Author: Mark Turner

MOTORCYCLE REVIEW |Triumph Bobber by Oshe

1960 was an important year for Triumph.

They had introduced the new ‘unit’ 500cc engine with the engine and gearbox as a single unit. 1960 also meant the T100 was when the controversial bathtub-esq bodywork was released on the world. This was a semi-enclosed rear end that resembled an old upside-down tin bath. This wasn’t well received and only lasted 2 years.

This 1960 Triumph T100 bobber was built by David as a bit of fun in his downtime. David is the owner of Oshe & Workshop Seventy7, 2 sides of the same coin, located at Ordnance Depot, Weedon, Northamptonshire.

Their business is bespoke restorations and builds of classic cars and motorcycles, tailored to the owners’ requirements. They will build you the car of your dreams, with every detail customised to your requirements.

David grew up in South Africa and has been a petrolhead as long as anyone can remember. He’s raced MX and even owned a motorcycle shop over there in 1996/7 that specialised in 2 strokes.

His life changed when he met a South African girl in LA while he was travelling. She lived in the UK and David spent the next 2 years finding a way to move to the UK to be with her.

That was 20 years ago and they now have 11 years of marriage under their belt and a beautiful young son. Quite the fairytale.

Front forks are a pair that he found lying around his mates’ garage and were modified and rebuilt by Pitted Forks in Luton, with uprated springs and shortened tubes to stiffen and lower the front end.

There’s a bolt-on hardtail rear frame section and traditional bobber style, vintage leather, sprung seat.

David’s bobber emits a mighty battle cry from the short, slash-cut, straight through pipes. No electric starter here, just an MX style Kickstarter ready to break your shin, with a right side gear change and left-side foot brake to mess with your brain even more. This thing screams attitude.

Oshes’ nasty little murdered out bobber has a cool, satin black, hand made fuel tank by Olliminium and is dripping with neat touches, like the machined down brass military tank shell, repurposed as the distributor cap, amber front light and cut down satin black rear fender.

Chopper bars give it a badass stance and David raided his mates’ garage again for a set of wire wheels, which were, of course, painted black then wrapped in period style Avon rubber. Old Triumphs have crap electrics, so an upgraded ignition system was installed. Mirrors, grips and lots of subtle details have been added to create a simple, clean but rebellious ride.

Photos courtesy of Daisy Turner. She’s a budding photographer and this was her first shoot. She’s only 13 years old!

6th April 2020
VIDEO | Subaru Forester 2.0i XE Premium Lineartronic reviewed

Mark Turner takes us throught he Subaru Forester 2.0i XE Premium Lineartronic

28th October 2019
Isuzu D-Max XTR – an extreme lifestyle

Isuzu is the oldest Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer. They’ve been manufacturing vehicles since 1916.

In the UK they are known for their tough, hardworking, dependable commercial vehicles, predominantly pickups.

In recent years become more practical, more comfortable and nicer to drive. This was helped by the continually increasing company car users tax bills and the fact that a pickup is a commercial vehicle and as such, attracts a low, flat rate of tax for the user.

This has led to a whole new category being spawned; lifestyle.

A lifestyle pickup is a vehicle that is like a luxury 4×4 inside but has the practicality of a pickup. Just about every manufacturer has a toe in this water and has a lifestyle variant in their range.

Isuzu have a couple of contenders that fall into the lifestyle arena; the awesome D-Max AT35 Arctic truck and the D-Max Blade.

The AT35 is really the top of the tree, and too extreme for most, whilst the Blade is very nice, very well engineering with great driving manners and equipment if a bit subtle.

To capitalise on the lifestyle sector, Isuzu has created their secret weapon. It’s called the XTR.

This is a UK exclusive model and is aimed squarely at those customers who like to personalise and modify their trucks. Aftermarket modifications are a big thing with many customers opting for wide arches, sidesteps, suspension modifications and much more. As a result, there are now a plethora of companies that offer drive in, drive out services.

Think of Isuzu’s XTR as a factory modified truck. That means that all of the components used are certified, tested, safe and warrantied.

I was invited to test the XTR on the UK launch……and test it I did.

Our first leg was a 20-minute road drive to familiarise us with the truck. I’ve driven quite a few pickups and love them. Generally, they offer the road manners of a 4×4 but with the practicality of a pickup. Gone are the days of a harsh, utilitarian work tool.

We arrived at the first off-road section in the pouring rain. This was a wood somewhere in North Wales.

Now, I’ve done a bit of off-roading over the years but this was another level.

We were guided through a very serious and challenging off-road route that took the XTR to, and past, its limits.

Rain had pounded the track making it a treacherous and precarious route.

We experienced everything from inclined, hairpin turns that lifted wheels, to fallen trees and hidden tree stumps that threatened to break the axles. Deep mud and pools of water meant that grip was hard to find and the XTR slipped and slithered along the track, often in mud so deep it was resting on the sturdy side steps.

With patients, technique and guidance, we made it through, demonstrating very well how unbelievable this thing is off-road.

From the woods, we headed to an old quarry for a different kind of off-road experience.

This was an old slate quarry so slippery, and with a surface that moved and changed as you travel over it. Large rocks, small sharp shards of slate and everything in between. Here we traversed some very steep inclines and declines that really tested the hill descent, off-road traction control and low range gearbox to the limit.

Some of the drops were so sleep I had to brace myself against the windscreen while the rear axle went light.

