On Two Wheels September 2019

YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE ON TWO WHEELS September 2019 Issue 28

INSURANCE OUR HANDY GUIDE TO INSURING YOUR PRIDE & JOY

On Two Wheels

Learners

Commuters

BIKES REVIEWED IN THIS ISSUE WK E--Colt All thee smiles you’’ll ever need

PAGE 8

Buying

Riding

Choosing the right cover How to save money What to do in an accident

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MASH FIVE HUNDRED 400cc

SYM NH HT 125 A solid A1 liicenced mottorcycle

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Lambrettta V20 00

A classsic retu urns

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Speeding matters All you need to know PAGE 24

The Silver Dream machine PAGE 26 INSIDE: NEWS IN BRIEF ● UK EVENT GUIDE ● PRODUCT SHOP WINDOW ● LEGAL ADVICE ● E-BIKE NEWS ● RIDING TIPS ● PRODUCT REVIEWS ● PEUGEOT BRAND FOCUS ● CLASSIFIED ADS

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Mastiff - the King of Mutts Mutt Motorcycles have upped their game and released their new 125cc motorcycle, the Mutt Mastiff. According to Mutt themselves, this classic British-styled bike is the most detailladen, beautiful and hardwearing bike they have ever come up with. The aggressive little thumper has a fuel-injected engine, a custom-built stainless steel exhaust (which gives it that unmistakable Mutt bark) plus the most important new feature – a huge 17 litre fuel tank. Other design features include custom paintwork, a bespoke tan seat, aluminium mudguards and a brushed finish headlight grill.

The RRP is £3495 plus OTR charges.

• More info: www.Muttmotorcycles.com

Benelli’s new BN600 caught on camera

Lower seat height automatically with Showa’s EERA Heightflex suspension First unveiled at EICMA last November in prototype form, Showa’s new EERA Heightflex suspension system is a seriously cool bit of kit, which could be available as soon as 2021.

In essence, the EERA Heightflex is a shock absorber which (when fitted) will automatically lower the height of your bike as you reduce speed, making it easier for riders of a shorter stature to reach the ground as they come to a stop.

Admittedly, it’s not totally new technology; suspension manufacturers have been working on this kind of system for years – although they usually require motors, servo valves, etc, to get the job done.

But not any more. Showa’s EERA Heightflex doesn’t have chunky electric motors or sophisticated electronic control systems. Instead, the pressure created from the bottom

On Two Wheels

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

of the damper is controlled using an electronic valve.

More specifically, the EERA Heightflex system consists of a small hydraulic pump, which works to maintain the pressure of the upper part of the shock absorber (when you’re on the move) via a small electronic valve. When the pressure is correct the valve closes, the pump stops and the suspension stabilises.

When you stop, the absence of pressure in the hydraulic pump (caused by movement) lets the valve open and the shock absorber lose pressure. That means that the preload lowers (in about one second), allowing you to get your feet on the floor more easily. Moving off again, the hydraulic pump reacts to the oscillation of the shock absorber, gradually increasing pressure until it gets back to normal suspension height.

Publishing director: Dan Savage Publisher: Tim Hartley Staff writer: Ross Mowbray Contributors: Stan Bates, Andy Catton, Gary Chapman, Mech It Better (John Hanson & Ciarán Baker), Andrew ‘Chef’ Prendergast, Jonathan Schofield, John Sharratt Apologies to anyone we’ve forgotten Editorial design: Fran Lovely Picture desk: Paul Fincham and Jonathan Schofield Production editor: Mike Cowton Group advertising manager: Sue Keily Divisional advertising manager: Zoe Thurling Advertising: Emma Buxton-Rockley ebuxton-rockley@mortons.co.uk | 01507 529410 Marketing manager: Charlotte Park Commercial director: Nigel Hole Customer services number: 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm

Considering Showa’s ties to Honda, in addition to the fact the prototype unit was fitted to an Africa Twin when it was first unveiled, it doesn’t seem too much of a stretch to imagine the new EERA Heightflex unit coming to an Africa Twin near you in the not-too-distant future.

Benelli have undergone a serious resurgence over the last few years, with a raft of new models rolling out of the Italian factory's doors.

And now some spy shots have appeared in China which confirms there’s another on the way. This time it’s a naked sportbike called the BN600 (or TNT 600, depending on where you’re based).

Since being bought out by the Chinese motorcycle giant, Qianjiang, Benelli have been hard at work developing and manufacturing an eclectic mix of modern machines with a focus on value for money. In fact, at EICMA in 2017, Benelli unveiled a total of 10 brand new motorcycles to the world. And now there’s a new one set to appear: the BN600 naked.

The BN600 is not an entirely new concept. It was on sale until 2016, before the advent of Euro 4 regulations put a halt to production.

But now, spy images from China have confirmed that a new BN600 is coming.

At first glance, the new BN600 doesn’t look dramatically different to the previous generation bike, but a closer inspection of the spy shots reveals a few interesting details worth mentioning. The new front LED headlight is thinner and longer, and is flanked by a pair of LED indicators.

The bike still retains its broad shoulder, thanks in part to its chunky fuel tank, but its design is noticeably

less angular than in the past. There’s also new radiator covers and a black plastic cover under the tank.

Although the images don’t offer a proper view of the rear of the bike, it would seem that the latest generation BN600 won’t have the same underseat exhausts as the old bike. Instead, it’ll more than likely come with a single unit placed on the right side of the bike. Oh, and there’s also a new mudguard and licence plate holder mounted directly on the swing-arm.

Completing the new machine is a swanky TFT colour display, which is a nice touch considering the bike’s ‘budget’ credentials.

At this stage, there’s been no official confirmation from Benelli, so we don’t have much of an idea about the new BN600’s technical specification.

We’ll just have to sit tight until the EICMA show later this year, when we’ll hopefully get a chance to see it in the flesh, ahead of its rumoured 2020 release.

Suzuki extends 0% finance offer on GSX-R range Suzuki has extended its 0% finance offer on the GSX-R1000R and entry-level GSX-R125, with the deal now available until the end of September 2019. There’s also a new £250 Suzuki deposit contribution on the GSX-R125.

Suzuki’s 0% offer has been extended to include its learnerfriendly GSX-R125 – and it’s now available with a minimum deposit of £750 on HP, £250 of which comes as a Suzuki deposit contribution, meaning buyers need only find £500.

As a result, the sporty 125 can be had for £100.67 per month over a period of three years.

• More info: www.bikes.suzuki.co.uk

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£10 billion needed over next decade to fix potholes An investigation by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) has found that councils need to spend a whopping £2,740,000 a day for the next 10 years to rid the UK of its sub-par road surfaces.

According to council figures, a pothole is fixed somewhere in the UK every 17 seconds. This is a result of a cash boost totalling £24.5 million, itself an increase of 20% over budgets from 2016-2017.

However, RAC figures still show road users are two-and-a-half times more likely to suffer a pothole-related breakdown now than in 2006.

The survey also revealed a big discrepancy in spending on road surfaces between councils, with some local authorities receiving highway maintenance funding of more than £90,000 per mile last year, while others had less than 10% of that. The report said: 'The English local road network has been allowed to decay so much that it would take more than a decade to bring it up to a reasonable standard. This is a national scandal that shows a dereliction of duty by successive governments and individual local councils. The Government must act now to remedy this.'

Local Government Association transport spokesman Martin Tett said: “Councils face significant funding pressures which have a detrimental impact on services such as roads maintenance."

RAC Head of Roads Policy, Nicholas

Lyes, said that not putting enough money into fixing the UK’s local roads is a false economy. "In doing so, an unnecessary burden is being placed on councils. And then, when roads inevitably fail and need emergency attention, we all end up paying through taxes for short-term repairs that don’t sort out the problem in the long term.”

A Government spokesman said: “We know potholes are a nuisance and a hazard for all road users, particularly for motorcyclists. To improve local roads we are providing councils with £6.6 billion between 2015 and 2020, which includes more than £700 million for extra maintenance. We are also investing in trials on new road materials and repair techniques, as well as using technologies to help councils predict when roads will need repairs and prevent potholes.”

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New colours for BMW’s 2020 model line-up

R nineT

BMW Motorrad has recently revealed the new colour schemes for its 2020 model line-up. Here’s what we’ve got to look forward to next year.

BMW’s G 310 GS will be available in a new ‘Stratoblue Metallic’ colour scheme for 2020, while its sportier sibling, the 310 R, will be available in a new ‘Cosmicblack uni 2’ colour scheme.

There’s also a new anniversary edition BMW R nineT available for 2020, celebrating 50 years of the R50/5, R60/5 and R75/5. And finally, BMW’s big scooters will both be available in new liveries for 2020. The C 650 Sport will be available in the ‘Lupine Blue Metallic’ finish, while the C 650 GT gets a new ‘Hockenheim Silver Metallic’ paint job.

G 310 GS

C 650

310 R

PRODUCT SHOP WINDOW

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LightMode’s DIY kits

RRP: from £102.58

Fancy pimping your helmet to be more visible on two wheels? LightMode’s retrofit kits might be what just what you’re looking for.

Perfect if you ride at night or in gloomy weather, the kits attach to your helmet using either adhesive tape or liquid adhesive, depending on which variant you choose. There are three variants to choose from – the Neutron, the Electron and the Proton. The Neutron uses a simple adhesive strip method, which means the lights can be stuck to your helmet. For the Electron and Proton variants, installation is a bit more involved. Instead of a simple adhesive strip, you lightly attach thin wires to the helmet into position before sticking it down using a liquid adhesive.

The lights are powered via a small battery pack, which attaches to your helmet in the same way you would an Actioncam. Charged using a USB port, it should last between six and seven hours, depending on your chosen set up. You can even extend the charge by up to around 11 hours if you opt to use its ‘flashing’ mode.

With prices starting at $129 (£102.58) for the Neutron, $149 (£118.48) for the Electron and $169 (£134.39) for the Proton, Lightmode’s kits aren’t exactly cheap, but they’re a great solution to help you be better seen without the need to spend a fortune replacing your existing helmet.

• Info: www.lightmodehelmets.com

Thunderbolt all-inone cleaning wipes

RRP: from £22.99

RST Prro Series Raid Textile Jacket and Trousers RRP: Jackeet £229.99 | Trousers £159.99

Sitting under RST’s flagship Adventure III textile suit in its extensive range, th he Pro Series Raid textiles are perfect for adventure bike riders who relyy on their gear to protect them out on the road (and occasionally off-road d, too). Essentially, they’re a pared back version of the brand’s militarr y inspired X-Raid gear, and we reckon they look the business; simplee, stripped back and stylish h.

Thee Raid jacket and trousers are made from m VX-R material to provide strong abraasion resistance, and for prrotection against impact, are equipped with CE levvel 1 back, shoulder, elbow and kn nee armour as standard. Th There are allso pockets for hip protecto ors, th hough you’ll need to buy th he armour separately.

The Raid gear features a fi fixed waterproof drop lining, a rremovable thermal lining,, and plenty of vents and pockets, as well as a map pouch. The jacket alsso has adjustab ble buckles on the waist an nd arm, wh hile the trousers can be adjjusted at the w waist, meaning you should d be able to o get the perfect fit. Plus, th here’s a 3600-degree connection zip so o you can n attach them to your troussers.

• IInfo: www.rst-moto.com

Cal Crutchlow RPHA 11 Helmet RRP: £479.99

HJC has just released a Cal Crutchlow replica of its trackready RPHA 11, designed by iconic Italian helmet specialist, Aldo Drudi.

HJC’s RPHA 11 has made a name for itself over the last few years as one of the best lids on the market, particularly if you’re riding on the road and track. And now there’s a swanky new design to let you show your love for British MotoGP rider Cal Crutchlow. The helmet’s constructed from carbon, aramid and carbon-glass hybrid fibres. It comes with a range of vents, an enlarged visor and a multi-point shield locking system, and a multi-cool interior made out of anti-bacteria fabric with moisture wicking properties. Plus, you’ll also get two visors (one clear and one light smoke) and an anti-fog lens, too.

• Info: www.oxfordproducts.com

Yamaha YZF-R 125 tuning parts RRP: £ various Malossi have further expanded their range of performance products for 125cc motorcycles with the addition of three key tuning products for the 2019 Yamaha YZF-R 125 Euro 4.

The 183cc cylinder kit (YM317968) is manufactured from Nikasil plated aluminium alloy with a high content of hardened and tempered silicone, resulting in a perfect cylinder-to-piston interface. The kit must be used in conjunction with the Forcemaster 2 ECU. The Forcemaster 2 ECU (0655018417) has four different pre-configured mappings to suit various tuning configurations. The unit also raises the rev limiter by 600rpm, allowing a greater top speed and improved acceleration.

The GP MHR replica exhaust (0632018449) is manufactured from stainless steel with an oval cross-section featuring carbon fibre end caps. A version with a catalytic converter is also available (0632018449-K), which is homologated for both noise and exhaust emissions.

