For those who ventured forth it was a superb few days of fun, good company, perfect hosting by Landhaus Müllenborn, wonderful roads, top catering, cakes, ice cream and a lot of laughter!
Many thanks to Guy Lipscomb for all his organisation.
Each month we’re going to feature a TVAM member and their bike, talk about why they chose that model, what they use it for, as well as what they like and dislike about it.
Get in touch at pressofficer@slipstream.org
This month we have Cliff Lester and his box-fresh FireBlade:
Welcome, Cliff! What exactly are we looking at here today?
This is my newish Honda Fireblade, specifically the SP1 model.
And how long has this been gracing your garage?
A couple of months.
Did this replace another bike, or is it an addition to the garage?
It’s a replacement for my previous bike, a BMW S1000RR. I’d only had it for two years, but I really fancied the new ‘Blade.
Sportsbike enthusiasts are spoilt for choice at the moment – what else did you look at when shopping?
I considered the Yamaha R1M, as well as the new Ducati Panigale V4S and Aprilia RSV4 Factory.
Honda beat out some very trick hardware then! No interest in the new Suzuki GSXR-1000, Kawasaki ZX-10R, or perhaps another BMW?
Not really; I’ve experienced the BMW already, and owned three ZX10’s in the past! Plus I’m not really a lover of the GSXR…
Anything in particular you were evaluating the bikes on when you were conducting your test-rides?
Rideabilty, as well as quality of the suspension and brakes. Also ease of electronics – the BMW has the tech, but it’s not always easy to use.
Which dealer did you purchase your new Fireblade from? Would you recommend them to other TVAM members?
Fowlers of Bristol. As for recommending them, I would, and I wouldn’t. I had good service when buying the bike but paid for both a tail tidy and radiator guard to be fitted as part of the deal. When I came to collect it they’d fitted the tail tidy but said they didn’t have time for the radiator guard! I wasn’t very impressed.
That is rather disappointing. Have you made any further modifications or installed any accessories since then?
I’ve fitted a World SuperBike Akrapovic slip-on exhaust, as well as a double-bubble screen, but that’s it for now.
What sort of riding do you do/plan on doing with this bike?
There’s a group of us that go on regular A road runs, so more of that for sure. We’ve also been on our annual Le Mans MotoGP trip together; I found the ‘Blade to be amazing on the twisty French roads. I’ve also enjoyed a few track days and A runs with TVAM group – it’s perfect for all that stuff.
Has purchasing this bike changed the sort of riding you do, or how you ride?
No, I’ve always had sports bikes, so I’ve always ridden like this. The Honda has improved my cornering confidence slightly, as this bike is so easy to ride – it feels like it’s on rails!
Is there anything you miss from your S1000RR?
The heated grips and cruise control – they should really be standard at this price. But other than that I do feel that it’s a better bike.
Can you elaborate on that? What about the Honda makes it so special?
The ease of the ride, up & down quick-shifter is so smooth and never misses a beat. The dashboard is beautifully done – so easy to read and adjusting any of your setups is a piece of cake. The Öhlins suspension is incredible (as usual) and the brakes are fantastic. It’s an all-round amazing bike.
What’s the one thing about your bike you would change if you could?
I’ve changed the things that needed changing – the usual things I always do on a bike. But nothing else, it looks lovely and goes well.
Any problems or technical issues with all that electronic wizardry?
Well I’ve only put 1,500 miles on it so far and everything is good for the moment. No problems at all!
So it sounds like you’re pretty pleased with your purchase?
Extremely pleased. It’s the first Fireblade I’ve ever owned and I love it.
Nick Tasker was talking to Cliff Lester in June this year.
First published in Slipstream September 2018
TVAM held their Sizzling Sausage Slow Riding Social afternoon on August 19th in blazing sunshine after the regular St Crispin’s monthly meeting. Over 100 members enjoyed the wide range of sausages on offer from the charcoal BBQ including South African Boerewors, German Grilled Beer Bratwurst, Welsh Lamb and Mint and Red Sky Tomato, Basil & Mozzarella all accompanied with pot-fried onions, sweet peppers and salad. Ice creams and drinks helped counter the hot weather.
Of course there was a slow riding course to also navigate and many intrepid riders attempted to get the slowest time over the course which had been laid out by the training team. The slowest time was actually set two-up, so pillions really do slow you down! A great afternoon.
Continuing with our Rider’s Rides feature after a break. Here we feature a TVAM member and their bike, talk about why they chose that model, what they use it for, as well as what they like and dislike about it. Want to see your bike featured? Get in touch at pressofficer@slipstream.org
This month we have Steve Dobson and his go-anywhere Yamaha:
Steve – tell us about your new Yamaha.
It’s a Super Tenere Raid Edition. The same as the XT1200ZE model with some extras.
And how long have you been riding this one?
Just 3 months at this point!
Did this replace another bike, or is it an addition to an existing fleet?
It’s a replacement. I had a Yamaha Tracer 900 (16 model) beforehand – a great bike, but I was on my third oil cooler in just two years! All fixed under warranty of course, but I wanted something reliable. I suspect it may be a design issue, as I notice that the recently-updated version of the Tracer 900 has a revised oil cooler. Hopefully that means anyone buying a new one today won’t have the same issues I did!
The Ténéré is a much more off-road focused bike than your Tracer, what with spoked wheels, a 19” front and, I believe, more off-road oriented tyres as standard. Do you intend to experiment with any light green-laning or are you intending to stick to pavement?
I visit lots of sites around UK for work and invariably the last mile of the journey is off road. I have started to use my bike for some of these work visits, so that capability comes in handy. The tyres are not what I describe as off-road but they do have more tread than my previous Tracer’s Pilot Road 4’s. I would not use this bike for any serious off road stuff though, it’s just too heavy.
Indeed, 261kgs wet – shaft-drive will do that! Do you notice the weight when riding, cornering etc, or just when pushing it around?
You don’t notice the weight in corners or even when doing slow riding, I feel it’s precise and well planted.
There are a lot of great choices in the Adventure-bike segment these days; did you consider, say a Suzuki V-Strom 1000, KTM 1190 or BMW R1200GS?
