YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE ON TWO WHEELS November 2019 Issue 30
HOME MAINTENANCE
On Two Wheels
Learners
Commuters
Buying
Riding
Whether your bike has gone into hibernation or not, it's time for some practical tasks
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BIKES REVIEWED IN THIS ISSUE Ecooter E1R Commuter from the future
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WK Demon 125
The mini-sized hell raiser
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Royal Alloy GT200 The new kid on the retro block
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HELME ETS
(Almost) everything you need to know PAGE 27
PAGE 24
SWM joins the mainstream by taking a custom shop-style bike and loading it with high-end bits
INSIDE: NEWS IN BRIEF ● PRODUCT SHOP WINDOW ● UK EVENT GUIDE ● PRODUCT REVIEWS ● RIDING TIPS ● E-BIKE NEWS ● HERALD MOTOR CO. BRAND FOCUS ● LEGAL ADVICE ● PLUSMORE
NEWS
www.o2w.co.uk 3 Want to share your latest news with our readers? Email pictures and details to editor@o2w.co.uk
Yamaha’s XSR155 gets the custom treatment Following on from the official reveal of the XSR155, Yamaha has unveiled three custom versions of its smallcapacity neo-retro machine. As part of the launch event, Yamaha showed off 12 optional parts and accessories for its XSR155 – with the help of a custom Scrambler, Café Racer and Tracker. And we have got our hands on some snaps of the three bikes, courtesy of our pals at Japanese biker magazine YoungMachine. There’s been no official details about the custom machines, but if you think back to Yamaha’s previous XSRs and its partnership with Faster Sons, chances are that the bike’s going to prime for some serious customisation when they finally make it to market. We’ve not heard if the new XSR155 will make it over to British shores just yet. If it does, it’ll likely be powered by a 125cc engine rather than the 155cc unit.
SCRAMBLER
We reckon the Scrambler’s probably the least exciting – but that’s only because we’ve seen so many of them. It’s still pretty cool, though. It’s been kitted out with a small tank, a single seat and an upswept exhaust. It also gets some wire-spoked wheels and knobbly tyres.
CAFÉ RACER
How cool is this custom Café Racer? With its swooping front fairing, single seat and slick tyres, it looks like a serious retro racer.
Scambler
Café Racer
Tracker
TRACKER
Taking inspiration from Kenny Roberts Jr’s TZ750 flat-tracker, the XSR155 street tracker is a great looking little bike. With its yellow, black and white paint job, twin spar frame and flat tracker tyres, it looks the business.
Custom Honda CB190X mini-adventurer from SOX Honda’s CB500X has proved itself as a seriously capable lightweight adventure machine over the past few years – and now there’s a new, even smaller CB adventurer on the market, the CB190X. Our friends at YoungMachine in Japan have been shouting about this, and we thought you should see it. Created by Honda dealer SOX in China, the CB190X is a fully fledged adventure machine in a compact, affordable package. It’s a limited edition, adventure spec machine created from a bike built as part of Honda’s joint motorcycle production and sales venture in China with Goyang-Honda (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd. If you’ve not heard of the partnership before, Goyang-Honda is focusing on producing 125cc-190cc
Motorcycle Live 2019:
Bring your non-motorcycling mate along for free Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, between November 16-24, Motorcycle Live is an annual pilgrimage for bike enthusiasts, but show organisers understand that there’s always a non-biking mate who needs to experience how great motorcycling is to make that step on to two wheels. As a result, Motorcycle Live is now offering a limited number of free tickets to the show for non-motorcyclists for Thursday, November 21, 2019. To claim a free ticket you have to
On Two Wheels
On2Wheels, The Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 529529 Email: editor@o2w.co.uk Editor: Mau Spencer On2Wheels is published by Mortons Media Group Ltd and printed by Mortons Print
buy a full-price ticket (either in advance or on the day) and then bring your ticket and non-motorcycling mate to the Press Office. Once your non-motorcycling mate has shown their licence (with no motorcycle category on) and you’ve shown your full-price ticket and licence (with a motorcycle category on), you’ll get a free one – it’s then up to you and your mate how you split the cost. Tickets are now on sale with advance tickets priced at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for seniors, £1 for
Publishing director: Dan Savage Publisher: Tim Hartley Staff writer: Ross Mowbray Contributors: Stan Bates, Sarah Drury, Andy Catton, Michael Cowton, Gary Chapman, Mech It Better (John Hanson & Ciarán Baker), Andrew ‘Chef’ Prendergast, Jonathan Schofield Apologies to anyone we’ve forgotten Editorial design: Fran Lovely Picture desk: Paul Fincham and Jonathan Schofield Production editor: Michael Cowton Group advertising manager: Sue Keily Divisional advertising manager: Zoe Thurling Advertising: Emma Buxton-Rockley ebuxton-rockley@mortons.co.uk | 01507 529410 Marketing manager: Charlotte Park Commercial director: Nigel Hole Customer services number: 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm
11-16-year-olds (free for children aged five and under). There’s also a £25 advance ticket, which includes show entry and an Oxford Products Secure HD Max disc lock worth £25 (collected at the show). For 2019, car parking has been subsidised by show organisers, with advance car parking at £10 and £12 on the day. Motorcycle parking is FREE, so kit your mate up and make them go pillion for the full experience and to save even more money. • More info: www.motorcyclelive.co.uk
New colours for Yamaha’s 2020 R6, R3 and R125 Ok, so it’s not the most exciting news you’ve ever heard; and at first glance, the new colours aren’t dramatically different to the outgoing 2019 models – but there are a few small tweaks to make the new bikes stand out. The new Yamaha YZF-R3 is available in Yamaha Blue and Midnight Black, while the new Yamaha YZF-R125 is available in Midnight Blue, Competition White and Tech Black.
