Motorcycle Sport and Leisure - November 2019 - Preview

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HIM HIMALAYAN MALAYAN

OF TRAVEL & ADVENTURE FROM HULL TO THE HIMALAYAS

Rewriting the adventure rulebook

HOW TO PREP YOUR BIKE FOR WINTER Whether you ride it or not

DUCATI 916

25 years of being utterly awesome

PLUS: KTM 790 DUKE ◆ BUYER'S GUIDE: KAWASAKI VERSYS 1000 GT ◆ DUCATI DIAVEL 1260 S ◆ LEATHER JACKETS TESTED ◆ SUZUKI KATANA

November 2019 Issue 710

How much is enough?

Mikko Nieminen

I

suppose this issue of MSL is a bit heavy on the Royal Enfield Himalayan... We have a big-miles test AND a travel piece featuring the bike. A bit overkill? Well, I'd say no, it isn't. You see, the diminutive Indian adventure thumper has really impressed us here at the MSL Towers, and made us question what kind of bike you need for a riding adventure, and even what kind of adventures we should be planning.

Any smaller capacity motorcycle can only really be appreciated if you pick your roads, destinations and riding buddies with care. They demand a bit more planning than big bikes, but get that right and you're on for a good time.

Riding comfort aside, one of the Himalayan's biggest sales points must be the price. Yes, it has a low seat and easy to get on with manners that appeal to many, but surely the fact that you can buy a brand spanking new motorcycle for £4k must be the main driver.

And that is also what makes the Himalayan so special. It's built to a price so you don't get the bells and whistles that you get with more expensive bikes.

But would you rather have riding modes, cornering ABS and wheelie control or save a few thousand pounds? How deep are your pockets?

In the world of motorcycling where everything from capacity to price has been going up rather than down, this is a welcome change. And it makes me wonder if other manufacturers (the ones outside China, anyway) are considering a low price option in their range.

You'd think it would make sense.

Technically it would be possible for any of the big manufacturers. They could just go through the bins in the back full of bits from old bikes that would still do the job in a new budget offering – and voila, a new

Are we going to see the rise of affordable but perfectly nice motorcycles? Probably not, but how cool would that be? bike at a reasonable price would be born.

A manufacturer could sell you a basic bike that didn't have the latest gadgets, but worked fine, and then hopefully sell you a more expensive, more sophisticated option a few years later (which I presume RE is doing with the rumoured 650 version of the Himalayan). You'd think that from a retention point of view that made sense.

But I appreciate that there are obstacles in the way of this. Some companies would not want to produce a bike that might be considered to be 'sub-standard' and damaging to the brand. Others might want to keep the price high to guarantee a certain level of income. But is it better to be an exclusive and exotic brand that has no customers, or one that offers different options for different markets?

Many manufacturers are doing their volume sells in Asia with small capacity machines, but surely the more mature markets could be better utilised too if there was more choice at the bottom end of the budget spectrum. But what do I know?

One thing's for sure: we're getting very close to the motorcycle show season, with the 2020 models soon to be revealed. I'm very curious to see if there are bikes that will challenge the Himalayan in the Poundland category, or if the big boys will still continue to demand expensive toys. Fingers crossed!

Mikko Nieminen, Editor

Motorcycle Sport & Leisure’s contributors...

Roland Brown

A bike journalist for more than 30 years, Roland has contributed to countless publications worldwide and authored a dozen books on bikes.

He has tested machines ranging from Rossi’s YZR-M1 to a 1923 Douglas, but still can’t decide which type of bike he most enjoys riding.

Chris Moss

Mossy has made a living from bikes since 1985 – first as a motorcycle courier in London, and then as a journo from 1995.

He’s raced, ridden and tinkered with hundreds of different bikes, but he’s the first to admit there’s still loads to experience and learn.

Peter Henshaw

Peter is our history man – he’s written more than 60 books and is a former editor of this very publication. Now a freelance journalist, he writes about transport of all kinds, though bikes are really at the heart of it all. He’s an all-yearround rider who does not own a car.

Maynard Hershon

Maynard lives in Denver, Colorado, US, and rides a lovable Kawasaki ZRX1200. He began riding in 1962 and found that on or off the bike he was happiest thinking about motorcycling. He’s always led a life that’s focused on riding, rather than life’s more mundane trivialities.

