Just a Great Sunset Tonight

Nothing to do with bikes...or cars really...but the sunset was Florida Keys cool over Cheshire tonight.

Always feels like a better mountain bike ride when you see this at the end of it..

Bikers Classics: Classic Action at Spa Francorchamps - Photo Gallery

A few years back I went over to Spa, one of the most atmospheric circuits in Europe, for Bikers Days, or Bikers Classics as it's sometimers called.

It's a classic bike gathering centred around road racing, with a different theme, or era each year. In 2009 the theme was endurance racing and there were some amazing machines there straight from the Bol d'Or, Le Mans, Snetterton, Montjuich Park, Macau and more places.

There are classic race bikes from the 50s all the way through to the late 80s. It's a fantastic weekend, even if it does tend to rain now and then in the Ardennes. Next Bikers Classic meeting is in July 2013 by the way.

Just thought I'd add some photos; enjoy. Bikers Days...great days ;-)

The `Ice Cream Van' Suzuki GS1000 #34

In the pitlane; wow!

This Guzzi rider was ultra fast & precise

Remember when we thought big tails were aerodynamic?

Beautiful, throaty Laverdas.

Eau Rouge, Spa. Better than any rollercoaster..

Have Honda CBF1000, Will Travel...to Romania

This is the bike I'm using for a motorcycle tour to Romania in 2013. The feature is lined up to appear in Ride magazine in the UK by the way.

It's a 2008 Honda CBF1000, with about 20K on the clock, plus some handy touring extras. Such as a contoured saddle, panniers and top case, Scottoiler and a Garmin Sat Nav, with handlebar mount.

One other thing I would change; taller screen please.

The Garmin I tried out yesterday, and within 10 minutes I was entering a test postcode, trying the 3D map view, getting my top speed, average moving speed and more. Really useful and should prove invaluable in finding hotels when I journey across Europe later this year.

I tested the CBF600 version of this bike, back in 2008 for insidebikes.com and recalled it being a softly sprung, very comfortable and smooth-accelerating machine. But yes, I admit the extra power of the detuned Fireblade motor in the 1000 is more appealing.

This used example from my buddy at MCi Tours feels very similar to the CBF600, but bigger of course. I think I've bought the perfect bike for long distance riding - on a tight budget.

Choosing a secondhand bike to travel about 3000 miles on is tough - you really don't want to break down abroad - let's face it, it's going to be expensive. So reliability is a key factor, as is the number of extras fitted.

Yes, I'd love the latest BMW R1200 GS, or the trick Multistrada from Ducati, maybe a Triumph Sprint 1050 or Tiger 1200 would be fantastic too. Sadly, I can't afford these beautiful machines, but still, I'm on a motorcycle and you know what? It feels like the best fun in the world.

See you on the road. ;-)

New F1 Movie `Rush' Looks Set to Be a Winner

I absolutely cannot wait for the new Ron Howard movie, Rush, which traces the rivalry beween James Hunt and Niki Lauda in the 1976 Formula 1 season, to go on general release.

Rush movie traces James Hunt vs Lauda rivalry in F1

There are some stills and a plot outline on the official site here;

http://www.rushmovie.com/?section=images

That season was perhaps one of the most dramatic ever in F1 history, with Lauda's horrific crash and Hunt's late charge on a wet, and gloomy Japanese track, clinching the driver's title on the last race.

The `76 title chase was a victory for James Hunt, the last of the old school 60s `play hard, drive fast, die young' generation of drivers, whereas Lauda was arguably the first cold, ruthless professional F1 racer. Without Lauda there would have been no Prost, Senna, or Schumacher - Niki set the template for modern F1 drivers.

The `76 season marked a real turning point for F1 in terms of safety too - bye bye Nurburgring, the most deadly of all the old fashioned, high speed, gladiatorial circuits.

It should, if the script isn't packed with lame Americanisms, be a great F1 action flick for motorsport fans. Fingers crossed.

New Car Reviews: Mitsubishi Mirage 1.2 is Fun, Frugal & Fast

Seen the new Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback on Ant & Dec’s Takeaway show? Well if you’re wondering what this new frugal city car is like, I can tell you it’s a genuinely nippy car, with an economical three cylinder engine and plenty of extras – as long as you want to pay for them.

New Mitsubishi Mirage 1.2 - £1000 off RRP

Best news this week is that Mitsubishi dealers in the UK have a special Mirange launch offer on – save £1000 off the RRP. Can’t be bad.

Here’s my driving impressions from the launch:

Performance

The 1.2 version on test has a rev-happy three cylinder engine, featuring MIVEC technology. What’s that? In a nutshell, variable valve timing, so the engine gets max gasflow at any given rpm. The Mirage really does have a throaty growl once you get the rev counter beyond 3,000rpm and it does the spring from 0-62mph in just under 12 seconds.

