Claire and a Manx

Firstly, my apologies for not providing any blog posts over the last few weeks - I do value my readers!. Touring in Scotland and a new job working for Visordown magazine has left me without the time to contribute!

Nevertheless I think this may make up for it! Over the weekend I managed to coax my girlfriend Claire onto Dad's Manx for a truly 1950s style photo shoot! It also gave me the chance to get to grips with a new camera..

I hope you like the shots.

CAV America Honda CB450 'Manx Tribute'

Johann Keyser of CAV America, usually builds rather tasty looking official Gulf livered Ford GT40 replicas. In his spare time he has now built this 'retro mod' Manx Norton tribute Honda CB450 you see above. Intending to offer economy in the style of a cafe racer, Keyser has produced something which looks great and has some fantastic features, but what I want to know is when was a cafe racer ever meant to be economical?

A good effort in my opinion but if he wants my advice, he should stick to his gorgeous GT40s and maybe look into producing usable, reliable Tritons. Just an idea Johann..

Yamaha Super Tenere 1200

Yamaha have pulled the covers off the Super Tenere 1200, the company's latest super-trailie adventure model. Any attempt at distracting prospective BMW GS owners can only be a good thing for this particular segment, healthy competition promoting constant development across all manufacturers.

So how does the new Super Tenere compare to the 'Ewan me' BMW 1200 GS? Well, the Tenere is based around a water cooled 1199cc, 270 degree parallel twin producing 108bhp and 84 ft lbs set low in a steel tubed backbone style chassis. Side mounted radiators double up as wind protection on the move (although dropping it could prove troublesome!) and shaft drive provides the necessary rugged propulsion characteristics.

Conventional USD telescopic forks and rear twin-sided swing arm set the Super Tenere well apart from the GS, Yamaha obviously keen to stick to the XT's traditonal chassis layout.

The list of tech-trickery includes ABS, a chip controlled throttle and Yamaha's new D-MODE traction control system, allowing the rider to select between Sport and Touring modes. Fully fueled the Yamaha Super Tenere weighs in at 261kg- very close to that of a GS Adventure, the bike Yamaha are clearly targetting.

If the previous Tenere by Yamaha is anything to go by this bike is sure to be well built, easy to ride and with front lights mimicing an R1, will be instantly recognisable as Yamaha, unlike the gordy looking XT660 based sibling. As the GS remains BMW's best seller, Yamaha are keen to secure a chunk of this market, but will have to convince people to spend £13,500 for the privelidge. A faintly ludicrous £3,000 more than a standard GS Adventure!

The first models available come with the full adventure pack which includes alloy panniers, engine skid plate, headlight protector and the all important 'first edition' sticker! No, me neither. Check out Yamaha's clever new video, highlighting the advances in motorcycle technology packaged into the new Super Tenere.

The Great Escape Tours- by Royal Enfield!

Having caught the Royal Enfield bug (amongst others) whilst completing the Enduro Himalaya trip in northern India in 2008, I have decided it is time for another foray into the world of relaxed motorcycle touring mixed with incredible scenery.

The Great Escape Tours are run by fun loving Scot, Kenny Finlayson who is based up in the Scottish Highlands along with his fleet of trusty Indian made Royal Enfield 500 Bullets. The four different trips on offer include The Classic, The Orkney, Your Way and the one I've just signed up to, The Western Isles.

Starting from Ullapool on the north west coast of Scotland, the tour aims to 'island-hop' its way towards the Outer Hebrides, with the Isle of Skye as first port of call. If you've never been to this part of the British Isles may I strongly recommend you do so. My last visit was on a hiking trip and it didn't take long before I was imagining what it must be like to tour such empty, scenery-rich roads on a bike.

The tours organized by Kenny are about taking your time, exploring the magic that this part of Scotland still emphatically displays whilst tasting the food, meeting the locals and having great fun along the way. All the more, whilst astride an Enfield, you have the perfectly relaxed mode of transport on which to soak it all in.

The cost of the tours include all meals, fuel and luggage transfer by support vehicle, allowing you to concentrate fully on the task in hand- enjoying yourself!

With a spare day planned in Ullapool at the end of the five day trip, I also intend to bring my new CCM Supermoto along for what I hope will be one memorable blat over the neighbouring highlands. Well you would, wouldn't you?