I can honestly say the off-road capability of the D-Max XTR is incredible. It left me speechless (apart from several expletives I won’t mention here).

I mentioned before that Isuzu’s XTR is here to compete with the aftermarket custom builders. In this sector Image and customisation are key. Isuzu has met these objectives head-on with sophisticated and aggressive styling, Increased capability and bespoke specification. This is a factory custom pickup with handpicked custom and performance parts.

Externally there is an aggressive body kit consisting of a front bumper guard, bonnet protector, headlight surrounds and big wheel arch extensions.

A new rear bumper and light frames and raptor coated tailgate spoiler. Decals are optional but I like them and the bigger the better. There are also some cool, unique and durable new side steps.

Isuzu has carefully selected some very cool and serious upgrades for the XTR; Pedders lifted suspension and brakes with green springs and callipers, a new rear anti-roll bar and vented and slotted front brake discs with kevlar ceramic pads.

The longer suspension articulation means they had to design a new top wishbone to ensure the geometry worked.

It’s this kind of engineering that sets the XTR apart from aftermarket modified vehicles.

The suspension is set up with springs and shock absorbers tuned for a more comfortable and refined ride.

17” bespoke XTR alloy wheels wrapped in 32″ Pirelli Scorpion™ all-terrain plus tyres do a brilliant job on and off-road.

Inside there are leather and suede bespoke XTR heated seats, infotainment system and everything you would expect from a luxury SUV. It’s a lovely place to be.

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of a good pickup. I really like the way they drive, you feel safe and people give you room. You’re not constantly pressured and bullied by other road users.

The XTR is well equipped, incredibly capable, it looks fantastic and is well priced, starting at £33,999 CVOTR.

You can have a manual or auto. I prefer manual off-road but auto on the road.

Isuzu has created a secret weapon for sure here. It’s a serious piece of kit and I expect will sell very well. It deserves to.

25th September 2019
Energica EVA EsseEsse9 – The future is here

Old Empire Motorcycles was founded in 2010 through an absolute and enduring passion for everything two-wheeled. It’s one of the coolest and most respected custom motorcycle builders in the UK.

They create a handful of one-off custom bikes annually, some of the most beautiful and innovative custom motorcycles in the UK. So beautiful in fact, they have been exhibited at Harrods London and at the Saatchi Gallery and won numerous awards from titles such as; Silodrome, Pipeburn, MCN and Cafe Racer TV plus they won the coveted Malle Mile Best of show. They have even won a Salon Privé award.

A couple of years ago, Alec, the owner of Old Empire, embarked on a new venture, English Electric Motor Co or EEMC.

EEMC is now one of Europe’s premier electric motorcycle retailers, yes electric motorcycles. Electric motorcycle sales are going through the roof. By the end of the 1st quarter 2019, registrations of electric mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles were up by 71% in Europe. Ok, so the number is still pretty small but growing very fast.

EEMC has jumped in with both feet and are taking the bull by the horns.

I received an invite to try some of their bikes recently so I thought I’d go and see what all the fuss was about.

They laid on a range of their electric motorcycles to try. I could go on all day about them all so, long story short, I’ll tell you about the top of the range, the Energica EVA EsseEsse9.

It’s a naked bike, I guess like an Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 factory or Yamaha MT-10 SP.

As you can see, there’s no fairing, and you sit fairly upright. It’s all pretty typical. It looks slightly unconventional, with a battery pack and motor where the engine would usually sit, but other than that, it’s pretty familiar stuff.

Energicas EVA EsseEsse9 makes 110 bhp which isn’t bad, however, it makes 180nm torque. An Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 factory, the benchmark naked bike, only makes 120nm torque.

Suspension is top of the line, quality stuff. Marzocchi 43 mm, fully adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping.

At the rear there’s a very nice Bitubo rear mono shock, also fully adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping. It’s a quality setup and does a brilliant job.

Brakes are very impressive. Brembo front and rear with awesome feel and very strong.

Front brakes are Brembo double floating 330mm discs with big 4 pistons radial callipers.

The rear brake is a single 240mm disc with 2 piston calliper.

Tyres are Pirelli Phantom which are a good all-rounder but I would consider something more performance-oriented personally. The front is pretty typical 120/70 ZR17 and the rear is 180/55 ZR17.

As is typical on top-end motorcycles, there are a host of electronics.

Switchable Bosch ABS is standard and there are 4 Riding Modes: Eco, Urban, Rain, Sport.

Energica, like some other electric motorcycles and cars, have regenerative braking. This generates electricity when you are on overrun or braking. It genuinely makes a difference too. I saw the battery % rise a couple of times! Regenerative braking is adjustable on this bike; 4 regenerative maps: Low, Medium, High, Off.

Advanced traction control has six levels of intervention so you can dial it right back if you’re brave. Cruise control is standard too and uses the electronic brake to maintain speed and increase braking energy.

A couple of the key differences between the Energica EVA EsseEsse9 on the competition are the oil cooled electric motor, meaning the motor temperature is controlled and there is less chance of thermal overload under heavy load. The controlled is water cooled for the same reason.

That’s all great but what’s it like to ride?

Honestly, it’s amazing.

The cycle parts are all excellent. Brakes, suspension and steering are all superb. This bike corners hard and stops very well.

When you first pull off it’s pretty odd. More or less silent apart from some electric motor whine which is more pronounced on the Energica than on some other electric motorcycles. It has a chain drive too rather than the belt drive on most competitor bikes. I certainly feel safer with a chain taking 190Nm torque.

