Oxford heated gloves review - stay frosty without cold hands

When Oxford first introduced their heated gloves back in 2011 we were a little skeptical about how they would perform in the real world. With wires dangling from your arms and heating elements close to your pinkies, they sounded a bit unsafe! However, after having them on test for the last few months we were proved well and truly wrong.

Motorcycle News: Oxford heated gloves are the best option for high-mileage winter bikers

With snow, frost, ice and general wintery conditions to deal with out on the UK's roads, the last thing motorcyclists need to be thinking about is how cold their extremities are. Luckily for us, this winter has been a lot more bearable thanks to these toasty Oxford heated gloves.

Unlike other heated gloves on the market, the Oxford offering uses a a woven heated element rather than a wire-based system, this gives a better distribution of heat around the riders hands and eliminates the possibility of burns from overheating wires.

The actual construction of the gloves is of high quality, available in a range of sizes from XS to XXL and with adjustable straps and drawstrings they offer a good fit for a variety of hand shapes and sizes. The 3M Thinsulate lining keeps your hands pretty warm and comfortable even when the power is off.

Motorcycle News: The 3 heat settings are controlled by a power button on each glove

The heating is provided from a direct feed to your bikes battery (which is fused for safety). Once channeled properly from the battery, the ends of the cables simply plug into each glove and the temperature is adjusted between 3 settings with a power button and heat setting indicator on each glove.

We used these on our Suzuki V-strom 650 over the winter and the excess cable from the gloves is lost seamlessly over the tank whilst riding and doesn't cause any distraction to the rider.

The obvious comparison to make is against Oxford's other popular winter riding accessory, the heated handlebar grips. The most immediate benefit of the heated gloves is that they distribute heat right around your hands, not just where you're gripping on to the bike, and in our opinion are a lot more effective. 

The only downside to the heated gloves is that you need to plug/unplug yourself every time you get on/off the bike, so if your a bike courier then heated grips and bar muffs might be the answer, but if you're riding for extended periods of time, then the heated gloves are the hands down winner!

For more details check out www.oxprod.com

Case Study: Wheels 2 Work in Nottinghamshire

Here’s another great case study about how the MCI’s new Wheels 2 Work initiative is making a real difference to people’s lives through the provision of scooters.

Motorcycle News: Wheels to Work provides a scooter for Thomas in Nottinghamshire

Thomas is 16 and lives with his family in Langar. After finishing school in summer 2008, Thomas was looking forward to starting college at Brackenhurst Agricultural College near Southwell. He had had a keen interest in horticulture for many years and his ambition was to work in this field.

Brackenhurst is impossible to get to from Langar for the times he needed to be there, and even if he got to Southwell, the college is a good two miles from the town! Thomas decided to contact Wheels to Work Nottinghamshire after it was mentioned to him by one of the Admissions Officers at Brackenhurst.

He applied to the scheme, met Liam from the Wheels to Work Project, and was accepted onto the scheme. W2W arranged for Thomas to complete his Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course, and the day after his moped was delivered to him, a week before his college course started. This gave him time to build up his confidence, and to do a dummy run to college so that he knew the route and how long it would take him.

Thomas in now settled at college, enjoying his course and is able to get there and home again on time! He has also secured a part-time job and is saving for a moped of his own, so he can continue to get to college after his time on W2W comes to an end.

The work that the Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire is doing with it’s Wheels 2 Work scheme if critical to people like Thomas continuing their education and finding employment. This is a perfect example of how the scheme is really making a difference, and it’s good to know that the motorcycle industry is making such a positive input to the economy in such challenging times.

If you’re struggling to maintain your futher education or gain employment due to a lack of transport options then the Wheels 2 Work scheme might be able to help. For more details, check out http://www.mcia.co.uk/Campaigns/Wheels-to-Work.aspx

Wheels to Work scheme - how it really works

Since we announced details of the new Wheels 2 Work Scheme we’ve been in touch to find out more about the scheme and how it works in the real world.

