“Nah, it’ll be alright... what could go wrong?” Tony Carter
M
ikko says: “It looks a bit black out, I think you might get a bit wet mate,” as he peered out of his living room window while I started playing with the dog. “Nah, it’ll be alright. Doesn’t look too bad to me. Besides, I haven’t brought my waterproofs with me because if I get soaked riding home then it doesn’t matter. I’ll just dump the kit in the kitchen and sort it out there.” “I could probably find a set of waterproofs in the garage if you want to borrow some.” “Nah, it’ll be fine. Stop worrying about it.” Therein lies the rub. What I should have done was thank Mikko and the pair of us hobble to his garage, find some waterproofs, put them on and head home. What I did was get on the Honda, close the vents on my Alpinestars shower-proof jacket (because that’s going to make all the difference), say my goodbyes to Mikko who, with a typically stoic Finnish expression, was all skyward looking and worried of face, and I blatted the Honda down the road. I imagine that I looked dashing as I did so. I certainly didn’t look like a half-arsed idiot who was about to virtually drown while upright on a neo-retro Honda. Oh no. Now, you know those special effects bits in a Steven Spielberg movie where the dark, imposing clouds roll in at pace? Usually accompanied by loud thunder claps and flashes of lightning every few seconds? Those ones? That’s what faced me. A mile under my Honda and that was it. The heavens opened and I swear on all I know that I’ve never ridden through anything like it. The water was up to the axles on the bike. I could feel the Honda being tugged from side to side as newly-formed
rivers barrelled across dual carriageways. I did think about turning round and heading back for Mikko’s but – you know how this goes – my rationale argued that I was literally soaked to the skin, I couldn’t get any wetter so why bother, I might as well keep going. After all, this will be over in a minute or two I’m sure. It’s only a (very) heavy shower. An hour later I was still in it. Cold water had run down under the soles of me feet. My bits were no longer offering any sensation of feel thanks to the relentless ice bath they now sat it. My back was stained black from the dye leaking from my T-shirt. It was miserable. Well, the weather was miserable. Everything else was actually bloody good fun. I’ve always liked riding in bad weather. It focuses the mind and I really feel a connection with the motorcycle in the trickiest of conditions. And this was no different. We’re an odd bunch, us riders. But I wouldn’t have wanted to have done that day on anything else in any other way. My knackered knee, the legacy of a crash 23 years ago, doesn’t agree though. It’s still giving me a tonne of chronic pain a week later. I’ve told it that I won’t learn or change so it might as well give up trying to stop me doing that again. It’s not listening.
Tony, Holding the fort
Motorcycle Sport & Leisure’s contributors... Alan Cathcart Alan Cathcart has been writing about bikes for more than 30 years, and riding them for even longer. He' s regularly given the keys to factory prototypes and being on Æ rst name terms with the bosses of bike companies around the world allows him to bag many scoops.
Roland Brown Has ridden for 37 years and been a bike journalist for more than 30. At Bike he ended up as deputy editor before going freelance. An author of 11 books, as a racer he was Bemsee 1300 champion 1984 and raced UK F1, Superstock and Superbike, plus World F1 races.
Chris Moss Mossy has raced the Isle of Man TT, dispatched in London and ridden everything from CX500s to full-blown GP prototypes. A former chief motorcycle tester for Motorcycle News, the veteran journo admits he' s still loving two-wheeled life, and still learning.
Peter Henshaw Peter knows his stuff ± he' s a former editor of this very magazine. Now a freelance journalist, he' s got the same enthusiasm for anything with wheels that he' s had since a child. An all-year-round biker who doesn' t own a car, he has more than 40 books to his name.
Channel 5 quizzing Mikko about the accident and his recovery.
Mikko’s progress He' s been a TV star this month, helping to tell the story of the NHS at 70 for Channel Five and Sky. Mikko returned to the Queen' s Medical Centre for interviews about his trauma care and his recovery since he tried to splice his DNA with a bloody big tractor back in March. On the physical front, the super-strong one has now started walking without a stick and is even regaining his grip strength. It won' t be long until Mikko is fully Æ t again and can return to the MSL big chair. And he' ll probably be stronger than he was before the crash ± he' s certainly a lot more metal-based these days.
www.mslmagazine.co.uk 3
Contents
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P24
46 NEWS & OPINION 7
News This is what we spy with our beady little eyes this month
24
112
Subscription offer Be the Æ rst to get the mag and save money
26
Your letters What' s on MSL readers' minds
28
Maynard Hershon The story from 1964 concludes
30
The High Sider One down, more to go?
