YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE ON TWO WHEELS February 2019 Issue 21
HYPERMILING Fuel efficient riding guide
On Two Wheels
Learners
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INTERCEPTOR 650
Vespa Primavera 125 52 years and counting
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CONTINENTAL 650
ALSO INSIDE:
NEWS ● EVENTS ● NEW PRODUCTS ● LEGAL ADVICE ● E-BIKE NEWS ● RIDING TIPS ● PRODUCT REVIEWS ● CLASSIFIED ADS ● PLUS MUCH MORE
Budgeting for a new bike
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NEWS
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Changes to 2019 Category A motorcycle test The rules surrounding the bikes eligible for the Category A full motorcycle test changed on December 31, 2018. The power output of test bikes has now been raised from 40kW to 50kW (67.1bhp) and a minimum kerb weight of 180kg will be introduced. Certain machines currently being used by training schools are no longer appropriate for tests. Retro-styled bikes including the parallel twin Triumph Speedmaster and Street Cup, as well as Harley-Davidson’s middleweight Street 750 and XL883 Sportster fail to make the required power output. And at the other end of the spectrum, KTM’s 690 Duke is around 30kg too light for the 180kg cut-off. • For more information on the changes, and a full list of the machines which meet the new standards, visit www.gov.uk.
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Met Police gets tough on bike crime The Metropolitan Police Force has just released footage showing its new tactic to stop those who commit bike crimes in their tracks in an attempt to curb the crime wave in the capital. The growth of UK scooter-related crime has exploded by 1000% over the last three years, but its London that’s seen the highest spike, with more than 19,000 separate offences recorded last year alone. Police forces across the country have been previously criticised for failing to properly deal with offenders – particularly for not pursuing suspects if they weren’t wearing helmets. But that’s changing, with speciallytrained Metropolitan Police officers
now able to ram thieves even when they’re not wearing helmets, riding dangerously or disguising themselves by other means. Forces up and down the country have employed a range of other tactics to aid the fight against bike crime, including the use of automatic tyre deflation devices and DNA tagging spray. And it seems these tactics are working with a reduction of ‘moped crime’ in London down 44% between January and October 2017 and 2018 (from 19,455 to 12,419 offences). And with the employment of new ‘Scorpion’ officers to chase down the thieves, hopefully the number of offences will continue to fall significantly.
Showa unveils EERA Heightflex suspension system Japanese suspension specialist Showa has unveiled its new EERA Heightflex suspension system. Fitted to a Honda Africa Twin at EICMA, the electronic suspension system makes it easier for the vertically challenged to swing their legs over the big behemoth adventure machine. The electronically controlled Showa EERA Heightflex suspension not only provides an automatic level control that adjusts the chassis to the load condition, it also automatically lowers as the bike comes to a standstill. According to Showa: “During movement, when the optimum height of the motorcycle must be maintained, the electronically controlled hydraulic valve is activated/ deactivated to hold the hydraulic cylinder in a fixed position; the oil then circulates between the body of the damper and the tank as in traditional dampers. This system
Catching speeders from a mile away is designed so that the height is lowered just before the rider’s feet reach the ground, which takes about a second. The height is completely raised after having travelled several hundred metres from the start on normal paved roads. This system is set so that during movement, the travel sensor detects motion and, regardless of driving conditions, solo, duo or duo loaded, the height of the motorcycle is automatically adjusted to an appropriate position.” Showa has made no official announcements about availability – but we reckon it’s fairly likely that the system will start appearing on Adventure bikes in the not too distant future. Our money’s on the Honda Africa Twin – particularly considering Honda’s pre-existing relationship with Showa. Height-adjustable suspension isn’t an entirely new development though. The old Suzuki DR350 with SHC was capable of hydraulically lowering its chassis – and of course, Ducati’s skyhook suspension system is capable of changing suspension height with the click of a button.
Police have unveiled a speed camera capable of spotting speeding drivers from nearly a mile away. The new kit is currently undergoing in-field use by Gloucester police to tackle offences like speeding and tailgating. The quality of the image delivered at extreme distances is claimed to be so good that it could also be used to provide proof of mobile phone use while driving. The camera (nicknamed ‘The Long Ranger’) was showcased at the launch of a pilot project called Operation
Indemnis. As well as producing still images at nearly a mile away, the nifty kit can also give the police clear video footage of drivers inside their cars. The operation was launched in a lay-by on the A417 known as Granny’s Pumps between Cirencester and the outskirts of Cheltenham and Gloucester. If successful, the pilot could be applied to any road in the UK and will be linked in to the current ANPR number plate recognition system that already operates nationwide.
Bikers lead the way in learning first aid A series of first aid resources to deliver life-saving messages to motorcyclists has been launched, after a survey of more than 3000 motorcyclists revealed they are keen to help their fellow riders. Rider First Aid (created by road safety charity Brake, British Red Cross and motorcycle insurance specialists Devitt Insurance Services), gives basic advice on what to do when first on the scene of a crash involving a motorcycle.
On Two Wheels
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The survey showed that 73% of riders have taken first aid training, with four in five (80%) of them now feeling confident to respond at the scene of a crash. Research by British Red Cross reveals that just one in 20 (5%) UK adults would have the skills and confidence to act in a first aid emergency, showing motorcyclists are leading the way in learning simple, yet vital first aid skills.
Editor: Mau Spencer Publishing director: Dan Savage Publisher: Tim Hartley Staff writer: Ross Mowbray Contributors: Gary Chapman, Simon Hargreaves, Andrew ‘Chef’ Prendergast, Jonathan Schofield, Video Biker. Apologies to anyone we’ve forgotten. Editorial design: Fran Lovely Picture desk: Paul Fincham and Jonathan Schofield Production editor: Dan Sharp Group advertising manager: Sue Keily Divisional advertising manager: Zoe Thurling Marketing manager: Charlotte Park Commercial director: Nigel Hole Customer services number: 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open Monday-Friday 8.30am-6pm, Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm
Budget pothole fund not nearly enough Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has said the £420 million in new investment for tackling Britain’s pothole crisis is welcome, but it doesn’t go nearly far enough and is merely a drop in the ocean to deal with a long-term and major issue. IAM RoadSmart has conducted a survey of more than 7000 of its members, finding how disillusioned they had become with Britain’s rotten roads. Some 47% (over 3400 respondents) said they had experienced damage or personal injury as a result of hitting a pothole.
Around 90% had spotted a deterioration of some level in the roads they use with just over 50% rating the state of their roads as ‘much worse’ in the past three years and 38% rating them ‘worse.’ Some 81% (close to 6000 people) said they have noticed ‘many more’ potholes in the past three years, and adding-in the 13% who have seen ‘a few more,’ that gives a total of 94% who report more potholes. Over 56% said they have to take avoiding action on every journey to dodge potholes, and 27% said they have to avoid a pothole every day.
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NEWS
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GG Retrofitz Café Racer kit for YZF-R3
GG Retrofitz of California has revealed its latest conversion kit which turns a standard Yamaha YZF-R3 into a retro-styled Café Racer. Called the ‘Rocket Street’, the super-cool kit is compatible with Yamaha’s YZF-R3 models from 2015 to 2018. The kit consists of a windscreen, individual trim parts, and a tank cover – in addition to all the tools you’ll need to fit it. Sadly, the headlight isn’t included – so you’ll have to purchase that separately. In addition to the standard white version of the kit, there are also three
unique graphics sets – just imagine what you could do using the standard kit as a base, and creating your own personalised wrap. The standard version will set you back just shy of £1000 (the graphics, if you choose to take that option cost a further £250). At this stage, we’re not sure if you can currently get one over in Europe with delivery only being available in the USA, Australia and Japan – but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that this is going to change in the not-too-distant future. • More info: www.ggretrofitz.com
Jawa Bobber
Jawa is back
Jawa Motorcycles has just unveiled three new bikes for 2019 —the Jawa, Jawa Forty Two and the Jawa Perak Bobber. Classic Legends (the Mahindra subsidiary building the all-new Jawa’s) has chosen to stick to the Czechbrand’s historic roots, building a trio of motorcycles which are decidedly retro. The Classic version is quite simply called Jawa, taking inspiration from the iconic brand’s original 1929 machine – but it looks like it’s come straight from the 70s. It gets spoked wheels, a two-tone fuel tank, a bunch of chrome accents – and an airbox shaped to look like the unit seen on the original Jawa 350 from the 70s and 80s. The new sport model, the Jawa 42, gets a flatter set of
Jawa Classic
Jawa 42
Shocking lack of road knowledge A survey conducted by IAM RoadSmart found that many road users have a real lack of awareness of the rules of the road, putting themselves and others in danger. More than 50% admitted their road knowledge was so poor, they didn’t recognise the roundabout sign. Some 68% of road users were unaware of the two-second following distance in dry weather, with 53% confusing this for two car lengths. The survey also found that only 43% correctly recognised the Highway Code ‘dual carriageway ends’ sign, with respondents aged between 17 and 39 being the largest group to answer this incorrectly. When asked what to do when arriving to a scene of a serious crash, almost half (48%) were unaware that the first thing you need to do is to warn others of the danger by turning on hazard lights. Of those who participated, over half were not able to identify that a circle-shaped sign demonstrates traffic signs that give orders (a crucial piece of information when on the road). Drivers aged 70 onwards
statistically scored below average on this question. Worryingly, two-thirds of those surveyed admitted they were unable to recognise the colour of the reflective studs between a motorway and its slip road, with only one-in-five (20%) of those aged 17 to 39 answering correctly that they are green.
The safest in the UK
handlebars for a sportier riding stance, blacked-out front forks, an offset instrument console and a round halogen headlamp.
The Jawa and Jawa 42 are powered by the same 293cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder motor that’s been designed by Classic Legends. It packs in 26.6bhp of power and 28Nm of torque; Classic Legends claims the motor provides a generous mid-range with a flat torque curve. Jawa purists will be happy to hear that engineers have had a good go at replicating the throaty grunt of its original Jawa machines, despite it now being a four-stroke. Jawa also showcased its new factory custom Bobber, called the Perak which is powered by a larger displacement 334cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder DOHC engine developing 30bhp and 31Nm of torque. We’re not sure when the bikes will make it to British shoes – particularly considering there’s only one UK-based Jawa dealer.
