On Two Wheels January 2019

YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE ON TWO WHEELS January 2019 Issue 20

Keep your skin on!

W hile there’ s no legal req uirement to wear a motorcycle jacket, investing in this vital piece of clothing is recommended.

On Two Wheels

Learners

Commuters

Buying

Riding

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BIKES REVIEWED IN THIS ISSUE

Aprilia SX 125 A supermoto screamer…

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O2W’s

OF Herald Classic Scrambler 125

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C apable, reliable and great- looking

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Rain, rain, go away!

IAM RoadSmart offers some sound advice for riding in the rain PAGE 24

INSIDE: NEWS ● EVENTS ● NEW PRODUCTS ● LEGAL ADVICE ● E-BIKE NEWS ● RIDING TIPS ● PRODUCT REVIEWS ● CLASSIFIED ADS ● PLUS MUCH MORE

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NEWS

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Latest Versys-X 300 revealed

Kawasaki is updating its Versys X-300, unveiling new model variants and colour schemes for its dual-purpose mini-adventure machine.

First introduced a couple of years ago, along with a host of other smaller capacity adventureoriented machines the widely praised Versys-X 300 is actually not changing that much for 2019 – it receives a couple of new ‘SE’ paint schemes and will be available in Candy Lime Green/ Metallic Flat Spark or Black Metallic Moondust Grey/Metallic Flat Spark Black – while its Adventure and Urban variants offer all the equipment necessary, either for your commute or next big trip.

At this stage we’re still waiting for Kawasaki to confirm the UK price and availability, but we’d expect it come in around £5500 when it finally makes it into the showrooms.

• Info: www. kawasaki.co.uk

RRP: £14.50 (plus £2 p&p)

On Two Wheels

On2Wheels, The Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 529529 Email: editor@o2w.co.uk On2Wheels is published by Mortons Media Group Ltd and printed by Mortons Print

through Europe, before passing through the hot, dusty deserts of Kazakhstan and the freezing grey wastelands of Siberia on their way to Vladivostock, before crossing the ocean to ride from one side of America to the other. The journey, fraught with challenges, tested the duo mentally and emotionally – and pushed their friendship to breaking point. This is their story.

• Info: www.worldsfair.co.uk

Editor: Mau Spencer Publisher: Dan Savage Staff writer: Ross Mowbray Contributors: Dave Bell, Gary Chapman, Simon Hargreaves, Dave Manning, Andrew ‘Chef’ Prendergast, Jonathan Schofield, Video Biker.

Apologies to anyone we’ve forgotten.

Editorial design: Fran Lovely Picture desk: Paul Fincham and Jonathan Schofield Production editor: Dan Sharp Divisional advertising manager: Zoe Thurling 01507 529412 Marketing manager: Charlotte Park Commercial director: Nigel Hole Customer services number: 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open Monday-Friday 8.30am-6pm, Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm

First announced at the 2018 EICMA International Motorcycle Show, KYMCO’s SuperNEX was unveiled to the UK public on their stand at Motorcycle Live – and O2W was on hand to record the occasion.

According to KYMCO, the SuperNEX has a revolutionary six-speed transmission that allows riders to make use of the most optimal power band of the motor to extract the full potential of the vehicle. The gears help improve not only efficiency and responsiveness, but also acceleration and top speed. As a result, KYMCO claims the SuperNEX can go from 0 to 100kph in 2.9 seconds; from 0 to 200kph in 7.5 seconds; and from 0 to 250kph in 10.9 seconds.

Go to www.o2w.co.uk and watch our video to see what you think of it.

Build your own ELECTRIC Honda Cub

Riding on a wing and a prayer With no experience of motorbike riding and little experience of foreign travel, best mates Kurtis Murphy and Dave Snelling decided it would be a good idea to embark on an epic motorcycle journey around the world.

What could possibly go wrong?

Riding the World on a Wing and a Prayer tells the tale of two childhood best friends traversing the world on a pair of Suzuki V-Stroms. Setting off from Morecombe and meandering

Does KYMCO’s new SuperNEX show the future for e-bikes?

Zero to 80% battery charge in 15 minutes Beijing-based Evoke Motorcycles has announced that it’s testing a new second generation modular battery for its electric motorcycles. The new batteries are designed to allow for ultra-fast charging – and Evoke claims that they can be recharged from 0-80% in just 15 minutes.

The batteries incorporate a number of new advancements, including a proprietary active thermal management system – which works using a combination of software and hardware to precisely control the temperature range of the Li-ion 18650 battery cells, and helps to increase the life of Evoke’s battery packs.

Evoke’s second generation, fast charging batteries are designed as a modular system, and as a consequence can be used in a variety of different applications by being daisychained together for use in other small and medium-size electric vehicles.

• Info: www.evokemotorcycles. co.uk

Shanghai Customs has made a name for itself over the last few years by creating an eclectic mix of electric one-off specials – and now, the fledgling brand has unveiled a kit which allows you to covert an old Honda Cub to electric.

The Honda Cub is a tour-de-force in the two-wheel world. With more than 100 million units sold since its introduction in 1958, you can buy a Cub for reasonable money almost anywhere in the world – which is exactly the reason Shanghai Customs has chosen it as the base bike for its new electric conversion kit.

All you need to crack on with the conversion is a solid frame and some forks, because the Shanghai Customs kit provides absolutely everything else. That’s because the ultimate goal is to reuse and repurpose old Cubs rather than crank out another

Chinese electric scooter. Essentially, the Shanghai Customs eCUB Kit is an all-inclusive package which allows Honda Cub owners with basic mechanical skills and hand tools to convert their pride and joy from petrol to electric. And SH reckons you’ll be able to build your new bike in less than a day.

• Info: www.sh-customs.com

HMC showcases British engineered Brute 500 Herald Motor Co has just showcased three new motorbikes at Motorcycle Live: the British designed and engineered Brute 500, the Café 400 and the Brat.

The Brute 500 is Herald’s modern take on the street tracker; it has been engineered and built in-house from the ground up at their site in Cambridgeshire. Featuring a single four-stroke 449cc engine, the bike

also has adjustable Racetek front and rear suspension with HMC’s own unique floating-shock linkage system. The Brute is the first bike to be designed and built at their headquarters. Having completed the prototype, the next stage is final testing and development ready for sales in late 2019.

• Info: www.heraldmotorcompany. com

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NEWS

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“Debate the clock change – and save lives”

Honda showcases two new 125cc design concept bikes H onda has revealed two new 1 2 5 cc design studies built by the J apanese rm í s R& D centre in Rome: Both versions ñ the C B1 2 5 X and C B1 2 5 M ñ take H ondaí s 2 0 1 8 C B1 2 5 R as their base platform.

T he 1 2 5 cc segment of the market has enj oyed a renaissance in recent years, with 2 5 % growth in the E uropean market in 2 0 1 8 ; the concept models, designed by P roj ect L eader V alerio Aiello and his team, offer two different takes.

T he C B1 2 5 M is a naked street≠ focused machine in brilliant red, with more than a hint of ë super≠ motardí in

its design. T he futuristic lines are minimalist with a seat section that runs seamlessly into a short, high tail, and a miniscule L E D headlight.

T he all≠ white C B1 2 5 X , meanwhile, is clearly an adventure≠ focused ë X í model which H onda says: ì Bring to mind the world of science ctionî .

T he front of the C B1 2 5 X has a pretty funky set of three lights: one central and one tucked inside each side fairing. H onda says that the L E D items have been tted this way to give an added sense of safety while still looking a touch left≠ eld ( our phrase, not theirs) .

National accident prevention charity RoSPA has come out in support of a plan to change the current daylight savings system – claiming that a move to British Summer Time (GMT+1) all year could save many lives by providing an extra hour of daylight through the autumn and winter.

Until recently, RoSPA has been seeking a trial of Single/Double Summer Time (SDST) – which would see the clock change retained, but put the country an extra hour ahead, creating extra daylight in the

Super Soco has unveiled two new e-bikes

The Kawasaki W800 is back

One of the most enduring and identifiable Kawasaki motorcycle families, the Kawasaki parallel twin, air-cooled W stable will house two more thoroughbreds in 2019, which will bear the names W800 Street and W800 CAFE. Having very little in common with previous iterations, the newly born Euro 4 compliant twins are '90% new' with a whole host of styling, technical and practical changes according to Kawasaki. Sharing a completely new chassis, each machine has new

brakes – including a rear disc for the first time on a W – as well as ABS and LED lighting.

Celebrating the fact that the “original never goes out of style” both the “stripped for action” 773cc bevel driven camshaft W800 Street and the W800 CAFE can trace their roots back over half a century to the original W1 650 from 1966; at that point in time it was the largest capacity four-stroke machine manufactured in Japan.

At this stage, no price has yet been announced by Kawasaki.

Super Soco’s new TC-Max (above) offers a top speed of over 60mph and acceleration to rival the fastest petrol 125cc bikes. The removable, 72v and 45Ah lithium-ion battery fully charges in four-and-half hours and offers a maximum range of 80 miles. It comes with Brembo hydraulic brakes and a combined braking system. Target cost is £3999 (after government grant, to be confirmed).

Both the CU-X and TC-Max will be compatible with the Soco App, allowing riders to stay fully in tune with their machine; synchronising

MotoGP-inspired YZF-R3

evenings when the number of casualties is highest.

According RoSPA figures, each year when the clocks go back in the autumn, there’s a marked spike in the number of vulnerable road users killed and seriously injured. In 2017, pedestrian deaths rose from 37 in September to 46 in October, 63 in November and 50 in December.

The casualty rate for all road users increased from 520 per billion vehicle miles in October, to 580 per billion vehicle miles in November.

Latest Super Soco e-bikes revealed

battery information automatically, providing real-time location tracking and intelligent vehicle fault warnings.

The all-new CU-X scooter (below) features a 1.3kW Bosch motor and weighs just 70kg, offering riders up to 40 miles range. It features a carbon structural steel frame, all-in-one wing-style LED tail lights and an intelligent high-brightness dash display. It will be available in Moonlight White, Ferrarier Red, Starlight Silver and Space Gray and will cost £2099 (after government grant).

• Info: www. supersoco. co.uk

Yamaha’s new entry-level R3 sportbike comes with a range of upgrades which improve rider comfort and control, as well as it receiving a bit of a makeover to bring it in line with rest of the YZF range.

The new R3 comes with fresh KYB 37mm USD forks – along with a new triple clamp. Plus, the handlebar position is 22mm lower, putting riders more in the machine than on top of it. Yamaha has also revised the shape of the fuel tank which is 31.4mm wider above the knee and 20mm lower at the fuel cap. It also comes with new front LED headlights, and an updated LCD instrument panel.