Yes, all of the above – and even a few others, such as the Triumph Explorer 1200. They’re all great bikes – but then again, is there such a thing as a bad bike these days?
Oh, I could name a few…but with so much choice, and so many issues, why go with the Yamaha?
Honestly, it was easier to stick with Yamaha. When I looked around, the deals offered were similar but the trade in value on the Tracer varied massively, £4k low to £5.8k high.
Even so, sticking with the brand after all those problems shows impressive brand loyalty…
I am overly loyal sometimes, some would say I was mad to stick with Yamaha. Then again, bikes are bikes – sometimes they break down, and not everything goes to plan. When things do go wrong is when you can really get to the bottom of “dealer service” – find out how much they really care about their customers. Each time my bike went back their focus was on sorting the issue out, rather than debating whether or not the issue would be covered under warranty. It was a pain, I’m not denying that, but I never had cause to believe it was not going to get sorted in the end.
Which Yamaha dealer are we talking about here?
Woking Yamaha. I also purchased the Tracer there, and I have to say that they were great when sorting out my previous oil cooler issues. Highly recommended.
Are there any specific features or particular capabilities you were looking for when you chose this bike?
Shaft drive, all day comfort, touring capability, reliability.
Have you made any modifications or installed any accessories? Do you have any planned for the future?
The RAID edition of the Ténéré came with all of the extras I wanted as standard: tank bag, skid plate, panniers, a touring screen complete with wind deflectors, even a set of LED fog lamps. So for now I have nothing else planned!
Commuting, touring, TVAM Rides – the same sort of thing as before really. It’s a versatile bike, like the Tracer, but I’m finding I’m using it more.
Are there any particular features/aspects that you miss from your previous bike?
Yes…the 900cc triple in the Tracer really was superb. That being said, the 1200 twin in the Ténéré pulls like a train. The whole bike is so well planted at all speeds, and actually easier to ride at low speed than my last bike, and you only notice the weight when pushing it in and out of the garage.
What’s the one thing about your bike you would change if you could?
Drop a few kilos. If only bikes were like people and lost weight the harder you exercised them!
Nick Tasker was talking to Steve Dobson
First published in Slipstream August 2018
It with great sadness that Thames Vale Advanced Motorcyclists have to report that David Jacobi, Chairman of TVAM until last March, died on Wednesday 29th November after a short illness.
David, also a former Chief Observer, was a pivotal member of TVAM for many years and will be remembered for his Nurburgring trips with exclusive TVAM track days for 150+ riders back in 2009 and 2010. He organised a Slow Riding Competition in May this year where IAM examiners, staff and other Groups participated. He then ran yet another five day trip to Germany for the club in September.
David passed his IAM Advanced Bike test 40 years ago in October 1977 and ever since focussed his efforts into making the IAM and TVAM a success. He helped Bristol Advanced Motorcyclists create their ‘Super Sundays’, was a member of the IAM Regional Training team, and before that was involved with the RAC/ACU Training scheme.
His passion for all things motorcycling and organising flair will be sorely missed. David said many times, ‘It’s all about having fun’. The loss of such a vital member and friend to all will be greatly felt.
David was well known by many across the IAM family and we have been asked to pass on a request from the family for privacy at this difficult time.
Steve Parrish, ex motorcycle and truck racer, former team mate to Barry Sheene and now TV presenter has agreed to champion TVAM’s RideUP scheme. This sponsors young riders, under the age of 30, who passed their A2 test within the past 2 years to take their IAM RoadSmart Advanced Rider Course. The candidates also get to go on both the TVAM Advanced Braking and Cornering courses held on private roads. Finally on passing their advanced test they also get a free Track Skills Day, all paid for by the club. More details of the scheme and how to apply are at rideup.tvam.org.
Steve said, “There are many skills to riding well on the road. Some can be copied from watching riders on the race track but I know from having done both, many aren’t – including your lines through bends and dealing efficiently with traffic. RideUP is a brilliant scheme which will let you into the secrets of Advanced Riding and make you safer on the road.”
Andy Slater
Chairman
Many of us have breakdown cover to deal with those situations when things don’t go quite as planned. Most of us who ride bikes also know it’s important to ensure your cover includes recovery in case of an accident as, let’s face it, bikes tend to ‘fall over’ more often than cars do.
But imagine riding off to Wales with a mate when, almost exactly halfway through the journey, something unexpected happens. He gets off the bike with severe stomach cramps. Might it be the bacon butty eaten in Oxford before we set out? After a couple of hours it’s getting worse so maybe it’s something a bit more serious than trapped wind. Unable to mount the bike – let alone ride it – the only option is to call an ambulance so he can be assessed by the professionals.
Just 15 minutes after dialling 999 the Ambo turns up with a crew of three (maybe because they heard we were bikers) and, following an assessment of the patient, treatment in hospital is recommended. So, just 30 minutes later, off they go leaving me at the side of the road with two bikes, luggage, and a mate’s RAC recovery card in my hand which is when the ‘fun’ starts.
Having explained the situation to the RAC operator, it turns out they will not attend as the bike hasn’t been in an accident or broken down. Well, they would if we could get a letter or fax from the hospital confirming that the rider has been admitted. Hmm, bit difficult to imagine the NHS having time to produce such a document on a Friday afternoon, and besides, who would you call to get such a document anyway? Helpfully though, the RAC do offer to recover the bike – if we pay them. The cost? £88 plus £2 per mile, and that’s non-refundable even if we do eventually get a letter from the NHS.
So how would other breakdown companies react in this situation? I decided to make a few calls.
The AA
They have something called ‘Compassionate Recovery’ where, in these circumstances, they will attend and recover your bike. Depending on the level of cover you have they will even take it to your home or to an address anywhere in the UK that you request.
I asked if, as an AA member, they would have attended in the situation above as they cover the member, not the vehicle. So if you’re travelling in a mate’s car and it breaks down they will attend. Yes, it was confirmed they would have recovered my mate’s bike as I was there as the member and in need of help.
Green Flag
Having chatted online with one of their service agents they confirmed that they would recover your bike if taken ill by the roadside. You’d have to declare yourself ‘medically unfit’ which they would check when they arrived. However being carted off in an ambulance would satisfy them …..
