On Two Wheels - Issue 7

YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE ON TWO WHEELS December 2017 Issue 7

Battery chargers Finding the right one to suit your battery PAGE 26

Guidance and tips Our useful advice to keep you on the road PAGE 22

It’s cover-up time!

On Two Wheels

Learners

Commuters

BIKES TESTED THIS ISSUE Keeway TX125 Supermoto A proper smilemaker

PAGE 12

Honda Vision

Buying

Riding

Keep your bike safe from winter weather PAGE 32

MINI V-STROM LAUNCH

Suzuki’s V-Strom 250 tempts riders to the small bike market

Beating crosstown traffic

PAGE 18

Sinnis Bomber 125 Effortless commuting

PAGE 20

UM Renegade Sport S 125

Big bike feel and cruiser charm

PAGE 30

ALSO INSIDE: NEWS • PRODUCT REVIEWS • READERS’ CLASSIFIED ADS • PLUS MUCH MORE•

3-WHEELERS

What can you ride on your licence?

NEWS

www.o2w.co.uk 3 Want to share your latest news with our readers?

Email pictures and details to editor@o2w.co.uk

Vespa and (RED) fight HIV/AIDS A collaboration between the Piaggio Group and (RED) has led to the creation of the Vespa 946 (RED), a red-clad Vespa scooter that fights HIV/AIDS with every purchase.

Founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver in 2006, (RED) was created to deliver a sustainable flow of money from companies to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS. It also generates awareness around the disease to keep it on the public agenda. In the 10 years since its founding, (RED) has generated more than $360 million for the Global Fund, helping more than 70 million people, and 100% of that money has gone to finance HIV/AIDS programmes on the ground in Africa.

For every Vespa 946 (RED) purchased, more than £100 will go to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS with (RED). That amount of money provide more than 500 days of lifesaving HIV medication to help prevent a mother living with HIV from passing the virus on to her unborn baby.

The $360 million collected so far by the Global Fund has reached Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zambia, and has fully been invested in research, prevention activities, treatments, drugs, HIV tests, and medical assistance. ! Info: www.vespa.com

Honda’s Super Cub production reaches 100 million milestone The Super Cub reached an historic milestone on October 19, 2017, when the 100 millionth bike rolled off the production line.

To mark the occasion, Honda held a commemorative ceremony attended by president and CEO Takahiro Hachigo at its Kumamoto Factory, Japan, where the Super Cub is produced.

Mass production of the first-generation Super Cub C100 began in August 1958 at the Yamato Plant, north of Tokyo.

Its instant sales success was due to a number of features: the durability and efficiency of its high-performance 50cc four-stroke engine (as opposed to the two-stroke engines

Honda Cross Cub 2018

that were mainstream at the time), its unique design based around a low-floor backbone frame, a centrifugal clutch requiring no hand lever for its operation, and the large protective legshield.

60th anniversary makeover

The Super Cub is currently undergoing a massive makeover, complete with LED headlights – and is set to be available in May 2018 in two variants. The Honda Super Cub 60th Anniversary model and the Honda Cross Cub 2018 will be marketed in 50cc and 110cc versions.

We can’t wait to see them in the flesh.

60th Anniversary Honda Super Cub

On Small Wheels relocates

Swansea scooter workshop On Small Wheels, which was established in 2007, has recently relocated.

The new unit is spread over two floors and has been adapted to continue repairing, restoring and servicing all makes of scooter as before. In addition there is now a dedicated showroom where parts and accessories can be displayed and purchased. We’re also informed that the kettle is on at all times.

The new address is 104 Clyndu St, Morriston, Swansea SA6 7BG, with the telephone number remaining as 01792 421846.

Nine million handheld phone drivers refuse to quit texting Shocking figures show that nearly a quarter of all motorists on the road still ‘snap, chat, text and tweet’ while driving. The news comes despite penalties for the offence being doubled on March 1, 2017, new RAC research has found.

A factor that may be influencing persistent driving illegal behaviours is the reduction in the number of dedicated roads policing officers.

In England and Wales the number has declined by 30% in 10 years from 3766 in 2007 to just 2643 in 2017.

On Two Wheels

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

Editor: Mau Spencer Publisher: Dan Savage Staff writer: Ross Mowbray Contributors: Dave Bell, Gary Chapman, Paul Fincham, Mikko Nieminen, Steve O’Hara, ‘Chef' Prendergast, Jonathan Schofield.

