET

Whenitcomestoshoppingforyourgear, aquickonlinebrowsewilllikelymakeyou double-takeatsomeofthepricetagsyou see.Butkittingyourselfoutfromhead totoeingreat,hard-wearingequipment doesn’thavetobreakthebank.Sowe’ve joinedforceswithFeridaxtoshowthat youcankityourselfoutproperlyforless than£500.

SpadaOslo

£39.99

Myhandshavealwaysfeltthecoldfasterthanthe restofmybodysoIknewIwantedathickerpairof gloves,andtheOsloCEshavenotletmedown.TheCE certifiedknuckleprotectorsalongwiththecombination ofbothtextilesandleathermakethemfeelrobustand protective,andthethermallininghaskeptmyhands warmthroughbothheavyrainandnight-timeriding.For anaddedbonusthethumbontheleft-handglovehasa built-invisorwipertohelpquicklyclearawayrainwater, andwhichworksfantasticallywell.

SpadaStridersBoots

£74.99

Spada’sStridersCEbootsdonotlookliketraditional bikerfootwear.Insteadthey’vegoneforamuchmore casuallook,whichI’mabigfanof.Youcanwearthem anytime,anyplace–andthat’swhatIdo.Theshops, intheofficeandonthebike.Morethanonepersonhas askedwheremymotorcyclebootsare,seeingasthey lookjustlikethekindofshoeI’dwearanyday.At firstI wasworriedthatbeingsuedeskinned,theywouldpick uphard-to-clean-offmuckandstarttolookdishevelled fromthewet,butthewaterproofHiporalininghasdone agreatjobofkeepingthemneatanddry.

CabergAvalon Blast

£165

IlovemyCaberg,itiseverythingIwas lookingforinahelmet.Itfeelssecure,itis incrediblycomfortableanditlooksabsolutely amazing.However,looksaren’teverything, soit’sagoodthingit’spractical,too.Ithas adjustableventstoletairouttokeepyour headcool(greatforsomeoneashot-headed asme),andtohelpkeepyourvisorclear. Alsoithasanadditionalsunvisorwhichis reallyeasytotoggleupordown,evenin thickgloves,andthecatchonthemainvisor itselfisstiffandsecure,yeteasytoraiseor lowerwhilstonthemove.

SpadaCommute

Despitecomingwith fivepiecesofarmour included(elbows,shouldersandback), Spada’sCommuteCEispotentiallyoneof themostcomfortablejacketsI’veeverworn. Itlooksgreat,andhaskeptmefeelingnot justdry,butalsowarmwhilstridinginsome prettyawfulweatherconditions.Thelevelof waterproofingonitisincredible,whichisaided bytheziphavingarubbercovertokeeprain out,withVelcroreinforcementunderneath. Somebikejacketscanfeelprettybulkywhilst you’rewearingthem,butluckilytheCommute CEavoidsfeelinganyheavierthanmostcoats you’dchuckonbeforeheadingout.

SpadaCommute Trousers

£84.99

Spada’swebsitedescribestheirCommute lineascomfortableand,ohboy,arethey right!Somemotorcycletrousersareheavy andgetprettyhotanduncomfortablewhen you’rewearingthemoffthebike,butwiththe CommutetrousersI’vehadnosuchproblem. Despitethembeingthickandplentywarm enough,I’vewornthemfor11hoursstraight throughamixofactivemovements,riding andsittingintheoffice,andnotoncedidI wishIhadbroughtsomethingtochangeinto. Plus,thefourpiecesofCEcertifiedarmourin themfeelniceandprotective,withoutbeing uncomfortable.Topstuff.

WORDS: ChrisBailey PHOTOS: GaryChapman

Jacket £94.99

SUZUKI V-STROM 800 DE

WITH A

BANG

Not producing a completely all-new bike since 2017, Suzuki has instead only launched revamped or reclothed versions of existing models. Considering that fundamental lack of fresh machinery, and other clues like the massive decision to pull out of MotoGP racing, it seemed any hope of seeing a completely new Suzuki motorcycle was all but gone. Thankfully, that’s not the case, and for 2023 another middleweight adventure bike has been added to the range in the shape of the all-new V-Strom 800DE (Dual Explorer). Better than that, after riding it for two days both on- and off-road at its press launch in Sardinia, I’d go so far as to say the V-Strom will put Suzuki right back on the map, helping it regain its position as a big player. It might have been a long wait, but it appears as though it’s been worth it!

Itwasclearfromacoupleofkey factorsatthelaunchjusthow seriouslytheV-Stromwasbeing viewed,muchlikeitssiblingtheGSX8S.Inthesetighteconomictimes, it’sunusualforapresspresentation tobeheldovertwodays.Andonly whenanewmachinecommandshigh statusdosomanyJapaneseengineers attendandviewmatterswithasmuch anticipationastheydid.

Givenhowmuchisridingonthe successofthe800,Iwashappyfor thoseSuzukistaffwhenIbegan praisingtheV-Stromasearlyas Idid.AfterjustafewmilesIwas bothenjoyingandapprovingit.It hasajust-rightfeeltoit,andbar theseatheightbeingabittootall formy30-inchinsideleg,verylittle aboutthe800didn’tsuitme.Fun toride,theSuzuki’sgotalovely overallbalanceandimpressivelevel ofmanageability,allowingyouto feelrightathomefromtheget-go. Stand-outfeature,oneofseveralfor

me,istheSuzuki’sengine.Allnew, the270°paralleltwin,long-stroke motorhasV-twin-likepunchand character,givingitalovelythrottle responsefromlowrpm,withprompt andkeenlevelsofacceleration wheneveryouwant.Justasgood isthelinearandusablewaythe friendlythrustisdelivered,andif youhaven’tquitedroppeddown throughthegearboxenough,the motor’spullingpowerandflexibility letsyougetawaywithit.Mind you,theslickboxandexcellent bi-directionalquickshiftermean incorrectgearselectionislesslikely. Overall,theremarkableenginehas asortedandrelaxednature,and thoughit’snoslouchwhenyoudo letitrevhigherandgetitintoits impressivemid-range,itrarelyfeels threateningorlikelytogetyouinto trouble.Hangingontoonegearfor toolongisabitpointlessthough,as itspowerflattensoffwhenyouget upnearertoits9500rpmredline.

WORDS: ChrisMoss PHOTOS: Suzuki

ForthefulltestonSuzuki’s resplendentnewoff-roadready V-Strom(plusawholehostmore goodstuff,includingroutes,tech pieces,interviewsandopinions) bagyourselfacopyofMSL.

QUICKSPIN:SUZUKIV-STROM800DE

Evenso,suchwasthesufficiency belowthispoint,Ineverworried aboutthis,andprettymuchpraised itconstantlythroughoutthetwo-day test.ItalwaysprovidedeverythingI needed.Sometimes80-oddbhpisall youwant.

Withperfectfuelling,aslickgearbox action,andwhatappearedtobea frugalrateoffuelconsumption,I thinkthemotorisveryhardtofault. Therearethreepre-setridermodes tochoosefrom,alteringthrottle response,andtheamountofABS andtractioncontrolintervention.But thankstotheuser-friendlynatureof theengine,Ifoundthesharpest,A setting,tobemyfavourite.

Aswellastheagreeableengine manners,anotherfeatureof noteistheV-Strom’sexcellent suspensionaction. Thoselessusedto arrangementswithlongertravellike thisonemight findthegreater-thannormalmovementoftheforksand shocktakealittlemoretimetoget fullyacquaintedwith.Butonceyou do,you’llenjoythewaytheyhelp find gripfromeachtyreviatheincreased weighttransfer.

Alliedtothepredictablesteering andbrakes,morespiritedriding stillfeelssafeandsecure.Andthe V-Stromcertainlyfeelsmoreagile thanits230-kilowetweightmight leadyoutobelieve. Thebike’soverall balanceinfluencesthislighter-han-

expectedfeeland,ofcourse,the commandingridingpositionalso playsapartbyhelpingyoudominate thebikeandsteeritwithlessphysical input.Tightercornersandchicanes cancertainlybedealtwithwithout needingmuchmusclepower.

The800’sjustasstraightforwardto controlatverylowspeeds,too,with nearstaticmovesandU-turnsproving easywork.

Anotherverywelcomefeature oftheSuzuki’shandlingistheway its21-inchfrontwheelbehavesin sharperturns.Normally,wheelsof suchdiametercanfeelalittlevague whenthey’reaskedtosteerand changedirectiontoagreaterdegree, especiallyifyouwanttodothat quickly.Butfeelandfeedbacklevels aregoodenoughtomakeyouthink thewheelisofsmallersize.

TECHSPEC

SuzukiV-Strom800DE

Price: £10,665

Engine: 776cc,liquid-cooled,8v,DOHC, 270°paralleltwin

Power: 83bhp(62Kw)@8500rpm

Torque: 78Nm(58lb-ft)@6800rpm

Transmission: Six-speed,chaindrive, bi-directionalquickshifter

Frame: Steeltubed,aluminiumswingarm

Suspension: (F)43mmKYBinvertedforks, fullyadjustable,220mmtravel(R)KYB rising-ratemonoshock,fullyadjustable, 220mmtravel

Brakes: (F)Twin310mmdiscs,twin-piston ABScalipers(R)260mmdisc,single-piston ABScaliper

Wheels/Tyres: (F):21”spoked,90/90-21 (R)17”spoked,150/70-17

Seatheight: 855mm

Wheelbase: 1570mm

Wetweight: 230kg

Fuelcapacity: 20litres

Fuelconsumption: 65mpg(claimed)

Warranty: 3years,unlimitedmileage

Serviceintervals: 7500miles/12months

Contact: bikes.suzuki.co.uk

ANYTHING READYFOR

In the 10 years or so since the Pierer Mobility group snapped up Husqvarna from BMW, the famous, former Swedish marque has gone from strength to strength, and last year introduced the Norden 901, Husky’s first step into the ultra-competitive adventure market. Now it’s revealed a fully-loaded version that’s ready to cross continents.

WithsistercompanyKTMprovidingthe keyengineandchassiscomponentsforthe Husqvarnamodel,the901wasinessence arestyledandrepositioned890Adventure andslottedintothemarketbetweenthe road-biased890Adventureandthefeistier, dirt-focusedAdventureR.Now,for2023, HusqvarnahasintroducedtheNorden Expedition,whichispositionedclosertothe mud-larkingR.

At£13,599theNorden901Expeditionis only£900moreexpensivethanthestandard Norden901(£12,699),andthatlookslike somethingofabargainwhenyoulookat theamountofadditionalkitthat’sincluded. Tottinguptheextrasthatcomewiththe Expedition–including18-litresidebagsand theirmounts,atallscreen,heatedgripsand seat,acentrestandandmore–andthetotal comestoaround£2000.Andthat’swithout consideringtheupratedsuspensionthatthe Expeditionboasts,frontandrear,overthe standardNorden901. Onceyouaddthevalueoftheuprated WPsuspensionandtheextraridingmode, theExpeditionlookslikeevenbettervalue. KTM’sown890R(£13,299),withasimilar suspensionsetup,costsafractionless,but can’tmatchtheExpedition’sspec.Adding luggage,screen,centrestandandallthe

extrastotheKTMwilltakeitspricepast£15k. Engineperformanceremainsthesame asthe901,buttheExpedition’schassisis nowreadytotakeonmorechallenging adventures.Itgetslonger-travelWP suspensionsimilartotheRmodel;there’s anewscreen;aheavy-dutybashplate; aheatedseatandgrips;plusapairof softpanniersandacentrestandtoassist maintenancedutiesinthewilderness.AGPS mountingbracketalsopointstowardsmore adventurousambitions,whilean‘Explorer’ ridingmodecomesasstandard.Further evidenceoftheExpedition’sintendedfocus cameintheshapeofthetestroutelaidonby Husqvarnaforitspresslaunch. Thevenue wasSouthAfrica,therideagenuine500kmplusadventure,80%ofitoff-roadandinto zebracountry.Conditionsvariedfromfast, dustytrailstodeepsandandwatercrossings. Weevenloadedthesoftbags,readyfora night’scampingunderthestars. ThefamiliarLC8paralleltwinthat’sproved soeffectiveforKTM’sadventureandnaked middleweightspushesoutthesame103bhp at8,000rpmastheolder,stockNorden,with peaktorquealsounchangedat73.8lb-ftat 6500rpm. That’salittlemorepeakpower thanHonda’sAfricaTwin,andasmidgeless thanDucati’sDesertX.