air-cooled four-stroke singlecylinder powered bikes for the Chinese market. For a little bike it’s exceptionally well equipped, coming with a large windscreen, handguards, engine protection, a bash plate and side panniers and a top box. There’s even front ABS and a USB port as standard. Weighing 148kg with a seat height of 790mm, the CB190X is a great option for fledgling adventurers. And it’s not a bad price either (349,000 yen – around £2599). Sadly, we’re unlikely to see this particular CB190X make it to British shores, but if there’s a Chinese subsidiary focusing on making serious small capacity adventure bikes, maybe we’ll get a little CB125X in the not-too-distant future.
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Letters
Speeding matters
With regards to your ‘Speeding matters’ article, I received a notice of intended prosecution from South Wales Safety Camera Unit for exceeding the speed limit, (35mph in a 30mph zone). I checked their website, which said an allowance of 10% +2mph, so to confirm I phoned the Safety Unit and waited 27 minutes before speaking to one of their ‘experts’. I pointed out their web info, and was told that it’s only a guide, which they ignore, and I would be prosecuted. I then asked would they prosecute at 34mph. "Yes," their ‘expert’ told me, "we prosecute as often as possible." I then asked how about 31mph - "Not at present," she said, "but possibly in the future." I then asked for photo evidence - only given if I plead not guilty, she said, which will then end up in a court case. Should I lose the case, my fine increases by at least 150% and the points doubled to six points. Be aware, what the system says and what they do, are not the same.
Derek Boon
AJS Scrambler help
I read with interest your article on the AJS Scrambler, as my son bought a little used 2018 model for commuting and to work towards passing his bike test. He had the bike two days before it was stolen. It was recovered several weeks later, having had 700 miles added and in a very rough and vandalised state. The wiring harness had been chopped and the ECU unit removed, along with the kick-start. AJS Spares provided a wiring diagram and we
managed to get a replacement Euro 4 harness and ECU from a Bolton breaker at less than half the new price (we didn't want to spend too much in case it was too badly damaged to continue repairing). We eventually got all the electrical components working and the engine turned over, but it wouldn't start. In desperation, I phoned Dave Wood (the York AJS dealer), who was very helpful and told me to persevere in checking all the connections again; I hadn’t connected one of several earth wires to the frame! The engine then started and ran perfectly, without any rattles! However, putting it in gear, the clutch wasn’t working as it should. Stripping it down revealed that it had had severe abuse. Various parts were replaced and the clutch now operates as it should. Having straightened out the footpegs, brake pedal, gear lever and replacing broken brake and clutch levers, indicators lights, the ignition switch and fuel tank cap, the bike now resembles its former self. The petrol tank scratches have been painted over with Humbrol No19 Orange gloss enamel (a near-perfect AJS colour match). My son now uses the AJS as daily transport, without any mechanical problems to date. I’d like to thank AJS Spares for their excellent service in supplying parts promptly, and Dave Wood Motorcycles in York for his help, comments and advice in getting the bike back on the road. My own bikes are older and British, but I have been pleasantly surprised with the AJS.
Keith Lonsborough
NEWS
Want to share your latest news with our readers? Email pictures and details to editor@o2w.co.uk
Fancy turning your Yamaha R3 into this?
With this new fairing kit, you can turn your R3 into something that looks like Kenny Roberts' legendary YZR500 GP machine. The Rocket kit is being sold by Californian company GG Retrofitz and costs $1,198 for the Race (track) version and $998 for the Street (road) set up. Fitting is a simple bolt-and-go job with no bodywork modification needed. With the road kit you get the headlight and mirrors, and with both set ups you need to fit the new handlebars. The GG Retrofitz kits come in plain white – but the bike we’ve seen has been painted in Roberts’ Yamaha North America colours by Japanese outfit, 9gate. It looks the business!
Bosch creates 3D dash Bosch is working on technology to introduce 3D displays into the automotive world – and although it’s primarily for cars, Bosch’s track record suggests we won’t have to wait too much longer to see it on a bike. Bosch were the first brand to create a digital gauge for the automotive world (for the Audi Quattro in 1994), and now the German technology giant has revealed it’s experimenting with 3D dash units. Bosch research reveals that 3D dashboards will allow motorists to process information more quickly. And you won’t need to wear special glasses to read it either. Admittedly, the technology will make it into the four-wheeled world long before we see it on a bike, but it’s still fascinating that Bosch are pushing the boundaries of dashboard technology.