Apologies to anyone we’ve forgotten.

Editorial design: Fran Lovely Picture desk: Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield, Angie Sisestean Production editor: Dan Sharp Divisional advertising team leader: Zoe Thurling 01507 529412 Marketing manager: Charlotte Park Commercial director: Nigel Hole Customer services number: 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm, Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm

Better way to tackle drunk driving As the breathalyser device marks 50 years of use on the front line by UK police, the UK’s biggest road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has suggested that visible policing and a cut to the drink-drive limit are not the only ways to achieve a significant reduction in the numbers killed and seriously injured on our roads.

The charity also recommends that a drink-drive rehabilitation course should be made compulsory for those convicted of the crime, as opposed to it being voluntary.

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “The increase in serious injury crashes and the overall increase in drink related crashes is worrying and suggests the problem is not reducing among a hard core of drivers willing to take the risk.

“The Government should introduce a lower limit in England and Wales but that is unlikely to eradicate the problem completely, although it would deliver a small but significant decrease in drink drive casualties and underline the clear message that driving and

drinking don’t mix. The best way to catch those who ignore the limit is through intelligence led high profile policing so investment in roads policing must be protected.

The reality of being caught must match the campaign messaging.”

He added: “But, it must not be forgotten that drivers who take a drink-drive rehabilitation course are less likely to reoffend. Currently a convicted drink-driver has to choose to take a course when they appear in

court. At IAM RoadSmart we believe a more effective option would be to make the course compulsory and force drivers to opt out only if they choose to do so.

“In our experience drivers drink and drive for a variety of reasons often related to personal and financial problems. Treating their reliance on alcohol to ‘solve’ their problems can deliver a more permanent solution that improves road safety and deals with underlying addiction issues.”

4 www.o2w.co.uk

NEWS

Want to share your latest news with our readers? Email pictures and details to editor@o2w.co.uk

CBT trainers help with bike theft awareness

Hundreds join Theft Awareness Ride Hundreds of motorcyclists took to the streets of Bristol recently to show solidarity with the police in their efforts to tackle the rising tide of bike crime in the city.

Organisers of the Bristol Bike Theft Awareness Ride estimate that 700 motorcyclists participated, setting out from Cribbs Causeway, on the northern outskirts of the city, at noon.

Accompanied by a pair of police motorcyclists, the procession wound

its way peacefully through several known hot-spots for bike theft, where many local residents clapped and waved as the cavalcade rumbled through. Saturday shoppers and tourists stopped and stared as hundreds of bikes passed them on Park Street (rated as one of the most fashionable high streets in the country) before passing City Hall and rolling into Fowlers Motorcycles in the city centre at 1.30pm.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is encouraging compulsory basic training instructors to explain the importance to novice riders of keeping their bike secure, and to show them ways to do this.

In 2016, more than 15,000 motorcycles or mopeds were stolen in London alone. The vehicles are then commonly used for snatch and grab robberies, or as get-away vehicles for other crimes.

The Metropolitan Police’s Be Safe campaign on preventing scooter theft, which was launched in June, advises that “the more visible the security, the less visible a scooter is to thieves”.

DVSA is encouraging the UK’s 2500 CBT instructors to explain to around 190,000 novice riders that take their CBT each year, how they can keep their motorcycle or moped safe and secure. As part of CBT, many novice riders rely on their instructor for advice and to explain the importance of using certain security measures to help prevent theft.

Security measures DVSA and Met Police are encouraging riders to use include: ■ using more than one chain lock and an additional alarm ■ parking in open public areas or using ParkSafe to find a suitable, safe, car park ■ marking motorcycle parts with a vehicle identification number (VIN) ■ using a motorcycle cover so thieves can’t see the type of motorcycle Using these security measures, such as fitting several locks or using security marking to make it difficult to remove parts of the vehicle, will help to prevent thieves from being able to easily steal a motorcycle or moped.

The book, DVSA’s Official Guide to Riding: the Essential Skills, includes further information for riders on ways to keep their motorcycle safe, and safe places to park.

Bristol bike mechanic is runner-up in bike skills contest Dave Ball – master motorcycle technician at Fowlers of Bristol – has claimed the runner-up crown at the 2017 Suzuki European Motorcycle Skills Competition, held in Germany on September 20, 2017.