Thisisjustasneakpeekatthe whoppingtestfromMotorcycle SportandLeisuremagazine.Ifthis biketicklesyourfancy,besureto bagyourselfacopyandgetthe insidelinefromoneofthebest journalistsinthegame.

ImmediatelyyoufeelathomewiththeLC8: powerlevels,throttleresponseandfuelling arejust-so.It’sfree-revvingandsweetly balanced,too,withnoglitchesorniggles and,whilethetwinisdistinctlylively,it’s notoverpoweringorintimidatingonthedirt either.InStreetmodeespecially,the889cc twiniswonderfullyversatile,pullingcleanly fromlowintherevrangethankstoawide spreadoftorque,orliftingits21-inchfront wheelasthenumbersbuildonthetacho.

Words: Adam‘Chad’Child Photography: MarcoCampelli,SebasRomero

IspentthemajorityoftheAfrican adventureineitherOffroadmode orExplorermode.InOffroad,asoft, easy-to-live-withpowerdeliverygives therearPirelliScorpionRallySTRtyre arelativelyeasytimewhensearching forgripoverlargerocksorinsand.In Explorermode,theridercantrimthe throttlefurther,oroptforaquicker ‘Rally’responsetogiveaninstantkick oftorquetoliftthefrontoverdeep puddlesorsmallerobstacles.You canalsotrimtheslipcontroltoyour setting(betweenlevels1to9)rather thangoingwitha fixedsettingfrom thefactory.

Chassis-wise,theExpeditionmoves closertotheoff-roadbiasedKTM 890AdventureR,withthelong-travel WPXplor48mmforksfor240mm offronttravel,replacingthe43mm WPApexitemsusedonthestandard Norden.Attheback,there’sasimilar upgradewiththeNorden901’sApex monoshockswappedforaWPXplor PDS,whichextendstravelfrom 215mmto240mm.

Theadditionofrallypartsincludesa large,heavy-dutyskidplatetoprotect thebelly-mountedfueltankand engine,acentrestandandstandardfitsoftluggage–andwhileitalladds focusandintent,italsounavoidably meanstheExpeditionis10kilos heavierthanthestockNorden901.

AlthoughtheExpeditionoutwardly sharesthetaller,longer-travel suspensionofthe890R,itsinternal specdiffersfromtheKTMintermsof springs,shimsandsettings. Thisnew Nordenmightlookasfullofthesame gnarlydirtintentasthe890Rbutisin factalittlemorecompliantandeasier tolivewith.Ontheroad,initiallyI wonderedifitsforkswereonthesoft side,particularlyduringtheearly partoftheirstroke,andwasgoing

TECHSPEC

HusqvarnaNorden901

Expedition

Price: £13,599

Engine: Water-cooled,4-valvespercylinder, ParallelTwin

Power: 75kW/105bhp@8,000rpm

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

Frame: Steeltrellis

Wheelbase: 1529mm

Brakes: 2x320mmradial4-pistonJ.Juan calipersRear:260mm2-pistonJ.Juancaliper

Transmission: 6-speed/chaindrive

Suspension: WPXplor48mmforks,fully adjustable240mmtravel(F),WPXplorPDS shockabsorber,fullyadjustable240mmtravel (R)

Wheels/tyres: Frontwheel/tyre90/9021Pirelli

ScorpionRallySTRRearwheel/tyre150/7018

PirelliScorpionRallySTR–spokedwheels

Seatheight: 875mm

Fuelcapacity: 19litres

Fuelconsumption: 62.77mpg(claimed)

Weight: 214.5kg(withoutfuel)

Warranty: Twoyears

Serviceintervals: 15,000km(sameasKTM andNorden)

Contact: www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com

toaddalittlecompressiondamping orspringpreload(easilydonevia adjustersontheforktops).However, roadperformanceandhighstability wereexcellent.Ourtestroutetookthe Huskythroughtowns,alonghighspeedsweepersandevenamotorway, andthe21-inchfrontwheelremained plantedandsure-footed.

Husqvarnatreatedustosomeof themostchallengingoff-roadriding I’veexperiencedonaroadbike launch.Clearly,itwasconfidentin itsproductasMSLwasinvitedto takeoneverythingfrommud,water, rocksandrubbletocliff-likeascents andthestuff ofmynightmares:deep, energy-sappingsand.Onesectionwas sodeepIdroppedtheExpeditionfour timesin20minutes,whilemyaverage speedwasbarely10mph. Thenwe hitafast, flowingsectionofloose

gravelandforoveranhouraveraged 70mph.Itwasstaggeringwhatthe Nordencouldputupwithanddo soonstandardtyreswithstandard suspensionandtheaddedweightof fully-loadedsaddlebags.

Theonlyniggleiswiththebrakes themselves.Incommonwithall KTM’s890rangeandthestandard Norden901,theExpeditionlacksbite fromitsJ.Juancalipers,especially whenyoucomparethemtothe

excellentBremboraceitemson

Ducati’sDesertX. Thestoppersare perfectlyadequateandhavegoodfeel but,ladenwithluggageandperhapsa pillion,you’llneedfour fingersonthe leverhaulingdownfromspeed–not aneasytwoliketheDucati.

Verdict

TheHusqvarnaNorden901

Expeditionswallowedup500km ofmainlyoff-roadchallengeswith ease.Iamanexperiencedtrailrider butnoexpert,anditcarriedme throughsand,bogsanddeepwater, overrocksandalongfast,opentrails. Itevenhadtocarrymykitinthe panniers.

Inessence,theExpeditionmakes the901moreversatile.Withalarger

screenandheatedgripsandseat,itis evenmorecomfortable;withacentre standandluggageasstandard,itis evenmorepractical;withlongertravelsuspensionandasturdybash plate,itcantakeontougherterrain; andyouhavetheaddedExplorer ridingmodeasstandard.Andthis extraversatilityhascomewithout anynotablesacrifices.Yes,I’dlike strongerbrakeswithafractionmore bite,aslightlyeasier-to-usedash and,ifIwasintendingtoridefast off-road,I’dwanttotweakthefullyadjustableWPsuspensiontosuit. ButultimatelytheNordenExpedition issweetlypositionedasaseriously competent,all-terrainadventurer whichridesbeautifullyonpaved roads,too.

“Husqvarnatreatedus tosomeofthemost challengingoff-roadriding I’veexperiencedonaroad bikelaunch.”

The lads at Fast Bikes have also rustled up a cracking video to accompany this mega road test. To check it out and see these three lovely machines in all their glory, scan the code, sit back and relax.

600s

WORDS: BruceWilson PHOTOS: GaryChapman

Itcouldbearguedthatsomethings arebetterleftinthepast,suchasyour psychoex,theplagueandinstant mashedpotato.Butthenthereareother thingsyoucravesomuchithurts,and inamotorcyclingcontext,thesupersport600 sectorisrightatthetopofthatlist.Itdoesn’t seemthatmanyyearsagothateverybrand anditsdogwerepumpingoutpowerful, playfulandaffordable600s,butthesadtruth isthatin2023there’snotasingle,road-legal current600productionbiketobepurchased. Yep,it’satrulyshockingsituation,butbefore yougettooupsetandgolookingforavase tocryinto,thegoodnewsisthattheused 600sceneisabsolutelymassive.Luckilyfor us,thesebikeshavebeensopopularover theyearsthatthere’sstillaraftofpre-loved 600machinesreadyandwaitingfornew homes.Bikessuchastheseinfrontofyou, whichareamongthebestexamplestohitthe

market…ever.Notestofthisnaturewouldbe completewithoutthestapleR6’sinclusion, especiallyoneascleanasthis2015plate,and thesamegoesforHonda’sCBR600,which cantraceitslineagebacktodaydotofthe mid-capacitysportsbikesector.Lastbutnot least,there’sTriumph’sawesomeDaytona 675R,whichhasprovedtobeawinnerthe worldover.Allthebikesinthistestwere kindlylenttousbygenerousowners,so TimmyandIfoughtthetemptationand didn’tgonutsonthem,stayingclearofthe racetrackandtheirrevlimiters.Butwedid clockloadsofmilesoneachofthemachines aroundourfavouriteroads,puttingthem throughtheirpacesonMichelin’sawesome PilotRoad6s.Eachhadsomethingdifferent tooffer.Eachgotuslaughinglikegiddy kids.Eachgotuswonderinghowwecould sneakanotheradditionintoourcollections. Here’swhy…

MichelinPilotRoad6s

AtFastBikesweloveacontrol tyre.Notjustbecauseitlevelsthe playingfieldwhentestingbikes, butbecauseweknowwiththe rightrubberonboardwecanpush harderandlongerwithabsolute peaceofmind.Forthisused600 shootoutourfriendsatMichelin kindlysteppedinwiththeirnew PilotRoad6s,kittingeachofthe bikeswiththeirsportyroad-focused rubber.Thefast-warming,wetlovingRoad6sprovedtheperfect sparringpartnerforthesesaucy supersports.They’recrammedwith greattechincludinga100%silica makeup,newtreadsipes(called WaterEvergrip)thathelpdisperse water,andanewdualcompound rubber(2CT+)tooffermaximum gripanddurabilityaccordingto

yourleanangle.Thesetyresdid nothingbutimpressusthroughout thetest,offeringgoodfeedback andplentyofgrip.

Ifyouwanttoknowmore,headto www.michelin.co.uk/motorbike/tyres/ michelin-road-6

USEDGROUPTEST

YamahaR6

IfyouhadapoundforeveryYamaha R6eversold…you’dhavelots ofpounds.Idon’tknowexactly howmanyofthemachineshave trundleddowntheJapanesebrand’s productionlinesincethemodel’s inaugurationbackin1999,butthe answeris‘alot’.R6sareeverywhere, andrightfullysobecausethey’ve beenupatthepointyendofthe supersportsectorfromthesecond theyjoinedtheparty,changingwith thetimestostayatthetopoftheir game.I’dgoasfarasguessingthat theR6ispossiblythemostcommonly sold600ofthe21stcentury(although Hondamighthavesomethingtosay aboutthat).Ofthemanygenerations we’vecometoknowandloveover theyears,theoneyouseebeforeyou isperhapsthemostpopularofthem all(13S).

Technicallyspeaking,thatmightbe downtothefactit’shadthelongest shelflifeamongitssiblings, first appearinginshowroomsin2008 andstayingtherefornineyearsuntil YamahatrundledoutaEuro4-spec optionin2017. Thatlatterbikewas basedlargelyaroundwhatyou seehere,albeitwith43mmforks, asix-tiertractioncontrolsystem, aquickshifter,betterbrakesanda fairingdesignwhichYamahaclaimed

POWEREDBY

madetheR68%moreaerodynamic.

Nottooshabby,andwhenyoufactor intheslim-fasttreatmentitwas giventogetontherightsideofthe weighingscales,you’dthinkitwould betheweaponofchoicetogofor… butthat’snotthecase.Itcertainly movedthegameonaesthetically,but fromaperformancepointofview, inroadtrim,itwasalethargic flop comparedtothisiteration.Beforeyou getsuspiciousofwhyI’mbuilding upthisbike’shypesomuch,Ishould probablyremindfolkthatthe13S versionwasformedonthepillarsof greatness.Beforeitcamethe2COthat hitthescenein2006andcompletely transformedthemodel’sappearance andcompetenceonequallevels.

The2COwasarevolutioninitsown right,beingthe firstmass-produced motorcyclewitharide-by-wire throttle,whilealsoboastingradial calipersandawholeloadoftrick techandfeatures.Itwasverygood (Iownedandracedone),butthe modelupdatethatcamein2008(13S) capitalisedonallthatitofferedand madethepackagesomuchsweeter.

Atatimewhenmanufacturers’ handsweren’tcompletelytiedby legislation,Yamahawasabletodive intothegutsoftheR6andbetter itinawholehostofways. The13S

sawitsframebeefeduparoundthe headstock,whilecarefulalterations actuallyincreasedits flexibility inotherareaswhereit’dbeentoo stiff.Incontrasttothat,foradded stability,therewasanewswingarm addedtothemixthatwasstifferand moresupportive. Thesuspension wastweaked,too,thebarswere dropped5mmlower,andtherewere loadsofupdatesmadetotheengine tostrengthenitsdisposition.

Themaingaintothebikewas theintroductionofvariablelength intaketrumpets.Accordingtorevs, they’dalterinlengthtooptimise theenginetorqueorrevsaswas neededmost.Whatthisdid,coupled withrevisedfuellingandanew ECU,wastomakethe2008model muchpunchierinthemidrange,for starters,whileensuringithadthe legstorunwiththebestofitsrivals upthetopend,too.Forme,thiswas badnews,asin2008Iwasracinga GSX-600L8inBSB’sStock600class –wherethenewR6rockedupand dominatedtheseries. Theycould matchtheSuzuki’spunchoutof corners,butoftenmadeanaverage of10bhpmorethantheGSX-Ron thechampionship’scontroldyno.Of course,itcouldhavebeenworse…at leastIwasn’tonaHonda.