Ross Mowbray

Ross works across several motorcycling magazines.

That means he gets to ride all manner of twowheelers, from Monkey bikes to trikes. Don’t let his youthful appearance fool you, he’s a seasoned petrol-head, respected test rider and a handy off-roader, too.

www.mslmagazine.co.uk 3

Contents

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P28

16 NEWS & OPINION News

26

Latest products

28

14

60 years of dealing

38

24

Your letters

50

7

What’s been happening in motorcycling this month.

10

These items have got us excited this month.

The Hammond family have seen a lot of motorcyles over the years.

This is where MSL readers have their say.

110

Maynard Hershon

Working on your bike is not always the cheap option.

Subscription offer

Save £££ and get the magazine before it’s in the shops.

Competition

Your chance to win £1000 worth of BikeTrac security items.

The High Sider

Should race marshalls get paid for their excellent services?

38 TOURING & ADVENTURE 53

Touring news

54

Day ride

58

Mid ride

62

Long ride

68

Richard Millington

70

76 4 Motorcycle Sport & Leisure – established 1962

Special ride with a very brave MSL reader.

Crossing the Humber bridge – a lot!

Old bikes rule for a trip to France.

Riding to Istanbul 25 years ago was a bit different to now.

What’s the attraction of mega-miles riding?

Riding in India

The Himalayan is the perfect bike to ride in the Himalayas.

Events

This is what’s happening in October.

TEST FLEET 88

40 ROAD TESTS 16

30 40

82

91

Kymco AK550

92

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

Honda VFR800X & 1200X

93

Winterise your bike

Whether you ride in the winter or not, here’s what to do.

100 Buyer’s guide

Kawasaki Versys 1000 GT.

110 Classic test

Ducati 916 celebrates its 25th birthday.

100

Two-up on the super-scooter.

Yamaha Niken

Mossy celebrates a year of riding on three wheels.

94

Suzuki Katana

96

BMW R1250GS Adventure

The bike’s a beauty, but range anxiety soon hits.

Six months with the bike and still loving it.

97

Suzuki V-Strom

Stu tries to adapt from sports bikes to adventuring.

98

Honda CB500X

99

Triumph Scrambler 1200

Shining armour

How do you tell the good protectors from the bad?

Can a bike be too techy? Bertie finds out.

Getting the Bluetooth connection fixed pays off.

KTM 790 Duke

KNOWLEDGE 78

Kawasaki Versys 1000

It’s orange even when it’s naked.

The big adventure Hondas clock up the miles.

Tony heads straight to track with his new termer.

90

Royal Enfield Himalayan

16,000 miles on the little adventure bike.

Ducati Diavel

Welsh trip means lots of backroad scratching.

Matt has a fling with another Triumph.

117 Tried & tested

Leather jackets and other biking goodies tested.

122 Kevin Cameron

What will the future of transportation look like?

November 2019

EDITOR: Mikko Nieminen mnieminen@mortons.co.uk DESIGNERS: Charlotte Turnbull, Fran Lovely & Tracey Markham PRODUCTION EDITOR: Mike Cowton PICTURE DESK: Paul Fincham and Jonathan Schofield PUBLISHING DIRECTOR: Dan Savage PUBLISHER: Tim Hartley GROUP KEY ACCOUNTS MANAGER: Steff Woodhouse swoodhouse@mortons.co.uk 01507 529452 / 07786 334330 GROUP ADVERTISING MANAGER: Sue Keily DIVISIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER: Zoe Thurling zthurling@mortons.co.uk 01507 529412 ADVERTISING SALES: Charlotte Mountain cmountain@mortons.co.uk 01507 529538 SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER: Paul Deacon pdeacon@mortons.co.uk CIRCULATION MANAGER: Steve O’Hara sohara@mortons.co.uk MARKETING MANAGER: Charlotte Park cpark@mortons.co.uk COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: Nigel Hole EDITORIAL ADDRESS: MSL Magazine, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR WEBSITE: www.mslmagazine.co.uk GENERAL QUERIES AND BACK ISSUES: 01507 529529 24 hr answerphone help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk ARCHIVE ENQUIRIES: Jane Skayman jskayman@mortons.co.uk 01507 529423 SUBSCRIPTION: Full subscription rates (but see page 28 for offer): (12 months 12 issues, inc post and packing) – UK £51.60. Export rates are also available – see page 28 for more details.