• Info: www.yamaha-motor.eu

Honda’s CB500 range get aggressive new looks

H ondaí s C B5 0 0 F A2 ≠ compatible naked has been given an aggressive look and new tapered handlebars. Its twin≠ cylinder engine now has more ( claimed) low≠ to≠ mid range power and torq ue and is also kitted out with an assist and slipper clutch. L C D instruments and L E D indicators round out the 2 0 1 9 updates. It will be available in Grand P rix Red, Matt Gunpowder, Black Metallic, P earl Metalloid White or C andy E nergy O range.

T he C BR5 0 0 R ë pocket rocketí gets an aggressive, aerodynamically≠ driven sports makeover, plus a racier riding position. T he engine has more low≠ to≠ mid range power and torq ue, and is also now eq uipped with an assist/ slipper clutch. N ew L C D instruments and L E D indicators complete the updates. While its engine maintains the 3 5 kW req uired for A2 licence holders, it now makes 4 % more power and torq ue between 3 0 0 0 rpm and 7 0 0 0 rpm thanks to inlet, exhaust and valve timing revisions. It also now features an assist/ slipper clutch.

T he C B5 0 0 X gets new off≠ road styling and improved wind protection plus longer travel suspension, 1 9 in front wheel and tapered handlebars. Its twin≠ cylinder engine has more low≠ to mid≠ range power and torq ue, and is now also eq uipped with an assist/ slipper clutch.

N ew L C D instruments and L E D indicators are also among the updates. N o prices have been announced as yet.

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Shoei Neotec II Helmet RRP: from £519.99 I Reviewer: Ross When Shoei unveiled its updated Neotec II flip-front helmet in 2018, it was to fill the shoes of its predecessor, the hugely successful Neotec I. I rode close to 2000 miles in the updated Neotec II lid – and honestly, I’ve got nothing but positive things to say about it. From the ice-topped mountains of Austria, to the sunshine baked coast of northern Spain, the updated helmet held its own and handled a range of changes in temperature and humidity, and plenty of hammering rain. It’s very capable; in fact, I actually had the previous generation Neotec I, and was hugely impressed with it at the time.

It became my go-to lid for over a year, thanks to its comfort, ventilation and flip-front versatility – and the Neotec II is even better.

Despite its name, the Neotec II has had much more than a simple upgrade. It’s packed with innovative new technologies – which work to offer various improvements in safety, ventilation, isolation, visor mechanism, visibility and comfort.

The new Neotec II is made from Shoei’s extremely strong AIM (Advanced Integrated Matrix) material, and features a shock absorption liner. The inner shell of double density EPS is engineered to absorb different impact scenarios, helping the Neotec II to offer unrivalled protection – but the most notable changes for me are the new Neotec’s completely revamped acoustics, and an updated ventilation system.

BEST KIT OF 2018 Firstly, the Neotec comes with Shoei’s ’Noise Isolators’ which sit in the cheek pads of the helmet and help to offer a big decrease in the amount of external noise that gets through.

Plus all air flow through the slider mechanism of the integrated sun-visor has been eliminated – helping to offer a very quiet riding experience (according to Shoei). And in practice, it’s probably one of the quietest helmets I’ve worn.

The air intakes have been redesigned too, with renewed air inlets on the chin, forehead and backside. They work well, and kept me cool in baking sunshine in northern Spain. The front ventilation on the Neotec II is operated by a glovefriendly panel on the inside, while the top is operated with a smart slider; which is very easy to use.

Shoei’s patented CNS-3 visor is another new addition to the Neotec.

The clever system ensures that the UV-resistant anti-condensation Pinlock visor – when closing – fully connects with visor mechanism and is completely air-tight. It works really well, and I’ve had no problems with the visor fogging in a range of conditions.

The flip front mechanism is easy to use, operated with a simple latch on the chin, which can be used while comfortably while you are still wearing your gloves – and best of all, the Neotec II is homologated for use in both open and closed positions – so you can use it as an open face lid; perfect for when you’re passing through a town or village.

Crave Denim Kevlar Shirt

RRP: £259 I Reviewer: Ross T he C rave Bear Kevlar shirt is a clever bit of kit that lookss good both on ining which and off the motorcycle ñ and comes with a full Kevlar lining should help keep your skin intact if you crash. D uring the rching incredible summer heatwave we had this year, with scorching weather nearly every day, it was always the j acket that I reached for rst.

Ití s a simple, but well≠ eq uipped j acket and comes with a full para≠ aramid anti≠ abrasion layer ( Kevlar) and micro bree lining layer for breathability ñ like I said, perfect for the summer. Additionally, there are pockets for C E protection n on the shoulders and back, and room for D 3 0 protectors on the elbows. Admittedly, Ií ve been wearing the j acket with o an armoured base layer underneath ñ but if youí re going to do that, you might need to go one siz e up to ensure thereíí s room. T hereí s also a phone/ wallet pocket on the sleeve, one z ipped inner pockets and two small breast pockets.

In short, this handmade j acket from C rave is a fantastic piece of kit. Ití s not cheap, I know ñ but ití s stylish, lightweight, comfortable, and doesní t look out of place on or off the bike. I love it.

• Info: www.dot4distribution.com

Here at O2W we tested a lot of bike kit during 2018, but there were a few items that stood out as being our favourites.

Airoh Valor Eclipse Helmet met RRP: £129.99 I Reviewer: Ross Shoei’s new Neotec II offers everything you could want from a good helmet in addition to protection – it is quiet, comfortable and well-ventilated – and this is reflected in the price, as you might expect.

• Info: www.shoeiassured.co.uk

I’m quite partial to an Airoh lid. In 2017 I wore the Italian brand’s ST701 sports-touring oriented helmet religiously – and found myself very impressed with its comfort, styling and versatility. And since I liked it so much, I thought I better treat myself to another Airoh – this time though, I wanted something a bit cheaper, and lower down its pecking order. Enter the Airoh Valor.

Almost three times cheaper than the ST701 – the Valor still comes packed with all you need to help keep your noggin safe out on the road (or track – as it’s actually ACU Gold stamped too). And best of all, it looks great too. I opted for the Eclipse colourway, which blends flashes of orange across a grey background – on its sharp, angular, aggressive shell.

After around 1000 miles on the road with the Valor on my head – I’ve got nothing but nice things to say about the reasonably priced helmet. Okay, so it’s not quite as refined as an expensive lid from one of the bigger players in the helmet game – but it’s not going to be is it?

For the money, it’s impressive – it’s quiet, well ventilated with a wide field of vision (with a Pinlock-ready visor), and I found it really comfortable too.

Changing visors is also a doddle, thanks to its intuitive locking mechanism, that’ll only take a couple of attempts before becoming second nature. And it also comes with a removable and washable lining, and a micrometric retention system.

For £120, I don’t know if you could do much better.

• Info: www.bikeittrade.com

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TU Handwarm heated gloves RRP: £169.99 I Reviewer: Mau T hese gloves arrived for review towards the end of 2 0 1 8 ñ j ust in time as riding conditions at this time of year can be a little chilly and your hands are out on the end of your handlebars, exposed to all the elements that winter can throw at you.

And if your ngers get too cold, then this could affect your reaction time, especially in an emergency scenario.

H eated gloves help to solve this problem; however, some of those available will leave you with trailing wires to your battery or to a tted charging point. T hese H andwarm heated gloves from T ucano U rbano address that situation with the tting of a 7 .4 v lithium rechargeable battery inside each of the actual gloves themselves, thus doing away with the aforementioned scenario.

T he gloves are manufactured with a faux suede palm aand a back panel constructed in a N eoprene effec effect technical fabric with goat leather inserts and a micro bre lining. T o help keep your hands war warm and comfortable, they also come with P rrimaloftÆ thermal padding, plus a H ydroscud waterproof and breathable inner membrane. T hese gloves are ë touchscreení and are C E approved to meet E N 1 3 5 9 4 :2 0 1 5 ñ C E safety standards for motorcycle gloves; they also have type≠

Black Ballistic Motorcycle Jeans RRP: £79.99 I Reviewer: Ross I put Blackí s all≠ new ballistic motorcycle j eans through their paces during 2 0 1 8 . T he rst motorcycle j eans to be added to the Black range, theyí re priced very reasonably, and come eq uipped with plenty of features to protect you should you need them to.

T hey are lined with 2 5 0 gsm D uP ont Kevlar bres in all key abrasion areas ñ which is discreetly stitched, offering

the welcome illusion that youí re simply wearing a pair of fashion j eans. And thereí s pockets for knee protection too.

Best of all though, theyí re very comfortable ñ and I found the t was perfect for me , thanks to the short, standard and long leg options.

At a relatively affordable price, these are good≠ looking j eans with the appropriate built≠ in protection.

• Info: www.ghostbikes.com

approved soft protection built into the knuckles.

O ther features include a long cuff to t over your j acket sleeves which helps to keep the wind at bay; tting can be adj usted via the elasticated adj ustment and the gloves are held in place by a strong V elcro strap.

Before trying the gloves out, I charged the batteries overnight using the supplied dual battery charger. F itting the batteries into the gloves next morning was a relatively easy j ob, as they only t one way into their pouch ( put them in wrong and you caní t seal the waterproof compartment properly) . N ow ready for use, I tried them on; the weight and position of the batteries made them feel a little strange and heavy at rst, but it didní t take too long to get used to them.

E ach glove is tted with a simple ë on/ offí switch and they have no heat selection levels, so are either ë oní or ë offí . T he heat pads are tted to the palm and the ngers and provided with a reasonable amount of heat to both areas; I also found that the harder you gripped the palm, the more heat you seemed to feel in that area.

If you ride a lot in severe winter conditions, then you might want to consider upgrading these gloves to a more expensive pair that might give you a wider range of heat control settings ñ but for commuting and mid≠ range j ourneys, they proved to be more than adeq uate for the j ob. I think they are well worth their fairly reasonable price. O ne word of warning though; you might want to disconnect the batteries if youí re thinking of stuffing them in your helmet when not in use, as ití s very easy for them to be switched on accidentally ñ and you doní t want to end up with cold hands.

• Info: www.tucanourbano.com/gb/

TCX Hero Gore-Tex Boots RRP: £219.99 I Reviewer: Ross Italian footwear specialist TCX introduced these Gore-Tex waterproof boots to its ever expanding urban line in 2018. The Hero is a casually-styled boot with a retro/vintage aesthetic – styled to look just as good on the bike as off it, while offering ample protection too. And they do the job well. The soles offer plenty of grip, the toes and heels are reinforced, and there’s extra padding for gear selection – so these TCX Hero boots offer everything you’d need from fashion-styled motorcycle footwear. Plus, they’re waterproof and have held up in some pretty torrential downpours so far.

