tested

MAXXIS MAXXCROSS PRO IT M/7304/7305 TYRES

www.maxxis.com

About six months ago, after seeing and replying to an ad in Motorcycle News (MCN) seeking ‘ normal’ folk as influencers for Maxxis tyres, I threw my hat into the ring. And lo and behold, I am now an official micro or even possibly nano influencer. Why is this, you ask? Perhaps it’ s because of my social media presence all over Instagram, Linked In and Facebook (occasionally). Okay, maybe I’ m slightly in Kim Kardashian ’ s shadow in terms of bare numbers, but it’ s quality not quantity, you know. Or perhaps it’ s because of my qualifications: Cycling Proficiency badge, 25m Breaststroke certificate, or even my BAGA star jump Grade 1 gained in primary school. All these add up, you know. Or perhaps I just sounded keen and can write a coherent sentence. Anyway, being a nano influencer is not that onerous, it’ s a simple yet effective marketing ploy – get folk who actually use your products to put a few words down to articulate why

Tyre on the Honda CRM (without puncturing the tube for once) and ready for action they tested and endorse the product.

There is always something alluring about new tyres! Everyone has an opinion on the subject. Check any forum and you ’ll find a 100 different views. That’ s because tyres are important. Over the years I have, at some point or the other, ridden on most of the poplar brands and types from Metzeler Saharas and Six Day Enduros, Trellesports and the ubiquitous Pirelli MT43s. Tyre performance, particularly on the trail, is subjective with the big influences (as opposed to influencers) being bike chassis design, riding style and of course terrain. Not everyone is going to love the same tyre for the same job. Additionally there ’ s the value equation to consider.

However, being careful with my money, my eye was caught by the Maxxis MaxxCross Pro IT (M7304/5), which are street-legal intermediate terrain tyres. Front and rear hoops cost not much more money than the MT43 rear alone. Worth a try, I thought. The front is standard for

24MX 2.5-litre hydration system

£21.99 (was £29.99); www.24mx.co.uk

Have you ever passed out due to dehydration? I have, in fact, to my knowledge I’ ve only ever gone ‘ sparko ’ twice in my life and the other time was very long ago and due to imbibing incompatible stimuli.

A few months back I was out on a group ride

(fortunately for me), scouting a route for an upcoming Long Distance Trial. We ’d only been riding for a couple of hours when we stopped for a shut gate. I was sitting on the bike, feet touching the ground, when suddenly I felt really rough, head spinning, flashing lights, oh dear. The next thing I knew, I heard my riding buddy saying “Rick, are you okay?” . I was still sat astride my bike only in a horizontal position. In the ‘too much info ’ department you can check for degrees of dehydration by

any

‘ open ’ knobbly enduro tyre. It holds its line, turns and scrabbles out of ruts with no trouble. The rear was most impressive, and not only gripped better on mud and grass than MT43s but also provided confidence on shale and slate rock, somehow hitting that sweet spot between grip and longevity. I ride most weeks and have fitted a set to my bikes over the last couple of years; those on my Yamaha TTR will need replacing soon after a year ’ s hard use. In the lanes I seem to stay right side up most of the time, partly through having decent bikes but partly because I’ m rarely short of grip – and that’ s where the tyres come in. Surely that is all we want, out there in the lanes? More recently Michelin Trackers have become available and I’ ve heard good things about them. My ‘lockdown ’ bike, a venerable DRZ400, came shod with a nearly new pair so I’ ve been able to compare them directly with my Maxxis. They are not massively dissimilar – the Maxxis rear has a 2-1-2 centre block tread, whereas the Michelin is 2-2-2. I’d say the side tread on the Maxxis is a bit more ‘ aggressive ’ , but to be honest, I’ ve felt equally secure on and off the tarmac with both types, so it’ s hard to separate them on that score. Cost-wise though, the Maxxis seems to be generally £15 cheaper a pair than the Trackers, and down here in Devon, that counts ….

Conclusion So, to come full circle, the tyre test for Trail coincided with a note in MCN asking for ‘Influencers ’ to come forward to endorse Maxxis tyres by ‘ normal’ people. For me, it was a no brainer – get a set of tyres that you would have bought anyway. Particularly for us parsimonious Devonshire lads and lasses. Never for one moment did I think they ’d take me up on the offer, but perhaps they felt that an endorsement by a prolific writer on all things trail riding, locally and nationally, might be worth the investment of a couple of tyres. So there you go. My honest opinion re. Maxxis tyres is give them a go. Folk whom I’ ve seen using them, across the magnificent terrain we have in Devon, have given them their approval, which cannot be a bad thing. Also, I think in the fine print of my ‘ contract’ , Maxxis can harvest my organs if you do not buy a set … ■

Sean Comber

the colour of your urine – Google it.