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PRODUCT REVIEWS
Richa Lausanne Ladies Jacket RRP: £269.99 Reviewer: Sarah Drury O2W Rating: ★★★★★★★★ ★★★ Even just looking at this ladiess’ Lausanne, it oozes style – what a jacket! No matter what type of bike you’re riding, it seems to suit most, fitting in well with all. The tan leather is soft enough to give a great fit without being too thin to compromise the protection it’s there for. It has the usual CE approved (level one) elbow and shoulder armour protection and also it has a built-in back protector, which is actually not uncomfortable and bulky like some, which again is CE approved (level one). Putting it on for the first time, it sat perfectly with a great fit immediately. It has good arm length, something I’ve noticed with some jackets coming up short. There are two zipped outer pockets and an inner pocket with Velcro fastening. You wouldn’t want to fit a lot in any of these pockets with it being such a fitted jacket, but they’re still very useful for the essentials such as earplugs, cash, cards, etc. The jacket has a press stud waist
adjustment, zipper on the sleeve cuff for ad djustment and d a soff t colllar wiith h press stud closure. There’s also a zipper connection panel at the back, which allows you to connect the jacket to some trousers with a compatible zip to bring the two separates together. This jacket is perfect for spring/ summer riding, or any time you don’t need a hefty jumper underneath to keep you warm. • Info: www.nevis.com
Difi Desert Ride Aerotex Trousers RRP: £219.99 Reviewer: Ciaran Baker O2W Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★
Touring on a motorbike means packing light. Panniers will only stretch so far and, without bolting some wheels to it, you can’t really bring your entire wardrobe with you. Having a single pair of adaptable trousers, which cover all riding conditions, is one way to leave space in your panniers for the essentials like biscuits. With that in mind, I got my legs into a pair of Difi Desert Ride trousers and took them for a spin... to France. These trousers, with their tough polyamide and polyester outer, have a combination of removable thermal and waterproof layers, so I didn't have to worry what the weather was doing. With a heatwave forecast for the duration of the trip I wasn't sure if I’d get the opportunity to test their waterproof capabilities, but the trip south had me covered; drenched, to be more precise. Ambushed by a freakish downpour en route, the trousers held their ground impressively, even when the rain pushed through my cheap old jacket and ran south to invade the Netherlands. Thankfully, the rain was only brief and the Difi’s clever breathable layers meant the trousers were dry in no time. The fit and feel of these trousers are excellent. They’re snug without being restrictive, and elastic textiles throughout allow free movement in all the important areas. Being quite slim I often struggle to find good gear that fits properly, so I was pleased with the sizing. The waistline can be adjusted precisely using the Velcro strap on each side. The trousers even include some sturdy loops so you can throw on a set of braces if you want to. However, there’s no option for a
traditional belt if that’s your thing. Any pair of adventure trousers needs plenty of pockets, and the four zipped pockets on the front of these Difis are very practical in size and location. They’re a sleek, smart and capacious design with no superfluous flaps or fasteners. Getting larger boots inside the legs is no problem either. Simply reach down to the zip by your ankle and deploy the instant 1970s flares look. The height-adjustable knee armour that’s included with the Difis is chunky, but flexible. On the odd occasion it would sit, a little uncomfortably, somewhere other than my knee, perhaps due to that in-built adjustability. There’s also space built in to the trousers for additional hip protectors, but they aren't included in the asking price. Reflective patches around the knee made me easier to see at night, but after just a couple of weeks on tour one of them had started to peel off. Unseasonably hot weather during the tour meant that the zip opening, mesh-lined vents on the legs were a Godsend. They allow a really good amount of air flow around the legs when riding. They aren’t quite as effective once you stop for coffee and croissant, or get delayed in a queue for the Eurotunnel, but otherwise very impressive! All things considered, these trousers are a solid, mid-range bit of kit, far better suited to riding in British weather than where their name would suggest. If you’re looking for one pair of trousers to cover pretty much all of your riding, you can’t go far wrong with the Difi Desert Rides. • Info: www.difi-mc.co.uk
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02WEVENTS
ARE YOU HOLDING A MOTORCYCLE RELATED EVENT?
Send details (plus images) to editor@o2w.co.uk and we will publish it here. (E&OE – please check with organisers before travelling.)
We’re interested in all things two wheels – from moped racing right through to custom competitions – and each weekend there’s a rich cross-section of events up and down the country to suit every taste. To inspire you to get out on two wheels, here’s our pick of events coming up over the next couple of months OCT 19-20
The 26th Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show Staffordshire County Showground, Weston Road, Stafford ST18 0BD Celebrating the growing popularity of emerging and modern classics from the 1960s, 70s and 80s, the Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show has grown in popularity year after year and now regularly welcomes more than 30,000 enthusiasts through its doors. Taking place at the superb Staffordshire County Showground, this event features over 900 traders, dealers and auto jumble stands, offering a wealth of parts and spares for every project. There’s a host of excellent club stands, exciting live action, the Bonhams autumn sale, classic off-road machines and special guest stars from iconic eras of motorcycling.