BMW Emergency Service
Every new and approved pre-owned BMW gets the manufacturer’s breakdown cover as part of the warranty. In talking to them they confirmed that their breakdown service does not generally cover where the rider becomes incapacitated. They do though have discretion and in the situation I found myself in they would have attended to recover my bike if I was incapacitated, as it’s a BMW, but not my mate’s Honda! As the lady said, ‘We wouldn’t leave a BMW by the side of the road’. However if you drink too much in the pub at lunchtime I think you’re on your own to get home!
So are you covered?
If you became incapacitated by the side of the road, rather than your bike, how would your recovery company react? Would they attend and move your bike to secure storage or even take it home for you? It’s maybe worth phoning them and asking before that next trip, or before you renew.
I certainly won’t be joining the RAC anytime soon.
So what happened to Simon’s bike? Well, a very kind biker stopped in his car having seen the ambulance when they’d gone past earlier. They knew a local garage so went off to see if they would store it for us. Yes they would, so I rode it the mile to the garage whilst his good lady wife stayed on the side of the road with my bike and luggage and then he gave me a lift back.
So the biker community stood together whereas the RAC had failed its member. And you never know, perhaps it’s worth stopping, you may be able to help an unknown biker in distress.
As for Simon? As I write he’s currently sitting up in his hospital bed recovering from his operation. But that’s his story to tell….
Andy Slater
Chairman
Chair of TVAM, Andy Slater, was a guest on the Anne Diamond morning show this morning. He spoke about the differences of riding in the UK to France, road rage towards bikers, and also how we teach advanced riding skills at TVAM to help keep bikers safe.
You can here the piece at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p058msbj#play (2hrs and 19 mins into the programme).
We are pleased to announce that the first of the 20 young riders selected for their RideUP scheme has passed his IAM RoadSmart Advanced motorcycle test. The ‘RideUP’ scheme was launched in October 2016.
Paul McPherson, aged 28, is the first to successfully pass his test and will now go on to enjoy a fully paid-for track skills day at Thruxton in August.
The RideUP Scheme offers riders under the age of 30 who have passed their test within the past 2 years free unlimited on-the-road coaching to the advanced riding standard and free attendance on both advanced braking and advanced cornering courses, both held on private roads. On passing their test they also get a free track skills day on a closed race circuit.
Paul said “The training I received during this course is invaluable in making me a safer rider. I’ve learnt skills that I wouldn’t even have discovered by just riding on the roads by myself. The coaching provided by TVAM is first class and I’d definitely recommend it for any bike rider who’s just got their license.”
Andy Slater, Chairman TVAM said, “The scheme aims to reduce accidents and injuries to one of the most vulnerable groups of riders, those who are young, inexperienced and have perhaps recently bought their first powerful machine. Whilst motorcyclists are just 1% of total road traffic, they unfortunately account for 21% of all road user deaths.”
The RideUP scheme will open for 2017 applications later this summer. Details can be found at www.rideup.tvam.org.
Lois came to speak to TVAM on Wednesday 12th April in her usual ebullient manner and gave us a very entertaining and informative evening about her time in Iran, with the overriding emphasis on the wonderful hospitality of its people. A good turnout from the club, with a few partners and offspring attending. In fact, I brought my cousin who isn’t a biker but was fascinated to hear her stories and totally admired her spirit of adventure and bravado. For those who missed it, you can still get a taste by buying her new book Revolutionary Ride (which many of us did) and experience second-hand the country of Iran from the perspective of a westerner, a female and a motorcyclist. www.loisontheloose.com
This month we have Oliver King, one of our RideUp candidates, and his shiny red Yamaha.
So Oliver, what make and model of bike are we looking at here?
A Yamaha MT07.
And how long have you had this bike?
Since September 2016, so about 5000 miles.
Was this purchased new then?
Yes, brand new. I bought it through Yamaha finance, over three years, my first bike
And what made you choose that particular bike?
For a start, the size was quite a big thing. I’ve sat on larger bikes and always hated the weight of them, and so I chose that one because of weight and size. And secondly because it was less expensive than a lot of other bikes, like your Street Triple for example, which I did look at. I also looked at a KTM 390 but I went with Yamaha for reliability as well, it’s a good name. And it looked awesome!
Why did you decide to go new rather than used?
Mainly because of the finance. I couldn’t put six grand up front in one big bulk payment, and it would’ve taken me about two years to build up that amount of cash to put down on a first bike. I know I’m going to have it for a long time, so I thought if I’m going to be the first owner, all the mods I put on it will be mine.
So you weren’t tempted to look at something like a ten-year-old SV650, for example? Because you could probably get one of those for £2k…
No, I wasn’t tempted. I did look at second-hand bikes, but I thought, it’s my first bike, and I love the cool bikes that are coming out at the moment, and I didn’t want some knackered old thing. I’d probably buy a second-hand car, but a bike is my own, this one’s always been mine, all the things I’ve put on it are for me. No one else has done anything, they’re all my miles.
So which dealer did you pick this Yamaha up from?
There’s one in Ipswich called Orwell Motorcycles, they’re a Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha dealership. They do loads of bikes, but there is a dealer in Bury St Edmunds, which is actually where I live, who also sell Yamahas, but the customer service was awful. I was immediately put off and drove to Ipswich and bought a bike from Orwell instead. It’s the same bike, same offer, it’s just they were much friendlier, so I bought from them.
That’s a strong incentive to prioritise the customer service if there ever was one!
Yes, exactly!
You talked about making modifications to your bike, what have you done so far?
The first thing I did was add the LED indicators, to be brighter. I put them on the finance with the bike, and the dealer stuck them on before I got it. I changed the coloured side panels on the front mudguard, they used to be red, I changed those to be black so it’s just the tank that is red. Then I added the Akropovic exhaust, which completely changes it. I went straight home and pulled the baffle out and started it up. I immediately regretted the decision but couldn’t figure out how to put the baffle back in, so I just carried on! I’m glad I kept it out in the end, but going from a stock exhaust to an Akropovic with the baffle out was quite a big jump, so…
You may want to dig that one out for when MOT time comes!
Exactly…
Have you got any further modifications planned for the future?
A radiator guard, I’d quite like to get one to protect the radiator.