Check back soon for a full report and an image gallery you need to see to beleive!

ROAD TEST: 2001 CCM 604E DS

CCM (Clews Competition Machines) made a name for themselves producing purposeful twin shock motorcross bikes in the 1970s, more recently however the British company has moved towards developing hardy enduro and supermoto bikes.

The 98-02 604E Dual Sport model came with two sets of wheels when new, for both on and off road capability. An oil-in-frame contains a twin port, four valve, 600cc Rotax motor from Austria. Although not revolutionary in it's design, the Rotax engine is well known for its simplicity and ease of maintenance plus abundant levels of torque. Power is a conservative 52bhp and torque an impressive 36ftlbs.

Throwing a leg over the 604, the riding position is immediately recognisable from a modern motorcross bike. The wide, fat Renthal riser bars and firm, thin seat are designed to allow movement on the bike whilst allowing for excellent cornering control- this is definitely no long distance tourer! At 123kg the CCM is neither overweight nor particularly light in this segment, nevertheless, if you are used to more conventional road bikes, dropping it would not require the assistance of Geoff Capes.

Avoiding kicking the big single over, I opt for the electric start which rewards instantly with a deeply satisfying crackle from the Remus branded standard exhaust. A clever choke mechanism keeps the engine idling at a happy note and within a minute or two we are up to temperature with one another. Unable to ignore the level torque on offer, the CCM dispatches with first and second gears very quickly, surging up to it's top speed of 100mph within the first 100m or so. Then you reach your first corner..

A dab of the excellent 320mm Brembo brakes up front, combined with the composure of the sophisiticated USD Paioli forks makes the CCM feel planted entering a bend, "Is that all you can muster?" it seems to ask the rider. Press on harder and the bike simply takes all you can throw at it. Off camber, uphill, downhill, rough or smooth, the WP rear shock has it all covered, the wide 17in tyres hungry for ever more demanding lean angles.

Once I reach a half mile long striaght I finally find the characterful Supermoto's flaw- cruising. Up to 75mph the bike is bucket loads of fun, any more and you are not on a twisty enough road. As a trip to Scotland is looming, I intend to add a higher final gear and find a few more bhp- check back soon!!

Return of the BMW Art Car

BMW's 'Art Car' is back. Artist and Sculpturist Jeff Koons has taken on the responsibility of designing the paint job for the 18th version of the famous collaberation between racing BMWs and breakthrough 'creative types'.

Dubbed the 'rainbow' treatment, Koons' brush strokes will follow in the footsteps of famous names such as Andy Warhol and David Hockney. The car underneath the rainbow is rather special too. BMW's latest GT2 M3 GTR V8 will compete at Les Mans 24 Hours in 2010, cementing it's place in the history books.

2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200

Ducati have released their new 2010 Mulitstrada 1200, a super-trail bike with the BMW 1200 GS firmly in its sights. Ducati aimed to produce a comfortable, reliable touring machine that was able to produce sports bike levels of performance on almost any terrain. Ducati have fitted a smoother, more efficient version of the latest liquid-cooled Testastretta powerplant from their own flagship 1198cc superbike.

Promising 'four bikes-in-one' available by the flick of a switch, the 2010 Multistrada posseses technology in abundance. Four distinct riding modes, Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro- endow the Multistrada with variable power, torque delivery, suspension and traction control settings. In both Sport and Touring modes the full 150bhp is available, whilst in Urban and Enduro settings, power is limited to a more manageable 100bhp.

Also new is the ride-by-wire throttle system. There is no throttle cable on the new Mulitstrada, the rider's inputs are now electronically transmitted to the throttle bodies. Depending on which riding mode is selected the control unit then decides the ideal power delivery of the engine. Combining this level of computer intelligence with a slipper clutch must make for incredibly smooth progress. All impressive stuff, but I would'nae like to experience a faulty one..

Weighing in at a paltry 189kg (dry) the new Mulitstrada has been on a rather impressive diet. Ducati believe it's the lowest in it's class, although once the 20 litre tank is full of go-go juice, that figure will undoubtedly creep past the 200kg mark.

Advanced instrument controlled Ohlins suspension is supplied on the higher spec 'S' model in the form of Ducati Electronic Suspension. This permits spring pre-load, rebound and compression damping adjustments on the fly. Of the two versions available the Touring model comes with a centre-stand, heated grips and purpose made panniers, whilst the Sport model is a stripped down beasty with various carbon components.