A new study has found that south east riders are the safest bikers in the UK, with as many as 92% being accident-free on the roads in the past 10 years. This is somewhat higher than those living in the south west where 66% have been accident-free for the past 10 years. Motorcyclists account for just 1% of UK road users, yet one in three of their accidents are caused by other motorists on the road, whether they’re not checking their mirrors enough, distracted because they’re on their phones or they’re driving at excessive speed. It has, however, been found that motorcyclists in the south east are the safest, followed by those living in Yorkshire and Humberside. WMB Pride, a subsidiary of motorcycle transport
firm WMB Group, conducted the study as part of ongoing research into the road safety of motorcyclists in the UK. Once all of the responses were collated, it was possible to rank regions according to the least and most safe: 1. South East: 92% (have not had an accident while riding in the past 10 years) 2. Yorkshire & the Humberside: 90% 3. Northern Ireland: 89% 4. East of England: 89% 5. Wales: 87% 6. North West: 83% 7. East Midlands: 82% 8. Scotland: 78% 9. North East: 76% 10. West Midlands: 74% 11. London: 69% 12. South West: 66%
Bike owners want the same features as car drivers Many motorcycle owners would like to see hi-tech features fitted as standard, according to a new survey by WMB Pride. Topping the list are built-in USB ports, automatic braking systems and built-in adaptive cruise control. Of those surveyed, 28% believe these features would be standard within the next two years, with to 88% believing it will take 10
years before they are on every bike. The top five most popular features: ● Built-in USB ports for mobile phone charging (56%) ● An automatic braking system (52%) ● Built-in adaptive cruise control (51%) ● Heated seats and heated grips (39%) ● Automatic headlamps/auto-dip turning headlamps (30%)
NEWS
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Is the Italjet Dragster finally back?
The coolest modern scooter to ever (really) appeal to big bike riders and youthful hooligans alike was the Dragster – and it could be coming back according to Italjet. Built between 1998 and 2003, the original Dragster was churned out by the Italian factory with a combination of engines. In its most powerful form it made 22bhp and handled really well. Plus, it looked like the caterpillar stage of an arm-wrenching superbike. If you had one of these in your garage next to your 916 or GSX-R1000 you were a serious superbike player – even when you just wanted to pootle to the shops on your scooter instead of dragging the big bike out for five minutes. This latest version of the bike looks like it’s picked up where the first
incarnation left off and will come with either a 125cc or 200cc motor making 15hp and 12.5Nm in small form or 20bhp and 17Nm as a 200; it gets a CVT transmission and a belt drive. The single front swing arm carries a 12in wheel with a 120 tyre; the rear wheel is a 13in unit with a 150 fitted. Bremspower takes care of the stopping with a 175mm front disc brake and a 250mm on the back (this scooter has combined braking front and rear and comes with ABS). Weight-wise, there’s not much between them – the 125 tips the scales at just 108kg with the 125 weighing in at 112kg. No prices have yet been released yet, but reckon on the 200 costing in the region of €5000 and the 125 being around €4500 if and when they arrive.
Emergency brake assist system uses radar Continental is launching a new emergency brake assist system for motorcycles. The big news for Continental’s new fifth-generation radar sensors is its enhanced object detection, which works to inform its high-performance emergency brake assist system. It’s different from the way the technology is used in cars though. In a car, an emergency brake assist automatically performs emergency braking with maximum
braking force when a collision is imminent, but the motorcycle system works in a more measured way and is designed to help the rider, rather than to take control. Emergency brake assist uses a radar sensor to monitor the area in front of the motorcycle – and if there’s a risk of collision, the rider is alerted by a visual, audible or physical warning. Then a low amount of initial braking pressure is applied, helping the rider
with the active braking operation. If the rider does not react to the warning, the emergency brake assist automatically builds up braking force – as long as the rider has both hands on the handlebars. Interestingly, according to Continental accident research, a large number of rear-end collisions could be prevented with an emergency brake assist – in the not-too-distant future.
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NEW PRODUCTS
ARMR Moto Taka Boots RRP: £129.99
ARMR Moto has just unveiled its brand new set of mid-length adventure boot: the Taka. Sitting towards the lower end of the adventure boot price bracket, Taka boots are surprisingly wellequipped – and pretty stylish too. Constructed primarily from brown leather, the boots feature ARMR’s Dry-Tech Heat Bonded Membrane, which allows them to be both waterproof and breathable at the same time. For protection, they are equipped with reinforced ankle protectors, and a gear shift overlay – in addition to a high grip heat and oil resistant rubber sole, to help you find grip, in the worst conditions. Putting them on and taking them off is done using a simple and straightforward ratchet closing system. • Info: www.tri-motive.com
KEIS G501 Premium Heated Armoured Gloves RRP: £189
Held’s new LED light safety system
RRP: £69.99
Held has revealed a clever bit of kit designed to help riders be seen when they’re out on the road – and it’s a surprisingly simple solution, in the form of a series of integrated LED modules which can be retrofitted to your Held bike jacket. The new Held Light System (HLS) consists of two white and two red LED modules connected by a USB cable to a battery pack. To use the HLS set you’ll need an ‘LED prepared’ compatible jacket or safety vest and a standard battery pack (power bank) to power the lights. At the moment, the system can currently be combined with Held’s Atacama Top adventure jacket, its Yoshima touring jacket, and its Flashlight LED safety vest. Installation is fairly straightforward though: the LED set is simply inserted through the
open zipper in the back compartment in jacket or vest. The white optical fibres are then inserted into the chest area, and the red fibres are threaded into the back. After all four LED modules have been placed in the appropriate places, the USB cable is fed through the cable entry slot on the jacket or vest to the battery, which can be stowed in an inside pocket. To switch it on and off you just connect or disconnect the battery pack. The HLS set should be available soon – but if you’re interested in finding out more about Held’s new safety tech, or getting your hands on one of its compatible jackets ahead of it being widely available, check out the Held website. • Info: www.held.de
Givi TanklockED and Tank Bags RRP: from £120 (with bag)
Replacement ‘Injtronic’ ECU RRP: £ ask
With emissions rules getting tighter each year, Malossi has developed its new Injtronic ECU for a range of Euro 4 specification machines. Designed to offer a ‘plug and play’ solution, the Injtronic replaces the original ECU; no other sensors are required to be changed from the original parts. The new ECU increases the rev limiter to 15000rpm allowing for more performance, while at the same time controlling the secondary air supply (SAS) valve which sits at the bottom of the throttle body. By controlling the SAS valve, the ECU allows a reduction in emissions and optimises engine performance under all operating conditions. Furthermore the ECU modifies the ignition timing map based on engine speed and temperature, which allows for further performance gains. The new Injtronic is currently available for various Aprilia, Derbi and Piaggio models of automatic scooter and lightweight motorcycles. • Info: www.ve-uk.com
Givi has introduced a more secure version of its Tanklock tank bag locking system that prevents a tank bag from being stolen, and enables one to be attached and detached in a second, simply by activating a lever. The new version, TanklockED, is equipped with a security lock system, which enables the key to be removed, even when the lock is in the open position. There is no need to use the key every time the bag is released from the fitting, simply use it to lock the bag to the fitting every time the motorcycle is left unattended. Currently, the upgrade is available on three new models of tank bag; the ST605 (from the Sport-T range) and the UT809 and UT810 (from the Ultima-T range). • Info: www.givi.co.uk
Tucano Urbano Iceman Jacket RRP: £319.99
Tucano Urbano is renowned for its stylish, yet practical kit – and its latest range of winter jackets is no different. One such jacket is its new bomber jacket, the Iceman. Essentially, it’s a vintage-style, short jacket made from real sheepskin, and we think it looks great. Stylish and versatile, the Iceman bomber jack has a high level of attention to detail too, with rib knit collar, cuffs and hemline – along with quilted polyester lining. It comes with two external cargo pockets, a handful of internal pockets of various sizes – and there’s a metal zip to do it up. For protection the jacket comes with internal polyester Oxford reinforcements and is CE approved at the shoulder and elbow. There’s also padding in thermal polyester foam, an aero 3D mesh pocket for a back protector (sadly, not included), and a retractable reflective insert system, which will help you be more visible out on the road. • Info: www.tucano-urbano.com
Heated-clothing specialist Keis has just added a new glove to its collection, helping to give riders reliable, controllable warmth in addition to CE-approval. The new Keis G501 Premium Heated Armoured Gloves have been made to meet the tough, recently introduced CE standard for protective motorcycle gloves. They’re made from tough, abrasion resistant fabric and leather, and come with Thinsulate insulation for additional warmth and a Hipora waterproof and breathable membrane to keep the rain out. There’s even a visor wipe on its left index finger. The gloves also feature ‘Far Infra Red Radiation’ heat-generating technology which works to deliver warmth in the same way the sun warms you on a cold winter’s day. In fact, Keis claims they are more effective than heated grips, providing heat where you need it most – the exposed area on the top of the hands and around the fingers. To control the heat, there’s an integrated controller on the back of the hand, which enables users to turn the power on and off and change temperature on the move – choosing from low, medium or high settings. Power-wise, the gloves come with everything needed to connect to a 12v vehicle battery – but there’s also an option to go wireless, by using a Keis Portable Battery Pack (though that’ll set you back a few more quid). • Info: www.keisapparel.co.uk
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TCX introduce Gore-tex surround® technology
The ‘Clima’ is the first motorcycle boot in the TCX range to receive the latest Gore-tex surround® technology. Moisture and heat are not only conducted via the upper of the boot, but also downwards through the Gore-tex laminate into a ventilation grid, from there they can escape through large side sole openings. The latter is made with a rubber tread featuring a non-slip design, which is bonded to a grey rubber midsole that incorporates a PP foot bed for guaranteed transversal rigidity. This midsole stands out for the presence of a special ventilation grille capable of channelling all moisture and heat towards the holes on the sides. The exclusive sole construction works in combination with the breathable and wear-resistant Cordura® upper. There is a special membrane for guaranteed all-round climate comfort too. Feet stay dry and comfortable from spring to autumn, according to tests conducted on the product in a climate range of between 5ºC and 35ºC.