TECHSPEC

YamahaR6(13S)

Engine Type: Liquid-cooled,16v,dohc,inlinefourcylinder

Borexstoke: 67x42.5mm

Compression: 13.1:1

Fuelling: EFI

Claimedpower: 127bhp@14,500rpm

Testedtorque: 65Nm@11,000rpm

Chassis

Frame: AluminiumDeltabox

Fsuspension: KYB41mm,fullyadjustable

Rsuspension: KYBmonoshock,fullyadjustable

Frontbrake: Twin310mmfloatingdiscs,fourpistonradialmono-blockcalipers

Rearbrake: Single220mmdisc,singlepiston caliper

Dimensions

Wheelbase: 1375mm

Seatheight: 850mm

Wetweight: 186kg

Fuelcapacity: 17.5litres

INFO Price: (Usedprice)£3000-£8000

Thepointinthatanecdotewas tohammerhometheimpactthis machinemadethemomentitarrived, especiallyonaracetrack.Itwasa gamechangeronsomanylevelsand ultimately,astheaforementioned taletold,couldbeandshouldbe consideredYamaha’s finestR6. The funnythingis,havingheapedpraise onittothepointevenI’mfeeling alittlesick,oneofthe firstthingsI notedwhenstraddlingthisR6was howbasicitseemed.Itwascuttingedgeatthetime,butbytoday’s standarditdidn’tevenhaveagear indicatoronitssmall,dotmatrix dash.AsidefromtheYCCTthrottle, itdidn’thaveanytech,actually,not evenABS,whichismaybenotsuch abadthing,butthelackofshifter andblipperdidn’texactlywarmmy cockles.Youcould fitsuchitemsto thisbikeifdesired,ofcourse,but maybetheownerdidn’twarrant theiraddition?Itwasapleasantly stockexample,withtheonlyaddition beinganSCProjectcanthatneeded nointroductionwhenthefourcylindermotor firedintolife.Subtle itwasnot,butIquitelikedit. The R6isascreamerandisoneofthose machinesthatshouldbeheard, especiallyifyourevittoitstowering redline.Beingonbestbehaviourwith thisborrowedsteed,TimandImade surenottodoso–promise–butwe didn’tholdbackfromindulgingin itsgeneralofferings.I’lladmit,Iwas alittledisappointedbythemotorat slowerspeeds,whichdidanything butripmyarmsoff whenopeningthe throttlehard. Thefuellingfeltabit gashonthrottlepick-up,whichmight bemoredowntothe fittedcanthan anythingelse,butlet’sjustsayittook abitofcalibrating,too.Oncemoving, theR6wouldsoonpickupthepace andIrelishedthewayitwaspowering mearound.Northof8000rpm,it

certainlyneedednoencouragement andthedeliveryseemedtogetspicier thehighertherevswent. Thatwasthe bike’shappyplace. Theplaceit’dbeen designedtoperformatitsbest,which harksbacktotheR6’strack-inclined origins.Whatyouhaverighthereisa pedigreeracingproductthatmakes mostsensewhenriddenwithzest.To tootlearoundon,itwasn’tthekindest ofmachines.Idon’tnecessarilymean fromanenginepointofview,but moresoridercomfort.I’mnotatall person(5ft9in-ish)buttheR6felt cramped,withmyfeethighonthe pegs,theseathighabovethebike,and thereachdowntothelow-setbarsa painfulone.Youverymuchsitontop oftheR6,withminimalprotection fromthescreen,fairingsoranything elseforthatmatter.It’sacommitted positionwhich,again,makesgreat senseontrack,butnotsomuchfor thoseclockinglongdaysinthesaddle.

Theupsidetotheridingposition wastheconnectionIgotfromthe frontwheel.Itfeltverytelling,very plantedandextremelytrustworthy. Thefront-endweightbiasmightnot makeforthemostcomfortableof dispositions,especiallysoforyour

wrists,butitputsyouandyourbody atanangleofattackthatjustmakes sensewhenthrowingthisthinginto bends. TheR6feltanabsolutetreat inthecorners,beingeasy-peasyto throwaroundandextremelytelling ofwhatwasgoingonatalltimes. The stocksuspensiononthisbikeisfar fromthefanciest,butitrodesonicely thatI’dstruggletocriticiseit.Maybe ontrackit’dthrowupafewgremlins, butmoststockbikesetupswould. Themainthingwasitoffered adjustability,ifneeded. Aparticularlyweak

pointwerethefrontbrakes.It’skitted withadecent-lookingBrembomaster cylinder,butsomewherebetween theleverandtheYamahaown-brand calipers,theperformancegetslost. I’dhazardaguessthatbetterpads couldbetheanswer.I’veracedthree differentgenerationsofR6sinmy time,andthelastofthelotwasthe 13S. Thebrakesonmyracebikewere anythingbutbad,withtheonlything differenttothismachine’sbeingthe useofCastrolSRFbrake fluidand EBCGP-FAX pads. That

comboseemedtoworkatreat…on track. Thosepadsaren’troadlegal, buttherewouldbeabetterHHoption outthereforthese,andthat,plusthe fuelling,wouldbetheonlyareasI’d looktoimproveonifIweretobuythis bike.Truthfully,I’dloveone,butI’d buyoneknowingthatitwouldbeno armchairorobligingLabradorthat’d behaveatalltimesandlookatme dotingly(notevenmywifedoesthat). Itwouldbeabitofahandful,buta rewardingoneatthatwhenriddenthe wayitcravestobe. That’swhenthe 13Sreallycomesintoitsown.

Triumph Daytona 675R

As Brits, we ’ ve many feats of engineering to be proud of, such as the Forth Bridge, Big Ben and the Reliant Robin Okay, maybe that last one doesn’t resonate in the same way, but you get the idea… we ’ re not bad at design, innovation or production when it comes to it That’s probably why Triumph was able to pull off the deed that it did when it released the Daytona 675 back in 2006 Hot on the heels of the mediocre Daytona 600/650, the Hinckley-based brand pulled off a magic trick so bewildering it wowed the world From seemingly nowhere, this three-cylinder, middleweight marvel was born, going on to win championships and hearts the world over, adding several TT wins to its name for good measure. Lightweight, powerful and packed full of torque, never before had we known such a capable mid-capacity sportsbike, let alone a triple with so much charm I could wax lyrical about the Trumpet up until your bedtime, but I’ll save you that trauma and simply insist that when it came

to choosing what bikes should be featured in this shootout, there was no way the Triumph could be missing from the line-up

Admittedly, it’d been a few years since I’d last ridden one, and especially one of this vintage, being the last of the first generation and the spiciest at that The original 675R spec was only in production for a year, from 2011-12, bridging the gap between the underseat example that came first, and the more powerful, more capable, but less original second-generation Daytona that came to an abrupt end in 2018 when Triumph called time on its supersport stable With the ‘R’ there’s no mistaking its presence, with the biggest giveaway being the red, tubular steel subframe that can be seen from the moon, while keener eyes will pick up on the Brembo monoblocs, Öhlins suspension and smattering of carbon fibre that set this version apart from the first-gen base model Compared with the inaugural version, the engine was untouched, but back then it wasn’t exactly lacking in ponies,

producing a claimed 123bhp (about 111bhp in real money) and a classleading 72Nm of torque

The funny thing is, hopping on this bike and trundling off down the road during this test, the last thing I felt it needed was any more zest. I say that while acknowledging that if you ’ re after litre bike performance, you ’ re going to need a litre bike – ‘There’s no replacement for displacement’ But for sheer fun and a fulfilling soundtrack, I was warmed immediately by the Triumph’s offerings. Most bikes of this age have had a few tweaks made to them, but this machine was largely original, with the only blatant addition being the optional-OE Arrow race silencer that not only looked the nuts but audibly stirred the soul, adding to the bike’s electrifying induction noise with a bark so deep and throaty it’d terrify a guard dog I loved it, and better still, it pulled unadulteratedly, without any hiccoughs or hangups in the power delivery Whether that’s because this bike’s been flashed to within an inch of its life, I’ve no idea

TECHSPEC

TriumphDaytona675R

ENGINE:

Type: Liquid-cooled,12valve,DOHC,inline three-cylinder

Borexstoke: 74x52.3mm

Compression: 12.7:1

Fuelling: Multipointsequentialelectronicfuel injectionwithforcedairinductionandSAI

Testedpower: 123bhp@12,600rpm

Testedtorque: 72Nm@11,700rpm

CHASSIS

Frame: Aluminiumbeamtwinspar

Fsuspension: Öhlins43mmupside-down NIX30forks,fullyadjustable

Rsuspension: ÖhlinsTTX36twintube monoshock,fullyadjustable

Frontbrake: Twin308mmfloatingdiscs, Brembofour-pistonradialmono-blockcalipers

Rearbrake: Single220mmdisc,Nissinsingle pistoncaliper

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 1395mm

Seatheight: 830mm

Wetweight: 185kg

Fuelcapacity: 17.4litres

INFO

Price: (Usedprice)£4500-£8000

WhatIdidknowwasthe675R didn’tlookorfeellikeadecade-old machine…atleast,ifIchosenotto acknowledgetheold-schoolclocks thatnestleneatlybelowthebike’stall, narrowwindshield.I’mnotopposed toanaloguerevcounters–there’s somethingaboutthemthat’scool –butthedaysofminute,hard-onthe-eye,dotmatrixdashesarelong gone.UnfortunatelyfortheDaytona, that’sexactlywhatit’sgotand there’snoscoutingaroundthatfact. Consideringthebike’salsolargely devoidoftech,excludingtheshifter thatcamestandardonthe‘R’,there’s probablynoneedforanythingother thanthespeed,gearselection,clock andtemperaturethat’sdisplayed.

Thepointisthatinmorerecent yearswe’vecometoknowbetterand ifyou’reusedtomorecontemporary machinery,you’lllikelyseethisas adrawback.Whatyou’relesslikely tobehunguponisthehandlingof theDaytona.

Tositon,thebike’sveryslim, perchedtallattherearandsporting anundoubtedlyfront-endweightbias. Whatthatmeansisthebiketurns fastandwithlittleencouragement needed,especiallysothanks tothesizeofthestock clip-onsthatare longandwide-set, offeringloads ofleverage tohustlethe thingaround. TheÖhlins suspension onthis‘R’ feltracetrack firmbutit’s arguablywhythe Daytonawasso preciseandplanted onceitwasonitsear.

Tocuttothechase,itwas adreamtothrowabout,beingvery tellingofwhatwasgoingonbeneath itthroughtheblingyNIXforksand

TTXrearshock–ifyouthoughtthey werejusttheretolookpretty,think again. Theotherthingthathelpsin thehandlingdepartmentisthelack ofweight.WenevergottheTriumph onthebathroomscales,but itwasclaimedtoweigh inat185kg(wet), whichislightweight byanyone’s standards,and especially sowhen compared tobikesof todaythat arecrammed fullofweighty exhaustsand suchlike.Eventhe waytheweightis stackedinthebikehelps itchangetrajectory–it’s wellpackagedandthetransition throughleanisprogressiveand predictable.Yougetthepoint,this thingknowshowtomove,andit’sno slouchinthestoppingdepartment either.Asmentioned,there’snotech onthisbikewhichmeansthere’s noannoyingABStospoiltheparty everytimeyougotocapitaliseonthe powerfulBrembobrakes. Thisthing stopsexceptionallywell,withloadsof biteatthecaliperendandplentyof feelthroughtheradialmastercylinder. Italladdstothepolishedpersonaof theTriumph,makingyoulikeitmore thanyoumaybeshould.It’squite simplyacrackingbiketoexperience, builtaroundasolidenginethattruly isthebike’spartypiece. Triplesareweirdthings,often soundinglikethey’renoteven trying,whilecatapultingyoualong atspeedsthat’llguaranteeprison time. TheDaytona’smotorisasubtle assassin,andthat’sprobablywhy

it’ssolaudedbysomany.Itdoesn’t needrevvinghardlikesomanyofits inline-four600rivalsdo. Thespread ofpowerispalpablethroughoutits revrange,neverfeelingdaunting,but dependableallthesame.Whether you’reintownorpunchingyour wayontoacircuit’sbackstraight, theTriumphseemsto findlegs youwouldn’texpectittohave. The deliveryonthisbikefeltsuperlinear, crispandajoytoaccessthroughthe cable-operatedthrottle.It’seasyto forgetthatthisbikeharksbacktoa timewhenelectronicthrottleswere intheirinfancy,butIdon’tthinkits lackofonedetractsfromtheriding experienceinanyway.