How come, why do you feel it needs protecting?
There’s a lot of grit in it, it’s a pain to clean it. Also talking to the guys here, lots of them say a radiator guard is a good idea, because it can get damaged quite easily. And then, a windscreen.
I take it you’re planning on doing some longer distance trips on it then?
Yeah, heading to Belgium with an Austrian friend who’s got a KTM, a 690 Supermoto. So I need to kit it out with touring bits rather than street stuff. A windscreen is probably what I need for sixty-plus miles an hour.
Is there anything in particular you don’t like about your new bike?
I don’t like the pipes that run from the water pump to the radiator, because they corrode really quickly. It’s not even a year old and they’re really quite damaged. It comes with the price really but I know it’s a problem that Yamaha will fix for free under warranty. The dealer told me about it and recommended things like ACF50. I was riding it all through winter, even through the snow, and that’s probably why it’s started corroding. But that’s probably the only thing that’s bugged me.
And you say your dealer’s already agreed to replace those pipes under warranty?
Yes. They say it’s a known problem with the MT-07, and those pipes in particular. Often they’ll paint them for you, just part of the dealership service rather than direct from Yamaha. They said otherwise you’ll just keep coming back wanting them replaced.
But other than that you’re pleased with your choice so far?
Absolutely. It’s a first bike. I’ve ridden two other bikes; a 50cc supermoto which was awful, and the bike I learned on for my test, so I don’t have much to compare it to.
No plans to change it any time soon then?
No, absolutely not.
Nick Tasker was interviewing Oliver King
Nick Tasker was interviewing Oliver King.
April 2019
Welcome to Rider’s Rides! Each month we’ll feature a TVAM member and their bike, talk about why they chose that model, what they use it for, as well as what they like and dislike about it. Want to see your bike featured? Get in touch at pressofficer@slipstream.org
This month we have our Chief Observer Pat Coneley and his KTM:
So what bike are we looking at here?
A KTM Superduke GT.
And what does the GT stand for?
Well, it’s the kind of touring version of the Superduke. The original Superduke was a naked bike – same engine, same frame, slightly lighter. With the GT they’ve engineered some integral panniers, giving it some touring capability. They’re styled with the bike, and as panniers go, they look pretty good. They’re not huge like those on a GS, but they’re big enough. Fortunately they only have to cater for one as Amanda has her own bikes. She carries her stuff, I carry mine.
How long have you had the bike?
I bought it last May, so around ten months – 13,000 miles.
Did it replace another bike or is this an addition to the garage?
Replacement. I already had a KTM, an 1190 Adventure, for three years. I think I put 36,000 miles on it. I don’t really have any off-road aspirations, so other than a few rocky tracks abroad on holiday it was only ever a tarmac bike. I figured why not try something a little bit more road focused with a smaller front wheel? I don’t particularly like bigger front wheels, find them a bit vague. KTM launched the GT, I tried it, and that was it, I fell in love.
What in particular is it that draws you to KTMs?
Well, if you cut me in half I don’t exactly bleed orange. I’ve had Honda’s, Suzuki’s, quite a range of bikes, but I like V-Twins, I like the power delivery, that punch, and I like the fact that they’re very slim-waisted, which my older ZX-9R was not. I like that slimness, both from a handling point of view, and from a filtering point of view. I like lighter bikes, and while the GT looks pretty big and heavy, it isn’t. It’s not that much more than 200kg dry, so 230kg fully fuelled, and it’s quite a big tank.
And 170 horsepower…
Apparently!
Do you agree that the safety nets on modern high-end bikes are a reflection of a rider demographic that no longer has the strength or skill to handle these increasingly powerful machines?
I do think it’s a factor. Manufacturers are being encouraged to produce bikes of such power that the only way that we can make them rideable for inexperienced riders is to inhibit them electronically, to which you could argue, well why do we bother? I know I’m riding one, but why do we need a 170bhp bike if it needs electronics to reign it in? I made reference to my ZX-9R, that was an old-style full-fat sportsbike; it didn’t even know which gear you were in! If you were daft enough to ask for it, it would give you 140bhp in first gear, which would loop it. The traction control was just my right hand and brain, and there’s something nice about that.
Many bike magazines praise traction control and ABS as a great way to enable us to ride faster than ever on roads, while others dislike them for encouraging people to rely upon the computer too much. What’s your view?
I think anything that makes bikes safer is a good thing. My view is that we ought to develop the skill to not need these things, but developing that skill safely could be quite a hazardous process. Within TVAM we encourage people to develop the skills stage by stage in a supportive learning environment with courses like Look Lean Roll and Advanced Braking. But to put an article in a magazine and then suggest to people they then go out and try all, that is probably not a good thing, and not very responsible.
So they may be good training wheels then?
Yes. And by the same token, if the planning does go wrong, if there suddenly is something in front of you, a truck coming the other way, and instinct tells you just to grab a handful…ABS can be a real lifesaver.
So which dealer got your business in this case?
Premier Bikes in Didcot. I’ve known them for quite a long time, and they’ve been brilliant. And what I liked about them is that they’re very straight. When KTM introduced the 1190 Adventure it was a new bike to them, and what really impressed me was that they were completely honest if they didn’t know the answers to my questions. That gave me a lot of faith in their workshop, which I still have. They’ve been brilliant.
Have you had any technical problems or anything with this Superduke or previous Adventure that needed it to go back to the dealer?
I’ve had a number of recalls as with a lot of bikes, but nothing that stopped me on the road. A couple of punctures, but I don’t blame KTM for that! Some niggling things, like the horn – KTM horns seem famous for not working when they’re hot. They’ve had the pin on the side stand, the bit you hook your foot on – they’ve had a number of those fall out. In fact, mine as well, but that’s not a particularly big deal, they sent me a new one and I screwed it in.
Have you installed any additional accessories or made any modifications to the bike since you bought it?
I put the Satnav mount on it, I put wiring in for heated gear, and that’s about it. There’s the Givi tankbag, but I quite like keeping bikes standard. I’m not a great fan of loud cans, I find them tiring. They sound fantastic when you hear one go by, but if you’re riding it for 300 miles it can get a bit wearing! And the standard exhaust on the GT, it’s got quite a nice sound.