Dave, who was chosen to represent Britain after winning the UK Championships earlier this year, beat off tough competition to scoop second place. He pitted his considerable skills against strong opposition from Suzuki winners representing other European countries, working his way through three gruelling practical tasks and an hour-long written examination.

Dave has been with Fowlers for 20 years and his talent has been recognised in several other competitions: he won the Yamaha UK Tech Grand Prix last year, the Suzuki UK Motorcycle Technician of the Year in 2013 and the Yamaha UK Technician of the Year award in 2007.

Right: Dave Ball (left) receiving his certificate and prize from Suzuki’s Yasuhiro Kawai (right)

0% finance on a range of new 125cc Yamahas

Imitation is the best form of flattery KYMCO has just revealed its latest C Series concept scooter. Seen in this photo from a Dutch website (www.oliepeil.nl), the scooter bears more than a resemblance to the Honda ADV-X crossover, don’t you think?

Yamaha is making it easier to get on the road.

The firm is offering 0% finance on a range of its 125cc machines including its top-of-the-range 125cc sports model the YZF-R125, the naked MT-125, the new YS125 and the D’elight 125 scooter. ! Info: www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk

Suzuki launches 3% finance offer Suzuki has launched a new finance offer on its GSX-R1000; the Japanese firm is offering 3% APR over three years with a minimum £1000 deposit, while giving

customers the choice over whether they opt for a PCP deal or a hire purchase agreement.

With a £1000 deposit the new GSX-R1000 can be ridden away for

£184.73 per month on a PCP deal over three years, while a deposit or trade-in of £2917.61 means it can be enjoyed for £129 per month.

Customers looking to avoid a final balloon payment and opt for a hire purchase deal can ride the new GSX-R1000 for £315 per month, with a deposit of £2900.69.

Majesty S renamed SMAX as a new model is launched for Asian market A few days after the opening of the Tokyo Motor Show, Yamaha unveiled its new SMAX (previously known as the Majesty S on the UK market).

The manufacturer has recently launched the NMAX 125 version here in the UK – but it’s not known at this point in time whether the SMAX will arrive on UK shores. Both share many of the same components, although the SMAX is slightly larger in its dimensions with a slightly higher seat height and a larger capacity fuel tank; it also weighs in heavier at 149kg (the NMAX is 127kg).

6 www.o2w.co.uk

NEW PRODUCTS

A quick glance at some of the latest products and clothing arriving on the market

Maximising protection

With scooter theft on the rise, both the Metropolitan Police and Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) are advising riders to layer security, using more than one device . Piaggio produces alarms, handlebar locks, chains and disc locks specifically for modern and retro scooters, offering multiple ways to secure your steed in your absence.

Chain lock

RRP: from £45 | Sizes: 110-140 cm

Tucano Urbano Tetris gloves

Keis Premium V501 heated vest

RRP: £149.99 (includes heat controller worth £34.99) | Sizes: XS to 5XL | Colours: Black/Red Keis has updated its heated gear range, with the introduction of its new Premium V501 heated vest. The latest products feature all-new heat generation technology and have been restyled for lighter and thinner construction, with improved pockets and a distinctive new look. The Keis kit utilises micro carbon fibre panels, which deliver an even spread of heat.

The Keis Premium Vest is typically powered using the supplied wiring harness, directly from the motorcycle battery; it can also be powered using a Keis lithium battery pack (optional extra). The vest is made from breathable lightweight soft shell fabric, has elasticated side panels, and features two external pockets and dedicated zipped pockets. ! Info: www.keisapparel.co.uk

Disc lock top RRP: from £33

A compact brake lock with a 5mm locking pin and reversible key, with a drill-proof and pick-proof casing.

Plus, it’s supplied in a carry bag with reminder cable.

Multilink lock top

RRP: £29 | Sizes: 100cm-170cm A cable lock, protected by steel tubes with pipe-ball joints, for increased flexibility, and extra drill protection on cylinder.

A long chain, with 10mm square steel links, secured with a 12mm diameter shackle in a hardened steel lock body, with drill-proof and pick-proof keyway.

Handlebar locks RRP: £59.99

Permanently attached to the scooter, these can be secured to the handlebar in order to immobilise the vehicle. When not in use they fit discreetly between the seat and footrest. Extension cables are also available, allowing owners to secure their scooter to road furniture.

