VIDEO CHAT | Torqueing Heads
By Michael Mann
BikeSocial Managing Editor. Content man - reviewer, road tester, video presenter, interviewer, commissioner, organiser. First ride was a 1979 Honda ST70 in the back garden aged 6. Not too shabby on track, loves a sportsbike, worries about helmet hair, occasionally plays golf and squash but enjoys being a father to a 7-year old the most.
30.07.2020
During the #lockdown restrictions imposed because of the nasty old virus, we encouraged riders to #StaySafe #StayHome and listen to the Bennetts BikeSocial team shooting the breeze in a video-based chat show style series known as ‘Torqueing Heads’. As we continue to welcome a range of motorcycling guests from those with garage advice through to the latest news from the bosses of the TT and BSB, even though riding is now permitted, we'll continue to keep you entertained. If there's anybody you'd particularly like to see involved, let us know in the comments below or fire us an email to enquiries@bikesocial.co.uk
EPISODE 13
Making its debut in October 2021 is a new road racing festival set for the Isle of Wight on a 12.4-mile road course and ahead of the announcement we got plenty of insight with three key members from the ‘Diamond Races’ organising team; James Kaye, Gary Thompson MBE and Steve Plater.
Torqueing Heads – Episode 13
The Diamond Races will take place on a 12.4-mile road racing course on the Isle of Wight in October 2021 with two blocks of Superbike, Supersport and Supertwin classes on one race day.
EPISODE 12
What has TT and world endurance racing hero, John McGuinness, been up to during lockdown? It's not all fun and games at Casa de McGuinness! In this latest episode of our Torqueing Heads chat series, we get cosy with the 23-times TT winner and talk about his 2020 Ducati Tri Options Cup challenger, his latest project bike, the go-kart circuit he built and his racing career, sorry 'journey', regrets.
Torqueing Heads – Episode 12
John McGuinness | Exclusive interview ahead of the delayed 2020 season
EPISODE 11
"I just love all aspects of motorsport," says #CarlCox. A hero among so many music lovers with a career spreading 40 years, Carl Cox is wonderful human being and just happens to be #motorcycle and car obsessed, so we spent some time with the legend to delve deeper into his love for the Isle of Man TT, how he got into bikes, why he has over 80 machines in his collection, and why he's earned the title of 'Fastest DJ in the World!'
Torqueing Heads – Episode 11
Carl Cox | Exclusive interview. Chooooon!
EPISODE 10
In this latest episode of #TorqueingHeads, #BritishSuperbike rider, Tommy Bridwell, from the Moto Rapido Ducati team offers his views on:
- the revised 2020 Bennetts BSB calendar
- World Superbike aspirations & Scott Redding's chances
- opportunities in the Endurance World Championship
- why he's not needed to train during lockdown
- how tasty his chocolate brownies are(n't)
- Panigale V4R upgrades
- who his main rivals are in BSB
- his favourite ever race liveries...
Torqueing Heads – Episode 10
BSB's Tommy Bridewell | Exclusive interview!
EPISODE 9
Sponsored by Bennetts Classic Bike Insurance
In this episode of Torqueing Heads, we talk to three major players in UK motorcycling about the industry's future. Offering their opinions to Steve Rose this week are:
Anthony 'Dutch' van Someren - Founder & CEO, The Bike Shed
Tony Campbell - Chief Executive, MCIA
Colin Brown - Director of Campaigns and Political Engagement for The Motorcycle Action Group.
Torqueing Heads – Episode 9
The future of motorcycling by those who are responsible
EPISODE 8
Sponsored by Bennetts Classic Bike Insurance
In this episode, Luke Brackenbury - Bennetts Brand & PR Man - finds out what the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (or VJMC, as they preferred to be called) are all about when he speaks to chairman, Malcolm Linsley, and Andy Bolas, show co-ordinator.
You can get FREE membership to the VJMC as part of a Classic Motorcycle insurance policy with Bennetts.
Torqueing Heads – Episode 8
What is the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMC)?
EPISODE 7
Sponsored by Abus Locks
Old Brits to factory race bikes, how to buy a classic smartly along with how to start a Vincent and why Captain Tom would have ridden an LC if he’d been 50 years younger.
Joining our own Steve Rose for the classic motorcycling-focused episode of our Torqueing Heads weekly chat show is Chris Mayhew from Lusso Veloce, the Leicestershire-based dealership, as well as James Hewing, Director of The National Motorcycle Museum.
