o2w On Two Wheels April May 2017

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YOUR GUIDE TO LIFE ON TWO WHEELS

April/May 2017 Issue 1

Retro beginneer bikes The coolest new A1 A and A2 bikes. PAGEE 3

OOpenn face helmets

There’s T more to them than meets the eye. PAGE 20 m

How to ride smarter

On Two Wheels

Learners

Commuters

NEW W for f 2 2017 Small adventures ad ent res Ideal small capacity commuters for A2 licencee holders holders. PAGE 8

Buying

Riding

Top tips on improving your riding skills. PAGE 17

RETRO COOL

A1 licence AJS Cadwell tested PAGE 7

KYMCO City+ 50

Making light work of city commuting. PAGE 7

PLUS: LICENCE CATEGORIES EXPLAINED • NEWS • PRODUCT TESTS • E-BIKES • THE BEST & WORST HELMETS

2 www.o2w.co.uk

NEWS

Welcome to On2Wheels

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

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

CBT revamp on the horizon

This is the first edition of our exciting new publication, so let me explain what we are all about.

O2W is a ‘free pick-up’ newspaper that aims to do exactly what it says on the cover… to get people onto two wheels by offering advice for everyone, whether you are starting out for the first time, looking for guidance on commuting, or seeking other riding advice.

Each issue will be packed with handy information on various subjects from machine suitability for commuting or pleasure, plus bike/product guides and reviews alike – not forgetting an abundance of upto-date news and other features.

O2W is written by a team of experienced bike riders (some of whom will be familiar to you) and will be accessible to all new riders and commuters via our ‘free pick-up’ outlets at dealers and training schools based around the UK.

Proposals to improve motorcycle training are being considered by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) following a public consultation on the subject.

The changes being reviewed are intended to improve rider safety and make new riders better prepared for the realities of riding on modern roads.

They include: taking away CBT certificates from riders who get six penalty points; introduction of theory test to be taken before a CBT course, or as part of the course; and restricting riders who take their CBT on an automatic motorcycle to only riding automatics.

There would also be changes to the content and delivery of the CBT course syllabus, and introduction of training courses that existing riders can take to upgrade their motorcycle licence, rather than having to take extra tests. The consultation ended on February 17, so the ball is now in DVSA’s corner and we’ll soon hear what the future holds for learner riders.

Mau Spencer Editor

Retrobikes Retro bikes are selling like hot cakes, and with all the manufacturers wanting a piece of the action. There are some great options in smallcapacity categories too.

A1 licence

Bullit Hunt S 125

Squint a bit and you could mistake the Bullit Hunt S 125 for a small Triumph Bonneville.

It’s powered by a 125cc fourstroke air-cooled engine that delivers 10.8bhp.

There’s plenty of comfort on offer for short trips with a relaxed riding position, high bars and a low seat that makes getting your feet on the ground easy.

On longer journeys the seat will start to feel a bit hard. The bike could be yours for £1799 and comes with a two year warranty.

• For further information: www.bullitmotorcycles.com

A2 licence

Join Honda’s Rebel-ion Honda has announced a brand new motorcycle for 2017 that offers a fresh take on custom cool – the Rebel.

The bike is slim, stripped-back, blacked out and fits the trend of café racers and bobbers that have stolen the headlines recently.

The seat is low at 690mm, tyres fat and ‘bobber’ styled, and the footpegs mid-mounted for a relaxed and

neutral riding position. The Rebel’s A2 licence-friendly 471cc eight-valve, liquid-cooled parallel twin-cylinder engine is drawn from Honda’s popular 500cc range.

Honda promises torque-heavy bottom-end output, with a sporty feel, as well as smooth and linear power delivery.

• More info: www.honda.co.uk

A2

LICENCE

Sinnis Buccaneer 250

France to Vietnam on 125cc scooters Friends and film-makers Samuel Felice Rodriguez and Ambroise Prince have ridden two Peugeot Django 125cc scooters 7500 miles from Paris, France, to Hô-ChiMinh City in Vietnam.

Inspired by two French soldiers, Serge Gracium and Michel Vaslin, who rode Peugeot S57 scooters between Saigon (now Hô-Chi-Minh City) and Paris in 1956, Samuel and Ambroise reversed the route, and rode their Peugeot Django scooters across 14 countries and through 50 cities

On Two Wheels

On2Wheels, The Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 529529 Email: editor@o2w.co.uk

Editor: Mau Spencer Publisher: Dan Savage Contributors: Mikko Nieminen, Ross Mowbray Editorial design: Justin Blackamore Picture desk: Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield Production editor: Dan Sharp Divisional ad manager: Martin Freeman 01507 529538 Advertising: 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 On2Wheels is published by Mortons Media Group Ltd and printed by Mortons Print.

en-route to Vietnam. The pair were full of praise for their scooters: “We drove on roads of all kinds, in weather conditions ranging from smothering heat to steady rain.

“Our faithful two-wheelers have never left us! We were impressed by their capacity in any environment, urban and off the beaten track.”

• Find out more about the trip and see video blogs Samuel and Ambroise filmed throughout at www.django-adventure.com

A1 licence

Mash Black Seven 125

Sony steps in to the ‘augmented reality’ helmet game So, finally, one of the big electronics giants has stepped up to the plate to give us an augmented reality helmet.

Well, in the pretty near future – it would seem.

The tech giant has just released the details of the N-Com ARX augmented reality helmet with a communications system, heads-up display, hologram and the works.

It’s a genuine collaboration between

The latest machine from Sinnis, the Buccaneer 250, features a 250cc V-twin engine and dual sport tyres.

You also get electronic fuel gauge, Thruxton exhaust system and also a top of the range EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) system. The Buccaneer is named after the famous Italjet Buccaneer 125cc of the 1970s which achieved a number of wins in the Italian Junior series.

The model will be selling for around £2750 + OTR charges.

• For further information: www.sinnismotorcycles.com

Sony and Nolan, and after so many stop/start projects that we’ve seen so far in the ‘augmented reality’ helmet game this is a breath of fresh air.

With Sony getting involved in a very serious way, things might just start to get interesting.

The Black Seven is more roadster than cafe racer, a restyle of existing Mash 125s, with a new tank, gaitered forks and matching speedo/rev counter.

The overhead cam motor, which claims a respectable 11.6bhp at 8750rpm, gives the Black Seven nippy performance for a 125. The disc brakes at both ends are linked in accordance with Euro 4 rules.

The Black Seven, only available in the black and gold colour scheme you see here, costs £2299.

• For further information: www.mashmotorcycles.co.uk

4 www.o2w.co.uk

DVSA propose training improvements The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) recently launched a consultation on improving motorcycle training. The proposed changes aim to reduce the number of people killed or injured by making sure new riders are better prepared for riding on modern roads.

Proposed changes include:

■ taking away (revoking) CBT

certificates from riders who get six penalty points.

■ considering whether learner riders should need to either pass a theory test before they take a CBT course, or as part of their course ■ restricting riders who take their CBT course on an automatic motorcycle to only riding automatics It’s also proposed that the CBT course syllabus is changed from five parts to four: ■ aims of CBT and the importance of equipment ■ on-site training ■ motorcycling theory ■ on-road practical riding There are also a number of proposals relating to improving rider instruction and training schools.

NEWS

Want to share your latest news with our readers?

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

Lampy’s Charity Challenge 2017 Over recent years bike rider Graham Lampkin, aka Lampy, has combined his hobby/lifelong illness (bikes) with raising money for charity. He’s had a lot of fun and satisfaction and made great discoveries and he’d like to encourage others. Lampy explains…

“I have a theory that whatever and however we ride, to have a destination and purpose encourages us to get our bikes out and we feel much happier.

So I’m ‘challenging’ everyone to join in and take part in my charity challenge. The idea is that I and a few mates select a destination somewhere in Britain (with the owner’s approval).

