South East Biker, Issue 27 June-July 2013

The South East’s No.1

Free bike magazineIssue 27: June-July 2013

www.southeastbiker.co.ukJoin us: south east biker magazine @southeastbiker

REVIEWS • FEATURES • EVENTS • SPORTS

RIDER PROFILE

Sam CoventryCOMPANY PROFILE

K&S RacingJACKET REVIEW

RichaMontana

Going Green with a Zero

Machine

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk 3

STARTING GRID

WhERE cAN yOU FINd SEB MAgAzINE?South East Biker (SEB) Magazine is delivered to selected motorcycle outlets and businesses across Sussex, Surrey, Kent, London, Essex, Middlesex, Berkshire, Hampshire and Dorset. See page 46 for listings.

We are increasing our circulation every month, so if you missed your copy then subscribe for just £9 per annum and we will post you a copy direct to your door so you will never miss an issue ever again. Just email: [email protected].

www.southeastbiker.co.ukMAKING CONTACTADVERTIsINg Debbie Tunstill & gENERAL Tel: 01892 610808 ENQUIRIEs: Email: [email protected] South East Biker, Wirral Acre, Eridge Road, Crowborough, East Sussex. TN6 2SPEDITOR & PUBLISHER: Nick Tunstill, email: [email protected]: dean cook, email: [email protected]: Evon Print, Henfield, Sussex© 2013 South East Biker (SEB) Magazine is an independent title and does not endorse the products or services that appear in the magazine. Opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily represent those of the editor or of South East Biker magazine. Reproduction of content is strictly prohibited without prior written approval from the editor or publisher.

COVER IMAGE: Grindlay Peerless 500cc 1929 courtesy of www.carphoto.co.uk

The May Day run this year actually saw the sun appear for a change and that certainly bought out a great deal of the South’s two (and three) wheelers. It

has become the Southern bikers’ annual pilgrimage, marking the beginning of summer, longer evenings and “leisurely “ ride outs. The event is starting to attract more traders and businesses as well, which makes the whole trip more worthwhile. Whilst strolling around, checking out the motorbikes I thought I would see how many standard machines I could find. Virtually none, not a surprise, but imagine if the proposed EU legislation had gone through regarding after market parts and modifications. It does make you wonder what planet these politicians live on. How could this possibly have been monitored? Personally, the sooner we leave the EU the better and we may have a bit more control of our motorcycling (and general) destiny.

Well, rant over and onto the June issue of SEB. After some fine work on our behalf, Paddy Tyson has moved on from MAG and gone travelling. Luckily enough the new National Chairman happens to be the South East Region Representative, John Mitchell. He has kindly agreed to carry on the regular MAG contributions but with a regional slant. Great news for us motorcyclists in the South East.

Seb Bulpin gets us up to speed with BSB, Terry “the poisoner” tells of an arctic track day at Brands and Neil Allen starts his summer bike project. Will Willkins rides from Woolangong to Woolwich and we check out Halsmere Motorcycles’ exciting Zero electric bike range.

The events page is crammed full of stuff going on over the next couple of months and keep an eye on the website as well for a full list of exciting two wheeled related shenanigans!

All the best

Nick Tunstill

south east biker magazine @southeastbiker

4 Go Green and Clean

8 Richa Montana Jacket Review

10 All Bases Covered

14 Arctic Track Day

18 Rider Profile, Sam Coventry

20 Wollongong to Woolwich

26 Frontline News from MAG

28 Flat Out On A Flat Track

30 Evolutionary Paint Job

34 Choosing Your Weapon

36 Get on Track with SEB

38 Project TDR

43 Motorcycle Events

CONTENTS

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June-July 2013 • South East Biker Magazine4

GREEN RIDING

The range features an average power increase of 99 per cent and the world’s longest-range production electric motorcycle: the zero S,

capable of 137 miles in the city. The well known UK weekly motorcycle publication printed the first road test in early April, and gave it an impressive 4 out of 5 stars, pointing out it had more midrange punch that a ducati hyperStrada! I was lucky, I got to get the jump on all of those guys by riding the only 2013 dS in Europe just after christmas, and after being reminded “not to bin it” by zero’s dan Lynch as it was due to go back to holland for final evaluation. The first thing that I noticed was the much more chunky and purposeful design, looks good, and weighs little, a good recipe for fun, I hoped! So with keen anticipation I booted the zero up

(I guess that’s what you do with the world’s most advanced electric motorcycle!) I carefully pulled away, rode a mile or so just to get a feel for the machine; it feels like a motorcycle, a punchy one at that. I had read the torque figures, to put it into perspective, the figure we are dealing with is banded between a Yamaha TDM 900 and Yam’s own XJR1300.The real trick is marry that with a bike that weighs in like a 250 and you have a really quick tool that costs almost nothing to run. With that in mind, I go for the double car overtake and find myself grinning like a madman five cars later, it’s really like a 350 LC but in the power band almost the whole time, what a laugh! People will buy these to commute on, but I suspect they will be taking the long route to work, and with a range of up to 137 miles, why not! It was a very hard bike to give back to Dan, and to paraphrase Bike magazine, “It is also the most fascinating, exciting and original bike I have ridden in many years and the one I’m most upset to hand back at the end of the test.” Some Techy stuff that might interest you too, Zero designed a new Z-Force motor that is incredibly powerful while also highly efficient, passively air-cooled and compact. Integrated into every 2013 motorcycle, the motor operates using a new higher-voltage Z-Force power pack. Each Zero can now be charged to 95 percent in an hour or less using CHAdeMO charge stations by way of an optional

Zero Motorcycles, a leading manufacturer in the electric motorcycle industry, provided The 2013 Zero S Sport and Zero DS Dual Sport models for a road test in Spain. Mark Luckock was invited out to see the range.

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R 1100 RS/RT.Front Pads £101.49Front Discs and Pads £395.45Rear Pads £124.79Rear Disc and Pads £232.19

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K 1200 LT/GT/RS.Front Pads £117.10Front Discs and Pads £393.10Rear Pads £148.80Rear Disc and Pads £226.20

R 1200 GS/GSA (PRE 2008).Front Pads £131.76Front Discs and Pads £308.64Rear Pads £78.00Rear Disc and Pads £309.59

R 1200 RT (2005 MODEL ONLY).Front Pads £131.76Front Discs and Pads £308.64Rear Pads £78.00Rear Disc and Pads £309.59

BMW Motorrad recommended equipment is always a safe bet when it comes to keeping your motorcycle performing the way it’s intended. Not only does it offer superior product quality; it comes with a 2 year Manufacturer’s Worldwide Warranty.

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GREEN RIDING

accessory, or just plug in into a std 3 pin socket overnight or at work. (The bikes do the equivalent to over 500MPG!) Zero planned to begin initial deliveries of its 2013 range at the end of April, so you should be able to Demo one by now! (Call Haslemere Motorcycles on 01420 488290)

Nearly every element of each 2013 motorcycle has been refined, from innovative mobile phone integration to eye-catching styling. Using Bluetooth, riders can now sync their iPhone or Android mobile phones to see detailed motorcycle information and even adjust the performance characteristics of the bike. The 2012 Zero is great but the 13 is mad and like the 12 bike starts to become cheaper than owning a petrol motorcycle in less time than you would think. Even if you are a sceptic, although I’ve met fewer that I had expected, ride one and decide for yourself, your

eyes, like mine might just be opened! The Zero S and Zero DS both have new bodywork, which includes integrated storage in the “tank” area and a comfortable two-tier seat. Zero redesigned the frames for every model with an emphasis on improving rider ergonomics and expanding compatibility with aftermarket accessories.

Expect to pay between £6999 to £13499 for the Zero motorcycleshaslemere Motorcycles Petersfield road, Whitehill Bordon, gU35 9AR. Telephone: 01420 488290 or visit their website: www.haslemeremotorcycles.co.uk

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LEATHER JACKET REVIEW

8 June-July 2013 • South East Biker Magazine

After having my off a couple of seasons ago my leather jacket was pretty eaten up by the tarmac and was in need of a change,

but changing your trusty comfy old one can be a mine field. Buy the wrong one and you can be left with an uncomfortable jacket or poor quality.

I trolled around many trade shows and tried on most jackets available to ladies and even tried on a few men’s which was a bit out of desperation really. I knew what I wanted, a white jacket so it would stand out on track as well as on the road. Most ladies’ clothing is either pink or black and if you are a regular reader you know I don’t like flowers or pink on my riding clothes. Don’t get me wrong, I like the colour pink but most manufacturers seem to think women only want both those things. I would prefer a blue jacket similar to the guy’s clothing, there are so many leather jackets I like but they are mostly for men.