Arguably most important is the fact that they are packed with all the necessary safety features to give you peace of mind out on the tarmac, as well as being really comfortable.

They’re easy to put on, thanks to a small zip on the inside which is sealed with Velcro at the top. And the quality leather that they’re made from doesn't take much bedding in either – so they are comfortable pretty much straight out of the box.

Certainly, they’re priced at the higher end of the scale for what’s widely considered to be a fashion boot, but looks can be deceiving – and if you’re after a pair of multi-purpose boots that look fantastic both on and off the bike, and which promise to offer the protection you need out on two wheels, you should definitely take a look at these boots.

• Info: www.nevis.uk.com

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AT A GLANCE

Yamaha NMAX 125

A premium entry-level scooter that combines punchy performance and excellent economy with a dynamic style and day-to-day practicality.

IN DETAIL: 1 125cc liquid-cooled, single cylinder, four-stroke engine 2 LED lights, front and rear 3 Telescopic front forks with 100mm travel 4 Unit swing rear suspension, 90mm travel 5 230mm single discs, front and rear 6 Lightweight cast alloy 13in wheels 7 765mm seat height 8 6.6 litre fuel tank capacity WE SAY: “This sporty city scooter brings premium design to the entry level 125cc category”

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RECOMMENDED PRICE: £2999 upwards (incl VAT + OTR charges)

8 CONTACT: CONTACT: www.yamaha-motor.eu

4 O2W RATING*: *Currently untested

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BEST BIKES OF 2018

SWM Six Days

RETRO

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RRP: £5499

It looks the business, doesn’t it? With styling which harks back to the Enduro machines of yesteryear, with its low, bench-style seat, knobby tyres on wire wheels, twin-shock suspension, gaitered forks, upswept twin exhausts, raised bars and punchy single cylinder powerplant.

The Six Days is powered by SWM’s 445.3cc air- and oil-cooled, fourstroke, SOHC, four-valve, fuelinjected, single-cylinder engine. It’s a punchy little engine, kicking out 30bhp and 35.8Nm of torque at 5300rpm, with a top speed of around 80mph. Power delivery can be a little snatchy low down in the rev-range, and the engine is much more responsive if you work it harder.

There’s plenty of mid-range torque though, allowing you to accelerate out of corners and overtake with confidence. Basically, once you get used to where the power is available, the little SWM is a joy to ride.

It sounds fantastic too, with a distinctive single-cylinder growl emanating from its twin, upswept exhausts.

It’s also very comfortable, with an upright, relaxed riding position, low seat and wide bars – and because of the bench-style seat, you can slide forward and back to find a comfortable riding position. It corners surprisingly well too – despite its 19in front wheel and knobbly Pirelli MT-60 tyres, there’s no vagueness from the front end, and it turns lightly into corners and holds its line well at deep lean angles.

Off-road, the SWM is great fun too.

Of course, you can’t expect serious levels of performance – mostly as a result of its short suspension travel.

So no big jumps – but it’s quite happy tackling some niggly green lanes and single tracks. It’ll probably surprise you with just how capable it is on the dirt – I know it did me.

• Info: www.swmmotorcycles.co.uk

Ross highlights his favourites from the many bike reviews he carried out during 2018.

BMW C400X

P hotos doní t q uite do the little scooter j ustice. Ití s aggressive, almost muscular front end is undeniably a BMW ñ in fact, it even shares the same headlight unit as the new F 8 5 0 GS . O verall build q uality is good too, as youí d expect from a BMW. Interestingly though, the machine is made in C hina on a dedicated BMW production line at L oncin. D oní t worry though; they know what theyí re doing; they used to build BMWí s almost indestructible F 6 5 0 GS .

S ettling into the seat for the rst time, the C 4 0 0 X is exceptionally comfortable with a very natural riding position. It comes with a 7 5 5 mm seat height as standard, and although it doesní t offer the roomiest of footwells, thereí s ample space to get settled. It weighs 2 0 4 kg, but ití s so well balanced and well≠ built that it never truly feels ë bigí .

Whatí s it like to ride? F irst, letí s talk about the heart of the BMW C 4 0 0 X ; its 3 5 0 cc powerplant with C V T ( twist and go) transmission. In practice, ití s a capable little motor, helping the scoot

RRP: £6199

to be sharp off the line and get the j ump on traffic, while delivering good levels of torq ue right through the rev range up to an indicated top speed of 8 6 mph. P lus, BMW reckons ití ll return 8 0 mpg and a tank range of over 2 2 0 miles. N ot bad at all.

F rom a handling perspective, the C 4 0 0 X is at the top of its game. Ií ve spent a fair bit of time on some of its mid≠ siz ed scooter competition and I reckon the BMW is the most agile out of the lot. It handled long sweeping twisties and tight switchbacks even better than I thought it would ñ and in traffic ití s truly brilliant, with a tight turning circle and easy handling.

Motorway work is easy too, even as you push the 3 5 0 cc engine right to the top of its power band. T he engine never feels all that stressed, ití s stable and assured, and the wind protection isní t too bad either.

T he C 4 0 0 X is very well built. It handles well, stops well, and the engine is punchy and capable. S ure, thereí s a little less underseat storage than some of its competition, but ití s also lighter, narrower and more agile than them too. It all depends on your priorities. If youí re looking for a new set of wheels to get you around in style, the BMW C 4 0 0 X could be the motor for you.

• Info: www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en

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Sinnis Terrain Looking at the Sinnis Terrain in the flesh for the first time, there’s no denying it’s a good-looking machine – and for a mini-adventure bike on a budget it truly looks the business; in fact, you’d easily be forgiven for thinking there’s more than 125cc on offer with its big-bike styling disguising its limited learner-friendly power output. It’s equipped with all

the typical adventure-style add-ons as well, including crash bars, a taller screen, full luggage set, a USB charging port, a bash plate, and it’s even got an adventure beak on it.

Personally, I reckon its easy-going, confidence-inspiring nature would help to make the Terrain a great first motorcycle for those on a CBT. Alternatively, I could see it ticking

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boxes for an older rider who wants adventure-styling, without having to clamber over a gigantic adventure bike. It offers comfort, responsive power delivery low down, nimble handling and fantastic fuel economy. And let’s not forget, Sinnis has tested the bike comprehensively in the hills, green lanes and mountains of Wales to help prove its reliability and competence in the saturated adventure bike market.

So if you’re looking for a smallcapacity, lightweight, affordable machine that’ll handle some commuting, slow-paced touring, or even a few green-lanes, the Sinnis Terrain 125 is definitely worth a look.

• Info: www.sinnismotorcycles.com

RRP: £2400

ADVENTURE

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Honda Monkey 125 With its chunky tyres, mini≠ ë apeí style handlebars, miniscule fuel tank and big, sq uashy seat, the Monkey is arguably one of the most iconic motorcycles in existence. And now, H ondaí s mini≠ bike has been re≠ imagined for the present day ñ with styling that draws heavily on the original, complemented by modern, premium touches such as U S D forks, twin rear shocks, L C D instruments, IMU ≠ based ABS and full L E D lighting.

T he new Monkey is a long way from the original 1 9 6 1 machine; ití s no longer a toy or a novelty and ití s much bigger than you remember. Ití s a proper bike, along the lines of H ondaí s hugely successful MS X 1 2 5 ( or Grom) . As youí d hope and expect, H onda has worked hard to ensure the styling stays true to the original Monkey, despite its increase in siz e ñ and ití s done a hell of a j ob.

O ut on the road, the little Monkey is eq ually impressive. Ití s powered by

RRP: £3699

A1

LICENCE

COMMUTER

H ondaí s tried and tested horiz ontal S O H C 1 2 5 cc single≠ cylinder engine ( the same as the Grom) . Ití s a peach of an engine ñ simple, robust and tuned to deliver useful about≠ town performance, offering 6 .9 kW of power at 7 0 0 0 rpm and 1 1 N m of torq ue at 5 2 5 0 rpm. In practice, ití s perfect for bombing around town, with plenty of beans to help you get the j ump on traffic and enough grunt to let you stay with traffic up to around 5 0 mph. It might do more, but we simply didní t get a chance to stretch its legs beyond the ring roads of L ondon, and discover its true top speed.

Another highlight of the Monkey is its fuel efficiency. O ne full tank should hold enough for close to 2 2 0 miles of riding ñ which translates to close to almost 1 9 0 mpg. T hatí s bloody good. We left Ace C afÈ at about 9 am with a full tank and rode across L ondon ( with a couple of stops) until 4 pm and the fuel gauge had barely moved.

I love the new H onda Monkey. I was a fan when I rst saw it ñ and after spending a full day in L ondon ( and an evening in N ice) putting the stylish little urban commuter through its paces, I think Ií m in love. Ití s not for everyone, granted ñ but ití s re ned, capable and very comfortable, and if you were doing a lot of close q uarters riding in towns and cities, I doní t really know why youí d want anything else. If I lived in L ondon and needed to commute round the city, Ií d have one in a heartbeat.

• Info: www.honda.co.uk/bikes

Herald Maverick 125

NIU N1

RETRO

A1

LICENCE There’s no denying the Herald Maverick is a really cool-looking motorcycle.

Of course, there’s an abundance of retro-styled machines from a variety of importers available on the UK market – but in my opinion, the Herald manages to stand out from the crop, thanks to its Sixties scrambler styling, which is set-off by its side-number boards and spoked wheels clad with knobbly tyres.

For a ‘little’ 125cc machine, the Maverick is notably tall with its seat standing proud at 885mm. At 6ft 1in with a 33in inside leg, I could get both feet flat on the floor with ease, but I’ve a feeling shorter riders might not find it quite so easy to clamber aboard. But, thanks to its low weight (121kg), even the shortest of riders should be able to lean the Maverick over and get one foot down. Equipment-wise, the Maverick is fairly Spartan (as you’d expect considering its

overall retro-styling), but it comes with everything you need, including an electric starter, LED indicators, a custom LED tail-light, and Euro 4 compliant linked braking system (with braided brake lines). There’s even a bash plate and adjustable front suspension too.

The Maverick is powered by a four-stroke 125cc engine, which kicks-out a maximum of 9.8bhp and will reach speeds of around 50mph – so you’re probably not going to be winning any races, or even overtaking anything much quicker than a tractor. But that’s not what the Maverick is for. To my mind, it’s a stylish commuter that comes into its own in an urban environment. It’s plenty powerful enough to get the jump on traffic at lights, and light and agile enough to make filtering an absolute doddle – but best of all, the power delivery is smooth, so even the newest of riders shouldn’t find the Maverick intimidating.