With some added clever touches including hands-free start, adjustable windscreen and LED indicators on the handguards, the punchy 2010 Ducati Multistrada is a direct competitor to BMW's class leading, hardy GS and upcoming Yamaha Tenere 1200. But, if you are a die-hard sportsbike fan looking for a grown up machine with long distance, possible two-up continent crossing abilities, the Multistrada should definately be at the top of your wish list.

I'll take a Touring S model in white please, but don't just take my word for it- hear what MCN have to say about it on video whilst testing the Multistrada in Lanzarote. Now where did I put that £14,000!?

Stirling Moss Acquires Porsche RS 61

British motor racing legend, Sir Stirling Moss has purchased the Gooding & Co Amelia Island auctioned 1961 Porsche RS Spyder, one of the last Spyders built by Porsche that used the potent 4-cam engine. Just one week ago Sir Stirling fell three floors down a lift shaft in his own home, breaking multiple bones and chipping four vertebrae in the process.

Still in hospital recovering, the recent purchase should cheer him up as he acquired the Bob Holbert, Thomas Payne and Millard Ripley 1962 Watkins Glen SCCA National-Winning RS 61. Stirling himself raced the Porsche RS cars of the early sixties and very nearly won the 1961 Targa Florio in a similar car.

Lot 55 receieved a winning bid of USD1.705 million including the buyers premium. Delighted with their latest purchase, Stirling and his wife Suzie commented, "this makes a wonderful 30th Wedding Anniversary present” and added “its something to look forward too” when he recovers from his injuries.

Here is the full specification of the car Stirling has bought:

• The Bob Holbert, Thomas Payne and Millard Ripley 1962 Watkins Glen SCCA National-Winning 1961 Porsche RS 61
• Chassis No. 718.070
• Engine No. P90505
• One of only fourteen RS 61’s built
• Exceptional US racing history with 13 Wins and 20 Podium Finishes in SCCA National Competition
• One of the few RS 60/61’s with original bodywork
• Coachwork by Wendler
• Impressive, known ownership history from new, to which we can add Sir Stirling Moss OBE
• Correct Type 547 engine and Type 718 gearbox
• 1,678 CC DOHC Air-Cooled Boxer 4-Cylinder Engine
• Twin Weber carburettors
• Approximately 180 BHP at 7,800 RPM
• 5-Speed manual gearbox with limited slip differential
• 4-wheel finned alloy drum brakes
• Independent front suspension with trailing arms and torsion bar
• Independent rear suspension with wishbones and coil-over shock absorbers
• Eligible for the Colorado Grand, Tour Auto and the Le Mans Classic

Kids in a McLaren sweet shop!

Following todays official launch of the new McLaren's MP4-12C supercar, who else but the last two F1 world champions should be required to test it around the Goodwood circuit. Jenson and Lewis, you have the best jobs in the world!

BMW S1000RR Tablecloth Trick

I cant make my mind up whether this is staged, but staged or not, it's a mighty fine piece of advertising!

U Rally- The Championship Charity Rally

Do you crave adventure? Do you love road trips? Are you free in August this year? Then why not enter a team into the Championship Charity U Rally, a fundraising event aimed at raising money for schools in Uganda with a mission, "To unlock the potential of Africa by driving for change."

With no set route, the destination is up to entrants, but in order to gain championship points teams must complete 'A series of challenges'. Without sounding like an episode of Top Gear the event promises to be a rewarding adventure. Entrants will have a chance to meet new people and see exciting places along the way whilst helping African children make a start in life.

With very few strict entrance rules, the type of vehicle entered is also entirely up to entrants. Motorbikes, cars, buses or milk floats are all eligible and there is no limit to the amount of passengers per team or vehicle. Several meeting places are also pre-organised, in the name of having a good ol' party.

Similar in spirit to the Mongol Rally, U Rally intends to fundraise as part of the rapidly growing charity Promoting Equality in African Schools (PEAS). Their aim is to widen access to education in Africa by founding and developing sustainable, low-fee secondary schools.

PEAS also work in collaboration with Bounce, the charity who provide sports facilities for schools in Africa.

