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On Two Wheels
Learners
Commuters
October 26-29, 2017
November 2017 Issue 6
www.dirtbikeshow.co.uk
YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE ON TWO WHEELS
Buying
Riding
Our useful guides to keeping warm & dry
PAGES 26 & 32
BIKE LAUNCHES
PEUGEOT BELVILLE 125
● Parisian flair ● All-new SmartMotion engine ● Innovative ACG power distribution
SUZUKI GSX-R & GSX-S 125
● Lightweight and affordable ● Brand-new engine design ● Smooth power delivery
OTHER REVIEWS: SINNIS RSX 125 ● SUPER SOCO ● WK LEGEND 125 ● HUSQVARNA 701 ●
PRODUCT NEWS & REVIEWS
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
Our handy guide to buying budget off-road kit PAGE 18
PAGES 6 & 16
A BRIEF LOOK AT THE RAPIDLY EXPANDING E-BIKE MARKET
PAGE 8
ALSO INSIDE: LEGAL ADVICE ● RIDING TIPS ● GEARED OR AUTO? ● READERS’ CORNER ●
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NEWS
Want to share your latest news with our readers? Email pictures and details to editor@o2w.co.uk
Police trial hydrogen-powered Burgman In line with the Mayor of London’s plans to tackle high levels of pollution and low air quality in London, the Met Police are trialling seven Suzuki ‘Burgman Fuel Cell’, zero emission hydrogen scooters. The trial lasts for 18 months and will enable the force to assess their suitability for the various roles. The hydrogen fuel cell scooters will be used initially by Police Community Support Officers within the Roads and Transport Policing Command. Lead partner of this project is British fuel cell technology company Intelligent Energy, in association with Suzuki GB and Cenex – while maintenance and fuel costs are to be met by a collaborative project part funded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre. The trial is being run at no cost to the Met, with the vehicles on
loan from Suzuki Motor Corporation. Commander Neil Jerome for Territorial Policing said: “Being the UK’s largest police service we constantly have vehicles on the roads and therefore it’s our aim to make our fleet as clean as we can, while maintaining operational capability.” Suzuki GB managing director Nobuo Suyama said: “Deploying
these vehicles into service with the Met marks a significant milestone in the extensive development of this ground-breaking technology. Being able to release the Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell to the Met has only been made possible with the support of a number of technology partners; including Intelligent Energy Ltd, with whom Suzuki has jointly developed the fuel cell unit for the scooter.” This trial complements a Metropolitan Police Service policy, stopping the use of diesel for its fleet. Since then, it has been actively exploring ways to hybridise and electrify its fleet in addition to exploring other new technologies such as hydrogen – as the force works towards a goal of running 550 vehicles with zero or ultra-low emissions by 2020.
The MP3 just got more affordable Piaggio introduced the MP3 in 2006, the first parallel tilting three-wheel scooter. Some 200,000 bikes later and the MP3 has become a familiar sight in cities around the world. Its status as a tricycle allows car drivers aged 21 or over* to enjoy the same jam-busting freedom and economies as scooter and motorcycle riders, but with the added stability of a third wheel. Now, just as car travel gets more time-consuming and public transport more expensive, the MP3 gets more affordable. New MP3s registered before October 31, 2017, will come with one year’s fully comprehensive insurance at a fixed price of £199.** In addition, Piaggio 3Dom PCP finance at 6.9% APR is available on all
Bikers protest London bike theft epidemic
MP3 models, making it possible to put a new MP3 Yourban on the road for under £80 a month*** The MP3 range consists of four models in two different body styles and consists of: ● MP3 Yourban 300 Sport (£6499 OTR) ● MP3 300 Business (£7499 OTR) ● MP3 500 Sport £8699 OTR) ● MP3 500 Special Edition (£8699 OTR) Find your Piaggio retailer at www.piaggiogroup.co.uk ** Riders aged 25 or over. Subject to acceptance by Lexham Insurance Ltd. Terms and conditions apply. *** Visit www.piaggiofinance.co.uk to create a finance plan that suits you
Protected motorcycles less likely to be stolen Motorcycles protected by the Master Security Scheme are six times less likely to be stolen, according to research undertaken by the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA). The MCIA, which introduced the scheme in 2013, analysed theft data for new motorcycles sold in 2017. The data shows that of the 66,423 new bikes registered in the UK from the beginning of 2017 to the end of July 2017, 42,254 were marked with the Master system, and only 78 have been reported stolen. Of the 24,169 bikes which weren’t protected by Master, 285 were stolen. Master (Motorcycle and Scooter Tagged Equipment Registration)