There are no gears and no clutch so you just twist and go…..and it really goes.

Acceleration is breathtaking and relentless.

On the Energica EVA EsseEsse9, from the moment you twist the throttle, you have maximum torque. It’s the way electric motors deliver their power.

It means that every time you accelerate, you have an unrelenting, jaw-dropping acceleration. It just doesn’t stop.

Overtaking a car, for example, just wait for a gap, snap the throttle open and hold on’

A conventional bike would have to change down a gear or two which takes precious seconds. In no time, the Energica is just a dot on the horizon. It’s like you’re always in the right gear at the right revs.

It accelerates as hard at 80 mph as it does at 40 mph too. It’s like nothing you’ve ever ridden.

It is absolutely brilliant and completely addictive. Accelerating out of corners, away from lights, in fact anywhere, it’s outrageous. I doubt many conventional bikes could live with it.

The two main criticisms of electric motorcycles are usually the lack of noise, and range/charging Infrastructure.

Noise is a double-edged sword. Anti-noise pollution legislation is becoming increasingly stringent, but it’s not an issue on an electric motorcycle.

Riding through a local village, I was completely unheard and didn’t interrupt anyone’s day. The same goes for track days; no issues with noise pollution if you’re on an electric bike.

However, On a quiet country road, I passed some dog walkers and cyclists. Neither heard me coming until I was basically on them.

As for charging, the Energica with recharge from 0-85% in just 20 min with a level 3 34kW fast charger. Or you can charge 0-100% on a level 2 charger in 3.5hrs.

With a full charge, you can get around 70-120 miles, depending how you ride. Motorways on high load, higher speeds use more battery power and around town and on b road blasts, you get much more range.

What about the cost?

It’s not cheap. You need to factor in that this is a very well built motorcycle with top quality components. You also need to remember you have very low running costs as there are hardly any moving parts, but most significantly, you don’t have to buy petrol ever again.

The EsseEsse9 Standard is £20999 OTR* (*includes £1500 government subsidy)

The EsseEsse9 Special is £21999 OTR* (*includes £1500 government subsidy) English Electric Motor Co have a demonstrator EsseEsse9 Standard for sale at the moment with only 960 miles on it for just £18990 (0% finance available)

If this is the future then I can’t wait. It’s brilliant.

I would recommend anyone goes to their local dealer for a chat and a ride. In the UK give English Electric Motor Co a call. They’re awesome and really friendly.

English Electric Motor co

Twitter; https://twitter.com/EngElecMotCo

Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/englishelectricmotorco/

24th September 2019
CAR REVIEW | Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – Too good to be true?

★★★★★ | Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

With increasingly stringent legislation, manufacturers are being squeezed and challenged to meet changing goals for reduced emissions and an ever more environmentally friendly footprint.

By January 2018 there were more than 100,000 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV sales across Europe, making it the most popular plug-in vehicle. In fact, despite a growing number of competitors, it remains the best-selling plug-in vehicle – hybrid or electric – in the UK.

Which brings me to the next point.
For the layman, the hybrid sector is a little confusing. There are several different types. Self-charging, plugin, parallel, range-extended and more.

Mitsubishi have a very interesting way of delivering their Hybrid solution.

The Outlander PHEV has an electric motor for each axle. That means one motor powers the rear wheels, one powers the front wheels, so 4X4.

Electricity for these motors comes from either the battery, which ideally should be charged from the mains for maximum efficiency, or can be charged by the engine while you are driving (not very efficient though). When you are driving, if you use up all of the battery power, or you need more power than the battery can supply (say an overtake or spirited drive) the engine kicks in and generates more electricity. In extreme cases, if you accelerate hard or really labour the vehicle, the engine will also provide drive to the front wheels to assist the electric motors.

The petrol engine is a 2.4-litre petrol engine, which uses MIVEC variable valve timing system. It’s very quiet and smooth and is surprisingly efficient.

The battery capacity has been increased and is now 13.8kWh and in electric-only mode, the Outlander will now do 84mph on a private road.

Another interesting feature is that it has only one forward gear as it is essentially an electric drivetrain. This means progress is seamless and driving it is absolute simplicity.

In electric-only mode, in real-world driving conditions, the Outlander should do up to 28 miles on a charge. It doesn’t sound like much, but remember that this is a hybrid and this is more than enough for a lot of people’s daily commute.

The theory is, you charge up on cheap electricity overnight, drive to work, charge up at work, usually for free (if you need to) and drive home, all on electric only. On longer journies, you can travel without range anxiety as you have the security of the petrol engine to generate power.

It’s not uncommon for owners to go months without having to top up the petrol tank, as most of their journeys are fully electric, or mostly electric.

What’s the Mitsubishi Outlander like?
In brief, it’s a very well-engineered, well built, roomy and practical, luxury SUV.

The current model has had a host of improvements and additions, making it a beautiful car, very well appointed.

The updated Outlander benefits from new LED headlamps and all-new 18” alloy wheel design as well as super-All Wheel Control system with new SNOW and SPORT driving modes.

Higher body rigidity through the use of structural adhesive welding plus a quicker steering rack with SPORT mode remapping means improved handling and safety. There are larger front brake discs (vented) for improved feel and stopping power too.