E-POWER RRP: £146

The E-POWER is designed for scooters equipped with a pre-installation connection. It comes with an electronic key and a two button remote control.

For a complete list of Piaggio’s security range, visit www.fowlersparts.co.uk.

RRP: £99 | Sizes: S to 2XL | Colours: Black/ Orange TU’s new Tetris gloves have been developed to protect your extremities throughout the colder months. The outer cover forms a four-fingered glove with the ring finger and little finger joined together for maximum warmth and protection in the case of impact; it’s constructed from Neoprene style technical fabric while the palm is made from goat leather.

The accompanying five-fingered inner glove can also be worn separately, allowing you to layer up depending on the weather.

The internal glove is also waterproof and breathable, thanks to its Hydroscud membrane. The Tetris gloves feature knuckle protection; there’s also adjusters on its extra-long cuffs in the form of double Velcro, which improve insulations. The gloves allow the use of touchscreens and the thumb includes a rubber screen cleaner. ! Info: www.tucanourbano.com/gb

www.o2w.co.uk 7

Rugged motorcycle turntable

Furygan’s autumn/winter textile jackets

RRP: £ ask

Furygan has unveiled four new autumn/winter textile jackets, in time for the weather taking a turn for the worse.

Arrow !

RRP: £159.99 | Sizes: S to 4XL | Colours: Black/White, Black/White/Fluo Green, Black/White/Red, Black/White/Fluo Yellow Available in a variety of colours, the Furygan Arrow jacket offers all the key features safety conscious riders would expect to find in a motorcycle jacket.

!

Check the width of your centrestand before ordering although there aren’t many bikes this stand will not accommodate. ! Info: www.motorworks.co.uk

RRP: £249.99 | Sizes: S to 4XL | Colours: Black/White The Furygan Blast is made from high tenacity polyester for abrasion resistance with ‘ballistic’ textile inserts and foam reinforcements at the forearms, plus a new generation of thermoformed external shell on the shoulders.

‘Black Line’ replacement exhausts RRP: £ ask

The Giannelli ‘Black Line’ range of exhausts, combines quality and performance at an affordable price. The silencer comprises a squared tubular section in brushed black finish with stainless steel end capping, and is supplied with link pipe and matching downpipes where required.

The exhaust systems include all brackets, bolts, etc. required for fitment.

The complete exhaust system is exceptionally light and designed to give a boost in performance in the mid to high rev range.

‘Black Line’ exhausts are available for the following models: Maxi scooter – Yamaha T-Max 500 2008>, Yamaha T-Max 530 2012-2016 Moto 125 – Derbi GPR 125 4T 4V, Honda CBR 125 R IE 2011>, Keeway RKV 125, KTM Duke 125/200 2011>, and Yamaha YZF R125. ! Info: www.ve-uk.com

Blast

Malcolm !

RRP: £179.99 | Sizes: S to 4XL | Colours: Black, Bronze The Malcolm jacket was inspired by US Air Force and US Navy pilot bomber jackets.

Made from coated polyester, this waterproof textile jacket is lightweight and stylish, perfect for riding around town.

Furygan’s new jackets will be available in UK dealers from October and on show at Motorcycle Live at the NEC, Birmingham from November 18-26, 2017. ! Info: www.nevis.uk.com

Zeno

!

It can sometimes be a squeeze to turn your motorcycle around in the garage, so Motorworks has developed a turntable to do the job for you.

It comprises a fully serviceable 46cm ball bearing race and a 42cm diameter tread-plate platform.

Heat treated replaceable feet keep the solid base off the floor so minor irregularities are not a problem.

Overall height is only 25mm, so lifting your bike onto the stand is straightforward.

RRP: £219.99 | Sizes: S to 4XL | Colours: Black The stylish and understated Zeno jacket will take you from the narrow streets of the city to the open highway, offering great comfort and protection whatever the weather.

8 www.o2w.co.uk

Yamaha launches new generation e-bikes Yamaha launched into the electric bicycle sector in 1993 and, for the coming year, is preparing to launch a whole new range of e-bikes.

It may not seem as strong in the e-bike sector as it is in motorcycles or musical instruments, but the Japanese brand has been developing electric-assisted bicycles for almost 25 years, selling more than two million bicycles and manufacturing more than four million power units on behalf of other brands.

