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WHATEVER YOU RIDE. VISIT .co.uk
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Page 1: MCN Apr 29

WHATEVER YOU RIDE. VISIT .co.uk

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WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL 2009

Modern classics48

By Chris Pearson

If you ever tire of modern motorcycle dealerships, with their swanky glass and chrome, and pine for ’70s-style bike shop grit and grime, Cosmo Classics is the place for you.

Located on the prom at St Leonards-on-Sea, Hastings, Cosmo is caught in a time warp. Named after its proprietor, 43-year-old, half-Welsh, half-Greek, Evan ‘Cosmo’ Cosmos, the place takes you back 40 years.

The shop and workshop is crammed full of tasty classics and memorabilia ranging from a pair of ultra rare and expensive Triumph X75 Hurricanes, to more bread-and-butter Japanese tackle, plus a few examples of Latin thinking, too.

Although a big fan of all machines of the period, Cosmo has a particular passion for the Kawasaki Z1.

“I could never afford one back when they were the bike to have,” he recalls. “A decent Z would cost thousands so I stuck to running cheaper machinery like Tridents and Commandos, along with the odd Yamaha twin that could be had for under a ton back in the early ’80s. I started buying and selling bikes to make ends meet and that was the start of my business.”

Cosmo Classic Motorcycles was founded eight years ago in an industrial unit in nearby Worthing. The current premises, a long-time former classic bike shop, became available four years ago.

“It was perfect because it offered the opportunity to have a retail outlet, as well as a cracking workshop with bags of character,” Cosmo says. “Suddenly the business kicked into gear and now the main problem is not selling machinery, it’s finding replacements for the four or five bikes I’m selling every week.”

Cosmo learned his trade at Merton College in south London, in the mid

If you could turn back time…

EVAN COSMOS

-80s, before becoming one of the top technicians at London Triumph dealer Carl Rosner.

Here he worked on both Norton rotaries and Hinckley Triumphs, before the experience of the latter made him rethink his two-wheeled ambitions. “They were just too different for me to cope with,” laughs Cosmo. “So I had to get out quick!” For the next 10 years he

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WHATEVER YOU RIDE. VISIT .co.uk

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FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN IN MAY.co.uk

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13 WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL 2009

Capacity: 1198ccPower: 168bhpTorque: 97ftlbWeight: 169kgTop speed: 141mphInsurance group: 17 (of 17)Colours: Red, blackAlso available: 1198 (£12,995)

Capacity: 124ccPower: 13bhpTorque: 7ftlbWeight: 118kgTop speed: 75mphInsurance group: 6 (of 17)Colours: Black, red, Red/white/blue

Capacity: 599ccPower: 107bhpTorque: 44ftlbWeight: 194kgTop speed: 163.19mphInsurance group: 15 (of 17)Colours: Red/white/blueAlso available: CBR600RR (£7345)

Capacity: 999ccPower: 162bhpTorque: 78ftlbWeight: 210kgTop speed: 179mphInsurance group: 17 (of 17)Colours: Black, blue and HRC, Repsol (extra options)

Capacity: 249ccPower: 32bhpTorque: 16ftlbWeight: 154kgTop speed: 93mphInsurance group: 7 (of 17)Colours: Green only

Capacity: 599ccPower: 115bhpTorque: 47lbftWeight: 191kgTop speed: 161mphInsurance group: 15 (of 17)Colours: Green, black, blue

Capacity: 998ccPower: 170bhpTorque: 80ftlbWeight: 208kgTop speed: 186mphInsurance group: 17 (of 17)Colours: Green, black, white

Capacity: 599ccPower: 111bhpTorque: 43ftlbWeight: 166kgTop speed: 172mphInsurance group: 15 (of 17)Colours: White/red, blue, black

Capacity: 998 Power: 157bhpTorque: 78ftlbWeight: 206kgTop speed: 181mphInsurance group: 17 (of 17)Colours: White, blue, black

Capacity: 798ccPower: 84bhpTorque: 59ftlbWeight: 182kgTop speed: 140mphInsurance group: 11 (of 17)Colours: Red, white, silver

Capacity: 1293ccPower: 158bhp (claimed)Torque: 99ftlbWeight: 288kgTop speed: 155mph (est)Insurance group: 15 (of 17)Colours: Beige, red, blue

Capacity: 1170ccPower: 110bhpTorque: 85ftlbWeight: 229kgTop speed: 130mphInsurance group: 13 (of 17)Colours: Dark grey, grey, red

Capacity: 1293ccPower: 172bhpTorque: 103ftlbWeight: 254kgTop speed: 170mphInsurance group: 16 (of 17)Colours: Orange, grey, grey/silver

Capacity: 1074ccPower: 95bhpTorque: 76ftlbWeight: 196kgTop speed: 142mphInsurance group: 15 (of 17)Colours: RedAlso available: Multistrada S (£9616)

