londonbikers.com

Scottoiler - A Maintenance Free Chain?

It wasn't until I got my first manual bike that I had even considered any form of bike maintenance other than washing it. When warmer weather came, I took pride in cleaning and maintenance of my beloved 125; this included lubricating the drive chain which I quickly became accustomed to doing regularly. I had heard of the Scottoiler automatic lubrication system, but had considered that it wasn't for me.

Suzuki’s SFV650 Gladius: Under Review

“Gladius”: the Latin word for “Sword”. Specifically the shorter, and naturally more handy version of the traditional long swords. It’s an interesting choice of name from Suzuki, uniting Roman and Samurai inferences with word associations including “thrusting” “sharp” “pointed” and “rapier-like” in the global battle for motorcyclists’ hearts…

Taking the MX Express to Chippenham

The closest I have come to motorcross is riding up and down some forest paths in Surrey with some friends. The idea of full-on motorcross with jumps, berms and knobbly tyres was never something I thought I would be interested in, but when Express insurance gave me the chance, I jumped at it!

TCX Pro 2 boots - The right tools for the job

When I finally settled on the choice for my next bike, after an accident left me with a broken foot, the first thing I thought of to accompany the purchase of the bike was a new pair of boots. If only I could get back the confidence I lost! The TCX Pro 2s have helped me regain a fair amount though.

Let Battle Commence: Haga vs Spies Portimao '09

On October 25th the 2009 World Superbike Championship will come to a climax at the Autodromo do Algarve in Portugal in what is set to be one of the closet and most thrilling conclusions to the championship in recent history.

Trackday with a Twist of More than the Wrist

I’ve been on track when the fast riders have come flying past me, and recognised the odd bike/leathers from the club racing circuit. I’d also seen the occasional BSB bike being thrown around by journos for fun (I mean of course ‘work’).

Bennetts, Toseland, a Tall Rider and the Tiny Pillion Seat of an R1

“Still up for the pillion ride with James?” the woman from Bennetts Insurance asked as I put the tyre warmers back onto my bike. “Yes!” was the slightly over enthusiastic reply - what else could it have been? After all, how many times do you get presented with the opportunity to get a pillion ride with a MotoGP rider around one of England’s best racetracks?

Arai Launch their new Quantum Sports-Touring helmet

Arai’s new Quantum helmet marks a welcome return to a famous name, a name synonymous with the best in comfort while offering all the legendary Arai qualities. The new Quantum is designed to be the best sports-touring helmet on the market, offering the traditional comforts of the last model to bear the name, while including the superior technologies developed for the MotoGP tested RX-7 GP.

Rossi’s Final Challenge?

"My dream is to end my career with Yamaha," said a buoyant Valentino Rossi just two seasons ago and yet if rumours in the media are to be believed from the past week, the eight times world champion could be ready to make a dramatic and shock switch to Italian manufacturer Ducati when his current deal runs out at the end of 2010. Valentino stunned the world at the end of the 2003 season with the shock announcement that after four successful seasons with Honda he was leaving to join arch rivals Yamaha. It was a move which re-ignited the fuse on the championship, as Rossi battled valiantly against his foes on what was considered inferior machinery and won.

Deal or No Deal for Cal Crutchlow

It has been a whirlwind ten months for Coventry’s own Cal Crutchlow, the 23 year old finished up the British Superbike season in scintillating style as he managed to overhaul championship rival Tom Sykes for third place in the championship at the final round at Brands Hatch, before parting ways with his colleagues and the British race fans as he embarked on a new challenge on the world stage. Signing a deal with the factory Yamaha Supersport team, Cal quickly impressed his fellow competitors in his opening outing at Portimao with a dazzling display of quick and consistent times, competing just outside the times of the Superbikes.

Ride to The Millau Bridge - Part Deux

Ten LB community members embarked on their second long ride from London to the Millau Bridge in Southern France, a distance of about 1,400 miles in all. Their highs and lows are well documented by one of the attendee's...

Riding in Europe - Get Out There Now!

Have you ever wanted to ride somewhere far away where it's hot and the roads are amazing? Perhaps the want to do it has been there, but you've not known how to, or had the confidence to do it without finding out more? If so, this article might help you. It's a look at how easy it is just to do with a little planning and then ride to biking nirvana. For this article, I've just come returned from a 2,352 mile ride from London to Italy and back on my Suzuki GSX-R 750. It's something I've wanted to do for a few years now and thought it would be difficult on a sports-bike, but really, it's not, it's easy. You just have to have the right equipment, a bit of cash and a sense of adventure. You'll indubitably come back with a ton of great experiences that you can cherish forever.

The Virgin Demon…

We are sitting by a mobile café just off Bishopsgate and he is drinking a coffee. To the average City observer, it might seem odd that a Suit like me is giving my time to a biker whom most would dismiss, but the respect should more than go the other way.

Courier Vs Pizzaboy: Battle of The Commuters

This is two sides of the same coin. Me being the coin and the motorbike and the scooter being the two sides of my commuting to work.

An Alternative Route To Riding

Londonbikers.com member Stevie Ramone will be keeping us up to date on his progress through the new format bike test. In the first instalment, he details biking background and his first experiences with the modular test.

Adventure Motorcycling for Dummies: Tales From The Road

I’m Graham Styles and on 1st May 2008 I flew to California, bought a motorcycle and set off with a plan to travel to every country on the mainland of North and South America. I’ve previously written about my bike preparation and modifications, and also covered tips and tricks including packing lists to help get you on your way.

BSB Mallory Park: Where is the limit?

Mallory Park and its infamous hairpin were back at the centre of one of the biggest debates in the recent history of the British Superbike Championship. HM Plant Honda rider Josh Brookes mis-calculated his entry into the corner at the end of lap 23 causing the race to be stopped and gifting victory to Airwaves Yamaha rider James Ellison. Since the incident Josh has received a two event ban from event organisers MSVR, which has left some fans satisfied, some confused, while others have called for tougher punishment.

Londonbikers Meets The Kentucky Kid

After some communication with Nick Harris Media (who are heavily involved with MotoGP media coverage in the U.K.), we were offered interviews with Nicky Hayden and James Toseland.

Sympathy for the Devil

The Ducati Streetfighter S Road Test - never have the opening lines of a song been more appropriate for a motorbike than The Rolling Stones’ Sympathy for the Devil.

Zero S - Two Wheeled Commuting of the Future?

At it's very least the Zero S is motorcycling on the cutting edge of bike technology. Depending on what you want from a bike of course, the technology has a way to go, but if we look at past innovations that are now taken for granted, it is only a matter of time until what is currently being heralded as new and exciting becomes common place. Let's take a preview at the Zero S...