You then get on your bike and ride there by whatever route you choose, either by yourself or with mates, whenever you decide during 2017.

“You’ll score points for various trip features, such as mileage, age of bike, amount raised for Cancer Research UK and others (a full list of these point-scoring features will be with the entry form). You then do the trip (hopefully with charity sponsorship), send us the money raised (no minimum or maximum) with the completed entry form by the end of 2017. We forward the money to CR UK, score your trip and announce the

heroes that did best. If you enter as a team the total score will be divided by the number of members.

“In the meantime we’ll give anyone with a vested interest, and the motorcycle trade, the opportunity to sponsor the event, donate prizes and awards for the winners, so the number will depend on how many are donated.”

• Lampy is still sorting-out details, but you can express your interest in entering by emailing him at glampkin@btinternet.com or ringing 01282 862749 (evenings). He hopes to have a website soon.

Training with Kawasaki

Kawasaki Motors UK has launched Kawasaki Rider Training Services – a UK-wide network of schools and training bodies offering professional training to industry-leading standards. Many are already approved and more are signed-up while remaining independent, but officially endorsed by Kawasaki. Each facility works to standards set by the MCIAC (Motorcycle Industry Accreditation Centre) and have a fleet of new Kawasaki machinery.

• More information at: www.kawasaki-krts.co.uk

Noodoe brings scooter connectivity A brand-new app has been developed for KYMCO scooters, providing riders with a simple, safe way to benefit from many of the connectivity features that car drivers use, including a new Smart Compass navigation system and fun social and communications functionality. The system will be offered as a standard feature on both the KYMCO Like 125i and KYMCO AK550 in the UK. One of the most unusual features is the ability to customise the look of each display screen. There’s also an online library for users to share designs. You can also take a photo

and transfer it to your display.

Noodoe also has the ability to show notifications for everything from missed calls to Facebook and incoming emails, but will only show these notifications in Stop Mode when the scooter’s speed is at zero to prevent riders pulling their smartphones on the move.

KYMCO states that this type of app integration is completely new for the scooter market and that it will become a feature every scooter rider will want to have in the future.

• Info: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=DEY8MtBzwNc

GETTING ONTO TWO WHEELS

Want to know exactly where to start your journey into becoming a biker? Or how to move up the ‘cc-ladder’?

Here’s our quick guide to motorcycle licence categories and which bikes you can ride at each stage.

CBT

The majority of learner motorcycle and moped riders must take compulsory basic training (CBT). You then have to pass your full motorcycle test within two years or you’ll have to take CBT again.

After you’ve completed your CBT, you can ride a moped (scooter or motorbike) up to 125cc and with a power output of up to 11kW on the road. It’s compulsory that you use L-plates (L or D plates in Wales) until you pass your full motorcycle test.

You will need to book CBT through an approved training body (ATB) – each ATB sets its own fees.

AM licence

A1 licence

You can ride a moped with L-plates after completing your CBT, or if you want you could opt for the new AM licence by taking your theory test and then follow it with a practical test. This will then allow you to ride a moped (either scooter or motorcycle style) up to 50cc with a top speed of 45kph (around 28mph) without L-plates, and to carry a passenger.

Even if you decide not to get your full moped licence and just ride with L-plates after your CBT, we would still recommend that you do further training after CBT to improve your riding skills and your road sense.

At 17 you can take a two-stage practical test, after passing your CBT and theory tests, to get an A1 licence. This category will allow you to ride a motorcycle or scooter up to 125cc (with maximum power of 11kw) without L-plates, and to carry a passenger. You might find that passing a full motorcycle test can also reduce your insurance costs.

After two years of holding an A1 motorcycle licence, you can take another practical test and if successful qualify for an A2 motorcycle licence.

Again, we strongly advise you to get additional training for your own safety and confidence.

■ Ride at 17: Aprilia RS4 125 Replica.

Info: aprilia.com

■ For scooter lovers: Kawasaki J125.

Info: kawasaki.co.uk

A2 licence

At 19 can get an A2 motorcycle licence allowing you to ride a motorcycle with power up to 35kw (46.6bhp) which typically means up to 500cc, or a restricted version of a bigger more powerful model. To qualify:

www.o2w.co.uk 5 The cost of training courses varies according to specific needs - check prices with your local training school.

Full A licence

At 21 you can get a full A motorcycle licence, allowing you to ride any motorcycle or scooter of any size or power. There are two ways to qualify for an A motorcycle licence: ■ If you have held an A2

■ If you’ve held an A1 licence

motorcycle licence for two years, you can take another practical test.

■ If you haven’t held an A2 licence for two years and if you are aged 24 or over, you can take the Direct Access route by completing CBT, theory tests and a practical test. You are then allowed to ride any motorbike or scooter without L-plates and to carry a passenger.

■ Retro-ccool: Ducati Scrambler Sixty2.

Info: scramblerducati.com

■ British style: Triumph Thruxton 1200 R. Info: triumphmotorcycles.co.uk

for two years, you can take another practical test.

■ If you’re 19 or older you can take the Direct Access route by completing your CBT and passing your theory test and practical tests. After two years, you can take another practical test to get an unrestricted A bike licence.

Do I need a CBT?

You don’t need a CBT to ride a moped if you passed your car test before February 1, 2001.

You also don’t have to take your CBT if you...

■ have a full moped licence from

passing a full moped test after December 1, 1990.

■ have a full motorcycle licence for one category and want to upgrade to another.

■ live and ride on certain offshore islands.

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ROAD TESTS

Café racer guaranteed to turn heads The AJS Cadwell 125 is not only a bit of a looker, but an exciting ride too

The AJS Cadwell 125 combines three popular trends: classic café racer looks, British motoring heritage and Chinese engineering (and let’s be honest, the pricing that comes with the latter). This is an exciting bike for anyone on an A1 licence looking for a trendy city bike with enough poke to take on the odd country road too.

The café racer look

The bike is available in black or silver, and the overall impression is of understated style, from the Monzastyle fuel cap to the sculpted single seat. The bullet indicators, spoked wheels, straight stainless-steel exhaust, rubber fork covers and clipon handlebars add to the timeless look. Fuel tap, manual choke and kick start (plus electric start) round off the classic features of the bike.

Engine

the cylinder to the end can without The air-cooled, single-cylinder, a cat box in the way. These may be four-stroke, 125cc engine has been slightly outdated designs in an age manufactured by Jianshe (Yamaha’s where many new bikes enjoy liquidpartner in China). There’s enough cooling, fuel injection and advanced grunt to get the bike up to speed systems for emissions control, but pretty swiftly, and cruising at 50on this bike they look the part.

60mph is no problem. The engine is Ride well capable of keeping up to speed The riding position is slightly on the with traffic in the city and even on sporty side of neutral with the low the occasional country road. handlebars inviting you to lean over The engine sound is pleasant, the tank as the speed increases. This including the odd bang from the doesn’t mean that you can’t sit up exhaust when you roll on and off quite straight in town traffic though. the throttle.

The seat is pleasantly low at 740mm, Although the engine is modern, it but slightly on the hard fits the retro looks due SPECIFICATION side. The standard setto the air-cooling and up includes a single the use of a carburettor AJS Cadwell 125 seat, but the pillion instead of fuel ENGINE: 124cc, 4-stroke, OHC, footpegs are included injection. The exhaust air-cooled, single cylinder as standard, and AJS also runs directly from POWER: 7.1kW @ 8500rpm offers a two-up seat WEIGHT: 113kg option. The brakes SEAT HEIGHT: 740mm aren’t ABS, but they CONTACT: www.ajsmotorcycles.co.uk work well. The front PRICE: £1898 brake, with a single LICENCE: A1 disc and a two-piston O2W Rating: ★★★★★ caliper, is particularly good. The rear brake, with a single-piston caliper, also works without a hitch, but the brake pedal lacks a bit of feel for it to be entirely reassuring from the start.