Okay, so the Maverick doesn’t offer a high octane, high speed ride – and you’re going to struggle to keep up with fast moving traffic on A-roads, but if you’re after a small capacity commuter, that’s capable of tackling a few country lanes in style – look no further. If I was to spend actual money on a motorcycle to use for the daily commute (not journalistic blag tokens) – I’d be seriously tempted by the Maverick. And that’s about the highest praise I can give.

• Info: www.heraldmotorcompany.com

RRP: £2750

N IU is fairly new to the U K, so you might not have heard of them up to this point.

E stablished in C hina back in 2 0 1 4 , the brand launched its rst generation N ≠ series scooter a year later, and its M≠ series scooter the year after that to widespread acclaim. Regardless of its recent introduction to the market, N U I reckons ití s already the best≠ selling e≠ scooter brand in the world ñ with over one billion kilometres covered and 4 0 0 ,0 0 0 units sold by April 1 , 2 0 1 8 .

My rst impression of the little N IU N 1 as it rolled out the back of a van and onto the tarmac at O2W H Q was one of pleasant surprise. T he compact commuter looks cool ñ really cool ñ in a sort of pared back, futuristic way. And it seems to be well≠ made too. Ití s also surprisingly well eq uipped ñ coming with a handful of thoughtful and useful features and technological touches which help the N IU to really stand out from the crowd. F irst off, the scooter comes with a really clever smartphone connectivity feature ( using a built≠ in V odafone S IM card) which allows N IU owners to see the location of their scooter and its battery power status when on the move. And even more importantly ( considering the swell in motorcycle and scooter related crime in large cities over recent years) , it has an anti≠ theft system which will automatically notify you if your scooter is moved without your permission.

P ottering through market towns, sweeping past lines of traffic, sq ueez ing through the tightest of gaps and even meandering down the odd q uiet B≠ road, the little N IU impressed me.

Away from its futuristic technology, the actual riding experience isní t all that sophisticated.

T hatí s not me complaining; by de nition ití s simple and straightforward, but still purposeful and practical on the road. Its suspension doesní t have a huge amount of give, and on a couple of

RRP: £2236 + OTR

ELECTRIC

occasions I did nd myself clattering through potholes and over speedbumps, with the shocks doing very little to soak up the impact. But then again, in an urban environment, Ií m not all that sure youí d have the same problem; I think you would probably struggle to get up to the speeds I was bombing around at. Instead youí d likely be picking your way through traffic with a smile on your face.

I found its brakes capable, its engine punchy, and its chassis lightweight and agile. Basically, it does everything youí d expect of it with ease.

Ití s a genuine pleasure to lter on ñ and ití s q uick enough off the line to get the j ump on any four≠ wheeled traffic. If I was living in the city and had the choice between a N IU N 1 and a tube pass for the year ñ I know which one Ií d pick.

Ití d be the N IU every time.

• Info: www.sinnismotorcycles.com | www.niu. com/en

AM

LICENCE

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FIRST RIDE

SPECIFICATION

Aprilia SX 125 (2018) ENGINE: 124.2cc single-cylinder, 4-stroke, 4-valve,

DOHC, liquid-cooled

A1 LICENCE

Riding Aprilia’s 2018 SX 125 Small capacity supermoto screamer from Italy, via China…

Aprilia has a long and storied history of knocking-out top quality learnerlegal machines. Back in the day, its two-stroke 125cc RS sportbike was the one everyone wanted, thanks to its superior power, top-speed and funky racebike-inspired styling – and now the iconic Italian brand is looking to cement itself back in the learner market, unveiling a range of fourstroke 125cc machines. Earlier this year, we got our hands on its Chinesebuilt SX 125 supermoto machine, and put it through its paces over the course of a day.

Styling

First-off, there’s no denying the SX 125 looks the part with its aggressive, performanceoriented styling, and faux-carbon fibre bodywork. It looks and feels significant too, with ‘big bike’ dimensions and an 880mm seat height. Admittedly, that might sound a little on the tall side, but it’s so narrow that I’ve no doubt most riders would be able to settle on the saddle without too much trouble.

As you’d expect, the seat is fairly hard – and if you were planning to do some big miles, I’m sure you’d be up on the pegs looking to take the pressure off within a couple of hours – but for quick blasts or the daily commute, it’s more than adequate. The riding position’s very easy to get on with too – thanks in part to its relaxed-butupright stance and tall handlebars.

My only real criticism in the way of looks is its fairly simple LCD dash, which I’d argue is a bit of a let down from the premium bike brand – though of course, Aprilia seems to have made a concerted effort to keep costs down, and it’s more than possible that the quality of its dash was sacrificed slightly as a result.

On the road

The Aprilia SX 125 makes use of the same engine as its RS 125 sibling (which was unveiled back in 2017). Essentially, it’s a fairly straightforward 125cc fuel-injected, four-stroke, single cylinder engine.

It doesn’t sound fantastic (though I’m sure that could be remedied with the help of an aftermarket can) – but for a little 125 it’s pretty capable. It’s right at the top end of the legal limit for the A1 licence category – and is as fast as any other four-stroke 125 on the market, sitting at 60mph with ease. It’s also fairly impressive with fuel, and should be able to knock out around 80mpg with relative ease.

For braking the SX comes with a 300mm disc with a two-pot caliper and ABS up front and a 220mm disc with a one-pot caliper at the rear.

In practice, they’re more than up to the job. Of course, it’s not the most sophisticated of setups, but the bike’s so light that it doesn’t need anything all that powerful. The Bosch ABS works well, and I’d argue it’s much

better for less experienced riders than the increasingly popular combined braking system, which is being fitted to a number of budget 125cc machines. But best of all, because there’s no ABS at the rear – you can still embrace your inner yob and do skids to impress your mates.

Suspension is by 41mm USD forks with 240mm of wheel travel up front, and a monoshock with 220mm of wheel travel (and preload adjustment) at the rear. Once again, it’s nothing amazing – but it offers ample performance out on the road, soaking up the bumps with ease while being stiff enough to allow you to push the bike fairly hard without the back bouncing around too much.

Conclusion

In essence, I was thoroughly impressed with the Aprilia SX 125. It handles very well – and I was actually surprised at just how much fun it was to push this little Aprilia right to its limits. It’s lightweight, agile, and very, very flickable. As far as I’m concerned, it’s well worth the £3399 that Aprilia is asking for it. Okay, so it doesn’t exactly scream quality – but it stands head and shoulders above its direct competition (by that, I mean the eclectic mix of Asian imported 125cc supermotostyled machines) – and is well worth a look if you’re in the market for a new learner-legal 125. And one big advantage of choosing an Aprilia is its extensive UK dealer network – so you’ll never have any problem getting it serviced or finding parts in the future.

Words: Ross. Images: Mau/Dave Manning

POWER: 15bhp @ 10,700rpm TORQUE: 8.3lb-ft @ 8000rpm FRONT SUSPENSION: 41mm USD forks, 240mm

wheel travel

REAR SUSPENSION: Monoshock, preload only,

220mm wheel travel

FRONT BRAKE: 300mm disc, 2-pot caliper, ABS REAR BRAKES: 220mm disc, 1-pot caliper, no ABS WHEELS: (F) 2.5 x 17in (R) 3.5 x 17in TYRES: (F) 100/80-17 (R) 130/70-17 SEAT HEIGHT: 870mm WEIGHT: 135kg (wet) FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 7.5 litres PRICE: £3399 CONTACT: www.aprilia.com O2W RATING:

★★★★★★★★★★

14 www.o2w.co.uk

PART THREE

GET ON TWO WHEELS ELS with ELS with

Thinking about getting on two wheels? This step-by-step guide covers compulsory basic training, and Module One and Two of the full motorcycle test, following complete beginner Justin through the process to show just how easy it can be to get your hands on a motorcycle licence with Kawasaki Rider Training Services. In the last couple of issues of O2W, Justin got stuck into his CBT, Theory Test and Module One. This time he tackles the final part of the process – his Module Two test.

What’s involved in the Module Two test?

During your Module Two test you’ll be judged on your ability to ride safely on the road in accordance with the Highway Code – and it’ll take around an hour to complete.

The test is broken down into four separate segments, which are: ■ An eyesight check ■ ‘Show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions ■ Road riding ■ Independent riding

Right, let’s get into specifics. For the eyesight check you’ll be expected to read a number plate from a distance of 20.5m – and you’ll fail your test if you fail the eyesight check – and for the ‘Show me, tell me’ part of the test, you’ll be asked a couple of questions relating to vehicle safety which tests that you know how to carry out basic safety checks.

Now it’s time to get out on the road.

Your examiner will hook you up with a one-way communication system so they can give you directions – and away you go. Throughout the duration of the test, you’ll be asked to carry out normal stops, an angle start (pulling out from behind a parked vehicle) and a hill start (where possible).

You’ll also have to undertake about 10 minutes of independent riding, which is designed to assess your ability to ride safely while making your own decisions. Don’t worry though, if you forget the instructions, you can ask the instructor to repeat the directions if you forget them – and you won’t fail the test if you go off the route either, providing you react appropriately.

Throughout the test your examiner will make a note of dangerous faults; these involve actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property – serious faults – which are potentially dangerous – and riding faults – which aren’t necessarily dangerous, but could be serious if you keep making the same mistake.

You’ll pass Module Two if you make no serious or dangerous faults (or

‘majors’) and no more than 10 riding faults (or ‘minors’). Just remember that the test is simply about showing that you have full control over the motorcycle, while constantly assessing your environment for risks, and you should be fine.

If you’ve already been out on the road regularly (riding on a CBT certificate), you should already be pretty well equipped to deal with the Module Two test – but no matter your level of experience, make sure you put in the practice and get some proper training in (to ensure any bad habits are picked up and worked on in time for your test).

If you pass the examiner will tell you what faults you made, if any, and give you a pass certificate. If you don’t pass, you’ll have to book another test (at least 10 days later, and try again).

Here are a few handy tips that it’s worth making a note of before you attempt your Module Two test: ■ Make sure you’re kitted out with the appropriate safety gear. Although you are not officially being graded on what you’re wearing, you need to ensure your gear meets your examiners expectations.

■ Make sure you’ve got your UK photo card driving licence, CBT certificate, and theory and Module One pass certificates with you.

■ Brush-up on your Highway Code – you need to know what’s expected of you to be safe on the road.

■ Try and relax. Ride as you would normally, and try to forget that the examiner is watching you.

www.o2w.co.uk 15

Learning to ride – Justin’s story

What is KRTS? Kawasaki Rider T raining S ervices ( KRT S ) is a U K≠ wide, Kawasaki and MC IA approved network of rider training centres, which aims to deliver safe, comprehensive and fun motorcycle training to the highest level. S chools offer everything from two≠ wheeled taster sessions through to C BT s, licence upgrade courses, to ve day training courses for riders that want to go from ë walkerí to ë riderí in one sitting. But KRT S isní t j ust for new riders ñ it also offers bespoke advanced training and rider development courses, so whatever stage youí re at in your riding career, thereí s a course that could bene t you.