James Blakey is 19 and lives in Hemel Hempstead. James has worked at Amazon in Hemel Hempstead since the September last year as a temp, however this has now turned into a full time role. He also DJs and says that keeping all of this going wouldn’t be possible without the scooter provided to him through the Wheels to Work scheme at Scoots L2O. James kindly answered a few questions on the scheme for us:

Motorcycle News: James Blakey relies on the scooter provided through the Wheels to Work scheme

Q. How long you have had the scooter, and how many more months do you have to pay it off etc.?

A. I am actually due to start Scoots L2O this weekend as my CBT is on Saturday. The project is a 12month loan and I will own the bike as from the 1st of December 2013.


Q. Does the Scoots L2o scheme make a big difference to you, would you able to work where you currently do without it? If you didn't have the scooter, what would your other options be and how is the scooter a more convenient solution for you?

A. It will do. I was only on a temp contact at Amazon, which I would have had to give up had I not secured any transport. I had to get lifts in from friends and family and as I work shifts this was a real issue. I am also a DJ so that involves a lot of travel. Without this project I wouldn’t have been able to get a full time job at Amazon because I would not be able to get there. I also wouldn’t be able to do my DJ-ing. A scooter is better for my lifestyle and me. It gives me the freedom and independence I need for both my jobs. I can also socialise more with my friends without having to rely on anyone else.

Q. Did the cost put you off, or is it manageable? Did the savings you receive compared to buying a scooter outright attract you to the scheme?

A. The cost didn’t put me off at all as it’s a great deal. I have savings but not enough to buy a scooter and everything else that L2O provides for the price I am getting it for and in just 12 months I own everything. I also didn’t want to get a loan as I would end up paying more than it’s all worth. My saving wouldn’t even cover a new scooter let alone the insurance, breakdown, maintenance and everything else L2O provides. When you add all that up, it’s a much better deal for me to be on this scheme.



Q. What would you say to somebody who struggles to get to and from work at the moment - would you recommend the scheme?

A. I would recommend this scheme to anyone. I have already put a poster up at work (Amazon) to tell others about it. Not only do they help with the bike, I get all my equipment, training, break down cover and a service and maintenance plan plus with high insurance costs this is a really good way for anyone to get their own affordable travel and I wouldn’t have a job or my saving without it.

Thanks to Stevie at MCI and Ricky at Scoots L2O (http://scootsw2w.org.uk/) for their help with the case study.

If you’d like to find out more about the Wheels to Work scheme, visit: http://www.mcia.co.uk/Campaigns/Wheels-to-Work.aspx

R&G launch new bike protection ranges for 2013

Owners of new Kawasaki ZX636R and Triumph Street Triple motorcycles are in for a treat as R&G announce a whole host of new goodies to keep your bike protected in case of a drop or slide.

Motorcycle News: New R&G crash protection for Kawasaki ZX6R 636

The company, who are famous for products such as frame and fork sliders and paddock stand bobbins, have released photos of some stylish and functional new kit for Kawasaki’s latest supersport machine and Triumph’s popular Street Triple bike.

Whilst it’s not the cheapest protective gear available for your machine, we can really recommend spending the extra to get a top quality product. The level of detail in the build and styling of the R&G range is unrivalled. The bolts for example are made using a specially selected grade of steel that won’t snap in the event of an impact.

Motorcycle News: New R&G crash protection for the Triumph Street Triple

We’ve had a set of R&G aero frame sliders and paddock stand bobbins on our GSX-R750 for a year now and the added peace of mind they provide, especially on trackdays, is quite reassuring.

Items available for these new machines include engine case covers, carbon engine case sliders, aero crash protectors, bar end sliders, tanks sliders, fork protectors, radiator guards, downpipe grills, shocktubes, carbon tail sliders and tail tidies.

For more details and pricing, check out www.rg-racing.com

New Wheels to Work scheme provides bikes for young people

A new scheme has just been launched to provide two-wheeled transport to young people aged 16 – 25, in the form of mopeds, scooters and bicycles. The scheme, known as Wheels to Work, aims to help those with no access to personal transport to find employment or further their education with college or training.