The future range will be made up of four new models: the classic Urban Rush, the YDX-TORC designed for fun on the road, plus the fitness oriented CrossCore and the CrossConnect for daily use. This new generation of e-bikes will feature the latest advances in pedal support systems, including a clever Triple Sensor System which monitors the torque applied to the pedals as well as cadence and speed in real time in order to be able to provide pedalling assistance as naturally as possible.

With their American launch imminent, we’re still waiting to hear when this new generation of e-bikes will be making it to the British market. ! Info: www.yamahabicycles.com

NEWS

The latest gossip from the electric bike market

Zero Motorcycles raise the bar Zero Motorcycles has announced the release of its 2018 model line-up – raising the bar for all-electric motorcycles by increasing battery capacity and range, and launching a new high-speed on-board charger option that increases charging speeds by six times.

Zero has consistently produced the electric vehicle industry’s most energy and power dense battery packs – and for 2018 it has boosted its Z-Force® battery’s energy capacity by more than 10%. For 2018, there are three new batteries. The ZF14.4, ZF7.2 and ZF3.6 batteries offer more range and better performance than much of the two-wheeled competition – and when equipped with the optional range-extending ZF3.6 Power Tank, Zero models featuring the largest ZF14.4 battery offer 18 kWh of energy and the longest range of any two-wheeled electric vehicle on the market – up to 223 miles.

Every Zero motorcycle can be charged using standard 110V or 220V wall outlets – but to

give riders the ability to cover more ground in a single day, Zero has launched a 6 kW Charge Tank which charges up to six times faster than when only using the standard charger.

The new Charge Tank is compatible with the worldwide network of Level 2 charge stations and is available on all Zero S, SR, DS, and DSR models. When combined with the standard charger, the new Charge Tank drops charge times for ZF7.2 models to one hour (0-95%), and reduces charge time for ZF14.4 models to about two hours.

Other 2018 performance enhancements include more compact and lighter weight ZF7.2 batteries, which offer 11% more rear wheel torque. Plus, the ZF14.4 Zero S and Zero DS have been fine tuned to deliver up to 30% more power and torque.

The 2018 Zero S, SR, DS, DSR, and FX models look better than ever before too, with bold new colours and graphics from the Graphene Black Metallic with gold

wheels of the Zero DSR to the Silicon Silver Metallic paint of the Zero S. The upgraded 2018 machines are being delivered at the same price as the 2017 models with the exception of a £500 price increase which only applies to the flagship Zero SR and Zero DSR. The new Charge Tank is a factory-installed option priced with an MSRP of £2300. The 2018 motorcycles will begin arriving at authorised European Zero Motorcycles dealers starting in November 2017. ! Info: www.zeromotorcycles.com/eu/

Honda Riding Assist-e – an electric bike that literally stands alone Honda is set to display its new electric motorcycle, fitted with its innovative ‘Riding Assist’ technology, which has been designed to improve rider safety.

Earlier this year, at the CES of Las Vegas, Honda displayed its ‘Riding Assist’ technology on a prototype NC750S. This technology allows a motorcycle to stand alone, move independently and to follow its rider. It presented an evolved version of that first concept,

called ‘Riding Assist-e’ at the recent Tokyo Motor Show.

According to Honda, it will ease manoeuvres from stationary or low speeds, since there will be no need to balance weight. The big difference from the previous prototype version is that this new model is driven by an electric motor. At the moment, Honda has not issued any further technical data though, so we still don’t know the power of the engine, or the

battery capacity... but, the images suggest that the bike is well on its way to production, so the specifications should be available to the public very soon.

In addition to Honda, Yamaha has been working on its own autonomous Motobot technology for a few years now, and BMW has announced its future Vision Next 100, which like the Honda will also be able to stand on its own, but also features an abundance of new technologies too.

www.o2w.co.uk 9

FIRST RIDE

Gtech eScent mountain bike Bottled brilliance and beautiful balance.

This two-wheeled bundle of joy arrived for review recently. The assembly was a total doddle using basic tools and I was soon ready to put the kettle on, pop the battery on charge and gaze at my handiwork, while waiting for the battery’s digital display to reach ‘MAX’.

Fully charged, the battery (which looks like a water bottle) is a simple slot and click installation. Unlike most pedelecs on the market this one has no handlebar digital display, battery level monitor, speedo, or multiple levels of assistance.