F or more information about KRT S : www.learntoridewithkawasaki.co.uk

Ití s a while since any of us at O2W have taken our riding tests, so to get a feel of what ití s like to get your licence today we needed a volunteer ñ and we didní t need to look far: our senior designer, J ustin Blackamore, was keen to get on two wheels ñ so we pointed him towards Kawasaki Rider T raining S ervices ( KRT S ) .

J ustin signed≠ up for an intensive training course, in partnership with S hires Motorcycle T raining in D erby, designed to get him through each of the modules and pass his full D V S A motorcycle test. T his is J ustiní s version of events... ì T here wasní t much time to celebrate passing my Module O ne test. After a weekend off, it was time to get stuck into Module T wo ñ and honestly, I was feeling good. Module T wo is simply a half≠ hour ride during which you need to abide by the H ighway C ode. H ow hard could it be? ì T he Module T wo training involved riding a selection of test routes. T he instructors knew the area well, and covered all the places that might cause potential problems for me on my test ñ familiarising me with bus lanes, tram lines, roundabouts, potential haz ards, one way streets, angled starts, hill starts, forward thinking, road positioning and ltering. I confess, it all felt q uite daunting at the start, but by now it felt q uite natural. ì D uring my training, I also got my rst experience at riding in the pouring rain. As expected it was uncomfortable to start with, but when I couldní t get any more soaked, I soon found myself relaxing and simply enj oying the rest of the dayí s riding. H onestly, the worst part was realising that I had to get my kit dry in time for the morning. T hankfully, I managed to get hold of a portable radiator ñ and come the morning, I was ready and raring to go for my test. ì O n the way to the test centre in the morning, I found myself getting nervous again ñ but luckily the examiner was keeping good time, and I didní t have to wait around long before I was heading out for the real thing. ì Beginning the test, the q uick eyesight check and í show me, tell meí q uestions helped steady my nerves a little and initially, I thought everything was going well ñ that was until I found myself in the wrong lane while my independent riding was being assessed. ì It threw me off a bit, and caused me to have a couple of little moments where I was unsure and by the time Ií d got back to the test centre Ií d convinced myself that I wasní t going to pass. It turns out I was j ust being hard on myself.

T he examiner was q uick to tell me that I had passed, reassuring me that I did everything that I needed to do, and proved that I had deserved that pass, barring a few minors. I was so relieved and exhilarated. ì Without the training Ií d received from KRT S , Ií m con dent I wouldní t have found everything q uite so easy. E ven though I felt like Ií d under≠ performed on the day, I still managed to pass comfortably. ì T hroughout my training, there were times when I felt nervous, frustrated, and uncertain ñ but the excellent tuition from the guys at KRT S got me through it. T he trainers were on hand to offer a word of advice or praise, determined to turn me into the safest and most capable rider I could be.

And having spent road time with a number of the instructors there, Ií ve learned a depth of knowledge thatí ll stay with me forever. T hey all teach from experience and for the love of riding. T hey arení t there j ust because ití s a j ob, you can really tell they are passionate about it and want to share their knowledge with new riders. It had started to feel like I was out riding with friends rather than being on a lesson.

N ow all I need is my own bike.î

16 www.o2w.co.uk

PRODUCT REVIEW

RST Pro Series CE Adventure III jacket and trousers

RRP: £289.99 (jacket) | £269.99 (trousers) | Reviewer: Ross O2W Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ RST has updated its hugely successful Pro Series Adventure textile motorcycle gear – unveiling its third generation jacket and trousers for 2018. The previous kit was tested to the extreme (from the depths of a Scottish winter to the scorching Australian outback) and as a result of the feedback, RST has made a handful of changes to make its latest generation of gear more capable than ever before. These include the addition of new large external TPU shoulder protectors to the jacket and some subtle improvements to the fit.

RST occupies a unique place in the motorcycle gear industry, carefully balancing cost with quality to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. And since its inception, the British-based brand has gone from strength-to-strength, continuing to develop its kit and making improvements to ensure each generation is better than the last. As a result, RST kit is extremely popular in the UK (and beyond). And after wearing the new RST Pro Series CE Adventure III jacket and trousers over the last nine months (covering close to 5000 miles across the length and breadth of Europe) I can definitely see why. I’ve got nothing but nice things to say about them.

From a protection perspective, the jacket and trousers are constructed from a ballistic Cordura material, and come fitted with RST contour Plus CE shoulder, elbow, knee and hip protectors, in addition to an Aktiv Impact back protector. Thankfully I haven’t had to properly put it through its paces just yet – having managed to stay upright while

wearing my new textiles thus far (aside from a couple of fairly tame, slow speed spills on the dirt). Regardless, it looks and feels solid, and when I’m wrapped up from head to toe, I feel confident it’d look after me should the worst happen and I take a more serious tumble.

It’s versatile too, thanks to its multiple large adjustable vented panels, removable thermal lining, and separate removable waterproof lining. There’s also a 360° connector zip, to allow you to join the jacket and trousers together.

You can add or remove the linings as you see fit, using a series of zips and popper buttons to stay one step ahead of the weather, no matter whether you’re caught in a biblical rainstorm up in the ice capped mountains of Austria or you’re traversing the scorched trails of Spain with the hot sun remorselessly beating down on your back. I’ve experienced both conditions – and found that RST’s third generation Pro Series Adventure textiles looked after me admirably.

For comfort there are stretch panels and an adjustable waistband and sleeves to help you get the perfect fit – and there’s also a wide selection of pockets, including a removable map pocket.

RST’s latest Pro Series Adventure textiles are certainly less expensive than most of their competitors but for your decreased spend you can still expect to get good quality, comfortable, durable motorcycle gear that is well designed to keep you safe in the event of a crash.

• Info: www.moto-direct.com

18 www.o2w.co.uk

FIRST RIDE A1 LICENCE

Herald Classic Scrambler 125 EFI

Capable, reliable and great-looking.

As the Herald Motorcycle Co says itself: “Our passions include music, mechanics and motorcycles with a love of tattoos thrown in for good measure. The timeless and clean designs of our Herald collection are hard to duplicate, we are committed to staying true to our ethos of authenticity, integrity and attitude.”

Maybe this is why I find myself drawn to this brand, as I too can relate to the above – including the tattoo bit!

bike’s retro traits and are positioned in an ergonomically friendly way on the handlebars, giving a basic but functional feel to the front end. The ‘go-faster Cobra’ stripe is cool too, – did I mention that?

The knobbly tyres and spoked wheels complement the obvious classic lines that give the Scrambler its ability to look retro yet modern at the same time. And I think they should put that tank stripe on all their models – just saying!

Appearance

On the road

The Scrambler gives off an incredibly The scrambler is indeed a scrambler, stylish ‘Steve McQueen’ vibe and the the knobbly tyres, forgiving test bike we had carried off a cool suspension and fabulous handling of white paint job and black tank stripe the bike give tonnes of confidence to very well indeed. There are some the rider, even to those of you like nice little cosmetics on this 125cc myself that do very little off-roading, machine, the headlight grille, some I have been known to do off-roading, cute led indicators and back light… but mostly unintentional and that’s and I know I have already mentioned another story altogether – which the black stripe on has already been the tank, but it is nice well-documented and kind of pays a elsewhere. nod to its 400cc So, you can easily take bigger sister’s the Scrambler off-road, ■ Ample ability from chrome tank strap. you don’t have to – but a re ned little bike. you can and as I always The white dials also say: “It’s always better sit well with the

We say

Words: Dave Images: Gary

to have the ability and not need it, than need it and not have it!”

The Scrambler’s ample ability is also apparent on the tarmac; it sits quite nicely around the 60mph mark for as long as you want, cleanly and confidently. Night time riding is no drama (well once I realised that you actually have to use a switch to turn the lights on, so you can achieve a full beam and light-up the dials (I know, how spoilt we have become in not having to put ourselves out so).

I soon got used to just flicking the switch; I suppose it adds to the retro feel, etc. – such effort though!

The only nagging issue I had with the bike was SBS (squeaky brake syndrome); I’m sure that all the other models are fine, but the one I had encouraged head-turning in built-up pedestrian areas, due to the squealing screech of the brakes – just a little embarrassing on occasion.

Market contender

Although what we have here is another Chinese revamp of a Japanese engine strapped into a classic tried and tested retro frame (as is the trend); we also have an approach from a company that

prides itself on creating a cult motorcycle brand that specialises in affordable, but eye-catching classic retro breeds that will inspire the rider. Cambridgeshire-based Herald has had a successful relationship with the Chinese manufacturer of its motorcycles for three years now and is turning around some nice pieces of kit in its stable, while appealing to an incredibly wide demographic base. A 24-month warranty should quieten the doubters.

SPECIFICATION

Herald Scrambler 125 EFI ENGINE: Single 4-stroke, air-cooled 125cc FUEL SYSTEM: Electronic fuel injection TRANSMISSION: Manual 5-speed STARTER: Electric and kick FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 12 litres COLOUR AVAILABILITY: Green / Silver Price: £2399 (incl VAT + OTR charges) CONTACT: www.heraldmotorcompany.com O2W RATING:

★★★★★★★★★★

20 www.o2w.co.uk

FROM

MAGAZINE, OCTOBER 2018 ISSUE

ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

50 years of the Four

Honda’s 750 Four set the world alight when it appeared in 1968 to establish the superbike age. John Nutting rides one of the earliest examples to sample the sound and the glory.

I

t’s hard to imagine now just how huge was the impact created by the launch of Honda’s CB750 at the Tokyo Automobile Show in October 1968.

Fifty years on we’re accustomed to four-cylinder motorcycles, but back then they were extreme rarities that few, usually well-off, riders had experience of. But the CB750 was much more than that; it would offer riders access to a new era of exotic motorcycles with phenomenal performance for a price not much more than the new crop of highperformance machines. We’d been primed with the 750cc triples from BSA-Triumph, and Norton’s refined Commando 750, both appearing in 1968, but the CB750 took motorcycle technology to a new level.

A year or so earlier, Honda had been winning world road-racing championships with works-entered fours and sixes, yet here was a bike with four exhaust pipes that captured the sound and the glory. It breathed performance, yet offered sophistication with overhead

camshafts, a five-speed gearbox, press-button starting, huge instruments, an hydraulicallyoperated disc brake and the promise of Honda reliability.

The CB750 was a game changer, and within a decade the British machines were history; the other three Japanese factories had upped the ante with their own even quicker machines and fours were the norm.