As you would expect there are a full suite of advanced safety features and technologies, such as;

Five-star NCAP safety rating, Automatic headlamps, Rain-sensing wipers, Reversing camera,
Electronic handbrake with auto hold. There are also excellent LED headlights and daylight running lights with automatic high-beam, a very effective 360-degree camera with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning system with lane-change assist and even more.

With this level of electronic assistance, it would seem like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV might be a bit cold and emotionless but actually, despite all of the electronics, it’s very easy to drive and feels very familiar. You don’t notice any intrusion and I found I felt instantly at home driving it.
The luxurious Interior was a very nice place to be with quality leather and high-grade plastic throughout.
Our test car had gunmetal grey leather seats with 8-way electric adjusted front driver’s seat and matching door upholstery and centre armrest, premium Alpine audio system with remote smartphone app compatibility (apple carplay and android auto), heated front and rear seats, power tailgate and heated steering wheel.

In summary, it’s hard to review the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV because there is so much to it.

This is not a straightforward luxury car review. The PHEV side of the vehicle is so clever and well-engineered and has some significant benefits over a conventional car or SUV. It’s not a one size fits all car. If you are a high mileage driver, this probably isn’t the best choice for you. However, in most other respects, the Outlander PHEV offers some great benefits. During our time with the car, we genuinely saw well over 200mpg averages. That’s not fake journalist talk either. The batteries were charged and we were driving the car as we normally would. Over a couple of days of running kids around, commuting to work and usual duties like shopping and so on, we regularly saw 200+mpg journeys. It really showed how effective this Outlander PHEV is if used correctly. Obviously, many journeys are completely petrol free.

I would strongly urge you to call into your local dealer and arrange a test drive. The staff will talk you through the technology and the Hybrid powertrain and I’m sure you will be very impressed.
Prices start at £36,755

24th September 2019
CAR REVIEW | Mercedes E220d convertible AMG line

★★★★★ | Mercedes E220d convertible AMG

Mercedes are masters at creating luxurious and stylish convertibles. They have a long and distinguished history of making beautiful and timeless convertible cars.

One of their latest is the E Class convertible. We were fortunate to have been given an E220d AMG line recently for a week of effortless and stylish cruising in the lap of luxury.

Mercedes currently offer 3 convertible models. The C class, E Class and S class. The E Class sits right in the middle with a starting price of £45,960.

Our test car was the E220 convertible diesel, which means it was powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 194 hp and 400 Nm. 0-62 mph takes 7.7 seconds and the combined mpg is quoted as 57.7 mpg. I wouldn’t dispute this, it was great on fuel, particularly at motorway speeds. For the company car users, the E220d emits 126 g/km of CO2.

A modern Mercedes is a very nice place to be and with ours being the AMG line with a few of the optional packages ticked; Premium package, parking package, driving assistance package, night package.

It was very well equipped and particularly well appointed car.

Premium package includes; memory package (Memory package allows the driver’s seat, front passenger seat, steering column and exterior mirrors to all be electrically adjusted & stored), parking package (searches for a suitable parking space for you and then helps you with accurate parking) including 360° camera, comand online (media interface, widescreen 12.3-inch cockpit display and touchpad), multibeam led intelligent Light System (To ensure the best possible vision, the LED Intelligent Light System adapts automatically to the prevailing weather, light and driving conditions) and wireless charging.

We also had the benefit of the driving assistance package, including: active brake assist, active distance assist distronic, active speed limit assist, active lane keeping assist, evasive steering assist and pre-safe plus (initiates occupant protection measures if a rear-end collision is imminent).

Our car was the AMG line and in addition to the AMG bodystyling had the night package, which included: 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels painted high-gloss black with high sheen finish, diamond radiator grille with integral, Mercedes‑Benz star and a single louvre and some high-gloss black exterior highlights.

A really neat feature of the E220d Cabriolet AMG line is the way the multi-layer acoustic fabric roof can be folded down on the move. It can be operated at speeds up to 31 mph and opened or

closed in just 20 seconds. It’s great if you’re in traffic and the weather takes a turn for the worst.

Mercedes airscarf neck-level heating and aircap are standard on this car and another welcome feature for when the sun doesn’t have his hat on.

How does it drive?

There are a few engine options across the range; In the diesels the E220 that we had, had the 1,950cc, 4-cylinder diesel which produces 194hp/143kW. There’s also a 2,987cc, 6-cylinder diesel producing 340hp/250kW in the E400

In petrol form there’s a 1,991cc, 4-cylinder petrol engine producing 245hp/180kW in the E300 or 299hp/220kW with EQ Boost of 14hp/10kW in the E350, and a 2,996cc, 6-cylinder petrol producing 367hp/270kW in the E450. If this doesn’t quench your thirst for power, there’s a 2,999cc, 6-cylinder petrol, 435hp/320kW with EQ Boost of 22hp/16kW in the AMG E53 4MATIC+.

Our test car also had the the excellent 9G-TRONIC PLUS 9-speed automatic gearbox which was great, particularly when cruising and so smooth.

Mercedes make beautiful cars with stunning interiors and this is no exception. Our AMG line car had a black artico leather/dinamica microfibre upholstery and black open-pore ash wood trim on dashboard and centre console. Brushed aluminium highlights and accents such as the air vent nozzles, door handles and seat controls.

Ride and handling are superb as you would expect. The AMG line has AMG ride control sports suspension, based on air body control air suspension. The multi-chamber air suspension system with a sporty spring/damper set-up continuously adjusts damping to ensure excellent driving dynamics and a high level of ride comfort.

