On Two Wheels - Issue 13

YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE ON TWO WHEELS June 2018 Issue 13

On Two Wheels

Learners

Commuters

Buying

Riding

NEW RULES ON KIT YOU NEED TO KNOW Personal Protective Equipment regulations now subject to wide-ranging legislation

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HONDA CB125R

BIKES REVIEWED THIS ISSUE

Sinnis Apache SMR 125

Supermoto styling in a small capacity package

LAUNCH RIDE

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Herald Classic 125 A classic small-engined spiritual masterpiece

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Enhance your riding skills The DVSA’s Enhanced Rider Scheme (ERS)

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A stylishly stripped-back new entry level ‘sports naked’ aimed squarely at image-conscious young riders

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

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London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone to be introduced early…

The ULEZ zone will initially operate in the same area as the city’s current Congestion Charging Zone (CCZ) – although that could change in the future

Royal Enfield Himalayan Scrambler unveiled

In the latest attempt to battle against air pollution across London, Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced that London’s new Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will introduced on April 8, 2019 – a year earlier than previously anticipated.

Khan stated: “Just as in the 1950s, air pollution in London today is literally killing Londoners. But unlike the smoky pollution of the past, today’s pollution is a hidden killer.

Urgent action is now needed to ensure Londoners no longer have to fear the very air we breathe.”

So, what’s ULEZ?

Basically, it’s an Ultra-Low Emission Zone in which all buses, cars, coaches, heavy goods vehicles, minibuses, motorcycles and vans must meet previously-agreed exhaust emission standards – or pay a daily charge to travel within it (for bikes it’s expected be a similar price to the current congestion charge – around £12.50).

In London, the ULEZ will be in addition to the city’s existing Congestion Charge – but will be in operation 24/7, including on weekends and public holidays.

Where is ULEZ?

Initially, London’s ULEZ will operate within the same area as the city’s current Congestion Charging Zone (CCZ).

How can I conform to ULEZ?

To conform to London’s ULEZ standards, without facing a charge, you’ll need to be driving/riding one of the following: ● A diesel engine car, minibus or van which is of Euro 6 ULEZ standard. ● A petrol engine car, minibus or van which is of Euro 4 standard. ● A motorcycle, moped or a similar vehicle which is of Euro 3 standard. ● A HGV, bus or coach which is of Euro VI ULEZ standard. ● And if your vehicle fails to meet the ULEZ standards, you’ll need to pay a daily charge in order to drive through the zone.

It’s also worth noting that there will be no barriers or toll booths as part of the ULEZ scheme. Instead, cameras will be used throughout the zone – which will read vehicle number plates and check them against a database made up of information from the DVSA, vehicle manufacturers and both drivers and operators registered with the TfL. And if you’re found to be driving a vehicle which does not meet the ULEZ standards and have failed to pay the daily charge, you’ll be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice.

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: Paul Barrett, Dave Bell, Gary Chapman, Alan Dowds, Andrew ‘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 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

What about discounts or exemptions?

There are a handful of specialist vehicles that will be exempt from paying the standard charges of the ULEZ: agricultural vehicles, certain types of mobile cranes, military vehicles, non-roadgoing vehicles which can drive on a highway (excavators, for instance), vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1973. And drivers of any vehicle that has a ‘historic’ vehicle tax class will also not need to pay the ULEZ standard charge. ! Info:

www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/ driving/ultra-low-emission-zone

A custom-built Royal Enfield Himalayan Scrambler has been unveiled at the 2018 Bangkok International Motor Show – and we want one.

So, what’s it kitted out with? Well, just for starters there’s a trail-inspired single headlight, aftermarket knuckle-guards, wire-spoked wheels adorned with knobbly rubber, and a set of Renthal bars. Plus there’s an aftermarket, tall-set exhaust that should help to bolster the Himalayan Scrambler’s water-wading capabilities.

From what we can see, the engine appears to be stock – which means it’s a 411cc single cylinder SOHC, air/oil-cooled motor, that’ll kick out 24.5bhp and around 32 Nm of torque – the same as its road-going sibling. But, it’s kitted out with a larger rear sprocket, which should help offer improved low-end grunt and pull you through the worst the trails can throw at you.

What are you waiting for Royal Enfield? Get it made already…

Biker buries a helmet-wearing skeleton in a pothole protest A biker fed-up of waiting for the council to fill in a massive pothole has staged a set of brilliant photos, showing a helmet-wearing skeleton buried in the hole.

Since the spate of wintery weather which hit the UK last month, roads across the country are in disrepair.

As a result, Cornwall-based biker Brian Joce took action to draw attention to a dangerous pothole on the A3083. It took Brian a few days to perfect his protest; at first he took a helmet and a pair of gloves, and pretended the pothole was so deep a biker fell into it. The next day, he took some photos of a toy car and a rubber duck, illustrating its size.

And finally, he returned on day three with the skeleton.

He said: “It started on March 18, when we took a lot of pictures of the road. People on the Lizard Notice Board (Facebook page) were asking where it was or saying ‘Oh, I just drove into it’. So I decided I’d just highlight it. I thought – right, I’m going to have a bit of fun. We have a

Halloween skull so we put it in the pothole with a couple of bones, to show we’re waiting for repairs.”

He explained that the pothole was first spotted over two weeks ago – and was reported to Cornwall Council almost immediately. But the pothole was only filled in after his images went viral.