Doesn’t quite beat the 1.0 litre Ford Fiesta Ecoboost, but the Mirage is quicker off the line than rivals like the Vauxhall Corsa, (13.6 seconds) or VW Up (14.4 seconds) – to be fair, the Up has a 1.0 litre engine.

The Mirage has respectable stopping power from its front discs and rear drums – yes, drum brakes! I was a bit dubious but the Mirage is one of the lightest city cars in the 1200cc bracket, and it brakes very well.

Inside the Mirage is functional, decently equipped

Handling-wise, it can wander a little bit, thanks to the hard, skinny tyres fitted for fuel-saving reasons. The Mirage follows white lines, or road repairs, bit like a motorcycle in some ways, and it isn’t s sporty hatch, although the rear roof spoiler gives it that look.

Economy

OK, I didn’t do a fuel test, but all I can tell you is once you calm down and drive the car with all three green lights on the dashboard – which indicates Eco Mode, then the tank range steadily creeps up and during the 2 hour test drive the fuel gauge barely moved. Mitsubishi say it can achieve 68MPG at a steady 56mph, so let’s assume that translates into 55MPG in the real world, driven with care.

The Mirage comes in three different specs and we journos got the top of the range Mirage 3, with Stop & Go technology. 

At standstill, the engine shuts down, then you dip the clutch and it fires up again. That one feature should save some unleaded if your regular commute is all stop-start traffic.

Mirage comes in 1.0 or 1.2 engine sizes, manual or auto

Practical Stuff

There’s a small luggage area at the back, for say five bags of shopping. The seat splits 60/40 as you’d expect and the rear passenger area isn’t too cramped. I reckon children up to the age of say 12 or 14 would be OK in there. Adults might cry `enough’ after 20 miles or so.

I placed my camera bag on the front passenger seat and the seat belt warning light kept beeping – I was baffled, then the Mitsubishi tech guys told me that the weight of the bag meant the seat thought a small person was sat there unbelted.

The Mirage 3 isn’t short on modern gadgetry. There’s a USB connection, lighter socket connection for your Sat Nav, automatic headlamps in dull or dark weather conditions, privacy glass in the back, electric windows all round, rain-sensing wipers and side curtain airbags, as well as the conventional crash protectors.

Value For Money?

Rear passengers will find it OK, with front seats forward

List price on the Mirage 3 is £11,999, which is arguably a little steep for a car in this class. But with £1000 it becomes a real contender. 

A VW Up Blue Motion 5 door comes in at £9935, while a 5 door 1.2 Vauxhall Corsa is just over £12,000 – although Vauxhall have a £300 off voucher code offer on at the moment. The class leading Ford Fiesta 1.0 with Stop-Star in 5 door format is over £14,000, which makes the Mirage look a bargain. But the Fiesta is physically a bigger car, looks sleeker too.

Perhaps the real rival for the Mirage is the Toyota Aygo 5 door, with its frugal 1.0 litre engine. For £9990 you get a 5 year warranty too, rather better than the Mirage’s 3 year cover. Like the Mirage, the Aygo is exempt from VED tax and the London Congestion Charge too.

For me, the Mirage’s revvy engine, with its cheeky acceleration makes it an addictive thing to drive, but I can’t help thinking that many buyers at this end of the market would rather have another 5 miles per gallon, than beat the pack away from the lights.

Motoring has changed in the UK, the day of the boy racer is almost done.

Spoiler and bigger 15 inch alloys only on higher spec models

More at Mitsubishi UK here.

WK 125 Bellissima Scooter Captures the Spirit of Lambretta

WK are a Chinese scooter brand that have been picking up sales in the UK with their decent value motorcycles and scooters. I reckon they'll do OK with this Lambretta-ish Bellissima 125, which is just £1400 on the road. Way cheaper than many Japanese or Italian scooters in the 125cc novice class.

New WK Bellissimo 125 Lambretta-likey

The WK Bellissima takes its styling cues from the classic Italian scooters of the 60s, like the Lambretta Li series and brings them up to date with modern features like a four-stroke engine, a `twist and go' transmission, hydraulic suspension front and rear, disc front brake and the essential underseat storage.

There are whitewall tyres, chrome mirrors and passenger grab bar and a top box and screen for regular commuters.

If you're struggling to pay the outrageous Oyster card charges for getting around in London, or fed up waiting for jam-packed trains and trams elsewhere in the UK, then a scooter could be the answer.


You do need to pay for CBT lessons, helmet, wet weather riding kit and a serious lock of course. Plus insurance, which for a first time rider, living in London, would probably be around £500-£700 depending on your postcode, driving history, occupation etc.

Insurance plus all the riding kit would add on £1200 or so, which is about £2600, still cheaper than 1 year's Season Ticket from say Reading into London.


I just checked on that ticket from Reading to Kings Cross - brace yourself - £4704!! Christ on a bastard bike, that is ridiculous.