• Info: www.ve-uk.com

Specialist automotive cleaning products company Unlimited Passion has just released a new product for riders who want to spend more time riding and less cleaning. Called Thunderbolt, it’s essentially a box of wipes offering an all-in-one cleaning solution. The cleaning wipes are easily portable and negate the use of water as the product degreases, washes, waxes, polishes and protects. That means there’s no need for numerous lotions and potions to keep your bike in tip-top condition.

Safe for use everywhere – apart from on brakes or tyres – it’s claimed you’ll only need to use between two or three wipes to clean a bike from top to bottom.

Thunderbolt wipes can even be used to clean your riding kit, including helmets, visors, leathers, boots and gloves, which means they’re the perfect solution if you’re planning on covering some serious miles away from civilisation.

The wipes are available in two different sizes, with either 35 (£22.99) or 80 (£32.99) wipes in a tub. Thunderbolt claim the large tub should allow you to clean an average sized motorcycle between 25-30 times. To really see what it’s like, we’ve got a tub coming in on test in the not-too-distant future. Keep an eye on our review section to see if they’re as good as they sound.

• Info: www.unlimitedpassion. co.uk

02WEVENTS

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ARE YOU HOLDING A MOTORCYCLE-RELATED EVENT?

Send details (plus images) to editor@o2w.co.uk and we will publish it here.

(E&OE – please check with organisers before travelling)

We’re interested in all things two wheels – from moped racing right through to custom competitions – and each weekend, there’s a rich cross-section of events up and down the country to suit every taste. To inspire you to get out on two wheels, here’s our pick of events coming up over the next couple of months SEPT 6

Bike Night at Jacks Hill Café

A5 Watling Street, Towcester, Northants NN12 8ET Open daily, Jacks Hill Café is nationally known as one of the foremost transport cafés in the UK. It enjoys legendary status amongst bikers, cyclists and car enthusiasts as a meeting point due to its historical location and facilities. All styles of bikes welcome. Open from 6pm; food served till 8.30pm; alcohol served until 11pm.

• Info: Jacks Hill Café on Facebook

SEPT 27-29

22nd Kamikaze Cave Run

Silver Sapling Campsite, Silverdale, Lancs LA5 0UJ A traditional bike rally set in the South Lakes. Great music, live bands, comedy show, cheap bar, on-site camping. Tickets £20pp pre-booked, £25pp OTG. Car passes £20.

• Info: http://www.mobilechaosmcc.co.uk/ SEPT 28-29

Backfire Beer Festival Weekend

The Old Railway Station, Church Road, Stamford Bridge, York, Yorkshire YO41 1DG

SEPT13-15

Broken Barn Old School Camp Out

Beer, food, bikes, cars, steam and ex-military vehicles all in one place.

Free entry.

• Info: paul.backfire@ outlook.com

Whittletons Farm, Happisburgh, Norfolk NR12 0RU

A chilled out, stripped back camping weekend with a much more relaxed feel than most rallies! Ride out, chat with friends, or simply kick back and enjoy the tune. No stalls/raffle/food vendors at this event (please bring your camp stove); there will be a tinny bar, but feel free to bring your own wine/spirits, etc. This is your chance to get back to the bikes, music and biking community. Tickets £10 pre-booked, £15 OTG. Car parking £10 for weekend.

• Info: email notas@hotmail.co.uk or phone 07737 602776 SEPT 20

7th Annual Haggs 'Horizons Unlimited' Adventure Weekend

Haggs Bank Bunkhouse, Nentsbury, Aslton, Cumbria CA9 3LH

An activity weekend with lots of opportunities to get out and explore the North Pennines, England’s last great wilderness. Chill out in the evenings around the firepits with live music, food and local beer.

• Info: www.haggsbank.com/events/ SEPT 21-22

Kop Hill Climb Festival

Kop Hill Road, Princes Risborough, Bucks HP27 0LA Set in the Chiltern Hills in Princes Risborough, Bucks., this non-competitive hill climb dates back to 1910. It has firmly established itself as a major motoring festival since its resurrection 10 years ago. There is a raft of attractions from motorcycle and car club display areas, live music, a trader’s village and even a Soapbox Challenge. New for 2019 is the Engineering Village where local craftsmen show off their skills.

• Info: www.kophillclimb.org.uk SEPT 21-22

SEPT 29

Sand and Motorcycles

Pages Park, Billington Road, Leighton Buzzard, Beds LU7 4TG Around 900 motorcycles attend this free show. There are club stands, trade stands and charity stands, café, tea/coffee stalls, a beer and cider tent, and right next door is Page's Park Station with steam and diesel locomotives pulling passenger trains (special discounted fares apply for exhibitors).

Motorcycles of any age or type are welcome.

• Info: www.buzzrail.co.uk/static/ sandmotorcycles.html

SEPT 29

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride

Nationwide locations and start points A celebration of the art of being dapper, both in dress and choice of motorcycle. Bring your finest manners, neatest beards and a sense of fun. The DGR aims to unite 70,000 riders through 600 cities in 90 countries around the world,

raising millions for men’s health charities.

• Info: www.gentlemansride.com

Nailsea Bike Show

4 St Mary's Grove, Nailsea, Bristol BS48 4NQ The 10th Nailsea International Bike Show will feature a wide selection of motorcycles, classics, custom, sports, tourer, café racer, trade stands and more! A great weekend for all the family. Free entry and money raised goes to Children’s Hospice South West.

• Info: www.nailseabikers.org.uk/ SEPT 22

Ride To Save Lives 2019

SEPT 29-30

Departs Newark Showground, Lincoln Road, Newark NG24 2NY

Squires Annual Bike Show Weekend

Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance 4th annual Charity Motorcycle Ride Out. The scenic 62-mile route starts at Newark Showground on September 22 at 11am, travelling through beautiful rural villages in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. The ride returns to Newark Showground for around 1pm, where you can grab some lunch and have the opportunity to meet the crew as the helicopter plans to fly in at around 1.30pm.

• Info: www.ambucopter.org.uk/event/ride-to-save-lives-2019/

Situated in Sherburn in Elmet, North Yorkshire, Squires Cafe quickly became a popular destination for motorcyclists, with many coming from all over Yorkshire, the North of England and all parts of the UK. The annual show hosts lots of attractions and entertainment, including a live stunt show on the Saturday and a live band that evening. Sunday is ‘Classic Bike’ show day.

• Info: www.squires-cafe.co.uk

SEPT 22

5th Leighton Motorcycle Hill Climb Challenge

Leighton Hall, Storrs Lane, Carnforth LA5 9ST

This hill climb has quickly established itself as one of the most popular and competitively contested events in the off-road motorcycle calendar, with tricky challenges for riders racing at speeds up to and in excess of 100 miles an hour.

• Info: www.leightonhallmotorcyclehillclimb.co.uk

Squires Café Bar, Sherburn in Elmet, Newthorpe Lane, Yorkshire LS25 5LX

SEPT 29

North Manchester Custom and Classic Bike Show

Ramsbottom Cricket Club, Acre Bottom, Rossendale, Lancs BL0 0BS Back for the eighth year with a wide variety of stalls and entertainment. A family-friendly event.

• Info: NorthManchesterBikeShow@hotmail.com

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FIRST RIDE: WK E-COLT

SPECIFICATION

WK E-Colt

MOTOR: DC brushless hub 1500w BATTERY: Lithium ion rechargeable - 72v RANGE: 60km CHARGE TIME: 7.5 hours MAX SPEED: 45km/h or 28mph TORQUE: 30Nm BRAKES: Hydraulic disc front / rear SUSPENSION: (F) USD telescopic fork /

(R) monoshock TYRES: (F) 120/70-12 / (R) 130/70-12 SEAT HEIGHT: 760mm KERB WEIGHT: 100kg PRICE: RRP £1899 incl VAT & OTR CONTACT: www.wkbikes.com O2W RATING:

★★★★★★★★★★

Learner-legal electric Small, fun and all the smiles miles you’ll ever need

The E-Colt by WK is a like for like replica/evolution of WK’s petrolpowered 50cc and 125cc models of the same name. At first glance, your friends wouldn’t even know you’re on an electric moped, and that’s the genius. Body panels have been moulded to cover the frame and battery, giving that appearance of a motorcycle with an ordinary fuel burning motor. A well-formed fuel tank and sculpted seat cradles you into a very small, yet somehow not cramped riding position.

Now I’m 5ft 10in and a bit when not in my boots and I felt more than happy with the riding position. I know I have used the words ‘very small’, but she is. Not clown size, not a kids' toy, but a small compact unit – that’s the same dimensions as its fossil burning cousins.

Obviously the lack of an exhaust and the whisper quiet way in which you head off down the road are the major giveaways that you’re not on the run-of-the-mill 50cc moped.

Again you’re on the same 12in wheels as the petrol versions and with 120/70 front and 130/70 rear rubber, traction is no major issue. The E-Colt is not putting down massive torque, but

what it has it uses in a smile-inducing way. As with a few of the other electric bikes I have ridden recently, the WK E-Colt has a three-speed regulator switch on the right side of the handlebars. This gives you the option to regulate the maximum speed the bike will achieve. In the first of the three modes the E-Colt maxes out at 13mph, perfect for a beginner or a younger rider to learn on. Slow, steady power delivery gives this bike the platform to be a real game changer in the world of the learner rider, an ideal training platform for slow speed manoeuvring and road craft. Level two tops out at just 20mph. Not a big jump, but enough to keep you in the flow of inner city traffic. Again the power delivery is smooth and liner, with no spikes or flat spots in any way at all. Level three puts the top speed at 28.5mph (30mph on a good downhill) and the throttle response is just that little bit quicker.

My first riding impressions of the E-Colt from WK were that the little bike should be taken seriously. I was worried that I would find it boring or just lacking due to the other motorbikes I had been riding in the weeks before. No fancy gizmos on

show here, as all the clever stuff is hidden within. Relaxing into the seat, I found that I was more comfortable than I had originally thought I would be. As I have said before, this is a small machine.

The contours of the seat, tank and angle of the handlebars put you in quite an upright position, your feet being in a direct line down from your bum, shoulders relaxed. It’s a feeling almost as if you're cosseted, cradled and held in place, firmly, but gently.

The placement of the indicator stalk and headlight hi/low switches were to me in just the right position. No need to reposition your hand to reach for them as I have had to do on a few of the other e-scooters I have ridden over the last few years. Not all of the main manufacturers can say that they have it spot on in that respect. The dash gives a clear indicator of battery level, miles remaining (this changes depending on the power level setting you’re in); obviously you will get more miles out of a full charge if you’re in level one. I’m not sure that I could keep myself in level one for more than a couple of miles if I have to be honest. Once I’d done 15 minutes it was level three for me all the way. The ride itself was not the smoothest. The suspension is a touch on the hard side. Whereas the Lifan 1200 I rode a few months ago wafted you along on what could be described as an almost marshmallow soft feel, the E-Colt has an altogether stiffer set up.

What it misses in ride comfort it gives back in the agility. Weighing in at just 100kg the E-Colt can be properly hustled around and in the city environment this is a real bonus.

The ability to change direction rapidly yet safely is something that will help you get out of trouble and stay safe.

With the lightness of the E-Colt in mind, how about a word on the

brakes? Front and rear are both hydraulic and the calipers are teamed up with single discs. As you’d expect from the fact that I’m writing this report at my kitchen table and not in a hospital bed they work, and for the system not to be a linked one, which is now a lot more common on electric machines, or that it has no ABS/ traction control, they work really well.

I had great fun trying to find the point at which the brakes stopped being the safety item, to prevent a crash or impact, and became the thing that allowed me to put a black line on the Tarmac.

The balance between the placement of the battery (under what is a false fuel tank, come back to that in a mo) and the motor being within the rear wheel, the E-Colt feels and is nimble, agile and stops quickly.

I undertook my normal evening ride to see if the lights would stand up to the challenge of a Lincolnshire B-road in the middle of nowhere. I have to give you the news that yes, they did. Even without the now standard on most LED units, the E-Colt gave enough on dip to see and on main I was happy in level three pinned open at the dizzying heights of 28mph.

You're only ever going to get a speeding ticket (don’t take this as

gospel as you could) if you ride like an idiot, downhill, with a back wind, but on the whole its 28mph and that’s your lot. The rear wheel-mounted motor is a DC 1500w brushless unit and it's powered by a low-slung lithium Ion 72v battery. This combination can give up to a range of 38 miles in level one or closer to 25 miles in level three on a full charge (which’ll take a quoted 7.5 hours).

There is a storage area that I was surprised to find held more than just a packet of crisps and a mobile phone.

If this had one downside it’s that the opening is a touch on the small side. I did, however, get my waterproof jacket tucked in and still had space for a bottle of water and a pack of four apples. Not bad.