UK subscriptions are zero-rated for the purposes of Value Added Tax. SUBSCRIPTION AGENTS: Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR CUSTOMER SERVICES NUMBER: 01507 529529 TELEPHONE LINES ARE OPEN: MONDAY-FRIDAY 8.30AM-5PM DISTRIBUTION: Marketforce UK Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HU. 0203 787 9001.

PRINTED: William Gibbons & Sons, Wolverhampton The publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If you are sending material to us for publication, you are strongly advised to make copies and to include a stamped addressed envelope. Original material must be submitted and will be accepted solely on the basis that the author accepts the assessment of the publisher as to its commercial value. © Mortons Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher. ISSN: 1478-8390 MOTORCYCLE SPORT & LEISURE (USPS:001-522) is published monthly by Mortons Media Group Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ UK. USA subscriptions are $66 per year from Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. Periodical Postage is paid at Bancroft WI and additional entries.

Postmaster: Send address changes to MOTORCYCLE SPORT & LEISURE, c/o Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. 715-572-4595 chris@ classicbikebooks.com

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NEW Need to know ◆ Your letters ◆ First rides

O.UK/WIN ◆ E.C IN AZ

THREE PAIRS OF TICKET

MOTORCYCLES TO LIVE

UP FOR GRABS

W W W .

IN ◆ MS /W LM UK AG O.

their free ticket.

Once your non-motorcycling mate has shown their licence (with no motorcycle category on there) and you've shown your full-price ticket and licence (with a motorcycle category on there), you'll get a free one – simple as that. It's then up to you and your mate how to split the cost.

With four halls filled with all the latest models from the top

W.MSLMAG AZ WW IN E. C

As a result, Motorcycle Live is now offering a limited number of FREE tickets to the show for non-motorcyclists on Thursday, November 21, 2019 (terms and conditions apply).

To claim a free ticket for Thursday, November 21, visitors are asked to purchase a full-price ticket – either in advance or on the day – and bring their ticket and their non-motorcycling mate to the Press Office to claim

WIN

◆

T

aking place at the NEC, Birmingham, between November 16-24, Motorcycle Live is an annual pilgrimage for bike enthusiasts across the country, But show organisers understand that there's always a non-biking mate that just needs to experience how great motorcycling is to make that step on to two wheels.

GAZINE.C LMA O.U MS K/ W. W W

IN

The UK's biggest motorcycle show, Motorcycle Live, is offering motorcyclists the opportunity to get their non-motorcycling mate into the show for FREE!

W

Bring your non-motorcycling mate to Motorcycle Live 2019 for FREE

manufacturers, 10 free opportunities to ride, non-stop live entertainment on stage and a chance to meet racers and biking celebrities, it's the place to be for motorcycle lovers and to show your mate how great two-wheels are.

Tickets also give visitors access to see the spectacular live stunt show in the Moto-Cirque Arena.

Start planning your day now as tickets are on sale. There are savings to be made too, with advance tickets priced at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors, £1 for 11-16 year olds.

Did we mention it's FREE for children aged five and under?

For the second year, there is also a £25 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and an Oxford Products Secure HD Max disc lock worth £25, which is collected at the show.

New for 2019, car parking has been subsidised by show organisers, with advance car parking £10 and £12 on the day.

Motorcycle parking is FREE, so why not kit your mate up and make them go pillion for the full experience and to save even more money!

To book or for more information, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

TERMS & CONDITIONS: For full terms and conditions, please see www.mslmagazine.co.uk/win The closing date for this competition is November 1, 2019.

www.mslmagazine.co.uk 7

Top Stories News in brief NEW COLOURS FOR YAMAHA R6, R3, R125

• For 2020 Yamaha's small-tomiddleweight supersports, the YZF-R6, YZF-R3 and YZF-R125, will be available in a number of new colour options. The bikes will also be featuring a new graphic design.

The R6 and R3 will be dressed in blue or black, while the R125 comes in blue, black or white.

The blue versions are in line with the current livery y of the Yamaha racing teams in the world championships.

INDIAN FTR1200 WHEELIES INTO RECORD BOOKS

• Cecil ‘Bubba’ Myers set two UK production bike speed records on the Indian FTR1200S at the World Wheelie Championships.

