Front End Chatter #97

Apologies for the late arrival of FEC#97 – delayed by unexpected items in the bagging area – but now it's here, let's tuck in! Brought to you as always by the furiously febrile funkateers at bikesocial.co.uk and the bike-insuring bike insurers Bennetts, this week's regurgitation of previously held opinions includes: MotoGP (remember that?) round-up from Assen and Sachsenring, including neck braces, tankslappers, youngsters v old 'uns, should JL99 and/or VR46 retire, who'll take ZR5's place at KTM, and who'll replace MCN race reporter now he's taken the gig as PR blerk for Petronas Yamaha? with Rea overturning Dave Bautista's lead in WSB, does he still think his ZX-10R is "like taking a knife to a gunfight"? MotoE's first race – pointless comedy, the future, or both?  PLUS! Listeners' emails, including: do leathers and other items of bike kit have a safety lifespan, and what's best to clean them? living proof back protectors are worth wearing all the time... why are the roads in the Fens so bad? has Scott Redding done enough to justify a ride in WSB next year... but will it actually pay more than he's already getting in BSB? has BTSport's coverage of MotoGP been successful? Chinese 125 retros: stylish or not? And why don't the big manufacturers build such stripped-back bikes? ...and should we make an ethical choice not to buy bikes from China, given their human rights record? ...and introducing our new bike-buying advice section, VFECR800 Corner, including: what's the best big £3k sporty bike for a big sporty bloke, upgrading from a ZX-6R? what's the best £4k second bike alongside a Daytona 675 for two-up weekend touring? what's the best bike to replace a Husqvarna 701 Supermoto and a Triumph Tiger 800? what's the best bike to deliver top-endy, rev-happy thrashable thrills instead of single-gear flexibility? What's the best cheap track-day bike to suit a 6-footer for a £2k? Thanks for listening! email your thoughts, questions and comments to [email protected] visit www.bikesocial.co.uk for your biking fix get your insurance from Bennetts AND! book yourself on the FECtacular/FECstival on 13th August at Cadwell Park – places still available!  ...and follow @SimonHbikes and @Mufga on the Twitters, Instas etc