The five-speed gearbox is smooth and accurate, with the gears slotting in place nicely whether you’re switching up or down.

Even at 60mph, the bike feels quite stable for a small machine, and it drops into corners very easily.

Steering needs to be kept steady at

AM

Should I buy one?

If you have an A1 licence and you lust after a café racer you could do a lot worse than take an AJS Cadwell out for a test. The bike has a lot going for it from the looks to the engine and the general fun factor.

Words: Mikko Niemineen Photos: Gary Chapmann

A1

LICENCE

Parental advisory: contains naked fun

LICENCE

Yamaha’s naked MT-03 is economical, comfortable and fun

SPECIFICATION

KYMCO City+ 50 ENGINE: 49cc air-cooled, two-stroke, single cylinder POWER: 3.4bhp @ 7000rpm SEAT HEIGHT: 760mm WEIGHT: 108kg (net) CONTACT: www.kymco.co.uk PRICE: £1699 LICENCE: AM O2W Rating:

Two-stroke pocket rocket KYMCO’s City+ 50 makes light work of city scooting

The KYMCO City+ 50 is slight and nimble, with the lively 49cc air-cooled two-stroke engine producing 3.4bhp – and it’s competitively priced too at £1599.

On our test ride the speedo showed a top speed of 35mph. The power and speed figures aren’t huge, but for city streets, they are both adequate. And there’s nothing small about the

high speeds as sudden stabs at the bars will translate into wobbles quite quickly; however, for a 125cc bike, this one handles speed admirably.

quality of the engine and the transmission: they are as smooth as on any bigger and more expensive scooter.

For short city sprints this is a very capable scooter, but with the limited speed, you don’t want to venture too far away from the 30mph limit as you will soon start to gather a queue behind you.

The scooter is light and agile, which makes it ideal

for traffic, but the sidestand scrapes on the floor with only a fairly modest lean angle, which is a bit limiting.

The City+ 50 is well equipped, with a centre stand, 12v socket and decent storage space. If you’re looking for a little city scoot, this one is worth test riding.

Words: Mikko Nieminen Photos: Gary Chapman

The constantly growing MT range has been a huge success for Yamaha. The MT-03 is the A2 licence-friendly machine in the line-up, perfectly positioned as a step up from a 125cc bike or a capable lightweight option for those who are downsizing.

The bike has an edgy and aggressive look, but it’s the 321cc two-cylinder, four-

stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve engine that is the star of the show. The claimed power figure is 41.4bhp at 10,750rpm, which is plenty for the small and lightweight (168kg) bike. If you’re riding where it’s permissible, 80mph is reached easily, but from there it takes considerably more effort to reach the top speed of 100mph plus.

Looking at the MT-03 you wouldn’t necessarily expect a relaxing and comfortable ride, but perching on the 780mm high seat, you’re nicely slotted in place between the tank and the pillion seat, with the bars LICENCE fairly near and the riding position naturally upright.

The MT-03 is perfectly capable of taking on the motorways and dual carriageways that punctuate our road network, but it’s happiest on winding B-roads, where the light SPECIFICATION chassis and spirited Yamaha MT-03 engine combine for seriously fun riding.

ENGINE: 321cc, 2-cylinder, liquidWith fuel economy cooled, 4-stroke close to 60mpg, this POWER: 41.4bhp @ 10,750rpm is not just a fun and SEAT HEIGHT: 780mm comfortable bike WEIGHT: 168kg (wet) to ride, but also an CONTACT: www.yamaha-motor.eu PRICE: from £4799 economical one.

A2

LICENCE: A2

O2W Rating:

★★★★★

Words: Mikko Nieminen Photos: Gary Chapman

8 www.o2w.co.uk

NEW W METAL

A quick glance at some of the latest machines that will be found in the UK’s showrooms during 2017

Perfect for adventure & commute A2 LICENCE The upright riding position and good fuel economy of small-capacity adventure bikes makes them ideal for commuting. And with so many manufacturers rushing to bring theirs to the market in 2017, there are suddenly loads of options to choose froom. Here’s our pick of the crop…

BMW G 310 GS Suzuki V-Strom 250

This small-capacity adventurer shares its 248cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled, SOHC, parallel-twin engine with the new GSX250R. Its claimed maximum power output is 24.7bhp at 8000rpm.

The V-Strom 250 offers a relaxed riding position and that adventure feel that’s been popular with bigger bikes for a while now.

H d CRF250 RRally Honda ll

There’s a newly designed windscreen, side case mounts, 12v DC power outlet, and a large aluminium rear carrier, all designed to make this a capable adventurer.

Suzuki claims a range of over 310 miles from a tankful – which should be sufficient for even the longest commute.

• Info: www.suzuki-gb.co.uk

Honda revvealed the brand-new CRF250 R Rally as a bike ready for weekend adventures, long-distance touring orr daily commuting. It features long traveel suspension, large-disc ABS brakes, a ‘floating’ screen, asymmettrical LED headlights and umption of 78mpg. fuel consu F250 Rally’s 250cc liquidThe CRF cooled, siingle-cylinder, DOHC engine performaance is focused on bottom-end nd high rpm power, plus a linear torque an Claimed peak power of 24.4bhp delivery. C is delivereed at 8500rpm with peak torque m arriving at 6750rpm. of 22.6Nm • Info: ww ww.honda.co.uk

Kawasaki Versys Versys-XX 3000

The Versys-X 300 is Kawasaki’s take on the mini-adventurer concept. Looking very v much like the larger Versys models in i the line-up, there’s a standard version and a two special editions of the Versys-X 300 coming up in 2017.

Powered by a 296cc water-cooled parallel p twin engine, and tuned for low and midrange power, the bike is also equipp ped with an assist and slipper clutch. Power aand torque figures are still to be confirm med.

A large windscreen, low seat heigh ht and wide handlebars help with manoeuvrability, and Kawasaki claiims over 250 miles from a tankful.

• Info: www.kawasaki.co.uk

Something tells us that 2017 is going to be a great year for small-capacity adventure bikes. The G 310 GS mini-adventurer from BMW is powered by a 313cc water-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine, with four valves, two overhead camshafts, and wet sump lubrication.

The same engine is already in place in the G 310 R roadster that was launched in 2016.

Claimed maximum power output is 33.5bhp and maximum speed 89mph.

• Info: www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk

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AT A GLANCE

A1 LICENCE

Keeway RKS 125 Sportt Powered by a hefty four-stroke lump, Keeway’s RKS Sport combines attractively sporty looks with commendable handling and a number of user-friendly features.

It has a low and comfy seat that will please shorter riders in particular and the switch gear is well designed and easy to reach.

Don’t expect high-speed performance out on the motorway – because you won’t get it. But around down there’s enough oomph to keep up with traffic.

The front disc and rear drum brakes are perfectly adequate.

Among the bike’s best bits are its well-balanced suspension and decent build quality. On the down side, it’s not the lightest bike in the world.

IN DETAIL: 1 Air-cooled single-cylinder 125cc 2 5-speed gearbox 3 Front disc brake 4 Rear drum brake 5 Telescopic front forks 6 16 litre fuel tank capacity 7 760mm seat height 8 Hazard warning lights 9 Monoshock frame 10 Chain final drive 11 90/90-17 front tyre 12 120/80-17 rear tyre PRICE: RKS Sport 2017 RKS Sport 2016* CONTACT:

£1899.00+OTR £1799.00+OTR www.motogb.co.uk

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*Older 2016 spec versions may still be available from some dealers, but from 2017 all new bikes off the production line meet the latest Euro 4 regulations and will have linked brakes and fuel injection.

