South East Biker, Issue 65, October-November 2019

The South East’s No.1 FREE bike magazine

ISSUE 65 • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2019

MOTORCYCLE MAYHEM

MALLE MILE

BIKE REVIEW: SUPER 7 TENERE BEATING BIKE CRIME REVIEWS • FEATURES • EVENTS • SPORTS SEB: ON FULL THROTTLE SINCE 2008 southeastbiker.co.uk

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STARTING GRID

Editor scribes Last year the Met Police were given the go ahead to employ tougher techniques in order to curtail increasing scooter related crime.

Despite the reservations of several MPs and others, who wanted to use more humanitarian methods, these crimes have been reduced by over 50% this year. The toe-rags terrorising the capital don’t exactly help the image of biking and are a menace to society that needs to be stopped. The hardline approach seems to have worked and is likely to be rolled out in other problem areas in future.

Motorcycle and scooter theft is still a big issue however. Over 14 bikes are stolen in London alone each day.

A couple of chaps, known as Ray and Elliott, have decided to take some positive action. Using their own money and GoFundMe, they have set up Stolen Motorcycle Recovery London. The aim is to reunite machines with their owners. A team of spotters across the capital reports suspicious bikes to the pair who investigate further, in tandem with the Met. They are not vigilantes who tackle possible thieves, but simply aim to recover bikes or store them until the owners can be traced. The pair, who have full time jobs and families, do all this for free and in their own time. To date they have recovered over 90 bikes. What an excellent idea. If SEB handed out medals, Ray and Elliott would be in line for a couple!

Contents

4 ON BOARD THE SUPER 7 8 The Malle Mile 10 Beating Bike Crime 12 Planning the Bury Hill to Bexhill Run 16 Urban Ensemble 19 Life in Reverse

Enjoy the mag

Nick

Visit southeastbiker.co.uk for events list CONTACT US ADVERTISING AND Debbie Tunstill, email: debs@southeastbiker.co.uk GENERAL ENQUIRIES Tel: 07913 759955 EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Nick Tunstill, email: nick@southeastbiker.co.uk PRODUCTION: Dean Cook: deancook@magazineproduction.com PRINTING: Gemini Print, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex.

COVER IMAGE: Mihail Jershov

© 2019 South East Biker (SEB) Magazine is an independent title and does not endorse the products or services that appear in the magazine. Opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily represent those of the editor or of South East Biker magazine. Reproduction of content is strictly prohibited without prior written approval from the editor or publisher.

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

20 WIN TICKETS TO MOTORCYCLE LIVE 22 Ride Enduro with Freestyle 24 Meeting Marcellous 28 Hastings Motorcycle Centre 29 Product Reviews 3

REVIEW

ON BOARD THE

SUPER 7 The search for the perfect all-round adventure bike continues. Les Smith hops on board Yamaha’s new Tenere 700 to put it through its paces.

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his bike has been in the making for some time now and, as anticipation has grown and the long-winded celebrity endorsed advertising campaign has unfolded, I have been eagerly awaiting its arrival.

But it’s here now and, with the journo bun fight in warmer climates over, the bike is finally on UK soil and a trickle of Teneres are in customers’ hands. My North Kent (local) Yamaha dealership, A2 Motorcycles, decided to buy their own bike for test rides.

The Tenere has got the 700cc lump from the MT O7 and runs on slightly different gearing for better off road abilities. I wanted to look at how it rides and handles on the road and a little soft trail stuff. However the bike I rode was brand new so it needed some gentle running in, especially bearing in mind it also had brand new tyres and it was raining!

The bike looks great in the grey livery; little Tenere details brought out the character of the motorcycle and there is a nice pair of crashbars on the bike too, a good idea for a demo bike.

Initial inspection picked up on details like the stand over ride height, which I know is a factor for

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some. I’m about a 30-inch inside leg and 14 stone (in bike kit) and I could get both feet firmly on the ground, which is reassuring.

The adventure bike market is full of big, tall bikes and I’m sure that’s what puts some riders off this genre. The Yamaha Tenere is lighter than most of the competition, coming in at just a few kilos more than a rally kitted KTM or Husky 690/701. It’s not competing with the big boys anyway, this bike is for the discerning adventure rider who is not obsessed with bhp and gadgets.

The dash board is very clean, none of the PlayStation TFT stuff, just a very clear display, giving the rider all the information that is needed.

I don’t need to know the ambient temperature in Guatemala.

It was time to head off on the slime covered Kent roads, in the heavy rain, on new trail tyres, on an unfamiliar motorcycle, mmmm lovely. Anyone who has ridden on new trail tyres in the wet will sympathise with me as the roads were terrible, greasy and flooded in parts so it was careful progress. The Yamaha’s engine was a real gem though, so smooth for a twin and very easy to ride in these conditions. This definitely transfers to

October-November 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

REVIEW off-road riding, giving great control. Smooth drive and good low rev pick up made for secure riding between bends and hazards and the bike felt very sure footed.

When the roads opened up and the tyres got a little more bedded in, I was able to make decent headway on the wet stuff. The Yamaha 700 ten is a very stable package. I didn’t adjust anything suspension wise as it’s a new bike so needs to bed in, but I reckon even when it is run in it’ll be great on standard settings. The suspension was very smooth and progressive and there were no surprises on the rough, pothole strewn roads. The brakes were strong and precise, allowing for good tapered braking in the wet, which again bodes well for any off road jaunts, And the Pirelli STR tyres are great.

I took in a few sections of dual carriageway on the test route and, even at running-in revs, there was enough to hit 70 mph comfortably. The Tenere accelerated with ease, so I reckon when run-in and given its head, it’s going to be a tidy mover. The MTO7 road bike is good for 120mph+ and I reckon this adventure version will have good road performance. Good gear choice made overtaking easy and handling in fast, open bends felt secure even in the heavy rain.

A little dirty business was called for as it is an adventure bike after all. I looked up one of Kent’s gentle green lanes and paced a few passes, just to get a feel for the bike on the pegs. I can see this bike being very effective in a good pair of off road hands. It feels light on the move and very well balanced on the dirt.

The Tenere has been very well thought out, that’s hopefully why it took so long to hit the streets. Little details work, such as the grab handle mouldings on the underside of the rear of the bike to help when moving. The side stand

The adventure starts in store

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09/01/2017 10:435

REVIEW tyres were fine on the wet gravel trails, offering good forward drive. They feel a little vague on wet mud, but these are dual sport tyres not enduro race rubber.

Off-road the progressive brakes allowed positive braking without the fear factor offered by some super dooper brakes found on bigger bikes.

Yamaha have hit a very good medium with the “7 Ten”. It feels lighter than say the very competitive 990 adventure KTM. The Tenere is a modern yet uncomplicated machine. The things that matter like suspension, a decent smooth engine and rideability are well up to date, which appeals to me in this world of autoblippers and hill start gadgets.

already has a decent-sized foot, off roaders will know what I mean. The dash provides all relevant info and the crossbar is purpose built for navigation kit. Simple things, like being able to unbolt the rear foot rests for solo dirt riding, are a bonus.

On the dirt, the Tenere was well balanced and, once in off-road mode, (which is very easy to access with just one button) the bike becomes even better, offering plenty of control. The STR

WHO WILL BUY THE 700 TENERE? Riders who are into adventure riding, and by that I mean some off-road travel, will love this bike. If you want a sub-200 kilo adventure bike with good ergonomics and the ability to tour the world frugally, you should take a serious look at this Yamaha.

If I had to choose a bike today for a 2500 mile TET trip (Trans Euro Trail) across Europe the Yamaha 700 Tenere would be high on the short list, if not at the top.

For the price, £8,700, this bike is in my opinion the best value Adventure Bike on the market.