Bell Helmade’s custom painted lids RRP: from £125 (for a base helmet) The boot design is distinguished by the presence of micro injections which give it movement and character, featuring a seamless structure. The internal panel is made of microfibre, while comfort and flexibility of fit are enhanced by padded front and rear folds. Closure is quick and safe thanks to an elastic zip, concealed by a discreet Velcro band. This footwear model is reinforced in all sensitive areas (malleolus, shin plate, toe and heel counter) and is fitted with a PU shift pad. The boot is CE Certified according to EN 13634 regulations. • Info: www.nevis.uk.com
Bell has joined forces with custom helmet painter Helmade to make it easier than ever to get a custom-painted lid on your head.. If you’ve not heard of Helmade before, it’s a custom helmet design platform which allows you to personalise your lid when you buy it. Basically, you pick your helmet and then from there you can select colours, designs and even add your own personal signature, before Bell and Helmade work together with helmet designers to hand-paint your helmet to your own design. It’s a really clever idea. At this stage, the customisation is only available for the Bell Star MIPS, the Custom 500, the Moto-3 and the Bullitt – but regardless, it’s a very exciting introduction from Bell that aims to open the world of custom helmets up to an even wider audience. • Info: www.bellhelmets.com
Fuel’s ‘Day of the Dead’ two-piece waterproofs
RRP: £106.90
Now that we’re deep into the winter weather, and with rain a constant possibility – chances are you’re going to need to get your hands on a decent set of waterproofs. And we’ve just clocked this super-cool ‘Day of the Dead’ inspired rain suit from Fuel. Essentially, it features a skeleton painted onto a black rain suit in highly-reflective paint. That means that when you’re riding at night, oncoming traffic will see a luminous skeleton riding a motorcycle past them in a torrential downpour. It sounds hilarious for the rider, though quite possibly
LS2 Subverter MX Helmet
Forza ‘Delta’ Clutch System
RRP: £ ask
The latest Malossi ‘Delta’ clutch fitment caters for Honda Forza 125 owners. It’s a fully adjustable assembly which is fundamental to obtaining a good start from standstill and exiting from tight bends, where speed is critical. The advantages offered by the ‘Delta’ clutch when compared with the standard unit are massive, because it allows sophisticated tuning options for a very wide range of engine revs. It’s supplied as a complete clutch system with matching 135mm clutch drum. • Info: www.ve-uk.com
RRP: from £149.99
LS2 has unveiled its new Subverter – its best motocross helmet yet. It is constructed from LS2’s own exclusive Kinetic Polymer Alloy (KPA), which offers energy absorption and penetration resistance, while remaining reasonably lightweight (1300 grams). LS2 reckons the super strong material rivals high-end composites. Meeting UK standards for the road, you can wear the Subverter no matter whether you’re on track or bombing up green lanes with confidence it’s going to look after you should the worst happen. It’s equipped with top vents, exhaust ports and a chin vent for channelling airflow around the head, working to keep riders cool when the going gets hot on track. There’s also a breathable, hypoallergenic lining which is removable and washable, so it can be kept fresh and clean all-season long. Another important feature is its emergency release system, which allows first responders to remove the cheek pads easily, so the helmet can be taken off with minimal movement of a fallen rider’s head and neck. For fastening, there’s a reinforced chin strap with a Double D-ring fastening. Available in a wide range of sizes from XXS to 3XL, there’s also a wide range of colourways, in the form of three solid lids and a total of 10 eye-catching graphic finishes. • Info: www.ls2helmets.com
terrifying for everyone else on the road. The suit is made from waterproof 190-T Taffeta material with a PVC coated Taffeta inner, sealed seams, and YKK waterproof zips throughout. The jacket half features a mesh liner for comfort, outer and inner pockets, a drawstring at the hem, and elastic cuffs. The trousers have an elastic waist with drawstring adjustability, and a zipped hem to fit the trousers over your boots. • Info: www.fuelmotorcycles.eu
Alpinestars Highlands Motorcycle Adventure Glove
RRP: £80
Alpinestars’ new Highlands gloves are constructed from premium goat leather and feature a 3D mesh outer layer, which help to offer top levels of comfort and breathability while providing excellent abrasion resistance. More protection is offered from hard knuckle protectors, and strategically positioned aramid fibre reinforcements. To help with grip and durability, the gloves come with microfibre and PU grip inserts on the palm and thumb, and there’s also ergonomic stretch inserts between the palm and thumb offering an improved range of hand movement and greater sensitivity. The gloves come with pre-curved finger
construction, to help provide improved comfort and fitting – while a wrist flap and a Velcro cuff help to keep the elements out and the gloves on. Plus, there are also touchscreen compatible index fingertips and thumbs, which allow you to use smartphone and GPS systems. • Info: www.alpinestars.com
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02W EVENTS
‘Get your diaries at the ready!’
JANUARY 27
’Normous Newark Autojumble
Newark Showground, Newark NG24 2NY It’s time for the first of the year’s nearmonthly Autojumbles at Newark Showground. With a range of stalls selling bikes, parts, spares, accessories and tools – if you’re looking for a piece for your latest project, this is the place to be. And it’s not just bikes, expect cars and commercials too. Get there early if you want to grab a real bargain. • Info: www.newarkautojumble.co.uk FEBRUARY 2-3
37th Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show
The Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN With a friendly atmosphere, Classic Bike Shows’ annual trip to Britain’s southwest is well-known for the extravagant exhibitions put on by local motorcycle clubs who go all out to impress. Add several inside halls filled with a blend of traders, dealers and autojumble stands, and it’s a must for any true classic enthusiast. • Info: www.classicbikeshows.com FEBRUARY 10
‘Run What Ya Brung’
Santa Pod Raceway, Wellingborough, Northants NN29 7XA You don’t have to apply for a race licence or own a superbike if you want to take part in ‘Run What You Brung’ at Santa Pod. Anyone can enter this event and you’ll be entitled to unlimited runs on the Pod, and then you’ll receive a personal performance print-out
showing your reaction times to the start lights, 60ft, quarter mile, eighth of a mile times and terminal speed. There’s only a limited number of sign-ons, so pre-book to avoid disappointment. • Info: www.rwyb.co.uk
FEBRUARY 9-10
The Dragon Rally
Snowdonia, Conway, North Wales The long-running Dragon Rally is held in high regard by large numbers of motorcyclists as a test of stamina and endurance because (for its first two decades at least) it was common to have to endure snow and ice to get there. With an average of between 1500 and 2000 riders showing up every year and camping out in the isolated Welsh countryside, it’s a truly special event that draws motorcyclists from right across the spectrum. Be sure to wrap up warm. • Info: www.conwymotorcycleclub.org.uk FEBRUARY 16-17
The Classic Dirt Bike Show
(sponsored by Hagon Shocks) The International Centre, St Quentin Gate, Telford, Shropshire TF3 4JH Telford’s annual off-road and road-racing show has a tradition of drawing some of the biggest names in motorcycle sport – and 2019 is no different. This year, Dougie Lampkin and John Banks are sharing their rich and varied experiences of competing at the highest level – and Jack Burnicle will be on hand to ask the questions. Expect clubs and private entries, who’ll be bringing together one of the most fascinating collections of historic off-road machines you’ll find under
one roof – in addition to a raft of traders offering everything from parts and spares through to accessories and riding kit, and even project bikes… if you’re tempted. • Info: www.classicbikeshows.com
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NEWS
The NERA
Arc joins forces with Knox and Hedon
Futuristic SMART armour and helmet to complement Vector e-bike
Four-wheeled electric scooter due by the end of 2019
The £90,000 Arc Vector
One of the most hotly anticipated bikes of this year comes from British electric start-up company, Arc. Its innovative Vector is described as one of the most advanced electric motorcycles in production – and in an attempt to justify the bikes £90,000 price tag, Arc has joined forces with British bike brands Knox and Hedon, offering customers a couple of bits of futuristic smart kit to help keep them stay safe out on the road. The new British brand claims that the Arc Vector’s battery pack gives it a range of 120 miles on the highway and 170 miles in the city, while suggesting it can reach 60mph in 2.7 seconds, before topping-out at 150mph. But honestly, we’re more interested in Hedon’s new Zenith helmet with heads-up display and Knox’s new Origin armour which have been produced with the help of Arc.
Zero Motorcycles and Quadro Vehicles reach agreement for new e-Qooder
The Zenith helmet features a HUD like the one used in fighter pilot systems. Its rear-mounted camera kicks-in when it detects something in the rider’s blind spot – and is equipped with Wi-Fi and voice control. The Knox Origin armour features haptic sensors in the most sensitive areas of the body, which allows messages to be sent to the rider. The armour can be programmed in several different modes, including one called Euphoric, which allows music to be played ‘into you’. That’s not all, the jacket can also act as an extension of the bike’s warning systems – for example, it’ll vibrate when a potential hazard is detected. Arc is already taking orders for the bike – but if you want to get your hands on one, you better get moving, because only 355 units are set to be produced initially.
Zero Motorcycles has entered into a partnership with Quadro Vehicles to bring an all-electric, four-wheeled maxi-scooter to market. The combined results will reset the standards of accessibility, performance, and safety in the realms of personal mobility and urban commuting. Quadro’s four-wheeled tilting scooter, the Qooder, boasts a built-in hydraulic tilt system (HTS) design that allows it to bank upwards of 45º into corners without losing all four wheels of traction. This original platform will incorporate the Zero Motorcycles powertrain and arrive as the new, all-electric e-Qooder by the end of 2019. To learn more about Zero Motorcycles visit: www.zero motorcycles.com To learn more about Quadro Vehicles visit: www.quadrovehicles.com
Nowlab’s 3D printed electric motorcycle. The world of 3D printing is everevolving with a range of parts and accessories now available for two wheelers – and the latest development to emerge from BigRep’s Nowlab is a futuristic electric motorcycle that’s 100% 3D printed. Called the NERA, the innovative electric motorcycle is 100% 3D printed, right down to its airless tyres. Designed by Marco Mattia Cristofori and Maximilian Sedlak, the motorcycle was 3D printed in 15 separate pieces using BigRep’s large-scale 3D printers using ProHT, ProFLEX, PETH and PLA filaments through a 0.6-1mm nozzle at a layer height of 0.4-0.6mm.
At this stage, sadly it’s only a design study, so we won’t be seeing the NERA on the road any time soon – but it’s an impressive showcase of just what’s possible using 3D printing. Of course, the advantages of 3D printing motorcycle parts are numerous; items can be made more quickly, more lightweight and often in fewer pieces than traditional manufacturing methods are capable of. Admittedly, there are some 3D printed bicycles out on the road already, so it won’t be a huge surprise if a 3D printed motorcycle soon follows suit – particularly now that Nowlab has shown what can be done.
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FIRST RIDE
A1 LICENCE
Vespa Primavera 125 – 52 years and counting The Vespa Primavera is a Piaggio success story that has reinvented itself over the years. And the latest incarnation boasts all the modern convenience features you’d expect from a commuter-orientated 125 scooter. Originally unveiled at the 1967 Milan motorcycle show, the Primavera was to go on to become a timeless classic scooter. Available in Vespa dealerships from 1968, it remained in continuous production until 1982 and proved to be one of the most spectacular commercial successes in the history of the Vespa marque. It immediately became the dream for youngsters with its elegance, its lightness, and its handling.
