Whether it is 2020 and you are on lockdown due to a global pandemic (if you are reading this and it isn’t 2020 look it up) or you have just bought yourself the new yet iconic Honda C125A Super Cub it is a good idea to consider a trickle charger to keep the battery charged, optimised and healthy. This is especially true if you won’t be regularly using the bike – the manual states that you will only get about 10 days from the battery if you have the alarm armed – and you should have the alarm armed. If you aren’t using the alarm then you are advised to charge the battery every 30 days. You can remove the hassle by taking 20 minutes and installing a trickle charger.
After a glorious Monday morning and afternoon in the South of the Island at the Blackford’s Pre-TT Races in Billown the rain started pretty much as soon as the last sidecar got itself back to the paddock and that was that. Monday night’s TT Qualifying Session was cancelled.
And boy did it rain! The road back from Billown consisted of bikes parked under trees, riders frantically trying to get waterproofs on – anything thing that could offer some form shelter was utilised for man and machine. The funniest image I have taken away from the rain storm – as it was a rain storm – was four ‘power rangers,’ no offence ‘power rangers’ – off their bikes as they stood in a brick bus shelter, lids and all still on, just watching the rain bounce off the road and their machines. All in a perfect line looking like if a bus came along they would be happy to abandon their machines and just bus it back to Douglas.
The result was no qualifying and a statement that the Monday night Schedule would be held on Tuesday.
Remember ‘there is no such thing as bad weather only bad gear.’
* Does not apply to racing.
Tuesday came, and it was like the Isle of Man had shifted to the Med. It was a bit cool, but it was glorious wall to wall sunshine with not a cloud in the sky.
TT Start / Finish Line 28/05/2019
Qualifying was ‘Go.’
On the Superbikes Dean Harrison was still showing great from form Sunday and took the fastest time, lapping at 129.531mph. Conor Cummins also showing more of the same took the second spot and James Hillier was snapping at his heels, with the riders lapping at 128.088mph and 128.075mph respectively.
Superstock machines were again lead by Dean Harrison at 129.336mph on his Silicone Engineering Kawasaki. David Johnson and Sam West taking the second and third spots of this session.
On the Supersports Peter Hickman got himself back to the top of the lists, lapping at 123.917mph on his Triumph / K2 Trooper Beer Triumph by Smiths Racing. Derek McGee brought some his of amazing Irish National talents and skills taking the second best time of the session at 122.037mph on his B & W / Diamond Edge Cuttin Kawasaki. The third fastest supersports position went to Lee Johnston on his Ashcourt Racing Yamaha with an average speed of 121.378mph
The last out in the session where the sidecar outfits. John Holden and Lee Cain took the fastest lap on their Silicone Engineering/Barnes Racing Honda lapping at 114.988mph. Peter Founds and Jevan Walmsley took second with their Rowtec Engineering / Morris Lubricants Suzuki, Alan Founds and Jake Lowther were third fastest in their Cloud Vapers Yamaha. The times were 114.399mph and 112.352mph respectively.
When I got my 2010 BWM R1200GS Adventure (in September 2016) it came with the stock tyres (I believe they were an optional extra – but they were fitted by BMW Motorrad) – a pair of Continental TKC80. Basically they are ‘knobblies.’
That’s fine, ‘knobblies’ have a very real purpose, but let’s be honest most R1200GSA riders don’t need them – note I said most. If we are being even more honest I also think it is safe to presume that most customers who put these on their R1200GSA are doing so cosmetically – they look cool. Again, note I said most.
I hated them.
They were noisy, bumpy and (for me) I felt they really lacked grip which meant I lacked confidence on the tarmac. I have no doubt if you were on something a little less solid than road worthy tarmac then they would excel, but for mainly road use – they simply were not for me.
I concede that they look cool, but I am well past the stage of wanting a tyre that looks cool – I just want it to stick really nicely to what is underneath that tyre – for me that is 95% tarmac.
So the first thing I did was change them and I opted for a set of Metzeler Tourance.
Continental TKC80 v Metzeler Tourance on a BMW R1200GSA
Derek McGee looking for another win at the 2019 Cookstown 100
The 2019 Cookstown 100 was a cracking’ event, even though the weather didn’t play nice.
Next up is the 2019 Tandragee 100 – practice and qualifying starts tomorrow – followed by Race Day on Saturday (04/05/2019).
So to wet your appetite and have a quick look back at last week, here are a few images from the 2019 Cookstown 100. (Apologies – the quality could be better but due to other commitments I was restricted to just using my camera phone .
See you in Tandragee!
The full results of the 2019 Cookstown 100 can be found here :
The 2019 Isle of Man TT is quickly approaching and it is now only a couple of months of away.
