Motorcycle Sport & Leisure April 2019 by Mortons Media Group Ltd

TRIUMPH T SPEED S TWIN

RAPID, SOLID AND OH SO PRETTY

FIRS ST RIDE: KAWASAKI VERSYS 1000

TOURING INSPIRATION

WHERE, HOW, WHEN?

FAK KE NEW WS

No.703 April 2019

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PAGES OF TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE

UK off-sale date – 05/04/2019

£4.30

NOT AL LL HELMETS ARE EQ QUAL

FROM WALES TO THE US

NAKED OR DRESSED?

HONDA CB650R & CBR650R TESTED

DUCATI HYPERMOTARD ◆ YAMAHA R3 ◆ HONDA SUPER CUB ◆ KTM 690 ENDURO R

Ice cool looks. Red hot performance. There’s cool. And then there’s Yamaha’s dynamic new Ice Fluo • Free MT demo rides* ﬁnish. Combining red hot wheels with ultra-cool ice bodywork, • Free MT gift pack worth over £20 these exclusive new Ice Fluo colours make the 2019 MT Hyper with every test ride while stocks last** Nakeds the most dynamic and desirable bikes on the street. • Free to enter competition to win an MT-09*** Get down to your participating Yamaha dealer on April 13-14 and • April 13–14 at your participating Yamaha dealer take a free demo ride on the new MT and MT SP models.

2019 MT Demo Weekend, 13–14 April www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk

*Riders must be over 18 years of age and possess the relevant UK motorcycle licence to ride selected models in the MT range. Please bring your own helmet and protective riding gear. **Only those riders taking Yamaha MT demo rides are eligible for the free gift bag, gift bags are available on a first come, first served basis. Terms & Conditons apply. ***Competition entrants must be UK residents aged 18 years or over. There is no cash alternative to the prize. The winner will be notified by April 29th 2019. No correspondence will be entered into, and the judges’ decision is final.

Let me get this straight... Mikko Nieminen

he other day when I was riding to work, I glanced at the dash and nearly wobbled off my perch when I noticed the air temperature: -1.5C. It had only been plus 1 when I set off, so the difference wasn’t huge, but seeing that minus sign before the digits was a bit daunting. Still, I was warm with plenty of layers, heated kit and heated grips, and the road ahead was nice and dry so I didn’t need to worry about ice. As an added bonus I soon found a long line of traffic ahead of me at a complete standstill, with plenty of room to filter past. It was like it was meant to be. It made me think though: what is it that makes us ride all year? The more I think about it, finding good, sensible reasons for riding in winter is tricky. I usually tell myself that taking the bike makes sense because I can get from A to B quicker. However, even if the actual travel time is less on two wheels because you can filter your way through congestion zones, it takes so long to get all your layers on and off that any time benefit is marginal at best. Sometimes I try the economy and ecology arguments too, but the first one goes pop when I stop to fuel up and come out of the services with my arms full of chocolate because I’ve ‘earned’ it for braving the weather. The second one is a bit shaky too, given that my car has a smaller engine, better MPG performance and reasonable CO2 emissions compared to a lot of the bikes I ride. If I was lucky and didn’t get stuck in traffic jams the carbon footprint probably wouldn’t be much bigger. Most people would also testify that riding in less than perfect conditions improves your riding skills because you have to either prepare for or deal with

Riding in winter is cold, wet and – let’s be honest – often not as much fun as you’d hoped. So why do we do it? situations that require more control. I can see how this would work, but if the conditions are really bad, the chances are that you are either wrapped up in so many layers that the whole feel of the ride is very different than normally, or you are so cold and wet that all you can concentrate on is hunkering down and getting home as quickly as possible. Remembering to allow the learning to trickle through at times like that can be hard. As much as I hate to admit it, all the sensible arguments seem to crumble at some point. I was just about to give up and declare winter riding pointless when I remembered what our American friend, Maynard Hershon, said in his column in last month’s MSL: “I don’t believe that motorcycles are sensible or economical. We ride them not for practical reasons, but because we suspect that our worlds would be dreary indeed without them. We’d rather not risk that, thank you.” His comment had nothing to do with winter riding, but even so, that’s exactly it, thank you Maynard! It doesn’t matter what the weather is doing. If it’s ok to take the bike, you take the bike – just because you love riding it. Or maybe because you’re scared that not riding it means that the other bikers get to have all the fun without you. And that’s just not on!