The first outing saw Bubba and the FTR 1200S (a production machine with the rear number plate hanger removed) register a 1 Mile Wheelie at 131.137mph.

They went on to set two UK speed records with a speed of 145.543mph to set the Flying Start 1/4 Mile record and 145.613mph to secure the Standing Start Mile record too, both in the production V-Twin up to 1350cc category.

Bubba commented: “The bike was pretty much standard compared to everything else out there over the weekend, so to set the speeds I did shows how much potential there is.”

2020 Honda Africa Twin breaks cover Honda’s adventure weapon gets even bigger, better and smarter It's a sure sign that the show season is fast approaching when details of next year's bikes are starting to emerge.

One of the first off the blocks is Honda with its Africa Twin. For 2020 the big adventurer comes in three different guises – the Africa Twin, Africa Twin Adventure Sports, and Africa Twin Adventure Sports with electronic suspension (featuring Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment).

All the models share the existing SOHC 8-valve parallel-twin engine, which hasn't changed too much apart from being Euro5 compliant and going up in displacement from 998cc to 1084cc. Peak power goes from 70kW to 75kW @ 7500rpm, and peak torque from 99Nm to 105Nm @ 6250rpm. To create the larger capacity, bore remains the same, but stroke is longer.

8 Mottorcyclle Sportt & Leiisure – esttablished 1962

2020 AFRICA TWIN

The 2020 CRF1100L Africa Twin is smaller, slimmer and 4kg lighter than the current model with a kerb weight of 226kg for the manual and 236kg for the DCT model. Tank size is 18.8 litres.

The frame has been completely revised and now features a bolt-on aluminium subframe.

The swingarm, too, is aluminium and based on that of the CRF450R moto-crosser. The addition of a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) controls the 7-level traction control, 3-level wheelie control, cornering ABS (with off-road setting), rear lift control and DCT cornering detection. An Off-road setting also joins the Urban, Tour and Gravel default riding modes.

The riding position features a 850-870mm high slimmer section seat and 22.5mm higher set handlebars. A full colour 6.5-inch TFT touch screen connects with Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth. Dual LED Dayt ytime t Running Lights (DRL) and cruise control is standard fit.

2020 AFRICA TWIN ADVENTURE SPORTS

The new CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports shares the new IMU, frame, engine and riding position of the standard Africa Twin, but boasts a larger 24.8 litre fuel tank, extended wind protection, height-adjustable screen, large engine sump guard, rear carrier, three-stage cornering lights, plus tubeless tyres. ACC charger and heated grips are also standard fit.

The Africa Twin Adventure Sports is also available with Showa EERA electric suspension as an option.

The Adventure Sports models have the same seat height as the standard bike (down from 900-920mm), and slightly less ground clearance than the current Adventure Sports model at 250mm (down from 270). These changes should make the bike more manageable for slightly shorter riders, too.

PRODUCTS

Things to wear ◆ Kit to know ◆ Things for your bike

Cardo’s Freecom 1+. Bluetooth Communication System RRP: €139.95 (£125.06) / www.pama.com Fancy a new Bluetooth compatible motorcycle communications system? Well, Cardo Systems Freecom 1+ could have just what 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 wireless communications systems for motorcyclists. And now it’s trying to find its place in the British market.

Cardo produces an eclectic range of communications systems, which come equipped with a mass of features. We’ve already taken a look at its top-of-the-line PackTalk Bold, but this time 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 with a built-in FM radio. It can also operatee as a two-way intercom with a pillion passenger (proving you’ve got a second unit), and even let you share your music as your 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 12 Volt charger.

Schuberth C4 PRO Carbon Helmet RRP: From £699.99 / www.bikerheadz.co.uk German helmet specialist 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.

Aside from its 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

10 Motorcycle Sport & Leisure – established 1962

and improved visor mechanism. The C4’s built-in communication system has been refined too, with the speakers 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, and the C4 PRO Carbon also comes with a five-year warranty when you register your helmet online.

KIT Oxford’s Original Approved Denim Jeans RRP: £119 / www.oxfordproducts.com It looks as though 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, although it’s their performance that we’re most excited about. And we reckon you will be, too.

With its new jeans, Oxford has made it clear that you don’t need to compromise safety if you want to look stylish on (and then 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 the Tarmac, they’ll still 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. Clever stuff. 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.