In combination with AMG dynamic select, three pre-set modes (Comfort, Sport and Sport+) are available to deliver a tailored driving experience.

In summary, the E220d convertible is a beautiful, stylish and very well engineered car. It’s great to drive, looks amazing and is a practical 4 seat car with the added bonus of being a stunning convertible when you want it to be.

Prices for the E class convertible start at £45,960.00

18th September 2019
Motorcycle gear review

For my day to day riding, I’ve been wearing my old textile gear until recently. The old jacket and trousers have seen many, many miles in wind, rain and shine. To be honest, they were well past their best and not only did they leak, but I looked like a tramp in them.

The final straw was when the seam on the arse of the textile trousers split.

Design, trends and materials have moved on significantly since I bought my old gear.

Most of the motorcycles I ride these days are naked bikes and I’m not the same guy I was then. I’m older and carry a few more kg’s.

I don’t often ride for just pleasure these days either. I visit customers, so need to be reasonably presentable.

Boots: Tucano Urbano Marty Boots

This was easy. I saw a guy wearing some Tucano Urbano Marty Shoes while I was wearing my old, clumsy sports bike boots recently. Decision made.

These look a bit like leather Converse, casual but smart enough to wear to customers I know.

100% waterproof is a massive bonus and the ankle bone padding works well.
Overall the Marty shoes are great. They look really good, they’re waterproof, strong and well built.

They’re great to wear, not too heavy, although they are reinforced around the heel, ankle and across the front which adds some weight. Superb boots that I’ll wear until they fall off.

CE Certified model – category 2 compliant with EN13634:2017 directive. £129.99

Trousers: Richa Original Jeans

Generally, I’ve always worn textile trousers which are usually bulky and sweaty. Mine were well past their best and the protection wasn’t up to current standards either.
I’ve never tried motorcycle jeans so thought I’d try some Richa Original jeans in black.

These are obviously not waterproof but tick all the other boxes. I’ll probably get some new textile trousers at some point too.

Richa jeans are a mix of denim Cordura, cotton & polyester for the outer so are strong but soft, and have poly-cotton soft lining so are nice and warm too.

Safety stitching is standard everywhere and importantly, they have D3O knee & hip protection should the worst happen.

I actually found these came up a little small, so went for a size bigger than usual. They fit well, are really comfortable and I wish I bought some ages ago.

They’re perfect for day to day riding. I can visit customers as they’re black, and they look great on stuff I’m riding at the moment; Ducati Scrambler, Triumph Street scrambler and the like.

CE certified. £149.99

Jacket: Richa Infinity 2 Jacket

This was a big decision. I ride in all weathers and technology and materials have improved so much since I last bought a jacket.
I chose the Richa Infinity 2 Jacket.

Richa says it’s a four-season jacket and to support that claim, it comes with 2 zip outliners. One is a thermal, quilted liner and the other is a waterproof liner.

I took both out because I find the jacket is fine on its own for me. I have used the waterproof liner a couple of times, but haven’t needed the thermal liner yet. I’m sure I will though.

We’ve been fortunate enough to have had some lovely weather this year. When it’s been hot, the air vent system has been a huge benefit. You can unzip vents to let the airflow through. They are excellent, well placed and really make a difference.

It’s pretty waterproof too. It leaks after a while in continuous rain but it’s really not bad at all, and that’s what the waterproof liner is for.
It’s not a long jacket, it’s more of a hip-length jacket, kind of an in-between sports jacket and touring jacket. That really works for me and looks great.

The Infinity 2 jacket is a quality piece of clothing. Well made and comfortable, helped by the wide range of adjustability.

Armour and protection is a particularly strong point of this jacket. D30 armour sits in the shoulders, back and elbow, extending down your forearm.

As a jacket for all year use, it’s a great buy. Lots of pockets, very comfortable, great protection and it looks good too. £239.99

27th August 2019
MOTORCYCLE REVIEW | Ducati 1100 Scrambler Sport

★★★★★ | Ducati 1100 Scrambler Sport

With the decline is sports bike sales, manufacturers have had to look elsewhere. They have had to find more creative ways to sell motorcycles and one of the ways has been to develop categories such as adventure and retro bikes. That’s brilliant for me, I love both.

Ducati has arguably one of the most distinctive retro models on the market at the moment with the scrambler range of motorcycles. They have created a stylish, alluring range that is modern with a provenance that can be traced back to the Ducati Scramblers of the ’60s & ’70s, for many of us these were the bikes of our youth. It’s all in the genes.

The Scrambler 1100 range consists of; standard 1100, the Special and the Sport. Our test bike was the sport which means it had fully-adjustable Öhlins suspension all ‘round, very sexy.

Ducati has fitted fully adjustable 48mm USD forks at the front and a fully adjustable Öhlins unit at the rear. Both are superb and needed little or no adjustment apart from a sniff more preload at the rear as I am probably best described as ‘well built’.

For the Sport, Weight is up very slightly from the standard bike’s 186kg to 189kg, probably due to the Öhlins suspension which is well worth it.

Brakes are excellent, very progressive and incredibly capable. They lack a bit of initial bite but this is typical of modern bikes with ABS. Ducati has fitted twin 320mm discs with Brembo radial monobloc callipers at the front and a 245mm disc, with single-piston at the rear. As you would expect, cornering ABS is standard equipment.