Anyway, not wanting to repeat the process, hydration moved higher up my survival list. My all-weather Acerbis jacket has an aqua-pac with drinking tube but if you ’ re wearing lighter-weight clothing you need more liquid than a 50cl bottle. I hate riding with a back pack because of the weight and the physical clumsiness. But when I spied this 24MX Hydration System online it looked light and small enough to be a contender.

As ever with online purchases, when you get to feel the goods it can often be disappointing. Not so with this Hydration System. Yes, it’ s all synthetic material but the wide shoulder straps are elasticated with Velcro adjustment to accommodate a wide range of body and clothing sizes.

Apart from the main pocket which takes the water bag, there are two other small pockets with waterproof looking zips which could carry credit card and keys. The drinking tube from the bag can thread through either over-shoulder strap depending on preference. The mouthpiece is a little clunky but it needs to be hardwearing because it is squeezed between the teeth to let the liquid through – bite and suck. Thus far I’ m very pleased with the Hydration System in that it does what it’ s supposed to and is light enough not to be intrusive when riding, which was my main hope. In addition, the price was attractive for a practical piece of kit. I haven ’t managed to crash test it yet, but when I do you ’ll be the first to know.

A five-pack of replacement water pouches costs £6.99 plus delivery. ■

Friends

OFTHETRF

The following businesses are offering discounts to TRF members

58% Discount Suzuki GB bikes.suzuki.co.uk/owners/acu-licence-holders/ On parts for ACU licence holders

38% Discount John Banks Renault on Traffic Vans

25% Discount EBC Brakes Direct www.ebcbrakesdirect.com Brake and clutch components

20% Discount Custom Lids www.customlids.co.uk Discounts available on all motorcycle clothing Flexiplates visit: www.flexiplates.co.uk Quote code TRF15 Herbert & Ellison Discount on seat refurbishment www.herbertellisonupholstery.co.uk/ Home By Seven Get a copy of Steph Jeavons book at stephjeavons.com by using code TRF20 for 20% discount

15% Discount Cotswold Outdoor www.cotswoldoutdoor.com Cycle Surgery www.cyclesurgery.com Gear 4 Motorcycles www.gear4motorcycles.co.uk WM Moto (Carlisle) www.wmmoto.co.uk Available on parts and selected clothing J&S Oxford www.jsaccessories.co.uk Bikestop www.bikestop Off-road clothing discount MotoKing www.motoking.co.uk Viewranger www.viewranger.com Discount on digital maps code: TRF2017 10% Discount Fantic CCM Gas Gas EC Spares www.hainesmc.co.uk Quote code TRF2020 with membership number on an e-mail after placing your order online Rally Raid Products www.rally-raidproducts.co.uk Discount available on all custom Rally parts Midwest Racing www.midwestracing.co.uk Available on parts, accessories and clothing Premier Bikes www.premierbikes.com KTM franchise with discount applying to parts and clothing Endurotek www.endurotek.co.uk Parts and accessories Manchester Xtreme www.manchesterxtreme.com Please quote your TRF membership number PC Advanced Motorcycle Training http://www.cbtanddas.co.uk Bolt Bikes www.boltbikes.co.uk Gerbing www.gerbing.eu Discount code is TRF10 EDZ www.edzdirect.com Base-layer clothing Discount code is TRFC_ 10 Bike Revival www.bike-revival.co.uk Shock Absorber specialist J&S Oxford www.jsaccessories.co.uk MX Zone www.mxzone.co.uk IAM www.iamroadsmart.com Trail Riders Warehouse www.trailriderswarehouse.co.uk 10%off using code TRF10 Rewire Security Tracking, cameras, CCTV, alarms www.rewiresecurity.co.uk Dirtbikebitz Bike parts, riding gear and helmets www.dirtbikebitz.com Opie Oils & Service Parts https://www.opieoils.co.uk// Nomad ADV Lightweight travel & rally gear www.nomad-adv.com Fowlers of Bristol http://www.fowlers.co.uk Smith & Allen Lubricants https://www.smithandallan.com Transylvania Trails http://www.transylvaniatrails.com Bikefix Discount on servicing and repairs www.facebook.com/Bikefixyeovil Dirtbike Express https://www.dirtbikexpress.co.uk Fraser’s of Gloucester 5% on spare parts www.frasersmotorcycles.co.uk Moto Junkies motojunkies.co.uk 10% discount on guided tours on trail and tarmac in the Welsh countryside

Various Discounts TrackIt247 www.trackit247 .com Up to £18 off trackers and 20% off live tracking fees Centre Trail, France www.centre-trail.com 15 Euro cash back on booking Enduro Tyres www.endurotyres.com Special rates Trail Rides Wales www.trailrides-wales.com Free guides for members on selected days Bike Seal bikeseal.co.uk Catalan Adventure 10% off accommodation and 50% off bike hire