I spoke to Jean at J. W. Groombridge and she suggested a jacket in the Richa range, it wasn’t the style I wanted but I turned a few pages in the catalogue and there I saw my perfect jacket. The Richa Montana in white and black. OK it does have a little detailing on the chest, but it is not flowery and not pink and I knew I would have to compromise to get what I wanted. The small amount of detailing is a minor point compared to when I tried it on and it felt like it has been mine for ages. The soft cow leather seems to smother you like your own skin, with the soft stretch cordura side panel giving that extra comfort which stretches when you sit on the bike. The inside lining is a Poly mesh that doesn’t stick to your skin unless you are really hot, which all leather jackets tend to do anyway. The only down side to this jacket is it does not have a waist zip, there is only a short back one so if you will be using it for track it is easy to fix. I took mine to my local saddlers, Sian

Saddlers, in Uckfield and they added a zip for just £12 so it attaches to my trousers. They also did a few bits to my trousers; added knee sliders and a new panel to cover my front zip for a really good price. People

forget that saddlers are the best at repairing items for all types of leather, unless you

have someone that repairs leathers on your doorstep.

The arm on the Richa Montana jacket has a wrist to elbow zip

which makes it so easy to put your gloves on and then do

the arm zip up. It has zip vents on the chest and back helping you to keep cool in summer. It comes with CE body armour on the shoulders, elbows and a sturdy back protector too. The main thing you

notice about this jacket is how superb the

quality of the leather really is. It has an adjustable waist on the outside and inside is an adjustable mesh

lining. Removable thermo lining just

adds that extra warmth needed to travel home on a warm evening. Richa do have Montana trousers to match perfectly with the jacket.

We had a lovely warm day for the May Day run down to Hastings and I was able to wear my jacket and had so many compliments as to how nice my jacket looked. I really can not say enough about the Richa range of ladies’ clothing as many of you know, it fits me perfectly. I must admit I had to go up a size just so it fitted perfectly, but what is a number? No one has to know, except all of you as I have just told you. I now own Richa trousers for winter, leather trousers, summer gloves and now my wonderful Montana leather.

The Richa Montana jacket is priced at RRP £269, but two of our advertisers that stock Richa have it priced at £249.99, J. W. Groombridge and Helmet City. If you would like to find dealers in your area contact Nevis Marketing Limited on 01425 478936.

Richa MontanaOPENING HOURS: Tuesday-Friday, 09.00-18.00; Saturday, 09.00-17.00; Sunday, 10.30-16.00.

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JW Groombridge FP 0513.indd 1 16/05/2013 15:24

by debbie Tunstill

OPENING HOURS: Tuesday-Friday, 09.00-18.00; Saturday, 09.00-17.00; Sunday, 10.30-16.00.

Mayfi eld Road Garage, Cross-in-Hand, Heathfi eld. TN21 0SPTel: 01435 862466 • Website: www.jwg.co.uk • Email: [email protected]

...AND OF COURSE NEW AND USED MOTORCYCLES

Call now: 01435 862466 or visit: www.jwg.co.uk

Massive range for all

Top quality tyres, parts

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Latest 2013 models NOW IN.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!Used bikes for all tastes and budgets in our 3 showrooms

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DEALER SPOTLIGHT

Roger Rawlins showed me around the impressive store and explained their philosophy and future plans. Walking into the Tardis like main showroom, there

is an impressive range of bikes on show, with something to suit all tastes and budgets. There’s a decent amount of kit available as well, again with a price range that will accommodate all budgets. colwin is run by motorcyclists who know what they are talking about and can help whether you are buying your first scooter or thinking about some off roading. They are main dealers for Kymco, Sinnis and Peugeot with K&S Racing authorised dealers for KTM, Suzuki, Kawasaki and yamaha, I guess that covers most bases! Kymco has been an important brand for many years at colwin. The massive Taiwanese company has an excellent reputation for quality products and great service back up that is so important when supplying customers with what is often their first motorbike.

Towards the back of the store is an off road section with a smart range of the appropriate helmets, kit, boots etc. There’s a splendid KTM corner for those who love all things orange.

A hidden gem is the new upper floor with the KTM off road range on an impressive display. There are many other bikes, including kids’ machines on this floor as well so make sure you check this section out. K&S are the largest off road dealer for KTM in the South East. The new 2014 range is due in June.

I was shown around the workshop which has specialist on road and off road mechanics so you know your loved one is getting the specialist attention it deserves. As well as servicing, you can get your bike MOT’d here and crash damage repairs and tuning can also be done.

I was very impressed with the whole set up, the combination of old school, proper motorbike shop with all the modern facilities and options we now expect.

Nick Tunstill took a trip to Sittingbourne to have a proper look at Colwin Motorcycles and K&S Racing. The businesses have now merged after many years’ experience in both the road and off road motorcy-cle industries. This wealth of knowledge has been combined in a one stop shop to offer a huge range of machinery, kit and service facilities. The shop is situated on the new industrial area just off the main A2 behind the railway station, even he managed to find it sans satnav! Perfect to combine a trip there with a ride out and lunch.

All bases covered

The depth of knowledge and experience is a real bonus, these guys have done it and seen it all and are only too willing to pass on advice, whether relating to road or off road matters. Colwin Motorcycles and K&S Racing have some exciting ideas for the future which we will be covering in future editions. Can’t wait!

£10 OFF WHEN YOU SPEND £80 OR MOREReceive £10 OFF when you spend £80 or more in any one transaction.

Name......................................... Email......................................................................Terms: Expires 30th June 2013. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Only one voucher per person per transaction.

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Two fl oors of New & Used Motorcycles & Scooters

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New 2014 KTM Power wear and power products available from mid June

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K&S Racing FP 0613 Ad.indd 1 20/05/2013 17:45


READERS’ WRITES…

On the head Helmet City!Hi Nick,I’ve just sent this letter to RiDE magazine – I don’t if its contents would interest you… I actually went to Helmet City because I saw their advert in South East Biker. I didn’t know they existed until I saw an article in your mag.

Dear Mr Overland,

As a RiDE subscriber I wonder if you would be interested in my recent helmet buying experience.

I have been wearing Arai helmets since 1990 and they have always been my helmet of choice when I came to replace them. I have always found them to be lovely and snug and oozing with quality.

However, over the last few years I have been looking at helmets from other helmet manufacturers such as Shark and Shoei and have been very impressed with their styling and innovative features.

It was with this in mind when I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new Shoei GT- Air. This helmet is nothing short of a revelation with its main feature

being a very impressive drop down sun visor.Everything about this helmet is impressive, with its

up to the minute styling, the removable lining, the double seal around the visor, the thickness of the visor, under chin curtain, the cheek pads that can be removed in an emergency, great ventilation and of course the amazing drop down sun visor.

Not only have I bought one of these helmets but two of my friends have also. All in all a fabulous helmet.

My only worry is that Arai appear to sitting on their laurels, helmets with their same styling from the late 80’s and lack of modern features, if other loyal Arai wearers like me decide to look around at the alternatives available then I feel Arai will no longer be the make to aspire to and their market share is going to diminish. Similarities with the demise of the 70’s British bike industry anyone......?

PS. My friends and I all bought our GT-Airs from Helmet City in Tatsfield – lovely people to deal with.

RegardsPeter Cottrell

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THE POISONER

Up the M3 with my mate Scottie in convoy somewhere close behind we drive through the rain, which actually stops just as we

swing onto the M25 at junction12. Pulling into Brands we find it still not raining, but the track is sodden.

Nick, our illustrious editor, is waiting in garage 8 and greets us with a cheery wave.

“Plenty of room here, come on in.” So we say hello, unload the bikes and all make our

way in good time to the nice, warm briefing room. We receive a top class safety brief and there is much talk of wet tyre settings. At one point we are distracted by the track cleaning tractor trundling past on the start/finish straight outside.

“Don’t worry,” says the instructor, “it won’t be on track by the time you get out there.”

“Shame,” I pipe up. “I was hoping to get at least one overtake in today.” This gets chuckles from those around us.

Back in the paddock and it’s time to make ready. The wet tyres are already on, well it didn’t take a genius to figure that one out, and we suit up. Scottie has got a

Terry ‘the Poisoner’ DunnShivery but exciting at BrandsThe first ever SEB trackday at Brands Hatch has dawned. It’s March 22nd but winter is still at full throttle. From Heathrow westward it’s raining stair rods. From the M4 northwards the snow is falling thick and fast. In short, the weather in the UK is so bad even Ray Mears has stayed indoors! I don’t care, I’m going anyway!

Scottie and me

Exit garage 8

15South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

hoodie on over his fully vented race leathers. There’s no need for waterproofs but it really is cold. We’re in the intermediate group and just like the other groups, the plan is for the first session to be three laps out at half speed behind an instructor. Then we are to pull in, make our way back down the pit lane to the start line and be waved back out to complete the remainder of our fifteen minute session.

Three laps later we duly pull in, make a queue at the end of the pit lane then a short while later see the next group readying to go out. What’s going on? Seems that the remaining time from our session was lost on account of the time it took to pick up the two guys who fell off at Paddock Hill bend on the last warm up lap. I never went to look but I bet there were some red faces a few garages up from us! (There were…Ed!)

Next intermediate session and we’re finally away and it’s cold but fun. It’s my first time ever on wet tyres and after plucking up a bit of courage I find that the grip from them is phenomenal! During the later morning sessions the track began to dry out and on wets you actually find yourself aiming for the wet bits. Even managed to get my knee down at Clearways, in the damp! Mega!

