Hello and welcome to Front End Chatter, episode 75 of Britain’s sweariest motorcycling podcast, presented before your ears by two motorcycle journalists called, literally, Martin Fitz-Gibbons and Simon Hargreaves, and furthermore enabled by the humungous humanoids at the UK’s most enhanced two-wheeled web experience, otherwise known as www.bikesocial.co.uk – which is itself a mere digit on the mighty, but gentle, hand of Bennetts, the bike insurance people.  Among the topics for discussion today are:  • Is the TT more important than MotoGP?

• MotoGP silly season, including why Lorenzo will never, in a million years, take a seat at Repsol Honda, oh, he just did… 

• TT latest including the unbelievably spectacular riding at this year’s race, some slightly troubling consequences, and what’s the point of the Superbike class?

• How many horsepowers do we a) need, b) want and c) can use?…   • … and where does Ducati’s V4 Panigale sit on that scale? 

• What are the worst bikes ever (and haven’t we been here before)?

• What effect will Yamaha’s Niken have, if any, on motorcycling? …and much, much less. More. I meant more.  Thank you very much for listening, please visit www.bikesocial.co.uk for all your motorcycling media needs, and please subscribe on iTunes or your Android device to make sure you get every episode of FEC.  Please email your thoughts, questions, musings – in either written or .mp3 formats – to anything@frontendchatter.com Simon on Twitter @SimonHBikes

Martin on Twitter @Mufga  

Hello and welcome to Front End Chatter, episode 75 of Britain’s sweariest motorcycling podcast, presented before your ears by two motorcycle journalists called, literally, Martin Fitz-Gibbons and Simon Hargreaves, and furthermore enabled by the humungous humanoids at the UK’s most enhanced two-wheeled web experience, otherwise known as www.bikesocial.co.uk – which is itself a mere digit on the mighty, but gentle, hand of Bennetts, the bike insurance people.  Among the topics for discussion today are:  • Is the TT more important than MotoGP?

• MotoGP silly season, including why Lorenzo will never, in a million years, take a seat at Repsol Honda, oh, he just did… 

• TT latest including the unbelievably spectacular riding at this year’s race, some slightly troubling consequences, and what’s the point of the Superbike class?

• How many horsepowers do we a) need, b) want and c) can use?…   • … and where does Ducati’s V4 Panigale sit on that scale? 

• What are the worst bikes ever (and haven’t we been here before)?

• What effect will Yamaha’s Niken have, if any, on motorcycling? …and much, much less. More. I meant more.  Thank you very much for listening, please visit www.bikesocial.co.uk for all your motorcycling media needs, and please subscribe on iTunes or your Android device to make sure you get every episode of FEC.  Please email your thoughts, questions, musings – in either written or .mp3 formats – to anything@frontendchatter.com Simon on Twitter @SimonHBikes

Martin on Twitter @Mufga  

We’re back! Welcome to Britain’s most paternal motorcycling podcast, Front End Chatter Episode 74, supported by the infinite patience of our friends at www.bikesocial.co.uk, in association with Bennetts, the bike insurance specalists… and while we can’t quite make up for lost time, we can chatter about a bunch of stuff including:

• armchair gossip about current MotoGP shenanigans – mostly from Argentina, for whom no-one is crying apart from Marc Marquez who, upset at not being disqualified for riding the wrong way up the track, went on to effectively disqualify himself from the race, several times over – what is Marc Marquez on, is he becoming MotoGP’s bad boy, and is he heading for a biggie?
• a bit of catch-up with WSB and BSB, including a refreshingly new look to the top step of the BSB podium at Donington in the shape of a myopic mop-head from Kent called Bradley Ray…
• …plus a bit of chat about Triumph’s Tiger 1200 XRT v BMW R1200GS TE Exec v Ducati’s Multistrada 1260S Touring v KTM’s 1290 S Super Adventure • …and a bit about Kawasaki’s Z900RS v BMW’s RnineT Pure and Yamaha’s XSR900…
• …and exactly how extraordinary is Kawasaki’s H2 SX SE?