I was reminded just how advanced the CB750 was for its time with a ride on an early example from September 1969. Owned by Chris Rushton, this CB750 with just over 16,000 miles on the clock and untouched Candy Ruby Red paintwork is in original condition apart from its Continental tyres. With frame number 1008054, it has a die-cast engine and was made six months after production started.

Chris imported it in 2009 and is determined to maintain its patina, even carefully repairing the cracked air-box rather than replacing it. He is meticulous with servicing his bikes and it shows. I’ve ridden some

WORDS: JOHN NUTTING PHOTOS: GARY D CHAPMAN/JOHN NUTTING/MORTONS ARCHIVE/PHIL MASTERS

modern retro-styled machines of late, and this CB750 didn’t feel a lot different in its preparation with taut suspension, responsive engine and smooth controls.

It looked gorgeous, with bright chrome, a shine on the seat cover and a few tiny nicks in the paint to show this hadn’t been restored.

Up front there were the two huge five-inch dials reading to 150mph and 11,000rpm with the red line starting at 8500rpm: lovely. It even behaved just as testers reported when the bikes first arrived in the UK. It fired up on the button after the carb choke lever was closed, but being cold-blooded the engine need a bit of coaxing by juggling the lever.

Once up to temperature it idled smoothly and after a clonk into bottom gear pulled away cleanly without any need to rev the engine.

At about 500lb (227kg) tanked up the CB750 can be awkward to manhandle but once on the move the steering lightened and bend swinging became second nature. I particularly liked the riding position: the high handlebar provides a natural feel and the footrests are positioned behind the nose of the comfortable seat so you feel like you’re grasping the machine with your whole body. And you could sit astride the bike with both boots on the ground (always a good test). Until the CB750, British

bikes suffered from footrests positioned adjacent to the gear lever, which was too far forward, and the pegs weren’t even symmetrical.

The Honda just felt right. Winding the four up from 2000rpm it felt smooth, but not as vibration-less as some said when it was launched.

This CB750 delivered an engaging rhythm that at between 60 and 70mph offered a pleasant balance between throttle response, comfort and sound.

Along for the ride, Chris was on his earlier CB750 ‘sand-cast’ model dating from August 1969 that he bought in 1990, since when he’s clocked more than 100,000 miles on it. I stayed behind him as we cruised along, just to hear the fruity burble from the four exhaust pipes.

Also being a very early model, the bike I was riding had four cables from the carbs connected at a junction box and then to the twistgrip. The action was much smoother than expected and accelerating through the gears to the 8000 redline brought back heady memories. The CB750 was one of the first big production bikes with a five-speed gearbox and while the ratio from bottom to second was wide, the upper gears were closer, enabling clean clutchless changes up and down. You couldn’t be faint hearted though, and there’d be an

audible clunk unless you were firm on the lever. The photo sessions involved lots of clutch slipping, so the familiar loss of adjustment at the lever appeared but once the plates had cooled everything returned to normal.

Until I’d done a few miles on the CB750 I hadn’t even thought about the suspension: compliant is the best description, with the front fork and rear shocks soaking up the road surface silently and un-dramatically as we carved through open sweepers at speed. Dealing with surfaces left unrepaired on tight bends by Notts Council presented more of a challenge, but no more than you’d have on a modern bike.

Likewise the front brake, which was an innovation when the bike was launched. Properly maintained, the hydraulically-operated 300mm disc offers enough power and feel, but being made from stainless steel was never much cop in the rain.

Push harder and the CB750 would wriggle in response as the classically-styled Continental tyres maintained their surprising grip but altogether this CB750 was a great experience. It was the combination a throaty roar from the pipes and intake with the whine from the gearbox as you wound the CB750 out of bends that made the day memorable for me.

What’s gone before... Back issues for £4.95

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MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 2018 ISSUE

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DECEMBER 2018 ISSUE… Project Kawasaki Z1325 part 14 Anchors a-way!

Our Ralph is on the home straight with this South Wales special: this month he's sorting some braking troubles and mounting issues.

Retro Reboot – Yamaha RD350N Pure, stripped down fantasy, this is what a rebooted naked Powervalve could look like.

issues 6 for

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Allen Millyard – Counter & caps!

Allen gets to work on the clocks and fuel cap for his amazing six-cylinder Honda homage bike!

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O2W TRAINING GUIDE

Keep your skin on!

This is for anyone wishing to keep their skin intact! While there’s no legal requirement to wear a motorcycle jacket that has been designed for the purpose, a quick chat with an experienced paramedic would convince any rider to invest in this vital piece of motorcycle clothing.

Regardless of engine size, to ride a motorcycle in regular everyday clothing is extremely foolish and puts a rider at serious risk. Even at slow face speeds, a short slide on a road surface will destroy regular clothing and quickly take a rider’s skin down to the bone!

In conjunction with

▲

Life saver

Do your research

to their all-year features, removable thermal-lining, flexibility, price and proven ability to resist abrasion.

Whilst most textile motorcycle jackets will protect their wearer from the rain, weather resistance does tend to increase in-line with budget - with Gore-Tex and other specialist membranes featuring with the more expensive brands.

Words: Jez Troman Riding images: Henriette Lang www.henriettelang.com

Textile popularity ▼

Over recent years, textile motorcycle jackets have grown in popularity due

Increasingly technical ▲

About the author As a former Paramedic, Jez Tromans knows a thing or two about the folly of not wearing the correct protective clothing. Jez is a passionate biker, writes regularly on issues of rider safety and is the member services manager at VideoBiker #keepitontheblackstuff.

Ps. VideoBiker members get some very worthwhile discounts on protective clothing (just saying).

Do some research online or ask fellow bikers what gear they’d recommend.

Remember we’re all different shapes and sizes, so what fits someone like a glove may not be good for you.

Whether it’s a new pair of gloves, boots or full leathers, trying them on when on a bike is very important so you can see if they get in the way at all.

Don’t leave yourself exposed to the elements or to injury. Make sure every part of you is covered up as seamlessly as possible. Remember, if something is even slightly uncomfortable, it can become a dangerous distraction. Bear in mind that wearing bright and fluorescent colours during the day and reflective elements in the dark can help improve your chances of being seen by other road users.

Motorcycle jackets are also becoming more technical in their design, with an increasing trend in jackets that feature combinations of leather, Kevlar, textiles and other materials – chosen for their strength, flexibility, comfort and air-flow benefits. Several top brands now feature technical summer jackets with enhanced strong mesh vents, but still with the benefits of leather, armour and back protection.

As much as the cold can increase risk through rider-fatigue; so too can the heat. Ventilation is therefore an important consideration.

Other considerations

Quality motorcycle jackets should include features that protect the stitching from abrasion and ‘bursting’. This might include plastic coatings, material over-laps and double or even triple stitching. Textile

more than leather designs will ▲ include air vents that can be closed or opened to suit weather conditions.

Most motorcycle jackets feature impact absorbing CE approved body armour, offering additional protection to vulnerable areas such as the elbows, shoulders and back. Some jackets also feature extra chest protection, along with optional extras that allow riders to upgrade their jacket’s level of back protection. Choice of motorcycle jacket should also be influenced by style of bike and riding position.

Sports bikes, for example, may demand far more movement than with more upright styles of riding. A jacket that does not suit a rider’s style of riding can be a safety concern.

A further consideration is matching motorcycle jacket with choice of motorcycle trousers and while many designs include zip options that attach one to the other, there are often incompatibilities between different brands. With a little planning, it is possible to mix ‘n’ match a good combination of jackets and trousers to give good all-yearround protection, with the added safety offered by motorcycle garments that are designed to work together. Jackets that are zip connected with trousers, offer significantly more protection in the event of an accident.

CE labelling

▲

A good quality, correctly fitting, an weather proof motorcycle jacket can prevent more serious injury in the event of an accident. Motorcycle jackets are also designed to withstand wind-blast. Even during the warmer months, riders can be adversely affected by the cold. During the winter, this is absolutely the case and can significantly impact rider safety, as with even a small reduction in body temperature comes increased rider fatigue, discomfort and loss of concentration.

Motorcycle jacket advice: well chosen, quality motorcycle jackets with the right thermal qualities and weatherproof membranes can significantly improve a rider’s safety!

While leather has always been a popular choice, it is on the whole more expensive and because of its lesser water resistance, there is usually a need to carry an additional waterproof over-layer. For the same reason, leather motorcycle jackets are not always the best option for winter and all-year round riding. Leather should be at least 1.2 mm thick, ‘waterproof’ and should not restrict a rider’s movement. Kangaroo leather is thought to offer the best protection.

The European Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Directive 1989, requires any clothing or personal equipment sold to provide protection from injury – for example motorcycle clothing, to comply with the relevant European Standard. To comply, gear must be independently tested and certified. The manufacturer is then issued with a CE (Conformité Européenne) label which shows that the motorcycle clothing conforms to the relevant European standard.

The clothing or gear must carry a permanently attached CE label with the number of the Standard.

www.o2w.co.uk 23

24 www.o2w.co.uk

Legal Q&A Our specialist motoring solicitor, Andrew ‘Chef’ Prendergast, guides you through your legal troubles.

Q

I bought a ‘nearly new’ Suzuki GW250, which the dealer told me had just been serviced. The next day, I was sitting at traffic lights when the engine just stopped. It turns out the sump nut had fallen out, I’d lost all the oil and it had seized.

The next day I tried to get my money back, but the dealer told me to poke-off as it was a second-hand bike and to go bang on the previous owner’s door. What should I do?

TIPS AND ADVICE

Rain, rain – ggo away Recently we’ve seen some of the heaviest rain we’ve had for quite some time – here’s some advice from IAM RoadSmart on how best to cope with it.

A

Don’t bang on anyone’s door; your contract was with the dealer. You bought the bike after October 1, 2015, so the Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies. The law allows you 30 days from purchase to reject the Suzuki and seek a full refund (if it was over 30 days, different rules apply). The motorbike should have been of satisfactory quality and fit for the purpose it was intended for. If the dealer won’t play ball then you may have to start court proceedings; he will have to prove the fault wasn't there when you bought the GW250; it’s not up to you to prove that it was. However, before you return the bike, I’d make sure you have evidence (photographs/video of the missing sump nut and oil and a video showing the engine won’t turn over) in case you need it.

For the sake of a few pounds, I’d also get another bike shop to inspect it, diagnose the issue, provide a report and estimate to fix it; then you’ll have even stronger evidence if needed.

The O2W legal column is compiled by managing partner Andrew ‘Chef’ Prendergast and his bike-riding barristers and solicitors at White Dalton Motorcycle Solicitors.

The firm deals with personal injury claims and its sister company, Motor Defence Solicitors, deals with motoring offences. White Dalton lawyers have a vast knowledge of bike law – and they have full bike licences, too. They don’t act for insurance companies or the prosecution.