On Two Wheels
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Editor: Mau Spencer Publisher: Dan Savage Staff writer: Ross Mowbray Contributors: Dave Bell, Gary Chapman, Paul Fincham, Mikko Nieminen, ‘Chef’ Prendergast, Jonathan Schofield. Apologies to anyone we’ve forgotten. Editorial design: Fran Lovely Picture desk: Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield, Angie Sisestean Production editor: Dan Sharp Divisional advertising team leader: Zoe Thurling 01507 529412 Marketing manager: Charlotte Park Commercial director: Nigel Hole Customer services number: 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm, Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm
is the UK’s only official and national scheme and has been adopted by the majority of major motorcycle manufacturers since its launch in 2013. The MCIA says it deters theft and makes it easier to secure a conviction. There are now more than 250,000 Master protected machines and this number increases each year. The scheme uses technology to mark the bike’s major components providing a unique fingerprint. This layered approach involves a combination of visible and concealed elements including tamper-evident warning labels, hidden microscopic datadots, stealth UV etching and a number
of unique radio frequency identification transponders embedded into parts. This is similar to the technology that allows the chipping of cats and dogs, but cannot be altered or erased. The Master scheme system includes a highly visible ultradestruct identification/warning label that’s fixed in a prominent place (generally on the frame near the headstock), alerting potential thieves to the fact that it’s marked and registered. The label disintegrates if tampered with and alarm bells ring police and subsequent owners if the label is missing on models from participating manufacturers.
Concerns expressed over proposed TfL pollution tax The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is calling on all riders in the UK to submit their concerns regarding plans for a London charge which could cost riders of older bikes thousands of pounds a year in pollution taxes. Selina Lavender, MAG chairman, has made an urgent appeal to all riders to challenge a new ‘Ultra Low Emissions Zone’ charge being proposed by Transport for London It would mean that from September 2020, even if you’ve got a tiny engine, TFL will slap a £12.50 a day charge on you. This charge effectively bans old bikes from London for anyone apart from the super-rich. Have your say now, or prepare for a desperate and unjust charge in the very near future. ! Info: MAG at 01926 844 064 or central-office@mag-uk.org
Hundreds of motorcyclists and scooterists rode through London on September 9, 2017, calling for an end to the wave of bike thefts and bike-jackings happening on a daily basis throughout the UK. Riders gathered at Regents Park before riding through central London, along Whitehall and past the Houses of Parliament. It comes after acid was sprayed at six scooter riders in 90 minutes in July, with one victim suffering ‘life-changing injuries’ according to police. Protest organisers ‘#BikersUnited’ say 65 bikes are stolen a day in the capital, while riders increasingly face ‘violence, knives, acid and even death from the thieves’.
MoT email alert
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is developing an email reminder service to make sure motorcycle owners know when their bike needs an MoT. Riders will be able to sign-up with the DVSA to receive a reminder a month before their machine is due – and they’ll get another email if their vehicle hasn’t had a retest two weeks later. Once the service is live, it will be available via the gov.uk website. And staying with the subject of MoTs, while most people are aware you can have your vehicle tested up to a month before your existing MoT expires, what many don’t realise is that if it fails this early MoT, it cannot then be used on the road legally, despite the fact that it already has an old previously valid MoT – this old MoT becomes immediately redundant and the new (failure) MoT takes its place.
Suzuki security bonus Following the recent crime wave sweeping the UK’s major cities, Suzuki has announced it is offering a ‘security bonus’ via its network of dealers within the M25. For a trial period, customers purchasing a new Suzuki of up to 400cc will be offered the chance to select security products available from dealers’ stock to suit their individual needs.