On its website, Cornwall Council state that how quickly they fill a pothole depends on whether it is reported to them or identified during a safety inspection, and the priority it is assigned to it.

A spokesperson said: “Safety is always our primary consideration.

Potholes reported to us will be inspected and prioritised as soon as practical. If they are considered to be a significant hazard, they will be treated by the end of the next working day. Those that are not likely to be dangerous are added to our list of programmed work and normally treated within six months, often as part of a wider patching or surfacing programme.”

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BMW could ‘mass produce’ carbon fibre swingarm BMW has recently won the 2018 JEC Innovation Award (in the Leisure and Sports category) with its low-cost reinforced carbon fibre swingarm prototype – and we reckon this new product could mark the introduction of a raft of carbon components across its range.

The BMW group already uses carbon for a limited number of components in its cars and motorcycles – but its use is not widespread, because of the high costs attached due to the difficulty of processing. A perfect example is BMW’s HP4 Race, the first motorcycle in the world to offer a fully carbon

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frame and fully carbon wheels – which costs an eye-watering £68,000.

But, BMW has found a way to produce carbon fibre differently.

Instead of overlapping sheets of carbon, it is reinforcing thermoplastic materials with carbon wire – meaning that the swingarm, or any other component made with this material, can be produced by a high-speed automated system, which can print the piece intended for series production in a few minutes, and as a consequence, keep the price low.

Could this innovative new swingarm pave the way for massproduced carbon fibre bikes?

Maria Costello’s women’s only IAM RoadSmart Skills Day TU upgrades product range Clothing brand, Tucano Urbano, has upgraded its product lines for 2018. The whole range benefits from the Italian design and style associated with Tucano Urbano, which states that safety and style have both been key in the design of its items.

The new spring/summer range also includes a new range of accessories. ! Info: www.tucanourbano.co.uk

The UK’s most dangerous roads for motorbikes are revealed Vehicle finance lender Moneybarn has survey is The Cat and Fiddle’s fellow put together a list of the top 10 most northerner, the A18 from South dangerous motorbike routes across Yorkshire to Lincolnshire, and the A588 the country, taking into consideration in Lancashire completes the top three. the length of roads, the volume of Riders are six times more likely to be traffic and the percentage of crashes involved in an accident riding on an involving motorcyclists.

A-road than on a motorway, so it According to the British comes as no surprise that all of the European Road Assessment top 10 most dangerous roads Programme, the section fall under this category.

Riders of the A537 that runs For many years, the most between Macclesfield are more likely to dangerous list has been and Buxton (more by roads in the be involved in an dominated commonly known as North and the Midlands. accident on an However, this year’s report the Cat and Fiddle) has been named the most shows that the problems A-road dangerous road in Britain. are now moving south, with Two-thirds of all fatal and six out of the 10 higher risk serious crashes on this road roads now being located in the South involve a motorbike.

East, with three in Kent. This could be However, while dangerous, the Peak a symptom of a growing urban area District’s Cat and Fiddle is consistently around London. chosen as one of the best biking routes To help in improving road safety, the in England, with its challenging bends Safer Roads fund has now begun a new and stunning scenery attracting large proactive scheme, with the sum of numbers of motorcyclists every year. £175m being allocated by the Following closely behind the A537 government, to cut down the social and coming in at second place in the and economic cost of road crashes.

Female bikers have the chance to ride with Maria Costello MBE this summer, at a unique women-only skills day with road safety charity IAM RoadSmart.

Maria, who is also IAM RoadSmart’s rider ambassador, has made more than 40 starts at the world-famous Isle of Man TT and will be back there this summer, became the first women ever to claim a podium around the course – with third place in the Ultra Lightweight race of the 2005 Manx Grand Prix. For five years Maria held the Guinness World Record as the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT course, when she lapped the Snaefell mountain course at an average speed of 114.73mph in 2004. And this year Maria continues on two and three wheels, but will also embark on a season driving an Austin A30 car in the Historic Racing Drivers’ Club (HRDC) Championship.

Maria’s Skills Day takes place at Thruxton Circuit on July 11. Riders attending will enjoy one-to-one riding instruction and tips direct from Maria herself. Places are limited, so anyone interested is advised to book as soon as possible.

Riders attending the Skills Day will ride their own motorcycle and the day is carefully structured to develop

skills in a modular way. Most attendees end the day with a much greater understanding of their machine and themselves as riders.

Some specifics of what will be covered include: ● Entry, apex and exit points, how they vary from road to circuit, how to use them and where to be positioned for view, stability and progress. ● Where to brake, when and how much to brake, how it feels in an emergency. Most people have never used their brakes to their full potential. ● Controlled, progressive, smooth cornering. ● Gear selection and how to decide on the most appropriate gear for the circumstances. ● How to use the accelerator or throttle to add stability to the motorcycle when cornering.

Maria said: “I love coaching at my own track days, so I’m really looking forward to heading up this event. It’s wonderful seeing them progressively gain more confidence and get more out of their bikes and become safer riders. It will be a fun day for all of us, and I can’t wait!” This full day session costs £149. ! Info: www.iamroadsmart.com

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DVLA’s myth-busting warnings for bikers Almost 10,000 bikers were fined for putting untaxed motorbikes on the road last year according to latest figures from DVLA. Over the winter months, thousands of riders declare their motorbikes as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) – meaning they can keep their bikes off the road without paying tax. So the DVLA has decided to bust some of the myths around ‘SORN’ing and taxing a motorbike.