There were a few teething troubles with my ‘new’ track bike. A 1998 Ninja 6, replacing old number 63,

an ’89 Yamaha 600 Genesis. I’ve now got adjustable suspension. Now there’s a novelty! I’d only owned her for a few weeks and had checked her over before the day, but braking into Paddock Hill bend at anything approaching a decent speed made the front chatter hard enough to make my steering damper rattle on its mount.

“God’s teeth!” I curse. “It must be those aftermarket wavy discs that are fitted.” I roll back into the pits not a happy bunny. Scottie cocks an eyebrow.

“Could be the head bearings are shot?” he offers. This does not cheer me up at all but I pull out a C spanner to check and, lo! I get over three quarters of a

THE POISONER

My Ninja


THE POISONER

turn on the head bearing ring. Next time out it’s bang on, and time to have some fun.

Talking of Scottie, he’s riding a composite R1, built up over a couple of years and this is his first real trackday. He is a very fast and extremely competent road rider on an immaculate ’04 R1, but finds the Brands Hatch indy circuit tight and says his bike is a bit twist and go, spending most of the lap in second gear. Bearing in mind an R1 will go from 20mph to 120mph in second, this isn’t the soft option it first sounds!

By lunch the track is three quarters dry and it’s actually getting colder still. Swap to dry tyres, eat up (not forgetting the Haribo mix selection in the SEB goodie bags) and back out. Cold, a few damp patches and sticky tyres that aren’t really heating up do make for the odd buttock clenching moment but it doesn’t keep us from getting out there. Scottie is also getting to grips with the, for him, not before encountered problem of tyre pressures. We have a really good chat with the rubber man who points us in the right direction. That’s another good thing about trackdays, there are other facilities to use, as well as the track itself. Pick the instructors’ brains too, they really know their stuff.

By mid afternoon the temp has quite literally gone through the floor. The track is stone cold and along the straight at a ton plus your eyes are on stalks and

there’s a frozen snot moustache on your top lip. Lots of guys and the occasional gal (including Debs of SEB fame) are still on track but by the penultimate session its cold enough to reconfigure the nether regions of brass monkeys and Scottie and me call it a day.

We pack up, say our goodbyes and make our way homeward, heaters at full blast. It was brilliant fun and the SEB garage was a right laugh and full of helpful people. Get along to the next one if you can, I’d thoroughly recommend it.

Ready to launch

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MTS Sussex HP 0613.indd 1 14/05/2013 15:29



LOCAL RIDER PROFILE

SAM COVENTRY Up and coming teenage rider Sam Coventry (aka Covey #90) will be racing his BMWS1000RR in selected rounds of the BSB Superstock system as well as the Powerbike Championship in the BMCRC series.Photos: Racing Line Photography

With his dad John as his mechanic (running under the team name of FutureMoto) both are still learning the BMW S1000RR and getting closer to an ideal set-up with the

bike. They are confident as this comes so will more wins. Sam has been chosen by Continental Tyres UK to be a sponsored rider

this season using the Conti Race Attacks, a brand not always associated with Motorcycle racing but with Sam on-board, in one of the most hotly contended Club Racing Championships, the Continental tyres have been working brilliantly.

Without this support from Continental UK, Sam would not be racing this this year as funds are very tight, so a massive thank you to Graham at www.conti-bike.co.uk.

He’s been giving something back to the sport by instructing at the BEMSEE Rookie Race School, which fits in well with the Sports Coaching Extended Diploma his is studying at college.

Sam is aiming to wild-card into some BSB Superstock 1000 rounds later in the season (funds permitting) and is looking for sponsors/partners wanting to support a talented young rider in the series, you can email John on [email protected] for a Sponsorship prospectus or go to www.samcoventry.co.uk for more info or to join the Sam Coventry Supporters Club for the chance of race tickets, t-shirts and other goodies throughout the season.Facebook: Sammycoventry. Twitter: @covey90With thanks to Purbrook Garage Services Ltd, Hampshire.

USEfUl INfOSAM’S RIDINGhISTORy2012 Sam f inished 5th in the

BSB Ducati 848 Challenge Standings

2011 At 17 years he was Britain’s youngest Superbike rider racing in Europe. Raced a Honda CBR1000RR in the Spanish CEV Stock Extreme Championship it was his rookie year on a 1000cc bike and on unfamiliar Spanish circuits. He mixed it up with factory riders such as Ivan Silva, Xavier Fores and scored points in the main Championship as a privateer rider. In the last CEV round at Jerez, Spain, Sam finished the race 1 place behind the Championship winner Ivan Silva (who is now a CRT rider in MotoGP)

2010 He competed in BSB Superstock 600. Race wins at BMCRC Stocksport 600cc.

2009 Finished 2nd overall in TSGB Junior Powerbike Championship on a Ducati 800 in 2009, for the Knight Road Race team.

2008 Sam contested the NGRRC and EMRA Formula 125cc Championships finishing 2nd overall in both Series Standings.


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READER ADVENTURES

A couple of hundred metres further on, we reached the Outer checkpoint. Blimey those chinese really did take their formalities seriously. There must have been at least

20 soldiers on duty up there, all small and skinny, running about officiously in camo uniforms. We were told to unload the bikes and carry the luggage inside the customs & Immigration building to put it through a scanner. The air up there was so thin we found it really hard work just to do that, our breathing was very laboured and we both felt a bit dizzy. As we collected our bags at the other side, a spotty guard who looked about 16 years old came over.

WOLLONGONG TO WOOLWICH

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to sell up your house and ride off half way around the world? Well that’s exactly what this homesick English couple did. They saddled up their bikes and set off from Wollongong near Sydney heading for Woolwich in London to have a nice cup of tea with their mums. We catch up with them here in China, country 8 from their 15,000 mile 20 country, 5 month adventure. Kate was riding a Yamaha XT250 and Will was on his trusty Suzuki DR650.

“You wait here until bus come from Pakistan” he barked.

“Eh? Why can’t we just ride to Tashgurgan?”

“No, you wait. You cannot leave. You not know way”.

“But it’s only 130km and it’s one straight road”

“No. You wait, bus come. Maybe one hour, two hour. Sit”. I tried to reason with him, but he was NOT negotiable. There was nothing for it but to sit and wait. At least inside the new fancy building it was relatively warm. We sat down near the big radiator, got comfy with our books to read and thawed out after our cold ride up.

After about half an hour, another guard came over.

“You go now. Truck leaving. Soldier go inside truck, he take your passport. You go in front. Soldier watch you. OK?” Ah, so things were looking up, but I couldn’t resist winding him up a bit.

“Problem. We cannot go in front”“Why problem, you go now”“Yes, OK we go, but problem is

we don’t know the way do we?” The sarcasm was lost on him.

The entrance gate to China from Pakistan


READER ADVENTURES

He thought for a few seconds and then conceded, telling us to follow, but stay close.

Five minutes later, we were off, tailing the big truck with the soldier inside clutching our passports. The road was now lovely, smooth, flowing tarmac, steep at first as we came down from the pass. We turned our engines off and just rolled, easily managing to hit 60km/h. Following the truck at a leisurely pace gave us time to take our surroundings in. We saw double humped shaggy fur camels (probably not their official name) and lots of yurts set up on the huge grass wasteland. With no need to concentrate on the riding, we had plenty of opportunity to reflect. Coming up and over the pass, leaving Pakistan and the Indian sub-continent behind, had felt like such a major step in the journey, almost as if we were getting close to home. Looking around us though, it looked more like Outer Mongolia and we realised again how wrong we’d been.

Finally, at dusk, we rolled into Tashgurgan. We were ushered into the Customs & Immigration building. Bags off again. Scanning again.

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“You have books, maps, computer, camera?” the officials barked. “We must see them, we must check them. Passport. Wait here. Fill up form.” None of it made sense. Luckily Sadiq, the guide we’d booked as part of our arrangements to cross China, was there to meet us. He wasn’t a guide in a true tourist sense, more of a chaperone really. We hadn’t wanted such a service to cross a few hundred miles of China, but the Chinese government insist that any foreigners with their own vehicles are accompanied at all times, what for, we do not know. Right then though, Sadiq was great. He helped us through the crazy process of endless forms and bureaucracy. The soldiers couldn’t

Perfect time to read our guide book

be bothered to come out of their office, so six Pakistani truck drivers, Sadiq, Kate and I were all squeezed into a little room while the officials checked our copious paperwork. The fog of smoke from their constant fagging made us gag, the ashtrays on their desks were overflowing with discarded butts. Finally after about an hour the immigration process was complete and the contents of our luggage were deemed to be OK. Next it was the bikes that came under scrutiny. First they were sprayed down with some kind of pesticide, then they were confiscated for the night. It seemed that the staff couldn’t be arsed to do the paperwork at that time in the evening. We were told to put the bikes in their huge hangar and come back in the morning. Sadiq sorted a cab and soon we were at the hotel.

