Twist & Go Sep/Oct 2016 preview

GET FAST QUICK

The Ron Haslam Race School

MOTORINI XO 125

EASY URBAN RIDING

MOTORCYCLE TROUSERS OUR BUYER’S GUIDE

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BIKES & SCOOTERS RATED OR RIDDEN

CADWELL 125 The latest offering from the AJS stable

FANTIC 50 MR COMPETITION N A MOPED DESIGNED FOR HAVING FUN!

STYLISH & POWERFUL

THE BMW C 650 SPORT

ARE YOU A SUBSCRIBER? Editor: Mau Spencer mspencer@mortons.co.uk Publisher: Steve Rose Contributors: Gary Chapman, Pete Henshaw, Mau, Mikko, Duncan Moore and Dave Pugh.

Apologies to anyone we’ve forgotten.

Design: Fran Lovely Picture desk: Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield Divisional advertising manager: Martin Freeman mfreeman@mortons.co.uk 01507 529538 Advertising: Zoe Thurling zthurling@mortons.co.uk 01507 524412 Subscription manager: Paul Deacon Circulation manager: Steve O’Hara Marketing manager: Charlotte Park Publishing director: Dan Savage Commercial director: Nigel Hole Associate director: Malc Wheeler Twist & Go magazine PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ www.twistngo.com www.whatscooter.com Editorial call: 01507 529408 General queries and back issues: 01507 529529 (24hr answerphone) Email: help@classicmagazines.co.uk Web: www.classicmagazines.co.uk UK: 6 issues £22 Europe: 6 issues £27 ROW: 6 issues £31 Archivist: Jane Skayman 01507 529423 jskayman@ mortons.co.uk Full subscription rates (but see page 20 for offer): (12 months 12 issues, inc post and packing) – UK £24.60. Export rates are also available – see page 20 for more details.

UK subscriptions are zero-rated for the purposes of Value Added Tax. Customer services number: 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open: Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm Distribution: COMAG, Tavistock Road, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7QE. Tel 01895 433600 © Mortons Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher. ISSN No 1471–0501 USA SUBSCRIPTIONS Twist & Go magazine TWIST & GO (ISSN:1471-0501) is published bi-monthly

by Mortons Media Group Ltd., PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ UK . USA subscriptions are $36 per year from Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. Periodical Postage is paid at Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Postmaster: Send address changes to TAG, c/o Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. 715-572-4595 chris@classicbikebooks.com Printed by William Gibbons & Son, Wolverhampton.

Some articles within these pages express the opinions of the contributors and are not necessarily those of Twist & Go. E&OE: While we do our best to ensure our information is accurate, all mention of special offers or other deals are subject to alteration by the companies mentioned.

NEXT ISSUE (113): Published on October 19, 2016 EDITORIAL DEADLINE: September 19, 2016

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CONTENTS

6

GOSSIP ‘N’ GADGETS

38

16

PRODUCT REVIEWS

41

Dave Pugh reverts to being a child of the 1960s.

FANTIC 50 MR COMPETITION

42

All you need to know about biking jeans and textile trousers.

BULTACO BRINCO LAUNCH

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A closer look at some of the latest goodies.

22

Probably the most fun 50cc out there.

24

It’s got pedals – but it’s not a pedelec…

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MAU SPENCER Heading up the T&G team, Editor Mau has been riding bikes since he was 16. He’s also the founding editor of Classic Scooterist magazine – often leading to him being ribbed by his scooter-riding buddies – he gives as good as he gets.

MIKKO NIEMINEN Mikko, had his first taste of biking at the age of 15 on a 50cc Suzuki. Now he’s happiest on two wheels – regardless of bike make or size. He’s an all-year rider and is never happier than when he’s road testing a new bike, or a new bit of kit.

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Up-to-date news and product information.

MOTORINI XO 125

Urban riding made easy.

AJS CADWELL 125

A café racer that will turn heads.

FRANCIS-BARNETT FALCON 250 The revival of another old British name.