Why spend an ongoing amount of your hard-earned cash paying for fuel and service costs on a small 50cc urban scooter or motorcycle? With no clutch, no fuel filter and no fluids to top up, the E-Colt has only one major moving part, that’s the motor, and the rest of the cost is charging and tyres.

In short, the E-Colt is the perfect city commuter – and it will surely save you money if you’re just willing to slow down a bit.

Words: Jonathan Schofield Images: Gary Chapman

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BMW hybrid motorcycle on the way?

NEWS

Yamaha filees patents for new ‘stand-up’ three-wheel scooter

Patents have been filed by BMW for a new flexible fuel tank, which all but confirms there’s a hybrid motorcycle on the way from the German giant.

This isn’t the first we’ve heard about the Bavarian factory's forays into the hybrid world. Remember Wunderlich’s BMW R 1200 GS, which was powered by a 7.6 kW electric motor in the front wheel hub, in addition to its usual Boxer lump?

Well now it looks like things are getting official. The new patents show a ‘variable capacity’ tank – with the

Wunderlich’s electric powered BMW R 1200 GS

lower part made of a flexible material to make it easy to modify its shape and accommodate (in a nonpermanent way) an additional battery designed to power an electric motor.

The main advantage of the supposed system would be that you could take advantage of its hybrid capabilities when you’re in and around town – and then remove the extra battery to expand the traditional fuel tank for longer journeys. Admittedly, the patent doesn’t go into the specifics of the hybrid system itself, but it’s not too much of a stretch to assume the purpose of the new technology.

Patents have appeared which show that Yamaha is coming up with a stand-up three wheeler that uses the Niken-esque LWM front end. That means that the two-wheels

set up, like on the Niken, work independently of each other and keep the ‘bike’ stable when leaned over in turns.

It’s another standing, belt-driven, battery-powered t hree-wheeler from a major motorcycle manufacturer, which seems to be (at least, according to the rumour mill) something of a trend going on at the moment.

One thing that’s clearly noticeable on the Yamaha design is the large lever adjuster for the height of

the handlebars, suggesting that this three-wheeler could well be targeted at the commuter market looking for something they can ride to the train station, carry on to the train and then ride on to their destination once in a city.

The designs filed do have a removable battery and a small TFT flat-panel screen.

There's very little to be intimidated by if you’re a youth or a commuter looking to bomb about in a built-up area in relative safety.

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A1 LICENCE

FIRST RIDE: SYM NHT 125

Super Adventurer!

A solid learner-legal 125cc multi-purpose motorcycle that handles amazingly well and is loads of fun to ride – especially on the green lanes

The SYM NHT has strong sleek adventure styling, plus distinctive Minecraft graphic’s, and with its double front mudguard coupled with a solid build and fab handling, it’s the the best 125 I have been on this year.

It’s also got the added advantage of an adventure touring seat height to give riders an advantageous view of the road ahead.

On the road, the NHT engine has good purposeful pull up to 50mph. I raced a CBF 125 – no chance, he could hold at least 2mph more everywhere. I am not the smallest lad though, so a lighter rider might have had greater

success. Admittedly, the SYM arrived with only 28 miles on the clock, and although it struggled to hit 60mph at first, over the last 200 miles it’s started to loosen up a little and it now runs 5mph faster at a more useful 65mph (67mph head ducked right down). It will be interesting to see how much more the engine loosens up. The clutch is light and the gearbox is pretty slick from new.

Tyres are superb and grip in the wet and on loose off-road dirt track surfaces, as well as being grippy on dry roads. The handling is superb – the best I have had on a 125 – if only the engine had a little more poke. It’s just a little frustrating on wider, faster stretches of road and is something definitely worth considering depending on the length of your commute or the type of riding you’re planning on doing.

Suspension is plenty plush enough.

Ok, so there’s no preload adjustment on the rear shock, but everything works exceptionally well, feeling secure and bends are a joy.

One slight gripe is its linked brakes (Combined Braking System). Using the back brake is weird and unnatural for long-standing bike riders, and limits its otherwise superb (mild) green lane potential. However, the front is gentle and strong enough and is an ideal brake for a beginner or busy city commuting. It’s got some decent gear as standard too, including a USB charging point near the headstock.

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SPECIFICATION ENGINE: 124.1cc 4 stroke, single cylinder POWER: 7.5 kW @ 8,500 rpm TORQUE: 9.5 Nm @ 6,500 rpm SUSPENSION: (F) Telescopic fork with 140mm travel

(R) Monoshock with 42.5mm travel

BRAKES: (F) 288mm disc (R) 222mm disc TYRES: (F) 100/90-19 (R) 130/80-17 WEIGHT: 150kg FUEL CAPACITY: 11 Litres PRICE: £2499 + OTR CONTACT: www.motogb.co.uk O2W RATING:

★★★★★★★★★★ I charged my phone whilst riding – a first, wow! LCD Dash, very clear, includes gear indicator, time and fuel gauge as well as revs and speedometer. Great, bright LED lights all round.

The seat’s comfy for the first 20 miles, but it’s too hard for much longer, which is slightly disappointing given the bike's pseudo-adventure aspirations. But for most commutes it’s more than up to the job, and I’m sure it could be easily remedied with an aftermarket pad for longer journeys if your backside complained too much. It’s

not too tall, either. There’s also a good, easy to fill lockable fuel tank, which offers a range of around 160 miles at full speed!

The finish looks great, although I did spot a few mildly rusted bolts and some exposed wiring. The trick is to inspect your NHT, and ask your dealer to tidy up anything you don’t think’s quite right. Overall though, the SYM is a solid machine with a great quality feel.

The bike's off-road styling meant I had to give it a go on the green lanes.

Although it’s no out and out offroader, this machine will do the dirt track thing with aplomb (even shod in its standard tyres). If you were planning to tackle trails frequently, you’d want to source or make a metal bash guard, add hand guards and some decent off-road tyres – and with its road gearing, you could perhaps look at fitting some different

sprockets to make the machine more useable in the mud. It is never going to be an all-out enduro bike, but it will tackle your local flat green lanes right now. A banging multi-purpose motorcycle and I love it.

In essence, the SYM NHT 125 is a great little bike. It’s loads of fun and it handles amazingly well, even if it is slightly let down by finish, top end engine performance and that linked rear brake. But it’s a little 125. Smiles per miles per pounds ratio is high.

The fact that I have been hiding it at home so it doesn’t need to go back, and sit looking at it every evening with the cats says everything you need to know it is a good'un, offering a relatively new concept in the fierce 125 motorcycle market place – the mini adventure.

Words: Andy Catton Images: Gary Chapman

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BRANDFOCUS:

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PEUGEOT SCOOTERS

- the brand to trust

A European manufacturer with more than a hundred years of experience in the two-wheeler field, Peugeot scooters are known for their unbeatable quality, performance, cutting-edge design, durability, minimal environmental impact and, importantly, value for money. Their diverse range of scooters are available across the UK through authorised Peugeot Scooter Centres

THERE’S A MODEL FOR EVERYONE The model range offers anything from 50cc mopeds, 125cc scooters, larger capacity maxi scooters and threewheelers in a variety of combinations, in a huge array of colours and special editions to appeal to any taste.

Peugeot appointed agents can offer advice on the right capacity range for your needs along with demonstration rides, rider training, finance options, clothing, helmets, scooter accessories and luggage options to customise your moped or scooter to suit your requirements, plus everything you need to get your scooter on the road.

www.peugeotscooters.co.uk E&OE: model range and prices agreed as being correct with the UK importer at the time of compilation

PULSION ALLURE 125 ABS

The smarter scooter

New for 2019, the Peugeot Pulsion 125 is packed with intelligent technology and ergonomic design to create a smart scooter for life in and out of t he cit y. Th Thee Pulsion’s i-Connect® system m allows full smartphone connectiviity.

RRP £4499

SPECIFICATION ENGINE: 125cc POWER: 10.6kW WEIGHT: 165kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Disc SEAT HEIGHT: 790mm COLOURS: Grey, Red LICENCE REQUIREMENT: A1

PULSION RS 125 ABS Sporty version of the smart scooter Featuring the i-Connect® system for full smartphone connectivity and potent PowerMotion® engine, the sp por t y RS comes with ‘bare’ handlebarrs and sport -style screen, as well as custo om-cool stainless steel footplates.

SPECIFICATION ENGINE: 125cc POWER: 10.6kW WEIGHT: 165kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Disc SEAT HEIGHT: 790mm COLOURS: Grey, Blue LICENCE REQUIREMENT: A1

RRP £4499

PEUGEOT SCOOTERS BELVILLE 125 ABS

Named after the famous district of Paris Larger tyres give reassuring road holding on the country's increasingly potholed and degraded roads. The Belville 125 has a new liquid-cooled SmartMotion® engine, for low emissions and up to 113mpg economy.

BELVILLE 125 ABS RS

RRP £3199

Big wheels and sporty looks

This version is distinguished by its signature red wheel rims and front grille. The seat is over-stitched in red, the alloy foot-plate has an ‘RS’ insert and there's a tinted sports flyscreen, too. Forks, wheel rim ms a nd eng ine case are all black, completingg the look.

BELVILLE 200 ABS

RRP £3199

Bigger version of big-wheel scooter The Belville's LED headlight and signature ‘triple claw’ daytime running tail-light add to its stylish lines, increasing visibility. It’s powered by the air-cooled, fuel injected EasyMotion® engine, combinin ng low emissions with high torque peerformance.

SPECIFICATION

SPECIFICATION

SPECIFICATION

ENGINE: 125cc air-cooled POWER: 8.1kW WEIGHT: 127kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Disc SEAT HEIGHT: 790mm COLOURS: Black, Grey, White LICENCE REQUIREMENT: A1

ENGINE: 125cc air-cooled POWER: 8.1kW WEIGHT: 127kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Disc SEAT HEIGHT: 790mm COLOURS: Grey LICENCE REQUIREMENT: A1

ENGINE: 169cc air-cooled POWER: 8.8kW WEIGHT: 127kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Disc SEAT HEIGHT: 790mm COLOURS: Black, Grey, White LICENCE REQUIREMENT: A2

BELVILLE 200 ABS RS Sportier option of 200cc big wheel scooter Features include a sports seat over-stitched in red, alloy foot-plate with ‘RS’ insert and a tinted flyscreen. Forks, wheel rims and engine case are all black. Space for a full-face helmet under the seat, plus a lockable glove compartment with a USB charrger.

CITYSTAR 200 ABS RS RRP £3299

A slick mover in the city Combining the best features of maxiscooters into a compact body for urban use, the Citystar is powered by a high torque 200cc motor and com mes in spor t y RS trim, with tinted sports screen and black alloy wheels.

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RRP £3299

DJANGO 50cc RRP £4299

Transporting you back to the festive 1950s Parisian streets The popular Django retro scooter gets some major updates for 2019, w it h cleanrunning Euro 4 compliant fou ur-stroke engines across all models and d a host of new colour options.

SPECIFICATION

SPECIFICATION

SPECIFICATION

ENGINE: 169cc air-cooled POWER: 8.8kW WEIGHT: 127kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Disc SEAT HEIGHT: 790mm COLOURS: Grey LICENCE REQUIREMENT: A2

ENGINE: 200cc liquid-cooled POWER: 19kW WEIGHT: 150kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Disc SEAT HEIGHT: 795mm COLOURS: Grey, Silver LICENCE REQUIREMENT: A2

ENGINE: 50cc air-cooled POWER: 3kW WEIGHT: 113kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Drum SEAT HEIGHT: 770mm COLOURS: Blue, Grey, Orange, Red LICENCE REQUIREMENT: AM

RRP £2699

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DJANGO 125 ABS

Delving into history to re-invent the future The Django is packed with modern technology – LED lighting features throughout, used for front and rear indicators, rear light and the signature lighting surroundin ng the Peugeot lion at the front.

BRANDFOCUS: DJANGO 150 ABS

RRP £3199

Producing 10% more power than the 125cc engine Available in four cool colour schemes, with LED lighting featured throughout, including being used for front and rear indicators and rear light. There’s also a 12-volt charging socket and d the semidigital dashboard has a trip computer.

SPECIFICATION

SPECIFICATION

ENGINE: 125cc air-cooled POWER: 7.5kW WEIGHT: 135kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Disc SEAT HEIGHT: 770mm COLOURS: Blue, Grey, Orange, Red LICENCE REQUIREMENT: A1

ENGINE: 150cc air-cooled POWER: 8.3kW WEIGHT: 140kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Disc SEAT HEIGHT: 770mm COLOURS: Blue. Grey, Orange, Red LICENCE REQUIREMENT: A2

KISBEE 50 RS/STREETLINE Simple yet sporty The new 50cc four-stroke engine design produces more torque, but remains compact, lightweight and reliable.

In RS trim it has a smoked spo orts windshield, black 12’’ alloy rim ms and Shuricane front brake dissc.