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NEWS
Want to share your latest news with our readers? Email pictures and details to editor@o2w.co.uk
The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show
More than half of bike thefts happen at home The first ever Rider Panel survey conducted by insurance firm Bennetts focused on motorcycle and scooter thefts – surveying 2330 riders from the UK and Northern Ireland. Seven-out-of-10 respondents said they were concerned about their bike being stolen and 19% had been a victim of motorcycle theft. Over half (55%) of those who had experienced a theft had their motorcycle stolen from their home; however 77% of all respondents believed that their bike was more likely to be stolen away from home, in an urban area.
Security devices
The most commonly chosen security device by those taking part in the survey was their bike’s standard steering lock, with 85% using it to secure the motorcycle they ride the most. Some 15% of those relied on it completely for keeping their bike safe, even though no respondents believed it to be the most effective security device available. The manufacturer’s immobiliser was the second most commonly used with 53% selecting that option, suggesting that many motorcyclists depend on the security measures that come fitted to their motorcycle as standard. Incredibly, 10% admitted to never having purchased any motorcycle security devices.
Locked and alarmed garages were voted the most effective security devices, with nearly half (45%) of those who answered using one. One-in-10 of respondents believed that a tracker was the most effective security device – yet only one-in-six of all respondents chose to fit one. Thatcham and Sold Secure ratings are the most popular when riders are looking to purchase a security device – with more than nine out of 10 people looking for the ratings. Weight and size are the least important factors according to the Rider Panel – despite inconvenience being widely attributed as a reason why riders don’t carry locks and chains with them.
EVENT PREVIEW The world’s biggest celebration of classic motorcycles – the Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show takes place at Staffordshire County Showground over the weekend of October 14-15, 2017. On site will be nearly 1000 trade and auto jumble stalls, stunning club stands and private entries – the perfect place for any classic motorcycle fan to pick up that elusive part and meet thousands of other like-minded individuals. No Stafford show is complete without a great guest of honour and the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show is no exception, with flying Kiwi Aaron Slight – undoubtedly the best rider never to win the World Superbike title – taking
Crime reduction
Over half of the respondents (59%) thought that most stolen motorbikes were broken-up and sold as parts – a fact backed-up by Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group figures which confirm that many motorcycles are ‘cloned’, which involves being broken-up into parts within hours of being stolen and reassembled onto legally acquired frames, which have log books. Around 80% of these motorcycles find their way into the legitimate dealer network. ! Info: www.bennetts.co.uk
Zero offers end of summer savings Manufacturer of electric motorcycles Zero is offering additional discounts on its dual sport models, meaning that British riders can enjoy going electric for just over £8000. The American manufacturer is offering a £900 discount on the Zero FX, £1150 on the Zero DS and £1400 on the Zero DSR. All models are also eligible for the UK Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) grant, which pays for 20% of the vehicle’s purchase price, up to a maximum of £1500. With the grant and discount applied, the price of Zero’s light and agile FX comes in at £8090 (plus on the road charges). Zero’s six-model 2017 line-up also includes the Supermoto styled FXS, the S Roadster and Hotrod SR, which delivers 146Nm of torque. ! Info: www.zeromotorcycles.com
centre stage. As fast and smooth on the track as he was flamboyant and controversial off it, Slight will undoubtedly have some entertaining tales to share. This year’s Classic Racer Grand Prix Paddock is also shaping up, with a display of Honda RC45 race bikes (perhaps the largest ever collection assembled in one place). All the RCs assembled have genuine racing history, including Jim Moody’s TT record-breaking factory bike, and many of them will be fired-up during the weekend. And guest of honour Slight will surely be drawn to the display too, having competed on RC45s during his World Superbike career. The Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club is running the Restoration Theatre this time round, sharing their knowledge and experience with visitors, and if it’s off-road bikes you’re after, then visit the Classic Dirt Bike Hall, which will hold some of the tastiest classic off-road machinery in the land. The Stafford Bonhams auction will take place on the Sunday of the show. This year’s auction has more than 50 bikes including championship speedway and long track motorcycles. Notable machine include the 2007 Aprilia 250cc Grand Prix racing motorcycle ridden to World Championship victory by Jorge Lorenzo and a collection of speedway supremo Ivan Mauger machines. Tickets cost £12 for adults, £11 for seniors, or £3 for under-12s, if bought in advance. ! Info: www.classicbikeshows.com
A2 licence Kawasaki Z900 unveiled Kawasaki has unveiled an A2 licence friendly version of its middleweight SuperNaked Z900. The 70kW-variant Z900 shares the vast majority of its look and specifications with its larger sibling. It also incorporates the same rider features such as a tuned airbox, along with assist and slipper clutch technology, a lightweight and responsive tubular trellis chassis, plus Kawasaki’s characteristic horizontal back-link suspension. Because this Z900 is tuned to give a maximum of 70kW in line with the demands of A2 compliance, this version of the Z900 can also be adjusted to provide a maximum of 35kW, again to comply with A2 restrictions and the needs of motorcycle training schools.