If you feel you need complicated electronic suspension, and have a computer science degree allowing competent operation of the computerised on-bike mode control systems then there are other, significantly more expensive bikes, available for the PlayStation generation.

I would recommend any adventure rider, either current or future to have a look at this bike and ask yourself, what do I want from an off-road capable adventure machine? The Yamaha 700 Tenere may just fit the bill.

Many thanks to A2 Motorcycles of Gravesend, www.a2motorcycles.co.uk

INFO by Les can be seen at: A USEFUL full video review YAMAHA TENERE 700 http:/ /bit.ly/Tenere-700-Review Displacement 689 cc Maximum power 72 horsepower @ 9000 rpm Maximum torque 50 ft/lbs @ 6500 rpm Transmission 6-speed Final drive Chain Wheels Wire-spoke Front tyre 90/90 x 21 Rear tyre 150/70 x 18 Seat height 875 mm Fuel capacity 16 litres Wet weight 204 kg

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October-November 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

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15/01/2013 14:00

7

MALLE MILE

MILLING AROUND AT THE

MILE John Allsopp mingles with the in-crowd at the Malle Mile.

Photos: Mihail Jerhov

B

illed as 'The British inappropriate motorcycle race and exhibition in motion,' the Malle Mile seemed to me to be a motorbike festival undertaking a series of races with fun at the heart of it. 'Racing' and 'inappropriate', concepts guaranteed to get my attention and prompt me to contact Jonny Cazzola, one of the organisers, to arrange to visit.

The event itself is located at the spectacular Kelvington Hall which, being on the outskirts of Sidcup, is rather surreal in its splendid isolation as it feels like it’s in the middle of the countryside.

The Malle Mile is a whole weekend affair where camping is encouraged to really enjoy everything that the event has to offer, but I’m a busy reporter, also covering the inaugural Bury Hill to Bexhill Run to Bexill Motofest, so could only do the Sunday.

I was greeted by a pleasant lady dressed in what

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was clearly the attire of the marshals at the event, a white boiler suit, and directed to park on the lawn of the stately home.

There was a small tented 'village' which incorporated sponsors, and the great John Rooster of Roosters Customs, as well as vendors for food and drink with live bands playing.

Another great addition was the area for world travellers to talk of their adventures. One of these included the irrepressible Jacqui Furneaux whose book, Hit the Road, Jac, has just gone into re-print.

Oh, and there were the races. The 'sprint track' was a two-lane flat grass track with two hay bales that created a slight slalom. Additionally the hill climb added japes to the 'competition'. Each rider vied against the other with the only rule being 'winner stays on'.

October-November 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

MALLE MILE

The racing was certainly fun, with a series of classes vying for victory. No two bikes were the same and no two riders had the same style or build. The appearance of a shambles with no real order was actually what made it so engaging. As the flag drops, the riders drop their hand off their head, grab the clutch, boot into first and attempt to launch off the line, no mean feat as their rear tyre scrabbled for traction on grass and mud. The technique here appeared to rest on taking off with maximum power and hope you could hold on. It was fast and furious and highly entertaining.

I imagine this is exactly how motorcycle racing started; take your bike to a field and get racing.

The aforementioned Miss Furneaux also won her heats on her very well travelled Enfield Bullet too!

The amount of diverse machines and people celebrating motorcycles in an all-inclusive event really appealed and I noted the amount of young children being introduced to twowheeled fun which can only bode well for the future. Everywhere I saw smiling (if often muddy) faces too.

I'd have to say that the quote from the organisers 'everyone is invited to race anything on two wheels and no one is expected to win' really sums up the experience. This is definitely an event to add to your diary for next year.

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

9

WINNING AGAINST MOTORCYCLE CRIME Andy Carrott, MAG National Vice Chairman, collates a few figures

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f you or I contact a public body with a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, that organisation is duty bound to respond. This response can be the answer to your question or, if they deem it necessary, a refusal to do so on the basis that the information is sensitive and not available to members of the public, or it is going to cost them too much (more than £450 for most bodies or £600 for central government) to find and extract the information.

Three times the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) asked UK Police forces for information on motorcycle theft before we had a satisfactory response. I made the first attempt back in December 2017, the reins then being passed to Colin Brown, MAG’s full time Director of Not Taking No For An Answer, who finally has enough data to compile the first ever report giving a national picture in respect to motorcycle theft. That said, of the 45 police forces involved, six were unable to provide data due to reporting methods that fail to record vehicle type in a retrievable format. A further two forces simply failed to respond to the FOI request within the time requirements. One force couldn’t even differentiate between stolen motorcycles and

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motorcycles used for other crimes.

The report shows that 60% of all thefts occur across six Police forces, with the biggest number of thefts in London where in 2018, 1 in 12 bikes were stolen. The figures for 2018 for South East Biker’s area are: LONDON: 115,907 BIKES REGISTERED 9,483 reported stolen (equates to 1 in 12) KENT: 42,826 BIKES REGISTERED 875 reported stolen (equates to 1 in 49) SURREY: 29,221 BIKES REGISTERED 350 reported stolen (equates to 1 in 83) SUSSEX:41,118 BIKES REGISTERED 840 reported stolen (equates to 1 in 49) It is no surprise that rural areas have the lowest theft rates; for example my home county of Lincolnshire has a figure of 1 in 125 (the national average being 1 in 46). Surprisingly, Derbyshire has the lowest rate of 1 in 776. I say surprising because Derby is next door to Nottingham, where the rate is 1 in 26. The simple fact of the matter is bikes are most vulnerable in our major cities and we should all take extra care.

Fit approved locks, as steering locks are easy to overcome, park in well-lit areas frequented by the public (better still, in a secure parking facility), lock your bike to an immovable object,

October-November 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

consider an alarm or tracking device and vary your parking routine.

Asking Police forces for statistics is one thing, but getting action in respect to crime is an altogether different matter. MAG has regular communication with Transport for London (TfL), has had dialogue with theft recovery groups, and has produced theft guidance leaflets for riders (which some of you may have received through the post via a link-up with an online motorcycle clothing and accessory retailer who included the leaflets in parcels).

MAG has recently met with Chris Law MP, the Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Motorcycling. The meeting covered a number of subjects but one area of attention was V5 Fraud Enabled Motorcycle Theft. This is where a motorcycle is stolen, stripped and re-assembled around a genuine frame with a V5 (or log book as they are commonly known). This is a complex and confusing area because the sale of frames is not illegal; however, frames with log books often sell for far more than a brand new frame from a dealer. If you needed to replace your frame

legitimately why would you buy one privately with a new ID that’s more expensive than one from a dealer?

MAG welcomes the recent news that moped crime in London has dropped by 53.7% and theft of motorcycles, mopeds and scooter has fallen by 22.4%. It is thought that much of this reduction is down to the Police now using ramming tactics. Unfortunately the reductions will probably still leave London as the motorcycle theft capital of the UK, so there is more work to do here and in other major urban areas.

MAG does not want to see people deterred from taking up two (and three) wheels by the scum who see bikes as easy targets for theft and for other criminal activities.

If you would like to help us continue our campaign to make things better for riders, the simplest thing you can do is join. You can join MAG online at www.mag-uk.org or by calling 01926 844064. Membership costs just £27 for a year. Family, corporate and club affiliations also available.

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11 23/03/2016 10:45

THE ANNUAL BURY HILL TO BEXHILL RUN

WATCH NOW! POINT YOUR PHONE CAMERA AT THIS QR CODE

ORGANISING AND PREPARING FOR

THE BURY HILL TO BEXHILL RUN

It's been a busy year for moto vlogger o75. As someone who never shies away from a challenge, he's always fancied doing a motorcycle run.

Where do you start? More to the point, where do you finish? Here, he gives an insight into how The Annual Bury Hill to Bexhill Run came about, how the first run went, and what was learnt.

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he cold days and long nights of January and February can be a little depressing for motorcyclists, and I'm getting itchy.