White Dalton is Britain’s premier specialist motorcycle law practice, and if its professionals don’t know the answer to your question there probably isn’t one.

Don’t rely on the advice from your insurance-appointed solicitor – get proper independent advice.

• For road traffic offences call the Motor Defence solicitors on 0800 280 0912. For non-offence cases call White Dalton motorcycle solicitors on 0800 783 6191.

Heavy rain

■ Heavy rain will affect your visibility, so take it slow. Rule 126 of the Highway Code states that the braking distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you should be two seconds when driving on a dry road, and at least four seconds in the wet. It is even longer on icy surfaces.

IAM RoadSmart recommend up to 10 times the braking distance when driving on ice.

■ Before you start your journey, make sure your helmet visor is clean. If your helmet has the fittings, then it is advisable to fit some sort of Pinlock anti-fogging system; alternatively, wipe the inside of your visor with some sort of anti-fogging liquid – if you don’t have any, then you could put some washing-up liquid onto a cloth and spread it across your visor, but make sure you polish it off to avoid ending up with a smeary visor.

■ Don’t forget to switch your headlights on – you might be able to see, but you want others to be able to see you as well.

Aquaplaning

■ If the water is standing in puddles on the road surface, your bike is at

NEED ADVICE?

If you need advice on a bikingrelated legal question or query, email mail@whitedalton.co.uk The best Q&A will be published in O2W, in confidence, of course.

Spray is a real danger when riding in the rain; it not only obscures your vision, but others may not be able to see you either

It doesn’t take long for the rain to impair your vision; if necessary stop and clean off your visor and mirrors risk of aquaplaning. Aquaplaning is where a wedge of water forms in front of the tyre and lifts it up off the road surface. This is caused by the tread not being able to displace the amount of water present. To recover from aquaplaning, ease gently off your throttle, have a firm grip of the handlebars and be sure not to make any sudden steering actions. Your bike should eventually regain its grip as the water clears.

Floods

■ First ask yourself – can you take another route which avoids a flooded area? If not, then you need to identify how deep the flood is. If the standing water is more than six inches deep, avoid riding through it. If you’re familiar with the road, you can judge the flood in relation to the kerb.

■ If heavy rain was not the cause of the flood, then what was? And what impact on the road does it have? For example, if it is a burst water main, the standing water may look like a normal flood but the road surface beneath the water may be completely broken up. If you’re unsure how the flood has formed, then the best move is to avoid it altogether.

■ Are there other bikes that are safely driving through flooded areas?

From this, make a judgement call as to whether it is safe for you to travel through or not.

■ If the water is fast flowing, do not attempt to ride through it, as there is a real danger of your bike being swept off the road.

■ If you have taken everything into consideration and decide to drive through the flood, be sure to do so slowly. The best approach for a motorcycle is to press lightly on your

Richard Gladman, head of IAM Roadsmartí s driver and rider standards, said: ì With the British weather the way it is, we should all be well practiced at driving in the rain. Keeping your bike maintained and the tyres in good condition will help you stay safe. In the recent extremes, we have seen that standing water and fl oods are becoming more commonplace, so take extra care and if possible avoid driving through standing water. If youí re in any doubt about the depth or surface underneath a fl ood, then ití s best not to take any chances.î clutch and add gentle pressure to your throttle to increase your engine revs; on an automatic scooter you won’t have a clutch, so try applying light pressure to the back brake instead. Carry out either of these actions without increasing your speed, in a similar way to how you would undertake a hill start. This will prevent water from entering your exhaust. When you have passed the flood, test your brakes to make sure they are dry and working properly. If you’re in the slightest doubt, then turn around and don’t go through the flood.

■ Remember to stay alert and avoid splashing pedestrians. If this is done accidentally, even when causing a splash due to driving through puddles at the side of the road, you could receive a fixed penalty and three points on your licence for driving without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other road users.

If deliberately done, it could be a public order offence, a court appearance and a fine.

26 www.o2w.co.uk

www.o2w.co.uk 27

On Two Wheels

For sale

APRILIA FALCO SL Mille, 2002, 21,20 miles, Wavey discs, Maxton rear shock, performance brake lever, d/b tinted screen, tyres near new, data tagged, looks gorgeous, lots of bike for £2200. Tel. 07812 693617. Leics.

BENELLI RS350 1977, tax & MoT exempt, very rare bike, £1995 Tel. 07810 162057. Northumberland.

BSA B33 1954, 500cc, black and silver, restored some years ago but still nice cond, good chrome and paint work, Plunger single seat, very nice, £5950 open to sensible offers. Tel. 01275 830922. Bristol.

BSA HAGON GRASS BIKE B25 250cc engine, rebuilt, tuned engine, on petrol, new rims, s/s spokes, frame coated, your chance to own a British classic, £1500 Tel. Dave 07583 532153 for full details. Staffs.

HONDA NC750XD 2017, blue, mint condition, DCT Puig screen, driving lights, heated grips, 3,704 miles, registered May 2017, top box and panniers, £5500 ono. Tel. 07376 560655.

Derbys.

CLASSIFIED CCM 636 Scrambler, built on 2001 R30, Akront rims, brand new 19∫ front, Talon hubs, new TKC80 tyres, new discs f&r, new pads, new service including cam belt, new front master cylinder and clutch perch, new h/light and tail light, KE175 tank with new paint, one off leather seat, subframe with loop p/coated along with s/arm and stand, full Scorpion race exhaust, GPS retro speedo, o/ hauled suspension, lovely one-off Scrambler, £3795.

Tel. 077070 20891.

CZ 250 1978, starts nicely, runs sweetly, many parts replaced, £700 Tel. 01803 554093. Devon.

HONDA VFR 750cc, 1985 in white, nice condition for year, MoT, low miles for year, £1795 ono. Tel. 01275 830922. Bristol.

HONDA CBR600FY 2001, recent tyres, chain and sprockets, red/black, tidy bike, £1650. Tel. 01484 710455. W Yorks.

HONDA CB500 2001, 31k, long MoT, red, gold wheels, good solid bike.

Tel. 01691 831139. Powys.

FAZER S2 600cc, a fantastic clean example, always garaged, 2008 model, only 10k, £3000 ono. Tel. 07808 879999. Doncaster.

HONDA 550 F1 1977, Sorned, 2013, winter project when registered, MoT, road tax exempt, owned since 1979, lots of history, £650 ovno. Tel. 07949 956711 for more info. N East.

HONDA CBR250R 2011, 8,200 miles, heated grips, top box, charging point, lowering kit, Æ tted comfort seat, never seen rain, one owner, £2000 Tel. 01748 821217. N Yorks.

HONDA CB750/4KZ 1979, serviced, 8kms, new tyres, hoses, battery, £4999; Nor ton Co m m a n d o (Æ tted CB500 eng), 1972, Interstate tank, black, serviced, £4999; BMW K1200RS, 2001, panniers, £1999; new: l/r/suit 5ft 10∫ , XL, £165; Alpinestar boots, 10, £50. Tel. 07759 607498.

Berks.

HONDA CBR600 exc cond, looks great, class C, been ridden daily for past 3 months and it' s worked without any problems whatsoever, just bought another bike so I need to get rid of this one, great price for this type of bike so get your hands on it while it' s still available ooking for £2000 for quick sale and will consider reasonable offers. Tel. 07786 256758. Yorks.

HONDA DAX ST70 1978, full service, 13,032 miles, MoTs from 1997-2006 plus this year' s MoT till 3/9/2019, been in storage 10 years, all good, £2850 ono. Tel. 07706 865045. indiansnowy59@hotmail. co.uk .

JAMES COMET 1948-53, rigid frame, any condition, mostly all main parts, including IF engine. Tel. 01245 353684. Essex HONDA XR125L 2008, fully serviced and MoT Sept 2019, selling due to broken foot (sad to let go), 2,500 miles, £2500 Tel. 0777 5816012. Bolton, Lancs. azhar712@hotmail. com

SELLING YOUR BIKE IS

FREE FOR PRIVATE READERS

HONDA VFR750FT 1996, 44,400 miles, silver, Baglux tank cover, tank bag, Givi panniers, chain oiler, Maxton forks, stainless exhaust system, new chain sprockets, manual, many stainless parts, Tel. 0161 7614556. binnies@ btinternet.com Lancs.

HONDA VISION DX 80cc, 1988. Tel. 07905 135424.

Cornwall.

KAWASAKI ZZR600 2001, 23,500 miles, on Sorn, good condition, very clean machine, slight paint damage on fairing, £1100 ono. Tel. 07860 310965.

Cheshire.

KSR MOTO EPICO 50 2013, mint, derestricted scooter, 45mph, peach of a sports scoot, red, MoT' d until April 2019, 4,028 ams only, £300 reluctant sale, a bargain! Tel. 07903 779162. Gtr Man.

KTM 390 DUKE 2017, KTM guaranteed May 19, 5,340 miles, full KTM s/h, fully loaded with extras: screen, h/guards, h/grips, hugger, tail tidy, Akrapovic, crash bungs, Wavy f/disc, £2995 Æ rm. Tel. 07866 622196. N Yorks.

KZ650 1980, hard tail Chop/ Bobber, built by me and my boy over the last year complete repaint with BMW cosmos black paint, slab front end from a KZ1000R, Mustang tank, sprung seat new battery, all electrical equipment is in the elec box no bar switches, braided hoses to the front brakes, Sundance pegs and grips, speedo Bates, headlight Bates, Vincent copy taillight, everything painted in cosmos black 2k paint, straight through drag pipes, pod filters on the carbs, stunning looking, real old school chopper.

Tel. 07539 993055. Kent.

LEXMOTO FMS 125cc, 2015 Sept, MoT, red, 6k miles, like new, garaged, serviced, £600; Baotian BT49 QT,2 010, 4,250 miles, black, many new parts, bills, MoT, , garaged, £300, £900 the pair, manual. Tel. 01840 211762. Cornwall.

MATCHLESS G12 650, 1959, rebored with new shell bearings, 12v conversion and rewired, MoT and tax exempt, £4300 ono. Tel. 01772-613288. Lancs.

Choose one of the following methods: 1/ ONLINE www.o2w.co.uk 2/ EMAIL freeads@o2w.co.uk 3/ POST O2W Reader Adverts, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR

NORTON M50 Mk II, 1965, 350cc short stroke single engine, very good ride/ performer, £5250. Tel. 01435 882139. E Sussex.

LEXMOTO VENOM 2016, 125cc, green, this bike is like new, Æ rst to see will buy, 1,200 miles from new, £1100. Tel. 01942 269134.

Man.

PULSE SCOUT 2013 red scooter, uprated to 80cc, MoT July, as new condition, £350 ono. Tel. 07593 597311. Fife.