SWM SILVER VASE 440

Reborn SWM launches two new retro bikes – and this is one of them.

PETE HENSHAW Pete doesn’t own a car and is happily dependent on two wheel transport – anything powered by petrol, diesel, pedals or slight electrical assistance. He specialises in riding small, slow bikes for very long distances; he’s also a sucker for anything ecofriendly, or out of the norm.

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BMW C 650 SPORT

One of the most stylish and powerful maxi scooters around.

MODENA MADNESS

TROUSER BUYING GUIDE

FROM A SCOOTER TO A MOTORCYCLE

Riding scooters can be great fun, but motorcycles host a whole different set of advantages.

GET FAST QUICK

Where do you go if you want to improve your road driving? Ron Haslam shows how to ride safer.

SURVIVAL TIPS

Braking the wrong way can lead to disaster. Here are our top tips.

WHICH BIKE?

Our expanded guide to new scooters and motorcycles.

Coming out Well that’s it; we’re out of Europe (or will be in a few years) and we'll all now have to live with the consequences.

But what will they be for the bike industry? We’ve yet to find out, but the first signs are already there. The Brexit announcement and the resulting financial turmoil caused immediate pressure on the international exchange rates and overnight it became more expensive for importers to purchase bikes. Whether these costs will be passed on remains to be seen, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re purchasing a new bike. What other ripple effects it causes we’ll have to wait and see.

NEWS

LOW COST INSURANCE

0845 600 1664 | lexhaminsurance.co.uk

Authorised & Regulated by the FCA

Rox jacket RRP: £199.99 Alpinestars’new Rox textile jacket features a durable advanced poly-fabric main shell and a full thermal liner allowing it to be worn in a range of climates. Sports styled and with subtly integrated, class-leading protection, the Rox is ideal for summer riding. It comes in sizes S-4XL. Info: www.alpinestars.com

1200 miles in 21 hours on a KYMCO Downtown 300

Furygan Caprino D3O Sympatex RRP: £159.99 According to Furygan, the Caprino D3O Sympatex boots are 100% leather boots featuring a handstitched sole for a high quality look that’s effortlessly stylish both on and off the bike.

The beautifully-crafted exterior conceals all the technical features you’d expect to find in CE-approved motorcycling boot: D3O protection on the malleolus, reinforcements on the toes and heels, 100% waterproof and breathable thanks to the Sympatex lining and anti-slip and anti-torsion sole. The Caprino D3O Sympatex is available in black or coffee brown in sizes 37-47.

Info: www.nevis.uk.com // 01425 478936

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We’ve brought you coverage of scooter rider Steve Cooper and his long-distance escapades before and now he’s done it again, along with his riding sidekick, Tony Green – this time completing a total of 1214 miles in 21 hours and 10 minutes and breaking Markus Mayer’s 2015 long-distance scooter ride of 1050 miles in 24 hours.

The journey wasn’t without its problems; a French fuel strike threatened their attempt from

the outset, followed by serious road congestion in Germany – not to mention every element that the weather could throw at them. Over the course of their journey, they averaged 60mph and consumed £160 worth of fuel.

WANT TO READ THE FULL STORY?

We’ve put it up online at www.o2w.co.uk – read and enjoy.

Aprilia enters the Indian scooter market The Indian scooter market is the largest market of its kind with almost five million vehicles being shipped in 2015 alone, so it’s no surprise that Piaggio wants a bit of the action; consequently, it has recently started shipping the Aprilia SR 150 into the country.

“After the success of the Ape and the positioning of the Vespa, we are further strengthening our offer in the subcontinent,” said Piaggio Group chairman and CEO Roberto Colaninno.

“The Aprilia SR 150 is an excellent expression of the Noale manufacturer’s sport expertise and offers technological and style features superior to those of its direct competitors in its segment.”

PRODUCT REVIEWS Spada bike cover RRP: £44.99 upwards Reviewer: Mau I’ve had my existing bike cover for a good few years now and although it has served me well, it’s a bit tired and frayed around the edges – so it was time for a new one.

