The new range-topping Nomad textile jacket from WEISE® has been put through its paces in the MIRA automotive test facility’s climatic wind tunnel for ‘Get On’, a national campaign conceived to get the nation biking.

The Get On team invited BBC Breakfast’s Mike Bushell to discover just how effective  modern motorcycle clothing is at keeping adverse weather conditions at bay, by pitting the WEISE® Nomad against two extreme scenarios.  Mike and other journalists were first subjected to rain, with temperatures 10 degrees below freezing and 43mph gusts in the wind tunnel at the MIRA test facility, while wearing the WEISE® Nomad.

Mike reported that he remained perfectly comfortable in the Nomad, despite the extreme conditions. The Nomad’s ISOTEX® waterproof, breathable drop lining acts as a barrier against wind chill, while its fleece inner insulates the rider and the WEISE® Water Release System (WRS) channels excess water out of the jacket to prevent it becoming water-logged.

Next, the second test involved being subjected to temperatures of 35 degrees Centigrade. With the Nomad’s ISOTEX® and fleece liners removed and panels at the chest and arms zipped-out to reveal mesh airflow panes Mike remained cool and comfortable throughout his test ‘ride’.

Versatility and premium specification like this usually command a premium price tag, but the WEISE® Nomad jacket is available for just £249.99 in sizes S-4XL in black/gun.

For further details on the Nomad and the complete WEISE® range of rider apparel and accessories, call 0117 9719200, or visit www.weise-clothing.co.uk .

British Red Cross would like you to donate your old motorbike crash helmet and they will use it for training to teach first aiders how to remove a helmet safely in case of an accident.

For this reason the best helmets would be the full face or flip up ones, however all other helmets can be used whatever shape or form they are in.

Scratches or missing visor do not matter - if it can be put on and taken off then any condition is good enough for us to put to good use in our training.

The British Red Cross trains more than a hundred thousand people every year in life-saving first aid skills. By using actual crash helmets, our trainers will be able to pass on the important techniques in dealing with a motorbike incident.

If you can donate any of your old helmets and/or can collect a few used ones from any biker friends please drop them off at your closest Red Cross building by 31 January 2010 (unfortunately we will be unable to accept them after this date).

Drop your old motorbike helmets off at any of our complexes across London:

Mitcham Complex
Units 1-10
14 Wandle Way
Mitcham
Surrey CR4 4FG

Chislehurst Complex
Hornbrook House
High Street
Chislehurst
Kent BR7 5AB

Harrow Complex
39 Sheepcote Road
Harrow HA1 2JL

Redbridge Complex
604-606 Cranbrook Road
Gants Hill
Ilford IG2 6RG

Black Sheep Bikers would like to wish all of our readers a Merry Christmas and extend their wishes to the coming New Year.

In adverse weather condition please ensure that you take extreme caution when riding.

More advice is available at Direct Gov’s website.

British-made Skidmarx race screens have an unrivalled track record in the Supersport class, having supplied current British Championship winning team (and victors in this year’s Isle of Man TT) HM Plant Honda.

Now the Dorset-based manufacturer has developed a double bubble screen for the Triumph Daytona 675, widely rated as one of the best machines in the supersport class.

Proven to enhance the aerodynamics of the bike and increase the air pocket behind the screen, giving the rider greater protection from buffeting at high speed, the road version is produced using the same technology as the race screens. No modification is necessary as the Skidmarx double bubble is designed to replace the original factory-fitted item using the existing mounting points and fasteners.

Manufactured by Skidmarx in the UK, the double bubble is a great British accessory for a great British bike.   The double bubble retails for £49.95 (including VAT) in a choice of clear, light or dark tints.  A range of coloured options can be ordered too (for a £6 surcharge).

Replacement standard screens are also available, in clear, light or dark tints, priced at £39.95. Coloured versions, including red, yellow, bright blue and sold black, sell for £45.95.

Contact Skidmarx by calling 01305 780808 or visit www.skidmarx.co.uk.

Matching headlight protectors sell for £19.95.

Moto Morini has responded angrily to reports on the internet that it had closed its doors and ceased production.  The rumours appear to have started because the factory closed for a public holiday on Tuesday 8th December.

The company, which launched its 2010 Granferro 1200 at the Milan show last month, went into voluntary administration earlier this year and is actively seeking new investment ready for the 2010 season.

A spokesman for the company said: “At present Moto Morini is only producing bikes to order while we clear a backlog of machines in stock. The commercial offices, technical, after sales and spare parts departments are all working normally and we remain optimistic about the future.”

For information please call 01202 823 344 or visit www.motomorinimotorcycles.co.uk.