The TT Races are often described as the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’ – which then leads to the question ‘how much does this greatest show pay its winners?’
Since 2017 I have been asking and answering this question on this blog – each year I manage to gather a little more information to pass around and this year is no different.
But one of the most discussed topics is how much do these guys / girls get for winning the TT? You might be surprised, but one thing that is very important; for the majority – if not all the competitiors – it isn’t about the cash – it’s about the prestige.
This year I bring you everything – it all – every bit of information made available to the competitors in the Regulations Handbook.
Have a read – it is full of really interesting information, but if all you came here for is the TT Races Prize Breakdown I can bring you that straight away…
A STATEMENT ISSUED ON BEHALF LOUGHSHINNY MOTORCYCLE SUPPORTERS CLUB LTD
Issued 21:30pm on 7th July 2018.
“Following discussion with the family, their sponsors and fellow riders, the Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club Ltd have taken the decision to continue with the Skerries 100 on the8th July. The club with the riders permission have decide to race with the entire prize fund to go to William’s Family. It will be a non-championship meeting and the club hope everyone will consider this a fitting tribute to William and his previous race performance and results at the Skerries 100
The Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club extends their heartfelt sympathy to William Dunlop’s family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this very sad time.”
Susan Plunkett, Clerk of Course of the Loughshinny Motor Cycle Supporters Club Ltd.
A STATEMENT ISSUED ON BEHALF LOUGHSHINNY MOTORCYCLE SUPPORTERS CLUB LTD
Issued 8pm on 8th July 2018.
Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club Ltd as planned, continued their Skerries 100 event today 8th July 2018.
“With the blessing of our racing family and support from all our officials and marshals, the riders took to the grid to complete the demanding 10 race programme, in fine good sunny weather. The spectators were treated to some superb racing from our incredibly talented riders with only one rider in mind, William Dunlop, a fitting tribute to their fellow fallen rider. This non-championship races were held on the 2.92 mile circuit, and catered for all classes from 125cc up to Superbikes 1000cc.
The Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club extends their heartfelt sympathy to William Dunlop’s family and friends and we are continuing to support them over this very difficult time and the club would ask that the privacy of the family be respected at this time. “
Susan Plunkett, Clerk of Course of the Loughshinny Motor Cycle Supporters Club Ltd
The above covers the ACF50 product and its current number one condenter for the title of ultimate motorcycle protectant XCP Professional Rust Blocker.
So if that post holds the ‘considered’ top two products, why then the need for this post? Simply some people havent heard of the products above or have been fed mis-information on the use (or usefulness) of these others.
A few points from my own experience:
WD40 is brilliant, but not as a winter protection product for a motorcycle, please don’t be using it as that!
FS365 is a good product for frequent use, and by frequent I mean after ever ride, which can be quite costly.
Personally, I use ACF-50 and between applications or after a particularly wet ride out I then cold rinse the bike and give it a good liberal dose of FS365. I don’t know how necessary that is or isn’t but me me it has left my bikes spotless, winter after winter.
So the this test then is ACF50 v Scott Oiler FS365 and WD40, it was carried out by F2MCLTD who have kindly allowed me to link to their original experiment and findings :
As I have mentioned, demonstrated (and used) I am a huge fan of ACF50 as the main protectant for my motorcycles. I have been using it for many years and the results still impress me, and make sure any time I am asked ‘what should I use’ I can give and honestly mean a hearty recommendation to ACF50.
However, like all things, products can be improved upon (or worsen with revisions), can be changed, even new products can take an undisputed crown, and for that reason it is important to stay on top of any new developments in the market and keep an eye open for anything new that is making waves.
Last year for my #WAWIn1Week challenge I offered slots on my panniers to Companies to advertise their products / brand whilst I travelled along the length of the World’s Longest Dedicated Coastal Route in a record breaking 6 days* The uptake was great as was the feedback!
I have decided to do the same again this year and offer out my panniers for you guys to patch your brand onto the side of my bike as it travels round the coast line of Scotland in another time limited (and in my eyes record breaking)challenge of 2 days!
So what’s the catch? There isn’t one, however I do have to want to support your brand. It is my decision on what I put on my boxes. It is also free!
All you have to do is contact me, telling me a little about your brand (a website reference will do) and if I like what your are doing / about I will contact you back. Then you just have to get the sticker made up and sent to me. I will add it to my panniers and boom, there you have it, free advertising for you (whilst on the trip and in the subsequent photos and videos across FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube) and awesome looking panniers for me!
Charities are also welcome.
*I don’t know if it was actually record breaking but as I haven’t heard any difference let’s just pretend it was!
2016 #NC500In2Days Pannier Message Space Availability