The hotel looked OK at first, quite modern, with a marble reception desk and a couple of leatherette sofas separated by pot plants. The plumbing however, left a bit to be desired. The toilet in our small, simple but clean room had no U bend and just fed out into an open gutter. Every time we ran a tap or showered, the waft of shit was pretty foul. In fact, the whole hotel stank of it. And while we’re on the subject, the toilet paper was something else. It was more like crepe paper and was so thick & rough that it was better at wiping out Klingons than captain Kirk ever was!

In the morning we went back to the same restaurant for breakfast. Now according to my book, “Will’s Guide to Worldwide Eateries” it’s always a bad sign when the waitress is wearing her coat, carrying her handbag and listening to her ipod. The food was even more bizarre than the night before. We started with a steamed (not baked) bread roll, which, made with no salt, was tasteless to the extreme. The bread was accompanied by a selection of pickled vegetables that were so spicy that a tiny nibble nearly blew our heads off. It was all a bit much for 7am.

Tashgurgan itself is a bland border town with little to offer so it was time to hit the road. The first job once loaded up was to get some petrol for the bikes. We pulled up at the pump of the modern looking petrol station and waited for the attendant to come over. He made it clear that the bikes were not allowed to be filled from the pump and we should move over to the far

READER ADVENTURES


corner of the petrol station. After a minute another attendant came out of the main building carrying a large aluminium kettle. He filled it at the pump and walked towards us, indicating for us to remove our petrol caps.

Puzzled by this little fiasco, but full of fuel, we started out on the 300km leg to Kashgar, following Sadiq who was travelling by car, with a driver, all paid for by us as part of our fee. We cleared town quickly and were soon out onto a bleak, open plateau at nearly 4000m altitude. The surrounding peaks soared again to 7500m. At that altitude Kate’s little XT250 couldn’t manage more than 50 MPH and my DR650 wasn’t much better. It was a painfully slow and cold ride. It had seemed quite warm in Tashgurgan that morning so we hadn’t worn our thermal underwear, which turned out to be a bad decision. We were on the edge of the Taklimakan Desert and could see across the plains to the huge, distant, rolling sand dunes. At one point a dust storm blew up, taking away any meagre warmth the sun had been giving. It was a brilliant feeling to be out there, but as we struggled on, it began to feel like pretty bloody tough going. We saw Sadiq pull over in his car further ahead of us, and pulled in behind him, happy to get off the bikes. It appeared that we were actually at a roadside café (we would never have spotted it) and that we were stopping for lunch. The building was little more than a stone hut surrounded by broken rock and backed by huge sand dunes. A faded sign above the door swung in the wind. The Chinese script gave us no clue but a picture of a sheep made it clear what we’d be served.

Fill ‘er up guv Chinese driving…


Inside the place it was so cosy and warm. Sadiq let us sit at the only table whilst he and his driver sat on rugs on the floor. Our table was also next to the wood stove which soon became Kate’s best friend. We didn’t place an order, the food just arrived. Two steaming bowls of delicious hot soup and crusty bread. Well, that’s what we thought it was when it first arrived at the table. On closer inspection, the reality was a little different. The soup was actually a bowl of hot water. In it floated a hunk of fatty dead animal, half a potato and a piece of carrot. The surface of the water was covered in a layer of oil floating in big bubbles. The loaf of bread, made before the beginning of time, was so hard that I couldn’t break it in my hands so we had to take it in turns dipping the whole loaf into the hot, fatty water to soften it enough to gnaw a piece

off. Trying to nibble any meat off the lump of animal was also pretty difficult as the only eating implements were chopsticks. We were cold and hungry and we’re both pretty good at coping with the unusual, but after a couple of bites we reached our limits. We just couldn’t stomach the meal. After Sadiq had finished eating, he came over to check if we were OK and seeing we hadn’t really touched our food asked why, were we vegetarians? I explained that we did in fact eat

meat but I couldn’t actually find any. I lifted the hunk of animal out of the water and pointing at the pipes, tubes and other gristly bits, suggested that when the animal was alive this bit, although unidentifiable, would probably have been very important to it!

This is an abridged chapter of their book Wollongong to Woolwich. It’s a great read and not only tells of their tale of adventure but also gives a handy A-Z of tips if you’re thinking of doing a big trip yourself. The book is priced at £9.99 for the paperback or £3 for a Kindle e-version. Check out their website www.wollongongtowoolwich.co.uk for more information.

READER ADVENTURES

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Quick Response I.C.E.Quick Response I.C.E.Quick Response Information Stickers

Quick Response (QR) and In Case of Emergency (I.C.E) are two popular standards

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USEfUl INfOWOllONGONG TO WOOlWIChKindle: £3 or £9.99 Paperback

Kate enjoying (?) lunch


ELECTRIC POWERHOUSE

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on the best of theAmerican constructors he’s designed a bike capable of beating the current world-record for the standing-start ¼ mile which stands at 6.94 seconds at 201mph.

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energy. It will also inspire the next generation of UK engineers and scientists when he takes it the school science fairs and events that he’s been invited to.

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Thinking of it in the way of the Romans in ‘The Life of Brian’, at the top of the list

would be (especially if you’re in Brighton) the opening of some of the bus lanes to bikes and other powered two-wheeled vehicles (PTWs). What makes it extra special in Brighton, is that the city council is green, and there’s also a rather large

cycle lobby – who aren’t really that keen on sharing the bus lanes with those “big smelly motorbikes”.

At the end of the day, we (motorcyclists) and cyclists offer the same benefits (as in, we’re not stuck in traffic like cars and other large vehicles) and we take up a lot less room on the road, meaning reduced impact on the

roads. The downside of this, is that we share the same sort of accident figures – though 80% of those are due to other vehicles who aren’t looking out for us.

After MAG’s successes in London, Reading, Bristol and other major cities, the newly-reformed local MAG branch thought they’d try to get things organised down here. It took the best part of two years to get everything sorted. Brighton MAG got themselves as part of the City Council’s Transport Partnership and after a couple of false starts, the A23 between Carden Avenue and Preston Drove, as well as the A259 between Telsombe Cliffs Way and Rottingdean are now open to powered two-wheeled vehicles (this is the distinction – trikes or sidecar combinations are not able to use the bus lanes). This even includes parts of the bus lane run by East Sussex County Council. The campaign was so successful, and had the support of Mike Weatherley MP and the Ace Café in Brighton who

FRONTLINEMOTORCYCLE ACTION GROUP

NEWs FROM THE MOTORCYCLE ACTION gROUP

What’s MAg ever done for us down here then?This is something I get asked quite a bit in my role as South East Region Representative (and now National Chairman) for MAG (the Motorcycle Action Group). John Mitchell.

Motorcycle Action Group

Fighting on behalf of bikers


MOTORCYCLE ACTION GROUP

asked all of their mailing list members to write to the council in support of the campaign.

We’ve been given an 18 month trial – however the success of that trial depends on us, the biking public not becoming part of the KSI figures in the City or speeding down the bus lane – speeds will be enforced with unmarked police cars. By now, the City Council’s poster campaign for the bus shelters on the route should be up and running. If it’s anything like the trial on the A23 into London that was finally officially turned into full access for all central London’s Red Routes last year, the trial was extended numerous times for whatever reason; but we got there in the end!

IT’S NOT jUST AbOUT bUS lANES… One of the bonuses of negotiating with the council about bus lane access, Brighton MAG has been given the opportunity to place secure parking devices (which the council has got a budget for) where they think they would be most useful.

Brighton MAG has now been seen by many as a strong campaigning group – and an inspiration to other MAG branches across the country – so much so, that the branch has been recognised nationally at the recent Annual General Conference in Bristol, where they were presented with the Steve Tannock Teamwork Award.

AND IT’S NOT jUST IN bRIGhTON EIThER…Locally, MAG has had another success that gives hope to anyone who thinks they can’t change things on a local level. The road

between Alfriston and Seaford has been a pot-holey mess for a few years now, however, after I contacted the head of Highways at ESCC, Roger Williams, and pointed out that the ‘repairs’ that had been done recently were much less than satisfactory (maybe the threat of travelling up the hill on the back of my Speed Triple proved too much) he arranged for the road – at its worst bits (uphill from Tile Barn towards Seaford, there was a very uneven road service, with manhole covers and loose gravel) – to be repaired as part of the Alfriston drainage works.

The road going up the hill towards Seaford is now smooth, for the first time in years!

Would you believe, if Eastbourne District Council was to introduce large bus lanes, MAG would be there reminding them that they’ve already made provision for PTWs, and we already have access? Just something we did a long time before the Brighton bus lanes were ever opened.

In the South East region, there are now five strong branches (Brighton, Hastings, East Surrey, Uckfield and Hythe) – with a sixth, Chichester starting on June 4th at The G&D, North Street (and another two starting later this year). More details can be found at www.tinyurl.com/magmeetings or MAG’s website www.mag-uk.org. Membership of MAG is £25 per year – single – or £37.50 – joint. It is available online, by phone – 01926 844046 – or by visiting any of the stands at local events.