Whatwouldmakethemotorbetter isablipper.Whileitcomesasstock withashifter,goingdownthe’boxis amuchmorelaboriousexperience.

ThegoodnewsisthattheTriumph’s stockclutchisn’ttoobadatmopping upexcessrevs,andontheroadyou’re unlikelytoneedaGP-specslipper

toabsorbtheenergycreatedwhen goingdowntheselection,butthat’s nottosaytheTrumpet’srearwheel can’tbemadetowagorlockifyou throwtoomuchabuseatthe’box.Of course,thatonlyaddstotheriding experienceandit’sactuallyafunbike toplayaroundon.Evenwheelieson thisthingaresuperfunbecauseits firstgearseemstogoonforever.On stockgearing,anythingoversecondis abitambitioustogetthefrontlofted fromnearstationary,butit’lldoso easilyoff thethrottlein first…andit balancesatreatonceyou’vegotitup. Iwanttothrowsomenegativethis bike’sway,ifonlyformeasure,butit’s ahardmachinetofault.Especiallyan exampleascleanandoriginalasthis one.Fromthewayitlookstotheway itrides,there’ssomuchtoloveabout thisbike,asI’vehopefullyhammered home. Theonlyrealdowneristhey don’tmakeDaytonasanymore.At least,notrightnow…

Honda CBR600RR

It could be argued that Honda was the first of the big brands to throw the kitchen sink at its supersport offering In 2003 the CBR600RR was born, bounding into life with RCV-inspired styling, an über sexy underseat exhaust and genuine performance capabilities It was at this juncture that Honda waved off its less focused, user-friendly CBR600F lineage, going all out to conquer the lucrative 600 scene that was blowing up quicker than a fork in a microwave It was a bold but righteous decision and it threw the gauntlet down to the CBR’s rivals, daring them to try and follow in the model’s audacious wake When you word it like that it makes you question how just 10 years later Honda had all but thrown in the towel on its beloved RR, which by that point had begun its final journey to the grave Over the 14 years it was in production it was given two updates, with the 2007 rework proving the

most significant of all. Alongside a new motor with more midrange, the wheelbase was reduced, the geometry made sharper and the weight trimmed down. It performed on track and in the showrooms, before being tweaked again in 2013. That’s when it got Showa big piston forks, sleeker fairings and some 12-spoke wheels But that was about it No new dash, tech, additional 10bhp None of that stuff In reality it wasn’t that different from the machine you see here, the mid-evolution model that spanned from 2007-2012. Towards the end of its era, as with the Blade at this point in time, the 600RR was already falling

behind its competition in terms of output and innovation, but Honda either didn’t care or didn’t want to throw more money at a sector that was beginning to nosedive rapidly. Perhaps it’d seen the writing on the wall and decided it would be foolish to pursue the scene any further? Whatever the truth, the reality was the swansong CBR was anything but revolutionary. It was pretty much on life support, strung out for four more years in the hope of rendering the best return on the decade’s worth of investment.

POWEREDBY

HaveIputyouoff?I’mhoping not,butitonlyseemsfairtosetthe sceneforthissteed. Thetruthisthat despitetheRR’sdownfallandlackof lusttowardstheendofitslifespan, there’salottolikeabouttheCBR–andespeciallythisone.Don’tforget we’retalkingaboutamachinethat woneightworldsupersporttitles between2003-2017,plusnumerous TTsandothernationalaccolades. The formulaworkedforracers,butalsofor road-ridingrenegades. That’satrait allthreeversionshaveincommon, actually,asIwasremindedbythis 2009machinethatfeltsurprisingly spaciouswhenIclamberedonit.Or shouldIsay‘in’it.

Unlikealotofcontemporarysporty machines,yousitintheHonda, nestledbehindthetankandfeeling verymuchapartofthemachine,with justashortreachtothe’barsthatsit proudofthetopyoke,albeitatafairly acuterearwardangle.

TECHSPEC

HondaCBR600RR

Engine Type: 599cc,liquid-cooled,16v,inlinefour

Borexstroke: 67mmx42.5mm

Compression: 12.2:1

Fuelling: Electronicfuelinjection

Testedpower: 108bhp@13,400rpm

Testedtorque: 62Nm@11,000rpm

Chassis

Frame: Aluminiumtwinspar

Frontsuspension: 41mminvertedforks,fully adjustable

Rearsuspension: Monoshock,fullyadjustable

Frontbrakes: Four-pistoncalipers,310mm

discs

Rearbrake: Single-pistoncaliper,220mmdisc

Dimensions

Wheelbase: 1375mm

Seatheight: 820mm

Dryweight: 156kg

Fuelcapacity: 18litres

INFO

Price: (Usedprice)£3000-£7000

Thismachineisownedbyatrack ridingregular,sowhocanfaulthim for fittingadjustableaftermarket Bonamicirearsets,inabidforupped groundclearance?He’dalsokitted thebikeoutwithaLeovincecanand de-cat,whichgavetherearendavery tidylook,andthebikeanaudibly excitingnotewhenthemotorwas firedintolife.Forthat,Idoff mycap, butthedecisiontobinoff themirrors broughtnosuchapplause.Okay,it mighthavegiventhebikeaslightly cleanerlook,butitalsomeantIhad noideahowcloseTimwastomyrear wheelasIgotacclimatised tothishustler.Terrorised bythatthought,I waskeentotake advantageofthe Honda’sgreat handlinginabid tooutrunmy pursuer.Almost immediately Ifeltathome onthisbike, relishinginits front-endfeel thatwastalkative andtrustworthy. The Hondaseemedtolapup fastcornerentries,andso didI,securedonthelargeriderseat, lettingtheagilechassisdoitsthing atwhateverangleoflean.Tothrow itoutthererightfromtheget-go,the bestthingaboutthisbikewastheway ithandled.

Iwasnotjustimpressedbyhow agileitproved,buthowstableitwas, too.Godonlyknowswhattweakshad beenmadetothebike’ssuspension overits13yearsonthisplanet,but itfeltgreatbeneathme,skimming theTarmacwithaplushandplanted

disposition.Normallyyouchoose betweenstabilityandagility,butthe Hondaseemedhappyasanythingto makequickdirectionchanges,which warmedmetoitevenmore.

It’sfairtosayIfeltquiteathome ontheHondaandthemoreIrodeit themoreIcametorealisethiswasno one-trickpony.Aswellashandling well,thebrakingperformancewas decent,too,althoughitsuckedthere wasnoblipper(orshifter)tomake gearchangesthatlittlebitslicker. The mostrandomthingaboutthisHonda wasitslackofenginebraking.Itwas asifIwasonatwo-stroke ratherthana600ccfourstroke.Inevergotto quiztheowneron thephenomenon, butbothTim andIwereput off byitslack ofengagement whengoing downthe’box orrollingoff intocorners. Itdidn’tmake sense.Isaythis fromtheperspective ofapersonthatraced thissamegenerationCBR inBritishSupersportandvividly rememberhowwaywardtheback endwouldgetunderbraking. These machinesdidn’tcomewithproper slipperclutchesasstandard,butI’m prettysurethisonemusthavehad somethingslottedintoitatsome pointintime,withtheenginebraking dialledrightdown. Thepointbeing, Ididn’tlikeit,soifIowneditI’dbe lookingintobetteringtheexperience straightaway. Whatwasmuchmorelikeablewas

thetorqueofthemotor.We’reallused tothenotionofneedingtorev600sto makethemgo,butIwasimpressed bytheHonda’spick-upinthelower revs.Okay,itdidn’texactlyripmy armsoff,butitfeltmuchmore keenthantheYamahatogetoutof junctions,feelingeverybitastorquey astheTriumph…whicharewordsI thoughtI’dneversay.

Afterthatinitialzest,theCBRwasa slavetorevs,cravingmoretogetthe bikegoinginearnest.Itwasbetterto keepthethinginalowergearwith therevsuphigherthanitwastoride aroundinthetypical5-8000rpm rangeyou’dexpecttobeonabike likethisontheroads. Thatwasnot itssweetspot,butratherazonethat hadtobenavigatedbeforeenergy wastranslatedtotherearwheel. Thefuellingonthismachinewas reasonable,butIwonderwhether ithadbeenmappedtosuitthecan?

Therewerenobigpeaksortroughs towritehomeaboutandtheinitial feelofthethrottlewassmoothand seamless.Beingpicky,acoupleofbarendswouldn’thavegoneamiss,but that’sjustmewantingtheworldona silverplatter.

Inreality,thedelightstheHonda wasofferingwereplentifuland defyingofabikeofitsvintage.Itfelt agreatmachinetothrowaroundand didn’trequireanysignificantamount oftimetodialintothething…it workedformestraightoutofthetin, justlikeallgoodHondasshould. Diditsetmysoulon fire?Notreally. Woulditbemypickof600?Ifroad ridingwasmymajorfocus,possibly. Whatthisbikelacksincharacterit makesupforinitsdelivery.It’sagreat all-rounder,whichmaybeisn’tthe brushitwouldwanttobetarredwith, butit’sthetruth.Itjustgetsonwith thejob.

ROUNDINGOFF...

Toooften,weskipover thefrolicsofmid-capacity sportsbikes,reachingout forthekeystotheirlitrebike siblingsbecausemorepower equalsmorefun,right?Well, notnecessarily,aswewere remindedonthistest.Wehada properlaughoneachofthese machines,enjoyingnotjusttheir simplicity,butalsothefactthat theyrequiredabitofeffortto getthebestoutofthem.The rewardsonofferweretantalising andpure,puttingsmileson ourfacesforthesimplestof reasons.It’snicetohopona bikeandtwistthethrottlehard withoutfearofdeathor,onthe flipside,theengagementofa dozendifferenttechfunctions limitingyoutotheamountof pleasureyoucanexperience. Thesebikesmakearespectable amountofpower–realistically, about110bhpifyouweretoput themonadyno–whichmeant theywerenigh-on100bhpdown onsomeofthefruitiestlitre bikeswetoywithonaregular basis.Butwhocares?Onthe roads,theydidn’texactlyleave ushanging...ifanything,they eggedusonintoridingharder

andfaster,revvingthemfurther andhigherintheprocess.None ofthesebikesareslow.Noneof thesebikesareboring.Noneof thesebikesshouldbeskimmed overifyou’reafteraroadbikefor everydayfun.Theyalldelivered whenweneededthemto. Whichonedeliveredthemost?

That’dhavetobetheTriumph.

TimandIweresmittenwiththe thing.Itlookedthepart,sounded awesome,andperformedthe bestineveryrespect(…handling, braking,motoring).Itwasareal treattoride,andifyou’venever beenluckyenoughtodoso,I’d highlyrecommendyoutalka

Daytona-owningmateintoletting youhaveablastontheirs–you won’tregretit.

What’snextbest?Thisiswhere itgetstricky.TheR6andCBRare similarscoringperformers,but theyofferthegoodsindifferent ways.I’llbreakitdownbysaying theR6bringsamuchmore focused,poisedandexcitableride totheparty.TheHonda,onthe otherhand,justdoesthingswell. Ifyou’replanningtorideyour600 moreontheroadthanontrack, thentheCBRwouldbemypick ofthese.It’smorechilledandstill

plentycapableofgettingyour juicesgoing.TheR6isthatbit moreinyourface…andonyour wrists.Itbelongsonatrackwhere youcanreleaseitspotential.It’s acrackingbikeandprobablythe bestlookingofthethreemachines inthistest.It’salsothemost crampedofthelot,sobearthatin mindifyou’re8fttall.

Butsometimesit’sworththe painforthegainonoffer,ofwhich theYamahahasloadstogoat. It’satimelessoption.Theyallare, actually.

Asalreadymentioned,this sectorisdeadinthewaterfroma newmachinepointofview,which addskudosandappealtothese now-extinctofferings.Ihope there’saresurgenceonthecards, butit’slesslikelyaseachyear ticksby.Withthatinmind,it’sno badshouttograbonewhileyou can...whilethesebikesarestill relativelyfreshandwellcaredfor.

Theused600marketismassive, soyoushouldn’tstrugglefinding therightchoice,conditionand pricepointforyourbudget.And ifyoupickanyofthemachines showcasedinthistest,you’llbe rightonthemoney.Theyareall worthyweapons.