Mikko Nieminen, Editor

Motorcycle Sport & Leisure’s contributors... Roland Brown

A bike journalist for more than 30 years, Roland has contributed to countless publications worldwide and authored a dozen books on bikes. He has tested machines ranging from Rossi’s YZR-M1 to a 1923 Douglas, but still can’t decide which type of bike he most enjoys riding.

Chris Moss

Mossy has made a living from bikes since 1985, ﬁrst as a motorcycle courier in London, and then as a journo from 1995. He’s raced, ridden and tinkered with hundreds of different bikes, but he’s the ﬁrst to admit there’s still loads to experience and learn.

Peter Henshaw

Peter is our history man. He’s written more than 60 books and is a former editor of this very publication. Now a freelance journalist, he writes about transport of all kinds, though bikes are really at the heart of it all. He’s an all-yearround rider who does not own a car.

Maynard Hershon

Maynard lives in Denver, Colorado, US, and rides a lovable Kawasaki ZRX1200. He began riding in 1962 and found that on or off the bike he was happiest thinking about motorcycling. He’s always led a life that’s focused on riding, rather than life’s more mundane trivialities.

Ross Mowbray

Ross works across the modern motorcycling magazines at our publisher, Mortons Media. That means he gets to ride all manner of two-wheelers, from Monkey bikes to trikes. Don’t let his youthful appearance fool you, he’s a seasoned petrol-head, respected test rider and a handy offroader too.

www.mslmagazine.co.uk 3

Contents PAY LESS

Get the original & best bike magazine every month

18 NEWS & OPINION News

It’s been a busy month in motorcycling. Here’s a quick round-up.

P26

ROAD TESTS 10 18

Latest products

These are the items we think are worth checking out.

Maynard Hershon

Getting new tyres is easy, right? Maynard begs to differ.

Subscription offer

Honda Super Cub

The big-selling little Honda is back.

Honda CB650R and CBR650R

Honda’s middleweight bikes are full of surprises.

Kawasaki Versys 1000

The big green touring machine gets overhauled for the future.

Triumph Speed Twin

It’s an iconic name from the past, but what is the new Speed Twin like?

Yamaha R3

Big bike looks and attitude in a manageable package.

Here’s your chance to save £££ and get MSL before it’s out in the shops.

TOURING & ADVENTURE

Your letters

Touring news

The High Sider

Day ride

Mid ride

Richard Millington

Letters from Africa

Long ride

Touring made better

This month’s top topics from MSL readers.

There’s something rather fragile playing a big part in racing.

4 Motorcycle Sport & Leisure – established 1962

How an overlander became a tour guide.

North Wales has great biking roads, and a place called Trevor.

70 70

Riding classic bikes in Spain is heaven, as long as you don’t break down.

Here’s what Richard has planned for 2019. What about you?

Part two of how to do America on an Africa Twin.

Do something amazing this summer We have gathered a collection of tours to suit all tastes.

Freddie’s adventure down the length of the continent continues.

Here’s an idea of how to make your next tour better.

TEST FLEET 92

Honda CRF450 L

Winter fun with a bike that’s as good on- and off-road.

Yamaha Niken

Mossy is getting used to three wheels – again.

Kymco AK550

Riding a scooter in winter has its ups and downs.

100 Yamaha Tracer 900

Mikko is still loving the Tracer – but not everything about it.

KNOWLEDGE 85

Fake news

Getting a real bargain is not always easy. Watch out for fake products.

Bikers’s barber shop

Can you combine bikes and barbering? Looks like it works.

Tech talk

How to look after your battery and get more out of it.

Events

102 Suzuki V-Strom 650XT

You might have thought that this bike had left the ﬂeet. Not quite.

104 Honda Africa Twin

Matt has had an emotional time with the tall Honda.

106 Kawasaki H2 SX SE

This is goodbye to the superpowered, supercharged beast.

107 Honda CB1000R+

Ross gets the Honda caked in mud before saying farewell.

Here are the biggest events for your diary in the coming weeks.

108 Buying guide

KTM 690 Enduro R

If you want a capable dual-purpose machine, this is worth a look.

117 Tried & tested

Biking essentials tested so you know what’s worth the money.

122 Kevin Cameron

Can beauty be born from boredom? Absolutely!