Ride free!


Flat-track racing is such a niche area of motorcycling that Kevin Turner really didn’t know what to expect when he signed up for a day at the Champions Training School, just outside Grantham. His knowledge of the discipline was limited to the brilliant film, On Any Sunday, so had an idea there would be dirt, an oval, and probably a bit of sideways action involved, but other than that he was approaching the day as a total novice. In fact, he was so perturbed by his lack of off-road experience that he almost decided to cancel; thank goodness he didn’t.

The champions Training School is run by Pete Boast, a very successful dirt and track racer with a vast amount of experience and

a friendly, approachable manner that quickly dispels nerves. he’s been teaching people how to go quickly on dirt for years, has raced at TT and BSB level, competed in premier league speedway and was 2009 British and European Flat-Track champ. he’s also an instructor at Ron haslam’s race school and MSV schools; in short, Pete knows his stuff.

A day’s session, running from 11am to 4pm, is relatively inexpensive (£120) and, importantly for the time of year, is held indoors. As his latest batch of recruits lined up, cupping warm teas and coffees and

munching on the thoughtfully supplied free nibbles, Pete explained to us why the day would not only be great fun, but also of tremendous value as regards

TRACK DAYS

FLATTRACK


TRACK DAYS

our normal road riding experience. “Riding and sliding a bike in the dirt helps

you get a feel for a bike moving underneath you,” explained Pete. “It gives you the confidence not to panic when you feel the back wheel spin up and a much better feel of what your machine is doing and communicating to you.”

I could relate to this; I’ve inadvertently spun up the rear wheel more than once on a wet manhole cover, and more than once have I absolutely shat myself as it happened. If I learnt nothing more than to relax in such situations, I’d at the very least save a fortune in dry-cleaning bills.

The day quickly got down to business, as each rider was taught the basics of short-track riding; how to position your body and distribute your weight, how and when to brake to get the bike sideways and how to limp around with a steel slider attached to your left foot.

Our instructors explained the importance of fine tuning our existing skills - mainly throttle control and body position — to enable us to control the rear wheel effectively. And if there was any doubt about the relevance of these skills to

road riders, Pete reminded us that Stoner, Hayden and Kenny Roberts all employed techniques learn on dirt ovals in their short circuit riding.

Talking of instructors, I was amazed and somewhat star-struck to discover my group of four riders would be taught by none other than Steve Plater. Despite his success and reputation, Steve (oh yeah, first-name terms with a TT winner me) couldn’t have been more helpful. He’s approachable, funny and enthusiastic and exudes an air of total confidence that comes with riding at the top level for so long. Honestly, I’d have paid a hundred quid just to sit down and have a chat with him.

While the skills necessary to do this sort of thing well aren’t easy to master, they are tremendous fun to learn. After a slightly nervous half hour or so I began to get a feel for what Steve was patiently trying to convey and by mid-day I was spinning up the back wheel and sliding around with a grin the size of the south circular across my face.

I can’t remember having more fun on a motorbike in a more relaxed and welcoming environment. If you have any qualms about signing up to The Champions Training School – maybe you think it’s not relevant or too advanced – put them to one-side and get booked in for a day. It’s harder work, better value, more rewarding and more fun than any track day I’ve been on for a long time… and the weather can’t spoil it either.

details at: http://www.shorttrackuk.com/Started.html

Kevin Turner is a freelance writer and author of ‘Bonjour! Is This Italy? A Hapless Biker’s Guide to Europe’, www.haplessbiker.com


Evolution Paintwork has an up to date spray room that is fully equipped with heating, filtration and extraction facility. As you

walk into the workshop, which is bright and open, there are naked motorcycles awaiting for their make overs, motorcycle fairings hanging from the ceiling and tanks placed around the workshop drying. The workshop and spray room is immaculately clean and tidy, and you can see Martin prides himself for producing quality work. The workshop is big enough to hold quite a number of motorcycles and there is even an old chasis of a vintage car awaiting its new paint, to bring it back to life.

Evolution will take on small scuffs, wheel painting, accident repairs and frame painting. If you can paint it, Martin can do it, right through to complete

PAINT FINISH

In a quiet rural part of Framfield near Uckfield, East Sussex, is a farm that has been converted into a small industrial estate. Opposite Everest Motorcycles is Evolution Paintwork, which has been set up by Martin Watts. Martin has worked in the painting, panel-beating and welding Industry for over twenty years. Last year, he decided to set up his own business, specialising in motorcycle repairs, restoration and paintwork. Martin has a wealth of experience using three-stage pearls, metallics and solid colours as well as solvent and water-based paints.Written by Debbie Tusntill

Evolutionary top paint job

The result

Honda before


PAINT FINISH

colour-change re-sprays, either for track bikes or your pride and joy. The great thing about Martin also is that he is a keen biker too and knows the importance of keeping his motorcycle in tip-top condition. This definitely translates into his work where he takes pride in providing quality workmanship at a reasonable cost.

Martin’s previous hobbies include racing Supermoto competing mainly in the southern rounds but these days he loves nothing more than going to bike-meets and watching racing, be it in the UK or in Europe.

SUZUKI SV650SSouth East Biker asked Evolution Paintwork to repair my pride and joy limited number SV650S which to Martin was a small job, to me my bike was having major surgery. I had previously asked other paint specialists and they had trouble finding a colour match because it was a special colour code and Suzuki only used the metallic blue colour on the SV650S Limited Edition. Suzuki only supply the fairings ready painted which are not cheap and I needed both sides done.

The job involved removing both lower fairing panels to repair and prime damaged areas. After rubbing down the primer, Martin matched the correct colour paint. He painted the panels using a three-

Martin WattsT: 07842 968863 E: [email protected] W: www.evolutionpaintwork.co.uk

Find me on Facebook

Unit 6 Oaks Farm Workshops, Framfield, East Sussex, TN22 5PN

Evolution Paintwork All types of motorcycle paintwork and classic restoration undertaken

Track day/race fairings Plastic repairs Accident repairs 20 years panel beating & painting experience

Evolution Paintwork 0313 HP.indd 1 15/03/2013 15:19


PAINT FINISH

stage pearl system, this involved a specific coloured primer, a specific coloured base coat and the coloured pearl coat. This was finished off with two coats of lacquer before refitting the panels. As you will see by the pictures the result looks amazing, the paint is glossy and looks like she did the day I saw it roll off the lorry.

It is difficult now, to think that I rode my bike around, with the visible scars of my high side at Lydden Hill last season. I suppose you get used to seeing your bike a certain way and as I walked up to Evolution’s workshop my bike was parked outside. It just seemed to sparkle more than I remembered and the great job that Martin had

done, made it look as good as new. The bike really doesn’t look like it had slid along tarmac at speed and spun like a spinning top. This was all done in a matter of two days which seems even more the amazing considering he had other projects on the go too. The most amazing thing about all of this is the price that Martin did the bike for me, it was half the price that had been quoted by others so it really is money well spent. Martin now has another project that you will see soon; my track bike, my old CBR600F “92 which needs a bit of sparkle, I am sure you will all soon

Service • Repairs • TyresTrack Day Preparations

MOTs by Appointment17 Years Main Dealer Experience Tel: 01825 890313, Mobile: 07710 784876

Email: [email protected]: www.everestmotorcycles.co.uk

Unit 3a, The Oaks Farm Workshops, Framfi eld, East Sussex. TN22 5PN

Bring this advert with you and get a MOT for JUST £25!

Everest Motorcycles HP 0313.indd 1 18/03/2013 11:14

PAINT FINISH

see a few pictures.Evolution Paintwork had another motorcycle ready

for a big make over, as a surprise for its owner. Martin had been asked to turn a beautiful green Stobart Honda CBR1000RR, which had been brought over by Rodney Mason as a surprise for his son Christopher.

Chris had seen the colour he wanted for his track bike on the Honda website and had spoken to his father about it. Martin had been given two weeks to complete the colour change, on the Honda CBR1000RR track bike with just a picture from the website for Martin to go by. The colour scheme Chris had chosen was a mix of a matt metallic graphite grey and black gloss.

The job involved test-fitting brand new track fairing, making new brackets etc to fit the fairing. Afterwards, Martin primed all the fairing panels and painted the tank, seat unit and front mudguard in a metallic gloss black. In contrast, the upper and lower front fairings were painted in a metallic graphite grey, which he then coated in a matt lacquer to give the bike two different finishes which complemented each other well.

Martin fitted the new fairing to the bike, the decals that needed to be made specifically for the bike were made by DemonSkinz which finishes the bike off nicely. The finished look of the bike is sleek, smart and super cool, I can’t wait to see Chris riding it around Lydden as

he is one of the SEB club members. As you will see from the pictures the bike has an understated classic look with a contemporary twist with the matt paint.

Evolution Paintwork is a new company but Martin is not inexperienced, he works because, like all of us, he has to, but he also works because he loves what he does and that shows in his paintwork.The prices they charge are more than competitive and it’s well worth giving them a try, give Martin Watts a call at Evolution Paintwork 07842 968863 or email: [email protected] you can see more pictures at www.evolutionpaintwork.co.uk or Facebook.