The o75 YouTube channel in its infancy; my brain is exceeding its speed limits. What can I do to involve fellow bikers?

As a marshall for bike1066 in Hastings, which welcomes the famous Mayday Run, I was inspired by the founders who took to their motorcycles some 40 years ago to ride from Locksbottom to the seaside town. Today, it sees the free, spontaneous movement of thousands of bikers riding the same route.

Well, seeing Bexhill Motofest was in July, wouldn't it be great if we had a run from the west? The next question is, how long? Well, the Mayday Run is about 60 miles. What's 60

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miles west from Bexhill? It only turns out that my favourite biker stop, Whiteways Café, near Arundel in West Sussex, is just that distance. And Bury Hill, as it is also known, would add a nice ring to the run's name; The Bury Hill to Bexhill Run was born.

Enthused, I created the logo, created a Facebook page, and rallied support from Bexhill Motofest, Whiteways Café, South East Biker Magazine and On The Wheel Superstore in Southwick. I am so grateful of the support, you never know what the results would be until the day. In my mind, if I had just 30 bikers, I would be happy as we find out how things will turn out.

As this would be the first year, I created two routes (one over the back of the South Downs, the other along the A27). I needed to see which

October-November 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

THE ANNUAL BURY HILL TO BEXHILL RUN of the two would be more popular, as it would affect what we do next year.

Moving into March, I dipped into my pocket to print t-shirts for family and friends who will be supporting me and created Facebook ads to give it a little jump start. I hired a photographer (my sister-in-law, Carolyn) for the morning, so have a bank of images in readiness for next year's publicity.

Howard Martin, the organiser of bike1066, kindly offered a 30-second ad space on the big screen in Hastings. It does give you a great deal of satisfaction, seeing it all come together.

The effort on setting up and marketing it for no financial gain goes against the grain, but I'd like to give something back to the biking community I love.

This year, I was hoping everything would be simple, small and manageable. I needed to get a real feel of how things would pan out, measure and see what we can do better next year.

In the days running up to the event, I rallied my support team (Phil Cook, Dave Sewell and SEB's very own John Allsopp) to discuss plans ahead of the morning. A hive of Facebook activity ensued as a fellow biker (Paul Kinsella) made us aware of a road closure in Hassocks ('thanks' followed with 'argh!'). Right, diversion, no matter what!

Watch this year's Bury Hill to Bexhill Run http://bit.ly/BuryHilltoBexhillRun2019 I was excited as the morning drew ever closer, monitoring the weather — as if I could control that!

THE DAY OF THE RUN The morning arrived, and we made our way to Bury Hill on a beautiful sunny morning.

Whiteways opened early. Some bikers were already parked up before 8am. Over the next couple of hours more bikers arrived. Most came up to chat to us as we gave them a sticker for dedicated parking at Bexhill. Although the idea for it was to be a free-run to Bexhill, I was

The Power of Dreams

Weave through city traffic, on to the motorway, then out to the unknown.

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15/01/2019 13:25 13

THE ANNUAL BURY HILL TO BEXHILL RUN amazed to hear pretty much everyone asking, '’when are you setting off? Can we join you?’'

Well, to go as a group, then what the heck, why not? I'm now lead rider! I delegate the rear riders to my brother, Phil and good friend, Dave.

Other bikers stepped in to give a hand. Everyone wanted to do the route behind the Downs.

Shortly after 10am, with three blasts of the horn from John's BMW 1150 RT, engines roared into life. Bike after bike left Whiteways car park as we made our way down to Storrington. I counted at least 50.

It was great to see so many bikers and a wide variety of different motorcycles too. Much gratitude to the many who made the inaugural run so special.

With all only taking route A behind the South Downs, it clearly showed only one route is needed; the route from Bury Hill to Storrington, Washington, Small Dole, Hurstpierpoint, Lewes, Loughton, Herstmonceux before dropping into Bexhill.

The run went without a hitch but, in hindsight, if travelling as a large group, I would instigate the Drop-Off technique, positioning bikers as markers at junctions to direct other riders along the route.

The roads were pretty clear along the way,

meaning we were enjoying the ride even more as we tootled through the Sussex countryside.

We arrived at Bexhill alongside the Stunt Show arena and found our dedicated parking area outside the De La Warr Pavilion. Chatting to the guys, as we were all left to our own devices to enjoy the afternoon ahead, the feedback was positive and many wanted to do it again next year.

After an enjoyable afternoon at Bexhill Motofest, I head home feeling very satisfied with the achievement. With a deserved cuppa in hand, I checked in on Facebook and was amazed to read so many wonderful comments from those who took part. Now that meant a lot. Amazing people, fantastic ride, fantastic day.

Why not watch the inaugural run on your telly box: http://bit.ly/BuryHilltoBexhillRun2019.

While you're there, do subscribe to my channel, it'll mean a lot.

If you would like to join us next year, Like and Follow www.facebook.com/buryhilltobexhillrun.

It'll be great to have you along.

For more o75 vids, subscribe:

www.bit.ly/o75vids

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October-November 2019 • South East Biker Magazine 14/05/2018 09:26

LEGAL SUPPORT

MW SOLICITORS

A SPLIT STARK LIABILITY CASE V LYDDON A judgment in the personal injury case of a motorcyclist in collision with a car has recently been given in the High Court.

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n the case of Stark v Lyddon, on 29 August 2016, the claimant Mr Stark, was riding his Suzuki 750cc motorcycle on the A358 near Taunton, east from junction 25 of the M5. The defendant Ms Lyddon, was driving her Mazda CX3 car. She turned right out of a Toby Carvery car park, about 150 metres east of the junction 25 roundabout, across the claimant’s path. Mr Stark 'T-boned' her car and suffered serious injuries.

From the junction 25 roundabout, the speed limit is 40mph which reduces to 30mph some 130 metres from the roundabout. A further 30 metres on is the entrance and exit of the Toby Carvery, so the speed limit at the entrance / exit is 30mph.

The accident was captured on CCTV which was positioned to the east of the collision. This showed 13 stills at 0.48 second intervals. It showed Ms Lyddon’s car emerging from right of camera, she slowed down to walking pace, and as she approached the Give Way signs her brake lights came off and she accelerated gently and drove across the eastbound lane.

As she began to cross the hatched area in the middle of the road, Mr Stark’s motorcycle came into view from the right, riding in the centre of the road and with his headlight on.

Mr Stark applied emergency braking. A split second later Ms Lyddon’s brake lights come on and Mr Stark collided with the rear offside passenger door of the car. At no point did Ms Lyddon indicate that she was turning right.

The police attended and took measurements of the scene and interviewed witnesses.

Both parties instructed accident reconstruction experts. They agreed on most issues, so there was just two matters the judge had to decide: firstly the claimant’s speed

before braking and secondly, the defendant’s view to her right. As to the claimant’s speed, the judge considered factors including the claimant’s reaction time from when the defendant’s vehicle would have been in view.

The judge placed the claimant’s speed before braking at 70mph, more that double the speed limit. As to the defendant’s view to her right, the judge found that her sight line was 75 metres to her right, but had she looked again to her right as she moved forward, Mr Stark would have been in view.

There was one independent witness, Ms Bourton, who had seen Mr Stark riding shortly prior to the collision. Her impression was that he was riding irresponsibly and far too fast.

The judge held that both parties were to blame for the accident, the defendant for not looking properly to her right before she commenced her right turn, and the claimant for his grossly excessive speed. He apportioned liability at 30 / 70, which means that Mr Stark will recover 30% of the full value of his claim.