Admission prices: adult £14, kids under 12 £3. • Info: www.classicbikeshows.com
OCT 25-27
‘Coming of Age’ Hex Rally
Horton-Cum-Studley, Millennium Hall OX33 1BF
Caldarium MCC supports various local services for children with special needs within the Oxfordshire area. On the last weekend of October they hold their HexRated Rally, to raise money for two local charities, SeeSaw and Flexicare. And although they’re very good at raising money for charity, they also know how to party, providing a disco and live bands, alongside a plethora of ‘silly games’. Refreshments and camping facilities available. • Info: www.caldariummcc.co.uk OCT 27
South of England Classic Motorcycle Show
Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TL Expect another recognisable name as show guest, plus an impressive display of veteran, vintage and classic bikes, auto jumble, stalls and more. Admission prices: adults £6, kids under 16 free. • Info: www.elkpromotions.co.uk NOV 1-3
Maggies Charity Halloween Party for NABD
Breighton Ferry, Breighton, near Selby, Yorkshire YO8 6DH After last year’s first Hallowe'en event went with a bang, the organisers have decided to do it all again this year – fancy dress is a must, with prizes to be won for the best costumes. There will also be a charity raffle, live bands and a DJ providing the musical entertainment. All proceeds go to NABD. • Info: www.maggiescentres.org NOV 10-11
Skegness Beach Race Skegness Beach, Skegness, Lincolnshire PE25 1JL
The Amateur Motor Cross Association’s (AMCA) annual Beach Race is one the largest off-road events in the UK, and hundreds of entrants flock to the resort every year to compete in three races in front of crowds in their thousands who line the beach. Admission prices: spectating is free, although car parking charges apply in the immediate area. • Info: www.magnavitae.org/ events/amca-skegness-beach-race
p Next generation e-superbikes caught on cameraa
NEWS
Ewan and Charley go electric
Ewan and Charley on one of their previous adventures Energica’s next generation of electric superbikes have been caught on camera whilst they were undergoing tests in Italy – and it looks like we’re going to see new versions of the Italian factory's Ego and Eva EsseEsse9 models for 2020. First reported by Italian biker site Moto.It, the new bikes were spotted by an eagle-eyed snapper near Verona, Italy, which is around an hour from Energica’s Modena HQ. Admittedly, the bikes don’t look dramatically different to the current models, but there are a handful of small changes to help them stand out. The big news is the bike’s new battery and motor housings; no more
aluminium covers – instead, Energica seem to have gone for something a bit more lightweight. It’s not that different to the battery pack changes we saw on the MotoE Energica Ego Corsa race bikes, which helped to create a pretty substantial weight reduction for the race bike over its road-going siblings. And that (probably) means the Energica line-up is gearing up for a battery upgrade in 2020. Aside from that, expect the Energica line-up to remain much the same. No official news from the factory just yet, but with the big bike shows fast approaching, chances are we won’t have to wait too much longer to see them in the flesh.
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Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman are caught on camera gearing up to film their latest long-distance bike trip for TV – and this time, it looks as though they’re going electric. Four Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycles (and a fleet of Rivian electric pick-up trucks) have been spotted in Tierra del Fuego, at the southern-most tip of Argentina, by Autoblog Argentina. Kitted out with handguards and soft luggage, there’s been no official confirmation that the LiveWires are for McGregor and Boorman, but it’s looking pretty likely as they are following up the ‘Long Way Round’ and the ‘Long Way Down’ with the Long Way Up – riding
from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Los Angeles, USA. It would seem that the goal of the trip is to show that long-distance travel is becoming viable with electric vehicles, and it’ll be really interesting to see how they get on, because they’re bound to run into some issues during their epic adventure through South America, as they’ll pass through various countries where charging infrastructure is going to be a little lacking. Either way, it should make for good TV.
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FIRST RIDE
Commuter from the future. Riding Ecooter’s E1R
From the team behind WK Bikes and Quadzilla I’ll be honest – I’ve never ridden an electric scooter before. I’m a biker with a love of Japanese sportbikes from the 80s and 90s, but when I was asked if I’d like to get my hands on an Ecooter E1R for a couple of weeks, I jumped at the chance. Variety’s the spice of life, after all… After spending a couple of weeks riding Ecooter’s E1R, I’ve got to say, it’s one hell of a machine despite its small size. It’s loads of fun, quick off the mark, stylish and well built. For a long-term motorcyclist, its single-sided front/rear suspension and punchy electric motor were the real standouts. SPECIFICATION
Ecooter E1R MOTOR: 4.2kW electric motor BATTERY: 40Ah 64v Samsung Lithium battery TORQUE: 165Nm FRAME: Steel perimeter frame BATTERY RANGE: Up to 93 miles (claimed) @ 25mph CHARGING TIME: 5-7 hours FRONT BRAKE: Radial disc brake REAR BRAKE: Single disc FRONT SUSPENSION: Single-sided steering stem
shock absorber
REAR SUSPENSION: Aluminium monoshock FRONT TYRE: 100/90/19 REAR TYRE: 130/80/17 WEIGHT: 95kg SEAT HEIGHT: 736mm CONTACT: www.ecooteruk.com PRICE: £3299 (£2640 with government grant) O2W RATING:
★★★★★★★★★★
Environment friendly
Let’s start with the most exciting part of the Ecooter – its 125cc rated electric motor. I love its snappy off-the-mark power delivery. It’s quick enough off the line to get the beat on traffic at the lights, and with a top speed of 47mph you can have plenty of fun happily bombing along B-roads. There are two riding modes to choose from too – either Smart or Sport. The Smart mode drops the Ecooter’s top speed down to 30mph while taming its initial throttle response – perfect for pottering through town in slow traffic or doing tight manoeuvres (and it uses less battery in the process). On the other hand, Sport mode means you can make full use of the Ecooter’s power and get up to that 47mph top speed. Best of all, you can flick between them as you’re riding to tailor the scooter to your environment.