Making the switch between 70kW and 35kW is as simple as taking the bike to an authorised Kawasaki dealer for an adjustment to the ECU. The adjustment is neither time-consuming nor irreversible so when the time comes, it’s possible to revert the motorcycle back to 70kW again via a short visit to the authorised dealer who’ll also create and update a record of the machine’s status.
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NEW PRODUCTS
Knox Scarlett & Spencer jeans RRP: £159.99 | Sizes: Female 6 to 20 / Male 30-40in Knox has just launched its new range of slim fit motorcycle jeans for men and women. The stylish safety gear is made from 10oz Cordura denim and treated with a water-repellent finish. Both the Scarlett and Spencer jeans are internally lined with lightweight stretch cotton and part-lined with Kevlar in high impact areas. They also feature CE approved Knox MicroLock armour at the knees and hips, which can be easily removed through hidden external zips, and allow you to use the jeans off the bike. ! Info: www.planet-knox.com
A quick glance at some of the latest products and clothing arriving on the market
Furygan Autumn/ Winter glove collection
Furygan has added four brand-new gloves to its autumn/winter collection – naturally designed to keep riders warm and dry despite any adverse weather they might encounter.
Furygan James D3O All Seasons RRP: £84.99 | Sizes: S to 3XL | Colours: Black, Rusted
The all-weather version of the James D3O glove combines the glove’s trademark neo-retro look with tried-and-tested Furygan protection and comfort for wet-weather riding. This waterproof, micro fleece-lined glove features the very latest and best Furygan technology. The James D3O All Seasons is made from 100% goat leather, with double leather layer reinforcement on the palm and an external D3O protector for metacarpals for added protection.
Weise Renegade Summer Gloves
RRP: £89.99 | Sizes: XS to 3XL | Colours: Black, Black/White Weise has released a new model of glove, to help your hands stay cool in the balmy British summertime. The Renegade is a sports glove made from full-grain leather, with TPU reinforcements at the knuckles and fingers. It features a lightweight polyester lining, and perforated leather sections to help keep your hands cool – and there’s stretch panels and elasticated Velcro wrist straps to offer a snug and secure fit. ! Info: www.thekeycollection.co.uk
Furygan TD21 All Seasons
RRP: £74.99 | Sizes: S to 3XL | Colours: Black Like its summer counterpart, the TD21 All Seasons is made from 100% goat leather for abrasion resistance and comfort. It has a high-tech waterproof and breathable lining for protection against the rain, plus a brushed and knitted fabric padded membrane for insulation.
Furygan Endigo D3O
RRP: £74.99 | Sizes: S to 3XL | Colours: Black The CE-approved Endigo D3O is a stylish, denim glove. The palm is 100% leather with a double leather layer and foam reinforcement, positioned particularly where the friction with the handlebar is likely to be greatest. The glove
also includes external D3O protection for the metacarpals.
Furygan Zeus
RRP: £74.99 | Sizes: S to 3XL | Colours: Black Featuring a thick lining, a micro fleece mesh and a breathable, waterproof insert, the long-cuff Zeus glove is perfectly equipped to offer comfort, warmth and protection in winter. It’s made from Polyamide with external protection shells for metacarpals and reinforcement on the palm, as well as reflective inserts on the fingers. Furygan’s new selection of gloves will be available in UK dealers from October and on show at Motorcycle Live at the NEC, Birmingham from November 18-26, 2017. ! Info: www.nevis.uk.com.