Bigthanks…

Itwasarealtreattogetstuckinwithagaggleof 600s,sloggingthemoutontheroadsandreminding ourselveshowgreatthesegodlymachinesare. Luckyforus,wewereabletomakethishappen thankstothesupportofourkeysponsors.Not leastofallMichelinwhosteppedinandmadesure wehadgreatrubberoneachofthesebikes.For typicalroadriding,thePilotRoad6sprovedworth theirweightingoldandtheperfectsparringpartner forthesemachines.Theygaveusconfidence,as didthetop-qualitykitwegotfromMotodirect.It’s goingtosoundlikeasalespitch,butourcustom RSTairbagsuitsareawesome,andthesamegoes fortheAraiandAGVlidswewore.You’dbemad todothejobswedoinanythingbutthebestkit. Andasforbringingarealshinetotheexperience, we’vegotR&G’sGleamtothankforthat.We’renot intocleaningbikes,asageneralrule,butthisstuff makeslightworkofthechorewhichmakesuslove itevenmore.Lastly,andmostimportantly,wewant tosayahugethankstotheownersofthesebikes whosteppeduptoourcallandhandedoverthe keystotheirpowerhouses.Ittakesaspecialkindof persontodothat.Thebestkindofpeople.Cheers.

THE FUTURE OF DIRT BIKES?

The electric revolution is happening, and although there’s still work to be done to make bikes viable for the big miles on the road, a raft of newly-released off-roaders are winning plenty of admirers among those who love hitting the dirt.

With the rolling out of ULEZ restrictions and the unpredictability of public transport, it’s becoming more and more difficult to deny the value of electric bikes or scooters for city commuting

But what if you’re partial to a bit of offroad action, too?

There’s a whole new generation of bikes that are clean, green and capable of tackling trails in a serious way. While they might have been adopted by some of society’s more unsavoury characters, if you’ve got a bike licence and you’re after a new ride that’s nearly silent at full throttle, doesn’t blow out any horrible fumes, and has enough power, performance and poise to keep even the most experienced of racers entertained, then RFN’s range of bikes could well be worth a closer look

We got out on the pair of them for the day, cutting through town traffic on the road-legal RFN RS and hitting the jumps on its Rally Pro We’re going to

focus most of our attention on the fullpower off-road Rally version. They’re essentially the same bike, but the RS gets a plate, some indicators and a restriction kit to make it eligible to be ridden by learner riders

But first, you’re probably curious about where on earth these bikes actually come from. And it should come as no surprise that they’re manufactured in China Our Eastern comrades know what they’re doing when it comes to battery-powered bikes (and pretty much anything else battery-powered, too)

The RFNs are the work of Apollo They’ve been in the game since 2003, and they’re now in a position where they’re churning out a whopping 200,000 bikes and ATVs every year

Introduced in 2022, RFN is its most recent creation, and having won a selection of design awards since then, things are looking bright for the fledgling electric bike brand.

WORDS: Ross Mowbray PHOTOS: Gary Chapman

They’redistributedintheUKbythe teamatLincolnshire-basedUrban Moto. They’reagreatteam,witha lotofexperienceinthemotorcycle industryandplentyofknowledge ofoff-roadreadyelectricbikes. Thesekindofbikeshavebeentheir breadandbutterforyearsnow,and anythingtheydon’tknowaboutthem probablyisn’tworthknowing(and they’vegotanincrediblecacheof partsandaccessoriesonhand,too). Betteryet,theyactuallyridethem. HeadhonchoJamieMasterman actuallyranaslightlycustomisedRFN RallyinsomeproperEnduroevents toseewhatthey’rereallymadeof. There’salotmorecoolstuff inthe pipeline,too,includingtalkofanew electricoff-roadcentrewhichwill offerpunterstheperfectchancetoput themthroughtheirpaces.

Now,it’snotmy firsttimeriding abikelikethis.I’vehadagoona widerangeoflearner-legalelectric commuters,andI’veevenmanagedto getoutforablastonasmallselection ofbattery-powereddirtbikes. That meansIsortofknewwhattoexpect. Iwasreadyfortheswift,nearinstant acceleration;Iknewit’dbeincredibly lightandsuperagile;andIwassure I’dhaveablastridingit.

Iwasn’twrong. TheRFNRallyProis abrilliantbitofkit.It’snotquitethe sizeofafull-sizemotocross/enduro machine,butwithits860mmseat heightit’sbiggerandmoresubstantial thansomeoftheotherelectricoffroadersI’veridden.Infact,Ireckon it’sabouttheperfectsize–nottoo

talltobeintimidatingandungainly forshorter,less-experiencedriders, butwithenoughgroundclearance tobarreloverallbutthebiggestof obstacles. Thestandingposition’s prettygood,too.I’mashadeover6ft withlonglimbs,andIfeltperfectly comfortableuponthepegsand (mostly)incontrol.

Oneofthebestthingsaboutthebike ishowitdeliversitspower.With12kW ofpeakpower,270Nmoftorqueatthe rearwheelanda55mphtopspeed,it’s easytomakeseriouslyswiftprogress withoutbreakingasweat.

Aheavythrottlehandmightseeyou spinningtherearwheelinanything particularlyloose,butabitof finesse willseeyouright.

Therearealsofourridingmodesto help fine-tuneyourride,including bothaReverseandaRocketbutton whichallowsyoutoaccessallofthe poweravailableforashorttime.Pretty cool.Ofcourse,thefasteryouride,the quickeryou’lldrainthebattery. The maximumrangeisclaimedtobe100 miles,althoughthat’sataconsistent speedof12.5mph,sochancesare you’llbeluckytomanagehalfofthat. Thenagain,Ispentacoupleofhours beltingaroundinthedirtandthere wasstilllifeleftinthemodeltested. Essentially,Iwasoutofpuff beforethe bikewas.It’seasyenoughtocharge up,too,andwilltaketwo-threehours usingtheQuickchargeFuction.Orif you’resoinclinedyoucouldsplash outforasecondbatterytoswapinif youneedtobeabletodomoremiles inasinglesitting.

Itstopsverywell,withitsmountain bike-stylebrakesofferingplentyof bite,andenoughfeeltoensureyou won’tlockthewheelswithoutserious intent. Thesuspension’suptothejob, too,provingitselfmorethancapable ofmunchingbumpsandlumpswith absoluteease. TheUSDfrontforks areparticularlyimpressive,offering

TECHSPEC

RFNRallyPro

Price: £4495

Motor: Air-cooledPermanentMagnet

SynchronousMotor,energyregeneration function,Directdrive,420chainwithDX

Power: 12.5kW(peak)

Torque: 58Nm(@motor)

Battery: 74V/2590Kwh,LGPremium21700 lithiumcells,removable,canbechargedinbike orseparately

Charging: 2-3hrswithQuickchargeFunction

Frame: 6082aluminumextruded,forged,CNC machinedandsteelframe

Suspension: (F)UpsideDown,200mmtravel, Fullyadjustable(R)Mono-Shock,74mmtravel, adjustable

Brakes: (F)4-pistonhydraulicdisc,210mm(R) 4-pistonhydraulicdisc,210mm

Groundclearance: 340mm

Seatheight: 860mm

Weight: 68kg

anample200mmoftravelandfull adjustment,whilethemonoshockat therearoffersamoremeagre74mm oftravel(andabitofadjustment).

Ultimately,Ifyou’reintodiving aroundinthedirtandyou’reafter somethingabitdifferent,thenthe RFNiswellworthyourattention. Ireckonit’dsuitallsortsofriders, too.I’mnoexpertoff-roader,butI’ve doneafairbitoftrailriding,andI feltextremelycomfortablepushingit hardandseeingwhatitwasmadeof.I hadaball,andIexpectthatsomeone morecapablethanmewouldhave justasmuch(ifnotevenmore)fun.

Tracksareshuttingleft,rightand centre.Trailsarebeingclosedacross thecountry.Peoplewhodon’t appreciateorunderstandthesounds, smellsandsightsofoff-roadbikes doingtheirthingaredoingtheirbest

tostifleourfun.Andasfrustratingas itis,youcansortofseetheirpoint. Notallofusfancyhavingourrural idylldisturbedbythesoundofatwostrokecrosserbeingthrashedtothe redline. Thankfully,theremightbea solutionrightinfrontofus.Electric. That’swherebikeslikethisseriously coolRFNRallyProcouldcomeinto theirown. They'renearsilent,nearly ascapableasthe‘realthing’,andare ahoottoride.Okay,sowitha£4495 pricetagit’sbynomeansacheapbit ofkit(andyoucouldgetalotofused bikeforthatsortofmoney),butinmy mindthesuper-stylish68kg,55mph off-roadnipperiswortheverypenny. Plus,there’san18-monthpartsand labourwarrantyasstandard,soif anythingdoesgowrong,you’llbe welllookedafter.Goandtryone.You won’tbedisappointed.

Thecustomenduroone

TheteamatRFNUKhavebeenplayingaboutwiththestandard Rallymodeltomakeitevenmorecapableinthedirt.Thatincludes stickingthefrontendfromaKTM85ccMXbikeandputtingitto thetestinsomehardcoreEnduroevents.Inpractice,itmakesa greatbikeevenbetter.

Theotherone

AsiftheRFNwasn’t enough,thesame teamalsolookafter distributionofthe TalariaStingR. It’saverysimilar propositiontothe Rally,poweredbya 60V38Ahlithiumionbatterywhich canbeswapped outinsecondsand availableasafullpower8kWoff-roader,oran3.5kWAMlicence restricted‘moped’.Wegotthechancetotakeoneforaspin,too, andwillbebringingyouourfullthoughtsonthemorediscreetlystyledbeastinafutureissue.

Theroad-legalone

There’sarestricted4kW versionwhichyoucanrideon theroad,too.Otherthanbeing limitedto28mphtomake iteligibleforCBT-holding 16-year-olds,theRFNRSis muchthesameastheRally, butitalsocomeswithallthe extragubbinsnecessaryto makeitroadlegal.It’sbrilliant roundtown–quickofftheline andagile.Plusyoucanuseit toexploregreenlanes,too.

“Notallofus fancyhavingour ruralidylldisturbed bythesoundof atwo-stroke crosser...”

LAUNCH RIDE: YAMAHA YZF-R125 AND MT125

YOUNG GUNS

Yamaha’s pair of sporty learner legal rides seem to get better and better every year. We sent Chris Moss out to see what’s what.

The early days of biking life are some of the most important. Ideally, you want a good start riding something that’s easy to ride and live with, stylish, safe, and with a fair bit of excitement After riding Yamaha’s new YZF-R125 and MT125 in and around Barcelona, I’d say all those needs are met perfectly by the new 125s. Add a great big dollop of fun factor to top all those key virtues, and you’ve got a package that had me envious of any rider starting out in the wonderful world of motorcycling on either of these two little gems

The press launch of the two bikes started with a run out of the city chaos on the sportier of the two bikes Perhaps unsurprisingly, the YZF-R125 (which we’ll abbreviate to R125 from now on) warrants plenty of praise even before I fire it up Its sleek all-new R7-inspired bodywork and LED headlight give it a racy, head-turning style, with excellent build quality completing the classy, expensive look Once underway, armed with its lightness and compact dimensions, the Yamaha carves through congested traffic in an easy, almost automated fashion Better still though, the 125’s engine, limited by law to a maximum power output of just 15bhp, has remarkable levels of torque to help it pull bigger gears keenly and cleanly to give decent levels of acceleration Of course it helps to spin it harder to match the pace of other vehicles at times, but it’s a bonus knowing it’s not always going to be a case of high revs and excess noise when you ’ re trying to keep up The welcome flexibility can be attributed to the motor’s VVA (variable valve actuation system).