throttle pinned as the roads opened up, I experienced range anxiety for the first time as I watched the battery level on the HD dash quickly drop down a couple of bars. At speeds of 25mph, Ecooter claim you’ll be able to get a respectable 93 miles out of the battery, but when you’re up close to the 47mph top speed it seems you’d be lucky to get even half that. That’s to be expected though, don’t you think? It’s certainly not unique to the Ecooter. The battery sits under the seat and can be charged in situ, or if you prefer, you can whip it out and take it with you to charge at home or work. It’s fairly heavy to be lugging it over long distances, but with a sturdy handle it should be perfectly manageable for most. The charger lives under the seat too, and is easy to set up and use. For a biker the lack of engine braking was a little unnerving at first, but after half-an-hour in the saddle I’d gotten used to it. In fact, it probably helped me to focus on planning further ahead and getting my braking done nice and early, which is never a bad thing. Talking of brakes, the single discs front and rear are plenty strong enough to rapidly haul the Ecooter to a stop. They’re nothing revolutionary, but they’re more than up to the job of stopping the lightweight machine.
A1 LICENCE
Town and country
As you’d expect, the Ecooter is happiest bombing around town. Ok, so don’t get me wrong, it’ll go further afield out in the countryside – just don’t expect to get anywhere in a hurry. I took it out into the wilds of the Lincolnshire Wolds a few times and found it to struggle a little on hills. It didn’t conk out or anything, but a slow and steady decrease of power was noticeable. And with the
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"As you’d expect for an electric machine, it’s kitted out with a range of technology"
As you’d expect for an electric machine it’s kitted out with a range of technology. It’s got a swanky dash, LED lights all round, wraparound indicators and a USB charging point. There’s also an Ecooter app, which offers a range of features to help customise your riding experience and help keep your scooter safe. Sadly we didn’t get a chance to try it out, as it wasn’t available in the UK just yet. But from what we’ve heard and read, it’ll be a great addition to the Ecooter package. It’s comfortable too, with a decent seat that’s roomy enough for a pillion to jump on the back. It also comes with a luggage hook on the inner legshield, which is for holding a bagful of shopping as you cut through the chaos in the city. Despite the battery, there’s still a little bit of underseat storage. You’ll not manage to squeeze in a full face lid, but you could comfortably fit a small jet-style helmet.
The Ecooter’s finish is great throughout, its styling is superb, and there’s a range of clever bits and pieces to help it stand out from some of the more budget electric scooters on the market. It’s lightweight, agile, practical, competitively priced, and after spending a couple of weeks together I think it is one of the most understated and distinctive scooters on the road. I love it. If you’re looking for some transport for the daily commute, a way to beat the traffic and nip to the shops, or some two-wheeled transport to tuck on the back of your caravan or camper, the Ecooter is definitely worth a look. Try one. It might surprise you like it did me.
Words: Andy Images: Gary
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PRODUCT SHOP WINDOW
Oxford's Original Approved Denim Jeans RRP: £119
Motul MC CARE Helmet and Visor Cleaner RRP: £5.49
Spending a little bit of love and affection looking after our bikes can make all the difference in how it holds up after months and years of use; and your kit’s exactly the same. That’s where Motul’s MC Care Helmet and Visor Cleaner comes in. Launched in 2011, Motul’s MC CARE line has since been developed to allow bikers to maintain and take care of their motorcycles and corresponding kit. The M1 Helmet and Visor Cleaner is a clever bit of kit, which is designed to clean helmet exteriors and visors without leaving streaks. Suitable for all kinds of helmets and visor systems, its non-aggressive formula will get your lid shining again, without damaging the surface. • Info: www.motul.com
It looks like the days of bikers having no choice but to wear bulky and heavy riding jeans are over. In the last couple of years, a range of brands have released new single-layer biker denim to keep you safe out on the open road – and the latest to get in on the act is Oxford Products. There’s no doubt Oxford’s all-new Original Approved Denim Jeans are a good-looking bit of kit. With these new jeans, Oxford has made it clear that you don’t need to compromise safety if you want to look stylish on (and off) the bike. These jeans wouldn’t look out of place down the local boozer, but with its AA safety rating, Oxford is confident that should the worst happen and you take a trip down t he Tarmac, t hey ’lll st ill look after you.