This is obviously more of a road bike than your 1190 Adventure was. Have you found that riding the Superduke GT has changed your riding style in any way?
Yes, slightly. The weight distribution is probably the same as most bikes, but I’ve found it’s shorter, so if I’m snugged up to the tank I’m quite close to the front end. I find it easier to go deep into a bend, counter steer it hard and gas it out, and it encourages that kind of riding. On the Adventure I was a bit more planned about things; I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing, but it’s an awful lot of fun!
And the handling is phenomenal; a very easy bike to turn, which translates into some benefits. I can get the bike leaned quicker, so I’ll often find I don’t need to lean it as much, and corners are about average lean rather than maximum lean. You see riders who tend to turn the bike very slowly because they lean their body, so they bring the lean on quite slowly, which means you’ve often got to lean it over quite a long way to get around a corner.
Is there anything you miss from the Adventure?
I can’t do 250 miles between fill-ups, but I don’t have a 250 mile bladder range, so…
What are the least favourite aspects of your GT?
Cleaning it? Like most naked bikes it’s a sod to clean! But you can get in to most of it, it just takes a while. And it’s better than the 1190 – the Adventure had spoked wheels, I don’t know if you’ve ever had a bike with spoked wheels?
Yeah, I avoid them like the plague for that exact reason.
The Superduke has got cast wheels, and they’re quite a nice rounded shape so it’s easier to keep clean than the Adventure was. And the ignition key’s a fiddle to get at with the tank bag on. Unlike most bikes where it’s in the steering head, here it’s set further back in an infill panel in the tank. It’s only a tiny thing but it is a fiddle.
So far you’re pleased with the bike then?
Yeah, it still makes me smile, still makes me laugh after ten months.
Nick Tasker was interviewing Pat Coneley
First published in Slipstream March 2017
The London Motorcycle Show is the one I almost never think I’ll attend. Coming just a couple of short months after the trinity of Intermot, EICMA and Motorcycle Live, it’s always going to suffer a little bit from show-fatigue. Whereas the big European events give you the chance to see the latest machinery just days after the press, and Motorcycle Live is the one everyone goes to because it doesn’t require international travel, the London show doesn’t usually offer anything you haven’t seen before.
And yet, after spending the coldest, darkest, and these days, wettest months, either fighting the weather on the way to work or wistfully dreaming of drier days to come, it’s easy to see why so many of us jump at the chance to nip into town and spend another whole day fantasising about what two-wheeled wonder we’ll certainly save up for next.
This year I had an additional motive for attending. Two female friends of Rosa and myself, one prepping for her CBT and the other considering a return to biking after many years away, would be joining us. Bringing two newcomers to a modern motorcycle show must be like taking a pair of children to Disneyland for the first time. They want to look at everything, sit on everything, and ask questions about everything. And the excitement is infectious.
Some of us have been riding so long that we can take the basics for granted, but to these two, Suzuki’s new GSX-S125 was the most exciting thing they’d seen in years. Do any of you remember shopping for your first helmet or gloves? Turns out it’s pretty damn exciting.
It was also interesting attending a motorcycle show with three short women, particularly after Louise Dickinson’s seminar at the Observer Training Day on the challenges finding small, light bikes for those significantly shorter than six feet tall. I led the procession through the various manufacturer stands, pointing out the bikes I thought they might find interesting, or at least useable.
And you know, it’s funny – if you spend a day ignoring the high-powered exotica and focus on the smaller stuff you realise that the 200-500cc class has really exploded in recent years, both in choice and quality. I remember ignoring bikes like the Kawasaki Ninja 250 when I was learning to ride. It was cheap and nasty, both aesthetically and in workmanship.
But the new Ninja and Z300s are as premium as you like, with quality paint, fittings and parts. Ignore the obvious power deficit and the KTM Duke 390 gives up precious little on its bigger brothers, and Yamaha’s new R3 and MT-03 twins are clearly designed to instill as much pride of ownership as any R1 or MT-10. What’s more, weights are down and power is way up compared to the older generation of post-test tedium. These machines are pushing 44 horsepower at the top end, while barely weighing twice that of the average rider. You tell me that doesn’t sound like fun!
Even better, if you’ve spent the last few years coming to the conclusion that £10,000 is the new normal for large-capacity all-rounders, discovering that you could buy two 300cc bikes with change to spare is a revelation, and a real threat to one’s impulse control. PCP payments on bikes that cheap are barely more than the average phone bill…
This is really great news for Rosa and her friends. None of them are scared of speed or power, but it isn’t anywhere near as attractive to them as low weight, seat height and price. The fact that there’s more choice than ever for shorter riders can only be good news for all of us. I’ve never been more optimistic about the future of biking than seeing how surprised and excited these women were at discovering that motorcycling wasn’t just for tall, rich men.
And then MCN almost went and ruined the whole thing by showing up with a bunch of stick-thin models in skin-tight lycra, posing for photographs around their booth. Not a great way to make my female friends feel like they were welcome at the two-wheeled party. It was almost enough to make them want to cross the hall to the bicycle and fitness show instead, where women are treated as customers rather than eye candy.
But all in all, it was a great day out, for us and our friends. One has her new helmet, the other has fallen in love with Triumph’s new T100, and I’m trying to figure out if I could squeeze a Kawasaki Z300 in the garage. It is Rosa’s birthday soon…
Nick Tasker
The sun was (nearly) shining on Sunday for the February St. Crispin’s meeting but the warmer weather brought members out, with 240 bikes in the car park and 8 first timers welcomed by the Meet & Greet team.
Spring could be a few weeks off yet but the popular Green Team social ride set off to Goodwood for coffee with a stop at Loomies on the way back.
As the National Observer programme continues we had three new NOs joining the test passes and a new Local Observer on stage to collect their new badges.
Next month is the AGM where snacks will be provided before the start.
Introducing a new feature here in Slipstream: Rider’s Rides! Each month we’re going to feature a TVAM member and their bike, talk about why they chose that model, what they use it for, as well as what they like and dislike about it.
Want to see your bike featured? Get in touch with Nick Tasker at pressofficer@slipstream.org
This month we have Kathy Drogemuller and her new Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883:
So Kathy, how long have you had this particular bike?