It’s got just two which you choose by pressing a green button on the battery bottle to select either ‘ECO’ or ‘MAX’ – a distinct lack of digital bits. What a refreshing alternative; there’s none of the usual bumph or bluster. It’s just a well built, high spec hard-tail mountain bike with a bonus prize in the rear wheel! Yep, the standard 250W motor you’d normally expect in an e-bike.

Quality over price

But why would I pay over £1200 for an e-bike with all the bells and whistles removed? Well, the reason is this: quality in buckets! Quality that makes you realise you’re looking at the VW of the e-bike market. VW’s Golf is sparse and utilitarian, but it’s the way it drives, the way it holds its value, the customer service – it all adds up to a

brilliant owning experience. That’s what I’m getting when I jump on the eScent; it’s not all fluffy unicorns and candy rainbows; it’s hard, cold quality. Now that might sound a bit harsh, but do you really want a bike which, after a spirited ride a few times down the local canal towpath and along that forest trail, then cuts out 20 minutes into your journey to work?

Not really. The eScent has a brilliantly balanced frame with well-chosen quality products added to it, and Gtech’s electrical system knows how to assist you as you go.

First rides are always a bit of an exciting time with the sense of anticipation (we all do it; we judge first and quantify later). I’ll admit to looking at the eScent and thinking ‘Don’t like the way the rear of the frame is welded to the seat post tube; not sure I like the look of the suspension seat unit; how am I going to know if the battery is working?’ But the Gtech boffins have a good set of brains and a keen eye for detail.

There’s a single gear ring on the front where the pedals attach, rather than the three that seems to have been the standard for so many years.

On the rear you have a 10-speed Shimano cassette that with the addition of the motor/pedal assistance is more than you’re going to need. This is a mountain bike built to do 15.5mph whether you’re using

‘pedal assist’ or not. If you’re out for exercise then use ‘ECO’ mode and the motor will push you off at the start, but pretty much only gives you that.

‘MAX’ on the other hand, is a shove in the nicest way up to 15.5 mph over all terrain, whether it be smooth tarmac or rough cart track; even an adventure to the local woods was handled with style and grace. The bike is shod with 2.35 x 27.5 Kenda offroad tyres; Kenda is another quality brand – will you stop spoiling me Gtech! Also added to the mix is a set of front Rock Shock forks with 120mm of travel (which can also be locked to make road riding a little bouncy).

The frame balance and geometry make the eScent fast and nimble, yet stable, on its 27.5in wheels. The brakes are Shimano hydraulic discs running 180mm rotors front and rear, so stopping isn’t an issue, ever. Now to that funky seat post; it’s a play on the idea of a suspension post, but with a twist that takes you by surprise. It isn’t playing at being a great and comfortable option to the expensive pneumatic dropper suspension posts; it’s a great yet simple suspension seat that makes your ride a whole lot more enjoyable.

Yes for the first three or four miles it did feel as though I had a rear puncture, but I didn’t; it’s just the seat, giving you a softer riding experience than you were expecting.

An e-bike for adventure

The main thing to remember when you look at this bike is the overall quality. The whole package is well put-together – from the delivery to the fact it’s almost completely assembled (even the tyres were at the correct pressure when unboxed). This is an e-bike for the rider who wants adventure. It’s for those who want to explore but without sat-nav or satellite phone, and without the world’s electronic gizmos trying to help. It has a motor to assist when the going gets a bit challenging, but other than that, it’s your best friend who never brags about what they can do; they just do it.

Would I recommend this bike? Yes. Why? It’s built to last and it’s not overly complicated.

Words: Jonathan Schofield Images: Gtech

SPECIFICATION

Gtech eScent mountain bike FRAME SIZE/CONSTRUCTION: Aluminium 17.5in (22in

with suspension seat post) WHEEL SIZE: 27.5in WEIGHT: 19kg BRAKES: 180mm hydraulic discs Battery: Lithium-ion 36v (3-hour charge time) WARRANTY: 2 years on frame and battery PRICE: £1299.99 CONTACT: www.gtech.co.uk/gtech-escentmountain-ebike.html O2W RATING:

★★★★★★★★★★

10 www.o2w.co.uk

LAUNCH RIDE

A2

LICENCE

Little big Strom Suzuki’s mini-Strom makes the adventure touring class more accessible than ever. But can it deliver enough to tempt riders away from big bikes?

