Held wearer Joe Burns: Superstock 1000 Cadwell report

The team arrived at Cadwell Park in a confident mood, testing during the previous week had gone well, and consequently a good result was a strong possibility. 

Joe Burns at Cadwell- photo courtesy of Jon Jessop Photography

In Free Practice Joe was 3rd quickest just 0.21 behind Jason O’Halloran, and 1.544 behind Danny Buchan, Qualifying 1 took place in bright sunshine later the same day, and initially all was well and Joe set 4th quickest time within 4 laps, however an unexpected rear shock absorber problem hampered the run, but he retained 4th quickest position despite only completing 6 laps, so a good result from the first day’s work. 

A brand new rear shock absorber was fitted prior to Qualifying 2 and once again Joe was ‘on the pace’ very quickly, he was just edged out of 4th quickest place by a late run from Hudson Kennaugh, just 0.014 seconds being the difference, so a 5th place start position was the result. During the qualifying run Joe was once again hampered by the rear shock absorber, which surprisingly showed the same problems he had experienced in Q1, a decision was made to switch to a K-Tech unit for the race. 

Overnight a new unit was built and installed in the bike, clearly this proved to be a good decision, during the Monday morning warm up on a damp track Joe simply rode away from everyone, setting the fastest time, 0.775 clear of the field. 

The weather forecast was for heavy rain, but this held off for the morning and the race was run in dry conditions, Joe started reasonably well, slipping one place to 6th a position he held right through the first 10 laps, but he was running very close to the riders fighting over 3rd place, however Cadwell is not an easy track for overtaking and Hudson Kennaugh seemed to be riding a ‘very wide’ bike! 

Sadly the race was stopped on lap 10, due to an accident. Clearly if this not happened Joe had the pace to move up at least one and maybe 2 positions, his lap times being better in comparison to the riders in front of him. So 6th place was the result. 

After the race Joe said, “This weekend has been very good, a lot of positives for me, my team worked through the issues with the rear shock absorber and we made the right decisions to go to a different manufactures unit, I was disappointed that the race finished early as I could see that the rear tyre on Hudson’s bike was badly worn, and I knew I could pass him, but it was not to be.” 

Joe is now 9th in the Championship standings. 

To see more about Held in the UK, including our online catalogue, please visit www.held-uk.co.uk

3-Layer ultra functional Gore-Tex jacket from Held

Introducing the Held Carese II:

Held Carese II 3-layer Gore-Tex Jacket in Black, RRP £569.99

Outer shell
• DuPont Cordura 500D (100% polyamide)

Lining
• COOLMAX breathable mesh inner lining (100% polyester)
• 3D air mesh panels (100% polyester) in back to promote air circulation

Membrane
• removable GORE-TEX 3-layer liner technology
• removable waterproof membrane inner jacket which can be used attached inside the jacket or as a separate over jacket

Held Carese II 3-layer Gore-Tex Jacket- another colour variation

Fit/features
• waterproof external pockets
• 3 inner pockets
• internal cellphone pocket
• map / document pocket
• 1 back pocket
• air-vent zippers in front, back & arms
• front air-vent zipper
• magnetic closure pockets double as air vents
• stretch panels at shoulders
• waist belt
• dual arm adjustment
• soft collar
• full-length back protector can be integrated into jacket lining

Protection
• exclusive EN 1621-1 CE-approved Held cloverleaf SAS-TEC shoulder & elbow protectors
• TEMPERFOAM back pad
• optional EN 1621-2 back protector
• Connecting zip
• 3M SCOTCHLITE™ reflectors

Sizes
S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL

Colours
black
grey-orange
grey-black
grey-blue

You can view the Carese II on page 74 of our online catalogue

Top selling airflow summer motorcycle trousers from Held

Available in black or grey and priced at RRP £119.99 these trousers are the perfect companion for warm days on the bike. The Held Zeffiro II come in short, regular or long leg sizes and gents up to 5XL & ladies up to D3XL!! With great protection, plenty of cool mesh material and optional waterproof inner pants. Spot on!