South East Biker Magazine • www.southeastbiker.co.uk

• Stickers & Decals • Posters & Banners • Canvasses •• Bike Graphics • Van & Car • Signage • Point of Sale •

• Shop Windows & Signs • Interior & Exterior •

From die-cut stickers to shop signs and graphics, DemonSkinz can make you stand out from the crowd.

Shop Windows & SignsShop Windows & Signs

Call 07913 758955 for a quote or to fi nd out more.

www.demonskinz.co.uk

Make your marketing stick!

DemonSkinz HP 0312.indd 1 10/02/2012 17:0933


CHOOSING YOUR WEAPONThere are more factory supported teams

in Stock 1000 than any other class in the British Superbike Paddock – combine this

with a mix of young up and coming top talent battling it out against hugely experienced ex British and even World Superbike riders you have what has fast become the most competitive and action packed racing in the UK. Oh... not to mention guys like myself with delusions of grandeur expecting to take it to the big dogs as one man band outfits.

The truly amazing factor is that privateers at this level can be just as competitive as the factory guys – Joe Burns’ performances at the first 2 rounds clearly show that a fast rider on a well prepared private effort can be just as fast if not faster than the Honda, Kawasaki, BMW, Ducati & MV Augusta fully supported teams.

So... the Kawasaki Cup...erm... I mean the National Superstock 1000 Championship is clearly tough. But what is the preferred bike and why? This class is the closest in bike specification to a road bike in the British and World Championship. We simply bolt on

a full exhaust system, fork internals, rear shock, race fairings and few other add ons and you have a race bike. So it really does matter more than ever how the base model performs on track.

The clear favourite this year is the Kawasaki ZX10R – it’s 200bhp ish, light and with traction control that really works out of the box. The traction control is the biggest factor as it’s like a safety net you can

SEB BULPIN

The National Superstock 1000 championship has gone from strength to strength since its inaugural year way back in the year 2000. Seemingly every year Seb Buplin comments with total conviction that the grid couldn’t possibly be deeper in terms of talent, numbers and factory support – and every year he is wrong!


SEB BULPIN

ride into, flattering some average riders with strong performances – and giving the top lads the tools to win. It most certainly is the bike to be on! That isn’t to say a rider can’t win and be competitive on another machine though. The BMW has oodles of power and a strong chassis, but with traction control you just can’t run (it’s too intrusive!) it’s a handful to sneak around a lot of the UK’s tighter and more extreme circuits.

The Honda is too slow in comparison, miles too slow in fact. Only the factory efforts are able to be anywhere near competitive on it – ahem. Ducati looks a handful but is very fast in the right hands, wealthy hands and finally MV Augusta is still an unknown – we’ll have to wait and see. No one has raced a Suzuki this year – must be a reason I guess but that I do not know?!

In summary – it’s hard out there and every year it’s getting harder. Nothing worth having ever came easy so time to buckle down and stick it to these Kawasaki teams and riders!! And most importantly – we’re going to have some fun along the way!

Until next time....Seb#143

Follow Seb’s progress by visiting: www.sebbulpinracing.com


What do our members think?Neil (Experienced Rider) “It has been a great day and we will book for every one of SEB’s track days this year, they are so friendly and a real laugh” ”

Ian (Novice Rider) “The instructor, helped me to ride a better lap and I really enjoyed my day with SEB. I will be back ”

Dave (Novice rider) “I haven’t been on many track days but I’ve had so much help and support from the other riders, it’s given me confidence“

Photography by: www.fastframephotography.co.uk

SEB TRACK DAYS

South East Biker’s track days started early this year at Brands hatch in March and

Lydden hill, Kent in April. See’ The Poinsoner’s’ Brands hatch piece on page 14 .

We offer a great day on amazing circuits, with a fun, friendly group of riders. If you’re less experienced on track we have our own qualified instructor to help you gain confidence and enjoy your day but even the best riders can gain some valuable points to enhance their riding. SEB’s instructor will film your riding and for just £10 you get a DVD of one of your sessions on your bike.

SEB’s track day is not just about what you do on track, it’s a social occasion too. Here are just a few things we can offer on our South East Biker’s track day experience.

WhAT DO yOU GET fROM ThE SOUTh EAST bIKER ClUb MEMbERShIp?• VIP registration so no need to

queue at Lydden Hill• It’s a friendly, social event, ideal

for novices and experts alike.• Our own instructor on hand for

one to one session • Instructor has on board camera

to film you on track and then de-brief after which can improve your track day experience.

• Your own unique DVD of your session for only £10 incl P&P.

• SEB’s own photographer who concentrates specifically on club members

• We supply FREE Drinks, Snacks and Shelter from the British weather

• FREE goodie bag, includes stickers, vouchers and much more.

• On hand FREE advice to help set up your bike.

We know you will have a great time so book now and join in with the fun but you don’t have to believe us, why not hear from some our SEB club members.

You don’t have to own a sports bike to go on track, our members are individuals and so are their bikes, just check out the pictures on South East Biker Facebook group.

The next track days are at Lydden Hill, Kent, starting with 21st September which is already booking fast so if you would like to join us you will need to book soon to avoid disappointment.

SEB Track day dates at Lydden hill: Saturday 20th July; and Saturday 21st September. Further dates maybe added for Brands hatch and Lydden later in the summer. call debbie on 01892 610808 or [email protected]

Dave getting his leg down, whatever

works Dave!

Former SEB’s editor Pete gets help from Ken, SEB’s

instructor.

Tom Looking professional and very cool with a big smile

behind the dark visor.

Gary a hero who rode 65 miles, rode every session and rode another 65 miles home. SEB’s hero of the day!

Look out guys, here comes Lloyd he’s behind you.

Get on Track with SEB


RESTORATION PROJECT

having decided that I was already going to have it despite its condition, I was pleasantly surprised when I turned up and

got into the garage where it had sat unloved for the last few years. With a few scuffs and cracks in the plastics as you’d expect for a twenty-five year old bike, the overall signs were very good. To my surprise there was a little over 11,000 miles on the clocks too, an average of under-500 miles per year since it was built, criminally underused!

The main issue and reason for the bike having sat there for the past few years, is that the owner had only one key for it, and had lost it! Slowly the ‘to-do’ list was stacking up but No.1 was definitely sort out the ignition barrel one way or another. There was enough to show me that picking this up for £300 was an absolute steal, and I duly handed over the money and loaded it up on to the trailer, chuffed with my first ‘project’ bike!

Pulling into the driveway and unloading the bike is where my mental ‘things to fix’ list started to increase. Getting the bike off the trailer proved much harder than it should have for a bike that only weighs around 140kg, and it wasn’t just the extra cobwebs. First thoughts were that it might have been knocked into gear en-route, but a little investigation proved that would have been impossible as the gearbox had seized, as had the front brake piston – hence the struggles to push the bike along!

The bike was tucked away until Dad and I could start some more serious work. My Dad being the brains and know how of bike fixing, with me offering some form of creative input, moral support, chief tea-

When someone turned to Neil Allen at work and asked if he may know of anyone who wanted to buy a bike from them, he envisaged a tatty old 125 that had been gathering dust in their garage for years. When he was told it was a Yamaha TDR250 his ears pricked up a little more, and when told it’d only set me back £300 he didn’t have to give it a second thought.…

PROJECT TDR


Visit: www.perumotorcycling.comor email: [email protected]

NEW FOR 2014:PERU TO BRAZIL

CALL 01424 838618 NOW BECAUSE LIFE IS TOO SHORT

RIDER SPACES FOR 2013RIDER SPACES FOR 2013

Adventure Peru QPV 0313.indd 1 12/03/2013 15:29


Honda SpecialistServicing & MOTs

Accident Repairs, Clothing, Accessories and Parts

01892 652380Whitehill Road, Crowborough,

East Sussex. TN6 1JSwww.jhmc.co.uk

Full Range of Halvarssons Available!All your Summer seasons’

needs available for you and your bike.

John Harris QP 0313.indd 1 19/03/2013 11:25

maker and occasional spannering when necessary. The first job was to take off the headlight fairing and surrounding plastics before we could get anywhere near the ignition barrel. Not entirely sold on the looks of the top fairing and knowing that I didn’t want to do a standard restoration on the bike meant these were thrown in the ‘to be modified’ box of stuff in the garage. Sacrilege to the purists out there I know but, there are plans for it.

The idea was to get the ignition barrel out, find the relevant codes and have a locksmith cut a new key to fit all the locks. This seemed less hassle than replacing all the locks for the ignition, tank and seat unit. However getting to the barrel proved tricky and one thing after another had to be removed. Before we knew it the radiator was off, front wheel was out, forks off and after a few altercations with a drill bit – the barrel was out in one piece and sent off to the right people. Knowing that everything had to come off and be cleaned one way or another meant that this wasn’t actually a bad issue to be having, as if we didn’t remove it now it would still have to happen at a later date.