Styling is a real focus of this bike, we’ll come back to this point shortly. A steel teardrop fuel tank with interchangeable aluminium side panels dominates your view. It’s unique and looks great in my opinion. Wheels are machine-finished 10-spoke, flat-track style and really work for me.

With the comfortable, flat seat, wide bars and retro styling, the Scrambler is gorgeous. It’s thoroughly modern but beautifully retro. Simply, the best of both worlds.

I even found myself wearing different riding gear to suit the style of the bike. Tucano Urbano Sneaker Marty motorcycle boots, Richa Infinity 2 jacket and Richa black motorcycle jeans. This definitely suited the style of bike and riding and was really comfortable.

Ducati has used the 1100cc (1,079 cc) air-cooled L-twin engine which has been around for a while now but is dripping with character and is a punchy engine.

As is usual with modern motorcycles, there is a full suite of electronics to keep us safe. Traction Control, 3 Riding Modes (Active, Journey and City), Ducati Safety Pack (Cornering ABS + DTC- traction control), RbW (fly by wire throttle).

I never changed the rider modes. It doesn’t make crazy power so I just left it in the top mode, Active.

Off-road I think it might help to soften the power to gain traction. By the way, the underside of scrambler sport is completely unprotected, so if you do go off-road, be mindful.

Power is a relatively modest 85bhp and 88Nm of torque. This coupled with the retro styling did concern me a little before I picked the bike up. I was worried it could be a little form over function. I didn’t need to bother, it’s a great bike.

I’m not sure how Ducati have done it. Or even if it is intentional, but the Scrambler is dripping with character. In the morning, when you first fire it up, it has a reluctance that our bikes of old used to have. After a few moments it’s perfectly on song but, first thing, it’s like waking a grumpy teenager. This is not a complaint. In a world where everything works perfectly all the time, it’s a welcome characteristic and makes the bike feel alive.

While we’re on the subject of character, Ducati has done a great job with the standard exhausts. They bark and pop and generally make a lovely noise. I don’t know how they have done it with ever-tightening legislation, but good for you Ducati.

What’s it like to ride? It’s really good fun. The gearbox is excellent, with easy clutchless up changes through the ‘box. The suspension is very good and the bike loves to lean.

Brake hard for a roundabout, pitch the bike on its side in 2nd gear and accelerate hard out again and you’ll be smiling from ear to ear. Leant over, under power, it’s very sure-footed, even on the Pirelli MT60RS semi knobbly tyres. The bike doesn’t move around or feel twitchy at all. This is a very friendly bike to ride at any speed.

On a motorway, it’s fine up to the legal limit or a bit above. On a private road we got it up to 120mph but after about 90mph, with no wind protection, it gets a bit hard work.

Where this bike comes alive is everywhere else! B-roads, A-roads, city centres, everywhere. It a hooligan but is made to make you smile.

The throttle response is excellent and nicely progressive and the wide bars felt a little high at first, but after a few miles, you feel completely at home.

One of the key features for me is that It’s very friendly. The Scrambler 1100 Sport doesn’t have massive power, but easily enough to have a lot of fun. It is great at low-speed manoeuvring, it’s comfortable, it’s a bit of a hooligan but completely predictable and it looks amazing. What’s not to like. This is a massive win in my book, I’m a big fan.

Power: 85bhp@7500rpm
Torque: 65ftlb@4750rpm
Weight: 189kg (dry)
Fuel capacity: 15 litres
Front suspension: Öhlins 48mm USD fully adjustable forks
Rear suspension: Öhlins fully adjustable single shock
Engine: 1079cc air-cooled 4 valve L-twin
Front brakes: 2x320mm discs, 4-piston Monobloc Brembo calliper with cornering ABS
Rear brake: 245mm disc, single-piston calliper
Seat height: 810mm
Price: Scrambler range starts at £10,795

21st August 2019
CAR REVIEW | Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

★★★★★ | Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

If you’re a bit self-conscious or maybe a bit of a shrinking violet, this truck is definitely not for you.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for something unique and something that will make a statement, this is it.

Make no mistake though, the Isuzu D-Max Arctic trucks AT35 isn’t just a statement piece, it’s a very capable and hard working vehicle.

Pickups or trucks as some call them, have come a long way in recent years. In the ’80s and ’90s, pickups were a utilitarian vehicle, built to work, with minimal luxuries and low levels of equipment and refinement. In the 2000s things changed and manufacturers started making pickups that were comfortable as well as functional.

A luxurious pickup ticks a lot of boxes in my world, however, there is another step up on the pickup evolutionary ladder…….the Arctic Truck.

The Arctic truck is probably the highest evolution of the species.

When a dealer receives an order for one of these monsters, a standard vehicle is delivered to the dealer, then shipped to Arctic Trucks where the transformation takes place.

The AT35 is based on the strong and durable Isuzu D-Max pick-up which is extensively enhanced by Arctic Trucks who inject 25 years’ experience of developing 4×4 vehicles capable of taking on the most gruelling conditions.

The transformation involves carrying out a 30mm body lift with complimentary 20mm suspension lift, to give the vehicle enough ground clearance to conquer just about any terrain.

With the huge ground clearance and suspension travel, you need a quality shock absorber set up to control the abuse this truck is built for. Arctic trucks selected Fox suspension as the brand of shock absorbers to fit to this hard core pickup.