31
Products Kit and accessories that are worth a closer gander
40
TEST FLEET 92
Honda Africa Twin DCT
98
When Matt met the AT (again)
94
Suzuki GSX-S1000F Stuart turns the naked into a kind of tourer
96
97
Honda X-ADV
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 Its very nearly as practical as it is funky
99
Kawasaki Z900RS Bertie is trying to convert the original Z1 fans
For Mossy this Honda is better than a ' blade
100 Yamaha Tracer 900
KTM 1090 Adventure
101 Honda CB1000R
Riding with a police escort makes for an interesting tale
It' s bike night time for Jono
Tony has found the bike' s niche. And all it took was a deluge
KNOWLEDGE 87
Knowledge Speed limits come under the MP' s spotlight
89
Events These are the places to be
90
Coming classic Suzuki GSX-R750Y: the best of the bunch
102 Tried & tested This time it' s not just about kit. We' ve been reading too
80 TOURING & ADVENTURE 61
Touring news
122 Kevin Cameron Radial valve layout ± is it the way to go?
ROAD TESTS 34
France slaps a blanket 50mph limit on its roads
62
Day ride
It rides great, it will make your mates green with envy and look, no clutch!
38
This is the way to ride into Birmingham
64
Mid ride
Long ride
40
Richard Millington Why is it that time management on tour never works?
BMW S1000R to Spain
74
Most people take a touring bike on a tour. Not our Ross...
80
Ducati World Tour In 1957 two men did a Charley and Ewan on Ducatis. This is their story...
104
Brough Superior Pendine Sand Racer It' s a Brough, but not like the others
46
Riding into northern lights in Russia
73
Sinnis Terrain 125 An adventure bike for less than £2500! Can it be any good?
Ireland' s Atlantic coast makes for great riding
68
MV Turismo Veloce 800 SCS
Das Originals Back in 1978 these machines put the ` super' in superbikes
56
Benelli TRK502X A Chinese-made Italian adventure bike. What' s that like then?
104 Buyer’s guide This is how to bag the king of adventure, a BMW R1200GS
112 Classic test 1974 ± the year of the Yamaha TX650
October 2018 EDITOR: Mikko Nieminen: mnieminen@mortons.co.uk ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Tony Carter: tcarter@mortons.co.uk SENIOR DESIGNER: Justin Blackamore DESIGNERS: Fran Lovely, Charlotte Turnbull PRODUCTION EDITOR: Dan Sharp PICTURE DESK: Paul Fincham and Jonathan SchoÆ eld PUBLISHER: Dan Savage: asavage@mortons.co.uk GROUP KEY ACCOUNTS MANAGER: Steff Woodhouse: swoodhouse@mortons.co.uk 01507 529452 / 07786 334330 DIVISIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER: Zoe Thurling zthurling@mortons.co.uk 01507 529412 ADVERTISING SALES: Lee Buxton: lbuxton@mortons.co.uk 01507 529453 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 24 for offer): (12 months 12 issues, inc post and packing) ± UK £51.60. Export rates are also available ± see page 24 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-7PM 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
Here’s Harley-Davidson’s NEW Pan America 1250 Adventure bike Talk about turning your motorcycle world upside-down! Harley-Davidson has revealed huge plans for the future with a raft of new motorcycles ranging from 500 to 1250cc – with this, the firm’s new Pan American Adventure bike dropping jaws around the globe. The Pan America is powered by a new water-cooled motor which is going to form the powerplant for several of the motorcycles in the range; in the Pan it’s appearing as a 1250cc V-twin with a host of electronics, ride-by-wire throttle and traction control. Harley hasn’t released any specifics in terms of output or spec yet, but this thing looks serious. What we can see from the photo sent out from the factory is that the bike gets trick Showa suspension and hard-biting Brembo brakes. There’s no mention of price yet, but we do know that the bike will be released in 2020 and will be the first bike to appear from what H-D is referring to as the ‘middleweight range’.