2 weeks and 90 miles!
So it’s new then! Why replace your previous Sportster?
My bike was beginning to look a bit tired. It was at 20,000 miles and was due a service. Both mudguards were beginning to rust and needed to be fixed and I’d had a small ‘off’ in the summer which left a few scrapes and scratches (on me and the bike!). Coming home from the last 7Ws, Dawn Armstrong was travelling behind me and had to stop to pick up the heat shield from my exhaust, which had fallen off. But probably the biggest reason was that I’d been riding the SERV bikes and found the FJR an absolute dream to handle – you only have to think about going around a corner and before you know it you’re gliding round smoothly. I was beginning to realise that perhaps my riding was limited by my bike.
I don’t think I’d be able to keep up with you on an FJR, but I see you went with HD again…
I am still a dedicated HD fan – I love the rumble and there is a kind of kinship (for better or worse) between HD riders, maybe because we have to put up with so much teasing from other bikers. For me there’s also an emotional connection to the brand after I lost a friend who was a Harley rider (not in an accident I should add).
It’s true; nothing looks or sounds quite like a Harley! But presumably there were some specific features you were looking for this time around?
I wanted a tank size that would allow me to travel more than 70 miles in one go – that effectively discounted the forty-eight range – and more ground clearance. Often, on cornering, my pegs would scrape the road surface. Whilst a good indicator of whether I still had room to lean over, it tended to be a bit of a distraction.
I’d agree that most Harleys aren’t suited to more progressive riding! Which lucky dealership got your business this time then?
I visited the Reading dealer one sunny Saturday to do some test riding. Budget was a bit of a consideration as anything over £10k would probably lead to my husband filing for divorce (although I would argue that divorce is much more costly than a mere £10,000) so that discounted a number of models. I also wasn’t too sure at that stage how much I would be offered as part-exchange for my current bike.
Did you try anything else or go straight for the Iron?
I took out the 1200T, but found it rode as low as my Sportster, plus it was equipped with windscreen and panniers which added to the cost but didn’t really add to the style. I also tried the forty-eight, but the peanut-size tank just wasn’t going to be up to the job. Next I tried the Iron. It definitely has higher ground clearance than the Sportster and I felt quite comfortable sat astride it. I took one out for a ride and an hour later returned to the shop with a big grin on my face. I felt like Steve McQueen on this raw machine. Not the dream handling of the FJR but far easier than my Sportster.
Were you at all tempted by the extra power of the 1200 Sportsters?
There was a used one on the shop floor which had stage 4 upgrades fitted. The salesman seemed was very reluctant to let me take it out. Perhaps he thought I wasn’t serious? Eventually I was allowed a brief spin around the block and – to be honest – that was all I needed. I cautiously pulled out of the dealer car park and it was just as well I did as even then the front wheel was trying to lift. It was certainly peppy! It turned out to be too much really and felt as if I were riding a wild pony on caffeine.
Were they any more cooperative when you fished out your credit card?
I’d been given a trade-in price of £2700 for my Sportster and told that there was probably room to move on the ticket price of a new Iron, but I would need to come in and sit with the salesman and big bad John, his boss. They were expecting a shipment at the end of November but there was only one black ordered for the whole of the south and it was likely to go pretty fast – the sales talk was beginning to creep in but I wasn’t in a rush. A few emails and phone calls passed between the salesman and I as he encouraged me to come in to meet with John. But still there was no definitive price cut.
Then one afternoon I decided to see what else might be on offer and called the Harley dealer in Guildford. The salesman there said he had a 2016 demo Iron with just under 600 miles on the clock in charcoal. Was I interested? Within 20 minutes I had secured £800 off the full list price, been offered an additional £300 trade-in on my Sportster and the first 1000 mile service included in the exchange. £500 deposit and the bike was sold! I later mused over the fact that I had just bought a bike I hadn’t even seen – but then so had the dealer.
Sounds like a heck of a deal! But the salesman surely didn’t let you get away without selling you some accessories?
No. I added a smokey-grey windscreen and a black luggage rack to the order. Before the exchange, and with the kind assistance of the guys at Mel’s Motors, removed some of the extras I’d added over the last 3 years of Harley ownership. The weather was beginning to turn cooler so I was very keen to keep possession of the heated glove connection, in particular.
It has certainly been very cold and wet. Did you brave the elements yourself or get it delivered?
When told that the parts were in and fitted, I took my old bike for one last ride to Guildford to seal the deal. Paperwork completed and road tax paid for online, I was heading home with just as big a grin as I had experienced the first time I rode the Iron.
Sounds like you’re enjoying it! What’s your favourite aspect of the new bike?
The digital control display, which shows revs and which gear you have selected. I also like the position and design of the handlebars which are not as chopper-like as my previous bike. Also the higher ground clearance!
Any future modifications, accessories or upgrades planned?
I might opt for the stage one upgrade (although not necessarily with the pipes) as I’m told that might give me slightly better performance.
What sort of riding do you plan to do?
TVAM trips at home and abroad.
And so far, are you pleased with your purchase?
Yes, thrilled!
Nick Tasker was interviewing Kathy Drogemuller
First published in Slipstream February 2017
A few years ago I found myself commuting about
an hour each way through the winter and, as the weather got colder, I started to think about electric-heated jackets. Something all heated jackets seem to have in common is that they’re quite expensive, and I’m a skinflint. A bit of internet searching found a few people who’d made their own (one of the better write-ups being by a chap called Ken Hastie whose website seems to be no more) and so a project was born.
First a bit of theory
Ohms law: V = I x R (volts = current x resistance)
Joules law: P = I2 x R (power = current squared x resistance)
Hastie had gone for 65W, but I felt that was a bit high compared to jackets you could buy so decided to aim for 55W. A bit of maths gets us R=V2/P, and my TDM 900 puts out around 14.6V, so I needed the jacket to have a resistance of about 3.8 ohms to get my 55 watt target.
A roll of 30 AWG wire from RS came to £17 delivered. This is supposed to be between 0.3 and 0.4 ohms per metre. I could have bought cheaper wire but I used the Teflon-coated stuff which is good to 200 degrees C and should be a lot tougher than a normal plastic-coated wire. I cut a 12m length, measured the resistance with a multimeter, then worked out that 10.5 metres should give me about the right resistance.