Alpinestars LIMITED EDITION Cal Crutchlow Supertech R Boots RRP: £430 / www.alpinestars.com To celebrate this season’s British MotoGP at Silverstone, Alpinestars has launched a new pair of Cal Crutchlow-inspired Supertech R boots.

Cal secured his place in British racing history when he gave a wet riding masterclass to take victory at the 2016 Czech Republic round, becoming the first Briton to win a premier class race since in 1981. He claimed 18 podiums, four poles and four fastest laps in his nine-year MotoGP career, as well as three WSBK wins, five WSS wins and the 2006 British Supersport title.

Paying tribute to Cal’s career, Alpinestars has just launched a set of new Limited Edition Supertech R race boots inspired by the man himself – with distinctive white, black and fl fluorescent yellow colour scheme, plus Union Jack detailing. And you can get your hands on a pair.

They’ll set you back $529.95 (around £430), so they’re not exactly cheap. But you get what you pay for, and the Supertech R is world renowned for being a top quality pair of boots. They’ve been used by the biggest and best bike racers for years.

Motul MC CARE Helmet and Visor Cleaner RRP: £5.49 / www.motul.com We all know the importance of looking after our bikes. A little bit of love and affection can make all the difference in how it holds up after months and years of use. And your kit’s exactly the same. It needs looking after. That’s where Motul’s

MC Care Helmet and Visor Cleaner comes in.

Fist launched in 2011, Motul’s MC CARE line was 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.

www.mslmagazine.co.uk 11

Top Stories Honda CB1100 RS goes custom To coincide with 50 years of the seminal CB750, Honda UK has partnered with 5Four Motorcycles to create a limited run of unique custom motorcycles The new Honda UK custom bike, the CB1100 RS 5Four, benefits from the current CB1100 RS's sporty steering geometry, Showa suspension, front radial-mount four-piston brakes and cast aluminium 17-inch wheels.

To up the ante, the individually numbered 54 custom units will boast a revised riding position with Renthal Ultra Low handlebars, Tomaselli racing grips, short racing brake levers and billet mirrors, all finished in black. The single seat is handstitched Alcantara and leather in a diamond stitch pattern. The footrest hangers are mirror-polished aluminium.

There’s no plastic to be seen either; the wind-cheating handlebar fairing and single seat tail unit are both handcrafted

Specification HONDA CB1100 RS 5FOUR ■ Price: £15,554 ■ Limited run of 54 units, based on the CB1100 RS. ■ 1980s works endurance racer-inspired paintwork.

■ Each machine individually numbered with 5Four badge.

■ Handmade aluminium single seat tailpiece with handstitched diamond-pattern Alcantara and leather seat cover.

from aluminium. A pair of titanium Urban Growler end-cans from Racefit are welded and engineered to look stunning and provide a deeply distinctive, spine-tingling sound. The bikes are available to order through the Honda dealer

network at £15,554, with PCP or personal loan purchase options available from Honda Finance.

The estimated delivery time is three months.

For further information, visit www.hondaengineroom.co.uk/ bikes/5four

■ Handcrafted aluminium handlebar fairing.

■ Racefit 4-2 Titanium end-cans.

■ Slimline mirrors, short race brake/clutch levers, Tomaselli racing grips and Renthal Ultra Low handlebars.

■ Mirror polished aluminium footrest hangers.

NEW Harley-Davidson revealls its 2020 line-up In addition to the all-new electric LiveWire, H-D’s confirmed it’s updating the Low Rider S and the Road Glide, as well as adding a new CVO Tri Glide trike to its range.

Harley is also introducing a new H-D Connect subscription-based smartphone service and its Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS), which offers new rider-control tech including traction control and advanced ABS.

NEW LOW RIDER S

There’s a new Rider S coming for 2020.

With a Milwaukee-Eight 114 powerplant fitted into a Softail chassis, it’s kitted out with premium suspension components, raised handlebars, mini fairing, solo seat and blacked-out finishes.

NEW TECH

The Connect service is essentially a subscription-based smartphone system, keeping riders remotely connected to their motorcycle. It can send tamper alerts and offer stolen vehicle assistance.

The Reflex Defensive Rider Systtems (RDRS) is a collection of technolo ogy which monitors traction during acceleration, deceleration and braaking.