Plus!

• what’s the point of KTM in MotoGP?
• does being a dad slow you down?
• which retro naked bike has the sportiest character?
• should Triumph release a Speed Triple RS half-faired sports tourer?
• can you do a track day on a BMW R1200 GS?
• is the VFR800Fi a future classic? • can we form an emotional attachment to an inanimate object?
• why do some bikes have unadjustable suspension that works, while some have adjustable suspension we struggle to set-up?
• why do journalists criticise adjustable suspension, then comprehensively fail to actually be bothered to adjust it?
• hello to Jason Isaacs
• what’s the best bike to get married on?

…and so much more! Thank you for sticking with us, and please remember to visit www.bikesocial.co.uk to give us a Like. You can catch us on the usual social media things they have now:

@SimonHbikes

@Mufga

…or on Front End Chatter’s Facebook page.

And please email your questions and thoughts to anything@frontendchatter.com

We’re back! Welcome to Britain’s most paternal motorcycling podcast, Front End Chatter Episode 74, supported by the infinite patience of our friends at www.bikesocial.co.uk, in association with Bennetts, the bike insurance specalists… and while we can’t quite make up for lost time, we can chatter about a bunch of stuff including:

• armchair gossip about current MotoGP shenanigans – mostly from Argentina, for whom no-one is crying apart from Marc Marquez who, upset at not being disqualified for riding the wrong way up the track, went on to effectively disqualify himself from the race, several times over – what is Marc Marquez on, is he becoming MotoGP’s bad boy, and is he heading for a biggie?
• a bit of catch-up with WSB and BSB, including a refreshingly new look to the top step of the BSB podium at Donington in the shape of a myopic mop-head from Kent called Bradley Ray…
• …plus a bit of chat about Triumph’s Tiger 1200 XRT v BMW R1200GS TE Exec v Ducati’s Multistrada 1260S Touring v KTM’s 1290 S Super Adventure • …and a bit about Kawasaki’s Z900RS v BMW’s RnineT Pure and Yamaha’s XSR900…
• …and exactly how extraordinary is Kawasaki’s H2 SX SE?

Plus!

• what’s the point of KTM in MotoGP?
• does being a dad slow you down?
• which retro naked bike has the sportiest character?
• should Triumph release a Speed Triple RS half-faired sports tourer?
• can you do a track day on a BMW R1200 GS?
• is the VFR800Fi a future classic? • can we form an emotional attachment to an inanimate object?
• why do some bikes have unadjustable suspension that works, while some have adjustable suspension we struggle to set-up?
• why do journalists criticise adjustable suspension, then comprehensively fail to actually be bothered to adjust it?
• hello to Jason Isaacs
• what’s the best bike to get married on?

…and so much more! Thank you for sticking with us, and please remember to visit www.bikesocial.co.uk to give us a Like. You can catch us on the usual social media things they have now:

@SimonHbikes

@Mufga

…or on Front End Chatter’s Facebook page.

And please email your questions and thoughts to anything@frontendchatter.com

Hello and welcome to a slightly sweary, distinctly snowy Front End Chatter Episode 73, supported as ever by nos amis at BikeSocial (wwwbikesocial.co.uk) and Bennetts the bike insurers – and which ignores the current level of white precipitation (sounds iffy) while resolutely chattering on about:

• last weekend’s racing season opener, with World Superbike at Phillip Island – was it or wasn’t it dull, and what’s the difference between an exciting race and dull racing?
• recent MotoGP testes, and what’s the likely outcome of Tech 3 and Yamaha announcing their conscious uncoupling?