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Tucano Urbano Termoscud covers RRP: £169.99 | Sizes: Available for various models
Vespa V-Stripe helmet RRP: £139.99 | Sizes: S to XL | Colours: Yellow, Red, Black, White and Azure New to the genuine Vespa range, V-Stripe helmets add a splash of colour, whatever the weather. The V-Stripe collection uses the letter ‘V’ from the Vespa logo for inspiration. The five colour shades all feature contrasting coloured stripes, plus an Italian flag shield graphic and the Vespa logo in purple. The demi-jet design makes the helmets compact enough to fit in the underseat storage compartments found on most modern scooters. Approved to ECE2205 safety standard, the V-Stripe has an ABS shell and is secured with a micro-adjustable seatbelt-style quick-release strap. A breathable, hypo-allergenic textile lining keeps the wearer comfortable and there are three visor options to choose from (standard and shaped short visors, as well as a long version). ! Info: www.fowlersparts.co.uk
Tucano Urbano has launched the latest evolution of its Termoscud leg cover – with a new four-season system that’s designed to allow users to ride all year round in both comfort and style. In short, the brand-new Termoscud PRO is a four-season modular leg cover is used to protect you from the elements. It features both waterproof and thermal protection. To guarantee waterproofing in any season, the leg cover is constructed from waterproof 1680 Ballistic and
Armr Eyoshi jacket
Dobby Polyamide, features taped seams and has a thick winter quilt that can be removed in summer. The PRO features an anti-theft ring, reflective profile and a large storage pocket, which includes a discreetly stored seat cover and an emergency rain cover for use in summer. The PRO is available for the Honda Forza 125, Piaggio MP3, Piaggio Yourban, Yamaha X-MAX 300, X-MAX 400, T-MAX 530, the Suzuki Burgman 400 and the KYMCO AK550. ! Info: www.tucanourbano.com/gb
RRP: £119.99 | Sizes: S to 3XL | Colours: Black/ White, Black/Red, Black/Blue, Black/ Camo, Black/Green and Black/Orange
Silver Dream Racer
RRP: £14.99 (Blu-ray ) | £9.99 (DVD) Pop legend David Essex stars opposite Beau Bridges in this iconic film, set in the cut-throat world of motorcycle racing. Featuring thrilling scenes filmed at the 1979 British Grand Prix at Silverstone
and a powerful score by John Cameron, as well as a number of David Essex hits. With a fantastic supporting cast including Clarke Peters, Cristina Raines and the final film appearance of Harry H Corbett,
Silver Dream Racer is now presented in a brand-new high definition transfer from original film materials in its original, as-exhibited aspect ratio. ! Info: www.networkonair.com
The Eyoshi is a budget-priced jacket made from 600D Poly Tech fabric. It features ample CE protection at the elbows and shoulders, and there’s room for an optional chest shield too. It features a breathable waterproof membrane and a removable thermos-liner, which together help to offer protection from the elements – and there are various stretch panels and adjusters to get the best fit. There are two waterproof external pockets, a waterproof wallet pocket, plus two internal pockets for carrying those essential knick-knacks too. ! Info: www.tri-motive.com
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AT THE CYCLE SHOW
Bigger and more diverse, the Cycle Show at the NEC was an eye opener for all users or potential users of bikes, from the £1000 carbon balance bike for your three-year-old, to the hand-crafted road racing machines seen on the Tour De France – plus everything in between.
Open face, full face
Obviously O2W were there looking at the e-bike section more intently, as this is the area that may suit you, our readers. If you don’t want to buy a scooter or small cc motorbike and your commute is not too long, these machines are a viable option.
Trends and surprises
It was noticeable that cruiser style e-bikes were a definite trend at the show, as nearly all the major e-bike suppliers had one available in their ranges. Curtain brands were
Urban cool
KTM is into pedals as well!
dedicated to this style and they stood out as being fantastic quality and we are hoping to test some in the very near future. Bright colours and being visible were also paramount, with whitewall or reflective edge tyres and super bright LED lights everywhere. Here’s a selection of images that we took at the show – and don’t forget to go and check out our videos from the press day on the O2W Facebook page.
Words: Jonathan Schofield Images: Jonathan and Lee Buxton
Space for a proper packed lunch
Is it a bike or is it a scooter? It's both!
Beautiful German Electra wheels
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Hand built, titanium, gorgeous
Sleek and stylish Black Panther
Real hatitude
Shimano’s power train
They drink it in the Congo...