Effectively using two different profile inlet cams to give alternative lift to best suit both low and higher rpm running, the solenoid-actuated arrangement makes the switch between the two at 7400rpm give an undetectable, seamless torque increase as the throttle is opened It makes the engine feel as though it has a bigger capacity

Once out of town with bigger figures displayed on the attractive new 5-inch colour TFT dash, the R125 gets up to 60mph briskly enough and

can eventually near 80mph with a bit of patience That’s a quality you need more and more of once you’ve reached these higher speeds, with the ability to overtake traffic more swiftly, reducing as the ultimate pace gets closer Along routes like the excellent twisting and undulating backroads in the hills above Barcelona, you must ride with plenty of anticipation and planning to deal with overtaking traffic well. When the route ahead is empty, as it often is, fuller commitment is just important to make good progress Getting the very best out of the Yamaha requires well-timed gear changes, picking the best lines, braking points, and apexes If you want to attain and retain speed, you need to earn it! But it’s a very rewarding technique and certainly one you can transfer to any other bike and still feel the benefit

Those valuable riding lessons became all the more crucial when we rode the R125 on track later in the day. Circuits like the short, very tight kart track we used really test the capabilities of the Yamaha’s chassis far more than any road ride can, but it copes superbly. All the key performance factors are in place Light and agile, flicking the steel Deltabox-framed bike through the seemingly relentless series of corners and chicanes is fast and easy. The planted front end gives accurate steering, so picking and holding a line poses little challenge, and with impressive suspension and strong braking power, getting the max from the bike feels really safe Neither the 41mm inverted forks nor monoshock are adjustable, but with a good balance of support and compliance I wouldn’t have wanted to alter them even if they were I wouldn’t have minded a bit more initial bite from the front brake but given the less experienced riders the 125’s aimed at, the current arrangement is arguably more appropriate The standard fitment Michelin Pilot Street tyres deserve plenty of praise for their excellent grip and feedback, and not once did I trigger either the ABS or new traction control systems Ground clearance is more than good enough to cope with fairly acute lean angles

WORDS: Chris Moss PHOTOS: Yamaha Europe

38 LAUNCHRIDE:YAMAHAYZF-R125ANDMT125

IrodebacktoBarcelonaon theotherYamahaonthepress launch,theMT125.Inessence, thesamebikebutwithoutthe fairing,and fittedwithhighbars, asmallertank,andalternative bodywork,theMTinitiallyfeels significantlydifferenttoride comparedtotheR125.The moreuprightridingposition givesitaroomierandmore relaxedfeel,aswellasthe chancetobossitaroundwith

Footrestheightisdesignedtoimprove this,andIdidfeelalittlecramped attimesbecauseofthis,despitethe handlebarsbeing10°moreopenon thisnewmodel.Ithinkayounger, fitterriderwouldn’tcomplainthough! Helpingprogressappreciablyatthe circuit,theoptional-fitmentquickshiftermakesgearchangesmuch swifterandslicker,andeventhough itonlyaidstheupwardchange,with thelimitedpoweronofferit’sstill abonusbylettingyouextractmore fromtheengine.

ThenewYZF-Risn’tcheapat£5302 ontheroadbutgivenitsequipment levelincludingthenewtraction controlsystemandTFTdash,variable valveactuationsystem,aswellas anoverallhigh-qualitybuild fitand finish,youcanargueitoffersgood value.It’scertainlyveryaffordablevia PCP,withonly36monthlypayments

lesseffort.Thechangesalter thecharacteroftheMTquite substantially,makingitfeeleven morefun.Okay,sothere’sless windprotection,butit’snot reallyfastenoughforthatto beproblematic,evenalongthe motorwayswerodeon.It’svery suitedtotownuseandwould makeabrilliantcommuter.

Engineandchassisperformance aregenerallythesameasthe R125’s,anditcosts£200less.

£75topayafteradepositof£1042.50. Withclaimedfuelconsumption rangingfrom100-125mpg,minimal wearonconsumables,andreduced insurancepremiums,runningcosts willalsobeverylow. There’salsoa limitedrangeofofficialaftermarket accessoriesavailableincluding luggage,exhausts,heatedgrips,and suspensiontoboostpracticalityand performance.

Ireallyenjoyedridingandtrying togetthebestoutoftheYamaha. Eventhoughit’snotreallydesigned forexperiencedriderslikeme,its toy-likeagilityandlightweightmade itanabsolutecinchtoride,evenon track.Fortheyoungstersit’sprimarily targeting,thenewYZF-R125isa trulygreatchoice.IoftenwishIwas ayoungerguyforvariousreasons, andafterridingthisbike,Inowhave anotheronetoaddtothelist!

TECHSPEC

YZF-R125(MT125)

Price: £5302(£5102)

Engine: 125ccliquid-cooled,4v,sohc,single

Maximumpower: 15bhp(11kW)@10,000rpm

Maximumtorque: 8.5lb/ft(11.5Nm)@ 8,000rpm

Frame: SteelDeltabox

Suspension: (F)41mminvertedtelescopic forks,noadjustment(R)rising-ratemonoshock, noadjustment

Brakes: (F)292mmsingledisc,twin-piston radialABScaliper(R)220mmdisc,single-piston ABScaliper

Tyres: (F)100/80x17(R)140/70x17

Fueltank: 11litres(10litres)

Seatheight: 820mm(810mm)

Kerbweight: 144kg(142kg)

Contact: www.yamaha-motor.eu/gb

YamahaMT125

There’s always been a healthy contingent of bikers who like belting about on smallwheeled, almost ’mini-bikes’. And that’s why Benelli decided to get in on the act, building on the success of Honda’s MSX125 by creating a funky little pocket-sized naked. Having admired its good looks and heard numerous tales of how much of a hoot it is to ride, understandably I jumped at the chance to try the new Benelli TnT 125 out for size for a month. Here’s how I got on.

WORDS: Chris Bailey PHOTOS: Gary Chapman

Benellihasbeeninthebusiness sinceitopeneditsdoorsin1911 inItaly,althoughitdidn’tactually startproducingitsownbikesuntil 1919.Skipforwardover85yearsand BenellijoinedtheQianjianggroup, thelargestgroupinChinaforsize andmanufacturingcapacityinthe motorcycle field. Thepartnershiphas enabledBenellitoproducearange ofgreat-lookingbikes,rangingfrom 125ccuptomorepowerful800cc beasts(withmoreontheway).

TheBenelliTnT125ispartof Benelli’slow-capacitybikestable. ThemodelIgotwasgreywith blackandyellowtrimanditlooked amazing.Fromanyangleyoulook attheTnTyoucan’tescapehow greatitlook. Thefrontboastsfour dippedLEDheadlights,aswellas onelarge,powerfulfullbeam. The displaylooksgreat,withaclassic analoguerevcounternexttoaclear digitaldisplay,whichataglancewill showyouyourfuel,thetime,miles riddenandcurrentspeed.What

Ifoundoddwasthatwhilstithas theregulargreenneutrallight,the displayseemedtohaveaboxed-out areawhereyouwouldexpecttosee agearindicator,yetinsidethebox it’sjustablankscreen.Movingback tothehandlebars,themirrorscome upandawayagreatdistancefrom thehandles,meaningit’sincredibly easytogetperfectvisibilitybehind yourselfwithverylittlefaffingabout withthem.Roundthebackofthe bike,thebrakelightishighupand visible,beingincorporatedintothe backoftheseat,alongwith theindicators,and downthesideofthe bikewehavetwo exhausts,which causedthelittle biketomake adeceptively loudand powerful rumblewhen youhitthe ignition.

Youmayhave heardbikeslike thisdescribedas ‘monkeybikes’,which isareferencetothemuchlovedHondaZSeries.Duetothe bike’ssmallerstature,itwasnoticed thatridersonthemlookedoversized, likemonkeysridingacycle–and thenamehasstuckforany‘mini’ motorcycle.Okay,theTnTisn'tquite asminiastheoriginalMonkey,butit iscompact.AndyetIdidn’tfeellikea giantperchedonachild’sbike.Ifelt comfortableandincontrol.

AssoonasIsetoff Iwassurprised byhowmuchpowerIhadatthe bottomend,thesingle-cylinder, 4-stroke,withfourair-cooledvalves andBenelli’s125ccBMTseriesengine

providing8.2kWmeantthebike would flyoff thestartingline,giving youspeedsofupto68mphona flat withnoheadwind,althoughwitha moderatebreezeblowingdirectlyat youthattopspeedquicklytopsout atthe56mphmark.Butthat’s perfectlyrespectfulfora bikewhichisprimarily meantforzipping throughtownsand cities,aswellas leaninground twisties.

Thefrontbrakes aremadeupof a210mmdisc withthree-piston caliperandCBS linkingwiththe 190mmdiscwith singlepistoncaliper ontherearbrake.Forthe firstcoupleofhundredmilesit feltlikeIhadtopushthebrakelever downquitefarforthebrakestostart engaging.However,asIworetheTnT in,thebrakingquicklybecomealot moreresponsive,thelightweightof thebikecombinedwiththewelldesignedsystemmeaningthatthe momentInoticedahazard,thebike couldbesloweddownatvarious speedsinasafeandcontrolledway. Considering,asmentioned,that theTnT’smainpurposeistoget youaroundbusyurbanhubs,Iwas scepticalofhowitwouldfeelwhenI tookitdownsomeofLincolnshire's

finestunevenroads.However,due tothe35mmdiameterupside-down forksonthefrontend,andthe swingarmwithanadjustableshock absorberonthebackend,thebike glidedperfectlyoverprettymuch everyterrainIthrewatit–which meantthatonprettymuchallroad surfacesIfeltabsolutelyconfident aboutthrowingthebikearoundas Itookitroundcorners.Andwithan unladenweightof124kg,youreally couldleaniteffortlesslyfromside tosidewithzerodifficultywhich feltgreat. TheonlydownsideI foundwasthatbecauseofthebike’s smallersize,ifIwasleaningitaround somecornersonaninclineIwould occasionallyhitthefootpegsagainst theraisedground,whichjustled metonotleaningitquiteasmuch

TECHSPEC

BenelliTnT125

Price: £2399

Engine: 125ccBMTseriestwinspark

Power: 8.2kW

Transmission: 5manualgears

Suspension: (F)Upside-downforks(R) Swingarmwithadjustableshockabsorber

Brakes: CBS,(F)210mmSinglediscwith three-pistoncaliper(R)190mmSingledisc withsinglepistoncaliper Wheels/Tyres: (F)120/70-ZR12(R) 130/70-ZR12

Seatheight: 780mm

Weight(empty): 124kg

Fueltank: 7.2litres

Contact: www.motogb.co.uk

onuphillbends,butthefootpegs foldupandthendownagaininsuch instanceswhichmadeitnotmuch ofabotheratall. Thisgreathandling extendstotownridingitself,and thenimbleTnTisabsolutelygreatat filteringbetweenlanesandpasttraffic togetyouwhereyouneedtobe, withminimaltimewaitingforalarge enoughgaptoslideinto.

FromthemomentIsawthe headlightsIknewthey’dprovide greatvisibilityatnight,andIwasn’t mistakenintheslightest. Thefour powerfuldippedbeamslitupthe unlitroadssoperfectlythatIrarely usedfullbeamatall,andwhenIdid itjustshonethatmuchbrighteron theroad.

TheonlyissueIhadwiththeBenelli TnTwasthatafterridingitoverlong distances(especiallyinhotweather) thetransmissionwouldbecomea littlelessprecise.

InlowergearsI’doftenbestuck inasituationwhereIwouldbein firsttryingtogetintoneutral,and

Icouldn’tgetthegearlevertoshift gentlyenoughtonudgeitintoneutral, asitwouldeitherfeelcompletely solidagainstmyfoot,orI’dhaveto useenoughpressuretouseittoskip intosecond.I’mnotparticularly mechanicallyminded,thoughI’m surethere’sastraightforwardenough fixfortheissue–beitachangeof fluidsoraslightreadjustmentofthe clutchcable.

BenellitotetheTnTasbeingatits finestwhenitsnippingthroughcity trafficandwhenhavingfunontwisty roadsoutoftown,andIcan’tdisagree withthat.It’sgreatatthosethings–thoughit’sbynomeansthequickest 125ccmachineI'veridden.Ifyou’re afterafun,funkyandeasy-to-ride learnerlegalbike,thenthiscouldvery wellbetheright fitforyou,thoughit’s definitelyworthtryingoneoutforsize first,andseeingifyoufeelathome onthediminutivemachine.Andata veryreasonablypriced£2399it’salot easieronthepocketthanalotofother new125ccbikesonthemarket.

SPECIALISTSPOTLIGHT: DRDOWNPIPE

Gettingyourdownpipesgleamingisnomeanfeat. Butthismuch-laudedBritish-madecleanerandabit ofelbowgreasewillseeyourbike’spipessparkling likethey’refreshfromtheshowroom

WORDS: BobPickett

Likemanygreatideasandproducts, NecessitywastheMotherofInvention forDrDownpipe. Thestartingpoint forthebusinesscamefromlongyears ofprofessionalexperiencevaleting usedbikesMartinClokeboughtinfor supplytothetrade.