O2W RATING:

★★★★★

Well-equipped – though not the cheapest Far East import

10 www.o2w.co.uk

NEEW GEAR

What's new in the world of motorcycling

Giivi Easy-T tunnel bag Pricce: £54.37 | Info: www.givi.co.uk

TCX Hero WP boots

Price: £169.99 | Info: www.nevis.uk.com The Hero WP has been designed for riders who like retro styling but don’t want to compromise protection. The full grain leather upper guards a waterproof lining and the upper collar combined with a padded ankle frame ensure high levels of comfort and reinforcement on the toe, ankle and heel areas. The boots feature a gear protection pad and the deep tread on the sole guarantees grip on all types of terrain.

RP-6 gloves

Price: £44.99 | Info: www.oxfordprod dproducts.com m The gloves feature ure pre-curved fingers and palm palm, aniline leather with synthetic o overlays and 3D-ventilation mesh, Kevlar reinforcement and stretch panels. Availablee in sizes S-2XL.

Thee new Givi tunnel bag is made from 600D pollyester, a fabric that offers great durability d sturdiness. According to Givi, the bags and aree easy to use and provide added comfort in aall sorts of commutes. Details include flective zip handles, high resistance refl brics and new Urban colour fab opttions.

The 15-litre tunnel bag Th feaatures an extractable n-cover, front handle rain for transportation, shoulder strap, two pockets containing quick fasteners, reinforced parts in rigid plastic and one strap with two clips for fitment under the saddle.

R&G Nano Coating spray

ARMR Moto Osugi jacket

R&G’s new Nano Coating spray is designed to make cleaning your bike easier. According to R&G the pre-mixed solution repels water, oil and dirt, as well as preventing sun oxidisation and paint fade, ensuring the machine stays clean and sparkling for years.

Nano Coating Spray comes with a microfibre cloth included. The simple spray on, wipe off application allows for the product to be used on all surfaces of the motorbike and will then repel water, oil and dirt, ensuring the machine remains clean, as well as preventing paint fade and sun oxidisation.

The pre-mixed 200ml spray should only be applied to cool, clean and dry surfaces and multiple applications are recommended for the best result.

The Osugi is cut for sportsbike or naked bike riders, with protection at its heart.

A CE level 2 back protector is standard as well as CE shoulder armour and CE elbow armour. Inside the front there is provision for the Hexagon chest protector, available separately. Outside, the moulded shoulder guards add to the protection and looks, along with elbow sliders.

There’s a removable thermal liner for warmth, while the waterproof membrane and front storm flap will keep you dry. Air vents keep you cool and fresh, while the Coolblack material deflects heat. There’s also a waterproof pocket for your wallet, and a pocket and cable routing for your MP3.

And there’s a connecting waist zip to attach your ARMR trousers to. The items come in black, sizes S-5XL.

Price: £12.99 | Info: www.rg-racing.com

Price: £179.99 | Info: www.tri-motive.com

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PRODUCT REVIEWS

TCX X-Street Lady waterproof boots

Price: £109.99 | Info: www.nevis.uk.com | Go2w rating: ★★★★★

RST Pro Series Adventure II jacket and trousers

I fell in love with these boots as soon as I opened the box. They look more like vintage baseball boots than motorcycle boots, with their casual full-grain leather uppers, the lace-up fastenings and the cool grey and pink colour scheme.

In terms of protection, they are CE-certified with reinforcements

Price: Jacket £279.99, Trousers £219.99 | Info: www.rst-moto.com | O2W rating: ★★★★★ The RST jacket and trousers are among the most versatile I have worn: they perform equally well on the chilly days of winter and the hot and sweaty rides of the summer.

And how are they able to pull off this remarkable trick? By using layers, that’s how. Both items have a removable waterproof lining and an equally removable thermal lining.

There’s also a removable storm flap that covers the neck area.

Ventilation consists of some conventional zipped vents in the shoulders, back and arms, and very clever large vent panels on the chest and thighs, where a patch of fabric can be neatly folded away to reveal a nice big mesh area that lets plenty of air into the jacket. Operating the zips for this is a little fiddly but well worth the effort.

There are two external pockets on the jacket and four on the trousers, as well as an inside pocket in the jacket, but none in the waterproof lining, which can make gaining access to the inner pocket somewhat awkward if you are using the waterproof layer.

Adjusters in the arms and waist are great to get rid of any flapping if you don’t quite fill out the jacket, and there are Velcro patches in the sleeves which help to seal the gloves in nicely.

Both items have flex panels to help movement, and they feel very relaxed while snug, allowing full movement on the bike.

The jacket and trousers can be zipped together to keep them from moving in a crash situation and also to block draughts.

Protectors are placed in the elbows, shoulders, back and knees (no hip armour). They are all made of soft and malleable material, which doesn’t restrict movement or hamper comfort.

This is a good-quality suit, and offers levels of performance usually found in more expensive products.

Reviewer: Julie Robinson

Reviewer: Mikko Nieminen

Caberg Stunt helmet

Price: £139.99 | Info: www.cabergcares.co.uk | Go2w ratting: ★★★★★ The style of the helmet is very much in the sporty streetfighter style with a big chin bar, distinctively shaped visor and a fairly high cut at the back.

Despite the built-in sun visor that can often add to the weight, the helmet feels surprisingly light. The large visor creates an open and airy feel, and the field of vision is excellent.

Because the helmet is high cut at the back it doesn’t catch on my jacket at the back of my neck.

The helmet feels comfortable and plush and accommodated my glasses with no problem – something I can’t say for every helmet I have tried. The lining is fully removable and washable.

in the ankle, toe and heel areas.

This doesn’t affect comfort though.

They are nicely padded, which makes them super-warm as well as comfortable to walk around in when you’re not on the road.

Colours available are anthracite grey with f uchsia, plain fuchsia or brown and gold. All in UK sizes 3-8.

In summ mary, they’re comfy, they look faantastic, and they feel sturdy en nough to provide good protection on the road.

I’m m sold!

The chin strap has a seat buckle type fastener that is very easy to operatee, even though I am used to a D-rring type fastening.

Aerod dynamically the helmet works well, and it’s well ventilaated. The only negative aspect of it is that it can be a little bit noissy.

The built-in sun visor is very useful and the Pinlock lens insert preven nted misting. Overall it is a light, comfortable and good looking helmett, with bags of featu ures for the pricce!

Revviewer: Martinn Hare

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GETTING ON TWO WHEELS

Compulsory Basic Training

Part 1

Thinking about getting on two wheels? It doesn’t just have to be a pipe dream – anyone one can do it. This four-part guide aims to help you get your hands on a bike licence with as little hassle and heartache as possible.

Alright? My name’s Ross, I’m the new staff writer for On2Wheels. I’m a 24-year-old, Yamaha XT125 rider currently working towards taking my full bike test. I passed my CBT in August 2015, my theory test in February 2017 and I’ve got a Direct Access course fast approaching – so I know just how daunting a looming test date can be, so I wanted to try and break down the process, share some of my thoughts and experiences – and hopefully ease some worries in the process.

Learning to ride a bike, passing your test and getting out on two wheels is often considered a pretty complicated, expensive and frustrating process – but that doesn’t have to be the case. Life on two-wheels is actually well within the financial means of most people and can actually be achieved for as little as £90 plus the cost of a moped, scooter or – depending on your age – a 125cc motorcycle (plus tax and insurance, of course). With the right training, anyone is capable of being confident, assertive and perhaps most importantly, safe on two wheels.

Taking the first step

From the age of 16 you can take what is known as Compulsory Basic Training, which as the name suggests, is more training course than test.

During a CBT you’re taught the basics of riding a powered two-wheeler (either a 50cc scooter or a 125cc geared bike – 16 for a 50cc, 17 for a 125cc).

