Front End Chatter - episode 190

Hello everyone, two, three here we go and welcome to Front End Chatter episode 190 in series one of Britain's best (or at least longest-running) podcast-flavoured semi-occasional long-form motorcycling nattertainment, no thanks to him, Simon Hargreaves, and even less to him, Martin Fitz-Gibbons. 

FEC has been FECing for a whole FECing decade now, mostly thanks to two things: not knowing when to quit; and the tireless support and encouragement and assistance of Bennetts, easily Britain's best bike insurers. You need some of that motorcycle insurance they have these days? Actually, that's not really a question. You need some of that motorcycle insurance they have these days! And you should head directly to Bennetts.co.uk to get it, or at least get a quote for it. Not only are they wonderful people who put back in the bike industry (like, cough, this load of free ear-muck), but if you buy your policy direct, you'll get a year's free BikeSocial membership, which unlocks all manner of exclusive discounts, competitions, offers and experiences like some kind of cheat code for your wallet.

 And in this episode, we have:

• Honda's new E-Clutch, ridden and rated - have Honda finally figured out a way to overthrow the manual transmission after nearly 70 years of trying?

• Triumph Tiger 1200 - only two years old and already updated, well a bit, but also a hell of a lot.

• BMW R1300GS - what's it like compared to the R1250GS, and what will BMW do with the Adventure?

 And a hearty shuffle through the bulging FECsack, including:

• Street Triple - standard or R?

• Guess the shaft-drive, garage-wood inducing tourer

• How long do helmets really last, really?

• The Biking Ladder - is it a load of tosh?

• Fun bikes for occasionally taking a pillion (who may or may not be fun)

• Best tyres for a Ténéré

• Credit where Viva FECspana credit is (over)due

 Please keep topping our FECsack up by emailing your thoughts, wonderings, ponderings and observances to anything@frontendchatter.com

And it's not too late to join us on a 10-day biking tour of a lifetime! Viva FECspana takes in amazing best roads in France and Spain, fab company and lush hotels. Don't miss out on the highlight of your summer - bit.ly/fecspain

And, as ever, find us on the socials: @SimonHbikes and @Mufga

Or you can download directly, by doing that right-clicky thing HERE

If you’d like to chat about this article or anything else biking related, join us and thousands of other riders at the Bennetts BikeSocial Facebook page.