Philip Scarles is an Associate Solicitor at MW Solicitors and has assisted many motorcyclists injured in accidents. Tel: 01732 758544. email: philip.scarles@mwsolicitors.co.uk or visit the website: www.mwsolicitors.co.uk

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

15

REVIEW

A LITTLE URBAN

ENSEMBLE Paddy Tyson, of Overland Magazine fame, slips into something cool and Italian…

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iving in the sunny South East you may already be familiar with Tucano Urbano as a brand and associate it entirely with scooters and commuting. But oh how mistaken you’d be.

The Italian brand certainly started making kit for the scooter market back in 2000, everything from aprons and handlebar muffs to chic open face helmets, but they have been constantly expanding and are now even producing adventure overland clothing.

But whatever they make, it seems that Italian style is at the heart of it.

I have been using this urbanchic ensemble all summer and it’s transformed me into believing I’m the coolest kid on the block. But if my own misguided vanity already achieved that, then I’ve certainly at least had a confidence boost.

TIMELESS-STYLE JACKET Starting at the top, the Pol 2G jacket (catchy name…) is “Classic and timeless in style… the perfect jacket for everyday wear, on and off the bike.” Or that’s what the marketing says, but I must admit that I really like it.

The diamond quilted pattern across the shoulders, the neat round collar and wax-cotton appearance all pay homage to trials jackets of half a century ago. I’m wearing it more and more when I leave the house whether I’m riding or not, so it

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seems it is “…the perfect jacket for everyday wear…”

It is lightweight and immediately feels more ‘fashion’ than ‘function’ when you pick it up, but it’s fully CE-Class A certified in accordance with directive EN17092. This ensures it has been independently tested for rip, tear and abrasion resistance, as well as impact force absorption, without limiting the rider’s movements on the bike.

The removable armour for shoulders and elbows is discreet and doesn’t make me look like

an American footballer, which is another reason I like it offbike. There’s a pocket for back armour but that isn’t provided as standard.

As for other pockets, outside there are two large ones on the chest that close with press studs and aren’t guaranteed waterproof and two lower handwarmer-style ones that do close with a waterproof zip. Inside there are two huge pockets and a smaller zipped ‘wallet’ one which is easily accessible just inside the main zip. There’re also ventilation

October-November 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

REVIEW zips on the chest, or at least under the arms, but it’s that main closure zip that concerns me. The teeth are very fine, which is disconcerting, though neat, and I feel that in time, or if caught on another item of clothing, it might fail.

But maybe the practical exdispatch rider in me is being too harsh.

I really like that the reflective bits on the collar and the cuffs can be rolled away when not in use, like when you’re in the pub…

REFLACTIVE SYSTEM TROUSERS The Tucano Urbano Leocargo GAG trousers in green (darker than the image shows) have also become something that I just wear whether I’m on the bike or not. They look like a well-tailored pair of cargos with a strong brushed cotton

finish and are supremely comfortable. The outer shell is a stretch cotton and they have a total of 6 pockets, 4 of which are press-stud closing.

Protection is not wholly comprehensive, but there are aramid fibre inserts on knees, hips and bum and there’s CE level 1 armour in the knees. I admit that I took that out immediately, but I am wearing them as trousers as well as riding gear. There’s the facility to add hip armour, but that doesn’t come with them.

I’m no fashion expert so I won’t try to describe the fit and tailoring, but the REFLACTIVE® SYSTEM is great. It’s effectively visibility on demand. Turn up the bottom of the legs and a reflective material is exposed. There’s also a bit that sits on or in the thigh pocket. It’s a great idea, like the collar and cuffs of the jacket, which means you can look like you ride or not, when off the bike.

Note, the online size guide makes no sense at all. I have a 32/33 inch waist but the ‘L’ size fits perfectly. According to the size guide I should be wearing a XXS!

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

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INTRODUCING… AND SO TO THE MARTY ‘SNEAKERS’.

The first thing to note, commensurate with the style, is that there is no separate heel. That’s fine of course when off the bike, but I do like something to locate me on the footpeg and remember my instructor being very insistent back in ’92 when I finally got around to doing my test. The flat sole is rubbery though, so provides a lot of traction.

These ankle boots are a narrow fit, so if you are a 43 normally you may find you want a 44 (though they don’t appear on the website), but they have been loosening up with wear and becoming more comfortable with every day. They are deceptive of course because the mind wants them to be a cool light sneaker, but they are a protective item and are CE Certified, being category 2 compliant with EN13634:2017 directive.

They are leather, there’s extra protection around the ankles and there’s a 100% (so far!) waterproof and breathable membrane. I confess I’ve only tested them in showers because if it’s a really wet

day I wear my normal calf-height riding boots.

Getting them on can be a pain when they are new because the laces have to be loosened all the way down, but that too is becoming easier and now I realise there isn’t a halfway house. I just have to loosen all the lace rather than try, adjust a bit more, try again, and slowly get angry…

ON OR OFF THE BIKE — I FEEL TRENDY So there you have it. I’m wearing this stuff much more than I thought I would. Maybe it’s a mid-life crisis, but it’s making me feel so trendy I have even grown a beard. That’s just how shallow I am!

Available in black and khaki colours, the Pol 2G jacket comes in S-3XL RRP £159.99.

Available in green or brown, the Leocargo GAG trousers come in XXS – 5XL RRP £139.99 In black only, the Marty Sneakers come in 39 – 43 RRP £129.99 Visit www.tucanourbano.com/en/ for more information but it’s not an easy site to use. You’ll find the boots in the ‘Equipment’ section…

MOTORCYCLE SEATS

MOTORCYCLE SEAT UPHOLSTERY SPECIALISTS Quality Craftmandship at Down to Earth prices

We are a small but busy workshop near Brands Hatch supplying and fitting gel pads, memory foam and standard vinyls. We have a full range of faux (fake) and genuine skins. If your seat needs recovering, is uncomfortable or too high or wide, Viking Motorcycle Seats have the solution. How about some customised embroidery? We offer a complete, bespoke service to make your bike unique. While you wait service available.

Call us now on: 07977 874075 Visit: www.viking-motorcycle-seats.co.uk Email: leetheseat@hotmail.co.uk, or pop in and see us at: 27a Heaver Trading Estate, Ash Road, Ash, Kent. TN15 7HJ 18 Viking Vinyl HP 0515.indd

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HEATED SEATS

We now supply and fit the fantastic BRAD PADS, heated seat elements to keep you warm all year. These can be inserted into your seat at the same time as a rebuild. A very simple connection to the battery is supplied and the pads come with two settings. Price is just £75 or £95 including wiring into bike.

VIKING MOTORCYCLE SEATS

30 years experience • Quality craftmanship • All work guaranteed

12/05/2015 18:00 October-November 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

BIKING INNOVATIONS

LIFE IN REVERSE Some motorcycling musing from Dave Figg

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ave you ever had a senior moment when you have pulled in to park, only to then realise that you are on a slope? The bikes either side of you are facing upwards because their riders did the little circle and backed in.

Smug leather people! You sit there for a minute looking forward as if you had always meant to have done that, but you are now thinking of the sweaty exertion of pushing your heavy bike backwards. Plus, if you now try and put it on the stand will it slip down the slope with you looking uncool trying to stop it? The only relief is that bikes are lighter than they used to be.

My old Superdream seemed to weigh a ton.

At this point you ask why there is no reverse gear on a motorcycle?! Damn good question.

Early motorcycle pioneers occasionally experimented with a reverse gear, but going backwards at any speed affected balance. Why bother when you could simply put your feet down and manoeuvre the bike around? Basically, unless the machine was really heavy it wasn’t practical or cost effective. Goldwings, Can-am Spyders and many motorcycle combinations do have reverse gear. The electric generation of bikes have greatly

assisted the reverse gear but, by and large, planning your parking and the good old fashion paddle means, on your average two wheeler, it isn’t a necessity. Mind you, good luck to anyone who has fixed a reverse to their bike and can have as many senior moments as they want.