The British brand's newly developed Armourlite Approved Denim is the result of thorough continuous testing (in the lab and out on the road). Essentially, a polyamide fibre has been weaved into the denim. If you’ve not heard of polyamide before, it’s essentially a hard-wearing material, which was originally developed by the military for parachute cords. That’s not all; they’ve even managed to include a two-way stretch in the denim, to help improve mobility and comfort. Plus, they come equipped with quick-drying technology, which works to draw out sweat and increase water repellence. • Info: www.oxfordproducts.com
Cardo’s Freecom 1+. Bluetooth Communication System
RRP: €139.95 (£125.55)
Fancy a new Bluetooth compatible motorcycle communications system?? Well, Cardo Systems Freecom 1+ could have the answer you’re looking for. Never heard of Cardo before? Well, since entering the motorcycle Bluetooth market in 2004 with its ‘Scala Rider’, Cardo Systems has cemented its place as one of the global market leaders in wirelesss communications systems for motorcyclists. And now it’s trying to find its place in the British market.
Zero Motorcycles clothing range now available
Schuberth C4 PRO Carbon Helmet RRP: from £699.99
Schuberth has just released its new top-of-the-range C4 PRO Carbon flip-front helmet – and it’s the lightest modular helmet the German brand has ever produced. Apart from the 100% carbon fibre shell and stylish designs, the new C4 might not look dramatically different from the outgoing model, but Schuberth has taken its modular lid back to the drawing board, making some changes to ensure its latest generation connected helmet is better than ever before. Admittedly, the C4 Carbon is much the same helmet as the standard C4, but for an additional £160, you get a lightweight carbon fibre shell instead. The big changes for the new C4 PRO Carbon include its all-new soft comfort lining and thicker neck roll, which work to improve fit and reduce wind noise. It’s also been optimised for use with glasses and gets a new and improved visor mechanism. The C4’s built-in communication system has been refined too, with the speakers
Cardo produces an eclectic range of communications systems, which come equipped with a mass of features and here we’re looking at the cheapest model in the range, the Freecom 1+. Despite its ‘budget’ credentials, it’s equipped with a range of features to ensure you stay well connected when you’re out on two wheels. It’ll let you listen to music from your smartphone, make and receive phone calls, and it even comes w ith a built-in FM radio. It can also operate as a two-way intercom with a pillion passenger (proving you’ve got a second unit), and even let you share your music as you ride. That’s not all; you can connect the Cardo to pretty much any Bluetooth headset – and it’ll also let you top up the battery on the move using a battery pack or 12v charger. • Info: www.pama.com
RRP: various prices
reduced in size and set deeper into the helmet to help improve comfort, while its microphone has been moved to a new location. It’s also updated its SC1 communication system slots to help make the connections more secure, although it’s worth noting that you’ll have to fork out between £199 and £250 to get your hands on the full system. There are three colour schemes to choose from. The C4 PRO Carbon also comes with a five-year warranty when you register your helmet online.
Aftermarket Kawasaki Ninja 125 Exhaust System
RRP: £ ask
Giannelli silencers, imported exclusively through VE (UK), have released their new X-Pro exhaust system for the Kawasaki Ninja 125 2019 motorcycle. The new slip-on exhaust (73617XP) features a round cross section silencer manufactured from a black Nichrom alloy with laser etched Giannelli logo. The design blends classic aesthetics with modern-day exhaust technology. The exhaust is homologated for road use and has a removable baffle for track days. Owners wishing to extract even more from their machine can add a replacement downpipe (71236IN) to remove the factory fitted catalytic converter. The ‘X-Pro’ exhaust is also available for a wide range of motorcycles from leading manufacturers including Aprilia, Benelli, BMW, Ducati, Honda, KTM, Suzuki and Yamaha. • Info: www.ve-uk.com
• Info: www.bikerheadz.co.uk www bikerheadz co uk
Zero Motorcycles, the US-based electric motorcycle manufacturer, has introduced a range of leisurewear aimed at Zero riders and fans of the brand alike. The apparel range consists of three new core T-shirt designs, two caps and a sweatshirt, while Zero has also worked with fellow Californians Roland Sands Design to create a Zero-branded version of their fashionable ‘Walker’ riding jacket. The new ‘Logo,’ ‘100% Electric’ and ‘Adventure’ tees come in three colour options: Navy Heather, Light Grey and Black Heather, and are priced at £31.20 (inclusive of VAT). They are joined by two new caps, priced at £34.80, and join the existing Z-Force T-shirts (in long and short sleeve options) and Zerobranded sweatshirt. The RSD developed Walker jacket, priced at £386.40, is constructed from charcoal coloured top grain buffalo leather and is cut to provide maximum
comfort while seated on the bike, while remaining stylish and comfortable off it. Commenting on the new clothing range, Zero Motorcycles UK Country Manager Dale Robinson said: “We’re delighted to offer this new clothing range through our expanding network of 14 dealerships in the UK and Ireland. Our customers are very passionate about the brand and the range gives them an opportunity to show off that passion with some cool designs that really embody our brand and its values.” • Stockist info: www. zeromotorcycles.com/uk/ locator
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MAKING BIKE RIDING FUN
Over the past years Herald has grown into a cult motorcycle brand with big ambitions. Their iconic style of 125cc, 250cc and 400cc motorbikes has seen a growing number of riders converting to their easily affordable range. The company is a big fan of the custom motorcycle scene and draws inspiration from a host of different motorbike styles and past eras to offer a range of bikes that stand out from the crowd.