You’ll be taught to ride both on and off the road, firstly in a car park and then in a two hour road session. Now, that might sound like a terrifying prospect, particularly if you’ve never been out on the road before, but there’s no time limit and (within reason) you can take as long as you need to get comfortable.

Five components of the CBT

1

You’ll cover the aims and objectives of the CBT course. In addition to your licence, your eyesight will be checked (if you’re able to read a number plate from 20.5m then you’re good to go).

You’ll also be offered advice about the correct use of clothing and equipment and general road safety.

If you’re not wearing proper bike gear, expect to be berated – and possibly even turned away. I would definitely recommend speaking to the training centre beforehand to check what they expect.

2

Next you’ll be asked to get comfortable with your machine’s controls – you’ll learn which checks to undertake (both daily and weekly), how to get the bike on (and off) the stand, wheel it about, use the brakes, and how to fire the bike up and then knock it off again.

3

Now, this is where it starts to get interesting – you’ll be undertaking a series of exercises actually riding the bike (still in a car park though, so don’t worry).

This includes throttle control, braking (including emergency stops), manoeuvres (that’s riding slowly and using your indicators correctly while doing simulated turns) and observation skills (like when to use a lifesaver).

If it’s appropriate, and you’re on a geared bike/scooter, you’ll be asked to go up and down the gears relatively confidently.

4

This is a classroom section aiming to prepare you for the road riding element. You’ll cover a range of topics including: weather conditions, road surfaces, traffic, hazard awareness and the appropriate attitude when riding.

Expect to get into some specifics of the Highway Code – so make sure you’re up to speed.

5

It’s time to prove yourself out on the road. You’ll be paired-up with another student, and taken out for a couple of hours riding, during which you’ll be in radio contact with your instructor. It’s worth noting that you will only be allowed out in the road if the instructor is confident that you’re capable (there are a finite number of hours in a day to train someone after all, so you may be asked to return for further training).

If your instructor reckons you are safe, you’ll be awarded a CBT certificate and you can legally ride a moped or 125cc bike (depending on your age) with L-plates for two years – after two years, you’ll have to take the CBT course again.

A few of things to note

■ Make sure you’ve at least got a helmet and gloves – but you’ll also need to be thinking about sorting some CE approved gear, including boots, trousers and a jacket to help keep you safe out on the road.

■ Brush up on the Highway Code, and expect to be grilled by the trainer. You can download it for free at www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk ■ Check your eyesight beforehand.

Some opticians offer free tests, and will be able to tell you if you’re within the legal limit for riding.

■ Take it steady, try to relax – and look up.

“This is where it gets interesting – you’ll undertake exercises actually riding the bike (still in a car park though, don’t worry)”

You can pick up used 50cc mopeds/ scooters for next to nothing, and a reliable used 125 won’t break the bank either. Small capacity powered two-wheelers are also incredibly fuel efficient, cheap to tax and insure – but that’s another article altogether, which we’ll save for another day.

If you want to ride something larger than a 125, then this is where things get a little more complex – but the next obvious step towards a full motorcycle licence is to take your motorcycle theory test. We’ll get into that next time – but in the meantime, good luck and ride safe.

To find an MCIA approved training centre near you, visit www.mciac. co.uk For more information on how to get on two wheels – visit O2W.co.uk

Words: Ross Mowbray Photos: Gary Chapman

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TOP TIPS

Riding in high winds

High winds make riding a challenge; it can sap concentration and make you feel unsteady. We asked the IAM’s chief examiner, Peter Rodger, for his top tips…

1

Wrap up warm

Don’t underestimate wind chill effects. It might look and feel warm outside but once you’re going, wind chill can make for a cold ride.

2

Remove luggage

3

Relax

If you have any unnecessary luggage, then leave it in the garage. Removing side mass makes your bike easier to ride in high winds as there’s less surface area affected.

Your bike will move around in high winds – the severity depends on what you’re riding, the wind amount and the degree you’re sheltered by trees or buildings. Stay relaxed; use the throttle and counter-steer to balance out the effects.

Photo: DVSA

4

Anticipate

Think where the gusts of wind will be worse (gaps in buildings, gateways and bridges).

Predicting this allows you to be better prepared. Be careful when going from a windy road section, to a sheltered one. Sudden loss of a strong sidewind can be unbalancing.

5

Look around

Keep an eye on how trees, bushes and other road vehicles are moving to gain a better understanding of how gusty strong winds really are. Watch out for anything flying about.

Give anything laying on the ground a wide berth to try and avoid it flying up in front of you.

6

Slow down – or speed up

7

Lower your body

When you’re being buffeting around, reduce speed to aid stability and safety. Some riders find slowing down helps; others prefer to keep their machine under slight acceleration – be prepared to try both and see which one suits you best.

Depending on the machine, try minimising airflow by lowering your body towards the tank. If a fitted screen is adjustable, consider lowering it to reduce the sail effect.

8

Leave plenty of room

You sometimes get shelter from wind behind a larger vehicle.

Make sure you aren’t made vulnerable to another vehicle being blown towards you.

Give other road users more room when passing.

TRAINING & ADVICE

Getting up to speed A skills day at a racetrack is not the first thing you’d associate with IAM RoadSmart, an organisation devoted to improving road safety. But there Mikko was, at the legendary Mallory Park circuit near Leicester with 60 other riders, ready to hit the smooth Tarmac with intent. He takes up the story…

The idea was not just to hoon around the circuit fast, but to improve our riding technique to make us better riders. The emphasis was on the correct use of throttle and brakes, steering and body positioning – and most of all, building confidence in cornering safely.

We were encouraged to ride at around 75% of our ability. This was considered to be the ideal point where we would get up to enough speed to challenge ourselves, but still be able to learn rather than just hang on for dear life.

This was a full training day with six classroom sessions, each followed by 20 minutes’ track time. That’s more time on Tarmac than most race schools let you have in a day, so I was happy with that!

Pre-ride advice

The bikes lined-up ready for action

Back to school

The classroom sessions each concentrated on one area of our riding, such as braking, steering, acceleration and positioning. The delivery was clear and concise, with just enough information that you could still retain it in your head as you set out onto the track (it’s incredible how easily all superfluous information disappears from your brain as you’re just concentrating on hitting a corner with some speed).

Since today was all about improving our road riding, the theory was delivered with this in mind. And since this was an advanced riding day, you couldn’t escape the fabled IPSGA mnemonic. It’s not the catchiest acronym out there, but it has served the IAM RoadSmart and police riders well for years.

The letters stand for Information, Position, Speed, Gear, and Acceleration. The idea is that the IPSGA approach can be applied to any situation on the road to help the rider deal with it consistently and safely. The information phase runs through the whole process, while position, speed, gear and acceleration are dealt with in sequence.

The system seemed to work well on track too: constantly gathering information about the track and riders around you, positioning for the corners, adjusting speed for the different track features, selecting the right gear to keep the machine responsive and then accelerating out of the corners.

On the right track

The circuit provided us with a nice combination of fast and slow corners and a couple of straights – perfect

Confidence grows as the day goes on

our bikes. By the end of the day, David had scratches on his knee sliders, Alice was flying through the chicanes at speeds the rest of us simply couldn’t match, and Dennis was tipping his big BMW GS into lean angles that would have scared the living daylights out of us just hours before. And the key thing in all of this was that it was all done with ease and confidence, without stretching our limits. What a result!

Road skills

Mikko’s splinter group with instructor Andy and the three other riders for honing our braking, steering and cornering skills.

We were divided into three groups: slow, intermediate and fast. I picked the middle one and was then allocated into a small group with coach Andy, and three other riders: David, Alice and Dennis. As the track is fairly short it was fairly easy to memorise corners and get a mental picture of the track. After the first session I felt like I had it sussed out. I particularly liked Gerard’s, the long and fast right-hand corner where you could tip into the bend, sit tight and enjoy it before Charlie’s chicane. As

the day progressed our group became faster and smoother, with Andy providing feedback after each session.