My dad told me that he rode a combination with a reverse gear whilst attached to the Canadian army following D Day. He drove it backwards up the road scattering soldiers with the hooter blaring until a polite military policeman pointed out the error of his ways! Not sure how polite this officer really was though. By his description it sounded like the combination was a BMW R75, and had a Bren gun mounted in the sidecar. There were many converted motorcycle and sidecars for military use, including those by Puch and Norton.

In case you were wondering, the world record for a motorcycle going in reverse was 165.08 kph set on a UK airfield by Darren Manning in 2002.

The bike was a Fireblade but with a 6 speed reverse gearbox fitted.

If you see a red faced gent hauling his bike up a slope, say hello. It’s probably me. www.dave1figg.wixsite.com/thestoryfellauk

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For details and packages, contact Nick at catalanadventure@gmail.com

Catalan Adventure HPHBiker 0919.indd 1 Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk South East

www.catalanadventure.co.uk

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06/09/2019 12:29

SHOWTIME

WIN TICKETS TO MOTORCYCLE LIVE The UK’s biggest motorcycle show, Motorcycle Live, takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 16-24 November, offering unrivalled two-wheeled entertainment for bike fans of all ages.

I

f you want to check out the latest new bikes, show a non-riding friend the wonderful world of two-wheels, catch-up with friends, meet biking celebrities or simply have a fun day out with the family — you can do it all at Motorcycle Live.

Whether a rider or an enthusiast, there’s plenty to see and do with 10 free opportunities to ride, non-stop live entertainment and the chance to see all the latest models from the top manufacturers. Tickets also give visitors access to see the spectacular live stunt show in the MotoCirque Arena.

Advanced tickets are on sale now, and visitors will once again benefit from frozen ticket prices, as well as the newly subsidised car parking charges. Motorcycles can park for free.

Group discounts are available — order 10 or

more adult or senior tickets for a 10% discount*.

This year the show is encouraging riders to bring their non-riding mate to the show — so much so, that Motorcycle Live is offering a limited number^ of FREE tickets to the show for nonmotorcyclists on Thursday 21 November 2019**.

Terms and conditions apply.

To book or for more information, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk We also have TWO PAIRS OF TICKETS TO GIVE AWAY to lucky SEB readers. To enter, simply email nick@southeastbiker.co.uk with 'Motorcycle Live' as the subject and supply your contact details. Closing date is October 31st. Good luck!

* Terms and conditions apply. Call 0800 358 0058 for more information. ^1000 complimentary tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis **One complimentary ticket will be issued per non-motorcyclist over the age of 16 who is accompanied by a motorcyclist who has purchased a full-price ticket.

Offer can be redeemed on Thursday 21 November 2019 only. No cash alternative offered. Free ticket allocation is at the full discretion of Motorcycle Live show organisers.

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October-November 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

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GOOD REASONS TO JOIN THE TRF 7

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ESTABLISHED Helping motorcyclists responsibly and sensitively access the countryside since 1970

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GROWING The TRF is an active club with over 5000 members to ride with and 43 groups meet new friends with similar views

3

ACCESS Knowledge of over 6000 miles of Green Roads including all of your local lanes.

By comparison there are only 2000 miles of Motorways!

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IMPROVE Develop riding skills with monthly beginners rides, accredited training and access to advanced rides

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IDENTIFY Be seen as a Professional & Responsible Trail Rider with bike stickers and a membership card

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DEFENCE We will back you legally if you are stopped riding a Green Road

SUSTAINABILITY Support the fight to TRF keep lanes open and maintain your rights to use them

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ACU EVENTS TRF are an ACU club and you can gain access to ACU Events and training

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INSURANCE The TRF provides insurance and training for ride leading and events

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CONTACT Member only trail riding groups and comprehensive maps of legal lanes

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FUN We ride all year round – whatever the weather

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TRAIL MAGAZINE The only Trail bike focussed magazine in print and sent to your door

TRAIL RIDERS F E L L OW S H I P

Find your local group at www.TRF.org.uk

SOMETHING NEW?

Training

SO, YOU WANT TO

RIDE ENDURO? Annie, from Freestyle Training, fills us in on this popular motorcycle sport and how Freestyle can get you started…

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nduro often gets mixed-up with motocross, where participants repeatedly ride laps around an oval dirt track, over jumps and around berms. By contrast, enduro covers a wider area and more varied terrain; through woodlands, streams, and across open fields, with a typical enduro course of several miles encompassing ascents and descents, and traversing obstacles such as logs, as well as coping with the steep berms and deep ruts you’d find on a typical motocross track.

It’s less about out-and-out speed, and more focused upon the maintenance of flowing riding, no matter the challenges encountered.

Ninety-nine percent of our customers are road riders looking to make the transition from tarmac to trail. Learning to ride enduro can be a great skill enhancement to your road riding, delivering excellent balance and control, even in sketchy conditions.

Freestyle Training’s bespoke enduro days are designed to work with your current ability to give you a solid grounding in the principles of off-road; building confidence and polishing technique to make your riding effortless and enjoyable.

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WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY TRAINING DAY? As a beginner to off-road, have you ever thought about how you get on and off a bike, and why you do it the way you do?

Ever ridden standing up on the footpegs? It’s definitely a less bumpy way to travel off-road, and gives you long-range vision of upcoming hazards approaching at speed.

Ever locked-up the back wheel and deliberately slid your bike? Know how to find and keep maximum grip in tricky ground conditions?

Understand how to use your body weight to your advantage when you corner? And exactly how do you loft the front wheel to get over a log or across a deep trench?

Freestyle Training can introduce you to all of these concepts and many more, across single or multiple 1:1 training sessions. We progress you according to ability. We’ll never push you to do something you’re not ready to, but we’ll encourage you to try if we believe you can do it, you’ll surprise yourself!

Even if you’re an experienced motorcyclist, the instructor will take you right back to basics, to

October-November 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

SOMETHING NEW? literally assess your riding from the ground up, tweaking techniques and sharpening skill. You may have picked up a lot of bad habits over the years, which are hampering your riding progression.

We won’t change the way you ride, everyone has a different style, but we’ll get you thinking about your approach to riding challenges, and what you can do to overcome issues with which you perennially struggle, such as jumping logs or smoothly dealing with deep ruts.

We can also offer small group sessions (up to a maximum of six riders with one instructor), so friends or family can ride together, and share the fun, the photos, and the stories!

DO I NEED MY OWN BIKE AND KIT? No. You can either ride your own off-road bike, or rent a bike and suitable protective kit from us. You don’t need any previous motorcycling

experience to enjoy a day with Freestyle Training, but it is beneficial if you have ridden a geared motorcycle before.

You don’t even need to hold a valid motorcycle licence, as all our training takes place on private land in East Sussex (you don’t ride on public roads or green lanes during a training day).

We operate year-round, weather and ground conditions permitting, and offer weekend or weekday training.

Whether you’re practising for an event, preparing for a trip, or starting from scratch, you can benefit from a whole day with the undivided attention of an ACU-qualified instructor to assess, encourage, and advise you, ensuring you receive unrivalled value from your session.

To find out more, visit our website at www.freestyletraining.net, or email us: office@freestyletraining.net

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

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WE MEET…

MEETING MARVELLOUS MARCELLOUS

Recently, Dom Humby had the great pleasure to meet Marcellous from DFX Motorcycles in Maidstone. DFX Motorcycles has been running solidly for nine years now, four years in its current premises and before that it actually started in what could only be described as a gazebo. Dom goes behind the scenes…

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alongside every good custom motorcycle “it’s whatever matches the bike, if it’s not 50 or 60 years old I'm not interested.”

Marcellous is quite possibly living every spanner monkey's dream stating “I never wake up and think, b******s I've got to go to work, I love what I do”.

It’s not difficult to see why when looking around his workshop. Every wall is laden with different tools and every work surface has its own dedicated purpose for things like CNC Plasma Cutters, spanners the size of your fist and above all the ‘Beer Bell’ (non-alcoholic of course).