108

April 2019

EDITOR: Mikko Nieminen: mnieminen@mortons.co.uk DESIGNER: Gareth Williams PRODUCTION EDITOR: Mike Cowton PICTURE DESK: Paul Fincham and Jonathan Schoﬁeld PUBLISHING DIRECTOR: Dan Savage PUBLISHER: Tim Hartley GROUP KEY ACCOUNTS MANAGER: Steff Woodhouse: swoodhouse@mortons.co.uk 01507 529452 / 07786 334330 GROUP ADVERTISING MANAGER: Sue Keily DIVISIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER: Zoe Thurling zthurling@mortons.co.uk 01507 529412 ADVERTISING SALES: Charlotte Mountain: cmountain@mortons.co.uk 01507 529538 SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER: Paul Deacon: pdeacon@mortons.co.uk CIRCULATION MANAGER: Steve O’Hara: sohara@mortons.co.uk MARKETING MANAGER: Charlotte Park: cpark@mortons.co.uk COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: Nigel Hole EDITORIAL ADDRESS: MSL Magazine, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR WEBSITE: www.mslmagazine.co.uk GENERAL QUERIES AND BACK ISSUES: 01507 529529 24 hr answerphone help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk ARCHIVE ENQUIRIES: Jane Skayman jskayman@mortons.co.uk 01507 529423 SUBSCRIPTION: Full subscription rates (but see page 28 for offer): (12 months 12 issues, inc post and packing) – UK £51.60. Export rates are also available – see page 28 for more details. UK subscriptions are zero-rated for the purposes of Value Added Tax. SUBSCRIPTION AGENTS: Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR CUSTOMER SERVICES NUMBER: 01507 529529 TELEPHONE LINES ARE OPEN: MONDAY-FRIDAY 8.30AM-6PM SATURDAY 8.30AM-12.30PM DISTRIBUTION: Marketforce UK Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HU. 0203 787 9001.

PRINTED: William Gibbons & Sons, Wolverhampton The publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If you are sending material to us for publication, you are strongly advised to make copies and to include a stamped addressed envelope. Original material must be submitted and will be accepted solely on the basis that the author accepts the assessment of the publisher as to its commercial value. © Mortons Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher. ISSN: 1478-8390 MOTORCYCLE SPORT & LEISURE (USPS:001-522) is published monthly by Mortons Media Group Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ UK. USA subscriptions are $66 per year from Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. Periodical Postage is paid at Bancroft WI and additional entries. Postmaster: Send address changes to MOTORCYCLE SPORT & LEISURE, c/o Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. 715-572-4595 chris@ classicbikebooks.com

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NEW Need to know ◆ Your letters ◆ First rides

Triumph goes custom

New Thruxton TFC and concept Rocket TFC lead the way for the British ﬁrm’s factory customs.

riumph motorcycles have been popular subjects for custom builds the world over, and in 2019 the British brand is launching a fully factory-backed custom offer. Although Triumph has made custom versions of its bikes before, now the business is going global, with 750 unique, numbered bikes to be launched of each factory custom design. The first Triumph to get the factory custom treatment is the Thruxton from the Bonneville range. The new Thruxton TFC will up the game in performance, technology, engineering, specification and finish. At 105bhp, it pumps out 10bhp more power than the standard Thruxton R, thanks to significant engine upgrades, including lighter components, high compression pistons and revised ports and cam profile. Torque figures aren’t shabby either, peaking at 85lb-ft.

Lightweight carbon fibre bodywork includes a one-piece cockpit fairing, front mudguard, seat cowl, heel guards and silencer end caps. Exquisite detailing continues with billet machined aluminium top yoke with TFC branding, brushed nickel mirror centres, tinted screen, real leather seat with stitched detailing, and billet machined aluminium oil filler cap. When it comes to colour, black is the name of the game. There’s black anodised wheels, black Öhlins RSU springs with black decals, black engine covers and a black tail tidy. Given the amount of black components, it comes as no surprise that the one colour scheme available is, oh yes, black (with hand-painted gold lining). The Thruxton TFC is five kilograms lighter than the Thruxton R and features fully adjustable Öhlins upside down NIX30 front forks and fully adjustable Öhlins piggyback

reservoir rear shocks with billet machined aluminium adjusters. Continuing the high-spec trend are Brembo four-piston M4.34 radial monobloc calipers, race specification Metzeler Racetec RR super sticky tyres, and a Brembo radial master cylinder. The riding modes have been upgraded and are unique to the Thruxton TFC (Rain, Road and Sport). They now adjust throttle map, ABS and traction control settings. Every one of the 750 Thruxton TFC owners will also receive a special tailor-made TFC handover pack featuring a numbered letter signed by Triumph’s CEO Nick Bloor, a personalised custom build book, and a beautiful Thruxton TFC bike cover. Prices for the custom beauty start at £17,500.

