Editor’s Introduction – Bikes & Me
The year is 2010. Life begins at 40 or so they say. Well for me it did, regarding motorcycles at least. I started to take lessons shortly before my 40th. I kicked myself virtually straight away, “Why hadn’t I done this years ago?!” Although I always liked bikes, at a […]
Hyside or Ducati Chelmsford Dealership
A lot of people will know them as Hyside (a strange name for a dealership I admit), from Collier Row, who moved a while ago to better bigger premises in Romford, and have now moved again to even better, bigger premises in Maldon. Now known as Ducati Chelmsford, yes we […]
Ducati Hypermotard 950SP
Practical all round motorbike? Or just an expensive boys (or girls) toy? To be fair any bike can be an all round bike, there’s Nick Saunders for instance who took an R1 sports bike around the world. However for most of us a practical bike is a bike that does […]
Helite Turtle Airbag Vest
Great product, slightly odd name Having noticed a few fellow ELAM’ites wearing the Helite Turtle Airbag vests on social rides, I chatted to the owners and was very impressed with the safety potential. So I took the plunge and paid £ 450 on 0% APR from Sportbikeshop about two years […]
Ruroc Atlas Helmet
There’s a new kid on the block (OK they’re nearly a year old). Who are Ruroc? They made their name making snowboarding helmets which are by all accounts rather good. It was put to them that they should make a motorcycle helmet, and low and behold they did. So are […]
Maintaining Your Ride – POWDERS
So, everyone here loves to ride. A bike is your gateway to freedom and your passion otherwise why would we be doing it? Now unlike a car, if we don’t treat our bikes well they can get angry, throw a wobbler or throw us off and hurt us. So, I’m […]
The National Observers’ Test
I thought I’d get there a little early, 30 minutes, so I could have a coffee and look over the Observers’ Handbook and my notes before the test. But as I headed for our usual parking spot at Harlow McDonald’s I saw a parked up gleaming blue and white GSA. […]
Nigel’s Route – McDonald’s Harlow to Jordans Mill
For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Nigel Servini and I am the Social ride Co Ordinator. I have been in the role for about 5 years and I must say I really enjoy the job. I currently ride a BMW R1200GSA which I love “I […]
Paul’s Italian Job – Caio!
On a recent trip to Naples I decided to hire a Vespa (well it is Italy after all LOL) and go for a ride along the Amalfi coast. I’ve never ridden a moped before, well that’s a lie. I rode my sister’s Yamaha 50cc something or other up and down […]
Trail Braking
What is it, can I do it, should I do it? In normal everyday riding we are taught to brake in a straight line, once the correct speed has been obtained the brakes are realised, we turn into the corner or bend, which is the correct, safe and tried and […]
Q & A: When Should I Change my Air Filter?
When should I change my air filter? Well, look in the service book, it tells you. It could be about 12,000 miles or two years but yes, it depends! Your riding environment has a big impact on how long your air filter remains in an optimum condition. Some environments will […]
Let’s Talk About Helmets
There’s a lot of advice and opinions on when you should change your helmet. There’s loads of information out there, sometimes it even contradicts itself, and I’m no expert or claim to be. However, one thing we can all be sure of and agree upon (I hope), if you have […]
Right let’s talk about “Chicken Strips”
No not those !! These: I’m sure we have all heard the bloke down the pub, telling stories of he’s daring deeds tearing up the streets, and how his tyres haven’t got any chicken strips on his tyres, so he must be a much better rider than you as you’ve […]
Why I chose the Kawasaki Ninja 650 as my first big bike
I’m a latecomer to biking. You could say I’m a “mid-life crisis” biker, having started to learn at the tender age of 44. After doing CBT and one year of practice riding (a.k.a. commuting) from Newbury Park into the City on my Honda CB125, and with quite a few training […]