Donald Trump Tweets support for a Harley-Davidson boycott
Harley-Davidson planning to use sensors to monitor riders
Donald Trump has expressed support towards Harley-Davidson motorcycle owners who are looking to boycott the company in the event that it shifts its production overseas ± following the iconic American brand' s suggestion that it would be forced to move some of its manufacturing operations overseas if tariffs get imposed. Trump said that ™m ost other Æ rmsÖ including Harley competitorsî agreed with his decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
Here' s a set of patents which reveal that Harley-Davidson is working on an Emergency Autonomous Braking System for its next generation motorcycles. In essence, the patent reveals that Harley-Davidson plans to use sensors to determine whether a rider is physically or mentally prepared for emergency braking. The sensors would be placed on handlebar grips, saddle, footrests and instrument panel (and even inside the helmet) to work out whether a rider is prepared to react ± before the autonomous braking takes control.
www.mslmagazine.co.uk 7
Top Stories
VW BOSS: ` Either Ducati grows or we will Æ nd new owners for it' It' s an on-off story that's been bubbling away under Ducati' s surface for at least a couple of years now, but it looks like signiÆcan t changes are about to get under way for the Italian company. Ducati is part of the VW group and it's emerged on Bloomberg TV that VW CEO (so, the man who ultimately has responsibility for what investment and future Ducati has alongside the car business) Herbert Deiss has two very clear options for the two-wheel brand ± and neither of them involves things bumbling along as they currently are. In the interview Diess says: ™E ither we Æ nd a way forward for Ducati, which provides some growth or we have to look for a new ownership.î Looking to expand the brand, in a business sense at least, is going to be tough. Ducati is riding a sales swell at the moment which has the company up by an average of 8.2% in the VW brand. The only other company under the VW umbrella to outperform Ducati is Porsche, which has managed to grow by 18% on last year' s Æ gures. Other companies including Skoda, Bentley and even Audi (all owned by VW) are lagging behind Ducati. So what does this mean for Ducati? Could we see a raft of new models that break away from the Ducati core expectations in a way similar to what Harley-Davidson has now revealed?
Oi, Ducati! Wanna race? Here' s Harley-Davidson' s brutal looking NEW StreetÆ ghter 975 Planned to launch in early 2020, this is Harley’s new Streetfighter 975. Powered by the same modular, water-cooled V-twin motor that’s at the heart of the newly-announced Pan America 1250, the bike is light on details from the firm right now, but big on looks.
“The bold actions we are announcing today leverage Harley-Davidson’s vast capabilities and competitive firepower – our excellence in product development and manufacturing, the global appeal of the brand and of course, our great dealer
network,” said Matt Levatich, president and chief executive officer, Harley-Davidson, Inc. “Alongside our existing loyal riders, we will lead the next revolution of two-wheeled freedom to inspire future riders who have yet to even think about the thrill of riding.”
And watch the video of Harley’s future in action Go to www.MoreBikes.co.uk to see the official video showing the host of new models coming from Harley-Davidson. Search ` Harley' to see the factory-made footage which will see us all with loads of new models from the American Æ rm from 2020. On top of that is the production version of the all-electric LiveWire project, which is going on sale in 2019 ± here' s the Æ rst photo of how the bike will look when it goes on sale (bottom right). In addition to LiveWire will be four other electric bikes of varying sizes, these will go on sale from 2021-2022. The official Harley video shows these and many more new designs.
8 Motorcycle Sport & Leisure – established 1962
NEW
MORE spy shots of the
2019 Ducati Diavel And now we have LOADS of details about the bike We brought you the first photos of the next generation Ducati Diavel last month and a couple of weeks back we were sent these fresher and VERY much up close photos of the 2019 Bologna bruiser. This bike was the subject of much interest at the recent World Ducati Week (July 20 to 22) where it was shown to the masses at the event. Those who went into to the closed-room viewing had to hand in their phones at the door, such is Ducati’s desire to keep the more detailed elements of the muscle cruiser secret. So it must be annoying to the factory and those who saw this bike under wraps, that these shots have now surfaced. With these photos of the bike trying to head out on consumption testing, we can now see plenty and from what we now know, it looks even more like the Diavel’s evolution is heading back to the original pretty sporty ethos of the 2013 version of the big Ducati. Under the WDW wraps, the bike was codenamed ‘Project 1309’ a name given to it because this bike is the ninth ‘tweak’ of the Diavel since 2013. Two years after the bike was launched on 2011, the Diavel underwent a makeover that left it sportier and more aggressive so it’s clear that next year’s bike is going down a similar route. On the prototype motorcycle that we’ve caught here, we can see that the bike is using the 1262cc V-twin Testastretta
DVT – it’s the same engine that you find in the Multistrada and the XDiavel; it makes 156bhp. There’s some major changes to the bike including the exhaust. Gone are the large double exhaust cans on the right hand side, replaced by a compact exhaust unit that sits centrally under the bike. This is done to help centre the bike’s mass and improve handling. The new Diavel is also getting corner ABS, a blipper to let the rider crash through the gears without the need of a clutch, wheelie and traction control and various riding modes. The new Diavel is also getting Ducati Power Launch which will be
single-button activated. It’s dash is becoming Bluetooth enabled so that the bike can link up with a smart phone directly. The better driveability is enhanced by the new steering head angle which has switched from 62 to 63 degrees. The rear suspension travel has also been upped from 120mm to 134mm although the seat height and position has been kept the same, Ducati reckons that where the rider sits on the bike is an ideal middle-ground between sport and touring. The bike’s wheelbase has grown by 15mm and is now 1600mm in length. We know that there will be at least two versions of the bike for
2019, the S version (with Ohlins suspension and other, higher level parts) and the standard bike (Marzocchi and Sachs suspension). The Diavel now has a Panigale swingarm and looks slimmer overall. Indicators are now integrated into the licence plate holder. Ducati will produce enough aftermarket touches so that owners of the next-gen Diavel will be able tour on the bike if they want to. Items like panniers, a touring screen and upright for the larger pillion seat are due to go online at the same time as the bike officially hits dealers in early 2019.