Look, no chain! Its a shafty...
Try before you buy
Shirtanly something for everyone
Just nipping down the shops love, won’t be long...
Above and below: If you order a pizza from a well known outlet they’ll arrive on one of these
Wo wo, it’s our mates, Kiddi Moto
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NEWS
Confederate Motors joins New e-bike hire services forces with Zero are now coming online Confederate Motors is clearing its production line to begin joint development of an electric motorcycle with electric motorcycle manufacturer Zero. Confederate Motors is also changing its name in the wake of the recent Charlottesville riots and rebranding itself as Curtiss Motorcycles, after multiple motorcycle speed record holder and aviator Glenn Curtiss. Confederate says there’s little scope to continue developing motorcycles with internal combustion engines. The firm’s new electric ‘Hercules’ cruiser will employ twin electric motors from Zero with an estimated 177 PS of peak power and a maximum torque of 393 Nm. The bike will likely be made at Zero Electric’s California production plant.
With their popularity gaining momentum, more shared e-bike and pedal hire services are coming online around the UK.
SOUTH EAST
In Southend, Essex, three automated bike docking stations are available at
236 miles on a single charge? That’s what Delfast is claiming as the range on its new e-bike. The bike comes in three different models: the Prime has the longest range, the Top has a top speed of 50mph, and the Lite is the cheapest version available. ! Info: delfast bikes.com
the Civic Centre and City Beach, providing pedal and electric bikes for 24 hour use with rates from £2 per hour. Southend Council already runs an initiative called Cycle Southend; the authority’s website provides information on cycle training, cycle to work schemes, recycling bicycles, cycle routes and events. ! Info: southendbikeshare.com
THE MIDLANDS
Meanwhile in Lincolnshire, a new scheme has launched in Lincoln as part of Lincolnshire County Council’s bike rental scheme. The bikes will be based at The Lawn, St Marks Shopping Centre, Burton Waters and Skellingthorpe Community Centre; four more docking stations will be added shortly. The e-bikes come complete with locks and lights, indicators on the handlebars and a ‘boost’ button for extra power. An app has also been created which will help to make it even easier to rent a bike or locate the nearest station. The service is available 24/7 with casual and annual memberships on offer. Annual members get the first 30 minutes free and £1/hour on a pedal bike, and the first 20 minutes free and £2/hour rental fees on an e-bike. There’s no sign-up cost for a casual member with rental rates at £2/hour for a pedal bike and £3/hour for an e-bike. ! Info: www.hirebikelincoln.co.uk
The latest gossip from the electric bike market
Hovis goes electric
Evans Cycles has brought the iconic ‘Boy on Bike’ Hovis TV advert back to life by putting Carl Barlow (the original Hovis boy) on an electric bike, 44 years later. Ridley Scott’s 1973 production is one of Britain’s most iconic TV adverts and shows Carl pushing his bike up the hill delivering Hovis bread. In the 2017 re-run, shot on the
ExoDyne e-bike
Full-time vet and part-time engineer Alan Cross has created a one-off skeletal e-bike. The ExoDyne is based around a hand-built centre box frame, which holds 48 lithium polymer battery cells capable of a 600A output, but restricted to 200A. Power comes from an 11 kW (30 kW peak) motor from EnerTrac, using a Sevcon Gen 4 motor controller, helping the ExoDyne reach a top speed of around 60mph, with a limited range of 20 miles, in its current configuration.
same original location, an e-bike supplied by Evans Cycles makes light of the steep incline. Carl said: “Returning to Gold Hill after 44 years was strange. When I arrived, people taking photographs were saying ‘This is the hill from the advert with the boy pushing the bike up the hill.’ Little did they know, they were standing right next to him!”
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FIRST RIDE
AM
SuperSoco TS1200R
LICENCE
A raft of electric motorcycles, scooters and pedelecs are all vying for position in the UK, following the Government’s recent decision to end the widespread use of fossil fuel powered vehicles by 2040. Ultimately, electric bikes are here and here to stay. It’s a growing market and there’s an abundance of choice depending on your budget. On one side, you’ve got brands like Energica, who are building high-end, sports specification motorcycles that’ll set you back close to £30,000. And on the other, you’ve got a selection of commuter oriented, small capacity machines – and this is where the SuperSoco comes in, with the crowd-funded electric motorcycle finally making it to British shores, after a successful introduction in its native China.