He had individual pointers for us all, depending on what we needed to concentrate on. Strangely, we were all pretty close to each other in terms of speeds, but we all had different areas of riding that needed attention.

For one it was body positioning, while another worked on braking.

In each case, the improvement throughout the day was phenomenal.

From a tentative start, we worked our way up to impressive speeds, and looked a lot more relaxed on

The aim of the day had been to improve our road riding, and amid all the fun we had, I certainly felt better about my cornering ability – whether on track or road. Being able to practise cornering in a safe track environment, where you don’t have to worry about other road users, unknown road features or hazards makes it easy to build consistency.

You know that every time you ride around a particular corner, it will be exactly the same. Repeat that 50 times and you start to get pretty good at it.

The day was also very useful in getting to know your bike. On roads you don’t normally accelerate or brake as hard as we did on the track, so you don’t necessarily know how your bike handles under more pressure. The track was just the spot to find out.

The day was very well organised, with plenty of staff to look after us, classroom sessions delivered well, and the track coaches always there to help you improve. If you are interested in improving your riding, this is a great place to get up to speed.

Course details

IAM RoadSmart Skills Days are run on various circuits in the UK during the summer months. Prices vary slightly depending on the location, but to give an indication, the day at Mallory Park cost £135.

For further information, visit www.iamroadsmart.com

Words: Mikko Nieminen Images: Mikko Nieminen and Andy Peel

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RIDINGTIPSS

Basic positioning tioning Ride better. Ride smarter. And it won’t cost you a penny to improve

No matter how long you’ve been riding; 30 days or 30 years, there’s always something to learn. One of the things many riders struggle with is road positioning. Being in the wrong place compromises your ability to get through a corner as smoothly, safely and quickly as you could. And as always, the key is practice.

Read the feature, follow the instructions and swap those ingrained bad habits for shiny, fresh new ones. Good luck.

*In the pictures, Lego man Smoothie Dave (red bike) shows the correct position to be in, while his helpers, PC Gary and PC Roy, show what NOT to do on the road. So follow Fast-and-Smooth Dave, not the plod, and you’ll soon be getting things sorted.

1

Straight, not narrow

Visibility is key here: your ability to see what’s around you, and other road users’ ability to see you.

So, if you’re riding along a straight, level road, with no other traffic, where should you be positioned? Ideally, if you imagine your lane is split into equal thirds, you should be one third in from the centre of the road. Or two-thirds away from the gutter, if you’d prefer. Why? Three reasons: The first is that you don’t want to be in the gutter, riding over debris. The second is to have enough space either side of you should you need to move quickly to avoid trouble. And the third is visibility: In this position and you will be able to see the traffic in front of you and the traffic coming towards you on the other side of the road.

Dave on the red bike is about two thirds out from the kerb of the lane – the right position to be in. The other two riders (only shown for demo purposes) are in the wrong position.

2

Right-hand corners

Get in the correct position for corners early, and you can see much further round the corner much sooner to plan your line through it and set your speed and gears accordingly. So, nice and early you need to get over to the right-hand side of your lane. If you’ve never done this, you’ll be genuinely surprised how much more visibility you can get from an extra foot to the right.

Traffic makes it trickier. Should you find a truck blocking your view, hang back a bit and shimmy left to check if you can see down the side of him.

It feels weird at first if you’re new to this, but once it becomes a habit you’ll wonder why everyone doesn’t ride this way.

3

Left-hand corners

The procedure is exactly the same for left-hand corners as for right, except you are moving to the left of the road. Get into position early, and move as far as you can comfortably get without riding in the gutter. Once you’re there make sure there’s enough room between you and the vehicle in front so that you’re not focusing on what he’s doing in order to give you some time to look around. Then look across the corner to the left, just as you did for the right-hand

By hanging back and being on the very inside of the lane, visibility in a left-hand corner is increased. Similarly, in a right-hander, stay back and move closer to the centre. corner set-up, and get all that lovely information about what’s around the corner before it’s even got anywhere near you.

4

The right distance back

The key here to being safe and clever is distance. You want to be between 10 and 15 bike lengths behind the vehicle, in the two-thirds lane position. From here you can see over most things and still have the immediacy to get up to speed safely

and make the pass. If the vehicle is a behemoth-type truck similar in height to a small building, then dropping back that bit further will have a dramatic effect on how aware you are of traffic coming at you. Any further than 15 bike lengths and two things happen. Firstly, some clot in a car will overtake and fill the space, but more importantly, when an overtake presents itself, you might not have the time to take advantage of it safely.

Dave is the right distance from the back of the truck, not too close if he needs to stop.

18 www.o2w.co.uk

HOW TO...

Increase your fuel economy From an all-time low in 2016, fuel prices in the UK have rocketed this year, mainly due to the increasing price of crude oil. However, by following a few of our simple tips, it is possible to keep these costs at a minimum.

The way you ride

Although the way you ride affects your fuel economy, keeping your bike in top condition also helps (a brake that sticks, for instance, has an adverse effect on handling).

This could well be your main issue; if you’re the sort of person who likes to snap the throttle open in order to get away quickly from the traffic lights, then you’ll find yourself guzzling up your gas quicker than you could pour it down the drain.

Get used to pulling away at a more controlled pace and you’ll start saving the pennies straight away; and try to avoid riding around at full revs all the time as well, because that’s just another way to burn up your fuel quickly. Use these same principles when you’re slowing down as well and you’ll reap the benefits.

If you’re really keen on knowing exactly how much fuel your bike is using (and how much you could save), then you can measure your fuel consumption by brimming the fuel tank when you fill the bike up, then doing a number of miles and brimming it again. Even though fuel is sold in the UK in litres, most of us understand the statistics better if the figures are in miles per gallon. There’s a simple formula that will convert those metric figures to mpg (litres used x 0.22, then divide by the miles you’ve travelled and it should equal the mpg your bike is doing).

Geared bikes

A bike that has a gearbox should provide you with a much wider scope to improve your fuel economy. All the same advice given previously about gentle acceleration, hill climbing and gentle slowing down applies just the same, but having a gearbox to make use of as well will provide you with another economy aid.

Change up through the gears as early as you possibly can – most mid-capacity commuter bikes will be happy to trundle along through the urban streets at 25-30mph in top gear. Remember, top gear is your best friend, so be prepared to use it as much as you possibly can without labouring the engine. Do this efficiently and a geared 125 motorcycle, for instance, should give you over 100mpg.

Automatics

While automatic bikes and scooters can be much more convenient for some people to ride, they can also be a little trickier to squeeze that extra fuel economy out of.

Because they automatically change the gear ratios for you, they effectively limit your scope for saving fuel. Why? Because they

tend to hang on to a lower gear ratio than is optimum; on top of this, they often need more revs to take off from standstill. But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you can’t still make some improvements to your mpg – as the twist grip is effectively a fuel tap, it means that the more you twist open the throttle, the more fuel passes through. Why not try pulling away a little slower by easing back on the throttle a little bit. It may mean that you’ll lose a few miles per hour in a headwind, or on the inclines, but unfortunately that’s part of the price of trying to save money. Also, try to anticipate when you need to slow down (because shutting the throttle off before you reach those traffic lights, could save you from having to break heavily if the lights change at the last minute – and that in turn saves fuel.

At the end of the day

The way you drive determines how much fuel you’ll use (or save). Unless you’ve got very deep pockets, there could are better things that you could be spending your hard-earned cash on, so consider how you drive.

Words/image: Mau

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e-bikes

Electric bicycles are all the rage on the continent, but we have been a bit slow to catch on the trend here in the UK. We’re getting there though, and the range of e-bikes now covers everything from classy city commuters to off-road beasts.

