Front End Chatter #52

Welcome to Front End Chatter, episode 52 – and it's a very special episode of Britain's least regular but much-loved motorcycling podcast because this is the first to be brought to you by the lovely people at Bike Social (www.bikesocial.co.uk)!  Front End Chatter is a podcast spoken at length by us, a right pair of motorcycle writers called Martin Fitz-Gibbons and Simon Hargreaves, and we chatter about every and any subject with two wheels and an engine: racing, news, new bikes, old bikes, and the issues that effect you, me and him (like what bike should you get next, how to ride, what kit to wear, and generally why things are the way they are). We don't know all the answers (in fact we hardly know any of them) but we now people who do. Bike Social – and if you're not reading this on their website, WHY NOT? – is Britain's most comprehensive biking website, packed with road test, new bikes, old bikes, features and news. It's like a bike magazine, but on the web, created by Bennetts, the bike insurance people. Did I mention you can find it here: www.bikesocial.co.uk So if you're a long-time FEC listener, it's good news because it means we'll be coming in your ears twice a month.  And if you're a Bike Socialist, it means FEC will be brightening-up your browsing experience. We may even have a few other bits and bobs about the place after a while. So, from now on, please get your Front End Chatter fix from www.bikesocial.co.uk – and it's on with the chatter...  This episode may contain nuts: • MotoGP 2017 is nearly upon us, so we have look at the final test from Qatar and rate the chances of the major runners and riders courtesy of William Hill (other bookmakers are available) • World Superbike, on the other hand, is underway and the burning question is: can the WSB racing from Thailand live up to the craziness of the opening Supersport 600 race from Phillip Island a few weeks ago? • KTM 1290 Super Adventure v BMW R1200 GS Rallye Sport: we've been lucky enough ride both bikes recently – one in Portugal and one in Peru – so we compare our experiences and discover how one is genuinely capable off-road bike for novices while the other is one of the best road bikes in the world, in a frock. Plus, is semi-active suspension really 'better' than comparable standard suspension? • more news on the Honda Africa Twin heated grip saga • The best waterproof textile jacket and trouser combo for £400, with buying advice help from www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk • why covering your bike in aftermarket tat isn't the smartest idea • why photochromic visors don't go black faced with car headlights (it's obvious) • your five dream bikes • why MotoGP bikes don't have vacuum die-cast frames. Or do they? Please send you questions and comment to: [email protected] You can follow us on Twitter: @SimonHbikes @Mufga Or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FrontEndChatter Thank you for listening, thank you for your support, please listen to us and download from Bike Social at: www.bikesocial.co.uk