FX Motorcycles has a mission to give its customers the custom bikes of their dreams, keeping the old school methods alive while combining them with new technology.

Marcellous is the one and only worker at DFX and he covers all bases, from customer enquiries to custom fabrication. With a background of engineering that stretches for over 30 years and a deep seated passion for anything custom motorcycle related, Marcellous also loves vintage clothing from the 40s and 50s (a hobby that he shares with his wife). These clothing styles go

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October-November 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

WE MEET…

Aside from that, the quality of work that Marcellous produces is astounding. It’s fascinating to hear the stories of how many projects started from a leather seat being tattooed, taking a solid eight hours, to a cocktail shaker being used as part of a Rocket. It makes you wonder what a night in the pub may divulge.

Everything Marcellous builds is to a financial budget and he only undertakes the custom work he holds a vision for. When asked

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

what he liked to do most of all he responded saying “I build what I like, I want it to be used as it should be, a rider not a show model. Like it’s been plucked out of the 1920s and ridden down a dirt road”.

Marcellous continued showing me around his workshop, chatting away as he went saying “the workshop is a reflection of me”. I can see why, because everywhere I looked, I could see some part of a bike, be it clutch assemblies or carburettors. He is extremely knowledgeable in all of these areas, being a carburettor specialist.

Two years ago, Marcellous took the decision to stop full engine rebuilds because it proved to be more problematic.

This does not take away from the skill Marcellous has with his hands and a motorcycle because to him “it's so much more than a job”.

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WE MEET…

As a very visceral person, he develops a relationship with each project as it goes. This is reflected in his work with his old school methods that are all about the vision he has in his head of the final finished product. He gets more enjoyment out of building bikes than he does riding them because of the dedication that it requires him to have.

“People who bring me their bikes get a lot more time and attention than they may elsewhere.”

Now you may be thinking what other work will Marcellous undertake? Well, building usually goes on in the winter as there's less servicing and fewer MOTs, which is more of his bread and butter work throughout the summer. Not only that, but Marcellous has been known to

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go in and open up at 2am-3am for motorcycle recoveries.

If that wasn't enough, Marcellous has even let customers stay at his house! You won’t get that at any main dealer, I can assure you.

Up until 2012, Marcellous was an all season rider until an unfortunate accident made the decision to go to fair weather riding easier.

Upon entering Marcellous's cave of wonder I'm immediately drawn to a gorgeous piece of custom work, a Harley Davidson. They are not normally my cup of tea.

However, this Harley Davidson was a thing of beauty.

He built this Harley Davidson in homage to the early Harleys that came with a leaf-style springer front end and it is stunning. He did advise me that when riding “it will regularly slap you in the testicles” which I wasn't surprised at. This motorcycle has the aforementioned leather tattooed seat that took eight hours to complete, as it had to have an initial layer done and then have it re-done until it was finished.

Marcellous loves the old school, so a lot of new bikes that come out aren't of interest to him. That's why he does custom motorcycle building. As he says “I should have been born in the 30s or 40s!” It came as no surprise when I commented about what Triumph produce and he replied, “I love what Triumph do because of the new technology combined with a retro look.”

Meeting Marcellous was a tremendous honour, being able to chat to him and instantly feeling welcome in not only his place of work but his 'second home.' It’s not difficult to see why from years of solid work including servicing, MOTs and custom motorcyle work, he has had one unhappy customer....just ONE. You can follow the links and check his work out. Better still get him to do some custom work for you and see it for yourself.

You can get hold of Marcellous though these links and details. Email: marce@gmx.co.uk, visit: www.dfxmotocycleworks.weebly.com/ or jump onto www.facebook.com/dfxmoto/ Check out Dom @Motologue599

October-November 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

PRODUCT FOCUS

HEATED CLOTHING

After more than a year of design and development, this coming season sees the launch of Gerbing Heated Clothing’s MicrowirePRO® heating system.

T

his revolutionary new heating system will be incorporated into all of their NEW 2020 heated clothing range making them the warmest, most efficient heated clothing products available. Wearing Gerbing’s heated clothing really is a game-changer.

Let’s face it, no matter how prepared we are, or how much we spend on the best jackets and gloves, riding in the cold winter months can be a thoroughy miserable experience — but it absolutely doesn’t have to be that way. Powered directy from your bike or from rechareable Lithium-ion batteries, investing in a heated jacket liner and/ or heated gloves will totally change the way you feel about riding out on cold days — everyday will feel like Summer!

For over 40 years, heated clothing pioneers Gerbing have been developing self-heating technology to overcome cold at speed. Whether you’re jumping out of an airplane at 10,000 feet, carving the slope downhill at 30 miles-perhour or, as many of you reading this will have experienced, riding your bike in the depth of winter, Gerbing delivers the highest performance and most distinctive designs in the market. Gerbing makes wearable technology specifically designed for the temperature of speed.

Our human bodies constantly give off heat.

Consequently, the layer of air surrounding our skin forms something similar to an invisible, heated 'air jacket.'

However, when air flows around us, due to us moving through it or it blowing past us, this warm-air jacket gets quickly dispelled. The faster the air moves, the less of a chance we have to recreate the warm-air jacket — therefore the colder we feel!

During summer months, the use of riding kit makes this phenomenon all but irrelevant. However, during the winter months even the best clothing will struggle to maintain this envelope of warm air around you. Gerbing Heated Clothing artificially introduces a new and warmer air jacket around your skin that is constantly replaced, even at high speeds when the wind-chill is increased, making your journey more comfortable and arguably safer. To illustrate this more clearly, when riding a motorcycle at 100 km/h in an ambient temperature of 0ºC, the wind-chill factor results in a temperature equivalent to -11ºC! Reaction times at this temperature are considerably slower and this, in turn, could make all the difference in an emergency situation.

Gerbing are so confident in the quality of their products that they offer a LIFETIME WARRANTY on the heating elements of all their garments. With proof of purchase, their no quibble guarantee means that if you should ever experience an internal wiring fault with your clothing, return it to them and they will either make a full repair or replace the garment FREE OF CHARGE.

Ride Safe — Ride Gerbing!

www.gerbing.co.uk Units 15-16 Colebrook Industrial Estate, Longfield Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 3DG Visit Gerbing at Motorcycle Live at the NEC. 16-24 November: stand 2A06

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

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BUSINESS FOCUS

INTRODUCING

HASTINGS MOTORCYCLE CENTRE John Allsopp drops in to an independent motorcycle business on the south coast.

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astings Motorcycle Centre has been trading since 1979 and is run by a father and son team. With the more recent addition of nephew Eddie, the business has expanded from motorcycle servicing and MOTs into selling second hand motorcycles.

They ventured into bikes sales relatively recently.

However, from initial sales of five machines a month, they now regularly deal with up to thirty.

Eddie explained their ethos of being able to turn out a pre-loved machine of better quality than others can offer. They carry out a full check and replacement of all consumable parts and undertake a full service of each machine. They aim for fair pricing and target reliable bikes with full service histories. Eddie states that are very fussy about the bikes they buy which results in a great deal for the new owner.

One of the services they offer is a video walk around of each machine, which had led to purchases being made from further afield in the UK as well as overseas.

Despite such innovations they retain a family business approach typified with 'old fashioned' customer service at its heart.

Eddie says “I won't sell something if it's not right" (for the potential buyer).

Eddie also emphasises the importance of personal service that bigger companies don't always include and is very proud of the after sales service they offer, which is a very important consideration when buying pre-used machines, no matter how well they have been inspected.

The showroom itself was packed out with around seventy bikes from many manufacturers, from Harley to Guzzi, including BMW and all the Japanese marques.

Currently they offer a range of standard clothing too. However, Eddie has plans to add specialist boutique style offerings very soon.