Here are some of our favourites…

BUYING GGUIDE

Open faace helmetts There’s more to open face helmets than first meets the eye. From the miinimalist classic lids to the modern ones packed p with features, there is plenty to chooose from

Benelli City Link Sport

The City Link Sport has a Samsung lithium battery (36v, 6.6Ah), rechargeable in four to six hours. The motor gives 250W of power when you’re pedalling, with a torque sensor on the front hub to ensure a range of 30 miles.

There’s an eight-speed Shimano Acera M390 dérailleur and an Apse braking system. The LCD dash on the handlebar shows speed, distance, the PAS levels and battery.

• www.motogb.co.uk £995

Full face lids may offer more shelter from the eleements but wearing an open face helmet on a nice day can b be bliss. The wind – and the occasional bug – on your face maakes riding a bike ut many riders a whole new experience. It’s not for everyone, bu simply refuse to swap their open face lids to anyy other kind.

With an open face helmet you don’t have the same anonymity as with a full face lid. Whether this is a positivee or a negative depends on your outlook. It will certainly makee it easier to get off your bike at petrol stations or shops withoutt having to remove your helmet. There’s also the option of using su unglasses or goggles to protect your eyes and give you a little anonym mity.

And at the end of the day, there is something very cool about open face helmets; Captain America in Easy Rider would d not have looked too rebellious with a full face helmet (not that he wore his ‘staars and stripes’ lid much either).

Style

Traditionally, open face helmets have had the classic ‘old school’ look, but these days the looks and styles of open face helmets vary from the traditional to some quite futuristic approaches. Many helmets feature removable peaks and visors that can easily transform the look of the helmet, so you can change the appearance to match the style of the bikes you ride and your riding gear.

Ventilation

This meaty-looking mountain bike-styled e-bike is not road legal in the UK, due to the fact it will happily drag you up a hill at 40mph, so we used it strictly off-road. The power is delivered via a twist-grip (as on a moped) and you don’t need to pedal at all if you don’t want to.

The battery takes less than 20 seconds to remove and charges in under four hours. The claimed range is up to 62 miles.

• www.bultaco.com £4395

Peugeot EC03-100

With the looks of a regular pedal bike this urban beauty comes with three levels of electrically assisted pedalling power, wired into the E-Going front wheel hub drive. On paper, you have a 30-mile range, but in real world conditions that’s likely to be slightly less. Fear not though: bigger batteries are available.

And the EC03-100’s motor is more than adequate assistance in town traffic.

• www.moorelarge.co.uk £1300

Helmet reviews

Bultaco Brinco R

Ventilation might not be the first consideration for an open face helmet – you have the elements quite literally in your face, right? But many helmets offer additional ventilation to help keep your head cool. This is great on those warm summer days and can really make a big difference to your comfort. The beauty of having vents

on the helmet is that if you don’t need them you can simply close them.

Lining

Removable and washable lining is a nice feature in any helmet. There are products that you can use to clean the lining without removing it, but if it is possible to take it out and stick in the washing machine, then all the better.

The quality and finish of the lining is also important as it should feel nice and soft with no seams poking out.

Strap

Open face helmets come with different strap mechanisms, so if you prefer a double-d or a micro-ratchet locking in the strap, the options are available. In general, the strap is easier to get to because the chin bar is not in the way, but you still want a system that you are comfortable with.

Peak

Some helmets come with either a small sun visor or a full-blown motocross-style peak. These are often removable, which makes the helmet more versatile, but if you’re unsure then check before you buy.

A peak can be great to keep the sun out of your eyes, but can make the helmet more noisy.

Visor

Regardless of the style of the openface helmet you choose, many still come with a visor. These can be either permanently fixed or removable. Having a visor gives you the sometimes invaluable option to shut the wind out if it gets too much.

It’s also great to have if it rains. Some visors come with anti-fog systems such as Pinlock lenses ses to help keep them cl clear in all weatherrs.

Internal sun visor

An internal sun visor built into the helmet that you can flick on and off is handy, especially in changing conditions as you don’t have to stop to get your sunglasses on and off all the time. The mechanism for moving the sun visor is often a lever at the side of the helmet.

Materials

The most popular options for the outer shell are polycarbonate and fibreglass. The fibreglass shell is more rigid, offering better impact protection. With greater protection also comes a higher price, so expect to pay more for fibreglass helmets.

If you want to see the difference in rigidity, take a helmet and push the chin area in. You’ll notice that the polycarbonate flexes much more than fibreglass.

Duuchinni D5011

S Spada Jet Stream tream

SK by Sharkk

The D501 consists of a lightweight, thermoplastic construction and as with the majority of helmets these days, the lining is removable and washable.

The ‘seat belt’ style chin strap adjusted and fastened easily, and the whole set-up felt quite secure. The drop-down smokecoloured inner visor helps protect your eyes, but I did find that there was a fouling problem when trying to wear my glasses – luckily I normally wear contact lenses.

The detachable peak caused a little wind turbulence while riding, but it was minimal – and at the end of the day, it comes down to personal choice over using it or not.

This is a great looking budget helmet from Spada, with an injection-moulded plastic shell. It’s easy to use and comes with several good features: the helmet has a buckle strap system, which is easy to use while wearing motorcycle gloves; the flip-up clear visor means there is no need for goggles; and the stylish brown leather ear protection and neck-warming piece looks good.

The helmet is comfortable to wear and easy to use when compared to the full-face helmets I’ve been used to wearing for the last 18 years. Glasses can be worn easily under the helmet and taken off or put on without any problems. I’m impressed!

This urban styled open-face helmet is constructed from injected thermoplastic resin and feels nice and light. It comes with a removable external visor, which is simple but effective.

The strap doesn’t dig in the throat, and the micro lock buckle system is easy to use.

I was surprised how quiet this helmet was. In fact, it’s quieter than some full-face helmets I’ve tested.

The lining is plush and soft and the fit is perfect, which makes this a very comfortable helmet indeed.

I like the urban and understated look of this helmet, it fits well, and it’s well made.

Price: £26-£40 | Info: www.thekeycollection.co.uk

Reviewer: Mau Spencer

Price: i £49.99 | Info: www.spadaclothing.co.uk

Reviewer: Andrew Catton

Price: £70-£90 | Info: www.shark-helmets.com

Reviewer: Mikko Nieminen

On Two Wheels

CLASSIFIED HONDA CB450 450cc, Black Bomber, with Swansea provenance, £5500 ono Tel. Robert 01624 898240. Isle of Man.

ARIEL NH350 nice runner, +20 new speedo cable, needs new rear tyre, docs, book, history, £3800 Tel. 01767 691209.

Beds.

BMW R75/5 reluctant sale, matching nos, 1973, superb all round condition, lightly restored by the previous owner and myself and just had a full service carried out by myself Tel. 07702 709063.

Northumberland.

BULTACO 250 1979, showroom condition, an outstanding example, £2400 ono Tel. 07712 763945.

HONDA CA77 305cc, 1963, black, Dream Benly, 16,000 miles, runs and in original condition, contact for full details and more photos, £3000 Tel. 07496 583885 between 6pm & 9pm. Tyne & Wear.

HONDA CB250N Superdream, 1980, 36,000 miles, heated grips, topbox, will come with full MoT, major service, new battery, very reliable and economical bike, £1400 Tel. 07496 583885 between 6pm & 9pm. Tyne & Wear.

HONDA CB350 Twin, 1971, 13k, MoT, great condition and runner, tax exempt, £2850 ono Tel. Steve 07814 355571.

Lancs.

BSA BANTAM rare Trials Motorcycle, 1964, 175cc, Villiers rebore & new piston, excellent original condition & some spares, £1950 Tel. 01244 535413. Flintshire.