At a glance
After a gap of 31 years, the Vespa Primavera was reborn in 2013, harnessing qualities that had led to the success of the original model. From their experience gained on the Vespa 946 project, the Piaggio Style Centre worked on the bodywork to come up with modern design features which reflected the Primavera’s history, while adding a new touch of modern Vespa sparkle. The scooter immediately portrays a hint
of classic Vespa styling; the tail is pointed and tapered with an extended tail-light endowing it with a streamlined appearance. Modern electronics provide indicators and LED daylight running lights (which are fitted flush with the bodywork). Visually, there are some pretty neat-looking touches that are also pleasing to the eye, but not overstated – like the plush leather seat with its surrounding chrome passenger grabrail which is carefully sculptured to help maximise its clean and simple appearance – and talking of appearance; how good do those sculpted alloy wheels look?
The heart of the matter
Since it’s reintroduction in 2013, the Primavera 125 has been powered by a modern four-stroke single cylinder air-cooled engine with a ‘three-valve’ (2x intake and 1x exhaust) single overhead cam and electronic fuel injection. Piaggio says this three-
valve timing solution improves engine efficiency when compared to a conventional two-valve engine. The accompanying CVT unit is designed to reduce engine rotation when shifting from a low gear to a high one; this in turn reduces the gear change speed, improving fuel consumption levels and comfort.
On the move
Around town the Primavera is light and agile, being easily manoeuvrable in traffic; it’s quick away from the lights and can zip through heavy commuter traffic like a knife through sliced butter. Of course, if you’re zipping through traffic you need to be able to stop quickly and smoothly (especially in an emergency situation), so I’m happy to report that the brakes work really well with no delay in response when asked. And staying on the issue of braking for a moment, I did have one problem in that area – although it was nothing to
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SPECIFICATION
Vespa Primavera 125 ENGINE: 4-stroke 125cc single cylinder MAX POWER: 7.9 kW at 7700rpm COOLING SYSTEM: Forced air GEARING: CVT with torque server FRONT SUSPENSION: Single arm with coil spring
do with the brakes themselves. Piaggio claims the fitted dual leather seat is now more comfortable than before; and while I can’t disagree that it is comfortable, I did find that whenever I had to brake hard, I ended up sliding right to the front edge of the seat – it’s so slippery (although this probably wouldn’t be a problem for a passenger, as they’d be able to hold onto that lovely chrome grab handle that I’ve already given a mention). One other slightly strange niggle I found was that the handlebars were slightly out of skew, which meant that when you’re riding in a straight line, the left (kerbside) handlebar sat about half-inch ahead of the right (offside). This equated to a slightly strange riding posture (although I have to admit that I did get used to it after a while). I can’t think that all Primaveras ride exactly like this and in all probability, just a simple steering adjustment was needed. Having ridden the scooter around town for a bit, I felt confident enough with its abilities to entrust it with a 100-mile round business trip. On reflection, maybe this wasn’t the right decision because while the scooter handled brilliantly around town, it didn’t fare as well on a longer high speed journey. With a strong headwind in places, I found myself struggling to maintain anything above 45mph, much to the frustration of the cars following me on a single carriage road with no passing opportunities – this scooter is definitely more suited to being used in an urban environment. It does score highly on ‘Mau’s comfort scale’ though (even with that slippery seat).
and dual action monoshock REAR SUSPENSION: Coil spring with adjustable preload and dual action monoshock WHEEL RIMS: Die-cast aluminium alloy FRONT TYRE: Tubeless 110/70-11 REAR TYRE: Tubeless 120/70-11 FRONT BRAKE: Stainless steel disc / single channel ABS antilock system REAR BRAKE: 140mm drum SEAT HEIGHT: 790mm FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 8 litres PRICE: £3999 (incl OTR charges) CONTACT: www.vespa.com O2W RATING:
★★★★★★★★★★
Practicality and costs
Of course, one of the conveniences of owning a scooter is the underseat storage space, and on the Primavera, Piaggio quotes a storage capacity of 16.6 litres. In the scheme of things that might not sound huge, but it was just about enough to be able to squeeze in my Shark Evo-One 2 flip helmet and still be able to close the seat lid (although getting it out again was a different matter). Other storage space includes a lockable inner
legshield compartment – although in reality you would struggle to get much in there. With regard to fuel consumption – well first, let’s say that I wasn’t treating the scooter gently; riding in town with constant stop-start filtering and quick traffic light getaways, the fuel consumption was compromised; it was even worse out of town on my flat out 45mph journey, where I only managed 79.9mpg – much lower than Piaggio’s quoted
120mpg (which to be fair to them, is probably quite a realistic figure if driven by someone who has a gentler right hand.
Value for money?
The Primavera 125 sits fairly high up at the top end of the 125cc price bracket; but at that price you do get a well-built, well-finished and well-respected end product. On top of that, you have access to one of the largest scooter dealer networks
in the UK, should you need to call on their services. So yes, it can be considered as being good value for money, should you be looking for a reliable tried and tested commuter scooter that is going to last you for many years, while still holding a good percentage of its retail value. So in conclusion, it’s well worth the initial investment.
Words: Mau Images: Gary
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PRODUCT REVIEW
Shark Evo-One 2 helmet
RRP: £299 upwards | Reviewer: Mau | O2W rating: ★★★★★★★★★★
If there’s one motorcycle crash helmet range that has become a constant in my life, it would be Shark’s Evo series flip helmets. My preference for this style of lid has almost become an obsession. Okay, I do have other helmet styles in my collection, but the convenience of being able to flip the front of a helmet has always been a big plus, especially when it comes to being a motorcycle journalist; it’s so convenient when communicating with someone, or when trying to take pictures; and the Evo-One 2 helmet doesn’t just flip-up; it flips right back, effectively turning it into an open face (if that’s your choice). Shark’s Evo range has gone through a metamorphosis since it was launched. On the original Evo Line design, the visor closing mechanism caused a few issues when a Pinlock was fitted, with it catching on the top of the visor and leaving a nasty mark. This problem has been cured on the Evo-One 2 version, which comes with a ‘Max Vision’ Pinlock included. The ECE certified, Sharp four-star safety rated, Evo-one 2 is available in two Thermoplastic shell sizes and weighs around 1.65kg – not the lightest flip helmet around, but then again, not the heaviest. Shark has designed the helmet so it’s not immediately obvious that it’s a flip helmet; but whichever style you’re using it as the chin guard securing system keeps it firmly locked in either ‘full’ or ‘open’ face options; Shark recommends using both hands when
changing from one option to the other, although I did find that single-fingered operation worked well enough for me, allowing the helmet to be converted quickly and simply (a much improved operation than on the original Evo Line systems). Ventilation is well taken care of: a single exterior chin vent is opened and closed by a large toggle panel on the chin guard with a corresponding vent opening on the inside and both work together to demist the visor; on top of the helmet are two more vents operated by sliders so that warm air exits the helmet just behind them. The Evo-One 2 is fitted with Shark’s ‘Autoseal’ system which pulls the visor tight against a sealing gasket to reduce wind noise and prevent external rubbish from getting inside. The outer visor itself is ‘quick change’ (although you will need a screwdriver). The inner tinted visor is 23% bigger than on the original Evo Line design says Shark. Its operation also seemed a lot smoother as well, with minimal fumbling required to drop it into the down position. Overall, the Evo-One 2 helmet is a much improved version of the original; every operation seems a lot smoother and easier to operate on the new version. There’s also plenty of fancy designs and colourways available to choose from, which bring the styling bang up to date. If you’re looking to change helmets, it’s an option that’s worthy of consideration. • Info: www.nevis.uk.com
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CLOTHING ADVICE
Protect your pegs This article offers advice on riding trousers and jeans for those who value their skin and take motorcycle safety seriously; if that’s you, read on... Even though UK law does not enforce the wearing of motorcycle jeans or trousers, riders who only wear regular everyday clothing, are at risk of serious injury. The fact is that regular fashion denim jeans offer virtually no protection against abrasion, with common advice being that in an ‘off’ where a rider slides on an average road surface, that one millimetre of skin will be lost for every mile-anhour over 30mph. So even at just 35mph, an abrasion injury to the lower legs could be life changing for a rider not wearing proper motorcycle protective trousers!
Fashion versus skin
An irritation for some riders (particularly younger ones) can be the inconvenience of wearing motorcycle clothing, especially on short local journeys. Another wrongly placed priority can be fashion. When it comes to motorcycle garments, the good news is that there is a safety ‘middle-ground’ in the form of purpose-made, Kevlar-reinforced
All protective clothing should carry a permanently attached CE label which conforms to the latest standard
In conjunction with
denim jeans. Such garments are made of a heavy weave of thick denim in combination with Kevlar – a material that gives a much better abrasion resistance than denim alone. It is important to point out that while Kevlar-reinforced motorcycle clothing does offer more protection than regular clothing, many professional riders still consider it to be a safety compromise, that should only be used for ‘casual’ around town motorcycle riding.
Professional riders
In all cases (including ‘casual’ riding), a much better choice of motorcycle trousers or ‘jeans’, would be ones that are made from leather or of a professional motorcycle textile. Ideally, they should be equipped with CE rated impact protection armour for the hips, knees and shins. Motorcycle trousers can also be purchased in combination with a ‘brand-matching’ motorcycle jacket, so that they can be attached to one another with a compatible zip. It is worth mentioning that garments with longer joining-zips, offer greater protection than the shorter versions. This is because they are better designed to work ‘as-one’ in the event of an accident, preventing a jacket from riding up and exposing a rider’s skin. As with motorcycle jackets, motorcycle trousers are becoming increasingly technical – combining different leather, textiles, armours and venting systems to improve comfort, function and protection.
About the author
“Even at just 35mph, an abrasion injury to the lower legs could be life changing for a rider not wearing proper motorcycle protective trousers!” Read this motorcycle jeans advice article in combination with last month’s O2W jacket advice and take time to listen to the safety clothing tips of experienced motorcycle riders before committing to a purchase.
As a former paramedic, Jez Tromans knows a thing or two about the folly of not wearing the correct protective clothing. Jez is a passionate biker, writes regularly on issues of rider safety and is the member services manager at VideoBiker #keepitontheblackstuff. PS: VideoBiker members get some very worthwhile discounts on protective clothing, insurance and other things.
Be comfortable
Trousers need to fit comfortably and not in a way that restricts leg movement and operation of the foot controls. It’s a good idea to try them on, walk around and see how they feel while sitting on a motorcycle.
Is it labelled?