RRP £1699

ENGINE: 50cc air-cooled POWER: 3kW WEIGHT: 90kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Drum SEAT HEIGHT: 780mm COLOURS: Grey LICENCE REQUIREMENT: AM

RRP £8199

SPECIFICATION ENGINE: 400cc liquid-cooled POWER: 26.2kW WEIGHT: 258kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Disc SEAT HEIGHT: 780mm COLOURS: Black LICENCE: A2 or car ‘B’-type (pre-Jan

19, 2013)

SPEEDFIGHT 125 R-CUP A special edition with distinctive looks The R-Cup edition gets the distinctive paint scheme seen on track in the Peugeot 308 Racing Cup series.

Finished in Icy White, with h bright red detail, the 125 R-Cup emph hasises the Speedfight's sports heritagee.

The most technically advanced three-wheeler in its class Powered by a 400cc LFE PowerMotion® engine, the updated Metropolis has larger 13” front wheels, re-engineered chassis and suspension, Traction Control,, A BS and an emergency braking warnin ng system.

White

LICENCE REQUIREMENT: AM

METROPOLIS 400 RS ABS RRP £8099

Sports styled 3-wheel scooter All the tech of the regular Metropolis, and in RS trim the 3-wheel scooter gets a low-profile tinted sports screen, stainless steel foot plates, dual-texture sport seat and black wheel rims wiit h a red border.

SPECIFICATION

SPECIFICATION

ENGINE: 400cc liquid-cooled POWER: 26.2kW WEIGHT: 258kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Disc SEAT HEIGHT: 780mm COLOURS: Copper, Grey, White, Red LICENCE REQUIREMENT: A2 or

ENGINE: 400cc liquid-cooled POWER: 26.2kW WEIGHT: 258kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Disc SEAT HEIGHT: 780mm COLOURS: Black LICENCE: A2 or car ‘B’-type (pre-Jan

Sporty in its pure state

This landmark scooter is now in its fourth generation, with USD Ø 32mm front forks, 13-inch alloy wheels and digitta l dashboard with USB and 12v sockets, ready fitted with a RAM® X-Grip® smartphone holder.

SPEEDFIGHT 125 RRP £2499

Maintaining pole position as the definitive sports scooter Powered by a liquid-cooled SmartMotion® engine, this scooter is the most powerful Speedfight available, and it's caapable of returning 134mpg [2.1 litres/10 00 km], giving you, the rider, the best of both worlds.

SPECIFICATION

SPECIFICATION

ENGINE: 49cc air-cooled POWER: 2.8kW WEIGHT: 107kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Drum SEAT HEIGHT: 800mm COLOURS: Black, White LICENCE REQUIREMENT: AM

ENGINE: 125cc liquid-cooled POWER: 8.1kW WEIGHT: 121kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Disc SEAT HEIGHT: 800mm COLOURS: Red, Blue, Brown LICENCE REQUIREMENT: A1

Cleaner and greener big wheel scooter Peugeot's big wheel Tweet 50 scooter is now cleaner and greener, thanks to a new electronic carburettorr t hat reduces emissions and improves fuel economy.

RRP £8199

19, 2013)

SPEEDFIGHT 4 50 (Darkside/R-Cup/Total Sport)

RRP £1649

SPECIFICATION

TWEET 50 RRP £2799

The Kisbee is a light, agile and spacious scooter, offering hassle-free commuting, combined with low running costs to both the rider and the envv ironment.

ENGINE: 50cc air-cooled POWER: 3kW WEIGHT: 90kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Drum SEAT HEIGHT: 780mm COLOURS: Black, Blue, Orange,

car ‘B’-type (pre-Jan 19, 2013)

PEUGEOT METROPOLIS 400 RXR ABS The special edition RXR shares all the tech updates of the ABS version, plus CNC machined wheel rims, dual-texture sport seat, adjustable low-profile smoked sport windscreen and aluminiu um footplates.

RRP £3299

METROPOLIS 400 ABS

SPECIFICATION

Packed with innovation

KISBEE 50

Simple in concept, but advanced in design

RRP £2699

TWEET 125 ABS RRP £1999

Superb stability and sure-footed handling The Tweet has the new 125cc EasyMotion® engine, signature lighting and ABS brakes.

It's suited to congested urban streets, with large 16” wheels and adjustablle t w in rear shock absorbers providing extra stability and comfort on poorly maintained surfaces.

SPECIFICATION

SPECIFICATION

SPECIFICATION

ENGINE: 125cc liquid-cooled POWER: 8.1kW WEIGHT: 121kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Disc SEAT HEIGHT: 800mm COLOURS: White LICENCE REQUIREMENT: A1

ENGINE: 50cc air-cooled POWER: 2.3kW WEIGHT: 100kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Drum SEAT HEIGHT: 770mm COLOURS: Black, White LICENCE REQUIREMENT: AM

ENGINE: 125cc air-cooled POWER: 7.5kW WEIGHT: 109kg FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Disc SEAT HEIGHT: 800mm COLOURS: Black, White LICENCE REQUIREMENT: A1

RRP £2499

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BUYING GUIDE

Insurance

– (almost) everything you need to know Do you know whether you’ve got TPFT or fully comprehensive? Do you know what the difference is?

We’ve put together a handy guide to make insuring your pride and joy as easy as possible Riding along without a care in the world is one of the best feelings you can have. There’s just you, the open road, and your bike heading off over the horizon. But do you know what to do if the worst happened and you had an accident? Would you be covered?

How much money are you going to have to find to fix the damage?

Insurance is a legal requirement. No argument. If you ride without it then

you’re breaking the law and you could even have your beloved machine taken away from you by the Police.

The industry can seem a bit of a minefield, with abbreviations being thrown at you from all angles – but don’t despair.

Once you’ve got to grips with a few of the key terms, you’ll be able to make an informed and cost-effective choice for what you need.

Policy options

There are three types of insurance available – let’s start with the most basic cover first:

THIRD PARTY is the most basic motorcycle insurance required by law. It’s important to note that this only covers your liability for death or injury to someone else and for damage to someone else’s property. It won’t cover you or your bike.

THIRD PARTY, FIRE & THEFT (aka TPFT) is similar to simple third party insurance mentioned above, but also covers your bike if it’s stolen or damaged by fire.

FULLY COMPREHENSIVE insurance not only covers you from the liability to other people and their property, but it will also cover the cost of fixing or replacing your ride.

Understandably, the price of this will often be higher than the other two options.

ADDITIONAL COVER is available on top of the standard insurance. There are a number of additional coverage options available to you covering other aspects of your ride.

These include: gear, transport, breakdown cover, legal assistance, European coverage, no claims discount protection – the list is endless. Chat these through with an

Insurance call centres are there to help you advisor and ask them to discuss what’s covered so you can make an informed decision about whether you think you need it or not. Sometimes there can be a temptation to have one (or even more) of the additional options on the ‘off chance’ you might use them, or because you don’t want to say no. Consider them carefully and don’t be afraid to say you don’t want them if you won’t use them!

Where you keep your bike could have an influence on your policy costs

How to save money

What to do in the event of an accident

There are a number of ways you can cut down the price of your insurance. Take a look at the below and see if you can benefit from any:

Should the worst happen and you find yourself involved in an accident, there are a number of things to consider. Read our handy tips for what to do…

PAY ALL IN ONE GO: By setting up monthly payments, you’re entering a credit agreement and as a result interest gets added on to your premium. By paying it all in one go, you bypass this. However, this is not always financially viable for people.

KEEP YOUR BIKE SOMEWHERE SAFE: Where you keep your bike has an implication on your insurance costs too. Keeping it in a garage is obviously classed as being safer than at the side of the road. Also fitting certain types of security devices/alarms can help bring your price down.

DON’T TAKE PILLIONS: When discussing your policy you may be asked if you are planning on taking pillions. By choosing not to take passengers you could decrease your quote.

BUILD UP A NO CLAIMS DISCOUNT: This proves that you haven’t claimed in a certain amount of time, therefore illustrating you are a ‘responsible’ rider and owner. The more years no claims bonus you have, the better you look on paper statistically. Remember too, that if you don’t ride for a couple of years your no claims slate gets wiped clean.

As your NCB can earn you a discount of maybe 60%, it’s well worth

ASSESS YOUR INJURIES AND KEEP CALM: First and foremost, make sure that you’re ok and not injured. If you are injured then get someone to call for the emergency services and stay put while they’re on their way. If you’re not injured, then get yourself to a safe position out of danger and think about the next steps.

GATHER EVIDENCE AND SPEAK TO WITNESSES: Get out your phone and take plenty of pictures of the scene including: vehicles involved, the road surface, the surrounding area, and anyone else involved. If there are any witnesses, then ask them to stay until the Police arrive. If the emergency services aren’t on their way, gather their details so you can contact them if need be.

Exchange details with others involved and take down their personal and insurance details, as well as information about the other vehicle. Think about things such as make, model, registration number and colour.

As soon as you’re safely able, note down your recollection of the incident: the time and location, direction of travel of all vehicles involved and their estimated speed, weather and road conditions. If you’re a Carole Nash policyholder you can give this information over the phone using the company’s Talking Claims service, but it’s useful in any case to

Noting when insurance renewal is due gives you more time to compare prices having– so keep riding!

SEARCH AROUND: Don’t just rely on your existing insurance company coming back to you with the best renewal quote. Ensure you search around with others and use this as bargaining power. Because they’ll be more used to dealing with Vespas than Vectras, make sure you talk to specialist bike insurance firms. We know it can be hard, but if you’re able to ride under 5,000 miles a year, your insurer may discount your premium.

Some firms will offer you discounts if you’re a member of a recognised owners club – Carole Nash offers up to 10% off classic insurance policies.

INCREASE YOUR EXCESS: Tempted to hike up the amount of voluntary excess you offer to pay? It's a great idea in principle as it will bring the cost of your premium down, but should you have to claim on your insurance and pay out for a claim, can you really afford to find that £1000…

make a written note. Carole Nash customers can also use the iPhone app to lodge a claim direct from the scene, providing an exact GPS location and supporting photographs, as well as arrange recovery of their scooter using one-touch dialling if necessary.

CONTACT YOUR INSURERS: At the first opportunity, contact your insurers and let them know what has happened. This will start the ball rolling at their end and may ultimately mean you get your bike sorted quicker!

KEEP DAMAGED PROPERTY: Whilst you might be in a rush to get new leathers and get your bike fixed, hold your horses. It might be that the

Some insurance companies have their own appointed repair centres

insurance company wants to have a look at the damage caused. Keep your riding gear too, as it can sometimes hold answers about how you fell, as more often than not, you won’t remember that part.

HANDY HINTS: Keep details of everything – get organised and write everything down. Everything from crime reference numbers to anything that you remember that might be relevant further down the line. Remember, often being involved or witnessing an accident can be a traumatic experience and one that we hope you guys never get into.

However, it’s important to be prepared just in case.

PRODUCT REVIEWS

Pinlock Earplugs

Visorcat RRP: £36.99 Reviewer: Ross Struggling to keep your visor clean? Visorcat’s clever gadget allows you to wash it while you’re on the move. It’s basically a strap-on attachment for your glove that features a wiper and squeegee to wash road dirt, salt, flies and dust from your visor. But how well does it work?

Ok, so I’ve got to admit, when the Visorcat first landed on my desk, I wasn’t overly enthusiastic about the little gadget. My first thought was that it was going to be a bit of a faff having it attached to your glove, despite the obvious benefits But I’m pleased to report that I couldn’t have been more wrong.

It’s easy to attach, easy to operate – and it works much better than expected.

The Visorcat comes ready to go

RRP: £19.99 Reviewer: Michael Cowton

I have suffered from tinnitus for mo ore years than I care to remember, brought on, I believe, after years of playing bass next to drummers. All that crashing of cymbals royally screwed my higher frequencies, and d as a consequence I live with a constant hiss. With one in ten Brits suffering from the condition, no doubt there will be a considerable number of bikers in the mix.

I admit to being over-sensitive, if not a little paranoid, about the condition, and therefore am extremely conscious about how to protect what hearing I have left from m further damage as a result of riding a bike. So, I have been trying variou us different types of ear protection, and not having been entirely happy with h the squidgy, disposable sort, which I found difficult both to keep in place and not particularly effective, I decided to invest in a pair of Pinlock Earplugs, which are especially engineered for riders.

Utilising an integrated advanced precision filter, the plugs have been developed to help block wind noise, but still allow the rider to pick up on those all-important sounds, such as emergency vehicle sirens, horns, sounds from approaching vehicles and conversations, without causing muffled hearing.

Made from medical grade siliconefree materials, the filter itself is removable, thereby making it easy to clean the plugs. The latter come in

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two sizes in a moulded polystyrene case, so dependent on your ear size, you can opt for either the medium or large.

I opted for the larger of the two, and was not disappointed. Simple to place in the ear, I almost immediately forgot that they were in situ, such was the comfort level. As important, the reduction in wind noise was immediately apparent, something which previously I had grown more conscious off as it was, in fact, beginning to affect my concentration.