www.mslmagazine.co.uk 9
Top Stories News in brief
Honda boss goes public on Hornet rumours: ‘We’ve got TWO new 650s coming – one will be funky, one will be mainstream’
WATCH THIS: BSB AND TT STARS GOOFING OFF
• Get over to MoreBikes.co.uk and search `S uzuki' to Ænd this video of the inaugural Suzuki All-Star 125 race, which saw a gaggle of top level racers compete for glory on identical GSX-S125s around Bruntingthorpe kart circuit. The line-up including Buildbase Suzuki's Bradley Ray, Richard Cooper, and Billy McConnell, plus OMG Racing Suzuki's Gino Rea, Burrows Engineering Racing's Davey Todd, and Movuno.com Halsall Racing's Tom Ward.
PRAT GOES DOWN FOR 189MPH ON A STOLEN BIKE!
• It's believed to be the fastest EVER speed by which a motorcyclist has been convicted in this country ± captured iPhone footage shows Adam Campion (pictured below) getting pretty close to the double tonne on a stolen bike. The self-shot evidence was uploaded onto a laptop and discovered by the police. Campion, 26, of Hucknall, Notts was jailed for 21 months by Notts Crown Court after admitting Æv e counts or dangerous driving and pleading guilty to retention of stolen goods.
There’s great news for anyone who’s hoping for a rebirth of the hugely popular Hornet line thanks to a top interview with Fabrice Recoque, director of the motorcycle division of Honda France. The interview was carried out by French magazine Moto Revue and is a real eye-opener. Have a read of what Recoque told the Moto Revue lads and tell us what you think – do you reckon a 650 version of the new CB1000R (pictured) is on the way? And then after that, what? He says a lot, does the French boss, and what we can be sure of is that the Hornet is coming back – and it’ll be happening soon. Here’s the response when Moto Revue whether Honda had given up on the idea of
b i i back b k the h Hornet, H bringing Recoque said: “Absolutely not! Our roadster strategy will be established in two phases. “Medium-term we will have a new bike which will be about 650cc and that will be presented in the coming months. I cannot say more about this. “That bike will be followed by another new bike, this one will be more volume-oriented and we have already started work on it, but it’s not for now.” The interviewer went on to ask whether either of the new bikes would be positioned as a rival for the best-selling Yamaha MT-07, to which the Honda boss added: “Our strategy will not be to attack the MT-07 with the same style or a similar price. We will
propose a very diff different motorcycle with a unique style and very different positioning. “It will probably be a bit more expensive but also very different and slightly off the competition.” When asked when the bikes were likely to be seen it was made clear that Honda’s not looking to hit all the big bike shows in earnest with the new Hornet with Recoque saying: “The new bikes will be presented at EICMA in Milan [in November – ed]. As for Cologne and Paris, it’s under discussion, but I hope that we’ll have something to present in Paris. In any case it will be either Cologne or Paris, but not both.” So, the cat’s out of the bag on what we can expect from Honda in 2019 then!