ROAD TEST- A Tale of Two Norton Inter's

The Norton International was the pre-war flagship bike for Norton from its inception in 1932. Used for racing both by the Norton factory Works racers, clubman racers and for fast roadwork, the International was produced in 350 and 500 versions (with a few 600cc bikes for sidecar racers). The first bikes were produced with girder forks at the front and rigid rear ends , with plunger rear suspension appearing at first on the Works bikes and later on the customers models. The very last pre-war racing Inters were very quick specialist machines and were christened "Manx" by virtue of the marques immense racing record in the Isle of Man TT and Manx GP races.

Post war, the Inter acquired telescopic front forks as well as plunger rear suspension from 1947 until 1952, when the Inters had a final makeover with the adoption of a version of the acclaimed Featherbed frame, which took it up to its final demise in 1958

Keen to ride both the post war plunger and featherbed bikes on modern day public roads in Somerset, I spent a fabulous day in the brisk March sunshine comparing road manners whilst scaring a few horse riders in the process!

1949 Norton International 350 Clubmans

First up the 1949 350cc 'Plunger' Inter. Having spent many years in a leaking shed in Northumberland and once raced by Bill Camier in the 1949 Isle of Man TT, this Clubmans spec machine has been fully restored by Mike Pemberton and George Cohen.

Now demonstrating a distinctly road bias set-up, this machine has a comfortable but sporty riding position demonstrated by the turned up bars and lack of 'bum-perch' seat. The elegant but rorty Brooklands exhaust can, rear set footrests and lack of lights turn the balance back towards road racer. Considering the engine, recently rebuilt by George Cohen, has covered less than 50 miles since the rebuild, this road test was an exploration of handling rather than outright speed. We'll save that for another day at Wroughton Airfield.

Starting easily on the first kick, the 350 makes a fabulous noise. No doubt thanks to the Brooklands can, I scare a pair of juvenile ponies and their riders, trotting up the neaby bridleway. Cutting the engine immediately I make my apologies. Horse-hair-raiser over I restart the 350, again first kick.

Once underway, the free revving, all alloy single ohc motor begins to warm up and I am rewarded with a charmingly smooth power delivery. Positive gear changes are very straight forward and within a mile I am begginning to swing the Inter into corners with confidence. Approaching a bumpy kink in the road, I am keen to discover the cornering abilities of the plunger frame. Entering the bend at 55mph I learn a shift in body position to the rear of the bike helps the dampers smother road imperfections also emphasising the need for a bum seat.

On reaching a long straight I find even in run-in state this 350 Inter can still reach illegal speeds with ease as I instinctly overtake a Sunday-driver-driven Nissan Micra. Back in the fifities, the driver of an unsuspecting Ford Anglia would have received quite a fright. A practical, sporty machine with a wealth of charm and character, the '49 Inter is a real gem.

1954 Norton International 500 Clubmans

Next up, the 1954 Featherbed 500 Inter Clubmans, another machine with a fascinating history. Raced by G W Shekell in the 1954 Clubmans TT, finishing 12th at an average speed of 80.25 mph (the second Norton to finish) and restored by Bernie Allen in 2009, I rode this bike at last years Norton Owners Golden Jubilee event at Donington Park.

Restored to Clubmans specification, including an all alloy engine, no lights, rear set footrests, Manx front numberplate and seat, this Inter has a very purposeful appearance. Second kick brings the 500cc motor to life, producing a deeper but no less fantastic sound. The riding position of a racing featherbed is much heavier on the wrists than the earlier Inters, even with flat bars fitted, resembling that of a more modern sports bike.

Fitted with race cams, the featherbed Inter is happiest on an open throttle which makes for swift, rewarding progress especially blatting along country A-roads. The long Manx seat permits plenty of movement in the saddle, the drum brakes are soft by modern standards but provide ample stopping power.

With more grip than outright power, the 500 Inter is a very confidence inspiring machine and a bike that cries out to be ridden. The combination of low weight and a rev hungry engine make for a smile inducing road experience, the bike responding to delicate inputs and with none of the plunger's evident pre-war feel. With only 50 bikes built to Clubmans specification, this is a very rare machine as many were turned into Triton cafe racers. Following on his Honda VFR 750 my Dad commented, "You looked like you were having fun!", and indeed I was.