PIAGGIO X10 Executive, 2012, 13,500 miles, MoT til Aug, new battery, brake pads, 2 screens, top box, maintained to a high standard by mature owner, two previous owners, owned bike 5 years, selling due to lack of use, exc cond, no faults, £2200 Tel. 01795 533465 or 0790 4054370. E Kent.

TRIUMPH SPRINT 2005, Sunset red, 11 months' MoT, 28,100 miles, c/w 3-piece colour-coded luggage, some age related marking, £2750 ono. Tel. 07541 165229. Glos.

ROYAL ENFIELD Crusader Sport, 1959, lots of work done but needs Æ nishing, wheels need rebuilding, other than that its done, on Sorn, t&t exempt, £2250 ono. Tel. 01925 492595.

ROYAL ENFIELD CLASSIC 500 2016, full s/h, exc cond, low miles, panniers, private reg, £30 0 0 ono. Tel. 07713 160796.

Scotland.

SINNIS APACHE 250 Supermoto, 2014, 8,390 miles, dry weather use, MoT Mar 19, good cond except tachometer not working, £950. Tel. 01747 824018 or 07762 081578. Dorset.

SUZUKI 750GSX Inazuma black retro beauty, full s/h, 2001, orig docs, handbook, Hagon shocks, new tyres, classic and classy, on trend and appreciating in value, only selling to make space, £2150. Tel. 07891 991056.

N Yorks.

CLASSIFIEDS

Selling your bike is FREE for private readers

Online: www.o2w.co.uk Email: freeads@o2w.co.uk Post: O2W Reader Adverts, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR

YAMAHA MA XIM 1981, XJ650 Custom Model, 10 months' MoT, recent service, new battery, exc cond, chrome likewise, reluctant sale due to ill health, £1600 Tel. 07504 327299. Torquay.

YAMAHA X J650 1981, ë Maxim' custom import, 32k miles, Candy red, excellent condition with good chrome c/bar, 10 months' MoT, recent service, £1600 Tel. 07504 327299. Torquay.

YAM AHA Y ZF 2 0 0 0 , vgc, 2 keys, D/t alarm, immobiliser, build last 10 years, MoT, s/s exhaust, £2250 ono. Tel. 07925 340627 for details. Bristol.

Parts for sale BSA B25 250cc frame, forks, swinging arm and shock absorbers, ideal off-road project or road use, £195 Tel. 07899 890537. Surrey. Email: bsageoff@live.co.uk HARLEY SILENCERS part no.

6568240, vgc, fit softtail etc, originally on my ì Night train∫ 2006, will include ë free' belt guard, air Æ lter cover, foot rests, £150 ono. Tel. 07840 364013. Bucks.

ITALIAN PARTS: accumulation sell off Ducati, Benelli, Cagiva, Laverda, Morini etc, prefer to sell as one lot but will seperate, exchange considered? Tel. 07833 906288. Essex.

LAMBRETTA SCOMADI FORKS and all bits to make up full set, new parts, all for Series 3/2 LI/TV/SX models, £180; Lambretta engine casings, Series 2 & 3, loads of parts to make up an engine, all Innocenti. Vespa small frame/PK lot sod parts, forks, wheels and tyres, panels, all sorts, Tel. 07907 598250 for details.

Worcs. johnbill12346@ gmail.com

BIKE JOCKEY for bikes with side stand only, as new, cost £140, £75 ono. Tel. 07850 607141. Rutland, Leics.

MASH REAR CARRY RACK Roadstar 400, like new, £65 Tel. 01943 463935. W Yorks.

PAIR OF STD Remus exhausts plus heel guards, vgc, £80; seat in good cond, £40; Sachs rear shock vgc, £75; std no. plate hanger, £10; official Ducati 2003 800 workshop manual, ring bound, mint, £40. Tel. 07974 274657. O xford.

SET OF 4 Yamaha Fazer orange indicator lenses, part number 50R-00318, from a 1999 bike, good condition, £10. Tel. 07505 464654. Stourbridge.

TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE end can in box, £60; indicators, £20 pair; chrome mirrors, £20 pair.

Tel. 07402 223755.

TRIUMPH VOKES air filter, £40; twist grip, £20; tank grill, £20; tele fork parts, £60; Norton fork parts, call Manx racing leves, £40 pair; damper rod, £20; Ariel ì Burgess∫ silencer, new, £60. Tel. 0208 8944704. Middx.

TWIN BIKE TRAILER c/w ramp, spare wheel and trailer board, £225. Tel. 01797 222408. E Sussex.

WANTED SUZUKI INVADER/ T200 1968, parts, all parts required, restoration/ winter project on the go, taken old parts off, not good enough to go back, Tel. 07581 177445. Wales.

YAMAHA R1 2009, body kit, Hilight clocks, other bits for sale. Tel. 07710 312881. Tyne & Wear.

YAMAHA XS750 750 Triple, full bike for spares, no frame or tank, with brand new tyres, £200 the lot.

Tel. 01205 357523. Lincs.

Parts wanted CHAIN TENSIONER and sound fork stanchions wanted for Yamaha TY80 twin shock trials bike.

Tel. Les 07443 394797.

Cumbria.

WANTED FOR 1980 KAWASAKI Z650, standard dual seat.

Tel. 07900 823378.

STILL LOOKING FOR TANK for ER5 Kawasaki, 2006 reg, or number of a breaker for bikes. Tel. 07986 465088.

Wanted ARIEL LEADER WANTED by Ariel enthusiast, runner preferred, also parts why? Tel. 07729 838155.

W Yorks.

BSA BANTAM TRIALS or trail machine wanted prefer one road registered and suitable for trials, may consider Triumph Cubs an option. Tel. 01539 722466.

Kendal.

HONDA CB200 1976, anyone got or know where is neutral switch, can be found please, have tried all usual places. Tel. 01704 542012; 07855 590989. Mer seyside. peterwoods@talktalk.net JACK SURTEES DEALER BADGE 1950s, the type attached to a panel on a new bike when sold, brass or alloy Forest Hill London, keen to purchase. Please tel. 01223 350289 eves.

Cambs. Email: stanley. stan@btinternet.com LEWIS LEATHERS bike jacket wanted, D. Lewis, Aviakit, any colour, size, maybe you have one taking up space at the back of your wardrobe, good price paid, older the better.

Tel. 01223 350289 eves.

Cambs. stanley.stan@ btinternet.com OWNERS HANDBOOK for Suzuki GN250. Tel. 0161 4564218.

RICK MAN SUITE C ASE p a n n i e r ke y s , i t ' s a Sudhalls No. 766 required, buy, beg, borrow, whatever!! Tel. Mike 077170 75814. W Yorks.

TR AIL BIK E WANTED privately. Classic or modern, must be road based, not full Enduro or Moto-X, any condition considered, willing to travel. Tel. 07867 904777.

D erbys. cb.shipley@ hotmail.co.uk

YAMAHA FSE1 any wanted, any condition. Tel. 07774 534400. Beds.

DURKOPP DIANA SPORT Please help, must be good condition. Tel. Graham 01322 275022.

Kent.

WANTED KAWASAKI KE175 B, 1976-79, basketcase or barn Æ nd wanted for restoration, any thing considered. Cash waiting.

Tel. 07824 627907.

Miscellaneous ARIEL by C. W. Walker, all models from 1933: Tuning For Speed by P. E. Irving; M o d e r n M oto r c yc l e Maintenance by Bernal O sborne 3rd Edition: all signs of use with no damage, £30 each. Tel. 01484 710455. W Yorks.

BROUGH SUPERIOR The Rolls Royce of Motorcycles, Clark, Ronald H, 1964, two minor tears to orange cover, £85 inc p&p. Tel. 01484 710455. .

CHILD’S KTM dirt bike clothing for sale, pants x2, riding shirts x2, helmet, body armour, vgc, suit 7/8 year old O ffers. Tel. 07968 315098. Wilts.

CUBE TEXTILE LEGGINGS size small, new, never worn, £40 ono. Tel. Ali 01793 855055 (please leave a message I' ll return your call). Wilts.

DIANESE classic Laguna Seca one-piece suit, size 50, black, unmarked, £175 ono. Tel. 07791 930629.

Kent.

FRANK THOMAS ë L ady Rider' , textile jacket and trousers, size 18, black/ grey, vgc, £50; JTS ladies black leather jacket, with braided detail, insulate lining, vgc, size 16, £30.

Tel. 07821 2560204.

Devon.

FRANK THOMAS KINETIK BOOT size 43, used once, as new, £30 ono; RST jacket, black with white RST motif, used once, as new, size M42, £30 ono.

Tel. 0121 3601525. W Mids. griffiths.gg@yahoo. co.uk

HEINE GERICKE b lack touring suit, hardly worn, also boots, gloves, etc, suit 6ft medium build man, £100 Tel. 07850 607141. Leics.

HELMET open-face, £20; boots, size 10, £20; onepiece suit, £20; large bike cover, £20; wax cotton jacket, £20; sissy bar and pad, £20; disc lock, £10; U -lock, £10. Tel. 01228 530241. Carlisle.

MANUALS TRIUMPH 650750 Suzuki GS550, Velo 449-350, Suzuki GS1000, Suzuki 600-1200, Honda V TR1000. Tel. 01432 265726. Herefordshire.

H Y DR AULIC LIF T ë B2 Superlift' , under frame t ype, as new, new cost £300+ , bargain at v. heavy so buyer to collect, £125. Tel. 01604 831349. Northampton. cabailey83@googlemail. com J. A. PRESTWICK MODEL 3 army motor battery charger, runs, demo, £150; Willis Jeep, 12v battery charger, pull chord start, £150; both 4-stroke engines. Tel. 01767 691209 (leave message will ring back).

Beds.

LOTS GL1200 SPARES: CBF1000 front mudguard, £35; nylon touring jacket, armoured, 44∫ -46∫ , mint, £60; Thunderbird 900 side panels, black, £60 plus p&p; Hagon chrome rear shocks, mint, boxed, £100. Tel. 07434 513161.

Lancs.

SHOEI MOTORCYCLE sports p er formance jacket, medium size, includes removable zip lining and body armour for back, elbows & shoulders, £25; Belstaff Stylmartin motorcycle boots, size 7, £20. Tel. 01582 659540.

Luton, Beds .

PAIR OF PADDOCK STANDS as new, £35 ono. Tel. 07850 607141. Rutland, Leics.

WEISE OVERBOOTS black, size XL, with Scotchlite 3m reflective material, as new and unused condition, waterproof material with heal instep, £14 posted. Tel. 07504 327299. Torquay.

WEISE OVERBOOTS size XL, unused, waterproof with heal instep, £10; also Yamaha pull-back style handlebars from XJ650 Maxim, excellent condition, £20. Tel. 07504 327299. Torquay.

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