CAFÉ 125 A modern classic in a stylish Café Racer style
BRAND FOCUS: RRP £2499
The Café 125 sports a 12-litre fuel tank and LED halo light with LED indicators and RaceTek adjustable rear shocks. Available in stylish red, the Café 125 is the perfect motorcycle for those wanting a unique, f un and d styllish h motorcycle.
SPECIFICATION ENGINE: 125cc 4-stroke
single
MAX POWER: 9.9bhp TRANSMISSION:
5-speed manual LICENCE: CBT/A1 SEAT HEIGHT: N/A FUEL CAPACITY:
12 litres
DRY WEIGHT: 126kg COLOURS: Red only
RAMBLER 125
The free-spirited thrill seeker
RRP £2695
This new model is a throwback to Herald’s custom Rambler 250. Available in gunmetal metallic with a tan seat, slim black side panels, headlight grill, sh hort mud dguard d and d LED indicators.
SPECIFICATION ENGINE: 124cc 4-stroke single MAX POWER: 9.6bhp TRANSMISSION: Manual LICENCE: CBT/A1 SEAT HEIGHT: N/A FUEL CAPACITY: 12 litres DRY WEIGHT: 126kg COLOURS: Gunmetal only
www.heraldmotorcompany.com E&OE: Model range and prices correct at the time of compilation. Check importer's website for updated information.
NOTE: Prices shown do not include ‘OTR’ charges.
CLASSIC 125 A modern classic
SCRAMBLER 125 RRP £2299
The Classic 125 is perfect for those commuting or wanting a fun bike to take for a ride. New to the latest version is a tank strap, coupled with adjustable rear shocks, dual clocks and an LED
custom rear light.
SPECIFICATION ENGINE: 124cc 4-stroke
single
MAX POWER: 9.9bhp TRANSMISSION:
5-speed manual LICENCE: CBT/A1 SEAT HEIGHT: 740mm FUEL CAPACITY:
12 litres
DRY WEIGHT: 126kg COLOURS: Black, Silver
For the adventure seeker
MAVERICK 125 RRP £2399
A recent addition to the 125 range, the Scrambler features a headlight grill, adjustable front mudguard, dual clocks and LED custom rear light. Th Thee Scrambler 125 is the perfect head-turner to accompany you on your journey.
SPECIFICATION ENGINE: 124cc 4-stroke
single
MAX POWER: 9.6bhp TRANSMISSION:
Manual
LICENCE: CBT/A1 SEAT HEIGHT: N/A FUEL CAPACITY:
12 litres
DRY WEIGHT: 126kg COLOURS: Silver, Green
A rebel with a cause
SPECIFICATION
Available in seven different colours, this is an off-road inspired motorcycle with an aggressive retro-styled look. Features include spoked wheels, knobbly tyres, unique scrambler lines, side number boards, electric ignition and d a custtom LED taiil ligh ht.
ENGINE: 125cc 4-stroke single MAX POWER: 9.8bhp TRANSMISSION:
5-speed manual LICENCE: CBT/A1 SEAT HEIGHT: 885mm FUEL CAPACITY: 12 litres DRY WEIGHT: 121kg COLOURS: 7 colour variations available
RRP £2499
HERALD MOTOR CO MIRAGE 125
No limit to your adventures The Mirage 125 allows the rider to negotiate various terrains from urban riding to off-road barely noticing the difference, thanks to the upside-down forks in the front suspension and the rear single shock absorber. Add luggage boxes and there’s no limit to your adventures.
CAFÉ 400
SPECIFICATION ENGINE: 124cc 4-stroke single MAX POWER: 9.5bhp TRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual LICENCE: CBT/A1 SEAT HEIGHT: 800mm FUEL CAPACITY: 14 litres DRY WEIGHT: 152 COLOURS: Black, Blue, Red
RRP £4499
Featuring twin front discs, adjustable front and rear shocks, clip-ons and a stylish tank, the Café 400, with its Taiwanese Honda-based engine and twin exhausts, roars through its 5-sspeed gearbox.
ENGINE: 397cc 4-stroke single MAX POWER: 27bhp TRANSMISSION: Manual LICENCE: A2 SEAT HEIGHT: 790mm FUEL CAPACITY: 12 litres DRY WEIGHT: 165kg COLOURS: Black, Cream, Red
With 27bhp under its belt, the Classic 400 ensures you get that fun and feel-good factor; it will put a smile on the face of any rider. Features include dua l clock s, t w in pipe ex haust, adjustable rear shocks and bullet indicators.
SPECIFICATION
Everything the Brat 125 does, this will do – only even better!
ENGINE: 223cc 4-stroke
single
MAX POWER: N/A TRANSMISSION:
RRP £3499 (est)
6-speed manual LICENCE: A2
SEAT HEIGHT: 820mm FUEL CAPACITY:
12.5 litres
DRY WEIGHT: 135kg COLOURS: Green, Grey,
Copper
BRAT 125 – COMING SOON! RRP £4299
BRAT 250 – COMING SOON!