MYTH 1: I can still keep my motorbike on the road after I’ve SORN’d it – I just can’t drive it.

While your motorbike is declared ‘SORN’ it can’t be kept on a public road – so it must be kept in a garage, on a drive or on private land.

MYTH 2: If I’m only going out on my motorbike once I don’t need to tax it.

By law, motorbikes must be taxed before they’re ridden or kept on the public road. If not, you risk being caught and fined a lot more than the annual cost of taxing your motorbike.

However, there is one time this isn’t the case… you can ride a motorbike to a pre-arranged MOT appointment under ‘SORN’ – but you MUST have motor insurance.

MYTH 3: Using a motorbike while it’s SORN’d is not a big deal.

Using any vehicle on the public road while it’s declared SORN is a criminal offence under Section 29 of the Vehicles Excise & Registration Act 1994. The maximum fine is £2500.

MYTH 4: There’s a lot of admin and cost involved in taxing again after SORN. Taxing online can take minutes and you’ll receive instant confirmation that your motorbike is legal to ride on the road. Simply visit www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax and have your

logbook (V5C) to hand. If you don’t have your V5C, you can go to a post office to apply for one.

They can tax for you at the same time.

MYTH 5: I’ve just bought the motorbike so the ‘SORN’ or tax is transferred to me.

In the same way that tax isn’t transferred when a motorbike is sold, ‘SORN’ is also not transferred to the new keeper. You must tax a vehicle before you put it on the public road.

So, if you’re buying a motorbike and want to take it out straight away – remember to tax it.

You can do this at the side of the road on your phone – through the website or contact centre – as long as you have the green new keeper’s slip from the V5C. MYTH 6: I don’t pay for my tax – it’s free, so I don’t need to tax it or ‘SORN’ it.

Even if your motorbike is ‘nil rate’ and you don’t need to pay anything when you tax it, you still need to renew your vehicle tax each year and will still need to make a ‘SORN’ if you’re not renewing your vehicle tax.

MYTH 7: The motorbike isn’t registered in my name yet. So I can’t tax it or ‘SORN’ it.

Essex Police defends motorcycle stinger use A video that’s appeared on social media shows a policeman on Southend seafront deploying a stinger to stop a motorcyclist who rode past him while the officer was stopping traffic to let a group of children on bikes cross the road.

Since its appearance, it’s caused a huge amount of debate – with opinion split between whether it was a fair use of the stinger, or if it was dangerous. And now Essex Police’s Chief Superintendent Rachel Nolan has defended their actions, saying: “Over the bank holiday, we policed a motorcycle event in Southend. The vast majority of people who came to the event were responsible and enjoyed a great day out. A tiny number of people behaved anti-socially or dangerously and it is our job to deal with that.

“As a result of some dangerous driving, I authorised a member of my team to use a stinger device. His photo has been posted on Facebook and abusive comments have been made about him from individuals and Essex businesses without any moderation.

“That’s unfair. He is a well-trained, experienced roads policing officer; he has seen the devastation and trauma that road traffic collisions cause; he has had to knock on the doors of families and tell them that their loved ones have died on the roads; he has been the first on scene when motorcyclists have been in collision through no fault of their own; he has shown dedication, respect and professionalism.

“The use of the stinger is evolving to deal with different challenges on the roads and I can confirm it is tested for safe use on motorcycles.

While I am not here to defend its use, the fact some of those involved rode up and down the pedestrian footpaths on the cliff face immediately after the deployment is indicative of the driving displayed.

The use of the stinger was authorised and endorsed right up the chain of command. It has

Chief Superintendent, Rachel Nolan, has defended her force’s use of a stinger device on a motorcyclist been used in other forces previously, including Essex, and will continue to be used as a tactic to deal with dangerous driving that puts others at risk. Our officer was acting in good faith to prevent harm and didn’t want a tiny minority of people to ruin the day. He didn’t want children crossing a road to be put in harm’s way because a motorcyclist didn’t listen to an order to stop, so took action. That’s what I think the public ask of us. We don’t expect everyone to agree with police action, but we do expect that people are able to disagree politely and with respect to the private lives of officers and their families.”

Your thoughts?

Take a look at the video of the incident on our website sibling www.morebikes.co.uk

If you’ve just bought the motorbike, you can still do this, as long as you have the green new keeper’s slip from the log book (V5C). If you don’t have any documents, you can apply at a Post Office.

Rohan Gye, vehicles service manager, said: “While there may be a number of myths about

SORN the rules are clear and easy to understand – you must tax your motorbike before putting it on the road. If you’ve SORN’d your bike over the winter months the quickest and easiest way to tax is online.” ! Info:

www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax

New MoT regs come into force As of May 20, 2018 new MoT regulations will come into force. So what does this mean for those on two wheels?

Well, the regulations are effectively the same as for cars. Most vehicles manufactured or first registered over 40 years ago will be exempt from periodic testing and will fall into the ‘Vehicle of Historic Interest’ (VHI) category – unless they’ve been substantially altered from their original spec within the previous 30 years. If this is the case, they’ll still need to be submitted for annual MoT testing; and depending on circumstances, may also need to be re-registered. VHI exempt vehicle owners will be held responsible for their roadworthiness and can voluntarily submit them for testing should they wish to do so.