The European Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Directive 1989, requires any clothing or personal equipment sold to provide protection from injury. To comply, motorcycle clothing has to be independently tested and certified. The manufacturer is then issued with a CE (Conformité Européenne) label which shows that the motorcycle clothing conforms to the relevant European standard. The clothing or gear must carry a permanently attached CE label with the number of the Standard.
Do your research
Do some research online or ask fellow bikers what gear they’d
Textile trousers are an option for those who don’t like leather; they can also be paired (or even zipped together) to a matching motorcycle jacket if so desired
Many riders still prefer the full leather option
recommend. Remember we’re all different shapes and sizes, so what fits someone like a glove may not be good for you. Whether it’s a new pair of gloves, boots or full leathers, trying them on when on a bike is very important so you can see if they get in the way at all. Don’t leave yourself exposed to the elements or to injury. Make sure every part of you is covered up as seamlessly as possible. Remember if something is even slightly uncomfortable, it could cause chafing over a long journey and end up becoming a dangerous distraction from the road. Bear in mind wearing bright and fluorescent colours during the day and reflective elements in the dark can help improve your chances of being seen by others.
Jez Tromans
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WORLD LAUNCH
ROYAL TWINS Royal Enfield’s Continental GT and Interceptor 650s are the firm’s first twin-cylinder bikes since 1970, potentially starting a new chapter for one of the world’s oldest motorcycle manufacturers. Head down, heart pounding, teeth gritted, breathing deep. Knees grip cut-outs in the slender tank, feet tap dance on gear lever and rear brake, arms flick the clip-ons back and forth as the spirit-levelled asphalt spirals dizzyingly around ranks of giant redwood trees, Californian sunlight punctuating the vast canopy overhead and lighting up the road in a blazing orchestra of contrasting spotlights. The riding pace is beautifully hectic. My right wrist strains the throttle, stretching cables so tight I could play a chord on them. The big air-cooled lump beneath short-shifts smoothly between fourth and fifth and back to fourth again, tacho needle flickering up to peak torque around mid-revs, exhaust droning like a twin-prop crop duster. Containing and guiding it all, the chassis is agile, light and balanced – subtle brakes can be stroked mid-corner without challenging the bike’s line, and ground clearance is sufficient to keep pegs off the floor and tyres on tarmac.
At the end of the road, I pause for breath. So what manner of crazily powerful superbike is this? Some new-fangled Honda, or a high-tech BMW? No. It’s the new Royal Enfield Interceptor. If at any point in the last 40 years I’d told you in 2018 I’d be threading such an exhilarating, high-speed path through a forest south of San Francisco on a Royal Enfield, slinging the bike back and forth, peg to peg, in complete confidence, you’d have thought it highly improbable. And rightly so. Because Royal Enfield, the world’s oldest motorcycle manufacturer with a continuous production run (since the old 1901 factory opened in Redditch), has been a contemporary mainstream irrelevance for a long time, albeit with a fascinating history and a small, passionate band of devotees. But the classic, air-cooled 535cc singles of Royal Enfield’s such as the Bullet and existing Continental GT are niche-of-a-niche machines, evolved so little from their 1950s origins they’re effectively new-old-stock.
A2 LICENCE But with the full acquisition of Enfield by automotive giants Eicher Motors of India around a decade ago, and under the leadership of the charismatic Siddharta Lal, son of Eicher’s founder, the Indian company is now flexing its considerable financial muscle in a serious bid for global recognition as a modern motorcycle manufacturer. And it’s some muscle, earned with success in their sub-continental home market by selling more than 750,000 bikes last financial year, and with an Enfield rolling-off the production lines every 52 seconds. The scale of the company’s commitment is also shown by the recent construction of a multi-million pound technology centre at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire, and recruitment of many key engineers from a nearby British motorcycle manufacturer (to such an extent it’s rumoured Triumph now include a clause in their employees’ contract that specifically forbids them joining Royal Enfield for a period of 10 years). The first fruit of this new direction was the launch of the Himalayan adventure bike earlier this year; but although the Chennai-built machine represents a relative modernisation of a Royal Enfield – its air-cooled, 411cc four-stroke single, unique to the Enfield line-up, is Euro 4 compliant – it nonetheless remains a rudimentary, unsophisticated, low-tech plodder in real terms.
New blood
Enter the new Royal Enfield twins, in the shape of the café racer Continental GT and the roadster Interceptor. Both bikes are powered by the same six-speed, air-cooled, 648cc parallel twin, making a claimed 46bhp at 7100rpm and 39lb-ft at 4000rpm, and both are housed in a steel tube double cradle frame with unadjustable forks, preload-only twin shocks, 18in wire wheels and tubed Pirelli tyres stopped up front by a single disc and two-pot caliper. They differ in ergonomics – the sporty GT features raised clip-ons, narrower and rear-set pegs, a slimmer seat and a waisted tank with knee-recesses. The Interceptor’s riding position is more upright thanks to a conventional handlebar and forward-placed pegs. Now, if all that sounds a bit so-far, so-retro/antiquated familiar, it’s exactly that – Royal Enfield hasn’t suddenly developed traction control, rider modes, digital clocks, LED lights, or even used tubeless tyres on 17in rims (preferring tubed rubber on 18in wire wheels). So the Continental GT and the Interceptor are both solidly classic-styled bikes, conveniently in-tune with a modern hipster ethic and, as such, almost entirely lacking in modern frippery or convenience. With only 46bhp on tap, you could argue the last thing a new Royal Enfield needs is traction control and rider modes, and you’d be right. But there’s an inescapable suspicion the
company is benefiting from the vagaries of fashion; it so happens handsome old bangers are the bikes a lot of people want to ride right now and, as luck would have it, that’s Royal Enfield’s area of expertise. Knocking them out cheap is also an Enfield specialty; no word on a UK price for either of the new bikes yet – which is frustrating, because the exchange rate for the US price puts them around the five grand mark. If they’re less than that, they’re good value; climb closer to six grand and they’ll start to look less attractive by the pound. And, as the Continental GT and Interceptor burble, warming gently in the chilly morning Pacific mist drifting along the northern Californian coastline, there are still plenty more unanswered questions despite a comprehensive historical, marketing and technical briefing the previous day. What we really want to know, besides the price, is what the bikes go like. I set off on the roadster Interceptor, complete with upright bars, full seat, mid-set pegs and Orange Crush paint decorating its 13.7 litre tank.
Easy rider
The first feeling, as I ease out into light town traffic, is that the Interceptor is light, well-balanced, agile and easy to manage. With a broad, pushbike riding position and a low centre of gravity plumbed between the rider’s knees, the 650 darts between cars (is lane-splitting legal in California?) with a natural, nimble buoyancy.
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SPECIFICATION
Royal Enfield Interceptor Seat height is 804mm and higher than, say Triumph’s T100 Bonneville, but it gives the Interceptor a big-bike feel without making it intimidating for novices (who, with only 46bhp on tap, can ride the new Enfield twins on an A2 licence). Clutch and brake levers are unadjustable – we’re talking bog-basic here – but clutch action is light and the front brake modulates pressure surprisingly accurately. A cable-operated throttle feeds the Interceptor’s twin injectors with an ultra-civilised delivery; no trace of snatch or second-guessing. Despite the chunky-looking motor – a classically sturdy unit, all wide, polished engine casings and air-cooling fins (no place for a semi-water-cooling jacket, as per Triumph’s Bonneville motor, and no need either) – the Interceptor is a fairly light bike, with a claimed 202kg dry weight; a few kilos more than Moto Guzzi’s V7 and a few less than a T100 Bonnie. The route heads inland, climbing into a tight run up through low hills, along shaded, tree-lined avenues heavy with the smell of eucalyptus (and other exotic herbs; it’s a legal high here nowadays). The temperature climbs as rapidly as the altitude, and here the Interceptor’s limitations become clearer. Over bumps and corrugations, the battering and hammering severely tests the budget suspension’s short travel and limited damping capacity. Forces feed almost directly into the chassis and to the rider. It feels what it is: cheap suspension operating within tight design constraints. Forks and shocks are
made by Gabriel in India; a Royal Enfield engineer later confides it’s the most sophisticated and well-damped system they’ve thus built. And they’re clearly made to a price. But there are design limitations too; 18in wheels and a low seat height demanded by the styling gurus – for a classic look and usability – means suspension travel is compromised; you can’t have all three, unless you have a really thin seat. And short suspension travel makes it harder to deliver an effective compromise between ride quality and handling control; you end up with suspension going from soft to hard very quickly. And that’s exactly how the Interceptor and GT feel; pleasant and supple enough on smooth roads, but delivering a kick in the arse over bumps. It’s to the credit of the British team of engineers and test riders that the Interceptor and GT handle as well as they do with what they’ve got – they have to use exactly the same springs and damping not just for both bikes, but across all markets. Ramesh in Uttar Pradesh will have the same suspension as Richard in Upper Padley. Although, come to think of it, there’s maybe not so much difference in the state of the roads. But, either way, both the GT and Interceptor handle well, to a point (albeit one reached long before most other bikes) – but the key is they don’t suddenly lose control beyond that; instead, you get a warning shake, or a tickle through the bars, and then everything settles down again. Ground clearance is admirable, and the Enfield’s can be braked deep into turns. The Pirelli Phantom
ENGINE: 648cc, 4v, 270 degree air-cooled
parallel twin POWER: 46bhp (34kW) @ 7100rpm TORQUE: 39lb-ft (52Nm) @ 4000rpm FRAME: Steel tube double cradle WHEELBASE: 1400mm BRAKES: 320mm disc, 2-pot caliper, ABS TRANSMISSION: 6 gears, chain driven FRONT SUSPENSION: 41mm telescopic, unadjustable, 110mm travel; REAR SUSPENSION: twin shock, adjustable preload only, 85mm travel WHEELS & TYRES: 100/90-18 & 130/70-18, Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp SEAT HEIGHT: 804mm FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 13.7 litres WEIGHT: 202kg (dry) / 227kg (wet, estimated) PRICES: TBA CONTACT: www.royalenfield.com O2W RATING:
★★★★★★★★★★ Sportscomp tyres, with a specially developed rear for the 18in rim, stick admirably, despite being asked to cope with a lot by the springs. The new Enfield motor does its best for the chassis – the 270 degree crank, single overhead cam, four-valve parallel twin doesn’t produce a surfeit of performance, struggling to propel either model over 100mph. But both cruise happily at 70 to 80mph, between 4500 and 5200rpm in top gear, with a counter-balance shaft easing vibes away. In fact, there’s almost too little vibration; this isn’t as much of a throbbing, tactile, charismatic motor as it looks. It’s very civilised – although a pair of loud S&S cans on a demo bike clearly assist in the aural assault department.