A lot of the people I’d found online had built the element into their jacket liner but, not wanting to risk damaging my liner (and not knowing the melting point of Gore-Tex), I found a cheap sleeveless fleece in M&S for £15. I laid out the wire using tape to hold it in position to start with then, when I’d worked out where it all needed to go, I marked it up with a felt tip and spent a couple of evenings practising my needlework. I went for a similar layout to Hastie, a vertical pattern spaced about 2” apart with an extra horizontal loop at the base to allow me to line it all up correctly at the end.
The wires end in the right hand pocket, where they’re soldered to a thicker cable which pokes through the fabric, I’ve then used a standard DC power connector to join it to a longer cable with a DIN plug on the other end to plug into the bike. The idea being, if I forget to unplug it the inline connector should come apart without damaging anything, plus when I get off the bike and wander off I don’t have several feet of cable trailing on the ground. I wanted to use a 5mm connector like the ones used by most laptops but couldn’t find an inline socket so settled for a standard 2.5mm. In hindsight I should have gone for something like an SAE connector as I’m on the upper limit of the capacity of the 2.5mm one.
Once finished I measured the resistance of the whole thing as 3.7 Ohms, which works out at about 57 Watts, and 3.9A. Increased resistance with temperature means at 40 degrees this drops to about 52W, although I’ve never measured the temperature. I fitted a DIN socket inside the left faring of my bike, with an on/off switch on the dash. My auxiliary electrics are all on a switched line with a 15A fuse, but I’ve also put a 7.5A fuse on the line to the left-hand socket.
My first test ride was at 9 degrees and I had to turn it off at town speeds as I was getting too hot. At higher speeds it was like leaning on a radiator. I decided to add the extra 1.5m of wire I’d cut from my initial resistance test back in, which dropped it to a much more useable 50W. Having never tried a heated jacket before I don’t know why I didn’t do this years ago, the difference is fantastic. Keeping my core temperature up keeps my hands and feet warmer and makes winter riding a much more pleasurable experience. It did a magnificent job of keeping me warm all winter, including the morning I found a car on its roof having slid off the road on sheet ice.
I still think it’s a little warmer than it needs to be though, so I still often turn it off at lower speeds. I did a write-up on it on the TDM owners forum and someone pointed out that you can buy 10A DC motor controllers on e-bay for under a fiver. These are pulse width modulators that give you a lower power by rapidly switching the voltage on and off. The pulse duration, and therefore jacket temperature, is controlled by a rotary dial that could easily be fitted on the dash.
However I finished that job and spent the next winter commuting 9 miles instead, so the jacket now only sees occasional use and I’ve not got as far as fitting the PWM. The jacket’s still going strong though and as it’s currently 4 degrees and sunny I think I might be about to get an outing this morning.
Total cost was about £35 plus a couple of evenings of my time, but I only used half the wire so it’s only really cost me £27 with enough wire left to make a jacket for the wife if she ever starts winter commuting on her bike.
Chris Gray
Last November I sat down with my Associate for a run debrief over a cup of tea in the Fox and Hounds. We got talking about his day/night job as a Police Sergeant stationed at Bracknell. I mentioned to him that one of my ambitions in life was to ride in a police car with lights and sirens going in a high-speed chase. I didn’t think much of it until Peter said, “No worries, I’ll sort the paperwork out and be in touch”. Well, true to his word, a few weeks later I heard from Thames Valley Police asking which dates I’d like to go and that they would run background checks to make sure I wasn’t some kind of unsavoury character!
One of the dates given was New Year’s Eve. In my younger days I was more likely to be in the back rather than the front of a police car on that date, but these days with a young son, I’m more likely to be on the sofa with Jools Holland and a beer. I turned up eager as a beaver for 4.30pm at Bracknell Police Station to be greeted by my Associate. I came prepared with a large tin of biscuits which went down well with the other 12 officers. We started with a team brief video linked with Loddon Valley station, as between them they cover parts of Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell and the outskirts. After a rundown of all the bad people to look out for and 999 calls they’ve logged, we were out doing the P.O.W.D.E.R checks on the car.
I was paired up with my Associate. His Sergeant role is to lead and support his officers in Bracknell. We started the evening patrolling the streets of Bracknell in our trusty Astra (with a bit of a shuddery reverse gear) listening to the radio for various calls coming in about dodgy BMW driving and 125’s without lights.
My ambition was finally fulfilled at 8pm when we put on the blue flashing lights and sped out of Bracknell and down the A329M on the look-out for a Mini that had nearly hit a police van and then failed to stop. Tucking into a layby near St Crispin’s School we lay in wait but sadly it evaded us this time. Fortunately, a few hours later, one of the team in an unmarked car found the Mini driving around erratically and the chase ensued. Other traffic units from Reading got involved and we excitedly parked up on J11 motorway bridge waiting for the car to come past us and be pulled. Travelling at a dangerously slow 40mph on the motorway the Mini finally pulled into Reading Services for fuel and was apprehended. So no stingers or high-speed stopping manoeuvres this time, but still really interesting to listen in on how everyone pulls together.
You may be thinking what has all this got to do with our bike club? Well, other than an extremely interesting night for myself, I wanted to write a small piece on what an excellent job the police do in protecting our lives. If you ever have to call them I’ve seen first-hand how quickly they react and with such professionalism. I’ve also attended Bike Safe courses as I’m sure many of you have, and they always recommend joining TVAM. The Observer core are trained by ex or serving Police riders and the National Observers are examined by ex-police riders. All in all, the Police are involved with us, and I for one feel safer because of it.
If you are interested in becoming a Civilian Observer and wearing a rather fetching fluorescent jacket for the night, this is something that the Police offer to the general public. Go to their website to find out more. Just don’t ring 999 for information, or quick as a flash, you could end up with 3 police cars outside your house!
Andy Boudier
After a few more jobs called ‘immediates’, which involve charging round the roads on blues and twos getting to the destination as fast as is safe to do so, it was really clear to see the similarities between advanced bike riding and police response driving. Obviously, we, the general public aren’t permitted to go over the speed limit or pass through red lights gaining a clear vision line which is absolute key to making progress. It was also amazing how many drivers didn’t know what to do when a siren approached them and just stopped in stupid places.