Attitude doubled!
RRP £2499
CLASSIC 400 Traditional in looks and build
Satisfy your 60s race nostalgia
SPECIFICATION
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SPECIFICATION ENGINE: 400cc 4-stroke single
SOHC
MAX POWER: 27bhp TRANSMISSION:
5-speed manual LICENCE: A2
SEAT HEIGHT: 790mm FUEL CAPACITY: 12 litres DRY WEIGHT: 165kg COLOURS: Black, Green, Silver
BRUTE 500 – COMING SOON!
The bike with attitude
SPECIFICATION
The Brat 125 eats up the urban terrain and turns it into your own personal amusement park! Features include stainless steel exhaust, digital dash, LED headlight, rear light and ind dicators, pllus US SD f ront and d monoshock rear suspension.
ENGINE: 124cc 4-stroke single MAX POWER: N/A TRANSMISSION:
6-speed manual LICENCE: A1
SEAT HEIGHT: 820mm FUEL CAPACITY: 12.5 litres DRY WEIGHT: 135kg COLOURS: Green, Grey, Copper
RRP £2999 (est)
Brute by name, brute by nature
SPECIFICATION
Inspired by the race track, but built for the road, this street tracker has been engineered and built in Britain. Features include digital dash, LED lights, streaming indicators, steel/ aluminium frame, Racetek 4-piston radial front caliper and adjustable Racetek front/rear susp pension with a unique floating-shock linkage system.
ENGINE: 449cc 4-stroke single MAX POWER: 42.9 bhp TRANSMISSION:
6-speed manual LICENCE: A2
SEAT HEIGHT: N/A FUEL CAPACITY: N/A DRY WEIGHT: N/A COLOURS: Silver
RRP £6499 (est)
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FIRST RIDE
WK Demon 125 The mini-sized hell-raiser
A1 LICENCE The WK Demon 125 is a smartlooking, compactly sized commuter motorcycle; it comes to you via the team behind Quadzilla and is sold at a keen price point. The bike is fitted with a willing air-cooled single cylinder engine and it has a distinctive styling with its squashed Ducati Monster looks, which are enhanced by a deeply cut-out low seat, all wrapped in a lattice-type frame. Inspired by its looks, I was looking forward to riding this new addition to the WK range.
Good things come in small packages
The engine is by far the best part of the Demon package; its willing, fast revving and one of the stronger air-cooled 125 power plants that I have tested over the last few years. Aided by a chunky, but positive, gear change, a super light clutch and responsive throttle (with good smooth fuel injection) it is a real joy to use. As a 125 learner-legal machine the engine and gearbox combination offers the user perhaps the most user-friendly experience I have come across yet over the last couple of years. The rev limiter is modern and warns the rider by pulsing rather than simply harshly cutting in; the gear indicator on the display unit is useful for new riders – although I did find it a bit of a distraction (far better riding,
looking ahead and just doing what feels right gear wise. Inevitably on a 125 this means revving it out in fifth gear and seeing what happens and how fast you can go down a country lane, which is, in fact, a very reasonable 60-62mph when ridding by someone like me, a 14-stone adult – smaller and lighter riders can probably expect to get a few more mph out of it, though. From a learner point of view, the stand out highlight of this bike is being able to practice tight turns without the need to touch the clutch; the engine continues to push you forward with the clutch out at a very slow walking pace, giving you time to practice manoeuvres without worrying about the controls and simply focus on your body position. I think it’d be really useful if you were prepping for your full motorcycle test.
Know your limitations
The Demon 125 handles really well, too. Its only limitation is how hard that you would like to push or trust those standard Yuanxing tyres (a brand I’ve never heard of) in bad weather. I must say though, they performed very well during our time out on the road together, so maybe I’m letting my prejudice about budget Chinese rubber get in the way. Our test bike was also fitted with an under-slung aftermarket exhaust, which in my opinion, sits remarkably
close to the floor – and on more than one occasion at least, I was worried about scraping it on the Tarmac. Personally, I reckon that the smart, quieter, standard exhaust system is probably a more sensible choice. I couldn’t fault the basic suspension; the upside-down (USD) front forks look the part and combined with the monoshock set up at the rear, the WK Demon held out repeatedly on the bumpy test route on not so good country roads. Yes, the back is bouncy, but everything remains controlled – even with the revs maxed out as I safely overtook slower vehicles with no drama. SPECIFICATION
2019 WK Demon 125 ENGINE: 125cc, fuel injected, air-cooled single FRONT BRAKE: Hydraulic disc REAR BRAKE: Hydraulic disc (CBS) TRANSMISSION: Five-speed manual gearbox POWER OUTPUT: 6.8kW@7500rpm FRAME: Lattice steel frame FUEL TANK CAPCITY: 9 litres FRONT SUSPENSION: USD telescopic forks REAR SUSPENSION: Monoshock DISPLAY SCREEN: LCD dash with gear indicator LIGHTING: LED lights throughout WEIGHT: 141kg (unladen) SEAT HEIGHT: 780mm Price: £1999.00 (plus OTR charges) CONTACT: www.wkbikes.com O2W RATING:
★★★★★★★★★★