NEW ROAD GLIDE

For 2020 the Road Glide Limited two-up tourer comes with painted d pin striping, a gloss-finish inner fairin ng, heated grips, Slicer II Contrast Brright wheels, a new tank and front and rear mudguard medallions. Powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, it allso gets premium touring suspensio on and electronic linked brakes with ABSS. And it comes with an infotainm mentt system with a colour touchscreen offering navigation, communication and entertainment options.

The Low Rider S gets a bigger eng gine and quality y susp pension

NEW CVO MODEL

Finally, there’s a CVO Tri Glidee trike joining the CVO Limited and CVO Street Glide models for 2020. Powered by a Milwaukee-Eight 117 pow wertrain, H-D’s limited production, prem mium CVO bikes are kitted out with extra technology, high-quality compo onents and premium finishes.

The CVO Tri Glide – when two wheels is just not enough

Top Stories

IN THE TRADE

A long and successful run in the business has given the Hammond family great insights into the changing world of motorcycling WORDS: Chris Moss PHOTOGRAPHY: Chris Moss & Hammond family

V

ery few motorcycle dealers can celebrate being in business for 60 years, but this year family-run bike dealer Peter Hammond Motorcycles in Cirencester is doing just that.

Surviving that long is an incredible achievement, made possible by lots of hard work, dedication and arguably some of the most important qualities of all – enough foresight and flexibility to cope with inevitable change.

Tricia Hammond and brother Dave, now at the helm of their late father’s business, which started in 1959, have seen just about everything during their

50 years in, the 2009 Yamaha R6 reflects the advances in bike development since BSA’s 1962 A10 650 twin was all the rage

time with bikes. She’s been with the firm for over 50 years, he’s worked there for 40.

They speak fondly of days gone by, providing a fascinating insight into how the trade used to be for them, and the way it compares with life in 2019.

Originally selling brands like Triumph, BSA, Enfield, James, and Puch, the shop then took on Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha franchises. With today’s six staff members having a total of 290 years of experience between them (two having been there

Back in 1984, bikes and hairstyles were a lot different!

14 Motorcycle Sport & Leisure – established 1962

since the early 60s), there’s a huge level of knowledge to draw on.

THE GOOD AND THE BAD

You soon realise not all memories are good of course, and there’s no doubt the halcyon days of big bike sales in the 70s – when 17 people worked at the shop – have probably gone forever. Several reasons lie behind the difficult periods, with government legislation and economic recession being the two most influential. It’s very obvious the bike trade is more challenging than it’s ever been.

Trish sums it up briefly.

“Motorcycling has changed massively during our time, the biggest difference being how it’s perceived. It’s now seen as a leisure activity, a passion. Back in our early days it was considered much more as a form of transport. The number of bikes we sold back then was way higher than it is now. One year in the mid-70s, between April and September, we sold over 400 bikes; around 250 new ones, and 150 used. It was hard keeping up with demand. On Saturdays, you could hardly move in here,” says Trish, referring to the Cirencester shop which has remained the firm’s

base since day one. “Bikes like Honda 400/4s, CB500Ts, CX500s, and Yamaha RD250 and 400s were good for us, though we used to sell a lot of smaller bikes on L-plates, too.

We’d order bikes like FS-1Es, 10 at a time. Trucks full of Honda Visions and C90s were constantly arriving. We couldn't get enough of them. That was before it started getting more difficult to ride.

“We’d sell lots of little bikes to ordinary people to run around on. But when the CBT licencing law came along in 1990, they couldn’t use their provisional licences any more so gave up bikes. Sales dropped significantly overnight. It put a lot of people off bikes, and was the start of change between them being used for transport and just for fun. The arrival of Japanese machines helped create more enthusiasts, who really appreciated their reliability.”

ADJUSTING TO CHANGE

Today’s market is a totally different one to that of those earlier boom years, something the Hammonds are all too aware of. “Looking back makes you realise how much harder it is today,” says former Dakar

NEW

After four decades of trading, founder Pete Hammond helps celebrate.

finisher Dave. “We’re only selling around a quarter of the bikes now, and the ratio of bigger bikes sales has become higher. FireBlades and R1s were good for us, though the bigger chain dealerships sold more than we did. We’re a small dealer concentrating on personal service, knowledge and experience. Our loyal customer base reflects that, with some of them still being with us after 40 years.