All this extra ability is wasted without bigger, better wheels and tyres and Arctic trucks take care of this by fitting 17” x 10” Alloy Wheels with locking wheel nuts, wrapped in 315/70 R17 Nokian Rotiiva Tyres to provide the traction needed while traversing a mountainside.

In order to keep those huge wheels and tyres covered, there’s an oversized fender package front and rear with arctic trucks mud flaps.

When your truck is this big, getting in and out of the cab is harder than you think. These guys take cars of that by fitting side steps and there’s also a rear receiver hitch bar for attachments such as a tow bar.

The end result is the all-new Isuzu D-Max AT35. A pick-up truck engineered to excel in the most

arduous conditions, and is the result of technical collaboration between two respected off-road and pick-up specialists.

Our test vehicle had some choice extras such as the sports bar mounted lazer lights and front bumper lazer lights. These were unbelievable and turned night into day. We also had the chrome rear sports bar and the lockable mountain top roll cover. This was great for keeping the rear bed secure when I parked it on the street overnight. Another practical and aesthetic addition was the aluminium underguard kit. This covered the underside of the engine and gearbox and the rear diff. Very useful when traversing rocky terrain.

Isuzu’s D-Max Arctic trucks AT35 comes with very comfortable leather upholstery with heated front seats, electrically height adjustable driver’s seat. There are 5 adult seats and plenty of room, front and rear.

As you would expect, it’s loaded with equipment; Projector headlights, electric windows all around, automatic air conditioning, steering wheel mounted audio & cruise controls, keyless entry and push button start system, plus much more equipment that you would reasonably expect on this calibre of vehicle. For example; This Isuzu has Bluetooth® Connectivity, DAB Radio with eight speakers (2 x front door, 2 x rear door, 2 x tweeters & 2 x roof mounted), Apple CarPlayTM & Android AutoTM plus satellite navigation.

In the middle of the soft-touch dashboard is a 7″ multifunction colour touchscreen and reversing camera.

In this day and age, we expect a suite of safety features on our vehicles. Isuzu’s AT35 comes with ABS (anti-lock braking system), ESC (Electronic Stability Control) & EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution). You also have BAS (Brake Assist System), HSA (Hill Start Assist) & HDC (Hill Descent Control) & rear parking sensors with a parking camera.

With only 164 PS (162bhp), the AT35 isn’t what you would call fast. In fact, if you try to hustle this thing, you will find yourself frustrated. It’s slow off the line and when you put your foot down, it’s slow to respond. However, this style of driving is completely missing the point. I spent my time cruising around, stress-free.

Because of the imposing nature of the AT35, people treat you with respect. I found nobody tried to cut me up or block my progress, people were polite and kept their distance. It was very relaxing for a change. Add to that the go-anywhere nature of the vehicle and I was in heaven. There’s almost no terrain this can’t conquer so you feel pretty invincible but conspicuous. It turns heads like a supercar. Sat at traffic lights, driving through town, on a country lane, in fact just about anywhere, this stands out. People are polite and even wave or take a picture. I couldn’t help thinking that if I was in a supercar, the response would be somewhat more hostile.

Fuel economy is reasonable with quoted figures being fairly accurate; Urban 30.4 – 38.7mpg. Extra Urban 40.9 – 50.4 mpg. Combined 36.2 – 45.6mpg.

Another ace up the Isuzu D-Max Arctic trucks AT35’s sleeve is the confidence-inspiring 5 year/125,000 mile warranty & 5 year UK & EU roadside assistance.

In summary, I wouldn’t hesitate to have one of these as a daily, I loved driving it. We took it off-road at every opportunity and never struggled, not one bit. It’s very capable, well built, well equipped and looks outrageous. I was constantly looking back when I walked away from it. However, It’s not subtle, and for some, might be a bit too obvious.

Price:

Manual Transmission

£38,545.00 CVOTR†

Automatic Transmission

£38,545.00 CVOTR†

10th August 2019
Tucano Urbano MRK 2 Motorcycle Gloves

Tucano Urbano Gloves MRK 2

For the last few thousand miles, I’ve been using some Tucano Urbano MRK 2 summer gloves.

An odd choice maybe in April and May in the UK, but they’ve been great.

Tucano Urbano is an Italian manufacturer who’s range offers Italian design and style with practical solutions for urban scooter and motorcycle riders, so I’m told.

They’ve been around for 20 years and have a good reputation for making quality gear.

Construction

These gloves have a soft, synthetic suede palm with a flexible anti-abrasion rubber insert.

Aero 3D mesh around the palm and the back of the gloves gives maximum ventilation. These are very light and soft.

Silicone rubber strips on the fingers improve grip and goat’s leather inserts around the wrist and all over the knuckles add strength and durability whilst keeping the soft, light feel of these gloves.

There is soft certified armour on the knuckles and some rubber protection on the top of the fingers too.

Velcro adjustment on the cuff is also by goat’s leather strap with microinjection ends for easy opening. These are also touchscreen gloves which is very handy when using your satnav.

Fit and feel

At first, I thought these gloves would simply be too light to wear in anything but glorious sunshine but that’s not been the case. They are very light and heavily vented, but I really light how soft and light they are. Because of the feel, I’ve worn them in all weathers; warm sunny days, cold windy days and even pouring with rain days. I expect in deepest winter they would be too light, but I haven’t struggled at all. When they’ve got wet in the rain, they’ve always dried really quickly. Maybe because they are so light.

They fit well and being a short glove, don’t get in the way of cuffs.