Torqueing Heads – Episode 7
The Classic Motorcycling Edition
EPISODE 6
Sponsored by Sidi
It's the sixth episode of Torqueing Heads, the Bennetts BikeSocial weekly chat show, and for this Isle of Man TT special we welcome Peter Hickman, the world's fastest road rider and TT lap record holder, alongside Paul Phillips, the Isle of Man Government's TT & Motorsport Development Manager.
The process behind the Isle of Man TT cancellation
TT 2021 opportunities
Why the TT isn’t replacing the Classic TT
The chances of the Classic/Manx running
Hicky's debut
The lap record lap and the nine riders he had to pass
His top 5 parts of the TT course
Norton Superlight (Lightweight) and TVS's involvement and Yamaha R6 (Supersport)
BSB 2020 season preparations
Hicky’s young racer programme (Ohvale)
The Virtual TT plans
Grab a cuppa and take a look, it's 1h37m long by the way!
Torqueing Heads – Episode 6
Isle of Man TT special with Peter Hickman
EPISODE 5
Sponsored by Spada
In the latest episode of Torqueing Heads, the Bennetts BikeSocial weekly chat show, we welcome The Missenden Flyer - a professional YouTuber with 157k subscribers to his motorcycle-related channel.
#StaySafe #StayHome this week as Luke Brackenbury and John Milbank chat with Andy, aka 'The Middenden Flyer' about his tops tips to make a great motovlog. It's not all about the expensive equipment but you do have to have thick skin.
Sit back, relax and enjoy:
Torqueing Heads – Episode 5
Top Tips for Motovlogging with TMF
EPISODE 4
Sponsored by Spidi
Torqueing Heads, the Bennetts BikeSocial weekly chat show returns with an adventure special.
#StaySafe #StayHome this week as the Bennetts BikeSocial trio of Steve Rose, Steve Lamb and your host, Michael Mann, who are joined by around-the-world lap record holder, Nick Sanders MBE, to chat through his top adventure tips, the best roads in the world, free bicycles and taking a canal boat to Russia, as well as his current project; a half-finished lap of the world on Yamaha's Tenere 700, which has been put on hold courtesy of COVID-19 meaning Nick had to leave his bike in Australia and fly home in time for lockdown.
Sit back, relax and enjoy:
Torqueing Heads – Episode 4
The Adventure episode with Nick Sanders
EPISODE 3
Sponsored by Shoei helmets
Torqueing Heads, the Bennetts BikeSocial weekly chat show returns with a British Superbike special.
#StaySafe #StayHome this week as the Bennetts BikeSocial duo of Chris Newble and Michael Mann are joined by Bennetts Rewards customer, Chris Holttum, and the Bennetts British Superbike Race and Series Director, Stuart Higgs to answer all sorts of questions about, well these subjects:
5m 05m – The latest on COVID-19 affecting BSB, circuits & tickets
30m 16s - The Redding Affect 41m51 - Youth, Experienced & Rules
57m 13s - Naked Racing?
1h 01m 20s - Top BSB Memories
1h 08m 03s – More European Rounds?
1h 11m 55s – ‘Fan’ Questions from Peter Hickman and Tommy Bridewell
Sit back, relax and enjoy:
Torqueing Heads – Episode 3
The British Superbike episode
EPISODE 2
Sponsored by Petronas Sprinta motorcycle engine oil
In the second episode of your #lockdown motorcycling educational entertainment, 'Torqueing Heads', the Bennetts BikeSocial crew encourage a bit more #StaySafe #StayHome with a maintenance special.
Joining Steve Rose, John Milbank and Stephen Lamb is Nick Nomikos of The Two Wheeled Centre in Harpenden for some light-hearted chat about the what's happened over the years behind-the-scenes in the servicing department and we find out which we our choices for the £2k sensible commuter.
Tune in right here:
Torqueing Heads – Episode 2
The maintenance fails episode
EPISODE 1
With over 70 years of riding experience between them, Steve Rose, John Milbank, Luke Brackenbury and Michael Mann talk about what's in their garages (or on the wall), what the last bike they rode, why electric bikes are here to stay, and why everyone should be scooter commuting once we're allowed out to play.
Since episode one was recorded and published, we’ve decided to call the series, ‘Tourqueing Heads’ – as recommended by Bill Clark on our YouTube channel.
Episode two will follow, obviously, so set your reminders for Sunday as our first ever special guest is revealed, we talk about basic maintenance tips, we answer some of your questions and we reveal our choices for the £2k sensible commuter.
Meanwhile, here’s how the first one went:
Torqueing Heads – Episode 1
The Bennetts BikeSocial team excites, enthrals, educates and entertains…ish.