“Pressure from importers to conform to the more modern way of selling bikes with a ‘Visual Identity’ is now a big priority. We must stock the latest models, including those we know we’ll have trouble selling. Our showroom has to look like all other Yamaha dealers, which is also expensive, and we’re instructed to deal with customers in a prescribed fashion. This can be a little at odds with the more traditional way a long-established dealer like us prefers to do things. We know from experience what works for us. Mystery shoppers visit to test us, and make sure we’re following the importer’s sales guidelines and procedures.

It’s not like it used to be back in the boom years, and can be more a labour of love these days.

Staying alive in the trade is tough. There’s a lot of bureaucracy to deal with, which is trickier for a smaller franchised dealer like us.

Importers’ rulings can’t always

be met, and we parted company with Honda in 2002 because they wanted us to stock only new Hondas. Then in 2012 we split from Suzuki after it decided to trim down the number of its dealers significantly, though as sales of that brand are down hugely in this area that’s not turned out to be too bad.”

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE BIKE

Today when mechanics service bikes with laptops as much as spanners, customers are also very different. “Today, there are a lot less people coming through the door. They’re generally older, and more discerning with higher expectations than ever.

Their internet research makes them very knowledgeable, and they know what they want.

Look carefully and you’ll see both Hondas and Suzukis on sale.

You wouldn’t find the same amount of parking space today!

“Customer care matters more than ever, and we need to spend a lot of time with them getting things right. They want the whole motorcycling experience, not just the bike.

“We think we can provide that and several of our customers like the fact that ‘we’re a proper bike shop’,” says Dave.

Wise to the need to be diverse, it’s not just new bike sales that Hammond’s specialise in these days. The used market is very important for business, and expertise with older British bikes, including some more specialised engineering, plays a key part, too. Of course, no one can predict what the future will bring, though one thing that can be guaranteed is that biking will continue to change, just as it

BSA Bantam, Honda Express, OK Supreme, or 2019 Yamahas, Hammond’s has ’em all!

always has. Do the Hammonds think the years ahead will be bright? “The advent of electric bikes could change things, though until Brexit is sorted there’ll be uncertainty,” says Trish. “I see the future as a limited market, with sales figures similar to what they are today,” adds Dave, though both think the Government could improve matters considerably if it considered and promoted motorcycling more.

With Dave adding that he’d like to see his business continuing, it’s a fair bet the shop’s 60th birthday won’t be the last significant anniversary.

Though whether Trish will see the likes of Valentino Rossi perched on the end of her desk like Barry Sheene once was in the early 80s is less likely!

Spot the difference. Trish and Dave compare a 1998’s FireBlade to the oddball Niken

www.mslmagazine.co.uk 15

Road Test Royal Enfield Himalayan

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS 16,000 miles on the Himalayan reveals a classic overland travel bike

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS: Nathan Millward

E

xpectations are seldom met, let alone exceeded.

That personally rings true of the adventure market where arguably we’ve reached a point of stagnation.

Manufacturers are throwing more power and gadgets at the bikes, but they’re not really becoming any more useful for the act of travel. They’re also becoming ever more expensive and if you’re softening that blow through PCP then the fear of getting out and using the thing is increasing.

Mileage and damage are more detrimental than ever, which is hardly conducive to free-spirited adventure.

It’s why the Royal Enfield Himalayan intrigued me, especially when confirmed to have a price tag of

just £3999. It seemed too good to be true. A versatile small capacity bike, not lacking in basic appeal, yet undercutting the other small capacity adventure machines by at least £600 (Honda CRF250L and Suzuki V-Strom 250), and as much as £1200 in some cases (Kawasaki Versys-X 300, BMW G310GS). Equally, you could have four for the price of a well specced R1200GS, or, buy a

Himalayan and use the rest to take it around the world.

Certainly, it didn’t have the best of reputations after its launch in India two years ago, suffering a ream of issues that caused the manufacturer to halt the production line and to correct a reported 36 faults. That gave birth to the BS4 model (up from the BS3) and with it came EFI and ABS for the export markets. So, intrigued by the bike I bought one, one of the first in the country and sat patiently

Himalayan looks the part with its utilitarian design.

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