As for performance; there is some, but not a lot. The motor never leaps away, won’t startle with a cascade of torque, and has none of the perk of the (admittedly much larger) Triumph T100 900cc motor. It’s a significantly tame power plant, pulling cleanly from tickover in almost any of its six gears, but evolving speed rather than piling it on. Lower gearing would help; so would a big-bore. Royal Enfield staff hint broadly – alright, openly admit – there’s a pepped-up R-spec GT version in the pipeline, potentially with 17in wheels opening up serious suspension tuning, and with something closer to 750cc, or more. 80bhp should do the trick.
Horses for courses
So far, everything has been common to Continental GT and Interceptor. But the alternative riding positions make a big difference: the GT is much more weight-biased over the front end thanks to its clip-ons (which aren’t radically low; they’re a few millimetres above the top yokes, so it’s more of a sports tourer riding position; over any sort of distance it’s comfier than the Interceptor because you’re balanced better by the wind blast). This means the GT has a more
direct, involved sense of handling from the front; you can brake harder, deeper, and push more to get better feedback. The GT’s rear-sets are also nicer than the Interceptor’s wide pegs – the GT draws knees together around the warm motor; the Interceptor spreads them apart. The GT has a tighter gearshift too; it’s a direct lever on the output shaft, while the Interceptor’s lever is closer to the shaft and passes through a linkage. At the conclusion of the ride, it’s obvious Royal Enfield has made a significant and major step forward with the twins. Judged against the standard of their existing singles, each aspect of the new bikes is modernised and, crucially, optimised; every ounce of handling has been wrung from the chassis. Plunging about the twisty tarmac around Santa Cruz is great fun – the new Royal Enfields take every bump and ripple in their stride. But, as I cruise back to base on the Continental GT, it’s worth remembering were any other manufacturer to present bikes as rudimentary as the twins, we’d be shocked. Even at the low price tag, whatever it ends up at.
Words: Simon Hargreaves Images: Royal Enfield
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FROM
ADVERTORIAL FEATURE
MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2019 ISSUE
Project Norton What have we done so far? Boy, I can’t wait to get Project ES2 running – all the singledom of my B31 but with a bit more stomp and hopefully, a bit more comfort; my Beeza is a little small for my tall frame and Small Heath didn’t believe in plush suspension…
But in order for this to be a reality and not just another of my many unfinished piles of junk that only move when I trip over them, a plan has to be hatched. So although I was itching to get started, some mundane tasks are needed. Bah humbug! First; what have we got/what have we duplicates of/what do we obviously need? The basics are there like frame and swingarm, along with the bigger brackets and engine plates. Bodywork? Check. Mudguards, tank, headlight cowl and number plate holder, along with stays are present and don’t look like they need much more than a good rub down – the two-piece rear mudguard looks brand-new. Oil tank and toolbox also look correct for the year and
have suffered no bumps; so just a good couple of hours’ rubbing down should have them ready. The suspension is slightly trickier as there are two different lengths of Roadholder forks and I need to strip these to measure the stanchions so I can order seals and a rebuild kit. They look in good order and I know I’m not meant to start work, but I couldn’t resist putting the front end briefly together to ensure all the main parts and smaller bits like the pinch bolts and steering damper are present. Before I realised, I’d started rubbing one of the legs down, after checking that ’55 models had a bare finish, rather than black. Regardless, they need doing as it seemed to be painted with bitumen – it was still soft and
It’s tricky finding out what you need when you don’t know the bike and didn’t take it apart
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: MATT HULL
just clogged the wet and dry paper, so I used a soft brass-bristle wheel on a drill. I prefer an alloy finish, so will dress them nicely and lacquer them – though some wizened folk have told me that bead-blasting is sympathetic to aluminium and peens the finish, helping to protect from corrosion. I had hoped the bottom damper rod nut would undo, but it didn’t as the damper rod was turning inside. So a quick trip to Stu’s workshop and one of his lorry screwdriver bits on a long extension held the damper rod while I undid the ¼in bolts. Stanchions look okay, but now I know which parts to order. Gearbox is the later AMC one, which I wasn’t sure was correct for 1955, but have since found that was the first year it was fitted to the ES2. So I’ll strip it, sort it and put it in as those in the know say it’s a good box to use. And then there is that big thumper of an engine. The bottom end feels right with no untoward slack in the bottom end, but it does seem silly to not crack the cases and replace the bearings while it’s all in bits. Don’t get me wrong – I can’t afford to throw money at this project, but
silencer (the pear-shaped one) is needed, but that list will surely get longer… After an initial investigation I need to make some room in the workshop. That means my Honda has to vacate the ramp and I’ve even bought some new storage boxes and fitted a larger strip light I found in a skip. Space and light – whatever next! A list, that’s what’s next. In an ideal world I want all painting done in one hit – keeps the cost down – so lots of rubbing down first to minimise labour costs at the bodyshop. Then, who knows? These things always throw up unknowns. And I want my own touches, too. I’ve always wanted that silver tank with the Norton name adorning the sides; not the plastic ‘N’ badge it should have. And being a Norfolk bumpkin, I like knobbly tyres and alloy mudguards – but we’ll see. That’s the key, the key I’ve never used before; to plan this build so it runs on time, keeps costs down and most of all, is enjoyable. In the February edition of Classic Bike Guide we look at how to rebuild the forks and wheels.
the bottom end seems a good place to invest in; call it insurance. The cylinder head has the exhaust port thread in good condition, whereas the inlet has had the spin-on inlet tract welded on crudely. I’d love to get this rectified but I think I’ll just tidy the weld up – it’ll still work. And I’d rather spend the time and money getting the broken fins repaired – not a job for me. Valves look fine, as do the valve seats and spark plug thread, so hopefully a clean, valve grind and new fins should be it. The Amal carb has seen better days – and several families of spiders by the looks of it. Hopefully I can save it but they are available off the shelf so it’s low on the list. There are three wheels; two rear and one front. The front looks in good condition with the chrome only bad on the inside where the tyres seat. They seem to spin true and the drum is in good order, so I’ll give them a clean and see if they need any new parts later. Other than that, there is a new seat, new down pipe , new gasket set, new valve springs and a new wiring loom, all of which will help massively. As far as I can see just a
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JA N UA RY 2 0 1 9 I S S U E … The 1930 German Grand Prix
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We look at the Bill Lacey-built Manx Norton that won Mike the Bike his first Senior TT.
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Lambretta V125 Special* Available with either fixed or flex front mudguards to suit the owner’s personal taste.
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* Other engine sizes available – prices vary accordingly.
IN DETAIL: 1 124.7cc single cylinder 4-stroke, air-cooled 2 Sturdy steel body frame 3 Telescopic front forks 4 Single unit suspension 5 Hydraulic discs, front and rear 6 Euro 4 compliant exhaust 7 770mm seat height 8 6.5 litre fuel tank capacity WE SAY: “Design stays true to its classic Lambretta roots while taking advantage of modern technology”
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Legal Q&A Our specialist motoring solicitor, Andrew ‘Chef’ Prendergast, guides you through your legal troubles.
Q
I was waiting at a junction when some old man bumped into the rear of me while driving in his E-Type! I wobbled, lost my balance and had to lay the bike down. However, my throw-over panniers saved the bike and I was unscathed. Life can always be worse… The E-Type driver was a lovely old boy; he’d bought the car new in 1969 and was duly wearing a flat cap with leather driving gloves. While he’d cocked up, the bike and I were okay and I rode home. Literally hours later the calls and texts started, saying that £3000 waiting for me and I needed to act immediately. I’m not hurt and the bike’s okay, should I claim? It seems wrong, but I could do with the money to pay for Christmas.
A
We cannot print what I’d like to say, so I’ll tone it down. Some unscrupulous low-life has sold or passed on your details on to a company who reckon they can help. It makes me angry that private information is not treated properly. There’s no compensation waiting for you, because you have suffered no injuries or loss. Whoever has sold or passed your details on has likely committed a criminal offence and if caught could end up in court. An ex-Aviva employee was sentenced in Manchester Crown Court a few years ago for passing on thousands of customers' details. Having an accident is bad enough, let alone being hounded day and night.
The O2W legal column is compiled by managing partner Andrew ‘Chef’ Prendergast and his bike-riding barristers and solicitors at White Dalton Motorcycle Solicitors. The firm deals with personal injury claims and its sister company, Motor Defence Solicitors, deals with motoring offences. White Dalton lawyers have a vast knowledge of bike law – and they have full bike licences, too. They don’t act for insurance companies or the prosecution. White Dalton is Britain’s premier specialist motorcycle law practice, and if its professionals don’t know the answer to your question there probably isn’t one. Don’t rely on the advice from your insurance-appointed solicitor – get proper independent advice. • For road traffic offences call the Motor Defence solicitors on 0800 280 0912. For non-offence cases call White Dalton motorcycle solicitors on 0800 783 6191.
NEED ADVICE?
If you need advice on a bikingrelated legal question or query, email mail@whitedalton.co.uk The best Q&A will be published in O2W, in confidence, of course.
TIPS AND ADVICE
Living for the ride
Riding on two wheels is one of the most enjoyable experiences you can have. Chris Sykes, from finance company, Moneybarn, offers some useful advice to help you on your way. Budgeting for a new bike
Buying a new motorcycle is an exciting experience and it can be tempting to buy the first bike to catch your eye. However, there are lots of important factors that you should consider before you buy.
Decisions, decisions
If you know what type of riding you plan on doing – track days, commuting, touring, or just cruising around town – you can usually narrow your options before even hitting the shops. The first question is what size bike you should buy. Remember, if you’ve only just passed your test, for instance, a big Harley or a powerful sports bike is probably not the safest choice. You could start with something of a small capacity which would be easier to gain some experience on; but you’ll probably outgrow it within a few months, so something in the 500-600cc range on the other hand will probably stay fun for a long time, even as your skills improve. Engine size isn’t the only factor, either. Some 600cc machines can perform like a race bike capable of
serious acceleration and high top speeds. Again, this is probably not the best choice for beginners.
Expenses to watch out for
Once you’ve decided upon your most appropriate bike, you’ll need to calculate the additional expenses associated with running it. For example, it’s a good idea to check the current insurance rates, as this is one of the biggest costs of owning any kind of vehicle. Going for a highperformance motorcycle might seem like fun, but it will be much more expensive to insure (and buy)! Safety gear is something else you need to budget for. If you’re moving up the bike scale, then it may make sense to think about upgrading your riding kit as well. Although not compulsory (apart from a crash helmet), buying protective boots, gloves, trousers, back protector, or a jacket are all worthy of consideration. Any good quality gear can add up to a substantial amount of money to your spending budget, so always go for the best you can afford. You’ll also need to think about tax and fuel costs; the essentials to getting your bike on the road.