BSA BANTAM B175 MoT, red, been restored, engine been rebuilt, run well Tel. 01376 339426. Essex.

BSA WDB40350cc, 1967, rolling chassis, two engines one military, one civilian, pannier racks, part restored, lots of spares, Sorn, £1800 ono Tel. 01271 343790. North Devon.

HONDA CA77 & CA72 both early 1960s Dream Benly for restoration, spares or repairs, may break if enough interest, contact for more details and photos, £1200 each Tel. 07496 583885 between 6pm & 9pm.

Tyne & Wear.

HONDA CA95 150cc, 1963, red, Dream Benly, 13,000 miles, runs and in excellent original condition, contact for full details and more photos, £3000 Tel. 07496 583885 between 6pm & 9pm. Tyne & Wear.

HONDA CB400/4 408cc, rear brake assembly, brake plate, £15; rear wheel spindle including adjusters, £10; front wheel including brake disc, £15; front forks, £25; front mudguard, £5. Tel. 07774 056526. Leics.

HONDA CBR 300cc, only 700 miles, lots of extras as new, £2200 Tel. 01323 507603.

Sussex.

HONDA CD185 Benly, 1980, year’s MoT, low mileage, very good condition, two new tyres, new battery, garaged, £950 ono Tel. 07812 914788.

Essex.

HONDA CD250U TWIN 18,800 miles, 1991, MoT, top box, chromed crash bars, with extras, good clean reliable bike, always garaged, retiring due to ill health, £600 Tel. 0161 6818792.

Manchester.

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HONDA SH300I 300cc scooter, 2008, black, 9,066 miles, MoT, heated grips, alarm, top box, screen, excellent condition, £2100 Tel. 02476 325930.

Warks.

HONLEY HD3 125cc, Sept 2016, as new, only 5 miles, black/ gold, petrol gauge, digital gear indicator, rear rack, retired from bikes, £950 Tel. 01427 330307. Lincs.

HONDA VARADERO 125cc, for sale, 2009 mod, black, taxed, MoT, heated grips, new tyres, discs, alarm, £1600 Tel. 01670 351645. Northumberland.

HONDA VT500ES well loved, electric blue, vgc, MoT till 1st March, excellent first bike, done 38,500 miles, sadly selling due to purchasing another bike, £1000 ono Tel. 07792 379787. Nots.

HONDA XL500R 500cc, 1982, genuine original classic trailie, 23,000 miles, MoT, new tyres, excellent condition, £2195 ono, consider p/x British machine Tel. 01297 489578.

Dorset.

KAWASAKI EN500 1996, 19,000 miles, MoT, low mileage, tyres, used daily, £990 Tel. 07741 691510. Shropshire.

KAWASAKI VERSYS Grand Tourer, as new, £6100 Tel. 01637 830069. Cornwall.

MORINI 350 SPORT 1980, repainted powdercoated & overhauled, new C&S, electric-start, Hagon shocks, exhausts, Avon Road Riders, seatcover, brakes, cables, NLM ignition system, rearsets, Jap switch gear, 1st kick starter, carbs balanced & serviced ready for summer, mint condition, £4250 Tel. 07788 442155. Bristol.

MORINI SPORT 350 1981, UK regd, 1998, Tarrozi r/sets, Grimeca alloys, Koni shocks, good chrome, paint, tyres, electric and kick-start, MoT and new battery when sold, £3700 ono Tel. 01485 540896.

Norfolk.

MOTO GUZZI V50 1982, good condition, lightweight, good handling with lots of stainless customisedKawasakiswitches gel battery etc, £2200 Tel. 07814 724146. East Riding of Yorkshire.

ROYAL ENFIELD 2006 Bullet, 500cc Electra X, 9,000 miles, MoT to March 2017, 5-speed, electric start, Dellorto carb, Hitchcocks exhaust, new battery, £1500 Tel. 01522 813842; 07817 688862.

SUZUKI BURGMAN 200cc scooter, 09 reg, 3840 miles, long MoT, lovely condition, like the 125 but much faster, huge storage under seat, Oxford heated grips Tel. 07866 622196. Nth Yorkshire.

SUZUKI DJEBEL 200cc, runs & rides sweetly, 2002, four stroke single, MoT 23rd May, cheap & fun to ride, £825 Tel. Simon 01784 461961. Surrey.

SUZUKI GSXR400 GK76A Special, new rings stage one head, £1650 plus spare frame, wheels, engine, carbs etc too much to list has £400 pounds of exhaust on now, needs finishing battery & carb rejet Tel. 07751 376907.

Grt Manchester.

SUZUKI GS500 2007, had slight damage, but repaired now, MoT August 2017, mileage 29,111, £1300 ono Tel. 01299 210758. West Midlands.

X2 very rare, Italjet packaways, ‘78’, X1 running, originally used as pit bikes for the Le Mans V5, 295ml, sister bikes, dry stored, £1800 ono Tel. Baz 07813 005054. Staffs.

YAMAHA RD250C 1976, rare wire wheel model, standard unmolested machine, p/ coated frame, full motor rebuild, 714 miles, just run in! start, rides, stops faultlessly, OEM new f/fender, Yambits e/ ign upgrade, much spent, s/h, ring for more spec and pics, a truly 40 year old gem, usable classic, £3300 Tel. 07758 537639. Dorset.

YAMAHA RD400 1977, blue, US import, matching numbers, three months MoT, 17,420 miles, many new parts, vgc, £5450 ono Tel. 07960 925189.

Surrey.

YAMAHA ZEAL FZX250 grey import, 91, H reg, 14k km, MoT Aug, great little 250/4, £1350 ono Tel. 07456 005727.

Parts For Sale YAMAHA R1 (2006), black, very clean bike, runs beautifully, selling as hardly use it, £4200 ono Tel. 07951 011383. Herts.

SUZUKI GSXR400 frame, swinging arm, seat subframe, front wheel rear wheel with tyres good condition for age, no forks, £160 ono Tel. 07751 376907.

CAGIVA 125 Elephant, 87-88, parts fr/rear wheels, forks/ yokes, petrol tank, seat, plastics, fairing-frame, rear shocker, swing arm, brake, m/cs, caliper, radiators, locks, rear brake pedal etc, Lucky Strike colour scheme.

Tel. 07858 134475 for details. Durham.

HONDA CB1-400 Jap import, parts engine, £150; spares/ repair, rear end complete, £75; petrol tank, black, £70; complete odd marks, dent, tail piece, £15; rear shocker, £60; carbs, £80; air box, £35; inner mudguard, tail light mudguard, £35 complete.

Tel. 07858 134475. Durham.

SUZUKI TS50/80X PARTS early 80s, chrome rims, in lovely condition, petrol tank, front pipe, plastics, seats, clocks, 80 carb, frame no., V5, forks/ yokes, swing arm etc, Suzuki RG125 motor, £150. Can post UK/Europe. Tel. John 07858 134475 for details.

Durham.

Wanted EXCHANGE: HONDA 250cc Night Hawk, on the road, perfect condition; wanted any 500cc suitable for sidecar work, any condition, will collect.

Tel. Barry 01527 836644.

Bromsgrove, Worcs.

Miscellaneous BELSTAFF PRO BIKA size L, jacket from 80’s, brand new and unused in original packaging, removable inner quilted liner jacket and arm/ shoulder armour Tel. 07470 396685. Hertfordshire.

DAINESE LEATHERS 2-piece, size 44, black/silver stars, very good condition, £100 ono Tel. John on 07708 223959. Beds.

MOTORCYCLE JEANS black leather, with lace up sides (legs), size 32” waist, 32” leg; also ladies Kevlar lined blue denim jeans, size 16, both in very good condition, leather jeans, £30; denim jeans, £15 (collect or plus p&p).

Northants. Email. zygon95@ gmail.comw

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