VHI vehicle keepers claiming MoT test exemption should make a declaration when renewing their vehicle tax. The declaration responsibility rests with the keeper and if they aren’t sure of their vehicle’s status, they can consult a marque or historic vehicle expert.

If the keeper cannot determine if his vehicle has not been substantially changed, they should not claim MoT test exemption.

Bike issues

In addition if a motorcycle/scooter: ● has been issued with a registration number with a ‘Q’ prefix; or ● is assembled from components from different makes and model; or ● is a reconstructed classic vehicle as defined by DVLA guidance; or ● is a kit conversion, where a kit of new parts is added to an existing vehicle, or old parts are added to a kit of a manufactured body, chassis or

monocoque bodyshell changing its general appearance; it will be considered to have been substantially changed and won’t be exempt from MOT testing.

However if the vehicle is taxed as a ‘historic vehicle’ and has not been modified during the previous 30 years, it can be considered as a VHI. Further regulation for bikes may be also introduced and core testing standards may alter.

Exemption declaration

Vehicle keepers are required to ensure that their vehicles are taxed when used on a public road.

When declaring tax exemption, the keeper is required to confirm that the vehicle has not been substantially changed. This process will be applied to pre-1960 registered vehicles, as well as newer vehicles in the historic vehicle tax class.

If the vehicle does not have an MOT and you wish to continue using it on the public roads, you’ll have to either undergo an MOT or declare that the vehicle is a VHI exempt.

If the vehicle has a current MOT, but on expiry requires MOT exemption, you will at the time of re-licensing be required to declare the vehicle is VHI exempt.

Historic vehicle tax class

The initial VHI tax class application must be done at a Post Office. If you’re declaring MOT exemption, you’ll need to complete a V112 declaration, taking into consideration the substantially changed guidelines defined above.

Subsequent re-licensing applications can be completed online. ! More info: www.gov.uk/historic-vehicles

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NEW PRODUCTS

TCX SP Master Gore-Tex boots

RRP: £229.99*| Sizes: 38 to 49 | Colours: Black, Black/Yellow flouro The SP Master Gore-Tex is a sporty, versatile boot suitable for all-weather riding, thanks to the Gore-Tex Performance Comfort Footwear lining. The boots feature a soft touch microfibre upper section with

Givi TanklockED

RRP: compatible tank bags from £120 upwards Givi has introduced a more secure version of its Tanklocked tank bag locking system that prevents a tank bag from being stolen and enables one to be attached and detached in seconds by moving a lever. The new version, TanklockED, is equipped with a security lock system, which enables the key to be removed, even when the lock is in the open position. There’s no need to use the key every time the bag is released from the fitting; simply use it to lock the bag to the fitting every time the motorcycle is left unattended.

The upgrade is available on three new models: the ST605 (from the Sport-T range), plus the UT809 and UT810 (from the Ultima-T range). ! Info: www.givi.co.uk

increased padding on the front and rear. The upper gaiter ensures a snug fit around the calf and they fasten using an elastic zip, secured with a wide Velcro band.

The boots benefit from a Polyurethane Ankle Retention System, heel guard, ergonomic shin plate with iron mesh air intakes and a PU shift pad integrated into the boot’s upper section. There’s an interchangeable toe slider and the footbed is replaceable. The sole is made from a mono compound ultra-light rubber with a specially designed grip area. *There’s also a non-Gore-Tex boot version – the SP-Master Waterproof – with the same features but a waterproof liner rather than GoreTex, priced at £189.99. ! Info: www.nevis.uk.com

Hevik Titanium Jacket RRP: £249.99 | Sizes: XS to 3XL | Colours: Black, Grey/White The Titanium all-season jacket features three layers: an outer fabric constructed from Ripstop 600D and Polycordura, a waterproof membrane inner lining that can be worn independently, plus a fully removable thermal inner layer.

There’s DMAX 1000D fabric, Level 2 SW CE protectors in the shoulders and elbows, plus a pocket for Hevik H-Full back armour (optional).

As well as ‘hook and loop’ side adjustment straps, there’s double adjustment sleeve straps and button cuff adjustments. There’s also four waterproof pockets (three external, one internal). ! Info: www.hevik.co.uk

Piaggio 50cc AC

Malossi Cylinder Kits

RRP: £ various | Machine fitting: Piaggio 50cc two-stroke (liquid or air-cooled) If you’re looking to increase the performance of a 50cc 2T Piaggio scooter without increasing the capacity, then these air- and liquid-cooled cylinder kits are designed exactly for that purpose.

Manufactured from cast iron, these Malossi 50cc cylinder kits have been designed to offer value for money while providing a reliable performance increase over a standard cylinder. The kits are supplied with piston, rings, gudgeon pin, piston circlips, and cylinder gasket set, as well as a matched cylinder head. ! Info: www.ve-uk.com Piaggio 50cc LC

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Buffalo Rebel Jacket RRP: £89.99 | Sizes: S to 5XL | Colours: Black, Red, White The Buffalo Rebel features a simple, stylish street-oriented design, and comes with a detachable fleece-lined hood. The jacket’s outer layer is made from 600D material, with a fixed windproof, waterproof and breathable liner.

Plus, there’s also a removable quilted thermal liner for colder rides.

For warmer weather, the jacket comes with zipped vents on the cuffs and shoulders.