Fishing for finance
When you find your dream bike, you may not be lucky enough to have the cash in the bank to pay for it in full up front. Fortunately, you have various options to help you buy, such as finance. However, before you go any further, you need to work out if finance is the right option for you. For one thing, you’re signing up for a long-term commitment. Are you prepared to still be paying for your bike after three or five years of ownership? Or do you tend to get bored quickly and want to swap vehicles every 12 months? Missing any payments can also affect your credit rating and your bike could be repossessed, so make sure you are honest with yourself about what you can realistically afford before you sign on the dotted line.
Maintenance checks
This is where costs can add up. Cars can go a lot longer between service intervals compared to bikes or scooters and depending on how hard you ride, you may have to change at least the rear tyre in as little as 3000 miles. Servicing and maintenance intervals can run anywhere between 5000 and 20,000 miles, depending on what type of bike you have and the manufacturer’s recommended service period. Add in regular oil changes, motorcycle chain maintenance and various other odds and ends, and you could expect to spend a lot of money in this area alone. But to ensure you get the most out of your bike and it stays safe throughout the year, regular maintenance checks are essential.
HYPERMILING – fuel efficient bike riding High fuel prices are the bane of UK bikers’ lives, so it’s no surprise riders are always seeking new ways to get the best miles per gallon possible. This is known as ’hypermiling’ (or techniques used to deliver fuel economy which can be used by every rider who wants to maximise their mpg). Stop the revs
Revving a motorcycle is tempting. However, if you’re consciously trying to save money on fuel this is the first thing to cut out. Revving creates mass friction which increases the speed of the engine. Everything jumps into overdrive, which although not unsafe, can be expensive. Basically, the more you rev, the more fuel is used! Ensure you’re not keeping your revs too low either. Low revs aren’t efficient because the engine has to pull air through a nearly-closed throttle valve. Riding in the mid-range is the best way to save fuel.
Keep it steady
Obey the speed limits and keep your speed constant. Your bank balance (and the law) will thank you! When you’re increasing and decreasing speed it puts pressure on the engine, which in turn can start to up your fuel consumption. Harsh braking and hasty acceleration will lower overall fuel efficiency, so planning ahead is key to minimising wastage. By looking ahead and anticipating traffic movement, riders can gradually reduce speed in advance and avoid hard braking.
Bike maintenance
Ensuring your bike is regularly serviced and well maintained is key to fuel economy; a well set-up machine will perform more efficiently, which results in a lower-rate of fuel consumption. Another important consideration is to keep your tyres inflated to the correct PSI. Soft tyres increase drag, whereas running your tyres at the correct pressure not only improves fuel economy but also general bike handling as well. Your tyre pressure can drop if there’s a significant change in temperature, so be sure to check them more regularly if you’re riding in the winter.
Also try to inspect your filter on a regular basis to ensure it’s not clogged by dirt and grime. A clean air filter improves air flow to the engine and increases engine performance and mpg.
Be more aerodynamic
From your choice of clothing and helmet to body position and luggage, all these elements affect aerodynamics when riding.
A form-fitting outfit and full-face helmet is not only essential to safety, but also makes the rider more streamlined. Tuck yourself in behind your bike’s screen and aim for a compact shape to create smoother airflow. Sitting in a more compact position will not only give a more comfortable and quieter ride but also reduce drag and fuel consumption, as the air flows over you instead of dragging against you.
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On Two Wheels
For sale AJS 350 R1 1930, restored, mag needs doing, new tyres, lights work, new carb, £6500. Tel. 01480 461424. Cambs.
APRILIA FALCO SL Mille, 2002, 21,20 miles, Wavey discs, Maxton rear shock, performance brake lever, d/b tinted screen, tyres near new, datatagged, gorgeous, lots of bike £2200. Tel. 07812 693617. Leics.
BENELLI RS350 1977, tax & MoT exempt, very rare bike, £1995 Tel. 07810 162057. Northumberland. BSA B33 1954, 500cc, black and silver, restored some years ago but still nice cond, good chrome and paint work, Plunger single seat, very nice, £5950 open to sensible offers. Tel. 01275 830922. Bristol.
BMW R65 1981, fully restored, Sorn, c/w service parts, some spares, alarm fitted, spotlights, engine bars etc, MoT, £2950. Tel. 07876 156663. ajohndh@yahoo. com Lincs.
CLASSIFIED BMW R75/6 1976, tax and MoT exempt, mostly original but with a few upgrades such as twin discs, elec ign, reluctant sale due to ill health, mine for nearly 7 years, £3250. Tel. 07768 688186. BMW K75 86-96 Haynes manual, hardback, £12; Clymer manual, £18; handbook, £8; Haynes manuals R1150, 93-97, 93-06, K Series pannier inner bags, £20 pair, all plus p&p. Tel. Carl 0113 2861376. Leeds, Yorks. BSA HAGON GRASS BIKE B25 250cc engine, rebuilt, tuned engine, on petrol, new rims, s/s spokes, frame coated, your chance to own a British classic, £1500. Tel. Dave 07583 532153 for full details. Staffs.
CZ 250 1978, starts nicely, runs sweetly, many parts replaced, £700. Tel. 01803 554093. Devon.
FAZER S2 600cc, a fantastic clean example, always garaged, 2008 model, only 10k, £3000 ono. Tel. 07808 879999. Doncaster.
HONDA 50 CUB 2012, 50cc fuel injection, ex Japan, post bike must be seen, in very nice condition will put 12 months test on, low mileage, £1250. Tel. 07960 436887. Yorks. CCM 636 Scrambler, built on a 2001 R30, Akront rims, brand new 19” front, Talon hubs, new TKC80 tyres, new discs front and rear, new pads, new service including cam belt, new front master cylinder and clutch perch, new headlight and taillight, KE175 tank with new paint, one off leather seat, subframe with loop p/coated along with s/arm and stand, 636cc with high lift cam big carb and full Scorpion race exhaust, GPS retro speedo, overhauled suspension, a lovely one off gentleman’s Scrambler, £3795. Tel. 077070 20891.
HONDA 550 F1 1977, Sorned, 2013, winter project when registered, MoT, road tax exempt, owned since 1979, lots of history, £650 ovno. Tel. Flint 07949 956711 for more info. N East (Hartlepool). HONDA CB500 2001, 31k miles, MoT, 3.15.2019, V5 in my name, red/gold wheels, £1000 ovno. Tel. 01691 831139. Mid Wales.
HONDA CBR250R 2011, 8,200 miles, heated grips, top box, charging point, lowering kit, fitted comfort seat, never seen rain, one owner, £2000. Tel. 01748 821217. N Yorks.
HONDA CB500X 2016, 10,200 miles, full MoT, heated grips, top box, MoT, very reliable, light economical commuter, ideal winter bike, £3500 ono. Tel. 075990 86357 for more details. Warks.
HONDA CB750F2 1996, 14,900 miles only, very well cared for useable classic, in excellent condition, much money spent recently, full service including brakes & suspension, all fluids changed, new tyres, heated grips, screen and rack, all books & MoT’s, very original, paintwork is superb, everything works, rides perfect, £3450 ono. Tel. 07419 121062. Glos. GENERIC/KSR MOTO Epico 50, 2013, derestricted scooter, red, pristine, MoT’d until April 2019, only 4km, 5bhp, 45mph, genuine reason for sale, only £300 absolute bargain. Tel. 07903 779162. Man.
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HONDA CBR600 exc cond, looks great, class C, been ridden daily for past 3 months and it’s worked without any problems whatsoever, just bought another bike so I need to get rid of this one, great price for this type of bike so get your hands on it while it’s still available ooking for £2000 for quick sale and will consider reasonable offers. Tel. 07786 256758. Yorks.
HONDA DAX ST70 1978, full service, 13,032 miles, MoTs from 1997-2006 plus this year’s MoT till 3/9/2019, been in storage 10 years, all good, £2850 ono. Tel. 07706 865045. indiansnowy59@hotmail. co.uk .
HONDA MELODY 1981, project spares or repair, does run, c/w bodywork, needs battery/ignition switch seat recovering, 8,280 miles, £70. Tel. 01228 528483, 07796 814489. Carlisle.
HONDA VFR750FT 1996, 44,400 miles, silver, Baglux tank cover, tank bag, Givi panniers, chain oiler, Maxton forks, stainless exhaust system, new chain sprockets, manual, many stainless parts, Tel. 0161 7614556. binnies@ btinternet.com Lancs. HONDA CB750/4KZ 1979, w/ wheels, genuine 8k miles, recommissioned, original manual/tool kit, black, £5550; new: XL black leather jacket, lined, £55; used: Alpinestar boots, size 44/10, £50; BMW K1200RS, 2001, red/f blue, 38k miles, vgc, h/panniers, tool kit extras, £2050. Tel. 07759 607498. Berks. HONDA CBR 2207 breaking, most spares available. Open to offers. Tel. 01332 662805. HONDA CBR250RR 1990, rare Japanese, 19k miles RPM Screamer, £1,000 just spent making it spot on, race colours, fantastic fun, p/x 50/125cc classic, very clean bike, many new parts, just serviced, £1000. Tel. 07581 212432. Notts. HONDA CBR400RR 1997, NC29, 44k miles, UK reg, 2001, MoT May 2019, new battery, tyre, carb clean, various new parts, excellent condition, need garage space, custom paint scheme, £1950 ono. Tel. 01293 521328 eves. Sussex. HONDA PC50 moped, H reg, 1970, good condition for its age, good runner, everything works, no tax or MoT required, great little runabout, £675 ono. Tel. 07955 341868 for details. Pick-up only Hartlepool.
Choose one of the following methods: 1/ ONLINE www.o2w.co.uk 2/ EMAIL freeads@o2w.co.uk 3/ POST O2W Reader Adverts, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR HONDA DEAUVILLE NT650V-X 1999, 34k, reliable twin with shaft drive, MoT April, stainless exhaust, new tyres, discs and battery, fitted panniers, Givi top box, excellent runner, good cond - kept under cover, owned 4 years, previous owner also 4 years, £1200 ono. Tel. Julian 07530 270770. Ceredigion. HONDA XL185 1979, 25 kmls, owned since 1981, Sorned, garaged, gc for year, ideal on/off road use, Classic status, original handbooks, too old to enjoy! £1395. Tel. 01243 867779. Sussex. HONDA XL185 1979, 25k miles, owned since 1981, Sorned, garaged, good condition for year, ideal on/off road use, now too old to enjoy, original handbooks, £1395. Tel. 01243 867779. Sussex.