Forming a good seal with the ear canal, I have had no problem with them becoming dislodged when either putting on or removing my

helmet. The one thing I hadn’t accounted for was actually extracting them. Not being able to see what I am doing, trying to locate the tab with which to pull them out has proved to be one of frustration on more than one occasion.

It is hard to put a price on ear protection. Whilst taking preventative measures is without doubt better than wearing no protection at all, for me, the only negative is that they don’t filter out the constant nagging from her indoors whenever I mention purchasing a new piece of kit or, heaven forbid, another bike.

• Info: www.pinlock.com

with a sponge and a 50ml pocket bottle of visor wash, and once you’ve filled the gadget up with fluid, you’re good to go. It’s easy enough to fix to your glove securely too – just pull it over and tighten up the straps.

Then you can keep your visor clean by moving Visorcat across your visor in one direction, then wipe the residue away by moving it in the other direction. Easy.

If you were planning on doing some seriously big miles, I think the Visorcat would make an excellent addition to your kit.

Rather than having to stop to give your visor a clean when it’s caked with flies or soaked in road grime, simply swipe left and right and you’re away.

• Info: www.visorcat.com

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FIRST RIDE

A classic returns

It’s an iconic brand and 2019 sees its return to showrooms.

Stan takes the Lambretta V Special through its paces in the worst weather conditions possible

A2 LICENCE Ask anyone to name a motor scooter and it won’t be long before Lambretta is mentioned. Considering the last Italian-built machine left the factory in 1971 that’s quite a statement, more so when one considers that for an entire generation Lambretta is a name more associated with clothing or watches.

Resurrecting a brand

The finish is exceptional

It’s the type of ‘brand identity’ that’s cat-nip to marketing gurus and it should come as no surprise that over the years several attempts have been made to relaunch the Lambretta in two-wheeled form. Does anyone remember the Lambretta Pato? No? I thought not, and that’s because the brand has been robustly defended.

Unfortunately, a complicated chain of ownership meant that it wasn’t really clear whose job it was to defend the name, never mind who owned the rights to use it.

Undeterred by decades of legal wrangling, a consortium led by Dutchman Walter Scheffrahn was determined to bring the Lambretta back from extinction. As Walter explained, their intention was always intended to be more than one of badge engineering. “Lambretta is an iconic name,” he began. “As a child my brother was injured in an accident and a neighbour took him to hospital on his Lambretta. If it hadn’t been for

that scooter he would have died.

Every family has a Lambretta story to tell; it’s more than a name and deserves to be respected. With the V Special I believe we’ve managed to reflect that history whilst creating a scooter for modern road conditions.”

After a long and no doubt costly legal battle, the consortium has now secured rights to brand its machines as Lambretta, but has it been worth the effort?

Realising the vision

The problem with relaunching a classic is that there’s no evolutionary process to fall back on. Put a modern Vespa next to its 1970s equivalent, strip away the marketing claims and it’s difficult for an enthusiast, never mind a ‘normal person’, to spot the family resemblance. When creating the V Special, the design team made a conscious effort not to try and replicate the past. Instead they imagined what Lambretta would have produced today.

In some respects their vision was compromised from the outset as it’s one of the industry’s worst kept secrets that the V Special’s underpinnings owe much to the SYM Fiddle. In my opinion that decision owes far more to common sense than to taking a short cut. Firstly the Fiddle is a proven design with massive spares availability, and secondly adopting

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Speedo is both clear and chatty!

SPECIFICATION

Lambretta V Special 200 ENGINE: Single cylinder, air-cooled 4-stroke auto CAPACITY: 168.9cc OUTPUT: 8.8kW@8,000rpm TORQUE: 12.2Nm@5500rpm CERTIFICATION: Euro 4 UNLADEN WEIGHT: 148kg TANK VOLUME: 6 litres SEAT HEIGHT: 800mm WHEELBASE: 1340mm RRP: £3,499 + OTR CONTACT: www.motogb.co.uk/make/lambretta O2W RATING:

★★★★★★★★★★

Slim but comfortable the Fiddle’s mechanicals reduces development costs considerably. For styling the team turned to Austrian design house KISKA, who as designers to KTM clearly aren’t a company bound by convention.

Having sought the advice of Lambretta enthusiasts there are enough design cues to satisfy, although there’s an irony in that the frame is a Vespa style semimonocoque construction. Side on the V Special’s shorter than its ancestors, but there's little doubt that its shorter dimensions are more suited to modern city riding.

The overall impression is of a well-thought-out machine that has lots of nice detail touches. The new owner receives keys in a neat presentation pack and the speedo greets the rider with a cheery ‘Hello’ message. The paint finish is excellent.

In fact, other manufacturers could take note of the machine’s overall level of finish. Underseat stowage must be amongst the largest in its class, but it’s a matter of try before you buy to see if your full face helmet is narrow enough to squeeze in.

For those seeking something more individual there are a range of options. These include choosing between Lambretta’s trademark ‘fixed’ mudguard or a more modern ‘flex’ version. A full range of accessories is available and special editions such as the Pirelli ‘black’ have already been produced.

Proof of concept

Although it's also available in 50 and 125cc versions, my test ride was on

Horncast pays suitable homage to 60s models

the 200cc version (actually a rather optimistically badged 169cc unit). I think this was a bad move; ‘175’ would be closer to the truth and would sit well with Lambretta’s heritage variants, thus managing expectations in terms of performance. I’ve previously ridden the 125cc variant and there’s no doubt that the 200 is a leap forward in performance, but there’s disappointment ahead for anyone transitioning from a 200cc two-stroke.

Fortunately, other comparisons with the V Special’s two-stroke cousins are more favourable. The engine and ride are incredibly smooth – indeed, there’s almost no vibration. Even for a tall rider the seating position is comfortable, even though the seat may look slim.

Weather during the test ride could best be described as appalling, but the V Special took things in its stride.

Cornering was predictable with the machine unerringly holding its line, and braking was assured. In fact, the V Special offers an incredibly refined ride. I ride classic scooters a lot and can honestly say that I’d be happy taking the V Special on an extended trip. What I wouldn’t buy it for is screaming round country lanes on a weekend – it’s just not that kind of machine. If that sounds like a negative comment, it isn’t meant to be. For the rider who wants a comfortable, reliable ride with the cachet of a historic name the V Special is a worthy contender. About the only criticism I can level is that the mirrors are useless for anyone

Wheels are 12” and a 226mm ABS disc provides stopping power other than the very slightly built.

Although enthusiasts don’t want to hear it, had Innocenti stayed in business, a four-stroke auto made in a Far Eastern factory is probably what they’d have been offering today.

Looking at the overall package, it’s fair to say that the V Special’s design

team haven’t only succeeded in resurrecting a brand, they’ve also managed to create a Lambretta that’s fit for the 21st century.

Finally it looks like the Lambretta is back in our showrooms to stay.

Stan

24 www.o2w.co.uk

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

Q

My husband recently picked up his first set of wheels. Now, whilst I was born with only one foot; my life has been pretty normal and my foot (or lack of) has never held me back – until now. Long story short, we were riding two-up when a car coming from the opposite direction hooked a right and we smashed into it, breaking my good foot and femur. I’m only four months post-accident and I’m heavily dependent on my family for help. With only one foot, the effects are obviously worse for me, but my solicitors don’t see that and have told me to settle this claim for £12,000. Does having one foot make any difference or does everyone get treated the same? My solicitor seemed to suggest so.

A

The accident was only a few months ago and you only get one chance to settle. If your solicitor suggested everyone is ‘treated the same’ they're wrong.

The old phrase is you ‘take your victim as you find them’. So you’ll need compensation for your particular losses. For example, if you cannot hop on your foot (because you don’t have one) it’s clear you’ll need more care and assistance post-accident. As for the future, it’s too soon to know how this injury will affect it. My advice is don’t settle yet; do some research and get a solicitor who’s used to dealing with complex orthopaedic injuries. Don’t risk prejudicing your position.

RIDERS' TIPS & ADVICE

Speeding matters

All you need to know…

Early this year, rumours surfaced that UK speed cameras have extremely low tolerances, implying that going just 1mph above the speed limit could mean being issued with a speeding ticket. Now, a new investigation claims to reveal the actual leniency of speed cameras

Through Freedom of Information requests, Auto Express asked UK police forces to reveal how fast you have to be going before activating a speed camera?

Of 45 police forces contacted, 33 responded with most confirming that cameras would only be activated if you went over the speed limit by 10% plus 2mph – as recommended by the Association of Chief Police Officers.

SPEED CAMERA THRESHOLDS FOR REGIONAL POLICE FORCES 10% + 2mph

10% + 3mph

Refused to reveal

Avon and Somerset

Lancashire

Bedfordshire

Cheshire

Metropolitan Police / Tfl

Cambridgeshire

Cleveland

Greater Manchester

Derbyshire

Hertfordshire

Devon and Cornwall

Staffordshire

Durham

West Midlands

Gwent

Essex

Hampshire

Nottinghamshire

Merseyside

Scotland

Norfolk North Wales Northumbria Police Service of Northern Ireland South Wales South Yorkshire

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.

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.

Suffolk Thames Valley Warwickshire West Mercia West Yorkshire Essentially, this means anyone driving over 35mph in a 30mph zone, or over 46mph in a 40mph zone, or a motorway over 79mph could be issued with a speeding notice.

Only two police forces (London Metropolitan Police and Lancashire) had more lenient tolerances, with their cameras activated when going over the limit by 10% plus 3mph. The Metropolitan Police said: "It’s a proportional response to the high volume of traffic in the capital." Lancashire Police said the higher threshold was “to ensure greater tolerance or discretion”.

Can I break the speed limit to overtake?

Never go beyond the speed limit. If you’re travelling 31mph in a 30 limit, or 71mph on a motorway, you’re actually breaking the law.

UK speed camera types

There are nine different variants: ■ HANDHELD SPEED GUNS capture passing vehicle speed.

■ THE LONG RANGER is a mobile device allowing police to pick up those exceeding speed limits over a mile away.

■ THE GATSO was the UK’s first speed camera. Usually yellow, they capture the speeding vehicle and its number plate.

■ TRUVELO SPEED CAMERAS aren’t dissimilar to Gatsos. They’re also yellow and use a flash to capture

a number plate image, but a special flash filter prevents them from dazzling/distracting drivers.

■ AVERAGE SPEED CAMERAS monitor speed between two different points. Both cameras note your number plate, but the second also records how long it took you to get between the two.

■ SMART MOTORWAY CAMERAS can catch you even if there’s no variable speed limit displayed.

■ FLOOR-BASED MOTORWAY SPEED CAMERAS are similar to smart motorway cameras, but more discreetly hidden.

■ POLICE VAN CAMERAS work similar to mobile speed guns.

■ ONBOARD POLICE VEHICLE CAMERAS are different to others, as they’re used capture your speed from behind.

Speeding penalties

The minimum penalty is a £100 fine and three points, with disqualification if you build up over 12 points within three years.

If you’re caught by a speed camera you’ll receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) Section 172 within 14 days. You must return it within 28 days, saying who was driving the vehicle. You may go to court if you ignore the notice. After you’ve sent the Section 172 notice back, you’ll be sent either a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN), or a letter summoning you to court.

If the Police stop you, they can give a verbal warning; send you an FPN; or order you to go to court.

If you get a Fixed Penalty Notice you can plead guilty or not guilty. If you plead guilty you’ll either pay a £100 fine and have three points added to your licence, or you’re given the option to attend a Speed Awareness Course.

Paying a fine depends on where you’re caught. Pay online in England and Wales, or check the ticket for other ways to pay in Scotland. Contact the Laganside Courts Complex to pay the fine in Northern Ireland.

A Speed Awareness Course might be offered if it’s appropriate for your offence and you’ve not done one in the past three years.

Plead not guilty and you’ll go to court, but you can be fined more and get more penalty points if you’re found guilty.

The fine amount depends and how much over the speed limit you were.

It’s usually a percentage of your weekly income, to a maximum of £1,000 (£2,500 if caught on a motorway). You could also be disqualified or have your licence suspended.

New drivers within two years of passing their driving test will have their licence revoked (withdrawn) if you build up six or more penalty points.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF SPEEDING

Speeding fine amounts changed in April to allow increases in the punishments given. The new system is based on 'bands' relating to how far over the speed limit you were: Speed Limit

Speed Recorded

Speed Recorded

Speed Recorded

Band A

Band B

Band C

20mph

21-30mph

31-40mph

41+ mph

30mph

31-40mph

41-50mph

51+ mph

40mph

41-55mph

56-65mph

66+ mph

50mph

51-65mph

66-75mph

76+ mph

60mph

61-80mph

81-90mph

91+ mph

70mph

71-90mph

91-100mph

101+ mph

Points or disqualification awarded

3 points

4-6 points or 7-28 day disqualification

6 points or a 7-56 day disqualification

Fine that can be awarded (magistrates can award fines 25% either way)

50% of weekly income

100% of weekly income

150% of weekly income

The fine that can be awarded is limited to £2,500 on motorways and £1,000 on all other roads.