Prototype testing of the Hyde Harrier Jubilee is now complete and kits are available to transform a modern Triumph Bonneville into the ultimate modern British cafe racer.  Created to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the original Hyde Harrier and the 50th anniversary of the Triumph Bonneville, the Hyde Harrier Jubilee is the result of a 2-year project by Triumph specialist Norman Hyde and Harris Performance.

Designed to utilise a Triumph Bonneville (2000 onwards pre-EFI) as a donor vehicle, the basic Harrier kit contains replacement frame & swinging arm, fuel tank, seat unit, rearset footrests, rear mudguard and prop stand, plus other necessary fittings.

So the only major items retained from the donor bike will be the headlight and instruments, front forks, wheels, engine and exhaust system.

The Base Kit retails for £3995 + VAT and a good used 2005 Bonneville can be bought from a dealer for under £4000, so for as little as £8500 it is possible to build an exclusive British café racer.

Riders intimidated by the prospect of building their own cafe racer will be pleased to learn that Windy Corner, the award-winning Triumph solus dealership in Leicestershire, offer a workshop service to build Harriers.

Labour prices will vary depending on the owner’s requirements and the donor bike – call 01455 842922 to discuss in detail.

Customers may pick and mix a variety of exotic components to add to the Base Kit, including a handmade Harris stainless steel race exhaust, Öhlins suspension front and rear, Hyde fairing with Cibie lights, lightweight PVM wheels, Acumen digital instrumentation, AP Lockheed radial brakes and Keihin smooth bore carburettors and even Wiseco big bore piston kits.

British safety experts Knox have given their Warrior impact protection harness a bright future with the introduction of two exciting new colour options for 2010.

Premiered at the Dirt Bike Show, the updated Warrior is one of the few off-road impact protectors to be fully tested and approved to the relevant CE standards for motorcycle use.  Originally only available in black, now riders can choose from white or lime green too.

Developed with help from Relentless Suzuki MX star Jamie Law, the Warrior protects the upper body with CE- approved back, lumbar, chest and shoulder protectors and features a radical 3-part shoulder system that allows total freedom of movement.

At the core of Knox protection is a naturally strong hexagonal honeycomb that gives advanced impact protection yet is lightweight and breathable.  It acts like a crumple zone, absorbing massive amounts of energy from an impact, keeping the wearer safe.  Both the back and chest protector meet the European EN1621-2 standard and the elbow guards meet the requirements for EN1621-1.

Knox understand that safety wear needs to be comfortable, otherwise riders will soon discard it and ride unprotected, so they have fitted breathable spacer fabric on the back protector, which also has pinhole ventilation, to disperse body heat when working hard.  There is adjustment on the arms, shoulders and waist, for a precise fit.

The Knox Warrior Harness is produced in sizes Small and Large (measurement details are available from the Knox website or at your local Knox Premier Centre) and options are available for use either with or without a neck brace, both retailing for £149.99 inc. VAT.

Call 01900 825825 or visit www.knox-armour.co.uk for more information.

Government statistics suggest that more motorcyclists than ever are opting to ride though the winter season and although this undoubtedly brings benefits to the daily commute, riding in conditions of reduced visibility can increase the risk of accident.

Effective lighting is therefore crucial to ensure riders spot potential hazards in good time and are clearly visible to other road users too.

SW Motech’s Auxiliary Lighting Kit features two H3 55W ellipsoid lights, designed to emit a powerful and broad dispersion of light and increase visibility in low light and fog too.

Compact and subtly styled, the Auxiliary Lighting Kit will not detract from the machine’s styling and is designed to be mounted quickly and easily, without the need for alteration to the electrical system or bodywork. The lights may be mounted horizontally or vertically, and can be fitted directly on to crash bars or frame tubes using Auxiliary Light Mounts, although owners of the BMW R1200 GS can mount lamps onto the upper crash bars without these.

Each kit comes complete with the required wiring harness and fuse, a ‘toggle’ handlebar mounted power switch - for easy operation when riding - plus all the required mounting materials and instructions.

The SW Motech Auxiliary Lighting Kit costs £96.59 Including VAT and the Auxiliary Light Mount is available for 22 and 27mm tubing, in silver or black, priced from £19.27 per pair.

Contact Motohaus Powersports by calling 01256 704909 or visit www.motohaus.com.

Your motorcycle helmet can be the difference between life and death and one of the most crucial considerations when you buy a helmet is that it fits you correctly.

That’s where the Scorpion EXO-1000 (pronounced as ‘ex-oh’ I believe) has a major advantage, with a new and innovative solution to comfort and safety using advanced helmet technology.

Where the EXO-1000 really differs is in its unique Airfit system. This is basically an air bladder situated behind each cheek pad that the wearer is able to inflate via an unobtrusive pump inside the chinbar.