Concept Rocket TFC

The Rocket TFC concept showcases the next TFC model to come, and will be launched on May 1, 2019 with full details and speciﬁcations. Triumph’s legendary Rocket III was launched in 2004. Fifteen years on, and Triumph promises the new Rocket TFC will feature great performance, cutting- edge technology, muscular presence and unique engineering innovations.

Top Stories

Motorcycle sport dodges ‘Vnuk’ Persistent lobbying by the MCIA and other members of the motorcycle and motor sport business community, to exclude motorcycle and motor sport from the EU’s Motor Insurance Directive (MID, sometimes referred to as Vnuk), has achieved success with the European Parliament. IMCO, the European Parliament committee responsible for MID, has voted to exempt various vehicles from the scope of the Motor Insurance Directive. The proposed judgement threatened motorcycle and motor sport by making road traffic insurance compulsory during off-road use (e.g. on a motor racing circuit). This would require a form of insurance not commercially available and according to the insurance industry, probably unachievable. There are further hurdles to overcome, including gaining the agreement of the EU Council and the inevitable delays caused by

Zero per cent ﬁnance on Suzuki GSX-R1000R Suzuki GSX-R1000R is now available on 0% ﬁnance until the end of March 2019, both on PCP and hire purchase deals. Requiring a minimum £1,000 deposit, the British Superbike and Superstock 1000 race-winner can be had for just £212.83 per month over 37 months on a PCP agreement. Alternatively, with a deposit or trade-in of £3,298, it can be ridden for just £149, with an annual mileage allowance of 6,000. The GSX-R1000R is full of MotoGP-inspired tech, including a mechanical variable valve timing system, 10-stage lean angle-sensitive traction control system, quickshifter and auto-blipper, cornering ABS and launch control, as well as Showa Balance forks and rear shock. For more information, visit bikes.suzuki.co.uk

the forthcoming EU elections, so although the final verdict will not be known until later this year, the signs are positive.

Celebrating 100 official years of TT racing The Isle of Man TT races were ﬁrst staged in 1907, but the milestone centenary meeting will only be marked later this year. Two world wars, plus the UK foot and mouth epidemic which caused the cancellation of much UK sport including the TT, took out a total of 12 years, meaning 100 years of TT racing can be celebrated all over again. Celebrating this special anniversary with a spectacular TT theme is Stafford International Classic MotorCycle Show on April 27-28, 2019, where top-name riders and the famous machines that carried them to victory around one of the most famous race circuits in the world will be on display.

The impressive list of star guests includes current TT stars Ian Hutchinson and Tom and Ben Birchall, with an impressive 24 TT wins between them, nine-time TT winner Charlie Williams, and fans’s favourite John Cooper. Running the stage sessions is the show’s resident compere, Lincolnshire ace Steve Plater,

8 Motorcycle Sport & Leisure – established 1962

joined by ﬂying Scot and fellow two-time TT winner Alex George. There will also be the most eclectic display of 10 genuine former TT machines ever assembled. The collection includes a 1926 AJS GR10, which ﬁnished third in that year’s TT in the hands of Frank Longman; an ex-HG Tyrell-Smith 1932 works

Rudge, which also ﬁnished third in that year’s Junior TT race; a minuscule 50cc Honda CR110; a three-cylinder MV Agusta; a 1984 Ducati TT2 with TT history; and an ex-Joey Dunlop RC45. For more information, visit www.staffordclassicbike shows.com

www.mslmagazine.co.uk 9

Test Ride

Honda Super Cub C125 (2019)

BLAST FROM THE PAST The timeless Super Cub has been resurrected. Now let’s see how it fares in wintry Lincolnshire WORDS: Ross Mowbray PHOTOGRAPHY: Honda & Gary D Chapman

he Honda Super Cub has made a name for itself over the last sixty years as a bulletproof, do-anything machine, most at home on the daily commute, but capable of traversing the globe, too. Since production first began in 1958, Honda has sold over 100 million models in various iterations of style and capacity. To celebrate hitting the milestone and cement its place as the best-selling machine of all time, Honda has revamped its Super Cub with a major styling revision and a raft of technical updates. Of course, the new model is different to the Cubs we all know and love. It has a revamped low-friction

4-stroke single-cylinder air-cooled engine, upgrades to its oil system (predominantly to make part and oil changes easier), and a 2-stage catalyser muffler paired with the brand’s PGM fuel injection system (to ensure the bike meets more rigorous emissions regulations). Its styling has been overhauled too, with a distinctly neo-retro feel complimented by new LED lights and turn indicators, and an instrument panel designed for easy reading. To put it through its paces, we’ve spent the last month using the little Cub as a daily commuter, seeing how it stands up to the cold, wind, rain, grit and grime that defines riding through the winter in the UK.