For safety it’s equipped with CE-approved shoulder and elbow protectors. There’s a zip to connect the jacket to a pair of compatible trousers too. ! Info: www.thekeycollection.co.uk

Tru-Tension Cleaners RRP: from £7.99

From the makers of the as-seen-onDragon’s Den ChainMonkey chain adjustment tool, Tru Tension has unveiled a range of PrimShine bike-specific cleaners.

TT78 Multi-Use Spray The TT78 Multi-Use Spray is designed to lubricate, clean and protect motorcycle parts while leaving a high gloss finish.

Brake Cleaner This specially formulated brake cleaner is designed to rapidly remove

Shark Evo-One 2 Helmet RRP: from £349.99 | Sizes: XS to XL | Colours: various

The Evo-One 2 is a revised version of Shark Helmets’ Evo-One modular helmet. It includes a new chin guard locking/unlocking system for greater ergonomics and flexibility, a stronger closing system and a revamped dark chrome finish. ! Info: www.nevis.uk.com

dirt, dust, carbon and oil build up on all braking components, thus optimising braking performance.

Carb Cleaner The Carb Cleaner penetrates carburettor or injector components to quickly and efficiently remove grime and contaminants.

Bodywork Foam Cleaner This Foam Cleaner has been developed for quick and easy cleaning, leaving your pride and joy looking polished and shiny. ! Info: www.bikeit.co.uk

Garibaldi Wax Cotton Jacket (men and women)

RRP: £285 | Sizes: XS to 3XL | Colours: Olive, Navy Garibaldi has been manufacturing motorcycle clothes since 1972 and has just announced its latest UK product: an update of their popular Heritage 1972 Wax Cotton Jacket – the Swiss Army Knife of motorcycle clothing.

Now certified to the new CE clothing standard, EN17092, the jacket fuses retro style with cutting edge technology.

It features a wax cotton style Samtex outer shell and 1621-1 CE Powertector shoulder/elbow protection; plus it’s coated with a Reissa breathable, windproof, waterproof membrane. It also has a detachable Tartan flannel thermal lining, plus an inner holed lining, four sealed frontal pockets and two side pockets.

Other features include a double frontal Velcro flap with a double zip lock; the neck and wrist sections are adjustable and the belt comes with a reflective reverse.

Richa Detroit Leather Jacket

RRP: £299.99 | Sizes: 38in to 52in chest | Colours: Black, Cognac, Brown

! Info: www.dot4distribution.com

The Detroit jacket has that ‘lived-in’ look, while exposed zips, metal popper neck/wrist fastenings and quilted shoulder stitching add to the vintage feel.

It includes D3O protection on back, shoulders and elbows, plus a removable liner. ! Info: www.nevis.uk.com

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PRODUCT REVIEWS

Shark Explore-R Helmet

RRP: £299.99 | Sizes: XS to XL | Colourways: various | O2W Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ | Reviewer: Ross I got my hands on Shark’s Explore-R helmet towards the tail end of Summer 2017 – and since then, it’s been my go to lid of choice. Despite its outwardly off-road oriented appearance, it’s actually three helmets in one brilliant, versatile package, thanks to its removable peak and visor and a set of bundled goggles with Carl Zeiss lenses.

The Shark Explore-R is truly customisable, allowing you to switch between full-face road helmet and off-road lid in a matter of seconds.

And Shark has even tweaked the Explore-R’s design, allowing the latest incarnation to be worn with both the peak and the visor at the same time.

Getting into specifics, the shell of the lid is constructed from carbon aramid and multiaxial glass, which means it’s stronger and lighter than a typical thermoplastic lid and should be well up to the job of keeping your noggin safe. On my head, I found it super secure, and impressively comfortable, thanks to its internal padding and protection.

For ventilation, the helmet comes with a closable chin vent, two brow vents and a larger exhaust vent. It’s not the most sophisticated of systems, but in most scenarios it’s well up to the job. When you’re using the lid with the goggles, you’ve got all the ventilation you need – but if you opt to use the visor instead, you may well find that it becomes a little stuffy in warmer weather.

Elsewhere, the lid is equipped with a really clever built-in neck scarf – which can be zipped away – to protect you from the worst of the British weather. There’s also a drop-down sun visor, a micro lock buckle system and space for Sharktooth, Shark’s own communications system. Plus, the optically challenged among us have been looked after, with special grooves inside the helmet offering additional space for your glasses.

Admittedly, it’s not a cheap lid – but personally, I don’t think it’s overtly expensive either. After all, it is three helmets in one. Of course, the all-in-one style isn’t for everyone.

But if you’re going to be doing a range of riding, from tearing up the trails to thrashing around a track, the Shark Explore-R could be the helmet for you. I know it’s the one for me. ! Info: www.nevis.uk.com

Bull-it Tracker SR6 Denim Jacket RRP: £199.99 | Sizes: XS to 5XL | Colour: Blue | O2W Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ | Reviewer: Ross Bull-it Jeans has made a name for itself, producing quality denim motorcycle jeans – and now it’s branching out to jackets. I’ve been wearing its new Tracker jacket, which was first introduced to the range last year.

Basically, it’s a traditional style denim jacket, that wouldn’t look out of place in your local on a Friday night – but it also comes equipped with an abrasion resistant Covec SR6 liner (which covers 60% of the jacket) and some well-placed armour at the shoulders and elbows to help protect you should the worst happen and you take a tumble. There’s also a pocket to fit an optional back-protector.