My Spidi gloves are a size 9 – L so went for the same with these Tucano Urbano gloves. They’re spot on.

Protection

MRK 2 are short summer gloves and as such, are a little short on the full-on protection you might find on a full blown leather glove.

There is soft, certified armour on the knuckles and anti-abrasion pads on the palm and fingers plus goat’s skin along the tops of the fingers and thumb.

Tucano Urbano MRK 2 gloves are CE approved: meets the EN 13594:2015–CE safety standards for motorbike gloves.

Warmth

You wouldn’t expect these to be warm. They are a heavily vented, lightweight summer glove after all. I was surprised to find they have been great so far. I’m sure when the temperatures hit single digits, it will be time to pull out the winter gloves but I will use these as long as I can.

Waterproofing

Well, let’s be realistic, there is none. It’s a summer glove after all. Like I said before though, I’ve worn these in the pouring rain and decided to wear latex gloves under them. When they were soaking, they held their shape and performed just as well as when they are dry. They dried out quickly too.

Verdict

Tucano Urbano has been known primarily for scooter gear, but if you look at their current range, it’s huge. It covers everything from under layers to helmets to men’s motorcycle gear, women’s motorcycle gear, boots, gloves and lots more.

These gloves are so light and comfortable I’ve really enjoyed wearing them. There’s not much worse than wearing gloves that blunt your feel. These certainly do not. They are my new glove of choice until winter sets in.

£52.99

Sizes XS > XXL

24th June 2019
REVIEW | Tucano Urbano Jacket Network 2G

I’ve been using the Tucano Urbano Network 2G jacket recently, taking advantage of the nice weather we’ve been having.

Tucano Urbano is an Italian manufacturer who’s range offers Italian design and style with practical solutions for urban scooter and motorcycle riders, so I’m told.

They’ve been around for 120 years and have a good reputation for making quality gear.

Construction:

The Network 2G jacket is described by Tucano Urbano as a classic motorbike style mesh jacket.

It’s a lightweight summer jacket with 100% Polyester outer and 100% Polyester lining. High strength polyester mesh inserts on the outside with a light mesh lining keep you nice and cool.

There are two large mesh areas on the front, all the way from shoulder to waist. On the rear there is one large mesh panel from lower back, all the way to below the shoulders. Arms have full length mesh panels from cuff to shoulder seam.

Tucano Urbano have added some reflective trim on the cuff called REFLACTIVE® SYSTEM, that can be folded out when you need it.

You can tighten the arms at the tricep via press stud and cuff via and small velcro strap. There are heavier velcro straps on each side to adjust the waist.
Two slant pockets provide some storage on the outside and there are two more pockets on the inside. You’ll find an external zip pocket at the rear, across the bottom, and an internal pocket to allow for the optional D30 back protector, which is strongly recommended. I have one in mine and it is superb.
You can zip the jacket to trousers and there a robust, single zip on the front with anti scratch flap to prevent you scratching your tank.

Fit and feel:

I’m not skinny, the most polite way to describe myself would be well built. I’m usually a 38″ waist or XL jacket. If I had a criticism of the Network 2 jacket it would be that it comes up a little on the small side. It fits really well and the cut is flattering, but I’d should have gone up a size.

It doesn’t ride up at the back and it fits really well across the shoulders. The arms are fitted too, and are the perfect length. The cut of the jacket is excellent, apart from around my middle. When I zip it up, it’s pretty snug over the breadbasket. I expect it’s not really made for the middle aged, overweight guy.

Even with all the armour in, it’s comfortable and looks great.

Protection:

the Tucano Urbano Network 2 has D30 armour at the elbows and shoulders, and I have the optional back protector to compliment.
D30 armour is superb. If you don’t have any, try and find some clothing with some in and feel it. Push your finger against the gel and feel what it does.
Although this is definitely a summer jacket with lots of venting, it feels really durable and strong.

Tucano Urbano are proud to say this jacket is class A certified in accordance with directive prEN17092 which is a new standard that includes all clothing marketed as ‘protective clothing for motorcyclists’ and includes a wide variety of tests intended to assess the protection and integrity of the clothing. The tests consider; strength of seams, tear strength, impact energy absorption, dimensional stability, fit and ergonomics and garment restraint.

Warmth:

Around town, on a warm dry day, this is brilliant. It’s light, easy to move around in and the air can get through it. It regulates temperature really well.
On a motorway, on an overcast day, it gets pretty chilly. I usually wear a t-shirt under the jacket which means my arms are the first part of me to feel the cold. In the dry, I haven’t found myself particularly cold on my body, maybe it’s the..….erm…insulation i have.
I found at sustained motorway speeds, my arms were getting chilli but otherwise i was fine. A long sleeve top underneath would make a big difference.
For carving through town it’s a great choice.

Waterproofing:

Ah, not great. It is a summer jacket after all. It’s not waterproof. There are lots of mesh panels and the rain just gets straight through. On the plus side, if it’s just a shower, you’ll dry pretty quickly too.

Verdict:

If you’re looking for a high quality, good looking summer jacket that comes with CE approved shoulder and elbow armour (and optional back protector), has been certified CE class A, and will keep you cool and comfortable during warm weather riding, the Tucano Urbano Network 2G jacket is an excellent choice.

It’s a summer jacket, no question, but it looks great, it’s well made, has some nice features, and all for £114.99

Tucano Urbano Jacket Network 2G
£114.99
Sizes M > 3XL

20th June 2019