The WK Bellissima 125 is available from WK dealers nationwide in white/blue, pearl white and metallic black. For me, it has to be the blue and white combo - best colours I reckon.

Website: www.wkbikes.co.uk 

New Fiat 500L: City Driver, Country Tourer

Fiat have sent press info on their new 500L and it looks a strong rival to the Fiesta, Vauxhall Adam, BMW MINI, Audi A1, Nissan Juke and many other urban cars.

New Fiat 500L is a rival to BMW MINI, Nissan Juke, Vauxhall Adam etc

The really clever thing Fiat have done is maximise the space inside the car.  There's room in back for three passengers, lots of headroom compared to average city car and more load space than a VW Golf -  or so say Fiat anyway.

You can fold the seats down all kinds of ways and fit in an object over 2 metres long. Not bad for a car that looks so small on the outside.

It also has 22 storage compartments inside the car. Twenty-two - you'll never find those Foster Grant sunglasses again..

Fiat have a range of engines and interior trims to make sure you feel you have a cool looking, practical vehicle around the city. There's the economy 900cc TwinAir, and a 1.3 diesel for the high MPG lovers, although it's worth noting that the original Fiat 500 has plenty of complaints from owners that it cannot match anywhere near the manufacturer's MPG claims.

Fiat say the 1.3 diesel should do 67mpg at a steady 56mph. In the real world, I would guess the 1.3 diesel should do around 45mpg in town, maybe 55mpg on a long motorway run. Manufacturers test mpg figures aren't realistc, end of story.

Driving Should Be Fun, If Not Then Take The Bus

New Fiat 500L has roomy interior, range has 900cc TwinAir engine too

But let's assume that there's more to life than eking out every last drop of fuel. Remember when driving was FUN? Well if you do, then Fiat have different styling levels; Pop Star, Easy and Lounge, with Lounge being the range topper. You get a panoramic roof with the Lounge spec, plus Dr Dre Beats 10 speaker audio, suede dashboard, rain sensors, electric rear windows, automatic dual zone climate control etc.

All the 500L models come with UConnect, which lets you stream data, take phone calls, play your iTunes etc using the Bluetooth/Windows PC operating system built into the dashboard screen display. There's a 5 inch touchscreen to work your Sat Nav, check emails, or play with your bass subwoofer settings.

Yes, espresso on the go, Fiat style!

There is a Lavazza espresso coffee machine as an optional extra too - no really, I'm not making this up. It fits in the rear passenger central section and comes with matching spoon and other accessories.

This car could be an internet cafe on wheels, you may be brewing up an espresso like George Clooney, down at the Watford Gap Services...

Fiat 500L Performance Model? Has to Be The 1.6 MultiJet

The fastest model in the 500L range is the 1.6 MultiJet, which does 0-60mph in just over 11 seconds and tops out at a claimed 180Kph, or about 112mph. That's not especially quick and a Suzuki Swift 1.6 destroys the Fiat with a 0-60 time of just under 9 seconds. But the Suzuki lacks the cachet, the coolness of the Fiat and it isn't a roomy 5-seater either.

The 1.6 MINI Cooper also beats the Fiat on acceleration, and has a 120mph top speed, plus cat-quick handling. Again, it isn't as practical, with limited boot space, three doors not five, and arguably a slightly dated interior that could use a makeover.

There is a 1.4 petrol and two diesel engines in the range, but none of these are what you might call performance power units. You will be working that 6-speed box pretty hard unless you bite the bullet on fuel economy and go for the 1600cc engine.

Funky trim options always available with the Fiat 500

The Fiat 500L range has MSR traction control, which interrupts power to the wheels if say you accelerate rapidly on a really wet road, plus DST, which tweaks the steering for you mid-corner if you're pressing on a bit.

Naturally there's ABS braking and the 500L comes with optional City Brake - a set of lasers sense if a potential pedestrian/car impact is about to happen at low speeds under 19mph and applies the brakes for you.

Veridict: Twin Air 900cc for City Drivers, 1.6 MultiJet or Diesel 1.3 for Long Distance Runners

The twin cylinder TwinAir 900cc engine isn't as economical as Fiat would have you believe, but still, you should get about 40mpg from it whizzing about town. For urban driving that's decent and the TwinAir has a real `Jekyll and Hyde' feeling to its power delivery that makes it fun to drive.

If you're commuting long distance, or want to do a few family holidays, then the 1.6 petrol is perhaps the best one in the range.If you do lots of miles out of town, then one of the diesels is a better bet, but only if you drive carefully. The complexity of modern diesels and the high servicing costs 50K miles down the line are off-putting however.

Personal Opinion; Fiat say the new 500L has service intervals at 21,000 miles. I've been driving cars for over 30 years and would never leave engine oil in there for that mileage. 21K miles could equal three years for some owners, which isn't very sensible when it comes to engine lubrication.

The new Fiat 500L range starts at just under £15,000 and is available in UK dealerships now. More info at Fiat UK.