Around a year ago there wasn’t really such a thing as a small adventure bike segment in any meaningful way.

Then, at the international bike shows towards the end of 2016, one after another the bike manufacturers pulled the covers of their new small-capacity adventurers, and all of a sudden a whole new breed of bikes was born.

We now have the off-road focused Honda CFR250 Rally, and the more road-biased Kawasaki Versys-X 300, with the BMW G310GS still waiting to be released. And now we also have the Suzuki V-Strom 250 – a bike that Suzuki wants to position as a road-focused option for touring and daily riding. The idea behind the bike is that it will suit both experienced riders who want to downsize, and younger new riders who want a bike that’s easy to ride and manageable.

With Suzuki’s V-Strom heritage, the hope is that the new bike will slot into the family as the baby-Strom, the friendly and accessible face of adventure touring.

Looking big

The bike bears a striking resemblance to the bigger V-Strom 1000 and 650 with the same round headlight design and an adventure ‘beak’ at the front; and although it comes in red or black, it’s the yellow one that most links it with the family traits. At ‘only’ 250cc it’s naturally smaller, but it looks substantial and purposeful in its own right. However, making the bike big was not what Suzuki intended – the whole point of the V-Strom 250 is that it’s a smaller adventure touring option for people who want not just a smaller engine, but also a more manageable bike size.

With that in mind, the seat height is 800mm (much lower than the V-Strom 1000’s 850mm) and the bars have been raised and pulled back to make it easy to reach them. A small detail, but a pleasant one (if you don’t

enjoy cleaning nooks and crannies) is a long front fender that means you don’t need to buy an extender just to keep the engine from being covered in road grime.

Suzuki engineers were clear about this being a road-biased bike. Not aiming for too much off-road use has allowed them to keep the exhaust end can low, which in turn means that panniers can be fitted on both sides without the pipe getting in the way.

Jumping on the bike, it feels just like intended: small, manageable and still adventurous. The dash has a ‘negative’ display with white digits on black background, clearly indicating speed, revs and gear, as well as giving you a choice of odometer, two trips and fuel consumption.

On (and a bit off) road

First impressions are very positive, with the small size and weight (at 188kg it’s 44kg lighter than the V-Strom 1000) of the bike combined with the soft and gentle suspension making it feel like the bike simply floated over the imperfections on the road surface. The rear shock is easily preload-adjustable by removing the seat and using the tools provided; but I was happy with the factory settings, enjoying the armchair-like comfort that still kept the bike in shape even through quick turns.

A short dual-carriageway stretch proved that the bike can keep up with motorway speeds, but I also found that the small windscreen created a fair bit of buffeting around my helmet above 60mph. Talking to others on the ride, opinion on the level of buffeting varied greatly, meaning that your height and the type of lid you wear will make a big difference.

If this was my bike I’d remove or change the screen, but then again, I’m a bit picky over screens, often finding them more bother than use.

Another modification I’d make is the bars. They’re not bad, but for an

adventure bike, I would want them wider to give a bit of extra leverage and make the most of the generous steering angle.

The stock bike doesn’t come with luggage, but you can add a top case for £350, panniers for £625 and a tank bag for £95 (all would make sense if you plan on taking the bike touring).

One giveaway sign that the V-Strom 250 is a road rather than off-road oriented bike is the wheels: rather than a large front wheel for dirt, the bike features 17in wheels front and back. On Tarmac the setup offered nice quick steering, and even on a short trail section the bike felt well composed. The riding position is pleasant when you’re standing on the pegs, with the tall bars helping to stay in control, but if you really want to take this bike off the Tarmac, proper knobbly tyres would be needed, and a larger front wheel might be worth considering.

Overall, the V-Strom 250 riding experience is a pleasant one, with everything from the suspension and brakes to engine performance and handling working well, without any particular element standing out.

Inazuma heritage

The 248cc, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, SOHC, parallel twin engine is inherited from Suzuki’s Inazuma 250, and the Suzuki engineers are quick to remind us that the V in V-Strom stands for versatility and is not a SPECIFICATION

Suzuki V-Strom 250 (2018) ENGINE: 248cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, SOHC,

parallel twin

SEAT HEIGHT: 800mm KERB WEIGHT: 188kg FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 17.3 litres PRICE: £4599 CONTACT: bikes.suzuki.co.uk O2W RATING:

★★★★★★★★★★

reference to engine configuration.