Speed Awareness Coursee A Speed Awareness Course commonly lasts four hours. Not everyone is offered one. The following criteria must be met: No other speeding offences in the previous three years; Exceeding the legal limit by over 10%+2mph, but under 10%+9mph (in a 30mph limit the course might be offered to those travelling at 35-42 mph, and in a 70mph area the course may be offered to those travelling 79-86 mph).

Drivers failing this criterion aren’t likely to be offered a course place and will receive a fine and penalty points.

Don't forget to tell your insurance company

Although taking a Speed Awareness Course means your licence remains points free, you’ve still broken the Road Traffic Act, so your insurance company needs to know. A policy clause means you’re responsible to report ANY events/ circumstances affecting driving ability. Most will increase premiums, but this is likely to be smaller than if the driver had received a fine and points.

Those who mistakenly believe their insurance company doesn’t need to know about their course, do so at great risk. In the event of an accident, they could say ,'As you didn’t tell us, you’re not covered', leaving you to face criminal charges and being taken to a small claims court by other parties to recover their costs.

Definitely NOT a situation to find yourself in.

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26 www.o2w.co.uk

FIRST RIDE

A2 LICENCE

Mash Five Hundred The Silver Dream machine To be honest when I was asked to test ride this bike I’d never even heard of Mash, except in the form of potatoes and gravy, or from the old 70s TV series. But apparently the founders were all fans of this TV programme – hence the name was chosen as the inspiration for their motorcycles.

Mash motorcycles are made in China to keep down costs, but dreamt up in France by SIMA (once the French Ducati and Husqvarna

importer with over 30 years’ experience in the service of motorcycles and quads). Launched in France a few years ago offering 125 and 250s with that great retro styling, I think they’ve succeeded.

The famous slogan ‘In France we don’t have oil, but we have ideas’ comes into its own when you see this new Mash Five Hundred 400 Chrome – no, that’s right, it’s not a typo. The motorcycle was scheduled to be sold in a 500cc format, but SIMA didn’t manage its technical objective, so the name stayed, but the larger engine capacity didn’t.

What’s it like?

This bike is really about its cool retro styling and the name suits for starters – chrome it certainly is. Lots of the stuff! I was told jokingly not to ride this bike at night, as any driver with headlights on would think they were heading into a mirror.

The tank is amazing, so reflective that you could have a shave looking at it whilst sat on the seat. It also has a strip of leather-like material right down its middle, just for some contrast to the ‘silver dream machine’, as I’ve started to call it.

Please note also that the fuel filler cap isn’t attached to the tank (it doesn’t have a hinge system), so when you undo the cap to re-fuel it needs to be placed somewhere while you fill up!

Chromed wheels and spokes, chromed twin-ported exhaust pipes

with double expansion chambers and that chromed petrol tank holding 13 litres (2.8 gallons) of fuel. Chrome instrument cowling, chrome mirrors, headlight, mudguards, 35mm front forks and rear shocks – just chrome everywhere! Boy is this going to take some cleaning before I have to give it back to the lovely team at Three Cross Motorcycles, the UK importer.

It does, though, have a black tubular frame, black engine casing, etc., sidepanels and black seat with a height of only 780mm, so nice to be able to have both feet flat on the floor when I stop. It's 2130mm in length and narrow, too, at 740mm, so it’s an easy bike to manoeuvre around being just 151kg. There’s a front disc brake and classic old rear drum brake, but it does also have disconnectable ABS capability. The Kenda tyres are 110/90-19 front and 130/70-18 rear.

Engine is an air-cooled single cylinder 4t dry sump single overhead camshaft, 4-valve model with 397 cc capacity. Max power is a lowly 27.6hp @7000rpm and it has both kick-start and Delphi electric-start ignition and is fuel injected, too.

I think the idea from Mash is to create a simple bike, cheap and easy to ride to attract younger riders in the first step up from their 125 machines, but also hitting a note of nostalgia with a rider of the older generation like myself who may want to step down in cc size and weight from, say, a big tourer or a mega-quick sports bike.

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SPECIFICATION

Mash Five Hundred ENGINE: 397cc air-cooled single cylinder, overhead

camshaft, 4-valves

POWER: 27.6hp (20.4Kw) at 7000rpm FRONT SUSPENSION: Hydraulic forks REAR SUSPENSION: Twin shocks FRONT BRAKE: 280mm disc with switchable ABS REAR BRAKES: 160mm drum with switchable ABS FRONT TYRE: 110/90-19 REAR TYRES: 130/70-18 SEAT HEIGHT: 780mm WEIGHT: 151kg (dry) FUEL TANK: 13 litres PRICE: £3999 (as tested) CONTACT: www.3xmotorcycles.com O2W RATING:

★★★★★★★★★★

Easy Rider?

So what’s the Chrome machine like to ride, I hear you say? ‘Eezy peezy, lemon squeezy’ as the old adage goes.

For me it was a baptism by fire, as I’d only just been told the bike was mine for testing and then before I knew it, I was on a magazine photoshoot.

Adjusting the mirrors was all I had to do. It was easy to ride; the brake pedal and lever, along with the clutch lever, were all set up perfectly for my feet and fingers. I did find the suspension a little on the soft side and unfortunately the front forks are non-adjustable, but I think I can maybe adjust the rears to crank it up a notch, just to see if that makes much of a difference. It’s such a light bike to ride weight-wise; you can throw it into a bend and the steering is positive, too – point and aim, with good feedback from the tyres, even in the drizzle as we made our way back to work from the photoshoot.

All the instruments are easy to read, but remember that the larger inner readings of the speedo are in kph, so you need to look at the smaller outer ring for mph speeds; that threw me a bit to start with.

The cluster does include a low fuel warning light, which I think is always handy, especially on a bike with such a small tank capacity. The indicators and headlight switch are all easy to reach and use.

The ABS can be either used or not by the flick of a switch on the right handlebar cluster. By default its set to ‘enabled’, but it can be switched to ‘off’ (indicated by a flashing light on the instrument cluster). The brakes were very good and it was good to try both individually to see how the ABS works, then also try it with the ABS switched off too, just so you know how it would react when disabled.

The bike has a comfortable riding position with high-up handlebars with a geometry that oozes out agility.

There’s also a nice padded seat with passenger strap, should you want to take a pillion for a spin. The bike is

extremely well balanced and will pull away even at mid-range speed limits in fifth gear without the need to drop down a gear. It’s great on B-roads, just as happy on A-roads, but perhaps a motorway might be just a bit of a handful for it. Our photoshoot was near Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire, so lots of mixed roads and surfaces too, but the Five Hundred took them all in its stride. There's lots of mid-range torque (29Nm (21.7ib-ft) @ 5,500 revs) from the single cylinder and the twin exhaust has a nice roar to it when you pop it open quickly. A downside to having a two-into-two exhaust though, is no main stand space, so you only get a side-stand. The Mash has a short turning circle too; it’s easy to move around both riding and turning to park up;. The five-speed gearbox has a solid feel to it and power delivery is smooth and precise.

My ride home from work is a 27-mile commute and the Mash performed admirably. With the roads now dry and the sun out, and I found myself ‘racing’ along at a much lower speed than it actually felt like, only hitting a maximum 60mph, but feeling much quicker (top speed is claimed to be around 85mph).

Having had the bike for over a week I averaged 65mpg, so you could possibly just squeeze 200 miles out of a tankful of gas, if you’re not too heavy-handed on the throttle front.

In conclusion

This particular variant is a real eye-catcher; I took it to a local Bike Night where it turned a few heads. I also got home one night after work and parked it on my neighbour's drive so he could check it over (he’s a big classic bike fan, rebuilding Greaves motorcycles is his passion). Then suddenly someone on a bicycle stopped out of nowhere and came up to look at the shiny Mash; he was so excited I thought he would burst! He didn’t believe me when I told him it was brand new. Paul, my neighbour, definitely thinks it’s a looker, and very like the old classic T120 Triumph Bonnie. But he did say he wondered what the finish quality on the tank would be like in several months’ time? Let’s hope still looking shiny and new.

This Chrome model has an RRP of £3999 (until September 30) and

comes with a two-year parts and labour warranty with unlimited mileage, but excludes road tax and first registration fee. Other coloured models are available in Irish Green (like a British Racing Green) and a lovely bronzy Brown, both retailing at a slightly higher £4199.

This is a bike you can simply jump on and ride; it's not going to cause you any big scares speed-wise; it's very light; and really nice to ride. It's cheap and looks a solid enough build to last some time. The only negative point about it was that we did have an intermittent ABS light, which either came on and stayed on after the bike was fired up or stayed off. It had no effect on the braking system whatsoever, and I did try giving the front brake a handful just to see if it reacted differently with the warning light on or off. We contacted the importer, who thought it might just be

a sensor issue. Other than that the bike was faultless and I really did love riding it. A big nine stars from me!

For older riders like me, the heading on the Mash website rings true: ‘The spirit of vintage to re-discover your forgotten senses’ – and for the younger rider stepping up to larger cc bike: ‘Beautiful pieces of machinery with authentic spirit, tooled for freedom lovers’. Their range really does its best to keep you in the mood for riding.

To prove just how popular they are, remember Chinese-made machines will continue to improve in quality and performance, just like the first Japanese imported bikes did way back when. Don’t forget, a company like SIMA are not going to put their name to something they don’t believe in.

Words: John Images: Gary Chapman

28 www.o2w.co.uk

MECH IT BETTER

Improving stopping power

Anyone who’s had even a cursory glance at our ‘Mech It Better’ YouTube channel will have figured out pretty quickly that we’re both suckers for buying irresistible ‘bargain’ bikes. Be they scooters, commuters, dirt bikes, or tourers, if they’re cheap enough then we seem helpless to resist Motorbikes for us are as much about the tinkering as the riding, and we take equal amounts of joy in each. Now this throws up various problems and obstacles to overcome, but it does offer one distinct advantage: we get lots of practice at fixing worn-out old bikes. There hasn’t been a day since we bought our first bikes that everything in our combined fleet worked as it should. Over the last few years we’ve been challenged by bikes that won’t start or won’t stop; engines that need rebuilding; suspension that doesn’t suspend countless dirty carburetors; and everything in between. All of these (to date) we’ve managed to fix, despite having absolutely no formal mechanical training between us. Everything we’ve learned about tinkering has been self-taught through a carefully balanced regime of reading manuals, hitting things with hammers, swearing, applying some rational thought, and more hammering.

Along the way we’ve picked up tips and tricks that have helped greatly. We’ve also acquired tools without which certain jobs would be impossible. Yet, by far the two most important tools that we have available to us are a willingness to try things of which we have no previous experience, and a refusal to be beaten. With these two tools, anyone can achieve more or less anything if they accept that the journey is not necessarily going to be painless. Still, it’s a journey worth going on, and one that’s rewarding in the end. In the context of motorcycling, it’s also a journey that will help you to bond with your bike and understand it, so that you can ride out into the world feeling more confident about its abilities, as well as your own. For that reason alone, we believe that learning to

work on your own bike (if only on the basics), is an essential part of motorcycling. It’ll save you a few quid in the long run, too!

With that said, for the following few months we’re going to be using this little corner of O2W to share some of the things we’ve learned on our own journey. Every time we buy another eBay bargain we go through the same basic process to check it over and make sure it’s ready to ride, so it seemed a sensible idea to share our process with you.

Remember, though, that this is our process, worked out in our own way and for our own reasons. What applies for us doesn’t strictly apply to you.

Use your own judgement always and take the following few editions of our feature as a rough guide to getting yourself from total novice to confident DIY tinkerer. This will be a whistle-stop tour, but we’ve covered all of these things in depth on our YouTube channel. If you need any pointers in the right direction, just leave us a comment or find us on Facebook. Anyway… let’s start with the important stuff – braking.

It might seem counter-intuitive to start with stopping, but logically it makes perfect sense. Let’s say you’ve just bought your latest eBay bargain and in a rush of excitement you shoot off down the road to see how it runs.

Cue the first corner and nothing happens when you hit the brakes because you haven’t checked them. This is almost certainly going to ruin your day, even if winning a Darwin Award eases the blow. Better by far to stick braking right at the top of the list so it can’t be forgotten or missed.

There are two basic types of brakes found on motorbikes – disc and drum. Let’s look at each:

 Glazed and new pad with wear indicator

 Disc brake and caliper

 Measuring disc thickness

 Old and new brake thicknesses

 Keep your calipers clean

 Brake fluid in the reservoir should be a clear golden colour

 Tightening up the caliper bolt

should be rectified immediately. Either a joint has failed on the brake line or the seal within the caliper itself has failed. Any brake fluid on the caliper, wheels or tyres should be thoroughly removed with brake cleaner. If the friction material on the pads has been contaminated then ideally they should be replaced.