The workshop which is in a different location (54-56 Beaconsfield Rd, Hastings TN34 3TN) boasts full diagnostic equipment, MOT testing station, as well as a good range of tyres and consumables.

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The family-run independent dealer style was very apparent upon entering. Eddie's attitude was also warm and friendly. This, coupled with his statement 'we do what makes the customer happy...within reason' rang true plus the very quick offer of free coffee which was very welcoming.

The quality and condition of the bikes on offer was impressive and the commitment to personal service and good quality after sales seemed very genuine. www.hastingsmotorcyclecentre.co.uk 406-410, Old London Road, Hastings, TN35 5BB Telephone: 01424 444448

October-November 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

PRODUCT REVIEW

TOASTY DIGITS WITH KEIS

The battle of the heated clothing brands is hotting up! Ray Cross spent last winter and spring trying to keep his extremities from frostbite…

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f you’d have told me that during February the temperature was going to fluctuate 16 degrees and I’d be able to test a set of summer gloves and winter ones, I’d have checked to see if your pupils were dilated.

However, that is exactly what happened. I had the pleasure of using Keis heated gloves model G501 over the winter months. Being a self-confessed summer rider, I’m not used to going out in cold weather. I’ve got a few winters under my belt, but I really don’t miss the bitter wind, gritted roads, black ice or frozen body parts.

One thing I can say for certain is that your hands won’t be part of the uncomfortable body part list if you put these on. These Keis heated beauties are great at making that winter commute or tour a less painful experience.

Putting my body on the line in the pursuit of a decent testing, I found myself heading down the A27 in 2ºC temperatures on my Yamaha R6. Even with the added wind chill and the glove heating system being turned off they weren’t letting any cold in. These won’t just keep your hands warm, they’ll keep them dry as well. That’s thanks to the Hipora glove insert. The breathable windproof and waterproof lining shuts out water from the outside but allows moisture or warm steam from the body to escape through the liner. I’ve not ever had gloves with this construction before, or heated ones for that matter, so I was somewhat concerned that it would be perhaps a tad uncomfortable or intrusive. But this concern was short lived as, after racking up a good 100 miles on a trip, they felt just as cosy as when I first put them on. They have a good amount of feel and don’t impede use of the bike controls and size wise aren’t bulky or over padded.

Sporting carbon fibre knuckles and an all-round 'stealth' black look, these should complement your existing biker attire. A European PPE certified shell protects the water resistant thermal membrane and the micro alloy-fibre heating element keeps your extremities nice and toasty.

Keis have cleverly added an easily accessible heat control button to both gloves, so the heat settings can be adjusted on the move. Now, when it comes to wiring up I’m certainly no mechanic, happily it was relatively straightforward and I was pleased to see that the circuit does have fuse protection. The booklet included with the product does give approximate current usage and recommended fuses for extra peace of mind.

The Keis gloves also have the option to be run from a portable battery if preferred, which means you could wear them off the bike. This could be handy for some. The cost of the portable battery is £49.99 and it should last a couple of hours. Another advantage of this is that it would allow the gloves to be used on a bike where the electrical

system would not be up to the job. It’s charged via usb, and doubles up as a charger for usb devices.

The gloves themselves cost £189, which in my opinion is a small price to pay for winter comfort and safety if you have to ride throughout the coldest months of the year.

• Certified to the new EU PPE Regulation 2016/425, so you can be confident in their protective qualities.

Please note: All personal protective equipment in Europe must clearly show whether they comply with the current PPE regulation via a label. A label showing 'CE approval' does not mean they are certified.

• New material technology providing dramatically increased finger dexterity and tactility making for a summer glove comfort and feel, with winter glove protection.

• Independent, integral heat controller, positioned on the back of the wrist for easy operation — whether you prefer to wear your gloves under or over your jacket sleeve cuffs.

• (3M) Thinsulate TM and Hipora TM for premium wind and water protection.

• Convenient visor wipe built into the left index finger.

• Current Draw 1.6A. Typical Power 19.2W www.keisapparel.co.uk

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

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PRODUCT REVIEW

KEEPING OUT THE CHILL As the autumn kicks in and the temperatures head south we take a closer look at some of the kit that will keep us comfortable on our bikes through the winter. Holly Richardson reports on her Knox quilted thermal jacket.

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s some of you may know, I am a brand ambassador for Knox. Knox is a family run business, based in the Lake District.

Their motorcycle clothing is designed and manufactured here in the UK. They have been producing high quality innovative bike wear for nearing 40 years. Each item is well made, stylish, yet simple and great quality. Comparing their prices to other brands, they are also extremely reasonable.

My slight concern whenever people hear the words ‘ambassador’ or ‘affiliate’, is that they don’t always believe that the recommendations

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from the people associated with those particular brands are always 100% genuine. I can’t speak for all ambassadors, but I personally would never represent a company I didn’t genuinely love. It wouldn’t do anything for my reputation if I was to encourage people to buy things that are naff.

I have had offers from other brands, which I have turned down due to my feelings on their products. I will always be honest in my reviews.

The Knox quilted jacket has been a firm favourite of mine since I got my hands on it last November. It features a high performance insulating mid layer, designed to work under a motorcycle jacket, or worn casually off the bike. Made using Invista’s Thermolite Plus, the jacket provides warmth and comfort with minimal weight, allowing for greater freedom of movement.

I have lived in this jacket ever since I got it. I have had as much use out of it off the bike as on it. It’s just a great, lightweight but super warm little jacket. Depending on temperature and distance, through the winter I would wear the Knox Clara Marino wool base layer, a polo neck jumper, my Knox armoured shirt for protection, then this quilted mid layer, with a leather or wax jacket over the top. The Knox philosophy is based on layering for warmth, and wearing your armour as a separate item to your jacket, ensuring it fits really closely to the body so it’s in the right place should you need it. The trouble with some of the looser fitting all-in-one jackets is the armour is likely to move if you have an accident.

If you’ve been feeling the chill recently and are wanting something that can warm you up but work round your current bike wear then I 100% recommend it. If you don’t absolutely love it I’ll eat my hat!

Key features: made in the UK; machine washable; available in black; women’s sizes XS XXL (8-18); men’s sizes S-3XL; discreet branding; and two waist pockets.

Available to order online, priced at £59.99 from www.planet-knox.com Find Holly online: Facebook, Instagram and YouTube as @allaboutholly.

October-November 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

PRODUCT REVIEW

HYBRID HEATED GLOVES

GERBING XR12

Freezing fingers in the winter, or even on the colder autumn and spring days.

We have all suffered from that at one time. But there is a solution.

Dom Humby gets plugged in…

L

ast winter I had the pleasure of testing something I’ve never used before…heated gloves. The winter was relatively mild, none the less these gloves have been put through their paces in the wet and dry, even in temperatures as low as -5°.

How do they work? You have two options. The XR12 gloves can be wired up to your bike’s battery terminals and then they just plug in with the connectors supplied. Alternatively, the gloves will run on batteries that fit in the cuffs, suitable for shorter trips. Switch on and there you have it, instantly heated gloves. The temperature can be adjusted to suit the conditions, perfect for the all-season rider.

Due to the padding and heating elements they do take some wearing in.

I found that after about a month they were comfortable every time I put them on. It’s worth remembering that older bikes won’t necessarily cater for the extra load on the battery. Make sure your electrics are up to scratch.

The verdict. They performed faultlessly, I was always kept warm and dry even while ice was forming on the exterior of all my kit due to freezing fog. And that was without the heating wired up!

Once I’d done that the game changed completely. It wasn’t a case of when will I get cold because that wouldn’t happen.

You could ride for hours on end and not have an issue.

All in all, these are fantastic gloves, they do their job extremely well. Expect to pay around £159.