Motorcycle News: The Wheels to Work scheme is aimed at those in remote locations

The scheme was launched after the Wheels to Work Association (W2WA) received grants from the Department for Transport and the Motorcycle Industry Association to establish a project aiming to get young people into employment, especially in areas with little or no public transport.

Steve Kenward, Chairman of the W2WA Board said: “Helping young people into employment and training is a priority for the government. The Wheels to Work Association is proud to have this facilitating role, as these schemes are proven to work where access to transport is the barrier to taking up opportunities.”

With some of the highest unemployment rates ever seen in Britain, we think the scheme is a great initiative to help those who are struggling to find employment due to their location. What better way to commute to work to college than on a highly economical, and not to mention fun, moped or scooter!

If you think you or someone you know might qualify for the Wheels to Work scheme, then visit http://www.mcia.co.uk/Campaigns/Wheels-to-Work.aspx to find out more.

New hi-tech REV'IT! Sand 2 Jacket unveiled

The latest product offering from well known bike clothing firm REV'IT! builds upon the success of the popular Sand textile touring jacket. The Sand 2 jacket is equipped with some pretty impressive features and technology to provide on of the safest and most practical lightweight motorcycle jackets on the market.

REV'IT! Sand 2 Jacket - ideal for any adventure

The latest jacket from REV'IT! has improved safety in the form of a back protector pocket designed to take the Seesoft CE-level 2 insert, which provides impressive protection without compromising movement or ventilation. The Sand 2 is also designed to be compatible with both Leatt and MOVEO neck braces that can be attached to the jacket in a matter of seconds to provide further protection to the rider.

This lightweight jacket is ideal for summer touring with it's lightweight and breathable design including a number of zips to increase air flow and circulation by up to 200%. The Sand 2 is also ideal for riding at night with it's reflective panels and logos on front, back and sleeves of the jacket, a vest connector is also available for increased visibility in poor visibility or bad weather conditions.

The REV'IT! Sand 2 Jacket can be used with a cooling vest insert

If you're looking for a jacket that will keep you cool in even the harshest of environments then the Sand 2's compatibility with a Challenger cooling vest insert will appeal to you. The insert can be zipped straight into the jackets shell and uses 'Hyperkewl' technology to absorb perspiration and keep the rider cool.
 
All in all this is one of the most advanced adventure touring jackets we've seen for a long time. THe jacket is due to be launched in February and will be available in 5 different colours. The RRP is of this great bit of kit is £299.00.

For more details check out www.revit.eu

New Suzuki V-Strom 1000 breaks cover at Intermot

Last weeks International Motorcycle Show (Intermot) in Cologne featured the debut appearance for Suzuki’s new 1000cc liquid cooled derivative of their adventure bike, the V-Strom.

New Suzuki V-Strom 1000 Concept unveiled at Intermot

The V-Strom 1000 concept was one of the more spectacular new bikes launched at the show, with an impressive spec sheet including an all-new 1000cc liquid cooled V-twin engine, traction control and integrated luggage as standard, this bike looks more than ready to take up the legendary Suzuki V-Strom mantle.

Those of you who remember the old V-Strom 1000 will know that it was a hell of a bike and it’s departure in the early naughties left a big gap in the reasonably priced big block adventure market. The V-Strom range has continued since then with the equally popular 650 model, the latest version launched successfully just a couple of years ago.

We imagine then that the return of a 1000cc V-Strom will be greatly welcomed, whilst details are still to be confirmed, Suzuki have confirmed that the new concept will be part of their 2014 range in the UK. So those looking for a reliable and highly capable adventure bike should bear this in mind.

The new styling is undeniably eye-catching and whether you love it or hate it, it’s a bold step for Suzuki away from their more conventional design for bikes such as the Bandit and GSX-F. There are obvious hints of BMW GS and Ducati Multistrada in the bike’s stance and detailing, but Suzuki claim to have taken their inspiration from their famous DR Big Dakar racer.

Make sure you check back regularly to follow the development of this exciting new concept bike from Suzuki.

For more info check out www.suzuki-gb.co.uk