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SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

On first inspection, I was pleasantly surprised by the little Honda. Despite the updates and modern technology, it’s still undoubtedly a Super Cub being immediately familiar in appearance, thanks in part to its step-through design, front fairing, two-tone colour scheme and under seat fuel tank. It’s probably a bit of a stretch to describe the Super Cub as a particularly attractive machine, although it has a unique charm. After all, that’s not really what the Cub’s about, with practicality, performance and pricing far more important. Either way, I’ve still had plenty of compliments from passers-by.

LAUNCH Speciﬁcation HONDA SUPER CUB C125 Price: £3399 Engine: 125cc air-cooled SOHC 4-stroke 2-valve Power: 9.5bhp (7.1kW) @ 7500rpm Torque: 7.7lb-ft (10.4Nm) @ 5000rpm Brakes: (F) Single 220 mm hydraulic disc (R) 130mm drum brake Suspension: (F) 26mm telescopic fork (R) Twin shock Wheels: 10-spoke cast aluminium Tyres: (F) 70/90-17 (R) 80/90-17 Frame: Mono-backbone steel frame Seat Height: 780mm Kerb Weight: 109kg Fuel Tank: 3.7 litres Fuel Consumption: 188.4 MPG (claimed) Contact: www.honda.co.uk/ motorcycles

indicators integrated into the handlebar and an easy-to-read dash, which blends an analogue speedometer with an LCD screen. The bike also has detachable side covers, with the right side allowing access to the bike’s electronic systems and the left, storage for documentation and maintenance records. Interestingly, to increase the practicality of the Super Cub C125, Honda has opted to offer a luggage rack behind the bike’s solo seat as standard. However, it’s worth noting that a passenger seat can be mounted on the luggage rack, making the Super Cub capable of two-up travel.

EASY RIDING

The Super Cub C125 is, by nature, a simple and stripped back machine, and it always has been, carefully balancing budget and customer expectations with performance. As a result, there’s not a huge amount to talk about when it comes to styling and equipment, so instead, let’s focus on the main changes for the latest incarnation. The fuel tank is now locked electronically under the seat, and accessed by pressing a button, assuming you have the new smart key fob within range. It also comes with an ABS-equipped disc brake and telescopic fork up front, LED lights,

Settling into the seat for the first time, I was surprised by how substantial the little Cub feels, despite its diminutive proportions. It is a tiny machine though, being lightweight and low. The seat stands at 780mm, and as a result of the step-through design, should be easy to get on with for even the shortest of riders. The Super Cub is powered by the same 125cc single-cylinder motor that’s found in the Grom (MSX125) and the new Monkey 125. It kicks out a fairly respectable 9.5bhp of power at 7500rpm and 7.7lb-ft of torque at 5000rpm, with plenty of beans to get the jump on most four-wheeled traffic off the line. You have to push hard to hold it at 60mph, but I found it was quite happy to sit at 50mph all day long. To get the Cub moving there is a heel-toe gear shift setup, just like on the original Cub. It’s super easy to use too, thanks to its new user-friendly centrifugal automatic design, which works to disengage and engage the clutch automatically while you shift

up or down the box. If you’re used to a more traditional motorcycle gearbox, don’t worry, as you’ll get used to it in minutes. It’s smooth, quiet, and if you’re really pressing on, you don’t even have to roll off the throttle, as you just stamp up the box and keep it pinned. Conventional telescopic forks are one of the new additions to the latest Super Cub, replacing the old leading link style setup. Although it’s definitely a marked improvement, it’s still not the most sophisticated of systems. Perfectly capable around town, with a more than adequate level of comfort, you’ll only really notice its shortcomings as you begin to pick up speed on sketchier surfaces. For braking, the Cub is equipped with an ABS-assisted 220mm disc and single piston caliper up front, and a 130mm drum at the rear. The same as the suspension, it’s not earth-shattering, but it’s more than capable of pulling the bike to halt with ease thanks, in part, to the Cub’s low power and weight.

SO, IS IT GOOD?

The Super Cub is no high-speed mile-muncher, but for bombing around town I reckon the lightweight, agile and super easy-to-ride machine is hard to beat. It’s more than quick enough for the urban environment, while its slim line design and 17” wheels help to make it an absolute doddle to bob and weave through traffic. It’ll turn on a sixpence, and is light enough that I could pick it up. It’s also narrow enough to fit through most front doors (so you can actually keep it safe and secure inside your house). I love it – and I reckon you might, too. www.mslmagazine.co.uk 11