Front End Chatter #156

Hello everyone and welcome to Front End Chatter, a motorcycling podcast of sorts in which Simon Hargreaves and Martin Fitz-Gibbons conspire, despite something like a combined half century in motorcycle journalism, to demonstrate the absence of having learned anything worthwhile. They are ably supported in their endeavours by Bennetts, the bike insurance specialists, and BikeSocial.co.uk, the best motorcycling website in the world. If you're insuring you bike, you'd be well advised to have a look at  Bennetts BikeSocial Membership scheme, which gives you access to a vast array of discounts, competitions, tracks days and events – including the upcoming Busa Bonanza: the chance for Hayabusa owners to come to Elvington near York and take their bike up the runway as often as they like. Details below. Onto FEC Episode 156, among the contents of which you may find: guff from the second MotoGP race from Indonesia, including Marc Marquez – he gets knocked down, he gets up again... but how long can this go on? MotoGP Unlimited: hit or a miss? ex-500GP-and-lots-more old-age-race-ace Jeremy McWilliams wins a race in the US on an American V-twin for the first time since 2010, when he last won a race in the US on an America V-twin Busa Bonanza details, and why going fast in a straight line is a Good Thing KTM 790 Duke makes a comeback after a colossal one year's absence Honda Hawk, a modern café racer based on the, take a guess, yes, the Africa Twin platform Triumph's Tiger 1200 ridden, rated, and is it as good as a GS? There isn't lots more, because that's it for this week! Lots of FEC-sack emails thoughts, questions and ponderings in FEC158, promise! Thanks for listening and supporting FEC, and please continue to spread the word! Follow Simon and Martin on the socials at: @SimonHBikes @Mufga Busa Bonanza details! Calling all Hayabusa (and B-King) owners, road legal or otherwise… how would you like to attend our event in conjunction with Suzuki GB for as many high-speed runs as you want? What?We're calling the event, The BikeSocial Busa Bonanza! BikeSocial and Suzuki GB are inviting all Suzuki Hayabusa (and B-King) owners, road legal or otherwise, to a disused two-mile long airfield for a chance to run their bike flat-out. Straightliners, the drag racing events experts, will use their immense experience to operate the event with support from BikeSocial and Suzuki GB. Bikes that have run at over 200mph will also be running, and a team of experts will be on hand to help with launches and body positions. Free professional photos, as well as a commemorative printout of the registered speed at ½ mile and one-mile intervals, and a beautiful sticker(!) will form part of the record of your day. Suzuki GB will bring several of the latest generation Hayabusa models which can be booked for a trial on the day. The 2022 Buildbase Suzuki team who'll be competing in the Bennetts British Superbike championship will be in attendance along with riders Christian Iddon and Danny Kent, fresh from the season's opening round at Silverstone. Come on, how many opportunities will you get to feel what 170mph+ is like?! Where? Elvington Airfield, Yorkshire, YO41 4AU. A former RAF base. When? Tuesday, 26th April 2022, 10.30am – 5pm. Gates open from 8:30am. First runs at 10:30 following the safety briefing. No need to pre-register, just turn up. Spectators are welcome too but it'll only be Hayabusa's and B-King's permitted on the runway! How much? After a £5 entry fee per person (rider, pillion or spectator), the opportunity to run-what-you-brung along the runway will be free of charge for BikeSocial Members, but there'll be a one-off £10 charge for non-members. There is no restriction on the number of runs between 10.30am – 5pm. Small print: Riders will be required to sign an indemnity and have their riding gear checked (one-piece leathers preferred though 2-piece leathers must zip-together all the way around) then they'll receive a sticker for their bike and a wristband for themselves. Only once a safety briefing is completed can the rider join a queue to be escorted to the beginning of the runway. Only one bike at a time will be permitted on the runway. The noise restriction is 105dB static. For those wishing to book one of the latest Suzuki Hayabusa road bikes to test on the runway, you need to provide your licence and DVLA check code. You will be entitled to two runs. Spectators: £5 (under 16s free but must be accompanied by a fee-paying adult). BikeSocial members must bring their policy or membership number. We look forward to welcoming you to Elvington, and don't forget to tell all your Hayabusa owning friends! For further information or any questions, please email us on [email protected] or join the discussion at the Busa Bonanza Facebook Events page