I decided to go for Spada’s medium-sized weatherproof motorbike cover which is manufactured in non-scratch high grade polyester (medium size will fit a naked or sportsbike up to 220cm long – other sizes are available). Spada claims that the fully breathable cover is 100% UV resistant, so hopefully it shouldn’t fade like my old cover did. It is also claimed to be heat resistant up to 200ºC – and that’s quite important, because it helps to minimise any damage caused by it coming into contact with a hot exhaust pipe.

It’s easy enough to throw over the bike, due to its light weight and once over it’s held into position by a centre strap which goes underneath the bike and then fastens

with a quick-release clip. There’s also a series of reinforced metal eyelets in proximity to the front and rear wheels areas, which have a number of uses – you can use them for additional cover fastening in ultra-high winds, but more commonly they would be used for threading locking cables or heavy duty chains through.

The cover comes with a neat zipped storage bag, so that when it isn’t being used, it can easily be folded up and packed away.

Another bonus is that the cover is both hand and machine washable if it gets dirty – just remember to treat it with a waterproofing agent afterwards.

Info: www.spadaclothing.co.uk

Arai RX-7V helmet RRP: £499.99 Reviewer: Mikko The RX-7V is the top of the range helmet from Arai. It looks great, fits perfectly, and comes from a long line of quality helmets. It’s an expensive lid, but it’s probably the best I’ve had.

With full face helmets, I want good ventilation, and the Arai doesn’t disappoint in this regard. There are three vents at the top, two small ones in the visor and one in the chin. Open all of them and you’ll get plenty of fresh air flowing in. They are all easy to use with gloves on once you get the feel for them.

The RX-7V has been designed with racing in mind, so the protective qualities of the lid have been well thought through. The helmet achieved four out of five stars in the SHARP (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme) test that measures the

protective qualities of motorcycle helmets. The lining is washable and removable, as you’d expect in a quality lid like this. It also feels nice and soft with no seams or bumps hampering comfort.

The fit is perfect for my head shape.

When I first put the helmet on, it felt like I had worn it for months. There was no‘wearing-in’period, the lining is plush and soft and there’s just the right amount of pressure so that the helmet doesn’t move around, but doesn’t press your head either.

The strap has a traditional double-D buckle. The helmet weighs 1.6kg, comes in sizes XS-XL, and in addition to plain white and black it is available with a variety of graphics.

This has rapidly become my favourite helmet because of the fit, comfort and the overall quality.

Info: www.whyarai.co.uk

BC K612 battery charger RRP: £28.99 Reviewer: Mikko

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Anyone with a bike that has seen a few winters with little riding knows the value of a good trickle charger. Keeping the bike’s battery charged and maintained while it’s off the road is the simplest thing to do, and having the confidence in the bike firing up when you want to go out is priceless.

The BC K612 all-in-one 6/12v lead-acid battery charger is about as simple to use as possible: just attach the crocodile clips to the positive battery terminal and the chassis (if charging without removing the battery from the bike), plug the charger in the wall, and it starts doing its thing.

The charger runs through a fullyautomated eight-cycle programme, with battery analysis, recovery and reconditioning, recharging, desulfation and long-term maintenance. The device is suitable for Acid, MF, Gel, AGM and VRLA

type 6v and 12v batteries. It’s supplied with a UK plug, crocodile clips, full instructions, and a three-year warranty.

According to BC, the charger can be left for indefinite periods of time, doesn’t produce sparks, and is protected against short circuit, reverse polarity, overcharging, and overheating. I left the charger to work its magic on the battery of my old Yamaha Fazer for about 24 hours, and when I came back to check the situation, the LED light on the controller showed that the cycle had been completed and the battery had now entered its long-term maintenance mode.

Since using the BC K612, my old battery, which had given me problems before, has performed without a hitch for a good while. Next time the bike goes in the garage for a while it will definitely be plugged into this device.