Main features: Heats the entire length of each finger, including the thumb, as well as the back of the hand seconds after plugging in; Waterproof/ windproof/breathable Hipora® liner to provide protection from water and

wind; Adjustable wrist enclosure; Extra impact protection on knuckles; Thinsulate® insulation and brushed liner for added warmth and comfort; Patented Microwire® Heating Technology; Lifetime warranty on the heating elements; and the gloves are supplied with battery hook-up and inline Junior Temperature controller to adjust the heat when connected to a vehicle’s battery.

Available from www.moto65.co.uk and www.gerbing.co.uk

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

31

BIKER LISTINGS

BIKER DIRECTORY EVENTS ELK PROMOTIONS Classic Motorcycle Events in the South East

www.elkpromotions.co.uk KIT AND ACCESSORIES BOLT BIKES Motorcycle Helmets, Clothing & Accessories

01424 272121 www.boltbikes.co.uk

TIPPETTS

THWAITES GARAGE

New and used Hondas, servicing and parts

Servicing and MOTs

020 8399 2417 www.honda-tippetts.co.uk WARR’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON New and used motorcycles, kit and accessories

0208 857 9198 www.warrs.com SERVICING, PARTS, MOTS

01273 430303 www.thwaitesgarage.co.uk WEMOTO Huge range of motorcycle parts instore in Sussex and online

01273 597072 www.wemoto.com SPECIALIST SERVICES

MOTOPORT LTD

ON THE WHEEL

EXOTOGG THERMAL ARMOUR

Stockists of high-quality brands – Gerbing Heated Clothing, Dane, Difi, Draggin’ jeans & Bayard helmets

Servicing, Repairs, MOTs, Tyres PLUS Bikes, Gear and more…

the elements

01892 457373 www.gerbing.co.uk www.daneclothing.uk www.draggin-mc.co.uk LEGAL SERVICES HUDGELL SOLICITORS

01273 020980 www.onthewheel.co.uk

01223 911 117 www.exotogg.com

FASTLANE MOTORCYCLES

LOVE LIFE & RIDE

Motorcycle Sales, workshop, MOTs, tyres & kit

01732 363630 www.fastlanemoto.com

Personal injury specialists

0808 301 8554 www.hudgellsolicitors.co.uk MW SOLICITORS

INTA MOTORCYCLE SERVICES Used bikes, servicing, tyres, parts & MOTs

01622 688727 www.intabikes.com

Serious Injury Specialists

01732 758544 www.mwsolicitors.co.uk MOTORCYCLE HIRE WEST SUSSEX MOTORCYCLE HIRE

JB MOTORCYCLES Used bikes, MOTs, Servicing

01825 766351 www.jb-motorcycles.co.uk THE MOTORCYCLE MAN

Motorcycle Hire made easy

MOTs, Servicing & Repairs

01243 780039 www.westsussexmotorcyclehire.co.uk

01424 893543 www.themotorcycleman.co.uk

NEW AND USED BIKES FREESTYLE BIKES New and used Yamaha and Husqvarna on and off road

Portable protection from

MOTOWARD Off road Yamaha specialists, workshop, parts, kit & accessories

Airbag Vests and Jackets

0118 328 0338 www.lovelifeandride.com VIKING MOTORCYCLE SEATS Seat upholstery specialists, repairs and upgrades

07977 874075 www.viking-motorcycle-seats.co.uk TOURING AND HOLIDAYS 1066 MOTORCYCLE TOURS Worldwide motorcycle tours

07592 193399 www.1066motorcycletours.co.uk KAAPSTAD MOTORCYCLE TOURS Specialists in Motorcycle Holidays and Safaris in South Africa.

01403 823222 www.motoward.co.uk

01525 377520 www.Kaapstadmat.com

SNS MOTORCYCLES

CATALAN ADVENTURE

New and used bikes, servicing and parts

Servicing, Tuning, Tyres & Track Day Preparation

bike hire in Spain.

01473 257401 www.orwell.co.uk

0778 8711533 www.snsmotorcycles.co.uk

01892 782288/01243 859655 www.freestylebikes.co.uk ORWELL MOTORCYCLES

On/off road guided tours and

0791 375 8955 www.catalanadventure.co.uk

IF YOU’RE INTETRESTED IN A LISTING HERE PLEASE EMAIL NICK@SOUTHEASTBIKER.CO.UK

32

October-November 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

M.O.T & SERVICE CENTRE LTD

01273 430303 ☎ www.thwaitesgarage.co.uk

Opening Times Monday - Friday: 8:00 (lunch 12:30-1:30) - 5:30 Saturday: 8:00 - 12:00 noon

Unit 1 William Street, Portslade, West Sussex, BN41 1PZ

MOTORCYCLE MOT CENTRE

Is liability disputed in your personal injury claim?

No matter how serious your injuries following an accident, if you are unable to prove liability no compensation will be recoverable. This makes investigating and building your case on liability a vital part of your claim.

I have over 30 years experience and have acted for many motorcyclists where liability for their personal injury case has been disputed.

For a free, no obligation discussion on how I could help you contact me, Philip Scarles, at MW Solicitors: Philip.Scarles@mwsolicitors.co.uk or call 01732 758 544.

www.mwsolicitors.co.uk

DO YOU WANT REACH OUT TO OVER 20,000 MOTORCYCLISTS IN YOUR REGION?

MW Solicitors QP 0919.indd 1

He’s the man!

Bring your bike to the man you can trust.

• • • • • • •

Small independent workshop Motorcycle MOT station Servicing, repairs and tyre fitting Modifications, rebuilds and project work Ultrasonic carburettor cleaning Authorised number plate supplier Over 30 years experience

10/09/2019 11:06

We can promote your business and services via this magazine, active website, blog, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube media. Contact nick@southeastbiker.co.uk and ask for a media pack to be sent or download details from the website.

Ian Scott is...

Telephone 01424 893543 Mobile 07866 289722 ian@themotorcycleman.co.uk www.themotorcycleman.co.uk Unit 2, Mount Pleasant Garage, Ninfield Road Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex TN39 5JG

Like The Motorcycle Man on Facebook

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

33

EVENTS

EVENTS

For a full list of What’s On visit

www.southeastbiker.co.uk/events

5-6 October

THE BIKE SHED FESTIVAL Lydden Hill, Kent

Ardingly

13 October

BRIGHTONA Madeira Drive, Brighton

26-27 October

LORD OF LYDDEN AND SIDE CAR BURN-UP Lydden Hil

34

27 October

SOUTH OF ENGLAND CLASSIC SHOW & JUMBLE 10 November

POPPY DAY PARADE Ace Café, London 16-24 November

MOTORCYCLE LIVE NEC Birmingham

October-November 2019 • South East Biker Magazine

BLOW YOUR MIND. NOT YOUR BUDGET.

THE IRON 883. NOW WITH £800 OFF.* FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY. WAS £8895 TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY.

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WARR’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON® (South East) 16-20 MOTTINGHAM ROAD, LONDON SE9 4QW (just 10 mins A20 town bound from Jct 3 M25) Telephone: 0208 857 9198 WWW.WARRS.COM

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Personal injury specialists with a track record of putting bikers on the road to recovery after accidents.

We are a specialist legal team with extensive experience of supporting people injured in motorbike accidents and providing access to the best rehabilitation support.

We also have an in-house Incident & Investigation Specialist who understands the dynamics of biking.

“We focus on securing damages that truly reflect the impact the injury has had on a person’s life and aim to compensate them for their suffering, recover their losses, and provide access to rehabilitation support to recover physically, as is best possible.”

A compensation claim with Hudgell Solicitors can put you on the road to recovery as quickly as possible.

– Matt Tuff, senior personal injury solicitor, Hudgell Solicitors, London (Winner of Modern Claims Professional of the Year 2016)

Call our accident experts today for free advice on:

0808 301 8554

hudgellsolicitors.co.uk