First impressions
Based on appearance alone, my first impressions of the plucky little commuter were overwhelmingly positive. It’s a good looking machine, with a futuristic Yamaha YBR-125 feel – in a compact, fully-faired package. Yes, the TS1200R is a small bike – but that only helps to aid manoeuvrability in a busy city environment. It’s lightweight and compact also, without really compromising on comfort. Swinging my leg over, my 6ft 1in frame settled into the saddle without any trouble.
Although it may not be the roomiest ride or the softest seat, I’m confident most people could undertake a 40 mile commute without suffering too much discomfort. The SuperSoco features include a clever keyless start-up system, an anti-theft alarm, movement sensors, three-position adjustable footpegs and a distinctive set of LED lights too. Using the keyless ignition rewards you with a futuristic start up sound as the bike’s LCD screen bursts into life, offering details about battery life, engine temperature, and your speed. The bike is also equipped with three separate riding ‘modes’ which offer varying levels of speed and battery consumption while you’re on the go.
On the road
Okay, so the SuperSoco isn’t going to set any speed records. The TS1200R uses a 26Ah, 60V lithium battery powering a Bosch motor which kicks out around 2.61bhp and offers 120Nm of torque – which equates to 50cc moped levels of performance, meaning it can be ridden from the age of 16 on a CBT. It’ll get up to 28mph, so providing you stay within the city SPECIFICATION
SuperSoco TS1200R ENGINE: Bosch 1200w BATTERY: Lithium 60V/26Ah SEAT HEIGHT: 770mm WEIGHT: 78kg RANGE: 40 miles (claimed) PRICE: £2349 CONTACT: www.supersoco.co.uk O2W RATING:
★★★★★★★★★★
limits, the TS1200R should be more than up to the job. Out on the open road, I did find traffic forming behind me quite quickly – pushing me to go quicker than the bike could manage. Whether this is likely to present a problem really depends entirely on what sort of routes you tackle on your daily commute. The bikes are claimed to be able to manage around 40 miles on a single charge, but you can swap out the battery for a spare to instantly revive the bike (providing you opt for the extra battery pack, of course). It is worth noting that the batteries can be easily recharged using a standard household 13amp socket or at on-street charging points. In short, the SuperSoco is great fun to ride. Its acceleration is impressive considering the size of its motor; it offers plenty of range for an inner-city commute, and the removable battery
makes it easy to charge (providing you’ve not got to carry it too far). Okay, so it’s not the best equipped bike on the market, with the build quality leaning towards the budget end of the spectrum. But it costs less than £2500, which is infinitely cheaper than the cost of an annual rail pass in a larger city – and I know which I’d choose.
Should I buy one?
The SuperSoco costs £2349 on the road, and in my mind is great value for money. Of course, its low price is reflected in its performance – it’s not especially quick and the suspension isn’t especially plush. But, that doesn’t matter. If you’re looking for a cheap, economical bike to squeeze through city traffic, you could do a lot worse than checking out the SuperSoco.
Words: Ross/Images: Mau
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LAUNCH RIDE
Peugeot Belville 125
A1
LICENCE
Peugeot puts style and comfort together in a big-wheeled package. Peugeot has a long, illustrious history at the forefront of two-wheeled travel – producing its first motorcycle in 1898 and introducing its first modern scooter with plastic bodywork over 30 years ago. The iconic French brand invited O2W to Paris, to test ride two versions of its all-new big-wheeled scooter, the Belville. In France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Belgium, big-wheeled scooters account for 50% of the market, but historically, they have never been hugely popular in the UK – that’s all changing though, and after a tour of the wet cobbled streets of Paris, I can see why.