The jacket uses a denim and twill external layer, combined with a special non-melting Covec textile abrasion-resistant liner which is tested and certified to deliver an impact abrasion resistant time of 6.26 seconds – and it meets incoming PPE regulations for motorcycle clothing, with an AAA rating for its abrasion resistance.

It also comes with a wick-away mesh-liner, which works with the Covec SR6 liner to help keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. There’s air vents on the front and rear, internal belt loops, to allow you to connect the jacket to a pair of trousers, and the denim is also finished with a water-repellent membrane, so it’s capable of taking a light soaking in its stride too. ! Info: www.oxfordproducts.com

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Battery Tender Dellran Dual Selectable 4amp Charger RRP: £94 | O2W Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ | Reviewer: Mau If you’re like me and ride old classic bikes as well as modern ones, then you’re likely to need to carry out maintenance on both 6v and 12v battery systems – and that’s where this dual 6v/12v switchable battery charger system from Battery Tender comes in really useful. It’s a lightweight, compact charging unit designed for use with a wide range of different battery types.

The fully automatic microcontroller system constantly updates the charging sequence to provide a smooth transition between the charging steps which makes it very easy to use, especially in small spaces.

The charging unit comes with a raft of features including state of charge, LED indicators and reverse polarity protection – which protects both the battery and the charging unit from being damaged if you do happen to accidentally touch the output leads together. There’s also a built-in safety timer limit to protect against

overcharging (25 hours for lead acid batteries, or 15 hours for lithium types).

Battery Tender produces a wide range of battery maintenance equipment, including this 4amp charger which comes with a five year warranty. ! Info: www.bikeittrade.com

Tucano Urbano 4 TEMPI Jacket RRP: £159 | Sizes: S to 3XL | Colours: Black, Grey | O2W Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ | Reviewer: Mau Tucano Urbano says that the 4 TEMPI is a medium length, breathable, four season riding jacket which has a HYDROSCUD® breathable Polyamide exterior and a high waterproof rating; the detachable quilted lining has Polyester thermal padding, which helps to give it a decent amount of windproofing. The jacket comes with CE approved D3OTM Level 1 elbow armour fitted as standard, with the option to fit equivalent CE D3OTM shoulder armour (at an additional cost of £12.31) which is definitely something worth considering; there’s also a pouch fitted which will accept back armour protection of your choice.

To help keep you visible to other road users, Tucano Urbano has included its own Reflactive® system which provides high visibility on demand. Other features of the jacket include elasticated/windproof cuffs, adjustable waist fitting plus a detachable hood. From a personal perspective, I would have liked to have had a few more pockets (some modern-day jackets for instance, have a dedicated mobile phone pocket) but to be honest, I never got anywhere near running out of usable pocket space, so maybe that’s just me being a little bit fussy.

In use I found that the 4 TEMPI lived up to its claimed wind-proofing capabilities (it hasn’t rained as yet while I’ve been using it, so I can’t give an opinion on that). It’s a comfortably fitting jacket that’s easily adjustable to suit the stature of the individual rider, and it’s pitched to the public at a reasonable mid-range price point for a textile jacket. ! Info: www.tucanourbano.com/gb/

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02W EVENTS

From moped racing through to custom competitions, there’s a rich cross section of events up and down the country every week to suit all tastes. And to inspire you to get out on two wheels, here’s our pick of events coming up...

MAY 19-20

Festival of Motorcycling Peterborough Arena, Peterborough, Cambs PE2 6XE

There’s something for everyone at this festival. All the big manufacturers turn up and often test rides are available. There’s plenty of kit to buy and although there’s little info available at the time of writing, last year’s event featured a wall-of-death (scary!) and a dirt track complete with race events. ! Info: www.mcnfestival.com

‘Get your diaries at the ready!’

MAY 25-27

The Bike Shed London Show

Tobacco Dock, The Dock Tobacco Quay, Wapping Lane, London E1W 2SF Custom motorcycles, art, photography, live music, bars, great coffee and quality street-food, lounges, whisky bar, cigar lounge, barber shop, tattoos and much more. It’s a bike show for non-bikers and aficionados alike. In short, if you’re into the new wave custom scene, this could be the event for you.

With 150 shed and pro-built bikes, pop up shops and an array of cool food outlets – you’ll be spoilt for choice. And as you’re in town, it’s worth swinging by the Bike Shed HQ in Shoreditch. ! Info: www.thebikeshed.cc

MAY 24-28

MACH 3 – The Motorbike Festival

Rugby Pitch, Cae Hafren, Llanidloes, Powys, SY18 6LQ MACH is a unique motorcycling festival set in the rolling hills and mountains of west Wales – offering easy access to some of Britain’s best biking roads, and record-breaking adventurer Nick Sanders is on hand to show you where they are.

Festival-goers can enjoy a wide selection of home-cooked food, live music, mass ride-outs, celebrity adventure guest speakers, and the chance to be part of a community of like-minded bikers for four days in May. ! Info: www.themotorbikefestival.co.uk

MAY 25-27

Superbike World Championship

Donington Park Circuit, Castle Donington, Derby DE74 2RP World Superbikes makes its annual pilgrimage to Donington Park for the last weekend in May. As always, it’ll be a packed weekend of racing action - with two championship points scoring races for the Superbike World Championship, strong support from the equally

exciting World Supersport and Superstock Championships, as well as a slew of races from the British national series. If you’re looking for some high-octane race thrills, this is the one for you. ! Info: doningtonpark.msv.com

MAY 26 - JUNE 8

Isle of Man TT 2018

Isle of Man – somewhere in the middle of the Irish Sea

MAY 25-27

The Isle of Man TT is one of the most iconic race events in the world of motorcycling. It’s steeped in history – and has taken place pretty much every year since its inaugural race in 1907.