…and then FEC73 dives headlong into proper motorcycling and confronts pressing issues such as:

• the launch of Triumph’s new Speed Triple S and RS, and when is a hooligan not a hooligan?
• how does Triumph’s Daytona 675R rate against MV Agusta’s 675 and 800 F3s?
• is it only us thinking this, or have Triumph got some massive holes in their model line-up, and does that presage a completely new, large-capacity engine powering a range of new models in the near future?
• would we buy a Panigale 959 Corse if a) we wanted it and b) could afford it? • are some new bikes ‘better’ than other new bikes, and does it matter, or is modern motorcycling more about deciding what the bike feels like?
• what’s the wisdom of filming ourselves for vlogs – does it make motorcycling look bad?
• should we feel guilty about not using a bike all the time?
• how much does rider weight and fitness level affect our ability to ride a bike?

Plus there’s loads more of waffle about grid boys, why manufacturers build the bikes they build, and a satisfied FEC customer! Thanks for listening, and please keep sending us your questions, thoughts and queries… and picking us up on our errors (that should get a few emails). Email to: anything@frontendchatter.com

@Mufga

@SimonHbikes

Hello and welcome to a slightly sweary, distinctly snowy Front End Chatter Episode 73, supported as ever by nos amis at BikeSocial (wwwbikesocial.co.uk) and Bennetts the bike insurers – and which ignores the current level of white precipitation (sounds iffy) while resolutely chattering on about:

• last weekend’s racing season opener, with World Superbike at Phillip Island – was it or wasn’t it dull, and what’s the difference between an exciting race and dull racing?
• recent MotoGP testes, and what’s the likely outcome of Tech 3 and Yamaha announcing their conscious uncoupling?

…and then FEC73 dives headlong into proper motorcycling and confronts pressing issues such as:

• the launch of Triumph’s new Speed Triple S and RS, and when is a hooligan not a hooligan?
• how does Triumph’s Daytona 675R rate against MV Agusta’s 675 and 800 F3s?
• is it only us thinking this, or have Triumph got some massive holes in their model line-up, and does that presage a completely new, large-capacity engine powering a range of new models in the near future?
• would we buy a Panigale 959 Corse if a) we wanted it and b) could afford it? • are some new bikes ‘better’ than other new bikes, and does it matter, or is modern motorcycling more about deciding what the bike feels like?
• what’s the wisdom of filming ourselves for vlogs – does it make motorcycling look bad?
• should we feel guilty about not using a bike all the time?
• how much does rider weight and fitness level affect our ability to ride a bike?

Plus there’s loads more of waffle about grid boys, why manufacturers build the bikes they build, and a satisfied FEC customer! Thanks for listening, and please keep sending us your questions, thoughts and queries… and picking us up on our errors (that should get a few emails). Email to: anything@frontendchatter.com

@Mufga

@SimonHbikes

Hello and welcome to Front End Chatter Episode 72, Britain’s most rambling, shambling biking podcast supported as ever by our gender-neutral comrades at www.bikesocial.co.uk (and definitely *not* .com) in association with Bennetts, the bike insurance people. It’s like a great big biking family, packed with road tests, new bikes, used bikes, buying guides and kit git guides; come in, the water’s lovely. On a crammed FEC 72, Martin and Simon waffle about: • Sepang MotoGP testing results • the cancelled Welsh Road Races: why it’s been postponed and how much damage has been done to the reputation of the organisers and a potential 2019 event – plus some sensible mathematics  • a surprisingly measured and informed opinion on the great grid girls debate… from a man • McGuinness signs to race the Norprilia at the TT • news from the launches of the 2018 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports (not in Africa) and Triumph Tiger 800 (in Africa) • embarrassing crashes, heart-breaking crashes and unpredictable crashes (aren’t all crashes unpredictable?)   • do we get the new bikes we want, or the bikes manufacturers think we want… and how are new bikes developed, anyway?  • what were the best-selling bikes in Europe and who were the biggest manufacturers in 2017?  Thank you for your ears, and please get in touch at anything@frontendchatter.com  or on Twitter @SimonHbikes or @Mufga