First impressions
The Peugeot Belville name takes inspiration from Belleville, a typically working-class neighbourhood of immigrants and artists on a series of hills in the north-east of Paris. It’s grittier than the centre of the city, the architecture isn’t as grand, and graffiti covers the streets – but you don’t ever forget you are in Paris. And on reflection, that makes complete sense when you think about the Belville big-wheeled scooter. Okay, so big-wheeled scooters aren’t typically the best-looking machines on the market – and there isn’t usually a great deal to set them apart from their rivals, as their big wheels limit design freedom. Of course, in typical Peugeot style, the iconic French manufacturer has worked hard to inject a little bit of Parisian flair into its latest scooter. There’s both the standard Allure model and a sportier RS version to choose from. The standard Allure model is a little Spartan in design, comes with 16in wheels front and rear and features a 37 litre topbox as standard. In contrast, the sportier RS comes with a 16in wheel at the front and a 14in at the rear. The RS comes with red wheel rims and front grill, a saddle overstitched in red, a footplate with an aluminium ‘RS’ insert and a sporty wind deflector,
RS VERSION
SPECIFICATION
Peugeot Belville 125 ENGINE: 125cc 2-valve four-stroke liquid injection SEAT HEIGHT: 790mm WEIGHT: 127kg TANK CAPACITY: 7.5 litres PRICE: TBC CONTACT: www.peugeotscooters.co.uk O2W RATING:
★★★★★★★★★★ while the forks, rims and engine sump all in black. All-in-all, I reckon it’s the best-looking big-wheeler on the market today. They both feature ‘signature’ Peugeot lighting in the form of a three-stripe ‘claw’ motif for the rear LED lamp. It does look good, and from behind, there’s no denying that it’s a Peugeot scooter. There’s also a clever customisable LCD dash that allows you to switch between different layouts. The Belville range comes in a multitude of colours (and there’s a wide choice of accessories available too).
On the road
The Belville’s big wheels really came into their own as we meandered
through the wet cobbled streets of Paris – absorbing each jolt with ease and offering great handling on the range of surfaces we encountered. Complementing the big wheels are telescopic hydraulic forks at the front and adjustable twin shock-absorbers at the rear – which means you can stiffen or soften the ride, depending on conditions. The Belville is available with a choice of two engines, with the same choice across both models. There’s the Peugeot SmartMotion 125 engine and the EasyMotion 200 engine. As the 200cc category sits slightly at odds with UK licence system, we focused on riding the SmartMotion 125 models which are accessible for A1 licence holders. First impressions of the SmartMotion engine were positive. It’s punchy, quiet and appears to be economical – but delving deeper into its development is where things get interesting. The SmartMotion engine
is built for Peugeot by its Taiwanese partner SYM, and features a clever Synerject AGC system which disconnects the battery during acceleration and deceleration, and re-charges only when cruising. In reality, this means that the engine can distribute a fraction more power to the rear wheel, while saving a claimed 5% on fuel. There’s 11bhp to play with, which is admittedly short of the 15bhp A1 licence restriction – but more importantly Peugeot has increased torque by shifting the engine’s operating rpm down the rev range. That means that right through its rev range, the Belville still has plenty of bite. Sadly, we didn’t get a chance to push it to its limit, so although I can’t comment with authority on its top speed (though Peugeot claims a likely accurate 59mph) I can confirm that its plenty potent enough to whizz through towns and cities with ease, and you’ll have a good chance of getting the jump on the vast majority of four-wheeled traffic away from the lights too. The Belville comes with disc brakes front and rear and an ABS braking system as standard, while many of its big-wheeled counterparts feature less-advanced Combined Braking Systems (CBS). And in practice, the brakes are good – more than capable of pulling you to a halt in a hurry. Admittedly, the ABS system only operates on the front wheel – so the
rear wheel will still lock up if you’re too keen on the back brake. Of course, it would certainly be nice to have ABS front and rear, but with Peugeot aiming the Belville squarely at the budget end of its market – value for money is just as important.
Should I buy one?
Despite limited time with the Belville, I left Paris very impressed – and very much aware of the value of bigwheeled scooters. We tested a selection of other Peugeot machines, including the new Speedfight and Citystar – and as an out-and-out commuter, the Belville tops the pile. Plus, the standard Allure is capable of storing three helmets throughout its hold capacity, which is an impressive achievement in itself. The Belville won’t be making it across to the UK until the first quarter of next year, and with the value of pound sterling changeable and unpredictable, Peugeot’s UK importers haven’t been able to confirm the final price – but if they keep it under the £3000 target price (and even if they don’t) the Belville is well worth a look.
Words: Ross Images: Peugeot