Essentially it’s time-trial racing on closed public roads on the beautiful Isle of Man, consisting of one week of practice sessions followed by one week of racing.

And even if sport bikes aren’t necessarily your cup of tea, you should aim to tick the IOMTT off your biking bucket list, and experience two weeks of motorcycling nirvana with thousands of like-minded people who are all there to celebrate one of motorcycling’s great events. ! Info: www.iomtt.com

Blackfords Pre-TT Classic Road Races

MAY 26

Billown Course, Isle of Man

Nifty Fifty Endurance Moped Championship Round 2

This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pre-TT Classic Road races – and with a nine race programme, and a prize fund standing at £15,000, it’s the perfect warm-up for the main TT. And as well as the racing, a Concours D’Elegance takes place in Castletown before the awards of trophies to the winners of each race.

The 2018 meeting will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday May 25, 26 and 27, but should weather conditions prevent the opening practice session for the TT taking place, the main race day (Sunday) will move forward a day to the Bank Holiday Monday, May 28. ! Info: www.southern100.com

Route 34 Motocross Park, Down Farm Lane, Winchester, Hants SO22 6RG Teams of up to four riders complete as many laps as they can in five hours, around a specially prepared Motocross track, using mopeds and scooters up to 90cc – raising funds for their favourite charitable organisations. Looks like great fun, no matter whether you’re racing or spectating. ! Info: www.niftyfiftyendurance.com MAY 28

Margate Meltdown

Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, North Circular Road (A406), London NW10 7UD With the weather warming up, it’s time for a seaside jaunt to the bastion of biker folklore: Margate.

It’s an awesome event, with a few thousand riders setting off early doors from the Ace Cafe in North London, across to Margate on the Kent coast. And the seafront and harbour will be crammed full of motorcycles and scooters, diverse club and trade stands, and a stage with live entertainment. ! Info: www.acecafeevents.com

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Ireland Bike Fest

Muckross Road, Killarney, County Kerry, South West of Ireland This festival has evolved into a well-oiled machine attracting bike enthusiasts in their tens of thousands from all over the world. From what we’ve heard, the big attraction of Ireland Bike Fest is the opportunity to ride twisting world-famous routes such as the Ring of Kerry and the Wild Atlantic Way. ! Info: www.irelandbikefest.com

JUNE 16-17

Prescott Bike Festival

Bugatti Owners Club, Prescott Hill, Gotherington, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 9RD

JUNE 15-17

MCE British Superbike Championship Snetterton Circuit, Norwich, Norfolk NR16 2JU

For the fourth round of the BSB Championship, the circus moves to Snetterton circuit for a packed weekend of racing. In addition to the main BSB races, there’s a busy timetable of regular support races, including the Dickies British Supersport Championship, Hel British Motostar Championship, Pirelli National Superstock 1000 and Pirelli National Superstock 600. ! Info: www.britishsuperbike.com

Rescheduled due to bad weather, Prescott Bike Festival has moved its annual biking bonanza to the middle of June for 2018. Expect a wide range of rare vintage, classic, modern, special build, custom, factory race bikes, mono-wheels, and jet-powered bikes on display, plus the ‘Paddock Specials’ – a selection of 100 invitation-only bikes, that will be on display before they tear off up Prescott Hill.

There are stunt bikes, featured displays (this year it’s Norton), retail and dealer zones and more. And best of all, you can run your own bike ‘up the Hill’. ! Info: www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk

JUNE 17

Banbury Run

The British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire CV35 0BJ If you’ve got a penchant for classic bikes – then the Banbury Run is the place to be. You will see 500 veteran and vintage motorcycles (that’s machines manufactured before 1931) set off in regular intervals, starting and finishing at the British Motor Museum. ! Info: www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/events

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In Brief

Proton battery technology moves another step closer The latest battery tech to reach the working prototype stage is the proton battery. It’s the brainchild of a development team based at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.

The proton battery is effectively a reversible fuel cell, using cheaply available carbon as the main substrate. The charging process works by capturing protons made from the splitting of water molecules and storing them in the carbon electrode. Power is then produced when hydrogen atoms are released from the electrode.

They lose an electron and the resulting protons form water with oxygen from the air. The carbon isn’t burnt, so there’s no emissions and water is the only by-product.

The battery is currently only at prototype stage, with the working cell only being the size of a small coin, but even at this level, the energy density of the battery produces around the same as a production lithium ion cell; this leaves plenty of scope for increasing that energy density by using carbon structures such as graphene to improve the storage efficiency.

It will probably be around a decade before a fully functioning commercial version is available.

But with the world looking to renewables and a variety of different emission-free power sources, battery storage is likely to be a major focus for the future.