PRICE £16,616 PRICE £3070 PRICE £8753 PRICE £10,721 PRICE £3899 PRICE £7899 PRICE £9499

PRICE £8420 PRICE £11,120 PRICE £6355 PRICE £12,240 PRICE £11,045 PRICE £10,165 PRICE £8871

DUCATI1198S

HONDACBR125R

HONDACBR600RR ABS

HONDACBR1000RR FIREBLADE ABS

KAWASAKI250 NINJA

KAWASAKIZX-6R

KAWASAKIZX-10R

YAMAHAR6

YAMAHAR1

BMWF800S

BMWK1300GT

BMWR1200RT

BMWK1300S

DUCATIMULTISTRADA

MCN RATING MCN RATING MCN RATING MCN RATING MCN RATING MCN RATING MCN RATING

MCN RATING MCN RATING MCN RATING MCN RATING MCN RATING MCN RATING MCN RATING

VERDICTNobody else has a 168bhp V-twin on its books, complete with traction control, Ohlins suspension and data-logging – and if they did, it’d probably cost more than the £16,495 Ducati 1198S. It’s one of those motorcycles everyone should be allowed to ride once in their life.

VERDICTTried and tested for the past five years, Honda’s smallest CBR sports machine has an enviable reputation for reliability. For 2009 the CBR gets an optional Honda Racing red/white/blue paint scheme, along with gold wheels. Unfortunately the CBR’s styling is looking dated.

VERDICTA few engine tweaks increase the midrange but the big news is the optional electronically-controlled Combined ABS system, which is a first for a supersports bike. Purists will be pleased to hear it stays in the background until you really need it.

VERDICTThe world’s first ABS-equipped superbike. The system takes none of the enjoyment out of riding this incredible superbike, staying in the background until you get into a difficult braking situation, then the ‘brake-by-wire’ kicks in. The shape of things to come.

VERDICTArrival of the Ninja on these shores (Kawasaki 250s have sold consistently in the US and elsewhere since the late ’80s) has awoken a level of interest in the quarter-litre 33bhp roadster class not seen since the 1980s. The 250R is no screaming scalpel, more a steady and stylish novice-friendly tool.

VERDICTIn terms of chassis and handling, the new Kawasaki ZX-6R a big step forward over the old ZX-6R. New MotoGP-derived Big Piston forks make a huge difference – you can brake devilishly late and the bike stays stable. With 115bhp at the back wheel, it’s the most powerful standard 600 we’ve ever tested.

VERDICTSuper-agile and stonkingly powerful, what the ZX-10 lacks in polish and refinement it makes up for in aggression and excitment. On a bumpy back road, the firm suspension gives a choppy ride, but if you plan more than a few track days this year, look no further.

VERDICTTurns as fast as a 250 race bike, has manic top end power and on track it gets more fun (and frantic) the harder you push. A hole in the mid-range spoils it on the road and means you need to really work the engine and gearbox, but once it’s on the power the R6 is scarily quick.

VERDICTLike no inline four-cylinder sports bike ever produced. The sensational R1’s ultra-short-stroke engine has a MotoGP-style crossplane crankshaft. It grunts out of corners like a V-twin, while giving superb feel through the rear tyre, and howls along straights like the mad inline-four it is. Sounds like Rossi’s M1 at full chat, too.

VERDICTExcellent engine, superb handling and everyday useability make the F800S a bike you could learn to ride on, then keep and enjoy for a very long time after you’ve passed your test. The ST Touring version features a fuller fairing, raised handlebars and a taller screen and will set you back £6855.

VERDICTTrue Grand Tourer combines massive performance with supreme practicality and comfort. On the move, its huge bulk evaporates and it becomes a wieldy bike. With heated grips and seat and an electrically-adjustable screen, hundreds of miles in a day are easy meat. New K-series range now has ‘proper’ indicators, too.

VERDICTSporty enough to be fun, but with all the comforts you could possibly want on a long journey. Optional electronically-switchable sports and normal suspension is worth the extra £400. ABS brakes come as standard. Nearly as good as a K1200LT, but much cheaper.

VERDICTWith 172bhp and some very clever electronically-adjustable suspension, traction control and a long list of options, BMW has built a bike that can handle almost everything. As with the K1300GT, it now benefits from proper indicators, instead of BMW’s three-switch system.

VERDICTDucati’s Multistrada plods on as an often overlooked and generally unloved oddball. On the plus side it’s a genuinely versatile machine that’s strikingly different from the crowd and amusingly competent – especially in Ohlins-equipped ‘S’ trim.

CHECK OUT THE NEW LOOK, VISIT... .co.uk

KEY: SPORTS SPORTS TOURERS AND TOURERS CRUISERS NAKEDS TRAIL AND SUPERMOTO

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