Although the engine’s not new, it’s been updated to increase low- to mid-range torque, fuel economy and ease of riding. And naturally it needed to pass the new Euro 4 emissions tests too.

Suzuki engineers have designed the cam profile to maximise acceleration performance between 12.4mph and 55.9mph, as this is the range that’s used most often. And sure enough, on the road the engine feels eager to rev and accelerate, with the short gearing increasing the feeling of rapid progress.

Top speed is limited to around 85mph, meaning that the bike will be fine for cruising on any roads, but you’re unlikely to hit the sort of speeds that cost you your licence.

With its 17.3-litre tank and the improved fuel efficiency Suzuki reckons you should be able to get 300 miles from a tankful.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

So, what’s the verdict? The real test will of course be the sales figures the bike generates, although nobody really knows how well this new category of bikes will be received.

As a standalone bike, the miniStrom feels a capable and practical option if you're looking for a small-medium size adventure bike.

It’s likely to be more tempting to new riders rather than those coming down the cc-ladder as there’s some tempting 500cc and 650cc options offering more performance and still a step down from the litre-plus category.

But for those moving up from 125s this is a tempting option that ups the performance to a level that makes riding that little bit less like hard work.

Words: Mikko Images: Suzuki

www.o2w.co.uk 11

12 www.o2w.co.uk

FIRST RIDE

TX125 Supermoto Keeway’s TX125 Supermoto is a proper smile maker.

What’s more, it doesn’t cost much more than a couple of bags of sand to get on the road (that’s £2000 to us none-slang-throwing types).

A1

LICENCE

From the obvious styling choices Keeway has made (a bit like a certain Austrian bike manufacturer that loves the colour orange), the company’s encouraging you on your way to the dealer by making this machine look really eye catching.

It’s Supermoto styling, with USD front forks, and all of those angles are in the right places.

A high exit exhaust and super upright seating position put you in a happy mood before the key even gets into the ignition barrel. A snazzy dash and well-sized rear view mirrors give you all the rider info you need without having to squint or throw in your most educated guess.

Well-proportioned footpegs make you realise in no time at all that the undersides of your feet aren’t going to be complaining if you push to do more than 15-20 miles. I have ridden a few bikes in the past, and for some reason the designers have forgotten that people’s feet can grow to more than a size 6 and that we aren’t birds who enjoy the feel of balancing on thin twig-like metal rods. Comfort on the Keeway is not an issue.

Riding this lock opener

I use the term lock opener for good reason; the TMX 125 is not just a thrown together hack. It’s not quite your high end adventurer either, I may add, but what you get is more – much more – than I was anticipating. It looks great and on the first rideout I was happily plodding along at 50mph in no time on the back roads away from the environs of Mortonsville.

Abruptly, as if out of nowhere (or so it seemed), I was looking into the side of a tractor and trailer pulling out of a field and onto a semi-blind bend in the road. Oh deary me, was my first thought (actually the words that rattled through my head were a touch stronger than that, but my editor would cut them out if I tried to put them in). Time to test my reactions and the brakes.

I’d not even done 15 miles on fresh tyres and no bedded-in of discs and pads had occurred. Experiences of past emergency stops flashed in front of my eyes and I tried to remember all the stuff I was supposed to do. ‘Grab don’t stab’ at the brakes and ‘straighten up’.

The Keeway did me proud though, and pulled-up in next to no distance, I’m sure I was overreacting to a degree, but in those split seconds I doubted my ability and I really was not expecting the bike to cope (suspension and brakes especially). To my relief, I found that I was still rubber side down and there was no impact. The tractor driver gave me a stern look and we both carried on with our journeys.

The next few miles were a little tentative, keeping plenty of distance from the vehicle in front and going steadily into the corners.

Miles drifted by and the Keeway and I began to come to an understanding (that being that I bloody love the bike, and I would be out, more often than in). The upright riding position mentioned earlier is properly smile-making. You feel as if you are astride a true Supermoto stallion. Its exhaust note has not been baffled to nothing, even though it’s a Euro 4 compliant bike.

The suspension is soft enough to absorb all the road imperfections, but probably in my opinion just a drop too soft on the front for spirited