That was the first obstacle being dealt with and the bike put back to bed after a successful first day of fettling. It was also the start of many an evening searching the internet for inspiration and replacement parts…to be continued…

RESTORATION PROJECT


Do you want to experience the freedom of the road?

COMPULSORY BASIC TRAININGDIRECT ACCESS & A2 COURSES

BACK TO BIKINGENHANCED RIDER SCHEME

TRAINING • SERVCING • SALES • TYRES • MOTsCall: 01444 441969, visit: www.sussexmotorbikes.co.uk

Burrell Road, Haywards Heath RH16 1TW

Ask about our FREE assessment for DAS or A2!

Sussex Motorbikes HP 0313.indd 1 18/03/2013 11:10

The harrow Innharrow Road, Knockholt,

Sevenoaks, KentTN14 7JT

Tel: 01959-532168Extensive menu, great value

with stylish restaurant. Wednesday is Bike night

with special events.


BIKER BREAKING POINTS

SOUTh EAST bIKER bREAKING pOINTShere is your quick guide to biker resting points throughout our region.

If you wish to advertise your business here to 1000s of bikers then

call Debbie on 01892 610808 or email: [email protected]

loomies Café

West Meon, GU32 1JX

Whiteways Café

(A29) Bury Hill,

BN18 9FD

Six bells

Chiddingly, BN8 6HT

The bell Inn

Outwood, RH1 5PN

Oakdene Cafê

Wrotham, TN15 7RR

Ryka’s CaféMickleham, Box hill,dorking, Surrey. Rh5 6By Tel: 01306 884454

Rykas Café – the South East’s motorbike riders institution.www..boxhill.co.uk

Wessons Caféhigh Street, horam, heathfield,

East Sussex TN21 0ERTel: 01435 813999

Home of the MAMA Burger

Eat In or Takeaway Welcome

Now Open 7 Days A WeekMon-Fri 7am To 4pm

Sat & Sun 9am To 4pm (Inc, Bank Hols)

Station CaféStation Road, Alton, gU34 2Pz Tel: 01420 82205Opening hours: Mon-Sat 6:30am-3pm. Closed Sun.Late night: Starts end March Wednesdays 5pm-9pm.Take away service available.Try one of our great value for money quality meals.

Kent Motorcycles h’s Café

dover Road (A2), cT4 6SA

Tel: 01227 832601Opening hours:

Mon - Fri, 7:30am - 3:30pm

Sat 7:30am - 5pm8am to 4pm Sun

Wed is Bike night open until 9.30pm

The pied bullhigh Street

FarninghamKent. dA4 0dg

Tel: 01322 862125Bikes welcome, good food and good company.

South East Biker EventsJUNE EVENTS

1 June Poker Run, Norseman MCC

1 June Bike Safety Day at Sussex Motorbkes/Bikesmart Haywards Heath

2 June Ride it Right at Haslemere Fire Station

2 June Medway Triumph Owners MCC 6th Classic Bike Event 7 June Lakeside Hammers v Poole

8 June Eastbourne Eagles v Wolverhampton

12 June Poole Pirates v Birmingham

15/16 June The Custom Motorcycle Show, Beaulieu

16 June BSB Knockhill

17 June Eastbourne Eagles v Poole

21 June Lakeside Hammers v Wolverhampton

23 June Dick Little British Bike Trial, Bagshot

26 June Poole Pirates v Belle Vue

JULY EVENTS5 July Lakeside Hammers v Belle Vue6 July Honour Walk, Dunsfold Aerodrome,

Royal British Legion6 July Eastbourne Eagels v Peterborough6/7 July Southern Supermoto, Masters/SSM,

Lydd7 July JW Groombridge Suzuki Roadshow

and Shoei servicing7 July BSB, Snetterton10 July Poole Pirates v Wolverhampton12 July Lakeside Hammers v Swindon13 July Wheels for Troops Ride, The Fox

Revived, Horley14 July Garden of England Run,

Headcorn, Kent20 July South East Biker Trackday, Lydden

Hill21 July BSB, Brands Hatch21 July Bangers and Steam, Hamilton Arms,

Stedham, West Sussex24 July Poole Pirates v Swindon26 July Lakeside Hammers v King’s Lynn27 July Worthing Motorcycle Show27 July Freestyle Bikes Open Day27 July Eastbourne Eagles v Birmingham28 July South of England Superbike Show,

Ardingly31 July Poole Pirates v Coventry

Please note: we cannot be held responsible for the information provided on this page. Much of it is provided independently. We suggest you check details with the organisers before making commitments. Further details and contacts

for some of these events can be found at www.southeastbiker.co.uk.

For south east Biker track Days contact: [email protected]

If you have an event you would like listed then email: [email protected]. August/September entries to be in by 5th July 2013. Entries are limited to first come first in.


TRADE SERVICES

Cooper bMW MotorradLongfield Road, Tunbridge

Wells, Kent TN2 3UETel: 0845 601 8593

New demo bikes available to try. Sales, Servicing, Clothing and parts.

MTS SUSSEXMotorcycle Training for Sussex, Surrey and Kent

• Taster Sessions • CBT • A2/DAS •

• ERS • Advanced • Back to Biking •

• Free Assessments • Ladies Only Days •

call us now on 01342 [email protected]

www.mtssussex.co.uk

helmet CityWaylands Farm,

Tatsfield, TN16 2JT Tel: 01959 577911

Email: [email protected] Large range of Helmets, clothing

and accessories in stock.Outlets in Chichester and Dorset.

www.helmetcity.com

jAM Sport Motorcycles43 The Street, WreccleshamFarnham, Surrey. gU10 4QS

Tel: 01252 718606 SALES, SERVICE, REPAIRS, SPARE PARTS and MOT’S

Stockists in Enduro, Trials, MotorX and quality used bikes

j. S. Gedge (honda)406-410 Old London Road,

hastings, E. Sussex. TN35 5BB Tel: 01424 423708

The one stop Honda shop.

INTA Motorcycles99-107 Upper Stone Street,Maidstone. Kent. ME15 6hE

Tel: 01622 688727 or 01622 765791

Email: [email protected] We specialise in quality used

motorcycles and are Kent’s leading motorcycle trials specialists.

phoenix Motorcycles3a Beeching Road, Bexhill on

Sea, East Sussex TN39 3LgTel: 01424 225224

Quality used bikes available, MOT’s, Servicing, Parts and Accessories

haslemere Motorcycles

Petersfield Road, Whitehill, hampshire gU35 9ARSales: 01420 488290

Main Suzuki, Yamaha dealer with good quality used motorcycles and

Harleys. Test ride the new GSXR600 or try some of our great 125’s on sale.

john W Groombridge Motorcycles

Mayfield Road garagecross in hand, heathfield

East Sussex, TN21 0SPTel: 01435 862466

E-mail: [email protected] Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Sym

motobikes in stock.Large selection of clothing.

Kent Motorcycles dover Road (A2), cT4 6SA

Tel: 01227 832601Everything Honda, New demo’s

available to test ride, CBF 125, CBR 250 and VFR. MOT’s, Servicing,

Clothing and Accessories.

GetGeared290 Kingston Road,

Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7QETel: 01372 225100

Everything you need under one roof or check out our

extensive website.www.getgeared.co.uk

fastlane Motorcycles88 Priory Street,

Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 2AhTel: 01732 363630

Email: [email protected] have a wide range of Used

bikes, Clothing, Servicing, MOT’s, Parts,Track and Race preparation.

bIKESUREInsurance champions

call 0800 089 2000 or visit www.bikesure.co.uk

Viking Motorcycle Seats

27A heaver Trading Estate, Ash, Kent TN15 7hJ Tel: 07977 874075

Seat modifications, Gel pads,

re-covering and embroidery

www.viking-motorcycle-seats.co.uk

The biker StoreUnit 2, Systems house,

Eastbourne Road (A22),Blindley heath,Surrey, Rh7 6Jd

Tel: 01342 458171Wide range of helmets,

clothing and accessories. Come down and see our large showroom.

NEW bIKES

USED bIKES

SERVICING

TRAINING

ClOThING

MISCEllANEOUS

Kingston Motorcycle Centre

Tel: 0208 549 5335Servicing, MOT’s, Race-Track

Prep and repairs.

Sussex Motorbikes

Tyres, Servicing, MOTs, Repairs, Sales & Training

www.sussexmotorbikes.co.ukCBT, DAS, ERS with bike and kit hire

available. We are an established training centre that can take you from CBT to advanced training.