Discoloured, dark or watery brake fluid is contaminated or worn out, and should be replaced. Brake fluid should be replaced at regular intervals anyway as it doesn’t last forever.

Check your handbook for the suggested service interval. Be careful with brake fluid, because it will strip any paint it comes into contact with, and is irritating to skin.

Check along the hoses for leaks, tears, twisting or bulges. The

rubber hoses do wear out over time, resulting in spongy feeling brakes and eventual failure. Replacements should cure that problem. Consider braided hoses as a worthwhile upgrade, and renew the brake fluid at the same time.

Spongy feeling brakes are also a sign that there is air trapped in the system. The only cure is to bleed the brakes to remove the air, which is a good opportunity to refresh the entire system anyway.

If your brakes seem to work well, but the feel at the lever is soft, it is possible that you need to rebuild your master cylinder, replacing the seals and spring within.

Check that all the caliper bolts and disc retaining bolts are nice and tight.

Disc brakes

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Disc brakes are unmistakable because you’ll have at least one big shiny metal disc mounted externally on one or both of your wheels. There will also be a caliper which has brake pads in it. When you press the brake lever, hydraulic fluid is sent down from a reservoir to the caliper and this pushes a piston against one of the brake pads. This clamps the disc between the pads, slowing the bike to a stop, ideally…

Brake pads have friction material on the face which touches the disc. Over time this wears out until eventually the pads need to be replaced. The best way to tell is to remove the pads completely and measure the thickness of the friction material.

Take care here. The dust from brake pads isn’t pleasant and care should be taken to avoid breathing it in.

The thickness at which the pads need to be replaced should be in your handbook. Lots of pads now have a wear indicator, which simplifies things. This is a little groove cut into the friction material. If you can see the groove then you’ve still got enough friction material. If not then it’s time for new pads.

The friction material on brake pads can also glaze through lack of use. This means it feels smooth and looks a little shiny or glassy. If this is the case then they won’t offer much friction and should ideally be replaced.

The brake disc itself needs to be straight and of a minimum thickness. This measurement is usually cast in to the side of the disc itself. Use a set of Vernier calipers or a micrometer to measure the thickness at various points around the disc. If the disc is excessively rusty or thin, it’s weakened and may fail.

The caliper itself needs to be free of any dirt or debris that would stop it operating. The piston can be sticky if dirt or road grime is able to get past the dust seal. Check for wetness around the caliper and hoses. Any leaks are a problem and

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Drum brakes

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Drum brakes are contained within the wheel itself and stop the bike by pushing brake shoes with friction material outwards against the internal lining of the wheel. They’re a simpler system than disc brakes, but generally not as effective.

Drum brakes are operated mechanically rather than hydraulically, so there’s no fluid to change, or hoses to worry about. They will be operated via a cable or actuating arm.

Check whichever you have for free movement. If the cable sticks or snags then it should be replaced.

Check the routing of the cable, particularly if you have one for the front brake. As the handlebars are turned, the cable shouldn’t be pinched tightly against anything else or be stretched.

Drum brakes are adjusted manually, and this is usually done by turning an adjuster nut near the wheel end of the system.

The easiest way to adjust them is to wind the adjuster nut on until the wheel won’t turn, then back off the adjuster steadily until the wheel is just free to turn without snagging. If you feel that you need to press the lever or pedal a long way before the brakes start working, then they probably need this adjustment.

Drum brakes can occasionally become sticky or even nonoperational due to a build-up of grime

 Drum brake shoe friction material

 Brake shoe wear indicator

and brake dust within the drum itself. The only thing to do is to remove the wheel and clean out the system with brake cleaner, taking care not to breathe in any brake dust.

Just like brake pads, the friction material on brake shoes will wear down over time. The surest way to check how much is left is to remove the wheel and measure it manually. Check your handbook for the minimum amount required. Alternatively there is often a wear indicator on the outside of the wheel, which is a rough estimate to the amount of friction material left.

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The internal lining of the brake drum/ wheel can also be worn out over time.

As with disc brakes, the wear limit is often cast into the drum itself, or else should be in your handbook. The only way to measure this one is to take the wheel off and measure it manually. The good news is that they generally last quite a long time.

No matter what work you do on your brakes, make sure to test them before riding!

[Check-out ‘Mech It Better’ on YouTube]

MIB

 Measuring the drum lining

30 www.o2w.co.uk

AT A GLANCE

Bullit Hero 125 (Gulf Edition)

IN DETAIL: 1 11.5bhp single cylinder air-cooled four-stroke engine with EFI 2 USD front forks/right way up spring 3 Rear swing-aarm with spring oil damper 4 Single 275mm front disc brake 5 Single 210mm rear disc brake 6 Michelin tyres fitted as standard 7 860mm-910mm seat height 8 110kg dry weight 9 10.6 litre fuel tank capacity

Limited edition production run of 250 individually numbered, retro-styled motorcycles in Gulf Oil livery, marking a new partnership between Bullit ’ss parent company Moooof NV and Gulf Europe that will see Gulf lubricants used across the Bullit range. The Gulf Edition comes with many upgraded parts over the standard version; it alsso comes with a commemorative Gulf watch worth £300 9

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CONTACT: www.hdmtradin ng.co.uk

RECOMMENDED PRICE: £3199 plus OTR chargess

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A1 LICENCE

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FROM

MAGAZINE, JULY 2019 ISSUE

G

Fantasy island find

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It took a move from the Balearic Islands to Baden-Württemberg for Enno Sipli’s lovely Motovespa to finally find a loving home

H

e’s been the face behind the counter at the legendary German scooter innovators LTH for several years, but Enno is no casual employee, as he’s an enthusiastic rider and President of Scooterists Stuttgart SC. His daily ride is this 1978 Motovespa GT, and it’s discovery is the stuff of dreams.

“I lived in Spain for quite some time,” explained Enno. “Out of nowhere I got a call saying that a friend had found a Vespa over in Majorca and asked if I may be interested in buying it. Of course, the answer was ‘Yes’ and as I needed a holiday I packed my bags, booked a flight and went to take a look.”

Easy start

When Enno viewed the scooter it was exactly what every scooterist dreams of. “The GT had been standing unused for 30 years and for all that time it had been dry stored in a workshop. The frame was sound and after flushing out the fuel system it started on my third kick!

“The guy selling it confided that he was looking for a Vespa to use himself, but he wanted something newer and less powerful(!) than the GT. “I had a Primavera at home and offered him a straight swop, which he accepted. Having completed the paperwork I rode it straight out of the workshop and used it to tour Majorca on my week’s holiday. It never missed a beat.”

Neat improvements

MAN & MACHINE Name: Enno Sipli Town: Stuttgart Club: (President) Scooterists Stuttgart Scooter Type: Motovespa GT160, 1978 Paint: Factory Engine: Vespa T5, Polini 152 with 62mm Suzuki piston (172cc) Crank: Standard Carb: 26mm Pinasco Other modifications: PK forks adapted to fit LML disc brake

Although the GT was in exceptional condition, it was in need of a major overhaul. With parts for the GT’s engine being notoriously hard to find, Enno opted to transplant a T5 lump.

Whilst the T5 engine is enough fun for most people, Enno isn’t ‘most people’. Once back in Germany, the entire machine was modified to suit Enno and his riding style. The front end now benefits from a modified set of PK forks that have been fitted with an early-style LML disc brake, the hub of which retains the original appearance. It’s also pleasing to note that the hydraulic lever has been mounted in a nondestructive way.

The cylinder was replaced with the Polini 152, and that in turn has been

mated to a 62mm Suzuki piston. Now boasting 172cc, the engine dynos at around 16-17bhp. Not earthshattering, but an important boost, given the GT’s new role.

“I’ve got several scooters, but this is my daily ride,” said Enno. “Rain or shine I use it for my 25km commute, so that’s around 1,000km a month.” It may have languished in a Majorcan workshop for 30 years, but in Enno’s hands it looks like this Motovespa’s finally earning its keep.

Words & Photographs: Stan

I had a Primavera at home and offered him a straight swop, which he accepted. Having completed the paperwork, I rode it straight out of the workshop and used it to tour Majorca on my week’s holiday. It never missed a beat.

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On Two Wheels

For sale

BMW F800GT 2016, dealer serviced, 16k miles, h/grips, top box, good cond, ABS, ESA, TC, £4800. Tel. 01274 242747. W Yorks.

BMW K100RT 1987, exceptional cond , 86k, BMW Motorsport colours, white, MoT, BMW panniers and top box, new tyres, £1800 ono. Tel. 01482 814103. E Yorks.

BMW K1200RS 2005, low mileage, panniers, manual, helmet, dry rides, tyres ok, garaged, oil filter, new parts, clutch, fuel pump, starter, h/ grips, elec w/screen, 2k. Tel. 07500 119444. S Wales.

BMW K1300S 2012, good cond, 27,600 miles, MoT and warranty to Nov, full s/h, ABS, ESA, h/grips, hand luggage, £5750. Tel. 07904 350868. paulwalker327@btinternet. com Cumbria.

CLASSIFIED

BMW K1200S 2005, 46k, full BMW s/h, new clutch, new Michelin Road 5 tyres, many new parts, Scorpion end can, blue/white/black, paddock stand, BMW LED r/ indicators and lights, BMW maintained regardless of cost, £2950 ovno. Tel. 07490 232257.

Herts. linjohn72@btinternet. com

BMW R100RS 1980, reg no JKU 409W, frame no 6075555, engine no 6075555, smoke red with 48,800 recorded miles, frame and wheels stripped, shot blasted, p/ coated, engine rebuilt with unleaded compatible valves seats, respray by Joeby’s, MoT 26 Jul 20, £5000 ono.

Tel. 07527 191489. .

BMW R80/7 1980, sought after Classic Airhead, refurb 2019, superb runner, £4000 spent, visit https://classifieds. thebikeshed.cc/details/2031 Sensible offers around £4800. Tel. 07724 019905.

Email me jtcockney@yahoo. co.uk Hull.

BSA FIREBIRD Scrambler, July 1971, USA import, reg UK Nov 2013, elec ign, SRM sump, vgc, sale due to bereavement, £6300 ono.

Tel. 07582 902143. Crewe.

BMW R1150R non ABS, 2003, black, gc, BMW h/grips, tool kit, screen, h/guards, hard panniers, centre/side stands, Givi top box, rear hugger, f/mudguard ext, recent service, starter motor, Odyssey battery, f/tyre, MoT, £2600. Tel. 07920 233237 for more info. S Yorks.

DUCATI 600SS Cafe Racer, fantastic condition, better then new, retro conversion, MoT and service with new belt by Pro Twin, a real head turner, must see, £4995 ovno. Tel. 07973 218318 for full details.

BSA BANTAM in bits. D7 engine, good compression, some parts missing to make a complete bike, good cheap project, no V5 present, collection only, £350 ovno.

Tel. John 07787 911481. N Wales.

DUCATI 996 exc cond, belts changed, serviced, good tyres, has lots of carbon bits, Termi exhausts, rare yellow, must be seen, only selling due to old age, 11k miles,.

Tel. 07727 127101. Ashton under Lyne.

DUCATI MULTISTRADA 620cc, 2006, new MoT June 2020, 10k miles, two owners, new chain, r/brake caliper overhaul, new linings, new rear disc fitted, tyres fitted at 7,839 miles, Givi back box, h/ guards, Oxford h/grips, full s/h, £1995. Tel. 07399 24745.

Bristol.

FRENCH MOPED v original, purchased last year from a gentleman in S.W. France, purchased in Toulouse in ‘67, orig toolbox/tools, ‘3800’ model with iconic red strip on top of the engine, needs fettling, make a marvellous ‘pit bike’ for Goodwood Revival/any historic race meeting, Steve McQueen used once for that purpose during filming of ‘Le Mans’ in 1970. (I have a later, restored, French-reg one that is in good running order - see the other ad.... will let them both go for a grand) £495.

Tel. 01538 360874/07878 453890. Staffs.

HONDA CB750/4 1979, DOHC, spoked wheels, ten 8k miles, recommissioned, original tools/manual, black chrome rack, £4550. Tel. 07759 607498. Berks.

HONDA CBR600F 2000, 50k miles, full s/h, MoT May 2020, black/red, £1150 ono. Tel. 07925 128612. Oxford.

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HARLEY SPORTSTER 883 EFI 2007, exc cond, only 6k miles, just serviced, battery & new MoT, V&H exhaust, 48 bars, recent tyres, 1” lower rear shock and kick stand, £4500.

Tel. 07973 218318. Kent.

H O NDA C B250E 1970, complete but non runner, does not turn over, surface rust present good restoration project, V5 present, believed to be a German import, 6,900 miles, £995. Tel. 07787 911481. N Wales.

HONDA CB400/4 F1 1975, Canadian import, ex-David Silver, 33k, vgc, new tyres, Puig screen, historic vehicle, £3600. Tel. 01787 210865; 07792 124250. Essex/Suffolk.