Info: www.wemoto.com

FIRST RIDE

Fantic 50 MR

Competition

FIRST RIDE

AJS Cadwell 125 The café racer that punches well above its weight and is guaranteed to turn heads.

T

he AJS Cadwell 125 combines three things that are red-hot popular at the moment: 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

Among all the café racers currently rolling out of various factories, the AJS stands out as a particularly good-looking option. The bike is available in black or silver, with AJS and Cadwell logos tastefully added to the tank and covers.

The overall impression is of understated style, from the Monzatype fuel cap to the sculpted single seat. The bullet indicators, spoked wheels, straight stainless-steel

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exhaust, rubber fork covers and clipon handlebars all add to the timeless classic look.

The clocks are equally simple and effective, featuring only the speedo, tacho and odometer. The lights for indicators, full beam, neutral and low fuel look good, but are not bright enough to stand out properly from the dash. Brighter bulbs behind them would have added to the ease of use.

The switchgear is basic but of good quality and the buttons and switches are all easy enough to operate. You just have to remember to switch off the manual choke once the engine is warm. There’s an electric start as well as kick-start, and both work well.

ENGINE

The air-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke, 125cc engine has been manufactured by Jianshe (Yamaha’s partner in China). There’s enough grunt to get the bike up to speed pretty swiftly, and cruising at 5060mph is no problem. The engine is

well capable of keeping up to speed with traffic in the city and even on the occasional country road.

The engine sound is pleasant, including the odd bang from the exhaust when you roll on and off the throttle. I enjoyed the sound so much that I went on and off the gas far more than necessary, just to hear it popping.

WE SAY: It’s a great example of a 125cc café racer that’s guaranteed to turn heads on any high street.

★★★★★★★★★★

MOVING ON UP...

Changing from a scooter

TO A MOTORCYCLE There’s no denying scooters are great fun, but move to a motorcycle and there can be a whole different set of advantages. Here’s our simple guide to help you move from small wheels and auto gears to big wheels and motorcycle power.

SEATING POSITION

The first thing you’ll notice when you get on a motorcycle after riding a scooter is simply how different it is to get on. There’s no stepping through; you have to swing your leg up and over. This can influence the style of bike you can ride. Big trail bikes may look cool and be able to survive a zombie apocalypse, but if you don’t have long legs you’ll struggle to get on one - and even if you can get on, you’ll not feel comfortable if you can’t get a least one foot flat on the ground.

Luckily, many companies offer lowering kits and lowered seats which can help shorter riders gain access to a wider range of machines and not just trail bikes. Another point to consider is that motorcycles frequently have narrower seats than

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scooters, which in urn makes it easier to get feet a on the ground as your legs aren’t spread as wide.

Where you put your feet when riding will depend on the style of the bike you choose to ride. While many scooters offer a feet-forward position, only cruiser-style motorcycles allow this. Roadsters and touring bikes will move your feet back to put you in a more upright position; a sports bike will bring your feet back and up into a position not too dissimilar to that of a horse racing jockey, or a youngster riding a scooter with his feet on the pillion’s footpegs.

Try sitting on a few different models at your local dealer and you’ll soon get an idea of which position you’ll be most comfortable with. Just bear in mind that on a sports bike when you’re stationary you’ll be taking a lot of weight on your wrists, but once you get moving, especially at speed, the wind blast to your upper body will lessen the load through your shoulders, arms and wrists.

CONTROLS

Older-style motorcycles might have a choke lever and an on/off ‘petcock’ tap – don’t forget to turn it on before riding off

Once you’ve got yourself sat on a motorcycle and your hands are on the bars, the only familiar controls are the front brake and the accelerator. On a scooter, the left handlebar lever is for the back brake – on a motorcycle that swaps its role to become the clutch lever. So what about the back brake?

www.twistngo.com/whichbike REALLY USEFUL SECTION: WHO SELLS WHAT?