HONDA XR125L 2008, fully serviced and MoT Sept 2019, selling due to broken foot (sad to let go), 2,500 miles, £2500 Tel. 0777 5816012. Bolton, Lancs. azhar712@hotmail. com JAMES COMET 1948-53, rigid frame, any condition, mostly all main parts, including IF engine. Tel. 01245 353684. Essex
KTM 390 DUKE 2017, KTM guaranteed May 19, 5,340 miles, full KTM s/h, fully loaded with extras: screen, h/guards, h/grips, hugger, tail tidy, Akrapovic, crash bungs, Wavy f/disc, £2995 firm. Tel. 07866 622196. N Yorks.
KZ650 1980, hard tail Chop/ Bobber, built by me and my boy over the last year complete repaint with BMW cosmos black paint, slab front end from a KZ1000R, Mustang tank, sprung seat new battery, all electrical equipment is in the elec box no bar switches, Sundance pegs and grips, speedo Bates. Tel. 07539 993055. Kent. KSR MOTO EPICO 50 2013, mint, derestricted scooter, 45mph, peach of a sports scoot, red, MoT’d until April 2019, 4,028 ams only, £300 reluctant sale, a bargain! Tel. 07903 779162. Gtr Man.
LEXMOTO FMS 125cc, 2015 Sept, MoT, red, 6k miles, like new, garaged, serviced, £600; Baotian BT49 QT,2 010, 4,250 miles, black, many new parts, bills, MoT, , garaged, £300, £900 the pair, manual. Tel. 01840 211762. Cornwall. LEXMOTO VENOM 2016, 125cc, green, like new, first to see will buy, 1,200 miles from new, £1100. Tel. 01942 269134. Man.
MATCHLESS G12 650, 1959, rebored with new shell bearings, 12v conversion and rewired, MoT and tax exempt, £4300 ono. Tel. 01772-613288. Lancs.
CLASSIFIEDS MOTO MORINI 1977, 31/2 Sport, good condition, MoT 2019, work done, lovely clean bike, runs well, £4500 ono. Tel. 07840 574273. Leics.
NORTON M50 Mk II, 1965, 350cc short stroke single engine, very good ride/ performer, £5250. Tel. 01435 882139. E Sussex.
PULSE SCOUT 2013 red scooter, uprated to 80cc, MoT July, as new condition, £350 ono. Tel. 07593 597311. Fife. PIAGGIO X10 Executive, 2012, 13,500 miles, MoT til Aug, new battery, brake pads, 2 screens, top box, maintained to a high standard by mature owner, two previous owners, owned bike 5 years, selling due to lack of use, exc cond, no faults, £2200 Tel. 01795 533465 or 0790 4054370. E Kent.
ROYAL ENFIELD Crusader Sport, 1959, lots of work done but needs finishing, wheels need rebuilding, other than that its done, on Sorn, t&t exempt, £2250 ono. Tel. 01925 492595. SUZUKI 750GSX Inazuma black retro beauty, full s/h, 2001, orig docs, handbook, Hagon shocks, new tyres, classic and classy, on trend and appreciating in value, only selling to make space, £2150. Tel. 07891 991056. N Yorks.
ROYAL ENFIELD CLASSIC 500 2016, full s/h, exc cond, low miles, panniers, private reg, £30 0 0 ono. Tel. 07713 160796. Scotland.
SINNIS APACHE 250 Supermoto, 2014, 8,390 miles, dry weather use, MoT Mar 19, good cond except tachometer not working, £950. Tel. 01747 824018 or 07762 081578. Dorset.
SUZUKI GT 550 1975, exc cond, current MoT (though now exempt), previous crank rebuild, starts on the button or kick start, tank spotless inside, garaged and used Summer weekends only, fabulous genuine machine owned last 6 years - ride away, £5250 ono. Tel. 07899 998046. Co Durham area .
TRITON T110 1959, cafe racer, featherbed frame, 1970 engine and gearbox, beautiful alloy tank, age related plate, fully rebuilt engine, £1000s spent, piston rings, rebore camshaft, magneto rebuilt, requires finishing (rewired), easy to finish, £6500. Tel. 01773 688686; 07783 804585. clif f vinell@outlook.com Derbys.
TRIUMPH SPRINT 2005, Sunset red, 11 months’ MoT, 28,100 miles, c/w 3-piece colour-coded luggage, some age related marking, £2750 ono. Tel. 07541 165229. Glos.
TRIUMPH SPRINT ST 955I 955i Triple, 2002, MoT, kept indoors, totally standard plus ABM higher bars, originals included, Racing green, not done 12k £2400. Tel. 07792 887729. ishouldbesolucky@ icloud.com Stockport.
TRIUMPH STREET TWIN 2017, immaculate as new cond, illness forces sale. Extras: Triumph flyscreen; carbon fibre front mudguard extension, rear seat grab rail, Triumph warranty til May 2019, £6450. Tel. 07504 226405. laser7@hotmail. co.uk Mid Lothian.
TRIUMPH TIGER CUB 200cc 1963 6,888 miles, beautiful cream and burgundy with MoT, negative earth - recent new battery, vgc, £3500. Tel. 07989 419868. EM JAYPEE15@HOTMAIL. COM Durham.
YAMAHA 125 WFR on 12 plate, low miles, no MoT, but soon will be mint condition, £1600 ono. Tel. 07999 542484. W Yorks.
YAMAHA MA XIM 1981, XJ650 Custom Model, 10 months’ MoT, recent service, new battery, exc cond, chrome likewise, reluctant sale due to ill health, £1600 Tel. 07504 327299. Torquay.
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YAMAHA YBR125 2012, 1,950 miles, almost new condition, red with top box and fitted screen, reg Aug 12, last MoT was 1946 miles till May 2019, vgc, £1650 ono. Tel. 07989 419868 for further info. emjaypee15@hotmail.com . TRIUMPH T100 brand new comfort seat for cost £250 never used, £150 plus postage or collect. Tel. 07402 223755. Surrey. YAMAHA XJ650 1981, ‘Maxim’ custom import, 32k miles, Candy red, in excellent condition with good chrome c/bar, 10 months’ MoT, recent service, £1600. Tel. 07504 327299. Torquay. YAMAHA XJ650 1982, custom cruiser, in-line four shaft drive, Candy red, c/bar, in excellent condition, chrome likewise, recent service and battery, MoT Aug 19, handbook/tool kit, £1675 ovno. Tel. 07504 327299. Torquay.
YA M AHA Y ZF 2 0 0 0 , vgc, 2 keys, D/t alarm, immobiliser, build last 10 years, MoT, s/s exhaust, £2250 ono. Tel. 07925 340627 for details. Bristol.
Miscellaneous HONDA HAYNES MANUALS CBF600, CB600F, 04 to 06, also CB600F, 07 to 12, CBF600, 08 to 12, CBR600F, 11 to 12, also Hornet CB600F, CB600FS, 98 to 02, all £12 each inc post or collect. Tel. 01582 601467. Beds. WAX COTTON JACKET onepiece detachable linining, £20; JFM open-face helmet, £20; boot, size 10, £20; sissy bar and pad, £20; disc lock, £10; U-lock, £10. Tel. 01228 530241. Carlisle. WEISE OVERBOOTS size XL, new and unused, black with Scotchlite reflective material, £9. Tel. 07504 327299. Torquay. WEISE OVERBOOTS size XXL, unused, as new, waterproof with heal in-step, £13 pair posted. Tel. 07504 327299. Torquay, Devon. WEISE OVERBOOTS black, size XL, with Scotchlite 3m reflective material, as new and unused condition, waterproof material with heal instep, £14 posted. Tel. 07504 327299. Torquay.
Parts for sale HARLEY VANCE HINES short shot exhaust, 2007 Fat Boy EFI with baffles, good cond, £50. Tel. 0114 2435614. S Yorks. HEATED GRIPS by Oxford touring model, brand new, unwanted gift, £35. Tel. 01406 550338. Lincs. ITALIAN PARTS accumulation sell off Ducati, Benelli, Cagiva, Laverda, Morini etc, prefer to sell as one lot but exchange considered? Tel. 07833 906288. Essex. LOCKING PETROL CAP required for early 250cc Ducati, has anyone a cap that will do the job, tank chimney width 59mm (outside), also tank bag to fit largish tank off Daytona, also air horn. Tel. 01539 722466. Kendal.
MZ 251 ROLLING CHASSIS + V5, £150; seat (good condition), tank and decals, side panel and air box cover with oil tank, £75. Tel. 01126 297119. S Yorks. philippepsley@ hotmail.co.uk PAIR OF STD Remus exhausts plus heel guards, vgc, £80; seat in good cond, £40; Sachs rear shock vgc, £75; std no. plate hanger, £10; official Ducati 2003 800 workshop manual, ring bound, mint, £40. 07974 274657. Oxford. ROYAL ENFIELD Bullet, 2002, seat with g/rail, 2 x chrome mudguards, side boxes, p/tank, red/chrome, 2 x 19” rims, m/guard stays/ brackets, sundries, will split, all exc cond, converting to trail bike, £150. Tel. 01865 390868. Oxon. cybar7@ btinternet.com
SET OF 4 Yamaha Fazer orange indicator lenses, part number 50R-00318, from a 1999 bike, good condition, £10. Tel. 07505 464654. Stourbridge. SUZUKI T350R 1971, secondhand spares, exhausts, fork leg bottoms, headlamp shell, brackets and rim, oil tank cover, petrol tank, seat, front mudguard,. Tel. 01983 853442. Isle of Wight.
Parts wanted CHAIN TENSIONER and sound fork stanchions wanted for Yamaha TY80 twin shock trials bike,. Tel. Les 07443 394797. Cumbria.
STILL LOOKING FOR TANK for ER5 Kawasaki, 2006 reg, or number of a breaker for bikes. Tel. 07986 465088.
Wanted ARIEL LEADER WANTED by Ariel enthusiast, runner preferred, also parts why? Tel. 07729 838155. W Yorks. OWNERS HANDBOOK for Suzuki GN250. Tel. 0161 4564218. YAMAHA FSE1 any wanted, any condition. Tel. 07774 534400. Beds. WANTED KAWASAKI KE175 B, 1976-79, basketcase or barn find wanted for rest, anything considered. Cash waiting. Tel. 07824 627907.
ZUNDAPP 2015/250 Sabre fuel tank wanted and other parts. Tel. 0151 2608612. Merseyside. a n d e r s o n s t e p h e n 24 0 @ gmail.com
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