The night got even more exciting when we were called out to a dodgy estate at 3am where a man known to the police had been reported trying to run over a woman. When we arrived there was an abandoned car which had hit a bollard and had blood over the steering wheel. The police where doing a great job managing the scene, talking to witnesses who also claimed this guy had threatened to burn down a house. An operation to apprehend the suspect was put in place but unfortunately for me this was a job for the next shift. I returned back to the station for a debrief and an interesting insight into the police crime database.
It seems that the world is changing faster than we think. With technology in electric vehicles constantly getting better, owning an electric vehicle is becoming more viable by the day. On my daily commute, I see more and more fully electric cars. I first became aware of Zero motorcycles while I was in the Netherlands. I saw the advertisement at a local motorcycle dealer and thought “that’s cool” but like most people we still believe that electric vehicles “are just not that useful”. How wrong I was!
Going on the Zero motorcycles website, I found that they had a few authorised dealers in the UK so I thought I would give it a go. I chose to go for the Zero DSR (Duel Sport Rider), the biggest of the range.
Engine:
The Zero DSR has a 775-amp Z-force motor that utilises powerful magnets producing 67bhp and a whopping 146mn of net torque over the speed range. For comparison, a BMW R1200GS produces around 124nm of torque at 6000rpm. Compared to previous motorcycles from Zero the DSR delivers 43% more torque and 17% more power.
Ride Quality:
The Zero DSR is just so easy to ride. It takes a little bit of getting used to the power delivery and not having a clutch lever or gear lever, but it’s light and agile, and all the weight is low down with the motor and battery, but no big heavy fuel tank on the top with fuel sloshing about. It feels absolutely solid and planted in the corners. The Showa suspension really eats up the pot holes and, being a dual sport bike, would be more than capable of going down some dirt tracks. The braking is a little soft, using its large 320mm disk, and not as progressive as I like but, with Bosch ABS as standard, is perfectly adequate. The huge torque from the motor is very noticeable making overtakes a breeze and getting to national speed easy.
Build Quality:
The bike feels solid and secure and built to last. There is quite a bit of plastic but it all feels of good quality, the bike felt well thought out. There is a nice black powder-coated aluminium frame and the handlebars have a very familiar feel of Renthal bars. On the fake tank where you would have the fuel cap there is a bin with a hard neoprene box that you could store your charging cable, however it’s only held in by Velcro and really seems like they did not put much effort into this part of the bike.
Equipment:
The bike comes with Bosch anti-lock brakes and Pirelli tyres as standard but you can also have an additional power tank fitted which will add an extra 3.3kWh to the standard 13kWh. The dash is functional and easy to read even in direct sunlight, and gives you all the information you require including what riding program you are in – Sport, Eco or Custom. You can also connect to your motorcycle using your phone giving you a more in-depth insight into the motorcycle, such as the state of charge, time to a full charge, and you can even edit the motorcycle’s custom riding mode.
Conclusion:
The Zero DSR is the future that will soon be knocking on our doors, but right now the battery technology still needs to improve – the DSR has a range of about 150 miles with charge time of about 8 hours using a standard household plug. So, for a daily commute it is perfect, but for a day out around the twisties you might run out of puff before lunch. You can use extra chargers from Zero that will bring your charge time down to around 2 hours but still the technology is not there for touring. The on-the-road price is £14,000, which is quite expensive for a second motorcycle. The DSR and electric motorcycles are a taste of the future here and now, but for the average rider, it’s not quite there yet.
Kurt Henney
Photos © zero motorcycles
First published in Slipstream February 2017
On Wednesday evening, over 70 Associates, Full Members, TOb’s, Observers and even a prospective member, crammed into a small meeting room at the Coppid Beech Hotel in Bracknell to hear Shaun Cronin talk about the latest developments occurring at the IAM – now of course ‘IAM RoadSmart’.
Shaun covered the rebranding and why this was necessary, the development of standards, and also new schemes being introduced in the coming months. One of these may mean that Associates could gain full membership via a modular style of learning rather than a single test ride at the end of their training. Groups such as TVAM could elect to administer such a scheme which sparked some discussion on standards, impartiality, etc. This will be discussed further at the Observer Day next month.
There was also a discussion on the Masters and how this sets a highest civilian riding standard against which any Full Member could test themselves – Observer or not.
Published: 27 November 2016 in MCN
By Alison Silcox
Office manager and centre of the MCN universe
What a cracking way to round off my year of riding the Harley-Davidson Street 750, I’ve just passed my IAM Advanced riding test and I’m pretty chuffed.
I took ownership of the Street 750 in March and decided I wanted to spend the year improving my riding skills and thought that studying for the IAM Advanced riding test would be an ideal way to do this. I’d met observer, Alie Ball, at a track day in 2015 and we’d hit it off, so, rather than join my local group I joined the Thames Vale Advanced Motorcyclist group. It wasn’t quite as convenient as riding locally but did mean that when Alie and I met for our monthly rides we spent a full day of riding.
At £149 it’s quite an investment but one I was happy to make. The fee covered membership to the IAM and all the observed rides I needed to prepare for my test plus the test.
I’m a competent rider but thought taking this course would enhance my skills further. Reading through the IAM Advanced Motorcycling Guide book, one of the first sections covers the ‘system.’ Sounds a bit dull but once riding with Alie I started to put into practice the systematic approach to riding. It soon became clear that riding in this manner gives more time to react to hazards and it became second nature as the weeks passed. Combining this with other riding skills including overtaking, filtering and slow speed work, it was a very comprehensive course.
On test day it was great to be riding the Street 750, with 8,000 miles under my belt this year I’m really comfortable and confident on the bike. My tester for the day, Andy McManus, commented with the slightly feet forward riding position, how easy it was to watch my feet for gear changes and use of the rear brake. He also commended me on my steering, even though the Street 750 is the smallest Harley in the range it’s still cumbersome when steering and on tighter bends can be quite difficult. I was really pleased to round off my year of riding with, to quote Andy, a “good solid pass”.