Increasinglydissatisfiedwithmany ofthecleaningsolutionsavailableand keenlyawaresomehouseholditems inregularusemostdefinitelyweren’t motorcyclefriendlynorsafetouseon motorcycles–manyofthesewould causedamagetoothercomponents –Martinsetouttodeveloptheanswer totheproblemof filthydownpipes, onethatwouldn’tdamagechrome andadjacentpaintwork,andwas equallyeffectiveonpolishedstainless steel.Afterextensivetestingand establishingregulatorycompliance, theresultwasabiodegradable formulationbrandedDrDownpipe–TheExhaustRemedy.

TheBritish-madeproductworksby sprayingontocolddownpipesand agitatingwithalightweightscouring pad,repeatingtheprocessuntil thedesiredresultisachieved,then thoroughlywashingthedownpipes. Sowhat’sinit?“Wecannotreveal theformulation,butitisfully trademarkedintheUKandfully biodegradable,”saidMartin.

Theneedforaneffectivedownpipe cleanerwasevident.When DrDownpipelaunched,itsoldina handfuloflocalshopsbutdemand rapidlyoutweighedsupplyandthe companygrewquickly,nowserving manymotorcycleshopsintheUKand Ireland,J&SAccessories,Halfords OnlineandAmazonPrime.Now itisbeingdistributedinAustralia andlastyearover10,000unitsof thedownpipecleanerweresold worldwide.

Andthecompanygivesback, donatingapercentageofsalesfrom itsmattpaintcleanertotheBritish BikerRelieffund. Thecompanyalso donates10%ofeBaysalestothe Make-A-Wishfoundation.

AsMartinsaid:“It’ssomethingthat weliketodohereatDrDownpipe becausewerepresentthemotorcycle industryandit’sonlyrightto givebackandmakeapositive contribution.”

Thesupportandfeedbackfrom themotorcyclecommunityhas beenaprimedriverinDrDownpipe expandingfromonecleanertoa wholerange.Martinandtheteamat DrDownpipewouldliketopublicly thankthesupportofbikersinthe UKformakingthisproductsucha success,adding:“Withoutbikersour brandandproductsarenothingand that’sspeakingfromtheheart.We havenotincreasedanyofourprices eventhoughmanyaroundushave. Wearehappytokeepourmargins smalltogivegreatvaluetoourbiker community.Wearebikersandweare allaboutbikers.”

DrDownpipenowworksalongside RideDMCMotorcyclesinMaidstone, apremierusedmotorcycledealer. Movingitsdistributiontherehas enabledDrDownpipetobeatthe heartofthemotorcyclecommunity.

RideDMCcarriesalargeamount ofusedstockandifyouarelocalto Maidstoneit’swellworthavisit.

Whatdoesitcost?

TheDrDownpipeExhaustPipe Cleaneris£16.99fora500mlbottle andcleaningpads. Thecompanyalso makesarangeofotherbikecleaning products,waxes,polishesandlubes. Thelatesteditiontotherangeisa specialistElectricBikecleaner(£13.99 for500ml)whichiscompletelyacidfreeandwillnotharmorcorrode electricalcomponents.

Tried&Tested

MyKawasakiVulcanSisseven yearsold.Itiscleanedona regularbasisbutasidefrom awipeoverwiththesame (admittedlyexcellent)cleaning productsIuseontherestofthe bike,thedownpipeshavenever beentreatedtoadecent,deeplevelclean.

Anditshows.Their appearancebadlyletsdownan otherwisetidybike.SoIwas keentotrytheDrDownpipe exhaustcleanertoseewhatit coulddotorectifysevenyears ofoversight.

Aspertheinstructions,I sprayedthecleaneronthepipes andwaitedaminutebefore agitatingwiththecleaningpad provided.

Wherethepipejoinstheend can,itcleanedupveryquickly. Buttherestofthepipeneeded

alotmorework.

Multiplereapplications,a coupleofpads,amassive amountofelbowgrease(my handshurt)andaroundanhour later,youcanseetheresult. Sevenyearsofhard-bakeddirt, greaseandwhoknowswhat liftedaway,revealingashiny silverdownpipe. Thinkabouthowhot downpipesgetduringaride, bakingsolidcrustuponcrust ofdirt.Andthisbikehasbeen riddenmostdays,yearin andyearout,forsevenyears, accumulatinglayeruponlayer ofdetritus.Yet,withalotof hardwork,DrDownpipedid whatitsaysonthelabel.That’s very,veryimpressive. Byadoptingaregularcleaning regime,thosepipesshouldstay shiny.

Cost-effective Classics

KAWASAKI VN900

A V twin cruiser without the hassle or salty price tag!

WORDS: Steve Cooper PHOTOS: Mortons Archive

Noteveryonewantsorneedsout-and out-speed.Formanysportsbikes aresimplytoomuchand,ifyou’re notintotranscontinentalstuff,an adventurebikepossiblyisn’twhat you’reafter. Therewasatimewhen ‘factorycustom’bikeswerethe subjectofridicule,derisionand mockery,buttimesandattitudes change,fortunately.Ifthelaid-back styleofabigcruiserappealsbutyou don’twantthepricepenaltyofa Milwaukeemotor,takealookatthe KawasakiVN900.

Background

TheVN900owesitsexistencetoapiece ofAmericanprotectionistlegislation. RonaldReagan’s1980sadministration slappeda45%tariff onimported motorcyclesover700ccsinthenaive expectationthatit’ddrasticallyeffect Japanesesales–backinJapanthe factoriessimplybuilt699ccversions oftheirold750s!InitiallytheVNwas soldastheVN700untilthetariff was rescindedin1986andthebikerenamed Vulcanatthesametime.Fromthere averitableraftofhugelysuccessful VNsorVulcanshavebeenmadeby Kawasaki.Arguablyit’stheVtwinsthat arethe‘true’VNs,butthere’vealso been400-650paralleltwinsdropped intotherangeinsomemarkets.

Thebike

Arguably,theVN900isthebestofthe bunchfromtherangeandpossibly theexemplarofthewholeMetric Cruisesceneifwe’rebeinghonest here.Noneofthegenrearesylphlikewraithsbutdespiteanall-up weightof281kilosithandlesbetter thanyoumightexpect.Ifyoufeel itslooksaresomewhatsubjective you’reprobablylookinginthewrong bazaar–theVN900isbangonforthe marketplaceit’ssoldinto.Admittedly, someofthefactorycustomsareon thewrongsideofpolitetastebutthis onerocksitslooks.Ifthereissucha thingasrestrainedtastewithinthis sceneit’sembodiedhere. Thesebikes areasmuchaboutstylingastheyare anythingelseandthebikeisboth beautifullydetailedwhilstremaining decidedlyunderstated. Theengine finningandcylinderheadcoversarea workofart;thetank,seat,rearguard wouldhavebeenshowwinnersa decadeorsoago;therearsuspension

systemisexquisitelyengineeredto looklikeahardtail…thedetailingjust goesonandon. Themoreyoulook themoreyouseeasthesayinggoes, andyoubegintoappreciatethatthis isnotsomehastilythrowntogether ‘makethemcheap,bangthemout fast’motorcycle. Wheresomemanufacturers mighthaveusedtheminimumof technologyandsophisticationon a‘Harleyclone’,Kawasakiwentthe oppositeway. Thetop-endrunsfour

valvesineachcylinderheadactuated viaachain-drivencam. Themotor isliquidcooledforefficiencyand quietness;apairofdualthrottle fuelinjectors fireinthejuice;and there’sabelt finaldriveforultimate transmissionsmoothness. Theover bore/strokesquaremotormay‘only’ offersome50horsesat5700rpmbut there’s52lb-ftoftorqueavailableat just3700revs,makingthebikereally easytohustle–it’smorethancapable ofmakingdecentprogress!

FaultsandFoibles

Alternatorstatorscanfail;oldbatteriescan causechargingissues;regulator/rectifier havebeenknowntofail.

1.FINALDRIVE ThereardrivebeltneedstobeinA1 conditionsobargainhardifitlooksinthe leastbitworn.Transmissionnoisecancome fromimproperlytensionedbelts.

2.CHROME Itneedstobeintip-topconditiontojustify goodmoney.Replatingisnowgetting extremelyexpensive.

3.CHOICES&OPTIONS Kawasakihasofferedseveralversionsso genuponwhichmodelshadwhatanddon’t paytoomuchforstandard fitments!

4.OILPUMP Clickingfromtheenginecouldbeanoisyoil pump.It’saknownbutuncommonissue.If it’saffected,walkaway.

5.CLUTCH Poorornoisygearsectionmaybedueto improperlyadjustedclutchand/orworn plates.

6.ELECTRICS

COST-EFFECTIVECLASSICS

Despitebeinga‘fauxchopper’,the bikehandleswellforitsweightand size.Riderfeedbackisreassuringly positiveinalmosteveryaspectof ownership.Ifyourbenchmarkfor brakesissix-potwhateversthen you’relikelytobedisappointed,but forametriccruisertheyaregood. Comfortisarelativeconceptbutonce againtheVulcanseemstocomeout wellwhensetalongsideitspeers

Homeservicingiseminently possiblewhichkeepsownership costsdown,andridersreportfuel consumption figuresofsome60mpg whencruisingonasteadythrottleand motorwayspeeds. Thelatermodels are fittedwitha21-inchfrontwheel whichsomefeelincreasestheride stability,butthatdoesnotimply theearlier16-inchwheelmodels were/areanythinglessthanplanted ontheroad.

Kawasakidoubtlessmadethe appropriatechangesto theframe’sgeometries. MetricCruisers mightbean acquiredtastebut sampleaVulcan andchancesare you’llbesmitten –theyreallyare rathergood.

LineageandLegacy

Fromthe1985VN700theVtwin ranin750formuntil2006with numerousupdatesandrevisions.A subtlegrowthinboresizedelivered the800versionwhichranfrom1995 -2006beforeanincreaseinpiston strokeproducedthe900here.2002 sawthearrivalofthelong-awaited, big-capacityVulcanintheguise oftheVN1600,builttotakeon larger-capacityHarleyDavidsons. Thesewereonsalefrom2002-2008. 2004-2010witnessedthearrivalof thesupposedlyultimateVulcan2000 whichwasquotedasdelivering some140+lb-ftoftorque!Itisthe900 thathasremainedonsalesincein manymarkets.

Whyyoumightwantonenow

Ultimately,ridingbikesliketheVN900 isanentirelydifferentexperience fromalotofwhatmany mightcallmainstream motorcyclingbut thatgenuinely dependsuponyour perspective.Ifyou fancyachange fromthevanilla sideofbiking thena MetricCruiser

liketheVN900isprobablyoneofthe bestplacestostart.Hugelyreliable,a provendesign,reasonablemass/size forthegenreandwithabucketloadof torque.Stylishwithoutbeinggauche; subtlyunderstatedyetnotboring; rock-solidreliableandapparently timelesslooks;there’sreallylittle aboutaVN900nottolike.

TypicalPrices

Latermodelsfromadealerareinthe £6200to£8000bracketsowe’llswerve these.ImportswithNOVApaperwork indecentconditionseemtostartjust northof£3000;toppingoutataround £4500forsomethingexceptional. AlotofVNsaretrickedoutwith accessoriesbutthatdoesn’tmean thebikeisnecessarilyworthmore,so negotiateaccordingly. There’reafair numberwithdealersaround£5500 onlowmileageinexcellentcondition andthat’swherewe’dbelooking.A cheekysub5kcashoffershouldsee youcruisinghomeinstyle.

Summary

TheKawasakiVulcanVN900isveryprobablythe firm’s mostroundedMetricCruiserandquitepossiblyoneof thebestofitskind.Withdecentbrakes,sufficientpower andahigh-endbuildquality,iteasilyoutclassedsomeof itsmarketplacerivals.

“Ifyoufancyachangefromthevanillasideof bikingthenaMetricCruiserliketheVN900is probablyoneofthebestplacestostart.”

LIVING WITH…

The Kymco DTX360

Well, you may have seen in a previous issue that Ross got to test the Kymco DT360X before I even got a look in. Editor privilege and all that jazz, but I was so happy when I was asked if I would pile the miles on and give you, the amazing reader, a blow-by-blow account of my loves and hates about this semi offroad capable scoot. The first thing I needed to do was wipe my memory clean of the DTX360’s big brother that I rode a few years ago, the AK550. It was, and is, a different beast altogether this I need to start from scratch so to speak

My first look at the DTX was in the storage unit just down the road from MoreBikes HQ The shutters went up and there in front of me was a raft of sports bikes and touring machines that had me drooling with excitement, and off to one side was the Kymco A little lacklustre in comparison to all these big bikes waiting to be given a good old thrashing by sister title ‘Fast Bikes’ But then I gave it a well-deserved second look Its design is bold but not too out there, with sharp angles and striking lines. And straightaway a seat that

looked like a double bed waiting to carry me away to comfort town.