Club Website ContaCt69 Motorcycle Club, Dover www.69motorcycleclub.org 01304 820181Armed Forces Bikers Charity Motorcycle Club www.armedforcesbikers.co.ukAssociated Sheppey Bikers www.theasb.orangehome.co.uk 01795 870533Black Phoenix RC, Sittingbourne www.blackphoenixrc.co.uk 07743 427227

Brighton Easyriders www.brighton-easyriders.co.uk www.facebook.com/brightoneasyriders

Brighton Overland Travellers www.horizonsunlimited.com/country/uk/brighton

BSA Owner’s Club www.westsussexbsa.co.ukBurgess Hill & Distrct Motorcycle Club www.burgesshillmc.comCarshalton Motorcycle Club www.carshaltonmcc.com 020 8642 0964Chimaeras MCC www.chimaeras.org.uk [email protected]

Christian Motorcyclists Association www.bike.org.uk/cma/ sw_london.php 07871 960603

Deal & District MCC www.ddmcc.ocatch.comEastbourne and District MCC (Trials) www.edmcc.co.uk 07733 050537East Kent Advanced Motorcyclists www.ekam.org.uk 07092 857898East Sussex Advanced Motorcyclists www.es-am.org.uk 01323 849073Friends & Bikers MC www.friends-and-bikers.co.uk 01634 245349GEST Hastings MCC www.gesthastingsmcc.co.ukGravesend MC www.gravesendmcc.com 07740 341042Greenwich Motor & MCC 01322 222197Guildford Motorcycle Club www.guildfordmcc.org.uk 07774 422430

Honda Owners Club, Kent Branch www.kent.hoc.org.uk 01322 400775 [email protected]

Huntsman Motor Cycle Club www.huntsmanmcc.telinco.co.ukInvicta Bike Club www.invictabikeclub.co.ukKent Advanced Motorcyclists Group www.kamg.org.uk 0844 585 7792London Advanced Motorcyclists Group www.l-a-m.org 07000 781 103London Fire Brigade MCC 07931 627213MAG - Motocycle Action Group (Brighton) www.brighton.mag-uk.org 07780 704357Merry Axemen The White Rock Underriver www.merryaxemen.co.ukMid-Sussex British Motorcycle Club www.msbmc.co.ukNew Life Bikers - Biggin Hill www.newlifebh.org.uk 01959 571667Reigate & Redhill North Downs MC www.rrnd.co.uk 07793 659176ROSPA Southern Advanced Motorcycle Training www.rospasmart.com

Royal British Legion Riders Branch (RBLR) www.rblr.co.ukSidcup & District Motorcycle Club www.sidcupmotorcycleclub.co.uk South East BMW www.southeastbmw.com 01634 241215The Half Moon Bike Club, Half Moon Inn, Cade Street, Heathfield

[email protected]

Tonbridge & Malling MC www.tmmcc.co.ukTriumph Owners MCC Mighty South London www.tomccmsl.co.uk [email protected] Riders MCC www.tsunamiriders.org.ukUFO’s MCC www.ufos-mcc.comWest Sussex Advanced Motorcyclists www.wsam.info 07870 373087Wey Valley Advanced Motorcyclists (WVAM) www.wvam.org.ukWidows Sons Masonic Bikers Ass., S E Chapter www.widowsons-south-east.com Womens International Motorcycle Association www.wimagb.co.uk


CLUBS

BERKSHIREBASINGSTOKE Mott Motorcycles ...........................RG23 7LLBRACKNELLBahnstomer BMW Thms. Vlly ... RG12 0SH TriCounty Motorcycles .............. RG12 1NQREADINGBlade Honda Reading ...................RG2 0QXSLOUGHSid Morams Motorcycles ..............SL1 1UA

DORSETBOURNEMOUTHCrescent Motorcycles......................BH8 9RT VERWOODCrescent Motorcycles HQ .......... BH31 6AX

EAST SUSSEXBEXHILL-ON-SEATop Gear Superstore/Phoenix Motorcycles ....................TN39 3LGBRIGHTONChandler’s BMW ............................ BN41 1YHCHIDDINGLYThe Six Bells .......................................BN8 6HTCROWBOROUGHJohn Harris Motorcycles .................TN6 1JSHASTINGSJ. S. Gedge (Honda) .......................TN35 5BBHEATHFIELDJW Groombridge .......................... TN21 0SPHORAMWessons Café................................... TN21 0ERMARK CROSSFreeStyle ..............................................TN6 3PDPEVENSEYJ.S. Gedge (Honda) ........................TN24 6EXLEONARDS-ON-SEAJ. S. Gedge (Triumph) ....................TN38 0JB

ESSEXBRADWELLEssex Bikers Centre ......................CM77 8EBBRAINTREECannon BMW Motorcycles .........CM7 3QSCHELMSFORDEssex Honda ....................................CM2 9QP COLCHESTERColchester Kawasaki ........................ C02 8JBDAGENHAMSudden Impact ............................... RM8 1STFINCHINGFIELDThe Three Tuns Pub ........................CM7 4NRLEIGH-ON-SEAAlpha Motorcycles ......................... SS9 3NFWICKFORDDick Turpin Pub .............................. SS12 9HZ

HAMPSHIREALDERSHOTGordon Farley Motorcycles .......GU12 6LFALTONBahnstomer Alton .........................GU34 3DJ The Station Café / M. Snell ....... GU34 2PZ BORDONHaselmere Motorcycles .............GU35 9ARFAREHAMDestination Triumph .................. PO16 0HDFARNBOROUGHInfinity Motorcycles ...................GU14 6HGSOUTHAMPTONCrescent Motorcycles................. SO50 6AAInfinity Motorcycles .....................SO31 8ERWEST MEONLoomies Café ...................................GU32 1JXWINCHESTERAlan Lear Motorcycles ...............SO23 7DW

KENTASHViking Motorcycle Seats ........... TN15 7HJBROMLEYThe Warren ..........................................BR2 7ALCANTERBURYKent Motorcycles ..............................CT4 6SARobinsons Foundry Motorcycles ...................................... CT2 7QGCHATHAMBowen Moto ..................................... ME4 5AB

DEALThe Adelaide Farm Café .............. CT17 0ATDOVERCoombe Valley Motorcycles .....CT17 0HGFARNINGHAM The Pied Bull .....................................DA4 0DGMAIDSTONELaguna Motorcycles ...................ME16 8RAInta Motorcycles ...........................ME15 6HERAMSGATEDave Fox Motorcycles .................. CT11 8PJSEVENOAKSThe Harrow Inn ................................TN14 7JTTONBRIDGEFastlane Motorcycles .....................TN9 2AHTUNBRIDGE WELLSCooper BMW Motorrad ................. TN2 3UESITTINGBOURNEK & S Racing .................................... ME10 3EXWROTHAMOakdene Café ..................................TN15 7RR

LONDONCLAPHAMInfinity Motorcycles ..........................W4 5YTGREAT PORTLAND STREETInfinity Motorcycles ..................... W1W 5PGHANGER LANEInfinity Motorcycles .......................... W5 1ET HIGH HOLBORNInfinity Motorcycles ...................WC1V 6PW KINGS ROADWarrs Harley Davidson ......................... SW6 LEYTONSTONEDouble R Motorcycles ..................... E11 4JTMOTTINGHAMWarrs Harley Davidson .................SE9 4QW

MIDDLESEXMIDDLESEXWest London Yamaha ................TW13 6HDRUISLIPDaytona Motorcycles ..................... HA4 8PT

SURREYBLINDLEY HEATHThe Biker Store/Motorcycle Centre .............................RH7 6JJ BOXHILLRykas Café...........................................RH5 6BXCRANLEIGHFCL Motorcycles ............................ GU6 8NDCOULSDONDoble Motorcycles... .......................CR5 2NGDORKINGBeaky’s Motorcycles ......................RH5 4QUGUILDFORDDestination Triumph ...................... GU5 0JAHarley Davidson ..............................GU3 1NALEATHERHEADGetGeared ........................................KT22 7QEKINGSTONKingston Motorcycles Centre ......KT1 3LGREDHILLFins Motorcycles ...............................RH1 6ETSURBITONTippets Motorcycles ...................... KT6 7AWWOKINGWoking Yamaha ............................. GU21 6LJWRECCLESHAMJAM Sport ........................................GU10 4QS

WEST SUSSEXARUNDELWhiteways Café ............................. BN18 9FDCOWFOLDChalet Café ......................................RH13 8DUCRAWLEYP & H Motorcycles ........................RH10 9RDHAYWARDS HEATHSussex Motorcycles..................... RH16 1TWHORSHAMNew Street Motorcycles ..............RH13 5DT WASHINGTONDestination Triumph .................... RH20 4AJWORTHINGKeys Bros Motorcycles... .............BN11 1UGIf you would like your company to be an official distributor of seb or you would like to suggest a trader to distribute the magazine, please contact Debbie on 01892 610808 or email: [email protected]

seb PICK UP POINTs


IF YOU HAVE JUsT READ THIs… THEN sO HAVE YOUR CUsTOMERsWhy not advertise your company in the South East’s No 1 FREE magazine for bikers? Maximize your company’s full potential by promoting it in South East Biker Magazine and make sure your company’s name reaches the customers you need. SEB has a readership of around 20,000 in the height of summer. SEB also has an active website, Facebook Group and Twitter to keep our readers in touch with what’s going on around the South East. With a fully readable edition online our readership is worldwide.Whatever your budget we can provide a solution; from a business card box to the prestigious cover ads, we are here to help you.call debbie Tunstill today on 01892 610808 or email [email protected]

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Documents

South East Biker, Issue 27 June-July 2013