Held Zeffiro II Summer motorcycle trousers in black

The official word:

This is the updated version of our best-selling summer airflow trousers. Sharper looking than ever before. Large airflow panels ensure superior cooling during the summer heat. Equipped with soft CE Level 1 protectors at the knees and prepared for the addition of a CE hip armour. 2 outer pockets.

Held Zeffiro II Summer motorcycle trousers in grey

Technical info:

• 600D Heros-Tec Polyester
• Breathable inner mesh lining

Features:
• 2 outer pockets
• Airflow mesh panels at thigh, shin and back of leg
• Hem & waist adjustments
• SAS-Tec Level 1 knee armour, adjustable
• Hip upgradable with CE Level 1 armour

You can add a waterproof inner lining with item Held H626289D

To see our online catalogue and a list of UK Held retailers please visit www.held-uk.co.uk

Talan Skeels-Piggins Castle Combe Report

Talan enjoying the sun and getting focussed

The weekend of 21/22 June saw Talan Racing attend the two day motorcycle race meeting at Castle Combe, with North Gloucester Road Racing (NGRR). The circuit has special meaning to Talan as it was the venue that saw him get back on a motorcycle having been paralysed. The staff and instructors helped Talan to overcome the difficulties that paralysis has for riding two wheels, then it became home to The Bike Experience charity in 2011.

Saturday began with a much needed free practice. Due to time constraints and work commitments, the Team had not been able to make a track day at the circuit to sort out gearing, set up and re-acquaint themselves with the whole layout. Within a few laps, Talan had remembered his way around and was dropping in lap times. The plan was to try and get as close to the previous years lap times as possible. At the same race last year, Talan had been doing regular track days and his confidence was high. This year is all about rebuilding that confidence after the near fatal accident last August.

The weekend had a number of positives for the Team. The first was a two day meeting at the circuit and the second was that NGRR had allowed Talan to race in the Pre-Injection 700’s & 1300’s as well, which meant another possible four races. He wouldn’t be scoring any points in the extra races, but it was valuable experience in starts and racing against more powerful machines.

In all the races on Saturday, Talan proved to be quick off the mark and quick on the opening lap. In one race alone he managed to overtake 15 other bikes on the first lap, something that surprised the riders and officials alike. The same went for Sunday, with lap times coming down to the 1min 25.8sec best set last year, and then dropping into the low 1.25’s before finally being taken to 1min 24.2sec. Confidence has certainly been restored!

Talan and his Performance of the meeting award

The performance put in by Talan and the Team was recognised by the officials of the NGRR with the ‘Performance of the Meeting’ Award being presented to Talan after the final Minitwin race of the weekend. Another bonus from the weekend was the appearance, at the Talan Racing tent, of none other than John McGuiness, who popped in to chat with Talan and find out a little bit more about the bike and how someone who’s paralysed can still ride.

John McGuinness and Talan talking bikes

Talan Skeels-Piggins is the only paraplegic solo motorcycle racer in the UK. Talan founded The Bike Experience- which gets disabled people back on to two wheels. www.tbex.co.uk. Talan wears Held Rider Equipment.

What We Wear: The Held ST-6 full carbon helmet

The best way to start this blog about this great helmet is: 100% carbon helmet for under £270! Mine is the plain version, but it comes with colours on the black, too.

Held ST-6 full carbon motorcycle helmet for under £270!

It's light, it's strong, it looks great and it has plenty of features. But what's it like to ride in, across the entire year, over thousands of miles? Luckily we try and test as much of our gear as possible and this helmet has been a personal favourite of mine for over two years now. I'll talk about some bits that float my boat ;)

The Held ST-6 100% carbon helmet- MY first choice of lid

We've all got different shaped noggins, so choosing the helmet with the best fit is the most important factor, for me, anyway. One of the things that pleased me instantly about the Held ST-6 is the cheek pump system (See below). You can press away on the little button, just above where the chin sits and feel the helmet's insides pumping up, delivering a virtually perfect and reassuringly 'personal' fit every time you put it on. Taking it off is easy as a tiny button alongside the main one lets the air out before you take it off!