This continually ensures a great fit and also helps to reduced wind noise. One press of another neatly hidden button and the Airfit system deflates to make removal easier.

Another exceptional feature of this lid is the outer shell. This is made of a tri-fibre composite of fibre glass, Kevlar and Dyneema - claimed to be the Worlds strongest fibre – so all in all, one damn tough hombre!

For added comfort there is a kwickwick inner liner which wicks moisture quickly and effectively away from the riders head.

The Everclear anti fog visors are made in Canada. I reckon those boys know a thing or two about riding in the cold and the system works exceptionally well without the need for a secondary insert and you can whip the visor off in seconds when the need arises.

There is also an internal sun visor, which can prove priceless, especially at this time of year.

The model shown here is the Sublim, which has a very high quality and unusual matt and gloss dual paint scheme. There are other colour variations too all of which are finished to the same superb standard and all of which look just as sexy!

What more can I say. I sell motorcycle helmets everyday so it takes a lot for something new to impress me but I can honestly say that the EXO-1000 has done exactly that.

Scorpion helmets also come with a 3 year warranty.

Go to www.scorpionexo.co.uk to find out more about the Scorpion helmet range or call Infinity Motorcycles for further details on 020 7637 5002.

As Honda celebrates 50 years of racing, the CBR600RR holds an enviable position at the head of its class. A tally of seven consecutive World Supersport victories was made all the more impressive in 2008 by Honda domination of the top three places in the WSS championship.

Introduction

A masterpiece of race-bred engineering, the CBR600RR has continually raised the bar in both track and road performance. Its ultra-light weight, mass centralisation and compact chassis ensure that its blistering power is balanced by easy, natural handling and faultless road manners. Its potent engine delivers immediate, exhilarating torque, while its fairing is aggressively aerodynamic, enhances stability and allows maximum enjoyment of the machine’s performance.

Radially-mounted four-piston caliper front disc brakes give it sensational stopping power, while the ABS version features the revolutionary Honda electronically-controlled “Combined ABS”, which delivers all the benefits of ABS in a system designed specifically for Super Sports riders. Due to its short wheelbase, a sportsbike can be prone to pitching under hard braking, which reduces rear traction. Honda’s electronically-controlled “Combined ABS” minimises this tendency, ensuring superb stability and control under severe deceleration.

This agile Super Sports machine allows you to enjoy its race-won experience on the twists and turns of your favourite weekend roads. In either the standard or “Combined ABS” version, the CBR600RR is a born leader.

The CBR600RR is available in either standard or Combined ABS in the colours as listed below.

Colours

• Graphite Black (Mono-Black)
• Graphite Black/Victory Red
• Pearl Sunbeam White/Tricolour
• Special Edition (Pearl Sunbeam White with bold graphics)

Main Features

• Compact, lightweight and mass-centralised 600cc liquid-cooled inline-4 engine is tuned for strong mid- range performance and maximum drive out of corners.
• Undercowl, bodywork sculpting and specially designed air vents provide highly effective airflow at medium and high speeds, and enhanced machine stability.
• Every component of engine, chassis, exhaust and bodywork is relentlessly pared down in pursuit of optimum mass centralisation and minimum weight.
• C-ABS version features advanced Honda electronically-controlled “Combined ABS”. This overcomes the tendency of the bike to pitch under heavy braking, caused by the short wheelbase of a sportsbike. This avoids wheel lock and provides superb stability and control along with excellent deceleration.
• Revolutionary Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) contributes to the safe ride feel by automatically adjusting to speed, aiding stability at high speeds and enabling light, easy low-speed handling.
• Fully adjustable inverted front fork and Unit-Pro-Link rear damper combine to allow late braking into corners and smooth progress around them.
• Exciting colour range includes a new Special Edition with bold graphics incorporating a female face in a high-contrast pattern.
• New, sporty Tricolour version celebrates the CBR race-winning heritage.
• New Graphite Black (Mono-Black) and Graphite Black/Victory Red colour variations.
• For 10YM, the tone of red is updated to a sportier “Victory Red”.
• Compact, attractive and highly practical instrument panel features an ABS indicator (C-ABS version only).
• Honda Ignition Security System (HISS) protects against ride-away theft by preventing the engine being started with anything other than the motorcycle’s two original keys.
• Extensive range of optional equipment from Honda Access Europe includes a black-tinted windscreen, a colour-matched seat cowl, colour- coordinated racing stickers, carbon-fibre parts and more.
• ECU for “Combined ABS” for circuit usage also available as an option from Honda Access Europe.

Pictures

Images courtesy of Honda (UK).