A guide to importers and point of contact

THE WHEEL DEAL

Find out what deals are currently on offer

DEALING WITH THE EMERGENCY SERVICES

Handy tips to help them on their way

THE ALL-NEW CITY RANGE A new two-stroke moped from KYMCO

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

A European favourite arrives in the UK

A COLOURFUL RS

Peugeot’s special edition RS series gets a new colour scheme

PAINT IT BLACK

A special edition Metropolis from Peugeot

FILTERING SAFELY How to get through traffic

SALVAGE BIKES

Written-off bikes can be good value for money

LOOKING GOOD

Study reveals bikers are more attractive than car drivers

NEW TECH

The first self-cancelling indicator system for motorcycles

Issue 3

Produced in conjunction with Twist & Go magazine

BIKE REVIEWS

HAIBIKE sDURO HARDSEVEN SL

Entry-level Hardtail from the sDuro range

PRODUCT REVIEWS

WATTS NEW?

PIAGGIO enters the pedelec market with the

WI-BIKE See our review on page 10

WISPER 705 TORQUE

Latest evolution of an established leisure bike

ECO VOLTZ TERRAIN

With rugged design and high spec, will it go the distance?

GREENEDGE BIKES CS2/16

Budget e-bike without build quality sacrifices

100 MILES IN A DAY  ON A SINGLE CHARGE

Can a nine-year-old pedelec do it? There was only one way to find out…

All you need to know about pedelecs

UK distributor sought for the Benno Bikes brand

Benno Bikes is a new USA brand launched by Benno Baenziger, who helped found the Electra e-bike brand in 1993, Benno Bikes offers a range of commuter and cargo pedelecs as well as pedal cycles. The company is currently looking for a distributor in the UK, so they may go on sale here before too long. Interested? Email info@bennobikesusa.com if you want to know more.

Twist-grips, or any other type of independent throttle on a pedelec, now means the bikes have to be type approved

Type approval is now required for throttle-equipped bikes All new throttle-equipped bikes (i.e. those with a twist-grip or thumb throttle which controls power without the rider needing to pedal) now have to be type approved – this applies to all such bikes imported or manufactured after January 1, 2016. If they are type approved, and conform to the other pedelec legal definitions (250W continuous power, 15.5mph max assisted speed) they can be treated as a pedelec. The only such bikes which don’t need approval are those whose throttles only give power up to 6kph, a feature designed to allow the bike to be walked up steep hills.

But if you buy a throttle bike which doesn’t have type approval,

then as a customer, you won’t be breaking the law. The Department for Transport has confirmed that the trade, not the customer, has to obtain type approval. “The responsibility for obtaining type approval rests squarely with the manufacturer or retailer,” said a spokesman. “The user is not committing an offence by riding or purchasing a nonapproved bike.”

Allowing type approved throttle bikes to qualify for electric bicycle status should answer critics of the throttle ban, who pointed out that for disabled customers who find it difficult to pedal, the throttle controlled electric bike is an ideal solution.

▲

Saracen launches pedelec

Saracen, the British cycle brand that has majored in mountain bikes since 1983, has launched its first pedelec.

The Juiced (good name...) takes elements from Saracen’s previous bike range and combines them with the Shimano STEPS system. A hydroformed 6061 aluminium frame, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes and Suntour Axon XC forks are standard.

Price is £2599.99.

“We’re very excited to have a bike like the Juiced being added to the Saracen range,” said Jack Geoghegan, Saracen brand manager at Sportline.

“This bike will open up the world of cycling to new riders that can now use their bikes as a legitimate mode of transport over longer distances.”

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Government funding stalls While the construction of London’s Cycle Superhighways carries on, the Government is cutting overall spending on cycle infrastructure. A question from Shadow Local Transport Minister Daniel Zeichner revealed that cycle funding will drop by 70% between 2017/18 and 2020/21.

“These new figures expose the ever-widening gulf between Government rhetoric and reality,” said Zeichner. “A year ago David Cameron said he wanted to “increase spending further to £10 per person each year”, yet funding is set to fall by 70%.”

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