Hello and welcome to Front End Chatter Episode 72, Britain’s most rambling, shambling biking podcast supported as ever by our gender-neutral comrades at www.bikesocial.co.uk (and definitely *not* .com) in association with Bennetts, the bike insurance people. It’s like a great big biking family, packed with road tests, new bikes, used bikes, buying guides and kit git guides; come in, the water’s lovely. On a crammed FEC 72, Martin and Simon waffle about: • Sepang MotoGP testing results • the cancelled Welsh Road Races: why it’s been postponed and how much damage has been done to the reputation of the organisers and a potential 2019 event – plus some sensible mathematics  • a surprisingly measured and informed opinion on the great grid girls debate… from a man • McGuinness signs to race the Norprilia at the TT • news from the launches of the 2018 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports (not in Africa) and Triumph Tiger 800 (in Africa) • embarrassing crashes, heart-breaking crashes and unpredictable crashes (aren’t all crashes unpredictable?)   • do we get the new bikes we want, or the bikes manufacturers think we want… and how are new bikes developed, anyway?  • what were the best-selling bikes in Europe and who were the biggest manufacturers in 2017?  Thank you for your ears, and please get in touch at anything@frontendchatter.com  or on Twitter @SimonHbikes or @Mufga

Hello and welcome to Front End Chatter, Britain’s mostest biking podcast, supported by nos amis at Britain’s foremost and most comprehensive biking website, www.bikesocial.co.uk, and Bennetts, the bike insurance specialists. And is this week’s compact episode Simon (me) and Martin (him) natter about such diverse matters as: • the second darkest winter in northern Europe since records began

• results from the Dakar rally, and whether the race is getting too tough (it’s not), and whether the IOM TT is harder
• will Michael Dunlop’s recent test on the MotoGP Suzuki GSX-R RR R at Sepang, Malaysia, presage an entry in the 2018 Senior TT, and do we think he was worried about taking to the track alongside MotoGP regulars?
• what else might or might not happen at the first MotoGP test session of 2018 at Sepang?
• why has Hutchy jumped on John McG’s ‘unlucky’ Honda Fireblade for next year’s TT? • more news on the Ducati, Aprilia and KTM models affected by Brembo’s M50 brake recall
• first riding reports of Ducati’s V4 Panigale and Honda’s new Gold Wing are in – and if they’re as brilliant as everyone says, how can we tell when it seems like all new bikes are brilliant?
• plus (and sorry, we only have time for a few) your wonderful emails.

Thank you as ever for continuing to listen to our ramblings, and please get in touch at anything@frontendhchatter.com with your questions, thoughts, musings and chit-chat.

@SimonHbikes

@Mufga

Hello and welcome to Front End Chatter, Britain’s mostest biking podcast, supported by nos amis at Britain’s foremost and most comprehensive biking website, www.bikesocial.co.uk, and Bennetts, the bike insurance specialists. And in this week’s compact episode Simon (me) and Martin (him) natter about such diverse matters as:

• the second darkest winter in northern Europe since records began
• results from the Dakar rally, and whether the race is getting too tough (it’s not), and whether the IOM TT is harder
• will Michael Dunlop’s recent test on the MotoGP Suzuki GSX-R RR R at Sepang, Malaysia, presage an entry in the 2018 Senior TT, and do we think he was worried about taking to the track alongside MotoGP regulars?
• what else might or might not happen at the first MotoGP test session of 2018 at Sepang?
• why has Hutchy jumped on John McG’s ‘unlucky’ Honda Fireblade for next year’s TT?
• more news on the Ducati, Aprilia and KTM models affected by Brembo’s master cylinder recall
• first riding reports of Ducati’s V4 Panigale and Honda’s new Gold Wing are in – and if they’re as brilliant as everyone says, how can we tell when it seems like all new bikes are brilliant?

Plus (and sorry, we only have time for a few) your wonderful emails.

Thank you as ever for continuing to listen to our ramblings, and please get in touch at anything@frontendhchatter.com with your questions, thoughts, musings and chit-chat.

@SimonHbikes

@Mufga