Front End Chatter #59

Welcome to Front End Chatter E59, brought to you in association with our good friends at www.bikesocial.co.uk, sponsored by Bennetts, the bike insurance specialists.

AND! What an episode we have!

Just in time for the Assen MotoGP race this weekend, Front End Chatter recaps the previous round at Catalunya (apologies for the delay, delay, delay and don't worry, because it was so long ago we keep it brief) – and it's worth reminding ourselves what a hilarious, thigh-slapping sit-com of a race weekend it was with riders using the wrong track (but still in Spain), other riders falling over things and some riders falling over themselves.

We also cover – unusually – a cracking World Superbike race from Misano and find it a rewarding experience. Which is more than can be said for Ducati's Charles Davies.

We've a bit more race goss, including a possible return to racing for former WSB champ and ex-Yamaha MotoGP star Bens Pies, Iannone moving from Suzuki to Aprilia, why it would be cool to see Jonathan Rea switching from WSB to jump on the MotoGP Suzuki, why tyres 'spin' on the rim, the latest British Superbike round from Knockhill, and who is Jake Dixon and is he in the RAF? Plus a bit of natter about Hutchy's awful Senior TT crash. Yikes.

We also read out a few of your emails, including:

• more disrespeculation about Honda's FireBlade,
• wrist relief on motorways,
• recommended heated clothing,
• a bit of a rant about why magazine and web new bike 'tests' may or may not be all they seem,
• the blurring of distinction between PR and journalism, and
• is riding fast an addiction, and what can you do about it?

We think that's quite enough controversy for one episode, so if you enjoy FEC please

a) tell your mates,

b) email us with a question or a topic for discussion,

c) insure your bike with Bennetts and

d) buy RiDE magazine. We may be bought and paid for, but at least we're honest about it.

Thanks, and talk at you again soon!

@SimonHbikes

@Mufga

anything@frontendchatter.com