(Picture courtesy of RMIT University, Melbourne)

NEWS

The latest gossip from the electric bike market

Yamaha’s all-new TY-E electric trials bike In recent months we’ve brought you a range of news about the future of electric motorcycles – and we’ve even had confirmation that HarleyDavidson is committing to renewable technologies. The latest manufacturer to join the party is Yamaha – with its all new TY-E electric trials bike – and it looks awesome…

The TY-E is the product of what Yamaha calls its ‘Revolving R&D Programme’, which allows its employees to work outside conventional frameworks and devote up to 5% of their working hours towards developing innovative new concepts. As such, the TY-E is loaded with cool bits, like a mechanical clutch to help control the electric motor in tight riding situations; a carbon composite monocoque frame; and a brand-new high-output electric motor with a new battery pack and lightweight components. As a result, the TY-E weighs less than 70kg!

Plus, Yamaha has revealed that its TY-E electric trials machine will compete in the 2018 FIM Trial-E Cup, at the French and Belgian rounds later in the year. We can’t wait to see it in action…

Royal Enfield to produce an electric motorcycle Most of the big players in the motorcycle world are beginning to invest in electric technology – and Royal Enfield is the latest to join the ranks, with its president, Rudratej Singh, confirming there’s an electric RE in the works.

More specifically, Singh said: “Royal Enfield has several projects in the pipeline and the electric platform is one of them. We are in an investment phase in the project where we have a team that is working on different ideas and concepts with a long-term focus. We will disclose our plans at an appropriate time.”

Okay, so there’s not a huge amount of detail – but considering how quickly the rest of the market is making the move to electric, we assume the Royal Enfield is looking to keep pace with the rest of the industry, and unveil its electric machine in the not too distant future.

The four big Japanese brands have electric scooters, motorcycles or

concepts, either in production or on the way. BMW has its electric scooter, Harley-Davidson has announced its plans to launch its electric Revelation on the market next year – and also starting next year there will even be an electric race series running alongside the MotoGP. While it’s unlikely that the electric Royal Enfield will do away with the iconic brand’s classic retro-styling – there’s a chance that like Harley’s Livewire, the electric RE could be a major departure from the traditional styling of its current models. Either way, we can’t wait to see what it comes up with.

Cagiva returns for 2018 – but this time, it’s focusing on electric motorcycles Iconic Italian motorcycle manufacturer Cagiva is set to relaunch with a new range of electric motorcycles. And if there’s one that looks like the C594 GP machine shown here (lauded as the most beautiful race bike in the world back in its day), we’re in!

The MV Agusta-owned brand stopped production back in 2012 following a decision to focus efforts on MV. But now that MV Agusta is back in good financial health thanks to recent investments, it’s looking to get Cagiva going again with a range of new electric motorcycles.

In an interview with Asphalt & Rubber, MV Agusta’s Giovanni Castiglioni said: “I believe in electric.

There is a great potential, and we are making a project there – under another brand – which is Cagiva.

We are investing in lightweight fun vehicles, bikes. Let’s say in-between… it’s a family. It’s a family that goes between a bicycle to a Zero-type bike, but different.”

Castiglioni added: “If you want to go 300mph, buy a combustion engine. But I think there can be a lot

of potential market for electric and we want to be there, this is why we invest in it now. We’ll see in the next five years how the market will change. I think there is a great opportunity for that.”

There’s no official confirmation about what sort of electric bikes Cagiva is going to be turning out – but we are expecting the new models to arrive by the end of 2018, ready for 2019 – so there should be more news on the way soon. Either way, we’ll keep you posted as soon as we know more.

Zero rider sets new electric record A German e-bike enthusiast Remo Klawitter has set a new record for the longest distance covered on an electric motorcycle in 24 hours, covering 1113.4km (691.8 miles) – a distance equivalent to riding from London to John O’Groats – on a looped ride between Berlin and the Land Centre for Renewable Energies in Neustrelitz last month.

Riding a 2018 Zero DSR ZF14.4 (standard, apart from the fitment of a Zero’s optional Charge Tank), the Berliner set off at midday and rode in 150km (93 miles) stints at an average of between 55-60mph, and fully recharging in one hour by utilising the Charge Tank, which allows connection to Level Two public charging points, and Zero’s accessory quick chargers.

“I have been thinking about a 24 hour ride since the middle of 2017,” said Remo, a bicycle shop owner and e-bike enthusiast. “Primarily I wanted to have fun, while drawing people’s attention to the practicality of electric motorcycles. Everything we have used is readily available from Zero and the route was on public roads. In total, we spent nine-and-a-half hours charging and during this time, as well as resting and eating, I was able to speak to

many people who were interested both in the bike and in the journey itself. The technology worked great and in total the cost of the electricity we used was just €28.50 and the average speed was 46.4kph (28.8mph) including the breaks.”

Recognising the number of European riders looking to cover longer distances on electric motorcycles, Zero has introduced a new model for 2018 – the Zero DSR ZF14.4 Black Forest Edition. Based on the standard DSR as ridden

by Klawitter, the Black Forest edition adds a range of practical options including black aluminium top box and panniers, a high touring screen, comfort touring seat and crash protection bars.

With dual purpose Pirelli MT-60 tyres specified as standard, the Black Forest edition also adds hand guards, a headlight protector and LED auxiliary lights for riders who want to take their bikes off-road. The Zero DSR ZF14.4 Black Forest Edition comes with exclusive graphics and can be specified with the Zero Charge Tank as an option. Prices start at £18,785, with bikes available in UK dealerships from April.