Allen had the trip of a lifetime in Vietnam and Cambodia, but how was the ride? Here, he shares how his Brixton rose to the challenge of broken roads, river crossings and even monsoons.

HOW MY BRIXTON PERFORMED

One thing I find particularly important, especially on road trips, is being able to count on my equipment at all times and in all conditions. My first impression of the bike was positive, I told myself that the designers had done a good job. But what about the engineers? Because yes, design is good, but reliability is better!

I knew from the start I was going to be putting this bike to the test, riding to high altitude, crossing rivers and coping with the uneven, broken roads. In the end it suffered much more than I had imagined! With dust that fills your airways and a torrential monsoon that could drown an engine; the bike showed only slight signs of weakness and it earned my respect! Its mechanics are not complex, and everything is easily repairable, no matter where you are.

This Brixton hasn’t got a big engine, so the climbs are tough and the straight lines seem endless. The saddle and the shock absorbers are firm, encouraging you to alternate between sitting and standing positions. The coupled braking system does the job very well in urban areas but can be problematic if 80% of the roads you take are dusty tracks. Finally, in this connected world the USB socket is a useful inclusion, but could do with a water and dust seal.

In conclusion, this motorbike allowed me to climb the highest peak in Vietnam, travel the Cambodian tracks lined with temples and meet the true people of Cambodia. It’s a simple and efficient motorcycle. You have to keep in mind that whether you want to get lost in a jungle at the end of the world, on the Breton coast, on a tour of Corsica, or even going across country, you don’t need a new expensive motorbike to have fun. A simple one can transform a short trip into an epic road trip. This little Brixton has demonstrated it!

Copyright: Allen Cledseth

Follow Allen on Instagram: @cledseth