HONDA DEAUVILLE NT700VA-8 ABS, Honda h/grips, red with colour coded top box, 8,500 mostly dry miles, excellent condition, £4000 ono. Tel. 07710 528919.

HONDA CB650F-A 2014, under 6k, exc cond, MoT, history, handbook, tool kit, datatag (transferable), Michelin PilotRoad3 tyres, flyscreen, belly pan and crash protectors fitted, best colour, £3850 ono. Tel. 075030 38787. rogezuk@sky. com Worcs.

HONDA CX500 1979, 50k miles, 12 mths’ MoT, full engine rebuild 13k miles ago, owned since 2001, reluctant sale due to house move, clean and tidy bike, recent new front tyre, set of chrome engine bars inc, asking offers over £1800. Tel. 01286 882139.

Gwynedd, Wales.

HONDA HORNET CB600F-2 2003, 23k, new battery, year’s MoT, exc cond for oncoming classic, £1475 ovno. Tel. Pete 07425 126777. petebasson11@gmail.com Norfolk.

HONDA 250L CRF 2015 plate, 4,900 miles, h/grips, can be used for off/on road riding, £2800. Tel. 07727 256978.

Worcs.

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 HONDA DEAUVILLE 650 2006, 41k, foot/hand guards, to p box, flip screen, Motad exhaust, 65mpg, reliable, comfort seat, Staebel horn, Michelins, lovely, too heavy now, retired, also giblids/ bags, may p/x small £1800.

Tel. 07948 827050. Staffs. cralcock@googlemail.com HONDA SILVER WING 2002, 600cc, maroon, matching monokey top box, 14,570 miles, MoT, exc cond, great ride, h/grips, consider swop smaller scooter same cond, no time wasters please, £1450. Tel. 07799 563159.

Warks. jeffreyprice555@ yahoo.com

HONDA VFR800FIY 2001, (Y reg), 8,264 miles, full s/h, MoT, no miles since last MoT, HISS & Smartwater security, new Baglux tank cover, new Givi monorack and pannier rails, Harris carbon r/hugger/ chainguard, pillion grab handles, orig chainguard and Remus Revolution high level can, inc are 2 x Givi E41 panniers, £2450 ono.

Tel. Andy 07890 940517 for viewing. Kent.

KAWASAKI VERSYS blue/silver, 650cc, 20k miles, recent MoT, well maintained, rides like new, showroom condition, £2950. Tel. 01282 816306.

Lancs/Yorks.

KAWASAKI W800 green, 2011, great condition, 14,200 miles on the clock, regular service, MoT March, c/w Givi screen and top box, £3500. Tel. 07946 585060. Lincs.

HONDA XL650V TRANSALP 2000 model, recent MoT and new set of Pirelli tyres, MIVV Sports exhaust, Scottoiler fitted, vgc, £1600 ono. Tel. 07582 678488. Somerset.

HONDA VFR1200RS 2014, cherry red, 20k, new tyres, battery, full s/h, £5650. Tel. 07759 607498. Berks.

KAWASAKI EN500 B1 1995, MoT, 24k, orig belt drive model, full s/h, fitted with Harley wide bars, ‘comfy’ seat, orig exhaust, new tyres, except cond, £2000. Tel. 07929 953158; 01886 880815.

Worcs.

KAWASAKI VERSYS 650 2017, full s/h, vgc, selling due to ill health, £5000 ono. Tel. 07842 833362. Swansea.

LEXMOTO ARIZONA CUSTOM 125 MoT Aug, full service Nov 18, 800 miles all paperwork, mint, dry storage, new out turn custom chrome pipe fitted, blood red, £550. Tel. David 07935 945624. Derbys.

CLASSIFIEDS ROYAL ENFIELD 500cc, 2008, 3k, blue, very clean, £2000.

Tel. 01751 431409. N Yorks.

KAWASAKI ZX10R C1H vgc, 35,628 miles, 600 miles since MoT, owned since Mar 13! c/w 3 keys inc red master key, green p/c s/arm and race hump (r/seat and also orig footpegs inc), £3950 ono.

Tel. 07860 696997 (please no texts). Staffs.

MOTO GUZZI BELLAGIO 940 cc, 2009, MoT 03/20, 14k, Guzzi screen, Mistral cans and originals, rev counter, pretty cond, rare machine. Tel. 07971 787818. Dorset.

MOTO GUZZI G5 1975, on age related 1977 reg, Spada trans, Military convoy work, LAPD serviced, owned since 1986, low mileage crank, £4800 ono. Tel. 01626 834085. Exeter.

SUZUKI 200 great cond, 23,721 miles, sound appreciating classic, 2 stroke, good running cond, Sorn, £1395.

Tel. 07707 040280. Cheshire.

SUZUKI 600S BANDIT 2003, 17.460 miles, new battery, recent choke and throttle cables, oil and filter change, MoT Mar 20, full luggage unused, time to retire, £1650.

Tel. John 07901 621607 for more info. S Yorks.

SUZUKI GSXF750 1998, 12 mths’ MoT, 28k, top box, rack, great condition, £15,000 or swap for smaller cc bike or scooter in same cond/around same price. Tel. 01204 391956. Gtr Man. margaret.stilwell@ outlook.com SUZUKI GT750 A model, red, petrol tank, been repaired, £160. Tel. 07713 540493.

Cheshire.

SUZUKI SV650X Cafe racer, purchased Jun 18, 2k miles, like new, also to inc f&r paddock stands, £4700.

Tel. 01286 882139; 07814 444901. N Wales.

MOTO GUZZI T3 1979, engineer selling collection as finding Guzzi’s too fast/heavy! bought 1988, recent LM upgrades: Engine bottom end; gearbox; trans; wheels; brakes; heads; (36mm manifolds available), Cali s/stand, Krauser panniers and top box rack, s/s exhaust, Spada colour scheme, £5000 ono.

Tel. 01626 834085. nr Exeter.

MOTOGUZZI NEVADA Club trike, 2003 Model, 8k miles, fully equipped, large history file, MoT, vgc thr’out, £2950 ono; consider p/x late Royal Enfield. Tel. 01297 489578. callbrig@gmail.com Dorset.

TAIWAN GOLDEN BEE scooter R125x, 2011, black/yellow, 3,800 miles, MoT, Cat N, good runner and cond, £695 ono.

Tel. 07949 380230. Essex.

TRIUMPH 1050 SPRINT 2007, sports silencer, hugger, tail tidy, bubble screen, s/h, 33,500 miles, chain sprockets at 29k, MoT before sale, £2700 ovno. Tel. 07977 642886. Lancs. alfie. jackson@tiscali.co.uk

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

TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD 650 1966, needs chroming, runs well, unmolested example, with history, match nos, V5, Sorn, £6000. Tel. Dave 07752 312211. Berks.

YAMAHA XV750 Virago, exc cond, many fitted extras, MoT, lady owner, 28k, £1825 ono. Tel. 01524 272032.

Lancs.

VELOSOLEX 5000 MOPED restored, ‘74, good order, c/w French docs/paperwork (as well as French no plate!), recent import, rare, easy to register with DVLA for road use once NOVA granted by HMRC, anyone who would like both bikes ‘his & hers’ can have them for a grand! £795.

Tel. 01538 360874; 07878 453890. Staffs.

VN CUSTOM 900C black 08, low miles, 8,543 miles, recent full service, tyres, s/s brake lines, comfort seat, padding, well looked after, sell for £4195 ono. Tel. 01142 589093. S Yorks.

YAMAHA FZS600 ‘02-’03, Airblade iridium screen, good cond, small scratched area where previous owner bit rough with cleaning (photos on pre-loved same price), overall effect excellent, £10 collect Leeds or + £3 UK tracked courier.

Tel. 07817 562421.

YAMAHA RD250 1979, 32k, MoT, unrestored but in vg orig cond, £4900. Tel. 07711 895307. e.stephens125@ btinternet.com .

YAMAHA TDR250 Jap import, 1988, E, fantastic cond, only 4,300 km, rides as good as it looks, MoT with no advisories and 2 new tyres, £5750 ono.

Tel. 07788 933817. Windsor.

YAMAHA VIRAGO 750 1996, 21k, MoT Sept, new battery February, owned 18 years, black/red/chrome, looks great, full s/h, dry stored, lots of paperwork, £2500. Tel. 0777 8182582. N Staffs.

Parts for sale EDRE SINGLE BIKE TRAILER galvanised full electrics, good tyres, inc spare good cond, £160. Tel. 01271 343790. N Devon.

DUCATI MULTI-STRADA 1200 1200 exhaust guard, silver, came off a 2012/13 model, £35; Rizoma water pump protector, silver/black for Ducati Multistrada 1200, £30; collection only. Tel. 07768 202177. W Sussex.

FABRIC JACKET black, XL, £25; Alpinestar leather boots, 10/45, £50; NG-TC Sports car, prof build, v low miles, £7500. Tel. 07759 607498.

Berks.

HARLEY SILENCERS part no.

6568240, vgc, fit Softail ‘Nightrain’ FXST B, 2006, etc, vgc, original part, sale inc free belt guard, air filter cover, footrests, ideal for MoTs, £100. Tel. 07840 364013. Bucks.

ITALIAN PARTS: large quantity Ducati, Benelli, Cagiva, Laverda, Morini, BMW, British Japanese MZ prefer to sell in bulk or p/x, will sell significant items. Tel. 07833 906288. Essex.

KAWASAKI VERSYS 2013, 650cc gel seat, Bagster, £50; also sports rack, Triumph Street Twin, £50. Tel. 07758 640296.

Essex.

PAIR STD REMUS EXHAUSTS plus heel guards, vgc, £80; seat in gc, £40; Sachs r/shock vgc, £75; std no plate hanger, £10; official Ducati 2003 800 w/shop manual, ring bound, mint, £40. Tel. 07974 274657.

Oxford.

YAMAHA XT600 white Acerbis 23ltr fuel tank, £160; seat to fit with the tank, black, £30; seat side panels, £25; headlamp cowl, £25; f/mudguard, £25; these parts are blue. Tel. 07841 430866.

Kent.

Wanted ER500 2006, tank for Kawasaki with flat round cap. Tel. 07986 465088. Kent.

KAWASAKI 500cc, 206, still looking for tank for ER 500cc. Tel. 07986 465088.

Kent.

STILL LOOKING FOR TANK for ER 500cc Kawasaki with flat round petrol cap, 206, if you got one ring me. Tel. 07986 465088. Kent.

WANTED SMALL TRAIL BIKE 125/250, selling M/s Sport 320, 1960/70/80, £40; M/ cycle/M/cycling Show/ TT copies, 1950/60, BMW manuals, K75/R1100, R65, load spares, Villiers 8E barrels, pistons, gears, C15 parts, etc.

Tel. 07948 827050. Staffs. c.r.alcock@googlemail.com

YAMAHA M/CYCLE MECHANIC WANTED for my YZF 750R engine, preferably in or around W London, but further out is no problem for good mechanic. Tel.Graham 07488 352630 for more info.

Ealing.

Miscellaneous HAYNES SERVICE AND REPAIR MANUALS: Honda CBR600 F4 (1999-2002), Honda CBR900RR Fireblade 929 & 954 (2000-2003), Triumph 1050 Sprint ST, Speed Triple & Tiger (2005-2009), Triumph Tiger 800 (20102014), Yamaha Fazer 600 & Thundercat 600 (1996-2000), all as new, £9 each plus postage. Tel. 07881 997630.

Lancs.

DOC MARTENS size 9, 14-eye, burgundy boots, UK made, worn once, cost over £100, as new, £30. Tel. 01406 550338.

Lincs.

LOTS GL1200 SPARES nylon touring jacket, reflective and armoured, vgc, £50; black Thunderbird 900 screen, tinted, £40; easy fix Spada Cammo gauntlets, large, £10; unworn, V-Max 1200 radiator mesh, vgc, £40. Tel. 07434 513161. Lancs.

MEN’S LEATHER BIKER JACKET very heavy jacket, 44L, well used but good cond, no tears or damage, all zips working, has both inner and outer pockets, collection only. Can email photos. £50 open to offers. Tel. 01493 393315; 07811 799864.

Norfolk.

MODEL MOTORCYCLES:- Suzuki GT750, 2-stroke Triple, 1:15 scale and Norton Commando, both made by Polistil, boxed, exc cond, £35 each (can post). Tel. 07504 327299. Torquay, Devon.

MOTO GUZZI SPORT/LE MANS Bible, new, £28; Velocette Racing Story, Mick Walker, new, £25; Honda Goldwing Story, as new, £15; Norton Dominator, Mick Walker, as new, £15. Tel. 01484 663007. Huddersf ield. dougandbabs@ntlworld. com NEW RACING SUIT black leather/red, 44”, 5ft 10”, £150; S/H Alpine Star boots, 10, £50; black fabric jacket, XL, £25. Tel. 07759 607498.

Berks.

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