Held ST-6 cheek pump feature- perfect fit, every time

The visor comes Pinlock ready and Ive just fitted a pinlock insert that changes colour according to the light. Pinlock has made a huge difference  in terms of delivering crystal clear vision in any condition, as they always seem to. The helmet also has an integral drop down sun-visor, which has proved invaluable to me in those situations where the sun keeps appearing and disappearing!

One of the things I like most about this helmet is the easy visor change. No more broken side pods, and no hassle. I took the video below when I got the helmet and this video is the FIRST TIME I undid, and re-attached the visor. Easy!

Before I give you the official 'spec' for the helmet, below there's a photo collage I created to try and give you a feel for this awesome lid. I've covered about 5,000 miles in it, it's been comfy, easy to keep clean and caused lots of interest at bike meets. Very happy with it and certainly worth £269.99!

The Held ST-6 100% carbon motorcycle helmet in all its glory

Now, the official word:

100% carbon outer shell
Soft outlast lining for climate control
Clear, Pinlock ready, scratchproof visor
Integral sun visor
Air-vents at front and chin
Quick-release ratchet fastening
Quick change visor
Integral pump system for perfect fit
Air vents at front and chin
ECE 22.05 certified

To see the full range of 
Held Rider Equipment in the UK please click here

Perfect for Summer, ladies and gents versions: The Held Tropic II jacket

Looking great! This is the updated version of our best-selling summer airflow jacket. And this version looks better and sportier than ever before. Large airflow panels front, back and on the sleeves ensures superior cooling during the summer heat. Equipped with soft CE Level 1 protectors on shoulders and elbow and prepared for the addition of a CE back armour panel. 2 outer pockets and 2 inner pockets. RRP £124.99

Held Tropic II in blue

Held Tropic II in black

Technical information:

Outer shell
• HEROS-TEC® 600D fabric (100% polyester) Lining
• Mesh lining (100% polyester)

Fit/features
• 2 external pockets
• 2 inner pockets
• Cool mesh material in front, back & arms
• arm adjustment
• Optional waterproof inner jacket (Art. Art. 6396)
• Soft collar

Protection
• EN 1621-1 CE-certifi ed soft protectors at shoulders & elbows
• Special foam padding at back
• Optional EN 1621-2 back protector
• Connecting zip
• Reflective sections

Held Tropic II in grey

Held Tropic II in red

To see this jacket and more browse our online catalogue please click here

One of our coolest Summer Retro leather jackets :)

The Held 'Harvey', has that awesome retro look!  Ready for summer riding and leisurely times off the bike, the jacket is vented and comes equipped with highly effective, subtle protective D3O armour. the jacket is lovely soft cowhide, ultra comfy the FIRST time you slip it on.

The Held 'Harvey' retro leather jacket- super cool!

Super-cool details! The perfect marriage of style and motorcycle function! This is simply a great looking jacket: A slightly worn look to make it real from 'Day 1'; This jacket keeps you safe on the bike and it's got the looks for on and off the bike.

Another colour choice of the the Held 'Harvey' leather motorcycle jacket

Technical info:

Outer Shell:
• Soft cowhide
Lining:
• 100% polyester inner lining
Fit/Features:
• 4 external pockets
• 2 inner pockets
• Zips also adjust ventilation
• Soft collar
• Stone-washed look
• Hip adjustment
Protection:
• Revolutionary EN 1621-1 CE-approved D3O adaptive shoulder & elbow protection
• Special foam padding at back
• Optional EN 1621-2 back protector
• Connecting zip

Another colour choice of the the Held 'Harvey' leather motorcycle jacket

To see more of the UK range for Held and a list of UK retailers please visit www.held-uk.co.uk