Japan-EU trade deal could slash the price of motorcycles and parts It’s the world’s largest bilateral free trade deal which has been announced by both the EU and Japan. Shinzo Abe, Japan’s prime minister and EU leaders Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk (right) have put the agreement together in response to Donald Trump’s announcement of supposed solidarity with Vladimir Putin last month. Phew, so there’s quite a bit of tit-for-tat going on here – but in essence it means that once the deal has been ratified by both sides through their legal process, the Japan/EU trade deal will see 99% of tariffs on Japanese goods wiped out. It could take eight years for this to become a reality as far as cars (and motorcycles
10 Motorcycle Sport & Leisure – established 1962
go) though due to financial markets settling to absorb costs and it could mean that motorcycle prices will fall by as much as 8%. Will we in the UK see the benefits of this, once Brexit happens? Possibly, if this can Shinzo Abe, Donald Tusk, Jean-Claud e Juncker be added into the no deal/some deal machinations. the defence of a world order Tusk said: “Politically, it’s a based on rules, freedom and light in the increasing darkness transparency and common of international politics. We are sense. And this political sending a clear message that dimension is even more visible you can count on us. We are today and tomorrow, than two predictable – both Japan and months ago and I am absolutely [the] EU – predictable and sure you know what I mean.” responsible and will come to
Top Stories News in brief
Motorcycle instructor accuses petrol giant Shell of racism
He claims he was told to remove motorcycle helmet while woman in burka Æ lled up car at the next pump. WATCH THIS TT VIDEO – PART ONE
• Log onto MoreBikes.co.uk and search `TT' to see the Æ rst part of an award-winning TT documentary series from Studio Kippenberger. With its incredible cinematography, the Æ lm has been awarded the Gold medal at the London Motor Film Festival.
WATCH THIS GP500 VIDEO – WAYNE
• Once you'v e watched the TT video (above), stay on MoreBikes.co.uk and search `W ayne' to watch the trailer for the upcoming movie about 1987 500ccGP world champion Wayne Gardner. The Æ lm mixes animation with archive footage and modern interviews. It looks terriÆc.
WATCH THIS CARDBOARD BIKE VIDEO – YEAH
• And when you'v e watched both videos (above and above) stay on MoreBikes.co.uk and search `car dboard' to watch an amazing artist make an (almost) working full-sized superbike out of cardboard and tape. Utterly brilliant.
In the wake of Boris Johnson’s recent, headline-grabbing criticism of the burka, motorcycle instructor Liam Bradley has slammed a Shell garage in Blackburn, Lancashire, claiming he was told to remove his open face helmet – while a woman wearing a burka filled up next to him. Bradley obliged and removed his open face helmet, but was left furious after noticing the woman in full-face veil filling up unchallenged at the same time as him. The incident follows on from Boris Johnson’s recent comments about the burka – which he described as looking like a ‘letterbox’. On Facebook, Bradley branded the treatment he received as ‘racism at work in Britain’ – and the post went viral with more than 6000 likes, comments and shares. “It just annoyed me basically.” he said. “The main reason it annoyed me is because it is a petrol station I’ve used hundreds of times because we work in the
area. We used to use the petrol station as a rest break with the students and they would go and buy their chocolate and drinks from there. So we are always seen around that station and have always been nothing but courteous or respectful. I had an open face helmet so people could see my identity. “The lady behind the till has served me on hundreds of occasions. And yet there was a lady there wearing a burka filling up. I could understand it if I was there with a full face helmet on, on a dodgy looking
bike, sat there on the back with the engine running while filling up – could totally understand that. But not when I have put thousands of pounds through that station over the years.” Bradley, who was riding his Yamaha Tracer 900, claims it was the first time he has ever been asked to remove his helmet in three years of regularly filling up at the garage. Rather than seek a reaction from the garage, he took to Facebook instead.
Peugeot 2019 super scoot caught out and about Our spy snappers have caught this in action, a very heavily camouflaged Peugeot Citystar scooter undergoing final bodywork testing at a private track facility. It’s hard to tell exactly what the nuances of the new bodywork are, largely because of the effective camouflage colour scheme, but what is instantly obvious is that the new scooter is a lot bigger than any current models. So the Citystar looks to be heading more towards the superscoot than plain old commuter fodder. The new bike gets lower, more funky headlights and there’s a lot more bodywork up front, suggesting various storage compartments. The rear of the bike’s body has been completely redesigned with new lights and
12 Motorcycle Sport & Leisure – established 1962
the bikes snapped were running two different screens, one black and quite small while the other is huge with an effective kick-lip at the top to deflect more wind off the rider at speed. It’s hard to
spot in the images but the screen may be adjustable for different heights, too. Expect the bike to be shown officially for the first time at the Paris show later this year.