The well-proportioned seating position and feetforward riding option instantly had me wanting to hit the road and cover some big miles Oh, and when I did, I was happy, so happy. But first things first: the keyless ignition system. Now, it’s great when you know the three steps to starting it but when you’re an impatient nearly 50-year-old child with a new toy I was not really listening to what I was told. So, the scooter is started for me and I head off to the nearest fuel station to fill up and head out for my first test Could I remember the three easy steps to starting the Kymco DT360X? Could I buggery. Did I feel like a grade one muppet pushing the scooter out of the way of the mother and kids behind me at the pump? Yes, yes I did. Deep breath and recount the conversation not 10 minutes previously. Bingo, it dropped into my mind: the safe-cracking steps appeared and one press, one turn and brake lever in and press again and away we went Phew.

Time to get on the road… The ride is brilliant

The 360cc single-cylinder motor is punchy off the line, with enough top end to nip past traffic It has a brilliant exhaust note, and the handling’s quick and responsive The brakes have a lovely feel and it handles twisty roads better than most scooters it’s size – oh, and it even has a USB charging port in the glovebox.

I think I am going to like this machine As much as I liked the BMW C350GT (my favourite scooter so far)...? Well, keep on picking up MoreBikes and over the next few months I will tell you how I get on. From how much shopping, to how far on a full tank before it dies and I’m walking If you have any tests you’d like me to do or things you want to know then get in touch via the MoreBikes Facebook page

WORDS: Jonathan Schofield PHOTOS: Gary Chapman

AXXIS Wolf DS Helmet

£149 / www.bickers-online.co.uk

‘Very comfortable, massive visor and top looks – just a little noiser than I’m used too.’

Spada Seeker

Waterproof Textile Jacket

£169 / www spadacolthing.co.uk

“This is my go-to jacket. It does the lot, with two removable layers and all the protection you’d expect from a textile jacket.”

Armr Moto SHL225 Gloves

£24.99 / www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

“Super-affordable (and supecomfortable) three-season gloves that I’ve covered thousands of miles in over the past three years. They’re my goto choice.”

Forcefield Back Protector

£159 / www.forcefieldbodyarmour.co.uk

“I wouldn’t ride without it. I feel naked if I don’t have it on Well worth every single penny.”

TCX Baja Mid Boots

£146 / www.nevis.uk.com

“I love these boots. Stiff and supportive, but comfortable beyond words. The only gripe is that they’re a touch too warm for all-year use.”

Tucano Urbano Porto Jeans

£116.66 / tucanourbano.co.uk

“Well-fitting, stylish and very, very comfortable – with wellhidden D30 armour Bang on.”

CLASSIFIEDS

ACCESSORIES

BRAKELINES

CHROMING

NUT&BOLTS

TYRES

ForSale

AJS Cadwell,2018,lightweight, 125ccsinglecylinder,showroom condition,withlessthan600 milesfromnew,MoTtoJuly 2024,photosandV5Cavailable, £2190Tel.01723372219.

BSA B40Trials,C15frame,forks, Bantamwheels,AlloyB40FSS motor,B44exhaust,alloytank, V5C,notusedforseveralyears sowillneedrecommissioning, £1995ovnoTel.Steve07460 348994.WestMids.

HONDA VFR1200F11reg, 31,000miles,goodcondition, regularlyserviced,fullpannier kit,£4500Tel.Geoff07779 304589.StockportEmail.lyn. dutton@gmail.com

KAWASAKI H1B,theH1Bwas thesecondmodelofthe500cc twostroketriple,benefitingfrom theadditionofadiscfrontbrake andslightlymorestablehandling, thisbikewasimportedfromthe USinthe1990sandislargely original,lastusedaboutayear agowouldnowbenefitfrommild recommissioning,V5available, regasahistoricvehicle,£7500 Tel.01749675410.

SUZUKI GSXR750WN,1992, watercooled,30,000miles,well maintained,butcoulddowith aservice,goodtyres,original condition,MoT,bargain,spares orrepair,vinylwrapped,full fairingincluded,£1100onoTel. 07922825646.WestSussex.

TRIUMPH Bonneville,900cc, StreetTwinOctober2020, immaculatecondition,2000 miles,£6500Tel.Steve07721 056668.Mansfield.

Wanted

AJS Model30,1957,wanted Amalmonobloccarburettor number376-78,noautojumble rubbishTel.01302841050. SouthYorkshire.

BSA ShootingStar,1958, metallicgreypaintwork,touring trimwithtopbox,panniers, Akrontalloywheels,Avons, startseasily,readytoride, photosavailable,V5C,free deliveryarranged,£5950Tel. 01723372219.Yorkshire.

HONDA ST1100PanEuropean x2,projectbikes,onewasmy ownbike,itisanAnniversary modelrecent-ishrearshock, thesecondboughtasbackup/ spares,bothpartiallystripped, goodforbuildup,use,spares, etc,sellfor£500eachor£800 thepairorswapforJapanese electricstart4-strokeroadlegal on/offroadbike200ccto400cc orJapanese2-strokeon/offroad bike125ccto250ccTel.07474 128407.

KAWASAKI ZRX1200S,2001 bike,16,300miles,prettymuch invgc,MoTMay2024andoil/ filterchangelastmonth,bought 2yearsagoasasecondbike, 500milesin2years,£4250Tel. 07758354023.

KEEWAY EZI-Minielectric moped,registered2022,no tax,rangeapprox20mileson charge,batterychargeableon boardoreasilyremoved,asnew conditionjustover300miles doneoverpast15months,max speed28mph,greatfunlittle bike,offersaround£1000,cost new£1600Tel.07530282135.

SUZUKI T350CafeRacer,fitted withRickmanhalffairing,Ace bars,rearsets&expansionpipes, allmodificationscanbeeasily reversed&mostoftheoriginal partsareavailable,theT350is quiteararemodel,basedonthe T250withlargerbore&bigger carbsproducing39Hp,lastrunning justoverayearagoregisteredasa historicvehiclewithV5,£3500Tel. 01749675410.

TRIUMPH Legend,1999,very goodcondition,newtyres,new MoT,allfluidsandoilsrecently replaced,£4200Tel.07763 343113.SouthWestScotland.

TRIUMPH BonnevilleT120R, 650cc,1970,matchingframe andenginenumber,vgc,good runner,nooilleaksorrattles,ring formoredetails,£7095onoTel. 07887674467.Hants.

YAMAHA RS200,1980,single carbversionoftheRD200, completeenginerebuildwithall newcomponents,fullsuspension refurb,newspokesandtyres,full freshpaintwork,Patinalefton thechromeforstyle,MoT&V5 present,opentosensibleoffers, £2000Tel.07534784821.

PartsForSale

BSA Bantamgearchangelever, nodamage,£15.Tel.01299 266565.

GIVIRACK and35litrepanniers tofitHondaVFR1200F,alllittle used,ingoodcondition,some verylightmarking,£200.Tel. Geoff07779304589.

HONDA CB1100RS,SW-Motech blackcrashbars,£80.Genuine Hondarearchromecarrier £175Tel.Phil07806701122.

Hornchurch.

HONDA HelixCN250twist&go wanted,goodrunnerorsecond handengine,goodpricefor goodengineTel.07905796557. Northants.

WANTEDJACKETS, D.Lewis Lightningracegloves806and Belstafftrailmaster,1960s-70s, size38”-40”,helmetstickers A.C.U.,KNMV1970sF.I.M. medallion,USAmagadsSuzuki 1967,Honda1966,+3UKads, 1968,£8Tel.01277200530.

Miscellaneous

CRIVIT OpenFacemotorcycle helmet,visor,grey,sizeL,£20. Crivitmotorcyclegloves,black, XLknuckleprotection,£12. Tuzomotorcyclegloves,black, Lknuckleprotection,£12all asnewconditionTel.01299 266565.

BSA GoldenFlash,191,metallic greywithfullfairing,topbox, panniers,crashbars,T/L/S brake,wellpresentedreadyto ride,V5C,photosavailable,new battery,alloyrims,freedelivery arranged,£5950Tel.01723 372219.NorthYorkshire.

GILERA 150SS,1957,original bikeontheroad,notbeingused, needsnewowner,£1150.Tel.

07765187298.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON lowrider, 2017notyetruninmanyextras, longMoT,immaculate,agood honestbikewithnofaults, £7500.Tel.07988149448.

HONDA NC750S,2016,5200 miles,DCT,excellentcondition, onepreviousowner,MoT,centre stand,keptingarage,£3900ono Tel.01797320434.Kent.

HONDA CM200T,1980,runs ok,minorworktofinish,good exhausts,wheels,notoriginal includeboxesofCD/CMspares, egseat,clocksetc,space needed,£695ovnoTel.01787 479063.EastEssex.

KAWASAKI Z200,1982,t&t free,9300milesfromnew, twopreviousowners,original silencer,reasonablecondition, startswellandrunsnicely,new battery,recentlyserviced,£850 Tel.07779068009.

SYM Joymax2022,22reg, 278cc,metallicbluemaxi scooter,sellingbecausebought 5thnewSymscooter,showroom condition,1900miles,only 88mpg,bigstorage,bigcomfy maxiscooter£3750onoTel. 07784499299.Yorkshire.

SINGLEMOTORCYCLE trailer, engineerbuilt,solid&tows greatincluderampsparewheel, lightboard&safetychain,plus strapsfree,£190Tel.01743 860362.Shropshire.

MZ 660SkorpionSport,1997, newRad,newtyres,newchain, newsprockets,11,000miles, nicetidybike,rideswell,MoT, £3175onoTel.01925656312. Cheshire.

SUZUKI Burgman,2015,15reg, 400cc,oneowner,19,500miles, fsh,recenttyres,beltrollersat 16,000,newbelt,nicecondition, darkgrey,Givibox,£1999.Tel. 07784499299.

VELOCETTE Valiant,1961, 200cc,V5bufflogbook,will needrecommission,99% original,£3000onoTel.Roy 01302340181.SouthYorkshire.

SUZUKI PE175N,1978,historic vehicle,verygoodoriginal condition,lowmileage,runs well,alloytank,newplastics, sparerearshocksandoriginal partscatalogueTel.Tony07928 851541.Croydon.

TRIUMPH SprintST,2007, ownedfor16years,52,000 miles,inblue,panniers,heated grips,Wilburrearshock,fsh,new MichelinRoad6tyres,£2200. Tel.07860177486.Powys.

YAMAHA Fazer800ABS, LD13WPE,2013,7724miles, onSorn,newbattery,tyres 300miles,£4500Tel.01584 823594.

HONDA Blackbird,Giviwingrack 45Ltopbox,36Lpanniers,c/w indicatorsandkeys,oneinternal clipbroken,otherwiseperfect inshinyanthracite,gotouring whileweatherholds,£150.Tel. 07977842506.Cumbria.

KAWASAKI Z200clocks,tail light,sidepanel,Z200manual alsoZ250clutchkit,newwith allplatesandSuzukiRF600fuel tapaswell,otherKawasakiZ manualsTel.07425716876.

WestYorkshire.

SUZUKIVSTROM XT650Givi Airflowscreen,goodcondition, inboxwithfittinginstructions, £55Tel.Phil07806701122.

Hornchurch.

TRIUMPH TigerCubspares: petroltank,Aliclutchcover, Zenithcarb,newglass headlight,rearshocks,tappet covers,rechromedtankbadges andcolletsforshocks,some cables,twostanchionlegs,6 voltcoil,distributors,newpetrol cap,offersTel.01253736245.

EVERSURE carramps,pairof, nodamage,drystored,£25.Tel. 01299266565.Worcs. MMV750S minichamp,new boxed,£175.Rare1998Italy rallyhat,£20.Largecollection magarticles,sell/swapEuro racebooks,mags,magswithb/ stone,Tohatsuarticles.Leather jacketwithtasselssizesmall, vgc,£35,pricesincpostTel. 01277200530.

MOULTON standardbicycle, 1960,maroon,3speedSturmey Archergears,16”wheels,all complete,drystored,£75.Tel. 01299266565.Worcs.

OXFORD BoneDrygents motorcyclejacket,sizeXL,black/ bluedetachablethermallining, armouredelbow,shoulders,back pad,asnewcondition,£35.Tel. 01299266565.Worcs.

PITMAN BookofTheRoyal Enfield,byW.CHaycraft,well used,readable,slightlytatty, £7,collectorpluspostageTel. 01299266565.